The Son is in Secondary School by Affran Sa’at
My badge has a Latin motto
Hope for the future
The future is hope
Or something
At times black crows try to interrupt
When we sing the National Anthem
It is difficult to maintain
The whiteness of my shoes
Especially on Wednesdays
I must admit there is something quite special
About the bare thighs of hardworking scouts
The Malay chauffeurs
Who wait for my schoolmates
Sit on the car park kerb
Telling jokes to one another
Seven to the power of five is unreasonable
On Chinese New Year
Mrs Lee dressed up
In a sarong kebaya
And sang Bengawan Solo
The capital of Singapore is Singapore
My best friend did a heroic thing once
Shaded all A’s
For his Chinese Language
Multiple-choice paper
In our annual yearbook
There is a photograph of me
Pushing a wheelchair and smiling
They caught me
At the exact moment
When my eyes were actually closed
________________________________________________
The poem is written in free verse, with little or no rhyming at all.
___
1.
The poet's carefree (or simply not caring) attitude "...or something" is something one would expect from a normal schoolboy. This helps strengthen the image of the poet being not disabled, until the fact is revealed at the end of the poem.
2.
The poet's dirty shoes also help fortify the belief that he is a normal schoolboy as that would mean that he is very outgoing, playing sports in the muddy, dirty field.
3.
The poet reluctantly admits that he admires the thighs (or in this case, the muscles in the thigh) of the scouts, completely overlooking the fact that scouts are valued for their dilligence and kindness than their physical fitness.
4.
The poet seems envious of his richer classmates who even have chauffeurs to fetch them to and from school, something any other average student would do.
5.
The one liner "seven to the power of 5 is unreasonable" shows his dislike of mathematics, and the fact that it is only one line further exemplifies this. This is also another of the many factors that contribute towards our belief that he is a normal, healthy student.
6.
The poet shows that he is amused by using three whole lines building up to the "climax" of the stanza, describing the situation, then abruptly stating that the teacher sang a malay song on Chinese new year.
7.
This one liner shows that he is learning Geography, much like any other schoolboy, but also shows his nationality; we can infer that he is proud of his country.
8.
This stanza enforces the illusion that he is an ordinary schoolboy, that he does not like exams or tests for the thing itself, but rather for the amusement they bring when one of his classmates act up and do something amusing is desperation.
9.
This is the most important part of the poem, where the poet drops the bombshell that he is actually wheelchair bound. This fact gives the previous lines a higher level of meaning, so in order for you to fully appreciate the poem I strongly advise that you read it twice, or more.
____
This concludes my analysis of the poem.
(By the way, I did not mean to insult disabled people; when I stated that non-disabled people were "normal, ordinary etc" I did not mean to insinuate that you were not...it's just that I couldn't think of other words to use. No offence intended :p)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Willaim Wordworth
WILLIAM WORDSWORTH was born at Cockermouth, Cumberland County, England, April 7, 1770, and he died on April 28, 1850.
The poet attended school first at Hawkshead School, then at Cambridge University. William was also entered at St. Johns in 1787.
He inherited large sums of money form both his father and friend and then lived in seclusion until he was 23.
In 1793, in his twenty-third year, he appeared before the world as an author, in "Descriptive Sketches" and "The Evening Walk." The sketches were made from his tour in Switzerland with his friend, and the Walk was among the mountains of Westmoreland.
In the spring of 1813 he removed from Grasmere to Royal Mount, where he remained for the rest of his life, a period of thirty-seven years. Here were passed his brightest days.
At the same time he commenced to write poems of a higher order, thus greatly extending the circle of his admirers.
His income was increased and honors were showered upon him, making glad the closing years of his life. But sadness found its way into his household in 1847, caused by the death of his only daughter, Dora, then Mrs. Quillinan. He died in 1850, on the anniversary of St. George, the patron saint of England.
After some research, I find that most of William Wordsworth's poems are actually quite cheerful, as opposed to the bleak and sombre style of many poets then and now. This is a welcome change, something fresh (which is actually ironic since he died centuries ago). But anyway. Even now, when I read his poetry I feel rejuvenated, but at the same time the depth behind the poems intrigues me and prompts me to think. Now I attach 3 of his poems that I enjoy the most for your reading pleasure.
