glee

There's something remarkably sad about cleaning out your hostel room. It's just as empty as it was a year ago but it doesn't hold the optimism of a new year ahead. Instead, there's the muted sense of completion, finale without a sequel. With everyone out as well, it's like we never lived there at all.

I saw a plan take off today. It raced down the path, smooth as you please then, in the middle of a breath, it was off the ground. When our plane finally rode down the same take off strip, it was not at the sedately pace the former plane seemed to have gone. We were barreling down, the wheels and cogs of the aircrafts rumbling beneath our soles.

It’s a bit like the O’s in reverse, isn’t it? Those who ran before us could not perfectly explain the fascination mix of peace and tension with which this course would be run. We went through it and we’re different now and we know we’re different now. That’s why the rooms seemed different though they were exactly like how we first found them. That’s why the take-off need not feel as it looked.

I’m getting maudlin. Someone shoot me.

Lol no, not really. I’ll just trek elsewhere and watch Glee. Glee means happy so Glee makes me happy.

Yays. *facepalm*

And for the record, I'm home now.  Anyone wanna to go out? 8D

eka at kako at bikolano in general

The O-levels Muggle OWLs is over. It’s over. As in, really, really over. I mean, over. Over.

Sorry, I’m just trying to convince myself since it has yet to sink in. Have I mentioned the O-levels are over?

Before the last paper...
Mr. Ragulan: Girls, if you wake up tomorrow and feel the compulsion to study, it’s called withdrawal.

I felt a tinge of it this morning, but then it faded. I’d rather not have to think about the exams, quite frankly. Of course, the future appears daunting. There’s so much to think of. Ala Walter Lee, I see the future stretched out before me – a big, looming blank space full of nothing. At least, until the results come out.

Think of it as life temporary on hold, though it doesn’t have to be like that. Call the phrase passé, but there really is so much to do and so little time. Book and movies and essays and music and oh, things I actually like. Not that I didn’t like balancing equations. I mean, I did enjoy that, just that seriously, Chemistry or Coetzee? If you’re into chemistry, don’t answer that.

Well, whatever. Answer it if you want to. You can’t make me feel bad now or ever for now. I held a baby manta ray yesterday at the Underwater World at Sentosa and I fed Lory birds today at Jurong Bird Park. And I saw the penguins.  Yes, my monochromatic friends. The penguins. They're like the most awesomest animalest everest. 8D  When I grow up, I want to become adopt a penguin.

Hah. I am very happy.

At the Underwater World, looking at a really big marlin...
Lola: Mag-kano kaya iyon igata?

If you don't understand that, it's better you don't know 8D

Anyway, my mum and grandma and grandpa are here until tomorrow then it’s back to the lovely common room and all that entails. Prom and beach and class outing and books and oh, I don't know. Fine, compromise. I'll post when something really happens, okay?


I'll get to my fanfic tomorrow. I bet you miss me xD

this twit tweets

All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we often make troublesome changes without amendment, and frequently for the worse.

Benjamin Franklin

Very Asagai-like, I think.  One of my favourite quotes from A Raisin in the Sun is when Asagai says that Beneatha is wrong and that life is a line 'and because we cannot see the end--we also cannot see how it changes.'
 
Oooh Geom and Lit in one philosophy. 8D 
 
On a more mundane note, I'm sick of physics mcq's.  Which is not to say I'm going to stop revising since I never did believe the whole studying to the test notion that this system promotes so I shall expect the unexpected and read the very boring textbook.  After, I read through a couple of blogs or something. 8D Hecate did say in Macbeth that 'complacency is mortal's chieftest enemy' so let's follow the genius that is Shakespeare and revise. *facepalm*
 
Speaking of following, I have finally joined the bandwagon and am on twitter.  I still think posting in real time that you're drinking soup or going to the loo is overkill, regardless of how wired our world is getting, but following ain't too bad.  I mean Neil Gaiman's on twitter, people.  Neil Gaiman.  What's not to love?  And JK Rowling tweeted thrice too, but only to say that this account is her official account and the rest are posers.  She has more than 81,000 people following a horrendous total of three tweets.
 
Now, that's fame. 8D
 
My grandparents and mum are coming in two days.  If I don't look excited, I am. Very.  We have some serious shopping to do 8D I kid.  No, it's just awfully sweet that they're here not to see the sights, but to see how I live and I'm touched by the interest.  That and to get some ink into ye ole passport and eat and shop and...nevermind.
 
I heard a British soldier's mum and quite a good deal of people are offended that PM Gordon Brown made a couple of spelling errors when he wrote a letter after the soldier died in the line of duty.  Embarrassing and could have been better, I suppose, but all I can say is that at least, he writes.  I doubt Arroyo does anything remotely close.

Also, I skimmed through my posts earlier and realised that my attention span's been torn asunder and strewn outside.  Incidentally, it's very windy now so I'm not sure how to get it all back.xD  Can't pay attention for toffee, but let's try again, shall we?

BBC Radio 1 and Physics Insights, here we come. 8D

super girl

Wish I knew what to say, but honestly I don't.   It's like we're toeing that fine line between almost there and not quite and the stars are gleaming just out of reach.  We had a bit of celebration though as I did go out shopping with Hannah and Anna for our class's gifts for the teachers during graduation night. 

They're all quite cute but I think the best has to be the effervescence bath bars for our chemistry teacher, Mrs. Selvam.  Her reaction will be priceless. Lol *gets shot*  Oh, and we ate Filipino food at Lucky Plaza.  It's brilliant - they give free rice, dude.  I was a pig and I got two servings.  Hah.  Be jealous xD Lol joke.

On a very, very, very random note, S.H.E. was at Ion and we found this spot five metres from the stage.  I can only imagine Anna's excitement at being that close to Ella Chen.  What you say, Melon Mama?8D  Living in this country sure has its perks.

On a more random note, yes, I've finally done the mini-spring cleaning of my room.  Never mind the closet though - with two weeks to go, why bother?  Lazy bum, indeed. xD

Anyway, the heart of the post matter is, I'm not quite sure what to feel at the moment.  I think my internal waterworks will go off by itself when I put down my pencil after Paper 1 for Chemistry next week, but we'll see what happens.  I do know that now is not the time to become complacent so I'll set off with the Physics 1001 and TYS and all that tomorrow morning and squeeze in some Ted Talk time and excercise.  For all the exams we have finished, I'm just thankful that so far, I've been able to do my best.  I mean, regret and remorse are nasty things, aren't they?  I'm grateful I can go on vacation without the extra baggage.

Whether said best is good enough, we'll have to wait and see, but the point is that's the most I can do and that's that.  Bell curve and all the speculation won't raise our marks now, will they?

So yes, this sea shall regain its depth with tide and in time.  Meanwhile, I'm off to enjoy the night, finish Ms. Puja's gift, and read the SS/HG 4 nominees.  Oh, and a new poem on ficpress so go hunt for it and some k-pop dancing with Pat. And yes, the Physics TYS calls.

