a pleasant surprise

Just when things were getting a little bleak
Came a pleasant surprise.

Amused at start
Nevertheless, a sign of encouragement saying:
'You're doing fine,
Continue to move on.'

I am grateful.
It's like seeing light after walking through a long, dark tunnel.
Thank you very much.
Very.

deactivating FB

I succumb to temptations easily.

If I can convert all those time spent on FB and youtubing to completing all those never-ending pile of work and revisions, I won't be procrastinating now.

So solution is to eliminate sources of distractions as much as possible.

Exams are less than a month away.

And my CA results aren't fantastic. This is BAD...

So.. TADA!

Don't worry.. I'll be back after in a month's time. Camps, concerts and x'mas carolling to look forward to in December!

JiaYOU to all people!

'Don't just speak of it. Do it.'

Thoughts,,,

Just came back from a dinner cum discussion..

Then on my way back home, I was thinking about the many 'words of wisdom' and encouragements that my mentors back in NYP gave me.

Did some reflections about my new uni stint.

What makes a true scientist? (Pardon me if this sounds boring to ya)
I think the nature of Singapore's education system have 'programmed' us such that we pursue things only for the sake of grades. Or rather, to pursue our materialistic goals (being accomplished or rich or famous), people just resort to various means of doing well and fight to be the cream of the crop. Sometime back, during the first day of FYP, I became so concerned over grades that my supervisor 'told me off'. He told me that I shouldn't be so concern about modes of assessment but instead, the objectives of the projects and such. This is, one serious point to note.

Learning things for the sake of achieving goals. Though this, may sound very realistic - but rather, I felt that a true scientist is one who is always eager to learn about new stuffs, not being afraid to venture into areas that have not been covered before and not being conservative. I really admire their attitude towards learning, and their never-ending curiosity. People who make the efforts in reading up and understanding more about in-depth topics.

This is something that aspiring scientist should work on. Yes, I'm one of the guilty ones who have a long way to go. And I really do admire their attitude in learning. Well.. I should not be complaining so much of physics and mathematics but learn how to appreciate and embrace them though I haven't touched them for more than 3 years. Eliminate procrastination!

I hope to work on this flaw of mine. Yes, I am often faced with situations when I just can't formulate questions in my head. I'll always just sit through lectures, absorb information and scribble notes. Any questions? 'No what? I understood the lectures.' Full-stop. I always wonder how those people crowding around professors could come up with such questions which I couldn't think of. How does one train yourself in thinking critically/out of the box? Read more? Study more?

Alright, I've got a hectic week ahead of me. I gotta need hell lots of effective time management and self-discipline. 3 tests, 2 reports, 2 essays. Good luck and have fun!

*Maybe I should do the same in signing an anti-facebook 'contract' like how my little aunt does it in her school

LOVE NEVER DIES

OMG!!! Phantom of The Opera Sequel!!!



'Til I Hear You Sing' By Ramin Karimloo (Phantom)
With Sierra Boggess sitting at the back (Christine)

I love his voice!!

Wonder when it'll come to Singapore man.. :S

Got this feeling that I'm getting a flu bug.

Don't fall sick!!

Start of R-E-C-E-S-S

I want to think that this week is 'F-R-E-E-E-E' but on second thought, it's really a potent word to use.

I've been whining too much about school.

Time to cut down on that!

By the way, I think those Hokkien dramas are so long.. and draggy.. I really can't understand why my ah ma likes the show so much.

Learning to break off... when it's near the brim

I really wish to play a part in many things. But it is really hard to accept the fact that, my life has changed and I've moved on. Busier schedules.. greater priorities. I just hate that fact that, I had to chose and prioritize my stuffs based on practicality. Like how I chose between SP2170 and choir practice. And there's so little space for slacking. Especially if you're in such a huge cohort of smart people.

Recalling what one of my poly lecturer told us, "I used to struggle quite a bit during my first year." Those words finally make sense to me now.

I'm no longer a superwoman anymore like I use to be. Even joining a subcommittee or performing needs serious considerations. I'm already falling back on revisions, tutorials, readings. Remember: Once your weekends are screwed, your week ahead is screwed.

I reached home late 4 out of 5 weekdays per week. Tired but still life goes on. That goes to show that self-discipline is not enough.

Recess week: Short but tons of catching up to do. Hallelujah.

Do not underestimate the gist of uni life. Cos if you do, it'll be too late before you realize you're wrong.

Week No. 5

My 'To-Do list' never ends..

Stares at the pile of papers that are not sorted.. sitting on my study table.

I did up a semester timetable - stating all my project datelines and test dates.
Not a single week is empty. (I didn't include reading week cos it's obviously not a holiday week)

Argh... Debate is such a troublesome assignment.
Especially when you're assigned the stand which is so.. hard to debate on.
Roars.. every single thing you find supports preposition when you're doing opposition.