I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud by William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
London, 1802 by William Wordsworth
Milton! thou should'st be living at this hour:
England hath need of thee: she is a fen
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
Have forfeited their ancient English dower
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;
Oh! raise us up, return to us again;
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,
So didst thou travel on life's common way,
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart
The lowliest duties on herself did lay.
Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth
Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth like a garment wear
The beauty of the morning; silent , bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky,
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did the sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne'er saw I, never felt a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!
The poet attended school first at Hawkshead School, then at Cambridge University. William was also entered at St. Johns in 1787.
He inherited large sums of money form both his father and friend and then lived in seclusion until he was 23.
In 1793, in his twenty-third year, he appeared before the world as an author, in "Descriptive Sketches" and "The Evening Walk." The sketches were made from his tour in Switzerland with his friend, and the Walk was among the mountains of Westmoreland.
In the spring of 1813 he removed from Grasmere to Royal Mount, where he remained for the rest of his life, a period of thirty-seven years. Here were passed his brightest days.
At the same time he commenced to write poems of a higher order, thus greatly extending the circle of his admirers.
His income was increased and honors were showered upon him, making glad the closing years of his life. But sadness found its way into his household in 1847, caused by the death of his only daughter, Dora, then Mrs. Quillinan. He died in 1850, on the anniversary of St. George, the patron saint of England.
After some research, I find that most of William Wordsworth's poems are actually quite cheerful, as opposed to the bleak and sombre style of many poets then and now. This is a welcome change, something fresh (which is actually ironic since he died centuries ago). But anyway. Even now, when I read his poetry I feel rejuvenated, but at the same time the depth behind the poems intrigues me and prompts me to think. Now I attach 3 of his poems that I enjoy the most for your reading pleasure.
I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud by William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
London, 1802 by William Wordsworth
Milton! thou should'st be living at this hour:
England hath need of thee: she is a fen
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
Have forfeited their ancient English dower
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;
Oh! raise us up, return to us again;
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,
So didst thou travel on life's common way,
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart
The lowliest duties on herself did lay.
Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth
Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth like a garment wear
The beauty of the morning; silent , bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky,
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did the sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne'er saw I, never felt a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Road Not Taken Analysis
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
_______________________________________
Okay...analysis. The two roads represent the choices we make in life. Since (obviously) a person cannot make two different decisions at the same time, he is forced to choose just one. Although he tries his best to predict where his choice will lead him, he is unable to arrive at a conclusion.
The poet's indecision about whether which path is "better" manifests itself here. (And having perhaps the better claim,)
(Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay,)
(I took the one less traveled by,)
The poet's hesitation in the last 3 lines of the poem (I-I took...) further augments his indecision, and he finally concludes that the path he took was "the path less traveled by".
What does all this mean? I don't know. Maybe there'll be further elaboration done in class or something.
Why do I like this poem? Erm...I'd like to say that I really appreciated it for it's deeply symbolism and the many little intricate meanings seamlessly woven into the fabric of the poem. I can't. What I can say, however, is that I do understand a wee little bit of what this poem means, and it has been quite enlightening. I just prefer it to other poems somehow (if only because it's the only one I can comphrehend. :p )
And that's that.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
_______________________________________
Okay...analysis. The two roads represent the choices we make in life. Since (obviously) a person cannot make two different decisions at the same time, he is forced to choose just one. Although he tries his best to predict where his choice will lead him, he is unable to arrive at a conclusion.
The poet's indecision about whether which path is "better" manifests itself here. (And having perhaps the better claim,)
(Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay,)
(I took the one less traveled by,)
The poet's hesitation in the last 3 lines of the poem (I-I took...) further augments his indecision, and he finally concludes that the path he took was "the path less traveled by".
What does all this mean? I don't know. Maybe there'll be further elaboration done in class or something.
Why do I like this poem? Erm...I'd like to say that I really appreciated it for it's deeply symbolism and the many little intricate meanings seamlessly woven into the fabric of the poem. I can't. What I can say, however, is that I do understand a wee little bit of what this poem means, and it has been quite enlightening. I just prefer it to other poems somehow (if only because it's the only one I can comphrehend. :p )
And that's that.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
End of term reflections
This post is a coupla days overdue but I have noting else to blog about so I'll do it anyways.
