undergraduate experience, my way

Caught wet eyed

2007-07-20T01:31:00.000+08:00

It rained super heavily when I woke up this morning. Not going to missed any of the 4 appointments today, I struggled to take a shower and wore the shirt I just washed at 1am. It is for the interview at 2pm.

When I reached school 30mins late for the 9am appointment with Prof M. H., he wasn't in the office. Took breakfast anyway before leaving at 10am to Pasir Panjang for a meeting at 11am. Two buses and an MRT later I saw the very very unpleasant sight - the shoes outside the house don't reflect what should be going on - no one was there and the meeting is cancelled.

Two buses and an MRT again later, reached NTU at 12.30pm. My entire morning had gone nowhere. Money and time was wasted, sleep forsaken. I came to library only to forced to do indecent act, i.e. to answer a phone call. Latest piece of news, interview is postponed. Good news is that only postponed for 1800 seconds. Always look on the bright side of life, yea?!

Feel very sleepy. I yawned, squeezed some tears to wipe the windscreen but only to see multiple light flash clearer. Oh no, people are shooting me! Unknowingly I may wrongly be categorised as people who do indescent act in the public place, and it'd appear not only on STOMP, but also in the what-u-see-during-the-trip presentation in their home country! Where's my privacy?? (I recommend you to read T. Friedman's lastest addition to his TWIF, 2007)

Next appointment would get me leave here before 5pm. Guess it should end at 10pm and I'll definitely reach home at 11.30pm and hit the bed after 2am. It's not over, still need to catch up with Prof M. H. tomorrow...

What a super exhaustive life for an umemployed foreign-worker-to-be in such land. A Chinese song that goes 展翅任翔双羽燕我这薄衣过得残冬. Can I withstand such 'winter'?

iHate

2007-07-11T03:05:00.000+08:00

I hate to not know anything.

I hate to be the last to know.

I hate to know what's going on.

I hate to not be able to do anything.

I hate to feel helpless.

I hate that during this grad-find.job-send.resume-interview-sign period for most people I'm here wait-see-wait-see eat-drink-sleep and wait and see. South wind north wind, low visibility. Dear Mr. DBS Bank, please wait.wait.wait. Dear Mr. UofA please look at the bright side of [my] life. Dear Mr. SPETA RDC PL are u also wait.see.wait? Anyways dear Mr. Sellers_cum_buyers look out for phone rings as a fortune is waiting for u [and me].

I hate to blog at 3.04AM and I hate that I gotta go NTU to collect certificate and transcript later today at 9.00AM and then go back 5 working days later to collect a duplicate transcript. I hate red tape.

I hate for not being able to love what is promised to come. I'm confused. I hate it.

Taib Mahmud

2007-04-21T10:54:00.000+08:00

For those who dunno, he is the dear chief minister of Sarawak for an intimidating 26 years. It is interesting to see his legal action against a website which reported his side income but only republished an original news from Japan.

Read more here. And dear Sarawakian, dun u think this might make life more interesting? Let others know ba.

写在论文稿前

2007-03-28T22:16:00.000+08:00

快毕业了。
至少在那是完成堆积如山的作业、毕业论文、考试之后。
哎哟，不知道这些以后会不会变成历史。一纸契约还真麻烦的。也因为这个，似乎完全没有给自己留下攻读研究所的可能性，一心一意打着如意算盘如何以最佳状态做个职场新鲜人出击！
但是我想还是先来个假期比较好吧。

愿与大家共勉之。

***

主作工是超乎人所能所求所想的，如果那是他的旨意，主啊，我肯。
不要害怕。我也和你一样。若有主在我船里我就不怕风浪。我知道你有。
我愿意等。

"Dear Graduating Students..."

2007-03-01T14:24:00.000+08:00

So reads the beginging of the letter sent by NTU. So it's coming to an end for me the (1+6+6+2+3) cycles that I've gone through.

"... you are probably racing against time to complete your studies..." (yeah, away from the 5 sets of notes and textbooks for 5 weeks) "and clear the final hurdle btwn u and and ur next phase in life." (MP4079, make it or break it: draft in 2 weeks's time; then job hunt... owww).

"But even as u say good-bye, another batch of bright young ppl is joining us... Why not do sth to give them a boost?" (sounds good. how?)

"NTU needs private funding..." (i see, i see)

Options:

BASIC gift ($10-$49) - receive "i gave" pin

CELEBRATE gift ($50-$74) - name recognition on plasma TVs around campus

GRATITUDE gift ($75 & above) - about the same plus more

I'm not going to say this is not good. Not because others are also doing that. Just wonder if dere could be some changes.

I'm not rich. I have tuition loan and haven't got a job (read: no income yet got huge debt), so for me it isn't the rigth time lar.

Probably they can have another option - WHO-BEATS-ME gift - allows alumni-to-be to take a loan from the friendly bank at canteen A with interest rate on par with the tuition loan to donate to NTU. since our debt is as high as mt. kinabalu, it doesn't feel anything if u add a ton or two of load on top of that. we will pay what. maybe it adds only 10 bucks every instalment, then ppl will be working already, can.

Actually I thought they gonna increase the tuition fee for the future batch of bright ppl... 50% isn't small compared to 5% we had u know.

And I dun need my name to be displayed, it's just 打仲脸皮当胖子 (hit ur face till swollen to pretend that u r fat) ler.

So much for this. Continue to race before time takes over me.

Seeking

2007-01-26T23:38:00.000+08:00

I feel overwhelmed. The deadline for submission of report draft is 7 weeks away and yet I'm still dealing with some fundamental problems. Am I prepared for the worst?

On occasions I've been told that I'm taking the wrong course, perhaps engineering isn't my cup of tea, it's a piece of other's cake. Besides, I tried to find cause to account for all the should-have-dones; found, but excuses.

Whatever will be, will be, I shall seek God's will. These cute faces are my support, aren't they?

Campus Saints December 2005

They are my extended family, the close ones, where I shall find love and peace. They become cuter last year.

Campus Saints December 2006

Seek first God's kingdom, as they do. I believe we will be even cuter this year, not leaving u out there.

Reserved for u.

Campus Saints December 2007

Come, here's where u shall find love and peace.

Jesus loves u. Good day.

So do I

2006-12-26T12:29:00.000+08:00

Jesus loves u, so do i

Me too.

Little break

2006-11-17T22:00:00.000+08:00

Today's paper wasn't that difficult at all. But I didn't prepare well enough to do it in a breeze and left a part blank.

My next paper will be on the 27, giving a 10-day break. On the Monday following next week, I'll sit for ergonomics and economics. Both are interesting!

It's yet 10pm but I really need to sleep. ZzZzZzZzZzZzZzzzz..

End of Reporting, Embracing Exams

2006-11-13T01:02:00.000+08:00

So that was it, study of physical ergonomics on welding, the last report to be submitted for this semester. Below is the cover for the report, it's actually my friend's "guo bei long";

the next one is the stuff that my hands stuck to, and will be sticking to till the day of the golden streets and pearly gates and then let's eat and be merry.

Very unbelievable, I've done 5 presentations and 7 reports this sem. So I'm now ~~ready~~ going to start revision with full thrust.

15/11 Professional Communication

17/11 Mech System Design and Analysis

27/11 Human Factors in Design

27/11 Economic Theory

29/11 Money and Banking

30/11 Engineers and Society

01/12 Strategic Mgmt of Product Development

---

02/12 Rec

04/12 Resume hopeless MP4079 fyp

07/12 TR802

12/12 TR803

13/12 Continue challenging hopeless work

Look forward to 2007 - Visit Malaysia Year! Haha.

Issue with SolidWork COM Addin in Visual C++

2006-10-05T03:41:00.000+08:00

Baru managed to remove one obstacle hindering my FYP progress: interfacing between C and SolidWorks. I'm already 1 month behind schedule.. Since I got the solution from a forum, so for your benefit, hope the details that follow would be useful someday.

Setup	Ms Visual Studio.NET 2002. API SDK for SolidWorks 2005
Issue	Unsuccessful starting of a new project with the wizard "SolidWorks COM Addin" under Visual C++. Error message below appeared. "Object with program ID VsWizard.VsWizardEngine.7.1 cannot be created"
Solution	Open SwCOMAddinWizard.vsz using a text editor such as notepad under (by default) "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET\Vc7\vcprojects". Remove ".7.1" and save. Start Visual Studio IDE again. You should now be able to start the wizard normally.

I still need help on how to interface both of these programs correctly. Somebody please advice.

BIGDAY Log

2006-07-27T02:27:00.000+08:00

Today is THE big day. I'll have exam in the afternoon at 1.30, LS80. Out of ten days of "free" period, the amount of time I spent on book is negligible, what a shame. Anyway a C would be sufficient for me.

Met IA colleague in the library. Inevitably the topic was IA grade. Looking back the grades I got for the past year, I've mixed feeling. It was percisely dos puntos nueve ocho out of five. Third class honours? Sorry, no. Am not qualified.

Met FYP boss to sign form, meanwhile picked up some undue stress much earlier in time.

Went convos, saw gowns of different colours, but the faces had same the expressions.

Asked someone for help, who offered help ( :D Thanks! ) yet got teased. Apparently time is not due yet.

Studied, only to realise my concentration span is too short. And blog here I come, and gotta go...

I'm a big, big boy on a big, big day it's not a big, big thing if there's big, big stress...

Do Not Relax

2006-07-03T19:10:00.000+08:00

If everything goes smoothly, I only have one more year to go for my undergraduate study.

Looking back, I feel that I've wasted too much of my time. Among other things, the results are the solid evidence. This coming year is not one for me to lose. It's good that I write down my targets:

1. Honours (2nd upper). - Thanks bro Yang Ming.
2. Minor in economics.
3. Accomplish 2 levels of Spanish Language.
4. Get an A for FYP.
5. Start working in July 2007.

