Firewood: Source of Memories

The beginning has just begun..

2009-07-07T20:36:00.003+08:00

I have not contributed to the blog for almost a year. But I did not regret.. Who dictates that we need to write blog so often? This is my blog and I will write it as and when I like.

Excuses.

Well, as usual, I have thought of coming in to pen down my thoughts. I will just leave what is past to the past and concentrate on the present.

In a few days time, I will be attending the graduation ceremony, wearing the gown with the mortarboard. The owl's attire as I used to joke about. And I will officially announce to the world that I am a graduate!

C'mon.. This is just the beginning of your working life. What is so great about it?

It is true. In a few days time, I will have to go to work early in the morning and return late at night. I will be looking forward to the weekend every week and hope that the pay day will come soon. A typical working adult life. Why should I be happy about graduating? In fact, I will be facing the reality of life soon.

Nevertheless, I think it is time for me to experience the world, after 16 years of education. I have been sheltered in school, doing projects imitating the real world scenarios, presenting to the professors and fellow classmates instead of real bosses and customers, mugging for examinations with study break instead of having to mug and deliver business results at the same time. How exciting it can be to see the real world finally! Isn't this the objective of getting the degree?

I can feel that something is going to change my life.. again. It is something that I have experienced just before my NS enlistment and before entering into SMU. Yet it is so remotely different. Heard someone said before that this is another leap in our life, a very big leap indeed.

Random thoughts

2008-08-04T00:20:00.004+08:00

Went to one of the annual hungry ghost festival dinner tonight with my parents. Quite reluctant to go at first, but went after considering that it would be a decent dinner for me.

Not many young people around.. This is usually the case now.. The participants are usually aunties and uncles (My parents generation). I have no topics to talk with them and I am very amazed that they are able to pick up conversations easily even though they might not meet one another before. Their topics would revolve around "Anybody still around?" and things like that... and their conclusion would usually be "How long will we live is all predestined?"

I did not pay much attention to this hypothesis that they have made because nobody can prove whether this statement is true. But I have thought of a Chinese saying which goes, you never bring anything when you are born and you will not bring anything with you when you are dead.. If this statement is true, do we need to be so uptight by things such as wealth, authority and career aspirations? Can we bring them into the grave with us?...

Trapped in expectations

2008-08-02T22:18:00.003+08:00

About ten years ago, I was told from a teacher that I need to be more confident to succeed in life. Five years ago, I was told by my army buddy that I can be more arrogant so that I can overcome any challenges. Few years ago, a professor has asked me to be more confident so that I can present better..

Their advices are good and I have gained a lot of achievements. Can do fairly well in studies, overcome obstacles in army and do what I want to do. I would not say I am a very confident person, but I can say that it can tide me through most of the obstacles so far in life. However, my expectations of myself have also increased tremendously, to a point where I might collapse if I ever hit a setback. And indeed, I am...

I was quite depressed yesterday. Too many things have happened and I realized that I am unable to meet the expectations that I have set for myself. I was pessimistic, feeling weak, tired and bleak of the future. I tried to ask myself, why am I in such deep shit now? Why I could not just set average expectation like anyone else and live normally? Didn't I have told myself that I would want to live like a normal person a few months back?

After much thinking, I realized that I have been living to the expectation of other people. What other people believe I can do, I will go for it. I do not know what I want to have in my life. I am concerned of what other people expect of me and I would set a higher expectation of myself. She was right, to say that I have been running fast and I have been pushing myself to run even faster. Eventually, I would collapse. She reminded me that it is a blessing to lead a normal life yesterday, which I have forgotten while I am in this rat race. Yes indeed.. that is what I need. But if I stop now, i might lose everything that I have.. To let go or not to let go.

Watched a clip on some moral story on why monkeys are being trapped. The hunter placed a few bottles with rice such that the neck is just nice for a monkey to put in its hand. That night, many monkeys came and tried to take the rice. They put in their hands and grabbed the rice. However, they were not able to remove their hand from the bottle if they grab the rice. In the end many of the monkeys are stuck. Only a few monkeys are clever enough to let go of the rice and escape from the trap. Am I the monkey now in this scenario?

A senior told me once.. I am strong in materialistic sense but I am weak spiritually.. Spiritual in the sense that I can control what I want... even to let go when I am about to achieve the goal. I would lead a happy life if I am able to achieve such balance.

"Don't need to live up to others expectations. The first thing to overcome it is to overcome yourself. If you can't manage yourself, you cannot manage others.." I will remember her words...

Data Entry

2008-07-07T22:38:00.002+08:00

The job for today is basically data entry.. I think my speed has improved tremendously No other interns around.. Feeling a bit boring, but luckily there are new people coming in.

The customer service officer called, very polite.. Well, I will give them another chance :)

Poor Service Quality

2008-07-05T22:49:00.002+08:00

I am very disturbed and disappointed by the service quality that I have received today. Maybe because I had experience two extreme cases in the same morning.. One very good and one very bad. Now I understand why customers are very frustrated when the company does not treat its customers seriously.. I was on the verge of terminating the policy on the spot. I was very tired after the whole incident and went back to sleep immediately in the late afternoon...

Asking for more works

2008-07-04T22:38:00.002+08:00

Today, as usual, went to the managers to ask for work. Surprisingly, he has works for me and I was very happy. Although some of these tasks are outright SK, I don't mind.. At least I don't feel guilty siting down there doing nothing.. even to the extent of OT. I feel that I learn a lot today... and I'm feeling tired.. TGIF..BUT! Tomorrow still need to go to SMU.. I am really asking for it.

Maybe not for me...

2008-07-03T13:52:00.002+08:00

Have been in office for my internship for quite some time.. Nothing for me to do actually and that explains why I can find time to blog during office hour. I have wanted to find more work but either it is too high level or too troublesome to be delegated... I admit myself to be a workaholic, maybe this job is not for me... or maybe I come in at the wrong time, during the lull period....

Journey not the Destiny

2008-07-03T13:30:00.002+08:00

I just came across a blog of a senior today. I can relate to most of the things that he blogs and I think it helps me to understand myself more. Maybe I am wrong to view things in the past....

I always work for the things that I want and I usually forgo the journey along the way.. Sometime I am confused by what I am doing and question myself whether reaching the destination is worth the effort.. Maybe a better way to look at it is to know the path that I am walking and enjoy the scenery along the journey.. A longer journey could be more worthwhile than taking faster route to reach the destination. Don't let the destiny controls you.. From now onwards, I will control my journey and my destiny.

I will blog everyday from now onwards, even if it is short, I will learn more about myself this way.

A place in life

2008-06-25T23:17:00.002+08:00

Read the book on "the Alchemy".. There are many learning points from the simple story. One of them talks about destiny and that not many people pursue their destiny. The reason for not doing so is simply that people cannot get out of their comfort zone. People rather stay status quo, don't fight the norms and most importantly, they do not "talk" to their hearts to understand what they need.

Rational people think with their brains and not their hearts. Thinking logically with the brain is good.. but understanding what the heart wants is equally important. If you are met with a decision, the brain tells you to do "A" but the heart tells you to do "B".. which would you choose?

I suppose this is applicable to many decisions that we have made or would be making in life. For now, making career decision is critical for me and most of my peers. Most people pursue their careers based on what the brain "tells" them. Go for one that can earn you the biggest bucks.. Go for one that can give you the fastest route to the corporate ladder.. Go for one that will get you the greatest NPV or the shortest payback period.. Well.. These are rational decisions. It helps to make you progress and these goals are relatively tangible.

There are also people who would go with their hearts... Go for one that I want... The question however is... what do you want? Helping people is what I want? Work life balance is what I want? Traveling around is what I want? Well.. I suppose this group of people would go with their hearts if they have the choice to do so.. Talk about inflation.. Talk about competitions.. Talk about survival... Do people still listen to their hearts?

There is another group of people who believe that they have a role to play in life. Can be some outcasts, can be some political leaders, can be some businessmen, can be some religious leaders.. They believe they exist in life because of some reasons and they pursue their dreams. They are different from people who follow the crowds and they believe in what they are doing, even if they differ from norms. They want to do the job, even if nobody wants to do.. Be it low pay, low social status... but they find peace because they know that it is their role, their destiny. Confucius says something like do the role that you are supposed to be in.. the leader should behave like the leader, the follower should behave like a follower... the parent behaves like a parent, the child behave like a child. Believing is a powerful force that drives you to what you want. However, the challenge is.. what is your belief? What is your destiny? What is your place in life?

Finding new direction..

2008-06-25T23:01:00.002+08:00

A lot of things have happened for the past few days.. WZ was injured.. Hwee and his family were back... Man Chun was back also... internship was becoming more stagnant... FYP getting more busy..

Somehow.. this summer is different from the previous summers.. It is the last summer that I am going to have and time seems to past very slowly. I begin to pick up new hobbies, such as learning languages and reading fictional books/biographies. I suppose it is a good start towards work-life balancing and I hope that the habit would stay with me.

Random thoughts in Hong Kong

2008-06-11T23:20:00.002+08:00

Just some random thoughts when I was having exchange in Hong Kong:

To be successful in life, you need to have capabilities and credibility...

Focus in 5F:
Family, Friends, Fortune, Food, Flight/Fun

First day of work

2008-06-09T21:44:00.003+08:00

Today is my first day of work.. Woke up, brushed my teeth, wore my new zara shirt and go to work by MRT. When I reached Raffles Place MRT, I felt very identical to the other working class people. Everyone seemed to conform to a certain standard - Wearing similar outfits, walking in similar direction, and showing similar facial expression. It looked scary, like a group of zombies. Probably today is Monday and everyone is having Monday Blues.

It took some time to clear the administrative procedures but it was fast to get settle down. Thanks to Felix and the other interns and colleagues who were very helpful. There are not many people around in the company because they are clearing leaves in this lull period. I only get to know my general job scope and I hope it would be clearer soon.

Had a good lunch through some recommendations and I'm looking forward for more places to eat as the time goes by. Time went very fast and I didn't expect to come home so early... After much thoughts, I thought it was time for me to start exercising before I got any fatter. I dragged myself from the sofa and went for a run one hour after dinner.. It was rather tiring but refreshing after the exercise.

Today is a fresh start for me after the long 22 weeks of academic imprisonment. Looking forward to more experience tomorrow..

Reflecting in front of the campfire

2008-06-08T12:41:00.002+08:00

Like every other person, we have preoccupied so many activities in our lives and seldom can find time to do self-reflection. It has been some time since I have paid attention to this blog, just like
I have not gone for a campfire for a long time. However, I still remember the fond memories that I have. Yesterday, while I was talking to my friends, I realized that I have missed out a lot on these reflections and they would be forgotten soon if I do nothing about it. I think it is about time for me to rekindle this blog and I have changed its name to the source of memories.

