i haved moved to LJ!

Hello everyone! I've moved to LJ (yes, back to LJ again)

website URL is

http://floraldance.livejournal.com

. Go visit! :) Bye bye to BLogger!

napfa and sailing

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to blog frequently. Not surprising, considering the accumulation of untouched tutorials and tests. I'm not very inspired to blog; sometimes I wonder why I blog at all -- but then I realise that I blog to keep track of my life in softcopy, so that when I look back, I can still remember days of the past. Forgetting where your days went, and the happy times you spent with your friend...that's very sad.

Anyway, I'm happy that my fitness level has improved! For NAPFA, I did 37 situps, 20 pullups, 55 for sit-and-reach, 11.2 for shuttle run (I finally got A for shuttle run!), 181 (yikes) for standing broad jump, and for 2.4, my last timing was 11.40, so getting A (only 14.30 for girls) should be easy. Which means, I get 29/30! Yay! On top of that, I went for the Girls 3000m run -- timing was 14.19, 5th out of 8th. Quite lousy, but at least I didn't get last, haha.

On Friday, I went with Jin Quan, Zi Chong and Geordie to enquire about the Tahan tour -- the guy was finally there! Sounds quite interesting, not as challenging as I had imagined it to be, but I just don't like the part about leeches. And I'm absolutely certain that leeches don't fly, so don't try to trick me into thinking otherwise. Dinner --buying dinner for someone else-- was very interesting! Geordie got the easiest task -- buying for Zi Chong. Jin Quan bought for Geordie, I bought for Jin Quan, and Zi Chong bought for me -- claypot froggies! Which, fortunately for me and unfortunately for him, I enjoyed a lot (affording little amusement / entertainment :P)

Went sailing yesterday with Zi Chong and Eden, and tried a Byte for the first time. I fell in love with it! So agile and light and fast! And the weather was much better than last week -- light wind though a little gusty. I'm happy that my hiking has improved (the ab exercises paid off!) but I still harbour a fear of the boom and of capsizing that I need to overcome, and it probably doesn't help that I capsized 5 times (3 times accidentally, 2 times intentionally) during the 3 hours out at sea. I don't think I'm too light for the Byte, though I've only tried sailing it in light wind. But I'll have to get more practice. And I'll need a knee pad -- my knees got totally owned! Lots of blueblacks now. Sailing is burning a hole in my wallet --nearly 30 bucks for 4hrs of rental -- but it's very enjoyable nonetheless.

After lunch, I went to BoatAsia at Sentosa with Zi Chong. Lots of luxurious powerboats and several magnificent keelboats! There was one gigantic keelboat which looked like a water palace -- 40 million bucks! If I were extremely rich I'd buy this big boat. If I were very rich I'd buy the 53-foot Oceanis which is...beautiful! I love the colour scheme! I've never really been on a keelboat before, sadly. Imagine being able to heel without capsizing! Best of both worlds.

After shopping for a green top, I arrived very late for the fac outing. Surprisingly, it was held in a restaurant! The outing was alright (didn't really have very high expectations to begin with) and rather amusing. And the turnout from SixOh was extremely poor -- only Jonathan, Wei Xiang, Zi Chong and I went. So we sat with 6C and 2 seniors -- Pei Han and Zi Yang at the table. Reached home at 10.40, extremely exhausted (lugging around a big bag full of wet clothes the entire day is seriously tiring!).

Today I slacked the whole day off, shopped for -something- in the afternoon, only starting on my KI paper now. I am so going to die, what with Bio test on Tues.

On a sidenote, I'm seriously considering switching back to LJ again. The main reason why I switched to Blogger from LJ was because I wanted my own nice customised background. But there's a html glitch somewhere and the background disappeared, so I see no more advantages Blogger holds over LJ. And it's much easier to view others' LJs.

hyperactivity + more interesting quizzes!

Today was a hyper-active day for me. Slept 4 hours the night before, but drank ginseng, ran 4km in the morning, and drank a whole cup of iced mocha, so I ended up hyperactive and unable to sit or stand still for the rest of the day.

