yups..finally confirmed my graduation with 2nd upper class honors. Not as fantastic as many of my friends who cleared their first-class, but I'm satisfied with what I've got, even how lazy I have mostly been. Finally scored an A for a level 4 module - kudos to my lecturer who really got me interested in the subject area, and my project team for just being brilliant perfectionists. Now I need to buck up and look forward to new things, and set some new directions for the next major phase of my life.
Career-wise, there's that research job that I'm doing. It's guaranteed to be tough - the subject area is technically challenging yet very promising. Ultra-wideband networks will be the next big mass-market technology since GSM, spanning application areas from smart homes to detection systems that can penetrate below ground and through walls. Sounds like a red-hot area to do some good research hmm? Picking up a Masters along the way. PhD is unlikely though, unless NUS makes me a scholarship offer I cant refuse. But if I can really live up to that calibre, I would probably go to the States for PhD. Berkeley, Stanford, Carnegie-Mellon or MIT? I hope I get the privilege d headache of choosing which one to attend.
And I really really need to get in shape. Been eating and sleeping so much I am starting to scare myself with how lazy I have become. Reinstalled Starcraft out of absolute boredom and played for five hours straight until I got a headache. ICT is coming up in July. And I really dont want to run that stupid 2.4km six rounds around the track. Will have to do some intensive training soon and take the test at Maju Camp . Hopefully I can make that $200 from the IPPT and pick up another $200 from ICT shooting range while getting my regular pay. :)
I jsut had a crazy idea while I was bathing, dont ask me why. I was wondering if I could whip myself in shape enough to run the Standard Chartered Marathon this December. Kinda got inspired by the Aviva Corporate Marathon ads on tv. I figured that if I could run a decent timing for IPPT ad train thereafters for the Sheares Bridge Run, there is a minute chance I may actually make a marathon at age 25.
Right now, I'm heading out for supper with the guys to celebrate our graduation. Will think of more fun ideas soon.
Watched 'pirates3' with an old friend today. Didnt quite catch the story cos i missed 'pirates2' but the show was quite good with great effects. Johnny Depp was hilarious in his quirky way, as usual. Movie was a bit too long; found myself wondering if it would ever end.
Anyway, my friend happens to be working in MTI as an economist and he is drawing SGD3.5k a month. Blarrdy hell, who says arts grads get paid less?! His pay beats anyone I know hands down. And not withstanding his 3-month civil service bonus! Gosh, it really makes me wonder constantly if I chose the right path of going into research and graduate study, when the job market out there is red hot.
Nobody I know so far is staying in NUS, with the exception of a brilliant, budding immunologist. But his case is different. His arena is research in the life sciences and he has a very solid foundation and work environment. In contrast, I have to work practically from scratch to read up on my domain knowledge. And my boss is not known for staying around to help his students much. He is one of those super-achieving types - principal scientist in a research institute, lecturer for two modules a semester, one of which is at graduate level; project manager of a SGD15 million R&D project funded by the government; and in the middle of all this find time to manage a publication list that makes me giddy even trying to read it. I'm gettin' thrown into the deep end of the pool here. Dunno if I am up to such high performance expectations.
Been thinking about my career prospects and direction quite a lot these days. Feelin' quite inadequate around my peers who seem to be doing very well. Does feel a bit weird that I am going back to study for another 2 years, instead of making big bucks out there. And the high expectations I'm subjected to, given the unfamiliarity of my work environment. It gets mental.
Exam results out in seven hours. Not sure if I am looking forward to it.
Re-formatted my PC and installed Windows Vista on it after giving it a memory boost. System is running quite fast now, and I've got a wireless home network and a pretty awesome GUI courtesy of the folks at Redmond. Haven't got any games installed but I dont think I will be playing much anytime soon. Wanna save it all up for Starcraft 2.
Managed to rent quite a few DVDs to watch. 'Letters from Iwo Jima' was quite good, though emotional. Huge contrast with 'Pearl Harbour'. I should watch 'Flags of our Fathers' soon. Now left with "Babel', 'Blood Diamond' and ''The Fountain' - looking forward to them. Gonna watch 'Pirates3' tomorrow. And "Shrek3' soon. And maybe some international films.
Been spending some time working on renovation plans for MM. Really like Sihui's idea of a lounge concept, seems like it could actually free up more space to move around while keeping a cosy area good for chilling. Gonna have to think up some design and color themes to give the cafe a more unique identity. Things looks good so far. It's a perfect excuse for me to go around cafes and chill-spots in SG to check out their design concepts and decor, all in the name of research.
