Sunday, 7 June 2009
A World where Beggers are Kings
Since my mother complained about not knowing how long the hair dresser would take trimming and cutting our hair, she decided that we should take the bus instead (in case our car got booked for putting out coupons of too little a value).
We got served almost immediately, so much for taking hours to get our hair done...
My sister went first, me, and then my mother who had her hair shortened by about 2 inches and had her fringe trimmed. I just wanted my hair a short as possible yet is able to be tied, and I wanted the hair straight cut (I've had enough of V-shapes). My mother wanted to get me fringe too, so I did, which didn't really look like a fring until today. It was straight cut too.
The guy who cut my hair said that my fringe wouldn't look too good short since I had this swirl thing that would make short hair stand up like I had been on an electric chair...
Did you know my mother found a S$50 bill outside my house yesterday before we went to AMK Hub? She said she used that $50 to pay for the hair cuts (that totalled exactly $50 [$18+$16+$16]).
After returning home and using the computer for a few 10s of minutes, my whole family headed off for the Tree Top Walk at who knows where. Pretty near our home, actually.
We marched our way through the 'paved' path, then a road, then a partial path, and to a building. The 'paved' path was really cool. There were many stones of different sizes and textures that all came together to crunch under my feet when I walked. There were some really fine ones, some really coarse ones, but I think it was pretty fun.
At the first part of the trail there was a kind of river (that flowed REALLY slowly) where about 2 or 3 visible species of fishes reside. There were some water insects too, though, that used surface tension of water to walk on it.
We passed by a durian tree (I was so afraid one of those heavily armed fruits would fall on my head) and I spotted 2 squirrels, the only animal I ever seem to spot, though my sister, mother and brother all spotted monkeys and no squirrels...what's up with me?
On the way we met a guy who was singing pretty loudly (and quite good too, in fact). He was pretty young, and when we stopped to check the map (the kind that was propped up and stuck into the ground along the trails) on where we were he said in the passing, "Jia you" or something.
My sister needed the toilet so we stopped, which then gave me the opportunity to wander over to the water coolers and peer at the sign which read 'The Tree Top Walk will be closed at 5pm sharp.' and something else about not going there starting 16:45. The time then was already 16:50, as I realized with a shock.
Disappointed, we headed back. I wasn't really enthusiastic about this whole trip but as a daughter, it is my duty to make sure my parents are happy and satisfied and are able to do what they want and know that someone doesn't hate or resent them for it (which my sister especially seems to be doing, albeit a little toned down). So I put up a happy front and groaned a little. I want them to be happy, not disappointed, so I felt a little bad inside too.
Dinner was next on the intinary and we had it in KFC. We ordered the Family Feast, which surprisingly filled me up like a balloon, and then we headed home, all happy.
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Today after church we had a buzz group outing. On our To-Go list was Miranda's house and the movies. Miranda's house was first and we took the bus, then the MRT (I topped-up my sister's card at the station). A short walk later found us lounging in her living room feasting on chocolate cookies (probably the cause of my sore throat now) and orange+pineapple juice thingum that was carbonated.
Sister Jen came after us as she had something to do in church. Not long after she came (and we started 'Night at the Museum' on Miranda's TV) the Pizza guy rang the bell and delivered our lunch. I grabbed 2 slices of pizza plus a packet of cheese, then after consuming a slice took a drumstick (I had another 2 more after...).
I was completely stuffed when Miranda's parents returned with her brother. They got chips! I stuffed myself silly again with them while the movie rolled out on the screens, only to stop when Miranda demanded us to get ready to leave her house for the movies.
We arrived fairly late at the theatres (blame the crowd in the shopping center) and queued up for both some beverages and the tickets. I got a bottle of mineral water that cost a mind blowing sum of S$2.70. Somebody kill me. My father had given me S$16 to spend on tickets and lunch and my bottle cost me the whole of my lunch? No way!
The movie was Monsters VS. Aliens in 3D which I watched on Friday but couldn't turn down. I mean, 3D! It's a waste of money, I know, but still. I was ranting on about how we'd miss the 3D advertisements if we didn't go in fast enough but it appears that was time, after all.
We put on the 3D glasses duly (there was a notice on screen) and paid great attention to the advertisements, then the real movie started. Can't say I wasn't impressed by the 3D effects of Saturn's rings. The angle of the 'shot' was perfect! I would smack my lips if I could (and if I didn't have any reputation to keep up).
When the movie ended we went for the toilets, a place of refuge for many. After a refreshing relief we left for Tampines MRT Station. Miranda and Jasmine left the train at Tana Merah (or something) to go to Miranda's house, ... (oh! I forgot her name! Silly me...) left at another stop and the rest stayed until City Hall where we changed trains to the Red Line.
Sister Jen and Pei Ting got off 2 stops before me, ... (another name I forgot) got off the stop before me and then my sister and I made the trip home (thank goodness).
Friday, 5 June 2009
The Thing About Science Fiction
That's what I learnt when I watched Star Trek last Saturday, 2nd last day of May.
It was great, I tell you. Even though I haven't watched Star Trek in about 4 years or so, I still love it. The effects were great, though the younger version of James T. Kirk didn't really look like him...and Spock was actually cool, if you minus the part where he openly kissed a girl...
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Today, because my sister and brother weren't home for most of the day, my parents decided to take me out to do something about my bank account, shop for new spectacles (for me), take lunch and watch Monsters VS. Aliens in 3D. I felt really guilty about the 3D part since they brought me to watch it due to the fact that I really wanted to watch it in 3D and they thought the buzz group outing I was going to was going to watch it in 2D...
That was what I told them about a week back. I received news that we were going to watch it in 3D yesterday and thought it wouldn't affect anything. I didn't think my parents were serious about letting me watch it in 3D if I wasn't already going to! You have no idea how guilty I felt watching the movie in 3D! I didn't tell them until just now. The movie was at 13:55 and ended at about 16:45 thereabout...
G. U. I. L. T. Y.
I feel so bad about wasting their money!
...
The start of the day began with me waking up at 09:30 (or was it 11+...or 08+?), then used the computer for a while. My parents came back from my fathers appointment with the dentist and they tried to get me into that pair of 3 quarter pants I never wear except to church. Of course, I rebelled a bit, then gave in because I really wanted to spend a day with them (hey, I didn't even experience withdrawal symptoms when I left my computer for the whole day!).
We first headed to AMK Hub where there was a POSB branch nearby. We diddled in there for over an hour standing in line and waiting for our turn. My mother wanted to create a personal account for me so I can top-up my EZ-link card without cash, but it turns out I already have a personal account! So we just joined the queue to get my father's passbook (that's what he calls it, I have no idea what it's really called) updated and my account some tweaks so I can use it to top-up my EZ-link card.
My mother tried to top-up my EZ-link card at the ATM machines outside but turns out she couldn't. She asked one of the staff (the one whose counter we were at) and she said she didn't know the reason why she couldn't.
Then when we were done (and my stomach needed refilling) we trooped down to the nearest spectacle shop to see what they have to offer. After dwelling in the shop for, oh, an hour or so we left it when my parents deemed the prices to high. Was $280 too high for a pair of glasses with extra thin lenses? I mean, my eyesight was at 900 degrees!
We looked around and made a mess of the shop looking for appropriate glasses. The glasses my parents wanted to get me were white! Shock! My father actually wanted me in one that was bright yellow and white! Eww... Other pairs were either too thick, pink, ugly, had stupid designs, flimsy, etc. I couldn't be satisfied until they decided on a pair of blue, rimless glasses which frame plus lenses amounted to $280 (as mentioned in above paragraph). So, dissatisfied with the prices, they left.
After leaving we did a quick stop at some sort of shop where they sold soaps, pads, etc. Lots of female stuff I don't even think are necessary (and I'm suspecting are poisonous). We bought a few stuff and headed off for Tampines.
The GV which showed Monsters VS. Aliens in 3D was in Tampines, but we didn't know which building. The screwed up map told us it was at Century Square. When I heard that name, I keep getting the image of a run down shopping complex...the name sounds so old fashion! I mean, Century?
I didn't tell my parents about the fact that I was going to watch it in 3D anyway because I thought if I did they would just turn back and go home, which I really didn't want to happen because then I know they'll say I'm wasting their time (well, they might think that, and also get very frustrated). Turns out the feeling of guilt got even worse after I watched it because it was the economic down turn and we're still watching movies, 3D one at that! All for me!
We got the tickets, then proceeded to consume lunch (really filling) and rushed off to the movie theatres. The 3D was a great experience. Awesome, really. I especially like it when the people are depicted as so small (in comparison with Ginormica, that is) that they look like those models in...well, models.
The movie was over and we deposited the 3D glasses in a box (or 2, actually) and exited the cinema area. We walked past McDonalds and I commented in the passing that I would really like one of those vanilla cones. When my father really went to get it, I told him that it was okay and I really didn't need it (and I didn't, really) and that it was expensive but he still bought them anyway. My parents love me so much, and I'm not saying this to make people jealous. I can't believe they'd buy me an ice-cream just like that! If I were them, I'd say no because it's a waste of money...
We wandered down a whole isle of shops, stopping at a random watch shop to see if there were any replacements for my watch strap (which so happened to cause me a lot of problems but I still love it) but the replacements were too...eww. We also paused at a few optical shops but didn't buy anything since my mother felt prices were too high.
