Just Got Back, 2010 is Fast Approaching

Oh wow, how can time go by so fast? In just 2 more days, we'll enter a new year - 2010. How'll it be, we don't know yet but many Gunplas are coming in next year and my wallet's crying dry tears already.

Anyways, this is just a short post as I'm quite exhausted from the trip. Too lazy to upload any photos of the trip and some of the stuff bought (with sacrifices to the savings x.x). Anyways, I did get quite the haul as well as for some of my family members, though each person's haul was quite different. ^^

Preview notes:

• MG Victory wasn't available at Graffity Toys. Bought 2 previously released HGUCs instead.
• Barely went to Cameron Highlands.
  
• Went to Kinokuniya.
• Visited Pavilion.
  
• Went to Lowyat.
  
• Went to Chow Kit.

Can you guess what I bought? Yes, I know Gamer Arena sold the MG Victory but the price was too close to the price I can get here that I didn't feel the worth (plus luggage space problems).

Okay, more tomorrow unless a something huge I got from Chow Kit keeps me occupied enough...

Tomorrow is Christmas! OMG! Look at the Time!

Wow, look at how fast time flies. It's December already and we are so much closer to a new year!

Well, at any rate, I'll be off vacationing to Kuala Lumpur from tomorrow until next week on Wednesday. I hope to have a great time there this time as we extended the usual time we spent holiday-ing in another place. ^^

Also, here's a quick review on the Seraphim before I leave and before I build its counterpart when I have the time once again.

Okay, that's all for now and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! =D

EDIT:

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Low Quality 1600x900

No credit needed as the wallpaper was made by rearranging one official photo of the Astraea. As usual, don't claim it as your own.

Wallpaper Fun? (1 Gundam Wallpapers)

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Low Quality 1600x900

So, I just made this wallpaper, real quick-like. I wonder if the slightly off-screen "MISSION INCOMPLETE" looks off for any of you. Anyways, its just a simple wallpaper for 16:9 monitors with 2 arts combined which I found from the Gundam Images thread over at the Animesuki forums.

I don't really think I need any credit for this since its too simple, so if you want to use it you can but don't say you made it. That's just plagiarism.

EDIT:

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Low Quality 1600x900

Just added some noise and blur effects to make it look less plain. Enjoy~ Hope someone will like this. ^^;

HGUC 1/144 Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] Review - Part 2

This is a continuation of part 1 here!

~Life Rant~

Sorry this took a while to get up everyone. I had some trouble with my internet connection earlier this week as well as had some mid-term papers. Busy and all that. Anyways, with some bit of time squeezing, I am able to pt up this last part. After this I'll be busy with assignment once again. Darn, if I have some more time, I may be able to build the kit I just got... which is not the [Unicorn Mode].

~End Life Rant~

Okay, lets continue on with the review!

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Internet Problems, Again?

Guh, so some issues with my internet connection aried once again since Tuesday night causing me to be unable to get online properly as well as updating this blog. A total mood destroyer it has become since I'm unable to do my assignments properly (as well as keep up to date with various stuff).

Anyways, photoshoot for the Unicorn is done and will be up once I feel that my line has become stable enough as well as another quick review which is to be led to another review much later on. Its not much IMO since there isn't a HGUC Sinanju as of yet but maybe when it comes out I can do a battle scene. XP

For now, I'll slightly be more busy with my assignments (higher priority) since I want it done by early next week as I'll be leaving town on the day of Christmas to the west of the country for a family vacation. Anyone else going to KL as well during that time? Maybe we'll see each other while we're there. =D

That and RPG games are calling me on my DS. >.>;

HGUC 1/144 Unicorn Gundam [Destroy Mode] Review - Part 1

Price: 1800 Yen

~Life Rant~

Due to a bit of time constriction, I haven't done part 3 of the Astray Blue Frame review yet. I was thinking of something rather big for the third part but I'll have to put it off for now as I have some mid-term papers earlier next week. Nonetheless, I had some time in-between (specifically yesterday evening) to build a HG I just got earlier this week...

~End Life Rant~

Pilot: Banagher Links
More about the MS here.

