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Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Gullible. I'm just too gullible sometimes.
I bought ice-cream(the kind that you cut into slices and put the slices in between biscuits or bread) from this teenager, who rang my doorbell, last night. The reason why I even opened the damn door it's because he saw me when I went to retrieve the container brought to my house by the caterer.
"Good evening sir, I'm a basketballer from Woodlands. I'm selling ice-cream to raise funds for my team because we do not have sufficient resources to purchase jerseys. It's only 12 dollars and it comes with a packet of biscuits. It's 12 dollars because I have to pay back to the company and get some money for myself as well," he said, with that smile, and eyes gleaming with hope, that I'll buy it from him.
I was contemplating on whether to purchase it. I was looking at him from top to toe to see if he was lying and see if his dress code would give him away. He was wearing a black t-shirt, a pair of basketball shorts, and a pair of slippers. His hair was combed into a "centre-parting" style.
I thought to myself, "Hmmm, looks like a basketballer, but is he really from Woodlands? Is his team really encountering some financial difficulties? I wouldn't freaking know! Well, let's say if he's a basketballer, he's really got the passion for basketball to be able to spend his evenings and even afternoons out here selling ice-creams. I guess, that's really respectable. Hmmm, but if he's not a basketballer, I guess he's quite a good liar because he should be quite smart if he can think of such a lie that aims to touch people with their passion for something."
I decided to buy the ice-cream from him.
Later that night, my father came back and said he bought ice-cream too. I noticed the familar packaging and asked him if it's the same guy. He said no, and proceeded on to say that he bought the ice-cream for 10 dollars.
I was stunned instantaneously. So that guy actually lied to me about the price, and not what his aim was.
I actually missed out the part which he said that he had to charge me more expensive because he needs the extra few dollars for his team.
"Shouldn't the company pay them the commision and not allow them to increase the price of the ice-cream?" I thought to myself, with anger overpowering me.
I just hope that the ice-cream is nice. I just hope.
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Training was great, quite fun. Haha. Didn't bowl with the team for quite some time other than ZX and Nig. It feels strange, maybe because there was a long period of hiatus to mug for the promotional examinations. Anyway, things seem to be all right and going smooth. Hopefully all promote, especially CH.
It just isn't really good to be retained. I don't know how it feels, but I'm sure no one wants to be retained.
I'm Sympathetic.
With regards to school stuff, both my FM tutors/lecturers are leaving. One leaving to work in MOE, the other retiring(I think). I seriously think the FM lectures and tutorials won't be the same anymore, because there's this "kinship" between us now(especially when one of them is my CT, and I'm the CG rep!); maybe not to everyone, but to me, I'm really getting used to their paces, methods of teaching, and almost everything about them. I'm not sure if I'll be able to love FM as much as I did. Teachers usually influence me, as to whether I'll like that subject(It's the same case in primary school and secondary school). Beats me if you're asking why. Anyway, I guess, I just have to face up to the upcoming changes and learn to accept and adapt to it.
Well... just gonna wish them all the best.
Be in the Strike Zone
Monday, October 17, 2005
In addition to the previous post, I got an A for Math overall. Was quite elated to find out that I got 86/100 for the final exam. However, after including Common Test, tests, attendance, and attitude, I only got 79. Well, but it's still an 'A', so can't really ask for more.
Even though GP's never my strong subject, I'll never forget about mentioning it here. Some background information before I go to the grade: I've never scored higher than 50 marks, and my highest was 48, during the promotional examinations - basically, my GP's bad. However, to my surprise, I got a C5 for the overall grade, although I only had 46 got Common Test. Well, I think the main reason why I could get C5, is because of the daily assignments, like essays and compositions. I did pretty well for some essays assigned to us, so maybe that's the reason; but come to think of it, it can't possibly be of such a big percentage. Haha, I think I'll just stop thinking of how come I could get C5, and just settle for 56.5 university rank points.
With regards to my results, I think I did pretty all right, since there's improvement.
Anyway, thankfully, most got promoted in my class, except one. Hopefully he too will be able to promote, probably with conditions and stuff like that.
Shall update again if I have any to post.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Eager, excited and anxious.
I sat in the classroom waiting for the Physics paper. I was hoping for an overall 'B'(including tests, attendance, and Common Test).
After an insufferable 15-minute wait, my tutor came. I wasn't really bothered by her expression which usually gave away some hints on how well we did, because my eyes were fixated on that plastic bag with the papers in it. I was really anxious because I didn't do well for my Common Test - 'D'. Well, so I was hoping I can do well and get my up to a 'B'. However, I only did well enough to pull me up to a 'C'. I would have to say I wasn't exactly disappointed, but just not as happy, because I've improved by a grade from Common Test anyhow.
