Yesterday, I received my ABRSM G2 music theory exam result.


95.

Passed with distinction. Yay!


-----
p/s: This got to be my shortest post in this blog (excluding this postscript part). I think this deserves its own post. =P

Did it rain today? :)

Hmmm... it stayed shiny though while I was in my kampung (near Kota Belud) few hours ago.


Yesterday I was suddenly hit by the thought of wanting to visit my grandma. It's been a while since the last time I visited her. Then my father got a call from kampung asking us to come because my grandma was sick. So, today we went.

I don't want to call it awkward, cause it wasn't really that... but today the visit was kind of different from the usual. My granny kept talking about..you know.. 'going away, never to return' stuff. Huh. See. I don't even want to type out the word. Anyway. My aunts/uncles (including my father) just laughed at her sudden worries (not the mocking/inconsiderate kind of laugh, ok?) - she was describing a dream, but I wasn't paying much attention - and to be honest, I don't even want to think about it (too depressing for me).


Huh... Actually I don't really know what to feel about this. Everyone seems okay with it (not thinking much to it, acting positively).



...

Blog meme from Saturday 9.

"Upside Down"

1. When was the last time that you felt your world got turned upside down?

I don't remember... I kind of want to forget when it turned upside down.

On second thought... it feels like it happened every week. (I wonder... If an already upside-down world becomes upside down again, is the world back to normal again?)

2. Should the United States do more to help its own citizens before helping people in other countries?

This sounds like something that requires 'politic talk'. Uh-oh. Not my area.

I do believe in "I need to help myself first before helping others" (A Love-yourself-before-loving-others variant?) although that doesn't happen always.

3. What was something you memorized for school and still can recall?

How to write the chinese character for 'mouth'. Oh. That's in kindergarten. I guess it's sifir [Malay for times tables] then. The teacher once gave us extra chocolate milk carton for anyone who had memorized sifir 2. Oh, yeah. Another one... Adjectives for English language - "good, better, best" & "bad, worse, worst".

4. With what types of people do you tend to associate?

People who don't make me feel bad about myself.

5. Besides blogging what is the last creative thing that you've done?

A wiki-styled site on Google Site that I made for my own reference. Animated gifs of scenes from movies/doramas that could be used as emoticons.

6. In nature, what outdoor activities do you enjoy the most?

Walking. Lame, I know. But it helps me clear the clutter in my mind. I like sightseeing & [window] shopping too.

7. When was the last time that you had a great belly laugh?

Last Sunday, I think. My sister and I had a great laugh talking about random things in the middle of the night. The fact that you shouldn't make noises at that time (people are sleeping) just made us laughed even harder (it's like when you try not to laugh in the library) because we kept mishearing each other.

8. What kind of fashion-sense attracts you?

Erm... anything that seems to suit my personality? I don't really know how to explain these things. I don't want to end up saying 'A' and restrict myself to that kind of fashion-sense.

9. What traits in others turn you off?

Smoking... and sometimes cursing. Those are not really human traits, are they?

TheUniversityBlog : Can exams ever be fun? [Link]

Stepcase Lifehack : 11 Reasons Why You Aren’t Getting Results [Link]

----------------
Current Mood: ┐(´д`)┌

*Part of "Thursday 13" meme. May 20th, 2010.*

1. Glee tribute episode yesterday (on Star World) was surprisingly boring. My Rachel hate meter hit the max.

2. My favourite character in "Friends" is Phoebe. She's quirky and weird but still lovable.

3. Nick Jonas was funny on "I Get That A Lot".

4. Just finished Jane Austen's "Persuasion" yesterday. I went to sleep early at 10pm and ended up reading the book till 12.30pm. I actually love Anne Elliot better than Emma Woodhouse (from "Emma").

5. Currently trying to watch all "The Ring" & "Ringu" movies.

6. Have you seen Zachary Levi sing? Sometimes I can hear his voice when I woke up late in the morning.

7. I want a red Satio... but considering other cell phones available with similar prices, it's so hard to pick. I dunno why I have this confidence that I will get it so that's why I'm doing my homework early. The other two contenders are an Android phone and one of Apple products.

