A short vocabulary lesson for Zenon

This's gonna be short today cos' I'm running a cold and I can't really afford to type that much cos' I'm feeling drowsy right now... This means that whoever needs me for something will have to hold on especially when I'm in the midst of moving to a classified location coming this next two weeks.

Well got back my testimonial and my CCA record yesterday... I'm generally satisfied with a nice C grade, cos' I think it's decent enough for PSC, even though I felt I could've maximised my ability in a better and more fruitful manner.

I really have to thank Mr Hasim for this. He wrote me a testimonial to the extent that there're certain words he used that I don't understand. One thing my peers fail to note about me is I've a poor vocabulary, being Chinese or English. And I seemed to be punished by this given those angry tags about the words I used to describe Indians. Also, I'm always punished in my SAT as well as in my GP compre where I get less than 2 marks for the vocab section. Anyway, a short vocabulary lesson for myself.... These are the words Mr Hasim used to describe me, with the meanings courtesy of the Cambridge International Dictionary of English. The examples are courtesy of Mr Hasim's impression of myself, and of courses testimonials, as one knows, are often overrated and overexaggerated appraisals of the factual aspects of a person.

1) acumen (n): skill in making correct decisons and judgments in a particular subject, such as business or politics. Eg: He [Zenon] displayed a lively interest in all his subjects and a sharp acumen for the correct analytical approach.

2) incisive (adj): expressing an idea or opinion clearly and persuasively. Eg: He [Zenon] can be relied to address historical questions in an incisive manner.

3) voracious (adj): very eager (for something, esp. a lot of food) (This word is used in a slightly literary manner) Eg: Zenon is a voracious reader...

4) succinctly (adv): clear and short; expressing what needs to be said without unnecessary words. Eg: ...he [Zenon] can marshal sophisticated and mature arguments succintly and persuasively.

5) myriad (n): a very large no. of. Eg: ...he [Zenon] exercised great initiative and volunteered in myriad activities. (Zenon's note: This is a 500% exaggeration)

6) idiosyncratic (adj): a particular strange or unusual habit, way of behaving or feature that someone or something has.

7) quirk (n): an unusual part of someone's personality or habit, or something that is strange and unexpected. Eg: ...Zenon is a colourful personality with idiosyncratic personal quirk. (Zenon's note: I've to admit this is a 100% fact. However, I think Wen Yuan deserves this description more than me.)

8) loquacious (adj, used in a formal tone): talking a lot. Eg: [Zenon is] A friendly and loquacious person... (Zenon's note: Another 100% fact)

Now you know why I've to thank (or perhaps, love) Mr Hasim for this. This is the most wonderful testimonial I've ever gotten in my life. And this means I'm going to have an interesting time in PSC's interview room... These interviewers are defintely going to tear me apart to find out my true self.... And this perhaps is a warning sign of the possible consequences of having a poor vocabulary power.

Well...that's all for now lest I get drowsy... but before that, let me answer your questions.....

Vasudha: You should've pointed out that 'Freudian slip' to me earlier on. Of course you'll deny you're bitchy but to each his own. Maybe I should now consider you as 'chatty', 'talkative' and 'eloquent'. And I'm not thinking about sex, you are. When ever since I've talked about sex in this blog?? And one last thing. My blog's objectives is to provoke the thoughts of my readers. And given your response, it shows that I've done my job. And hence, I've a good but accidental reason for being Freudian in my articles. I never plan Freudian slips, cos' it just happen because of the mindful reader like you. People like you give me the inspiration to blog. And one secret: I don't proof-read my posts. Once I type my last line I hit the 'publish' button.

Su Hui: Where ever since I've made sense? Please give examples... You're the first person to say this. Well... after the stressful A levels it is natural for one to cool down and take things easy and slowly, and hence processing one's thoughts in a more relaxed manner.

Qiong Hui: You're right in saying that there's no correct approach regarding morality issues in geography, but please don't call me myopic, and I did not mean to piss anyone off. Well, what I meant is, in the study of economics and geography (conincidentally your best and most favourite subjects), you're free to aruge over what you believe in, hence there's no right or wrong; but you still have to some 'facts' and some 'myths' in the end, that's why there's such a thing as 'evaluation', where you acknowledge the strengths/limitations of your case. This is very different to history where every single idiot will always 'twist' the 'facts' to their advantage, unlike geography and economics where 'theories', like the Malthusian and Keynesian Theories, have to be recognised as a yardstick even though you've the right to challenge it.

And to Shaanthanaa: I wonder how you found my blog, and I'm really surprised that you found your way here. I hope you're here for the purpose in which I hope it's not true.....

Bye now.... and arrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhh...............

AHHHH CHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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It's all over, but nobody knows what's next

Two hard years of struggle. Two hard years of misery. Two hard years of strong friendship and camarederie. Two hard years yearning for what we aim for. To the class of 2003-04, it's all over.

The battle has been fought, but victory or defeat, we know we've survived these two ardous years. While we await the outcome in three months' time, perhaps we may want to contemplate upon the 'emptiness' that now surrounds us following these two years. Two years of JC life is just like the clouds. The bright, white clouds complement the clear blue sky. In two minutes, the clouds just simply disappear into emptiness. But then, we know that the clouds will form again. And it'll disappear. Well, that's life. Life just passes through like a split second. And it just teaches us one thing: cherish your life as much as you can.

