Teachers' Day Celebrations @ YCSS && SG "Tour"-Day 2

Woked up at 7.30, and went to Lakeside to meet up with the others. I left at 8.20am, an arrived 30 minutes later as usual, at 8.50. Zhong Rong came first, followed by Gabriel, Randall and Darren, Andy, Edward and as for who came after that, I kind of forgot.

First teacher we met was Mr Liew, who was gathering some councillors for a briefing of the students-teachers games. This time missed the chance to have a chat with him and other teachers, probably since we stayed only at one place, the canteen for almost the whole time. We went on to the Staff Room to meet Miss Lee, Miss Loh, Miss Kang and Miss Chee before we left, not to forget some of the photos we took!

After that, went to the coffee shop behind the school for lunch, before we left for the street soccer court. That's when I started to take pictures of the flats once again. For the record, that was the first time I did not play a single game when we got there. Soon, we were joined by more friends and I started to get a little bored before I started to go take some pictures of the area as well as of them, before going to the void deck nearby with Randall. fter awhile, we went back to watch them, and we stayed there for about an hour before we walked to his place. We reached about 2.35, 10minutes earlier than I had expected. Didn't stay too long, just had a change of clothes and left for Eunos via Boon Lay. Had a bad stomache on board bus 154 during the journey. Upon arrival at 4.45, went straight to the toilet and left on 63 for Funan the IT mall at 5, for a short walk before heading home.

Here's a few pictures taken at school:

More pictures can be found at these sites(from top: Teachers' Day Celebrations @ Yuan Ching Secondary '09, "sg tour"-Day 2, 1st soccer game of the afternoon):
http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/album.php?aid=32509&id=1040930846

http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/album.php?aid=32513&id=1040930846
http://www.facebook.com/photos/?ref=sb#/album.php?aid=32516&id=1040930846

SG "tour"- Day 1(Bukit Panjang,Chua Chu Kang)

Friday's paper, let's not talk about it. High chance I'll pass, but not too well, as I did not pay much attention to revising for that module.

Anyways, today I finally put my plan into action. Left home at 3, took 963 to Bukit Panjang LRT station where I began on the 3 hour-long hike. Simply followed the LRT route so that I would not get lost. Maybe tomorrow I'll have to bring my laptop(so that I could access the map) or take a snapshot of the maps of the towns I plan to wander around.

It's like this. During this 7-week holiday, there would be 2 major things going on. First, driving lessons. Just got the green provisional license this morning, so, from next Monday, I can start on my first lesson. Had been waiting 18 years for that day! The second thing is the so-called tour I'm doing for personal enjoyment? It started from 2 dreams. One, I was walking around the different parts of the island aimlessly. The other, I was taking photographs of things that came my way. Put them together, and I get the inspiration to go for it. There's a catach to it though, I'll be taking photographs of buildings(especially flats) and some vehicles. However, although some photographs might contain people, they serve a purpose which is more about bringing life to the picture.

Today's the second time I'm going around wit a camera in hand, so, being a relatively shy person, I rather walk by and not take any photographs(din't want to show off that much). In the end, I ended the day with only over 200 photographs, some were not well taken. For more, view my album on facebook (It's faster and easier to upload the photographs there).

As for tomorrow, I havent really decided on where to start, but I know that I'll be ending at the Marina Barrage(only if there's enough time). Hopefully I could decide on it soon enough so that I would not have to leave home late like today...

Examinations August 2009-part 2

What kind of a crap today has been. I hate today. And I fear today as well. I couldn't get myself to sleep till 3am this morning, and when I somehow managed to enter dreamland, I returned only at 9.30. I should have woken up at 9am instead. Packed my stuff, went to school. I think I saw the principl on the bus today, but it felt weird. I wanted so much to go chat wih him for a short while, yet it felt unusual. My mind went blank, and I simply alighted. Alright. Next time, I shall do something more.

1.45pm, last paper for them, second last for me. We got the papers. I read through. It seemed easy. But, something told me. If a paper seems easy when read, it usually means it's going to be a tough one. When I tired to answer a couple of questions during the 10-minute reading period, I wanted so much to holler, showing both middle fingers high up in the air when the invigilators weren't looking. Of course, being a very quiet person, I held back. I cleared the first question in 45 minutes. I wasted 15 minutes on the second question, all because I wondered about which formula to use. When you repeat something in your mind again and again, the something that you are thinking of loses its meaning in your mind. That's how my engine stalled during the examination. An hour to go, 3 questions unanswered. Good going. I rushed through my working for the remaining questions. 17 minutes, the last question, with 2 sub-questions, each with parts. I managed to grab a total of 4 marks. I did not finish the paper. I lost 16 marks for that. take aother 6 marks for carelessness and wrong answers, I have got 28 marks taken from me. 72 marks. Nice one. My first C Grade just appeared. So, any rooftop in mind to throw yourself from? So far, I have never gotten any lower than a B Grade.