8. The last episode of the final season of Monk is airing tomorrow on Star World. I'd done well at preventing myself from reading spoilers. Wow... It's the end.

9. My google reader subscriptions are more personal than my diary. I read things you thought no one will read. What makes it scarier (& maybe creepier?), I have 'copies' of everything.

10. I am very nervous for my upcoming piano practical exam. I still don't understand myself.

11. I love Switchfoot songs! My latest favourite is "Let That Be Enough". Hmmm. Maybe it's because the lyric reflected my current mind (the beginning part).

12. Why is it so scary but somewhat fun to kill zombies in Left 4 Dead 2? I don't usually play games with zombies. The last Zombie game I played was this.

13. I'm sad. Feeling down. :(

I slept at 5am this morning.

I woke up at 12pm.

I felt like crying... just till when do this has to continue? It's hard for me to sleep early nowadays.



And you know what? Betrayal is a thing of past in my life. I've done things to avoid that and you would think you'll get better at handling these things as you go through more betrayals... But no. It still hurts. Same pain. Same suspicions. Same loss.


This feeling is so uncomfortable.

Today, my brother returned home and told us (my sister and me) that he failed his BM paper (school exam). He said he screwed up his Paper 2 - there were questions he didn't understand so he answered wrongly.

After he told that to us I recalled an event I had in Primary 4. I never failed any paper since Primary 1 so when one day, my maths teacher returned our math test, I was surprised to be called to the teacher's table in the front of the class. I got a 9. It was so shocking and embarrassing. It appeared that I left so many questions unanswered. I don't remember why I didn't answer them.

Being one who always scored well in Maths (that time lah), it was a humiliating moment. I didn't answer anyone who asked what my marks were. Maybe I did tell someone in the end but... wow. It took a lot of courage (for me) to "pretend" that I don't care. I think I even laughed it off saying "Oh.. I did some mistakes. It's 9. I forgot to answer at the back of the paper."

:)

Just some random story of my past. But looking at the story from my current way of thinking... It told me that "Anything can happen." I must always be aware of my surroundings. Always observe. Always pay attention. I can do well in Maths in the past, I can do it again in university.

And the most important thing I learnt now from the story : Failure is not something to be ashamed of. I can learn more from failure than success. To do that I have to acknowledge the failure to myself.

I'm sorry if you think otherwise. Maybe... you're not there yet.

Read 2005's edition?


2006... The year I discovered the joy of watching JDorama and "Full House". Good distraction from my real problems.

Then... There's my SPM result.

*staring blankly on my SPM result paper*
*sigh*..... What the heck?...I got 6As (5A1, 1A2), 3Bs (3B4) and 3Cs (2C5, 1C6).... [it actually came out better than what I've thought!]

I decided to go for Form 6. While looking for a school that would accept me in Science stream (I wasn't offered a place in Form 6), I was also busy watching Kurosagi. I ended up in a school at 〇〇. Loving my Form 6 life...

Oh yeah. Mr K asked us: "Why do you want [to do] F6?" [Post : "~ Know What You Want ~" ]

*teaser*

I grow up with the idea (influence from my surroundings) that Matrics are better than f6 (which is not really true). Since I'm in form 1, I already set a target that I'll go to Matrics after completing f5. People said f6 is 2 years whereas Matrics is only 1 year. That's why at that time I prefer Matrics to f6. Moreover I was thinking of getting out of school quickly (because since the first day I'm in SM〇〇 I already　could feel the tense, stress & tight competition in my class. I could't stand it, & wished that time will run faster so that I can stop suffering). Even when I was in f5, the thought of going to f6 never occurs me. [Post : "Proud to be a F6 student"]

*sigh* Now, I shouldn't look at my classmates as rivals (that's what I'd done last year.. No good attitude).. because my biggest, toughest rival is MYSELF. [Post : "First week in school [after lessons started]" ]

Today IN SCHOOL... This is the first time I met a person who brags the most in my life. Well, this doesn't occur me till I get home. I was doing some Maths problems & she approached my desk. Then bla bla bla bla & bla. After she finish bragging (Pengajian Am teacher came in), I felt so inferior-ish for no reason. Why? Why? Then only I realise she was bragging about herself! ne.. ne... What is she trying to do? Being friendly? Or trying to tell me she's better than me? A potential rival? [Post : "Trust no one." ]

Oh yeah. Another VERY important event that year :

My mum had her viva at her university today & she did it! She passed! (lol..dunno what to call it)... But she still have to do some corrections (in 9 months) before she officially graduate September next year.

