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Quitting Smoking

So yesterday I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned, and all that wonderful jazz because it's about US$40 cheaper here than back at home in North Carolina. Well, I guess it worked out ok, although the dentist had some strange Britishesque accent which implied he might be from Hong Kong, although he might even be from Mainland China as he spoke like the announcer on an informational video.

Anyways, to get to the point, my teeth were fine, unstained, etc. but supposedly I have some sort of irritation on the sides of my cheeks called leukoplakia. It would seem to have no real adverse side effects, but the irritation comes from smoking. I find it hard to believe that I have this problem, as my consumption of cigarettes generally numbers no more than 1 or 2 a day, but I guess i'll take the opportunity to kick the habit anyways, as supposedly this condition will go away if I do so.

The whole quitting thing is strange for me, as I think smoking is more psychological than chemical with me in terms of promoting the habit. Since i've decided to quit, though, I want cigarettes more than I did when I hadn't. I've always been able to go days, even weeks without a cigarette, but oh well. It looks like my days of Davidoff bliss are finally over, which is quite a shame, esp. since most of my friends are smokers.

Just goes to show life's a bitch sometimes...

Training, etc. etc.

So today my colleague and I went running at NUS track... Fun stuff, though the sedentary life has definitely diminished my abilities to run, but oh well, soon it'll be good again. Life is going well I guess, other than the fact my landlord is really ticking me off with being too nosy, esp since I decided to live in the place b/c I thought i'd be left alone. I'm not sure how to deal with the situation, really, b/c i'm trying to focus on writing my thesis, and don't wanna waste time looking for a new place. Nonetheless, I feel like, given the fact i'm paying rent, I should have the right to live my life the way I want to so long as I don't disturb other people. It seems like the older generation in Singapore can't mind their own business... But I do believe, since i'm paying way too much for the place that i'm entitled to being left alone over these things. In many ways I miss America at the moment; I was reading this article in TIME today about the democratic party in the Western part of the US (i.e. Colorado, Montana) and it makes me miss the "leave me the hell alone" libertarian attitude of many parts of my country.

Anyhow aside from stupid idiotic confucian landlord ignorance, things are ok. I'm thinking about taking tennis lessons starting next week, since I have my nice new racquet and wanna play. The postmodernity of my existence continues to amaze me, esp since i'm in a bloody academic daze. I'm also gonna get my colleagues to go clubbing, because they aren't as geeky as they think..

After Christmas...

Well, Christmas 2006 has now gone, and 2007 is nearing its start. I suppose this is the time of year when I start really wanting to go to the gym again, after a 3 month hiatus that started when I went to Kuala Lumpur for research. The key thing about all that is not burning out after a few months. I find I can keep going for 4-5 months with a lot of energy, but then my energy tapers off around exam times and high-stress periods such as that. Self-discipline is sometimes not my forte, particularly when it comes to doing the lifting and cardio my body needs. In any event, I guess i'll make my New Year's Resolution to go to the gym 3-4 times a week and do cardio 2-3 times a week. I don't really work out for narcissistic reasons; I like who I am and, generally, the way I look although at times I feel a bit big; but then again, sometimes that has its benefits haha.

In any event, life in North Carolina continues to go relatively well; I ventured out to the Ralph Lauren outlet in Smithfield, NC to pick up a few shirts that are about 50-60% less than i'd pay on Orchard Road in Singapore. It shocks me sometimes how much Takashimaya and Isetan charge for their items, particularly once I come around here. A lot of branded goods are like that in SG, though; I think the society is a bit too brand-conscious and are hence vulnerable to being fleeced due to a certain name and the marketing that surrounds it. However, to be completely condescending would be a bit too hypocritical on my part, as I must say I have a soft spot for Country Road hehe.

Anyways, in a little over a week i'll be back in the humidity and heat of Singapore... Should be a blast haha.

Blue skies and stormy clouds...

