Hello, my lovely readers.
I have some news. I'm shifting. For good.
To wordpress haha. I've been trying to manage 2 other blogs on wordpress as well as this one on blogger and it's just getting crazy so I decided to combine everything together. You probably won't find my blog via google anymore 'cos I'll be starting from zero leads when I import this blog over. I think.
Thank you for the views so far. We're surprisingly at almost 5,000 lol. Small number by today's standards but I'm still deeply humbled.
Anyway, click here for my new blog: www.enaeki.wordpress.com
See you there! :)
Sunday 8 May 2016
Wednesday 20 April 2016
Recent results
HELLO! My blog is a hermit crab who has found a new home: https://enaeki.wordpress.com
A- for two final essays of two GL core modules - Awesome!
Update #1: And an A for this socio essay. Was very surprised with the grading.
Too bad they're all only 20% and that I screwed up my midterms and that essay before this one.
#lessonlearned since Y1S1 but repeated each following semester.
Consistency is really key in college. Trust me, it's always too late to salvage anything later in the semester.
Update #2: Screwed up my finals for GL2103. Always kena death sentence by finals sigh.
Thursday 14 April 2016
Also, 3rd Q&A for NUS Global Studies
HELLO! My blog is a hermit crab who has found a new home: https://enaeki.wordpress.com/
Recently, I received a comment from Anonymous again regarding NUS' Global Studies curriculum.I think the NUS GL website is quite clear with the main framework of the curriculum but was just wondering if anyone has any questions about this major because I know it's relatively new and rather complicated (actually not really once you start planning out your studies).
You may post your questions in the comments section and I will answer them after my finals (5 May).
If it's about freshman admin stuff, I came across this post: https://weitheblur.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/freshie-in-fass-survival-guide-life-hacks/
Not sponsored to post this. Have no idea who this is. But it's a comprehensive enough post. Of course, if you prefer hearing from yours truly too, lemme know yeah.
Okay, that's all for now/ See you all in 3 weeks' time. Fuck, I ONLY HAVE 3 WEEKS?! FUCK I DID NOT REALISE.
Okay no point panicking.
AHAHAHA I'M SCREWED. LOLOOLULUUUUHOHOZEEEZEEE.
4,444 views!
Omg we've reached 4,444 views on this blog! Super happy because 4 is my absolute favourite number:) Thanks for dropping by everyone!
On a side note, a quote for those who are also enlisted in the semester-ly Hunger Games:
"Death isn’t sad. The sad thing is: most people don’t live at all." - from 'Peaceful Warrior'.
Remember to breathe, my dear friends. May the bell-curve be with you.
On a side note, a quote for those who are also enlisted in the semester-ly Hunger Games:
"Death isn’t sad. The sad thing is: most people don’t live at all." - from 'Peaceful Warrior'.
Remember to breathe, my dear friends. May the bell-curve be with you.
Monday 28 March 2016
I made a decision
To not go for an all-expenses paid trip to Uganda.
Some of you may be thinking, "Damn wasted leh!", "Is she crazy??"...
Just so you know, I have always been.
Anyway, just a brief summary of how I got this opportunity in the first place: As I've mentioned before, I was got to go to Japan on an internship (which was too, all-expenses paid). This year, the same organisation offered me an internship at their office in Uganda. When I first received the email, I wasn't too sure about the job scope but still expressed my interest. Did the interview, secured the internship. I'm always one who jumps at every chance to go overseas. Which is also why I am now quite shocked at my own decision haha. I'm not too sure if this is progression or regression.
There are three main reasons why I decided to reject this wonderful opportunity (Even as I wrote the email to reject the internship, I was very aware of how awesome it is).
One, I have many things that I want and need to do in Singapore. Surprisingly. I can cross off a lot of things that I want and need to complete by staying in Singapore. There are many things that I want to solve in my immediate environment and local community.
Two, my sister had a liver transplant earlier this year. My mum said that I should just go ahead, but I kinda wanna be here for my family.
