Theory exam in 5 days, Chinese Os in 9.
That is freaking near..

Regarding the 3 main activities (in my previous post) which I've been occupying myself with for these few days, I'm sad to announce that #1 and #2 is safely out of the list.

#2 is quite straightforward, I simply stopped reading and I won't start until the end of 5th November.

#1 is the stupid one >< My Rubik's Cube got confiscated by my mum, and she darn serious about it. I probably won't see it again until the 5th.

reason?
I was doing theory with my hands today and cubing with my feet at the same time. So she got pissed and just confiscated it

=(

Anw, that might be a good thing because it helps me concentrate more on my utterly cmi theory and chinese

PS: Personal best for feet cubing 2:47 minutes!!
PS: Personal best for left hand cubing 39.9 seconds! =D

Woah a blog post!
That's kinda rare, considering the amount of time I can spend on the computer now.

My whole post-exam holiday and weekend has been revolved around 3 things:
1) Rubik's Cube
2) Books
3) Theory

1) Rubik's Cube
This stupid thing is driving me crazy again. No change in timings for both hands and right hand, my left hand is consistently under 1 minute now, and my feet can solve the cube consistently under 4 minutes already xD (provided I don't get a mental block for the OLL or PLL algorithms). Haha personal best of 3:17 for feet cubing ><

And I'm actually starting to get interested in blind cubing.. T.T if I actually start learning it, I don't know how much time I'm going to spend on it again..

2) Books
Yesterday night I was immersed in another 小说 until like 1AM. Today my sister went to the library and borrowed another 2 sets of 武侠小说，and one set actually had 6 books in it >< I'm not going to touch those books again after the 5th. Ugh they are highly addictive like the cube.

3) Theory
This takes up like most of my time these few days. Like 1 booklet comprises of 4 sets, thats 3 hours x 4, 12 hours, and 1 day is gone. And I take freaking long to do Qn #1!!!! Keep going thru the parts again and again to try and pick the best answer. My average time on Qn #1 is like 1 hour -.-

And my teacher is calling me back almost every day for extra lessons (for no extra charge wow). I think if I fail my theory exam again, I'm really going to cry.

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I'm just going to talk about random stuffs now. Whatever comes into my head, I'll type it down


I am going to a teacher soon xD

Today my teacher offered my a place in his music school and told me if there are any new beginner students who want to learn cello, I'm going to teach them. Actually he mentioned this a few times before already, and I agreed.

I was thinking about cute small little kids who I can interact with without much problem.

But today, there was this lady that expressed interest. O.O

She's like 18 or 19.
She's as tall as me (that's freaking tall for a girl omg)
She's quite pretty.
Her piano playing is super pro.

Dang, that's a totally different perception than the one I have. I remember Jon Shin brought up this term before "Talkofemaleonphonophobia"

Yeah I have a severe case of it man, like stage 4 final stage already. Talk on MSN? Can. Sms? Can. Talk on phone? I'm going to start stammering already. Face to face? Ugh you probably can't hear 90% of what I'm saying cos I'm mumbling due to nervousness.

I don't know whether I can be a good teacher. I hope I can be. Teaching music is what I want to do also next time. Like teaching MEP in school is quite cool =D

I need to go start learning how to play the guitar.

(As you can see, this blog post is quite random)

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As I look back on my archives, I remembered my resolutions for this year that I made in December last year. (You can go click it on the right)

1. Get into YO
I'm going to try apply at the end of the year, probably mid december or smth after I brush up a bit first)
2. Get a distinction for grade 8 cello
Accomplished =D
3. Get A1 for O-level chinese
10 more days, we shall see. A1 ftw!!!
4. Get a 3.7 GPA
Ugh quite impossible already. 3.69 is my very very best bet already, and even then, its impossible because my MEP cannot get 4.0.
5. Go below 20sec for 2 hand rubik's
I stopped cubing last nov/dec hols, and i stopped again this year like march till may. So now I'm still sub 25 seconds ><
6. Go below 30sec for 1 hand rubik's
Eh sub 35sec. Same reason as 5.
7. Own Arts at the Atrium performance. (I've already decided to do with Bryan, but I sure hope its pwnage)
Nah, we decided not to do the Jay Chou's "Secret" Piano battle in the end. I did my own Chopin Nocturne on the cello and its quite bad I think. 35/50. Aiyah can lah
8. Complete my piano dip atcl.
Postponed till next year April


Now for my own resolutions:
1) Conquer Talkofemaleonphonophobia
2) Conquer nervousness for all kinds of public speaking (if not PW confirm die)
3) Get Merit for grade 8 theory (pass quite happy liao, but merit better right?)
4) Get A1 for O-levels
5) Get Merit for ATCL piano (pass happy liao, but again must aim higher)
6) Get at least all B's for J1 promos (all As quite impossible, ok maybe I aim 2As 2Bs)

Ok this list is not final, I shall make a proper one at the start of year 2009.

