Semester 2 Results

Today I received my Semester 2 results.

They were terrible.

Here's what I got:

CM1502- C+
MA1506- B
EG1413- B
MLE1101- B+

CAP: 3.81

But I have to say I deserved those results and I saw them coming.

My parents expressed dissatisfaction when I first told them about my feelings about the finals. While I can say that there were certain times where I was really down on luck, I had to admit that I clearly didn't have enough practice and as a result, I wasn't steady enough.

I'll do my preparations early this time and I'll definitely complete the syllabus at least twice before the school starts. Damn, I'll even finish all the past year papers before the first lecture begins.

I've calculated that if I take 6 modules for each of the next two semester and get straight As for each mod, I'll be able to pull my CAP to 4.55, just about the benchmark for a first class honours. It's going to be one long crazy battle, one that is almost impossible to pull off, but one that I have to win no matter what.


From my Past,
To my Future.

Mangas to Read!

I've grown addicted to the 'psychological' genre of manga recently after reading the manga 'The World God Only Knows'.

Here's a short summary of my new favourite manga, TWGOK:

The protoganist, Keima, is known as the 'capturing god', a hard core nerd/genius who never fails to capture the virtual girls in dating sims/rpg in video games. He is approached by Elsee, a devil from Hell who has heard (albeit mistakenly) of his legendary girl-capturing skills, to help her in catching runaway spirits that hide in girls. These spirits only hide in the crevices in women's hearts, and the only way to get them out is to make the host fall in love so that the gap in the heart will be filled. With Keima's experiences in video games and his insight in the game of dating, the reader will see him capture the heart of one girl after another..

This manga has romance, humour, beautifully drawn girls, good plot and a storyline that progresses really quickly (complete opposite from naruto, bleach, one piece) so what more can you ask for?

You'll also be surprised that the theories/strategies regarding courtship presented in the manga are actually pretty good! At least in my opinion, they're certainly not without basis and what's more, it actually fits reality too! Maybe I'll elaborate on some of these theories some other time..

And guess what, the manga was so irresistable that I completed all 122 chapters that's currently available all within yesterday! Time to find new stuff to read!

I'm looking at the psychological genre right now. I've read Death Note, Gantz, Liar Game, Future Diary and they all left a deep impression on me.

Death Note was just ingenius. Gantz was gory and sick (nothing I can't take though) and it aroused in me many emotions and feelings I've never felt before. Very thought provoking too. Liar Game was one that started out boring (I didn't even bother finishing the first chapter the first time I read it and I gave up) but gets better as the story progresses. The game plans are simply ingenious, though there were times in the story that the character does pretty impossible stuff. Future Diary started off great, had a few moments of mind teasing, but afterwards went on a totally crazy and sick direction. Expect gory and madness.

Ok, I've digressed too much. Anyway, here's a to-read list of mangas I'm considering:

-Akuma to Love Song
-Eden no Ori
-Gamble Fish
-Holyland
-Nononono
-Psyren
-Wolf Guy-Ookami no Monshou

All these are the 'hot' mangas that have appeared on manga fox. Haven't really read through their summaries yet to find out if they're really read-worthy.

Ah, gotta sleep already! I still have a chess competition tomorrow!


From my Past,
To my Future

TP Trilogy Part 1

This is first installment of my TP trilogy.

TP 1
17/3/2010 (Wed)
Warm-up: 0815
Test: 0915

It has been two weeks since my last practice and I felt really off form. I was very nervous during the warm-up and I could totally tell this wasn't going to be smooth during the test.

Although I've always believed in success via my own strength, I still heeded my mum's words and went for a session of praying last weekend to 'borrow' the powers of gods to aid me. I got a charm for the TP- an orange I was supposed to eat after my warm up. And I did. I ate it but I still can't help feeling that this is totally not going to help me.

After that, I went up and waited in a small room on the third floor together with the rest of the candidates. I was called shortly after and after checking my particulars followed the examiner to the test car.

First up was the circuit. I was tense but I thought it doesn't matter as long as I was focused. Preoccupied with my excessive thoughts, I didn't notice the examiner checking the rear, which was a major hint that he's going to pull off an emergency stop. When he tapped, I braked instinctively but forgot to clutch in, thus causing the engine to die. I was stunned and forgot to start the engine immediately and move off. I had a tick against both delay in restarting stalled engine and moving off but wasn't penalised.

Next was the S course. I entered the S course fast and proceeded at that speed but had to stop halfway cuz the driver in front had stopped. The examiner and I sat in there for like 20 seconds or so, staring at the car in front since there's nothing to do. Then for some reason, he decided to look out of his side window and said, 'I think you strike kerb already.' I told him that I didn't feel anything just now and asked if he's sure. He simply took a glance outside and repeated,'Strike kerb already.'

Wow. I can't believe it. I striked the kerb for the first time in my 3 months of driving. And in a test too. I always thought it was impossible to strike the kerb since I've never experienced it before.

