yeah, it's done. it felt surreal yesterday, to not have it in my hands anymore, to know that it was complete. the work of almost a year and by far the biggest thing i have ever done.
'empty nest syndrome' my cousin called it.
But today it feels good. To finally have the time to do what I want without feeling guilty for taking precious minutes away from it.
So I made truffle scrambled eggs.
Remember bills' scrambled eggs? The silky texture without a trace of hardness in the eggs? :) I got it perfect today (and without the 1/2 cup of cream too)
nyam
I now have to clear off my desk and clean up my room - papers, journal articles, chapter drafts from march through to the final full draft in october, LIBRARY BOOKS (two trips)
I'm going to spend the next month of so doing (almost - because I'm being good) everything I've meant to do since March. And I'm also in the mood to cook for the first time in months. Maybe I'll set up a cafe with my sisters and use my thesis as wallpaper. Hmm..
And no, no plans to do a PhD. Or to turn my thesis into a book.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
speculate
Someone has my address here. Someone I do not remember giving my address to. Which means someone has been snooping because this someone does not know any of my friends (here).
How do I know this?
I had the earliest birthday present ever in the mail today.
was it YOU?
How do I know this?
I had the earliest birthday present ever in the mail today.
was it YOU?
it's your fault i took this!
the questions and options irritated me - i find very few things morally objectable but many of them are intellectually absent or tasteless. and what if you try to walk whenever possible BUT your family also owns luxury cars, cars that are fuel efficient, as well as second hand cars?
but i'm surprised at how 'not proud' i am. less surprised at what would send me to hell..
| Greed: | High | |
| Gluttony: | High | |
| Wrath: | Medium | |
| Sloth: | High | |
| Envy: | Very Low | |
| Lust: | Very High | |
| Pride: | Medium |
The Seven Deadly Sins Quiz on 4degreez.com
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
today
I spoke with a man with the most brilliant blue eyes I have ever seen. They were jewel-toned, the colour of sapphires. Blue eyes and black hair get me every time
I amused myself by observing a pretty bubble head in the library
I picked up a copy of The Omnivore's Dilemma
I was offered a gingerbread man for oktoberfest
I smiled a bit at every head that turned
I had my usual large skim latte, one sugar and banana bread, toasted and buttered
I shivered in the wind
I relished every minute here because I know they are coming to an end
I amused myself by observing a pretty bubble head in the library
I picked up a copy of The Omnivore's Dilemma
I was offered a gingerbread man for oktoberfest
I smiled a bit at every head that turned
I had my usual large skim latte, one sugar and banana bread, toasted and buttered
I shivered in the wind
I relished every minute here because I know they are coming to an end
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
the end is near
tweet tweet tweet tweet!
It's almost done
:)
just a couple of thorough read throughs to check for consistency from start to finish and then it's done. for good. monday, october 20 2008, 12pm will mark the end of this phase.
It's almost done
:)
just a couple of thorough read throughs to check for consistency from start to finish and then it's done. for good. monday, october 20 2008, 12pm will mark the end of this phase.
Monday, October 13, 2008
book list
In preparation for freedom. I have a lot to catch up on
Michael Pollan - The Omnivore's Dilemma
- In Defense of Food
Peter Singer & Jim Mason - The Ethics of What We Eat
Jennifer McLagan - Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient
The Waiter - Thanks for the Tip: Confessions of a Cynical Waiter (Waiter Rant is brilliant)
TBC
Michael Pollan - The Omnivore's Dilemma
- In Defense of Food
Peter Singer & Jim Mason - The Ethics of What We Eat
Jennifer McLagan - Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient
The Waiter - Thanks for the Tip: Confessions of a Cynical Waiter (Waiter Rant is brilliant)
TBC
constellations
the End is in sight. the email read that tomorrow's meeting will be short. I interpret that to mean that there's little to correct or change and it is near acceptable for submission.
So I tripped home, first peaches of the season in hand, dawdling and anticipating. And admiring my gold nails every chance I got. Every time I want to check my watch I get distracted and look at my nails instead and forget about the time. tsk.
:)
The bad news, depending on how you see it, is that I feel the stirrings of my ink addiction. I should name them, just for ease of reference (and also because I secretly think they've each got a distinct personality. Or they are associated with a different me). The last one kept me satisfied for almost two years now, so that's a bit of a record. No piercings etc since then either.16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and nothing up to now. It IS a new record! woo hoo! I can't believe I got something done every year of my life since I was 16. Never counted until now.
