silva rerum

it is a wise father that knows his own child

Justin Yang — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:37:05 +0000

I’ve set the geek-meter far into the red by posting this but…

What kind of inheritance does this pedigree show? What trait do you suppose is being depicted?

And most importantly, what does this have to do with my ENGL 304 term paper?

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To have seen what I have seen, see what I see! School has been absolutely intense! Thankfully, the bulk of midterms...

chō no kage sasu

Justin Yang — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:17:58 +0000

You know, sometimes I wonder if it might be time to pull the plug on this blog altogether. My updates are intermittent, the good parts are far and in between. Maybe I’m suffering from information overload or burn-out. Probably both. Perhaps I should just opt-out temporarily…which reminds me of this video…

Google Opt Out Feature Lets Users Protect Privacy By Moving To Remote Village

Really now, that is just too amusing.

Currently working on my term paper for ENGL 304 (you know, that topic deserves a post of its own, come to think of it) while also sorting through the swath that is SUS Finance. Not to mention the job.

*sigh* Finals are about to be upon us. Whither shall I run?

Oh and for those keeping track, I’m thinking of dropping out of Science Co-op. Anyone want to offer their advice?

To have seen what I have seen, see what I see! School has been absolutely intense! Thankfully, the bulk of midterms...
To the waters and the wild BIOL 335 has really perplexed me; I’m not quite sure...
And if I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free With the end of September fast approaching, it’s difficult to...

And I will stand the hazard of the die

Justin Yang — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:13:32 +0000

No related posts.

The little Maid would have her will

Justin Yang — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:50:02 +0000

Been stuck on this song since I finally watched 500 Days of Summer.

Note though, that I am hardly a hopeless romantic. I probably subscribe more to Summer’s views on life and on love than Tom’s. Or maybe the little sister. She seemed wise!

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To have seen what I have seen, see what I see!

Justin Yang — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:26:21 +0000

School has been absolutely intense! Thankfully, the bulk of midterms are finally over and I’ve been faced with moderate success. I could have always worked harder, though, and I hope that I will do so before my finals.

I’ve been watching television (using Miro!) and playing video games to assuage myself this term, more than ever. I think that the stress is getting to me. I always thought I was impervious to stress but the growing emphasis on mental health nowadays has been making me aware of the unhealthy and unhealthful ways in which I live my life.

I think this will teach me some good lessons about decision-making (e.g. course planning, job seeking, etc.). I’m not the person I thought I was, nor do I know if I will become him.

I’m excited to write my paper for ENGL 304, though. I’m not entirely sure of my topic but I’m trying to flesh out the details – it will be about scientific public discourse (that is to say, the bilateral discussion between scientists and laypeople) about genes and genetics. I’m interested in examining the ways in which scientists describe genes and genetics, the ways in which scientists elucidate the public and how it is (mis)represented or (mis)used. It goes back to my essay in ENGL 112 on genomic metaphors; I’ll be digging out that old essay to look at.

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A being darkly wise, and rudely great

Justin Yang — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:03:00 +0000

Finally, time to breathe! It’s been quite the rollercoaster ride for the past three weeks, with non-stop assignments, labs, midterms, et cetera. Thankfully, my trusty new Starbucks order (Triple Grande, Extra Hot, No Whip Mocha) has been helping me through the midterms, one by one. I ought to know better than to cram nowadays but…procrastination happens.

I got around to installing Windows 7 and I really like it! People can complain all they want about Microsoft but I think they hit the mark this time, even if it isn’t a bulls-eye. I wasn’t entirely convinced that my life would be changed by their new taskbar (and their new-fangled jump tasks) but I find it quite indispensible now. It only took me a day or two to reinstall everything and set my preferences back. Thank goodness for Mozilla Weave!

I’ve also become a bit of a consumerist now; every time I feel upset, I buy myself something to cheer up. I really should stop that habit; it doesn’t help my back account balance.

I hope I’ll have some interesting adventures in the near future about which I can blog but I somehow doubt it. Is this all it amounts to? I feel slightly embarrassed to seem so mundane to my readers (if there are indeed, any) but I’m quite enthralled by my life, boring or otherwise.

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To have seen what I have seen, see what I see! School has been absolutely intense! Thankfully, the bulk of midterms...

