Okay, so the exams are less than a day's time away. English IGCSE. Well, the night before the exam, what better way to chill then watch your little brother kick ninja butt on the PS2 right? Oh, and not to mention the awesome meal at Aden Restaurant! If this is what its like to have important exams, then I want an exam every week!
Anyways, I am actually looking forward to this exam; not only does it mean I'm almost there until the graduating finish line but it also means I've been doing quite well these last few years. Even better: my friends are graduating with me!
Of course, some amount of stress has been accumulating over the past few months as the exams seem to loom closer and closer, but now that it's just one day less away, all the stress just seem to be swept away. It's not like I can do anything to prepare now, is there? The only that could go wrong is if I overslept and missed the exams, or that I forget to bring the admission paper with my candidate number on it.
So, best of luck to my friends with their upcoming exams!
About Me
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Exams: The Beginning
Fuuuh... Exams huh? Not a pretty thing. Specially if it's as important as the IGCSEs... I've done IGCSEs past papers before but never really got full marks. Came close, but not quite there.
People are doing alot of stuff in preparation for the arrival of Exams: they're having tuitions; they're taking in more homework; they're actually paying attention in class and they are stressing over it. Of course, teachers emphasising everyday how close the exams are isn't going to take the stress off but it's helpful if you want a good, high mark in the exam.
Me? Well, I'm still blogging, I'm almost always online, and I still don't know when the exams are- You tell me if I'm stressed. I just simply made a schedule for my brain to keep up with the schoolwork. It's alot better than going with the human paranoia of exams. I still do have to study, yes: there's no one in this world who can get a super great mark in exams if they don't study, but I'm not going to accept tuition offers, I'm not going to stay up all night just to learn about how E-MC(2) is a great finding and I'm definitely not going to pay more attention in class then I already am. I sit in the front row of almost every class! How much more attentive can one get?! Not saying I concentrate in class much though...
Anyways, today I had a 3 hour exam or survey for the PISA thing. It's the survey of how good a country is by measuring and comparing 15 year olds marks in the country. I thought since they said it was going to take 3 hours long, it'd be a good way to skip school lessons but, as usual, I was wrong. It was so, so, so, so, so, so, sooooo boring! Except for one question about spiders being drugged. Hahahahaha! Spiders high on weed...
After the exam part was over, which took 2 hours long, the last hour we spent on doing a questionaire about our life in school. I have never yet responded on a questionaire properly. For example: they asked me at what age I graduated Kindergarden from. I answered: Between 1 and 15.
Moving away from Spiders high on weed and Kindergarden, I think my exams are quite close and there's one of them in particular that is really important to myself: my IGCSE english exam. Out of all the IGCSEs, I place English and Biology as the most important ones. They're important because if some old dude in England thinks that I have very good understanding of the english language and that I have an excellent understanding of the human body, I would be able to become a doctor in a foreign country. I don't know yet if that is certainly my aim as a career but for now, I want the Dr. in front of my name. It makes me sound a bit more... Sophisticated ;p
As my closing paragraph, I'm going to give out a warning: Don't put yourself under too much stress or expect too much, it'll just make things worse if you DO get a low mark. Aim reasonably and try harder than you thought was possible. If you get a high mark and you were expecting something less, wouldn't that make you even happier?
People are doing alot of stuff in preparation for the arrival of Exams: they're having tuitions; they're taking in more homework; they're actually paying attention in class and they are stressing over it. Of course, teachers emphasising everyday how close the exams are isn't going to take the stress off but it's helpful if you want a good, high mark in the exam.
Me? Well, I'm still blogging, I'm almost always online, and I still don't know when the exams are- You tell me if I'm stressed. I just simply made a schedule for my brain to keep up with the schoolwork. It's alot better than going with the human paranoia of exams. I still do have to study, yes: there's no one in this world who can get a super great mark in exams if they don't study, but I'm not going to accept tuition offers, I'm not going to stay up all night just to learn about how E-MC(2) is a great finding and I'm definitely not going to pay more attention in class then I already am. I sit in the front row of almost every class! How much more attentive can one get?! Not saying I concentrate in class much though...
