I'm thankful for...

I feel like I haven't written a talky-talky post is quite sometime, so I am going to do one for today's BEDIHT (Blog Every Day In Half Term). On Wednesday, my friend Stripeytofu, wrote his post: "I'm thankful for...", and I'm going to write my own version of it in response to it.

WARNING: THIS IS A WAFFLY, BADLY STRUCTURED AND A MARATHON OF A POST, SKIP TO THE BRAIN AT THE END FOR A SUMMARY

My Parents:
Obviously my parents are who I am most thankful for, as most people would say. This is because they are usually the people in the world who  teach you some of the most important and basic skills required for a successful life: what is right and wrong; how to converse and communicate and how to look after yourself, so hopefully one day, you can leave the nest, live your own life and pass on these skills to the next generation - it's basic biology.

Now as for myself, I may not have a story as poignant as Stripeytofu and even though I may have not appreciated it at the time, I am eternally grateful for what they have taught me and done for my upbringing.

• Independence
• I personally think that I am a very independent person for my own age (you can be the judge of that). This is mainly because my parents have given me so many opportunities to explore the world by forcing me do things, which to begin with may feel scary, but is something vital to learn. For example, I have been to a variety of places by myself, plus I also went on a plane to Finland for the first time when I was 11, which at the time, was really nerve racking, but now I know how to navigate an airport. It has taught me try new things, take the risk and not be afraid.
• I also think that this independence has made me very self-motivated. I strive to achieve, not because my mum is going to shout at me if I don't, or to impress to parents, but for my own satisfaction. Even though perhaps, deeper down that may be still a reason, but it is not the sole reason. If I achieve an A* in an exam, I don't go telling my parents, or anyone else for a matter of fact. I try to be pro-active as possible, and find my own opportunities, than relying on other. 
• Eek, I just realised these two paragraph makes me sound so egotistical and I hate talking about myself, so don't judge me And no, I am not using reverse psychology.
• Appreciating other cultures and travel
• This is something that is a huge part of my life, and is something I am extremely, extremely thankful for. Being a BBC means that I have been able to appreciate two different cultures, and my parents have done very well to try and bring alive my cultural heritage. We go on holiday almost every year to a variety of countries. These holidays, however, are never just sun bathing on the beach. I always manage to learn something from these holidays to places of cultural/historical importance. I feel like appreciating other cultures is absolutely imperative for the future as the world is becoming increasingly globalised, and multicultural. Cultural understanding and acceptance is the key living harmoniously together (I sound like Confucius or someone!). I am going to write a more in depth post on this subject later this week, as I feel like a measly paragraph cannot do it justice.
• Obviously, I am thankful that my parents have the time and money to take me on holiday, as I do realise that lots of parents aren't able to do that, so thank you!
• Modesty
• This is almost a paradox by saying this, but I thank my parents for making sure that I'm always modest - lol, what a hypocrite.
•  Violin lessons
• Again I am not attempting reverse psychology or anything, but I do not think I am very musically talented in anyway, at all. Why are you grade 8 violin I hear you ask? Well, I think it's simply because my parents have been sending me to music lessons since I was 7, and I practise (sometimes!). This is all thanks for my parents, especially since music lessons are so PAINFULLY expensive.
• Taxi driving
• Some of my musical activities are very far away, so thank you Dad for driving 60km a day for a week, for my music course! Also, I must mention that my school is 15 mins away from our house and there is no bus, so thank you for driving my sister, others and I to school every day for the 11 years - now that's dedication.
• Having a love for food
•  Something that is a HUGE part of my life is - of course - food. My parents have taught me something, which I am SOOO grateful for, and that is to not be picky with food. I can honestly say I am probably the least picky person you could ever come across. This is probably because I love food so much and that my parents fed me some food from a young age, which you guys may find rather bizarre/grotesque/stomach turning, but I find delicious! For example, in this week alone, I have eaten frogs legs, pigs ears, and fish cheeks.
• Culinary skills 
• My mum is a whizz in the kitchen and has passed on a few tips to me about food preparation, but I really hope to learn as much as I can before I leave for university.  

