No, the blog title isn't about me getting home sick. Not yet at least. (Then when?)
I have the flu. Bah. Sniffling sucks. I'm still functional, but feeling a little down I guess. What with the weather going hot and cold and nice then hot then cold. Booooo.
Taking a break from school work, and studying for the massive week ahead. 3 Midterms coming up, and 2 papers due the week after this one. I'm due a breather after this, and I'll be so glad once the midterms are over, because then I'm going to San Francisco!
Courses have not been as hectic, but studying sure has. Its one thing saying, only the credits are counted, just make sure you pass the courses here. Still, I think there's a perogative to at least try and do reasonably well here, amidst all the fun, its quite rewarding to know that I'm doing well. Hahaha.
I'm going for a TV taping at Hollywood on Thursday for MadTv. I don't exactly know what's happening to be honest. Just sit there and see how taping a TV show works I guess. It better be entertaining and there better not be 10 million takes on the same scene! Still it'll be nice to see a studio and stuff like that, takes the mundanity out of freaking studying life, although I do have a midterm the day after the taping. Hahaha.
On another note, I'm glad the fires in Southern California have gone down, and firefighters have managed to keep it under control. Its sad seeing people whose houses have been destroyed by these fires, or have lost their loved ones.
I'm not sure though, am I the only person who doesn't like Halloween? BAH. Irritating.
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Monday, 22 October 2007
Hilgard BBQ
Wow, all of a sudden, the ppl here organised a bbq! Think its really nice ppl are spending their time to do this and its quite fun to be sitting around a fire talking nonsense and having beers. I'm starting to like this community more and more, and I'm really glad that I managed to get a place on campus housing, where I get to mix with a diverse bunch of people and learn so much about not only the U.S. but other cultures as well.
This is getting to be a really tight-knit community, and I'm thankful that these social networks are all of the right mix and making my UCLA stay all the more fruitful.
SO cheeeeeers to Hilgard, and cheeeeers to the Singaporeans that have accompanied me on this trip to UCLA!
But now....time to do my paper. HAHA.
This is getting to be a really tight-knit community, and I'm thankful that these social networks are all of the right mix and making my UCLA stay all the more fruitful.
SO cheeeeeers to Hilgard, and cheeeeers to the Singaporeans that have accompanied me on this trip to UCLA!
But now....time to do my paper. HAHA.
Funny Weather
It is Fall in America, but strangely enough, the weather in Los Angeles is weird. After a couple of weeks where the temperature has been a high of 23 deg C and a low of 13 deg C, the past 2 days have had a high of 31 deg C and a low of 13 deg C. A look at the weather forecast shows that the weather is going to be this hot for the next week at least, which is HOT. Funnily enough, there have been reports of winds at 40-60mph that are going to happen for the next few days at night, which is actually quite interesting. I never had to contend with forces of nature at home, now its actually quite a new experience to be somewhere that there is a possibility of new weather experiences, at least those that are unexpected.
Here are the pics as promised from the Rose Bowl.
Trying to be clever to catch "UCLA" formed by the band.
Getting sunburnt :S
Entrance to the Rose Bowl
Action
Final Score
Go Bruins!!!!!!!!!!!
On another note, I've come to realise that despite Singapore being chastised as a country that has little political freedom, or stifling human rights, we are constantly a focus in the international context. The text that my roommate is reading for his International Political Theory/Economy class, has a lot of mention of Singapore, and we are always used as an example of growth and success, in spite of our supposed stifling environment. Of course, I'd try as much as I can in our conversations to dispel any misbeliefs that people have of our country, there must always be a balance struck between individual rights and the common good. Great, now I sound like I'm an advocate of National Education. Wait....I was actually working there once. HAHAHA.
Here are the pics as promised from the Rose Bowl.
Trying to be clever to catch "UCLA" formed by the band.
Getting sunburnt :S
Entrance to the Rose Bowl
Action
Final Score
Go Bruins!!!!!!!!!!!
On another note, I've come to realise that despite Singapore being chastised as a country that has little political freedom, or stifling human rights, we are constantly a focus in the international context. The text that my roommate is reading for his International Political Theory/Economy class, has a lot of mention of Singapore, and we are always used as an example of growth and success, in spite of our supposed stifling environment. Of course, I'd try as much as I can in our conversations to dispel any misbeliefs that people have of our country, there must always be a balance struck between individual rights and the common good. Great, now I sound like I'm an advocate of National Education. Wait....I was actually working there once. HAHAHA.
Sunday, 21 October 2007
UCLA FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!
