Deadly blunder

I witnessed how Felipe Massa grabeed pole position, then dropped to last and finished there due to a stupid mistake by his new visor.
I witnessed how Lewis Hamilton kept quite constant throughout the race.
I witnessed how Kimi Raikonnen clinched third pole and was affected badly by Massa, then bounced back from 16th to 4th, but crashed with just 4 laps to go.
I witnessed how Fernando Alonso won the race as a 'black horse'.
I witnessed how Nico Rosberg made it to his first podium finish.
Not bad an experience, I would say, that the 2008 FIA F1 Championships Singapore race had provided the spectators, no matter live or from the screen.

We were all still suffering from the F1 fever on Monday, lol. Could not break free. Including the teachers too. There was heavy rain after that, and of course, I was not spared and was semi-drenched. Did not accomplish much too. The irony is, September seldom rained and although it rained this few days, it did not rain at all during the 3 F1 race days.

Tuesday is today. Accomplished a little more.

JB Jeyaretnam just passed away at the age of 82. The nation will mourn the death of this flamboyant and iconic former opposition MP.

Memories of the past kept flashing in my mind. From the days I walked to the Lower Delta Rd bus stop with Timo, talked crap with Zhaoyong and went home together with Hu Rui, to the more recent times where I pointed a scissors at Aaron, sweared every 10 seconds in class and got locked up in the classroom, created a din then got caught by VP Mr Auyong. A heartbreak that it is impossible to record all of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences, but nonetheless, they'll all be etched deep in our hearts, I believe, and no one could ever take them away.

What kind of a feeling is that?

Mixed feelings and thoughts while my heart kind of ached through Graduation Day. I was extremely late for school due to to goddamn weather but nevertheless, we received a great gift from our teachers, which was more meaningful than anything they had put in the graduation pack. Now, at least we are confirmed with three subjects beating 4I: EM, AM, Phy. And another one or two most likely that we have outshined them would be Chinese and Chem. Great great news to hear. It was topped with relaxed lessons by Chan and Mr Ang.

Then after a 0925 recess was Graduation at 1000. We waited long at Level 1, then finally went up to hall. Outside hall was a photo gallery (very small-sized one) showing the past years we've been. I feel, we've really grown, and matured, through the 4 years, just like anyone else said upon our graduation.

We entered the dark hall with candlelight lined along the central aisle. Very euphoric. The ceremony was graced by senior GESSian Png Cheong Ann from ADB. As expected, his speech was very corporate and students all fell asleep. Then was the presentation of graduation packages by FC and BFC. And videos. Ours, I admit, was boring but I stayed the most awake and it was one of most meaningful. I would award the best to 4G which actually some sort stole our original idea. Actually, for the whole occasion, I had a slowly corroding heart beneath putting on a happy smile.

After the ceremony we went back to class when we played our usual. Really, I enjoyed that short session that did not last long at all and after which, I don't know why, everyone went all over. No one besides a few showed up at the canteen for refreshments. I still went to canteen and did not went Tiong. After almost everyone left, the whole feeling was very sad, the canteen looked very cold, I didn't like that feeling. It was really heartbreaking. This feeling is different from my last in-charge training, and will also be very different from ROD on 13 Oct.

The euphony already happened on Wednesday when we played soccer in the rain. Within an eye's blink, we have reached graduation from 2005. 4 years. This period of time wasn't at all long, neither was it short. The irony is that we did not see any change in people around us as we progress in GESS, but instead we would comment, hey, whoever was so different in Sec1 and look now, he/she is now a hunk/babe.

Like 4G's video, 10 years from now, will we still be in touch? Will we still remember these days? Will we still remember all the little happenings in everyday school life? Most importantly, will we still be one class? The answer is difficult, as we go seperate ways after Jan 15 next year.

Lastly, I have to thank at least 150 people who have made my life in GESS a complete piece. Without them, it would never have been the same.

I will stay committed to 4H, stay committed to GESS. The Dragon always lives in me, the Ship I always sail, striving ever Onward. It is a great honour, to have been a student of the greatest school in Singapore, to have been part of the greatest class.

