Yusheng.

Listening to MCR right now, because that's how I roll with my favourite band of all time.

Was going to post on Sunday, but then there were definitely issues with the lack of wi-fi in my room, and I wasn't really bothered to come out all the way to the pantry to post, so no-go. Nothing much happened, anyway. Went down to play pool around noon-time, then had lunch with KT, Kelvin and Adithya at Thai Express at three in the afternoon. Did a bit of work, then napped a bit, then like, watched two episodes of The Big Bang Theory and an episode of Glee.

TBBT is still as funny as I remember. It's got a consistency as good as How I Met Your Mother's. And I love that Raj kind of started a relationship with his iPhone Siri, which is hilarious. Maybe one day they'll create sentient AI that would be the perfect boyfriend. (If not AI, the perfect boyfriend would be one who would be able to do this with me.)

And Glee was just plain disappointing. Maybe this guy can sum it up for me.

SLI on Monday, so after class we had to head to the hall to watch Student Leaders be Invested. Or something along those lines. Yes, I respect the student leaders in our school, and I strongly encourage the recognition of the SLs' efforts. We will strive to do what we can for our school and the younger kids who'll always see us as their presidents, captains, or chairmen.

Gave a short briefing during our CCA slot after SLI. Feeling pretty chuffed because out of the thirteen newcomers, six voluntarily joined the video side. I am so proud. You know that feeling you get when you just know the rest of the year will be amazing? Yeah, I had that right then. I love Media.

Then had our first cluster birthday celebration of the year. Had an amount of food which was good, and did some talking (I also realise I will never understand girls).

Had two classes today. Math (longest of the week, which was two hours) wasn't bad because time passed quite okay-ly and we ended fifteen minutes early. Finally finished chapter 2. Then English was plain demoralising of my lack of brain function and inferior intellect and inability to form coherent sentences on paper.

Lunched after class, then went to the Games room and like, played pool/watched people play pool for most of my afternoon. Then napped again (I seem to be taking a lot of these, because I sleep late, wake up early, then come back to catch up on lost rest) before watching half an episode of Sherlock. Oh good, good stuff, that. Irene Adler in the series isn't as hot as the one in the movies with Robert Downey Jr (and she didn't have that American-ised accent, either), but she was pretty good as it was.

I don't like that she (SPOILER) dies though, because I like the idea that Sherlock has feelings for someone other than Watson.

Had some yusheng thing afterwards (I'm not Chinese enough to be familiar with this, and it's messy and tasted quite bad) with the other Year 5s during dinner. Messy, messy, messy.

Okay, going off now.

Night.

P.S. The more I watch Martin Freeman in Sherlock, the more I want to see him portray Bilbo. It's going to be so good.

Looking For Alaska.

Updating my blog link list, because a lot of people have stopped blogging or created new links since I linked them. Tsk, inconsistencies.

Or perhaps it's me. Haven't changed my URL since I started, which was back in November '07. That's crazy, isn't it? I don't see myself blogging ten years into the future, about getting a job or what my kids are like, but I don't see a reason for me to stop, either. Maybe the hype will just gradually die down, and I'll no longer find talking about each and every day useful, either.

But I like it as it is now, because I can't stand when days go by unappreciated and unreflected upon.

So like, woke up quite late today. Past noon. Just kept waking up and then realising my ass was still too heavy to be hauled out of bed.

Hung around the Internet a while afterwards, then started on 'Looking For Alaska' by John Green, because Jon Koo and Leyi told me to read it (so Leyi emailed me the PDF). Honestly, I hadn't finished a book (of significant length) in one sitting in almost a forever. Didn't even get up to pee or anything like that. I just sat there and stared at my laptop screen for four and a half hours. So engrossing.

When I started, I honestly thought Miles Halter was female. I mean, what dude is this chatty from a first person perspective? But then it was so good. Oh yes, so good. If I had read from a physical copy of the book, I'd say it was unputdownable, but I didn't really have to hold anything, so I can't say that. Couldn't stop scrolling and couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen, definitely. It started off fast and ended fast and there was never a boring lull where the author describes some fancy scenery or many feelings in a terribly longwinded and repetitive manner. Every part keeps you wanting more.

And it was such a sad book, too. I like these books because they make you think. And 'Looking For Alaska' made me think. About finding my "Great Perhaps", too. Or am I already there? On my way to a less boring life? It feels so real, because I left home for school too. No smoking or alcohol though, and without reckless prank-pulling, but daring enough for me.

It was also about forgiving and forgetting and what happens to memories when people die and how to deal with feeling them slip away. Deep. So deep. And good. So good.

And that's pretty much all I did today. Read a book online, blog, look up random things, and avoid schoolwork.

Go me.

Good night.

Questions again.

Continuing random question answering.

91-Say 2 facts about your favorite things:

No.

106-Would you ever smile at a stranger?

Why not? I smile at strangers all the time. They think I'm creepy.

107-Do you prefer to be friends with girls or boys?

Does not matter.

108-Who is someone you never tire of?

Aragorn son of Arathorn.

