Education education

Recently, I've watched a documentary on Youtube.
It's about China's education system.
Yes. I watch other kids study while I am NOT studying.
Hypocrite, much ?

I remember the idea of watching how China students study
suddenly came in mind when I was siting for my SPM exam.
It was night already.
The next day was Biology, which was also my last paper.
I felt rather unmotivated.
Biology has always been one of those
I-thought-I-did-OK-but-the-red-ink-on-my-paper-says-otherwise-kind of subject.
I try to like it, but the grades are just telling me NO.
Ok, back to the topic.
I decided to do some Youtube-ing and I found an hour-long doc.

Decided to watch it and NOT study Biology.
It was really nice to watch other kids suffer worse fates than you.
What with China's extremely high population and their one-child policy.
In the end, I WAS inspired to study harder....
but there was no more time left, oh well, I'll just flunk my Bio.

Here's the first part of the documentary :

To be fair, they WERE from one of the best schools in the country.
So much stress.
But those stacks of books were another thing !
It really got me thinking.
In a SPM/STPM-equivalent exam, wouldn't that many books mean
they're pretty much A-scorers in every subject ?
The answer is 'yes', unconvincingly.

So last week, I decided to watch another documentary.
This one just went online lately.
It's produced by WhyPoverty and it's called Education Education.

It tells the story of how people strive to survive in China.
Over there, a degree is the least you need to secure an average-paying job.
One that does not require much manual labour and minimum wages.
The story follows 3 people in different stages of their lives.
The student, The Graduate and The 'Tutor'.

The Tutor is actually working for a scamming company who travels around China.
Giving talks of sort to people about their 'university'.
The uni doesn't exist. It's just a scam. The photos in the Powerpoint were all from Google.
People were paid to do testimonials.
The tutor feels guilty but he said it's the only way he can make a living and survive.
Students in the rural areas are more likely to fall for this scam.
So they are the company's target.

The graduate have just graduated from uni.
He finds jobs at Job Fairs.
Job fairs in China are always swamped with hundreds (or even thousands) or people.
People photocopy their resumes and give them to a company.
If the company think they are of some worth, they will keep the resume.
Review it later and if successful, call the job-seekers in for an interview.
The graduate found a job. He passed his interview.
However, his employers were unhappy with him.
His skills with Excel are very basic so he takes more time to get work done.
He does a lot of overtime but still got fired in the end.
At the next job fair, he gets another job.
He's on trial with other candidates.
However, only 2 were selected.
He wasn't one of them.
So off he goes to find another job.

The Student comes from those poor families that live away from the city.
Her mom has cacat hands. They work delivering bricks.
The student received her results from her final test.
She did not do very well (or at least, not well enough.).
Her parents still want her to go to uni.
She finds the uni that the Tutor works for.
She considers signing up.
We last see her as she is boarding a train filled with other kids.
Her mother stands outside to wave good-bye at her.

The Tutor's boss decided to run off with the scammed money.
He is now an IT Security Officer.
The Graduate moves out of his room, unable to pay the rent.
He lives with 2 other roommates now and is still seeking employment.
The Student decided to study Engineering.

The first documentary I watched during SPM
depicted how a good exam score is the only way into uni.
And uni is the only way to get a good job.
But in this documentary,
it seems even though some people manage to graduate from uni.
They might not find a job.
The video ends with statistics of how many graduates actually fail to secure a job.
They are called the "Ant Tribe" (if I remember correctly)

A few things I found weird about the documentary.
Why didn't the Graduate's father support his son.
I mean, you graduate and your dad just throws you out to survive ?
He only appeared on the Graduate's first day at work.
He deposited $300 into his bank account and that's IT !
The Graduate has to raise enough dough to pay for his rent and food.
We never hear from the parents again.

Another thing I didn't really understand is the ending.
The Student was shown in an empty lecture white lecture hall.
She is just staring at the blackboard.
As the professor writes on it.
How symbolic is the scene ?
Does this mean she actually fell for the scam,
and now she's studying in one of those low-class uni ?
Or was it just for visual effects ?
Someone commented she didn't fall for the scam.
But I dunno.


