scribbled
on 11:27 am
Friday, December 11, 2009
ENTERTAINMENT PICKS 2009
The end of yet another year has come again, signalling the start of many festivities and fun, fun fun! As with the custom, the end of the year is also a time where people look back upon the past year and evaluate its passing, making dozens of resolutions in hope of a better year to come (though of course, we all know these resolutions just never do translate into reality but we still get by anyhow).
The year end season, also known as Advent, is a season of much cheer and merry-making, so we shall not look upon our dreaded school/work lives (especially the hideous Invinc[IB]le Beast). Instead, we look upon the things which are much cause for joy, and entertainment, i strongly believe, comes under that. Oh what shall we do if we did not have our favorite MacBook or XBOX 360, and what will we do if Hollywood did not exist?
Therefore, below is a list of my favorite entertainment options of the year according to category. These were picked based on highly personal preferences and cannot be taken as a professional opinion.
[MUSIC]
This year was a rather rich year for music, with quite a handful of new songs being released that I actually liked. The songs chosen below may be old songs or new songs, and they are chosen because they have been most played on my sound devices.
POP/ROCK & OTHER MODERN GENRES>>
Disturbia - Rihanna
Happy Ending - Mika
Love Story - Taylor Swift
You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
The Way I Loved You - Taylor Swift
Fifteen - Taylor Swift
Forever & Always - Taylor Swift
You're Not Sorry - Taylor Swift
Love Drunk - Boys Like Girls
Great Escape - Boys Like Girls
Touch My Body - Mariah Carey
Tattoo - Jordin Sparks
This is My Now - Jordin Sparks
Battlefield - Jordin Sparks
Womanizer - Britney Spears
Circus - Britney Spears
Kill the Lights - Britney Spears
If U Seek Amy - Britney Spears
3 - Britney Spears
Poker Face - Lady Gaga
Paparazzi - Lady Gaga
Lovegame - Lady Gaga
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
The Show - Lenka
Viva la Vida - Coldplay
4 Minutes - Madonna
Seasons of Love - RENT the Musical
Don't Stop Believing - Glee: The Music
Take a Bow - Glee: The Music
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Better in Time - Leona Lewis
Yesterday - Leona Lewis
Happy - Leona Lewis
I Got U - Leona Lewis
Outta My Head - Leona Lewis
My Hands - Leona Lewis
Love Letter - Leona Lewis
Broken - Leona Lewis
Naked - Leona Lewis
Stop Crying Your Heart Out - Leona Lewis
Quitter - Carrie Underwood
Temporary Home - Carrie Underwood
Unapologize - Carrie Underwood
Songs Like This - Carrie Underwood
What Can I Say - Carrie Underwood
One Time - Justin Bieber
More to Life - Stacie Orrico
Boys and Girls - Pixie Lott
Single Ladies - Beyonce
Ramalama - Roisin Murphy
Uprising - Muse
Shadow of the Day - Linkin Park
When You Say Nothing At All - Boyzone
Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day
Sweet Child of Mine - Gun 'N' Roses
My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson
This Kiss - Faith Hill
East Jesus Nowhere - Green Day
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
Avalanche - Marie Digby
Free to Be Me - Francesca Battistelli
Friend Like That - Hawk Nelson
Sweeney Todd Soundtrack
CLASSICAL>>
Violin Concerto in A Minor - J.S Bach
Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major - Vivaldi
Concerto No. 2 For 2 Violins - Vivaldi
Violin Concerto No. 12 in E Major - Vivaldi
Requiem in D Minor, Dies Irae - Mozart
Dies Irae - Verdi
Non Nobis, Domine - Henry V - Patrick Doyle
Symphony No. 9 - Beethoven
Symphony No. 25 in G Minor - Mozart
Symphony No. 35 - Mozart
Symphony No. 5 "Reformation" - Mendelssohn
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major - Shostakovich
Hebrides Overture - Mendelssohn
CHRISTIAN POP>>
Testify to Love - Avalon
God of Wonders - Caedman's Call
God is Good All the Time - Aunthentic Worship: Country Worship
Till I See You - Hillsong
The Stand - Hillsong
Tell the World - Hillsong
From the Inside Out - Hillsong
Solution - Hillsong
Everlasting God - Chris Tomlin
Sing, Sing, Sing - Chris Tomlin
You Are Holy - Michael W. Smith
Blessed - Hillsong
Run - Hillsong
Let God Arise - Chris Tomlin
Give Us Clean Hands - Hillsong
Who Am I - Casting Crowns
I Simply Live For You - Hillsong
Desert Song - Hillsong
Glory - Hillsong
Every Move I Make - Hillsong
You Are God Alone
Salvation is Here - Hillsong
In Your Freedom - Hillsong
Arms Open Wide - Hillsong
Your Name High - Hillsong
You Hold Me Now - Hillsong
Oh You Bring - Hillsong
I Will Run to You - Hillsong
Yours Forever - Hillsong
Lead Me to the Cross - Hillsong
Worthy is the Lamb - Hillsong
At the Cross - Hillsong
Healer - Hillsong
You Deserve - Hillsong
All for Love - Planetshakers
Majesty - Planetshakers
Never Stop - Planetshakers
Beautiful Saviour - Planetshakers
Praise You in this Storm - Casting Crowns
There is a Hope - Stuart Townend
[TV SHOWS]
Being in IB (sadly), there is little time for TV, but still, the IB student is adept at time-management (supposedly) and therefore I have had time for a show here and there. While it says "TV Shows", they may not necessarily come from the TV, if you know what I mean =]
Desperate Housewives Season 5
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
[MOVIES]
For the film industry, I must say it has been also a very fruitful year with many good films being churned out. I LOVE MOVIES! I LOVE THE CINEMA! I LOVE MPAC!