109-Do you have someone you can be your complete self around?

Myself.

110-Who is your most loyal friend?

Myself.

111-Is there anyone you can tell EVERYTHING to?

No. Nobody can talk about everything.

112-If your best friend died, what would you do?

Be sad.

113-Something you’ve lied about.

My whole life is a lie.

114-Have you ever felt replaced?

No.

115-Say 5 facts about your bestfriend(s):
No.

116-The last person you hugged?'

My parents.

117-Story of your first kiss?

When I was born and my mum thought I was the loveliest baby.

118-Do you like kissing in public?

What?

119-Have you ever kissed someone older than you?

My parents? My grandmother?

120-You have a preference for boys or girls?

No. The person you are inside can hardly be decided solely by gender.

121-Is the male or female body closest to perfection?

Also, not decided by gender.

127-What is the first thing you noticed in someone?

Hair. Also the sound of their voice.

128-Are looks important in a relationship?

Yes. Oh definitely. Of course. How not.

129-What’s the most superficial characteristic you look for?

Depends.

130-What’s your opinion on age differences in relationships?

Does not matter. Unless you're Doug Hutchison and Courtney "My-Boobs-Are-Rill" Stodden.

131-Would you ever date someone off of the Internet?

No, we would date in a nice place in the real world, thank you very much.

Hmm why are so many questions missing?

164-Do you ever want to get married?

Yes.

165-Do you think you’ll be married in 5 years?

No.

167-Do you get jealous easily?

No.

168-The last time you felt jealous, and why?

No.

169-What is your definition of cheating?

When you do something you're not supposed to do that makes life easier but is totally against protocol and makes others unhappy.

170-Have you ever been cheated on?

No.

171-Do you forgive betrayal?

When the time comes when someone betrays me, I hope so. Or maybe not. That would be so much cooler, actually. I'd like, turn into someone like Ezio Auditore and carry out vengeance in style (and an awesome hoodie).

172-Have you ever cheated on someone?

No.

173-Why did your last relationship fail?

Because it didn't exist.

174-Things you want to say to an ex:

Nothing.

175-A description of the person you dislike the most:

Nobody.

176-If your first true love knocked on your door with apology and presents, would you accept?

No. I would seek a therapist because I would be seeing things.

177-How many boyfriends/girlfriends have you had?

None.

178-How long was your longest relationship?

Never.

180-Share a relationship story:

Current is inversely proportional to resistance.

181-How often do you listen to music?

Many many.

182-What kind of music you like?

Good music. Duhh.

183-Do you like to dance?

No.

185-Have you heard a song that reminds you of someone today?

Every song reminds me of everything.

186-Share a song that takes you to a certain memory in the past:

The Pokémon first season introduction theme reminds me of Pokémon.

187-A song that’s been stuck in your head:

A bit of James Morrison lately.

188-Put your music player on shuffle and write the first ten songs that play:

Speed of Sound - Coldplay

New Born - Muse

I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab for Cutie (but sung by Kurt Schneider in this version)

Smooth - Santana featuring Rob Thomas

Galvanize - Chemical Brothers

In The City - Eagles

Angels - Robbie Williams

Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven (but not played by him, obviously)

Buck Rogers - Feeder

A Loaded Smile - Adam Lambert

Untitled - Simple Plan

189-A book you want to read/have recently read:

Recently read 'Looking For Alaska' by John Green.

190-Describe your dream library:

Cosy, but with wall-to-wall shelves. Windows to let plenty of light in, but not so that it damages the books. Lamps and comfy armchairs and end tables here and there, and a few potted plants. The smell of book and new building. Digitalised catalogue, but with handwritten physical copy as well. And of course, many books.

191-Last movie you just watched:

My Girl.

192-Do you like watching what type of movies?

Question phrasing wrong. I enjoy anything that doesn't suck and has quality actors.

193-You’re in a tattoo parlor about to get inked. What are you getting done?

A tattoo of an eye on my left ankle.

194-What’s something you can see yourself going to jail for?

Being offensive.

195-If you could be any character, from any literary work, who would you choose to be?

Arwen. Because she marries Aragorn and she's an elven princess. And she marries Aragorn.

196-You’re given $10,000…under one condition: you cannot keep the money for yourself. Who would you give it to?

People who supply food and clothes and aid, and then give those things to people who need them.

197-If you had to go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?

Nothing.

198-If you were an element on the Periodic Table, which would you be and why?

An undiscovered one.

199-If you had to delete one year of your life completely, which would it be?

None, goodness me.

200-You’re an Action Movie Hero. What’s your weapon of choice and the line you scream when defeating your arch enemy?

Bow and arrow (short swords or Wolverine-style claws if not) and I'll scream, "Come get me, b*tches."

201-If you could design an amusement park ride, what would it be like?

The most awesome ever. Will provide details when I turn multi-millionaire and actually get to build one for the masses.

202-What is the first curse word that comes to mind?

203-What the last party you went to was… and when the next will be…

Last party? Next? No idea.

204-Halloween costume idea?

