SG "Tour"-DAY 3 (Tampines via Pasir Ris, Loyang, Changi, East Coast Park,Telok Kurau, Kembangan, Bedok)

To students studying in government schools, todays a holiday as it's Teachers' Day. Here's wishing everyone who has taught someone at least once in their life, Happy Teachers' Day!

I obviously overslept again, since it was already the holidays. I woke at 7.30am instead of 7.15, changed, packed 2 sets of spare clothes, a towel, camera and lens, and left for Tampines MRT Station. Boarded 106 at 7.50am, and arrived at City Hall MRT Station only at 8.45. Successfully avoided the morning train crowd by boarding the train there. Reached Tampines 35minutes later at 9.20.

Met up with Jon and WM before w walked to Sunplaza Park to rent our bikes. Estimated time we would complete was 6 hours, from 9.40 to 3.40pm. We wre told that, if we were to rent the bike for a whole day, it would be the same cost(whole day rates from 9 to 6pm) of $18. We started off quite well, until we reached the chalets at Changi. Lots of humps and slopes, which slowed us down alot. Jon became tired after that, and we were slowed down greatly.

Stopped at Changi Village for drinks and a 20-minute break before we continued toward East Coast Park. The sky started to become overcast as we entered the route that ran along the airport runway, and it got really windy. I stopped many times to take shots of planes, and was still able to catch up with them. The sky became more overcast as we cycled on. It was only when we reached the Changi entrance of the park that it started pouring, badly. The rain drops felt like tiny niddles pricking our legs. Stopped at a shelter, waited for the rain to subside before we continued on to the nearest sheltered fast food outlet for lunch. It was really cold. From that point, I was unable to take any photographs for fear it might damage the camera.


After lunch, we continued on, via the Singlap Park Connector. More relaxed, slow cycle to Telok Kurau. We made a small detour due to on-going construction work at a junction. We were stunned when we reached the pitstop, as, it was closed. We reached the pitstop at 3pm, 40minutes ahead of schedule. However, we had to move on in case we could not reach the next pit stop before the closing time at 6pm. We passed Sean's place that afternoon, and if only there was enough time, we might just have been able to knock on his door, rest fo 30minutes before moving on. Had walked along that stretch of park connector three times before, but this was the first time we were actually cycling on it.

At 3.30, we reached the Bedok Park Connector. it ran all the way to Bedok Reservoir Park. This route was extremely challenging for us. Numerous steep hills, rough cycling surface, lack of directional signs which confused us, and a overhead bridge that did not have a slope. So, we were forced to carry our bicycles across the expressway,not push them across like we had been doing since morning. At 4.15pm, we made it back to the Tampines Park Connector.

The remaining route was relatively easy, on level ground. No slopes or humps to cycle on. The directional signs finally returned! At 4.35, we made it back to Tampines MRT Station, and 10 minutes later we returned our bicycles, an hour and 5 minutes behind schedule.


Total distance covered on the park connectors alone, 31 kilometers.
The distance covered in the parks was unknown as none of us kept count.
Total time taken, 7 hours, 5minutes.


Great achievement for all of us, and we plan to go on this trip once again in December, when their A Levels are over. This time, we'll start off from Telok Kurau Park, and I'll take more photographs as long as the weather would be in ur favour.

Went to Tampines Mall after that for dinner. before that we went to a new Japanese fashion shop. They were having a sale, and the items there were unique and unlike the usual stuff Giodano and Hang Ten were selling. 7pm, we all left for home. We went to Pasir Ris to look at the new safety feature, before taking a train back. I alighted at Bedok, and took 196 back to clementi, before taking 106 back home. The Clementi Bus Interchange is beggining to become my regional Bus Interchange to the Eastern part of Singapore!

You might wat to check out Jon's and WM's blogs, as well as this site for more pictures!

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.

Approximately 4 More Weeks

This week has passed really quickly, and I find I am gaining the momentum to start revising intensively for the examinations which are arriving in 4 weeks' time.

Have not been feeling emotionally stable this week, as it feels as though everything's piling up, and yet I'm not doing anything. Have to start reducing the pile to nothing from Sunday. Today had a practical test for IA, went relatively smoothly, and due to a silly thing I did to the program, I ended up losing marks. Before that, went to Level 6 to study in the air-con with the remaining third of the class while the first shift was having the test. Instead of studying, we ended up slacking, listening to music, playing games and lastly, enjoying a buffet! Yes, a buffet, but on a very small scale. A member of the staff (a lecturer I guess) brought a trolley load of disposable plates and cutlery together with food packed into dispocable containers(those used to pack takeaway food from your neighbourhood hawker centre)! 2pm, the second shift left, and the first shift came to enjoy the food. I left at 2.20pm to do some revision at a more quiet place with friends.

Well, that's about all for tonight. Long day tomorrow, so I guess I might turn in early tonight, and wake early tomorrow.

Entering the 13th Week.

The weekend was rahter eventful, thankful the competition was cancelled till further notice. Friday went to Ang Mo Kio for Steamboat with the founding members of the Videography Club, to celebrate a birthday. Yes,it's late, but Happy Belated Birthday Violet. Still partially legal, but you're almost there. Met at 5.30, but we only started at 6.30 when everyone arrived. Had a hard time making up our minds where to go next, and finally decided on playing pool. As I did not have time to get a gift, I decided to pay the full rate for one of the two tables we used. Left really late, and I reached home close to midnight.

Saturday, I started revision for the final examinations, though I did not really do much.

