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FINAL EXAM

May 28th, 2009 by

This so called final exam is approaching. There is only one week left before the finals…I’m trapped in my room unable to do anything except to study, study, and study. This is probably the same for everyone. Also, because of all the tests this week, projects, and final exam coming, I’ve been going to bed no earlier than two in the morning. As a result, I have now a soar throat. Great. Awesome! How am I going to study well focused now? If I didn’t have two community services this week, maybe I wouldn’t have a cold…but…can’t change things now. Getting back to the topic, final exam is so frustrating. The final exam grades show up on your report card. We all have no idea why, but it does, adding on extra pressure when we already have enough to deal with. Seriously, why?!?!?!?!?!?! I would really like to ask the school. The finals cover about five chapters or more for my classes and I have seven subjects minus P.E. and psychology (video project for final…). School just doesn’t let you off easy and so does teachers. I’m sitting in chem. class writing this becuase we have free time and I don’t have anything else to do…;;;;;;; Lastly, for the people who are on the border of A, A+, A-, B, C, and etc. have even more pressure. For example, I have to score 118/125 to get the grade that I want in chem because I’m on the border line. I was speechless when I realized that I needed this score. I haven’t gotten this high of a grade on any of my chem tests…;;; and now, I have to get this score. I can use some serious motivation from someone right now…but all I can do is study, study, study~! =(

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“Do you think grades truly reflect your learning?”

May 22nd, 2009 by

This topic, inspired by Ms.P on her last comment on one of my posts. Do you think grades truly reflect your learning in a class or anything? There are more than just grades to your learning. Grades certainly are an important part, but it doesn’t or rather, it shouldn’t decide your life or the future. GPA, TOEFL, SAT, AP, and etc. can’t speak for you in terms of progress and a type of student you are. The letters and numbers that the colleges see on your report card can’t tell anything except for maybe  what kind of student you were. Shouldn’t you get to speak out your own mind?

Anyways, getting to the main point. Sure, everyone is smart in their own ways and have unique ways of expressing them. School is one place for this to happen for number of people but not for everyone. School is simply the most basic place to learn and to express your talent in many ways, but it has limitations. Maintaining A’s and B’s are not always easy especially on the areas that you have weaknesses on. Specific subjects, assignments, and demands are all categorized under LIMITATION. Certain ones have their benefits while others don’t. Freely expressing your choice or type of learning in general is not allowed in school, and you are to follow the teacher and the school’s guidelines. Since there is not a freedom of choice on how you can express your learning to full potential, grades can’t mean much but they’re important. Sort of ironic?

So, consider this sometime soon and give your own opinion. ^^ You know that you have your own special type of learning that helps you the best. Even though you do bad on something, it’s probably just lack of effort. Either you are too lazy to go seek help, or just too lazy to do well. As a result, grades shouldn’t reflect your learning, and shouldn’t be such a big part of your life.

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TIME ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 19th, 2009 by

There are only 18 more days of school left including the finals week!!! Yikes!!!!! Time flys when the school year starts. It’s the time of the year where there are just so much frustrations among everyone. Sure, the APs are over, but finals aren’t. Also, next week is probably the last chance to raise all our grades before the finals. In other words, after these tests, our grades will be pretty much set for the report card and GPA. However, it’s sometimes very frustrating to know that no matter how hard you try, your grades just won’t go up!!!! :@@@@@ These days, I’ve been working harder than usual paying extra attention in classes. As a result of that, I received mostly A’s on assignments. I was thinking, “I’ve been doing pretty good so my grades should definitely go up.” Being happy that my grades would have gone up, I went on Edline. Guess what??? Barely anything changed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This struck pretty hard…I mean seriously, how much do I have to work more to make a major difference?!?!?!?! How much can a person do in such a short time?!?!?! 18-5=13. 13days until the final exams start, and I have to start studying for them as well as other quizzes, tests, and deal with infinite amount of homework. This isn’t just me, but most of the people in school these days. My brain seems trapped and can’t function properly or function as it normally should. Time management sucks. Dealing with time is one of the things that I really hate. There is a limit preventing more growth(?) and yeah….controlling each day and time at my pace would be perfect, but it’s evident that it’ll NEVER happen. Haha…=(

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GPA, Grades, Tests, Quizzes, Finals, and blah blah blah!!!!!

