The school was all abuzz today. For the first time, Michael Jackson's death was not the topic everyone was talking about. (Rest in Peace, King of Pop.)
Instead, every Fifth Former was asking every other Fifth Former they met:
"Did you check ledi?"
"Send in SMS... can check ledi..."
"What???!! It's out??!!!!"
"So-and-so kena you know! Hahaha...."
"Don't laughlah! Why I so suay (Hokkien for 'unlucky') wan..."
That's right. The list of 'lucky' 1992 kids chosen for NS is out and available for checking.
It's quite interesting to me. Even as late as the past week, NS meant nothing much to me. To me, it was "Oh, NS... okay..." It's one of those things that I just never thought much about. And somewhere, in the depths of my mind, I had this weird feeling of acceptance that I'll never get chosen for it... No idea why... it was just there.
So today I found out a bunch of my friends like PC, Xin Fang and Esther got chosen. Once I got into the car, I told my parents, "Hey, guess what? So-and-so got NS..."
And my dear mum said, "Really? So did you!"
-Stunned silence-
"WHAT??!!"
"Yah! I saw the article in the newspaper this morning and I kay-po mah, so I smsed in loh..." she handed me the phone showing the message.
'Tahniah. Selamat Maju Jaya.'
Oh. Har dee har... Was that the depths of my mind rolling around in laughter over the irony of it all?
I came online to check the website and boom... there it was again. 'Tahniah. Selamat Maju Jaya.'
Yeah, yeah, yeah... thank you... :P
I'm more shocked than anything. I know a lot of people dread finding out they were chosen. But after surfing around online, it is quite clear that the ex-NS trainees did really enjoy themselves there.
Two of my cousins went for it before, Vern (Kooky Jar) included. And after reading around many blogs, I see that it really isn't something to be miserable about after all. In fact, it does sound quite fun and it is really a once in a lifetime experience. Provided none of that NS camp 'horror stories' happen lar, of course... :P -choi choi touch wood-
We'll see how things go... muahahaa.... :-B
Showing posts with label Mild Ranting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mild Ranting. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Missing Page
This is for you lot, whose edition of the school magazine 2008 did not have the article on Choral Speaking. Oh wait, that's everyone's!
Ok. I just had to get that bit of sarcasm out of the way.
Seriously, ignorance really is bliss. I had absolutely no idea that the article I wrote got scrapped until this morning when I was flipping through past year magazines and came across the Choral Speaking article there. I forgot all about it. Now I can't believe I actually forgot all about it. And so silly me just had to wait until the school holidays before realizing it.
The choral speaking article has always been in the magazine dang it... Of all years they decide to cut it out, it had to be this year?? And without at least letting me know about it... -does the Fern derisive snort that some of you will recognize, especially Jess-
This bothers me because choral speaking was one of this year's happiest memories for me. I've always enjoyed reading past teams' achievements in the magazine and was looking forward to present an article of my own. Bleh. Now that article isn't going anywhere except this post, read by you patient people who have been putting up with my ranting for the past few paragraphs. Thanks, by the way. :-)
Article:
The words ‘choral speaking’ and ‘victory’ have always come together in the same sentence year after year for CGL choral speaking teams. Naturally, when our turn came to take on the competition this year, we felt tremendous desire, not to mention pressure, to uphold that great CGL legacy. Our team of 4 Arif girls braved the task and set off on a journey to try and defend our ‘champion’ spot in the Kelompok Level with our piece entitled, ‘Senses’.
We had so many practice sessions to the point that we could probably recite the entire script in our sleep. The Kelompok Level competition was held in the afternoon at SMK Heng Ee. Every team present performed to their very best that day. All our hard work and preparation for this day paid off as we performed flawlessly and captured the attention of the judges. As the results were being announced, our team basically formed a long chain of held hands and prayed as hard as we could. And, what do girls do when they hear great news? They scream, of course. And scream we did. We only gave the emcee the chance to announce up til SMK Convent- before we drowned out her voice with our cheers of happiness.
