Resurrection v.15

welcoming august...

2010-08-01T11:42:00.001+08:00

Back from nearly 2 months of hiatus, was rotting my life away without any orchestra practice, and ploughing away in combat engineers. it's good to be back, with my orchestra life returning (got much inspirations from nodame cantabile...) The past 2 months were really quite uneventful and boring (except for the World Cup maybe), sort of got lost a bit. But I guess the blogger in me is returning, so look forward to more blogging. Starting with Tanglin Orchestra today, and most probably returning to SNYO rehearsals for this coming concert, in the hope that I can get leave to perform in Dec, it will start to get interesting.

On the anime front, finished a few awesome animes, especially Fullmetal Alchemist, just brilliant. In this period, I finished FMA, One Outs, RideBack, Soul Eater, Baccano!, Angel Beats, Durarara!!, Ookiku Furikabutte, Working!!, FMA, Soul Eater, Baccano! and Durarara!! were especially brilliant. In addition to the ongoing K-On!! (enjoyably light-hearted), Rainbow (kinda emo) and Giant Killing, I have picked up Seikimatsu Occult Academy, Shiki, Mitsudomoe, the latter being just really funny. This season is kinda weak compared to previous seasons, but guess it will have to do. As for older series I am picking up, Mushishi.

For the manga, with the imminent closure of OneManga, my manga fix is bound to get more delayed and limited, will have to source around to get my weekly fix of One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Fairy Tail, Bakuman. May pick up Katekyou Hitman Reborn soon...

Here looking forward to an amazingly awesome August...

1 more week...

2010-06-06T12:33:00.000+08:00

Finally we are into the last week of the SCS Foundation Term, then it is a 4 day break. This week was pretty slack, some UO and then SOC, which I sadly could not pass due to the low wall. Nothing interesting this week really. Had our night out on Thursday, where we went to watch The Nightmare on Elm Street, which is really just one big joke. Got our photo, which is not much special. I guess I am just hoping to get posted to a (not so intensive) unit, but I am not very optimistic about it. Being such an uneventful week, I guess that's that.

contact....

2010-05-30T17:39:00.000+08:00

Movie spree are in line when I go Malaysia, marathoned through 3 movies, plus another Prince of Persia in cinema today, my mind is going "boom kazam" at the overload of images in my eyes. Sure is tiring. Being NS men I guess dulls one's mind, so much that you just do not know how to spend your rare long weekend anymore.

I found out that Lucky Plaza is some heaven for mobile phone accessories. The number of mobile phone stores there are crazy. I tried to find for screen protectors for my new HTC snap in normal mobile phone stores in shopping centres like Paragon, and they don't even sell those stuff. I just took my pick on any store in Lucky Plaza and they actually have it, though you have to bargain the prices. Next up, mobile phone cover.

Rest of the weekend is pretty much in Malaysia. Went for the NUS Law tea session, but it was more of some law camp orientation stuff (one which I am not involved in), and me going there without much of a clue on the syllabus (being the easy-going go with the flow kind of guy I am) have absolutely no questions whatsoever to ask the deans there. Guess I just went there for the food... Saw Joan and Gabriel (snyo viola mates) on the way to bus-stop, sure made me miss my SNYO days, but it was nice to see them still so welcoming (guess a visit is in order...)

My Windows Live Messenger account just went boomz and I lost all my contacts (god knows for what reason), so I am busy switching over to my new account (xueqiantoh@gmail.com), so if any of you who actually read my blog (dunno which stalker) wants to add me, there it is.

Marathoned through 70 plus chapters of a new manga, Bakuman (story about a duo who is striving to be the number one mangaka in Japan). Really interesting... On a side note, really looking forward to the last chapter of Fullmetal Alchemist in the coming week.

With the anime season ending soon (and the new season not looking too promising...), guess I will be pretty much stuck on the current ongoing series. 5 more for Fullmetal, 4 for Angel Beats and Durarara!!, this is becoming good. As of now, Fullmetal and Rainbow are still tops, but Angel Beats and Durarara!! are really coming strong for their last bits. Giant Killing is consistent, while K-On!! and Working!! is pretty entertaining, and will most probably continue for the summer. For now, rankings are:

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
2. Rainbow
3. Giant Killing
4. Angel Beats
5. Ookiku Furikabutte S2
6. Durarara!!
7. K-On!!
8. Working!!

roughed up... (and some anime snips)

2010-05-23T13:45:00.000+08:00

Finally done with all the high-key events for my SCS foundation term, gone through 2 weeks of intensive action, be it field camp in Tekong, navigation in MacRitchie and Tekong and Grenade firing. Had a real fun time for navi, looking for checkpoints in the forest based on compass, pacer and maps, but really tiring walk. Field camp was quite slack as I was assessed already, but the continuous rain and mud is proving unbearable, with cuts and bruises to boot. At least now I can take a breather and look forward to a short week next week, out on thursday woots.

Got rejected for NUS scholarship, oh wells tough luck I suppose. Just have to try harder. Weekends now are so aimless, without SNYO or outings with friends. I should start finding productive stuff to do. But I am glad that life is still bearable for now.

On the anime side of things, Fullmetal Alchemist is already reaching its climax with the conclusion near, Durarara!! is getting me hyped up again with the imminent final fight, Rainbow continues to amaze me with its strong emotive storyline, and Angel Beats continues to build up its tension, coupled with its brilliant animation to boot. It has been a great season so far, as I look forward to the last month of it. Hope it impresses...

Field Camp, Law and whatnots....

2010-05-09T17:37:00.000+08:00

After a 2-week hiatus, I am back, with new presents from Field Camp. I must say the Singapore Jungle is one treacherous, pour in the rain and blazing hot sun, it is one hell of an experience. Heat rash, abrasion, numerous ant bites (with my deformed hand now), sunburns, it is hell lot of pain. Having to jungle bash in wet boots with all these ailments is also quite unpleasant, that is not accounting the bulky weight of the weapon. But getting the chance to be assessed for my leadership skills over my men is an enriching one, one which I felt I did pretty well, giving orders, briefing and leading them to jungle bash and overrun enemies is fun. But sure is tiring, just need a good rest, but there is 2 more weeks of hell ahead...

On a separate note, I came home with the pleasant news of getting accepted into Law. It certainly surprised me, given how I did had much hope and expectations after my interview, but knowing this sure took a lot off my chest, less pressure already... Thanks so much for everything, for all the friends and teachers who supported me, this really is a great surprise...

And I finally got my new HTC Snap phone, though I do not have much time to fiddle around with it yet, gotta book in soon. Till then, cya...

first week at SCS

2010-04-25T11:23:00.001+08:00

Finally back on Singapore main island, no more Tekong nonsense. SCS so far has been quite slack, with lots of lectures and stuff. We got dumped this huge pile of books on the first day, and there was just lectures on the different weapons and navigaton. Got into Delta company, and really glad that my PC cum PWO is actually quite a nice guy. There was a lot more freedom, like no need to echo out, possible nights out, more canteen break and e-mart visit, no more friggin short hair. The only complaint, a lot less admin time, as our CSM keeps having long night briefings... Some familiar faces, so not that bad. The bunk now have single beds and we have more cupboards. It is kinda weird without any sergeants guiding us, and we are pretty much on our own when it comes to duties like platoon sergeants and parade sergeant majors in reporting strength and disseminating info. Got my rank, SCT, which is like three white half-chevron stripes (yay...) Had IPPT cat, which I got gold for (scraped...) and was surprised to know there were only 5 golds in my platoon (though it had a whole truckload of silvers...). SOC next week, which I can't forsee myself passing and the actual IPPT, which I hope I get gold, so I can get that bonus 200 bucks and forget about RT for the rest of my 8 weeks.

Weekend was kind of boring. Went to watch Kick-Ass, which is just quite good for cheap thrills I guess. Explored Circle Line, where the stations are pretty *well* "pretty". Pardon my obsession with Singapore's MRT system. This is what it will look like eventually (muses....)

This picture is partially my own creation, based on information that was already announced. New lines include:

Circle Line extension from Promenade Station to Marina Bay

Extension of North South Line by 1 station after Marina Bay to new International Cruise Terminal (est.2014)

Extension of East-West Line after Joo Koon to Tuas Checkpoint with 4 stations (est.2015), with a Tuas South extension from the station after Joo Koon by 2 stations (est.2023)

Downtown Line from Bukit Panjang to Chinatown, with Interchanges at Bukit Panjang LRT, Botanic Gardens, Newton, Little India, Bugis, Promenade, Bayfront and Chinatown confirmed.

Downtown Line east section from Chinatown to Expo, with Interchanges at Rochor, Macpherson, Tampines and Expo in discussion.

Circle Line extension between Harbourfront and Marina Bay, passing by Keppel Bay and Shenton Way in discussion.

Thomson Line with 18 stations (est.2018) from Woodlands, past Ang Mo Kio down to Marina Bay

Eastern Region Line (est.2020) with 12 stations from Marina Bay to Changi Ferry Terminal, past Marine Parade, Tanjong Rhu and Siglap planned.

Well looking forward to another week at SCS then. 1 weeks down....

anime snips: fullmetal and rainbow musings...

2010-04-25T09:50:00.002+08:00

After accompanying my little sis on her marathon of 53 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episodes, the production quality, the immaculate storyline and well-developed characters really struck me. It made me really appreciate just how great this anime have been, and certainly, the epic finale just cannot come soon enough. It has definitely shot right into contention for me top 3 animes ever, which includes the likes of Cross Game, Code Geass and Ouran. The latest episode finally served up the big showdown between Roy Mustang and Envy, and it is just exhilarating to see how Envy just gets burned and burned over and over again. The finale also threw up many cliffhangers, something that has been a mainstay of the series. Just watch it...

On a separate note, the other series are not that bad. Rainbow is fast rising up the charts for this season's anime, with its tense emotional moments that just grips your heart. Lost track of Senkou no Night Raid for a while as I catch up on the 2007 series Soul Eater, which itself is just standard Bones Animation weirdness, and sort of reminds me of FLCL. Ookiku Furikabutte is back to its intricate detailed best in terms of baseball action, unparalled by any other series, as Nishiura takes on the next team, Sakitama, who has one unsure pitcher and with effectively, only 1 great batter. Giant Killing still has that "something epic will come" feeling, while K-On!! and Working!! continues to serve up some light-hearted goodness. Angel Beats have became a tad disappointing, with its lack of a strong captivating storyline, and I hope that it will improve.

Rainbow OP "We're not alone" by coldrain

Till next week, tahdah...

Freedom week...

2010-04-18T23:03:00.000+08:00

One week on freedom, pretty measly for out busy lives. But I accept it with great glee. Most of the week was more about worrying about NUS law interview, but all attempts at preparation eventually came to nought. I thought the essay test was fine, though I am sure I had lots of breadth but lack in explaining reasons properly. Coming up with a criteria to select candidates for organ transplant is sort of interesting, but my grammar went awry as I started trying to squeeze out more brain juices.

Interview was gah terrible. I am pretty sure I was not talking fluently enough and spent too much time thinking and staring into blank space. I practically stoned for half a minute when asked to talk on a legal issue I have read, and eventually I shot myself in the foot for choosing religious issues. "A religious organization promises path to heaven for money. Should the law intervene?" I kept running out of ideas and did not make my stand clear, and it eventually went to a discussion on whether the legalization of casinos is correct. Talked about the "exclusion order" (could not even remember the exact term and needed prompting from interviewer), and was asked whether should apply to alcoholics and shopaholics. I zonked out literally.

Ok away from the interview, just hoping for the best already. 1 in 4 chance. Last sunday was platoon chalet outing, was not that bad, but did not enjoy myself that much. Kinda boring. Tuesday, went out for dinner with Ruiting, Ivan, Sabby and Zhefei. Interesting to know their experiences now, and nice to see them again after such a long time. Wednesday went back to visit chamber. The standards are still ok (maybe not as good as before, but they are trying), had fun talking with my juniors, after which went for dinner with Yuze and Xiang, talked lots about university plans, and even had a chat with our RI teacher Mr Ong. Thursday was movie outing with Benjamin, Nicholas and Kenneth to watch Shutter Island. A mind-boggling experience, really "deep and cheem" but nice cinematography nonetheless. Looking forward to watching Kick-Ass, Ip Man 2 and Iron Man 2. Then met up with Sergeant Joshua, and Jason, Wei Cong and Jon Lau for crab dinner. 3 1.5kg crabs of different flavors is crazy, but it was really delicious.

Overall, it was a fun week, but now I have get back to army mood. Next phase of life in SCS, training to be sergeants, my dream destination actually (thank god not OCS). Hope to meet more new friends and fun experiences. Only miss was that I can't believe I actually forgot cleanly about exploring the new circle line (duh....)

anime snips: first impressions

2010-04-10T16:18:00.003+08:00

The new season sure have some great offerings and certainly, most of the first episodes, or even the on-running animes, did not disappoint. Angel Beats was just standard Key animation beauty (from Kanon and Clannad), with a good mix of action, emotion and humour. K-On!! 2nd season came back with much clearer animation quality, yet with the same light hearted humour and warm fuzzy fun, and new songs which are really unique. Giant Killing had a nice premise which certainly grasped my interest, with a new manager coming back to coach a lousy team through unique methods to conquer larger teams. Ookiku Furikabutte is back with its intense baseball matches, with the first episode offering in-depth analysis and reflection of the first season, and gave off a sense of new hope. Fullmetal Alchemist is back with more gripping action from start to finish and is already running away with the "best anime of the season" accolade, while Durarara!! is back with more twists and uncertainty which keeps you wanting more.

New openings are quite varied. Angel Beats opening by Lia has that mystical element to it (who also sang the openings for Clannad), Fullmetal Alchemist's new opening by SID has an emotional feel to it, a significant shift from the previous opening, Period. K-On!! new opening is fast paced, but takes some time to get used to. Ookiku Furikabutte's new opening is pleasant to listen to, while Durarara!! new opening is suitable but I still prefer the first. Well, here are the videos, take it as a sample for the anime...

