Tuesday, January 31, 2012

School Type Stuff

If anyone can tell me where I got the title of the blog from, I'll give you internet cookies. As usual, I'm only blogging because I'm bored and I don't really feel like studying Chinese. Or revising English. Or... you get the idea.

My dad got home last night and I'm pretty happy about it. I obviously couldn't mention it on here until he got back, but he's been pretty busy lately. Somehow he still managed to get up and make me breakfast, though. Either that or he couldn't sleep, whichever one he wants to believe.

This makes getting my English project, which is based entirely around him. So, instead of sorting through interviews (my uncle acts like Dad has godlike powers, somewhere up there with Athena), I can just ask him for information! I didn't realise it until now, but the project was extremely difficult without being able to talk to all the time. Hopefully I'll stop writing random stuff now and start writing proper facts.

My mom went to an interim meeting last night and came home really excited for me. I think it's safe to say that I'm anticipating Japan to be awesome. Now I'll shut up about it, because it feels like I mention it in every blog post. Probably because I do.

Today is a pep rally, which is also known as a 'Let's Waste Time' rally. While I'm being a good little sophomore and supporting my class in green, I couldn't care less about this whole ordeal. For whatever reason (because I was a cheerleader?), I actually had school spirit in my old school. Not feeling it with the Eagles though. Sorry.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Japan in 11 Days

I just started counting days on my calendar for days until I fly out for Japan, and I realised I could actually count it in Japanese. Yup, ju-ichi (10-1) or 11!

How very exciting!

So, for internet safety reasons, I probably shouldn't outline my trip. But, I'm really tempted to. Let's just say I'm going to Tokyo at some point. The cool area where cosplay, Lolita, decora and countless other subfashions were born. Obviously, that is not going to be a highlight for me on my trip- no, not at all.

Sorry, this was  a drabbly post. Next post will be much better. Kind of like my last update on FF.net... ugh.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

It's Alive!

... Well, now it's Sunday.

So, yesterday I went to the Singapore Expo and saw the Song 'moving mural' thing. That's a terrible description of it, but basically it's this really famous scroll painting that some artists made massive, projected onto a huge wall, and made the people move. Not just walking around or anything. No, they were living. Riding horses, trading, playing drinking games, and boating. It was the coolest thing ever.

Mr. Burell and my new friend Joy were also there. We spent a long time looking through the pre-exhibit artifacts as well as the scroll itself. There was also one of the original copies of the scroll at the expo- we stood in line for practically half an hour waiting to see it. I'm tired and have done a poor job explaining this. So here's the link: http://singaporeexpo.com.sg/2011/10/17/a-magnificent-ancient-chinese-city-comes-to-life-before-your-eyes/

It was nice seeing Mr. Burell again. I really miss his class. It was really interesting, and I learned a lot.

Afterwards, we all ate prawn mee. I'd actually like to know if they are feeling a bit ill this evening... I know I am >.<

Saturday, January 28, 2012

First Show

This evening was the SAS fashion show, and I was backstage 'helping out' with the smoke machine. Not much more to say than that. In a way, I'm shocked I didn't set off the smoke detectors with my minor epic fails at pushing the button at proper timing.

While I can't say much about this, there's other stuff going on. Mostly dealing with friends.

Yes, friends. I've actually met a decent number of techies that I know and like. However, there will always be friend issues.

So be it.

I'm tired. It's nearly 1am. Good night.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Tech-y Tech-inesss

While I should be studying for my Chinese quiz tomorrow, I have instead decided to blog about how cool Tech Club is. I joined it relatively recently, yet it feels like I've been in the club for a while because the people are all pretty cool. Tech Club does all the lights, sound, backstage work and camera for school productions. We also have a pretty good time waiting around backstage.

The best part about Tech, in my opinion, is the people. Like all of SAS, we (I think I have my 20 hours, or I'm close, so it's 'we') come from completely different backgrounds. Everyone is completely unique. While I feel that most of the people in my school are essentially copies of each other, Techies are all different. They are quirky, they have flaws. They aren't the popular kids walking down the halls clutching designer purses. Nope, they yo-yo and laugh at weird things like Hetalia (which 2 of them like other than me).