The Internet: 
We are the first generation who cannot remember a time without the Internet, or a personal computer, thus in that sense, I am so grateful to live at a time in history when technology is so quickly evolving and changing our lives.

Why it's so cool:

• If anyone has any problem they need solving, type it into Google and BAM, there you go, an answer in around 0.15 of a second. 
• They say the uprising and revolutions in the Middle East were catalysed by social media via the Internet. 
• Over 35 hours of video is uploaded to Youtube every minute.
• Imagine if North Korea had the same level of technology and accessibility to Internet as South Korea, and everyone suddenly became computer-literate, what would happen?
• We can't deny that we do enjoy those Internet memes such as the troll face, nyan cat or rickrolling. 

 

What optimises the Internet - in my eyes - is that there is freedom of speech, and when there is opposition against it, such as SOPA/ACTA/PIPA, a huge backlash is prevalent. That is why I do believe that when governments do block/regulate the internet (such as the Great Firewall of China), it can be so detrimental. That, and also the fact that it does enable opposite sides of the globe to be connected in milliseconds, linking into the ideas of increasing globalisation and other points I mentioned earlier.

Anyway, I enough about all that deep stuff. I really should do some more research before these types of posts - I don't claim to be a expert in this topic! Back to what I was getting, I am also so thankful for blogger, as doing BEDIHT, has made me realise just how much I enjoy doing it, and being able to express my views online, even if no one is reading it.

Future Posts:

• Being a BBC (British Born Chinese)
• Drinking culture vs Food culture
• Cultural intolerance and Stereotyping
• (They sound so lame, but they will be enlightening!)

Okay, that was a really long post. Sorry if my writing and grammar is a bit flouncy and incoherent- I am in a weird essay writing mood (what has the world come to!) and I think I went off on a tangent on quite a few subjects. I am a pseudo-intellectual, at least at the moment!

In summary, I am thankful for my parents for teaching me everything I know, and the internet for being awesome. 

Hasta la vista,


Rebecca x

P.S. CONGRATS if you've gotten this far and the entire post, you are a true fan!
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P.P.P.S Create a bookmark of ScatterrBrained, to stay updated to the posts, simply drag the image below onto the bookmark bar above your tabs. Please do this as I spent yonks making and editing that tiny image - time to learn how to use Photoshop/Gimp etc!
P.P.P.P.S I probably have missed out lots of words etc. in this post, but my eyes are going funny from after staring at this screen for 2 hours, so I'll proof read it later, and you can giggle and laugh at it for the moment being. 

Tribute to my dad and careers

Yesterday, my friend Wendy wrote a post about role models that she has in her life, on her blog, which made me ponder who is my role model in my life. This, coincided with the fact that I have reached a stage in my life where I have to make vital decisions about my future (such making A Level options and future aspirations and careers), has made me realise that possibly the greatest inspiration for myself, is my father/dad. 


The primary reason why I see my dad as such an inspiration is because he is so clever. He is obviously academically intelligent, but then again, lots of people have parents who are- some even have multiple PhDs, for example! However, what is most inspiring is not his achievements in academia, but his practical ability to solve every day problems. 


Every single problem that I can come across, my dad can usually think of a simple, yet effective solution, one which is probably so obvious to him, but absolutely genius to us mere mortals. If you look around our house, there is something in each room which he probably made/fixed/improved by hand. 

• We needed a new bookshelf, he made 5 new ones from planks of plywood
• We needed more room for storage, so he converted the loft and placed new floor boards and built a conservatory
• The light in the cupboard under the stairs had broken, so he placed a new LED light which would automatically turn on when the cupboard door was open
• He made my grandma a chicken pen for her chickens when they grew too large for their old one
• He made my mum's wedding ring by melting and casting some gold that he had

And the list goes on and on...