Also, for the next five years:

1. Finish reading Life Study written by bro Witness Lee.
2. Read the complete Bible at least twice, once which with footnotes.

Only upon completion of these, I'll take a further leap in my life for something important.

Within 10 years,

1. Get an MBA.
2. ...

I guess I think too far ahead... Hmmm ok please visit this site 4.5 years later for an update.

When I'm $200 poorer

2006-02-17T22:24:00.000+08:00

I feel so honoured that within my three-year study in NTU I’m able to experience twice tuition fee hikes consecutively. From $6,220 p.a. to $6,520 to $6,720 next year, meaning I’ve to fork out $800 more than I budgeted from somewhere else.

Nevertheless, this was the expected move immediately after the gahmen (Singlish version of government) announced the privatization of the local universities. No surprise. No, I’m trying to cry to the world how poor have I been and yet still being robbed. No, and it’s not another post just to complain.

I just feel that these decision makers’ mind are just too narrow, even though caring some prestigious titles and statuses in the society. It seems like there’s only one way out, one solution for some many issues.

What say do we as students have? All are just for formality sake. Useless. Unless there’s a really smart one stands out to speak for the students (hey they say there’s freedom of speech). But will that happen? Bear in mind that the smart minds are definitely not affected. They are not to be disturbed for their studies. They should not be. They have to have the peace of mind to strive for the best for themselves, and for … ahem… NTU. Therefore they don’t the time and incentive to lead the students to lobby, to shout, to be heard, to protest also because they simply don’t have to. Their sponsors are the ones should do so if they want to, since nobody forces them to provide scholarships at the first place. Oh, we poor ones… struggling to be world class outwardly and yet much more struggling inwardly.

Don’t ask the student how they feel. Ask yourself. Take and walk in the campus, observe what they wear, use, drive, etc. There is a Mercedes SLK parking in front of one the lecture theaters everyday. Many feet are wrapped nicely, especially a ‘tick’ on it, the bigger the merrier. Many are proud of the red tags that stuck on their butts. They are the very same group of people who also make complains! But, why are they so particular about the $200?

There’s an unspoken phenomenon out there. Nobody admits that. In general, no matter how poor a person claims himself or herself to be, they just don’t mind to pay a premium for the luxury to fulfill the never-satisfied soul. A little bit of sacrifice won’t hurt that much. Here, no significant incentive to initiate something.

As a private organization now, NTU should, and have to cut costs! How many companies in the world, when facing increasing costs, keep raising their price hoping the customers to remain silent and faithful? When the tongkat has been taken away, NTU has to learn to walk on her own. Learn from SIA or other big firms how they cut costs. How can they teach MBAs and yet don’t know how to apply the knowledge in the very same organization they are in? Axe one off and that can save NTU and the students a lot.

Oh dear, SGD800 is equal to RM1800++ and that is A LOT! Anyway, after the $200 hike will only leave me with the left Adidas shoe and shorter Levi’s jeans and Nokia phone without 3G functionality. Haiz… I’m not qualified to draw any sympathy from others. Who cares bout them by the way?

Wagio&Dety's Wedding

2006-01-30T22:58:00.000+08:00

So Wagio is was my housemate. He decided to get married on the day of Jan 14, 2006 in Jakarta.

So I went. It was nearly a last minute decision, which I made only 2 days before the big day. On that Saturday, I met with the others at Habour Front at 9 am. After breakfast, we went to Batam by ferry and departed Batam airport 1.20pm Indonesia time and reached Jakarta 2.30pm.

AirAsia plane with Indonesia's flag!

Jakarta welcomed us with a heavy downpour during the near-2-hour journey to the destination. To reach there, we've travelled on train, ferry, taxi and plane, as well as lift. If you think it's interesting enough, mind you, the return trip is even more exiting.. Haha. For the time being, let's enjoy the photos that I took.

Sunny day, in fact this was taken on the next day :p

The new couple entering into the ballroom.

Oh, that's me! Apparently too excited though.

Fyi, the airfare costs me Rp477,300 which is S$82.31. Great deal, isn't it?

Trip to Malabon, the Philippines (2)

2006-01-30T22:19:00.000+08:00

The trip was really an eye opener! Along the way from Malabon to Manila we saw huge difference. Nevertheless, more importantly, I saw how much the saints love the Lord.

The trip to Malabon is part of the annual activities of the campus district. Ever since the year before, every year the campus saints would plan for an overseas trip to the full time training centres around the region. It is for the purpose of blending with the saints, who are also the members of the Body.

In 2004, it was FTTJ, the full time training centre in Jakarta, and I missed it. This year, perhaps we're going to a place where you might be interested. So, why not contact me?

Trip to Malabon, the Philippines (1)

2006-01-12T20:50:00.000+08:00

On the 2nd of December last year, I had my first overseas trip ever (yeah, Singapore is not counted)!

There're 36 of us, posing in Changi Airport in our uniform.. Haha. One more would be joining us on the next day.

We took Tigerairways's A320 and after approx 3 and a half hours, we touched down at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, named after the first president of the Philippines, who's also president Arroyo's father. Formerly, it was an US airbase, hence the name Clark Airbase.

I like the view the very first I walked out of the cabin's door. The sky was so blue, putting it in a stark contrast with the tail's bright yellow. The colour is natural and isn't digitally enhanced!

You can see how happy we were through the faces which won't tell any lie.

(to be continued)

Happy New Year 2006

2006-01-11T00:06:00.000+08:00

Last month was a really busy month for me. After exams, anyway, I had some whole new and exciting experiences. I went to recording studio, managed production line for cd album's packaging, went to Malabon, attended youth truth camp in Singapore as well as youth church conference in Kuching, drove all the way up to Miri which is 850km away, and more. And those marked the end of 2005.

There're some nice photos taken and I'd be too happy to share with you all.

A view at Tagaytay, Cavite.

So, in short, what I did during the holiday was mainly packing and unpacking, just like a normad! In fact, the intervals between the trips were too short to dry all my clothes. I had to pack even though the clothes were still wet.

Now I'm back. Next week, the industrial attachment (IA) is going to start and I'm going to experience the job as an engineer. Another new experience. Hello Sulzerchemtech.

Exam

2005-11-21T23:37:00.000+08:00

5 papers down, 2 more to go, 1 on tomorrow - CAD. This one has the least no. of lecture slides (around 400 only), covering math, computer graphics, manufacturing... so don't really know how to tackle it. The past 3 weeks were really looong and grueling and there is another one to go. Want to run freely but feel like there's still something still holding on to the legs dragging on me.

Anyway I really long for the end of this week. Kiss exam goodbye for one full year... hee

Online Transaction ERROR!!!

2005-10-26T00:58:00.000+08:00

I attempted to book a ticket over AirAsia.com for a flight from KLIA bound for Kuching at 12.30am on this day of October 26. After keying in all the important and secret information, the website spit on me a stupid message, saying ERROR! It said I clicked one of the forbidden buttons on stupid IE which I actually DID NOT.

I waited patiently for more than 45 sec and started wondering if the number displayed on that page along with a line saying something like "if waiting time is unusually long" useful. Out of sudden, instead of the word "successful" that I was expecting, it said a possible duplicate booking was detected. WHO is doing that? What HAPPENED to the secret string of number?

Ok, it's good that they suggest to call the reservation center. But stupid, where is the number? I can't find it anywhere else again. (So do copy down it if you've chance to book from them.) And the call centers aren't open yet. WHERE can I get HELP?!!!! Feel like once they've had their hand in your pocket, they don't really care bout you anymore.

Ok, the bank. Again, I had been forced to call a couple of times before really finding out which option is right. STUPID system, can't they just put another option to go back to previous menu!!??

ARGHHHH! UNFORTUNATELY other than their services, I don't have other choice. Internet shopping? A long way to go, for me.

Let's wait and see.

Tutorial classes

2005-10-17T11:49:00.000+08:00

I don't like the tutorial class in NTU. Feel like it's a waste of time attending it while what u can get is just standard answers to those tutorial questions.

Ok, I'm not implying that I'm smart or what. I'm just too lazy to attend it only to copy down what others could also copy. Since I also don't digest the answer and since I'm always lagging behind of lectures, that's really not a big deal.

People say tutorial session is unique and exists only in Singapore. Some say it's like a spoon for us who can't live without. Anyway, they say they gonna change the system. Can I adapt to that? Well, just wait and see.

Blogomenon

2005-10-03T00:38:00.000+08:00

Blogging is such a phenomenon nowadays. Not only the number of bloggers is increasing almost exponentially (try to throw a stone at people anywhere and there is a good chance the incident will appear on the net), the growth of readerships should also not be overlooked. Even the government, police, principals, school teachers fear that they will lose out, and go online and read them. (Don't trust me? Try to write about them, at your own risk)

Thanks to the awareness in the biz world, big names in the net are drawn into the games. Google’s blogsearch is such a timely tool I guess will achieve such a success like its counterpart. It’s common sense that info on the net is the least reliable, not to mention about blog which is definitely biased. Then, why do we need it? Guess what people will search for? If you are someone with a certain profile, try to search your name. A report recently may give you some clue.

One thing that annoys me very much is that, unfortunately the blogs now open the door of opportunity for advertisers deliver adverts to your doorstep. IT IS SPAM!!! Perhaps very soon, when you see 100 comments for your post you won’t feel happy anymore. This is the way internet economy works. Stay with it or go offline.

i'm bz bz bz

2005-10-01T12:50:00.000+08:00

Just submitted one report yesterday, and there are 6 more projects/assignments to go. Some of them are individual, and most are group projects; some I’m clear with the objectives, some I’ve really no idea what, why am I doing.

I’m in design stream. In the syllabus, control has nothing to do with me, which I don’t know why they did away that in this course. But, my lab project now is dealing with the control stuff. I’ve totally no background on this so everything is alien to me. Having done it for 4 weeks and yet our group still has no idea what does the professor want! What do all those graphs, math model have to do with the thing we are doing?!

