Term 1

Term 1 is officially over like 2 weeks ago and I must say term 1 was really an exciting and yet tiring and demoralizing term. Going home really late at 10pm, trying to stay awake all the time, trying to make sense of what is going on during lectures, trying to stay attentive in class despite the noise, trying to motivate myself and many more.

Was really busy with friendship week, and TBC and I just couldn't believe that Team Building Camp is over just like that after 4 months of planning. I also gotta admit I struggled like mad for math because I just couldn't get APGP, Sequences, Summation and Vectors and it was so demoralizing that I just couldn't do it even at BT1s despite redoing my tutorial a few times just to get the hang of it before moving on to the revision package.

I didn't accomplish much in term 1 except having the Team Building Camp- Operation V, carried out (reflections in another post) and having a pretty good social life. *looks at instagram* I also felt like I wasn't a really good student in Term 1 (Though I do my tutorials on time) and I'm determined to do my best for term 2.

• Stop using my phone in class
• Stop spending so much money on stuff that I don't know that I spend on
• Stop wasting my time on retarded stuff
• Continue doing my tutorials
• Sleep at 12am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Sleep at 11pm on Wednesdays.
• Exercise more often (LOL)
• Don't use my phone when I study
• Be really attentive in class
• Don't be late for class AT ALL
• Revise frequently
• Maintain a good social life
• Go home earlier

I sound really ambitious but I'm gonna give it a try.

Alright, BT1s was a mess and I don't want a repeat for BT2s especially when I step out of an exam going like.... "OH NO WHAT JUST HAPPENED FOR THE LAST 3 HOURS?" Despite studying really at the last minute for 1 week with Weixin at the library, I still feel that I was not prepared especially for math and geog because there was a lot to do and I barely knew what I was doing.

Nonetheless, I still want to thank Ngan and Weixin for accompanying me at the library, being the first to step in and last to step out, discussing chem over food and talking about retarded stuff. #totallymademylifebetter #Imserious #nojoke And also encouraging each other all the time.

The Heralds

Well.... I've yet to reflect about The Heralds and hence there's no closure to last year at all.

The Heralds is this self-initiated project by Jonathan and I've no idea how I got myself tangled in it considering that I can't really sing and that I can't even play an instrument properly. Nonetheless... I became the financial manager and external liaison.
I never thought that joining this project would require 1/2 my holidays and really a lot of time. It's indeed wild for 6 teens to produce a Christmas album out of nowhere to raise funds for the victims of typhoon Haiyan. Neither did we think that there were a lot of logistics involved.
The first recording took place at the music room in christopheri in which they couldn't record finish and hence... going over to my house to continue recording since I stay nearby. That recording itself went on till 11pm that night and I just couldn't believe what we were doing.
Weixin, Ngan and Leonard went overseas and the entire recording had come to a halt for 2 weeks while my job was to email organisations to ask them if they could do some caroling. (well, we didn't in the end because we didn't have enough time). Recordings then resumed.... 4 days BEFORE the release of the album... And that took 1 FULL day to 'complete'. I also had to contact Mercy Relief and come up with the publicity in which it was really rush. I could have done those earlier if I had known. Luckily, Mercy Relief responded to quickly and that our publicity wasn't a flop. I remember vividly that I was even calling mercy relief in the gardens by the bay which was the day before our release on 11/12/13 and even met leonard that night at 10pm just to get the full soundtrack.
Anyway, we had ORDERRS on the day of our release. ((Phew)) and we started getting our materials. Finding the cheapest CD casing, CDs and even printing and designing all on our release date. Bona and I even stayed up at 2am to discuss about the size and design of the album 1 day before and printing was the next day. Being really profit driven... I made everyone walk like the entire simlim square to find the cheapest stuff and then heading all the way back to our headquarters, Weixin's house, to start cutting the album covers and all.
Weixin even wanted to re-record his solo in which we did it the next day and it took me 17 hours to burn finish 200 CDs at one go. ((folding our handmade Christmas cards and waiting for the CD to pop at the same time)) I. COULDN'T. BREATHE. It was really crazy.
Nonetheless, in 14 days, we sold 300 albums including delivering the album to wherever our customer ones and raised $3600 (profit) in total. It was a crazy December together, meeting everyday and whenever we were unmotivated, we just thought of the victims. In addition to that, friendships were forged and we achieved many things in just 1 month- interview with the straits times, selling to the teachers (including our principal). I still remember when we were doing our handmade Christmas cards in addition to our album and still getting scolded by WeiXin because I didn't stick them properly. It was tiring okay. This includes karaoke-ing together (watching retarded videos on youtube) while making the album and just talking about silly stuff.

