Wednesday, June 15, 2011

18th birthday

Yes, finally it’s the 15th of June once again! A very important day for me of course, my birthday. Feels really good to finally be 18 man! Been wanting to be 18 since idk how long ago. Can’t really rmb why now but guess it’s just the idea of being able to watch M18 movies now, and simply having a little more freedom I guess. Once again, thanks to Facebook I have received countless birthday greetings. Thanks to all! Finally, someone really special smsed me a birthday greeting too. Felt really elated! Sure made this 18th birthday one to rmb, hahas. Had a simple dinner with family as celebration as I don’t really celebrate it with friends hahas. Hopefully my 19th birthday can be celebrated with some close friends yeahs, or NS friends? Hahas! My birthday wish for this year, haha…

Chionging maths

Yup, so had my 18th birthday today. Well, it wasn’t without rewards. Nah, I’m not talking about those gifts and presents. Had free maths tuition from my friend. Hahas, best form of a birthday present for a JC student whose really really poor with Maths.
Been contemplating getting Kee Wei to coach me in Maths for some time before today. Finally decided that I’d rather not disturb him in his revision for the MYE’s so smsed him to call off our scheduled maths tutoring session. However, he replied saying that he needed to be in school to study anyways due to distractions at home and so I agreed to accompany him in school. An opportunity to get some Maths questions clarified too.
Got to school early at about 9am and he was already there. Studied until about 1pm before we headed down to a nearby hawker centre for lunch. Never been there before and never knew there was such a place there all the way behind several blocks of flats. Usually ate with friends in the one further out near the main road. Quite a coincidence, just after we found a table and sat down, the hawker centre received a power cut. Just our luck! Had we just ordered our food immediately upon arriving, we would be enjoying our lunch now. So we just sat and waited for the stall holders to get the power back up and running.
To our surprise, the stall holders also had that thought in mind. Yes, they just sat down like us and waited! No one was going around to check the cause of the power down. After waiting some time with no luck, we got up and left for another hawker centre.
A few steps out of the hawker centre and power returned to the hawker centre. Lols!
So we went back and had our lunch there. After which, we returned to school to continue with our Maths revision and finally left school at 5pm.
Well, although not much Maths revision done, at least had some doubts clarified and completed some questions from the revision papers we were given. Most importantly, I managed to be motivated to study by understanding rather than just memorising the content which is what I usually do. After spending a day chatting with him, really saw how much just taking some time to understand the content can help. Going to do the same for my other subjects if there’s time left to. Otherwise, can only study that way throughout Term 3 in preparation for Prelims.
Therefore, not a wasted day at all. Going to study with him some more hopefully before MYE’s!
Interesting way to spend my birthday eh?

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Memories revived - "Kranji D’ Aesthetica!!"

Went for Kranji’s Performing Arts concert yesterday evening. Went with the idea of getting together with sec friends and reliving the days of being in the performing arts in KSS. At first, was still quite unsure of how to begin. So many ppl will be there, mostly Kranjians of course! Tried to get someone to go with me but to no avail. Most of those who I asked were not attending the concert lols. So in the end had to make my way there myself. Had to get the help of gothere.sg again hahas but managed to get there. All the while the only thought nagging at the back of my mind was, “Where and who to sit with?”
Was almost late when I finally alighted from the bus outside the Republic Poly auditorium. However, as I approached RP, still saw many ppl still hanging ard outside the auditorium so kinda relaxed a little. Then, I saw some close friends, YK and Emilia, up ahead, just heading for the auditorium as well. I made to approach them and got their attention. So I walked to the RP auditorium with them hoping to be able to sit with them and thus solve my problem of finding a sit. Fat hope! They of course had in mind who they are going to sit with and so again I was left alone. Since there was still time before the performance started, I decided to go to the washroom to avoid the huge crowd. Met Jiashun there and somehow made conversation. Was quite unexpected as it was he who approached me to say hello. Felt really glad though. Didn’t expect that! Hais...Finally still had to face the problem of finding a seat.
Felt really odd though, been to RP auditorium countless times before but was always entering the auditorium through the back stage in previous visits.Hahas, was a performer last time mah haha. Anyways, am a part of the audience now. Wow, never knew that there was a second floor hahas.. Noob!Followed the crowd to the second floor as the first floor was already full. Didn’t have to worry though, Jiashun offered me a seat beside him and although we didn’t talk much, it was still a start. Then I thought, “Isn’t the second floor usually where all the cheering and shouting come from?” Oh man, dun think I’m going to be all that high hahas. However, all was quiet from the second floor haha.
The performance began promptly at 7.30pm with the Choir as usual. Hahas, another reason why I went. Went as the alumni of Choir to give the Kranji Choir support and to hear a Gold Choir sing. Really proud of the juniors hahas.
So the performance carried on with items put up by the various performing arts( Choir, Band, Drama and Dance) and even had performances put up by the Sec2 enrichment programmes groups such as Flag twirling, Jazz Fusion and such. Too bad Street Dance wasn’t on the list, would have enjoyed watching that. After that, had a 15 minute intermission and sat with Samuel when I got back. Hahas, Samuel’s still the same, very high and told me to cheer for Choir’s next item. Agreed to do so but when the time came, still failed to do so. Hais..
The concert lasted till about 9.30pm and I left after that. Actually intended to go visit the juniors but asked ard and since not many of the seniors were ard and not many of those that came wanted to go, so left immediately after the show. Saw some teachers whom I was familiar with but didn’t go over to say Hi as they were either busy talking or chatting with students. Anyways, I was really tired already by that time.
Must say, our juniors didn’t let us down. A wonderful performance they put up for us. Hahas!!
Sure will buy tickets for the next such performance early. No hesitation next time. Hahas, money well spent. Besides the wonderful performance, also managed to meet friends and get together and relive the past hahasJ
However, did notice, as did many others of the alumni, that we didn’t recognise most of the juniors performing anymore.Of those performing, we recognised only maybe about a third of them, or less? Most of those we knew had already graduated or have stepped down lol. Sitting with us as audience liaoz. Time flies huh?

