See what Care Bear you are.

I am sick. Caught a cold. Literally. From opening the windows to let the clothes dry. Long and stupid story. Ask me if you really really wanna know. Bet you'd think it's a dumb story. Just started doing homework. Strange how German students party so much and still do more homework and studying than me...where does all the time go? Well, mini tests are coming up for English lit and linguistics...so no choice lah, must start studying! Not too keen. But seriously, think English is not the problem...German is the problem...how? I finished my CALL lesson plan already. Yay! One thing done...but more to come of course.. better start before it grows into a mountain! Sigh...sigh...hope I get well soon. Can't even sleep when I am sick!! Cannot breathe how to sleep?

I am in desperate need of inspiration. I need to hand in my CALL Lesson plan by next week and all I have done so far is copy and modify the template of the document. I need an IDEA..how can you integrate the internet into language learning? Don't tell me to use online newspapers. They bore the hell out of me...as for the grammar and vocabulary exercises (even in game format), well, they take a long time to do and are also somewhat monotonous. I checked out some and saw something about searching for movie info in the IMBD (International Movie Database for the uninitiated)...I like that, but somehow I feel it seems a little banal to me. Of course maybe I am being too critical, but when it comes to the Internet and language learning, it's really really easy to lose direction, despite having the best intentions. I really don't know...plus, it's not individual work, so I can't feel so free to do my own thing. But I am only gonna meet my partner on Saturday, so erm, well, not much time to do work. I can work fast, thanks to council training...I remember having to rush proposals in 1 night (and obviously the morning too). So okay, maybe once we get a topic, I can work like crazy to complete it. Shouldn't be too bad I guess. Maybe I'll do a trial plan too...see how lor.

Yeah! Thank God I am saved!! I managed to fix the handphone plan problem! I waited till 4pm to access my Vodafone Online account...cos it got blocked or locked for 24 hours thanks me entering the password wrongly 3 times!! Anyway, I saw on the website that it was probably possible to change plans at anytime during the contract...but must pay money lah. Still, the the long run it would be cheaper. So I tried to navigate around the website, which wasn't easy cos it was totally in German! And I found that for some reason, I couldn't change it online. Wanted to go to the Vodafone-Shop tmr to change it and stuff, but then got a suggestion to call their customer service. Well, it sure wasn't an easy decision, cos of my inane fear of calling people, but since it was free and well, it was worth a shot, I just called them. Had to wait a long long time and even had to call a second time, but well, I got through in the end! And thankfully it was a lady who sounded friendly and didn't mumble. THough I was admittedly a bit too excited and cleared my throat when she was saying her name. Anyway, she said it was possible to change plans anytime (she didn't mention the fee, but well, I know about it, so I'm not gonna be surprised) and she suggested the 2 plans I could switch to. I chose the cheapest plan...which means like pay more for each call, but well, I don't call much anyway...and since SMS to other SPs are the same as all the other plans, I'm okay. Besides, if I am not in Germany, this is the cheapest plan based on fixed cost. Anyway, better this plan than the 2nd cheapest, cos to upgrade, it's free, but to downgrade, it costs €24,95...so well, you know my maths is lousy, but it seems the best alternative to me! But well, I'm really so happy it worked out, even if I am still stuck with a partner card (because I don't have a partner) and its €5 monthly minimum usage. So well, that's a great load of my shoulders. I'm not wasting too much unnecessary money for my mum. Phew. But of course I will be thrifty in other ways too! That goes without saying. I haven't bought any new clothes since my mum went back to Singapore. Amazing self-restraint from me okay! But of course I've bought a lot of other things, like books and my new hp and stationery etc. So the money does disappear in one way or another...like sand through fingers! Sigh
Can't wait for Christmas. I'll buy myself a present then!

I can't believe I'm such a sucker. BUt I am...please learn from my lesson, even if you're not likely to do such a stupid thing as I have. I ended up getting a much much more expensive contract for my phone than I expected, but I didn't check while I was in the shop and before I signed the stupid thing. Man am I a loser! No one can get stupider than this. Plus, I was signed up for some extra services I don't need or want. Those I can cancel for a fee, but I can't cancel my 2 year contract or change it to a cheaper one...thank God my mum's understanding about it and told me to treat it as a learning experience and also not to make rash decisions or make decisions when I'm upset or in a bad mood, cos I'd be especially vulnerable. This mistake of being impatient and thinking I am always right has proven to be a real weakness in my life. I have to be more wary and discerning, especially since I am by myself now. I need to ask around and take my time to make decisions...not jump into them. This verse I read this morning really sums it up: "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." - Proverbs 12:15. I should've listened to my dad and waited, but instead a phone was more important to me than listening to good advice, so I've got to pay for this lesson. But I thank GOd for an understanding mother. So...I have to really watch my expenses and not spend more than necessary. But well, at least I've worked out a plan on how to minimise my monthly phone bill and other expenditures. Hmm, actually it may turn out to be a, well, relatively good thing in terms of helping me watch my expenditure in other areas. Ah well, expensive price to pay, but better now than later, like when I buy a house or car or something. Good thing it's also a phone contract and not some magic stone ruse or something! So somehow I get something in return, though not much.