guns & roses
Monday, January 26, 2009

Dear CAP,
I have decided against trying out for your highly acclaimed programme this year. Why so, maybe, perhaps not, these phrases chased each other about as i twiddled my thumbs, waiting for a conclusion to apparate. Oh, such a dilemma! has never seen the light of day since Hamlet's.
Firstly, I found no trace of inspiration in the dusty shelves of my cranium! Indeed, only cobwebs remain. And they seem to go like this:

"Light.
Glaring, blinding, light.
He blinked furiously, eyelashes struggling to shield his helpless pupils. The cuffs choking his wrist went clink, clink, and then clink no more. Short, sharp footsteps - followed bya clang, and the metallic grinding of a thousand cogs easing into place.
He was alone.
Lead clad feet.."

And then a screech, pause, stop. It refuses to carry on. And the momentum evaporates, like vapour in the wind.
Thus, I am unable to concoct a beautiful, deep, touching story. I seem to favour the happy endings though they don't really go well with the palette of exploration.

Secondly, (I delude myself) that there is no time! to write. I am brainstorming, always, unconsciously. But nothing seems to make me grasp the pen, yank off the cap like drawing the hilt of a sword and plunging headfirst into a good short story. Nothing! And I seem to get distracted. The passion is not there, I chided myself. If it were, you could have written those 5 pieces in a jiffy. No nosebleeds, no sudden proliferation of white hairs, no random jogging in circles (indoors) at unplanned intervals. But there you are. And there is no more time left to write wonderful pieces that I can feel proud of, and look back and say "That was a good piece of writing. Even if I didn't get in, I have recognised it as my style and I'm happy with the way I created it." Or the alternative, lazy folly.

Thirdly, self-justification. As they say, once bitten, twice shy; Though it is different this time, I understand the rules and regulations of entering much better; I don't think I could live with not getting in again. Pardon my pessimism! But I feel that even if I do get in, I can't just turn on the tap and write. The lack of reading for months, the lack of taking time off to sit down and write, even if its just a paragraph or two- all these contribute to what's happening write now. Oops, I meant right now, scratch that. Writer's block. And if I don't get in, then well. Will it be the end of the road for me? All that hopeless believing in my articulation and expression skills. Down the drain to mingle with canal rainwater?
Absolutely not, Mr Higgins!
Right, that was a tad out of place. What I meant was, I have always felt a need to justify myself in terms of writing. And now, when it seems such an unfortunate time, I don't think I can do that well. The future is there. If my career will be based on writing, then let it be. I will be ready for whatever the future holds, in due time. But right now til that positive happy beam of light, I shall make a concerted effort to read more, write with flavour and passion, and mature in terms of writing and style. And I shall try not to judge myself on the achievements I obtain.

This seems very personal indeed. It is, and at the end of the day may sound like a truckload of excuses, but at least I can understand why I made this difficult decision. CAP is really a wonderful opportunity to rediscover one's abilities, hone one's strengths, have a lot of fun and gain a lot of wisdom in the process. And I am not ready. For that.

May you have talented participants this year (Please please pick Martha, Sharon, and Marie Chong! Blooming blessings to literature, they are - no pun intended) and may CAP flourish and continue to enrich young writers.

P/S: I shall return to reading The Screwtape Letters, thank heavens for WLZ.
P/SS: This accent is awfully absurdly addictive.

Yours Faithfully,
Cherryeris

10:20 PM


Thursday, January 22, 2009

"Debate is, the best and the worst thing, that has ever happened to me"

Words that touch beyond bounds

Empathy 220109

10:00 PM


Wednesday, January 21, 2009


Welcome the Obama presidency :)

Inauguration Speech, taken from CNN
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My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.


These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again, these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive... that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

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The most beautiful and promising speech I have ever heard.
I hope, as I'm sure the rest of the world do too, that these promises will be fulfilled and we can strive towards a better future.
Change is here: And Yes We Can.

