I miss Jie Min, Yi Ping, Christabel, Vanessa.....the seniors....
"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket..."
30 June, 2007
29 June, 2007
Mid-years...
...felt like eternity.
I was beginning to wonder when it will end.
'Got so sick of all the late nights studying and worrying and stressing that after Lit Paper (Othello and Poetry Comparison) on the second last day, I felt this aura of heat enveloping my face ( you know, those heaty, hot-yet-cold kinda' feeling). Nevertheless, I must say that all the papers are quite "study-able" but it was just too bad that I was not "operating at full capacity."
Really have to thank God seriously, for giving me strength throughout. Writing for endless stretches (After Geog, I swear I'll never write forever man!) is no joke. In fact, after Physical Geog was over, I felt like I just survived some war man!
As for the other subjects, I can only hope and pray that I did not under/over estimate my performance. But one thing's for sure: If I pass Math, I can safely say that it's purely divine intervention and not my doing. Cui, your "body and guts" theory for tackling differentiation might be my only saving grace :)
Later on at Ajisen Ramen, Charlene and I agreed on our strategy for acing Prelims and A Levels: Remove your shoes (and socks if you're kiasu) and make squeaky noises with your shoes for stimulation of the brain a.k.a Sharina's method.
Other possible ways of doing well (inspired by my dear class,06A03):
- Study for the last paper of the exam and sit only for that paper. You'll definitely do well, considering the vast amount of time you have compared to the rest. (a.k.a. Pulling a "Favian")
- When in doubt, leave the question blank so that you wouldn't be demoralised when you get back the paper, knowing that this is not your best. (the "Evatte" solution)
-When the questions become a bore, and you have nothing better to do but be contented by the sounds of anxious scribbling from your equally-anxious classmates, draw strength from your passion (literally, just like how Junwei did. FYI, he sketched a drum set on 3/4 of his exam paper.)
- When all else fails, just ensure that you leave an impression on at least 2 sides of the paper and make frequent toilet trips so as to meditate on your actions. God will definitely make a way. (the "Ben Sum" theory of scoring)
Ps: I love my socks and shoes worXxxxZzz!
I was beginning to wonder when it will end.
'Got so sick of all the late nights studying and worrying and stressing that after Lit Paper (Othello and Poetry Comparison) on the second last day, I felt this aura of heat enveloping my face ( you know, those heaty, hot-yet-cold kinda' feeling). Nevertheless, I must say that all the papers are quite "study-able" but it was just too bad that I was not "operating at full capacity."
Really have to thank God seriously, for giving me strength throughout. Writing for endless stretches (After Geog, I swear I'll never write forever man!) is no joke. In fact, after Physical Geog was over, I felt like I just survived some war man!
As for the other subjects, I can only hope and pray that I did not under/over estimate my performance. But one thing's for sure: If I pass Math, I can safely say that it's purely divine intervention and not my doing. Cui, your "body and guts" theory for tackling differentiation might be my only saving grace :)
Later on at Ajisen Ramen, Charlene and I agreed on our strategy for acing Prelims and A Levels: Remove your shoes (and socks if you're kiasu) and make squeaky noises with your shoes for stimulation of the brain a.k.a Sharina's method.
Other possible ways of doing well (inspired by my dear class,06A03):
- Study for the last paper of the exam and sit only for that paper. You'll definitely do well, considering the vast amount of time you have compared to the rest. (a.k.a. Pulling a "Favian")
- When in doubt, leave the question blank so that you wouldn't be demoralised when you get back the paper, knowing that this is not your best. (the "Evatte" solution)
-When the questions become a bore, and you have nothing better to do but be contented by the sounds of anxious scribbling from your equally-anxious classmates, draw strength from your passion (literally, just like how Junwei did. FYI, he sketched a drum set on 3/4 of his exam paper.)
- When all else fails, just ensure that you leave an impression on at least 2 sides of the paper and make frequent toilet trips so as to meditate on your actions. God will definitely make a way. (the "Ben Sum" theory of scoring)
Ps: I love my socks and shoes worXxxxZzz!
21 June, 2007
L-O-V-E
Service Learning this year was much more fun than last year, that's for sure. If you ask me, I'd rather handle these kids than deal with people who are much older....
