tales of the manly, nerdy group

Dancing Through Life

2009-10-01T21:42:00.003+10:00

My laptop is retarded. The wireless internet is connected and I can use MSN, twhirl (a desktop client for Twitter) and can download via torrents, but I can't open websites! It's very frustrating. I know it sounds like a port problem, but the other laptops are connecting fine so I'm forced to conclude that my laptop is the issue.

/whining

Today: French study, listening to the Wicked score and watching Wives and Daughters. (Ooh, alliteration.) I will try to finish my translating tonight, and start my psychology readings, perhaps.

PENILE CLAMP?!

2009-10-01T09:53:00.003+10:00

Wonderful story annie. I'm quite glad I don't do your course.. Not that I have anything to be worried about. Anyway..

I'm currently in Melbourne university working with a whole bunch of girls doing engineering. We're setting up a group to teach lego robotics to girls in primary school all over Australia so that we can encourage (brainwash) them so that they will one day become engineers!
Had an awesome time :)

Had to wake up ridiculously early for a flight on tuesday but it was well worth it. I met some amazing girls studying engineering. Also, we managed to break a world record!
http://news.sg.msn.com/oddities/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3612904
That also made the 7pm project! So if you watched the 7pm project that night, yeah. Robot dance.

During the day, we had good fun making the little nxt robots run around and navigate along paths using sensors. Went to the crown casino and up to Eureka skydeck the night after. Melbourne is an absolutely gorgeous city.

We'll be heading to the zoo today and then having lunch at Chinatown. I'm absolutely exhausted but I'll be home tonight. (hooray!)

To everyone at UNSW or if you're even interested in (v. simple) robots you're very welcome to join our group and help us out. There's really no experience with robotics required. We're a not for profit organisation so there's so pay involved.. but if you're interested http://www.robogals.org.au/ or email me :)

#1 reason I'm glad I'm a girl:

2009-09-27T15:06:00.007+10:00

I don't have a dick.

"Retrograde Pyleograms involve the use of a cystoscope (1.5-1.7mm stainless steel pipe) inserted into the urethra and pushed into the ureteric orifice."

In crude terms, a rigid steel pole is shoved up a guy's penis.
Oh, the hilarity of the expressions on their faces when the lecture was over.

Glasses

2009-08-21T18:23:00.003+10:00

I almost forgot about this place. Hey, I started another (yes, another) blog: the lonely hearts club, with Sarz & Jess. I also have a tumblr: love, etc.

I got my nerd glasses! You will all probably laugh when you next see me but I think they are lovely, if a teensy bit loose. I will have to find a way to enlarge my head, haha. I am also dying to get a manicure done because I am so bad at doing my own nails that I actually have to pay people to do them for me.

OH. Linda can no longer come to Wicked so if any of you have missed out but feel like cooming, please let me know!

x

Haha... good times

2009-08-16T20:55:00.002+10:00

Daniel and Annie drove Marvin and I home after Mona's birthday lunch, and when we got home... Marvin realised he left his SHOES at Chilan's!

He left his SHOES at Chilan's... somehow, he managed to forget to put on his shoes when going home!

I wanted to share that with all of you =)

GLOAT

2009-07-22T18:02:00.003+10:00

Guess what guys!!!

I got a distinction average this semester.

HOW AWESOME =D I'm awesome!

That is all =) *GLOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT*

*big grin* =D

40 hours, Harry Potter, Dawson's Creek

2009-07-21T11:15:00.002+10:00

Hey guys.

Uni is starting so get ready for the 2nd Fridays of the months again. Also it's almost AUGUST (in case that's not subtle enough - YAY my birthday.... and Hannah, Mona and Fiona's as well... is coming up!)

I saw Harry Potter... I thought the movie was awesome. Though I think the awesome factor may have something to do with the surprise element - Dumbledore DIES! Now I knew he died somewhere in book 6 or 7... but before I went into the movie everyone reassured me that Dumbledore died in book 7. So you imagine my shock and horror when he DIED! But love Luna. Isn't she just awesome.

I assume I haven't spoilt anything, because unlike me I'm sure you've read the book.

Anyways, I've driven like 40 hours now (which compared to the 14 I've been stuck on for the past 1.5 years, I say I've done well). I am of course fully prepared to fail like 2-4 times.

Also. Hannah got me into Dawson's Creek. ISN'T IT JUST AMAZING.

Jen

Harry Potter

2009-07-09T00:19:00.003+10:00

Ok, so I was supposed to go to the midnight session at IMAX but the girl organising it (UGH UGH UGH WHY DO I LET OTHER PEOPLE ORGANISE THINGS?) only bought tickets TODAY and obviously, the midnight session was sold out.

