Thursday, April 21, 2005

Mood: Lazy
Song: Hillsongs - So Close (I Believe)

Phew, at long last, exams are over! Whilst others are busy celebrating, I'm somewhat at a lost. Sure holidays are nice, but somehow I also like the hectic schedule of school. Made me feel that I am on a purpose, instead of just slacking around at home, watching tv and going on a downloading rampage almost everyday. Oh my goodness! Is there something wrong with me? I reckon so, but at the moment I'm too lazy and tired to bother. Let's settle it tomorrow. It's rather rare that I get to say the word 'tomorrow', especially during the exam period. Everything had to be done 'today' because the exam was ' tomorrow'.

Speaking of exams, I've had it with open book exams. This semester I had two, and I think I flopped for both papers. I felt that I was more in control with the other papers that were closed book exams. Let me provide my rationale.

Open book exam = plain laziness to read the textbook or lecture notes thoroughly the night before = clumsily flipping the thick and long (I'm talking about my Social Psychology text, not something XXX) textbook on the day of the exam = unable to find the appropriate answers to copy due to tight time constraints and stressful conditions = getting a lousy grade

See?!

And one more thing. Lecturers are crafty old rats (At least some are). Most of them, for open book exams, would ask questions not found in the textbook. Which totally defeats the purpose of open book exams. Students would then have to search through the textbook, only to waste time. And then we still have to spend extra time bluffing out the answers. Which so explains why I prefer close book exams. Even if questions weren't covered in the syllabus, we do not have to waste time on a futile attempt at flipping through the text.

Another reason why I loathe open book exams. It puts those with slow flexibility at flipping pages or sweaty palms at a disadvantage. I am a sufferer of both. And so in the cold air-conditioned exam hall, I had to grapple with the huge textbook, lecture notes, my own notes, exam writing pad, stationary, water bottle, matric card and wallet all on a teeny weeny tabletop. URGH. Can't they just bloody give us bigger tables??! Anyway, like I was saying, exams are for testing knowledge and not for flexibility. We test flexibility in a gymnasium, and I have absolute no interest in somersaulting myself through the air. So on top of writing, copying, flipping, we still have to ensure that the gigantic textbook does not fall onto the floor. It's practically a juggling competiton in there. I would look in disdain at those who can mindlessly flip smoothly through the pages while I had to struggle with the pages, not being able to find what I wanted, go to the contents page, still not being able to decipher anything, and finally go to the index/glossary, stare at the miniscule font, and if I'm fortunate, locate what I wanted. Tedious process.

So that brings me to another point. Open book exams have become some sort of a treasure hunt. May as well go Sentosa and play.

Thou shalt forget about moi's bad experience (My goodness, look at the flawless language. It's them! They've done it to me *points finger vehemently*)... and at least enjoy the hols before my French starts...

Download rampage, here I go! And in the meantime gotta call up the services centre about some pesky dead (non-conforming) pixels on my laptop. They're an eyesore! And Toshiba international warranty actually told me that they're limitations of TFT screen technology and not covered! WTH! Being the perfectionist that I am, I must eradicate them! Shall unleash my complaining prowess. Muahaha...

But in the meantime, back to plain old laziness... How I've missed thou.

Gv complained @ 8:25 PM

{xoxo}

Saturday, April 02, 2005

To you:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2, NIV)

Once again, the time of the semester is here again, and I am so dreading it. But on the other hand, there's this feeling inside of me, wishing that it will be over soon. And after that, I can progress on to my inter-semestral session where I'll be learning French! Someone told me that learning the basics of a language in just a mere 4 weeks will not be enough, even though the sessions will be intensive. I have to admit that I am having second thoughts, but since I've already accepted the offer, I can only pray that it'll be worthwhile.

In the meantime, I need to garner all my focus onto my texts and readings. I am not having another mediocre semester.

Onto another happier note, my project website's finally done! And even though there're still some problems, we're quite proud of it! And my prof said the video was very good! I so need the affirmation. Haha...

Here's the link: http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home2004/liow0011/7dayslater/index.html

Remember to check out the video under the 'Trailer' section! It took God knows how many weeks to finally finish the end product!

Gv complained @ 5:34 PM

{xoxo}