When I was in NPCC, I would always look forward to the annual campfire night. I enjoyed the atmosphere, the warmth and the moments with my friends, singing and dancing happily around the campfire. In particular, I liked to stare at the fire and reflect on myself. It is similar to looking at the river flow and listening to the sound of the flowing water.. But there is something special about the fire, that it will warm and smooth my heart...

Sometime the fire became weaker and we would add the firewood to "keep the fire going". For every firewood added to the flame, the fire becomes stronger and more memories appear in my mind. It is a source of energy that keeps me warm and adds incredible meanings to my life. This is one of the reasons I like about my nickname, firewood.

Half-way through HK Fall Exchange 2007

2007-10-28T21:52:00.000+08:00

Today marks the second month of my overseas exchange in HKUST. It is a short period of time but yet I have done a lot of things. Most of the things that I have done involve traveling, in HK and other places such as Shenzhen, Beijing, Guangzhou, Macau next week.

A lot of people ask me whether HK is fun or not. So far my answer is yes. You can have good food, good shopping and good scenery (maybe because my hostel room is facing the sea!). The issue that I face so far is that the cost of living is higher than Singapore.

For now, I will just talk about my experience in HK. HK is much bigger and more hilly than Singapore. Transportation system is efficient especially with the widely-used octopus card. There are many bus transportation available and I usually travel out of campus using the minibus service. MTR transportation fee is expensive but it is much cheaper with the student rate.

My buddy cum roommate, Edmund, and me have been traveling around quite often. On the day that we arrive, Chorng Shin has brought us and Christina around in HK. We had a very good Dim Sum at Federal (www.FederalRestaurant.hk) and went to see the lightshow at the Victoria Harbour. After that we went to eat dessert at 许留山 and went back to hostel to take a rest.

We took a 2-day tour with the school to see the surrounding islands in HK. Nothing much to see, in my opinion. During that weekend, we went to Shenzhen for message and eat good food. Still remember Chorng Shin still prefer his meng niu milk at Walmart. But in my opinion, nothing much to see in Shenzhen. It is just another city that has no differentiating factor with other cities.

Went to Lan Kwai Fong a few times with friends.. I don't really like clubbing but I go there to take a look at how the nightlife in HK is like. There are a lot of expatriates there and many pubs and clubs there. Christina and me celebrated our birthday with our friends and had a good night over there. Subsequently went there a few time such as Halloween and some special events and I am constraining myself because it is not healthy for my body and my wallet to go there so often.

Ocean Park is a must go in HK! I had fun over there with Edmund, Christina and Hong Sheng. The rides are super fun, rekindling my childhood memory. Bought an annual pass over there and I know that I will bring Weizhen there when she comes to HK in dec again. That night, we went to Stanley market to eat and had a good chat over there.

Found a few good eating places at Temple Street, Yong Ji at Central, Java Street Market and Watami. But I'm still missing my Sg food..

(TBC)

Knowing to treasure what I have

2007-08-27T19:45:00.000+08:00

During this period of overseas internship, I missed my family, my gf and my friends.. At first it is still manageable because I was trying to adapt well to new environment... But after that, I get to miss them more... As the saying goes, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"... It is only when they are not around me then I realize how precious they are. Many people said that I should have gone to Hong Kong directly from Shanghai... But I did not make a wrong decision in coming back first. I get to meet up with my family, my gf and my friends.. I have longed to see them when I was in Shanghai... This is the happiest moment in my life and I know that I will treasure them more after I get back from Hong Kong.

Fostering friendships in China

2007-08-27T19:23:00.000+08:00

Having stayed in Shanghai for 3 months, I have fostered good friendships with my roommates, friends and colleagues. I always felt very good whenever I see any Singaporeans on the street. It somehow brings us closer because we are Singaporeans.

I have good room-mates staying with me... include Weifa, Jiayan, Joey and I-Shan. In particular, Weifa for looking after us like a caring father while Jiayan for bringing joys and happiness to the house. I really missed those day staying in Shanghai with them... Filling water, cooking food, clubbing, "sleeping", singing, eating, massaging, running, planning (especially jia yan), arcading, eating dumplings (小笼包，种子), "bitching", acting quiet, exploring, ironing, washing clothes... Haha, these bring back good memories.

I also felt very excited when someone visits us from Singapore, or Singaporeans working in Shanghai. These people include Gilbert, Lin xu, My mother and aunties, Uncle Robert and wife, Jiayan's mother, Jiayan's uncle, Jiayan's sister and friends, Kenneth, Marcus, Bing Kai, Li Na, Phuong, Evangeline, Ester.. And also those already in Shanghai, including Hanwen, Vivenne, Nicole, Robin, Justin, Lawrence... How I wish more friends can join me in Shanghai as well....

Experiencing working and living in China

2007-08-27T19:04:00.000+08:00

Working and living in China... My experience may be different from the others. But basically these are the things to look out for: Accommodation, Transportation and Company.

I had many problems with the landlord, like 发票issue (Apparently, it is a common practice among renting not to issue 发票... a way to evade tax?) and number of people staying in the house. But anyway, it is the past. Usually, I aim to spend less than 50RMB a day and spend more during the weekend. In addition, I signed up with pfingo and skype to call back home free as long as I have internet connection... but trust me, internet connection in China is quite unreliable. I had difficulties trying to check emails to go on msn. My friends on msn were all asking me, "How come you always go online and offline"...

If you want to travel around in Shanghai, try http://www.ddmap.com. They give good guide on the bus transportation system. But, unlike Singapore, if you can go from A to B with bus C, you might not be able to return with bus C anymore. So do plan carefully before you travel! It is relatively cheap to travel in bus.. but it is very packed. If you want, you can travel by cabs but you need to know how to "snatch". MRT is good also but there was once when it broke down because someone kicked the door due to frustration of being packed. It is convenient if you buy the 交通卡 from the MRT station. But you can only refund it at 衡山路 (at least near my place).

Company... different company has different policy. It is important to get on good terms with them so that you can ask favor from them easier next time. But in general, it is very important to know how to speak and write Chinese. I was usually tasked to do translation from English to Chinese and vice versa. Your Chinese will definitely improve by working in Shanghai. You might want to use 金山词霸 or http://www.iciba.com as your favorite tool.

Most people in Shanghai speak Shanghainese.. but it is ok to speak English or Chinese (Putonghua). Shanghainese, to me, sounds like Japanese. So far I only know how to say
"Thank you" - Shayah nong
"Eat Rice" - Che' ve le
"End of Work" - Ho Be le
"Good Bye" - Zhai Hui
The tone is quite difficult to pick up though. Anyway, half of the people in Shanghai are foreigners, speaking Putonghua is sufficient.

Glancing at the Shanghai Town

2007-08-27T18:22:00.000+08:00

Ok.. enough of serious stuffs.. Going to introduce some famous places in Shanghai. I am not an authorized tour guide but at least I know where are the places that you can go to if you are heading to Shanghai.

人民广场
I will compare this to the City Hall of Shanghai. It is the heart of the town as many people change their train if they are traveling between 浦东 and 浦西. You can observe how developed Shanghai is from here... and I am proud to see Capital Land's Raffles City right at 人民广场. Although it is very accessible, there are many people and cars in this area. 所谓 "上海数人头", you can really see how packed Shanghai is. But since there are many places that you can travel from there, you should go there at least once.

南京步行街
This is a very well-known street in Shanghai, starting from 人民广场. There are many shopping centers along this street and they are usually very "class". I will recommend walking down this at night because you can see how beautiful lit the place is. If I remember correctly, it will take roughly 1/2-1 hour to walk down the street. Move down from 人民广场to 南京东路 because you will get to see the beautiful bund at night.

外滩 (The Bund)
This place is usually very crowded and many couples like to go there. It has a beautiful night scenery along the river 黄浦江 and you can see colonial building lit up in yellow lighting behind you. Usually people come here to take photos with the famous Oriental Pearl Tower 东方明珠塔. You can also see the developed scenery of 浦东from this place but I feel that it is more scenic from the 浦东side. This is because you can see the old scenery of Shanghai.

东方明珠塔
In my personal opinion, I do not find the building attractive. But I was told that after this tower was built, 浦东starts to develop very fast. It is worthy to come and take a look. In other words, if you don't see the tower, you can't say that you have come to Shanghai. Anyway, you need to pay to go up the tower and I didn't go up there. Stop at the 陆家嘴MRT station if you want to go there. You can also get to see the Bund from the other side of the river. There are also many shopping centers that you can take a look, like 金茂大厦.

城隍庙
The temple worships 孔子but so far I didn't go in before. I do respect him but just that I could not have the chance to go in and pray. There are many stalls over here, selling chinese handicrafts and jewellery. There are also two buildings with stalls that look like 七浦路. Anyway, don't forget to try the famous 小笼包here. Well, it is another famous tourist attraction that you shouldn't miss.

七浦路
This is a very large market, selling apparels. If you like shopping and like to bargain, this is the place to go. Remember, you have to bargain!

七宝古镇
This place is a small version of 水乡. I went there at night and didn't really see much thing there because all stalls are closed. But the scenery is still very beautiful. The only thing is that it is quite far from the central.

徐家汇
I am very familiar with this place because I stayed near here. There are four big shopping centers here, opened by Singaporean (美罗城), Japanese (Sogo), Hong Kong (港汇) and Chinese (上海百货). I usually go 美罗城 because there are arcade, bookshop and foodcourt (大食代). Behind it, there is 百脑汇, a famous IT center (similar to our Sim Lim Square). This place is also very crowded.

新天地/Bon Bon/Baby Face/Windows
Well.. These are famous clubbing places. I like the atmosphere in 新天地 but it is quite a costly entertainment place. But you should at least go there to see the place once because a lot of foreigners are there. You can go clubbing at the other affordable places. But do be careful of your belongings... my friend lost his handphone there. All these clubbing places are in 衡山路，淮海路，黄皮南路, 静安寺...

静安寺
This is another place that is very centrally located with the famous 玖光百货.. You can go into the temple to take a look.

Other interesting places include 古北家乐福，田林，虹桥路, 上海体育场(Foxtown). If you want to eat Singapore Food, look for Frankie's place... I can't remember the place but I know who to get it from =) You can also try 和记.. it is kinda staple food for me and my friends. The food in Shanghai is famous for salty and oily. So be prepared.