9:13 PM


Saturday, January 17, 2009

MOF
It wasn't a total flop, but I didn't shine at all and was very monotonous, despite what we had practised the other day. The mood just didn't feel right to be all dramatic :o I had comments that my sub was O.K., but I know I need to work on delivery and sound more convincing. I can see the girl that I want to be, but I can't step in her shoes just yet. Alison was great :) very pretty, calm, measured and had pleasant tone of voice that makes you release endorphins. The only catch in this personal self-reflection is...
It's not personal.
In fact, it's national
YES it's ON THE INTERNET ON A NATIONAL WEBSITE FOR PUBLIC VIEWERSHIP AND SCORN, TO THROW POPCORN AND I WISH I HAD NEVER BEEN BORN.
Okay maybe not so drastic
Good effort, let's step up to the future

MJCs
Negative comments withheld.
Despite the unhappy sentiments shared and grumbled over during the course of the day, I felt a sort of affirmation during the preliminary debates. For the prepared motion RE: terrorist negotiations, there were some famous lines made (yes, history in the making) "Do you think that terrorists are nice friendly people who bake cupcakes and have tea?" "We cannot give in to certain demands made by terrorists. If they want America to be wiped off the face of this earth, do we give in to them? NO!" (or something to that extent.) Sharon W. really hit a lot of major rebuttals/ flaws in their case very well and tackled them at appropriate moments. Unfazed when the opposition rudely said "Down, ma'am" (no we are not dogs. I refrain from using the alternative swear word here.), she gave a convincing speech full of hard hitting evidence. Not like addressing Hamas and Hisbolah (so H) and excluding Al-Qaeda and IRA from the debate (vowels, sirs and ma'am). Amelia was really fluent and effective as a speaker. Entertaining, yet with sense! In short, though they're my seniors, I'm really proud of them.. the whole team today did really well and deserve to advance, well above other teams. I feel that we're respectable enough and are trying hard. So let's do it and strive for the better!
"Invest, Improve, and believe in winninginour In-vest-U."

I am doing something terribly immature right now :D

But anyway, St. Nicholas is READY for JGs.

9:53 PM


Sunday, January 11, 2009

" a crow i may very well be,
but one with wisdom and dignity "
- response to 'Z for Zerrorists'

7:20 PM


Saturday, January 10, 2009


Frozen Angels - a really good play. I'm sure many of you have heard already but I cried about four times during the performance :) Really touching. Basically, the plot revolved around three different stories, based on how stem cells could affect future relationships. There was an old geezer who makes life difficult for everyone and his daughter went away; and now all he wants is for her to come back. Subtly intertwined is the record of filipino maids taking care of him and their own families and dreams. There's a pair of 'young' college sweethearts who stayed together til they were 200, but all their friends and family were deceased. A bangladesh worker and his china immigrant affair brings about complex relationships as well. I enjoyed the post-show dialogue session afterward, though the director Alvin Tan wasn't there, the man co in charge of the fringe festival gave enriching answers to the questions posed by the audience. Anyway, the filmmaker Loo Zihan explained the effects utilised as well, so that helped in my understanding and made my observations more in-depth, as what Mr A had requested us to look out for. By the way, guess how many people were in the cast? ..... Two! Yes, two. Najib (we've been seeing him repeatedly since Sec 1 but he never fails to amaze us time and time again) and Siti. The latter is very expressive; I haven't seen her acting before but this first impression really made an impact on me. I have a feeling she'll get really far in life :) or at least touch many people with her skill. Whats more, they acted multiple scenes! Sometimes even having to change roles ON stage. It's a really big feat that can only be the beautiful result of professional acting. So applause and encores for them! Oh going back to the part about the post-show dialogue, it really opened many thinking/reflective doors for me. What would eternity be like? I personally don't see the need to live longer on earth.. God awaits :) but even so. "Live your life like there is no afterlife; and you will have no regrets." one of the things I learnt today. Also, the contrasting ideas that came out - i didn't really realise them until a attentive member of the audience voiced it out. That in the presence of absence, people miss them more. And every passing day is hard to get by without thinking of our loved ones. Many more concepts but they just can't come to my mind right now.
Fabulous production by The Necessary Stage. Looking forward to more innovative plays with themes that dare to explore.
By the way, sitting in the first row has surprises in store! During the post-show dialogue, while silence pressed on painfully, the host uttered "Students?" and swung the mike in front of me. I gave a weird comment :o ahh. Christine went so yay! but she didn't cry omg but laughed. , and it was the first time all three batches attended a play. St Nicks domination :)


