"Of course there’s a lot of knowledge in universities: freshmen bring a little in; seniors don’t take much away, so knowledge sort of accumulates."

Err. Let this be a hiatus from the hiatus. Hahaha.

After working on my journalism feature story for 2 weeks, and studying for my communications exam for 5 days, I think I can take a well-deserved (albeit short!) break from researching for my international studies exam ... to blog! :)


My next exam (Contemporary Worlds 2) is on Tuesday, November 4th. I know it seems like a long time to go, but it's really not. Hahaha. I have to prepare answers for 15 key terms and a 1500-word essay. But at least the questions are given in advance! I love my School of ASS. :D

Even the Introduction to Communication Studies (COM1020) exam was a godsend of sorts, because the questions were a cut-and-paste combination from the 2007 and 2006 past year questions! :) I want to give the unit coordinator a big hug, whoever he/she is.

Some other people I wanna hug:

I haven't seen them in months/weeks/days! :( But once this semester's last paper is over, I get to see my friends again! :D Especially since Denise's coming back on the 28th, Tse Mun's transferring to SeGi (so close to Monash that it's too cool!), Leila will *hopefully* be able to renew her visa (no thanks to you, Reading! >:(), and Carmen and Vanessa will *hopefully* be able to steal a couple of hours away from their crazy lives of medical students and spend some time with yours truly! And Cheryl is in Reading until June 2009. :( Boo. Hahaha.


Ooooh and Ms Edwina Goh (from Student Admin Office) has been so kind as to e-mail us the group photo from the scholarship presentation ceremony! :D Below is the cropped version 'cause the full one is so small you can't see nuts watermelons.

The full photo is already on Facebook because Shangari thought it would be funny to tag herself, me, and my "Love our oceans!" T-shirt. -_-"

Behind the first row of the 4 VIPs:

The one in the black blazer and holding the blue folder is me, and my new pal Shangari is in the pink dress.

Students of FTV1010 (Contemporary Television Studies) have received their finalised marks. :D I still can't believe the score I received for the take-home test (see 2 blog entries ago for my big complaint about downloading Pride & Prejudice off YouTube!)! And in response to what I said earlier (ie: "This better be worth it"), it was soooo worth it. It's such a miracle, and it will do be the big favour of pulling my average up. :)

Just like how I can't believe what mark Dr Julian awarded me with for my International Studies essay on free trade. *dreamy smile* I will keep that paper forever, I swear! Pity I won't get my take-home-test back. :( I want to frame it up hahahahhaha.

But I shall also adhere the advice that Melissa, one of the television studies tutors, gave me: Don't care so much about marks, just try your best. :)

How true. Especially when the grading is so subjective. It's like... you flat-out cannot predict your mark. Seriously.

I thought my INT essay was a big disaster, especially the more I thought about it, but Dr Julian didn't think so. I thought my COM essay was a good piece of work, but clearly Mr Kumar didn't think so. I thought my story on migrant workers was a big disappointment, but Chin Huat didn't think so. I thought my take-home-test bombed, but Melissa thought it was deserving of an absurd score. I thought my first journalism assignment was a success, but I got a C. Hopefully the only C I will ever get in my beloved School of ASS, but again...

You flat-out cannot predict your mark.

Hahahaha. That's one of the things I've learned from nearly completing 1 semester at Monash. The only essay I was really, really proud of and then got a mark that reflected it, was my contemporary tv studies essay on "Friends" (the TV show).

I will love "Friends" forever!! :D I'm still so happy that one of my many obsessions has finally paid off.

Now... if only I can do my Honours/Masters thesis on Harry Potter...

Hahaha. Anyway, as usual, post-exam plans have sneaked mischievously into our minds before the exams are even over.

My "To-Do" List (subject to change, lol):

1) Steamboat with Tharsh, May & Jas right after INT1020 exam.

2) GO OUT WITH EVERYONE.

3) Collect my pixelart and clay art from Michelle http://www.dwotties.blogspot.com%20shopping/ while shopping with An, Leila, and her Bangladeshi friend (who's also studying at Monash) she wants me to befriend and show around.

4) Volunteer with May Yen - probably at Bangsa Ria Center for the Disabled. She found it via her journalism feature story (a profile on a handicapped man). What did I find through my story? People in their forties, fifties and sixties who decide to go back to school. Hahaha.

