Tech Speak: If Social Media Is A Drug

http://www.indiskretionehrensache.de/2010/06/social-media-drug/

Oh Yeah! It's Uni Life!: The CAC President Shares About Social Camps

Every year, CAC organise one of the few Cross Faculty Camps in NUS prior to freshies' matriculation. In NUS, we all learn to be independent with our academic excellence and personal growth. More often than not, university's culture is so drastically different from what one would experience before in their lives that adapting to NUS may take some time and effort. Hence, your seniors dedicate themselves to holding a social camp for you to make you feel welcome, to make you feel at home with us at NUS. There is much to learn and one of the easier ways to grab onto the fast train of NUS life is to make new friends and learn from your seniors.

CAC Social Camp is different from your normal faculty camps in that ours is a cross faculty one. You will meet fellow freshmen and seniors from different disciplines with different experiences. You will know more people and learn about cultures and module knowledge beyond your own faculty, an essential part of your NUS life. In NUS, cross discipline academia is emphasised and it is always good to know people from FASS, Engineering, Science, Computing and so on. Networking too has never been more important in this day and age.

There are many paths you can take in NUS. You can focus on your academia and shun a social life and possibilities of multi disciplinary growth. Or, you can take charge of your life, your learning, your social circle and your growth. It takes just one step to venture into the unknown. With us at CAC, you will not only know new friends or gain knowledge about surviving university life. You will realise that you will open up, and explore many possibilities beyond this camp and its participants.

I hope to see you there. Keep an open mind, juniors.

Youtube: 勇氣 - 光良

老歌但我喜欢。挺有意义的。也大概是光良唯一一个没有一直和女生亲嘴的MV。

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ43jHXvjpc

終於作了這個決定　別人怎麼說我不理
只要你也一樣的肯定
我願意天涯海角都隨你去　我知道一切不容易
我的心一直溫習說服自己　最怕你忽然說要放棄

愛真的需要勇氣　來面對流言蜚語
只要你一個眼神肯定　我的愛就有意義
我們都需要勇氣　去相信會在一起
人潮擁擠我能感覺你　放在我手心裡　你的真心

如果我的堅強任性　會不小心傷害了你
你能不能溫柔提醒
我雖然心太急　更害怕錯過你

 

Poll: First Impression Of Me

Did you have a bad first impression of me when we first met due to my dress sense and appearance?     Yes No View Results Make your own poll

Brain Storm: Piercings

The 2 ear piercings on my left ear lobes are good conversation starters, at least in university camps. This is especially true with girls. I think it's a general first impression that guys with piercings are like ah bengs, gangsters that kind. What more when I have two? Most of the time, new friends (ladies especially) won't come up and talk to me, probably because they had a poor first impression (I'm not too sure if guys have poor impression of me when they see my piercings though). However as time passes by during a camp, they slowly realised that I'm not that bad (or, maybe they like bad boys), and they'll come up to me and ask me why did I pierce my ears. That's when it gets interesting. My piercings are not done the normal way, ie. I did not use the gun piercing but needles which are a lot more painful. When I describe how my ears were pierced by needles to them, their expression of disgust, awe, and respect is intriguing and amusing. You'll be surprised how some guys give me the same look too. What is even more interesting is that the girls will then start going around telling other girls and after a moment I'll be surrounded by girls. I know what you're thinking - I'm not far fetched it really happened okay?

I won't say I crave attention, but I won't deny that I enjoy attention either. But these piercings are interesting and I don't really regret getting them. Sure, they don't give very good first impression and it's usually to my disadvantage but I prefer to impress people using my inner beauty, or personality, or whatever you call it. I don't think I do a very lousy job at recovering the bad first impression I cast with my appearance. Further, I can close my ear holes any time I want if I think that I don't want them anymore.

The reason I got 2 piercings instead of 1 is because I wanted to be different. Many people sport single piercings these days. I also chose to pierce on my left ear because I'm a left hander rather than because of the saying that goes "left is right, right is wrong" (which means if you pierce on your left side, you are straight, and if you pierce on your right, you are gay). If tattoos aren't permanent you'll be sure that I'm full of them by now. I'm an accessories person and I think accessories make a person look way better. I used to be very fixated on that when I was younger. I was always donning choker and chains. Now I prefer simply and easy. I think spectacles, watches, hair style (not exactly an accessory but well..), ear studs all make a simple but impressionable difference. That said, you usually see me in my bare minimum nowadays though. I think maturity does make a difference with how I view accessories after a while. Simple is good. But my piercings aren't bad either.

What did you think of me the first time you saw me?

Brain Storm: Dream Job When I Was Young

I went to the Science Centre yesterday, after not having gone inside for about quite a few years. I was reminded of what my childhood dream was. I was quite a geek since back then. I wanted to be a scientist. I looked up to Thomas Edison etc and found science fascinating. I remember telling everyone that I want to be a great scientist and invent lots of things back when I was young. I would keep asking my older cousins what's the age I'll be by the time I can be a scientist and what's the path I need to take. I would listen intently as if I understand what is JC and university at the age of below 5.

Now, I'm an electrical engineer to be. I'm not too sure what kind of electrical engineer yet but electrical engineers are great inventors of the world, considering how electronic the world has become. My dream job is still quite similar though I might venture into software instead of hardware. The bottom line is still to make the world a better place with more advanced technologies. It's not too different from my dream job when I was young, is it?

Brain Storm: Maturing When You Grow Up

I saw a junior 2 days ago on the train when I was on my way home. We had a pretty good chat, if I say so myself. He seemed so honest, so willing to catch up with our own lives. I am glad that I was treated like a friend and not as a senior.

When I see my juniors growing up, catching up with my age, it really heartens me to see them mature. Sometimes they don't seem to notice it. But I can tell. When I saw my junior, he seemed so sincere when we talked. Even if he wasn't sincere, it was great to see such maturity to be polite and all, even though I might have been a negative impact in his life in the past.

