20 amino acids to rule the world.
Coming clean on my progress on my dearest subject Proteomics, I must say I am on schedule, prim and proper, not too fast and not too slow, just cruising along just right, due to the one day head start I got by not going out on Tuesday.
I have 3 main volumes, Protein Structure and Function, Analytical Techniques, and Enzymes. The last is really one thin chapter rather than a volume, while the middle one can be described as a wtf-chunk. The first is moderate, which I’ve completed rather lackadaisically after 2 days to get the steam back up (and deal with the severe loneliness I feel in my pursuit of higher order knowledge).
So yeah, tomorrow will be another fantabulous day spent on Analytical Techniques (I) by 3 in the afternoon (I believe in intricate planning, much as my life seems disorganized and messed up), and then complete the first 2 out of 5 parts of Analytical Tech (II).
If you are my H3 classmate and you just read that, don’t get freaked out. I read notes like I’m high on drugs; nothing really gets in till I force myself to copy it out.
Anyway, most of you may be already losing the joy and enthusiasm that was supposed to come with the ending of A’s rather unofficially. Absence makes the heart fonder, so I suppose you guys just got the worse of the better deal eh? My plan after the 3rd would be to have fun. If that plan fails I’ll… exercise. I’ve been doing bicep curls for past few days, 10kg. Pathetic had never found a better definition. I did 12 crunches, died, then revived myself through pure willpower to top it up to 20 before I called it quits, on the first set. So high five to everybody whose body looks like shit now. My heart is with you.
But in two weeks time you’re gonna be on your own.
I’m completing Galileo already, anyone has J-drama to recommend? Preferably intellectually-stimulating kind. I’m not exactly keen to start Heroes 3. Time travelling seems to have failed to pique my interest currently.
Okay sleeping now. Hope life’s great for all of you 
!
I would think I’m emitting a very depressive aura now. Bad hair and lousy body aside, I think the outlook is really bright academically, it would seem that Chemistry is just seriously screwed up, I didn’t own it, I got owned. Big time. All my life, this just had to be the time to get screwed. Imagine if I get a B for chemistry. That would be really a shame. Tell me who in this screwed up world does pretty decently for Chem, in HC, and screws up in A levels. Nearly zero. My gp’s a goner. My Biology depends on the performance of the rest of the cohort. My math papers are shaky. My proclamation to get 5As 1D seems so far away now. I don’t understand how people can go in and come out like they just had some Thai massage.
Oh eff it. I’m in a super rotten mood.
Systematic errors.
Well, I’ve just skimmed through Tag’s blog and there was this post about… if I remember correctly, to “stop fucking A levels” and not complain about the system. Did I get that correct? Hope so, cause I’m feeling rather lazy to Ctrl-T and really pore through it. But anyway I would like to state my observation of the current time allocations of exams, which may seem a little unsubstantiated and myopic, but I duly hope the thoughts make sense.
There’s simply too little time to show how much we’ve truly understood.
Exams, essentially, are used as a measure of how well we know our content, by that, meaning our familiarity, depth of understanding, and hence ability to apply relevant skills with the knowledge gained over the past two years that coincide with the learning outcomes. One obvious flaw that remains to date, unaddressed for obvious reasons, would be that not all content can be squeezed into a single exam. Yes, some may say it is possible to lengthen exams to 5 hour long marathons with double the questions, but these people are obviously masochistic so we shall ignore them. But what is in deficit, is the amount of time available to fully expound our knowledge. The most direct counter-argument is that many students have been able to do so in the past (hence it shouldn’t be a problem for future generations), and that this helps to separate the good from the excellent. We are however, increasing the difficulty of questions every year; students pumped full with additional knowledge to help them deal with novel questions. While it is quite difficult to point out if Cambridge’s increasingly difficult questions are fuelling this trend or the other way round, I think the time allocated to do each question should be increased relative to the difficulty.
To draw up some examples, I would like to illustrate this point first with Economics. Case studies are requiring higher level skills, question requirements for essays becoming more although question length remains more or less the same. Precision and accuracy are the most essential skills needed to deal with them. But to fully cover the scope of the question would be a problem. The time limit is placing an unnecessary penalization on those who write just that tad slower. Write faster then, you would chorus. But is that really a valid suggestion? Constructive, no doubt, in the short term for the individual. But I really doubt, with my perhaps-myopic perspective that writing speed actually matters in the “real world”. Lengthening time limits would leave detractors saying that those who are not familiar with the content would be able to take advantage of the extra time, and hence an inaccurate reflection of the students’ abilities. One such subject that would be brought up to support this point would be Math. But in the case of Math, wouldn’t a genius who is able to work out answers without revising much be valued over someone who mugged half his lifetime just so he could do those questions? Pragmatism may lead us to the realization that pure genius is a rather good advantage that can be built upon. Chances are that dilligence can be inculcated but intellect cannot be created. And to be honest, the chances of figuring out math questions without basic understanding are rather low. Hence, the increase in time would not result in poor distillation between the good and the less academically inclined.
