Life of a Student Part 10

Well Well.. Part of the life of a student will be the receiving of results for our exams. This sem is filled with careless mistakes on my part and hence, I paid for the mistakes with a drop in my results. Not much but enough to make the journey to 4.5 an even harder one. 8 A's with no other modules being below A- will be the way to 4.5. With every module below A-, it will mean that more As will be needed to pull the grades up.

Impossible? Hmm.. Well, as an Adidas lover, I will go with its slogan.. 'Impossible is nothing.' Perhaps I'll need to change my strategy and review on what I can do to make next sem an even better one.

For all those whom I know, be it you have did well or badly, let's move on together and work towards next sem. Look into what went wrong for last sem and what went well. After which, plan for next semester. Thanks to all those who have encouraged me. =D

XQQ, this is for you. Well done on your results. I calculated and I think you got a 3.9 for this sem. That is superb. Maintain your performance and strive to make it to an overall cap of 3.8. You will be safe there. Jia you!

Seo Hoon, aka the one who reads everyone's blog but never tag (except on XQQ's blog), well done for the inching forward to 4.0. Just a little bit more to it and you will get it le.. But don't just aim for that little bit more. Aim for smth more than that so that you will be in a safe zone. =D

Joel, you are also closer and closer to 4 le. The only way to go is upwards and by this sem hit 4 before going for SEP. Make the SEP even sweeter by knowing that you have hit ur target before leaving for SEP. Excellent!

Perhaps I should take 5 mods and do well in them. Let's see what I can get through my review of last sem. =D

Merry Christmas!

It is christmas! How did you spend it?

Well.. On Christmas Eve, I spend it with my family at my 2nd Gugu's House. She was a buddhist and then converted to be a christian. She lives in a small house by herself with one room and one living room. Pretty cosy and it have been years since I last visited her house. I guess this may be a yearly gathering for my family at her house. =D

After the gathering, I went over to meet up with Meiyi and gang at Partyworld for Kbox session. Haha.. These group of friends is a crazy lot but it is definitely fun to be with them. Missed last year's christmas celebration with them but lucky I made it for this one. I don't always go out with them but we often celebrate occasions together. And it is also a session to get updates.. haha..

This is also the 1st christmas eve that lynn is at home and never go out. So much so that her parents asked her 'eh.. you quarrel with ernest ah? why never go out?' LOL... Seems like she is not very welcomed at home.. =X lol..

On christmas day, I met up with lynn to go for a picnic but.. it rained.. and we were stucked at vivo instead. Spent the whole day there and had our picnic there too. Lots of good food and with a beer.. Not forgetting a whole tupperware of fruits that can feed 4 person!! Hahaha.. Thanks dear for the nice nice food.

After that, we went shopping for clothes and I got my own suit le. Can return XuWen's one after I send it for dry cleaning. Decided to buy one as I'll need it for HR3003 and for other events too and to wear XuWen's suit with my own pants is so weird as the colour is very off.. hahahahaa.. Thanks to XuWen's suit anyway as it helped me with my photoshoot with the Council. After buying the suit, we shopped for my shirt and I got 4 long sleeves shirts.. But it was pretty cheap. 116 bucks for 4 shirts from G2000. =D So if you wanna get shirt, get it there! Vivo City!

Hee.. After a long day of shopping, we went home and I continued with my celebration with a mahjong session. *excuse to play mahjong la..** hahaha..

Once again, Merry Christmas!

Massive Updates!

Exams

After 6 brain cells killing papers, exams is over! I have been very very careless in 2 papers out of the 6 and they are Real Estate Econs and QM in Real Estate. Calculation errors in both papers and I think Real Estate Econs is going to be a disappointment for me. The other paper that is going to disappoint will be ES2007D. As for the rest of the papers, they are still manageable. Now let's wait for the results to be out then.

Post Exams Activities

First on the list is a chill out session at Jian Ming's house with games thru the night. Dinner at our 'lao-di-fang' followed by Mahjong, Sink-the-bottle game and Texas Hold'Em! A good relaxation after the exams.

Next is to clear my room so that I can check out of my room. Tong-pang a lot of my belongings with EZ, Albert and Chaowei. haha.. Thanks to them or I'd have to lug all the things home le..

Lynn's Gang CHALET!

First Day

Gift exchange + Games for the night. Look at Zi Qiang Beautiful Face.. LOL.. And of course.. Lynn's face with Make-Up done by 'professional' make-up artists Janice and Alicia. Chio chio-des!

Second DayBrunch is KFC and after that, more games!! Went cycling too and then BBQ. Lynn fell off the bike and had some injury on her legs. Haha.. Healing well right dear? =D The highlight of the day is the massive Heart Attack Game that we played with 12 players in all. Damn.. Really heart attack sia..

Students' Leaders Camp!

This camp is for all the student leaders of NUSSU to gather together and get to know each other. In this camp, we had some workshop and also low element obstacle course. Quite a pity that the weather was not good for the usage of high element course. The camp was quite fun and it did help the participants to have a better network within NUSSU itself. Thumbs up for the committee.

BEACH-O-HOLIC 2007!

An event organised by sports cell, I must say that it is a great success! =D A total turnout of around 80 participants and we had a great day at sentosa. Vance is really lucky that it did not rain on that day and the event was ran smoothly. After the event, we went to Vivo to have our dinner at Kolo Mee. Not bad. The noodles and soup was great.

A day for us to get tanned and some others to get burned.. hahahaa..

NUSSU Colour Award 2007

It is a night to appreciate all those who have contributed to NUSSU and it was held at SPACE Bank at Bukit Timah Campus. The dinner was graced by Senior Deputy President, Prof Tan Chor Chuan. During the ceremony itself, Kenny won the Best President Award. Haha.. **perhaps he was the only president present ba.. LOL.. **

Prior to the dinner, Lynn and I went to watch the movie 'Warlord'. 'Da ge shi dui de...' Hahah.. An over-rated movie as I don't really find it fantastic. Just ok.. So those who are intending to watch the movie, don't have high hopes k.. And u will catch the joke above.. LOL..

After the dinner, Ronglin, Ethan, Edna, Xinli and I went to Holland V for a drink and Chao Wei joined us afterwards. Not bad. We have arranged to have another session after NUSS's dinner on the 28th.

Mum's Bdae!

16th Dec is Mum's Bdae and also Xiao Qian Qian's Bdae. First to XQQ ba.. 20 years old le ah.. Must be more independent and be more mature k. Happy 20th Bdae Girl. **My present is on the way k.. haha.. In the making.. =X**

For mum's bdae, we had dinner at a place where my family frequent when we were young. Have not been there for around 10 years le ba.. long long time man. Mum was pretty happy that day during the dinner. hee.. Mum.. Happy 49th Bdae! **although she won't be reading this..** hahaha..

After dinner, we went home and it is the start of the planning for MC Retreat by me, Justin and Da Tou Wa Wa. Haha.. We did the planning from 9pm to 2am before XM go home. Justin stayed over at my place. The time spent planning is well worth it as the MC Retreat went really well.. I hope that everyone have taken away something. =D

DE CLUB Retreat

MC Retreat - Planning, Brainstorming, Planning, Eating, 'Polar Bear', send Ryan off, Sleep and more sleep.. Lol.. MC Retreat is pretty technical so it is hard to blog anything much about it. But I feel that the MC did get to know each other better and we know how things are going to be like in time to come.

Club retreat on the second day with team building games and get dirty games. Haha.. Very happy with the retreat as the ice between some cliques are broken and with that, I feel that the bonds between members will be much much stronger. Ice between groups can only be broken when there is effort from both side to break it and it will definitely be easier with someone to facilitate that. =D Always look at the bigger picture and get to know more people will help you eventually.

Many thanks to the organising committee with special thanks to Natasha as I can see that she is really tired and yet still helped with the conduct of the games. Xie xie ni.