Now we were headed for State Level, where the competition would be much fiercer with heavy contenders like SMK Convent Bukit Mertajam and St. Georges’. There was no doubt that we threw our hearts into the performance and did the best we could do. Once again, when the results were announced, we held each other’s hands until all blood and heat drained from them. The teams were announced one by one for the consolation prizes and our heart rates increased for every team called. Finally, the top three positions were between us, St. Georges’ and Convent BM. The emcee’s words were purposely slow and torturous for all of us.
She announced St. Georges’ ‘Help! I’m A Teenager!’ as third place and our team started whispering hurried last minute prayers and mixed ‘Ohmigod’ and ‘Please... please... please...’ and so on. Alas, she announced our team next for second place and our faces fell in disappointment. Convent BM claimed top spot with their piece, ‘Sweet, Bitter 16’.
But it wasn’t over yet. The emcee announced there was one more prize to give away. ‘And the Best Conductor award goes to... Lee-
Cue the familiar screams of CGL girls again that successfully prevented the emcee from finishing her sentence. Thank goodness there weren’t any conductors other than myself who had the surname of ‘Lee’. It was truly a wonderful moment as I went up to collect the trophy amidst the cheers of my classmates. The cacophony was amazing. It was almost as if we actually won.
All in all, second place isn’t bad anyway. We managed to get this far, and we get to return back to school RM600.00 richer. Puan Gan, thanks for your never-ending support and advice. We really appreciate all you have done to help us. Also, thanks to Pn Lim Yen Lee and Ms Leong for being at the competition as well to provide moral support. And to all the other teachers, thank you so much for your advice, patience and allowing us to have your lessons to practice.
Truth be told, we really did win during this choral speaking competition. It didn’t have to be the certified, champion-of-the-state kind of victory. The fact is, through this competition, the bonds of friendship between us were strengthened tenfold. We helped and supported each other with complete sincerity whether during the happy or sad. We defined the meaning of teamwork and what it meant to have love for each other and love for our school. And that, is a victory in itself.
Ohmigoodness. I just realized I didn't get my prize money either. Good grief. XD
Ok. I just had to get that bit of sarcasm out of the way.
Seriously, ignorance really is bliss. I had absolutely no idea that the article I wrote got scrapped until this morning when I was flipping through past year magazines and came across the Choral Speaking article there. I forgot all about it. Now I can't believe I actually forgot all about it. And so silly me just had to wait until the school holidays before realizing it.
The choral speaking article has always been in the magazine dang it... Of all years they decide to cut it out, it had to be this year?? And without at least letting me know about it... -does the Fern derisive snort that some of you will recognize, especially Jess-
This bothers me because choral speaking was one of this year's happiest memories for me. I've always enjoyed reading past teams' achievements in the magazine and was looking forward to present an article of my own. Bleh. Now that article isn't going anywhere except this post, read by you patient people who have been putting up with my ranting for the past few paragraphs. Thanks, by the way. :-)
Article:
The words ‘choral speaking’ and ‘victory’ have always come together in the same sentence year after year for CGL choral speaking teams. Naturally, when our turn came to take on the competition this year, we felt tremendous desire, not to mention pressure, to uphold that great CGL legacy. Our team of 4 Arif girls braved the task and set off on a journey to try and defend our ‘champion’ spot in the Kelompok Level with our piece entitled, ‘Senses’.
We had so many practice sessions to the point that we could probably recite the entire script in our sleep. The Kelompok Level competition was held in the afternoon at SMK Heng Ee. Every team present performed to their very best that day. All our hard work and preparation for this day paid off as we performed flawlessly and captured the attention of the judges. As the results were being announced, our team basically formed a long chain of held hands and prayed as hard as we could. And, what do girls do when they hear great news? They scream, of course. And scream we did. We only gave the emcee the chance to announce up til SMK Convent- before we drowned out her voice with our cheers of happiness.
Now we were headed for State Level, where the competition would be much fiercer with heavy contenders like SMK Convent Bukit Mertajam and St. Georges’. There was no doubt that we threw our hearts into the performance and did the best we could do. Once again, when the results were announced, we held each other’s hands until all blood and heat drained from them. The teams were announced one by one for the consolation prizes and our heart rates increased for every team called. Finally, the top three positions were between us, St. Georges’ and Convent BM. The emcee’s words were purposely slow and torturous for all of us.
