Tuesday, July 31, 2007@The Ninth Life of Louis Drax
This is my 100th post!
yayy! (x
Our class had a talk with the principal just the other day. It was depressing, enlightening, stressful and motivating. I have no idea whether that lazyworm in me has been squashed yet, but I'm definitely grasping the severity of the consequences. And dreading it.
Law. This had been brewing in my mind for some time, though it would take something close to a miracle to clinch that 85.7 points. They say it's alright to aim high, but sometimes I wish I have more ordinary goals.
I'm officially going to cut down on reading time. (Not totally, just fewer.) Yes. As hard as it is, I'm not going to indulge in too much fiction for this period of time till the examinations are officially over. Just watch, buddy. I'm going to win this war.
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Book Recommendations: The Ninth Life of Louis Drax - Liz Jensen
(This was the last book I've read before I made my reading resolution.)
The Ninth Life of Louis Drax is a story that paints the complexity of human nature and their relationships. Louis Drax is an amazingly perceptive and precocious nine year old, that was too intelligent for his peers. People thought he was weird because they couldn't comprehend his thoughts. Louis had a set of his own theories. He believed in the 'Right of Disposal': if you own a small creature and you kept it alive beyond the predicted lifespan it has, you have the right to kill it. So Louis killed his hamsters. He was also an accident-prone kid. If a tree was to fall at this instant, it would surely choose his head to fall on. Louis' adopted father - Pierre - however, didn't believe the crap about purely accidental, so he sent his son to the psychatrist, thinking his son was inflicting harm on himself.
The story unfolded when the police arrived at a cliff and found Louis' mother - Natalie - screaming hysterically that Louis had plunged into the ravine. Pierre had pushed his son off the cliff in a fit of anger while she and her husband were arguing. Pierre was missing. Louis was pronounced dead. But he didn't stay that way for long. Eerily, Louis came back to life in the mortuary, and slipped into coma.
The story is told by two individuals in two worlds. Louis, in his head and Dr Pascal, in the real world. Even Dr Pascal, who believed in the inconceivable workings of the brain, was shocked when Louis communicated with him while still in coma. Then truth began to unravel, and light was shed as Louis gave an account of what happened that fateful day he fell down the ravine.
*** Don't continue if you think you want to read the book yourself ***
Pierre had never pushed Louis into the ravine. Louis jumped at his own will.
Natalie loved Louis dearly, but at the same time she hated him. She hated him so much she used to inflict injuries on Louis. But almost immediately her 'protective instincts' kick in and she would clean the wound and shower her baby with love. Louis, with his 'Right of Disposal', caught on and soon complied to Natalie's wishes - he would inflict injures on himself and let his mother care for him.
"I did what she wanted, like I always do. She didn't even need to help me, not this time. It was easy. I'm always doing it. It's what I do. But it wasn't her fault."
That fateful day, Louis jumped off the cliff because his mother wanted him to, because she had the right to dictate his life and death.
"It's allowed you know. That's what Papa didn't understand."
"What's allowed?"
"It's a secret rule. It's called the Right of Disposal."
This is quite a heart-wrenching book that exposes an eccentric darkness in humans. And oddly enough, I was chilled to the bone even though the author kept it light, without the overtones of violence of a normal thriller. Very twisted in my opinion.
Truly a good read. *thumbs up*
loves*sarah //
Thursday, July 26, 2007
I tried. I really did.
But it is really very disheartening, when you took the effort to read the lecture notes thoroughly prior to doing assignments and you realise you still have no idea how to go about doing it. Can I say I hate Math? *sighs*
Mr Ng, I need consultations!
Urgently.
Yan bought cakes to school to share. Great tiramisu and rich chocolate cakes! Yummy. Thanks darling! (:
Yeah, one more day to weekends.
loves*sarah //
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YUQUAN!
*another 18 year old~*
Before i go about destressing, which usually entails a rather annoying regurgitation of my miserable school life, there is a piece of good news. I'm back at
FictionPress! That unfinished story I've created nagged at me so much, I felt
compelled to complete it. Besides, I haven't forgotten that exhilarating feeling of receiving reviews. Time to start wielding that author's pen again! (x
Tried to prepare for chemistry test yesterday, when I got home from the dinner with ying, beng, bingy and xiaojun. Then when I started having my rash again, I decided 'to hell with everything!' and I went to sleep. It was a timely and guilty reprieve, not to mention an itchy one as well. We'll see about the repercussions though, when my paper comes back. Ha.
I wanted to type more, but the late nights are catching up with me. My brain's currently on standby and the eyes are shutting down. I'll come on later if there's more I want to add.
Sweet dreams.
loves*sarah //
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Those who have not read it, i implore you not to read further. Grab your own copy, its definitely worth it. So here goes ...