Till crash ! the cruel coulter past

Justin Yang — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:47:28 +0000

It dawns on me that my undergraduate career is fast approaching its day of reckoning, whether or not I’ve decided on a suitable course of action afterwards. I’m in the two majors I decided upon in first year, wondering what the options are from here.

I enjoy being in science. It makes me feel alive; it’s cutting-edge and logical. Things change before my eyes, new discoveries, new breakthroughs, made every day. It’s so exciting and glamorous. But real science, as I have been told, is not so glamorous. It’s difficult and arduous; Sisyphus has a better chance of completing his task than scientists do solving the world’s plethora of problems.

English delights me. It puts me at ease, it soothes me. Anytime I find myself in trouble, I need only a strong cup of tea and a good book to assuage my worries away. I love talking about English. I am only disappointed I can’t take any courses in linguistics or lexicography. Words, words words, as Hamlet calls them, are my lifeblood.

I’m just trying to plough through everything right now. I lit my candle at both ends and now it only delights my friends and foes, not me.

Oh, and I wish I had time to take photographs. Maybe I’ll go on a winter adventure somewhere?

Now fades the glimm’ring landscape on the sight Hurrah! My camera has finally arrived so hopefully this will...
She dropped a tear more rare than pearl I cannot help but feel sheepishly guilty that I’ve neglected...
like a land of dreams The other night was the annual SUS awards night and...

Where the dogs go on with their doggy life

Justin Yang — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:12:11 +0000

It’s Thanksgiving and I’ve just returned from a family dinner, full of turkey and joy. I’m thankful for lots of things today – healthy, family, and friends.

Browsing, however, through some techie website, I can’t help but feel as though I’d love to get my hands on some things just to see what all the hub-bub is about!

Yoggie Gatekeeper Card Pro

Most people who know me know that I value my privacy and my laptop. The Yoggie Gatekeeper card is a security solution for laptop computers that fits right into the expresscard slot, working away quietly while you do your thing. I’ve commonly stated that linking to an unsecured, public Wi-Fi hotspot is something akin to diving into a pile of used needles so of course this product piqued my interest right away.

Price: 99.00 USD
Website: http://www.yoggie.com/

Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger

I saw it first on Lifehacker and have often thought that it’d be such a great idea to have one of these in case I end up in a situation where there are more laptops that need power than there are plugs. I’d be a hero! And I could charge my ever-dying cellphone anyway.

Price: 24.99 USD
Website: http://www.belkin.com

Amazon Kindle

This sets the geek-meter into the red zone but I can’t help but think that this would save me the trouble of printing so many scholarly articles for perusal! Besides reading scholarly articles, I could purchase fewer books and just read them on the Kindle…or I could use it for English texts…oh my aching back would be so delighted…

Price: 279.00 USD
Website: http://www.amazon.com/

Timbuk2 Commute 2.0 Messenger

Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m always on the hunt for the next great laptop bag. I’ve already tried InCase and Oakley for their bags but I think I’m ready to try out Timbuk2. The fact that this bag is messenger style only makes me want it all the more!

Price: 100.00 USD
Website: http://www.timbuk2.com

I’ll do a quick post on what I keep in my laptop bag sometime soon (after I’ve gotten it all together). I’m such a geek but if anyone reading things has a blog, post about what you keep in your laptop bag! You’re guaranteed at least one view from me.

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To thy high requiem become a sod

Justin Yang — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:22:09 +0000

It’s 10:12 right now and the post-Glee euphoria is already beginning to wear off. I don’t know what this bug is but it’s been in my system for at least the past few weeks. It’s like a persistent infection. It feels like this terrible cancer, wrapping its tendrils around my heart and suffocating any good feeling.

I suppose it must happen sometime. That dreaded feeling – the one that makes you want to curl up and shrivel away into nothing. I used to imagine myself impervious to such feelings. Such deep sympathy I felt for those going through this. “I am so sorry for you,” I would say. Now the deafening silence surrounds, encloses, suffocates.

But I have so much for which to be thankful! It has always been my most earnest assertion that I have had the most serendipitous experience with surrounding myself with highly talented, wonderfully helpful people. Even when I feel as if I’m in the most dire of situations, I simply need to ask the right person for the right favour to get by. I’m so lucky that people have inherent goodness.

I hope I can shrug this off. I pride myself on emotional imperturbability. I have to find my centre again somehow.