Just got back from the football game, UCLA Bruins vs the CAL Golden Bears. What a russssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh......wooohooo! UCLA beats CAL 30-21 ! And we were expected to lose all the more. Since our quarterback and our reserve quarterback was out, and we just lost to the worst-ranked team coming into this game. HAHA.
Got up early in the morning to take the shuttle from UCLA to the Rose Bowl. Talk about Singaporeans being kiasu, the ticket said that the bus was supposed to leave 2 and a half hours before the game, but the queue started from 9am onwards!
It took a really really long bus ride to Pasedena, to the Rose Bowl, Home of the UCLA Bruins. Filled to a capacity of 91,000, the stadium was incredible. There was no track surrounding the stadium so everyone was close up to the action. YEH!
There was a huge crowd at the stadium when we got there. There were alot of people setting up barbeques and drinking beers, setting up tents outside the stadium and their TV screens, all intent on having a good time watching the game outside the stadium.
The UCLA Fight cheer never fails to resound, but first it was the Star Spangled Banner played by the marching band, then the 8 claps, which is the fight cheer. woooo! It's great fun to be in the crowd, when strangers all around get starting high and high fiving everyone and cheering with everyone hahaha! There was this girl in the crowd, who was wearing a Cal tee, and everyone was going, "Take off that Cal shirt, take off that Cal Shirt..." And she was teasing taking it off. HAHA. Very interesting.
To be honest, in spite of the kickass crowd, and 1x old spirit squad leader alumni calling for "every man woman and child" to not be a "slacker", the game was quite boring. I mean American Football is really, tactical and by play, and there are stoppages all the time, unlike footy where its non-stop action from start to finish. But it was still a nerve-wracking and exciting finish though! Cal with a minute left on the clock, needing only to score a field goal to win the game, but we managed to intercept the pass and score a TOUCHDOWN. Talk about the whole stadium erupting. wooohooo!
Well, I'll start uploading pics as soon as I'm feeling motivated to put the pics into my laptop hahaha. Wait up. GO BRUINS.
(Seriously, this school has a really good way of making you feel part of the Bruin Family, think I never felt a sense of allegiance to a school other than DHS, when I still remember Mr Kiw saying, once a Dunmanian, always a Dunmanian.)
Got up early in the morning to take the shuttle from UCLA to the Rose Bowl. Talk about Singaporeans being kiasu, the ticket said that the bus was supposed to leave 2 and a half hours before the game, but the queue started from 9am onwards!
It took a really really long bus ride to Pasedena, to the Rose Bowl, Home of the UCLA Bruins. Filled to a capacity of 91,000, the stadium was incredible. There was no track surrounding the stadium so everyone was close up to the action. YEH!
There was a huge crowd at the stadium when we got there. There were alot of people setting up barbeques and drinking beers, setting up tents outside the stadium and their TV screens, all intent on having a good time watching the game outside the stadium.
The UCLA Fight cheer never fails to resound, but first it was the Star Spangled Banner played by the marching band, then the 8 claps, which is the fight cheer. woooo! It's great fun to be in the crowd, when strangers all around get starting high and high fiving everyone and cheering with everyone hahaha! There was this girl in the crowd, who was wearing a Cal tee, and everyone was going, "Take off that Cal shirt, take off that Cal Shirt..." And she was teasing taking it off. HAHA. Very interesting.
To be honest, in spite of the kickass crowd, and 1x old spirit squad leader alumni calling for "every man woman and child" to not be a "slacker", the game was quite boring. I mean American Football is really, tactical and by play, and there are stoppages all the time, unlike footy where its non-stop action from start to finish. But it was still a nerve-wracking and exciting finish though! Cal with a minute left on the clock, needing only to score a field goal to win the game, but we managed to intercept the pass and score a TOUCHDOWN. Talk about the whole stadium erupting. wooohooo!
Well, I'll start uploading pics as soon as I'm feeling motivated to put the pics into my laptop hahaha. Wait up. GO BRUINS.
(Seriously, this school has a really good way of making you feel part of the Bruin Family, think I never felt a sense of allegiance to a school other than DHS, when I still remember Mr Kiw saying, once a Dunmanian, always a Dunmanian.)
Saturday, 20 October 2007
Semi-Charmed Life
Take blog updates as a reliable predictor as to whether I am busy or if I'm taking a break during school work because it is all starting to pile up.
