Now, I'm the Dream Scientist:)

So, did you have a good dream last night, or was it a nightmare? Ohhhh...why bother talk about it when it's over, right? Wrong! Dreams appear in our lives, of course in our sleep, with its very own significance.

I always dream of my late mom and dad. Of course, I miss them so much and sometimes, I create triggers to invite such dreams. This way, my sleep becomes more meaningful, yeah. Now, don't tell me that I sleep because I need to, so I can recover from fatigue and whatsoever....I sleep because I find it so rejuvenating, and wholesome, and rewarding...and that it is also an ideal form of relaxation - to be free from all worries, responsibilities, drudgeries, anf the list can go on.

ok..I'm derailed. We're not talking about sleeping here, but dreams.

Now, just like the wonderful Mariposa fairyland we used to flutter and reside when we (gurlz) were children, dreams occupy some kind of platform in our head? brain? mind? that it's become so attached to our lives. Since the scientists can't concur on the whereabouts or whatabouts, I may as well take the liberty to say that dreams exist to accompany us in this long journey called life.

As a friend or foe, dreams sometimes make explicit our instincts and intuitions. They also become our punching-bag, launching pad, or trampolin. Have you ever had a deja vu? where you meet someone in your dream and later meet the same person in real life? Now, who needs another psychic who works hard to interpret our dreams, when the psychic is already alive and kicking in your head?

To quote Wikipedia, "There is no universally agreed biological definition of dreaming. General observation shows that dreams are strongly associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which an electroencephalogram shows brain activity to be most like wakefulness. Participant-nonremembered dreams during non-REM sleep are normally more mundane in comparison.[1] During a typical lifespan, a human spends a total of about six years dreaming[2] (which is about 2 hours each night[3]). It is unknown where in the brain dreams originate, if there is a single origin for dreams or if multiple portions of the brain are involved, or what the purpose of dreaming is for the body or mind."

Call it dream prophesy, dream nation, dream analysis - they are all the same thing. They are evidence of how we are so attached to this magical "company" that is sometimes our muse, conscience, and guardian angel. There are already so many songs devoted to the beauty of dreams. (Guess I may invite Natasha and Qila to help me here - check out:) their response soon. People my age...remember - EVERLY BROTHERS - ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM (1958) which is my true favourite; CULTURE CLUB - THE DREAM; and of course Mariah Carey's dream numbers...

DO you have a favourite song on 'dream' that you'd like to share with us? Or perhaps, you'd like to share with us your thoughts on dreams? I'm not hinting anything, but some of you may want to turn into psychics and start talking about dream interpretations...interesting, yeah.

Till we meet again, may you have a memorable dream everytime.

Welcoming the New Semester:)

Soon, the new semester will open and I certainly hope to meet enthusiastic undergraduates who are determined to succeed academically as well as socially, emotionally and spiritually. Theory and experience has taught us a great deal about interpersonal and intrapersonal strength in coping with challenges in the university. Let's pray that you take heed to this and muster more courage in your struggle for excellence in tertiary education.

Easier said than done? But things always have to start with something, somewhere, so let it begin with my kind reminder cum advice.

I guess I'll be teaching public speaking this time around, but there's no confirmation yet. If so, I'd be more than excited. Really, I just can't wait to groom more public speakers, scout talents for UNITEN EDSoc.'s debate team, and witness a whole class of future leaders speaking up their minds on issues and matters of importance and grievance, planning for their immediate future as well as the nation, deliberating ideas, and debunking invalid arguments. Let's just say that I anticipate a class of active and enthusiastic learners wanting to polish their public speaking skills, and not to forget, budding talents who are grasping with theory and interested in further practice on the public speaking challenge.

If you are a writer, not yet a speaker, you are also most welcomed to join the circle. I believe that speaking and writing are so beautifully connected. The only difference lies in how much guts you need to speak your mind. Seriously! But if you don't care about guts, face, and pride, and your only concern is passing the course with flying colours - then public speaking course will turn the writer in you into a fantabuluos public speaker. Just remember to talk a lot outside class, guess that's a handy kit:)

You may want to visit this link and read my simple article on the speaking-writing connection. hopefully, this piece of mind will motivate you a bit more...

<http://ezinearticles.com/?Public-Speaking-Challenge-And-The-Writing-Connection&id=1137252>.

Looking forward to seeing all of you again in the real classroom, and the speaking community.