Y Tuesday, August 14, 2007
11:31 pm
Nope! The ole' rantbox gets a second wind. I miss ranting about stuff; it's somehow different when you type it out as opposed to when ya say it out.I know, the blog screams emo. But hey, I wanted it to look dark and moody, because like I said, it isn't a -happy- time for most of us Sec 4s. Looks suicidal, but once again no, I'm not an emo.
So why this morbid skin? Hmm. I won't deny I enjoy MCR's music, so I figured "Why not use that really wicked font found in 'The Black Parade'?"
I felt some blood spurts would go pretty okay. Ta-da. Morbid, suicidal. But no, I'm not like that at all! Besides, the song "Blood" is cute. (No no, there's nothing wrong with me. The tune and lyrics are cutesy.)
On to today. Wow Lady Luck really hates me. Yes, I have bad dealings with SBS buses. See, nothing good ever happens there. Ever tried walking briskly in a direction that's opposite of the bus motion? Physics tells you that you'll move pretty quickly in the bus, right?
Well, that did happen. So, in a bid to slow down and get seated, I swung out an arm to grab that black handle thing you find above the cushioned seats.
I missed.
Smack. Shin, meet metal bar.
Yay for a bruise the size of Texas! It hurt like hell, I swear. I literally hugged my wounded leg while rocking back and forth like an idiot. Then there was this whole 'shaking my head and sucking my lips back in agony' thing.
"Ian what's wrong?"
*shakes head*
Stayed for ESPN (Enhanced Study Programme: Nite or NSS - Night Study Scheme) tonight. For the uninitiated, it's a night study scheme which starts at 6.30 and ends at 9.30. Staying till 10.30 is optional. Yes, I screwed my mid-years THAT badly.
Seems like it's all talk and no action? Well hey, I agree too fellows. Not exactly totally oblivious to what goes on around. Still, I have no right to whine about this programme, but not like it's not helping or is a waste of time anyway.
Lucky for me, our very very nice english teacher, Mr. Chong (woot we share surname.) decided to stay back with us ESPN-ers for a trial run of English oral with him. (Stop laughing, sickos.) I waited for about an hour before it was my turn, but I did pretty okay I guess.
Reading was fine, 11/12.
Picture discussion was a total flop. 9-10/12.
Conversation was pretty good. 14/16.
So total it up and ya get 34-35/40.
For those who think "God Ian's an asshole. Those are pretty high and he says okay?" Look at your math/science results then look at mine. Try again. I have to get an A1 for English or I can kiss my sorry arse good bye.
Anyway, KC said I should help my weaker mates, so I figure I might as well list some tips here.
1) Don't lose your head. I'm serious. Not many totally overcome this. If you panic, it's over. It's worse than going into cardiac arrest, because all those detailed points you thought up of while preparing is gonna get flushed down the abyss.
2) Go ahead, exaggerate. (Reading.) No one cares. You're probably not gonna see your examiners again. Ever. Feel free to inject lots of emotions and really wear the character's shoes, even if it sounds forced.
3) Word endings. (Reading.) Pushes 10 to 11, and 11 to 12. The "th" in "THree", "t" in denT etc.
4) For picture discussion, make sure to first fully elaborate on the focus. Don't tell me there's nothing to talk about. There is. Find the obscurest of links and just throw it in, backing it up with pictorial evidence (AFTER you're done with the focus.) Do not forget to describe feelings/opinions. (No such thing as wrong points. Just stupid ones.)
5) Conversation seems to be the pitfall for many, and I'm not consistent in it too. Just keep in mind to deviate from the question. (Yes you read that right. Go off point, but maintain a link.)
Eg. If it's about telling the truth, talk about that and expand on points (define the keywords -Jarrett) without boring the examiner to tears. Then talk about things you SHOULDN'T say. Talk about the importance of knowing what and when to say something. aka Tact. The second part on deviating really, really helps.
6) If you can't spin a water-proof story without batting an eyelid, don't. Examiners can smell the bull from a mile away. You'd score lesser. Best ones are always personal experiences, no matter how short, silly or embarrassing.
7) Treat the examiner like someone who is really genuinely interested in what you think and have to say. Give intelligent, mature and wise responses. Don't expect them to understand how a teenager thinks. Rather, go up to their level and talk about things relevant to them. (DO NOT ATTEMPT IF NOT CONFIDENT/LACKING IN CONTENT.)
8) Lose your head and die.
Hope the above helps at least someone. The majority of them came from KC's oral lessons. Go ahead and add on or comment on any changes you feel should be there. Anyway, I really need a disclaimer for my blog.. makes me seem crazy and suicidal.
EDIT: I actually closed the window without publishing. Thank Science for auto-save.