Sunday, it was out to help prepare for as well as attend Chi Kai's Farewell party at Zhong Rong's place. Met Xue Li, Gabriel, Wei Xiang, Jun Jie, Kwan Wei, Ying Xiu, Chie Heng and some others(sorry I can't remember everyone) at IMM. We managed to get everything we needed in a mere hour! Wow. We arrived at the pit close to 5pm, after climbing over and crawling under two sets of barriers before arriving at the condo's gate. Everyone had changed. That evening was great. The food was just enough for everyone. There was exactly half the class who attended(minus Sean and Vignesh who are already overseas) the barbeque. Finally met Miss Lim after one long year. As usual, I am 'too shy' to speak. Anyway, it was a great gathering, and I managed to catch up with all the scandals going around, and catch up on lost time with everyone there that night. Siang Lin if you're reading this, your dream was kind of right. I had a bad outbreak shortly after the common tests were over, but now at least I have about 2 to 3 left on my forehead. Anyway, when we left at 10, I felt as though I was still in holiday mood, as though there was no school the next day. Just before the remainder of us parted ways, we met Mr Liew and Chun Hui at the MRT Station. It's been a long time, but, I still think they look just the same.

It's been a long long time since I heard the rumbling of MRT trains and walking along the long path to school. The school(just opposite Zhong Rong's place) really brings back lots of memories. Perhaps, that place, was just the perfect venue to have our class gathering. Seperated by the school by 2 fences, 2 cycling and running paths and a canal,and that was also the place where Chi Kai has been, and would be staying till this Wednesday when he flies off. So, 2 friends are already accepted into university. One in Australia, the other in San Fransisco. In a year's time, my turn to register would arrive. Everyone's changed, but it doesn't end here. Live goes on. To the near future, where we would all soon meet again, all 46 of us.

Today, Left for home immediately after school ended, due to my lower back injury. It's been there for more than a week. But today it was so bad I can't run for that long when we were late for the last lesson of the day at 3pm. Alright then, off I go.

First Step Into SPS

Yesterday I entered the St. Patrick's School(SPS) for the first time. First impression? No wonder the both of them were complaining when they visited the new Yuan Ching Secondary building. The school building looked more modern compared to YC's old building. In fact the school was really big with many blocks. Went around during the carnival with them, and WM passed me off as his brother, who was once a part of St Patrick's. Wow. I met them at 2.20pm, went on a little tour around the school, before we started slacking for one and a half hours. We bought mainly food and drinks during the short stay.

It was a carnival with an unusually low number of visitors. One thing that amazed me lots. Stall holders had to go by the book in selling food, drinks and games. Wow. Back in Yuan Ching, we had the freedom to sell our food, drinks and games at any price, at any time. It was as if we were running our stalls as a class. We did not need the teachers to be there at all times to supervise us. Back in those days, although we did not study Economics, we were able to apply the concept of demand and supply.

At 3.45pm, I noticed a girl who sat across the table we were at. She looked a little like you, except, younger and shorter. At 3.50pm, they left. 10 minutes later, we left as well.

The journey to the school was just great. I regret not bringing my camera to snap pictures during the journey. At 12.25pm, I left for Clementi Interchange on board SMRT Service 189. Transfered onto SBS Service 196 at 12.48pm. I missed the 12.35pm bus. I refused to allow myself to fall asleep on the second deck of the bus(although it was really peaceful at the time, since I was the only one dominating the whole second deck). I wanted to look at the sights and note some of the places the bus route visited. After an hour, I gave up and slept for about 30 minutes. 10 minutes later, I alighted a stop before SPS, to take the short cut. Never did I expect it to be so extreme. If I had wanted to take it, I had to walk through it sideways. Thus, I decided to walk to the school's front gate via the canal. 2.20pm, I met the group once again.

4pm, we left for Dhoby Ghaut via SBS Service 36. Failed to find a LAN shop to play L4D, so we went on to have our dinner instead, at Carl's Jr. I ate a little cheese, however I don't seem to be developing any rash from it. Could the cheese be lacking in that special ingredient, or have I overcome the allergy? We left at 7pm, and I took SBS Service 14 back to Clementi Interchange. This time it was the new bus. Transferred onto SMRT Service 189 and reached home at 9.20pm.

Today, went to IMM and Chinatown with my parents to shop for pants for my brothers. I was too bored to stay at home, chatting with a friend I have never met in person before, through a computer screen. Somehow whenever I chat with these friends, it gives the feeling that I am interacting with angels (since no one has any idea how angels look like). I have never seen their real physical appearances, however, I have only heard their voices no more than twice so far. Youthful and full of energy, except for one. I met Mr Choy, a teacher who I have lost contact with for over 6 long years. He has changed alot, and I could hardly recognise him when he walked past us with his daughter who would be celebrating her second birthday this month. Hopefully, I would still be in Singapore on the day schools celebrate Teachers' Day, so that I could return to the schools to visit the teachers I have not met with after so long.

Reached home at 5.45pm. Had dinner, practiced music, and left at 7.10pm. Sent my brother to his friend's place where he would spend the night, before I went to Hong Kah North Community Club for the lesson. Now, I'm back at home, slacking. After tonight, I would not be slacking as much as I used to. 6 weeks to the final examinations. 6 weeks to re-claim my place on the Director's List.

It's been a more than a week. No matter how long it would take, I'll just coninue waiting for a shadow to appear from the horizon. Somehow, I would rather wait longer, and carry it on the same way we are now, till it's September Nine.

11th Week

This week was full of ups and downs. This week was filled with miracles. This week was great. This week is past.

I did little this week, getting back papers, reading through notes, understanding new material, chatting with friends, CCAs, slacking off. Next Monday, is when the action begins. I'll cut down on computer activities, and catch up more on all modules.

