End of 1st week of lessons

The 3rd week of the Polytechnic Preparatory Programme (PPP) and the 1st week of official lessons has finally ended. I’ll say that I enjoyed all the lessons except for Marketing. The other modules – Innovation, Design & Enterprise in Action (IDEA), Effective Speaking Skills and Understanding Data – are fun and interesting. For IDEA, we have to think of products that we can modify to make it better and present it with a good project title, description and marketing strategies. So, basically, my group for all the projects consists of Shi Min, Jericho and Gavin.

For IDEA on Monday, we came up with an idea to improve the wheelchairs and make it more convenient for the elderly and disabled. I think it’s a great idea. Great job for my group! We were given a project whereby we were asked to do the same thing but we have to think of a new product, then we got to present it the coming Monday. This time, the presentation will be graded and added to our overall grade. Currently, my group has decided on an awesome product and we’re left with doing the powerpoint. I’ll do my best to make it great! I hope we’ll ace this one. Anyway, our lecture ended early before lunch. So, including our lunch break, we had 2 hours and 45 minutes of break! Hahah. So, Jericho, Raudhah, Joevin and I went to play pool at Moberly.

On Tuesday, we had the boring and dry Essentials of Marketing. I think the lecturer didn’t know that it was the General Elective Modules (GEMs) that she was teaching and not the actual module in the business course. But still, how can she not know? :O Anyway, the powerpoint slides were just lots of terms and she talked about many concepts that were too abstract for us to understand. Actually, I think that all the clusters that had this module for their GEMs dislike it and couldn’t understand it. We were given a project to do but it wasn’t well-explained at all. She gave us a handout that included the instructions. But firstly, the instructions on the handout wasn’t very clear. Secondly, she instructed us to do something that isn’t what’s stated on the paper. :O Marketing is so scary. Hahaha. Difficult or not, I just need to ace it too.

Wednesday was our ‘off day’. So, we didn’t have to go to school. That evening, I attended Caspar’s birthday party at his house. There were just a few of us with some people from the zoo and some from Caspar’s school. We ate and joked then played taboo. It was quite a fun party and it was really nice to meet up again with the zoo people, especially those that I usually hang out with! Caspar’s younger brother is also damn cute!! Hahaha. Below is a photo taken at Caspar’s place. We always hang out together at work, including Joyce. From left to right: Benji, Caspar, me. (:

Then it comes Thursday! We had  Effective Speaking Skills and the lecturer was Melinda. It’s a very fun lesson because it’s very lively! We don’t sit there and listen to lectures. Basically, it’ls like English lessons and you get to talk A LOT! My cluster-mates (and myself. haha. ) made the lessons totally awesome! So, we learned a few things about English pronunciations, breathing, loudness, etc. The tests will be pretty much like an oral examination. The first test, you have to read a passage then tell a story. The second test, you’ll have to talk in your groups like a normal conversation. And the last test, you’ll have something like an interview.

Friday! The last lesson of the week — Understanding data. It’s another fun module and guess what we learned? Mean, Median and Mode!!! OMG! They’re so simple! Hahaha. Then we had tutorial whereby we had to complete a worksheet. And after that, we had to present everything to the class. My group did an awesome job! Great job Jericho, Shi Min and Gavin! ((: After lessons, I went to watch Outlander with Joevin, and his friends. Outlander is not bad but the dragon is kind of fake, especially when it gives out light. Anyway, this photo was taken on the MRT train when were heading to our respective destinations. They’re the people I usually hang out with at SP. From left to right: Gavin (hiding behind the laptop), Joevin, Jericho, Raudhah and me!

 

Today, I went to study with Huiling, Bu Fan, Tuan Anh and Huiling’s friend (Mark) at National Library. I was studying marketing and making notes. After lunch, we intended to watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. But there weren’t any suitable timings and the other movies weren’t very nice. So, we continued studying at Esplanade and then took some photos.

Anyway, hope that the next week will be even better!

First day of official lessons! :D

Today’s lessons was just purely on IDEA (Innovation Design Enterprise in Action). It was actually quite fun.

Well, we were suppose to have lesssons straight from 09:00 to 12:00. Lunch from 12:00 to 13:00 and lessons again from 13:00 to 15:00. In the end, the lecturer, Mr Joseph, completed his presentation by 10:15. Hahah! We had 2 hours and 45 minutes of break! So, me, Shi Min, Jericho, Raudhah and Joevin had an early lunch and we went to Moberly in our school to play pool! Fun fun!