Three is a little personal: I don't think I'm good enough to do what the internship requires of me. I think it's okay for me to reveal this; the internship mainly involves mentoring students who are going to start college this fall. I just don't think that I have the capacity to be someone who can teach college content well because I am barely surviving myself. My parents and some of my friends told me that I was just lacking self-confidence. I told them, no, I am being self-aware of my capabilities and my lack of knowledge. I just think it's unfair if the students have to put up with a mediocre teacher.
Yes, academically, I am very mediocre. And I have my grades to prove it haha. I know I won't have any problems interacting with students and having a good time with them but that is just half of what this internship entails. I believe someone else will be able to fill the shoes better.
My mum said that I will regret this and that I "always regret" my decisions. But I realised I have been having second thoughts from the very beginning and up until the moment I set my mind to reject the internship offer. I kept trying to convince myself that this will be the right thing to do. But I never had to do this for my Japan internship. Sure, I was anxious and nervous before embarking on my Japan internship but never once did this fear make me consider otherwise. My desire outweighed my fears.
As I always believe, if there is hesitation, it means that I don't want it enough.
This is actually the second rejection of the year from my part. I'm not trying to brag but instead, I want to remind everyone that it is okay to just go out there and explore several options. Like I said before, I am a very mediocre student. If I can do it, you can definitely do it (perhaps even better). Anyway, I previously got into a two-week Sino-Singapore exchange but I rejected their offer in favour of the Uganda one. Both made me grow especially in terms of honing my interview skills and helping me discover what I really want, so I am very thankful for both of these opportunities as well as their affirmation for me.
Throughout the whole of March, I had friends who gave me really good advice or were just great being a listening ear. I think one piece of advice that I will remember for a long time is "Just put 10% in making the decision and 90% in doing it well". I didn't exactly use only 10% in decision-making haha and I definitely not sure if my 90% was enough. I need more time to develop myself as a more capable individual first. And like I mentioned, it's not fair to bring in other people as guinea pigs so that I can have a successful experiment. I will go back, if given the chance, with better knowledge and equipment.
Final note: Right now, I have my eyes on some local internships and short overseas program like TISP2016. Will update progress soon.
Some of you may be thinking, "Damn wasted leh!", "Is she crazy??"...
Just so you know, I have always been.
Anyway, just a brief summary of how I got this opportunity in the first place: As I've mentioned before, I was got to go to Japan on an internship (which was too, all-expenses paid). This year, the same organisation offered me an internship at their office in Uganda. When I first received the email, I wasn't too sure about the job scope but still expressed my interest. Did the interview, secured the internship. I'm always one who jumps at every chance to go overseas. Which is also why I am now quite shocked at my own decision haha. I'm not too sure if this is progression or regression.
There are three main reasons why I decided to reject this wonderful opportunity (Even as I wrote the email to reject the internship, I was very aware of how awesome it is).
One, I have many things that I want and need to do in Singapore. Surprisingly. I can cross off a lot of things that I want and need to complete by staying in Singapore. There are many things that I want to solve in my immediate environment and local community.
Two, my sister had a liver transplant earlier this year. My mum said that I should just go ahead, but I kinda wanna be here for my family.
Three is a little personal: I don't think I'm good enough to do what the internship requires of me. I think it's okay for me to reveal this; the internship mainly involves mentoring students who are going to start college this fall. I just don't think that I have the capacity to be someone who can teach college content well because I am barely surviving myself. My parents and some of my friends told me that I was just lacking self-confidence. I told them, no, I am being self-aware of my capabilities and my lack of knowledge. I just think it's unfair if the students have to put up with a mediocre teacher.
Yes, academically, I am very mediocre. And I have my grades to prove it haha. I know I won't have any problems interacting with students and having a good time with them but that is just half of what this internship entails. I believe someone else will be able to fill the shoes better.
My mum said that I will regret this and that I "always regret" my decisions. But I realised I have been having second thoughts from the very beginning and up until the moment I set my mind to reject the internship offer. I kept trying to convince myself that this will be the right thing to do. But I never had to do this for my Japan internship. Sure, I was anxious and nervous before embarking on my Japan internship but never once did this fear make me consider otherwise. My desire outweighed my fears.
As I always believe, if there is hesitation, it means that I don't want it enough.
This is actually the second rejection of the year from my part. I'm not trying to brag but instead, I want to remind everyone that it is okay to just go out there and explore several options. Like I said before, I am a very mediocre student. If I can do it, you can definitely do it (perhaps even better). Anyway, I previously got into a two-week Sino-Singapore exchange but I rejected their offer in favour of the Uganda one. Both made me grow especially in terms of honing my interview skills and helping me discover what I really want, so I am very thankful for both of these opportunities as well as their affirmation for me.
Throughout the whole of March, I had friends who gave me really good advice or were just great being a listening ear. I think one piece of advice that I will remember for a long time is "Just put 10% in making the decision and 90% in doing it well". I didn't exactly use only 10% in decision-making haha and I definitely not sure if my 90% was enough. I need more time to develop myself as a more capable individual first. And like I mentioned, it's not fair to bring in other people as guinea pigs so that I can have a successful experiment. I will go back, if given the chance, with better knowledge and equipment.
Final note: Right now, I have my eyes on some local internships and short overseas program like TISP2016. Will update progress soon.
Sunday 27 March 2016
My second Q&A???
The following question is posted by Max Tan, who actually posted this in Aug 2015. I never bothered checking for comments back then 'cos I thought I was just talking to myself most of the time.
Comment
"Hi, freshman here. Was wondering why you decided to major in global studies and what are the job prospects of it?"My reply
"Hello Max,
I decided to major in Global Studies because I always envisioned to become a "global citizen", as in at the very least, someone who knows enough about this world to relate to who reside in it. I know I'm sounding dumb but it was just natural to me back then. But of course when I compared the curriculum with the other majors offered at various local unis, GL had the flexibility and exposure that I wanted so I actually chose to enter NUS solely because of GL even though it was only in its 3rd year of enrollment.
In terms of job prospects, the first batch of GL students just graduated last year and I don't actually know any of them. But I would say Global Studies/ Global Affairs/ International Studies (some argue that they are not the same but come on, how many companies know that) are rather popular majors overseas. Not so much in Singapore. Nevertheless, I have heard of people becoming global/regional analysts at companies. And I would say at least 80% of GL students aim to work with international organisations like UN, Oxfam or international NPO/NGOs.
Having taken all level 1000-2000 mods myself, I would say the core modules provide just the tip of an iceberg (I don't think you can ever learn enough about the world; even at phd level they only focus on a specific area), and ultimately, what you get out of GL is also largely defined by your theme/ region. Don't expect to be able to say you're a master on worldview after undergrad.
Interested to find out what you ended up selecting as major actually!"
My first Q&A??? [NUS/ Global Studies]
HELLO! My blog is a hermit crab who has found a new home: https://enaeki.wordpress.com/
Of course, it's about Global Studies. GL is the only reason why anyone reads this blog. haha. notreallylaughing.
I hope 'Anonymous' doesn't mind me making this a post. Of course, I am just saying this out of courtesy; this is my blog, after all ;)
Said comment by "Anonymous"
"hi there!! I somehow stumbled upon your blog while researching about global studies modules hehe and I absolutely love reading your posts. you even inspired me to find out more about wwoof and WOW I'm sold. I'm just another jc graduate who has gotten her a level results and lost about what in major in uni, and researching about the modules these few weeks has made me interested in global studies. I would like to ask if there a high chance of going on exchange/internship or is the competition very high among GL Majors? I really want to experience studying overseas (i have a dream of travelling the world one day but i guess some dreams are too hard to fulfil and I'll be contented with visiting those i love!) but since my grades can get me into local unis my parents aren't approving overseas uni. Hence, I hope to be able to go overseas for at least a sem. Hope that you can give me more insight about this since I could'nt really find out more about it at the open house :/ Oh and another question! This question isn't rlly about GL but do u happen to live in a hall and is the experience worth having? Thanks so much for taking your time to read this :)"
My reply (Warning: so bloody long that I shocked myself)
"Hi Anonymous, it's an honour to have you read my blog:)
What a sweet comment you gave!
When applying for internships, you are competing with at least, the whole FASS as Arts/Social Sciences-inclined internships do not usually specifically ask for GL majors, but rather, FASS students general. Though I would say that being a GL major is a good starter 'cos many employers will be curious about what we actually study about haha. As for exchange, I believe the same applies. Competing within FASS rather than within GL. As for high/low competition, it often depends on where you want to go. Asian countries apart from Korea and Japan are usually not so popular and hence easier to clinch since you're competing with less people. For Japan, Korea, UK, US and some European unis, competition can be tough! CAP will prove to be important.