May 15th, 2009 by

Sigh…sigh…sigh…for infinite number of times a day. Yes, this is our current life and it’s sad to say that this is the reality. School year is near its end and it’s time to raise those grades with the last opportunities that we have before the finals! It’s sooo stressful!!!! It’s hard to manage the time, amount of work, procrastination, organizing note, and etc. All we think about today is getting good grades by doing quizzes and tests well, and raising our GPAs so we can get into Ivy League or anywhere famous. These types of school factors are swimming around inside our brains making us tired, frustrated, furious, and annoyed. However, maybe it’s time that we start to become less frustrated, stressed, and overworked. All these factors are important to certain degree but it doesn’t have to dominate your life.

1. Getting like 2 or 3 hours of sleep a day WEAKENS YOUR HEALTH!

Your immune system gets weaker so it’s easier for you to catch, flu, cold, and anything. As a result, you end up going to the doctor, taking medication, and suffering while you work. Importantly, your health is more important than anything else. Why not start to care a bit more for your health when you’re young? You are going to be suffering with health later on when you get old, so take good care NOW!!!!!!!!!

2. QUIT PROCRASTINATING!!!!!!

Yes, it’s clear that it’s hard to quit procrastination. It’s a daily habit that everyone has and no one can get out of it. However, have you really, really, really tried to stop procrastinating? Consider this for a minute. If you haven’t, TRY! It’s hard to always stay focused, so take like 5 minute break after about 2 hours of studying. Also, quitting MSN, Skype, Oovoo, and any kind of online chatting system will help you not to procrastinate!!! Stay focused on your work, goal, and find a long lasting motivation. As for teens, it’s been psychologically proved that our motivation is short-lived, but we can still do it!

In my opinion, these two are the first things that came to my mind. Of course, there are infinite more, but starting out by considering these two things can be a lot of work… ;) For another question, have you ever considered that grades aren’t everything? It seems like it’s everything for some people, but believe me, it’s NOT!!!!!!!!!!! There are people in this world who have earned success without even going to colleges. If you haven’t go on Google or somewhere and see the drop out rates from Ivy League, and other famous colleges that you want to go to. Are you willing to sacrifice your twenties trapped in a dorm studying or would you prefer some life in your twenties with your friends and etc.? It’s entirely up to YOU. Lastly, being smart or a genious also deosn’t mean that you can take a SHORT CUT.

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Reunion

May 8th, 2009 by

It seems like it’s been forever, but it has been only almost an year. I visited my friends in America last summer for a month and it was a blast, but I don’t think I can go again this summer…=( Junior year is coming up and I’m going to be stuck with study materials. Oh joy…However, my friends are coming again this summer to Korea to visit! They came last year too so we got to meet twice! =DDDDD Last Summer, was amazing. We had infinte many sleepovers, shopping trips, playing games, staying up late, watching movies, having guests, going around plazas, towns, cities, and so much more! I was dying to meet them again, but was sure that I wouldn’t see them this year, but they have decided to come! How nice! =D It’s going to be a reunion! One year is such a long time, but passes by way to fast for many of us especially during the school year. Anyway, I’ll see them sometime in June and do something…we haven’t decided what to do yet…but we’ll come up with something fun. Everyone who is in school has experienced separation from their American friends for awhile. Sure, they keep touch, but not “physically” see them. Therefore, many people go during the Summer to see them, and etc. but not everything always works out according to the plan due to time, and etc. For me, I contact them often through e-mail, facebook, and sometimes online chatting during class for “a short amount of time”…(hehe..,;;;;;;;), but not being able to physically see them and to talk face to face made me feel more distant from them. They see each other at school everyday, hangout, and do so much together while I can’t. I hate the fact that it feels so distant, but as people say, once you physically get far away from person, you feel more distant. Hopefully, when we see again, we’ll be more closely reunited and take pictures and form many precious memories to treasure forever. *^^*

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Chocolate Cake

May 7th, 2009 by

Like to cook? Not good at looking? No worries! This receipe may seem long, but it’s really easy to make. Cakes are in fact, not as hard as you think to make. ^^

INGREDIENTS

1+¼ cup (140 g) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (dutched/dark)
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 pinches salt
1 cup (220 g) sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla essence
½ cup (1.2 dl) milk or water
½ cup (1.2 dl) vegetable oil (flavorless)
2 eggs

FROSTING INGREDIENT (if frosting is wanted)

2/3 cup (1.6 dl) heavy cream or whipping cream
9 oz (260 g) semisweet chocolate (40-50% cocoa)

MAKING THE CAKE

  1. Preheat oven to 350 deg F (Gas mark 4 or 180 deg C)
  2. Grease a 9 inch (23 cm) cake tin.
  3. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, sugar and vanilla essence in a bowl.
  4. Add milk/water, vegetable oil and eggs.
  5. Mix everything together until smooth, either by hand or by using an electric mixer at slow speed. If the batter is too runny you may add slightly more flour.
  6. Transfer to bake tin and bake at 350 degrees until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, approximately 35 to 45 minutes.
  7. After the cake has cooled, slice the cake through the middle to make two layers (easier if the cake has been in the fridge).