People say look at the bright side of life. Isn’t that a crash course is good for our future by supplementing our knowledge? Is it?

I think I’m not a good engineer. Given the standard of education, I may only be as good as an average engineer could be. I’m hung half-way between the sky and ground. I lack of edge.

I can hardly laugh or find something funny to improve my life quality. I have to, without choice, to surrender myself. Enough said.

After one year of blogging, looks like report is still the thing that I blog about. Nevertheless, I could sense some sort of satisfaction after accomplishing a report. I think it shouldn’t only be assessed by the professors alone but anyone else deserves to read it. So do not be surprised to read some weird posts here that seem don’t make any sense, yet please grade me if you wish. ;)

For Better or Worse?

2005-09-22T22:19:00.000+08:00

Had my system ‘Ghosted’ (clean Windows + Office + Acrobat Pro + Internet Security + IMs) last night so that I could login to my personal online banking site with a better sense of security.

I never think that Microsoft IE is safe. So before I logged in, I checked for the updates of the alternatives. To my surprise, Opera has gone FREE with version 8.5 whilst Firefox is already offering version 1.0.7 and having 1.5beta in their kitchen! In internet, everything just changes at a blink of eyes. Unfortunately it doesn’t apply to IE, yet.

Why do other web browsers are evolving so fast? On one hand, I envy those smart people working hard to find out holes and bugs in the programs to give us a better surfing experience. On the other hand, I feel more envy to those even smarter people keep digging out holes from these browsers. Somehow this kind of cycle makes the technology keeps advancing as well as provides job opportunities. For instance, the programmers have work to do, then some managers are needed to take care of them; they have to inform the world about their achievements so here comes the media, of course not without the PR; lawyers and policy makers have to come out with something that one day would make the lives of you and I different; entrepreneurs set up watchdogs, dotcoms to provide consultations, solutions; then the world could actually be better off!

Haha… Agree with me? If not, tell me!

Fyi: The AWSJ reports today that Micro$oft is reorganizing into 3 major units. Threats from other companies (read: Google, Yahoo, Sony) are finally being sensed and it’s necessary to divide the brain and move them closer to the tip of the nerve to feel the pain, and respond faster.

Systems Archetypes – Shifting the Burden

2005-09-21T16:37:00.000+08:00

Refering to the following article
U.S. Airline Industry Runs Into Turbulence In Its Shakeout Course
- The Asian Wall Street Journal, 20 September, 2005

Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines, which are the two of U.S. six legacy carriers, filed for bankruptcy last week. This adds the number of the legacy carriers operating under bankruptcy-court protection to four in the country. Both airlines suffer losses because the costs exceed revenue, and yet traditional methods – cut costs or raise fares – are not applicable. Interestingly, this also applies to other major carriers operating in the U.S.

As the article points out that, in classic competitive markets, least-efficient players in an industry would be killed, freeing the survivors to raise prices enough to make a profit. But in this case, despite being inefficient, these two airlines still remain in the market. As a result, the competitors are not able to raise their prices.

When raising price is not an option, it is desired that more seats would be filled during each flight. It means, however, to lower the price to stimulate demand and have direct fight with low-cost carriers. The low-cost carriers which have lower operating costs, at the same time, have attracted the main bulk of the major airlines’ customers, that is, business travelers. This leaves nothing much for them and makes them farther apart from their objective to raise the revenues, not to mention the soaring fuel price.

Low revenue is the problem symptom. If they cannot sustain it, by the force of the open market, they should have gone out of the industry or find other way out. Staying in the industry in an artificial manner, though, allow them to attempt to increase the revenue, hoping that they could turnaround someday in the future, does not guarantee anything.

Declaring bankruptcy is just a symptomatic solution that tries to overlook the reality. In the short run, it saves jobs among other things. Investors and debtors are longing that they would still be able to take back their money. Already the artificially low price has been the side effect that could be harmful to any industry. All players are inevitably being pulled into the vicious cycle to offer even lower prices. Failing to deal with fundamental problem would one day cause the real problem to surface and hence leading to disastrous outcome, for instance, the collapse of the industry.

At that time, survivors may take revenge (to earn higher margin to offset the loss) and set the price so high that only accessible to rich people as oppose to today’s situation. In the face of forever increasing fuel price, we as the passengers will be the victim. Air transport may be forbidden for us. The effect does not stop there. Dominoes effect would cause freight prices to increase and perhaps price of imported goods as well. This is simply undesirable.

Anyhow, it would not be appropriate to propose a fundamental solution due to the author’s lack of knowledge pertaining to the industry and its potential impact.

In conclusion, this should not be an endurance test for these airlines. As consumers, we would be too grateful to benefit from the competition in a free market. Due to the uncertainty in the future of airline industry, we could only hope that increase of air fare, if any, would still be affordable.

Recess - again (3rd)

2005-09-12T11:41:00.000+08:00

Video training ended yesterday and it was simply amazing, marvellous!

Today is the start for the recess week, so I must have a nice plan for it. I SHOULD BE doing my CAD project today and NOW because later I'll have to go 'marketing' for some meat for tomorrow's BBQ at 6pm since at 2pm I have one meeting in school. From Wednesned I've gotta do either car-stacker project or QFD/DFM project. Saturday evening we will be making dumpling and then Sunday as usual, busy, busy, busy.

I need to find time in between to do my system archetype assignment as well as catch up with all my subjects - accounting, vibrations, materials, casting, plastic injection moulding - among many other projects.

Do I sound like I'm sooooo busy? Like I've no personal and private time at all. Yet, and yet, still have the time to blog here??? Because, this is because. I don't think you're any indifferent with me.

Happy in the Heart!

2005-09-10T11:39:00.000+08:00

I donated blood yesterday. For the first time. In return they wrapped my arm with a nice looking orange bondage - cool! (of course for free publicity as well. haha)

Received some food from somebody that thought we are starving here in the brothers' house.

We need to happy in our heart. That's how I'm since yesterday! :D

Think and voice up when not happy

2005-08-23T17:07:00.000+08:00

Someone said something about NTU – the world class university – in the forum of yesterday’s Straits Times.

He raised some good issues, however, unfortunately, aren’t the ones that the president would like to see and be publicized when the reputation is concerned. Essentially there are three issues.

Firstly, the facilities in the campus are simply not enough; secondly, the issue on the collection of amenities fee; and lastly, foreign professors’ ascent makes it hard to understand the lectures and tutorials.

It’s true that the facilities aren’t increased or improved despite the increase of the student intake. Think bout benches and library and canteens especially during peak hours, how can these limited resources sustain the sudden growth of student population at two years in a row?

I also do not agree with the collection of amenities fee of $12.60 at the first place. Although that means free shuttle bus ride, makes possible of the Student Activity Centre (SAC), etc, not every student would benefit from it. The university’s website reveals that there are 16837 undergraduates this academic year (as of 23 August 2005), which means the amenities fee could amount to S$212,146.20 in a single year.

I don’t know how much does it take to setup and maintain the SAC or how much they pay to the shuttle bus operator. But I think you don’t need so much to buy foosball table or to install the SAC title board and there aren’t really that many canteens to renovate. Moreover, there will definitely be too abundant amount of money if it’s collected yearly.

For $12.60 one can actually take 63 rides of the shuttle bus in the good old days. But the question is how many percent of the student were taking 60 rides or more ever year? In those days we will only need to pay when we chose to use the service. Now we have to pay in advance and yet have no choice but to accept whatever quality of the service is, not to mention those who don’t even need the service. Another question I wish to ask is whether the shuttle bus contractor was self-sustainable by solely charging the passengers? Was there any subsidy given by the university? If there is, I mean IF, then was it included in our tuition and miscellaneous fee and how about now when there is an increase in tuition fee and the additional amenities fee? Would there be surplus?

I have not comment for the last issue now.

With the increase of tuition fee, we actually want to see physical improvement of the facilities (eg. canteen) and enjoy better welfare.

Apa macam sekarang? What to do? People will forget bout the amenities fee starting next year when it’s been a normal item joining the list of other abbreviations which no-one-really-care-so-just-pay items. Haih…….

System theory my theory

2005-08-19T18:39:00.000+08:00

Ah, now I'm in year 3 already and today is the last day of the 4th week.

Ever since I came back to this peaceful and stable land of kiasu, there have been happenings and turbulences in Malaysia. AP and AP for Approved Permit and Air Pollution index, UMNO, Proton, developed state, Anwar... and many more that I forgot already. Look like sometimes turbulences blow away the haze so there transparency or for some the haze comes and causes turbulences. Chicken or egg?

On the other hand over the other side of the strait, things do not always be as calm as the appearance. The leakage from the golden tap fuelled the nation's emotion and ultimately flushed away some off the door. Today's Today's headline reads NKF is being probed. The moral of the story is: you pay peanuts, you get monkey, and probably it's clan as well.

DotCom doesn't shine anymore these days. But the success of Baidu's IPO and the acquisition of Alibaba.com and offer of Google's new shares tell different stories. Apple is switching to Intel because Intel has new recipe.

Adidas (oh i bought its shoes for the first time) and Reebok had some talks which is none other than how good how nice how smart how big how profitable they can be after their merger/acquisition/(?).

Can we get something by just looking at these odd combinations of events?

Week 3

2005-07-05T16:49:00.000+08:00

Went to Bintulu last week with my father. It is the town where I was born. Fyi it is one-hour-Forker-50 flight plus a 20 mins ride away from Kuching.

And now it's the 3rd week of my holiday and I got a big project on hand: painting [part of] the house. Though it has been two days I only managed to complete a little window in the toilet. It's simply quite slow actually, don't you think so? I think I'm too busy when I'm back here. Apparently I lack of a proper time management ability or so when it is "holiday", which is school's holiday but not really a holiday by absolute means.

