Little Hope

I've been putting this post off because I didn't want to get my hopes up. 

Well then, time to test my faith. 

For those who've been journeying closely with me would know that I've been working on a final year project proposal. My initial proposal was regarding visual development. The aim of the project, without getting too technical, is to help viewers visualise how a land or building will look like before it is completely developed. Interesting topic, but not something that really fascinated me.

After further research, I realised that I actually have an interest in sustainable development. Sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". As quoted from my lecture notes. Armed with this sudden spark of enthusiasm, I decided to email my lecturer who specialises in this field. Without giving it too much thought, I emailed her and included this little snippet:

"I have an interest in video-making. Therefore, I was wondering if it is possible for my end product to be a video product which focus on raising awareness about sustainable development."

Met up with her the next day, introduced myself and the first thing she said was...

"Ah! Movie-maker." 

The discussion that followed, as I soon realised, was something that I desperately needed. In the midst of all the brain-storming, note-scribbling and trouble-shooting, there was this sense of hope, courage and delight that began to bubble up. Never before have I had such an encouraging conversation with another person besides my dear friends. What more with a lecturer whom I hardly pay attention to during class (sorry). If it wasn't for pride, I would have probably broke down in tears right there and then. 

Four years is a long time to do something. Even longer if it's something that doesn't bring you joy. But with this project, things are starting to look hopeful. On the contrary, this project might be the death of me. Firstly, because this is something that no one has every done before. Secondly, I'll be doing more work compared to everyone else. Thirdly, I'm not sure how I'm going to execute it. And fourthly, I may fail miserably. See what I meant by not wanting to get my hopes up?  

This year may be the most pivotal one yet. If this project takes off, I believe that something "good" will come out of it. How this "good" will look like, I'm not sure but I'm not worry about it either. Right now, I'll just need to focus on what I can do and work towards it. With faith and confidence in a God who is big enough.

God, for so long I've been dwelling on my doubts and bitterness. But today, I choose to surrender them to you. Break the chains that bind me and bring healing once again into this heart that has just gone cold. Give me the courage to believe and put my trust in you. My problems are never too big for you Lord. And I thank you for that. I pray the same prayer for my friends too. That you will meet them at which ever point in life they're at and speak love, faith and hope into their very being. So let it be. Amen~     

Alright! Time to write up that proposal. 

~ are you working on your faith muscles? ~

Study Woes

Mann it's been too long since I've, well.... blogged. The past 3 weeks was just a mad rush. Assignments and exams literally dominated every waking hour. I guess once you're in uni, the pressure to perform well is much higher. Considering the fact that our parents spent a fortune sending us overseas to study.

During this period of examination, I began asking myself, "What/Who am I studying for?"

This is what I got:

1. I'm studying Geomatics because I did pretty shit for my Year 12. My results wasn't good enough to get me into Melbourne Uni or courses such as Engineering or Architecture.
2. I'm studying hard to redeem myself.
3. To keep my parents happy.

Pretty good and noble reasons yea? HELL NO! Those reasons are pathetic. Is that it? Am I studying just to please my parents? Am I studying Geomatics just for the heck of it?

Why can't it be, "I'm studying because I believe one day I'm gonna revolutionize the geospatial industry." Or that, "I'm studying because I have a passion for creating usable and useful maps to help people."

Where is the purpose in my studies? Is it just so that by the end of the day I would have a piece of paper that would allow me to generate money. Money. Damn money. As much as it pisses me off, I can't live without it.

I wanna dream again. I want to take my passion for dancing, music and media up to greater heights. I want to live out my dreams.... Am I asking for too much? I probably am. The world doesn't revolve around you Jules, stop being so selfish.

Ugh. It's times like these I find it difficult to be the optimistic, bright one. I'm sure some of you could even feel the stressful/negative aura that I've been emitting lately. Sorry about that. Give me time to sort things out.

Things always works out in the end =)

One more paper this Thursday! Let's finish this. To those of us still roughing it out, at least we're in this together yea?

Disclaimers: This is one of those posts where I reflect and ask myself a series of questions that wouldn't have any answers to them but try to end on a positive note. Read at your own risk!


~ wait, disclaimers usually goes to the top yea? ~

Dance to This Song!

Looks like staying up late for an entire week has finally taken its toll on me. Soo not a good time to fall sick. Handed in my final assignment this afternoon. Now I can officially say that semester 1 is over!

Haa.... exams starts next week for me.

7th June -Spatial Information Science 2
9th June - Maths for Surveying and Geometry B
11th June - Cartography 2
17th June - Surveying 2

And I can say with full confidence that I'm not prepared for any of them! ahaha probably not something I should be proud of. I've got six days to get up to speed with my non-existent revision. Wish me a miracle. I'm gonna need it.

Eat well and get enough rest guys! Being sick sucks.

Oh! and if you have time to spare, why not check out the video below?




~ btw, how awesome is this song? ~

Heart It Races

UPDATE! Friday, Oct 16th, 2009

First year's over.....


First year's over.

at 6.40pm
________________________________________________________________________________________

Monday
SIS test (first blood)

Thursday
AGT presentation (too easy)

Friday
Physical Geo Class test (double kill)
Physical Geo Practical (triple kill)
AGT Portfolio (killing spree)
Physical Modeling Project (M-m-m-Monster kill!)

And so, it's the final week for this sem. Better yet, it's the final week of my first Year in uni!

To get me through this week, Vitamin Strings Quartet's epic rendition of 'Dare You To Move'.

This week is gonna be ta-no-shii. Right, neko-chan?

Neko: nya!~

Oh, great. I'm talking to a cat.


~ Hopeful and hoping for much much more ~

Make Or Break

BIG week ahead! 5 assignments due and a test.

2 and a half down, 2 and a half more to go.

Thanks for illustrator, Greg! You're a real life-saver!

Let's continue inspiring and cheering each other on.
_________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE! Wed, May 27, 2009

4 down, 1 to go!

Don't slow down now. Sleep can wait. Probably. XD

at 1:50 AM
____________________________________________________________________________________


I'm going for broke.


~ Don't let your guard down and move on! ~

Mayday

Exam timetables are out!

Which means exam's in a month time.

Which means no more lazy afternoons.

Which means quality time with Survey, Carto, Maths and Sci Comm.

Which means sleepless nights.

Which means HDssss babeh!



....I wish.

Feeling blue? Here's a video to cheer you up!



~ HDssss? Hey, it could happen. Could. ~

What is Geomatics?

Google Earth, GPS and satellite maps. These are all examples of Geomatics at work. After a month of studying this course, I have yet to find a clear-cut definition of what Geomatics really is. Is it Science? Geography? Surveying? Mapping? Maths? Actually, it is all of the above.

If you really want a definition, according to RMIT’s Mathematical and Geospatial Science brochure:

Geomatics is a spatial information technology program that uses computer based Geographic Information System (GIS) to measure, manage, map and analyse geospatial data.

Get it? No? Me either. That’s just too much to remember and a mouth full to say if I were to explain what Geomatics is to someone over and over and over again.

Fortunately, I stumbled upon this unsourced quote and I think it sums up what Geomatics is pretty well:

Geomatics – It’s Geography on Steroids!

~ got that memorized? ~

Oh Bother!

Dear All,

As per the email below, building 8 and 10 will be isolated on level 9 for few months. There is a huge property services project starting 25th March till End of October. Please note that there will be no access to building 10 from building 8 level 9.

Kind Regards



There goes my shortcut. Time to take the stairs.

~burnnning!~