Teachers' Day...

Seems like I have not been posting lately ya. Cracked my left elbow almost two weeks ago... so i was temporary immobolised and unable to type as fast... anyway, since it's a little better, and i have so much to type today, why not ?

Last week:

1. Broke left elbow... hairline crack, to be exact, since i slipped on my already severely damaged pants which I nelgected for a few months now while doing target practice at weekly taekwondo training... regreted it, since it was an accident waiting to happen. Anyway, the process of discovering the crack is so long that maybe i should elaborate more next time? Nah
   
2. Got back Common Test results:

• English( 21.5/35)-2nd
  
• Chinese(30/60)- good thing i had a pass this time
• Maths(20/30)-seems like i have neglected this subject for some time...
• A Maths(19/30)- slight improvement, but unhappy, since it was simple enough to get full marks...
• Physics(20/30)-at least i maintained, but can do better!
• Sub-science,Chemistry(27/30)-improved...but why was she unhappy?
• Sub-science,Biology(23/30)-fell, but i have no comments for this one...
• Social Studies, Geography...forgot the marks... can't be bothered, since din't do as well...

Although the marks were unexpected, there's still the final examination of the year... IT'S TIME TO GET SERIOUS!!!

3.Teachers' Day rehearsals

• This is really a killer
• Meet up at any time possible to practice it over and over
• Reduced stage fright, since everyone went through the whole thing at least ten times over 2 weeks before the actual thing.
• As this was the first time I was acting, I never expected myself to be going against the director(although it was mild...to me, it was bad enough ), which I think could be because I am more committed to SJ? I need to spend more time at drama, I guess.

4. Ready, the highlight of the post is here... hope my post is not too long this time... 6.45 am, reached school, head to class room.

• Rush to finish Bio, Chinese and Geography Homework.
  
• 7.10 finished Bio and Chinese, but lacked the inspiration to complete the geography, since i never revised the chapter...
• 7.30 headed to library, where the dancers were, to see Weng Ling, since she asked me the night before to help her check her english... took this chance to meet my cousin, and complete the last question of gepgraphy...
• 8.50 took places, went though final preparations...
• 9.15 am IT'S SHOWTIME!!!
• No signal given to lion dancers, so it was a few seconds before they took positions, ready set, rock the stage!
• 9.20am...it's our turn[Freeze frame]

Ok, this is the actual thing. All the rehearsals for just this 10 minutes of honour for acting. Took out my sling for the first time for drama... a sacrifice, which was worth. this made Mrs Lim, the dance teacher in-charge, to questio me if it was fine...

Everything went on really well for this round. There were "cheers" during the scene where I had to well... that made me feel at a different level, which seemed to make my fears disappear.[and ACTION!]

• 9.32 am, seems like we overshot the ten -minute time limit.. Dance by 3t and 4t students...although they redid the choreography many times before today, the final product was great.
• 9.38 am first time I witnessed Mdm Yak showcase her opera capabilities.
• 9.45 am. The dance. It was great though. Titled "Puppets", which was performed at two other locations before today, it was great, especially the choreography. One thing, though, the music had hiccups here and there...
• 9.50 am-10.15 am. performances by teachers, students and parents( dont want to elaborate...i cant really cut it short)
• break till 10.30 am, before the second show started and repeated itself for the upper secondary students. this time, heard someone from dance saying that acting was so much easier than dancing... why? everything went much smoother this time round, maybe because we were used to it?

Everyone who performed today, well done! Well that's all... wishing all teachers a happy teachers' day...

A special Tuesday...

Although I know that there are others also writing about this very special annual event, not all are exactly the same.

Today leaves a great mark on the school's history. This is the first time the band is playing, and giving the cues for the observance parade contingents. This is also the very first time, I exoerienced a parade this important that lasted for a mere 15 minutes. I was thinking about what a joke this was. Normally, a parade would last for close to an hour, but this, was only a quarter of an hour. Why? There were no national day songs, no speeches and practically, tnot many guests were present to catch the parade. However, this is the last time that we will get the chance to march at the parade square, for next year it will be a patch of grass. But, why not make this final parade a memorable one? Why not make it many times more impressive than before?

Nevermind. After the parade, went over to the class' ice cream store. Well, more stall holders than customers. Went over to my cousin's store, to prove to myself that my marksmanship was one of the best. At the end of the day, Ms Lim would ahve a hard time trying to count our earnins for the week, though the test-tube designs, sand-in-a-bottle and the ice cream( which we had a lot of fun in making), we seemed to have made a windfall.Anyway, I started a ice-throwing fight, reccomended by Yong Chuan, who said that the gloves we used for the parade were good at keeping our hands warm when handling ice. I simply grabbed a pile of iced, applied my physics knowledge, and got a large ice ball. It was quite fun though, and a few others joined in,till Andy was soaked! Well, I pitied him though, for not using his power to stop us...

