Exam is over. . . So its time for meet-ups and to say good bye.

Finally, I sat for my last paper yesterday (Database Concepts). Although the paper is harder than what I had expect, but should be able to scrape through. (Keeping finger crossed).

As soon as I've finished exams, its time for me to execute all the things that I've set up to do.
First, I met James, my database proj mate, for dinner. Its good to catch up with him before I head back.

Second. Met Ley Hian, Kean Yew, Thomas and Jeannie to head to Ikea. As Thomas and Ley Hian are shifting house, they wanted to head there to buy mattress for their new place. This trip was quite rushed as Ikea closes at 9pm and we alight our vehicles @ 8.40pm. After getting the things, 3 of us went to have a drink and chill-out.

Its really good to feel the sense of freedom and enjoy every moment of fun.

Jeannie n Me.
(gosh, my hair is so messy)

Thomas and his Xiao Mei
( Think my flash has shocked him)

The better looking Thomas.
Last but not least, 3 of us.

When I got home its already 1230am, had a good chat with Siew Kuang for about 3 hrs. At 4.30am, I haven't do my evening Gongyo and my 1hr of DMK. I had a fierce battle with the Zzzz monster and won. Finished my DMK at 530am and headed to bed. Guess what???

At 8.45, CK and Fen came over to my place. I was still in bed, totally shocked. As I offered my room to CK to stay over before he heads back to Singapore tomorrow. He came over to leave his stuff before the couple go dating. They left, I got to bed again... Later my dear housemate forgot his keys, I woke up and open the door for him. This is the first time since my NS days, that I felt being takan. haha... Like what we termed as 'turn-out', but only this is the mild version.

I still remember how i 'tekan' my guards when I was doing my last duty as Complex Duty Officer. That very night, I turn them out 3 times and even gave them special situation to react to... It must be a very bad experience to be under a DO who is going to ORD. haha...

I woke up late, therefore I did not join Thomas to meet the rest of the members to head to Kaikan. Before heading to Kaikan, I went to Victoria Market to buy some cheap fruits and veg, so inside my Chrome messenger bag, there's heaps of stuff. In the train, I was reading "Buddha in your Mirror". I like this code a lot: "I think, therefore I am." Its short, sweet, and means so much. Our capacity are often what we think and not what we actually is. In short, if u think that u worth 10cents, u will be 10cents. If you worth 1 million, you are 1 million. During my internship prior coming for exchange, Sam shared something similar too.

After Sensei's video, 2 things was on my mind. 1) I was super duper hungry. 2) Sensei shared: "Without women, men are fools." haha... But 1 was more impt so I had late lunch with Jeannie n Wanlian and followed coffee @ workshop. Its a cool place that Teresa brought me there think 2 mths ago. Had a great chat with these 2 ladies on 2, haha....

Pretty gals that I was having coffee with.

More things are coming up over the next few days and it will be crucial.

Major things that will be happening over the next month:

1. Shifting out as rent is up.
2. Arrange for Walter to meet Victor.
3. Help Thomas and Ley Hian to shift to their new place.
4. Gathering before my family is here.
5. Bring my Family around in Melbourne.
6. Head to Gold Coast.
7. Head to Sydney.
8. Arrange meet-up with my "Junior", Lynn.
9. Plan NUS Timetable, MAJOR problem.
10. Youth Training Camp.
11. Buy all the things that I need to buy for family and friends.
12. Head back to Singapore on 30th Jul, A380.
    

As I'm shifting out on 1st Jul, it will be hard for me to update on the blog in the future. But I promise that I will do it when I have access to the net.

See U back in Singapore on 30th.

Instead of studying on Sat, I was out dating...

Ha ha. . . Instead of studying for my exams yesterday, which I have 3 more paper to go, I headed out to meet this lovely gal, Jasline.

My stupid definition of a date: "One guy and one gal spending time together". Although its not my view anymore, but that was what I had hold on to for a while. Now thinking back, it was quite silly on my thoughts.

