Of the most improbable of events

Alan is a famous politician hated by Dave, an enthusiast for voodoo. Dave believes that he can cause brain damage to Alan by sticking needles into his effigy. Dave foresees two problems, first, that he is not sure he can make a sufficiently accurate effigy of Alan and secondly, getting the needles into the exact parts of the effigy’s head will be exceedingly complex. He decides to go to Madame Tussaud’s to try out the spell on Alan’s effigy, fully expecting that he will need a second trip as he is bound to stick the pins in wrongly the first time around. On arriving at the effigy the coast seems clear and Dave sticks a number of pins into it, ruining it beyond repair. Paula arrives but Dave, seeing that she does not look hostile, explains to her what he is doing. Paula happens to be a researcher working for Alan and sends him a text message describing the scene. Alan is so amused on reading it that he rocks back on his chair and cracks his skull on the wall, which causes him brain-damage.

Consider Dave’s criminal liability, ignoring any issue of insanity. Add critical comments where you think the law is unsatisfactory.

From the KCL 2007 summer exam for criminal law. Seriously, WTF.

ZY v Exams

Ok, not the most imaginative title I must admit, but yeah law is taking over my life as it is. Going crazy as the seasons reaches the business end of it. Exams in 2 weeks, and although I think I understand the concepts involved, but I have yet to commit them to memory, which renders the understanding part moot. Oh well, I desperately need to get some momentum going but EU law is boring as hell and I don't feel like to tackling it at all. Need to bite the bullet.
They never do things the easy way right? Having said that friedel was god like on sat. This sets up 3 tantalising matches in a row, bacra chelski barca. Worth taking time off studying to watch.
Today's hall dinner was the worst experience I had. Firstly, the (newly upgraded) lift was out of service, so I had to walk down 9 floors to get to the dining area. Then as it was the weekend, like cookhouse the food was crappy, and the server was the usual weekend lady who is very sullen and surly. And because it's a weekend, the more decent options tend to run out very quickly, so you have to go down early to ensure you don't end up with the lousy food. I chose the most unoffensive option, and went to get my cutlery, and lo and behold, there were only metal knives left. I knew it was pointless to ask for more cutlery, as the washer will take some time to clean it anyway, thus just grabbed 2 knives and ate my pork with potatoes, and drank my luxury hot chocolate from a paper cup. My hallmate was worst off, as he had to eat the same thing with 2 plastic knives. The reason for the paucity of cutlery is due to the fact that the residents (not me) keep on koping the cups and cutlery, until the point the cookhouse has to ration. But it's ridiculous really, but yeah since I'm moving out in another 2 months I really can't be bothered. They better fix the lift though, as AO puts it, if he wants to go down now he has to think properly before going down otherwise he'll be cursing all the way up again.
And AO looks like a real lion these few days. I bet his encik will get a heart attack if he goes back for ICT like that.
There's a homecoming party for RJC-ians (sic) class of 2004 to 2007. Firstly, please use the term Rafflesians not RJC-ians, it just sounds wrong. And reading the facebook event, I doubt any batch of 2004 would go. It'll just be a reminder of how old we are and how far we have gone from RJC already.
It's quite scary to hear how far ahead my female peers are already, while I'm still a 1st year student. I just feel a bit distant from them now, especially since we have followed radically different paths ever since we left RJ. Nevertheless, those I'm closer to I'm still in contact with, and it's always nice to talk to them as they have been there done that in terms of uni and give good advice.
Just can't wait for the exams to be over, and then will finally be able to go home to sunny and rainy Singapore. Until then, really have to concentrate to do well.
On a happier note, 5 more days! :)
Held: Needs to study more. Much much more.