I know, I know.  I have no life.  Join me for SS/HG? :D  *squee of fangirling joy*

Yeah, definitely no life. 8D

penultimatum

In real life, unlike in Shakespeare, the sweetness of the rose depends upon the name it bears. Things are not only what they are. They are, in very important respects, what they seem to be.
Hubert H. Humphrey

Gotta love a guy with cool initials.  That and his wonderfully rendered point.  Very literature-sy.

Oh yes, lit.  The last major hurdles for the O-levels Muggle OWLs are nigh - literature papers, you see.  After that, we have just have paper 1 for both Chemistry and Physics, which are challenging in their own right but heck, there's three days to prepare apiece as they're on Tuesday and Friday so the last stretch of the O-level Monster won't be as nasty.

Although, of course, we have to get through our To Kill a Mockingbird first and A Raisin in the Sun.  Two very lovely books until you start getting graded on them.

With the O-levels Muggle OWLs coming to a close, I have to admit I'm quite excited with all the things we'll be doing right after.  My mom and grandparents are coming for starters.  There's my day out with Anna at Bras Basah because we'll be selling our text books and perhaps buy one or two novels since the ones there are insanely cheap.  Then Hannah wants to sleep on the beach the morning of the prom and there's prom itself and after that, the k-pop dances to learn, The Mentalist and Veronica Mars to watch, and books to read.  Special Topics in Calamity Physics tops the list since I was stupid enough to lose it when I changed computers.  I think I'll reread The Scarlet Pimpernel just for kicks.  Join me? :D

Speaking of good literature, there's still approximately fifteen days to get through the SS/HG Awards nominations for this year. It's supposedly even better than last year's and that's saying something.  Hopefully, I can chuck in a few pieces here and there next year.  Hopefully.

See the list heeeeeeere. *happy squee of fangirling*

Right.  So yes, back to work with bildungsroman and stage directions and whatnot and I'll be right back once I've cleaned my room on Friday.  Lol.

Jia you, you guys! 8D Remember, we started well and we will end well.

the jungle

Scene: after E Maths P2
"Ms Jo Teo: Get A1 tomorrow, okay, girls?
Orio: This is all theoretically speaking, right? xD"

You can tell the first week of exams is over since the clothes inside my wardrobe are in an unspeakable disarray as will be the contents of my mind by the end of the following week.  You can tell the exams aren't over yet because I don't plan on doing anything about said jungle messy closet.

It's a jungle in there O_o


The hardest leg is fast approaching as we run the O-Level Muggle O.W.L.s race - what with all the different subjects we'll sit for one after the other - but I just hope it will go along as  swimmingly as this week kind of had.

The uncle at the Barker wanton noodle shop was right.  It's the last two weeks of our secondary school education so why not finish it right? :) 

9 out of 17 papers down and 8 to go.

Go guys! We can aaaaaaace it! xD

***

Dear God

Please bless again my friends, hostel mates, classmates and all the O-level examinees as we face this challenging week.   You know our individual strengths, weaknesses and needs before we ask anything from you so I ask just that you guide us, hold us and protect us.  Grant us the serenity and diligence to keep working for your glory and end this all even better than we began

This I ask through Christ, my Lord,

Amen

***

Oh, and before I forget. It's my somewhat favorite holiday :

Happy Halloween! 8D

the day before tomorrow

Scene: 8pm. Study Lounge at NLB.
Ankeeta: How much longer do we have to study?
Orio: About an hour.
*Pat looks at phone clock*
Pat: Six more years.

Lol. Point well taken. 

I was skimming through my planner, planning out well duh what I had to study for each day of the week during the actual papers and I realised how quickly it would pass.  Faster than the prelim exams even since we had the September holidays between papers.  It's funny because the days when I used to go to Anna's house to make fish glow don't ask seem so recent and yet, when I saw the mock chem paper we did at the start of this month, it seemed like ages ago. 

Time's a slippery thing xD

It's so slippery in fact that the O-level Examinations Muggle OWLs commence tomorrow.

Whoopsiedoodazzle.

Afraid?  Not as much as I thought a year ago I would feel now.  Prepared?  Ditto.  I think it'll all sink in once I'm actually in front of the paper.  I am sure that twenty years down the road, I'll look back at this post with some compassion and a bit of laughter. 

Meanwhile, there are papers to do, missing cards to find, and people to hug.  It will be over soon and all I see is that in a month's time, I'll be sitting with LBM or Pat or Ate Candice at Starbucks watching Veronica Mars or reading Inner Workings or just being plain useless.

Awesomeness, indeed.

***

Hey God,

It's me again. Please bless my friends, hostel mates, classmates and even those I've never met in the weeks to come.  Guide them and keep them and hold them close as they take their exams.  Protect us from anxiety, help us to focus and let us put you first still even in this period of testing.

We ask that you let us do the best we can and the peace and humility to accept the outcome, whatever it may be.

I ask all this through Christ, my Lord.

Amen.

***

Here we go.  One good stretch before our hibernation.

Aja fighting, jia you, ganbatte kudasai, y'all, and if the three languages aren't enough

All the best. We can do it :D

we won't go down sitting

You remember those Nickelodeon ads when we were kids?

Just say no.  No to unnecessary pollution and unwanted wastage.  No to excessive carbon dioxide emissions.  No to killing our planet. 

Take a stand and support 350.org.

And just say NO.

Happy International Day of Climate Action :)

and you thought your notes were messy

Pasko's naritong muli. Nasa ihip na ng hangin.
Maligayang mga ngiti.Masayang mga awitin.

Ngunit di ko pa dama pasko'y narito na.
'pagkat Physics ko ay singko na; STR ay lagpak pa.
Paskorito

If I were home, it would feel like Christmas.  Or at least, it theoretically should since apparently we celebrate Christmas once we hit the ber months.  One month to family, friends, fanfic, films, and food.  I tingle with hyperactive excitement. *gets shot*

Scene: after eating lunch.
Hannah: I'll go sleep now. I've digested - well semi-digested - so I can.
Orio: Darling, now is not the time na magka-bangungot.
(Translation: Now is not the time to get this folk belief of indigestion resulting in death. *facepalm*)
Hannah: Okay lang, di na ako mag-O's.
(Translation: It's fine. I won't have to take the O's.)
Orio: *with dramatic effect* Paano na L1R5 mo!
(Translation: But your L1R5!)
Hannah and Orio: Oh no! 

*giggles*

It was lame.  I know.  But whatever.  In other news, I saw this link.  See?  Facebook will take over the world soon.  Join us losers who will fortify our digital bomb shelters under the rocks formerly known as Livejournal and Blogger.  Lol.

