It's been extremely long since I last blogged. Not entrirely my fault, on account of the fact that my computer has been sent off to the Challenger workshop for repair. The darn thing kept hanging for no reason. Of course my dad blamed us kids for downloading too many programs but really... all I did was put in the Hello BloggerBot thingy. And edited my videos and photos. And surfed the net. But that's it.

Am using school's computer by the way. Waiting for 1.10 and Eunice's school day to be over so that we can go for the horsie cip thing. ...Why do we love adding the -ies after animal words: birdie, horsie, fishie, cookie... haha.

Ah well. Nothing much has changed in life. Same school day routines. Same food. Same stress. I wish something interesting could happen, you know. I sound ungrateful, I know...

Watched the season finale of smallville last night. And manu was right, we should have the right to sue the people. What a terrible ending to a season! Well, most season endings leave you hanging, but this one is just plain nasty! HOW can they let Chloe die? It's completely unfair. She's one of the more human characters in the show. You know how Lana is so 'perfect' that she becomes annoying. And Clark... who is so stupid. I hate him for what he said to Lex. As if HE doesn't have his secrets. And why couldn't he just say goodbye to Lana. Idiot.

The show is clearly getting stupider and stupider (at some parts) but I can't seem to stop watching. It's the whole thing about fictional series. You get hooked to the characters instead of the plot. So regardless of the plot, you just have to know what happens to the characters. Of course not all series are like that. HP for one. And Lymond. And LotR, I suppose. Hm.

I seem to be blabbing things I don't mean to to some people lately. Things I didn't have any intention of anyone knowing. Oh sigh. Can't seem to hold my tongue. Can anyone keep something to oneself forever? Maybe... if its revelation is too painful to comprehend. Confusing. Confusing. How I hate being confused.

Feeling extemely fed up. Received a wake up call to reality today. Sigh.

Wanted to review on checkmate but something always has to get in the way.

Next time then.

I have failed to update that tests have been over, for two days now. Shall not speak of it or of the coming release of results. UGH.

And I have, of course, bought Checkmate, and finished it. Kept reading till 3.30 this morning. My brother and sister and me camped out in front of the tv for the euro cup finals. I woke them up at 2.30 am. And my brother naturally thought that I was insane, reading non-stop through the night. But I didn't see the goal by Greece, cause I fell asleep at about 4 am, amidst the croaking of my siblings' voices singing songs and especially Nelly Furtado's song (the one with something 'forca' inside it...). So Greece won. It makes no difference to me whatsoever. My sister told me that they were singing wholeheartedly when my brother suddenly said, "Eh, Greece scored a goal." And then they carried on singing. I was sort of awaken at the end of the match, found out Greece was the champ and fell back into slumber almost immediately.

I feel happy and sad at the same time that I've finally completed the Lymond chronicles. Sad, because all the excitement is over. Happy because, my god, he's finally happy.

And just in case whoever reads my blog might one day read the lymond chronicles, I shall leave some spoiler space. Though... I have to say that chances are low... Although Duck has said that I've persuaded her into reading, I think she might not persevere through the series. Because it is very lengthy. And even I got fed up at some parts. The reason being I don't understand the french he's saying (My god, especially, if it's set in France) and the literary phrases he keeps referring to and its significance to the plot. But if you just feel that no matter how hard the reading is, you have to know what happens in the end, you'll be rewarded with a fantastic story and a triumphant end. Do you know I was smiling away to sleep this morning? I was just so happy.

Throughout the past two days ever since I purchased the book from borders, it has not been more than an arm's length away from me. Hee. Well, going out now. Bro and sis complaining that I'm insane as usual.

Shall review on checkmate in next entry.

Your True Nature by llScorpiusll
Username
The quality that most appeals to you:	Sense of Humour
In a survival situation, you:	Fight, but reluctantly
Your hidden talent is:	Endurance
Your gift is:	Sexual prowess
In groups, you:	Get the party started
Your best quality is:	Your insightfulness
Your weakness is:	Your lack of sensitivity
Created with the ORIGINAL MemeGen!

