Week 2-3: A quick summary
Okay, I have only a few minutes to write a blo g entry here. I have not been updating because its been busy, things to do, places to go, books to read, meetings to attend. So here’s a quick summary of everything that’s happen with regard to school and hall.
Thursday was supposed to be the Dialogue with the Hall Master, to be held over dinner (i.e. Family Hour). I was supposed to be on duty for tech support, but I had major clash with every other co-curricular activity that I was involved in, and had to prioritize (Political Science Society, Cross Campus and Touch Rugby). In the end, I didn’t make it.
Sunday was Temasek Hall’s touch rugby day. Since I have been somewhat regular at touch rugby trainings during the holidays but not for the last three sessions during term time because I had other commitments, like on Thursday. I went to the SRC at 8.30am, and I played touch rugby for a total of 2 minutes out of five 10x2 minute games. Temasek Hall guys in the end ranked 3rd or4th. I want to play again next year.
On another note, the Temasek Hall sports shirt makes me go, “damn, that’s one fine looking shirt.” I think its the Nike Dri-fit material. Still, I like Salomon stuff better but as far as Hall shirts go, that’s one damn good-looking one.
Monday we had Combined Block A and Block B Supper at the quadrangle. Tech crew was there to give public address support, but I wasn’t on duty. They brought out tables and chairs in the open air, and served pizza, pasta and clam chowder under open skies. Managed to burp on the Public Address system and crack two lame jokes on it too. Managed to talk to some people (including one from my old church in Malaysia, gasp!) and the Resident Fellow, Mrs. Goh.
Academic-wise, I’ve been through at least two lectures of each module I’m taking. Here’s basic preliminary thought of them:
EL1101E The Nature of Language by Dr. Sunita Abraham: She makes her lectures interesting, but my interest in linguistics is fast dying. However, her “contractual learning” and explicit expectations between student and teacher is to be lauded. The project concerning Singlish could become a particular exercise to be loathed however.
HY2241 Why History? by Dr. Keck and Dr. Chancey. Has been okay so far. I don’t understand how people manage to keep up their writing stamina to write pages and pages of notes. Hoping I do not lose interest too much. Tutorial’s on Thursday, keeping my fingers crossed and am worried about this particular subject.
PS2233 Contemporary Political Ideology by Dr. Putterman. I’m still going strong with this one. Just had one tutorial, and it looks good. The small class size makes it feel very intimate, but I feel that there’s something that we can never really cover in the course because we’re not studying JUST any particular ideology in too much depth. I liked the presentation topic I got though, on Post-modernist Political Ideology.
PS2249 Government and Politics of Singapore by A/P Hussin Mutalib. Course pack is a killer to read, but I enjoy the lectures more. Professor Mutalib is a pretty diplomatic guy but knows how to imply things to a great degree of humour.
PS3240 International Security by Dr. Khoo How San. The material is interesting but I find the lectures to not suit my mind — either I don’t have enough understanding about Political Science to really comprehend at a higher level what he is talking about, or it all seems too random to me. The books make more sense. Downside, there is no coursepack. In particular, today’s lecture didn’t stop until the next class had to tell the Doctor to. I wonder if that’s the precedent that sets the standards. That’s doubly worrisome.