Read on for the usual show of box, runners and building process.

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Finally - I Got a Nintendo DS! *Insert FFVII Victory Song Here*

Christmas came early for me this year and I finally got myself a Nintendo DS! Long I wait until I had the funds and ability to buy one. However, with some monetary sharing between siblings, it gave me the chance to obtain this piece of gaming fun. Of course, I think my younger sister will monopolize it most of the time especially during her school holiday. ^^;

At any rate, the picture you see above is kindly borrowed through Google image search. This is the exact model and color I got. I luckily managed to find a seller who sells them at a relatively low price, which I feel is thelowest I've seen anyone selling them for. So yay.

Okay, time to enjoy the DS, thanks to the R4 included. *cough*

MG 1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame 2nd Revise Review - Part 2

This is a continuation of the part 1 here!

Part 1: Box, Box Open, Runners & Building Process
Part 2: Height Comparisons, Articulation, Gimmicks, Action & Conclusion
Part 3: Additional Review - MG VS NG, Backpack Adapter (First Batch Item)

Phew, the photoshoot took quite a while to do as the sword really isn't that easy to pose with. This part of the review will have a ton of photos at a total of 109. O.o
Some of them are close-up shots, which caused the number to rise up but I felt like those shots should be in, so I didn't push them away for this review in the end. At any rate, prepare your scrolling fingers!

There are also some additional content in the following review, especially near the bottom, so please watch out for it! So, continue on reading~

Note: Some photos were taken using natural sunlight in the afternoon, so I hope they look okay for you all. ^^;

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MG 1/100 Gundam Astray Blue Frame 2nd Revise Review - Part 1

Price: 4800Yen(!)

Part 1: Box, Box Open, Runners & Building Process
Part 2: Height Comparisons, Articulation, Gimmicks, Action & Conclusion
Part 3: Additional Review - MG VS NG, Backpack Adapter (First Batch Item)

Okay, since I just finished building the Blue Frame yesterday until the big arse sword, I'll post up part 1 now which consists of shots of the runners and building process. I haven't built the action base for the sword yet but I'll put that in this part later on. I also haven't exploited the extra backpack adapters yet but I think I'll dedicate part 3 for that.

I don't really know the Gundam SEED VS Astray side-story so I can't say much about this MS story-wise. At any rate, its one of the many variations(and latest) of the Blue Frame which is piloted by Gai Murakamo of Serpent Tail.

MBF-P03R Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second Revise
Pilot: Gai Murakamo
Guild: Serpent Tail
Height: 18.32m
Weight: 62.70t
Armaments: Tactical Arms II, Armor Schneider(4?)

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Maybank Dinner 2009 & WIP Astray

I was quite occupied last weekend with the PC Fair and Maybank Dinner. Went to the PC Fair on Saturday night and went to Maybank dinner at Pullman hotel on Sunday night which was from 6.30pm until 11.00pm! Luckily I don't have Monday classes for Summer Semester so it doesn't really affect me.

Why did I have to go? Well, I was lucky enough to grab consolation achievement award for my SPM results. I think my results was the bare minimum to get the award. I got some cash(deposited into bank account before dinner) and a nicely framed certificate of congratulations.

Before the dinner actually began~

The function was quite interesting. they had an opening skit which was quite funny.

The theme of the dinner. ^^

VIPs(plus the whole room) sang the Maybank themes(BM and Chinese).

They also had a "Maybank Idol" karaoke contest with 9 contestants whom were surprising quite good. One of them(who won 1st place, not pictured) was really good, you'd be crazy not to think he'd grab first. The guy pictured got 3rd place who was pretty amazing too.

This was amazingly funny. They are the Tunak Tunak Group(IIRC) who are actually the Maybank bosses dancing to the tune of Tunak Tunak Tun. You must listen to this song, its pretty good. =D

Besides the crazy good entertainment, we got some delicious food(fried rice was delicious), so-so standard drinks(the red syrup drink and Chinese tea) and lucky draw! As usual, we didn't get anything from the lucky draw. Aww, darn.