For some people everyday is holiday whereas for some holiday is busy day while some say holiday is holiday as well as holiday is boring day which I can't really comprehend. For me holiday can be painting day or people-fetching day or meeting day or relaxing day etc etc.

Seems that a blogging day is a blue-moon day as well... :p

Last week's photos

2005-06-21T02:14:00.000+08:00

Campus saints that went to Kota Tinggi (again) on 18 Jun.

After the last meeting at the current premise

Home Sweeeet Home

2005-06-21T01:25:00.000+08:00

Here I'm stepping on the land of Borneo again after being six month abroad. Though this is the longest period I've ever left home nothing here seems to become strange to me.

Having moved out from the hostel, I became a homeless person back there. All my belongings (need 2 taxis to carry) are dumped in Bro A&W's room and at the same time making them unwilling to go back room because there's no more space for movement... :p Also I want to thank those who have helped me to move, i.e., Mr M and Mr GST.

Meanwhile, if it wasn't Mr L's hospitality and his help to bring me to the airport at 5.50am this morning, I wouldn't be able to make the trip so smoothly.

Family still as sweet as it was, buddies still as bonded as it was, air still as fresh as it was; road condition still as bad as it was. All which makes here called home.

Open letter to a friend

2005-06-11T01:42:00.000+08:00

i got the wind that the day was bad for u. anyhow ppl can say anything they like, whether to give others good impression or the other way round, it's up to YOU how those word can affect u. :)

well, the fact is that we were rushing and didn't go through everything at the first place, hence led to some errors. i do not hope that these would demoralise u. no way!

ppl are supposed to learn from mistakes, not to be blamed, and blamed and blamed. to hell those ppl with the mistakes. >:(

gooood day to u ;)

Bong

EID go!

2005-05-27T00:40:00.000+08:00

Jack Welch’s autobiography “Jack – Straight from the Gut” provides an insight of his years in GE as a CEO. This was the book that I bought a few days before my last paper so that I could think ahead of what I should do after the exam.

Heading the EID group is not an easy task. Now I’m the “Managing Director” to some 11 great fellow managers cum researchers cum workers. We’ve been having meetings happily, though not been progressing much, for these 3 days non-stop to discuss from our vision to calcium oxide; working at bench, lab, swimming pool and even on the highway. In reality, it’s very hard to voice out because everyone is fighting over each other on this. Even for me I need to struggle to get my time slot to say something. What a pity.

I am in the progress of learning how to lead a team with so much resource – brains and some money – with some effectiveness. Some say the final grade is not important. But for us, the 1st prize of $1400 is indeed very important. We must win!

2005-05-17T23:59:00.000+08:00

Just come back from campus camp at Kota Tinggi on Sunday, I was tooooo tired. I ran and swam and walked after having been not exercising for THREE months or four because of that little thing beneath the foot. That was simply so wonderful!

We had fellowships, station games, fire-fly cruise, food, blendings, etc over there with nearly 40 people. When in Kuching, most of the time I have no chance to play because I'm one of the back-stage people or front-stage to take photos; it was different now. Hahaha... I feel that acting childishly is actually very funny and make me feel forever young. Yeah!!!

It's others' holiday now and I feel I'm ever busier than ever. The assignments, projects, people are kind of invisible forces keep pushing on me, and I need the Lord's grace to empower me more and more. I'm so busy. I'm so tired. I'm zzz-ing...

Summany of Intentsive Course for Entrepreneur

2005-05-16T00:39:00.000+08:00

An entrepreneur must have a vision of the marketplace that he/she is going to venture in.

Setting up a new business needs substantial planning. Apart from planning from the beginning, one also needs to consider the end, i.e. how to exit the business. Then, in between these two ends, there are business model, marketing plan, management, financial plan, etc.

We are enlightened that there are many aids and assistance readily available. Anyhow, sourcing for capital is the first step towards the operation of the business.

Next, people are the most important asset in any businesses. Pooling in talents and capitalising on human capital are vital for the growth of the business.

In fact, an entrepreneur can only earn money when there are customers willing to pay for the products or services. Thus, understanding and satisfying customers are the key thing. There are tools that allow input from customers through feedback to produce final goods. At times the timing of a product to enter the market maters.

At the same time, the entrepreneur has to be aware of competitions and take appropriate actions against them. Stand out from the competitions by offering products that have unique selling point. Another way is through getting patents for products, depending on the cost benefit principle.

If the benefit of expanding into international market is greater than the cost, it will be worthwhile to consider it. However when operating in a global market, one must not overlook the local cultures and values.

When times are appropriate the entrepreneur may need to get in partners, such as venture capitalists. Though having a smaller share, due to the bigger pie one will be able to enjoy bigger slice of it. For some cases such as upon the maturity of the relationship with investors, the business would have to go IPO or being traded, etc.

Lastly, in the economic ecosystem to get survive entrepreneurs must update themselves constantly to gain competitiveness, or at least not to be kicked out from it

Survival Kit for Entrepreneurs

2005-05-13T01:09:00.000+08:00

This is what I'm learning in the EID's Business plan and Technopreneurship. Pls tell me if it's useful for you (or spare some profit if it helps). :)

Survival rules

Understand market needs
Know the competitors
Establish a vision
Always be opportunistic
Able to think and act ahead of others
Able to take initiative
Have the know-how in sourcing fund
Understand the story behind figures in financial statements
Have good communication skills
Have marketing skills

Habits

Integrity
Diligent to do everything
Never stop reading and learning
Keen in networking with people
Sensitive to detect the changes in the environments
Analyse the feasibility before carry a plan
Learn from other successful or failed models
Creative

Plan and make budget prior to doing anything
Make use of tools aiding decision making
Invest on items that will generate high returns, e.g. money, knowledge, technology, people
Taking advantage on assistance available, such as from the government, etc
Take care of mutual interests of parties involved
Exceed customers’ expectation
Look beyond local market, go global
Protect own innovation by applying patent
Noblesse oblige

Don’t

Cheat
Steal
Rob
Be selfish
Ignore customers’ voice
Refuse any advice from people

No holiday yet

2005-05-11T21:13:00.000+08:00

The nearly-one-month long exam period finally ended last week. There was something very important missing throughout was the kan-cheongness which is used to believe as the important factor for the preparation of exam. Anyway, I’ve to say that that was a tough and bumpy period which I knew the Lord must be there to lead me.

I found that I was sick just a few days before the first paper. That was an open book one and yet I didn’t have the strength to stock up past year papers’ solution. On the day I couldn’t think and do much because my brain didn’t appear to function well…

One day prior to another open book paper I woke up to find that I had fever. Eventually I had 13-hour sleep and went into the exam hall giving some marks back to the examiners.

Over the same period I also went through a minor surgery beneath my foot.

Anyhow those are history now. Right now I’m having fun with my EID (Engineering Innovation and Design) teammates, hopping that everyone will enjoy that. Just that I feel more stressful than during exam. Why?

Who can tolong who

2005-04-27T18:38:00.000+08:00

Once upon a time, there was an Ulu-ulu Kingdom which practices market economy for most of the goods and services transacted in the kingdom. For some reason the price of d-juice® which is required to feed the donkey and other labouring animals discriminates, hence, depending on the purpose, these animals are fed with the SAME d-juice® at different prices. As a result, the Domestic Animal Minister Mr 傻废 was put under lime light. Unable to sustain the heat produced by the megawatt light, his seat suddenly caught a fire. Picking up the phone, he dialed 994…
“Hello, Bomba.”
“Hi, I’m DA Minister. My place got fire! Tolong!”
“I see, would you mind to allow us one day or two to let our team to reach there?”
“Are you kidding??!! There is fire here, and you are supposed to arrive immediately!!!”
“But, sir, you see, our fire engines cannot move at all due to d-juice® shortage. According to the quota, we expect to get it by these few days. How bout that, sir?”
“…”
“Hello? Are you still there?”

In the end, the DA Minister could not tahan the heat and was blown away as the seat exploded.
本故事纯属虚构，若有雷同则属巧合。
(somebody pls help me translate the above into english. Thanks!)

Toilet vs ca$INo

2005-04-22T11:39:00.000+08:00

News has widely spread that Singapore has decided to go ahead with the casino plan. While there lack much information at the time of press, something for sure is that there gonna be two them up in 5 years’ time.

Despite the fact that there will indeed be casinos, the government keeps emphasising that the focus should be the integrated resorts (IR), which include shopping premises, recreational facilities, extraordinary performances and possibly an F-1 racing track, etc, to serve as the main attractions; the casino would just be a part of the grand plan. Mass media is blamed for putting the casino issue under microscope.

Nevertheless, if we were to apply the same logic we can infer that toilets in the IRs may also play an important role. They can promote how nice the toilets are, featuring designer toilet bowls, mimicking toilet in Sultan Brunei's palace, a world class combination of western and eastern art. The local can save some airfare for no longer having the need to go abroad to visit the toilets in Genting or Las Vegas. It is just too convenient to visit the facilities nearby or perhaps casinos, which are just within walking distance, to ~~gamble~~ spend and spend and spend; then government taxes and taxes and taxes and GDP ups and ups and ups.

Anybody can interpret it in their own way!

Anyhow, the intention is very explicit. Without casino the resorts would lack uniqueness, hence, not able to attract big players to burn their redundant zer000s in their bank book to fuel the potential economic engine. Regardless of whether the selling point be toilet or casino, I may want to ask, in a country that is incomparably clean, is the money clean? Fortunately PAS does not exist here.

News Headlines - All About Twins

2005-04-19T23:12:00.000+08:00

2 caSINos go ahead in Singapore. Not surprising, but there are two instead of just one.

Intel and AMD will launch their dual core processors this week. But here 1+1 does not equal to the performance of 2 chips combined. Most people will only be speculating for one or two quarters, I guess.