Average person. Man those things scare me.

205-How you’d spend ten thousand bucks?

Refer to question 196.

206-Press ctrl+v and post:

207-Would you rather be stranded on a desert island with someone you love for ten years or someone you hate for a month? Explain why.

Someone I hate. Because then I won't feel so lonely when we part.

208-5 things within touching distance:

Laptop phone biscuits wallet CCA name list of new recruits.

209-A drunken story:

Aijdenfaflshj clajf[uanrfu clawfn[aufnsc uh5fuam csdop acnjkdnh xna,bnc,mnb eudajn cannot type while drunk asduhajneccn

210-What are you supposed to be doing right now?

Work.

211-Currently wanting to see anyone?

Not really.

212-Why you follow me?

I don't.

213-If you met me what would you do?

I wouldn't know you.

214-Leave me a ridiculous question:

No.

215-Leave me a cute message:

Who are you?

Pool.

It seems like I'm going to start every single post by saying "In the pantry right now", so just assume for the duration of the school term that I have to step outside every time I need to post anything or use the real Twitter website or check up on QC updates.

Wednesday, had only an hour of class, which was Math. Then spent the three hours of break we had playing pool in the Games room and The Village in the TV room before going back to school for ACE. Continued watching 'Dead Poets Society', which is honestly astoundingly good, and I now understand the obsession some people have with it. I don't think it really teaches us anything about integrity, but we all enjoy a good movie. Especially when familiar actors are in it.

Thursday, had three Sciences back-to-back followed by PE. Chem was all right. Finished off Assignment 1 in class with the help of Jia Hong, while Mrs Chong talked about alkenes and stuff. Animal Physio was just, well, just. No new lecture notes, but sort of spent two hours recapping the previous lecture. I do understand, but sometimes I find myself a bit perplexed and falling asleep. It's funny how I feel less sleepy during Physics. It's perhaps 90% common sense right now, and I think it's quite fun (what has become of me). Mm circuits.

Paced with Aisyah during PE. Clocked 13:56 for five rounds, which is completely atrocious compared to everyone else (here which refers to the horribly fit girls in our PE group). Need to go running more often, yes. So unfit it's disgusting. I don't know how I've let myself go like this. Reading these posts and remembering the old training days, where I struggled to reach over 50 kg (here). Goodness me.

Almost finished watching 'Dead Poets Society' today during mentoring, but got cut off because Ms Dass wanted to carry on with our English lesson (which I will, again, stress that I will fail this module). Brain froze so badly.

Half an hour break, then had Math (which we now shall start referring to as "SPM", or "Stupid People Math", because we're not Honours students). Thankfully understood things. I'm so grateful for the slower pace, because it gives my poor intellectually impaired brain time to think and absorb information.

Class ended after Math, so went with Aisyah to the Games room to play some pool. We seem to play pool a lot nowadays (well we used to, but ever since the other Year 5s moved in, we've been playing a lot more). Yeah, I quite enjoy pool sessions, because you can simply pop in and join a game, and somehow there are always people there to play with.

CCA was awesome, as usual. Met up with Pin and Jia Min beforehand to discuss things, then went to the hall to fetch new juniors. Eight Year 1s this year, which means double last year's number. So, so elated. We were all like high-fiving each other in the hall, and now everyone knows we are the weirdest CCA.

Didn't have food today because Wei Ren was at SLI rehearsals (along with a few others, and the Year 4s who had SMP), so broke some ice with whacko and charades and basic introductions. Going to hold a briefing on Monday though.

Went out for Rocky's afterwards with Wee Thean, Kelvin, Adithya, KT, Wai Yin and Woan Chyi. Mm food.

Came back and then played even more pool. Goodness, need to develop better skills. I'm sick of depending on luck.

All right, so that's it for the endeavours of the week.

Night.

Questions.

Copied this off Pin's blog to make up for all the non-posts I've made so far this year.


1-How are you?
Content.

2-Post a picture of yourself.
No.

3-Do you ever wish you were someone else?
Yes, but only that I was Arwen because she gets Aragorn.

4-What is your entire name?
Ya Wen Lim. No secrets there.

5-How old are you?
Yeah.

6-Age you get mistaken for:
Okay.

7-Your zodiac/horoscope and if you think it fits your personality:
Scorpio, and does not apply. I am who I am. The stars cannot dictate that.

8-What did you do on your last birthday?
Stayed in my room and worked on that Deeparaya vid, and then went out for karaoke with the Bruneians.

9-What is one thing you would like to accomplish before your next birthday?
Maintain my lovely, youthful demeanour.

10-What is your hair color?
Asian dark brown.

11-Have you ever dyed your hair?
No.

12-What is your eye color?
Once again, Asian dark brown.

13-If you could change your eye color, would you?
Yes.

14-Do you wear contacts/glasses?
Glasses. They make me look smarter than I actually am.

18-Do you have any tattoos?
In the future.