Chinese lesson was, as usual, very interesting! In fact the most interesting lesson in school now, the only drawback being that I'm not with the class. Today, we spent only 10% of the lesson going over the short story by Lu Xun. Most of the time was spent talking about Xie Lao Shi's travel in Nepal, Kashmir and Xinjiang, and the Discovery Channel documentaries about people who escaped death. hehe, so fun!

Did some situp practice just now. I'm so lousy! I can only do 30 situps in 1 minute! The problem with me is that, I can do MANY situps / other ab exercises, but I do them over a long time. I just don't seem to do them fast enough. As in, I'm not tired in the least after doing 30 situps in 1 minute (so slacky). But I just can't do them fast enough! ARGH! Why must speed instead of endurance be tested? I will fail my shuttle run tomorrow! I always take my time accelerating, and end up accelerating past the beanbag, having to turn back, run back, pick up the bean bag, then run back again. So stupid of me.
-------
I'm addicted to quizzes!

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out. Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

I love hugs! :)

What Your Face Says

At first glance, people see you as confident and determined. Overall, your true self is passionate and physical. With friends, you seem dramatic, lively, and quick to react. In love, you seem mysterious and interesting. In stressful situations, you seem cheerful and optimistic.

What Do People Think Of Your Face?

You Are a Bright Star Soul

Like a shining star, you have no trouble being the center of attention In fact, you often feel a bit hurt when all eyes aren't on you You need to be number one in everything, no matter how trivial And it's this ego that both hurts your confidence and helps you acheive You're dramatic and a powerhouse of pure energy You posess a divine quality or uniqueness that's hard to define A natural performer, it's likely you'll become famous in some circles. Just learn not to take everyone's reaction to you so personally! Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul and Prophet Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Your Seduction Style: The Natural

You don't really try to seduce people... it just seems to happen. Fun loving and free spirited, you bring out the inner child in people. You are spontaneous, sincere, and unpretentious - a hard combo to find! People drop their guard around you, and find themselves falling fast.

What Is Your Seduction Style?

You Are 16% Evil

You are good. So good, that you make evil people squirm. Just remember, you may need to turn to the dark side to get what you want!

How Evil Are You?

Your True Love Is a Scorpio

Why you'll love a Scorpio: Strong and sexy, Scorpio will overpower you into falling in love (before you even realize it!). You'll love being swept away by Scorpio - into a world of insane passion. Why a Scorpio will love you: You don't mind letting your Scorpio take the reigns, as long as you know you're truly cared for. Loyal and devoted, you would never do anything to set off insanely jealous Scorpio.

What Sign Is Your True Love?

LOL.

You Are Figure Skating

Graceful and expressive - yet athletic and focused. You could bring the best of both worlds to this glamorous sport.

What Winter Sport Are You?

You Are A Weeping Willow Tree

You are a dreamer, and you're into almost any kind of escapism. Restless and capricious, you love to travel to exotic places. You are easily influenced by others, as long as they don't pressure you. You tend to suffer in love until you find that one loyal, steadfast partner. An empathetic friend, you love to make others smile and laugh.

What is Your Celtic Horoscope?

Who Should Paint You: Roy Lichtenstein

Larger than life, your personality overshadows everyone in the room A painter would tend to portray you with a bit of added flair!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

You Should Learn French

C'est super! You appreciate the finer things in life... wine, art, cheese, love affairs. You are definitely a Parisian at heart. You just need your tongue to catch up...

What Language Should You Learn?

Heey I've always wanted to learn French!

Your Hidden Talent

Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people. You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together. Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly. People crave your praise and complements.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

You Are 20% Abnormal

You are at low risk for being a psychopath. It is unlikely that you have no soul. You are at low risk for having a borderline personality. It is unlikely that you are a chaotic mess. You are at medium risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is somewhat likely that you are in love with your own reflection. You are at low risk for having a social phobia. It is unlikely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement. You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

How Abnormal Are You?

