Lists

I like to make lists.  It helps me make things make sense in my head.  Because they so often don't. 

Ok, so these aren't really lists, but more of a weighing up of my options.

OPTION 1: 

Missoula, Montana, USA for 5 months (approx) in 2012 Fall Semester for Study Abroad Exchange

Pros: Studying abroad, making new friends, going to an American college, visiting my favourite friends in Utah, hopping across to New York for a visit, spending (a white!) Christmas there when my parents fly over to spend it with me, during which we will travel around USA a little bit together, visiting Utah (again) and Vegas before making our way back to LA.

Cons: Expensive, I don't have a job (hard to make money) and I have to fund my own flights, accommodation, spending money, and the trips I want to do while I'm there visiting friends and places I've not been.  Spending such a long time away from home.  Trying to understand a different university system.  Coping with my illness overseas.  Trying to study while also having a good time getting out and about.  I've also already been to America for holidays... so it won't be too much new.  Also, I have to have a B grade average with my studies here in NZ to be eligible to go, and that's so stressful.  If I don't have that, then it will certainly be option 2!!  And the application process for exchange is super intense and scares me.  A lot.

OPTION 2:

Holiday to Malaysia (maybe for a month during NZ summer, or a couple of weeks during NZ winter) in 2012. 


Pros: Going back to the country I lived for three years, revisiting the places I loved, making new memories, solidifying old memories, seeing the place through maturer eyes (I was nearly 15 when I left, I'm now 21 and haven't been back yet).  Amazing food, amazing shopping.  CHEAP - food, flights, accommodation, everything!!  I have friends I can stay with, people to visit, etc. and places I want to go that I missed out on last time.  Warm climate.  Not away from home for too long.  Actually have a holiday, don't have to study.  Also, I've been having a recurring dream that I go back to Malaysia, and I feel complete... I wake up feeling like I REALLY have to go back, sooner rather than later.  I'm homesick for Malaysia.

Cons: I can only do one of the two options.  Going to Malaysia might destroy some memories I had (but that's ok, really.) and I might not like it now that I'm older (unlikely!).  Still, don't have a job.  Will have to work hard and save hard when I do get one, but this trip would be cheaper and therefore faster and easier to save for...

OK.  So comment and tell me which you think?  I'm leaning towards the holiday to Malaysia, just because it's easier, cheaper, and far more within my monetary reach.  Plus, I still intend to go to USA again someday soon.  

HELP?


UPDATE
I've thought of an option 3.  Going to a new place, somewhere I haven't been before, like one of the pacific islands...  But if I'm going to be completely honest, I'd have to say that I'd choose revisiting Malaysia over a pacific island.  Once I've been back to Malaysia, and that need is satisfied, I think pacific islands will be next on my list.

Floating

That's what it feels like right now.  Like I'm floating, not quite touching anything, just keeping my head above water. 

I'm so sick of living in the city.  People joke and call me a townie (because my parents now live in an area deemed rural) but honestly, I hate the big city life.  Give me a town or small community any day. 

I feel so tired all the time too, which is annoying.  Right now, it's not even 9pm, yet I'm gazing longingly at my bed, looking forward to the moment I can sink into its embrace. 

I can't seem to concentrate on anything much, my attention span lasts for all of a few minutes.  Which is why this blog is also short.  Because before you can sing the alphabet, I'll be looking back at Facebook, trying to write my class notes, or reading my book.  Heck, I can't even watch television without stopping and starting all the time, and fidgeting the whole way through.

I can't wait for summer.  Summer won't fix my problems, but it will mean I won't have to work so hard to stop them from taking over my life!

Luck.

Normally I don't have much luck!  But last week, I won an iPad and $500 petrol vouchers off the local radio station!  I was so stoked, I was jumping around the house screaming and laughing and couldn't stop grinning for ages. It's the best thing I've ever won!  I never normally win anything and only entered the competition for the whole "gotta be in it to win it" thing, so could not believe my luck!

I personally would never have forked out the money to BUY an iPad, because I have a perfectly useable laptop.  I wanted one, but would never be able to justify it with my laptop.  However, to win one, that's such a luxury!  I love it completely!

I finally picked it up on Monday and had the composure to resist opening it until tonight (Friday).  I've been playing with it all night, adding apps and playing around with the settings.  I am so in love with this thing.  It's so dinky!  It will be so handy to have for travelling and everything too!  It's so compact and light! :)  It's white, 16 GB and lovely.  I've only put my fave music on it.  :)

If you ever have the chance to get an iPad, I'd highly recommend it! :)

Only The Good Die Young.

