Preparations for Japan

The pictures above are supposedly pictures and maps of how my dorm looks like and where it is located.

So I just went to the Japanese Embassy to get my Visa done today... Needs 3 days to process apparently. In the meantime, I'm looking around for Student tickets at STA so that I can get 40kgs of luggage weight instead of the standard 25kgs. Hey. A full year in Japan with just 25kgs? Sure cannot make it one.

Not sure if I should get a new laptop to bring over... Since my current laptop is 3 years old so a bit worried some parts may just die and my laptop with it when I bring it over. That being said, I REALLY need to carefully consider what I need and what I don't need to bring. Toiletries are definitely on the 'not bring' list. On the fence with towels... Pads? Not sure how the ones in Japan are... So maybe I should? Coat? DEFINITELY. It'll be early autumn when I get there and full fledged winter come middle of the first semester. Quilt? FOR SURE. No idea if the dorm provides a thick enough blanket especially for winter so better safe than sorry ya? Plus it's not heavy anyways... Just bulky... Well... Nothing a little vacuum packing won't fix.

Expenses wise... Surprisingly school fees for Kyushu University is WAY cheaper than my course fees in NUS per year!!! According to my Mom is cheaper by around $7000. (Note: Kyushu University ~$2800, NUS ~$9500) So definitely affordable. 

By the way, this is NON-SUBSIDIZED. NUS didn't help me at all (So much for having a 'global approach') and told me I had to (a) sign up on my own and (b) apply for leave of absence. Makes me wonder how much cheaper it would have been if it were subsidized man... WHEW!

Need to calculate living expenses and so on... Think I'll just ask my parents to deposit my regular allowance into my account every month then I'll just withdraw from the ATM on campus. That way I don't have to worry about bringing so much in one shot. Not to mention it'll lower the cost to send me over I guess.

Had a fight with Jansen today. Sucks since I only just came back from 2 weeks of missing him in UK. Sigh... What a way to pick up where we left off. Well, that's how a relationship works I guess. Love and fighting come hand in hand.

In the meantime, I'm dead broke so I guess I'll be just 'staying in' for the next few days. A bit hard to find some part time work when I'm leaving in 2 months see? Sigh... That plus I need to save what I have left anyways for Japan. You know... Emergency money.

That and my birthday is in 5 days. SIGH. Quarter life crisis here I come...

JTW Here I Come~!

So through a long LONG LONG course of correspondence with Kyushu University (It's in Japan), I am proud and VERY RELIEVED to say that I've been accepted for exchange for a full academic year! YAY~~!!!! The only problem is whether or not my crappy department is going to allow it. SIGH... Even MORE headaches. Need to suit up for WW3...

Any-whos, if all goes well I shall officially be an 'International Student' of Kyushu from late September 2010 to July 2011. HEE HEE~!! My Japanese level is going to improve through the roof!! YAY!!! I can finally FINALLY near-perfect the language!! Seriously, there's only so much and so far you can do and learn in Singapore. For me, I'm currently at a brick wall. The only time that was breached was when I went on exchange to Japan last summer semester and yes, that was in Kyushu University too. ATW is criteria for JTW so what to do? LOL.

So sue me, I've fallen in love with Kyushu. LOL. Kyushu University is coincidentally 6th top in Japan, so in that regard I'm really lucky~! Though not as lucky as my genius boyfriend who made it to Osaka University (3rd. In Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka Universities are known as the 大三(pronounced だいさん or 'daisan')'big 3') A long time ago, I hoped that I would be able to attend Tokyo University one day, but you know Kyushu University isn't so bad either! LOL. In fact, I actually prefer Kyushu University over Tokyo University now after having studied there before. (Cheaper expenses which includes shopping, less crowded but not like countryside, still more technologically advanced than in Singapore)

Feels kinda surreal... Like how you always talk about your dreams and how you hope you can slowly work your way up to them. BUT when it's there, right in front of your face, the feeling is 100000000000000X better!! A new kind of high altogether!!