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Nature and Nature’s Laws lay hid in Night

Justin Yang — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:28:29 +0000

Recently, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation of and love for science because of my biology labs, BIOL 240 and BIOL 360. Here are some pictures I’ve taken – they’re not amazing or groundbreaking but they make me excited:

(above) Rat Duodenum Villi under 400x Magnification and Phase Contrast

(above) Rat Duodenum Villi with FITC-WGA under 400x Magnification and UV Light

(above) Allium apical meristematic cell in prophase under 400x

I’m particularly excited because these were cells that I personally fixed for microscopy and photography. Given, they’re not the very best but I’m still very proud!

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And if I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free

Justin Yang — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:25:57 +0000

With the end of September fast approaching, it’s difficult to retain any semblance of the enthusiasm I originally had at the end of August. This is not surprising (at least not to the initiated university students – bless those first years’ hearts). It’s safe to say school dominates my thinking; I wake up and sleep, thinking about school.

That is not to say that I don’t have other priorities. I like to imagine that I’m reasonably able at my job. All is calm save for some exceptional difficulties through which I’m working. I keep reminding myself to take it one step at a time. My assistant is really a blessing, though I really do worry about how she’s managing to balance time. Is that normal? Do bosses typically worry about the personal lives of their assistants? I hope I’m not overstepping any boundaries.

I thoroughly enjoy my involvement with SUS, though. My budget successfully passed executive committee even though some discussion ensued its presentation. I’m confident in my ability to lead SUS into a sustainable financial future and I hope that my vision comes through. I’m entirely optimistic.

it’s odd. I vacillate between a general malaise and a soaring optimism. It confuses and intrigues me. It feels like I’m waiting, passionately, reverently, for something. Something that I intuitively know is coming, but of which have no conscious knowledge. Fingers crossed.

She dropped a tear more rare than pearl I cannot help but feel sheepishly guilty that I’ve neglected...
quoth the raven Hm. This morning I had the greatest impulse to step...
if you’re lost, you can look and you will find me At this, the end of the second week of school,...

Old age should burn and rave at close of day

Justin Yang — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:53:38 +0000

Since this summer really got into the swing of things, I’ve noticed that I’ve changed in many ways. That teenagers annoy (and might always do so) me cannot be entirely attributable to my brother’s attempts to question my sanity. I always knew that I was a bit precocious but now I realise with dread and trepidation…I’m old!

Most notably, I now enjoy a regular sleeping pattern. If I happen to try to stay up much later than usual, I can’t. And if I should try to sleep in past my usual wake-up time, I can usually only go for maybe 1-2 hours more than I usually get. My eating patterns, too, have become regular. Gone are the happy days as a teenager when sleeping and waking up could be done upon a whim and eating occurred when there was ever food.

It makes me wonder too, then, about my mental changes along with these physiological ones. I wonder if I’m more mature? I was always a bit of a stick in the mud to begin with anyway so I can only wonder if I’ve gotten more boring. Being old might explain, though, my sometimes habit of being cantankerous.

I suppose a little-known fact about me is that one of the nicknames my parents have given me is “old man.” From a strictly Confucian philosophical point-of-view, I’m not so sure that that’s a bad thing.

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if you’re lost, you can look and you will find me

Justin Yang — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:03:21 +0000

At this, the end of the second week of school, I feel an immense and immeasurable combination of dread and excitement, of hope and cynicism. I worry incessantly about schooling, about my job, about my extracurricular duties. I wonder about what great possibilities could be in store for this year. I am not sure how I ought to feel about the multitude of changes that abound. I cannot control them.

For the first time since entering university, I do feel so terribly old. Every year is a challenge, of course, but this year feels as if it isn’t so intimidating. It feels as if university is an old friend of mine by now, studying is for me, old hat. If that is any indication of how I will perform in my academics this year, I am beholden to my family, my friends and my professors who have seen me up to this point.

Being at Science Frosh was a monumentally humbling experience. I felt as if I were part of something much bigger than I could ever be; hearing the voices of so many first-years peal with cheers until the walls and halls of Hebb reverberated was a magical experience. I will work harder with the Science Undergraduate Society so as to not fail them or myself.

I must sound something like a broken record by now, repeating messages of hopefulness and optimism. I do not mind so much. It emboldens me. Unlikely as it is, I cannot help but feel courageous. I hope that will be enough!