Haha.. After all this years... now... no more extra burden (Her ph.D course did affect us negatively, positively, physically & mentally... often get scolded & all that)..well... She deserved her "Doctor" title.. she spent a lot of time, money & brainwork on her thesis.. [From : "Yatta!"]

School exam...

For the first time in my life, ...I feel good handing in my BIO 2 answer paper(s). At that time, I also feel satisfied because I know I've worked hard for this. Well, not hard enough but still better than before. [post : "more on school~"]

Teaser~~~

I thought teachers should expose their students to the world of possibilities. Keep telling their students that it's not impossible to do this or that. Although there might be setbacks & unfortunate events, teachers should still "let" their students know that there's "light" in everything. That when you fail, doesn't mean you fail throughout your life. *sigh* maybe teachers nowadays have lost hopes in their students. Unless they prove to that teacher that they are a "genius" then only the teachers want to help them. Why should it be like that?

Teachers do not think of their students as their own children. Why should they? They are not related to each other. But having teachers thinking that way means having teachers who do not care about their students welfare. & again, why should they? They are not related.

What an ugly reality. [Post : "Something..." ]

Quite an eventful year, although I didn't mention all of them in my blog.

"I Dreamt Dreams."

To see a caterpillar in a dream, denotes that low and hypocritical people are in your immediate future, and you will do well to keep clear of deceitful appearances. You may suffer a loss in love or business. To dream of a caterpillar, foretells you will be placed in embarrassing situations, and there will be small honor or gain to be expected. [Source]

To dream of caterpillars means that there is little to be gained in the immediate future. To have caterpillars crawling upon you augurs that there are annoying people of low status in your future. [Source]

My current recurring dream is this : Small, green caterpillars crawling on my legs and arms.

Fear of caterpillars?

Hmmm. When I look up for the meaning of the dream... I expected something psychological. But in the end I found only 'things that going to happen in the future'. Can't believe that 100%... but those are some interesting meanings, right? Especially that part where both sites said similar thing - "..denotes that low and hypocritical people are in your immediate future, and you will do well to keep clear of deceitful appearances." & "To have caterpillars crawling upon you augurs that there are annoying people of low status in your future." ~Low...~

"...harassment is a power issue. And power is neither male or female. Whoever is behind the desk has the opportunity to abuse power. A women will take advantage as often as men."

"The fact is, there's a category of behaviour that no one condones anymore. The supervisor who grabs genitals, who squeezes breasts in the elevator, who invites an assistant on a business trip but books only one hotel room. All that is ancient history. If you have an employee behaving like that, whether that employee is male of female, gay or straight, you are obliged to stop it."

"But I beat you fair and square, Tom. I don't deserve this. I've been screwed by the damned system."

"No you haven't. You've been fucking your assistants for years. You've been taking every advantage of your position that you could. You've been living on image and every third word out of your mouth is a lie. Now you're feeling sorry for yourself. You think the system is what's wrong. But you know what, Meredith? The system didn't screw you. The system revealed you, and dumped you out. Because when you get right down to it, you're completely full of shit."

Muahahaha.

I'm taking eight courses for next semester (I prefer calling it the "3rd" semester). Another compulsory (at university level) course which I'll just call "APK" which will involve selling something as the assignment (I think). Business/entrepreneur-related. Then there's second level course for "French Language".

Although I don't really like the timetable (everyday has classes!!! =P)... initially... now I'm beginning to warm up with the new times. 10am-12pm classes! I actually have more time to sleep (in the car) before going to class. Haha...

