Prelims are over

Wow it has been nearly an entire term since I last updated my blog. It's been really busy. No other excuses to offer haha. I just re-read my previous entry and I ended up getting M for that mental eco test which was incredibly suprising. I finished my eco internal as well and recently got my marks back, E :) so happy.

World Vision...well I guess it's been up and down for me in terms of my level of enthusiasm. Things were so crazy the whole time though. Everything that could have gone wrong pretty much went wrong. But finally the thing pulled together and we had a reasonably good night. There was the fear we wouldn't even break even. But we did and I think we did manage to raise some kind of money ^ ^"

The night before the social was the music department concert, 'Celebration of the Arts' organised by Tamsin and Joanna. It went pretty well :) I had my cello duet right before my duet with Yi Lein so there was some minor instrument shuffling going on hah. Good times, it was something I really needed as I was preparing myself for ultimate failure during the social the following night.

Exams have just finished for me. Today is the last day but I don't have any. Rating from best to worst: Stats, English, History, Classics, Eco. No, it's not a mistake that eco is at the end. It was a horrible exam and Ms Sturme is going to be severely disappointed in my performance...And I thought stats would be a horrible exam because I had no idea what was going on really. But the night before I got James to help me with some linear programming stuff and I suppose I realised that I actually did know what I needed to. It was a good way to start exam week. Eco and history were on the same day >.< which really annoyed me. My worst exam and most important. As it turns out, history wasn't so bad after eco in the morning. Resource interpretation was pretty whacked. It wasn't what I was expecting and I kinda just wrote crap. I just hope it's the right kind of crap. Classics ranks pretty low because ... Well I don't think i studied well for it and my socrates essay was pretty airy. Greek vases though...was the worst paper by far. I made the biggest most idiotic mistake every and it's going to cost me the A...urgh. So frustrated with myself about that....
English was my last exam yesterday morning. It went alright actually. I entered with low expectations of my performance and if I would be able to sustain writing for that long, especially since my hand goes crazy these days. But it was fine, finished everything. My novel (Cat's Eye) essay was pretty short. Heh like only just two pages. Oh well...Hopefully enough to pass by. I'd be pretty depressed if I failed a paper. I remember I failed unfamiliar last year. But I was one mark away from M so that's a bit screwed up. Meh, now that they're all over I can't do anything about them. If I did bad it's like 'damn that sucks' but I can't change what's happened...unfortunately. Hopefully with more study and motivation I will be able to do well in the externals.

This term I've also been applying for scholarships along with everyone else. They're pretty time consuming what with all the letters and personal statements you need to write. Congratulations to Jennifer who got through to have an interview for the PWC finance and accounting scholarship :) I'm like.. her manager haha *bows* thank you thank you. lol.

Service for Variety has been going well. Yi Lein and I helped out with the Monster Book Fair, scoring ourselves some books too haha so now my shelves are filled just right. Have a lot of books to read though seeing as I haven't got the time to read them during exams.

Badminton is almost over. Last game tomorrow :( it's so awesome and I'm going to miss it immensely. I want to be able to play randomly though, perhaps I will. Dad went to Malaysia a couple of weeks back and bought me a new racket with a bag and everything. So now I look all professional but I don't exactly continue that on court. Haha! It's nice though. Edith likes my old one so she's still using it.

Today is also Jane's 18th Birthday! So a big hug to her and hope you have a great day :)

Songs I rather like right now:

Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's
Very sweet, "I'm a thousand miles away/But girl tonight you look so pretty/Yes you do/Times Square can't shine as bright as you/I swear it's true"

Bubly by Colbie Colliat
I really like this song right now haha ^-^ ......cus...it's nice hehe. "I always know/That you make me smile/Please stay for a while now" heh enough said lol...

黑色毛衣 by Jay Chou
Yeah Mandarin song lol but it's nice. I can sorta understand it ^-^

This coming Sunday is the history trip up north. It should be good, totally new. Bye bye city....haha I think I'll survive for three days...I hope :p

So today is like muck around and do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING hahahahaha yay. I was thinking of playing some flute and piano. I haven't touched music since the concert. Haven't even gone to cello lessons. Heh. I've been folding origami this morning though. Have like zero skill in anything vaguely crafty but I try haha and I managed to do something resembling a hoppy frog thing and a crane. Yay for Amelia. Maybe I will attempt that lily again later.
James convinced me last night to put my folding habits to some sort of use. So instead of folding bits of paper into useless shapes I can perhaps produce something nice to look at. A good idea in theory I suppose haha.

Hoping all is going well for the people sitting Jap exam right now and all the best for bio internal this afternoon :)
Have a good day!

End of Term 2

The ball was really good, I had a wonderful time and everyone looked so fantastic. Here are some pictures from there, I know they're late haha but oh well.

This is one from the pro lol hence the good quality. It was the prefect photo which they called for randomly from the dance floor but some people didn't hear. Like Tamsin...and so they're not in it :(

Shelley and I, we were going for Christmas Tree seeing as I was red and she was green, but her colour was a bit too pale to match the intensity of mine lol. But if you lean back, tilt your head to the right and squint you might see the Christmas-ness of it. (...If you really did that...I don't even have words to say...haha!)

Yay, me and Joanna, who had fantastic hair I will say :) And people, please excuse my pregnant look in these photos...I don't know what happened, but it's not true, pictures lie.

And this is a picture at the place, just before we went in to where the tables are. Tracey, ever the poser and Jennifer with her dress she got WAY in advance. Georgia in purple, and Olivia on the far left.

The music was much better than last year and the decorations were lovely. A job well done to Rose and the Events Committee.

The following Tuesday was our mock English exam. It didn't go well in terms of time or questions for me. Film was fine, it was Lear which had me wringing my hands in frustration. And therefore, it was my NA. For Citizen Kane (film) I got M. A rather tragic exam but I can't change that right now. Hopefully I'll be able to do better next term when we have prelims in week 7.

On Thursday I also had a economics test which was BAD....bad bad bad...I ran out of time and felt like I was writing the same thing over and over again...so I don't even know if I answered the questions. *sigh* so frustrating.

Friday (22nd June) was the Chamber Competition. It was a really fun evening, we all met at music after school. My group had white tops, black skirts (or pants in Ella's case) and wait for it....MATCHING RED HEAD BANDS!! Hahaha I personally think it was a brilliant idea. I got a bit stressed out when I couldn't find them but Tracey saved us by getting us some from Sylvia Park. So we were very in sync. Our performance was a million times better than last year and I didn't mess up that part in the first movement that I ALWAYS mess up. I was very relieved. I'm told it was really long, and when I watch it now, it is lol. I was satisfied with our performance. Since then it has felt rather weird...Not having practice every spare moment of the day and having afterschool free...seems rather odd to be walking to my parents work haha.

Orange week was relatively successful. Mufti day on Tuesday proved that my system of collection works better than leaving it to the form reps. (They can't be trusted...) And we made $810 which is much better than the $300-something from last year. There turned out to be a surprising level of donations in the form of blankets and canned food as well. It was surprising but pleasantly so.

We won our badminton game by default as well, we went anyway, forcing Izabella to come but only getting told when we were there that our team (Baradene) wasn't coming. So I helped Izabella with her eco hwk and ate kumura chips. haha. productive.

Last Friday Yi Lein and I went to Variety in Greenlane to start our volunteer work. We put together invitations for a dinner of some kind. There were a couple of well known names on the list and the hour went by rather quickly. It was much better suited to us.

This week, the first week of term break, I have done pretty much nothing. Tomorrow I have a World Vision meeting which I doubt will prove fruitful. Eco internal due week two of next term...Right.

Well yes I hope everyone is having a pleasant holiday.

Pre-Ball Excitement

Hey all, it's the night before the ball. (Ball-eve? lol...)

This week has been pretty busy. Chamber practice hasn't gone as well as I hoped with a lot of unexpected things interrupting our organised rehearsal times. We performed at year11 assembly on Wednesday and it was a disaster. I've never felt quite so terrible about a performance... such a confidence boost for the comp...

On Tuesday I went to the Volunteering Auckland office on Kyber Pass Rd and wasted a lunchtime trying to find volunteer work for Yi Lein and myself. Now I've got us work at Variety, the childrens charity. Hopefully that will work out.

Orange Week is week 10, I hope everyone gets involved, it's taken a bit of my time to try and organise. Mufti day on the 26th June...there is an elaborate plan developed to try and ensure everyone pays.

I'm going to recommend a song to you all, its from Final Fantasy X and it's really sweet,
http://www.finalfantasymusicscores.com/FFMS/FFX-Zanarkand-4PianoPC/FFX-Zanarkand4PianoPC.mid
it's a piano solo of the song and I'm a big fan of it ^^

And dun dun dun....lol I got E for classics! On the same day I found out that I also got E for my stats curved modelling internal! Yay! I'm very very happy....beyond words...I guess I have to try and keep it up haha but w/e it's a really good feeling right now, when I had given up hope in all of my subjects...