Overall, I really enjoyed the night... until the last number for the lucky draw was called. XP

As for the Astray Blue Frame, I'm almost done, just need to build the sword and apply the clear stickers and maybe some more panel lining. I didn't panel line the whole model, specifically the blue frame areas as it is quite the pain to panel line so many parts.

Sword from Astray Green Frame and trying out the articulation of the legs. Loving it so far!

Okay, that's all for now. The entire review probably will roll out by this weekend if not sooner. =)

PC Fair 2009 Late November Edition

So today I finally went to the PC Fair located at Level 5 Permata Carpark, Kuching. It was not sponsored by PIKOM but by Sarawak ICT(?) instead if I'm not mistaken.

The main plan of going to the PC Fair was to buy some blank DVDs and a cheapo mouse as my current mouse is figid-dy. To my disappointment, the blank DVD are not as cheap as they once were and the brand availability was very limited. I ended up buying a 100pcs Verbatim DVD-R set @ RM100. Didn't had much choices as I needed them urgently already. I was initially expecting them to be within the RM80 region like they were last year... should I blame the recent recession on this?

Other than that, I bought 2 cheapo Sensonic mice @ RM9.90 each, a cheapo E-View small keyboard @ RM15 and a new 20" LG Flatron W2043S LCD monitor @ RM399(a 14" CRT monitor doesn't cut it anymore...). My mother agreed to let me buy the monitor so I was pretty lucky to be able to get it! I'm so happy that she did. ^^ Well, there goes a good amount of cash for next month... well, at least the items are considerably less optional than my hobby items. >.>;

Overall, I find the PC Fair was slightly disappointing as there wasn't any really good enough deals, except maybe laptops, going around due to heighten IT parts prices. Don't know how the PIKOM sponsored PCFair will be though. It should be better but won't be held in Kuching. >.>

So, fellow Kuching dwellers, did you go to the PC Fair too? Disappointed? Satisfied? Found what you wanted to get?

PS: No progress on the Astray so far due to me playing Phantasy Star Zero too much(and still am). Game can be quite addicting since I haven't played such a game for a while. ^^;

HG GN Archer Quick Review & WIP MG Astray Blue Frame 2ndR

How's everyone doing today? Enjoying the "Black Friday"? Well, I'm kinda am as there's no class today and I got the time to do whatever again. ^_^

Lately, I've gone back to the "gaming mood" and have to go through Summer Semester at Swinburne so I'll probably update less on the blog on Gunpla for a while... Fret not, I'm currently building the MG Astray Blue Frame, though only the head and torso is completed thus far. Then again, I only started last night. ^^;

At any rate, I did a quick review on the HG 1/144 GN Archer to test out a new background and lighting(natural sunlight) over at my Wordpress blog. My room doesn't have the best exposure to sunlight, but I like to know what you all think about it as I might do my future reviews with this setting. The lighting also can be from my fluorescent light as well. =)

Oh yeah, is anyone else going to the PC Fair today or for the weekends? Hopefully there will be something worthwhile when I go there....

That's all for now and I plan to finish the Blue Frame by Sunday~Monday if possible. XP

Room Rearrangement & Arios Review

Its that time of the year when you spend your time to do a little "spring cleaning" for your house/room. Because of that, my nose is sneezing like hell due to me being very easily affected by dust. ~.~

Well, to be exact, it's not really spring cleaning but some stuff in my room and my younger sibling's room got rearranged. Now each of us got one bed each(we had two initially due to room sharing and old beds left over).

My mother also got me a "new" computer table which actually is not new. Nonetheless, it was completely FREE. Her office decided to let go of some stuff by "auctioning" stuff out especially computer tables(at dirt cheap prices). During that "auction" there came this table that was auctioned for FREE but NO ONE wanted it because of just one missing screw and its older than the rest. Pfft. My mother decided to get it in the end and it now in my room for my old computer to sit on, next to my BED. ^^;

Current configuration;

That's our house old comp(bought early 2006) that was used by my sister before until I got her the new computer last year for Christmas(which can be said leaps and bounds faster). As you may have known, the LCD monitor died a while ago and I had to switch to a retro monitor that was bought in 1996(IIRC) with my Windows 95 computer(which can still work but currently tucked away). Too bad my other, but larger and slightly newer, retro monitor was scraped due to over-usage too. ^^; FYI, this is my constantly used computer for mainly internet browsing, blogging and light gaming(older games works best on XP after all). Too bad I don't have another LCD monitor spare, 1024x768 is small nowadays. Then again, my biggest monitor is only 17" in the end excluding the 32" LCD TV.

