Sing, Laugh and Talk

PCGHS was, and still is, the best Chinese girls school in our state. It's notorious for its crazy rules but well-known for great exam results. Our hair are to be no longer than 5 centimetres down from our earlobes. They measure our hair every week with a tape! The face of our watches must not be bigger than a 50 cent coin. We're not allowed to bring combs or hairbrushes, CDs, any pictures of the opposite sex or any paper than contains song lyric or anime pictures. We have a book of these asinine rules that we have to memorise because we tested on them during the first and third term exams. I could prattle on about rules but I think I'd be a waste of time.

So, that was one of the worst memories I have of that school. Despite all that, my three years at PCGHS were the three of the best years of my life. It's all thanks to my four best friends: Christina, Megan, Myra and Jessica. I've known Chris and Megan, the two inseparable best friends, since primary school. Although I didn't get along extremely well with them up till second year of high school, I have to say that our differences have taught me a lot of things. Chris's and Megan's frankness helped me correct myself and eliminate my short-comings. They are the wittiest people I've ever known and I believe that some of their wits have rubbed off on me.

I sort of met Myra before but we never talked to each other because we were from different primary schools. We were put in the same form class for three years. During the first year, I had many different best friends. They came and went, leaving both good and bad memories. It wasn't until near the end of the year that the friendship bond between me and Myra really strengthened. We were the girls who spoke good English and we constantly impressed the teacher and class with our fluent dialogues. Besides that, Myra taught me to love music. I was never really into music until she introduced pop and rock songs to me. She also recommended good chick flicks, ones that I'll always love watching.

Then came, Jess, who I don't know very well because I was never in the same class as her. And yet, we managed to hit it off. Like Myra, who she was best friends with since primary school, she has great taste in music and movies. She never cease to amaze me with her beautiful and mellifluous singing voice. She's a natural at singing and I always will envy her.

It was during the second year of high school that the five of us really came together as sort of a gang. I was somewhat the medium that brought Chris and Megan, Myra and Jess together. Being in the same class as Chris, Megan and Myra meant a lot of laughs and fun. We'd sing, laugh and talk our way through the school hours. Myra and I amused our classmates by performing a funny but not very pleasant to the ears version of High School Musical Soundtracks. It was a very "in" thing to able to sing HSM songs back then. We had a fun time teaching Megan how to sing and act lady-like. Chris was simply the best at laughing and pulling sneaky tricks.

Chris, Myra, Jess and I worked, at the school book/uniform shop before class and during recess. During our duty sessions, we'd sing when there are no customers or chat endlessly about the latest cycle of America's Next Top Model or about hot guys like Wentworth Miller. Occasionally, we'd smuggle food into our station and eat whilst the teacher was on duty was not there yet. Then, we'd put on the most innocent face as possible when we got caught.

Those three years went too quickly for me, both the good and bad times. Now, Megan has replaced me at the shop. The four of them are the top committee members of the co-operation. Whilst my life changed drastically during and after migrating to another country, their routine has not changed too much. They continue to sing, laugh and talk like we used to, except without me in the picture. However, I'm still grateful for the three years that I got to spend with these very special people.

This was submitted for a 17 Again writing competition titled "High School Flashback". Let me know what you think of it. ^^



Awesome movie! A must-watch! Two thumbs up from me!!

"When I met your mom-" Mike (Zac Efron)
"My mom?" Alex (Sterling Knight)
"Uh... Is your mom hot?" Mike (Zac Efron)

もって がんばれ！

もって　がんばれ　means try harder. It's pronounced as mot-te gan-ba-re. I had my exams the week before and on the Tuesday that just passed. It was a bit of a disaster. First time ever doing Year 11 exams.

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. -Jim Ryan.

My first paper, on Monday, was Maths B paper 1. I walked out feeling a bit confident. I knew how to answer all the questions. But I also knew that I wasn't getting a 100% like Myra did for hers. Tuesday, Maths C paper 1, still felt pretty confident. I did know my stuff after all.

He that would have fruit must climb the tree. -Thomas Fuller.

I had to do two papers on Wednesday. Maths B paper 2 and English paper which I had to stay back to do (because we usually get to go home during lunch instead of doing sports for Wednesdays, Senior Privillage). Maths B, still okay. English? Uh... Not so sure... The standard here is so much higher (duh! It's an English-speaking country). if I were still in Malaysia, I'd have aced English easily. But I'm not in Malaysia now, am I? But I do know that I did include whatever important information that I was supposed to include in that essay. I have my fingers crossed.

