Finally received the two 512 ram sticks today. Installation was actually quite easy - I only had to use unscrew two things. But I guess the paradox - "512 -> 1gb would not increase system performance significantly" - is correct. Yet, I do notice a slighter cpu usage and less harddisk writing, since the system relies less on the pagefile. A worthwhile upgrade, I guess.
Too busy revising physics last night. So, how was math? Everyone said it was hard.. Well, I think I did fine - though my 'fine' would be around 4-4.5.. And as always, Wilson announced to us all that he raped it. Ugh..whatever.
As for physics, well, I don't think I will get a 6, nor a 5.5. I have doubt in a few of the short answer questions. Having that said, my grade would probably be brought down to a 5.
Feeling a bit alleviated now. Still have to finish my english portfolio, history and french exams, and of course, pack.
Exam Schedule Mon: Math Tue: Physics Wed: English (Portfolio) Thu: History Fri: French
May 29, 2005 5
Exam Schedule Mon: Math Tue: Physics Wed: English (Portfolio) Thu: History Fri: French
Math tmr. Hope that my brian will tick.
May 28, 2005 6Godspeed
Remember on last year's graduation I posted a short poem for the graduates? Well, perhaps not.. So, let me post it again:
"In your end is your beginning.
And the end of all your exploring
shall be to arrive at the place from which you started,
and know it for the first time."
by T.S. Eliot
Last year I didn't have much affection for the seniors, but this year it's different. Although I know little of them, I will miss their characters deeply - especially the school mons! There will no longer be friendly hallway smiles from Sean or Sam, Lily's witty & sarcastic comments, or Wyman's intellectual awkwardness. Nor will there be Roper's "Mr. Walker" radio shows, or Sealy's respeck! gestures. Perhaps after all I do feel a sense of loss..
On the brighter side, I spent my saturday night in Wilson's room and we talked for like 4 hrs. At first I revised some math and he edited his english paper. Then we god tired of studying, and talked basically about everything. Well, it was a grand time.
May 27, 2005 7
Last day of classes today. Besides that, we also had a graduation concert where collegium and chamber performed in the evening. Afterwards, Steven and I watched a movie and ordered out. Tonight is probably the last night for fun before exams start.
Graduation ceremoney tmr. Will it rain?
May 26, 2005 8
Senior rundown tonight. Fortunately, my door was firmly closed and no intruders were able to tip my trash or shoot me with water guns.
Met at Mr. Le's apartment for english this morning. Besides handling in our pip, we also had some biscuits+cheese sort of thing. For some reason we watched the promotional video of the navy seal and witnessed how tormenting it is to be successfully trained into a navy.
And why is it still so cold?
May 25, 2005 9
While you may be rejoicing the end of ce, I'm struggling to keep up with my life.
Tomorrow'll be a better day.
May 24, 2005 10 Yearbook..
What do I think about this years yearbook? Two words: big and ugly. Yes, yes..it has improved from last year's design, but it's still quite ugly. Its cover consists only of a huge 'T' and, supposedly, terms that define taft. Its contents are worse - half of the book is basically some color prints of random events in the past fall and winter; the other half, in b&w, is dedicated to senior pgs.
Don't get me wrong, this publication is great for seniors to savor their memories. Yet, at a price of 80 dollars, it's just not worth it for the others. What do we do after viewing all those $80 worth of pix? Throw it aside and get another one next year? After all, if the yearbook is just a photo glamor of people at taft or a collection of senior pgs, it should be distributed to all seniors at no cost; and other who wants them could buy them, but at a price more reasonable than $80.
And..the pix clearly demonstrates how poorly T1 performs in dim conditions.
"Dream as you'll live forever, live as you'll die tomorrow."May 23, 2005 11
It feels quite weird to have no tennis practice in the afternoon. And due to exams and other 'complications', I might not be able to play till mid june. Is this another depressing thought to add to my already-very-grey day?
Well, it's been a long day. And..
May 22, 2005 12
So, spring festival was held quite successfully in the lower dining hall this evening. Firstly, we had a bigger variety of food than last year. Secondly, this time people actually had to line up for food, though there was much leftover in the end. Thirdly, I actually helped out this time. No, I did not cook the enchanted curry, but I helped Wilson align and decorate his 'canadian smoked salmon'. Of course, another benefit of helping out is that we can cut the line and get whatever food we want, whenever we want.