Basically its made full of retro-ness. You can't get that kind of table nowadays(I think) and the keyboard and speakers are 2002'd.

Also, since somebody asked before, I did a quick review on the HG 1/144 Arios Gundam over at my Wordpress blog. I did the photoshoot practically alongside the Hi-Nu so not much time was used. Sorry if the review is not up to par with my regular ones. Its just a quick one on a practically EOL product after all. ^^;

Bonus image~! Here's a shot of my MG Exia Repair + Strikes Arm sitting down acting boss with the other kits(and while I was semi-cleaning my room). XD

Okay that's all for now. Darn, my nose really annoys me right now. Cleaning up can really be a pain when dust can easily affect you. Can't really do much stuff actually now. XP

HGUC 1/144 Hi-Nu Gundam Review - Part 2

Quickly continuing the previous post of the review, here is part 2, the finally.

I really can't think of what poses to take sometimes since there really should be a HGUC Nightingale to pair up with this guy... it feels lonely. ^^;

Okay lets get on with the review~

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HGUC 1/144 Hi-Nu Gundam Review - Part 1

Price: 2200 Yen

~Life Rant~

Phew! Finals is over and what did I do? I built a Gundam. What a good way to start your break... if only I actually have a break. Sigh, Tuesday and its back to the books I go. However, before that I hope I can finish up some of my desired things I want to do(like building that Blue Frame and playing a new game or two).

~End Life Rant~

RX93-V2 Hi-V(Nu) Gundam
Pilot: Amuro Ray
Height: 20.0m
Weight: 27.9t
Armaments: Fin Funnels(6), Head Vulcan Gun, Arm Machine Gun, Beam Rifle, Beam Saber(3?), New Hyper Bazooka, Shield

MS Note: Hi-Nu is the novel version of the Nu Gundam. It is not an upgrade to the Nu even though it seems like it. I can't really say much about this Gundam as I haven' seen Char's Counterattack yet so it is basically Amuro's final Gundam which happens to be a mobile suit for Newtypes(psycommu system).

Okay, lets get on with the first part of the review. If you're curious about some points of articulations and gimmicks, I'll cover some of them during the construction phase below.

Note: Does the photos look alright to you? Not too blurry or something? I'm asking since I'm lowering the JPEG quality to reduce space used and my upload times. ^^;

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Finals(Semester 2 2009) End! Yay?

Finally after letting this blog go on a hiatus run due to finishing TWO assignments and the FOUR final papers that just finished today. For the (group) assignments, my groups manage to get very good marks. I was so happy that we could get those marks, that I was almost going to jump in joy. Go team~ ^^

As for the final exam, hopefully I'll get my targeted marks since it wasn't all as difficult as I initially expected (except for maybe the last paper however). I guess my perseverance in forcing myself to read the textbooks and notes really did help make the exam less stressing (though I'm mentally exhausted).

At any rate, now I have some free time once again to do whatever I want as the Foundation course is done for now. Sadly I still have the Summer Semester to do starting next month, ending in the 2nd week of January. According to one of our lecturers, we might be running against the clock most of the time during the compulsory semester due to its shortness and amount of work needed to be done. For now, I have some time to kill for non-education stuff.

With that said, I wanted to build the Blue Frame but decided not to as I felt my hands to be a little rusty and well I have another kit begging to put together. Remember my trip to KL last July? Well, I finally decided to build the HGUC Hi-Nu Gundam. I made a few mishaps while building it though but I'm still happy with the results thus far. Its not completed yet as I slowly put it together and doing additional add-ons (panel-lining and some paint).