Oh, I just found out there is this antediluvian grammar rule on If I were vs. If I was.  Were is for the presupposition that the fact following said were is false;  we use was for when it's true.  Yes, that's your random fact of the day :D

Okay, my two hour break is almost over.  Actually, it was supposed to be a one hour break that ended forty minutes ago.  Back to the evil practice papers *shrinks*

Jia you! *woot woot* Really, I'm just trying to get myself excited to press that calculator. Bah.

lesser mortals

For the first time in my life, I was sitting in front of my stack of history notes earlier and I blanked out.  My heart rate went up.  I was unobservably hyperventilating.  Then I dozed off for 3 hours and ate the weird curry fish dinner and faced the notes - this time more alive.

I had - of all things - an anxiety attack.  Oh, the O's.

It is foolish to assume most things that at no point in your exam preparation will you feel worried or stressed.  The smartest people experience it so I suppose the effect trickles down to us lesser mortals.

Anyway, I popped over to Google and the verse for the day was most apt:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:15-17)

Earlier in class, our tuition teacher said that you can be stressed and not know it.  If the acne is anything to go by, I'm definitely under siege but really, as my mom said, there's nothing to lose and everything to gain by keeping calm and staying real.  Looking at it from the bigger perspective is good too.  Of course application of said concept is as nasty as chem application questions but never mind that. xD

I think what I'm supposed to learn from this whole shebang is that it's okay to be afraid.  Yes, I'm pre-empting my own learning process. Sue me. I've kept it all under wraps for far too long and it makes the apprehension more and undesirably tangible when you admit there's something challenging ahead.  For starters, I'm really getting the feeling that there's not enough time.  Considering that studying has turned into about the only thing we do, that's a terrifying prospect but then again, Atticus in our lovely, lovely literature text said that real courage is when you go ahead despite knowing that earlier circumstances conspire against you.

Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway.
Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)

More importantly, you finish the race.  Besides, Pastor Neli reminded us that perfect love casts out all fear.  If God is love, what is there to fear?

One more week to go, darlings.  All the best :D

the price of talk

On one hand, Al Gore and company declare global meteorological doom is impending unless we act fast.  On the other hand, some studies by NASA studies have shown that anthropomorphic climate change isn't true.  Honestly, I'm confused.

What I am not confused about is that we have to care about Earth.

You know what I think?  I think it doesn't matter whether it's impending or not.  I mean, if the ice caps are melting and the oceans will rise and all that, well that's horrid, but our response is not supposed to be time-based.  Our planet is like an insurance scheme - you have to start early for it to really work out in the long run and you never, ever miss out on paying the premium.  We have to start now.

Why?  You could pull faith into it, stewardship of God's blessings, or you could say that all the recent natural disasters in Asia were caused by the atmosphere going crazy, or maybe just plain, simple, human decency.  We owe it to the young children and those yet to be born that they will still have something.

That's why I'm glad people are taking action, even it's just a couple of words in a post for Blog Action Day.  Given that it's all on digital paper, I am sure criticism will follow on how we are all talk and whatnot and maybe they are correct.  I mean, I'm not going to Copenhagen for the talks and neither am I living a 100% green lifestyle.  I am not doing anything big and I probably never will, unless solar pannels and all the necessary trappings for eco-living and their prices become friendlier to my future middle-class wallet.

But, I'm willing to try the small things and I hope you will too.  The organisers for today's posts isolated Climate Change as a topic however, from a teen's point of view specialising a big topic makes it more abstract to approach.  Let's focus on keeping earth clean and beautiful, regardless whether global warming, climate change and the whole shebang come into play. 

Anyway, it doesn't have to be big just yet, does it?  Let's ride public transportation. Walk up the steps instead of taking the lift.  Minimise water use in the loo.  Write on both sides of the paper.  Urge people who do have influence, like businessmen, teachers, or politicians in our circle to take action.  They could say talk is cheap and it probably doesn't look like much when you're the only one you see doing it, but we all have to start somewhere, don't we?  We can make a collective difference.

So keep talking about it, guys.  Maybe the British weren't so wrong after all on conversing rather frequently about the weather. Lame joke, I know.  Point is, each person you influence is another step towards better care for the only planet we can feasibly invest in at the moment.  The classic analogy of ripples in a pond works here because if we get everyone talking about the environmental problems our planet faces - imminent or otherwise - it raises awareness.  Awareness leads to action and not only from regular citizens but, from corporate leaders and governments.

You see, Blog Action Day isn't supposed to be the end of the story.  It's just the beginning.

fourtwofourtwo

 4E2 2009 is too sexy for your eyes.

42 is the Ultimate Answer to the Meaning of Life,
the Universe, and Everything.
Deep Thought in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (D. Adams)

 Told you we are special. 8D

Being sad about it seems premature as we'll still see each other during the exams and when we get our results back next year but as one of the teachers pointed out today, next time we walk into IJ, we're technically alumnae.  I'll miss us.

So thank you, 4/2, for the lovely year and thank you in advance for the years ahead. 

I mean, they did say IJ friends are friends for life, right? :D

lost and found

I packed my school bag after dismissal and actually felt excited about doing work once I got home.  Scary, I know. *snickers*

Just wanted to share this video Ms. Puja showed us during English today.  I think it's superb despite the equally entertaining and rather cynical spoofs.  The spoofs will always have to contend with the fact that they are just that - spoofs without the impact offered by the original.  Score one for idealism. xD



Nominations for SS/HG Round 4 Awards are barely trickling in, last I heard.  I'm guessing it's because I myself and reading fanfic is mostly what I do in my spare time can barely find fics that fit within the time frame required for nominations.  I mean, most of the really good ones that were completed recently span years of writing so that takes them out of the eligible fics since those should have been written in the past year.

Just goes to show that good literature takes time.

Oh well, tomorrow's the last day of class and on Thursday we'll just have a pre-O-level briefing and then after that, it's the study break.  You know all those quotes about time flying?  They sure weren't kidding.

dry as toast

I'm tired.  Not exhausted, just tired.  Tottering on the edge of queasy and dry, perhaps.

I termed those bits of the past week as social spats during the semi-life group but honestly, I didn't even want to fight and I don't want to fight.  I just want to study - is it too much to ask?  It sounds very self-conscious to say this but honestly, I'm a very quiet person.  I mean, there's quiet and there's quiet. I just want my quiet.

You know what I feel like?  Like a wall and you just insist on banging the nails in.  Bloody hell.  Haven't you ever heard of blutack?

There's so much left to do and such little time.  Just let me do my papers, drink my honey milk tea and finish this last stretch in peace.  Please.

***

Pastor Manny Carlos from Victory in the Philippines visited our church today. His sermon was lovely and you can troop over to the ENCS website to check it out as soon as they post it online.  He reminded me of one of the psalms, which one of the pastors back home had read the night before the first of the typhoons swept through the Philippines.