I'm going all Meme crazy. These things are so addictive...

My gift is my sexual prowess. Let's see how inaccurate Meme can get. But I like to think that I'm insightful and enduring.

Get to know the REAL you by crash_and_burn
Your Name
You Are A:	Classic Rocker
Your Favorite Band/Song	Ludacris - Rollout
You Like To Read:	Non-fiction novels
You Firmly Believe In:	Free love
Everyone Thinks You Are:	You don't have any friends
You Were Conceived:	In a bed, duh
You Will Marry:	Your current boy/girlfriend
Created with the ORIGINAL MemeGen!

HAH! That is how inaccurate it gets! I like fiction more than non-fiction, that's for certain. Just look at my obsessions. And... uh, I can't possibly marry my current boyfriend... when he doesn't really exist in flesh and bone. This stuf is so ridiculous yet entertaining...

Oh my god. WHAT AM I DOING? Tomorrow is my chem test. Someone smack some sense into me.

Generate your Anime Style by Jena-su
Name:
Hair:	Rediculously long, usualy tied up in ribbons.
Clothes:	A bit revealing, but nothing too over the top.
Powers:	Shape Shifting
Special Features:	Random tattoo(s)
Sidekick:	Your best friend.
Attitude:	Mysterious as all hell.
Weapon:	Katana
Created with the ORIGINAL MemeGen!

Got this from Duckie's blog. Long hair... Quite accurate, though my hair wasn't as long as it used to be. My sidekick is my best friend? That's quite a problem. I have a number of good friends... which one do I choose to be best? I'd rather have a fluffy animal. Preferably a lamb which I could name Elsie. Hee. Tattoos are ugly. But mysterious is good... I like mysterious. It has something to do with my liking blonde-haired I'm-not-what-I-seem entities.

I must be crazy to be online the night before a test. But... it's just a test, isn't it?
Ugh. Sort of finished studying chem but have not practised enough. And frankly, I am sick of looking at anything chem. I just can't wait for the bloody school week to be over!

I keep envisioning the dawning of friday morning. Me going off to school, smiling away, knowing that it would be the LAST test paper, regardless of whether or not I'm fully prepared for math. Me completing the last page of the test paper (that is... if I get to the last page). Me waiting for the teacher to collect my script. Me positively quivering with excitement. Me rushing out of the hall and frantically asking classmates if they would want to go out with me straight away. And even if nobody wanted to, me would still be smiling away, cheeks almost snapping with the force.

Because all I would be concerned with would be to get my hands on Checkmate. On Friday, I'll be heading for Borders straight after the Math paper. I keep seeing that book, sitting on the shelf, on the back of my eyelids. It's just there, ready for me to devour.

The wait for Friday is almost unbearable. In many ways, this is worse than waiting for OotP. For one thing, Checkmate is the LAST book of the Lymond series. Which means all my questions will be answered and the happy ending I'm hoping for will come. Besides that, the book is THERE. If you know what I'm getting at. When you wait for OotP, you know it's not been released and nobody has read it yet. This wait for Checkmate is torturous because the book was released almost 30 years ago in 1975. All I have to do if I were to give heck care to the bloody tests is to march off to Borders and grab the book off that shelf.

However, I seem to care more about my studies than I thought I did. So I can't possibly let myself flunk without an effort to flunk less worse. So Checkmate has to wait.

Mum ordered all to be in bed by 10.30. When was the last time I was in bed that early? Can't recall. But is for my own good, I suppose. Anyway, I feel sleepy.

Less than 12 hours to Chemistry Paper and the beginning of the end.

Finished Ringed Castle. Love it so much, I keep reading the good parts again and again.

This obsession is clearly destroying my life.