At the watch shop, my father found the display/performance relating to the Singapore Arts Festival intriguing so he went to take a video footage of it. It was quite cool, really, when I went out to watch it (it was held in a field). There was a man dancing with something that looked like a bulldozer, the vehicles you find very often at construction sites that dig sand out of a pit and dump them in a truck.
It was really cool. I mean, even if I didn't know the story behind it (and I really didn't) I could still tell it was some sort of love story. Really cool for a love story. At one point, the man attempted to push the bulldozer away (he pushed the bucket looking thing at the end of, for the lack fo a better word, nose) and the bulldozer swung around in circles. When the man tried to call it back, it would just turn away from him. Real, effective, really. It added more to the effect when the screen of the drivers seat and all was covered in some material that allowed a person to look from inside out but not outside in.
When we decided we were done with the performance we went back to the car and drove elsewhere, which turned out to be the parking lot of my first before-and-after school care. Getting out, we made our way to the whole complex of shops. We decided to head left first to buy some...uh...you don't need to know.
Following our purchase we turned back and visited a spectacle shop, which we spended what seemed like more than an hour at. We picked out the first few frames I might like quite quickly, about 5 minutes or so, then went in to look at more. My parents kept wanting me to get a pair that was white...or pink...
We settled on one that was puke colour (I really like that one!) but after getting my eyesight checked, found my degrees too high to create a nice pair of THIN lenses for the wide frame of the glasses. And the frames plus lenses were so expensive...$300-$400... So we spent a long time deciding, again. You know, my degrees didn't really go up from the last half a year. When I last had my eye check up my degrees were 50 more than the right eye lens and 25 more than the left eye lens. Then, I had my glasses for a year already, so it was great. What is greater is that even now, the degrees haven't changed at all! YES!
A long argument about which frames to get seemed to end almost immediately when the kind lady brought out a pair of glasses with a model exactly the same as mine but in white. We settled for that. It was comfortable, so why not? Of course, I tried to see if there was any in puke colour, but there wasn't, so we reached a compromise. We got the frames free and so the whole package cost about $280 (that's the same price as just now, what makes this pair so much better?).
My parents had their way, they had got me a pair of white glasses, and I had my way, I got a pair of glasses that I could actually wear COMFORTABLY.
We left the shop in partially high spirits and while my father went to buy our dinner my mother and I headed off to find another watch shop. Turns out that shop had a strap for mine, but I didn't like it, though we got it anyway. I miss my old strap, silly, I know, but I am just that sentimental...the mere thought of it sitting alone...NOOO! Sorry, but my heart really twinges when I lose something close to me...even if it was a watch strap...I should have asked for it back! Is this how heartbreak feels like?
The new strap sucks, but perhaps that's just my own biased view. It's too fat at a point so it couldn't really flip properly (you probably won't know what I mean) and the buckle is metal. METAL. Ugh. I MISS MY OLD STRAP! At least I still have my watch face, I don't know what I'd do without it...die?
Home came next, and after dinner which I spent talking to Kimberly on the phone, I went to bathe and then felt the guilt from watching Monsters VS. Aliens in 3D swell up so much I just had to tell my parents that I would be watching it on Sunday. My mother then proposed I offer my ticket to someone who hadn't yet gotten the chance to watch it. I'll try my brother.
Friday, 29 May 2009
A Memorable Quote is One that is So Annoying it Plays Tag with Your Head
Nothing much really happened but you should see the faces of the people on the 105 that the 105 I was on passed by!
It was overall a pretty normal day. Got to school, did horrible '公函', officially screwed it up (like I do all tests/assignments of mine), waited for many 105s to pass before I got onto one.
Yup, it was pretty much a very normal day.
Unless you count 3 105s arriving within 5 minutes.
Now THAT is NOT normal.
105 doesn't even come for half an hour sometimes!
Hm, yeah, so, I was sitting and waiting for 105. Actually, I wasn't only waiting for the bus to arrive. I was waiting for it to arrive AND leave. That would mean that the next one would come soon and would, hopefully, be more empty.
The first 105 that came was moderately empty and I regretted not getting on that one. It took about...25-30 minutes before the next 105 came. That bus was packed full. I didn't dare move from my seat. About only half the people who rushed toward the bus with intentions to board it actually boarded it. The rest just moped about dejectedly.
The next 105 came really soon. They all rushed up. I'd say the bus wasn't too full, but it wasn't empty either. Quite a number of the people who boarded were left standing.
I sat back to wait a little longer.
To my surprise (and delight), the following 105 came almost after the previous 105 left. I was so shocked I barely had any time to pick up my stuff. I flagged the bus down and was perfectly happy when no one else moved to board this bus.
It was the new one. The one with the LED screen.
I got a seat right at the back to the right (I simply love that place though I don't know why). I took out a few of my drawing papers out of my file and started doodling some random characters (that I have officially made mine). There wasn't really anybody to pick up at the bus stops so the bus ride was really smooth.
As the bus moved on, we passed by the previous 105. I caught sight of an Indian RGS student who gaped open mouthed when she saw the bus pass. I couldn't help but let out a silent laughter which I covered with my hand. It was hilarious! The look on their (I'm assuming that not only one person was 'horrified') faces was absolutely hilarious!
The bus ride was great, for the most part.
Today was great too. I woke up at 11:15. I had a weird dream and I don't want to talk about it. I kind of remember it, and I have a feeling that in the dream, I was a bit too domestic for my tastes...yuck.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
15 Fangs on a Baby
I was supposed to lead some random people around the Art Club booth (if you can call it a booth) but I slacked off for the first 15 minutes of my shift doing something naughty.
...
No, I did not do it. I simply skivved off duty by attempting to make a 'shinking plastic keychain' which I later gave to Zann.
Yeah, so I was just wandering round the booth and getting myself used to the artworks. I followed Kimberly around as she introduced the artworks to parents and potential juniors and grasped a rough concept of how to explain the artworks and what the artworks are about and their medium. Of course, most of it was pretty easy.
So I just stood at one of the 'entrances' to the booth and then Tessa came along. After a while an Indian man came with his daughter (who was about 5 and wearing pink...). Tessa asked him if he would like a guided tour and he said yes.
It took a while before I went up to him and told him about the artworks. He was a great audience. He commented that he liked art a lot but said he had to beg his teacher for a passing grade in art. I told him art is all about the perspective. He just laughed and we then went on to the next exhibit.
When the tour ended I told him about the 'shrinking plastic keychain' and some 3-D paperwork and said that he could bring his daughter to try out some of the stuff there. He said thank you and I felt really, really pleased with myself.
Then came a Chinese man in a white shirt and pale khaki shorts. He had glasses and I think his hair was flat on his head. Anyway, we (Tessa and I) asked him if he wanted a guided tour and he said no. He was just waiting for the Guides' guided tour (lol) his daughter was taking part in.
So we just explained the first board or two of artworks.
It felt great to actually be able to impart my 'wisdom' to someone else.
On my way out of school (to bus stop gate) I met a woman and her daughter and the woman asked me if I knew where the Deborah Tan library was. I said I could guide her. She asked if I was a Sec 1, I said no, I'm a Sec 2. Then she asked if I liked RGS (or something). I said yes, the seniors are all very friendly. We discussed something about seniors (something about me being a senior too...) and then I 'dropped' her off at the foot of the stairs that lead to the library.
It was a pleasant talk and I was glad to have helped someone. Perhaps she'd call in to say RGS girls are very helpful and friendly?
I made my way back to the bus stop gate in time to see 105 pull in. My goodness was I lucky. I got up the bus (which was so awesomely empty) and got a seat at the (extreme) back of the bus. Maybe God was being nice to me because I was nice to other people. XD
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Slimey Cake
4.0 for BIOLOGY!
WOOHOO!
Hey! That means I've got a chance to take advanced Biology next year! Now if only I can get through and interview and obtain some random Bio teacher's recommendation...that's gonna be hard...
Anyway, so now I've got 3.6 for Physics (of all things...), 4.0 for Chemistry and 4.0 for Biology.
Isn't that great?
I only need another 2 things for my day to be perfect. 1. Pass all exams. 2. MUST. PASS. CHINESE. (this technically falls under the broad category of 'all exams', but still)
Now, adjourn with me into my trusty time machine and off to 15 May '09...
------------------------time machine groaning------------------------
Ah, now, where was I?
Oh yes, it is 15 May '09 and I am on the school bus on my way to school. Now, I am complaining to myself (yes, useless, I know) that it I am caught in a most untimely situation. I have anemia. Well, that should be over in a couple of days but that's not the issue here. The thing is, I have my 2.4km run that very day too.
So you can imagine me sitting in my seat, one elbow on the window sill with my head resting on the back of my hand (the one with the elbow on the window sill). Being the outrageously religious person I am, I believe that I have done something wrong (or would do something wrong) and that God is pissed so he punished me that way.
All the way to school (and through school) I am getting myself moping about the situation. This is what young punks would like to call 'emo-ing'. Yes, so I am emo-ing and voicing my displeasure to my friends who I'd like to thank for listening to this batty person yattering away selfishly.