The few hours spent with Jas was great. This is becos that we seldom have the time to meet each other in Singapore, cos we are forever so busy with our things. We used to hang out alot during our younger days as we were from the same ECA group, Lifesaving. After secondary school we seldom kept in contact and drifted. All this years, she had changed alot, just like I had; therefore the time spent to catch up, reminds me of the past of us hanging out together, with Si Ming, Yew Lim. It really brings back fond memories of my younger days, where we hangout after school and ECA, meet each other to go to school and home, etc.

On the tram.

During our conversation, this friend of ours pop into our conversation. Ha ha... This 'mystery' guy, is a great friend of ours but protray himself very differently when he is with us, alone, compared in big groups. But whatever the case that others may find him annoying, he is a great guy to be with. He is like my elder brother who guide me along the way(in secondary school) and encourages me alot, he certainly help me to develope to who I am today. And Jas and I promised that we will catch up again when I'm back in Singapore with this 'mystery' friend of ours. Ha ha...

Note: Pls don't think that I didn't study, just waste my time going out and blogging. Actually I've just completed studying of the notes for my paper tomorrow. Plus I also went for a gosho study meeting in the morning.

Striving to be a balance person, and not a narrow single-minded guy.

Pic of my laksa by ShuYun

This is the look of my ordinary laksa that I cooked on Friday. Photo courtesy of ShuYun.

What's for dinner? Laksa. . .

Today, I invited the gang over for dinner. I was studying in my room, expecting the guest to arrive anytime soon. Suddenly, Choon Keat shouted my name from outside, he really gave me shocked, as I was still reading my notes.

Once Swe Swe (Swe), Fen Niu (Fen), and Choon Keat (CK) came in, we started cooking Laksa. I bought the Laksa premix from Great Eastern Grocery, its relatively simple to cook. As we are cooking, we cracked jokes among ourselves, while waiting for Shuyun. Her timing is always right, just arrive slightly before cooking is done.

To me, the laksa wasn't good but its the accompany that makes the difference. It has been a while since I last seen all of them, our last session together was also at my place and was the surprise birthday celebration with the homemade cake for Fen and CK. Its really good to catch up and I think this would be the very last time that all of us are together in Melbourne, yet we didn't take a group photo together. Haiz. . . This is becos all of them are heading back end of this month.

29th Jun --> Swe and CK
30th Jun --> Fen
15th Jul --> Shu ( also shuyun will be heading to sydney on 28th Jun)
30th Jul --> Me

Now thinking back to the first time we met at the pre-departure briefing till today, that our friendship had really deepens. Its an amazing experience for me.

Time really flies. . . My stay in Melbourne is nearing its end, having mixed feelings; sad as well as happy. I sincerely hope that my friendship with this group of friends will not end in Melbourne. Again, knowing the lifestyle in NUS, it will be a really tough challenge to catch up as most of the them (scholars) will be starting on their Honours Year Project (HYP) once they go back.

To this grp of friends:

I really treasured the time we spent together throughout this exchange. And I hope the feelings is mutual, have to emphasize this as I may offended ppl without knowing, as I talk too much crap. Ha ha...

Hope I wouldn't become a stranger to you in NUS.

Toughest Challenge in Melbourne.

For the past 2 days was really struggling to study, kept pushing myself but nothing seems to go into my head. This is clear example of the reverse of "Itai Doshin", (One Body, Many in Mind). With this, nothing could be achieved, as the mind is not focus. I know that this is not the way to go but I just don't seems to be in control at all. Pushed myself to read through the notes but can't concentrate at all.

Although grades this semester will not affect me in any way, but I would like to still do my best.

Tomorrow, I want to win over myself. Enough of slacking and allowing my mind to wander. Tomorrow must get things back on track.

Haiz... Trying my very best to win this round.

On track in creating VIctory in Melbourne.

This entry is to depict my progress :
http://sunshine-after-e-rain.blogspot.com/2008/06/effects-of-winter.html

Today, I sat for my first paper in Melbourne. Prior to today, I was pretty much hype up for this exams, I almost couldn't sleep last night.

First Paper is Managing Operations. The paper I feel is pretty easy, but that's only from my point of view. This is because even formulas are provided, just have to pluck in the values and you'll be able to get your answers. As my grades are not depend on bell curve, this sets to look on track. Unlike in NUS, this is terror to me as everyone will be scoring and bring my grades down.

