See the big bag I was carrying? Don't be deceived by it. Like what people say, the smaller the packaging is, the more valuable it will be. It was actually a pair of boots I got at a bargain price!
But the enjoyment part was cut short. As soon as I came back from my Dandenong trip, I got a lovely email asking me and my project partner to set up a meeting as soon as possible. And like an annoying snowball, it all went downhill from there as it grew heavier and bigger and definitely not cute anymore.
List of things to do:
-gonna apply for IELTS.
So without wasting any time, I applied for my first ever IELTS test. Never knew the place for application was just 5 minutes away.
Then I promptly returned to apply for my graduation. The process took only 5 minutes, making me wonder why I had been procrastinating to do it.
The weather in Melby took a turn and became really windy after that. Like you can see in this picture. I became the big-haired girls of the 80's. And coincidentally I was wearing a T-shirt which says . . .
. . . 'Livin' in the 80's'. Woah.
Okay la. Point is, I proceeded until working on my project only, out of that ambitious list. It was windy ma. . .
There is something special about the graduation costume. Just spells 'achievement'.
More than that, I think it gives a 'nostalgic' feel to everything.
Like, you are approaching and opening a door which will lead you to a whole new path.
Amidst all the excitement and congratulatory words, there is a tint of sadness I think as you realize that there are things you will be leaving behind soon. Maybe not 'leave behind'. More like, 'move on' from it.
Like the familiar smiles which never seemed all that special during the everyday lectures.
The people which became your 'companions' during the years.
This is really a 'graduation'. Everyone, despite wearing the same robes, are all prepared to go separate ways as they carve out their own life. Moving on to the next chapter. Packing all these - the student years, the cramming for exams, the constant complains about cafeteria food, the ups and downs in studies, the walking on foot to bus loop and the graduation robes, everything -into memories.
So there you go, a 'preview'!
. . . . check out how BRIGHT WenJi's face is! Yes, that BRIGHT ball of something in there, is in fact, WenJi.
This shows the distance between me (and a few others, ok?) and the leading group. Well, there are a few more pictures which show a greater distance, but the people were so tiny that all you can see will probably be trees. Yes, that was how slow I was. Or, in another way, how steep that trail was. I know you all would probably agree to the former reason more. >:-P
This is the 'summit' we reached.
This is the only official group picture I got in my camera but look at the satisfaction on everyone's face. Shows how steep and hard the climb was.
*Ahem* Now let me remind you again. It was a STEEP hike.
This is the birthday girl. . .with a Taro cake ordered especially for her.
As usualy wee took loadsa pictures, of which only 50% were clear and presentable. WenJi received her usual favourites including a bag, heart-shaped everythings and a mysterious, racy, red gift. . . which I am sure she is using right now, unbeknownst to the whole world.
A before/after picture like this is totally alright and normal. But if the lapse between both pictures was less than 10 minutes and there is ONLY one single picture in the memory card showing ONLY one person eating. Then it is really very wrong. . .
. . . and he drank Solo eh, Amy!
The entertainment part of birthday parties usually concern games, singing songs, gaming, etc. But WenJi's is of course, different. It involved a computer, the internet and loadsa gasps and amusement.
Well, let us just say that, Daniel was so interested that he stretched his neck so badly just to catch a glimpse at it. Uncle Tan volunteered to access that page for us and he is seldom the initiative one (I wonder why!). Amy became a parrot - the cackling Ratchaburi laugh and chattering Amy style. Shirley and LiLet gave out evil laughs, of which the reason is unknown still. Oli played. . . part-supporter? Me?
You know I am not into gossip-y stuff rite?
Treated WenJi to a hearty, limited edition McD burger on the following day for breakfast.If you wonder why balloons live in this Marshall unit, go figure.
But I am resuming to gain your trust! . . .Again!
A short trip to the toilet in the Law Library led to multiple 'duck marks' on my pens, bottle and pen drive. So now, I officially belong to . . .
. . . this Manhattan Natural Beauty. Gomen to all interested parties. *Ahem*
By the way, this is the front of my house. After seeing the world motto motto clearly thanks to the power of contact lenses (POWER!!), the nature around my house is really quite nice. . .
And of course, a nice house with nice nature, must have some really nice residents ne. . .
Ergh, actually this is not the nicest resident in the house. Let me officially introduce the nicest ever ever EVER new resident in this house of mine.