Starting to get scared. Reality is rushing back. I have pushed away so many responsibilities and now I'm paying for it all. Am so dead.

Aunt wants me to finish M'sia trip video by weekend. No offence... but is she nuts?! I have studying to do, stupid CIP to complete (Which I really am considering skipping altogether and get a white slip), and an MCS meeting to attend. And in order to be able to do all that, I have to get Lymond out of my head! Dear god.

Just switched on my phone today. 9 unread messages.

I feel like I've been running too long and now I've come to a corner and there's nowhere to go and nothing to do but wait and face all the monsters.

And deep within him, missing its accustomed tread, his heart paused, and gave one single stroke, as if on an anvil.

I just love that line.

I am going to sound insane. Oh, what am I saying... This place is already crappy to the brim.

I just read a Lymond review, searching for clues. And I found it! I am soooo happy! REVIEW I actually jumped up and down in joy and screamed. Thank god the house was empty. I found out who Lymond's going to end up with and it's the person I've been banking on. I am so right. You see, in the last entry, I was so fed up because he was behaving atrociously towards her. He burnt her letter before reading even half of it and more or less, ignored her existence. It is infuriating. Even though there was supposed to be nothing going on between them yet, he should at least treat her better.

Now I feel like reading the book again. I shall study tomorrow. That leaves about less than 10 hours of reading... Oh dear.

I know all this Lymond stuff is getting really disgusting for some people... but I really can't help it. I get obsessed easily.

Oh, and I hope you read the review. The writer has expressed all my exact sentiments.

Just got back from one week trip to Malaysia. Throat hurts like hell from consuming sweet foodstuff every waking hour. I can hardly swallow without wincing. Anyway, now that I'm back, I have a lot of studying to do. Had a horrible dream in Malaysia. I dreamt I was in school and Munirah asked me if I'd finished studying for the geog paper. I hadn't. And naturally I freaked out. I sat for the paper anyway and answered the mcqs blindly. I recall certain words that had nothing to do with geography whatsoever. After that, I had to sit for a higher malay paper. And I hadn't studied for that either. I was cramming malay idioms with Aisyah (who had finished studying, unlike me). I was really at the end of my tethers. Fortunately I woke up before I had a panic seizure. My brother related to me that I made strange whimpering noises in the night and my face was screwed up in weird expressions. Hah. Also, it took me some time to realize that I don't take both higher malay or geography anymore. Thank god.

Brought "The Ringed Castle" (5th Lymond Book) on the trip. Was reading furiously at first, but then I got so fed up that I stopped. Lymond was being so terribly ANNOYING. I couldn't stand it. He was treating certain people appallingly. And he is so darn stubborn! It is clear that he doesn't care if he lives or dies. Doesn't he realise how many people are worried about him? ARGH. Of course, I also feel so sorry for him. Feel like crying everytime the child is mentioned. How can it all end well? Good stories hardly do. Look at the Dark Materials Trilogy, Titanic, Troy, Braveheart... DT too. Not that I can even see an end coming for DV.

Oh well. My fault that I love such stories. All that pain and angst. All the drama. The quotable phrases. All the blood and gore. And of course all the beautiful people. Haha.


"Do not smirk at me, Master Malfoy!" Dumbledore shouted suddenly.

Draco jumped, and scowled. Why did everyone always tell him he was smirking when he was merely smiling? Just because his lip had a habit of curling up slightly on the left. Privately Draco thought it was endearing. "Sorry, Headmaster." ~ Something Impossible by Cassandra Claire (Read at your own peril. It ends in slash. But is funny.)

The trouble with me is that I can never be diligent enough to record all the important events in my life here. I should have written about a whole lot of things... including Pige's birthday meeting... But, I just don't FEEL like it, you know. It doesn't mean it's less important than Troy. I just need to have that URGE to write, to WRITE.