Today I overslept after dreaming a dream that seemed too good to be true. I woke up, got changed, packed my bag in 5 minutes and left for school. I managed to reach the classroom in just 30 minutes after leaving home. Got back the last paper, did worse than expected, and I started accumulating assignments again today. IA practical left me lost in the first 5 minutes, but somehow, after looking around I managed to connect everything with much ease. After little explanation, I felt as though there was something in me, guiding me through every single step. It was as though a miracle was unfolding in front of us.

Let's see. Results. I underperformed last term, scoring 3As and 2 Ds. All the A grades I scored were A+ grades, while I had 1D and 1 D+. A+ for Industrial Automation, Engineering Mathematics 3B and Applied Mechanics. D for Introduction to Advanced Mathematics. D+ for Thermodynamics. Clinched top few positions for IA and EM3B. Introduction to Advanced Mathematics was supposed to carry a failure grade at 45points. I was given 50 after some changes were made. Thermodynamics, I did all I could, though it was last minute. On my part I did not practice enough. However, our tutor did little to help us during the tutorial period. Is he not allowed to at least show us the important stuff to note in each chapter when we are doing the tutorials? We enter class to complete the questions, submit and go off. It's almost similar to having a class test, except that discussion is allowed. So, when everyone does not know the ful solution to a problem, and the tutor does not help remedy the problem, all we could do was to be sitting ducks waiting to get bullets punched into our heads in the examination hall.

Alright then, I have decided. Anything that I do not know, I'll just shoot it at the lecturer, especially for the weaker modules. This is my last chance for the semester. I'll grab it, and let my grades to rise back up to 4.0.

These days, I feel it growing. It's no longer what we feared it would be. I am sure this time, it's for real. It would not fade like before. The time hasn't arrived although it's ready for take off. I'll wait for the winds to be in our favour, and I'll wait for the day you decide to enter the cockpit with me.

Retrace

So far this week, things have been going fine, and a miracle occured today. And, after Monday's training, I have been limping around as I have not been attending regular trainings due to my health and commitment problems caused by my 2 core CCAs. Honestly, I never joined the school's Taekwondo club for the belt ranks, nor did I join the club to take part in competitions. Ultimately, I did not join for the sake of CCA points. I joined it to maintain my fitness(very effective but tough training schedule which I'm afraid I might not be able to cope with as time passes) and also to gain some self confidence. I have promised a member of the alumni I would train hard as it is not cheap to convert from a federation to another. So, chances are, I might leave after the inter varsity-polytechnic championships next year, and return for ad-hoc trainings once in a while to keep fit.

There was no school on Tuesday, so I took the time to relax for the whole day, to get out of the holiday mood I had been having for a long time since April. I did nothing, other than sleeping and reading up on notes.

Yesterday, I got back my paper for EM3B. I finally managed to find myself at the same wavelength as my lecturer during the 10TH lecture. I'm so going to stay at that frequency until when the holidays arrive. Went home at 4.20 instead of 5pm as the chapter was very straightforward. I was involved in a phone conversation with 3 others which lasted for 2 hours. Wow. That's really a record for me. At least I managed to understand why some people are able to stay on the phone for such a long period of time.

Today was a great day. The start wasn't that great though. The lecturer for 13TH was really generous on her break time today. We were granted a 20-minute break from 9.30 till 9.50 this morning, shortly after we got back our papers for checking. 10TH lecture again at 11, but it ended just 20 minutes after we started at 11.15. Went with the class for lunch, before rushing off at 12 for IAM tutorial. Got back my papers as well. Went for a break from 1 to 2 before continuing with the lecture till 4. I thoroughly enjoy the lecturer's lessons. I am never able to find a chance to fall asleep during her lectures, which I do not find to be boring at all. In fact, I'm always looking forward to the next time I would be attending the class! Went home, took a short break, before heading back to school for Videography once again. Today, was a day of miracles.

Tomorrow, I would be getting back my last paper to check. Tomorrow, it would be a long day with many things waiting to happen. Tomorrow, might be the day I get to chat with everyone again. Tomorrow, is the last day of the week. Tomorrow, is the end of week 11.

Indeed, I guess it's time we should retrace our steps.Hoping for a miracle always.

Day One, Week 11, Semester 1, 2009

Today, was supposed to be a good start to the new term. At least the lessons of the day were. Managed to grasp everything that was taught from start to end, and as expected, things would start to get messy once again. Had AM, TH and IA. For TH, the tutor was the best. He sent us on a tour, before getting involved in it as well and we got down to business 20 minutes later. As or IA, well, I did better than what I had expected(grades would be discussed at the end of the week).

Rushed home, accessed the internet to see what events there were for the Asian Youth Games, before leaving for school again, forgetting to turn the computer off.

CCA was still alright, except that, I seriously doubt my readiness to participate in the PA competition next Saturday. At the moment, I am definitely not ready. Even the instructors think so through their comments. Perhaps, I'll give it one last shot next Monday during training, and decide if I really want to take part, or wait till the next competition in March next year. While I noticed the seriousness of only training on Mondays, I'm losing out in many things as well. I have too many commitments that I hardly have time to study. Perhaps, the time to really sit down and decide what to keep and what not to keep, is drawing closer with every passing day.

