Speculate about the direction of the stock market

So sorry; it's not my field.

Write a short story

I don't think a short story is something you can just write at will. I'll be back for this perhaps after I submit my thesis.

Offer dating or parenting advice

This advice is applicable to both I think. Learn to know what your date/kid likes and behave accordingly. People don't always speak their heart, especially when they know you might not like it (if they care about you, that is).
I got this from when I took my niece to the zoo the last time. Usually we go with my mother, her mother, and her brothers, but this time everybody else was busy; it was just her and me. Her favourites were merekats, monkeys, and reptiles. After we were done with the first two; I asked if she wanted to go home now and she said yes! She'd learned to know what I didn't like! But being a good aunty that I am, I said, why don't we go see the reptiles first?

Tell heart-warming pet stories

One of my favourite cats Gremlin had black paws. I was told that cats with black paws could catch a snake (if they wanted to). I told my sister this; she misunderstood that I meant Gremlin caught a snake. Gremlin has now been long gone. This one sentence I said about him was a major example on which a major argument in my thesis is grounded on.

Describe a project you're working on

Introduction (area of study): Time conceptualisation in Thai
The problem (that I tackle): Do speakers of tensed and tenseless languages conceptualise time in the same or different way?
What the literature says about this problem: Apparently different.
How I tackle this problem: I examine the semantic and pragmatic properties of five words commonly considered temporal expressions in Thai: dai, khery, kamlang, yu, and ja.
How I implement my solution: I represent utterances containing the five in the Discourse Representation Structure and merger representation in the frameworks of Discourse Representation Theory and Default Semantics.
The result: Temporal information is not encoded by the five but is their default reading, analysable as a cognitive default in DS. Their status in Thai grammar is modal or aspectual rather than temporal.
Conclusion: With the proposal of temporality as modality in mind, universality of time conceptualisation is perhaps a plausible case.

Share jokes and funny stories

Rimmel has launched a new foundation, which is advertised to be 'anti-fatigue'. I know I won't be able to glow the way Kate Moss does in the commercial. But I still want to try it.

Write an editorial about a current event

Really not brainy enough; another pass.

Ask questions of other bloggers

Not the nosy type here, so I'm giving this one a pass.

Describe your dreams

Dream from answer.com.
1. A series of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations occurring involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.
2. A daydream; a reverie.
3. A state of abstraction; a trance.
4. A wild fancy or hope.
5. A condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration: a dream of owning their own business.
6. One that is exceptionally gratifying, excellent, or beautiful: Our new car runs like a dream.

All my dreams of definitions 2-6: I work well like a dream, manage to submit my thesis on time (16 April), and pass without correction.
My recent dream as defined in 1: I was saved from being harmed by a tiny crocodile by my teenage heartthrob.

Interpretation from soulfuture.com
Dream symbol: crocodile, crocodiles
Interpretation: judging or feeling judged, a need to be more discerning, needing to evaluate something, adopting a stance of resistance, the object or person being criticized may be mirroring your own faults

Rate a book you've read

How do one rate a book? Out of ten? Out of five stars? Letter grades (A, B, C, and so on?)
In any case, the latest novel I've read (Breathing Lessons) gets 7, 3 stars and B.
The latest textbook I've read (cover to cover), which is Default Semantics, gets 8, 4 stars and B+.
More about Breathing Lessons can be found at: http://spaces.msn.com/jiranthara/Blog/cns!1pVvaLswPB3z6teweC-fGGCg!2894.entry.
More about Default Semantics: http://spaces.msn.com/jiranthara/blog/cns!DDD8521609D6567F!750.entry (publisher's version) and http://spaces.msn.com/jiranthara/blog/cns!DDD8521609D6567F!764.entry (my version).

Share interesting bits of information

Believe it or not, you can write a PhD thesis on certain five words in a certain language, with the major claim that their semantics and pragmatics seem to support the view of universality of time conceptualisation. For those who find the idea of being a PhD candidate appealing, all you need to do is to appear to be good enough at first. Later on, it is likely you will be made less confindent, or more aware of your (in)ability in the process. To me, at this point, what a PhD project seems to produce best is a humble researcher, which is a good thing.

Outline your diet and exercise plan

Diet: Have more fish, and less chicken, pork, lamb, and beef , in this order. Achieve five (portions of fruits and vegetable) a day every day. Use magerine instead of butter (I'm a butter lover, though). Drink lots of water. No more than a mug of coffee a day (in case of more, it has to be decaf). 

