Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Mr. Ferdinand Quek

"While teaching at commonwealth, the thing that constantly amazed me was Commonwealthians' strong sense of attachment to the school; how ex-students would still regard the school as home and continue to return and serve."
- Mr Ferdinand Quek

Some dude had managed to come across my blog while searching for "Ferdinand Quek" on google. With curiosity, I decided to check out some of the stuff said in regards to him.

I came across his xanga as well while looking, but apparently it has closed down. Pity.

I had a few ACSI blogs mentioning his name: Jason Quah, Clement Tan (The Y5 dude if you don't know him), some sec 1, 3.14 class blog (They have a class forum too, and their class blog is active. =\ Oh well, we have a chalet and I doubt they have THAT >_>)

One RI blog mentioned his name, about going to miss his humour and all that when he left the school.

But the most amount I had was from Commonwealth Secondary School (CSS), particularly in regards to the CSS musical in 2003.

But nonetheless, the RI blog and CSS blogs were both thankful for Ferdquek's presence, his sense of humour, the way he gets stuff done, and for being a great teacher. I didn't see any ACSI blogs thanking him for anything in particular. I wonder if that'll change when he eventually leaves the school, like almost every other teacher does.

Looking at how much other students from other schools have been affected by him, I cannot help but take issue with teh certain fella who has serious issuez with zeh Ferdiquek because he 'doth nort teech'. But that's another matter altogether. >_>

Perhaps my life may not be as largely affected by Mr. Quek as those involved in the CSS Musical or others, but I sincerely hope that if he ever leaves, we'll all be ready to give him an exit just as grand and touching.

I suppose it is rather confusing that I should write an entry like this, but I must say that I respect Mr. Quek a great deal more. I guess something is only truly beautiful when you see all sides of it.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Mr. Stefan is My Neighbour

The republishing problem's over, and I just republished just before I began to write this; so well there's an entry below this too.

My life, I'm not so sure why, has just been particularly interesting these few weeks.

Arguing about Mr. Shaun Choo ('pparently it IS Shaun instead of Sean. OH WELL >_>)
Coming across Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu
Coming across Yotsubato
Watching OM Finals
Watching Hard Gay on Google Videos (Hint hint)
Going to New Creation Church
Being particularly sick

Well, whatever. Today has been a normal day. Zhang though has taken on a HARD GAY obsession, going WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO at random and HARRUUUDOOO GEIIIIII DESUUUUUUU on other occasions.

"Minasan, genki desuka? Watashiwa Herriku."
"Watashiwa Maikeru."
"WATASHIWA HARUDO GEI DESU"
*I try to whack Zhang on head while Zhang goes into laughing spasm*

Oh well. Air Con MOELC lessons are fun, because we were doing nothing in the meantime since we were just practising for our presentation next Tuesday, and since we went up first we slacked the rest of the time. On another note, Endo sayeth that "Herriku san wa jyozu desune (Herrick is good)". w00t. =)

So at 6.25pm I trudge back from an eventful day and head for the MRT. Listening to my iPod on the MRT, and getting off at 6.45pm, I head over to the bus stop and uneventfully spend a few minutes waiting for the bus. Well, fair, I've had a weird day today.

I get on the bus, and continue my life while listening to G-SEED throughout the trip.

All's done and I get off 66, and walk from Esso back. Walked through Esso, and saw this car. And more cars. Then again, there've always been cars. Oh well. I walk to the block before block 5 (Block 3 or 4, not sure), and see this old dude with a nametag walk out of the elevator and talk to some people. Hmm. Moving on.

I walk to Block 5, and uneventfully turn my head to the left like people turning their heads do. Simultaneously Mr. Stefan walks in my direction.

I stare at Mr. Stefan.

Mr. Stefan stares at me.

Mr. Stefan and I go 'whoa'.

Mr. Stefan goes "Hey, I live here."

I go "Uhh, yeah."

He opens the mailbox and I check his house number: 11-317 (I think so, didn't make clear whetehr it was 315 or 317.)

I walk back with nothing but "Oh gosh" in mind.

My life is interesting isn't it. >_>

Monday, April 24, 2006

Life as Usual

Apparently readers from iphoting came over to my blog because teh dude over there referred to my blog for certain said reason. Well, I guess that answers the anonymouses (Haha anonymice >_>) that suddenly appeared on my blog. And I thought they were from SJAB, lol.

Well, that's that I guess. Thanks Michael for saying a particularly stupid and irrelevent comment. >_> Oh well, that's that.

