136

Today, we had a study block in science in which we reviewed the concepts in preparation for the test on Friday. I know and understand everything by heart, and don't really need to memorize anything.
In the afternoon, we looked at extremely funny retro french commericials. Not only were the outfits of the people in the ads funny, but their speech is extremely strange as well. We are supposed to analyze them and use superlatives in the process.
Finally, in band, we got our theory test back, which I aced. We also played through a couple pieces, and were introduced to a new piece.

135

Today we ran Langara in P.E. I ran 1 minute faster than last time to improve my time to 11:20, but it is still far from my grade 8 record, which is 10:26.
In math, we had a quiz on induction proof. It was really easy, and I prove every single question (2 questions) and the bonus. I have a really good chance of getting perfect in this quiz, because you can know when your proof is right.
We continued watching the "Shining" in AS. Now I'm really getting spooked. There isn't much physical horror, but the ideas presented and the freaky background music are really getting on my nerves. I look forward to finishing the movie.
Finally, we had a period for research in SS on the famous figures in the French Revolution, on whom we are doing a project.

134

Today we continued looking at old yearbooks in English. We are trying to think of a way to re-present this information to the visitors who are going to be coming to Churchill on the Fiftieth Anniversary.
Then we reviewed for our test coming up on Friday in Science. After lunch, we learned that there would also be a French test on friday as well. Now we have three tests in two days: Socials, French, and Science. I think that teachers should really better manage their time and try not to give a cram test at the end of the term just because they don't have time to submit more marks before end of term. I think that it is horrible planning on the teacher's part, and the worse thing is that it's the student who suffers for the mistake.
In band we got a new upbeat piece, and I enjoyed it.

133

Today I made a megapak of all my excellent SS notes in preparation for the test on thursday. As usual, I will post them onto the socials forum for the entire class to benefit from it. In fact, I think my notes so far have raised the class average by at least 10%.
Then I reviewed for a possible math quiz next week: yes, even though it's right after the midterms, it makes no difference to Mr. Nakamoto.

132

today we finished off galaxy quest. the ending was not as interesting as I thought it would be, but it was still a good movie overall. We started a bit on the movie "the shining". The beginning was a bit ambiguous, and the movie is supposed to be horror. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

131

Today I have good news. My science fair project made it past the school round and I am now eligible for the district fair. I guess all my hard work and many hours in the lab really did pay off.
We finished off "Ray" in AS, and started on a hilarious parody movie called Galaxy Quest. It is extremely funny, and I can already start to see some examples of suspension of disbelief in the movie. I look forward to friday when we will continue watching the film.
In SS we got a pop quiz, which I aced, on Napoleon. Then Mr. Sale told us that there's still a test and a project waiting for us before the end of term 2. BRUTAL!!! Now we are seriously switching into damage control mode with all our assignments and tests this week and next week.

130

In the morning, we had a very interesting library session for English. We browsed through a collection of past churchill yearbooks from the 1960s to 2000. We saw some really interesting pictures of teachers who either went to churchill or still teach at churchill today. We also were very interested in the variety of clubs that existed back then. There was a "lunch club", a "baseball club", and many more that no longer exist today. The yearbooks were extremely informative, and from the pictures we could see how time flies.

129

I'll keep this one short; I have a math contest tomorrow at 8:15 sharp.
Today, we finished watching the movie "Ray" in AS. I used to listen to a lot of the Ray Charles songs, and almost all the songs I have were played in the film. Personally, I thought the film portrayed the life of Ray Charles accurately, with added drama (of course).
Finally, in socials, we learned about the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. It will be interesting to see how his rise to glory contrasts with his doom.

128

We finally won our first game of the playoffs yesterday against a strong team. We finished it off 4-1, and all of us played simple, textbook hockey. Now that we're picking up some momentum from our huge consecutive losses, we hope for the best for the next few games.
Then, I watched a special production of the Chinese New Year Celebration re-aired from China Central TeleVision until midnight.

127

Today, I studied hard for my math midterm. I covered almost everything. I think that after my final review session tomorrow, I will be quite well prepared.
Also, I just realized that there is one English assignment due on tuesday. I have got to start working on that.
Plus, I have a hockey game tonight at 9:30.

126

Today I studied for our math midterm exam. When I come to think about it, all the stuff we learned in the math 11 enriched class (linear programming, mathematical logic) are really not the same as the regular grade 11 curriculum. Mr. Nakamoto really did assume we all knew the regular curriculum. Now I have to dedicate many hours to studying for the midterm.

