Adventures in Albany - Day 01

At the end of any day, especially since when the weather is so gloomy, all I want to do is to see that certain rainbow, to tell you about my day, about all the good and bad, all my thoughts and feelings, and to hear yours. But like a rainbow, you are not always there, and sometimes you will not appear when I really want to see you.

But when I least expect it, I managed to see three rainbows on the way down to Albany today. The weather was so gloomy when I woke up today, with extra dread, sadness and anxiety that I have been experiencing over the past few weeks. I really didn’t want to leave Perth at this moment. Although I would only be 6 hours drive away, it is still a long way and I already promised myself not to make any trips back though.

My housemate was kind enough to drive me to the busport. The ride there was the usual ‘business’ conversation, me telling him about why I was going down there, him telling me about his new uni timetable, me reminding him about paying the rent, him reminding me to transfer money into his account, etc. Otherwise, it was a smooth ride and I was at the terminal at 0830. And right outside, there was the first beautiful rainbow. It had both ends of the arc touching the horizon. Just as with you, the mere sight of it made me feel happy.

The sight of the rainbow eased the fears I had and I managed to catch up with some sleep. Of course, being extra tired from not getting enough sleep the previous night made it easy. I never knew how to handle good-byes, except from what I have seen on TV. Like, “Don’t look back,” or “Can I write to you?” or “You’re the only one he said good-bye to.” I don’t think that I can pull it off, saying something original or meaningful when I say good-bye. I have changed locations so many times in the past, and I would think that I would have gotten used to it by now. But I haven’t. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”, I hope, but there is also the opposite, “Out of sight, out of mind.” At least for now, I am already missing my friends, but I know I am still just a phone call away.

The journey was all so familiar to my days in Singapore, having also showed a movie. I could have read the book I brought but I occupied my time solving the 5x5x5 cube and watching Toy Story 2, a movie that I have seen it many times. The message that I got out of the movie was, “I would rather see him grow up than to not be loved at all.” I do not know what to make of the quote. Could I live to love someone and watch them grow up and in the end be cast away? Do I have the capacity of unrequited love and not to expect anything in return? It got me thinking about my feelings and how ideal I want my future to be with a family, but am I really capable of doing such things? It really sounds like a quote that is said by a parental figure of some sort. As it is, I am already not giving anything back to my parents. With such atrocious grades, I feel like I am a failure to them.

This is my goal here in Albany – to NOT be a failure to them. The room I was given when I got here was very conducive for studying. I could not get any internet, there was ample light, and it was quite cosy. There were facilities for everything. It doesn’t look too bad for a start, and I definitely have a good feeling about this rotation.

Nightmares

Lately, I have been plagued by nightmares. Not really scary ones, but enough to wake me up a few times at night in a cold sweat. It doesn't help that mosquitoes are constantly buzzing at your ear. I mean, I switch on the fan to blow away the mosquitoes, and end up awake because of un-oiled buzzing fan noise. Unrestful sleep.

Dream 1:
I attribute this dream to too much travelling during the CNY period and watching too much Amazing Race Asia. I mean they screened the whole season 3 back to back on CNY day.

So in my dream, I drive/run from toll-gate to tell-gate, and have to do various tasks there, to get through to the next toll-gate. While being chased by something... Another team, with guns or something. Anyway, its just running and running...

Dream 2:
I can't think of any reference for this one, but it is about me being a spy in the other team's camp, and the teams are like police vs terrorists. They really kill. At least in my dreams. Then something like a get together, a contest if you will, between the two factions. And I am in between the whole mess.

In the end, I end up running from the two factions, through neutral cities. And for some strange reason I am suddenly resourceful, like Macguyver, in escaping...

Dream 3:
I probably miss my computer too much with this one. I dreamt that I finally reached home, where my computer is. And instead of playing my favourite game, I get too much distraction to play it. It isn't much of a nightmare, but it is really weird. I dreamt as though it was second nature to me to turn on my computer when I get home, but I don't use it. It was like it became a habit to turn it on, but not to use it. I DON'T NOT USE COMPUTERS. I don't know how else to discribe it. It wasn't me in my dream. IT WASN'T ME.

I cannot remember my other dreams, but it was weird dreams. I am pretty sure I will get more tonight... we'll see...


Edit:
Dream 4:
As I suspected, I will have another bizzaire dream and it came through. I dreamt that I was in Singapore, trying to locate the 5x5x5 Rubik cube. While I searched the stores along Orchard Road, I stumbled upon a charity function, and unintendedly won some prize. I also manage to meet up with my band mates from NJC, who also helped me look for the cube. Despite that, I didn't get the cube. And suddenly it was a race to the airport and it was nearing my departure time.

I guess this dream stemmed from my desire to get hold of the cube and me worrying about making it on time for my flight tomorrow. I know for a fact that even though we check in 2hours earlier, we can still hang around doing nothing for quite some time before boarding. But my last flight home, we were actually called to board, something that never happens to time conscious people like me and Chua... weirder things have happened though...

Rubik's Cube Party

I came across an article in the Reader's Digest in my GP the other day. It just struck me as interesting and something that I would definitely like to try one day. I just need at least 8 other crazy friends willing enough to participate in this outrageous idea. If you are not familiar with a Rubik's Cube...

"As you know, the Rubik's cube has six sides and six corresponding colors: BLUE, GREEN, RED, PURPLE, YELLOW, AND WHITE. Unless religious obligations mandate a monochromatic wardrobe, I expect you have some clothes in these colors. You should try to wear as many items of clothing in as many different colors as possible, in effort to vaguely mimic the appearance of one side of an unsolved Rubik's cube. Your goal will be to leave the party wearing only one of the aforementioned colors, thereby solving the puzzle. To achieve this goal, you will be expected to exchange items of clothing with other guests. As with a real Rubik's cube, this is a puzzle of strategy. Negotiations (often involving alcohol) are likely to take place, along with the inevitable underhanded tactics and coercion normally practiced only by the ballsiest politicians."
Full article here

Its just whacky.

Speaking of colourful, I found this the other day:



If you're puzzled over why this ugly looking insect I put under colourful, it actually is a larva of a lady bug. Its been ages since I saw one, and I just happen to come across it on the way to work. Neat, huh?

Have a colourful day!

The Next Step

Others would say that it is just sour grapes, but medicine is a really crappy course. I really thank my lucky stars that I am no longer taking it. No regrets failing the exam and no regrets not having a goal in life. I used to think that I was able to make a difference in the world as a doctor, but in actual fact, I never will.

Now that I am purposeless, I can now work and fund my expensive hobbies, mainly Magic: the Gathering and World of Warcraft. Haring a leeching partner also doesn't help the situation. And between work and play, there is practically no time to spend with anyone. Also, to keep fit, exercising along the river takes the remaining time and energy that I have. Yeah, I do not have a social life anymore.

I have recently taken things up to the next level. Everything that I'm doing, I am doing it at a higher level of commitment. For instance, I am leveling my WoW character to 70 and getting leet items and gear, replacing most of my old ones. Buffed, I have cam do lots of heals in a shorter period of time. I love this quote from my friend: “Druids are the best healers. Paladins are better. But Priests are GODS.”

I’m also taking Magic: the Gathering to the next level… to make profits out of it. I trade and sell cards, and make tons of money in the process. If I can find buyers, I would make more than I spend on them. Which is good. I’m getting there…

And lastly… to take my Sudoku craze and my Rubiks challenge to the next phase: