Recess Week is here

Hi all, firstly if you are reading this, thanks :) As i’ve not blogged for a while now (and you check back !) ,it’s been 7 weeks into the second semester in NTU , SPMS/CBC , apparently this semester was supposed to be different from semester one where I was supposedly “adapting”.

However, it turned out that I got into the same old vicious cycle of not studying.. again. I havent been studying as much as I want to, and I’ve actually found out the supposed reason for this procrastination.

After reading zenhabits’s post , the one deadly sin of changing habits ,  I realised that I’ve been too focused on the “planning” and neglected the actual “doing” of the habit, sometimes when a plan is too complex it becomes difficult to execute because there are so many factors that must be “right” before anything can happen.

And now it is the recess week (1 week holiday) , i’ve decided to keep things simple and not “plan” so much ahead as opposed to “do” so much ahead. I know this advise does not apply to everyone because everyone is wired and build differently, however if you are a person whom “plans” alot but seems to accomplish little, it’s always worth the while putting more effort into “doing” than “planning” .

So for this recess week, i’ve decided to take things slowly but consistently, I used to set “study 10 hours per day” targets (and didnt wind up studying more than 10% of my intended target) , instead, i’ve divided my study hours in blocks of 2 hours ( 3 times a day from 9am – 11am , 2pm – 4pm , 7pm-9pm) and I am allowed to be flexible as long as i clock the 2 hours!

I definitely think i’ll succeed and hopefully I get to blog about it ^^

All the best to all my course mates !

5 Best experiences of 2009

Welcome to the new year of 2010 ! it’s been a decade since the year 2000 , how is everyone?

As a way of remembering 2009, I would like to share with you – my readers – the 5 best experiences/decisions I have went through that made 2009 a meaningful and unforgettable one . (in no particularly order)

The resolutions during the rainy season (vassa)

From July – September , which is the rainy season (vassa) , it is a tradition for buddhist to devote themselves more towards their practice , as a buddhist, this is the first year that i’ve taken this tradition seriously, and the benefits which was reaped from it was immense. I’ve learned more about myself in this 3 months then I ever had for the past 22 years of my life.

Examination in NTU for the first time (yr 1 sem 1)

Taking the exams for the first time after 2 years of National Service made me feel like a total newbie in the area of academic excellence. I was totally unprepared for it ! However, this lead to a intense period of time when the pressure was on to study intensively prior to the actual examination dates. It was a moment where my sole focus was on my exams , this experience taught me to cherish the simple pleasures of life – 30 mins of rest is heavenly . It allowed me to understand my own temperament – and what a big ego I have.

New BS clubroom Cleaning

This happened just prior to 2010 (late december) , the cleaning of the new BS (buddhist society) clubroom, it was definitely a time where I got to know my very good brother alot better :) and we also had a share of jokes/thoughts/moments together. It was one of the best bonding experience i’ve had .

Knowing my neighbour and a few neighbour friends

For the first time in my life, I have a neighbour! and along with him, i met a few really great brothers along the way =) It is amazing how easily we clicked and seemed to have known each other for a long long time… Hope that our friendship continue to blossom ^^

Being Alive

The fifth and most meaningful experience is to know that I am alive after 2009 =) . As ironic as it sounds, life is the one thing most people take for granted and I really want to take this opportunity to be thankful that I am still alive.

The one thing I ought to remember is that the every one of the experiences in 2009 are lessons to learn upon to make 2010 a better year ^^

Happy New Year!