So, here I am with yet another blog about grad school stuff.
I sent out my first grad school application today...and it feels good. I'm not as 'jumpy' or 'excited' as I thought I might be. But, I am quite happy with my submissions, so let's wait and see.
The fun's just beginning. I have 5 (!) more applications to send out..Yikes!! My weekend's going to be busy writing essays and revising drafts..Oh what fun!!
On a separate note, my 2 year old cousin was out here to celebrate the American Thanksgiving last weekend, and he is so adorable. My parents gifted him a cute little tricycle, and he hasn't figured out how to pedal as yet. But he loves the colors and loves sitting on his tricycle. Ask him whose bicycle it is, and he will proudly respond - Danny's! :) :) So cute..coming back to my original topic..although he doesnt know how to pedal, he's figured out that if I push the bike back and forth, it's almost as if he is pedalling.. the lil fellow!!..he sits on the bike, looks at me with his big black eyes, bats those lashes, and says 'Akka! (= older sister) Pedal'. If I tell him, 'Danny pedal', he'll respond 'No, Akka pedal'...:) :)
Sheesh, kids I'm tellin ya..so smart!
I'm going to quote my dad here...
"We call our parents fools, so wise we grow, our kids will call us so"...lol!!!!!
Yep dada, I agree..
Friday, November 30, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Strange rules at work...
I've heard of some strange rules at work, but I think this story is the best.
I disagree with the idea, and the suggestion. I know that you have lingerie models in the high end stores, but the idea of creating a 'Camisole Day' and asking your staff to work in their lingerie sounds weird. Personally, unacceptable.
However, in Taiwan this is apparently acceptable, as long as the participation is voluntary. Of course, there are diverse views on every topic, here are two differing viewpoints on this specific issue:
Zhang Yufeng, 32, a mother of two, admitted: "I have been on a strict diet to get ready for the day. When I was trying on my outfit at home, my husband told me I should dress like this every day."
Wu Juanyu complained: "Some women may feel forced to join in because of peer pressure and job competition. I don't know if the company is selling underwear or women's bodies."
We live in a strange world, and it becomes stranger as every minute passes on! :)
I disagree with the idea, and the suggestion. I know that you have lingerie models in the high end stores, but the idea of creating a 'Camisole Day' and asking your staff to work in their lingerie sounds weird. Personally, unacceptable.
However, in Taiwan this is apparently acceptable, as long as the participation is voluntary. Of course, there are diverse views on every topic, here are two differing viewpoints on this specific issue:
Zhang Yufeng, 32, a mother of two, admitted: "I have been on a strict diet to get ready for the day. When I was trying on my outfit at home, my husband told me I should dress like this every day."
Wu Juanyu complained: "Some women may feel forced to join in because of peer pressure and job competition. I don't know if the company is selling underwear or women's bodies."
We live in a strange world, and it becomes stranger as every minute passes on! :)
Thursday, November 22, 2007
First Snow of the Season
Yesterday night, at 2am I was staring out my window when I saw the season's first flakes hit the ground. I woke up today and saw a white carpet outside my window.
Everytime I see the ground carpeted with the season's first snow, I am fascinated.
I wish I was 5 years old, and I could run outside and make snow angels or have a snow fight with friends. We have a 2 year old in the house today and his excitement is contagious. Children have a way of making you forget everything except their instantaneous pleasures :)
As I write this, I am brooding over a lot of different things, but I hear his little feet thundering outside my door, and that brings a smile to my face. For little pleasures, I am thankful today.
Happy thanksgiving!
Everytime I see the ground carpeted with the season's first snow, I am fascinated.
I wish I was 5 years old, and I could run outside and make snow angels or have a snow fight with friends. We have a 2 year old in the house today and his excitement is contagious. Children have a way of making you forget everything except their instantaneous pleasures :)
As I write this, I am brooding over a lot of different things, but I hear his little feet thundering outside my door, and that brings a smile to my face. For little pleasures, I am thankful today.
Happy thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
my words...