Coraline
X-men Origins: Wolverine
Angels and Demons
Terminator Salvation
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
Public Enemies
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
G.I Joe
Orphan
District 9
Paranormal Activity
2012
500 Days of Summer
[LITERATURE]
A very poor year for books by far. But still, there are some books which I read this year.
NOVEL>>
Have a Little Faith - Mitch Albom
The Great Divorce - C.S Lewis
MANGA>>
Bleach
D.Gray-Man
Fairy Tail
And that's all for Entertainment Picks 2009! We certainly look forward to the rest of the year and also the year to come! (AHH!)
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on 9:46 pm
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
It's been almost a week since my return from Korea (the southern one, obviously) and I thought it to be an opportune time to write a new entry for my blog.
I must say that I really enjoyed my trip to South Korea, and it was certainly a time to put away all my IB worries (indeed I had a helluva time hurling insults to IB from various thrilling rides at the theme parks) and immerse myself in a whole new world and culture. I also had a lot of time to think, which proved to have positive effects on my outlook on life and my Spiritual growth. These are of course highly personal and will not be disclosed over the internet.
During my time up there in Korea I visited the two theme parks Everland and Lotte World, did some sight seeing, visited Jeju Island where there was more sight-seeing and where I go-karted..I also tried skiing, which was an immensely fun sport, though it took me some time and alot of falls to learn the fundamentals. There are 3 albums uploaded on Facebook, so if you're a friend and you're interested, do go and look.
Korea reminded me a lot of Japan in terms of city-life and technology. Like Japan, they rigorously employ technology in their everyday life. Foodwise, I really enjoyed the food there, though by the end of the trip, I was starting to feel mortified by the endless hotpots and barbecues. Still, the food's good.
I miss Korea a lot...now that I'm back to Singapore, IB's got it's hold on me again and I have to return once more to the dreaded bio labs to continue my experiments for the EE...
On a lighter note, I am looking forward to the Christmas festivities - where there's going to be carolling, a christmas musical and the promise of parties from both the church and BB. If time is not an issue and God-willing, I may hold a party too! (but for my close friends lah....apologies).
Anyway, that's all for now. I will be posting my "Top Friends 2009" soon...there'd be 2 different categories: "Top 10 Friends 2009" and "Inner Circle". Through this I want to thank all those who have truly helped me through the year and have been there for me.
Stay tuned.
(PS: Missing my best friend who's flown away now....=/)
scribbled
on 11:36 am
Saturday, November 21, 2009
To Kevin Lay, a friend and a brother.
May God bless you and keep you, wherever you are.
scribbled
on 1:42 pm
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
And this is me, writing a blog post at last after eons of time and ice ages past....actually it's only been about 2 months...how awfully long it seemed, but yet so short. Hmm...but we shall not discuss the mysteries of time and space here....
Social norm dictates that one should do a personal recount of one's life when writing a personal blog post, and so I shall.
The past 2 months have been a nightmare, and I don't mean female horses that romp the green plains at night....i mean nightmare NIGHTMARE! There were the final year exams, which got me cooped up in school for 5 whole weeks, eating food from Broadway and Wah Chee for days without end, and drowning in piles of notes and textbooks...burning in a stifling hot MPAC room. But the dilligence paid off, I got 36 points, beating my personal target of 34 points by 2. It was an improvement from 28 points during the mid-years.
Hallelujah for exams, but the end of one nightmare meant the beginning of another...or rather, three to be precise.
In order to promote to year 6, one would have to complete a first draft of one's EE and TOK Essay...this is the new criteria set by the ever vigilant senior administration, in order to push us onward towards the shining star of 45 points.
And so, I have been spending weeks cooped up in the school's biology labs (plural mind you) desperately running trials and experiments....all of which, have not been producing desirable results. The TOK essay was easily completed, though it's only a preliminary draft of mediocre quality. If it were to be submitted to the IBO, it will surely get me an F.