Well tomorrow is the ball, everyone has been pretty hyped up about it all day and there was an exciting assembly today with prefects showering the 6th and 7th formers with lollies and balloons. I'm sure it was a first haha.
Best of luck to Yi Lein who is sitting her theory exam tomorrow morning while we're all getting prepared for the highlight of the social calendar.
And I hope everyone has a really great time at the ball!

Where did it all go?

It's the end of week 7. We won our badminton game against Marist 2C 6-0. It was a good feeling lol after losing so many games last year.

I shall congratulate Joanna who has done fantastic work for the college herald and got recognition in the form of an email from the editor. Isn't that nice of them? Very well done Joanna, we all know you deserve it.

Yesterday I accompanied Yi Lein to an old folks rest home in Epsom. We were a bit lost, the bus ride was pretty intense with us consulting our map and then finding that Market Rd went two ways, so we had to ask this lady who own a very perculiar shop for directions. When we got there it was a bit scary. Very small and these old people were all quite sick I think. As in they were disabled and it seemed rather sad. You think of their families and wonder if they've just been left here, in this rather old house with ancient furniture. We had to feed some of them which made me terribly uncomfortable. One of the ladies couldn't speak or hear and I will admitt I was rather scared of her at first but when her condition was explained to us I felt really sad. When she puts her hand under her chin it means "beautiful" and she kept pointing to us and saying that. We shook her hand too, it was quite overwhelming to be there with all these people. One of the men seemed really friendly and asked us three times if we were coming back next week. I feel almost like I'm betraying him by not going back, we're looking for other volunteer opportunities...even though we only went once.

I'm not sure if it coincidence or just the fact that I can see better now, that I'm faced with so many indications to not take life for granted. If there is an opportunity I shouldn't let it go because time goes by without our knowing, and it is very often, too late. Carpe Diem isn't it? I guess...but it's hard. It's so much harder to put into practice than I thought it would be. It's already week 8 and I feel like the year began not too long ago.
Everyone at school talks about their plans for next year much more seriously than we did last year, considering gap years, study plans... And frustratingly, I'm finding myself growing increasingly unsure of what I want to do as the end of the year draws nearer. What drives people to make these decisions? How can my friends be sure of what they want to do? It's so hard right now. For me anyway, I don't know about everyone else. I've been told I think to much. *sigh*
It's always "You know I've been thinking..." and someone will say "when are you not?" ha ha, ah well, another flaw I cannot fix.

At the risk of sounding melodramatic I'll stop there. Next week is going to be very busy with Chamber practices, revision (urgh stats.....I only got A for this test that wasn't even that hard...) and our mid year English exam on Tuesday of week 9. Orange week then too, mufti day on the same Tuesday.

Hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.

Long Weekend

English 3.1 is over! *dances* it was pretty tense. I was so frustrated that my writing was so bad. I did finish though, kind of just...haha but I did and hope to at least get A for it...
I've been working on Classics on and off all week; it's been difficult to find motivation for this internal. But today I was at Dad's and sat in my room for most of the day, scolding myself for not getting a move on. Finally...I think...I'm really nearly done, all 3200+ words of it. (So much for 2500 eh? lol)

Open day was quite nice. It was difficult to play in the study hall with all the noise and the whole Joanna-me duet thing kind of flopped lol we spend the afternoon just playing around, all sightreading none the less and driving Ms Clayton, who was upstairs, close to insanity. It was quite a wasted day. I got spotted by Ms Sturme in the study hall...sitting...talking... But I really was needed, prefect and all, and I had finished the chapter already because I knew that I wouldn't be there today. See, I'm just such a good student.
I also got my ball ticket on Wednesday. It's like this big American $1 bill that says 'Flamingo Las Vegas' on it along with venue, date and school. Everyone was pretty excited by it all. Haha, I've since seen the EGGS one which is like a playing card, rather nifty.

On Thursday we won our badminton game! Gosh, incredible. Against Marist. Joanna and I lost our singles though. I was so disappointed in myself. I was down something like 5-0 and they were ALL my errors, hitting the net, out, shit serving. *sigh* Then i reclaimed a lead at some point, I scored like 6 consecutive points. Then my vibe was gone and I kept making stupid errors again. I've never played a match quite like that before. Then I was down 20-18 and was determined to win. (Doesn't that sound like a movie) So I got to 19-20 but I let myself down again, crapness, on the last point. And thus my loss. How terrible.
However, Joanna and I won our doubles. Freda, Isabella and Tamsin won their singles/doubles matches which meant we won over all 4/6 matches. Yay for us.

I had a World Vision meeting on Friday afternoon, more changes of plan but better turn out this time. Afterwards I caught a train home, it said "expect delays" at Britomart, the first time I've ever been given a warning. And ironically enough, it's also the first time we haven't been delayed. Hmm. So yeah got picked up and went shopping. Somewhere, either on the train or at pack'n'save I lost my magnetic bracelet. The one that me and Yi Lein have :( I wear it every day with my 'make poverty history' band...and now it's gone...
Yi Lein and I had an interesting discussion about reincarnation that night until some early hour of the morning. It was quite fascinating.

I did jack all yesterday. Realised that this month I've texted more than any other month since I got txt2000. I now have only 536 texts left to last me 16 days. Over two weeks when I have exploited over 1500 in the previous two weeks. Damn. So trying to watch my texting these two weeks or so...

It's the long weekend, Queens Birthday. So no school tomorrow ^^ rather pleased. I hope you all have a great long weekend!

Finally 17!

Hey I know it's been a while since I last updated.
It was my birthday on Tuesday :) and yes now I am finally 17. Clap clap for me haha. Last Saturday I had lunch at Grand Harbour with Jennifer, Joanna, Florence, Tamsin and Yi Lein. It was nice and we ate till we were so full!
Afterwards Jennifer, Joanna, Yi Lein and I went up to Atrium on Eliott where we looked for Joanna's ball dress. We found this lovely black one which really looked good on her but I'm not sure if she's going to buy it or not.
After some pearl milk tea Jennifer left and the three of us made our way to Britomart to see Joanna off on her train. Then Yi Lein and I caught the free bus with the intention of going further up Queen St then shopping our way back down in time for our train. Only, our bus didn't stop where we wanted it to so we kind of just sat there. We got off and walked straight down again :p yeah caught the train home after that.
It was a nice day and I enjoyed it ^^ Here are some pics taken at Grand Harbour.

Hadn't seen Flo in a while, so good to catch up!

Flo gave me two pairs of earrings that are all shiny and lovely ^^ I like them very much so thank you! Jennifer got me a pair of really awesome gloves with dual purposes! So handy! And a black scarf from Joanna will come into frequent use this winter :) Yi Lein gave me a box of chocolate covered almonds (yummy hehe) and a Winnie the Pooh note book, it's so cute!

On Tuesday Tamsin gave me her present which was a magnet that says "Anyone who says money can't by happiness doesn't know where to shop." Haha hard! She also gave me a nice photo frame with a picture of us from Saturday in it. So sweet! It now sits on my desk so I see it whenever I do my homework haha. Joanna also gave me an extra prezzie which was this little coin-purse thing with a cat inside. Sooo adorable! Yi Lein made me a chocolate cake too! It was really nice hehe Erika got me sunflower. It had lost some petals and by the end of the day it was looking a little worse for wear from being dragged around all my classes. Haha.

Here is a pic of me with my sunflower (this was at lunchtime so it looked marginally better than it did at the end of the day lol) and Yi Lein and Tamaki - my darling 5th formers.

And here is the gang between 5th and 6th period. Tracey the poser! Haha. Yeah still got my sunflower. And Jane on the far right there :)

On Thursday was the Zpeedie concert, the charity one organised by my committee. It turned out okay, I was fretting before that no one would turn up and I would just sit down and cry. But a good 150 or so people turned out which was good enough for me haha. That afternoon we were kinda...sorta...wasted by Roskil in badminton. But all good.

On Friday I went to the Music Committee's concert which encountered something along the lines of major technical difficulties. The music was good though. Jane, Yi Lein, Joanna and I sat together in the second row in front of some really annoying uniformed people. Irritating. Afterschool my chamber group (less Tracey) had a good practice. I'm happy with the progress we have made. Just as I was about to get in the car afterwards, Ella came running up telling me Tamaki had been locked in the store room. I told her to run to the office and was madly worrying in the car, thinking I should have stayed to have things sorted out. But they got her out soon after.

Yesterday...was rather uneventful. I did some housework (I'm such a good daughter) but jack all homework. Classics is really frustrating me. I can't seem to put into words what I want to say. I'm encountering a similar problem in English. Our 3.1 internal (creative writing) is tomorrow and I don't think I'm going to be able to do well.