My last paper, the history s paper has ended just this afternoon. Everyone just didn't have the mood to have a good discussion about the paper following the exam. Why? The reason's obvious. It's all over. Everyone just wasn't really that forthcoming to debate over whether Bismarck or Marx had the greater influence in Europe, or whether the Cold War ended in 1962. Or perhaps, no one really bothers whether history repeats itself, or to consider the 'what-ifs'. Our two years is just like our own personal history, but no one bothers over the 'what-ifs'.

Perhaps I should ask myself the question "What if Zenon chose to go to a better JC than TJ." or "What if Zenon really has a biological twin." or whatever... But anyway, if you read a memoir (Where Mr Thompson always say it's self-serving), the writer doesn't bother to talk about 'what-ifs' or 'inevitabilities'. They simply cite their life and their reflections. That's all. Cos' it's all over! Nothing can change. Time can't be turned back. But anyway, Cambridge won't give you a good mark if you try to attempt a counterfactual question in such a 'simplisitc' (as what the examiners perceive) manner. Some say history repeats itself, while some beg to differ. Well... I feel that the bottomline is: We're our own history. We write our own history. We decide what our history should be. We behave in such a way that it makes us feel relevant in our history. This is why history is such a far-reaching subject, where's there really no one 'correct' approach to a historical event, compared to geography and economics where no matter how much you argue you still have to acknowledge some 'facts' and some 'myths'. In history, a 'fact' can be a 'myth' and a 'myth' can be a 'fact'. Are you confused now? Don't worry, I'm not going mad and certainly, MAD has not occurred. After all, MAD has never occurred throughout the Cold War as I hope MAD will forever be a 'myth'. Anyway, it's all over. Noone bothers about great power rivalries. Terrorism and economic rivalries become the new in-thing. There might even be a Third Cold War, perhaps between US and China or China and Japan.. who knows?

Anyway, it's all over. But our life's isn't over. It's only the twelve years of regimented school education that is over. Friendship has not been broken. Knowledge has not been broken. Character has not been broken. However, it is actually quite difficult to sustain Friendship, Knowledge and Character for a looong time. How are we going to sustain it? I don't know. I don't know the future. I would disagree with Orwell about this. (Orwell said in his novel 1984 that "Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.") Perhaps it's fated. It's fated by what we commonly know as karma. That's why our life's not over. There's still a long way to go I believe... Perhaps what we've studied for the past twelve years is merely the tip of the iceberg. Nobody knows.

I myself don't know what'll happen to me when I get my results in three months time. I myself don't even know if I'd survive NS in one piece. (and perhaps I should worry for my other male peers as well). I myself don't know if I'd get what I want. I myself don't know if I'd meet my friends in the future.

So what's the bottomline?

Life is uncertain. Life is impermanent. People always tell we must cherish life to the fullest. But how? I guess it all lies down to our perception, and also our own objectives. But one thing I know is, I've survived my teenage years. The university and adult still lingers ahead, and it means I still can't return to my hobbit hole. Perhaps we need to find our own Grey Havens, or perhaps go for another adventure. We're now at the crossroads and the choice is simply......unlimited.

A/N: Well this post was just a ranting from the author trying to unwind from the past two years of madness. Pardon him if you think the author is speaking out of his own mind... but do enjoy the post exam holidays.....

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A short note

It's almost two hours before my last A level paper (History S) and I'm just lazing around in the library.. perhaps I should write a longer post tonight or tomorrow about something, but anyway just a few words...

First of all my blog's content may be meant to provoke the thoughts of my readers but defintely I would not attempt to provoke racial or religious sentiments in my blog! That's a strict OB-marker. With regards to #singapore-indians' concern, the word 'bitchy' was meant to describe Vasudha's personality. No doubt non-indians can be bitchy but Vasudha's bitchy and chatty personality is well-coloured by the unique ability of Indians which is, Indians are able to speak very fast yet in a clear manner. That's a fact, and it's not discriminating. I may be Freudian in my posts, but I hope I make myself clear this time round. I'm sorry if I've offended any readers out here.

And huey woon just showed how ill-prepared I'm for history s... but anyway Mr Bala feels that the lesser you're prepared the better you can tackle the history s paper.. trend-spotting doesn't seem that obvious for history for many historians believe that "history never repeats itself"... but of course it's quite difficult to debate this...

and one more thing... The Amazing Race VI is really turning me off. Perhaps it's going to make me turn off the television. The endless quarells between Jonathan/Victoria; Lori/Bolo and Adam/Rebecca just make the race damn ugly. Even though some of you think it's entertainment, I think these three teams simply dampen the spirit of the race and it fails to show us how we should be if we were in their shoes. Even though the tasks and destinations are as usual, challenging, I think we've to put off with these three conflicting teams for a long time given their ability to survive elimination in future legs despite all the internal conflicts. One of them could even be in the final three. It's worse than Flo/Zach (from TAR3) and Tara/Wil (from TAR2)...But anyway, Gus/Hera; Don/Mary Jean and Hayden/Aaron are quite interesting and loving teams to watch out for.... we shall see what'll happen next week....

