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Saturday, September 30, 2006

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#-Explosive intensity

UKCAT was the most terrrible examination experience ever. Practice papers simply throw you off perspective due to the lesser number of questions, and the low level of academia required to answer those questions. Because I did the practice paper on the UKCAT site, I had the impression that time was plaentiful, because the practice paper had a quarter of the nnumber of questions but in the same time frame. So when I went into the examination room, I even asked if I could leave if I had completed the test early. And due to that, I really took it easy during the first section, which resulted in my inability to complete it, leaving almost half the section blank. After that I realized that I was on a tight time limit, so I tried to do the other 3 sections quickly, to no avail. I never got to complete either of the sections, ending up in alot of empty questions.

In the end, I got a low score of 590 for the 1st section, verbal reasoning, which was basically comprehension. By the way, most candidates score between 500-700, with an average of 600, which means my 1st section was below average! Totally dissapointing. The 2nd section was mathematical skills so that wasn't so bad, despite the fact that I couldn't finish either. But still, I managed to get 700; not as bad as the 1st section. 3rd section of absract reasoning presented 2 groups of shapes with similarities, and with a given display, I was supposed to decide if it belonged to set A, set B, or neither. The stupid thing is that the similarities are sometimes really lame, but at least I scored 690. The final section gave me several codes and certain keywords which tested my "decisive reasoning". According to the website, this section "assesses candidates’ ability to deal with various forms of information, to infer relationships, to make informed judgements, and to decide on an appropriate response, in situations of complexity and ambiguity." Sounds complicated, but it's really just inferring the best interpretation of a series of codewords. Anyway, I scored 640 for this one.

So in a word, the test was "catastrophic." I really hope that the scores will be enough for the universities to accept me. Joanna says that the BMAT test is just as bad. I'm so screwed.

Officially, I'm left alone in Singapore with all my good friends overseas. Happiness right? sigh. This has proved to be one heck of a hectic week, with so many things to do at work. I even had to stay late for 3 of the 4 days I worked this week. Moreover, when I was on leave on Friday, I had to go back to complete some other stuff, which in the end I couldn't do due to malfunction of the computer system. And Ma'am forgot that I was on leave and she called me back.

To add to that, I had a gig last night which required us to bring all our equipment, which means 2 mighty heavy amplifiers, the keyboard, double bass, loads of wires and cables, and stands. As if loading it in the car was not tiring enough, we had to unload and bring it up to level2, and after the set, bring it back down and load it back into the car. At least we had fun because there was not much expectations for us to play really good music, so we could try more interesting variations of songs. And I got to sing, haha, which unfortunately doesn't quite epitomize the sweet sound of jazz music. But nonetheless, it was really quite a blast, plus a good dinner. With this nightmare of transportation fresh in our minds, we're comtemplating a system that will greatly reduce the stress of logistics and also enable us to have better control of our own sound and the sound of the band. Unfortunately, I don't think Singapore imports the Bose Personalised Amplification System. The prospects actually sound really attractive and if the claims hold true, I'm going to be so esctatic whenI do get it. We'll see, because it'll be quite an ideal system for my incoming Warr guitar. It's rather costly though, at about US$2000 a set. But if calculations are correct, it'll be much cheaper to go with this than to get an entire PA system full with monitors and backline speakers, which consequent;y add to the clutter and make transportation a hell for us. I think my dad will get the Bose system.

And because of the gig, I missed SalsaFiesta. But no matter, becuase it was held in Union Square, so I wouldn't have enjoyed myself as much either, besides the fact that I would have had the chance to dance with my favourite, super hot lady. heh. I can just go on and swoon about her, but the fact is that I still want and have to get to know her better before forming a satisfactory impression of her. Hope I can do that soon.

At least SwingFling on Thursdays was good. Not only was the class small and therefore learnt how to polish our basic techniques, but JieKai was the DJ for the 2nd set and his selection was interesting to say the lest, eclectic to say the most. From HipHop to Funk, swingers just know how to have a good time and dance to any music. It was great fun to dance to such a variety of tracks and really enjoyable joining in the whole spirit and energy on the dancefloor. In lesson, we learnt how to do a proper swingout with tension and pulling back and stretching and all. It really does make a difference to the leading and also the look of the whole dance. Sinclair complemented us (meaning my partner and me) on a very explosive 9-count-circle that we did. I could really feel the energy and momentum all stored up at the end of the 9-count that it was just so overwhelming and difficult to actually follow and routine into a swingout instead of letting all the energy out into an inside-turn-to-push-back. But wow the intensity was electrifying, seriously. Those who don't dance, WHY?!?! haha.

Ok it's getting late, and that was basicaly the update for this week. Goodnight.

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