5) Ride a rollercoaster with Leila and whoever else. This must be done! Compulsory. Haha. Ah, shoot, I'm feeling nervous just picturing it. I hope I don't throw up like in one of those C-grade comedy/horror flicks.

6) Read the (non-academic) books I have but haven't read. Bring on the Austen, Bronte, Dickens and Shakespeare! I shall persevere. And I'll re-read Harry Potter in between those so that I don't feel like the most pretentious person on earth. Hahahaa. I wonder if I should give a second stab at finishing "To Kill A Mockingbird"? Gah. I get so surprised at myself when I get bored with supposedly "really good" books or "classics" - I love reading, but for some strange reason, some books that I really expect to like, I wind up chucking out of the first window of opportunity. Take Lord of The Rings, for example. Everyone was raving about it. It was the sort of literary phenomenon I was "supposed" to love. But I wasn't so crazy about it! I had to force myself to turn the page and finish the book. It was the longest story EVER. Maybe it's because I wasn't supposed to read the trilogy all at once or something. :( And yet there are some obscure books that keep me wide awake all night reading it under the bedcovers, like Katherine Neville's "The Eight" or Lucy Kellaway's "Who Moved My Blackberry?". And then there are always books like Jon Stewart's "America" and "Freakonomics". :D

7) Watch old movies that some people talk about but I have no idea what they are about. Like The Godfather. Or Run Lola Run. Or Desperate Housewives and Prison Break, which I have but never finished. Hahaha.

8) Read up on world history and other things that may be useful for the rest of my journey through the School of ASS. I realise I don't know squat about the world or what's been happening to it. :(

I don't want to be overly ambitious (LOL) so I think 8 things to do in 1 month are more than enough. It's not like I'm going to get to do all of them anyway. Like the old movies - where am I supposed to get them? YouTube? Hahaha. And I have a strong feeling I may very well chicken out of the rollercoaster ride. -_-" What is it that I'm afraid of? Plummetting to a premature death? Yeah, probably that.

Come December, things get a bit more focused, but interesting! :) Psychology 1A commences in the summer semester, so I'll be learning something about psychology (no idea what).

And Chin Huat's recruiting 4 research assistants for December/January! He's doing a project of studying media reports of the GE, so the research assistants will be "coding" political news reports. He needs a research assistant (RA) for each language - English, Malay, Tamil, and Chinese. But it's like a pretty formal application process, I think, because we're required to send in CVs and be shortlisted for interviews!

The more I consider this, the more I'd love to be considered! So I sent in my CV and e-mailed him about it. I said that I can do English or Malay, either one is fine, but I'd like to do the Malay one. I miss Malay! :D And it would give someone else a chance to do the English one, especially if he/she only speaks English and not Malay/Chinese/Tamil. :)

He said he'll keep me in mind for when the thing starts, and see if I can still do it with my Psychology 1A classes. Ah, I really hope I get to be one of the research assistants!

Why, oh, why do there have to be so many obstacles when it comes to something I really want to do? Not only are there my summer classes, there's also the fact that I have to be shortlisted, and then interviewed (oh my goodness, I hope it's not a quiz about Malaysian politics), and pitted against interested applicants from ALL his journalism and communication classes.

If I can do this, I'll be really thrilled. If not, then, oh well, I have to learn how to handle rejection anyway! :)

Oookay. Back to international studies and globalisation research now. Have a good weekend, all!!

"The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire, not things we fear." -Brian Tracy, American TV host

Dearest Blog Reader(s),

This blog is officially

But let patience wait with you, for I will be

With a resolution to bring in more worldly views in a simpler, more accessible way! :)

Wish me good luck!

Signing off for a few weeks,

Sha-Lene!

The Take-Home Test

*This entry is a compilation of bits and pieces, written in disparate snippets of time*

Early hours of October 7th

I am tired. :(

It's 3.21am and all I want to do right now is crawl under the duvet and let dreamless waves tussle about in my mind while I procrastinate the guilt of procrastination until I wake up.

Currently waiting for the last clip from Pride & Prejudice: The TV Series (Yes, There is a TV Series!) to load from YouTube. It has taken HOURS to get an episode, I'm praying it's worth it.