And I feel sad for Olinda... i may be an undecided voter but I think I shall vote for the one who does well on december 1.... I shall not say who I shall support, and I shall not say on what grounds I actually give the vote too... stay tuned...

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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
12:30

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

The 'emptiness' of the post A-levels

When something is over, it just leaves a 'blank' on your normal, routine and regimental life. Yep. That's the A levels. I still have one more paper (History S), but I just feel that suddenly, I just don't have a mind of my own. I'm just sitting here envisioning the 30th of Nov, the 6th of Dec and the 10 of Dec, and who knows when! (You guys should know what these dates mean to me) I just feel the 'emptiness' or 'shunyata' (as it's known in Sanskrit in Buddhism) right now. It's just like the Heart Sutra where there is a paragraph mentioning about the devoidness of the things and the world around us, as though everything's an illusion. This is more so when so many people read my blog, yet most don't bother to say a word, from the online perspective. On the other hand, I was whining to a close friend via SMS about how lonely I was. I just feel that all of the people around me that have been with me for the past two years have just 'dissolved into emptiness' or to quote Orwell's 1984 , 'vapoursied'! I guess some of my readers would think like me, as though I've 'vapourised' from their thoughts and their lifes. Well I really don't know how to continue....I'm not good in explaining such 'matters of the heart' anyway....

Speaking of yesterday's Maths S paper, I'm treading on thin ice. I don't know whether I'll get merit or unclassified. It really depends on how Cambridge moderates. I think I'll get around 35-50 marks, but it's quite an overestimation anyway. The only questions that I was most confident with were the three calculus questions. After all, calculus has always been my 'niche' topic, as my close peers would've known. As for the rest, I really don't know. I just crap, smoke, copy wherever I can. Well, it's still better than the prelims and last year's paper. And one more observation... anything that eluded Cambridge in the A level paper, will most likely not escape their eyes when they set the S paper...

Friday is History S... I was just reading Fukuyama's "End of History", and I ever wonder if Fukuyama should be called a 'historian'. Maybe Cambridge should set a question called "Should writers of history be called 'historians'?" Fukuyama tends to behave the way an economist or a pure scientist behaves. He loves trends, such as linking liberal democracy (or free-market economy) with progress, as well as linking communism (or the centrally-planned economy) with deterioration. I haven't finished reading the book, but I think what makes his book difficult to understand for the pure arts student is these trend-spotting and experimental style of Fukuyama's writing. Pure arts people like history or literature lovers love reason, but they don't see right or wrong. They don't really like trends. However, I think there's no such thing as 'pure arts'. The Humanities people prefer 'social science' as a more appealing and relevant title. Economists, Geographers, and perhaps, new-age historians like Fukuyama love to merge the experimental aspect of the sciences with the reasoning and inquiring aspect of the humanities. Well, even scientists have to reason like the humanities people in order to push their theories and 'laws' forward! It's just a surprise, already-existent observation that I happen to make when reading his book. And I just realise how we can really integrate the sciences with the humanities! That's the beauty of being a cross-faculty student, which is still a rare breed in Singapore. I shall say no more, and I'm going to continue on 'digesting' Fukuyama's 'deductions' from historical facts and 'experiments' that justifies his 'end of history'...

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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
12:25

Monday, November 22, 2004

More Updates about the A levels

Not much readers have responded to my recent article than I've expected. Perhaps it's because most TJCians, with the exception of Chem-Maths-Econs and Hist-Maths Econs; have not finished their A levels. Anyway, for the first time in my blogging I've to issue an erratum notice for my blog. Thanks Su Hui for pointing out the error.

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ERRATUM NOTICE

In the post "Updates" dated Friday, November 19 2004; Paragraph 6, lines 7-8, the sentence, "Well, Sabrina already has a boyfriend and I won't be a bad boy and go around stealing people's boyfriends..." should read as, "Well, Sabrina already has a boyfriend and I won't be a bad boy and go around stealing people's girlfriends...."

I'm very sorry for the error and I sincerely hope that my faithful readers do not get the wrong message.

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Anyway, to response to those who tagged:

Su Hui: I consider the "Chinese department" as those not just taking LEP, but also taking HC and AO CL. Hence, under my definitions, Min Dan and I are also members of the "Chinese department". Well, this term was coined by Min Dan, so if you wanna want her definition then go ask her for it.

Vasudha: You're contradicting yourself in your tag. At one hand you said that I've "ruined" your life but on the other hand you said that you were "touched". So what exactly do you feel? Anyway, I do not intend to ruin your life but to merely use these scandals as an example of your personality. And personally I think it's quite difficult to get back to your hole once you get out of it. I myself experienced that. When I left CCHS, I swore to stay in my "hobbit-hole" when I entered TJC, since I was rather "infamous" back in Chung Cheng. Unfortunately that was not to be thanks to my OGAs,Ls and my OG-mates.

Ashke (Fong Yee): Well....are you surprised? Anyway you deserve a place in my list. Ask your fellow bloggers to read my blog and find out what they feel.

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And now, the Zenon report on the Chemistry and Economics Papers.