And the first thing on my to-do-list now is to go have a haircut. (Its getting quite unkempt ><)

Thus ends this random post.

I hate holidays.

Now that exams are over, and there are no more projects, I have NO FREAKING EXCUSE to use the computer at all.

I hate holidays. For once, we don't have a random Chinese project that is due next year, but that totally deprives me of all my chances of using the computer for longer than 10 minutes without my mum breathing down my neck.

I still try to sneak online for like 20-30 minutes a day, but that's probably all.

I hate holidays

Yes! EOYs are over, that's one thing off my mind.

Actually I'm dreading the taking back of results, particularly for English, SS and especially Physics and MEP. Gosh I screwed up those 2 really big time.

Yesterday's MEP paper was freaking screwed up.
I should have guessed.
I should have known.
Actually I knew, but I wasn't sure.
It really seemed too obvious
Argh.
Dammit, MS GOH & MS SHEN, CAN YOU PEOPLE PLEASE HAVE MORE CREATIVITY AND NOT BE SO LAZY AS TO USE O-LEVEL PAPERS FOR EOYS!?!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dennis saw the answers before hand, I'm quite sure Barry did too, and I'm positive there are a lot more out there.

Grr.. I don't want to check, I know I probably lost like 20 marks already. And I'm tone deaf so I can't hear the notes and chords in the first question also. And I can't believed I mistook a guzheng for a pipa! T.T I was still trying to complete my question 2, so I just filled in that question at its first playing based on my first impression and I didn't bothered to check because the questions were so freaking easy!

Argh..

Hopefully the Stravinsky can help pull it up. Must maintain at least a 3.6!!! I'm super bleak about a 4.0 now, and there's never been a history of moderation in MEP before.

.............................................................................................

Anyway, we played soccer as a MEP class together for the last time in RI after the paper, and I busted my right ankle again. ><

Okay sorry, I know I'm a screwed-up person. After spraining that ankle, I just rested for like 10 minutes and RESUMED play after that. >< I didn't feel much pain; Im basically quite immune to ankle sprains already, even though I knew that this one was relatively worse the moment I felt that crack after Leonard's foot swung over.

Because my right foot couldn't function properly anymore, I tried using my left foot to shoot, but I soon realised that it was worse because that means that my right leg was left alone to support the weight of my body.. Gah, so I resumed using my right leg to shoot, and after squandering a few attempts, I scored a goal, and went to replace Samuel as keeper.

In one fateful day, I busted both my MEP paper and my ankle. ><

PS: My ankle is swelling quite abnormally now
PPS: After I reached home, I went cycling!?! ><
PPS: My current mode of movement around the house is either to hop on my left foot, or to sit in my computer chair and roll it around the room.

Slept at 11.15pm yesterday, and that's really early. I tried to mug a bit more, but my eyes were quite blurry and my nose kept running.

I can't believe I exhausted a whole tissue box.

My mum had to keep telling me to stop mugging, but I just had to keep going on. Still got so many things left to cover. But I finally gave way to her nags and went to sleep instead.

Woke up at 5:50 in the morning and the first thing I did was sneeze. Took my medication and went to school as normal. Hey look, I have NEVER ponned school a single time in my 11 years without a valid, solid reason. I've ponned morning assemblys, dmps, re congresses yes..

But never school
(and CCA for that matter, 400% attendance record, you try and beat that)

Fine, maybe I'm over reacting, but it still pisses me off when people pons school because of a flimsy excuse. Like how Zhaokai pons school every odd week wednesdays or other days (usually with PE) because he thinks the lessons are boring and pointless. So what if you have 4.0 GPA? At least I'm more committed than you.

I could have just gone to the polyclinic and get a stupid MC for today and pon also. Then at least I won't feel so screwed for my Chem, History, and Physics. But I still decided against that as it was against my morals (ok don't look surprised that I still got them).

Shall end my rants here.
Maybe I'm really overeacting, probably cos of pre-exam trauma. Dunno what's gotten over me. If you're really sick, then get well soon I guess. I'm still waiting to beat in at least one subject for eoys hmpf.

Its likely that you got sick due to soccer in the rain yesterday too. But if you really ponned to mug, then I really got nothing to say.