Without me knowing, the midterms are suddenly in my face, and thankfully, I've been keeping up with readings and being current. Things have a good knack for staying in my mind, *pray* and things don't become overwhelming. What sucks though is that on top of midterms, I've got to prepare for short essays, long essays, debate, and mega long essay. A quarter system really compressess everything. That being said, if I did just take the normal workload, it would probably have been much easier. :P
Had a lesson today in Psychology and Law. There was an invited guest speaker, a pretty well-known defence attorney who gave us a rundown on the criminal court system in California. The ethics of a defense attorney is mindboggling to say the least. Their mandate is to defend their client zealously, and their defence consists of protecting their client's constitutional rights. A police officer can't search your car if they do not have reasonable proof to think that something is in your car, and you have the right to tell him that he is not allowed to search it even if he wants to! I can't imagine us at home telling the police that they can't search our cars. That being said, I don't really know what my constitutional rights are, or how they are protected back home. Seems like I'm assuming either the police have rights to searches, or they have warrants for searches or something to that effect. American's really seem to know their rights, and they have A LOT of rights.
So it is that today's topic was alot on the lawyering tactics of jury selection, trial processes, and the psychology took a backseat in the course. Seems more like a course for lawyers, and I was amazed that probably 3/4 of the class were going to law school. S***. There better be more psychological theories for people like me to pwn the course, I don't want to remember lawyering tactics and proceedings all that much! Still, I would love to head home to ask some lawyers about the legal system at home and compare.
Hopefully I can get tickets to watch Switchfoot and Reliant K in concert at UCI. My friend is getting them for me, and I can't wait to watch Switchfoot! omg. woooooooo!
Tomorrow's I'm going to the football game, the UCLA Bruins vs Cal. I heard football lasts a terribly long time. I hope I don't get too bored. Still, I'm going to come back with loads of pictures of the 91,000 Rose Bowl. Giant!
On another note, this place is starting to feel like home. Yeh. In the sense that it is 31C in Los Angeles California. HAWT* I'm loving it. HAHAHAHHA.
Without me knowing, the midterms are suddenly in my face, and thankfully, I've been keeping up with readings and being current. Things have a good knack for staying in my mind, *pray* and things don't become overwhelming. What sucks though is that on top of midterms, I've got to prepare for short essays, long essays, debate, and mega long essay. A quarter system really compressess everything. That being said, if I did just take the normal workload, it would probably have been much easier. :P
Had a lesson today in Psychology and Law. There was an invited guest speaker, a pretty well-known defence attorney who gave us a rundown on the criminal court system in California. The ethics of a defense attorney is mindboggling to say the least. Their mandate is to defend their client zealously, and their defence consists of protecting their client's constitutional rights. A police officer can't search your car if they do not have reasonable proof to think that something is in your car, and you have the right to tell him that he is not allowed to search it even if he wants to! I can't imagine us at home telling the police that they can't search our cars. That being said, I don't really know what my constitutional rights are, or how they are protected back home. Seems like I'm assuming either the police have rights to searches, or they have warrants for searches or something to that effect. American's really seem to know their rights, and they have A LOT of rights.
So it is that today's topic was alot on the lawyering tactics of jury selection, trial processes, and the psychology took a backseat in the course. Seems more like a course for lawyers, and I was amazed that probably 3/4 of the class were going to law school. S***. There better be more psychological theories for people like me to pwn the course, I don't want to remember lawyering tactics and proceedings all that much! Still, I would love to head home to ask some lawyers about the legal system at home and compare.
Hopefully I can get tickets to watch Switchfoot and Reliant K in concert at UCI. My friend is getting them for me, and I can't wait to watch Switchfoot! omg. woooooooo!
Tomorrow's I'm going to the football game, the UCLA Bruins vs Cal. I heard football lasts a terribly long time. I hope I don't get too bored. Still, I'm going to come back with loads of pictures of the 91,000 Rose Bowl. Giant!
On another note, this place is starting to feel like home. Yeh. In the sense that it is 31C in Los Angeles California. HAWT* I'm loving it. HAHAHAHHA.
Monday, 15 October 2007
The UniTablist
Watched a soccer game between UCLA and Stanford. The atmosphere wasn't as spontaneous and electric as the volleyball game between UCLA and USC. In fact, the crowd was quite dead made worse by the fact that the stadium wasn't filled. It was such a contrast to watching soccer back home, back at Kallang, at the National Stadium. Feet stamping, hordes of vitriol and abuse hurled at the opposition and the referee wentever decisions did not go our way. Tens of thousand of Singaporeans gathered together just to see us kick the crap out of the opposition, whoever that may be. Lol. This was sadly quite disappointing, that soccer does not arouse the same generation of passion as does basketball, baseball or football does in the States. I shan't comment on the standard of play, but I must say I never understand why the U.S. likes to change the rules of soccer. It happened with the MLS, but in college soccer? There are unlimited substitutions, which spoils the tactics of the game. The clock is stopped for stoppages, so there isn't any stoppage time or injury time at the end of the half, culminating in a very cheesy and irritating "5,4,3,2,1" count down at the end of each half.