Extreme reluctance follows as I sit in dread at the prospect of the upcoming physically taxing (and not to mention utterly horrible) test. The muscles on my arm begin to tense and I am feeling as if I have been doing pull-ups for the past...oh, 10 minutes straight, perhaps. Minus the pain. It feels sour and seriously contracted.
So there, I am running scenarios with myself in a variety of possible situations (take for example, me being dragged off the track due to my excessively huge width blocking a whole width of the track [that didn't happen, just sarcasm]) and the teacher calls everybody to gather around. I sit through a brief briefing (yes, doesn't it sound cool?) and then wait again for the test.
Then I feel something fall on my arm. Then another. Then another. More pelting occurs and we are told to sit under the shelter of the walkway. Then it starts raining in light sprinkles, just heavy enough to render the 2.4km run unrunnable.
The rain doesn't stop falling for a long time. We are then told to go to the canteen to sit it out. More waiting ensues. It is announced that 2.4km run will be postponed to Tuesday.
The only thing that is running through my mind is 'Thank God'.
------------------------time machine groaning------------------------
God works wonders. Maybe he just made rain fall because he wants to show me he knows what he's doing, that he can turn any situation around. I was being an idiot. I thought that God was against me because I was anemic on that day and I didn't consider what the weather might do to the possibility of the run.
God is just awesome the way he is, no?
Then there is the Biology test. After it I was so sure I had missed 4.0 by a bit. I was so sure. I finished the paper a little too early.
Alright. I'm lying. I finished it much earlier than the intended time. I finished it with 45min to spare, that or 1 hour. When the paper was discussed with other people and they inputted their views I figured I simply screwed up the whole thing.
Over the next few days (all the way until today, before the test results were revealed) I kept brooding about Biology. I then figured that I really wanted to do Bio RA if not simply attain Biology as one of the subjects in my subject combo. I figured I really like Bio and don't want to give up on it. Every time I think that I may not get 4.0 for Bio (really high expectations, yes, I know) and thus be unable to get into Bio RA I get really depressed and my heart has that sinking feeling like I've just suffered a huge blow.
I really like Bio.
------------------------time machine groaning------------------------
When they went through all the answers the feeling that I haven't done well started growing. I start to doubt myself so much because I had spotted so many differences between the model answers and what I wrote. I feel like I had simply screwed up the test.
Then I got the results back.
'50' is the first thing that registers. I have yet processed that I've gotten a 4.0. My math is bad. I'd only gotten a 25/40.
'Well Done!' is next. I started doing mental math.
'I GOT 4.0!' is the final thought that races through my mind before it goes on a complete shut down. I have acheived my goal. You can't say that after all the stress from before I don't deserve the right to completely ignore my surroundings for a bit and enjoy the bliss of it all.
I. Am. So. Freaking. Happy.
I can't really explain how it feels (I'll never be an author...) but it is simply awesome. It feels like I have perched Mount Everest and am the first to do so. There is a sense of relief (as if you're glad you survived the climb) and extreme joy.
One thing that will register in your mind after few seconds of numbness is:
'Praise God. Praise be to him on high.'
------------------------time machine groaning------------------------
You must have noticed the common factor between those two stories, 'God'.
Then there's another story. One about Philosophy and how it just seems to challenge my religion.
------------------------time machine groaning------------------------
I am being given an article about Euthanasia and arguements about legalizing this drug. I stare at it and the first thing I think of is 'No, they should not legalize it. It is simply not right to kill yourself.' Then I rest my case because I am not sure whether I want to think about the non-Christian side to the issue.
I am then forced to sit through a discussion that would start me on processing ideas against my religion and challenging my beliefs. I do not allow any of the strange and unholy thoughts to penetrate past the line of 'listening' and into 'acceptance'. I pay attention to the discussion but find nothing to say. I do not think that my religious views will be very readily accepted in the discussion.
I am upright and I will not allow any of those ideas to influence my religious beliefs so I am unable to perform my 'Philosophical evaluation' of the situation well. I am deeply regretful that I am unable to do so but further discussion digressing into issues of unholy nature will only cause me to tune out to the entire discussion.
Throughout the discussion I only give my input a few times, and only when clarification is needed. There is an exception but I do not remember (Sophia recorded that there is but I cannot recall any). I refrain from saying anything. The whole discussion makes me dizzy and sleepy. Nothing really gets comprehended in my mind. I think it is some sort of a defense mechanism when something against my religion is being discussed.
I do not find the need to discus the issue because I know my stand and I will not allow any space for the 'acceptance of others' ideas'. I do not care whether it is going to dictate my failure to be promoted from Sec2 to Sec3 but I will not, I repeat, will NOT stay to let any ideas cloud my vision of my Father in heaven.
If they do not want any religious ideas in the discussion then I have nothing to say. Human rights (as defined by the world) states that an individual is allowed to do whatsoever he or she wishes to do to himself or herself. So saying, there is nothing except for my religion that makes me go against legalizing Euthanasia. It is as if anyone who wants to control their lives is playing God. I don't like that. I do not want to consider that.
I think the Philosophy curriculum of RGS should be more accumulating and considerate to the different kinds of pupils in the school. It is utterly unfair if I am forced to be detained for a year (or the consequent ones too if Sec2 Philosophy continues as it is) due to my religious beliefs. If they want to consider something absolutely unrelated to the ways of my religion then by all means go ahead.
Actually, I think RGS shouldn't have Philosophy at all. It simply ruins our lives.
------------------------time machine groaning------------------------
See? People might think I'm delusional, that I should get my head out of all that 'God' business, but I won't. I stand firm by what I think and what I am influenced to think through my religious beliefs. I will not conform to the ways of the school just to attain certain academic qualifications. None of this Earthly qualifications will be of any value in heaven. I wish to concentrate on God.
If need be I may complain to the school board and request to change the topic of Philosophy discussions as it is interfering with my (and others like me) beliefs.
I am human, so shouldn't I have the right to decide whether or not I wish to take part in such discussions? Philosophy is all about thinking. If I do think well and am able to view ideas from other point of views but simply do not wish to accept arguements going against my religion and belief, will I not be allowed to be promoted if I do not fulfill the criteria of what is expected of Sec2 Philosophy course?
I think this part of the Philosophy course is challenging the wrong thing.
It challenges my religion instead of my ability to think. This may not affect students who are not of the same mental processes as I and are thus less likely to be affected by religious beliefs but I will not be swayed by the requirements of society.
I will only do what is right and pleasing to God (if it is within my control) and I will ask for forgiveness, beg, actually, if I do displease him because upsetting God is worse than upsetting the whole of humanity.
God is probably the only being that is a constant in everyone's life. His role never changes. It just depends on whether you want to believe he is there or not.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Shattered Glass Bead
I just survived it with 4As and 1B. Which is really good but I feel all bad and cranky inside because I was just 3cm away from A for Standing Board Jump. You know how bad that feels? 3cm from your goal? Damn was I pissed. I got 178cm last year! I just felt either Cs or As would look nicer because it'd be more uniform on my report card, yes? I mean, hello, 2.4km is impossible for me to get a B so I'd just stay satisfied with a C, so it would be nice if my SBJ got a C too to match. =D
Anyway, I'm most satisfied with my shuttle run results.
Inclined Pull-Ups
18
A
Shuttle Run
10.7sec
A
Sit-Ups
36
A
Standing Board Jump
175
B
Sit and Reach
45
A
Nice, eh?
Damn, and even though Rachel got lower scores than me for all except IPU and Sit and Reach she ended up with 5As! Not fair! Why was I born in February? Or rather, why is NAPFA mid-year and not start of year?
...
Lol, I'm talking as if the world revolves around me...
Sunday, 3 May 2009
www.greenman.com
(Sorry. Just realised the exams were on Thursday and not Friday. It was, indeed, 30 Apr '09. Friday's Labour Day...)
And another screwed thing is that I forgot (and this is really silly) to circle the genre for English Narrative Writing thingum. Dead, right?
Yesterday I was pondering over quadratic equations and I came up with theories that can help me find the x-intercept and the line of symmetry, something two things I've always struggled with. Now that I can find them without the graph (and trust me, now I don't need the graph to find almost ANYTHING [I still can't do minimum and maximum value, but I'm gonna find out) I feel a little more confident, but due to my acute lack of memory space I fear I may forget everything...oops.
Ooh. I found how to find the maximum/minimum value already. I feel so awesome! That aside, I am currently accumulating House episodes via a deal I made with my father. For every 5/6 pages of Chinese text (中华文化之族) I read, I get 2 House episodes. How awesome is that? Even if I run out of 中华文化之族 text I still have 少年文摘 which is given monthly so I needn't worry about having lesser episodes. Cool, huh?
I need to revise Geog. Really, I can't stand why we need to learn stupid impacts and the likes. I'd have much preferred if the whole paper was about the formation and all Science-y stuff. I can't stand human Geog. Anywhere humans appear on the page I'm gonna fling my head into the wall.
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Anybody wants the theories? If you do, grovel at my feet and I shall bestow this great knowledge unto you!
Kidding. But seriously, anyone wants these theories? I've tested all of them with Graphmatica. They've worked so far. It's kind of a great accomplishment for someone who failed Math last term like me...
Monday, 20 April 2009
2 Hairpins and 1 Muffin
T/F?
True.
And I just proved it.
I did the very thing while walking home from the bus stop because I was feeling drowsy and didn't really want to open my eyes much.