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121 (full text)

It has sustained people through real floods and figurative storms and I find the reassurance in this song of ascents uplifting.  I wonder if anyone has made a song out of it already.  Shall hunt :)

***

Speaking of music, I listened to BBC 1 during the weekend but I missed Mika's interview for the Live Lounge. I'd love his CD but I'll settle for this fairly amusing cover of Poker Face on YouTube.  No, I am not kidding.  It's the king of candy, semi-ska, piano with a flair singing Lady Gaga's hit. 



I just might spend time during the Decemeber hols figuring out how to play that. Lols xD  Listening to his version tells you a lot about rethinking ideas and how a little tweaking can go a long way.  I mean, one would think that Poker Face would stay just as it is but I actually prefer this version, much as I enjoyed the original during parties.

I also saw an emo version of Nobody on Singapore Idol, which I shall give me two cents on at some later date xD.  I wonder if they'll ever come up with a dramatic rendition of Low. 8D

Well, cheers to the week and have a good one ahead, folks. Hopefully the flu bout I'm expecting never comes with it being the remaining fortnight to the Muggle O.W.L.s. Woosh.

nature's way of promoting cake

I turned seventeen around half an hour ago and Google is celebrating the anniversary of the patent of the bar code.  Discordant, I know. xD

One of my favorite series in Wikipedia is the group of pages dedicated to each day of the year.  There's an interesting history of October 7's - as there are for any day - and the general plan now is to get on the list of important birthdays one day. 8D

No, not really.  I'm a boring blob.

Yes, but a boring blob with awesome friends.  I have several earrings you guys do listenxD!, a book, a squishy oreo covered cheese cake, and post-its you really, really do listen xD! as testament to that.  Thank you :)  Special thanks to Phoebe and your family and yes, much love to LBM+Ate Candice for Kat and my joint party last Saturday.

The FB messages are tricky and answering each feels silly but heck, I'm thankful so there you go.  Reminds me of that English composition question on how technology has changed communication.  Oh, which reminds me too of that English comprehension test lounging on my bed.  Yes, papers lounge. BahxD I must go tend to that thing.

Anyway, I'll leave you with this as I go off to fetch my best birthday gift - the new batch of Filipino scholars.  Special delivery at the airport, you know :D

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest. - Father Lorenzonia

Post-note: We can add a glow in the dark metal frame, a set of funky hair pins, a brownie cake, three scrunchies, a caricature, two pretty pens and phone calls from Ii and Cecilia now to the gift list.  What really touches me isn't so much the gifts as the thought - cliche I know but all cliches have that kernel of truth in them so never mind that.  Thank you Mang and Baba and awesome roomies and awesome cluster mates and Mommy Susan *hug*

Just so I remember in the future, the whole fetching of juniors was a lose-lose situation with the only win being meeting the two lovely girls so I think we made the right choice.    Reminds me too of the fanfic quote,

“Isn’t it strange that amidst all that hate and antagonism, I felt more loved than I ever had before?” Hermione (When a Lioness Fights)

Happy cake day to all the people out there who share the same day.  Then again, you don't really need a birthday to have cake, do you? 8D

multiplying kisses

Lifegroup today was interesting.  Okay, it was very interesting.  But it's a story for another time.  xD

Anyway, Ate Joji pointed out that real friends tell the truth, even when it hurts.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Proverbs 27:6)

Well, I received word today of something.  It was a very interesting note and while the contents stung at first in their acridity and distinct misreading of actions, the point when the matter was distilled was valid.  I had been wrong, unintentionally yes, but wrong nonetheless.

I am reminded of how valuable indeed our words are - actions too - and how easily they can be interpreted differently by different people.  Speaking was never my strong point and while improvement has been made, I'm still lacking, am I not?  I wasn't able to express my thoughts clearly and apparently they came across as offensive.

Well, it's too late to say sorry so I suppose I'll live with the animosity and just have to work on not doing that again, won't I?

And to the source of the note, lols grammar though you might choose to call me otherwise, I still count you as a friend.  You were honest with what you thought and that's what matters to me.  And lol grammar again as a friend, my best advice to you is cyber safety. You know what I mean.

***
Cheers to another week. It won't be pleasant, really. Just lots of past year papers.  Let's go 4/2! 8D

IJourney to possibilities

"We will run and not grow weary

for our God will be our strength

and we will fly like the eagle.

We will rise again."

CHIJ espouses a culture that my scientific background easily rejected upon entry. It seemed like this big, pretentious, rigmarole of a fluff train that was doomed to fail and I had no desire to ride on and crash.

It's almost been two years since I entered and IJ has not changed but I'm much happier with IJ than I was then.  It’s my perspective that changed as I realized that the essence of IJ is in the choice. You have to choose to be 'simple in virtue, steadfast in duty'. You have to choose to relate with compassion, to achieve with humility, to live with integrity, to work with perseverance and to uphold justice.  You have to choose to be proud of the 155 years of history that backs the school. 

IJ mimics life, in this sense, when she offers the element of choice.  There is the awareness of how ludicrous being so principled must appear and the conscious decision to live that way - which is not to say that to choose otherwise is evil. IJ simply offers an option that runs contrary to present day beliefs which dictate that one's worth is equal to one's aggregate. IJ says worth depends on what goes in here *points at ♥* and I think that's a wonderful sentiment and a real challenge in actual practice.

Of course, it's the exact opposite of what the world says and therein lies the need for the moral courage that we're always reminded about in literature class: the courage to forge on even when you know that things will be difficult - though not that it is right either to become pollyannaish and thus oblivious to just how harsh the real world can be.  Part of the choice to believe in what IJ stands for includes deciding to not let fear cloud hope but to let it form a background such that the hope shines brighter, the values become bigger and bolder.

I have found friends in the school, met ex-IJ girls on the street and studied under alumnae teachers - many of whom have made that choice and I am glad to say that as I watch them, I see that the train has yet to crash and doubt it ever will.  The IJ spirit burns in them and hackneyed as that idea might be after several speeches and repeated talks on the topic, I have come to believe in it too. 

So here's my ticket and there's my ride and as we travel farther, I know I can say with pride at each station we pass that I have made my choice and am thus, very, very proud of being an IJ girl.

"Hold on to our dream of peace; don't stop believing.
Our hearts and hands, ever seeking, ever serving.

Hold on to the sound of our friends all joyously singing;
our voice raised to the Lord, our God, above.

Hold on to the IJ dream."

ring out the bells again

like we did when spring began.
Wake me up when September ends.
Green day (Wake Me Up When September Ends)

The juniors are coming in a week as are other things.  For the sake of general knowledge, I like letters, pictures, and quirky accessories.  Then again there's my LJ list but that's vaguer still so never mind me.  Hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink.

We're grand-seniors now.  Oh, do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time; my love shall in my verse ever live young. Sonnet 19 but neither in order nor in context. xD

***

I might be stepping on some toes as I say this but good results, bad results, bleh.  All this strategizing isn't making sense anymore.  I mean, planning out a course of action to some extent is smart but everything in moderation, right?