Quotes I want to remember (and maybe live by) on this special day:
1. "Life is a drawing without an eraser"-by mr chan's SL video (a lot of people posted this)
2. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"-taken from Karen's blog
3. "Nothing is constant, the only constant is change"-by Anonymus
4. "No one can ever control the winds, but everyone could adjust the sails"-that's what I have lived by.

Waiting and waiting

Motorists in CBD affected by F1 roadblocks: nightmare jams in the morning.
That appeared in headlines throughout the island.

So for me too, today was a disappointing day of waiting.

Firstly we waited four long weeks for our PE Lesson and it turned out to rain. Nevertheless, we still got ourselves wet in the rain when it was lighter then had a few floorball matches in hall. The feeling was like...so euphoric.

Then AJ, I don't know why, 'humiliated' Vignesh by commenting on his SBQ in comparison to Timo's. Nvm if he said he did badly for one question, but he compared all four and kept emphasizing one Vig's performance. "I want you to learn!" (with a deep voice)

EL was very slacked, very very slacked plus boring. Mr Niu spent whole lesson going through Letter Writing for Prelim.

Recess, improved my Tamil (learnt quite a number of writing characters) and also, Faisal's Chinese too.

Chemistry threw us another 3 sets of papers and then own work.

Physics, I did Chem throughout.

Then went to Tiong for short lunch and finally now back home to do (revision?). Obviously not now. Maybe two minutes later.

School, as usual, was filled with smiles and laughter all around, with a dash of Maths and Science here and there. Absolute peak of secondary school academic life! (Well, holistic peak already past)

Three blind deers

Now I don't dare drink milk, eat chocolate or drink milo. All because of Sanlu. The stupid china company go and put melamine [or cyan-uro-tri-amide, C3H6N6 or (CH)3(NH2)3]. Lol. I wonder why they put such idiotic chemcical into the milk. One lesson to be learnt and the concept reinforced: Never buy Chinese products if unsure.

And now at last, the credit crunch is coming to an end with Fed's $700b bill urgently passed. And also, those stupid Singaporeans, I don't understand them. Kiasu and Kiasi like...don't know what. First, AIG not equal AIA. Second, AIA has reserves at MAS. On the other hand, I learnt from Today that Japanese firm Normura bought Lehman Asia for $225m including $50m in goodwill. Now, graphs are finally running up at DJIA and Times Sq.

Nonetheless, I'm still very much bothered by the monotony of my posting and my Prelim results. Still, a little oblivious despite worrying, I had quite an eventful week since last Tuesday (last post).

Firstly Wednesday was a chillout after the last paper. Freedom at last. Wanted to pack up my room but the computer had induced magnetism in me. So, I lazed a whole Wednesday afternoon in front of the screen.

Then on Thursday I went with Sundram, Eugene to celebrate Khai Woon's birthday and after which the latter left and Zaki came. We watched MammaMia, a somewhat quite 'jovial' musical. Hmmm, okay. We got caught for bringing food inside which we claimed only after the show and left quick after Sundram split some drink on Cathay's floor. Lol.

Friday=back to school. Only collected results Physics2 and EMaths1 (which P2 up till today is still not released). And also unofficial tabulating of Chem P1 marks.

Had a somewhat wonderful weekend that started off with half a morning unable to study, then sending my grandpa off, after that met JJ's new car SJJ3867 (like, lol), had lunch at Bendemeer and then study over at his home. I completed merely an AMaths P1 there. Later in the evening it was a great grand >$1k dinner at Hai Tien Lo, PanPac Singapore. With a cake after dinner, perfect for my grandpa's birthday, I think.

Sunday saw me not doing much work too. Wasted at least 4 hours in the market, thanks to my grandma, then another 4 hours for lunch and nap. Basically it corroded off all my effective time for the day.

Monday returned to school with quite an upbeat feeling on results. Scored high for Chinese, worse than target for SS. Once again, school's fun with all the people around me. After school went to JJ's house again to study and same, nothing more than one EMaths paper within 2 hours.