Anyway, this afternoon, went to NDC for another session regarding the installation of my braces. Relieved to hear that I would not need to extract a single tooth for now, through the usage of the latest technology, by which the braces are used to make the arc larger? ( I dont really know how to say it).Finally, reached home, just to have a short nap, and typed this down after dinner.

preparation for the Big Day

Tomorrow's the day, the day that the school celebrates Singapore's 41st Natonal Day.

Today, at 2.15pm, brought the chairs down to parade square for tomorrow's observance parade. After that, had a quick lunch, before heading out to J.P with Damien, Gabriel, Weng Ling, Taufik and Augustine to buy food items for tomorrow's busking.That was the least I could do for the class.

Tomorrow, will be marching as contingent member for the observance parade.Although, I am the reserve commander and flag bearer, I still have the chance to march. And, most of all,3E1 has got the privilage to watch us march! Well, I have to say, that many of my friends are involved in the parade, one way or another.

Back to topic. We did everything very slowly, so that we could kill some time, for Damien did not want to go for drama today, with the perfect excuse of being sent by Ms Lim to help the class to get the materials for the busking the next day.We did much searching, and comparing of the ice creams and the "assessories". Damien's quick thinking, which is, to apply his POA knowledge to calculate the profits saved us much time. While doing that, as passerbys watched the few of us in amazement, I felt helpless, as POA was not my forte.However, i finally applied my knowledge of latent heat to help the group find the best, and fastest way, as a time keeper, before all that ice cream melted... And of course, we arrived, but with the ice cream slightly melted.

However, there's still tomorrow, and who would want to miss such a great occassion?

Swing Taman Juroung(just the first 2 hours)...

Though yesterday was a great day, the best was still in the evening.

So, yesterday, overslept and went to school for drama practice at 0850 hours. However, the time spent there was very fast, and before we knew it, it was time to go. Guess what? The two boys from Shan Dong were also there, with the scouts. Looks like I have got one extra morning to spend with them. Went out for lunch with Andy, Randall and Sean.

it has to be summarised, for that evening, at 5.15 when I left home, many things happened in just 2 short hours.

1757 hours, arrived at taman Jurong Community Centre. Watched a band performance before giving Hong Yong a call, but it seems like he switched on the answering machine. Nevermind about that. Met Steven, Clement before the parade started. The contingents marched really well, especially the Guard of Honour contingent. It seems like Yuan Ching's National Police Cadet Corps contingent has a lot to catch up on. As our numbers were small, short by 6 contingent members, the St John Ambulance Brigade contingent never made it to the parade( since the start of recruitment). Everyone did well, as they stood there motionlessly for 15 minutes( a real test of tolerance). After the arrival of the Guest of Honour, some of our school's dance members gathered near us. The teachers were there too. At least this time, their make up looked much better than the previous performance at Fort Canning Park.So, for some reason, took a few photos with Weng Ling. until the march past at 1930 hours, they took their positions. We went closer to the stage to get a better view of the performances there.

Anyway, before 20oo hours, the band performances were nice, and gave a feel of excitement, just as what Caleb told me the other day. That was what the school band lacked. It was time, at 2015 hours. Well, how should I describe it? Full of energy, of course! Especially the boys. Although there were only two of them, their movements were very smooth. Overall, it was commendable. Seems like their weeks of intensive training paid off,with the last performance on teachers' day. however, I may not be able to watch, as i,too will be performing an item for the Drama Club on that same day.

So, that was the two hours, after which I went with my cousin's family to her home, for dinner, and went back only at 2317 hours.

What a Week...

This week is indeed worth remembering. Term 3 week 6, since monday.

MONDAY:

• Preparations for the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Biotech Fair= Missed IT enrichment.
• Drama CCA, preparations and reharsals for Teachers' Day celebrations.

TUESDAY:

• Class photo taking, first class to take photos at 8.15 am.
• Head down to Ngee Ann Poly at 12 pm.
  
• biotech fair presentation.
• Missed school.

WEDNESDAY:

• Went to Ngee Ann Poly by bus at 7.45pm.
• Receive certificates at Ngee Ann Poly.
• Celebrate the end of the Competition.
• Missed National Day reharsals.
  

THURSDAY:

• Arrival of Shan Dong,jinan No. 8 Middle School students.
• CCA photo taking.
  
