Just another blog entry with stuff not in any particular order, chronologically or categorically.

This year has been a particularly eventful year, but not in a good sense. Beloved grandmother had a stroke and never recovered, passed away. Sixth uncle after several years of poor health, failing kidneys from his lifestyle, passed away too, less than 2 months after my grandma. I had an epiphany during a talk with my parents that my life sucks because I make it out to be that way. My parents suck because I think they suck. And I realized that even though non-provocation isn't productive for either me or my parents, I realize that it doesn't run the risk of destructiveness either. So I changed the way I treated them after my grandma died. No problems so far, and I plan to keep it that way.

Was commenting to Lg, that perhaps, such parental problems disappear once we're older. I hope I'm right. I'm not sure she believes me.

Biology tuition has been terminated, to my relief. Math tuition is on hiatus. Biology tuition will commence after I return from Iceland.

Flying off to Iceland in a few days. Packing list is half-ticked. Spent a fair sum of money getting a pair of nice Columbia hiking shoes, some good gloves and socks. Really grateful to Heyuan for lending me his backpack, or that would be another hundred something dollars on something that might be impractical to bring with me to London. I think I'll get one while over there.

Just returned from a chalet and celebrated Pauline's birthday. I got her Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks. I was planning of getting her something personally because I rarely do so for anybody. Turned out, Craig and Yuanping were too busy to get something for her so I agreed to let them share the cost for the book. Ah well.

The chalet was pretty fun. I think I've loosen up a lot since the June work hiatus. I notice the girls noticed the blatant change in personality. Leemin, for lack of a better word, described it in a brief comment as seemingly "happy". I'm not too sure what happy really means or translates for me, but I suppose if she identified it as so, then it should be true.

Played a lot of Wii, I realize i'm pretty good at Wii tennis. Had a good trashing out with Craig that night at Wii boxing. Were punching the air, jumping here and there, swerving left and right until we both felt the burn in our arms and started sweating profusely. We tied.

Watched Harry Potter (midnight show), which I found really really awesome. Lovegood's eccentricity, Slughorn's character, Malfoy's cowardice, Potter's manipulativeness. The casting is just so, so apt.

Next day was the BBQ. It rained around the end.

After the whole thing, and enduring an overstuffed room full of people due to the rain, was let in on the fact that Yuanping was recently attached to a male Muslim nurse. Personally, I don't object whatsoever her decision, but I do foresee many problems. I'm also slightly appalled at how quick their relationship is progressing, which should be no wonder seeing as both of them seem pretty open with each other. Craig drove Mubin, Leemin and Yuanping and I home after the BBQ. We had a long, "exciting" discussion throughout.

Flying off on wednesday for Iceland on an Earthwatch Institute scientific research trip, sponsored by HSBC and NYAA. Should be keeping a meticulous journal on the whole trip. I find myself more looking forward to meeting my friends again during the send-off than the trip itself. Pauline is flying off on that day as well to Japan.

We'll see what else happens this year.