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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Soldier on

Fun fact : Did you know that the term 'survival of the fittest' was actually coined by sociologist, Herbert Spencer and not Charles Darwin, contrary to popular belief?

And that folks, is what sociology does to you.

I find it highly amusing and seemingly uncanny that the first day of the summer semester has already proven to be such a taxing undertaking. Lessons have not officially begun as of now, but I can't say in all certainty that the brief discussions that occurred today were simply in an introductory fashion. There were a lot of critical questions advocated, and many answers, substantial ones to say the least provided in consequence to them. It is a prospect I would appreciate, if it wasn't for the fact that I was partially in slumber mode.

The fun fact above was paraphrased from the Sociology notes I photocopied earlier from the textbook. I thought it was pretty interesting since most people often associate the survival of the fittest to Darwin's theory of evolution, as it bears a familiar context. As a matter of fact, this concept although rightfully attributed to Spencer, is so tied to Darwin that the technicalities of this sociological imagination is known as social Darwinism. Okay, perhaps that wasn't the most interesting of subject matters I could blog about, but I earnestly found it very fascinating. I'm only hoping that my enthusiasm in delving into social sciences does not fade as the huge amount of coursework and academic expectations come into play. Also, I am still unable to tell if my decision to drop Microeconomics and take on Sociology has been a wise one but I believe time will tell. In such cases, I think I'd be better off embracing the perks of irrationalism than be seen howling in regret.

On a different note, the semester break has done little good to me. I might have been able to briefly recuperate and dissociate from the academic realm, but I can honestly say that I'm better off being productive or honing a skill or something of the sort. As for all the scholar's work I told myself I'd diligently partake in, I had to forgo them in the end due to transportation issues. It was that or the 7AM bus and I can tell you with utter confidence, that I chose the former upon impeccably logical reasoning - I cherished sleep. Anyway, fear not, I've already signed up to work for the upcoming university open day and the inaugural arts festival, to be held about two weeks from now. Only God knows how I'll be able to manage, but in a like manner, it is God that I will draw my strength from.

However, the two week holiday wasn't too shabby, I felt. Having amazing company served as a saving grace, and I had the most splendid time bonding with the Nonsensical De-stress buddies over melted ice-cream dampened cones of well, ice-cream. Do not be fooled by it's humble appearance, dear readers for McDonald's vanilla sundae is exemplary as sorrow-drowning paraphernalia, and it costs lesser than beer anyway. Unfortunately, saving grace is not a term I would apply in summary of the supposed 'vacation' I had in Singapore. Personally I would prefer not to disclose on the details of the trip, for it would take too long and would render myself as well as you faithful readers in utter agony, but if you must know, it was an excursion that would have been better off if it hadn't actually occurred. Simply put, it was poorly organized and I think I might have preferred it if we'd saved all that money for my university education fund in the U.S. Oh well, shit happens.

Furthermore, I received my first semester results last week. I wasn't really sure what to think, but from what I've heard, any GPA that's 3.7 and above displays academic excellence. I've discovered today that there are other who have received 4.0s, but honestly I won't attempt to compare or contrast myself with others, for the fear that this will evoke once more, a sense of insecurity and dissatisfaction. But overall, I did pretty well, so I guess I'm pleased with what I've achieved so far.

I'd really love to write more on the occurrences in the past week, but time has been rather strict on me lately. Every time I seem to be ensconced in writing, the littlest and most personal of pleasures, I'm constantly reminded of how little more of it I have left before I must attend to life and therefore, I shall stop here.

But fret not, I will resume this. Perhaps time will be more lenient with me later on.

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