Learning the Chinese Ways, Culture and History

2007-08-27T17:31:00.000+08:00

Let me put it this way.. I do not understand the Chinese very well.. What I am going to write comes from my personal observation and from what I hear from my friends. In addition, different provinces in China work differently. Shanghai is the fastest developing city in China and it is heavily influenced by foreign investments. Hence, it is unfair to compare Shanghai with the other provinces. Indeed I was warned that I should never use Shanghai as a gauge for China.
Strong viewpoints
Whenever there are any discussions or debates among my Chinese colleagues, I felt that they held strongly to their viewpoint. It is not that they do not consider other viewpoints... I find that they will do their best to support their arguments. Most of the time, I realize that we usually discuss and debate in the most "political" way. "This can... but the other one also can...". Well, more often than not, we find our arguments siting on the fence. I respect them for putting their stand clearly and support it with substantial reasoning. I was told that this could be because the people (in the city) travels frequently in China and they establish their thoughts from what they observe. Unlike in Singapore, they are not told "what is right" and "what is wrong"; what they say is what they see. Probably that is why it is not an uncommon sight to see Chinese quarreling along the street.

Patriotic
Every time when I talk to the Chinese people, they will discuss about history, politics, literature, business and education. Most of these topics revolve around China and they are very concern of the current affairs of China. They will openly discuss the politics of China, whether it is working or not, and put in their inputs. For instance, I am convinced by them that communism may be a good political system in governing China, which is large and developing. What I admire most is that most of them know their history at their fingertips. This could be the result of the education system focusing on history and literature. Well... it may not seem to be as useful as science and mathematics, but it gives China its unique identity.

Strong Desire to Learn
Chinese are famous of being hardworking and I can feel their strong desire to excel and learn. Every now and then, my colleagues will ask me about English, IT skills and other things that I have learned in school. I also heard of many people taking night classes in China. With the opening of the Chinese market and the Internet, I believe they will catch up with the rest of the world very fast.. I am indeed motivated by them to continue learning fast. When every Chinese knows how to write and speak English, we would no longer have this competitive advantage of English anymore. No wonder it is very important to take another language. Well, I will keep up this learning spirit with them.

Friendship and Guanxi
I have many friends who told me that the Chinese were unfriendly to them in the public. And I would usually say that this would not be the case if they get to know you better. I make a lot of Chinese friends in China and they have treated me very well during my stay. Probably this is the reason why many people say it is very important to establish good 关系with the locals. But I believe this will apply to other parts of the world. Overall, they will look after their friends very well.

Creativity
Well... Creativity can come in both good and bad ways.. It is not uncommon to find counterfeit goods in the market such as pirated DVDs (5RMB a disc!). There are also creative products produced but they will be copied immediately. I believe there are still rooms for improvements to educate the public on Intellectual Property Rights... But if such rules are enforced, how is China going to feed so many poor and hungry people?

There are other interesting observations as well. For example, they said that people in northern China are more 豪爽 and people in the southern China are more 精算. Why 江苏area can develop faster than the rest of China is because scholars were usually produced in this region from history. These are just some interesting stories that I have heard. Like what I have said earlier on, these are just my personal observations.

Beginning of Shanghai Memory

2007-08-27T17:10:00.000+08:00

I have a dilemma. I want to blog down every experience that I had in Shanghai. But it is not possible for me to do so. There are simply too many things that I want to talk about and if I were to put them down all in a single post, it will be too long to be read. Hence, I have decided to break my Shanghai Memory down into a few manageable posts:

1) Learning the Chinese Ways, Culture and History
2) Glancing at the Shanghai Town
3) Experiencing working and living in China
4) Fostering friendships in China
5) Knowing to treasure what I have

In addition, I will also talk about my trips to 黄山, 西安, 洛阳, 苏州, 杭州 in the later posts. I am going to leave Singapore soon for overseas exchange in Hong Kong. Hopefully I have the time to finish journalizing this memory down before I engage another journey....

Week 1 in Shanghai

2007-05-10T23:10:00.000+08:00

Before I knew it I have already spent one week in Shanghai. I kinda like this place when I came here, just it is a bit polluted and the traffic is kinda bad. But other than that, I seems to adapt to the place pretty well.

Day 1: On the day when I leave Singapore on 4 May, I was sad that I would not be able to see Weizhen for another 3 months. Luckily I have equipped myself with webcam so that I can use it in Shanghai for conversation. The trip was kinda long but somehow I got myself pre-occupied with all the services that China Eastern Airline provided me. There are no games or movies, and I am pretty amazed by my patience. I nearly laughed aloud when they said that they hope we have enjoyed the "entertainment" on the flight.

After I have alighted from the plane with Hanwen, we waited in the airport for awhile and meet up with Jiayan and Nicole. As planned, we took a ride that Weifa has arranged for us to the sweet cosy 天际花园. Although we need to climb up six storey high, I like the apartment a lot. There are water heater, TV and Internet Service (Thank to Joey and Weifa). Thank to Jiayan, we have a router so that all of us can use Internet at the same time, but we took quite a long time to configure the router.

We were welcomed by Jiayan's auntie and uncle and were toured around in Shanghai City. It was very beautiful in the town, especially at the bunk with the special lighting along the street and river. It was kinda cold and windy but I prefer this than hot summer wind.

Day 2: We went shopping with her auntie to shop for Jiayan's bed. It was another orientation for me as I get to know how to get around in Shanghai. Had a good dinner near our place eventually.
Day 3: Kinda cheated by the barber early in the morning but I think I have learnt a great lesson from it. Someone mistook me as a Shanghainese and started talking to me in Shanginese. Went to recce our workplace and get to walk around in bus and train. Another orientation trip for me. Had a good meal at Jin Xi near my house with Joey and I-Shan

Day 4: Want to get slack but still, we are out there receeing the bus services and buying our working bags in the afternoon. In the end, we still get back home late.

Day 5: First day of work. Kinda bored. First orientation to the company and get to work with Chinese accounting terms. It is really a struggle for me, like get to know terms like 固定资本，保废，盈利 etc. Well, my job is to work with these terms and come up with good internal controls. Oh no.. AIS and Audit! Kinda sian, had an early night sleep

Day 6: Second day of work. Very energetic. And the boss gave me a treat! And I realize that my colleagues are quite cute one. Had a good chat with them. Open a bank account, and another person mistook me as the manager of the bank. Sianz... Had a bad KFC dinner, but it was compensated by good dumplings later on.

Day 7: Third day of work. Kinda of getting used to work. Boss gave me another treat, cos I forgot my meal order.. Oops! Anyway, kinda getting used to work today. Had a good fruit feast tonite with Weifa's watermelon and apples we bought near our house.

Thoughts and Feelings

2007-04-28T17:53:00.000+08:00

For many years, the bird wants to fly high and far. He wants to see the beauty of the world and he knows that this is what he wants. Everyday, he looks towards the sea horizons to motivate himself. He always put in the extra efforts to make sure that he can fly fast and steady so that he can withstand the strong wind and rain. The bird grows stronger each day and he knows that his determination will make his dream comes true one day.

Through his friend, the bird met a sparrow and they fell in love. They flew together, ate together and played together. The bird felt fortunate to have such a wonderful companion with him. For many months, the bird has thought that the sparrow was happy with him as long as they are together. So he continued to focus on his training.

One day he found a good opportunity to fly out into the open sea. He was very excited to know about this. He told all his friends about it and of course to the sparrow who was all along supporting him. The sparrow wanted the bird to stay but she knew that this is his dream to fly out there. The bird convinced the sparrow that the trip would not be too long and he will fly back soon.

Just before the bird was going to fly off, he had a quarrel with the sparrow. The sparrow felt that the bird loved her but the bird did not understand her. She had problems telling her problems to the bird because the bird had always been very critical and did not think from her feeling and perspective. She wanted to fly high as well but she always had the problems of doing so. She wanted the bird to console her but the bird had always been criticizing her, making her feel that she was at fault all the while. She had also always felt stressed up because she wanted to spend more quality time with him, but her training had not allowed her to do so. And the bird had always focused on his training such that he had neglected her. It seems that both the bird and the sparrow are living in two different worlds. She finally told the bird of all these feelings.

The bird was very shocked and hurtful to hear about this... All along he had thought that the sparrow was happy with him. In the midst of training, he had lost track of time and feeling. He only focused on flying and paddling his wings. He had always felt that he was strong but the words of the sparrow crippled his wings. He felt that he was a very irresponsible partner in this relationship. Probably before that the bird felt that everything was alright because he was enjoying the relationship and so he assumed that the sparrow was enjoying. Probably the bird had concentrated too much of his training such that he had neglected her feeling. When the sparrow shared her problems with the bird, the bird had no intentions to hurt her. He just wanted her to be independent, to solve the problems and to grow and fly as high as him. What he did not know and that he had realized later is that the sparrow just needs to have a listening ear. She needs the quality time and attention, and most importantly the understanding of the bird.

Somehow, the misunderstanding could have arose because of the different worlds that they are living in. The bird is living in a competitive world where every stroke of the wing matters a lot to him. What matters most to the bird is that as long as he can fly fast and steady, everything would be fine. On the other hand, the sparrow is living in a very emotional world where feeling matters most. She concerns more on how other people feel and her own feeling as well. Therefore she notices on the details of every actions that the bird has done whereas the bird just focused on the bigger pictures. The sparrow thought with her heart first whereas the bird thought with his brain first. Probably this is the reason why the bird has neglected some of the details that the sparrow had picked up.

The bird wanted to change his way of doing things but the sparrow had stopped him. The sparrow did not want the bird to change because of her. The bird was in a state of confusion and he did not know what to do and what the sparrow really wants from him. But he knew that he needed time to digest and think of what the sparrow had just told him. He just wanted to have a quiet personal moment. Before that he only had the time to fly and he did not have the time to stop and think. He had some time to think before he flew off into the big open sea...

New Year Resolution for 2007

2006-12-31T23:26:00.000+08:00

I must first thank the blessings for everything in the year 2006. Although it is a hectic year for me, I have enjoyed every moment of it. Highlights of the year include going on the Sri Lanka Trip, going on the internship and most importantly, to get to know Wei Zhen.. Coming to the end of this year, I am thankful that everything has gone well so far.

We will be approaching the new year in a few minutes time. It is the time for me to set my new year resolution again. I have thought of it for the past few days but frankly speaking, I do not know what to set this time round. But I know I want to set some goals so that I can work towards it to have a more fruitful life.

In no orders of importance, these are my new year resolutions:

Save money (~20% of Allowance)
I need to save sufficient amount so that I can spend during my internship in Shanghai and probably during exchange in Hong Kong
Spend more time with Wei Zhen
As I will be away for internship and exchange, I won't be in Singapore for half of the year. It will be a year of travel and new experience for me and I need to spend more time with her this year. However, this is going to compromise because I think there is an ESSENTIAL needs for me to mug for the coming term. I suppose it is a good idea to spend time with her and mug together since she has to mug as well... Haiz.. What a mugging couple.
More exercise + Less Diet
Have been putting on weights since last summer and it is going to increase further if I do not monitor closely... I really hope that my schedule allows me to exercise thrice a week.. Once on weekend and Twice on weekdays. Diet wise, maybe can be controlled with my budget? Must really get back to reality... IPPT coming soon after graduation!
Putting on smile daily
I wonder if I can achieve this. This is to reduce stress.. But yeah.. I think if I can smile daily, everything will go smoothly.
Enjoying every moment and experience
Going on an internship and exchange will be fun and enriching... I hope to learn more and enjoy more at the same time. It will be a great moments and experience for me. I also want to enjoy every moment with Wei Zhen as well.

