Back to normal...

Well, this term is not *quite* as normal. So far, Masters of Accounting has been interesting, to say the least. Everything seems to be in disarray: the online registration system has been down so we could not check our schedules in time for class, coursenotes will not be available until next week while we need to prepare for class, the finance component of the electronic system often has discrepancies... Generally, we don't really know what we're doing . =P

On an aside, it is sad to see the state of our "technologically advanced school." It makes me wonder where the list of management letter points, as a result of the annual audit, has disappeared to.

Coming from a pretty lax fall term (save the learning of full courses before the finals; I have not slacked so badly before in my life!) and the "Play hard!" component of my personal maxim, it does not feel like Masters at all, especially since I have been accustomed to taking six courses as my normal courseload.

(As usual,) I think I overestimated the amount of time we had for Masters (the notion that this Masters is of minimal value still exists...), but things are slowly forming up. The amount of readings that we need to do prior to each class is incredible, and having to endure through 3-hour lectures for *all* of our courses is *quite* onerous...

Hello coffee.... "oh sweet elixir..." =p

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

Happy New Year!

I like pancakes!

Especially at 1:30am! =)

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

Hey hey... so New Year's Eve plans have finally been formed!

(This is an open invitation, and please let me know if you're thinking of coming for purposes of hors d'oeuvres.)

Mahjongg at my house! [No set time; feel free to drop by at anytime after dinner.] We will have a few tables going... we (my siblings and I) can even teach you Chinese dominoes if you'd like [did anyone watch Kung Fu: The Legend Continues with David Carradine? =p].

Don't play mahjongg? No problem! We can teach you! Or, you can sample the wide selection of PS / PS2 / DC games from my brothers... and yes, the games include a variety of selections from Dance Dance Revolution! =)

Champagne has already been taken care of. =)

Lastly, to continue my (high school) friends' tradition, after the countdown, we will be going to Golden Griddle... say, 1-1:30?

Golden Griddle: [Markham Road / between Sheppard and Progress]
10 Milner Business Court M1B 3C6
It's at the bottom of the office towers there, so you need to park in the business parking lot.

If you'd like my address, please contact me! Hope to see you here!

[and all together now] Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

Haha, you know what else is inherited? The Yam household does not sleep. Well, it is not uncommon to find the entire household bustling about at 1 a.m. [presumably late?] It was really funny one day when my sister said to me, "What's wrong with us?" As I was watching or playing video games with one of my brothers while my other brother was doing exercises running up and down the stairs with a training kendo sword in his hands. Haha, I suppose you had to be there. =p

I guess it is also not uncommon to find the entire household napping at 6 p.m. in the evening either. =p

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

Merry [belated] Christmas!

It is nice to be back at home, which for me, typically means hanging out with friends. (Work hard and play hard!)

But over the years, it has been increasingly fun to hang out with my family. I don't think I have historically been a very good sister; as a result of my "playing," I was seldomly at home. Having gone away for a couple of summers in high school, and then having gone away for university, I now cherish very much the family time that we have, especially since my sister is away at university, too. So we all look forward to having family dinners... they are hilarious. =P

The latest family functions were a "cousins' get-together" and... Chinese school.

My siblings and I (four of us in total) all went to mandarin class together (private teacher.) Haha... I must admit, story potential had a lot to do with my attendance, but it was fun. =) Oh, our Yam antics... haha, I think some of my craziness is inherited. It's not my fault! =p

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

Three more days, and then...

E&Y Christmas party! Haha...

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

*smother*...*smother*...

How easily I forget...

A bug has been going around DC library; it seems that your nose starts running as soon as you step into the library, although it seems only a few people have caught a full-blown cold... I guess I was one of those few, despites my efforts to smother it with Vitamin C.

Alas, I forgot to add the important element of *rest*, coupled with the essential dependence on God for strength...

Haha, I accomplished a significant achievement on Monday, only significant to other machine-wannabe humans: I studied for pretty much all of the 16 hours I was at DC on Monday, on 2.5 hours of sleep... (no naps!)

Needless to say, I got sick after that, and am now quickly recovering, after having slept *all* day...

The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him;
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
– Exodus 15:2

Bond. James Bond.

Well we thought we'd take a break after Tax on Tuesday, so we watched "Die Another Day."

I *was* impressed with the creativity with the gadgets and toys, as well as with the plotline; I realize it's no easy task to think of new twists to please the masses...