Anyway. I'm excited for courses that's more related to my main course/program(?).

There seem to be two classes a week for "Scientific Writing" (which is kind of scary IMO) but I can't wait! I suspect the assignment(s) would be similar to ERP's.

Then, my Maths & CG-related courses! At last! There's a course "Discrete Mathematics" which our other sister course (MathswEcons) is not taking. Not that I have anything against them but once in a while I want the class to be just my coursemates (MathswCG). Not too crowded - need space to breathe and move around. Hey! We still have two courses where we'll meet! "Linear Algebra" and "Advanced Mathematics I". These two are courses that I want to conquer before Semester 3 starts. If I succeed, my Semester 3 life will be easier. Another two (CG-related) courses are "Computer Interface Programming" and "Database" [loosely-translated from Malay titles, may change later]. I have no idea what those two are about but I hope that we'll still learn using C++ language 'cos that's what I want to focus on during this semester break.

I plan to re-take Semester 1's "Economic Statistics" but I don't like the time available for the class. Yeah. I know I'm not supposed to be picky about this... but I don't want to go to class early on Mondays! I'm still considering at this moment. There'll be some few weeks next semester where we can remove or add courses so I still have my chance if I change my mind.


Yay for Semester 3!!!

I usually use TweetPsych... but today I found a new site. Analyze Words. Haha... I love these kind of things. They might not represent accurately but it's still something.

I got this.


I'm a bit concerned seeing that "worried" as my 'emotional style'. I don't mind "depressed" though (what I really want is "upbeat" but that has the lowest count - not like me, really).

There's also a site that analyzes your sleeping time. http://www.sleepingtime.org.

Mine, which is quite true (average time) :


---
An update of Wordle (without @replies)


Last time I did this I got :

Boring day.

---
TV
---

"War of In-Laws" - I can't remember what TVB drama I last watched... last year? Hmm. Anyway. I saw the 1st season of this on TV2 so.. of course, I wouldn't miss watching its sequel. I love the chemistry between Myolie Wu & Bosco Wong's characters in both series. The 2nd season ended yesterday on 8TV. The ending's a bit rushed I think but still good - at least for the main characters. Oh well.

"Glee" - Just saw a newer episode on Star World few hours ago.... This is one of few TV shows that I don't really love but I keep watching. I get it that some people are obsessed with Glee but I'm pretty sure I'm not one of them. I do love some characters (Mr Shue!) but I really, really, really hate Rachel. Worse, I think it's the actress that plays her that annoys me and not the character alone. I mean... one can easily hate Sue (the show's antagonist character) but I don't : I like her. Rachel is... well, whiny.

I love the latest developments on "House" and "Monk". It's the final season of Monk, so that's inevitable, I guess. But House... Dr House is getting better. Maybe it's too early to say that, but that's what I see now. I love seeing his friendship with Dr Wilson. As regard to Huddy.. hmm. I was a Huddy fan once. I changed my mind since I saw S4's "Frozen" episode, where Mira Sorvino played the 'patient of the week'. Though seem impossible, I would love seeing them together.

I miss watching Dr Sweets in "Bones".

---
Haha... More blogthings!
---

You Have an Extremely Active Imagination

Your mind is vivid, lively, and colorful. There is a lot going on in your head. You have the ability to make pictures and movies in your mind. You are extremely visual. Your creativity knows no bounds. You don't put restrictions or limits on your thoughts. You have a gift that other people wish they had. So exercise that imagination as much as you want!

That figures.

Disliking History Says You Are Unpredictable

You are unpredictable, unusual, and challenging. For you, history is too irrelevant and set in stone. You rather look toward the future. You don't like to commit to anything. You're a dynamic person who is always growing and changing. You are very interested in new ideas and technology. You like to keep up with the latest trends.

Love this part : "You are unpredictable, unusual, and challenging." :)

Twitter bug.

See:
"Twitter Bug Lets You Control Who Follows You" (Mashable)

Too. Funny.
The rest.