Ok ! Now back to REAL LIFE !
Homework Homework Homework Homework Homework Homework
Ok that was my real life.
But seriously, am I suppose to have a social life ?
Taking advantage of friendless-ness is actually quite effective
for keeping your mind in a study-because-you-have-nothing-better-to-do state.
However, I am pleased to announce that my social life in school is getting better.
It does get better =D
Well I still don't talk to the ones in big groups.
They're just too 'mainstream' and 'in their own world' for me.
Prefer to stick to the smaller groups.

And in case, you're wondering.
I have a locker !
My very first locker.
It really does feel like high school now.
I keep all my books inside and I bring home nothing.
But 'nothing' is still VERY heavy.
Stuff like pencil case, novel, bottle, laptop, handbook and a file
make it look like I've overstuffed my bag.
And it's pretty heavy too !
I think it's the laptop.
Which brings me to my next bragging topic !
FREE MACBOOK !
It's part of a loaning scheme so I'll have to return it.
But I still get to keep this baby for 1 WHOLE year.
Learning how to use a Mac is hard.
Totally different from Windows.
As a matter of fact, I'm blogging with my Mac now.

I hardly turn on my Windows laptop anymore.
How sad =(

Our school is also try to save paper.
So all our assignments and worksheets are online.
Heck, even our thick textbooks are online !
They cost around $80 (RM250) each.
But now we get them for free.
I still feel it's awkward to study with a laptop all the time,
so I bought secondhand textbooks for $20 only.
Totally worth it !
In the picture on your right,
you can see this is how I spend my typical day at school.
Hidden in the library, isolated in a study carrel.
Wait, did I spell 'carrel' right ?

Here's an interesting picture.

This isn't a pile of sand.

It's a pile of rice grain.

The number of grains in that stack

=

The entire human population in the 70's

It was part of a rice exhibition in the city last weekend.

I passed by it during my visit to the library 

so I thought it'd be interesting to snap a shot of it.

There are other stacks too. Like number of Indigenous people in Australia etc.

Well, I think that is all for now. 

My eyes are getting very heavy.

School is tough.

Being deprived of sleep is becoming a norm.

Although it seems that I am incredibly consistent with that.

Good Night, world.

Listening to Thank You - MKTO

Sleepy but Happy,

TK

So.i.Keep.on

And so begins my third week of high school.
The school is becoming a smaller place.
I know (a little) more people now.
Earphones were kept in my pocket for the whole day.
Unless I'm doing Maths of course.

Now I have a little story to share :
It was about my very first Physics experiment last Friday.
Which was an epic fail.
Notice how I placed the word 'epic' in front of the word 'fail'.
That's how bad it was.
Long gone were the days where we spent our hours in class.
Playing limbo and slipping ice cubes into each other's clothes.
Now, everyone is SERIOUS )(**&T*&
And it just so happens I don't have a lab partner.
Luckily, the guy sitting nearest to me (not next to me)
asked me whether I wanted to pair up with him.
So Yes, yes I would like to pair up with him.

Neither did I know, he was an adult.
An adult who wished to reconnect with education.
An adult who hasn't been to university in 8 years.
An adult who claimed he could not remember anything.
Even though he did a Engineering/Physics course.
An adult who was just standing there,
not offering much help.
I can't really blame him though.
He didn't know HOW to help.
I don't want to put the blame on him,
but somehow, I felt that he contributed to my future humiliation.

There I was, still trying to gather multiple readings for my experiment.
Everyone was already finished with their experiments.
All of them, with satisfactory looks in their faces,
glanced at me and my lab partner as we were still struggling.
And we were in front.
I was wearing a T-shirt with my $10 Sweater Cardigan and Jeans.
But somehow, I felt naked.
Their stares all so deep. I was really curious about what they were thinking of us.
"Oh look. Mr Emo Asian there don't look so tough anymore..."
was all I could think of.
I don't think they'd stereotype me like that.
But who knows, it's not like it's uncommon for racism to happen.
Some people are just built in with it.

