Last Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of my birth. That sounds even older writing it than it does saying it. . .

To celebrate I was off to the doctors on the morning of the 17th. In the few days prior, what seemed to be a small lump on the back of my neck grew to be about the size of loonie in diameter. The pain from the pressure and inability to turn my next comfortably in either direction sent me to the doctors (with no MSP coverage at that!). Within a good second, the doctor waved it off as nothing more than a boil and then calmly took out the needle and knife. Getting sliced open was a first for me and not something I'll forward to ever going through again. Good times. . .

Well it arrived yesterday, just over a week since the release form was returned - a shiny new Ipod shuffle. Thanks Apple and RFD

School has finally rolled around with an unusual excitement filling the air. Undoubtedly it is the fact that after 2 more courses my time at UBC will be over. . .

The first week was rather busy, but is nothing compared to what is just beyond the horizon. My only CS course this year, 410 will definately result in me learning a thing or two. We will be using the spring framework (drupal spotting!) for our term project involving some sort of distributed game. Should be good fun, depending of course on just how much freedom we have. NL Holdem pops to mind. . .perhaps the early warning signs of a gambling addiction =p

So I wake up to a rather spamlike email entitled, "Apple Student iPod Shuffle Contest Selected Entrant". The email reads:

Derrick Tan,

We are the Judging Organization handling this contest for Apple Canada Inc. Your online entry was drawn as a selected entrant for the Apple Student iPod Shuffle Contest. We require your response to this message by no later than September 5, 2005.

Please provide the following complete information:

Name: _______________________________

Address: _______________________________

City: _______________________________