Blogger

9 days to MBBS.
I am still having a slight cough, but am thankfully recovering.
There's just so much to study!
No time to talk, need to hit the books again.
:S

The Remains of the Day

"The Remains of the Day" is a depressing book (like many of Kazuo Ishiguro's novels).

(spoiler alert)
It is a story set in the post world war I era in which an English butler, Stevens, makes a long drive to visit his old friend, Ms Kenton, reminiscing along the way the times they had worked together at Lord Darlington's house.

Ms Kenton had been fond of Stevens, but Stevens had kept his distance as he believed that anything other than a professional relationship would be inappropriate. For example, when Ms Kenton revealed to him that her dearest aunt had passed away, Stevens displayed not a modicum of emotion. He left Ms Kenton in her room soon after, hesitating outside after he realizes he had forgotten to offer his condolences.

In a later episode, after Ms Kenton tells Stevens she is marrying an acquaintance, Stevens politely offered his congratulations before leaving the room, again displaying an emotionless facade.

True to her words, Ms Kenton moves out and marries, while Stevens concentrates on being the best butler he can be for Lord Darlington. He denies - strenuously - any regret.

Muppets

There are good movies, then there are good movies.

Among the movies I've watched, I think "The Muppets" ranks pretty highly for its memorable songs and cheerful outlook. One of my favourite songs from the movie is much older than I am - my dad can hum it - but its a great song nonetheless.

"Rainbow Connection"

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me. 

Playhouse 2011

I headed down to ACJC with slight trepidation yesterday afternoon. With only 80 days to our final exams, just how would we fare at our last playhouse?

One part of me thought it didn't matter. True, it was our last playhouse, but given our hectic, stressful schedules, it didn't matter whether we won or not. It was understandable.

I liked the way the play turned out - a bit on the angsty side - but entertaining nonetheless.

My stomach lurched as the MRT sequence prodded my conscience for hogging the MRT seats for ages before noticing the ah-pek standing before me; The scene in which our protagonist examines "the best murmur in Singhealth, NUHS and some say NHG" made me feel even worse for all the times I saw a patient just to hear his murmur. I wouldn't say that the play was an altogether accurate description of medical school life - surely we don't all look that nerdy (though maybe I do) - it came pretty close.

I liked this photograph (courtesy of Michael):

and this one too (courtesy of RamenBar):