And during our lesson after lunch, we had to brainstorm and present our ideas at the end of the lesson. It worked out pretty fine.

Anyway, I think I’ll stop here. My rashes are getting really irritating if I move too much. :/

Happy Valentine’s Day

For those who are interested how I look like in my new hairstyle… here are some photos taken today:

There. haha. I think it looks weird on me. :X

Anyway, HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

I’m back ;)

I’m back from the DPA camp! Well, that was yesterday. hehe. I wanted to blog about the details of the camp but I’ve decided not to. :X But below are the links to view the photos on Facebook:

SP DPA Camp 2009 @ Mawai Eco Camp [10 - 12 Feb 09] Day 1
SP DPA Camp 2009 @ Mawai Eco Camp [10 - 12 Feb 09] Day 2
SP DPA Camp 2009 @ Mawai Eco Camp [10 - 12 Feb 09] Day 3

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. I really wish to go out with my friend in the evening to hang out somewhere beautiful. So far, there isn’t anyone free in the evening, but I think I’ll be going out with Huiling in the day.

Oh yeah, I’m super duper happy! I’ve received 3 postcards from postcrossing already!! 2 from Finland and 1 from the Netherlands! It’s so nice to receive postcards all the time! It just makes my day. And, I received a Valentine’s Day card from Jake today! Whee! It was really nice and sweet. haha. Thanks Jake!

Lastly, I was feeling bored today and went to cut and rebond my hair. Dang. And apparently my elder sister said I copy her again. Damn. Always say that I copy her. What kind of theory is that. Total bullshit man. :X

We are not stupid.

Finally I got a chance to update my blog! (:

All right, I’ll start from Friday. On Friday morning, we went to Sungei Buloh for a walk. Well, I wasn’t very interested as it’s not the Singapore Zoo or the Night Safari where you get to see the really exotic animals such as the tigers, zebras, snakes, crocodiles, etc. In addition, I was feeling very hungry as our guide kept relating everything to food! Hahah. He’s a very entertaining guide though and we’ll get to meet him again for our camp at Kota Tinggi this coming Tuesday.

The presentation for the recycling project in the afternoon was pretty screwed. In the end, it was the 4 of us AGAIN — me, Shi Min, Jericho and Joevin. :X And, I wasn’t very satisfied with my presentation after listening to what the other clusters have to say. I mean, my cluster was the first one to present as we had to leave earlier. I thought we just have to give a very brief presentation, introducing our posters and we don’t have to go into details. So, I gave a very brief explanation on what was on the poster I was presenting. Oh wells. Frankly speaking, I don’t think we’ll win. :X

The thing I was look forward to the whole morning was SAILING! Woohoo! Sailing was totally awesome!! We get to be on the speedboat and we were brought around on the sea at really fast speeds! I totally love it! If only I have my own speedboat and license! Anyway, when it was my turn to try out sailing, I asked the senior I was paired with if we can capsize on purpose. And he said yes!! Cheers! I love capsizing in the middle of the sea! I think it’s a must to try capsizing when you’re doing watersports in the sea.

I enjoyed myself greatly at the sailing session. I’m actually considering sailing as one of the choices for my CCA. I mean, I’ve confirmed that I want to join the Student Exchange Club and I won’t change my mind on that. However, I want to join a sports CCA too. So, the current choices I’ve considered are: swimming, sailing, wakeboarding, cycling and tennis. Well, I have plenty of time to make my decision.

Yesterday, I went to Huiling’s place as I have absolutely nothing to do at home and no one to go out with! Huiling’s mom was very nice and prepared some food for me. Thanks a lot! (:

Today, I went to National Library with Huiling, Tuan Anh and Bu Fan. I have nothing to study YET. So, I printed out the list of modules for the first year and started reading up a little. Hehe. 

Anyway, tomorrow, I have to make a trip to Pei Hwa to meet Miss Krishnan as I have to redo the personal statement for the Lee Kuan Yew All-Rounder Excellence Award with her. >< Sigh. I’m thinking, why didn’t they show Miss Krishnan the personal statement earlier? So, I made a wasted trip down to Pei Hwa to sign the documents. Dang. Waste my transport money and time. >< The personal statement is sooooo difficult to write! I really don’t know how to write it well. ): Oh wells. And after going to Pei hwa, I have to go to SP for my group meeting for the camp performances and cheer. I hope everyone will be there.