In addition, these are my wish-lists for this year. It is not a necessity but is a good to have.. And yeah, I must work towards in getting them =)

Digital Camera to capture all the defining moments
Hard Drive to backup all my data
A pair of Spectacles
Bicycle
... (Adding on to the lists)

Yeah.. That's all and it is new year now! Happy new year to everyone! Happy new year Steven!

Love is in the air...

2006-12-25T00:19:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas! I must say this Christmas is really special for me... Not only that I have experienced the snowing effects from the rain, I have also been able to spend my Christmas with someone I like. I will never forget this Christmas.

I have been enjoying myself this holiday. Possibly to make myself drunk in this holiday after the long battle last term. After the previous post, have almost finished the InnovateIT tasks (except on waiting for the offices to claim the cash). I have also intended to mug but I have always resisted myself in doing so.

But this holiday, like the Christmas, is memorable because it is when I have spent the most time with Weizhen so far. We have got together more often, cycled together and watched many great movies: "墨攻", "The Holiday" and "Night At the Museum".

Wei Zhen, Thank for your love and everything that you have done for me. I really appreciate a lot. Like what I have told you, I'm really worried we won't have time for each other after holiday. But I'll think of you always. This post is meant for you. And I also want to say: 和你在一起，我也感到很幸福. Merry Christmas. Love Always...

I thought I have adapted well... but nope, I haven't

2006-11-30T13:56:00.000+08:00

This term is a test of my limits. Although I am only doing 5 modules this term, the workload is super great. Probably it is because I have taken a few more assignments, which has added on to my workload. That's why during the middle of the term, I have decided to tone down more.

In summary these are the courses and activities that I have done:
1) ACCT201A - Corporate Reporting and Analysis of Financial Statements
This course is interesting even though we need to keep refering to FRS. I get to appreciate annual report and financial statements better and it is an interesting lesson taught by Prof. Garfield. Get to learn all types of consolidation, financial ratios, analysis, earning management, revenues and +++..... I kinda neglected in this course and I didn't think I did well for this course. Anyway, it is over. Lets move on.

2) FIN 101 - Finance
Well.. What can I say about this course. Haha, Prof Jayaram is cool. Always get amused by him on a friday morning. Instead of calculations, he focused on theory and fundamentals.. Well, I appreciate that for the final and doing the paper seems like doing humanity paper. Get to touch on with NPV, IRR (Sounds of a dog??), Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), Markowitz Portfolio Theory, CAPM, M&M Theorems, Options, Real Options... Haha, I can only remember this much. But I think I learn more about life from his class. I wish I can be as carefree as him man.

3) CORE 004 - Introductory Economics
I have always wanted to do economics in JC. Now it has given me a chance to do it. It is kinda good because I get to understand society better, by demand and supply. Haha, really and I frequently crack jokes with my friends on econs theory. Like we should achieve marginal benefits >= marginal costs and GPA makes us suffer in the short run and not in the long run... I think this course is good, especially taught by Prof Tan Swee Liang. Kinda fun having her lessons and she is responsible in her workshops (Held in classroom). Haha... Only thing is that I don't think I did well for the paper as well. MCQ is a killer

4) IS203 - Software Engineering
Team NOB... Who will think we have non-business students in our team. I enjoy working with my team a lot, all are responsible and willing to work. Work on RubyOnrails... Wow, super impressed with it. And we are feeling great because we find that we have used our time efficiently. Remember, Marginal benefit > Marginal cost. Everything is good for our project except that I have a great great regret for this course... Didn't use SVN well. Hai...

5) IS304 - Process Modelling and Solution Blueprinting
What should I say about this course?.... A marketing course? A business process course? or an advanced IS101. Get to learn a lot of models for it and have to play with simulation using TIBCO. But do I really learn much from it? I think everything is too theortical and we need to put them to use. Talking like this in class is futile I feel. But well, the prof is empathetic I feel. At least he listens to students.

Other projects
A) IS101 TA
Able to go through the concepts learnt 1 year ago. Haha, but most importantly, get to work with the IS Yr 1 and learn new things every week. In fact, this course makes me understand that one topic can be presented many ways and there are always different points after every presentation. Seeing them rushing through IP1 and IP2 makes me reflect what have I done a year ago. Hai.. Feeling old

2) RA for Jason
Kuala is good.. Just that I could not find time to do it. Have been researching on it but always encounter problems. I feel that I have hindered the progress of the project and I have to ask Jason to suspend it for the middle of the term.

3) CCAs
Finally found a successor for Asoc. I'm wrong that I could not find a webmaster in SOA. Finally it is time for me to relinquish my duties as a webmaster soon. Join OS3 as a recommendation by Yeow Leong and yea, it is fun. Need to build up the society soon. Join Toastmaster Club for a while and know the importance of public speaking. I have not attended the sessions for quite some time. I think I need to go more often. InnovateIT as finance head... Well, It is coming soon, hope that everything should be under control. Another project that I'm working on is Project ROSA... well, the progress doesn't seem to be promising though

Well.. School term is coming to an end. I think I should enjoy myself now more often and spend more time with Weizhen before another challenge next term... After that, I think I will be carefree - Going to Shanghai and Hong Kong for internship and exchange!

First summer coming to an end...

2006-08-07T00:06:00.000+08:00

As much as I've hated, Summer is coming to an end soon.. It is the time for me to close my chapter for this summer break and to open another chapter for the coming term.

After my trip to Sri Lanka, I went for my internship in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). As much as I want to talk about the work that I was doing, I should watch what I'm saying because I'm warned that they are confidential.. However, I must say that I have enjoyed myself during this duration, doing things that I've not done so far in my life and making a lot of friends and seniors from SMU and NTU. Apparently, I'm the only Year 1 (To be in Yr2) during this summer internship.

I must admit that there are times that I've regretted to take internship so early, but overall I feel great about it because I've learnt a lot, both technical and soft skills. I get to do programming, get to work with biometric and cryptography, get to organize events, get to .... But most importantly, I get to know my personality better. Healer(Idealist) & Architect(Realist). Sometimes I really wonder how come my personality can conflict so much. But I'm pretty proud of both personality.

BOSS bidding during holiday is quite amazing.. Although it is not the first time that I've started bidding, it is still very challenging because there are so many factors to consider and each BOSS is definitely a different experience. Like what my friends have said, I should do an analysis programme to decide the bid amount, but there are so many factors to consider! Probably I should learn from my friend to use regression model to decide the bid.

The internship has finally ended.. Manage to ask for leaves to go for Asoc Camp and SISS Camp. I kinda regretted to take internship this year. I could not help much in these interesting camps. And also, it is super troublesome to apply for leaves... No-pay leaves somemore! Fortunately, I'm still able to go for the camps, at least. Help to take photos and do up a video during Asoc Camp and help as a gamemaster during SISS camp... I must say the quality of both camps have improved tremendously compared to last year one. I'm really impressed by them.

Just came back from Chow's wake... It was super shocking for everyone to learn that he has died due to a car accident just yesterday. I've just met him in school yesterday when he just came out from Asoc Day interview... Life is so unpredictable & fragile... Most of his friends were there at the wake and I'm amazed to see so many people gather at such a very short notice.. Chow is a good guy and he has contributed a lot of fun and laughter in school. We'll always remember him.

Probably I should stop now and continue next time. There are so many things that I want to talk about for this summer.. Yap! I have 2 more weeks to do that. Let's do it this way.

Top 10 Things I miss in Sri Lanka

2006-05-12T01:24:00.000+08:00

I have enjoyed my stay in Sri Lanka during this Project Alchemy trip.. I'm very glad that the project is still able to pull through even though there are some notions of LTTE suicide bombing in Colombo on the day when wenduan and me, the recce team, reached the place.

Just had a msn chat with the team.. After some reflection, I do miss many things that have happened during the trip. Probably I should just list the top 10 of them, not in any order:

1) Friendly Sri Lankans
2) Food and Tea
3) 5 Litre Water Bottles and Cream Soda
4) Intellectual Games
5) Cementing and Painting
6) Sri Lankan Language
7) Beach
8) Tropic Inn
9) Three Wheelers and Traffic
10) Facilitation Sessions

Will be updating them during my free time..

Asoc Gala Dinner 2006

2006-05-12T01:15:00.000+08:00

After weeks of preparation, Asoc Gala Dinner has finally come to an end... This is my first time helping out in such event and I have learnt a lot of this. Through this event, the Asoc Exco has become closer.

The dinner is a pretty decent one and I find it as a good gathering for everyone in the School of Accountancy family. After clearing up the place at Noble house, I went to Esplanade to join my friends who left after the dinner. It is a good chilling moment, at least for me, after weeks of struggling in school and projects.

Most of us have our plans for summer after this dinner. Some are going to take summer terms, some are going abroad, some are going to work and more. Going to Sri Lanka soon the next morning. It really sets me what I want to do for this Summer break.

Love is illogical

2006-04-16T00:56:00.000+08:00

Love requires no logic
because love is illogical..
People care for it, People look for it..
People worry for it, People long for it..
Why are so many people attracted to it...
and at the same time so many people troubled by it..
cos it is a amazing thing that is illogical..

A learning experience

2006-04-16T00:08:00.000+08:00

This term is a killer.... Everything is not executed as planned and every hope is a disappointment. Taking 6 course units is also hectic.. Now I'm considering whether should I continue to take 6 modules next term. I suppose I have to since I have been longing for an oversea exchange within these few years.

There are a lot of bad memories in this term. As much as I don't want to talk about it, I still have to list them here as parts of my memories. Biz law, BGS are my greatest disappointment this term. Screwed up the project and nothing that I can do to salvage it. The rest of the courses are still unknown. Screwed up the AS project and the final paper is difficult as well. CT course is slack and useless and nobody really care about it. The courses that I enjoyed most this term is Management Accounting, Data Management and Object Oriented Analysis & Design.. At least to me, they are more useful and more entertaining. Probably this is what my "mother" says, general courses are a pain, technical subjects are better.

Beside that, there are a few more painful events around. I am really thankful that many people around me supported me and give me encouragements.. Without them, I think my life in this term is really a misery. But yeah.. we have finally survived! This term has come to an end and I shall close this chapter with a light-hearted mode. Now is the time to enjoy the summer and do the things that I want which I can't do during the normal term.. Just treat everything as a learning experience.. Goodbye Misery Term 2 05/06

What have I done?