 Exercise: Walking. (Don't look at me like that!) Cycling in the gym (if I manage to talk myself into going).

Gossip about celebrities, coworkers, or friends

I don't usually enjoy gossipping. But I've subscribed to receive daily gossip from Glamour! Check it out! http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/daily_gossip/

Review a movie

Haven't been to the movies lately. The last one was Memoirs of a Geisha, and I wrote about it on This blog contains nuts. The latest one I saw on TV was My Big Fat Greek Wedding (last Saturday night). I thought it would be more fun as many people I know said they loved it. To me, it was just all right; perhaps it was because I know a few people from Greece and they are not exactly like what Hollywood portray them to be.

Describe a class you're taking

It's not a class exactly. It's not what would be called a taught course. Teaching does happen, though, but not in a classroom, but mostly in my supervisor's office and also at PhD seminars and conference talks. What I've been learning is way beyond linguistics.

Write about your favorite hobby

It's reading. It would be my choice if I had to choose between reading and going to the movies and stick to it for the rest of my life. I haven't done a lot of reading lately, though. The last novel I finished was Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler, and that was a few months ago. I've been wanting to read Norwegian Wood seriously but can't go past the first few chapters every time I start it. If I submit my thesis on time, I should be able to read a few more novels before I go back to Thailand.

Offer tips in your area of expertise

Do a PhD only if you want to. 

Don't do a PhD unless you want to.

Share a poem of yours

16 April 

Make it or let it drift

List your favourite hangouts

Starbucks Market Square 

Starbucks Border's 

Grafton Center 

Lion Yard 

Wolfson Lounge 

Bella Italia 

India House 

UL (for books)

Detail a recent date

No recent date to be detailed unless an SL could be one. John texted me the night before if we were still on for one and, if so, where I wanted to go. Although the theme this year is the College SL, it seemed we 'd done most colleges which allow 'unaccompanied guests' and I suggested we go to Bella Italia. John had linguine with pesto cream; I had penne with cream. We had a pleasant conversation, as always.

Write a restaurant review

Bella Italia, Newnham Road, Cambridge Conveniently located about 10 minutes from my place, this is perhaps the restaurant I've been to most often in Cambridge. Italian food is my favourite food (after Thai and Indian); I can make pasta dishes myself (from scratch, too) but I go to Bella Italia for pizza. If you like duck, you must try Anatra, which I usually refer to as Italian Peking Duck.

Compliment a friend

It has to be Pom. She is the best. When I go back home, she takes me everywhere I want to go (she drives, too, but perhaps she is just fed up with my driving skills), shopping, restaurants, temples, you name it. She even went to India with me when Japan would ้have been much more to her taste. When I'm not home, she calls to check if my mother is fine and even has a day out with my niece (what I would do if I was home). Whenever I call her with a problem, she keeps me sane.

Describe a recent adventure

This is a tough one. I haven't done anything that is hazardous, questionable, unusual or exciting in nature lately. Well, actually, there was one thing that might have passed as unusual. But it is something I'd rather not write about. So here we go.

List your goals

Professional: 1. To email chapter 3 to my supervisor on Tuesday. 2. To have a pre-final draft of the whole thesis by the end of February. 3. To submit my thesis on time (ie by 24 April). 4. To be a good teacher. Personal: 1. To go back to Thailand for good by September. 2. To make each present moment a happy one. 3. To be helpful, loving and caring. 4. To follow this quote from the musical Fame: Two things make life worth living: to love and to work.

Document your daily successes

I've decided to put chapters 5 and 6 aside; they may be considered rough drafts but ones that will need quite a lot of filling in and refining. Chapter 7 is thus getting started. I also received an email from my supervisor about chapter 4, giving very positive feedback. I'm so happy now and must keep at it.

Post a quote du jour

I believe that two people are connected at the heart, and it doesn't matter what you do, or who you are or where you live; there are no boundaries or barriers if two people are destined to be together. -- Julia Roberts

Keep a daily journal of your life

It was a long day. But perhaps it was so because it started late. Got a bit (ie a very tiny bit) of work done before going to the PhD seminar. It was a new format today, not the usual talk but three poster presentations were given. In the evening, there was a subject formal hall. Two high tables were set up in Sidgwick Hall. It seemed Newnham have a lot more MML, Linguistics and Oriental Studies students this year than last. Got back just in time to see Desperate Housewives. I liked how Bree said, I loved him deeply, without showing any emotions. The night ended with a call from Shirley, who is going to submit her thesis soon. I'm jealous!