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

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).

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.

“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.

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

1. Chan Pak Chuen (s26881)                                               M
2. Chan Zhi Yang (s26846)                                       M
3. Chen Kiat                                                                  M
4. Ronald Chen (s27054)                                           M
5. Chen Wei Jie (s26716)                                           M
6. Chen Zehong (s27055)                                          M
7. Cheo Jon Loong (s26953)                                     M
8. Jerrold Chong Yuan Pei (s26725)                                    M
9. Chow Jie Hui (s26787)                                           M
10. Chow Kok Hau Andy (s26847)                             M
11. Chua Kai Jian (s27023)                                         M
12. Wilson Dan Wah Kiat (s26944)                             M
13. Deng Jinyu (s27124)                                              M
14. Du Jian Fei (s27025)                                              M
15. Wilson Fok Chun Wai (s27079)                            M
16. Goh Hui Hua (s26790)                                           M
17. Heng Cheng Peng Jonathan (s27027)               M
18. Hu Youda Eric (s26850)                                         M
19. Huang Ding (s27060)                                             M
20. Jiang Wensen (s26759)                                         M
21. Lee Jian Le (s27178)                                              M
22. Lee Jie Yang (s26726)                                            M
23. Lee Pei Yit (s26852)                                                M
24. Lee Yi Ren (s27067)                                               M
25. Liang Sai (s26855)                                                  M
26. Lim Jue Min Jeremy (s27181)                               M
27. Lim Jun Cheng (s26927)                                       M
28. Joshua Lim Sheng Hao (s26989)                                    M
29. Lim Yi Chen (s26931)                                             M
30. Lim Yun Heng (s27038)                                         M
31. Loh Hong Sheng (s26858)                                                M
32. Ma Siyuan (s26932)                                                            M
33. Neo Yee Chong Jonathan (s26772)                    M
34. Ng Teng Jie (s26860)                                              M
35. Ong Yi Quan (s26934)                                            M
36. Dominic Pang Jing Ping (s27056)                                   M
37. Pamg Jun Han Karlton (s26832)                          M
38. Puay Li Yi (s27071)                                                 M
39. Quek Ming Kang Marcus (s27043)                       M
40. Shao Hongxin (s27073)                                         M
41. Shao Fei (s26738)                                                   M
42. Tan Chun Yan (s26803)                                        M
43. Tan Jun Lin (s27004)                                              M
44. Tan Kam Wei Eldwin (s26939)                             M
45. Tan Lian Seng (s27045)                                         M
46. Joseph Tang Kai Yuen (s26963)                          M
47. Tay Ming Yang (s26866)                                        M
48. Teo Zhi Kai Daryl (s26777)                                                M
49. Tham Ming Ren Aaron (s27010)                          M
50. Raphael Toh (s27000)                                            M
51. Tong Zi Heng (s27011)                                           M
52. Tor Cheng Yao (s26942)                                        M
53. Tseng Pei Wei (s27078)                                         M
54. Alfred Wan Chien Yang (s26871)                                    M
55. Wang Jea Yeu Davin (s26779)                             M
56. Wang Sihao (s26806)                                             M
57. Wang Yu Han (s26807)                                          M
58. Wang Zhuo (s27012)                                              M
59. Wei Ziran (s26782)                                                  M
60. Wong Renjie (s27048)                                            M
61. Xia Yang                                                                   M
62. Xian Zhi Bin (s27111)                                             M
63. Xu Yanjun (s26875)                                                            M
64. Ye Xiaoyang (s26912)                                            M
65. Zhang Qin (s27082)                                                            M
66. Zhang Yu Teng (s26949)                                       M
67. Zhao Chen (s26878)                                               M
68. Zhao Dan (s26879)                                                 M
69. 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

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.

Damn the shit, yesterday’s post was deleted. Not that there was much to be read. But wahlau. Seriously.

So today… Just ate, cut my hair before that, bowled with the boys before that, and ate lunch at Golden Cock before that, took back GP compre before that, played squash before that (got thrown out too…) and had some stupid CIP talk that could have been broadcasted via the SMB. But no complaints. Just two middle fingers. Kidding. Today I didn’t guailan Jing Xiang too, because he didn’t come to school… hope it’s not because I pissed him off yesterday.

Anyway. GP. Seems pretty much like bowling. Either you strike (score madly) or you gutter (fail)(like Darren). Spares (just passing) make you feel fantastic when you know you’ll never get a strike, but the good feeling stays there for so much a time, and you don’t have a warrant to whine about GP the next time round although you’re probably still at the very same standard.

And now looking back… I’m finding it a waste of time to go back tomorrow just to get back essay marks. Couldn’t they just give back both today?

