Reason for Celebration

FEDERER WON THE FRENCH OPEN!!!

Is that not reason enough?

It's Very Good To See You Gone

I smile as I watch
You passing by
It's a happy sight
I start to cry.

I wave my hand
Like a little boy
Down my cheeks flow
Tears of joy.

The horror is gone
I look left, right
Everywhere kids cheer
With all their might.

Chattering loudly
They walk away
As they discuss
What games to play.

Before I go
And head off home
I turn to say
This farewell poem:

Dearest exams
Farewell, so long
It's very good
To see you gone.

The Result of Overactive Imagination(s)

Today, Pn. Angie came into class and announced that she was going to give us an essay to write. It was meant to be written based on a map she handed out to us, with mini illustrations of playgrounds and post offices.

The instructions were extremely ordinary (not extraordinary). It went something like...

You have to go to the railway station to meet your cousin. Since there is no local bus service, you go by taxi instead. Write about your journey to the railway station and the surroundings. Your essay must not be less than 100 words.

The essay that was expected of us ran more-or-less along this storyline:

I had to go to the railway station to meet my cousin. I hailed a taxi and got in. As we drove down the road, I saw shops on my left. Soon, we reached a roundabout. Going clockwise, we took the second exit off the roundabout onto Jalan Ambang. On my left I saw a football field that was full of people. Further down the road, I saw a playground that was also full of people. We reached a set of traffic lights. We turned right. I looked out the window and noticed a big shopping complex. At the T-junction at the end of the road, we turned left. The petrol station on my left was full of people. And just ahead of the petrol station was my destination -- the railway station.

There. The paragraph above contains 133 words -- more than the number of words specified. It also contains all the points, as well as copious amounts of boringness.

However, don't ever underestimate the group of eccentric boys sitting at the back of 3 Balau.

Here are some of the sensational and inspiring storylines invented by them (some are by me, as well).

1) Ultraman landed on the football field and started fighting some huge exotic alien wildlife.

2) I left home driving my lorry, which was filled with TNT. I rushed to the railway station, but accidently crashed into the petrol station, causing my face, as well as many others', to be published in the newpaper obituary.

3) I left home driving my lorry, which was filled with TNT, and crashed into the petrol station again. However, due to the fact that I was King Leoric, I survived the crash and explosion.

4) I decided to drive out of the map since I figured that it would be a faster way to the railway station.

5) I found out about a horrible traffic jam, and decided to hire a jet instead.

As wonderfully exciting as this form of brain-storming can be, some people sadly don't approve. Example: Pn. Angie.

As a result of my overactive mouth and imagination as well as my inability to conceal my conversations, I was sentenced to switching places with Daniel. Who sits just one place behind me, actually.

Well, I can form two inferences as to why she would do this.

1) So I would talk less in class (or at least make it seem so); or

2) So I would talk in louder voices (since she has distanced me from my friends).

Just kidding.

I guess I tend to talk more during English class since I feel more confident that I'd be able to catch up. But still, that is no excuse, and I know it.

*Sigh*

I should propose this to a teacher: why not have one period every week focused only on speaking? In other words, get everyone to talk, especially the quiet ones, to anyone about whatever they like, with the only rule being that it must be in English. Just think what wonders it may do to those antisocial students.

Well, that probably won't happen, at least not in the near future. But we can always hope, can't we?

Class Essay

About 2 weeks ago, Pn. Angie (our class's English teacher) gave the entire class an assignment.

We had to come up with an essay.

But this essay was different. This was how it was done.

Pn. Angie gave Li Li (tutor muda) a HUGE stack of coloured note papers. Then, she wrote the essay's title and starting line on a memo pad and stuck it on the board at the back of the classroom.

The title is

Lost & Found.

The starting line is

It was a stormy afternoon.

Quite lame, really. But I guess that she did it so to leave the story open.

Bad idea.

Everyone in class has a different idea on how the story should go, which resulted in a seriously warped and twisted storyline.

I mean, SERIOUSLY warped.

Just my cup of tea.

However, Pn. Angie didn't enjoy it as much as I did, I think.

She had a little problem with errr... the dammit.

She says, it won't be allowed in PMR.

(Perspire)

I beg to differ, though. I think the dammit, as much as teacher and some of the other students are against it, is quite charming, really. It gives character to the story.

Not that it lacks any, by the way.

Now, here's a brief summary of the story's (many) main idea(s):


Lights go off.

Then, the Bill Collector comes. Pay up, he says. Somehow you miss when trying to shoot him dead (for what reason, I'm as lost as you) and he escapes.