Had my first test of in NUS. Even though its open book, we barely had the time to flip through our books and notes. 30 minutes is freaking short! And dear lecturer actually cheated us into reading a really tough paper. Even though its only 10%.. okay shan't think about it..

If only reports are graded and counted into our assessment.. 5% is so puny.

Facebook is so addictive... yucks..
Self-control please. Prioritize.

Week Thr33

I'm really glad that it's the weekends. *Takes a Deep breath*

One hectic week indeed when tutorial classes start officially. Projects and assignments start coming in. Papers and notes to read before lectures.

I've let my guard down too much. Been idling too much during the previous weekend. Poorly managed weekend schedule leads to disastrous week. Overlooked the other modules too much as well - especially ES1301, IT1001, CM1417. I've been putting too much attention on my 2 core modules. Buck up Tian.. better put words into action - especially when one CA is coming up this wed!

University is one great place that requires great deal of self-discipline, independence. Only you yourself are accountable for your grades, how you're gonna live your life throughout that great 4 years - mug all the way or play or both. Consistency is just so crucial!! It just takes one's courage to move out of your usual circle and really get to know more people - especially how pitiful my situation is (when none of my OG members read the same modules this semester as me) but I'm really glad that there's still Fang Cheng here..

Had my first choir practice on Thursday. I can't attend their Monday's practice.. so I'm a bit lagging behind. Could find the dance studio at first so ended up late. Saw Nelson Kwei... (yes, famous conductor) and sang the 3 pieces. It's been a really long time since I sang in such a big chorus man. Really look forward to singing for their concert.. and hopefully overseas competition next year at Europe as well! Roars!

SPS is really a new experience - lots of interactive session with mentors when you discuss about scientific topics and many people there are really intellectual.. Ah.. can be a scary bit.. But hopefully all this will train me to think out of the box more.. *prays hard*

I getting real broke when I haven't even meet up with my old pals yet. Notes printing, books, transport fees, choir fees.. oh dear.. money just can't drop from the sky!

Perhaps I should search for a better paying lobang.. but my timetable is just so fantastic. How?

Sigh.. hopefully I can finish up some loose ends before heading out tomorrow. NUSChoir cum VE day =)

a notch higher

It's just end of week 2.

But I'm already drained mentally by the time LSM1101 tutorial ended.
I didn't bother copying the last bit of answers for the last question.

LOST.
That is exactly how I felt.
And fear when sitting amidst people who knew how to do those questions.
Yes. This is scary.
LSM1101 has a HUGE class - composed of people from computational biology, food science and tech people etc.

I can't deny that students from JC have strong fundamentals. Poly grads like us are finding a hard time catching up because of our modular systems - which is good and bad in many different ways. Though you don't have to study the same topics for entire year but one dangerous thing about modular systems - you tend to forget them as you move through your years.

What irritates people most is the fact about bell curve systems they use here.
Why why... the future seem so bleak.

Still, I'm gonna do what I'm gotta do.
Life's not a bed of roses anyway.
Though gone are those honeymooning days during polytechnic stint.
My usual words:
Do the best I can!

I think.. I'm soo... kiasu..

Cos I'm a true-blue singaporean!

I can't believe that I'm actually spending my 2-3 hours break mugging in library!
(I never did that in polytechnic man!)
So much that I had to swallow bread and donut within 5 minutes before my next lesson.

I didn't enjoy studying molecular genetics back in polytechnic.
But somehow, I just got so enthused with mitosis and meiosis.
(even though today's lecturer is 'fantastic')

Really hope I can keep this momentum going and not wear down!

Somehow, I realized that revision is not a boring thing after all if you put your heart into it.
Not selecting what you want to learn but embrace what's given.
The drive to get those facts right!

During the past few days, I learn that:
- One should be firm of her goals and directions - not let your heart succumb to peer influence and fear of being alone. Believe in yourself.
- I'm working bit by bit on confidence. Today, I took up one challenge, shivering but heck - why care about being wrong? I just raise my hand.. and ta da! I'm happy with the end result =)
- Expect and accept the things you don't like but you'll definitely have to face it somehow in future. Not avoid. Learn from the process.
- Learning to interact well with people of different backgrounds and find a way to tolerate their shortcomings.
- Learn to make way for new stuffs - when its time to let go, be realistic. Especially when schedule doesn't allow - which is the most annoying thing, yes. Looks like I'm unable to perform for entire concert this year.. so naive of me to think that uni schedule very free. Nono.. ET not superwoman..