On a completely different note, I must say my dad has quite a problem, that is the blind faith in his experience. While he certainly can’t be used as a strong example for the essay question of whether history has a role in moulding the future, it has been pretty long since he first started saying that he has a wealth of experience and thus we should listen to him although we (the three sons) may be more intelligent. This certainly would make sense, but that is if the experiences are relevant and reiterated at the right time only right? I don’t see the point of telling me how I should study exactly when I haven’t even get my grades back (as an indicator of whether I’m on the right track), and besides, I think at JC level if I still need my parents to tell me how I should study, something is very wrong. It’s not that I’m being condescending or anything, but I really doubt my parents know the rigours of education today. Our exams are always getting difficult and difficult, and more content is pumped into our brains to prepare us for tougher exams, leading to a massive spiralling up in the amount we learn since probably 3 decades ago.

And my dad remarks “So you think you’re smart enough…” If this isn’t irrelevant to the issue, I don’t know what is. Firstly, it should have been “So you think you’re wise enough…” if he really wants to do me in. And secondly it’s a real intrusion to dictate even how one studies without a full grasp of his methods of revision.

Maybe it’s a generation gap? I don’t know. But perhaps my brother will leave a comment to enlighten me further to the wisdom of our father.

So darn sian that WordPress can’t embed Youtube videos. This video is hilarious I swear, it’s Hitler’s reaction to Kanye dissing Taylor Swift.

Anyway, just wanna ask,

Who’s going to MAF?

Please do leave a note if you’re going I don’t really want to go knowing that no one is except J1s.

Today is 3rd September. Last year today was a good day if I remember correctly.

But this year, today, we face the stark reality of life, the cruel fate that is rarely embraced, that is, the start of Prelims tomorrow for all Year 2s harking from Hwa Chong Junior College.

Some cower in fear, some give up, and the rest… they cower in fear too. But will I jump on the bandwagon and find a corner to be emotional, panic and declare that my efforts have come to naught? No. I will not. My tough mind will help me overcome the pain and trauma of this long night, spent awaiting the horrors of tomorrow.

Okay shit this. I hate writing stupidly.

If you didn’t understand the above, I was mainly trying to convey the point that I look upon tomorrow without any enthusiasm.

My lack of optimism for a good grade and lack of yearning for a good grade mainly stems from two fundamental reasons.

Firstly would be the immense effort (in relative to previous tests) I’ve devoted to GP. GP tuition, GP remedials, countless essay outlines done every friday evening, and the 2 full days I’ve dedicated to this subject. I’ll admit, the returns may not be proportional, but I’m willing to give it a btter shot. But even so, these efforts have been continuous, and exponential since the start of this year (due to my brutal fall in grades), and yet nothing has been reaped thus far. I am thus, viewing tomorrow as half empty somewhat.

Secondly, I am just simply unable to summon any thirst for the elusive A. My overarching principle in life is to get the most out of the least. I’m afraid that I am unable to squeeze every single return from my efforts and thus score a good grade, which is rather embarrassing and shameful on my part. I would rather, now, delude myself into believing that I do not want that A so much so that the blow to my heart come October will not be so hard.

I can’t even determine what topics/areas I am keen on discussing tomorrow.

I’m just praying my essay will be coherent and concise, not crude and flaying about.

And my compre, straight to the point and logical.

I’m sure many share my desires. But how many will arrive at this stupendously difficult destination? I’ll keep my eyes peeled to see if I’m one of them.

Went temple today after my (possibly last) tuition session. Today is another pensive day. I think every Saturday is a pensive day. Shit la. I think I will miss school a lot. 12 years of formal education, 1st 6 were plain retarded, next 4 were highly influential, second last was fun and the last, superb. And it’s such a shame that my eyebags decided to take centerpiece of my face on such a beautiful camwhoring day. I look either perverted or punched (in one eye) in nearly all the photos.

The best class guys one can ever ask for (4A’07 had 35… but still.) Of course Iype is included. Just that he’s not here for some reason.

Aha. Found one with him.

Soultimate form teacher. Can’t believe she was so anal and uptight at the start of the year.

Okay fine. One photo of my ugliness. Ready?

With the quiet clique. Sheilala I love your face.

It was meant to be a three-petaled lotus… then Sheila decided to be the fourth.

Punched eye for the lose.

And earlier that day…

Mrs Cheng!

At the end of it all I’m pretty thankful that we blossomed as a class.

Yufei has got some pretty good photos this time, pray that she’ll faster send me SO THAT I CAN DESIGN CLASS TEE (as well as look at my unglamness).