As you might have read, I went on an internship to Japan after Year 1. I want to highlight that this is not common, but very achievable if you want it to. And my saviour is the NUS International Relations Office(IRO). NUS has a good system when it comes to overseas opportunities. The people at NUS IRO are awesome but unfortunately not appreciated and exploited enough by students!!! Super surprised that around 70% of my friends (not that I have many) do not know about IRO?! Highly recommended for you to check out the NUS IRO website! (In fact, I visit their "Global Opportunities" section at least once every 2 weeks 'cos it's constantly updated and I'm kiasu) Other than overseas exchange or internship, you may also consider NOC which involves being 0.5-1 year overseas.
And I totally get you about the overseas uni part. I took IB so I would say it was really easy for me to get into overseas uni. But not good enough to get a scholarship. As I mentioned before, my dad is a taxi driver, he doesn't have extra like $50k per year to send me overseas. Yes, so I am in local uni. But I do not regret it because I don't think it has deprived me of chances to travel/study/intern overseas. We can choose to make the best out of what we have!
Lastly, I do not live in hall unfortunately. I did get into Eusoff but had to reject them as I didn't get my parents' consent + it was an additional financial burden anyway. I think hall life is great for making friends (something that really requires extra effort in FASS and especially GL 'cos we're always "department-hopping"). Halls usually have activities like hall supper and music nights, etc or even OCIP trips it can be loads of fun. You're also forced to take care of yourself I guess, though I do know people who bring home their laundry every weekend haha. Cons would be overload of CCAs if you wish to stay more than 1 sem, not sleeping early unless you wanna be a phantom, people wanting to come into your room even if you might not want them to. Note that these are just some of the stuff I heard from my friends who stay in hall."
I must be crazy spending 20 minutes replying to this when I have 3 assignments due but this was a good break! Thank you, "Anonymous"! :) Hope this helped you and feel free to pose any further questions (this goes for the rest who are reading too////
P.S. Isn't this blog way cooler and more helpful than open house booths? Okay no need to comment on this just let me be.
P.P.S. NUS IRO and WWOOF should make me their ambassadors.
Monday 7 March 2016
Back to Pescetarian
I have something to confess. I've been back to eating meat since September when I was in Japan. I gave myself the sorry excuse to eat meat just 'cos, you know, being in Japan and having the chance to try out all their delicious food was just so once-in-a-lifetime for me.
But, that was just the start. When I came back to Singapore in December, I was already accustomed to a diet with meat. What I experienced was a sort of disassociation with what made me decide to be pescetarian in the first place.
And today, thanks to a youtube video, I am reminded of why I chose to be pescetarian. I don't deserve to eat meat because I will never have the guts to kill an animal so much like me. I just can't.
Call me hypocrite for thinking that fishes or other seafood as less "precious" but it's just different. I have no problem killing a fish, or a crab but not a pig.
So, today marks my last day eating all red meat and chicken.
P.S. Arts Canteen aka "The Deck" has an Indian stall that I patronise almost every school day for vegetarian food. Their pumpkin side dish is damn bloody good.
But, that was just the start. When I came back to Singapore in December, I was already accustomed to a diet with meat. What I experienced was a sort of disassociation with what made me decide to be pescetarian in the first place.
And today, thanks to a youtube video, I am reminded of why I chose to be pescetarian. I don't deserve to eat meat because I will never have the guts to kill an animal so much like me. I just can't.
Call me hypocrite for thinking that fishes or other seafood as less "precious" but it's just different. I have no problem killing a fish, or a crab but not a pig.
So, today marks my last day eating all red meat and chicken.
P.S. Arts Canteen aka "The Deck" has an Indian stall that I patronise almost every school day for vegetarian food. Their pumpkin side dish is damn bloody good.