Half time entertainment consisted of no cheerleaders. LOL. Instead, 2 kids teams ran out for a friendly kickabout. This seems to be a major thing in American parenting, that they want to get their kids involved in all kinds of sports, in the Little leagues. And there are rules governing all these leagues and organized activities for kids. On one hand, I think that its good that there are so many activities, organized ones at that, that kids can participate and learn from and develop their talents. But whatever happened to spontaneity, and a childhood of making up your own rules and finding out what you want, when you wanted to? Sometimes I think kids should be left to their own devices, but heck what would I know? Just seems that the magic is lost somehow.
I think I never introduced my roommates to those who are reading this blog lol. My American roommate's name is Matthew, Matt for short. My German roommate's name is Cornelius. Matt DJ's with the turntables and stuff, and we've got similar taste in music, so I love whatever he puts on the stereo. Cornelius is into political science, international relations and military stuff, so we have a lot of fun talking about politics, policies, comparisons between countries, and of course military history and protocols.
Matt's pal came down for a visit, Fernando. He was actually teaching English in Korea for bout 7 mths and living the life. But got sick of it and decided to come back. A wanderer, which makes for an exciting and random life. Somehow though he was sharing, that maybe its time to settle down, get a proper job. But that doesn't mean he is going to abandon his jet setting lifestyle all the same. hahahah.
And he had a car, Acura Integra, (wonder if that is the same as the Honda Integra, I suspect it is..) which means he took us out on a spin. Drove around the neighbouring districts of LA, taking in the sights and sounds.
Next to the Bruin Bear!
Random camwhore moment.
CHEEEEEEEESE!
Train Burger place selling incredible chilli dogs.
Los Angeles River (This is...sad)
Still can't get through the fact that its not a stereo in the room but a turntable playing vinyl records. wooo! Plug for my mate Matt the Unitablist on myspace!
Half time entertainment consisted of no cheerleaders. LOL. Instead, 2 kids teams ran out for a friendly kickabout. This seems to be a major thing in American parenting, that they want to get their kids involved in all kinds of sports, in the Little leagues. And there are rules governing all these leagues and organized activities for kids. On one hand, I think that its good that there are so many activities, organized ones at that, that kids can participate and learn from and develop their talents. But whatever happened to spontaneity, and a childhood of making up your own rules and finding out what you want, when you wanted to? Sometimes I think kids should be left to their own devices, but heck what would I know? Just seems that the magic is lost somehow.
I think I never introduced my roommates to those who are reading this blog lol. My American roommate's name is Matthew, Matt for short. My German roommate's name is Cornelius. Matt DJ's with the turntables and stuff, and we've got similar taste in music, so I love whatever he puts on the stereo. Cornelius is into political science, international relations and military stuff, so we have a lot of fun talking about politics, policies, comparisons between countries, and of course military history and protocols.
Matt's pal came down for a visit, Fernando. He was actually teaching English in Korea for bout 7 mths and living the life. But got sick of it and decided to come back. A wanderer, which makes for an exciting and random life. Somehow though he was sharing, that maybe its time to settle down, get a proper job. But that doesn't mean he is going to abandon his jet setting lifestyle all the same. hahahah.
And he had a car, Acura Integra, (wonder if that is the same as the Honda Integra, I suspect it is..) which means he took us out on a spin. Drove around the neighbouring districts of LA, taking in the sights and sounds.
Next to the Bruin Bear!
Random camwhore moment.
CHEEEEEEEESE!
Train Burger place selling incredible chilli dogs.
Los Angeles River (This is...sad)
Still can't get through the fact that its not a stereo in the room but a turntable playing vinyl records. wooo! Plug for my mate Matt the Unitablist on myspace!
Thursday, 11 October 2007
UCLA Planetarium
Amidst the hussle and bussle that is school, I took the time off to vist the UCLA Planetarium and Observatory, part of the UCLA Division of Astronomy and Astrophysics where there was a show on stars. There was also a telescope viewing of current objects that was in the night sky.
The graduate student gave us a quick lesson on the birth, life and death of stars. (No not the USP module). He then showed us the night sky by pointing out various constellations, imaginary lines of the Earth's orbit, celestial equinox, astrology terms that I couldn't make any sense of, but was still cool all the same.
Astronomy never fails to amaze me, and remind me how small we really are in the large scheme of things. Astrology and the Zodiac just confuses me. LOL.