She announced St. Georges’ ‘Help! I’m A Teenager!’ as third place and our team started whispering hurried last minute prayers and mixed ‘Ohmigod’ and ‘Please... please... please...’ and so on. Alas, she announced our team next for second place and our faces fell in disappointment. Convent BM claimed top spot with their piece, ‘Sweet, Bitter 16’.
But it wasn’t over yet. The emcee announced there was one more prize to give away. ‘And the Best Conductor award goes to... Lee-
Cue the familiar screams of CGL girls again that successfully prevented the emcee from finishing her sentence. Thank goodness there weren’t any conductors other than myself who had the surname of ‘Lee’. It was truly a wonderful moment as I went up to collect the trophy amidst the cheers of my classmates. The cacophony was amazing. It was almost as if we actually won.
All in all, second place isn’t bad anyway. We managed to get this far, and we get to return back to school RM600.00 richer. Puan Gan, thanks for your never-ending support and advice. We really appreciate all you have done to help us. Also, thanks to Pn Lim Yen Lee and Ms Leong for being at the competition as well to provide moral support. And to all the other teachers, thank you so much for your advice, patience and allowing us to have your lessons to practice.
Truth be told, we really did win during this choral speaking competition. It didn’t have to be the certified, champion-of-the-state kind of victory. The fact is, through this competition, the bonds of friendship between us were strengthened tenfold. We helped and supported each other with complete sincerity whether during the happy or sad. We defined the meaning of teamwork and what it meant to have love for each other and love for our school. And that, is a victory in itself.
Ohmigoodness. I just realized I didn't get my prize money either. Good grief. XD
Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Law No One Understands
Physics theories, Bio facts, Maths formulae... they may be hard at times, but sooner or later we somehow understand it -underline: somehow-.But there's one law that nobody is spared from and yet no one can understand it. Time.
Why is it that 2 periods of Moral class seem to last half a lifetime but 2 weeks of school holidays seem like only a minute?
The second semester begins tomorrow, which brings forth the exam results from our mid term exam. I guess it's too much to hope that the papers have drowned in spilled-coffee incident, or got eaten by some dog, or got cut into shreds by a naughty toddler son/daughter with plastic scissors, or mysteriously got stolen by cat burglars who love looking at student statistics...
No?
Oh well.
Holidays sure have a way of putting students off track. Or rather, holidays bring out the best in students as they compete to emerge as the champion procrastinators of the season. No prizes given. Just a good, manic jolt to the heart on the Sunday night before school.
'Maths work? What Maths work? We had Maths work? -pause, sudden memory trigger- Arrgghhh!'-
'Done Civics work yet?' '-oh-so-confidently- Nope.'
(frantically flipping through newspapers for articles on 'isu-isu remaja'. -guilty- :P
'Any work for Bio? Any work for English? What must we pass up tomorrow ah???'
'Tomorrow's school?? I've only begun my holidays!'
'Oh gawd... -stares at Add Maths question which could have been answered in 5 seconds during exam season- How the heck do you do this question again?'
Sigh... good ol' school. XD
But one great thing about time flying now is that CSI NY Season Four is finally premiering this Tuesday! Same day as Physics and Chem results. Oh vey...
Friday, May 30, 2008
Update
Oh hey, look. I'm still alive. Heh. So I'm back from the BRATs journalist camp. Despite being a Penang Workshop, Penangites are the minority. Most are from KL, with a few from Sarawak, Seremban and Terengganu as well. So, I went into this camp to find out more about journalism and to see if that's a path I want to take. Uh... I'm still not sure. Haha. From the four days in Sunway Hotel, I found out that there's so much more to this than meets the eye and I still have a bunch of things to learn. But one great thing from this was that I've learnt a bunch of new games and riddles to drive the rest of you nuts. I also gained a ton of new friends -Hi sayangs! XD- and I have to start tracking down your blogs and listing them here soon.
