Year 4 syndrome

I think the final year in your school would always be the most memorable. Besides relishing the bond with your friends and the inevitable parting, the anticipation of your next steps towards achieving your life-long dream must always be on the back of your mind. Now more than ever, I feel the increasing sense of urgency as the sand remaining in the hour-glass disappear even faster than a shooting star. The quest is on to eliminate any possible regrets, from being carried forward to your college days.

No doubt this cohort would still be promoted together to J1, but this is a significant milestone that nobody wanted to cross without something to show for. Perhaps that is why all of us are working so hard, with valuable experience accumulated from past failures, to save our best shot for the last.

The end is near.

Translation

Thought I just blogged again since I still have not developed the mood for doing my HRP, RMUNC ppt and..........

So as I mentioned, Term 2 Week 2 is a bit crazy due to the ultra-hectic schedule, which made me completedly burned out. Yet somehow for one reasons or another, it became quite "slack". So here's the timetable for that Monday:

730-1330: Normal lessons (Recess training with Mrs Tan for VJC quiz)
1400-1500: LEP lessons (supposed to last till 1600 but for some reason, it's cut short)
1600-1750: Project meeting with external mentor with Mdm. Choi (Been waiting for tyjiunn and Kevin, as they were held up by some stuff)
1800-1930: Stone at poolside and had dinner there, as I dao VE
1930-2130: Translation training with Mr. Wang
2200-2130: Bath, rushes some hw and went to bed

All in all, the translation training with Mr. Wang is quite fun, and I learnt quite a lot. Interestingly, I never met my team-mates throughout the course of the training. Jian Zhong and Dian Jun were too busy and only came for the Wed session, while obviously I'm away for that day due to VJC quiz.

Just like the VJC quizzes, the 3 of us were quite shocked that we actually made it to the final round, considering that the 2 of them did not prepare adequately (the 2 hours "crash course" on wed). Apparently Mr. Tan, lacks so much confidence that he did not want us to bring the xiao qi there. lol.

So here's how the competition went along:

1st rd-Dunman totally screwed up, scoring a grand total of zero. At this pts, RV is leading with 12 pts, while RI and us got abt 8-9 pts.
2nd rd-RV totally screwed up, scoring 9 out of possible of 48. Dunman caught up with RV and eliminated them with a total of 27 pts (Only top 3 teams qualify for the 3rd and final round). Meanwhile HCI trailing RI by 4 pts with 45 pts.With such a big lead, we are confident of getting top 2 at least. Anyway the order is this HCI go 1st then RI, then Dunman.
3rd rd-RI self-destruct as their rep. obviously cannot translate english into chinese. Same goes for Dunman, but they dont have anything to destruct anyway, so we dont bothered about them. We know we were the champ, once the RI guys began to speak Chinese.

So after the 2 competitions, ACE for a few subjects have been maxed or very close already. Here's the tally:
Chinese: 5 for sabbatical and 12 for translation (total 17)
English: 3 for ppt and ?? for translation subject to approval
IH: 8 for VJC (I also had 1 land reclamation ppt, RMUNC and lit...)
Physics: spamming forum + Australian Science

Others still zero. So hoped everyone can collaborate with me thanks.

What I did

Havent been blogging for these few weeks for a very simple reason: Too much stuff to do. Everyday, you seems to need to sleep at midnight or work non-stop from 6am to 6pm to clear the pile of homework.

Achievement in Term 2 Week 3:

Best Speaker for "in the" class debate
3rd for VJC IH Quiz
Passed Projects Prelim (lol though it's not our real topic at that time...but it seems we are doing on Biodiesel after all)
Champion for national Translation competition

For past 2 weeks been training for the competition as mentioned. Lol Yong Jie and I and we were actually quite surprised we got into the final round in the first place, as we did not feel we prepared adequately. I mean during the tea reception between the prelim and final rounds, we were discussing how many qns we got correct. So all of us got little more than 30 (Ying JIe got 39 while Zach, our reserve, got 24). It turned out that once you passed the quiz, as in getting more than 30, you are already one of the top since Ying Jie actually got individual 4th!!!