Telescopic House
Planetarium
View of Westwood Village
The cold night, a star-filled sky. The perfect combination.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a totally seperate note, there was a reading which my Prof got us to read, which hadn't been published yet.
"This Brave New World, has already begun in Singapore, perhaps the most restrictive non-Muslim society in the world..."
Goes on to talk about the "Great Marriage Debate" and then the streaming policy in Singapore.
I promptly shot a long-ass email up to the Prof.
Is there a cross-hair on our country? Why are we inviting so many criticisms from all over the world? I think its really our duty as citizens to correct any fallacies of our country to the best of our ability. We've all had gripes about the system, but there are some things that you just cannot stand for and swallow.
The graduate student gave us a quick lesson on the birth, life and death of stars. (No not the USP module). He then showed us the night sky by pointing out various constellations, imaginary lines of the Earth's orbit, celestial equinox, astrology terms that I couldn't make any sense of, but was still cool all the same.
Astronomy never fails to amaze me, and remind me how small we really are in the large scheme of things. Astrology and the Zodiac just confuses me. LOL.
Telescopic House
Planetarium
View of Westwood Village
The cold night, a star-filled sky. The perfect combination.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a totally seperate note, there was a reading which my Prof got us to read, which hadn't been published yet.
"This Brave New World, has already begun in Singapore, perhaps the most restrictive non-Muslim society in the world..."
Goes on to talk about the "Great Marriage Debate" and then the streaming policy in Singapore.
I promptly shot a long-ass email up to the Prof.
Is there a cross-hair on our country? Why are we inviting so many criticisms from all over the world? I think its really our duty as citizens to correct any fallacies of our country to the best of our ability. We've all had gripes about the system, but there are some things that you just cannot stand for and swallow.
Monday, 8 October 2007
Hollywood and a Taste of Home
The weekend wasn't spent in vain as you'd imagine boring me holed up in my room buried in books, the computer and youtubing my life away.
I went to Hollywood. Other than being able to now say, "Been there, done that", nothing much about Hollywood I particularly enjoyed? It was alright. Hahaha. Didn't see any stars. Nothing was being filmed at that particular time.
Hollywood Sign
Storm Trooper and Darth Vader
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Tigger and Barney?!
Met up with the Singapore Student Association at UCLA. Suddenly you started hearing abit of the "lahs", "lohs" that characterised Singlish, and for awhile, that made me feel quite at home. But then you suddenly realise that everyone is starting to have a little of the American accent, and it colours their speech. Then the verbal jousting that you suddenly think you can have with fellow Singaporeans suddenly seem gone. But still, it was good. It did feel like I was back home for awhile. There were the usual questions about which JC you were from etc. Got to play some basketball with some of the people as well. It really is important especially if you are here for a long time to find a support network of students from your home country, where shared experiences bring a douse of familiarity in this otherwise foreign land. I think I will try to attend the activites that the SSA organises.
If I don't start getting too lazy and fond of my room. I can be such a loser sometimes. =D
I went to Hollywood. Other than being able to now say, "Been there, done that", nothing much about Hollywood I particularly enjoyed? It was alright. Hahaha. Didn't see any stars. Nothing was being filmed at that particular time.
Hollywood Sign
Storm Trooper and Darth Vader
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Tigger and Barney?!
Met up with the Singapore Student Association at UCLA. Suddenly you started hearing abit of the "lahs", "lohs" that characterised Singlish, and for awhile, that made me feel quite at home. But then you suddenly realise that everyone is starting to have a little of the American accent, and it colours their speech. Then the verbal jousting that you suddenly think you can have with fellow Singaporeans suddenly seem gone. But still, it was good. It did feel like I was back home for awhile. There were the usual questions about which JC you were from etc. Got to play some basketball with some of the people as well. It really is important especially if you are here for a long time to find a support network of students from your home country, where shared experiences bring a douse of familiarity in this otherwise foreign land. I think I will try to attend the activites that the SSA organises.
If I don't start getting too lazy and fond of my room. I can be such a loser sometimes. =D
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Topsy Turvy Day
The day started out great.
I was going to Hornguys. Finally. To get my horn. Never mind its going to take a monster 2hour public bus ride to get there. This was it.
The long and short of it. I got there. I met Noah Gladstone. I tried out a million horns. Also tried out Noah's horn, first Conn 88h 1938 ever. Played like a gem. Tried the Xeno, tried Conns, Willsons, Bach, but loved the Kanstul 1588T. Got it although it was a tad off budget. But couldn't pay for it. Because of the credit limit that I busted with my previous housing payment. Noah was great, and he's holding the horn for me now. I know when I get back I am so going to bust my ass working to pay for this horn, but I really like the way it plays! SO I take another 2.5h to head back to UCLA, dejected and absolutly knackered that I would have to make my way down another time to get my horn. Not that there's any hurry of course, but the thought of the journey up and down just kills me.