Difficulties faced:

• Time constrain
• Trying to keep cost really low
• Not having seed funding
• Uncertainty that it will sell
• Hard publicity
• Did not have an organization initially
• Our designer, Bona, was back in Indonesia and it was so difficult to communicate.

How we overcame:

• I gotta admit that we YOLO-ed a little.
• Being really shameless when approaching everyone with regards to the cause we are advocating for.
• PM-ing Mrs Lee, our principal for support
• Remembering the reason why we came together.

I just want to thank everyone in the Heralds- Jonathan (Pianist), Ngan (Vocalist), Bona (Vocalist cum designer), Leonard (Vocalist cum Producer), Wei Xin (Vocalist)- for everything during the holidays and even now. All of us from S6, S7 and S8, (and bona from s17) talking in the morning before assembly, having outings together and encouraging each other on whatsapp. I also want to thank everyone for being patient with me even though all I did was to be really cheap with our finances and being tad slow in contacting people... maybe being really terrible in cutting paper but much better in peeling CD covers and burning CDs.
I also want to thank everyone for their support especially the teachers and Mrs Lee from our school and everyone who bought our albums including our parents.

I definitely miss our headquarters and it was indeed a December well spent.

All photo credits: Weixin

 

 

 

 

Yours Truly 2014 New Year Resolutions

 

It's my Alevel year- time passes so quicky. I just got into JC less than a year ago!!!

1. Try my best to maintain on honor roll ((its honestly going to be tough, considering that there's just too many things to do))
2. Keep fit and don't fall sick. ((jog at least 2 times a week on my own x3km))
3. 85 rp > for Alevels AAA/AB(?)  ((OMG it seems so far ._.))
4. Fangirl less ((I can't promise this. I say this to myself everyday and it never works))
5. Good social life :D
6. Save at least $50 per month. ((OR MORE BECAUSE I NEED IT TO LAST))
7. Always reward myself ((Like infinite concert after promos to motivate myself))
8. Aim to do something meaningful ((YFC and Heralds in 2013))
9. Gossip less

survival tips for JC

 

2014's Daily things-I-Aim-To-Do:

1. Sleep by 12.30am everyday
2. No fast food
3. No phone when studying
4. Study everyday ((okay, I do that everyday. Like I do tutorials everyday))
5. Keep my table and wardrobe neat

2014's bucket list:

1. Visit the flower dome in the Gardens By the Bay
2. Go overseas- Japan pleaseeeeeee OMG I REALLY WANT 
3. Sleepovers

2014's Things-to-get:

1. A NEW PHONE teehee S5(?) ((It's so ironic. I said that I'm not gonna use my phone when studying and I plan to get a new phone))
2. HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA NOTHING ELSE.

Alright. It's time to go (AND DO HOMEWORK). I probably won't be back anytime soon unless I feel like talking.

 

 

 

Round and round 2013

Last blog post of the year, better make my reflections count.

I must say that 2013 is much more hectic that what I actually imagined it to be. I never thought that every action would count. The opportunities I was given in St Andrew's Junior College were overwhelming. I never thought that I would come this far.

What have I accomplished from my resolution's list: lol I'm looking at this year's new year's post. 2013

1. Stay healthy (WTH I was sick for 2 weeks before my CTs till I couldn't even get out of bed to study.) 
2. Lose weight (Idk leh.)
3. save money like at least 50 bucks a month or something (I did but I spent all during the holidays)
4. Be it JC or Poly... work hard and get promoted (JC. Promoted)
5. keep in touch with all my friends (Totally did.)
6. Learn more guitar skills (already did!:P) (Not at all... :( Didn't even touch my guitar)
7. Be a good girl (Omg I think that I'm good girl.)
8. Be more responsible... (Probably??)
9. Control my temper (Bitching did go out of control at one point but I think that keeping everything within me is gonna be for quite some time.)
10. Stay happy (I think I'm quite happy?)

