Hopefully, a distinction.

You readers probably come to see my comments on how well I do for the English Paper as you guys know English is my forte.


I believe I will do well for Paper 2, as I used most of the teachings of Mrs Benjamin from Elcot Consultants. It was highly effective. There were several USE YOUR OWN WORDS questions which needed good vocabulary. In my opinion, the questions were a little bit easy. However, the summary proved to be a challenge. I had to visualise myself as the author going to find the Drung man. (Dang, I kept saying Dung man!)

As for Paper 1, I believe I did extremely well for composition (Question 3: Good education will guarantees success later in life. Do you agree?" despite not reaching the minimum amount of 350 words. I only got 312 words. However, my content was there. My introduction and good examples will add bonus to my marks, I hope. Furthermore, I think my ending was wonderful:

"Education is a goldmine that never runs out of gold. However, if a miner is someone who do not have the right mentality and attitude, he will not make full use of the gold he extracted from a goldmine. With this analogy and my points, there is no doubt that good education DO NOT guarantees success later in life."

To give credit, the phrase "Education is a goldmine that never runs out of gold." comes from those motivational posters that was pasted on our classroom walls. I was taking a glance over them and didn't realise it came up to good use. I managed to make an analogy out of it. Great.



As for my report writing, I did not do as well as I expected myself to do. Probably because I had butterflies in my stomach and wanted to go to the toilet urgently. Also, I may have misinterpret the question. My format is correct, but it is the content I'm thinking about.


Hopefully, I can get a distinction, if not at the very least, a B3.

Mid-Year Examinations approaching.

I believe people are working hard for the Mid-Year Examinations especially people taking 'O' levels!


Good luck and hope everyone pass with flying colours!

I did the unthinkable. Thanks to Ivan!

I PASSED my 2.4 km run!

As flabbergasting as it may seems, I did it. Miraculously, I did it at the actual minimum time of 14 mins and 10 secs. Wow.


I was not expecting myself to do well because I still suffered muscle aches from last Friday's NAPFA. I was expecting myself not to do well. At the starting of the run, Ivan was running behind me and keep shouting and asked me to run at a steady pace. He gave motivational words and kept giving me advice like walk faster and breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. I was running with the same pace as Koon Xian. However, he felt pain around his rib cage area and started to lag behind. Ivan was the main person that helped me so much. Thank you so much Ivan. Students from lower secondary classes cheered for me even though I don't know them. I'm assuming they knows my brother and therefore knows me. They told me not to give up. Not only the students, even a security guard from the condo even cheered. How wonderful.


I also got the feeling that people do compare with my brother and me after Mrs Helen Chong said "Come on, you're Zhao Kiat's brother! Come on, gogo! Run!" People probably compared the fitness between my brother and me. One was in the basketball team and one was in Choir, though people doesn't know that singing is a physical exercise.


Lastly, my counters has reached to a whopping 6055 views! This month alone, I had 456 views!
It's a big jump. Thank you my avid readers.


By the time you read this, my eyes will probably start to close soon and I'll be in my very own realm, sleeping soundly away.......

Series of events.

Went to visit my grandmother at Tan Tock Seng Hospital today. She was transferred to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after her operation. She looked pretty good. I saw her surgery scar and it was about 15 cm. What makes my hair stands on its end is that it was stitched up with staple bullets!!! Gross. Really.


She's feeling handsome, but I'm not. My stomach muscles are aching so bad after doing 45 push-ups for my NAPFA test on Friday. Everytime I sneeze and I tried to bent, I felt pain around my stomach. Advice from Clarence to stretch my body before sleeping was ineffective. Not only that, my hands felt like they have been stretched to the maximum after attempting pull-up and tried to hang there as long as I could. It's a waste of my time doing these exercises to my best even though I knew that failing NAPFA was inevitable.


On a total irrelevant note, a friend of mine is feeling down. He just came out of a failed relationship. He told me that he will put his studies as priority but it is seemingly not the case. During the Peer Tutoring, he was pretty affected that he could not teach his peers during the starting of the program. He kept a brave front, but was feeling miserable everytime.


Hopefully, he can forget this relationship and make sure it will not affect his 'O' levels.


In order not to rub salt into his wounds, I decided not to write anything that seems to lecture to him. But all I can say to people who are in a relationship is that:

NOTHING IS AS PRECIOUS AS TRUST IN A RELATIONSHIP.


This is the key and fundamental ingredient for a relationship to blossom and develop.



Last but not least, I would like to tell readers that I will be blogging less frequently, as Mid-Year Education is approaching near.

I can't hold on much longer.

It's barely 1 month and I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms.


I WANT TO GO DIVING. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Hopefully, a group of us can go to Pulau Tioman by the end of this year with Sin Wee to take her retest.