Tuesday 23 September. Today six of seven subjects are finally totally released. First time I passed AMaths in major exam and its not a C grade. Also first time an A1 for Chinese in major exam and A2 for Physics. And yeah, AMaths is subject to moderation, so, jump for joy! Today's my day man. Let me make my results public:
1127: 60.5 (B4)
1162: 75.0 (A1)
4016: full result unknown, likely A1
4038: 61.7 (B4)
5058: 70.3 (A2)
5072: 73.3 (A2)
2192: 61.0 (B4)
L1R4 agg: 10
L1R5 agg: 14

To those who didn't do well: Not boasting or whatever. If you did not get what you expected, don't feel sad, you'll lose half the battle just by doing that. It may be just not your luck this time. After all, it's only some Sch Prelim that doesn't take you anywhere regardless of your results. Work hard, sprint for O's. You're going to make it cos the fact that you're where you are now-you have what it takes. Stay buoyant and optimistic, and you'll see where your attitude, hardwork, and that potential in you will bring you to. All the best!

Now, to those who did very well: Don't be too happy, I'll chase up! Haha lol.

And lastly, I want to screw Mark Zucherberg now because of his Facebook screw-up. What shit site maintanence. Hope to see my apps soon!

Off to continue the race, hang on for the remaining days.

This world is falling apart

Following Lehman's Chapter 11 and ML's BOA buyover, AIG will be next. All these large firms 'going bust and being taken over' may be more widespread and even affect Europe (actually XL already lead the trend). Are all these true? I'm seriously worried over all these crap by such American financial institutions. We may be facing another recession like 1997 and 1999? And just in time, that would be when we may be going out into the society to start our careers. But Singapore, I think, won't be hit much. Asian economy is now much more independent from USA and Europe compared to then in 1997 and 1999. So let's hope that everything is fine.

Come to think of it, focus on our study now. Today's AMaths Paper 2 would be rated 4.5 stars for difficulty. Neverthelss, target still remains.

Tomorrow will be my last two papers and then up will go my hands and wave-I'll say goodbye to Prelim and at the same time hello to O Level, soon. But wait, it's long before I should get happy, tomorrow is Chem and Phy P1 and the target: a decent 28 or 30 for each. The only way out: [windows button] [U] [U].

This world is falling apart.

What have the future prepared for us?

NYMEX Trading Board on 09/09. (Credits Yahoo! News)

I wonder how our beloved Mr Lee Kuan Yew and family will rejoice with Barclays buying over Lehman Brothers but on the other hand have problems deciding on ML, whether to sell to BOA. I think there'll be a great gathering at Oxley Rise. Actually, British travel agency XL also closed its home base operations but continue in neighbours France and Germany. The stupid oil prices cause the economy to fluctuate and meanwhile, 10 large banks prepared $70b for other companies in the world to use 'for emergency'. Human have done bad on themselves, or, ourselves. Nevertheless, one advise: never touch NASDAQ 'LEH' and 'MER'.

On another note, I'm left with 3 Prelim papers: 4038/02, 5058/01 and 5072/01. Chinese was settled today (my least-confident papers for this Prelim). AM1 on Friday was quite simple but not too easy either (contradicting). Nevertheless, hope for A2 with my revamped AMaths since July. I decided to take it easy on Friday, so totally did nothing.

So Saturday went to Grace housewarming. Many, many people man. Got relative from her husband side. Then we slacked all and I only did one Physics MCQ. Then Sunday was better, more things like Chemistry and Chinese were completed, and, probably pushed aside forever unless fault-checking is to be done.

Enough of crap. Back to work with Linear and Lenz Law.

7 years and 1 day ago

Stay buoyant for survival. You don't, you drown. To death.

I was bored of AMaths so I decided to post something.

---DYING DAYS TO PRELIM---

04/09: SP Visit (or they call SP Experience). There was a 'great' opening at the auditorium, then went for the Sch of BE choice. Was suprised that Fuk Kin also there. So there were three divisions: DIEPM/DPFM, DARCH/DLA, DCE/DEWT. Tried out activity at DIEPM (sung Shine for S'pore -.-) Then we all built a paper structure at DARCH and Zhonghua Sec people are too creative. China Prof at at Hydraulic Dept was 'entertaining' and play 'Olympic Boat Race' with us.