Adobe acquires rival Macromedia and a goliath will emerge. It is like Celcom acquires Maxis or the other way round. How much the world has changed… (or is going to change?)

Life Sciences and Physics I exams tomorrow. The former is something that is very alien to me while the latter is an open book exam testing on something I have learned over and over again yet still having trouble over and over again.

In search of Geniuses

2005-04-10T23:44:00.000+08:00

Ok, there are 4 more days for the exam. I got 7 papers to take, scattering over a very wide spectrum of field ranging from math to life sciences to economics, the time is simply not enough. So I must find someway to relax the overstressed mind. And I find Friendster is quite interesting and it is a good source to stimulate my thinking.

On my genius list I found that there are indeed people who are studying the level ahead of others. For instance, people who passed PTS, who found Peperiksaan Terlalu Senang¹ and got straight to Primary 6 from Primary 4.

I don’t know the significance of such exam and how has those students been performing, but I think despite their younger age they really have some special capabilities which I would shamefully admit that I do not have. Each excels in certain field.

When I heard about this exam few years back, I thought it must need genius to pass it. Friendster shows that these geniuses do exist and it forces me really have to rethink how the actual world outside is. 5 years ago I didn’t think bout where I would be today or what I would be doing. Needless to say further down the road. But now I must and have to seek the oracle or the mirror of the world and get a plan.

As someone who thinks that Peperiksaan Terlalu Susah², I have no choice but to be Popeye The Sailorman and find my spinach and, vroooooom, go ahead study diligently.

¹ Exam too easy.
² Exam too tough.

Can u smell what I'm cooking?

2005-04-05T01:41:00.000+08:00

Went to the campus medical centre again. Last time, slightly more than 1 month ago, the doctor gave me the Collomack solution to cook with the corn. I was supposed to apply it immediately after that for 2 weeks. But due to expected circumstances, I didn't.

Only when 2 weeks ago I started, but thing doesn't turn up right, it becomes pop corn. Worse! When showed to her the doctor told me it isn't corn. No wonder, I've using the wrong recipe for it. So the nurse peeled off the skin around it and prepared cold dish, by using liquid nitrogen. She says the amount is sufficient for twice, so I'll have to revisit her again next week.

In the worse case, some digging jobs might have to be done cause the soil may not be suitable for crop anymore. It has been invaded. :(

Haih.

(Pls refer to the previous post 3 levels down for relevant info.)

A frog no more

2005-04-03T16:03:00.000+08:00

When I was a 9-year-old little boy, I wanted to be a respectable and smart-looking pilot.

Apart from being able to steer such marvelous beast in the air, I also longed to travel around the world at its convenience. I remember the story of the frog living beneath the well thought that the world was only as big as the opening of the well. I didn’t want to be the frog. So whenever I have the chance to travel, even only to Bintulu or Sibu or KK, I tried to squeeze as much memories into my not-so-reliable brain. And also that’s why I picked up photography to supplement it. ;)

As a matter of fact I only traveled within the island where I was born – Borneo Island – in those days, and maybe left it once or twice in a year when having fun in the sea at Santubong or Sematan or Gerigat for their nice beaches. See, I’m a good citizen and always responded to the call for Cuti-Cuti Malaysia.

Time changes so many things that today I’m an engineering undergraduate. Today I still hope that I could travel to other places, to get some experiences. Yesterday a brother in Christ arrived from India shared with us the situation there. He was an organic-chemical people 20 years back in Taiwan but now he’s serving full time in India for the Lord’s move there. Someday, I think I really gonna meet him in India!

I don’t know how long will it take for the trip to be realised. But the exciting news is that probably, possibly, perhaps, at the end of the year, I’ll have the chance to visit Malabon City at North of Manila, Philippines with the campus saints!

Anyway, it doesn’t matter where the destination is; traveling itself is already fun and exhilarating. Though I don’t fly a plane, those budget carriers are really good choices for me to hop on and soar out of the well.

i, G, then? B?

2005-04-01T22:17:00.000+08:00

It was iMac, then iPod, then... i has become an icon of fun, cool, and whatever that associated with your mind.

Now, the internet era, the G that Google stuck onto mail turns one year old today. Not only the 1GB storage added some fun for the April fool, their revolutionary concepts makes me feel like it's April fool everyday. I've never thought some of them possible for services offered by for-$ company! Go to gmail today and there's another surprise awaits you, they call it infinity+1.

Fyi, I signed up Hotmail back in May 1998. Today my 2048KB storage seems smaller than those good old days when they didn't give any quota. So, see what has happened ever since the for-$ goliath stole the pie away?

What's next? Would it be B for BluemoonSight's owner B...? Haha.

Happy April Fool!

(This was first appeared at BluemoonSight earlier today)

Listen up, a wise man is giving speech!

2005-03-27T23:34:00.000+08:00

Exams are drawing nearer and nearer day after day. I have 7 papers of 7 subjects to sit for in two more weeks. Despite the notes that already heaped like a little mountain on my desk, I still have countless works awaiting me to deal with.

For the whole long weekend I only managed to touch little bit on math, complex integrals in the early morning (2 am) and now PDE at 11pm. While digesting the complicated relationship between partial differential equation and Fourier series, at the same time I am also cooking my foot, err, corn soup more specifically.

Being so stressed up these days, I can hardly chill up myself to face all the problems. Unfortunately, there is this unexpected happening that I have really no idea how it comes about.

No, it is not typo. I am cooking my FOOT – in the hot water. It is a small protruded part beneath my right foot, few millimetres in front of my heel that causes the trouble. Roughly 2 months ago I consulted a doctor-to-be as it was FOC, but he couldn’t figure out what’s wrong with it. Then few weeks later, at last, quite a few people plus a practicing doctor finally convinced me that it is a CORN, in which Chinese calls it “ji yan” (chicken’s eye).

It’s said that it’s due to a pressure point, where a defect in my right shoe, not left one, with a small surface area plus my forever increasing weight under constant gravitational acceleration, acting upon my foot and hence my foot, since obeying Newton’s third law, provides a reaction force to achieve internal equilibrium, and creates a cycle that eventually worsens the situation day after day.

Aih… Now I walk like an old man, perhaps 83 years old, for 10,000 steps in the campus everyday. Hopefully this would create an illusion that I’m a wise and have an ever-so-young-look professor who has just gone through plastic surgery. If it really does, I would definitely happy to invite him/her over to my room to taste the corn soup. That would make you wise, too. :)

O ya, why?

2005-03-14T23:06:00.000+08:00

Saw my poly days’ lecturer during the dinner time. He’s here to get his second master’s degree. Wow!

He taught me Collaborative Commerce and Design back in those days, so I wondered whether he comes here to get an MBA as NTU ranks in the top 100 on EIU’s worldwide ranking (ok, this is advertisement). The fact is that getting it costs too much, it will drain up the bank account. So he didn't take that course.

Having known that I spent a great deal of time on extra-curricular activities (ECA), he told me that it does NOT really matter unless one’s academic transcript isn’t colourful enough. Though he involved heavily during the undergrad days, that doesn’t help much.

A friend of his in secondary school days now doing sales and marketing is making big bucks. He got THREE condos, and each worth S$3.5mil! That’s more than RM24,000,000 man!!!

I’m confused. I can’t remember why, or what’s the reason I want (or need?) to come to university. Results? Job? Money? ECA? Hard life? Exam?

Well, the fact is that exams are coming again, there’s gonna be hard life again. Haiz...

SICK!

2005-01-29T23:19:00.000+08:00

After so many restless days, I think I'm falling sick............

Oh, no, should be confirmed sick.

Ohhhhh I'm suffering again!

Monthly life review

2005-01-29T01:54:00.000+08:00

Today marks the end of week 4 of semester 2. Being soooo busy for last two weeks, however, I don't think I've improved a lot in knowledge wise neither in my daily living.

Although really tiring, there's one thing that's noteworthy, i.e. the trip to Macritchie Reservoir last Friday with the campus' saints. Woke up at 7 am after having a 4.5 hrs' sleep, we set off to the adventure with few empty stomach.

As a matter of fact, we had never been there before so none of us have any idea how long would the trip take. Our mission was to cross the tree-top suspension bridge. In between, we played a very enjoyable game and enjoyed the wonderful lunch prepared by the sisters. At the end of the day, we conquered the bridge and altogether walked for 6 hours before finding the way out. Haha...

Group photo, with the photographer posing a dangerous pose

That's her, our University Pageant

People from ASEAN countries in their traditional custume during the Int'l Cultural and Food Fest

On Monday there was NTU Pageant and International Cultural and Food Festival 2005. The rest of the days are classes and activities and meetings and duties and...

As for next week, Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew will be giving a talk in NUS. Oh yeah I'm going there to listen his speech! Maybe this will help me in becoming someone influencial... muahahaha......

Happy New Year 2005

2005-01-16T01:33:00.000+08:00

It has been 2005 for 1/24 of a year now.

2004 was ended with a x'mas gift from the nature. It was unboxed on the early morning of the boxing day, the whole world then witnessed what the devastating wave brought to call it a year.

What a tragic.

Although for most of us our life has not been changed, I bet it must had left a trail in your life or changed the way how you see things and so on.

After this little while, we still need to see ahead and walk on. 1 life, live it. Spend it wisely. Wish you have a blessed new year. :)

"As a lily growing out of a bramble bush"

2004-12-15T01:04:00.000+08:00

Long time no blog, that's the problem with dial-up connection, also partially too busy. Anyway here I've got a hymn to share with all of you.

Hymnal.net

I got a 2nd blog somewhere else

2004-12-03T01:21:00.000+08:00

It's from MSN and this is it
It's me again!

Holiday

2004-11-29T01:40:00.000+08:00

It has been one week now and it’s time to take a glance checking what a week it has been.

Firstly, my daily timetable. Barely achieved the time off the bed for one day, but never lay down on bed on time. Perhaps my bed is too far so it takes time going there.