That being said, a lot of the movie was incredible. Too many times did my friends and I mutter, "Oh come *on*! Please!"

Also, the movie was incredibly... punny. [nonstop *rollage* of the eyes]. One would expect *much* better writing from a movie of such calibre... =p

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

I'm still enjoying finals... although I'll see how I am tomorrow when I finish studying for Tax...

Hm.. just a question, does anyone know someone by the name of "Mung-Foo" or "Mum-Foo"? If so, please let me know. =)

I can hardly believe my undergrad is pretty much complete... all right, I have two more exams after Taxation III on Tuesday morning, but those are really not a big deal (thus revealing my relative level of care for those mandatory math courses...). I *am* still motivated to study for them, though; I have never ever had a term when I've slacked off this badly before.

Anyway, it's been a lot of fun. =) When my classmates and I get together (well, the "getting together" part happens pretty much seven days of the week...,) we often look back on this journey and reminisce, although only having begun less than five years ago. It's funny because we talk about the same events every single time, making me think of old (grandfather/grandmother-type) friends with faint memories, not being able to remember what they discussed an hour ago. A very pleasant scene.

The topics recur:

My friends didn't even know I was in accounting until sometime in 2B... somehow, I think we met up in DC (Davs Centre library) and Calculus (oh, Calculus...) brought us together.

2A was *brutal*... and so are accountants... =p

2B was *wonderful*; we *SO* should have taken six courses!!! [sigh]...

3A was terrible, playing "catch-up and midterm" every week, so we again lived in DC in our respective locations. And when we thought 3B couldn't possibly be any worse than 3A, it *was*... a hell-ish term if there was one.

Although not nearly as bad as 3B, we *still* spent all of our time in DC during 4A... out of habit? Perhaps: after all, it's our "home away from home away from home."

The value of education and the current degradation of the post-secondary education system (including the degradation of U of W), being lost to myopic mindsets brought on by the influence of industry and economics, especially with such a program as co-op, which requires that their students be trained for the here-and-now...

I guess tomorrow (technically, today) will be our last full day here, together, studying for the same course in our respective seats in the same row, day after day... it's been fun to "work" together: for class - group assignment and projects - have we exhausted all the permutations and combinations yet?, for DC - who will take the morning shift, and who will take the late shift? =p

Haha, may I present to you, the DC Crew. =p Haha... See you guys in Masters.

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

The time has come.

Oh, how I enjoy this time, when one can just study and not think about much other academic burden...

to be able to focus on just one thing at a time... to rest when it is needed... it is so relaxing, indeed...

oh finals, how I love thee...

(haha, yes, i am serious =p)

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

I *was* about to post a couple of days ago, but I have successfully converted back into "machine-mode". Haha, not to an extreme, but at least I have motivation to get things done.

This morning was beautiful...

"Who's that crazy girl taking pictures on her way to school?"

Beautiful... even Waterloo can be beautiful... =p

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

one down... four more assignments to go...

oh motivation, wherefore art thou, motivation...?

Not having any motivation to start writing up my assignment any earlier, I only started to assemble my thoughts at around midnight last night. And being the person of principle that I *am* (=p) I do not allow myself to complete an assignment (or study for a midterm, etc.) on the day of. That is, I must finish the assignment / finish studying before I go to bed... So I knew it was going to be a long night...

4:30 rolls around when all of a sudden... zap... power goes out, I lose everything since my last save (which, thank goodness, wasn't very much), but I had no power to complete the assignment...

Amusingly, my housemate, b.p., realizes that there was absolutely nothing else left to do and finally decided to go to bed.

I, on the other hand, proceeded to pack my bag to head for campus, where I planned to stay until class this morning... well, there was a change of plans and I ended up in the comfort of my friend's house [5:30 am: "Hello? Can I come over?" "Huh...mmm-hmmm"] and was able to squeeze in two naps somewhere in there before class... but... the stuff that I get myself into... [sigh] [tsee gei lo lay...] =p

The funny thing was, this morning in class, my friends complained about the power outage, and one told us that the power only came back on at 6am. Of course, the scary thing is that we were all up at that time... haha...

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

OK, OK, so here's the story...

I had accidentally spilled some oil on the stove (enough of it...) and I cleaned it up, but I guess I didn't realize oil had dripped into the dish underneath the element... so as my [choy] was boiling away, the element (well, technically the oil underneath) started to catch on fire... yes, very high flames...