You become a nun. You need a headdress. So, you find out that Bill over there has a headdress.

You assault (to put it nicely) a SWAT officer, and steal his uniform and gadgets.

So, the nun-turned-assassin you chase down Bill, who just happens to be a sheep.

He jumps into a Ferrari, and you chase him. Somehow, you chase down the Ferrari.

Billy claims to be immortal, and you agree to pay the bill...

(to be continued)

Well, it's some wacky story. And if you can wait, I'll be posting the full version on my blog as soon as the story is closed.

So, just wait.


P.S. There's also something about a dog morphing into a human...

Some More YouTube Vids

A few days ago my dad showed me 2 videos from YouTube. And yes, they are about music as well.

The videos are very interesting. However, you might have watched it before. Especially the 1st one, since it is one of the most watched new videos in YouTube.

Here it is: I present to you Susan Boyle.

Ah. But I cannot embed the video here, since some guy requested ALL videos about her be disabled from embedding.

So, just kindly click the link here.

That was video one. Here's the other.

This one I CAN embed.


Well, enjoy it. I can tell you that I did.

(P.S. Watch out at the beginning of the video: the word HUMAN is spelled wrongly.)

A Particular Youtube Vid

Recently, I've been regularly going to Youtube to watch some interesting videos.

Examples include Fred, Nigahiga, a few music vids and also some other comedy pieces.

And here's one I especially like. Partly because one of the people in it looks like someone I know.

See for yourself. It's a lip-sync video by the way (done very well, in my opinion).



Pay no attention to the guy in the background. Apparently he's busy playing Counter Strike.

Anyway, the reason why this vid is on my blog is because the guy on the left reminds me of Shi Wen.

Yes, I know, not much of the semblance in looks, but the weirdness just seems familiar...

No offence, Shi Wen.

History and I

There is one teacher I don't get.

Or rather, there are many teachers I don't get, but this teacher is one I doubly don't get.

She is Pn. Joyce. And for those of you who don't know, she's my Sejarah teacher.

I really love her class. I am ever anxious to see what she'll be doing next. And for those of you who don't know, I'm being sarcastic.

Firstly, please excuse the tone of this post. If you are a big fan of Pn. Joyce, I'd highly suggest you stop reading.

Now, one of the things I don't get about her is her lessons.

Sejarah is chronological. But the way she's teacher the subject, I'm almost lost when it comes to the order of events. Perhaps for those who already know the facts, her classes are beneficial, but not for me.

She'll step in class, and after the customary greeting, launch straight away into her lesson. The only problem is that today's lesson always seemed detached from yesterday's. I really wish she'd use the text book, at least as reference. I sometimes find written words easier to grasp than spoken ones, especially if it's about unknown facts.

Also, as one of my classmates pointed out, she goes too fast almost all the time. Everything may be crystal clear in her mind, but definitely not in mine. I mean, if I already knew the syllabus, she needn't even be teaching.

When she teaches, not only does she go too fast, she teaches in English. Well, I thought that it was good that Sejarah was being taught in English, but that was of course before the latihan came along. You see, the latihan are unfortunately in BM. But the words and facts I'm learning are in English.

When I was halfway through a latihan paper, I asked her what a certain word meant (the word was permogokan). She displayed one of those snug smiles, and almost laughed the question off.

"How can you ask what a word means? You should know what it means, after all it's in your text book."

But this test is not a BM test; surely explaining what a word meant wasn't going to be considered cheating. You always stress that Sejarah is all about grasping the concepts, and not blindly memorising strings of words. By the way, let's not forget that you teach Sejarah in English.

"Ah, but this word is in your text book. If you read your text book you would know this word."

Well, fine. Let's leave it at that.

Later, however, when we were going through the paper, she had to rub it in. How nice of her.

Besides that, Pn. Joyce seems to be getting a whole lot of praise. From both teachers (Pn. Mary Ann) and students (3 Cengal). For some reason, I dislike her though.

Oh, and did I mention that her "jokes" and "acting young in class" is distracting?

*Sigh*

Musings by Bee El Eh See Kay

It's been a long time since I last posted. So excuse this post if it sounds a bit rusty.

Now firstly, I would like to say something:

I will not stop being lame, whether you like it or not.

So, there!

I would also like to make a shoutout to all Malaysians:

BE SURE TO CATCH THE MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX! IN SEPANG FROM 3-5 APRIL!!!

But truthfully, I don't really care.

Why?