I won't lie to you - some of my results went up and some went down.  It doesn't hurt or feel as awesome anymore after what I went through with the MYEs and I'm not downplaying anyone's emotions - I know what that feels like, but  I'm just saying you can be horrid one term and ace the next and vis a vis.  Trust me too when I say that impossible is still possible - ask me personally and I'll tell you about my small miracles.

 My point is that it's all fleeting and in the long run, I feel it's about moving on to the next exam, the next trial, the next challenge.  MYEs and Prelims are good markers of achievement but in the end, isn't it the O-levels that really count?  Even then, there are more important things than the O-levels but that's for another time and discussion.

This is why I like my principal, Mrs. Lee.  While addressing the level this morning, she didn't tell us to 'go get six points or you'll disgrace the school' or some other typically kiasu sentiment.  She just asked that we give our final push, our very best and isn't that more than anyone could rightfully ask?

Not to mention, it isn't about our glory, it's for His.  I'm just saying.

***

The flood's still on.  Please pray for the Philippines and when we get our donation drive proposal approved, please donate generously.

for my soul too, while you're at it because it seems so dry nowadays.

prayer on the track

News has come flooding in about the storm back home - pun unintended. I spent the past two days griping about a tongue ulcer gross, I know while people back home were losing their homes. One wonders where my priorities have gone. Unwholesomely detached, I know. I feel guilt.

Well, I don't know how to phrase this rightly so but to any readers out there, you can help out if you

SMS RED (space) AMOUNT

to 2899 (Globe)

to 4483 (Smart)

to donate money to Red Cross
for the flood victims.  

I saw the Phili on TV.  Complaints about unfair distribution of rations, the usual photo-op grabbing by officials and people suffering as per usual.  Sometimes like now I want to stop caring because there isn't anything I can do all the way from here and it just seems so futile to even bother but then you see men and women carrying babies while walking in water neck deep and it just hurts because it isn't right that we don't have a stable system to address natural calamities.  I don't have the answers I'm bloody sixteen for crying out loud so spare me the lecture on hypocrisy  but it just isn't right.  The first candidate for presidency who comes up with a feasible, detailed plan to address that (and education and defense and industry) gets my non-existent vote.

Most schools and universities are also organizing donation drives and if anyone reading this can help, I encourage you to do so.  For the rest of us away from home, prayer is our best bet.

May God keep you all safe.

***

Hamilton's on his 33rd lap and there are around fifteen girls here bumming in the common room watching.  It's a rather educational experience actually.  First thing that struck me was the importance of preparation.  The commentator mentioned something about soft tires earlier and while my knowledge on F1 and race cars is cursory at best, I do gather that it's not a good thing.  Second would be the importance of consistency.  The commentator similarly mentioned that while Vettel had an extremely fast first sector, he hadn't been as fast in the latter two sectors.

Of course, there are other lessons to be learned such as focus, communication, debris on the brakes or anticipating accidents but I'm sure you'd rather watch the show than hear me babble on about that.

On an interesting side note, if you google any of the F1 racers during the race, formula1.com shows their position in real time.  Amazing how technology has developed, right? :D

And now there are seven rounds to go until it's over.  The parallels between the F1 and the O-levels are easily visible in this last month of revision.  I pray for a peaceful heart as we receive our papers back in the next few days.

***

Still can't talk though.  Rather piercing pain but there's something to be said about silence.  Anyway, have a good one ahead.  Cheers.

*edits* Hamilton won.  British, with Nicole Scherzinger for his girl friend and he shook hands with PM Lee.  Gotta love the guy.  8D

white flags

Well there you go, prelim exams are over.  I haven't the slightest idea how I did so I dare not dwell on it for the next three and a half days or, as I fondly term them, Post-Prelims Celebrations Part II.  Yes, everything is so much more pompous and long-winded in my head.  This short break will include room cleaning, posting a few ficpress pieces, a bit of fanfic midnight until 3 in the morning, some dancing, IJ Senior's farewell, Jam Night,  Mid-Autumn Festival, the Sentosa trip and well, the month to the O-level and all the studying that would involve will commence on Sunday.  I'm lapping it up quite frankly xD

Speaking of commencement, I'm graduating from secondary school on October 2.  Not that it's as big a deal here as high school graduation back home is but since life is supposedly a journey with milestones, here's a rather vital one.  Of course there are bigger landmarks ahead but this stop isn't too bad, right? *grin*  I like the view.

Ho-hum.  The funny thing with prelims and graduation and the O-levels and all is that they aren't all w chalked them up to be.  I've had this discussion dozens of times with Pat on how when we were in third grade, the juniors in high school seemed so big and all that and now that we're even older than those juniors, it doesn't really feel like anything massive changed. 

Things have simply changed both slowly and swiftly, I suppose. Yes, I ripped that line right out of A Raisin in the Sun.  Or I have.  Point being, maybe it's not so much that the situations have changed but people do and so by taking it all into stride, the events become simpler, so much less grand.

Despite what the whole pop-senti-culture says, I personally find that change isn't so bad since I've always thought that the idea of staying the same forever and all that slam book blah a load of tripe though I did write them too as a kid. How hypocritical *rolls eyes*. 

Staying the same and staying true to yourself are vastly different things, my dears.  Staying true to yourself means you're honest with yourself as you grow and learn.  Staying the same is just the pretty way of being stagnant - and we all know how stagnant water leads to dengue.

Ugh. I think I'm trying to say too much in the span of a post.  *facepalm*  Shall go collect my thoughts then edit this later. On a side note, I've discovered some really horrendous fanfiction where people fall in love, break-up or have other life-changing moments in the span of half a paragraph.  Flashback. With spelling errors.  What's more, the errata are intentional.

[Sic]fics to rule the world!   Tag if you want me copies. xD

So then, let's make the most of this last break before the real deal, shall we? :)

And I will go down with this ship
I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
White flag (Dido)

Thanksgiving Dinner

This weekend has been downright effete.  Food wise, I mean.  Waffle Town, Graffiti Cafe, Korean Streetfood, McDonald's and Island Creamery over four days.

My apologies.  I'm a growing girl.  Then again, my parents will probably throttle me.  Oh wait, they read this blog *gets shot*

Don't worry, we'll be back to our usual diets once it's all over.  Until we go to Sentosa on Saturday and the Jam Night on Friday, that is.

Pat and I were about to go to the washroom. 
See, we obviously just ran into the shot xD
(Special guests include Auntie Linda, Ms. Mag and Ms. Chin Yee)

Thanksgiving Dinner was okay.  Oh fine, it didn't go as expected but there were nice points to it and everyone looked good and I suppose the guests enjoyed it so Oldham Hall achieved her aims.  My inner critic wants to roar but that wouldn't really change how it turned out, would it?  Not to mention no matter what it was like, lots of people worked hard for the event.  Good job, guys.  You did us proud.