Oh yeah. One more thing I want to say. I heard from Huiling that there are people who say that Pei Hwa students are stupid because the top 2 students chose to go to polytechnic and not junior college. And those 2 people are Shi Min and I. Okay. That’s very insulting. Hello? Please mind what you say. Can’t people just STOP stereotyping? I mean, Polytechnic is NOT a place to dump people who can’t go to Junior Colleges and it is also NOT a very slack education institute. Like, come on man, face it. We are not the only low pointers choosing to go to polytechnics. Anyway, just mind what you say about people, especially addressing the 2 people as Pei Hwa students in general. We are not stupid. We gave careful thoughts to our decision and decided it finally. It’s not like we chose to retake O’s right? dang. If that’s the case, call me retarded. I’ll probably agree with you.

Quick update

I’ve got a recycling project to complete by tomorrow. So, I’ll just give a quick update.

Yesterday, we went to a recycling plant and it was rather boring actually. That explains the project I have to complete with my group. We had a camp briefing and we have to think of 2 performances and a group cheer. After that, my group had to go for our sports session — Muay Thai. It was fun (and violent)! I love the kicking part.

Today we went to ACRES to do some voluntary work. And I did gardening. :/ Pulling out weeds. Really dislike plants! They irritate sensitive skins like mine! ><

Anyway, we’re going to Sungei Buloh tomorrow and also SAILING! Whee! Looking forward to it.

2nd day!

Today was SUPERDUPERUBER FUN!

Together with my group (B) and group A,  I completed the Forest Adventure course! It was located at Bedok Reservoir and the Forest Adventure course is actually some high ropes activity that you have to complete on your own. No belayers, no supporters. It’s really cool. It’s like you connect the stuff to the ropes by yourself. Just ensure that you’re attached to something at all times. There were a total of 4 ziplines. So, we get to do flying fox a total of 4 times! In addition, there wasn’t any instructors at the flying fox station itself. Just attach everything properly and we’re ready to go. (: I was the second person to attempt this whole rope course. Feels great to be in front!

After the rope course was dragon boating. (: It got really wet! We had some mini race and my team did great! 

Tomorrow, we’re going to the recycling plant and we’ll have our camp briefing too. A few of us decided that we’ll wear a green shirt tomorrow. hahaha. I might want to stay back with Shi Min to check out the library for books after school tomorrow. Anyway, hope it’ll be another fun day!

A New Life at Singapore Polytechnic

Today marks the very beginning of my life in Singapore Polytechnic! I was really excited! Anyway, before I continue about what I did at SP today, I’ll talk about yesterday.

I had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do yesterday. I purposely woke up late in the morning (10:00). I washed up and read the papers really really slowly. Then I had my breakfast. After breakfast, I watched the Korean Medical Drama (New Heart) as I was left with the last 3.5 episodes. Then I had lunch. After lunch, I finished watching the medical drama. Having nothing to do, I went to take a nap at 15:30. I set my alarm to ring at 17:30. However, when it rung, I purposely continue to sleep till 19:00. I took a shower and watched the first part of Collateral which was showing on Channel 5. And halfway through, I had dinner then I continued watching.

Like, zomg? Couch potato lifestyle is really NOT suitable for me! It’s like too slack and boring. Zzzz… I wonder how people survive being a couch potato forever. :X

I used the computer later on and went to bed at 00:45, knowing that I had to wake up early in the morning. However, I couldn’t sleep the whole night!!! I listened to piano music which will enable me to relax and I’ll fall asleep by the 3rd or 4th piece. But it didn’t work last night. >< I started using the computer for 30 minutes at 03:00 and went back to bed. I tossed and turned, feeling so warm on my bed. >< I think I only managed to get a light sleep from 04:45 to 05:30. Then from 05:40 to 06:30. It sucks when you can’t sleep. ><

Anyway, I was glad that it was 06:30. It just means I don’t have to toss and turn on my bed.  

I left home at 07:00 and met Shi Min at Outram Park station at 07:50. We were at SP by 08:00 and we were suppose to reach at 08:30 for registration.