MUCH MORE ACCOMPLISHED THAN 2012 HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Looking back, I must say that I'm leaving 2013 with little or no regrets.

Accomplishments: omg I feel like I'm so thick-skinned.

Academics:

• Honor Roll for Common Test
• Honor Roll for Promos
• Academic excellence
• Good Improvement Award (MOE)
• Bursary (MOE)- which I'm not applicable :((
• Took Alevels Chinese!!! :D

Activities:

• [SL DAY] Acted on stage in front of more than 700 people
• [YFC] Raised $8000+ for the Lions home for the Elders
• [YFC] Managed to get sponsorship for 2500 packets of 80g of ice gems
• [YFC] Street sales at the beach - Something I've never thought off
• [YFC] Helped our VWO to get best VWO award
• [PW] Finished an official written report
• [PW] Spoke for 5 good minutes - It was uncomfortable
• [PW] Scored a few interviews despite being rejected many times repeatedly 
• [HERALDS] Recorded a Christmas album - I played the guitar (I wasn't supposed to. I was supposed to be the manager)  
• [HERALDS] Produced the Christmas album
• [HERALDS] Shamelessly promoted the Christmas album
• [HERALDS] Raised 3.6k$ in 20 days
• [HERALDS] Took the LRT for the first time while delivering the album.
• [HERALDS] An interview with Straits Times
• [ADVO] Made friends with big sweep auntie
• Stepped out of my own comfort zone

Others:

• Not sleeping in lectures and tutorials
• Went to kbox
• Went biking
• Met up with many people
• Made many friends
• Stayed in a hostel for 2 weeks
• Attended Infinite's One Great Step concert
• Created instagram: Instagram
• Pierced my ears

I've done more than what I've expected. I'm so thankful for the opportunities SA have given to me. That would include the honor rolls because I've probably never ever been top 50% or 60% of the cohort in my life. I'm also thankful for being given a chance to join advocates in which I've learnt so many things from my peers and teachers. Not only that, through advocates, I was given a chance to participate or initiate in so many activities that I never thought that I would have ever done.

I must say that I'm very glad that on top of all the activities I participate in, I'm still able to have quite a social life and that includes going out with my secondary school friends. ie meeting Teresa, Clarissa and YanYing before promos for an entire late afternoon till evening, going for kbox, meeting up on Friday nights or just a fun hangout session in the middle of nowhere and even more. (I swear my mom probably wanted to flip. I was quite worried for myself too.)

2013 summarized:

1. Worked
2. OG24
3. 13S06
4. Advocates
5. 2 weeks hostel stay
6. Advo TBC camp 2013
7. MSA
8. Advocates inauguration ceremony
9. PW PW PW
10. YFC
11. J1 SL DAY
12. Pulau Ubin with Advo
13. Willing Hearts
14. Cleaned the school
15. Promoted to J2
16. The Heralds
17. Played Pool
18. Bowled many times
19. Making an album
20. Infinite concert
21. Studied

That's probably what I've done in year 2013.

What I regretted:

I regretted not being closer to my class. I could've put in more effort to be closer to them but I didn't care. Well, not like they'd care but I feel that its really sad because of the differences between the MANY (no more 2) cliques.

I also regretted saying that I didn't study for common tests because the results showed otherwise and I'm pretty sure people hated me for that. I'm really sorry. Even if I don't say anything people would probably say something.

I probably neglected some people too.

And importantly, I regretted not joining Junior Cats to become a catechist in my church. I've grown apart from quite a few people.

Like what people tell me, I can't be everywhere and I need to learn that.

What I would like to say is that I'd like to apologize if I offend anyone this year because I said that I didn't study but the results showed otherwise. I'm really sorry. I don't know what I should say in the future and I hope that no one asks me any of such questions in the future because I'm just going to keep quiet- whether I've studied or have I not. I also would like to apologize to anyone that I offended unknowingly.

I'd like to officially bid 2013 goodbye.

I've yet to complete my drama- school 2013 and its ridiculous if I watch it next year so I'm gonna watch it.

