Yearly round up

Its been a wild year....

From the Senior High Junior's Orientation event to the first semester examination. Its been a hectic 6 months. I'm on the edge of the semester. As 2008 comes to a close, I'm halfway through first year in this hectic school.

Through the span of six month I've been having an academic breakdown. Compared to my last years in Junior High School, my grades, just like everyone else, are dropping. The only improvements I made was english. Throughout six month, honestly, felt disappointed with my school. In school, I have amazing friends, but poor education. Every single day there will be a teacher who miss my class. The result is frequent free periods.

I'm writing this post on my first weekend after the start of my examination... The examination was, well, you can say there's ups and there's downs... Math = hard, English = easy, Geography = hard, Theology = medium, Physics = hard, Chemistry = hard, Economy = hard, History = easy, Local Studies = easy, Civics = medium,

I am really not sure about my science marks. I think that they are so poor...

I'm optimistics that I will pass grade 10...

Wish me luck....

Haven't updated!

Dear Blog!

I haven't updated my blog for a long time! Well this is because I am in no mood.

UPDATE: This is because I don't have time what with the mountain load of homework.

But so much has happened in the last two week. Such as the SMASA English Debating Community basic training, my seniors tantrum, me competing in the Universitas Lambung Mangkurat's English Student's Association's program A Week With English debating championship, and the school is soaking wet coz of the rain.

I want to separate my blog on posts concerning school life and my posts on extra curricullar life.



I hope I can do more posting in the future.

Huh!

Monday, November 3rd

Today is the first day of the first week after examination week (Huh?)
As usal, Mondays starts with school assembly and the Yr 10 Rm 2 conducted the Flag ceremony. During the assembly the principal talked about the abysmal physics results from the recent mid-test examination.

After this was Biology and the teacher revised the test and explained the evidence behind our wrong answers. I managed to scrape a pass on this one.
After a 15 minute recess twas Indonesian literature. I had to write a poem.
Only 45 minutes of creating a poem about our education. Then it was 2 period of english. Fortunately the teacher didn't come to class so it was free period.

The last two period of the day twas Geography and the teacher said I passed the Geo examination. I really couldn't remember after that.

SMA Negeri 7 Banjarmasin has excellent canteens.

On Friday & Sats

Friday. Got a 73 on Biology. Civics was free period. After recess was 2 period of Math which is nothing again except exercises.

Saturday was 'friendship' day. We don't study on that day and the school decided to carry out an inter-class footy match. And a cooking cook off.

The pics tells you what happened when there is a free period.

P.S.-Congratulation to SMA Negeri 7 Banjarmasin for having 5 star canteens (theirs are better than my schools) and friendly host. They hosted a debating contest and I was invited to watch because I'd have nothing to do in school as it was free period the whole day.

Debate practices

Thursday Afternoon!

That afternoon extra Japanese was cancelled and 1 hour later was SEDCO. A community/club for school debaters. Dictated by the senior debaters, we the freshmens had to argue about how High School students are eligible to vote in a General Election.

It was damn boring and an afternoon of karate wasted. But I have to play my wits when chosen for upcoming debating contests. Senior acts as adjus and moderator.

I act as the first speaker of the affirmative team. I tried to explained them that High School students can make their own choices but the adju' (see Midi Junior) didn't get my point and said he was hem...hem... disappointed.

After that the Seniors stated that we (the Juniors) are too... well they demonstrated a 'proper' debate.

Social talks

Thursday!

After an exhaustive mid test school commenced to normal on Thursday, October 30th. Donning the Thursday uniform, the day started with Social Study (a study of social science). Me and my group presented a brief presentation about Social Interactions and Social Reactions. Then it was Q&A session. Next was Cambridge Physics. It was two weeks after the lass 'ordeal.' So keeping it cool the teacher explained how to solve vectors.

History was disappointing as we received our test results and I manage to scrape a 63. Just two marks from the expected passing grade. The teacher then explained cultural heritage. What can you expect from History? Two period of ESL was just viewing comprehension. Recounting a 25min film wasn't that exciting!