Events up ahead? Blading with Lynn, Christmas Celebration with Meiyi and Gang, NUSS Dinner, Meet up with Douglas, Shun Ying, Kenny and Daniel and ultimately UNION Trip. Stay tuned!

Who are you?

I was talking to Joel and Pearl and I asked them a very mind-boggling question though it is a very easy and fundamental question.

Who are you? Who are you exactly?

Try answering that.

Part of a Student Part 9

1st Paper for Year 2 Sem 1 and it was disastrous! Hopefully I will be able to get a B and not anything worse than that. =(

Left with 5 more papers and I will have a freaking good time next Thurs to Sat with 3 papers back to back. Revised target for this sem.. Hmm.. 4.0? I think that will be a good target cause getting 4.5 will be nearly impossible.

Exams fever is on.. Study hard and rest well.

Goodbye My Cousin..

I received a text message this morning which reads ' Ah Boy korkor passed away..' This message was sent by my eldest brother and Ah Boy korkor is my eldest cousin from my father's family. What was the cause of death? I dunno. He have always been healthy so I guess it will be something alarming that caused his death.

Will be going home for this reading week to study at the wake.

For those mugging, jia you...

Life of a Student Part 8

Week 13 of the semester and one more week for reading week and that is the start of the exams. Still having a pretty high inertia for studying though I am forcing myself to read and read and read. Last project for the Sem will be due this Friday.

If you were to ask me how to study for exams and how to do well, I think my advice will be..

Study to get your facts right and then apply them during exams and think about the concepts and why they are as such. It is also about being able to see the linkages of all the various topics and to think out of the box. Value-adding to your answers will help you to be distinguished from the crowd and this is the difficult part.

When studying put some thoughts into what you are reading and keep yourself abreast with the current affairs in order to have examples for your exams.

Good luck to all and all the best!

Do you even care?

The text reads..

'The photo in the mail is the "Pulitzer Prize" winning photo taken in 1994 during the Sudan famine. The picture depicts a famine stricken child crawling towards an United Nations food camp, located a kilometer away.

The vulture is waiting for the child to die so that it can eat it. This picture shocked the whole world. No one knows what happened to the child, including the photographer Kevin Carter who left the place as soon as the photograph was taken.

Three months later he committed suicide due to depression."

As the world capitalise and globalised with information readily available online, we are only interested in things that will be able to benefit us and not things that concern the others living in conditions that are sub-human standard. Do we even care about this world? Do we even bother about things that are not within our academic program as students, not within our work as adults in future but yet within reach?

Is this all because of our culture? Is it because we are lucky to be borned here? Why do we complain about every little things in life when it is already much much better than millions of people out there?

Food for thought.. We are researching into AIDs vaccine and lets' say we managed to do so.. Will the Africans be able to have access to them when they formed a huge percentage of those infected? I bet no.. The thing that will happen is that once the vaccine is out, the world's moral values will be eroded because people will get vaccined and then be promiscuous in action and what values are there left?

Perhaps this is because I am socialized into having the Asian values and thinking that if this were to happen in my lifetime, I really wonder what will my reaction to it..

Hopefully I won't live to see that day.. Or perhaps my life will end on that very day..

Life of a Student Part 7

Woo!

Good day today! I woke up from a nap at 145am, bathed, had supper with Chaowei and Ethan till 3am. Then.. I stayed awake to surf the net for info till it was time for breakfast. 745, I washed up and went to YIH for breakfast. Nasi Lemak for breakfast. After breakfast, I went over to SDE and did a mindmap for Religion. Zzzz Monster struck me and I went to club room for a 45 minutes sleep till 10am. Went for ES tut then go for lunch with Lynn and gang. 12pm, back to club room to do some readings and finally I cannot take it anymore. Sick of studying, I decided to go for a swim and that was it.. I swam 30 laps and then had a half-an-hour tan before going back to hall to bathe. Back to SDE at 4pm to meet Natasha for Law Mind Map and at 6pm, went over to SRC for a meeting. Hit the Gym at 1940 till 2000 then went for Engin's BBQ. Ate till ard 1015 and then back to room.

Hectic? I bet it is but at least I exercised! hahaha.. Song.. Super Song.. =D

Hmm.. tomorrow is a public holiday and here I am in my room and tml is just like any other day to me.. Mugging for exams. Studying Soci and PS ba.. Hmm.. Still have 3 projs in hand.. Sians..

Key, Door and Ladder

Decided to share this analogy which I started using for my speech for the elections of DE Club Management Committee. It is perhaps something which I'd like to share with all students.

The key which is often known as the passport to all the companies out there is what I refer to as the degree that every student is chasing. I was talking to Prof Tan Eng Chye, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost and we were talking about this paper chase which is pretty obvious in our current society. What are we exactly chasing for? What is this paper all about? What is it for? Why are we so engrossed in this chase that we are so sucked into this game? What is beyond this key or is it the end of it all?

Next is the door which the key is able to open. Definitely, what degree you hold can open some door and leaves some others permanently shut. For example, someone who is a Major in Chemistry and try asking him to be a valuer. I bet he can do so but only after some training. But at the start, the door of Real Estate Valuer is closed and perhaps only chemistry related industries are open for him.

And yes.. The level of your degree may matter too! Perhaps a first clas honours can open the door of some big MNCs and a Pass degree may not be able to do so. However, there have been cases where the employer filtered out the 1st class students as they are deemed to be too academically inclined and perhaps they will expect much more from the company than the amount that they can give back to the company.

Lastly, it is the ladder. Behind every single door is a ladder and that is the ladder of Power, Influence, Fame and Name. **money too** And it is actually this ladder that matters the most which is failed to be recognised by many others in life when studying hence, they focus more on studies than on developing skills which can benefit them to climb the ladder. What is the destination of this ladder? The destination is the second storey of the whole building where every single door is closed but not locked. This is the storey where you will be able to gain access to every room only if you try to and the good thing is that you have enough reputation to do so.

In fact if you were to think about it, everyone will reach here, be it you are 1st class or pass degree, as long as you have the capabilities to climb the ladder. And the entry to every other door in the second storey is another ladder that will lead you higher and higher.

So.. Which is actually more important? The ladder or the key? Perhaps we have been taught to go for the key and everything else can wait till you get the key. But my take is that, if you can, why not get both together? By the time you are ready to learn how to climb the ladder, you would have been socially constructed to undermine your own abilities to climb the ladder. Hence, the message is.. Start early and start learning.. Maintain a balance with chasing the key and at the same time, start to learn about climbing the ladder. And one point to note is the, the key is just the destination. It is the journey that matters. The knowledge gained in the process that matters.

Was quite heart-warming to see Jianming teaching and going through with Ryan on her soci MTT and what went wrong with her concepts. That is really nice to help each other to get the 'key' and also to build friendship. =D

For those who have heard me talk about this, sorry to be lo-so. For those who have yet to, I hope that this have made you think a bit. **i bet u will at least use a bit more of your god-given brain to think about what I've mentioned here than that class quiz of mine..**

Life of a Student Part 6

Ladies and Gentleman,

Let me give you a preview of a question from a University's Quiz Paper!

1) Which of the following cities has not imposed a congestion tax on cars entering the central city?
a) New York City
b) London
c) Singapore
d) None of the Above

2) MRT is usually featured with exclusive right of way. (True/False)

3) In the US, racial segregation had been getting worse between 1980 and 2000. (True/False)

God! What is that man? Does it even test on our knowledge in Urban Economics? And does these questions value add to me as a university student? I bet they don't and this is a negative externality on me as a student studying at University level. Come on.. We expect more and these questions are more factual than application and it does not even need me to use my god-given brain to think at all. No wonder we are always thought to be unable to think. It is a social construct that we are socialised to be so. Just eat your textbook and you will excel in life. Boo-Hoo!