See ya in year 2014 with my new year resolutions.

Defying Gravity

WILD.

The last month was crazy. I've been going out daily and I've seriously no idea that December had just come to an end... Nevertheless, this post summarizes the highlights of December.

Tuesday 26 November 2013
((My last visit to the beach of the year))
Carnation, Elisabeth and I went to the most ulu beach in Sentosa- Tanjong beach.
Honestly, we weren't prepared for our beach trip. No picnic mats, NOTHING. We were thinking that we needed a logistics comm in the future.
However, though we were unprepared for the beach and despite being worried that it might rain, I'm so grateful that god had bless us with excellent weather and excellent time spent together.
The weather was not too hot and neither was it raining. In fact, it was stuck in 'about to rain' status in which we were really. From lying on the sand by creating our 'bed' to playing with water and to playing with seaweed, I really enjoyed my time. In fact, there was this moment when we didn't talk and just sat back on the sad to enjoy the weather and each other's company. I really treasure the times spent with these 2 dorks and I hope to see them soon in the upcoming year. <33 p="">Well, Carnation and I went shopping after that. Lets say it didn't go so well because the longer we stay in Bugis, the more cash we spend.

Sunday 1 December 2013
Went out with my shopping buddy- GOH SHI HUI
This woman made me wait for her for 1hour30minutes. Being the patient me (as always), I waited for her. I even read finish the entire times magazine. Well, the reason for her being late was because she couldn't 'stick' contacts into her eyes. Nevertheless, I really miss her.
Whenever we go out, we'd usually shop in which both of us are NOT spendthrift at all. The damage was $109. TT Crying over my empty wallet but it was okay. I didn't shop for such a long time I actually wonder how did I survive.

Tuesday 3 December 2013
Finally had the chance to met up with Xuan and Alicia. After an entire year of me studying for promos and doing pw, and an entire year of them studying for Olevels, we met up - and we ate pancakes.
Yeap, since those 2 n00bs have never eaten strictly pancakes in their entire life, I brought them to eat pancakes. After which, we went to play pool. It was hilarious because Huijan was just using extension half the time.
We then watched Frozen and it was so cute. I'm totally in love with Olaf because he is so adorable xx. I can't wait to meet them again. I can't believe how time passes- an entire year of celebrating each other's birthday by making memes, texting each other, fangirling and complaining to each other- since 2010. LOL.

Wednesday 4 December 2013
Met up with my hang out buddies. I swear its been 23456780 years since we've met each other. We used to hang out everyday in our secondary years- drinking bubble tea, studying and talking nonsense.
Brought them to pool. Seriously HAHAHAHA. Okay yes, they unfortunately can't play pool and never even thought of stepping into one once. We were all on budget so we travelled all the way to clementi to play pool. :B We even ate at our usual coffee shop, S11 at bishan. Totally a great time catching up with each other. Can't wait to see them soon someday. ((I miss studying with beat and shar sooo much))

Saturday 7 December 2013
5th year volunteering at Morning Star.
I didn't know a small service learning project in secondary 1 would turn out to us volunteering every year till now.
As usual, great food, great company, great time. Service at our best.
However, I've learnt something new this time and that was to be responsible what you were given. Honestly, I'm not irresponsible. But sharlene and I kind of overlooked something this time and in the future, I promise that I will not be this careless again. #extraefforttoremember
Other than that, I was totally in the Christmas spirit. (:

Tuesday 10 December 2013
Went to the Gardens By the Bay with Goh Shi Hui.
AS A SINGAPOREAN, I'VE NEVER BEEN TO GARDENS BY THE BAY BEFORE.
I'm so embarrassed.
So... with my semi-DSLR, both of us went to the gardens by the bay and took 1000 over pictures. I was like WHAT WAS I TAKING. But honestly, I was SO upset because the FLOWER DOME wasn't open. But the cloud tower was beautiful. *cough* the temperature is perfect weather. I love the Gardens by the Bay and I hope to be able to go back there to see my flower dome. ((This sounds cheesy but I want my future boyfriend-if I ever get one-to bring me to watch the light show))
The light show was beautiful... Had such a great time with ShiHui. It IS the highlight of the December Holidays. I hope to go back there someday but honestly, HIGHLIGHT of my December Holidays.

