school comes to a close. however, sept holidays are only a brief respite from the dreary-ness of the aforementioned.

2 additions to the logbook.

Sortie 21 DNCO on 9V-BOE, 22/08/06 due strong crosswind.

Sortie 21 DNCO on 9V-BOH, 30/08/06 due wet runway.

Dual hours: 19.4h
Solo hours: 0.2h

And I passed my CAAS radio-telephony paper. Dunno pass by how much though. yay

sleep beckons

work work.

math portfolio, IOP, long overdue chinese orals, physics test and chem test, plus unfinished pracs, and a host of other less important academic endeavours face most students in year 5 of the ACSI IBDP programme.

How interesting that every year, there always is a period of mad rushing of high-value assignments, which somehow always seems to come in waves, not unlike the allied forces on the beaches of normandy on the 6th of June, 62 years ago. Perhaps its due to poor time management on our part. Year after year it has been emphasized, both soft (pastoral care talks) and hard (spamming us with work, hoping we'd learn) ways, but the lazy, procrastinating human nature (or is student-nature more apt?) always wins out in the end. Only at the point when the urgency-due-to-impending-doom function graph exceeds the benefits-of-slacking-off function graph when plotted against time, do we begin to attempt our work seriously. That point for many of us, unfortunately, is around 1-3 days before the due date, some more, many less.

I have reached that point a while ago, but unfortunately the gradient of the urgency graph is not sufficiently steep enough to warrant really focused work, hence my concurrently typing this out now while doing my math portfolio. Doesn't matter. Soon, sleep will come, and pain will fade away slowly into the night. Well, until tmr morning that is, if I haven't finished my portfolio by then.

Not long ago, I was unceremoniously referred to as a part-time student (or so i've heard), in reference to my constant disappearing acts at school due to my airborne commitments. Then today, yours truly was questioned about whether it was 'right' for me to miss lessons due to that, and the party referred to continued to go on rambling about things while completely missing the irony of the whole situation. In light of these recent issues, and others concerning skipping school to do work (yes. DO WORK. tell that to any student 30 years ago and he'll have a field day laughing his rear-end off) and even more other unspeakables, I have begun to feel rather disillusioned (maybe I'm a little slow) about how education is being treated.

Caught up in a storm of image/book-keeping and the nuances of bureaucracy ever-present in every large organization, certain people easily forget that the objective and primary mission of the noble profession of education is one of nurturing talents and dreams among the raw, unpolished young people, to allow them to harness the potential that is in every student, and allow them to achieve far greater things than if they were left to their own devices. Yes, that, not things like whether one comes to school on time. Granted, a certain level of decorum is needed both for organizational purposes and preparation for the working world, but overemphasis on that or any other administrative duties above actual education is definitely a step backwards.

As an esteemed counterpart of mine has put it:
"i’ve said this one time to many, but it seems to keep happening over and over again - people actually ponning school to do work or study is has been come a far too commonplace occurrence already. as if it were the most “noble” form of ponning, it already says a lot about school and the workload.
1) unlike previous years, the objective to pon this year is actually to miss as few lessons as possible instead of missing more (so short days are better to skip)
2) this shows students actually value lessons and want to learn
3) ponning to do work defies the original definitions of “ponning” in the very first place. (when you pon you would think it was to go watch movie, have fun, pak tor, or something!). this shows our students are actually hardworking"

This gives much faith to me, that the education system, though very conformist and intolerant of oddballs, does in fact have some hope. Although the abovementioned observations could just be attributed to the paper-chase so prevalent in this system, I would try to be optimistic for once.

Of course, we in our school are very privileged to have many brilliant and inspiring educators/educationists whom I have had the honour of being taught by or known by, definitely worthy of the noble profession of education. The purpose of my writing today (at the expense of 45 mins of math portfolio time) is to get this load off my chest, which was triggered off by my abovementioned unpleasant berating this morning. Which in turn was due to myself attracting attention by laughing at the party concerned telling us 'time management' was one word, before hastily correcting the mistake.

I did not attempt to give my points then, due to the common interest of the class, lest it degenerated into a counterproductive flurry of points being shot forth from dissidents from all corners of the classroom, and coupled with the party concerned's unwillingness to accept any criticism (whether healthy or otherwise) of the establishment, would lead to frustrated individuals and bruised egos, with a net productivity of zero. The next time it happens though, I will stand my ground.

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit



Semper Viper

There are 6,470,818,671 people in the world.
Some are running scared. Some are coming home. Some tell lies to make it through the day.
Others are just now facing the truth.
Some are evil men, at war with good. And some are good, struggling with evil.

6 billion people in the world, 6 billion souls, and all you need is One =)

bah. stress. work work.

we were given 6 brooms and 6 dustpans today. as many of us predicted, students from multiple classes all over sch began using them as melee weapons. What else could happen when you give a bunch of schoolkids anything long and hard (don't let your mind run anywhere now). Amusement indeed.

in other news, CHEE MUN is paul twohill's biggest fan. go look for him for paul twohill posters =P

here's one of those quiz thingies. i found it and felt like doing it i also dunno why.