She dropped a tear more rare than pearl I cannot help but feel sheepishly guilty that I’ve neglected...
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She dropped a tear more rare than pearl

Justin Yang — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:09:55 +0000

I cannot help but feel sheepishly guilty that I’ve neglected to post anything – anything – at all. Having elided details about the first half of September until now, I hope I can write down some of my meditations here.

I feel slightly overwhelmed by my courseload this term, but I’m not surprised in the least. It is just as, if not more, challenging than I had predicted to juggle so many courses. I can’t really say which courses I enjoy the most, but I feel that I have a rather well-rounded group of instructors. If I weren’t so easily intimidated, I would love to meet them personally.

My extracurricular activities have kept me rather busy. I can’t really say that I didn’t expect it, but I’m surprised by the intensity with which they come at me. I worry that calls for my resignation are merely pending; I fear that I hear whispers of my incompetence echo in the hallowed halls. I hope I don’t disappoint.

Work! It’s taken so much of my time, but it’s really rather rewarding if frustrating. I’m currently on the fence about tutoring – I feel as if I don’t have the time but I really enjoy doing it. I’m sure my students can find other tutors but that thought doesn’t assuage my guilt-ridden mind.

At any rate, it’s time to keep my chin up and get set for a very interesting term indeed. I bought a lab coat today so I finally feel as if I’m a real scientist. Huzzah!

Optimism prevails!

Five of Wands
Ten of Wands
Three of Pentacles
King of Swords
Eight of Pentacles
The Hermit
The Sun
Seven of Cups
The High Priestess
Justice

Well, well, go and play till the light fades away Two of Cups The Star The Hanged Man The...
Thy firmness makes my circle just King of Swords Knight of Cups The Hermit Two...
who cares for you? Three of Pentacles Three of Swords The Moon Queen...

a single man in possession of a good fortune

Justin Yang — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:35:55 +0000

I’m still feeling the effects of the blahs described in my last post but I have a feeling that I’m well on the way to recovery. School, on the bright side, should stimulate my mind at the price of my sleep cycle and it’s nice to be around people once again. I’ll probably be too busy to ruminate and complain.

I’m almost done Sleeping Murder though I have a suspicion my interest in Agatha Christie novels has plateaued which, admittedly, is a shame. It does, however, inspire me to want to write my own period mystery stories.

Recently, I’ve become hooked on Glee, my replacement for the recently cancelled Pushing Daisies. It’s sparkling with effervescent good humour and (dare I say it?) glee. Hopefully it lives up to all the hype and has a great run for this season. I would hate for it to die like Pushing Daisies did.

Oh, and everyone should watch this video – Michael Bublé will be coming out with a new album and this is one of his songs. It just cheers me up to hear this song:

I’ll be trying more and more to look on the bright side of things from now on.

To thy high requiem become a sod It’s 10:12 right now and the post-Glee euphoria is already...
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Lest on too close sight I miss the darling illusion I wonder if I have some contempt for hopeless romantics...

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff

Justin Yang — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:57:54 +0000

Recently, there has been much stress building in my life due to several factors. I’ve been avoiding posting anything on the blog because I do get a little cross with myself for being an insufferable complainer. Of course, I’ve also read about the cathartic effects of maintaining a journal – how it alleviates symptoms of stress and helps people cope – but that doesn’t stop me from feeling guilty for complaining. Perhaps I have made my bed and now, in it, I must lie?

I suppose I might have bitten off more than I can chew. Work’s tragically stressful, as are my other extracurricular commitments. If I seem even paler than usual, it might just be the toxic stress getting to me. With school starting, I just hope I can manage to strike a balance among everything. I’m not hopeful.

My self-prescription? A vacation, a real one, the first one in a very long time.

Currently reading Beowulf translations, specifically the Heaney and the Liuzza.

[…]
Soon he found, who in former days,
harmful in heart and hated of God,
on many a man such murder wrought,
that the frame of his body failed him now.
For him the keen-souled kinsman of Hygelac
held in hand; hateful alive
was each to other. The outlaw dire
took mortal hurt; a mighty wound
showed on his shoulder, and sinews cracked,
and the bone-frame burst. To Beowulf now
the glory was given, and Grendel thence
death-sick his den in the dark moor sought,
noisome abode: he knew too well
that here was the last of life, an end
of his days on earth…

I will be briefly skimming over the Ecclesiastical History of the English Peoples and La Morte D’Arthur later on. I like Everyman but we’ll see if I get to it – I want to see if I can read some of The Book of Margery Kempe. Hurray for speed-reading!