Sunday 7 February 2016
Wednesday 3 February 2016
New travel blog
Due to the humongous amount of content that I wanna write about my Japan and Taiwan trips, I've decided to create a travel blog:
https://kafkatravels.wordpress.com/
This blog shall continue to serve for my purge of darker inner thoughts haha.
https://kafkatravels.wordpress.com/
This blog shall continue to serve for my purge of darker inner thoughts haha.
Sunday 31 January 2016
Quote of the week
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist." --- Friedrich Nietzsche
Which sums up what I feel about the words "right", "wrong" and "truth". Those who took IB before would know that in TOK terms, truth = justified belief. And I don't believe we can objectively justify something (in the purest sense of justify).
Which sums up what I feel about the words "right", "wrong" and "truth". Those who took IB before would know that in TOK terms, truth = justified belief. And I don't believe we can objectively justify something (in the purest sense of justify).
Thursday 28 January 2016
My 5-minute thought on corruption
Read a few articles concerning corruption and poverty today.
There's this one main argument that keeps popping out: Politicians are corrupted because it's possible for them to do so, easier in some countries than others.
Just wanna say that corruption is not limited to politicians.
Anyway, yes, I can't deny that having more leniency toward corruption increases the likelihood of having corruption.
But the fact that they could doesn't mean that they would or that they ought to do so.
I refuse to believe that there are people out there who can get a good night's sleep knowing that what they're doing has a direct/indirect link to people dying from poverty.
No matter if they are forced to be corrupt (i.e. so poor themselves that they don't even have room to care for others) or engaging in corruption out of the sheer greed for more wealth (e.g. rich politicians who can't seem to stash away enough money),
I want to believe they have a moral conscience. The very minimal moral conscience of feeling guilty because they know what they are doing is akin to murder, some more directly than others.
What about me and you, then? Is not saving akin to deliberate killing as well?
There's this one main argument that keeps popping out: Politicians are corrupted because it's possible for them to do so, easier in some countries than others.
Just wanna say that corruption is not limited to politicians.
Anyway, yes, I can't deny that having more leniency toward corruption increases the likelihood of having corruption.
But the fact that they could doesn't mean that they would or that they ought to do so.
I refuse to believe that there are people out there who can get a good night's sleep knowing that what they're doing has a direct/indirect link to people dying from poverty.
No matter if they are forced to be corrupt (i.e. so poor themselves that they don't even have room to care for others) or engaging in corruption out of the sheer greed for more wealth (e.g. rich politicians who can't seem to stash away enough money),
I want to believe they have a moral conscience. The very minimal moral conscience of feeling guilty because they know what they are doing is akin to murder, some more directly than others.
What about me and you, then? Is not saving akin to deliberate killing as well?
Tuesday 26 January 2016
An Automatic Digression (incomplete)
Jumping off the platform
Landing onto the stone-filled tracks; automatic
Freeing and binding himself to a fate he creates; automatic
Train stops and the train operator blinked; automatic
Announcing a service fault; automatic
His voice rang and touched the cold metal walls of the halted train
Blared across the platforms of the station which name I cannot
Remember
Doors slid open; automatic
Women in heels, men with ties,
children carrying similar school bags with their innocent, wide eyes
Exited and formed a seamlessly long line; automatic
Staff at the counter ready to mark tickets
Passengers got their money back without a hitch; automatic
I felt sick in my stomach; automatic
I felt like vomiting; automatic
I wanted to sit down and stop walking; automatic
I didn't know where I was in this foreign country
But I didn't want to go back to the train station
I wonder how much blood has been shed
Since the very first man landed on the railway tracks
Was it automatic?
Random thought 1
Wrote this on a piece of NUS foolscap paper when I was too bored from sitting in front of my laptop in a humid office in Kojimachi:
I looked to my right and all I see were grey carpeted floors, grey rectangular lockers with the names of every employee in Japanese. I heard the staccato of keyboards; staff members of this company typing away their youth. I might be using the word 'I' a little bit too much in this country that supposedly puts others before the low life of oneself.
People jumping in front of charging trains, innocent lives locked in sarin-filled trains --- I want to get these images out of my head and focus on the perfect front that this country tries so hard to put up. For the selfish sake of my humanity, please leave... The forgotten people of society, left underground, far from the knowledge of everyone pacing above the ground, how are you doing? Did I catch the train too late?
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