So for the final round right, HCI screwed up the individual round, sorry lor. Subsequently for the jeopardy (is that what you call that?) also a bit screwed.

Thus we did not really narrow the gap so we were in last place. The scoreboard look like this: HCI 30, RI and Chung Cheng 55 and SJI 75. Somehow SJI got this guy damn meng so he sorta answered all the questions.

Then for buzzer, Ying Jie is practically spamming so we eventually climbed to 2nd. Unfortunately, we answered wrongly for the last qns, and was deducted 2 marks, thus surrendering our runner-up position to RI by 1 mark. (SJI 112 Champ, RI 98pts, HCI 97, Chung Cheng 97)

Just thought that it's quite sway that we only got 3rd since I actually know the answer to some questions and it seems Ying Jie didn't hear me or something. But then Ying Jie is quite zai so don't blame him. Oh yah one RI guy thought they get to answer one buzzer rounds qns when it's supposed to be us, and they just shouted out the answer lol. But then considering that HCI didn't get in (or is it never?) even with a damn good team last year, think we did well lah.

Since this is my 1st competition representing the school, felt quite nervous. So totally stone for 1 Russian leader pic (didnt answer at all) luckily Yong Jie also crapped some qns like saying Tony Blair is Foreign Sectretary (it's Jack Straw), making me more relaxed.

All in all quite tyco, dont really know how we got in. But once we got into the final round, we knew we got a chance to win, though it was not to be.

So 1 more stuff to my portfolio, 8 IH CPs. Sorry Miss Sunita, I missed out on the 2 RMUNC meeting due to VJC. Hmm, luckily they did not assign me to that GA4 again. Otherwise damn sian man.

Blogged abt Translation next time.

I still got RMUNC ppt, HRP (long overdue but becos got competition so no time to do) and....

Date with FT

In the end, did not meet Miss Koe but "just" my form teacher. However, my dad seemed pretty aggressive and kept pointing out that I should manage my time better and not wastes it on some "lame stuff". I think someone passing by would think that it's my dad who's the angry form teacher confronting the helpless parents on what exactly goes wrong. The truth is actually the other way round.

Let me give a short transcript:

FT: Here's your son's term 1 result
Dad (after looking through intently): Why did you get so bad result?
FT: I'm quite shocked too. During Chinese lessons, he's always quite alert and quite competitive. In fact, I think of all the students whose parents I met (as in those who also get MSG>3), he got the strongest learning ability. So what could be the reason behind his bad result? He said he kept watching TV.
Dad: Not really, but he spent a lot of times on some stuff like reading newspaper, lazing around and things like that.
FT: Hmm
Dad: I think he should be less involved in those class events and things like that, so that he can have more time to focus on his studies.
FT: ok…

Then we changed the subject to competition, which I felt I’m involved in too many of them.

FT: The school’s policy is that we allow those with the ability to participate in outside competition (to build up the resume) and gain some experience. Your son said he’s involved in too many of them, and cannot cope.
Dad: That’s why I said I asked him not to be so active in those events that don’t really need him.

And they keep repeating this. Then I’m asked to go out so that FT can have a private discussion with my dad.

In the end, I did not drop anything at all. However my dad told me I’m kicked out of the translation competition liao as FT wanted me to focus on reducing my MSG. Although I’m not officially informed by FT yet, LLC told me he’s being approached to replace me. Just as well, I got 1 less thing to do.

By the way, I don’t really understand why but I’m involved in so much more stuff this year. I think the surge is due to my lack of initiative when I’m in lower sec, when I just cannot be bothered to take part in anything and not selected for any school events or for performance either.

However when I’m in sec 3, I somehow got into the THIMUN team which led to my involvement in RMUNC this year. Whenever any emb msgs call for participant, now I would read through them to see whether I can take part in it. Another reason would be that FT gave me quite a lot of opportunity to participate in some Chinese competition. Oh yah when I’m in sec 2, I sorta short listed for “Instant Speech” competition and asked to meet Shiesh, but nothing came out of it.