That aside, I realised that after I recovered from a virus which made me run a fever and flu(don't worry, it's the seasonal flu), my stamina has been decreasing slowly. I go on my usual evening run every weekend, but I noticed, each time I went for the run, the distance I could cover without walking was decreasing. Come Saturday, I'll start from scratch again, with the 3km route, slowly increasing it to 4km, 6km, 9km and finally, 14km. There's about less than 6 months before the 42km marathon in December. Good thing I have the usual trainings on Monday, free time on Tuesdays and Saturdays to prepare for it. I have decided. Once I enter my final year, I'll commit to only 2 CCAs(the first and last I ever joined). I have thoughts of joining Badminton in the second semester of the final year, but I'll put that aside till we're closer to that period of time.

Once we enter the weekends, It's time to get down to business to make that final 7-week sprint for the FINAL.

250609

Today may seem like another normal day. Today might not. In the morning went to school for a briefing for Saturday's Pinnacle event at West Coast Park. It was weird, as the venues mentioned in the briefing exactly matched those of a dream I dreamt of quite some time ago. I'm just hoping the actual situation I saw in my dream would not happen on that day though. Since we had time, we went to help at the club house. I made 2 calls, one at 11.11am, and one at 12.19pm, before leaving.

Anyway, went home for lunch, took a long break till 5 before leaving for school for CCA again. Went to submit my sparring registration form before heading to the Speechcraft 2009 training to learn to train as a future trainer. Left for hom at 9pm, and now I'm back home. I'll finally begin my holiday assignments at 1am, and end everything at 3am. Tomorrow, it's going to be really relaxed, and I don't think I'll be in the mood to study. Saturday and Sunday would be the same, and on Monday, chaos returns.

I'll wait for the answer, whether it's going to take a while, or a long, long time. I'll still wait.

Beyond Dhoby Ghaut

Today was the first time I took the North East Line beyond Dhoby Ghaut Station. The journey from home took close to an hour. Inclusive of waiting time, 15 minutes to Clementi MRT Station, 15minutes to Outram Park MRT Station and 13minutes to Boon Keng MRT Station via the North East Line. Once there, it was an additional 10 minute walk to the Luzerne to collect the gift pack which came with the desktop. It was about 5 when we were done. We carried on to Hougang, another 11 minutes' journey by train from Boon Keng. I had wanted to carry on to Sengkang to explore the area if we had time, but it was 6pm by the time we were done at Hougang to get my brother's books and stationery. Took 74 back to King Albert Park(KAP) before transfering to 77 back home. Total time spent on return journey: 105minutes.

While at Hougang Plaza, there wasn't much difference in the shops and all, but the place was not crowded with people unlike Jurong Point, even though the shopping centre was small in size. Another thing which I tested was my 'so-called' theory. After today, I guess it might be true, or I might have been extremely slow to notice it(if has already been proven by others whose eyes are sharper than mine).

Not a very bad day today, though I did not manage to explore much of Sengkang and try out the Circle Line today, there's bound to be other chances to do so in the future. Perhaps once I get my license, I might want to go for a spin around the Eastern parts of the country to explore a little.

Returning to Calm

It's been a week since the school holidays kicked in, and for now, things seem relatively calm. In less than a week's time, new challenges would start pouring in like water, and I would be frantically struggling to handle one thing at a time. For the rest of the semester, I have a one day holiday every Tuesday till October when the second semester begins. That provides me with the hope to regain my streak of As which I lost during the common tests.

This week, I'll start off with CCAs, and with the mornings from 1 to 3am to do some studying. Next week, we're back into the stormy, turbulent sky. Here's one of two poems which I composed the night before. The second one seems relatively long, so I would not be placing it up here.

Among the stars,
She lay on a stream of moonlight

Beaming with hope,
She looked down upon the world.

From the depths below,
He gazed into the wonders of the skies above

Among the moonlight,
He saw her lay elegantly on a star.

I'm getting close, I really am. I got lost once, but not this time. I know it, I really do. I took many wrong turns before, but this time, that route just has got to be the ONE. It's just a matter of time, before I reach that next stop for a gift that would stay by me for a lifetime, like most gifts do.

16609

Today, was the opposite was yesterday. Things got very bad the night before, but the waters were very clam and crystal clear in the morning. Today, the morning was very stormy, and things were extremely ugly, though at night things got better. After a long, long time, I am sure that I would be able to sleep well tonight. This morning, I was woken by a very agonising dream, a dream which materialised into my life as soon as I woke up. Allow me to share this dream with you.

A little introduction to the time I dreamt about this. It was around 5.45am when I woke up, spent about 10 minutes thinking of how the day would go today, before falling asleep again unknowingly. I returned to Dreamland.

The setting was pure darkness. The surroundings were totally pitch black, and it was dead silent. I did not see myself, nor was I able to see any faces or figures. I could not feel myself or anything around me either. I only heard voices. Voices of my friends. Everything started with greetings to one another. There were four of us, two girls, and two guys. Things progressed rapidly, from small talk about almost anything under the sun for quite some time. It felt really great to have found some great friends. However, soon we began having feelings for one another. The atmosphere had changed. Things were reather stable for quite some time before cracks started appearing in our bond. From small hairline cracks, they rapidly evolved into serious, structural cracks which threatened to end something so precious to us. Slowly and steadily, one by one, we broke up. The once lively group of friends is now history. Time check:9.00am

So far, this is what happened from five and a half months ago till today, excluding the last part. Hopefully, the last part would not happen at all. I am doubting the decisions I have been making since the year began in January. Before last December, I have never made any decisions that were wrong which carried very serious consequences. If there was anything that caused the cracks to appear, that would be me. My old self from close to 10 years ago is beggining to make a comeback. I can't let it happen. Never.

I have decided not to change the blogskin for June, as I am currently making preparations to switch to the new codes that are used by the current Blogger. Currently I'm still using the old html codes that are used for webpage design. This coming Sunday I might be adding some new links if I have got the time to do so.

