[07/08/08] In which I write a bit (a lot?) about China

So there's all this Beijing/Olympics hype. Personally, I would feel claustrophobic in Beijing, as their population is about 767 people per square kilometre. Kind of glad I'm not going there. That basically means that each person in Beijing has about 1.2 square metres of breathing space. Yay population questions! I really should be doing them right now. I do find demography quite interesting. Though there are some things that aren't particularly impressive about China's population.

The fertility rate in the mid 1960s was high - about 7.5 children per woman. This is because in the 1950s (not sure about this date, but I'm too lazy to look it up) there was the Communist revolution (though China's political history is quite unstable) and their population policy was basically "go forth and multiply", so the population rose quite significantly to the point that the Once Child Policy, or Chinese Population Policy was implemented in 1979. Duh duh DUUUUUUH! Good idea at first, but there's always a loophole.

The aim of the policy is to bring the population back down to a manageable rate, and they hand out free condoms in work factories and such. There is a problem to this though, and it has to do with China's cultural values, which is that they would prefer to have sons. So what happens? Daugters are 'stillborn', and a Chinese couple can easily discover the sex of their unborn child while having an ultrasound screening. If the baby is a girl it can be aborted. This happens a lot. Basically what happens in Chinese culture is that when a couple marry, the wife joins the husband and they look after the husband's parents in their old age. So many couples are having sons, which means that the male to female ratio is pretty screwed up. In a way it kind of means that it's working, but smaller numbers of men will be able to find wives, and the reason you can say it's working is because a smaller percentage of the population is able to breed. Um... that's all for now, I need to go back to getting this work done for tomorrow.

[04/08/08] I should be studying...

...because I have 3 assessments this week, one of which is tomorrow! Okay, ideas about Encountering Conflict. Fuuuuuuuuck. This is going to be a relatively short post, as there isn't much to talk about. You may call me Australia Face. Where's the thing that connects my camera to my laptop, I need it. I'll post the photo later. The main thing of significance is that I got my chemistry result today. Oops, I need to give DJ my semester 1 SACs back (as Giles said, SACs should be shot in the face). So basically we got a result for either the exam or the semester. I'll try and discern some information from the little piece of paper. Hmm, it says "Grade 1 result". Not sure what this means. Does it work differently for subjects that have a midyear exam?

Either way, I'll tell a little story. I was sitting with Meagan in French and waiting for it to be over so I could relax at lunchtime. And then she said "one hour until we get our results". Which of course had me freaking out for the rest of the lesson. So she wrote "A+" on my hand, which I took a photo of and want to put here. Either way, I said something along the lines of "if only that were true". And then there was lots of anticipation as Sue (my house co-ordinator) was the last one to come up with the results. I wasn't going to open them until I got home, but I managed to find an area with few people so I could open it by myself. Seriously, if someone hears the opening of an envelope, they run over. Anyway, it was an A+ o_O. For 18 months I have tried and tried and tried to get an A+ in chemistry to no avail... until now.

Also, if you read my post on nerdy strangers the day before that exam, I was kind of freaking out. I sort of had a breakdown the Sunday before the exam when a book tried to tell me why potatoes turn brown. Not particularly interesting and the last thing I care about. Then we had the exam which I thought had too many questions (seriously, 8 short answer questions? 8??? Though I guess 8 is a lucky number - I got 8 in the footy tipping for the third time this season), but I didn't think it was too bad. We went out for lunch afterwards and I worked out that I'd already lost 5 marks. And then afterwards I talked to my mum who said that the students at her school came out in tears and some friends at work didn't finish it. The joys of external examinations. So basically because of that I was really worried that I hadn't done well. I keep looking at that darn piece of paper because it's hard to believe. But I need to keep working, as there is still a semester to go. And I have 5 exams in October/November, not 1.

[02/08/08] I am in a state of perpetual tiredness

And I have been all day. I got about 6 hours sleep this morning and I had about a 2 hour nap this afternoon and then I went driving. I should ask my mum if we can open the bottle of Coke. I need something. Actually, I probably need some food, too. I've only eaten two burritos today. And some Savoys. All of this is really exciting stuff. I know you want to know about it, or possibly the reason that I'm so tired, as well as the reason that I woke up with panda eyes this morning.