19-Do you have any piercings?
My ear-pierced days ended with an infection that set in last June. I miss them sometimes. I see people with cartilage piercings and I'm like, heck, I could've had three but now I have none. That's sad. Maybe one day I'll go and get my ear re-pierced, but that day won't come soon because I still remember the pain and the shame of failure.

20-Left or right handed?
Right.

21-What’s your sexual orientation?
Men.

22-Do you drink?
As the wise saying goes, "One who does not drink stays dehydrated."

23-Do you smoke?
No, but I guess if you set me on fire I would.

24-Do you have any pets?
Pet peeves.

25-Where do you work?
Everywhere.

26-Something you are working on right now:
Things.

27-Do you have any “rules” about food?
Save the good stuff for last.

28-Where are you from?
Where is everybody from? Why are we here?

29-What would you say is your best quality?
My self-deprecatory humour.

30-What do you think you’re really good at?
Nothing. Either that, or bumping into things unnecessarily.

31-What do you think you’re really bad at?
Feelings. People. Life.

33-Are you a bad person?
I try.

34-Are you nice to everyone?
Too nice. People tell me to stop being so nice.

36-Has someone ever spread a nasty rumor about you?
No rumours are nasty because they're like funny little stories people are stupid enough to believe.

37-What is your ideal bed? Why?
Mine. Because I grew up with the ideal.

38-Did you wake up cranky?
Never.

39-Do you sleep with a stuffed toy?
Yes.

40-What do you think about the most?
Death, dying, what work I need completing.

42-What you want to be when you “get older”?
Older. See? Accomplished.

43-What are your career goals?
To never regret my career path.

44-What is your ideal career?
Sometimes I dream of being an accomplished movie director; up there with all the stars and getting to order them around in order to create my art. Sometimes I look at buildings and wish I could be an architect because I find design and construction undervalued although it's really very brilliant. Sometimes I want to be a writer or musician or that random person who wins the lottery and becomes a millionaire. It changes from time to time.

45-Is your life anything like it was two years ago?
Of course not.

46-Do you replay things that have happened in your head?
Yes. I'm like a little video camera that records everything for playback later in case I've missed something.

47-Have you ever had an imaginary friend?
Hah.

48-Say 10 facts about your room:
Shared. With. Grandmother. And. I. Love. Every. Inch. Of. It.

49-Do you have any phobias?
Why would I tell you?

50-Have you ever been to a psychiatrist/therapist?
I wish.

51-Are you allergic to anything? If so, what?
Prawns and pressure.

52-Ever broken any bones?
No.

53-Ever come close to death?
I'm still alive, so no.

60-Do you have a facebook? If so, would you add the person who sent you this?
No, Mark Zuckerberg owns Facebook, not me.

61-Do you have any pictures on your Facebook?
I told you, not mine.

62-Describe yourself in one word/sentence:
I think, therefore I am.

63-A quote you try to live by:
"Arr."

64-A famous person you’ve been compared to:
Myself. Since everyone I know knows me, I must be incredibly famous.

65-Weird things you do when you’re alone:
I tell myself things, and sing songs.

66-Something you do without realizing:
Nothing.

68-Someone you’d like to be for a day and why:
Some bank robber, or something. Then I could commit some crime and risk getting arrested, but by the next day I wouldn't be the poor bugger anymore. Sounds good.

69-Leave me a compliment:
Who?

70-What is your favorite thing to do?
Be me.

71-What’s your favorite color?
What are colours.

73-What’s your favorite movie?
Movies, you mean. The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and then hopefully The Hobbit, too.

74-What are your favorite books?
Hah. Hah. Hah. I can't name them because I wouldn't be doing them justice.

75-What is your favorite quote and why?
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/36746.Lemony_Snicket

76-What is your favorite word?


77-What is your least favorite word?
Nothing comes to mind at the moment.

78-What is your favorite type of food?
Non-hostel and edible.

79-You favorite ice cream?
It's not so much the taste, or flavour, or texture, but the atmosphere. There was this time we went to this place in Holland and bought the best ice cream at this little shop and sat outside in the cold summer sun munching on the crispy, flavourful cone and it was one of the best moments I've ever had in my life.

80-What’s your favorite animal?
As books, I won't do them justice either.

81-Dogs or cats?
Neither, really. I'd keep a cat, but dogs are ridiculously loveable.

82-Describe your favourite texture:
The smooth, cold side of a pillow. And something else I can't quite recall at the moment.

83-What is your favorite flower?
None.

84-What’s your favourite scent? And on the opposite sex?
I love the smell of freshly baked bread. On the opposite sex? Hard to describe.

85-What is your favorite season?
Winter.

86-What are the top five places you wish you could go before you die?
It doesn't matter where you go, it's who you go with. I was in Tokyo alone 'cause my dad had work, and the sites were great and all, but it wasn't the amazing experience I had hoped to have, because it wasn't shared.

87-What are four things you can’t live without and why?
My functional body, and my consciousness, and people to talk to, and the Internet.

88-Which mythological creature are you most like? Why?
None. I am a mythological creature.

89-What’s your favorite television show?
That old BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, I think.

90-Favorite place to shop at?
None. I am no shopper.


