Sometimes, one must learn when to step back, stop and just breathe.

Uni has been better these last few weeks as I've met some new people and gotten through my first assignment. The footnoting, referencing and all is an extremely stressful task. Missing a full-stop may constitute as plagiarism, as you didn't reference to the source properly. It's pretty depressing really.. Special thanks to my good study drinks: green tea and mocha for keeping me awake from drowsiness and  actually functioning properly. At uni, there isn't that sense of a 'new place' anymore, where everytime you enter the campus, you feel like you're a stranger to the place because everything is so new and unexpected.

Piano lessons are going well, so far I'm playing Mozart, Bach and Tschaikovsky. We're moving on to Grade 5 theory soon as we're just skipping the grade 4 exam altogether. The memorising of music will be an issue though. The idea of memorising then playing over 10 pages of music seems to be a bit of a mission impossible at the moment.

I have set up a different blog, which serves a different purpose. The link to it is http://dreaminspire.tumblr.com and it's for pictures, quotes, anything of the sort which can provide some sort of inspiration- or something different but (most likely) in pictures. It's good in a way that I get to search for really professional pictures on flickr, and have different captions, themes which collaborate with it. And it's good every once in awhile to go back to the many pages to see all these colourful images :)

Oh, for Easter, we went up to Stanthorpe for a day. It was pretty crazy. The trip there alone was 3 and a 1/2 hours, so a return trip? Yep. 7 hours for lunch and some bushwalking. It was pretty nice to be out from the city in awhile. Though it's not as extreme as Ballon, it was good to be away from polluted air and all. The stars seem to shine brighter because of pretty much no street lights, and everything is just peacefully quiet.

I hardly seen anyone from RLC- I miss them heaps. Hope we can catch up again soon after the craziness of assessment period. I've been reading Jane Eyre lately, just going through it slowly like reading a little each night in between everything else, and it's really good. Charlotte Bronte rights a bit more clear than Jane Austen- then again, I guess they were writing in different genres.

We are hoping to go to Tasmania for semester break, there nothing is certain yet- it's just a bit of an idea. Hope everyone else has been well- remember to take a jacket or something with you when you're going out, it's getting cooler now with all the sudden yet unexpected days of rain.

xxx

Wow. I haven't blogged in forever. Wonders what school can do to you. During this time of me neglecting to blog, a lot has happened really.

Okay, well QTAC applications are coming to a close (30th of September) and this is what I've finalised after an hour or so trying to decide:

1. Bachelor of Laws at QUT

2. Bachelor of Laws at UQ

3. Bachelor of Laws at USQ

4. Bachelor of Laws at Bond

5. Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Business at Griffith

6. Bachelor of Business Management at UQ

So you see, I am making every attempt to do only the single Bachelor, so that I may possibly complete the Bachelor degree in the future and continue with a Masters degree in Law, instead of doing a double degree.

Also, Thank you to whoever gave me a daffodil on Daffodil Day, along with the very thoughtful card. =)

 The Formal is coming up soon. My dress is sent off to get altered, I have the shoes, necklace, and clutch. But the amount of preparation one must go through for one night is frustrating me. The tension leads it all up for "the formal" but seriously, it's a dinner and a dance, along with some speeches. I can't say I'm not excited for it, of course, everyone would be- but a little less drama about it all would be nice.

Of course, there is also 7 more weeks of school until we graduate from high school. I still remember the time when I would be counting down in Year 9 as to when it will be my turn to get out of school, but I've never imagined that it would come by so quickly. School is, as my parents repeatedly tell me, just one stage, a small proportion of one's life. There is so much more out there to learn, discover and experience. It has been a very very stressful year, in which everyone is right in thinking that Year 12 is the toughest year. Apart from balancing the 'having fun' part because of it being the final year and making the most of everything, there is also the "i-must-work" aspect, where everyone works to the best of their ability. Amongst all the endless hours of researching, preparation, writing, organisation this year, I remember that if you've worked to the best of your ability, then you should expect nothing more from yourself. Not everyone was born to be smart at school and gain OP1s, because then, the world would be a much more boring place. There would be no meaning in the word 'individuality.'

On another note, I had my first driving lesson last Friday. I have been urging my parents all year to let me drive, and as promised, they said I will begin by having lessons from an instructor first, after all the September exams and namely, QCS.