Well, I'm not going to Sepang to watch the Grand Prix live. And if I do watch it, I'll be seeing it on the television, and in that case it doesn't really matter which country it's held in. But I guess the publicity is good for our country.

However, if a Tennis Masters was set here, right here in Malaysia, I'll be overjoyed!

I mean, I'll let loose an ear-piercing scream! (Deals 100/180/260/350 damage in a 600 AoE [damage type is pure] and slows for 3 seconds.) Cooldown: 20/18/15/12 seconds.

Okay, maybe not that devastating, but you get the idea.

But then, it might be just as well there ISN'T a Tennis Masters here in Malaysia.

...

...

Okay. Sorry. I take that back.

A Post You Wouldn't Understand

>>Pavaler, galimatias and stultiloquent folderol.<<

Understood anything? Didn't expect you to.

Don't worry too much about it; they all mean nonsense.

300 Words

SEGi College has an essay competition!

And, of course, I'm joining. Not that I expect to win, especially in my first competition.

I'm also not quite prepared. Here's some things I have no clue on. Help me if you can.

1. Which SEGI College is it held in?
2. When is the actual starting time? Do you need to come early to register?
3. What is the topic (in exact words)?
4. How long a time are you given?
5. Are you allowed to bring an essay prepared at home into the competition area?
6. Who will be judging?

Yeah. There's quite a lot of stuff which I don't know.

Some enlightenment is greatly appreciated.

Oh yeah, I've counted the number of words in an average essay of mine, and the word count is 600. The stated number of words for the competition essay is 300.

How, oh how, am I going to write a 300-word essay? It just wouldn't sound complete!

I Can't Get No Satisfaction

'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try...

I really ain't gettin' no satisfaction.

Some o' ma' teachers are bein' real unreasonable, an' I can't do nothin' t' stop it.

Okay. Stop the accent.

Back to being serious.

I have found out the truth. Actually, I have known the truth since Form 1, I just thought it applied only to some teachers. But now I know it applies to all.

I have found out:

Teachers are sore losers.

They cover each other's backs.

The people who lose out are the students.

This happens during exam season. Or rather, after exam season.

Or, to put it precisely, when you ask teacher why question # is marked wrong.

Especially when it comes to the Science paper.

Allow me to explain.


When I was in Form 2, my Science teacher was Pn. Asma/Wan. She was new to teaching Science, which was a GREAT disadvantage to us (2 Batai-ans).

Firstly, she couldn't control the class. Even with Mike Rhophoan.
Secondly, she can't teach (at least not well).
Thirdly, she adheres so ridiculously to the suggested answers in the exam that she causes mass depression to the entire class when she marks their papers.

So, you can conclude she didn't win the Popular Teacher award that year.

Anyway, I had quite a serious disagreement with her about one of the subjective questions in the mid-year exam paper. And so, I told her about it.

And being the unsure self she is, Pn. Asma was reluctant to even consider my answer, since it wasn't in the marking guide. What a brilliant excuse.

So, in the end, I was directed here and there till I finally got to ask the opinion of Pn. Cheng, the Afternoon Head. And so, being quite confident in my answer, I politely ask her what was wrong with my answer, and whether I should get full marks.

Then she tells me: if I was in Ramin, and I needed the mark, she'd mark that question correct. But I'm in Batai, and I am not on the verge of failing, so she's going to leave it as wrong.

And so, I tell her that the marking is not synchronised, since Balau and some other classes are getting that question correct, while my class is getting it wrong.

Do you think she gave a damn? No. Of course not. Why would she?

That was a bit crude, I know, but it was how I felt at that moment in time.

And now, once again, there is another ambiguous question in the Form 3 first term test paper.

Air that has more water vapour also has more...
A. nitrogen. B. carbon dioxide. C. dust. D. micro-organism.

It can have 2 answers; it can have no answer.

They did not say inhaled or exhaled air, and it cannot therefore be limited to that.

Air that has more water vapour is humid air. Humid air DOESN'T have more CO2. Humid air can be from a tropical rainforest. I doubt there's more CO2 in there than in desert air (which is drier).

So, you see, it's a dilemma.

Liberated!

Free from the bonds of words and figures, he soars into the noon sky, and once again continues his noble mission.

Invisible to humans, he treads quietly into 3 Balau's classroom, careful not alert Puan Ong of his presence. Then, one by one, he reaches into the minds of the students. With lightning speed and absolute precision, he unbinds their minds. Ropes of information litter the ground.

One by one, the students jerk. Now no longer bound by the accursed exams, their unclouded minds think clearly. Staring down, they find their exam sheets completed. Staring up, they find that the exam still has another 30 minutes to go.