Anyways, for those who don't know, I've always wanted to do my Graduate Studies in Sociology in Japan. Getting this exchange would be able to secure a much higher chance of admission in Kyushu University when the time comes because of (a) more than adequate Japanese proficiency level and (b) known comparable grades. So even more YAY~!

One step at a time~~~!

Pictorial Update of Recent Events

Molly (The family dog, she's a Shih Tzu) after her haircut (More like 'shaving ritual', her ritual was performed a week ago) relaxing on the sofa. She usually gets a little depressed after her grooming sessions and tends to be awfully, UNUSUALLY docile (She's on crack 90% of the time usually) in the following week or so until some hair grows back.

Supposedly, Shih Tzus associate self confidence with their fluff. (I SHIT YOU NOT!!) So, when all their hair is gone, they get really low self esteem. (Somehow, that seems kinda funny to me.)

Anyways, for some reason, a couple days ago, she started scratching herself, got rashes, started bleeding and after an emergency visit to the vet, is now 'happily' wearing a 'lampshade' upside down over her head. Photos of that will be uploaded in future postings.

The baby sister and parents. Yesterday was my sister's birthday, so we went to Tung Lok at Orchard Central to celebrate. The parkng there by the way is a nightmare. For anyone who drives, do yourselves a BIG FAVOUR and never park there. Trust me, it's extremely aggravating. Centrepoint or 313 would be a much better bet.

Me and Jansen at the dinner. He likes this photo because he says that it makes him look so handsome. LOL. I guess I have to agree. He really does look fantastic in this shot.

MY favourite photo of us for the night. The smiles although goofy (especially mine) are completely spontaneous.

I chose this shot to show off my jewellery. LOL. Triple strand pearl necklace with matching bracelet! Strung and knotted myself! *Puffs chest proudly* I LOVE this set, the lustre of these pink freshwater pearls are probably the most fabulous I've seen. (Can refer to Jansen's favourite shot) The most mirror-like I've seen! Who says South Sea Pearls are always better?? LOL. Ring on my  finger was made during Metal Clay class, solid 999 silver with a 22K gold butterfly.

Perfect skin? Who needs photoshop? You just need my 'bimbotic' camera. LOL. (Not like Jansen needs it, he already HAS perfect skin... The lucky devil.)

Strawberries I found at Isetan today! They were so pretty and arranged so perfectly that I just couldn't resist taking a photo. *Squeals happily* Don't mind me, I tend to get happy over the strangest things.

Metal Clay Practical Examinations

So I finally came up with 2 out of 3 designs (Ring, Brooch and Necklace centrepiece... Brooch is not done design wise.)to the examination specifications required. Just made the moulds for one out of cork clay... Now just waiting for them to dry (Will take 3 days at least) before I go crazy on the pendant. In the meantime, I'm working on finishing off my previous assignment pieces so that they'll be ready for grading.

(Works on assignment pieces) ...DONE!

Now trying to come up with a design for the brooch... Theme for all three is 'Whimsical'. You know kinda like that 'Magic from a child of nature' feel. LOL. Slightly gypsy-ish I suppose... And a little Art Nouveau. Needless to say, that's one of my favourite eras! That and the Renaissance. LOL. WHOO-HOO~! Been looking through for some... ANY form of inspiration.

Some brainstorming for the brooch:

1. Snake around a branch with an egg in its mouth
2. Peapods hanging off a vine
3. Ladybug family walking up a twig and eating on a leaf edge (My favourite idea so far)

Sigh... Still, the OOMPH is missing somewhat. That flowy-watery-magical-mystical feeling... Sigh... Maybe I should add a couple of dewdrops? *Scratches head furiously* I got it! Maybe a mermaid with a pearl(s) in his / her hands, with streams  and bubbles flowing out from the pearl. AH~! That's what I'll do! YAY! Now all that's left is showing my designs to Jansen and I'll be off!

Last Paper To Go!