This year, only about half our class turned up, plus Luke so, Nat was a little worried that we couldn't handle that many kids.
Initially, I assumed that handling kids would be a piece of cake but they proved me wrong. This bunch was really hyperactive but very lovable. Upon reaching the home, 'could tell we were quite lost but after awhile, we started to get more acquainted with the kids.
The whole time was spent reading storybooks to them, coaching them academically (although very minimal as they seem to dislike studying a lot!), playing games with them (I think I'm gonna be sick of "Heart Attack" and "Scissors, Paper, Stone!") and talking to them.
I wished we prepared better activities for them, maybe some outdoor games, 'cos they were really bored. Imagine spending the whole time, cooped indoors, learning origami and vegetable painting, playing charades and hearing songs that you probably wouldn't remember anyway? Well, credit goes to our favourite teacher Ms.Ng Swee Chu for being so paranoid about the children's safety....
Speaking about Ms.Ng, I think she spoiled part of this experience. Like what I ranted about in my earlier blog entry, she was really paranoid about EVERYTHING. That's why we didn't have any outdoor games and more interesting activities. During the programme itself, she was such a mood-dampener. When the children tried to play with her by pretending to shoot rubber bands at her, she shouted at them, telling them to stop such a dangerous act otherwise, she would refer them to their discipline teacher (....) When another kid tried to shoot at her again, she offered a sweet in exchange for the rubber band (which would endanger her life) and gave the poor guy a lecture about honouring their word (as if such a young kid would know what it means to "honour" his words...). AND, we really should have gone on to teach them Christian songs instead 'cos the kids would rather listen to those than to our futile attempts at performing the song to them. Moreover, heard from my classmates that she didn't dare to go close to the Indian kids...sigh...man, it would take forever just to go on complaining about her.
On a lighter note, I got to see a different side of my classmates rarely seen in school. Some of the girls were cuddling up to BEN SUM, Evatte surprised me all over again with her patient nature (last time was when we went to the Spastic Home), Charlene was playing "Scissors, Paper, Stone" with Boon Peng, Rhyss was being her usual "mother hen" self while Sam showed motherly potential. Speaking of Sam, Mediacorp was there at the same time, filming a documentary, and Terence Cao and Chen Hanwei was there. Sam was going crazy over them man! HAHAHA! TOO BAD SAMM!!! YOU CAN GET THEIR PHOTOS ANOTHER TIME! :P
Also, I was quite amazed that Luke could handle the kids relatively well...heh heh....
Learnt many things during this project. Besides the fact that we're very fortunate, it brings me to the issue that kids can be quite bitchy. It may be due to their troubled past or just their inherent nature but I wished they were brought up in a better environment. Ok, maybe it's pointless to brood about this but I wish I could do something about it. In fact, I will after A Levels :D
Finally, the trip was also a sort of re-affirmation that everyone needs love and everyone wants to feel appreciated. Everyone, in this context, also applies to us of course...Take Xiu Ling, the kid that I spent most of the time with, as an example. She was ostracised from a group of girls who called themselves the "Chinese Dancers" and one could tell that she was quite affected by that. When I talked to her and showered my attention on her, she was much better after that but when I left her alone, she immediately called for my attention again.
Also, this experience makes me wanna pursue what I can safely say would be my desired career in the future: psychology :)
"L", is for the way you look at me, "O" is for the only one I see...
just noticed Suf's face at the back! :D
Xiu Ling!
one of the rare moments where you see the children being this attentive...
Francesca!
Terence Cao's no.1 fan ( I mean Sam!)
This year, only about half our class turned up, plus Luke so, Nat was a little worried that we couldn't handle that many kids.
Initially, I assumed that handling kids would be a piece of cake but they proved me wrong. This bunch was really hyperactive but very lovable. Upon reaching the home, 'could tell we were quite lost but after awhile, we started to get more acquainted with the kids.
The whole time was spent reading storybooks to them, coaching them academically (although very minimal as they seem to dislike studying a lot!), playing games with them (I think I'm gonna be sick of "Heart Attack" and "Scissors, Paper, Stone!") and talking to them.