Finding the classroom way too monotonous for their liking, some students grab hold of a pencil and start drawing. Sketches fill the question paper. Some students, too overcome by tiredness, lay their heads down on their arms and close their eyes, seeking the door to Dreamland.

Suddenly, a hum of voices fill in the silence. The students raise their eyes. Exam is over. Puan Ong struts over to each table, and collects the exam sheets.

When she is almost done collecting, the school bell rings.

Life flows into the students limbs. Thoughts of fun -- fun, a word hardly thought about during the last 2 weeks -- fills their minds.

Then the truth hits them. Exam is over.

They are liberated.

With smiling faces and lively voices, they silently give their thanks to the Liberator.

The Liberator: the one and only, the strong and mighty. We thank you.

Whom I Met at the Finals

Last Thursday was the Form 3 debate finals.

And it was there I met my old acquaintance: Mike.

Or, to put it fuller, Mike RhoPhoan. Heard of him?

He's also known as Sown M Pleefieyer.

You might have seen him before. He is pathetically thin, literally a stick of a man, and has a round head, which he often covers with some interwoven wire. He seems to have a fetish for black, and is rarely seen wearing a different colour.

If you stand next to him and measure his height compared to yours, his head usually reaches slightly above your chin.

Oh yeah. I almost forgot: he has an irritating habit of repeating whatever is mentioned in front of him. Whatever secrets you have will be publicly announced by him should you accidentally reveal it in his presence. He also enjoys mimicking your voice, but not a 100%. He often adds some booms and crackles into his version of your speech, probably for the plain sake of annoying the hell out of you.

Therefore, you must always keep a tight rein on him, which some people emphasise on by wrapping their hand around his neck. This 'reining' requires some skill, a skill that I have not yet gained. Hence my dismay at seeing him again.

Does my description ring a bell? Just in case it doesn't, I've inserted a picture of him below.



(down)





(down)





(almost there)

HAH!

Recognise him NOW, don't you?

Debate #1

Today was there was the Form 3 inter-class debate.

I, together with Daniel, Shu Wen and Melanie, represented 3 Balau.

Our opponent was 3 Angsana, comprising Andrea, Krystal, Samantha Cheh and Julian(?!).

We (3 Balau) was fortunate enough to be the Opposition team, which means 3 Angsana was the Proposition.

The motion was (in exact words):

Science stream guarantees a better future.

In my opinion, the motion is super biased. It obviously sides the Opposition (notice the use of 'fortunate' when I described our getting the Opposition side).

Debating would be so much easier if you could just tell the teacher (perhaps in language not so crude):

"This motion is the biggest lump of hogwash I have ever heard. Use your brain, please, cikgu. Tell me honestly, do you seriously think Science stream students are assured of a brighter future compared to Arts students? In that case, wouldn't all Science students be multi-millionaires and Arts students their servants? Because what the motion suggests is that Science students WILL succeed in life (it's like writing their destiny or something). This is called a Sweeping Statement. It means it's so general until it doesn't make sense. If it was written "Science stream students usually have a better future", the Opposition would have been facing a bigger challenge.




Wow.

Am I writing too much?

I gotta rest my fingers.

Am I Hexed?

Is it just me? Or is it just luck? Or is the game rigged?

Like a loyal supporter, I've been following the Australian Open, obviously with my favourites. They are Roger Federer and Dinara Safina.

Both who just so conveniently crashed out of the finals.

Making my day, of course.

Safina could have very well been a cement wall placed right in the middle of the court. She lost 6-0; 6-3 to Serena.

What the hell happened in the 1st set???


Moving on to...

Federer.

What a disappointment -- a 7-5; 3-6; 7-6; 3-6; 6-2 lose to Rafael Nadal.

You can't beat Nadal even on hard court? But hard court's your speciality.

I really hope Federer gets a better coach, and pulls up his socks, because I will continue to support him, and I don't want to support a loser.

Plough on, FedEx!

I was watching a tennis match just now. Federer versus Del Potro.

Just in case you don't know, Roger Federer (ex world No. 1) is ranked 2nd in the world, and Juan Martin Del Potro is ranked 10th.

I was worried for Federer (whom I support) since he played shakily during his last match against Tomas Berdych. He had lost the first 2 sets before he pulled his act together and (thankfully) won back the last 3 sets.

Berdych is ranked 22nd; Del Potro, 10th.

If he struggled against Berdych, he'll die against Del Potro. In theory.

Fortunately, he didn't die. Or lose, for that matter. In fact, he won. But first, back to the story...

