How Fast Time Passes

 Hey all,

They say when you're enjoying something, time passes quickly. And I suppose that's how it is with the start of my university life. I only left Malaysia seemingly not long ago and here I am in Sydney for almost 4 weeks now... Just can't believe how fast time passed.

Time passes quickly...

Occasionally, I am still reminded of the day that I left Malaysia. For some reason, the memory always comes back to me. Packing my things. Waking up to get ready for departure. Leaving my grandparents' house with my grandmother. Going to the airport. Leaving my grandmother. Tearful. In the plane. More tears throughout the flight. Arriving in Melbourne. Spending time with my brother and my cousin at their university. Flight to Sydney. Sydney. Uni. International House ...

So much seems to have happened since then. Everyday was different, unpredictable, full of surprises and hence memorable. Adapting to new friends, new feelings, a new city, a new room, a new environment, a new school, a new life, a new beginning. Now, things are slowly stabilizing and my perception of life gradually returns to normality. No more excessive highs and downs.

A new city

A new skyline

School has commenced for 3 weeks. Ideally, I ought to distribute my efforts for my subjects equally, but as I study, I find that I tend to spend most of my time revising and studying economics, psychology and sociology. I guess simply because they appeal to me most and they are my potential majors (Psych's a definite major). Not knowing what I wanted to do a few years back, I can now confidently say that my decision to take up psychology, economics and sociology subjects was very smart of me. Studying a subject that I'm interested in really brings joy to learning. Outside of these subjects, I do occasionally follow up with readings on philosophy but I rarely really critically think about or revise it. With statistics, on the other hand, I don't even bother. It's just incredibly boring and I only work when I absolutely have to.

This is me during economics, psychology, sociology and sometimes philosophy

This is me during business statistics.

Over the weekend, I found this awesomely quiet and serene place to study in IH: the library. I've known it existed but I've never actually bothered to go try it out. But over the weekend I did and I was happy with what I found: exponentially increased productivity. Well, if you're from IH and you're reading this, you'd be sure to occasionally see me there studying throughout the semester for sure.

I have a few favourite routine things that I enjoy doing during my stay here at IH. Of no particular order:
1) Laundry: the maturity and calmness I get from laundry...self-satisfying
2) Walking to Broadway at night: the serenity and thoughtfulness of the night plus the nice windy weather... unbeatable
3) Meals: I just love socialising with friends over meals; reminds me a lot about SSIS and how we used to just joked around with different people during lunchtimes... fun

Doing laundry provides a sense of calmness in me

Outside of schoolwork, I try to engage and immerse myself in meaningful activities. May it be IH activities or school clubs and societies, I force myself to make the most out of the opportunities I have within my grasp. So far, I've been elected as the photography for the IHMA (Member's Association) and participated in various activities with the Photography, Buddhism, Malaysian and Singaporean societies.

Though my university life so far has been a fruitful beginning, I do regret not shooting enough photos. I've always wanted to promote my photography but how can I do that with no new photos to show? And without practice, my skills are not improving -- to the extent that it could be declining! I've got to get out there and shoot. But saying that I have to do something is one thing while actually doing that something is another. And at this point, excuses come from all directions to attack me. Who could I shoot? Who would be willing to me photographic model? Where could I shoot? I have to study. What if people don't like my photos? Have I lost my fiery passion? I'm lazy. Am I good enough? Argh! Inspiration...inspiration...come to me! <--- that's an excuse too... I've been having quite a few ideas recently but none have been implemented. I've even decided that I would like to give talks on photography, starting in IH, but what have I done to move towards this goal of mine? Perhaps I need to kick myself in the butt and drop myself in the middle of the ocean by starting a new project abruptly. I'll think of some thing.

Hopefully the next time I update the blog, some photos will be up on Young Lights Photography. For now, adios.

Note: I'm using other artists' works and being an artist too, I have to credit their works as an act of respect and gratitude: dear artists, thank you for contributing to my blogpost!