Swine Flu is going to get you!

So I am sure you guys have heard about this WHO rated phase 5 epidemic called Influenza H1N1 (swine flu is just not a very politically correct term to use people). If not, then I have no idea how you have been living in the 21st century.

But that aside, the National University of Singapore takes epidemics very seriously. So seriously in fact that every student needs to arrive one early for their exams to get their temperature taken and the professors will come by to each students during the exam to verify all their contact details. We also need to take individual responsibility for our health as well. That's right, every day we need to submit our temperature online so that NUS can accurately monitor the health of all of its students, exchange students included.

The Singapore government also takes swift action. They even quarantined Mexican citizens at the airport. With this piece of news, I am so so so tempted to make a politically incorrect joke about it and apply to the United States context, but I will restrain myself from that.

So if you didn't believe a thing I just said here is the proof:


So I take my temperature in the morning.



That is a good temperature to have.


And then I submit my temperature on NUS' online system. If we do not do this then we face expulsion from our apartment. I believe I do not want to do that.

So that's how it is rolled!

Til next time!

Best,

Kavanaugh

At the Marine Barage

Hey guys!

Check out this video! You can ignore the silly background noise, a.ka. my comments, but you can witness lightning in Singapore! I was at the Marine Barage on Monday March 30.

The Holland Village Incident

Everyone was pretty much talking about this here and it is actually quite funny.

Read the news article here.

Since most of the news today is surrounding some Malaysian opposition party member Elizabeth Wong's scandal and all the bad economic news, this article was more, I guess, amusing to read.

Random Happenings

Some random events that has happened so far:















A lot of clubbing...

































Midnight roti prata and Milo ais at the Holland Village 24 hour food centre. The other person in the photo is my friend who used to go to high school with me, Ambreem. She is now studying at NUS.













Dr. Cheah Boon Kheng (my Malaysian history professor) at the National Library awesomely being knowledgeable and presenting on the Malayan Emergency.














Mini steamboat in Chinatown (牛车水）.

On Thursday night (Feb. 19) I went to Peikin Street for Happy Hour at this pretty good bar called Cock's Feather. I had myself a bottle of Stella Artois, let me tell you. While there, I met a lot of new people there that were also exchange students at NUS who also lived in Commonwealth. I have never seen any of them before and we were all stunned at how that was possible. But no matter, they were an awesome group of Europeans. Ralf, from Germany, was like "look everyone, our new little American friend!" Good times all around!

Rihanna Concert in Kuala Lumper Postponed

Honestly Chris Brown what's your deal?! In addition to your bail, you owe me bus tickets!!!

Happy Thaipusam!

Thaipusm is one of the most extraordinary religious practices that exists today. The Hindu Indian festival commemorates the birth of Lord Subramaniam (the youngest son of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati). There is a legend behind the festival which you can read up.

But the photos below are of individuals who are conducting the kavadi which is a physical burden (no, kidding!) that worshippers perform to ask help from the God Subramaniam.

These photos actually show real piercings. The worshippers during the festival do not seem to show any semblance of pain and they dance around in a trance.

It was simply amazing to have been so close to the worshipers. This was truly an incredible event to witness!

I took these photos in Little India. Be sure to click on the photo to see a close up!

My First Written Assignment for Indonesian class

So I had to hand in a written assignment during Indonesian class and this was the only thing I could think of (in Indonesian at least) to end my paragraph on describing the university I go to:

Towson University di dekat Johns Hopkins. Towson University kurang bagus.

Translation:

Towson University is located near Johns Hopkins. Towson University is not good enough.

Well at least it got to the point!