I typed that on the 29th of July. Today's the 5th. I never got to make that major improvement. How do people actually manage to blog so often?
The very final book for Harry Potter is out. I can't make any comments because I have yet to read the book. I'm reading books 1-6 over again. Of course, being really impatient, I read the epilogue. It was... strange. I was hoping for another ending but I guess this one is alright. I mean at least there's a Albus Severus Potter who will hopefully end up in Slytherin and become just as hot as all the Slytherin people. And pick one of Luna's children as his love interest. Now that will be fun. Since I'm deprived of seeing Luna Lovegood and Harry Potter together, this would be the next best I guess... haha
As for the movie, Luna Lovegood is so cute. She's very Luna-ish but she seems more dreamy than strange. And she really really looks like a Malfoy... even more so than Draco.
I keep forgetting to bring my camera whenever I have those little gatherings and stuff. It's really stupid to have a camera and not bring it. Just like it's stupid to have a brain and not use it. Grr. I need to think much much more before I proceed to do something. Because I did not consider a lot of things, I might find myself wasting $317 for my visa application. I hope the people processing the visa aren't too fussy. I mean they can go online can't they? And 2mm won't hurt... even if it does, there's still the photo they took for the biometric. Surely they can develop a passport size photo from there that is 35mm by 45mm with my face length being 30mm in the photo. Oh well... it's just 100 which is supposed to be like $100 Singapore dollars when you are at London which means I'm only wasting SGD100 instead of SGD317. And if it is just SGD100, it'll be like 30......
Obviously things don't work that way or exchange rates will go haywire.
I really need to think more before I act.
And of course, those events happened a week ago. The British High Commission called me either on Wednesday or Thursday to say that I can collect my visa that afternoon... I haven't done so though. But at least I know my visa is alright. A close shave really, with many people to thank for it.
Anyway, here are 3 photos for you to enjoy:
24/7/2007 Tuesday, Sentosa outing with DSTA 2007 scholars.
28/7/2007 Saturday, Ilona's birthday celebration.
3/8/2007 Friday, DSTA Mentor Appreciation cum BBQ event.
All the US scholars will probably have left by the end of this week. And all of the temporary counter staff at IRAS has left but me. *sighs* Oh well... I'm leaving on this thursday I think... unless I feel like extending. I'm already in a 'just spend money' mood these days so the idea of earning more money doesn't really keep me to my job. I guess the only things that stops me from leaving are that I still have some things to do at Novena, it's still a bit busy at IRAS, I need to learn to endure pangs of loneliness. If the queue at IRAS is quite bad and the taxpayers aren't too bothersome I guess I might extend till the end of August, although I will still take some leave. I doubt I need to extend though, the queue seems quite good.
Working at IRAS is truely a learning experience. Nevermind about finally understanding all the tax-related issues, I think the most important lesson is about service. At least now I know I'm not cut out for service with all my evil thoughts. I'm normally very quiet and tongue-tied around people but IRAS has exposed me to so many people (I think I've met more than 3000 people just from working at the counter) and there's a lot to such kind of work than meets the eye. Just like how it is in school, you represent your organisation so you have to watch yourself constantly. Your words are like the words of the organisation and there's no such thing as personal opinions (even if customers ask for your 'personal' views). There is only professionalism. You have to be mindful of what you say, be polite and courteous, be patient, listen and understand, and figure out the best way to bring your message across to people who might not want to listen.
I've bought my laptop already and an external tablet thingie to go with it. It's quite fun although I haven't really mastered the art of using the pen. I did a few graffitis on facebook with it though... I will try finishing Khyrella when I stop work and install all the necessary programs in my laptop.
That's all for now before I decide not to post this blog entry up today.
Oh wait, had a mini gathering with my DSTA Imperial seniors yesterday. =) They are a nice bunch (but strangely all guys but save 1 girl who lives really near me (in fact, in my batch, there are like 3 people who stay really really near me?! Lol we can go to work together 4 years later)). I guess it's a bit like meeting people at a JC. And they all seem quite trendy. Seriously, this is the first time I heard a GUY saying he bought a Zara shirt (for only 12 pounds!!!! I'm starting to really like London). And he's my NJC senior (the 02-03 batch I think). Of course, it could be that I don't really hang out with guys often enough to heard such statements. I think the best I've had was during prom when the guys were discussing about suits and jackets.
Random statement 26
"Think before you do, ponder before you think, plan consider before you ponder, plan before you consider, strategise before you plan, try before you strategise, do so that you can try. But of course, remember to think before you do."