A week from tmr, math exams will take place. Let's not fear its arrival, but greet it with ample preparation. We can do it.May 21, 2005 13Another Day to be Remembered "It's my coaching!" - Ms. Lui
Firstly, don't worry, that's a different Ms. Lui.. So, today, we totally-unexpectedly crushed Choate by 6-1. Well, I was expecting something like 4-3 or 3-4, but 6-1! That's a great win to end our season with. Especially when our opponent is tennis-famed Choate. Extra sweet..extra sweet. My singles opponent was not bad, but I won by 6-3, 6-3. Guess what - I'm actually undefeated in singles..
I guess another thing worth mentioning on this great day is, well, about jeff au. He repulsively screamed and howled at people during dinner. I guess he forgot to take his medicine today?
You're now listening to Jolin's 檸檬草的味道.
More I actually feel kinda down now that our season had passed. My connections with other teammates sort of break apart when I don't get to see them everyday. Sigh.. Time flies..it really does.
Prejudice = prejudgment = misunderstanding = the most horrible facet in human nature.
Had our last jv tennis practice today. It was not even a practice actually - only Tyler, Clay and me showed up. Well, some of us were requested to join the varsity girls practice earlier, but still, why end an otherwise great season like this? Sigh..
And based on our severe lack of preparation, we will definitely be crushed by Choate tmr.
May 19, 2005 15A Day to be Remembered Happy birthday, Mum.
Today, I challenged Hank. I snatched the first set quite easily by 6-1. Didn't really do anything..just applied pressure on his backhand. Then in the second set, he got into the game. We exchanged a few breaks and had to play a tiebreak. Well, I had opportunities, but with a blister in my hand and a descending physique, I lost 6-7 (5-7). Then, the third set came. We had some long rallies but odds were on his side. At a point he led 4-2, and had chances to bring it up to 5-2, but I hanged on. I won three straight games then, leading 5-4 on serve. On that game, I was up 40-love and had three match points. Then, as we both thought it would end there, Hank saved all three of them. Ugh...
Well, he eventually broke my service and evened our games at 5-5. Both of us got our service games afterwards, and had to finish the match with another tiebreak. At 4-4 tiebreak, Hank hit an easy backhand smash wide. I got the next two points and won the match.
For some reason, I feel kind of bad for him. Either of us could have won the match. God knows what I would feel if I lost. Let's hope that he'll get over it.
May 18, 2005 16 "The high level of Hopkins tennis always seems to match the impressiveness of its founding date (1660), but once again Taft was victorious."
Indeed. My match was won by 6-4, 6-3. But seriously, their courts are in need of heavy repair. When we were having our introductions, their coach embarrassedly said, "Welcome to the worst courts you'll play in this season". How sad that is. And because they only had 5 five courts, my singles match was delayed and when we got out, time was not sufficient for a refreshment-stop. That is probably why I'm starving now.
Last match against Choate this saturday. Hope that we won't get crushed by the boars.
May 17, 2005 17 "In the world of love, perseverance is just an excuse for being obnoxious."
Since form 2, I have believed in the saying, "得就得, 唔得就唔得". You either get it or don't get it. Of course, one might argue that by working harder and preservere, it is possible to transcend limitations. But sometimes, especially when dealing with relationships, preseverance only makes things worst. Why continue hitting on a girl for a whole year and achieve nothing?
Well, I'm no expert in relationships after all. But my instinct tells me that your preseverance will yield no result. Your choice.
May 16, 2005 18 Steven turns 18 Justin, me, Wilson; Steven's uncle, Chris, Steven, Jeffrey, Derek.
No, it's not a typo (contrary to jeff au's news post) - Steven's officially 18 today. Wouldn't you agree that it's a major milestone in life? Being 18.. I guess I can only find out when I turn 18 next year.
Having wasted the entire studyhall, I gotta finish my Beloved essay now. Bye.
Update How could I forget. Won the second set in my challenge match against Bobby today. So I took my revenge and finished him by 6-4, 6-1. Muhahahahahaha...