Finally, I have many IAs to rush....econs, chem and bio. God help me, enough said.
Now I shall take a moment here to explain key concepts mentioned above, as I am often taught in TOK and economics (for the benefit of the non-ACSians, independent if you please, out there).
- Broadway - an air-conditioned food court just across the road from ACS(Independent)
- Wah Chee - a non-air-conditioned coffee shop also across the road from ACS(Independent), well-known for its chicken rice and tze char stall.
- 36 points, 34 points, 28 points - The IB Point system. Maximum one can get is 45. The higher the better. The highest grade for each of the 6 subjects is 7 points. 3 bonus points from TOK and EE based on a combination matrix.
- EE - The Extended Essay. A compulsory component of the International Baccalaureate(IB). This is a 4000 word independent research paper based on any topic and subject the candidate chooses. This is NOT (and i emphasise NOT) the same as project work at A' levels.
- TOK - Theory of Knowledge. Another compulsory component of the IB. In this course we ponder about knowledge. What is knowledge? How do you gain knowledge? blah blah....it goes much more crazier than that.
- IA - Internal Assessment. At IB, the IA is NOT an internal examination. Rather, it is coursework that one does throughout their two years of study, and this contributes to the IB final grade. For the sciences, the IA comes in the form of practical lab reports...for English, they are oral presentations and commentaries...for Econs, commentaries on modern-day economics articles....for Math, Mathematical modelling and investigations. That's all i know...not very sure about the other subjects.
scribbled
on 11:22 am
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY!
Today is the first time in a long time since i've made post, and I've taken the liberty of entitling my post today "Happy Teacher's Day", because it is obviously Teacher's Day.
To all my teachers, I wish them all God's blessings, much joy in their lives and good health. I am humbled because at the end of the day, it is my teachers who make me who I am, who help me reach for stars above. Below are a few bouquets to some of my personal favourites, who have left their mark on the timeline of my life:
FROM ACS(PRIMARY):
Ms. Woon Yuet Meng - taught English Language & was my Class Teacher, 6E 2004. The most efficient and admirable teacher ever!
Ms. Tan Bee Po -taught Chinese Language, 6E 2004. A teacher in whose lessons I was most mischievous. A kind and very outgoing lady.
Mr. Elkan Lim - taught Science & was the Discipline Master, 6E 2004. Although strict in front of the whole school, he was warm and friendly in class, often making many jokes, and whom jokes often circle.
Mrs. Eunice Yeo - taught English language & Mathematics, 1C/2C 1999/2000. A very motherly and caring teacher. She has since left ACS(P), but I will always remember her for she was my first Class Teacher in ACS(P)
Mr. Sze Toh - taught a variety of subjects & was the Class Teacher of 5E 2003. Quite the sportsman, and rather tanned, this teacher left for Australia in 2004 to further his studies. When we went on the Australia trip after our PSLE, this teacher came to meet us and spent some time with us.
Ms. Wong Li Pier - taught English language and Math, was the Class Teacher of 4E 2002. A prim and proper teacher who never failed to promote her free-of-charge angklung band. This teacher has since left ACS(P).
FROM ACS(INDEPENDENT):
Mrs. Rekha Vijay - taught Physical Sciences, 1.6 Philip 2005. I will remember this teacher as one whom I often tried to avoid whenever I ponned SJAB for she was the teacher in-charge. Nonetheless, she was a very nice teacher who thought highly of me.
Mrs. Goh Hwee Hwee - taught History, 2.6 Zebulun 2006. One of the nicest teachers ever, she taught me home econs for EP too. I will always remember her as the one who made history so enjoyable for me, and helped me do very well in it! (i got full marks for one of the common tests!) All credit goes to her for her guidance.
Mr. John Lee - taught Life Sciences, 2.6 Zebulun 2006. This was a teacher you couldn't mess around with, yet he was still kind at heart. He made life sciences very interesting, and that is one of the reasons why I pursue biology now, at HL. This teacher never failed to believe in us, often telling us that we were bright students who would make it big some day. This encouragement often warmed the cockles of our hearts.
Ms. Salinah Bee - taught Geography, 2.6 Zebulun 2006. The funniest and quirkiest teacher you can ever meet, this teacher is a hot favourite among many students. A loud-voiced, meticulous teacher who produced many, many notes of her own and who demands high standards of filing, this teacher will guarantee you an A for your geography if you follow her advice through and through.
Mr. Cao Huizhong - assistant dean of Mother Tongue Department, taught Chinese language. 3.15 Nahum 2007. Yet another SJAB teacher whom I had to hide from whenever I ponned the UYO. I am happy that he has thus been promoted.