-------------------------------------------------- enuf said.

School today was just like any other day. Assembly was RE prize giving, and my group's RE project got a silver (surprise surprise). Jon Shin ponned school also, so during the RE prize giving I had to keep his trophy and certificate for him. (Hmm.. he always seem to be absent during all the major RE events.)

And another thing caught my eye..
Rohan was circulating this picture around the whole school. Lol

Source A:
A picture by Rohan on the RI-RJC merger

Haha History test tmrw. Evaluate this source for its reliabilty and purpose. ROFL.

Breakdown of Cello exam marks:
The examiner's writing is super cursive >< So words I cannot identify shall be in inverted commas like "this"

Pieces
C7) Shostakovich, Adagio and Springtime Waltz
Adagio - This was sensitive and expressive playing, but the intonation gave some cause for concern in some passages, especially at the top of the A string. However, this was confident and secure throughout in notes and rhythm.
Waltz - This was on the right lines with the "luting" tempo and variations in the articulation and sense of phrasing. Intonation more reliable, and there was much to enjoy in this confident performance.
26/30

B1) Beethoven, Sonata in D, Op. 102 No. 2
This had secure rhythmic impetus, and you were ready with some sensitive playing. The ensemble improved - try to let the tone sing and reach in the more expressive and "quieter" detail. The energy and vitality was understood, and mostly the passages were fluently negotiated.
27/30

A3) Sammartini, Sonata in G, 1st Movement
There were some pleasing phrases and lines here, varied in tone and widths. Some sensitive articulation. Just occasionally the intonation needed to be more reliable, in the cadenza particularly and perhaps there could have been rather more panache in the final phrase.
27/30

Scales
All keys were known and readily played. B harmonic minor not quite secure yet. The chromatic scales were stable. Double stops: C major mostly safe. A major lest reliable. F major reliable.
17/21 (Just as I saw)

Sight-reading
Music was in place - some slips moving clef but you maintained the flow and the playing was expressive
18/21

Aural
Mostly sure in A. One chord is correct. B - not always certain. C - Part of one modulation correct, one incorrect. D - Good
15/18

Total: 130/150
I am pleased you passed with Distinction, Hong Rui. Well Done. Best wishes for all your future music making.

Thanks (: Totally unexpected. I was super duper surprised I did so well in the first 2 pieces, and she said the ensemble was good in the second piece -.- Nevertheless, I'm still ecstatic =D

(Apparently MEP eoys was a total flop. It was the same score without the "1" in front -.-''' )

Hope I do equally well in my EOYs too =D 3.69 ftw!

Ok..
Chinese was over last term.
English and SS was over on Friday
Praying very hard that I can maintain my 3.6 for all three subjects.
My Chinese grades dropped like share prices in Europe.
My English CA took quite a big toll too.
SS eoy paper was screwed to the end of the world.

Its okay, I shall look ahead.
Reach for the stars, then if you fall, at least you land on the clouds.
Landing on the ground sucks man, its really painful.
Lets look at the remain papers:

[History]
My morale was boosted quite a bit when I got 17/20 for the CCP/KMT essay. Really studied quite hard for it. Slept at 1am that morning if I remember correctly, trying hard to link all the different factors together and remember the examples. Haiz, but I didn't had enough time to elaborate more if not I could have gotten 19/20 like Yuda.

I must work hard for this paper! CA now should be a bare 70%. 4.0 is still possible if I get 14/15 for both essays, which means that I must hit L6 or at least an L5 both ways.

28/30. Its possible. I can do it. Jiayou =D

[Chemistry]
Argh okay this is the subject which I have the highest CA currently, but I'm like the most worried about. Mr. Chong said that the paper is quite difficult, but hopefully I can maintain my 4.0. Basically my only teacher this year has been my Chemistry textbook, I really cannot understand 99% of the things Chong Han Guang says in class.

60/80. I can do it. Thats the same mark as my last year

[Physics]
My CA is currently a low 72%. Physics is actually a super straight-forward subject and its a bit like math, just that you reduce the practising part by a bit and up the mugging part.

4.0. 73/80. I can do it.
Last year i got 53 T.T Its time to stop giving chance ><

[Math]
Ok sorry Ms Peh. I know you're a good teacher, but I'm a bad student. I wondered how many times you have caught me playing my handphone in my pencil box/under the table (things like one handed cubing under the table and reading 小说 are more furtive hehe). I really regretted my actions, and if I could start the year again (nonono i don't want to retain), I definitely won't do this anymore (but fact remains that your lessons are boring =P)

CA stands at a pathetic 59%. 4.0 is officially out of my reach. And I have to work really really hard to get my 3.6.