My words always spill out, when I least expect them to. I haven't written a 'poem' in a long time, and wasn't sure if I still could, and then tonight, these came tumbling out. Hope you like them...
New Year's Baby
The night is dark
Shadows beckon forth the wind
Ghostly whispers reach my window
as I try to sleep with my head beneath the pillow
Whipering winds carry forth a noise
a small cry, hoarse yet faint
I lift my head to try and listen
Is that real or just a dream?
Sounds so far away
Almost surreal, unreal
Late at night, with the moon behind the clouds
No one should be about...
I hear it again
So I wake up to check it out
I wrap myself in a shawl
and head out of the door
Into the trees, I walk
Their faint whisperings, my companions
I follow the trail of the cry, deep into the woods
Past the moonlit path into the jumble of shrubs
Thrown carelessly behind a bin
at the edge of my property
I find a bundle, whimpering
A baby wrapped in bloodied clothing
A new born discarded like old rags
His lips turning blue
I rush back to my house
Bundling him in my shawl
I walk through my door
Rushing to my phone to call for an ambulance
As I call, I look up at the clock
Midnight chimes ring, Happy New Year everyone...
By,
Angela Archana Vincent
New Year's Baby
The night is dark
Shadows beckon forth the wind
Ghostly whispers reach my window
as I try to sleep with my head beneath the pillow
Whipering winds carry forth a noise
a small cry, hoarse yet faint
I lift my head to try and listen
Is that real or just a dream?
Sounds so far away
Almost surreal, unreal
Late at night, with the moon behind the clouds
No one should be about...
I hear it again
So I wake up to check it out
I wrap myself in a shawl
and head out of the door
Into the trees, I walk
Their faint whisperings, my companions
I follow the trail of the cry, deep into the woods
Past the moonlit path into the jumble of shrubs
Thrown carelessly behind a bin
at the edge of my property
I find a bundle, whimpering
A baby wrapped in bloodied clothing
A new born discarded like old rags
His lips turning blue
I rush back to my house
Bundling him in my shawl
I walk through my door
Rushing to my phone to call for an ambulance
As I call, I look up at the clock
Midnight chimes ring, Happy New Year everyone...
By,
Angela Archana Vincent
Saturday, November 3, 2007
GMATs..it's finally over!..Almost..
I have blogged about my experience with GMAT prep a few times before. Today, I went in for the exam. Before I launch into today's events, let me backtrack a few days..
I took a week off from work to prep full-time for the GMAT, and it was relaxing yet nerve-wracking. I enjoyed staying up as late as I wanted, and waking up when I wanted. I did not enjoy the part where I had to sit with my laptop, a writing pad, and my GMAT books. All that practice! God! I can't believe I actually did that, on my own, without anyone telling me to study. That is an achievement. Especially, when you don't have a structure to your study material. In other words, I did not go for any of those GMAT prep classes, did it on my own; and after receiving my scores today, I must say, I'm very happy :) :) :).
Well, I cannot expand on my prepwork over the past week, without confessing that I was a bundle of nerves. As I was studying, I went a little crazy. Focussed, but crazy. I did not want to talk to anyone when I was studying, and during my study breaks, I would be so stressed about the actual exam, I'd drive my family and selected friends up the wall..literally :) . So, to mah family (mama, dada, boyfriend and mah darlin sister) and mah 2 friends (you know who you are), thank you for being there when I needed to 'talk' :) :) (yeah, yeah, yeah - enjoy it while it lasts!).
Today, I was actually quite surprised at how calm I was. I timed everything today! Woke up, gave myself 45 minutes to have breakfast/relax, another 45 minutes each to practice quantitative and verbal, and the final 45 minutes to get ready before I had to go. I did not cram on the way to the test centre, was quite calm, went in, started my exam, and came out very, very happy.
.
..
I took a week off from work to prep full-time for the GMAT, and it was relaxing yet nerve-wracking. I enjoyed staying up as late as I wanted, and waking up when I wanted. I did not enjoy the part where I had to sit with my laptop, a writing pad, and my GMAT books. All that practice! God! I can't believe I actually did that, on my own, without anyone telling me to study. That is an achievement. Especially, when you don't have a structure to your study material. In other words, I did not go for any of those GMAT prep classes, did it on my own; and after receiving my scores today, I must say, I'm very happy :) :) :).
Well, I cannot expand on my prepwork over the past week, without confessing that I was a bundle of nerves. As I was studying, I went a little crazy. Focussed, but crazy. I did not want to talk to anyone when I was studying, and during my study breaks, I would be so stressed about the actual exam, I'd drive my family and selected friends up the wall..literally :) . So, to mah family (mama, dada, boyfriend and mah darlin sister) and mah 2 friends (you know who you are), thank you for being there when I needed to 'talk' :) :) (yeah, yeah, yeah - enjoy it while it lasts!).
Today, I was actually quite surprised at how calm I was. I timed everything today! Woke up, gave myself 45 minutes to have breakfast/relax, another 45 minutes each to practice quantitative and verbal, and the final 45 minutes to get ready before I had to go. I did not cram on the way to the test centre, was quite calm, went in, started my exam, and came out very, very happy.
.
..
...
....
Oh, and in case you're wondering about my score.....740/800. That, my friends feels absolutely fabulous!!
But wait, the story hasn't ended yet..next in line are my essays and grad school applications. Let's see where that leads...
Monday, October 29, 2007
...imagination?
To end today's spate of blogs, I will sign off with these few words..
Imagination is the key to life. We imagine our lives with ideas, needs, families, friends and various other details. If our mind was a blank slate, our life might be one too. I treasure my ability to imagine various situations, and put those emotions and imaginations into words. Words which I can express freely and without fear of repercussion.
Imagination is the key to life. We imagine our lives with ideas, needs, families, friends and various other details. If our mind was a blank slate, our life might be one too. I treasure my ability to imagine various situations, and put those emotions and imaginations into words. Words which I can express freely and without fear of repercussion.
A world view from 2006
Last November, I was sitting with my cup of tea, and watching CP 24 Morning news, when a news itemcaught my eye: father kills his wife and daughter and jumps to his death. Later that day, on my morning commute to work, I picked up the Metro Toronto and the front page news shocked me, because the father who killed his wife and 14 year old daughter was Sri Lankan. Why did that shock me? Maybe because I always thought South Asians do not do crazy things like kill your wife and child and jump to your own death i.e. a double murder and suicide. Furthermore, his two younger children slept unaware in their home until the police arrived. The father committed the double homicide, went to his in-laws place, called 911, told them about his actions and then jumped to his own death. The reason for his action was yet undiscovered.
Before my Anthropology class started that evening, I was wondering, what would the daughter’s last thoughts be? What if an abusive father, killed his wife and then murders his daughter. Would she be at peace away from the dark world she lived in? Or would she suffer more during those last few minutes? I am not implying that the incident in question was due to an abusive parent. As mentioned earlier, his motives were never uncovered. Stars abright was my input about a little girl who is killed by the paternal figure in her life.
Stars abright!
Stars abright
Far away in my dreams
Blood runs deep
A river in my screams!
Nightmare after another
Pounding on my doors
All my prayers blend together
As I huddle under the covers…
Fist against flesh
Screams dying down…
One final scream
Muted into unforgiving silence…
The pounding starts again
Thump…thump…thump…
The latch creaks and cries
Giving into the fury!
Monster bright with white hair
Familiar smell, cologne ‘Blue’
Gentle hands that suddenly tighten
My nightmare turns into his reality…
Stars abright
So far yet close
Dreams of mine
So close yet afar.
Rocking in his gentle arms
I move away from their bruising torment
No more fists, no more thumps
No more screams, no more horrors.
Into the sky I fly
Away from the red river below
I find myself at peace
Among my stars abright!!!