*SPOILER ALERT*
Insights on Harrypotter & the DeathlyHallows
This last, final book is extraordinaryly nerve-wrecking - anticipation, excitement, anxiety, relief and grief - and packs quite a punch. It didn't help that Harry and gang were practically in the midst of a freaking warzone, with people dropping dead like flies (the Death Eaters with baygone in hand). You don't even have to venture further than the fifth chapter, before the first ally - Mad-eye Moody - went down. The procession then continued: Scrimgeour, Ted Tonks, Dirk Cresswell, Gornuk, Dobby, Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Colin Creevey, Severus Snape, Bellatrix
(ugh, bitch.), Crabbe and of course, Voldermort. It came as no surprise, we all
knew he would go down. Afterall I believe even Rowling couldn't ignore the old adage where 'good always triumphs evil'.
But man, does she know how to create a bloodshed! And a freaking big one at that.
I admit, Fred's death affected me the most. I was
bawling my eyes out for him. Eversince the start of the series, I've always adored the rascal Weasley twins. They had never failed to lighten the most solemn situations, cracking jokes, always off looking for secret passages in Hogwarts with Lee or promoting their new products from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Their little incident with Umbridge in the Order of Phoenix made me want to crack up and salute them at the same time. Fred's death was like a brilliant light being snuffed out. But my first thought was George. They had been inseparable! Grief would be an understatement of a century.
Some of the pertinent questions raised prior to the release of the book have also been answered. Where did Snape's loyalties lie? Looks like Snape was definitely a spy in the enemy's camp, though his primary purpose was in fact to protect the dearest thing which the person he held close to his heart had failed to protect - Harry. Lily and Snape's relationship was quite a twist of plot. I also had to marvel at Dumbledore's unwavering faith in Snape's promise. There was, afterall, nothing to hold him to should Snape decide to break his promise. You have to agree that Dumbledore was either a genius, or a naive idiot with a trusting nature.
Finally, the final question - Potter or Voldermort? Majority of fans were more partial to the outcome that both will perish together. I guess Rowling didn't have the heart to destroy what she had painstakingly created though, and that's the reasons why the 'Boy Who Lived' lived again. No complaints there though, I love the ending. And I especially endear the fact that the final battle took place in the midst of the crowd, with the entire Hogwarts as witnesses to the last victory. Yeah!
It was weird to read about the grown-up Harry and friends (they will always be that gangly crew of teenagers), Draco Malfoy with his wife and kid, and Professor Neville! Haha. That was really unexpected. I was mighty curious about the rest of the characters though, especially Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley. Sad to say, they were not mentioned. (A girl can only imagine, can't she.) Besides, the reappearance of all characters in other books would be quite an overkill.
J.K Rowling is bloody brilliant.
*sighs*P.S. I'm going to reread that book again. (x
loves*sarah //
Friday, July 20, 2007
I SAID HELLO. I SAID HELLO.
I SAID HELLO. I SAID HELLO.
I SAID HELLO. I SAID HELLO.
*squeals*
i've been shrouded in this haze of blissfulness since ten in the morning and remarkably, this feeling still shows no signs of abating. *aww* if you have no idea what's the fuss about, don't ask. i'm so freaking happy, i think i would just ignore you. whee~
on a more sombre note, i got back my results slip. no prizes for guessing my math grade. yes, its a subpass, which makes this the official third S i've gotten. as the saying goes: three times the charm. maybe i'll finally be able to get a legitimate pass the next round. boo. worst grade came from chem - a big fat U. quite demoralizing actually, considering that i've gotten a B during blocktest. but then again, topics tested were only on organic then, and sarah hates inorganic chemistry with a passion. ugh.
get depressed, learn and forget. i'm trying not to let the results stick in my craw.
*can you even say FUNNY?* -snorts-
HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY LINXUN! (:
loves*sarah //
Thursday, July 19, 2007
is it fun to be sick on a long school day? hell no.
that will translate to a nightmarish pile of notes to copy when you return back to school, and that is why i am going to meet yan later to catch up on homework. *sighs*
i have a penchant for funny ads, like this. haha!
P.S. sarah has been an exceptionally good girl today cos she finished the MCQs for alkanes. (:
loves*sarah //
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
staying in school to study makes me feel a
teeny weeny bit more diligent.
but honestly speaking, it requires a damn lot of determination. trying to keep a chunk of highly porous, overworked grey matter - stretched to its limit - running is not an easy task. especially on
excruciating long school days, where all you want to do is find the fastest route back to home sweet home. thank goodness i have those silly study companions with their charming sense of humour. (X
oh yes, i have this
major itch to complain about the school library.
it closes at freaking six o'clock! i am aware, albeit begrudgingly, the reason behind this - the librarian knocks off at six. but the ostensibly lack of more conducive studying areas in the campus is quite an incentive to pack up and
leave. until the renovation of the new study rooms are complete, you will
never hear the end of my complaints.