Why? All thanks to my Television Studies take-home test, which commences today and must be handed in on Monday next week.

But because I have a journalism story due circa 17th and 2 exams to study for, I do not have the luxury of stretching this take-home test until Monday.

I. Must. Multitask.

Trying not to fall asleep at the wheel while the last clip loads... I need to switch off the Internet connection when it is done.

2 questions for the take-home test: one on Sports and the other of British historical TV drama (hence the "Pride & Prejudice").

I am tired. :(

A tag by Malati (http://www.green-rabbit.blogspot.com/) to keep me awake for another few minutes:

Instructions:
a) Answer the questions below, do a Google Image search with your answer, take a picture from the page of results, and do it with minimal words of explanation.
b) Tag 5 other people to do the same once you’ve finished answering every question.

1. The age you’ll be on your next birthday

No longer a teen. Bah. No more excuses.

Also the speed limit I'd like to go by. :D

2. A place you’d like to travel to

The city, not the statue.

3. Your favourite place

4. Your favourite food

Nothing beats Mummy's home-made chicken pie.

5. Your Favorite drink

6. Your favourite pet

7. Your favorite colour combination

8. Your favourite piece of clothing

9. Your favourite TV show

10. First name of your significant other

11. The town in which you live

Pic N/A

12. Your first job

13. Your dream job

14. A bad habit you have

15. Your worst fear

16. What you'd like to do before you die

17. Tag 5 people:
Kimberly Lim. Lee Eu Jean. Anis Datt. Sarah Rostam. Tee An Nie.
And Vanessa Tan when she finally sees this.
Yeahhh that's 6 people, but as the overused saying goes:
"rules were meant to be broken". :D

2109 hours, October 7th

Today was the Monash Scholarship Presentation Ceremony at the Plenary Theatre in Building 2. I don't think I've ever seen an awards ceremony held in such a puny, cramped little space before!

Dress code was "semi formal". To make a "statement" in not conforming to insanely boring rules, I went to uni donning my very consistent T-shirt and jeans. Upon seeing fellow students walking from the carpark to uni in very, very formal attire... I started to feel a little less sure of myself.

Thoughts running through mind included:

Sh*t. They're gonna make me leave the hall. Uh-oh. Damnit. Why why why couldn't I just have worn a normal formal blouse and slacks like every other person? Whyyy do I always bring this upon myself?! Sh*t sh*t sh********T!

BUUUT true to the T, worries almost never come true. :DDD The ceremony came and went without incident (nobody chucked me out of the tiny little Plenary Theatre), I was NOT the only person in T-shirt and jeans (hey, at least I seized the opportunity to wear my blazer! HAHA), and I made a few new friends (hence fear of dying of loneliness dissipated once I started making friends with everyone within speaking proximity)! And got a cool blue folder, and a nice big fat cheque. <3

[Pic: My new favourite shirt that says "Don't Trash. Love Our Oceans."]

The VAST majority of scholarship recipients present were Engineering students, the 2nd-largest number in Business School students, with a few clusters of Biotechnology students and a handful of Computer Science whizkids.

And then, there were two rows on the list that were odd ones out: Shangari Subramaniam (Bachelor of Business & Commerce/Bachelor of Communication double degree) and Pung Sha-Lene (Bachelor of Arts). Hahahaaaa we were FAST FRIENDS. And it turns out Shangari's in TWO of my classes! LOL. She knew me but I didn't know her - well now I do! :)

Also thank yous to 2 Engineering students Lam Weng Hoong (Bachelor of Engineering) - he sat next to me - and a girl whose name I can't remember (and can't seem to find in the booklet) for being such brilliantly entertaining new friends that the ceremony wasn't as wonderfully boring as I expected! :D

ALSO ALSO - free lunch was provided. :D Well, "FREE" insofar as "a tiny percentage of the enormous amount of tuition fees Monash gets from students".