Thursday, June 9, 2011

NS check up

The long awaited NS check- up has finally arrived!
Went for the check- up with two classmates today. Guys of course. Trained down to Redhill Mrt and took a bus to CMPB in Henderson with Chee Koon. Quite satisfied with myself actually, managed to find our way there by public transport with some help from gothere.sg hahas. Really successful!
Actually my scheduled time was in the afternoon at 1pm but since my friends scheduled theirs earlier, so went with them. Was hoping to be able to do my check- up at an earlier time slot if there were vacancies if that was possible. Indeed, it was on a first come first serve basis.
Got to CMPB at about 8.30 and even though that was before the scheduled timing, was still able to proceed with the check- up. Had to walk quite a long distance following many signs along the way before we got to our destination. Did a sort of registration and had to leave our hand phones in a small locker. Hahas. Even though it was so early, there were already many other guys there already. Guess everyone wants to get it done as soon as possible before the crowd comes in hahas.
Anyways, first up was photo taking. Tried my best to look good for the photo as I didn’t really prepare for this. Was given a collared shirt to wear over the T- shirt I was wearing though. As it was done individually, we separated after the photo taking. Went separately through the various stations own time own target. Agreed to meet back at the entrance where the lockers were located after we were done.
Had a blood test and urine test done next. Long time since I last had my blood taken or had an injection but still it wasn’t too bad. Compared to some who had to do it twice on both arms, mine went quite smoothly. Had the urine test next. Dun even rmb the last time I did one lols. Went in to the washroom and saw a long queue outside two cubicles. Wondered why the guys didn’t just use the many urinals that were there. Since it didn’t seem to be common practice to use the urinals, I joined the queue and waited my turn. After I got in, apparently someone outside saw the queue in the guy’s washroom. He came in and asked the other guys what they were waiting for. Lols, guess he meant for them to use the urinals. Which is what they did I guess. Lolol, and the officers actually reminded us to wash our hands. Lolol, we’re 18 year olds and about to serve the nation mind! Wouldn’t we know that?! Hahas.
After that smoothly went through with the other stations including a chest X ray, hearing test, sight test, dental and ECG. Did pretty well for all I felt, only a little complications at sight test where I had to explain the condition of my eyes to the officers there. Was told that they will get further clarifications from my doctors so will temporarily be PES D. So fast, got my status le lols.
Second last station was the “Q and A” session or dunno what it’s called. Waited for my number to be called and entered a room where the officers asked me some questions to clarify some of my conditions I guess. It was only after I left the room that I remembered several things that I was supposed to inform them about which I had forgotten. Lols, hope they are informed about those stuff.
After that was the final station, a computerised test which I had some problems doing here and there. After quite some time, it was all finally done. Got back out to the entrance, retrieved my phone and realised that the others had left already. So made my way back myself.
Hahas, later learnt that the time I took for the last station was probably much too long lols. Hope I dun get posted to some very boring duty though.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