Here's an early preview;
As you can see, the back-section is not done yet. I was building this the whole night and just stopped pass midnight. The mishaps I did (darn silver marker leaking onto my palm and me doing something totally unreasonable resulting in a part breaking off) made it a little annoying and longer to finish. Err, yeah. I'm contemplating to either paint the beam rifle and bazooka silver or leave it be until I get me some proper painting equipment. =/

Also, did anyone tried the Microsoft Office 2010 Beta yet? I just downloaded it but haven't had the opportunity to install it yet. Going to try it out real soon, like... tomorrow? =D

Okay, that's all for now. >.>

PS: Hey guys, got any good MMORPGs that is "free 2 play" which you consider fun to play currently? I feel like playing at least one for a while (I normally play online games but never break level 30) to make my life well, more varied. XP

Note: I might also update my alternate blog once in a while with some miscellaneous stuff, but mostly smaller posts. Keep an eye out as you may find some funny and interesting stuff posted up by me. ^^

Finals Next Week... Something Troublesome I Just Noticed...

Okay, so finals are next week and I barely have the time to linger around(though watching a series while studying at the same time) too much. Then while checking out the "Blackboard", I noticed something which felt like we're told very late... or maybe I've never notice an earlier notice about it. Nonetheless, its quite troublesome but hopefully I can resolve this problem quickly on Monday(as the place to do so should operate during regular working hours only). Sigh, there goes the calm with the storm coming in sooner than expected, though not study-related.

Ah wait, it was a fairly common problem and was resolved rather quickly and easily. Now to continue studying... @_@

Something Weird I Noticed in Real Life...

You know when you borrow or received help from someone else? Well, I always find it weird that people you borrow or get help from always say "thank you" instead of "you're welcome". It's especially strange when I, the borrower or person being assisted, says "thank you" to be thanked back.

Naturally it is supposed to be "thank you for your assistance" then the person you thanked should say something along the lines of "you're welcome". Naturally. Or maybe I could be wrong. ^^;

HG 1/144 0 Gundam ("00" Gundam) Review - Part 2

Part 1 here.

~Life Rant~

Sigh~ If only I have another long holiday soon but unfortunately I have a final exam in less than 2 weeks. Looks like its time to hit the books once again. However, for now, I'll finish up this reaview on the 0 Gundam.

Also, I recently got a new "blue buddy" with a "big sword". Care to guess who? I wasn't all that set to buy it so soon as it doesn't really have any limited parts(IIRC) but seeing as I'll buy it sooner or later, I decided to buy it now as my budget was just enough. Now I'm practically broke again. ^^;

~End Life Rant~

EDIT:

Additional bonus image!

Okay, let's finish up this review. It is important that you remember that this is only a HG model kit but its awesome!

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Happy Halloween 2009!

Well, rather late of me to say that but I wish you all a great weekend fun!

If you read this post after today; how was your Halloween today? Did you do anything fun? Well, for me, all I did was visit Gaia Online to join in this year's rather interesting event. Interesting but can become really boring after a while. ^^;

Also, techPowerUp! recently put up a really nice review on the AMD Sempron 140, a budget single core CPU that costs USD39! It costs about RM140 in Lowyat IIRC, which is really cheap for a 2.7GHz single core that has the potential of being "unlocked" to a dual core! ^^

For the guy who asked me what brand of purple permanent marker I used, its "Jing Fei". Basically a real cheap practically unknown China product that cost me RM1. ^^;

EDIT:
The marker for anyone who wants to know HOW it looks like. Its really nothing fancy. Those living in Kuching can find this at 3rd Mile's Life Book Store(if they still have it). =)

HG 1/144 0 Gundam ("00" Gundam) Review - Part 1

Price: 1200 Yen Each

~Life Rant~

Ah, how much relief I feel after 2 group assignments have been done and done with(though not as great as I would like...). Nevermind that, it tells me that I've yet to master leadership well enough yet and I have much more need to learn to be able to manage a team well or else you'll be running deadlines that can risk a heart attack. ^^;

~End Life Rant~

Well, I had some time in-between(due to me waiting for the rest of my teammates to finish up their needed sections at designated points of time), I actually spent 2 days building 2 0 Gundams simultaneously. Well, I actually wanted to finish it within one day but other family duties calls. ^^

Quick MS Bio

Prototype of all the Gundams in 00. It comes with very basic weaponry. Appears in the first episode, the last episode of season 1(very brief) and the few last episodes of season 2. When it appeared in the first episode before the young Setsuna(Exia/00 pilot), it created a bond between Ribbons and Setsuna... Setsuna with his "fetish" for Gundams and Ribbon's "God complex".