I used to interact with lots of people. I can't say I have been the best person to nurture people or create positivity in their lives. I might been too arrogant and too authoritative  to have been kind to most of my peers. As I continued with my life without some of them, I did hear of others' praises for me. I'm happy to know that among the bad things I might have done in the past, there were things I did right. There were people whom became a better or happier person because of who I am or what I did and I'm grateful for the chance I was given.

It's great to see everyone growing up. And perhaps I might have matured a little myself.

Ramblings: Checkmate

I used to be left with King. The opponent's pieces kept cornering me. I move left, the pieces move left to chase after. I move right, the pieces move right and followed suit. Then it kept going on and on.

But today, it was checkmate. And all I can do it refusing to admit defeat. Strength is seeping.

Ramblings: Repent

I've never messed up my life this badly before, with a long string of issues and troubles and accidents. Just when I thought I've repent enough, it seems that perhaps I have not.

I'm going to face the wall somemore, and reflect.

Tech Speak: iOS 5 New Features

During Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2011), Steve Jobs announced a bunch of new features for the upcoming iOS 5. I think Apple is definitely headed in the right direction with stuff like notification system (ripped off from Android) and iMessages (ripped off from Blackberry Messenger). Although Android is still hands down the most feature rich phone, but the learning curve is steep and many things, just like the old iPhones, requires apps to do these things. iOS 5 integrates these new features and make them easy to manage. With luck, Apple might just get a whole lot more Android and Blackberry users on their wagon. Apple already has an amazing number of user base. It is no doubt that these new features will attract more people. Here's some of the most prominent features.

1) Notification System.

The iOS used to be intrusive and forces you to read your mails, messages, whatsapp immediately no matter what you are doing. No longer will that be the case. You can simply swipe down the top of the screen to reveal the notifications and I heard it's easy to remove them as well. A tap on the notification will bring you to the correct app. These notifications appear on the lock screen as well. Nifty.



2) Reminders

This isn't a simple reminder app (built in of course). Aside from time requirements, you can also input location requirements. So say you need to buy milk from NTUC. Key that right in and if you pass by an NTUC (I believe you can only key in one NTUC), it will remind you that you need to get milk. You can set it such that it reminds you when you enter an area or leave an area. Sounds convenient but I wonder about the battery life.

3) OTA (Over the air updates)

One irritating part about iPhones is that you always have to link it up to your PC/Mac to synchronise stuff or update your phone. There are apps which allow you to sync stuff like music wirelessly but this doesn't apply to phone software updates. Now you no longer need to connect to your computer for the first boot up activation and for minor updates (but you'll still need to for major updates). If only they allow app synchronisation over the air just like Android. Oh and music too.

4) iMessages

This inter-iOS messaging tool is compared to BBM (Blackberry Messenger). The idea is basically the same. Messaging made easy for all iPhone users (and iPads I believe). I don't foresee it overthrowing Whatsapp and the likes anytime soon though. It's free and works on wifi and 3G.

5) Twitter integration

Depending on whether the built in twitter app is good or not, this may not be as much of a big deal. I believe it will though unless other 3rd party apps do not get the built in twitter notification. I don't think that many people use Twitter for iPhones since most of my friends use 3rd party apps.

6) A better Safari with Reader integration

This makes web browsing and viewing of RSS feeds much easier. There's now tabbed browsing. Not sure how effective this is as tabbed browsing on my Dolphin Browser HD on Android sucked.

7) iCloud http://pocketnow.com/iphone/apple-introduces-free-icloud-service-with-no-ads-yanks-mobileme

Finally some cloud love from Apple. This is one of strongest point Android had over Apple. iCloud syncs most of your stuff, like documents, files, mails, texts, ringtones, photos, videos, books on the cloud. It's mainly a sync and backup too. Most wonderfully it's gonna be ad free and free of charge. I don't think I saw music though.

8) A better camera

You can now use your volume button as a shutter button. Convenient and less shaky movements. There's also some simple additions like built in red eye reduction, ability to zoom and crop etc.

9) Game Centre, News Stand, Better Mail Client, and a few more

A central game centre will allow you to compare scores with your friends better. News stand includes news from most publishers. A better mail client allows you to send emails much more easily (I'll admit that Android's mail client suck to the core, thank goodness for Gmail app).

You can read up more at http://pocketnow.com/iphone/apple-introduces-ios-5-developing or go to the Apple website to watch the keynote. Now if Apple integrates widgets like Android, we might just have a winner here. Hopefully this goes to iPhone 3GS as well. I really don't think it will go to iPhone 3G though.

Brain Storm: A Master Of Dual Personality

I have done 2 major personality tests till now (not that I thoroughly believe in them), but they have been fairly accurate. I recall talking to my fellow student leaders about our own results and how mine was pretty close to most of them. It then came to the topic of dual personalities. I do suppose some prefer to call it putting on a mask. And I will not deny the fact that sometimes that is the case, especially when I was younger. Still, it dawned on me quite some time ago then I can switch my personality aspects according to the situation though sometimes it takes a quite a bit of willpower to switch.

For eg., we were talk about how most of us are originally introverts. However we can become extroverts if we want to. Is it really putting on a mask? I don't really think so. Because if I reflect back, I guess I truly enjoyed the moments as an extrovert and it is not exactly against my choice. Still, we do agree that it takes energy to do that. When I go to camps, I have to switch my personality to that of an extrovert (if not no point right?). By the end of a camp, I'm usually very exhausted. Not physically, but mentally because I switched to a personality which is the opposite of my original.

This is just but one example. Perhaps this is the easiest personality trait to switch, which is why many people think of it as putting on a mask. For the Myers-Briggs personality test, the only personality trait which I strongly lean towards is Introvert. For those who don't know, Myer Briggs consist of 4 traits. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator

Extrovert-Introvert
Sensing-Intuition
Thinking-Feeling
Judgement-Perception (in general they are either a rational side or an irrational side)

My personality results is INTJ, but for N T and J, I'm quite in between and am able to switch according to situation or to my preference.