Hmm...lets start with my results. An MSG of 2. Not too bad, and it was a fairly big improvement from last term where my MSG was about 2.65. And even though I was quite unlucky in that I missed A1 for both maths and chinese by 1 point each, I guess I have no cause to complain as I did improve and some other people in my class got an MSG of about 4. Still, it was a pity that I missed A1 by so little. Amazingly (but not very surprisingly) Wang Fan got an MSG of 1. Total ownage. Even though hes a bit irritating and annoying at times, at least he's not a complete nerd, unlike some other people i knew.
Next, CCA. Training was in many ways a big dissapointment, as some of us after reading the SMB saw a message that said Friday was eat with your family day, all CCAs would be dismissed at 5. Sadly that did not include judo, and training dragged to about 6.30. Also, my coordinator blasted us all for sucking at our kata(grading syllabus). I mean it's our fault as well but can't you say it to us nicely? You're what, 2 years older than us? You're not even a teacher!
All in all, it would have been a decent day if not for training. Ah well.
Btw form now on on posts on my day, I will be giving that day a rating out of 20.
Friday's rating: 13/20
Hmm...lets start with my results. An MSG of 2. Not too bad, and it was a fairly big improvement from last term where my MSG was about 2.65. And even though I was quite unlucky in that I missed A1 for both maths and chinese by 1 point each, I guess I have no cause to complain as I did improve and some other people in my class got an MSG of about 4. Still, it was a pity that I missed A1 by so little. Amazingly (but not very surprisingly) Wang Fan got an MSG of 1. Total ownage. Even though hes a bit irritating and annoying at times, at least he's not a complete nerd, unlike some other people i knew.
Next, CCA. Training was in many ways a big dissapointment, as some of us after reading the SMB saw a message that said Friday was eat with your family day, all CCAs would be dismissed at 5. Sadly that did not include judo, and training dragged to about 6.30. Also, my coordinator blasted us all for sucking at our kata(grading syllabus). I mean it's our fault as well but can't you say it to us nicely? You're what, 2 years older than us? You're not even a teacher!
All in all, it would have been a decent day if not for training. Ah well.
Btw form now on on posts on my day, I will be giving that day a rating out of 20.
Friday's rating: 13/20
Judo camp: Last day
Well, for the last day of camp this went a lot more badly than it should have been.
Overview:
First some warmups, then 5x10 uchikome, then moving uchikome. Three rounds around the dojo, it was no easy feat. Then...i think it was 5x3 nagekome, which would normallt be preety easy but after the three rounds around the dojo it got tiresome. Then without giving us a break sir ruthlessly progressed to 10 bouts of randori. It went badly enough by itself, but then the old boy punished us twice. 70 pumpings for not spreading out, and another 250 for the same offence a while later.
320 pushups for not spreading out. I ask you.
Then when randori was over and sir said the blessed phrase "3 minutes break" I thought that salvation had come at last. But the old boy made everyone (but the girls, how sexist is that!!) do another bout of randori. Since all sec 1s were used up I did it with meng xiang, who taught me some stuff, and praised my ippon.
After the break was newaza, 8 bouts. I got through it fine, and a J1 praised me (although essentially all i did was run around and make it hard for him to hold me :p)
Then I took the opportunity to pon(skip) shiai (randori and newaza combined) because i had to go to the dentist. After I came back an hour later, surprise surprise, the oldboy punished us yet again (neck breaching, front breaching) because some sec 4s were talking. Hows that for fairness?
After training dad fetched me home and bought some fried hokkien mee and yam cake for lunch.
All in all, an OK day, but a lot worse than i had expected it to be.
Overview:
First some warmups, then 5x10 uchikome, then moving uchikome. Three rounds around the dojo, it was no easy feat. Then...i think it was 5x3 nagekome, which would normallt be preety easy but after the three rounds around the dojo it got tiresome. Then without giving us a break sir ruthlessly progressed to 10 bouts of randori. It went badly enough by itself, but then the old boy punished us twice. 70 pumpings for not spreading out, and another 250 for the same offence a while later.