One must learn by doing the thing, for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try. -Aristotle.

Then, on Thursday, I had my Maths C paper 2 and Physics exam! Worst exam day ever!!! I froze on a question in Maths C. There were only 4 questions in the whole paper. So you can imagine how important it is to score on every single question. I spent ages on the problem and I coouldn't figure it out! I panicked. And by the time I walked out of the classroom, I was ready to kill myself. The solution was somewhere in my head, niggling at the back of my mind but I couldn't get it out. I wasn't in any mood for another exam paper. Earlier in the morning, my Physics teacher, also my form teacher, told me not to worry about the Physics exam and that it's gonna be easier than I thought. He was NOT true to his word! I fricking studied all the unimportant things! It's like Buffalo from PCGHS has suddenly appeared in Craigslea and written the exam paper! When I handed in my paper, I told my teacher that I gave up.

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. -Russell C. Taylor.

Then, on Tuesday, I did my Biology paper. I walked out feeling pretty confident. Biology is was my fave subject! I'll tell you why later.

Okay... Results.

For Maths B, I got A for paper 1 and A+ for paper 2. Yay! *applause*

For Maths C, I had a fricking heart attack! Well, close to... I thought that my results had gone down the drain!! I got an A for paper 1 and an A- for paper 2! Hurray! But I can still work on it.

For Physics! Omg! The humiliation! I got an A- for part 1 and a B+ for part 2! I wasn't the top in class! Ryan's been going on and on about it. Rubbing it in my face that he's top. Sam, a new guy, from China, came in second or more or less tied with Ryan. I tied with J R. It was really annoying! And I was pretty disappointed in myself. I failed to answer the questions on household circuits! Things we've been learning about since Form 1! I looked so emo and depressed that my Physics teacher checked my wrists the next day, just in case I slit them. It was funny and nice of him.

Nobody's a natural. You work hard to get good and then work hard to get better. -Paul Coffey.

I haven't found out about English yet because our English teacher is away on holiday in New York for her birthday (I'm assumming 50 something or 60th). So, she hasn't marked our papers yet.

Now... For Biology... Fricking hell! My dad was right. He told me that bio was hard to score. I got a B and a B+!!! I was super annoyed because I liked bio and I understood what the teacher was teaching!!! I guess it was my fault for not writing in the good bits at that point in time. I vowed that I'd do better. I had the highest marks I think. Well, I tied with Noel. Which really irritated me because he was this annoying boy who falls asleep in class and thinks that he knows quite a lot!!!

He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor. -Menander.

I certainly hope that I'll be even more motivated and hard-working for my next exams. They definitely won't be easier than these ones!!! Still waiting to find out about my chemistry assignment result. Apparently, my teacher likes my assignment. I dunno what grade that's going to land me. *shrugs*

I'll have to もって　がんばれ!!

Merchandise

J R bought me two Twilight Merchandises. Although the sticker is not as cool as the Team Edward and Team Jacob caps Jessica bought for Christina and Myra, I still like it. Too bad they didn't sell Team Alice stickers. I would have prefered that.

Team Edward!

And a Cullen Family Crest keychain.

Thanks J R!!

Guys, I know you probably reckon this is lame. Posting about "Twilight gifts"... I must be really bored... LOL.

Year 11

Man, Year 11 is a whole different world to Year 10. What a huge jump! Even on my first day (the second day of school), the teachers kept going: "No bladging (an Aussie word: Bladge. Means Tou Lan, being extremely lazy)! You're not gonna get away with it! You might wanna drop out 'cause Senior English/Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Maths C might be too hard for you!" And the teachers were right. It doesn't help that I took the suicidal 6, which consists of Bio, Chem, Physics, Maths B, Maths C and English, all the hard subjects!

You guys are probably thinking: What the hell is she complaining about?! Well take a look at this!

These are my textbooks. From top to bottom: Maths B, Maths C, Physics, Bio, Chem!

Just to give you an idea how thick they are.

Thank goodness there's only four periods each day, English doesn't require textbook and good thing my Bio teacher says that we don't have to bring our Bio textbooks to school. We have to use it at home for revision and homework. And oh yes, we've got new calculators this year 'cause Maths B and C requires Graphic Calculators.

Just to give you an idea how big it really is! The scientific calculator is so small next to it!

And to show you how thick it is!