I checked for any errors in the calculation of the marks - no, then proceeded to keep the papers in my bag. And, the waiting continues.
Alright, the next paper after Physics was the Chinese Language which I did not have to take; so I'll skip the details.
With much anticipation, and sitted in the AVA, I was predicting what grade I'll get for F Math, trying to recall how many marks I calculated that I'll lose.
Before I could recall, Web and Ed had already came with the scripts and were giving them out. Alright, I got section B first, which was the section of FMB, and I got a 33/40, with a sticker with 2 big apples and a word "Good". My heart was racing, because I just needed a 42/60 from section A(FMA) to get an A!
The moment came, I could see Web's hand coming across whoever was sitting beside and straightening it towards my direction. That few seconds were almost in slow motion. "42! 42! 42!" I chanted to myself.
"Awwww...," it was a 39.5. I got a B, 72.5. Even though it wasn't an A, I was almost leaping with joy, but I'll be viewed as a childish, girly retard; I calmed myself down from all the excitement because there still was Chemistry and General Paper. (If I'm not wrong, I think I got a 'B' for overall. From a 'C' from Common Test to a 'B'. :D)
We were back to the designated classroom. Yet again, I was predicting what grade will I get for Chemistry. However, what was different was that I had more confidence in the Chemistry paper than both the F Math and Physics papers. Without a doubt, my expectation for Chemistry was higher. Yet something tells me I should not be expecting too much...
The Chemistry paper was back in my hands. I wasn't really thinking much when my tutor was briefing us about the break-down and miscellaneous, except whether that feeling I had earlier on was an ominous hint.
Jack and Jill went up the hill,
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling down.
My heart experienced what Jill experienced. I did not really do well for the paper, and ended up with a 63 for overall - 'C'. "Darn, it's just a mere two marks! Where did they go to?!" I thought. I got a B for Common Test and actually aimed to get a B for the overall grade! Well, I was actually sighing and just kept wondering what went wrong, when a thought came suddenly, "Hey man, it's just 2 marks short, you got close, work harder next time." I felt much better, because there wasn't anything I could do, so I just kept the papers and thought nothing about it.
And it's down to the final paper of the day - General Paper! Alright, I expected a C6, and true enough I got 48 marks after moderation. Well, don't ask me why is there moderation. Haha. I wasn't anxious or excited about the General Paper results, because I knew I screwed paper 1 up. I wasn't really giving what the question was asking for. So, well, was just happy I scraped through and could get 2 university rank points.
The result left unknown is Math. My tutor couldn't complete marking for some reason or other. Well, can't really blame my tutor or anything. We're all human beings. Furthermore, not only must my tutor mark the scripts of my class, other scripts from all the F Math classes have to be marked by my tutor as well. Well, yeah, so I guess I gotta wait till Monday. Hopefully I'll get an 'A' for the overall.
'ABC', haha, I guess it looks pretty good, much better than 'CCB', or 'DOO'(Scooby DOO), or any of the weird combinations. Haha.
Well, I think I'll only know if I'm satisfied after getting back my result for the Math paper. So, shall update on this later.
P.S. Jer: If you're reading this, I guess you just have to accept it and move on. Don't reproach yourself. If you have the issue of Newsweek with the one about "Stress and Your Heart", go read it. Stress might kill! Good luck and all the best to you.
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I had an outing with my classmates from the class in first three months. Well, it was supposed to be a class outing, but only about 10 showed up.
We met at Orchard station, because we intended to eat at Seoul Garden, but it was closed! Without any choice, the group of us walked back to the station and headed to Marina for steamboat.
Well, it wasn't that bad wasting time walking here and there and waiting, because we could catch up with one another about what was going on in their schools, their lives, their interesting experiences, and both funny and lame jokes. It was great.
Thankfully, it wasn't that crowded and we could get a table upon reaching our destination. When everything was ready and everyone got their utensils, no one hesitated to grab food. Well, maybe 'cause of the fact that it was way past dinner time. Everyone was hungry from the walking, waiting, chatting and laughing.
The cycle of take-cook-eat continued until it was approximately 2115, apart from Web, Ang and I who went to Marina Superbowl to hang out earlier at around 2100, since it could shelter us from the smoke and smell and it is also air-conditioned.
The rest joined us shortly after they finished eating and we just sat there talking to one another.
It was until Jun Zhe suggested we go to Star Bucks at Citylink that we got our butts up. We were there without Am, Hen and Ang, chatting and laughing yet again.
All of us left at 2300 because Web could not afford to miss his bus. Everyone was quiescent by then, since it was late and we were all exhausted from the activities we had in the day. Home, we went.
