Ok this is gonna be a long post I think.
Firstly...something interesting happened when I was playing a round of bejewelled the other day.
Basically its a puzzle game of sorts and there are 2 modes for the web version, a 'timed' version and a non timed one.
Now for the non timed one, the idea is to score as much as possible without running out of moves. Once you run out of moves, its game over. For the timed one, its a race against the clock to score points, as u create combinations with the blocks, time will be added to the clock.
Ok now that that's out of the way, a funny thing happened the other day... when I was playing the non timed version of the game, I was consistantly thinking "ok please dont run out of moves" I kept hoping and kept thinking about not running out of moves. Well, since Im not a fantastic player, I eventually did run out of moves.
I decided to try the timed version. In my mind, I was now thinking two things.
1) Please dont run out of moves
2) Please dont run out of time
And guess what, I ran out of moves. But instead of getting a game over, I learnt that in timed mode, if you do run out of moves, the puzzle just resets itself and you can continue to race against the clock.
Eventually I did lose. I ran out of time. But after I found out that in the timed version, running out of moves doesnt make a difference, I completely just let the thought out of my mind. I wasnt even thinking of running out of moves.
Guess what.
I never ran out of moves. Even with subsequent timed games.
What does this mean to me? Well, the idea of a self fulfilling prophecy is there I guess. If I keep obsessing with something, it will eventually happen. Even if it means we think about the thing NOT happening.
I guess, its a way of saying, not to enter into things with the idea of failure. It shouldnt be in our minds at all. If it happens it happens, but instead of focusing on NOT failing, why not focus on SUCCESS?
In a way Im trying to remember that. Ah well gotta wait till after exams first haha...
Secondly, apologies to Geraldine for spelling her name wrongly.
Thirdly, exams are coming, everyone seems to have deserted MSN. Its funny, I was just talking to my friends the other day. We were discussing about the true meaning of education. Both of them seemed to agree that they should take modules that are easy to score, to keep their CAP scores up. I was arguing for taking modules out of interest rather than practicality. The next reply came as a shock.
"If I wanted to study for interest, I might as well study from home"
Has our education system come to this point? Where results is all that matters? Where people would shove their personal interests aside just for grades? Its a little saddening to see the whole purpose of education boil down to a little piece of paper with some ink scattered on top of it. If I wanted a certificate with 5 A+'s on em, I'd print my own certs.
Phew, yeah thats just about it, till next time folks.
P.S. I honestly will commence the 'project' after exams. I hope.