Okay, will continue next time.

Adieu.

The Devil's Arithmetic.

Ten minutes before lights out, and I'm still in the pantry tapping on my newfound love, 'Pantry wi-fi'. I love pantry wi-fi.

Arrived around two hours ago, managed to get a taxi and stuff and make it back in time to iron my uniform for tomorrow and unpack and stuff.

Haven't posted in such a while because I've been quite occupied with not doing anything except reading Ultimate Spiderman and watching trailers of movies I would love to watch and watching Sherlock and other television shows that are probably a complete waste of my time.

Chinese New Year this year has been amazing, because I didn't fall miserably sick (unlike last year) and because there were hardly any awkward questions asked this year. Wish I could've had a chance to write about it in greater detail, but I didn't have time to write about my past week as each day passed, so details are a bit blur.

Flight back on Friday after school CNY celebrations, which meant only an hour and a half of English (the module which I'm going to be failing this year) that day followed by celebrations and slacking and stuff.

Reached home late, slept, woke up, went on errands (collecting CNY cakes and biscuits and then delivering them as gifts to relatives and things like that), came back, watched an episode of Sherlock with my mum and brother, slept, woke up, went on more errands, had awesome CNY eve dinner (really, really awesome because my grandmother is an amazing cook), slept, and then open house-d and CNY commenced for real.

I love CNY because it gives us all a reason to come together and eat and have fun and visit each other and tell jokes and laugh loudly without a care in the world. Beautiful concept.

And I did not go hungry at all.

Also managed to cram in some reading. 'The Devil's Arithmetic' by Jane Yolen. Honestly really moving. You read about all these things that happened during the wars (and I've read only a handful of these books and seen a handful of these movies) but you'll never be able to imagine the sheer horror of having to live in those times. So what do we do? Do we remember and admire the painful times the older generations have had to endure, or do we cast aside and forget all the terribleness? I think it's better to keep in mind horrors of the past, because things that happen deserve to be remembered, because they cannot afford to happen again.

Okay, long post, need to shower now.

Night.

P.S. Brunei's population is so small, almost everybody knows everybody else second degree. It's crazy.

Racist werewolves.

Bit of a break before study time actually starts. Have a Spiderman versus Doc Ock sketch I want to finish, but I'm not bothered at the moment, because I'm having one of those moments when you wake up, glance at last night's work and realise everything went wrong and you really can't draw.

It's quite hard getting used to the new roll call timings, but it's not as bad as I thought it'd be so far. Haven't missed anything yet, thankfully, but after three years it's been hardwired into my brain to roll call at 8 pm and 10.30 pm on regular school days, and at 11 pm on weekends. That's just the way we've adapted to life here. And now everything's all harum-scarum because there used to be time after study time to do things we had to (such as laundry, and now the gate to 7B is locked after 9 pm, which really sucks even though they promised us access until late).

Listening to 'We're In This Together' by Nine Inch Nails, because I heard it in the Avengers' movie trailer and I couldn't take my mind off it. It's quite awesome, really. Makes you want to develop mutant powers/build an awesome suit of armour/throw yourself off buildings recklessly because you can fly.

I think the closest I'll ever get to superhero status is being able to fit in their costumes and look good (and being a good person with moral values, of course). I mean, have you seen female superheroes? Tight, skimpy clothing, enlarged chest areas and tiny waists. It's probably because since many of the people who read these things hardly have a social life and hence probably no girlfriend, so it acts as compensation. I don't know, but that's what I think.

Besides, hot chicks = greater sales.

Only two classes today (not counting Medicinal Chem, because it's an elective and I totally crashed it since I'm probably last on the waiting list and today'll be the only time I'll be allowed to do that).

Had Math first thing in the morning after mentoring (with our really cool mentor), and I realise I really do miss Mr Chia. Two years of Math with him, and sometimes you kinda miss it when it hits you and you realise your teacher isn't Mr Chia. I'm going to have some hard time with my working presentation, I think.

It's fun though, because our assignment is due a week after the Math honours' class's assignment. Yeah, smart people, but at least we're taking it easy and at a sweet, leisurely pace.

Had English afterwards. Essay writing skills and I'm scared. I don't know how I'll be able to keep up with expectations, given I now have the vocabulary of a three-year old non-native English speaker and I know about as much world politics as a tree stump.

Spent time after that in the TV room playing this game called 'Werewolves of Millers Hollow: The Village'. Quite fun.

Okay, almost study time now. Better go and be productive.

Adieu.

P.S. Braiiinnns. I need braaaiiinnnssss.

Ben.

I've seem to have lost the ability to post, really, which is quite a shame, considering how long I've been doing this.

Once again, I'm here by the door so I can get some peace from the LAN-ness. It's not much, but at least the wi-fi connection here is strong enough to get me by.

Been sleeping quite a lot lately, which I think is a complete waste of time. The strange thing about sleep is that it's quite addictive once you've experienced the sensation of getting enough sleep. Tsk tsk.