GN-000 - 0 Gundam
Pilot(s): Ribbons Almark, Lasse Aeon
Height: 18m (same as RX78-2)
Weight: 53.4t
Armaments: GN Beam Rifle, GN Beam Saber, GN Shield

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HG 1/144 Reborns Gundam Review - Part 2

This review is a continuation of the first part here.

Sorry as this came off a bit late but I was pelted with two papers and Law was just hard. I guess that's what happens when you come across a margin(memory dependent) subject which happens to be a weakness of mine. With that said, I've never gotten an A for History...^^;

At any rate, lets finish up this review before I have to force myself to go on a hiatus as I want to do my two rather heavy assignments nicely and quickly without distractions. Yes, that means there won't be any big updates until next month except for smaller of note topics if any. D=

Okay, lets go on with this review! =D

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HG 1/144 Reborns Gundam Review - Part 1

Price: 1800 Yen

I bought this last week right after the Hari Raya break as when I went to the shop, many new kits already came in. Since I wanted the Reborns Gundam for quite a while already, I decided to get it first even though there are many others I wanted such as the Gundam FA 7th Unit and 0 Gundam. I was short on usable cash, so Reborns gets my buy plus a SD. >.>

Quick MS Bio

Reborns Gundam is piloted by Ribbons Almark who is also the pilot for 0 Gundam. Reborns Cannon, alternate form of the MS, appeared at the end of episode 24 and Reborns Gundam throughout most of episode 25 fighting against 00 Raiser. This mobile suit is very powerful as it sports a Twin Drive system of its own and handled the 00 Raiser rather well until they ended in a double KO.

*Note: FYI, "quick MS bios" are normally my quick take on the model kit in relation to the story. It is in no way a translation of the snippets in the manual. ^^;*

Pilot: Ribbons Almark
Height: 23.3m(Gundam Mode), 21.8m(Cannon Mode)
Armaments: GN Buster Rifle, Large GN Beam Saber(2), GN Shield, Large GN Fin Fang(4), Small GN Fin Fang(4?), Egner Whip(2)

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A Different Way to Cut Your Birthday Cake

Last Thursday, a classmate of mine celebrated her birthday. Two good friends of hers bought her a really nice and seemingly delicious American Chocolate cake!

The cake. Yum?

They brought it into class right before our short afternoon break that day. Even with the tension filled air due to nearing mid-term exams(next week liao), a friend's birthday mustn't be forgotten!

By lunch time, I managed to meet up with them, with me grabbing a quick lunch of a single currypuff, to see a a rather amusing birthday "party". Around 7 of us gathered around a table to witness the birthday girl blow the candles and "cut" the cake...

The cake is opened and the whole open-air cafeteria can see it! Then again, I noticed most people around us didn't really care.

The fans in the open-air cafeteria are really strong! They needed to block the wind with the box... though it wasn't such a smart idea in the end. =P

After blowing... we asked her to go on to cut the cake. She then asked, "Can I STAB the cake?". Oh my, that was new and I was all for it! Randomness FTW!

The standard plastic cake knife.

Targeting the cake from above...

Lunging into the center!

*STAB!*

...and then cut through normally. XD

So, that's all I saw as I didn't stay to leech some delicious cake since I felt like I shouldn't. Nonetheless, it was something interesting to observe and record. For the record, the flower is also icing! I did taste the icing, just a little bit, and the cake was pretty nice.

Okay, that's all for now. There might be something else tomorrow, hopefully, but back to the books I go! Have to make sure to remember some stuff before the first exam on Wednesday. ^^;