UMAT-type challenge

I've always been a fan for those problem solving questions that force you to think outside the box? I like to think my intelligence is above the average human, and in my Discrete exam, we were presented with a fabulous Venn Diagram question. I was able to solve it within the given time, and will scan it when i get it back. Being the arrogant kid that i am, i found an IQ test apparently tested for job applicants in Japan. Remembering my triumph in Discrete, i was more than happy to strut my awesomeness once again.

The lady who posted it took 20 minutes, and her boyfriend 10 minutes. I finished it in 8 minutes, and feeling the desire to satisfy inflate my ego furthermore, i decided to see the comments of others who had also completed the challenge:

flotz says:5 months ago
this "test" is not japanese, more likely it is
chinese. anyhow, it is fun 1:30

filip says:5 months ago
5 minutes :-I

Kelly says:5 months ago
I did it in 42 seconds.

Kavitha says:6 months ago
This only took me about 2 minutes. Did you
know that a 4th grader in japan has to take a harder test than this and has to
do it in 2 and a half minutes. I am only 12.

....That last one completely, and utterly crushed me. It wasn't just the simple step to squash me like the bug that i am, Kavitha squished me to such an extent, that i cringe at the sight of every 12 yr old i know......And Kelly could - no, is at least the age of 21...................................

If anyone is interested, in trying out this game, the site is http://freeweb.siol.net/danej/riverIQGame.swf

There are rules, so read this beforehand, especially since the instructions are in jap.

Instructions
Click on link above and then click on the big blue circle to start. To move the people, click on them. To move the raft, click on the pole on the opposite side of the river. You must follow the rules below.

Rules
Only 2 people can be on the raft at the same time
The Father cannot be left alone with either or both of the daughters without their Mother
The Mother cannot be left alone with either or both of the sons without their Father
The thief (the redhead in the striped shirt) cannot stay with any family member if the Policeman is not there -- she gets violent
Only the adults (the Father, the Mother and the Policeman) know how to operate the raft

Good Luck to you all. Post your times!

Will You Help Me Uphold Tradition?

Yesterday, i had my first Mocks exam: English. How did I go? The more i think about it, the worse i feel. So i caught a cat (free transport - SCORE!) to the city/library. I thought i might do a bit of Chemistry study, for my exam later today. Feeling slightly depressed from English, i searched for ways to express how i was feeling, without becoming emo. It was Tuesday ---- Half Price Waffles

Not wanting to eat waffels alone like a loner, i asked those around me, who were studying so hard until i came. "Do you want to eat waffles? It's Half Price Tuesdays, and you know what that means". They were full of hesitation, so out of desperation, "But it's tradition to have waffles on Tuesdays....It'll take 30 minutes, max...".
Anna: "OK, 30 mins, *points* Max, ok?".

We ended up going for 1 hour and 20 minutes......my bad....Ok, so my sense of punctuality is pretty bad, but at least my sense of direction actually lead us to Gelare...and then to Pot Black....

Btw, we didnt even have waffles. Apparently waffles are $6.80 now, and on Tues it'll be $3.40. That's 40c more than what i'm willing to pay beacause only last week, i could buy my half-price waffles for $3.00 and spend 40c at HJ's to chuck a cone over it....I'm not stingy.....

Now i want to ask you a quesiton. Have you ever said something, out of desperation, just because you wanted something or someone to be with you? Share your experiences here.