Went out with Wai Yin on Saturday, where we went to this place called Turf City and met up with Clara to go trail riding. I think I've found a Singaporean equivalent of the Polo club (or at least, the Empire area, where all the white people/well-off foreigners go).

So like, pretty cool experience, even though I was all sore yesterday from being on horseback after like, a forever. Awesome instructor, too, 'cause Clara got this sort of whiney guy and Wai Yin got this dude who could only speak Chinese. And the horse I rode was such a sweetie, 'cause he came up to nuzzle me (or use me as a towel, I'm unsure) after the hour was up.

The Internet connection right now is quite pathetic, and it's gotten really humid lately. Really sucks.

Spent all day yesterday just moping around in my room, reading Spiderman and wasting time on the Internet trying to pick up world events (and then getting distracted by useless pieces of news such as how to stack salad) and also stalking people on Facebook (because I like to see how great other people's lives are and then give myself a reason to be bitter and lonely).

Also watched an episode of Sherlock (because everyone seem to be watching it, and because Fatehah told me to ages ago and I promised). So, so good. Some scenes were so reminiscent of the original stories I found myself grinning like an idiot and wanting to cling to whoever wrote the script and cry like a baby. Yeah, mixed emotions.

I think the series has brought Sherlock Holmes into life again, and yes, he'd totally be that way if he were real and alive today. In short, I loved it.

And I'm even more keen on seeing Martin Freeman as Bilbo now (as if I wasn't ridiculously keen before) 'cause it's cool to see a familiar face. Goodness, the Hobbit.

School today was ordinary. Had Chem with Dr Li, and then Mol Gen with our Korean exchange teacher, both lessons in which I felt less stupid than during the last because somehow my intelligence grew over the weekend. God knows.

Interesting topics.

And that was it for the day because Year 5 is amazingly slack and I quite enjoy it.

All right, I'm going off now. Both wi-fi and weather failing me.

P.S. CNY in less than a week. Goodness, time flies.

Diagnostic criteria for internet addiction.

Found this on BBC news, browsing around for some bits of strange news.

Do you feel preoccupied with the internet?

Yes, yes I do. Always, constantly, the Internet is the very essence of my soul.

Do you feel the need to use the internet with increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?

Yes, but sometimes no. When I can sneak a glance at Twitter, I do, but sometimes when I stop using the Internet I don't for many days, like a hermit escaping the world.

Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop internet use?

Yes.

Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop internet use?

Yes, but only when dealing with hostel Internet limitations. When I'm at home, I'm completely fine.

Do you stay online longer than intended?

Definitely yes.

Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the internet?

Thankfully no, not yet.

Have you lied to family members, a therapist or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the internet?

Also no, not yet.

Do you use the internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a distressed mood (eg feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety and depression)?

Sometimes, but then again it makes me even more depressed when I read news about terrible people doing terrible things.

Participants answering yes to questions 1 to 5 and at least one more answer were classed as suffering from Internet Addiction Disorder.

Source: Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction adapted by Beard and Wolf.

In short, I am an addict.

Like, please, first thing I did when I found out about Internet addiction was to post it on my blog, Tweet about it, and then almost post about it on Facebook. Help.

The thirteenth.

It's official. I love being in the pantry for wifi. It's not as private as being in my room or anything like that, but it gets me good, strong wifi connection and that's what I need most at times.

How sad is it that my mood lightens when I see that Twitter interface? Man, I need to seek professional help.

Also, I can't post on LAN Internet connection either, so like, I have to find some wifi to get my posts online.

I need my social networking. I swear it. It's quite sad, really, but I like to come back and get online. Twitter, Facebook. I think I need it to feel alive again. Call it addiction, but that's how I get on with life sometimes.

Haven't posted for a few days, and I feel quite behind in my updating and talking about things that have happened recently. Had our first Physics lesson yesterday, where we breezed through three and a half ridiculously simple chapters (for Physics), along with our first PE session, where we desperately tried to lost some weight and gain some height last minute so it wouldn't look to bad on our records.

Going to jump around for a bit because my brain can't process information in chronological order right now (because I'm high from laughing too much at Mr Xie's epic post on our Media Club Facebook wall, amongst other things).

Only one lesson on Wednesday, which was an hour of Math (major, which I can't stress enough because it's so slack compared to the honours class it's quite awesome indeed). Played pool until ACE, which doesn't count as a lesson because it's, well, Affective Character Education. I really do quite like my class at the moment. Still missing the old 05 but this one is great too.

All three sciences yesterday, so had Chem, where I felt really stupid, followed by Animal Physio, where I found it hard to follow because I spent most of my time trying out that ridiculous finger movement thing Mr Seoh challenged us to do (and then said I wasn't a musician because I didn't have the "precise finger control of a pianist", which really offended me), then Physics, then PE. Which might be a science, too, who knows.

Math-ed and English-ed today, and during English I found out that I really do know nothing of the world. I care nuts about politics, and sometimes I think I know things, but honestly I don't. I need to seek enlightenment, but instead of embracing asceticism like Buddha, I'll probably just hang around more news websites and stuff.