2005-12-11T12:41:00.000+08:00

This blog has not being touched for quite some time... I have decided not to blog periodically, but to blog after I have finished every milestone.

Yesterday I just returned from a party organized by Dillon, my BMT friend, for his 21st birthday. We also celebrated our BMT 3 years anniversary at the same time. We went for shopping, had a few drinks and had fun for the night. 3 years... It is such a long time. It is the first time we have celebrated our annivesary as civilians. I believe that this will still continue for the subsequent years.

Most of us are studying in local universities. However, majority of them are studying in NUS, a few in NTU and only me in SMU! Most of the time, I have been asking myself... Why am I in SMU? What have I done in SMU? Would it be better if I have studied in the other universities?

Well, I do not think it is practical to think of this now. Since I have chosen this path, I should continue this journey. However, for the previous term, I have difficulties in adapting to the lifestyle. The schedule is so packed and there are tons of projects to be done. In addition, I also have to curb with other commitments like Chadian, CCAs, CIPs and such. Well.. although I have been complaining the stress, these are the activities that I want to do. In the end, I have admited to myself that I have over-committed myself. I have started to realize this when I have contacted dengue fever and had found a time to think of this. After that, I just told myself, just have fun and don't overwork yourselves.

The courses that I have taken this term is quite interesting:

Leadership and Team Building enables us to appreciate a team and arts of leadership better through a community involvement project. Doing earrings for community service has never occurred to me before. Although this is not a fantastic project we have done, it has helped us to understand team coordination better.
Communication enables us to speak and write better in the business context. Speaking in the public is my main obstacles to overcome. This course is a challenge to me and I have to work hard to overcome it.
Financial Accounting has influenced me to use Debit and Credit term to understand financial statement, as well as usage in daily life! (Crazy, Dr Mugging Time, Cr Useful Time) Most importantly, it can make our minds think how does business work.
ISM Seminars enable me to understand how IT and Business are related and what are some of the issues involved. However, the structure of the lesson benefits me the most because it has helped me wanting to speak up during lessons more.
IS Design Foundation has taught me Java Programming and how I can play around with it on top of my C++ Language. Design a game for it and have fun doing the course.

These courses are interesting and fun. However, I am unable to appreciate most of them. Just like for Financial Accounting, I can only appreciate it during the study break, which is quite late by then. I also involve in the running of Asoc Web Team.. My personal aim of taking up this task is to put my IT skills to good use and to help the Accounting Society to reach out to the student population. Well, I do not think I have done a very good job though. Signed up for run team but only went for a few sessions... I think it has something to do with my time management.

"You need to manage your time better. It is all about time management". Well, it is true to some sense and I have been struggling to find out how I am able to excel in it. Probably it is because I have overkilled myself for taking up 5 courses, but next term I am going to take up 6-7 courses. How am I able to cope with that? Well.. I guess I have to rely on my passion for the subjects and the determination to complete this journey. Although this would be tough, I believe I would emerge as a stronger person after that. Just like for the previous Standard Chartered Half Marathon. I have not trained for it and suffered along the way. But at least I have completed the race. 吃为苦中苦，方为人上人. Hang on there dude!

ASOC Camp+ SIS Family Day

2005-08-09T22:36:00.000+08:00

Last friday, I went to sentosa for my ASOC camp...

0745
Reach Harbourfront MRT.. As usual, waiting for people.. Went to buy breadtalk with Marcus, group facilitator.. After almost all the people reached, take a coach to sentosa.

0900
Reach Palawan beach. Had another rd of intro, but still could not remember all the names, as usual. Play some lame games again like Gongfu Master and Tui Tui Tui game.. Quite funny.

1000
Start the first round of telematch.. As expected, get wet during the first game.. somemore is a forfeit. Nevermind, we will get back to them again! Played freesbie captain's ball, watermelon game in the water and e confusing flag game... Finally it is time for us to rest!

1300
Had our lunch. Good that the lunch is much much better than Circle Xperience. Then preparing our modified Fairytale.. Hansel and Gratel.. Was acting as Hansel, but as a timid and useless guy. But it is an easy one to act. After some rehearsal, went to play some water gun game and mascot thingy. Got first by somehow or rather and the weather is super super hot. Feel like going into the water again to cool ourselves.

1700
Acting for the competition. Never know that Sunplay is so good, so many advertisement inspirations. Anyway, the Dean and a few prof are there. So most people are well-behaved. But some of the scripts are simply R21.. Hai.. For our script, luckily we cap it at G only. Didn't win the competition, but had a great fun acting. After that had some dinner, played a very confusing battlefield game... Somehow, my team won e game by guessing the clues correctly. After that, we finally went back to our chalet at Costa Sand, tired and shag...

Saturday
0100
Very cooling after some bathing.. Shiok! Then we played Indian Poker... Never know that playing Indian Poker is so fun, especially with drinking water as forfeit.. Drink some soft drink first before we switch to plain water. Everyone is bloated after the game. Feel like tonning but the bed is simply too comfortable liao.. Fall asleep in the end...

0800
Hey! Should be waking up, why are you still in bed?? Hai.. The bed is simply too comfortable liao.. We ate our breakfast, and finished up the ice-cream that we left in fridge because of no spoons. Then we checked out the room and went to outside 7/11 for our next activities... 7/11 must be earning quite a lot of money from this camp!

0930
By right should join SIS Family Day... But think ASOC camp would be more fun.. So stay on.. Play some telematch game again, softball using toilet brush, dodgeball, some watergun thingy again and some obstacles course... We watched some fresibee competition between freshie and facil... Not much fun for us.. After that, we had our lunch and prepared for an amazing race in the afternoon.

1400
Had an amazing race... Did some lame stuff in sentosa.. Well, like duck walk across the road, act like a shark, find bikini with poker dots and guys wearing bikini on beach... Hai... Was a victim but nvm lah, too shack to think liao.. Anyway, quite lame but quite fun at the same time.. The foreigners must be wondering, what is wrong with Singaporeans!

1700
End of ASOC.... My group is the first loser! Cos there are only prizes for first and second, and we came in third!

1900
Went to SIS Camp for a while.. Just in time to catch the sand castle building competition and dinner. Get to know more stuff of SIS... As expected, the gender ratio is quite bias here compared to ASOC.. Anyway, the dinner was good and had a few talk with the prof.. But it ends quite fast actually and we sneaked off at about 9pm...

Had a tiring but fufilling weekend.

What do I want in life?

2005-08-04T00:12:00.001+08:00

Honestly speaking, I really don't know what do I want in life? Is it that difficult to know what I want in life?

OCS MSN

2005-07-23T00:19:00.000+08:00

By demand:

Pls add me if you are from Delta Platoon 3 so that I can add your MSN contact here...

Mine: stevenpeh@hotmail.com
Rude: crd_7@hotmail.com
Willy Chang: larceniciel121@hotmail.com
Jiaxing: lee_jia_xing@hotmail.com
Willy Lim: limwilly@singnet.com.sg
Joel: netryder@hotmail.com
Boon: tbyphs11@yahoo.com.sg
Vince: vince_liew@hotmail.com
Jared: bytheblood@hotmail.com
Jerald: chillbone@hotmail.com
Dinesh: cjnesh@hotmail.com
Weifa: cyclops_84@hotmail.com
Sufian: goflyfly@hotmail.com
Joseph: josephyeo84@hotmail.com
Mingguan: miggylim@hotmail.com
Jason: waikikiblues@hotmail.com
Zong Neng: zntan84@hotmail.com
Kevin Kok: relag_xavier@hotmail.com
Kia Haw: kiahaww@hotmail.com

Service-Learning

2005-07-20T21:37:00.000+08:00

I have attended a service learning workshop today. This is another program that I have signed up with Touch Youth Services besides the Crush Program. The workshop is very enriching and inspiring, hence I find an urge to write in the blog. Probably I would split it into 2 parts. First part is the activity and the second is my thought.

In the beginning, we were playing an introductory activity: "Have you ever...?" It is an interactive activity, formed seating in a circle. Everybody would have a chance to ask "Have you ever (some experience)?" and if anyone ever have this experience, he will move to his right and sit on it, even if there is a person siting on the chair. The activity ends when anyone returned to his seat. We get to know one another better in this activity.

After that, we get to know what is Service-Learning and realised how powerful it is compared to other community service projects. Through service and learning at the same time, we are able to internalise the experience and move forward with a better understanding of what we can learn from the service and what can be done to improve the service. A productive cycle afterall!
Shortly after that, we played another game: "Human Traffic Jam". It was an activity in which we were seated in 2 rows with an empty chair. We were supposed to move to the other side using the empty chair with these rules (1. Can only move forward 2. Can shift 1 seat forward if it is empty 3. Can jump over to the alternate seat if there is a person from the opposite row seatng in front of you). We came up with some methods and slowly able to generalise the method to play the game. We got a challenge further that we are not allowed to speak. We consolidated our thoughts again but we are still unable to complete it after a few tries. Through this, we drew up a few learning points from this Experimental Learning.

We were taught a few theories after that such as 6 Generations of facilitation, 3 key components of a S-L project and 7 Competencies of a facilitator. Well, although this part of the lesson is quite dry and technical, it is very useful for us.

Following this, we had an inspiring game: "Pace of Life (Or similar to it)". To me, this is the most enriching game. We were told to walk around in circle, and in the midst of it, "outcasts" would be selected and be told to leave the room. The rest of us have to continue walking in this circle. It is very tiring and the activity stopped after about half of the people were outcasts and we were told to share our feelings.

Throughout the day, the trainers were willing to share their experience with us and we found them very inspiring. At the end of the day, we consolidated our learning for the day and called it a day.

"Have you ever...?"

An activity to share our experience. Well, usually I don't like Ice-braking game but this activity is quite subtle. We need to come up with an unique experience so that only the person would move and return to the seat earlier. Well, according to the trainer, it is a game to test our energy level and boundary (whether we dare to sit on ppl lap).. Hmm, it could be, but it was quite subtle for me.

What is Service-Learning

Through this, we get to know what is so unique about S-L. It is not so much of community service and it has a larger benefit to the volunteers and the society at large. I view it as a productive cycle instead of a weighing scale (because of the equal emphasis). For instance, we do a community service and consolidate the learning from it. And through the learning, we will perform better community service to the public and at the same time, we learn some useful skills in the process. This is the power of S-L that I perceive and it is based on Experimental Learning, which is more interactive for people to establish the learning.