Angel Beats OP "My Soul, Your Beats!" by Lia

Fullmetal Alchemist OP5 "Rain" by SID

K-On!! 2nd Season OP "GO! GO! MANIAC" by Aki Toyosaki, Yoko Hisaka, Satomi Satou, Minako Kotobuki and Ayana Taketatsu

Ookiku Furikabutte 2nd Season OP "Natsuzora" by Galileo Galilei

Durarara!! OP2 "Complication" by ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D

pop-ing (fainting parade)

2010-04-10T15:05:00.000+08:00

After 24km of hard marching in the rocky terrains and sweltering heat, our pyjamas soaked in sweat, we finally came to the day where we leave Pulau Tekong hand in hand, proud to declare ourselves "trained soldiers". 17 weeks passed, and I am sure to miss my section mates and commanders like Sergeant Yee Jek and Joshua. It has been tiring yet fun, but POP was certainly a proud moment, and I am sure there is much to look forward to in the months to come. Bye to Pulau Tekong for now, Pte Toh is off to fresher greens. Now it is time to take a well-earned one-week break (or maybe not with lots of clearing and interviews to prep). Photos away...

Anime Snips: winter season review and spring preview

2010-04-03T11:55:00.006+08:00

With the end of the winter anime season and the beginning of the spring anime season, I guess there is no better time to introduce this new weekly section of my blog on my anime fetishes. The past season have offered much great entertainment, with a few great animes over a wide range of variety, from the slice-of-life action of Cross Game, the suspense of The Book of Bantorra and Fullmetal Alchemist, or the slapstick humour of Baka Test, it was certainly fulfilling as I look forward to a great spring season ahead.

I watched 8 different anime in the winter season, which offered quite a variety of good shows. The winner for the best show for me was a close fight between Cross Game and Fullmetal Alchemist. Although Fullmetal Alchemist is still ongoing, it has shown great potential with a captivating storyline and great heart-gripping action yet a adequate humour at times, however I feel Cross Game edged it out a little due to its brilliant slice-of-life story and the fine subtle details that makes for a great storyline, as we can feel with the characters as we followed the main protagonist, Kitamura Ko's aim to reach to Koushien to fulfil Wakaba's final dream.

Armed Librarians: The Book of Bantorra came in a distinct third, just because it is clearly better than the rest in terms of its deep storyline and attention to detail when developing its characters. It is an underrated series which is definitely worth a watch. Durarara has a cool concept of how technology and networking have brought the world closer to us, yet bringing us into the cool behind-the-scenes world of our busy city life. It is still ongoing, but kudos must be given to its refreshing concept. Baka Test to Shoukanjuu (Idiots, Tests and Summoned Beings) is the humour show of the season, in how it portrays the idiocy of the main protagonist as he strived to help others and engage in summoned battles with other classes based on test scores in order to obtain better classroom conditions. Sounds weird, but it is worth watching just for laughs, that being said, it is still unable to reach the heights of Ouran.

The last 3 series failed more because it just did not had a great storyline or did not fulfil its potential. Letter Bee had to many fillers, but has great potential and the 2nd seasons will be worth watching. Nodame Cantabile Finale finished off the romance series between 2 musicians as they pursue their musical dreams, but felt a little rushed and never really hit the heights of the first season, especially with its anti-climatic ending. Ookami Kakushi had potential but just never had enough action or depth to captivate me.

So here are the scores, and I feel that if anything, the first 3 series are definitely worth watching, overall scores are given (with scores on story, animation, characters, music respectively given in parentheses) all out of 10:

1: Cross Game 10/10 (10/8/10/8)
2: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood 9.5/10 (10/9/8/8)
3: Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra 9/10 (9/8/9/9)
4: Durarara! 8/10 (9/8/8/8)
5: Baka Test to Shoukanjuu 7.5/10 (8/8/8/9)
6: Letter Bee 6.5/10 (7/9/8/7)
7: Nodame Cantabile Finale 6.5/10 (7/8/8/8)
8: Ookami Kakushi 6/10 (6/8/7/9)

In terms of older series I have picked up, I have started watching Higurashi no Naku Koro ni seasons (which is definitely creepy and the mysteries mind-boggling), Umineko, Kuroshitsuji, Ookiku Furikabutte and Soul Eater, which have enjoyed good reviews. I have also watched 2 more Makoto Shinkai's works (in addition to Byousoku 5 Centimetres), Voices of a Distant Star is quite good, but I think The Place Promised in Our Early Days is amazing, especially the story and animation, just stunningly beautiful.

For the Spring 2010 season, I will be picking up 6 series (maybe more...) but it definitely looks to have potential. K-On will be back for a second season, and I look forward to more light-hearted moments to ease my mind. Working! will also be another light-hearted series to fulfill my humour needs after Ouran, Seitokai no Ichizon and Baka Test. Baseball action resumes with the second season of Ookiku Furikabutte to replace Cross Game, while I will pick up Giant Killing which is about soccer. Angel Beats is a lot to look forward to, particularly since it is from Key (who brought us Haruhi Suzumiya, Kanon and Clannad) as well as P.A Works (who brought Canaan and true tears), and Senkou no Night Raid is the action series which will replace Book of Bantorra. With the ongoing Fullmetal Alchemist and Durarara!, these will fulfil my anime fix for the next 3 months at least.

There's a lot to look forward, here's me signing off for now...

BMT reflections

2010-04-03T10:44:00.000+08:00

1 week left to my passing-out parade (sounds like a catastrophic event where everyone faints, weird...) where I can finally leave the island of Pulau Tekong for good. Looking back, I realize I have definitely came a long way from the bumbling boy who enlisted 16 weeks ago.

I remembered splurging on KFC on almost a daily basis during the holidays, to the extent I was a whopping 77kg when I enlisted. I strived to lose weight as my main aim for BMT, might as well use the extra PTP phase for some good fitness training. I could not do a single pull-up, so my aim is just to pass IPPT, but my how I have changed....

16 weeks on, I am now a lean mean 64kg, thanks majorly to the daily minimum 7km runs I did in my free time, especially in the first few weeks. I can now do 11 pullups, and slashed my 2.4 timing from 12.47 to almost 9 minutes flat. I have attained a gold in IPPT, and done my Standard Obstacle Course in 6.23 (although I failed to scale the low wall, a minor blemish). I survived the 16km route march while pushing the guy in front of me almost all the way. I survived field camp and SIT test, and I guess I can proudly say I have certainly improved a lot, made many new friends and had a great time. I will miss the time here, but I certainly look forward to the next phase with renewed confidence.

Thanks so much for all the great times I have had, especially my buddies there. 1 week on, let us proudly throw our caps in the air and declare "POP loh...".

Embracing a New Phase

2010-04-03T10:15:00.000+08:00

To embrace my new life in NS, I have redesigned my blog again, with a tinge of greenish hue to suit the nature like feel of NS. Hope you guys like the fresh simplicity of it.

Here forth, I will post weekly updates of my life in NS (though top secret info must not be leaked). There will also be weekly reviews of the anime I watch (in line with my interests...) It will not be as fruitful, since NS life is pretty much quite boring anyway. Feel free to read whenever you like.

Hence, here's wishing all of you a great year ahead.

Bye, for now...

2009-12-11T00:37:00.001+08:00

So here I go, National Service, to serve my country and men, to sweat and bleed. May we meet again. Blog will be updated, albeit on a more inconsistent basis. Do feel free to message me since phones are allowed. I will try not to scare all of you with pictures of the bald me...

The weekend...

2009-12-07T22:40:00.006+08:00

This has been a crazy weekend, first there was prom on saturday, then class chalet on monday, which I truly regretted for not being able to go and spend an awesome night of fun with my class on sunday. But anyway, I am just really tired now.

Prom was awesomelicious, with the good food (which I made sure to make all my money worth), and of course, meeting up with friends in their most suave and beautiful looks. Everyone was dressed up real neat (some girls were nearly unrecognizable...) but all in all, it was great fun. Not to forget, some pics...

Class photo

I could only go for chalet today, when everyone was shagged from a long night of madness and fun, which I missed (arghzzzz...) We ended up kind of slacking around, playing a little bit of soccer and bridge. But it was a really cool chalet, I felt almost at home. I guess 7A is just that awesome.

3 days to enlistment, when I will take long irregular breaks from blogging, do read on weekends ( I will try to post...). Will miss my friends, family and civilization altogether. Till then, we shall part...

SNYO concert...

2009-12-05T15:41:00.002+08:00

Went for my first ever SNYO concert as an audience yesterday, my am I impressed. We actually sounded really good. Nice to see the viola section clearly, since we usually sit on the inside. And Yousuke Kawasaki is brilliant. Had a masterclass under him for principal quartet, which he was really good and detailed, but his playing is gosh, he made it look so easy. Effortless, yet amazing. It truly made me feel like playing it all over again. I will definitely try to find time to play in SNYO during NS, but not sure about the march concert though, coz god knows how long before I will get weekend breaks during BMT. We'll see, really missed all you violists....

Honestly, I should be prepping for prom now, but I don't really know what the big fuss is about. The so-called "prom mood". I wonder what is that. Oh wells, I am going there for the dinner (hopefully it has good food...). Well, till next time then...

Almost over...

2009-11-22T22:12:00.008+08:00

Freedom beckons (in approximately 17 hours time). Hard to imagine that all 12 years of kiddy-teenage school life is leading up to this moment. The thought of it is just so awesomely cool, with a tinge of longing... (Hmm lemme fish out some class photos... random...)

Primary 6 (I look really nerdy...)

Secondary 2 (Gosh I think shorts look weird)

Secondary 4 (Long pants still better)

JC2

Nice to hear how some girls are already prepping for prom. Me, I am no fashionista, my wardrobe is filled with T-shirts and jeans, and the fact that the only decent formal attire I have is my usual concert attire, quod erat demonstradum... Anyway, guess I should go find a long sleeve coloured shirt at the very least... In fact, I can't even remember when is the prom, gosh...

Found this random excerpt on very random search topics on search engines on a blog (http://psgels.blogsome.com/)...

anime girl with 5 different personalities - Schizophrenia, anyone?

anime in which a star turns into a skateboard? - Oh god, please no!

anime were can i buy paprika - at the local supermarket?

how to blog anime - Go to wordpress.com, register and start writing

how to make an anime with you as the star - You really don’t want that to happen.

sky bolg of nice girl - Even though this is a typo, I have no idea what this guy was trying to find with this term…

what does 3 year anniversary mean - That something is three years old, idiot.

what season is august in - You seriously needed to search for this?

26 + 74 = one hundred - Erm… thank you for this piece of information…

japan, producing of the worlds weirdest shit since 1952 - Certainly!

a 13 to 15 line paragraph on how i betrayed my best friend - Write it yourself, how should I know about that friend of yours?

a anime where you can see girls - You’re going to have to be a bit more specific than that. ;)

i will force that reasoning aside with my unreasonableness - I like this one.

when did june start 09 - Um… on June 1st, 2009?

a letter to have good first impression from a nice girl - Again, write one yourself.

at the beginning, to begin with, afterwards, finally, after a while - Get on with it!

i have a great idea for an anime but don’t know what to do with it - Here’s my advice: just go sit in a corner, and wait until the idea goes away.

i’m not fully understood - Who is?

interesting metallic thing - I really wonder what this guy was hoping to find when he typed this in…

what’s the weird anime that anne is not telling me about - … no comment.

“parents are still alive”, anime - That’s rare…

Seriously, weird people...

YEAH, I will be free soon... muahaha....

Nearly done...

2009-11-19T21:16:00.002+08:00

A levels are nearly over, and I am already starting to miss JC life. As all my "last" papers whooshed by (maths, history, GP...), I don't even know what to feel already. Revision for A levels is feeling so pointless and surreal, I am more like toiling and dragging my feet pass, rather than hyping up for the next paper with fervent revision. The papers feels totally sub-standard (not sure if it is the difficulty of the paper or just me...) Maths was fine, Chem pretty good, Hist is more about hoping for some IHist salvation, Econs is just crap (lost motivation and my train of thought halfway through the paper), I don't even know what kind of planning is going thru my mind and ideas were just coming out in a mush (like lack of paragraphs...) I give up, it will be bad. Econs case study is like 30% prep will help only, and chem MCQ (honestly can't care anymore...)

Gosh I am ranting, let it be done...

NS arghz....

2009-10-19T18:03:00.006+08:00

I finally got the dreaded enlistment letter. 11 december, that is when I will say farewell and embrace my new abode, Pulau Tekong. So yeah, sayonara to freedom then, garhzzz...

Pretty uneventful day besides going for viola lesson and doing June and November 2007 Chem papers, exams are boring....

Getting hooked onto J-pop again. But I guess my favorite band now is still Stereopony, a 3-member all girls band from Okinawa. Love their new single, Tsukiakari no Michishirube, which is also the new OP for Darker Than Black II. Their previous singles include Namida no Mukou (Gundam 00 OP4) and Hitohira no Hanabira (Bleach ED15). Here are some links to their PVs...

Namida no Mukou

Hitohira no Hanabira

Last...

2009-10-16T22:42:00.006+08:00

And so as the ceremony ends, the streamers have fallen, the curtain falling one last time as we make our final bow on our own stage, leaving our footprints, we approach our destinies in the A levels, and whatever our future may await... Though I had not the chance to go up on stage in a blazer blazed in all glory, thanks to the oh-so-commendable efficiency of the school, I count myself blessed for having got the chance to get my Commendation Award and being able to stand where others will yearn for, although a tinge of sadness still overcomes me.