I wished we prepared better activities for them, maybe some outdoor games, 'cos they were really bored. Imagine spending the whole time, cooped indoors, learning origami and vegetable painting, playing charades and hearing songs that you probably wouldn't remember anyway? Well, credit goes to our favourite teacher Ms.Ng Swee Chu for being so paranoid about the children's safety....
Speaking about Ms.Ng, I think she spoiled part of this experience. Like what I ranted about in my earlier blog entry, she was really paranoid about EVERYTHING. That's why we didn't have any outdoor games and more interesting activities. During the programme itself, she was such a mood-dampener. When the children tried to play with her by pretending to shoot rubber bands at her, she shouted at them, telling them to stop such a dangerous act otherwise, she would refer them to their discipline teacher (....) When another kid tried to shoot at her again, she offered a sweet in exchange for the rubber band (which would endanger her life) and gave the poor guy a lecture about honouring their word (as if such a young kid would know what it means to "honour" his words...). AND, we really should have gone on to teach them Christian songs instead 'cos the kids would rather listen to those than to our futile attempts at performing the song to them. Moreover, heard from my classmates that she didn't dare to go close to the Indian kids...sigh...man, it would take forever just to go on complaining about her.
On a lighter note, I got to see a different side of my classmates rarely seen in school. Some of the girls were cuddling up to BEN SUM, Evatte surprised me all over again with her patient nature (last time was when we went to the Spastic Home), Charlene was playing "Scissors, Paper, Stone" with Boon Peng, Rhyss was being her usual "mother hen" self while Sam showed motherly potential. Speaking of Sam, Mediacorp was there at the same time, filming a documentary, and Terence Cao and Chen Hanwei was there. Sam was going crazy over them man! HAHAHA! TOO BAD SAMM!!! YOU CAN GET THEIR PHOTOS ANOTHER TIME! :P
Also, I was quite amazed that Luke could handle the kids relatively well...heh heh....
Learnt many things during this project. Besides the fact that we're very fortunate, it brings me to the issue that kids can be quite bitchy. It may be due to their troubled past or just their inherent nature but I wished they were brought up in a better environment. Ok, maybe it's pointless to brood about this but I wish I could do something about it. In fact, I will after A Levels :D
Finally, the trip was also a sort of re-affirmation that everyone needs love and everyone wants to feel appreciated. Everyone, in this context, also applies to us of course...Take Xiu Ling, the kid that I spent most of the time with, as an example. She was ostracised from a group of girls who called themselves the "Chinese Dancers" and one could tell that she was quite affected by that. When I talked to her and showered my attention on her, she was much better after that but when I left her alone, she immediately called for my attention again.
Also, this experience makes me wanna pursue what I can safely say would be my desired career in the future: psychology :)
"L", is for the way you look at me, "O" is for the only one I see...
Francesca!
19 June, 2007
16 June, 2007
10th June 2007: "D" for Vietnam!
OK people, this is gonna be a very routine post and I'm recording it all down for my future reference so be prepared...
Seriously, if all of us carried on with Mimi's plan for Duc, it would have been the worst birthday of his life but she was merciful. :P
Oh man....seriously, I don't mind having another sleepover at Mimi's house with all of them again!! (except that we should do it on a day where everyone would be free of lessons the following day 'cos Mimi, Ai Ping and I almost slept through the whole Lit Lecture the next day!)
First on the agenda for Duc's birthday was the Amazing Race. Duc wasn't suppose to know which one of us were at which station so we had to hide from him while he does what he is supposed to do. So after Duc completed his task at Bedok Corner which was to ride a toy horse (you know, those rides where you have to pay 10 cents, except that this one doesn't stop!), spank the horse's butt, take a photo of himself doing that and bluetooth it to Charlie Brown and Arron (who will be hiding nearby), he had to travel to Eastpoint, according to the clue that the previous station masters gave him, and take a photo of himself with a packet of condoms at NTUC Fairprice. Ai Ping and I (together with Jerome) waited AGES for him to turn up and we were hiding behind the placards and advertisements at the OCBC outlet nearby. When Duc finally arrived, he walked around aimlessly for 5429856435 years before Jerome had to "bump into him coincidentally" to help him locate where the condoms were (...)
Seriously, if all of us carried on with Mimi's plan for Duc, it would have been the worst birthday of his life but she was merciful. :P
Oh man....seriously, I don't mind having another sleepover at Mimi's house with all of them again!! (except that we should do it on a day where everyone would be free of lessons the following day 'cos Mimi, Ai Ping and I almost slept through the whole Lit Lecture the next day!)