320 pushups for not spreading out. I ask you.
Then when randori was over and sir said the blessed phrase "3 minutes break" I thought that salvation had come at last. But the old boy made everyone (but the girls, how sexist is that!!) do another bout of randori. Since all sec 1s were used up I did it with meng xiang, who taught me some stuff, and praised my ippon.
After the break was newaza, 8 bouts. I got through it fine, and a J1 praised me (although essentially all i did was run around and make it hard for him to hold me :p)
Then I took the opportunity to pon(skip) shiai (randori and newaza combined) because i had to go to the dentist. After I came back an hour later, surprise surprise, the oldboy punished us yet again (neck breaching, front breaching) because some sec 4s were talking. Hows that for fairness?
After training dad fetched me home and bought some fried hokkien mee and yam cake for lunch.
All in all, an OK day, but a lot worse than i had expected it to be.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Warcraft AGAIN
Another update on warcraft...
I've completed the entire reign of chaos, and am now moving on to frozen throne. No, I'm not a hardcore gamer whos plays 6,7 hours a day. I have a much healthier, more fun solution. I cheat. (YEAH!!!)
I was able to download some custom maps (about 15 in all), but sadly none but one worked on reign of chaos. But ALL of them work in frozen throne. I can't explain the rationale for this, but...who cares?!! I can play custom games now, and thats all that matters. (Yes, thats how self centred I am. :p)
Right, I've been talking about warcraft in this and another blog post, but some might ask: what is Warcraft? Well, warcraft is a RTS (real time strategy) game that pits four races: the orcs, humans, night elves and undead against each other. Warcraft has a very detailed, elaborate history, each character has his or her own personality and history. Warcraft III is the third of the series and expands on it's already extensive history. Warcraft III can be considered one of the models for current RTS games, having started the concept of "hero" units.
Argh, to find out more just go google "warcraft" and you'll learn a lot more than from reading this pathetic little post.
I've completed the entire reign of chaos, and am now moving on to frozen throne. No, I'm not a hardcore gamer whos plays 6,7 hours a day. I have a much healthier, more fun solution. I cheat. (YEAH!!!)
I was able to download some custom maps (about 15 in all), but sadly none but one worked on reign of chaos. But ALL of them work in frozen throne. I can't explain the rationale for this, but...who cares?!! I can play custom games now, and thats all that matters. (Yes, thats how self centred I am. :p)
Right, I've been talking about warcraft in this and another blog post, but some might ask: what is Warcraft? Well, warcraft is a RTS (real time strategy) game that pits four races: the orcs, humans, night elves and undead against each other. Warcraft has a very detailed, elaborate history, each character has his or her own personality and history. Warcraft III is the third of the series and expands on it's already extensive history. Warcraft III can be considered one of the models for current RTS games, having started the concept of "hero" units.
Argh, to find out more just go google "warcraft" and you'll learn a lot more than from reading this pathetic little post.
Judo Camp: Day 2
Okay, see the post before this one for the lowdown on the activities of the day before. In the meantime, here's what we did today:
First was tachiwaza randori. Nothing much to say here, except that i practically lost every single bout (!!!) since all the people i had a chance of winning were either
1.Sick,
2.Overseas,
or 3.At SMO.
Sad, isnt it?
Tachiwaza next, extremely tiring. We did just about every single throwing excercise possible, then like yesterday the seniors had circle nagekome while we sat by and rested. However, we had to do nagekome 5x5 after that while THEY rested.
Lunch was after that, the food was modest, I would rate it in between yesterday's luch and dinner. However the drink was root beer, which was awesome, plus I bought some pomelo barley to add on.
After lunch was AB, and miraculously I did not die as bad as yesterday since it was only normal AB (1 lap, as opposed to 2). I wasn't even the last guy to finish for a few of the excercises.
Another long break, then 10 bouts of newaza randori, the longest ever. We were expecting a killer PT since AB wasnt that tough, but it was exactly the opposite.Sir gave us about 20 minutes to prepare a performance (some bollywood dance) and my group forced me to be the chio bu. To cut it short, Jeffrey and jeremy "fought" over me and then I revealed that I was not in fact a chio bu, everyone "fell down", and our performance was over.