Reached back and took a nap before going for dinner. And then my roommates and I went for the Women's Volleyball game, UCLA vs USC. Our eternal rivals. woooohoooo, this was going to be some game. The anticipation of the crowd and energy at the event was enough to take away the moodiness from the wasted trip today. But when it started it was nothing like I imagined. Yes we started with a few cheers to set the mood, but what was amazing was, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner before the game. Americans with hands on their heart, gazing at the flag while the beautiful voice of a UCLA senior rang through the air, filling the arena and hearts alike. It is at times like these, where I wonder, if "Majulah Singapura" was in English, perhaps the chord that it could strike in the hearts of our citizens, would be very much greater. As it is, I am filled with an immense feeling in my heart everytime I hear the Star Spangled Banner or God Save the Queen. MY ROOMMATE IS PLAYING "MAJULAH SINGAPURA" NOW". (ok hearing this here again really feeeeeeels good now)
UCLA beats USC. WOOOHOOOOO. The boisterous crowd, the energetic band, the noobish USC away supporters and band who suck, lol. The game itself was pretty entertaining, with UCLA beating USC by 3 sets to 1. The cheerleaders and the spirit squad were very "entertaining" as well. Heh. A memorable day surely today has been, and pictures will soon come.
I was going to Hornguys. Finally. To get my horn. Never mind its going to take a monster 2hour public bus ride to get there. This was it.
The long and short of it. I got there. I met Noah Gladstone. I tried out a million horns. Also tried out Noah's horn, first Conn 88h 1938 ever. Played like a gem. Tried the Xeno, tried Conns, Willsons, Bach, but loved the Kanstul 1588T. Got it although it was a tad off budget. But couldn't pay for it. Because of the credit limit that I busted with my previous housing payment. Noah was great, and he's holding the horn for me now. I know when I get back I am so going to bust my ass working to pay for this horn, but I really like the way it plays! SO I take another 2.5h to head back to UCLA, dejected and absolutly knackered that I would have to make my way down another time to get my horn. Not that there's any hurry of course, but the thought of the journey up and down just kills me.
Reached back and took a nap before going for dinner. And then my roommates and I went for the Women's Volleyball game, UCLA vs USC. Our eternal rivals. woooohoooo, this was going to be some game. The anticipation of the crowd and energy at the event was enough to take away the moodiness from the wasted trip today. But when it started it was nothing like I imagined. Yes we started with a few cheers to set the mood, but what was amazing was, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner before the game. Americans with hands on their heart, gazing at the flag while the beautiful voice of a UCLA senior rang through the air, filling the arena and hearts alike. It is at times like these, where I wonder, if "Majulah Singapura" was in English, perhaps the chord that it could strike in the hearts of our citizens, would be very much greater. As it is, I am filled with an immense feeling in my heart everytime I hear the Star Spangled Banner or God Save the Queen. MY ROOMMATE IS PLAYING "MAJULAH SINGAPURA" NOW". (ok hearing this here again really feeeeeeels good now)
UCLA beats USC. WOOOHOOOOO. The boisterous crowd, the energetic band, the noobish USC away supporters and band who suck, lol. The game itself was pretty entertaining, with UCLA beating USC by 3 sets to 1. The cheerleaders and the spirit squad were very "entertaining" as well. Heh. A memorable day surely today has been, and pictures will soon come.
Friday, 5 October 2007
School has started.
In a flash the first week of school has passed, and lessons have started going at a pretty good pace, not at a frenetic one yet. Key word, yet. But I've been enjoying my lessons here at UCLA. Campus life is really vibrant, and there are lots of activities to do here, and the place is bustling, yet, its quite a different ball game in the classrooms. Most students here take 3 modules per quarter, which is the full workload, so there are a host of student opportunities and jobs at UCLA. It's almost as if the whole campus is run by students, from parking attendents, store cashiers, dishwashers, to the jobs more commonly associated with college life like research or lab assistants.