Academic renaissance

Ok I have been hearing about people getting weird dreams, which is probably due to the stress of studying so much, and I have joined this exclusive club. On Wednesday, while poring over my criminal notes, I fell asleep on my bed.
I can vaguely remember it as suddenly I felt the bed shake. I thought, shit it's an earthquake. So I got up and bizarrely tried to input my password into my laptop so that I can take it along with me. But somehow I couldn't really do it, as it was shaking too much, but I finally managed to do it. Then next thing I can remember was my room felt like the house in Wizard of Oz which was being carried away by a twister. I saw a shoe rack outside my window filled with shoes then I thought the shoes will drop out of the rack, and thus I opened my window to retrieve them. But in my haste, I dropped a few shoes, so I got exasperated and somehow got the room to land and got out to retrieve the fallen shoes. Bizarre I tell you.

Earthquake
To dream of an earthquake, suggests that you are experiencing a major "shake-up" that is threatening your stability and foundation. The dream highlights you insecurity, fears and sense of helplessness. If you find cover from the quake, you will overcome these challenges. If you become trapped or injured during the quake, you will suffer loss of your business and assets.

Hmm ok.. I guess the "shake up" refers to exams. Anyway, as a result of that, I got up at 12 midnight, decided it was futile to study anymore, and went to sleep. Slept for 12 hours, thus was super alert the next day and did quite a lot of studying. Was helped by the fact I got from Sam Utada Hikaru's Heart Station, the tunes in the album was very upbeat and unless I concentrate very hard I can get the lyrics, so the level of distraction is lower.
Getting scared shitless already. Exams are coming so fast and I haven't really remembered everything. Small consolation is that somehow topics I knew nuts about in the past when I study them now I can understand them.
Filling up my summer schedule. Hopefully it'll be a fruitful and interesting summer.
Can't wait for exams to be over, and thus herald the start of 4 months of relaxation.

Same side of the moon

By Corrinne May

I'm looking out the window
Where we sat to watch the stars
There's a chill within the air
It makes my heart long for your touch
You may be miles away
But as I kneel to pray

I see the same side of the moon
That we'll be looking on when the world turns blue
And know that time and space can't come between me and you
We share the same side of the moon
And though you'll never see all the tears shine through
I know I can't be that far from you
If we're both looking on the same side of the moon

I picture you across the ocean
In your corner of the world
I pray the wind will blow my voice
And gently whisper in your ear
Your night may be my day
And though the seasons change

It's still the same side of the moon
That we'll be looking on when the world turns blue
And know that time and space can't come between me and you
We share the same side of the moon
And though you'll never see all the tears shine through
I know I can't be that far from you
If we're both looking on the same side of the moon
I know I can't be that far from you
If we're both looking on the same side of the moon

The world stopped for the endless poem

What I owe this blog is a long entry, and it shall get one.
USA trip was fun, memorable as the company was crazy, the trip really was very memorable because of andrew and his many quips, what with his helicopters, cider, strip clubs, sarah marshall, phallic symbols, 21 and other nonsense. Not to make fun of andrew of course, but yah the trip wouldn't be half as fun if you weren't along to make us laugh or dumbstruck.
Boston was really cold, and boring as most of the students went back home and it was easter weekend. New York was more fun of course, but I felt that the place lacked a bit of soul, and a lot of the attractions were very man made and artificial. But I must admit there was a sort of vibe that ran through the city, and being the city boy I took to the place well. Shopping at the outlet was madness, I just grabbed and went, as a result spent a lot of money. But it was good stuff, but yeah despite the increase in wardrobe items I haven't been going out much as there is a small matter of exams to study for.
And that's what I have been doing ever since I got back. Trying to cram 1 year's worth of work into 4 weeks is no joke, and I have found it hard going so far. Hopefully I can pick up the pace and at least do decently well. Have taken to taking up residence in the various libraries in London to study, to escape all the distractions.
Oh for those who actually care, I'm returning to Singapore on the 21st of June. My exams end early May, then it's off to Copenhagen and Italy.
Can't wait to go home. Lately I have had more time for introspection, and I have to come to realise that although I like to wander off and see new stuff, there's still no place like home to just kick back and relax with your family.
What I would love is to have steamboat with my family on the deck on a cold night. Or just durians in the kitchen.
And I will get that photo taken when I go back.
Just 2 and a half more months to go.
But first, just 13 more days to go.

April Snow

It just seems poignant that it snowed today.