Dress Up!

Swimming carnival - and BHS tradition is that all Year 12s get to dress up. Theme for this year: Childhood characters, and hence I ended up going as Buttercup from the Powerpuff Girls!

Now I'm just a tired soul awaiting sleep.

Don't think about yesterday's distracting news.

Focus. Concentrate. No traps.

All's good :)

I Just Can

Now's not the time for the aftermath has yet to come but all will be revealed in the future.

Should I live through tomorrow, I promise updates.

Next Gen 12

Next Gen 12 was inspiring, life-changing, awesome. I have learnt so much and was so challenged by this week.

So now, I must behave like one saved by grace.

Accountability partners FTW!

~out, Zi Ying, mature~

Stories About Death, Dying and Loss

Knowing my morbid interest in plots, it is no surprise that my next book review will be comparing the various books dealing with the taboo subject of suicide (or somewhat, suicide).

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Quotables:

"I go to seek a Great Perhaps."

“The Colonel led all the cheers. 

Cornbread! he screamed. 

CHICKEN! the crowd responded. 

Rice!

PEAS!

And then, all together: "WE GOT HIGHER SATs." 

Hip Hip Hip Hooray! the Colonel cried. 

YOU'LL BE WORKIN' FOR US SOMEDAY!”

Synopsis: Miles "Pudge" Halter, young and utterly obsessed with last words finds himself drawn to the attractive Alaska Young in his new school. With his new found friends Chip "The Colonel" Martin and Takumi, the four of them wreak havoc upon the school - until tragedy happens.

My take: I find this book hilarious in all it's tragedy-driven plot. I like how the characters are your average teenagers juvenile delinquents with more than half a brain. The pranks they pull are amazing, issues discussed weirdly fascinating, and frankly, it made me laugh though it was meant to be a tragedy. What better way to cram a deep book into your head than with humour?

In addition to that, I love the twisted eccentric characters. Pudge memorises people's last words. The Colonel has an awesome memory as well, and when grieving he walks miles while memorising every little detail he can get his hands on. Alaska, well she's a whole different kind of nutcase. And they have eccentric teachers too. And elaborate plots and pranks. And codenames and such.

DOES THAT NOT REMIND YOU OF YOUR OWN TWISTED HIGH SCHOOL LIFE?

Warning: Sexually explicit content, explicit language, and a male stripper drive the whole plot to an astounding close, leaving you aching for more

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Synopsis: Sixteen year old Tessa has decided to stop treatment for her terminal leukaemia. And because she doesn't have much time left, she makes a list of things she wants to do before she dies - starting with sex.

My take: I didn't enjoy this book thaaaaat much (I have a tendency to not go very lightly on whiny, grieving books with not much humour in it unfortunately). HOWEVER, it's not an easy book to read. It makes you think about life in general. And where you're going with it.

One thing though. I do not like the main character Tessa. Or her best friend Zoey. Shoots, I find all them ladies in this book one tad bit too... Annoying.

Warning: Sexually explicit (well, duh, the girl wants sex)

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Notable mentions: The interesting narration style.

Synopsis: Clay Jenkins receives a parcel with lots of tapes in it. Listening to the one marked with a '1', he realises that whoever receives the parcel has played a part in the death of one Hannah Baker, his first love. not just death, but suicide...

My take: As aforementioned, I love the seamless dual narration between Hannah's recorded messages and Clay's thoughts. This unusual structuring of a story inspires me to write my belonging creative piece on the same premise - unfortunately my teacher doesn't think a story based entirely on flashbacks in a conversation would get me anywhere.

Anyway, I digress. Being one always preoccupied with thoughts of death and how one must feel before ending his or her life, I must say this book gives me great insight, although it does not make for light reading. It's like a whodunit, but without a suspect because we already know who did it.

Warning: Slightly creepy and disconcerting, but that's exactly what I like

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Quotables: "If she waited two more weeks she'd be June who died in June."

Synopsis: When Harper Scott's divorced parents decide to split her late sister June's ashes into his or her urns, she takes matters into her own hands. Together with Laney, her best friend, and Jake Tolan, her sisters ex-tutee, she sets of for California, the one place her sister dreamed of going to before ending herself.

My take: ROAD TRIP STORIES!