Our teacher had to tell us to continue later on
As we were the last group who hasn't finished yet.
And we had a little test to do before we went out for lunch.
Speaking of lunch. No, don't speak of lunch.
Because I didn't have any.
I had to stay back...willingly of course.
There I was, in the empty air-conditioned lecture hall.
Trying to make something of those apparatus.
Those lifeless apparatus that caused me so much humiliation.
My lab partner was confronting the teacher and telling him his life story.
About not having been to uni in 8 years.
About being a so-called 'idiot'.
Apparently, he did a "Physics/Engineering" Course in Uni for 2 years.
So, he's NOT an idiot.
In my (foolish and naive) opinion,
just the thought of having been to and experience uni
gives me enough motivation to keep trying and studying for good grades.
I mean, I DID get into uni last time.
That means the achievement was within my context/skills.
That's how I see things...in a really weird way.
Well, it's the most logical way to me.

In the end, our teacher told us to just "fudge" the answers.
It meant that my workload just got slightly lighter.
After all, what could be easier than making up your own answers, right ?
Oh wait, I had to make up his answers too.
But I did it anyway.
Because he needed all the support he could get.
After that, I rushed off to English class with an empty stomach.
The End.

We had to write an English essay as our weekend homework.
It was a letter to the editor of a newspaper.
Our teacher emphasised the importance of making our writing engaging
for the readers.
So....they would continue reading.
Use a catchy intro.
Conclude with a thought-provoking sentence.
Annoy the **** out of the readers with a never-ending array of metaphors.
Oh and make up your own facts and statistics.
LOL.

Trying to think of something good to write was hard.
I actually had to sit at the outdoors
as I slowly devoured my frozen sandwich.
It was on discount in the snacks and beverage machine.
The school obviously wanted to get rid of their leftovers.
I tried to find inspiration in being at peace.
After all, Physics made my heart beat so fast.
I'm not even sure whether it's a good thing or not anymore.

I felt the essay was extremely convoluted.
I'm terrible at writing essays after all.
After much "soul-searching", talking to random "old" women, Googling aimlessly in the library.
I finally stopped my everlasting procrastination and started typing away.
I wasn't serious. Lol.
I did it at the computer at the State Library.
Those that only give you 1 hour max before they force you to shut down.
I thought I'd just play around.
I'll never finish an essay in 60 minutes anyway.
But as I was slowly overcome by boredom, my typing speed accelerated.
And I just wrote typed and typed until my time was up.
Save it to my Email (yes, it's quite useful too !).
And procrastinated further until I finished it on Sunday night.
I got a B+ !
I'm quite pleased with myself.
Now if only I had that much time during the exams....

It's already Wednesday.
Wednesday night.
Might as well call it Thursday.
My third week is almost coming to an end.
My first month in school is almost coming to an end.
Classes here feel shorter, even though one period is 105 minutes long.
Maybe it's because everything is still easy.
I might be taking it slow and relaxing, unconsciously.
Or perhaps it's the comfy chairs I sit on in the Chemistry lab with back support.
It made the time more bearable for me.
Or perhaps......

Listening to Skins Opening Themes - Fat Segal

Alive and Active,

TK

Pouring.In

My lunch.
Roasted Beef with Gravy and Veges.
Costed $7 (RM23 WTF)
At least she was VERY generous with the veges.
Maybe it's 'cuz she saw how much of a stick I am.
But veges aren't gonna HELP !



And.....
The homework has arrived !
Lotsa 'em.

Still trying to be a good boy here.
Study ahead of the teacher and always finish your homework.
I've become quite industrious ever since school started,
even if I do say so myself =P

Well I DID waste almost 1 year (which I do NOT regret wasting)
studying Form 6 and stuff.
Right now, we're still at the basics.
So I'm doing quite well.
Not sure how it'll go as time slowly passes.

I'm sure you all know consistency is the key to studying
and getting good grades.
I just hope I can keep myself going for another 9 to 10 months
without crashing and burning.
Wouldn't be very nice to be left behind while
everyone else graduates and heads off to uni, would it ?

 Let's talk more about my subjects, shall we ?
Let's start with Math.
I think my teacher is sick.
And we got a substitute teacher instead.
I only remember her last name: Young.
She's 'nice'. I guess.
Kinda scary.
Quite scary.
I'm scared. Lol.
I was a chapter ahead of her class (told you I was hardworking !)
but I didn't understand the symbols the questions used so I asked her.
And she flashed her 'you've-been-a-bad-boy' and 'you-disobeyed-me' look.
I'm pretty sure I looked like a puny 7 year old kid getting ready
to get spanked by his mom or something.
Then she told me to do some more worksheets she printed out.
Still occupied with those.