To my teachers, thanks so much for everything. Over these two years, I really came to appreciate how teachers are just so important to our lives, and where would we be without them? I will never forget Ms Chia's cheerfulness yet caring style of teaching, Ms Ng Mei Sze's ng-mei-szing and wittiness, with sarcasms and intelligence so perfectly blended that I guess nothing will ever beat it, Mrs Tan's constant encouragements and how she tolerated with the nonsense our class offered, Ms Ng Siew Cheng's systematic and detailed approach to teaching, though she can be over fussy and critical at times, Mr Kwok's quirkiness and the constant exasperation we feel sometimes over our confusion, and of course, Mr Faizad, who truly brought sarcasm to a whole new level... Thanks for all your patience and care, I will never forget...

And to my classmates, what would JC be without them. I really liked my class, hanging out with them was never a boring moment. While I may have had to put up with the nonsense nicknames they throw at me, I guess without it, 7A just won't be 7A. We are really "cool" people, I mean how many people will take 2 humanities and 2 science subjects?? There are the muggers, like the trio and the ever famous Puahzz.. that just made me admire in awe, the really vocal ones like Sam and the Abigails, the guys who never fails to come up with something quirky and wacky, Timothy with his endless barrage of jokes, the other girls who I don't really talk to much but so integral to what 7A is, and friends like Samantha, Vionna, Sabrina, Zhefei and Yik Sin whom I could confide in and talk to. 7A rocks, and nothing beats us...

But now I face 23 days of mundanity, like the incessant chemistry mugging (which I finally completed my crazy 102 structured qns and 176 MCQs today) and the rest... oh spare me the agony. But this is our calling, a puzzle which unlocks the gates of the unknown beyond, a mountain we must scale, a sea we must sail, in order to get to the greener pastures (can see the jokes coming in already...) on the other side. After all, as we Rafflesians believe in and stand firm by, Auspicium Melioris Aevi, the hope of a better age...

(credits to Eugene and Huiyan for the photos)

life these days...

2009-10-12T20:39:00.002+08:00

Truly, I think studying is a bore... Seriously, this is frustrating... Viola lesson today, nothing much else to say. Weekend is boring.

Okay I ran out of ideas... blah...

this has to be a joke...

2009-10-06T21:36:00.002+08:00

Finally got back my last paper today, after a long day's wait. I was looking for a 31, since I have to be realistic with my CT2 compo being 23, and my compre being hardly decent at only 29. What I got back, was a surprise of crazy proportions... Firstly, I topped the class with a 39, which cannot possibly be possible cause I always had the greatest respect for the very commendable linguistic prowess of some of my classmates and my frequent low grades and poor language (basic grammar mistakes a whole bunch...) is hardly top marks material, much less say an A. Secondly, the highest I ever got was a 33, madness. And a three word remark for an entire compo is something I thought I will never encounter. 3 words, but so unbelievable for my low standards "comprehensive, knowledgable, eloquent". This has got to be a one-off luck, I refuse to believe it. A levels will be different, and I will work harder...

So on the whole, 3 Bs and 2 Cs. Not stunning, not remarkable, but decent I guess. Most disappointed with my Chemistry, and more regrets for my General Paper, but on the whole, the lack of improvement is slightly worrying (3 Bs for maths and history this year, 3 Cs for Econs, and Chemistry and GP fluctuating between A to C). But I will keep fighting on, and ace my Chemistry, get an A for maths (still can't believe I never got 1 in JC), do better for GP and Econs, and History, well whatever fate forbids... Ganbatte...

reflecting...

2009-10-05T22:38:00.006+08:00

So I finally got back all my prelim results (barring my GP paper 1), besides the totally disappointing chemistry result, my other subjects retained virtually almost the same grade, and nearly the same marks. B for maths, B for history, C for economics. It may not sound bad, but seeing how almost half the class (maybe even more...) will get at least one A subject, I really reflect on my lack of effort (totally lamentable...) the past 2 months, when everyone have been working their socks off. I bring about my own downfall, the papers I know I can do, the lack of practice just limited my speed, and thus my time.

Nothing can be a better reflection than through my marks, my math paper 1 was done too slowly, result 56%, then I worked by socks off knowing I already screwed up paper 1, practising almost 4 papers in 1 day, and salvaged a 74%, to even it at 65%. Effort... case in point.

Going on to Economics, the case study demonstrated that I had no lack of skill, getting a commendable 22/30 for my micro case study, but due to my poor time management from a lack of practice, my macro case study died, only 9/30. So much for the difference, a point even pointed out to me personally by my teacher.

Then on to Chemistry, hearing Mrs Tan's already old comment, "Your chemistry foundation is strong, but what happened to you? No more Cs from you," is like just another pang of guilt for me. So much for all the practice, when I cannot even get a basic thing called time management right...

Then on to SEA History, I spent an hour and 15 mins on my source based and reeled off a 21/25, so what? My other essays are nothing short of disappointing, time management once again, so much for the promise shown. 2 C-grade essays just sums up my point.

Another problem will be concise writing. What the prelims make me realise is subconsciously, I already have this skill. But when I try too hard, it will just come out as mindless incoherent dribble, further killing off more trees spewed with large handwriting. 2 International History essays each written in 20 mins, with only barely 3 to 4 pages long with average of 6 words per line got me a 16 and 17 out of 25, while a 45 min essay spewed over 6 pages with relatively neater and smaller handwriting churned out only a 14.

Another case in point, for Economics essay, I rushed through a 12 mark part question in 5 mins (seeing how I only had 15-20 min left for the last essay), written only on 1 and 3/4 page with similarly large handwriting and short paragraphs, got me an 8/12, another one written in 15 mins gave me an 11 out of 15.

Overall, I realise that there really is much to learn, much to reconsider, much to reflect, but no time for regrets. Just have to get myself in line, practise in order to harness any unfulfilled potential into results, to prevent myself from becoming a perennial "exam flop" and further disappoint my parents, teachers, and myself.

Best of Spring/Summer 2009 Anime Season

2009-10-04T23:31:00.002+08:00

So after assessing the ten anime I have watched this season, it is time to sieve out the best of the best moments from this six months. No anime will be complete without a good soundtrack, mouth-watering action scenes, brilliant animation, and of course the awesome endings, so without further ado, these are the best of the best...

Best Action:
1: Canaan
2: Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
3: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Best Animation:
1: Basquash
2: Canaan
3: Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom

Best Comedy: K-On

Best Romance:
1: Kou Kitamura and Tsukishima Aoba (Cross Game)
2: Alicia Melchiott and Welkin Gunther (Valkyria Chronicles)
3: Ein and Zwei (aka Azuma Reiji) (Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom)

Best Opening Song:
1: Romantic Strike (Taishou Yakyuu Musume) by Kanae Itou, Mai Nakahara, Kana Ueda and Mamiko Noto
2: nO limiT (Basquash) by Megumi Nakajima, Haruka Tomatsu and Saori Hayami
3: Asu e no Kizuna (Valkyria Chronicles) by HIMEKA

Best Ending Song:
1: Hitotsu no Negai (Valkyria Chronicles) by Inoue Hikari
2: Let It Out (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) by Miho Fukuhara
3: Futari no Yakusoku (Basquash) by Megumi Nakajima, Haruka Tomatsu and Saori Hayami

Best Insert Song:
1: Running On (Basquash) by Megumi Nakajima, Haruka Tomatsu and Saori Hayami
2: Hoshiwatari (Basquash) by Megumi Nakajima
3: Watashi no Koi wa Hotch-kiss (K-On) by Aki Toyosaki and Yoko Hikasa

Best Overall Soundtrack:
1: Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
2: Basquash
3: Valkyria Chronicles

Best Anime Ending:
1: Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
2: Canaan
3: Valkyria Chronicles

Worst Anime Ending:
1: Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
2: Basquash
3: Taishou Yakyuu Musume

Best Character Development:
1: Mirai (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0)
2: Kou Kitamura and Tsukishima Aoba (Cross Game)
3: Zwei - Azuma Reiji (Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom)

So that's about it for now. Stay tuned for more...

Anime Review: Spring/Summer 2009 Season

2009-10-03T21:52:00.006+08:00

With the end of all of the Spring/Summer 2009 Season Anime, with the exception of Cross Game and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood being the full year series, I would say it has been a fairly great mix of brilliance and excitement. While they may not be able to reach the hype of Code Geass or the emotional depths of series such as Clannad, it did cooked up a whole basket of outstanding animations and deep thoughtful storylines, with the fine touches of realism as well as slapstick humour. So here on, I shall review the 10 series I have watched this 6 months, with the ranking from 10 to 1...

10: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: Season 2

An extension of the successful first season, this new season offered 14 new episodes. While it started off pretty well, with a solid episode of "Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody", what entailed later would go down as one of the greatest farce in anime history - The "Endless Eight" saga. Depicting how Haruhi Suzumiya did not want summer to end, hence subconsciously causing the world to fall into a time loop, it depicted how the main characters repeated the same events over and over again for 10000 over times. How do you make effective deja vu effect? They repeated the same episode 8 times, with only minor changes in detail and a greater sense of deja vu each time. At the end, they really pushed it too far and earned the fury of anime watchers worldwide. After that, it never reached the same heights again. A fairly disappointing season, but the purpose was more of the complete the first season material, so guess the expectations weren't high. A pretty big disappointment...

Number of episodes: 14
Storyline: 5/10
Animation: 7/10
Soundtrack: 6/10

09: Canaan

A story about how a girl with the supernatural power of synesthesia called Canaan, had to fight against a terrorist organization called Snakes, helmed by their leader, Alphard, whom she had a personal grudge against. It had pretty awesome action scenes in their fights, with the element of "coolness" in it. Some solid character development, especially the extremely sadistic Liang Qi and funny YunYun, gave the series something unique. However, the complexity of the storyline, which was not really well-developed and rushed towards the end sort of diminished its brilliant action scenes. Somehow, failed human testing by terrorists who just kind of folded so easily under a character with irregular emotional scenes and virtually imcomprehensible expression just does not cut it for me. A slight disappointment on the whole...

Number of episodes: 13
Storyline: 6/10
Animation: 8/10
Soundtrack: 7/10

08: Taishou Yakyuu Musume

A story situated in the Taishou period of the 1920s, where there was the great modernization period in Japan, it depicted how a team of girls came together to form a baseball team, despite having no prior experience, in order to pit themselves against the boys, so as to break away from the social impression then that girls should be cultured and serve them at home. A pretty refreshing viewpoint, the idea of arranged marriage in anime is still a first for me. To see how there were a mix of girls in kimonos and modern "sailor-style" uniform was a new concept to me. There was good character development on the whole, and you could really empathize with the characters, such that you would actually wish for them to succeed. If there is one downside, it would be that the story was too short, where it seemed that their only focus was to defeat a single boy school which sparked off their determination in the first place, and the lack of emotional highs and lacking the "wow" factor, that will make it standout. But on the whole, a pretty solid and good storyline.

Number of episodes: 12
Storyline: 7/10
Animation: 7/10
Soundtrack: 7/10

07: Valkyria Chronicles

A fictional story based off the PS3 Game of the same title, it focuses on the main lead, Alicia Melchiott's quest in joining the Gallia militia so as to defend her homeland, showing how she, together with the Squad 7, led by Welkin Gunther, use their tactical acumen to defeat the Imperials led by Maximillian. The twist being that Alicia Melchiott was a valkyria, an ancient clan bestowed with otherworldly powers that grants them great military prowess. This show offered a good storyline to develop on, and they sure gave a great emotional ride. The focus on the interactions within Squad 7 is brilliant, and when they win, you really would go "Hell Yeah..." A pretty solid series, but not outstanding. The main grouch being that the main character, Welkin Gunther was poorly developed, portrayed largely too weak and often anonymous. While it deviated much from the actual game storyline, the animators did a fairly good job in my opinion. Also, its brilliant opening and ending songs also offered some plus points. Worth a watch if you do not have others already...

Number of episodes: 26
Storyline: 7/10
Animation: 7/10
Soundtrack: 8/10

06: K-On

Slapstick humour, cuteness, and amateurish musicians pursuing their dream, as we delve into the slice-of-life of a group of 4 girls, pursuing their dream to perform live with their band in the Keionbu (Light Music Club). This light hearted series is the best medicine to a stressful day in school. Whilst not reaching the heights of Ouran, it offers a nice bit of humour that just shows without really trying to. We can laugh out at the antics of them, but at the end of the day, seeing how these 4 girls are able to come together and perform on their stage just gives it that complete package and edge in portraying ordinary students and their many dreams, like many of us. Great to watch over a cup of tea, just try not to splash when you laugh...

Number of episodes: 13
Storyline: 8/10
Animation: 7/10
Soundtrack: 8/10

05: Basquash

Where do I start? My feelings are really mixed on this one. The story is based on how people play basketball using mechas called bigfoots, in a game called Basquash. It revolves around the main lead Dan, as he tries to fulfill the legend as the one who saves the world with the "thunderbolt ball", to save Earthdash from its impending collision with the Moon. Pretty wacky concept, definitely refreshing. While it offered some really good moments, the main problem lacked in consistency, and often so, they tried to pack too much in too little episodes. In the end, many stuff were rushed, which was disappointing given the promise it showed in a number of episodes. The character development was too shallow, but the story just offered that "oomph" feel to it (reminds me of Gurren Lagann). However, the animation was just pretty and just mind blowing and out of this world, clearly the best I have seen among all the animes I have watched before. Also, the talented seiyuu trio of the group Eclipse, offered soundtracks that are catchy and nice to listen to. Overall, this anime is like an unearthed diamond, and while there was potential for it to be great, it just fell short in the end...

Number of episodes: 26
Storyline: 6/10
Animation: 10/10
Soundtrack: 9/10

04: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Having watched the original version of Fullmetal Alchemist, this series is different in that it follows closely to the actual manga, which I am a reader of. What is impressive so far is that it balances out humour, and well as the deep emotional bits almost seamlessly, which gives it that coherent feel without anything being too out of place. So far, it has been a solid series, but the verdict is yet to be out as I will watch how they try to depict the more complex darker bits in the later parts...

