A voice was heard in Ramah.

This cat is HDB approved.

tick tock, goes the clock.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

11:27 PM

Every morning we pack our bags, hastily stuffing our notes/lectures/stationery and scrambling for the bus that comes at an unpredictable minute, grabbing a donut or perhaps, wholemeal bread(for the health-conscious). We hurry along, to the bus stop, frantic pacing up and down, vexed frowns etched deeply, glances at the werkenglock, that determines the fixed structure of our daily life. We MUST arrive at approximately 8 o'clock 30 seconds past, for that is the only time we have to look for our equally vexed lecture friend who has arrived at approximately 7 49 to save us that seat 4rows from the left right row near the aisle.

805.

Then, we'd look exasperatedly at the lecturer who has a thick accent because we are all cosmopolitan like that and it's politically incorrect to ridicule differing nationalities because we are all but One, yes indeed One people One nation. The lecturer will drone on and on about some theory invented by a person who is probably dead buried and a forgotten surname but surprise it appears on the textbook every other chapter with footnote and a tragic biodata.

957.

We'd rush to the canteen, impatiently shoving your way down the runway, mindfully aware of our distastefully arranged attire in the stupor of the dawn, enviously glancing at hot legs and toned bodies, flat bellies and perfectly coiffed hair. We'd run, run little rabbit run, to the nearest queue, probably the cheapest and also the most inedible.

1053.

After which we'd attend a tutorial, in which we'd secretly cuss and swear internally while maintaining a facade of calm intellect, because we have probably

a) not done our readings

b) done the incorrect readings

c) forgotten to bring along the useful notes from lecture

In any case, we are not prepared and we just don't care. Or rather, not yet. That's because our main worry is on projects of boring content, subjects of boring content, and essays of boring content.

147.

We learn to sleep late, wake early, to incorporate greater discipline. We cancel on friends, back out of plans, prioritise. Time is channeled we'd rather not be, we have little time for ourselves, we have things to finish, people to meet, deadlines to rush.

We do not even sigh, because there is no time to breathe in the first place. We forget God's support, relying instead on our human nature that we believe can get us through the battle.

We get upset with the unreliance of public buses, we clamour for the best seats, nap fitfully during long rides, squeeze in a chapter of a novel, and hurriedly eat our cold dinner.

We shower, but those are not drops of water that bombard us, but shards of reminders of tick-tock.

Then we proceed to complete our unfinished business, and print our notes as soon as we can, because

we have a bag to pack.

340.

Arbeit marche fret - for we work towards our freedom, and freedom is enslavement to the very system we detest.