1. 
   ischafer Maybe Twitter's "0 Following 0 Followers" bug is actually a commentary on just how unimportant those numbers actually are. 10 May 2010 from TweetDeck
2. 
   aplusk twitter is being hacked by some turkish hacker. haha I have 0 followers. 10 May 2010 from Brizzly
3. 
   AdibHidayat Biarkan followers 0 & following 0. Latihan untuk mengingat nama teman Anda. Mampus yang namanya pakai akun Twitter aneh-aneh... :p 10 May 2010 from web
4. 
   hockeydarling lol at everyone FREAKING out over their 0 followers. 1) breathe 2) calm down 3) get a life. 10 May 2010 from web
5. 
   brananc 0 followers and 0 following; guess it's proof that I am,indeed, talking to myself. fortunately, I like me. 10 May 2010 from web
6. 
   mlbroadcast Why does my Twitter account show 0 for following and followers? Is there a Twitter snafu I am unaware of? 10 May 2010 from Tweetie
7. 
   shane_54 HA! Everyone has 0 followers on Twitter. HAHAHHAHAHA!
   I hope they never get them back :)
   #fail 10 May 2010 from web
8. 
   OMGWisdom 0 followers and 0 following! Yes, we are all the same, God reminds us! :) 10 May 2010 from CoTweet
9. 
   DEKMinn According to @twitter, I currently have 0 followers and am following 0 people. Did I piss off all 600+ of you or something? Sorry... :-( 10 May 2010 from HootSuite
10. 
    majdtweets Totally luvin' that on my 1st twitterversary, I have 0 followers, LOL! 10 May 2010 from web
11. 
    quaid ZOMG! Followers 0! Following 0! ZOMG! ZOMG! The Twitter world is ending and I don't know how to use the web to search out why!!! 10 May 2010 from identica
12. 
    iamdiddy I feel so lonley!!!!! Lol :) come back soon. I can't live without yall!!! :( can somebody send me some followers pls lol :). Let's go!!!, 10 May 2010 from UberTwitter
13. 
    ddlovato What the heck... My twitter says I'm not following anyone? 10 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®

-- this quote was brought to you by quoteurl


It's back to normal now. But wow. It happened before my very eyes. I just retweeted a tweet by @Mashable, when after I reloaded the page, "0 following 0 followers".

Live feeds/updates <3.

Had a really good laugh. Worth losing the sleep I should have had hours ago.

*gulps*

I only knew the exam date for one day... and I've become worriedly nervous this whole day.

Like last year's, I don't expect to get best marks. As long as it's good enough, I'm happy.

But I don't have that confidence right now.


It seems that I still can't get the tempo and dynamics right. So inconsistent. I can't tell if it sounds good enough for 'good' marks. I believe that the songs have their own moods which I have to understand and think of it every time I play that piece. But sometimes when I think the mood is like this, Ms Chong (my piano teacher) will say otherwise, which always leaves me confused. Sigh.

Anyway... Speaking of music... Yesterday, there were "Mother's Day" performances during church service. One of the performance was by children, which kinda turned out wrong in the beginning. Their teacher played the intro to their song using the church's guitar. The children started singing off-key. It got a bit awkward for the teacher. So - as explained to me by people who knows how to play the guitar - the problem was with the church guitar which was not tuned for the children's voices. Okay, whatever. That's not my point. The teacher stopped playing. Then, our church's pianist went to the electric piano and played music accompanying the children. It's an impromptu accompaniment. I was so impressed.


I'm not there yet. That level... where you can play what you just listened (or is listening!).... it's out of my league. I can't even memorize well... I will always need music sheets. Sigh. I think it's nice to be good at playing by ears. & also... songwriting. Haha. I'm tempted to tell my teacher : "Let's compose a song."

Oh, well....

June 16th, 2010.

Last year's was in July 16th.

Hmm. Maybe different students will have different dates, I'm not sure.


Nervous...but excited. Can't wait for this to be over.