Speaking of which, I've have to get started on my self-reading to prepare for my research job. After four years in NUS I still don't feel I know a lot. I've merely 'gone through the motion' of studying for exams, doing projects and mindless presentation ramblings. I'm not convinced I know enough to be expected of a graduate student; and my prof will probably constantly drive this point across. Gotta get started on my research papers and textbooks. I think they will make me do up a research proposal very soon.
And I desperately need to read. I have this weird, and costly, habit of buying or borrowing books that I never read. Even my Harry Potter books, which I bought in order to verify that they are better than the movies, remain untouched and now yellowed. Need to clear them fast. After that, I wanna read the Dragonlance Chronicles again. Call it rediscovering the magic of fantasy realms.
Still enjoying the luxury of having nothing to do but wallow at home. Gettin' fat. Will probably exercise when I feel like it. Or I can just simulate exercise by watch sports on tv, like the Champions League finals tonite. Go Liverpool! :)
Think I've got about 2 weeks left before officially starting on my research job. Treating it with dreadful anticipation - demanding professor, insanely regular work hours and a subject domain which I think I know practically nothing about. Dunno how I'm gonna handle it but it beats doing nothing all day at home - already finished playing CnC3 long ago, and Starcraft2 wont be released anytime soon. Will probably scramble to read as many research papers and textbooks as I can. Looking forward to my first paycheck. :)
In the meantime there's also MM renovation work to confirm. Am actually quite clueless over how to go about doing it. No idea who to contact, or how to work through the design and planning process, since I've never done something like this before. Taking it a step at a time but I hope it gets finalised soon.
Yes! It's true! Blizzard launched the official website today at www.starcraft2.com
Been waiting ages for this game. Knew it would come out all along -
there was too much unfinished business in the last expansion. Could hardly describe the excitement I felt while watching the trailer. At last, the story continues for one of my all-time favorite RTSGs.
Knowing Blizzard, it'd probably take quite a while for them to perfect the game. But I'm very confident of their high-quality gameplay and storyline. And, ohh the cinematic cut-scenes are gonna be superb. Not to mention extremely addicitive multi-player support. People who play World of Warcraft and Warcraft3 ladder will vouch for this.
I really cant wait!!!
Went cycling today to satisfy my wanderlust. Booked a bike for the whole day at East Coast Park and cycled to Bedok for the famous bah cho mee. We were unsure where it was so we popped by my 2nd auntie's stall in Bedok Market to ask her, and also to pay a visit. Boy, was she stunned to see me, since she only sees me once a year at CNY. She was even more stunned when I mentioned I cycled all the way to Bedok. But in any case, we got our directions and set off eagerly. Only to find upon arrival that the stall was CLOSED! Dang, after travelling so many kilometres we still couldnt eat the bah cho mee....Apparently it opens only in the evening..Made do with some Hokkien mee.
After lunch, we cycled to Bedok Reservoir Park and enjoyed its serene tranquility. Moved onto the Tampines Park Connector to pass by Tampines Mall, and subsequently Pasir Ris Park almost to where we had our MM chalet last week. After a break to take pictures and chit-chat, we decided to set on our return journey. On the way we popped by White Sands for my fav. Ben and Jerry's. The mix-and-match combo was heavenly, esp. in the sweltering midday heat. Many kids passed by, their eyes fixated on our ice cream platter. I counted at least six new flavors I havent seen before. Looks like I will be having quite some B&J in the very near future.
After a very satisfying ice-cream-tea-break, we cycled back to Bedok Reservoir Park. The park is really big and the slopes didnt help our aching joint muscles during the cycling. Chose a nice high spot to take a break and enjoy the scenery. It's a very nice place to jog - the air is really fresh and the place is very peaceful. Probably a good place to train for IPPT, speaking of which mine is coming up again and I really hate the six-rounds-around-the-track 2.4km run. Gimme East Coast Park anyday.
Took the Siglap Park Connector back towards ECP and passed by many nice terrace houses along the way. After a surprisingly short ride, we found ourselves at VJC. From the outside it looked very much different from what I remembered, a testimony to how many years have passed since I was in JC. Sighs..the good old days...
Reached ECP soon after and returned our bikes. Surprisingly, we were earlier than I had planned. Either Singapore is smaller than I expected, or the park connectors wre really well designed to minimize the travel time in between the various parks in the Eastern part of Singapore. I think it's a really cool idea to build a park connector network. Cyclists wont have to worry about getting lost and can enjoy cycling through the various estates in Singapore along the well paved tracks. Kudos to NPB! Looking forward to a full island-wide connected network so that I can cycle around Singapore in a day! :)
Had dinner at the kopi tiam near my place, one of the numerous. Had 'ban mian' and 'guo tie'. Again, it was fantastisch! What a wonderful way to end the day, and the week. :)
Had more foodie treats the past two days! :)
Went to watch the French movie 'Priceless' at an unearthly time of 10.30am yesterday. The good part was the empty cinema; the lousy part was me not being awake enough to appreciate it fully. Nevertheless the movie was quite alright, somewhat funny, and Audrey Tautou looked amazing in her posh dresses. And that scooter looked really cool too.