Teach me something useful and test me on that please. Not on some things that can be done by someone who memorises the facts. Application and critical thinking questions are appreciated.
(-_-")

Life of a Student Part 5

Hmm.. Urban Econs test tomorrow, with 3 projects on hand.. Haha.. Well.. The term is coming to and end soon so I guess it is the norm to be busy.

Went to swim with Joel today and had a 30 mins tan by the pool. Btw, Joel only slept from 7am-9am and he was cajole to go swimming with me.. Haha.. Well, exercise is addictive.. Haha..

This is for my loyal fan, kopi-cheng, who never tag my blog when she reads my blog. Kaoz.. Oei.. U wanna go fly Kite ah? Opps.. I forget, you fly mini planes one.. hahhaa.. TC dude! And Run faster la.. 1:50.. Kaoz..

Got to hit the books now for tml exams. Ciao!

Life of a Student Part 4

Didn't get to sleep on Wednesday night and not wanting to miss my last Soci tut, I stayed awake till tut was over. Got back to residence and I slept till 2pm, missing my soci lecture. What a life of a student.

After I woke up, got a lunch delivery by lovely Lynn. And after lunch, I started on urban planning project. Freaking big headache. Have been on this proj for a long time and I am still on it at this hour. Things are just not connecting and there are so many things to change in the report. Gosh.. And what's worse is that I recovered from flu this afternoon and night time I got it back.. *damn*

Going for a run now and hopefully it will help to get rid of my stupid flu.. Adious.

ORD Parade

Bravo Company, Ord Parade @ Maju Camp.
Outfield, Route Marches, Fast Marches, IPPTs, Endurance Runs and the list goes on...

Parade Square

Central Backdrop
Bravo Platoon 4 Commanders
(Desmond, Isaac, Zaki, Me, Shao Wei, Darren)

Platoon 4 Group Photo

Final Send-off.. Tough and Effective!
Spartans!!!

Prof Shih's Meeting

Prof Shih's Meeting at the VISTA, University Hall.

VISTA Meeting RoomView from the Top (1)

View from the Top (2)

View from the Top (3)

My Tag

Overall, the meeting with Prof Shih and the senior school administrators is insighful. But there are still many issues that will need to be convened within the 29th NUSSU Council in order to make things move. Let's go 29th NUSSU Council!

Life of a Student Part 3

Do we plan too much and we are too afraid to venture and we fail to learn more?

I was talking to a Vietnamese peer of mine, Allan, and we were talking about SEP and he told me that he is going to apply to European countries for exchange instead of going to USA. I asked him why not USA and he told me that he went there last year on the work and travel scheme.

I was taken aback because he is on student loan and I remembered that he told me that he will take a super long time to repay his loan. If that's the case, how is he able to go to USA and with great plans to go for SEP while me and some of my peers are not even thinking that far when we are financially able to?

I am impressed that though he is not rich, he is travelling more than anyone of us who is staying in our comfort zone, doing what we do best and not venturing out. Are we planning too much about the future that we are not fully utilising what we can enjoy now? Perhaps it is a good takeaway from the foreign friend of mine that we should enjoy what we have now and not worry about the future. Perhaps I shall plan for a backpacking trip in December and not worry about money issues.

Life of a Student Part 2

Having Urban Planning Tutorial now and here I am blogging cause something hit me.

I remember Dr Kwame mentioning a concept called 'Learn, Un-learn and Re-learn' which he said is the way to go in university. I'd say that I agree with him to a certain extent that we have learn what we already had for the past 12 -13 years, it is about time to un-learn so that we can adapt to a new system and new environment of learning but the difficulty is about re-learning. How do we re-learn? How do we teach someone to re-learn?

Some friends of mine are facing problems with adapting to the system in the university and I think that it is about learning the process of re-learning. Be it from Poly or JC, the system here is different. Poly students may be used to the idea of modules but not JC students and for the poly students the weightage of the projects to final year exams is different from poly system as well.

In my point of view, the only way to re-learn is to know the game of the university well and to know how is the system is like and strategise the way to learn.

It is about consistent work in uni and not about last minute mugging.

It is about striking a balance yourself and not just about studying as there is no such thing as compulsory CCA.

It is about having the last opportunity to learn about management, leadership and making mistakes as it is our last time schooling.

It is about making friends and keeping them as these friendships will last you a long way.

It is about the learning and not about results.

This system works well for certain people but not for some others but it is possible to be tuned to it. Excelling in JC and Poly does not equate to excelling in Uni and not doing well in JC and Poly doesn't mean that you are gone too. The only limiting factor is yourself and your mental model of yourself. You may feel that you have been disadvantaged in any way that you felt you are but that should not be a limiting factor to yourself.

Hope that this will inspire you to do your best and not to belittle yourself. You are as powerful as you think you are.

Glimpse of Council Photoshoot

Photoshoot for Council.. =D

29th Council Formal Shoot

29th Council Informal Shoot

C-Cube Photo

Student Organization Review

Committee (SORC) Formal Shoot

Student Organization Review
Committee (SORC) Informal Shoot

The Reps from SDE - 3 Times RAG
Best Float Design Champions and the
Wannabes being the Background... =D

Life of a Student Part 1

Hmm.. Decided to start this series of Life of a Student since many of the posts will revolve around school during term time and even during vacation.

Anyway, last sat was a long day with no night.. Did my ES project till 5pm, took a break, start doing my Soci Essay and watch TV with my brother.. and guess what.. I took 10 hrs to finish my essay.. from 7pm to 5am.. lol.. Decided not to sleep cause if I do, I am sure I will not wake up in time for my NEW Balance Real Run.. Damn.. 15km run without rest.. How best can the life of a student be? -_-

The run was a good one with a good weather and it was held at Changi Exhibition Centre area.. The endless road and the 'sand-run' which was ran not really on the sand.. haha.. A much easier run than last year's as I was taking my own sweet time and not going for timing.. And perhaps the route was much much easier.. Did the run in 1hr 33 mins.. Not bad.. Pretty acceptable without much training coupled with no sleep.. Below is a picture of the clear blue sky of that morning.. =D

After the run, I went home, bathe and slept for a good 7 hrs till 7pm before packing up and go back to school with my brother and his gf. Back in school and do what? Tutorial loh.. haha..

Hope that this coming week will be good. Prof Shih's meeting, induction program with OSA and Dean of Students' Affair, Star Search Finals, and the highlight of the week will be Wednesday's ORD Parade of my men over at 6 SIR. Will update on the events by weekend so check my blog!

**exams in 25 days.. countdown..**

Strike a Balance

As the exams is nearing, people around me are hitting the big red 'PANIC' button already. Some are going into seclusion while some others are tired of studying.. **me and joel..**

Many things are still happening, local and overseas and even in school, as we are hitting the panic button.. Things ranging from repealing Penal Code 377A to Keeping Penal Code 377A, CPF changes and its effects on Singaporean Citizen and PR, Myanmar Crisis, Bangkok Sinking, China-Taiwan Relationship, Death of Major Roberts in Afg, Court Martial for Wrongful killing in Iraq and the list goes on.. Are you keeping up with the news?

As we are studying for exams, it will be good to strike a balance by studying, exercising, relaxing and keeping up with the news in order not to be a nerd in a well. Don't look at the end point which is the results. Enjoy the process of learning by thinking through what is taught and apply it in your life whenever applicable. Be a devil's advocate and think against what was taught and find out about other perspectives before accepting something as the gospel truth. It will help you to know what are you really accepting and not accepting it for what it is. The mass media may not be the best source though it is a good source.

4 more weeks to exams.. Study hard, play hard, relax and enjoy the process of studying..

Council vs SEP

After being in the council, I felt that there are a lot that can be done at NUSSU level to benefit the students and yet on the other hand, I am facing the dilemma of choosing between running for council and SEP for next year..

For the students or for myself?
Is there any possibilities for the best of both worlds?

8 MEETINGS IN A WEEK!!!

Hmm.. 8 meetings in a week.. Will I break the record in any upcoming weeks?