Went straight home after that. While I could only feel the happiness they all had in their hearts as we left for the bus stop, I had one more battle to fight. Whatever it is, I'm going ino overdrive this time. Performed extremely badly this semester. Getting magre grades, not spending quality time properly on revision. Maybe, this is it. After the holidays are over, I'm seriously considering quitting a couple of CCAs. With a projected GPA of 3.5, I won't go very far after graduation.

Today was a total mess. I'm about to give up. Couldn't my time arrive a little sooner?

Examinations August 2009-part 1

Why do I keep thinking that it's only February? On Monday, I woke up thinking it was the 24th of February. Even when I sat down to fill in my particulars onto the answeer booklet, I wrote on the date, "Monday, 24Th February' 2009". I din't notice it until I looked at my watch. It's arms read "1.45pm", and the date read "8-24 MO". Oh, how silly. It's August.

This semester, although I did study hard, I did not study as intensely as I did for the past semester, though I burnt the most fuel and time this semester compared to the past 2 semesters on revision.

Last Monday, Industrial Automation(IA). Slightly easier than the previous semester, but it's more tricky, especially in the case where you have to draw in additional stuff to answer the question. Expecting an A Grade for this paper. Hopefully a miracle would give me the AD Grade for the overall.

Monday, Engineering Mathematics 3B(EM3B). More difficult than the past year papers we tried, but still do-able. A confirmed B+ grade is expected, at least without any moderation. Hold on, do they even moderate the grades of candidates whose grades range from a low C to A+? I only know that the top 5% would get to have an extra "D" printed next to their A grade.

Today, Applied Mechanics(AM). I went to the wrong room for the first time, and thankfully, I wasn't late. On first look, I feared for the worst. I might not be able to complete the paper in time. 5 questions, 120 minutes. It wasn't a killer paper. It's the small font of the diagram on the first question which killed many candidates who sat for the paper today. If the markers are lenient, I'll get a possible 8 marks out of 12 for that first question. If they are strict, I'll get not more than 6 marks. The second question. When I received the paper to read during the first 5 minutes, I stared blankly at that question. Was I dreaming? I can't be dreaming after I drant a can of coffee, right?

The night before, I went to bed 4 hours early at 9.30pm. I dreamt of a classroom with an examination going on. Somehow I could just enter the class, and the invigilator simply smiled, and continued with her rounds. Third row, fifth column. there you were, sitting at the table, right arm supporting your head as you stared blankly at the paper. I stood behind, and I was stunned when I saw your question. Since when were you able to do a question that's not even tested at that level? I wanted so much to tell you how you would do it, but, she stared at me, with that look of suspicion that something might be up. I looked at her and smiled, before she said,"Ok, time's up!" Oh, that's my phone alarm ringing. It's 6.30am. Weird dream, huh.

That question. It was exactly the same as what I saw in that dream. The very first topic I learnt in AM. It's that question on Trusses. The shape of the structure I dreamt of was exactly the same. So were the values of the given external forces. I guess, to dream of a question that's being tested in an examination the next day isn't considered a cheating case right?Oh by the way, that was the first time I dreamt of a deja vu about an examination question, and also the first time I dreamt of seeing a deja vu through a second person.

This paper. I'm disappointed in myself. I allowed over 20 marks to fly out the window. Confirmed B+grade if the markers were strict, and a borderline A Grade if they were lenient. Overall, I'm expecting yet another B+ grade without moderation. If there's even any moderation that's done upward, I'll be able to get an A Grade.

Tomorrow's paper, Thermodynamics(TH). I did the bare minimum for this paper. Tomorrow, you'll see me playing around with the formulae to find the answers. As long as I can understand the questions, I would not have any problems answering the questions wrongly, unless, I did make some careless mistakes along the way. To get an overall A grade, I'll need to get at lest 85 marks for the paper tomorrow. Chances of a moderation for this module are slim, given how well the students did the past few tests and common test.