Extension is at its peak in ‘all-time stressful tasks.’ With 3B due in the second week, so we have to do some major work on it during the holidays. Adding to the stress factor, is that in all my attempts to get something done ahead of time, there is a high chance of us moving in the second week. This is an exceptionally brilliant* idea, moving in Grade 12, and during the holidays in a period when I have to get some assessment done.

Also, I have finished reading the Twilight Saga. It is fairly interesting overall. I would say that I enjoyed the saga, and liked reading it, but I’m still not at that stage when I’m fully obsessed and addicted to the series, in which I am particularly proud that I’m not that in love with Edward- something most girls seem to be capable of.  I liked the first and the fourth book the best. Don’t ask me why. I think I seem to enjoy the originality of an idea, whether it is in novels or movies and  usually see this originality in the first part of a sequel.

Another thought I have is, I don’t know if it’s true that sometimes if you’re given a chance and you don’t take it, then you may not be given that opportunity anymore. Now that i think about it, I believe that it is quite true, because there are certain things that cannot be replayed or happen again. Hence, it is why we’re consistently told to make the most out of every minute. Time is such an extraordinarily thing. As I mentioned in my QCS Writing Task: Time is priceless. No one can stop it, and nor can it be lengthened or altered in any way. It’s something we live by, but also something we take for granted. So far, what I’ve reflected upon is: make the most of every moment, because there are the different stages in life we can’t go back to.

xxx

*please note sarcasm.

Wow. I haven't blogged in awhile now. Where should I start?

Okay- my birthday? =) My 17th Birthday!

My Birthday Cake :]

Birthday Cake Close Up

Birthday Cake with Candles!

We woke up super late as a result of watching a movie the night before... Then we went to Sirromet up at Mt. Cotton. The views there were breathtaking, and the food was delightful. We walked around, took some photos and then went to the cinemas at Victoria Point to watch Terminator Salvation. I must say I love the theme song- the part with the heavy bass anyway. The movie was pretty good, though I didn't really know what was going on as I haven't seen the first 3 movies before. We then went to umm.. I think it's called "Cyber-city 2002" or something in the city (in Chinatown..) and had dinner, as well as karaoke till 1am. I was surprised that my voice was still functional at that time. Oh. This was all on Sunday the 7th, the day before my birthday because I had a whole list of exams the coming week, hence had to study for them for half a day on my birthday...

View of Mt.Cotton- Sirromet from the tower.

Rocky and I at the tower.

Rikky and I at the tower.

Family at the tower. =)

Rocky and I with our dinner- 2 massive crabs at Cyber-City.

I told you it was big! The crab claw itself.

Rocky and I at dinner.

I love my Bacon and Eggs Smiley Shirt. :]

The glorious exam block meant that I was studying in the afternoon for my birthday. We had lunch at Landmark in the morning, then went home as I worked endlessly on English Extension and Maths. Then there was the long awaited for exams, in which I had 5 exams in 4 days. Thank goodness it's all over now. We even got all our marks back today. Let's just say that my results aren't the most brilliant thing- not when it is followed by my very depressed expression. Heaps of people suggest that I calm down and stop stressing out so much, but I must reiterate how difficult it is to do so when all your friends get straight As.

My piano exam is also coming up in a month- July 18. It is fairly scary doing your whole exam on the grand piano. That sounds babish I know, but it takes awhile of getting used to. I feel like I'm bashing the piano right now in order to make some noise. I must also learn general knowledge about Chopin, Debussy and Beethoven- learn the definitions of the French terms that happen to be scrawled across the music, as well as appregios, dominant seventh and diminish scales. I don't why it's always such a co-incidence, but I always happen to have my piano exams in Winter- when it's especially cold and my fingers feel like iceblocks that try move abit faster.

We have a 2-day QCS Dress Rehearsal Practise tomorrow. Must get the correct equipment tonight- I was on dehydration the last time we had that trial because I forgot to bring a clear plastic bottle... Also, a little more concentration could help too I guess. It's been quite a term. I can barely remember what we were up to at the start of the term. But yes- our house is on the market now. There have been people frequently coming in and out during/after school to see. It's pretty frustrating when you try present the house in a neat, fashionable way and live in it at the same time. I have lost count of the amount of times I've fully opened up my curtains, and forgotten where the little bits and pieces that were once on my desk have gone.