I'm in Melbourne til the 20th, so does anyone want to see it with me after that date?

HATE EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW.

MOVIE REVIEW: Transformers 2 (I'll try to keep this short and spoiler-free)

2009-06-25T15:47:00.010+10:00

TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen

(Note to all: Leave brain, common sense and eardrums at home when you're going to go watch this movie.)

I suppose the phrase 'less is more' never found its way into Michael Bay's thick boneheaded skull...but then again 'an overblown, badly-written, bombastic spectacle' it is to be expected of Bay. I suspect not alot of the $200 million budget went to the screen/script-writing department, because my face was on perma-cringe during 1/3rd of the movie (I kid you not, this makes George Lucas' dialogue respectable!). Plot doesn't make a lot (if any) sense.....it's not suppose to.......one does not go to watch a Transformers movie for 'the plot'.

Acting is............bearable.....barely..........Shia (le-what?) is ok, Megan Fox is eyecandy and eyecandy alone, the girl does nothing other than stand around and look hot. Needless to say the 'human' cast don't do much other than running around screaming..........thus leaving all the hard work to the CG/special effects department (*shudders at the thought of CADing all that*), creating robots that have more personality than their human counterparts. Oddly enough some of them really aren't given enough screentime.....We want more Prime or Bumble-bee!!!

All in all, tis an enjoyable but brainless movie, a wee bit too long for my taste (2.5 hrs of explosions = headache, even for me!). If anything enjoy it for the visual effects, although for me...too much...is too distracting.

*Side note: Why is everyone in this movie so tanned? Isabelle Lucas (Home and Away chick) looks freakin orange!

Celebrations!

2009-06-24T17:04:00.002+10:00

I'm finished with exams! Brain & Behaviour was .. ugh. Actually, so was Stats but not quite as. It's over, so I'm putting it out of my brain.

Right now, I'm at the Arch studio w/ Jess Lee, Linda Lin, Helen Young and some random SBs who are working on something for Harry's birthday. We're going to get dinner after, so that will be my celebration dinner. I also bought a new dress (it's so pretty, you'll see it on Saturday) and Pride & Prejudice & Zombies! I should not have spent so much money, what with buying Wicked tickets recently but I figure it's ok since it's end of semester and all.

These are my plans:
Thursday: hand in essay, have lunch with Shannon, debating
Friday: lunch with Sarz, Transformers
Saturday: lunch with you guys!
Sunday: High Tea with Darcy Soc

HOW FANTASTIC DOES THAT SOUND.

Can't wait to see you guys!

I'm such an IDIOT!

2009-06-21T17:06:00.002+10:00

Ahem.. funniest thing happened the other day:
Drove my mum to Canley Heights to do a spot of grocery shopping and parked along Canley Vale Rd. Left the car there for about 20mins but when we got back, I couldn't start the car.

The red battery sign kept popping up every time I turned the key in the ignition so I called the NRMA roadside assist number and asked them to send someone out cos I thought the battery was flat but couldn't work out why cos I hadn't left the headlights on or anything..

Anyway, 20mins later, guy turns up and I've got my bonnet open (had to call my sister who was in Melbourne to tell me which lever to pull). He's got his wires out testing each of the terminals and I keep trying to start up the car as he's doing this. Doesn't work, so he comes round to the driver's side and starts laughing..

I was like "..?"

"You silly duffer. The gear shift is set to neutral!"

ANNOYED

2009-06-19T21:08:00.003+10:00

I am SO ANNOYED right now. ARGH! As the other physios would know, we just had an exam yesterday where the answers were accidentally included in the paper (how dodgy is that!). Anyhow, this subject had 2 separate written papers with multiple choice questions and the examiners stupidly left the correct answers in a lighter shaded font for about 30 something out of ~ 100 questions. The thing is, some people realised this or knew by the time the 2nd exam started and so obviously, that gives them an advantage over those who didn't know. (which includes me btw, haha as if I'd ever pay attention to the finer details)

So to make it fair, they've decided to cut all those sections out of the exam. Now the annoying thing is, leading up to the exam I ONLY studied those sections because I thought I'd rely on my dodgy memory for everything I'd studied previously for the mid sems. But I think my memory may have failed me and my entire days study before the exam was for nothing!

While I think I will still pass, I'm still annoyed that nearly 1/2 of the semesters content wasn't examined...what a waste of time!

Hahaha, there's my little rant! Now quit bugging me to blog Carmen!

WICKED

2009-06-19T21:05:00.004+10:00

That's right! I'm taking time out of my precious study to tell you all how important it is for you (yes, YOU!) to watch Wicked. You know how you always hear talk of "Phantom of the Opera" and how great it is... well I think Wicked can actually compare to it.