Techies are the people I've been trying to find at SAS, the ones who don't really care how weird we all are. As long as you do your work (or sing along to the music, while working), you're good to go.

Are there things I don't like about Tech? Sure. Stage bricks are heavy.

Am I glad that Mari dragged me into Tech? You bet.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Exciting Day- Istana and Otaku House

Though I didn't want to leave the house (like a lazy butt) today, I'm really glad my mother made me go to Istana with her. Istana is the President's palace here in Singapore, and it's beautiful. The grounds and first floor are only open once in a while, so it was very busy today. Within the palace, we saw a lot of gifts from other countries given to Singapore. I must say, Vietnam, Thailand and India sent the prettiest gifts. I'm a little disappointed in the good old US of A... why were the bowls we gave Singapore like, plain white? It's a little boring next to the gold-work on every other country's stuff. Oh well. I really enjoyed Istana.

I took some vloggity type stuff (borrowing Philip DeFranco's phrasing), which I will post once I finish stringing it together. Why I take 25 second clips is still above my level of intelligence.

After Istana, we went to Plaza Singapura. Since I knew Otaku House was there, I dragged my mother up to the 7th floor.

Now I'm going into nerd mode. Don't want to hear it? Skip this:

They had everything I could possibly imagine for a cosplay store! They had katana, wigs, costumes, and accessories. I found a blue wig cut perfectly for Hikaru (Angelic Layer), so I intend to order it in pink for my upcoming costume. Also, they can order me a Japan (Kiku Honda, Hetalia) costume. They actually had a Germany (Ludwig, Hetalia) costume on a hanger- I started fangirling like a loser. Something tells me the shopkeeper wasn't too happy to deal with me. The one thing I already dislike about cosplay is how much everything is. The costume will be around $100, wig around $40. Ugh. Then I have to make the Hikaru costume, which will probably cost me $80. Thankfully, I baby-sit for families that have 2-3 kids! Otherwise, I think I'd have to manage to get a job. Which I'm not certain I can legally do because I'm here on a DP (dependent pass).

End of Otaku House/cosplay gush.

In short, today was a pretty awesome day. I haven't really done any homework this long weekend (Lunar New Year), which I'm already regretting. Whatever. I have found some new music I really like though. I seem to be mixing my Goth rock obsession with Metal. Doesn't quite make sense, but that's okay.

Then there's the random J-pop thrown in there. Aren't I a bundle of contradictions?

Saturday, January 21, 2012

You Know You're an Expat When...

Wow, I've had a really long, busy week. Sorry I haven't been posting, but school keeps getting in my way. Anyways, I officially joined Tech Crew and am having a lot of fun meeting new people and learning about tech itself. While I'm not terribly good backstage, I'm decent with sound and with lighting.

My dad got home today and brought back lots of stuff with him. Such as American M&M's. I know that may sound weird, but Australian M&M's (which are sold here) taste like wax. They're gross. American Chapstick, Olay face cream, and gum. Yup, I know that sounds really typical and uninteresting.

But you're not an expat, and you've probably never used the strange local Chapstick they sell here!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

10 Things

Because I'm too lazy to do a proper update...
  1. Started new dance classes on Saturday at Dance Ensemble Singapore
  2. Realised that due to Chinese New Year, I will miss a whole month of classes at DES
  3. Did all my homework but Chinese homework this weekend
  4. Discovered in law class that I'm quite Utilitarianist (apparently not a proper word)
  5. Therefore, the whole class full of senior deadbeat males does not like me
  6. Had crepes at school. Twice. Yum!
  7. Had imported-from-USA creme soda in school!!
  8. Successfully walked into a wall while talking to a friend
  9. Joined Tech Club this week and got 4 service hours. All I really did was move a chair and push some buttons.
  10. Managed to not fall asleep at school at all last week.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

PSATs, Careers, Procastination

Well, I don't want to do my Molecular Biology homework even though it's due tomorrow and it's currently 10pm.

I got my PSAT score today! I'm not going to post the mark, but it's not as bad as I expected it to be. I sort of ran out of patience for the test at some points and bubbled random answers. Which is exactly NOT what one is supposed to do. This got me thinking about college again, and I've decided to try to go to a college in the UK.