• Missed almost every lesson, except Chinese.
• Took a photo or two with the visiting students and teacher after Chinese Lesson.
• Met my Buddy of last year's immersion programme with the Jinan No.8 Middle School students.
• National Day Full Dress reharsals.
• enjoy rest of afternoon with the students.
• Went home with Caleb, Farhan and thier buddies, one of which is my former buddy.

FRIDAY:

• caught with the lessons missed for the last three days.
• SJ reharsal for national Day.
• Spent final afternoon with the students.

It seems like I missed lots of important lessons this week, especially Chemistry and Pure Physics. However, I did managed to reconcile with my former buddy, which is considered extremely coincidental, since there were only 2 boys, and one of them happened to be him. Anyway, next week is another week, where I will be very busy and would miss days of lessons just like this week's. One last thing, since the start of the term, I had only gone home at the usual time of 2.15 pm on 2 occassions(although I cannot remember them), showing how busy this term is.

Biotech Fair @ Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Day 2

Today, fianlly is the last day I will be going to Ngee Ann Polytechnic for the Biotech Fair, a joint organisation by Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Singapore Science Centre. Let's begin.

these were the things I would never do on usual school days, for i will risk breaking the 9-year puntuality record.

Changed at 6 am, headed for the bus stop at 6.45am...Reached Lakeside MRT at 7.20am, and went to school? No, I turned back after noticing I was going the wrong way. So, instead of going with the flow, I went against it, for the first time. people were heading for the MRT station, I was heading to the bus stop opposite it. I was tempted to run back up the bridge even as we were waiting for the bus.7.45 am. Dirt enters Randall's eye, causing a really bad sore for the rest of the morning.

8.15 am. Reached Ngee Ann Polytechnic Convention Centre. Changed into blazers. Set up store. Headed into the hall at 8.30 am for the opening ceremony, certificate and prize presentation. We LOST, but the experience was worthwhile. The schools which won were mainly those few top and prestigious schools, such as Hwa Chong Instituition, Chinese Girls,Methodist Girls and Anglo-Chinese High.

Mingled with the students from other schools as I did some of yesterday's homework,while we waited for teacher to buy Pizza from Pizza hut to celebrate our efforts, although we dint earn any recognition...

There was a great talk on Genetic Testing with distinguished guests from Ngee Ann, Alexandra Hospital and 2 other Biomedical agencies which I had forgotten. The talk was great, covering almost every aspect about the pros and cons of Genetic tests. The talk was even more interesting, as it was designed to be more like a talk show, like those you watch on TV. Anyway, the 2 hours was really worth it. gained so much information today... However, I missed almost all my favourite lessons today...including a test and the National Day reharsals in school, I think.

Well, it ended with Mdm Rosita ferrying us to the Bukit Batok bus Interchange, while for me, as they were on their way there, she dropped me at the bus stop opposite the estate... feeling so grateful for that. Anyway, just hope I won't be embarrassing mysef by going up that rostrum to give a small speech...

Biotech Fair @ Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Day 1

this year sure passes very fast. The moment you turn your head around, it's already August! The main things that happened in July were:

• English project
• Lost Group cameras
• Flag Day
• many tests
• Drama Activity at Raffles Hotel
  
• National Day reharsal in School
• Andy's Birthday

So, on to today. This morning, went to school as usual, liked it. Sang the national day songs, also enjoyed it. 0810 hours, went to hall to take the class photos. We were the first class. hated it, I kept blinking my eyes as the flash came on. I lost my balance during the candid shot, and I lost the chance to join Andy and Gabriel at the front row for the informal shot...

1030 hours. Met at staff room to prepare to head down to Ngee Ann poly.We had to prepare the apparatus, ties and blazers for the presentation...that would be the last time I will see the class until Thursday morning. Guess will be missing the National Day Parade reharsal for the school's celebrations on the 8th of August. However, there's always Thursday...hope they won't replace me as flag bearer and contingent member.

1200 hours, we arrived at Ngee Ann Polytechnic Convention Centre. Parepared for the presentation for three judges who visited our booth at 1505 hours. I messed up at a sentence, hopefully they never notice that at all. The other groups seemed really confident; some even entertained or impressed the judges. Our group din't seem to make the mark...

Well, that's all for now... wonder what our placing would be like tomorrow...I have to meet the rest of the group at t station tomorrow at 0730 hours.

Mr Liew also told me that he might be able to finish the whole chapter on Functions tomorrow. What am I to do? Never mind, Andy would be there to help me on Thursday morning, during the 1 hour before school starts. Seems like I will also be missing my favourite PE lesson and the weekly short run... So much for the competiton... hope we would go home with something...