1- Rag Acct
2- Kim Seng Project Manager
3- Heads Meeting
4- Prof Lim Meeting
5- YEP Leaders' Meeting
6- OSA + OFN Meeting
7- BEMs and TAS Meeting
8- NUSSU 3rd Council Meeting

Anyway, all the planning for the club is more or less done except for the meeting of the Vice-Dean to approve on some of the student activities and proposals. Great to have a strong team working together towards a common goal.

Another project deadline coming up next week and a Sociology Test next week, it seems like weekend is going to be burned.. But then.. Brother organised a dinner on sat with Mum and Dad.. Henceforth.. SAT WILL BE A REST DAY!! =D

Suffer on Sunday then.. -_-!!!



"Discipline is not something I impose on you so I can control you. Rather, it is something you must develop within yourself so you can become the best person you can be, not the one who could have been.” - Timothy F. Hough

Updates!

Hmm.. For the past one week, I have been busy with DE Club stuffs, Budget, Planning of activities, projects, presentations, tutorials, meetings.. Hell weeeeeek!

But well, there is more to come and I shall embrace them as they come along.. **enjoy the process and you will feel better about it.. [NUSSU council meeting on Mid Sem Break and it starts at 8PM!!!!!!!!!!!!]**

Beginning to look at a lot of things from very different perspectives and getting comfortable with who I am and what I am doing. There are so many things that we can do to help people around us but I am the happiest when I can help people to know themselves better and to be a better person. I have been blessed with many guardian angels and I'd like to pass the blessings on. However, I recognise that I am not perfect either and I am learning too. As I go along, I just hope that I can learn more from others and to teach others too.

Anyway, something hit me hard today with Ko Zaw telling us that he is leaving for Liverpool. A very sudden departure of his and we are planning to have dinner and to send him off. Dunno when will we get to see him again but I know deep down that friendship will not be forgotten.

that's Ko Zaw and me.. =D

Last but not least, I had a celebration with Lynn on sunday for our 1st year aniversary. =D We spent the whole day together starting with breakfast, movie, shopping for my clothes, desserts and dinner at Kushinbo!

Haha.. A very simple day but meaningful with each other's company. Due to my committment in my studies and CCA, I don't have the luxury of time with my girl but I am really appreciative of her understanding. Thanks dear! We will have many good years ahead! **but firstly, can you pass me the photos? =P**

Will update again when I have the time to. Ciao!

18th Management Committee

After today's AGM, we have completed our handing over and taking over from the 17th MC and we are now all on our own.

But come what may because I think that I have a great team to work with. The road ahead may be tough but it will definitely be rewarding. After 1 year, we shall look back on today and smile saying that we have did our best.

=D

!@#$%^&*

Tired.. Very..

Look at the time now.. I have yet to even type my QM Essay Assignment.. Gosh.. Going to be a very busy week with loads of project meetings..

**Fighting Fighting..**

Human Dignity

Just got back from dinner at clementi and I'm now at DE Club room. Something struck me just now as I was dining there. I was sharing a table with a pair of couples and when they left, an old lady selling tissue paper came over, took out a plastic bag, took the plate of leftovers of the couple who left and then scoop them into the plastic bag.

Why? Who is it for? In Singapore with such high GDP and high standard of living and yet there are minorities who are living on leftovers of others? Where is the human dignity of these people?

I feel for the old lady as I look at her in the eyes. Without saying a word, when our eyes met, I knew she was embarrassed with what she did and she looked away, moving back to her bag which wrote 'Self-Living Asthmatic'.. Was she without kids or family? Is the Government doing anything to help them? Or is she a tool of some other capitalist to help them earn money by exploiting the sympathy of the public?

Often than not, when we see these people selling tissue papers, we raise our hands to signal 'NO' faster than when we were asked to raise our hands to answering questions or to give opinions. Why are people behaving in this manner? Is it because they are unsympathetic or is it because they are being wary of these elderly being tools of other capitalists? I choose to give these people the benefit of doubt and choose not to think that they are tools of other capitalist.

Looking at this from the recent CPF policy changes, the Govt mentioned that it is a safety net to ensure that these people will still have the human dignity to continue living when they are old. However, this will be applicable only for those who are working now and in future, and hence, what about those who are not having that human dignity now? Is the Govt doing anything to help these people to live the last lap of their lives with human dignity?

I don't have the answers to these questions but I urge all of you who come across these elderly to buy the tissue packs from them. It is just $1. I believe you will be able to afford it.

Toying with Fear

Thanks to all those who had left a comment in my last entry. I hope that it did make you appreciate little little things in life and see things from my perspective.

Anyway, the episode on that 'stranger' was not over. Apparently, on friday, she hinted to my friend that a mutual 'stranger' of theirs wanted to write a letter to the Dean and to ask my friend to make a public apology or she will sue my friend for defamation. What an IDIOT. The primary intention of the statement was not to tell my friend that she is going to be sued but to strike fear in her and to intimidate her. This type of people is a menace to the society and one big word for her.. DUMB.. A very prominent public figure sued an opposition party leader for defamation for $300,000.. And that was because of a statement made publicly and spread all over the news and considering the reputation of the public figure, all he got was $300,000. I'm not saying that it is a small amount but looking at the situation, if that mutual 'stranger' were to sue my friend, she may not even succeed and if she does succeed, perhaps all she will get is peanuts. Literally.. Firstly, the remark was not made publicly and the damages on that mutual 'stranger' is not even great. Secondly, the mutual 'stranger' is not very reputable anyway so if the damages got through perhaps the damages awarded will be $1000 or $2000. And thirdly, with those amount of damages, will a rational person hire a lawyer to do so? I doubt so but perhaps that mutual 'stranger' will do so since she is already irrationale to even think of suing my friend. Some people just don't use their brains.. Perhaps they don't even have one..

So friend.. Don't worry about it.. This ordeal will only rally people around you to help you. If that dumb*&%$ is really going to sue you, then we will think about it when the action is taken.. Now no action yet so don't need to be so bother by those words.. Moreover, that 'stranger' may not even be credible in what she says so why bother?? =D

And because of this, it struck me with this topic about toying with fear. A lot of people will try to use fear to inflict damages on someone who may seem to be more harmless. I have experienced it twice over a month. One involving me and another friend and the other is the case above. The very question we'll need to ask is 'why are people doing it?' The very fact is that it works a lot of time. Words are often used to inflict fear and not action because when someone uses action to intimidate you, he can be criminally liable. However, there are also cases where words are also criminally liable. The usage of words aggressively on someone can try to sway one's decision and causes someone to be unable to live without thinking about what has been said. I hope that this entry will allow those who read to be able to try to control fear or at least to be able to recognise fear because the action of recognising something as fear can help you to better cope with your life.

Quoted from www.dictionary.com, the word fear has this meaning which is 'a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.' Most of the time, fear is not real but imagined. The following short story will show you what I meant.

According to legend, one day a man was wandering in the desert when he met Fear and Plague. They said they were on their way to a large city where they were going to kill 10,000 people. The man asked Plague if he was going to do all the work. Plague smiled and said, "No, I'll only take care of a few hundred. I'll let my friend Fear do the rest.

What was drawn by this legend?? how is the combination of fear and plague going to kill 10,000 when plague kills only a few hundred. It is all because of the fact that even for those who are not infected with the plague, the city dwellers will still eliminate those who were in contact with the ones infected with plague for the FEAR of the plague. it kills.. Doesn't it??

So what are we suppose to do when fear approaches us? Most of the time I can say that we will still be fearful of it. Even for me, when I am faced with fear, I recognise it and yet there will still be residual 'fearfulness' for the thing that causes the fear. It is natural but it is possible to reduce it by facing it. Most of the time you will discover that by recognising fear, it was not really such a big threat after all and fear does not have any special power unless you empower it by submitting to it.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

The next time you are faced with fear, remember what I have written. Face your fear and to recognise that the only thing to fear about it fear itself. =D

Friendship

Something heavy for this entry..