Common Test June'09

This week has been one of the most physcially and mentally challenging week of the semester. 5 papers spread over 4 days, lots of last minute work, accompanied with other stuff that I could have totally ignored.

Monday was AM, and this was one of 3 papers that was purely last minute effort. 100% do-able, would get at least a B grade.

Tuesday morning, was purely suicide. I entered the hall with only 3 hours spent on revision the night before. If I could even pass, it would be a miracle. The afternoon, was more like a stress-reliver for me. Unlike the morning IAM paper, the EM3B paper was a breeze. I finished it in a record time of 50 minutes(the fastest of all my papers for common test this semester). Definitely an A+ grade.

Wednesday, I went in with lots of mixed feelings. TH was the only paper which I did not drink any coffee 30 minutes before entering the examination venue. 30minutes is the time taken for the coffee to take effect. This was the third paper which I did some last minute revision. I did the paper as with little difficulty, but came out with lots and lots of different answers from my friends. A definite pass, but the grade I'll be getting for it would not look good. Went out for a run while getting some fresh air, and helping a friend think of a solution to her problems at the same time that evening. Met Xing Dan on the way, and she showed me a new route that was more challenging than my current route. Would be trying that out tomorrow evening if there is time.

Thursday. Nothing happened, except for a revision class for IA, which cleared up lots of my doubts.

Today. Woke up full of energy at 10, but within an hour, the brightness of the day faded away. I became extremely moody after that. At 12pm, I left for school. Studied for 2 hours before going to the classroom for the IA common test. I'm confident of a B+ grade, but if the marking scheme is lenient for question 3, I would not have much of a problem scoring an A. After the paper ended, went to the market with friends, and went to the Alumni Club House for an urgent meeting which went really well, and I enjoyed the dinner.

Estimated grade tally: 1A, 2Bs, 1C, 1F.

All right then, that's all for today. I doubt many things would be happening over the weekend.

Deep Thoughts

I'm back at square one again

What exactly have I gained?

Memories, of good times and bad times. 

I have yet to hear the clock's chimes. 

Day in, day out.

I see, I hear,I feel.

Things never seem to change much.

The past is known,

The future is waiting to be unwrapped,

The present is here, revealing its surprises before me.

So, what am I going to do next?

What am I going to do about tomorrow?

Will the change I make today change my finish line?

In the end,it's almost as if I'm letting history repeat itself once again.

This is another self composed poem. It would be a coincidence if this was composed before I did tonight. Anyway, I feel as though I'm still dreaming. Finding it hard to explain directly, I decided to return to composing a poem after a long period of time. Lately I have been feeling pretty much lost, unsure of what to do. Hopefully the answer would come soon. 

060609

I can't think of a title for tonight's post, and decided to use the date instead. Come to think of it, why not use the day's date when I'm unable to come up with a nice title for the post? This is the first post which uses the date as a title. 

Today felt somewhat refreshing. I stayed up to study from 2, and I spent so much time trying to figure out one question I feel asleep while thinking of what to do. I woke up at 8.10, and scrambled to prepare for school. The day started badly, but as it progressed, things got better. 

Had Engineering Mathematics 3B lecture for the first two hours, where I managed to solve almost every question for the past 2 common test papers. I can be sure of scoring at least 90 for the common test this Tuesday. Next was thermodynamics. We had a test to prepare us for the common test, and the quiz was rather easy, even though the questions were once problems I did not even know how to solve. I got the feeling that I would be able to get an A grade for this as well. IA. I did improve somewhat, and at least right now I got a better understanding of the module. With that, I declare that I am left with 3 modules to revise. AM(online exercises), IA and IAM are left to revise before I'm confident of getting straight As for this common test.

Somehow this afternoon, I felt high all of a sudden after a group of students entered the lift at the third floor. Apparently We were going up, but they wanted to go down. I couldn't help it but giggle. Oh well, at least they laughed in reply. I was expecting something worse, like a stare. What's more, one of them even said "goodbye" after I left the lift. Wow. 

At the entrance of the classroom, we noticed a group of students from Zhenghua Sec having a buffet outside our classroom. We had our share of the food as well when they left, until a lecturer came out from the staff room and looked at us. We looked back blankly at him for a moment before we walked back into the classroom. He opened the door halfway, stared at us for a moment, before going back to the buffet table. We laughed like there was no tomorrow. Human nature? I guess so. 

I felt sort of 'high' after that, and was not really able to concentrate in class except for the more important parts of the session.Tonight, I have decided not to do any revision unil tomorrow afternoon when I return from the driving centre to book my practicals in advance. I'll be doing AM and IAM tomorrow, but there would not be an all-nighter this time round, as I don't think I'll be needing it tomorrow night. Wednesday night? Let's see how the revision goes till then before I decide to go on with it. 

I have been thinking deeply lately. All sorts of stuff. The more I think about those thoughts, the more child-like I feel of myself. Its happened many times before. How do I control my thoughts? How should I handle myself? Other than saying it to a few trusted friends, would it be fine if I told it to the person of whom my thoughts concerned? If I did, would I end up scaring him or her? If I wanted to let him or her know, was the time and setting right for me to say it? 

Pre-June Common Test All-Niter

Anyone game for it? 2am to 5am later in the morning? i have 2 tutorials due later, and a test as well. I'm prepared for the test, but my tutorials are half complete. For me, I come alive after midnight, and I'm at my best in the evening between 2am and 6am. Since there's going to be school later from 9am to 4pm, I'll have only 3 hours. Whatever that's incomplete, I'll have no choice but to do some copying later on. 