"Human Traffic Jam"

It is an inspiring activity in which we discover for ourselves a method to solve a problem. In the process, we refine it further so that we can do it better. It is very much like the WIT course I have attended but I found that it was more meaningful, in the sense that we discovered for ourselves whether "have we learnt it now?" whereas WIT is more of how to improve the process. Well, we understand what is Experimental Learning from this activity and one major takeaway is that we must make sure everyone in the group must know what is going on!
Pace of Life Wow! This is a very powerful philosophical activity! Most of us were "traumatised" by it and we really reflected on what we were doing and how we actually felt now. It is built on the basis of "Framing the experience" in which it forms an analogy to the pace of the society now. Most often then not, we would neglect all the "outcasts" and continue on our pace aimlessly, in a circle. Some of us might worry for the "outcasts" but usually, for our survival instinct (Safety as they called it), we would continue our pace. On the other hand, the "outcasts" wanted to join in the society pace and couldn't do so because they would be "out of the frequency". Some of them were chosen randomly and they did not want it either.

After this activity, the trainer has asked us some questions. "Is there anybody that you have left out in your life?" "What are we going to do next?" Well... surely there are people whom we would leave out in our life without ourselves knowing. However, we would like to help sometime but we were struggling ourselves. At the same time, we would be wondering why were we following the pace of the society so aimlessly... After the session, I still couldn't find an answer to it. But at least I understand it now and am aware it. yes... Understand because people told me before about the rat race but this activity helped me visualise it vividly.

After each activity, we were brought in the concept of S-L so that we would understand it better. After attending the course for a day, I am inspired of the whole framework of Service-Learning. I wouldn't say that I understand it totally but I find that I have already gained a lot of it in a day. Looking forward to the workshop tommorrow!

Circle Xperience I

2005-07-17T17:14:00.000+08:00

This is a 3 days 2 night camp for SMU freshman. Well, it is very similar to OBS and leadership field camp in army...

Tuesday:
I went to SMU (Bukit Timah) for gathering and we took a coach to Chinese Garden. Well, it was raining heavily on our way there. We were alighted under a shelter and we carried on our activities there. Of course, the infamous ice-breaking game... We played some games like Polar Bear and hence we came up our group name after that as "Guru". This carried on till we had our lunch. By the way, the lunch sux!

After that, we went for our water activities. Dragon boating, building a rope bridge, and kayaking.. At first, I did not know how to dragon boat and after some time, finally get a hand out of it. It was quite fun during kayaking when our group led the rest very far. But unfortunately, it rained and the activities stopped. We had our dinner after that and this time round, the dinner is slightly better, but still worse than SFI food.

We had a night walk after that which is not very impressive either. It is basic navigation and many facilitators want to come and scare us. However, they are not scary at all. Fortunately, we finished the course fast and got to bath first. After that we played some lame games like who is the murderer before we lights off.. However, not many people fell asleep...

Wednesday
In the morning, it rained again and we did not go for jogging as per planned. We had our breakfast (Not that impressive either) and went for some amazing race game. These games built up our team spirits and coordination. After lunch, we went for a navigation tour again and this time round, we navigate our of chinese garden to CDANS. The trip was quite fun and our group was closer after the trip. We had a night cooking session after that but we just wanted to keep our stomach full and did not bother about the competition.. Anyway, we watched the show performed by our facilitators, bathed after that and had a long talk at our tents before we slept. We slept out of the tents because it was pretty warm inside. Anyway, we got to know one another better during the conversation

Thursday
We woke up to eat our breakfast and got to play games again. This time round, we played games similar to OBS, especially those rope games. They were quite fun but it was just that we did not have enough time to play only. We packed up our stuff at about 4pm and played our finale game, human charade where we played water bomb game. This marked the end of the camp but Guru is planning to have a supper together again...!

eMentoring Program

2005-07-09T14:55:00.000+08:00

Just recently, I signed up a Community Involvement Program (CIP) called the Crush Program. It is a program to guide the youth what are the possible dangers online.

It is a very meaningful project and for the last 2 days, we are discussing on how the youth would be affected online by bad influence including pornography, online gaming and also strangers. I did learn a lot from the program and now we are put in a forum to interact with the youth who signed up for the program. I believe this is a very good interaction with them...

Initial D

2005-07-05T21:29:00.000+08:00

Watched the movie yesterday. The watch is very nice and is a must watch for everyone. Now, because of being captivated by the movie, I am downloading the anime to watch. If you haven't watched the show, I recommend that you watch it now.

Assets/Liabilities

2005-07-02T23:31:00.000+08:00

Yesterday had a discussion with a friend.. We were discussing how does a relationship consider an asset or a liability. He was saying that if the other partner was behaving maturely, then he/she would be an asset, else liability.

However, I believe it is not true. Although we can say a personality can determine someone is an asset or liability (EQ), we cannot say that it is correlated in relationship(sounds like statistics). A boy may like another girl because she is innocent and he still treats her as his asset.

Perhap we shouldn't mix up relationship with economics term because one concerns emotional thinking and one concerns logical thinking. However, if you are attached now, do you consider your partner as an asset to you or a liability to you? If he/she is a liability to you, would you still like him/her? If you are still single now, having a relationship would be an asset to you, or would it be a liability to you?

Choices and Decisions

2005-07-02T11:12:00.000+08:00

Choices and decisions... Why do we have to face choices and decisions all the time? In one day, we can face a lot of choices and make a lot of decisions based on these choices.

What am I going to be in the future?

What should I do today?

What course should I study?

Sometime, the choice is limited and is beyond our control. But in most of the cases, we do like many choices, but is that really good for us? What would happen if we made the wrong decision? I believe that there are not absolute right or wrong decision. If we made the wrong decision, it is the path that we have chosen and we should not regret. Who knows, it may not be that bad after all.

ORD LOH!

2005-06-30T21:54:00.000+08:00

After the day, 9 Apr 2005, I finally got back something that was lost to me 2 years ago and now my wallet was getting a little bit heavier. I finally got back my pink IC! Well, I was very happy that I had already completed another phase of my life and I would be waiting for university study!

During this period of time, I was desperately looking for jobs, because I was JOBLESS! I was contributing to the jobless population in the MOM statistics! Hai.. Mainly, I need to work to fund myself. But luckily, with the help of JobsDB and some job agency, I got a few jobs. I did not put the names because I did not want to get myself into lawsuits. However, some of you may know which companies they are:

Chocolate Factory (2weeks)
The job is a bit monotonous. Imagin you sit there just to separate contaminated white chocolate from those good one. Well, this was the first job that I did and luckily I had my companion Peter with me, or else life would be very miserable.

Lesson Learnt: Just do a quick inspection and quickly move to the next batch...
Financial Agency (2weeks)
The staff here were very friendly and helpful. Mainly, we went through transactions of sales based in other countries and did some sort of auditing stuff. Learn a great deal of accounting stuff here, which might be useful for my future studies. Who knows...

Lesson Learnt: Look at the requirements and signatures. Reject those anyhow sent in one.
IT Helpdesk (2 months)
Well... Those who were always with me, will always hear me grumble about this job.. WAH! "ORD" Loh... Haha, actually I learnt quite a great deal from this job. From how an ISP works to how to handle customers' queries and complaints. Phew.. I had a few days trainings and went to answer the calls. There were really many different types of customers and sometime I really liked to laugh, but couldn't to.

"Why I signed up for unlimited plan and now I was disconnected...?"

"Can you do a direct connection for me? Connect the modem directly to the phone jet... Hello, are you there...?" Call drops...

"How come I cannot log on to those pornography website?"
"You are on a filtering service..."
"I do not need it. There are no children in my house. How do I unsubscribe?"
"You can call sales..."
"I cannot do it now huh...Then how do I do my research??"
"..."

These were just some examples only and I belived those seniors one would know more. Well, for those who want to connect to Internet, please buy a pc/laptop/modem/router that you know best. Also, if your connection is slow, do spyware/virus scan.

Lesson Learnt: Customer is NOT always right but they cannot be blamed for their ignorance.

I took on a few language lessons also.. Like Malay and Japanese... However, until now, I only know how to speak a little... Selamat Malam, Hajime Mashite, Sumimasen, Tungu Tungu... Now still can remember a bit. If you know any of these languages, practise with me!

This is basically how I spent my time up to now. I learnt quite a lot, some from my jobs, some from my course, some from my buddy Man Chun (Thank for all your tips man!). Finally it is back to schooling time... School, Long time no see man!

Manpower without manpower!

2005-06-29T23:48:00.000+08:00

Actually, manpower job was quite a "saikang" one. Most of the jobs like discipline, WIT, ICT, Pay, Promotion... All under manpower. Coming to the "brigade" office, my upperstudy Clement said, "Welcome to the manpower family." I did not know what it meant but slowly I realised that manpower job requires lots of patience, passion and enthusiasm.

I slowly took over the jobs as SOMP (Staff Officer Manpower) and realised that there were a lot of things that I needed to learn. From maintaining daily operation of the "brigade" to how to charge a person, all these directives we must know and they are always changing. However, I slowly learnt that oneself alone could not handle so much tasks and the only way to resolve this is to rely on the fellow men around you.

I treated all my men as my friends to the point that they requested me to be more harsh on them. Well, I believed that we should work as a team and I was only there to guide them along. After all, we were also NSFs, what for to tekan them? Hence, I adopted an open policy in the office. Fortunately, this was accordance to my boss's family policy for the office and everything went quite smoothly between us. However, occassionally, there would be some disputes and politics in the office, but fortunately we were able to overcome them with the policy.

Handling NSmen was also not an easy task and required some techniques. As they were older than me and should have more experience than me, I had to respect them. Indeed, I have learnt a lot from them, especially on the current situation in the society. One reason that I have changed my university course eventually was because of their advices. However, sometime we had to reason with them like for the common case IPPT, we need to reason with them with a strong point. By the way, IPPT/RT defaulters were big headaches for manpower jobs, all the NSmen please take your IPPT on time.

1 year of administrative training as manpower officer had prepared me very well for outside world. I got to learn a lot of human resource management, as well as handling those irritating office politics, especially those super big Tai Ji and Arrows. Well, it was really a relief when my understudy, Wenkai, came to take over me. However, I still told my guys, to look for me for gathering or if they have any problems. Anyway, we were comrades in the army afterall.

Why trainers didn't ensure...

2005-06-29T23:23:00.000+08:00

I was posted to a reservist camp with Boon, Mao and Mingdao. Subsequently, I was appointed as a trainer and learnt how to handle reservist training. The job was quite fun initially but slowly, I found that the jobscope was quite blurred. Fortunately, I had my upperstudy Rahman and Kenneth to guide me along, through IPPT, Live Firing and Ranges.. I got to know my new buddy, Man Chun, and together with Boon and Mao, we were called the legendary Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle again. Wah!