Anyways, today I had a 3 hour exam or survey for the PISA thing. It's the survey of how good a country is by measuring and comparing 15 year olds marks in the country. I thought since they said it was going to take 3 hours long, it'd be a good way to skip school lessons but, as usual, I was wrong. It was so, so, so, so, so, so, sooooo boring! Except for one question about spiders being drugged. Hahahahaha! Spiders high on weed...
After the exam part was over, which took 2 hours long, the last hour we spent on doing a questionaire about our life in school. I have never yet responded on a questionaire properly. For example: they asked me at what age I graduated Kindergarden from. I answered: Between 1 and 15.
Moving away from Spiders high on weed and Kindergarden, I think my exams are quite close and there's one of them in particular that is really important to myself: my IGCSE english exam. Out of all the IGCSEs, I place English and Biology as the most important ones. They're important because if some old dude in England thinks that I have very good understanding of the english language and that I have an excellent understanding of the human body, I would be able to become a doctor in a foreign country. I don't know yet if that is certainly my aim as a career but for now, I want the Dr. in front of my name. It makes me sound a bit more... Sophisticated ;p
As my closing paragraph, I'm going to give out a warning: Don't put yourself under too much stress or expect too much, it'll just make things worse if you DO get a low mark. Aim reasonably and try harder than you thought was possible. If you get a high mark and you were expecting something less, wouldn't that make you even happier?
Friday, 27 March 2009
Memories
Just a few moments ago, my brothers, my mum and myself were looking through old pictures of us in Dubai, and there was this feeling of strange memories coming back. For one thing: Muhaimin was SUPER thin! I just can't believe how much he changed. Plus, his large ears dissapeared, somehow or rather. I'm sure my mom missed them.
Then I saw Saif and myself and WOW! There was this picture from 2002... just shocking how much we grew up. 7 years ago; a very long time! I was SHORT! I was just about Saif's shoulders in height back then but just like Muhaimin, I had skinny arms with no meat or muscles.
I couldn't help but smile as pictures of my past friends came up: school friends and not school friends. A few pictures brought back so much memories that I have a headache right now. One of the pictures is the one with Ali and Najwa's family and Jalil's family when we went to the MBC stationplace. Najwa, Ali, you remember that? Stupid question, of course, you do! It was a major event: we went to a TV STATION and got a tour AND a souvenier t-shirt! Remember Muhaimin's tooth? *wink*
Right next to that picture was a picture of me dressing into the F1 costume! Man, that brought back soo many memories... That was, I think, my last time riding a Go-Kart. And it was also the time when my Kart blew up on my 3rd round! hahahaha! Then, Najwa crashed into the wall right infront of me! She said she was trying to see who's Kart blew up. A reminder to all: Keep your eyes on the road!
Flicking through the album, I saw pictures of us when we were even younger! It was the 2nd year here;2001. Saif was being the Imam for Ala', Nasa and myself. It was horrible how young we looked! There was that overall resemblance-I wa still dorky; Saif still with that hair; Ala' still a bit rounder than the rest of us; Nasa with his long arms and legs- but we all grew up into something much different from what we were then.
There was alot of family pictures as well. Most of my family also did change in appearance; Ayahcik looking like a teenager, Danial looking like Ishraf, Wajdi looking chubby and round, and loads more! I was just laughing at the pictures and felt weird at looking at my family in the past.
The point is, taking pictures is a great thing. Even pictures that seemed useless at that point of time. Heck, I saw a picture of Muhaimin on the pot! So, don't be shy of the camera as they keep your memories alive for a very, very long time.
Then I saw Saif and myself and WOW! There was this picture from 2002... just shocking how much we grew up. 7 years ago; a very long time! I was SHORT! I was just about Saif's shoulders in height back then but just like Muhaimin, I had skinny arms with no meat or muscles.
