I did it again

Last easter break, in the midst of the craziness of cramming for exams and fear-stricken, I went to Borders and got touched by a book. Tears fell and I came away from it a bit more reassured that if I failed my Tripos, I can still aim to be a good person.

The book was 'Tuesdays with Morrie' by Mitch Albom and I blogged about it then.

Today's book was 'The 5 People You Meet in Heaven' by Mitch Albom. Yes, Again. Though, the reason that drove me to Borders this year was different. It was because my bedder needed to clean my room and Sidney library was full of hard-working, fear-stricken students. I simply could not find a seat *deja vu* I had no where to go for half and hour and decided to just drop by Borders. Perhaps, it is serendipity. Picked up Mitch Albom again and the recurring theme is 'How to lead a meaningful life?' And like the girl that never learnt her lesson, there I was with my pile books and silently trying to hold back my tears. Again.

Once is good as a well-learnt lesson and you feel special like you were touched by an angel. But, twice is Just...........painfully embarrasing. *winces*

Thank God, this is my last Tripos. Never again, I'll be driven to cry in a bookstore. *notes to self*

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On a totally separate note, it is a well-known fact that a hormone released during labour has amnesic effects on the mother. Therefore, she forgot the awful, body-splitting pain that she felt during the labour after sometime and thought confidently to herself, "Hey, that wasn't too bad. Let's have another go!" Then, she gets pregnant again and then the pain comes Again. And, memory is Always without fail, kinder than reality.

When I heard it, it sounds like Tripos to me. As in, Tripos is the Labour. Every year, Tripos pain hits! Around April, you wake up feeling fearful every morning and guzzles caffeine/lucozade/caffeine tablets and workworkworkworkworkwork. Sleeping is not an option and you feel heavier each day with the growing fear/guilt except that your head feels lighter from all the hair that you are shedding. You pray really hard and hope that God punishes you for your laziness in other ways than your Tripos. Perhaps, the hair can be sacrificed.

Then Tripos came and went. Hey, it's Mayweek, you come out in your sunnies and strappy tops, feeling the sun on your skin. Awesome! Mind-blowing fun! You go to Mayballs, garden parties, drink, party and be merry! Slowly, the funfunfunfunfunfun wiped out any memory of the pain that you suffered for Tripos.

Then, you start your academic year thinking, " Hey, bring Tripos on. I can do it and it wasn't that bad the last time'. And you doss around the whole of Michaelmas and Lent. Except that now is Labour/Tripos Time again.

"Uh oh, why was I so silly. Again? ", the little fear-stricken voice in your heart whispers.

In search of love

In light of the cruel massacre that hit the news today, I found an uplifting yet heartwrenching tale of unconditional giving and selfless love. Hope that this tale will soothe the angry and despairing heart over the ugliness of the human nature.


**Sacramento Bee**


It's a story about a mother caring for her young, cancer-stricken son through his pain-filled days till death. There are so many wonderful shots; the mother's tireless fight to make her son's few moments left on earth filled with simple joys such as racing down the hospital hallway and driving the car at 10 years old. The fight to live LIFE to the fullest in the simplest way is inspiring!

http://www.pulitzer.org/year/2007/feature-photography/works/index.html

Let the tears fall.

:)

In search of motivation...

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." - John Calvin Coolidge

Do you believe in immortality? "No. And one life is enough for me."

The question was asked of Albert Einstein and that was his answer. I lifted it from an article provocatively titled 'Einstein and Faith'. It's a good reason to procrastinate. :)

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1607298-1,00.html

There are so many nuggets of wisdom in that article but this particular question and answer has the most impact on me because it is Exactly what I believe and try to live by.

One life is enough for me. It has to be and it Will be.

*meant to be philosophical and not morbid*

;)