We have no special talents but we are passionately curious

Hard work put in will be rewarded. Had the actual Einstein's Cradle event last Friday. It was really really successful hahaha!! Several things contributed to me being so elated now.
Okay, first. Well, this was quite unexpected actually, we were given a telling off by the teacher in charge on the actual day of the event itself due to not having cleared up after our last dry run the day before. However, he was referring to the equipment for the experiments which were in the concourse. Of course, that meant that my group which was in a lecture theatre was not involved(Seems as though those responsible had left early without clearing up). That was when I felt really proud of my team. Not just because they were not the ones whom the teacher in charge was referring to but because I recalled that my team would always stay right to the end and only leave when all discussions had been concluded and everything had been packed. Furthermore, I also remembered the time when one of the groups stayed behind even after I had left to continue with discussions. Therefore was really proud to have such a wonderful team hahas.
Next, the carrying out of our booths’ activities were really successful with much compliments from the teachers after the event had ended. It was also mentioned that the teachers of the participating primary school were pleased with the whole event and one of the schools even requested for the club to help out in their science camp. Hahas.. kudos to Alchem Club!!
What I’ve got to emphasise is the fact that what we did on the actual day was totally a maiden attempt based only on ideas and theories. We had not had a proper run through of
our booths’ activities before this and were totally doing it for the first time on the actual day
itself! It was to the point that even on the last dry run for the event we hadn’t even gotten all the equipment and props ready. I had also only managed to figure out how to operate the projector screen with the laptop on the last dry run. Quite glad that I did though, after much playing ard with the equipment. Therefore, everything was very last minute and most were improvised on the day itself. I am so glad that it was such a success! Once again, all thanks to the wonderful team I have.
On the point of improvisation, am really proud of the plan we had come up for the booth activities as well. As we had planned the activities such that there was two parts for each booth, we were able to eliminate one part of the activities for each booth to fit the requirement that there was enough time for all three participating primary school groups to participate in activities for each of the individual booths. Previously, we had planned it such that each participating primary school group will only take part in one booth’s activities with the two part arrangement lols. So a quick and simple solution to a pretty last minute problem. I was just informed of this two days before the actual event. At that time, preparations for the activities were already in full swing so we didn’t have time to change plans. Lucky we could do away with some of the activities. Saves money and time hahas.
Lastly and most importantly, WE WON THE BEST BOOTH COMPETITION!!! WE WON THE BEST BOOTH COMPETITION!!! WE WON THE BEST BOOTH COMPETITION!!!
Was pretty much expected actually since we had the largest space to work with and the most freedom to plan and make the activities more fun. Also, I had the largest manpower resource as well, probably the largest group. 15 people!! Compared to the 4 or 5 for the other groups.But still, felt really really overjoyed when I was informed. Think my team felt the same too. The whole team went up on stage to collect the hamper which was some goodies and sweets which were shared out among the group. We filled out the whole stage man! Think my group was probably the largest hahas. Was told by the prize presenter that the goodies were probably not going to be enough but I replied that it was okay. Hahas, and we still managed to give everyone something with extras!
Well, all the happiness aside, the end of Einstein’s Cradle marks the end of my role in Alchem Club as well. However, will always rmb this event as the second time that I took on a leadership role and was successful in leading the group. First time volunteered though. Really glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone to volunteer to be the IC. ciaos!

Kranji d' Asthetica

Yup! KSS's going to have another concert soon. Rather, this week actually, on Friday.
Forgot all about it until just yesterday. Panicked as it was so close to the concert and tickets may already be sold out. Immediately contacted some teachers and made bookings for the tickets. Phew! Lucky there are still tickets left. Made an appointment to collect it today. Got to KSS at bout 2pm and collected the ticket from a teacher.
Job done. Left the school after that.
Going to have to make preparations on what to wear for Friday. Going to have to contact some friends as well to find out who's attending the concert as well. So far, contacted some but not many are attending. Lols!

June Holidays

June holidays have arrived and time is really flying by very quickly. Haven't really done much revision and seems as though not much of the holiday left. About three more weeks actually.Actually come to think of it, still enough time for revision, but I'll have to manage my time better.
So why do I feel as though there’s not much time for revision? Well going on a family outing to Cameron Highlands on the second last week of the hols. Although not for too many days, revision will still be hindered lols.
Well, already decided on how to finish up all my revision by the end of three weeks. Planning to finish all other subjects in the one week before the trip except Econs. Then will bring Econs lecture packages for the trip to read up. Think this is as much as I can do to fully utilise the time I’m left with. Well, hope it helps?

Ouch!! Muscles are aching!

Well at least I am starting to see some arm muscles now. And aching means a good sign, that they're being utilised. So what resulted in this ache? Well, excessive exercising of course, hahas. Went bowling and swimming over the past weekend. Well, taken up swimming again recently as a weekly activity and just happened that my family went out for a game of bowling as well since it was the hols and there were some vouchers to be used. After swimming the usual 10 laps that is already enough to leave me drained of energy, we then went bowling. Hahas, due to the cheaper rates as it was the hols, I played a total of 7 bowling rounds! Non-stop! Hence the excessive exercise and the aches in my arms. Well heys, I don’t mind man! Long time since I've played already hahas.
Well, seeing slightly bigger arm muscle now thanks to all my effort! See, rewarded for my hard work!
Hope to make time for more bowling games soon!