On another note, I've entered two articles into the college herald. One on the Anti-Smacking bill and the other on the Budget which was released just over a week ago. Hopefully I will get at least one in!

Next Wednesday is Open Day and my chamber group is performing, I'm also doing some flute duets with Joanna and being a guide for potential students and their parents. I'm looking forward to it actually :) showing people around is always fun haha.

Well that's me for now, hopefully I'll be able to update sooner next time. Hope you all have a good weekend and enjoy your week :)

Holding Up For Now

Chamber has taken up a lot of my thinking space this week. We have some serious problems with finding practice times. My group is made up of 4 people who are invovled in so many aspects of the school other than music; peer mediation, waterpolo, show band, badminton, string, orchestra and my prefectship. It's so difficult so now our only full group rehearsals are Monday and Wednesday formtime/recess. No lunchtimes, no afterschool. *sigh* so reassuring. We do have our lesson on Thursday mornings and it's a blessing for us that the same song is done for String. I maintain confidence in my fellow musicians however, and we still have time to pull it together.

Tuesday was quite psycho in terms of what I tried to juggle. I went to music before school to have an informal meeting with Ms Moller about the avilability of music rooms throughout the week which is yet another problem. The production is taking up a lot of time as well, thus Ms Moller and I concluded that the department has outgrown its block.

At recess I was holding two meetings at once; my committee and my chamber group. It involved a bit of dashing in and out on my behalf, but we sorted out what we needed to. In terms of committee, we're planning a charity concert. However, it's hard to not to clash with the production and with all that Tamsin and Joanna have planned for NZ Music Month.
Lunchtime was English tutorial; joy. I'm so in too deep with English right now. I'm finding it harder to be motivated and I don't really enjoy what we're studying. We've finished King Lear but I feel like it's just all gone over my head; it's not as interesting as I heard it was. I also wrote another Citizen Kane essay and recieved heart-breaking feedback...talk about shaking my already fragile confidence in the subject...

After school was badminton practice and we didn't start playing until 4.10pm! So I told my parents I would be catching the train. What a mistake that was. I rushed down to Britomart (walked!) and made it to my train only to be held up for something like 20mins between Newmarket and Boston Rd at which time we were told that our journey to Waitakere could take "a couple of hours". You've got to be joking. So I'm sitting in the train just loving the fact that I get off at the third to last stop...
I actually ended up getting off at Kingsland and having a coffee before I was picked up. Shocking really. I read in the paper the following morning that the train stopped at New Lynn and the passengers were transfered to buses; ah don't you just love it when that happens?

Wednesday formtime/recess my chamber group had a quick rehearsal and at lunchtime I was...sitting with friends. Amazing...I hardly get to do that anymore. It was raining so we were sitting just outside the upper gym and I relished in the freedom to simply sit and eat my lunch. Yi Lein nearly tripped over me in her rush to get to class after badminton training though, so I guess I shall try to sit further from the door next time. Haha.

Thursday recess I was at my prefect meeting where we discussed leavers gear and the possibility of special polos for prefects. I rather like that idea. We also found out at formtime that our chamber groups will be performing either Friday 22 June or Sat 23. Also, Ms Rose is away because she had some operation (which not that many people even knew about...including myself who spent the first half of the week cursing the fact that she was never at her desk when I tried to find her). So we signed a card and have an obligation to bring her something on Monday...
Right, anyway, orchestra was at lunchtime and I am very proud to say that Yi Lein brought her violin and joined the string section at my side. So did Shelley which was a little odd, we never see her at music usually, lol, but we're so happy she was able to make it. Every person counts in the attempt to fatten up our string section.
And afterschool we had badminton games (our first of the season) and I forgot my hair tie ^^" so I borrowed Yi Lein's and ... I snapped it... I was rather distraught that I killed it. But yes, thanks for the generosity... :)
I ended up losing my singles match :( and I was very frustrated with myself to say the least. We played EGGS and they were a really nice team, pleasant people. But I lost by one point! After like 7 match points! Ahhh...and I didn't even have to lost that point...I could have regained the advantage if I had of left it but nooo I had to attempt and skim it even though it went out. *sigh*

We had string today formtime/recess which went rather well and we started the moderato movement which actually sounds really lovely, I like it very much! I invaded music period 4 for cello practice and sorting out possible dates for my charity concert with Ms Moller. Then band practice began and I was still hanging around so I sort of aided Yi Lein in setting up her keyboard, though I don't think I helped as much as got in the way. I decided to stay and study for my eco test last period which seemed to work alright, though I find it hard to study for eco. I'm just not sure how often I can read the same sentence again and again. It doesn't seem to help much when push comes to shove. Ah well, I semi-wing it all the time.
But I did aid in packing up, and walked to English with my two lovely 5th formers.
The eco test was alright... It didn't go as well as I would have hoped. Well what's the point in beating around the bush - I think I did horribly. Crapness...so much for top eco student...
Afterschool my chamber group (less one violin who was ill) had a practice. I'm so happy that I have good people in my group who turn up to practice ^^

Next week I hope to go to the World Vision meeting on Wednesday (it was yesterday but I was at badminton, shamelessly losing a game...) and sit the Price Waterhouse Coopers New Zealand Economics Competition on Thursday at lunchtime. Missing orchestra...oh dear what a shame :p no no it's all good. But this is a one off which is yet another thing I think I'm going to do quite badly in....heh heh.

So it's busy busy busy but I think I'm used to it. And as crazy as this sounds, I really love it. It gives everyone such a sense of purpose; that you're achieving so much and making the most of every moment. Sure it's hectic and I guess for some people, it gets really stressful, but you learn to hold up and juggle everything. "Bit of more than you can chew, then chew it." I don't think that's the best advice to tell everyone, but I would say it's something along the lines of what I'm doing. Though not on a large scale. I suppose "Unless a man undertakes more than he can possibly do, he will never do all that he can." from Henry Drummond, is my philosophy right now.

There is also the fact that if we're really busy, doing everything every day and trying to plan for the next week, taking it a step at a time; we can pretend that the end isn't approaching. Of course it is, amazingly fast; but it's something we can do to try and convince ourselves that yes, we did live every day. That's the case for me anyway, I'm not sure about the rest of the 7th form. But it's been such an incredible year so far, I am really loving it. Insanely so. And it saddens me to hear my friends from other schools so depressed with high school life and eager to get away. I only wish that they could have what I do right now; there are no adequate words for how I've been feeling on a whole lately. I just can't stay angry or upset with anyone or anything, there is too much for me to be pleased about.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend ^^

Another Week Already Gone

Wow it's already the end of week one term two. My committee has given up one of our events to the Student Council so that's one less thing to organise! And Chamber is going so well. We played our new piece to the teacher on Thursday morning and he was rather pleasant about it. I thnk we've progressed a lot and I'm really happy with my group members.

Thursday lunchtime was orchestra but the turn out was abismal to say the least. I guess that's what happens after you've changed the day. I did manage to convince Yi Lein to play violin for orchestra, though it wasn't an easy task! It took over two hours I think...but she agreed to try so thanks :)
Speaking of which, both Yi Lein and Tamaki are at their DOE expedition this weekend. And today is Tamaki's 15th birthday! Happy Birthday to you! Though you are in the Waitakere's...somewhere with no reception...surrounded by bush... But I hope you two have a good time ^^ and I hope it doesn't rain tonight...like it did last night.

Friday...Well we had string at formtime/recess which was good. Mr Seagar got us through the vivace and presto (at double time!) and we started the first movement which looks a bit more difficult to put together. I'm sure we'll do alright though, when Tracey remembers to take her cello home to practice maybe! :p

Lunch...I spoke to Ms Hatch about some stuff concerning Orange Week which is the last two weeks of this term for those who want to know. And I myself did practice cello and flute in my non-contact, period 4.

Afterschool, Jazz and I went to Newmarket for our meeting about the dance. We realised that we were basically back to square one. Which is a bit frustrating, but we're continuing to sort out details and might make it a very small event - just so that we do something and try.
The group as a whole though, is pretty easily distracted, me included. We skipped back and forth from the topic to organisational tactics, cell phones, to badges, prefectship etc. I do hope we get somewhere though.

Today has been an average Saturday...Particularly lazy because I have done no homework or music practice ^^" Just housework and brought some classical CD's which Tamaki has gotten me into again haha.

While on the subject, Tamaki and I have been in contact quite a lot this week and the previous in the holidays. We text a lot and have rather interseting discussions. She's quite the passionate musician which is refreshing to see, and it's someone who is so young. Quite the talented student in many aspects of school life that one is. And she's the only one in her 6TH FORM algebra class to pass their most recent UNIT STANDARD test. That's so awesome for her, shocking for the reputation of the 6th formers, none of whom I am friends with. Tsk tsk.