What I’m proposing isn’t something radical like 2 hours more for every exam or something along that scale. It would be frivolous and unnecessary. Perhaps, something like 15-20 mins? That could make a world of difference. It may mean one page more of full content that shows the examiners that hey, I didn’t slog 2 years just to show you nonsense (thanks to my chimeric hand of snail and human genes).
With a score of 262, I could have gone Raffles.
Good Things Don’t Last Long.
Miss Yan: “There’s a star in all of us.”
One of the nicest photos in a while
I’m actually kinda depressed that I have no photos of me going up. HC Photosoc I need help.
I think I look better when I’m not smiling. Compare top and bottom.
With volleyball mates (top) and 71 guys (bottom).
MY OLD CLASS SIALA.
For comparison’s sake.
And all these great people. Still got loads more locked up with Leize and Seeyoo. And a handful in my own camera.
And I just feel so fine knowing this class is mine.
Listen now.
“Are you ready to Jumpstart?”
Tonight’s fantastic. Funny faces spice up all photos don’t you think? I wish I could flood the post with emotive and flamboyant language to put across this excitement and yet depressing thoughts swirling in my mind, but I can’t.
But if you could, EVERYBODY SEND ME YOUR PHOTOS OR UPLOAD ON FACEBOOK.
NYAA Notification!
Hey guys, quick update on the NYAA Silver certification, for those left off the list. Yun Heng, I don’t think your booklet is lost, your name is here for some reason. Hmmm.
HWA CHONG INSTITUTION
- Chan Pak Chuen (s26881) M
- Chan Zhi Yang (s26846) M
- Chen Kiat M
- Ronald Chen (s27054) M
- Chen Wei Jie (s26716) M
- Chen Zehong (s27055) M
- Cheo Jon Loong (s26953) M
- Jerrold Chong Yuan Pei (s26725) M
- Chow Jie Hui (s26787) M
- Chow Kok Hau Andy (s26847) M
- Chua Kai Jian (s27023) M
- Wilson Dan Wah Kiat (s26944) M
- Deng Jinyu (s27124) M
- Du Jian Fei (s27025) M
- Wilson Fok Chun Wai (s27079) M
- Goh Hui Hua (s26790) M
- Heng Cheng Peng Jonathan (s27027) M
- Hu Youda Eric (s26850) M
- Huang Ding (s27060) M
- Jiang Wensen (s26759) M
- Lee Jian Le (s27178) M
- Lee Jie Yang (s26726) M
- Lee Pei Yit (s26852) M
- Lee Yi Ren (s27067) M
- Liang Sai (s26855) M
- Lim Jue Min Jeremy (s27181) M
- Lim Jun Cheng (s26927) M
- Joshua Lim Sheng Hao (s26989) M
- Lim Yi Chen (s26931) M
- Lim Yun Heng (s27038) M
- Loh Hong Sheng (s26858) M
- Ma Siyuan (s26932) M
- Neo Yee Chong Jonathan (s26772) M
- Ng Teng Jie (s26860) M
- Ong Yi Quan (s26934) M
- Dominic Pang Jing Ping (s27056) M
- Pamg Jun Han Karlton (s26832) M
- Puay Li Yi (s27071) M
- Quek Ming Kang Marcus (s27043) M
- Shao Hongxin (s27073) M
- Shao Fei (s26738) M
- Tan Chun Yan (s26803) M
- Tan Jun Lin (s27004) M
- Tan Kam Wei Eldwin (s26939) M
- Tan Lian Seng (s27045) M
- Joseph Tang Kai Yuen (s26963) M
- Tay Ming Yang (s26866) M
- Teo Zhi Kai Daryl (s26777) M
- Tham Ming Ren Aaron (s27010) M
- Raphael Toh (s27000) M
- Tong Zi Heng (s27011) M
- Tor Cheng Yao (s26942) M
- Tseng Pei Wei (s27078) M
- Alfred Wan Chien Yang (s26871) M
- Wang Jea Yeu Davin (s26779) M
- Wang Sihao (s26806) M
- Wang Yu Han (s26807) M
- Wang Zhuo (s27012) M
- Wei Ziran (s26782) M
- Wong Renjie (s27048) M
- Xia Yang M
- Xian Zhi Bin (s27111) M
- Xu Yanjun (s26875) M
- Ye Xiaoyang (s26912) M
- Zhang Qin (s27082) M
- Zhang Yu Teng (s26949) M
- Zhao Chen (s26878) M
- Zhao Dan (s26879) M
- Zhao Jianming M
Yeah, please help spread the word around, thanks
Oh while I’m here, just wanna ask if anybody entering at 0845 5th February 2010 BMT School 2? I only know Edmund Poh is entering same time. Why can’t we be at 1045 with everyone else !#%$^!@$#
And at the rate I’m going, I think I’ll miss the Mentalist tonight 
Some people want it all.
