JeffreyTong's Xanga

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Sun, 05 Mar 2006 18:29:23 GMT

It took me some time to clear away the thick layer of fungi covering this site before typing the entry...

It's really quite shocking to find out that I have not updated my site for 3 months. One of the many reasons is that I was not able to log on to my site at school. The school banned xanga.

Yesterday, after fixing my computer, I tried going to xanga with little hope. Then the miracle happened.

In addition to my happiness for being able to surf the net in my room with reasonably good speed, I realised that xanga was accessible and I could use msn messenger. Therefore I felt compelled to type a new entry after 3 months.

Too much happened during the 3 months. I can't put them here. Perhaps I shall talk about today:

We went to Chapel at an unusual time--9:30, which is an hour earlier than the normal time. Fortunately it ended quite soon. Kind of unexpected. Then I went back to my house. It wass a shame actually to stay in the house when the sun was shining beautifully. But I got no choice. I had loads of work. No, I did not work straight after I had arrived my room. The atmosphere was too holiday-like to work. Moreover, I was overwhelmed by the fact that I am able to surf the net in my room. I called back home after lunch. I miss them. I miss them all. IN 3 WEEKS TIME I am going back. The feeling that was filling me when I was going back to HK last term is still as clear water--it was as though all the hard work and hardships I suffered finally paid off!

It sounds like I am having an awful time here at Malvern. No, I'm not. I'm just suggesting going back home is always as sweet as one can imagine. Isn't it so?

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Sat, 26 Nov 2005 19:12:58 GMT

I just can't help laughing at them...they are taken by the camera on the new Macintosh...for those who are feeling distressed and down, I hope these photos would cheer you up!

I am lacking rest, like everyone of you. I wonder if it's because there are too much to do or it's because I am not efficient enough. Is it a good idea to have hall time (homework time) after supper when one is falling asleep due to the decrease of blood level in the brain?

Anyway, I am determined to sustain my hard work until the end of term...oh actually I am more likely to be leaving on 8th Dec, which is one day before end of term. Is there anyone else leaving on that day?

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Sat, 19 Nov 2005 13:36:42 GMT

He is my housemate who is a German...speechless...the luckiest guy on earth...agree?

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:33:16 GMT

It's been more than a month since my last entry. There are two reasons that account for this--Either there was nothing worth sharing or there were too many of them. I,however, feel compelled to share a very unpleasant experience I had today.
I was playing squash as usual this afternoon and when I was about to change I realised the toilet was engaged, so I waited outside of it and there came Doctor Jackson, head of squash,
'What are you doing?' asked Jackson, very unpleasantly.
'I want to change.' I answered.
'You want to change WHAT?' said Jackson.
'My clothes' I replied.
After asking about the scores of matches I just played, he led the way to the changing room. He then pointed at the words'Gentlemen's Changing Room', reading them loudly to me...
He is the most sarcastic person in the school and I just hate him.

Monday, October 10, 2005

Mon, 10 Oct 2005 08:43:23 GMT

Right now I am having my first 'double free' in my entire life in Malvern College. All of a sudden I have no clue as to how to fully utilise the time...people don't have to make choices if resources are not scarce...I'm just fond of economics these days and I am aiming at finsihing one of the two economics reference books by half term.

A few chaps and I were standing in front of the door of my room chatting for more than an hour last night. As suggested by Nicholas, lives next to me, we could have sit down instead of standing. However, it's amazing that we did not feel tired at all. I think we all enjoyed the chat. We talked about everything...economics, inequality in the world, a breath taking experience in Indonesia of a German's mom, education system...I am particularly happy that I finally got the chance to talk to this German who has just arrived at Malvern last week because he was ill for the whole September. He's nice and handsome and a member in the German National rugby team!

Hope that we could maintain this kind of chating regularly.

Please tell me about your Skype name if you are using Skype.

Friday, September 30, 2005

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 19:58:56 GMT

First Leave-out--I am now in Bromsgrove, where my guardian lives. After having lunch at Greater Malvern this afternoon, we went to the Malvern Theatre to watch a 30-min art production (just dunno wt it is called). It's kind of like bringing out a story through modern dance, which I thought was quite creative. Then we had a pleasant walk and eventually got to the Priory Church. It was an old, beautiful church. After that we went to St. James school because my guardian had to attend a parents-teachers meeting which had nothing to do with me.

I am not satisfied with the result of my Chemistry quiz though I think I did quite well in it. It's because I got the wrong answer for something which is the only new bit I learned here... I have to improve on my revision skills. By far, I find Italian the most difficult, partly because I spent least time on it. It's good that my teacher offered a supplementary class on every Thursday evening. Studying 6 subjects is quite something...and I have EAL and TOK in addition...

Strive for the best!!!!

Monday, September 19, 2005

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 21:20:12 GMT

It's around 11pm now, but I still haven't started writing my 1000 words of commentary on a poem which has to be handed in tomorrow. I really have no idea how on earth I am gonna able to work it out--the poem is virtually about the 'swifts', an English bird I guess, capturing and conveying the speedy movements of the swifts...I feel so helpless now. Unless there will be miracle, I think the best way to get through this is to make use of the internet.

Needa get back to work now.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:39:16 GMT

Having no lessons in nearly the whole afternoon (an hour later I will have a half-hour Theory Of Knowledge) is the so enjoyable. Sitting in the IT-department, I am now checking mails and uploading photos. Actually I could not think of anything to type but I just feel that I should type something as I haven't updated for quite a while.
Life's going quite fine here. Small classes, approachable teachers (not all of them), fresh air, greens, huge school buildings etc. are what I am enjoying.
So folks, how's life?

Friday, September 02, 2005

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 20:36:52 GMT

I need to write about today.

Actually I do not want to do that now as I am very tired, but considering the meaningfulness of today, I decided to scribble a few words down on this long-abandoned diary...

The flight was kinda smooth, though throughout the journey I did not manage to get enough sleep. Then when my father and I were collecting our ultra -heavy baggages at Heathrow, Gerald appeared, whom I had wanted to meet in Hong Kong before departing. Well at the end we were able to meet! (I thought I had your UK number Gerald, it turned out I am wrong, so please give it to me by whatever means. By the way, are you using Oxygen?)

In the morning Bob drove us to Malvern where I am studying in. I met the Registrar, Housemaster and Housemistress, whom I think are very nice and friendly. The College is just brillant--huge.

I am so surprised I could access to the Internet using my notebook on the 1st day of arrival.

Falling asleep...

Saturday, July 09, 2005

Sat, 09 Jul 2005 15:02:54 GMT

Some more photos have been updated.

Last night my father and I went to watch a fund raising concert in the City Hall. The concert aimed to raise money for the China Literacy Foundation, which aims to help the underprivileged children in China. The concert comprised mainly Jien Wong's and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra's playing. This was my first time to listen to Wong's performances in person. As a renowned cellist, Wong played expressively with exceedingly great skills. Hearing his audiable breath between phrases, you actually get yourself immersed into the music. He played the first movement of the concerto in C major composed by Haydn. Just for interest: compare the one recorded in the SPCC 85th anniversary CD with that played by Jien Wong (find his recordings). I am totally bewildered by the difference--master would not be called so without a reason.

I am falling asleep. Better stop here.