Éclectique

It's nearly the end of Ramadhan and tomorrow, I'll be hitting the road heading back to my 'kampung' or village in Perak which is about 100+ kilometres up north. My father said to brace ourselves as traffic is bound to be heavy, especially with Eid il Fitri right around the corner. I'm bored and I can't sleep. Lately, the state of our education system keeps playing on my mind. Learning is supposed to be fun. That's the most efficient way to learn. Where you see it's application in daily life and you get the appreciation because you know how it works. Well, when the students despise going to school, something isn't right. I can tell you for a fact, I learn best when I know and understand it's application in daily life. That really helps me. Like history, it's facts regarding what has happened and I kind of like history so I'm sort of alright there. Modern math is fun to do because our teacher really walks us through it one by one, ...

The 1 week semester break has been extended to 2 weeks due to Eid il Fitri. So once school reopens, it's 3 days of school and then on Thursday, TRIALS! Huhu. So for those of us in Form 3 & Form 5, these 2 weeks is not so much a holiday as it is a study-a-thon. I feel our exam-oriented system is stressful on students and actually limiting our opportunities to be all-rounders. Too few are scoring A+'s AND excelling in the co-curricular activities. Our syllabus is heavy and I think getting heavier. History is about to be incorporated into the primary school syllabus. The Standard 1 kids are already learning Science. It is literally back-breaking work. Those little kids in Primary school can't lift all those books without damaging the back posture. And when we consider leaving the heavy textbooks in class. It's not allowed. What the? Anyway, I'm bored and having trouble sleeping. My birthday is in about 2 weeks and my family is asking me what I want for...

Last Sunday, my family & I went for a ride at the Rubber Research Institute (RRI) is Sungai Buloh. It's a really cool XC trail. A lot of loops. The week leading up to our trip was kind of stressful because information regarding RRI was hard to obtain. Getting there is simple enough. Starting from Skypark Terminal, Subang Airport, keep going straight until you reach a Caltex gas station. From there, turn right and keep going, following the signs. The signs will lead you to the actual institute itself which is on your left. The entrance to the trail however, is right across the street, on your right. So turn right -- it's between two nurseries -- and park. There's a small plot of land perfect for parking and unloading the bikes. After that, start off. Map from Subang Airport to Entrance of RRI View Larger Map The road going into the plantation is red soil road and it's a nice ride. You can do some pretty cool sprints there but I'd advise against that. ...

The draftees -- is that even a word? Well, the name list for selected or drafted to attend the Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) or National Service is out! A number of my friends got selected. And I --finally! -- found out whether I was selected or not. Turns out I got picked! Hehe. I don't really care. To me, the worst part is probably going to be having to share bathrooms and the haircut. Well, the hair will grow back so not really a problem there. Honestly, I don't really mind going. Last time, I wanted to go but that was because I didn't know what I would do during the long holiday after SPM. Now that I do, I'm kinda bummed but hey, better than sitting for Form 6. That I don't want to do. Sorry to those who want to attend Form 6, I don't mean to put you guys down. Mama & Abah would probably want to talk about National Service when they get home. I guess that's all for now.

So much has happened. Sad, happy and everything in between. A fast-forwarded version would be like this. Editor's note; most events listed below have happened whereas some have yet to happen. I watched Toy Story 3. And I cried. Well, not sobbing crying but yeah, I shed tears. I really grew up with that movie. During the 1st movie, Andy was moving to a new house. Around the same time, I was moving back to Malaysia from the US. Sad times. In the third movie, Andy is 17 & about to go to college. So am I. I got an invitation from a friend to participate in the Urban Downhill event of the King of Fraser's Hill mountain bike carnival/bash/event/wtv. But I can't go. Huhu. I learned how to take out my back tire, take it apart (tube & tire only) and of course put it back. Another milestone in learning about bikes. My grades are slowly climbing. Yaay! Except for Add Math and Chemistry. Huhu. I'm paying more attention in class than ever before. Which is a g...

I ask; what is personal belief? And at what point is your personal belief compromised? Is personal belief something that you believe is right despite any doubts that you may have? Is it compromised when you feel like going against your personal beliefs every time you run into the same situation? Or is personal belief the very thing that prevents you from giving in to your emotions because deep down, you know that not giving in is the right move to do? For example; my mother often makes rather hurtful remarks about the things. Destructive constructive criticism you may say. And for those of us in the Eastern culture in particular, it is very much unacceptable to talk back to your parents. Many a time in such situations, I feel like storming out of the room or shouting back at her. So do I actually believe in my personal belief of not talking back no matter how much I want to? Or am I merely submitting myself painfully to the norms of society?

It's a slow Saturday afternoon but at least it's not stressful. I always feel stressed out when I have to study for extended periods of time in my room. Maybe it's because I'm really REALLY studying. Hehehe. I can hear some jazz music coming from one of the neighbours. Sets a nice ambiance. I was hoping to go out with my family today but my mom decided not to. Huhu. She said we would go out tomorrow. So for the time being, I'm alternating between 'studying' and looking up places to ride. Provided I can get another mountain bike for my dad. And a car rack. Haha. Oh well. Guess that's it for now. Au revoir.