Oh, and I'm sick of New World Park food court, as I worked til the wee hours of the morning writing an article about that place. Earrgh. For you guys who saw the paper last Monday and read all about us being Steven Spielberg, believe me, it was as fun as it was stressful. We were the first batch that they gave so many assignments to take care of so the last night was quite hectic. Imagine previous seasons of American Idol where they had to do group singing during Hollywood week. Imagine all those people both laughing and yelling at one another throughout the night. Imagine those groups that seeked out every corner of the hotel for a quiet place to work. Yeah. It was just like that. Sure, we have been told to not stress ourselves out and have fun, but naturally, we couldn't help it. But we still managed to put together decent pieces of work. So, great job to all of us. And it wasn't all stress. There were a lot of fun moments too, especially the games and riddles (I still can't figure out a couple of them. yeeesh.) we played with the four seniors and well, gossiping with my roomies.
All in all, gotta love BRATs and after reading about them in the papers every now and then, it's really great to be finally one of them.
I initially wanted to talk about Choral Speaking, but I guess that's pretty much old news by now. And other bloggers like Carmen and Renee have already mentioned it and posted pictures -extensively-. Also, I already wrote about it for the school magazine, so all I wanted to say had been said.
Let me just add this little bit more. Choral speaking had always been a CGL forte. We stepped into it this year with a lot to live up to. And thank goodness we kept up the tradition of victory. Yes, we didn't win champion of the state, but hey, second place isn't bad at all (Where's our money by the way? XD). In fact, as we know, even the judges thought we were really good (cough).
Right after our performance, rumours actually circulated that I was in tears because we were apparently so lousy. Please let me know who started that rumour so I can slice their heads off. And I've watched enough CSI episodes to get away with it too. Just kidding. Heh. But for the record, I did not cry and I was certainly not pissed with you lot. Why would I be? Siao. Pn Gan said that performance (finally) gave her goosebumps, so yeah, we were really good that day. Maybe we didn't feel it was so because we were too jaded thanks to so many practices already. XD
And well, I won Best Conductor. Hahaha. When my name was announced and I went up to get the trophy, looking at the crowd from the stage was one of the best sights ever. What I saw was you guys, screaming and shouting and cheering your heads off. And let me tell you, your support made it feel like the ultimate victory. As a matter of fact, I guess it was. :)
Ah, won't say no more here. Just read the school magazine for all the heart-warming details. Pffftt...
Happy Holidays. Or what's left of it that is...
Oh, and I'm sick of New World Park food court, as I worked til the wee hours of the morning writing an article about that place. Earrgh. For you guys who saw the paper last Monday and read all about us being Steven Spielberg, believe me, it was as fun as it was stressful. We were the first batch that they gave so many assignments to take care of so the last night was quite hectic. Imagine previous seasons of American Idol where they had to do group singing during Hollywood week. Imagine all those people both laughing and yelling at one another throughout the night. Imagine those groups that seeked out every corner of the hotel for a quiet place to work. Yeah. It was just like that. Sure, we have been told to not stress ourselves out and have fun, but naturally, we couldn't help it. But we still managed to put together decent pieces of work. So, great job to all of us. And it wasn't all stress. There were a lot of fun moments too, especially the games and riddles (I still can't figure out a couple of them. yeeesh.) we played with the four seniors and well, gossiping with my roomies.
All in all, gotta love BRATs and after reading about them in the papers every now and then, it's really great to be finally one of them.
I initially wanted to talk about Choral Speaking, but I guess that's pretty much old news by now. And other bloggers like Carmen and Renee have already mentioned it and posted pictures -extensively-. Also, I already wrote about it for the school magazine, so all I wanted to say had been said.
Let me just add this little bit more. Choral speaking had always been a CGL forte. We stepped into it this year with a lot to live up to. And thank goodness we kept up the tradition of victory. Yes, we didn't win champion of the state, but hey, second place isn't bad at all (Where's our money by the way? XD). In fact, as we know, even the judges thought we were really good (cough).
Right after our performance, rumours actually circulated that I was in tears because we were apparently so lousy. Please let me know who started that rumour so I can slice their heads off. And I've watched enough CSI episodes to get away with it too. Just kidding. Heh. But for the record, I did not cry and I was certainly not pissed with you lot. Why would I be? Siao. Pn Gan said that performance (finally) gave her goosebumps, so yeah, we were really good that day. Maybe we didn't feel it was so because we were too jaded thanks to so many practices already. XD
And well, I won Best Conductor. Hahaha. When my name was announced and I went up to get the trophy, looking at the crowd from the stage was one of the best sights ever. What I saw was you guys, screaming and shouting and cheering your heads off. And let me tell you, your support made it feel like the ultimate victory. As a matter of fact, I guess it was. :)
Ah, won't say no more here. Just read the school magazine for all the heart-warming details. Pffftt...
