So whats new in 2008

Hey there people....its been a long time since Ive posted an entry here. Had a whole lot of free time today. I actually tried to write a really long entry but I cant seem to remember where I placed that file...oh well, so whats new for me in 2008!

Firstly, I've now transfered into the new 2 year Program of Masters in IT and will now graduate in November 2008 insha-Allah. I only did this because Australia requires 2 years of study (96 Units of Credit) as a pre-condition before I can apply for PR (Permanent Residency). Had it been otherwise, I would have started work by now...sigh.

The sessions in UNSW have also been reduced by 2 weeks to a 12 week session. A real pain ofcourse and hence I've been really busy since it started. Im also still living in the same place but more on that later.

This being my new session in a "session Im doing only because I have to" (being honest here), my subjects are not hard. The new program I am in forces me to take pre-requisits and though, if I had talked to certain people, this these could have been avoided, I am all for some refresher courses.

The finals are now right around the corner and this session has gone alot better than my last two sessions.

Ive also joined 2 new societies this session, namely the Islamic Society and the Pakistani Society. I was unable to attend the two events of the later only because they held the events when I had work or an assignment due. Though I have attended a couple of the Islamic Society events and it was a decent experience.

It was disheartening to witness "Tablighi Jamiaat" like people at our Society center once. They still preach with their extra emphasis on the Hadith and concentrate on motivation instead of knowledge. I disagree with their methods and believe that there can be no greater motivation than knowledge its self, or in other words the Quran. Hadith's and the Prophets (S.A.W) companions should come afterwards.

Sohaib and Therese are no longer living in our flat. They have long since left and in their place Danish is now living with us. The previous owners have also sold the house. The new Owner is a nice guy named Peter. Me and him have gotten along quite well and even though he is turning our place into a student accommodation, he has offered me and Danish a secure place and at a lower fee. I couldn't be happier. Not only to get a place where just me and Danish can be, but to be released from my other flatmate's ever increasing debt which is hitting me hard.

I've also been working at a call center since November last year. Im one of the annoying people who call you up to take a telephone survey! but hey, look on the bright side....at least I'm not selling anything!.....not directly ;)

My last post "Bills Bills...." was quite negative, but my situation has turned around quite a bit from back then. The new job has made things ALOT easier but with my other flatmate continuously running low on cash and me having to pay for quite a bit for his rent and bills this entire session has taken its toll on me. Oh! hurry up Peter and finish up our room already!

But, Just yesterday I was finally able to get something with my cash. I went to the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Bookstore: Galaxy on Friday. Id heard alot about it from people at work and it lived up to my expectations......sigh OKAY! so I was expecting it to be LARGER but its not every day you stumble upon a bookstore that specializes on Sci-Fi and Fantasy. They had the Warcraft Novels I so want to get, the Diablo Novels, Terry Brooks, Anime, etc. But what caught my eye was "The Legend of Drizzt" Set I and II. I quickly picked up set one. This has been long overdue.

The Set contains the first three novels of R.A Salvatore's best selling Forgotten Realms Novel that introduced us to one of Fantasies greatest characters: Drizzt Do'Urden.
I am already deep into the first book titled Homeland and soon I shall get the second set followed by the Warcraft Novels.

Ofcourse, I still watch anime. My disgust with Naruto Shippuden remains and now I have decided to stop watching the anime all together. It has started with yet another filler arc. But that is not my only gripe with the show. The humor falls flat and every SINGLE story arc has dealt with the "Oh! your like me and were treated like crap all your life but look at me and how I dealt with it and be inspired!" ....there is no creativity left in these fillers.

Bleach on the other hand has continuously impressed me. Even the filler arc is well animated, and atleast adds some to the original story. Though the latest one is a bit silly in that Kurasagi is now back in the real world when he should be in the Hollow World where we last saw him. But no worries, as long as the story is good and the animation is smooth. Besides, bleach has a wealth of characters many of whom can easily have a whole arc just on them.

Ive also got into the Manga and thats where Naruto's strength still lies. Bleach is also equally strong if not better than Naruto in their manga as well.

Apart from the above two, I saw a few episodes of Macross Frontier and was turned off by its blatant copying of the first Robotech Saga.....what has happened to creativity.

Im also excited because I come closer to getting my own Xbox360. Though my brother and friend have one, it still doesn't beat having your own. Right in time too, with the recent release of GTA IV and Ninja Gaiden II and Too Human not too far off. I'll also finally get to experience Lost Odyssey as well.

Oh, and then there is Iron man. I went into the cinema thinking it to be an average superhero flick and came out having watched the best movie this year. Robert Jr acted very well and literally held the movie together. Its not easy acting like a cocky super hero but he pulled it off with ease. If Marvel Studios handles the rest of their properties like this then the future bodes well. Heres hoping Norton and the Incredible Hulk does the same!

Ive written WAY too much, so I'll sign out now....and maybe try to be a little more consistent with this blog posting.