Next let's talk Chemistry.
Because when I think Chemistry,
I think of Mr Goh and friends.
My Chemist teacher is a guy, quite old too. I think.
Name's Chris Kolom--8(&^(*^.
Just call him Chris.
He's great.
He's my strictest teacher so far.
And by strict, I don't mean
"Memorize all the bond angles in 10 minutes or else I'll whack you"
Kind of strict.
But he's quite loud, straightforward, serious-looking kind of guy.
So far, it's really paid off.
Chemistry really got easier.
Then again, we're still at atomic structures so maybe not.

My Physics teacher, Eric
is the COMPLETE opposite of Chris.
He's much older.
And kinda looks like Jay from Modern Family.
He's super nice and stuff.
Unfortunately, he's also pretty forgetful of stuff
like homework and what time our class ends.
But he takes things nice and slow.
In fact, I fall asleep easiest during his classes.
It's just SOOOO nice being in an air-conditioned lecture hall
with only 10 other students inside.
While you listen to your Physics lecturer talk about Vectors and Measurements
which you have already grinded through in your previous years.

Almost finish....
My English as a Second Language teacher, Jacqueline.
She told us to call her Jacki(e).
She's funny.
But only 'cuz we're in EALD class.
She often makes jokes and stuff about our lessons.
And her tone makes it believably funny too !
Her classes are fun. And small too.
Less than 10 people.
And here comes the (semi) bad part.
ALL DAT HOMEWARK !
For our Literature component, we have to read a book called Unpolished Gem.
It's about migrants coming to Aussie in the 70's.
Did I mention everything in this class has to do with culture and Australians
and you get the idea.
I feel that it's a bit of a brainwashing class. Haha.
Feels so philosophical too !
Can you believe she told us to dissect the title of the book
"Alice Pung - Unpolished Gem"
and talked about 4 measly words for 30 minutes !
And now I have to finish reading 100 pages this week.

Last but not least, Applied Information Technology !
If you were hell-bent on becoming an Engineer,
you would've chose Maths SPECIALIST for your final subject.
But I'm not smart, and I'm no engineer (yet ?).
Remember how I said I wanted to take Chinese but
couldn't because no one was taking it ?
Well I guess AIT is better.
I mean in terms of workload, AIT feels a little more stress-free
and explores creativity more.
(First Assignment : Autobiography in Powerpoint ! ACED IT !)
Right now, this class is my stress-relief class.
I can't imagine my life if I took another 'important' subject like Maths S.
But this is soooo typical TK to totally disregard the existence
of a fifth subject (just like how I ignored Maths T last year).
Oh well, can't be helped.
My motivations are only as high as I make them right ?

And Viola ! All my teachers in this new school.
Really. I didn't know what to blog about so I decided to write about my teachers.
Now that I think of it, it does sound lame right ?
Oh well, at least it was written by Yours Truly, right ?
See you REAL SOON !


Listening to Don't Dream It's Over - Glee

Exhausted as Always,

TK

Hopelessly.Unsociable

Before I say anything.
Let's take a look at some photos I took in school.
Today is Day 2 of my new school life,in case you don't know.

Yea.... I don't think this is very normal.
For first day of school students.
In a whole new country, no less !

But it's true.
This is how I spent my first day of school.
It's also how I spent my second day of school.
In case you're confused,
Picture 1 is me staring at my study carrell.
And Picture 2 is my lunch today.
I think it's pretty obvious how bored you must be
if you're free enough to take a picture of your lunch.
'Why aren't you talking to your new friends ?'
Well let me counter that by saying
'What friends ?'

How unfortunate.
First day and no friends.
Apparently everyone somehow already had a friend and/or belonged to a group.
Especially international students.
Thanks to early orientation.