This time around I want something
a. at the base of my neck/top of my back (obviously)
b. shoulder blade
first choice would be a. but that would leave the problem of concealing it should I ever be unfortunate enough to land in a conservative workplace. As for what it would be.... I've come full circle - I want another star. Perhaps a smaller one, not a carbon copy of the first but there aren't that many variations on stars.
Which gives me an interesting idea. I could eventually have a smattering of stars across my body/ canvas. Not just black or solid stars either, maybe have a few red stars, a few outlines of stars, different sizes. That kind of thing. OR instead of having a completely random scatter of stars, I could place them in apparently random positions but have them form a sign/ something-i-just-don't-know-what-yet if I were to draw an imaginary line connecting them. Connect the dots. ooh...
So, a constellation of stars or connect the dots (stars). This would keep me occupied for a decade, I would think. And because each one would be so (relatively that is) small, I could get them done more frequently. Yes, let's bring some order into this whole milestone thing instead of ending up with a completely random assortment of creatures and symbols. Bigger picture yeah
So I tripped home, first peaches of the season in hand, dawdling and anticipating. And admiring my gold nails every chance I got. Every time I want to check my watch I get distracted and look at my nails instead and forget about the time. tsk.
:)
The bad news, depending on how you see it, is that I feel the stirrings of my ink addiction. I should name them, just for ease of reference (and also because I secretly think they've each got a distinct personality. Or they are associated with a different me). The last one kept me satisfied for almost two years now, so that's a bit of a record. No piercings etc since then either.16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and nothing up to now. It IS a new record! woo hoo! I can't believe I got something done every year of my life since I was 16. Never counted until now.
This time around I want something
a. at the base of my neck/top of my back (obviously)
b. shoulder blade
first choice would be a. but that would leave the problem of concealing it should I ever be unfortunate enough to land in a conservative workplace. As for what it would be.... I've come full circle - I want another star. Perhaps a smaller one, not a carbon copy of the first but there aren't that many variations on stars.
Which gives me an interesting idea. I could eventually have a smattering of stars across my body/ canvas. Not just black or solid stars either, maybe have a few red stars, a few outlines of stars, different sizes. That kind of thing. OR instead of having a completely random scatter of stars, I could place them in apparently random positions but have them form a sign/ something-i-just-don't-know-what-yet if I were to draw an imaginary line connecting them. Connect the dots. ooh...
So, a constellation of stars or connect the dots (stars). This would keep me occupied for a decade, I would think. And because each one would be so (relatively that is) small, I could get them done more frequently. Yes, let's bring some order into this whole milestone thing instead of ending up with a completely random assortment of creatures and symbols. Bigger picture yeah
Saturday, October 11, 2008
self-praise
I have to admit, even as IT drives me insane editing it, I love the complexity of my thesis. Reading the first few paragraphs that state succintly what it's about makes me positively purr.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
almost there
I *heart* gnocchi filled with spinach and ricotta. It doesn't even need sauce. Browned butter might be nice. mmmm..
The meeting over the first draft lasted two and a half hours but it didn't seem like 2.5 hours. Must have been the coffee. Surprisingly little to change though even if it'll take a few full days to correct. Minor details here and there but Duncan still hasn't criticized anything I've written much. He talks about how he kept scribbling 'excellent!!' instead and wanted a stamp so he wouldn't have to keep writing that. I hope it's just me being overly critical of my own work rather than him being overly easy to impress/ lenient. Now, finding more things to cut is going to be hell. Damn word count. Shouldn't have it. It's repressive.
gnocchignocchignocchignocchi. love the sound of it. gnocchi. too much coffee. gnocchi. shiny blind-you-bright fuschia nails. gnocchi
The meeting over the first draft lasted two and a half hours but it didn't seem like 2.5 hours. Must have been the coffee. Surprisingly little to change though even if it'll take a few full days to correct. Minor details here and there but Duncan still hasn't criticized anything I've written much. He talks about how he kept scribbling 'excellent!!' instead and wanted a stamp so he wouldn't have to keep writing that. I hope it's just me being overly critical of my own work rather than him being overly easy to impress/ lenient. Now, finding more things to cut is going to be hell. Damn word count. Shouldn't have it. It's repressive.
gnocchignocchignocchignocchi. love the sound of it. gnocchi. too much coffee. gnocchi. shiny blind-you-bright fuschia nails. gnocchi
Monday, October 06, 2008
this
I loved you once before and maybe I still care, which is why I won't ignore you. Also because I'm being civil.