05/09: Not much study was conducted. Actually wanted to do some Science but still trapped with practices due on Wed.

06/09: My bro passed out from SSC. Hes gonna be ASM. After sending his platoonmates home went home and sleep. Then got my school pants (because I lost one during Teachers Day) and had dinner at Sakura Rest. The phone takers were bad. Still not a lot done.

07/09: (Temporarily lost on memory)

08/09: Start of new term. Slept+slack the whole morning and early afternoon (about 3 hours in total). So not much done in school besides one chapter of SS (Iraq War). Then I was so energetic that I worked through midnight and managed to internalise everything.

---GESS GCE 'O' PRELIM 2008---

Day-in-day-out evaluation:

09/09: EM1 wasn't bad at all. A straight breeze. SS, I think everyone wrote till muscle cramp. I did only one Phy paper and 3 questions from an EM2 paper the whole afternoon, evening and night.

10/09: EM2 was another breeze. Besides that my stomach upset (overslept and no breakfast) caused me to go to toilet which take about 15-20 minutes. But no problem, 2.5hrs for the whole paper. Phy 2 should be okay. A little of difficulty balanced with ease (Section B's a giveaway). After that did some stupid survey (but I always think twice and give my best opinion). Due to fatigue I slept 2.5 hrs in the afternoon which gave me energy till 1230 next day for Geog. I left Chem for the dying minutes.

11/09: Sept 11. Thats why my Geog total score is over 40. And coincidentally enough, I chose the question involving USA. Malar Vizhi Anjappan was talking about HFMD. Oh, so now we're GESS Kindergarten. Then Chem 2. Wasn't hard at all, to me. With the exception of some part questions, I think I can score. Did not expect such ease as setter was the famous Ms Mah. So I came back to do some AMaths and boredom brought me here.

12/09: Despite through these three hard days Prelim still feel quite relaxed. All main double-paper days have passed. What looms ahead is brightness and the call for a small celebration of Prelim over but back to work within 24 hours after that. AM1 tomorrow, so must get fingers of the keyboard NOW. Phew, that took me 30 mins.

தமிழ் Tamil rants Part 2

முன்னேஅறு வாலிபா முன்னேறு என்றும்
தோடு வான் நொகூ வாய்
டஎவேசெடு தள மிடி எடே கவ நெடில் கொள்ளுங்கள்

பாத்து!

ஒன்பது!

யது!

யாலு!

அற்று!

ஐடு!

நன்கு!

முன்றே!

இறந்து!

ஒன்று!

புகிஎம்!

If only you understand...

நான் உன்னை காதலே கிரேன்!
பைசல் + ரிட்ழ்வன = hopeless
சுந்தரம் + ஜோஅன்ன = sad story
சூபேரன் + பிரியத் = sweet
விக்னேஷ் + த்திர = i dont know
கிஸ்னா + ரோஸ் = i dont know

Cosmopolitan

Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-ethnic country. We must understand each other's differences.

No link.

Reasons Excuses for not being able to study:
1. The room is clogged up with the CFC or Polysterene smell
2. A fly flew in for 4 times within 5 minutes in the afternoon even after I closed the window
3. Noise from renovations behind my house and cars passing the main road in front
4. Facebook is too addictive, earning virtual $$$
5. Fatigue

Basically there wasn't much mood for me to study. But I can't wait for Prelims to arrive, so I could test how prepared for O Levels am I. Maybe L1R5 of 14 for Prelim?

நான் உனை காதலி கிரேன்

வா கலீ வரெய் புஒய் சுண்டேய் போதுலாம்

Miracles do not happen, they are created.

I received a set of samples for my unit photo on 21 Aug with no nominal roll for order. Nevertheless, on Thursday itself, I completed 19 orders out of 27 Sec 4/5 cadets and 4 JC Cadet Officers. The following day four more down, with five of the other eight not in the photos.