That is about it for now. What I can think of at any rate. I guess I shall do some homework and practice. Have a nice weekend everyone!

ANZAC Day

Only two days of school and we're off again. That isn't to say these past two days haven't been eventful. On Monday classes were in full swing. In classics we began an introduction to our next topic, Aristophanes. We'll be studying The Wasps staring tomorrow.
In English we've nearly completed King Lear and I handed in an extra essay on Citizen Kane. Don't call me a geek, it was one of those random things I do for no particular reason what so ever.
At lunchtime my Chamber group had our first ever full group practice for this new piece. And I must say it went incredibly well. We have one movement already under our belts and we haven't even had the piece for a week. Stunning progress and I must commend my fellow musicians, Tamaki (who is the angle right now, she's made some very quick work of the music), Tracey and Ella. I am so happy that this piece is working out.
We also practiced afterschool which raised some eyebrows but this is what must be done when you're group is composed of some many talented people who's presence is required in other areas of the school.

Also on Monday was the first half of my Stats Curved Modelling internal. On the first day, I know. We did the experiment and drew up our initial graph. The ancient pendulum oscillation one that I've done in physics countless times and yet I never seem to be able to get it right. Well, at least I got a distinct power curve and managed to write it all out in time. I'm not sure if I did it right; if I included all the points. It's hard to say how good we are at this when we haven't even gotten our marks back for the first assignment and so I think it's weird to give us another similar internal, how can we know where to improve? But yeah, we did it and now it's over so I can't really do much about it.

Tuesday I had a Committee meeting at recess and I was rather suprised at the turn out, it seems Tuesday is a good day for most. We have three events planned for this term so I really hope the school gets into them and we can have another successful term.

At formtime I completed my English essay and distracted Hayley and Allidya for a while from their Art History. After much procrastination, I got off my lazy ass and went to hand in my essay. So no, I didn't go to the tutorial but I will probably go next week.

After school we had badminton which was quite fun. We were playing other teams to see how good we are. Clearly we're not the best team *cough* we got kind of wasted by the second team we played. Omg they're so good. I was running around like some kind of mental person trying to return her shots. Not that I wasn't doing that before....*ahem*...but the other team was okay at least.
Ah no more C-Open from next week...so sad...my original badminton group are gone...*sigh* but at least I still have Tamsin and Joanna. It would have sucked so much if it was last year...when I didnt get along with my team.

Today though, on a more posititve note, I got my ball gown! From St Lukes with my mum. It was quite a good find and I like it very much ^^ So happy to have found one and not have to worry about shopping around anymore.

Skipping back a while to last Friday, my family and I went to Waiheke Island. While we were at the Sturges Rd trainstation we met with this totally random lady called Lily and her daughter Kaylynn. We started talking and found out that Lily and my mum both come from the same area of Ipoh in Malaysia and even went to the same school, though at different times. Such a small world.
Me and Kaylynn talked the whole way to Britomart, which was a long journey due to typical delays in the public transport systerm, and I've found she is quite a bright, bubbly personality. Changed schools a lot and done quite a bit of moving around, so I guess she's good at meeting new people and fitting into a different enviroment. So yeah, we're in contact now and her mother even dropped by our house yesterday as they were walking their dog! (They don't live far from us.)

My aim to play badminton on Saturday was once again thwarted and I was so disappointed. So I guess I should just stick to playing at school...
Sunday...hmm I didn't do much. Brought two books, A Brief History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson and Whitethorn by Bryce Courtenay. Two pretty different books but they're supposed to be good and I'm trying to expand my horizons ^^"

I've been appealing to Ms Moller who says that she still isn't sure if there will be a flute part in the show band this year. It's so disheartening to think that there won't be. I've been involved in the Production since 3rd form and it's so sad that there is a possibility we won't be in our last ever production at AGGS. And this year the band are made up of all these good friends of mine. I hope things turn out better and we're needed though. It's extra work but I don't mind if it's something to do with music. Not usually anyway.

Well that's about all from me at the moment. I hope you all have a good day!

Early Return to School

Yes, today I went back to school even though term doesn't even start until next week. I went in the morning to see Dee, my nanny, and then at about 9.15am I went to catch the bus into town. There were these dodgy road worker people who whistled at me as I crossed the pedestrian crossing and kept going even when I was on the other side of the road...I was rather embarrassed...
But I got into town and arrived at school at 10am. Funnily enough it felt quite right, after being stuck at home with no purpose for over a week, I think I relished in this action. I was waiting for Mr Seagar to drop off some music for the chamber group so I heard the band playing 'Wipe Out' which sounded really awesome :) I helped some people too. We went into the drum room and were rehearsing like...ten bars lol and I was their counter person "one and two and three and four and" ..."I think that's too fast" "oh really? Okay one, and, two, and, three, and, four, and" haha I don't think I did a spectacular job... But oh well.

My music arrived on time. I tried to photocopy the parts which proved more difficult that it actually sounds. I kept cutting off the last line or the last note all the way down the page or the key signature. Urgh! When I finally began to get the general idea, the printer light went orange and I didn't know what the problem was. So I switched it off and then back on again but it was still orange. And then, after a few minutes of pondering, I opened the paper tray and realised there was no paper. I then looked around and found some paper. My next problem...I didn't know how to put the paper in. So I sort of slotted it in and shut the draw...it remained orange. So I pulled out the draw again and realised after a little frowning, that there was this convenient sticker on the inside that showed how to put the paper in ^^"...
So I finally got it in and was able to resume my haphazard photocopying. Poor Tamaki has to put up with the munted pages...I hope you're okay!

I then caught the Link to Newmarket (which took a while...) and got off a bit early. I had arrived at Broadway but Joanna told me to go to 277, only I didn't actually know where that was. So I said I'm at Supre...No I'm across the road from Supre. And then she said walk towards Westfield. I was also unsure where Westfield was. However, I saw The Warehouse and thought well usually Westfield has a Warehouse attached somewhere so I crossed the same road again towards The Warehouse but as I did Joanna told me I was heading in the total opposite direction to where I was supposed to. So I stopped and crossed back over to the opposite side to Surpre (I think there are few who will really understand my route). Then I was walking in the right direction but clearly on the wrong side of the road. So I crossed back over to Supre (whoever was watching me must have thought I was mental...walking around in circles) then I continued walking towards Westfield and Joanna txts me saying I should just stay at Supre. But I've already started walking! So I pop into Hannah's and tell her I'm in there and not moving. While trying on a pair of shoes I was eyeing at Sylvia Park the previous weekend, Joanna arrives and I'm relieved. So our expedition began.

We made the mistake of entering Smith and Caughey's early on in our shopping and both fell in love with dresses we could not afford. Mine was $495 which isn't as half as bad as it initially sounds when compared to Joanna's $1550!
But I did list some from Staxs. Still on the look out, but not sure if I will dress close to the theme.

For the journey home, or to my parents work, Joanna waited for me and gave the same directions repeatedly until I finally got it and jumped on some bus. I got off at the top of Kyber Pass (and yes I actually know where that is, finally! After like two years of walking past it :p) and walked to my parents work rather quickly. Got there about 15mins earlier than planned ^^ but in all, a good day.

But back tracking, last Saturday I went to WestCity with mum to look at some possible dresses for the ball. There is hardly any selection and we covered it in like an hour and a half, possibly less. We then had lunch and I was dropped off at Shelley's to play badminton. Only that plan failed when we (Shelley, Della and I) arrived to find all the courts were booked out. ("There was a court free when I called."..."When was that?"..."Two days ago.".....-.-") so we went to Unitec and they closed at 5pm. Lovely. You know, I'm beginning to think that some greater power is against me playing badminton, because everytime I've tried to play out of school it's failed. I'm not that bad am I?

Well anyway, we went back to Shelley's house and she made me hot chocolate with marshmallows. That night I was talking online to Yi Lein who found the badminton ordeal soo hilarious...I didn't see the humour in the situation. She suggested we play this coming Saturday at Gillies Ave. That plan is still in the making though we will probably play in New Lynn or Glen Eden. I hope it works out, if it doesn't I will break down and cry! What is wrong with me playing badminton outside of school??

Sunday...I went to Crystal Mountain in the afternoon after a morning of housework (fun). I found these cute little magnetic bracelets and got three. Yi Lein and I have the same one ^^ while my sister has this grey and red one, it was more expensive than ours...hehe.
Monday was rather boring, more stats homework...I have an inkling the curved modelling chapter was actually homework...so perhaps I should actually finish it. I got stuck on the residuals page though (for those who do stats), I'm so sure we have never learnt that before! Where did estimation error come from??

