(ambivalent

'What's to be done, Jeeves?'

'We must think, sir.'

'You think. I haven't the machinery.'

'I will most certainly devote my very best attention to the matter, sir, and will endeavour to give satisfaction.'

- Without the Option, a Jeeves and Wooster story, P.G.Wodehouse

Entry 6- 

5 October 2001

Prelims over, got an AABB /2 borderline Merits for S papers. And a low B3 for GP (terribly saddened). Ironically, my civics tutor lost her voice on the last day of school, so she spent her last day with us communicating with us by writing on a transparency. And taking photos. I decided against bringing my camera because it's faulty (it's old and some light seeps in through the sides, so all my latest photos have blurry red bands along the edges. I'd be really grateful if someone could advise me on how to deal with this). 

With what Yong Jin claimed was 300+ students (almost half the J2 population) collecting awards of some sort, our Farewell assembly stretched past 10am. He predicted the programme pretty accurately- speech by Principal; a pretty good speech by a fresh-out-of-Cambridge lawyer stepping in as alumni Guest-of-Honour (A Kwek Mean Luck- incidentally, he allegedly initiated the RJC Arts Feste); Presentation of Awards; Valedictory Speech by Sean Wat; and the Dinosaur Song- "If we hold on together" (must be some ex-RGS girl's idea). Then photo-taking, and Ms. Hor and Mrs. Ow talked to us a bit. I've gotten the Certs of Appreciations distributed to the Creative Writing Clubbers- Elaine, Wenkai, Mint, Engineer, Grace Ma, Kai (if you haven't got it contact Kai)-  Thereis thought the dinosaur song was insidious- coercing us students into nostalgia and sadness at leaving RJC. 

Sniff. Technomages on Babylon 5 / Crusade seemingly represent the seduction of knowledge once associated with the clergy (and magi, in legends). A life in academia has its appeals; George Bernard Shaw was evidently mistaken. Been running through things I want to do in Dec/Jan/Feb. before I go to uni : basically,

a) Bum (not a viable option, refer to list below)

b) Teach in RI. Depending on the vacancies available; will only be for January/February. 

c) Teach in Henry Park primary. My mum suggested this as an alternative to RI, ostensibly because I've spent too much time in the elitist education atmosphere and because Henry park is within walking distance.

d) Learn Lindy Hop. YMCA and Jitterbugs run 6-week courses, will look them up or find out from Joanne about latest courses available. Also on whether I'll need a partner (if so, it'd most likely rule out possibilities of (d) ). But I'm still very keen on this.

e) Learn to drive. Needless to say, this will be a headache (not to mention giving up my nights). 

f) Volunteer, maybe as a Docent in the zoo. However, I think I won't be able to do this as they probably need a pretty long-term commitment.

g) Work out every day and learn to rollerblade. A good reason to stay in Singapore rather than spend my gap period in Malaysia.

h) Part-time work in MOE with the Scholarships Dept (they're being vague about details of employment); National Science and Technology Board, Marketing division; 

i) Get in touch with all my secondary school/JC/church friends before I take off.

j) Internship as a journalist at Singapore Press Holdings. Slightly tempting, but I'm not that keen on it. Interesting though.

k) Temp at a branch in the National Science and Technology Board; get to be on the inside of "Singapore's 4th pillar of the economy".