Dear procrastinator,
Ultimately, you have destroyed me. But in this destruction, I have found the tools for rebuilding. rebirth is harder than I thought. I accept this. Because I am change itself. I loved you.
Till next time.
Dear procrastinator,
I saw this girl…
She looks blessful. There’s a short sentence written on her hand, ‘i <3 you’.
Did she write it herself, or was it someone else? I’m not too certain, but she bursts into a captivating smile everytime she looks at it.
I love how happy you are, stranger.
Till next time.
Dear procrastinator,
I saw a stranger today:
“I’m so sorry,” you whispered, almost unhearable.
“It’s okay, no worries”, I responded.
You look so timid, scared almost. You walked with you shoulders cringed down, like you wanted to disappear. You weren’t paying attention, you say. I wonder why. I think you are a dreamer. I think you dream all day long. Maybe that’s why you look scared – it’s always scary to be suddenly ripped away from a dream and pushed back into reality.
“Have a good day,” I said.
Dream whilst you still can, stranger.
Till next time.
Dear procrastinator,
If I had to describe high school – or more specifically IB – in one word, it would be this: oops. Stuff learnt from reading books and cheat notes will definitely be forgotten, however, I will never forget the dangers from sitting on the second floor railing that is situated right above the car park. That pretty much summarises the experience in high school: it’s quick, it’s overwhelming and it’s forever etched in the mind.
Learning from our mistakes is part of growing up. We might be still holding on to our immaturity; playing tag in the middle of a shopping mall and still dream of rainbows and ponies – but we certainly lost enough hair (from pulling them out during exam break) and gained enough weight to play the part. Every day, we are changing. Like everything else in this world, we will soon grow old and start to smell funny. To deal with this dillema, a little bit of endurance, patience and a lot of deodrants are needed. Stock up appropriately.
High school has definitely taught me something; parents aren’t going to be around forever, so maintaining good relations with your other family members is important. So, if anything goes wrong, they’re my most likely source for an emergency blood transfusion or a spare kidney. Keep a good relationship with your friends as well, assuming they have the same blood type as you. If not, make better friends. Education in the teenage years isn’t about exploring the role as a friend or family member – but also about duty. Know the rules of government. In Washington, stealing garden gnomes is a felony, but spousal abuse is only a misdemeanor. Know your priorities.
The world is full of these kinds of complex responsibilities, which is why high school instills in us the skills we need to avoid them entirely. Higher education isn’t just about becoming a better person; it’s also about learning a better way of life. Exercise, but not too often. Drink, but not too much. Swear at inopportune times in front of large crowds of people … just not when the bishop is sitting right behind you … or at least not until after they hand you your diploma. It doesn’t end today. Life is all about ending up places you don’t want to be and listening to people who don’t know what they’re talking about. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and deal with it. But for right now, the only thing I have to deal with is moving on with my life and embrace my newfound life.
Till next time.
Dear procrastinator,
So here’s the scenario. You have: baked a chocolate chip cookie cake for your dog – only to realise that dogs are allergic to anything related to cocoa beans, therefore, aforementioned cake is now in the bin; watered the garden and discovered plants you have never seen before; washed cars (three cars by the way) that don’t even belong to you; got a pack of 500 sheets PaperOne™ All Purpose premium quality office A4 paper and tested its usability through the airplane test; and last but not least you have laid under your 4 years old IKEA bed to hide from children running excitedly around the neighbourhood and collecting a stockpile of sugar-high induced treats in preparation for the zombie apocalypse.
So here’s the question. Why? Quite simply, to avoid revision that inspires rage, loathing and murder in the hearts of all full-time students mankind. Which brings the many students to wonder…does the provided exam break really serve its purpose? According to IBO, they are now considering extending the now 3 week exam period to 4 weeks; however, there will no longer be an exam break for the students.
Here’s the breakdown of what happens when exam break is under progress:
You no long need to wake up at 0500 to catch whatever transport you need to get to school. You no longer need to spend the few extra minutes making sure that your shirt is inside-out. You no longer need be required to sit in a grey environment under dull fluorescent lights in the same eight hour timeframe as a bunch of pale, sallow people. Here’s the catch. You lose regimen. You start to loathe the neighbours who mow their lawn every single day. You begin talking to yourself (first sign of insanity? Check). You get distracted (by baking useless cake; washing cars; making paper airplanes and singing Airplanes by B.O.B along to it – which by the way is a very awesome song…at least in the eyes of a Gen Y figure).