86.5/100 for Math to get a 3.6. In my opinion, this is harder than 28/30 for History. But still, its possible and I can do it. I need all my lucky stars to be shining on me on that day may Buddha bless me =D (K sorry, I'm a very undevout Bhuddist and only prays during exams.)

[MEP]
After a 4-year record low of 30/50 for my EOY practical (like Dow Jones Index), my MEP CA dropped from a 79% to a 75%.

But still, this is the subject which I really want my 4.0 in!

87/100 for written EOY paper. Yes! I can do it!

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IF all turns well. This could just be my GPA:

(Chinese 3.6 + Eng 3.6 + SS 3.6 + History 4.0 + Chem 4.0 + Physics 4.0 + Math (2)3.6 + MEP 4.0)/9
= 3.78

=D

Then Dennis would probably get his 3.8+ and kudos to him. But really, if I land on the clouds and get my 3.69, I would really be over the moon.

Good luck to everyone out there who are taking their exams too! May your PSLE/GPA grades rise like Oil prices 2 months ago and your MSGs and O-level points drop like share prices today.

JIAYOU! <3

To my irritating, annoying, maddening, troublesome, whacky but nevertheless dear brother, HongKai (if you ever read this of course)

HAPPY 14TH! =D

Here's wishing you the best of luck in your recently concluded exams, and all your future endeavours! =D

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enough said. xD

I broke my rubik's cube pact.

Was suffering from serious withdrawal yesterday >.< and so I started taking out the cube and play. Ended up that I became addicted again and wasted like 2-3hours on it.

It doesn't make me feel good that my 2 hands timing has improved to <25 seconds.

Anyway, today I got back my MEP CA marks.
Basically for my EOY prac like 2 weeks ago, I got a pathetic score of 30/50.
And I didn't submit one of the Atrium reviews, so I lost a whole 10% there.

So now my MEP CA overall for the 3 PRs got pulled down from 79% to 75%. Dennis confirm get higher than me T.T Scrape 80% would be my bet.

Ok, so for my EOYs, I need to score 87.5% to get my 4.0

I can do it. I must do it. I will do it. I CAN DO IT.

And its time to dump that cube away again.

Argh I’m freaking pissed now.

Just came back from cello lesson, it was my first lesson since my cello exam ended. And 2 things that my cello teacher said really hurt me quite deeply.

“You sure you got 130? Not 103? Check again, go check again and let me know.”

“You want to play the cello? Can. You want to continue? Can. You want to go professional? You want music as a career? Forget it lah, you cannot make it. Trust me, seriously.”

Aaarrrggghhh!

After 4 years of playing the cello since sec 1, I feel that the only thing that I’ve learnt was sight-reading. I know I need to correct my finger and arm postures for BOTH my right hand and left hand, and yes I know I can do it.

Dammit, I SWEAR after my O-levels, I’m going to practice the cello AT LEAST 3-4 HOURS every day. Start from scratch. Play 1 hour of open strings if I need to. Spam 3 hours of Etudes over and over again. Yes I know I suck (its partly due to you also ><), but I’m super determined to improve and become a better cellist.

I’m going to take MEP in JC and continue music as long as I can and one day I’m going to sit in the same orchestra as you and be your section leader.

I can do it.

Just finished dinner and like around 2 hours of Chem.

Somehow I can always find time to slack.

1 month ago, I set aside 4 days each for every subject. I’m now 7 days from the first EOY paper, and haven’t completed half my mugging yet T.T

I really admire those people with self-control, like they say they must complete this assignment before they go to sleep tonight and they do it. I totally phail at that. If I tell myself to revise 3 topics, I usually end up with only 2 or frequently 1 (or even less T.T).

And the day my EOYs start is the day my brother’s one end. Looks like I need to start getting out of the house to mug. (Cos he will probably be blasting his flute away in an attempt to distract and disturb me)

On a random note, MEP higher performance component was quite a flop today. Played Mozart Adagio in B minor and Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 3, but in a bid to express myself more (like close my eyes and emo O.O), the accuracy of the notes was quite cham.

Argh damn it, I need to learn how to counter stage fright. At home, I can usually play everything quite well and smoothly, but when I’m under pressure, I’ll screw up. Same applies to my public speaking and exams in big halls T.T


I won’t be declaring hiatus like many of my friends who already have out there. 80% of the time it doesn’t seem to work does it? (I think so far only Charles and Willette kept to it) ><

‘Cause somehow I can always find time to slack T.T