I couldn't help but smile as pictures of my past friends came up: school friends and not school friends. A few pictures brought back so much memories that I have a headache right now. One of the pictures is the one with Ali and Najwa's family and Jalil's family when we went to the MBC stationplace. Najwa, Ali, you remember that? Stupid question, of course, you do! It was a major event: we went to a TV STATION and got a tour AND a souvenier t-shirt! Remember Muhaimin's tooth? *wink*
Right next to that picture was a picture of me dressing into the F1 costume! Man, that brought back soo many memories... That was, I think, my last time riding a Go-Kart. And it was also the time when my Kart blew up on my 3rd round! hahahaha! Then, Najwa crashed into the wall right infront of me! She said she was trying to see who's Kart blew up. A reminder to all: Keep your eyes on the road!
Flicking through the album, I saw pictures of us when we were even younger! It was the 2nd year here;2001. Saif was being the Imam for Ala', Nasa and myself. It was horrible how young we looked! There was that overall resemblance-I wa still dorky; Saif still with that hair; Ala' still a bit rounder than the rest of us; Nasa with his long arms and legs- but we all grew up into something much different from what we were then.
There was alot of family pictures as well. Most of my family also did change in appearance; Ayahcik looking like a teenager, Danial looking like Ishraf, Wajdi looking chubby and round, and loads more! I was just laughing at the pictures and felt weird at looking at my family in the past.
The point is, taking pictures is a great thing. Even pictures that seemed useless at that point of time. Heck, I saw a picture of Muhaimin on the pot! So, don't be shy of the camera as they keep your memories alive for a very, very long time.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
The Calm After The Storm
That was just plain old FREAKY! There was absolutely NO warning! Sure there were rain clouds, but I just figured it'd be like always and the rain clouds would clear themselves out. Big mistake!
Never, ever underestimate the weather in UAE! For the past month or so, there was all sun and heat and clearly no rain. Yesterday night, however, rained so hard that my house actually got flooded! Some parts also had HAIL! That is awesome Rare. There was obviously ligtning and thunder, and I heard SOME people were scared of it;P
Ok, how I knew my room got flooded.
I was actually watching T.V. when d rain started. First it was just a few pellet-like drops, then it came down harder and with more reinforcements! Before you know it, the T.V. is on maximum volume and I could still hear NO sound! It was SuperRain! Coming down on Earth with all its might! Flash! Lightning! BANG! Thunder!
So, I decided to make sure the window in my room was closed. I was intent on making sure it was closed so when I heard the water crashing down louder than it should, I thought the window was open. I rushed into the room, saw my window was closed and was completely dumbfounded when I finally noticed that my roof was leaking!
One event led to another and soon enough, there was no T.V., no internet, and Abah, Muhaimin, Saif and I were sitting down in a circle, playin Scrabble. At least some good came out of the storm.
Forecasts: storm will happen in the next 5 days. Basically, we're going to have to endure storms until Sunday! Insha'Allah nothing too bad will happen.
I'm going to try to update as soon as I can on the storm.
Never, ever underestimate the weather in UAE! For the past month or so, there was all sun and heat and clearly no rain. Yesterday night, however, rained so hard that my house actually got flooded! Some parts also had HAIL! That is awesome Rare. There was obviously ligtning and thunder, and I heard SOME people were scared of it;P
Ok, how I knew my room got flooded.
I was actually watching T.V. when d rain started. First it was just a few pellet-like drops, then it came down harder and with more reinforcements! Before you know it, the T.V. is on maximum volume and I could still hear NO sound! It was SuperRain! Coming down on Earth with all its might! Flash! Lightning! BANG! Thunder!
So, I decided to make sure the window in my room was closed. I was intent on making sure it was closed so when I heard the water crashing down louder than it should, I thought the window was open. I rushed into the room, saw my window was closed and was completely dumbfounded when I finally noticed that my roof was leaking!
One event led to another and soon enough, there was no T.V., no internet, and Abah, Muhaimin, Saif and I were sitting down in a circle, playin Scrabble. At least some good came out of the storm.
Forecasts: storm will happen in the next 5 days. Basically, we're going to have to endure storms until Sunday! Insha'Allah nothing too bad will happen.
I'm going to try to update as soon as I can on the storm.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Aqad Nikah
My first ever experience of a Muslim style Wedding! First impression: Awesome! Of course that migh just be the fact that I hung out wit my greatest friends...It felt right! This was where I completely fit in.