Hoping for the best for tomorrow!

It just goes on

Thoughts. They flow like the river. Things that take no form, that live within our minds, stimulating our emotions and feelings. Just what exactly do they bring about in lives? Thoughts. Do you remember those thoughts of you wanting something to happen so badly in the materalistic world, but couldn't, all because the only thing you could do about it was to dream about the possibilities?





Were you not able to carry out your thoughts, because of the need to spend lots of money to acheive it? Or, were you afraid of doing that something in real life, fearing that you might not end up with that destination in mind, but instead somewhere else? That aside, the bad stuff are probably better off living at the back of the mind, where they belong.





Thoughts motivate.Thoughts give hope. They give that smll push that everyone needs to go a long way. Can't go further? About to give up already? Think about it. Wonder about what you could do the moment all the crap you're going through becomes an entry in your history book. Is it going to be fun? Is it going to be more relaxed? Is the pace of life going to slow down for you? Is the time you're going to spend with your loved ones going to increase? Just thinking about that next ticket out to a country on a vacation is all it takes. Forget about the money you're going to invest on the trip itself. Think enjoyment.

Thoughts. They make the impossible possible. People of the past dreamt of soaring up high. Now, as the result of the thoughts of two brothers, people are now flying from place to place, some even faster than the speed of sound. When the odds seem to be against you, think the impossible. Who knows, that thought of yours migh just become a reality!

However, thoughts also have a side effect, should you suffer from an overdose of thinking. Thoughts could mislead.Thoughts could cause one to lose control. Thoughts could cause one to think the unnecessary. Sometimes a simple act of friendship that someone did for you the first time, would make you impressed, and want to think of why he or she would do that. However, if one went into deep thought over that one simple act, it could result in false assumptions.

Thoughts could result in insecurity as a result as well. He came home unusually late at night. With him was a pair of heels which seemed to be broken, and he smelled of perfume. First thought. He did something fishy? Well it could well be, until he told you the next morning, he spent the whole night looking for something that you might like, as a gift for your birthday. He roamed the flea market in the late afternoon after work, and bought a pair of heels which would cost close to 300 if you were to buy it from a shopping centre. He went looking for a particular fragrance that you loved, but as you were heavily in debt as a result of the installments for the car and the house as well as the bills that had to be paid, he could not afford it. He went around looking for other fragrances that night, but came back, tired, empty-handed, and with a bad smell on his left sleeve due to the combined fragrances he sampled earlier.

Thoughts do wonders. Thoughts make the world go round. Thoughts flow like the river. Thoughts, at the end of the day, are the only things that run marathons in our minds, helping us go about our daily lives. Till now, I still can't let go of my thoughts, thinking of how beautiful you really are in person, and thinking about when I could really see you.

Happy 44th National Day

This year's celebration was unique. On Friday, woke up at 4.45am. Somehow I managed it as I slept at 2am the night before. Had just recovered from mild fever and alost fully recovered from flu the day before, and hopefully, I won't get chased out by the secuity when we enter the school later on. I took the 6.45am bus with my brother to Clementi, and after 2 years, it was just the same. That morning, half the bus was dressed in the patriotic red. Decided not to wear red this year. I had wanted to wear red at first, but, on second thought, let's try giving this year a miss.

Reached Lakeside at 7.20am, andthey were nowhere in sight. Weirdly, anything tht hasgot to do with meeting friends from secondary school, I'm always early. But when it came to activities with friends from polytechnic,I'm usually either very early, or I as very late. Classes included. 7.35am, Randall and Jin Tian arrived, and as we were way too early, we went for breakfast instead. Went back to the coffeeshop behind the school, and stayed there for over an hour before we went back to school. Like the year before, I skipped clases before lunch time, which meant I skipped the EM3B lecture hat morning from 9 to 11am.

We waited at the foyer after signing in, listened to his usual long speeh, listened to and sang along to the songs, and watched the performance by the students involved in the actual parade on Sunday. The performance was in fact a nice, close-up preview of what's going to happen on the big day. That short morning sure broguht back memories. One again, they had a carnival this year. We were soon joined by others(I can't remember everyone). As I woud be running around a few places the whole day, I decided not to ring along my camera. Thus, there were no pictures taken. Met up and caught up wih lots of familiar friends and teachers while we were there. There were also inter-class games for netball and table tennis.