Its pretty much similar back in NUS. Look @ the pics before entering the exam hall...

I left the exam hall beaming with hope and got to work hard for the subject that I feared the most, Services and Relationship Marketing as I failed the test during mid term. That paper is next on my list...

When I got home, checked my mail and I was totally shocked. My result for the assignment which is a Service Audit was released. My perception was that I screwed it up big time, so I only expect a 'mere pass'. The report was graded 20/25, which is a H1. Wow, a H1. . . my expectation was only a 'P', which is like 50-65%.

This brings my target of at least H2A for all my subject was on track...

With addition to the report:

Service and Relationship Marketing : 4.75 + 3.75 + 20 = 28.5 / 40

Beaming with hope to show my proof . . .

Pics on: Party to celebrate end of Semester.

More pics on my pizza making advanturehttp://sunshine-after-e-rain.blogspot.com/2008/06/party-to-celebrate-end-of-semester.html

Yummy...

Simply Amazed.

Can't wait to get my hands on it.

http://stream.qtv.apple.com/events/jun/0806wdt546x/m_080690210abcn_650_ref.mov

Effects of WInter.

This is the view out of my window and it clearly show the effect of Winter.


I supposed to start my revision yesterday but have not start at all. I am going to change my way of studying which is to memorise more of the key words used. I use to just understand the concept but it proved not to be rewarding. As the grades aren't that important this sem, I will try this approach which I have used in poly and hope I could do better.

Due to winter, I tend to stay in bed longer than what I would like to. Especially for the last week, I often waking up only in the afternoon. Almost everyday I'm surprised on how long I spent sleeping each day. But its time to buck up and start revision.

My subjects look to be on track except for one subject, Service and Realtionship Marketing, I'm determind to win over myself this sem. These are my result so far and is the first time I am openly sharing my grades:

Product and Brand Management: 15 + 13 = 28/40

Managing Operations : 10 + 20 = 30/40

Service and Relationship Marketing : 4.75 + 3.75 = 8.5/15

Database Concepts : 5 + 5 + 13.5 + 24 = 47.5 /50

Grading scheme:

H1 = above 80%
H2A = 75 - 79%
H2B = 70 - 74%.

I am determind to get at least a H2A for all my subjects.

Time to show actual proof with my transformation.

Stayed in Melbourne during SWOT Vacation.

As I was rushing my assignments, I did not have the time to plan my trip to Cairns. When I had the time, the price of air tix went up by $100. Also as my mum, brother and his girl friend are coming to Melbourne in Jul, I decided to set the $$$ aside to pay for their accommodation first. It was a long and tough struggle to decide to give up my trips to Cairns. My budget of $1500 wasn't enough for all the activity I intended to do. When I informed my mum, she was so happy about it. (faint) She is riding on my misery. To compensate myself, I decided to get a Iphone when I go back to Singapore. haha...

On last Sunday, I invited Grace, Wanlian and Michelle to my place to try my cooking, Alfredo. While having lunch, we discussed about Session 4 of the SGI-Australia Study materials. It was a good discussion.

After lunch, Thomas and I did the washing and headed to Starbucks in the city to meet the rest. Instead of being happy, as I seldom have starbucks in Melbourne, it was my worst starbucks coffee ever. (Shall not talk about my bad experience.) At Starbucks, it was another round of discussion with other members. As we are about to leave, we found out the claypot outing was cancelled.

As a result Thomas and I had to think about dinner, I then joke about Wanlian cooking for me. This is a good example of being thick-skin pays off. Somehow, I self-invited myself to Wanlian's place and she is cooking dinner for me, and Thomas enjoyed the good fortune of me being his housemate. haha... It was a simple but good dinner. Her place is so comfortable, I just laze on her couch and watch movie. She don't even need my help to cook, I was a little amaze by her capability.

Comment on her cooking: Her soup is too peppery, but her steam egg was superb. (too hungry and forgot to take photo) Reminds me of my god-mum's fantastic steam egg. I wanna go back to taste her cooking again. (Argz...) But the time we left Wanlian's place, its freezing outside. Its about 7 degrees and visibility was low as there's fog.