Anyways, Aqad Nikah is translated from arabic to english to mean Marriage Contract or Bonding Agreement. And it's the vocal agreement of the bride's dad and the groom on the marriage that basically takes place. And this wedding took place at one of my best friend's house. The reason wh is still a mystery to him.
First, we wait for the Qadi(Judge) to come and pray Maghrib with us. Then, he gives a ceramah(speech) of the wedding and Islam. Then he asks the groom something like: Do you agree with all the terms and responsibility of this marriage? He has to reply: I (name) agree with all the terms and responsibility of this marriage. And of course since there is no paperwork, the Qadi and the audience becomes witnesses of the event.
Afterwards:FOOD! There was like awesome loads of food including CHICKEN and rice and CHICKEN and oh yeah cake obviously. Ayam masak merah...sedap!
After we were bored and full, we(me and my friends) decided to play some basketball, and just in case anyone's wondering; we are all horrendously terribly at it excluding the house owner. But of course my team never lost once! *grin*
We spent most of the night playing basketball, but once we started getting hurt and tired, we went inside, and inside is where I met two more friends, one of them a friend I missed a lot. The rest of the night was spent laughing and joking around, just like the good ol' days. *grin*
P.S. I'm bald now!
Anyways, Aqad Nikah is translated from arabic to english to mean Marriage Contract or Bonding Agreement. And it's the vocal agreement of the bride's dad and the groom on the marriage that basically takes place. And this wedding took place at one of my best friend's house. The reason wh is still a mystery to him.
First, we wait for the Qadi(Judge) to come and pray Maghrib with us. Then, he gives a ceramah(speech) of the wedding and Islam. Then he asks the groom something like: Do you agree with all the terms and responsibility of this marriage? He has to reply: I (name) agree with all the terms and responsibility of this marriage. And of course since there is no paperwork, the Qadi and the audience becomes witnesses of the event.
Afterwards:FOOD! There was like awesome loads of food including CHICKEN and rice and CHICKEN and oh yeah cake obviously. Ayam masak merah...sedap!
After we were bored and full, we(me and my friends) decided to play some basketball, and just in case anyone's wondering; we are all horrendously terribly at it excluding the house owner. But of course my team never lost once! *grin*
We spent most of the night playing basketball, but once we started getting hurt and tired, we went inside, and inside is where I met two more friends, one of them a friend I missed a lot. The rest of the night was spent laughing and joking around, just like the good ol' days. *grin*
P.S. I'm bald now!
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Monday- First day of secondary sports
Today included: football, basketball, netball, wheelbarrow race, ball-and-spoon race, hula-hoop race and some sort of sports trivia.
As Topaz house captain, I was in-charge of nearly everything that had to do with Topaz as my vice-captain didn't even bother to show up. Everything was splited up into boys/girls and different years. So, basically, the year 8 girls played with year 8 girls, year 8 boys played with year 8 boys.
The football team wasn't too bad but we didn't win much and the same was for basketball. It was all a big mess for Topaz House and I accept the responsibility and blame. Netball, I'm not too sure about as I tend to distance myself from that sport. The other picnik activities were out of control as everyone was halfway-to-eternal-sleep and no one wanted to do any of the activities. Well, that was the year 10s at the very least. As for me...I had to stop at the wheelbarrow race: I burnt my hand going just a bit too fast. Now, I have a disturbing sight in the side of my palm. Hopefully I'll be able to heal by the end of the week.
Oh yeah, I also had a very interesting encounter: before the burnt hand, the principle came out. He was watching silently for a while then said out loud as soon as everyone was quiet: 1000 housepoints for Sapphire for being the first to quiet down! That just clicked something in me. I walked up to him, and told him: sir, isn't that against the rules?! You yourself said teachers are only allowed to give 20 housepoints maximum for one thing. He was calm towards all this but once I said: You can't do that, he said: go sit in my office.
First time in the principle's office. Kind of weird but not scary as I was confident that I had every right to stand up to him. Plus the other 5 kids that were in there who was in more serious trouble than I was boosted my spirits up a bit.