A friend of mine was totally disappointed in one of our common 'friend' (or should I just call it a not-so-strange STRANGER). All because of the root of all evil, money.. I just don't understand how can someone actually look at money, car, condo, and all other materials in the world to be more important than something as simple as friendship.

Is it because of our society?
Is it because of our culture?
Or is it simply a norm that many of us have yet to be able to look through it?

I must say that money is important since we are living in a society that needs money for almost everything but it is very sad to see and to know that money became the ONLY thing..

Can money buy you friends? Can.. Those who will leave you when you have no money..
There were incidents where people who strike lotteries being more unhappy and not as satisfied with life as before because whoever that gets closer to him, he will assume that it was for his money. So he will end up being more wary of people around him and form a circle of protection to prevent himself from being 'robbed' of his money. Eventually? He ended up being unhappy and have lower social interaction with the society therefore increasing his probability of being suicidal. Sounds familar?

Can money buy you time? Can.. TV commercial time to air an AD for work purpose..
Why do we cry at funerals regretting that we did not spend enough time with that someone who is important in our life and when the funeral is over, we go back to our old 'programmed mode' and work like nobody's business then cry at the next funeral and regretting the same things again? Perhaps we are just a species that is very forgetful.. Perhaps..

There are many other things that money can't buy and yet we place money/ material needs over and above these priceless things. The very question to ask is 'Why?' and then evaluate on yourself to see if you are guilty of it too. If you are, you have two choices.. One is to do something about it, and the other is to continue to be guilty..

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."
- Muhammad Ali

I feel that this quote is very meaningful and I'd like to share it with the rest of my friends. Friendship is not being able to meet each other everyday, call each other everyday or even think of each other everyday. Friendship is about a bonding.. It is about being there when needed and offering a listening ear whenever possible. Some people may view it as constant contact but I think it is very fake and it shows that without contact, the friendship won't last. If that is the case, then I must say that the bonding of the friendship is very very weak though it may appear to be strong with all the calling, meeting and what not.

I have a sworn brother whom I contact once in a blue moon and yet when crisis strikes him, I was one of those called to be by his side to be there with him which I did. It was just so amazing that since the day we left school, we contacted and met for less than 20 times over 6 years and yet when he needed help, I was the one who was called upon rather than those whom he is meeting everyday at work. Isn't it simply a sign that it is not constant contact that counts?

I have another person in my life who helped me and groomed me to who I am today whom I seldom meet and yet still closely bonded. He is non other than my NPCC teacher, 'cousin' cum a close friend Daniel Yong. We did not contact nor meet up often since I left NPCC and since he left Hai Sing and yet, whenever we meet up, we are still able to relate to each other very well. As he is very much older than me, he seldom confide in me but for me, when I am having problems in life, he is the 1st person who will come to my mind as I felt that he understands me the most.


I hope that most people will be able to look through the tangible stuffs and focus on things that are intangible. The priceless things are those that are intangible..

"When I find myself fading, I close my eyes and realize my friends are my energy."

Night Cycling

Nearly one week since I last blogged. School just started and five lectures went by just like that.
Tons of readings to do and I got to organise for my school's night cycling. Everything went pretty smoothly and all that we need to do is the registration for the participants and the event day itself which is this coming Friday.

So just let me update about last weekend. Went for Lycan's Chalet after my last lecture of the week. The little lycans prepared a lot of food and it was more than enough to feed a Company size of people yet it was just a section plus of people there. Had great fun with the 'Giant' singing 'Bing Yu' and the Freshies version of FATE on the 2 bdae girls. And what's even more happening is when the seniors got drunk and spouted nonsense till they left. Haha.. Me, Jian Ming and Shitnee left the chalet at 4+ to go to the airport to send Kok Sheng off. Made Ryan cry with our songs. Went back to hostel with Ryan and I reached KFH at 6am. Slept till 2pm and then packed to leave hostel at 3pm. Reached home at 5 and I fell asleep till 8. Missed Christina's farewell meet up. Sorry about that. Left at 9 to meet Cindy for night cycling recce. Recce started at 1130pm and we ended at 640am. Had breakfast till 730am then we returned the bikes. Took a cab home and I reached at 10am. Slept till 4pm before taking a cab to collect AHM race pack at Toa Payoh SAFRA and meet up with lynn for dinner at SAKAE after that. After dinner, we went back to hostel and home respectively.

A very packed weekend and I expect another packed weekend for this coming one. I wish that all my other friends out there to be happy and cheerful always. Apologies for not having time to accompany you guys as I am really busy with school stuffs. will catch up with you all when I have my vacation once again. =D

Ultimate tension of the Opposites

Should I or should I not? There are so many things now at this juncture that I will need to make decisions and they may change the way my life is going to turn out to be.

Should I take 7 modules?
Should I run for Sports Director or President?
Should I continue fencing?
Should I aim to complete in 3.5 years or 4.0 years for my uni?

This is what I like and also dislike about life. We decide our own destiny.. We decide on which path to take. We decide on what our life is going to turn out to be. So what is it installed for me? What do I need to do? If I decide to take 7, I may have to give up running for pres and perhaps drop fencing too. I need some peace.. I need some time to reflect on things here.. *ohm*

Rag and Flag Week!!

A long wait ladies and gentleman! Apologies for the long wait of my updates as this week is a really hectic week. But it was all worth it when our school won the BEST FLOAT award for three consecutive years! Well done guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0hslQHF7fQ

Just wondering how many people know about the story of Rag and Flag for SDE. It all started with people with passion to bring up the school, bond the student and organise activities throught the club for students. We are at our 17th MC now but we were actually only 2 years old. No one heard about SDE till recent years and that is why I always consider our club as a very young club. A lot of things need to be done and a lot of room for improvement and one of the ways is to archive things that we do to reduce the learning curves of the future project directors.

2 years ago, the FOC head was John and the Rag head was Danny and that was the year when SDE sweep almost all the awards during Rag & Flag 05. That was also the year when DE Club started off. The bonding between the students made them pass it on to the following year with FOC being led by Cody and Rag by Kok Sheng. This was the FOC and Rag that I was involved in and it changed my life totally. I had a good start to my uni life and it was really great to win it for the second time consecutively and me being part of the team. Henceforth, I decided to choose to contribute to DE Club over Raffles Hall. And as the SDE spirit passes on, we had Xu Wen leading FOC and Chia Wei leading Rag and here we are at the top of the world, being crowned the champion once again for the 3rd time consecutively for Rag. It further adds on to my joy when we are a small school as compared to the rest of the faculties and we are not a force to be reckoned with. WE ARE THE BEST!

As we bask in the light of the glory, lets not forget that it is not the end but a beginning to pass on the spirit and love on to the next batch. There are still a lot of room for improvement but due to the fact that our school is small, we are able to bond everyone easily and that is the way to go. I hope that the Raggers this year will make things happen for the 4 years that they are going to be in SDE and make a difference to those that are going to enter the gates of SDE.

Academic term is going to start so I wish all those who are schooling all the best!

Last working day..

Thanks for the breakfast from Sally.
Thanks for the Lunch with Vijay, Meng Kai, Jack Pun, Jack Hong, Ee Wah, Jasline, Sally, Daen and Benjamin.
Thanks for the bear and little book from Sally.
Thanks for the photo collage from Benjamin.
Thanks for the minisafe and card from Daen.
Thanks to Teo Hong and Mike for their patience in teaching me and answering my queries.
Thanks for Sin Boon for his advices and rides to camp.
Thanks to Ganesh for helping me every now and then.

There are many more to thank for making my stay an enjoyable one especially to Daen, Sally and Benjamin. Things that we share and we do.. It made working less dreadful and that helps a lot. I dunno how would my attachment be if I had not met your guys. It will most probably be just another attachment and nothing special. Something for you guys to remember..