This is amusing.

You Aren't Scary, You're Scared

Probably even scared to see how this quiz came out!

How Scary Are You?

Ayyye.

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

But I hate insects!

You Have Low Self Esteem 8% of the Time

Which can be translated to mean, you have high self-esteem and a healthy sense of self worth. You believe in yourself, and you know how to be the real you. You love yourself, imperfections and all.

How is Your Self Esteem?

haha, yay.

Your Inner Child Is Surprised

You see many things through the eyes of a child. Meaning, you're rarely cynical or jaded. You cherish all of the details in life. Easily fascinated, you enjoy experiencing new things.

How Is Your Inner Child?

Your Inner European is Russian!

Mysterious and exotic. You've got a great balance of danger and allure.

Who's Your Inner European?

Your Lucky Underwear is Purple

Dreamy and idealistic, you envision great things for your life. Your lucky purple underwear can make those dreams come true! You're a busy little butterfly. You have the most projects, interests, and friends of anyone you know. You also have a flair for the dramatic. Sometimes too much drama comes in to your life and brings things to a stop. If you want to focus more, and flutter less, put on your purple underpants. They'll help you get the important things done.

What Color Is Your Lucky Underwear?

LOL. Picture is censored. :P

Your Birth Month is March

You love life and exude an outgoing, cheerful vibe. Blessed with a great sense of humor, you can laugh at adversity. Your soul reflects: Respect, desire, and generosity Your gemstone: Aquamarine Your flower: Daffodil Your colors: White and light blue

What Does Your Birth Month Mean?

fun quizzes!

You Are Cherry Pie

You're the perfect combo of innocent and sexy Those who like you enjoy a contradiction

What Kind of Pie Are You?

You Are Rain

You can be warm and sexy. Or cold and unwelcoming. Either way, you slowly bring out the beauty around you. You are best known for: your touch Your dominant state: changing

What Type of Weather Are You?

that's surprising. I always thought I'd be fine weather.

You Are a Yellow Flower

A yellow flower tends to represent joy, friendship, and playfulness. At times, you are childlike, as a buttercup is. And at other times, you are fickle, like a dahlia. And more than you wish, you tend to feel bittersweet, like a marigold.

What Color Flower Are You?

You Are 30% Boyish and 70% Girlish

Even if you're not a girl, you're very feminine. You're in touch with your feelings, and your heart rules you. A bit of a emotional roller coaster, one moment you're up and the next you're down. But no matter what, you try to be as cute and perky as possible.

How Boyish or Girlish Are You?

gah. inaccurate.

Your Eyes Should Be Brown

Your eyes reflect: Depth and wisdom What's hidden behind your eyes: A tender heart

What Color Should Your Eyes Be?

LOL. I'd rather have purple eyes. Me - wise? Hoho, great joke. :(

You Are Mexican Food

Spicy yet dependable. You pull punches, but people still love you.

What Kind of Food Are You?

Interesting.

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic. Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

What Your Sleeping Position Says

You are calm and rational. You are also giving and kind - a great friend. You are easy going and trusting. However, you are too sensible to fall for mind games.

What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You?

I need my bolster.

You Are 72% Happy

You are a very happy person. Generally, you feel content and that all is right with the world. Occasionally, you have a down day - but you have the ability to pick yourself right back up.

How Happy Are You?

You Are a Daisy

You see the world with an artist's eye. Finding beauty is easy for you - even in the dullest of moments. You notice all of the colors of the world, from fresh grass to sunsets. You are a total optimist and hedonist. You love to drink life in.

What Flower Are You?

You Are a Lace Bra!

Dreamy, romantic, and ultra-feminine You're a womanly woman who makes guys feel like men Your perfect guy is strong, determined, and handsome With a softer side that only you can draw out

What Kind of Bra Are You?

LOL. Picture is censored. :P

sailing and slacking

Went sailing again yesterday with Zi Chong. In the morning while waiting at Bkt Batok mrt, I took a walk around Bkt Batok, back to my childhood home. Tried to picture, behind those foreign new doors, what my old childhood home was like, conjuring up those childhood days in my mind again. I'm glad I had a very happy childhood.