I suppose those examples just make him sound like a handy man, but he really isn't. Anyone can nail some wood together. It's having intuition to think of innovative solutions that impresses me. 

For example, once we were going on holiday for a few days, leaving behind no one to feed the fish. Therefore, he created this fish feeding device. He had this sort of tape player device, and within each layer of the film, he would place a few flakes of fish food, and then place the device a the top of the fish tank. We would then press play on the tape player, and the film would unravel, causing the fish food to drop and thus, feed the fish. He worked out a speed for the tape player to run, in order for the fish to not be fed too much food, and how much fish flakes would be needed for the entire duration of the holiday. It's hard to explain, but basically he came up with a contraption which actually did work well, using resources that were available to him, and solved the problem. 

For his career, I must admit, I don't really understand his business, but what I find most interesting is that he once told me that some of the technologies that he is developing and using didn't even exist during times that he was in university. I know that he isn't Lord Alan Sugar, and isn't making millions from his products, but, this is something that definitely spurs me on in life - I also wish to make discoveries, and then develop them further into viable products to improve and make a difference and advancement to the society we live in. Of course, people skills are invaluable, but development in sciences and technology is what is going to shape each and everyone of our futures. 


So here I am, soon starting to build the foundations of my career with my A levels. It is always good to think about what your end goal is going to be, and it's important to learn from the people around you. My dad is someone I definitely someone I am going to aspire to be like.


Good speed, 




Rebecca x


P.S. If anyone is wondering, I am taking maths, further maths, chemistry, physics, Chinese and design and technology for AS, and maths, chemistry and physics for A2! I hope!

I want...

Here is a random list of stuff I want to achieve sometime in the future; some are more serious than others.

1. To fill my ears with dance/house/dubstep/techno music
2. To go to Covent Garden and buy some funky clothes
3. To go to a charity Shop in search for some clothes to make me grannified
4. To sleep
5. To dye my hair again or chop it all off
6. To stop procrastinating
7. To learn HTML or use photo editing program
8. To learn how to use the Nikon
9. To spend more time with friends
10. To visit every single continent in the world before I am 30 (except maybe Antarctica)
11. To get the Arkwright Scholarship!!!!!
12. To go on the Headstart course
13. It to be half term
14. To be extra nerdy and go to a science fair
15. To make a jewellery box
16. People to be less close-minded
17. A skull choker necklace from Topshop
18. To increase my vocabulary
19. To buy some posters for my room
20. To write a blog post which is actually interesting, instead of these filler posts
21. To jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
22. To change the world we live in
23. To be better at Chinese
24. More pairs of heels
25. To have time to get some decent violin practise done
26. To roll around in the snow
27. To get a second ear piercing
28. To catch up on all the Desperate Housewives that I’ve missed
29. To start a business
30. To improve my presentational skills
31. Some Uni Hellraisers
32. Glee club to be a success
33. To be on the prom committee
34. Blogger to not be so glitchy
35. To eat some really good seafood
36. To learn more chemistry
37. To stop being so anti-social
38. To go to the Radio One’s Hackey Weekend
39. To not have so many spots on my forehead
40. To SUCCEED

Number 11 is definitely what I want most at the moment, perhaps number 31 too, but that's not going to happen.

What a terrible collage.

Yours,

Rebecca x

P.S. I am actually planning to write some interesting blog posts tomorrow, instead of just making boring lists. 

P.S.S Woop! 1500 views! Thanks guys, it's like nothing compared to most blogs, but I am content. I plan to post every other day, so keep checking back. 

Pinch, punch, first day of the month... NO RETURNS!

I bet you didn’t expect to see this post today! First and foremost, I would like to apologise for the lack of posts recently. The blogging hiatus – which I predicted in my post last week – has indeed, come true. In the end, having an exam daily for a week, has taken the toll on the frequency of my blog posts. I have not lost interest in blogging, in any way, although when I started writing this post, I did feel like I was out of the swing of things, but fear not! Luckily, I only have 2 left this week, so more posts will be coming towards your way!