Chemistry forecast: Low A / High B
Economics forecast: Low A / B

Forecast range: AAAA-ABBB

The Chemistry Paper would be quite interesting to speak of. You can read my short comments on the practical in my previous post entitled "A short note" dated Tues Nov 2 2004 (just scroll down till you see it), hence I shall focus on the theory papers. Papers 2 and 3 were considerably easy compared to our prelims, and I was just astonished about how simple some of the questions were! But anyway, easy questions always has its own traps, and sometimes if you really forgot what to write then you end up crapping. That's why I'm not so confident in scoring for Food Chemistry, and I think I'll get around 70/100 for Paper 3 giving allowance for shortcomings in other questions. Paper 2 was fine. Actually, I felt that this year's physical and inorganic chem was much easier than last year, while organic was harder. Well, the nylon question is where we've to crap, and my memory for mechanisms just faded away for nothing. However, the MCQs is the one where I'm fuming mad. It's harder than expected and it's gonna be the paper that decides who gets A and who doesn't. Got a couple of questions wrong, either through complacency or inefficiency. The ester mechanism, the polymer question are just one of the many questions that make us..... well I shall say no more about chemistry..

There's something similar with chemistry and economics, and that I believe the MCQs is going to be "swing" between the As and Bs. I hate MCQs, they always hold my grades hostage... the terms of trade, the opportunity cost, the automatic stabilizers and the traffic congestion questions were questions of contention to consider.. and 20% of the overall grade coming from MCQs (30qns), compared to 16% for Chemistry (40qns) is really alot. Anyway, for the first time in my life I've felt so good after the DRQ/CSQ paper. The DRQ was damned familiar (sugar DRQ last came out many years ago), and I hoped my diagram-explanations are plausible. What a sweet paper... Also, the CSQ was damned easy to understand compared to those 'chim' ones you get in TJC (or any other JC, anyway). It was defintely easier than last year's CSQ; and provided you know your current affairs about trade, it's easy for you to argue, smoke, crap (whatever you say) through. Hence, I think MCQs is going to be the 'swing' factor assuming the national cohort finds the Essay and DRQ/CSQ paper easy. As for the essay paper, I think it was fine since the same topics that I studied for the prelims appeared. I attempted the qns 1,3,6 and well I hope my knowledge about the singapore economy will help me sail my way through both 25m questions (1/6). However, how the Cambridge examiner is going to read my essay is another issue, though. My handwriting for economics essays and CSQ can be said to be ten times worse than for history. I shall keep my fingers crossed.....

It's a cool day... and my class people are celebrating the end of the A levels... but I'm still not done... Maths S tomorrow and History S this Friday.... wish me luck.... What a lonely day for me...

He waved at me, but I simply winked back. Looks like I no longer have the chance to really have a good chat with him.

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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
16:20

Saturday, November 20, 2004

The Ten Most Interesting TJCians I've ever met

I just happen to get the 'inspiration' to write this. Over the past two years, the graduating class of 2003/04 would've met peers who had made an impact on their personal lives, the college culture; that these people are worth a memory of when one leaves the college. Likewise, I've decided to write a short paragraph about these ten students whom I felt left a lasting memory in my two years. The arrangement of these ten people are not in any form of order of ranking. Likewise, if you feel that I've not described the person adequately (in any sense), or you feel that someone wasn't included in the ten, or that person doesn't deserve to be in the ten, by all means air your flames, praises and views in the comments tab rather than the tagbox which have limited characters.

The ten most interesting TJCians have been selected according to the following criteria:
(1) They must hold a major role in the college in any way (like CG, PDP, etc.)
(2) They must be well-known throughout the college community
(3) They must have the passion in what they stand for
(4) They're not from my alma mater, CCHS, for these group of people would've made an impact on me for 6 years in another way.
(5) They're unique in terms of character and personality
(6) And most importantly, they have shaped my two years in TJ to a significantly large extent.

(1) Tan Min Dan 33/03

The CG Rep of my own class, as well as the president of the CCC (Chinese Cultural Club). One thing that makes Min Dan a famous and unique person is her personality, and the way she airs her grievances and frustrations. Being a leader of a CG and a PDP, it is natural that she would complain about the problems facing her, being in the academic and the non-academic front. Her lingo is what makes her 'tick', such as the frequent use of the word "horrendous", 倒闭, 比念还要念, 魔沦 (a transliteration of the word 'moron'), 逼风, "you all are very naughty", and many more. That makes her a very entertaining person yet respected person. This is because Min Dan is someone whom you can trust. She's a very tolerant, fair, responsible; but more importantly a person who knows how to rally her peers forward in common causes. This is a very important trait given the "cosmopolitan" nature of 33/03, as well as having to manage such a large PDP such as the CCC. Min Dan was the very first person I knew from this class. She was from my Ohana I OG, and I saw the sincerity when she ran for the Ohana II Exco. She encouraged me to join her class in March, which I certainly did. In addition, given the "cosmopolitan" nature of the class, she knows how to bond the class together, but not forgetting her ventings such as "Chinese Department" being segregrated; as well as showing concern for Salmah and Jigar being ostracised by language. (Half of 33/03 are LEP students) In addition, I've seen her struggle academically amidst constant pressure from her teachers. She never gives up no matter what others say about her. (Mrs Chua views her as "playful" and "inattentive".) I've given her the help in Chemistry where possible (for she always messages me before any Chemistry exam), likewise we bonded very well, especially during the CCC production (Min Dan was the producer) and in the midst of examinations. Just as she was patient to me, I've tried my best to be patient to her. And this explains why I would consider Min Dan as one of the ten most interesting TJCians I've met.

