To those that care, the reason I haven't been online that often in the last two-three weeks as I expected to be, was because my Grandfather is sick in hospital. He went in for Knee Surgery (5/03), but it seems an infection in his stomach happened, and his kidneys started to fail, and soon he was rushed to Intensive care (21/03).

It's scary, but he's been gradually improving and looks like he will continue to do so. So I've been mixing my duties around with visiting the hospital, to doing things which my Grandfather usually did, to trying to relax. Regardless Intensive care really is scary, anyway, I'm off to visit him today.

Draft of a Thesis detailing the outlines of a new marking procedure to determine end marks for Year 12 students. This Framework will be named University Scope Potential Index (USPI)

Due to the Higher School Certificate’s flaw that people who specialise in certain subjects towards a similar-minded goal in University get nowhere if they do not contain, a sometimes irrelevant, subject which is scaled up or down, I have came to this, a thesis I think should be implemented which would make specialisation far more practical, and let those who deserve entry to university courses, be able to without taking an irrelevant class.

The way marks are currently totalled are such: The end results from assessments and exams are totalled individually, scaling might happen in subjects such as three-unit mathematics or physics, then finally they are merged together into a University Admission Index (UAI).

This leads to people not good in algebra or advanced mathematics being allowed into an Arts degree which just requires principal mathematics skills. I feel that the UAI should be divided into at least six categories and giving individual scores for these categories.

The way this works, is that for each category there is a core subject which is compulsory/heavily influences the end results. Students should be made aware of these categories as they enter year eleven which should help them pick subjects which will help them get into their preferred course, if wanted.

These core subjects make a critical weight to the final score but the marks themselves do not rely on them, unless they fail the subject at hand. However, the higher the standard of the subject, the better the mark/weight the core subject can hold.

A person who does Advanced English gets a higher chance of the score helping his final score then say, a person who does Standard English. And the same for someone who does four-unit mathematics compared to someone who did General mathematics.

NOTE: This is only a draft, I haven’t had time to work on it past the inital draft and recap. While this system is far more complex, it would show a student’s potential far more then the UAI system currently in place. If anyone has any questions or wish to work on this some more, just shoot me off an email fuyutski AT gmail DOT com.

I’ve decided to remake this as my home and journal. I’ve wanted to post things, but the limitations of previous journals I have used socially are just too..Eh, un-beneficial to me.

You know, as I’ve grown up, I’ve always reflected on what I want to be, and not only what I “want” to be, but what I see myself retiring as. Something which grows with me, instead of me outgrowing it. Something I can really contribute to and look back and say “I’ve done all I can”.

After so many years, considering and deciding, I have ultimately come to a conclusion. What’s this you say? I have decided for the following things to happen:

Finish off my IT Degree in Network Engineering at TAFE

While, I don’t see myself really wanting or entirely interested in this field, it does provide financial stability if you know where to look. The entire reason, I did this course was that I’d have qualifications to fall back on if my plan fails.

Learn Mandarin and Retry for entry to USyd

What can I say? My initial entry marks for University from the HSC weren’t promising, I failed to get into the course I wanted. Will this prevent me from getting in? Hell no, I and every History teacher I had realised I had potential and it’ll take more then that to keep me from getting in. My marks which were relevant to a Bachelors Degree of Arts were all rather high, but gotta love scaling and the flawed HSC System.

So I’ll be doing the University Preparation course, which you can do a course such as Ancient History, which I will do, and ace, I know I will, and use the end-result — a certificate to enter University with. However, since the preparation course is part-time, I’ve decided to learn Chinese, the Mandarin Dialect, to further my career goals as you’ll see below.

Do a Bachelors Degree of Arts, Majoring in Politics, Modern History (China), and Archaeology at USyd

Anybody who knows me well, knows my intense love for History and all related fields, be it Politics, Religion or else. It’s been my dream to have a History-related career, and I’ve tried my best to follow it as close as possible. Hell, I even did projects/assignments when I was in primary school for things I didn’t need to do, that’s dedication.

The problem is my love for History is so big, that it’s so generalized. I haven’t narrowed down on any particular area/scope, and if you look at my personal library it’s obvious. I love everything from the creation of civilizations in the Mesopotamia and Middle-East such as the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians to Weimar Germany and Modern China (1850-Present) to name but a few favourites. But I’ve finally settled on Chinese History, as to me, China is fascinating from the founding of the first dynasty, to the Three Kingdom periods, to today’s Semi-Market Communist regime.

Perhaps go on to a Masters or PHD at USyd

As the years progress, this looks less likely, however it’s not off the table yet. Given the opportunity, I would most likely jump at the chance to progress beyond a Bachelors Degree.

Teach English in China or Taiwan using my Bachelors Degree via the AAC Program or another way

I feel this is important, not only would I be putting my new-found Chinese speaking skills to the test, but I’d be experiencing the culture first hand. Not only would this be beneficial for my career (See next), but it’d be a fantastic experience.

So after all these points, where are you heading, Brett? What will be your final destination? Network Engineer in China/Taiwan? Archaeologist? Historian? Your kidding, you�re not going to actually…

Do the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs Graduate Trainee Program

While it might not be exactly the same when I get around to doing it, I don’t think it’ll be far different. DFAT has had a similar project running since the 30’s, under names such as the “Diplomatic Cadet Scheme”. After reading a book by an Ex-Secretary of DFAT, it’s sparked my interest in gaining a job with the government agency. Not only would I be in politics and watch as history takes place at a closer field, but I’m sure with the ability to speak Chinese and the fact that I’d have lived in China/Taiwan for a few years, I’d be used as a diplomat in China which would be fantastic.

Overall, this is my plan for the future. While it’s not too different from previous versions, this is it finely chiselled and as accurate as possible when I’m ready to do it.