---
Off-topic :

1. 
   OMJFacts Lots of Jonas fans have a tumblr account, and post amazing Jonas related pictures and quotes. #OMJFacts 05 May 2010 from web
2. 
   OMJFacts There are many Jonas fans out there....but some keep it a secret. #OMJFacts http://twitpic.com/1lelb9 06 May 2010 from Twitpic

-- this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Yes. I'm that kind of fan. Haha.

Hopefully this is the end to a very relaxing week.

As cliche as it sounds, next semester is going to be different. I will do something [maybe] life-changing during this break to make my life for Semester 3 better.

Let me think first...



...okay. Give me more time to think.

(While I'm doing that... I would like to recommend you these two videos :

(1) "Make a Wave" acoustic version.

Loved it as much as I love the original song. That is one lucky family.

(2) Katharine McPhee "Terrified" (feat. Zachary Levi)

I was curious of how Levi's voice sounded like when he sing... I've always love watching him as Chuck Bartowski. Okay. That info doesn't have anything to do with him singing. Hehe... but I like actors I like to watch on TV sing. )



Smile?

Blog Meme from here : Friday 5 for May 7: Colors Yet Again.

1. Who could be described as a nightmare in pink?

Can't think of anyone at this moment.

2. How long does it take you to type “The quick red fox jumps over the lazy dog” on your cell phone or computer keyboard?

12.5 seconds. Computer keyboard.

3. What item in a plain brown wrapper did you most recently receive?

Erm... kuey tiaw takeaway?

If this is postal-related... that would be the YesAsia package I received two months ago which contained a YUI album and a "JONAS" DVD.

4. Who’s got the loveliest cinnamon skin?

See question #1's answer.

5. When did you last take a walk in the lonely silver rain?

Last week. Can't remember which day. But it was after another exam paper - I went out early. It was just starting to rain when I walked to a bus stand near the university's library.

6. What is the real inspiration for this week’s questions?

I have no idea at all.

Part 2 of 2. A continuation to this post.

Ethnic Relations - Enjoyed the lectures but not the group presentations. I know these presentations are important. But sometimes I can't help thinking how time-wasting these kind of presentations are. *smiles bitterly*

The lecturer was sometimes funny & I like his way of explaining things. At random times, during 5-minute breaks, he would share his youth's weird stories/misadventures with us. Some were plain weird. Some were TOTALLY weird. And awkward. Sometimes awkwardly gay (reminded me of Nakatsu). A friend of mine once commented "WHAT is he talking about?" with a WTH face. Oh, well~


French Language - I like [my] French lessons. Enough said.


Language and Communication - Killer lecturer. Haha. She said that herself. That's the first time I heard of such terminology.

Even though it's a hard-to-get-A course, it's hard to not like the lecturer! I thought she was a really, really cool person. She knows her field very well. I love her lectures.

Oh yeah. It's also the first time I had a presentation session that doesn't include other students. The lecturer was our only audience. But it was still scary though although she gave us freedom to pick anything to talk about. My friend and I took some risk for our group presentation. It was my idea (Eve, it's okay if you want to blame me later). I was thinking that because she's a "killer lecturer" it didn't matter anymore if we get an A or not. It's better to choose a topic that we (or me only, if Eve beg to differ) were interested in or familiar with. I wanted an unconventional topic that she would want to hear.

And that topic was, "Twitter".

We talked about the effects of communication through Twitter. Well... actually it was more about examples. How fast news (including false ones) traveled through Twitter. How Twitter affected movie-goers (Bruno?). The Kevin Smith & Southwest Airlines incident (actually I'm not really sure if I included this because of the limited time given, but it's in our notes). Eve talked about Bustin Jieber Justin Bieber. How people is tweeting at wrong/inappropriate times (burglar in the house, death of child etc).

She groaned when we told her the title of the topic. I half guessed that some students had presented about Facebook to her. Anyway. She responded to some examples (when we talked about tweeters who tweeted about their abortion as if it's a common thing in daily life), which I took as a good sign - she was listening (actually she was busy on her computer during presentation).

I was reading my Exam S1 diaries (ha!), & I thought it was interesting to read what I thought of the courses I'd taken in the past. So I'm continuing that new tradition for Semester 2's.