We are going to Thredbo coming Saturday and as Dad announced, waking up at 5am; starting the car at 6am for a joyful 15 hour car trip straight to Thredbo in the first day. We will be staying there for 2 nights, having fun in the snow and hopefully not freezing too much- before we drive back up to Sydney for the remainder of the week, then returning the following Saturday. I am undecided at what shoes I will take- the leather boots I wore last time are pretty good, though they are so hard they make bruises in my legs if I walk too long in them. They also weigh a tonne- no joke. If you ever wanted to burn extra calories or add considered adding weights to your shoes, then there is no need to do so, these boots are the ones for you. Which is also why I cannot really bare walking around in them for a whole week in Sydney- though they will keep me warm because I can wear like 2-3 pairs of thick socks and still put these shoes on. So you see my hesitation and indecisiveness in what shoes I should wear? *Sigh* then again, maybe my friends really are right- I worry too much. ..

I realise I haven't blogged in awhile now, but it's because of schoolwork.

As promised, a stress level update of mine (I can't believe I keep track of things like this) Mr Kelly would usually ask us how our stress levels are going. If he were to ask me now, I'd answer with a 7/10. I don't really want to get up to a 10 , because I can't really believe what I'd do- I would seriously go crazy.

This week alone, I have to go through:

- Chinese Homework

- Begin and Finish CS Assignment

- Extension Intervention

- English Scripts

- Prepare for exams (6 exams. Wonderful)

- Oh, and get some piano practise in- because exam's in July..

We stayed at the Gold Coast last last weekend... haha. The indoor pool there wasn't as good. Some chemical in the pool gave me a rash.. :( But the outdoor pools look stunning, but it was too cold to swim thery e.

Will hopefully be able to blog again soon- it is late and I need sleep. =)

Hope everyone is doing okay, though exam block is coming soon! Winter is also here in a week, so keep yourselves warm, and stay healthy! Love. xx

Shave for a Cure and Musical are finally OVER!

The two events were so much work I'm actually behind with schoolwork, such as legal. Drafts are due Wednesday and I'm not kidding- my research booklet is BLANK (notice the caps) :(

Firstly MUSICAL-

The audience for friday night consisted of mostly teachers, and seemed to be the most reactive audience, as they would clap/laugh the loudest at all the right times. There were a few mistakes, such as Ben's additional line of "So...I like your tie." when waiting for someone to appear onstage for their line, and the COUCH. In the "Good Morning" scene, not enough weight was put onto it to tip it over like in the film, but the leads covered it up well =) Got home at 11, and the show started at 7:30- so it went for approx. 3 hours...

Then the next morning, there was CHINESE school again. It was abit of a torture session as I could hardly remember a word from the holidays, as well as the previous long, late night. I then went back to the Logan Entertainment Centre for another 2 shows, and barely got a proper meal that day as a result of tight timing between chinese school and the two performances. The matinee performance had some teachers, as well as students/friends and grandparents, so the audience wasn't as full as it began in the middle of the day from 2pm. However, the closing show was sold out- with all the parents etc. coming for the final show. We had an after-party afterwards, when Cory started taking her hair conquered by hairspray and gel, and her hair stayed in its original stance even after the elastic was taken off. We collected 5 other elastic bands, and separated her ponytail into a starfish look-alike figure xD My voice started to hurt from all the cheering, singing that had been going on throughout the day.

I'm writing really funnily now- it's 12:39am, and we have to get up at 6:30AM on a Saturday morning because some cleaners are coming over at 7... =S

Then SHAVE FOR A CURE-

I was fully freaking out a week before. Our list our waxers were not confirmed, and we were still trying to get ladies who volunteered to come in and wax the legs of the long list of senior boys who nominated... A week before the event and we had a total of a big $54.61 raised. You see why I was stressing out? Our target was a mere $1000 and 7 days beforehand, we had 5% of what we wanted. Two days later on the Friday, we had $292 as a result of my what seemed like pleading/disappointed announcement on assembly- I guess people actually took act and started putting donations in. Then on Monday, I seriously thought that there needed to be some miracle if we were going to reach that $1000 mark. And there was on WEDNESDAY. We went from an original $292 in the morning to over $1200 after the event at lunch. Everyone helped out so much, they donated large sums of $5,$10, even $50! A student's parent even donated $250...

I was relieved after everything was done and packed up. We got through the whole list of teachers and senior boys we had down to wax their legs or shave their heads. So glad it's mostly over now- still need to do some thank you speeches, and review/slideshow of pictures next week. What I've learnt is, that it's surprising how much teamwork/co-operation works, and how many people are willing to do something for a good cause, like the teachers who helped out, the boys who participated, and people who donated knowing it was for those less fortunate with Leukaemia. I've also learnt that sometimes, miracles do happen-but only if you're willing to believe in them.