FROSTING INSTRUCTION (if froting is wanted)

  1. Heat 2/3 cup (1.6 dl) of heavy cream or whipping cream in a sauce pan.
  2. Remove from heat, add 9 oz (260 g) of finely chopped dark semisweet chocolate, stir until smooth, and let it cool until in thickens, if needed in the fridge.
  3. Use one 1/3 of the frosting between the two layers, 1/3 on top, and the rest around the cake. Put the cake into the fridge for one hour or more to harden the frosting.
  4. This cake should have room temperature when served.

OTHER OPTIONS (if desired)

  1. You may substitute 1-2 tablespoons of cream with rum for the frosting.
  2. You may cut the top of the cake to make a flat surface before adding the frosting.
  3. If you are making it for someone’s birthday I would suggest doubling the recipe because this recipe makes for a short, thin cake (suggested by Cyrus, August 2008)
  4. If you prefer a slightly sweeter frosting you may add a couple of teaspoons of honey to the frosting (suggested by Debbie Evans, August 2008)
  5. Instead of vanilla extract, you may use an equivalent amount of freeze dried coffee (Suggested by Carol, October 2008)
  6. You may use ½ cup of freshly brewed coffee instead of milk or water to get mocca flavor (Suggested by Noreen, January 2009)

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My Top 5 Favorite Classic Music

May 4th, 2009 by

1. #4 in E minor- Brahms

He is one of my favorite composers since seventh grade. My band played Hungarian Dance #5 and this was when I really started to like the piece and Brahms and took interest in it. I bought a CD by Brahms and enjoyed listening to it before bed. This piece is not that long, but the graceful trills add beauty and the continuous pattern is its characteristic. Also, the minor key brings the effect of gentleness and royal feeling.

Brahms_-Waltzes-4-in-E-Minor

2. Serenade- Franz Joseph Hayden

This song is one of my favorite because it was one of the first songs that I played for my competition when I was in sixth grade. I received superior rating in the county festival and went to the state festival for flutes! =D This piece also has a pattern which makes it easy to memorize and to follow along. Also, the piece is not so complicated allowing you to add your own trills, notes, and other musical elements. In general, it’s very relaxing and an elegant.

Seranade- Franz Joseph Hayden

3. Rimsky-Korsakov: The Flight Of Bumblebee

This piece is very fast and full of energy. It contains many trills, and complicated notations. The title tells basically everything. This music has the purpose of representing a bumblebee flying around making a journey. Therefore, it’s not that long, but shows many musical terms within. It’s rather a hard piece to play since it’s supposed to be so fast if you listen to the recording. I actually wanted to play this two years ago, but haven’t had the chance yet, so I hope I can play it soon! ^^

Rimsky-Korsakov- The Flight of Bumblebee

4. Riverdance

This piece is not as short as the others, and it contains beauty and rapid style. It beings with charming tone, and switches over to energetic tone sounding like a boat that is rapidly traveling through the jungle rivers. It can possibly sound like a chase as well if you interpret it in a certain way. The flute soloist is James Galway or rather Sir James Galway. He has been honored by the queen and he is currently the world’s greatest flutist and he is passing on his position to Emmanuel Pahud. I’ve been to Galway’s concert in American and sat in the front row, and it was just plain amazing. Getting his autograph and picture took an hour!

Riverdance

5. Gynt: Suite #1 – Morning

This tune, just like the title represents the freshness of a wonderful morning with fresh air, morning due, and beautiful nature. This is also played by Sir James Galway along with the orchestra. When you listen and close your eyes, you can imagine the moutain with the nature of morning blooming sort of like the “Sound of Music” where Maria first enters the scene exploring and singing happily. I can imagine it without closing my eyes and just imagining makes me want to go see it in real life. =) Someday, I will see it and I swear it! ;)

Gynt: Suite #1- Morning

I would love to talk so much more about these music, but it would literally take forever if I do. ;) I really recommend that you listen to at least a little bit of each piece for you’ll notice and experience the different styles of music and see the varieties. In the future post, I’ll elaborate more on these five amazing pieces! *^^*

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Worries Much?

