Saturday, June 19, 2004
Studying for the math provincial is proceeding smoothly enough, although I've never had a harder time forcing myself to get started! More practice questions are in order. I knew calculus wouldn't be on the exam, but I only recently figured out we don't need to know vectors either! Yes!! I can thus clear my mind of those pesky conundrums until September.

Mom suggested I enrol in some dance class this summer. Sadly enough, my first thought was "Ooh, Action hours!" The second was "Oh right, I don't need those anymore." Although I'm not adverse to trying something new, even if it's probably too late for me to truly master anything. What I'd really like to learn, now, is fencing, or horseback riding ... but I've an inkling those are -- comment dit-on? -- expensive.

written at 11:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 5, 2004
The Grad Dinner & Dance was just ... wow. I can't rightly remember what I was expecting, only that it was, well, less.

Early in the evening, I had fun looking at the other girls in their pretty dresses and coiffures. And if not pretty, then vastly amusing. How can I ever forget marshmallow girl? Suits, on the other hand, have an unfortunate tendency to appear more or less alike. Not to offend, of course (I did say "more or less").

The Four Seasons Hotel had a rich-looking interior, although -- as Anthony mentioned -- no balcony as a refuge against overly loud music. So we monopolized the couch instead, while the guys digested their dinner (^_^). As for dancing, I don't usually do much of that. I remember being surprised that the IB Grad dance was just like any other high school dance. I thought it'd be different, since it's "formal" and all, but apparently not. This time, though, the fact that I'd paid $$$ for it was not so readily forgotten.

So it took only a little coaxing on Jeremy's part to get me onto the dance floor. Yes, the music was blaringly loud, and the lights were flashing all over the place and blinding me, but it was fun. But there are only so many times you can do so many moves, and there really is no skill involved. I've semi-dabbled in various forms of dance before, but Sam, in reality IB has just made me a more experienced bluffer.

And in the end, I felt the evening was well worth it. I liked how it was easy on the emotions, which may or may not sound enigmatic. Pictures should be available shortly, if I manage to overcome my state of being technologically challenged. Chen, you never told me what Plan B was -- what if I'd picked it instead?

I'm sorry not to have joined you guys afterwards. Arguing with my parents is like scaling a marble wall, because they're my parents. But a spiel in that sector would ruin my high spirits, so I'll refrain. (I've been reading too much Margaret Atwood.) Anyhow, there's one good thing to come of my leaving -- if I hadn't, sooner or later I would have ended up singing. So there's one catastrophe avoided.

written at 09:41 p.m.

Monday, May 31, 2004
I have nothing to say. Well, I do have things to say, but I don't want to say them. In fact, I don't want to think them either.

YAY for having one class every other day! And only three classes on days when I don't have one! And if I ultimately decide to skip French, I won't have any classes at all on Day 1's! I like Rouge much better than Bleu. Maybe because I understand more of it. Although English subtitles would help a bit.

Man, I'm beginning to think I might actually want to move out, to get away. I feel stifled. I need to breathe. I WANT LEBENSTRAUM!

written at 05:22 p.m.

Sunday, May 30, 2004
Well now, isn't this interesting. Nice photographs, by the way, Mike.

You are Redemption. Sophisticated, yet simple. You don't let things get in your way and you are a no-nonsense person. You put time and strength into relationships and keep your eyes on the ball. Your mystery makes you appealing.

Which of Michael's stories are you?
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Thursday, May 20, 2004
My hair is STRAIGHT! But only temporarily. I got it layered today; now when I gather it into a ponytail, the diameter is like a fifth of what it used to be. And it feels so much lighter! Fun stuff ... my favourite thing about straight hair has got to be the way it blows in the wind. Wavy hair does, too, for ten seconds. Then it just gets tangled.

I think the lady was just having fun with my hair, cuz she just kept doing things with it. And she thought I was 16! That¡¯s probably the closest anyone¡¯s ever been.

written at 10:44 p.m.

Wednesday, May 19, 2004
I'M FREE!! To slack without being weighted down by guilt, to actually be on MSN and not in "away" or "busy" or "appear offline" mode, to sleep without setting the alarm for 5:00 in the morning. To enjoy the time available without constantly worrying that there isn't enough of it.

[Ah yes, and those pesky provincials. I suppose I'll end up studying for them when the time comes. Well, two of them, anyways. But make no mistake, I am fully prepared to allow my mind to stagnate over the summer!]