But I didn't give up hope. I calculated that at most I would have 14 points so far. I still have 4 points to buffer a failure to check blind spot. But I would have to perfect the rest of my circuit. And I did. (Or at least I thought so. When I checked afterwards, I saw that he penalised me for stationary steering during parking)

I was a bit shaky on the road at first, same as during my warm up. But I got a little better after a while. I thought I have probably few mistakes here and there unknowingly but I was still holding on to the possibility that maybe I haven't failed yet.

And then came the incident where my failure was ascertained.

It happened when I was on my way back to BBDC. I stopped at the T-junction between Bukit Batok Road and Bukit Batok West Ave 7 cuz of the red light. During the red light, a cyclist overtook me. When it was green, I signalled right, checked my rear view mirror, saw a car approaching from very far away. I decided it was safe and proceeded with the checking of my side mirror and blind spot before moving off. This took about 5 seconds. When I moved off, the car was much nearer already and I wasn't aware of that. When I was on the 2nd lane, I hadn't picked up the speed fast enough and the car behind had already signalled right to avoid my car.

The examiner said I caused the car behind to take evasive action because I had switched lanes dangerously. What's more, there's nobody behind me to rush me and I could even possibly stayed on the left most lane and tailed the bicycle without obstructing traffic.

Mistakes:
10 pt-Strike kerb (S-Course)
8 pt-Cause other vehicles to slow down or take evasive action
4 pt-Abrupt lane changing
2 pt-Fail to use appropriate gear
2 pt-Steering when vehicle is stationary

Total: 26 pt (Fail)

_________

To spur myself to achieve perfection, I had told everyone that I'm aiming for a perfect score. Needless to say, I felt more embarrassment than disappointment by the result.

My dad commented about how I talked of getting 0 demerit points and yet couldn't even pass. 'Not so easy right?'

But I didn't let failure get to me.

I'm pretty sure things could have turned out any other way. Striking the kerb? Deep down, I was unconvinced. And any other time, I probably wouldn't have a problem overtaking a cyclist safely (But this one's undeniably my fault la). Without either of these, I would have passed. Zzz..

Little did I know then that this was not going to be my only 'unfortunate' incident. I was to get used to failures in the TPs to come.

To be continued...


From my Past,
To my Future

ORD Lo!

I got my pink IC on the 4th, my official ORD's on the 6th, and today's the 8th! So yea, this post is kinda outdated.

Anyway, I think the hype surrounding ORD is way too overrated. Sure, life's definitely better out of camp. There's no more mosquitoes, no more noise and air pollution from all the dust, no more bad food (I'm not being a spoilt brat but even the cookhouse aunties find the food only barely edible...).

But that's all. Nothing more to be excited about.

I desire little of those freedom that others wished for. I have no ambitions. I don't even have friends to spend my time with.

Or maybe I do, but that remains to be seen..

One thing about being discharged from the army is that it puts issues that I've been running from right in my face again. To name a few:

Unemployment
I've been studying classified ads and job ads online for weeks but haven't taken any action yet. I've considered various options to balance my work, pay and leisure time but haven't made any decision. It's about time I settled on something and get started.

Deciding on my Course
I held on to NUS Science for the last 2 years but I fear holding on might not be the wisest choice..

I've got a keen interest in physics and thought being a physicist would be a pretty interesting prospect. My plans were to either become a uni lecturer after getting my masters/Phd or work at DSO or ASTAR. I thought both were pretty high paying and stable jobs which would more than make up for the extra few years spent on education in the long run.

However, my plan is obviously not without loopholes. There's nothing to guarantee that I would be good enough to get my 1st class Honours or that I have what it takes to even go for a Masters or Phd. And even if I do get there, no guarantees that the organisations that I apply to needs physicists in my field. Worse come to worse, I would most likely end up a teacher. Might as well go NIE at the start right? Why waste my time in uni?

The many no-guarantees have prompted me to do a serious re-evaluation of courses.

Scholarship Application
2 years ago I didn't care. I dislike doing write-ups about myself because I don't like selling myself. I also dislike going for interviews and doing badly in them.

But reality sunk it. 30k worth of tuition fees are going to be paid. Sure, I told my parents that I would pay for my fees and I'm pretty sure I can. But ouch. 30k seriously burns a big hole in my bank book.

If a few hours (or even days) worth of preparation and research can lend me a scholarship or a grant, I say the effort is pretty damn worth it!

__________

That's all for my ORD post!


From my Past,
To my Future

House Rules

It's been a really long time since my last post.

By the way, I've started a diary recently. The feeling of writing is great!

Anyway, tonight I suddenly got the inspiration to write something about my own set of house rules. This is all due to the state of mess my house is in right now.

Here goes...