Filipinos are <3
(Orio, Hannah, Anna, Pat Hannah, Kat)

The after party turned out a bit beneath par.  Good thing we held our own impromptu after-after party at the fifth floor common room.  Nian ci and Pat re-enacting High School Musical, Asri and Ankeekee singing, and Adeline dancing Gee by SNSD were priceless. *snicker*

So much for proper use of cutlery.  Yes, that's Pat's knife.

The pictures are from Kat, Anna, Asri and Ate Candice.  There are some things money can't buy.  No, neither can Mastercard.  This Thanksgiving Dinner, I'm thankful for the people. 8D

Pseudo One Tree Hill - the leftovers of the after after party
(Vanchi, Pat, Orio, Asri)

Okay, okay, let's get back to the math problem sets.  Two papers to go so it's one last stretch before our hibernation.  Thank God too for BBC Radio's online streaming.  The almost new line-up starts today.  Their words, not mine. xD  Go check it out here.

I shall not fall asleep. I shall not fall asleep. I shall not fall asleep.

Hey, if I repeat it often enough, it might just happen :D Mind over matter.

know-it-all

'Books! And cleverness! There are more important things — friendship and bravery.'
- Hermione Granger (PS)

People always forget that Hermione started out as an annoying swot.  Heck, even I forget that too and I'm a massive fan.  She's a lovely character in how she develops from day one to Deathly Hallows, which incidentally is featured in this year's SS/HG Awards: Mrs. Scower's All Purpose Magical Mess Remover: Cleaning up Deathly Hallows one story at a time.

Of course it helps that Emma Watson plays her.

The only decent fic I can remember that has a similarly decent birthday chapter is A Stranger's Kindness.  Tag me for a copy or look it up in FF.net as it does have a unique plot and enjoyable language. 8D

So if the world must know, some teens still think that prim, proper and studious is the way to go.   Happy Birthday, Hermione and thank you to JK Rowling for coming up with her. Female heroines in fiction are so hard to come by nowadays.

the music of school

Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolving
And revolving at nine hundred miles an hour,
That's orbiting at nineteen miles a second, so it's reckoned,
A sun that is the source of all our power.
Galaxy Song (Monty Python)

I wish I had heard this song earlier - imagine how apt it would be for the class waltz we had to do back at Pisay? *laugh*.  I heard it when I tuned into Janice Theme Time on BBC 2 Online while doing a few sums this morning. Push me with a feather but I heard the oddest music related to teachers and academics in general.

I wanna learn all your lips can teach me
One kiss will do at the start
I'm sure with a little homework
I'll graduate to your heart
Teacher's Pet (Doris Day)

It screams of  Dita Von Teese with Maraschino cherries and whipped cream over the teacher's desk in plaid and white.  Definitely kitten heels.  Or at least, that was the picutre that popped in my head.  *gag*  Brilliant play on words though. xD

The math based songs almost topped Klein Four's Finite Simple Group.  Almost.  I still say any song that has lyrics like 'You're the upper bound in the chains of my heart.  You're my axiom of love, you know it's true.' is tops but these other songs provide healthy competition. 

It takes three legs to make a tripod or to make a table stand,
And it takes three wheels to make a vehicle called a tricycle
And every triangle has three corners, every triangle has three sides,
Three's a Magic Number (Blind Melon)

There's even this song with the digits of pi enumerated in a haunting, bordering on soulful voice. I didn't hear the singer's name though but when I find it, I'll post it. 

Ah.. but my personal favorite for sheer lack of subtlety:

I can make you glow

I can make you phosphoresce
I can burst your bubble
I can make you effervesce

Science tells you love
Is just a chemical reaction in the brain
Let me be your bunsen burner baby
Let me be your naked flame
Bunsen Burner (John Otway)

I haven't the patience to link each song's youtube video but go ahead and search for them.  Honestly, the things people come up with. *shakes head* XD  Anyway, I'm off to dance practice, then the across-the-island shopping trek this afternoon then more dance then making the peach float with Ate Candice and Pat and I'll stick in a few more math sums this evening.

Decadent, I know.  This five day holiday is the bee's knees. 

TGIF, baby. xD

post-exam hurrah

Prelims are over.  Well, almost since there are still two more A Maths papers on Tuesday and Wednesday next week but heavier revising can wait until Sunday though I'll try to motivate myself to solve a couple of sums tomorrow to make up for the guilt likely to be induced by the shop-athon we intend to have Friday and Saturday.  Yes, that was a really long sentence.

My personal theory is it's equally dangerous to practice math too much and to not practice at all.  Of course, I also believe that the number of questions you attempt is directly proportional to your eventual grade, but there comes this point when you see all the numbers before you and no matter how simple the question is supposed to be, you just can't solve it because the connections fall apart and before your very eyes, the digits begin to swim.  Yes, another long sentence.  At least, that's what happened to me when I overdid the solving bit.  Then again, the relationship between me and integration has us both rather tetchy so we'll see where that leads. 8D

Besides, Mrs. Alex told me to rest.  *laugh*  or uh... come back to school with a clearer complexion as apparently the stresses of prelims have left 'eruptions' on my face in their wake.  I finally remembered to check myself in the mirror this afternoon and they're not so bad I blame my genes, Ma xD but nonetheless I didn't have the heart to disabuse her of the notion of my supposed labour.  If my prelim grades turn out iffy, it's because I tried slightly different strategies approaching the papers this time around and I didn't try to kill myself over them - at least not half as much as expected.

Oh, but the terrors of awful skin.  *swoon* Call me banal but it's definitely interesting considering how almost everyone goes thorugh the horror of it and I too finally find that I shan't leave unscathed.  Yet adults seem to just downplay the evil that is teen acne.  Or so I'm led to believe.  *wiggles eyebrows*

Anyway, what was of more interest today was something I experienced because the sensation bore no semblance to old feelings of a swotty insecure pedant but was simply great.  Finding ways to rephrase the explanation of a concept made me heady and that almost audible *ting* of a lightbulb when it finally makes sense to the faux student is priceless.  Admittedly one day, I might find that this whole idea of education as a career fade as courses, options and offers come into the more vivid view but for now, it feels pretty good.

***

Well, I'll be off now to read a few fics, type up a couple of plot bunnies and engage in anti-burn out measures or so I tell myself 8D.  Edna St. Vincent Millay was on to something when she wrote,

My candle burns at both ends.
It will not last the night.
But ah, my foes and oh, my friends -
It gives a lovely light.

Delightful quote, that one.  *grin*  Have a great long weekend, guys.

flood the ocean

The lit quotes slipped into me today with undeniable ease.  I fear that they'd slip out just as freely.  But they're oh, so applicable in real life, aren't they?

'Atticus has used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson but in the secret courts of mens' hearts, Atticus had no case.  Tom was a dead man from the minute Mayella opened her mouth and screamed.'

I've always liked that quote. The concept of tackling an internal conundrum with a court-like system seems ironic in that it feigns clinical, objective detachment but stems instead from the exact opposite.


