Listening to: The Mission by Ennio Morricone

Back in the day, learning Malay as a first language often involved creatively writing prescribed essays with crazy topics, like "I am a Pair of Shoes".

This is actually a true story. I had to imagine what it would be like to exist as a pair of shoes, chronicling my life from the day I was put together in a sweatshop somewhere to the sad moment my owner of six months found some cooler kicks to replace me with.

No wonder my imagination is all over the place.

Days remaining (a): 16
Days remaining (b): 22
Days remaining (c): 23
Days remaining (d): 23
Days remaining (e): 44
Days remaining (f): 55
Days remaining (g): 72
Days remaining (h): 94
Days remaining (i): 109
Days remaining (j): 112

(a) Youth as Media Consumers mid-term exam
(b) Finish Clashing Views on Youth and the Media presentation
(c) Finish Youth as Media Consumers presentation
(d) Submit Clashing Views on Youth and the Media Assignment #1
(e) Submit Youth as Media Consumers Assignment #1
(f) Submit Clashing Views on Youth and the Media Research Review
(g) Submit Clashing Views on Youth and the Media Assignment #2
(h) Submit Youth as Media Consumers Group Assignment
(i) Submit Youth as Media Consumers Assignment #2
(j) Submit Clashing Views on Youth and the Media Final Paper

Yesterday was my first day as an actual Master's student. That means I'm completely done with the Preparatory Programme, and I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you the silliness and amusement that was my Research Practice Seminar (Game Addiction) lecturer, Mr. L...

Mr. L explains how he'd rather us come in to class on Wednesday than Friday. But alas, there's an assignment due on Wednesday.

Mr. L: It's unfair of me to take away time you could be using to do your assignment. What should we do?
Someone in class: Maybe... Move... the deadline?
Mr. L: MOVE THE DEADLINE! What a great idea! Okay, it's now due on Thursday. Just don't tell the other groups.

That Wednesday, Mr. L reminds us our assignment is due the next day, but the class is not satisfied.

Mr. L: So, e-mail them to me by twelve PM.
Class: Five.
Mr. L: Twelve...
Class: Five!
Mr. L: Three?
Class: Five!
Mr. L: ...Did I say five?
Class: Five.
Mr. L: Okay, Five.

After reading a question a classmate suggested for the survey - "How often during the last six months have you dreamed about gaming?" - my lecturer slaps on a smug little grin, crosses his arms and leans back in his chair.

Mr. L: Dream about gaming... *Stares into space* I used to do that.
*Class laughs*
Mr. L: Yeah. With Tetris. I'd be talking to someone, and I'd start to imagine Tetris blocks falling around their head. *Continues to stare into space*

Sitting at his desk, Mr. L accidentally drops a piece of chalk onto the floor. He goes to retrieve it, only to find it's standing straight up.

Mr. L: WOW! OH, MY GOD! Look at that! *Points at piece of chalk* What are the odds of that happening?! I'm just... It's... I'm going to leave it there.
*Two girls in class continue talking to each other*
Mr. L: HOW ARE YOU NOT DISCUSSING WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!

On a typical rainy day in Amsterdam, Mr. L gets distracted from his lesson by a stick moving along the windows of the building next door.

Mr. L: What is that stick doing?
Someone in class: Cleaning windows.
Mr. L: ...In the rain?!

A student asks Mr. L a question that he finds incomprehensible, he reacts accordingly.

Mr. L: Wh- What Why Wh- ...WHAT.

Okay, maybe some of these (or all of them) belong in the you-had-to-be-there category of moments, but there really were many instances that made me giggle and shake my head sympathetically.

I can only hope my new lecturers will be half as entertaining.