Okay, I am partial to road trip stories. I see it as a coming-of-age, an adventure, a learning curve. I especially love road trip singalongs, and the fact that this book features classic rock music definitely gives it a plus one in my ratings.

I love how Harper starts off as a emo-apathetic-delinquent who ends up accepting herself for who she is, and because I seem to like her so much from the beginning of the book, I am so happy for her when she is finally at peace about her sister's death.

If 13 Reasons Why was a book about the whys of suicide, then Saving June would be the perfect complement to it as a book about the hows to surviving suicide of a loved one.

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Notable mentions: The dealing of a tough subject with impeccable wit and great insight.

Synopsis: Ben Wolf, midget, cross-country athlete, eighteen, and with the world in front of him is suddenly diagnosed with a rare incurable blood disease. He chooses not to receive treatment and not to tell anyone, but instead try to have a normal life. Or a life as normal as he can get...

My take: As compared with Before I Die, I prefer this heaps more. Ben decides that as he's dying anyway it wouldn't hurt to play football, or go after the girl of his dreams. It is cruel, the way he achieves everything and more, reaching this so called "coming-of-age" right before his demise.


It is also worth a mention that this story would actually continue from where Running Loose left off, with an older Coach Banks and all. Also, Ben is not the only death in this book but he counts himself lucky as he has had time to prepare. And with this time he changes everything and everyone he touches. For better or for worse is a different thing


However, I love the subtle humour of this book. Ben is not afraid to take on teachers as his doomsday clock doesn't tick for very long anyway. And this is where the fun begins. This is an optimistic take on a story of a boy who's too young to die, but had always felt as though he would die young, who learnt how to live in the face of death.


~out, ziincks, if i die young~ 

Things I've Done (2)

I've:

• Gone to a park
• Stayed out til 3a.m.
• Slept at 4a.m.
• Brought school shoes

This holidays.

New Year's Eve Countdown

Saturday. 31st December 2011
Prologue
I woke up at 4.30a.m. to cook instant noodles for breakfast as well as get my water and lunch/dinner ready. And then I went to work.

Chapter One
After work, I ran off to Town Hall and boarded the train with Jono and Derek. When we got to Blues Point Eunice and Carolyn met us and brought us to the meeting spot.
People there: Martin, Jason, Hong, Bryan, Jeff, Alex, Cheryl, Winson
Plus the five of us, THIRTEEN OF US in total.

Friendship is... People waiting for half an hour for you at the train platforms, risking their own entry so that you won't be alone when you arrive at the gathering.

After slathering on sunscreen, Derek, Jono and I headed towards the portable toilets. And since it was too hot, we detoured towards a shady area without telling the rest of them (so that they could watch our bags whilst we sit in the shade :P) and played cards. After that Hong lent us his laptop to watch American Pie (which has no storyline at all) so when I got bored I returned to the group.

We all then sat around reading science magazines I brought (nerd alert :P)

Chapter Two
The group split into three - One group was watching American Pie, another group was buying food and the rest of us were sitting under the sun spamming Eunice's camera.

Photographic Evidence Documented: Jason, Derek and I sitting on Jono, hampering his attempts to get up off the ground

After that, we tried to go and buy some food but the police warned us that the gates could close any time. So we decided against leaving and effectively went without food for the rest of the day.

So we continued camwhoring, taking photos of Jono having huge reactions as we discuss food. We also demanded massages from Jono and Derek, which was fun :P

Chapter Three
THE NINE O'CLOCK FIREWORKS!

Then we played Truth or Dare.

One involved Jono and I holding hands and walking up to a random stranger, telling them "We're engaged! Can we have your blessing?" And well, this woman believed us O_o I can't help but laugh :D

We played until Martin lost his MP3, and when we finally found it we'd lost the mood to play.

Sunday, 1st January 2012
Chapter Four
THE TWELVE O'CLOCK FIREWORKS!

After the fireworks, we sang Happy Birthday to Jeff, then packed up and went home.

On the way to North Sydney train station, Jono and I started singing '99 Bottles of Beer'. So Jason, Jeff, Alex and Winson who were ahead of us started walking faster and faster, so we started walking real fast to keep up. Unbeknownst to us the rest of the gang behind us started walking slower and slower to avoid being associated with us, so we lost them.

At 51 bottles I tripped and fell, freaking everyone out. But I managed to get up to my feet and continue with the song.