I want to go diving, so much so that I contemplated asking my qualified diving friends to apply for a job at Underwater World Singapore at Sentosa.



Recently, there's been news in the Straits Time at some people intends to make the water crystal clear at a place in Singapore, so that diving can take place. If it's done, we can go diving in these beautiful places that is near instead of going to Malaysia, which is far and more costly.


Can't wait to go diving again!!!




On a total irrelevant note, after reading Justin's blog (www.justindoit.blogspot.com), I was extremely motivated by the last few paragraphs of his latest post.

The Mid-Year examinations is starting on Friday, which is the English Paper. Sigh, I'm gonna work hard and push all my grades. I will focus more on Maths, Science, Chinese and Humanities. Especially Chinese. It's because it will be the first 'O' level Chinese paper in less than 4 weeks away. If I get B3 or above, I will not retake it and focus on other subjects.


This are my goals for 'O' levels:


English---- A1 or A2
Chinese----A2 or B3
Combined Humanities---- B3
Pure Geography---- A2 or B3
Combined Science---- B4 or C5
Design&Technology---- B3 or B4
E Maths----- C6, C5 or B4.


To people taking 'O' levels this year, let's all work hard and graduate with personal ideal Polytechnics, Junior Colleges and some other institutions!

Ah Ma* PLEASE pull through the operation.

Ah Ma*= Grandmother



My grandmother was operated at 8am today. And ISN'T out of the operating table yet. (I believe.) It was a major operation, which the doctor said it will take a whopping 8 hours to complete. The chances of the operation being successful? 50:50. Either she makes it or she don't. If she don't, I don't know what will happen to her.

The doctor said that if she wasn't operated to remove the brain tumour, not only will she be given 6 months to live, she will also suffer another stroke again.


Till this point, we have no news about my grandmother as the doctor hadn't given us a call to inform us. I thinks that she is still operated on.


I really hope that she will make it through.


I DON'T WANT HER TO SEE THE GRIM REAPER.



My family hopes our prayer will be answered, while we wait in anxiety and disquietude for the doctor's call...



God please, I'm on my knees..










*UPDATE*


My grandmother had pulled through and is out of the operation table. WOOHOO!

Mrs Corinne Teo.

I decided to wrote about her in this post, after I listened to Josh Grosban's You Raise Me Up. The tune and music was abit similar to Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On. And it made me felt nonchalant.


Mrs Corinne Teo, she's our chemistry teacher. She's someone whose hard work is not appreciated by students. Some people hate her, says she sucks and says her lesson is boring yada yada.

I've to agree. The minute she comes into the class, she will ask us to take our either our Ten-Year-Series or Chemistry textbook to continue with the lesson. She's someone who makes full use of her time.


I could still remembered vividly during the end of 2004, telling us that she wouldn't teach us during Secondary 4. In the end, she still taught us because there was a shortage of teachers. She did the challenge and it was finally the most critical part; 'O' levels.


People, do excogitate. Everytime she asks us to highlight some words, cancelling some irrevelant 'O' level questions, have we ever thought/realise that she would spend time going through the questions, indicating which questions are not in the topic of the 'O' levels? Have we ever thought why did she asks us to highlight those words?

During the early months of the 2006, she gave both 5N1 and 5N2 a test. 5N2 failed badly, while 5N1 did well.

She said she went home to think about it, and realise that 5N2 was not given as much 'O' level questions for that topic as 5N1. And she decided to give a retest, going through even more questions.



She did it all for our sake. From highlighting words, cancelling some questions to sacrificing time on Saturdays to give us remedials.


Last Saturday, only a handful of people went to the remedial. 5, to be exact. What happened to the rest? What can we say about those who came and those who did not?

After the remedial, she said: "I don't think I am going to carry on with this remedial.", and gave a sigh.


I was feeling bad, and told her not to lose hope on us. She seemed rather surprised by my words and told us (the 5 who attended) to work hard.



For those who doesn't want to listen to her lessons, at least give her some respect okay?

And to people who thinks I'm gullible to believe her words and other inane comments, it just shows your level of maturity, doesn't it?

Jameslancer.blogspot.com goes WAP.

I was fiddling with my phone a few days ago and decided to go on the web. I typed in Jameslancer.blogspot.com. I didn't expect the page to come out as I thought the space was too big. To my surprise, the page was loaded, and it uploaded my templates, pictures and posts! Unfortunately, you won't be able to see my chatterbox and other links.

But isn't that good enough? You can go to my blog using your phone now! Ha!



On a total irrelevant note, I was touched by the overwhelming support of friends from my last post: Life's a bitch. So touched, I shedded tears.


The doctor had informed my family that the brain wasn't affected by the stroke. So she will be operated by next Wednesday.