But I guess it's my fault for not trying.
I'm pretty sure locking myself in a studying box isn't a very good idea.
And apparently, I think people are avoiding me or something.
I was the only person to have an extra seat next to me in Maths.
The guy who sat next to me in Chemistry changed seats today.
This guy at the bus stop rather talk to the other Asian boy instead of me.
To be fair, I was listening to my earphones.
Lol, I'm such an observant person when I'm actually bored.
Probably through years of stalking.
Now if only I can apply those skills into socializing.
Wouldn't that be great ?

Talked to a few girls today.
Not much progress though.
Will try to do better tomorrow !
No point in being such a self-pitying loser.
Try harder and look ahead, right ?
No need to tell me those words twice ^_^

On the EXTREMELY bright side,
this came in the mail today !

MY IPOD NANO ARRIVED !!!
I think I got slightly cheated, though.
It looks secondhand.
As in when you turn it on for the first time,
they didn't ask me to choose the language.
Was a new one suppose to come in a screen protector too ?
Well nevermind.
Everything looks perfect.
No scratches on screen.
Apple logo still at the back.
Totally empty inside.
Clock messed up like any new devices.

Can't wait to start using it...
No.
Get friends first !
Ciao !

Listening to Homeward Bound/Home - Glee
                  I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz
                  It's Time - Glee
                  Drops of Jupiter - Train

Friendless, for now.

TK

DrawingDays

I found some leftover photos in my Photobucket.
Never really got a chance to share them.
So I thought I'd talk about them in today's post.


My personal collection of Chatime Smileys.
Inspired by a short film I found
on Youtube.
It took me 2 weeks to get this many.
And my smiley-drawing skills are still CRAPPY.
And the worse part is :
I have to leave them back at home.
And I can't start a new collection here.
'Cuz there's friggin NO CHATIME here !
(plus everything is too expensive)

And who could forget about the awesome
SANG NYUK MIAN !
Gawd I miss it so much.
But only after I dug up this picture...
I remember how I wash down all that
salty soy sauce noodles with my
cool and refreshing Chinese 'teh'.
How I always saved the meat and soup for last.
COmplete ECstasy.
WHO NEEDS DRUGS ANYWAY !

Now LET'S TALK PRESENTS !

First of all, we have this cute little notebook.
It's ONE of my birthday presents from Aud.
What's so special about it ?
Well it's no ordinary notebook.
That's all I can say ;-)




Wallets !
NEW WALLETS !
I've been using my old one since Primary 3.
And I've always been too lazy to buy a new one.
The mature leather-looking one is from Aud.
And the black Body Glove one is from
Angel, Chu Chu and Yue Mei.
Love them bunch =3
Haven't got a chance to use the Body Glove one.
Since there isn't a coin pouch.
Making it a little inconvenient.
Especially with Australian currency.
$1 and $2 is in coin form !

Another gift from Aud.
Last one I promise !
It's a KEY which doubles as a keychain.
If you are obsessed with all things manga and anime.
Then you should know what this key is.
It's from Fairy Tail.
The Key of the Scorpio.
Because I AM a Scorpio.
Really like this one.
Right now it's chained to my new bag.

Oh wait, I forgot about this.
This was more of a casual gift.
She has another 'frappuccino' one.
So she gave me the hot one.
Chained to my pencil case.
Reminds me of how miserable my life is.
Without Starbucks.
Note to self: Buy LOTSA Starbucks when you go home.


This next one is kinda unique.
For a birthday present.
It's the only gift not from someone my age.
Someone younger than me.
It's a SHE.
NO SHE DOES NOT HAVE A CRUSH ON ME.
Instead, she demanded I give her a gift too.
In the end, I got her an interesting book
from Popular.
The story was intriguing (judging from the back cover XD)
so I figured a fine and sophisticated woman such as her
would enjoy the book.

I receive some of the weirdest gifts don't I...
Now once again.
If you were well-versed in the anime-verse.
You'd easily guess that these are THE
legendary Mare Ring.
From Katekyoshi Hitman Reborn !
In a full box set ! no less...
The one in the center is actually the Vongola Ring.
I bought it from Ma Chi Di Di last year.
And now I get even MOAR rings.
It was a "Surprise" Birthday Gift from
Aud (oopsss forgot about this one), Brian,
Low Low, Kent and 'Dith.
There were sooo sweet.
So I had them my Guardians (once again, anime).
I gave 5 away to them.
Now I'm keeping my Vongola Ring and
the Mist and Sun (dark blue and yellow) Mare Ring.
#Honoured !