FT also remarked that I’m actually quite all-rounded in the sense that I’m above average for language, humanity and the science, so it would be quite hard to gauge what area to focus on to develop my “strength”. Well let’s hope I manage to reduce my msg in term 2, do my PD project well and get some prize.

Lastly as I would be quite busy in term 2, it’s quite likely I won’t be blogging very often. I hope I can put up short msg from time to time to inform reader what I am doing. See ya.

Year 2006

My meeting with Miss Koe

Totally screwed this term so think my parents and I need to meet Miss Koe. Just to give you a picture of how bad it is, I'm normally on par with Ling Chen and Mi. However their sum of their msg this term would roughly equivalent to mine. Really not meng bao?

Anyway thinking of things to drop. Currently I have:

1 additional subject: Biology ("Lest our old robe sits easier than the new")
2 Special Programs: SMRP and LEP
2 EP3: Chinese Drama (There's a combined performance with NYGH in July) and VE (Don't want to know what I need to do…)

4 Competitions:

1. Chinese reading report (need to write about 2000 words on "Cherishing Life")
• Real-time translation (1 day event. Would there be training? Not really finalised, maybe can get kicked out?)
• VJC Humanities/Current Affairs Quiz (Slim chance of actually getting in. Maybe can get process point for being reserve and taking part in training if any)
• Projects Competition (Much better chance of getting into the finals with quite a good team in my opinion. Doing some Chemistry stuff with Vincent Tan)

2 Events:

• RMUNC 2006 (3 day event during June holiday. In Hwachong MUN team. Hope I got to speak and not get kicked out)
• Ngee Ann Astronomy (2 day event during Term 2 Week 2 weekend)

Let’s hope I would do well in all of them and improve my msg.

Insight about Myself

Finally blogging again after so long. During this period, my hand sorta recovered (still can't straighten it), com. crashed so lost all my files. Anyway this entry is abt an interesting encounter in which i got some interesting insight abt myself.

During the taiwan trip last year, My family and I went to something like a fortune-telling centre which gauge ur fortune in life based on ur name and when ur born (aka "sheng cheng ba zi"). That guy also said I got quite a good name, from a geomancer point of view. Hmm.

Here's what they told me:

1. Possess great intelligence (probably in the area of problem-solving and dealing with people)
2. Will probably starts own business in the future
3. Needs a "gui ren" to be the catalyst behind my success. He said I'm likely to surpass that "gui ren"
4. Very determined to get what he wanted and may even resort to despicable means to achieve them.
5. Have a love for freedom

The last identifying feature strike me particularly. Would that be better or worse?

THIMUN

THIMUN

The inaugural THIMUN Singapore went off on a bad note personally, as I missed out on the opening proceeding. This is in part due to "betrayal" by Kevin Cheng, so that the few of us can sing during the opening ceremony. I would say it all went downhill from there, as my absence made it hard to get involved during the lobbying process.

I would say that during the preparation process, HCI delegates would be concentrating on improving their policy statement or resolution, and not familiarising themselves with the debate process or having a simulation of the actual conference. Besides rigorous preparation, experiences also count in that sense. Having nil experience in the MUN style of debating, HCI delegates spent much of the first day adapting and trying to suit myself to the occasion, uunlike what Mr. Cheng said in his EMB message that we are damn active.

As quoted from my partner, "The difference between the newly initiated and those more experienced was stark; some stood by idly, while others were handing out resolutions left and right, trying to introduce themselves socially, and to push for their resolution, almost to the point of being overtly aggressive."