Watching
Waiting
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

6:17 PM


Monday, January 05, 2009

I'll cut to the chase.



WE'RE GOING TO UK, BABY!
RIDINGS HIGH SCHOOL YOU BETTER WATCH OUT. INVASIONNN ! :D
No one is safe (from Shubetty)
I'm so EXCITED and HAPPY and THANKFUL and GRATEFUL and DELIGHTED and JOYFUL that our wish came true.
Thank you God!

YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO HEAR THE END OF IT, GUYS!
Ahahah okay so mean. ϋ
I should start packing my bags now.
And I'm going to wear my glasses.
Though the Entire England may think I'm an absolute Nerdy Klutz,
I want to capture every single moment
Relive every single second in my head
Enjoy every single minute there with my friends & the Ridings High students. (Teachers like ahem Awong are kind of floating somewhere in that equation. :D)

Okay thanks Mr A for helping us fight for the trip :D

DRAMAROCKZMYSOCKX
And Drama, United Kingdom Yay shall never have to remain a secret again :]

*Go to http://www.ridingshigh.org/ and look at their photo gallery, especially. If those pictures were taken in their school, I'll DIE of spasming! :D

11:06 PM


Sunday, January 04, 2009


o



m



g




katyperry4life.


I know almost none of you have probably bothered to click the third picture when your MSN Live Today update popped up. And thus I shall kindly post the pictures courtesy of http://entertainment.sg.msn.com/ ! Katy puts the 'K' in Kitsch candy indeed.

I'm no style guru, but based on my own whimsical taste I shall provide my personal comments! :D Feel free to agree or have spontaneous fits of protest!
Simply done, but giving the basic dress a little twist. Talk about making a (political) statement, with Obama smiling magnanimously and bright yellow lined with black here and there. Not too much to appear bumblebee-ish, though. With a cute glove to direct the already overwhelming attention to the mike and hence to her superb voice. Cute cut of the dress, reflects the flower petal-y nature of the print! Contrary to my status quo impression of flowers, gaudy never even crossed my mind. Always one for unique, there seems to be an origami strip poking out. Cut out for quirk haha; good work showing off her legs (most of her outfits do) and the pink heels sweetly compliment the ensemble.
Talk about unusual, the eyes probably shouldn't be placed there, exactly.. then again, they should. The layers of the eyes make it even more intriguing, while the funky lashes add an edge to them (as if the dress isn't edgy enough.) The electric blue suits her to the T. And I am positivelysure I saw that pink cupcake accessory somewhere on the web! Must be inspired by her haha.
Note how she can carry off elegant as well. On first sight, the colours seem to blend like melted ice cream of various flavours: yam-purple, strawberry-pink, vanilla-white.. okay not to get carried away. The design is quite cool, paired with golden heels. What can I say.. -sighs in bliss- Aha, why is she sitting on a banana throne.
I like the layering, and of course the choice of LOUD colours :) of the same colour scheme, of course. The red buckle belt holds it nicely in place, reminding the shiny-chiffon-looking minidress not to get carried away and credit Katy by showing of her figure. :D
This is probably my favourite picture! Thank you msn today again haha. It makes me want to sit a carousel again : ) I'm pleasantly surprised that she can rock out at the awards wearing this on her body. It must be rather heavy (my guess is its made of plastic?) Amazing how the chunky bottom portion can STILL show off her legs well. Lol. Spunky girlish, the colours are all of a lighter shade - yet so many of them make such a harmonious lot, this dress just can't be ignored. Her high heels are pretty!


