Today is Arashi's 12th anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!

*Actually I've always thought it's Sept 16th because of the time difference between Hawaii & Japan... hmmm*

-----Posted via Blogaway

Can't register for any subjects... have to wait until Sept 15th. (>_<)

Mixed feelings.

大丈夫かな？。。。

-----Posted via Blogaway

*I miss this place so much…* Wow, my last “at random” post was in May 2010!

Oh.

I’m kind of glad listing my resolutions like how they did in “Arashi no Shukudai-kun”… they become more reachable & doable. I ACTUALLY make the efforts to identify any problems I have and ACTUALLY thinking of how to solve them. Better yet, I ACTUALLY do most of the solutions I’ve thought of. Though, honestly, I’m not satisfied yet…but this is a good start, isn’t it?

Recent life is “frequently” Arashified. Like having blue as my new favourite colour. Like having that interest in learning japanese return once again. Okay, this one is quite serious. I’ve lost complete interest in studying French language. For this semester (the 4th semester), I’m taking the final class (3rd level) of French… & I am not as excited as before. It’s more like “Let’s get this done quickly so that I can go home” every time I go to language class. No enthusiasm at all. But… partly might be because I have to attend the class at night… hmm. Maybe not that. Anyway..continue – Like stop watching TV. Ah~ This Arashi effect surprised me. I used to like to watch TV (even listed it as one of my hobbies), but now… I don’t bother much ‘cos… I have plenty of Arashi TV shows and Ohno doramas to watch. I don’t know if it’s for the better or worse, but that’s just how it is now. (Sabishii sou da ne… What a lonely life I have.. haha).

New semester ka? I didn’t blog much about the previous semester. Honestly, it was horrible. Man… I say that for every semester but the 3rd one was really, truly horrible…especially the ending (results). And here comes another Arashi effect. Like having Ohno-san’s kind of patience and my-pace-iness. This is obvious, I think. I’ve always struggle with these thoughts :

I try to assure myself that everyone is unique thus they have their own unique ways of teaching themselves. Instead, most of the time, I try to comfort myself that I am me, their unique ways don’t work for me & I don’t have to worry if I learn from a different route. And it’s not easy. It’s still hard now because I keep seeing how my methods don’t give out results as good as those “gifted-in-memorising” students. (Oct 15th, 2010 post)

Ohno Satoshi is a living proof of my method [assumed]. So I shouldn’t give up on it. *starts to stare into space* ---

Erm. Next one. Like having blind confidence. This one is quite insane. Watching Arashi in “VS Arashi” (where they compete with guests in several sport-ish games. Hah. Sorry to bother you with this fangirl fact) made me realise that ‘blind confidence’ is quite useful (though I think most of them are feints really). I called this insane because I can’t really explain why and how it helps to have blind confidence. Anyway…

Have to let this out here. I have a coursemate (a close friend) that I think is still angry with me because of my irresponsibility (arguable) in the previous semester. We are still friends, still talk and exchange a few jokes with each other… but there exists an unspoken distance between us. I am quite relieved actually (which is bad, I guess?)  because she often got on my nerves last semester (didn’t happen much in my first year). I did reflect on that mistake (which wasn’t entirely my fault) but at the same time I welcome this “distance”. Why do I sound so evil in this paragraph…? Oh, well. Whatever. *attempts an evil smile but eventually fails*

I’m glad I purchased this last month. It’s now “…temporarily not for sale” on YesAsia. Sigh. The power of first press edition/limited edition~

// Semester 2's Exam Result //
Sigh.

Semester 2's result came out yesterday.

Mathematics II - D
Statistical Package Programming - B-
Data Structure (Introduction) - D+
Object-oriented Programming - C+
--------------
Ethnic Relations - A-
French Language (Level 1) - A-
Language and Communication - A

To be honest, it was terrible. My GPA for Semester 1 was 2.8. Those two Ds dragged it down to 2.66.

I'm NOT proud, okay?

Anyway. What's done is done. I would have to re-take that two courses again in Semester 4. That's how I'll handle this.

On a side note : I'm very surprised to see an A for "Language & Communication" - The course with a lecturer that won't always want to give you an A. My initial reaction was of course I'm happy! But I started thinking that maybe the lecturer was only bluffing since the beginning. If this is true, there must be a lot of others who also got an A. Cheh. That's none of my business. Just be grateful for the A, right?

// Piano Practical Exam (Grade 2) //
I'd been fidgety since June started because I thought I didn't prepare enough for last Wednesday's ABRSM G2 piano practical exam. It's my second. The examiner was Timothy Goulter. I think it went well despite some [& hopefully small] mistakes. I didn't misheard him (like last time) but still managed to play broken chords [wrongly] as arpeggios. Fortunately, he gave me another chance to play it right. And then I missed one raised note.