The day ended with Physics. It was too horibble what happened on Physics I just couldn't recount it here...

Exam roundups!

Wednesday!

After 7 days of exhausting mid semester examination, its finally over. Examination began on October 20th, 2008 and ended today (October 29th, 2008). 15 core school subjects were tested for grade X to XII. The exam is a sign that we are halfway through the semester. Hence the name mid-semester tests. The purpose of this test is quite unclear to me.

The first day of examination began on Monday, October the 20th. Everyday two core subjects will be tested and on the premiere jour it was Math and Health. Just looking at the Math questions makes me want to throw up. How the hell am I suppose to multiply logarithms? I totally failed the Math test and have no shame about it because I did my best. Up next was PhysEd, I just had to write ways preventing a front roll gone awry and types of starts. It was fine.

The next day was Tuesday, October 21st. As I came to school w/ fears of the first exam: Science physics. Physics involved a lot of calculation and precise evaluation. The test was exactly that. 90 minutes of solving speed equations and physics cos's. As I sat the test down I felt like ripping the shit to shreds. Yupz, totally failed the Physics examination. Later that day was Theology examination. Theology, well hmm... It wasn't thet bad but I'll think I'll receive an average mark.

Wednesday was a curse. We had chemistry examination and I couldn't understand how to add an atom. Chemistry was 25 tough essays. I totally failed it. This leaves me in a bad mood to concentrate on the civics examination later in that day.

Biology and History were to be tested on Thursday. I studied hard for Biology and History therefore I got through those examinations just fine.

Friday was Indonesian literature and Economy. I kinda forget about these two but I think I got through just fine.

On Saturday October 25th was dedicated to Geography (I am confident that I got through it just fine, honestly. Maybe I'll only get an average mark on Geography) and Japanese (got an 80 on this one so Ok).

After a three day break was the last day of our exam days which was today. First up was Social Study test in which I had to explains mores and CLUCK HOHNs. Next was english and last was the infamous arts.

IMPORTANT: Look at the picture above. Its our library. Its in under heavy disrepair. How Am I supposed to study. No wonder I failed the Math, Physics, and Chemistry tests.

Saturday Stories

Saturday (I even go to school on Sats)

Today was nothing but Indonesian. Even so the teacher told us to write a short story. She set the theme of the short story to 'People's life'. Writing is just one of my favorite hobbies to reading. I got hyped up and will get so immersed in what I write. So I wrote my short story and reread it grimly 'coz it looked more like a recount. F*ck it.

Indonesian was 3 periods long (do the Math=45 minX3). But after Indonesian was recess and after that was religious education (or Theology). Except that the teacher was a teacher as well as Vice Headmaster simultaneously. So as usual he's busy. Which means its free period. Can you imagine 2 periods of pure class chaos. It was fun.

Because the teachers were having a meeting, the students were dismissed earlier. At least I got a chance to gatecrash Grandpa's alumni party.

So I only studied for 3 periods long.

P.S.-As I write this blog I am listening to The Streets "When You Wasn't Famous"

Friday booboos!

Friday,

I had to come to school early today 'coz the school along with the student board decided to have another Friday Preach. This was the second Friday Preach. On Friday Preaches, the whole students gather at the basketball field and sit facing a religious preacher while he...well...preach. Today's subject is about the three curses god give to those who insult their teachers. I personally disagree. I am a person who have faith in my religion but also have faith in the freedom to say anything.
After the preach was Biology. We discussed Monera critters and I had to explain the differrence between a bacteria and amoeba. It was fine except I didn't explained clearly and the teacher, she didn't hear me say the Whittaker's Kingdom classificaion.
Next was civics, a subject about the structure of politics and the likes. We had to create 5 questions and the best will be chosen for the upcoming mid-semester test.

After 15 min of recess was General Mathematics. It was the long awaited Math test. The teacher handed out the question sheets and we were told to explain the solution in another sheet. Thank god I got through rational fractions and root forms just fine.

Whoa!

Thursday,

Thursdays' starts with Social Study. Today's social study was just a period of presenting a group work the teacher set. We went to the multimedia room as some group had their presentation using powerpoint.
Up next was Cambridge Physics.