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Sorry, didn't blog from Thursday on. Haha, not much to blog about, I basically like cleared most of my thoughts back there. On Friday I went out with my bro to watch a comedy by Teh Umbilical Brothers, which is incidentally, absolutely pure ownage. =) Would talk about it but then well it's way too difficult to talk about how ownage it is here. >_>

On Saturday subesquently I was slacking immensely and in addition preparing for clearing my backlog. On Sunday I was clearing the greatest backlog known to Herrickind (After all this is the first time I'm clearing backlog in 3 years >_>). Ooh I hate RFT and Logarithm. >_>

Well, now that that's cleared and explanations provided >_>

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I mentioned previously to Jun Yi that I had resolved it with myself personally, but I suppose I haven't, that's why I'm putting it here:

Just a few days ago my dad asked me what university course I had decided on. Though unsure whether my bro was asked such a question in recent times, I answered anyway with the expected answers of philosophy or sociology. He was indeed rather skeptical (Maybe because I forgot to add psychology as my third course), and asked me whether I was sure about it, since I had to make a living with said university course. I kept silent about intending to be a psychiatrist/teacher (How contrasting, haha), but he continued to add that he had considered philosophy to be a 'rich kid's subjects where they could just do nothing but study'.

Has philosophy become elitist to people of richer castes? =\

I dislike the mentality my dad bears that one must consort to the cookie-cutter courses of society, since after all as Drew Carey once said, "The points don't matter, just like a degree in philosophy!" Of course I could still choose to take other courses I'm interested in, but then that's besides the point; apart from financially, of what obligation am I to take a different course over a course like philosophy?

That said if I really do take philosophy for my university course I'm going to have a really tough time in the future, haha. But well, ACS ftw. =)

Of course, psychology and sociology are still strong choices since I like them alot too, and I could do more with those than with philosophy. >_>

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...how the heck did the original intent of my post turn into that. It was originally intended to be about the importance of long-term planning. o_O

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Mr. Sean Choo >_>

Mr Sean Choo said to us today, verily:

If you have something you dislike with the school, then you can leave the school. You can talk to me or any of the teachers, and we can arrange for you to be transferred out. (Paraphrased but with general wording intact, Mr Sean Choo 2006.)

OHKAY.

While I've heard that statement a number of times, mainly in regards to UYO, this is a new context. And I fail to understand the reasoning behind that statement. While, somewhat agreeably, obvious, further understanding makes it a bit less obvious.

Ok, you tell us that we can leave the school if we dislike any part of it.

1. You assume that the school is an unchanging entity which we all must adhere to.

2. (My main point)

Ok, so we leave school. Then, why the heck did we have a prefect council which listened to the need of the students and subsequently proposed ideas to the senior administration for positive/negative changes to ACS(I)? Why the heck are IB students campaigning for student council positions (Apart from prestige >_>) and why is there a student council in the first place? To listen to the students and propose ideas! Why is there a suggestion box outside the ex-admin office? For people to place ideas for the higher authorities to read and ponder on the feasibility of said suggestion! Why is it empty?

Beats me.

Actually, no. Either it's because the student body is far too apathetic to care about whatever things happen to them, good or bad. The other possibility is that the authoritative body has failed in making themselves approachable to the students. Or there's the actual reason of it being placed in a stupid area. Though I'm inclined, of course, to believe all three and any other logical reason.

Point is, the council and other measures are present to make sure the school changes so as not to give the students hell. The "If you don't like it you can leave" idea is flawed in the sense that, well, there's those who're staying on because the education is good, not because they like the rules, and maybe they can't go to other schools because they came in with lower scores. Then you're just going to give them hell by forcing them to abide by rules they hate, regulations they despise, and so on. And when you say "If you don't like it you can leave", you make them feel even worse off because they can't leave, AND they don't like it. This is the reason the council is present, is it not? To prevent students from getting hell. Geez. =
Disclaimer: I have nothing agaisnt Mr. Sean Choo (If his name is actually Shaun then uhh oh well. >_>). I have something against the statement he had made. In fact, I didn't even know his name until today when Mrs Lee or whoever she was mentioned his name >_>

If I sound offensive, you are misinterpreting the post and the reason behind writing this post. I do not intend to remove this post because thus far I have not broke any boundaries previously mentioned by Dr. Ong:

I've not flamed Mr Sean Choo, I've proved his statement false. Without any vulgarities to boot. >_>
I've backed up my statement with facts to the best of my capability
And uhh so on and so forth. >_>

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu =)

涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱ーハレ晴レユカイ

謎々みたいに地球にを解き明かしたら
皆で何処までも行けるね,時間の果てまで
誘惑で憂鬱なこの思いは
何もかもを巻き込んだ想像で遊ぼう
ある晴れた日のこと,魔法以上の愉快が
限りなく降り注ぐ,不可能じゃないは!
明日また会う時,笑いながらハミング
嬉しさを集めよ,簡単何だよこんなの?
追い掛けてね、追い掛けてね、掴むまでにって
大きな夢、夢好きでしょう

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Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu (Yes that's 3 u's) - Hare Hare Yukai

If we can solve all the mysteries on Earth,
We could go anywhere we want, even to the end of time!
These tempting feelings of melancholy, drag everyone in to play with imagination!
One clear, sunshiney day, happiness greater than magic, pours down with no end in sight;
It could happen!
When we meet again tomorrow, we'll be smiling and humming!
Let's bring together happiness; it's an easy thing to do!
Keep on chasing! Keep on chasing! Until you have caught it!
We all love big dreams, right?

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Suzumiya Haruhi is utterly ownage. Words fail to describe its awesomeness. Simultaneously the ending song, as simplistic as may be, does bear some meaning. Funny, isn't it, how Jap tunes are so dastardly lovable despite absolutely retarded lyrics and braindead kawaiiness. And the weird part is that I'll probably still think this way when I get better at Jap. Hmm.

Is it really difficult for a person to be happy? Isn't there stuff on Earth that is greater than magic? Can't we continue chasing? Don't we all love big dreams?

Ok, ignore the last question. >_>

The point being, we all talk about life's sadness, about how hard it is to maintain happiness and how life is pathetic and everyone hates each other and no one respects someone even as a human being anymore. Escapism, magic, fantasies, anything to get away from these so-called depressing realities of life.

Don't such things already exist on Earth? It's called happiness. I sound like Kevin Wong by this point, don't I. Haiz >_>

But think about it; happiness is stronger than magic. Why? Because unlike magic, happiness has proven to exist. Human creativity and emotion is such that there can be something happy out of any situation, even dystopian ones. Perhaps this is ranging on delusion, but if one focused purely on the happiness of any said event instead of sadness, wouldn't he be happy instead of sad?

Ok, I take that back. That's not just ranging on delusion. >_>

But seriously. Is happiness such an elusive thing and sadness such the trap? That's wrong; both can embrace you just as easily! So why is it that sadness keeps people there while happiness doesn't? That's also a misconception; just look at Kevin Wong, damnit.

One needs something to be happy about to be happy. And one needs the optimism/willpower to creating something to be happy about. And optimism/willpower just happens to be something absolutely no one has, from Boey to KLow to Zhang to more. Why don't they have willpower?

Beats me. >_>

One needs something to be sad about to be sad. And one needs the pessimism to create something to be sad about. And pessimism just happens to be something everyone happens to have, from Boey to KLow to more. Why are they so pessimistic?

Beats me. >_>

It is a lie to say that it is difficult to be happy. It's also a lie to say that it's difficult to be sad. It is up to the self. S/he must understand this very statement: It is just as easy to be sad as to be happy. Now no bonds restrain the self from turning either way. All said, it's an easy thing to be happy. =)

Monday, April 17, 2006

Carpe Diem

Congrats OM Teams on doing so well for Nationals. Looking forward to seeing your achievements in World Finals too. =)

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Arcading Mecca revisited:

GGXX/ and MB:AC are no longer in their usual positions ;_;

Instead both have been delegated to be part of every other video game there. =
Playing with Cleon:
Arcueid (Me) owns Warcueid (some random dude)
Kohaku (Cleon) owns Arcueid (Me)
Warakia (Me) owns Kohaku (Cleon)
Nero (Cleon) owns Warakia (Me)
Ciel (Me) owns Nero (Cleon)
Kouma (Cleon) owns Ciel (Me) --> at this point you may laugh at me >_>
Nanaya (Me) owns Kouma (Cleon)
Shiki Tohno (Cleon) owns Nanaya (Me)

>_> what a long chain isn't it. >_> This means MB:AC is more balanced than I thought. Lol >_>

There was this really pro Johnny player who played really pro but he did really retarded comboes with Johnny. But well, Johnny + Combo = Zomg teh styloez. But seriously.

Jackhound --> Random hits --> Jackhound --> What's My Name. ZOMG STYLO WITH NO USE WHATSOEVER o_O

To his defense, though, he only did this on AI. But on HOS. UHH. >_>

Meanwhile he was fighting this Axl/Ky player (She switched every once in a while). Wait, wait a min.

SHE?