I was watching the tennis match. After the 1st set, in which Federer comfortably won 6-3, I had to go for dinner.

So, I went for dinner. And rushed back.

I turned on Star Sports.

The match was over.

What the hell. So fast?!

Then, I checked the internet for the results. (Very easily, actually. Just type Australian Open into the Google search box and the latest results appear.)

Well, it did appear. I was shocked.

6-3; 6-0; 6-0.

Wow.

Federer demolished Del Potro when I wasn't looking. How dare he!

I only hope he can dish out the same amount of devastation during the semis.

Against who? I forget. Not that it matters.

Keong Hee Huat Zai!

Just to clarify...

Chinese: Gong Xi Fa Cai
Cantonese: Gung Hei Fatt Choi
Hokkien: Keong Hee Huat Zai

So now, you know.

*****

During this week-long Chinese New Year hols, I (sadly?) won't be involving myself in the money collection business. I also won't get to fine-tune my gambling skills and my mahjongg virtuosity.

That's because I'm quite occupied already.

First off, the inter-class debate is set on the Tuesday after the hols. I interpret this as the school intending us (debaters) to use the holiday for the group discussions. Which most debaters will probably be doing.

Secondly, I am trying my best to enjoy this holiday as much as possible. Quite difficult. I am having a bit of a problem squeezing in tennis matches with my neighbour since the sky has figured that plants needed to be watered in the evenings, and has done so. The court wasn't spared. Sadly.

Talking about tennis, I am desperately following the results of the Australian Open. Since I'm doing this through the newspapers, I only know the results 1 day later. Sad, I know. Anyway, I'd just like to grab this opportunity to express my hope of Federer breaking Sampras' record -- just 2 more Grand Slams to go!

And, of course, I'm away for the bulk of the week. That kinda gets in the way as well.

So, to all readers of this post,

新年快乐

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR.

年年有余
MAY THE YEAR TO COME BE FISHY(???).

It's Terribly Exciting!

All tennis followers should know that...

THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN IS STARTING!

The only problem is...

I don't have Astro.

Meeting The Teachers.

First week of school's finally over. No more yawning and yawning and yawning in the early mornings anymore (hopefully).

And I've met all the subject teachers -- except one.

You see, our Geography teacher has been very conveniently absenting herself from our class. Whenever her period crops up, she'll either abandon our class or send in Pn. Mary Ann, as was the case during her Wednesday class.

And it's all her fault that this following what-I-think-of-my-teachers poll cannot be completed.

Here it goes...

B Malaysia: Pn Azeana. "What?! We get a new teacher? Can she even teach???"
English: Pn Ruth. Hope she lives up to her name.
Chinese: Pn Chen. The best we could've got.
Science: Pn Ong. What else is there to say?
Maths: Pn Tho. Often catch myself trying to stifle a laugh.
Geography: Pn. Chia? Pn Cheah? Who is she?
History: Pn Mary Ann. How lucky am I? Sejarah might even be interesting.
KHB: Pn Heah. Yeah, you all thought she only taught girls. I wish.
Moral: Pn Lee BP. No comment.
Civics: Pn Saik. Nag. Nag. Nag. Other than that, she's alright.
PJK: Encik Siva. "Handball, hockey, sit-ups, hockey, jogging, hockey..."
Art: Pn Latifah. Not Queen Latifah(I wish). Has very slow handwriting.

Well, yeah, that pretty much covers all my subject teachers. Some could be better, but...

Overall: satisfied.

Back to the Status Quo.

Wow.

Just like that, the holidays are nearly over, and school days are back.

Time to unearth the schoolbag and fill it with books; more books this time, since PMR is drawing near. Back to school in new classes with new teachers and a new schedule altogether. Not to mention new classmates.

Sounds fun, doesn't it?

I'm stuck in 3 Balau with a bunch of genii who can probably prattle on in Chinese as well as the Chinese teachers can, with the exception of Puan Lee. Most of my ex-classmates have gone to other classes, many of them my friends. Remember that Sting song?

Wooah~
I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien,
I'm an Englishman in New York.

The words doesn't exactly fit the context, but the idea is there.

I'm free floating in a foreign atmosphere, with only 2 anchors to sanity. Gerald and Daniel.

Another thing the new school days bring which I am less-than-happy about is the early mornings. I've been sleeping at 2 am and waking up at 12 noon. A few days ago I slept at 4 am. With 3 more nights to go, you expect me to adjust my sleeping habits, and wake up at 6.30 in the morning?

Tom Cruise will have a blast with this Mission Impossible.