And so it is almost over. 3 papers in 4 days, and a 12 day break before my last final exam to write. After more than a week of endless revision, it feels nice to be able to take my time to prepare for my last final exam.
What really got to me about having 3 finals to write in the 1st 4 days of the examination period, which started the weekend after the term ended, was that there was no time at all to review my material. Despite me being consistent in my work, I still felt unprepared for the finals I had to write. Of course, profs doing a half-baked job of explaining new concepts in class on Friday, just before the final on Monday did not help.
For now, I am just glad it is almost over. And also a little impatient to get my results. I don't want to wait to find out where I stand. The university's grading system makes getting an A really quite demanding in my opinion, but then again, I might just be saying that because I'm still new to everything, and in the process of adapting to a new system. And yet, I do not think that getting that A is beyond my ability, or at least I don't think so now. I want to know if I'm good enough currently, and if I'm not, I want an indication of how much more it's going to take.
And to all those people who've told me that JC and the A levels are the toughest time of your academic life, I have to say I'll reserve my judgement for now. I need to have an indication of where I stand before I can say whether that is true or not. Having been out of school for so long, I have no idea how to gauge my academic abililty anymore.
But enough about school for now. There is now breathing space, and a trip to Quebec City might be in the works. I know I said I'd post photos of winter and snow up, and I'm a little behind on that. Photos should be up in another day or 2. If I do go to Quebec City, I'll try to take photos in the -15 degree cold.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Update
I haven't blogged in a bit, mainly because, well, I just haven't felt the urge to do so in a while. Maybe it's because of school, and the work that I have to do just to keep up. Itsd draining to be working everyday, and still find out that it's barely enough. How my standards have changed. Barely enough used to be all that I needed to do. Now I find my classes fun and interesting, and at the same time so rushed. I find my study time ineffective, and I get the sense that I'm not really learning well. The profs all seem more intent on completing what they have to now, before the exams begin, and wonderful scheduling that McGill has, school ends on the 2nd of december, and exams start on the 5th.
But, enough of the whining about the daily grind. I will live through this, somehow, as I always do, and I'll deal with it as it comes. On a more interesting note, the first snowfall came and went, all of two weeks ago (I think). It's been below zero all day for a week or so now, and winter hasn't even officially started yet.
Brian Greene came to McGill on the 21st of November, and gave a lecture about the state of string theory. Very interesting stuff, go here for a look.
Pictures of the snow will follow soon, probably after my finals. Updates will be infrequent till then. To those who come here regularly, sorry ah. Been busy, and some of you probably know why. =p
But, enough of the whining about the daily grind. I will live through this, somehow, as I always do, and I'll deal with it as it comes. On a more interesting note, the first snowfall came and went, all of two weeks ago (I think). It's been below zero all day for a week or so now, and winter hasn't even officially started yet.
Brian Greene came to McGill on the 21st of November, and gave a lecture about the state of string theory. Very interesting stuff, go here for a look.
Pictures of the snow will follow soon, probably after my finals. Updates will be infrequent till then. To those who come here regularly, sorry ah. Been busy, and some of you probably know why. =p
Monday, November 07, 2005
I am that boy
I am that boy whom you used to have to take for walks at night, just so that I could see her come home from work.
I am that boy whom was always told I had to set an example because I was the oldest one.
I am that boy who got so frustrated with hearing you saying that, because I was not always the one in the wrong, that I shouted at you one day.
I am that boy who was given a hand-crafted rocking horse, flown all the way from Bradford, England, which is still around the house today.
I am that boy who was locked out, alone in the corridor in the middle of the night, who had you asking for me to be let into the house again.
I am that boy who remembers the many times you brought me to the biscuit shops across the road all those years ago.
I am that boy who remembers you bringing me to the playground to play on the slide and the merry-go-round.
I am that boy who always looked forward to Easter, when I would always get a Cadbury's Caramel Egg from you.
I am that boy who wondered why you stopped taking me to the playground and why you didn't buy me biscuits anymore.
I am that boy who remembers how sad it made you to see him suffering like that.
I am that boy who knows how moved you are every time you hear "How Great Thou Art".
I am that boy who began secondary school hating it, and came home complaining about it every day.
I am that boy who had the time of my life in that very same school.
I am that boy who had, and still has, the greatest friends that I'll ever have from those times.
I am that boy, who never really appreciated how wonderful it was, until it was almost over.
I am that boy who is probably your favourite grandchild, though you would not admit, and I know because you always offer to buy me breakfast on Saturdays.
I am that boy who everyone says is cynical, but yet holds on to my ideals.
I am that boy who did so well, you probably expected more of me.
I am that boy who did not want to disappoint you, but probably did anyway.
I am that boy who was so impressed with how you could still remember so much, and how you could offer me help, that I'd always tell my friends about it.
I am that boy who probably has never told you how much I admire your drive and motivation, and how I sometimes wish I could work as hard as you did when you used to come back from work tired, have your dinner and take a nap, before waking up to pick her up and then come back to finish up your work before going to bed at 2, and waking up at 6:30 again the next morning.
I am that boy who wanted to say sorry and talk about things, but never found a time to do so.
I am that boy who talked to my friends instead, and from talking to them realised how much you were doing, and how difficult it must have been for you.
I am that boy who should have found a time to tell you all this, but never did.
I am that boy who was still surprised that you managed to get all of them to come, without my knowledge, and didn't really say thank you.
I am that boy who really really appreciates the fact that all of you made it, and that you guys came and stayed the night with me.
I am that boy who told you that it'd be ok if I went alone, but was actually hoping that you would come along.
I am that boy who was glad that you did decide to come along, but never got the chance to tell you so.
I am that boy who never really got to say a proper good-bye, to tell you to take care of yourselves, and not to worry about me.
I am that boy who doesn't want to disappoint you again, but sometimes worries that it might be beyond my ability.
I am that boy who really appreciates the opportunity given to me, but probably has not told you before.
I am that boy, who now is where I am today because of all that you've all done for me.
I am that boy who wants to say thank you, for everything that you've all done, and sorry, for the things that I shouldn't have done.
I am that guy, I am that friend.
I am that boy, I am that grandson.
I am that son.
I am that boy whom was always told I had to set an example because I was the oldest one.
I am that boy who got so frustrated with hearing you saying that, because I was not always the one in the wrong, that I shouted at you one day.
I am that boy who was given a hand-crafted rocking horse, flown all the way from Bradford, England, which is still around the house today.
I am that boy who was locked out, alone in the corridor in the middle of the night, who had you asking for me to be let into the house again.
I am that boy who remembers the many times you brought me to the biscuit shops across the road all those years ago.
I am that boy who remembers you bringing me to the playground to play on the slide and the merry-go-round.
I am that boy who always looked forward to Easter, when I would always get a Cadbury's Caramel Egg from you.
I am that boy who wondered why you stopped taking me to the playground and why you didn't buy me biscuits anymore.
I am that boy who remembers how sad it made you to see him suffering like that.
I am that boy who knows how moved you are every time you hear "How Great Thou Art".
I am that boy who began secondary school hating it, and came home complaining about it every day.
I am that boy who had the time of my life in that very same school.
I am that boy who had, and still has, the greatest friends that I'll ever have from those times.
I am that boy, who never really appreciated how wonderful it was, until it was almost over.
I am that boy who is probably your favourite grandchild, though you would not admit, and I know because you always offer to buy me breakfast on Saturdays.
I am that boy who everyone says is cynical, but yet holds on to my ideals.
I am that boy who did so well, you probably expected more of me.
I am that boy who did not want to disappoint you, but probably did anyway.
I am that boy who was so impressed with how you could still remember so much, and how you could offer me help, that I'd always tell my friends about it.
I am that boy who probably has never told you how much I admire your drive and motivation, and how I sometimes wish I could work as hard as you did when you used to come back from work tired, have your dinner and take a nap, before waking up to pick her up and then come back to finish up your work before going to bed at 2, and waking up at 6:30 again the next morning.
I am that boy who wanted to say sorry and talk about things, but never found a time to do so.
I am that boy who talked to my friends instead, and from talking to them realised how much you were doing, and how difficult it must have been for you.
I am that boy who should have found a time to tell you all this, but never did.
I am that boy who was still surprised that you managed to get all of them to come, without my knowledge, and didn't really say thank you.
I am that boy who really really appreciates the fact that all of you made it, and that you guys came and stayed the night with me.
I am that boy who told you that it'd be ok if I went alone, but was actually hoping that you would come along.
I am that boy who was glad that you did decide to come along, but never got the chance to tell you so.
I am that boy who never really got to say a proper good-bye, to tell you to take care of yourselves, and not to worry about me.
I am that boy who doesn't want to disappoint you again, but sometimes worries that it might be beyond my ability.
I am that boy who really appreciates the opportunity given to me, but probably has not told you before.
I am that boy, who now is where I am today because of all that you've all done for me.
I am that boy who wants to say thank you, for everything that you've all done, and sorry, for the things that I shouldn't have done.
I am that guy, I am that friend.
I am that boy, I am that grandson.
I am that son.
Monday, October 31, 2005
More photos
New photos up.
Went up to Mont Royal on the weekend, and have a couple of photos, which I have just uploaded. Daylight savings has ended, and it snowed overnight about a week ago. Not much to say, still have work and midterms to do, and I'm getting into gear now. Finals in a month, so it's back to work.
Went up to Mont Royal on the weekend, and have a couple of photos, which I have just uploaded. Daylight savings has ended, and it snowed overnight about a week ago. Not much to say, still have work and midterms to do, and I'm getting into gear now. Finals in a month, so it's back to work.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Nonsense
I've not had much time to collect my thoughts before putting them down here, but I post out of habit. Maybe I shouldn't. But then again, it's not as if I have nothing that I want to say. I just can't think of a way to contextualise what I want to say, or how to put it down in words, or whether or not I even want to put them down here right now. I will do it. Eventually.
This will have to do for now though.
Things aren't always as bad as they are made out to be, and they rarely are as good as they are hyped up to be either. We need to bear in mind the perpectives of the people giving us their views, and to try to objectively evaluate what they are saying. Sometimes, the best way to do this is to try something for yourself, but when you decide to do that, you should not burden yourself with the expectation that things will turn out for you they way they turned out for other people. They just might, but they could just as easily turn out different. We just have to keep that in mind.
The beauty about all this is that it doesn't even have to make sense to anyone.
This will have to do for now though.
Things aren't always as bad as they are made out to be, and they rarely are as good as they are hyped up to be either. We need to bear in mind the perpectives of the people giving us their views, and to try to objectively evaluate what they are saying. Sometimes, the best way to do this is to try something for yourself, but when you decide to do that, you should not burden yourself with the expectation that things will turn out for you they way they turned out for other people. They just might, but they could just as easily turn out different. We just have to keep that in mind.