After the weekend of very exciting Beijing Olympics closing, I returned to what I really regard as my final dip into duty.

I got no information to collect money for them only until 25/08 afternoon and within 35 minutes of recess on 26/08, I settled more than 75% of those who ordered. But until now, I have still $6 floating out there.

Okay, then 27 Aug came the 'okay lah, still can' EL Prelim. Well, about 98.34% of the people (Sec4 Exp of GESS) would say that if you asked them. If you're within the other 1.68%, either I warn you, don't be complacent or I comfort you, well its only a Prelim Exam.

Our class was left with 24 people on Thursday (surprisingly, 12 girls gone and only 4 guys disappearing and three of these four idiots are part of the Black Parade). All teachers were shocked, for example Mr AJ greeted us by "Good morning to what's left of your class". The whole day everyone got no mood to study but just slacked around, play with calculator and draw picture on whiteboard, etc.

Then Friday's teacher's day was a great great blast. I'll give a 7/10 rating for the whole event, but this is how its broken down:
ACES Exercise: 2/2
Teachers Awards: 2/2
Concert: 1/2
Dedications: 2/2
Student Leaders: 0/2
I heard we got 3rd for skipping, amidst alleged cheats from our closest competitors 5B and 4C. Teacher's Awards, fun cheering. After that recess so went around and wished teachers. Then we invented tonnes of bustering songs. Concert, not that satisfying besides botak part. Dedication time was a great time.

After the celebration I planned nicely with my bro to visit our ex-principal now at Greenwood Primary in Admiralty. Unfortunately Bendemeer Sec delayed their damn fucking thing to end at 1315, which left me stranded at Tiong. Luckily, I sent sms-es out and SY was kind enough to come and so lunch not alone.

We decided against revisiting Poi Ching, so I got to Dhoby Ghaut at 1330 and boarded the train for a long 11-station ride to Yishun. Worst of the worst happened. Chongfu was sealed off by security, and we later knew from Mdm Foo that Ms Phua is in NIE for course. We made our way to Greenwood through MRT and managed to reach Greenwood by about 1515. Well, this year it is more eventful than the previous, Mdm Foo is so busy and there is Lower Primary Sports Day going on. There is even one kid whose head was bleeding and Mdm Foo personally attended to him/her. Imagine the principal dressing your wound. How would it feel?

So we caught the Lower Primary Sports from the second race onwards. All was P1, and it reminded me on my P1 times. Flashes of memories surfaced in my mind. Well, of course, P1 was difficult to control and it was chaotic. This became worse when someone's MP3 played through the system suddenly played Spongebob theme song. The whole hall, even competitors, was like cheering and singing as if it was a holy song or whatever. Went home at about 1630. Then sent an email to Mr Chee stating our apologies and wishes.

So Saturday, woke up late, play and can't study at all until we went KFC at Potong Pasir when it started raining within the first hour. Its about 4pm then and had to rush to Toa Payoh at 5 for some relax tuition and study (not me, tuition is an insult to my intellect). Nevertheless, weaving in between shelters and avoiding the rain is more fun than running in it. So reached Blk 143 Toa Payoh at 1645 drenched and shoe-broken (the sole of my right shoe came off). This shoe dates back to two years ago. It was one I scaled my first mountain with and with it, I twisted my right ankle. What a coincedence, its only 50-50. Lol. That was December 06 in Sarawak with GESS NCC for Sec2 Expedition. Back to current, we waited very long outside the door, until the 'master' of my two 'juniors', who got a GO for Reservist IPPT, came at 1815. Study all the way, break for dinner only and no Wii. But I feel quite accomplished too. I have polished my Amaths now very close to gold.

Sunday supposed to be study, study, study but I delayed for 6 hours and nothing much accomplished besides a well-planned holiday schedule. I hope I really can abide closely to my new schedule now. But for everything, just take it easy.

1. Happy Teachers Day
2. Happy Holidays
3. Happy சுத்து (Suthu) Day
4. To Vin and Kz, All the best for Senior Spec.

Now I'll go collect some money on Facebook and make myself something to fill my empty stomach after that. Bye.