[ Part 1 of 2. Part 2 is here. ]

Mathematics II - Basically, we learnt about Calculus (only). Could've been easy to grasp if all the notes are in English. Hmm. But, to be frank, that wouldn't do any changes to me. I would still slack off. Bleh.

Anyway. The lecturer was good. I think. She's going to teach us again next semester. *No! I'm not cringing in fear!* She was also our dedicated tutor. It was a sad story, really. Just after a week of tutorial classes, the other tutor guy backed out. I don't know the real reason but in the end, our lecturer became our tutor as well. Now that I'd said it... I think that's sad to hear too. Hmm.. But I salute her for the dedication & patience she had shown during those tutorial classes. I always didn't finish my tutorial homework. I survived to tell the tale.


Statistical Package Programming - I think I made a small mistake in translating the course name. We didn't learn anything about programming a program that is used for Statistics (I thought it meant that). It's about using the SPSS program and some stats stuff.

The lecturer taught us "Economic Statistics" (Semester 1). She didn't make much impression last semester. But I like her now. She kinda helped me a little during mid-term exam. Not by giving answers, NO! I might repeat "Economic Statistics" next semester and I'm glad she's still the lecturer for the course. I said 'might' because I don't like the timetable for the class (still considering the pluses and minuses). I don't want another Monday morning class.


Data Structure (Introduction) - The lecturer is from the Engineering school/faculty. I don't really have much impression about her... other than her straight-forward way of teaching and somewhat strict. She's likeable actually, to be honest.

The lessons were held in the afternoon. An unfortunate time for someone like me. I'm always sleepy at this time (there were two classes in the morning too on the same day...). So, it was always hard for me to pay attention even though I find the lecture topics interesting that day.


Object-oriented Programming - Same as Structure Data classes. This one was held every Monday evening. *smiles embarrassedly* I often dozed off during the class & I sat in the front.

I admire the lecturer. My admiration doesn't have anything to do with the iPhone he's using or his colourful tertiary education background. He just looked like someone who's easy to talk to (ask questions), he didn't mind us asking him about Data Structure problems (both C++ language). Hmm.

I kinda like the lab sessions too. There were two lab assistants that "took care" of us during lab sessions. The lecturer just gave us the questions/assignments and we were supposed to create the program during lab. At first, it was awkward. In Semester 1, our C Programming lecturer himself gave us the codes beforehand... So, I thought it was the same for this course's lab sesion. But no. You had to do it yourself. Awkward was when the lab assistants walked around and had some good laughs behind our backs (yep. Our programming skills were below par).

[to be continued...]

Mundane Updates...
My final exam for Semester 2 officially ended yesterday.

While I think over what useful activities - that would benefit me next semester - that I could do during semester break, I'm reading blogs and watching stuff on YouTube again without feeling guilty (for not studying for exam)...

Some very important issues are being discussed in my family these few days & I'm getting headaches (but that might be because of my bad sleeping routine). But seriously. I never expected to think about STPM and MUET again. The reference books. The syllabuses. The discouraging phase & system. Reminded me of discouraging and evil teachers.

Arrgh. Form 6 memories. The not-good ones.

===

Maybe...

As I have to control myself from buying any books whenever I visit bookstores (See #6), I'm re-reading books I have in collection and maybe finally read that purchased-years-ago-but-haven't-read books. Few weeks ago it was Russell Lee's "True Singapore Ghost Stories"... in which one of them perished in the washing machine (didn't finish reading that one!). At the same time, I'm reading Jane Austen's "Emma".

Mr Knightley remains as my favourite character in the book. Emma? Hmmm. I'm kind of surprised that I want to re-read this now. I still think that the story's slow in the beginning... but it's always fun to read Emma's thoughts.