There should be NO reason for you not to watch it. If it's too expensive, you can watch the matinee - it's the same cast and there are probably better seats! I think it's almost half the price! And matinee isn't as bad as everybody thinks it is, as long as it's the same cast, right! Of course, if money is not an issue, then watch the night version - it's just more 'fun!'

I don't really care when you watch it, but you MUST watch it! No, seriously. I'm definately watching it again. You won't regret it, I promise!

P.S Simone: I'm too conflicted about physics... I will have to think about after exams. Too many things I want to do. And I hope you're engineering exam went okay =) Yay. How many left?

Carmen. I did it! I logged on =) Yay! And random fact about childbirth was SOOOOOO cool! I want to share what I learnt recently:

The word "because" originates from the middle english language "by cause" Cool, no?

Exams.. Grahh.

2009-06-18T19:08:00.002+10:00

I have my eng. design exam tomorrow. That subject has been a massive headache all semester. Too many sleepless nights sacrificed for that course. I'm sure Yifan knows my pain - the pain of reiterating when designing things.

4 pm tomorrow. Finally, I'll be rid of this course. (Although, I realise the next part of my life will be similar to it, I hope that spreadsheets and fancy computer programs will ease the pain.) I don't know why i decided to post that here. I think I'm just procrastinating now... Argh, should study.

Jen - Enjoy your quantum mechanics! :) Yan keeps complaining about it though, apparently its a very pretentious, convoluted form of physics. But it's good to know people out there enjoy it. I looked through some of his lecture notes. And wow, practical application of maths (well, somewhat practical :P )

500 (Days of Summer)

2009-06-13T21:04:00.005+10:00

Jen, you go to blogger.com/home and sign-in through there.
Simone, I want lemon cheesecake!

Here's an interesting Psychology factoid for you:
The pain of childbirth is 'erased' from our minds as a coping mechanism so that women can have more than one child- if they remembered how bad the pain really was, they'd probably want to avoid a repeat experience.

& things we should do!
Let's have another cooking day. I have a recipe for chocolate bread & butter pudding that I want to try. Doesn't it sound delish?
World Cup final. 2014 or 2018, yes? (Chilan, Hannah, Vanessa? YES?)
See Wicked! when it finally comes to Sydney. (I know you've already seen it, Jen. Maybe you loved it so much you want to see it again?)
And someone has to see 500 Days of Summer with me!

♥

Quantum Mechanics

2009-06-13T20:43:00.003+10:00

Hey Sim =D
Actually, it was the quantum mechanics in Chemistry that made me want to do Physics. It's just SOOO cool. But unfortunately... no I can't do physics =( LAME! Unless I want to spend SEVEN years in uni! So instead, I resolve to do all the Chemistry I can related to the Quantum stuff. It's just so much fun =) Maybe we do different "quantum" stuff... but there's still quite a fair amount of maths in it, but in a fun way!

And to the rest of you:
Hiiii... do you know, i don't know how to log in properly to blog. I go back to Carmen's original invitation email and accept it all over again to sign in. =S That can't be the right method!

You know, Fiona's one of the last-ish people ever to get 100 UAI... When our kids go on about how impossible it is to get perfect scores, we can tell them our friend got 100! Hehe.

I wish I could do physics. Damn it!

I realised I'm quite an obsessive person, like when I want something... I just think about it ALL the time until I finally make my peace (which is usually months later). Damn it! I want to do physics!

It's Cold.

2009-06-09T21:41:00.003+10:00

And yet I have the strangest urge to make a lemon cheesecake. Yes, I am aware it is 10 pm right now.

And hooray for more science people! Psych sounds pretty interesting. Although the restrictions they put on the kinds of tests you can run on people make it slightly less so. Nonetheless. :)
And Jen, if you do physics, stay away from quantum mechanics - the maths apparently is completely nonsensical. (although, i heard the maths for lagrangian mechanics is +1awesome, so do that one!)

Yifan! Don't switch to fine arts! The world needs architects like you....!

Jen's first blog...ever!

2009-06-09T19:06:00.003+10:00

Hi guys.
Carmen, yay for transferring to Science (yes, one more to add to the nerdiness of our group)! Then afterwards you can do a Masters in Education and become a science teacher. LIKE ME =) hehe...
Did I tell everyone, it's just a thought... and I'm not even sure if I can get in, but I'm applying to work (full time) as a Chem-working-in-lab-dudette next year. So fingers crossed.
How's everyone's stuvac? Hope you're all studying hard.
That is all.
Jen.
P.S I have found a new love in Chemistry... it's so awesome! I want to do the physics/maths part that is related to it. If I don't get to work next year, I'm so doing physics.

stuvac

2009-06-09T10:51:00.001+10:00

Cat- right in the middle of my exam period.