Number of episodes: 25 so far (still ongoing...)
Storyline: 9/10
Animation: 8/10
Soundtrack: 8/10

03: Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom

A story on how a mafia group, Inferno, aims to gain control of large mafia groups around the world, through threats from their own trained assassins, named Phantoms. Azuma Reiji was a Japanese tourist, but unwittingly got involved in the dealings of the underground, and got captured, brainwashed and trained by the original Phantom, Ein, and was given the name Zwei. It further dealt with how they were betrayed, and then forced to face off against each other. During which, he took under his wings another young girl, who became Drei after he abandoned her, bent on revenge. Overall, it was a really deep series, with really solid character development, and a deep storyline that will captivate the audience. Seeing how the emotional development of these assassins eventually crushes them from within, and how they are unable to ever escape from the mafia underground even if they wanted to, shows a touch of realism to these series. Definitely worth watching, and one of the best series this season...

Number of episodes: 26
Storyline: 9/10
Animation: 8/10
Soundtrack: 9/10

02: Cross Game

It really is a tough toss-up between the top two, but I guess Cross Game will come in second, more due to it being incomplete and still ongoing. However, it has still been a really promising series so far. The subtle interactions between the two main protagonists, Kou and Aoba, who have much in common but often unreceptive to each other's feelings as they are still being shadowed by Wakaba's death. What gives this series the edge over others is definitely the character development, very subtle yet detailed. Coupled with a solid storyline by Adachi, the latter half of the series is bound to be interesting... The series to look out for in the next half-year.

Number of episodes: 25 so far (still ongoing)
Storyline: 10/10
Animation: 8/10
Soundtrack: 8/10

01: Tokyo Magnitude 8.0

Realistic. For me, as far as anime goes, they are always pretty much fictional, and while they try to be real, it just does not feel that way. But here we have something like a documentary, on a hypothetical situation of an earthquake based on their research, focusing on the story of siblings Yuuki and Mirai, who got caught up in a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. As they try to make their way back to their home with Mari, a passerby who lives close to their home, we truly see how Mirai grows as a person, from one who is always lamenting to one who is caring, and later the psychological shock she have to go through in a cruel twist of fate. More strikingly, it was the amount of detail and focus put on the people around them, to see the real situation of an earthquake, a random person sheltering from the heat, many crying for food, others panicking and causing a stampede. Truly, this is one series who comes once in a long time. A definite must-watch...

Number of episodes: 11
Storyline: 10/10
Animation: 8/10
Soundtrack: 8/10

Certainly has been a great anime season for me, will take a break from anime watching for now, maybe just the weekly dose of Cross Game and Fullmetal Alchemist, but certainly I will be looking forward to The Book of Bantorra and Darker Than Black II after exams are over...

headache...

2009-10-02T20:22:00.003+08:00

First day back at school... Pretty terrible. Got back a few papers, and all of them have been a deprovement from CT2. Arghs... I would not say I am devastated or depressed, more disappointed I guess. Really got to buck up for A levels now. Played soccer, and I think the dehydration is getting to mind now, splitting headaches are annoying...

Got our class photos today. They are pretty nice... Guess I will really miss 7A after JC life is over. Honestly, nothing beats JC life...

5 weeks to A levels...

so it ends...

2009-09-24T21:34:00.003+08:00

I will try not to have any regrets about my prelims. It is over after all, I am pretty sure I will get zero As this time, though I am fairly confident of several Bs. Not the best I could get, but certainly I did not try that hard. In fact, this is my slackest exam preparation ever.... I watched more movies in 3 weeks than I watched in a year (five, The Proposal, Final Destination, The Ugly Truth, G-Force, The Time-Traveller's Wife), I slept more hours than I usually do, I did my whole history syllabus revision in the morning of the exam, only did 2 exam papers for maths, none for the rest, the whole of Econs in one night. Truly, it has been too slack, but I guess it is a good gauge of where my foundation stands now.... not much expectations already, actually I do not even know what will come in the future...

Shan't go into analysing my every subject, overall I am predicting 4 Bs and 1 C. We shall see...

Now I would to get into fitness training mood and practice for my viola diploma exam. Time to dust off the dust from my viola...

random...

2009-09-09T21:42:00.003+08:00

Final Destination is truly a different kind of freaky. I am still sensing things now after watching it, weird... Guess nightmares are in stall tonight...

Turning 18 in 10 days.... though it is kind of an anti-climatic occasion.

cut on the stress...

2009-09-08T22:40:00.002+08:00

Exams... at this point in time, I would just say try my best. In truth, I have never pushed myself in any exams since sec 2, rather, I have always been more motivated in normal school lessons, and tend to burn off where it matters. I have always thought, there is more to life I guess. Just take it in your stride, and everything will be fine...

Went to Compass Point yesterday to see the Gundam exhibition. Having been quite a Gundam fan, it was quite cool to see a Jap anime related exhibition in Singapore. All the cool model kits, history of Gundam and limited edition ones are just too cool. Thought I would post some pics...

Today was largely wrapping up my chem revision, yet to start on history and maths (which in the eyes of most people would spell trouble). Oh wells, no matter, guess I would try my hardest. Watched The Proposal today, quite a nice movie, loved the intrinsic humour in it.

Tomorrow is going to be my one-day math revision. Doing as much as I can, coz really have no time already and I still need to work on History, which is a lot...

busy times...

2009-09-03T22:28:00.002+08:00

An eventful week so far. I originally planned to study econs while in Malaysia for my granddad's death anniversary (had to go do some rites stuff which I don't really understand anyway...). But anyway, the attempt was a pure failure, imagine having to do rites every hour, that is the idea. So turned out, I did not revise econs at all, only read up some of VJC's energetics notes since my cousin was revising it.

I reached home on Monday, and Tuesday essentially was mugging for GP at night. Read up on Arts, but alas, curses there was no such essay question for Paper 1. Arghs... all down the drain. Ended up doing the question on the presence of a strong opposition on a country's progress since I had some basis from my H3, went ranting on Nixon, Castro, Anwar, Chen Shui Bian and Singapore, but not much on Jeyaretnam. Compre was decent except for the AQ, I am predicting a B this time, and should not be too far out.

Then I got my usual bout of flu when I reached home, arghs I am so weak... So I slept till 2am in the morning, and then scribbled loads of notes in the 3 hour period. I thought the case studies were fine, but my usual problem of poor time-planning is still a large obstacle. I guess I can get about 23-25 marks for micro and will be happy if I even reach 10 for macro, considering I crapped thru the 10 mark qn in only 1 page, left out the 4 mark qn, flout through the 8 mark one, and actually calculated the inflation rate for Indonesia instead of Singapore for the 1 mark one (angsts...)

Well guess that a just an appetizer. I have not genuinely start revision on anything (seriously...) and I guess I need some divine help. Have not done a single prelim paper yet, not read thru any history notes, not touched a single maths qn for almost 1 month on my own already. Oh brilliant...

I shall not be too optimistic this time. Aiming for an AABBB (we shall see...)

Retrieved my award for "Meritorious Performance and Excellent Attendance" (what a mouthful...) for SNYO today, guess that is something positive I could reflect on...

Tomorrow will be Chemistry and Maths... till next time...

Last...

2009-08-28T22:35:00.003+08:00

Today is most probably the last day I have proper lessons in JC already. How nostalgic... I just realized that while lessons weren't fun, they were memorable due to what goes on during it. The class dynamics, those who speak more and makes you go wow, they are like a walking encyclopedia, those who are passively quiet, and those who jokes a lot and lightens up the atmosphere. It has been nice... so let us all work hard for prelims and A levels.

Went to Shokudo at Raffles City for SNYO viola outing at night, also as a farewell party for Jieying who is leaving for UCL. Quite some time I have not seen them, makes me want to go back for rehearsals. It was great fun, really nice to see how bonded our section is, although we only meet up like twice a week. Had some nice Jap food, before squeezing the eleven of us into a neoprint booth. First time taking neoprints, I think it is really quite fun, though I don't like the idea of small photos. And by some rare coincidence, we met Judy (my viola teacher) there, and since like nearly 3/4 of us are her students or ex-students, it was really quite funny. Can't wait for A levels to end so I can go back for SNYO...

Will be away for next 2 days in Malaysia for some family business (not that I want it, considering I am really behind on my revision...)

Liberation... (for a while at least...)

2009-08-27T23:32:00.003+08:00

GOSH I COMPLETED BY H3 ESSAY....

Honestly, I am still in a state of disbelief at this overwhelming achievement for me. Thank god I pulled through and survie. It was crazy, as my grammar was WAY WAY BAD. Did not help that my Microsoft Word is starting to crash at random times frequently, and my comp is going freaky.

But at least it is finally done. Bye bye to Jeyaretnam and LKY from my mind, as I prepare for the next challenge, PRELIMS....

Garh...

2009-08-25T20:50:00.002+08:00

My old blogskin went screwy, as the template pic exceeded some photobucket bandwidth limit or something. Hence I went to haphazardly find this neat black and white skin and just tinkered a little with the html, and walah, there it is... So yeah, just bear with it :)

Ok back to work... (why am I even wasting my time on html in the first place...)

Personality...

2009-08-24T23:27:00.007+08:00

微笑醒了　微風吹過了　陽光灑滿白色窗口
閉上眼睛　會聽見一首歌　你猜心跳唱些什麼

想起你了　想起花開了　單純的快樂不必選擇
未來如何　現在不急著預測　自然而然就夠了

親手走過　每一段路　都有畫面　值得去感動

- 蔡淳佳 <风铃>

How apt... no matter how the future will be, there is no need to predict it now, just take it naturally, and appreciate the sceneries around you now...

Just got back my PSC personality profile, I find it amusing accurate yet so generic. Aesthetically sensitive, versatile and open to new ideas, respond well in times of rapid change. Yet I perfer a leisurely pace to life and work, but daring person who likes challenging and stimulating environments. An very deliberate and prudent person who is not hasty, yet easy-going person who resists provocation and is slow to anger. More of a loner than a people person.

How so very apt... I do procrastinate, but I am conscientious. And if I do not resist provocation, I would most probably have broke down already for all the shit I get in school. Guess it is always part of being me :)

Ok gotta turn in for a really short night siesta, before graining myself with the edits for my H3 essay. Good riddance...

That's a wrap...

2009-08-22T17:39:00.005+08:00

So that's like a freakin eleven days gone without blogging, in case if you are wondering whether I have just went "poof" (the way Slughorn expresses it in HBP), NO! I am still here.

Actually, I was mostly rotting away in the national libray (Mugging? No Sirree...) It was all for that bane of my very existence, History (as Nic Hsien can testify so...), more specifically H3 history. At least it stands at 4.5K words, which is not good coz I have a whole thousand words to cut, that is like banishing this whole nearly 1/4 of my essay into the "poof" bin. Arghs.... (I suspect I am one of the latest, if not the last, person to have a consultation...ouch...)

So yeah, it is nearly on the dawn of week nine already (holycamoly...) and my progress is like 2.33333333333% plus whatever latent hidden memory in the hard drive of my brain, which is somewhat omnipresent (kind of like it is there but not in concrete form, a spirit of sorts...). I was planning to start mugging (no thanks to H3...), am starting to mug, and will mug (hopefully...) to score some decent grades for prelims. Well, at least my reputation is not at stake (coz i don't have one to begin with...) so less with the stress, absolved from the curse of the deans' list. But still, Econs and Chemisty will be tops this week, I would not bother planning, coz it will most probably be degenerated (no not the 3d orbitals type of degenerate...) into a pile of dust waiting to be cleaned up on the back of my mind.

On a more positive note, I actually topped my class for chem lecture test with a nearly 80%, how I got it honestly is beyond me, baffling coz I really really did not study, and I truly was angsting (more sincerely than I usually do) before the test. The mysteries of life I guess, but as they say luck only brings you so far, get to work man...

OH AND I JUST GOT MY HIGH SCORE OF 5 FOR HEARTS... WOOTS... (irony...)

Had SEA history lecture today, I am really gonna miss Ms Ng's lectures. While she may not have been the best teacher I've had, she certainly is the most intelligent one ever, by a long mile. Thanks for everything, I will try my best not to disappoint. Then went to Pizza Hut for the pasta with Timo, Abby, ZF and Ewen. Not bad but the servings are way too small.... That practically sucked up whatever morsel is left in my wallet. Then went to national library with Abby and mugged a fair bit of chem (though there were like no tables, and we were seating on the seats along the gallery, before we got chased away by the ever famous oh-so-responsible "security" people (seriously what is the point of a library if you are not allowed the space to study...) So we sort of trekked to Iluma, had some ramen, and talked about random stuff, like psychology (no, not some pro out-of-the-world theories), class stuff and the weird antics of people.

Well, I have an obligation to complete my chem tuition book on 2005-2008 prelim questions consisting of 115 pages of it from stoichio to reaction kinetics, better get down to work, not that it is impossible :)

On a side note, I really got to salute Usain Bolt, the ultimate idol. Another 2 world records in the 100m and 200m being utterly smashed, broken, disintegrated, torn apart with all the remains of the past poofing into vanishment. 9.58 and 19.19, exactly what is the human limit...

H3 craze...

2009-08-11T19:56:00.003+08:00

The long weekend was largely devoted to hours holing up in the National Archives and LKC Reference Library, piling through hours of audio recordings and old newspaper articles dating back to the 1980s. Found a really good book for my topic, but due to sensitivity issues, it can only be found in the reference library. Drats. So there I was, frantically typing everything in my computer till closing time. I guess my views on Singapore politics will never be the same again after this.

GP lessons are like getting more sarcastic than ever. All the "Is it the..." and crazy stuff like:
Mr Faizad: How does removing the last paragraph affect the essay?
Nick Yun: It makes it shorter.
and wacky quotes like, " Philosophy bakes no bread, but it enriches the meal of life." which kind of makes no sense.

Chemistry test was decent, considering I did not study for it at all, but could have been better. Really sleepy now, 2 hours of sleep can kills... Well till next time...

Chamber concert...