As for the 4 Temperaments, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Temperaments

Choleric (workerholic, passionate, driven, ambitious)
Sanguine (extroverted, energetic, sensitive)
Melancholic (perfectionist, emotional, independent)
Phlegmatic (rational, observant, prefer stability)

I scored high for Choleric, mid score for Melancholic and Phlegmatic, and negative score in Sanguine. Things might have changed since I took the test, but in general I am able to move traits a little here and there as well. I think the temperaments are more like personality types compared to Myer Briggs types. It's easier to describe how we change using Myer Briggs compared to the temperaments.

Analysing personalities is one of my hobbies since secondary school, since I'm pretty good at it. It can get pretty complicated but I really think that there is hardly any "simple" people in the world. Everyone has a dark side and everyone has their own shift in personalities depending on the situation. A person can change drastically when in stress, in doubt or in love for example.

Still, due to my own complicated personality, which even my friends mentioned of before, I always have to be careful and differentiate between what is real and what is not. Am I truly enjoying myself as an extrovert? Or am I forcing myself to be sanguine by putting on a mask? This dual personality thing isn't easy.

Tech Speak: Top 10 Awesome Android Features Which iPhone Don't Have

http://lifehacker.com/5801862

There's definitely much more to that, eg. the notification system (but you can get this if you jailbreak your iPhone).

It's a good read. I personally think that the top features are custom ROMs, custom apps to do the same things differently (like SMS), ability to install different keyboards, custom home launchers, widgets, ability to add SD card, wireless app installation and flash. Do read the article for more explanation.

Brain Storm: One Chance

In life, opportunities come and go quickly. Sometimes, there is only one chance, one try. Many times, we do not give it our all when we are going on with our everyday life. It might be because we took it for granted and we simply didn't know that this part of our life is something that can slip away or get ruined. It has become such a mundane part of me that I did not see it as something I could lose. I overestimated myself and now I will pay the price. Maybe people around me will pay the price with me, for something which they did not do. I wouldn't know how it was supposed to turn out now.

It is most unfortunate that I did not realise this. Maybe I could have done better. Maybe not. I'll never know. Maybe it was not meant to be. Maybe I was too hasty with my choice back then. But alas, it was a good experience. I can't imagine my life without it, now that I'm so used to it. But life will have to go on, in the correct direction.

Losing something of this magnitude is sad, but now I know to cherish, and work harder next time in my everyday life, grabbing hold of everything and regarding every aspect as a chance that might just pass by, that only gives one try. Despite my complaints, I was happy doing it. But this is the end. It is regrettable indeed. To the people whom are affected by this, if any, I am truly sorry.

 

This was a really really bad month for me.

Songs: Top Emotional/Sad Final Fantasy OSTs

For every Final Fantasy (or Square games), there is at least one sad Original Sound Track. I don't play so much frankly. But here's a short list of what I like. Sometimes I think listening to OSTs is better than listening to sad emo songs. They're a tad short though.

1) Always On My Mind (Kingdom Hearts)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp_X-Im1On4

2) On That Day 5 Years Ago (Final Fantasy 7)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALEwLnq1ZrI

3) To Zanarkand (Final Fantasy 10)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VFQKpO1unk

4) Bittersweet Romance (Final Fantasy 9)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZOdp9Ma7Zc

5) Aerith's Theme (Final Fantasy 7 Advert Children)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxRIxovS7nQ

6) Missing You (Kingdom Hearts II)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC6Ornb-Kd4

7) The Oath (Final Fantasy 8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCGo5ztB-g8

8) Roxas (Kingdom Hearts II)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9DDGibV9yU

9) Someday The Dream Will End (Final Fantasy 10)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xRCjjiTR7I

Song: 100种生活

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgId62LQEbY

This song is about how there are 100 different ways of living. It's about asking ourselves how we seek out the way we want to live. No one can be strong all the time. There are definitely moments of weakness, moments of doubts. It will take time for us to search our soul and search for the life we want. The lyrics are actually quite sad. But it's sang in a relatively happy way. While I personally feel that nothing is smiling while crying (笑着哭), but I guess this song is trying to tell us to be positive as well. It'll be okay, one day. I heard this song during NUS Resonance concert 2011 The Inside Edition and I really liked it. It's a song which didn't impose that there will be a happy ending. But it's possible and we should all try.

卢广仲 - 100种生活

整个世界停止不转动很寂寞
走在海边数着萤火虫好困惑
想要的生活怎么有一百种
不想掉进这深深漩涡
整个海洋摆动柔软地举起我
孤单给我自由犹豫得好感动
想要的生活怎么有一百种
该怎么走谁来告诉我 wow
每当我背对星空
抱着地球
发现自己其实脆弱不敢说
当我背对星空
孤独摸索
爱情渐渐萎缩我猜不透
无边的宇宙哪里有我想要的生活
整个海洋摆动柔软地举起我
孤单给我自由犹豫得好感动
想要的生活怎么有一百种
该怎么走谁来告诉我 wow
每当我背对星空
抱着地球
发现自己其实脆弱不敢说
当我背对星空
孤独摸索
爱情渐渐萎缩我猜不透
无边的宇宙哪里有我想要的生活
每当我背对星空
抱着地球
发现自己其实脆弱不敢说
当我背对星空
孤独摸索
爱情渐渐萎缩我猜不透
无边的宇宙哪里有我想要的生活
我那一百种要在很久很久以后才会懂
我一百种生活

Ramblings: GSS For Annual Restock

The Great Singapore Sale is the time of the year when I do my annual restock of clothes. Though I'm a shopper, I rather buy clothes at the other times of the year as I'm always too broke and cheapo. Here's a list of what I need to replenish.

1) Jeans

2) Socks

3) Polo shirts (many of them, in order to upkeep my professional image in school next semester)

4) Graphic tees

5) Casual/semi-formal shoes (dark tone or pure white for more formal occasions)

6) Metal watch

7) Underwear

8) Shoe bag

There's many other things I want but money doesn't come easy these days. Oh well. Hopefully the sale will be full force

Interest(ing): The Truth Behind Sunscreen + Ranking of Best Sunscreens

With numerous university camps coming up, it's a good time to invest in a good tube of sunscreen. Here's an article from Lifehacker which states that high SPF doesn't mean anything. The short article is basically based off another website which ranked 1400 different sunscreens. There are also explanations on why Vitamin A is bad etc.

http://lifehacker.com/5805270/find-the-best-sunscreens-with-the-fewest-hazardous-ingredients

Find the ranking of the sunscreens here http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/ .