At 11, the alumni formed a team to play against the current students(mostly players of the school team). I took part as well, just for fun. As expected, I had not fully recovered, and after just 5 minutes, I started walking. It was a nice match, although e lost very badly(which is a good thing). Good thing I informed the club that I would not be turning up for the friendly match in advance that night, as after the friendly match ended at 11.30, I went straight to the toilet to make myself feel better. The match lasted only 10 minutes. At 11.45, Alicia and I shared a cab to school, for I was late for a test, and she had classes at 12.

A cab arrived just in time, and it was a nice coincidence, as, the driver who brought us to school used to fetch our vice principal to school in the past. What a small word! We had a nice chat with him during the journey. Very memorable morning. In the taxi, I felt unwell again. Damn. Let's hope it would be gone by the time I arrived in school. During the journey, he asked if we both knew which school we were in. coincidentally, we only knew that our courses were both from the Mechanical Engineering Division, just minutes before we boarded the taxi(while we were walking to the school's main gate).

Rushed straight to the classroom(still perspiring very badly after the game). How nice, just after I got off I felt like fainting. Bought a drink, and once I sat down, I felt better. In a minute, the test began. Nice timing.For th rest of the day, I was back to normal, except for the flu that was still there. My mind went blank in the first five minutes as I was changing my mindset of the holiday mood to that of the studying mood. Completed the test for Thermodynamics without much difficulty although it was just 5 questions. Went for IA after that, got back my draft for the case study, and we started with the lessons. Toward the end, I became very restless and my mind just switched off.

3.50pm, I took 154 and headed for Toa Payoh Hub to meet Bernice and some others from Joy 5, class of 2002. Maybe I would consider it to be luck that the Meals on Wheels service was cancelled at the last minute, which gave me the chance to catch up with my long lost friends.I was the last to arrive. Everyone had changed so much, although I could still recognise everyone. But, like in the past, the nicknames had not changed very much, although we did not use them as often. We had a nice walk to Mr Peck's home. Drank some drinks, sat around, chatted a little and took a couple of photos before we went for dinner at 6.15. He brought up the old jokes we once shared, and we still remembered the essay where the "buglar ran to the bicycle and ran home", among many others. Sadly,when I said I had to rush off at 7, that was when the gathering ended. Mr Peck walked me to the bus stop and everyone offered to come along. Bernice went off to met her boyfriend, Yong Jie rushed off to get ready for a wedding at pm, Eugene and Andy most probably went home. Took 88 with Wei Yang to Bishan before we parted ways once again.

The part I liked about the evening. Travelling. I took the Circle Line,operated by SMRT, for the first time that evening. The train ride was pretty nice, especially at the front, where unlike the train operated by SBS Transit, the emergency exit had a window. I got off and transferred at Serangoon. The walk was really long. Did not walk very fast, for fear I might become unwell once again. Got onto the train just in time and headed straight for Harborfront Station. I was to meet my lecturer and some friends for a nigh of German Cuisine at Brotzeit, #01-149 Vivocity. I arrived on the dot at 8pm, and the queue was really long. Perhaps it was Friday night. We got a table for 4, and we learnt the pronunciation of some of the German food on the menu. We did not really order food in German(which I was looking forward to nervously), but we did learn that some of the ingredients were flown in from Germany! Wow. I ordered the German style of fish and chips. Instead of the coleslaw and mashed potato, it came with mushrooms and a unique sauce. The fish was really tender and nice, though, like other dishes, the price was high, but still affordable. We had desert, and it was really good! Definitely value for money! We chatted about a possible future educational trip to Germany which would last 2 weeks. I would very much like to go on that trip as well, but sadly it clashes with the schedule of the California Challenge in June. 2 great trips, but only 1 me. I definitely want o take on the California Challenge, but at the same time, I wanted to go on the educational trip to Germany. At 10.15pm, we went off. Not only did she offer t pay our bills, she also offered to give us a lift home! Wow thanks lots!

Saturday was the first day of the long holidays. my holidays were going to be slightly longer than most students this year. For me, I return to school only on Wednesday. Anyways, Saturday was spent more on resting, gaming, and a little on studying as well.

Sunday morning. Happy 44Th Birthday Singapore! I woke extremely early that morning, before falling asleep again till 10am. Studied in the morning, before going out for lunch with parents at Chinatown. We went to Chinatown square as they were looking for a Chinese stall to have lunch at, but as we had to walk a long way to get there, we decided to return to the hawker centre instead. At Chinatown square, there were many stalls selling all kinds of toys. They ranged from as early as the 80s to as recent as this year. Great place to get old stuff at low prices which look as good as new too.