However, after 3 months, I was told that they required a manpower officer and wished to post me there (I think more like an order). Initially, I was quite reluctant because I had adapted quite well already but after much thoughts, I accepted the job because I wanted to learn more new things.

After I had moved over to the "Brigade" as manpower officer, I still kept in contact with the fellow trainers. I stayed in with them, went out at night, to play arcades and to watch movies. They were a fun group of brothers.

Reservist training gave me an insight of how we would be going through during our NS few years later down the road. Looking at them made me more determined to keep myself fit for future training. Actually, unlike what they were saying, trainers' job was very tough. As a trainer once, I still could remember how busy we were and sometime still got blur from our roles and responsibilities. From the look, we were only assisting the NS officers to train the men but actually, there were more to it. One thing that I learnt, and one which I hated most was,

"WHY TRAINERS DIDN'T ENSURE?!!"

OCS: Commissioning Ball

2005-06-29T23:18:00.000+08:00

A few days after our commissioning, we had our commissioning ball. It would be our last "official" gathering. We brought our dates for the dinner, took a few pictures, laughed and played about and we enjoyed ourselves a lot. However, I was still quite sad that night because all my brothers would be posted to other units.

Good bye...

Take care...

Good luck...

See ya next time...

All these farewell seems very common but they were very meaningful.

This officially marked the end of the story of Delta Platoon 3... But I was glad that I was still able to see some of them during our work on this small organisation... Farewell guys!

To kw, thank for being my date and hope you enjoy yourself that night!

OCS: To Lead, To Excel & To Overcome

2005-06-29T02:27:00.000+08:00

We were basically waiting for the Commissioning Parade after JCC. There were some significant activities like ATP, SEOC but the one that we were really looking forward were ACPC (To get our precious sword) and Commissioning Parade. I passed my SEOC, went through ACPC and the 2 weeks of "Sufferings" on the holy Parade Square, when we were practising with our rifles and running round the parade squares to train up our physique for our parade.

On the fateful day, 28/01/2004, after we were praying for the rain to stop rainning, we were finally standing on the parade square, proud and smart. All the training had paid off and our efforts were recognised. The President was there to witness our commissioning and our parents and friends were cheering for us at the audience seats. It was even more touching to see them put on our Lieutenent Rank for us even when it was raining at the end of the parade. It was not a day to forget.

Life began to change after that day for all of us. Suddenly OCS seems to be a smaller place for us to "walk" around. I emphasize on "walk" because usually we did not have such luxury as OCT (Officer Cadets). 9 months of training symbolises the birth of becoming an officer. Wearing the rank did give us more authority and freedom, but it came with great deal of responsibilities and challenges as well. Becoming an officer is easy but to be a good one is not that simple. Sometime, you may hear stories of officers misusing their ranks but most of the time, you would hear how officers perform to uphold the spirit of OCS - "To Lead, To Excel & To Overcome".

OCS: Oversea Venture II

2005-06-29T01:23:00.000+08:00

JCC - Also known as Jungle Confidence Course, is a pride of Infantry Officers. Just like commandos have their rangers and airborne courses, we have to go through this confidence course in Brunei. Well... if you heard any soldiers talking about JCC, you would hear it with pride and honour, of how they went through the sufferings and hungers in the jungle. That is true. Firstly, we needed to go through a navigation test. After that, we had to survive in the jungle for 5 days and accomplished the tasks required. Last but not least, we were helivac to some ulu place and we had to find some checkpoints and got out of the jungle and crossed the famous Sungei Apoi to finish the course.

The first navigation was quite a brisk as we searched the checkpoints. The rule of thumb was to climb to the highest point as possible to navigate (also known as the ridgeline) because there were where the vegetation was the most scarce. I still could remember how nice the hammock was and how I enjoyed making the fire at night to keep myself warm. Sorry Boon for nearly burning you as a roasted pig. All of us were able to pass this test.

Next test was our famous survival test. We were dropped at different locations. My site was quite fine but some of the others were allocated a swampy place. The challenge was that we needed to make a shelter, a fireplace and some other survival structures and tools. It was really a challenge and unforgettable experience for most of us.

Day 1:
Very enthusiatic in building the shelter. Without the shelter, I would have no place to sleep. But I was still too late, it started to rain at 4pm and the sky got darker and became totally darkness by 6pm. The rain still continued and I had to hide under a small pathetic tree to seek shelter first. It was too cold for me.

Day 2:
I am determined to finish the shelter and finally finished building it. Then I began to start on other structures like fireplace. I thought the shelter was good for me already but when it was put to the punctual rain test at about 4pm again, I had to hide in whatever shelter I had in my pathetic A-Frame. It was really a pathetic feeling. At night, while it was raining, I tried to do my small equipment like spoon and fork. All these equipment do have some points to earn.

Day 3:
I got extremely hungry today. For the past few days, I still can endure but today, I am totally lethargic. I prepare most of my stuff and ready for inspection. I got some rice, a chicken wing and some fungus for my effort. I eat a little of many things and stored a little chicken wing for my traps.

Day 4:
Today is a low morale day. I have little energy and I only accomplished a little work only. I anyhow set up my traps and did my stuff. Then I rested at about 3pm and started to think of things. Of why am I here, what are we going to do, what has happened back at home... It was an emotional moment for me. Slowly, I fell asleep and luckily, it was the only night that didn't rain. Probably, the god was graceful to me that night.

Day 5:
The day when we were evacuated out and sent to our last navigation test. We congratulated one another for passing the previous test. But I was still astonished how the iguana was able to eat my chicken wing by passing through my trap.

We were high morale when we were able to taste the icy cold milo. After that, we were all distributed out to our various starting points to start our journey. We were all determined to succeed, to climb the Mt Biang and to taste the Apoi River.

We never knew that the river shown on the map meandered so much on the ground. A few cm shown on the map may take us a few km to travel. By right we were heading north, but we were actually moving to the south by following the river. The vegetation was also too dense to bash in. What a difficult terrain to navigate in.

Some of us were able to make it within the 5 days but not all were fortunate to do so. Some were standing proud when receiving the JCC badge but some were feeling sad for not able to pass the course. However, all of us lost a great deal of weight (I lost 7-8kg). We had an additional exercise and returned to singapore a few days later. I did not really want to mention of the R&R and those with me should know why. Anyway, for those who got the badge, congratulation. For those who did not, at least we went through it and had this unforgettable experience together.

JCC was an unforgettable experience. Like what my BMTC PC said before, JCC was something that I like to experience once but never want to go through it again. I still had some JCC sickness after returning back in singapore. I always complained to Rude, "Wah! All the trees in OCS are suitable for making A-Frame leh!"

OCS: Overseas Venture I

2005-06-29T00:46:00.000+08:00

I did not know that I can venture this far.. All the training in Tekong, E-Shaped, Pajaur and now finally in oversea training... That was truly an eye opener and indeed an unforgettable experience. (This should be confidential and I will keep it to the minimum)

ROC - This is the oversea training I have enjoyed the most. It was near the typhoon season and the place was very windy... I still could remember some of the clothes that we hanged outside got blown away. The training was very enjoyable... High ground, training, navigation, "Highway" Runner, the seductive ninja vans and much much more. Completing the navigation in this place was a huge achievement and it seemed like Journey to the West whereby we looked and asked around to go to our checkpoints with our loads. All the villagers looked at us in awe and as if we came from Planet Mars. I enjoyed the scenery a lot too. We became fighting zombies during our last exercise Homerun where we went through several consecutive missions and we fought through our way in Finale Exercise.

The R&R is the best reward for us after the exercise as we toured around the country for 1 week. We went to the night markets, like Si Lin Night Market, Xi Men Ding and many other tourist attractions. I have never enjoyed my army days so much. But we know that we have a greater challenge ahead.... JCC.

OCS: To excel through "arrogance"

2005-06-23T20:04:00.000+08:00

The training still carried on in the Professional Term. After some reshuffling, I was buddied with Rude (Not rude). He is a very nice guy who is a pure vegetarian. Probably he eats vegetable, he is very tall. After 3 weeks, I was finally told to retake my SOC. I was very scared at that point in time.

Rude told me that I should be more "arrogant" so that I can pass the test. I was very ambivalent but I did give it a try. At first, I told myself that I would pass the test only and when I was more bold, I told everyone in the platoon that I would pass the test! Somehow on the test date, I was able to pass the test! What a miracle! Hence, part of the reason why I can become an officer is due to my good buddy.

After this incident, I had another challenge again. This time round, I had to get a silver for my IPPT or else I would be given a CROW (warning letter). 2 CROWs and I would be OOC also. This was a warning that my PC set for me. However, I decided to use the previous tactics again, to be "arrogant". I told my PC that I would get a silver for the IPPT and pass the SEOC test (A final test for infantry officer).

After much training and effort, and much arrogance (should be assertiveness I think), I finally get a silver for my IPPT. I could get a gold if not of my running but I was quite satisfied already. Hence, arrogance(or PRIDE) did help me a lot in OCS. After this, my next obstacle is not SEOC but my adventure in ROC and JCC... This is the most enjoyable period in my OCS life!

(To be continued...)

OCS: A struggle towards excellence

2005-06-12T19:52:00.000+08:00

I got the posting 1 week after my POP. I was quite surprised that I was chosen to enter OCS. Then a few days later, I reported to SAFTI MI OCS, which was on the opposite side of Tekong. I could still remember how sad we felt when we boarded the fast craft to Tekong, now the sadness was no longer there...

When I reported to OCS, I was surprised and excited to see Baolai was in the same platoon same section as me. What a coincidence! However, after one month, he signed on a contract in RSAF and left my platoon.

After that, I also got to know that Kia Haw was joining us as well. Kia Haw studied in AMKSS and AJC as well, but we were never in the same class before. We got to know each other as we went to school very early everyday. I was very fortunate to have him as my comrade during my national service.

As I was not very physically inclined, I struggled through all the physical activities such as IPPT, endurance run and SOC. I would usually be the last few who completed the course. Fortunately, I did have many brothers to support me and encourage me on. We went through many field camps, training, assault on Bajar for 7 times and of course our favourite 5mins drill. We laughed together, suffered together, cried together. Everyone in the platoon was indeed outstanding and bright.. However, looking at my state of patheticness, I was wondering how come I am in OCS with them sometime...

Time passed very fast in the midst of all the training. Finally, it was the end of Service Term 2. Initially, I was being posted to Logistics to train as logistics officer. However, I was not posted there because I did not pass my SOC test. I still could remember that how demoralised I was when I failed the last test in ST2. Fortunately, Jason, one of my brothers, encouraged me on. In the end, I was given a condition pass and had to retake and pass my SOC within a month, or else I will be declared OOC (Out of Course)....

(To be continued...)