Yifan- haven't even seen Star Trek, boo. Really want to see Transformers and HP6, though!

Stuvac officially starts today! Good luck with your studying and exams! See you on the other side =D

(I'm glad you guys are blogging!)

LOVE, etc.

Seen any movies lately?

2009-06-08T22:53:00.002+10:00

Anyone??? Cause I sure haven't! The last one I saw was............Wolverine or Star Trek???
Star Trek >>> Wolverine (script sucked)

Architecture is getting too repetitive...I think I might tranfer into Fine Arts instead...

REFUGEE FILM FESTIVAL

2009-06-08T22:51:00.002+10:00

I BETTER SEE YOU ALL THERE AT THE FESTIVAL!

Date: 14/6/09 Sun
Time: 2:00 - 5:00PM
Where: uniting church on pitt st
why: to support refugees and your good friend cat!

Mythbuster: on shatting and peeing and expelling a baby...

2009-06-03T13:05:00.004+10:00

NOT true apparently. I was talking to my grandmother about this (hahaha, don't ask) but unless you feel the need to shit prior to giving birth and don't relieve yourself, most women don't do all 3 at once. And all that water is not pee..

Quite amusing.

And on a side note, go Carmen! I'm floundering. Hopefully prac instills some sort of motivation to continue with this degree.

Tennis

2009-06-01T22:38:00.002+10:00

NADAL LOST at ROLAN GARROS...which means..federer..can WIN it this year..but..but..HE'S LOSING HIS MATCH RIGHT NOW! he CANT lose..this is his chance! Oh man..i'm feeling so tense right now..must....argh...calm down. *BREATHE*

turning it off now..can't bear to watch him lose...not that he WILL..i have faith in him!

Science

2009-06-01T20:10:00.003+10:00

So, I've decided to transfer into straight Science. I have some room to continue English (Victorian Literature next semester, and a Jane Austen unit next year) but there will be no more Français and I have to do another semester of Maths (yuck) but otherwise, all my units will be Psychology! Which is good, since it means I can graduate earlier, get my Honours, travel, then come back and get my Masters*.

(Have I told you guys about that? I'm going to get my Masters in Forensic Psychology. At UNSW, but still.)

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS. But sad about Français. Perhaps I will buy one of those 'Learn French in 10 Stages' book thingies.

* Theoretically- my Psych marks have been great so far, but I am a bit worried about commiting to my future like this, since I am such an indecisive person.

Manly-nerds?!?!

2009-05-28T17:30:00.001+10:00

The blog's a great idea, carmen! Haven't seen you manly nerds for quite a long time now, maybe except for Yifan (who owes me a table tennis session I believe)

Can't wait for that end of exams dinner! Mmm.. Dinner...
Speaking of which, I shall tend to mine now.

PS. Uni is.. busy-ing.
Drowning in work.. (But there's only a week left! Woohoo.)

Yesterday's Conclusion

2009-05-28T17:03:00.008+10:00

2nd Clinical Block Dates.

Clinical Block 2.2 Jan19-Feb 28

Clinical Block 2.3 Jul20-Aug28

Clinical Block 2.4 Nov9-Dec18

Effectively, uni+ clinical work= Jan 19-Dec 18 with 3wks of holiday in between which is the one coming up after sem 1 exams this year. Help me make the most of it??

day off from uni!

2009-05-28T09:14:00.002+10:00

awesome! like mona, ive never wrote in a bloggy thing before either! anyway, can't wait for our dinner..yum, its always appropriate to think about food. Im going to have the chocolate brownie and icecream for dessert!...wait, where are we eating again? Anyhoo, well done on your stats test thing carmen, and mona- were my camera skills suffice enough to make the final cut? or did your ditch my shots, haha.

Exploration~

2009-05-27T22:56:00.004+10:00

Testing....testing....

Like Carmen, i am procrastinating as i don't wanna perfect my speech for Maladaptive (don't tell Chilan, she's my presentation partner xD) so here i am...exploring the very first blog thingo i've ever visited... yes yes, i'm behind the times...^^

Off i pop to see where this post thing appears!!

Bonjour

2009-05-27T22:43:00.002+10:00

First post!

1. Tell me 3-4 of your interests so I can add them to your profile info (see left). Also tell me if your course or birthday is wrong (don't blame me, someone gave me the wrong info).

2. You don't need a Google account to join. Chilan was mistaken, hah.

3. I had a Stats test today and I think I did really well. Hurrah!

4. I am doing this because I don't want to write my ICLS essay.

I haven't seen you guys in ages. This is v. saddening.

Beaucoup d'affection,
Carmen