Sure Kheng Hui, you can see my presentation...erm, you mean on paper or on video? In case you were wondering, I didn't do any powerpoint on this...why? Because of the disaster that befell my last attempt at presenting a Powerpoint presentation in class. So it's just like reading out from a piece of paper and showing one transparency. Haha. So tragic! Well, I'll send you the "script" when I see you online. It was about 5 pages long. I liked Toba Tek Singh as well...which is why I immediately volunteered to do this particular presentation. It's really funny..and sad as well...but a triumph for Bishan Singh aka Toba Tek Singh in the end, since he chooses ambivalence. :)

My body clock's totally out of whack these few days. I've been waking up at 6am and sleeping pretty early. I guess it all started on Tuesday, when I went to collect my visa. I had to wake up early to get to the office...if not there'd be way too many people. And I was lucky. I didn't have to wait very long. And also, I got a 2-year visa!! Yay! I don't have to go back again next year! Yay!! Haha...I hate queuing up...and besides, you have to pay 20 Euros each time you renew...the first time's 40 Euros though.

Then I woke up early on Wed and Thurs cos of my 2 presentations...had to prepare for them. Then yesterday I just woke up early...and today as well. It's amazing how quickly your body gets used to a new schedule.

However, not all life-forms...or should I say non-life-forms..are keen on getting up so early. My video cam refused to work properly! Lee, the producer, had to call me to help...then suddenly, after a while after putting down the phone, the cam decided to go back to normal. I hope it's still ok now, cos we definitely couldn't figure out what on earth the problem was! Arrgh. I hate electronic stuff sometimes. I have no idea what to do with it when it doesn't work. Sigh.

Anyway, I'll have to go to the post office soon to send the tapes to Lee. The first episode of The Big Unknown 2 will be shown on 4 Jan...so I suppose I should send them ASAP, if not they'll have to rush for the deadline or something.

Hey y'all! My presentations are finally OVER! I can take a short break before I begin on my term papers from last semester. Then I'll have to start on those for this semester. Ugh. But doable..considering I don't have any major exams this semester...so I can take it at my own pace for the rest of the semester. Well, under my own stress anyway. But first, I'd like to take 2 days off...to write Christmas cards and film some stuff for my video diaries. Then I'll get back to the grind.

So what's been happening these past few days anyway?

Firstly, I would like to say that my cookies turned out very well for cookies made with margarine. Butter is the best though. It's just so FRAGRANT! Mmmmm. But margarine will do too...but not for rubbing-in recipes...only for creaming method cakes and cookies. I have seriously rediscovered my passion for cooking. Any guinea pigs? I don't think I cook that badly though...even though I honestly am no gourmet myself. I can't taste what's in something just by eating it...I only know if I like the taste or not.

The rest of the days seemed to float by just like that. I was busy preparing for my presentations. I had to repeat my "Phonetik für Ausländer" presentation...cos...THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE BUILDING WE WERE IN!!!! People had to be evacuated from the window. Thank God my class managed to get out in time...cos the whole place was just swarming in smoke. We could still smell the damage one week later (today). The silly fire brigade only got there after the TU people had gotten everyone out. It was quite awful and the smoke smelled funny. It turned out to be the work of an arsonist...scary! There may be risk of toxic poisoning...ugh...and the damages come up to 100,000 Euros! So I had to finish my presentation today. Ah well...

Then I had another presentation yesterday. It was about Partition Literature, Saadat Hasan Manto and his short story, "Toba Tek Singh". I only completed my preparations for the presentation by skipping the other classes that I had during the day of the presentation. But I got it done! I'm so happy. Although it wasn't perfect, I think it was a pretty good presentation. The class liked that it was interactive and lively...and that I sounded like I was all passionate about the subject. Well, it was interesting, I admit...but I could've been far more prepared. The teacher said it was well-organised and the context and order helped everyone to understand better...and that I spoke clearly and well. Haha...makes my head swell...but I think the class participated actively too...that's what made the presentation great!

Ok, now I have to check on my lasagne...till next time!