I went for the CCA Leadership Camp. Don't really know where to start about it. I learnt a lot. A whole lot of things that the instructors meant to impart to me and some things that I've observed myself. But at the end of it all, I felt depressed. More knowledgable, but nonetheless, depressed. Oh well. I don't wish to go into detail. I have this involuntary reaction towards bad memories - store it in the deep reaches of my hippocampus (Isn't that where the brain stores memories?)and consequently never speak or write of it ever again. Maybe that's why my memory is getting poorer and poorer. All that stuffing isn't doing me good.

All that aside, I wish to rant on about Lymond. Am now on to the fifth book. I'm devouring everything like it's a drug and I'm the addict. Really can't quite help myself. The story is simply amazing. And there is no character quite like Francis Crawford. He surpasses DT!Draco in many ways. You know the way Draco always thinks for himself last and readily sacrifices himself for others? (Recall the destruction of a certain vial of antidote.) Multiply that a million times for Lymond's case. Sometimes I wish he would stop being so altruistic and think for himself for a change. It really is so painful to watch him suffer.

There was this exremely suspenseful and exciting part where Lymond battles his arch nemesis, Gabriel, in a battle of chess with Lymond's friends as the pieces. Two young children were involved, one of which was his son. And the game culminates in an ultimate sacrifice, wich made me cry like mad. I had to fling the book down because I was so distraught. REALLY.

I am so frustrated that I have virtually no one to share all my thoughts on this.

"Dear Kate, how understanding we were about funerals, how we shared in the weeping beforehand and the lightheartedness, the unsuitable laughter which followed. We've had a victory. We've won a battle whose importance perhaps no one yet knows, after a year of effort which has changed every one of us. Gabriel is dead; and we are free and alive, except for one small boy, a stranger to whom we were strangers too. And tonight, there is hardly one of us who does not wish, in his remorse, that he died in his place." ~ Philippa, Pawn in Frankincense, Book IV of the Lymond Chronicles

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD! Don't read the following entry if you haven't watched Troy and wish to catch it some day. Actually, if you still haven't seen it by now, you're nuts. And if you don't wish to see it at all, you're nuttier. Because Troy is a must-see. It's the epic movie of our generation. My mum even said that it's better than LotR.

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Heh heh. Typing this thing is weird...
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Hehehehehehe.
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I watched Troy again yesterday. And I was trying to commit all the nice phrases to memory...

I know it starts off with something like, "Men have been haunted with the vastness of eternity..." ARGH. I wish I could remember! It was sooooo fantastic. I can remember the ending a bit better... "Let it be known that I lived in the time of Hector, tamer of forces. Let it be known that I lived in the time of Achilles." I am definitely getting the dvd.

The "gods envy us" part that Achilles was saying was really good... The first time I heard it, I was gaping at precisely how true it sounded - "Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed." The second time I heard, I was pissed because the people sitting at the back of the theatre were making a LOT of noise and wouldn't shut up so I couldn't really hear it clearly. Manu was very annoyed too (Yes! I watched with her and Jean.) because I told her that part was really nice but she couldn't hear the whole thing. The third time I heard it, I remember feeling stressed because I was trying to memorise it on the spot but was failing miserably.

Hector is the real hero of the story, I think. He was the only one who seemed to be working towards the right direction. Defend the walls of Troy but not attack the Greeks. He was not greedy for power OR glory, he was merciful (unlike bloody Achilles! Priam had to come BEG for Hector's body!), he was loving. He was like Brutus, but way smarter. Oh, I remember he said this to his soldiers, "All my life, I live by a code. And the code is simple. Honour the gods, love your woman and defend your country." And a roar of agreement erupted from his men. Like soldiers always do when great leaders give speeches before battles - Aragorn ("There comes a time when the courage of men fails, when we forsake all bonds of fellowship... But this is not the day. Today, WE FIGHT!" Okay... can't quite remember it. Heh.), William Wallace (FREEDOM!!!!!!)etc

And don't you just think that the movie is about people doing STUPID things? Why didn't Priam ever listen to his sons? Why couldn't Paris keep his hands to himself? Why couldn't Patroclus listen to Achilles? And why couldn't Achilles control his temper a little bit? I felt like smacking some of them. Because I think the one who suffered most from the stupid mistakes was Hector. He didn't do anything stupid and he was the one who got killed. There is no justice.