Aren't I awesome?
Okay, ego.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Comment Moderation
Art: Hella fun.
Art Competitions: Totally sucky and utter waste of money and time.
Beautex: ?
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Today wasn't bad but the fact that I had to wake up at freaking 06:45 kind of killed the mood. Of course, I started stirring an hour before that (blame my physical memory for remembering the time I usually wake up at to get to school), fell asleep again, woke up, decided I still had time, fell asleep, woke up, grumble about stupid 'wake up spells', fell asleep, hears mother yelling at us (my bro and I) to wake up, woke up, wanted to sleep in another 5 minutes, fell asleep, woke up exactly 5 minutes later.
Lol. That pretty much summarizes my waking up today.
My mum drove me to school and I got there really early, by, like, 07:20 or something. I spotted Kimberly getting off the piano and going off with Awa (introductions came a little later) to the Art Room. She was a little unsure of who I was, but then welcomed me with a broad smile (like always). We marched down to the Art Room (well, I kind of ran, but still) to grab Kimberly's stuff for the art competition we were heading to Hort Park for. Some kind of design-the-tissue-box competition. Grace walked in a little while later.
We ended up bringing with us a box full of art materials (that somehow was only shared among Kimberly, Grace, Awa and I) and some boards for drawing on. Registration took many, many minutes. We just stood around until it was our turn to flash out EZlink cards to confirm identification and pay S$5 for registration fee and then collect our drawing paper, a briefing sheet and a goodie bag. The goodie bag was awesome, but a little overflowing with tissue related contents. There was like 5 kinds of drinks, 2 maggie mee packets, 2 lollipops, 1 huge tissue box, 3 packets of tissue, 1 packet of mosquito repellant wipes, 1 packet of milo cereal and 2 mini packets of biscuits.
Briefing started long after we registered and found comfortable seats in the multi-purpose hall. While we were waiting, there was a short slide show of tissue products by Beautex. I noticed they really liked flowers. There was one design that caught my eye so I decided to imitate it to an extent. Briefing was really brief and we were let off soon. We didn't wander off far when we came across a really favourable spot. We initially wanted to sit at an area a little left to where we ended up but there were too many ants so we scrammed to the huge open concrete platform in the middle of freaking nowhere. Wonder what it was there for. Kimberly went to get the water and Awa went away doing something. I know Grace and I were the only ones not doing anything during preparation.
_BEWARE_BORINGNESS_
I couldn't think of anything really original to draw so I 'imitated' the design I saw before the briefing. Everybody was using pencil to sketch out their artworks but I just started with painting immediately. Since I wanted a straight edge, I was so smart (EGO!) to use the briefing sheet handed to us during registration and used it as a ruler as I painted the blue. So I kind of screwed it up, but so what? Anyway, I originally wanted to drip paint over the blue are (you know, like 'pop-up' strings of acrylic all over) but figured I couldn't without proper equipment and resorted to forming them with brushes of various thickness. They were all of strange colours. I mean, yellow and green?
When I was done with the stuff in the blue area I picked up some green and made some leaf shape thingums along the only line that got out of the blue (that was intentional). I then figured it looked a bit empty so I added 5 red dots spaced close together to form a flower (Beautex IS obviously obsessed with flowers, I mean, Hort Park?). A few more here and there and it looked better. I thought the blue area looked boring, so I picked up the brust I painted red with and drew a red line in the blue area. Then I inspected the whole image and still found it's composition ugly. I picked up my brust and painted 4 purple hibiscus of various sizes at the top right. I was pretty happy with it and then slacked off for the rest of the 45 minutes left of 2 hours.
_END_OF_BORINGNESS_
Grace's was turning out very nicely in a style I greatly admire. Awa's was...wow. If not for the fact that the deers became black at the end. I liked them better white. She'd probably have won something if not for the seemingly inappropriate air about it. I mean, it looked really emo and the theme was 'Life is Beautiful'. Kimberly's was good too, if not a bit hasty during painting (damn their short time limit). We turned them in with 10 minutes to spare then set about washing our stuff in the drain right beside the platform. I think we stained it sky blue and purple permanently.
It got really hot out there so we quickly gathered our stuff and trudged off under the shade (which many people were taking refuge under too). We just sat around and talked about Bleach and stuff. I read the Chinese book we were supposed to read for Chinese PT but I think I left it at the bus stop before I boarded the bus home (that happens at 13:45 or something, much later than the point I'm narrating).
Mrs. Lai found our hide-out at the edge of the empty koi pond (seriously, no water, no koi) and brought us over to the rest of the RGS people. So we sat around and talked more. When it was time to go in we did, bathing in the cool air-con. Kimberly and I couldn't find seats so we took to sitting most unRGS-like at the back of the room on the floor. We were both going on about how we wouldn't win. Kimberly and Grace seemed to have some sort of confidence in mine because it was 'very tissue box-like'. I had to admit it WAS very tissue box. I mean, it looked like the typical design except 100 times uglier.
That aside, prize presentation began and they started with Junior category and went on to Tweens (what the hell is that?) which Kimberly mistook for Teens until I told her. Teens consolation prizes started to be handed out and I was feeling really nervous. I mean, I was shortlisted, but so were at least 19 others. So I just sat there not doing anything. I had a feeling that consolation would have felt like a loss to me. The first consolation went to Grace, and we clap for her. I mean, hello, our school, our club-mate, our friend. Consolation prizes went on and at the 5th and final consolation prize, Victoria (Sec3 from SAP) got the prize.
So I didn't get into consolation. I thought mine would have at most merited that, so imagine the utter shock and numbness when I found out I got 3rd. Okay, third's really just the 2nd loser, but still, to win something above consolation? I was really close to consolation but I scraped past it. I think I would be in the consolations if Awa made it. What a close shave, not that I was really glad she couldn't because her painting technique is really, really good.
I took my place beside Victoria with a proud smile on my face, well, as proud as you can get when you are wary that there are many people staring at you. Then 2nd prize went to another RGS student, Sec1 SAP (yes, I know I suck, losing to Sec1, but hey, you can't blame me, it's probably only the fifth time I've picked up a paintbrush in RGS). Victoria said it'll be cool if first prize were also an RGS girl, so we held our breaths and YES! RGS too (Sec1 also, help me, I'm feeling a bit depressed). Okay, a bit elitist here, but yes, we were all glad that we dominated the Teen's category. Oh yeah, they handed us envelopes when we went up stage. We took a few group photos with prize winners of all categories. We were later told to collect our prizes. I was like, Isn't it the envelope? I mean, it does say 1st, 2nd, 3rd or consolation prize...
Then we opened them and found they were empty. The table clearly stated that all of us were supposed to have some resort stay voucher or something. So we came to the conclusion that it was all a hoax and scam and waited in a long long queue to get our stuff. While waiting we took a few RGS people photos, then got interviewed by some Beautex people. I think we badmouthed a bit too much about Mr. Wong.
The collection took so long we finally decided to leave before we collected it first hand and they said they would mail it to us.
*shrugs*
We then took the mini bus back to school. Kimberly was emo-ing something about not getting a prize and her parents killing her for both that and losing to her mortal (the one who got 2nd). So I locked my happiness away and emo-ed with her.
EMO.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Unceasing Tears - Tearful Anguish
I wanted to scream, shout, tell him somehow I'm there for him when others demand his death, but my lips wouldn't move. They remained cracked and parched, tears that have ever touched them as rain long gone, depleted. The earth I was standing on suddenly felt so inviting, it was suddenly so tempting to simply give in to lethargy and heartache and crumble into a heap to rest on the uneven ground regardless of the hygiene of the act.
Eyes exhausted, I stumbled blindly as they dragged him crudely off the post. Every step I took toward him only served to increase our distance, every unheard cry muffled through the crowd. I saw him take one last look at me then turn his head away in shame, unwilling for me to see him in that vulnerable a state. It wasn't something fit for someone his stature.
My heart ached with longing and the knowledge that this may very well be the last time I would ever lay eyes upon him ever again. A hoarse whisper escaped my lips. I wanted so badly to reach out to him, to cradle his head and tell him everything is okay, to hush his gasps of pain with my words, to forever be in his loving embrace. I wanted so badly I pushed the crowd apart, denying my body the rest it longed for after the forlorn verdict had been passed.
Deformed as he may be now, still a magnificent young man he will forever remain in my mind, a smile so gallant it could melt the hardest hearts of even man, a love so sacrificial it could grant forgiveness to those who did nothing to protect him their king. A word from his mouth could sooth even the most troubled of minds, a touch from his hands enough to send one off into the most sedated state of calm. Those very hands picked up a long wooden pike and he painstakingly lifted it.
What had I done for him to earn his love? Nothing. Yet he gave it freely and willingly. What had I done for him to make him love me as he did? Nothing. Yet he loved me all the same, understanding my silent wishes even I wasn't conscious of. What had I done for him to make him die in my place? Nothing. Yet he walked along the path of hatred and endured jealous spites to relieve me of the taking the same route.
He slowly inched his way to his death, hauling behind him a wooden stake almost twice his height. I could almost hear his torn and aching body crying for help, but no one offered any, only hateful spits. I let out a strangled outcry and leapt forward with my arms stretched out in front of me ready to receive him into my embrace. Just a little more, please. Give me a second, a fraction of it, that is all I require. I have yet to say something. I have yet to tell him my deepest longings. I have yet to express to him what he was to me. I pray for just this second, please grant it to me.