(2) Christopher Tham 24/03

"Thammy", "Chrissy", you know who he is. I would personally consider Christopher as the mascot of the boisterous class, which houses the Delta House Captain (Tobias) and three HC members (Faith, Valerie, Kai Hung). When I first met Christopher in January 2003 (at that time we were known as 21/03), I knew this guy was someone interesting. And he was. He socialises well with everyone, and being unattached, he has a tendency to encourage or perpetuate relationships with his peers. However, I do question his advice because he's still single! He keeps on telling me to go for the girls whom I have an infatuation for even if they're already attached! He is someone who never feels sad, even if everyone cries on his shoulder. He knows how to make people happy and keep everyone's morale up with words of encouragement and strength. This is why I feel Christopher has a "Thammy of Happiness". And perhaps, this is the reason why Mrs Julianna Raj banishes him and his gang to the front for every Economics Lecture. He is a very talkative person indeed, and his words are... Well... I told Christopher that I'd freak out if he becomes a taxi driver or a journalist, cos' he likes to spread all sorts of interesting scandals and stories to everyone. He is also the one who puts me 'on the map'. Hence, this is why I regard Christopher as worthy of being in the top ten, for he is someone who really bring friendship to everyone at a higher level than anyone else.

(3) Vasudha Sirinavasan 32/03

The Indian whom I think doesn't behave like an Indian. Perhaps the only thing Indian about her is her "bitchiness". Being a high-profile speaker as well as the Debate President, she is in her own world. She is the woman who stands up for what she believes in (such as why we should use the word "fuck"), as well as influencing those around her on her thoughts. As her fellow exco-mate, I really respect her for her great deal of flexibility (something which I never possess), as well as her dedication to the debate juniors when they're case-setting for competitions. However, never try to link her with other people. She explodes when scandals do involve her. A very good example was the scandal between Jae Hee and her (they've never met, or worked together with), and I freaked out during the Delta House Function when Jae Hee's class kept on flashing the letter "V" much to her disgust. (Personally those people who started and spreaded the scandal deserve an Umbridge-style detention. They deserve it more than Harry Potter.) Also, when Megan (former debate president and coach) drew the picture "Whirlwind", featuring she kissing her vice-president Qiong Hui, similar reactions occured. Vasudha's personality indeed would've coloured my two years in TJ. A great friend to know and to socialise with, but of course a great challenge when we deal with 'intellectual stuff'. I respect her leadership and her firm stand on what she believes in. And this is why she deserves to be in the top ten of my list.

(4) Chiu Fong Yee 32/03

Otherwise known as "ashke", she is the most famous TJCian in the TJC Online Forums. She was the Forums Administrator, and hence she indeed would be well-known among the alumni, JC1s and JC2s. She was someone who was flexible, knowing how to make the forums a conducive and vibrant place for free speech. In addition, she recruited a number of forumers whom she felt would be useful to aid her in her efforts. That included myself, for I was the only non-IT club member to ever be a moderator (other than the SC moderator Wanni). She knew how to make everyone enjoy visiting the place, constantly revamping the forums to sustain the high level of activity. This can be clearly shown in sections like the "The Living Room." In addition, she knows what is best for the forums. When the JC1s were spamming and rambling in their own CG forums in the most indiscriminate manner, she refused suggestions by other moderators (like myself) to expel, lock threads or dictate a proper forum code to those people. Instead, she meted out a creative response which is to quickly recruit more JC1 moderators and also to turn off the post count in that section. That remedy proved successful and that made her well-respected among her fellow moderators. She is indeed a patient and fun-loving woman, showing great passion in Mass Dance, Manga and many more (check out her blog); and hence made by online presence in the Online Forums worthwhile. And given her great flexibility in being able to socialise well I consider her to be an impactful person both online and offline.

(5) Muhd Yazid 13/03

If I do not include the SC president in my list then the no. of flames in my blog may be innumerable. What makes Yazid worthy in my list isn't because he's simply the SC president. (and all the good things about him you can ramble about) What makes him enter my list is his unique personality that no one possesses. Take his interest in Latin, look at his GP essays, as well as his blog. Where else can you find someone so profound in the English Language? His insight into life-related issues like colour, emotions and so on make everyone saying 'whoa' about him, and his great level of eloquence, vitality and passion is something that no one can hold a candle to. He enjoys making friends with all, including me, as we enjoy sharing our views, grievances about our life with one another (as well as with his hockey gang which includes Jigar and Jeremy). He indeed has the potential to show his prowess wherever his goes, and his prowess indeed would've coloured my two years here. I will not forget his first magic tricks when he ran for the SC.