It is clear that Orlando Bloom will forever be associated with a bow and arrow. It seems to be the only thing he's good with. Paris did yet another stupid thing - Couldn't he SEE Briseis screaming her lungs off NOT to shoot Achilles? Was he blind (with fury, perhaps)? But I suppose he couldn't simply let off the guy who killed his wonderful brother, "the best man (he) knows". Honestly. Things are so complicated. They were all essentially good people, but they end up killing each other. Just goes to show how violence is never the answer to problems. "You lost your cousin, now you've taken mine. When does it end?" "It never ends." I suppose you can link it to current affairs in the middle east. The Israelis and Palestinians are mostly good people who want to get on with their lives in peace but... since revenge lives in some of their hearts... the you-kill-my-friend-I-kill-your-friend thing goes on and on and on and never ends.

Peter O'Toole was good... I like the confrontation scene between Priam and Achilles. Another thought-provoking moment - "...It doesn't change anything. You're still my enemy in the morning." "You're still my enemy tonight. But even enemies can show respect." I love the dialogue. I probably held my breath when I listened to it. It's amazing how everything they had to say had impact and meaning."I knew your father. He died before his time. But he was lucky not to see his son fall. I loved my son from the moment he opened his eyes to the moment you closed them."

Oh, I remember the quotes from this scene, where Briseis was holding a knife to Achilles' neck:
"Do it."
"Aren't you afraid?"
"Everyone dies. Today, fifty years from now, what does it matter?"
"If I don't kill you, you'll kill more men."
"Many."

Goodness... it seems like I've been on a quote-regurgitation spree. So fun. But I realise this has spoilers for people who haven't seen the movie. Haha. Shall give a warning then.

GP Common Test is tomorrow. And I have done practically NOTHING to help myself. GOD. What is there to do??? I am definitely doomed. Our GP lessons have been crap for months now ever since Mrs Singh decided to abandon our class and teach PW instead. First it was the VERY soft-spoken Ms Lynn (Can't quite remember her name...) who could not teach, on account of us not being able to hear her in the first place. Then there's Mr Soh, the so-called experienced retiree, who rambles on and on and expects us to just swallow whatever he says. I HATE GP. ARGH.

I can't wait for everything to be over tomorrow so that I can look forward to the holidays and PoA movie and waking up late and shopping and the rugby match tomorrow. My class is going together! SO fun! Just this bloody GP obstacle to overcome...

This is the first time I've updated in ages. Been EXTREMELY busy. Tests... SPA... Photog... And am still going to be busy for a very long time.

Anyway... am now holding exco posts in both my ccas. Vice president of MLD and treasurer of Photog. Hope that more or less, that takes care of the L in my PEARLS. Not that I'm doing it for pearls only... Am glad that I have those posts. Can be more involved and make my life in RJ more fulfilling.

My father stumbled across my blog via google. He read everything. SCARY. But hey... I don't have anything to hide...

Saw PoA trailer at the movies!!! Was so excited...

Have some Lymond to paste. I have bought The Disorderly Knights! Used the voucher Eunice gave me...

Someone tell me what this phrase means: "Art cannot live without licence." I sort of understand it... But can anyone enlighten me with a detailed explanation? This book is so darn hard...

"For you are a leader - don't you know it? I don't, surely, need to tell you? - And that is what leadership means. It means fortifying the fainthearted and giving them the two sides of your tongue while you are at it. It mean suffering weak love and schooling it till it matures. It means giving up your privacies, your follies and your leisure. It means you can love nothing and no one too much, or you are no longer a leader, you are the led."