My fingers brushed his sweat glazed skin and I wasted no time to grasp it tight. My king and my lord, how did you end up like this? Your royal birth has decided your death. What have you done to deserve this? Your smile could light my days for years to come, your kindness overflows abundant into the lives of many and bringing them out of poverty, yet why have you been condemned to such a death fit for a criminal? What is it that makes you take the rap?
I pulled myself to him and brought up a hand to push his load up slightly and relieve his burden, and for that he repaid me with a smile more dazzling than the sun even in the state he was in, battered and all. My eyes once more found tears to spare and let them all out. I sobbed silently into his broad shoulder, whispering the words I have longed to say the moment I met him and his eyes, mine. Shaking my head at my own procrastination, I finally relieved myself, "My lord, I love you. I love you so much. Why? Why'd you have to go?"
"Because I love you too. Because I have to. Because my kingdom needs it. Because I am king," he stated so simply and with so much conviction that it left no place for doubt, smiling genuinely for all he was worth even in the predicament I had placed him in. I was so lost for words I couldn't do anything but try to further lighten his load intuitively when my mind left its stumped state. As I moved to carry it with him, I was roughly pushed back by a roman senator who growled, "Out of his way, missy. No acquaintance of him is to come close." and spat in my face.
But I hadn't time to pay attention to his words. All I could see was him, he was the only one in the world. No matter how many times his people betray him, no matter how many times I have turned away, he still came back with a determined pride and welcomed us in with open arms. No matter how many times his people despise him, no matter how many times I have ignored him, he still returned with a gentle smile to indicate he loved us despite.
How could one man be so loving? So selfless? So flawless?
"I'm not an acquaintance! I love him!" I yelled to the soldier. He dismissed me disinterestedly with a well toned arm. I tried desperately to push against it and rejoin him but the arm wouldn't budge even a centimeter.
I shouted a final request, "My king! Don't forget me! Don't forget me! I love you so, so please don't forget me!"
All he responded me with was another simple smile, innocent and full of holy passion. I did not know whether to rejoice or to cry.
The current of the crowd steered me to a low hill overgrown with grass and weeds. They flipped him over with the weight still on his back, pulled him up, stripped his garments off him and threw him back down. I stifled a yelp. Why? Why was the world so cruel to judge this man guilty of something even the most blinded of persons could tell was right and just? Why was the world so prejudice to the ways of this one king? Why was the world so blind to his righteous intentions?
Mourning had never wrenched my heart as it did now. I watched with lungs constricted and eyes fearful as he lay down tensely. I could see the apprehension in his eyes of being pierced but he remained down with all his strength. His life course and destiny had been laid out for him and he was to follow it. He was to follow it to death.
A rusted nail dug into his wrist and his blood curdling cry pierced the tension filled air. My head turned away instinctively and my eyes squeezed shut. How could I bear to stand and look on as a spectator when he was there bleeding? How could I bear to remain as I was and watch him fight the urge to thrash due to the pain? How could I bear to be still and see him arch his back in agony and his breathing turn to raspy gasps?
It took all I had to return my gaze to him. I felt the trickle of a tear race down my cheek as the second nail punctured his other wrist. Who was I that he needed to suffer such humiliation and pain for me? Who was I that he needed to throw all his pride as a king for me? My heart twisted as a third nail was driven through the arch of his feet. He may be a king, he may be of royal linage, but his body was still human and human flesh could experience physical pain. His mind has already had enough distress throughout his years as an adult, yet why must his physical body be inflicted by pain too? Why?
My knees gradually gave in. If I could just be by his side to comfort him and ease his pain, if I could just be there to mop the sweat off his tangled hair, I would be, but my legs did not seem to agree. Perhaps they had learnt their lesson from the roman soldier, perhaps they were just weak from exhaustion, but the fact remained that they would not move. I cried out for him amidst the crowd roaring their approval of his death. My sisters beside me sang a different tune, a symphony orchestrated by their pained sobs and agonized weepings.
It was time. They levered the stake till it stood upright on the ground and he was breathing raggedly while hanging off it. The only piece of clothing left was a linen cloth wrapped limply around his waist, and perhaps that thorny bracket on his crown. His eyes screwed shut to refrain himself from groaning at the sudden stress on his limbs, his lips grimacing in silent prayer.
This was it. I may never get to see him alive again.
With all I had, I let go of a name. His name.
"JESUS!"
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I was given feedback to cut it off here, so I am. I'm keeping the part after this still for more closure. I'm ending at "JESUS!" for more impact, so says Kimberly.
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A man came up from behind me and scowled before knocking me unconscious. My blurry vision met his eyes again, this time barely open in a squint. He shouted something to the sky and a clap of thunder fell, followed by a heavy torrent of pelting rain. With what was left of my ability to observe, I read aloud the sign hung above his head right at the apex of the cross.
"The King of the Jews"
I smiled into darkness.
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CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST
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Lol. Bet you guys thought I was writing some mushy romance story.
It's not very accurate, there's quite a number of other things that happened, but I was trying to narrate dramatically from a woman's point of view. 'He' refers to Jesus, Kings of the Jews, King of the World, God etc. 'Sisters' refer to sisters in Christ, any daughter who believes and trusts in him.
Don't you think this was a pretty good attempt?
What is a senator exactly? Oh wait, it's a member of some high coucil. Crap. I used it wrongly. I thought a senator was some kind of soldier. Oh well, who cares.
This was wholly inspired by today's church service where Sister Gwen preached about the meaning of the symbol of the cross. She showed us this video with short clips taken out of Passion of Christ (or something). It wasn't as if it was voluntary but I cried anyway. I don't know why, probably I love him so much I can't bear to see him in that much pain and agony.
I mean, they literally whipped him until his back bled, pressed a crown of thorns on his head, made him carry his own cross on his broken back to his 'deathbed' and then impaled nails in his hands/wrists (depends on which you believe in, personally, I'll take wrists) and feet and then brought the cross perpendicular to the ground and left him there to die.
What had he done to deserve all that? All he did was try to save the people, heal them, preach about the coming of his kingdom and perform miracles. All he did was with the intention of giving them a chance at a better life, yet look what they did to him!
He was king, yet treated like a common criminal.
He was God, yet treated like a begger.
He was the creator, yet they proclaimed death upon him.
He created them, yet they killed him.
Now I ask you again, what had he done to deserve all that humiliation and pain? All that suffering and torture of knowing he was to die on the cross for everyone's sins?
Then I started asking myself.
Did I deserve such a great sacrifice for my sins? I mean, he was son of God, for goodness sake! He was God himself too! Why had he to go through so much pain for me and for this world which had forsaken him?
...you probably won't understand until you truly cry simply because of the pain he had went through, until you cry from the bottom of your heart when you hear his outcry of agony and it hurts you so much to know it was for you that he went through it all.
That I did.
I'm becoming such a softie...
But hey, if it's for God, I'll cry even in school in front of everyone for him. =D
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Braided Pencils
Anyway, I just went online to onemanga.com and guess what I saw? There's a series continuing Prince of Tennis! Isn't that awesome? Well, for me, yes, but I think not for everyone else...that aside, it's just as cool as it was before! The drawings are great, the plot...not much I can gather yet from just 2 chapters, but I think it'll be good.
Ballet is starting again today. I hope I don't get any more trachea constrictions like that time during PE on Thursday. I thought I could die. No, actually, I didn't. It was not that bad, I could still breathe but it was more like wheezing, not a very good experience, really.
That very day I witnessed first hand the 'wheelchair friendly' SBS bus in action. It was really boring, actually. The only modification was that the level of the bus was low and that there were pull out trap door like flaps that unfolded into a ramp to ease the wheelchairs out of the bus. The old man (who didn't look Chinese at all...) took so long to get out of the bus (he hobbled, really) the bus behind the one I was in beeped its horn.
Lol.
There's nothing much else to say except that I got forced to 死读 my Chinese because I epic failed it. Gee, and my internet connection wasn't blocked by my dad, so I realized. The network cable was just unplugged...ugh. I've been a moron for a while...
Let's end with a few words.
Have you ever wondered
If the sky was a whole new world?
If the sparkles of the stars
Was a life to unfold?
Have you ever wondered
If another village stood up there?
If another darkness of the alleys
Was a life fading bare?
Have you ever wondered
If vampires and werewolves exist?
If mermaids of the foam
Was a life turned to mist?
Have you ever wondered
If there was a fixed path to follow?
If there was a choice of ways
Was it your intention not to go?
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Patchwork death of happiness
We did Photoshop for Aesthetics today. It was so fun (why do I keep repeating this line everytime I find something interesting?!).Saturday, 28 March 2009
Sizzling Snowdrops in a Bubbling Concoction
I 'celebrated' it with my whole family, and if I remember correctly, this is probably the first time in so long that we've gotten together to spend some quality time with each other that didn't include the unsociable watching TV or eating dinner.
We played Cluedo.
Well, the small set, the one about the size of an average A4 size paper with its length shortened to 2/3 of its usual. Anyway, my mother keeps breathing onto the candles we use to light the night (ooh! Rhymes!) and the candles kept going out. Lol. =D
It was so fun trying to teach them to play. I remember my brother was a pro at Cluedo when he was about 8 to 11, but somehow, he forgot how to play, so today, he revealed the cards that weren't supposed to be revealed and it was so funny!