By,
Angela Archana Vincent
Before my Anthropology class started that evening, I was wondering, what would the daughter’s last thoughts be? What if an abusive father, killed his wife and then murders his daughter. Would she be at peace away from the dark world she lived in? Or would she suffer more during those last few minutes? I am not implying that the incident in question was due to an abusive parent. As mentioned earlier, his motives were never uncovered. Stars abright was my input about a little girl who is killed by the paternal figure in her life.
Stars abright!
Stars abright
Far away in my dreams
Blood runs deep
A river in my screams!
Nightmare after another
Pounding on my doors
All my prayers blend together
As I huddle under the covers…
Fist against flesh
Screams dying down…
One final scream
Muted into unforgiving silence…
The pounding starts again
Thump…thump…thump…
The latch creaks and cries
Giving into the fury!
Monster bright with white hair
Familiar smell, cologne ‘Blue’
Gentle hands that suddenly tighten
My nightmare turns into his reality…
Stars abright
So far yet close
Dreams of mine
So close yet afar.
Rocking in his gentle arms
I move away from their bruising torment
No more fists, no more thumps
No more screams, no more horrors.
Into the sky I fly
Away from the red river below
I find myself at peace
Among my stars abright!!!
By,
Angela Archana Vincent
A world view from 2003
In 2003, I was browsing channels one Saturday morning, and I saw this World Vision charity ad, where they were showing these little children who tug on your heartstrings – looking hungry and hopeless. One of the news channels, was simultaneously showing a huge debate among world leaders aimed at ending world poverty. These leaders did not look like they even knew what these children go through. These words show my reaction to this contrasting world view. The children, we view as our future and hope for tomorrow are left to starve and beg, while the leaders sit back and debate until nothing gets resolved.
Empty Dreams
Fools that we are in this real world
They remain forgotten by all but me.
Honor, riches and integrity sold
To the scavengers for free.
Dying words, broken tears
All that is left for me to see.
Scanty food and dwindling cheers
Nothing but irons binding the glee.
Tattered clothes swirling free
Stomachs grumbling with hunger and pain
Brown and muddy, the children see
Nothing but food on the chocolate train.
Eyes beseeching, hands outstretched
They stand in a row begging to you.
Gaudy fools ignore the little hands outstretched
While they gobble, slurp and disgustingly chew.
The strain on their faces etched
The pain in their eyes missed
Their empty dreams, so farfetched
Their only aim to have food enough to exist.
These children await a tomorrow
As dark as the hungry night approaching
As dirty as the clothes they borrow
As sad as the empty dreams soon encroaching.
Hopeless they sleep
Vainly for help, they await
While they wait and weep
Gluttonous fools eat and debate.
By,
Angela Archana Vincent
Empty Dreams
Fools that we are in this real world
They remain forgotten by all but me.
Honor, riches and integrity sold
To the scavengers for free.
Dying words, broken tears
All that is left for me to see.
Scanty food and dwindling cheers
Nothing but irons binding the glee.
Tattered clothes swirling free
Stomachs grumbling with hunger and pain
Brown and muddy, the children see
Nothing but food on the chocolate train.
Eyes beseeching, hands outstretched
They stand in a row begging to you.
Gaudy fools ignore the little hands outstretched
While they gobble, slurp and disgustingly chew.
The strain on their faces etched
The pain in their eyes missed
Their empty dreams, so farfetched
Their only aim to have food enough to exist.
These children await a tomorrow
As dark as the hungry night approaching
As dirty as the clothes they borrow
As sad as the empty dreams soon encroaching.
Hopeless they sleep
Vainly for help, they await
While they wait and weep
Gluttonous fools eat and debate.
By,
Angela Archana Vincent
...
In the midst of my GMAT preparations, I don't have much to say, but I felt like I had abandoned my blog for the past few days (aaagghh). So, I thought I'd post a few old words of mine. Hope you like these next few posts...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Scotland
Dreams are so important to people. It lets you escape your daily worries and find a calmer, happier frame of mind. It's our touchstone. Here's mine:
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