*grumbles*
man, the school should just pay librarians OT.
loves*sarah //
Friday, July 13, 2007
Harry Potter & The Order of Phoenix
*way too awesome!*
this had to be one of the best episode out of the potter movie series. the content, though obviously not as detailed as the original plot, was succinct and managed to capture the crux of the story. naysayers are claiming it lacked the depth, but it was a freaking short two and a half hours. i would say they've pretty much squeezed as good as they got. money well-spent! (:
there was another factor that made the show really good (aside from the fact that daniel radcliffe is totally HOT): watching it with a theatre full of beings your own age, pretty much liven up the atmostphere. we were practically tuned to the same frequency, laughing at numerous scenes that would seem totally un-hilarious to another adult. all the right sounds were made - the ahhs, oohs and awws - which only served to intensify my enjoyment of the show. a truly memorable movie! *grins*
everyone who did the student perception survey, remember the little sticker with the login details on it? you see, our class didn't really know what to do with it. so...
oh. though it's a little late to mention this, nevertheless i'm still rather fascinated.
it's permanent sushi, chawanmushi, cha soba and the whole enchilada everyday! *whoops*
loves*sarah //
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
as a penguin-lover, i am chagrined to say i found this sadistic game --
penguin baseball.
i would like to think from a more optimistic point of view though, like we're giving the penguin a ride of its life. *grins* i've got a 321, which i believe to be just a stroke of luck, since i haven't been able to replicate my amazing feat. screenshot included, just so you won't say i cheated. (x
enjoy the game. (:
loves*sarah //
Saturday, July 07, 2007
07/07/07
*let's do something crazy!*
the only way to do justice to this incredible day is to laze around in bed till some unreasonable hours, where the sun is not only tanning your butt but the entire corpse (assuming you're dead to the world). but alas,
murphy handpicked me out of the lot of unlucky souls today and totally ruined my flawless plan.
i woke up at freaking six-thirty in the morning, because that evil sibling of mine created a flurry of chaos while she got prepared to go out. while i have no rights in reproaching her (since i do that often enough), this really put a dent in my supposedly awesome day.
nevertheless being the infamous sleepyhead i was, sleep came right after the noise died down.... just to be interrupted again by a phone call from a distressed aunt, who was stucked in the pouring rain on the way home from grocery shopping. i've briefly considered ignoring the SOS call to continue my to-die-for fantasy with chad murray. *evil* but between my stomach (that woman under scrutiny happens to oversee my meals) and lovelife, stomach won. sighs. needless to say, i woke up, armoured myself with two gigantic umbrellas, convinced myself they would be sufficient to brave that horrendous wind and water, and started walking.
i got drenched in five minutes flat. gahh. little miss wind was really quite fickle about where she wanted to go, and went a little ballistic. turtles.
backtracking a little, yesterday was our farewell for karen, who has decided to return to hongkong to finish her university education. interestingly, those peeps haven't changed a single bit. hard to gauge mental maturity, but judging from those familiar lame joking styles, i would say - no growth! ha ha ha. kinda harsh here, aren't we? but i absolutely love them this way! *grins*
[ more to come when karen & xinyi send me theirs (: ]
karen: good luck to all your future endeavours! and we'll definitely miss you! will try to find a chance to visit you in HK though. haha. -loves-
loves*sarah //
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Nickelback - If Everyone Cared And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
When nobody died...
i wake up every morning, unable to comprehend the complicated life i face each day. self-absorbed in my own world, complications were a foreign concept. life used to be happy and satisfying. but somehow the simple life crept away.
they quarrelled again just the other day, softly. they thought i couldn't hear. i had my earphones plugged, but even blasting the music was a futile attempt to keep the heated voices at bay. then anger got better of them and they forgot all about being quiet. door slamming, furious tones, hurtful insults and expletives. it was a living nightmare. it took me 18 painstaking years to discover that the 'ideal family' was just a fluke. sometimes, i think it's better to be dumb, cos ignorance is a bliss.
exams are over. had a great time with yan, sen and quan today. loads of walking, took my mind off things and most importantly, i enjoyed their company. arigatou ne~
loves*sarah //
Monday, July 02, 2007
i'm currently having a heels fetish after surfing at
Barney's New York. there were a few pairs that were absolutely to die for.*squeals*
(from left to right)
Lanvin - multistrap sandal
Miu Miu - satin anklestrap
Christian Louboutin - anklestrap platform [favourite!]
Jean Michel Cazabat - peeptoe slingback
loves*sarah //