May 15, 2005 19
Didn't do much on this gloomy day. Daily highlights include: 1. Jeff Au aiming yogurt-caps at random people during brunch
2. Jeff Au eluciding chinese proverbs at random people during dinner
He's annoying, embarrassing, and somewhat intolerable. But, we must admit he's entertaining, ya?
May 14, 2005 20
An easy win over T-P today. All love sets for me in singles and doubles. Two more matches left, and that's it. Wait.. Where did our season go?
Today, before our match, I saw many balloons accidentally being released from a alumi-day helper as I was getting my uniform. It made me wonder how high those balloons would travel. Sure enough, at some point, the balloons stopped ascending. Limitations..limitations I say..
Meanwhile, there are only 20 days till exams end. Scary..
Sophie? I'll look for you in volleyball next yr.
May 13, 2005 Rhino
Our school's external website has finally been refurbished. It features better graphics, and more facts - well, interesting ones. How interesting? There is one regarding Taft's mascot - the rhino - and how it was chosen. Read it here: http://www.taftschool.org/about/oncampus/mascotcolors/index.htm
Today, after collegium's service at the Episcopal Church for the alumni, jv tennis had a feast at Bobby's house. Great food..especially the coffee ice-cream. Yum..
May 12, 2005 Chocolate Ice "Let me serenade your soul when you're feeling down and low..."
I've beome awfully busy these days, with classes in the morning, tennis in the afternoon, and work in the evening. Well, hope that all these pay off in the future.
As for today, I challenged Bobby (again). Got the first set 6-4, second set tmr. Fingers crossed.
You're now listening to Janice's Chocolate Ice, a light jazz song that has recorded 40 play-counts in my itunes library, and is still increasing. Enjoy.
May 11, 2005
Close win against Hotchkiss (4-3) today. My opponent was terrible..a topspin pusher. I was trailing the first set 2-5 but hanged on and won the match 7-5, 6-1.
More tmr. Good night.
May 10, 2005
Erm..tired. Bye.
May 9, 2005
Went to the mall in the afternoon with John, Steven and Jeffrey. We actually missed the noon-bus, and had to wait for an hr for the next one to come. Didn't buy many things, just some socks and clothes.
Meanwhile long-weekend ends, again. Back to work.
May 8, 2005 Difficult times lie ahead.
Have I mentioned that it's long-weekend now? Well, it is. Didn't really do much today..
Might go to the mall tmr. We'll see.
May 7, 2005
Took my second SAT today. Well, yes, the new SAT. It was actually shorter than I thought. I have previously heard that we have to sit and work on it for six hours, but today it turned out to be around 4. So how was it? It was alrite - save for the fact that I couldn't put in my last sentence in the essay part.
In the afternoon, we played some frisbee and soccer while almost everyone else left for home. At night we dined at the Empire restaurant again. It was fine.
May 6, 2005
SAT tmr. Bye.
May 5, 2005
Won my challenge match against Tyler today, 6-1 6-2. But unfortunately Bobby lost to Eli, which means that Eli is now on 3rd spot - what?! Eli's 3rd on the ladder?! *@&*xy!^
Perhaps I was expecting too much? Afterall, what have I done in the past two years that fit me at that spot?
Why..
Meanwhile, best of luck to you CE takers. Good luck..good luck.May 3, 2005
Good or bad, I did it. I made my speech among various robust candidates. President or not, I tried it. And I have to say, I'm impressed by myself.
What are my assets? Wilson said I chose the 'high-tech end'. Well, I must admit it's true. Don't you believe it's something I have a slight advantage on? Oh well.
May 2, 2005 Spirit willing; flesh weak.
It's the time of the year when international club elects a new president again. Well..well. On one hand I would surely want to be its president, but on the other hand, I'm afraid to run. I'm afraid that I might give a bad speech with my legs shaking (due to skittishness) and get no votes at all. I'm afraid of embarrassing myself.
You never know if you don't try.
Yet, Wilson made the dcecision for me. And thx to him, I need to prepare a speech. Goodness. Apprehension has already crept under my skin. ARGH!!!
May 1, 2005 Juxtaposition
Have been trying to get CS2 for the whole day.. But it hasn't paid off yet. Perhaps tmr.
Meanwhile, I found this nice juxtaposition of the latest adobe programs' icons. Don't you think that the original CS icons look better?
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