With that, I thank Yan Tong, Justin, Janna Marican, YingYing, Crystal, Sin Wee, Joyce and Khai Theng! I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Life's a bitch.

Didn't took any rest after the Golden Jubilee concert, as I went to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) to visit my grandmother on Sunday.

Life's a bitch. Really.


My grandmother suffered a stroke 1-2 years back and couldn't walk, being totally dependable on the family. And now, she was warded because of a brain tumour, and the doctor had to do a scan to see if the stroke had affected the brain. If yes, the doctor will be unable to operate her, and as the tumour grows, she will die as a result. An estimated time of 6 months.

Although the results are not out yet, my family was devastated. And my grandmother was paranoid of staying at TTSH. Basically it was because my great grandmother died there, so there was some sort of phobia, thinking that she may die there.


Why is life so cruel? She finally managed to walk alittle after the stroke. And now she was affected by this illness. After finally pull herself up from the ground, she was strickened down with a tumour. Sigh..



Also, about my school work, I was more alert and seldom doze off in class now, after the Golden Jubilee concert. I was paying more attention. But still I am very tired. The main subject that I'm having problem with is combined science. I believe I still can manage other subjects. I'm trying to endure the gruelling and hectic schedule these days; so many tests, homework and practical work that I need to do in school. Still remember the 5-day school thing policy? That's simply crap, because teachers are still using Saturdays for CCAs and other remedials. This goes to show that in this era, there are too many things to learn to lump everything in 5 days.



Life's like that.

Golden Jubilee Concert. An Unforgettable Night.

Yesterday was an unforgettable night. It was North Vista's 50th birthday, and the North Vista Performing Arts, namely Choir, Band, Chinese Dance, Modern Dance and Drama, performed at the grandest stage of them all, the University Cultural Centre (UCC) at the National University of Singapore (NUS).


We performed for 2 shows: The Matinee Show and The Gala Concert.


Everyone had to be there by 7am..


Finally we reached UCC and practised another rehearsal before getting ready for The Matinee Show.



And it's finally time to get ready!




Adjusting ties and looking good.




And what's performing without make-up?


Putting some make-up..






Putting some gloss on the lips..



It was extremely disgusting because of the extra layer that I felt on my lips. Yuck! Also, Mrs Stephanie Wong applied blusher on our face, and she put so much into my face, and mine look so red! But it's all for the concert..


And suddenly, my narcississm was acting up.






The presence of narcississm.



The Matinee Show

Finally, it was time to perform. And I tell you, the feeling was so great, especially the opening. When Corinne went out to sang solo, the audience was clapping and cheering as if they were on ecstasy. Then, it was Jason who was the first solo using his saxophone, and people were also cheering. By then, the curtains went up, and I tell you, the lighting was perfect. The Band and Choir had combined with the song, Over the Rainbow.


After that, the Choir sang and dance with their 2 songs; La Musica (pronounced as La Moo-sica) and Let's celebrate life. My brother said it was so nice, he gave it a rating of 9/10. Mr Francis Liew, our Choir conductor said that the Sec 4NAs were surprised and went "Waaaaa" when they saw us dancing. I guess people expected us to sing still. However, with our repititve moves, we did an incredibly job, and it was a wonderful start for the Matinee Show. People said they could feel the beat and the microphone picked up the voices beautifully.


After finishing the song, we rested for like 3 hours, before rehearsing for the finale again.



The Gala Concert


It was our final performance, and everyone made sure we done our best. Again, the opening was done by Band and Choir, with Corinne as the soloist, singing Over the Rainbow. Everyone showed enthusiasm and sang our hearts out. Perfect.






Fascinating. Magnificent.





And then, it was our 2 songs again. The choristers sang with gusto, with every expression and move deliberately, to be professionals on stage, performing for the audience.





I'm the one from the 3rd row from extreme right, last row.





Dancing to the beat.


P.S: Thanks to Julianna for these photos!



We finished the performance with excitement.


Before the finale, some of us cried, including me, when the Band played the Blue Ridge Saga, which moved me to tears. We were sad that it was the last performance for us before stepping down. During the finale, we sang a Happy Birthday song to North Vista, and sang the School Song. For the first time ever, I took the lyrics of our school song to heart, singing it with pride.


Then, the balloons were released and I tell you, the weird audience were bursting the balloons one by one..


The Golden Jubilee Concert was finally brought to an end. The finale was successfully well done.

What a night!




And these are the pictures we took:







Qi Xun and I.. He's so cute!



Speaking of Qi Xun, here's a startling fact about him which we found out during the concert..





Look at his tongue! Oh my!


And he's not the only one. This girl can do it too!





So cute!