Nothing much happened actually. However, well, just glad we were still quite close even after quite a number of months...
Sunday, October 09, 2005
At the moment, I'm sending messages via MSN or SMS to people whom I think I have taken photographs with during the Grad Night last year. Why? On impulse, I decided to read through the posts that I have posted in the past, and read a post which mentioned the Grad Night. It sparked me that I have not gotten the photographs taken back then, from anyone, regardless of whether I'm included in the photograph. So... I asked a number of people, and found two photographs with myself in it. There should be more, and hopefully I'll get more of the photographs with myself in it. (Note: I'm not obssessed with myself, but I do not think that I should ask people for photographs of others. Well... so yeah.)
Anyway, the 2 photographs were pretty well-taken. The photographs gave me vivid recollections of what happened back then. Unknowingly, I started smiling to myself as I recalled about the laughters and the fun we had. Albeit the fact that the food we had that night wasn't exactly worth our money, the company of my friends outweighed everything. Unfortunately, not all of my close friends attended the dinner...
On that fateful night, as I bade goodbye to those who were on the same train as I was, many things came into my mind. Being someone who thinks a lot, and especially during the night, I could not help but think of what will really happen to us as we age and progress. I just kept thinking as I was on the familiar route back home.
Today, we're all busy with the commitments and burdens laid upon us. Friends whom we do not see everyday start to fade away, slowly and silently. Why? I'm not sure why, because it happens to me too!
After reading the previous posts, I proceeded on to ask my friends for the photographs. Not only did I ask them for the photographs, I took a little time off from my games, and chatted with them. And getting to know that they are fine and enjoying life is indeed heartening. I also sent Gary a message asking him how were the Promotional Examinations. Even though we are in the same campus, our lecture timetables were very different, maybe because he takes Biology, whereas I take F Math and Physics. I only get to see him during the Chemistry lectures and in the morning when he's sitting down with his friends. Yet, all these times when I see him, we seemed to only have the time to smile and wave to each other...
Perhaps, just perhaps, we should just stop what we're doing for a while, and probably catch up with the ALMOST forgotten friends who are dangling by the edge of your memories. I'm sure we can afford to spare a couple of minutes- I'm sure.
People say that friends come and go. However, do our friends go because they want to? They have to? Or simply because we let them go? Well, it could be a mixture of reasons, but I believe, in most cases, especially in such a fast paced society, friends come and are just simply forgotten.
So, have you forgotten your friends? :)
*Disclaimer: This is not a post to help any of the providers earn money. You can choose your own form of contact IF you think you want to ask how your friends are getting along.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
The Promotional Examinations ended yesterday- finally. Regarding the papers, I think they are moderately manageable, and getting a B-grade should not be a problem. Hopefully, I hope I do not make too many careless mistakes or else... it'll be disastrous.
The only careless mistake that I know of is the one that I made while attempting the Vectors question of the F Math paper. Unfortunately, I spotted the mistake too late, and could only amend the answer for part iii, and not part iv. Thankfully, I did not commit the mistake in part i, or else, 12 marks will fly away- just like that. Hmmm, I hope there won't be anymore careless mistakes because it's the most horrible, devastating, and painful way to lose marks.
Well, I guess I can only wait till next week to collect my scripts to see how many marks I get and where the marks are lost to.
Anyway, I went with RM to get his ball fixed because he was complaining that his thumb cannot exit smoothly. Besides accompanying him, I wanted to change the inserts of SlayR and the Target Zone, cause' the inserts were getting too loose, and I can't hang onto the ball long enough which causes me to drop the ball at the foul line.
After changing the inserts and getting RM's ball fixed, we went to Victors to bowl. Oh my, I really lost everything. No timing, no free swing. Very bad, really very disappointed and disheartened. I guess I just have to get back to my coach and get him to coach me privately. Not exactly much to talk about, just that the inserts are great, I could hang onto the ball much longer and get more revs on the ball. Hmmm... great feeling I have to say.
Well, I guess I can't be impatient with these things. :(
Let's not talk about it anymore, since it's already the past and Uncle Henry told us that what's over is over. So... yeah...
Hmmm, there's actually SPA on Monday, but I don't know the question, which means I can only memorise the answers for the anomalous observations and the tables- so not much to prepare. Anyway, with the end of the Promotional Examinations, there'll be 3 days of marking days, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. And I think we'll be dismissed pretty early except on Thursday due to PW Day. Yes, you did not read wrongly, it's PW Day. Haha, so I think I'll be bowling again on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Hopefully, the next time I bowl, will be better. Hopefully.
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