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Turning again towards childish treble

Justin Yang — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:08:50 +0000

In preparation for the Science Co-op Bootcamp tomorrow, I completed some modules on career planning, including a matchmaking session with CareerCruising. Here are my results:

1. Professor
2. Anthropologist
3. Historian
4. Curriculum Specialist
5. Title Searcher
6. Sociologist
7. ESL Teacher
8. Political Aide
9. Foreign Language Instructor
10. Communications Specialist
11. Paralegal
12. Corporate Trainer
13. Lawyer
14. Corporate / Commercial Lawyer
15. Civil Litigator
16. Chartered Accountant
17. Foreign Service Officer
18. Adult Education Teacher
19. Public Policy Analyst
20. Curator
21. Archivist
22. Researcher
23. Judge
24. Lobbyist
25. Print Journalist
26. Critic
27. Customs Broker
28. Activist
29. Certified Management Accountant
30. Politician
31. Public Relations Specialist
32. Writer
33. Career Counsellor
34. Television and Radio Reporter
35. Motivational Speaker
36. Principal
37. Mediator
38. Genetic Counsellor
39. Librarian
40. Forensic Accountant

Interesting and revealing, if rather inaccurate in many regards.

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That depends a good deal on where you want to get to Recently, I’ve taken a keen interest into what I ought...
To have seen what I have seen, see what I see! School has been absolutely intense! Thankfully, the bulk of midterms...

Who knows upon what soil they fed

Justin Yang — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:33:09 +0000

Wheel of Fortune
Ace of Wands
The High Priestess
Seven of Cups
The Sun
The Hermit
Eight of Pentacles
King of Swords
Knight of Cups
Two of Pentacles

Reflection: I suppose this all has to do with school and work which are forthcoming. I see a lot that has to do with change and a lot that has to do with self-reflection. Looks like the fun and games are over, it’s going to be hard work!

who cares for you? Three of Pentacles Three of Swords The Moon Queen...
Thy firmness makes my circle just King of Swords Knight of Cups The Hermit Two...
her hardest hue to hold Four of Swords The Tower Two of Cups Ten...

then be not coy

Justin Yang — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 07:33:12 +0000

For the past few days, I have been trying to spend as much time with C as possible, knowing that she leaves for law school in Hong Kong. Today, we gathered at the airport to see her off, once and for all.

[nggallery id=2]

Thy firmness makes my circle just King of Swords Knight of Cups The Hermit Two...
That depends a good deal on where you want to get to Recently, I’ve taken a keen interest into what I ought...
Shaking in the fingers with the bottle in your palm It’s time to batten down the hatches! (The phrase “batten...

The thrill is in the chase, never in the capture

Justin Yang — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:06:56 +0000

This photo of part of my Agatha Christie collection is some indication of my interest in mystery novels. I keep Sir Doyle elsewhere but Dame Christie has actually bumped several books out of their place – Wuthering Heights one of them! Jane (Austen, that is) is luckier by far – she is neighbours with Dame Christie so there is very little chance that she’ll be kicked out.

Here’s a list of my Christies:

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Poirot)
The Murder on the Links (Poirot)
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Poirot)
Murder on the Orient Express (Poirot)
Three Act Tragedy (Poirot)
Cards on the Table (Poirot)
Murder in the Mews (Poirot)
Death on the Nile (Poirot)
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (Poirot)
And Then There Were None
Taken at the Flood (Poirot)
The Labours of Hercules (Poirot)
A Murder is Announced (Marple)
A Pocket Full of Rye (Poirot)
Hickory Dickory Dock (Poirot)
Dead Man’s Folly (Poirot)
4.50 from Paddington (Marple)
Cat Among the Pigeons (Poirot)
The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side (Marple)
The Clocks (Poirot)
At Bertram’s Hotel (Marple)
Third Girl (Poirot)
Hallowe’en Party (Poirot)
Nemesis (Marple)
Elephants Can Remember (Poirot)
Curtain (Poirot)
Sleeping Murder (Marple)

*Those bolded are my current favourite five.

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