Happy Holidays. Or what's left of it that is...
Friday, May 16, 2008
Relief... sorta
And I quote Phaik Chern: IT'S OVER. OVER, OVER, OVER, OVER...
Well, except for those of you who have your final papers on Tuesday, to which I say, IT'S NEARLY OVER, OVER, OVER.... You get the picture.
Not that the mid year this time round went particularly well, but of course, that's expected. :-p But the freedom from revision definitely lightens the mourning over the horrible Physics and Bio papers. -no, no, no, don't think about it... whacks self-
But gone with the exam season, here comes the next busy season, preparation for Teacher's Day. Then, there's a whole bunch of stuff to finish up for school societies and what not... and robotics competition (a.k.a Grown-Up Lego XD) coming up. And I wanna talk about choral speaking (sighs happily) here as well. But, now is not the time, as I have many hours of sleep I need to catch up on, as well as books that have nothing to do with school subjects to read, and yes, Jess, Chapter 14 of 'Heroes' to write... Ok, ok! I'll get to it... yeesh.
Oh, and guess what? I got into the Penang Brats Workshop! Fun, fun, fun! XD Especially because it's on Merentas Desa Day... muahahahaha.
Until next time, where I shall talk about the 4 Arif choral speaking journey, and introduce 'Stylo Man'. Hehehee... You'll see.
Well, except for those of you who have your final papers on Tuesday, to which I say, IT'S NEARLY OVER, OVER, OVER.... You get the picture.
Not that the mid year this time round went particularly well, but of course, that's expected. :-p But the freedom from revision definitely lightens the mourning over the horrible Physics and Bio papers. -no, no, no, don't think about it... whacks self-
But gone with the exam season, here comes the next busy season, preparation for Teacher's Day. Then, there's a whole bunch of stuff to finish up for school societies and what not... and robotics competition (a.k.a Grown-Up Lego XD) coming up. And I wanna talk about choral speaking (sighs happily) here as well. But, now is not the time, as I have many hours of sleep I need to catch up on, as well as books that have nothing to do with school subjects to read, and yes, Jess, Chapter 14 of 'Heroes' to write... Ok, ok! I'll get to it... yeesh.
Oh, and guess what? I got into the Penang Brats Workshop! Fun, fun, fun! XD Especially because it's on Merentas Desa Day... muahahahaha.
Until next time, where I shall talk about the 4 Arif choral speaking journey, and introduce 'Stylo Man'. Hehehee... You'll see.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Essay Writing Competition
Waaaaaaaay back in February, eight of us in class answered Ms Leong's call to take part in the Royal Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition. Three of us got through to send in our entries, me being one of them.
Sports not entirely being my forte, I was extremely elated when I got this chance to compete in a competition on writing skills. Commonwealth level somemore leh... imagine the ko-kurikulum marks... muahaha.
For the past month, I've been checking the website for the results, to no avail, despite them stating that the results will be posted in July. (Which I intepreted as '1st of July' not '31st'... wouldn't you?)
Since sending in the essay, half the time I was so sure that I could win something, and the other half I kept wondering how the heck did I manage to write such a rubbish essay. But no doubt, wouldn't it be so great if I could actually win something, for the first time in my life, on my work alone, and not a team effort? (Not to mention the prize money, which is in pounds... *ka-ching* and the glory... *rolls eyes*) I mean, didn't I spend an entire weekend working on the essay? Friday was gone planning the essay, Saturday was spent writing it (Never before have I spent so long in front of the computer screen), and Sunday rechecking it again and again.
Today, I checked the website again, more out of habit than anything else.
I swear I nearly went into cardiac arrest when I saw the title '2007 results'. Fingers shaking so badly and heart thumping with excitement, I checked the winners list.
Nothing...
Turned to the Runner-ups list. Nothing...
Opened the individual country lists. Nothing...