Androgynous didn't really strike me as something she would attempt, but I'm glad she did :) Her cheeky grin really lights up the curious yet phenomenal outfit. Converse - connects with me twenty.

All in all Katy Perry, good job! :) I love your singing too, but your fashion sense really gave you a big star from me. Will update more with links to her youtube videos (Mannequin LIVE@KISS, Thinking of You LIVE@KISS, Hot 'N' Cold official music video). Okay maybe I shant. Please take the first step to go search from them; you won't be disappointed!

So ready for drama tomorrow. I couldn't possibly be any more agogo then Katy!

*the post is entitled such because the abovementioned is just not one of them girls:) she's a whole new bombshell on the block.


10:43 PM


Friday, January 02, 2009

The not-so-tech-savvy-netizen has finally constructed her blogskin obtained from spare parts. As you can see, it's abnormally funky and NEONful.
Anyway, applause! I have finally awoken after hibernation.
I mean, I had to get up for the first day of school.. -grumbles-
Anyway, i'm in Three Hope 09 (hi guys, i'm sorry but you're gonna have to be stuck with me for two years. peace!). Form teacher = Lee Ruo Ning, or ningning as is her pseudonym. But we know her real name so yup. She wrote us a note and let us write back to her : ) guess she seems like one of the rare form teachers who care about her pupils, what they like and their concerns. Also, she talked about her life story, going to Canada and getting a degree in chemical engineering before deciding that teaching was the job for her yadayada, and now we know her much better!
I am secretly touched that S abandoned C(4) to sit with me for the first day of school. But a few leaders were really busy with PSL and all haha. Glad to be stuck with Amanda (Faithhuangkimli!) Efron. Who has a really vibrantly polka-dotted bag named inappropriately, 'Dickies'. New friend Angeline! Sorry to say but an exact manda clone. Supremely zany and funny. Second best, loves shopping! During the safety & security talk, manda woke her up by screaming "SALE @ FOREVER 21 NOW!"
Lol it was like striking the lottery. Ding-ding-ding! said her eyes.
During our lovely one hour recess (yes, recess has been shortened to half an hour due to excessive cutting of queues and 1 minute indecisive pondering of what to buy at the counter) Christine and Erina came to visit! And yay Chaotah gave me a supah cool shirt when she went overseas : ) She gave Sharon a cute christmas Spongebob that occupied me during the whole free period. I played dress up with it :D sadly, the HC pants are unable to be removed.
I like its socks lots.
After school, )COUNCIL! meeting.
I'm in Defensor! How cool is that, huh.
I told Ms Rockey that my badge shattered into a gazillion pieces D: lol i always seem to have problems with my attire.
Neway, wouldn't like to call it rules or resolutions (because the former is meant for breaking and the latter is meant for postponing) but i'm gonna try and keep to some guai things this year :D
: treasure my friends (just because, there are a trillion reasons but the first will always be cause they're my super cool greatest friends :d)
: be more responsible (seriously), not use my handphone in class too (aw)
: kick the bad habit of procrastination! (yeah die sucker!)
: blog more (not cause my dreary lifestyle is in any way interesting, but it may help me in my articulation and expression and kill some boredom stones.)
: cut down on gaming - mapling (i heard abstinence is the best policy. eh don't give me that sick face :p)
Though i love my BL, DDV and whole family, some things I've gotta let go.
):
*SEE YOU AT THE END OF SEC 4, GUYS!
Hahah yes okay luh I'll ban myself from it :)
Night!
Making music with wine glasses

10:16 PM



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