My only concern is that.. NUSChoir will still let me join despite my monday sps nights :(. Oh pretty pretty please!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE! =D

home1.wma -

Thoughts

School's starting on tuesday but for some reason, I feel lots of things bugging me at the moment. I fuss about the necessary preparations to make: read ups, revisions, lecture notes printing. Fears and worries to whether a not I can cope with the workload.

The start of a new journey.
The desire clinch that goal.

Despite the various unpleasant encounters with modules bidding and allocation this week, I had some brief moments of regret on why I didn't head to NTU. But what's the use of regret when you've chosen that path? I told myself, its only the beginning. Know what you want (with the end goal in mind), stay true to your heart and not be bother by what negative comments that friends gave. Give a time frame for adaptation.

I'll work hard and play hard.
Cos fees are expensive.
So the ultimate goal is to do well and enjoy myself to the fullest.

Orientation activities are fun but I guess I didn't really open up.
I don't deny that I'm slow lah.. cos I'm not the social person mah..
Don't know what's keeping me from all these man..

Even though the objective of camp is to know more buddies that will see you through the 4 long years, none of my og group members will attend the same lectures as me - even the ones doing the same major as me cos different lecture group.

Pathetic right? But I do meet a couple of nice OG mates lah.. just that it's a pity that you don't get to study with them like how the rest of the OG do.

I glad there's still Fang Cheng man... And hopefully even more lecture buddies when school reopens. The feeling of being lonely and helpless is so miserable...

Yes.. I'm really glad that I accepted into special programme in science! =D
I was praying to get into this programme so dearly after my bidding crisis.
Am hoping that I can drop one of the modules successfully so that I only have 6 modules and
4 days week =D.

Flag and Rag day's fun.
Such a pity that those Rag floats don't get a chance to be viewed by the public (Except the top two la) after those long hours of practice, preparations and waiting under the scorching sun. At least the arrival of President Nathan does some justice to those floats by the Halls...

Last Thursday was baking session with Yuan wen and Jocelyn. We baked chocolate fudge cake and brownie! Had quite a fulfilling time catching up with one another. Glad that our efforts and ingredients didn't go to waste man! =)

Woohoo~ gonna look forward to ice cream buffet with Sampat Bao, Patrick starfish and friends for lunch plus dining with secondary school choir mates tomorrow! Gogogo!

NUS matriculation day

Okay. I lost my matriculation card - 1 hour after getting it.

Seriously wonder who could be as blur as me.

Perhaps I shouldn't have trusted my pockets. Haha!

Lesson learnt - always stuff my card in my wallet, no matter how inconvenient it will be.

You'll never know when you might drop it unknowingly when you dig something out from your pockets.

Okay.. I have signed up for NUS choir.
Many other stuffs as well.. but that's not really the point.
Cos years ago, I wanted so much to join a choir that heads overseas for competition.

Today, I just realize that I'm few steps away from realizing this dream.

But must pass audition of course. And hopefully, weekly practice sessions are desirable.
I can't hope for more. =)

Farewell

I bid farewell to NYP SCL on 24th July 2009.

Yes. Finally my time of departure from school arrived.
(Though I'll still be heading back to school.. but just for VE)
Argh.. NYP and NUS is so far apart?!
Circle line open fast fast le!

I'll miss lab days at Blk Q level 6.
But the world of research is so vast out there.
Venturing out is definitely essential to broaden my experiences.

A new beginning awaits.
Greater challenges but valuable lessons to be learnt.

I've decided to take up Special Programme in Science.
Even though it's gonna be multidisciplinary.
Feared that I might screwed the modules cos of that but why should I man?
Being able to troubleshoot a problem at different perspective is an added advantage of a researcher.

Faith, Confidence, Hardwork, Perseverance
BUT. I shall not become a 24/7 mugger.
That's for sure. :)

It's not about doing for the sake of doing.
Neither is it about being materialistic
Passion is the word -
What drives you to take the extra effort
Out of motivation.

That makes the winner of the day.

Cannot-do-without-sleep

The topic today is about professions.

Years ago, I told myself - Surgeons and Forensic Scientists are professions that I will never try to pursue cos the thought of cutting human bodies open freaks me out entirely.

Doctors are great professions who earn many money. But the process of becoming one is a long, costly, brain-saturating one. And - doctors don't get enough sleep.

I really cannot imagine what will I become if I don't have enough sleep. Haha.
I must Sleep!
Perhaps I just not the type cut-out for doctor.

Say.. I'm trying to be realistic by pursuing a profession that too - wears white coat.
Just that unlike doctors, we don't get to wear our 'robes' unbuttoned.

You know what?
10 years ago, I wish to become an astronomer.
4 years ago, I wish to become a chemist and singer.
Now? A researcher.
What will it become after 4 years? 10 years?