(6) Ivan Sei 26/03

Unfortunately, Ivan would've made it into my list for the wrong reason: Foul language. Actually, that makes him a very interesting person to meet and makes him very 'enjoyable' and 'lovable' in his own class. His vain yet imposing character would mean that everyone has no choice but to acknowledge that he's punky, cute, entertaining but more importantly a beautiful voice which at times is tainted with vulgarities. He indeed 'bangs', having made a successful imitation of William Hung's rendition of "She Bangs", and personally I think he can be in the same league as Desmond. What makes him even more interesting is his split personality. He's very nice, intimate and seductive to those whom he likes. A very good example is my best friend Justin (for Ivan likes to ask my CG mates for his whereabouts) that at one juncture both of them were suspected by my class as being homosexual. Another good example is the way he treats my twin brother Zheng Quan. However, I do not know enough to comment on this. On the other hand, he's gruff, crude and foul towards people whom he doesn't like. And I have the 'honour' of being in that category. He likes to shut me off (and on the other hand wants my face in his camera phone and also me having a picture together with Zheng Quan), and apparently, sexual and adult content seem to be his favourite topic. (I don't know why) I think I better shut up now and I believed I've made my point clear.

(7) Azri bin Zainuddin 16/03

"I feel naked without my guitar".. that's what he said on the day of the Farewell Concert. That passion for his guitar as well for his hockey stick makes him a household name in TJC, apart from his 'Silver Sound' R&R Band. Azri is someone who explores life in a very inquiring manner (check out his blog), for he constantly examines his triumphs and setbacks in a manner that no one ever does. He views life in a very relaxed manner, taking things one step at a time, for I ever wonder if he should be viewed by his peers as a role model for self-management minus the stress. However, he knows when to be serious, as clearly shown in his music as well as his hockey. In addition, I'm really glad to have known him as a friend (via Jigar) for he always provide a listening ear to everyone's frustrations. And I think I've not reciprocated enough to his great level of patience and sensitivity. When he wants to be focussed, he will. And I believe he'll do well in whatever he does in the near future.

(8) Ho Yi Jian 03/03

If I've to say something about the foreign scholars in TJ, I'd personally say that Yi Jian is the only one who really has a high level of awareness of the world around him, which I myself (and perhaps, PSC), makes a scholar tick. His strong will in his academics, PDP, as well as his opinions; is something that I feel is absent in many scholars in the college, especially the last factor. He appreciates the realities of the harsh and Darwinist world that we live in and he makes valued judgement and opinions in what should've been done, as well as his vision of the future. He has a strong sense of feeling for his home country, Malaysia, that I've the feeling that he'll could be the next Anwar Ibrahim or Lim Kit Siang. I enjoy having discussions and sharing with him my knowledge in history and politics; just as Lynnette appreciates his character by showing great empathy and understanding for his feelings. Even though he may show his frustrations, I believe that Yi Jian will succeed in whatever he does. In addition, I admire his bold expressions not just in his GP essays, but also his regret over being in the Science faculty. I believe that he'll find the true light in future as he seeks the gates of Oxford's PPE; and that he deserves to be in my list because of his great sensitivity to all sorts of views; as well as being open-minded, decisive and focussed. He is in a class of his own, the scholar of the scholars.

(9) Tan Wen Yuan 01/03

Many of my readers out here will question my decison here. I know many of you find him very eccentric because of his habits, but it is not fair to solely judge a person in such a negative way because his behaviour is considered 'abnormal'. What is so wrong about showing great interest in Mathematics, as well as his calculators? What is so wrong about memorising the Normal Distribution table? It's of his own will. His interests and dreams in what he yearns for even it's likely to be futile, is something worth commendable! If you guys out here make the effort to know him better, just as the FM students, the IT club members and myself have done so, he's isn't as weird as most of you think! He is someone who knows patience. He is someone who can be focussed when he wants to. In addition, he's quite an interesting person to be with regardless of your interests, views, and opinions. Even though he may not be so interested in the humanities, he makes a conscientious effort to connect himself with others as far as possible as well as learn how to socialise well with them. Those group of students who know him well will agree with me, and hence deserves a place in my list.

(10) Choo Zheng Quan 26/03

Some of you here, especially my CG mates, will view this choice as 'controversial'. Yes. I myself think so, but let me explain. How do you expect an only child, who often spends his time at home in solitude to react when he suddenly realises that he has a 'twin brother'? When I read Kee Liang's Friendster profile (Kee Liang and Kee Meng is one of the most famous twins in TJC, and are both JC1s), I quote him as 'identical twins need not be identical." Zheng Quan is indeed the opposite of me, and it's like a live example of History S Counterfactual History (or "what-ifs".) Look at Zheng Quan and look at me. He prefers speaking Chinese. He loves sports like rugby. Some of you say he looks more handsome than me. On the other hand, I do better academically than him, I'm not as fit as him, I'm very prominent and extroverted and so on. And this is the very reason why he's in my list. He's unique, I'm unique (as most of you people pointed out!) And he's not one to be pitied on (as my CG mates have repeatedly voiced). I think Zheng Quan gives me the real chance to do some self-reflection in the more detailed way, in terms of character and so on. On how the two of us can learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses. Well, the problem is, I've never got a genuine chance to have a real conversation with him before we all part our ways; and this explains why this 'conjugate' of mine deserves the final spot in the top ten because he makes me do a self-check on "what I should really be".