Four out of five of the modules I'm taking at UCLA, the professors are not putting up powerpoint slides for their lectures. They like the trusty blackboard and chalk, whiteboard and marker, or just the sound of their own voice interspersed with videos, OHT's and other teaching aids. Just not the fancy stuff that we NUS students have come to expect. The good thing is that the lecture is not a continuous, constant droning of points of information that students must rigorously take down. Everything that the Prof says is packed full of information and thinking that we have to do in order to digest and translate that information into the larger scheme of the topic that he is lecturing about. Of course, this is aided by the topical points that they provide, but largely, the teaching style is something that we are used to in secondary school or JC, with a much more difficult content. And it is true that students here are more vocal, and fire off questions in the middle of the lectures. My psychology and law class professor has actually been in court, on trial, cross-examined by countless attornies serving as an expert witness on cases. He has also managed to invite several luminaries in the field of the judiciary and law enforcement who have participated in high profile cases to share their insights in the field of Psychology and Law.
But studying is not all about the books and lectures, and it is quite interesting when there's a break between one lesson and the next. Instead of just hanging out at the canteen or computer lab or with friends back at NUS, I'm sprawled on the carpet lawn, enjoying the cool breeze, reading a book, and I am visited by a squirrel gnawing at a nut just right next to me.
I could really enjoy this.
Four out of five of the modules I'm taking at UCLA, the professors are not putting up powerpoint slides for their lectures. They like the trusty blackboard and chalk, whiteboard and marker, or just the sound of their own voice interspersed with videos, OHT's and other teaching aids. Just not the fancy stuff that we NUS students have come to expect. The good thing is that the lecture is not a continuous, constant droning of points of information that students must rigorously take down. Everything that the Prof says is packed full of information and thinking that we have to do in order to digest and translate that information into the larger scheme of the topic that he is lecturing about. Of course, this is aided by the topical points that they provide, but largely, the teaching style is something that we are used to in secondary school or JC, with a much more difficult content. And it is true that students here are more vocal, and fire off questions in the middle of the lectures. My psychology and law class professor has actually been in court, on trial, cross-examined by countless attornies serving as an expert witness on cases. He has also managed to invite several luminaries in the field of the judiciary and law enforcement who have participated in high profile cases to share their insights in the field of Psychology and Law.
But studying is not all about the books and lectures, and it is quite interesting when there's a break between one lesson and the next. Instead of just hanging out at the canteen or computer lab or with friends back at NUS, I'm sprawled on the carpet lawn, enjoying the cool breeze, reading a book, and I am visited by a squirrel gnawing at a nut just right next to me.
I could really enjoy this.
Monday, 1 October 2007
For your Viewing Pleasure.
Santa Monica Beach
Picture of my apparently huggggggeeeeeeee roooooom. Lol.
Royce Hall. Performance venue of UCLA. The school really looks like this!
Ornette Coleman Quintet!
Downtown L.A. Walt Disney Concert Hall
Sorority girls doing their thingggg!
I should add that my American room mate drove us to his "hometown" East of LA where he grew up. It was a really eye opening experience hearing about his childhood and where he used to live and grow up. It really is a different experience rather than doing all the touristy things that I've been doing. You actually get to experience a neighbourhood that actually meant alot to someone. He also brought us to this church called the San Gabriel Missions, which was really this old archaic church, but it was still a focal point of communion and religious practice for the Hispanics in the area. Wonderful.
Grand Avenue Festival
Made my first trip down to Downtown L.A. for the Grand Ave Festival today. The Festival was like a carnival! It was a way for people to experience the sights and sounds of Downtown L.A., where concert halls, museums and other attractions offered a plethora of entertainment. Plus it is a Sunday, and there's no way I'm going to be deep into my books on the first week of school.
Took a direct bus from school down to town. Along the way we passed Bel-Air and Hollywood. Bel-Air was really some posh up market place to live in, just like what we see on TV. Didn't really get a good glimpse of Hollywood, other than the huge sign on top of the hill. But it looked quite a dingy neighbourhood, really unlike what we would expect from back home.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed today down in town. Yes it was hot, blazing hot, but it was alot of fun! First stop when we got off the bus we went to the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels. From previous experiences and pictures, I expected this Cathedral to be really classic and old and majestic, but I was totally wrong. What greeted me was this modern, swanky, state of the art facility! Mass was in progress and it was totally in contrast to the one I attended in the old churches. The choir was really uplifting and in contrast to the quiet veneration of the older churches, there was a spirit of uplifting reverance here. I then made my way down to the Masoleum below the church, and spotted a time capsule of the Church that was sealed in 2002 and to be opened in 2012.
Best part of the day had to be that there were free tickets to catch the LA Philharmonic Orchestra at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Unbelievable. They were absolutly amazing. Smashing in fact. I haven't even heard the Singapore Symphony Orchestra *snigger* But it will be good to compare them one day. There was also some chamber music. Then there was this performance by this band called Upground, which did ska/latin/funk/reggae. WOW. The energy infused into their performance was just skanking!