The beauty about all this is that it doesn't even have to make sense to anyone.
Friday, October 14, 2005
A friendly little chat
We often like to complain about how we are always so busy with work, about how there are numerous deadlines to meet and exams to take. We worry about seeing the school year through, and then we proceed to worry about where we are going to go next for the holidays. We remark about how competitive life is, and about how we still have to find well-paying jobs, and start participating in the mindless monotony that is working life. And yet, so very often, we fail to recognise how fortunate we are that we can afford to worry about these kinds of things.
I had a little chat with one of the housekeepers today. He asked if I was Vietnamese, and I told him I was Singaporean. We spoke, at first in English, and then a couple of sentences in Mandarin, before I told him that I could speak Cantonese too.
He's been in Canada for almost 20 years now, and he's from Vietnam. He fled Vietnam as a politcal refugee, went to Malaysia and stayed in a refugee camp for 10 months before arriving in Canada. He managed to get a job after arriving, but the company he worked for closed down after 7 years, and so he worked in the food services at McGill. After 13 years, McGill food services decided to let him go as they could find cheaper alternatives. So now he's working as a housekeeper in my residence. He's got a family to support and to care for, so to make ends meet, he works Mondays to Fridays in the dorm, and on his weekends off, he works another job.
Despite all that he's had to face, his outlook on life is so cheerful and optimistic. He says life is only tough if you tell yourself that it is. It's so very true, and the message is really resonant when it comes from someone who has had so much thrown at him already.
So the next time I think that school and work is getting to me, that my life is difficult and complicated, I'll be thinking of him, and how if it isn't tough for him, it sure as hell shouldn't be for me.
I had a little chat with one of the housekeepers today. He asked if I was Vietnamese, and I told him I was Singaporean. We spoke, at first in English, and then a couple of sentences in Mandarin, before I told him that I could speak Cantonese too.
He's been in Canada for almost 20 years now, and he's from Vietnam. He fled Vietnam as a politcal refugee, went to Malaysia and stayed in a refugee camp for 10 months before arriving in Canada. He managed to get a job after arriving, but the company he worked for closed down after 7 years, and so he worked in the food services at McGill. After 13 years, McGill food services decided to let him go as they could find cheaper alternatives. So now he's working as a housekeeper in my residence. He's got a family to support and to care for, so to make ends meet, he works Mondays to Fridays in the dorm, and on his weekends off, he works another job.
Despite all that he's had to face, his outlook on life is so cheerful and optimistic. He says life is only tough if you tell yourself that it is. It's so very true, and the message is really resonant when it comes from someone who has had so much thrown at him already.
So the next time I think that school and work is getting to me, that my life is difficult and complicated, I'll be thinking of him, and how if it isn't tough for him, it sure as hell shouldn't be for me.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
21
I am now legal in the US.
So much has happened since the last time I blogged I have no idea where to start. I've just emerged from the Thanksgiving weekend after a killer week in school. Had an essay due on Tuesday, assignments due on Wednesday and Friday, and a midterm on Thursday. So I spent the week rushing through my work to find time to prepare for my midterm.
For all that I say about how we need to know what is important, we also have to recognise that if your priorities aren't the same as everyone else's, you have to be prepared to pay a price for that difference in opinion and perception. And if you deem that too much to pay, you then have to succumb to the system that you function in.
What really irked me about the past week was that I've been busy keeping up with my work and classes so that this would NOT happen, and yet it did, and I could do nothing about it. Having to rush through everything just so that you have enough time to get even more studying done just ain't fun. I don't like to push the fast forward button when I'm learning, and I believe that at this level, the motivation for learning should come from yourself, not the fact that you have deadlines to meet, midterms to take and grades to obtain.
The weekend brought just a little respite, as I still had to clear up more work that I put on hold because of the midterm and assignments, and I begin the week with even more deadlines to meet. It's so easy to get caught up rushing to meet 1 deadline after another, so I keep telling myself to remember why I'm here. At least I can't deny that my classes are interesting.
Some of my friends and I had a little get-together for dinner and a cake to celebrate my turning 21. It was small, simple and cozy affair, on Friday, a day after the actual date as I was in an exam hall on the evening of my birthday. It was nice though, and a word of thanks goes out to all you guys who did this little thing for me - it's greatly appreciated. Not forgetting those who got me on MSN or on my blog, or who sent me e-mails.
Anyway, so much for my week, I was just flipping through my organizer which I've had for almost 5 years now, and I came across a little something that I copied out oh-so long ago, and it was nice to read it all over again, if only because the mood was in such great contrast to the week I just had.
What I would give to be able to see the world with child-like wonder all over again.
So much has happened since the last time I blogged I have no idea where to start. I've just emerged from the Thanksgiving weekend after a killer week in school. Had an essay due on Tuesday, assignments due on Wednesday and Friday, and a midterm on Thursday. So I spent the week rushing through my work to find time to prepare for my midterm.
For all that I say about how we need to know what is important, we also have to recognise that if your priorities aren't the same as everyone else's, you have to be prepared to pay a price for that difference in opinion and perception. And if you deem that too much to pay, you then have to succumb to the system that you function in.
What really irked me about the past week was that I've been busy keeping up with my work and classes so that this would NOT happen, and yet it did, and I could do nothing about it. Having to rush through everything just so that you have enough time to get even more studying done just ain't fun. I don't like to push the fast forward button when I'm learning, and I believe that at this level, the motivation for learning should come from yourself, not the fact that you have deadlines to meet, midterms to take and grades to obtain.
The weekend brought just a little respite, as I still had to clear up more work that I put on hold because of the midterm and assignments, and I begin the week with even more deadlines to meet. It's so easy to get caught up rushing to meet 1 deadline after another, so I keep telling myself to remember why I'm here. At least I can't deny that my classes are interesting.
Some of my friends and I had a little get-together for dinner and a cake to celebrate my turning 21. It was small, simple and cozy affair, on Friday, a day after the actual date as I was in an exam hall on the evening of my birthday. It was nice though, and a word of thanks goes out to all you guys who did this little thing for me - it's greatly appreciated. Not forgetting those who got me on MSN or on my blog, or who sent me e-mails.
Anyway, so much for my week, I was just flipping through my organizer which I've had for almost 5 years now, and I came across a little something that I copied out oh-so long ago, and it was nice to read it all over again, if only because the mood was in such great contrast to the week I just had.
O, Tell Me the Truth About Love
Some say that love's a little boy,
And some say it's a bird,
Some say it makes the world go round,
And some say that's absurd,
And when I asked the man next-door,
Who looked as if he knew,
His wife got very cross indeed,
And said it wouldn't do
Does it look like a pair of pyjamas,
Or the ham in a temperance hotel?
Does it's odour remind one of llamas,
Or has it a comforting smell?
It is prickly to touch as a hedge is,
Or soft as an eiderdown fluff?
It it sharp or quite smooth at the edges?
O tell me the truth about love
Our history books refer to it
In cryptic little notes,
It's quite a common topic on
The transatlantic boats;
I've found the subject mentioned
In accounts of suicides,
And even seen it scribbled on
The backs of rail-way guides
Does it howl like a hungry Alsatian,
Or boom like a military band?
Could one give a first-rate imitation
On a saw or a Steinway Grand?
Is its singing at parties a riot?
Does it only like classical stuff?
Will it stop when one wants to be quiet?
O tell me the truth about love
I looked inside the summer-house;
It wasn't ever there:
I tried the Thames at Maidenhead,
And Brighton's bracing air
I don't know what the blackbird sang,
Or what the tulip said;
But it wasn't in the chicken-run,
Or underneath the bed
Can it pull extraordinary faces?
It is usually sick on a swing?
Does it spend all its time at the races,
Or fiddling with pieces of string?
Has it views of it's own about money?
Does it think Patriotism enough?
Are its stories vulgar but funny?
O tell me the truth about love
When it comes will it come without warning
Just as I'm picking my nose?
Will it knock on my door in the morning,
Or tread in the bus on my toes?
Will it come like a change in the weather?
Will its greeting be courteous or rough?
Will it alter my life altogether?
O tell me the truth about love
W.H Auden
What I would give to be able to see the world with child-like wonder all over again.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Introspection
Nothing like 2 conversations with 2 good friends over 2 days to get you into a contemplative mood, and to destroy your motivation to study for the test tomorrow.
It has been a week of relection, somehow most of the conversations I've had the past week have been about lessons learnt and perspectives gained in life; about how life is, and how we'd like it to be. Kind of like a review on the first principles of life, the universe and everything.
The majority of my conversations this week went along lines like these, and to be honest, I do miss conversations like these that I used to have late into the night. A bit of introspection does us good once in a while.
The harsh reality of life, however, reminds me that I have a test to prepare for, so it's back to the books now.
It has been a week of relection, somehow most of the conversations I've had the past week have been about lessons learnt and perspectives gained in life; about how life is, and how we'd like it to be. Kind of like a review on the first principles of life, the universe and everything.
X says:
thought that in uni and all that i won't meet this kinda characters... uni was pretty pleasant until he came along!
X says:
*yawn*
tim says:
it takes all sorts lah
tim says:
no such thing as " i thought i wouldn't meet this kind of people"
tim says:
there will always be this kind of people
X says:
true...
X says:
reality bites...
tim says:
yeah
tim says:
tell me abt it
tim says:
over here also got the kanjeong spider, everything also must write down types
X says:
how's your day?
X says:
serious ar!
tim says:
haha
tim says:
yes
X says:
wow...
tim says:
my day was ok though
X says:
thought they were pretty slack about studying
tim says:
not in mcgill at least
tim says:
it actually feels a bit like jc to be honest
tim says:
it's just that i've learn how to not let it bother me
X says:
same here
X says:
everyone's very very competitive here
X says:
a bit unpleasant sometimes, but i'm just happy cos i know what i want out of this whole uni thing..
tim says:
yeah
tim says:
it's the same everywhere lah
X says:
except for today cos of the project =) heh..
tim says:
but as u said, u need to know what u want out of the whole uni thing
X says:
gonna sleep it off, and tm's a brand new day =)
tim says:
yeah
X says:
i think it's something that's important to learn...
tim says:
true
tim says:
very true
X says:
if not you'll just be irritated, obsessively competitive and discontented your whole life
tim says:
the grades are important, but u reakky should be focusing on developing your thinking and stuff like that
tim says:
really i mean
X says:
yeah... how old are your classmates there?
tim says:
anywhere between 17-20\
tim says:
most are 18-19
X says:
that's quite young...
tim says:
yes
X says:
mature?
tim says:
not as mature as me
tim says:
haha
tim says:
that sounds damn arrogant
tim says:
but, aiyah, different background, different age, different experiences, so not too surprising lah
tim says:
some more we have to do NS
tim says:
at least not everyone is like that though
tim says:
there's this mexican guy i know, only 19, but he's pretty mature
X says:
true...i think NS was a good thing
tim says:
yes
X says:
Now, being thrown back into the company of 19 yr old girls can be quite disconcerting...
tim says:
haha
tim says:
actually NS can be a good or a bad thing lah
X says:
bordering on mildly disturbing even...
tim says:
depends on the persono
X says:
that's true too
tim says:
like i realise that i draw a lot of lessons from my NS, but i also realise that not everyone does
X says:
yup... that's cos you went into it with a good attitude
X says:
making the best out of a bad situation at least
tim says:
no so much a god attitude, but yeah
tim says:
the most out of a bad situation thing is right
X says:
as opposed to just passing time... its good
tim says:
yah, but to benefit from NS u had want to make the most out of it lah
X says:
not many do though...
X says:
anyway...i'm finally done!!!! =)))
tim says:
that's also true
tim says:
haha
tim says:
good lor
X says:
would u do it all over again if you had the chance?
X says:
NS, i mean
tim says:
if i had the chance or if i had the choice?
tim says:
different leh
tim says:
knowing what i got out of it, and looking at where i am now, i would say yes, i would want to do it again
tim says:
but if i didn't know how i'd turn out, i wouldn't be so sure
tim says:
it wasn't something that i wanted to do
X says:
yup...
X says:
learnt a lot of lesson and grown up quite a bit...
X says:
but most of them through painful experiences...
tim says:
true
X says:
anyway, i better go sleep... 8am class'll be a killer
tim says:
that's why i wouldn't be so sure, but, then again, sometimes u need to have painful experiences to learn things
X says:
yup...
tim says:
i think at the end of the day i'm just glad that i turned out better for it lah
X says:
yup...me too
tim says:
nevermind whether i enjoyed it or not, or whether i wanted to do it, or whether i would do it again if i was given the chance
X says:
i know you'll make the right choices!
tim says:
hahaha
X says:
and if you don't..well
tim says:
but what is the right choice?
X says:
life goes on =)
tim says:
is there ever such a thing as a right choice?
tim says:
i don't really agree with the concept of right and wrong choices
X says:
really?
X says:
maybe not for everything lar...
tim says:
we make choices
tim says:
and when u look back on them, ur judgement on whether they were right or wrong depends on what u made of your choice
tim says:
so logically, if make the most out of your choices, they will always be the "right" choice
tim says:
and u never know what would have happened if u chose to do something else.
tim says:
it might have been better, but it just as well could have been worse
X says:
hmmm....
X says:
that's an interesting way to look at it...
X says:
=)
The majority of my conversations this week went along lines like these, and to be honest, I do miss conversations like these that I used to have late into the night. A bit of introspection does us good once in a while.
The harsh reality of life, however, reminds me that I have a test to prepare for, so it's back to the books now.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
A little out of focus please
Sometimes we get so caught up in the here and now that we forget how we even got here in the first place. Focus gives one a good sense of direction, but just like in pictures, it tends to make you neglect what is right behind the object - the background to everything.
Lately I think have been too caught up in everything. A weekend spent doing mostly nothing has made that clear to me. I did little, and yet I enjoyed myself thoroughly. A walk up to Mount Royal last night helped a great deal too.
It is only the 3rd week of school, and I am already obsessing over recommended deadlines, and not mandatory ones. This despite the fact that the recommended deadlines can't really be met because our lecturer is going slowly. I am worried about entering my answers online, just because I "only" have 4 tries a question, and what if I can't get the answer right?
My friends over here have all remarked at how hard I work now, compared to when I was in JC, where I basically did no homework whatsoever in my first year, and I usually tell them about how I've become more responsible and mature now.
Have I really? Is it mature to worry about getting the answers right, when you should really be concerned about how you actually arrived at one? It's not the grades that matter, but the learning that goes on that does. In sharpening my focus, I have neglected that.
It doesn't matter if you get less than 100% on tests and assignments, what is important is that you learn, and that you'll be willing to try again the next time tests and assignments come along. Being a kan cheong spider is taxing and unproductive, and it saps you of your energy. That was why told myself that I wouldn't be one, and why I should remind myself that I don't want to become one.
A friend told me that in JC, unlike others around me, I seemed to have a big picture view on things, and that that was a good thing. I think it is, and so it is time to re-learn the lessons, concepts and principles that I tried to tell others about.
I'd rather see the world a little out of focus, with things blurry in places. It might not be as sharp, but at least I get to see everything. Better that than seeing a couple of things clearly, and missing out on everything and everyone else that is acutally right there, just behind the objects that hold our attention.
Lately I think have been too caught up in everything. A weekend spent doing mostly nothing has made that clear to me. I did little, and yet I enjoyed myself thoroughly. A walk up to Mount Royal last night helped a great deal too.
It is only the 3rd week of school, and I am already obsessing over recommended deadlines, and not mandatory ones. This despite the fact that the recommended deadlines can't really be met because our lecturer is going slowly. I am worried about entering my answers online, just because I "only" have 4 tries a question, and what if I can't get the answer right?
My friends over here have all remarked at how hard I work now, compared to when I was in JC, where I basically did no homework whatsoever in my first year, and I usually tell them about how I've become more responsible and mature now.
Have I really? Is it mature to worry about getting the answers right, when you should really be concerned about how you actually arrived at one? It's not the grades that matter, but the learning that goes on that does. In sharpening my focus, I have neglected that.
It doesn't matter if you get less than 100% on tests and assignments, what is important is that you learn, and that you'll be willing to try again the next time tests and assignments come along. Being a kan cheong spider is taxing and unproductive, and it saps you of your energy. That was why told myself that I wouldn't be one, and why I should remind myself that I don't want to become one.
A friend told me that in JC, unlike others around me, I seemed to have a big picture view on things, and that that was a good thing. I think it is, and so it is time to re-learn the lessons, concepts and principles that I tried to tell others about.
I'd rather see the world a little out of focus, with things blurry in places. It might not be as sharp, but at least I get to see everything. Better that than seeing a couple of things clearly, and missing out on everything and everyone else that is acutally right there, just behind the objects that hold our attention.
Monday, September 19, 2005
I so should not be writing this at this hour now, but what the heck - having already wasted an entire weekend, what's a couple more hours right? I'll still try to keep this one short though - I need sleep for tomorrow.
Went to catch Russel Peters on Saturday, at the Place-des-Arts, and he was really quite funny. Having seen his clips before, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy watching him as I thought he was ok-funny, but not really all that great. It turns out he is actually really quite funny. His show lasted somewhere around an hour, and he was really warmed up towards the middle of it, when he was hitting all the right notes with the audience. He struggled a little towards the last 10 minutes, but when he came back for his encore, he was pretty funny again. All in all, it was worth the ticket price, and my friends and I left with aching jaws.
The words are starting to fail me, and the brain is no longer active, so this is the end for now.
Went to catch Russel Peters on Saturday, at the Place-des-Arts, and he was really quite funny. Having seen his clips before, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy watching him as I thought he was ok-funny, but not really all that great. It turns out he is actually really quite funny. His show lasted somewhere around an hour, and he was really warmed up towards the middle of it, when he was hitting all the right notes with the audience. He struggled a little towards the last 10 minutes, but when he came back for his encore, he was pretty funny again. All in all, it was worth the ticket price, and my friends and I left with aching jaws.
The words are starting to fail me, and the brain is no longer active, so this is the end for now.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
What are we to do?
How did we end up here, in a country thousands of kilometres away from home, 2 and a half years after saying our good byes? Did we even expect to see each other that often after that? And how come we have so much fun together now, even while doing simple, everyday things?
It's nice to have good company here, people who already understand you, just because it makes you feel more comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings, and also because good company doesn't come by easily.
Our time here is limited, and therefore we treasure it, and yet, it is not in our long term interests to do so, for there are forks in the road ahead, and the paths that we have to take are not going to be the same. So what are we to do while we are on this common path?
It's nice to have good company here, people who already understand you, just because it makes you feel more comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings, and also because good company doesn't come by easily.
Our time here is limited, and therefore we treasure it, and yet, it is not in our long term interests to do so, for there are forks in the road ahead, and the paths that we have to take are not going to be the same. So what are we to do while we are on this common path?
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Wordless
I actually really like Montreal. There is a vibrancy and buzz about the place, people are friendly and very helpful, and well, I just feel happy being in it. It might be because I'm still new to the place, and the weather's been nice and warm (relatively speaking), and also because school is still only just starting. Or it might be that both my Singaporean friends are here now, so I always have people to hang out with. I've made a couple of friends, but it takes time for friendships to develop, and for people to get a feel for each other, so it helps that I have established friends here.
Being in Montreal and talking to people here has also made me realise that I can't really identify all that many things that I like about Singapore. There's my family and friends, and of course, food that is cheap and good, but that's about it. In Montreal, there are places to visit and things to do - parks to have picnics in, Old Montreal (which is really nice), film festivals to attend, museums to visit, and concerts to catch. Not that you can't do these things in Singapore, but somehow, there's just a good vibe about the place.
Maybe it's just the novelty of the place, I honestly do not know, but it feels really nice to be here. It's not as if things have been completely smooth sailing, but the place just feels... well, really nice.
There's just a good feel to the place, and for now at least, I really like the city.
Sometimes, the less said, the better. I'm really struggling to put down what I feel into words, and I have no idea why, so maybe I should just stop here.
Being in Montreal and talking to people here has also made me realise that I can't really identify all that many things that I like about Singapore. There's my family and friends, and of course, food that is cheap and good, but that's about it. In Montreal, there are places to visit and things to do - parks to have picnics in, Old Montreal (which is really nice), film festivals to attend, museums to visit, and concerts to catch. Not that you can't do these things in Singapore, but somehow, there's just a good vibe about the place.
Maybe it's just the novelty of the place, I honestly do not know, but it feels really nice to be here. It's not as if things have been completely smooth sailing, but the place just feels... well, really nice.
There's just a good feel to the place, and for now at least, I really like the city.
Sometimes, the less said, the better. I'm really struggling to put down what I feel into words, and I have no idea why, so maybe I should just stop here.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Go away
When a lecturer/tutor says that you should feel free to ask any questions, any questions at all, and he'll answer them, it's to tell you not to be afraid of clearing up your doubts. So, by all means, ask the question, even if it might sound stupid.
It is NOT however, the cue for you to:
So if you understand everything, fine and good. Shut up. Help others who have difficulty. Or just drop the class. I'm not interested in how you think this class is so easy it's a joke, or about how you already covered all this in your high school or at the A levels/French Bac/IB or what not. Keep it to yourself.
It is NOT however, the cue for you to:
- ask questions that you already know the answer to, just so that your prescence will be acknowledged
- ask questions that you already know the answer to, just to show that you've read ahead of the class
- ask questions about material that hasn't been covered in class, just to show that you know more than you're supposed to
So if you understand everything, fine and good. Shut up. Help others who have difficulty. Or just drop the class. I'm not interested in how you think this class is so easy it's a joke, or about how you already covered all this in your high school or at the A levels/French Bac/IB or what not. Keep it to yourself.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Green Day
Went to catch Green Day's concert at Parc Jean Drapeau yesterday, and it was fantastic. They're really good live performers and can really play to the crowd. And Billie Joe, the band's frontman, invited 2 fans on stage to play the drums, the bass and the guitar; and at the end of it all, he let the guitarist keep his guitar! Being suah koo, law-abiding Singaporeans, me and my friend obeyed the no cameras allowed rule when actually they didn't check and lots of people brought their cameras along. So sorry, but got no photos to show. But anyway, the concert was a blast, and absolutely worth the C$53 that I paid for it. U2's coming down soon too, don't know how much that will cost, and don't even think we can get tickets, so probably not going to be able to catch them.
Anyway, my Singaporean friends have arrived, so at least I have some company now. Spent most of the weekend with one of them. I'm well aware of the need for me to meet new people and all that, but she's had a real torrid time getting here, so I've just been trying to help wherever I can.
School starts again tomorrow, I have some thoughts formulating at the back of my mind, but will leave the posting till they've become clearer.
Anyway, my Singaporean friends have arrived, so at least I have some company now. Spent most of the weekend with one of them. I'm well aware of the need for me to meet new people and all that, but she's had a real torrid time getting here, so I've just been trying to help wherever I can.
School starts again tomorrow, I have some thoughts formulating at the back of my mind, but will leave the posting till they've become clearer.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Starting school
The 2nd day of school is over for me, and I've got a long weekend as its labour day on Monday. Have gone for lectures for all of the classes that I'll be taking this term, so I've kind of got a taste of what is to come. My lecturers all seem ok, and some have even decided to spend the entire first lecture going through course outlines, expectations and the lot. One advantage of having gone to JC is that I've been through the lecture-tutorial system before, so I have a rough idea of how things work. Those fresh out of high school are encountering this system for the first time, and they're unfamiliar with how it all works.
Anyway, I've only had one lecture each for my geography, physics and 2 maths courses, but the homework has already been set for them. After having gone through most of JC 1 without doing much work, I wasn't too keen on falling behind and having to play catch-up all over again, so I decided to be conscientious and have a look at all my assignments, and attempt those questions which I could complete. Ok, so I decided to be a kiasu Singaporean nerd/mugger. But catch-up is not a fun game to play, really. In JC 2 I slogged like hell, and I don't want to have to do it again. At least not right at the beginning of university.
So I go online to get a hold of my physics assignment, and find out that I need the textbook to complete it. I haven't bought the textbook yet, because I was waiting for the used book sale, which takes place next week. So I can either wait for the sale before attempting my work, or I can get the book new and pay $138.95 before tax for it. I decide to take a look at my other assignments first.
The lecturer for my MATH133 class already handed out 2 printed assignments, so I decide to take a look at those. Then I realise I have absolutely no clue what the questions are talking about. The prof didn't go through much in the first lecture, just a demonstration of how to use matrices, so I either need to get the textbook and read ahead, or I can wait till it's covered in the lectures. So, nevermind, I still got 1 more maths class, I decide to clear that one first. So I go online, log in to the website and try to get my homework. But it seems my prof has put in another authorisation page. And my ID and PIN don't seem to be able to get me in. So no-go there too. E-mail the prof asking for help, and then look at my last remaining option, geography. But the geography assignment hasn't been handed out yet, and the prof only gave us an outline of what needed to be done for it, so I'm stuck with no work that can be done.
This is so not helping me in my bid to be a conscientious student. Ah well, heading out now to get some textbooks so I can get started on some work. I know, I am such a guai kia, but no choice, parents spent too much sending me here, even though I'm paying PR fees, so must make the most of it. NS has made me a lot more aware of the responsibilty on my shoulders.
Anyway, I've only had one lecture each for my geography, physics and 2 maths courses, but the homework has already been set for them. After having gone through most of JC 1 without doing much work, I wasn't too keen on falling behind and having to play catch-up all over again, so I decided to be conscientious and have a look at all my assignments, and attempt those questions which I could complete. Ok, so I decided to be a kiasu Singaporean nerd/mugger. But catch-up is not a fun game to play, really. In JC 2 I slogged like hell, and I don't want to have to do it again. At least not right at the beginning of university.
So I go online to get a hold of my physics assignment, and find out that I need the textbook to complete it. I haven't bought the textbook yet, because I was waiting for the used book sale, which takes place next week. So I can either wait for the sale before attempting my work, or I can get the book new and pay $138.95 before tax for it. I decide to take a look at my other assignments first.
The lecturer for my MATH133 class already handed out 2 printed assignments, so I decide to take a look at those. Then I realise I have absolutely no clue what the questions are talking about. The prof didn't go through much in the first lecture, just a demonstration of how to use matrices, so I either need to get the textbook and read ahead, or I can wait till it's covered in the lectures. So, nevermind, I still got 1 more maths class, I decide to clear that one first. So I go online, log in to the website and try to get my homework. But it seems my prof has put in another authorisation page. And my ID and PIN don't seem to be able to get me in. So no-go there too. E-mail the prof asking for help, and then look at my last remaining option, geography. But the geography assignment hasn't been handed out yet, and the prof only gave us an outline of what needed to be done for it, so I'm stuck with no work that can be done.
This is so not helping me in my bid to be a conscientious student. Ah well, heading out now to get some textbooks so I can get started on some work. I know, I am such a guai kia, but no choice, parents spent too much sending me here, even though I'm paying PR fees, so must make the most of it. NS has made me a lot more aware of the responsibilty on my shoulders.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Words of encouragement
School starts tomorrow, and I'm more or less looking forward to it. I attended a faculty advising/intouduction session yesterday and got some info about my course, and some encouraging words from the chairman of the Electrical Engineering department.
"Welcome to the best Engineering faculty in the country... and among the top 5 or 6 in North America."
Ok lah, nothing much new there.
"Electrical Engineering is one of the toughest, if not THE toughest course in engineering."
"Bear in mind, this is a professional degree, so you can expect to typically put in anywhere between 42 to 54 hours a week on your work."
"In your first EE course, Fundementals of Electrical Engineering, there is, statistically a 30% failure rate among students... Look to your left, look to your right. Chances are one of the three of you are going to have to retake that course."
Ok...
"A lot of you are interested to find our more about entry into our honours programme... We take in only the best, as determined by your cumulative GPA... Every year we take in anywhere between 20-25 students for the honours programme."
Wah lan eh... I'm going to have to work my ass off to get into the honours programme lah. At that session, there were about 150 people or so in attendance, and it wasn't even compulsory, so there might be even more people in the EE programme. Got lots of work ahead of me.
And I still don't have a cellphone (as they call it here). To get one, they need to do a credit check, and I need to have a credit card which has been with me for more than 6 months. My card's only been with me for 3 months, I've got to either wait another 3 months, or wait for my friend to get here and ask her to let me use her card to sign up, and then transfer the bills to me after my card hits 6 months.
It's hard to make friends without a cellphone, when everyone is exchanging numbers, and the best you can offer is your msn contact. So I got to wait till Sept 5th at the earliest, when my friend gets here.
Some more shots of my room added to my flickr set, so you can see them if you want. Some new photos not in any sets in my photo stream as well. Got one of the photo collage that a few of my friends gave to me at the airport. My friends rock.
"Welcome to the best Engineering faculty in the country... and among the top 5 or 6 in North America."
Ok lah, nothing much new there.
"Electrical Engineering is one of the toughest, if not THE toughest course in engineering."
"Bear in mind, this is a professional degree, so you can expect to typically put in anywhere between 42 to 54 hours a week on your work."
"In your first EE course, Fundementals of Electrical Engineering, there is, statistically a 30% failure rate among students... Look to your left, look to your right. Chances are one of the three of you are going to have to retake that course."
Ok...
"A lot of you are interested to find our more about entry into our honours programme... We take in only the best, as determined by your cumulative GPA... Every year we take in anywhere between 20-25 students for the honours programme."
Wah lan eh... I'm going to have to work my ass off to get into the honours programme lah. At that session, there were about 150 people or so in attendance, and it wasn't even compulsory, so there might be even more people in the EE programme. Got lots of work ahead of me.
And I still don't have a cellphone (as they call it here). To get one, they need to do a credit check, and I need to have a credit card which has been with me for more than 6 months. My card's only been with me for 3 months, I've got to either wait another 3 months, or wait for my friend to get here and ask her to let me use her card to sign up, and then transfer the bills to me after my card hits 6 months.
It's hard to make friends without a cellphone, when everyone is exchanging numbers, and the best you can offer is your msn contact. So I got to wait till Sept 5th at the earliest, when my friend gets here.
Some more shots of my room added to my flickr set, so you can see them if you want. Some new photos not in any sets in my photo stream as well. Got one of the photo collage that a few of my friends gave to me at the airport. My friends rock.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Photos
Photos are up. Flickr only allows a user 3 sets if you're on a free account, so I compressed 3 sets into one. Might think of getting the pro account in future, though that costs US$24.95 a year. See how first, as I'm not too sure if I'll be taking too many pictures once school starts.
I need a screwdriver. The towel rack that I got from IKEA needs screws to be assembled. No surprise there. Then I find out it uses screws and so I need a screwdriver. Crap. I thought IKEA furniture uses that funny "allen" key thingy, and I thought that comes with the furniture. Now I got to go look for a screw driver.
I need a screwdriver. The towel rack that I got from IKEA needs screws to be assembled. No surprise there. Then I find out it uses screws and so I need a screwdriver. Crap. I thought IKEA furniture uses that funny "allen" key thingy, and I thought that comes with the furniture. Now I got to go look for a screw driver.
Weekend at Niagara
Said goodbye to the parents today, not very pleasant, but I'm glad that my good-byes are out of the way at last.
Went to Niagara Falls for the weekend with the parents, and also skipped both my orientation programmes in the process. Niagara was beautiful, though the area around the falls has changed lots from the last time I was there, which was over 10 years ago. There are now bright lights, flashy billboards and tacky amusement centres near the falls, and the place has a very Vegas-like feel to it. Fortunately, the place where the Falls are situated was relatively untouched. Crossed the American border to get a look at the falls from the other side, was a little bothersome as I had to wait almost a half hour to get my passport stamped.
Have pictures, but have to find out how to use my flikcr account before I can post a link on my blog. Working on it now, and trying to get everything up before Sept 1st, when term starts.
Check back soon for updates.
Went to Niagara Falls for the weekend with the parents, and also skipped both my orientation programmes in the process. Niagara was beautiful, though the area around the falls has changed lots from the last time I was there, which was over 10 years ago. There are now bright lights, flashy billboards and tacky amusement centres near the falls, and the place has a very Vegas-like feel to it. Fortunately, the place where the Falls are situated was relatively untouched. Crossed the American border to get a look at the falls from the other side, was a little bothersome as I had to wait almost a half hour to get my passport stamped.
Have pictures, but have to find out how to use my flikcr account before I can post a link on my blog. Working on it now, and trying to get everything up before Sept 1st, when term starts.
Check back soon for updates.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
McGill: day 1
Wake up and get ready to go to McGill. Pack everything into the car, but before we head for McGill, we look around the area for rooms for my parents for the next 2 nights. The area we are staying in, Laval, like Montreal, is fully booked. So the one of the front desks helps us to call around to find a room. Manage to get 1 in Dorval, which is beside the airport. It is about 25km from downtown Montreal, but it will have to do.
We get some brunch before heading to the university. When we reach, it is almost noon. Get the keys to my room and bring the stuff up. The room is tiny, even smaller than the room I had at home, which wasn't really that big to begin with. Oh well, my home for the next year at least. No wonder my friend tells me to get an apartment in the second year.
The room smells stale, and some of the furnishings are damaged, but it is liveable. Have stayed in worse conditions before, and what is important is that I have a private space, so I'll make do. Do a brief damage assesment, but do not fill out the form yet. It's only due next friday, so there's no real hurry. Head out with the parents to get bedding and pillows, because only a mattress is provided. Walk through the university to get to downtown. Some of the buildings look really old, and with their large wooden doors and stone walls, remind me of the UK.
Wander around downtown, and ask people where a good place to go to shop for bedding is. Come up with the name Linen Closet, so we head there. Spend $200 on bedding and pillows, and also hunt around for handphone (or cellphone, as it is called here) subscription plans. All the people we've met have been extremely helpful and very friendly, even though we don't speak French. I get the impression that these people take great pride in the fact that they are effectively billingual, and am impressed by the way they switch between the 2 languages so effortlessly.
Get back to the room, make the bed with some help from my mum, who has lived in Britain before, so she leaves me some tips and pointers. After that, head out, with the intention of getting dinner with my parents. However, I realise that my hall is having an evening barbeque, so I decide to stay and mingle instead. Say goodbye to my parents, and plan to meet them tomorrow.
Mix around with the crowd, get to know many people, and subsequently forgot a large number of their names. Do not meet anyone else from Singapore in my hall. No sight of anyone majoring in Engineering either. Mingle around for about 2 hours, floating around and talking to people. Nobody in particular that I instantly click with, but it's only the 1st time I'm meeting them. People are nice and friendly, and I'm thinking skipping orientation is not going to hamper my making friends al that much. I bet everyone who knows me is going to ask me, so I might as well say it - yes there are hot girls. Not all that many though, but at least there is eye candy.
Go up to my dorm at around 8pm. There's supposed to be an outing at 930, but I am quite tired, so try to decide whether to go. 920, and I decide, ah, what the hell, just go and take a look. Walk to downtown, and go to a pub. It has 2 levels, and we're supposed to go upstairs, but the owner says it's too crowded, and only allows a limited number of people up. Music is too loud, and like I said, don't really click with anyone, so I just flitter around. Meet a few more new people through people I got to know at the barbeque. Run into Alex and Emma, 2 girls whom I spoke to earlier. Talk to them a bit, find out that Alex plans to join McGill's debate club. Talk a bit about debates with her, then the 3 of us decide to head back to the dorms early because we all are tired, and nothing much is really happening. Partying just really isn't my thing. I go like once in 2 years, and I much prefer going to a pub to just chill and talk or listen to a live band, like at Wala Wala's.
Get back to the dorm at about 11 or so, and try to wash out my wash bag. The shampoo lathers a lot, and go through like 20 rinses before most of the shampoo is gone. Clean up my other toiletires as well, and go back to my dorm. Tomorrow is Discover McGill, a sort of free orientation package that takes up almost the whole day. Have no clue what the schedule is like. At least we're divided into our faculties, so at least I can finally meet some other EE undergraduates. Have a load of admin to sort out, and wonder whether I have the time to do so before heading to Niagra with the parents on Friday. But I guess I could always do it when I come back on Tuesday. I'l just play it by ear. I wonder what tomorrow is going to be like.
We get some brunch before heading to the university. When we reach, it is almost noon. Get the keys to my room and bring the stuff up. The room is tiny, even smaller than the room I had at home, which wasn't really that big to begin with. Oh well, my home for the next year at least. No wonder my friend tells me to get an apartment in the second year.
The room smells stale, and some of the furnishings are damaged, but it is liveable. Have stayed in worse conditions before, and what is important is that I have a private space, so I'll make do. Do a brief damage assesment, but do not fill out the form yet. It's only due next friday, so there's no real hurry. Head out with the parents to get bedding and pillows, because only a mattress is provided. Walk through the university to get to downtown. Some of the buildings look really old, and with their large wooden doors and stone walls, remind me of the UK.
Wander around downtown, and ask people where a good place to go to shop for bedding is. Come up with the name Linen Closet, so we head there. Spend $200 on bedding and pillows, and also hunt around for handphone (or cellphone, as it is called here) subscription plans. All the people we've met have been extremely helpful and very friendly, even though we don't speak French. I get the impression that these people take great pride in the fact that they are effectively billingual, and am impressed by the way they switch between the 2 languages so effortlessly.
Get back to the room, make the bed with some help from my mum, who has lived in Britain before, so she leaves me some tips and pointers. After that, head out, with the intention of getting dinner with my parents. However, I realise that my hall is having an evening barbeque, so I decide to stay and mingle instead. Say goodbye to my parents, and plan to meet them tomorrow.
Mix around with the crowd, get to know many people, and subsequently forgot a large number of their names. Do not meet anyone else from Singapore in my hall. No sight of anyone majoring in Engineering either. Mingle around for about 2 hours, floating around and talking to people. Nobody in particular that I instantly click with, but it's only the 1st time I'm meeting them. People are nice and friendly, and I'm thinking skipping orientation is not going to hamper my making friends al that much. I bet everyone who knows me is going to ask me, so I might as well say it - yes there are hot girls. Not all that many though, but at least there is eye candy.
Go up to my dorm at around 8pm. There's supposed to be an outing at 930, but I am quite tired, so try to decide whether to go. 920, and I decide, ah, what the hell, just go and take a look. Walk to downtown, and go to a pub. It has 2 levels, and we're supposed to go upstairs, but the owner says it's too crowded, and only allows a limited number of people up. Music is too loud, and like I said, don't really click with anyone, so I just flitter around. Meet a few more new people through people I got to know at the barbeque. Run into Alex and Emma, 2 girls whom I spoke to earlier. Talk to them a bit, find out that Alex plans to join McGill's debate club. Talk a bit about debates with her, then the 3 of us decide to head back to the dorms early because we all are tired, and nothing much is really happening. Partying just really isn't my thing. I go like once in 2 years, and I much prefer going to a pub to just chill and talk or listen to a live band, like at Wala Wala's.
Get back to the dorm at about 11 or so, and try to wash out my wash bag. The shampoo lathers a lot, and go through like 20 rinses before most of the shampoo is gone. Clean up my other toiletires as well, and go back to my dorm. Tomorrow is Discover McGill, a sort of free orientation package that takes up almost the whole day. Have no clue what the schedule is like. At least we're divided into our faculties, so at least I can finally meet some other EE undergraduates. Have a load of admin to sort out, and wonder whether I have the time to do so before heading to Niagra with the parents on Friday. But I guess I could always do it when I come back on Tuesday. I'l just play it by ear. I wonder what tomorrow is going to be like.
McGill: the day before
It's day one now, free internet till Sept 12, when I'll have to start paying for it. Anyway, my record for the day before is below. Today was much better, but will probably only put it all down tomorrow or the day after. Meanwhile, entertain yourself with what's below.
We leave the house at 345, get to the airport slightly after 4. I thought I’d be early, but I was wrong; the terminal is packed. Apparently lots of Singaporeans are headed for NYU and U Michigan and are also taking the same flight as I am. Run into two platoon mates who are there to see other friends off, and also into one of my PCs headed for U Mich from my NS days. My friends present to me a photo collage. It's real nice, and I really appreciate it. Will get a photo up asap.
The stopover at Tokyo was uneventful. The flight from Tokyo to Detroit is bumpy, and we were in the clouds a lot. No personal TV screens on this 10 plus hour flight, so I try to catch a bit of sleep and read my book. It’s called “Everything Bad is Good for You” by Steven Johnson. He examines the positive impact of the various forms of mass media around us now, including video games, TV, and the Internet. His arguments are pretty simple, but pretty well substantiated. Halfway through the book now, and I find it pretty easy reading.
Emphasis on "No", like he is talking to an idiot. I let it slide.
“Why not?”
Meet up with the parents, and load my stuff up into the car. When my dad inserts the ticket into the machine to pay for the parking, the machine says the card is not readable. Great. Ask for assistance, and sit in the car . Some guy behind us tries to help, but the machine just can’t read it. We let the guy pass us, and the car park attendant comes. He tries the card, and it is still unreadable, so he gets my dad to follow him to sort out the problem.
In the room, open my bag and find that my wash bag is covered in shampoo. Stupid me. I forgot to empty out my shampoo bottle a little before packing it since it was brand new, and the changes in air pressure have caused the bottle to overflow. Toothbrush and razor now smell like my shampoo. Fortunately only one shirt has shampoo on it. Too tired to think, so I try to clean it off with a wet towel since it is only a little spot, and end up making it worse. When the shampoo gets wet it starts to lather. Damn. Leave the shirt in the toilet, together with the wash bag. Plan to pack both items into a plastic bag and sort it out when I get to my dorm tomorrow.
It’s late now, move-in is tomorrow, and will probably leave for Niagra with the parents on Friday. Hopefully things get better from here. This is not a great start, but I am still excited by the prospect of starting school. And the one thing that strikes me is that the people here are pretty friendly and helpful, even if you don’t speak French. So it isn’t all bad, just mostly so. For now, at least.
It will get better.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Just before I go
My secondary school days were the best times of my life, and the friends that I made during those heady days were the once-in-a-lifetime sort. There has never been any doubt in my mind that this has been the case, and the evidence is right in front of me now, literally. My flight to Montreal leaves at 6 am, so I've got to leave the house by 4; my parents have already flown to New York to meet me in Montreal. How to get to the airport? Trust my friends to come up with the solution. Stay over my place and send me there. So they are in front of me, catching whatever sleep they can get before sending me off, and then heading for class after.
I'm really tired now, and it's almost time to get ready, so I'll just say to these people with me now, thanks for everything that you guys have done for me these last few weeks. I really appreciate it.
I'm really tired now, and it's almost time to get ready, so I'll just say to these people with me now, thanks for everything that you guys have done for me these last few weeks. I really appreciate it.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Changes all round
New look, just cos' I was getting bored of the old template. Nicely coincides with major changes in my life right now, with me going to McGill for my undergraduate studies and all. I've been busy packing the past week, most of my stuff is in my luggage now, and I've been clearing out stuff from my room so that my brother can take over the room when I'm gone.
I now understand the buzz about starting school that my friends have been talking about now, but I'm also aware that it'll fizzle out pretty quickly, just like it has for most of my friends. Maybe observing my friends try to cope with school is a good thing, as it gives me an idea of what is to come, but then again, my experience might be completely different.
In a close friend's words, "It'll feel really surreal when you first get there.", and I'm already starting to get that kind of feeling. In a few days, I'll be in a completely new environment among unfamiliar faces.
My parents leave on Sunday for New York, and then they'll drive up to Montreal. I'll be leaving in the wee hours of Tuesday, at 6am. Which means I have to get to the airport by about 4am. Which means I'll be waking up at like 3am. I probably won't be able to get to sleep anyway, so we'll see how it goes.
But I am sleepy now, so I shall end here tonight.
I now understand the buzz about starting school that my friends have been talking about now, but I'm also aware that it'll fizzle out pretty quickly, just like it has for most of my friends. Maybe observing my friends try to cope with school is a good thing, as it gives me an idea of what is to come, but then again, my experience might be completely different.
In a close friend's words, "It'll feel really surreal when you first get there.", and I'm already starting to get that kind of feeling. In a few days, I'll be in a completely new environment among unfamiliar faces.
My parents leave on Sunday for New York, and then they'll drive up to Montreal. I'll be leaving in the wee hours of Tuesday, at 6am. Which means I have to get to the airport by about 4am. Which means I'll be waking up at like 3am. I probably won't be able to get to sleep anyway, so we'll see how it goes.
But I am sleepy now, so I shall end here tonight.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Leaving soon
As the day for me to leave draws nearer, I'm actually starting to look forward to starting school. I can't really explain the change in my outlook on things, but I'm starting to get really excited. Maybe it's because I've met up recently with a number of friends who are back during their hols, and I hear from them how much fun school is; or maybe because when I speak to friends who are studying locally, I hear from them how they have to adapt to new circumstances too. It might even be that after 2 years of not doing very much, I can finally get on with my life.
Another thing I'd like to do is to thank those of you who turned up for the soccer game today, and also those who wanted to, but couldn't. Thanks for the stuff that you guys got me, it's greatly appreciated, and I'll be packing it with me, I promise!
Another thing I'd like to do is to thank those of you who turned up for the soccer game today, and also those who wanted to, but couldn't. Thanks for the stuff that you guys got me, it's greatly appreciated, and I'll be packing it with me, I promise!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Am I coming back?
I still haven't really decided whether I am looking forward to leaving Singapore in about 2 and a half weeks' time. If I were just leaving for my education, and knew that I'd be coming back after 4 years, I'd probably be looking forward to leaving. But my enthusiasm is somewhat dampened by the fact that in 4 years' time, I might not have very much to come back to at all. I've been asked by many people on many occasions whether I am looking forward to going abroad to study, and my honest answer is, I really don't know.
My friends often ask if I'm coming back after I'm done with my education, and my answer is once again, my customary "I don't know".
I don't know because I'm uncertain whether or not we're leaving this place for good. For how long am I going to be saying good-bye to my friends and relatives, to this place I call home? Even if I wanted to, I might not have very much to come back to after I've completed my university education because my family would probably have all made the move to Canada by then.
Ask me again in another year or 2, and my answer would probably have changed. After I've settled, and after I've had a taste of what life is really like in Canada, and I'll probably be more certain of where my future lies, and what I intend to do.
If you ask me now, and if I had to give an answer, I'd say I'd want to come back after I'm done with my university education. But you'd have to bear in mind that it's highly possible that my answer would change in a few years. That's the best answer I can give at this point in time.
My friends often ask if I'm coming back after I'm done with my education, and my answer is once again, my customary "I don't know".
I don't know because I'm uncertain whether or not we're leaving this place for good. For how long am I going to be saying good-bye to my friends and relatives, to this place I call home? Even if I wanted to, I might not have very much to come back to after I've completed my university education because my family would probably have all made the move to Canada by then.
Ask me again in another year or 2, and my answer would probably have changed. After I've settled, and after I've had a taste of what life is really like in Canada, and I'll probably be more certain of where my future lies, and what I intend to do.
If you ask me now, and if I had to give an answer, I'd say I'd want to come back after I'm done with my university education. But you'd have to bear in mind that it's highly possible that my answer would change in a few years. That's the best answer I can give at this point in time.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Thursday, July 28, 2005
...
Is it so wrong for me to have some fun on the computer into the wee hours of the morning while I still can? Is it really so bad for me to wake up at 10 in the morning the next day?
So now, on the brink of adulthood, I have to live with a curfew - no games after 12:30am.
This stinks.
So now, on the brink of adulthood, I have to live with a curfew - no games after 12:30am.
This stinks.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Under the weather
I've still got a few thoughts to pen down regarding my approaching departure, but I'm down with a bad case of the flu and don't really feel up to it today.
An interesting aside though. My mom's organising a farewell/21st dinner for me and my family on Saturday (sorry, none of my friends are invited because there are already about 30 people, and my aunt's house and my mom's budget do not permit me to invite you guys). Some suggestions from my relatives:
An interesting aside though. My mom's organising a farewell/21st dinner for me and my family on Saturday (sorry, none of my friends are invited because there are already about 30 people, and my aunt's house and my mom's budget do not permit me to invite you guys). Some suggestions from my relatives:
- get a stripper
- use condoms of all sorts to substitute balloons for decorations
- get me high on alcohol just for the fun of it
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Moving on...
I leave for Canada in slightly over a month. In the past week or two, I have come to realise that when I leave for Canada, I will have to give up some things that I really enjoy doing.
That leaves me feeling a tinge of sadness, and yet, maybe it is time to move on. I haven't done everything I wanted to do, but there is no more time for me to do it. And I also recognise that I'll probably not do these things even if I happen to come back, either during my hols, or after 4 years, when my course ends.
So maybe it is just as well. Maybe the passion will fade after a while... or maybe it won't. On the one hand, if it does fade, it will be easier to move on, and yet, I do not want to forget because I still enjoy it so much.
What I am leaving behind here, I know for sure - family, friends, passions and familiarity, and maybe even a sense of comfort. What I stand to gain from this move, I am less sure about. That makes it both exciting and daunting at the same time.
But compare the unknowns I stand to benefit from to the knowns that I will be leaving behind, and tell me, why am I supposed to be looking forward to this again?
That leaves me feeling a tinge of sadness, and yet, maybe it is time to move on. I haven't done everything I wanted to do, but there is no more time for me to do it. And I also recognise that I'll probably not do these things even if I happen to come back, either during my hols, or after 4 years, when my course ends.
So maybe it is just as well. Maybe the passion will fade after a while... or maybe it won't. On the one hand, if it does fade, it will be easier to move on, and yet, I do not want to forget because I still enjoy it so much.
What I am leaving behind here, I know for sure - family, friends, passions and familiarity, and maybe even a sense of comfort. What I stand to gain from this move, I am less sure about. That makes it both exciting and daunting at the same time.
But compare the unknowns I stand to benefit from to the knowns that I will be leaving behind, and tell me, why am I supposed to be looking forward to this again?
Thursday, July 14, 2005
The NKF debacle
Looking beyond the money, the perks, the expensive bathroom fixtures and the fleet of cars, what really strikes me about the whole NKF debacle is how bad the PR is.
I can't believe that the NKF's first response to this incident is not to issue an apology, or at least a reassurance to its donors and patients, but is instead to take out a full page advert in Today to ask for support for its charity show tonight. After all the revelations about how public money is spent at the NKF, these people still want to issue a plea for continued donations? Do they really expect that the public will continue to give, especially now?
Mr T.T Durai is right in saying that he has done nothing wrong. In the eyes of the law he hasn't. But as a head of the largest charity in Singapore, surely he must know that the court of public opinion is what matters. And in the eyes of the public, he has been less than honest in stating the NKF's need for funds, and the NKF has not been transparent in the way that it spends public money.
His defence that everything was approved by the board of directors also calls into question their management of the NKF. Aren't they there to provide oversight? Just what are they doing then? On what basis did they decide to pay Mr Durai a 12 month peformance bonus? And if Mr Durai is so well paid, how much are the directors' renumeration packages?
Mrs Goh Chock Tong, patron of the NKF, says that $600,000 is "peanuts" when you have reserves of more than $200 million. I beg to differ. It is not "peanuts" when this money comes from the goodwill of the people. It is not "peanuts" when in donating this money, the public expects it to but put to good use, to help save lives. And if it was indeed, "peanuts", then why be so secretive about it? The $200 million comes from the goodwill of average, hardworking Singaporeans. They should be the ones who decide if it is, indeed "peanuts".
The NKF has called on the public not to stop donations because good work is indeed being done, patients are being treated, and lives are being saved.
Until steps are taken to address the lack of transparency with which the NKF operates, there is no way for us to know if the money we are donating is indeed put to good use. The patients should not suffer if they have $200 million in reserves. There is no guarantee that the money we are giving is actually going to the patients, so how exactly will they suffer? Until steps are taken to reassure the public and to guarantee meanigful use of public money, there is no reason for the public to continue with their donations. Sure, the NKF's reserves will have to be drawn upon, but this can be built up again, gradually, over time, with proper accountablilty and management.
Until then, give your money to the Kidney Dialysis Foundation, another charitable organisation in Singapore which helps sufferers of kidney disease.
Mr T.T Durai and the NKF's perceived lack of wrongdoing on their part should be corrected.
I can't believe that the NKF's first response to this incident is not to issue an apology, or at least a reassurance to its donors and patients, but is instead to take out a full page advert in Today to ask for support for its charity show tonight. After all the revelations about how public money is spent at the NKF, these people still want to issue a plea for continued donations? Do they really expect that the public will continue to give, especially now?
Mr T.T Durai is right in saying that he has done nothing wrong. In the eyes of the law he hasn't. But as a head of the largest charity in Singapore, surely he must know that the court of public opinion is what matters. And in the eyes of the public, he has been less than honest in stating the NKF's need for funds, and the NKF has not been transparent in the way that it spends public money.
His defence that everything was approved by the board of directors also calls into question their management of the NKF. Aren't they there to provide oversight? Just what are they doing then? On what basis did they decide to pay Mr Durai a 12 month peformance bonus? And if Mr Durai is so well paid, how much are the directors' renumeration packages?
Mrs Goh Chock Tong, patron of the NKF, says that $600,000 is "peanuts" when you have reserves of more than $200 million. I beg to differ. It is not "peanuts" when this money comes from the goodwill of the people. It is not "peanuts" when in donating this money, the public expects it to but put to good use, to help save lives. And if it was indeed, "peanuts", then why be so secretive about it? The $200 million comes from the goodwill of average, hardworking Singaporeans. They should be the ones who decide if it is, indeed "peanuts".
The NKF has called on the public not to stop donations because good work is indeed being done, patients are being treated, and lives are being saved.
Until steps are taken to address the lack of transparency with which the NKF operates, there is no way for us to know if the money we are donating is indeed put to good use. The patients should not suffer if they have $200 million in reserves. There is no guarantee that the money we are giving is actually going to the patients, so how exactly will they suffer? Until steps are taken to reassure the public and to guarantee meanigful use of public money, there is no reason for the public to continue with their donations. Sure, the NKF's reserves will have to be drawn upon, but this can be built up again, gradually, over time, with proper accountablilty and management.
Until then, give your money to the Kidney Dialysis Foundation, another charitable organisation in Singapore which helps sufferers of kidney disease.
Mr T.T Durai and the NKF's perceived lack of wrongdoing on their part should be corrected.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Why?
A Red Lion had an accident during the NDP rehearsal on Saturday, and news spread pretty quickly among my friends who were Commandos during our NS days. Hearing the reports on TV brought back memories of my own botched landing during a night jump that I executed. I could still distinctly remember thinking "Oh no, I'm not in my landing position yet!" just a split second before hitting the tarmac in the darkness.
As one of my good friends observed, it's weird that we still seem to crave information about our unit, even though we longer are in active service. Everytime something happens regarding the Commandos, we always want to know everything about the incident. There always seems to be a lingering concern, despite my telling myself and my friends that I couldn't care less. I think deep down, I do care.
I ask myself why, and I don't know the answer. Despite the empty and broken promises that were made, despite the ill-feeling that built up during our last months in service, the concern remains.
As one of my good friends observed, it's weird that we still seem to crave information about our unit, even though we longer are in active service. Everytime something happens regarding the Commandos, we always want to know everything about the incident. There always seems to be a lingering concern, despite my telling myself and my friends that I couldn't care less. I think deep down, I do care.
I ask myself why, and I don't know the answer. Despite the empty and broken promises that were made, despite the ill-feeling that built up during our last months in service, the concern remains.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
The days gone by
I went back to Catholic High on Saturday for a game of soccer with my friends. We were invited by our teachers who informed us that there was going to be a carnival in celebration of youth day. When I first stepped into the school, memories of days gone by came flooding back.
The school compound however, had changed considerably, and I wandered around to explore the recently renovated building. There were some changes in the layout of the secondary section of the school, but the major changes were in the common space shared by the primary and secondary sections, and the primary section of the school itself. I got lost a couple of times exploring the new surroundings, and many of the "scars" we left on the building were no longer there. The ink stains caused by pen refills being thrown into the ceiling fans, the imprint of soccer balls kicked against the falls, the broken window panes, and the overhead lights missing a flourescent tube or two had all disappeared. Our damage had been undone.
Despite all this, there was surprise, and even a hint of satisfaction on the faces of the few of my former teachers who still remain. It was pleasantly surprising that they still could recognise me.
After a game of soccer played in the hot afternoon sun, my friends and I reminisced about old times - the cheap and good food in the canteen, the still sandy as ever soccer pitch, the wickedly funny punishments some of us had to serve, the teachers(or rather, teacher) that scared us most, and the mischief we made.
Times like these don't come by easily anymore, and I don't have such fond memories of my JC days. For this reason, I will forever cherish the times I had and the friends I made in secondary school.
The school compound however, had changed considerably, and I wandered around to explore the recently renovated building. There were some changes in the layout of the secondary section of the school, but the major changes were in the common space shared by the primary and secondary sections, and the primary section of the school itself. I got lost a couple of times exploring the new surroundings, and many of the "scars" we left on the building were no longer there. The ink stains caused by pen refills being thrown into the ceiling fans, the imprint of soccer balls kicked against the falls, the broken window panes, and the overhead lights missing a flourescent tube or two had all disappeared. Our damage had been undone.
Despite all this, there was surprise, and even a hint of satisfaction on the faces of the few of my former teachers who still remain. It was pleasantly surprising that they still could recognise me.
After a game of soccer played in the hot afternoon sun, my friends and I reminisced about old times - the cheap and good food in the canteen, the still sandy as ever soccer pitch, the wickedly funny punishments some of us had to serve, the teachers(or rather, teacher) that scared us most, and the mischief we made.
Times like these don't come by easily anymore, and I don't have such fond memories of my JC days. For this reason, I will forever cherish the times I had and the friends I made in secondary school.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Preparations
I haven't updated this blog much recently because in a bid to reduce my spending, I have been staying at home. So I usually just help out a little with the housework in the mornings, then spend the afternoons reading, watching TV, playing some computer games, or just sleeping.
How terribly unexciting.
I did play badminton with some of my friends on Wednesday. It was pretty enjoyable, and a good workout, though my right arm is aching now. I also ran on Monday and Tuesday night, so I'm pretty satisfied with my level of physical activity this week.
I've been calling the travel agent once a day for the past 3 days because they send their itineraries by e-mail, and when I wanted to leave depended on whether I was flying direct to Montreal or stopping over in Vancouver. Anyway, after 3 days of phone calls and e-mails back and forth, it's all sorted out now, and I'll be leaving for Vancouver on the 19th of August. After spending the weekend with my aunt over there, I'll head to Montreal. So that leaves me with about 7 weeks in Singapore. I'm not too sure if I'll be heading back here after my term ends in April or if I'll just go to Vancouver and stay with my aunt, so I might be away for a year and a half or so before I come back to Singapore.
I plan to clean up my room next week. My army gear is still in my duffel bag which is dumped in a corner of my room. I'll probably take everything out and wash the bag before packing everything in nicely again since the bag has been collecting dust since... a very long time ago.
After that I'll probably start packing for Canada already. Somehow I don't feel overly excited or apprehensive about my departure. I'm not sure why I'm not looking forward to this, though I am not reluctant to go either. Whatever it is, I seem to be taking my time about my preparations for going overseas. Stuff like my exit permit, PR documentation and the like. Most of the stuff has been done now though. I've gotten the exit permit, and my PR documentation is more or less done, but that's about all.
When I see my friends who are studying locally, they seem to have so many things to do - decide which halls they want to stay in, send in their hostel applications, sign up for hall orientation, sign up for faculty orientation, and a whole list of other stuff. It's just a little unsettling that everyone seems to be gearing up for university, and I don't feel as if I am.
Maybe I'll feel the buzz that everyone seems to get about starting school again when I arrive in Canada and move in to my university residence.
Right now, I just feel like I'm missing out on stuff, and everyime my friends talk about things regarding universiry, I feel so left out.
How terribly unexciting.
I did play badminton with some of my friends on Wednesday. It was pretty enjoyable, and a good workout, though my right arm is aching now. I also ran on Monday and Tuesday night, so I'm pretty satisfied with my level of physical activity this week.
I've been calling the travel agent once a day for the past 3 days because they send their itineraries by e-mail, and when I wanted to leave depended on whether I was flying direct to Montreal or stopping over in Vancouver. Anyway, after 3 days of phone calls and e-mails back and forth, it's all sorted out now, and I'll be leaving for Vancouver on the 19th of August. After spending the weekend with my aunt over there, I'll head to Montreal. So that leaves me with about 7 weeks in Singapore. I'm not too sure if I'll be heading back here after my term ends in April or if I'll just go to Vancouver and stay with my aunt, so I might be away for a year and a half or so before I come back to Singapore.
I plan to clean up my room next week. My army gear is still in my duffel bag which is dumped in a corner of my room. I'll probably take everything out and wash the bag before packing everything in nicely again since the bag has been collecting dust since... a very long time ago.
After that I'll probably start packing for Canada already. Somehow I don't feel overly excited or apprehensive about my departure. I'm not sure why I'm not looking forward to this, though I am not reluctant to go either. Whatever it is, I seem to be taking my time about my preparations for going overseas. Stuff like my exit permit, PR documentation and the like. Most of the stuff has been done now though. I've gotten the exit permit, and my PR documentation is more or less done, but that's about all.
When I see my friends who are studying locally, they seem to have so many things to do - decide which halls they want to stay in, send in their hostel applications, sign up for hall orientation, sign up for faculty orientation, and a whole list of other stuff. It's just a little unsettling that everyone seems to be gearing up for university, and I don't feel as if I am.
Maybe I'll feel the buzz that everyone seems to get about starting school again when I arrive in Canada and move in to my university residence.
Right now, I just feel like I'm missing out on stuff, and everyime my friends talk about things regarding universiry, I feel so left out.
Monday, June 20, 2005
It was worth it
30 plus degree heat in scorching afternoon sun.
Just over a day after getting back from Vancouver, where the average temperature was about 16 degrees.
My first soccer game in 6 months.
I am contented.
Despite that fact that we were beaten pretty comprehensively, and overlooking the fact that I didn't really play well, I really enjoyed myself. So I scraped my knee, ache all over the day after and am now limping a little because of a calf cramp.
It was worth it.
Just over a day after getting back from Vancouver, where the average temperature was about 16 degrees.
My first soccer game in 6 months.
I am contented.
Despite that fact that we were beaten pretty comprehensively, and overlooking the fact that I didn't really play well, I really enjoyed myself. So I scraped my knee, ache all over the day after and am now limping a little because of a calf cramp.
It was worth it.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Back
I'm back, almost one week earky, from Canada. Truth to be told, it wasn't really much of a holiday. It felt more like a business trip. We applied for our Social Insurance Numbers, got bank accounts and are awaiting our PR cards now. My parents also did a bit of house hunting, just looking around my aunt's area for housing.
Oh, and when travelling, don't wear a belt with a large metal clasp, because it's really inconvenient. Metal detectors these days are so sensitive, and security is so tight, you almost have to undress to get through airport security.
I'm pretty tired now, and have some unpacking to do, so this is it for now.
Oh, and when travelling, don't wear a belt with a large metal clasp, because it's really inconvenient. Metal detectors these days are so sensitive, and security is so tight, you almost have to undress to get through airport security.
I'm pretty tired now, and have some unpacking to do, so this is it for now.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
My bags aren't packed
I'll be heading for Canada on Thursday morning, and am scheduled to get back on the 24th of June, but I might be back a couple of days early if all our immigration matters are cleared up. Those of you who'd like stuff from Canada, sms, e-mail or msn me quick. I know this is late, but well, better late then never.
I have not done any packing yet, hanging the clothes that have to be packed at my door. I'm not sure if I'll be able to update stuff here while I'm in Canada, so this place might be a little stagnant for a while (if it isn't already). I guess I really should go to bed and do my packing when I wake up, so I'll end here.
I have not done any packing yet, hanging the clothes that have to be packed at my door. I'm not sure if I'll be able to update stuff here while I'm in Canada, so this place might be a little stagnant for a while (if it isn't already). I guess I really should go to bed and do my packing when I wake up, so I'll end here.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Thursday, June 02, 2005
My contact lens tore while I was removing it on Wednesday night, and I didn't manage to take it out. What was supposed to be a $10 night at Coco Latte then turned into a $100 visit to the doctor's.
I spent the night waiting at the A&E unit of Tan Tock Seng instead of going to my friend's birthday party. It was frustrating, to say the least, but trust my good friends to brighten up my night. Since we hadn't gotten the birthday girl anything, my absence at the party made a perfect excuse. And trust my friends to duly inform me while I was seeing the doctor.
"Eh Tim, so are you coming down?"
"Erm... Don't think so, depends on what time I'm done here, and whether you guys will still be there. But I don't think I'll be able to make it."
"Oh, ok. How's the eye?"
"Alright, not about to go blind or anything."
"Ok, that's good. Anyway, we told her that the present is with you lah, so if you do come down, just say you left it at home or something."
"Wah thanks, I thought we were going to tell her that she'd get a belated present?"
"We couldn't tell her when we got there, so we just said it was with you."
After the conversation, I couldn't stop myself from smiling. The people around me must've thought I was crazy, grinning like a fool while waiting in the A&E to see a doctor.
My friends never cease to amuse me.
I spent the night waiting at the A&E unit of Tan Tock Seng instead of going to my friend's birthday party. It was frustrating, to say the least, but trust my good friends to brighten up my night. Since we hadn't gotten the birthday girl anything, my absence at the party made a perfect excuse. And trust my friends to duly inform me while I was seeing the doctor.
"Eh Tim, so are you coming down?"
"Erm... Don't think so, depends on what time I'm done here, and whether you guys will still be there. But I don't think I'll be able to make it."
"Oh, ok. How's the eye?"
"Alright, not about to go blind or anything."
"Ok, that's good. Anyway, we told her that the present is with you lah, so if you do come down, just say you left it at home or something."
"Wah thanks, I thought we were going to tell her that she'd get a belated present?"
"We couldn't tell her when we got there, so we just said it was with you."
After the conversation, I couldn't stop myself from smiling. The people around me must've thought I was crazy, grinning like a fool while waiting in the A&E to see a doctor.
My friends never cease to amuse me.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Money, money, money
So this is how you do it. Put up an ERP cordon around Orchard Road to reduce congestion, and a few days later, allow the public transport companies to raise their fares by the maximum amount permissable.
Might as well prepare us for the next increase and announce it now, a couple of years in advance. Put in the usual disclaimers and cite the need for fleet renewal and rising operating costs. Say it'll be subject to review, then allow them to go ahead with it anyway.
This is even better than SimCity. In that game, raise taxes and levy parking fines are there will be discontent and people will move away from your city. Your commercial district will have loads of abandoned buildings. Not so in sunny Singapore, here you can milk your citizens for all they are worth, and even get to call those who emigrate "Quitters". So fun right? SimCity didn't allow you to call those who chose to leave your city "Quitters".
According to the Public Transport Council, an estimated 0.1% decrease in unemployment and a growth forecast of 2.5 - 4.5% is sufficient grounds to raise the fares by the maximum allowed, never mind that people's pay packets might not have increased at all. And anyway, my family is not a "typical family of 4", so I don't give a crap about how their transport costs are estimated to increase by an average of $2.20 a month. There are 8 people in my humble HDB home, what's so typical about that?
Oh, and profits are "healthy", but not excessive, so you can go ahead and increase your fares, for "healthier" profits, you know. No need to go through the hard work of cost reduction and such. Just raise fares.
I'd rather not have "world-class" TV Mobile in buses and "world-class" plasma screens that play endless advertisements instead of showing me when the next train is arriving. I'll be satisfied with not-so-world-class LED panels in MRT stations, that actually display useful information all the time.
These justifications are just pathetic. If they want to allow an increase in fares, surely they should come up with better reasons than this.
Might as well prepare us for the next increase and announce it now, a couple of years in advance. Put in the usual disclaimers and cite the need for fleet renewal and rising operating costs. Say it'll be subject to review, then allow them to go ahead with it anyway.
This is even better than SimCity. In that game, raise taxes and levy parking fines are there will be discontent and people will move away from your city. Your commercial district will have loads of abandoned buildings. Not so in sunny Singapore, here you can milk your citizens for all they are worth, and even get to call those who emigrate "Quitters". So fun right? SimCity didn't allow you to call those who chose to leave your city "Quitters".
According to the Public Transport Council, an estimated 0.1% decrease in unemployment and a growth forecast of 2.5 - 4.5% is sufficient grounds to raise the fares by the maximum allowed, never mind that people's pay packets might not have increased at all. And anyway, my family is not a "typical family of 4", so I don't give a crap about how their transport costs are estimated to increase by an average of $2.20 a month. There are 8 people in my humble HDB home, what's so typical about that?
Oh, and profits are "healthy", but not excessive, so you can go ahead and increase your fares, for "healthier" profits, you know. No need to go through the hard work of cost reduction and such. Just raise fares.
I'd rather not have "world-class" TV Mobile in buses and "world-class" plasma screens that play endless advertisements instead of showing me when the next train is arriving. I'll be satisfied with not-so-world-class LED panels in MRT stations, that actually display useful information all the time.
These justifications are just pathetic. If they want to allow an increase in fares, surely they should come up with better reasons than this.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Store Wars
I haven't been blogging much lately cos, well, there wasn't really much for me to talk about or reflect on, and also because I managed to get a temp job for a week from a friend. Anyway, I watched Episode 3 on Monday. The action scenes were pretty good, everyone knew what the storyline was and the dialogue was so bad, it was laughable.
For a parody of the Star Wars series, go here.
And for the Singapore style summary of the movie, you can go here. I know, I know, we must Speak Good English, but this is real funny. A word of warning though, if you haven't watched it and are planning to do so, don't go to the site yet. Got spoilers one, ok? Don't say I didn't warn you.
For a parody of the Star Wars series, go here.
And for the Singapore style summary of the movie, you can go here. I know, I know, we must Speak Good English, but this is real funny. A word of warning though, if you haven't watched it and are planning to do so, don't go to the site yet. Got spoilers one, ok? Don't say I didn't warn you.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
History
It's finally starting to sink in the day after. The VJC debate team made history and won the ACJC Intercollegiates yesterday night. Though my involvement in the development of the team has been limited by other commitments like NS, tuition and stuff regarding Canada, I'm really happy for the team.
Well done guys!
Well done guys!
Monday, May 16, 2005
Memory lane
The past couple of days have been a trip down memory lane of sorts, meeting up with people whom I have not spoken to in a while, and it has been mighty fun. After last Thursday's dinner and dessert, I met up with another close friend yesterday.
We went to Chinatown because she had to book a trip for her family to Genting over the long weekend ahead, and I decided to go check out the prices of tickets to Canada for myself and my parents as well. After that was done, we just walked around the place because she had another appointment to keep in the evening, but did not plan to go home before that. And it felt just like the last time we did this kind of thing together, just walking around, updating each other about our lives and talking about serious stuff occasionally. On top of all this, there was, of course, the usual verbal jibes between the two of us. I enjoyed it all.
On the way home after my afternoon of wandering, I bumped into two other friends whom I have not seen in a while. I talked to both quite a fair bit, before leaving with the customary promise to stay in contact.
Today, I spent the morning cleaning up the clutter in my room, and I stumbled upon a lot of stuff from my friends past and present. Old birthday cards, Christmas greetings, letters, short messages, photos and the lot. Some of these letters were from friends with whom I have not had any contact with for years, despite our assurances to each other to stay in touch.
Sometimes, friendships just die a natural death. The lack of shared experiences after we go along on our individual paths makes maintaining a friendship awkward, because there really isn't all that much to talk about anymore. There is a gradual decline in communication, and eventually, it just becomes uncomfortable to talk to that person at all. Yet with other friends, the lack of shared experience does not seem to have any ill effect on the relationship. With some friends, occasional meet-ups seem sufficient for maintenance. Even though we have our own lives to lead, and problems to solve, picking up where we left off is effortless.
But no matter whether a friendship lasts a week or a lifetime, our friends will always leave an indelible mark in our lives, no matter how small, and even though sometimes, our parting may not have been amicable, we still remember the days when we were friends.
We went to Chinatown because she had to book a trip for her family to Genting over the long weekend ahead, and I decided to go check out the prices of tickets to Canada for myself and my parents as well. After that was done, we just walked around the place because she had another appointment to keep in the evening, but did not plan to go home before that. And it felt just like the last time we did this kind of thing together, just walking around, updating each other about our lives and talking about serious stuff occasionally. On top of all this, there was, of course, the usual verbal jibes between the two of us. I enjoyed it all.
On the way home after my afternoon of wandering, I bumped into two other friends whom I have not seen in a while. I talked to both quite a fair bit, before leaving with the customary promise to stay in contact.
Today, I spent the morning cleaning up the clutter in my room, and I stumbled upon a lot of stuff from my friends past and present. Old birthday cards, Christmas greetings, letters, short messages, photos and the lot. Some of these letters were from friends with whom I have not had any contact with for years, despite our assurances to each other to stay in touch.
Sometimes, friendships just die a natural death. The lack of shared experiences after we go along on our individual paths makes maintaining a friendship awkward, because there really isn't all that much to talk about anymore. There is a gradual decline in communication, and eventually, it just becomes uncomfortable to talk to that person at all. Yet with other friends, the lack of shared experience does not seem to have any ill effect on the relationship. With some friends, occasional meet-ups seem sufficient for maintenance. Even though we have our own lives to lead, and problems to solve, picking up where we left off is effortless.
But no matter whether a friendship lasts a week or a lifetime, our friends will always leave an indelible mark in our lives, no matter how small, and even though sometimes, our parting may not have been amicable, we still remember the days when we were friends.
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