There is an immense lack of females in the gaming world. Finding one that played Ky better than me is a rarity (Notwithdrawing the fact that my Ky sux, therefore it's the female part that matters, not how good I am with Ky. >_>)

I mean like, what girl goes around wavedashing her way in SSBM to victoly (Intentional misspelling so you don't bug me later)? No, so sad. The only game I've seen girls good at is PPP, and personally guys play that better because they can't get away with playing whimsically. >_>

'course I've seen girls play DDR too, but I haven't seen one play better than me. Situation this time, however, is opposite to said GGXX/ case. >_> No, it is not your job to wonder whether this is a good thing or not.

Sad, isn't it. But mattereth not! I will find someone in life. >_>

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Church:

Of all the places I could've gone to after choir, I had to go to New Creation Church. Somehow going to a Catholic Mass would've held more religious significance and value, personally. >_>

The worship was, well, seriously put, a concert. I can't help but feel rather cynical towards the whole thing. Well then again I feel that the best way of worship is through the hymnal, an organ and a choir, so. >_> Traditionalism ftw >_>

The sermon was rather informal, but the points the pastor brought across was a refreshing and new view towards the 23rd Psalm. And uhh he was very amusing, to say the least. >_> I don't know whether it's because of the pastor or because it was in English or because there were powerpoint presentations (Making it very seminar-ish btw), but I could listen better. Maybe his voice isn't as droney. Well, I took that sermon in better than the Chinese ones at church. >_>

All that said, though, I guess I really can't get Isaac when he asks me how I stand my church what with it being so 'boring' and stuffs. Hymnal ftw >_>

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I feel so depressed. The pastor today just called my way of life unbiblical. I wonder if I'll change anything about that. >_>

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Herr: http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8646/11424791078892hf.jpg
ZQ: cloud looks like wong ping loong
Herr: WTF
ZQ: eh he does ok
Herr: How about no
where got
ZQ: YESS
look at his face, exactly the same
ZQ: sephiroth just looks like tomatoketchupman o_O
Herr: WHO THE HELL IS TOMATOKETCHUPMAN???
ZQ: aiyah, it's the impression
if you have tomatoketchup all over you, you become tomatoketchupman

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Suzumiya Haruhi no Yutsu is uber pwnage. >_> You must watch it. DOWNLOAD IT. NAO.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Life, the Universe, and Everthing All Over Again

My mind is not working properly. I forgot to return the key last Friday. I make sure I don't forget, and I return it. The next day I forget to return the key. I forget to make sure I don't forget, and I forget to return it. >_>

My forget-to-return-the-key count has jumped in one week from 4 to 7. Ohz nohz, at this rate I'm really going to lose the bet to Gid, Jarrel and a number of other people! BUT I WILL NOT FALL EASILY I WILL NOT HIT 15 FORGETTINGS (or however you wish to phrase it) . >_>

Funny how I'm probably going to forget to return the key again isn't it >_>

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Chatlogs:

Me: Hey Michael, did we win or not? (Rugby finals)
Mong: i didnt attend
i left before the hting ended
Me: were we winning or not >_> or was it too close to tell
Mong: too close to tell at that point in time
Me: Hmm. wait, what was the score?
Mong: 0-0
i left just as the thing started

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Boey Yang thinks I hate him or something. Funny how that works. o_O

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Yotsubato is ULTIMATE. I must get it quickly.

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Things I have learnt:

1. Humankind is extremely vain and incapable of standing up for themselves.
2. Making fun of a person is tantamount to not treating him like a human.
3. People out there actually appreciate my going to the estate office to return the key. I didn't think this possible before. o_O
4. Carpe Diem. Ironic how this jars with my personality.

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My sickness is pretty bad. I don't know why, but I'm just not thinking properly. Forgotten the key twice, reaction lagging, difficulty walking, stupid phlegm (Thx JY for pointing out teh typo, argh what's happenin to me =\) and mucus, and unable to do what I usually do: Be teh genki. Been talking to a few people, though, and well, I've learnt something from KW and Klow. Whatever it is, meh, that's irrelevent.

When people are incapable of being themselves that's when they think, isn't it. I feel absolutely helpless in this condition, honestly. I guess, I angst too, just differently from other people. =\

Monday, April 10, 2006

Protesting, DT style

Dear doggie ate a bone at obedience school, bitterly. Unfortunately this would not be for long; he would be off for more training again. Training sucked; other dogs liked to mount him despite him being male, and the trainer constantly shouted alot at them. That, and training hours were long with only one break inbetween on Tuesday and Thursday; it seriously made this one dog bark alot.