I did have fun at the formal, and not because I was ordered to by Mike. Mum was kind of stressed, which is understandable, as dad was in Canberra for the whole week and will be going there again for at least some of next week. So that stressed me out. The hair and make-up appointment was fine, though I preferred the way my make-up was done last year. God, there was so much of it this time. And they used eyeliner. There was none of that wretched stuff last year.

Rachel's was okay. Nothing exciting really. I don't understand how predrinks can be exciting, but whatever. Well, we took a group photo of our parents because they always make a big deal of taking a group photo of us before we leave. Payback! Oh, there are no photos in this post because I don't have many and I'm waiting for everyone else to upload them onto facebook. I particularly want the "Myspace photo" that Richard and I took. He is a funny guy, I'm glad Meagan brought him.

Formal tables weren't really a drama, except I never ever get put with Emma. Ever. It annoys me. I liked the way it was done this year, 9 Darling Street is a better venue (the best venue even) than the Kooyong Tennis Club or whatever it's called. Anyway, I hate that part where you get there and everyone's trying to pack together in not much space and it's all claustrophobic. Laura's boyfriend Scott knew someone who worked there; I swear that he could go to Antarctica and know someone there, it's ridiculous.

Anyway, we had a course and then everyone got up to dance for a bit and photos were taken, etc. We had a Central photo with the Priscilla signs (always a must) and then called Slim from the bathroom (which was gorgeous) but he didn't answer, so we sang (or screamed) "Come to Australia" by the Scared Weird Little Guys to him. And then Caz said in this nice calm voice "Hi Slim, we really miss you". It was hilarious. There were also the house tutor group photos. I might get all group photos this year. There was one that we got with Mrs Jewell as well. She wanted an English class photo, but we never got around to organising it.

There were awards, as there always are. I'm glad Kim got the "most innovative" award, as she and her mum modified her mum's wedding dress, which was gorgeous. I loved it. The food was fantastic, and maybe it's because I had a three course meal that I haven't eaten much today. Let's say it was that. And we had food at Heather's afterwards. Anyway, for dessert I had this chocolate tasting plate with chocolate ice cream, an eclair and jaffa mousse. The jaffa mousse was in a bowl that was made of chocolate. I wasn't sure that it was chocolate at first, but then I smashed it with my spoon.

Dancing was fun. Tom (Anna's date, who I call my twin) is a terrible dancer, but at least he enjoys himself. James isn't that good either. Though I think Lisa and Fleur's dates were enjoying themselves a bit and danced with every girl they could. And there was another one as well. Though the highlight of the night was when Billy Jean was played and Jess's boyfriend Tim did his awesome dancing. Some sort of smooth foot thing that is not out of place when Michael Jackson is playing.

Then afterwards we went to Heather's where we listened to Queen, Freya and I started to lose our voices (mine is nearly back) and Meagan and Richard did their nerd camp thing and tried to solve a Rubik's Cube. Em made us all listen to Lucky by Britney, which is really an ironic song considering how her life's turned out. Then at the end of the song, Em walked off and said "I'm just going to go and shave my head now". We were going to put on the Beatles, but that got overruled and Michael Bubbly was put on. Which was great, because Em and I slow danced to Moondance, and James tried to split us up. Then just before Em and James left I ended up dancing with James to some other song. I love my friends. There aren't any particularly funny stories to tell, it was just a good night.

[01/08/08] It isn't an orchestra without sex.

I have the formal tonight, so I should be doing some things so I can get ready - we don't have afternoon classes. But my hair and makeup appointment isn't for another 2 hours and 45 minutes. So I basically need to have a shower and all that jazz, maybe paint my nails before then. Mum suggested that I sleep, because of the concert last night, but I don't want to sleep. I'll probably be at Heather's until about 1:30 in the morning, but whatever. I actually need to eat some lunch. We're having a three course sit down dinner tonight at the formal, so maybe it can wait.

So, the concert. We have an all day rehearsal at Robert Blackwood Hall, which is at Monash university. That's always a hoot. Well, sort of. Instead of having a massed singing item for the finale, we had it for the opening, and from what people have told me, it was fantastic. I asked my dad about it and he said "Didn't you see it?" and I didn't see it because I was in it. What was after that? I think it was the junior school choir. I didn't get a program. I wonder if someone in my family received one. That would be useful rather than trying to remember everything.