Then had CCA, which I love. Oh, CCA, I love CCA. It's going to be an awesome year for Media, and I swear to you we will make it so.

Had dinner with Bruneians (Fatinn, Fatin, Yee Rou and Faiz), talked about new junior, talked to new junior because then we met him at the bus interchange. He's a nice guy. I like him.

Okay, going off now.

Night.

P.S. Oh finally, weekend again.

P.P.S. I miss not having Malay. How strange is that?

Set Fire to the Rain.

It's a Tuesday. Oh yes it is.

Only two classes today, which was like yesterday, except that now it's repeated it's quite very the awesome. I mean, compared to the packed-ness of Year 4 this is complete heaven. I feel as if I'm getting enough sleep, too, since we can now go back and nap in the afternoons to our hearts' content.

Mentoring first thing in the morning, so Ms Dass brought us out to the canteen and draw things that represented us on sheets of paper and so she could have some coffee while she waited. Drew a stick figure and labelled it "yawen" and then doodled Spiderman because I really couldn't think of anything (and since I started on Ultimate Spiderman a few days ago it's all I can do to stop thinking about it. I'm afraid I've turned quite obsessive).

Come to think of it, I realise I got the uniform shading partly wrong and the webbing was too fine. But everybody learns from mistakes, and practice makes perfect. Besides, I'll probably never be able to reach the perfection that is those professional graphic novel artists.

Anyway, trying to read as much Spiderman and The Avengers as I can before the movies come out, so I won't feel so ashamed when I call myself a fan.

After mentoring was Math, so we made our way to 01 (because the Honours people get to stay while we leave) and did some stuff about limits. Oh goodness, hope it doesn't get too complicated. It usually starts off like this, where you think you can follow the lesson and a bit of hope blossoms in you, but then it gets all asdjabdahksdbansd and then you're all like lost and confused and in danger of flunking.

English was great, except now I realise I know absolutely nothing about politics and I don't give a damn, but if I want to pass this module I have to at least try. So doomed.

Went back and slept after class, then had an uneventful dinner session (actually all dinners are eventful, but since they're eventful all the time, they become uneventfully eventful, if you know what I mean).

Okay, off now.

Adieu.

P.S. I miss M11405. No lie.

Finality.

Reading this right now and it's reinforcing my love for Daniel Handler and his lovely genius with words. And his quotes are so true. You can't deny that, even though they sound atrocious at times and make you want to shake your head in disbelief, but they are true.

So like yeah, first proper day of lessons today (CCA fair day did not count because we only had one class and it was like, diagnostic test-y). Spent my weekend walking around the Orchard area because my mum and aunt were over to do some pre-CNY shopping (CNY good, shopping not really) after rushing off after our CCA fair.

Oh yeah, CCA fair 2012 was awesome. Our banner was brilliant. Here's a picture. Thanks to all the people who helped out to paint it over the course of orientation and the hours counting up to the event. One of the best so far I think, because our poster is awesome too, and we totally shamelessly advertised. So much pride for Media right now. I love how we love our CCA to bits (unlike some of the other CCAs where people feel like crap every CCA day because they know they have to show up), and I love how we take so much pride in being in Media. We work hard and we know it. It doesn't matter if people think we're slackers or that we do nothing. Because by the end of the day we're the ones who've had the most fun doing what we do.

Anyway, back to first day of proper lessons. Managed to wake up on time, thank goodness, but then reached the track way earlier than we usually do. For years we've sat at the concourse waiting for the bell to ring, but today we were there before the bell rang and everyone was all confused because we were amazingly punctual and did well.

Had a Chem briefing right after morning assembly, where Mr Murali told us about expectations and such, because since we're Honours students we aren't allowed to do that badly. And no, no Olympiad for me. I don't want to kill myself.

Then had the actual Chem lesson with Dr Li. Yeahey, Dr Li. Pin, Daryl and I wrote "Media <3" on the name list she asked us to pass around, because we really do love our CCA.

Not bad, but have managed to forget everything from Year 3, all the way from hybridisation to nomenclature. Uh oh. Thanks to Jia Hong for helping me recall things.

Molecular genetics was quite uneventful. Have this Korean exchange teacher, so his accent was a bit off (but not incomprehensible), but honestly, hardly anyone could catch anything, because this is a bewildering topic meant to confuse young minds.

Then had no class, then hung around the Fibo room for a while, then collected O-level results.

I will never have to take Malay in school ever again. Oh goodness. I feel accomplished. Back when I came here, I thought I didn't have to deal with Malay, but I did, and now it's over. Heck that was fast.

I am so thankful I passed. So, so thankful. Aisyah and I were practically prepared to cry.

Shocking results, and I feel sad because a lot of people were quite badly affected by the results. It's a terrible day.

Okay, going off now.

Good night.

P.S. Still no sign of new junior. I'm starting to doubt he's even coming.

Orientation day 3.

Orientation 2012 has just ended, and I must say although the mass dance wasn't as great as last year's (no mass dance will be better than last year's, I think), it was epic and memorable in its own way.

