trundling off to the sorting!

[whitephoenixes]

1. What sort of profession in the wizarding world would you choose and why? Honestly, I don't know! There are so many different areas I can go into, and so many interesting careers available. If I had to choose, I would say something to do with potions. Potions is a lot like Chemistry, and I love chemistry, especially all the intricate details of the feasibility of reactions and the different properties of each molecule due to its structure. I would most likely do something related to research because that is the area where I find myself most contented in. I enjoy discovering new methods to do the same thing and to discover the underlying truths behind a particular phenomenon. Discovering new potions and improving on previous ones seems like something I would enjoy.
2. You have to venture deep into the Forbidden Forest one night. Pick one Harry Potter character other than Hagrid and one object (muggle or magical), besides your wand, that you'd want with you. I would want Severus Snape with me. He is an accomplished Potions Master among other things, and would most likely be beneficial in ensuring that I do not consume any poisonous plant parts and inevitably poison myself. He is a man of a few words, which is something that I do like as I don't like to talk much should I be traipsing around a forest at night. He would be much better company for me than say, Lockhart. I do not like walking around forested areas at night, and having a companion that do not irk me by chattering too much would definitely be beneficial to my overall health and sanity. I would also choose to bring along a sharpened knife. There are many creatures in the forest that are hard to spot at night, even if I do have a wand and am capable of casting lumos. I would rather have something to defend myself with should I lose my wand somehow, rather than to be defenceless.
3. If you had the opportunity to live forever, but your family and friends did not, what would you choose? And if you did choose to live forever, what would you do with eternity? I would choose to live forever. I am afraid of death as a child, and still am. To live forever, to never face the uncertainty that comes with death, is something that I would like at this moment in time. My friends and family are important to me, yes, but at this point, I am already at peace with the fact that I would most likely outlive my parents and all those that I care for. What I've not come to terms with thus far is my mortality. If I were to live forever, I would want to read all the books published. I would want to study for a good portion of my life, and pick up all the skills and knowledge that is out there for me. I would try out different jobs, work in different sectors, and live life to the fullest. I would move to a different country every 20 years or so, to be exposed to a new culture and a new way of life. When all possibilities have been exhausted, I would move back to Singapore. When I've come to terms with my mortality, I would research on ways to end my life. Eternity may be appealing, but I'm sure that after a few thousands of such a life, it would get lonely. When everyone else you know moves on to the next plane of existence and only you remain, it is a lonely life. A life like this is not worth living. Thus, despite my wanting to live for eternity, I would eventually find a way to pass on when I've come to terms with my mortality.
4. If you could travel back in time to one point, when and where would you go? Why? I would most likely travel back to 1961 in Singapore. 1961 is just 3 years away from Singapore achieving independence, yet it is during that period where the most interesting events of Singapore politics occurred. 1961 saw the split of several prominent members of the People's Action Party (PAP) from the party, and the formation of a new, pro-communist party (Barisan Sosialis). It had much support in the early years, rivalling even the PAP. What I found most interesting about this period was that the PAP was in danger of losing their majority in Parliament. This is particularly important to me as a Singaporean as then, Lee Kwan Yew was the 'leader' of the PAP. He is, until today, a very influential man, and we have heard much about how great his accomplishments are and among other things, his skill as a public speaker. Thus, if I could travel back in time, I would return to that period, to hear him campaign, to witness the merger with Malaysia and the eventual separation. I would want to be there first hand at one of the rallies during the 1963 elections following the merger with Malaysia.
5. What HP character do you identify with most and why? I identify most with Draco Malfoy. Like him, I made many bad decisions in the past 6 years, though they are not as 'serious' so to speak. I've neglected my studies badly in the first two years of my secondary school life, and am paying for it right now. Like him, I tend not to mince my words when I speak to people I don't like or look down on. Like Draco, I have a tendency to only regret my actions when faced with the consequences. However, studies wise, I see myself more of Hermione in that I have a tendency to read a lot when I don't understand something and I am afraid of failing any subject.
6. What would you see if you looked into the Mirror of Erised? I would see myself with my wife, surrounded by my family. My parents are very much homophobic, and ever since I've come to terms with my sexuality, I've hoped that one day I would be able to tell them that yes, I have a girlfriend, yes, I would marry her, and they would accept me for who I am. Cliche, I know, but that's the way my life is right now. I don't like keeping things from my parents, but they've been so outspokenly homophobic, I wonder if I would lose them if I ever say a word.