Mr Hall has been great for music in the junior school. All the students were enthusiastic and the preps were adorable. So junior choir, which is years 3 to 5 (I think, so much has changed) sang something, and then some song about a princess and a dragon. This was great, because there were adults dressed as a princess and a dragon running around on stage. (It is quite windy outside. That is completely irrelevant, but oh well.) Then the junior school choir and the mini singers, which is prep to year 2 did a Sound of Music medley. I swear, this was the best concert ever. The preps were so cute that I was actually almost in tears, and Mr Hall got us all joining in with singing Eidelweiss.

After that, Kimmy made the music captain's speech as she is music captain (no duh, I'm very good at stating the obvious), and I'm glad she kept in the bit (we went through it with her) where she called the senior choir old and wrinkled. Then there was the Donald Redding orchestra (junior school) who played the Muppets' Theme which was fun, but it should've been faster. Then I think was the Cripps choir (year 6-8, our school's weird) who were good. Actually, they sang Eleanor Rigby, which was a bit high, but it was awesome because Amadeus Strings played with them. Then Amadeus played some piece that I can't remember the name of, or never knew because I don't have the program.

The last two ensembles onstage for the first half were Melodic Minors who sang the Teddy Bear Picnic. <3 that song still. My mum thought that it was a bit much to have 13 and 14 year old girls singing that song, but psh. It's a good song, who cares how old you are? I love that cartoon they used to have on the ABC to that song. There was also another really awesome one for "we all know frogs go La de da de da". Oh yeah, and there was Wind Symphony, who have always been good, but for some reason weren't as good this year. Maybe it's because of the new conductor (who is great for Stage Band), who chose an uninteresting piece.

After interval it was all about the senior school. Stage band was first up, but I honestly have no idea how they went because I was backstage with Swing Choir and we couldn't hear them. Being on stage is really different to being in a small room (once again, I state the obvious quite well) because the sound travels more, so what we were singing didn't sound as good to me as it did in rehearsal. Either way, both You Can't Stop the Beat and Defying Gravity got good responses from the audience, so I think they liked it. Senior Choir ran smoothly (I think, once again, it's hard to tell when you're performing). Koristers sounded amazing, as always. All their songs were A Capella actually.

Then there was Menuhin Orchestra, sans Sarah, because she's been sick. We don't think she can come to the formal tonight either. That was when I said "It isn't an orchestra without Sarah", and Emma thought I said sex. Hence the title. Anyway, the orchestra played one of Rachmaninoff's piano concertos for the finale, with Kim being the piano (or the person who plays it). She is honestly amazing. I am in awe of her. You know how you buy one of those classical CDs and the piano just sounds flawless? She plays like that. And when you look at her play, she does all the arm stuff that concert pianists do.

It was a good night, and we had fun at the rehearsal too. Let's just say that I was pushed off a couch, Em was then pushed off the same couch and fell on top of me, Ariane was on a sugar high and we sang 500 miles very insanely. I must be off now. I might have some lunch and then think about starting to get ready.

[31/07/08] In which I ramble a bit about universities

Wow, I was just reading the part of the msn conversation last night that I missed because my mum was yelling at me, and it was seriously the best part >_> All because I asked if Byron was staying over. He did. Anyway, there was a town at Kat's house, Noosa at Lizy's house and I had Rocky over as well. I don't know why I'm saying any of this, as Kat is the only person who reads this blog and she was there, therefore she knows all of this.

Yesterday we got our VTAC guides on what subjects/scores we need for different university courses, and a little book that tells us the ENTER for what I think is every university course offered in the country. They should've done New Zealand too. Maybe they did, I didn't pay that much attention.

Anyway, there are some interesting things I found out. Because of the Melbourne Model, which is basically that if you want to do medicine, engineering or law you have to do an undergraduate degree first, like in the USA, a Bachelor of Arts at Monash has a predicted ENTER of 99.00 WTF? And Melbourne's has gone down to about an 85. Why are people so scared of change? If you really want to go to Melbourne (whose BA is ranked 7th in the WORLD) you go to Melbourne. Which is what I'm looking at at the moment - I'm interested in their courses and it's in the city. Also, Melbourne University is the oldest university in Australia and some of the buildings are beautiful. There's even this courtyard that I swear the WB ripped off for the Harry Potter movies (I know it's probably some English university, but I'd like it to be Melbourne).