This actually came from my mailbox.
It's from my good PLKN friend, Lyn.
We still chat on Facebook a lot.
She actually sent this a few days before I went
to Selangor to see her.
It's a cute ummm...hole-plug ?
For my phone.
And it's a cute cat.
Ok I give up on trying to explain this 'thing'.
Attached to it was a birthday card.
Very thoughtful =3
Also after HobbyCon,
I've discovered an addiction to leeks.
As in I want a Leek Plushie on my bed !
Inspired by Miku-chan.

This is the letter that it came in.
Yeah, I call her Hime-sama (Princess).
Cute, right ?


A Notebook !
'cuz I'm a sucker for notebooks.
This one says it's made from recycled...materials.
And I kinda like the design.
Plain and simple.
'Turn Over A New Leaf'
Oooor as I see it :
"Stop ****ing Around and Start Taking Your Life Seriously".
It was a farewell gift from Low Low, Sy Ci and Kent.
Now I use it as my personal diary.
Stuff that are too emo or 'private'.
I write them in here.
It's something like "Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic"-kinda thing.

Wristbands !
A LOT of Wristbands.
All given to me by Nigel.
Well, more like shoved down my throat.
On them, they're 'engraved' with a
"I Love RC."
In case you're wondering what RC is,
or rather you've already known what RC is.
Let me just reassure you that you silly assumptions
are FALSE.
RC means Red Crescent.
Bet you didn't see THAT coming.
The wristband on top was from the library.
As a farewell gift also.
I have my name painted on it and I like it quite a lot.
Believe it or not. There's a LOOOONG story behind that wristband.
Maybe I'll talk more about it when I have the time.
For now let's just leave it at that.

A little bonus !

It's CHATIME (Gawd, I really miss it now T___T) and Cookies.

They were my 'dessert' for my flight

on my way back to KK from Selangor.

I was surprised they actually sold Chatime on AirAsia.

I thought they were gonna give me the:

'I'm-sorry-this-item-is-not-available-on-this-flight'

excuse.

But to my delight....CHATIME !

And the cookies were baked by the Silent Teddies.

I know the name might sound intimidating.

But they're actually a group of deaf teens working at a bakery.

AirAsia is selling their cookies on their flights for charity.

That tiny box cost RM5 but I thought it was worth it.

After all, I'm almost leaving the country.

And I'm sure my parents would never let me do something so charitable.

They'll probably tell me to go to the supermarket and get some Chipsmore or something.

I feel good after buying those cookies =)

They were yummy too !

So what have I been up to now ?

Well I got my haircut from a church friend, Berenice.

She's studying TAFE (Vocational) in Hairstyling.

So I'm actually acting as a practice dummy.

I told her to give me whatever haircut that would look good on me.

Yes, I was giving her a hard time LOL.

She said it was easy to hide her mistakes in my hair.

'Cuz they were CURLY.

CURSE MY CURLY HAIRRRR.

I WANT THEM TO BE STRAIGHT !

Here's a little SS picture for you all.

My hair still kinda looks the same.

But it's been 2 whole months since my hair was this short.

So I'm taking my new hairstyle quite...newly....

Fruit Parfait anyone ?

It's basically layers of yoghurt and mixed berries.

I came across it when I was looking for cheap breakfasts.

It looked quite good so I decided to try it.

This was my first time preparing something in my new kitchen.

Yea, I'm STILL not helping my parents out.

Feeling guilty.

Am guilty...

With no experience in the kitchen,

this is how my fruit parfait turned out...

Does it look terrible ?

To me,

it looks pretty decent for a first-timer.

That is.

Until you tasted it.

GOD it was SO SOUR.

Lemon Juice + Mixed Frozen Berries

AND YOGHURT.

I could NOT get sourer than this.

I had to eat my parfait with Cornflakes to 

try and reduce the sourness.

I'm not sure whether I wanna try this again...

But then again,
I was doing it the wrong way.
MAYBE I'll try again.
The next time, I'm reading the instructions first.
Catcha' Later !

Listening to Nothing - The Script

Pessimistic about New School,

TK