First on the agenda for Duc's birthday was the Amazing Race. Duc wasn't suppose to know which one of us were at which station so we had to hide from him while he does what he is supposed to do. So after Duc completed his task at Bedok Corner which was to ride a toy horse (you know, those rides where you have to pay 10 cents, except that this one doesn't stop!), spank the horse's butt, take a photo of himself doing that and bluetooth it to Charlie Brown and Arron (who will be hiding nearby), he had to travel to Eastpoint, according to the clue that the previous station masters gave him, and take a photo of himself with a packet of condoms at NTUC Fairprice. Ai Ping and I (together with Jerome) waited AGES for him to turn up and we were hiding behind the placards and advertisements at the OCBC outlet nearby. When Duc finally arrived, he walked around aimlessly for 5429856435 years before Jerome had to "bump into him coincidentally" to help him locate where the condoms were (...)
while waiting for Duc to clear Pet Safari...
While Duc moved on to Pet Safari to take a photo of himself with some cats' toys, the 3 of us decided to head to KFC for a breather. All this while, we managed to keep our identity unknown and it almost failed when Jerome suddenly remembered that he told Duc that Charlie Brown is at KFC! Immediately after he said that, we saw Duc walking towards us and we panicked...HAHAHA! My first instinct was to seek refuge in the KFC girls' toilet while Ai Ping and Jerome ran of to God-knows-where. Thank God he didn't see us! :D:D
Only after I messaged Duc to go to Parkway Parade, where Eugene and Mimi would be waiting, to find his birthday kueh, did Ai Ping and I finally breathed a sigh of relief...'never knew it could be so tiring to monitor someone's movements while hiding!
By the time both of us reached Mimi's house, it was around 7 plus at night and Duc was still not done with his station yet (...). Olivia and Matthew were there since 4pm. For the finale of the Amazing Race, all of us (Charlie Brown, Arron,Mimi, Eugene, Olivia, Matthew, Ai Ping and I) gathered at the multi-storey carpark nearby to watch Duc pole dance at the basketball court. Erm,let's just say he did it with much gusto....heh heh...
Had Tom Yam Steamboat/BBQ prepared by Mimi's family member. Super shiok man! Hmm....wait 'till you see the photos! However, it was quite anticlimax when the glass table,holding the steamboat and everything else,gave way and we had to clean up all the glass fragments and food remains. (Thank God this happened after we have eaten man...)
Then we made Duc do a fashion show to the tune of "Barney" in his Red FBT (which was our present to him!), wearing Mimi's flats and a hula-hoop dance to "Powerpuff Girls" followed by what was supposed to be a sensual dance with the dining chair table to "Sexyback" (yeah...) SUPER FUNNY!!! We were all on our knees,laughing and begging him to stop!!!
Next was the standard birthday cake ceremony and the presenting of the gifts: G2000 shirts, keychain that vibrates, red FBTs,slippers, hula hoop...
Examining the birthday cake...
Unrevealed 'till photo is taken 
Photo says it all...
Duc with his presents! 
After Matthew, Arron and Eugene left ('cos they couldn't sleep over), we watched "Without a Paddle" and "Little Britain". Halfway through "Little Britain", my eyelids were getting heavier and heavier and within seconds, I knocked off. I was not the worse 'cos Duc retired after the first movie and Ai Ping was next after a while. Charlie Brown, Mimi and Olivia stayed up to paint Duc's toenails (part of the agenda!). Last person to sleep was Mimi (half an hour before we had to wake up!)
Best part was when Duc woke up to the sight of his toenails all painted a pretty pink! HAHAHA!!! Still, he was sporting enough to let us do makeup on his face after that! (He really looks like a transvestite man!)
"What?!?! You painted my toenails?!!"
adding the final touches...'Off to Lit Lecture after that. I really tried VERY hard to stay awake...but it was all worth it. :D
'Was thinking about Choir again recently and Ai Ping and I agreed that it was one of the best decisions we ever made...the friendships forged during this period was more than I could ask for and the Juniors (Well, some of them...) are really nice. Speaking of which, I have to mention that Arron is really nice 'cos he gave all of us bookmarks from Mini toons that night, which was really unexpected!