That's all for now. I now await your questions, praises, responses, flames and so on... And it has been a great pleasure knowing as many TJCians over this past few years... Good Night!

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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
01:15

Friday, November 19, 2004

Updates....

This post is really the hundredth. Stupid blogger tricked me, or whatever. I just felt that blogging in point (or numbered) form just doesn't suit me, so it's back to continuous though!

Most of my A level papers have ended, and well, given the high standards of the internal examinations, I should say that the A level papers would be much easier for the average TJCian, which includes myself. Well, my A levels only end on the 26th (1 more week!) but it's timely that I give a commentary on my own performance. Like the Os, I always give myself a projected range of the grades that I will get. For most of the subjects, it's as expected, and for a few, it's usually exceeds expectations. It's just like the US Media stations reporting the Presidential Election results as "Projected Electoral Vote" rather than just "Electoral Vote" cos' the official electoral vote is not known till the state's representatives meet up to officially ratify Bush as the elected president.

So... here's some of my projected grades:
GP: A2~B4 (too difficult to call)
Maths: Straight A
Chemistry: High B / Low A
History: High B / Low A
Economics: Too early to call (Paper 1/2 on Mon)

Actually I should just say 'too close to call', but I defintely won't have any 'Florida's or 'Ohio's anyway... here's my commentary on the Chemistry, History and Maths papers...

The History Paper would be viewed by TJCians, and perhaps by all the JCs as 'surprising' in terms of the Source-based questions. This is the compulsory question where everyone would quibble over in a more unhappy manner. This is where rude shockers and surprises come in, such as "Public Opinion and the Outbreak of World War I" and "The Use of the Veto by Permanent Members of the Security Council" in Paper 1 and 3 respectively. Actually, it wasn't as that bad as it is, for when you're given something unfamiliar you actually can bring in cross-referencing as well as contextual knowledge to argue your way through. The Paper 1 Source-based actually had sources that were weak in supporting and challenging the hypothesis which means that actually, it makes it damn easy to hit L6 either with a redefined hypothesis or a good conclusion about the sources. As for Paper 3, the sources were interesting and wasn't that bad as Paper 1.

Going into the essay questions, I was quite concerned about the 'plain' nature of the Paper 1 questions like "Why, How, Assess" and so on. This warrant such a question as being able to score (or regurgitate) but difficult to get an A grade for it. As for Paper 3, the questions were fine where they gave us great room to argue our cases out. In addition, Mr Bala's simple advice of "studying and discussing in phases" proved useful. Hope I do well this time round. By the way, Mr Bala just gave me a new nickname! It's no longer Rambo but it's now "Zenon Bond"! Mr Bala thinks that my looks will deceive many people, making myself fit to be a spy or an intelligence officer. Well then should I join the SAF intelligence unit? I don't know.. In addition, he calls Sabrina "Bond girl", as though she's my girlfriend... Well, Sabrina already has a boyfriend and I won't be a bad boy and go around stealing people's boyfriends.... Christopher Tham keeps on telling me to chase some particular girls in TJ, but he himself is still single, that I doubt his advice anyway! I shall not comment further on this.

Maths was okay as well... I would say that despite certain questions that I couldn't do, I'm very confident of an A. I found Paper 1 easier than Paper 2. Q5 was freaky, and so was the vector qn which was actually a rectangle/square. I threw away about 15 marks in all, especially when I wrote 'rhombus'... Anyway, at least I wasn't tricked like several TJCians who mistaken f'(x) as f-1(x).... Paper 2 was considerably harder, especially the 1st question. The Victorians would be laughing their heads off over the triangle question while everyone will crap about it. Also, the permutations question was quite tough. Statistics wasn't that pleasant as well... especially Q27, which explains why most FM students escaped by doing the simplified Applied Maths section. Apart from 'tikaming' Q27 (which I think I got the wrong answer. The whole of 33/03 couldn't do the question), at least I got the hypothesis testing right! However, Blitzkrieg isn't a good examination strategy. After completing both papers in 2 hrs, I turned to my horror to correct several careless mistakes as well as improving my presentation.... But on the whole... it's fine... (And I have to worry about next tue's Maths S...)

I shall not talk about Chemistry till next week cos' I want to get my qn paper back for today's MCQ paper.... so to be continued...

P/S: The Amazing Race 6 is back! I may write something about it, especially when the teams this season are more interesting than the previous season... so stay tuned...

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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
19:50

Sunday, November 07, 2004

The Hundredth

This post today marks the hundredth post of Draco Dormiens! Well this blog has not reached its one-year anniversary (ie. the 30th of November) but I'm glad that I made it that far in blogging as a hobby! I know this post is written in the midst of the A levels but anyway I still feel that this blog needs a bit of activity.... So I shall write 100 long sentences/paragraphs to mark the first anniversary of this blog in intervals till the 30th of November. However I shall with only a few. The remainder will appear sooner or later till the 30th of November. So here's it....

On Draco Dormiens:
(1) This blog wouldn't go so far if not for my avid readers who have responded enthusiastically either through questions, flames, appraisals and so on.... You know who you are.