So... Today was interesting. 9 pages for qustion 1 and 4 pages for question 2... Eh... Evidently some problem with time management? GAH!! Well, at least I KINDA finished the paper? It's a very unsure feeling though, totally don't know how well I did overall in the end. So all in all... It's a huge question mark.

Last paper on Thursday is nightmare paper number 2, AND my final paper. RE3804 Research Methodology. Entailing the utterly complex regression analysis and all , the other paraphernalia that comes with it. *PUKES*

HENCE, I shall study tonight, take a break tomorrow for lunch, meet up with Martha at Kushigin and take some time to relax a little before part 2 of the studying horror begins. Maybe... PROBABLY I'll take a little walk after lunch at Kinokuniya. Anyone who knows me knows my love of books... More recently of Japanese books. Been getting cookbooks and Jansen laughs at me and says that it seems that I am getting ready for the role of housewife once we marry. LOL. But seriously, the recipes there are truly better! Healthier (Every calorie is accounted for) AND tastier (GOD the CHEESECAKES~!)... But that's just my opinion anyways. LOL.

Think I'll get the Metal Clay book since I'll be starting on Advance Metal Clay classes tomorrow... There is no limit to knowledge ya?

5 Modules Down 2 To Go

So today was my 4th exam (RE3903) and that makes my 5th module complete (One was non-examinable see? LOL.) URGH... My entire right arm hurts now from the non-stop 2 hours of writing. Horrible beyond belief.... 3 questions each with 2 parts, hence a total of 6 ESSAYS to write within the 2 hours. Needless to say, it was CRAZY!!! Wrote in almost 2 whole booklets... (Approximately 17 pages total)

Have to say that I'm a little ticked off by the exam today though... Since it was open book and based on prior tutorial sessions, I assumed that the examination would most likely be analysis type. AND VOILA... 86% of the paper was complete copy paste copy paste. Only a mere 14% was analysis. Feel so cheated since I studied, if I had known the paper would be like this, I wouldn't have bothered studying.

I guess to most it sounds fabulous that everything / the majority is just copy of the notes, BUT that means that EVERYONE COULD DO the majority of the paper (Except the unfortunate souls who didn't print out certain CRITICAL sections - in this case tutorial answers and would thus likely end up as the bottom feed, no offense). So now, the question is, what is the determinant factor of my grade? SIGH... Finished the whole paper save for a tiny paragraph (I wonder now if that paragraph would be significant), yet I'm worried as hell. HOW??? I NEED MY A!!!

All in all... The exams so far have been better than the previous ones, even better than last semester so far (And that was my so far record best in terms of FEELING~ after each of the papers) and here's me hoping and praying that this feel good streak continues... ONWARD TOWARDS DEAN'S LIST~!! (My goal) *ROAR* LOL.

On another note: Should I take PL1101E?

My Freshwater Pearl Collection (Don't Faint)

And VOILA~! (Yes, I know I've overdone it, but they're GORGEOUS aren't they??) The ones right at the bottom are necklace strands that I've strung up. (Inclusive of white one and downwards) The multiple coloured strands are meant for multiple strand necklaces... BUT I haven't learnt how to do so yet... I wonder when the Advanced Thread and Wire class starts?

The multicoloured one between the gold and white pearls was a gift from Jansen. Wasn't cheap, was ~$70 for both strands (he gave me the receipt so I can top up my receipts to $300 for free lifetime membership at Bead Hub)!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!!! Definitely a unique combination... DYING to create a masterpiece out of it for myself... My baby really does know my taste. LOL.

Can see the top row (the ones in the packets) more easily in this shot. They're much smaller in comparison to the other strands as you can see... Perfect for pieces for casual dressing! Think I'll go nuts tomorrow stringing away while studying for my paper on Friday of course~!

Starting on Advanced Metal Clay come 6th May! Running straight off for class after my final paper! YAY~! Sad thing is, I'll be missing my first class so that means I'll have to do a make up sometime in the future... Will be booking more classes on Sunday when I go for class~! FULL STEAM AHEAD~~!!

For now... LET'S GO DEAN'S LIST!!