In retrospect ... the past three weeks have passed rather quickly, although it did seem forever at the time. Within a span of 16 days -- 6 subjects, 15 papers, 22.5 hours. And how did it all go? D'apres moi, exams in order from easiest to most difficult: French < English < Chem < Bio < Math < History. And in terms of the Diploma mark I might be facing ... if I don't jot this down somewhere, it'll just keep bothering me, so might as well.

English HL: 6-7
Math Methods SL: 4-6
Biology HL: 5-7
History HL: 4-6
French SL: 6-7
Chemistry SL: 6-7

Pessimistically, then, my mark will be hovering around the vicinity of 33 (assuming 2 bonus marks). Optimistically, it'll be closer to 43 (assuming 3 bonus). A fairly wide range that doesn't really tell anyone anything ... except that I passed. Which is good. Now, I highly doubt that I can be any more optimistic than predicting a 43. On the other hand, I do believe my mark could end up somewhat lower than 33. BUT the important thing is I survived, and it's over, and I'll not ponder it again.

One more outburst ... EXAMS ARE OVER!! OVER!! YES!!

written at 09:31 p.m.

Thursday, May 13, 2004
The worst is over *_*_*_* it's all downhill from here!! If I'm already dancing for joy with ten exams done and five to go, what will I be doing next Wednesday, when the ordeal is over?

No more panic exams! Although I still think I'm going to win Chen's bet. At least I'm reasonably sure I passed everything. History turned out a lot better than I thought, for all my panicking. Lucky, for once. I never want to write three essays in a row ever again. Thank goodness Paper II and III were on separate days; otherwise it would've been five! o_O;

Hrm. Don't want to go into too much detail in case I suddenly realize I did something horribly wrong. Blissful oblivion! Maybe if I'd studied harder ... bah. I wasn't aiming for perfect papers; I was aiming for whatever I could get. Hopefully at least a 5. Honestly, I was less of a slacker before IB.

written at 02:03 p.m.

Sunday, May 2, 2004
//09 things that annoy you:
9. Obvious spelling errors.
8. Rap music (oxymoron).
7. Pushovers; people with no backbone.
6. Fad diets.
5. That feeling of being hooked on something, be it MSN or procrastination or whatever.
4. Sandals and socks on at the same time.
3. Overanalysis of literary works.
2. People who skip class on a regular basis, without even attempting an excuse.
1. David practising on the drum kit.

//08 things you like to wear:
8. Poofy jacket, though of course it's far too hot for that now.
7. Slightly flared jeans.
6. Black sheeny vest.
5. Silver watch.
4. Sandals in general.
3. Pale blue sleeveless top.
2. Gold anklet.
1. I suppose ... anything long and flowy.

//07 things you're looking forward to:
7. THE END OF IB EXAMS!!
6. The IB Dinner & Dance.
5. The end of provincial exams!
4. The Grad Dinner & Dance.
3. Dad coming back from China and bringing me things!
2. Summer!
1. As much as I may regret this later -- university.

//06 things you say most everyday:
6. David! Stop it!
5. What do you think?
4. Doomed!!
3. I see ...
2. Good point.
1. Hey! *frowns*

//05 things you do everyday:
5. Breathe.
4. Imbibe water.
3. Sleep. All-nighters are not for me.
2. Laugh.
1. Sing (but not for you).

//04 people you want to spend more time with:
4. Rosey.
3. James.
2. Lain?
1. My brother.

//03 movies you could watch over and over again:
3. The Fellowship of the Ring.
2. The Return of the King.
1. The Sound of Music.

//02 of your favorite songs at the moment:
2. "Feeling the Same Way" - Norah Jones
1. "Can You Keep a Secret" - Utada Hikaru

//01 thing you would wish for:
1. "Providence, grant me but one day of pure joy."

written at 07:47 p.m.

Thursday, April 29, 2004
What day is it today? *^_^*

*points to heading "BIRTHDAY" in left-hand column*

Wheee~!! Yes, I know, I'm old now. But at least I still don't look it. Plus I'd like to repeat that Anthony, Sam, and Chen are still older!

Shouts out to everyone, for everything. The Snoopy (Snoopy Flying!), the chocolate, the card (I love it ... even though it does have a certain photo in it o.O), the CDs ... thank you all; I love you all. You make me melt.

Isn't it interesting how my birthday just happens to fall right before the crux of the 2-year IB Program? Ugh ... Math, Bio, History ... my 3 panic exams. I should be slipping into panic mode quite soon. I'll definitely be scarce for the next few weeks ... preparing for the FINAL STRETCH.

written at 05:30 p.m.