Gosh, I feel as though I am obssessed with taking pictures of my school gear! LOL. Anyway, I'm reading autobiographies for English at the moment. I've read Unreliable Memoirs by Clive James. Kinda dirty if you ask me. So, I decided to read another one 'cause we have to write speeches based on the autobiographies. Something about being asking the publishers to reprint the book. The one I'm reading now is Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin. I haven't finished it yet but so far so good.

A bit funny but too detailed on some things if you ask me!

Really nice. You can learn a bit of China's history, during Mao Ze Dong's ruling.

There's a lot of new people in Year 11 this year! There's Amber from NSW (ah moh!), Christina from Vietnam (I told her one of my best friend's name is Christina too!) and heaps others! Haven't got a pic of them yet but I might be able to snap a few shots of them if they allow me!

That's it from me for now. I dunno when my next post is gonna be... Been a bit lazy to blog lately...

Don't Cha Just Hate It?

Hey guys, I'm starting this "Don't cha just hate it" articles... Inspired by Maureen McCarthy's Rose By Any Other Name... Join in if you want. Don't have to write about things you hate... You can write about things you love...

Here it goes...


Don't cha just hate it when people talk? Whether it's behind your back when and where it's easy to eavesdrop or right at your face, oblivious that it's taboo the topic they are broaching. I'm not talking about bitching, bad-mouthing or back-stabbing here. Talk; as in prattling away like old housewives did about soaps, except I'm not referring to the master cheating on his wife with the maid and the brother stole millions of dollars whilst the son dropped out of school and the daughter ran away from home. People talk and when they do, it's not necessarily the most pleasant thing to the ears. Even if it comes from a beloved family friend who you have not seen in a while since you moved-and the only thing you could dislike about the person is her bad smoking habit-and has flown across the Indian Ocean to catch up with you.

Although the freshly brewed coffee smelled heavenly and the homemade biscotti tasted divine despite its hardness that came from being cut too thick, you still end up having a pretty bad day from hearing people talk. This friend updates Mum on the latest gossip about their rich friend's daughter's "downfall", which basically meant dating a man of a certain race that they are not fond of. As the traditional (translated) old saying goes: " We, people of the older generation have had more salt than you, younger generation have had rice." In other words, they are wiser and have more experience. I'd say in modern day language, it pretty much sums up to: "We're smart; you're dumb. So, shut up and listen to us!" If my parents were to read this, they'd be outraged and would without a doubt protest. Yes, Mum. Yes, Dad. This is how I perceived it!

Even the oldest living person in the world is not omniscient-and I am certainly not implying that I am. He or she may know ten different ways of reading the newspaper (back to front, bottom to top, sideways, upside down, etc.) and has unmasked the secret codes hidden in every ad but that still does not make the person a know-it-all. I'm saying this because I wish that I could smack the good ole "don't judge a book by its cover" at my parents' faces, and possibly every other well-intentioned however slightly racist adults. "Just because one guys is a jerk, doesn't mean he represents the rest of us." was what I got from an email. Sure, my parents could flip that around and say something true and similar. "Hey, just 'cause one guy is nice, doesn't mean the rest of them are."

This brings us back to judging a book by its cover. What people need to do is stop. Halt in their tracks of their busy little stuck up-ish lives for once and think. They go on and on, talking bad about other people. Speak for yourself! We're not that great a race! Nobody is perfect! The world would be BORING if everything was perfect! Heck, I wouldn't have to waste my time writing this entry and just enjoy chatting on MSN! Okay, I know it's really bad, those men lying to women, mooching heaps money off them before running off with another younger and prettier one. But look at the bright side people! At least he didn't kill the lady or harm or abuse her! Yes, she did go into depression... The poor thing... Goes to show why males are still the dominant gender.

Okay, what happens if the daughter of that wealthy family stumbled upon a fine young man, who just so happened to be from a notorious place? Couldn't the mother, who has all the free time in the world, spare a precious few hours to scrutinise this boyfriend fairly? You know, instead of spending a few minutes having a huge row with your daughter and ruining a great mother and daughter relationship? "Oh! This poor girl! She's gorgeous and smart! So successful! Such a pity she's falling into a trap!" They didn't even prove if the guy's bad!! Why couldn't people say stuff like she's been blessed with a rare treasure? Okay, maybe something less corny but you get my drift.

It really does ache my heart that I still can't voice my opinions. Not in a million years in front of people who talk. I just hope that guy proves these 'gossipers' wrong!!