08 June, 2007
Sometimes I wished that I had the capacity to live throughout the day without having to sleep totally. Of course,sleeping is a luxury that many people yearn for especially in these stressful ages but when it comes to a point when you just wanna get things done in a limited amount of time, it is not desired at all.
Now that I'm finally settling down for the arduous preparation for A Levels, the flesh is willing but the soul is weak. The sleep debts that I have incurred from the past few months are paying their dues. Although it's good that this doesn't occur during the 3rd and subsequent quarters of this year, I have to admit that it's rather frustrating especially when you've already prepared yourself mentally to endure the late nights, and when you're really trying your best to focus during the extra lessons and remedials these few days.
I have to add that even in my zombie state, I managed to "update" myself on information that I have missed during the first 5 months of this year...On a slightly more optimistic note, Lit consultation with Lorraine Lee was more productive than I expected. We managed to cover more than 3/4 of the Practice Questions for Poe and we did a little bit of poetry comparison. It's like a mini-crashcourse on Lit albeit a rather enjoyable one cos it made me all fired up for Lit again =)
And just when I'm immersed in this "literature" mode, Debrina had to introduce me to this music video by Panic! at the Disco. Many underlying messages and classy [and appropriate!] gestures by the lead singer:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vc6vs-l5dkc
San Yi just called from home. Had a much-needed heart-to-heart talk for about an hour. Guess I have to face it before it's too late. It's hard to please everyone so, the moral of the story is: Don't even try. It's simpler to make the One Above happy :)
O2 Jam rocks! [even though I'm ranked the lowest among me and my siblings] But I'm not complaining. I'm just "inadequate in the coordination of motor skills", to put things in a nicer way :D
Now that I'm finally settling down for the arduous preparation for A Levels, the flesh is willing but the soul is weak. The sleep debts that I have incurred from the past few months are paying their dues. Although it's good that this doesn't occur during the 3rd and subsequent quarters of this year, I have to admit that it's rather frustrating especially when you've already prepared yourself mentally to endure the late nights, and when you're really trying your best to focus during the extra lessons and remedials these few days.
I have to add that even in my zombie state, I managed to "update" myself on information that I have missed during the first 5 months of this year...On a slightly more optimistic note, Lit consultation with Lorraine Lee was more productive than I expected. We managed to cover more than 3/4 of the Practice Questions for Poe and we did a little bit of poetry comparison. It's like a mini-crashcourse on Lit albeit a rather enjoyable one cos it made me all fired up for Lit again =)
And just when I'm immersed in this "literature" mode, Debrina had to introduce me to this music video by Panic! at the Disco. Many underlying messages and classy [and appropriate!] gestures by the lead singer:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vc6vs-l5dkc
San Yi just called from home. Had a much-needed heart-to-heart talk for about an hour. Guess I have to face it before it's too late. It's hard to please everyone so, the moral of the story is: Don't even try. It's simpler to make the One Above happy :)
O2 Jam rocks! [even though I'm ranked the lowest among me and my siblings] But I'm not complaining. I'm just "inadequate in the coordination of motor skills", to put things in a nicer way :D
01 June, 2007
Photos...
ALTO 2s!
The epitome of true love
My brother's impish grin fails to capture Mum's heart :P
30th May:Our Swansong
Choir Concert has ended and so has my journey with tpjchoir. Now that I am free from all Choir practices,rehearsals and whatnot, somehow I 'm beginning to miss it. Well, one can never understand human nature totally...we start to cherish what we dread after it is over...sigh...
Concert was a blast! Seriously...I felt that everyone really put in a lot of effort in memorising the 20 over songs and that the whole stagefright nonsense was gone! I guess we really proved to a whole lot of people that an SYF judging doesn't determine the standard of a Choir totally. Although some songs were really quite horrible such as the 2 songs by the J2 Chorus (seriously wasted man cos we sounded fine during rehearsals), others were OK! I'm sure the audience enjoyed the 2 Indonesian songs A LOT! =)
Sinten Nungung Sepur!
Sin Sin Si batu manikam dipat joget Sor madi gotem.......
Pong! Pong! Pong! Pong!
