"Pop Quiz Providence"

Pop quizzes. Common in Western teaching curriculum (at least what we see on TV anyway...). So named due to its sudden nature, which is intentional, in order to gauge a student's academic preparedness at any given time.

And while we may not have official in-class pop quizzes halfway around the world here, some of us certainly experienced something close to it in nature.

So, there we were, most of the F5s in the library, listening to Pn. Moorthy's English Paper seminar. When for a moment, Pn. Goh interrupts, calls out a list of names, and relays the following message:

"After recess, go to Pn. Nor Azmah's room for an EST test."

So, we have the "Pop" part of the test, which is the fact it was announced only half-an-hour before test time. The "Quiz" part is self-explanatory.

After the seminar, I dashed down to my class, grabbed my EST revision book, dashed to the toilet, and then finally to Pn. Nor Azmah's room.

The test itself was... quite do-able. To be honest, it's not that I wasn't prepared for the test. Pn. Rosmiza kindly let mention of a probable EST test since she has to send marks to the JPWP. Problem was, that tip-off was near the start of October. So, while I did get some practice in during that time, I guess the long waiting time left me off guard...

Quote:

"We can't remain at this level of readiness indefinitely. No matter how good the acrobat, sooner or later he'll start to lose his balance."

-Transformers : Reveng of the Fallen official movie novelization

Then again, I think the Bible mentioned something about being ready for anything...

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - Matthew 26 : 41

(True, it might be taking it out of context, but the verse from the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids doesn't really match this situation...)

By the way, I suppose I should mention that this paper will go down as our SPM Trial EST result...

____________________

Speaking of God, it's truly amazing at how limitless His grace is.

"Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" - Luke 12 : 24

And if the Lord of the Universe is willing to go so far as to even die for you, then it's shouldn't be a surprise that the One whom wind and wave obey is willing to hold back the pouring rain long enough for you to walk home. All it takes is "faith as small as a mustard seed", as well as a simple little prayer...

Which is precisely what happened to me today. Because sometimes we all need a reminder that God is always looking out for us. And instead of grand powerful gestures, most of the time He prefers the small, simple things in life. The ones we take for granted, or hardly acknowledge. And to recant a previous statement of mine, "it's the little things that make up the big picture".