7. Do you believe that moral actions should be judged by the intentions behind them, or by the consequences they create? I believe that moral actions should be judged by neither the intentions behind them or the consequences they create. In life, there is no solid black or white. Every thing is in shades of grey. An action, while having the best of intentions behind it, may result in disastrous consequences. Yet this disaster may seem as such only to those directly affected by it, while others may benefit. It could thus be that the action has indeed benefited those who are not in the direct vicinity of it. Depending on one's perspective, the view of the said moral action may be different. A person's perspective would change over time. I believe that we should just accept such actions as they are. After all, what is done, is done. No matter how much I judge it, it isn't going to change a thing. It would be more beneficial to myself if I just moved on from there.
8. What was your ideal job as a kid? Has that changed? What is your ideal job now? As a kid, I wanted to be a teacher. Now, while I still want to be a teacher (should other, more interesting jobs fail), I want to be a forensic scientist more. I want to use my knowledge of Chemistry and Biology to help others, especially to play a part in finding cause of death.
9. If you were able to invent one spell, potion, or charm, what would it do, what would you use it for or how would you use it, and what would you call it? I would invent a spell that would enable computers to work in the Wizarding World. I would use it on my computer, to ensure that it would work despite all the magic around it. It would greatly aid the documentation of any research I would do, as well as help me keep track of documents and due dates without the need of a planner. I would call the spell Computatis Maximus.
10. If you were to face a boggart, what would it turn into? And what does it turn into when you throw the counter-spell, Riddikulus? It would turn into a large cockroach. When I shout Riddikulus, it would turn into a pink monkey in a stripped purple shirt.
11. What do you look for in a friend? Generally, I look for someone who is firstly, intelligent enough to understand me. I look for people who would be loyal and interesting. They do not have to make the best conversation, but they have to accept me for the crazy person I am. They have to be able to real with me being needy sometimes, and me being touchy-feely once I get really comfortable with them. Most of all, I have to be comfortable around them and they have to be trustworthy.
12. What trait most annoys you about other people? Wow, this is hard. Many things annoy me about other people. But one thing that annoys me the most is the way some people cannot stop talking when a lecture or class is going on. Their total disrespect for the lecturers is something that grates on my nerves. Most of the time, such lecturers take the time to talk to us high school kids, and it is utterly disrespectful to sleep blatantly or make rude comments while the lecturer is talking. It not only distracts others who want to listen, but shows an utter lack of upbringing. There are some people who are indeed rich enough to pay $350 a month to attend my school and not feel the pinch. But my family don't have that kind of money to spare. I don't understand why my education has to suffer just because those people deem it fit to talk and make noise when teacher and lecturers try their best to deliver their lessons.
13. What do you think are your top five abilities or qualities? 1. Being able to concentrate despite noisy surroundings. I think of this as an ability as where I go to school, the library is almost always very noisy. It is often near impossible to hear yourself over all the background noise, and being able to study in there has really aided me. 2. Being loyal (sometimes to a fault) when it comes to my friends and family. I was struggling between putting this as a weakness or as a quality. I find it very difficult to stop caring and feeling a sense of obligation to a person even though the other has already 'dumped' me as a friend. 3. Being relatively academically inclined. I am the first to admit that I don't study a lot. I tend to rush my studying in the days leading up to the exams, but I find that I still do well enough to get an A. 4. Being ambitious and having the determination to get there. When I was 14, after reviewing my gpa, I was certain that I would never be able to take the two extra chem modules that I dearly wanted to do, even then. I promised myself then that I would get an A for the remaining core modules and be ultimately able to take the two modules this year. My teacher then wrote that I had the potential to do better -- and I did. 5. Being able to put myself in others shoes. I tend to do this very often, and thus temper my words if I sincerely do not wish to hurt the other.
14. What do you think are your top five weaknesses or worst qualities? 1. Being unnecessarily sarcastic. I unfortunately tend to ridicule those who ask me questions that has obvious answers (i.e. read it from the book), and thus tend to be sarcastic while relaying that bit of information to them. 2. Getting affected by what others say about me easily 3. Badmouthing a person once he/she gets on my bad side 4. Procrastination -- ah, the bane of my life. 5. Lying rather easily when I talk to people I don't like.
15. Define in your own words the following key traits:
    • Courage: The strength in you to do the right thing always, no matter how others disapprove, no matter how large your fears.
    • Loyalty: To stay true to your friends and family. To never waver in your faith in them -- even when you do not agree with their actions. It is the ability to always be there come hell or high water.
    • Intelligence: The ability to not only pick up information from books, but to transform this knowledge into something workable and tangible, something that is much more than just words on a page.
    • Ambition: To have goals that many deem impossible, and the determination to make them a reality.
16. Name: Katherine
17. Age: 18
18. Where did you find out about us? Master List of landcomms over at awesometopia.
19. Do you plan on being active in the communities once you are sorted? I'll try my best to be active! I will be embarking on a long break soon after the first week of October, so I'll be around!