On one hand, I can’t believe that it is February already, but on the other, thinking of how much work/exams I have had in the last few weeks, New Year certainly feels like it was a long time ago! I think it’s time for an update organise my life out. I doubt this post is going to be interesting to read, but I like having it for my own personal reference. You can just skip to the P.S. if you want to read something slightly interesting!

This month I have...

1.  Been to S.A.’s Party
2. Had lots of “fun” revision sessions with M.
3.  Lost my bloody phone!!!
4. Done around 921743788719432813621 science past papers
5. Climbed out a window at the Chinese New Year party and also got an “I ate all my lunch” sticker

Update on New Year’s Resolutions

The Serious Business

•  GCSE’s get some great results YES

Well, it’s a bit early for that, but I have had 3 science module exams, and I feel that they have gone satisfactory. As for other subjects, I feel like I really need to do some Music and French coursework, but I am happy with how Resistant Materials and Geography are going.

• Manage my time more effectively NO

I certainly have failed at this, considering I have been going to sleep 11.30pm+ every single night and waking up at a ridiculous time too. I think I am going to go unsubscribe to loads of people on YouTube and keep my ukulele in my case, as I am wasting so much time, watching pointless videos and strumming the same chords, over and over again! I think I’m going to start doing a “to-do list” for every single day because I like being meticulous, otherwise it’s hard to juggle everything.

• Be a bit happier YES

Yup, I think that I have been quite positive this month.

•   Make 2012 the best year ever

Hmm, a bit too early to decide that!

More Light-Hearted stuff

• Stop saying “init” so much YES
•  Look after my plantNO

This is certainly something that it has failed in... The plant is looking increasingly glum and dying. The leaves are really quite yellow, thus my B2 knowledge is telling me that it is lacking in Magnesium.

• Become a ukulele masterYES/NO

Kinda, ish... I have been playing my uke far more often, but I would hardly say I was that good.

• Improve my appearanceNO
• Stop making duck faces and get a new Facebook profile pictureNO
• Actually try and complete my music courseworkYES/NO

Only my 2^nd composition and ensemble recording left!

•  Blog at regular intervalsYES/NO

It is addressed above. I have, although, managed to write 15 posts in January, so I have stuck to my blog every other day commitment. Depressingly, the number of views I am getting has really decreased quite dramatically, but I am just reminding myself, that this blog is for me, and my own enjoyment.

What I want to achieve in February (half term more specifically)

• Start going charity shop shopping, but don’t tell my mum as she thinks its skanky and I will get diseases from the clothes?!
• Start my style blog and work out how to use my dad’s Nikon SLR, so I can actually get some decent pictures.
• Finish/make significant headway with my second composition
• Recorded Bach violin double for GCSE Music ensemble
•  Upload everything on for Duke of Edinburgh
•  Blog every day during half term (and you can shout at me if I don’t!)
•  Have sent off my application my Headstart course application
• Watch all the Desperate Housewives that I have managed to miss!
  
  
  
  I think that is it!

Here is another list of potential blog posts for the next week (just so I don’t forget to write them)

• Tribute to my Dad
•  Intelligence and GCSE’s
• End of my chronicle series*
• Stuff I want to buy *

*would perhaps go on the new blog that I want to start.

Okay, this blog post sucked. But it’s more of a reminder/to do list for myself.

Ciao for now,

Rebecca x

P.S. Pinch, punch first day of the month, no returns!

P.P.S A kick and a flick for being so quick/ a d*ck/ a pr*ck.

P.P.P.S A stab in the eye for being so sly.

P.P.P.P.S A thumb on the back for being so slack.

P.P.P.P.P.S Pull your hair for being un-fair.

P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Why is violence always used to celebrate a new month?

One Week Anniversary

This post is mainly going to be reflective on the past week. It’s probably not going to be funny or entertaining in the slightest, so after this painfully funny Physics joke, featuring Albert Feleinstein, feel free to click the little x on the right hand corner of this window. :)

"Is chemistry cat any good at physics?" "Na."

