All in one, again

OK, it's been quite some time since I last posted an entry in my blog. The reason is that I've been particularly occupied with my preparation for the SPM Information Technology exam, which I've just completed today! It wasn't that difficult, although Section B of the IT paper was trickier and more challenging.

For your information, the IT examination is unlike any other examination. This exam is held in two sessions called Sidang 1 and Sidang 2 (Sidang meaning session, for overseas readers of my blog). The first twenty students in my class were called for Sidang 1 and the final 17 students were called for Sidang 2. I was called for Sidang 2 as my name is somewhere below at the registry. *Groan*

This exam is queer in the sense that those who are sitting for the Sidang 1 paper can actually leak questions from the exam paper to those who are in Sidang 2 after the former have finished their exam. The reason? Both Sidang 1 and Sidang 2 papers are different, but they are generally equally difficult or equally easy, depending your perspectives. This means that questions that have come out from Sidang 1 will not repeat in Sidang 2, but the criteria asked will not vary in both papers. This is rather unfair you may say, but we are in no position to object. Normally, the difficulty for both papers are almost the same, except this year. For the Sidang 1 paper, Section A was more difficult compared to the same paper in Sidang 2, whereas Section B in Sidang 1 was easier than the same paper for Sidang 2. As for Section C, everyone finds no problem with it because we were given the Section C paper one month before the exam. It's a programming paper. We were required to prepare for Section C one month before, so we should have no problem whatsoever with Section C.

Feeling a little dizzy? Well, you have all the reasons to be so, because we were confused about the way the IT examination is held, too, during the first few months of IT last year. Well, let me conclude that in the IT exam there are three sections that you need to answer, namely Sections A, B and C. If you are sitting for the IT exam, you will have to finish all the three sections on the same day itself. Sidang 1 and Sidang 2 do not mean that you do half the paper today, and the other half tomorrow. No. Sidang 1 and Sidang 2 just mean that the class will be divided into half, whereby half of the class will sit for the exam a day earlier than the other half. That's all.

Now, whatever happened last week? Well, my uncle and aunt came back from Holland for a visit in Ipoh after almost 10 years, and we had dinner with my eldest aunt, her husband and her son together with my youngest aunt, her husband and her three young children. Of course, both my parents and I were there for dinner as well. But what's so special about dinner outside? Hmmm... my father made all the reservations for that restaurant and guess whom did I meet when I entered? To my surprise, my aunt motioned me to look behind to a table near the entrance which I overlooked and I saw Brother Matthew Bay, Brother Vincent Corkery and some of his other friends (I presume they are other La Sallian Brothers from other schools/states and maybe some old Michaelians). So, they were there for dinner too! That was really unexpected because the restaurant was far far away from the school (although it's near my house) and quite remotely located (although it's quite well-known). It couldn't have struck my mind that the Brothers were having dinner there!

So as usual, I greeted them, with my Uncle Cheong behind. Bro. Matthew (in utter surprise and some confusion) held me on for a while and asked, "How are you related to the man next to you?" Obviously he knew the man standing next to me (my uncle, an Old Michaelian too), but he doesn't know how we are related. Maybe Brother Vincent didn't tell him that. I said, "He's my uncle." And his mind cleared up immediately. For your information, my aunt was a teacher in St. Michael's and my uncle and his two sons were Old Michaelians. I need hardly say that almost most of my uncles are Old Michaelians. In fact, one of the teacher's in SMI now is related to me (indirectly, actually). It's up to you to find out who.

Bro. Vincent mesmerised me in the sense that he doesn't ask for assistance much. He preferred to help himself with food, drinks and all his necessities during dinner. He spoke very politely, cordially and his look was almost too fatherly. Before he left, he gestured to our table (gave us a "God bless you" gesture), waved a goodbye and left. Bro. Matthew greeted his farewell near the entrance. What a night! An unexpected encounter, indeed! I wouldn't be surprise the next time when I go out for dinner, I might meet the principal himself! Haha... joke over!

Sigh... it's now exactly one month before my SPM exams begin. Now, I'll have to cut down 90% of my time on the Internet and the television. But honestly, I spend more time on the Internet than on the television. I'm just looking forward to what is in store for me in the future.