Mr. Seah Kim Weng - taught Core Mathematics, 3.15 Nahum 2007. Although a little strange at times, he is rather friendly a teacher and saw me through my Core Mathematics syllabus in year 3, with which I had a slight struggle with.
Ms. Ng Shau Ching - taught MEP, 2005 - 2008. A teacher who taught me all four years of my secondary school life, I will always remember her just as all the other MEP students would. Sings soprano.
Ms. Linda Goon - taught IHS, Class Teacher of 4.13 Cornelius 2008. This teacher never failed to show me care and concern whenever I was down in the hospital for pneumothorax.
Ms. Alice Pang - taught Core Mathematics, 4.13 Cornelius 2008. I will remember this teacher for the extra effort she had gone to help me in my C math because I wasn't very strong in it. She was friendly and outgoing too.
Mr. Chua Kok Yong - taught Advanced Mathematics, 4.13 Cornelius 2008. Strangely enough, I always found A math easier than C math, and often do better at the former. This teacher, although quiet, sets a lot of homework! But it is this drilling and practice that helped me to reasonably well in the subject.
Ms. Chia Bee Teck - PCT of 4.13 Cornelius. I will remember her for the counselling and sound advice she gave me when I was down and out.
Mdm Lu Xiang - dean of Chinese Language, taught me in 4.13 Cornelius, 2008. One of the best chinese teachers ever, I even requested to follow her even when I changed classes in sec 4, which was subsequently approved because I was the only one from my class who took HCL.
Mdm Lu Shek Kian - assistant dean of Mother Tongue Department, taught me in 5.03 Leviticus 2009. Another friendly and caring teacher who taught meticulously. However, get on her nerves and you will be in for a nagging session.
Mrs. Tay Suat Kuan - assistant dean of Biology, 5.03 Leviticus 2009. Although a little boring during lessons, she is very kind and compassionate lady who will go the extra mile with you if you would listen to her.
Mr. Naresh Mahtani - taught Economics Sl, 5.03 Leviticus 2009. The best econs teacher ever! He makes his own notes, sends them out regularly, and is very meticulous in his teaching. Funny at times too!
Mr. Philip Tieh - dean of TOK, taught 5.03 Leviticus. This man wrote a geography textbook which we used in secondary 2, and is a fatherly teacher towards us. Very generous in extending deadlines too =]
Mdm. Ruma Banerjee - MPAC teacher-in-charge. This teacher strikes me as a very efficient teacher and one who genuinely cares about her students.
FAVOURITE PRINCIPALS:
Mrs. Daisy Ong, Mrs. Josephine Ng, Mrs. Lenie Cho, Mdm. Yong Lee Har.
OTHER BOUQUETS:
Ms. Chan - math tutor for sec 3 & 4.
Ms. Wang - math tutor for year 5.
Ms. Soo Poh Lin - chem tutor for sec 3 & 4, and sunday school teachers.
Mr. Chen Fang Hao - sunday school teacher.
Ms. Vivian Chan - best piano teacher ever!
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on 10:00 am
Friday, June 26, 2009
My blog has been dying, and the very reason was because I had more interesting/important things to do and couldnt find time to update anything.
So, the June holidays....not much of a holiday if you asked me. Being in Year 5, holidays mean mugging time....and yeah, with exams coming immediately after the hols, so have I fallen under the mugging curse. Though of course, im not much of a muggle because i'm AWESOME! Har har....but seriously speaking, I cannot find any motivation to pick up my books at all and very clearly I am an ACSian because I like the motto "minimum input, maximum output"...
The first week of the hols were spent on the wonderful island of Bintan with my very wonderful classmates of 5.03 Leviticus for our even more wonderful WOW trip. To cut a long story short, our WOW was a tale of sweat, hardwork, hot sun, hot bods, sea, storms, homojelly, small buses, poker face, adventure, and LOADS AND LOADS OF FUN!!! Class bonding was inevitable and our class has been branded one of the best classes in the level. Thank God for His abundant grace and blessings!
The second week of the hols were for me, late nights and many meetings in school for LDC planning. LDC was funn! All the busyness, rushing here and there, sleepless nights (literally, we were running on 3.5hrs of sleep over 3 days) and getting to know our sec 2s. My aunt came to speak on the first night of the camp and im glad the year 2s did respond well to it! Games were...fun i guess hehh and campfire was EMBARASSING...me a bimbo?? How dare they! Oh, and I will always remember going crazy during camp....dancing and singing poker face.
The third week of the hols...still not exam mood! I tanked raffles trust tuition every single day...and dang, I never want to see raffles trust again T.T...it did burn a hole in my pocket too...went shopping on friday and bought 2 new pairs of shoes from converse =D that was the only good thing i guess.
The fourth week....stay tuned for more stories from my boring life...
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on 12:26 am