Today things went rather well, and I managed to find out the topics I still required some revision in for IAM. EM3B is going to be rather easy. I'm all set for TH and AM. I'm still very unstable for IA. Right now, of the 5 papers, I'm confident of scoring at least 3 As, 1B and 1 C.

Went for a run in the evening, but gave up halfway after I started feeling unwell. Went on the 3km route, but ended up walking more than 1km. Maybe next time I should either take a bottle of water or buy a can drink from a stall during a route that's 5km or further. 

Over the next 1 week, it's going to be intense. I'll be having an all-nighter from 2am to 6am on Saturday night, and from 1am to 3am on Thursday night. Tomorrow, I'll not be studying in the evening, to prepare for the intense week ahead. 

Less than a week to the June Common Tests 09

TP's Common Test Week is coming to and end this Friday. NP's is starting next Monday. More time to study? Definitely. Less time to relax? Don't think so. A week less only equates to more time to cherish, although it also means less time to do lots of stuff over the holidays. 

So far, I am definitely ready for 4 of 5 papers. With my current knowledge, I'll get very mediocre results of Bs and with only an A or two. I might even fail a paper. Alright, actually, it's going according to plan, so it's nothing to worry about. I'm cramming over 2 months to knowledge into 2 weeks, and this is the second week. A straight string of As just like what I did about a year ago. I can do it. I just know it.

That's not really the actual reason for today's post. Right now, I'm not in the right state of mind for the tests. Somehow, I feel lost, as though something that was always here, is missing. I'm frantically searching for it, but still, I wonder how it managed to go missing. I hear voices, telling me to let go of the insecurities of my wandering thoughts. Those voices were seldom wrong. This time too. It's those voices that seem to allow me to 'see' the future before it unfolds before me. It might be a little too late by now, but it's time I really woke up from my year long slumber. I'm not going up that stage like last year until I ace September with that perfect score. 

Compounded Dilemas

Without all that's been happening lately, today would have been rather uneventful, plain, and simple. This might be a bore to some, so if you feel you're going to dose off, why not just head on to another blog which might have a more interesting post? Let's head back to yesterday for a moment. School from 9 to 4.

Reached home, took a short break, and went for another run. This time, I joined nearly all 3 usual run routes together. Toh Tuck to Jalan Jurong Kechil, path to Bukit Batok nature Reserve's carpark, looped at the bus interchange and back home, except that I ran it reversed(so that it would be a downslope run toward the end). A little dangerous with a number of works going on along the route. The last part was really fun, but risky as well as the final bend was sharp at the base of the slope. It was the first time I ran the route, and as expected I walked after exiting after the Shell station. Estimated distance was around 5km. WM wanna join me in the full route some time? I'll be trying out a couple of new routes after the common tests are over.

Next would be today. Slept really late the night before, and woke late this morning. Went to school to study with friends from 1 to 6, before going for dinner till 8. I drank coffee again today, which got me on overdrive. Managed to clear most of the stuff tested for TH and AM today. Very confident of at least a B+ for both so far. I realised that when I enter overdrive, many countless thoughts run through my mind. As a result, it's easy for me to get confused very quickly if I don't keep up with what I'm doing. Just wondering how things would get over the next few days until the common tests are over.

Intensive revision May09

Today's sort of the first day since the week started that I did intensive revision for close to 5 hours. Started at 12.30pm, and went till 4.10pm before I got really tired and went to take a nap till 5. Started off with Thermodynamics, and did the first 2 chapters. Managed to understand fully before taking a short break and went on to IA at 3. Did the first three chapters once again, though I managed to grasp only part of everything.

Guess tomorrow it would be more or less the same. I'll be at the driving centre in the morning for the final theory evaluation, so the morning's more or less gone. Some modules to be covered tomorrow: IA, AM and if time permits, EM3B and IAM. Monday doubt I'll have much time for revision, though the main modules I'll cover would be TH and IA, and if I'm still not tired, I might have an all-nighter for Double Engineering Mathematics till 2 to 3am. Tuesday would be intensive revision once again, and I'll cover IA, TH and AM. Double Engineering Mathematics would be covered in the evening from 8 to 10, and might continue from 1 to 3am since classes start at 1pm on Wednesdays. Tomorrow would be yet another mentally draining day.

This evening, went for dinner at 5pm, and came back at 7.50. Since it was still not 9pm yet, decided to go for a shorter than usual run till 8.40pm. Did not go as fast as usual for it was the first time I went for a long distance run after sunset and I might not have the stamina to keep up at the speed I used to run at before I came down with illness.

Tomorrow, I'll try going in the evening again,around 7pm in the evening, this time changing my direction to start along Toh Tuck Road. However, I would not be going slower since this evening I found that my stamina had kind of gotten better over the week I spent on recovery.

YCSS SYF Gala 09

It was sort of unexpected for me. I had no idea there was such an event until one fine Monday morning when I received Andy's SMS about the event that was going to be held this evening. Today rushed off to Jurong Point from school after classes ended at 4pm. Met Andy and Randall for dinner at 5.15pm. Catched up on the times, and I just got my next polytechnic T-shirt today! Singapore Polytechnic's off the list. Went to walk around the shopping complex with Andy after sending Randall off at the entrance. Met up with the rest at 6.50pm at the bus stop outside the school.

The new school building was finally completed, and there was also the new indoor sports hall. We went to the Multi Purpose Hall which had two really gigantic fans, providing lots of wind for everyone present for the concert. This evening, we did not have to purchase any tickets, as we were part of the alumni. The environment sure has changed much over the past 2 years, but the atmosphere is still there.