Skipped the post for day 2 because I was sunburnt and tired and had to do this photo montage for our finale event today and watch over banner-painting for the CCA fair tomorrow.

The Sentosa trip yesterday was awesome. My class is quite cool, really. And so's our mentor. She let us slack and eat at Mac's when we were supposed to meet the other classes for lunch. Also wanted to "accidentally" head over to Vivo and "accidentally" watch a movie, but couldn't. It was scorching hot though, and everyone ended up dying (especially the teachers, who had to follow us around as we walked around the place trying to look for stations).

Have plenty of pictures, so maybe when I've uploaded it I'll post a link of the montage. Who knows.

Spent most of my time today working on the montage, but also watched the Year 5s play some game with hoops and sponges. Skipped the mass dance running errands and then had lunch. Oh goodness, I've missed the food from the Muslim food stall. Sometimes food just perks you up, especially when you're starving.

Then joined in for a bit of fun on the field, where we built forts out of cardboard and other things and then bombarded each other with bags of water and stuff. 506 won, but like, ours was still standing by the end, too, so achievement. And it felt so good to get wet under the hot sun.

Finale was great, because the Year 1s were so adorable and the Year 3s from Fibo put on an amazing, flawless performance that brought the house down. It was sad because we placed last in the Year 3 performances category, and it kinda shocked the whole school as well, because it was so good (I'm so proud of Hafiy, because he was right there on stage dancing like the boss he is). And the reason why we couldn't win was because it was too "suggestive" for the school to want to promote in front of Year 1 parents.

It was a bit of fun, and most of us loved it, but because there was this part where 'James Bond' emerges and sort of kisses another dude on the cheek (like a real Bond would do to a hot chick), they wouldn't allow it. But it brought the house down and that's what matters to us.

After the performance, Facebook sort of blew up 'cause a lot of Fibo people were outraged. Terrible.

But as long as we know in our hearts our Year 3s were the stars on the night, any position they award us makes no difference.

Okay, sleepy.

Night.

Orientation day 1.

The first day of orientation has just ended, and I'm tired.

Officially met my new class today. Not bad, considering the number of people in Media and a few ex-classmates here and there. We also have the council president and vice-president, which is cool.

Went down to the canteen before school started to try and meet our new junior, but (disappointingly for us) we found out he isn't even in the country yet. How on earth is that possible? Why on earth would you have him miss the first week of school? It would be so much harder getting to know people without orientation (although my batch didn't have orientation either).

So yes, we were all baffled. This is the most mysterious junior yet.

Assembled in the hall, where we listened to people talk for a while, and then went off to hang around in the canteen 'cause we were ahead of schedule.

Met mentor, and she's quite awesome already. Topped up school's pizza fund and allowed John Huang to have like, ten slices.

House meeting-ed, mass danced (I'm still a terrible dancer, and hardly enjoy it), then went on to play these random games where we had to do these random things in order to earn things to sell for money, which we had to use to buy other things to play this other game with. A bit confusing at first, but then we managed to pull through and earned a lot more than a few of the other classes.

Now my body kinda aches, though.

Then went totally behind schedule, so we cut the game short.

Had the first hostel dinner of the year. Finally returned to normalcy, except familiar faces are still everywhere and that's kinda creepy.

Then went out with Wai Yin to buy cloth and paint for our CCA fair booth.

Came back, had our rooms checked by Ms Kong, then went downstairs to play pool with a bunch of other people. Yeah, busy day, what with trying to cram in as much hostel fun as possible within the week before school really starts and kills us all. Sigh.

All right, going off now.

Night.

P.S. Oh, and we're the only Year 5 class on our floor without air-conditioning. That's so sad.

So it begins.

Would've posted yesterday, but didn't because I couldn't seem to get wifi in my room (still can't, actually, so I'm sitting by the door, trying to leech off the weak tendrils of wifi here).

The thing is, LAN Internet connection is quite fast and pretty adequate, but it blocks many things. Like posting a post on Blogger, and accessing Twitter, and questionablecontent.net. And it makes me sad.

So yes I'm now back here, after having left the comfort of home behind me (many kilometres behind me, in fact) in order to pursue a better education and hence stretch my potential and stuff. Whoa.

It's the second day of the new year, which means we're two days closer to the apocalypse. Also, I've managed to pack my bags, catch a ridiculously empty flight, arrive safely, move boxes around, unpack, meet up with friends again, et cetera.

Spent all last night unpacking, so could sleep in a bit late as a reward. Then went out to Clementi Mall with Fatinn to buy essentials like shampoo and detergent and stuff because that's the way we roll.

Then came back and TV-roomed with a bunch of people from my year and then ate then played pool.

It's so weird having to see familiar faces all around. Previously, the hostel really was a place to get away from school (albeit partially and even though we were still within school compounds), but now it's like, whoa, total school five days a week, day and night. Must need some getting used to, this thing.

Orientation starts tomorrow, so then I'll start talking about things in full.

Night.


P.S. Oh no, hostel food begins again.