The rules:
Bold the statements that are true to you.
Italise the statements that you WISH are true.
Then, tag 5 people to do the same test

I miss somebody right now.
I dont watch TV these days.
I wear glasses or contact lenses.
I love to play video games.
I've tried marijuana.
I have been in a threesome (hahaha. not really but still...hmmmmmmm.)
I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.
I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
I curse sometimes
I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.
I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.
I'm TOTALLY smart. (hahahahaha. ya right. but whatever =P)
I've broken someone's bones.
I'm paranoid sometimes
I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, n scar-free. (zomg no way. i love me =D)
I need money right now.
I love sushi.
I talk really,really fast.
I have long hair.
I have lost money in Las Vegas.
I have at least one sibling.
I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.
I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
I LOVE the way i look. (see above)
I am usually pessimistic.
I have a lot of mood swings.
I have a hidden talent. =(
I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar i have.
I have a lot of friends.
I am currently single.
I have pecked someone of the same sex.
I enjoy talking on the phone. (not everybody pls)
I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
I love to shop.
I enjoy window shopping
I would rather shop than eat.
I don't hate anyone.
I'm a BETTER dancer.
I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
I have a cell phone.
I believe in God.
I watch MTV on a daily basis.
I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.
I've rejected someone before.
I have no idea what i want to do for the rest of my life.
I want to have children in the future
I have changed a diaper before
I've called the cops on a friend before.
I'm not allergic to anything. (raaah)
I have a lot to learn.
I have been with someone at least 10 years older or younger.
I am shy around the opposite sex.
I have tried alcohol before.
I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past. (zomg)
I own the "South Park" movie.
I would die for my best friends.
I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza. (nice, but not teh best)
I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all. (MJ is a n00b)
I think Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.
I watch Spongebob Squarepants and i LOVE it.
I am happy at this moment!
I'm obsessed with guys.
I study for tests most of the time.
I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.
I am comfortable with who I am right now.
I have more than just my ears pierced. (piercing sucks! bomb you!)
I walk barefoot wherever i can.
I have jumped off a bridge.
I love sea turtles.
I spend ridiculous money on makeup.
I plan on achieving a major goal/dream.
I'm proficient in a musical instrument.
I worked at McDonald's restaurant.
I hate office jobs.
I love sci-fi movies.
I think water rules.
I went college out of state.
I like sausages.
I love getting hugs. (not from everyone pls)
I've fallen for the worst people.
I adore bright colours.
I can't live without black eyeliner.
I don't know why the hell i just did this stupid thing.
I usually like covers better than originals.
I can pick up things with my toes. (can't everybody? o.O)
I can't whistle.
I love kisses. (not from everyone pls)
I can move my tongue in waves, much like a snakes slither.
I can tie a cherry stalk with my tongue.
I have ridden/owned a horse.
I still have every journal I've ever written in.
I can't stick to a diet.
I talk in my sleep. (this sucks. especially when i'm in the same room as my parents)
I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.
I think climbing trees is a brilliant past-time.
I have jazz in my blood.
I wear a toe ring.
I have a tattoo.
I can't stand at LEAST one person that i work/study with.
I am a caffeine junkie.
I cosplay or know what cosplaying is. (i don't cosplay. i just know what it is cuz (refer to above) i'm TOTALLY smart =D)
I have been to over 15 conventions.
I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical the better.
I'm an artist.
I only clean my room when necessary.
I like a person of the same sex.
I love being happy. (who doesn't)
I am an adrenaline junkie.

ROTI PRATA!

"Seletar ground, skylark 86, request taxi for bay alpha 1"
"Skylark 86, taxi to bay alpha 1 approved"
"Taxi to bay alpha 1, skylark 86"

"Skylark 86 changing callsign to Niner-Oscar-November, student on first solo"

Yep. after 4 months of part time flying, I finally went solo =)

Thank You dear God for giving me the instincts and ability to fly well enough to go solo today. Thank You also for the calm winds and light drizzle, and the fine aircraft, Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II registration no. 9V-BON, to take command of for my first solo. Thank You Lord for providing me a fine flight instructor, instructor siva, who brought me all the way here and hopefully to my private pilot's licence in 30 or so sorties time =)

Got into the PPL course. Cheers to many more months of propellors, instruments, and flame-retardant nomex flightsuits. Seems rather stressful though..8 hours of groundschool per week, and lots of in-house tests, 6 CAAS papers, in addition to the actual flying and the final handling test. Add all that to my schoolwork and bam...stress.com.sg

Lord...I need Your strength and grace to see me through these 2 years. You've placed me here for a reason...lead me in the way everlasting.


And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9

oh i went for some CIP briefing/collect stuff to sell thingy. We all got these rather large boxes containing lots of tissue paper, foolscap pads and socks. So we, the ACS(I) people, decided to go back to sch and put the stuff in the locker. As we left the place, it was quite amusing. The whole bunch of us, isaac, haoyi, choo yang, alex liew, joel khoo, ronald ip, and me, all walking down a housing estate with huge boxes and huge plastic bags, making us look like looters. hahahaha

Sortie 18 and 20 DCO on 9V-BON
Dual hours: 18.0h
Solo hours: 0.2h
Father in heaven, Thank You for watching over me

lol check this out. This guy is leet.