(2) My blog is meant to provoke. And if a few readers have reacted so emotionally when talking to me about it or responding to it in my blog then I've succeeded.

(3) I suggest that you guys out here read my archives if you do have the time. It'll make you know what I am in the midst of what many complained about 'too much current affairs'.

(4) I know when to be serious or crappy or lame (or whatever you think) in this blog. But beware. I may soon go mad when I enter Tekong and when I have the opportunity to blog.

(5) The name of this blog, as well as my interest in the Simpsons, is for you to find out more about me.

On the GP Paper last Thurs:
(6) For the first time in Zenon history he could not finish his application on time. Perhaps I either read or wrote too slowly, or perhaps I was bogged by the summary (was trying to expand it). Nevertheless still managed to get a balanced argument on time.

(7) Chose an unlikely (what my peers think of my choice of questions) yet common topic. The MNCs one. I know my line of argument is sound but I sort of devoted 70% of the essay to economic factors/growth, and the rest obviously to non-economic (ie. social like sports). Now I don't even know if writing this way will not get me high among the rest.

(8) For my concerned readers and teachers, I can assure you that I wrote very clearly and slowly. (Perhaps it caused me to run out of time for the compre) As I quote Mr Bala, "If you can get through the Os with 6 points, I don't see how you can't get through the As with 4 As." Thanks for the encouragement!

(9) The nastiest GP compres are always about ethics and psychological-related stuff. That went the same for this year's "Choice" and "Destiny" compre. Hoped everyone found it okay and I hope we all have the confidence to get through this passage. Personally, I was stumped at first sight but actually the passages were quite clear in its arguments. It's always the hidden thoughts of the author that send us 'bonkers'. And that's what the GP compre meant's to be!

(10) Well we're one paper down. Hope everyone can get their desired GP grade. You know what I want and I know what you want. Well at least for sure I know that I did not attempt the wrong essay question. The other questions which were my speciality (ie. politics and environment), were in my own view, very difficult to argue a convincing, balanced case while the MNCs question gave me great room for me to do so.

To be continued soon with On the Chemistry and History papers and On the US presidential elections....

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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
14:50

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

A short note

This blog cannot afford to collect too much dust... too long a hiatus would mean.....(dunno what to say). Anyway, just a short note...

Good luck to everyone! Yes, GP is this Thursday, and I'm sure we shall embrace the A levels with the utmost confidence. Actually, I still feel as ill-prepared as I was before the prelims, but there's still time. Sometimes I really have no mood to study. Sometimes the notes put me to sleep. It's just overwhelming, especially history when all the readings and essay plans suddenly pile up right up in front of nose. Well, Mr Bala said we've done "too little within too much time", even though I thought likewise. A cause of worry now. And everyone's clearing their doubts as urgent as possible...

Last week's Chemistry practical was fine.. Given TJ's rigorous training in Chemistry practicals, I found the practical quite easy.... but the flipside is, easy stuff always comes with the booby traps of carelessness. Though I narrowly finished the paper on time, I still had some mistakes.... for example I got one anion wrong (the pink solid was a carbonate but I mistakened it for sulphite, so that's about 5-6 marks if you count in the obeservations, deductions and conclusions.) The titration was mind-boggling especially when considering reactant volumes. The kinetics question was very straightforward and guided till the determination of the order of reaction. If only our theory questions was like that practical then we won't have to worry so much... The last question being the gravimetrics question was interesting. However I do hear of our friends not being able to finish the paper, getting mole ratios wrong and debating over whether the colourless solution for QA was sulphite or sulphate (the correct answer is sulphite).

One last thing.... I'm leaving for Tekong on the 10th of December (Fri). This follows the Grad Nite on Monday the sixth. Well, who ask myself to screw up NAPFA? This is the punishment I get. I'll be stuck at BMTC II for the next couple of months, and get to miss my CG mates cos' they couldn't book an early date to have their BBQ for me. I'll be confined while they're enjoying themselves... Anyway, two contrasting interpretations for myself to consider, the optimist and pessimist view. The optimist view is perpetuated by OCTs (when I attend tea sessions) saying that given the gradual nature of training, and that PTP enlistees tend to be fitter than their mates who enter later. Also they have a smoother transition in adapting to military life. On the other hand, the pessimist view perpetuated by my close friends say that PTIs/SGTs are always sadistic and they apparently like to pick on people who have a high-pitched voice like myself. One is worried that my outspoken personality might.....

Personally, I don't really believe the optimist side now.... I just find those ppl crappy, and perhaps I should just stay positive and see how it goes. I'm expecting the pessimist school of thought to be the ultimate reality, and the optimist school of thought to be nothing else but a facade. After all, SAF = "Serve and F*** off". I've no grand designs in the military world. All my grand designs are solely civilian in nature. Anyway, I really dunno what to expect... I do worry, and so do my family and peers....

That's all for now. Back to revision, and 'll return when I feel the need to. And to Seng Chuan: Please get Mr Yue's posting right. Being a chemistry teacher he won't be posted to where you've mentioned.

And one more thing, it's polling day in the US. I'm rooting for Kerry. And if I've the time, I'll write something about the results when I'm free...

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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
21:25