2009-08-06T17:47:00.001+08:00

What an experience.... my first time performing in a quartet for a concert, my gosh, it really can be scary. While it was not the best performance, I guess I could be pretty satisfied for a first try. Thanks for all the encouragement and compliments, hope it was great for all of you. Playing in this quartet has been a pleasant experience, though I was a little older, we got on pretty well. Glad to have worked with some really good players, kudos to Davin, Lanabel and Melissa. It has also been a great honour to work with the T'ang quartet, especially Lionel and Chek Meng, who were really patient and a great help.

Oks time for some serious business over the long weekend. Guess I need not say what about...

Another week...

2009-08-03T21:13:00.002+08:00

Still suffering from the sore throat and cough from last Tuesday... oh wells...

Another busy week ahead, maybe that is an understatement. Seeing how others have started their revision already, man i sure want to start too. But with chamber concert and H3 history not done yet, I find myself in the weird position of so wishing to mug but yet I cannot. Oh darn priorities...

But why complain, at least I have this incessant headache to keep me preoccupied. I really want to miss school, yet I am still dragging myself there. My uncontrollable desire to study? a feeling of guilt... I dunno...

Thinking...

2009-07-30T22:03:00.002+08:00

As I search through my memories for all the various arts-related activities I have been involved, I realized I truly had a really wonderful time dabbling in the arts. SNYO sure has offered me many opportunities to expose myself, be it the usual concert, chamber performances, or performing for events like AYG opening, Intl Ministers of Education Dinner, or for President's Annual Ambassadors' Reception, that's really a mouthful, not to exclude the wonderful Italy Trip. Chamber also got GWH at SYF, and had the CHanZZ concert, together with interhouse musicfeste and ACM Kangxi exhibition performance, I have immersed in like this whole mishmash of cultural music. Together with the charity performance at Heartstrings 09 and volunteering for Chingay, the largest arts feste, it really was one hell of a ride.

Gosh...

bah...

2009-07-28T18:58:00.001+08:00

Yesterday commando assessment, today sick, tomorrow most probably CMI... Guess this is life...

Retrospection...

2009-07-25T22:10:00.002+08:00

Now that music performance has somewhat took second place in my list of priorities, I truly appreciate the strong place it has in my heart. I am so torn whether I should continue going for SNYO practices and perform for the year-end concert, or just dog myself in books the whole day (does it really help honestly?)... I really don't know, the repertoire this time is real interesting...

The past few days were like really busy. Thursday I had NAPFA retest, which was totally not worth mentioning. Yesterday I actually went to school empty-handed (not sure what I am thinking) and was busy with rhsl with the quartet (Renee, Hao Wei and Adriel...) for today's Heartstring Charity concert for the Straits Times Pocket Money Fund. I truly felt it could have been a lot better, but it turned out pretty subdued in the end (not that it was totally bad...), partly because we are sort of hit with influenza and sniffing and nose-watering the way through (me especially, with only Adriel sort of spared) so it was kind of uncomfortable for us. But it is sort of over...

Busy weekend, I am more or less done with tutorials proper, so I can finally start on my H3 essay, does not help that I was out from 7.30am till 9.30pm tonight. Busy times...

Encouragement...

2009-07-20T23:30:00.001+08:00

Screw Sundays...

2009-07-19T11:24:00.001+08:00

Let's just say I am so freaking busy today, how am I even going to find time to complete the endless pile of work awaiting me.... Morning housework, then have to go for Scholarship fair at Suntec, after which it is straight to Chemisty tuition, and then family movie outing (which I am not allowed to turn down...). Screwed, busy the whole day without even a fraction of time arghhhhhhhssss....

Busy weekend ahead...

2009-07-17T23:14:00.001+08:00

Lots to complete, totally looking forward to inorganic chem, the challenge just satiates my hunger... Btw, fullmetal alchemist is just freakingly awesomely cool...

CT2: A Reflection

2009-07-16T20:18:00.003+08:00

And so I got back all my results finally. Overall not a bad showing, but honestly could have been better. Really disappointed with my GP and History grades, satisfied with the improvement shown in chemistry and maths (though could have been better) and relatively happier about my econs. More of a "what could have been", with 2 59 marks which constituted my lowest marks, it is a pretty good stage to be currently. I guess it is a good basis to work on and challenge myself for the target of 4As and 1B in prelims.

Starting with the highest, I finally got an A for chemistry, just cut 70 for it. Quite satisfied, considering it is my favorite subject and the first time I achieved it in JC life. Pretty good showing, especially for the organic chem bits, except for the lone pair cis-trans isomer which stunned me. Did a pretty decent job with gaseous state and chem equilibria this time too. The main problem being me doing too slow, thus having to compromise on qns which I know but warranted less marks in order to complete the paper. Could have been better, but a solid base to work on, with the harder topics of inorganic chem and solubility equilibria to follow.

On to maths, the subject I spent most time on revision (not that it is more effort, just that maths practice really takes a long time). Got 66 marks, barring the 20 marks lost on complete question left blank coz I got stuck and had to move on, the other were quite good. Conceptually most were full marks (like the first few qns and MI and stats, penalised for presentation and carelessness, at least some 6 marks at that. Potentially could be an A, but not a convincing one, judging by how there are still qns I am stuck at. With Differential Eqns to return, and the potentially risky state of my APGP and complex nos., much to work on.

History was a bag of mized feelings. Where I expected to do badly, I actually did well, but screwed up some parts a lot. The largest blow have to be source-based, which only got a 14, which sort of pulled my whole grade down. SEA hist essay was decent, int hist needs working on. An average performance on the whole.

GP was a tale of 2 parts. My compre was much better done, with 35.5 an A grade, though could do better on vocab and AQ. But for the essay, if there is anything I learn, stick to the basic and do what you can do. Write concisely. Chose the hardest question this time, suffered on content, and failed with only 23 marks, at least now I learn, so not a bad lesson. 58.5 overall, close, but I guess a B, no matter how much I want it, will be undeserving. Could be improved.

Lastly, Economics. I was not too confident on it, largely because of my skewed time management. So I was pretty much banking on micro (which was kind of against the general trend) to save. Save me it did, much more than I expected, an 18/25 for it is the highest I ever got for any econs essay ever. Impressed will be an understatement. On the other hand, I could brush up on my macro, the foundation is good but needs better essay structure. Practice will help. Overall 44/75, which is 59 rounded up, missed by a little, but who am I to complain, when the general level standard was not that good this CT. Deans list will be a bonus, well dreams may still happen...

So overall, 1A, 2 High Bs, and 2 really high Cs which is just kissing the B mark, I will be content with it just for now (maybe a weekend..). But not going to get carried away, needs a lot more PRACTICE, jiayou for prelims...

Post-SNYO life

2009-07-16T00:00:00.000+08:00

Still suffering from post-SNYO emo syndrome... but life goes on. Got back a few more results, not going to assess them just yet, and busy chionging tutorials now (hypothesis testing is just mundane...)

And so it ends...

2009-07-13T23:02:00.012+08:00

It really is difficult to express the sense of longing, the sense of loneliness, the sense of farewell (i really don't know how to describe already). It really is the end already. SNYO has been such a large part of my life for the best part of my past 4 years of living, to have it suddenly abruptly come to an end is really a large impact. I am already missing my section mates so much already, all the memories, it just is so hard to describe...

But I can leave SNYO, at least as an SL, with little regrets, today's concert was truly one of the best I ever had, I just could not put my feelings into word when the final chord of The Hungarian Dance struck, it is truly the last note, and it will reverberate through my mind for quite some time. As I stand on that stage, shaking Mr Lim's hand, with him saying "All the best...", I guess it really has been one hell of a ride. Great concert everyone, especially the violists, thanks for making it such a great one for me to remember, thanks so much for the presents, truly appreciated it... If there is any one thing I regretted, it is not being born a few years later so I can spend more time with this batch of violists, how I wish I can turn back time. But I will return to visit for sure....

A few pictures from today, my final stage, my final bow...

Me with the girls who went to Italy (except Wen-Yi)

And the guys who went to Italy (except JonKoh)

SNYO Guys

Me and my best-ever stand partner (Jon Koh)

Violists with Mr.Lim

Group Photo after concert

The violists who have not left...

Us with the soloist, Davin

The three remaining strings guys from RJC

Us with Violin II SL, Haowei

And so with this, I guess it truly ends, here's a recap of pics over the years...

March 30, 2007 "Li Chuanyun series"

November 30, 2007 "Death and Transfiguation" Concert

July 15, 2008 "Florence" Concert

November 28, 2008 "Appalachian Spring" Concert

March 18, 2009 "Eroica Symphony" Concert

July 13, 2009 "Brahms Symphony No.4" Concert

I am so immensely proud to have been a member of SNYO Violas from January 2006 to July 2009. Thanks so much for all the pleasant and memorable times you have given me, the fun, the sweat, the picture. I will cherish them a lot, and will miss all of it for the time to come. These memories will sure last forever...

The final stage...

2009-07-12T22:30:00.001+08:00

Tomorrow, I will take my leave as I take my final bow...

Last...

2009-07-11T22:53:00.002+08:00

So this is it, my last SNYO rehearsal (most probably for quite a long time...). Time really flies, how I wish I was a few years younger, so I can spend more time knowing and playing with these guys, it was truly a great 4 years I had in SNYO, made so many friends and had many fond memories which I will remember. Looking back, I guess I have done well, and I guess I can actually leave with little regrets, knowing that the future is in good hands and they will go on to achieve many more wonder. A great thanks to all of you, especially the violists, you are all the best. Thanks for making my time in SNYO so worthwhile. It sure gave me a lot of opportunities to meet new people, explore new places, and perform to my heart's content. Now, lets look forward and make the last stand, the last hurrah, the best that could ever be, one I can truly remember even when I leave...

worries...

2009-07-10T22:48:00.003+08:00

A lot of stressful stuff now, with SNYO concert in 3 days, our playing standards are still not really up to scratch, need to put up hell lot of practice, if only some the other members are able to understand that...

SNYO quartet needs a lot of brushing up also, plus my H3 history research, which involves ploughing thru microfilms of old newspapers and 5 research books, stress indeed...

Eventful... and tiresome...

2009-07-09T23:37:00.003+08:00

The last 3 days were a hell of a time, I am like totally worn out now, with 2 out of 3 performances in a week down, the biggest one has yet to come... I need a rest, a real good one...

I started on Tuesday with the performance (more of a gig actually...) for the closing of the International Education Roundtable (whatever that is...) There are like education ministers from quite a fair number of countries. Anyway, it was held at The Jewel Box@Mount Faber. It is quite a cool place, can literally see the cable cars thru a glass window from where we are playing. Played some catchy pieces, otherwise a rather boring time, spent most of the time staring at night skys on the rooftop. It just makes me wonder since how long have I last sat on a cable car, like lower primary? But anyway, pretty cool experience...

SNYO Double Quartet at Mt.Faber

Then Wednesday had my last (it better be...) Chamber Ensemble rehearsal, in preparation for today's SYF Presentation, my first time in it. First time performing at the Esplanade Recital Studio, which is kind of not as grand as Esplanade, but quite nice anyway. It was pretty mundane, ours being the last item, so we spent most of our time in the room, for me trying to mug, for the girls, more like camwhoring. There will be more times for Esplanade backstage experience for the coming month. Played lots of bridge, and broke lots of bow hair (like 4 strands in just 8 mins), i will need a rehair soon again. But it was nice performing with the rest of the people in Chamber Ensemble. Truly enjoyed it, all the best for the coming year. It truly has been an enjoyable experience...

Me and Nic Hsien trying to cram some H3 History Research...

Till the girls camwhroing session started to invade into my
all-valuable mugging time (how irritating...)

Our final performance as the 2009 Viola Section

The outgoing J2s, it has been a great ride with both of you...

Got back a few tests, shan't comment on it now, till I get back all my papers...

I just need a long good rest now...

Tired...

2009-07-07T23:08:00.001+08:00

Sorry but I really can't post much tonight. Really too tired from the performance at Mt. Faber today, but it was fun. Still have maths tutorial to complete. Will blog more abt it tmr...

Change...

2009-07-06T20:43:00.004+08:00

With little fanfare, I have conspicuously changed by blogskin once again. Went for a simpler skin this time, since I just thought maybe it is nicer to have everything at first sight. So there it is, enjoy...

Some 4 days without blogging, the long weekend was not really much in th post-CT spirit, not that I am lamenting about the CTs, just that I have been keeping myself busy. Friday was chamber viola section outing for lunch and movies at The Cathay and Plaza Singapura, must say I am quite impressed with the full turnout. Saturday was SNYO stuff from day to night, practising for the 15min gig on Tuesday, as well as quartet practice (which I am still quite lousy at...) and my second last SNYO rehearsal, and I am impressed I survived through most of Wieniawski at all. Sunday was basically just the usual household chores and econs tuition (2 consecutive days of it btw... I am so getting bored already...) and movie outing with family. Today had econs tuition and viola lesson.

Boring life I know... but guess I cannot really help it (it truly is getting busy...)

While I am here, might as well introduce the animes I am watching this anime season...
Picked up quite a number of ongoing animes (must be some record...)

K-On is a story about 4 schoolgirls forming their own band in Keionbu (or light music club) and depicts their fun experiences as they pursue their dream of performing live at the Budokan. Whilst it was relatively short, only 13 episodes long, it certainly gave me quite a good laugh (reminiscent of Ouran Host Club). The character designs are really cute also and the songs they perform are pretty catchy.

The anime which I have to say I enjoy most now have to be Cross Game by Mitsuru Adachi. A story about the protagonist Ko Kitamura, who is pursuing his dream to become a top pitcher and win the Koshien with the Seishu baseball team. However, due to the entry of a new top coach and many talented transfer students, Ko and his friends got marginalized to the prefab team (sort of like reserves...) and so the story goes on how he continues to fight to oust the first team and fulfil his promise to his deceased childhood friend. What makes this anime great is the slice-of-life aspect of it that gives you the warm feeling, making a pleasant watching experience. While it may not have the eye-striking of animations, the storyline is just way great, especially the unique relationship that Aoba (the sister of Ko's childhood friend and neighbour) and Ko, which is one of mutual respect... A well-deserved watch...