Then my projects. Still under proposal stage (as this is the most important stage ;) ) Anyway, they shall be done when time is appropriate.

My hair has been put under spotlight and becomes others topic wherever I go. Haha… :D It’s not weird and not a great deal actually, just hasn’t been cut since 9 Aug this year. IMHO, it’s like Junichiro Koizumi’s hair style. (Not familiar with that name? Oh, he’s not a celebrity… He’s Japan’s prime minister. ;) ) Hahahahaha…

Ok, the problem is that my hair’s thickness is in historic level. But it catches eyes, cool!

How much is RM7 mil? Can anybody put it in perspective? Wanna have a feel of it.

Lastly, how’s your progress for EID project title? Heh, don’t waste your time even in holiday. Have fun!

My Holiday Resolutions

2004-11-25T02:58:00.000+08:00

It is really holiday now. Wise saying says nobody plans to fail, but most fail to plan. So here goes my holiday resolutions.

Firstly would be my holiday time table. It would be comprehensive enough to guide me through the days.
0730 Wake up
0000 Go to bed

Secondly, I need to start a normal spiritual life all over again. May the Lord leads me.

Thirdly, I will carry out some projects from my father, mother and probably to propose on my own. As some are always on the list, some are very new and still in the proposal stage that I have just started on the budget and imagination.
1. Paint the house
2. Clear bushes
3. House keeping
4. Decorate bathroom (just proposed)
5. Et catera
This is by no mean an exhaust list as orders would just come in from any parties anytime. I’m also interested in out-sourcing the projects; so do drop me a line and we shall negotiate about further details.

Fourthly, to prepare myself for the next semester and beyond in terms of ~~dollars and cents~~ knowledge. BUT HEY, COME ON, IT’S HOLIDAY! Hmmm...

And lastly, review the resolutions from time to time, especially the time table. I hope this is the first step towards successful planning for the sake of planning. :)

Customer service

2004-11-24T23:57:00.000+08:00

Have had two wonderful experiences which were totally unexpected! To be more precise, therefore more words are used to describe the incidents and to show my gratitude. Pls bear with me...

Went to Bugis for last minute shopping yesterday afternoon. I was looking for something to buy at a department store where I met with this sales assistant, a middle-aged woman who seems to be very experienced. Her psyching technique had me picked up a suit, which is for my mother, in the end (maybe that's how I'm inexperienced in shopping).

Due to the hefty price tag, I asked her if there's any promotion going on. She replied that only the store's card member enjoys a 10% discount. Realising that I’m not a member from my facial expression (that's why I said she's an expert), she immediately offered help by borrowing one membership card from her colleague! Oh what a great customer service, though she's risking of being captured in the CCTV!

Eventually, each party was happy. She has closed another deal while I enjoyed the discount and had my day enlightened. A nice and helpful sales assistant does create a mutual pleasure for the deal, and this is what I’m always looking forward to encountering with. Don't you think so?

***

I left my hostel at 1745 for Senai Airport, which should have already been too late for my flight at 2110. Bringing together two luggages totaling more than 15 kg (how strong I am, hah), I started off the journey on a double decker with full load and then continued on a train.

It was rush hour and I was also rushing but had to be squeezed in the public transports like canned satin fish. On top of that, I still had the burden that made me sweated all along the way. My mind just couldn’t stop from planning another course to take if current plan fails. Anyway, I was fortunate enough to reach City Lounge by 1920 and saw the signboard above a small building: Senai Airport. That’s it! (fyi, that building is the Airport's office in the city and is actually a bus terminal)

My safe plan was to check in an hour before departure but that could only work if I were to be able to reach airport in 50 minutes’ time. However, the place seemed very empty with very few people and I wondered if there was no more bus service. Immediately, a taxi driver approached me and said, “Airport?” I asked “Mana bas?” “Baru saja jalan.”

Oh tidak! Somewhat disappointed, but I didn’t really want to spend that much despite the time was close. So I replied, “Tak apalah, tunggu sekejap lagi,” as if I got much time to spend though still hoping to get there on time.

I continued to walk to the building. At the doorstep I was greeted by a security who queried on my fight’s time. The same went with the counter girls before letting me to buy the RM1 ticket. I also found the time for next bus’ departure time on an electronic display just above the door.

What a pleasant sight it is! In spite of hunger and my exhausted body dashing around for nearly two hours (with heavy loads), the surrounding gave me a peace of mind, which is of great importance. The service and the place's decoration was totally unexpected, especially in Malaysia. (Maybe you'd know what I mean if you're a Malaysian. No, not kidding. :p) Finally I was able to fly on schedule and now I’m home. I welcome this because it shows a good sign or benefit of privatisation and due to competence.

So if any of you, citizen of Malaysia, out there happen to have any good business ideas, please, do please do not hesitate to build your own empire to compete with the existing corporation and live out your dreams. Maybe like another Tony Fernandes with his AirAsia. I hope I would benefit from yours, and hopefully you will benefit from mine as well. ;)

Balik Kampung

2004-11-23T16:27:00.000+08:00

My flight is MAS MH2815 at 9.10 tonight.

When asked which airline I take, most of the people are surprised to find out that I don’t choose AirAsia. In other words, they feel that I’m “rich” to afford the full-fare airline as compared to the no-frill budget airline, i.e. AirAsia. Oh man, that is not the case.

My ticket costs me less than RM100 at the super saver rate. The price is within the price range that AirAsia offers and is just as affordable. So, I’ll be enjoying the in-flight meal at no extra charge, hah!

Home sweet home.

So, gotta go now or else it’d be tooooo late. Goodbye NTU. I’ll be back shortly. :)

A lovely morning

2004-11-22T08:40:00.000+08:00

Aha, it’s a brand new day again! It’s the first Monday for the vacation after the devastating exam. And, today will be a brand new start for my daily life which gonna be really different from the school days.

At 7 am, went to the TV room to get news headlines from Channel News Asia. Later jogged around the hall. Also climbed the staircase with around a-hundred-and-ten steps that leads the one of the peaks in NTU – Nanyang House – and had exercise there.

The cool breeze is so refreshing up there. I can see the trees and the grass in NTU are so green and simply so adorable. But I didn’t appreciate the nice panorama, which so easily accessible, before this. Ohhh, what a waste. Anyway, the whole experience is just extraordinary!

Because I’m going back to Kuching tomorrow, ha, so actually went out to Orchard Road with friend yesterday. My friend brought one drama from Malaysia which he plans to kill his time with. So after coming back, I marathon-watched 7 VCDs till this morning so that won’t miss any story when friend returns the movie to his friend. :p

Walked for a whole day and watched for whole night. So the conclusion is, I did not sleep at all. But I still feel good. ;) hehe

Good morning and have a good day!

End of show

2004-11-19T03:45:00.000+08:00

These two days I have been really, really, really boring. Now, the exams are all over (except one actually, but it's bout fate :p), I should be very joyful, shouldn't I?

What I realise now is that, exams ain't no fun at all. You get to see your friends and at times you sit down together to have discussions. You go out have meals together, burn midnight oil together. And after every battle you come together to talk bout how bad you've done and what you shouldn't have done and so on.

When they are over, the problem arouses. The people you used to meet everyday aren’t around anymore. It’s simply because they have gone back to reunion with their families.

The exams are over and the stage is bare. The things you did together become your very own one-man-show. You eat alone, walk alone, watch movie alone, talk alone, sleep alone, and the act goes on.

Now I’m sitting here in the room with emptiness all around. It’s English Proficiency, something that I didn’t do well in the good old days, that keeps the show going on. Only after Saturday when it’s really over, then they can bring the curtain down.

I miss my home. Flight on next Tuesday, I really can't wait till then. My family, my buddies, and all the loved ones, see you!

Quotes archival 1

2004-11-18T14:46:00.000+08:00

You never change something by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. - Buckminster Fuller

God made the food but the devil made the cooks - forgotten

I think, therefore I am - René Descartes

1 Life. Live it. - M1, my ex-telco

Life works in mysterious way - Prof Chai, on what's the point study Heat Transfer

You have to accept by faith - Prof Ang, on "chim" maths topic

Bored

2004-11-15T03:09:00.000+08:00

Content removed by author

Progress 12%

Lo, gorgeous beauties

2004-11-15T02:29:00.000+08:00

Guess what car is this...

Went to the Motorshow today with Xiong ge, who comes all the way here to... err... to accompany his wife shopping here. Haha... Actually they're just here for holiday, and he spared some time with me to go there. Now, let's take a look at different angle...

Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster! Hey, these are the first to strike my eyes when entering the show, sleeeeeeeeeeeeeek and gorgeous beauties. Wow, I've never seen such beauty this close before, it's sooooo astonishing! Wonder how does it feel sitting inside and when the car is flying on the ground.

Btw if any of you out there owns this, don't mind pls drop me a line and get me a free ride, I'd really really really appreciate that. :p

The "bed" aspect of examination

2004-11-15T01:40:00.000+08:00

At last, the two killer subjects, Mathematics and Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer were over! Gave away 12 marks in maths and 25 marks in the latter, which we had had enough fun with Prof Low, *sigh*. And of course, there’re still mistakes to get the marks slashed further… really mo ngan tai, hopefully won’t tapao... (again, *sigh*)

It’s time to relieve my stress (ok, forget bout the Foundation Physics on Tue). Went to people’s room and found this above the bed. Guess what’s written there?

Photo by Mr Aylwin (as requested)

Ok, for the sake of people with eyes problem due to ageing, here I’ve done the zooming job and fine-tuned the contrast.

Got it? It says:

“DO NOT SLEEP,
SLEEP == FAIL”
“Add oil!!
Last subject! add oil!”

Ohhhhh… See, this is what I call the ~~bad~~ bed aspect of exam! It’s simply invading our life and ruining it! Is this what life is meant to be!?

Somebody please disprove this statement!!!

Why?