'Things that you want may not be what you need.
Things that you need may not be easy to get.
Things that are easy to get may not be exactly simple.
Things that are simple may not be seen with the eyes.
Things that you see may not be real.
Things that are real may not be felt with the heart.'

We will still meet up and I shall org it instead just in case Daeny Daen wanna forget me.. LOL.. Take care pals.

Am I old?

Sometimes I wonder if it is the fact that I interact with a lot of older people that I tend to think very differently from others.. I wonder if it is from those people who have walked the way ahead of me and shared their life experiences with me which enabled me to have a very different perspective of things and of life..


I believe in teaching, helping others plan their life, helping others to have a smoother transition in life, helping others to have a more gentle learning curve by sharing whatever knowledge that I have.. And yet all I get was people trying to guess what 'ill intention' do I have or what 'ulterior motive' do I have that I am so willing to share so much.. Hey.. what's so so so so so wrong about sharing and helping? What's so difficult about believing that everyone helps everyone out of kindness and not for selfish gains? Is it because nowadays we are living in a society that everything comes with a cost and everything must come with a reward or incentive before someone is willing to do nice things to others? Is technology helping us or is technology bringing the new generation further and further away from being human? just being human..


I'm pretty sadden by several things that happened these few days with things that people assume.. must I really be just be selfish to avoid having people trying to guess what other agendas do I have up my sleeves? Should I just act blur live longer? I think this mentality of people being kung-fu masters must be changed so that everyone will be happier and gain more. Kung-fu masters actually get better as they teach their disciples because they will study more into the skill before they can actually teach.. Same theory goes to studying because if we are able to teach someone something that you learnt, you will be much much better in it yourself.


Freshies who are reading this.. I just wanna say that, I am helping you guys because I think this phase of life, the transition from JC/Poly to uni is an important phase and if it is not planned and handled properly, it may disrupt your uni life which I why I am eagerly sharing what I know with you all. Some people may be enrolled into SDE alone and I want to let them at least have a senior to look for when he/she has a problem and not to be helpless. If you felt that I am too pro-active that you felt uncomfortable, please tell me. I don't like people to talk behind my back. All I want is to help you without anything in return so please don't return anything and worse still return with negative stuffs. I still love you guys as much and I'm still as warm to help, so please don't make me turn cold and just keep to myself. Be more humane and love one another. Keep friendship.. Don't break them.. Words hurts..

Updates X 5!!

Tuesday

A casual talk led to us going for dinner at Daen's Mum's Eatery. Well.. Good food cannot be missed and Daen's Mum ate with us. A plump lady like my mother and she looked really amicable. Haha.. After dinner and we had durians bought by Daen's Dad. Really nice durians. =D I'm a sucker for durians.. Hee.. After that, we went separate ways back home.

Wednesday and Thursday

IPPT was not conducted on both days as it was raining. Had a workout at the Gym to prepare for IPPT next Wednesday. Dinner was at Botak Jones on BOTH days with the Raggers. And yes.. Both days!! Haha.. But well, the food was nice and the portion was big too. Got to know a few more peeps and Kdriam sent us to tanah merah MRT station for those who stayed in the East. Thanks bro. =D

Friday

10km run in the morning with Derek and we holland-ed. Haha.. Ran for about 11km due to the wrong route that we took. Went off early from work today to go to HDB Hub with Daen. Got to meet his mum again and had a good chat with her while waiting for their queue number to be called. Met his sister, Celine, too and know a lot more about Daen after accompanying him through the HDB flat application. Jia Jia You Ben Nan Nian De Jing... Took a lift from his mum back home and got to know about Celine's occupation. Motorcar dealer so if anyone who would like to buy car, contact me so that I can contact Celine about it. Parallel Imports so it is cheaper. Went to TIMBRE with Daen, Ben, Sally and Jack @ around 1900 for chill out session. Ate the Kebabs and Thin Crust Pizza.. Superb! Really very nice. Saw Hui Fang and also Kai Men at TIMBRE. Really a good place to catch up with friends, have a drink or two, enjoy the food and with nice live music bands playing. Shall bring Lynn here for a chill out sometime soon. =D

After food and drinks, we went to Shenton Way's party world to sing our hearts out. All the way till 0330 before we go back home. Bed never felt so nice before.. LOL..

Saturday

Slept from 0400 and woke up at 0800 to prepare for the meet up with Alicia, Stanley and Lynn at Jurong Point for Lunch. Met up at 1200 and had lunch at KFC. Went to Alicia's house started to share modules planning skills with Stanley. Had dinner with them at somewhere near Lakeside and thereafter we went to look at Loyang Dua Beh Gong's tour at Jurong. Met up with Lynn for dinner and it was DURIANS!! Bought 3 Durians and had them at one of the void decks. Haha.. Durian lovers... Literally.. =D Went home after the durian dinner and then once I hit the bed, I fell asleep immediately again. Too tired.. =X

MIZUNO Wave Run @ Bedok + Lynn Day

Joel came over to my place to sleep so that we can go and run MIZUNO Wave Run together at Bedok. Had to sleep very cautiously so that I won't give him a kick or a slap in the face.. LOL.. We woke up at 0600 and left my house at around 0630. Took a bus to Temasek Poly and followed the crowd to the start point. As it was drizzling in the morning and I guess it causes some logistics problem to the organisers.

However, we felt that the contingency plan was not well planned for and the registration booth was quite redundant. It should have been in the field and not at the grand stand. Moreover, there was no championship chip issued to take timing and there was totally no crowd control. The baggage deposit was not well planned for too. When the run started, there was 2 choke points at the start of the route and that really dampen the running mood of many of the runners. It was definitely not well planned for and that gave a lot of negative publicity for Mizuno rather than positive ones for organising the event. And when the event ended, another horror was awaiting for us. Our baggage was thrown on the wet road and there was only one staff there to help with the baggage. Eventually, it was a total free for all situation when runners just find their own baggage and some helpful runners helped with issuing of the baggages. If that's the case, then what's the point of having baggage deposit? Besides that, there was no security at all for the baggages and many bags were lost in the process. To add on to that, the goodie bag counter had only one entry and only one person can collect at one time. There was more than 10000 runners and if it were to take 6 seconds per pax, it will take nearly 16 hrs to collect all the goodie bags. I wonder what was the organisers thinking. It was really a badly conducted run with poor organisation and the logistics sucks to the core. It leave every runner a bad impression of the run and I overheard many conversation starting with 'Are you going to participate in the run next year?' If any organisers of the MIZUNO Wave Run is reading this, please reflect on the organisation of the run and evaluate if the run should be organised again next year. Think and plan. Don't rush into it. Looking forward to the upcoming 3 runs. AHM on the 26 Aug, New Balance Real Run on the 28 Oct and Stan-Chart on the 2nd Dec.

After the run, I went home with Joel and thereafter met up with Lynn. She came to accompany me while I cut the stacks of newspapers that my mum was grumbling about for years.. haha.. For dinner, we went to 85 @ Bedok for the famous Ba Chor Mee. =D Nothing much but we spent quality time talking about the updates and about anything under the sun. hee.. Thanks dear!

A decade since we left Primary School.. Outing with Primary School Mates

Saturday
Slept till 11am today and had my brunch at 12pm. Went to meet my Primary school friends at Marina Square's Swensens and I had another meal!! Damn.. I need to workout more.. Haha.. Anyway, the turnout for the gathering was great! 15 people came for the gathering, namely, Ernest, Qi Min, Clement, Kwan Shen, Hao Xiang, Jun Zhang, Choon Kit, Rebecca, Effie, Ereen, Doreen, Marie, Fadilah, Azriana and Bibiana! And that's not all.. Angela, Xueting, Gary, Ai Jia, Ningsih, Omar and a few others couldn't make it or it will be nearly the whole class le.. Haha.. Glad to meet up with these old friends and had loads of updates from them too. Doreen was so emotional that she cried before she left as she is leaving for USA to finish her studies le. All thanks to Rebecca for organising this outing and it was really good to have so many people attending the outing. We shall organise at least once a year to meet up and update each other. =D

After the outing, I went to meet up with Daen and Sally for dinner at Daen's Parent's Eatery. Great food and a good round of talk-cock session.. haha.. and yes.. Durians for dessert.. haha.. Then Sally had to leave to meet her friend for movie while Daen came to my house to take 'a look' and that look lasted another 2 hours.. Listen to songs, see photos on my laptop and share some more about each other. Haha.. A really metrosexual Daen.. lol..