Somehow, I managed to become a little "high" during the three hour event, but still, the feelings died away as it was only nearing the finale item when I started feeling that way. On a side note, it takes lots of effort just to make someone like me to become "high". Took lots of photographs before, during and after the gala, and you can find them here, and here. After it ended, Gabriel, Edward, Hong Yong, Zhong Rong and I went to the coffee shop behind the school for supper, and I had to leave halfway through in orer to catch the last bus home, as I still did not have a license to drive yet, nor do I have my own vehicle.

Tomorrow, I'll be doing really intensive revision for the upcoming common tests which would be arriving in slightly more than a week's time. Hopefully, I would be able to go for a short run to regain my stamina lost during the period I was unwell and ended up in more than a week of abstinance from exercise. Sunday I would be having my final theory evaluation for driving, and upon passing(I strongly hope I can clear this in one shot so that I can start my practical lessons in October without the need to use an extra two to three hours a week for theory practices and tests), I would be taking the Final Theory Test, which I really want to pass in one shot as well, so that the time and money would not be wasted.

My "Blacklist":
NP, SP, RP, TP, NYP

200th Post

Yes. We're on post 200. Did not post for some time now, as there's not as much time as I once had. Nowadays I see myself pushing for time instead of doing stuff to kill time. Last Sunday had camp, then went home with something extra. The next morning, woke up with a bad flu. A consequence of me sleeping before the clock stuck 12 once again. Somehow, something or someone does not like the idea of me falling asleep between 10pm and 12am.

I have been going to bed before 12am for about 4 times so far this year. And all 4 times, something bad has to come out from it. This has been happening since one fine day while I was still in secondary school. Damn. The first was the night before the championships at NTU. The second was when I was overseas in the Philippines. The third and fourth were last Sunday and Thursday.

On Tuesday, I still felt relatively fine, but that was also the day when things plunged. In the morning, I overslept and woke at 11am. my nose started running badly after that, and after lunch, I realised the air conditioner was leaking. After I was all set for school in the afternoon(school starts at 1pm on Tuesdays), I realised I was coming down with fever. Went to school as usual, and we had a presentation during the photography lesson. Had little time for preparation. Turned out pretty well, and it ended really early as well. Went straight home to rest. On the bus, I hit my head aainst the ceiling of a double deck bus just before I went down the stairs. That night I slept for the first night since we moved in, without any air conditioning on in that room for the night.

On Wednesday things went rather well, and the flu that I had was still under control.

On Thursday, it was a long day and just after the first part of the morning, my condition started to plunge. Decided not to go for any CCA that day, and went home straight after IAM. The air conditioner was repaired, and I could sleep with the air conditioner on again. That night, I developed full-blown fever when I could not sleep after going to bed at 10pm.

Friday I woke up at 5.45am feeling very terrible. Blurred vision, lack of balance, burning sensation in the stomach. I realised I had slept for only 4 hours. Decided not to go to school, and just sleep the day away. Did very little, and slept alot.

Great enough, that one day of rest was worth it. On Saturday, I was well enough to go to the Driving Centre to attend close to 3 hours of theory lessons and a 40-minute practice session. Went straight to City Hall to meet Chong Siang before we went to the Esplanade for the concert Distant Worlds:Music of Final Fantasy. It was damn nice. Definitely one of the best concerts I have ever been to. Even the composer was there to attend to Asian Premier of the concert! Sadly I forgot to purchase a copy of the CD. Thanks to Chong Siang, I was able to watch the concert live that afternoon. At the opening time of the ticket sales, I was at the airport waiting to board a plane for Cebu, the Philippines. If not for his help, I would not be able to get a ticket. All three shows were completely sold out 3 months before the concert. Wow. Once again, as expected, there were 2 encore pieces played, the best being One-Winged Angel. Before that, there was a poll of the audience(vote by volume of the cheers among the audience) for new pieces that would be added to concerts to be staged around the world in the coming year.

After the concert an hour after the scheduled time of 4pm, I met my parents and we went around taking shots of people for the final portfolio and third shooting workshop of the Photography module. It was tough taking shots of complete strangers. They would either give you stern looks or stare at you, or simply look away upon noticing the camera facing them. We then decided to take shots of young children. Shots of them were the most interesting, natural and easiest to take. We went to Harbourfront for dinner, and on to Vivocity for a free outdoor performance by RED. Many great shooting opportunities, but their movements were fast, which made it hard to take quality photographs.

As the shots we took we not enough, we went to take more on Sunday and yesterday. The shooting session at West Coast Park on Sunday was cut short as I was not feeling well toward the end. Today was the last lesson, and once again there was a presentation. I was first to go, and it was the same as the previous week. The module ends today, and I can declare that I have successfully completed 2 modules for this semester!

Tomorrow would be a really long day, 2 40-minute practice sessions at the driving centre, tutorial and lectures from 1pm to 5pm, followed by CCA from 6 to 9pm. Anyway, I have decided. In the first week of October, I would begin on my practical lessons for driving. The theory component of the license would be cleared earliest by 18th June should everything go well. The earliest I can get my license after clearing my Practical Test is somewhere around mid November.

It's also two weeks to the common test, and today, I officially begin on my intensive revision.

Entering Turbulence

Today marks the end of the fourth week. Encountered some turbulence this week, but at the moment, things are still relatively fine. Meeting with some minor problems with TH for a week now. All because I stayed up late last Wednesday, I ended up sleeping through almost every lecture the next day. 2 days to clear my doubts, catch up on sleep and plan for the week ahead.