I love the way Austen described the people in her books. Realistic and simple. But the only way to enjoy that is to read her unabridged version books. Abridged and simplified ones sometimes kill my interest in reading (& maybe prevents me from loving the book). That's what happened to me during Form 5. I read an abridged version of "Pride and Prejudice" that I borrowed from the school library. The story felt flat to me. I was kinda disappointed. Then I gave the book another chance two years ago - I borrowed the unabridged version from the public library - and... fell in love with the story (& Mr Darcy). It was amazing.


Anyway. Back to "Emma". I've always love BFFs->Lovers stories (That's a spoiler BTW). I think that's why I chose this book.

(I would really want to recommend this book to you, Mel-chan... but the slowness of the story may scare you away. What's interesting? The resemblance of the characteristic of certain characters to real life people around us. Oh. And there's also certain events that...)

Dead link removed.

(Eve, YUI's new song "to Mother"!)
I have never seen YUI playing the piano before. But I love the MV.

..also removed.

"Can't Back Down" is really catchy. It's stuck in my head now.

~ Object-oriented Programming [7th/Final Day - May 3rd, 2010]

Final paper!

Left the exam hall with good feelings. Answered at least half of the questions.


Haha.

Let me embrace this freedom even if it's temporary.




First thing I want to do after that is get some sleep...

Sigh. Another exam paper tomorrow... & I don't feel like studying("cramming") anymore.

UPU results are out and my sister's... Not good. After piano class today, my parents had started talking about Form 6 for her. Curtin's foundation is just too.. pricey. Kinda hard to imagine my sister being in Form 6 though.

I love my Form 6 years. They seem to make up for what I'd missed in Form 4 & 5 (my black years)... F6 : happy moments. Not-so-happy moments. I remember some.. forgotten some already. But one thing that's keep getting back to me (even now) - my efforts. My almost non-existent efforts.

After I received my SPM result, I rejected every offer I got because I wanted to be in F6 so badly. So, so, so badly. Then I was happy when I finally got into a school that accepted my SPM result.... But in the end, my STPM results (plural, b'cos I took twice).. were also SO bad. What a shame.

Anyway. Have you ever heard about "Deep Procrastination"? I just read about this article today and I realize it's that kind of procrastination that I had in Form 6... and still have now. Bleh. Not that labeling the problem helps me to solve it. But that's the first important step I guess. This part rang true for me :

A student suffering from deep procrastination will delay important work to an excessive degree. He won’t start studying until late the night before or will delay paper writing until the sun is about the rise. After a while, he might begin to chronically miss deadlines, and find himself constantly negotiating with professors about extensions. (Source : Study Hacks)

I realized how serious this was when I was doing Ethics assignment last semester. And also for this semester (2nd), almost for all assignments... particularly Language and Communication's. I was aware of the datelines and all, but I couldn't make myself do anything to complete those assignments. Sometimes it seems like I don't care about them at all.

...
Break's over. Must find more info on this deep procrastination issue...

~ Ethnic Relations [3rd Day - Apr 28th, 2010]

I love knowing about history. Any kind of histories. But I do not like to study for it. I just love knowing.

Though, I must say... I think this subject is very interesting (more interesting than TITAS)... I even managed to read half the text book (which is good already if you're me) for the exam. It was an MCQ exam. The part about politics... I relied on my sometimes-no-good memory. I couldn't make myself read the other half. Haha...

~ French Language [4th Day - Apr 29th, 2010]

This exam reminded me of English language exams in primary school. Huh. If only I had cared to read more... I would have remembered more things.

It wasn't really that difficult.

~ Data Structure (Introduction) [4th Day - Apr 29th, 2010]

Same as the French exam.

Surprisingly easy. And yet... I couldn't answer 3 main questions.

I thought I was the only one who.. well... ready to "let go" of this. I thought everyone else studied like crazy. But I was wrong. One coursemate already said about "Let us all take this course together again".

Hmmm. On second thought.. I think he's just bluffing.

~ Language and Communication [5th Day - Apr 30th, 2010]

Interesting course, difficult MCQ exam questions.

I don't know why I think the final exam for this course doesn't matter much to the lecturer. The lecturer didn't seem care about notes & text books. It looks like the presentation is more important. Though... I can't be so sure about that.

Oh, well. What's done is done.