Anyway, yeah, we all enjoyed playing it (with the boring exception of my sister who kept complaining about the dark). My father tried to use the program on his phone to roll the dice, but we found it a little irritating so we gave up and used the manual ones.
My sister was so annoying. She kept running away to the kitchen to get food and water and while we were all trying to concentrate on the game started whining and proclaiming loudly that there wasn't any Ribena and some what-not nonsense that I couldn't comprehend. Something about the syrup. That was so...frustrating. I felt like pulling on her hair at that moment... It disrupted the whole game!
Well, not exactly disrupt. It just shook my thoughts and concentration. Ugh. She pisses me off.
That aside, it was fun. It was the best family time I've ever had. My parents looked happy, so I was too. It's not wrong to put up an original fake facade to put them at peace then pull the mask off when I really start to get happy when they're all smiling because of the quality time we had, right?
Yeah, so I enjoyed Earth hour even though I got shunned by my siblings (no details included. All you have to know is that they both shut doors in my face...well, my sister had the right to do it then, but my brother didn't have to add 'I don't want to see you'!) at first. That sucked. I started to watch the clouds from my bedroom then began to have a slight desire to rollerblade in the streets but my parents said no because I had just bathed and that's how we ended up playing games which my mother brought out. =D
Friday, 20 March 2009
CHAOS is a product of too much PEACE
But seriously. You want a Go question? I could go find a super easy 30-kyu one for you guys to solve. Like trying to atari stones. Or capture them. Something like that. Do you even understand what I'm saying?
Here goes.
Q1. Mathematical Problem.
There are two glasses of identical volume. Glass A is half-filled with liquid A and Glass B is half-filled with liquid B. A tenth of liquid B from Glass B is poured into Glass A and mixed thoroughly into liquid A so it is evenly distributed. A tenth of the solution in Glass A is then poured back into Glass B. Is the amount of liquid A in Glass B the same as the amount of liquid B in Glass A?
Q2. Common Sense Question (taken from the Brands Essence advertisement)
Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on Earth?
Q3. Common Sense Question (taken from the Brands Essence advertisement)
Most months have 31 days. How many have 28?
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Answers are further down. I suggest you think through the questions thoroughly first before proceding. Before they come, I'm gonna insert my day's account/recount here.
You know, the mathematical problem has been stuck in my head for years, I'm sure. It's nothing great and I don't even remember where I saw it from but it was from a long long time ago. It's an amazing feat that I have to be congratulated for that I even remember it. I don't have a great mind for these kind of stuff.
Perhaps I found the answer interesting and wanted to remember the question to double check the answer, perhaps it was simply...for odd reasons...engraved in my memory. I don't know. There isn't really much of a logical reasoning to answer this question I am posing to myself right now on why I remember this problem. Anyway, let me take some time to double check my anser...
*turns away to shut herself in and calculate mentally*
Yup. It should be the correct answer. I mean, I know the answer already but I just have to figure how to derive it myself.
I saw question 2 in the Squash toilets before so I know the answer. I've seen question 3 somewhere else too, but not the Squash toilet.
Anyway, answers. Yup yup. Coming soon.
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Answers:
Q1. The same.
If you want explanantions, fine, but I'm going to change the fractions so they're easier to work with, so instead of taking a tenth (1/10) of liquid B, I'm going to take a quarter (1/4 a.k.a. 25%). Please do remember that each glass is only half full. Pretend there is an object used in transferring the liquids and that it has the exact same volume of the transferred liquids.
After trasferring liquid B:
Glass A: 5/8 or 25/40 filled - 5/40 of liquid B & 20/40 of liquid A (ratio of B:A = 1:4)
Glass B: 3/8 or 15/40 filled - 3/8 of liquid B
During transfer:
Object Used to Transfer: 1/8 or 5/40 of Glass - 1/40 of liquid B & 4/40 of liquid A
Glass A: 4/8 or 20/40 filled - 4/40 of liquid B & 16/40 of liquid A
Glass B: 3/8 or 15/40 filled - 15/40 of liquid B
After transfer:
Glass A: 4/8 or 20/40 filled - 4/40 of liquid B & 16/40 of liquid A
Glass B: 4/8 or 20/40 filled - 16/40 of liquid B & 4/40 of liquid A
See?
Q2. Everest.
No matter whether it has been recognized by man as the highest mountain or not, it is still there, it still exists, and even if man hadn't discovered it yet, it is still the highest in existance on Earth.
Q3. 12 months.
All of the have at least 28 days.
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Fooled ya, didn't I? All those tricky common sense questions... I'm terrible with eplanations so if the walk-through Mathematical solution didn't make sense I'm to blame, okay? If your minds can't comprehend it, it's probably because I've twisted it into some strange incomprehensible hunk of words. It's not your fault. XP
Now you must be wondering why the hell I'm giving you these questions to do. I honestly don't know the answer either. XP Anyway, I hope you had fun getting your brains in a twist!
Here's a bonus for those who know Go (and find 30-kyu questions challenging...). I'm supposed to be 17-kyu to 18-kyu but I seem to find 18-kyu problems challenging...(by the way, 30-kyu is lowest rank. 1-kyu is the highest kyu, the followed by the higher amateur 1-dan until 6-dan. After that would be the professional 1-dan to 9-dan):
Freakishly easy 30-kyu problems-
1. Black to move and live. Average time taken for 30-kyu: 6 sec.
3. White to move and kill black. Average time taken for 30-kyu: 11 sec.
4. Black to move and kill marked white stone. Average time taken for 30-kyu: 13 sec. (I honestly don't understand this. This problem is freaking easy even when I started out and that was while I still had problems with the first question I posted!)
Now some 25-kyu questions to keep your brain going (that is if you know the basics and can do all the 30-kyu posted XD):
1. Black to play and kill white. Average time taken for 25-kyu: 11 sec.
2. White to prevent black from connecting and saving all stones. Average time taken for 25-kyu: 25 sec.
That's all for today. I wanna put more, but...
Anyway, if you don't know how to play, go to these websites. They'll teach you. Go is fun! It's also kown as WeiQi, by the way. Go is fun, but playing it seriously is gonna make me die. I like solving the problems because there's no way you can lose, you just don't get it, that's all. I hate losing...:
http://gobase.org/studying/rules/?id=0&ln=uk
If you feel lost, don't worry. The next page is only a click away at the low hanging horizontal bar that says 'next'. There are problems to test yourself too. Just click home (it should be somewhere on the page) and search the right bar (or something). You should be able to find something like 'problems' or the likes.
This is where I found the problems I've posted. Kinda fun. XD
http://www.gokgs.com/tutorial/
I reinforced my knowledge here. Found out I actually knew everything they were talking about. Probably because I've read (and re-read) Hikaru no Go so many times and watched the anime of it where moves and the likes were explained at the end of the episodes. I recommend this site. It's interactive and fun. XD It's my personal favourite.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Each Generation Has to Ask the Same Number of Questions as the Next if Not They'll Never be Able to Answer Them and the World Will Get More Stupid
Write the names of 21 friends you can think off the top of your head, and then answer the questions. Say you’re guessing if you don’t know, but at least guess on all of them. After doing this, tag your 21 friends to do the same.
1. AY (...she tagged me first...)
2. Kimberly (Art Club, and a new brace face)
3. Rachel
4. Aisyah (fangirl...)
5. Jesus! (He's a friend, right? Also a consultant, father, savior etc.)
6. Moira
7. Anabelle
8. Zann
9. Miss Siow (okay, that's random...oh, it says friends) *changes name* Miranda (church)
10. Sophia
11. Melissa
12. Chun Hui
13. Grace (ballet)
14. Xin Hui (also ballet)
15. (CAN"T THINK OF ANYBODY! I don't hang out with very many people...)...Isaac? (we're friends when it comes to blogging...tag a lot, sometimes)
16. Hui Xian
17. Jasmine
18. Rachel2
19. Cassandra (can't believe I forgot about her...argh)
20. Samuel (friend? We were more of acquaintances, but for the sake of question 3... *cackles madly*)
21. Gina (long time no see...how long has it been? Four years?)
-How did you meet 7? (Anabelle)
Through the sickeningly sadistic school called RGSS...
-What would you do if you and 15 had never met? (Isaac)
Uh...my Net life would be boring by a small fraction of 0.001%?
-What would you do if 20 and 1 dated? (AY and Samuel)
...Howl with laughter and scream,"AND I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU DIDN"T LIKE HIM!". XD
-Have you ever seen 17 cry? (Jasmine)
No. I only see her 4 hours out of the 168 a week...what are the chances I get to see her bawl like a baby? Well, unless the holy spirit came and touch her, I don't see how I'll get to see her cry...
-Would 4 and 16 make a good couple? (Aisyah and Hui Xian)
Er...do they know each other?
-Do you want to be 13's friend forever? (Grace)
I guess. I probably won't see much of her after I finish Intermediate or something. I'm not considering ballet as a profession so I need not do Advance 1 and 2.
-Do you think 11 is attractive? (Melissa)
In her own way. I'm a girl so I have absolutely no right to judge her (who is a girl too...).