On a different note - MPAC's play is coming up at the end of this week! If you haven't already got other plans for Friday night, and you want to make this particular Friday night a different experience from your other Friday nights (sleeping/clubbing/shopping etc), do consider going for MPAC's play! :)

Don't ask me what the play is about (I don't know why people even ask me that, HAHA, I am neither a member of MPAC nor a part of the play) because I don't know - but come to show support! Performing arts is the new expression of tomorrow! :)

I shall end this bi-annual H I A T U S post with one of the dozens of new pictures I found on the Monash student drive. Yeahhh I click everything. Hahahahaha. Where's the fun in life without a bit of nosing around, eh!~

[Pictured: Last year's School of Arts staff. Some minor changes seen in this semester.]

Come out, come out, where ever you are.

Hey guys, please take a moment to think about this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7444116.stm

The question is:

Should US deserters from Iraq be given refuge in Canada, a country that welcomed tens of thousands of Vietnam draft-dodgers and deserters?

In case you're feeling too lazy to read the full article, I'll sumarise it for you here:

The article is about a 25-year-old guy named Corey Glass who joined the army in major pursuit of humanitarian work. He was told that he would "only be in combat if there were troops occupying the United States". However, in 2005, he was deployed to Iraq.

There, he worked in military intelligence. Through his duties, he "realised innocent people were being killed unjustly", and tried to quit the military. However, his commander insisted he was just "stressed out". He went home on leave, and later went to Canada - planning to never again return to the army.

Should he now be sent back to the United States to face punishment?

I think it's a heartbreaking story. Personally, I think war is the disease that has thrived in the hearts of men for centuries - a disease that should be cured, by all means.

In my opinion, everything about the war should come to an end. Right now.

I could not disagree more with Jonathan Kay, even though he is "managing editor for comment at Canada's National Post newspaper". I respect the man and his work, but this time, I beg to differ.

Corey Glass shouldn't be punished for "abandoning" the military - he already spent so much of his precious time on earth doing something he found despicable. He joined the army for noble reasons - he wanted to help people, like the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He didn't want to be the cause of more death and destruction. Why should he be thrown out of Canada? Furthermore, even if he was sent back to the U.S., why should he be punished? I understand that "desertion is punishable by death", but times have changed - and so should these archaic laws of war.

If that argument doesn't hold water against all the big names disagreeing with my two cents, then all Corey Glass can do is appeal to mankind's better nature. He was only 19 when he enlisted. I'm 19. I know that 19-year-olds can be idiots. We make mistakes. And sometimes, they're big mistakes we need to pay the price for later. But sometimes, it's okay to make mistakes - and we should be forgiven for them.

Jonathan Kay wrote that: "Six years ago, Corey Glass picked the wrong career. Three years ago, he picked an illegal way to abandon it. It's time for this ex-soldier to go home and pay the price for what he's done."

Is that really the example we want to set for our children, our generations to come? Is that really how we want to live, as people? Don't we want to forgive and forget - or try to understand, and empathize?

Is that really the kind of world we dream of living in?

Punish someone, because he made a mistake when he was a teenager?

:(

Come on, guys. I want to believe you're better than that.

"...photographs could reach eternity through the moment." -Henri Cartier-Bresson

*Edit (8.37pm 2nd October 2008): I have a YouTube page now, btw! Shah guided me in creating one for the Podcasting Workshop the other day. So to check out the links I posted up earlier, just go to http://www.youtube.com/user/pungshalene! :D

And as a continuance from my newfound fondness for video-making (you can even say the PODcasting workshop planted the POD in the interest, hahahaha), Daddy's getting me a laptop that has a camera/webcam/whatever you call it! And a better system and stuff, coz apparently my trusty 1.5-year-ol' Compaq is getting archaic already. Huhu. BUT YAY TO THE WEBCAM!! :) Perhaps this will be my stepping stone to a future in broadcast journalism! WHO KNOWS? :D

----------------------------------------

Day 1 Podcasting Workshop

Day 2 Podcasting Workshop

Remember: I SEEEEEEE YOUUUU :DDDD



EID Celebrations!

Lunch @ TGIF's!

Shared a Jack Daniel's Burger.

Yummmmayyyy. :)

Split a Mocha Mud Pie between us for desert.

Dinner @ Sutra

Had dinner with Hamsa and Leila for their break-fast after 7.30pm.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA, EVERYONE! :)

Check out some YouTube videos if you've got 15 minutes! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjtKDgXanPk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIAD3Mtb6uc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxeU700DOjU
Hari Raya Group Podcast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br_u-bBv4Qk