And then we reunited at the station, after the two of us finished the entire song at the top of our lungs.

Friendship is... Doing dumb things together, but watching out for each other.

Chapter Five
We managed not to lose anyone anymore by insisting a headcount be held every once in a while, and also by forming a human chain with all of us holding on to each other bags the whole way.

Squeezing into trains proved easier as we're all not that big anyway.

Friendship is... Watching out for everyone, so no one gets left behind.

On the train we discussed Physics principle, and on the second train Jono and Hong slept.

When we finally arrived, Cheryl and I had to wait for our sisters. Martin and Derek waited with us, but we told them to go home. So Derek left but Martin stayed with us til our siblings arrived.

Chapter Six
I got home, showered, brushed my teeth etc, and by the time I lay my head on the pillow it was 4.30a.m. The next day. I have been effectively awake for 24 hours.

I was out like a light.

Epilogue
Woke up the next day real late, and started replaying last night in my head.

Reminded of how we never did that in Malaysia.

Friendship is... Still thinking about old friends.

Do Dumb Things, You Have More Fun - Royal National Park

[All times supplied are ESTIMATES. No teenagers were harmed in the making of this blog post.]

26th December 2011
Prologue
Derek: Wanna go national park tomorrow?
Me: Where's that?
Derek: Some where far far away.

27th December 2011
Chapter One
Time: 6.30a.m. to 8.30a.m.
Like Derek planned, I was up early making sandwiches to feed all six of us (Derek, Martin, Jono, Hong, Kenny and I). I then got on a bus to Jono's place, and from there we were to walk to Derek's.

Only one small problem. JONO WASN'T ANSWERING MY PHONE CALLS.

In desperation I called Derek, who didn't answer my calls too.

So I texted both of them: 'Hey Jono/Derek isn't answering my calls and I dunno how to get to Derek's what should I do?' And sent to them in the hopes that one would reply before the sun set.

At the very moment that Derek replied me and Martin called, Jono leaned out of his window and called: "Sorry! I just woke up!". So I told the two others that I was fine. I then yelled out to Jono that Martin wanted him to bring along his MP3, which resulted in the neighbourhood dogs barking loudly.

Me: I brought you a piece of chocolate but it melted in my pocket because I was out in the sun for 15 minutes (glare).
Jono: I noticed you always bring me chocolate when you have to come to my house.

THAT'S NOT THE POINT! Lol

After he got dressed and came down, we both headed towards Derek's. I almost got knocked down by a car, the second time in a time space of... 40 minutes.

Chapter Two
Time: 8.30a.m. to 9.00a.m.
Jono and I arrived at Derek's house, and after loading up the car he called Kenny to check if the other car (with Martin, Kenny and Hong) are leaving soon. Martin announced that Hong just arrived in his place, which meant we would all be late waiting for them. We decided not to wait and to go first, after sending him threats over the phone.

Locked, loaded, take off!

Destination: Royal National Park, Wattamolla beach
In Derek's dad's car: Derek, Jono and I
In Martin's dad's car: Martin, Kenny and Hong

Chapter Three
Time: 9.30a.m. to 10.00a.m.
We arrived at the main entrance of the National Park, and were waiting for Martin's dad to arrive.
*Jono takes out phone*
Jono: Hello Hong, where are you?
Hong: We're past Tom Ugly's Bridge. We should be catching up to you guys soon.
Me: (yelling) WE'RE WAY PAST TOM UGLY'S BRIDGE!
Jono: We passed it ages ago! Where are you?
Me: Does he have any idea where he is? Tell him to ask Martin's dad - he should know, after all, he's driving.
Derek sighs and shakes his head.

They finally arrived and we all drove into the park, where there was absolutely no signal. No way of contacting the outside world.

So we unloaded and forced Hong to carry the icebox as punishment all the way down to the beach (Jono was nice enough to offer to help him). And then the guys (excluding Hong) just took off their shirts and jumped in the lagoon. I was too busy complaining about my shoes being wet after I just washed them after Cataract Park. ELEVEN DAYS AGO.

Chapter Four
Time: 10.00a.m. to 11.30a.m.
At the lagoon, I changed into my jersey and shorts and then Hong and I sat around on the sand looking at the guys.