New Vela VIRGIN Outing!!

Friday
New VELA first outing to eat some cheap and good food at Bugis Street. Most recommended dish.. 'PAHD THAI'.. haha.. Really cheap and good. Saw Dawn and Xu Wen too as they were there for 'PAHD THAI' at the same place. After dinner, we went to Ah Chew dessert and that was where I realise that the OG is getting more and more chatty, and I concluded with Lily that they have achieved the 'Zi-High' standard. LOL.. Nice desserts with more updates about each other.

Thereafter, we went to the Intercontinental Hotel's lobby for a chat and played with the piano which was placed at the lobby. And all of a sudden, the security guard started to scold us and told us not to touch other people's belongings when they doesn't belong to you. In the first place, if you do not want people to play, put a sign there and we won't play it. Secondly, if it was not meant to be played, then what's the point of placing the piano there? IDIOTS... Following which, one of the staff came out and said, 'this place is for tour guides to hold their tourists while checking in so please GET OUT!!' What attitude was that? Is that the standard of hospitality that we are talking about in Singapore's service industry. I believe if he said, 'Can you please leave the lobby as this is a holding area for the tourists?' we will definitely leave the place without feeling pissed with them. I am totally disgusted with the way they handled us and perhaps that explains their worth. So friends, please do not engage in their services and do spread the word around.

Anyway, we did a 'VELA WOOSH' right outside the place and that can really explain their level of 'Zi-High'.. LOL.. Looking forward to the next outing which will be going to NIGHT SAFARI.. haha..

Sally's XXth Birthday

Thursday
Thursday was meant to be only free day this week but just nice, it was my colleague, Sally's birthday hence we went out for dinner with Daen and Benjamin at Railway mall's HOOKED. Not bad and the portion was quite big but the Sashimi was not worth the money. Afterwhich, we went for dessert and sat down for nearly a good 2 hours talking cock and getting to know each other better. Happy xxth Birthday to Sally once again.. [Lady's age is a secret.. haha.. =X]

Old Sec Sch Mates Outing

Wednesday
Another happening evening with the Raggers. Got to know a few more freshies. Namely, Candy [the one who says that my name is weird while thinking that hers is not.. hahaha], Nadia [the one who is laughing all the way], Jonathan [the one who is just like Sydney, wanting to order pork for the whole table when Nadia is a muslim] and also some others whom I only know by name, Tony, Albert, Tracy, Vance, and 2 others that I can't remember.. =X haha.. But well, this batch of freshies are really energetic.. GOOD!

After finishing dinner with them, I went over to TIMBRE located near City Hall MRT station to meet up with my Sec School Mates and had a good chat over some drinks and pizza. Really nice to meet up with old friends and update each other about things here and there. Attendance? Chia, Clarence, Wen Li, Ernest, Eugene, Alfred, Yueze, Weichieh and Sydney. Left early with Clarence and along the way back home, we met with a traffic police stop as predicted while we were chatting with the rest.. haha.. Ho-seh.. what good luck we have sia.. Anyway, Chia just left for overseas studies on Friday and I wish him all the best.

Old Vela Outing

Gosh.. A really packed week but I loved that!! Haha.. so let's start with Tuesday since I have blogged about the lovely Monday which Lynn cleared the Monday Blues away with her Ai Xin Zao Can.. =D

Tuesday
Great Tuesday with an outing with OLD VELANIANS and the 2-HEADED Serpens, SLUT KENNY, who loves Serpens more than he loves VELA. **Stir SHIT** Haha.. It was an evening with those crazy people from my FOC last year and it was to celebrate our 1st Year Anniversary. Whee!! Dinner at the Glass House Fish 'n' Co and we literally sat at that place to catch up for almost 2-3 hours, gossipping about everything under the sun. Still as crazy a group as before and still feel as close to them as ever. Attendance? Erritating Ernest, Lovable Lynn, Crazy Cheryl, Lovely Lily, Jovial Jia Wei, Jubilant Joyce, Slutty and KINKY Kenny.. =D Nice meet-up.. Love you guys man!!

Wonderful Breakfast!!!

Today was a good day though I was needed to return to office early in the morning. Lynn made bread with Ham and Egg for me and it was 'Hmmm.. YUMMY!!'. A good breakfast to start the day once again, all thanks to my dear dear. =D Thanks!!!

BREAKID VELA Team Analysis

Apologies for the late analysis of our team VELA, as I was busy for the past week. It is very much a good lesson for everyone who is going to read this entry as I am using a real-life example to illustrate a soft skill that is going to be important in time to come for everyone.

The first time I met up with the team, I had a strong gut feeling that the team lacks a strong leader but still, I decided to have a go at trying to have a freshies-led team than an OGL-led team. It all started with learning of cheers, playing of games on the 1st day and thereafter the cluedo day games and there was still no prominient leaders amongst the pack. There was no one to strongly dictate and lead the team which causes the team to be very scathered and that was not a very good feeling.

While the Loreal talk was on, I deliberately skipped it and had a conversation with a few other OGLs and they gave me their feedback on the team and that prompted me to take actions. I came to realise and convinced myself that the team's make-up is one that is lacking of a dominant leader and full of great followers. In a tool called the DISC (Dominance, Influence, Stability and Compliance) test, I presumed that my team lacks a 'D' character and my team is filled with 'S' and 'C'. In an ideal situation, there will always be a good mix of the 4 characteristics and in my team, I recognised that we are missing a 'D' amongst the 12 of them. So now what?

The OGLs, namely, Joel, Cheryl, Lily and Me had a discussion at the back of the LT that we shall kick in and behave like freshies leading the freshies and that will most probably help to lift up the situation and make the camp a more enjoyable one for the 'real' freshies. Hence, the OGL-led team came into play on the 2nd half of the 2nd day. =D

The results of an OGL-led team?? Hmm.. I'd say that it salvaged the situation and it made the team enjoy the camp more though it was taxing on my fellow OGLs. Thanks to Joel, Cheryl and Lily.

On the whole, VELA was a strong team but lacks a strong leader and in recognition of that, I think the OGLs deserves a pat on the back for making VELA so high and fun on day 3 and day 4. VELA was a team that warms up very slowly unlike O'VELA which is easily warmed up and performed. The only wish I have for VELA is to stay connected and stay strong as a team and if there is any problems in your uni or personal life, U have got 4 lovely OGLs to hear u out and help you. My take-away from this experience that I'd like to share is that everyone will be a leader in a way or another and to be successful in whatever you do in future will be to lead in a managerial or executive role. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses and every team is different. As a leader or even as a member of a team, you will have to observe how is the dynamics of the team and think about how can you contribute to team to make it stronger. Some members or leaders may not know their strength and weaknesses while others may know but do not know what to do with the knowledge of it.

As a saying goes 'knowledge is power', I'd beg to differ and say that 'useful knowledge is power'. Many of us know what are we good at and what are we 'not-so-good' at but we do not know what to do with this set of new found knowledge. Like in the teamVELA, some of them know that they are high 'S' and high 'C' but when in a team with no 'D', they did not realise that they can actually adapt to it and 'transform' themselves into a 'D' so as to make the team more well-balanced. Another example is when the team is full of 'Ds' and no 'Cs', those who are able to recognise this will have to be more of a 'C' so as to let only 1 or 2 'Ds' lead the team or there will be conflict of instructions and ideas. This is a critical skill that all of us will need to know so that we can value add to a team next time when we are working.