Outside Wanlian's place

At Camberwell Train station.
Outside my place. Bedfort St.

Weekend ended on a happy note...

Party to celebrate end of Semester.

Right after I submitted my Service Audit report at 4.15pm, I felt dead tired. But at the same time I'm looking forward to the gathering with the gang. Shu Yun and Swe Swe came to my place ealier and we baked a cake for Fen and Choon Keat.

They arrived at my place about 4.30 and started working on the cake.

Swe took up the mission to write the wordings.

Cake was split as it was too thin on the top.
But Swe did a good job on the wordings.

When the couple came, we pretended and acted normally. But I had hid the cake in my room. We joked around and had fun making pizza for dinner.

Shu Yun's pizza Recipe:

1. Use Kutchup or BBQ sauce as base on top of the pita bread.
2. Add toppings (we have ham, bacon, stir-fried chicken with onions, capsicum, mushrooms, pineapple, bananas, chocolate) on the pita bread
3. Add lots of Mozzarella cheese on top of the toppings
4. Put in the oven to melt the cheese.

End result --> Yummy Pizza

We had lots of fun that nite as the sem had ended and the bond of the group had grew stronger. All of us can't finish the pizza and had to da bao (take-away in Hokkien) home. I alone ate 10 pieces of pizza, including 1 banana pizza, like the one sold in pasta mania.

As I tried to distract Fen and CK but chatting with them, Shu and Swe went to my room to get the cake out.

It wasn't much a surprise for them as they knew something was planned. Our initial plan was to go to an Italian restaurant to have a meal, but it is too costly so we came up with home-made pizza instead. But most importantly is that we had fun.

The happy couple
Fen and CK

Despite the downside of my assignments, this party lifted my spirit. It ended my last day of Sem with at least a bang on the happy note.

You guys (the gang) rocks!

Ended Semester with a loud bang of bad experiences.

Last week was the last week of school and it was a terrible terrible experience.My last post was about my trip in Sydney, it was a good trip but throughout the trip I know my projects are not turning too well. The 2 assignments I have on hand are Database and Services.

Database is to do up a website using ASP programming language. Its quite a simple website but I left for Sydney with only half of the website done. The entire website's login is similar and by me completing my part, my group mates can actually copy my logic and work on their parts quite easily. But over the weekend, I found out that only James was doing it and he had to complete the website almost all by himself. On knowing that, I felt bad that I couldn't help him out.

On the very day that I'm back in Melbourne, I rushed from the airport, back to my house, just to throw my stuff and had to rush to tuts(aussie term of tutorial) & lecture. Once I'm done with my lessons, i went straight to computer lab to work on the database website. Managed to do some final touch-up with 45mins left before 5pm (the deadline). This time I headed to another lab, Commerce lab to work on my Service Audit report. I spent 1hr reading my grp mates' part and made some comments. I was shocked that 1 of my grp mate refused to change her part even thou the structure is messy and more pts could be added. Her reason was that she has to concentrate on her other module which she has been failing and is way behind. My grp leader, her and me spent 30mins debating on this part. I raised the white flag and volunteered to edit her part so that the works gets done.

But this experience with grp projects really shocked me, as I have never encounter this in NUS. My last experience of ppl not doing project was in Poly, it is understandable as ppl from all walks of life are in your project grp. Some are not so focus on studies, some on ECA, some with their part-time job. Uni students are ppl who are filtered, they are those who are motivated to strive for success, therefore they decided to continue to study. Melbourne Uni being a prestigious University, I'm surprise to find the quality of student is way beyond acceptable range; I'm hope they are the minority.

To sum up, for the service audit report; I did my best. The only thing I can do better is to have taken preventive measure to ensure the success of the report. This is what i failed to do. I'm not going to dampen my experience and views about my 13weeks in Melbourne Uni. I have very good lecturers, tutors and I also made some good friends here too. I wanted to take photos with my tutors and lecturers but I was busy doing the report the entire week, that I only managed to have 2 pics and that was during the 2nd last week of school.

Dr Liliana, Lecturer for Service and Relationship Marketing

Jo En, tutor for Service and Relationship Marketing

Semester has ended and next will be exams...