-What’s 5’s favorite color? (Jesus)
Does He even have a preference?
-When was the last time you talked to 9? (Miranda)
Last Sunday.
-What language does 8 speak? (Zann)
English, Chinese, Malay, and a bit of slip shot Japanese from anime.
-Who is 13 going out with? (Grace)
...I'm not in a position to demand an answer for this one. Heck I'm not even interested...
-What grade is 16 in? (Hui Xian)
Sec 2.
-Would you ever date 17? (Jasmine)
*spews out what little of lunch she has in her stomach* WHAT THE HECK? NO WAY! She's Christian, I'm Christian, and lesbianism is against Christianity, so there.
-Where does 18 live? (Rachel2)
Er...let's narrow down our options...Universe>Milky Way>Solar System>Earth>Singapore?
-What is the best thing about 4? (Aisyah)
The fact that she doesn't mind me going on and on about Manga and Anime...
-What would you like to tell 10 right now? (Sophia)I
19 is good, yes? Don't suicide just because we wasted S$91 on that 19th position...
-What is the best thing about 20? (Samuel)
Um...he's funny? I don't know much about him except that he's the class clown 2 years ago...
-Have you ever kissed 2? (Kimberly)
*GAG*. Hello, Christians.
-What’s the best memory you have of 5? (Jesus)
Church camp when I got baptized by the holy spirit...
-When's the next time you're going to see 4? (Aisyah)
Who knows...
-How is 7 different from 6? (Anabelle and Moira)
Anabelle has booking power, Moira doesn't. Anabelle has straight hair, Moira's looks like a nest. Anabelle is a hard working nerd, Moira most certainly isn't. Anabelle sits in front of me, Moira goes right next to me. Anabelle is a perfectionist, Moira just wants to get her work done and over with. Anabelle is shorter than me, Moira is taller than me. Anabelle is the polar opposite of me, Moira and I are...quite similar, I should say.
-Is 2 pretty? (Kimberly)
Everyone is beautiful in the eyes of the Lord. Pretty sounds fairly superficial...so Kimberly is definitely NOT pretty. She's better, a diamond because she trusts in God. *smiles*
-What was your first impression of 15! (Isaac)
Who are you? Are you seriously 10 years old?
-How did you meet 3? (Rachel)
Rosyth GEP.
-Is 15 your best friend? (Isaac)
Er...no? For goodness sake, he's a GUY! Yes, Isaac is a HE, though I AM sorely tempted to circle 'F' under gender...
-Do you hate 12? (Chun Hui)
Why would I do that after the whole SAFMC thing?
-Have you seen 18 in the last month? (Rachel2)
Classmates.
-When was the last time you saw 16? (Hui Xian)
Yesterday. SAFMC.
-Have you been to 5’s house? (Jesus)
I would after I die. *grins, singing: In my father's house are, many mansions, many mansions in my father's house. In my father's house are, many mansions, many mansions in my father's house*
-When’s the next time you’ll see 10? (Sophia)
Probably Saturday.
-Are you close to 11? (Melissa)
Yup, sorta.
-Have you been to the movies with 4? (Aisyah)
No. If we did, we'd probably end up watching some movie adaptation of a favourite Manga or something. There'd be a great dispute as she'd most probably flock to the 'Shoujo' screenings while I, the 'Shounen'...
-Have you gotten in trouble with 8? (Zann)
*raises eyebrow* Everyday, and more than you'll eve know...
-Would you hug 19? (Cassandra)
No, but close. I don't hug, remember? And I'll miss her a lot but our friendship kind of wavered and is pretty much on the brink of breaking off...
-When have you lied to 3? (Rachel)
Friendly lies. XD
-Is 11 good at socializing? (Melissa)
When it comes to fan fiction and Manga and Anime? Yes.
-Do you know a secret about 8? (Zann)
Nope.
-Describe the relationship between 12 and 18. (Chun Hui and Rachel2)
Classmates.
-What’s the best thing about your friendship with 9? (Miranda)
She helped assimilate me into my new church!
-What’s the worst thing about 6? (Moira)
She's a baby. Either that or an old granny.
-Have you ever had a crush on 12? (Chun Hui)
*narrows eyes* HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU I"M A CHRISTIAN AND I DO NOT PARTAKE IN LESBIANISM?!?!
-How long have you known 2? (Kimberly)
Since we started at Art Club, but we never would have delved into the unknown depths of friendship had it not been for the 'I am Cow' song.
-Have you ever been in a fight with 13? (Grace)
Fight? I don't know her well enough to fight with her...
-Does 11 have a bf/gf? (Melissa)
How should I know?
-Have you ever wanted to punch 1 in the face? (AY)
No. Even though I do not exercise much thus am not provided with much endorphin leading to the fact that I am happy and will not shoot, I am fairly pleased with our friendship so I do not want to punch.
-Has 21 met your mother? (Gina)
I honestly have no idea, but they should have met a few times...
-How did you meet 11? (Melissa)
Classmates. This year and the previous.
-Did you ever accidentally physically hurt 3? (Rachel)
I don't know. Minor accident? Like maybe squish a toe or two? Seriously, I don't have a great memory chip in my head for anything.
-Do you live close to 7? (Anabelle)
Doubt that. Where does she live in the first place?
-What is 8’s favorite food? (Zann)
Dunno, but I don't think she lives on drawings like I do (as in I can't go a day without drawing), so it's safe to say no, she does not live, eat and breath drawing. As for others...I dunno.
-What kind of car does 1 have? (AY)
Is she even allowed to own one? Wait, she is, but not a driving license.
-Have you traveled anywhere with 9? (Miranda)
Cell group outing?
-If you gave 14 $100, what would she spend it on? (Xin Hui)
...who knows?
------------------------------------------------------
MY BOY SIDE
[x] you love hoodies
[ ] you love jeans
[ ] dogs are better than cats (no, they both suck)
[ ] it's hilarious when people get hurt (sadistic!)
[x] you've played with boys on a team
[x] shopping is torture (with the exception of Manga XD)
[x] sad movies suck
[ ] you own a XBOX (I don't care much for one as long as I have a computer...)
[ ] you played with Hot Wheels as a little kid
[ ] at some point in your life you wanted to be a firefighter
[ ] you own a DS PS2 or SEGA
[ ] you used to be obsessed with Power Rangers (like real!)
[x] you watch sports on TV (GO SOCCER! I have no favourite team though.)
[x] gory movies are cool (I watche Saw II and I kinda like the plot, though it was a little borin...)
[ ] sometimes you go to your dad for advice (I don't ask my parents for advice...)
[ ] you own like a trillion baseball hats
[x] you used to/do collect pokemon (I liked them as a kid and was obsessed with them at the age of 6, but upon learning that pokemon is not Godly, I stopped and now I can't see why I ever liked it...)
[x] baggy sweat pants are nice to wear (YEAH!)
[ ] its kind of weird to have sleepovers with a bunch of people
[x] green, black, red, blue or silver are one of your favourite colours (black...I used to like red from P1-P6, though. I think I may like green now...)
[x] sports are fun (badminton, tennis may be fun, and I like basketball)
[x] you sometimes talk with food in your mouth (does anyone NOT do that?)
[ ] you sleep at night with your socks on (I might in the cold...)
[x] you have fished at least once (at the local mini fishing pond where you scramble for guppies?)
TOTAL= 12
MY GIRL SIDE (someone kill me...)
[ ] you like to shop (someone kill me again...)
[ ] you wear eyeliner
[ ] you wear the color pink (...*barfs*)
[ ] sometimes you go to your mum for advice (I don't ask my parents for advice, remember?)
[ ] you consider cheerleading a sport (no, it's a recreation and more of a performance, like ballet!)
[ ] you hate wearing all black (I LIKE wearing all black. Feels good. Figuring out which colours go together is...not my forte)
[ ] you like going to the mall
[ ] you like getting manicures and/or pedicures (NO MY CUTICLES!)
[ ] you like wearing jewelery (if a black watch and black rubberbands on my wrists count, then it should be a yes...)
[ ] you cried watching The Notebook (what's that?)
[ ] skirts are a big part of your wardrobe (I don't have a single skirt in my cupboard [no, I'm NOT going to call it wardrobe])
[ ] shopping is one of your favourite hobbies
[ ] you've seen Star Wars and don''t like some of it (I have not seen Star Wars...)
[ ] you do/did gymnastics
[ ] it takes you around one hour to shower and get dressed (nah. I spend twenty minutes in the bath just soaking up the hot water cuz it feels nice.)
[x] you smile a lot more than you should (do I?)
[ ] you have more than 10 pairs of shoes (those who tick this must have at least five pairs of feet...I don't see why people need so many...)
[ ] you care about what you look like majority of the time
[ ] you like wearing dresses whenever you can (I don't have a dress.)
[x] you like dancing/do dancing (BALLET! Dancing is all about body control, nothing too bimbotic about it. I'm not afraid to say I do like dancing.)
[ ] you like high heel shoes (...I don't even have a pair...)
[x] you used to play with dolls as a kid (I ruined Barbie's hair *grins*)
[ ] you like putting makeup on others
[ ] you like being the star of almost everything (attention stinks, especially the kind where people stare at you because you grew a metephorical second head...)
[ ] pink is one of your favourite colours (YUCK.)