125

I am really tired right now. Today our hockey team lost badly to a Burnaby team, 0-8. Our coach wasn't there, and we were missing our best player for the rest of the playoffs because of a broken finger. In our 3 playoff games, we were outshot 27-4, and that's not something to be proud of.
In other news, we had a pop quiz today in socials, and I got a whopping 12 out of 11. My extensive notes really helped me. I had posted them onto the Social Studies forum the previous night, so many of my classmates got the benefit of them too. I am really happy that I could contribute to enhancing their learning experience.

124

Today, we had the Sword in the Stone test in English. Overall, I thought it was quite reasonable, for I did not have any difficulty with the questions.
Then, in science, we did a lab on the energy transformations involved in dropping a ball. It was really interesting, but it was simply a reiteration of what we did in Grade 8. I thought something else would have been more interesting.
In the afternoon, we learned, in French, how only 10% of what we read is actually etched in our long-term memory, and how we can retain 95% of what we learn by teaching it to others. We applied this strategy to our vocab learning, and it worked excellently.
Finally, in band, Mr. Zanker, our student teacher, recorded some of the pieces we've played. After hearing the recordings, I realized that, as a drummer, I could do a lot better keeping the beat up. I hope we record ourselves more often, because this is really helpful to me.

123

Today I finally finished my science fair. I added some effective statistical analyses on my data. Overall, my project is a lot better than my last science fair. Right now, I am extremely exhausted.

122

Today, we had English first in which we continued doing research online. However, this session, what I found most valuable was the fact that I now appreciate the difference between a Mac and a PC. A Mac is great for multimedia projects such as creating web pages, movies, music mixes, and video mixes. However, I'd still stick to the PC for word processing and the other "realistic'' stuff that I usually do on a computer.
Then, we finished building our looms in English. I actually learned how to weave using a frame loom. It was extremely interesting.

121

Today we got tested on our routines in gymnastics today. I did my routine on the rings, and easily got a 10/10. Our substitute teacher marks very leniently, and it is impossible for you to fail.
Then, we learned about mathematical logic. Now, I actually have some use for the AND, XOR, OR, NOT buttons on my calculator, and I found the concept of mathematical logic very interesting because it actually is the basis for the binary system that runs our computers and other appliances.
In the afternoon, we knitted in the cafeteria. I still fail to see the reason to do that, since there was barely anyone in the caf, and most of them weren't paying attention to us. I think we should all spread the message of child labour, poverty, etc by knitting at recess and collecting donations.
Finally, in SS, we learned to distinguish the time period in which many of the french revolutionary reforms were proposed and later adopted.

120

Today I learned about how to repair a stitch in knitting class. It as really cool, and I actually get a sense of how the loops make the pattern now. Now I have to practice to knit faster, but I don't think i'll get very far because of the HUGENESS of my needles.
Then, we learned about the French Revolution in Socials. We simply took notes and shared them at the end of class.

119

Today I almost completely finished my backboard for my science fair. I just need to fill in the data from the logbook. Then, I did some math contest questions to prepare myself for the AMC 10 contest that I'm going to write next tuesday. I also finished a portion of the english group project, assuming that all my other group members have done the same. I also finished ten centimeters of knitting, which wasn't as time-consuming as I expected. I actually managed to do one row in less than 60 seconds! Which is incredible by my standards.
I also checked out my grade 8 piano practical exam mark. I got 91%, First Class Honours with Distinction!! Wow, I am actually one of the 2% of all exam-takers in canada who scored this high! All my practicing really paid off! I only practice about 40 minutes a day, but those minutes are well-spent and really productive.

118

Today we dissected a snake in dissection club in the morning. We observed the digestive tract and the internal organs of the snake. The gut is much more complex than I had thought it would be. I also got to keep part of the snake skin for myself. I boiled the snake skin at lunch to "sterilize" it. That was before I found out that it was not the recommended procedure from an extremely sorry club executive who had given me the wrong instructions. The skin shrunk a bit, but it still looks fine except for some loose scales.

117

Today we had a great substitute teacher in PE. She marked us on our gymnastics skills, and she was very lenient when marking us. I can't believe that I am now getting 100% in gymnastics, which is an area that i'm not particularly good at.
Then, in math, Mr. Nakamoto gave us some really old geometry books for our next chapter which is about deductive reasoning. Those were the "newest" books he could find, and they were published in 1974, so you kinda get the idea of how old his other books must be.
In the afternoon, we continued knitting. I actually got how to knit, although it takes almost a painfully long time for me to complete one row.
Finally, in SS, we learned about the storming of the Bastille and how it symbolizes the beginning of the french revolution.