"And that you think, I should find easy," said Lymond.
~ Queen's Play, Second in the Lymond Chronicles

It's Photog Week this week... Take a look please...

Spot this Photo from the exhibition in the RJC concourse!

My brother... Hari Raya Haji... We were doing this funny thing - Hard to describe. Doesn't matter. I think this photo is really nice... Captured all the laughter. Meh heh.

My sis, clad in winter clothes. Taken from Switzerland video. Resolution isn't so good... But oh my god... This photoblogging thing is amazing!

I found out Lymond's birthday (1st November 1526) from an astrological chart of lymond at www.dorothydunnett.co.uk !!! There was an uncannily accurate description of his character as well. Before tonight, I was dying to know his exact age... Because in the first two books, all that is mentioned is that he's young. But HOW young? Such detail is important to know in order to picture the character vividly in one's mind. I've always assumed him to be in the early twenties... and I'm right!!! He's only 20 in the first book and only 22 in the second book! And he's so intelligent... too wise for his age... Sigh... If only he were a real man.

"Suavely toasted and slender; all masked blue eyes and buttermilk hair." ~ The Disorderly Knights, Volume III of Lymond Chronicles

Despite the fact that I have chem SPA tomorrow and am dying to get back to my notes and save myself from more failure (failed chem lect test by 1/2 mark), I am here blogging. Because I have something to say that should not be left to another time when my mood to write about intended topic has worn off.

Today is my birthday. And it has been wonderful. Really amazing. It's the fact that a whole lot of people remembered. You know how you sometimes get pangs of depression? I get that on a regular basis. During times like that, I start to feel like I'm useless and in fact, nobody would care if I disappeared off the face of this earth. But today. TODAY proved how much I should be grateful, because I have people who cared enough to make my birthday such a special event for me.

The birds. Well, they have been the best. They were the ones who made my 16th birthday fantabulous, an occasion which I'd thought back then would be unparalleled. Of course this year... they'd proven that they could make it even better. I got the bin and absolutely fantastic rubbish.

Jean. Who is sooo sweet. And gave this soap set... shower gel, shampoo etc that has a camomile scent. I smell really good now!

1S03D! Who gave me a card with everyone's messages and a pretty black purse! Love my class...

Duck who smsed me, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIDGET!' Typical. But thank you anyway.

Turk who came to me after PE to say happy birthday again... hehe... shall be looking forward to more stuff in mailbox tomorrow...

My mum! For the bracelet made of stirling silver and Russian synthetic diamond.. (ooooh!)

My dad! Who forgot that he's already bought me the chess set from Colmar, France and asked me what i wanted! haha!

My bro and sis who dumped the presents on my table! A necklace and hairclip that has the letters V U L T from sis and keychain that has my name from bro.

Niki! Who promises more green socks. Yippeee!

Sowmya! The first person to wish me happy birthday in school. And gave me a cute dog keychain and a pretty mug.

Yashira! Who couldn't find me in school early in the morning... but found me later and gave me a hug and promises presents!

My aunt! Who already gave me money last week. $$$:)

Mel! Who smsed me, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TWIT'. And scolded me for not reminding her. But seems she remembered anyway.

Adibah, a friend from when I was barely 6, smsed happy birthday!

Sarah Siew remembered too! She is sooooo sweet.

Joel said happy birthday too.

All the girls in my class.

Anjali, with whom I'm hardly acquainted, wished me.

Abigail (I think), Eunice's classmate, wished me, when she saw me lugging Jean's present to me.

My maid! Who gave me a very touching letter wishing me all the best... and actually gave me ten dollars. I wish she didnt! I don't need anymore gifts... But I couldnt possible refuse...

Thank you so much everyone. My day would have been terrible had not each of you did that little thing that means so much to me... what with math test for which I'm confirmed dead. Ladida...