"dang tu tu na uli!"
J2 Chorus: More than I could ask for...
Folklore segment
The alumni item was better than expected although someone commented that our sound did not travel far enough for the back row of VCH to hear properly...Thank God we did not screw up cos during rehearsals that afternoon, the Choreo wasn't confirmed yet. Initially we wanted to do a Dikir Barat rendition of "Stand by Me" but if we did, the sound would be compromised...nevertheless, it was good...
practising during rehearsals...
Dikir Barat done the Choir way!
Rehearsals...
Really extremely glad that everything's over now: no more rushing in between concert repertoire to change into costumes, no more worrying about whether we sound good or not....haha!
THE FULL FORCE
tpjchoir + ajchoir
ALTOS!
Emogang crashing in!
=)
Aunty Zhiyi!
Duc!
Ai Ping (and since Charlie Brown's in the picture), Charlie Brown!
Dixon!
The Sopranos + Ai Ping and me
Louis the Bosom Buddy!
Seng Juong!
Sochenda!!!! You're the best! =) 
Chen Cuiwen and Fan Cuiwen
Concert was a blast! Seriously...I felt that everyone really put in a lot of effort in memorising the 20 over songs and that the whole stagefright nonsense was gone! I guess we really proved to a whole lot of people that an SYF judging doesn't determine the standard of a Choir totally. Although some songs were really quite horrible such as the 2 songs by the J2 Chorus (seriously wasted man cos we sounded fine during rehearsals), others were OK! I'm sure the audience enjoyed the 2 Indonesian songs A LOT! =)
Sinten Nungung Sepur!
Sin Sin Si batu manikam dipat joget Sor madi gotem.......
Pong! Pong! Pong! Pong!
"dang tu tu na uli!"
J2 Chorus: More than I could ask for...
Folklore segment
The alumni item was better than expected although someone commented that our sound did not travel far enough for the back row of VCH to hear properly...Thank God we did not screw up cos during rehearsals that afternoon, the Choreo wasn't confirmed yet. Initially we wanted to do a Dikir Barat rendition of "Stand by Me" but if we did, the sound would be compromised...nevertheless, it was good...
practising during rehearsals...
THE FULL FORCE
Combined item with AJChoir really shook VCH man! Hahahaha! Could seriously feel the emotions...Moreover, it helps when Nelson is only a few inches close to you!
Post-Choir moments were simply chaos...it felt like a riot onstage especially when the VCH Staff kept creating intentional blackouts just so that we could vacate the premises quickly...
ALTOS!
Emogang crashing in!
=)
'Will always remember the people that went through this arduous but enjoyable journey with me. These are just SOME of them though:
Duc!
Dixon!
Olivia Kammm!!!
The Sopranos + Ai Ping and me
And not forgetting the people who came to support me:
Thanks Cuiwens!!! Chen Cuiwen, COCO Concert next! Fan, seriously,I know I've said this countless times but thanks for rushing from your triathlon training just to support me! I couldn't ask for more! * sobs sobs*
Also, Bertwin who came despite being broke and who bought Chocolates for Ai Ping and me...argh!!! Really don't know what to say man!
Not forgetting Maggie which was very unexpected. Thanks for the Toblerone! =)
And also Nat and Ruth for coming....sorry that you couldn't find me backstage and all but thanks for the flower (now withered) and the Merci Chocolates (now in Nat's stomach!)
Who could ever forget my family: my mum for coming even though she doesn't appreciate Choral music, my sister for putting in so much effort in dressing up for the event and my second aunt for getting the bouquet of expensive-looking roses. Also, a show of appreciation to third aunt who tried to make it but couldn't because of her business trip.
Oh ya! Also to Dad who decided to show moral support and not attend cos 10 bucks was worth more than his daughter...
Also thanks to Jillian for the rose, Luke for the bouquet,and the Cuiwens for the assortment of Chocolates and Sweets, Baozhu for the flower, Winnie for the toy and Sher Chua for the rose (!!!)
Special thanks to Mimi who made the beautiful scrapbook and Olivia for her finger puppet pencil as well as Weilin for that touching card....
Oh man...really wished this could last forever....haha!
Now you know why I had such a hard time deciding for the Pattaya trip....Sigh,back to reality for now...A Levels......argh...
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