He made me wait in his office for almost 30 minutes, then called me out, then had a talk with me which went kind of like this: What was that thing you said to me? I can't do that right? Well, this badge of mine says I can. And I don't want you to tell me how to do my job. How should you have come up to me do you think?
Without even having to think hard, I answered: I guess I should have said: You shouldn't have done that sir. It's against the rules! He smiled at that. Guess I hit the answer spot on.
Then he said something like: well, if it wasn't for gatekeepers like yourself, I can get away with murder! The difference in those answers is that the Can't is harsh and more commanding while the Shouldn't is calmer and people would be more willing to listen to your argument. I CAN'T believe that he had thought me an ethical lesson on a sports day!
I don't know if I had earned his respect or he was just trying to take the mickey out of me, but he then said: another 1000 housepoints for sapphire for again being the silent house! Then he said: as a reward for such a great day, I'm giving Topaz, Emerald, and Ruby 2000 housepoints each!
For some weird reason, which I laughed at, people actually cheered. What they didn't notice was that he had just taken back his words of making Sapphire first! From now on, I have a lot of respect for that funny man in the black suit: Mr. Campbell.
Today included: football, basketball, netball, wheelbarrow race, ball-and-spoon race, hula-hoop race and some sort of sports trivia.
As Topaz house captain, I was in-charge of nearly everything that had to do with Topaz as my vice-captain didn't even bother to show up. Everything was splited up into boys/girls and different years. So, basically, the year 8 girls played with year 8 girls, year 8 boys played with year 8 boys.
The football team wasn't too bad but we didn't win much and the same was for basketball. It was all a big mess for Topaz House and I accept the responsibility and blame. Netball, I'm not too sure about as I tend to distance myself from that sport. The other picnik activities were out of control as everyone was halfway-to-eternal-sleep and no one wanted to do any of the activities. Well, that was the year 10s at the very least. As for me...I had to stop at the wheelbarrow race: I burnt my hand going just a bit too fast. Now, I have a disturbing sight in the side of my palm. Hopefully I'll be able to heal by the end of the week.
Oh yeah, I also had a very interesting encounter: before the burnt hand, the principle came out. He was watching silently for a while then said out loud as soon as everyone was quiet: 1000 housepoints for Sapphire for being the first to quiet down! That just clicked something in me. I walked up to him, and told him: sir, isn't that against the rules?! You yourself said teachers are only allowed to give 20 housepoints maximum for one thing. He was calm towards all this but once I said: You can't do that, he said: go sit in my office.
First time in the principle's office. Kind of weird but not scary as I was confident that I had every right to stand up to him. Plus the other 5 kids that were in there who was in more serious trouble than I was boosted my spirits up a bit.
He made me wait in his office for almost 30 minutes, then called me out, then had a talk with me which went kind of like this: What was that thing you said to me? I can't do that right? Well, this badge of mine says I can. And I don't want you to tell me how to do my job. How should you have come up to me do you think?
Without even having to think hard, I answered: I guess I should have said: You shouldn't have done that sir. It's against the rules! He smiled at that. Guess I hit the answer spot on.
Then he said something like: well, if it wasn't for gatekeepers like yourself, I can get away with murder! The difference in those answers is that the Can't is harsh and more commanding while the Shouldn't is calmer and people would be more willing to listen to your argument. I CAN'T believe that he had thought me an ethical lesson on a sports day!
I don't know if I had earned his respect or he was just trying to take the mickey out of me, but he then said: another 1000 housepoints for sapphire for again being the silent house! Then he said: as a reward for such a great day, I'm giving Topaz, Emerald, and Ruby 2000 housepoints each!
For some weird reason, which I laughed at, people actually cheered. What they didn't notice was that he had just taken back his words of making Sapphire first! From now on, I have a lot of respect for that funny man in the black suit: Mr. Campbell.
Sporty Day...s.
Sunday: KG1-Grade 2
On this day, I had to be a help to the other teachers who were organizing the Early Primary Sports Day. Came to school in a non-outstanding fashion, just the same as usual, always dreary of course. Then one of my best friends, who had also accepted the task to help out, reminded me about the volunteer jobs that we took.
