I wouldn't say i did well for it. Completing a short draft essay in 25 mins isn't as easy as it seems if you were trained to write an 800-word essay in 90mins for the last 2 yrs of your much missed student life. Sadly I'm expecting both my essay dices to roll 4, and I'm lucky, 1 of them might roll a 5 and save me. I couldn't really see how I could squeeze in "strong critical thinking" like my GP essays (which gave me plenty of time and space to do that). The time constant pretty much prevented me form formulating a good plan.

The rest of the writing section should be fine. I trained quite a little for sentence replacement. Maths was quite fine too. But i risk not getting the full 800 due to some thing over looked. My greatest weakness would be from critical reading. I was never really good at compre passages, and I always use my essays to tide me over.

Results are projected to be slightly above 2000. Its definitely not good enough for me. Knowing the fact that I can retake easily probably made felt more at ease than my A's. It unlikely that I'll retake it, I need to find a real good reason to do it.

Meanwhile, priorities will remain to figure out which degree course to go take. (and convince that faculty to accept me)

I cant tell you what I'm gonna do too. They officially call it ops, and leaking of any information might cause national embarrassment. We call it saikang + guard duty+ outfield.

Yes, outfield. That word never fails to bring back memories for NSF like us. But this outfield is different. It wasn't scheduled.

Of coursed we weren't pleased when we heard we were chosen for this task. The word pretty much robbed us of our spirits. Few like being forcefully taken away form the comfort of civilisation and brought to the terror of the wilderness, especially when we are the guardians of edge cutting technology.

Still, our vessel of terror stared mercilessly at us with its weathered headlamps. The stores were heavy. So were our hearts. But driven by curiosity, and with the hope that this would end soon, we were ready to set off.

As the tonner drove out of camp, we waved good bye to our comrades left to guard the base. But looking back, it felt like we were wishing them good luck -- having fewer men for duty wasn't a good thing for the shift. There're would be less men to fill the same amount of positions, thus less rest time for each of us.

Its a rare chance that the chosen few of us get to leave the base but is not gonna be as simple a walk in forest. The familiar humps the tonner went over seem to distract us form our worries and to encouraged us to take a look at the green pastures of SCC.

It wasn't long before we hit the expressways. The steady wind came in at just below 50. It ensures that i always knew where i was facing relative to the front. I can see artificial netting on my sergeant's helmet rustled softly with the wind. (it was the only helmet with the older version camouflaged netting) Every time a large vehicle passes by, the warm wind would strike the side of my face, together with the distinct smell of diesel.

Some of my comrades tired to get some eye shut while they still could. But it was a tough job and they pretty much gave up. The tonner wasn't exactly comfortable, and the roads were definitely noisy on the "slow" lane.

Despite the speed limit, we managed to reach our destination "in good time". As the last buildings disappeared form our sight, gradually and reluctantly accepted our fate. We are no longer blur-looking recruits nor the conveniently-blur trainees. We are operationally ready men.

Good evening to all. As some of you know that my grandfather has passed on last Saturday evening, 260909, due complications arising form diabetes, heart and cardiac disease.

He was 80 years old.

I wouldn't say that I'm very close to my Grandfather. Since he seldom spoke much. But through his few words I could sense his care and concern for his family. And no doubt i would miss the regular doses of these few words.

I usually met him on Saturday evenings. My maternal extended family will always meet up at my grandfather's place on Saturday evenings, which explains why i usually detest going out on Sat evenings.

Of course the gathering consists of the get-together dinner. The children (under age 35) are banished form the main table to the smaller "kids" table in the living room. We enjoyed this -- it gave us the best possible view of the television. Dinner, was great, for as long as I can remember. My grandmother was a great chef, and together with family warmth, it tasted better than anything SFI can whip up. Pity that my Grandfather couldn't enjoy a few dishes of hers during his last days, due to his health.

After dinner we would retreat into my grandparents' very large bedroom to enjoys the joys of the air-conditioner. I used to sleep in that room before I entered primary school. It was usually quiet, save for the sounds of the television, but on Saturdays the room will come to life. This is mainly due to my grandma, my aunt and my mum. Put 2 sisters and a mom together and they can talk like they haven't meet in years.

My Grandfather would sit firmly in his arm chair, ignoring the surrounding noise and concentrate on the TV. I would too be trying to ignore the noise, but i have to admit I'm not yet as capable as him. My brother and my cousin would do the same. This was how we spent time together. Just staring at the TV.

Last Saturday, I went back to visit my Grandmother. As my Grandfather was a man of few words the noise level in the house pretty much stayed the same. But the house felt emptier. There was 1 less person the have dinner with, 1 less person to stare at the TV with, 1 less person to bid goodbye to.

Now I would have to visit my Grandfather at e Kong Ming Shan Crematorium. I do miss my late Grandfather, and I'll pray for his departure. But most importantly, I'll pray for my family to have the courage to accept his death, especially my mum. And I'll definitely do my best in my future studies and help take care of my family members.

Rest in peace, Grandpa.

Setting: Before the galactic civil war, in the Jedi temple

Characters:

The 4 apprentices were sent on a training mission a few days back. During the mission a training lightsabre was lost. The 4 now sits in the waiting room.

Chow: Thew, your punishment will not be to great, expulsion is highly unlikely.

Thew: *sighs* I know. I just hopes that Padawan Wei doesn't get involved. (Wei is the Padawan in charge of this faithful practice.)

Adi Gallia arrives, the apprentices rises to greet him. His returns the greetings.

Gallia: Thew, come in first.

Thew remorsefully follows. The rest of the apprentices return to their seats. Vin looks worried.

Chow: Vin, you should worry least. You did not touch the lightsabre that was lost.

Vin: Yes, but i have a bad feeling about this.

Nen: Our mistake should not be as grave as those done by apprentice Win.

(Win was sent to the reflection room. Preparations were being made to expel him from the order.)

Chow: Fear not. Most of the punishment will fall to Thew.

Vin: *sighs* Yes.

The 3 apprientices return to their solemn looks. Nen tries to keep his mind away by reading the books placed in front of him.

One by one, the apprentices where called in to give their statements. When this is done, Gallia emerged and told us the story that was pieced together.

Gallia: According to all your accounts, apprentice Vin and Nen was on watch for the first shift. Thew takes over from Nen, but Nen fails to handover the lightsabre to Thew. Chow comes to take over, and when after Vin leaves keeps the lightsabre into his pocket. Thew and Chow keeps watch until the the batch of apprentices come. Chow produces the lightsabre but Thew can't produce his. Padawan Wei is informed. After a through search of the area the 5 of you are still unable to find the lightsabre. That is all, am i right?

All 4 apprentices nod in agreement.

Nen: Master Gallia, what will our punishment be?

Gallia: As this is a result in direct negligence of Thew, he will most probably receive disciplinary training. Chow on the other hand will get more chores, for failing to remind Thew to check for the existence of the lightsabre. Nen and Vin will most probably be free from punishment.

Nen: *smiles* (in a cheerful voice) Thank you, Master!

Gallia: *sighs* If all of you were more careful, this would not have happened.

Chow: Agreed. And you would not have need to do investigate this issue, Master Gallia

Gallia: Yes, glad you all know. Dismissed.

The 4 apprientices left the room. Thew being the saddest.

*end of part 1*

Disclaimer: All events and characters are 100% fictional and the playwright apologises in advance if there is any form coincidence arise form this play. This play is inspired by 100% random events form 100% random people at 100% random locations.

Thank you all.