I would rate ours as the third or forth best, with Kent's group being champion and the sec 2s second. I will only elaborate on Kent's one since it was hilarious. Kent went around acting all gay, and did some sort of indian dance with the other sec 3s. Some other stuff (just as funny) happened, but as of now I'm too lazy to write it all down. Then we had a round of Captain's ball where we got soundly thrashed by the J1s and J2s. Ah well.
BEST PT EVA.
First was tachiwaza randori. Nothing much to say here, except that i practically lost every single bout (!!!) since all the people i had a chance of winning were either
1.Sick,
2.Overseas,
or 3.At SMO.
Sad, isnt it?
Tachiwaza next, extremely tiring. We did just about every single throwing excercise possible, then like yesterday the seniors had circle nagekome while we sat by and rested. However, we had to do nagekome 5x5 after that while THEY rested.
Lunch was after that, the food was modest, I would rate it in between yesterday's luch and dinner. However the drink was root beer, which was awesome, plus I bought some pomelo barley to add on.
After lunch was AB, and miraculously I did not die as bad as yesterday since it was only normal AB (1 lap, as opposed to 2). I wasn't even the last guy to finish for a few of the excercises.
Another long break, then 10 bouts of newaza randori, the longest ever. We were expecting a killer PT since AB wasnt that tough, but it was exactly the opposite.Sir gave us about 20 minutes to prepare a performance (some bollywood dance) and my group forced me to be the chio bu. To cut it short, Jeffrey and jeremy "fought" over me and then I revealed that I was not in fact a chio bu, everyone "fell down", and our performance was over.
I would rate ours as the third or forth best, with Kent's group being champion and the sec 2s second. I will only elaborate on Kent's one since it was hilarious. Kent went around acting all gay, and did some sort of indian dance with the other sec 3s. Some other stuff (just as funny) happened, but as of now I'm too lazy to write it all down. Then we had a round of Captain's ball where we got soundly thrashed by the J1s and J2s. Ah well.
BEST PT EVA.
Judo Camp
Whew! The worst of the judo camp is over, but it ends tommorow. Here's an overview of what i did:
Monday- PT in the morning. Wasn't too bad, but then again all PT is bad, so there you go.
Next, video viewing for TWO whole hours in LT 2. Very slack, and fun. We watched the 2007 world championships for judo, and it was kinda cool, yet a bit funny(i.e. this guy lifted in the air by his opponent, then walking on his hands while his opponent tried (unsuccessfully) to throw him.)
Next was lunch. Common food, some rice from the stall, and some sort of dilute ribena as drinks.
Now the real training starts. Double AB, i very nearly died, but at least i pulled through. Then some other random newaza excercise and then a long break.
Some tachiwaza(throwing practice, inclusive of uchikome and nagekome)then another break for dinner. A plus point of tachiwaza was that sec 1s got to rest during circle nagekome for some reason or another.
Dinner...lets just say it was not very good.
The third warmup for the day, then a lot of randori. The old boys talked to us about the sense of belonging and stuff, then sir and mr chen added in. Then we all went home, beat.
Ah, i'll just do tuesday's update in another post.
Monday- PT in the morning. Wasn't too bad, but then again all PT is bad, so there you go.
Next, video viewing for TWO whole hours in LT 2. Very slack, and fun. We watched the 2007 world championships for judo, and it was kinda cool, yet a bit funny(i.e. this guy lifted in the air by his opponent, then walking on his hands while his opponent tried (unsuccessfully) to throw him.)
Next was lunch. Common food, some rice from the stall, and some sort of dilute ribena as drinks.
Now the real training starts. Double AB, i very nearly died, but at least i pulled through. Then some other random newaza excercise and then a long break.
Some tachiwaza(throwing practice, inclusive of uchikome and nagekome)then another break for dinner. A plus point of tachiwaza was that sec 1s got to rest during circle nagekome for some reason or another.
Dinner...lets just say it was not very good.
The third warmup for the day, then a lot of randori. The old boys talked to us about the sense of belonging and stuff, then sir and mr chen added in. Then we all went home, beat.
Ah, i'll just do tuesday's update in another post.
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