SAT test: Writing and Critical Reading

I haven't written an essay for quite some time now.  Since I'll be taking the SAT test in June most probably, it's high time I start sharpening my writing skills.  Today, I started with some Critical Reading practice from the book:


I think it is really good for trying out some questions quickly; you don't have to do multiple diagnostic tests in the beginning itself.  Maybe I'll try a full practice test this week.

As it turns out, my vocabulary has been at a standstill for quite a while.  So, I'm going to read, read and read like my life depends on it.  I can't wait to take my gap year!  There's still 3 months to go.

Woops, I think I had better go to sleep.  It's nearly four in the morning.

P.S: I'm thinking of posting my essays.  I do like writing essays, but, at times, there's just this void staring back at you when you rummage through your brain for ideas.  That's what scares me the most.  I hope I get over it.  I'll try to post an essay soon!

OOP, OPO, POO

I love programming!  Yes, I'd rather do Maths than CS, but, who can hate programming?  The syntax, the reserved words, the recursive functions...  Once compiled, everything just sounds right, exactly like a poem being recited (No, not exactly, I'm just feeling metaphorical).  So, we tried OOP in Python last week, which was cool!  Apart from this: I was so lost that I didn't get back to it for another week.  Maybe laziness had more to do with this, though.  So to get back on track, I'm using How to Think Like a Computer Scientist.  So far, so good...  I did learn a bit of Java during the holidays, about a year ago.  I can't remember any of it, I should have tried implementing something.  Anyway, I just might do it again, and why not throw in some C++ while I'm taking the plunge?  I do love to plan, so I envision doing so many things.  Let's hope I'll get there.

Emma (Mr Knightley: Badly done, Emma!)

I watched Emma, the 4-episode TV series made by BBC, during the weekend.  It was the first Emma adaptation I've seen and I must say, I totally loved it and it's definitely on my to-be-watched-again pile.  I haven't finished the novel yet (getting there).  I'll probably have a Jane Austen Movie Night during the winter holidays and watch all the movies in one go.  Anyway, Regency is my thing.  No, I do not have a refined demeanor like Emma and Co., but, I do find their obsession with social etiquette, their dressing gowns (awwww!) and the old fashioned values alluring.  I think I'd like to dream about living in England in the 1800s.  

Oops, I totally forgot to mention the hairstyles, paletots and coats!  I might as well spill the beans, I'm quite certain I would have an Austen-type wedding, under the blue sky, amid lush gardens (this is where I start building castles in the air).

Although I've played on stage only twice and I watch plays mostly on TV, drama is one my stable interests (yeah, sometimes the unstable ones get spirited away, I'm quite forgetful that way).  So, I'm going to have a look around and see if I can join a drama club maybe.  I barely have any experience and I do have acute stage nervousness.  I literally had a Tom & Jerry chase playing in my mind each time I had to play my part!

P.S: Mr Knightley made me swoon alright!
Although he did a splendid job as Mr Woodhouse (worrywart), I kept picturing Michael Gambon as Dumbledore and kept having fits of laughter!

Game Theory! (Why so serious? ~ Joker, Dark Knight; let's find out!)

So, I went to the library today.  I intended to look for a book explaining OOP in Python.  But, guess what I've found? This:

I've heard about the Game Theory.  All I know can be summed up as follows (actually, that's all I know): it is about devising the most effective strategies in order to reach the right conclusion, the whys and the hows.  Anyway, what can be better than learning it all from a book?  I guess I should have done this ages ago.  I hope I finish it!  I think the next thing on my list might be Topology.  But, let's get started with this one first.  Game on! (Couldn't resist)

Sony launch new VAIO CA and CB with latest Sandy Bridge, and some explicit colors | 2dayBlog - Technology Journal, New Gadget everyday!

Click here to read the article.

Well, I have the one below and I love it. But, I have to say that I'd love something in neon green!

Hello diary!

The name of the blog might be misleading since I'm not really a kid. I'm turning twenty this year and I'm hardly what you would call a settled college student. I'm lost. I keep having all these ideas in my head, so I thought I'd keep a record of them.

This year I'm planning to drop out from my course (I'm a first year Computer Science student) and apply to read Mathematics in the US. It's going to be tough for me seeing as I'm not receiving much support from my family; no one wants to talk about it. They think the idea will just evaporate from my mind one day, which won't happen.

I'll be meeting a counsellor tomorrow, regarding application to US colleges. I've got so many questions and I fear that the answers will not be to my liking. I think the biggest problem is that I have zero extracurricular activities. I don't stay idle in my free time, but, I don't have any certified achievement or any work experience. I wonder if I could remedy that in my gap year.

Some might call me stubborn or even plain stupid. I'll admit that I'm guilty of both. Sometimes, you just want to push yourself some more because everything might turn out okay. Just so you know, I've had the wind knocked out of me twice. I had applied twice to my dream university and got rejected both times. So why bother again now? Frankly, I don't think I can put this in mere words. I'd say that to find salvation, it's necessary to cross unknown barriers and also get lost in strange lands. I've known failure and I daresay that some more would come my way. But, I'll do what I do every time: rise from the ashes and find greener pastures to trod upon.