Honestly I myself had never spoken AT ALL during the whole conference. Well the main problem with representing NGOs like the Human Right Commission, was that you would not be able to vote. Therefore you can say that NGOs were generally ignored right from the start during the lobbying process. Add to the fact that the Chair would normally give the chance to speak to:

1. Major power (the 5 permanent member in the security council, but mainly US)
2. Those countries directly involved in the issue being debated (for instance Israel and Palestine for Middle East Conflict)
3. Those countries submitting the resolutions (Lithuania had been highly active for THIMUN Singapore)

Generally if you did not belong to those categories, you can be counted on spending one whole day watching others go up and down to speak. That's how the conference works though unfortunately. Otherwise why do you think HCI chose Russia and not some tiny teeny countries like say Luxembourg?

Well for the plenary session (I explain the difference later), the Human Right Commission kept raising our placard (cards which indicate what countries or NGOs you are representing) but was not given a chance to speak. Otherwise I would have gone up the stage to speak about some clause on "mandatory public service" which keep skilled worker in the countries. Yes human right is violated (please look up "Universal Declaration of Human Right" if you have the time to spare and actually bothers).

Now let’s move on to some other interesting stuff.

Food-I cannot believe the councilor when they said the food is difference for the 3 days. It seems to me that only the arrangement would be different (one day the meat would be at the right, then the left then the middle…and the vegetables…). As they said, it's better not to talk about it.

Dress Code-Well the problem of not wearing the blazer became evident by the end of the first day: other delegate would think you are one of the admin staff. So next time, the TIC better get some external blazer. Many a times I would be faced with some delegate asking me to do some admin work or asking me for the way to get back to auditorium (Yes the school is so big that they got lost). Luckily I got myself some other attire for the subsequent conference. There’s so many delegate wearing black blazer that I thought I'm in MIB. Lol.

Note-passing -Well when some delegates go up to speak (taking the floor), you can scribble some message to be passed around to some other delegate present in the same forum. Although it’s supposed to be "screened by some MUN director" or something, apparently those admin staff don’t bother. I think I remember someone said the following "walau that delegate is detestable, so I just pass on the offensive message anyway". And then if you read the zaobao report, some delegates seemed to be using notes to
1. Asking people out for lunch
2. Love letter?
3. Scolding each other…

Respect and Orderliness-Honestly some delegates are simply hilarious or should I say, “using their best effort to make a fool of themselves”? And can you believe it? The Uganda delegation (cannot remember exactly which country) was laughing practically all the way…Such is the level of respect…

Well the North Korean delegate actually bring a portrait of Kim Jong Ill up when they take the floor! Besides that, they would say stuff defamatory to United States (something like "North Korea would like to express its concern over US’ aggressive stance and fear over possible invasion"). Therefore it can be said that no North Korean speech would be complete without some reaction from US (“we demand apology!”)

Friends and Girls-Well obviously we did make some friends. However I cannot help but notice one girl who is always around Glenn (Hewlett: "I think she is interested in him".). Well that must be one of Glenn "unexpected gain".

Aftermath-Well all the delegates got a certificate of participation and souvenir (Nice globe). Note that THIMUN discourage grading of delegate so there’s no such prize ceremony giving out honor like say "Best Delegate". However, Hewlett told me that Glenn had been overwhelming voted the "“most confused delegate".

Dinner and Dance-Yes THIMUN personnel went for some private dinner and dance Another Yule Ball?) Event at the Night Safari. Generally for me, it sucks. Let me quote Hewlett again "THIMUN party@Night Safari: The food was below average, and the DJs suck." In the end, I went off early with him. Oh yah Kevin Cheng was shaking his butt and dancing to the beat! What a scene.

Jokes

Oh yah in the course of the whole THIMUN (including the preparatory period), I have one favourite quote

Mr. Cheng: "I can be late but you cannot be late".

Walau, I take my hats off you man.

Hewlett: How come you are all alone and not socializing?
William: What I am Russia-lising!

William: Hey there's someone irritating at the conference. He know nuts, did not research on anything, but insists everything his own way!!!
Hewlett: Who is it?
William: The Chair?

William: Now HCI got the fifth consortium council!
Hewlett: What talking you? There are only 4, right?
William: Tell me what defines a council?
Hewlett: They organize event to promote student welfare or something like that.
William: Precisely. Based on the amount of work done, don’t you think the school now has a Humanity Council?