Scales etc part done. Then it was the three pieces section. Little mistakes here & there again but not as bad as previous exam's. Did I conveyed the songs' moods & dynamics correctly? I don't know.

The next part was sight-reading. I was fortunate. I got a slow (andante - actually moderately slow) piece in G Major (one sharp) not any Majors/Minors with plenty of flats in it.

Last part. Aural section. Worst part ever. I only enjoyed the singing part (called "echo")... the rest... I can't recall what I answered but I'm convinced that mostly were wrong. The principal of my music school was at the waiting room too to give moral support to her students. I must had had a really terrified look as I returned to the room (haha).. She told me that the aural part is only a small part of the exam (thus won't affect the overall marks significantly). The three pieces are the most important part. Which is true 'cos I read about someone on the ABRSM forum who failed the scales & sight-reading parts but still passed the exam with merit.

Sigh. I won't be taking the practical exam next year (commencing of 3rd year). I haven't told my teacher yet though. Anyway. Hopefully I could reach Grade 4 level during this 'exam break' (I wish to skip G3's exam).

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!!!

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...]

~ 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...

~ 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.

~ Mathematics II [1st Day - Apr 21st, 2010]

(This is a "sequel" course to Mathematics I. Well, obviously.)

Didn't study enough.

So... yeah.

I am ready to meet you again, Maths 2.

After I returned home, what bothered me wasn't how badly I answered the paper... but a realization that hit me during the exam. A blast from the past. Find it. Or better - don't find it.

~ Statistical Package Programming [2nd Day - Apr 23rd, 2010]

Okay... wasn't really smooth-sailing, but at least I managed to answer all questions.. There were several incomplete answers though.

"Language and Communication" class was pretty interesting today (language and culture bias)... but I think I'm a little scared now. Okay... aiming A is out of question ("killer lecturer") but I don't want to get a C! I dunno how to do well for this course other than attending lectures and do the assignments.. She told us there's no need for reference books.

I'm a little lost.


Finally met our "Object-oriented Programming" lecturer today after 3 weeks of absence. Huh. This is a potential favourite course... Hehe. The lecturer have a quite impressive tertiary education background... Hopefully I wasn't hearing what he said wrongly 'cos I was sleepy all afternoon. -_- I almost doze off in the middle of the lecture (& I sat in front!). *Must get enough sleep today.* He asked for our C Language Programming's grades last semester. Most of us got C or below. He said "Good." Baffled reactions. "You are supposed to get C..." ('cos it's C Programming, get it?). I only realised it was meant as a joke after 5 seconds. Lol. Anyway. He's going to teach us C++ language so now we should get B or A for his course. Hmmm. If I wasn't sleepy, maybe I would have appreciate his jokes more.

He thought the whole students in the class were from the same course with me (Maths with CG). He was confident that we'll nail it eventually because we study Mathematics and CG. When someone told him that there were Maths with Economics students too, he went "Uh-oh. Problems." Then he realised they were 2/3 of the class. "Uh-oh. 2/3 will have more problems." Hmm. Don't really know what he meant by that but so far there weren't many differences between what these two courses learn since last semester. For computer-related courses only maybe. We (my course) took "Digital Systems" last semester and now we're taking "Statistical Package Programming" a semester earlier than Econs students. Hmm...


Oh yeah. We had extra lecture from our seniors regarding the dinner. We totally deserved it. We were acting really rude and disobliging. No wonder they were upset. Huh. I decided to go anyway in the end. If it's postponed again to March, I won't consider going anymore 'cos I know March will be a very busy month. Anyway. This unplanned short meeting could've been avoided easily... *sigh* I almost miss my transport (Thanks dad for waiting!) - I can't bear to wait for 2-3 more hours at the bus stand - and my mum's wrath... fortunately she understood the senior-junior situation.


Still so sleepy now...

Have you seen my 2000th tweet?

Oh yes. I will always blog about it. It's an accomplishment - to be able to stay on Twitter and tweeted that lot - without pushing updates from facebook (though I'm guilty for pushing my Blog & Tumblr updates to Twitter... & I'm NOT on facebook!)

===

Today a potential personal favourite lecturer lost his "potential". Smokers are never in my good book. It's a pity really. (Take this from someone who's very prejudice towards smoke and smokers)

"Ethnic Relations" is history (again). Sadly enjoyable. Then why couldn't I enjoy "Islam and Asian Civilization" last semester? Hmmm. Lecturer factor? Or is it because the course is anthropologish? (My other course "Language and Communication" is anthropologish too). Hmmm. Maybe because of both.

===

Monday always makes me unhappy... but today it's quite tolerable.


My "Language and Communication" class started today (after no classes for 2 weeks).