One week ago today, I took the plunge and created this blog “ScatterrBrained”. I committed myself to BEDTW – Blog Every Day This Week. It has been a tremendously enjoyable experience for me, having something to regularly do and work towards. It has also been extremely insightful for me, in what sort of direction I am planning to lead this blog in.

Originally, I was not going to write this rather boring post. Instead, I had this little “Formspring”-esque quiz of some questions I had collated from my friend to answer, which was going to be utterly hilarious, but turned out to be utterly BORING, so I’ve decided to scrap that idea*.   However, as I was writing the answers, I realised a few points:

-          I am not funny in any way, shape, or form. My first two posts were satisfactory, but comedy is something that is no way my forte.

-          My life is not actually that interesting. I do the same things every day. Wake up. Rush to School. Stress about work. Procrastinate. Sleep. And then it repeats over again. I know we all like to be selfish and write about ourselves, but I don’t actually have that much I want to express on the World Wide Web.

-          Blogging every day will certainly be a challenge if I don’t want to fail my GCSEs! However, just writing whatever is on the top of my head something that I have been enjoying, along with the entire blogging experience.

After reaching this conclusion, I’ve have made a few decisions.

-          This blog is going to include probably more posts regarding music and fashion. It probably means ultimately less people will be interested in what I am writing about but for me that is what I have enjoyed blogging about most this week. An alternative would probably be starting an entire new blog solely dedicated for that purpose, something that I am seriously considering.

-          I still do want to continue blogging about life and all that shebang, but it’s going to be far less regular, just like all my posts in general.

So yes, I suppose I have fulfilled one of my New Year’s Resolutions today by writing a shorter blog post. I’m not really sure what this post was suppose to reflect/achieve, but thought I might as well get it out there to complete BEDTW.

Here are some more blog posts I am planning to do in the next week (or month…)! Even though last time I made this sort of list in my first post, I managed to only complete a tiny percentage of what I mentioned.

1.       BBC Sound of 2012 list: my opinons

2.       Fashion Trends or something like that

3.       What I want to buy

4.       Revision/Exams/Life.

5.       More fashion blogs that I have been loving

6.       Update on the New Year’s Resolutions

Damn, I love planning. 

Tally-ho pumpkins,

Rebecca x

*During writing that post, I had a sudden epiphany! I am not going to post the rest of that terrible post, but here is what I wrote…

"Ever since I was a toddler, I have loved nibbling on random objects – the side of my cot as a child used to have teeth marks along the side of it. Now, I love biting on buttons, bottle lids, head phone wires, straws, and generally anything plastic and chew-able. Oddly enough, I don’t gnaw on finger nails (gross!) and pen lids nor, do I particularly enjoy chewing gum. However, I have just realised, gnaw is my surname backwards, perhaps this is suggesting something? MINDFUCK!"

P.S. I feel like every post should have a P.S, so I've just added this one for the sake of it. :)

New Year’s Resolutions

Get ready for a mega long post.

‘Tis the end of another year: a time for both reflection on the past year and looking forward to the next. I would say the cliché phrase that is “time flies when you’re having fun” but I can’t really think of anything that was really that fun. I mean Sichuan 2011, Taiwan 2011, 15^th Birthday at Kidzone, Sauce for the Goose, Orchestra Courses, Duke of Edinburgh expedition, London/Birmingham/Milton Keynes meet ups, Snowdonia Geography trip, various birthday parties were all fantastic experiences, but my sixth sense is telling me that 2012 is going to be the best year yet in .

Amazing Visit to Taiwan

To start off this hopefully momentous year, let’s commence with some self improvement, in the form of New Year’s Resolutions.

I WILL KEEP THEM THIS YEAR!

Every year I think to myself in my head, “oh I’ll just try harder/sleeper earlier/be nicer this year” but always manage to fail to sustain them for more than a few days. However, this year is going to be different, I AM going to keep them, by setting them in stone on the internet. Yes, it’s time for another list! Plus, if you know me personally, I give you permission to nag me about them, but not too much.