At SAFYC, there was extremely light breeze and didn't really get to sail much, but I practised tacking, jibing and hiking. Quite slacky but relaxing and nice anyway. Taking a bath after being out in the sea for a few hours certainly feels heavenly!

After lunch we met up with Jin Quan only to find the person-in-charge of the Tahan trip off-duty. Such a pity. It rained so we went to Zi Chong's house to slack and play cards. Jin Quan won 8 rounds and I finally ended his winning streak in the last round! Hehe. He won less than $1 (1 cent per card).

Slacking with friends is much much more fun than slacking alone. Happy day overall. :) Am looking forward to the Tahan trip! And windsurfing as well!

egg-drop, sports heats, and today

I haven't posted in such a long time! Recently I've taken to writing in my diary (yes I keep a private personal diary) instead because it's so much more convenient and faster to scribble your thoughts down onto paper. The process of writing is so much more spontaneous than typing; we use the backspace button so much in typing. On top of that, my computer is cranking up (there's something wrong with the monitor so I'm actually using my dad's computer now) so I can't really be bothered to use the computer that much.

Thursday.
To catch up with the events of the past week...Yesterday's highlights were the Egg-drop project Prelim trial during Physics lab, and the sports heats. The egg-drop trial made the whole physics lab lesson (or at least that last part of it) the most interesting and amusing lab lesson this year. I had such a good long laugh that I'm sure it gave my abs a great workout, when Sam threw his egg package so hard against the wall such that the egg flew out and smashed right at Mr Loi's feet, after at least 2 failed attempts at smashing the egg in the structure.

While waiting for the heats, it was very amusing with Geordie laughing at all the contestants ("That fat guy! Sure get last one!") and later trying to poke his finger through a rubber band, apparently trying to test his reflexes but secretly aiming to poke Jin Quan. Then we played frisbee!

As for the 8X200 relay itself, it was rather disheartening at first because some people who signed up chose to not go for the relay, to go for their lessons instead, so we had insufficient girls on the team. In the end, thanks to Pauline and Miao Qin, we finally had 4 girls. The team consisted of Jin Quan, Wai Hong, Jonathan, Wei Xiang, Siobhan, Miao Qin, Pauline and me. I'm really grateful to all of them for showing class spirit and putting the class above self. Of course not forgetting the people who came to watch and support the class as well: Geordie, Zi Chong, Yang Sai, Siew Ching and Michelle. Even though we finished 5th, at least all the runners tried their best, which makes up for everything. And I realised that when you run or participate in a competition, watching and cheering from the sidelines is really the greatest form of support for the participant.

Friday.
Was supposed to play tennis with Zi Chong and Geordie at my house today, but due to the evil persistent rain, we went to Lot 1 to watch a movie instead --the "Disney-movie", "Eight Down". Quite a nice feel-good movie but not worth $9.50. Then we went back to my house again but unfortunately the tennis courts were now booked by some old uncles, so we didn't play tennis at all, but walked about the entire day lugging around a total of 5 tennis rackets and 2 badminton rackets everywhere. Slacky but a nice way to pass time; it's definitely much better slacking with friends than slacking alone at home in my room.

After dinner, I spent more than one hour talking with my sister, laughing at funny things with her and making such a racket that Dad and Mom were pissed at us. Laughing really bonds people together, and make them feel closer. Laughter is good. So is a smile! Happy smiles and laughter brighten up each day for me.

I am going sailing tomorrow! Yay! Weather, be kind!

contemplations

A poem I’m sure most people have seen before, but doesn’t hurt reading it again, just to remind us all…

Slow Dance
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask, “How are you?”
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,"Hi"

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

***

Have you slowed down, taken a break from the usual hectic pace and routine of life, just let go of all the nagging worries, homework you have to do, tests you have to mug for, and just let things pass you by instead of always rushing past things (in other words, “stoning” in a way).