Tuesday...um I can't really remember what I did. Probably music practice and more homework. I have found these music videos of Vanilla Mood on YouTube though which are really good. I would recommend to everyone to have a listen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqTCc5ZOojU .
Vanilla Mood is a Japanese musical quartet; violin, cello, flute and piano. Exactly my chamber group! Haha...If only we were this good!

Speaking of which, my Chamber Group is having a rehearsal at school tomorrow (yes back to school again haha) for an hour and a half. Tamaki has been practicing all afternoon, evening and night! I'm really happy she's throwing herself in but I don't want to be the slave driver that I already have the reputation of being!

That's about all that's happened I think. Take care and enjoy the remainder of your holidays everyone!

Strange Effects of Weather

I have done nothing of any interest these past few days.
Wednesday night I called Yi Lein, for no reason, and bothered her. She was watching Prison Break, "You should watch it; it's a really good show." So I eventually took control of the TV in the lounge and was rather lost. "*sigh* You should have started watching from the beginning." Well yes dear, I can see that.

She zoned out and there were rather long periods of silence as she concentrated on the show. It was kind of odd...and then afterwards we were watching nightline (see we are involved in today's world) and commenting on the relevance/irrelevance of some news story about illegal music downloading and the dress the reporter was wearing.

It was from this conversation and probably the book I was reading that led me to do some investigation yesterday on the psychological effects of birth order. Joanna was there when I was at the height of my reading, and I think I may have bored her with it. But it's really quite interesting. Reading about such a topic led me to personality psychology in general which is also fascinating. There are quite a few theories and models that I looked at which seemed to make a little sense in their own way.

The book I was reading (and finished this morning) is by Michael Crichton, it's called Next. Part of the blurb says "Welcome to our genetic world. Fast, furious, and out of control. This is not the world of the future - it's the world right now." It's not a good book to be honest, was rather boring and it's not one I'm 'wow'ing about. What did intrigue me was the idea of patenting genes. In the story, a compan called BioGen took tissue samples from this man who had cancer and successfully recovered. They used these tissue samples for research and for some reason (I told you, I wasn't paying too much attention to the book) it became very valuable for the company, which was experiencing legal issues anyway. The company apparently had patented his cells and when the Burnet Cell Line (the man's cells) became contaminated they sought to get more from his daughter and grandson. The daughter was, according to BioGen, liable for citizen's arrest, why? Theft. She had her father's cells/DNA in her body tissue and the company owned the patent, they therefore owned part of her DNA and her son's DNA. How twisted is that?

There was also the idea that certain genes controlled personalities and characteristics. Therefore things like alcoholism are inherited. Odd thought isn't it? Some of what I read yesterday addresses this conflict as well. Do we have control over who we are? Are our personalities made for us or do we make them? As you can see, I could go on about this for a while. But I think this is enough. Hehe.

I was going to go down to Hamilton for that Hot Air Balloon show today but the weather seems a bit anti-hot-air-balloon-ish.
Everyone seems to think this weather is so shitty and horrible. Well it isn't exactly pleasant, but I usually become more pleasant and bright when it's raining. Like proper raining, not just on/off showers. I'm a strange child I know, you don't need to tell me haha.

Tomorrow Shelley, Della, Divya, Tamsin and I might go play badminton. Hopefully we will be able to, I feel the urge to play these holidays. Not that I think I'll get any better any time soon without proper training or coaching ^^"

And just as a note, I really like this song by Sarah McLachlan called Ordinary Miracle, if you get the chance I would recommend you listen to it. It's so sweet and just makes you smile :) I just found out that it's actually from the movie Charlotte's Webb. Cute ^^

Now, erm...I'm going to practice cello (which I do everyday now, I have somehow found motivation). Have a great weekend everyone!

Easter Weekend

Friday was probably the boring-est day of the entire year (doesn't it concern you that it's come so early on in the year?) I had nothing to do...housework and reading. Wow.

Saturday I went to Sylvia Park for the first time ever. It's quite nice but sort of reminds me of Botany with the little open area and the way the shops are set out. I saw Bettina! She was wearing the lovely Warehouse colours and I disrupted her from her job but it was so great seeing her again. Later I took my sister to see 'Meet the Robinsons', good bonding time. The movie though, meh, it wasn't very good. Even my sister got a bit bored I think. Not funny or engaging. Ice Age all the way :p
I called Shelley that night and we spoke for a long time and had quite the heart-to-heart. Aw Shelley is just so awesome, always there for me :)

Sunday, well I planned to go play badminton only that plan crashed and burnt. The details I would prefer not to disclose because they are both embarrassing and not a credit to my intellectual ability.
See in going to play badminton I effectively woke up the sleepy duckling and made her scoff some breakfast after giving her 15mins to get ready. And then it didn't work out so I sort of wallowed in my boredom the whole way back to her place and eventually she took pity on me and semi-invited me to her house. I then just went in and we spent the afternoon eating, playing games and talking. Then she convinced me to stay for dinner which was a BBQ. It was rather entertaining watching Ian trying to light it. But we eventually got to eat and my father came to pick me up just as the BBQ reached perfection.

Today I stayed at home and began my economics homework which I have nearly finished now. And I did some intense music practice. Well intense for me I guess seeing as I do next to none these days. But I did practice both cello and flute so yes, be proud of me.
Then I went to look for a new bed for myself. My mother has this sudden idea that my bed isn't good for my back so I should get a new one. I insisted that it's fine and my back isn't incurring any damage but she said I'm getting a new bed and she is my mother after all... Yeah weak excuse I know, but who could say no to a new anything hehe.

And tomorrow I'm at home with nothing to do but study and music due to a certain someone, but I shall refrain from mentioning names. So I shall try to engross myself in my studies and learn something. Maybe aim for E for the stats internal first day back....heh heh heh not possible is it? Yeah I didn't think it was all that convincing myself.

I hope everyone had interesting Easter weekends and arrived home safely if they were out of Auckland. Enjoy the holidays while they last :)

End of Term

Well today was the last day of term one. Chamber lesson meant I couldn't go to stats *coughcough* but it went alright. And second period we had this interesting debate over the anti-smacking bill. I must say that the vast majority of the class was against it...well we all were with the exception of one person. There were some interesting points argued today, I would say that it's ridiculious. I don't know what will happen to NZ society if it goes through.

We got our marks back for the JFK trail as well! Wow that was really quick, I'm rather impressed with the time it takes the History department to mark assignments. Unlike some other departments *coughstatscough* and I got yet another M. Lovely...I guess I should be pleased...Ms Cotter seemed happy "You did exceptionally well" I believe were her words. But M...for someone hoping to do Law? I don't think they're going to care that I've never done it before. Meh. It's over and I can't exactly do much about it. Clearly it's not my forte.

Then assembly in the upper gym, fun fun. I got this certificate thingy for being present every day this term. Funny how on my interim report it says I've been away for 5 days. But oh well...yes I haven't gotten one of them since last year some time.

Recess...hmm well I was continuing the distribution of my chocolate which for some reason, didn't all disappear during the prefect meeting. And after I had passed them around my little circle at recess there were still 6 left. I then decided to go pay my duckling a visit and dropped off a chocolate to Ariana (don't hit me...) and Natalie Barnes (I was just being NICE).

I must admit I was a tad wary about entering a class full of 5th formers seeing as last time I did it, Yi Lien wasn't even there. But I sort of siddled past slowly and saw her head so I turned back and just waltzed in. It was kind of strange, I think I attracted a few eyes to say the least. I mean a 7th former just 'hanging out' with a bunch of 5th formers in their form class? Yeeeahh... I do have friends, I really do.

But I gave them chocolate so hopefully they will spread good word about me :) and yeah I couldn't be bothered walking back up so I just sat myself on a recently vacated seat and chatted away, effectively interrupting whatever they were talking about before.

And I talked to Ms Sturme about Schollarship Economics. It sounds possible for me and I do want to have a go at one, seeing as the chances of me sitting the English one are between 0 and 0. But she seems to think I have the ability to, I shall allow myself to be reassured by that.
And my duckling was in the next class, sorry I didn't say hi! I was a bit absorbed in my conversation.

Oh had a classics test which I finished rather early...and that is not a good thing I think. I messed up the names quite a bit so I actually ended up trying to avoid using them. I only mentioned the really obvious ones like Romulus and Caesar Julius/Augustus. Hehe...so I might not do tooooo well for that one.

I managed to catch Yi Lein slipping out of class quickly again and we went to her 'audition' for the production band. Meh, she had it in the bag before Ms Moller even saw her.

English 5th was pretty unproductive. We just talked about this portmanteau ...but I can't remember it (oops!). Then we were discussing quotations from King Lear, "Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell his way to Dover." Ooohh terrible, evil daughter, Goneril. I also like "Might I but live to see thee in my touch, I'd say I had eyes again." Which is Gloucester who has just had his eyes gouged out earlier by Goneril (hence "smell his way to Dover"). Sounds like a wonderfully pleasant play doesn't it? Ah don't you just love Shakespeare.