Apr 30th, 2009 by

Entering high school adds so much pressure. It’s the most important part of your life where it’ll determine your colleges, GPA, and blah blah blah. However, worrying can’t be avoided. As a result, here is a list of eight things that will “help” to deal with worries.

1. Use common sense.

Ask yourself just one question: is worry going to help you even one bit in sorting out the chaos you’ve just landed into? No. A definite no. On the contrary, worrying about the situation will only make things worse. And you thought it couldn’t possibly get worse? Wrong, wrong, and wrong! So try not to worry so much. It doesn’t make much difference.

2. Take a few deep breaths.

When anxiety hits you your breathing becomes shallow, irregular and restless. You’ll be amazed how breathing in deeply, fully and calmly will restore your peace.=)

3. Better stay away from that cup of coffee!

Too much caffeine overstimulates the nerves, making you more susceptible to anxiety. Green and black tea also contains caffeine. Go for fruit juice or tea instead, it’ll help your nervous system. ;)

4. Think of the ocean.

Strange as this may sound, when you think of something vast and limitless, like a body of water, your mind becomes relaxed and peaceful. (You can imagine other things as well)

5. Throw Out Worries

Make a special ‘worry-box’ for your long-term worries and anxieties – just a plain old shoebox on which you write the word ‘WORRIES’. Write down all those worries and anxieties of yours on pieces of paper and drop them into the worry-box. Then don’t think about them again for a while. At the end of certain time, collect all your worries and read them over. To your surprise you’ll find that most, if not all of them, will have disappeared from the mind for awhile. Magic? No. It just shows how worries are just small part of your mind that doesn’t last long if you don’t give it much attention.

6. Structure your days.

Often worry assails you when you don’t have a sense of direction or feel. You can have constant sense of direction if you write down your goals for the day. Then start working on them one by one. Don’t feel upset if you cannot finish all of them – there’s always another day for that and it’s not the end of the world. At the end of the day if you see you have fulfilled one or two or three or four of those goals you’ll be happy and well motivated!

7. Don’t Feel Indispensable

There is often too much self-styled responsibility in our lives, so we start worrying about things we are not really responsible for. Just take care of your own natural duties and don’t make up too many new ones. Your mind won’t be too troubled if you only think of your things.

8. Meditate

This may sounds silly, but it’s a very helpful tool. Silence your mind and illumine your worries with the light from within. Through regular meditation practice you can transform your anxiety into peace. Then it will never come back to taunt you again.

This may sound dumb, stupid, silly, and etc., but you never know until you try! Give it a try sometime and see how it turns out! =D Lastly, what are some of YOUR ways of dealing with worries?

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Top 17 ways to relieve stress

Apr 28th, 2009 by

  1. Use deep breathing – breathe in through your nose down to your stomach, hold your breath, and breathe out through your mouth.
  2. Get aerobic exercise daily.
  3. Take a walk, even a very short one when you’re upset.
  4. Practice yoga or tai chi or progressive relaxation.
  5. Enjoy the soothing aspects of water – swim or take a bath or a shower.
  6. Make time to talk to friends and family members.
  7. Pet and play with an animal.
  8. Listen to or play uplifting music.
  9. Read an inspiring book, sing a song, recite a poem.
  10. Spend time in nature.
  11. Avoid black and white thinking – few things in life are hopeless.
  12. Choose positive thoughts -paste them on your mirror.
  13. Restrict your viewing of upsetting media.
  14. Pick your battles – you can’t solve every problem.
  15. Write down your goals and strategies for reaching them.
  16. Take vacations from your normal routines.
  17. Spend quiet time to get back in touch with yourself.

(http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2007/08/08/17_simple_ways_to_relieve_stress.php)

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Community Service

Apr 27th, 2009 by

Today was the day that the orchestra (Peace Tree Ensemble) that I am in went to community service. We went to perform for people with disabilities and had an enjoyable time. The place was at Yatap station which is quite close to our school. We met a few hours before the actual performance and rehearsed but it was soon time for the actual performance. All our practice had payed off and we did exceptionally well and the place was quite nice as well except for the fact that there were bugs flying around and sitting on our hands during the performance since it was done outdoors…-_-;;; Also, there was a celebrity named Sun Woo Jae Duk volunteering as well and signing autographs for the disabled people and spending time with them. I always thought, “it’s so annoying to go to practices every Monday and the practice is so long…” However, all those practices were worth it and as musicians, everyone developed and had fun time. Especially for our conductor, he worked really hard and put lots of efforts in to build the orchestra. There are also other community services coming up soon and I’m looking forward to those and to more fun in the future. ^^

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