In The News

Back home, when I opened the newspapers or when I watched the news channels, I often found myself reading or watching reports about other communities or about things that are happening in other places. But these days, whenever I do the same, I often find myself looking through the pages or staring at the screen, listening to the newscaster speak about news that is referring to the community which I am currently in. This of course, is a completely new experience for me and no matter how nice it sounds, I have a problem with it. Most of the news that I have learned about are often bad ones.

If you have been reading the newspapers, you would have realized that two weeks ago, Florida was battered by Hurricane Fay. Not too long ago, Gustav slammed into Louisiana and caused a whole lot of damage there. Now, we have three hurricanes coming towards or skirting the Florida coast. Hanna, is beside us and she is probably one of the more deadlier ones. So far, she has already killed about 137 people and is now heading towards the Carolinas, which is just north of Florida. We at Daytona Beach were barraged by rain almost the entire day. I nearly skipped a class this morning and had no choice but to skip my evening class. But that hardly is an issue compared to what people at Haiti or the Bahamas or any country in that region for that matter had to deal with. They probably ended up with the worst part of the deal. Then, we have Ike. He's steaming right through the Atlantic as a Category 4 hurricane. A category 5 is the strongest. According to news reports, Ike is expected to make landfall on Tuesday and will cut a path right through Florida. Then, we have Josephine. I don't know much about Josephine, but I do know that she too might cause problems. I just hope that it won't be bad. But that really is the deal here during the Hurricane season. When you get hit, you get hit big time. And even if you don't get a direct hit, the weather generated by the storm could just bring you to a standstill. Businesses would be closed and so will schools. Back home, it wasn't as bad. The worst storm I'd ever experienced probably tore bits and pieces of the roof of my primary school, but that was it. Here, buildings get ravaged. And here at ERAU, we have proof of that.

But apart from the weather, everything is really starting to pick up here. Bit by bit life is getting a whole lot better and though the homework is piling up, I've never been more glad to accomplish them and get going onto other things. The thing that is really making me feel so much at home here is the amount of like minded people that I'm able to find. For once, talking about the military, history, aviation and things like that don't draw blank stares. I've met guys and girls who can just go on and on about it. And to wake up to the sound of aeroplanes is, the feeling is indescribable. May, if ever you read this, you're going to enjoy this place. And I don't mean that in a cliche but everything we do here, is like we've just been fed jet fuel instead of coffee for the mornings. The amount of clubs, activities... you'd just be amazed. Suddenly, I feel like I've rediscovered my passion. And that's just an awesome feeling that I can't describe with words.
And a big part of why I'm starting to feel a whole lot more positive is because of all the words and encouragements that I have gotten from all the people back home. Everyday, I make it a point to read and reread those words and suddenly, those words have found a new meaning. And to all the people who have listened and talked me through the transition, or just gave me something that I could grasp and to think about, I never could have asked for anything better. You're the best.

Wheelchair

Everybody can be somebody. But only if you let them.
Fear is the biggest obstacle. Don't let it be.
Stand up eventhough you're crippled. People will notice.
Marks will be there, but so will the anxiety.
Its much easier said than done.
If only we had an injection...

Le Squirrel

Cake

My day started a little late today, not because I wanted it to start late but because I woke up late. The previous day, I had planned to get up at about 8.00 in the morning so I would have time to get ready and grab some breakfast before I went for my statics class which starts at 9.15. But since it started at 9.15 and I was already quite accustomed to getting up at about 7 without an alarm clock, I chose not to set my clock. I chose to rely on Callum instead. I knew that he had a class at 8.00 and would most probably make a bit of a din on the way out. So I assumed that all that noise would be good enough to wake me up. But to cut a long story short, it didn't and by the time I had gotten up, my hand phone showed that the time was now 9.11 pm (All my clocks are set to Malaysian time, which means that the time was now 9.11 am.). I, in a half dazed state, started panicking. I thought that there was no way that I would ever make it to class in 4 minutes. The walk from my dorm to the Lindbergh center alone took 15 minutes. I thought of "borrowing" my roommates bike, but I decided against it. I didn't know how to use his lock and didn't want to spend time figuring i out. Then as soon as I was about to decide to skip class altogether, I realized that my clock was set at about 20 minutes faster. I quickly jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. And on the way in, I forgot to bring in my shampoo and shower gel so I had to make do without both. I showered, got dressed and prepared to leave all in under 10 minutes. I usually take 20. It is the bath that holds me. For whatever reason, I enjoy long baths. Don't ask why. Anyways, I had about 14 minutes left to get to class and I quickly sped out of my dorm and hurriedly walked all the way to Lindbergh. I made the journey in about 11 minutes. But when I got there, I was greeted by a half empty classroom. And after I took my seat, I took a look at the clock hanging from the wall and it showed that the time was only 9.10. Just in time. Imagine what would have happened if I decided to skip class?

Then, after class I went to have breakfast. After eating breakfast, I walked out of the cafe and went towards the door that led to my room. In order to open the door, you had to swipe your Eagle card. But when I opened my wallet, it wasn't there. I couldn't find it. I rummaged through my wallet and pockets but I still couldn't find it. Thinking that I must have dropped it in the cafe, I went back down and asked the cashier if she had seen my card. She said no but she asked me to look around o see if I had dropped it. I traced my steps but there was no sign of it. After doing some searching, I gave up and walked towards my room. I thought that I would put my stuff and then go to Canaveral Hall and make a missing card report. And on the way I couldn't help but imagine that someone had found it and was now using all my Riddle Bucks to buy meals or do their laundry. I kept thinking of the possible fine they may charge for loosing the card. I didn't know how much but I was sure that it was going to be big. But the worst part was that even if they made me a new one, it was going to take time and I wondered how in the mean time am I going to get my meals or collect my package without my Eagle Card?
When I got to my room, I decided to check my wallet again. This time I emptied it. And while looking in one of the hidden pockets, I found it in there...

After that episode, I decided that I was going to study World Politics. But after only a few pages, which was dreary due to the abstractness, I gave up and decided to post this instead.

p.s. I still haven't collected my cake...

White Wedding

I was over at NIckie's room yesterday and while watching VH1, I found this.

...

I'm staring at this piece of white screen, not knowing what on earth to put on it. The holidays are about to end and I'm quite excited that classes will resume and it will be business as usual. The holidays were ok. The only highlight being Saturday when I went down to Orlando and did a bit of window shopping at a mall that had no roof (and it rained) and a visit to the beach which did prove to be a tad of a disappointment. There was an overcast which dulled the atmosphere and I must say that the stretch of beach which we went to is probably among the worst that I've ever been to. Apparently, the good ones are to the south of Daytona. I'll post some pictures and maybe you can judge for yourself. But the Sunday and the Monday were dead boring.

But on a more positive note, I've finally finished that irritating Graphical Communications assignment. It took me two days to complete it and my butt hurts.

More Daytona

More pictures from where I am.






The flight line.


Some of the wildlife around our University. We get quite a number of birds and squirrels.


Callum an I attended a volleyball game between The Eagles and some MSU team


The Scoreboard.


High Flyer


Shall we dance?


The other team's Coach


The Umpire




Substitution


Hahaha


We won! I forgot the score though.


The MC's at the Volleyball game.


The lake opposite the ICI Center.


Lehman Building


Maggi Bottle