Wow, I totally missed April?

Looking at the when the last post was dated, I realized that I totally missed posting in the month of April!

Well, all of that because of work and studying. Now, the exam is over and work is getting better, life's getting better. All this got me thinking, what the hell am I doing with my life? For the last 2 months leading up to the exam, I woke up early, heading into the office to study from 5-6am til 8/9/10am, and work til 5-6pm, sometimes later, and then, head back to my apartment and dinner and some tv, sometimes, some more studying, and then, REPEAT.
What's willing me on was the thought of getting to the end of the road of actuarial exams and not having to study the same darn material again if I were to fail (which is very likely, as based on the past exams, misled about the type of questions and the level of understanding and the speed that I need crank through those problems).

But, I guess my approach towards the exam, this exam I should say, was wrong. Instead of trying to read the actual paper, I spent time reading the summary of the papers and trying to memorize the lists of lists (well, this exam is all about Accounting, Regulations & Laws, and Government Programs). So, when the questions were posted in a lengthier/indirect/unsuspecting ways, I was schooled. It was a humbling experience and I think all I can do is to suck up all my pride and prepare for the battle again next November (that's 2011) better. In the remote chance that I do pass this exam, (as much as I think I don't deserve so, I will still take it if someone were to give me a pass), the bonus for passing the exempt on the first attempt which I will get will be all used for a party at my new house. (New house - see more below...)

Anyway, I'm getting back to my more desireable lifestyle of reading for leisure, watching garbage on tv and eating out and cooking more. Life's good.

So, I'm typing this half jetlagged, just spent a good 24+ hours in planes and airports and 12 timezones ahead of 36 hours ago. And will be leaving home for my new house (see more below) in less than 96 hours. I'm a sucked when it comes to sleeping on a plane. On my BOS-JFK-HKG-KUL series of flights yesterday, I didn't sleep from BOS - JFK (it was a 1-hour flight), slept at most 4 hours (in 3 naps) on the JFK - HKG 16 hours monster, and another hour for the 3.5 hours HKG - KUL flight. I'm really jealous of people who can just sleep on a plane as is if it's as easy as flipping a switch.

Anyway, the reason I'm home, for less than a week, is to attend my brother's wedding dinner, and all the pre-shows prior to that. So, there's a buffet dinner at home tonight, there's the going to the bride's house tomorrow morning, tea ceremony in the early afternoon, some kinda gathering after, and then the big wedding dinner on Saturday. With all the drinking and merrymaking, will need Sunday to recover, Monday, might be able to meet up with some friends? or just spend time with family... Tuesday morning, KUL-HKG-SFO-BOS... reaching Boston Logan International Airport at around 11.30pm, by the time I get back to my apartment, will be the May 19th...

May 19th, which is the day I'll be closing on my first house! It's been crazy buying a house. The whole searching, walking through houses, deciding, and committing. Now, there's the furnishing and all that. Later, will be the maintaining. Ahhhh! The joy of homeownership. And, damn, 1 thing I learned, it's freaking expensive.

Will get some pictures up here... Hmm, will try to get more pictures this time, from the wedding and the of the house...