To be honest, the consortium council did nothing much. Tell me which event they organized or help out of bigger scale than THIMUN or HIC? Therefore besides developing your interest in humanity, they also develop your leadership potential. Coincidentally or not the SEC of IH, NgSC, is also in charge of leadership in the school.

What happened exactly during the conference?

Blog in next issue as my hands are too tired to continue…

Being yourself is the hardest thing to do.

Being yourself is the hardest thing to do. COnforming to peer pressure would be easier...but who would be living for? Are you being yourself or trying to be the mirror of your pals?

Haiz, Ting Kun just set up a new blog FINALLY after persistent asking why he won't want one. The problem is, you can't talk sense into someone unless they are willing to accept the new reality around them.

As Galieo once said "you cannot teach a person anything but only to find it within himself".

Anyway, I see Ting Kun's new blog as part of a ongoing process for him to conform to the majority whom I think seems him as "weirdo". For instance he would argue against his point without backing down although he's fighting a losing battle, some feels he's not open-minded enough to accept other's view. Or bizzare theory to save the earth for the better future future of mankind...He simply refused to have MSN or Email as he feels it's not necessary and a waste of time.

Whether it's justified or not is a matter of opinion, although I'm quite neutral at this kind of matter. Not that I'm sitting on the fence, but you need a deeper understanding to pass judgement.

However he's beginning to take step to be part of the new generation, like having a HP, MSN, Yahoo account and so on.

At the end of the day, just remember to be yourself.

OBS experience

OBS adventure

Day 1-Grouping Drama

I was allocated and in the Residential group whereby people says it's not as tough as mobile where you need to move all over the place. So I feel quite self-assured that I would be able to survive the boot camp. However, expected unexpected seems to be brewing the moment the ships starts to ferry HCI to and fro to our OBS site, Pulau Ubin. R8 was mysteriously left out and bypassed and eventually we are the only residential group left. All of a sudden, someone came down (the stairs) and said R8 had been disbanded and told us what's our new allocation. What the hell! I'm in mobile now! Lol. Although I'm disappointed that I'm in residential since that's being "soft", but why ter hell told me when we are about to board? Anyway feeling pissed, I came up with a few possible reasons.

1. There are too many absentees in the other group so the school (who may want to maximise ppl. in mobile) may want to consolidate
2. There's not enough bunk?
3. Instructor did not come?

Then get to know of a bossy/commanding guy called Hui Jie and Wei Ming's the lagging food IC. Then sian lor, we need to pitch the camp in the forest, and everone's pissed. Still need to surrender all those material goods to "get back to basic". ****, can't even have my Ritz biscuits.

Day 2-Kayaking and capsize drill (at the beach)

For the next day, just realised to what extent was the group lagging. Honestly I dont remember our group is ever punctual. Then supposed to do rock-climbing today, but it started to rain like siao when I'm about to start. So Wei Ming is the only one who finished climbing in our group lor. Then spend the time packing for ??? expedition and I almost brings everything lor. Sian.

During the afternoon, we are kayaking though I think we wasted like 1.5 hours +++ just to know the strokes......Boring, heck lah. Afterward realised need to do capsize drill lor and everyone's quite reluctant to do so. Anyway it's quite ok lah for the T-rescue but Jun Jie took like 10++ mins just to get up? Clumsy man. Then camp at campsite 3, which is the beach which got no facilities. So dont need to bath loh.

Day 3-Sea expedition & trekking

4 watches came together to form "mobile B" and each watch need to send a representative to be one of the Sea X leaders. Columbus (my watch's name) sent Yao Zhong, who got some stars for kayaking.

Then the 4 sea X leader would each be the starboard and port marker, navigator and sweeper so they are there to mark the 4 corners of the "diamond" formation. So like that kayak for like 3-4 hours all sunburnt and have our lunch on board. Damn that Wang Lin lor, keeps splashing others and rocking the boat and I'm splashed though I'm innocent.

After that it's trekking which is very tiring. Sian.

Lol continue next time