It's a 17hours countdown to the deadline and people around me (on my msn list to be exact) are rushing their work like mad. Plans are already being made for post-deadline celebration, including dinners, last minute CNY visiting, getting back a life, etc.

sigh.

I'm actually feeling blue. I've opted to take the 5 marks penalty for a 2 weeks late submission cuz I can't bring myself to submit a barely complete half-baked piece of shit. It's just not me. Given that my supervisor had kindly provided me with the last set of data only this Monday when I have been chasing him for it over the past 3 weeks, and that I have to analyse this set of data together with 3 other sets that I already have, how much chance do I have of making the 1502 deadline? Zip. And I've been working my ass off for this whole week and more.

This induces doubts about my own capability and time management ability. Why can't I do what my peers are able to? An offhand comment that a friend had made a couple of weeks ago came to mind and I wonder if I had been playing too much. I know I should have started work earlier, but there's only so much I can do without the data. Which brings into the picture the inevitable cursing of the perpetually MIA supervisor with whom I seem not to share fate with.

sigh.

Had dinner on V-day with a couple of fellow year 4s at Technoedge just now. One of them is doing the same experiment as me and 5 others. We were complaining about the system of submission and getting time extension for the big D, and grimacing at how the thing works. It's not like we are unable to finish cuz we goofed off too much. Hell, we were delayed cuz of the people who ran the experiment, the same people who were tasked to ensure that we progressed well with our work. We laughed at the reverse feelings we're having now and back then when we actually underwent an interview to be chosen for the experiment team - euphoria for the latter and frustration for the former. How ironic. Must say that a couple of my team mates have managed to complete their stuff with tremendous effort though. Well done.

Staying away from school tomorrow where everyone would probably be grinning from cheek to cheek as they drop off that brown package at the G.O. and head to town to paint it red. Yeah, they deserve to find back the life that they've lost somewhere along the way while doing the big D. Congrats to all who manage to make the deadline. Go on and take the well-deserved break. As for me, I'll probably shun fellow schoolmates while I soldier on, making that 5 marks penalty worth it. I'd have to say this first though: It's not that I don't appreciate the concern, but I'd be supremely grateful if people in general don't ask about my progress or nag me. Tend to be a little short and irritable when stressed out.

sigh.

D blues.