The bus ride home was very disturbing, three kids probably <14 years old were extremely raucous. Like swearing, singing, whole lot of dialects (which I sadly, do understand), as well as the mentioning of 369. You know, the most famous Singapore gang. And when they finally alighted, one stop before the interchange, I, now confidently say that if there were no repercussions I would have beaten them up, all three of them, including the girl. For one, I am a good head taller than the shortest guy, my knee was whispering to me that it could reach his face without fully stretching.
But let’s not be violent, after all the vulgarities I spewed today, and the apparently the heinous backstabbing I have done to 3 girls. Oh, such evil, such bad karma. I guess this is what the GP teacher meant by mock horror. Was thinking about how I spent my day today, how I was treated, how I was treating others, all as I ran, and I realised that I simply do not deserve such treatment, nor do others from me. I should not have said Edmund’s hair was so amusing/ugly. I should have been less crude when swearing. There are many other ways to show my discontent, and others, theirs. So tomorrow shall herald a new age of sarcasm and guai lan-ness.
On a completely different note, I realised that, well, 29 days is gonna be really short. It’s been erm, nearly 10, 11 days since Prelims and I haven’t read a single stack of notes. Score.
What I should be doing.
Kinda having a tough time deciding what I would want to do/study later on in life, so I decided to do a free career test.
So yeah, results as follow, with career recommendations. I think I want to be an advertising creative director… my ambition a couple of years back. But somewhere along I realised there’s no course for it, nor is it easy to break into this line. So… yeah. Journalists lead lives that are too time-demanding, though I would love the challenge. But it’s hard to say because I don’t have a family and stuff now. I also don’t mind being like the fictional the Mentalist. Both acting as one or being one in real life. Political managers are kinda… unneeded in Singapore.
EI: 1 out of 17
Extrovert |----------------------------------------| Introvert
|
5%
SN: 11 out of 17
Sensation |----------------------------------------| iNtuition
|
64%
TF: 4 out of 17
Thinking |----------------------------------------| Feeling
|
23%
JP: 10 out of 17
Judging |----------------------------------------| Perceiving
|
58%
Your Personality type is ENTP.
ENTP’s value their ability to use imagination and innovation to deal with problems. Trusting in their ingenuity to get them out of trouble, they often neglect to prepare sufficiently for any given situation. This characteristic, combined with their tendency to underestimate the time needed to complete a project, may cause the ENTP to become over-extended, and to work frequently beyond expected time limits. Complicating this situation is their predisposition to experiment with new solutions. This makes them eager to move on to the next challenge when things get boring. ENTP’s become stressed when their improvisational abilities are ineffective and they will avoid circumstances where they might fail.
If stress continues, ENTP’s become distracted and their “can do” attitude is threatened. Feelings of incompetence, ineptness, and inadequacy take over. They need to escape situations that are associated with anxiety is more prominent for the ENTP than for any other personality type. Doubtful of whether they will have what it takes to accomplish a task, they displace their fears onto situations they can elude. Panic, fear, and anxiety then block the expression of their creativity. Defensive phobic reactions cause the ENTP to circumvent achievement in other areas and prevent the success they strive on.
This lists represent careers and jobs people of your type tend to enjoy doing. The job requirements are similar to the personality tendencies of your personality type. It is important to remember that this is not a list of all the jobs possible. And it is very important to remember that people can, and frequently do, fill jobs that are dissimilar to their personality… this happens all the time…and sometimes works out quite well.
systems designer
venture capitalist
actor
journalist!
investment broker
real estate agent
real estate developer
strategic planner
political manager
politician
special projects developer
literary agent
restaurant/bar owner
technical trainer
diversity manager
art director
personnel systems developer
computer analyst
logistics consultant
outplacement consultant
advertising creative director
radio/TV talk show host
Class tee #2
2nd class tee design. To be on chest, illustration above would be erm. around 12 by 12 cm on a white, fitting tee. Or maybe bigger. Supposed to give a print-tee feeling. Comments/APPROVAL much appreciated.
Not so bored after all.
What the dipshit. I don’t have NYAA Silver, according to the freaking list on SMB. So that’s very cool, I spent 3 years in delusion that I possess an NYAA Silver. While it does not define me as a person I think future scholarship-givers would use that to size me up. So I’m gonna make sure someone is held accountable for my cert. And if NYAA side and HC college side doesn’t give me a good answer, I’m gonna hunt down the whereabouts of Mrs Sim and make sure she funds my overseas camping trips and programmes to take up additional skills.
And to my utter horror, I realised that… my only free weekday (where I don’t have to go back school) is actually TOMORROW, and DEEPAVALI. How in the craziest world would I be able to mug for A’s when there are lessons everyday that I’m obliged to go.
And now that I’m half mark away from a 50 for GP, I actually wonder if I should go back to Graymatter for tuition. Dilemma, dilemma. I just wanna do the Elson to everyone now. And if you were wondering what the Elson is, it’s actually to put on an indifferent face, say “Fuck you” three times in an indifferent voice while cycling two middle fingers in the air.