 

11 December 2013-22 December 2013
To be elaborated in the 2-3 posts later ((in 2014))
*link to be posted

Monday 23 December 2013
After pushing back so many dates, Joan and I finally managed to met up to have lunch and to catch up with each other.
Aww, can't believe I'm actually 3 years older than this kiddo. I feel so old right now :( Hope to see her soon.

Met Weixin and Canice after to study and /shop/ in which it was quite upsetting because the queues were so long. ((psst weixin and I decided to shop on the 24th at 10am. And I'm serious.. we did!)) By the way, I had a great time camwhoring with the Christmas tree outside Ion. Finally being able to see the Christmas lights. (:

Tuesday 24 December + Wednesday 25 December 2013
Like what I said... Both WeiXin and I went shopping from 10am to 12pm. The damage was high. Honestly, can't resist the sales.
Went to for Children's Christmas Mass and well, I'm not a kid anymore so they didn't give me any thing. Overgrown kid :( After all, it was Christmas and I enjoyed the atmosphere very much.
Moving on, went to Weixin's house for Christmas party with Jon Yeo, Jon Fung, Vanessa, Jae, Xs and Mok. Jon, Jon, Wx and I didn't even sleep. In fact we were watching Frozen, followed by the starving games which was really just stupid. Woke everyone else up by 6pm and walked to  macritchie reservoir from Weixin's house in Braddell just to see the sunrise. Though there wasn't much sun, it was still a good way to start Christmas morning.

We then went to the market to have breakfast.

Slept from 10.30am to 4.30pm before waking up to going for Christmas party at my greatgrandpa's house. Such a great time catching up with all my aunties and uncles. PLUS GOOD FOOD. hehehe.

See them soon for Chinese New Year xx!

Saturday 28 December 2013
Bishan NCC Christmas party was more like a mini gathering for Sharlene Greg and I.
Gregory being my friend for 8 years and Sharlene being my friend for 5 years, we haven't seen each other in a year! Finally caught up with them. (:

Monday 30 December 2013
Had my first GP tuition yesterday. FIRST GP TUITION after procrastinating for a year with Xs, Vanessa, Jon and Leonard. I hope to ace this subject. Really.

Went to Weixin's house after to 'study' and had starbucks in bishan with our starbucks card. :B

Tuesday 31 December 2013
I'm desperately trying to wrap up 2013. Unfortunately, there's too much to talk for 2013. There's still the huge gap from 11 December to 22 December left unsaid.
Summary of my holidays:

 

Dramas watched:

1. Gu Family Book
2. Shutup Flower Boyband
3. Master's sun
4. The heirs
5. Flower boy next door
6. Dating agency Cyrano
7. School 2013 (still on going TT)

All in all December was a really hectic month. Other than that, I really enjoyed December despite it being a half stressful month. Besides, I haven't been able to complete my homework and I people kept emphasizing on the 'Its Alevels next year!!!!!!! Study during your holidays!!' 
I'm really thankful for those who accompanied me through December 2013 because my holiday wouldn't be this colorful without them.
This holiday was indeed a meaningful one. 'The Heralds' made my holidays meaningful that spreading the joy became a priority. I never thought that my holidays would be spent this way and I never thought that my holidays would go this far. I've done so many things that I've never done during this school year or even in my entire life.
- recording a Christmas album
- selling an album to raise funds
- going to the beach
- playing pool
- watching movies
- sleepover at a friends house
- watched the sunrise
- going to the gardens by the bay
- shopping
- been to the airport so many times
- gone to braddell more times than the number of times that I've been there for the last 1 and a half year.
I've also met up with people that I haven't met through the year and I'm thankful to god that I managed to find time to meet them- sharlene lee, carnation kng, Elisabeth lim, huijan, Alicia, joan, shihui, Amanda, Vivian, Beatrice tan, Angeline Tay. Okay I haven't met up with so many other people but I'm still thankful and I hope to be able to meet up with others in the coming year.
Looking back, it's okay that I didn't go overseas. It's also okay that I didn't work to earn money for myself.
I just want to say, I really enjoyed myself. 
This was the shortest but the best holiday ever.
No regrets.