2004-11-11T01:57:00.000+08:00

We're making our life more and more difficult so that others' life would become easier and yet more difficult at the same time.

Confused? Think bout it.

My Daily Time Table

2004-11-08T10:15:00.000+08:00

This is a summary of my usual time table for the past 2 weeks...

0800 Sleeping
1000 Wake up
1100 Brunch
1200 Study
1800 Dinner (optional)
1900 Study
0000 Go home
0030 Blogging
0130 Take bath
0230 Go to bed

Simple life, huh?

Motivation

2004-11-07T01:33:00.000+08:00

Life could never get more boring these days. I'm already in a state that whoever know me would not believe that it's me, including myself...

Everyday I would take ten minutes walk from my hall to school and settle down at the bench area at the fifth floor. It's a nice place as there's not much people there, and the atmosphere is just nice to study. What's good bout that place is you'll get motivated when seeing other people are working so hard. Well, there's this particular group of people that I think it's worth to mention. Guess what? They are camping there!

They are a group of around nine people, which should be part-time students and not staying in the hall. They seem to be making use of their time to the highest efficiency by cutting off travel time and other activities and of course not blogging. :p They were there since Tuesday and tonight is the 6th night already. I really need that kind of spirit to move on for three papers to be cleared next week.

For those who are sitting for exams or SPM or whatever, I hope this motivates you as well. Maybe you should look for some place that force you to study and do nothing else and meanwhile stay there for a few nights. Have fun when studying! :)

Thanks

2004-11-03T23:39:00.000+08:00

I received this today when I was slacking and and forwarding sms. It says:

"When u r not studying but u suppose to... A friend's gentle remind would help u on track.. Well.. Wat i wana say.. 'thank you'.. Couldn't more than that.. U too, jia you!"

I feel warmth from that, thanks man! And for those whoever are sitting for exams, gambate!

Day 1

2004-11-03T01:47:00.000+08:00

Yes, it's today. First subject: Technical Communication, formal REPORT writing. Nothing much to comment bout it. Good luck to myself.

UPDATE 11.32pm

What a terible test... We need to prepare part of a report, which is about designing a toothbrush handle and something related to oral hygiene.

I almost didn't answer the question that carries 40 marks! Hopefully the result would just decorate my result transcript, not to destroy it... Imagine I go for job interview someday and the inteviwer looks at my result transcript and says, "Wow, you've got a D for your Technical Communication!"
"Well I wasn't good in writing report."
"Oh don't worry, if so then we won't ask you to write report."
"Really? That sounds great!"

Would that be true? Maybe what the interviewer means would just be "thanks for coming for the interview, you're not qualified to be employed."

Btw, please keep your mouth healthy and don't make others' life difficult. Thanks.

Unbelievable!

2004-11-02T01:04:00.000+08:00

It is an area of 10x10m, with toilet and water cooler. There's no PC around. TV? Of course no. The miracle is that I did not leave there for 12 hours! No, not a single step!!! I had NEVER been this hard working before...

Now my butt is flat due to the reaction force from the chair and my head is stressed for calculatinq all kinds of stresess... *exhausted*

Haiz, exam... I WANT TO SHOUT...
AHHHHH AHHHHHHHH
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Fresh air, fresh experience

2004-10-31T01:10:00.000+08:00

Being imprisoned in the campus for a few weeks, at last I could take a break and go out, to breathe the fresh air outside and feel the pulse of the city. The super heavy rain and super strong wind this afternoon gave a thorough wash to the air and makes it so refreshing for me. Today, I’m going to leave those books and notes behind so that I won’t be stressed till going nuts.

My destination for this evening is the university that rejected me twice – NUS. We took MRT to Clementi and boarded bus service 96. Guess what? Moh Loong was in the bus as well! This guy was ranked second, if not top, in CHMS No.1 in our batch, and was also my junior middle school classmate. I haven’t seen him for two years and now he remains unchanged. I believe this also applies to his brain.

Taking shuttle bus in NUS is free. NTU’s shuttle bus is charging 20 cents per ride, why is there such difference? Anyway, when got into the bus we had to bounce, maybe I should say hit, some chairs a few times before we could finally rest our butt safely on the seat! The road is not wide but the bus driver drove the bus so fast! Maybe he’s practicing so that he could join some crazy-bus-driving race or maybe he was an off-road racing participant, who knows? One passenger was “shot” out from the bus while he was supposed to alight ‘properly’. Dangerous, isn’t it?

Thank God we alighted safely and had our eyes open big while walking to the place we’re going. The moral of the story is, don’t always look forward to having cheap or free stuff. You pay for certain things while in return you will receive better stuff or service. This exactly applies to shuttle bus in NTU. If you haven’t realised it, it’s comfortable. Enjoy your rides.

Super Coupes

2004-10-26T02:57:00.000+08:00

How beautiful this car is! Saw it from Forbes.com today. However the thing that actually caught my attention was a line of text, quote: “With a sticker price of $150,000, the Bentley Continental GT costs more than many people in the world will make in a lifetime.”

Source: Forbes.com

I wonder how true this statement is. Let’s do some simple maths. $150,000 is US currency, which is equal to approx S$255,000 or RM570,000. Let see, if I’m earning RM2000 per month after graduation, I’d need 24 years to earn that amount of money! Even if I could double my income by whatever means and halve the time to accumulate the money to buy that car, where could I get money for the fuel? Where would I stay? How bout my stomach? How bout…

Back to the question, I hope this statement DOES NOT include me in the statistics in the future. But how? Hey, shouldn’t I be studying instead of browsing net and looking at cars? I should be reading my textbooks and notes now! There’s only 8 days left and I should get good grades for the exam! A! A! A! Wait, do more As help me get more pay in the future to afford a super coupe someday?

Hmmm, anyway I still need some motivation to study. Look at the car below, Ferrari Enzo, isn’t it nice to drive it on the streets in Kuching? Imagine the jealous look people throw at you… :D *R. Kelly’s “I believe I can fly” playing in the background* That’s it! My dream car.

Source: Forbes.com

Oh man, look at the pricetag! How long would I need before I could sit inside? After all have anybody seen an 80-year-old driving a super sport car!? Btw have I forgotten to factor in the few-hundred percent car tax in Malaysia?

生日快乐，伟和

2004-10-24T02:55:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow, 25th October, is Wei Ho's 21st birthday! I've known this guy since we're in junior 1 in CHMSNo.1 back in 1996. That was 8 years ago, gosh, time really flies and wait for no one. He's been a very hardworking guy who came into NTU earlier than I do, so now he's my senior, haha.

Hey Wei Ho, if you happen to read this, I wish you happy birthday once again! :) You are a very good friend for everybody. Take care of yourself, see all the 豆豆 on your face, they aren't supposed to be there. Good luck to your exam! God bless.

Blissful one. Btw, don't forget the signature
under your right armpit. ;)

Faces not to be forgotten :)

ART

2004-10-21T23:55:00.000+08:00

We proudly present our lastest masterpiece that's going on show tomorrow morning. It'd be auctioned in Paris soon, so please have your bank prepared to be the one to get it!

Notice the "G-shape" at the bottom of the art piece, it is the most distinguished among all artworks. Enjoy!

UPDATE 24 Oct
Unfortunately the masterpiece was "stolen" when place somewhere around the big yellow bin (some people call it dustbin) before it could be exhibited in other countries. All of us feel very sad about it. Haih...... Somehow this project has shaken our confidence, whether we've made the right choice or the right path. Behold my friend, the road ahead is still long, pick up your confidence right at where it scattered. Good job for the project done! We shouldn't be defeated so easily. We must work smart in team, ready to face any challenges when they appear, nobody should be missed out.

May I help you?

2004-10-21T23:39:00.000+08:00

I was trying to look for food at 10 pm last night when I found that all stalls in Canteen A had closed. Since only McD was the only one still open, I stepped toward the counter.

Me: "Hi, I'd like to have one cheese cake."

Wait, have you ever bought a cheese cake in McD? Or have even ever seen them selling cheese cake? Anyway, I walked away with a cheese burger on hand, hoping that McD listens to customers' needs.

Snapshot

2004-10-21T01:35:00.000+08:00

One night, after Physics extra session, Mr. K told me he had discovered Mr. A's one excellent attitude. As a close friend (too close actually, trying to keep a distance) to Mr. A, I felt sorry for not realising this particular attitude. When we’ve reached our room, I say…

Me: "Hey, Mr. K told me something good bout you."
A: "Huh, what has he said bout me?"
Me: "Wait, before I tell you, do you think you’ve any merit?"
A: "Aiya, I’m ..." (just assume he said no)
Me: “Are you sure? Frankly he told me that you are good at …” (worthless to mention… hahaha, just kidding :p ) “… you are always well-prepared at all time, even when it’s not exam your state is like can sit for exam anytime. I didn’t realise you’ve this merit even knowing you for so long and since we’re so close.” Blah blah blah plus some merits.
A: “Oh actually I’m like this one,” (can’t tahan, start praising himself) “unlike SOMEBODY, always so slack even knowing there’s not much time left.” (Okay, I know where this arrow is pointing to)
Me: “Ok, now I know why Mr. K can only discover ONE merit even having know you for few months already.”

Still counting...

2004-10-20T01:23:00.000+08:00

The exams are only fourteen-stone-throw away (one stone each day), how's my progress? Oh man, there're still tons and tons of materials to cram...

Actually I still can't really fully concentrate on exams yet cause there's still one more project working in progress. Well it's an interesting one. We're building a device that can "shoot" a ball five times into our target. At last we managed to get the shot right!! Hurray! But, so far only about only 60% has been completed, don't know whether it'll work correctly in the end. *Sigh* Since we'll have to demonstrate it on coming Friday, we're simply running out of time!