There was a Colburn School of Performing Arts down the Avenue. They had dance performances and also a jazz performance. People in their teens, doing jazz standards, swinging away. Impressive. Went to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Now that wasn't so impressive. Could never really get art anyway. But it was free, so....why not?
Followed my roommates Lonely Planet Guide and did a walking tour of Downtown. Really covered quite a bit in the time that we were there. We saw Pershing Square, which holds concerts in the summer and converts into an ice-skating rink in winter, walked into the Millenium Baltimore Hotel which was really grand. Walked through the Jewelry District, walked through Broadway the Theater District part of Historic Downtown. We then went to the City Hall and the U.S. Courthouse to check out the Federal Buildings. The financial, entertainment, adminstrative parts of Downtown LA really seemed to be very packed in a really small area for such a huge city as Los Angeles, as compared to the other's I have visited, like New York and Chicago. But I'm not complaining, makes for less walking.
Its going to be the Start of Wk 1 of school. Man, I think I'm in for hell, doing 5 modules in a quarter system. Already I've started touching the books, whereas back home I never bothered till like mid-sem. Doesn't seem like there's time to warm up even. 1 module has just midterms and finals. 3 modules have midterms, a paper/project and a final. But my anthropology module has tons of readings, 5 essays that are part of the midterms and final, short though thankfully. And luckily my psychology modules are mcq tests. If not I would have seriously considered dropping one module. This is going to be a challenge, but why not, I really have nothing to lose.
Just be patient for pictures, they'll be coming up in the next post, once I compile some pictures from my friends as well. Big shoutout to the people at home, hope you guys aren't too stressed out by mid sem tests and all.
Took a direct bus from school down to town. Along the way we passed Bel-Air and Hollywood. Bel-Air was really some posh up market place to live in, just like what we see on TV. Didn't really get a good glimpse of Hollywood, other than the huge sign on top of the hill. But it looked quite a dingy neighbourhood, really unlike what we would expect from back home.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed today down in town. Yes it was hot, blazing hot, but it was alot of fun! First stop when we got off the bus we went to the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels. From previous experiences and pictures, I expected this Cathedral to be really classic and old and majestic, but I was totally wrong. What greeted me was this modern, swanky, state of the art facility! Mass was in progress and it was totally in contrast to the one I attended in the old churches. The choir was really uplifting and in contrast to the quiet veneration of the older churches, there was a spirit of uplifting reverance here. I then made my way down to the Masoleum below the church, and spotted a time capsule of the Church that was sealed in 2002 and to be opened in 2012.
Best part of the day had to be that there were free tickets to catch the LA Philharmonic Orchestra at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Unbelievable. They were absolutly amazing. Smashing in fact. I haven't even heard the Singapore Symphony Orchestra *snigger* But it will be good to compare them one day. There was also some chamber music. Then there was this performance by this band called Upground, which did ska/latin/funk/reggae. WOW. The energy infused into their performance was just skanking!
There was a Colburn School of Performing Arts down the Avenue. They had dance performances and also a jazz performance. People in their teens, doing jazz standards, swinging away. Impressive. Went to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Now that wasn't so impressive. Could never really get art anyway. But it was free, so....why not?
Followed my roommates Lonely Planet Guide and did a walking tour of Downtown. Really covered quite a bit in the time that we were there. We saw Pershing Square, which holds concerts in the summer and converts into an ice-skating rink in winter, walked into the Millenium Baltimore Hotel which was really grand. Walked through the Jewelry District, walked through Broadway the Theater District part of Historic Downtown. We then went to the City Hall and the U.S. Courthouse to check out the Federal Buildings. The financial, entertainment, adminstrative parts of Downtown LA really seemed to be very packed in a really small area for such a huge city as Los Angeles, as compared to the other's I have visited, like New York and Chicago. But I'm not complaining, makes for less walking.
Its going to be the Start of Wk 1 of school. Man, I think I'm in for hell, doing 5 modules in a quarter system. Already I've started touching the books, whereas back home I never bothered till like mid-sem. Doesn't seem like there's time to warm up even. 1 module has just midterms and finals. 3 modules have midterms, a paper/project and a final. But my anthropology module has tons of readings, 5 essays that are part of the midterms and final, short though thankfully. And luckily my psychology modules are mcq tests. If not I would have seriously considered dropping one module. This is going to be a challenge, but why not, I really have nothing to lose.
Just be patient for pictures, they'll be coming up in the next post, once I compile some pictures from my friends as well. Big shoutout to the people at home, hope you guys aren't too stressed out by mid sem tests and all.
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