1. General Timetable

0700 - Wake up, breakfast, brush teeth, newspapers
0730 - Area cleaning
0740 - 2km run + statics pt
0800 - Shower, change
0820 - Set off for work
1930 - Dinner with family
2000 - Brush teeth, Work/leisure
2130 - Stop work, plan for next day
2145 - Tidy work area
2200 - Lights out

2. Cleanliness and Hygiene

Brushing of teeth should be within 10 minutes after consumption of food

Area Cleaning
-Bedsheets to be pulled, blankets folded
-Bins emptied
-Tabletops wiped
-Wash previous day's clothes

Tidying of Work Area at Night
-Tabletop cleared
-Bag packed
-Unused appliances switched off at socket
-Bins emptied
-Plates cleared

General
-All outdated worksheets, etc to be checked and filed nightly
-All unused books to be placed back onto shelves
-Do NOT collect random pens from places (they look messy in the pen holders)
-The above rule applies to random junk as well
-Magazines more than 6 months old/useless mags to be stacked and sold
-Compile info from leaflets in a book and throw the leaflets
-Keep all half-done work in bag/on shelves and take note of where you left off

3. Manners

Morning/Night
-Young ones to greet elderly
-Young ones to report to parents if they have anything on for that day/the next day

At the Dining Table
-Young ones to invite the elderly to dinner
-All to stop work and gather for dinner at dining table. No exceptions.
-Young ones to share about their day at school/work
-Strictly no TV allowed
-Handphones switched off during dinner time.
-Tell everyone that you'll be taking your leave when you're leaving the table earlier


This looks like a potentially long entry. I think I'll leave it for now...


From my Past,
To my Future

Driving Diaries 3

Lesson 6
2/1/2010 (Sat)
0800-0940

It’s been almost two weeks since I last touched the steering wheel. During my short break, I’ve been practicing the checking of side mirrors and blind spots when making a turn, my gear changing, etc.

During the last lesson, I was unable to clear two subjects in a go due to time constraints (and probably due to the instructor as well). This time, I really hope I’ll clear my 1.10 and 1.11 so I can proceed on to the next stage.

Anyway, this lesson’s about safety routine and reviewing all that I’m supposed to know for stage one. We went out straight away this time, no practice rounds in the circuit. I guess that’s partially because I was late for the lesson.

I put my skills immediately to test. And… I arrived at the conclusion that my form’s pretty bad today. My first problem was not changing to 1st gear when moving off. Not once or twice, but many, many times. >.<

Not only that, I did stupid things as well. I signalled right when the instructor told me to turn left. Twice. Don’t ask me why. And for those who don’t know, failure to obey instructions constitutes an immediate failure in a test.

I forgot to cancel signal quite a few times after I change lane. Then immediately after changing to the right lane, I was supposed to keep left again but I didn’t. Too many thoughts running through my mind already.

And there was once I had my eyes fixated on a taxi for some unknown reason and I followed the taxi’s left turn when I was supposed to go straight. That one quite jialat. >.<

When the lesson ended, the instructor simply told me I can go now. There and then, I thought I'd actually failed both subjects which I aimed to pass today. But luckily for me…

Subjects Completed: 1.10, 1.11

Stage One cleared! =)



Lesson 7
2/1/2010 (Sat)
1220-1400

After a near-fail experience, I've decided to be on my 100% alert mode this time. And guess what, I got the same instructor who taught me for my second lesson! Yep, the one who treated me rather coldly but became friendly in the end. I got her name this time. She's Angeline. She greeted me with a smile so I think she recognizes me ba. Haha.

So anyway, I was allowed to drive out of BBDC by myself for the first time. Shows that she has confidence in me! And if I can say so myself, I drove pretty well. I improved on my overtaking, safety routine and I made sure always to start on the first gear. The only comment was that my brake was still a bit harsh. There's still a jerk when the car brakes.

And everything went fine, with the exception of one incident. I almost turned into the wrong lane when I made a right turn. When I was moving out for the right turn, she made a comment about how I'll be making a wide turn if I don't steer more later. For some reason, my subconsciousness processed that comment and thought that I was supposed to make a sharp turn to the right so as to steer into the nearest lane as it was empty.

Luckily for both of us, Angeline noticed the abnormality just in time and steered me back on course. If I were to really complete my turn, I would be driving against the traffic. Which really means disaster.

Phew! Now that was close.

Lesson ended on a good note despite the near disaster experience for both of us..

Subjects Completed: 2.01, 2.02


That's it for this entry.


From my Past,
To my Future

Bike Maintenance

Woohoo! My bike's functioning normally again!

Before, when I cycle I would hear the sound of the sand grinding against the gears or the chain. It goes 'Eeek eeek eeek eeek..' and it's really really irritating! Pains my heart when I think about how the sand is wearing my bike down whenever I take it out for a ride.

I thought it's time to do my bike some justice and so I did some bike maintenance today. And after an hour of cleaning, my bike's functioning as superbly as it did when I first bought it!

The gear and chain now moves perfectly silently! =D

I'm so so glad that my bike has been salvaged and I'm definitely going to maintain my bike more regularly from now on.


From my Past,
To my Future



Anyway, maintenance is very important! I think I'll put that as one of my resolutions!