Last period....was free. But I had to take my cello home so had to kill time until 4.30pm. On the last day of school...ain't I eager. So yeah, I went down to collect Jim with Yi Lein and we talked at the bus stop until her bus arrived, leaving me with half an hour left to kill. I practiced my chamber piece and disturbed Sam.

I must have looked really awesome to those St Pauls guys as I stood waiting for my parents...carring my bag, flute, folder and cello. Mmhm I can sense their admiration for me.

Well that was an unusually detailed account of my day. As you can see, my life is just so exciting but don't be too jealous now, I like to keep the number of stalkers to a minimum.

Have a really great Easter everyone!

International Foodstall

I have a new room. Well not really a new room, just a new desk and new arrangement. It makes my room look much bigger and I've cleared out all this crap that I don't really need. Amazing how much space it all takes up. Hehe.

On Monday was the International Food Stall. It went pretty well, thank you to Karen who put in a lot of effort and time to produce some stuff. Mine was pretty disappointing haha. And Yi Lein too, thanks for bringing in your noodles. We had quite the eventful Sunday trying to get them cooked, but it pulled through and sold like mad so thanks a lot.

Here are some pics from Monday:

Shelley and I. She's eating the noodles!

And the group in front of our table, pretty cool huh? Although it's a shame you can't see my awesome sign... and it was awesome so don't anyone say a word against it!

Tuesday was the last day for Tamsin, Joanna and I with our third formers. We made all these little boxes for them. They each got one with their names on them and lots of cute things inside. It was quite the mission to try and get them all ready, but it was worth it I suppose.

We had a shared lunch and ordered pizza (which cost far too much!) however, the pizza delivery guy was in a car accident and so they had to go back, re-make our pizzas and send them again. This took a while, as you can imagine, but they did get there and they did get to eat them which was good. I admit I disappeared but I was there for all of formtime and I popped in twice during lunch time. So it's not like I just ran away.

Badminton last night was pretty tiring. School finished early so it was an extra-long practice. I'm pretty sure we played for an hour and a half without stopping. Let me state clearly for all to see, be very afraid to play opposite Yi Lien! She's quite the aggressive player.

However, she's a trusty doubles player. Singles...Well she's quite the opponent lol "I have discovered the art of making people run around"...yes 'people' being me...

And tomorrow is the last day of term one. Counting down the time we have left at AGGS...so sad. But yes, Chamber practice...show band...badminton...history (the internal for which I am still pretty worried about). Lovely picture isn't it?

Well I hope you all have a nice day.

"My name is Michel Nicoli..."

Wow two days in a row...You'd think I had a lot of time on my hands...

Well today was the History internal, and first let me commend everyone on their efforts. It was very funny at some points and over all a pretty interesting day. I was pretty much last so thanks to those people who were still listening to me.

I was Michel Nicoli, "Previously I have been a...un trafiquant d'heroine, but I am now a United States federally protected witness and gouvernment informant." It was kind of hard to put on a French accent but I did better than I thought I would. I suppose that doesn't exactly mean I did that well considering I thought I was going to bomb out.

Tamsin looked very impressive with her Judge robes and we did the whole "All rise for the United States Supreme Court Cheif Justice Earl Warren". Haha it was good.

And here she is...our Chief Justice

And here our scandelous secretaries!

This is Tracey and I before she became a scandelous secretary. My goodness I look like some fat geeky man. I'm loving the tucked in thing I have going on...

And I have just realised that next week (a four day week nonetheless) is the LAST week of term 1!! Oh. My. God! It's so shocking how fast time has passed. So much has happened this term and yet it still doesn't feel like it can amount to a quarter of the years work. I find myself currently grappling around for the weeks that have passed, trying to keep them close; remember everything. The fact that we're leaving is never far from my mind and it's just so apparent in times like these. It feels like the year has only just begun, that we're only just getting settled into things and yet here we are an another holiday break.

It's sometimes hard not to regret even if you have made the most of things. That doesn't mean I think I have, but I would say that this year has started pretty well for me, it was so great at the very beginning and we've already had some low's but many high's. But there seems like with the gift of hindsight, we can see opportunities that we should have taken and haven't. It really changes us I think, we begin to see that we really need to take everything offered to us and try to never have a boring day; no day should be unproductive.

Well no, at the moment there are many things to do, so I'm keeping with the whole "no unproductive days" thing :p

Have a nice day everyone!

Happy Birthday

Last week on Wednesday 21st March was Tamsin's 17th birthday. Joanna did an amazing job preparing a card for her and got everyone to sign it including our 3rd form class, Ms. Rhode, Ms. Blundell, Ms. Moller and Ms. Anisi. It was pretty stealthy haha but turned out great!

On Friday we went to Gina's, an Italian restaurant on Symonds St. It was pretty nice though it was a bit of a mission getting there. Melissa, Georgia and I were standing outside Georgia's house waiting for our taxi which didn't turn up. Whereupon Melissa drove us and she performed a couple of skillful manouvers to find a parking.

The waiters at the restaurant were pretty lively to say the least. The food was rather good though my $12 slice of "chocolate raspberry tart" was incredibly rich. I couldn't finish it. If only I had known then it was $12...then I would have made myself finish it :p

So now I'm pretty much... as far as I know...the only member of our group that's still 16...

Anyway, moving on from that, on Saturday I went to the Girls' Day Out with my mum. It was nice in that I got to spend some time with my mum :) but the event itself was pretty dull and not that interesting at all. It's the first and last time I'm going to that show.

On Saturday night I found out that my stepmother is pregnant! She's found it hard to conceive and to keep the baby so this is pretty cool. I have been appointed the task of naming it - the english name anyway - which is quite nice hehe :) but he/she is not due until late this year so I think I'll deal with that task in a little while.

And here we were all thinking that me being 10 years older than my sister was a pretty big age gap. I'm going to be 17 years older than this child! I can just imagine he/she going into intermediate and telling the class "yes I have an older sister; she's nearly 30" hahaha...

My father and stepmother seem really happy about it so it's good. It's something they've both wanted for a while I think.

Sunday was pretty boring. I just stayed at Dad's place and read some of The Aeneid for classics. I didn't end up doing any of the plot questions though it was in my original plan. I did get my speech sorted out with the help of Shelley for my History internal.

Speaking of which, it's tomorrow and I have my costume with HUGE thanks to Yi Lein (I pretty much went through every member of her family's wardrobe). I'm not terribly excited about it though, I can't pull off a French accent but somehow I'm going to...ah...

And today was Yi Lein's birthday! Now 15 and so ready to face the world...............but isn't going to :) there is still time left to protect you yet my little duckling.

We had badminton this afternoon which was quite fun, had a hysterical doubles match with Tamsin at my side. Joanna and I seem to have some sort of rhythm going on which is good. I should go play some more out of school, just to try and get better haha make some sort of stand in my last year.

There is this Eco comp like the NSW Maths one which I'm thinking of entering. Though I'm not sure if I really want to, it might spit the truth at me and tell me I'm not actually that good at Eco. I kind of like to believe it's my strong subject for now :) mm tough decision between ignorance and knowing the truth.

Well must go to prepare for History tomorrow. Have a nice day all and big hugs to my duckling, have a wonderful birthday.

A Bunch of Business

Last Friday (16th) Jazz and I progressed to Newmarket where the next world vision meeting was supposed to be. Upon arriving we discovered that no one else was there yet. Surprising considering our school is further from Newmarket than both AGS and EGGS. So we sat contemplating the possibility of being stood up when the always reliable Jade turned up! She also came from town and was surprised to hear no one had arrived yet. After a short while Emily arrived and our meeting was at a stand still. Nothing could really be done. Brian text in saying he had a stomach bug and couldn't make it. And AGS wasn't coming until 5pm. Both Jazz and Jade enjoyed chocolatey cakes with mountains of whipped cream while I sipped at my lemon tea.

Eventually James from AGS did turn up, and we were disgusted to find out he had been playing pool to kill time before he and Mathew were supposed to turn up. Nice.

So our meeting was pretty useless, we couldn't do much at all. We spoke and tried to be productive but it could hardly be deemed satisfactory.

I caught the train home and yes again I was delayed...for over half an hour. Public transport in Auckland is so unreliable. Always has been I suppose but I've never had to rely on it quite so much.

My weekend was boring as...well there is nothing much to compare it to. I didn't manage to do anything relatively useful and didn't even study for my Economics test.

Tuesday (yesterday) saw me at the Mad Butcher asking for a donation of sausages for our Sausage Sizzle tomorrow and Friday - to which is expect all my friends to go to! Help World Vision!