Suddenly Kenny came up from behind me and grabbed me up in his arms. He yelled for Jono to come and help him throw me into the water "to study the projectile motions of a human being". With the two of them grabbing  me in an awkward position, I managed to twist kick claw fight my way out of their grip (by hitting Jono's balls by accident, I think) and then run back to the beach.

And then suddenly I found myself surrounded again. Derek, Kenny, Jono and Martin each grabbed one of my limbs and dragged me to the water.

Hong: You guys have fun.
Me: BETRAYER!

I was then unceremoniously dumped into the water and immediately splashed and covered with mud and sand. As revenge I suggested we all get Hong. When he was close enough to the water, Derek and I hugged grabbed Hong and dragged him off. Kenny soon came along and grabbed all three of us and pushed us to the edge of the water,

Hong: Wait wait, I actually like this shirt.
Derek: Okay, take it off or we're pulling it off.

So he took it off, threw it onto the mat and allowed us all to tackle him into the water. And then Jono started throwing mudballs at us, which frankly wasn't very nice because the two of us weren't fighting back.

And then Jono tried to teach me how to swim, and Derek tried to make his Coke can float vertically on his pair of slippers, whereas Kenny was fascinated with a floating rock and Martin paddled all the way out to a man-made waterfall. And Hong went back to sunbathe and read on the beach,

After that, Kenny and Jono decided that the fastest way to warm up was to roll around in the sand. So we buried them side by side, holding hands. By the time they realised it really felt gay we had piled up enough wet and dry sand on them for them to be unable to move their fingers.

So Hong and I took the opportunity to pour sand over their hair and faces, whilst Derek and Martin sculpted breasts for them both. When they freed themselves we all went back to where we left our bags and started getting dried up and dressed.

To decide who had to go find a barbeque pit, we drew cards from a deck of 52. The people with the two highest valued cards have to go. Guess what? I drew a TWO OF SPADES. And Jono drew a J. So we packed up and left.

Chapter Five
Time: 11.30a.m. to 3.00p.m.
A group of Asians speaking some Asian dialect were near an abandoned barbeque pit.

Jono: Go and ask them in Chinese if we can borrow the pit.
Me: Me? In Chinese?
Jono: Yeah, your Chinese is more pro than mine.
Me: (Chinese) Hi, can I borrow your barbeque pit if you're not using it?
Asian: I don't speak Chinese, but yeah you can borrow it.

Later...
Jono: They're Koreans.
Me: Thanks, I figured after he said he couldn't speak Chinese.

So Jono runs off to signal for the rest to come while I sit there looking like a weirdo hugging my knees drying myself out. When they arrive we start cooking, and then...

"Where's the oil? Why didn't anyone bring the oil?"

Turns out they brought raw food, beer and NO OIL. So they cooked the meat in beer and water to prevent it from sticking.

So food and sandwiches that Derek and I made for lunch! While playing cards.

After that Hong needed to go back, and since he was returning to civillisation we all told him to pass on messages to our parents/siblings etc. And he decided to walk up to the entrance, but we managed to sway him by pointing out that it was ELEVEN KILOMETRES AWAY and he'd be better off staying here with us.

Hong: But, it's like the distance from school to my house!
Derek: Yeah, like multiplied by FIVE.

So Martin's dad drove Hong out to the entrance whilst we stay behind to play cards.

Chapter Six
Time: 3.00p.m. to 4.30p.m.
When Martin's dad came back we went bushwalking.

And bushwalking eventually evolved to rock climbing. I actually decided to climb up there to find phone reception, and when that didn't work I just decided to join in the climb.

We had to climb down a crevasse, so I threw my backpack down to Martin and then climbed down via rope. And then more rocks. Derek ended up carrying my backpack so that it was easier for me (the 'little' girl who can crawl through openings in the rock). And Martin helped me at some odd hard places. We finished the rock climbing by climbing up the same crevasse we came down.

Some photos from up there...

Where we came from

Seriously, see the red thing? That's where we came from.

So yeah, if we get up there, you may as well take pictures!

Martin threw Kenny's bottle off the cliff, and so we all turned back where we came from immediately.

Epilogue
Time: 4.30p.m. to 5.00p.m.
We sit around playing cards waiting for Derek's dad to come bring Derek, Jono and I home.

The whole way back Jono and I discussed Physics thought experiments.

Got home at 5.30p.m., shedding salt and sand everywhere I went.

But it was SO MUCH FUN! :D