I think VCAA needs to look at changing the way VCE works. I wonder if they're trying to fit so much information into our heads that they explode. Because Unit 3 is twice as long as Unit 4, but we still have the same number of SACs. So we pretty much have this term to do a shitload of study before exams, and half our weekend is going to be taken up by uni open days.

And that's all I'll say for today, as I have to get ready to go to the concert rehearsal which is at Monash uni. Huh. I think I may be back there on Sunday for an open day! I can't afford to, I have three SACs next week.

[29/07/08] I hate the last choir rehearsal before the concert

This time of the year (2 days before the concert) is generally when the head of music is so stressed that you'd rather not deal with her, but she's the choir conductor and there's choir rehearsal so you kind of have to. I hope she didn't find out that Kim hadn't written her music captain's opening speech thingy. Though that's because we were in a spare and we told her not to write it. We had Swing rehearsal at recess and Anna brought her 2 year old son in who is sooooooooooooooo cute. She also told us that for his second birthday party they hired a ball pit and were considering having a whole room with a ball pit. I think that this is an excellent idea. So far the rooms in my future house (the ones I'd like to have) are one with a ball pit and a library.

Oh I did an exam today. Well, not the listening. It was the Alliance Francaise written exam. I wonder if we're doing the oral. It'd be nice to know if we are. But is there time? We don't even have French for the rest of the week due to the rehearsal on Thursday and finishing early because of the formal on Friday. Why must everything be on at once? Because Monash uni's open day is on Sunday - they're currently my second preference university, and one of the top 8 in the country. Along with Melbourne, ANU and some others. Interesting. There's a site that lists Australia's Top universities and where they're ranked in the world. The thing is about ANU is that they're really good and it's much easier to get into their courses because they're in Canberra. I don't think I could go to uni in Canberra though. That would suck.

What else did I want to say? Omg, epic win happened today. Every second Wednesday afternoon we have this PD double period in which year 11 and 12s are talked at, and for the first time in the history of my school, we have been given the afternoon off. To study. We were all in shock.

Year 12: o_O O_o

This of course means that I finish early every day this week. Epic win!

And this is something that only Kat needs to read, as it is in regards to the strangely nerdy strangers. If there are people who owe a punishment should we just set one for them all to do? If so, what should it be?

Anyway, au revoir, I must go and do a maths test before tomorrow.

[28/07/08] Girl most likely to "blog about it"

I think that's what I'll put down as my 'Girl Most Likely To' tomorrow. The sheets are up in the study area. I think they were put up today. Some of my friends want me to put something else, which I won't put here. If my parents read my yearbook and saw that, I don't know how they would react. And also because blogging is fun. I still haven't finished writing my Central diary, and no one is surprised about that, which is strange. By day... whatever it was when we had the dance party in Priscilla (wow, that could be interpreted the wrong way). Though there were a couple of dance parties, so I don't know what that day was. Anyway, when we were having the dance party, Wendy asked if I was writing about it in my diary. Either way, I'd better finish it soon, because otherwise I'll forget what happened.

I am SO SICK of choir rehearsals. I think I worked out that I have something like 9 days out of 10 in rehearsal. I get a break on Wednesday unless Barnesy decides that we need to have another rehearsal. And then I'm at Monash University all day Thursday. My sister's got something that night, so she can't come to the concert, and my dad may still be in Canberra. His company's working on that nationwide broadband plan that the government is trying to set up. Not that he owns the company. I'm fairly sure he doesn't and that the people who started it are still working there.

The formal is on Friday and I'm still kind of 'meh' about it. I'm not looking forward to it, but whatever. I'm sure it will be a blast. Predrinks are at 6, and my hair and makeup is booked for 4:30, so that should be interesting. Also, I have no idea what's happening afterwards. Yay for disorganisation! Which reminds me that I must be doing my French homework now. You wouldn't think that I got home 2 hours ago.