So I immediately turned the element off, removed the pot off the heat, and was going to cover it with a pot lid when my housemate's boyfriend proceeded to empty out the contents of our Brita onto the element... (!!)

Well, thank God nothing disastrous happened.

Anyway, not a big deal. =p

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

I am back. =)

After a few weeks of running around like a chicken with my head cut off as a result of various things: standard pre-Lifesong activities, inadvertent involvement with the student co-operative housing government, and post-midterm assignments, I am now back in study mode, which means that I have something to procrastinate *from*, hence my return. =p

I have to catch up on these few weeks of classwork, especially for a couple of courses that I have deemed to be non-value-added, which means going back to my old student lifestyle of being at my home away from home away from home, of course, being the Davis Centre library.

Various

Friday was our accounting grad ball (yes, this is my last undergrad term... pics if interested.) Very nice to see my classmates all dressed up. We've been together for 4 and a half years now, so it was a nice celebration. Also nice to see our profs dance around; Professor Laiken is hilarious (the guy pouring wine in one of my pictures...) It was a fun night. Despite all the stereotypes, I think accountants know how to party. =p I mean, ALL of my friends were itching to get onto the dancefloor... ALL of them! No one sat behind! Haha, fine, if that still doesn't convince you... at least we all dress well. =p Afterwards, I went out with my friends to Timeless to eat, and then K-Zone until 4am... that's karaoke twice in a week. =p

Marking assignments is a pain...

Accounting theory assignment to finish...

Christmas is coming! The snow is very pretty... Do I have time for a Christmas dinner party??

Getting cold though... do I *really* have to pull out my (freaking huge) white winter coat? =p

Played piano last night until the early morning... was nice just to *play*... especially on chromaticizing the doxology, as visions of a silvery worship set danced in my head...

Mmm... I love clementines... how many can *you* eat at a time??

Gotta start catching up and start studying for finals... I wish I had the motivation that I had in third year: ambitious daily objectives and full schedules for weeks. Finished doing classwork for the entire week by the weekend before! But alas, no such motivation now... we shall see. =p

Also gotta clean my room...

On a side note, I lit the stove on fire today, but that's OK. =p

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

God is good... all the time.

Lifesong turned out *well* last night. I am still in awe, still thankful...

An amalgamation of thoughts...

Thank you...
- for your support over these seven weeks, whether it be in prayer, making refreshments, ushering, promotions, setup, sharing, music, or attendance to Lifesong...
- for always being there for me...
- you for offering your help right at the start, thank you for giving me the direction and a rough schedule over these past 7 weeks...
- for your passion...
- for your courage in stepping up...

Encouraged...
- by your courage, completely being vulnerable and giving your everything as an offering to Him...
- to see you lift your gifts to him; you are talented in many ways...
- by your enthusiasm...
- when you just *do it*...

God will use you with you are willing...
I know God will continue to use you in many, many ways... =)

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:3-6

Good old Vitamin C.

The solution to signs of an oncoming cold:
Orange juice; vitamin C. Smother! Smother!...

Success!

I had a scare of a cold earlier this week, and thus ensued my usual solution. It has been crazy enough over the past two weeks... "Sleep is for the weak," yes?

Then this "cold-scare" made me once realize again: the few times that I *have* gotten sick during school terms (NOT fun...I got sick *twice* in 2A...grr...), it usually stems from my extreme self-reliance. I sometimes (oftentimes?) go on spurts of machinelikedness, running on coffee (mediums only, of course) and only stopping when i absolutely cannot go on any further. I continue to an extent, and I suppose it is when I go too far that I get sick. And every time that happens, I come to the same realization: I am simply incapable of sustaining myself.

In illness, I am incapable of depending on my own strength; I have none. The only thing that I *can* depend on, is His strength; for in His strength, I can do anything.

So now, aside from a *little* bit of caffeine, for the next three weeks, I am mainly running on his grace...

I can do anything through Him who gives me strength.
—Philippians 4:13

Wow, over one whole month without touching this page...

[sigh] It's been crazy.

It's been a lot of fun being back in Waterloo and studying (as opposed to working), though, but as usual, I never fail to completely fill my schedule.

"There's no time, no time, gotta study, gotta wash my hair..." - Jessie from Saved by the Bell. Ha.