But I am over this back and forth game that you're trying to play. So when you ask me how I'm doing, I'll reply. And when you ask me to meet you now, you'll need to give me a reason to.
But I am over this back and forth game that you're trying to play. So when you ask me how I'm doing, I'll reply. And when you ask me to meet you now, you'll need to give me a reason to.
eat
lunch. blanch asparagus. garlic sauteed in olive oil, capers, spaghettini, asparagus, crumble feta, smoked salmon, squeeze lemon. drizzle e.v. olive oil. yum.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
i hear the constant sound of yarping
9am:
still asleep, i hear
yarp yarp yarp yarp
(cover head with pillow and go back to sleep)
11am:
i wake up to more
yarp yarp yarp yarp
they made headphones and microphones for a reason. and do you have to make the living room your phone booth? yergh
blast PotUSA in return.
hehehehe
still asleep, i hear
yarp yarp yarp yarp
(cover head with pillow and go back to sleep)
11am:
i wake up to more
yarp yarp yarp yarp
they made headphones and microphones for a reason. and do you have to make the living room your phone booth? yergh
blast PotUSA in return.
hehehehe
Friday, October 03, 2008
signs of summer
bikinis (yay, skin!)
shorts and mini skirts and dresses instead of jeans
strawberries on the cheap, all the time
which naturally means that I eat a punnet a day (sometimes)
because they are that good. that red, that sweet, not even dipping them in dark chocolate tops these berries fresh and unadulterated
:)
and yes, that is a package you see in the background. my cousin sent me a message two days ago - keep an eye out for the postman in a week!
it came today
and.. (now i know you'll scold me..)
this was in it
card telling me to hang in there
and the entire Zoya gossip collection
which completely satisfies all my hot-pink and purple cravings :) i know, i know..
plus Zoya ki, top coat, base coat, and quick dry drops
(photos taken with 1.3MP cameraphone so excuse the quality)
on another note, i was distracted by the presence of prawns (not dried, fresh and butterflied) in my papaya salad and wondering about the contents of my package. this is what happened
ooh prawns, i don't think they usually put prawns in papaya salad
(lifts a forkful of salad, briefly note red specks but continue pondering prawns)
munch munch munch
ow. shit. damn chilli. cili padi too
Thursday, October 02, 2008
-germinating-
Ok, this will take the place of my no-go solo jump
Places to visit/ worship in Thailand:
Ayuthaya
Chiang Mai (yes, again) - take the train up from BKK
BKK (obviously)
islands - not sure which ones yet, but eyeing Phi Phi
want to check out the south too but these bloody travel warnings.. the food would be different there from central and northern Thailand. it would only be fair!
and then off the beaten track (at least as far off as you can get in Thailand..) :
Ranong?
"The least charming of the Andaman coast's provincial capitals, Ranong lies on the east bank of tea-brown Pak Chan estuary, a short boat ride from Myanmar. This is a frontier town through and through, with a frenetic, downtrodden feel and a mix of Burmese and Thais scrambling for your tourist dollar. The town attempts to woo visitors not only with its interesting visa runs to Myanmar (Burma), but with a clutch of natural hot springs and a handful of tumbledown historic buildings. Even if you don't need to renew your visa, it's well worth taking the opportunity to have a cup of tea in Myanmar - but the bleak town of Ranong doesn't entice a stay longer than a day or two." - Lonely Planet
bleakness sounds promising. and i could hop across the border into Myanmar for a bit. but i don't like the sound of frenetic Burmese and Thais scrambling for my tourist dollar. bears consideration this one.
not off the beaten track but intruiging:
Pattaya
this is what Lonely Planet (again, so help me) says about it
"A heavy-breathing and testosterone-fuelled testament to holiday hedonism, Pattaya has lured tourists for almost four decades, and it's showing no sign of slowing down. And as past visitors move on to more genteel Thai resorts, first-time travellers from Russia and Eastern Europe now air their new passports with a fling in Asia's first and foremost Sin City. Anyone for Pattayagrad?"
herm... maybe to humour my curiousity
I have this urge to cover all corners of Thailand and then trek back to the center for a civilized break with the family. But the south is off limits for now, the Andaman coast offers Phuket but 'been there done that' and the rest of that side still has a [recovering from the tsunami] sign hung on the door. that might be an opportunity to do some 'community tourism' but god, how I hate the sound of that. It's so patronising and do-gooder who comes in for a weekend and goes 'oh, i helped rebuild this village'. harumph.