At 9 something, the games was about to start. Parents flooded in all at once. KG1 was up first. Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, all came neatly out of their classes, each representing their own Houses. It annoyed me to no end that the children all seemed unmotivated at all. I had to take matters in my own hands. Kind of regret it now... lost my voice for a while: I readied a hard voice, steadied my vocal cords, and screamed: What team's gonna win?!!!
HUGE effect on the kids!! No wonder I love kids! Instantly their passion to not lose woke up, igniting flames inside of them, answering my taunt by screaming: RUBY! RUBY! SAPPHIRE! SAPPHIRE! EMERALD! EMERALD! TOPAZ! TOPAZ!!
There was another reason I became tired after all that: Laughing my head off at their desperate attempts to stay in first place. Especially the Obstacle Course! There was this one kid who stuck out more than the rest: A Topazian, chubby and always searching for his parents. The obstacle course included jumping over stuff, climbing others and balancing on another. This kid fell like 3 times on the first obstacle, chubby feet stomping slightly on the climb and couldn't balance what-so-ever! And he did all this still waving at his parents!
I was in charge of motivating the kids and keeping the overall scores. The results of KG1: Topaz first, Sapphire second, Ruby third, Emerald last and lots of sore throats.
KG2 was also similar but with double the cheering. There were lots of shouts and encouragements from the other volunteers like me and I guess the sight of much older kids trying to motivate them just, well, motivated them. The scores were somewhat similar as well.
Then came the slightly older Grade1s and 2s. OH... this was definitely one of the funniest and exciting events. The rules were slightly different but the atmosphere was the same: The obstacle course had an upgrade and they added a sack race as well. Now, the obstacle course included a crawl through a tunnel like thingy which me and the other volunteer had to keep in place. There are no words loud enough to describe the intense cheering coming from the different teams which almost never died down. It was a much better air than the one in the football match before! The results were complete opposite but with sorer throats and 2 pairs of dead arms.
On this day, I had to be a help to the other teachers who were organizing the Early Primary Sports Day. Came to school in a non-outstanding fashion, just the same as usual, always dreary of course. Then one of my best friends, who had also accepted the task to help out, reminded me about the volunteer jobs that we took.
At 9 something, the games was about to start. Parents flooded in all at once. KG1 was up first. Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, all came neatly out of their classes, each representing their own Houses. It annoyed me to no end that the children all seemed unmotivated at all. I had to take matters in my own hands. Kind of regret it now... lost my voice for a while: I readied a hard voice, steadied my vocal cords, and screamed: What team's gonna win?!!!
HUGE effect on the kids!! No wonder I love kids! Instantly their passion to not lose woke up, igniting flames inside of them, answering my taunt by screaming: RUBY! RUBY! SAPPHIRE! SAPPHIRE! EMERALD! EMERALD! TOPAZ! TOPAZ!!
There was another reason I became tired after all that: Laughing my head off at their desperate attempts to stay in first place. Especially the Obstacle Course! There was this one kid who stuck out more than the rest: A Topazian, chubby and always searching for his parents. The obstacle course included jumping over stuff, climbing others and balancing on another. This kid fell like 3 times on the first obstacle, chubby feet stomping slightly on the climb and couldn't balance what-so-ever! And he did all this still waving at his parents!
I was in charge of motivating the kids and keeping the overall scores. The results of KG1: Topaz first, Sapphire second, Ruby third, Emerald last and lots of sore throats.
KG2 was also similar but with double the cheering. There were lots of shouts and encouragements from the other volunteers like me and I guess the sight of much older kids trying to motivate them just, well, motivated them. The scores were somewhat similar as well.
Then came the slightly older Grade1s and 2s. OH... this was definitely one of the funniest and exciting events. The rules were slightly different but the atmosphere was the same: The obstacle course had an upgrade and they added a sack race as well. Now, the obstacle course included a crawl through a tunnel like thingy which me and the other volunteer had to keep in place. There are no words loud enough to describe the intense cheering coming from the different teams which almost never died down. It was a much better air than the one in the football match before! The results were complete opposite but with sorer throats and 2 pairs of dead arms.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