Soo Li Ying from Form Five got a 'Commended' though, Congrats. ;-D
But she was the only CGL there.
I immediately relayed the news to Jolene and Jonie, the other two who took part. As I was sms-ing, I could feel my excitement dying down, only to be replaced by a deep sense of sadness and disappointment.
Sure, I realise that this is an 'antarabangsa' thing, and I'll be competing against the very best. Writers that far out-... well... -writes me. But all the same, I can't help but feel this gut-wrenching disappointment inside.
But of course, wise words that I've heard from various sources through the years immediately fill my head.
Win some, lose some... somebody's got to be in 1st place, somebody's got to be in last... try, try again...
And Jonie's really cute metaphore message that she just sent to me:
'We are like a pinch of sand from a long stretch of the beach. Other pinches may be better than us. Maybe we are from Batu Ferringhi and others are from Port Dickson... can menapis petroleum whereas Batu Ferringhi is just for picnics.'
You know, I can totally see the logic in that... lol.
There's still next year, and the next. And many, many more competitions to come. So, Jo, and Jo... (Geez... I keep forgetting you two have the same first syllable...) and the other thousand over people out there who didn't make the cut... we did out best. Time to wave the white flag and retreat. Time to go home and reload our gun ammunation and sharpen our swords.
We'll be back. *ka-shink!* (Arnold Swarze-however-you-spell-it style)
Oh, and to the winners, congratulations.
Anyone wanna read my essay? :-)
'It's not if you win or lose... it's how you play the game'
Sports not entirely being my forte, I was extremely elated when I got this chance to compete in a competition on writing skills. Commonwealth level somemore leh... imagine the ko-kurikulum marks... muahaha.
For the past month, I've been checking the website for the results, to no avail, despite them stating that the results will be posted in July. (Which I intepreted as '1st of July' not '31st'... wouldn't you?)
Since sending in the essay, half the time I was so sure that I could win something, and the other half I kept wondering how the heck did I manage to write such a rubbish essay. But no doubt, wouldn't it be so great if I could actually win something, for the first time in my life, on my work alone, and not a team effort? (Not to mention the prize money, which is in pounds... *ka-ching* and the glory... *rolls eyes*) I mean, didn't I spend an entire weekend working on the essay? Friday was gone planning the essay, Saturday was spent writing it (Never before have I spent so long in front of the computer screen), and Sunday rechecking it again and again.
Today, I checked the website again, more out of habit than anything else.
I swear I nearly went into cardiac arrest when I saw the title '2007 results'. Fingers shaking so badly and heart thumping with excitement, I checked the winners list.
Nothing...
Turned to the Runner-ups list. Nothing...
Opened the individual country lists. Nothing...
Soo Li Ying from Form Five got a 'Commended' though, Congrats. ;-D
But she was the only CGL there.
I immediately relayed the news to Jolene and Jonie, the other two who took part. As I was sms-ing, I could feel my excitement dying down, only to be replaced by a deep sense of sadness and disappointment.
Sure, I realise that this is an 'antarabangsa' thing, and I'll be competing against the very best. Writers that far out-... well... -writes me. But all the same, I can't help but feel this gut-wrenching disappointment inside.
But of course, wise words that I've heard from various sources through the years immediately fill my head.
Win some, lose some... somebody's got to be in 1st place, somebody's got to be in last... try, try again...
And Jonie's really cute metaphore message that she just sent to me:
'We are like a pinch of sand from a long stretch of the beach. Other pinches may be better than us. Maybe we are from Batu Ferringhi and others are from Port Dickson... can menapis petroleum whereas Batu Ferringhi is just for picnics.'
You know, I can totally see the logic in that... lol.
There's still next year, and the next. And many, many more competitions to come. So, Jo, and Jo... (Geez... I keep forgetting you two have the same first syllable...) and the other thousand over people out there who didn't make the cut... we did out best. Time to wave the white flag and retreat. Time to go home and reload our gun ammunation and sharpen our swords.
We'll be back. *ka-shink!* (Arnold Swarze-however-you-spell-it style)
Oh, and to the winners, congratulations.
Anyone wanna read my essay? :-)
'It's not if you win or lose... it's how you play the game'
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