Pegasus 2

2005-06-12T16:23:00.000+08:00

Actually, I was feeling very sad when I was enlisted. I knew that it was a common phase that all male Singaporeans had to undergo but for me, I was enlisted within less than 2 weeks after my GCE 'A' Level... No time to enjoy at all!!! WAHH!!!

However, I do not regret now. I was with a bunch of fun and reliable comrades who endured the training and tekaning during BMT. It was Pegasus PL2. We celebrated our Christmas, New Year and even Chinese New Year together. As our batch is PTP, our training was more physical and tough. However, our bond was built up in the midst of these training.

I was still skeptical on our horrifying experience during BMT. Remember that we were having a scaring week when we experienced all sorts of nonsense such as having the same dreams, shoutings at night, unknown recruit walking pass our Section 3 bunk, and the unknown hello kitty towel that dropped onto our laundry line. I was almost terrified when I saw a child, sitting under a tree, in his ancient chinese costume during our SIT test. Phew... It was finally over..

One thing that I remembered very vividly is that we always had feasts inside our bunk, especially our Section 3. The food would be snatched up within 3 minutes (from our record). I still could remember that we smuggled food to camp on our last book-in and we excluded other section ppl from coming in... Haha! That's section integrity man!

During our POP (Passing Out Parade), while the VIP was giving his talk, memory of the training kept flowing to me... All the training, all the scolding, how we rushed to the toilets whenever there was water parades, grenade throwing, IPPT, SOC, BAC..... Wow, I couldn't believe that we have accomplished so much during this 16weeks of training.

I was very proud, very proud to be with Pegasus, with Platoon 2. Thank for all your help and cooperation all this while and for reporting to me when you were sick. Good luck to those who are going for oversea studies. Keep in touch!

安初华会

2005-06-12T00:56:00.000+08:00

Hmm.. I really do not know how to start this blog.. There are basically too many things to talk about.. Well, I should say that it is the activity that I spent most of my time on during JC. The schedule is quite busy and every month there are activities. From January onwards, CCA orientation, Chinese New Year celebration, 2nd CCA orientation, School Play, Competition....

I was the VP of the club but I also did not know why I was selected also. Probably because of 阴盛阳衰... But I did enjoy the activities that we all went through.. Going through the rehearsals of our annual 安域情韵, making mooncakes for sales to fund our mooncake festival, going through the creative drama camp, thinking of ways to attract new people from joining the CCA, preparation for Chinese New Year Celebration, doing committee service in AWWA, 小品比赛, CLDDS Camp as our final finale...

We went through thick and thin together, laugh and cry together, playing the politics with the teachers and maintaining the CCA... The most enjoyable part for me is to make the mooncakes for sales, that was the first time that I made mooncakes and I believed it was a great achievement for us. Also, for the guys, remember our last night in the camp to continue the story of Para Para and stuff? I believe it should leave us a good memory then...

However, frankly speaking, I do not consider me as a good VP at that time. Most of the things did not happen as plans and I believe I have a great responsibility for that. Fortunately, my committee was quite strong with Stella as the President, Tracy, Kaiwen, Meiqi, Chon Wai and the others in the committee to get the things going... Thank for all your help!

After 'A' Level, I have entered the army like the other guys. Henceforth, I was "missing" for about a year but most of us are still in contact and sometimes get together to put up performances. We are going to put up another coming soon. I believe this circle of friendship will still carry on forever... 华会万岁!!!

Non Mihi Solum

2005-06-11T00:02:00.000+08:00

Finally, we were all upgraded to another types of species or changed into another occupations. For me, I have upgraded myself to a SMRT staff with some of the other ninja turtles. Haha, just kidding...

Well, quite a number of us have entered Anderson JC. Some of us were Baolai, Peter, Derrick, Peixuan, Meiqi...etc. However, I was in a different class with them. I have chosen a combination with computing science and was studying in an international class. We had mostly ASEAN scholars in this class and they came from India, Vietnam, Malaysia, China.

I was very proud to be in this class, 26/01, because I felt that it was very special. I learnt a great deal of how was the lifestyle from the other countries and how they were experiencing in studying in Singapore. On top of that, we were so called the IT-Savvy PDG (class) whereby we engaged projects and activities actively using IT. We were involved in the NTU-JC-SGH Challenge whereby we came up with the watch with the life-science students.

Most of us took up Computer Engineering or IT-related degrees in university after this. Currently, I still met up with Yong Tai, Huan Jin and Luke to IT exhibitions, IT shows and PC shows, or Simlim regularly. I believed this has become a culture for all of us..

I have joined CLDDS again in AJC. Well, it was a totally different experience altogether and I went through a great deal with the members, especially the "Yang Men Nu Jiang - Females Warriors of the 'Yang' Family'". I will write up another blog on this...

Well, in AJC, I have met many other friends as well. In many occassions, we usually knew one another through friends' friends' friends' friends'.... friend.... I believe it is the "Non Mihi Solum" (Not for me alone) spirit that brought us closer together...

4/4 Integrity

2005-06-09T12:11:00.000+08:00

This is my upper secondary class, 4/4.. Well, a lot of teachers had given my class a great deal of pressure, which I couldn't know why. Even our form teacher Mdm Teng felt that we must not always concentrate on studying and must do other more meaning activities like charities and sports. But to me, it was a class like any other class, like to study hard and play hard at the same time.

Well, truthfully, the class is very competitive in academic work. It is not uncommon to see people studying very hard even during recess time. However, sometime is very funny as well. There would be laughters, jokes, rumours, quarrels, and criticism everywhere. Still can remember how Derrick had brought us lots of laughter and how Huixin began quarrelling with the others and ended up as a water tap... All these incidents brought us closer as an united class and we have shown it during many events such as the funfare and the "float" competition where we built up the Merlion... Thank Derrick for the Merlion man!

We shifted to Hougang in Secondary 4 and I still could remember we helped to shift most of the equipment there. Also, we got yourselves involved in many charities activities such as the selling of cookies, friendship pens and bands (still remember how to do now), and also tutoring of our juniors.. All these memories are indeed unmemorable.

I am glad that most of us have scored well during GCE 'O' Level. We entered our junior college and polytechnic and purused our dreams further... I am sure that we would still remember what Integrity encompass and also don't forget our counterpart values: Compassion, Harmony and..Oh no, forget what is it already the other one. But please don't forget our "Alma Mater Dear..."

2/4 spirits

2005-06-08T01:03:00.000+08:00

2/4 spirits... I could say that it is a very unique class.. Probably because a young female teacher, Ms Lock, was our form teacher, that's why we were having such funs in this class.

I still could remember that we had a wide ranges of activities in this class, on top of 10 subjects that we were struggling with. From playing soccer before the school started to the creating forum and voting polls online, we were motivated to do things as a class. This class gave me a sense of belonging, a warmth feeling and a sense of pride.

There were many funny things that we engaged in... I still could remember the boys liked to target and chase after another guy to "pop" him. Also, we had a long story continuation which started off when some of us like to submit their LONG essays to Ms Lock... We engaged in the Big Walk, going to chalets whenever we have the chance, and to crowd around the MacDonald that was behind the school everytime after a game of basketball at the AMK CC. The class also liked to suan one another, regardless of gender and made a lot of noise in the class. Sometime, even the teachers could not stand us.

Most of us are still in contact now. Thank to Wee San that we almost have a chalet every year end for a good gathering. However, I have been searching for some of the other contacts that are lost. If you happens to be one of them, please email me so that I can add you in my MSN and other contacts as well.

Although we were studying for only 2 years together, some for 4 years with me, the bonds that we built have last till now.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle....

2005-06-06T00:56:00.000+08:00

Frankly speaking, the secondary school that I was in was not the first choice after my PSLE.. However, I did not mind to go to AMKSS(Ang Mo Kio Sec Sch) because 2 of my brothers had studied in this school before...

At first, I was quite shocked that I would be wearing the green colour uniform for the 4 years in secondary school. My brothers did tease me that I looked like a Ninja Turtle. On top of this, I felt that secondary school life was totally different from primary school life for me. Everything was so rush and more emphasis was put on academic and ECA results. I still could remember that I was shocked that I needed to study for the common tests. I did not study for my first History test and I was frightened when I saw how difficult the questions were. Eventually, I flunged the test. In addition, there were so many tests every few weeks and needed to plan my schedule to study for the tests.

I joined my CCA as NPCC (National Police Cadet Corp) and Chinese LDDS (中文学会 ). Coincidentally, my brothers had chosen these CCAs before and it seems that I was following their footpaths. By the way, my brothers were many years older than me and I was still able to see their names and photos in some of the old photograph books. I had chosen these combinations because I wanted to train up my physical fitness and I was also interested in learning more of the chinese culture.

I have made many friends in the schools and are still in contact even up to today. My class was the fourth class throughout my secondary life (i.e. 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4). Basically, my life in secondary school can be splitted into lower sec (2/4) and upper sec (4/4). I would write a separate blog for each of them after this...

When I was just a little boy....

2005-06-06T00:25:00.000+08:00

I still can vividly remember when I was just a small little kid, running around and playing with my brothers. As I was the youngest child in the family, my parents and my brothers dote on me the most. We were quite poor back then but we were living together happily.

I still can remember how nervous I was when I first stepped into the school. It was a school that my father and all my brothers studied in before. The buildings were a little old and recently, it is announced that it will be combined with another school in the neighbourhood. My father was quite sad of the merging because he held a strong relationship with the school ever since he was a primary school kid like me. He studied in the school and started working after graduation but he eventually came back to this primary school as a school bus driver.

I was brought to school everyday by my father with the other school children that he had received. Hence, I did not need to worry about my transportation. During recess time everyday, I would eat the bread that my mother put in my lunch box everyday and buy a bottle of yakult using the 50cents coin that she gave me. I was very shy at the beginning and refused to talk to any one in the class. However, as time goes by, I got to know of the other school kids and started talking and playing with them... Unfortunately, I do not get in touch with most of them now after I have graduated from the primary school...

During this period of time, I was living in a happy go lucky mood. It was during this period of time that I felt the most carefree and were enjoying myself the most. In addition, the standard of living in my family has improved great deal during this period of time. However, I had always hoped to grow up faster so that I can do many things that my brothers are able to... like staying out late and going for chalets etc... Indeed, before I knew it, I had taken the PSLE and entered my secondary school...

Beginning my journey...

2005-06-05T01:18:00.000+08:00

I suddenly have the urge to set up a blog page for myself...

I am not sure why do I want to do it also. The only reason that I can think of as of now is that I want to start recording what I have been doing for these years and start to reflect on the things I have done for myself... Time has passed so fast that I cannot keep track of it as well. A short note of each day might make my life seems clearer...

Hmm... Going to university in coming August. Hopefully I am able to record for my past doings before I embark on my another journey...