TOTAL= 3 (NO KIDDING?!)
now multiply by 4 to get your percentage
48% boy, 12% girl
Erm...was I born the wrong gender?
------------------------------------------------------
90. First off, what is your name?
RL, or you could just call me Ferrero.
89. What did you do last night?
Read Manga online, typed a few words on the computer...I can't remember. Those stated are the routine stuff so it's not hard to forget...
88. Do you have a best friend that you can talk to 24/7?
I hate using the phone. It's horrifyingly boring and ridiculously inconvenient.
87. Do you have any siblings?
2, apparently. One elder brother who owns 2 computers and keep them running at the same time and a younger sister who owns one computer and forgets to switch off the lights. Both require my assistance to fill their stomachs for lunch.
86. How many years apart is your mom and dad?
Almost half a year.
85. Do you like someone?
No. I love my friends and family and God, but I do not like them.
84. What does the 7th message in your text inbox say?
[Kimberly Ho: No, duh. But the torture of adjusting it...] I'll leave the subject of our conversation to your wandering mind.
83. Who sits beside you in maths?
People. Living, breathing people.
82. Where is your dad right now?
Uh...in Australia.
81. Do you burn incense?
Incense stinks. Why would I burn it? Christianity does not require it, neither does liking Manga.
80. Do you have a problem?
*growls*Are you trying to pick a fight?
79. Who is the 5th person you got a missed call from?
...Dunno the name. Only the person's number was recorded.
78. Closest purple object?
Lol. Rachel's BF. Just kidding. It's a square piece of felt from the birthday present Zann gave me.
79. Closest silver object?
The inner mechanisms of the cube shaped musical box my mother got when she went to a wedding dinner. Wait, it could just be that nail clipper over there, or the 'DELL' words on my keyboard, or perhaps the things INSIDE the keyboard itself...argh. Confused.
Wait, it should be the metal plating or screws attaching it on my watch. Or perhaps the metal wires on my ear plugs that are stuck into my ears right now...
GAH! I give up.
76. Closest yellow object?
My skin.
75. Do you sing in the shower?
I used to fairly often, but now it's quite rare, though I still do about Christian songs.
74. What is bugging you right now?
The ache in my back.
73. How does your hair look right now?
Er...black? There's not much light shining on it.
72. Do you know all the words to the Star Spangled Banner?
What the heck is that?
71. When is the last time you said the pledge of allegiance?
...I'm no American.
70. If you could kill someone, who would it be?
I currently do not hold the same urge to execute cold blood murder as I had yesterday...(read yesterday's post for reference)
69. Do you have any fears?
The dark, though ironically, my favourite colour now is black. Yes, if it's the dark, I do fear going blind and that's why I'm still wondering why I spend so much time on the computer when it would alleviate my chances of going blind faster.
68. What do you hear right now?
Some neighbour yelling something incoherent...
67. Do you like kangaroos?
Dunno.
66. Can you roll your tongue?
Yes, but not till a few years back when I finally figured the basics of tongue manipulation that does not include the basic function of consumption.
65. What are you wearing?
A shirt many sizes too huge, watch, 2 rubberbands on my wrists, FBT shorts (that are so short I think people would scream if they knew I even OWNED a pair, let alone 6...), undergarments. All's black except for the last 2.
64. Who was the last person to message you?
Miss Siow. Telling the SAFMC teams that one of us won (should be Ash's team for presentation, though I really wouldn't mind the teamspirit one XD)
63. Do you like emo kids?
I like emo kids when they're in Mangas. They look really fun to draw. XP
62. Screamo or Country?
Er...whatta?
61. Rock or Rap?
Rock. I'm not a great fan of raps.
60. Polka or Disco?
Is this a question of preference of patterns or night clubs? Wait, or dance styles?
59. Flying or Driving?
Flying, duh. You don't need a license for that and there aren't any traffic lights up there either.
58. Who last called you?
Call as in phone call or just yelling?
57. Was your Valentine’s day nice?
...when was Valentine's?
56. What are you doing now?
Filling in this quiz...AND I"M NOT EVEN HALF WAY THROUGH YET!
55. Who was the last person you said I love you to?
Dunno. God, highly likely. I will never admit love into any mortal's face.
54. Would you die for someone?
Not someone, but someGod. Okay, I know that's lame. But actually, I don't know if I have the courage to actually die for God even...*wails*
53. Would you date anyone from your work?
...Work? I thought I was still underage...
52. Do long distance relationships work?
No idea. Not intending to find out. But if it's parent child relationship, then yes.
51. Do you have any pet peeves?
A peeve is something that annoys you, right? If yes, then there are a few things:
1. My sister
2. When the Internet crashes
3. Waking up
4. Losing (I'm a terrible loser though I cover it up quite well)
5. A certain someone from the previous post
50. Do you have to pee right now?
Nah.
49. When did you last talk to one of your siblings?
About 4 and a half hours ago to yell at my brother to come down for lunch.
48. What are you doing tomorrow?
Computer?
47. Do you worry about getting older?
Yes. I think it would affect both my eyesight and drawing skills...
46. Have you ever had an ingrown toenail?
No, and I hope I never. I've seen one, looked a bit scary.
45. Do you pick your scabs?
All the time. I just can't help it.
44. Ever drink your blood?
Yes. After a dental appointment.
43. Do your bandaids have cartoons on them?
I do hope not.
42. Do you bite your nails?
Used to until I decided to shake the habit in P4 to keep my nails long. Now I don't see why I couldn't go a day without doing that in the past.
41. Do you wax your eyebrows?
What's that?
39. Do you check CelebPox.com for celebrity gossip?
What's that? Sounds like a chicken pox specially engineered to affect celebrities...
38. Do you have a jar where you keep your loose change?
No. My wallet can suffer alone in silence.
37. Do you own a pogo stick?
Is that a stick you bounce on?
36. Ever gone a whole day without eating?
No. I can't stand to miss even lunch. I felt like dying just yesterday at just 11:00...
35. Do you own ripped jeans?
No, but I'd like them. I think they're pretty aesthetically pleasing.
34. What makes you mad?
A certain someone from the previous post. Nothing could rate the 'pissed level' then. Unconstructive criticisms about my drawings offerred by people who can't even hold a pencil right (I do meet a lot of those who aspire to draw awesome Mangas which turn out like crap but still insist that mine doesn't look good...like theirs is anywhere as close to 'good' as mine...).
33. What would you do if you found out that you were adopted?
Dress more conservatively at home.
32. Are you jealous a lot of the time?
No. I just get depressed by how far more I have to go to reach the other party's standard of drawing.
31. Do you use a calendar or day planner to schedule everything on?
I tried, but I never remember to check them.
30. Are you OCD?
What's that?
29. Do you have ADD?
Once again, I demand what ADD means.
28. Do you have low self esteem?
Sometimes, but at others (usually when drawing comes into context) my ego blows up like a giant hot air balloon.
27. Who can make you laugh during the hardest time?
Dunno, my own idiocy, I guess, but the laughter will be a bit bitter...
26. What was the last thing you watched on TV?
Yesterday's Channel 8 7 o' clock show. I think it's called Fire Butterfly or something. Huo3 Hu2 Die2.
25. When was the last time you had professional pictures taken?
No idea.
24. Have you done a whitening treatment on your teeth?
What's that?
23. What is your favorite movie?
Wall.E. Realistic, funny, touching, and great graphics.
22. Who do you love?
Many.
21. What is playing on your MP3 player right now?
I can't even remember the last time I had an MP3...
20. What holiday is your birthday closest to?
Valentines, though it's not really a holiday, just an event to remember.
19. What’s your favorite drink?
Iced Green Tea. Root Beer (shaken till all the gas disappears). Yakult Apple Flavour (though I wouldn't miss grape for it would be a treat. The grape is usually gone by the time I search the fridge...).
18. Do you own any big sunglasses?
Yuck. They're horrendous. Only people like...she who shall not be named...wears them.
17. Bed sheet color?
Red and white.
16. Ever encountered a shark?
Young one. About 50-70cm long. We went on a trip to Kukup last week and I saw it.
15. Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally?
Yes. Kimberly. She played her compositions over and over again at my request just cuz' they were so nice.
14. Have you ever bungee jumped?
No. I'll get a heart attack if I even try.
13. Where was the last place you went besides your house?
Science Center. Yesterday.
12. What’s the first thing you notice about the same sex?
'Oh. It's a girl.' If I can't figure out the gender by the face, then I'll go to the chest, though I'd rather not...
11. Is it hard to express your feelings to someone?
Always. Lack of words. Lack of willingness. Lack of feeling.
10. Why are people such self-centered beings?
Because they're all like my brother.
9. Are you sad?
Not right now.
8Are you happy?
Not right now.
7. Favorite day of the year?
My birthday. Or the day I get to buy a single Tankouban of Hikaru no Go. I couldn't find it in the bookshop at Jurong East MRT Station! NOO! It's the place with the biggest collection of Manga I ever know...
6. Have you ever licked someones cheek?
No.
5. Watched all Spiderman movies?
I watched one or two but I don't remember which.
4. What are you looking forward to?
More Manga. Heaven.
3. Favorite Lucky Charms Marshmallow?
Er...what?
2. Have you ever ridden in a limo?
Dunno.
1. Do you want to get married?
Sa...