Searching for Utopia

Have you watched Dr. Horrible? This was my first time watching anything with Neil Patrick Harris after Doogie Howser. Never mind How I Met Your Mother, Dr. Horrible is awesome.

Created by the same guy who made Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon, Dr. Horrible is three-part miniseries about a supervillain character (Neil Patrick Harris) who longs to get into the Evil League of Evil. What makes it different than the others, the story is told through songs a la High School Musical minus the dancing — and the casts really sing.

In short, I think it’s funny, entertaining and creative; definitely worth your time. If you havent’ watched, you should. The third act will hit the internet on July 19, and it will disappear on midnight, July 20.

Click here to read more about the project.

Among the channels I’m subscribed to, I must say Disney Channel is one of my favorites. I love watching HSM, or teen sitcoms like Hannah Montana or That’s So Raven. Well, I even liked Zoey 101, but hey, that’s not on Disney Channel.

Anyways, for me they’re just entertaining — not the sort of films to be taken seriously. But now as a mom-to-be, I can’t help but wonder why do those kids always seem to choose the same old path?

Let’s see, how many (ex) Disney girls can you name? Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens —

By 15 they’d reach the peak of fame with their squeaky clean images. Then they would do one or more of these things: leaking naked pictures of themselves, getting a few DUI charges, going to rehab — you get the picture.

In their sophomore works, in an attempt to ditch their Disney star images, they’d exploit their sexuality. Calling their new look as their real selves, good girl gone bad, or ’sexual revelation’, like Xtina does. It always works, you know.

Miley Cyrus, following the infamous vow of Britney Spears, has stated to stay virgin until she weds. With her saucy pictures floating on the net, I don’t think the poor lass really understood what she has said.

Hilary Duff is so far the only one who could resist those temptations. But if I had daughter, I still wouldn’t let her to act as a ’slutty pop star’ like Duff did, even for a role. You do what you do, it doesn’t matter if it’s only a movie or not.

Maybe children should rather stick to Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, and leave the teen sitcoms to their mommies.

A while ago I received an email from my brother-in-law in Indonesia. He’s a communication lecturer, and currently writing his master’s thesis in a local university. He said he’s offered a scholarship abroad after graduating to upgrade his skill. As he’s very much committed to his profession, he plans to grab the opportunity.

His biggest concern is that he’d have to leave his family. Without doubt, when one’s married, family is a top priority. Therefore, though universities in the USA and UK receive more recognition in Indonesia, his first choice would be Australia or Singapore, since the two countries are not too far.

But what can’t be solved nowadays? Thanks to the miracle that is internet, distance learning would be the best solution for him. By opting for one, he’d still have some quality time with his family, get to keep his job, and top up his knowledge — all at the same time.

If you’re in the same predicament like my brother-in-law, Online Degree may be the most suitable option. One thing you’d need to make sure beforehand is the credibility of the school.

That being said, Kaplan Open Learning has it all. A UK-based online higher education division, it is an affiliate college of the University of Essex. Thus, it is the responsibility of the University of Essex to assure the quality of the college. When you enroll, you’d become a student of both with full access to their online facilities.

Whether you’re in the UK, Singapore, or on the move, it matters little. All courses are held online to give you the maximum flexibility to study at your convenience.

It offers many different degree programs, including Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Sales Management and Internet Marketing. So, the choice is yours. You might plan to obtain a university Foundation Degree or top up that degree to an Honours Degree.

From what I’ve read further on its website, the college also welcomes all types of financial aid and other scholarships.

Doesn’t it sound good enough for you? If it does, visit kaplanopenlearning.org.uk for more info.