Went to Crystal Jade Kitchen at Taka for lunch, HK style with all the delicious albeit expensive dishes. Didnt really fill my cavernous tummy so I bought more stuff from their bakery. I really like dim sum with hot tea; it's very soothing and relaxing. Needless to say I was dozing off on the train back.
Went to uni today to settle more MM renovation stuff with my friend, our unofficial interior designer. After we got some ideas worked out I popped by Spageddies @ Tanglin Mall to pass them through Henry. He's quite supportive of our ideas, even when some of them sound really costly. Got a free meal after that; the crayfish parmigiara was fantastisch but not as good as the one Chef Bonn personally cooked for me the last time. :) Was quite guilty for not paying; I felt like some kind of loafer. Not used to free meals.
Anyways my leg is itching quite badly. I didnt know I had a shellfish allergy. I hope it goes away real soon cos I am not about to give up on shellfish or seafood anytime soon. Oh gosh, my mind jus filled with images of sambal stingray and my stomach just responded in the most obscene manner. *growls..
Anyways, it's a full day of cycling tmorrow around the eastern part of Singapore, and possibly the northern part too. Bringing a street directory along in case I get lost and end up at Punggol Point. Hope the weather holds. Ciao..aufwiedersehen..!
Went out for MM meeting today to discuss renovation plans. Many cool ideas were thrown around but it seems the budget might grow quite large so there'll probably be some adjustments. It's very exciting though, MM's probably gonna have a new look, new theme and a new concept!
Went to Paragon for lunch after that to try out their famed Vongole and boy, it did live up to its name. Massive fresh clams aside, the wine sauce was superb and the dish was awesome despite its steep price. Collected some electronics components after that and helped a nice couple from HongKong find their way to the Bugis Street Market. Was feeling really bored so I managed to meet up with an old friend for dinner at Carl's Junior. The burgers there are huge!! Really thick and fat - they should be called Carl's Senior or something, pardon the pun.
Dragged my friend to Paluaner Brauhaus nearby to try out the German Bier and it was awesome as expected. The beer is just so smooth and it goes down really well. My friend who hated beer was converted and he claimed that it was beer on a new level. I'd just say anything tastes better than Tiger beer
He ordered Tequila Sunrise and I was rather disappointed - I was really expecting the yellow part rising like, well the sunrise, but it was just a mix of yellow and orange. The taste was not bad though. I'm sure I can make something like that given the right ingredients. I can already do a decent vodka-grapefruit-Ribena.
And so it was Italian, American and German food on the menu today. Tomorrow I'm gonna have HK dim sum! :)
School's out, Fun's in! :)
Went for a technopreneurship workshop earlier this week and listened to entrepreneurs talk about starting a business. Some of the stuff made very good sense..and I was pretty amazed and inspired by their passion and energy.
I wanna own a business someday too. Maybe i'll own a cafe..combined with my bachelor pad upstairs. And friends can come by to chill and eat Ben & Jerry's and drink good wine anytime! And my menu would rotate every day of the week between German, Italian, Cantonese, Brazilian, Japanese, Mexican and Chinese food. If I dont want to hire seven chefs, I'd better learn to cook them! :)
I realise that there are MANY food places in Singapore catering to tastes from all over the world. I've yet to try authentic Cuban cuisine, or Mexican food with salsa. And I still wanna go Paulaners Brauhaus! Yums.. ;p
Went for Munchie Monkey's chalet yesterday. Was hoping it would be great since I really like the people in cafe. Didn't disappoint at all. Weiliang was super horny la, disturbing the gals throughout the entire BBQ. But it was hilarious to watch..he really is the life of the party. Sandy was her usual crazy wacky self - she is worse when slightly drunk. Found another drinking buddy in Jurja. Basically alcohol was her main reason for coming to the chalet. We finished two bottles of wine, and almost two bottles of vodka! Oh, Eve can drink A LOT too. She was still very sober even after most of us guys were zonked out. Tried mixing drinks to make vodka ribena which was quite good - everyone liked it! I gotta try to learn to make cocktails! :)
The Munchie monkeys are a really fun group; they're great to hang out with. Very fun-loving and spontaneous! And we're planning a Mambo trip next wed. I cant wait :)