I wonder how other groups have progressed, it'd definitely be very interesting on that day. Must keep my eyes open wide... B)

My Near Future

2004-10-17T18:33:00.000+08:00

In one month's time, I see myself rejoicing over the fact that my first semester's exams are over...
After that, if I'm lucky maybe I get allocated for GE. Or maybe I will miss my family and go back to Kuching. Oh wait, won’t GE be very interesting? See how…
Anywayz, in six months time, I see myself finishing my first year in NTU. The results, I have no idea.
In ten months time, I see myself standing at my EID group’s exhibition booth, proudly showcasing our innovation to marketers.
In twelve months time, I see myself facing another report-preparing crisis crashing with exam-preparing dilemma.
In eighteen months time, I see myself sitting in a company (Industrial Attachment) staring at the boss’ seat. Hehe… ;)
In thirty months time, I see myself facing FYP’s (final year project) deadline with a few strands of white hair.
In thirty-three months time, I see myself standing on the stage during convocation to get a first ever “Well-done-on-your-report Award”. Thank God… :p
In thirty-six months time, I see myself sitting in a company again, wondering where is the boss’ seat.
In forty-eight months time, I see myself sitting at the same seat, wondering what happen to the boss’ eyes.
In sixty months time, the visibility would be unclear, my vision becomes blur…

By the way, nobody ask me to write how I see myself in the future. I am just wondering whether I’m an oracle and try to predict the future.

What I know from all the brothers and sisters around me, the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to TRUST GOD. I hope I do. :)

(no title (yet))

2004-10-16T18:57:00.000+08:00

Progress 7%

Story teller?

2004-10-16T18:54:00.000+08:00

Living in the fantasy of report-has-been-submitted-at-last-and-there-is-no-more syndrome, I thought I could finally come to peace of mind. Unfortunately, it lasted for merely less than six hours, ended by a request: “tell me a story”. Simple yet extremely tough task.

I didn't read much. That's why I hate to write essays in those good old days, simply because asking me to write was like trying to get some juice by squeezing a dried orange. Anyway life works in mysterious way (that’s why you are reading my blog now. :p )!

I thought I could somehow turn away the request by giving excuse (*shhhh…*) but the oracle seemed to know that. The request changed to: “tell me a story about your life”. I was puzzled. It looks as if there’s no way for me to escape from writing something in life. Over the years, be it good days or bad days or unknown days, there are so many stories that comprised into me. Some are really worth to tell. Hmmm… maybe someday when I need tongkat, I would be telling stories to people. Maybe you? Story teller, am I?

At last...

2004-10-16T01:23:00.000+08:00

The report yang menghantui me for the whole week has been completed. I stayed awake in the night, fall asleep in class; study the results, skip classes; it has finally paid off. Tonight I can go to bed which I missed soooo much early. Good night!

Never ending story

2004-10-15T23:47:00.000+08:00

I miss the good old days when I attended English Language, Chinese Language and Malay Language classes. It was very exciting in these classes. Remember when the teachers asked us to write essay, I always had a piece of paper on my table which remain neat and clean until the end of the classes. Guess what? My buddies and I had wonderful time discussed other matters more important than the essays. After all what I got were "advices" from the nice teachers. Hehe... ;)

Gone were the days the teachers gave me chances to promise them again and again. Nowadays, the reports are 5 times, 10 times longer than the essays. And if I don't meet the deadlines, they gonna make sure that we see each other again next semester. Maybe what they want is a souvenir from me, a report. Not only the topics are so hard, it is simply squeezing my brain and soul, getting the fullest out from me. Yet, it is still not grade-guaranteed. Aih...

Coming are the days with full uncertainties. There are still a lot of reports coming their ways, ready to hit me so hard till I laying on the ground calling for help, yet too soft to be heard...

3.37AM

2004-10-14T03:37:00.000+08:00

The night is so dark, the breeze is so cool, the rhythm of the song is so soft, and they make the night so peace.

Yet I'm sitting in front of my only 'mate' to rush my lab report. THE DEADLINE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE YESTERDAY! But how can I remember what i've done or what the professor taught as far as 6 weeks back?! T_T ... No tear.

20 days. Others already started the preparations for exams. In contrast, i'm still struggling with my reports and reports and reports! oh ya, not forget to mention blogging and blogging and... Erhmmm... Looks like this blog has been a rubbish bin for me to speak out all the ~~emotion~~... 不满. (Ingbun bo ho, bo bian. I regret didn't learn Ingbun well during those good old days. 哎... still need to do report in Ingbun...) Not planning to sleep today.

What are you doing everyday at this point of time? :)

It's the final coundown...

2004-10-14T01:06:00.000+08:00

23... 22... 21... There''re only 20 days left to my exam. This gonna be my first exam in NTU, and with most uncertainties so far as I have lived. 7 subjects altogether, with 3 super-difficult subjects (doesn't mean that the rest are easy), wondering how I gonna finish them, cram them, eat them. But if i'm still lingering at here, how can i study? Waiting for my tortoise friend to come and fetch me...

很烦，我很烦！

2004-10-12T20:06:00.000+08:00

昨天上完了课，就躲在图书馆上网。时间过得真得很快，一下子一整个下午就这样浪费掉了。好可惜。

七点钟，有个短讯扰了我的清闲。不用看，用屁股想都会知道是谁寄的。老样子，叫我帮他打包饭，这次还特别注明要日本餐，还用种种的要求。哇，好麻烦啊。本来是想好好利用晚上的时间来预备将要来临的考试，突然给这个混蛋“例常”捣蛋，可恶！这还不要紧，谁知道突然又告诉我八点有一个会议。今晚不必有什么打算，晚上的时间就这样完了。

In the meeting our block head asked us to get block tee order from the residents, hence their signature on the 'dummies' designed by Ayl. I wonder if i could say no. haha.

That's where got conflict. i was annoyed. i was angry. ARHHHHhhhhhhhhhh.........

Hey, I just joined Friendster

2004-10-09T21:42:00.000+08:00

I don't think there's much left out there who doen't have a Friendster account, needless to say bout those who have never heard of it. Today, I wanna announce that I have joint it, hurray! <:o) I have got 3 persons only thel list already. Aih... don't know where did my friends send all their invitations to, can't add them yet. Why didn't I join when they invite me? Hehe... haha... hoho... It's not the time yet to uncover the truth. Kekekeke... Isn't it weird that I join when exams are coming? Oh ya, indeed, but... (for those highly driven by curiousity and wish to know more, see my ## ~~LIFE~~ ## coverage)

Anyway, I'm chbong. Look forward to getting surprise! Good day!

P/s: Above is my photo in friendster. I might look like smoking, actually I'm not. I against this act of polluting the air being shared by others. Please leave a better sky to our mother earth, and you and me.

Busy day

2004-10-07T23:55:00.000+08:00

It's another busy day. From the tutorial in 8.30 am, Thermo quiz, later went to Chee Huar's place to build Rotaract's website, then submit to our Ms Director Wei Jun. I had promised Benny to pass him the updated Tech comm report by evening yet I hadn't had anything done. I had to concentrate on the report while my mind was thinking about Jason's message sent during the quiz - must report at outside Cartel by 6.45 pm - while my whole being was almost exhausted.

My NTU life seems to be fully packed, from activities to activities, meetings to meetings, projects to projects, and LASTLY from books to books. Isn't an undergraduate's life should be burried under those books (make it as first priority) to get good grade because of the premium that one had paid? The tuition fee is really a whopping amount! Imagine if you failed it...

How come the actual life is so different!? Do I really have to continue with this kind of life? What do I get eventually?

Still in a midst of looking for the truth...

亏死

2004-10-07T19:45:00.000+08:00

This morning I'll have my Thermo (MP2010) quiz. Therea are sooo many cycles there: Carnot cycle, Rankine cycle, heat pump, refrigerator, heat engine, etc. The cycles cycle my confident away...

Fortunately there are those who are soooo kind and helped me revised the topics that would be covered. Hey, Mr Ong, a special thanks for you here.

Update: quiz ended

After several atempts of solving the questions, I discovered that I've had a totally wrong idea! Anyway it was solved before time, just to realised that my answer has a discrepancy with the "standard" answers around me. Gosh! On top of a question that was partially left blank, I'm afraid to imagine what would my final grade be for this 4-AU subject.

I need to turn to full throttle to catch up before it's too late!~~

Wait for my good news.

7.45 PM

Yc's birthday

2004-10-07T01:25:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was Yong Jia's birthday. She's my poly days friend. The difference between us now is that she's an air stewardess under SIA, flying around the world, and is earning $Ks per month. Me? Don't mention bout it, just staying in this 17x15 sq feet room and still pouring money around... :(

Just managed to call her at the last 5 minutes before the day has ended. Her birthday reminds me that we've been knowing each other for more than one year already. In my memory, her last birthday was almost in last month. Time goes by really fast... Every time you greet a person "Happy Birthday", it means that you gain one more circle around your tummy... sorry, you are not a tree so no year circle (hey, it still happens lah). ;) It also means you are one step further to your 30s, 40s...

Anyway, why worry so much? Simply because your friends are taking the same steps as you. :)

Topic: Photography

2004-10-06T13:37:00.000+08:00

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” Undeniably, this wise saying is true because the visual impact brought by a picture or photo offset the limitation of words for conveying message. In other words, anybody who is not visually disabled can perceive the message it brings. Therefore, through photography one can record facts visually, use it as a mean of communication and freeze memorable moments in life.

I love photography. And this paragraph was written to submit for my English Proficiency class on last Sat. I hope you agree with me about it. Next time, when there's time, I would post some of my works. Stay tuned!

The end of recess

2004-09-19T22:50:00.000+08:00

Oh no, today is Sunday already. The recess week has gone, but what have I done? The textbooks and notes still resting peacefully on the desk, only collecting dust sample in my room.

Btw thanks Mr. Ong for introducing this blog site to me lah. Leave alone the books to accumulate dust until 1-inch thick. Now, what I want to do is to explore this. Haha...