we were wondering aloud about how long our marvelously slack schedule would last. wishing wistfully that it might - it just might - last us the entire 8 (or 6 for some) long semesters (which themselves consist of 14 weeks at most).



lectures are either uploaded, entirely unnecessary given the materials, or successfuly induce a brain-numbing stupor within the first two minutes. tutorials may take place only fortnightly, and when they do, last for a riveting 45 minutes. the graduate or doctoral students who are remarkably often doing the tutoring - bless their souls - do not expect too much from their students. they tend to focus their attention disproportionately on the board. to add to this, every other word spoken by either teacher or student goes whoosh over the other's head due to - let me see how to put this - differences in diction, given our 'multifarious' backgrounds.


breaks are long or short - and are potentially good for mugging when the time comes, or for intellectually stimulating (crap-talk) gatherings. a library exists, and wireless everpresent. ccas are not compulsory, and even when in one, pretty much on and off. we seem all set for a leisurely walk in the park if - yes, i admit - we manage our time.


and then came mr. 985****5 to meet and pass us my second-hand statics book (it's a complicated word for free-body diagrams, i only figured recently). he stoops up to us with a sad look on his face, and goes - very sincerely, i might add - 'why do you guys look so happy?'. navene is quick with a comeback - 'fass'. and yes, she's got her big toothy smile right about now. while i was at an utter loss of words.
'first year?' he adds, 'it's only going to get worse'. with a few more depressing exchanges, i was undoubtedly sure about one thing - my bubble had burst. brutally. without the slightest sliver of pathos.


oh yes. and where have all the singaporeans gone?


a severely disappointed radhika.

(whose language might seem hyperbolic thanks to the literary devices she has just become cognizant of.)