After lunch, we bought dinner and supper before heading back home at 3pm. Slacked around till 6.15 when the parade was telecast 'live' on television. Did not go head down to take photographs, as I would be alone for the whole event, and my brother was already going there with the camera to take some shots with his friends. This year's parade was definitely better than last year. The displays, decorations, plot were a lot better. The aerial displays, theme song and fireworks were not as good as last year. The fireworks were better to look at, however, it did not last as long. Wondering how much better it could have been if it lasted a couple of minutes longer.

Today, I was gearing up for the examinations arriving in less than 2 weeks. Slack in the morning, did some Math again in the afternoon, and took a nap after that. I cried out a name again this time, though it wasn't as loud and clear as the first time a few years back, where I woke my dad, who came to check on me. Went to study a little more, before I continued slacking for the rest of the night.

Tomorrow, I don't think I'll be doing as much math as I did today. Tomorrow, I'll be doing and completing my IA case study so that I could submit it for checks on Wednesday, in case I had to make some changes to the mistakes.

Hey, I enjoyed this afternoon lots. Didn't really expect you to be there when I only had thoughts in my mind. So much I wanted to say, but I couldn't. Longing for the day where I could meet you once again. Always dreaming of that one day I could finally see the real you. Would you grant me this one wish?? Oh and by the way, sorry if the post was long and boring as usual.

Climbing Back To Cruise

After the past few weeks, I'm slowly making that big climb back to normal cruising altitude. July was one month that was filled with lots of challenges and unfinished business. One of the most interesting friendships that I have been bonded to over the last 6 months has been going in, and out of a terrible storm cloud. Lately, that cloud became a terrible storm that removed itself from the skies, revealng a clear blue horizon.



Speaking of unfinished business. I have become so aquainted with my dear laptop that I have forgotten about my assignments and upcoming tests this week. 2 Tests, 3 Assignments due this week. What's more, I'm the next victim down with flu and mild fever in class. Nevermind the fever. It's not going to last that long anyway. Thanks to that, I'll have to skip the long distance run this weekend, even if I did manage to recover in time. So far, I'm ready for the 2 tests, 1 assignment due this thursday is 90% complete, while another due this Thursday is still 0% complete. The third assignment due this Friday is also 0%complete on my part.

Today was nice I guess. Overslept as usual, went to school for IA make up lesson before heading home for lunch, completed part of the assignment before going back to school again to submit the assignment. Took 151 to Hougang, so as to kill time. Studied a little here and there though, while enjoying the sights along the way. I was expecting the journey to be around an hour and 30 minutes, but instead, it lasted only 40. Due to the small space, I could not fall asleep even though I was at the rear of the bus. Moment we arrived and alighted at Hougang, I boarded 74, and in 30 seconds, I was on the way back to NP once again. Besides, my aim of going to Hougang was simply to kill time and take the first service 74 back to school,and arrive before 4pm. This time, for the irst part of the journey, it was difficult to fall asleep as the bus was passing many schools. Only after it entered the Expressway was I able to find peace. For the next 30 minutes or so, all was well, until before turning into Bukit Timah, there was this stretch of road that was lined with papers, lots and lots of papers along the side of the road, up to the junction. Wow.

Reached school at 3.45pm. Met the others, and at 4pm, went to help with the registration for the launch of The Christieara Programme(TCP). Did I spell it correctly? The programme was formerly known as the Talent Development Programme, but the name was changed as it sounded very elitist. The Christieara is NP's very own Orchird hybrid, and can be found at the National Orchid Garden at the Botanical Gardens. With that, they managed to make the programme sound much more neutral, and it also gives more publicity about the school flower. Nicely done. First impression. The name sounds a little Christian-like. I still prefer the name Talent Development Programme. But, if you were to repeat The Christieara Programme again and again, you would find that there is something special and unique about it soon enough.

After that, there was the break-out session. We were introduced to the California Challenge, one of the main activities open to the year twos to register for. After that presentation, I'm really looking forward to the registration for it! Many challenges, 30 vacancies, 5-digit fees, 3 weeks, 1 place.Right now, I'm only worried I would not be able to get a place in it, given my poor performance in the previous semester, I have lost my place on the list. I'll make sure I'll reclaim that spot that was once mine after my first 6 months of study.

It goes on.