And well, it’s pretty conspicuous that the breakdown what happens when exam break is taken away is quite the opposite of what happens when exam break is under progress. Yes? No? It doesn’t really matter, because quite honestly, full-time students who don’t even have enough money to buy compulsory and mandatory textbooks don’t have a say in these manipulative programs. Don’t even bother calling 1-800-SUICIDE when you feel like you can’t go on, because they’ll just put you on hold. Better treatment? Dear Girls Above Me.
Till next time.
Dear procrastinator,
Here at the headquarters, surrounded by other small apartments and the loud noise of a garbage truck, I strive to survive in the realm of International Baccalaureate, or what it is famously known as International Bullshit IB.
Therefore, the creation of this blog is purely for selfish reason, the thought that the most efficient way to keep me average and sane with the ever so advancing society is using a this form of technology. Secondly, this blog is for future me.
So what is going on in my land?
Well, first, I would like to congratulate to everyone, more specifically me (as this is my blog), who has finally completed 50 weeks of IB scram; of course, this excludes all the personal dedication to this two-year course. So, to ensure that after 17th Nov 2010, I am still alive and still remember the purpose and intention of this intensive course; here is the following reminder.
Apparently, it is regarded as “more academically challenging and broader than four A-levels – encouraging students to be active, independent learners that appreciates the cultural differences and opinions within our universe.” This then brings us to the CAS and TOK, and who could forget, EE. All these acronyms definitely suggests the professionalism ridiculousity of it. CAS; approximately 150 hours of community service, including creativity, action and service. Most importantly, these community hours must be able to reflect the following: self-awareness, new challenges, ethical decisions, global issues, collaborative work, preserverance, initiation, meh and all that kind of nonsense. This nonsense is further illustrated when Theory of Knowledge (TOK) comes in; epistemology. Extended Essay (EE) a 400 word essay, which level of difficulty should be similar to a PhDs, must also be submitted. Above all this absurdity, 6 subjects must be taken, 3 must be at a higher level – and all classes must have at least 2 languages, 1 maths, 1 social sciences, 1 human sciences.
…but wait! THERE’S MORE! As obvious as it sounds, assignments are mandatory, as well as exams which are out to catch us for all the knowledge crammed within the two years in two hours.
So, future me, looking at this brief description…are you still surviving? If so, did you pass IB? A certified IB Diploma student must also get 24 points out of 45 to pass. 7 marks per subject, 3 marks for TOK and EE, combined – thus 45 marks in total.
What else is going on in IB land?
Mind, that I have changed ‘my’ land to ‘IB’ land? As it is evident that IB has gradually turned my life into IB, itself. Waking up, drag myself to the toilet, close the door; there’s my Biology revision sheets on the door. Change into uniform; my English culture-packed novel notes in my pocket. Slug myself to the moving vehicle; open Maths textbook and start doing some questions. Enter school; entering IB. Leave school; do some CAS. Get back home; IB revision, IB homework, IB assignments, IB essay. It’s 3 in the morning, surrounded by caffeinated drinks, still ferociously typing onto the third laptop (because the first two broke from emotional breakdowns). Ctrl+P, printer is out of ink on the 28th page, a scream is made, and I slowly end up sleeping on the table (if it can be considered one, when one is filled with papers, bags, food, batteries and such necessities…)
So, one must believe that, there MUST be some sort of marvelous and beautiful moment for over 792,000 students participating in this cult, and an increase of over 10% every year! I guess, there is…one…shimmering beacon of light waiting for us, after all these hours of slaving away to pass. University. One simple word, and it holds so much authority and power among the new generation. The IBO, says that it provides us positive attitude to learning…right…which is why approximately 43% of IB students take up drugs due to the immense stress…
However, university.
That’s my plan. A double-degree. Business and Fine Arts.
a 36 out of 45 (minimum requirement).
an interview.
a portfolio.
As an IB student, and so-called positive attitude to learning – I can totally do this!
Now, as of my future, my plan. I am now currently taking the IB Diploma (6 subjects, CAS, TOK, EE). Including, English A1 SL , Chinese B SL, Mathematics SL, Biology HL, Geography HL, Visual Arts HL, CAS, TOK and an Visual Arts EE. They are pretty simple subjects, so not much whining from me on each specific subject, considering I’m pretty sure the future me won’t appreciate it anyway.
Keeping myself updated, or whoever you are; future me, and to celebrate my current survival, with the help of MyLifeIsAverage (:
Till next time.