This memory card here has travelled thousands of miles over seas and mountains from its neglected presence in Lagoonview to its current meaningful and precious position in Marshall. I asked my sister to send over our memory card and borrowed Daniel's PS2 and asked Uncle Tan to 'find' me Final Fantasy XII. So now I am a happy Final Fantasy XII playing resident :-)
What happened to me? 
And I think I look a tad bit like L in this picture. Ho.
(Not so CURTAIN rite, this time?)Endurance and determination
"Endurance" is defined to mean "the ability to go through piles and piles and piles and piles and piles of lecture notes (And other reading materials examinable, says Mr Reid)". It requires a strong mind and obedient body.
"Determination", although similar is not identical to the meaning of 'endurance', as it is taken to mean 'the strength to decline all forms of evil distractions albeit the pain in the heart, the tingling sensation in the skin, the wailing in the mind'. Although dependent upon each individual it normally encompasses factors such as:
A very clear picture of endurance and determination. Endurance was shown just by the mere fact LAW was studied while determination was shown by the lack of any distractions, as listed above, seen in this picture. Supporting evidence includes the colourful highligther pens used, signifying the determination to really study law as student endured a complicated colour-coding process in notes.
Stress
"Stress" is usually viewed negatively as "a form of invisible burden resting its entire weight on the shoulders of victims". In this context, the 'victim' is usually identified as 'looking ghastly, performing crazy antics, have extreme personalities and physical changes'. This factor is quantified by the degree or extent of it. For example, a statement like, "I need a Potion to replenish myself after exam' will definitely signify less stress than "I need a Phoenic Down, might die halfway in the exam hall".
This element is always recognized during the exams. So much so that, it has become the most generic of terms in the exam-world. Evidence is that, it is used as a reply for all questions during exam. Examples:
Verdict: Stress has become too generic a term to be used during exam, that it is used without much discrete, rendering the word at times 'dodgy'. Like in this picture, the initial application of 'stress' as a reason for the consumption of ONE cereal bar, was not applied in the right way. To fulfill the meaning of 'stress', the only remedy was subsequent consumption of cookies, sandwiches, chocolate balls, wafer rolls and apples.
Book hammering and wit
"Book hammering" is an unofficial term coined for "prolonged hours in front of a book, be it reading, noting, browsing, stoning". Unlike the more well known term 'studying', there is no need for an intention or even the act of feeding knowledge into the brain. A usual practice for relief of guilt among students, especially in the library.
"Wit" is a loose word meant to mean "the smarty-pants way for selective reading to maximize absorption and at the same time, maximize the utilization of time for other more important matters". The effectiveness of "wit" is usually seen only during the exam itself.
While both terms are extremely related to studying for exams, note the strange contradict that in essence, the exact act of studying is not necessarily present for both elements.
Verdict: Book hammering vs wit. Both elements are not mutually exclusive. As exemplified here, where the vigorous colour-coding to endless streams of words and confusing law bla-bla-blas suddenly brought into this world, a freshly baked apple teacake, all in one blissful morning.
Strategy Formulation
"Strategy formulation" must be the most crucial process during exams. Another process so commonly applied that students no longer implement it consciously or even subconsciously. A lot new models have been seen in the course of the evolution of exam requirements and patterns such as:
Verdict: Graphical evidence incorporated. Courage to face a rounder face, arms, tummy, . . .well, in a sum a rounder person that being me. Perseverance to continue fighting for the exams, despite such dangerous threat in life.
FINAL VERDICT
Being a student is certainly not easy, but it is not the hardest thing in the world to accomplish as well. Seeing that, we are actually practising all that is mentioned above and more, students are in fact quite able individuals. Despite the presence of stress, we find a way to mould it into something positive or if all else fails, just beat it to the ground with the clever strategies we formulate. Without the courage and perseverance along with determination and endurance, no strategy could ever be implemented and no exam can ever be conquered. What is left is just a hint of effort for studying, be it book hammering or the usage of mere wit.
In a nutshell, we are all brave pirates of the exam-sea, all looking forward and determined to beat this sea of exams and send the marine-officials (educationers) flying!
GOOD LUCK TO EVERY SINGLE STUDENT THIS EXAM SEASON!
To those who have no need of exams anymore, stuff you.
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