It was an eye-opener. (or more like a brain-opener... =P)

So that's how a "killer lecturer" (don't-harbour-any-hopes-of-getting-A-from-me type) looks like. Though she sounds frightening, I think I'm going to stay. She's the kind of lecturer I think usually only exists overseas (not that I've seen one overseas). She told us that she flunk all her students last semester (dunno if it's only one class session or ALL). Sounds very "killer", huh?

Anyway. The class went like this. No text books required. You have to think, observe and talk. Off-the-record discussions. No filters (& hopefully no cameras) present. I might even be in danger because I blogged this. Okay, maybe my grades are in danger. All the same...

Wow.

Been coughing like crazy since morning... I think I've caught the flu (it's flu season at my university). Feeling feverish now after French class.


Oh!! The class! Most of the students in my class are Chinese students (like being in 5 Science 1 again). One of them is the person I had confrontation with last semester (Ethics group). I really didn't see that coming. When I saw her walking towards the classroom, I went "Oh, no, no, no..." and it became clear that we're coursemates again when she asked what class I'm taking..bla bla bla.. "Oh, me too." Bummer.

My wish to learn the language surpasses the must-avoid-exgroup-members thoughts so there's no way I'm switching courses. I'm there to learn. It has nothing to do with her.

"Let it go already." Easy to remind myself that... but whenever I see them again I will forget that I'm letting it go. For sure, there's almost no chance for reconciliation 'cos I don't wish it. (& there I go again.) Urgh. Whatever.

Back to the class, the pronunciations were pretty hard but that's maybe because I'm new to this. I'd read a bit my brother's Russian dictionary before & I think Russian's more difficult. Hehe. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking like Fran (there are pronunciations that require you to sound nasal).

One out of three classes started today, at 2nd week of Semester 2! *speechless*

Actually, I’m eager to start Semester 2 because I have prepared several ideas to help me manage myself. Some ideas were thought of in the past but were always rejected because they sounded ridiculous. But now, I’ll just try/experiment with whatever ideas that could work (even weird ones). I also found many useful tips from a book I borrowed from the state library.

But it won’t be easy. The old challenges from previous semester will come and haunt me again. Like today. I was all joy in the morning as my first class of this semester [finally] started. Then I went to my second class which was cancelled. Then I headed to my third class of the day, & that was cancelled too.

Half of my day today wasted just like that.

Funny how that made me feel so exhausted as if I had classes all day long. When I was tired, I got cranky and all these negative thoughts came to mind. Angry thoughts. I-have-no-confidence thoughts. Urgh.

I don’t remember the last time I’m this happy to see the new year, 2010. Haha… It must have something to do with yesterday – my Semester 1’s exam result! Finally out!

Wanna know what grades I got for each course?

I was expecting a number lower than 3 (or worst, 2) based on my month-ago exam days but 3.08 surprised me! Yeah, I know it’s not the best… but coming from someone with low expectations and almost no effort studying, you must agree with me that’s astonishing, right?

edit Jan 1st, 2009 : It seems that they miscalculated our GPAs. Bummer. They missed taking 2 credit hours in account... so mine came down to 2.8. :|

Somehow... I can see a 4.0 isn't that impossible anymore...

Semester 2 started today.

I was expecting something like having classes start straight away  (No introduction week)… Today, I was supposed to have 3 classes. I already have some phrases I tell myself to prepare for this second semester. One of it is : “Expect unexpected things to happen.” [Learned lessons the hard way in Semester 1). Unexpected things are assignments to be done this semester, extra classes (tutorial/lab), things like that… What I didn’t expect was…

The cancellation of classes on the first day of the semester.

*sigh* It seems to be an expected, predictable event though (among those living in dorms). I may be taking the 100% attendance too seriously, huh… It’s the end of the year! People want to enjoy the remaining days of 2009, duh!

Okay. Maybe there’s other reasons but yeah, I can see why it’s not time to have classes.

*cough* oh. I think I’m going to be sick for tomorrow. Maybe sick for the entire week. =P

 

===

I saw this quiz from another Sabahan's blog.

Erm, the 1st part is totally wrong.

Part 2 is mostly right.

Okay, I dunno about the 3rd part. I do like to joke around people I don’t know well… but I can also be serious (not smiling, doesn’t seem want to talk) around them. People I’m close to? I think it depends on the mood (whether we’re fighting, sharing a joke) and also the topic of our conversation.. To those who know me : What do you think?

Oh! I believe Part 4 is always right. I try to be honest where possible but I don’t reveal too much about myself at the same time.

Big solid YES to the 5th part!!!

 

Wanna try the quiz? Go here!

You Want to Impress Strangers

You want strangers to think you're attractive. You want to be seen as gorgeous and sexy. You want your friends and family members to think you're smart. You like been seen as insightful and wise. You are at your most playful when you are around people you don't know well. You're more serious around those you're close to. You let strangers see parts of you right away, but you believe in keeping some things private. You don't become close to many people. You only let people you've gotten to know very well in.