That’s what I did today. Was supposed to sail a Laser Pico with Zi Chong today, but when we got to SAFYC at Sembawang, the sky was constipated and we couldn’t sail, so we spent the time watching the sea -- what people normally call, stoning.

Stoning has such a negative connotation. It implies that you are wasting time. But why? What is spending time meaningfully, and what is wasting time? What is the difference between the two? Why is it that we only call something not a “waste of time” when it produces tangible results? Is watching the sea, feeling the wind, de-stressing, enjoying the company and chatter of friends, any less “meaningful” than sitting down cooped up alone in your room, memorizing chunks of text and information (which you would probably not require in the future, and which would probably not add to your happiness in anyway, only killing your brain cells.)?

(this is why I never connect on the same wavelength as my mom. We have different definitions of a “meaningful” life and time “well spent”.)

And the sea. I’ve been drawn to the sea since young. Why I love it so much, I can’t really explain. It’s like a calming, all-embracing, all-encompassing body that just absorbs your presence, that is just there. Always there. It is soothing, tranquil, and yet awe-inspiring in its fury. And when I’m right beside the sea, all my worries over the trivialities of life, like grades, tests, homework, squabbles and whatnots, they are just dwarfed into insignificance.

I like the feel of water. I like being in the rain, getting drenched (except that my mom won't like the fact that my clothes are wet). I like swimming. I like sailing! And I certainly hope next week's weather won't be as constipated as this, so that I can actually sail. Sky, be kind!

Now I take my evening walk and feel the coolness of the night.

Career profiling

Your Interests Profile is:
1.Enterprising
People with these interests enjoy activities which allow them to persuade, organise or influence others.
Their motto could be: "Most people value sensible advice and firm leadership!"
Their work could be in management, business, legal services, sales, public relations and marketing.

2.Creative
People with these interests enjoy the world of art, music or literature.
Their motto could be: "We all need far more colours and interests in our lives!."
Their work could be in art and design, advertising, entertainment, journalism, photography and hairstyling.

3.Investigative
People with these interests enjoy puzzling out why things occur or how things work.
Their motto could be: "Now, let's think this through before rushing into action!"
Their work could be in scientific or medical related jobs.

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No occupations matched!
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Your Top 5 Abilities are :
Artistic
Sales
Interpersonal
Creative
Language Usage

occupations that match well with your abilities:
Artist, Commercial
Artiste
Author
Buyer, Fashion
Copywriter, Advertising
Curator
Designer, Fashion
Designer, Interior
Designer, Jewellery
Designer, Product
Developer, Internet
Engineer, Geotechnical
Executive, Health Promotion
Manager, Gallery / Museum
Merchaniser
Photographer
Playwright
Producer, TV
Producer-presenter
Stylist, Fashion
Visual Merchandiser/Artist, Display

class picnic yesterday!

There was a class picnic yesterday! And happily, a substantial number of people turned up, even though the class outing yesterday was quite brief. Geordie and I bought an Irish Whiskey Temptation cake from CakeAvenue near my house, to celebrate the birthdays of the April babies of SixOh -- Billy, Che Hao, Jin Quan and Charm, but the irony was that Che Hao didn't even turn up for the picnic, so too bad for him that he didn't get to eat his delicious birthday cake. The cake was quite interesting, it was a choc sponge cake with dark and white choc, hazelnuts, espresso and Irish Whiskey. Whee! But there was only TRACE amounts of whiskey, no kick.

We played Frisbee as well, and it was really fun! Frisbee has got to be the most fun mass sport! (as in, sports which involve over ten people in a game)

Towards the end of the picnic, the frisbee dropped into the pond at Symphony Lake. And Billy came to the rescue (as usual) gallantly! Really says something about him, doesn't it? Gamely getting dirty and rescuing a frisbee right after celebrating your birthday. Billy, you rock!

On a sidenote, my aunt gave me a whole bagful of collared longsleeved shirts! So now I have 8 such shirts to choose from to go sailing in, yay!