Monday was pretty fine, except that the first Taekwondo training let me with three blisters and the inability to walk properly probably till next Monday, a result of skipping a month of training. Tuesday we went to the Botanical Gardens for the outdoor photoshoot, and I took a taxi back to school, just in time for the make up practical session for IA back in school. Nothing much happened on Wednesday.

Thursday. School in the morning was normal till 12pm. Went to the driving centre to sit for the basic theory test. Reached the room 3 minutes before the start time, and passed it within 20 minutes. Nice. But I won't be able to settle the adminstrative stuff on that day as the system to update my results was down, and I did not have enough time to book lessons and tests as I had to get back to school by 2pm. It was 1.20 when I completed the test. Took 985 back to school at 1.24pm. Thinking that it would make a loop at Upper Bukit Timah Road, and being a lazy person, i decided to alight 2 stops after the bus made the right turn. That turn did not come at the junction. Instead, I was en route to Geylang! It's Alright. It's ok. Good thing I informed the lecturer that I would be arrving latest at 2.30pm. If I had alighted at the previous stop, I would have arrived in class at 1.50pm. Not too far away on the expressway, there was a jam. What a good day to relax on a bus. Seems like I'm going to have to take service 1 back to school once again. Went to the bus stop outside CJC, flagged down a cab, and reached the classroom at 2.25pm. Parted with 8 bucks(was supposed to be more than that but he was kind to give a rebate of 20 cents) for that serious careless mistake that took me on the best bus ride of the day. In the evening we had the Toastmasters AGM. That was the first time I experienced the meeting as a normal member and a committee member simultaneously. The difference was very great. A normal member would feel carefree about the proceedings, while a committee member would have much more than just seeing that the meeting goes fine. Honestly, if I were not a committee member of the club, I would not have turned up, as I was holding a post in the Videography Club, which happened to be holding its first meeting during the exact same timeslot on the same day. My greatest fear is that I would not be able to cope with the amount of commitment and studies, all at the same time. How great if the end of the world came shortly after I accomplish everything on my wishlist except getting a job.

Today, there's nothing much as well, a relatively normal day. Tomorrow would be a tiring day again. Got to spend time studying once again. Sunday morning I'll be back at the driving centre to settle the adminstrative stuff, studying again in the afternoon and updating this in the evening.

It's starting to get tough, and this time, the difficulties set in just 3 weeks after the term has started. I don't know exactly how long I could hold out under such conditions. But I certainly know that next year, I will have to leave the main committee of a CCA, or worse, both. It's extremely tough. I have found the red line, and every moment, I'm stretching it, inch by inch. I'm afraid that I might just give it a tug and the line simply snaps. It's too late to leave the posts. I'll have to remain where I am, do what I have got to do and wrap up with no regrets. Not that I totally detest a lifestyle like this, but it's for the future. As long as I can find happiness along the way, meet great friends and reach our goals at the end, it's worth it. Period.

Botanical Gardens Shoot

Today we went to the Botanical Gardens for our Outdoor photoshoot. It was hot, tiring, interesting and new. Even before we started on our shoot, I was perspiring already. Yesterday I had the first training for taekwondo after a month, and the evening's training was great, and although I joined them 3 weeks late, the trainings were still not very tough. Today, for the whole day, for every step I took, my feet gave an exhilerating sensation. After an hour of walking at the gardens, the pain become something like a second nature. It just disappeared. Took lots and lots of shots, some good, some bad. At 12.35pm, when we were dismissed, I walked at my usual pace to the bus stop. I was in luck. A taxi had stopped just behind the stop line, and I just got on. No need for any flag down.

I reached school at 12.50pm, and just went straight for the make-up practicals for IA. Sadly, we were not going to use any compressed gas today. I miss the hissing sound of the gas. At 4pm, went with Yin Feng and Hakim to the library to study. The new strategy is going really well, and I managed to score 100% for 2 quizzes within 2 attempts for both.

It would be the same for tomorrow, though there would only be 3 hours, from 5 to 8pm. Thursday. I'll leave school for the driving centre at 12pm for the Basic Theory Test, held from 12.50pm to 1.40pm. Hopefully I can pass it within 20minutes, update the system with my results and once again, take a taxi back to school(no choice), as I would have IAM from 2pm to 4pm. That evening is also the time of the Annual General Meeting for the Toastmasters Club, and sadly I'll miss the first meeting of the Videography Club(don't worry, I'll be there every Thursday from next week). Friday. There should not be any events after 4pm, so most likely it's back to the library for a solid 4 hours of slacking and study. Coming Sunday, I'll be updating more links(missed out a few links).

Third Week'09

Tomorrow's the third week of the term. Anyway, I have updated some stuff, and I'm sure it's easy to spot them. Don't really have time to list in detail, but should not be a problem to notice which are the items that have been added ya?

Overseltp this morning and I ended up with less time to take good shots at the nature park. Seems like I wasted an hour there taking shots that are not revelant to the assignment, and I'll have to take some shots tomorrow again. Hopefully there will be time in the monring before I head to school.

Cruising Soon

It's been 2 weeks, and I'm almost at cruising altitude. Things are starting to fit into place bit by bit, and I find the clouds clearing up once again, revealing a boundless horizon of blue. Yesterday had the first ever outing with the photography club committee, and it sure was fun. met up at 3, went to the gardens at 3.20, and spent more than 4 hours there. I'll be back on Tuesday, this time better prepared for the morning shoot at the gardens. Tomorrow, I'm heading to the nature reserve at 10am to complete some assignments due on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll be as lucky as today when I went there to look for great shooting spots and found squirrels and birds up close!

Tomorrow, i'll finally be able to find time to clear up the messy room and update the stuff in the blog. THese things have been postoned for over a month now, and it's piling up every day.