Above is a photo of the sky one day recently at my house. I have been in one of my deep, dark philosophical moods in which I read Nietzsche and think about revolution... I really want to read some Camus soon, as I think it would be interesting, particularly reading or The Myth of Sisyphus or The Stranger. Sometimes I wonder if I have directed too much of my philosophical outlook into the Nietzscehean tradition. I still haven't delved into Kariel. Now that i've been at home, my dad has started implying that I have ideologies, first that i'm a Marxist and secondly a Deist. Well, while a few of my professors were definitely Marxist in their leanings, I wouldn't go so far as to say I am one of them; I prefer to think of myself as Nietzschean in my understanding of power relationships, though not excessive to the extent that Foucault was. On the other hand, i've been empathizing with the Straussians lately, as the Trotskyesque vision of democratic revolution hasn't panned out. I've also been thinking about how sometimes I feel like an anarchist, with my mind being the most anarchic of all institutions I know. In the background, i've been listening to a lot of Richard Ashcroft, which generally contributes to introspection and hermetic interludes of thought. Anyhow, enough rambling, I guess the point is that the longer i'm here, the more I feel like a radical... Strange stuff.

God I wish I was in Genting

Isn't it strange i'd say something like the statement in the title above? I know it's odd, but I really wanna go to Genting. Not because I love the place particularly much, but because it is more exciting than where I live and, frankly, I love M'sia quite a bit, idiosyncracies and all. I was talking to my parents recently about my opinions of the region in which I reside, and I was explaining to them sometimes that my criticisms of the status quo on certain issues genuinely, at least in my mind, stem from a profound connection to and love for the peoples and places of Singapore, Malaysia and, to some extent, Thailand (other ASEAN countries, I haven't visited you enough to add you to my list).

It's interesting when you think about it, and it goes back to Genting. Genting Highlands, frankly at times, has not been the most well-kept of tourist spots on Earth. But then again, I wouldn't wanna work up there, all cold and isolated. Nonetheless, my fond memories of chilling out a few thousand metres up in the air while Kuala Lumpur bakes down below are quite fond. That said, my real love of Malaysia is from just dealing with the average people who live there day to day and enjoy life. My fondest memories are in the Kopitiams and Nasi Padang stalls more than the glitz and glamour towards which so many nations aspire today.

In contrast, where I live has no such amenities as kopitiam; it's all basically corporatised fast food, although further east, in the place of my family's origin, one can find good locally-run barbecue restaurants (I think I will devote a whole blog post on the joy of North Carolina barbecue and my pilgrimage to its taj mahal--Wilber's restaurant). I suppose the one good thing about North Carolina versus Singapore is our selection of high quality, reasonably priced beer.

I bought two six packs recently, one of Yuengling Lager and the other of Yuengling Black and Tan. For both I paid about US$10, which is approximately the same as a six pack of Tiger in cans. That said, my latter purchase of Black and Tan was precipitated by the fact that I couldn't find a six pack of Sam Adams, and I wasn't keen as of late on buying Red Stripe, a Jamaican lager which is quite nice, but not rich like the beer I presently crave. That said, of the American beers, Yuengling is the best macro you can buy in the supermarket. I'm thinking, however, of making a trip down to the Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery in Farmville, NC to pick up some local fare. I've never had it before, but I have heard good things. I'll also be making a trip to the Duplin Winery in Rose Hill, NC at some point for our unique North Carolina Muscadine wines.

There's also a trip in the works to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina while i'm here, which is strange because it'll be cold and I'm not much of a Myrtle Beach type of guy, preferring Southport and the environs of Wilmington, North Carolina more. Nonetheless, the eastern and coastal regions of the Carolinas are my favourite parts of this area, and I eagerly anticipate my trip.

Anyhow, soon i'll upload the photos from my phone and show everyone what my part of North Carolina looks like. Fun fun fun, I say. For now, bonne chance and goodbye!

In America....

Well my dear friends, I am in the world's sole remaining superpower for five weeks. I will be posting some photos of my area and what I do for fun while I'm at it, as well as a few exciting posts.. Hmm, should we call this a special report?

Right now it's about 0 degrees Celsius outside, which is insane, and my lips are cracking from the lack of humidity. Nonetheless, I am indulging in some fine American cuisine (if such a phrase might be utilised), though hopefully not in excess as I don't wish to contribute to a larger waistline (my attractiveness to the aforementioned Asian beauties demands this.)

Nonetheless, all is well and going OK. My jet lag is waning and I shall be up to speed in a few days time. In the meantime, go read some old posts!

Ciao!