It's so true. 

Rest in Peace Chris.

You were an amazing guy who touched so many peoples lives, even if they only met you briefly.  

Your spirit was so strong and energetic, and you were always so lively and fun.  

I am sad that nobody else will be graced by your presence, but rest assured that those of us who were, will forever keep you alive in our memories and hearts.  

My sincerest condolences and love to your family.  

Heaven has a new angel, and one who I'm sure will be the life of the party. :)

That Awkward Moment When...

... you promised to finish an assignment so you can go home in the weekend.  I can't seem to concentrate on reading the stupid article, to get the damn article review essay thing written.  It's driving me mad, cos I really want to go home, but I can't focus!!!  ARGHHH.

Quizzage.

Ever really cried your heart out?
A couple of times, maybe.


The past two nights, where did you sleep?
In my bed at home last night, in my bed at my apartment in town the night before.


What’s one thing you like about winter?
 Being able to wear my puffy jacket!


Don’t tell me lies, so is the last person you texted attractive?
Yehhh she's a hottie... guys chase after her all the time...!


As of this minute, what is going through your mind?
How I don't feel too great after dinner tonight and might have to avoid curries in future.


Have you laughed until you cried?
Yes, it's the best feeling!


What are you listening to right now?
The beginning of Shrek Fourever After.  :P


You never know what you got until you lose it? True or false?
False.


What is the last thing you drank today?
Orange squash


Has anyone put their arm around you in the last 5 days?
Mum and Dad.


How old was the last person you kissed?
Can't remember!


Have you ever seen the last person you kissed without a shirt on?
...


Are you too forgiving?
I'm too stubborn actually.


The boy/girl you truly care about needs you at 3am, would you go?
Yes.  But they'd probably never think to ask me in the first place.


Do you know what the last person you kissed is doing right now?
...


Is there a song that every time you hear it, you think of someone?
Yes, She Will Be Loved by Maroon5 reminds me of Stacy.


Are you ready for kids now?
No.


The last person that made you angry, did you tell them?
Yes.  The bus company.


Was Halloween good for you this year?
I don't celebrate Halloween


Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
About the same.


Has anyone hurt you bad lately?
A bit.


How is your new year so far?
2011 is good, I'm at uni & enjoying it!


Do you believe in love?
Not sure.


Are you happy with your life?
I could be happier.  There are some parts I loathe.


Your sister came home and told you she had sex with 15 boys, you’d say?
Since when did I have a sister?


Is there someone you wish you were still close with?
Yeh.


Who was the last person you gave a dirty look to?
The cat when she stole my spot on the couch.


What is the last movie you watched, with who?
*currently watching* Shrek Four


Is your hair up or down right now?
Up


Who was the last person to sing to you?
Noone


How many pillows on your bed?
3


Promise not to lie and delete questions?
Yep.


Do you consider yourself an emotional person?
Can be... it depends.


Are you saving your money for any big purchase right now?
Yes, a camera/going overseas on exchange


Name the person who lies the most?
I'm not sure.  People in charge seem to.


Who did you last hug?
My parents.


Whose bedroom were you in last?
Mine, and mine.


Do you sleep with the door open or closed?
Pulled almost closed, but open enough that the cats can come in, cos otherwise they scratch my door for hours.


Are you wearing rings?
Yes, just one.


Next time you will kiss someone?
I don't know.


You can get a puppy or a new car. Which do you choose?
Puppy


What is the brand of the shirt your wearing called?
I don't know, it's from the Warehouse.

A Really Interesting Email I Recieved...

In the line at the supermarket, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized to her and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."   

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment." She was right, that generation didn't have the green thing in its day.

   

Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soft drink bottles and beer bottles to the shop. The shop sent them back to the factory to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. They were recycled.

   

But they didn't have the green thing back in that customer's day.

   

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

  

  But she was right. They didn't have the green thing in her day.

   

Back then, they washed the baby's nappies because they didn't have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in a 220 volt energy gobbling machine - wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

   

But that old lady is right; they didn't have the green thing back in her day.

 

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house - not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of a cricket pitch. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn't have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. They didn't have air conditioning or electric stoves with self cleaning ovens. They didn't have battery operated toys, computers, or telephones.

   

Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn fuel just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They used hand operated clippers to trim the shrubs. They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

  

  But she's right; they didn't have the green thing back then.

  

They drank from a glass filled from the tap when they were thirsty instead of using a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

  

Back then, people walked or took the bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

  

  But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then?