I'm not making sense, am I?  Never mind.  My point is, with the latest tidbit of news I've heard which I shan't inform you about so bugger off, all I can say is, we pay tribute to the deserving with the knowledge held in the secrets courts of our hearts.  I'm not going to swallow the idea easily but I will accept its inevitability, fully aware of just how farcical our situation is.

Bleh.

I have yet to finish my To Kill a Mockinbird person by person revision. Stab me with a spoon - the exam's on Monday. Oh well, here goes nothing.

***

It's been eight years since the 9/11 attack.  My question since then has not changed.  Have we actually learned from the experience? I'm not talking about the added security measure in airports and mrt stations and wherever else due to this encompassing fear over asymmetrical warfare.  I'm referring to mentalities and the desire to really reach out and get to know people.  It's from relationships where strength begins for the social fabric, isn't it?

There's so much sad gonna flood the ocean
We're all in tears for a world that's broken
Together we cry.
- The Script

Well, that's that. I shall go off and attempt some more of these quotes. Woosh. Cheers to the last full week of prelims, darlings. One week to Thanksgiving Dinner and the awesome after party. 8D

half a holiday

I'm rather at a loss on what to post on.  I mean, loads have happened all over the world but presently, my little bubble consists of revision and fangirling in a rather unhealthy proportion.

Anyway, while going over chem in the common room yesterday - and accompanying the fangirling Pat dear who incidentally has this awesome blog post on the topic - I got to overhear the girls watching America's Got Talent.  I liked 'The Spiritual Harmonizers' but I've heard they have been eliminated so well, that's testament to the fact that talent isn't all it takes and that some people don't recognize talent.  Bleh.

So in tribute to great music made in the day to day:

The Spiritual Harmonizers with iffy video quality.

By the way, Ciana Pelekai was awesome too.  Pity she didn't get to continue but she's amazingly cute and well, Filipino pride, darlings. :D

***

We saw Ms. Mara two afternoons ago.  I'm not at liberty to say much about it but I miss her a lot.  A whole lot.  Not just because she's so clear in her teaching style but because she's such a wonderful person, you know?  Someone you can look up to and say, 'Hey, I want to be like you when I grow up.'

Anyway, time and distance haven't changed that - besides, how much distance can you actually get in this tiny island? O_o - so yes, Ms. Mara, I'd still like to be like you when I grow up.

***

Okay, I'm off to lunch now.  If I clock in enough hours revising this afternoon, I'm guessing I can watch Johnathan Ross and Ghunniford interviews after without too much guilt.  With the amount of fluff fics getting into me, I'll be turning into cotton soon. Wish me luck D:

trios

Caritas.

Pastor Larry told us today about the power of thanksgiving.  It reminds me that what I have is not only of my own effort but a blessing and helps me keep my eyes on God.

Well, I'm very thankful for these people, Lord.

Birthday Girl and We

Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?

The Guy, The Cheerleader and The Rabbit

Gotta love OMG-themed costume parties.  So yes, Happy Birthday Courtney! Thanks for inviting us :D And that scooby doo thing?  I nicked it for a second off Sarah, this really sweet MGS girl we met together with Courtney's other primary school friend, Nicole from SCGS. Cool people^^


Photos courtesy of Anna, My Love and Courtney Angel. lol.

***
Spes

Pastor Larry also spoke of challenges are meant to test and build the faith one possesses.  It reminded me of the middle of this year and of something I'll eventually post at length about but that essentially, it was not a matter of me having too little faith in myself but too little faith in God.

To put it simply, it was sort of like me having fifty cents in hand and looking at a one-dollar ice cream vendor and thinking, 'I can't afford that.'  But then people reminded me that if I step out in faith and choose to approach the ice cream man, I still might get something.  I'm glad I asked if he offers half-ice cream bars since instead he gave me two.

Well Pastor Larry did say God gives abundantly.

So I'm praying for something else now.  I don't want our country to screw the next elections again. Maybe the older generations will say we don't have much to hope for and I'm being idealistic but you know what?  I agree.  I agree so much in fact that I'm going to pray about it since I'm pretty sure none of us can fix this anymore. 

I liked Noynoy's speech but that is neither here nor there since the guy's virtually unknown.  It isn't correct to project my ideals upon a shadow and hope it will turn out right so I'm reserving my non-important vote - I won't be 18 by the next elections yet, honey - for later. 

Besdies, whether Noynoy runs or not is not the question.  It's whether we as a nation are going to do something about ourselves regardless of who ends up in power or not.  As he takes his retreat this week, I hope he makes the right choices.  And when polling time comes, I hope we make the right choices.


***
Fides

I napped this afternoon. XD  Should have been mugging but what the heck, I couldn't keep my eyes open.  I shall get on with it now, I suppose.  Physics papers still - does anyone know where the IJ Katong Convent answer scheme is? - and I better start plotting out what I need to revise in Chem.  I'm definitely not reading Chemistry after my O-levels.

Oh right, never say never.  Fine.  I'm likely not to read Chemistry after this year. Poof.

It's been a good week. Have a better one ahead, guys.

Fides. Spes. Caritas.   Faith. Hope. Love. xD

a flurry

Today I have another of my unwanted opinions, a funny story and good pictures :D Doesn't it just make you squirm with joy? :D

Oh, bother.  Anyway, I finally found a way to put in words something I've noticed for some time.  You know how when you correct people, they tend to go for the extremes?  Like when you say someone's walking too fast, they slow down to a crawl or worse yet, walk twice as fast?  Heck, even I do that without meaning to.  I think getting over that is one of the biggest signs of maturity.   You have to consciously decide not to be juvenile.

So to my intended audience, puerility doesn't suit you, my dear.  I used to look up to you so.

Yes, the thought for the day *gets shot* xD


***

Anna and I went out to buy Courtney's birthday gift yesterday and met up with Johann at Orchard so he could lend her his neck tie for her costume for Courtney's birthday. Have the multiple pronouns and antecedents in that sentence messed you up yet?xD So yeah, Anna and I had walked around Far East where she bought these aweseome pink nerd glasses and I got this blouse at 50% off thank you MOE for early allowance 8D when we decided to finally walk around Ion.

Okay, I could criticize the low ceilings but it was a lovely place considering how Sg malls just can't compete with our huge ones back home so I should shut up now and get on with my funny story.


"Scene: Our not-so-golden trio walks by Burberry.

Anna: Oh, look!
Orio: *stares up at Emma Watson ads and fangirls for joy*
Johann: Oy, ang ganda nung girl.  Parang kamukha si Emma Watson.
(Translation: Hey, the girl's pretty.  She kind of looks like Emma Watson.)
Anna and Orio: *dissolve into a fit of giggles.*
Orio: She is Emma Watson. "


*laugh*  It's okay Johann, the girls still love you to bits even if you didn't recognize her.