In terms of animation and theme songs, nothing beats the coolness of Basquash! A story about a fictional world where they play basketball in robots called Bigfoots, and revolves around the protagonist Dan, who is pursuing his dream to be a legend and go to the moon (which is apparently some place with high-class lifestyle and advanced technology...) to cure his sister's legs which were accidentally crushed by a Bigfoot. The action scenes are just way cool, although the storyline may sound a little farfetched, and I really enjoy the songs by the group Eclipse featured in the anime...

I have also picked up one of the most famous animes around, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, which is currently re-running in Japan with an addition of 14 more new episodes. A story about Haruhi Suzumiya, who longed to be able to interact with aliens, espers and time-travellers as an escape to her boring life. Little does she know, she possesses the power to change the world subconsciously. Thus, she forms her own club, the SOS brigade, who seeks to solve the mysteries of the world. But what she does not know is the members she recruited consists of an alien, a time-traveler and an esper. Somewhat enjoyable, with the nice adventures and unique school life (which is why I like animes about school life...), what I actually enjoyed most is the narration and inner thoughts of Kyon, which is just amusing as he often shows his exasperation into the mess of a world he got pulled into, about Haruhi and the supernatural...

Other animes include Valkyria Chronicles and Canaan which are interesting in their own ways. A nice form of entertainment to enjoy my post-CT life while it still lasts. I shall stop now, before I ramble on. Do check out the links on the left... Tah-dah for now..

Hiatus, pure bullshit, and the light ahead (I hope...)

2009-07-02T23:21:00.003+08:00

Holidays was.... argh was there even holidays? more like half-assed mugging the whole time, exploring the various libraries around Singapore, at least 8 different locations. But with my CTs ended, it is still darn shitty, the main problem, I DO TOO SLOW.....

Expectations:
A for Maths
Low A or B for Chemistry
B for History
C for GP
D for Econs (argh i deproved... sucks) just wait and see....

Next week is really busssssyyy....
Just to summarize...
Monday: Chiong H3 history essay
Tuesday: Some octet performance for some MOE event at the Jewel Box
Wednesday: Patch up work for SYF Performance which is on thursday
Thursday: (plz dont be spastic)
Friday: Watch RISE concert
Saturday: Last SNYO Rehearsal before I retire as SL (sobs...)
Sunday: Getting mentally prepared, with chem tuition
Monday: SNYO concert... (eh then it is not next week anymore...)

Anyway DO COME AND SUPPORT!!! (My last concert, may even be the last of my lifetime as an orchestra member...)

SNYO presents:

“A Midsummer’s Evening”
Monday 13 July 09, 7.30 pm
$5.00
Esplanade Concert Hall
Conductor: Lim Soon Lee

Phoon Yew Tien	Summer Dreams - SNYO commissioned work 2009
Henri Wieniawski	Violin Concerto No.2, Op. 22 in D minor Soloist: Davin Ang Kai Jie
Johannes Brahms	Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op.98

Anyway dug up this cool photo from deep within...

A CTs that fills me with more regrets, when will I achieve what I can achieve, arghhhhs...

Moving on...

Goals, Dreams, Reality

2009-06-01T01:15:00.002+08:00

Look at this space, WARNING, THIS BLOG WILL BE INACTIVE FOR THE NEXT ONE MONTH...

Largely due to my overwhelming pressure of achieving the goals I set out to achieve, this WILL be the last you hear from me on this holy space for the coming month of June. As of now, H3 History and my CTs are a priority. No rest, no slacking... This is serious business...

After my awesomely disappointing GP test, which I will be lucky if I even achieve a B, the pressure is honestly one. The Aim is:

A for chemistry, because honestly, all the underperforming really sucks. The worst part is I know I have always not put in any practice, zilch, nada. The clean and pristine Chem TYS still laying in a forlorn corner, my chem tutorials after Reaction Kinetics have never been done. This is no excuse, I have to practice, I have to score, or else I am just disappointing myself.

A for mathematics. I agree while this have not always been my strongest subject or area, it is something I can potentially do well if I practise. Often so, I have been scoring decently for my tests, the only problem, getting stuck, doing too slow, and not finishing the paper, leading to large red slashes and a big fat zero across my blank unanswered script. The root cause, while the concepts are sound, my mind has not been been drilled with the automatic solving mechanism that comes with practice, something I have to give great credit to most of my classmates, who could religious re-do all their tutorials, plus TYS, plus Revision exercise, plus Past-year papers, plus tuition qns, plus any old how maths question lying on some crushed paper in some random corner of the school... I need to keep up. Period.

A for history. From an A to a B. Dropping out from deans list. Falling further behind in work. Having absolutely no idea what international history this year. Need I say more...

B for econs. This is the one I am hoping and working really hard for (up there with Chem...). I admit that I have improved this year. I am grasping the requirements better now, much thanks to tuition and Ms Ng. I feel I can really do well in this subject, so long as I can put in enough effort in it, like the "passive mugger" trio in my class, and Zhefei (motivated by ahem...), I wish I can get to their standard. Plus the added bonus that it is only essay qns this time. The incentive is there to grasp the chance to do well now...

All in all, our destiny is in our own hands, both you and me alike. We have to do it, and do it well. We should not insult the very potential that God blessed us all with... So jiayou to anyone out there, but I refuse to lose to anyone of you (that's my statement...)

Gosh...

2009-05-31T23:56:00.001+08:00

Rafael Nadal is knocked out of the French Open which he never lost a set before, by Soderling, what the heck....

So the holidays begin (or not...)

2009-05-29T17:15:00.003+08:00

Today marks the end of Term 2 for me. Well I would say it was a pretty good term, at least I am getting my act in studies better now (maybe not since I screwed up class tests worse...) I am pretty satisfied with the CTs, cultivated a good culture of studying ahead, and be more disciplined (though not all out yet...) On the other hand, I have become more cynical these days (somewhat evil...) Guess that will have to change. All in all, good progress and the holidays MUST be devoted fully to H3 History and intensive mugging, a reasonable aim of 3As 2 Bs for CTs.

On a side note, my ipod song count have just went past the 2800 mark, and 卢学睿's 可不可以爱我 have just shot up to the top of my most played songs in just 1 week, and BY2's 我知道 and 勇敢 is fast catching up. Pretty nice songs to listen to... Meanwhile just included Nickelback and Robbie Williams album in my ipod recently...

It took me a nice half an hour exact to reach home from school now by Circle Line to Serangoon, then changing line to Outram Park, then change to Tiong Bahru, maybe I should time the other route too...

Got a call from one of my section mates' parents today after I reminded my whole section of the assembling time tomorrow, had to explain the whole mixup, haiz why does SNYO not spread the information clearer and earlier. Guess it is part and parcel of being a leader (on a side note, to anyone who has not seen the msg, it is from 10am till god knows when till we get a perfect recording, so do settle with your parents if u need...)

AYG recording tomorrow, as with Econs tuition and Chem tuition in mind...

Scandalous truths are really a great spice for our dreary school lives... Glad I am past that stage already...

Circle Line...

2009-05-28T22:56:00.005+08:00

Lots of pics... (sorry for the poor image quality, it is from my 2-MP camera on N81, really bad...)

The oh-so-wide new Marina Bay side platform (not like we need it..)

The linkway between the two platforms, it feels like some
underground cavern and lots of tunnels, can get quite confusing...

The new Circle Line Bishan platform really makes you feel real deep underground,
with all those high ceiling (though the elevator is kind of unique in position)

The inside of the train, which is really small (this picture is taken from one end,
and you can even see the other end, half the size of normal ones)

At least we get to see the tunnel, which is like some thrill ride on a roller coaster, as the tracks curves quite a lot.

The holy station RJC students have been waiting you months (or years...)

The station is kind of small, since the trains are also. But it is amusing to see all these SMRT attendants in red shirts standing around all stations today...

The sign outside the bus interchange Bishan station exit, I wonder why they need 3 security cameras around the sign for, prevent the theft of the signboard??

New bus interchange exit...

A far more visually appealing exterior of Bishan station, with an open area access to J8, a nice change from those boarded cardboards we had to contend with for years...

And so the hailing of the new era of the Circle Line, look forward to more rides...

GP test...

2009-05-27T23:01:00.002+08:00

GP was kind of weird, maybe not that bad, maybe disastrous. Who knows...

A brain teaser...

Find a 10 digit number such that
The first digit is the number of "1"s in the number.
The second digit is the number of "2"s in the number.
So on so forth...
The tenth digit is the number of "0"s in the number.

It is kind of challenging... You could try...

my last words before...

2009-05-26T23:24:00.002+08:00

GP CTs tomorrow, really really hope I can do well. It may appear, prima facie, that I may be a mugger, but that may not necessarily be my modus operandi, bearing in mind the caveat that I am a busy person. I have ranted about this ad nauseum. I need some divine intervention, and not aborgate my self-principles. Please do not ostensibly make me screw up... since GP CTs is like a Pandora's Box, you never know what you may get, but you cannot take it back.

And the thought that I am 90% sure I will miss the SNYO tour next year really saddens me...

我知道

2009-05-25T23:38:00.003+08:00

By popular demand, as a tribute to Pei Khee, this post will be on 我知道 by BY2... (I honestly should be mugging)... Enjoy. Video up at the section as usual...

我知道 - BY2

从来没想过
不能再和你牵手
委屈时候
没有你陪着我心痛

一切都是我太过骄纵
以为你会懂
一直忘了说
我有多感动

我知道你还是爱着我
虽然分开的理由
我们都以接受

你知道我会有多难过
所以即使到最后
还微笑着要我加油

我知道你还放不下我
才会在离开时
闭着眼没有回头

我们都知道彼此心中
其实这份爱没停过

曾经吻着幸福的梦
在脑海里头
我多希望你还在我左右

答应你我会好好过
不让这些眼泪白流

可不可以爱我

2009-05-24T22:52:00.002+08:00

Since I am busy with GP test revision and SNYO rhsls, there will be no time to blog. So these few days, be entertained with song lyrics...

This song today is 可不可以爱我 by 卢学叡 (video on the fullscreen section in one of the sections above)

为什麽如此的安静
为什麽明明想靠近却还在迟疑
努力的我保持镇定
努力开拓话题
最後却溃不成军

为什麽如此的美丽
深刻的烙在心里最温柔的酷刑
每一天无法不想你
连闭上眼睛
怎麽都是你

你可不可以爱我
可不可以想我
虽然我对自己没有一点的把握
别害怕我难过
告诉我你真实的感受
至少忐忑已告一段落

你可不可以爱我
可不可以看我
反正看或不看我依然失魂落魄
成全不是美德
拒绝也不是一种罪过
你能给我
快乐还是寂寞

为什麽如此的美丽
深刻的烙在心里最温柔的酷刑
每一天无法不想你
连闭上眼睛
怎麽都是你

你可不可以爱我
可不可以想我
虽然我对自己没有一点的把握
别害怕我难过
告诉我你真实的感受
至少忐忑已告一段落

你可不可以爱我
可不可以看我
反正看或不看我依然失魂落魄
成全不是美德
拒绝也不是一种罪过
你能给我快乐还是寂寞

想念燃烧个不停
我快置身灰烬
你是我的呼吸

你可不可以爱我
可不可以想我
虽然我对自己没有一点的把握
别害怕我难过
告诉我你真实的感受
至少忐忑已告一段落

你可不可以爱我
可不可以看我
我依然失魂落魄
成全不是美德
拒绝也不是一种罪过
你能给我能给我什麽
快乐还是寂寞

rants...

2009-05-23T22:32:00.002+08:00

Lots to say...

Maths test was really screwed up, can't believe I did it too slow, got to rectify that habit.
Went down to support Rugby Finals yesterday, we won and truly, the spirit was great. Though I spent most of the 2nd half on the wrong side of the pitch, as our ruggers were truly dominant and mostly pinned ACJC in their own half. Anyway congrats...

On a more important note, SNYOis going to do a mass recording next Saturday and Sunday, and due to our imperfections, Mr Lim called for another practice on Tuesday night. As if I ain't busy enough already, today out from 11 till 10.30 for SNYO and econs tuition, tmr must do housework and Chem tuition, another half day gone, and Monday, I have no choice but to cancel Econs tuition, Tuesday full day out till night, which means my GP revision for CTs on Wednesday is just one word... SCREWED....

I really wish for some divine intervention right now...

Binged through 8 packets of potato chips, nearly 5 nuggets, 1 cup noodle and lots of chocolate and wedges during econs tuition today, must be the stress kicking in...

Chamber --> SNYO...

2009-05-20T21:17:00.002+08:00

And so, my chamber ensemble experience have ended. Looking back, I guess I could say it was a fairly fulfilling. While it may not had the rigidity of the RISE, the flair and complexity of SNYO, it was nonetheless, united. It may have been stressful, having to prop up the section and steer them towards the goal, but sure enough, we achieved the gold with honours (a remarkable achievement, being the only musical group in RI(JC) to achieve that...). But what's most important, it was the experience of playing with you guys. Thanks so much for everything, for making my JC life a much more fuller and fulfilling one.

Thanks the J2s for being such a friendly batch, for being there to set the example for the ensemble (Peikhee for standing my violent playing style, Nic Hsien for being ever the entertainer, Serene was sharing the stress of conducting sectionals and being a great friend to talk to, Margaret for being the critical one, Yiyang for gelling the ensemble as one, and everyone else who made a difference in ensemble) WE CERTAINLY ROCK THE HELL OUT OF CHAMBER...