THE SERIOUS BUSINESS

1. GCSEs: get some great results

a. Year 11 inevitably means time for our GCSE examinations. I don’t just want good results. You only get one shot at them, so I want the best.

2. Manage my time more effectively.

a. As stated in my first post, I am a severe procrastinator. Ironically, I hate wasting time and being unproductive, yet I spend so much time on Facebook, Skype, and Youtube. I always complain about not having enough time to play violin, blog, do homework and other such important things, and I think it’s time to be a little more pro-active. This also includes going to sleep at a sensible time every day, and waking up at a decent time too.

3. Be a bit happier.

a. I am not afraid to admit that I am a moody person. Time to spot spending less time moaning and worrying about pernickety details - which in the end, don’t mean anything – and instead, smile a bit more and generally be a more friendly person.

4. Make 2012 the best year ever.

a. Lots of things will be happening this year, and I want to make the most of it. This links back to managing my time more effectively, so I get the most out of what is most important.

MORE LIGHT-HEARTED STUFF

1. Stop saying “init” so much.

a. I am literally disgusted in myself for letting this little devil of the word creep into my everyday vocabulary. Who do I think I am? I am not a badman, nor am I hard, probably the exact opposite!

2. Look after my plant.

a. For Christmas, my mum bought me probably the second coolest plant ever, with the first being a venus fly trap. I hope that with my love and care, my Tillandsia will grow large and flower, but I highly doubt it.

My plant is a Tillandsia, which is stuck to a super awesome snowman.

~BONUS NUGGET OF KNOWLEDGE~

Did you know that Tillandsia is a genus of epiphytes, also known as air plants? They do not have any roots, nor do they require any soil, since they absorb all the moisture and nutrients it needs through the air.

3. Become a ukulele master!

a. Well, maybe not, but to actually develop some skill when it comes to ukulele playing. My parents bought me a brand new ukulele as an upgrade from my horrible red Mahalo which only cost £15. Hopefully this new uke will stay in tune for more than one strum.

Armed with “Ukulele for Dummies”, I hope to become a ukulele god, or at least, learn a new song each month.

4. Improve my appearance.

a. Yes I am vain. This means actually waking up more than 10 minutes before I have to leave my house, so I can actually make myself look presentable.

5. Stop making duck faces and get a new Facebook profile picture.

a. I think it’s about time to stop taking such posey pictures and grow up. Also I am rather shocked that I have had my Facebook profile picture for almost 8 months. That is preposterous and must be changed.

Somehow I don't think that this is going to be my new profile picture...

6. Actually try and complete my music coursework.

a. It is starting to get rather ridiculous. I was supposed to have completed my first composition before July 2011, and be well on my way with my second composition. I haven’t even finished my first composition… Argh!

LASTLY, but probably most importantly:

Blog at regular intervals! Obviously.

Now that it is the end of the official holiday season and since the start of the Spring Term and January exams are only just lurking around the corner, most people are starting to feel rather solemn about the prospect of no more fat dinner parties with multiple delicious courses, no more boxes of Quality Street sweets, no longer being able to sleep in until *insert ridiculous hour in the afternoon* o’clock, nor being able to give the excuse of “but it’s the holidays” to parents when they nag you about doing homework. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for us Chinese homies, only 22 days until Chinese New Year! 太棒了!!!

Time for some more food!

Cheers big ears,

Rebecca x

Always ScatterrBrained

P.S. Thank you very much for all your lovely comments about this blog. I appreciate them! Congrats to Wandi for being the first person to follow this blog too. You’re awesome. The statistics are also very surprising, who knew I had readers from Germany and Bulgaria, O.o. Equally as shocking, 32% of my readers actually still use Internet Explorer. Are they stuck in the Stone Age?! If you are one of these people, try Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome, and you’ll see what you are missing out on.