And I also got my marks back for Economics - yes an Excellence! That's right! Haha that made me rather happy :)

Today is Tamsin's birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! She's 17 now! Wow everyone is getting old so fast. And here I am...Still sweet 16. Though not for too much longer...

Badminton trials are tomorrow >.< there are so many people signing up...I really suck so I'm going to be really gutted if I don't get in: don't get to play for my last year! Oh the horror of the situation...I really hope I get in because it's just so much fun. I would encourage everyone to do it as well but then there would be even more names up and I simply can't have that (I never denied that I was selfish) so you can all play elsewhere :p

JFK trial is next week and I'm Michel Nicoli - a French mobster, previously heroin smuggler and now turned US Federally protected witness and government informant. I've just finished writing out my speech which will be in...wait for it... in FRENCH.
Yes in French....okay you can close your mouth now, it's rather unbecoming to let it hang like that.

I know, I don't speak French and haven't taken it since I was forced to in 3rd form. (I suppose I should get used to calling it year 9 now...) But I have it and now have 6 days to learn it and hopefully (ignores skeptical expressions) memorise it. Meh. I'm not fond of this achievement standard at all. But I still have to do it...

Mmm well that appears to be it. I've been in a pretty contemplative mood lately and I think Yi Lein has had to put up with the large part of it. There just has been a lot to think about. School does entice a lot of thought, especially in English. And I believe Yi Lein will have to continue to put up with it seeing as she's just so curious and nice about it even when I'm blabbering on about nothing in paticular. Thanks for that ^^

Take care everyone!

A Matter of Teamwork

This year it would seem that everyone needs to act more selflessly than they previously have. I'm not exactly sure why that is but we seem to rely more so on our friends as support forces and them on us. That's what I'm finding anyway.
Chamber is getting off to a rocky start, I'm not sure about the other group, but we're not as together as I would have hoped we would be at this stage in time. However, I need to exercise patience in these situations. Something I appear to be needing to do a lot these days.
Service Committee is made up of a pretty promising looking group, it's keeping everyone enthused and involved that will be the main issue through out the year. Everyone is so busy with other things they need to take care of within and out of the school, it's difficult to maintain the balance.
Subjects are going reasonably well and that is in fact what I'm least worried about - surprisingly. I guess I've lost some of my socialising abilities. There is a decline in my sense of judgement which is rather frustrating.
I'm told I'm supposed to remain positive though, so I'll try to be.
I'll put some pictures up of me and my friends :) they're pretty great if I must say so.



Classic shot, the result of taking pictures when the models are not actually ready. I rather like it though, one of them kodak moments.

Same lunchtime, Jennifer and I. Aww good times, and wearing my famine t-shirt, I'm such a good supporter of the cause.

And how could I not include my awesome little Yi Lein? Yes it is the same day (I don't wear the famine t-shirt everyday...that's a bit TOO supportive I would think) and it was rather windy.

Music, my second home that I share with Tracey here. Relatively nice picture in terms of me, I think the blurriness adds to the sweet effect. Thanks Ella for taking the pic!

And I shall sign off now. There is not much to say, only that I'm here for you all because I know that really, all my friends are here for me too. Have a nice weekend all.

Busy? Just a tad.

It's the end of week 4 and wow has it been hectic. Jazz, Sam and I had our first meeting with EGGS, AGS and MRGS last Tuesday and sorted some things out for our regional fundraising. Hopefully we can pull something really great together :) then you can all help out.

Speaking of helping out, the Variety Annual Appeal ended today and I'd like to extend the hugest thanks to everyone who helped me and Jazz! Big hugs to Shelley and Yi Lein who volunteered (coughIdidn'tforcethemcough) to help sell badges at St Lukes on Saturday afternoon. Yi Lein came to my house at 7.30am and had to deal with my morning self so I think that's pretty brave haha!
We were disappointed at first but when Shelley came a livened things up (thanks for that) we got into it, managing to make $236.30 in about 4 hours! Awesome work guys and Variety thanks us too :)
Also, all those people who brought badges at school (or more than one! Yen Ling!) are awesome too. It's great to see people embracing something new to AGGS, it makes me happy to see people wearing the badges :) very pleased.

Chamber group has started and we have music. That teacher guy...(whos name I can't seem to remember....oops) he's pretty critical and patronizing. However, he knows what he's doing so he's the best person to go to for help. Only thing is, poor Yi Lein is playing for both groups! So she misses out on first period every Thursday! We are working on finding another pianist :) so if anyone has any suggestions that would help too.

I have been shifted in the Orchestra! From woodwind to strings! It does feel a bit weird playing on the other side of the room and as part of the minority of the Orchestra (although it shouldn't be that way). Also, I'm playing base not melody as the flute usually does which is a bit of a change to say the least. However, it is a pleasant change, I'm pretty sure Tracey and I will get through it in one piece.

And yes it is official, I have quit flute lessons. I no longer take them and only play for Chamber. My friends I hang out with (the musical ones who actually care about stuff like this haha) will know my reasons. But yes, it's true, just thought I'd say that.

Committees have been choosen and will be released latest by Tuesday next week I believe. Jazz and I picked a number of people, (Including Melissa, Erika and Roxanne) and we really hope we'll make a strong hard working team. Welcome to the Service Committee!

History internal! Ah pretty intense and frustrating when you can't find the right info! Jeeze. But I'm going to the library tomorrow and I hope this goes well >.< my first history assignment ever...

Lantern Festival began tonight, I hope Jen, Jo, Melissa and Georgia have a good time - without me! But I may or may not go on Saturday night with Tamsin, Erika and Erica.

I think that's about it at the moment. Cafe duty? Same old I guess. Had Gate Duty for the first time today and I must say the girls at AGGS don't listen to me. Well some of them do but others just keep crossing even after I've blown my whistle and I look like an idiot. Great one. I thank you all.... -.-" whatever, you get run over, it's your problem.

So take care this weekend everyone!

World Vision Camp

Hey! Well this weekend Jazz, Sam I. and I went to the World Vision Student Leadership Course. We arrived at 7pm (Well I was on time anyway...*cough cough*) on Friday night and got these cool little name tags and stuff. I felt pretty important! Haha oh dear I'm such a weirdo.

Anyway, so after that I went and set up in my cabin which we shared with two girls from Whangarei and Cinnamon from Elim Christain College in Howick (Yeah...I had never heard of it before but they're small so I guess it's understandable.) We had a speaker talk to us and then supper where we met Ian, Joanathan and Cinnamon which ended up forming the group we hung out with and ate with. After supper was yet another speaker. Then lights at 11pm which disapppointed some people.

Saturday morning we woke up, had breakfast, had a talk and then got separated in teams. (I was in Team 4, Jazz in 10 and Sam in 9) and we played some games. We spent the afternoon going around doing activities that were fun but taught us about the difficulties underprivelidged people have to endure on a daily basis.

Before the activities though we build shelters out of 3 cardboard boxes, tape and scissors. This was a team activity but my team ended up joining up with two others to build this massive shelter. We needed to fit everyone inside the shelter so we had this giant...thing that even had rooms lol it was pretty exciting. And some people gathered giant falled, dried up leaf things to put as protection over our shelter. We did end up fitting all 34 people that made up our 3 teams which was pretty cool. It was a squeeze, though it was for pretty much every group.

Unfortunately we were all packed in there rather like sardines when the leaders started throwing buckets of water and water bombs at us. There was no escape! So one guy kind of broke down one of the walls and we all spilled out just in time as the whole shelter collapsed. Great fun however.

This morning we woke up, had breakfast, listened to some speakers again (oh we did that on Saturday night as well) and then got into our regional groups. Central was pretty big so we separated ourselves rather quickely my group consisted of all the grammar schools. EGGS, AGS, AGGS, and MRGS. We were brainstorming on ideas of how to promote the famine and raise as much as possible together. There were some great people in our little huddle and then there were some pretty bossy people but we're all good. Variety is the spice of life after all...

So we've got a couple of ideas however, I can't really say them yet incase someone else decides to steal them for their schools and also we're still in the planning stages.

In all it was a pretty good camp where most people were open and friendly, met some really passionate and intelligent people which was great.

Today is also, CHINESE NEW YEAR! Happy year of the Golden Pig everyone! Have a great time and hope you get lots of money ;)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Valentines Day - AGGS style!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!
Today was pretty new and fresh for AGGS. I'm not sure who came up with the initial idea but it's a great one! Us prefects blew up pink, white and red balloons with messages written on them (e.g. "AGGS loves you!" and "Happy Valentines Day From the Serivce Committee" - my own haha) and then to get a balloon people need to say "I love you" in another language apart from English.

It really pushed us forward as prefects and it's a start at getting us well known around the school and with the majority of the student body. It's also good for the languages committee (Sam K.'s) Everyone was really into it which was great.