And so tomorrow, SNYO resumes. The final leg of what has a truly fun 4 year journey. From what I was, a timid and shy young violist at the back desk, never sure of what to do, to being an SL and leading the section and trying my best to make it bond as one, one where everyone can enjoy, to going with Italy and having a smashing time with you all, totally unforgettable. I have move one, and so, with this final leg, I will push on and achieve the heights and legacy I want to leave behind with all of you. SNYO has changed me as a musician, as a person, and changed my life like never before. It was fun while it lasted, but things have to come to an end. And I will walk the final stretch with fun, pride, honour, and definitely fond memories...

Music, was my duty, is my salvation, will be my love forever...

Maths test tmr, GP next wed, Champions League final next wed/thurs, CTs in little more than a month, hopefully it all goes well...

Movie posters...

2009-05-17T22:17:00.001+08:00

Nothing much to talk about today, but was scousing around the web (as usual) as found some really cool posters of the upcoming Harry Potter movie. Enjoy...

Jubilation...

2009-05-16T23:03:00.002+08:00

MANCHESTER UNITED, PREMIER LEAGUE 2009 CHAMPIONS....

WOOTS All that Jubilation...

Ok, enough frenzy, back to electrochem...

movie and life...

2009-05-15T23:10:00.000+08:00

Angels and Demons is just amazzzzzzzzing..... Totally loved the way they interpreted the book, and all that actions, and gory deaths too, woots... Angels and Demons have always been my favorite book of all time, and this just caps it off. Just superb, nuff said...

Took my chem test yesterday, and got it back today. Kind of disappointed coz I aimed higher, but given the nature of the test, I am glad I passed... Econs tests was ok... though I cannot believe I got the definition of recession wrong, arghs...

Long weekend of nothing ahead... boring.... hope Man Utd clinch the title this weekend though...

the stress...

2009-05-13T17:36:00.002+08:00

CHEM TEST TMRWZ... ARGHHHHZZZZ....

Anyway, today I went for the checkup. Got PES-A, not actually unexpected, but just puts more pressure on me to actually pass get silver for NAPFA. Not much time left. Majority of the time, like some 2 hours, was spent on the IQ test. It is freaking long, confusing, and headache, a really big one. Those going for it, be MENTALLY prepared, like srsly. It is like gifted paper all over again, more than 150-200 qns i think... I did not even manage to complete certain sections, argh... Hope it did not turn up too bad...

CHEM TEST>>>>>> ARGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Must score well, like MUSSSTTTT

And not including the fact there is Econs test on friday also...

Long weekend (part three)

2009-05-11T23:10:00.002+08:00

This is more of a brief status update, as I am busy doing last minute fishing (I mean doing "Poisson (fish in french)" Distribution Maths tutorial) and bursting my head already.

4 more qns to go for Poisson
To complete by tonight...
Normal Distribution tutorial
Proteins tutorial (halfway done)
Electrochemistry (as much as I can)

Long weekend (part two)

2009-05-10T22:49:00.001+08:00

I am getting a hell lot more confused about electrochemistry, not a really nice feeling... Back to econs tuition tomorrow.

Mother's Day today, though I kind of regret not celebrating it...

Long weekend (part one)

2009-05-09T23:13:00.001+08:00

Nothingness... Today was aimless walking and droning, doing nothing, morning was doing housework, afternoon was walking around stuck in J8 as I realised library is not open, night is microeconomics tuition...

Need I say more (not that tmr will be anymore interesting than Poisson, Normal and Organic Chem...)

New GC...

2009-05-08T23:33:00.001+08:00

Got my new graphic calculator, the Casio fx9860G slim and promptly went to update it with applications like a factorising one and another that has like a whole periodic table in it. Better not lose it again...

Chemistry SPA was relatively ok, except that I did too slowly and did not have time to check.

Long weekend ahead, busy one too...

Mourning...

2009-05-07T22:50:00.000+08:00

I am currently mourning the loss of my dear trustworthy ever-dependent Casio fx-9860G GC. I will miss you lots and may you find solace wherever you may be...

Missing...

2009-05-05T22:36:00.001+08:00

I miss school life. I miss the company. I miss seeing you...

A Little Better...

2009-05-04T23:06:00.002+08:00

I am still sick... but now my various ailments are sort of taking turns to hurt me....

I am pretty amused by all the new measures taken to combat the new Swine Flu situation. Like no morning assemblies, twice daily temperature taking, temperature taking exercise and wearing of masks in polyclinics (painful experience for me today...) and this cool infrared scanner thingy which is sort of a thermometer that they shine on your forehead and it takes your temperature (experienced that at Istana, though I feel it is kind of inaccurate...)

It was so painful, I had to miss school today, still suffering now, but on the positive road to recovery. Despite my poor condition, I still had to drg myself to perform with the SNYO principal quartet at the Istana, for some gathering for all of the world's ambassadors in Singapore. Pretty amusing experience, not that many people actually appreciated our music (we were mostly background noise anyway...) but cool to see all the different countries representatives and our PM and President (though kind of wasted that we did not get to take a photo with them...) But if there was one positive to take out of it, it has to be the food.... The buffet for the performers was already awesome, but the grand one that are leftovers from the main event is actually quite a lot (and high class too...) though I feel it would be quite a waste.... Ate as much as I could, but Istana has certainly been fun....

The SNYO Principal Quartet (Melissa, Davin, Lanabel, Me)

Should be asleep now, cya...

Fever...

2009-05-03T20:30:00.001+08:00

So it has come down to this, fever with body ache with a cold, this is really sad.

And here I am sniffing and wincing in pain while I frantically try to complete my SEA Hist term essay, so I can pass up tomorrow (lest others say that I pon school intentionally to complete my term essay)

Painful...

Sick...

2009-05-02T21:48:00.003+08:00

Went for SNYO Sports Day today despite running a slight cold, a bad choice I feel.

SNYO Sports Day was relatively fun yet uneventful, but it is really strenuous playing 3 straight different sports in the hot afternoon sun. The result, I am now suffering from bad sunburnts (like a lobster yes...) and worse still, feeling really hot everywhere, like I am suffering from heat stroke or high heatiness or something (in addition to my cold...)Well you get the idea that it is really bad, hope I recover tomorrow. On a positive note, I completed my Binomial tutorial (not much of an achievement but that is as much as I can do given my state and busy schedule...)

Finally got a long overdue SNYO viola section photo from March concert from Grace... (seeing it kind of makes me sad again, knowing I shall leave such a wonderful section in little more than 2 months time...)

(from left) Stephanie, JingTing, Theodore, Joan, Jieying, JonKoh,
Me, Wen-Yi, Thaddeus, Emmanuel, Grace, Wang Xiang

Lots to do... tomorrow will be primarily my SEA term essay I suppose... (going to bed right now. tahdah...)

Chamber Outing

2009-05-01T21:00:00.008+08:00

A sunny day (thank god...) it was, on the day chamber decided to celebrate our victory at the Marina Barrage, by having a picnic, lol. While we spent the first hour sitting in Marina Bay station in a circle trying to mug, the rest of it was kind of fun.

My first impressions of Marina Barrage is, it is really brilliant that only Singaporeans can think of the idea of utilizing something built to prevent floods and to make a reservoir for water supply, to turn it into a tourist attraction, a darn pretty one at that.

I really liked the design of the place, as we run up that spiral slope to the open field at the top, where the beautiful skyline awaits (the construction sites is just a figment of your imagination, they are non-existent...)

After some attempts at jumpshots, we got a nice one... before most deem that it is too hot and escaped into the "Green Roof" entrance (cool name i think...)

The Green Roof

So we camped outside on urban ground outside the gallery for our picnic (picnic on concrete ground wow...) and enjoyed the wonderful spaghetti and sauce prepared by Margaret and Deborah, and the many otahs, chips, fishballs, it was quite a nice meal. After which we spent quite a lot of time camwhoring (till I am bored of Eunice crashing into every single one and polluting my camera with her self-portraits...)

So we got bored, and went to play captain's ball on the roof in the burning 2pm sun (I assure that I am somewhat sunburt now...) After some tiring games, we decided it was time to part ways with Marina Barrage (which Yuzhou just arrived...., so it was kind of like Hi and Bye)

On to Marina Square for a movie. To our surprise (or stupidity of poor planning..) the cinema was SURPRISINGLY full of people, so movie was a definite no no... So after a few rounds of walking around Marina Square, we decided to settle at the Marina Food Loft (or the foodcourt...) and chill with round of card games. And that was kind of it...

P.S. Sorry for the cynical mood, as I am vehemently sneezing while I am doing this, and not feeling really well. SNYO games day tomorrow, and quartet prac for Istana performance on Monday (busy times indeed....)

Back to school life...

2009-04-30T23:09:00.001+08:00

SEA History Term Essay, Binomial and Poisson Distribution, Proteins and Electrochemistry, GP Homework... after the GwH furore dies down...

Tomorrow chamber outing, wonder how many will turn up?

SYF... Gold with Honours

2009-04-29T23:11:00.005+08:00

Today, was SYF.

Morning was kind of stressful, the violas playing out of tune suddenly, argh, we were worried. But SYF came and gone, everyone was so stressed, haha the atmosphere a little tense. But surprisingly, I was still not much into the mood. Started humming tunes, and Kristie was like hushing me all the way.

Then came the performance, to be honest, I was kind of relaxed throughout, going about the stuff calmly, smiling quite a lot, looking up quite naturally, and letting myself immerse into the music, to some extent I lost track of what is around me. 10 mins was gone like flash, to be honest, I had no impression of what we really sound like. But the comments were positive, so we hoped....

And we went cam-whoring, well not that much actually. After which, came the 45 mins of waiting for results (i am honestly amazed at how Pei Khee can be taking photos non-stop during that period). After which came the results, after the usual powerhouse ACS (I) did not get the GwH, i thought man this is bad. But then all the powerhouses fell one by one (RISE and Nanyang quite a shocker..) and sure I am at a loss. Dunman High got it in the end. And it was on to the JCs, but with ACJC and HCI not getting GwH, it was really tense for us. But the defining moment came,

"ST22, Raffles Institution (Junior College) .... GOLD WITH HONOURS"

We went ballistic (though I was kind of lag...), but my feelings were mixed even till now, are we truly good, how about the RISE and Nanyang ppl, are we necessarily better than them? But after speaking to some of them, I guess we can just move on from here (I will not go into discussing about what I think about the results...). All that cheering, that screaming, I guess it all paid off...

I am at a lost of words now to describe that feeling. But I really want to thank especially my viola section, you guys were really great, ever so cooperative and patient with me during sectionals and rehearsal, so do savour this sweet victory. It truly belongs to all of you...

Had chamber outing at Fish and Co. after that for dinner, and back home to chill out. Really tired now, as I look forward to the new chapter in my life....

Here's some precious memories of today...

Chamber Ensemble 2009, SYF Gold with Honours
May this memory stay with us forever...

Stand partner, thanks so much for everything.
Your help during sectionals and encouragement certainly kept me going.

Chamber Violas 2009, no one can beat us down...

I am really going to miss you guys...
(from left) Tryphena, Nic Hsien, PeiKhee, Me, Gerald, Ae Ra

Serene and Eunice, certainly the most fun female duo.
Thanks for making my ensemble life so fun...

Chamber-RISE guys, congrats on the double GwH
(triple for some of us)
The strength of the Chamber sound...

Back to being a normal schoolkid, studious and hardworking, but today's events will sure be etched in my memory for a long time to come.

RJCE 2009 - SYF Gold with Honours
You guys rock forever, and may you all shine forever brightly....
And may the viola section be ever strong and be the strong pillar that supports the ensemble (all the best Tryphena, Gerald and Ae Ra)...

P.S. Funny how this post is posted at 11.11 pm (number 1 eh??)

...

2009-04-28T20:38:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow, SYF day...

The last rehearsal...

2009-04-27T23:28:00.002+08:00

Today we had the last rehearsal before SYF day itself, and I should say I felt tired throughout, still is right now... But I think our standard is about there, so it really is down to how we perform that day itself I suppose. But since I am here, I would like to say, it has been a fun and satisfying journey till the day where the results will be announced, I thoroughly enjoyed the company of both batches I have worked with. You all were great company, and also the viola section have been a really friendly one, Ae Ra has always been the smiles of the section, Gerald ever the supreme bootlicker (haha for want of a better word...), Tryphe whose resilience and sense of discipline, yet not too serious, really amazes me, Ruiheng, who has been a great guidance for me, Nic who is a real funny guy (but hardworking too...) and Peikhee, for being such a great stand partner, putting up with all my rants and weird antics. You all have been great. Never regretted my 2 years. Here's wishing all the best to the J1s as you all strive to bring Chamber to greater heights.

The trip home was a new experience, imagine sitting on the fully empty (haha oxymoron...) bus 93, from the time I board till I alight. Not that scary, but smooth and peaceful. So in the end, the bus never had to stop at any bus stop, so it was kind of like a straight car ride home. Quite fun...

May tomorrow be a better day, but tonight will be a nightmare, Debates and Econs Test to prepare, why must thou torture me so when I want to slack before SYF...

Mundane...

2009-04-26T21:25:00.001+08:00

I will go simplistic today...

Man Utd scored 5 goals in the 2nd half to win 5-2 against Tottenham.
Watched 7 episodes of Eureka Seven.
Sort and arrange my dirt pile of notes into nice stacks according to subjects.
Pass 30 million mark on Chain Rxn on Facebook.
Chemistry Tuition.
Econs test still not studied for.
Half of Binomial Tutorial done.
Here blogging...

Homework? No thanks, I am busy with SYF...

2009-04-25T22:34:00.003+08:00

Chamber practice today was in my opinion, the most productive I have attended amongst all the Saturday ones so far, maybe because the attitude was really kind of positive. And finally, I can hold an effective, full-attendance sectionals. I heard that you guys can play in tune and in time now, lots of kudos to all of you. Thanks for your hard work and patience with my not-so-friendly sectionals, thanks so much for cooperating. So let us work hard for these 3 days left, and (maybe I may give you guys a treat :)

Last SNYO quartet practice before break. I quite like these sessions with T'ang Quartet, coz they are really meaningful and taught me a lot of good playing techniques. I think our quartet has a somewhat good camaraderie, so let us work hard to succeed.

