David Nicholls – Starter for ten

I have been reading some good books lately, thanks to Cousin Aili for her recommendations. One was a rather tragic novel about a teenage girl striving to live after her mother’s sudden death and taking after a ten year-old brother, who was still in a shock and confused over their mother’s death. I can’t say it created an impact on me but hmm…. ok to pass the time ah. Finished reading it in one night!

The other, was much enjoyable, Starter for Ten. Funny and crafty. It actually reminds me of abang2 typies in Singapore. And it more or less similar to what I’m facing in Uni-life as well, without the hormonal chaos hocus pocus or gen!^@-free as they put it. And the period was only two decades ago!! A guy going to Uni with all the excitement and motivation of seeking knowledge and finding himself falling in love instead. What struck me was the phases that he went through was uncommon to me.

He told of eagerly joining societies in search of friends and experience, well, I was eager myself and joined IRK Society and other programmes here and there. Even joining Archery club once! And then he went through this phae which he thinks he’s too stupid for Uni and that he knows much less than he actually thinks. Suddenly finding himself unable to answer to questions which are supposed to be familiar. Simply put, plain stupid. And hey, I ever thought like that myself. Like I don’t read enough and forgot information I used to learn before. Like everybody else was much smarter and what am I even doing here??!

Uni studs really need a lot of motivation and reminding on what exactly we are here for. ometimes I forgot that I’m here to seek knowledge and learn as much as I could from the lecturers as well as gaining skills from societies. Especially when I’m too busy with programmes and simultaneous tests and assignments, I forget the real essence of studying! I’m just going through the days without really knowing what I’m doing. I’m just following the rhythm.

And there was the student politics. It’s obvious here. The right-wing and the left-wing. I was rather ignorant with the student politics here beofre, whatsmore, I’m just an international student, shouldn’t mess mself up with politics. But after having a position in MRC, I more or less know what is going on in the pseudo-political world and it’s SCARY I tell ya. real Scary. The local students here do take it seriously.

That’s more or less the novel starter for ten reflected on my own life. And these are the very experiences I will not forget. It’s just so sweet and memorable, even the worst of it was endearing. I have to say this: I love IIU