Apparently Banana Boat - a common brand in Singapore, is quite lousy. Looks like I have to source for others.

Brain Storm: My Role Model - Helen Keller

I mentioned that when I was in secondary school, I did a personality test. The test was pretty comprehensive. It showed me my strengths and weaknesses in each area and how to enhance or curb them. They also categorise us according to personality types and each type has a sort of role model attached to it.

My role model was Helen Keller. The test said that I was like her because I believed in one thing. It was the famous quote which she said.

I am only one. But still I am one. I can only do something. But still there is something I can do. I will not refuse to do that something which I can do - Helen Keller.

Apparently my perfectionist and high-and-mighty personality makes me compelled to do something which I feel strongly about or something which I think my contribution will make a difference. I've always wanted to be a commander in the army because I feel that I will be able to make better of the soldiers' lives, though that dream never happened. I wanted to be a policeman because of how self righteous I am (but too bad I was underweight). I guess a nice way of phrasing it is that I am helpful. But it really is in me to want to do something if I feel that I can contribute in my own way.

Strangely enough, this personality and quote which I believe in has gotten me into trouble enough times in my lifetime. Yet I still keep going. I mentioned how jaded I was, leading the my club on my Facebook. I said I wanted to step down. I'm not sure how many people agrees with what a friend said, but he commented that "You will not (step down)". Somehow, I think that will be exactly it. Should I be happy about this? I'm not sure. But I still strongly believe in Helen Keller's spirit. If you can do something, don't refuse to do it, even if you are but one. Because you can affect lives positively. Because you can make the difference.

Item: I May Be Left-Handed

Nard says when he saw this in USA, he immediately thought of me, even though Ed is also a left hander. He said it was because of how self righteous I was and mainly because that sounds like something I would say. I think I have always been very cocky to my friends, in a cheeky manner. Kind of like the qian bian (欠扁) kind. They have learnt to laugh it off I think. But don't you think sometimes it is amusing? I am always the laughing stock of my friends. Yet somehow I don't mind and I got so used to it already. If my presence creates laughter among my friends, much unlike how it used to be in the past, isn't that a good thing? Have I changed? Am I right?

Thanks Nard!

Brain Storm: How I Respect My Teachers

My Higher Chinese teacher in secondary school said before that she was upset when her ex student came back to visit her and called her by her name. It feels terribly wrong to call someone older than you and the person who imparted precious knowledge to you without any salutations. I remember how she said it to this day. That's why I have never called a teacher who taught me before by his or her name.

However just now when I met my JC tutor for a drink, he told me that I should call him by his name though I have not been doing that for the 3 years since I graduated. I guess it's because he's a young teacher and feels that we should be friends instead of just teacher and student. I guess I'll comply, but I still think that calling my teachers by their salutation is the simplest respect I can give.

Ramblings: Rational and Running Away

I've been flattered a few times in my life. My friends know how arrogant I am, so they usually refrain from complimenting me. Arrogant as I am, I do agree with what they say. Though I also really appreciate it.

Last year, a close pal said that I was one of the most rational person he knows. He commented that despite having no relationship experiences, I was able to advise many people regarding their relationships. However, those relationships are usually souring ones and therefore they need my rational thinking to analyze the situation for them. Well so you can say that my advice always results in breaking up in my secondary school days. Another close friend hinted before that I was quite a mature person as well.

Just now I was having a chat with a long-time-no-see friend and he commented on how I was one of the most rational and mature person he knows. He then mentioned that if even I cannot be rational in certain situations, how can others possibly be? I guess that's true. It's a perspective I've never looked at before.

I guess sometimes it's okay to run away. Sometimes it's okay to hide. I think I sort of understand why my predecessor ran away now. It's sort of the same thing.

Still, I am flattered. =)

Ramblings: What's The Reason?

Sometimes when something goes wrong, you want to find out the reason. You want to know what went wrong. But when you can't find out why, you get frustrated. Very frustrated. And it makes it so hard to move on.

Rushing things is never a good thing. I guess sometimes it takes time before you realise what went wrong. Maybe it wasn't as what you thought. Maybe you thought of a thousand reasons. But there was a 1001th reason. Or maybe it was the most simple thing which you thought of but tried to brush it off because you didn't want to think of that as the reason. Maybe you were not suitable. Maybe you whined too much. Maybe you scared off the other party. Maybe you pissed everyone off.

Maybe it was just not meant to be.

Brain Storm: Optimism Not

Life is never simple. There are always tons of struggle. Sometimes struggling works. Sometimes it doesn't.

There's a lot of times we wish struggling will. There's also sometimes when you feel that struggling won't work so you don't even try.

I was told optimism is a good thing. But everytime I am hopeful about something, it will end badly. No matter how much I struggle. No matter how much effort I make. No matter how much I plead.

So I went to the dark side. I was always known as a perfectionist and one who thinks pessimism all the time. But I am also human. I also hope. Hope keeps me alive. So what does living entails now that I have no hopes, nothing to struggle about and no one to plead to?

How can one still think optimism is a good thing? Optimism doesn't prepare me for this.

Brain Storm: The Irony Of Life

Have you been in a situation where life seemed to have played you out? You were just minding your own business and an attractive opportunity popped out. You fought, you got it. Then soon, you realised that it's gone. It might be because it was not meant to be in the first place, it might be because you thought too lightly of it. It might have been that you were not yet ready. But no matter the reason, no matter the struggle, it might just slip out of your hand.

It may come back. It may not. Just when you were composing yourself, pacing your steps, getting ready to move on with life, another opportunity comes again. But this time, you are skeptical. You have been through it once. Something precious just got torn from you. Or perhaps other reasons are stopping you from taking it up. You tell yourself you cannot make the same mistake again. But the opportunity won't stay there and wait. You know it may be taken away, you know it may just go away before you can grab hold of it.

Life is ironic, no?

You only live life once. I'd have faith, I'd steady my footing, I'd grab hold of it. Because it won't come again. And you'll never know if you'll regret it unless you try.

Sights and Sounds: Punggol Waterfront Park (Incomplete)

[update: Punggol Waterway is completed and I took some photos there. http://infinite.acperience.net/2011/11/sights-and-sounds-my-punggol-waterway/ ]

A few days back my dad told me that the Punggol PCN is done already, so I went to check it out. It was pretty awesome so today I brought my phone along to snap a few (low quality) photos. Although really this is just a jogging route, I believe it's part of the Punggol Waterfront Park or whatever they're calling it. The park connector joins Hougang park to Punggol via Sengkang West Ave I think. The route goes all the way to Punggol East where a relatively huge activity centre is. It has many eateries, seafood centre, billards, bicycle and rollerblades rental shop etc. The atmosphere there is lovely and it's a great place to hang out. Though I must note that the sports rental shop and the billards centre is not opened yet. The place is relatively secluded but you can get there from Punggol LRT. Just take the north east line to Punggol MRT and change to Punggol LRT. Alight at Riveria station when you see the activity centre which is right next to a temple. You can also take bus 3 (Pasir Ris) , 83 (from Sengkang) and 85 (from Yishun).

I'll say it's worth checking out. I haven't gone all the way down the jogging route though. I'll do that when I get enough stamina. I should go there with my friends soon because I stay right opposite the activity centre and for once I will reach home before they do!

The board walk starts from here. It's a nice place to chill.

Here's the activity centre with restaurants, fast food etc.

This is right next to the eateries. The billards rooms and sports rental shop have not opened yet though.

This is the sort of entrance. And guess what, the closest building to this place is my home. =)

Interest(ing): Sweetest Marriage Proposal Ever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnVAE91E7kM

Brain Storm: Dealing With Deadbeats

http://lifehacker.com/5802148/how-to-deal-with-deadbeats-by-using-clever-tricks-and-blackmail

Here's an interesting article from lifehacker on how to deal with deadbeats, basically people who promise something but don't care anymore thereafter. Er, not on relationships though...

Brain Storm: Personality Change

It's surprising how some people's personality can change 180 degrees depending on the mood. I wouldn't say it depends on the situation because we are always reacting according to our environment. It might be because one was experiencing problems of the affairs of the heart or it might be because you are talking to a lover instead of a friend. Your expectations, views, stance might all change, drastically.

When I did my personality test in Sec 4, I found out that my personality is, as everyone guess it, a self righteous, arrogant, hardcore, perfectionist kind of person. I get angry easily but I hide most of my emotions inside. An exploding introvert, you might call it. This remains my personality now, though there has been positive growth to my maturity and outlook in general. However there was a time in my life when my personality drastically changed. It just so happened that I was sitting for another personality test. Okay they might not be that accurate, fair enough. But the results of the personality test was jaw dropping. I was totally another person. I was facing some personal problems then. And the test results showed that I was a person who is crushed by outsider comments easily, extremely sensitive, no self motivation, gets upset easily. Basically the opposite of what I was.

I was appalled. And I think it may just happen frequently in my life. Pardon me.

Tech Speak: Google I/O 2011 Summary

http://phandroid.com/2011/05/12/google-io-2011-wrap-up-what-was-your-favorite-announcement-or-moment/

Here's a good post on what happened during Google I/O 2011 (I/O stands for Input Output in computing language btw).

Here are some highlights which I feel are significant (to me anyway).

1) Android Honeycomb 3.1 update released.

2) Android Ice Cream Sandwich coming out in Q4 2011 and will integrate both tablet and phone form factors for Android

3) Google Music Beta launched (but only in US)

4) Google together with some carriers and phone manufacturers promise 18 months of updates for each phone

5) Chromebook, a netbook which is fully web based, that is, the operating system is the chrome browser will be launched in mid June.

Google I/O  2010 gave all its attendees a Nexus One (I think). This year they gave everyone a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Both were new products which have not even been launched. If you think about it, though Google I/O's ticket cost like really expensive (more than a few hundred bucks I think), the free gift makes up for it. Really hope I can go there too. Too bad I'm not a developer. I think next year they will probably give the Google TV.

Brain Storm: A Thousand Birthday Wishes

My birthday this year had passed long ago. As usual, I can count the number of people who wished me happy birthday with my fingers. And no, my Facebok wasn't flooded with messages. The reason is because you won't find my birthday anywhere on the internet. Since secondary school times, I refrained from telling people my birthday because I find it pointless. More than the fact that it is just "another day", those who wanted to make you feel special on that day would have remembered your birthday.

Granted, some people need reminders and most people these days count it on Facebook rather than good old calendar. However you must admit that 90% of the people who wished you on Facebook "happened to see it" and maybe half of them can't remember when was the last time you interacted with them. The sincerity is not there. On the day when I was supposed to be king of the world, I can't find it more empty than having a thousand birthday wishes from people whom you know probably don't give half shit about you on any other day. Let's face it, how many friends from your hundreds of Facebook friends are truly your friends?

Unfortunately, I do agree that new friends need an avenue for birthday date. It will seem odd for people to go up to a new friend and ask for his/her birthday for recording purposes. These days Facebook is really the way to go. Then again there are also those people who get minimal well wishes despite showcasing their birth dates to the world (which is really sad). I guess I should try that next year to see whether I'm one of those people.

Tech Speak: Backup Your Office Documents with Google Cloud Connect

Google Cloud Connect is an add on for Microsoft Office. It simply enables auto/manual synchronisation with your Google Docs account. Cloud Connect appears as an additional toolbar for Office. Should you put it to auto, it syncs with your Google Docs each time you save. Naturally you can set it to manual as well. If you do not know already, Google Docs allows the uploading of Office formats (serving as backups) and it also has its own format (you can convert Office formats to Google Docs format if you want to edit it online). Cloud Connect backups your files rather than converting it into Google Docs format, thus preserving the formatting of your documents.

Google Cloud Connect can be downloaded here and it works for Office 2003, 2007 and 2010. It is not available for Mac yet.

 

Brain Storm: How To Achieve A Perfect Flight

http://lifehacker.com/#!5797541/how-to-lie-cheat-and-steal-your-way-to-a-perfect-flight

Here's an interesting read from Lifehacker about how to be cunning about flights to get the best out of it. While I wouldn't say it will work perhaps for us Singaporeans, but it's still worth a read. Especially that last point.

Youtube: Google Chrome : Dear Sophie

I've always liked the advertisements which Google come up with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4vkVHijdQk

Tech Speak: How Google Hires

http://gigaom.com/2011/05/02/eric-schmidt-former-google-ceo-how-google-hires/

Here's an article which Eric Schmidt explains what are the things Google looks out for when they interview people. One nice thing here, they do not mind getting people who lack team work. Hmm but shucks, they did mention that it applies to people who are exceptionally smart.

The article also mentioned that Google received 75000 resumes when it stated that it is hiring 6000 people. Dang, such slim chances for me eh...

Oh Yeah It's Uni Life! - Bad College Nostalgia (Engineering)

http://www.geekosystem.com/engineering-professor-meme/2/

Holy cow, I'm not even past 1 year through my engineering school life and more than half of it is true. I wish I could say "this brings back memories" but the truth is I still have 3 years to go.

 



 

Seriously I hate this line.

Tech Speak: iPhone 5 May Look Like This

http://thisismynext.com/2011/04/22/iphone-5-design/

It'll be great... for iPhone fanboys if iPhone 5 looks like this. Though this only a made up model, it looks like it might be pretty much how the end product will look like according to all the rumours so far. Why can't Android based phones look nicer? After so many Android phones, they all look the same or plain ugly these days. Blackberries look professional. iPhones look cool. Android on the other hand looks too run of the mill. Hope thing's will change soon. Android might be full of functionality but still...

 

which of these Androids elude sexiness to you? Okay maybe Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc does a little. But that's it.

This is my phone HTC Desire Z. Need me to express how ugly it is?

Sights And Sounds: Miss Thunder Thighs

I saw this girl just now wearing hot shorts so short that she looks like she's not wearing anything underneath. Actually she might really have not worn anything. And she rocked gigantic thunder thighs.

Now before I get flamed, I'm not here to judge. I'm not the hunk-est guy around and my dress sense isn't good either. But she's frankly more dressing to expose herself rather than mere bad dress sense. I mean, everyone should be at least a little conscious of himself/herself right? Can't you tell that you have thunder thighs!?

You'll get approval from me to wear hot shorts if your legs are at least as slim as mine. Else please stare hard at yourself in your lousy fashion in the mirror. If it didn't crack, you aren't staring hard enough.

The same goes with guys who have huge tits. I think they feel like a woman or something when they wear those really low neck exposing tee shirts. There's gotta be pride in them else their skin shouldn't be thick enough for them to step out of their house in that horrendous attire.

Slice Of Life: Speech While Playing Game

I remember when I was in JC1, I went back to my alma mater for their Sec 1 Orientation Debrief with the student council. There was a disagreement of some sort and I stepped in to interrupt them. The whole time I spoke my hands were on Ben's Mac with Ed beside me. He interrupted me sometimes and we laughed occasionally while I was talking. After I finished my "inspiring" speech, a junior asked, "did you just read all of that from a script?" I turned the Mac around. It was some maze game. Lol. I loved the faces my juniors made.

I was so young then (that's like 5 years ago?). Whether whatever I said was crap or not, I probably can't do that nowadays.

Tech Speak: Apple No Longer Dominant

http://www.businessinsider.com/smartphone-survey-results-2011-4?op=1

Singaporeans wake up your idea please.

Android has become more dominant in other parts of the world but in Singapore iPhone is still a common sight. Most people still agree that iPhone is superior to Android. How shallow.

Now, iPhone 4 is a good phone. There is no denying that. In fact, I hope that Apple continues with the good job and keep the competition going. Healthy competition keeps the industry progressing. What I hate (in fact you can even tell this from the surveyors) is that iPhone fanboys are obnoxious and they think iPhone is the ONLY way to go and it is superior in every way.

Give me a moment while I go knock my head against the wall. I live in a country where most people think this way.

Ramblings: Going Outschool With My 7kg Bag

the bag is bigger than my upper body

Sometimes I feel like slaughtering the person who urged me to get my 16inch gaming laptop. It's so huge and heavy that everyday I feel like a freaking turtle.

My laptop itself is 3kg. My power brick is 0.5kg. The big bag (else it won't contain the laptop) is 1kg itself. Add my water bottle and thermal mug that's another 1kg. My stationery (pencil case, calculator etc) and notes weighs 1kg. Add my other misc stuff I have myself a 7kg field camp.

Yes soldier let's go.

 

 

...I swear I'll buy a tablet.

Ramblings: Semester Break

My females friends have been tweeting about what they look forward to doing after the exams. Movies, shopping, gatherings, overseas trip etc. And then I look at my to-do list.

Projects
Proposals
Planning camp
Handing over ceremony
Data collection
More projects

That's my life. But I do have some of own things to do.

I gotta

Sort out my music (it's in a mess)
Sort out my photos (not so much in a mess but still)
Set up usb/dual-boot Arch Linux (been wanting to learn that)
Learn a bit of java from brother
Set up my cloud sync with Google proper

They're geeky stuff. There's not much hype. But that'll do. I shan't complain too much. I still look forward to the holidays. Recharge and get ready for a busy sem 3 and sem 4.

Slice of Life: Me-Time

A friend said it sounds sad to go drink coffee along in a cafe. I think not. Some people need their me-time. Some people need more, some less. I love being alone. It sets me thinking in my own perspective again. It shields me from all the distractions I face everyday. It calms me down. It separates me from reality for a short while. I can do what I want during my me-time. It's a void craved out from my life. A void which is useful.

 

me-time, it's just me and starbucks

Ramblings: Gossip People

I squirm at the thought sometimes. It's so widespread, it's taken so lightly. There goes this 2 friends acting like they're so nice to each other face to face, and behind one's back, another will talk to me about how we both dislike this person. And I can imagine it all so well, behind my back, all that gossiping, all that backstabbing. It's only natural.

Brain Storm: The Fine Line Between Moron and Leader

Let's face it. A lot of times excellent leaders are a little or very crazy. And all excellent leaders are confident. Whether they say it out or portray it out, they don't get distracted from the vision they set. However more often than not, morons have the same traits. When a person is loud and less-than-contributing, he usually has an odd sense of confidence in himself. He usually doesn't think before he says anything but yet thinks that whatever he said is "great stuff" after he has said it. The mind works after the mouth. Most people don't have rock solid confidence or egoism and will notice when they are shunned or despised. However when one is overly annoying, people usually won't tell it to his face that he's "less than perfect". Or he could just be so obnoxious that he doesn't notice that he is hated.

After working with many strong leaders, I can sense how confident each of them are. It is therefore sad that both the good and the bad share some traits to a certain extent. Sadly even if an obnoxious person noticed something is off, he will have ways to convince himself that all is well. After being in university for almost a year, I've seen quite a variety of people and learnt a few things. Confidence is cheap. Talk is cheap. Some people are born with it.

If you are a confident person, sometimes it's difficult to know whether you're good or are just plain obnoxious. It's not the least bit very accurate, but sometimes elections do show a little more than you can hope for. In 4 month's time, I will know.

The line is fine but the distinction is great.

 

Tech Speak: April's Fool

It's April's Fool again. Here's some good ones by Google and Starbucks this year.

 

1) Gmail Motion http://mail.google.com/mail/help/motion.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu927_ul_X0

Introducing Gmail Motion. Work with your emails using your webcam.

 

2) Google Docs Motion Beta http://www.google.com/google-d-s/promos/motion.html




3) Google Autocompleter http://www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/uslocations/mountain-view/autocompleter/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blB_X38YSxQ

Be an autocompleter. Requirements include being able to type 32000 words per minute and being psychic. You will break about one keyboard every 8 days.

 

4) Chromericse http://www.chromercise.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjbkAECbDBE

Your web browser can't get any faster but your fingers can. Exercise them today.

 

5) Comic Sans for your Chrome Browser http://www.google.com/landing/csfe/

Research shows that Comic Sans is a better font than others. While the research sounds fake, the Chrome extension is real. Download it at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/inoibihbncpenbmllpjoonoaadechdng#. I've enabled it and now my Chrome looks... funny.

 

6) Starbucks Mobile Pour http://www.starbucks.com/blog/introducing-starbucks-mobile-pour



Now you can use GPS to let Starbucks deliver a coffee straight to your location. Baristas on scooters, how cool. iPhone only.

 

Ramblings: Whiney Blogs

I kind of enjoy reading whiney, angry blogs which talks about how the whole world is against them. They remind me of my former self and my old blog, some 5 years ago. Consistantly angry, sad, attention seeking, delusional (that people actually read your blog and share your sorrow).

Weak.

These days I write with a bitchy style. Bitchy blogs are the new in thing.

Tech Speak: Cyanogenmod Girls

http://pocketnow.com/android/cyanogemod-grows-up-removes-cm-girls-wallpaper

http://www.cyanogenmod.com/blog/the-cm-girls-wallpaper-and-its-effect

For the record, I think enough has been said about this issue. What I don't understand is why is there so much hoohah about a picture like this? Cyanogenmod is a custom ROM for Android created by Cyanogen as a home made custom ROM for a small group of people in the past. It was about openness, more open than Android's open-source-ness is, apparently. This picture apparently symbolises freedom. Naturally there will be 2 camps of people, those who feel that this freedom should stay as it is with the picture and those who feel that professionalism is at stake and the picture should be removed.

But this is just a photo of a group of hot babes right? Is it really so unprofessional? Furthermore, one of the developers (after making the decision to take this photo off), has already uploaded it for anyone to use. I don't get why people still need to make so much noise after a decision has been made. Just get over it already. I think ultimately the spirit of Android is about choice. There will definitely be people who are fine with this and people who are not. The final decision (with the uploading of this photo) is the best compromise. Period, so people should just keep quiet already.

Oh by the way, I'm a proud user of Cyanogenmod and I have been a tester for CM7 alpha ever since Build 10. It works great on my rooted HTC Desire Z. For more info, check out http://www.cyanogenmod.com/ or you can ask me. =)

Open Source FTW.

NUS: Financial Assistance (for prospective and returning students)

NUS offers a whole bunch of financial assistances, ranging from partial loan, helping you find work, bursary etc. The deadline for this year is 1st April, which is 4 days away. So don't forget that. Financial assistance application requires you to key in some stuff online. Once that is done, you have 2 weeks to submit some documents, for eg. photocopies of your IC, your parents salary slips etc. The 2 weeks start from the day you submit your application so lets say you submitted the application on 1st March when the application just started, the deadline to submit the documents will still be 2 weeks, meaning you have to submit the documents even before overall deadline of the financial assistance.

Don't fret even if you have missed the deadline. If you request properly, I doubt NUS will deny you financial assistance just because you forgot about it.

There are a few tiers of financial assistance. However they are mostly loans so don't be too happy and just apply without thinking.

Tier 1: Tuition Fee Loan (TFL)

In order to get any other type of loans (with the exception of MOE bursary I think), you need to have this. That said, the final approval date for TFL is late June. You can apply for all other financial assistance which requires this but at the end of the day you will only be approved for those financial assistance if you got approved for TFL. TFL is basically loan of up 80% or 90% of your tuition fees from either DBS or OCBC. You just need to go down to the banks to ask for the application form. TFL requires a guarantor.

Tier 2: NUS Study Loan (w/ Living allowances)

This loan covers for the remaining 10% to 20% of your tuition fees. There's also a $3600 you can apply for living allowances. You can apply for either, or both.

Tier 3: Bursary

You can apply for NUS bursary or MOE bursary during this period of time. If you wish to apply for other bursaries which open for application later, you can do so it. More often than not, you can only get ONE bursary per year. So choose wisely. I got MOE bursary though there's less money but there's less of a hassle. Apparently you need to go for sponsorship/donor talks from time to time if you chose NUS' sponsored bursary.

Tier 4: Work Study Assistance

NUS will help you find jobs inside NUS eg. Lab assistance, ushers for University Cultural Centre, manning of Student Lounge etc. I did not go for this so I don't know much details.

Tier 5: Student Assistance Loan

This is just yet another loan of $500 or $2000 (if you live in Halls of Residences).

 

All loans' interest starts 6 months after you graduate or the moment you get a job, whichever comes first. Therefore I recommend that people with doubts apply first, there's nothing to lose. Most financial assistance have requirements except for TFL. For more info, visit http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/scholarships-financialaid/financialaid/financial-index.html

Note: this applies to returning students as well.

Oh Yeah It's Uni Life: Why NUS Is The Best Choice - Vibrant Campus Life

If you ask anyone from NUS, probably less than 1 out of 10 will tell you that they know of a stray cats society (NUS Cat Cafe http://blog.nus.edu.sg/nuscatcafe/about/). NUS has about a total of nearly 200 clubs/societies/interest groups. There's always something for everyone. Here in NUS, vibrant campus life is an important part of education, an important part of our university life. Throughout the semester, posters of activities are actively being put up and at every turn you will see information/recruitment booths being set up.

University life requires quite a bit of independence. One will not find opportunities flying to them, whether its activities, career opportunities or enrichment programmes. But they are there. Campus life is everywhere as well, though some people do not notice it. All it takes is a little observation, a little curiosity and lots of open-mindedness.

In general, there are 3 categories of student activities. One is under the umbrella of NUS Students' Union and the other is clubs/societies which are generally independent and the last university supported clubs (CFA). NUSSU consist of 14 constituent clubs, of which 10 of faculty clubs and 4 are non faculty clubs, namely Cultural Activities Club, Sports Club, Community Service Club and Political Association. Here's some examples of student activities which I am aware of.

1) Faculty activities

As a freshman, you should always take notice of your faculty club and be familiar with it. There are lots of relevant activities which will be useful to you as a student. Besides the exciting camps, faculty clubs also organises pageant bash, career fairs, fund raising activities, bazaars, student welfare activities and lots more. Personally I attended my freshmen Social Camp at Faculty of Engineering and I never looked back since. I made a lot of friends and got to know the university and how it works a lot better by the time I went for my Engin Oweek Camp.

2) Cultural/Arts Activities

There are many arts related activities in NUS as well. If you are interested in watching performances, keep a look out for posters around school. Arts festivals, regular productions by Cultural Activities Club (the club I am in), various societies are also aplenty. For those who want to learn something new, Cultural Activities Club offer courses for students from beginners till to intermediate for various genres such as guitar, street jazz, hip hop, ballroom dance, salsa, lindy hop and bboying. These courses are conducted per semester basis so fret not about having a busy semester. You can always join another semester and try different things in different semesters. CAC is not the only club which offers such courses. Staff Club, SRC (Sports and Recreation Centre) and CFA (Centre for the Arts) offer courses from time to time as well but usually at a higher rate. If you are a performer and wish to join a group professionally, CAC's clubs have performing teams as well, including singing clubs Resonance (acappella), Voices (mandopop) and Guitar (which is a band). CAC also has a traditional instruments group Angklung. CFA has several performing groups like Dance Blast and Synergy.

www.nuscac.org

www.nus.edu.sg/cfa

3) Community Service

Community Service Club (CSC) is a club under NUSSU's wing as well. Despite that, it has strong connections with other service clubs in NUS such as NUS Volunteer Action Committee. I have not participated in community service in NUS yet so I am not extremely familiar but I do know they have a huge spread of volunteering opportunities including OCIPs.

www.nus-csc.org

4) NUSSU (leadership) and its branch organisations

The Students' Union is basically an organisation which takes care of the students' welfare. Welfare is a word with a broad meaning. While some students don't realise it, many things are part of students' welfare. For eg. photocopying machines in school, computer labs, residential stay, student's lounge, career talks, camps etc all fall under welfare. There are much more to this list of course. Generally, all constitution clubs (10 faculty and 4 non faculty) falls under NUSSU but there are other committees are part of NUSSU as well such as Public Relations Unit (PRU), Bizcom, International Relations Committee (IRC), Computer Based Learning Centre (CBLC) etc.

5) Clubs/Societies

There are many types of clubs/societies/interest groups which cater to different needs and interest. For example, Original Music Club is a club for like minded friends to come together to discuss and play music. Japanese Studies Society's name speak for itself. There are around 100 such groups.

6) Others/Misc

You can join Research Centres as a helper, or help out at student cafes which are completely owned by students. Or you can join a residential committee and contribute to fellow students' welfare who stay in a hall of residences.
As you can see, many opportunities for students exist in NUS. School life never stops and there's never a moment of dullness, if you stop and notice, if you take time to seek, if you take effort to explore. NUS offers you endless possibilities.

Oh Yeah It's Uni Life!: Why NUS Is The Best Choice [1]

I've had a hard time choosing between NTU and NUS a year ago. Now that I'm in NUS, I've never looked back. There are many reasons why one would choose to go to another university other than NUS. But none are as compelling as why NUS is the the best choice.

As a student with an active school life in NUS, I'll be giving you insights to why NUS is the choice. I'll be touching on topics like vibrant campus life, hostel life, academia, facilities, as well as other administrative issues such as financial aid.

Juniors, do feel free to ask me if you have any questions. No matter what, seeing is believing. Come down to NUS Open House 2011 this coming weekend on 12th and 13th March to know what you're in for if you choose NUS. Oh and you'll have to drop by the Cultural Activities Club booth! I'll be there.