Anyway, the main thing on my mind these days...?

The capital gains deduction from the sale of qualified small business corporation shares (QSBCS), is calculated as the least of:

(a) Unused lifetime deduction

(b) Annual gains limit, calculated as:

A: the lesser of:
(i) the net taxable capital gains for the year, included in paragraph 3(b)
(ii) the net taxable capital gains for the year only taking into account gains from (QSBCS)

less

B: the total of:
(i) the total carry-forward net capital losses from preceding years less the net taxable capital gains for the year as included in paragraph 3(b) in excess of the amount calculated for A
(ii) the total allowable business investment losses realized in the year

(c) Cumulative gains limit, calculated as:

- the sum of all annual gains limits for all preceding years
less the sum of
(i) all capital gains deductions in preceding years
(ii) the Cumulative Net Investment Loss (CNIL), where CNIL is the sum of all investment expenses incurred after 1987 less the sum of all investment income incurred after 1987

—Federal Income Tax Act, section 110.6

Thanks! I can kind of understand it now, after explaining it! =P

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

Do you make an active decision to love someone?

An interesting discussion among a number of us one late night about love and where it falls along the continuous spectrum between “emotion” and “decision”.

Obviously, love isn’t solely based on emotions, nor is it an emotionless decision… or is it? And assuming that a decision *is* made, do the emotions occur prior to or after the decision?

Very interesting indeed… making me reflect on my relationships and highlight points where I have or have not made such decisions…

Anyway, enough. Enough about *this* topic. =P

I’m glad to be back in Waterloo. =) Really excited for this upcoming term and upcoming year. As my program winds down, things don’t matter that much anymore, so I’m having a lot more fun with my classmates… hanging out with them, reminiscing as to how horrible it was in 2A, how wonderful it was in 2B, and the even more horrible terms that ensued… and then how relaxing it is now. =P

It’s amazing how God puts people in our lives, and how God answers prayer…

Ahh… It’s just nice to be back… =P

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

How do you know if you love someone?
How do you know if someone loves you?
What does it mean to “like” someone?
What implications does “liking” someone entail?

Just a sample of questions that I’ve been given opportunity to ponder about in the past while, and unfortunately, none of which I really have any answers for.

All I can say, is that (in my opinion,) as much as this type of love is a choice, it is very much emotional, not really an intellectual decision. *Something,* perhaps admiration, perhaps appreciation of that person’s gifts and qualities, and perhaps physical attraction, makes us want to spend more time and effort with that person, care for that person, maybe even more than you care for yourself… very elusive…

But anyway, nothing that you don’t already know.

How do you be sure that somebody *doesn’t* like you?

A question posed by a guy who wanted to better understand us girls, with respect to guys who go out of their way to spend time to talk to a particular girl, taking time to walk her to her car, etc.. I guess the main concern is, if the girl knew that he liked her, and if the feelings aren’t returned, she should manage expectations and not “play along;” it’s not nice to fish, especially if she doesn't intend to keep the catch… However, it would be more acceptable to continue the relation if the girl can be sure that there were, essentially, no risk.

My answer? Girls can tell. =P

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.

Wow, eight months have quickly flown by, and now, I should *really* be cleaning my room and preparing to pack for Waterloo, but obviously, I choose to do that later.

As I look back on my final work terms, I have a plethora of thoughts. But as usual, I tend to think too fast and my thoughts go in and go straight out. =p

Anyway, just a primer…

“It was by chance that we met,
by choice that we became friends...”

A quotation from my friend Sherrie’s site, [the person, incidentally, who did my fantastic photo shoot! Thanks Sherrie for the awesome pics! =)] who got the quotation from someone else… I don’t know. I guess it has to do with the friendships that I’ve been blessed with and which I cherish very much. I went out with my high school friends last night. It’s been a while, and I guess it’ll be a while until we all get together again… (hm.. maybe Christmas party 2003? =p) Although we will go away: Montreal, Maryland, Scotland, I think it is within our control to decide if we want to drift or not.

“It was by chance that we met,
by choice that we became friends...”

Would the same thing not apply on the opposite end, that it is our choice to stop? In any case, not that I think we will. Even if we don’t see each other for the next three years, hopefully I’ll see you guys at the next joint piano recital, hehe… =p

”The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Can you not tell this is one of my favourite topics? =p
More to come…)

Until next time, this is Gladys Yam.