Jason, Chee Wei and I.







Beauties and the beast!







Mr Chin and I. He's leaving to Australia to pursue his Masters.. Sob..





Xiao Wei and I.






Sylvia and I.







Rebecca and I.





Felicia and I.







Mrs Stephanie Wong and I.





Corinne and I. Boy, do we look like a couple!






Sheena and I.







Samuel and I acting cute..






Say cheese!




Charlton and I.





Mr Francis Liew and I.







Whoa!






What a night! And to all the people who put in pious effort into the concert, it was appreciated!

The Golden Jubilee Concert rehearsal at University Cultural Centre.

The performing arts went to the University Cultural Centre (UCC) to rehearse for the Golden Jubilee Concert today.

And we finally reached the place at National University Of Singapore (NUS).






We went into the place, and the security there is extremely tight. No trespassers were allowed. That is why each of us was issued a security pass.







With it, I can walk anywhere at the backstage.



Anyway, we went into the backstage and to the stage as well. Personally I feel that the UCC is just as common as the Singapore Conference Hall or the Esplanade. If you're someone who hadn't been to these cool places and a North Vista Sec student, here's a treat of some pictures of the UCC:





Be easily wowed.


That's why I say Jameslancer.blogspot.com readers has some treats.



Okay anyway, each of the performing arts were issued rooms to put their belongings etc.




I really felt I was a celebrity.






There are nice cupboards to put some stuff and beautiful lighting. Not only was the place air-conditioned, it was also fitted with 2 toilet taps running with icy-cold water. There are also lockers to put valuables too.



Anyway, we carried on with rehearsals, and unfortunately, there were miscommunication and some conflicts which I will not elaborate and there were also inane comments.


The whole process managed to end quite smoothly though. And we ended at around 9.15pm and we reached school at around 10pm+. Everyone were both physically and mentally tired. I hope everybody's pious effort will be recognised.


Speaking of that, I realise that alot of people grumble about going to the Golden Jubilee Concert, saying it was a waste of time, doesn't want to go, and other comments.


Hello?! If the performing arts are not grumbling, who are you to grumble? We are already paying tickets even though we are performing.


We practised so hard for the event, and just like a birthday party; if you organised the birthday party meticulously well, you would wish that people will come to your birthday party. That goes the same for us!


And usually people will say "Who ask you to join the performing arts?" For goodness sake, stop being dumb. Do you know what will happen tomorrow?



But nevertheless, I hope everyone will turn up, because it (the Golden Jubilee Concert) is going to be a prestigious and grand event that will last for once in a lifetime!

A flirt? Duh.

I was thinking about what Janna Marican wrote about me, and decided to write a post about it.

She wrote: "his always looking flirtatious. Very helpful and always asleep. English pro!"
Of course, I didn't took it to heart, but I believe some people thinks that I'm a flirt. Sometimes, you see friends typing in my Chatterbox, calling me some affectionate names like dear, etc. But that's just harmless fun. My close friends see me with girls some of the time, mostly from choir. I know lots of girls, and people like Clarence thinks I'm a flirt.

Some friends joked about it, and they knows that I'm just someone who knows lots of girls. I thank them for their maturity.

Nevertheless, people who seriously think I'm a flirt, please check the dictionary definition. Because I seriously smirks at your idiocy.



And Janna, don't worry, I'm not offended by your innocuous comments. Trust me.



Meanwhile, I'm going to watch Campus Superstar on TV!

Dreams or reality?

I was thinking in the afternoon about what my future holds for me, because I had a talk with Jia Yi, about Polytechnic courses and JCs.

I still thinks that I would like to be a diver (though technically speaking, I'm already one.) and work in the Underwater World in Sentosa. I love nature, I love the sea. I always visualise myself diving in the tanks of the Underwater World and find satisfaction when tourists see a diver and pin-point me. Attention-seeking, you may say. However, if you read my previous posts, you will realise that I wrote about what my relatives said, which made me feel low.


"Do you know how to swim?"


"You need to separate fact from reality."


And the others, who were flabbergasted that I went to scuba dive, but later thought that I went to snorkel.

And after working with my relative during the December holidays, he said that it is not always possible to pursue your dreams. Though it sounds contradictory, I couldn't agree more.


That's why I also picture myself working in the Central Business District (CBD) area for the rest of my working life, working 9 to 5..I also feel like having a taste of working in such an enviroment.

I also thought of marriage, kids and other factors.


And to tell you, I even naively dreamt about being a singer.


Singing is my passion, and I kept singing in class. Furthermore, I even had my trademark, which was even micmicked by friends from both my class and choir. Guess it's just wishful thinking that I will be a singer when I grows up.




In this modern world, pursued dreams aren't always being realised.

I'm still confused..