Assalamu'alaikum....

Okay, so I haven't updated for a really long time. Sorry about that, heheh. I had finals, then it was of to New York, and after I got back, I had to repair some damage to my bank account (I am officially BROKE right now, officially poor sampai mak pun gelakkan), and of course, do some last minute changes to my schedule (I'm probably the only senior needing an override right now, which I won't if I play my cards right tomorrow). I'm excited for the new semester, and very apprehensive and scared, because I need to do well (EXTREMELY well) if I want to match this semester with what I got last semester (my mom was happy, she was so excited and that made me feel so good inside.... I love my mommy).

Anyway, I've been hibernating in my room for a while now, and I only came out today to go and buy textbooks and get some dinner (I've been eating my own meals for a few days now, and I've gotten tired of cooking..... okay I'm lying, I've actually been craving for Good Time Charley's cheese twists that I went straight there after purchasing my textbooks... now my tummy hurts 'cause cheese twists fill you up reaaaaal fast). Apparently they're out of the EECS 485 textbook, much to my chagrin. It totally puts my plan outta whack. I was gonna purchase my books at the store, order 'em online, then return the books I bought at the 'store after my real books arrive. NOW I have to survive with the book for at least until the end of the week.

I'm so scared, I really wanna do well this semester. In fact, I NEED to do well.... there's no ifs, ands and buts about it. I just have to.

At this point, I'm thinking.... "Maybe I should write about my trip to New York". But I'll leave that topic for later posts. Right now I woud like to focus your attention to the issue that has been in the news a LOT lately: the tsunami that ravaged Asia. When I saw the footage on TV while I was in NY, I was shocked. I mean, you would think that a catastrophe that big would only happen in disaster movies (think Day After Tomorrow, Dante's Peak, Inferno, Deep Impact..). Suddenly it's right here, happening, and so close to home. The number of people who died are staggering, islands were wiped out, people are missing..... I know a lot of people are sad and scared for families back home. Our prayers are with all of you. If you haven't contributed yet and have the means to do so, please do. Every little bit helps.

I read in the papers that it would take 3 to 5 years to rebuild buildings and facilities to at least working conditions. I can't imagine having to go through that. Everything about the disaster is sad, and the footage is horrifying, to say the least. I asked my mom about it, and she told me that they showed footages back home of people being pulled into the sea (some hotels had video cams positioned outside the hotel for promotional footages). What do you do when something like this happens? Will anything we do ever be enough? Sure, money helps, but what about all the lives that were lost? How does one feel about this?

I need to get ready for tomorrow. Will pen in again ASAP with updates and hopefully piccies.