After 15 minutes of recess, twas a period (45 min) of history. History is very boring as usual. What the teacher explained to us what's right there in the book so I really do feel that the history lessons are a waste right now. Next up was Cambridge English (or ESL), the teacher comfort us all after the disturbing event during Cambridge Physics.

The last period was General Physics. 2 period of exercises on acceleration and that's it.

Wild!!!

Wednesday,

Today's chemistry test was cancelled (or postponed). Apparently the whole class practically begged the teacher to call off the test 'cause he didn't announced today's test beforehand. So the 2 lesson period was quite an enjoyable affair as I finally understand what Chemistry tables are (I hardly understood anything these days). Physical education was a free period as our physed teacher went to either Yogyakarta or Bali for the 2008 Asian Beach Games .

Cambridge Math (one period after a 15 minute recess) was a 'dozing' affair. Our Math teacher is so relaxed and 'pure' while teaching us that most of us are yawning all the time. It takes an effort not to fall asleep during his class. It is amazing that he left retirement to teach again. Not only that, he taught Math in English at a speed of light (to some of my classmates at least).

One period of Music was replaced by counselling. Nothing special. The day ended with a very brief Music class where the whole class was turned into an orchestra of our National Anthem. It resulted in me not wanting to hear 'Indonesia Raya' ever again.

Cancelled!

Tuesday,

The Math test today was postponed until Friday. To my relief. Tuesdays started with Economics. The teacher explained 'bout markets and financial graphs. She also preached about the upcoming mid-semester tests. Up next was 45 minutes of English. We were told to get into groups and staged a drama and should be prepared in two weeks.

After 15 minutes of recess, it was Cambridge Chemistry. Nothing special as the teacher only assigned us exercises. To be completed Thursday. When the bell rang signalling the end of Chemistry, it was Math. When the Math teacher walked in he decided to postponed the test to Friday, to our relief. The 90 minute lesson was dedicated for quadratic equations instead.

After another 15 min of recess, the (school)day ended with a two period of Japanese. Today's Japanese class was nothing but playing some Hiragana Snaps.

Whatta day! As I went home I had to finish my Music homework, prepare for the Chemistry test tomorrow and write a play in English! But I blog in English.

Mixed Monday

Monday,

First up was school assembly and flag raising ceremony. The X1s carried out the flag to the pole during the ceremony. Nothing special about school assembly. After the assembly we went back to class, dreading what's next, the Biology evaluation test. When the Biology teacher came she didn't give any opportunity to let us just open our books once more before the evaluation. Thank god I studied last night. Therefore the evaluation wasn't too difficult. But I still wasn't sure whether I nailed it.

After recess (15 min) twas Indonesian Language. Had to write a paragraph w/ metaphor. I wrote a heartbroken story. I've always wanted to be an author. Then it was English. Didn't really pay attention to the English teacher as I was getting bored by this point.

The day ended w/ a gay Geography lesson. Had to memorize 4 theories concerning the creation of the Solar System. NONE of the theories were actual facts about how the Universe were made. AND we had to memorize them.

After school I stopped by a photo studio to get my close up pic taken for the school report. How depressing. Now its time to focus on Math test the next day.

Gritting teeths

Dear Blog,

Tomorrow is Monday. All day I've been trying to study math and biology but instead I've been falling asleep. Tonight is CSI Supreme Sunday. The mid-semester examination is less than 8 days away and I haven't done any hardcore studying.

The Biology evaluation test is tomorrow. That's no problem, but the next day (Tuesday) is the math evaluation and I'm extremely nervous as I understand 1/8 of what Logarithm these days.

Hope I'll pass these examinations and pull meself together.

Tommorrow is...

Dear blog,

Today I created a blog. It wouldn't contain any opinion-ish or criticism. This blog is limited to my daily school life. My school is under a so-called internationalisation. It is the BEST school, whether its the infrastructure or the students' opportunities, for hundreds of miles radius. It is located in Banjarmasin, Southern Borneo. It is considered to be an elite school.

This blog is a diary of a student in an envied school.