In that case, it would be University. Basically, in the British system one goes directly into one's major instead of waffling about during Freshman year.  This quite possibly means I would never have to take science again. A few years ago this may have made me sad, but after some really awful science courses (including my current one) I think it's safe to say I don't like science. So, in my constant quest to decide what I want to be when I grow up, I've searched the internet for information. While it would be cool to become an ambassador, I think I'll end up getting a PhD in History of some sort with the intent to teach at post-secondary level. Doesn't that sound fancy?

Another option is law, but my current law class is so boring I don't know if I could do law for a living. Also, the American justice system just seems kind of weird to me now that I know more about it. So maybe no law for me.

Regarding Bali photos... heh... I haven't had the time to sort through them. Homework depending, it will happen over the weekend. I'm sorry.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Deaf

On Friday night and yesterday afternoon I attended two different Chinese dance classes at two different schools. Both were taught almost entirely in Singaporean Chinese, which is pretty different than Beijing Chinese. It's difficult for me to follow basic, everyday conversations in Chinese in general. Needless to say, both dance classes were almost impossible for me to follow. Thank goodness I could watch other people and follow along. I wouldn't know for sure, but I think it was like being deaf. It's not like I couldn't see their mouths moving or anything, I just couldn't really make sense of it. So, it was like not being able to hear anything at all.

Kind of makes it difficult to learn Chinese dance, I guess. Unfortunately I'm not white and can't use that as my excuse. Instead, I just have to say my parents are American and blah blah blah.  It's too bad really, because then teachers can't get past that I don't understand what they're saying. I'm not blind, darn it. I can watch what they're doing. It's just not easy to convince them to give me a chance.

That's not the problem here, though. I think the most difficult part about trying to dance at a local school is that the girls chatter away in Singapore-Chinese too. It's kind of annoying.

Anyways, it's the last day of Winter Break and I have to go to bed. School starts 2 hours late tomorrow, which is pretty nice.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Lazy Days

So, I literally have been sitting around watching the news most of today. Okay, the news, and YouTube videos. Feeling bad about doing nothing so here's a picture of me surfing in Bali. Don't I look like I know what I'm doing?

Had dinner at this restaurant across the street from our apartment called Le Villa or The Villa or something. It was really good- the high end counterpart to Cafe Luigi's!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR

My family and I welcomed the new year standing on the side walk watching fireworks by Marina Bay Sands. Which seems incredibly interesting, I know. 

Actually, there's a story as to why we weren't on, I don't know, a Duck Tour Boat.

So, after waiting around yesterday at Suntec City after eating dinner at a bar that played music-that-is-awkward-to-listen-to-when-parents-are-around, my family got ready to board a Duck Tour Boat to see the fireworks. This involved avoiding random puddles of sick and wandering Suntec City aimlessly. There were a total of five Duck Tour boats to enter Marina Bay. Anyways, we got on the boat thing alright and made our way down to the water. I'm sure we looked really cool with the flashing lights and everything, going down the street. Just as we were about to enter the water, the boat behind us hits us (not very hard) from behind. Everyone on our boat suffered whiplash to some degree, and I think the other boat felt it too. So, my dad and a few others really insisted on going back to shore. 

1. We got a full refund
2. No one was seriously hurt
3. I'm not doing Duck Tours at night again. I won't rule out the company entirely, but night doesn't seem to be a great idea.

Anyways, we were stuck with headaches and no real place to see the fireworks. Thankfully, there was this sidewalk area that lots of other people were standing at that had a good view. 

Not exactly how I expected to ring in the New Year, but it wasn't terrible.

When I got home, I sat on my butt and watched fireworks go off in other cities. This whole "sat on my butt and..." pattern kept up in the afternoon and evening, because I've been watching the news a lot lately. The recaps of 2011 that have been playing on the news are quite good, though rather depressing. 

This afternoon I went to the National Palace Museum because they had a Musée d'Orsay Paris exhibit. There were over a hundred famous pieces of artwork on display including some by Monet, Degas and van Gogh. I really enjoyed it.

So, the New Year so far is pretty darn good overall (the Duck Boat thing happened in 2011). 
Except there was a 7.0 earthquake in Tokyo and I'm going there in a bit over a month. Lovely. 

Well, Happy New Year! Don't forget, we all die at the end of this year so I hope everyone partied :)