Man destroys town with armored bulldozer

52 year old welder Marvin Heemeyer lived in Grunbee Colorado fixing vehicle mufflers. His small repair shop was located near a concrete factory called Mountain Park. To Marvin and his neigbors' horrors, the owners of Mountain Park decided to expand the factory, forcing the people living near-by to sell their land to Mountain Park.




Sooner or later the factory's neigbhors gave up, except for Marvin. Having tried every way possible, the owners of the factory failed to acquire his land. However all the surrounding land was now owned by the factory, which resulted in Marvin's shop getting cut off from the rest of the world.



Marvin tried everything in his powers to restore justice. Obsiously, the city council and other politicians of the state were on the factory owners' evil capitalist side.



It's not suprising that Marvin lost the case to the owners, in court. After that Marvin was also given a $2500 fine for not having a connected sewer line. When paying the fine, Marvin attached a note to the check and ticket that read "Cowards".



He was just one of those who would not give up.



On the 4th of June, 2004 during a rainy day Marvin rolled out into town on a bulldozer reinforced with metal sheets. He started with the concrete factory, destroying building after building, until the factory was demolished. Then it was the city council's turn followed by the town hall, then the bank, the public library, the fire station, a warehouse, the local paper and other buildings belonging to the mayor.












Having tried to stop Heemeyer, the police finally understood that Marvin's bulldozer was unstoppable. More than 200 bullets were fired at the vehicle, causing no harm at all. The police force then decided to battle the titan with hand grenades. Once again their efforts were useless. Later a vehicle rigged with explosives was put in Marvin's path to destruction, it also had little luck in stopping him.







Marvin returned fire using two semi-automatic .23 caliber rifles and a single .50 caliber semi-automatic rifle through specially designed holes in the vehicle's front, left and right sides.



All the police were able to do, was evacuate 1500 inhabitants (the town's population was 2200) and block all the roads, including a federal highway that lead to the town.



Marvin's war ended at 4:23 PM.




Having just finished destroying the Gambles Mall, the bulldozer suddenly stopped. The only thing that could be heard comming form Marvins death machine was smoke out of a damaged radiator.



At first the police officers were too afraid to approach the thing. Trying to get Marvin out of his fortress, they had to make a hole in the armor. When they finally got through, Marvin was allready dead. He wasn't going to get into the enemy's hands alive.



Despite the great damage to property (13 buildings were destroyed, most requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to be replaced), no one besides Heemeyer was injured; observers noted that Heemeyer appeared to go out of his way to avoid injury to bystanders.



The governor said that the city looked as if a tornado had just gone through.



Later an investigation was carried out. It was discovered that Marvin's creation was so strong that even a powerful artillery blow would only cause minor damage. The bulldozer was totally covered in sheet metal, with each piece being at least half an inch thick. In places, the vehicle's armor was over one foot thick, consisting of concrete sandwiched between sheets of steel to make ad-hoc composite armor.












To fit the bulldozer with this shell, Marvin had to use a self-made crane. "Lowering the protective armor onto the vehicle, Marvin knew he wouldn't be able to get out"- said police officials.



Although Marvin packed the interior with supplies such as water, food, ammo and a gasmask. To control the killdozer, Marvin used 3 monitors and a couple of video cameras. In an event of the cameras being blinded by dust, they were fitted with air compressors.



It took Marvin 2 months to design the Killdozer, and according to sources, 1.5 years to build it.



"He was a fine lad", - said the people that were close to Marvin. "They shouldn't have made him angry". "If he was your friend, he was your best friend. And if he was your enemy, well he was your worst and most dangerous enemy." - said Marvins friends.

no solo today. hmf.

Sortie 17 DCO on 9V-BON
Lord, help me walk on stronger in You

twisted ankle, pulled calves and sprained back muscles.

once again I've been reminded why I don't do competitive sports. No its not about the injuries. Its always about uncontrollable emotions that cause me to think say and do things i should not and will not under most normal, even stressful situations. Only competitive sports...especially team ones. Oh well.

Dear God...please help me keep my emotions in check in those situations.

Woe to me on the day where my thoughts and words become actions.

A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated
- Proverbs 14:16-17

peanut men, cheese cake and choo yang the mad scientist.

hello everybody

we have found the next einstein.



and



see the resemblance? =D

anyway, i had a rather good flight today...dark cloudy skies over sch, but still, it was mostly bright and sunny at seletar...of course with quite a bit of cloud cover. I'm getting less and less stress everytime I go up in the air now, and that is of course a good thing. Glancing out of the window and seeing the sunset glittering off the wing of the aircraft, as the landscape passes below is certainly quite a sight to remember, and i thank God for the gift of wings =) I'm cleared to go solo after this sortie. wahaha =D so God willing and weather permitting, my next sortie will be my first solo. WIN

haha. anyone who can tell me where i took this photo from wins a peanut.


Happiness is a tub of phish food.



Sortie 16 DCO on 9V-BOG
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow