笑傲江湖 (削凹浆糊?) 2006

Graduation CD 2010 - register to get 1!!!

2010-03-31T09:21:00.002+08:00

Good news!! the design of this year Graduation CD is now done and we (myself and Christof) will start the production soon. Aim is to finish the production by End April...which is just b4 your graduation day on may 17!! This involves printing /drying / editing / mass copy of the CDs. It will take awhile to complete.

I hope to pass the CD personally to you on that day so please do come for your graduation and look for me don't be late.

I am still not 100% finalised on the CD content...still working on them. you bet there will be pictures through the final year, videos on VIVA, outings, gathering etc etc...need to step up the effort abit as soon as the Batam trip is over...

As per usual as in least years, we print 50 copies only. So if you wish to have a copy, pls register in my blog. 1st come 1st serve!!!! Pls do not register for others...let those who are my blog readers and willing to register have a chance instead.

it's time to part and you move on with your future advanture...may this be my last gift to you...like I always siad...keep it dearly and who knows, one day u might show it to your grandchildren!!! :)

See you on the graduation day!!

Ben n Jerry Free cone day

2010-03-23T15:24:00.005+08:00

This year Ben N Jerry FREE CONE Day comes abit earlier tahn expected. Last year was in April, so i was totally not aware of this event until i accidentally came across the facebook link.

Called the DTs / TSO, all not free cos is the lab equipment shifting day for them. MSN afew students also, all also either sleeping or have other things better to do.

In the end i jio the lecturers instead....wow...guess what..10 agree to come at 12noon...(see how free we are...lol).

The number of scoops i took each year also drop bit by bit...from 5 scoops in the 1st year (then of course i had no lunh n laosai afterwords)...then 4..then 3 last year. This year i only took 2 after lunch. Strawberry cheesecakes n mango.

Then we have to rush back to work. hope to see u next year!!

GT2010 details

2010-03-14T15:15:00.001+08:00

4 DAYS LANGKAWI / PENANG TRIP

DAY 01 SINGAPORE – LANGKAWI Jun20 Sun (L/D)
0830 hrs Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport
0855 hrs Check in your flight (AK5340 1055/1215) to Langkawi.
1215 hrs Arrival at Langkawi International Airport for customs clearance.
1300 hrs Lunch at Local restaurant
1430 hrs Stop by Eagle Square
1530 hrs Visit Mahsuri Tomb
1630 hrs Proceed to Black Sand Beach
1800 hrs Dinner at local restaurant
1930 hrs Capture the local flavors of Langkawi at the Pasar Malam, a bustling night market.

DAY 02 LANGKAWI Jun 21 Mon (B / Pack Lunch / D)
0730 hrs Breakfast in hotel
0900 hrs Proceed for Langkawi Coral Island Snorkeling Tour :
1530 hrs Back to hotel for fresh up.
1700 hrs travel by cable car to the summit of Gunung Mat for an aerial view of Langkawi At Sunset.
1900 hrs Dinner at local restaurant.

DAY 03 LANGKAWI-PENANG Jun 22 Tue (B / L) Dinner sponsor by me!!
0700 hrs Breakfast in hotel
0830 hrs Proceed to MORAC circuit for Go-kart (approximately 6-8 laps per session. 10 min per session)
1200 hrs Lunch at local restaurant
1300 hrs proceed to Langkawi ferry Jetty.
1430 hrs Depart by ferry to Penang.
1715 hrs Arrival at Penang Jetty.
1730 hrs Proceed to Hotel for check in
1830 hrs Dinner at Gurney Drive Hawker Food Centre

DAY 04 PENANG - SINGAPORE Jun 23 Wed (B/L)
0700 hrs Breakfast
0815 hrs Check out hotel.
0900 hrs Proceed to Botanical Garden
1130 hrs Stop by Ghee Hiang local products
1230 hrs Lunch at local restaurant
1505hrs Depart by your flight AK 5826 back to Singapore.
1620 hrs Arrive in Singapore Changi Airport.

Date is set at 20 Jun Sun - 23 Jun Wed 4 D 3 N.
Tour Fare: S$ 550/pax (Twin / Triple sharing)
registered with me by 1 apr and u will get a $30 discount from me.

Homework homework

2010-03-06T23:02:00.010+08:00

Nowadays, Chinese sentence construction homework, not only have to construct properly. even have to TAKE PICTURE to show the meaning...very demanding.

So for the whole evening, rather than watch TV, I have to help to construct and enact for him...this is what we finally come up with:

他为了在会考表现优异，用功苦就算冷落了好朋友也在所不惜

红十字会的救护人员在地震灾区义无反顾地照顾灾民，连续好几天都没休息。

你千万不要染上赌博的坏习惯，它可会令你倾家荡产

I hope the coming homeworks are hopefully abit easier...

Annual CNY celebration meal

2010-02-17T08:05:00.013+08:00

This is the third year we went out to have a special meal together. Starting from Tan Jia Pen Cai in Cow Car Water 2 years ago, then we went to Summer palace last year. This year, we decided to go to try Ai Yat at Orchard Central. This year we only have 4 ppl coming...but nevertheless we enjoyed the makan session.

This is what attracted us there....

when we order our meal...this is what we get.... lol

The mushroom is sooooo giantic...make the real thing look sooooo small. Exactly the same feeling 2 years ago when we order the PenCai.

But luckily the fish fin soup is not bad...all of us wondering why it appear yellowish rather than brownish.

The fushion abalone + pork chop looks good and actually taste good too!! (according to Angel)

We leave the place with full stomach. (the bake rice is quite big in size but small in albalone size,,,lol) so ask HL if u want to see more picts of the food.

Then finally we also had Japanese fruit cake pie on the same level...$8 per pie, I tried the blueberry...actually very nice!! HL how is yours? got take pict??

V Cute answers from Spec Chem test

2010-02-05T10:01:00.007+08:00

Usually I dun get too many funny answers from the Spec Chem tests...cos they are rather technical and unlike Safety papers can be rather general or common sense type. So most of the students do not venture too far away...or even they do, answers are not v amusing.

But this year I found afew which is quite nice to share...

First...a new acid discovery...he named it the english way, I contribute the chinese name.

2nd : I name this photo as Desperate english teacher doing chemistry test...

The most kiasu student who wanted his script to be marked 1st...so he painted his front page with starts...i also lost count how many....

Last but not least...hiding in the reverse side of the last page scriot...I found this....

almost missed it!! didn't care to comment in the official feedback nor say much to me...but he rather feedback in a v low profile way....thanks.

It's a GRATITUDE Rock!!!

2010-01-21T23:42:00.005+08:00

It's week 14 and it's approaching end of lecture time fast...as usual i spare about 30 mins of the time in LT to share with them the SECRETS DVD and see if any of them can make of of the new awareness of the Law of attraction.

Then of course, i took out the bag of crystal rock to let them pick n choose as their person Gratitude rock. I reiterate / explain the greatness of having a gratitue attitude and tell them if they believe in it, then you can select a piece of the crystal rock and carry with you everyday to remind you of the gratitude one should feel about.

So far i have given away batches of suck rocks i bought from Taiwan, Pink / green / yellow / purple etc etc. There must me at least200-300 rocks that I gave away by now. Just wonder how many sre still with the owner and still put to proper use....

Last semester I still remember 1 student busy taking additional rocks with him...saying he keep some for his friends who skip/miss the lecture...he probably teating the rocks as lecture notes or handouts....just dunno to laugh or cry when I see that...

And tonight my deep fear materialised. (Alamak...wrong use of Law). Was chatting with student C on MSN and she was v v eager to score well in the final exam...and i joke with her that she should printn post "I WILL SCORE A" in front of the study table and on the celing too.

" I already did" she replied....wow really impressed ahe already taken actions.
"i also have a vision board..to get into Uni and get scholarship" wow not bad...more action and VISUALISATION.

then the next sentence throw me off my chair.

"I also prey upon your rock".
"YOU WHAT?!!"
"Pray and make wish with your given rock lor..."
"THAT IS AGRATITUDE ROCK!!! NOT A WISHING ROCK!!! ALAMAK..."
"Dun care lah...I v desperate already lah"
faint. like that also can. any howuse the rock to anyhow prey....

Seriously I am not surprise...many students transform the rock into their own "strik 4D rock" or "tio Toto rock" "orpass exam rock" "find girl fren rock" etc etc...

hey you...you who get the rock from me b4...there must be 200+ of you out there? care to tell me what do u do to the rock? in your fish pond? or in the lonkang outside your block....haiz....

CNY 2010 gathering

2010-01-17T00:07:00.002+08:00

哟哟哟！！！又过年啰！！！

This year I win!!! :) I am successful in booking the function hall in my EC last night at 12.01 am, win by 1 second.....so this year CNY gathering will be from 4pm t0 10pm.

So here is the official announcement : 2010 CNY gathering is on 15 Feb (The second day) Mon from 4pm to 10pm at my EC hall.

Need 5-6 volunteers to come early to help...pls let me know in your comment if u can come abit early to help. Thanks.

Sorry for those Malaysian students/DT/grads that need to travel back to home town for home reunion. Hopefully next year timing is better. (Every year I say that...hahaha). But I am very sure you will have such a great time back home you won't miss any thing here. (I save some ang bao money also!!!)

As usual if you are coming, register in the comment area to let me know. Pls only register for yourself plus 1 extra maximum...do not register for your whole class hor... and kindly do so before 5 Feb so that i can plan for the food and packets properly.

P.S. - the address:- Quintet EC, CCK St 64, near Yew Tee MRT, cross the O/H bridge and cut across the HDB for 150-200m, and you will hit St 64. Turn left and follow the road and past Windermere EC, the next EC in Quintet.

Hope to see you then!!!

Shopping in SZ

2010-01-04T19:20:00.003+08:00

Have not been to Shen Zhen for the past 11 years...the last 2 visits we went to SZ, we did not venture far and just shopped at the LuoHu shopping mall for 1/2 day and head back to HK.

SZ has changed alot since then, almost unrecognisable. MRT lines / Dong men old street / many tourist attactions, food malls Singapore style, mega book stores, Resorts etc etc.

So much so that we extended our stay in SZ from 1 day to 2 days to 3 days to finally 4 days 3 nights. Hotel has been kind to us too - free laundary / free breakfast / free transport to MRT etc, making our stay more enjoyable and less cloths to wash when we come back home.

And after spending 4 days there - I finally understand why people shop in SZ using suit cases. I myself brought 2 there and came back with 6 cases instead. Unilike taiwan, where we bought alot of local products / buscuits etc, what we buy is shoes, shirts, jerseys and books in SZ.

Nike shoes for 19 RMB per pair, addidas T shirts for 20 RMB, National team and EPL club Jerseys almost almost like real (I wouls say 95% look alike) for $12 with shorts. U can imagine how happy me n my son are shopping there for our favourite items.

So after 4 days, our grabbed items : 15 pairs of shoes, 12 shirts, 10 jerseys, 20 books (i actually can buy more...but really nop more space). all stuffed in 6 suit cases plus some local products to share around.

so come next year end - we have decided to fly direct into SZ. No need to go through HK anymore. Maybe next trip will buy more books and working clothings etc. Thing are really competiyive if you dun mind it's NOT the real thing, but the quality are so good - i cant tell the differenyanyway so it suits shoppers like me. :)

Hello SZ, goodbye HK.

Yi Fan posted to my old school

2009-12-23T16:18:00.005+08:00

After 2 weeks wait (while we shop and vacate in SZ), the secondary school posting of Yi Fan is finally out.

As early as 8am, I received the SMS posting notification. No we did not get the 1st choice, instead we got our second choice. My old school anyway. So we told Yi Fan as soon as he was awake and he was very happy with the posting result. So there is no need to waste trip to appeal etc etc.

Brought him to report to school to buy text books and school uniforms. The uniform has not change much after all these years...but the PE shirt /shorts has really improved a lot, latest comfy material.

Has to bring him to school early in the morning (reaching school by 7.15am) . Yi Fan still prefer me to drive him to school rather than taking school bus....poor me, alamak, that means i have to weak up at teast 30 mins earlier in the morning...less sleep year after year....sob...

推拿不等于按摩

2009-12-07T15:12:00.008+08:00

I was sending my son to his violin lesson on Sunday. Instead of waiting boringly in the music centre for 1 hour, I decided to have a wlk around in the neighbourhood.

At the bottom of the building, I found this medical hall chain 马光 clinic. The cost of a 30 mins TCM 推拿 looks quite reasonable. So i think it will be a good way to relax for 30 mins and get my muscle relaxed.

The therapist who attended me is a qulaified TCM physician and accupunchrist. He is also quite bulky build. Asked me if I had been treated before, and replied "only occassional massage". Then he tab around my back muscle and told me my muscles are all very stiff and if i can endure pain. I replied, I think can tahan abit lor....

Then to my horror the physician actually started to relax my stiff muscles - BY USING HIS BODY WEIGHT PRESS HARD UPON HIS PIN POINTED ALBOW ONTO MY ACCUPUNCTURE POINTS.

For the next 10-15 mins is nothing but pure painfulness. all over my back and shoulder. Starting to see stars in my eyes. He told me to shout if I cannot take it...the problem is I am so painful that I cannot even shout....so he thinks it's OK and add 10-15% extra strength every time asking if I was ok.....

below are some conversation we strike during the session:

“痛不痛？”
“。。。。还好啦。。。。（猛流冷汗）”
“喔？你要是在战场上，会是个英雄。”
“吓？为什么？“
“你很会忍痛！被敌军拷打，应该可以承受得起，哈哈哈。“
“可是我不会忍饿怎么办？“
“通常啊，第一次来推拿的客人，一般都痛得呱呱叫，跳起来的都有。“
“噢？我觉得痛是痛，但还好啦。。。况且我又死爱面子“
“但你居然吭都不吭一声，很会耐痛。“
“我是老师，麻木了。。。“
“噢？你站得久会麻木吗？？“
“不。。。教书较久了，吐血吐多了，人就麻木了。“
“哈哈，你真幽默。乱乱讲。“

So in the end, my muscles are very relax, but very painful. Butyou feel light and good strangely. My shoulder and back strain are gone. And he told me 2 conclusions after the session:

"1. your are really a tough guy...
2. your health and back are OK"

After so many years, I finally realise : 推拿不等于按摩!! 推拿 is really hard core massage!!! Dun try it unless you are ready for the pain!!

Pot Luck BBQ on 29 Dec

2009-11-30T14:19:00.004+08:00

Decided to have a BBQ session with my PEM on 29 Dec 4pm - 10pm at my place. Booked the pit last night successfully so all system go now.

Besides about 15 rascals from my PEM, thinks it will be gd to have another 20 other friends to join the the BBQ as well. To make things easier, it will be pot-luck basis, each bringing some prepared / uncook food to my place so we can have different variety that day.

For my side and my PEM, we will volunteer to Carcoal / butter / chicken wings and satay and sausages.

If you are free and keen to join in the BBQ, pls register and also let us know what are you bringing so there will be no repeats or excess.

Any1 has skewers / wiremesh...?.....

Looking foreword to seeing you all on 29 Dec. Be there!!

2nd Bday celebration

2009-11-27T23:26:00.004+08:00

4 kind grads who still remember my bday dropped by with a passion fruit cake today. we spend a enjoyable evening together eating pizza / cake / ice cream / choc etc. As a host i really have to ensure they leave with full stomach. :)

Thought the NTU students already finished their exam...in fact they still have 2 more paper to go...Cody got into Exxon and Shu mei still enjoying his shift work and earning big bucks.

Yi Fan is happy to see the old faces again. He had fun playing mahjong, despite losing and grumpling. He even arm wrestle with Cody and Shu mei. (to see the arm wrestling video, go see my facebook). Finally he played his latest piano composition to them before they left at 8.40pm.

Thanks for the visit!! we had an eveing of fun...hope you had fun too.

Urgent Recall

2009-11-20T22:55:00.003+08:00

It was my son final day in school, prize giving night. Need to send him to school by 4.30pm for the violin preactice and make up. So I decided to apply for a half day leave and eat out at Bt batok...it's been awhile I eat my favourite pork tail soup....it's a last minute decision, so as soon as i have applied leave through the system..i packed up and leave office.

Almost reaching Bt Batok, i remember I had a meeting with DT JD...she told me she need to meet up with me Fri pm and I told her ok on Wed, so I decided to give her a call to inform her that I have left office. Hope what she wanted to see me is nothing important....maybe can wait till next Mon pm...??

WhenJD heard that i was almost home she sounds like freaking out. Ordered me to forget about my lunch and come back to school straight away. Heard from the phone background HL is also screaming "dun care!! ask him to turn around his car!!" sounds like lab has got a fire....

So I rushed back Q3, arriving at 1.50pm. Then the door of my office open 5 mins later...
surprise surprise...a durian birthday cake, and 5 colleagues singing happy Bday song. Oh gosh..even i also dun remember my Bday is just round the corner...and I really didn't expect them to remeber and prepare a cake for me too.

Have a nice makan session together and we also eat my personal stock of mocha kit kats / almond cheese cookies and catbury chocolate. Also, we fix a date of our next makan session - week 8 thursday for trying the Burmese resturant.

Thanks for the celebration. Nice to see people around you do care for you. :) thanks...thanks...

CD ripping

2009-11-10T16:28:00.002+08:00

Have been busy riping all my CDs into WMA format for the past few nights. Completed ripping those recent CDs in my car / ablum so far. Already took up 1.3GB space. There are still another 50% more CDs (older ones in my shleves)...that will maybe take me another couple of nights to finish the whole exercise.

Wanted to compile all my favourite sones long long time ago...now that there is a USB slot in my new car audio system, i finally took up the eefort cos it make sense to finally do it and enjoy the better songs when I am travelling daily. Good time to do some early spring cleaning on my CDs too...managed to clear out 20% of the less attractive ones.

Anyone reading the blog now has 1-2 songs as your all time favourites and think I must listen?? If yes kindly send the WMA formatted songs to my email : honghoo.goh@gmail.com so that maybe i can expand my library abit more :)

Mandarin / Chinese / English / cantonese song all also can, even hokkian i also listen abit. you u really want to educate me...can try other languages like thai / indian etc...lol who knows...i may like them.

PBP visit to Seraya Shell

2009-11-04T22:10:00.009+08:00

It's my free day in school, no lesson at all on Tues, so i decided to visit my 6 pbp students. Good time to try out my 23 days old car along AYE/ JI too. :)

Visited Sin Yee in the 1st stop at Idemitsu. Brought her some japanese custard cakes. We 1st tasted such custard cake in Jia Yi (at bottom of alisan city) and the kids loved the taste, have to queue for 30 mins to get a box back in Taiwan.

Now back home, found this stall in Yew Tee, but the cakes are not as delicate as those in taiwan and also abit smaller. But neverthe less still nice to eat :)

Sin Yee seems vry happy over there and there might be a employment chance for her too....so that will keep her motivated for the next 3 months,

2nd stop - visited khalisa, also borought her a box of cake. Too bad the supervisor is busy meeting, so i talk to her only. she is also happy settling in, her senior LiYan is guiding her so should not be a prblem. Promise to bring her n sup out for lunch in the 2nd visit instead.

Last stop - Shell Seraya.Have lunch out of the JI @ pizza hut - the usual makan place, follow by dessert. After the lunch we even buy 4D!! (Inspiration from my new car). Too bad it didn't come out in the wed draw...hopefully better luck in sat/sun for me :)

will be seeing them again in5 weeks time. hope to bring good reviws with me :)

Lyrics

2009-10-28T22:29:00.003+08:00

I always maintained that a good song can have good melody, but it will be only be great song if it is gifted a some good lyrics to pair along as well. And I almost miss 1 ...

When I bought the original CD of 纵贯线，i never refer to the lyrics in details and just enjoy the songs while I am driving. Anyway the wordings are too small for me to read comfortably.

And when i need to prepare the lyrics and remember the lyrics abit better, in order to get bigger fonts, i downloaded the lyrics from baidu.com for easy reading. Only then i realised how horribly wrong can the lyrics in the web can be.

The most touching 2 line of the song, in my opinion, are 孩子你呀多些你的话 in verse 1.
and in the next verse, the lyrics changed slightly to: 孩子你呀多谢你的话.
Many would regard it as a misprint. the lyrics in the web never reflect that. I notice that in the original CD booklet. Some would think they are same pronounciation / same meaning anyway.

I instantly recall the conversation with the mother at the wake. She wished the young could leave behind more words before departing so suddenly. Exactly the same feeling the 1st verse trying to express.

then when it come to the 2nd verse, notice the single word change...孩子你呀多谢你的话.
Instead lamenting missing the words, the song is expressing we thank him for the words he has already spoken.

1 world, same pronounciation, so subtle the change, yet the meaning and progress of the song feeling bring us to a new level of understanding. I hope u can understand what I am to say. Not easy to put all these thoughts and feelings that go through my head n my heart when reading the lyrics ....

I am so glad I bought the original CD and went through the lyrics in details....and not believe the lyrics downloaded from the web. I could miss so much....

Dedicated to Kelvin - 一路走好

2009-10-26T16:25:00.018+08:00

天使的眼泪-纵贯线（罗大佑）

那夜里的歌声有天使的眼泪

在星光中苏醒随夜幕而低垂

如婴儿那一般甜蜜的沉睡

无缘故的飘摇在幸福的追随

孩子你呀多些你的话

是否有点累是否有点醉

他仁慈善良的爱领你我冲破狂风巨浪

就如一颗明亮的晨星带给我无限的希望

啊夜里的梦中有天使的眼泪

为微笑而苏醒为呼吸而无悔

如婴儿那一般甜蜜的沉睡

有缘分的迁移在幸福的追随

孩子你呀多谢你的话、

是否有点累是否有点醉

是否有点累是否有点醉。。。。。。

Year End HK visit

2009-10-26T15:02:00.002+08:00

Finally PSLE is over!!! and only now wife has the mood to discuss about where to go for our annual vacations. There is a small window where the choices of Sec school are made...and thet need a week to process the national applications and release the final choice of all PSLE school leavers.

So we have about a week of window to go for a short getaway. Really to make full use the the 7-8 days, we want to minimise the travelling and go for a places where whole family can enjoy. In the end our choice to is go to HK-ShengZhen for 8 days.

We have been there 3 times before actually...but our last visit is >12 years ago b4 my son is even born!!. so I believe things in HK has changed so much for the past decade and worth visiting for a week of shopping and fun in the Ocean park. We will be taking the new cable car too!!

And needless to say, changes in SZ will be even more drastic, and for the better, for the past years. Hope it is still a shopping and food papadise. This time, for the first time, we will be staying in SZ for 1 night to maximise our time there and less hectic daily travel. I am prepare to burn a hole in my pocket there actually....books / sports shoes / jerseys will be my main targets of shopping in SZ.

I have book the flights (Jetstar) and hotels (Intercontinental) for all 8 days. have also done my home work on where to visit for each day....so all things set...just awaiting DEc 14 to come....then we will be off for a deserved rest. :)

MegaZip Video

2009-09-03T16:52:00.005+08:00

25 of us made it to Sentosa...afew of those who signed up did very well in the exam so they really dun feel like jumping off from 5 storey high building.

the overall activity time is actuall 3 seconds for the parajump and 1 minute for the Megazip...but it took us more than 2.5 hours to complete as a group. We spend happy time chatting, putting harness, climbling up, joking, hesitating, taking pictures and being scolded by instructors for being too noisy.

But to me..that is also part of the outing fun. We are out there having a good time as a group.

Manage to take some very nice pict and videos too!! I did my parajump as well...but no one took video :(

anyway...here are the edited movie: enjoy!!

PS. while we are driving into Sentasa, we saw the heavy and busy constructions of the new theme park ...what caught our eyes the most is the horrifying looking roller coaster tracks!!!
and me and Christof smile at each other and instantly we know THAT will be our next outing target!! so stay tune...we will be there!!!

NUS Lunch gathering @ 25/8 Tue

2009-08-12T13:09:00.002+08:00

After the NTU gathering post was uploaded, i received afew MSN asking why there isnt 1 arrange for NUS students....(exactly same respond as per last year!!). Have to tell them to calm down and wait for another week...

So here is it :

Date : 25 Aug Tue
Venue : Munchy Monkey
Time : 11.30 am to 3pm, there will be about be about 15-18 seats available...more than that will be abit too crampy!!

So kindly quickly refer to your time table and book the slot that you preferred to join. Kindly register in the comment area, please do not book for your whole 55 freiends...2 names allowed per registration only...if they want to meet up ...i think come here to register is NOT a too difficult thing to do for themselves.

See u soon in NUS.

NTU lunch gathering @ 18 Aug Tue

2009-08-05T08:54:00.000+08:00

Yesterday HN visited me and informed me that NTU new semester time table is already out. Today I called up Sake ShuShi NTU branch and successfully booked the dinning area for 3 hours.
So I guess the annual gathering is ON!!

Date : 18 Aug Tue
Time : 11.30 am to 1pm (1st slot)
1 pm to 2.30 pm (2nd slot)

each slot there will be about 15-18 seats available...more than that will be abit too crampy!!

So kindly quickly refer to your time table and book the slot that you preferred to join. Kindly register in the comment area, please do not book for your whole 55 freiends...2 names allowed per registration only...if they want to meet up ...i think come here to register is NOT a too difficult thing to do for themselves.

And No Anna you cannot stay for both the session. LOL. (JK)
See you all there!!!

GT 2010 - Register by end Aug to get discount!!

2009-07-28T21:49:00.001+08:00

GT 2010 - 4D3N Penang / Langkawi

Date : June 2010 school holiday

Estimated cost : $500 +/- (ALL inclusive!!)
– including 1 Free dinner hosted by Lecturers

Fly by budget airline direct to Penang - 4 full n funfill days

Activities :
Adventure / snorkeling **/ Go-karting / etc @ Langkawi
Food / shopping / sightseeing etc @ Penang

Who’s coming too : Your seniors graduated from NYP + a few other lecturers

Trust me not?? commit now and get early bird bonus : place your deposit of $150 by end Aug and enjoy a $30 discount!!!

Certified BLI finally

2009-07-27T16:54:00.003+08:00

I was priviliedged to attend 7-8 of Tony Buzan seminars in SIM. I was beheaving myself and do the the assigments with my best efforts all the time. And with more energy put into the drawing of in all the mindmaps....I somehow gained more and more of the benefits and insights out of the exercises. It certainly not love at 1st sight...but I experienced the beauty of the mindmapping techniques only after 20-30 drawings.

Buzan is of course watching my work along the various seminars...and at the last..he mentioned that my mindmaps are getting better and better. I am more daring and willing to use abit more symbols and self drawn pictures in them.

Then of course, he ask me 3 times personally to join Buzan as a certified trainer. I am indeed deeply honoured to be asked for such a role and I just cannot say no to the master.

So I took 5 days leave and pay thousands of dollars on my own to go through the training of BLI workshop. Of course that is only the beginning. the follow up assignments include :
- 1000 word essay
-100 mindmaps
- 5 x 2 hours teaching (w feedback form to prove)
- 1 video recording of the class

took me 3-4 months to complete the assignments and then I submitted them to Buzan Asia.

And last friday came the good news - I was then officially certified as a BLI...Buzan Licensed Trainer.

From the comments of the MD of Buzan Asia Henry : "Your lesson is engaging and homourous".

And I was handled some extra time teaching assignments at UniSIM soon...I can only do it on Sat morning. But I am moer than willing to try out this adventure.

Long term there is also need for me to do mindmaps teaching / official rules of techniques in Chinese. That will be a more time consuming effort.

Anyway...this is what I set in my goals in 2009 and I have achieved it on time. I am ahppy of the effort I put in and the outcome as well. :) Just want to share my happiness with u all. Cheers.

Some funny answers in Safety CT

2009-07-12T23:14:00.002+08:00

here are some of the funny inputs i received this semester :

since when do we have hydrogen supply into pilot plant?

it says diesel will try to react with 2-ethyl hexanol...but the question says SEPERATE POOL!

1st time I see someone put in SOLID as a answer in this safety valve question. Real solid !!

Someone also imagine we actually have flare in pilot plant?? Even better- this student haven't go to CPTC yet...got future!!

I really duuno what this student doing during safety briefing in week 1....

Sounds like english teacher - cannot be pump so not pumpable. what kind of elaboration is that....

So important to switch on the air con and lights b4 starting distiallation.....so logical and simple!!

2kg/g is so much different from 2g/kg!!

as of always...there is someone do forget their year 1 organic chem naming sequence....

This sem I tell the students to put stars in front of the paper to indicate priority marking - means be the 1st to be marked. Those with more stars will be in front of those without....and the winner is : 10 stars !!

All the students understood, except 1...maybe he try to be very efficient, but to me is not effective (meaning - NO USE!) , I regard his input as just 1 star instead. Wonder why he never write more efficiently...like 1k / 1 m....

Go-Kart @local Jurong circuit

2009-07-10T00:35:00.007+08:00

Finally after afew delays due to school CT rescheduling, 4 of us manage to take 1/2 day leave together to try out the local circuit @ jurong. It's actually near Tang Dynasty and next to KFC.

As expected circuit was the compact and winding type, so lots of sharp corners and there was a section which is quite bumpy too.

The cart engines are good, so at certain corners you really have to break and that is where skills come in abit to avoid spinning or hitting the tyres wall.

The steering of the cart was on the stiff side, so after 1 round we have to really rest. Had drinks at KFC to cool down and talk abit. Sonny is going back to Canada next Tue so we ask quite abit of his plan and info about things back home.

After 2 rounds, Allen have back pain, I have ribs strain, Sonny and Christof have cramp arms.
That's how stiff the steering and how much work to twist and turn all the corners.

Dun believe me? Look at the sweat after just 1 round!!
But is was still a very enjoyable outing we fulfill our aim the race in the local circuit b4 Sonny leave Singapore. :) We will miss him!!

五代同堂小聚

2009-06-29T20:55:00.010+08:00

It's Uni application ending time and holiday, so it's also the best time to gather the small circle of special people to a lunch gathering. If not once work/school started or the the project attachment begin, then it will be really difficult to gather them together for a meal.

1st generation winner CY is graduating soon from NUS Chemistry in 5 weeks time. Thanks to her, her juniors are enjoying the fruits to inspiring the movement. She is now also seriously considering to be a inspector madam in the police force. Hopefully can can cancel some of my parking fines in the future years. :)

2nd generation winner Cow girl also entering her last year in Psychology, er I mean Materials Eng in NTU. She will be starting her final year project soon and with a preferred partner and seemingly easy project on the plate, looks like she will be having a relative enjoyable final year in NTU. No wonder she have the mood to sing K so often nowadays.

3rd generation winner CX is mugging hard at CBE NTU. She is also the 1st student in CPT who won the scholarship in CBE. So far her hard work is paying off and just about meeting the scholarship requirements. But I guess she is very safe now as she just have to carry a pen knife to school and NTU will not dare to mention any thing about the minimum GPA issue.

The new addition to the circle this year is XY. She is entering NTU CBC soon. (4 winners and in 4 different courses, quite diversified group actually). Also the first Singaporean too. She is also in my Specialty Chem class so membership does have its advantages :). Hopefully the Ca ion tablets she sold me will improve my immuenity and fence off the H1N1 flue bugs.

Hopefully, all 4 of them can join me in the GT2010 to Penang/Langkawi :)

After lunch, as we are leaving the resturant, cow girl is asking the title of my blog. The was she counted: 1st / 2nd/ 3rd / 4th generation...and blur blurly ask me : only 4 generations what, how come 五代同堂??

我懒洋洋的瞪了她一眼，骂了道：“死没良心的，难道我就不是人吗？”
According to CX's word : I am now the great graet great grandfather!!

P.S. CY : next year hope you can start handling a cheque back to your juinor!! Finally after years of waiting, maybe the financial cycle will start to roll properly and will lessen my load.
全靠你了--！！ OK?? :)

On course - Leaders Effectiveness Training

2009-06-23T08:20:00.012+08:00

Attending a 3-day course called the L.E.T. Its a model that train democratic, group centered leaders. Final aim is to taps the creative resources and abilities of ALL members, NOT just the leader itself.

Day 1 we go through the concept of the beheaviour window. This allow us to differentiate situational cases into 4 main categories: OTHERS own a problem , NO problem, I own the problem or WE own a problem.

Signal for OTHERS have needs unmet (Have a problem) :
Not usual self , makes mistakes, looks unhappy, self disclosure, cry etc
To understand more the REAL feeling, we need to use ACTIVE LISTENING skills.
A.G.E. - Acceptance / Genuiness / Empathy.

While asking / reaffirming the feeling - Use LEAD-in + feeling asking, once communication started, then ask more about the exact content. (PARAPHRASING)
eg "Seems like you are really concerned about not beling able to meet the deadline."

Beware of communication ROADBLOCKS : eg ORDERING / THREATENING / PREACHING / ADVISING / ARGUING / JUDGING / AGREEING / LABELING / INTEREPTING / REASSURING / INTERROGATING / AVOIDING.

These roadblocks, however can be used in the NO PROBLEM situation. When I communicate with friends, we use such skills to poke fun at each others at times and they will have no problem interpreting the intentions...

DAY 2 : I OWN THE PROBLEM
Typical example will be you are disturbed by your roomate loud MP3 music while trying to study, or like myself have lesson interrupted by students who talk loudly during lecture.
(See in such cases - the other party dun have a problem with their beheaviour)

So if the beheaviour is affecting you, then you will need to CONFRONT, to CHANGE OTHER.
3 criteria for effective confrontation:
1. Aim to produce a helpful beheaviour change
2. Low risk of lowering others self esteem
3. Low risk of damaging relation

The art, is by sending a 3 part confrontive I msg:
1st part : non blameful beheaviour description
2nd part : the concrete effect on ME (Time/$$/energy lost...)
3rd : MY PRIMARY FEELING. (AVOID YOU... YOU... YOU...)

eg. When you don't attend the sales meetings, I spend time filling you in on what we discussed, and I started to feel resentful.

Such confrontive I -msg will be very helpful to give you the confidence to START a conversation. The first step in the direction is critical.

The other party may feel sorry / surprised/embarrssed etc..or hurt / upset...and they might start try defending...

Then we need to shift gear into ACTIVE LISTENING to hear them. Concentrate not only the contents but also the FEELING part. Ask more, and send ou tmore "door opener" message to get them talking!!

Then follow up by a 2nd I msg starting by "HOWEVER,.....reinforce the needs that is unmet, the effects on you and your feeling". and listen to feedback....ding dong ding dong. Finally and hopefully, both will come to a state of emotion part = intellect....ready to move on to find a solution.

Day 3 We both own the problem
This is the case where there both parties have needs unmet....Clash of needs etc
examples is like you want to go eat at macdonals but frien want to eat at burger king instead. Or marketing wants to launch the new product but technical dept says the product is not ready.

Key is always use a win - win approach, never resort to POWER (I win).
Lay out both sides needs clearly!! Define the true and underlying needs is important.
Then it's follow up by Brainstorm for alternatives (non critical)
Evaluate the solution (ask : Does this alternative satidfy my needs really?)
the chose appropriate solutions (mutual, and opt for best)
Implement (wjo does what and by when)
Check results and open for revision

Iit's important to recognise VALUES COLLISION. When you and the other person strongly disagree on a certain issue yet no tengible benefits is affected. Like my son support Chelsea but I support Man Utd. Religion / personal values are most common aspect of such collisions.

I personally see such as No problem myself.

Last but not least, in the NO PROBLEM area, we can also send out I-msg to help bring our feeling across to others. Like APPRECIATIVE I msg / PREVENTIVE I-msg.

The thing I missed most....

2009-06-16T16:50:00.002+08:00

Being a parent, entering the PSLE year for your kid is no fun. The school is kia su, the teachers in school is kia su, the wife is kia si, and of course I am kia boh. That means I have to act kia su also.

Plenty of assessment to work on, and in my opinion, they are not given enough chance to reflect where they go wrong...but just simply do more ...do more....Teachers pass out assignments and never go through properly in class, rather, the task now is dump upon the parents to ensure the assignment are completed and pass up in time.

Comes school holiday...50% of the time my son need to go back to school for extra revision class. If there is any time left...that will be music classes / practise / drawing / english tuition etcetc. No chance to bring him out for a day outing...sad....

Everyday when I reach home, will have to mark his assignment done during the day and go through the mistakes he has made. Science and Maths both subjects. Funny he is not getting better with the assignments...serioulsy speaking I am getting abit sick too...but no choice...PSLE year...have to be kia su. Meanwhile...do 1 more assignmemt....

I think the relief will come after October, when the PSLE exams are finally over. Then I can maybe clear my leave and spend some time with him, free of the school work, just simply have fun and play. Meanwhile, just hang on there...and do 1 more assignment.

OH I MISSED PLAYING WITH MY SON!!!!

Singapore Last Kampong

2009-06-08T08:24:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday I brought my son for the arts club holiday drawing outing....the location - Singapore Last kampong - Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Surprisingly the place is only 5 mins drive away from NYP - off Yio Chu Kang rd.

This landed kampong belonged t0 an old lady, who have refused to sell off the land for years...eventually she finally was persuaded to sell and land and the fate of the kampong is now sealed - they will be torn down soon and it caught the news and then suddenly there is a rush to visit the Singapore last kampong before it finally disappear to make way for development.

So with the permission of the land lord lady, we went into the kampong and see for ourselves the actual condition of the kampong...and spend 3 hours inside for drawing lesson for the children.

Less than a stone's throw across the monsoon drain - private landed property....what a contrust to the rundown rural state of the kampong.

Televsion seems to be the highest technology item in the kampong.

Had afew mosquitoes bites despite putting on OFF!...but still its a worth the trip. :)

My Geography Teacher

2009-05-31T18:04:00.007+08:00

2 days ago was RVHS open house. I brought Yi Fan to the Alexsandra campus to have a look...thinking also maybe to know abit more about their DSA program. Hopefully he can have a realistic chance of either using his PSLE score or his music talent to enter the school.

While going through the various stalls of exhibition, I caught a glimpse of a somehow familiar yet different image from my view. After about 1-2 seconds, I finally recognise him...and proceed foreword to greet him. He, is my Sec 3 geography teacher in Chinese High School...Mr. 陈建存。

Was he was my teacher 30 years ago, his is taller than me, hair was still black. now, I am taller than him by 2 heads, and his hair are all white...that is why it took me about another 2 seconds to reconfirm the person I saw is the person I used to know.

Its not easy to remember someone for 30 years...yet of course MrTan is no ordinary teacher, to us. Who would imagine Geography is our favourite lessons in school in a science stream class?
His lessons were funny, witty, full of laughters...so much so that teachers from the next door have to come over and see what so funny about Geography and the student made so much noise...by laughing.

Not only he is articulate, he is also surprisingly artistic. His most famous showpiece : Drawing the China country outline in details - including the big slump near Mongolia, the protruding peninsula of northeast, the big belly of the south cost guang zhou area and finally wrapping it up with another protruding land of the east - all these in great details..and ALL IN 1 STROKE OF THE CHALKSTICK.

I think he set the example for me how one would conduct lessons and get the students to learn...in a joyous environment. 20 years later, I met Micheal Podolinsky and he also inspired me alot with his teaching style. In both of them...they mould me to what I am and aspired to be.

Mr Tan did not remember me straight away, after some help of recollecting some of my class top students...he finally know which class I came from. "Oh yes!! oh yes...i remember!! you are from the very special class of 高手班. Of course he was not referring to me but my brilliant classmates.

We had dinner outing for 3 times, then my overseas assignment for 7 years on and off broke the contact. Now I knew where he works...I can find him easily. :)

He made a difference in my life....and I have to say this to him...谢谢你，陈老师。

Go Cart Singapore outing

2009-05-19T11:16:00.003+08:00

I have visited Go-Cart circuit in many places I travelled to...including Shanghai, Bintan, Macau, Johor Bahru, Batam and Phuket. The prices there are reasonable, at about $15-$22 for a 10 minutes session. At SHA I even bought the season tickets which reduce the ticket price to about $7 only. So when ever I have visitors in SHA and I will invite them for night cart sessions....better than visiting clubs.

So far I would say the ones in Macau and Phuket are 2 of the best we have tried and tested so far. Wide tracks, good engines maintenance and there exist a sharp U turn for "drift" overtaking those not so comfortable with sharp corners.

I have brought my son to the S'pore circuit to watch for a few , but somehow never try it myself. Due to the space constraint, the circuit looks like the Monte Carlo F1 Roads, very narrow lane, very difficult to overtake, must have real patient to wait for the right corner to appear for the speed up.

Cost is the S'pore circit is double the overseas too!! so that is why I always prefer to wait for the overseas trip rather than trying out locally.

However, a fellow colleague who is also ago-kart enthuisiast is leaving us for good. So rather than worrying for the cost, we have decided to go for a kart outing before he left. That would be a nice and memorable outing.

so join us in Jurong circuit near the old tang dynasty KFC if you can.

Date : 15 Jun Mon
Time : 2-6pm
Attire: Long pants / covered shoes
Cost : $40 round of 10 mins (i think so...pls visit the site if u can...i really not too bothered by this)

1st 5 ppl who register get $10 discount!!! Hurry hurry!!

Bonus: The 1 who can beat me : FULL Refund!! No joking just ask those guys in Batam!! (sussage / yong yi / Landy and Aug !!!I remeber you all!!)

Fast thinking game

2009-04-27T21:40:00.002+08:00

During our latest K session, SY tought us 1 game - fast thinking / quick respond / finger point to another player with a specific subject. The loser then can choose a new topic to start.

Topics we choose are like : Cars / Beach / School (NYP) / feamle chinese singer /etc etc
of course...if I can finger point to the next person who suppose to carry on answer the topic, I will of course point to PP!!

I have come up with a couple of topics which they are scream and shout about the difficulty :
1) ManU players
2) china cities

if they think these are tough...Imagine their reaction when I shouted the following topic:

"Thermodynamics" - and I quickly said "Entropy" while clapping my hands - and of course I point to PP, signifying she suppose to carry on....

I think her jaws dropped. hahahahahhaa this is the funniest part of the whole session.

BnJ Free cone day 2009

2009-04-21T21:46:00.003+08:00

It's the once a year free ice cream day!! Time for old friends to meet up also....
This used to be the lunch outing day for the TSOs/DTs in the school. But this year it fall on a schooling day ans also it's teh birthday of the new TSO. So they opt to stay in school and cut cake instead.

So this year, it was more like a graduating class outing. 6 of them are free enough to drop by to enjoy the free treat. 2 even take 1/2 day off to rush over after lunch time. Then there are also Agent B and most senior of them SH who came over from school, know the exam is just a week away.

Afew missing participants - BB of course, alway commented she will be coming but in the end fly a kite instead. One got stomach b4 even touching the ice cream. 1 had to go ICA to sort out paper work, 1 pair totally forgot about it, and another pair who are late and dun like singing...choose not to come after all.

----------------------------------

Back to the ice cream part - not sure they do extra promotion or times are really bad this year....there are actually long queue forming in Great World City at 1pm!! The queue was not more than the length of the mall...this year it was covering 3/4 of the overall parameter.

But it actually does not really matter....we queue and chat and enjoyed the ice cream, after finished 1, we have ample time to take a short break while continue queueing and get another after awhile. There were more than enough to go around and no rush.

In the end, I had 3 scoops. Coffee / macadamia/vanilla. If really wanted can go for a fourth, but abit dissappointed by the young man and lady around me...they all surrender after 3 at most...some stop at 2!!

-------------------------------------------

It was 2.40pm and the 6 of us decided to enjoy some cheap singing at cow car water. Never sing for 7-8 months already...this sem never had the chance to bring the 3rd yr class go singing because of the Batam trip. But just nice the 5 who came along are all prog 6 student + SH - she also never join me in K all these years...so it a totally new experience to sing with them. :)

Every session I will try to learn a new song..and I have decided to took for this nice song - 小情歌 by 苏打绿。Not a simple song due to the high pitch, but i will try this in my next K session!! (-2 key of course...maybe -4 even..hahahah :)

After 2 hours of singing...we are not satisfy with just mono mode of entertainment, so we atarted playing 猜拳，and they even wated to learn a magic trick from me. So I have to thing of 1 that do not need any special props and can be done any time..and any where. I hope they like my suggestion...practise, practise, practise...and you will shock your friends!!

It was a session worth taking 1/2 day leave for...and hope to see you guys again...hopefully in BnJ FCD 2010!! I hope you all can eat abit more by then. Cheers!!

Check ups/ follow up

2009-04-16T16:08:00.003+08:00

Just like an engine that had been used for too long...our body also need to be sent to the workshop for serviceing and maintenance to be sure evert thing is OK. Especially when you are over 40+.

Rather lucky and also surprise that the life insurance policy that I bought cover for a full scale screening this year. So best time to utilise this free screenings is of course during the term break.

Did multiple testings at the medical centre...including ultra sound scan / X rays / cancer tracing etc which took almost half days rotating from 1 station to another. Of all, I fear the the follwing test the MOST....blood test.

Maybe its the amount of blood they need is quite alot...or I am just scared stiff...but it really feel like ages for the male nurse to take my blood sample. I had to look away, like always, cos I will see stars at the sight of blood. (Oops...my secret revealed!!)...but from little pain to more and more twitching to get more blood...asking me to open/clentch/open...till it's getting really uncomfortable...finally the test is over. (mind you my blood pressure is measured to be normal and not low).

I had to lie down for another 5 mins before the stars goes away and proceed to another station.

Then after all these test : the posting of results. Spend another 1 hour in the medical centre to wait for my turn to see the doctor and discuss the results together. And the outcome:- all is well except that total n bad cholestrol / ratio are high....250mg/dl vs 200 acceptable.

So no choice had to cut down the intake of chicken rice / char kway tiao / beef steak / ice cream in order to bring it down....if I want to. More exercise will also help to a certain extent. So wife's order is to climb up 12th story everyday back to home instead of usnig lift. I may use this excuse to buy a ipod - touch to listen to music while start going to gym downstairs.

In addition I went for a sleep test (at home ) and the result also show that there are sign of block airway during sleep. That may be explains why I am getting abit tired nowadays. Or maybe it's just that I sleep too little generaly. (6hrs/day).

Currently on trial for 2 wks to see if the air pump / mask does improve my sleep. If yes then will be a good investment to make my health/sleep abit better.

In a way i am greatful and my body is still serving me well...another check up is in 2 years time (oh no...blood test again!!??). ....

Torn and restored Thread

2009-04-08T17:00:00.003+08:00

It's term break, and I finally have a chance to re-pack by big box of tricks in my office. Never really organise them properly when I shifted to the new office at Q3. Knowing that I will probably moved again in less than a year's time...it's really difficult to motivate myself to unpack the 5 boxes still stucked in my couboard.

But if I really feel like doing some tidying...guess which box I would rather start with? The magic box of course!!

Also motivated by Student K(JC) far away from Australia. She would really like to see 1 more video clip...so I better look deep to see what can I caome up with with short notice...

There are quite a number of tricks I bought over the last 1-2 years and I have never had the chance to practise them and show them around. Mainly because after watching the solutions, I realised that they are not best suitable for in-the-street presentation, which is my favourite and preferred type of showing.

So I choose 2 of them, and spend a day or 2 to practise, and ask The DT/TSO help to video the critical part for me, some part I did it DIY. But seriously these 2 are the simpler form...scale 3-4 out of 10 only. I hope to amaze you with higher scale ones later.

So enjoy this clip here....the other 1 which is called Redox Clip is uploaded in my Facebook. Go see.

Also, after 18 months wait, I have revisited my magic website and discovered that there are quite a number of new tricks available!!!...and they are coll!!! I have ordered them already...and hopefully in 6 months time....during the next term break, I can then make your jaws drop!! Beware!!

BnJ Free Cone Day

2009-04-02T14:01:00.004+08:00

Have received the prior notice from BB about the exact date of the occasion this year :

Ben and Jerry FREE cone day
Apr 21 (Tuesday)
Time : 12 noon - 8pm

As of today I still cannot be 100% sure if I am going for the 3rd straight year or not. Reason being next semester taime table is still not finalised yet...the time tabling lecturers had just issue a warning that the draft version in the system is still subject to changes and will be "use at your own risk" and "only purpose is to chop down more trees if you print now..."

Although the warning is stern enough...but I just cannot resist taking a peek into the system to see if law of attraction works or not.

Woalla!! Tuesday is a free day for me next semester!!! Yes looks like I can go!! will power!!!

I know there are afew of you, the ice cream lovers, who are also eagerly awaiting for that day to come. I will be at the Great World City brach of BnJ on 21 Apr.

Again, let's not get too greedy...let's go for a light lunch first and fill up the rest of viod with ice cream. If BB is there she will tell you what will happen if you eat 6 scoops with empty stomach...(or you can read my previous 2 years blog entry).

If there is enough of you who wanted to prolong the outing...I may even consider taking 1/2 day off...but are u free?

If you are joining in the fun on that day....pls let me know by commenting ...(let me know if you can stay till 5 too!!)

See ya!!

Uni Decision time / CrossRoad

2009-04-02T14:01:00.003+08:00

After about a month of waiting...the 2 universities are now starting to release their respective offer letters to students. NUS took the lead this year, many of the students by now would have received the offer letter already. Of course, those who have not received...no need to panic as Uni they have their own pattern of sending the offer letter and is sometimes difficult as an outsider to decode the process. (Still remember Aishah - reveived her NUS Chem Eng offer letter on the very last moment with a GPA > 3.9...even behind those lower GPA...so really beats me of cracking the logic. But in the end...she were thrilled.)

However, to the majority top students, receiving 1 offer from NUS is not end of the wait yet...They would mostly likely have to tahan the anxiety abit longer to see what the other side have to offer. Only when both offers are on the table, then they can compare and make up their final decision where to study for the next 3-4 years.

Some, may choose to appeal and have to act and wait for another 1 month.

It also seems like the offer is abit more generous...i mean lower cut off for the uni. That will be good news as those who wanted to do further study and can afford it, can hide in the heaven of school and hopefully when they graduated in 3-4 yrs' time...it's strong growth time again and they can find job more easily than now. With much much better pay too!!

There are, however, already 3 current batch grads with good GPA decided to work for a year as DT to earn and save up for their school fees later. KX/Angel/JD all have gone through interview and most likely will start work in school from May onwards. Looking foreward to buy them lunch as soon as they join us officially.

The most estatic grad...I guess...must be Edna. She got a call from Profs Leong personally to ask her if she is really interested in CBC in NTU. Of couse she is...never opt for NUS side somemore!!
I think the law of attraction really works well for her in the last 12 months. :) Getting As' all over in school and attachment and catching up with her GPA, then finally the almost certain offer from CBC. Would be a very good story to tell to the students next year .

Good luck all, and when I send u the uni data collection form later, hope that u all can reply me promptly and happily. Cheers.

How many children??

2009-03-29T20:26:00.003+08:00

During refreshment time dring recent staff confrence, some of the colleagues was happy for a female colleage who was expecting and discussing away on the topic on planning and having children. Some have more and some have less...so how many is ideal?

My answer to the question: "depending on your character really...depending you are an Octopus mum or a Sea turtle mum type."....and they look back at me with a look of "Huh??"

You see, I saw this "most extreme" episode in animal channel. The most extreme caring mum in the animal kingdom...the number 1 mum - is Octopus. The poor mum after laying the eggs, have to stay in the hatch yard and non-stop blowing water towards the eggs. This is to increase the water flow and make the oxygen available for the eggs to develop and hatch properly. The mum don't eat at all for weeks...and finally when the egg are ready to hatched, the poor octopus mum is exhausted and died. So now you know, the little octopus never get to see their mum...who sacrifise every bit of her energy to make sure the develop well.

Mind you octopus are not low IQ animal. they are extremely smart and can solve maze puzzle and adapt well of the size of containment. But when it comes to child bearing..they are extremely stubborn and don't even want to eat to take care of the eggs.

On the other hand, there is the sea turtle, who lay the eggs and let the sun / sand to hatch the eggs. Many of the young one dunt even survive their journey from beach to sea and were eaten by birds.

So my point is you have to ask yourself whay is your attitude towards upbringing of your children. Are you an Octopus or you are more carefree??

I see from my children class that there are mums who travel all round S'pore just to send their child to a good tuition teacher, and many quit jobs and learn / study / coach their child.

Some willing to hire maids to let them take care of thier child...some would never.

I think only you are aware of your own attitude then you are ready to decide how many children you will plan to have. my wife is more towards a octopus...me more towards a sea turtle type...so we average out to have 2 children. :)

you??

There goes my new Nokia N80

2009-03-24T23:48:00.003+08:00

I have always carry my mobile with me whenever I travel through the years. This recent trip GT2009, is my first time to check in the mobile into my lugguage...and look what happen to it. When i took out the phone from the side pouch, I almost could not recognise it was my mobile previously.

Screen smudged in the majority of central part, paint at the surface looks like they are attack by acid...really beyond my imagination of what can happen to a mobile. 惨不忍睹。

scretching my head hard on how this can happen...finally I figure out 1 possible theory is that there could be depressurisation in the lugguage area, causing my sun block spray to leak...then the chemical / solvent of the sun block spray corroded the paint and screen LCD.

so there goes my new (4 month old) phile...have to wait for another 20 months to get a new ones from singtel...also my 1st time a mobile did not last with me through its contract period.

So no choice have to buy a cheapo mobile just to tie over the next 20 months...no frills and limited functions but that suits my usage of mobile anyway....major headache is to re-key inmany of the students contact into the phone again.

So if I ask u who are u when u sms me, u should know somehow I have either lost your contact or still in the slow process of keying the numbers. be patient please. :)

GT2009 Batch 2 Version 2

2009-03-18T23:13:00.016+08:00

Dear all, just arrived safely and exhausted at 11pm last night. GT2009 Krabi is really eventful and I personally enjoyed it to the fullest. Below are my recollection, but I will tend to tell more about our different experience compared to the 1st batch:

Day 1 : arrived at phuket custom and took us about 2o mins to clear (compared to 2 + hours?? in 1st batch). So no one is hungry and eat my bak kua bought. :(

It was drizzing on our way to Krabi, so we did not stop at the bridge, we go PangaBay resort to have dinner instead. Quite a smooth ride into Krabi after that. Received good news and bad news along thw way...Bad news 1st : Man Utd lost and good news is I won some prize in DnD :)

Day 2 : We went for ATV (All terrain vehicle) 1st, after 1 round in the farm yard...2 overturn vehicles (1 pinned down and 1 fly off), 2 lost control and crash into the side drain, and 1 non-stop screaming girl who has sore throat the next day.

Then we rush for the River rafting. Maybe I should say Mass rafting. There are like 30 raft about to go when we arrive and the saftey instructions are anyhow say and off we go!! In our raft we dun even have a paddle!!! The 2 guides in the raft do all the hardwork and we just sit back and enjoy the ride and splash water at each other for fun.

I still like the Bali experience abit more cos we are moreinvolved and more exclusive in the jungle...this one is really too many rafts along the way to enjoy the ride.

After that we decided to skip the elephant show and go for the hot spring pool instead. It turn out to be a very wise choice. it was abit drizzling and all of us enjoyed soaking in the various pools and playing in the main stream.

Went for another hot spring also...tempertaure is even higher, and we can only dare to soak our legs into the pool.

Evening time we shop at and eat Krabi town. Then on our way back to hotel...stop at the beach market and hunt for the waterproof pouch...finally found that store and we bought 10 pouches altogether!!

Then we gather in the room to play cards and drink coke / baileys till all bottles are empty.

Day 3 is the island hopping trip. we brought 9 loafs of bread with us and spent 1.5 hours snorkling at 2 different sites. Kabir went crazy seeing so many fishes around him. We use the bread as weapons, throwing them at each other, cos the fishes will then attack the bread and in turn bit us by mistake at times.

Weather is not too not, rather downcast instead so we do not have much sunburnt. We also chase the swamp of tiny fishes in Phiphi island / feed the monkeys+ eat water melon at monkey island and walked the shllow passage at low tide too.

Evening time sine it was drizzling abit so we skip the sunset watch and rush to hotel for our badly needed shower. Dinner is in the beach zhi-cha stall. Then we all go crazy about t shirt shopping...bought at least 8-10 each for the girls and I bought 6 jerseys and 2 t shirts for the whole family. Also bought mango sticky rice...which we all tried very hard to finish teh whole thing by playing ZZMM.

Day 3 is totally redesign from last group. We went Para-sailings on the beach 1st, then to Go-karting, then to shooting range for live rifle shooting, then for the local Hokkian mee with baileys. (the guide Naring are now hooked with baileys now i think).

After check out, we headed for teh Karon Viewpoint, still have time for 2 hour massage (shopping in town for those still have energy). Finally b4 reaching the airport, we still manage to squeezt time to visit the local market nearby for mango shopping.

I really enjoyed this trip myself...hope the est of the 8 members feel the same way too!!

GT 2009 Krabi

2009-03-13T23:24:00.002+08:00

It was tuesday evening midnight and I noticed that SH log onto her MSN...and I knew the Krabi GT2009 group has touchdown and returned home.

Then received a sms from Christof saying they are back safely and really enjoyed the great trip.

The next day started to see many many pictures / videos being uploaded in facebook. All happy faces / comments...shiokness...so I guess GT 2009 to krabi for the 29 stududents / staff is a success.

then for the last 2 days started talking to them, some on the phone / MSN too...to gather more tips / reminders / funny stories along the trip.

Tips: - 1st night arrival is late...custom is slow so will be hungry!! Action : bough Bak Kua along with me already!!

Tips : Snorkeling V V shiok but too short, 15 mins only. Action : withh try to extend for min 45 mins and get plaent plenty of bread for the hungry fishes!!

Tips : There is a transparent zip-log bag available - BUY IT!! and can bring camera into teh sea n take videos/photos when snorkling!!! Action : NOTED!! will buy on 2nd evening!!

Tips: Last day activities abit boring - just shopping..Action: will check w local guide..maybe can go Go-cart / more beach activities !!!

Funny stories - PP got a blueblack eye when rafting...dun believe me look closer into her during DND.

Funny stories - the Ah-Kua all swaming round Christof and all ignore edgar in the street....hahahha he sure wish he bring along whitening cream to patong beach.

Funny stories - Student M like thailand so much that he throw away his boarding pass in phuket airport...almost not coming home. Too bad PL force him to back track to look for his pass.

Can't wait to embark on the journey myself tomolo. While I am going through hopefully the improved version of GT2009 part 2, pls if you can tell me / us more stories / feeling on yout graduation tour. I have plan it for soooo long and it is indeed very fullfilling to hear that all of you enjoyed the trip so much.

Hope that when I am back next wed...the comments area are swell w yout funny stories....hahahahah, then i can tell your jouniors next year.

Mind map assignment

2009-03-10T14:03:00.004+08:00

It's semester break and it's rather quiet in the office, so it's the perfect chance to spend these 1-2 days to do some mind maps as assignment. Need to do at least 10-15 manual ones instead of the computer version so might as well get started with it.

Updated the 2 CL3361 mindmaps, there are quite afew mistakes in the old version, where I have not been following the proper mapping rules. Now after re-doing, they are closer to more acceptable level.

Spent a couple of hours on this chinese mindmap on 金庸小说。 Always wanted to do this for a long long time but only until now I have the leisure time to enjoy and engross 2 hours of my time with the writing and abit of drawing. Still can remember 80% of the content off hand...not bad considered I last reading was years ago.

Yes what's said it's true...drawing actually makes you concentrate yet relax and I didn't yawn even once from 3-5pm without help of coffee...which really is a miracle.

Hopefully I will get 8 done by end of wednesday....Then that leaves only the videoing of lesson for my very very last part of assignment. :)

Trading Cards

2009-03-04T20:03:00.006+08:00

I was once engaged in the collection of trading cards about 12 years ago, while I was still working in OUB centre. At that time the only type of football cards available in the market was Man United own trading cards. That was the era of Cantona / Schimichael / Beckham / Giggs / Keane.

The whole series not only consist of the current squad, but also the reserves/promising youth players. Inaddition, there was awhole section of United Legend like Best, Law and Charlton and many more. I followed for 2 seasons and then stopped when I was posted to China.

Back then there is no such thing as the internet and the card collecting / trading community in S'pore was not well published and communicated.

12 yrs later...and my son is towards 12...he ticked me off about the new trading cards available on the EPL. It was called match Attax and it features all 18 teams from the EPL. It started last year and grow stronger this season. So i spend a initial lump sum to purchase the cards from 7-11, then stared to look in the web for sites / people who do trading / selling of individual cards that I miss.

After 2 months, I think I now finally have a collection of 98% of the cards published. I still do not have the primiership trophy card / Sign Fabregas signed card / and afew special edition cards which features not so famous / skilled players yet command a high price.

I also bought the last season Man Utd full set of cards for collection sake.

Also created in the gift folder on BEST Premiership selection this season.

Think my son also enjoy seeing the selection grow thicker week by week and arrival of some of the rare cards in the mailbox. (Of course he has no idea the $$ I fork out to secure the cards).

Soon will be the release of the EXTRAS - cos in Jan players swtich club and there will be updates and new printed cards. Smart way to get more $$ from the collectors. There are collectors who spend thousands on the cards and arrange and resell he individual cards to many other samller time collector like students to earn a decent profit out of it. If I am retrenched I may consider doing that too....hahahahahah.

1Day Batam tour

2009-02-27T08:29:00.000+08:00

Organised an 1 full day tour to Batam island for the 3rd year students. Actually it was meant for the students from p5 (those studying in school and just completed their exams). Then during the Krabi briefing, there were quite afew frpm pbp p6 ppl also interested and asked if they can join. I personnally feels that to allow students from both programs to mingle is excellent so i ask those who wanted to join to commit themselves fast n accepted the booking.

In the end a total of 30 students signed up from both sides plus Christof/Allen + wife + Sonny + myself...35 pax!! nice big group!! thanks for the support- fun seekers!!

Morning we need to set off by 9am and this is really a challenge for me. Bukit Timah / Clementi is rather jammy at that time. Then when the traffic is finally clear when I ram up the elevated road in West cost...only to realise i can see habourfront but no way to drop off...until I reach marina south!!

In the end we (Christof/myself) have a really good tour of the IR sites and finally rached n park at habour front at 8.45am....really close shave.

Good to see students has already arrived and happily chatting away. Boarded and sail to Batam without proble...but then YY have some difficulty clearing custom. Wasted 30mins to wait for the right time to settle the problem finally. Next time smile n be quiet n dun wear slipper n singlet when go batam ok?

1st stop : Go-cart!! Many tried and have fun...some are more dangerous than the others. Student S if you are reading this...you will be glad to know that u are no longer the most dangerous driver anymore, this semster, student PP dethrone you!! (See video attached).

As promised we do racing among afew good ones...only manage to overtake JL (he claimed his cart was super slow...I claim mine is the same too). YO!! JL- you still have not pose the agreed pose with me hor!!! The rest of the lucky 4 with faster cart (Landy/Aug/WS/YY) - they ride for free. :(

In the afternoon after a simple lunch we visit the watersports centre. There is cable ski / parasailing / banana boat and side activities like pool, mokey feeding and tooth pick poker available.

It also started drizzling too, so that put off many's slightest idea of joining the water sports. I did a round of rather slow banana boat. Also play some poker and win some tooth picks. wanted to try parasailing but we are rush for time so have to move on for 3rd item - Shopping!!

On the way to the shopping centre, we are offered to try the traditional Indo massage. Thought there should be afew takers...but in the end all opt for the massage instead of the macho 6 guys. Surprise to see so many want to realx rather to shop till drop.

It was the cheapest massage for sure...plus the most entertaining and noisiest!!! Many of the students are trying for the 1st time, and they can't hide their excitement along the open corridor and broadcast their every move to everybody in the whole floor.

“我脱了上面了，喂喂，你脱到哪里了？？“
“我脱到下面，喂喂，你脱完了没有？？“
“EEEEEEEEEE...I dun want to be naked in front of stanger!!"
“喂喂，我包上面了，你包了没有？？“
“喂喂，你包上面还是下面？？“
“Hello hello...I here got wound, pain pain..AHHHH ...ouch!! ouch!!"
"hello, I here very sensitive...hahahahahha...very very itchy lah...ahhahahah"

and it goes on and on...wanted to pretend didn't listen also cannot.....
got live entertainment when massage actaully cannot complaint lah. where to find?

Then my insider just told me Student H make funny noises throughout the session....AH AH AH AH AH AH.....

Then also Student W refuse to take off clothing....I'll let u imagine what happen throughout the 90 mins...i think he plays charade w the massage girl.

In the end I guess It was a very fun and enjoyable outing. 8am-8am full day of outing together and there is various acttivities to make everyone involved and active. Only if the cart quality can be better...that will be really a perfect spot for regular visits.

Hope u have as much fun reading this entry as i am writing n recalling the fun myself. :)

10 days later...GT2009 4D3N KRABI!!!!

End of semester!!! OUTINGS!!!

2009-02-23T19:41:00.001+08:00

After 19 weeks, the semester comes to an end and both the students and myself are all relieved it's finally all over. No more lab reports to hand in (for my case is to mark them), no more exams, no more presentation (review / rehearsal for me).

I use today as the best time to gather all othe active students who are joining my Krabi and Batam tours for $$$ collection and briefings. While waiting for afew students to finish thier final pbp presentation, I actually have time to train tp some students on playing the Settlers boardgame. So at least in this semester I manage to have 8 more student expose to the game. I hope the enjoyed the session and in the process....have lots of fun. :)

As per other previous batches, good friends scold each other during the game and nice timid girl utter shXX when frustrated when robbed or monopolised. hahaha this game really bring out the true character of many.

After settle the tour collection and chores, I initially intended to bring those interested bowlers for have some fun in Grassrool club nearby. Only then I was told the alley was close almost 2 years ago...I last bowl there with my PEM 0501 in their 1st year....wowo that shows that I have not bowl since 3 years ago!!

Anyway we then made a quick change of plan and proceed to the nearest allet - Yishun SAFRA club instead. My visit there so it's a new experience to see the club. Almoast change my mind togo for massage / air rifle/karaoke upon arriveing there and found out there are so much more things to do there.

Anyway we pair up and decide on the forfeit - bottom teams to buy drinks for the top pairs. My partner is the muscular Bruce Lee looking Tai from malaysia. (he forgot to take steriods on that day unfortunately). But just when I thought I am going to buy drinks, the other pairs also did not manage to do any better....

Just take a look at the score line and u can image how close the game is...in the last 2 fram I have to use the Law of attarcation to make the last 4 balls go into the drain. IT WORKS!!!! 73 vs 72 yowhoo!!!

Also another pleasant surprise of the day is the ladies pair actually topped the whole group!! This is totally beyond my imagineation really. At my times of youth ...I mean maybe 30 years ago....this is unthinkable. Maybe nowadys they play more computer bowling than actual bowling for fun.

But nevertheless I am sure we all have a good time...It's also nice to see students from both program join in and have outing together. It's not easy to plan and rare too.

After that we proceed to Changi sailing club as there is a BBQ / Chalet function organised by the students. Just as soon as the basic stuff are settled, the can't wait to start palying poker and this is the first time i have a chance to ask abit more details on Texas fold'em poker too. At least I learn a new game this session. :)

Term break is here!!! It's time to relax !!!! can't wait for next outing!!! next up : Tue 24 Feb : BATAM!!!

Yong - Tow - Hoo

2009-02-19T13:08:00.001+08:00

It's Wk 19 of the semester and it's time for the program 6 3rd year students to come back to school and show us what they have gone through for the past 6 months of industrial attachment.

There seem to be a trend for the past couple of semester that we are spending more on more time with our attachment students on presentation preparations. I recalled that only few do rehearsals with thier LO iafew years ago...but now I guess students are abit more kiasu and many act actually doing rehearsal prior to the real day.

Never the less it is a good thing to do..so they are much much more prepared for the important 15 mins of the last semester.Only one student Q this year prevent me to sit in the presentaion, cos she says I will make her even more nervous.

I always have to remind the students to addresss the assesser's name properly. It's NOT mr Kevin / Mr Allen / Mr Ablert etcetc...if you cannot even mindfully address them correctly that is definitely a very poor start of the whole event.

This year, I have met the ultimate....

My attachment student S who are persenting to Albert / Tow soon and I also sit in to provide support. He seemed quite relax and he started off with the following opening:

"A very good morning to Mr Yong , Mr Tow and Mr Hoo....."

!#%^&&& ^&((&#@@ & what the...... since when we become YONG TOW HOO!!!

No prize to guess correctly...we all fell of our chairs.

Luckily he got my jacket to score abit better in dress code. If not.....

GHH Book prize 08S2 (refreshed)

2009-02-18T15:30:00.005+08:00

It's time to reward the deserving students at the end of the semester again. As usual I choose 2 students from my SP module and they are : HS and XY.

XY is excellent in her lab / mindmaps and assignment. She opts for "Life". Whereas HS was the most consistant preformer in overall aspects in this module. He Opts for "Work" instead.

while choosing their book, ZX whispered "is there a book called rules of sex?" at the side....while judging from his facebook account picture actually I am not very surprise that such words come out from his mouth. So I would recommand the book "Rules of parenting" to him instead...I think he will need to practise it very soon.

As for the ISLP module - here are the 6 winners :-

HY - best in common test ...see also Meloday below

SM - most consistant in all aspects, and have to thank her for a good help in provide new question in CT in future too.

BL - Best lab reports. Slipped in CT but comeback strongly.

SY - Best in exam. She don't believe me...In the end have to force her to come back by telling her suspect cheating in exam. Come back for investigation!!

GX - Best in Viva - He worked hard for it!! But his bowling damn poor...but that is another story later...

Finally Melody - also v consisitant too!!! But she interested more in shopping than in Settlers!!

Congrats to all winners, you deserved the gift. This year all seem to like the Life book alot. No money face, no one choose the new Love book either. Glad that the secret teaching book was picked by miss Lim...as there is no so many obvious secret believers this semester. :)

Roller Coaster Rides for the past days

2009-02-14T13:08:00.004+08:00

While the program 6 students are super busy preparing their final presentation and report...I am also going through the same path of roler coaster rides in life. Not for the PBP stuff..but for GT 2009 trip.

Here are the sequence of ups and downs I experienced :

GT 2009 final hotel hv free upgrade to 4* new hotel......YES YES YES!!
One student guardian called up to withdraw due to uncertainty in Thailand.....NO NO NO!!!
GT fully paid up and all system go. ....YES YES YES!!!
Son School holiday is actually now in Week march 14 and NOT in week Mar 8...NO NO NO!!!
Agent say can have free move by 1 week...YES YES YES!!!
then say 7 days is Sun to Sat , Not Sun to Sun....NO NO NO!!!
Afew Students say Ok with the shift YES YES YES!!!
Many says mar 14 is DnD night....cannot change date!!! Oh ya hor...NO NO NO!!!
Founf 5 in the list not going to DnD , n willingly agree to change date....YES YES YES!!!
Agent says Tiger airway dun allow change date 1 by 1...must be group by group....NO NO NO!!!
HQ reminded me the mail actually says CAN..not cannot.....so call to confirm....YES YES YES!!!
Agents says now can change date but not free...must pay penalty.....NO NO NO!!!!
Students insist going on 14 with me...price change ok....YES YES YES!!!
Land tour will have to change too...more penalty!!! NO NO NO!!!

finally going for Krabi...with afew hard core students....PRICELESS!!!

As of now...we just have to hold our breath and wait till next monday to see if we manage to secure the change tickets and know the total damage to my pockets. It's still not over until we get the confirmation yet...wish me luck.

Thanks to the hard core 5 who supported me along the way...I would have given up and accepted the defeat and withdraw from the tour 3 times along the way already. It's your feedbck and support and reminders that cause afew breakthrough for the delayed trip to happen. To me it is no less than a miracle if we finally can land in thailand together on mar 14!! thank you.

08S2 ISLP marking

2009-02-12T22:02:00.011+08:00

Just finished marking this semester ISLP papers. Generally rather happy with the performance with the students. Only slight issue that bothers me is the clculation question are NOT taken advantage of, And there are quite afew still cannot solve it properly despite 2 examples plus the self marking work sheet given...well...maybe some just perfer theory questions rather than calcualtion type instead.

One qusetion I ask about positive intervention - this student quite fierce....try avoid working under him next time...very xiong!!! :)

Then there is the 4 Rs - I didn't know there is a fifth - Relax!!! nice try!!!

Beside these funny surprises, there are also quite afew nice input i discovered this sem:-

JL is hooked by the mindmaps I guess..he is the only one uses the pictures to remember the points !!

Last but not least, this happens to be the last script I mark...quite co-incidental but it really made my day. :)

Shopping for books again

2009-02-05T13:29:00.001+08:00

Sent my car for 100,000 km service today during lunchtime @ AMK. While waiting for the car to be worked on, I took a slow walk back to AMK Jubilee to visit the popular bookshop.

It's end of the semester again and my book stock is running low....so need to beef up the selections of books available for the coming book prizes. While browsing through...found 4 new books for ChaiLan (蔡澜） quickly grab them into my basket too.

As for the more serious books, I found a new book from the old series called "Rules of Love". together with Rules of Life / Wealth / work - this year I have 4 books from this series for the students to choose from. Did not buy the other 2 - Rule of parenting / rules of management - dunt think the students are ready the the 2 topics yet. Me? me also not ready the above 2 ...heheheh.

In addition of the above - There is 3 other selections : "Word power made easy" for those who want to improve their English, "The last lecture" for the sentimantals, and a new gadget book "The Secret Daily teaching" - for those who watch the DVD and maybe wanted to follow up to read abit more and practise some of the useful tips in life.

so 7 choices for 6 winners...that should be enough I guess.

Winners of the SP module already been decided. 4 more from ISLP will be known by next week. Are you one of them? If you receive a call from me...maybe then you are the deserved winners!!! So watch out!!

-----------------

P.S.-

After buying the books I had lunch in that quiet teahouse @ 2nd level to read my new books. The waitress still recognised me and asked me if there were more students coming later to play settlers with me.

This semester is really rushy because of X'mas /new year / OH09/ CNY etcetc so many lessons were affected. In the end I didn't even have chance to introduce the game to them yet. Also with 14 days less leave...I am not sure If I can carefreely take 1/2 days off to play settlers with them at AMK...those were the days....

Facebook

2009-02-02T10:30:00.002+08:00

Have been receiving invitations for almost a year to join facebook by quite afew students. But i was quite comfortable with MSN for contacting with students thus far. Also quite worried that this application will be a blackhole to suck in alot of my free time too. Well, that was untill last week...

This year CNY gathering has no pioneer batch students coming...(last year we had 4). Lulu went back to her kampong so there is no coordinator for the pioneer batch ppl. Met Rossana on MSN and she mentioned that many of the pioneer batch ppl were on her facebook instead. She also helped me to send out invitations to them and see if there is any responds last minute.

So I decided to give it a try to open an account. GOH HONG HOO. You are most welcome to add me as a friend in facebook if you wish to.

Then we had the idea of having the Facebook group called NYP-CPT too. Hopefully we can get all the students in CPT to join in there. Join in too if you can.

So far many students had added me and I have also found afew old pals in PRC too!!

Afew send me strange alpplication request like mafia wars / heros / spot the difference etc etc...sorry...I didn't join as i am afraid that once started...they maybe too addictive. Best to get more rest instead. :)

XPY told me there is an application to own a pet that need me to feed n bath the pet daily. I told her..." If there is an application that allow the pet to feed n bath me daily instead, I will be the 1st to apply!!"

C U in facebook!! :)

2009 CNY gathering

2009-01-27T21:12:00.001+08:00

Glad to host the gathering for so many of you. Thanks for coming. Hope u are not shocked by the "VIVA" request and it's my sudden idea only 1 day b4 the occasion.

Sorry I may not be a good host and may neglect some of you...tried my best running around to make sure are are take care off...in the end I still missed afew important things...like forget to hand out the angpaso to some of you, thanks for the few reminders.

This year lucky number is "3" - 2+6+7+8=23 remainder =3. There are about 7 winners. My own year 1 PEM has 3 alone!! plus LY + JL etcetc.

As usual beside eating Pizza and KFC..we played dice and ZhongZiMiMa to clear the food.

It was really a fun and joyous gathering. Hope to see u again next year!!

Graduation CD 2009 - registration

2009-01-27T20:55:00.001+08:00

Dear 3rd year students who are about to graduate,

Good news!! the design of this year Graduation CD is now decided and we (myself and Christof) will start the production soon. Aim is to finish the production by May...which is your graduation day!! This involves printing /drying / editing / mass copy of the CDs. It will take awhile to complete.

I hope to pass the CD personally to you on that day so please do come for your graduation and look for me don't be late.

I am still not 100% finalised on the CD content...still working on them. you bet there will be pictures through the final year, videos on VIVA, outings, gathering etc etc...need to step up the effort abit as soon as the Batam trip is over...

As per usual as in least years, we print 50 copies only. So if you wish to have a copy, pls register in my blog. 1st come 1st serve!!!! Pls do not register for others...let those who are my blog readers and willing to register have a chance instead.

This year graduating class is of 2 halfs...1 half is more participative and cheerful in class...whom now are still in PBP, and the spec chem class is rather close to me especially.

The other half are currently in school, they are much much more quite in lectures...hardly any questions / ansewrs during lectures...but they are actually kind students. After the last lecture, they are actually more willing to write their feedback and let me know how much they like and appreciate my lessons in writing, some let me know via MSN too. So I guess they choose to hide their words and express in writings instead.

it's time to part and you move on with your future advanture...may this be my last gift to you...like I always siad...keep it dearly and who knows, one day u might show it to your grandchildren!!! :)

See you on the graduation day!!

1st encounter with the Year 1 P1 class

2009-01-21T17:12:00.006+08:00

With our school COP dropping year by year, feedback from the year 1 lecturers are getting more and more predictable and the mid term onwards. The current batch seems to surpass the standard of the previous batch year after year, without surprises.

The ongoing joke in the department now is the the CEP lecturer needs to explain the concept of density using 3 lectures. They are also more noisier nowadays.

With a quick glance into the paper survey / findings of parents expectation : their favourite course for thir children to take up nowadays : BUSINESS. No wonder the science / engineering COP now is way way higher compared to business/ marketing / finance courses!! It seems like only the nardy and the wierdy choose us now...more of the latter I'm afraid...

Well you really can't blame the parents can you? Who wouldn't want their children to be towkays and drive merzs and be the CEO / CFO / UFO etcetc.

Anyway...today I had my 1st encounter with the 1st year students during their electives invigilation. They are really some interesting characters among them!!

4 of them fall straight into sleep and wake up only 1 min per 10 min sleep type of pattern. (They must be the rabbits among the tortoise, such non challenging elective test papers are really no kick for them. Maybe the FPM or RS papers in year 2 will excite them abit more.) Too bad I can take pictures to show you that really funny gang of 4.

1 can't stop talking and I had to stop him using the mike...

1 wore 2 big bangles and generated contant metal knocking noise throughout the test...i wonder if she wear these during lectures...

1 spend 1 hour totally engrossed in drawing the following picture...I dun think it's Obama...maybe some bollywood star whom I dun recognise....she flip over and write whenever I walk pass...Thinking back I should have stand there all the time, maybe then she can write more rather than draw more...

I ask my wife who she think is the character...she says it must be JChrist. Cheeky!! My son says he is F Torres.

Can't wait to meet them in year 3....if they survive year 2 1st of course...god bless...amibuddah!!

CNY preparation

2009-01-16T08:14:00.003+08:00

It's CNY approaching again. We say goodbuy to Bush, the rat and welcome the Bull instead.

My wife and I have been spending some spare time going for shopping for CNY goodies the past 2 weekends. I guess this is the only time of the year that we buy abit extra and will not have the wasteful feeling.

So far what we have bought include Bak Kua, love letters roll, pineapple tarts (the outer type and the inner type), fried mini kok zai, fried mini shrimp roll, crispy cuttle fish, pandan buscuits, oranges, drink (lots of them...for the gathering), sweets, albalone, bird's nest, pine nuts, roast nuts, etcetc...and not forgetting the tibits we bought back from Taiwan too (almond buscuits / saseme buscuits /pineapple tarts taiwan style etc).

Noticed this year the selection of sweets are much much less than last year. Most likely due to the tainted milk incident. Cannot find big white rabbit now!! In the end i have no choice but have to use my personal packs of Japanese sweets used for teaching to filled up the sweet box at home. And guess what!! the kids love it and they are now hooked!! (wonder if it's the same with the students??)

I aalso bought the wheel brand mexican albalone first time this year. Yi Fan loves albalone and every year I have to fight with him during the steam boat dinner for the limited supply. And we have agreed to do a double blind test in year dinner. Wife will prepare the cheapo Australian one and the mexican one, who ever cannot taste the difference between the 2 types will have to settle for the cheapo brand. I think he is abit stress by now already....hahahahah.

CNY gathering also gathering pace....coming number reached 60 last night...could go up abit more still as there are still afew cannot confirm by now. Booked also the karaoke room last night...just to have extra space for the crowd. Looking foreward to seeing all of you.

Will pack the ang pao with wife soon...I guess the only thing we have not bought is the jellys from taiwan...that we will buy during the visit to chinatown after the dinner. that again is our annual routine to do some last minute shopping and looksee looksee in Cow car water.

WISHING ALL A HAPPY HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!! :)

Taiwan tour 2008 (part2) with videos

2009-01-05T20:40:00.000+08:00

Day 6 eveing we visited the 新拙江 NM. The next evening we visited the 六合 NM. Finally tried my favourite roast duck roll. You can find this easily in the south but quite rare to find this in Taipei nowadays. Tried the coconut too, v v sweet!! better than i expected. It's also the seanson for custard apple - they call it 释迦. we sometimes refer as thailand laichee too.

we also tried out the new MRT in Kaoxiong, very morden,comfy and stable. But the shops were rather deserted...unlike those in taipei.

visited also the famous 佛光山.

then we travel to Tainan after spending 2 days in Kaoxiong. Supposed to travel by high speed rail but we decided to follow the tour guide van instead. Visited the 安平 ancient castle and the side street shops for buscuits. It was a weekend so there is a big crowd of visitors which makes this small town very lively.

Had lunch the the market and taste 6-7 variety of tainan famous local dishes, including Coffin board (棺材板).

In the morning we visited the 延平郡纪念馆, the memorial hall for the folk hero 郑成功. In southern taiwan there are many many of halls, for which to remember the man who drive out the Dutch and fight against the manchuirans too.

Then we visited the taiwan salt museum in 七股. Took quit a few nice picture there and understand a bit more of the salt history too.

In the evening, we visited the famous 台南花园 NM. This huge night market is only open in the weekend. Now you can see why i took a long detour into the south and spend times in KX...just because i want to arrive in tainan on a sat to see and taste the NM !!

We arrived there abit late...7pm is the peak hour and is really v v crowded. Eat another 2 pieces of my favourite roast duck roll.

Hotel in tainan is also the best we have experienced so far in the past 7 days.

day 9 - going to visit 赤坎楼 and the 南元 farm stay.....we played golf and ride boat/ buggy and in the evening play lottos to win firecrackers as prices, overall a enjoyable 1 day stay in the farm.

They have display of 茶花 in the farm...reminds me of 天龙八部, the flower with white base with few red lines...isn't that 段誉mention - 美人抓破脸？

2009 CNY Gathering

2008-12-29T14:41:00.003+08:00

哟哟哟！！！又过年啰！！！

Unsuccessful in booking the function hall in my EC last night at 12.01 am, last by seconds.....so this year CNY gathering will be in the afternoon rather than in the evening. (No XPY and Ah Meng to remind me at the critical moment...unlike last year :( ).

So here is the official announcement : 2009 CNY gathering is on 27 Jan (The second day) Tues from 11am to 3pm at my EC hall. Need 5 volunteers to come early to help...pls let me know in your comment if u can come abit early to help. Thanks.

Sorry for those Malaysian students/DT/grads that need to travel back to home town for home reunion. Hopefully next year timing is better. (Every year I say that...hahaha). But I am very sure you will have such a great time back home you won't miss any thing here. (I save some ang bao money also!!!)

As usual if you are coming, register in the comment area to let me know. Pls only register for yourself plus 1 extra maximum...do not register for your whole class hor... and kindly do so before 17 Jan so that i can plan for the food and packets properly.

P.S. - the address:- Quintet EC, CCK St 64, near Yew Tee MRT, cross the O/H bridge and cut across the HDB for 150-200m, and you will hit St 64. Turn left and follow the road and past Windermere EC, the next EC in Quintet.

Hope to see you then!!!

Taiwan Tour (1) Edited with videos

2008-12-18T23:17:00.014+08:00

Day 1 - arrived at Taipei at 7pm, checked in and visited 2 night markets. First is the 南势角中和 NM (1st time visit), have dinner there. Sleep early...nv sleep so early for a long time.

Day 2 - visited the town 石碇. This town is famous for its toufu production. Too bad it was raining in the morning so we did not stayed as lond as we like. Just bought some toufu pastry and enjoyed them. Then we proceed to 深坑..eat some stinky beancurd and sausages for lunch and noted a lot of things to buy when we come back later. (dun want to carry them around to other parts of taiwan).

In the evening, visited a new market near a university called 公馆 NM (1st time). looksee looksee and visited the 华西 night matket. Been there b4 but it seems to be better (more organised and clean now).

Day 3 - fly to 台东. First time taking Taiwan internal flight. Check in into taidong hotel and hired a local taxi for a 1/2 day tour along the coast attractions. The attractions are : 小野柳，水往上流，三仙台。San xian tai is furthest we went but worth the journey. It's v v v v windy and cold too. Visited the 成功 fish port too.

Dinner is at tai dong local town...too bad we missed the big night market by 1 day :(

Day 4 - took a ferry to the Green Island (绿岛). It's winter and the sea was really choppy. We really could not stomach the sea sickness and throw our lunch out along the way. Once landed decided to take a plane back instead. Luckily there is still seat available the next day.

went for the round the island tour and then set for winter snookerling. Both yi fan and myself are doing this the first time...but it was really fun to swim and touch the fishes...too bad we did not bring enough bread with us...in the end 1 hour seems so fast!! In the end we both agreed that we are now hooked on the sport!!

Stay in the newly built home-stay and had dinner at the local eating house and played mahjong to entertain ourselves.

Day 5 - after breakfast (maggie mee) went for the hot spring. What so special about this one in green island is that it was 1 of the rere few in the world that is sea water hot spring. so 1 can watch the seawaves and watch sun rise while soaking in the hot spring.

take a 18 seater plane back to taidong. Tried this type of small propeller plane in canada b4 but it was the 1st time for the family....much much more comfy compared to the bloody boat!!

Once arrived, went for an tour to see the seneic 花东纵谷. visited the famous 初鹿 farm and feed the fishes on our way back to home-stay too.

day 6 - took a trian to KaoXiong after breakfast. Hotel is nice. went to the seaside for a short visit, too little time to try out the electric bicycle. then in the evening we 1st had a complimentary light dinner at a resturant then proceeded to the 新拙江 NM. had more things to eat there and walk and shop till 9pm.

hotel provide free inter service tt's y i can spend the late evening updating the travel diary now.
part 2 of the your to be uploaded soon...

14 days of different life

2008-12-12T10:06:00.000+08:00

Will be flying off to Taiwan tomorrow noon, it's a once a year long long break and time to spend with the family together. No homework, no assessment to do, no tuition, no music / drawing classes, no ballet etc for the children and no evening coaching, no marking of their assessment paper and busy driving around to send the children to classes in the weekends...also...no housework!!! YEAH!!!

I still remember last year this time...after 14 days away...I kick off the addicting gaming on Hellgate London...but also in the same time give up on the touch typing...old single finger typing habit creep back during the 14 days break and win against the new skills.

This year...hopefully i can allow my albow to have a gd rest (too much computer gaming in a bad ergonomic position i guess) and also this is the time I can sleep early (after all the walking / shopping normally I fall flat and sleep at 11pm+...not like the 1am+ in S'pore lifestyle).

It's a rare 2 week break of relatively low low stress period too...just have to be alert not not miss any connection flight / train etc. Normally i exchange more than enough taiwan dollars and the aim is to use up all so dun have to bring back to S'pore again...so it's buying spree time for tibits / books / souveniors etc etc. Sounds like a shopping therapy trip too...hahahahaha

so you will not be seeing much update here for the next 2 weeks...merry X'mas and hopefully i will update this blog before the happy new year!! cheers!!

New award this semester

2008-12-08T22:42:00.006+08:00

Just finished marking the common test papers...after 2 nights. Speed of marking is still OK but I guess I am no longer eager to finish the marking within 24 hours of the paper.

This semster I have a new idea to present the "joker of the semester" award to those who proide the funniest answer in the papers. For the common test, I have zoom down the possible canidates to 2 of them...or maybe will give a present to both when school starts. :)

Keep on reminding the class what is prevention and what is migtigation during the 1st term, even show them pictures of their seniors...tell jokes and the whole class laugh at the exaggerated "left glove / right glove / left boot / right boot..."

But still in CT i see inputs that does not reflect the proper understanding. Haiz....maybe they missed that lesson. All 4 of them come from the same class...maybe they study together and share the same ideas too...

At least they make marking more entertaining :)

Day trip to JB

2008-12-02T22:26:00.007+08:00

Planned this day for more than a month. 17 ppl signed up and when it comes to the actual departure time...we lost 4 due to work commitment. Luckily there is a new addition JC who are back from her Australia uni break and back in JB, so perfect timing to join us!!

It is also the day the new Malaysian Iskandar Custom building was used. So we are the 1st few users to go through the building. Took us 45-50 mins to clear customs to finally enter JB, not sure how long is due to the new ysytem on the 1st day. Left NYP at 10.10am and when we eventaully reached the go-cart site it's 11.30am.

The reach there we also need to travel for about 3 km of mud path, luckily it was adry and extremely sunny day so all we have is dust on our cars.

YiFan was most excited about this trip. He was waiting for this trip since out GT tour to Macau, where he was rejected due to underage. Finally after 2 years' wait...he can try carting...on his own.

Cost was reasonable, $14/10mins, with reasonalble track (wide and there are afew patchy sectction in the circuit, and with reasonable cart, tyre grip was slipprier than expected, so can easily go into spin!!). Most tried 1 seesion. Me / Chrisrf/Allen tried extra and XPY sit out doing facial treatment in the shed.

Yi Fan has a 2 to 1 coaching session as it was his 1st try. Christof commented that he can see the wide smile on his face since he arrived at the centre.

CL has a minor knock on her thigh and there were a rather big patch of blood stain on her jeans. Nothing serious (abrasion ) and hope she recover fast. :)

After carting we went JASCO for lunch and shopping. Tried the new south american Indons Chicken...every 1 seems happy with the quality of the food...but I think chicken should be made abit more tenderer.

Bought my favourite totally shaved coconut in a box plus some tibits during shopping time. While others bought confectionaries. At 3.45pm it's time to go home!! Took us another 1 hour to clear custom to reach Singapore.

JC actually wanted to treat us to eat ice at Palangi area but too bad we need to rush off as long queues are expected after 4pm. Next time maybe...when she is back again.

next trip....1 day Batam in late Jan 2009 I would think....most likely with the current 3rd yr class. most likely yet another carting /shopping outing. :)

School Holidays!!

2008-11-24T23:31:00.008+08:00

It's end of the year school holidays again!!! This is the time i am more relax at home. Relax because there is no more test / exams / assessment books to go through with Yi Fan. Phew!!

Now that the academic load is off my mind, I can spend alot more quality time with him...so we talk more on football, and I also spend afew evenings with him for the mind mapping techniques, set up his Gmail and Blog etc etc.

It's amazing how spongy his brain is...abosorb things really fast and after 2 evenings of quick tips and demo...this is what he produce teh next evening - his first mind map (of course to entice him to do a good job, I encourage him to do it with his favourite topic - CARS).

Next 1, I kind of use him as a experiment on bilingual capability of the system...using any random character as a subjuct. This is what he come up with...

Then of course he was influenced by his schoolmates and started talking football staff at home and following football results closely now. I was telling him facts / figures about cars when he 1st started to be interested in cars and within a year or 2...i was already behind him on all the data and info on cars...just look at the MM above and u can see how much he is into it.

I think very soon will will also trying to do catch up if he indulge himself into football info fully like he is now. Too bad i fail as a father to convince him to be a Man Utd fan. He is more incline to be more a Cleasea fan instead. But i shall not give up...when shopping for jerseys in Pasar Malam...I will of course say all Chealsea jerseys all sold out...hahahahahah

We also managed to go shopping / eat out more now during holidays!! Just brought him to the book festival in Suntec and also eat at Pu Tian resturant...which is really rare. (We eat in resturant less than 4 times a year I think...). He was more relax and enjoying the extra freedom these fews days.

Then of course the other thing that happen in the holidays is to let him compose songs. This is what he come up with for the last 8-10 days. A bit of a 中国风...which is rather nice. I hope you enjoy the music too.

Next week...Go cart @ JB then soon...to TAIWAN!!!

Request so far ....Blue crystal stone for Cowgal, Book for Lulu and Meaty beef noodle for Agnes. Any more special delivery order??

Age of Progressive (lens)

2008-11-24T13:07:00.000+08:00

Since I was pri 6, I started to wear specs and each year, I have to spend about $300-400 easily on spec degree change or brokeage. Only recently when I do sports less and the near sighted degree have stabilised...my specs bills are abit less than usual.

As far back as about 4 years ago I have started to experience in difficulty in reading. My eyes just cant seemed to be able to focus as sharply ...even in close distance ..as before. Went to the the optician and was told that I was starting to experience the symtoms of "老花".

However, at that point the diagnostic of my eyesight is still rather light in term of the degree so no real need to change my spec to bi-focal/progressive lens yet. It will be changing so wait for it to be stabilise.

So after 4 years, while to notice the drgree actually went deeper n deeper, I have to adjust my spec to my eye distance in order to read in close range. So much so that now the spec have to be at the end of my nose tip now in order to read clearly!! So i think it's about time to get the progressive lens prescribed.

And only then I realise such lenses are NOT cheap!! Biofocal have a ugly line in the middle and are cheaper but the progressive (without line) costs $600!! wow!!...imagine I drop my specs while playing sports...really an expansive exercise.

Law of anti gravity ah- what ever comes down will 1 day goes up again....v true... in terms of my spec bills.

Happy Birthday to me 2008

2008-11-18T00:11:00.004+08:00

LT and SM visited me on Sunday. Brought a cake with them to celebrate my birthday too!! So far this has been the 4th continuous years that they bought something for me. (Moon cakes festival inclusive too!!). Too bad Anna is busy having exam and afew others are also busy with their attachment and assignment so cannot make it.

We have dinner in BPP Swensen. Lucky that it was not too crowded and we manage to get a table for 6 seat almost immediately. Had quite a full meal and happily chatting away. My kids /wife are already very comfortable talking to them so I can concentrate eating my steak. :)

Then back to home where we pose with the cake...but all are too full to eat it.

Back to school this morning, after 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of yoga session, the DT/TSOs invited me out for a birthday lunch too at AMK hub. The meal is quite nice - I like the ginger chicken and the kang kong best. Much better than the extremely hot till u got headache resturant in Cowcarwater last year. hahahahahah.

We promise to go out for lunch again to try the japanese western resturant Waraku @ Central soon...their curry pork chop is really nice...so as afew other dish too. Hmmm...Week 9 common test week Tues/wed sound good to me. Time also to fill up my sweets drawer too. There is a Japanese swwet / choc shop at the central where I can get v nice and special Japanses sweets.

Of course...the best thrill of such trip is to see XPY close her eyes in a state of semi conciouslness when I ramp up the car park slop till 8 storey. hahahahaha...see u there!!

Less flexibility - from now on

2008-11-13T07:42:00.000+08:00

It's official - from now onwards our annual leaves will be reduced by 14 days. Abit better than previously communicated / rumoured. Comes with it - a 1 time cash payment and a slight monthly salary adjustment.

I really enjoyed the freedom to travel to visit bookshops / visit students / organise outings etcetc since joining the profession. Taking a day off to do personal trivials and taking trips like above is never really a concern for some of us. I always enjoy these little breaks to recharge myself and havinga relax time with the right mood and the right people do woders to your stress.

But the the above changes, I would expect getting other colleague to spare days in the annual leave for such outing will be in general more difficult. Many, will prefer to spend time with own family as there is no more excessive leaves available.

How badly will it affect the staff turnout in future day outings / GTs will remained to be seen...At least for GT 2009 krabi we still have 3 staff joining. As for myself...the carelessness about leave application will have to be adjusted...will have to think abit more b4 applying to go away from work now onwards...I will still try to organise outings...but maybe for the small group meeting to play dice / settlers etc they will have to be controlled.

Christof suggested that we gather support to treat outings with staff and current students as work / PEM meetings and only outings with graduates will be on away basis. I of course 110% support that. We will slowly get use to the new system and find ways to get support for outings for staff too.

Next outing on the line: - 1 day batam trip maybe in Jan/Feb and if course the annual CNY gathering...let's hope the changes dun dampen the eagerness of the teachers to join in.!! See you atbthe outings soon!!

PARADOX of THRIFT

2008-11-07T11:07:00.003+08:00

I studied Econs in A level...and with my limited vacab at that time...this is one of the few economic theorms that I can actually understand.

PARADOX = 矛盾， THRIFT = 过份的节约

PM Lee also mentioned this threorm in his speech yesterday. In short, during bad timed where confidence in the economy is low and many expect income to be affected, job sbecomes insecured etcetc, it is rather normal that one would tends to be on the conservative side in spending. People save more, keep money in their banks and hide under pillow - "save it for a rainy day" so to speak. Make sense...for some who really have a true concern about their livelihood. It's a matter of survival to make ends meet in such trying times.

However, imagine if this is over done and everyone in the economy do the same instead, then no one go to movies, no one rent DVD, no one eat out, no one take taxi, no one hire maids etc etc. Then very soon, you will see the ripple effect of such severe thriftiness...company have no choice to retrench further due to low business, some even have to close shop, causing even more people to lose job. And there is less and less circualtion of monry in the economy cause every one hide them away under the pillow as soon as they receive the money.

The ultimate effect of such kiasuness....a REAL BIG RECESSION. So severe savings during a poor economy ...for those who can afford and not spend...actually doesn't help and make the economy even worse. This is call the PARADOX of thrift.

"If you have sufficient savings and can afford to spend, you should continue to spend on life's little pleasures. Take your family to the movies, shop, dine out at restaurants and hawker centres, go for your regular foot massage, indulge yourself at a spa, take a taxi, donate to charity and so on. This way, we keep the economy going. In fact, I would say when times are a little slow, you could get the best bargain,"

er- the last paragragh not I say 1...xiao lee say de. So go spend !! (if u can afford).

Lost in M

2008-10-28T15:16:00.000+08:00

I used to queue for fast food about twice a week...mostly in the weekend and they are main lunch for my children. In my previous home in BB central, there are quite afew choices like KFC, BK, Subway ..and of course..what else but the big M.

I noticed they did some sweeping changes lately...in which as a customer I am not thrilled by them a single bit. To me they are taking a step backwards in such demenstration of changes not for the better...

1st is of course the dis-continuation of the loyal customer points for spending on $$ with them. The rebates are actually not much...and abit troublesome at times (i guess it's trouvlesome for them to maintain the systems as well). So taking it away will be a good reason to "cut cost". But remember this, if u ever takes benefits away...there will also be negative sentiments for sure.

The one change that rather bemused be is the new way of queuing system in the outlets. They change the system without a single bit of explaination to all their csutomers, and many are confused.

U now walk into the outlet, u actually see double the queues...1 Q for ordering...the other...messy/unorganised ones...are for waiting for collection. In a crowded place, you really have to look closely where to queue in order to place the order.

Worst, there is no direction / sign post on top to indicate the correct queue place...I personally have to waste life looking for the correct queue to join, some others I observed, queue wrongly and wasted precious life, and need to re-Q again.

And the end of your order...the employee will tell u as mechanically as a robot "to move to the queue to the left so that my colleague to serve you later". Feel like telling them...can't u see there is no more space on my left already? and i dun see a queue there also...

I also noticed u need to ask for sourse...if u forgot and reach home...use your own then.

Well...maybe I am asking to much from a fastfood chain and too much from a part time 16 year old student for such basic services.

I rather to queue for S or BK....after such lousy experience in M.

Farewell Ah Meng....

2008-10-28T14:37:00.000+08:00

Promised previously to write something for Ah Meng when she leaves...unfortunately due to law of attraction this came true. The quantum leap of salary is just too attractive for young chionster to say no, even it means longer travelling time and inconvenience and need to wake up much , much earlier in daily work.

She is the 1st student to become our official full time colleague. Never know her well as a students (beside she complaints that I mis-pronounce her name like the zoo star purposely all the time). I once leave a note in her blog was found it was deleted...thought she was still angry with me...

And it turn out that she was jaoyous and magnanimous and did not hold me for the jokes. Know her much better as a colleague since then. And she perform very well during her days with us and help us alot in the ISO paper work, purchasing chores and lab management systems. Things that I myself dreaded to do ...

Glad that she joined us for Bali GT2008 and hope to see he in future GT if possible :)

Of course the farewell meal cannot be a simple one but of exceptional standard. See the pictures below as proof: The 大四喜 cold dish:

and the XO yong tou hu :-

one more celebrating event in the evening : - K!! We did not had a chance to sing previously in Bali or other outings so must K once b4 she go for good. Too bad DT A cannot join us due to exam.

XPY will miss her alot I think, for she now miss the chance to further improve her Chinese and in a way as a big sister?? While I can have earlier breakfast, and no need to worry when I take lift.

Goodbye ah Meng...永在怀念中。 hahahahahah

Economic Crisis

2008-10-24T14:47:00.002+08:00

Some economic experts say in the paper says that the cyclical economic crisis will hit you once every 10-11 years. Last time we are hit badly...it's 1997...so timing is just perfect in the prediction.

Somehow it shows that how forgetful human being are...and just last year all the analyst are predicting ST index to hit 4000 pts and the greed factor overcome the historical trending. Now today STI = 1600 and still falling with a parachute...when will we hit rock bottom? Some doomas day believers say that this is once in a thousand year type of wave...so be prepared for the very very worst. This is the time we call the 大洗牌. Time wher big giants tumble and new giants are formed and rule the industry for years to come.

It's also the time of oppurtunity...if you somehow have the sense of smell to sniff at the right chance. Time to invest wisely...

At the very beginning of the crisis, I didn't realised that there was something need to worry about...only when the stocks have dipped 30%...then you suddenly realised what you are into and quickly go check your financial status and see how to make the bset out of the situation.

In the end I was quite relief myself to find out that beside my house, the other assets that I have only contains 25% in unit trusts and they are in CPF OA or SA. The rest of 25% long term endowment and saving and not stock related. The rest of the 50% are in cash / fixed deposits.

So yes I am of course affected by really lucky the loss are in CPF and no in cash form, and I have of no real need of them now to pay anything. So in a way I am lucky not to be affected much by the current crisis in terms of loss or need of cash.

Of course the real fear is the loss of jobs to come in the resession. Either people get retrenched or graduates can't find jobs. In a way I think school is a safety shelter in such times. Still remember in 97, people are encourage to go enrich themselves and prepare for the new oppurtunities when recovery comes. One have to be stay confident in your capability and strive for the best at such times. This is the time where survival of the fittest counts too, the one who bother who stay strong will last out the crisis. Those who always stay boarderline ...will be the 1st wave to be eliminated.

So it always help to be the best in your breed...cos this is the exact time where your diligence and hard work, your will to be better pays off. ( in good times, every one will survive u see)

Good times will be abit further away...but it will come eventually, the world did not stop spinning...it will be over the next cycle upwards ..soon hopefully. But let there be lesson learnt too!! Good luck!!

Dec 2 (Tue) JB Go-cart outing

2008-10-19T22:57:00.002+08:00

We actually have planned this almost 9 months ago...and since then the custom was jammed and the fugitive was still at large...and we subcomed to the negativities and dropped the idea cos no one actually enjoyed wasting life in the jammed queue going across and coming back from JB.

Then it took the departure of 2 colleagues recently...it just struck my mind hard and I tell myself...why myst we always wait and delay?? If we don't do this...we will probably never do the same thing again...with the same people..with the same anticipation.

That's why I decided to revive the idea and make it happen this time.

Thanks to XPY who kindly agreed to be the local tour guide...before she eventually leave us too!!

so here are the details of the Dec 2 outing to JB:

DATE : Dec 2 Tuesday

TIME : leaving from NYP to JB at 10am (join me for Bf @9am if u can)

AGENDA : Go-carting (~$20/session) + Good Lunch + Shopping at JOSCO

Returing to home by 4.30-5pm.

Contingency plan - more shopping and settlers session while sipping coffee in mall

so far 5 cars going..total capacity of 25. No of staff going is 10+ so we have about 12-15 slots available for Uni grads and those working...

1st come 1st serve basis!!! pls register!! See u in the go-cart track!! yes!!

Students in tears

2008-10-16T10:11:00.000+08:00

Through my years in school, there are quite afew incidents that I came across where students are in tears...in various situations. Tears of fear, tears of joy, tears of frustration etc etc.

Here are the list as much as my brain can recall straight away:

1. There was a case where tears were dropped when I told the student to take more drastic action against the parent to change for the good.

2. Then there was this case where I told the student straight in the face that the working attitude is just not good enough and faced the sack.

3. There was this case I placed my handphone recorder on the table and start to read the rights to the student : " you have the rights to remain silent, but if you choose not to do so, everything you say will be recorded and may be used against you in the court of law."

4. The was this case the students are on the very very verge of crying...cos they believed that the fire cracker I threw into thier bed was a lighted one.

5. There was afew students also freak out when they head me saying "How come your test results so like that?"

6. Then there was this case where one roll onto the floor when just because she heard me say "Hoo Hoo Hoo" (okok i admit timing is abit wrong...at 12 midnight).

7. Afew actually told me that they cried when they watched my graduation CD.

8. Another case...I told the student : " How do you expect me as a marker of the script to award you marks with absolutely no wroking and results exactly the same correct to 3 decimal point with the person sitting next to you?"

9. Then a recent case that happened..I told the student NOT to take drastic actions against the parent.

10. Recently I also told the student to spare a thought for the poor parent who work ward back home to earn money to study comfortable in S'pore.

11. Then there is this case of I told the student to improve her appointment and scheduling abilities.

12. Then there was this case i had to correct this student to stop coming late for full time semester project and start to care of own.

13. then there was this case I spent 2 hours on the phone to illustarte the case where how company view one who fail to greet colleague and constant clock watch/going to toilet.

14. then there was this case where borrow notes from senior also went wrong in NTU...

15. Then there was a case i spent 30 mins to convinced one to drop the harsh words against c0mpany in PBP presentation slides

16. Then there was this case I mention some unwelcome name who will be joining the student in uni course...

17. Last but not least...there were 2 who never cry...but too shock for lunching. One even decided to look for a new job!!! hahahahahahah

古龙写过： "一个人，只要还会流泪，他就还有希望。"

Dedicated to all my students who still have hopes. Feel free to let me know if I have missed your case...

Cities And Knights

2008-10-13T14:15:00.004+08:00

Lately, besides having to work on the Mind Maps every evening (i now have worked and completed 11 so far), I allow myself some time to play with the online game - Cities and Knights.

This name (short form = CnK) is the advance version of the Settlers game. The rules of the advance CnK are a lot more trivial and diffrent than the basic settlers game. Playing CnK on the board game is not easy...getting 4 inerested ppl, find the right time. setting up, explaining, learning, waiting etc etc...the most we cancomplete is 2 games in an afternoon....and no gurente that u will come across all the rules during that.

By the time one manage to get togather again...you probably forgot the rule u learnt previously liao. So I prefer to stick to the basic settlers game when playing with students...and we have trained abouy >20 students through the years of graduates. Some are really really good strategist (SL+SL)...some are hmmmm...still learning teh game (CY + LT - those from Seraya who keep on building road type).

One good thing is that somehow the student have found an online web site that allows you to join n play either basic settlers or advance Cn K, both against computer or with online human opponents, and also you can choose to play foe fun or join in the ranking system.

Check out : www.asobrain.com , goto the games area, register using a name n FALSE e mail address (cos it attracts spam) n u can start learing playing. (Dont neglect your more important work!!)

This is really good news for me who wish to play n learn the advance game more but really have no time to gather enough ppl and take leave to play. And the computer system logic is also very powerful so that winning against computer players are not easy hor.

Have been playing with computers and manage to win about 50% of the time.

This week, i became abit advanturous and venture into the ranking area. Wow there are really some v good players there!! After about 8 games...I am now -20pts down... i am learning fast though and improving my game plan too. I am goining to recover into the positive region by year end...My goal!

As I am still learning the game, when I see things happening and I dun understand...I will ask to clarify my doubts. One online player actually commented "Hey you should play more of the actual board game before to learn all the rules".

I replied :- "sometimes, in life, things are not as simple as it seems..."

And one interested in playing a game of CnK online?? :)

Year End Family Tour 2008

2008-10-09T15:55:00.000+08:00

After 8 months of mental thinking and planning...and constantly looking for new spots to visits in the TV shows...it's about time to put the plan into action soon.

Where are we going?? Where else??!! TAIWAN AGAIN...!!

Christof asked me if our family have any Taiwanese origin...My dad is from 海南岛. Tha't the closest I can think of...

Seriously...when we apply our tour criteria for selection : Somewhere to be able to go round touring ourselves, it's safe, plenty to do at night for shopping, nice TV to watch even at hotel, good food and local products to buy...time and time again...the only logical choice is Taiwan.

We actually thought of going to 九寨沟, unfortunately the recently earthquake destroy the emerging thoughts. It should be a good candidiate for next year though...

Don't ask me how many times I have been there. Seriously I myself also lost count...So what is so special about the tour this year?? There are afew new things I am actually planning:

1. New cities to visit : First - 台东- for the sea view / 花东纵谷 (4 days)

Also - 台南 - mainly for it's very famous night market 花园夜市， and

small towns like 东山 (eat the famous duck head!!) (3-4 days)

2. Trying out homestay (民宿) - Now that the children has grown up abit and no need to stay in nice hotel, it will be a good opporyunity to try out the homestay in 台东. Cost wise is not necessary very much cheaper but at least it is a new experience.

3. To visit the islands 离岛 for the 1st time. Either will vist 绿岛 or 蓝屿. Enjoy the forestry and coastal activities available on the islands.

4. To take internal flights for the 1st time too. Will be flying down to TaiDong by flight.

Have booked all the hotels and flights....all set!! One thing I also noticed is that Yi Fan is also growing up fast...by next year I will have to book 4 adult price and no more child fare for him. Even hotal room will be alot more expansive as most dun allow 4 ppl to squeeze into 1 room.

I visualise the tour happening, I want it to happen, I take necessary action, it will happen.

I visualise the tour is a fantastic and enjoyable one, I want it to happen...It will be a fantastic and enjoyable family tour. hehehe ...nothing special, just Law of attraction. Works for all my previous tours.

i-MindMap

2008-10-04T11:59:00.008+08:00

Attended the final 2 of Tony's series of courses this semester break...about using mind mapping with a computer and age proof my brain.

Learnt the softwear IMindMap v3. very user friendly!! Can't remember the last time I learn to use a softwear in such quick time. And feeling excited and good about the results produced too!!

For the lat 6-7 evenings I am totally engorssed into generating the new mind maps using the iMM, and then with just a click of a button, it can transor my mind maps into ppt presentation
in interrative mode, with contents and images coming out at 1 click at a time.

This is great for teaching!!

Already generated / trasnformed 6 mind maps into computer format. I am riding on the passion now and hope I can generate another 6 next week (mainly teaching purpose) and eventually do at least 50 iMMs.

Here are some of the samples:

iMM About myself. Everyone should do 1. This will be great for self intro and impress your interviewer.

This 1 is for the intro of the new diploma in Biologics. Will use this to train the student leaders.

And this 1 is the summary in Fire & explosion - for IS CL3361

About Age proofing my brain - It reminds me of The Law Of Attraction. Think on the positive and Good, and your body will respond to the thoughts. But Master Buzan present this not with faith, but with real data / examples /images of how the brain works. So it's the secret- scientific style rather than mythical style.

Anyone very very very keen on learning IMM and have time to learn / work with it? Let me know!!

Buzan on Creativity

2008-09-28T17:16:00.000+08:00

This 1 day course is also heavily on how our brain works and how to nurure them.

Leonardo Di Vinci once said :

"I am a student of nature. I observe, I study, I analyse and I copy."

So copying is actually the brain does well...with its certain bunch of mirror neuron cells. But do not just stop at copying, but instead...IMPROVE!!

Many of us thought art was tough and abstract...cannot be train and nurtured. So during the course we did afew examples to prove ourselves wrong!!. The example of the science of art are :

we then re-copy small squares of lines (no idea what the lines are) into the big picture with left hand...then we realise what we have created...

Then he ask if we have written any poem ...we all say never lah...impossible...(not in english anyway for me). Then he guide us to use mindmap to link 2 subjects together and write down the connection. Within 15 minutes I then complete my 1st english poem.

Then he summarise:

1. Drawing = Draws - u - in. When we are drawing away the mind maps..we are totally focus, concentrated for > 30 mins yet still relax. So it's very important to start drawing things to train up your brain.

2. If we use creativity the wrong way. The more powerful we are, the stronger we are, the more force we use, we actually sink deeper. How true. Just look at Ah Bian again.

3. The highest form of thinking is M______. This is how we connect things, associate thoughts, and able to combine things to creat new ideas. (any guess? put your answer in my coment area...1st correct answer get a lunch!!).

4. last not not least, remember to kep stimuating your brain...play mind gmes, learn something new each year, be as curious as a child, BELIEVE YOU ARE BRILLIANT (and so do every one else!) and set Goals and act to realise them.

we are actually using less than 1% of our brain capability...if you are willing, and u belive in it, u ca can actually expand the capability of your brain power...towards infinity. In a creaitive thinker's mind...every thing will have a solution.

Good luck!!

NTU revisit

2008-09-25T11:16:00.000+08:00

Today got to visit NTU early to do some admin work with ex DT A. Arrived 15 mins early and while awaiting at the notice board, I realised that the stuent union has set up a "Scream your Heart out" section to allow some o the frustrated students to vent their anger. Most of the input are about canteen food...afew others...more more interesting :

There are opposition party in every argument of course :

Wonder if there will be any real follow up on such input...abit too generalise and oversweeping statement like this with citing details will not lead to anywhere I guess. It's just a venting corner I suppose...

Wonder if our own school is mature enough to handle this too...

The paperwork is actually very fast...but the waiting is much longer than expected. Almost become the gurantor of Mohd Ali Bin Abdul Halim instead of A. Lucky the official is more awake than the benefector. Almost make me refuse to sign...if not for the free breakfast...hahahahaha.

Met up with CX for a brief moment too, thanks for the tea leaves.

After that I still have aboyt 2 hours b4 my next appt for lunch, so decided to wake SY up and play a game of settlers in the hall.

It was an highly entertaining and enjoyble game...what elase to expect when SY is playing?? Strongly believe she is still 1/2 asleep most of the time. Wanted very badly to take out my camera to show you how she build road n settlement...she screamed so I had to stop.

after 1 1/2 game...(I had to go)..and wish we can have time in the future to leisurely play games. Hope they will be mercy on my leave next year onwards.

Mid autumn BBQ

2008-09-22T08:43:00.001+08:00

It's been awhile we try to organise a gathering for the staff in school...last time we tired, intended to go JB for Go-carting, yet the next week some terrorist escaped and the customs was jammed pack ever since. So we never actuall fullfill that plan after all.

So I tried to organise a BBQ to celebrate term break and Moon appreciation last friday. About 20 turn up so the number is just nice to fit in the BBQ pit. Too bad many of the new staff who just joined us couldn't make it so there is no chance to show the graduate students their faces.

Food arrived v v early.

I spoke to the caterer about the ariival time:-
"please send the food after 5pm, can? "
"Sorry ... but I have no control over the driver.....Isn't there anybody home to received the goods earlier?"
"Sorry but I have no control over my wife... so you need to come after 5pm."

Quantity is just nice and the quality is really good. Thanks for the good recommandation and planning of Lulu and Xiao Peng You. Thanks to HuiLeng for the hard work of being the BBQ master too. I like the chicken wings alot.

Planned to have afew special guests ...in the end only Ah Ler turn up. The x-DTs are all busy with their Uni life. BB say my place is too far from NUS...i think she is hinting somethink but I pretend to act blur.

With the guys busy chatting away on work issues, children busy playing around the pool / playground and fireworks, ladies busy touring my house...I think all did have a good time.

GOOD THINKING!!

2008-09-18T00:02:00.000+08:00

Attended this course in SIM for 2 days. Nice to see master Buzan again. This course is about our brain and our attitude towards its capability.

Here are the condensed summary of the content:

Revolution of the mind - from Agrian (10,000 yr) to Industrial (200 yrs) to Information (50 yrs) to knowledge (20 yrs) to Intelligence. We are now in the age of multiple intelligencies. Labour - this word would mean thinking ppl in the near future!

Correct formula for the brain to operate properly : so as to be more creative

1. Play imagination games (nuturing/sharpening)

2. Daydream!! and follow to make your dream real

3. Mirror / copy - and improve!!

4. learning for life - new subject every year - start with book suitable for 10 yr old

5. Healthy body = health brain so keep fit

6. Nature your brain cells...they will grow and connects - that's intelligence.

7. Attitude - I am naturally talented...as everyone else

So what did the brain need?

1. Oxygen!! plenty of it so exercise to have a gd heart and lungs to ensure supply

2. Sensory stimulation

- listen like musician

- Taste like Chef

- touch like a good lover

- move ike a dancer

- talk like a story teller

3. Rest, relax and solitute - this is where real good and deep thinking happens

4. Friendship / love and affection

5. Diet - - good food good brain, junk food junk grain...even worse...garbage in Garbage GROWS!!!

Next left brain vs right brain :

we always hear ppl say music / arts use right brain...science / engineering use left brain. WRONG!! All subjects uses BOTH side of the brains.

so we have to study the art (beauty of knowledge) of science, and study the science (geometry / lines shapes / numbers) of Art. And to believe every thing is connected to one another, so you are infact interested actually in EVERYTHING. Once interested...your senses will open up and your power of memory will increase.

Next the brain priciples:

1. synegetic

2. T.E.F.C.A.S.

3. Persistance

4. success

One of the exercise is to mindmap MY JOB. this is what I came up with:

IQ = verbal x mathematical x Personal x social x ethical x spacial x physical x senory !! multiply not add....!!

only the 1st 2 are overwhelmingly tought in school...the rest...is as important!!

Last but not least : our brain is naturally positive and is use less than 1%, so its capability is actually infinite!! So have a personal goal now and tell your brain :

I am becoming ______ ( something +ve). like : more patient, more non-judgemental. that's my own input. What's yours?

Yi Fan playing piano

2008-09-14T09:50:00.005+08:00

We bought the 1st piano originally for our daughter. After 2 years of learning and still stuck at grade 2...she finally admit she do not have the interest in playing it. We decided to keep it for awhile longer just to allow Yi Fan to try if he like it. In the end it was a good decision not to dispose of the piano. BINGO!!

His current piano teacher is my HJC classmate. I once gave tuition to her two cute little sisiters for 2 years in Science. Still remember the days where we go Swensen for lunch together every month pay day.

Now that she is coaching Yi Fan, I think I pay back all the money I earned back to her already,...probably with interests too. hahahahahha.

Yi Fan is rather fond of writing his own compositions. We always allow time to let his manually scribble his own music ideas. From Grade 1/2 where he start writing short compositions like "the little cat" , "the cloudy sky" etc...till now his works are more mature.

Of all, I like this piece the most : (need to bribe him with a Ferrari 599 toy to allow me to video him)

It's has nice tune and also certain "grandness" about it. Used to fall asleep in while he plays this during weekends. It;s nice to have music in the family rather than quarrels isn't it?

Last week I spoke with the piano teacher regarding the local Uni music degree course. She said : "In terms of world music scene...singapore uni degree is ...nobody. Yi Fan is much better than that...dun waste his talent here...go overseas instead."

Woa cham...there goes my retirement fund!!!

GT 2009 Phuket/Krabi Details

2008-09-11T22:57:00.002+08:00

Due to the fact that Tiger Airways are gaving a promotion currently, I did a follow up call with the agent and found out that there will be about $100 savings if we book now on our own than going to the agent for a full tour.

So here are the details of Graduation Tour GT2009 :

Date of travel : march 8 - mar 11 4 days 3 nights

Destination : Sin - Krabi (2 nights) - phuket (1 night) - sin

Departure flight : TR 152 @ 9.25am
Arriving flight : TR155 leaving phuket 10pm arriving Sin 11 pm

Cost of flight / taxes if u book now till 14 Sept = $170-190 depending if u want to select seat

Cost of land tour in Phuket / Krabi = $350-400 depending on the mode of transfer (Rd or cruise)

so far 9 of us have booked the ticket - GHH/Krish/hyisham/edgar/gavin/CCH/LHQ/Mel/edna

Will try to book for another 6 soon : Kabir/LPW/Celin/amanda/YY/Matt

Any of you who wish to join in the tour and would like to enjoy the early ticket pls register or call me. Of course you can also join in later...at a higher flight ticket.

See you all in Krabi next March!!!

Mooncake (Mid Autumn) Festival

2008-09-11T13:26:00.000+08:00

It's that time of the year I bring my family to Takashumaya atrium to shop for mooncakes again. Abit crowded, but the kids enjoy sampling various variety of new taste mooncakes.

When we are in Taiwan markets, the sellers are usually extremely generous and forced one to sample hefty portions of their goods. Not that they are brainless to waste their products on strangers, in fact...they are extremely smart entreprenuers that convert curious passer-by into actual customers.

Normally if we have taken so much samples from them, we would feel abit guilty and buy something from them in the end...anyway most of the products we came across are rather nice and tasty...provided they do not contain seafood for me of course..hahahaha.

Back at home...I think the businessman consider fellow singaporeans as kiasu and thick skin. So to protect themselves, they either dun provide samples or the size is as big as their brain.

In Taka, I almost wanted dish out my card to buy a box of a nice looking mooncake from a brabded hotel chain. The kept their samples under the counter and when asked, the sample are so tinny wiiny and it contain only the skin flour and no fillings. They do not get my money in the end.

I buy 2 boxes from SHIZHEN, the boss handed out the freshly fried teochiew yam paste as big as size of fishball instead. the other box is snow skin yam/red bean mixture...both no yoke. The kids still love these 2 types, year after year.

Also bought 2 boxes of the newly arrive HK taipan frozen mooncakes. 1 box contains 8-mini assorted flavours for the school colleague to share during teabreak. The other box contains bird nest and is for my wife.

This year I also received 3 boxes of mooncakes as gift. 1 from cowgal - snowskin yam jelly / canberries jelly. The other from Lulu - assorted fruits flavour from intercontinental. XPY surprised me with another...tradional baked skin assorted, i think one of them is coffee...which will be 100% mine...hahahahah. Thanks very much for helping our skinny family to gain some weight.

During the teabreak mooncake tasting, it was suggested that we should have a mid autumn BBQ for staff. I took actions straight away and will be hosting the gathering this Friday. Will show you the picts soon!!!

Violin Mini Concert

2008-09-07T09:54:00.002+08:00

Last weekend the music school of my son Yi Fan arranged a mini concert for the violinsits @ waterloo street.

Sent him there early for preparation / rehearsal / tunning etc and there are 2 hours of free time b4 the actual concert starts.

So my wife and I decided to visit the bras basar complex bookshops. It's really been awhile we can take as long as 2 hours to leisurely browse and hop from 1 book store to another.

In the end we bought 3 books, chinese books of course. Keeping in mind that the year end book buying spree is coming...I decided to buy just enough to cover me for the next 2 months.

Back at the concert, Yi Fan has changed up and he did well in the 3 songs. Much better than he practise at home...some how he can put the stage fright aside to deliver above par. Credit to him.

This is my 1st time posting a video on my blog ...would be nice to show him play nicely. Enjoy!!

K session @ $10Club

2008-09-02T01:26:00.000+08:00

This outing, to me, is one of highlight of the semester. After testing them on the 15 questions WWTBAM style Safety quiz (which as usual all classes balantly trying to cheat to avoid deduction of VIVA marks), the classes are eventually all awarded the chance to sing song together after their last paper.

Fortunately, not all took up the offer (if not i will be borke). This semester, 20 students made it to Cow Car Water $10Club. Understood some cannot make it due to NE classes, which is really too bad...

As usual Allen has kindly to join in and also helped to foot the bill with me too. Thanks alot!!

Every semester, when I have the chance to K song with them, I would discover there are actually alot of good singing talents among them. Previous kingpins of singing includes Luis/WenJun/Anna/JianKun...such a joy to hear them sing. (not necessay a joy to mark their safety papers though...)

I feel particular happy yeaterday simply due to fact that I manage to locate and sing the song "你是我的眼" finally. I like this song alot but never had a chance to sing the full song at the right key...for months...and I think i did well considering it is my 1st attempt. 终于了了一桩心愿. YEAH!

Every semester, you also find the students split thenselves into different rooms with different clicks. This semester is simple...the Chinese Songs room and the English/Malay songs room (abit of Bollywood entertainment intermittenly I noticed).

I hope they don't present the same way they sing when they are back from plant attachment...more passion please!!!

Student M...you can do better !!! (Although this is your 1st K outing...I will be after you in Krabi GT 09...better train up afew more songs by then!! (start with 三只老虎!!!)

08S1 GHH Book Prize Winners

2008-08-30T00:06:00.001+08:00

It's the end of all exams!! and before the current batch disappear into CPTC follow by attachment, best to pass them the book prize now to award them for their good work!!

This semester, beside the usual Rules of Life/work/management/wealth series and Word Power, I have added a new book called the Last lecture and Dr Randy Pausch (go to the web and type this and you will be ovwewhelmed by the input you can find). The sentimental ones will probably like this new inclusion.

This is my first semester of Specialty Chem module. And the pioneer students....will always be special to me in a in a way. Kabir and Joanna are assignment partners and lab partners...so they get the same high score all the time and it's really difficult to seperate the two in terms of scores. So in the end why not reward both?

ISLP viva champ is of course ZM. She made afew mistakes in common test and frightened by me till cry after that. Promised to do very well subsequently and she did fulfil she promise in VIVA and in the final exam. Oh BTY...she selected the Last lecture!! (so did Joanna)

Sheila did well in her reports...and Edgar/Kabir/Chai Hui are very consistent throughout this module. Hope they enjoy reading the book of their choice and gain something out of it.

HQ probably cursed at me when I forced her do the real VIVA in week 11. she eventually score 92!! Now I hope she change her perception against me abit cos that really anchor her in a good position. Sorry no book for you but I hope enjoy the audio CD instead.

we went K after that...what happen there??....read my next entry. :)

08S1 ISLP paper input

2008-08-27T01:02:00.001+08:00

Sometimes, we can't help but knowing some of you actually graduate w/o knowing the full module name eg ISET CL3301 / name of the lecturer / tutor ...now, some of u prove that u also dunno the course of your study even when about to graduate...

Looks like the above 2 can't wait to go jurong island....

The following entry in this year paper is one of a kind....

When ask about chemical hazards...1st page in your text!! with extra handouts / mindmaps to remind you somemore!! In the end the input is

- skin irritation

-stomach irrtation

-eye irritation

-respiratory irritation

last but not least --- BRAIN IRRITATION!!!

this is damn irritating marking it....

We also have a X-man in the class :

human voltage generator??

Many of them, in this semester, simply say 100 V is no effect to one, "BECAUSE IT IS THE CURRENT WHICH KILL NOT VOLTAGE" ...fullstop.

When they go Jurong Island later...faced with the industrial power station of 6600 V...i hope they are brave enough to tell their supervisor : " No worry... it will not hurt anyone de la...I learn in my safety lesson - VOLTAGE DUN KILL." Amend...Amibuddah....一路走好...

Name

2008-08-25T00:06:00.010+08:00

I am not sure if your are familiar with the chinese character - 桧 (Gui 4).

A quick Check in the Chinese dictionary will tell you that it is an everygreen tree. This word is actually quite commonly adopted by parents in China for naming of their sons before the Song dynasty (南宋).

Then during the southern Song dnyasty, a person named 秦桧 sold his soul, betrayed his country and framed and murdered the national hero 岳飞 (plus his son 岳云 and son in law 张宪).

The Empror was of course fully aware but he don't think allowing the army to win the war is a good idea. Why? Because then his father and elder brother (康王, 靖王) would be released and returned to China from Mongolia and then it means the end of his good time.

If you visits Hangzhou, there is a 岳王庙 that worship the national hero and there is also a kneeling statue made of cast iron of the traitor and his wife.

When I was there, I too, cannot stop but emotionally shed a tear for the stupidly loyal general and spit at the cast iron statue.

Back in Singapore, if you eat the fried flour twin (油炸桧) you should also know that this delicacy also originated in the same era to mark the deep hatred of the traitor.

This depicable act was so impactful that the historian noted from then onwards, all the parents are so ashame of this particular word, no one use this word to name their child in China any more...

I have a bold prediction...from now on...at least in Taiwan...no parents will ever use one particular word to name their child too...

the word is - 扁!!

NUS lunch visit

2008-08-21T05:11:00.000+08:00

After the visit to NTU news / picts were released, I received the expected MSN messages from afew ppl from the other Uni :

"Wah why so unfair!! Whu only NTU? When are you visiting us in NUS?....."

"I can't think of a good place for us to meet comfortably in NUS campus mah....MH in NTU did the ground recce for me and located the new sushi shop plus helps me to spread the news too..."

激将法 works always. Within 2 days the location of the meet in NUS was decided...

Munchie monkey in YIH. In the end it turn out to be a cosy place..nice sofa. Food wise...cheaper than sushi, nice brownies but overall standard was true reflection of its cost. But seriously the part that need MAJOR improvements is the service / order quality. Really CMI. 30% of our orders were not correct....maybe it's too much to ask from them to serve before I pay.

5 from chem eng came (BB in the wrong place, as always so she miss the photo session). 4 from Chemistry. Another 7-8 ppl drop me msg that they can't make it due to class...well, maybe next year...

That will be my last visit at this resturant. Next year...will try out the Megabites suggested by Aishah instead.

Anyway...let's focus on the more enjoyable things. Nice to see all of them who turn up for the lunch gathering. It's been quite awhile I see some of them so we have quite abit to catch up. Also a good chance to intro XN to some of the seniors in Chem Eng dept. Glad to hear SH n YY made it to Applied Chem too!

It's a rather relax and happy moments we had there. full of laughters...even with the setback of random ordering delivering food, we managed to turn it into jokes and made our conversation more lively.

After lunch is desserts, after desserts is dice!!

Don't know wht SL always end up sitting beside me in dice games. And she never trusted me since NYP days till now. Catch me like cat wanted to catch mice. But she ended up having mentos for 3rd round desserts. the experience in Kukup never deter her from going against me. Almost wanted her to drink coke to catalyse the reaction in her stomach again.

At 2.30pm..it's time for them to go to tutorial and we had to say goodbye. they are asking about the next outing....and i am lost for ideas myself too. Any suggestions?? Cycling?? Sentosa?? Hmm... thinking....

Chinese History

2008-08-19T01:00:00.000+08:00

My eldest sister is a Chinese History grads in Taiwan. In my childhood days, there were rows and rows of books regarding chinese history in the study room and living hall book shelves. So besides 儿童乐园， the other books that I read are those i curiously took out from the selfves. Starting from the simple 西游记，to the slightly more interesting 东周列国志，隋唐演义，岳飞传，to the very long winded 三国演义，水浒传，红楼梦 etc. These are the actual books that i read when I was in my late primary school days.

So not surprisingly I grew up very much interested in Chinese history. When coming for course selection in secondary 3...I actually wanted to study Arts and specialise in Chinese history. This idea, however, is rejected by the 3 sisters,

"you dun earn much by studying history!!"

"dun mix your interest with your study...in that way you will always get to enjoy your interst life long!!"

"Boys better study science subjects!! Girls then study Arts de..."

So how can a poor boy argue with 3 working sisters with working experience?? So in Sec 3, I chose Pure Science + Geograghy instead....not even chinese litreture.

Well maybe they are right afterall...I am now earning a comfortable living as an engineer (of course now converted to a teacher). I still enjoy reading chinese books especially history books. I figure of all books that I read...40% of them are history based. The rest...are then leisure based.

In my book shelfs now, the are rows of history books which I bought and finished reading through the years. Only use of them maybe...is for me to read them through 1 more time when I retire....I have no real application of the knowledge gained seriously...but all the stories, historical events, characters, politics moves, revolutions etc...somehow make 1 a richer person in whole.

When observing a current situation, discussing a case study, leisurely chatting with friends etc, all these useful stories can come in handy and at times they are really the most appropriate to say out rather than to re-invent the wheel.

Too bad my son are into music and cars and daughter are into arts and dance...I guess 1 day I will have to sell them or gave them away...anyone interested??

Visit To NUS

2008-08-16T12:57:00.002+08:00

Next wed I will be on leave again...and will be down to NUS for lunch gathering with the NYP grads.

Venue of lunch meet : Munchie Monkey (YIH) Booked a table for 12

date : 20th Aug Wed

Time : 11.30am -2.30pm

If you cab make it to the gathering pls register and let me know when can u reach the lunch place...in case at certain hours there is not enough seats. cheers.

See you all there!!

Visit to NTU

2008-08-15T07:02:00.001+08:00

It's study break in NYP and time clear leave. I decide to pay a visit to the Uni students. Thanks to fast recce and following up by MH, the ideal location of meet in NTU is finalised very quickly and we have ample time to spread the news.

This is the first time I try Saeke Shushi. But no choice it seems like the most cosy place in NTU for a 10+ ppl gathering. Reserved the corner straight away early and started to spread the news through my blog and MSN. 20+ ppl responded...not bad. Afew are stuck in lab work that afternoon and afew are out on attachment, too bad.

Arrived early into NTU and proceed to parked at Carpark A as hinted by Anna. As soon as I dropped off, guess what...I bumped into ML!! (It's a samll world...!!) She kindly show me the way to the shushi shop and we chatted for awhile...then I let her off to proceed to her lab session. (lab dunt need to eat de mah?).

As soon as it reach 11.15am...familair faces started to steam in ...for food I guess!!!

The above are the 11.30am-12.30 pm round students. Some lamented the 1 hour gathering to too short n they have to rush off for lesson soon after. Can clearly see SY is totally unwilling to leave...

Then comes the 12.30pm-1.30pm group. Mainly Env Eng dept ppl. Student S just came for ice green tea...

Finally it's the 1.30pm-2.30 pm group. 3 of my PEM amd 2 from 03 batch of guys who join NTU after their NS. Heard they say every night hug book till 12.30 midnight....hmmm...sounds familiar...I did the same after my NS into Uni too!!

After paying the bills at 2.45pm I dropped by the new CBC building to greet Profs Leung. He kindly offered to give a tour to the building/labs and guess what...of all labs...he decided to walked though a randon one and guess who I saw?? ML again!! (it's really a small small world!!)

B4 going off...i notice the the school Chair name's sounds familiar...and after asking afew questions I realised that he was actually my sec school classmates in Chinese High!!! (only for 1 month though...). Nice to regain contact with him. It really really a small small world!!!

The visit to NTU ended 4.30pm and i guess it's a wonderful way to spend a relaxing day. Next week wed @ NUS maybe...?? SL....go recce and tell me the right location fast!! hahahahahah....

Spirit of competition

2008-08-11T01:10:00.000+08:00

Those of you who play badminton with me b4 will probably notice I am very vocal during the game. I talk alot to my partners. Pointing out the weakness, discussing the strategies, gave words of encouragement, but I dun point fingers for blame.

Volleyball is a team game and the team is only as strong as your weakest member of 6!! If we dunt cover for each other and encourage each other, it's quite impossible to gel the 6 together in a match. And at times luck and form can really swing...and if you dun stand up to be counted and hold the helm in tough situations (when you are really trailing ) , you might as well kiss goodbye to any chance of winning.

Playing badminton, it's the same...there is only 1 person to communicate: YOUR PARTNER!!

Rule #1 : to be FEARLESS. if you are afraid of being hit by the ball...then don't play ball!!

Rule #2 : ALWAYS GIVES YOUR BEST. One enters the court to give your best...no matter how strong the opponent and even you have 0.000001% only of winning chance...you face it and give it your best shot. I would rather lose and earn the opponent respect for putting a damn good fight rather than concede from the begining without putting on any resistance.

Rule # 3- we play to win, and to win fair and square. I would rather lose than win a game via cheating. This is already against the spirit of competition. The beauty of playing sports is to allow you to taste defeats ...and you improve and grow from there. harmlessly with so little risk in stake!!

Rule *4 - winning or loosing is 50% determination 50% skill. NEVER GAVE UP!! FIGHT!! no matter what is the score...you fight for every point!! Till the game is finally over.
(pls also see what happen to manU vs Bayern Munich 1999 champions league final).

Rule # 5- u win as a team...lose as a team. So take care of your team members and team spirits...pat on the back, high 5s, a concern glance, a word of encouragement, a winkle of the eye, a joke, all these ...i believe...do wonders in the field/court to sustain the magic of a team. And if you perform as a team, u can beat the other side of separate individuals.

These pricipals has been instilled into me and followed me for years...even into my army days. I still can vividly remember the days of training together, eat together, play together...as a team...preparing for competition. And with my platoon soldier too...we even sleep together.

I hope these values I pick up along playing the sports can be of use to you in life too.

May the spirit of competition be with you.

NTU Lunch gathering 14 Aug

2008-08-06T22:05:00.005+08:00

Yo NTU ppl,
I will be on leave on 14 Aug (thur) and plan to drop by NTU from 11am till maybe 2pm+.

Ming Hui is helping to recce a place not so crowded and can sit n chat. Most likely we will be meeting at the Jap resturant Sakae Sushi...to be confirm with the next 2-3 days.

I intend to invite Prof Leung for lunch too...if he is free to drop by.

Are u free during that period?? I need to know the total number of NYP graduates coming too...(so that i can take MC last minute if not enough money).

Long time no see...hope to see you there...if you plan to come...do me a favour n register here. Thanks. See you soon!!

Volleyball

2008-08-06T01:32:00.002+08:00

It's 1.30am and I just crawled out from bed...I knew if i dun write this down, I will not be going to be able to sleep for the rest of the night...so might as well do it cos it invokes quite alot of memory and emotions....

Many of us grow up taking up sports, either physically and / or mentally to get fit / socialise / toughen our mental and physical sharpness. During my teenage years, I took up Volleyball as a sport.

My Secondary school is Chinese high school. It was the "Volleyball Empire" during the 70s. In the school, there are 20 outdoor volleyball courts...yes you read it correct...20!! Still, after school time, there will be no empty courts available and students have to quarrell and almost push and shove their way to get into a court to play. That's how crazy the school is about the sport and that's where i 1st started playing the game...from 0 knowledge and a shortie (4th shortest in class at Sec 2).

Luckily volleyball allow 12 to play at the same time...so I do get quite abit of chance to learn and practise. Including warm ups. And trust me...there are many many splendid players in the school, who are playing for combined school, even national levels. So rookies like us when facing them, we must be prepared to "吃球餅"...meaning kenna hamtam by the opponent's thunderbolt spikes.

You probably can never imagine the feeling of the impact...most likely one would be on the ground, feeling the earth is rotating faster and unevenly. Then next think you know is someone handed you your broken spec and time to go get it change (AGAIN!!). Compared to badminton smack and ping pong ball...the frequency is alot higher too as the game is all about spike, spike, spike. That how we grow up....and learn the skill.

But soon we were into the game, we know that there will be NO FEAR. FACE IT and retrive it instead.

From newbie...to be the class reserve...and then I work my way into HJC reserves...and finally in NUS volletball team, still not the first 6 but at least in the 1st ten. Volleyball was my passsion then.

My coach in NUS told me I was selected in the school team not because I have fantasit skill, but instead I had the right attitude and was very mobile at the back. I also grow up alot taller during that short 2-3 years due to constant jumping...and reach 1.76m eventaually.

In 2nd year of NUS I had a bad v bad knee injury and forced to retire cos I am not suppose to jump anymore to aggrevate the injury. That's where I switch from Volleyball to squash and tae-kwan-do.

But the involvement in the sport has thought me alot of things...beliefs and habits which I am still displaying when i am playing other games...(like badminton). So what are the lessons I tresure?? Please read the next entry. :)

DVD DVD DVD!!

2008-08-03T21:40:00.003+08:00

It's end of semester ...lessons all ended and just ready for exam and marking papers. My CL3363 SpecChem term test even finished marking and grading. so it's time to relax abit...

Busy watching DVDs for the past week...guess it will be the same pattern the next 1-2 weeks. Just finished watching "24" season 1 and just started season 2...it's rather addictive and keep me from switching off my computer.

Thanks to Xiao Peng You, I can now also watch some Chinese movies...finished "投名状" (4.5 星) , "见龙御甲" (3) , "夜宴" (4), "铁三角" (3.5), "父与子" (3.5), "江山美人" (3)...
Next on line is : "天堂口", "色戒", "兄弟", "C+侦探", "Escape from Yellow staone"...etc

After that? English movies of course...Spidy 3, Alian vs predator, 10,000 BC, Harry Potter etc

National Stadium

2008-07-28T11:02:00.007+08:00

Buzan says the brain always remember the 1st and / or the last things much much clearer. It's called the Primacy and Recency effect. How true.

I still can remember my very 1st football match watched live...at Jalan Basar Stadium. It's a local Singapore Div 1 match between Tempanies Rovers and Farrer Park United. That was when I was in Sec 2 then. Tempanies was my favourie team then...hosting the Quah brothers of Singapore football. Kim Song / Kim Seak and Kim Lye all in the same team. I can still remember my Idol Kim Song scored that night and Tempanies win 2-0 eventually. As a young first timer there in the stadium you can bet I was thrilled then by what I saw and experienced.

My last match watched live....it's in National Stadium. Singapore vs North Korea world cup qualifier. The star of the match is a young boy call Fandi Ahmad, at 20-21 years old. He scored twice that night and Singapore beat N Korea 3-1. That was the last time I watched the Singapore national team played live too.

I spent 2.5 years in England...sad to say I never watch a live match there...Travelling to Manchester on Sat is a real hassel...and tickets are always sold out. Only chance is for Man U to travel on away matches and the closest team in Div 1 then is Swindon Twon. They didn't survive long and was demoted soon. Oxford also not doing welll then. So in the end i didn't even visited The theatre of Dreams. Just TV live matches instead.

Tonight i may have a chance to visit the grand old National Stadium. It's Singapore Selection vs Brazil Olympics team. Hope it don't rain in the evening. I have past the age of being crazy enough to watch them play in the rain. Nor to send $120 to sit in covered seat. So it depends on the weather. Hope to take a pict of the stadium finally b4 it get demolished for the new one.

Certainly if I manage to walk along the stadium entry / path / seats ...it will bring back lot of memory. It always good to manage feel what u feel 25 years ago...

Open letter to DT A / PY

2008-07-22T04:32:00.000+08:00

Times flies and it's a almost a year since you work with us. Still remember vividly the UNI application saga we went through together and lesson learnt as well. Since I suggested you join us as DT and you have trusted and accepted, I kind of feeling respondsible for your well being despite you are not working directly or indirectly with me for the past months.

I started by bringing all of you out for a good lunch once a month. Still remember we went to Carls junior with DT S / Lulu. Then to Taka for mooncake shopping, extra extra spicy meal at chinatown, also playing badminton and act like ghost in Q4 after that. I was rather worry both of you may be too pressureised or uncomfortable working with us, but I guess my worry not needed.

Especially for DT PY, from not speaking to me a single word throughout your 3 years until we go GT2007 Macau GT 2008 Bali and now we can chat freely during meals, it is such a transformation!!.

I also find it refreshing to hear your views during discussion, as it gives a the perspective from the students view point rather than the usual lecturer's view. Some of the stories u tell also gives me better insight to the students' circle too. (In fact i am even presurrised abit cos I dun want to repeat the same mistakes.)

Now that it's time for you to move on, I wish to say to you : Good Luck!! and All the best!!

You know, it's a rather funny feeling :- I started to want to make your stay better for the past months...in fact...in the end...it's your stay that make me feel easier to cope with the life in school !!

What comes around goes around isn't it?

Secret belivers

2008-07-18T09:30:00.005+08:00

These are the bunch of Secret Believers this semester...they also each received a Gratitude Stone from Taiwan too!! (Aimi try to take the whole bag when I say you may take 1......!!) In the end i think all choose the yellow (Study and luck) ones...no 1 dare to pick the pink ones in public...hahahah.

From Left: LC / Radiah / PY / Fathima / what's the last girl name?? Someone help!!?
(that's my major problem this sem...no tut / lab with B1...dun get to know them well at all).

YoYo last year graditude rock receivers!!! Is the rock still with you? have you been treating the little stone well?

Ice Cream Party!!

2008-07-15T17:12:00.012+08:00

It all started with wanted to treat my PEM class...then I added my specialty chem class...then I add the DTs / TSOs, the Mr Luda add his PEM so to help me aviod delivery charge, then we added the senior / graduates, the expanded to 10 more others of the safety class (mainly due to quite afew of them help me in the care n share program)...In the end i have to stop invitng becos it's just getting out of control..sorry I have to say no to the last few cos I am just not sure there will be enough to share. Paiseh!!

When the ice cream Chefs still missing at 2.45pm...I am in real panic mode and cold sweat n hot seat both flowing non stop!! Finally they arrived soon after and the party starts!!

6 of my PEM 0501 still comes back for party!! Congrats to XN who passed her driving test on 2nd attempt!! (I failed driving test 3 times in Singapore actually).

My current batch of PEM 0803...a fun loving bunch i figure, hope they survive their 1st semester! 3 i think already down...hope no more follows!!

All the seniors!! Student Fis the champ I think...she had 5 scoops. Oh...how am I going to explain this to those I say no...omg...

My current class of specialty chem class pioneer!! Just finished feedback exercise w them, and they are v kind in the feedback comments. Thank you. But somehow 1 among them still not happy with the module...hmmm wonder what can I do really to please the student??

Anyway...to all, thnaks for coming for the ice cream party.

Ice Cream Chefs in NYP!!!

2008-07-08T21:42:00.003+08:00

Saw the adverts on Sunday...reminded by by wife to see the nesw about this ice cream novelty. So decided to invite them to come to school for a ice ceam party!!

Those of you still not sure what it is pls go refer to their blog at :

http://icecreamchefs.blogspot.com/

Date : 15 Jul Tues 3-5pm

Venue : outside LTQ 3-5 area

We have booked total of 80 slots, each of 2 scoops.

20 of the slots goes to my PEM group CP0803
20 of the slots goes to Mr luda's PEM CP0802
20 of the slots goes to my 3rd year specialty Chem class
10 of the slots goes to the Dts / TSO / and some staff
remaining 10 slots I open for graduates who can make it back to school to join us...

If you wouls like to join us on the occassion, pls register !!! 1st come 1st serve!!

I will try to contact them on exactly how many flavours we can get for the booking of 80 ppl.

See you next tues at 3pm!!