Of course, he wasn't alone; other dogs like to bark too about similar things. When one dog barks, the rest do, with reason or rhymeless. So he goes back whining to his owner, who had been watching him all the while. The owner, looking at the dog suffer through all those sessions on Tuesday, ravenously eating his share of dog food, and going off again for more training, felt very sad.

Then again, there were other sad dogs. And the obedience school, after charging exhorbitant fees in the name of building more doggy-loving facilities, they decide to change the schedule around a bit to make doggies in the school happier. One particular dog yipped his way, ran straight off to the front row to see the new schedules. Not that he could get the words. But what does it matter? If it looks the same, it has to be the same.

It wasn't the same for Friday and Monday. Wednesday seemed the same, no one minded that.

After five minutes did the dog realize that there had actually been a change on Tuesday and Thursday: The funny symbols in the little boxes had changed around. The very position of the white little box he ever so loved remained, though. And the dog knew what it meant.

The dog ran back to its owner, moaning and whining, and bit the owner's jeans, trying to drag him somewhere. The owner, confused, followed it.

When the owner reached the schedule, he read it. Indeed, little had changed after all. They went back home.

The dog, as a dog, continued to whine. And jumped onto his owner and whined some more while the owner was blogging (Or dlogging as Sunday Lifestyle dearly puts it). 'course, the dog can't do much but press random keys, so the owner translated for him. And he did the job a bit too well.

The dog went through even more hell for whining. Forced to sing by himself in front of other dogs and respective owners, the dog felt humiliated. He was pitied by others, but certainly not the teachers. To them, lil' doggie hated the school: its exhorbitant pricings to let the dogs see pwetty fountains, the stress that trainers give him, and especially Tuesdays and Thursdays. It was true, of course, but they got that point across to the dog. A little. Too. Well.

The owner had since removed the entry because the obedience school does all things professionally and dlogs just aren't professional. Of course, defamation lawsuits are professional too, but that's beside the point.

The dog bit on the bone again, as bitter as ever. Except this time the bone stays in the dog's mouth since he likes it so much. Besides, it keeps him from whining in school.

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If any this is absolute evidence that I am now completely incapable of writing. Curse my lack of story-writing. >_>

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Naughty the cat revisited

Remember Naughty/Mao from a few months back? Little bugger's such the lucky one. Apparently the moment it disappeared from us, it got caught by another house. No wonder we couldn't find it.

Mom and I saw it on different occasions outside on the windowledge of the leftmost fella on the 1st floor of Blk 8 Toh Yi drive. On the damn windowledge. Geez. Well, at least he hasn't changed one bit.

I couldn't tell it was him when I saw him, too. Haha. Well, then again, he didn't know I used to be part of his family.

Mom, however, he stared at for 5 seconds before meowing all over. I guess you have to feed someone for them to remember you, huh.

My blogposts are short. I don't really have much to talk about in terms of thought. I'm just questioning some stuff at the moment. Well, whatever. Tis the game of life =)

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Ze Esplanade

The concert was wonderful. There's just something about a bunch of people pulling the bow in absolute synchrony to stun the viewer with its volume. It's different from the blaring of a trumpet; a person pressing down with all his might the organ keys; but rather this is smooth, graceful, yet at the same time brave and powerful.

Music's rather interesting, isn't it. >_>

There's too little for me to write about this; the concert is just something I can't say in words.

Sunday, April 02, 2006

April Fool'd

Let's see about how teh April Fool's joke came off.

JY fell for it
ZQ fell for it
Mel fell for it
Mike thought that it was an April Fool's joke but he saw that it was 31st March and kinda 'fell for it'.
SZ was to dense to understand what was going on apart from 'zomg angsty' >_>

Unfortunately KW and Klow weren't around for the most of the day, and neither was Gid. That's quite a number of possible victims =\ Oh well. >_>

It's been way too long since I felt 'angsty' or anything. I found it particularly difficult to write that rather short post. 30 minutes for that? Damn. =\ But well, people fell for it, so that means I managed to not make it sound too fake. =)

This isn't too good, though. I'm going to end up doing what KW does =\ Oh well.

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Whee, bought Nietzsche's Beyond Good And Evil (Penguin Classics Edition ;_;). Couldn't find the darn Walter Kaufmann edition at Border's. And I couldn't find Robert Greene's The Life and Death of Philosophy either, meaning that I must by it off Amazon, or as my dad calls it, A-may-zurn (That's like a-may-zurng, my bro said). Well, at least I got the book. The games Nat bought me haven't come over yet. It's like lost in transition. ;_;

Meh, short post, but whatever.