ALTERNATIVELY
It could be a BKK - Chiang Mai -
option (a) transit in bkk and take land route into Cambodia to trip out at Angkor again - 6 hours on dirt roads isn't that bad, done it before :) it gives you a massive headache but yeah, not unbearable
option (b) transit in bkk and take train into Laos and make way to Vientiane
option (c) take bus from Chiang Mai to border town of Huay Xai (Laos) and boat into Luang Prabang (yay, Laotian boat person!) and then check out Vientiane?
and that's as far as I've got right now. Eventually to head back to BKK and Ayuthaya and BKK and finally KL.
Laos sounds quite appealing actually. Angkor can wait for another trip and I've been there once, even if it wasn't enough.
Places to visit/ worship in Thailand:
Ayuthaya
Chiang Mai (yes, again) - take the train up from BKK
BKK (obviously)
islands - not sure which ones yet, but eyeing Phi Phi
want to check out the south too but these bloody travel warnings.. the food would be different there from central and northern Thailand. it would only be fair!
and then off the beaten track (at least as far off as you can get in Thailand..) :
Ranong?
"The least charming of the Andaman coast's provincial capitals, Ranong lies on the east bank of tea-brown Pak Chan estuary, a short boat ride from Myanmar. This is a frontier town through and through, with a frenetic, downtrodden feel and a mix of Burmese and Thais scrambling for your tourist dollar. The town attempts to woo visitors not only with its interesting visa runs to Myanmar (Burma), but with a clutch of natural hot springs and a handful of tumbledown historic buildings. Even if you don't need to renew your visa, it's well worth taking the opportunity to have a cup of tea in Myanmar - but the bleak town of Ranong doesn't entice a stay longer than a day or two." - Lonely Planet
bleakness sounds promising. and i could hop across the border into Myanmar for a bit. but i don't like the sound of frenetic Burmese and Thais scrambling for my tourist dollar. bears consideration this one.
not off the beaten track but intruiging:
Pattaya
this is what Lonely Planet (again, so help me) says about it
"A heavy-breathing and testosterone-fuelled testament to holiday hedonism, Pattaya has lured tourists for almost four decades, and it's showing no sign of slowing down. And as past visitors move on to more genteel Thai resorts, first-time travellers from Russia and Eastern Europe now air their new passports with a fling in Asia's first and foremost Sin City. Anyone for Pattayagrad?"
herm... maybe to humour my curiousity
I have this urge to cover all corners of Thailand and then trek back to the center for a civilized break with the family. But the south is off limits for now, the Andaman coast offers Phuket but 'been there done that' and the rest of that side still has a [recovering from the tsunami] sign hung on the door. that might be an opportunity to do some 'community tourism' but god, how I hate the sound of that. It's so patronising and do-gooder who comes in for a weekend and goes 'oh, i helped rebuild this village'. harumph.
ALTERNATIVELY
It could be a BKK - Chiang Mai -
option (a) transit in bkk and take land route into Cambodia to trip out at Angkor again - 6 hours on dirt roads isn't that bad, done it before :) it gives you a massive headache but yeah, not unbearable
option (b) transit in bkk and take train into Laos and make way to Vientiane
option (c) take bus from Chiang Mai to border town of Huay Xai (Laos) and boat into Luang Prabang (yay, Laotian boat person!) and then check out Vientiane?
and that's as far as I've got right now. Eventually to head back to BKK and Ayuthaya and BKK and finally KL.
Laos sounds quite appealing actually. Angkor can wait for another trip and I've been there once, even if it wasn't enough.
trip?
before i forget, this is an idea
december - Bangkok with sisters and mom is on. For a few days only though. Go earlier and backpack around for 2-3 weeks? JL might be in Chiang Mai by then, T in Bangkok
might be able to rope in JL for island hopping. ko samui, phiphi!! probably not full moon parties though. over the booze and drugs and partying thing.
ooh, could hop over the border into siam reap. and then laos. and maybe vietnam. not sure what's in myanmar but junta there.. ergh. hmm... wanderlust..
research! of the good kind :)
and I have until monday off from thesis stuff. yay!
december - Bangkok with sisters and mom is on. For a few days only though. Go earlier and backpack around for 2-3 weeks? JL might be in Chiang Mai by then, T in Bangkok
might be able to rope in JL for island hopping. ko samui, phiphi!! probably not full moon parties though. over the booze and drugs and partying thing.
ooh, could hop over the border into siam reap. and then laos. and maybe vietnam. not sure what's in myanmar but junta there.. ergh. hmm... wanderlust..