And I finally broke my 25 million mark at Chain Rxn on Facebook, with a personal highscore of

27,858,300

(although my classmates have like a crazy 49mil and 41mil highscores....)

On a sidenote, a very happy birthday to the twins, Deborah and Claire, and an early one for Yuze...

Inspire... Imagine

2009-04-24T17:23:00.003+08:00

One and a half hours, and I thought I have totally wasted my only chance of watching RISE in action during today's Arts at the Atrium. It was truly a spectacle, a real peak, a class of its own. One and a half hours of their rehearsal, that solid viola melody tone, and the whole general neatness of it all, articulation clear crisp, dynamics contrasting, it was a true inspiration.

We really can do it, if we can feel the music, the ferocity of Shostakovich, those strokes, clean crisp, neat, united together, short with a tinge of fury in unison with the cellos and 2nd Violins, the high melodic line soaring above, punching above our weight, putting all our heart and energy in those low marching rhythms that grows into the greatest exclamation, and let our echoes fade away. Imagine of the beautiful viola melody that floats over the crystal clear water of the violin melodies in the middle, the sense of longing and trying to attain the enlightened area in the great soaring line till the end, and the wave riding high and subsiding towards the finish. Imagine if we feel that as one, we move to it as one, like a painting, like a story, like a play.

Truly, if we feel it, we can...

5...

Tidbits...

2009-04-23T22:17:00.002+08:00

Mock SPA tomorrow, mugging is what I need.

Quotes: "April 1st must be very tiring, after 31 days of marching" - my maths lecturer (also my maths and civics tutor...

Tired...

2009-04-22T22:16:00.003+08:00

Chamber practices are really tiring, let's just get it over with alr, argh.....

Today is such a boring day, that there is nothing much to talk about anyway.

If studies be the torture, let music be the salvation. If music be the torture, let studies be the salvation. If all that is left is pain, maybe a little love can be a consolation....

Free cone day (hmmm...)

2009-04-21T20:37:00.004+08:00

I conclude that free cone days really are not that free anw, since the opportunity cost of it through queuing is darn boring, aha. A queue that snakes thru almost the whole floor is ridiculous... Singaporeans sure like FREE ice-creams...

But it was kind of fun, ice-creams were ok la, although the proportion is quite large, so not so bad... Cam-whored a lot (i think the people queuing behind us must be thinking we are like on photo-starved rather than ice-cream starved)... Had 2 cones in the end, I thought it was quite an interesting experience...

Anyway I thinkl the Keynesian model of monetary policy is weird, I mean if monetary supply increases and interest rate drops, I will lose so much interest in everything that I will just stay home all day and I will not buy any goods and services at all (maybe I live off Ben and Jerry's free cones??) and so consumption will not increase, and AD and national income may even fall, so how does that even expand the economy? And if it results in the liquidity trap when my interest cannot fall any lower alr, money supply increase will only cause a long run deficit for the central deficit since no one (including me) will save at all, and they will have no loanable funds...(we will just keep it in biscuit tins waiting for Ben and Jerry free cone day)...

On a side note, got back common test report today, missed history deans by quite a lot, but congrats to the 100 percentile for geog in my class (whose name I will not reveal due to privacy considerations...), but my econs percentile is really much better, compared to my S last year...

Time to improve on... 7 days...

Random laughs...

2009-04-20T23:09:00.004+08:00

I saw this today on the notice board of A72 today, it is some kind of ridiculously crazy essay which I can't stop laughing about.

Sorry for the blurred image: but this is how it goes （character for character)
disclaimer: tolerance for ridiculous language, knowledge of Bleach and Naruto anime, Warcraft and DotA required:

我是个老妇人，住在红山三方式组屋，有七个子女。在白天，他们出去玩，所以我一个人在家，西北显。

有一个天，我和自己一个人在家，看电视。我在看“超人回来”，看到一半，就有一个敲门的声音。我看一看，看到一个人在敲门。我走过去，问: “你要我帮你开门，对吗？”他说：“对！”我就开门给他。

他走进来，我说：“你要我清理走廊我的花盆被打翻？”他说：“也是。”我就去。

当我回来时，看见我鱼缸里放的三百块，和一些地鸡墨卡，不见掉！正所谓“无风不起浪，事出必有因”，我以前就知道，这家有鬼！

这时，我觉得非常赌懒，我从小学收到现在，是为了要买X盒三百六十，可是现在我什么也没了！不。。。。。

忽然，我电视里的超人飞出来。他问：“为什么那么认真？”我说：“我家闹鬼，不呼呼呼。”他说：“木哈哈哈！”

我非常生气，便发出我的“搬开”，丢了一个鼠力跟。他因为有拎根思球，所以把我的鼠力跟给打掉。然后，他举起手来，用“啦姑那”剑，把我干掉。

我忍无可忍了，便打出“谁是你爸爸？”和“贪心是好九九九九九九九”，然后把自己买回来。我响他冲过去，喊：“啊发打！”, 结果以三百元当他的头。

我终于有三百元了！

Hope you can understand it, quite ridiculously really...

This afternoon, I was so bored waiting for Nic Hsien for sectionals, I just randomly picked up a marker and started scribbling an organic chem mindmap (incl alkanes, alkenes, arenes, halogenoalkanes, alcohols, carbonyl, carbo acids, amines) on the music practice room board from memory. Quite impressed haha...

I apologize for the randomness, but it truly has been a really random tiring day...

9 days more....

Pro...

2009-04-19T21:26:00.002+08:00

It is more probable and problematic that the probability of me, even with the most professionalism I can provide, of finishing these probability problems, which I most profusely think is the most profound thing professors can ever procure, is zero, a big fat pronounced ellipse. It will only prolong my suffering, that I am in need of a progressive tuition programme. There are honestly no pros in doing such problematic probability problems...

Busier Saturday...

2009-04-18T19:34:00.002+08:00

A really busy saturday I had today, but guess it will be the last one for some time, as I take a break from SNYO commitments. Morning was the usual Chamber practice, I thought today's section was really ineffective, maybe due to the lack of many SLs and EXCO members, but a creditable effort nevertheless. Went to visit the ORA stalls during break, the stuff there are quite a wide variety, and I had a great time eating (maybe because that was my breakfast and lunch), as the girls indulge themselves in lasagne and cupcakes...

Then it was the National Honorary Scholars Summit (NHSS) interview, though till I am still quite lost as to what it is about besides discussion of current issues. I thought my interview went quite well, and that I answered the questions quite calmly and well (since they commented well-answered at the end of it). They asked questions like, "use 5 words to describe yourself", "how being inquisitive will help contribute to the discussions". But I guess the whole chunk on US recession takes the cake, like "What do you think about the current world recession, Obama's policies and the automobile industry in the US and what do you feel is the most important factor". I thought like "yeah right here we go again" and went on a verbal diarrhoea, imagine if you don't read the news at all....

But generally it was a nice experience, especially the answering on the my favorite country question and I liked how I link to what Singapore can actually learn from these countries:)

The last SNYO rehearsal before break was quite productive, at least I know how to play the pieces decently already. Ben Wee and Zhiyuan got trials today, and I thought they did relatively well, although the conductor had to remind Ben Wee on several occasions about his pizzicato (which he is quite particular about btw). Will miss SNYO for a short while, but I guess I would hold viola section outings this coming month...

I will be slacking tonight on soccer and F1 and anime, while tomorrow is chiong homework and tuition day. Hopefully next week will be better. SYF is looming, lets work hard...

Weird adverts in Singapore

2009-04-17T16:28:00.002+08:00

Something is quite wrong with adverts these days, imagine what i saw in the MRT today:

Lets just say those adverts were having all the weird "wrong" connotations about them, there is even one that goes, "some like it long, but some likes it thick". Interesting, but kind of not really healthy eh. Oh in case you are still trying to figure what they are trying to advertise, this is it:

The New Carl's Jr. Thickburger

On a side note, went with Yuze to Esplanade Library to find some stuff for his diploma writeup (although to not much success), but I also went to Suntec epiCentre to check on the iPod in-ear earphones which I want to buy,

Dont they look just stunningly stylish and neat, not to say I don't like my current earphones, coz it most probably sound much better that the iPod ones (being sound-isolating with foam earpiece, and cost much more than it, higher quality sound also, Shure rocks), but it is a little difficult to store, and I thought this looked cool and neat. 128 bucks, more saving to do again...

Back to the weekend again, chamber rehearsal on Saturday, followed by some scholar summit interview (which I dont even know what to prepare), and the last SNYO rehearsal before a month-long break (will miss SNYO...), and probability tutorial for me. Busy times ahead...

Chamber stuff...

2009-04-16T22:38:00.002+08:00

13 days left to SYF, are we guys hyped or what? As the day looms closer, I can say we are getting there, but far from good, very far in fact. We seriously need to put in tonnes lot more effort, but that said, we are kind of lacking in time. Maybe we were saved by a relatively "safer" piece (for want of a better word), but after watching RISE's performance on our way home that day, I can say that the few of us were undoubtedly feeling in awe yet somewhat worried.

So I can say, do your own part, and do it darn well, practise like you have never done before. First, believe in your practise, then believe in yourself, believe in your section, then believe in each and every section, and believe in our ensemble, that we can attain those height, the heights of the Gold with Honours, the heights of topping the JC section. We can do it, if you try, and you know it.

13 days, that's all there is to it. Time for the awakening...

Resolution...

2009-04-15T00:57:00.002+08:00

Got back my common tests results. Mixed feelings about it, no doubt I have improved, but I question whether it is enough when most of my classmates improved more than me. But at least I attained pretty decent and balanced grades across all subjects, all Bs except a thoroughly unexpected econs C (i expected lower). But now I am here, time to aim for new levels, largely for chemistry, which I have put in a lot of thought into it, and history to restore my A grade. I have also taken a liking to econs more, so I guess B will be the target for now.

I got an A for Project Work, but I should I was never quite in doubt about achieving it as my class I thought was really generally quite good, and no surprises there, everyone in my class got an A.

Had a GP essay test today, I should say it was horrid. I tried doing an arts question, but I guess I have come to the conclusion that arts questions are not my cup of tea, not expecting a pass for that, coz my points were kind of repetitive or non-existent, which kind of meant my scope is quite dead...

Should have been doing maths probability tutorial now, but who cares, srsly...

Turning over a new page in my blogging life...

2009-04-14T23:45:00.006+08:00

So I did it again, new blogskin, deleted all previous posts, and starting a fresh new chapter of my atrociously bad blogging lifestyle. HTML is a pain as usual, but challenging is fun. Had to scroll through many of my links to keep those which which are still "alive", and I sure am surprised that many of them are pretty much alive, I have been losing touch of blogging for too long I am sure. So anyway, here it is, my new blog, enjoy it before it dies (though I will try not to let it happen)

Here on, I guess it is time to do a mini-reflection of the past 3 month (I will leave April for later). So 2009 marks a really different year ahead, there are the A levels, the SYF, my first full year as an SL in SNYO, more CIP, lots more studying, more concerts, working with T'ang quartet for SNYO principal quartet, my last performance as a student at Esplanade, viola ATCL, boom....

So lets do it step by step.

January was largely mundane, considering I was not involved in J1 orientation, so it is mostly study study study (or so I believe...) Maybe the one big event of January is Chingay. Volunteering with Chingay turned out to be one huge interesting experience. I never expected to be a motivator, however, somehow Pei Khee forced me into it... But I never regretted it, it was the first time I actually watch Chingay upfront live, get to actually welcome so many ministers, or even be part of the road parade, cheering our hearts out into the night, especially the memorable sending off we gave the audience at the end of both days, trooping down the padang hollering goodbye cheers at the top of our voices. I made a lot of new friends from other schools, and we certainly had fun as a team.

The March 18 Concert in Victoria Concert Hall, was quite a memorable one, as many of my batch mates left SNYO after that. Serene, Huiyan, Deborah to name a few... It was kind of a reflective moment, what would I feel when the time comes for me to leave too, as SNYO have already become an integral part of my life and I really had a wonderful experience being part of it. But nevertheless, it was a great concert, and we sure had our fun moments with red headscarfs and eyepatches...

Chamber Ensemble experiences were also aplenty and fun too. The J1s are generally very nice people, and I really like the viola section I have. Peikhee, Tryphe, Ae Ra, Nic Hsien and Gerald, you guys rock and we will get GwH.

There were quite a variety of activities. Firstly, there was the chamber chalet, at Changi which was like next to the abandoned Old Changi Hospital which is kind of creepy. While not everyone stayed till the end, we really had great fun, walking down to Changi Village for supper, captain's ball and late movie screening, which most people just zonked out. There were only 5 survivors left as we munched down all that bread...

Secondly, there was chamber camp (in school this time), although it was largely short (only one night) and we only had time for rehearsals, sectionals and night games. Although the night games was quite short, I thought I actually got to know my section mates a lot more, as can be evidently seen by the camwhoring sessions we had during sectionals before I left early...

Finally, the combined concert between chamber, band and jazz (known as CHanZZ), I thought we gave a decent account of ourselves, and it was decent exposure for a concert, although I did not really enjoy it. But the time spent was relatively fun...

Also, for MT, I participated in both Bridge and Music Feste. While Bridge was quite a disaster, Music Feste was actually quite fulfilling. Having participated both years, I thought this year's was very solid, lots of kudos to Shawn. I actually enjoyed the piece a lot (though I can't really be heard) but it was good fun, I thought we had good camaraderie. We got 2nd in the end, but it was generally a great achievement on the whole.

Overall, this 3 months have been quite fulfilling, but way busier than before. Studies are getting hectic, but I will look on with optimism as I look forward to more interesting experience in the latter 2/3 of the year.

Watch this space...