In terms of classes, well things are going pretty well. Our Classics teacher is quite cool, he seems a bit formal and university-like (if that makes sense) for our school - I mean, seriously! Haha. But he's interesting and really knows his stuff. He gave us these forms to fill in with "5 things I need to know about you as a teacher" and "5 things I need to know about you as a person" and our "favourtite food" which was pretty random. Psychologist alert! Lol I don't know what to expect but he's pretty cool.

Stats is full of big words that seem pretty irrelevant and is rather boring. However, I will endure and hopefull provide better results than last year's abismal E M A (or E A A?) But yeah.

History is pretty full on aye....lol but I'm finding it pretty fascinating. My teacher is cool :) she's kind of nutty but in this really cute, interesting way haha.

Well have a great day everyone! And take care! XOXO

Classes have started!

Today was the first 'official' day of school. The timetable has been changed so that we have every subject ever day and we only get 3 study periods in a week. Mine happen to be last period Monday, Thursday and 4th period Friday. Seems to be alright.

Had classics first with the new teacher who seems really great, he apparently used to teach at the University of Auckland and just came from Senior College. He's pretty passionate and has a Masters in Philosophy. The course sounds pretty interesting as well, I'm looking forward to it.

Eco is with Ms Sturme again. I like her style of teaching and she knows her stuff so I'm pretty sure things will be okay in that area.

English is with Mrs Gribble, she came across as a bit scary and unfriendly at first but when she started talking she was really sweet. The course sounds a bit intense even though there is 'no pressure' to sit schollarship at the end of the year. But I'm hoping I'll come out of it with great memories. Great class too, well almost aside from SOMEONE *coughcough* but I'm not going to mention any names ^^

History, I have Cotter who appears to like talking a lot. The course is a bit...well I know nothing about anything so that's just fine and dandy. Our class is small though (well at the moment anyway) so I think it'll be nice.

Stats, I have Ms Blundell who comes across as really sweet and dedicated. I've only heard good about her anyway so I'm happy with that - just not all that fond of the subject. Haha oh well.

Well that's all for now, trying to keep organised so that nothing gets the better of me. Have a good day :)

End of Week 1 Term 1

Week one consisted of 3 incomplete school days but it is 1/8 weeks down. That makes me sound like I'm sick of it already, but really I'm rather excited. Year 9 sports day was rather....hot. It was burning, the true weather of NZ summer has arrived, just in time for school. Great one.

Sports day preparations included face paint -.-" yeeeaaahh.....or not! It took me about 15mins to bring myself to dip my finger in it to paint stripes on them. Then someone (another ignorant turd) asked why I was the only one not to have face paint on me. I said "I'm partial to having paint on my face" and I recieved a 'right-I'm-going-to-pretend-I-understand-you' look so Tamsin cut in saying "She's weird like that - don't mind her." Well yes I all honesty I am, so there. The great Bateman then decided to chase me all down the middle floor of C Block with a paint dipped finger before submitting and allowing me safely back into the classroom. Joanna and her then progressed to paint 9RH on my arms/hands. At least I had it somewhere even if it wasn't my face!

Tamsin, Joanna and I were in charge of Tug of War (simply thrilling I know...) but we did get some pretty good teams with heaps of enthusiasm (maybe our class should hang around them) especially 9KH! Wow. Our chant was pretty cool but our poor turds got intimidated about performing in front of everyone so it turned out a bit sad. Tamsin and Joanna skived off for a whole ten seconds to run up the hill and go diving down the water slide, returning to me covered in grass and other bits of nature stuck to them. Then I think everyone got a bit concerned with the beet red colour I had turned and Ms Church commented that she was concerned I was getting "cooked" so I obliged and sat under the tree to drink two bottles of water and sit with Shelley. (who cut the cheese? we cut the cheese! - great chant Shelley!)

That morning was 7th form breakfast which was okay, there were quite a few of us to try and fit into the cafe. Food was rather abundant. And thanks to the one and only Yi Lein, I contributed banana cake - which was really nice! I had like 3 pieces! And as a sideline duty that day I tried to track her down in order to properly thank her for the baking (she just won't accept my payment...) but after discussing on the phone last night, she has agreed and will finally put me at peace! (It's only right after all.)

I shared with Tamsin an idea for this year after school, an incorporation of the performing arts and serivce committee which I think is something great that I hope we can pull off but for now I can't say, all the official people need to know and okay it first!
Also we listened to the fantastic Alegria album and Tamsin has told me that I should play Alegria to her at the end of the year and she'll probably cry. So hopefully I remember and we'll find out if it's true! (But really, it's a great album.)

Today I got a hair cut (trim if you want to get technical) and it appears I did it just in time. The day was so hot! Heat was just coming in waves, almost worst than sports day yesterday (at which I got a wicked tan...Tamsin, can I have some of your whiteness?)
So hopefully with less of my dark hair on my head, it'll be a bit more bearable.

Classes start on Monday, ooo who is going to have the honour of teaching me this year? haha, I hope I'm not a loner in any of my classes though, that would suck in my last year! But our form, I must say, is pretty cool and we get along well so that's great. I say hi to everyone now (well most people anyway and that's a great improvement!) which is really awesome.

I'd like to think Bettina for commenting and checking my blog! You're really a great friend and I know I can rely on you. Thanks so much for your continual support! And best of luck with Uni!

And Shelley, all will be well. I'm here for you! Always!

Yi Lein, you know I care ^^ (say hi to Ian for me will ya? :p)

Tamsin and Joanna, I'm feeling much better about our 3rd formers now, thanks for your continued enthusiasim which helped a lot even though I wasn't a very easy person to convince.

Have a great weekend everyone!

And so it begins

Well, school has officially begun and we've begun our final year. The first day was a bit of a shambles, with the 3rd formers giving me a good dose of frustration and left me steaming until I went to bed that night, by which time I'd lost the energy to be concerned with them anymore. But today, the second day, I'm glad to see that there has been an improvement and we're going to sports day tomorrow on better terms when we first met.

Form class? GOUNDER! Ha ha, what a coincidence! Jessie, Jennifer and I sit in the same spots we have for accounting for the past two years. It's pretty cool, we have a lot of memories in that room, and Mr Gounder is a good teacher :)

Prefectship is going well so far, Jazz and I are good friends and things are working out. The Variety Annual Appeal begins 19th Feb so you better all support me! - I mean, support Variety.
We got given our badges too, in front of the whole senior school. They're nice to look at but a bugger to open and made holes in my red top!! But I wear it with pride! haha.

And apparently there's some 7th form brekkie tomorrow. I was NOT notified but thanks to my GREAT friend and younger sister, Yi Lein, I now have something to bring :) Love ya!

Well I shall have to go away now, hope the beginning of school went well for everyone!

7th approaches...

Elo! January has come and gone in the blink of an eye! Weather improved but it has been irregular to say the least, time with friends has been well spent and in all, a bloody fantastic break.

Yesterday Yi Lein and I went to Westcity (omg how exciting aye? must have been the best part of my holz :p) and we hung out - for lack of having something better to do. So thanks to her for keeping me company!

And here is our beloved school, yet another picture taken on my phone on the 30th Jan when Karen and I went in for course confirmation. It looks rather regal if you ask me, and just a tad scary. Haha! But, na vedui, we return to AGGS to start and our final year, I can't stop thinking about that - we'll be leaving, facing the world. It's rather daunting, or is that just me?

In keeping with my promise to dearie Yi Lein, I'll not blabber on about it and try to be postitive. (tries not..to puke) Looking forward to meeing my turds on Wednesday while the rest of the 7th form enjoys one LAST day of summer break!

Have fun you all and I hope to see everyone (hugs included) on Thursday!

Whiritoa Pictures

Well I uploaded some pictures and I thought I should post them here to show everyone how beautiful the beach at Whiritoa was. There's nothing to compare here in Auckland!


Here are the waves crashing the beach, so beautiful!

And here is more waves, this area is rougher, closer to the rocks and stuff. It spalshes up and looks all powerful. So great.

This is uncle tony, the owner of the bach we stayed at, and my sister with her first catch ever!

And large expanse of ocean that caught my eye on the boat, even though I was feeling rather ill.

And this is my sister and I on the beach after a day swimming and chilling out!

That's Whiritoa for ya, gorgeous aye? Well I think so and I had a really nice time there, just relaxing which seems like a favourable pass time now, it'll be hard to give up when school starts.

Course confirmation this year was a mess, no one really knew when to go or what would happen when you got there. Fortuanely I missed the crowds by going in early. And it's official, I dropped media for stats. What ever reactions my friends out there have, save it, I've made the decision and I don't want to doubt myself anymore, it gets tiring.

Well it feels like things are getting started now, I look forward to this year, though marginally less than before...

Take care everyone!