research! of the good kind :)
and I have until monday off from thesis stuff. yay!
lazy dazy
mwrr... not having urgent work to do disorients me
i need:-
a haircut
fruits
an espresso machine
only 1 out of 3 is feasible right now but no matter
i want:-
*cough* nevermind
also vaguely tempted by the sound of Jo Malone's nectarine blossom and honey scent. hmm... $80. frig
papaya salad
yum!
toodle doo
oh right, clothes..
i need:-
a haircut
fruits
an espresso machine
only 1 out of 3 is feasible right now but no matter
i want:-
*cough* nevermind
also vaguely tempted by the sound of Jo Malone's nectarine blossom and honey scent. hmm... $80. frig
papaya salad
yum!
toodle doo
oh right, clothes..
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
hehehehe
so.
I'm painting my nails OPI's 'go on green'. it's that pale blue-green shimmer someone though might be bitchy looking but it's actually not.
in between chatting with a friend online. and this is a snippet:
IP says:
but I'm a boy
IP says:
it'll be kinda weird painting my nails...
jeen says:
you could paint them with...
jeen says:
(wait again)
jeen says:
http://glossifieds.blogspot.com/search?q=man+glaze
jeen says:
hahaha
IP says:
ewewewewewewewewewewewew
IP says:
dowaaan!
jeen says:
hahahaha
jeen says:
just saying..
IP says:
yesh
jeen says:
eh, but it's not shiny
jeen says:
at all!!
IP says:
I'm. Not. Painting. My. Nails. Period.
jeen says:
dammit
jeen says:
wait, when i get back
jeen says:
you'll get to see my fabolous coloured nails
jeen says:
and then you'll want some for yourself!
IP says:
omg...you so used to do this as a kid, didn't you?
IP says:
tie up boys and paint their nails?
jeen says:
tsk
jeen says:
nope
jeen says:
i put gold glitter on the seat of their chairs though
IP says:
how mean!
IP says:
wasting all that gold glitter
IP says:
!
jeen says:
so not wasted... it shows up really well on brown pants
hehhehheh.. I can't believe I used to do that. good times.. much more innocent times too
but the present is good too. complex maybe, but all the richer for the complexity
I'm painting my nails OPI's 'go on green'. it's that pale blue-green shimmer someone though might be bitchy looking but it's actually not.
in between chatting with a friend online. and this is a snippet:
IP says:
but I'm a boy
IP says:
it'll be kinda weird painting my nails...
jeen says:
you could paint them with...
jeen says:
(wait again)
jeen says:
http://glossifieds.blogspot.com/search?q=man+glaze
jeen says:
hahaha
IP says:
ewewewewewewewewewewewew
IP says:
dowaaan!
jeen says:
hahahaha
jeen says:
just saying..
IP says:
yesh
jeen says:
eh, but it's not shiny
jeen says:
at all!!
IP says:
I'm. Not. Painting. My. Nails. Period.
jeen says:
dammit
jeen says:
wait, when i get back
jeen says:
you'll get to see my fabolous coloured nails
jeen says:
and then you'll want some for yourself!
IP says:
omg...you so used to do this as a kid, didn't you?
IP says:
tie up boys and paint their nails?
jeen says:
tsk
jeen says:
nope
jeen says:
i put gold glitter on the seat of their chairs though
IP says:
how mean!
IP says:
wasting all that gold glitter
IP says:
!
jeen says:
so not wasted... it shows up really well on brown pants
hehhehheh.. I can't believe I used to do that. good times.. much more innocent times too
but the present is good too. complex maybe, but all the richer for the complexity
*stretch*
first full draft done
almost full
no concluding section yet
because
word count 19800
not including (3) diagrams and TOC and appendices
need to dream up a title
and put together bibliography properly instead of mumbo jumbo state is in now
stop tinkering and adding stuff
for now
'lost in translation?: Local Agenda 21 in Malaysia and and the limits of participation'
hehehehe
hmm.. i like that
going to rock me gold nails tomorrow
wont dry in time for sleep tonight
hate smudged nails
zzzz
almost full
no concluding section yet
because
word count 19800
not including (3) diagrams and TOC and appendices
need to dream up a title
and put together bibliography properly instead of mumbo jumbo state is in now
stop tinkering and adding stuff
for now
'lost in translation?: Local Agenda 21 in Malaysia and and the limits of participation'
hehehehe
hmm.. i like that
going to rock me gold nails tomorrow
wont dry in time for sleep tonight
hate smudged nails
zzzz
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