***


And now there are more ASEAN dance pictures from Anna on Facebook.  Honestly, I look like a dork. Nevermind comparisons to a summer day, my darling Shakespeare, the plainness of vanilla is not even mine to take.  *rolls eyes*  So yes, photogenicity does not run in my veins apparently but here are two nice ones:

Anna, Gisella, Pat, Talitha and I.

International love :D

The dark shot of the Filipinos but Cam got cut off in the shot. Gargh.

So there you go - your daily digest of adolescence unchecked.  Well, I must get going.  Gotta do other schools' past physics prelim papers so I won't feel too guilty about going out to Courtney's party tonight :D

*swoosh*

a stoning in three parts

I wasn't planning on posting today do we ever? but this caught my eye.

(CNN) -- A Muslim teenager from Ohio says her father threatened to kill her because she converted to Christianity. (read here)

Now, I have nothing against Muslims - I have friends who are Muslim, dearie - so don't expect some sort of rant here against Islam.  It just had me thinking about faith in general and well, I feel blessed that my parents are fine with me not being Catholic anymore, which I know is a heck load of trust given all the somewhat cult-like versions of all sorts of faiths, particularly Christian, sprouting out. 

So yeah, I am very grateful, you two.  For the records, I have nothing personal with Catholics either - okay, so maybe I do - but I've had enough time to realize it's not the religion's fault but a myriad of factors.

Indeed, it's one of the three touchy subjects.  Religion, politics and grades.  I'd put in sex there but it's all over the web and teenage conversations in general, if not my own, so it would be out of place.  I'd call it one of the great ironies of life that the first two are two of my favorite topics and the latter two lie at the other end of interest spectrum.

I'm just saying.

So yes, since it's a touchy subject, I'm not going to discuss it here in full.  I'm guessing I'm not at liberty to give opinion on that either so I'll just go with saying that parents should do right by their kids and vis a vis.  It makes for lighter hearts, people.
 
***
 
I hadn't posted about this earlier but I was stoning awhile ago and remembered the preaching I heard during the Festival of Praise this year about the other parts of the story of the Parable of the Lost Son that we tend to forget.
 
For starters, I agree with the Pastor that the portion should be changed to the Parable of the Lost Sons since technically both sons were lost.  Better yet, Parable of the Loving Father since tecnically he - and isn't God always? - was the main character of the story. *chuckle*  Hey, it was a cute sentiment.
 
Anyway, one of his points was that it's inherently easy to end up either living the lavish, unsustainable life of the younger son or lapping up the self-righteous indignation available for the reformed such as the older son did.  Either way, it's not right.  Denial, vindictivness, derision and emotions are tricky things.  Especially for those like the elder son, it's just so easy to judge using only personal standards.  But thena gain, I'm not condemning those who do so since it's a mental trap I have yet to fully evade. 
 
I'm working on it so point well taken, thank you very much.
 
***
 
How's the prelims going so far, guys?
 
I don't feel it too keenly, quite frankly, probably due to the relative lack of importance of the whole thing compared to the mid-years and the O's.  Then again, I like to think of it as an answer to my prayer for a peaceful heart.  Actually, I really think it is.
 
52 days to the O's and 78 days until the plane ride.  I tell you, the excitement is palpable.
 
Well, back to a bit more math before I hit the sack.  Much as I like to think that the natural feel of bouncing concepts is all I'd need, we all know better.  My afternoon pretty much spirited away as I read The Twenty - this really old fanfic that I'll comment on in full later on - but Math and I and never had much history other than a load of luck and good fun.

I'm reading the end of When a Lioness Fights tomorrow and I'm not too sure if I want to since like all great epics, it's great thinking it never ends, right?  *squirms*  Oh well, it's the end where we begin, right?  The Script rip-off, I know.

Happy mugging, guys.

history and prelims

The duality of human nature is clearer today than usual.  Today we celebrate Teachers' Day and yet, we also remember the start of World War II.

We remember because we know well that he who forgets, or he who falsifies history, and has power or will assume power will bring unhappiness again like 70 years ago.
- PM Tusk

Then again, history and experience are allegedly the best teachers. 

Happy Teachers' Day to all teachers out there.

***

It's the prelims tomorrow.  As I said to Hannah Junie, it's not so bad. I don't mind really.  It has to happen eventually, after all.  I'd of course much rather be reading a new novel or fanfic or stoning but we can't always have our druthers.  Anyway, here I go.

Father

Some trust in chariots long mugging sessions
and some in horses revision guides or leaks,
but I trust in the name of the Lord, my God.

I will do this properly.  I will sleep right and
eat well and not be cranky and do my best.
I ask only for results that will honor You and for a peace
that transcends all understanding as I take each exam.

Whatever I get, it's for Your glory.

Amen

I'll be back online on Saturday.  Until then, all the best, everyone :]

stop all the clocks

Yes, the title's from Auden.  North, south, east and west and that jazz.  You've gotta love the man's rhyme schemes.

Anyway, on to the thought that I've been toying with for some time, "What is the definition of being plastic?"  Here's the technical definition of plasticity:

the deformation of a material undergoing non-reversible changes of shape in response to applied forces (Wikipedia)

Well, that's what the mostly omniscient wthxD Wiki says and of course, it must be true. How dare you question the great Wiki?  But then the kind of plastic I'm thinking about is the often used term among teenagers which I have yet to fully comprehend because it's so commonly used that I've begun to wonder where the line between being a plastic - a faker - and being simply good lies. 

See, on one hand there's the fact of life that some individuals do in fact pretend to be kind but really mean otherwise and they're labelled plastic, perhaps in reference to the seemingly fake quality of the material - though on behalf of said, material, a good many things we use are synthetically made and besides, plastics are made from polymers and had they been sentient, I would think they would resent the label.  Anyway, on the other hand, there's the Biblical dictum to be kind to one another and this is a foundational point of any faith, I'd think, so it's more than just Biblical but universal.  To be kind despite being hurt would technically be counted as something good on that basis.

So where does the line lie? 

The basis I try to use for the issue is perhaps utilitarian - if that's the right word - and depends on whether the person stands to gain anything from being kind other than friendship for friendship's sake or love's sake.  If that is the case then there's a certain sense of morality behind kindness despite deep seated internal antagonism.  It's not empty goodness that way and but more like being nice to your seatmate who downright irritates you because you'd like to understand her better rather than because you'd like to have a constant source of Liquid Paper - not that I dislike my seatmate because I think Phoebe is an awesome, awesome friend.

I'm guessing there isn't a concrete way to ascertain that the individual in question is plastic or, well, diamond or wood or whatever else. The point is it's a matter of trust and trust-building, I've always thought, is the longest and most difficult infrastructural construction process to undergo.

Well, I better get my drill and crane out.  We've got a long haul ahead.

***

I've heard about Ma'am Paz.  Though she never taught me in class, she taught me a great deal about cheerfulness and warmth and how to bring both to students - the more important things in life.  I wish I could stop all the clocks.

Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality
Emily Dickinson

You live on in us.  Rest in peace, Ma'am.