I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

Cabarete sunset, originally uploaded by roooosah.

I watched Invictus this weekend, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon (L). The title of the movie is the poem that got Nelson Mandela through his 27 years in prison, by William Ernest Henley. I recall reading that poem in Grade 8 in my first ever high school social studies class. At 13 years old, I had no clue what the poem meant. Now older and wiser with some poetry training, I now understand that the this poem, kept Mandela's will strong, and to reunite his country after such hard times. I'm probably romanticizing the Apartheid issue as I'm not too familiar with the details. The movie however, told an important story represented through Mandela's political and human strategy of rugby to reunite the country. It is films like these, one that tells a story, one with a purpose, one with conviction, that I truly enjoy. The following is another poem by William Ernest Henley of an entirely different mood from Invictus.

Between the dusk of a summer night
Between the dusk of a summer night
And the dawn of a summer day,
We caught at a mood as it passed in flight,
And we bade it stoop and stay.
And what with the dawn of night began
With the dusk of day was done;
For that is the way of woman and man,
When a hazard has made them one.
Arc upon arc, from shade to shine
The World went thundering free;
And what was his errand but hers and mine --
The lords of him, I and she?
O, it's die we must, but it's live we can,
And the marvel of earth and sun
Is all for the joy of woman and man
And the longing that makes them one.

--William Ernest Henley

j'espere tout va bien

I had a pretty good weekend. But why does my heart have a sinking feeling? I'm confused as ever. I returned to Waterloo to find a postcard from E, and it was then that I realized that I got myself involved with too much last year. I know I should be change and just focus on myself this year, but something inside me can't stop.

♫ One Republic - Secrets

Friday Favourites No.2

Today is Friday, and I'm sitting in a busy Starbucks at the corner of Adelaide and York. Gosh I how I miss this area! I don't think I'll ever tire of the tall buildings covered in glass and stone or tire of being surrounded by men in suits (teehee). I couldn't help but escape to Toronto my first weekend back at school. I remember back in first year that most people went home for the first weekend and that made me quite depressed. I suppose I've accepted Toronto as a third home (Vancouver being the first, and Taipei being the second). It's nice to be able to see some of my good high school friends who have ventured out here with me in Toronto. I also find that I'm able to meet a lot more new people in Toronto as opposed to Waterloo. I'm supposed to be working on my Work Term Report, but I decided blogging is more appealing. So here are my list of favourites for the day, and one un-favourite.

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs New Q Long Wallet

Julia, you're a doll for getting me this wallet for Christmas. The one I used was a nice wallet from my mom but it wasn't very stylish. I absolutely love it!

2. Learning
I was really dreading my time back at school. Now that I've went to all my courses this first week back, I'm actually quite excited to be learning again. It feels like some of my courses won't be too challenging with the exception of Environmental Law, which also happens to be at 8:30 in the morning twice a week. I'm quite ready to face another challenge. A school term isn't complete without a challenging course right?

3. New roommates that don't suck
I've had my fair share of random roommates, and my experience has been less than mediocre. However, the two other girls Lucy and I are living with are really nice, and also quite neat. Living with nice roommates makes all the difference! Still, I can't wait to be out on my own with my own place (with a nice kitchen) so I can cook and do what the heck I want. I could walk around naked if I wanted to.

4. UN-FAVOURITE: WORK TERM REPORT
I know I complain about this every term. But honestly, I don't learn anything from doing these reports. What starts off as an interesting topic slowly becomes a nuisance, especially in the first week back at school. Formatting and all the unnecessary requirements of this paper is not worth my time at all. I'm almost done though. Just have to finish my case study and do my conclusion and recommendations and all that extra junk.

I suppose I shall get back to my pertinent task. Have a great weekend everyone, and stay warm! (With the exception of somebody who happens to be in balmy Singapore)

edit: I'm done my report! I'm so happy that I got it done 3 days before the due date that I have to announce it here. 

a new year, new goals?

(photo taken at Nathan Phillips Square)

I usually don't make new year resolutions. I found it pointless to make goals at the beginning of the year. I'd rather make goals and resolutions as I go through life. 2010 for me though, feels different. Reflecting on 2009, I realized how much I had grown as a person. 2009 really was a wonderful year. Two co-op terms at great workplaces, both giving me extended knowledge of my field and a better understanding of what I would like to do in the future. My so-called "school" term - 3 weeks spent in the wonderful Dominican Republic - was pretty life changing. As an outsider looking in, I first regarded DR as a dangerous, poor nation. After spending 21 days travelling around the country, I was immersed in the local culture. It was nice not staying at the all inclusive resorts. I visited mines, dry river valleys, flood planes, salt lakes, beautiful beaches, climbed and jumped off waterfalls. I can't wait to go back.

This year will be my last year of school, and I really want to make everything worthwhile. Keep on top of schoolwork, be proactive. I finally understand what it means to be proactive. We learned of the concept in high school. I even attended a seminar on the 7 habits of highly effective teens (a self help book of sorts). It takes a lot of will and self motivation that's for sure. I'm going to my last co-op term a lot more seriously than my last 3. I'm going to start preparing for grad school applications, which includes studying for the GRE (*grumbles). In addition to academia, I would like to run a 10km race this year, and just be healthier and fitter in general. As for self improvement, I think I've learned to be a lot more flexible and laid back in the last couple of years. Things can't always go according to my plan, and I need to continue being flexible.

Thanks to all my friends who keep me in check and listen to my complaints and insecurities. I will try to behave this year haha.

Anyhow, going to take a nap. 8:30 class is never easy to wake up for, especially when I'm still on Vancouver time.

Music to my ears: 周華健-明天我要嫁給你
P.S. This is my 40th post!