For those who are interested to know ur personal DISC test, do approach me. I can help you do a simple and easy one for u to know yourself better.

SDE FOC 2007 - BREAKID Collages

Big Head Collage of VELA

Blind VELA Freshies

Last Day Collage with BREAKID Shirt

Photos with Lynn during the Camp

SDE FOC 2007 - BREAKID DAY 4

Main activity for the last day of the camp is at SENTOSA!! The sun, sand, sea and the freshies!! A very enjoyable day out playing games. Had a team bonding game with VERMIES while waiting for the rest and it definitely shows that 'The chain is as weak as its weakest link'. Well done Vermies for maintaining the stance and did a cheer while playing the game. =D




As the end of the camp is nearing, VELA gets stronger and more hyper. This team of Velanians are slow warmers. If this camp last longer, they will definitely be the strongest OG in the whole camp. But well, as long as you guys know the team's strengths and weaknesses, I'm glad enough.

VELA.. You'll be missed.

SDE FOC 2007 - BREAKID DAY 3

FOC Camp Day 3! Yes yes.. That's me in every single photo. Well, we had Loreal to sponser us for the camp so we had some freebies for the freshies and we had to take photos of the freshies receiving the gift so 'ta-da'!! The 1st photo update about the camp on day 3.

After the 'Loreal Presentation', we went to SDE for our lunch and sad to say, Rebecca had to leave us for another camp of hers and we bade her farewell. Last group photo with the full team is the 1st three photos of the collage with our day 3 identity of a red cloth with the words 'bi-sheng' written on it.

After lunch was a talk and after the talk it is the start of the games and the highlight of today is the pool games!! We had our fun and we had our winnings coming one after another. The feeling of winning is always a very powerful tool to bond a team and day 3 was the day that I felt that VELA is starting to bond and performing as a team. Spirit was getting high and I bet day 4 will be even higher. Good Job VELANIANS!

SDE FOC 2007 - BREAKID DAY 2

Finally.. The blogger team released my blog from being suspected as a spam blog. So here it goes. BREAKID Day 2!

Day 2 started with Lynn's 'ai xin mian bao' for old VELA as it marks our 1 year anniversary as Velanians. (Photo 1-3). Afterwhich, CLUEDO day started and for day 2's identity, we had stick-on tattoos. First game was with Chuan Xin and it is to make a 5 level pyramid with the cards and VELA did it. Well DONE!! =D

As for our last station in CLUEDO, we went to John and Matthew's station and I was very glad that VELA was asked to play a team building game with requires the whole team to stand on a piece and newspaper. It helped to build their team bonding and it also surfaced an issue to me about my team and that is the fact that there is no leader amongst the freshies. An issue which me and my fellow OGLs tackled as we discuss about our team. And of course.. OGL and a 2-man bonding session too with Joel carrying the 39kg Cheryl.. =D

SDE FOC 2007 - BREAKID DAY 1

Woo-hoo.. Long and tired day with the OG.

Some photos updates before I sleep.

Night!

SDE FOC 2007 - BREAKID DAY 0

Today is the pre-camp preparation for SDE's FOC 2007. A very hectic day with program packed back to back. Went for MILKRUN, a 8.4km run, prior to the pre-camp.

Attached is the photos that will be used for the CLUEDO game that is going to be played by the freshies. Nice face-making by the actors. (^_^)

Looking forward to meeting my OG and looking forward to the camp too. Stay tuned for the daily updates about the camp. =D

Losing Someone

It has been 5 days since I last blogged and the reason was because I just send my 'god-father' on his last journey. His son is my sworn brother since Sec 2 and those were the days when we were still naive and immature and do all sorts of stupid things. Those were the days...

This entry is about how I felt with regard to losing someone.. Be it literally or not.. Humans have a lot of flaws, though we may be the smartest amongst all the other species.. We take things for granted when we had them and we only learn how to appreciate them only when they are gone. And I'm no saint either.. I commit that sin too. In one of my blog entries, I've mentioned that only death is forever and only in death will we know how important is that someone to us. Life goes on. The world will continue spinning. Time will heal the wounds. It is about the take-away from the close one's death that is important and that is to spend time with those close to you especially your parents and grandparents. What I took away was to know what regrets my sworn brother had when god-father passed away. It was simply to spend a bit more time with him. Just a little bit more.. I hope that you will start spending a little bit more time with your parents before it is too late.

Employment Act Part 1

During vacation period, many undergraduates are working part-time to earn extra income, however, many of them do not know their rights as stated in the employment act. Several incidents happened to people close to me and that prompted me to share my knowledge which was acquired last semester after taking SSB1204 Labour Law in Singapore.

First thing first, since we are talking about employment act, we will have to identify who is an employee and who is an employer with tests. The current test in place will be what I called the '15 factors' test. The following will be example of the factors that are considered in the test.

Assuming A requires service from B.

1) Is payment of salary from A to B? If it is, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
2) Can A control over what B do? If A can, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
3) If B needs time off from work, do he need to inform A? If he does, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
4) Is equipment provided by A? If so, then it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
5) Do B wear the uniform of A's company? If so, it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
6) Does the contract stipulate working hours? If so, it is more likely that B is an employee of A.
7) Does A has the rights to dismiss B? If so, it is more likely that B is an employee of A.

The 7 factors listed above are just examples of the factors considered to establish if one is an employee of A or just an independent contractor who is given a contract for service.

Upon establishing if he is an employee or not, we will be able to see if the Employment Act will be valid. The Employment Act covers everyone except for:

1) Government workers
2) Statutory Board workers
3) Domestic Workers (Gardener, Part-Time house cleaners)
4) Any person employed in managerial, executive or confidential postitions

***IMPT!! If the Employment Act does cover the employee, it does not matter if the employee is FOREIGNER or PART-TIME worker. [Part-Time workers are those who work for less than 30 hours a week as stated in the Employment Act Chapter 91, Part 6A, 66A. Those who work for more than 30 hours a week will be considered as full-time worker.]

To read about what the Employment Act states, log in to http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/ and search for Employment Act.

For the Employment Act, there is a part which covers only specific categories of people and it is Part IV of the Employment Act. It covers only employees who earn less than $1600/mth or manual workers. This part of the Employment Act clearly states the entitlement of those who falls in this category. I will cover in detail what Part IV states in great details in my next Employment Act entry.

Time to sleep. Have a good day pal. =D

Nice Sunday Outing to SENTOSA!!

We finally had our long-waited sentosa outing to all the various attractions on that sunny island. Our day started with a breakfast at Mac and it was very filling. =D

Nearly took a wrong bus to the MRT station but luckily I realised that early. =D

We took a cable car for the 1st time to go to sentosa and it was a pretty good ride. Look at the following photos and you will see why..

Started our tour with the butterflies and other insects..

Beautiful right? Those are the exhibits and now for those that are in the enclosed garden..

Following that, we went to watch a show in Sentosa 4D Theatre. The experience was terrific.

After the short movie, we went to images of Singapore and had a brief history lesson about our country.

Exiting images of Singapore, we went to the Merlion to its head and its mouth for viewing. There was a coin given to everyone to place into a slot and then redeem some prizes.

Thereafter, we took a skyride to the southern part of the island and went to book our tickets for the musical fountain, 'Songs of the Sea'. After getting our tickets, we went to Underwaterworld for a visit. Amazing!

And now for the stingray feeding..

WOo.. So if you had not realised, we skipped lunch just to go to all the places and hence now it is DINNER TIME!! We ate at SAKAE sushi which SOMEONE told me it was SAKURA.. LOL.. Btw, the air-con was down when we were there.. (-_-!!)

And the last event of the day!! The 'Songs by the Sea' musical. A good closing to our long day.

A very eventful and good day out with Lynn and really enjoyed myself with you. Thanks for a wonderful day wor!! =D

Time for me to sleep le. Stay tuned for more posts as I had a lot to say but a bit too late now to post them. Good night!