Overdue Update

It's been a while since this blog has been touched. Bit of a stressful couple of months after Easter but I've survived and now I'm ready to, once again, captivate the minds of my eager readers(!)


13) Pass driving test - In Progress
First lesson quite recently (this morning infact). An intensive course which I would've preferred seems unlikely but I have the whole summer I guess. Now to disprove the age-old myth that Asians are bad drivers...


27) Go for a bike ride - DONE (18/06/10)
Pulled out the trusty mountain bike out of the garage and gave it a quick dust, pump up of the tyres and I was good to go. Not bad considering it hasn't left the garage in over 4 years. Just a chilled cycle down Seaton Burn Wagonways then here and there. Manchester made me forgot how much I used to enjoy cycling; Oxford/Wilsmlow Road is not the ideal place for a relaxing bike ride.


32) Get a 1st in my degree -  In Progress
6 two hour exams in the space of 3 weeks. Doesn't seem like much but it wasn't nice to say the least. Some went better than expected, some not; I'm just glad I'm done for the summer. This semester, I took a slightly different approach to previous sets of exams; i.e. do work more than a few days before the exam. It paid off, I think. I shall find out on the 9th July. As long as it's not an Asian fail I'll be happy.


Speaking of Asian fail... 
43) Learn to read/write chinese - In Progress
My mum discovered some of my old work from 'Chinese class' when I was 6. 14 years on and I wish I was as good as I was back then - which is saying something considering I was probably bottom of the class. Well, I'm slowly being taught the basics again starting with my name 周沛樑. This'll be a challenge...


51) Perfect the yorkshire pudding pizza - In Progress

Attempt 2. Well, technically 3 but the one before was a complete failure. Still improvements to be made.

57) Score a long range screamer on Fifa - DONE

I'm just going to claim I've done this - I've had quite a few screamers before but I've always waited for a better one. I probably wouldn't have stopped until I score a overhead kick from the halfway line into the top corner. It could happen...

58) Watch 100 films I haven't seen before -  In Progress [20/100]

• The Adventures Of Baron Von Munchausen - Very Monty Python-esque. Weird, wacky and wonderful.
• Ironman 2 - Not as good as the first. Sequels rarely are but it was a decent attempt nonetheless.
• Couple's Retreat - Pretty average but then again, I wasn't expecting anything great to start with.

66) Use/own a Polaroid instant camera - DONE (22/05/10)

I've always wanted one, and thanks to eBay, I finally have one. It's a shame that they stopped producing film and the two packs that came with the camera were, unfortunately, too far gone to produce any decent shots. Well, I still have the camera and will be waiting for 'The Impossible Project' to lower the prices for their film - £18 for 8 shots? I like cameras but not that much. 

75) Find 10 'Space invaders' around Manchester - In Progress [3/10]
Although not technically a 'Space invader', the Mario mosaic in the Northern quarter (near Afflecks) counts. Also, this one on Oxford Road.

85) Win cash playing poker - Almost

The night of my birthday we all settled down to a game of poker. However, as with almost every poker game, tedium set in and concentration was lost and the night grew long. It was down to me and Hannah and by then, it was late we just couldn't be bothered any more. We decided to split the winnings which would mean that I could still tick this off the list. Well, that would've been the case if only we cared enough to sort it out. Which we didn't.  

92) Watch the entire Studio Ghibli collection - In Progress [4/19]

• Laputa - a classic along with My Neighbour Totoro - the 2 most prominent SG creations from my childhood. Such a sweet yet haunting  film; a truly engaging storyline with brilliant animation as always.

94) Dance the robot with Paul - DONE (10/06/10)

Unfortunately, not to Electro but to some Carnival vibes at Pangaea instead. Not really fitting, I know, but it was nearing the end of the night and there wasn't any suitable music. We put Crouch to shame. 

97) Buy a print of the HK skyline to put on the wall - DONE (18/05/10)

eBay to the rescue for this. Prints are expensive. Very expensive. Luckily I found a decent 'shop' and got one for a decent price. I'm hoping it'll add a bit of class to my student room next year. 

98) Buy a PS3/Wii/Xbox - DONE (18/06/10)

It was a tough choice but I figured that after 2 years of playing on the Xbox, I fancied a change. Plus going online for free and the Blu-ray player made the decision easier. 

Update

3) Donate blood 3 times - In Progress [1/3]

Thursday 9th Feb - My first time
along with Danielle. Pretty straightforward and I was surprised how normal I felt afterwards considering I have had quite a low blood pressure since childhood. I'm not going to say no to free biscuits though. Giving blood has been high on my list for a few years but I've never gotten round to it. If you're the same then I urge you to book an appointment...now!

58) Watch 100 films I haven't seen before - In Progress [7/100]

• No Country For Old Men - a very long...and slow...film... But good nontheless.
  
• Funny People - even longer. It felt like a full 90 minute comedy film...with an extra hour drama thrown in. I'd rather Sandler stuck to Zohan-esque films.
  
• My Name is Khan - Could a film possibly be longer than the previous two? Yes, but I didn't mind one bit (except for the numb arse). This was a brilliant feel-good film with bags of emotion and an ounce of humour. There was an abundance of overacting but what else can you expect from a 'Bollywood' film.
• The Island - Rubbish.
  

75) Find 10 'Space invaders' around Manchester - In Progress [1/10]
First one found on Sackville St. ...which I've walked down many a time and never noticed it before. Ah well.

101) Get back in touch with my artistic side - In Progress
My 'leave-it-too-late-to-get-a-decent-costume' t-shirts for Chloe's birthday night out. Shame I didn't have any fabric pens. Sharpies didn't do it justice.