Today, we found out that there are only 3 students accepted to the Biomedical Science course at SP through Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA). That’s so cool! And Shi Min and I are in the same cluster — 3. Unfortunately, for the grouping, I’m in group B while she’s in group A. Let me explain a little about these 2 types of groupings. The 5 clusters (by numbers) are used for sports, community services and company visits while the 4 groupings (by letters) are used for the Forest Adventure, Dragon boating, Camp and Gungei Buloh trip.

Anyway, Shi Min and I spoke to a few of the directors and they’re all very nice and positive. We got to tour around the campus too. The most boring thing for today will be the training on the internet services available and creating those email and library accounts. Haha.

Oh yeah, we got to know the activities for the next few days! Here it goes:

3 Feb (tomorrow): Forest Adventure and dragon boating (HAHA! DB! Kind of guessed they’ll make us do that!)

4 Feb: Visit to recycling plants, Recycling project, briefing for camp, sports (for my group, we’ll be playing Muay Thai. What’s that??)

5 Feb: Community service with SAVH, ACRES & NEA and completion of poster

6 Feb: Visit to Sungei Buloh, presentation of project, sports (my group will be doing SAILING!! Woohoo!!!)

10 – 12 Feb: Overseas camp at Kota Tinggi, Mawai, Johor

16 Feb – 14 Mar: Lessons and activities (General Elective Modules will be Effective Speaking Skills, Understanding Data, Essentials of Marketing, IDEAS) School will start at 09:00 and end at 15:00 from Monday to Friday, except Wednesday. There’s no school on Wednesdays. hahaha!

Anyway, I’m interested in certain things in SP.

•  I’m going to join at least 2 CCAs. I will join Student Exchange Club for sure! Hahaha. And maybe the swimming team.
• I want to apply for Diploma-Plus Certificate Programmes and obtain a Certificate in Phlebotomy.
• Volunteer for the Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010 and the Singapore Grand Prix for the next 3 years I’m in SP.

Oh yeah, after the tour, I’ve found some potential mugging places in the campus! The library is quite good as they have a hell lot of course-related books. Some books are not even available in NUS! hahah. The Moberly is a nice place to mug at too. There’s a garden that you can sit there and study. In addition, there’s also a cafe there. Actually, I think the Moberly at SP is one of the coolest place! Click on this link to check it out: http://www.sp.edu.sg/SPweb/appmanager/home/default?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=SP_CS_Life_Moberly
Shi Min and I bought a SP jacket for ourselves at the Moberly too! Hahaha. Maybe soon, we’ll purchase the SP shirts.

Starting from yesterday, I’m no longer entitled to student prices for public transport. ): Today, a trip from my home to SP (which includes a 10-minute bus trip to Hougang and a 16-station train journey) cost me a total of 2 bucks. That’s like way too crazy!! >< Oh wells. I guess I just need to get used to it.

Tomorrow is a new day with great activities! Can’t wait for tomorrow. And I want to SLEEP WELL tonight.

Last day of work!

The last day of work!! Woohoo!

Anyway, I was supposed to do SBE!! But AGAIN, I was being put at the entrance. What a nice way to spend my last day of work at the zoo. Reason was because it’s my last day, it’s pointless to learn about SBE AND, there are people who took MC, leaving only 2 people at the entrance. So, final decision was, I had to do entrance.

I was really upset with that decision. Was in a bad mood for the first to second hour, then I was better. Lunch was with Caspar at 11:30, the time that I hate to have lunch at. At least I had somebody to eat with. However, I didn’t have the mood to sit at the Ulu Ulu Restaurant with the others because I didn’t feel like talking and have no mood to listen. So, Caspar and I had our lunch at the loft. I listened to piano music on my mp3 and enjoyed the silence at the loft. Great.

After lunch, I became kind of weird. I did the members lane for an hour while Benji was away from lunch. Then after 15 minutes Benji returned from lunch, I requested to do exit. And just like that, I did exit for 2.5 – 3 hours continuously. Haha! Something was wrong with me I guess. I didn’t feel like talking and wanted to stone. That’s why I guess.

After work was awesome!! Had my last Ben & Jerry’s mix ‘n’ match with Caspar and Benji. Sadly Joyce wasn’t there to join us! It was Caspar’s treat. Thanks Caspar! Here’s a photo with Caspar (left) and Benji (right):

Caspar and I headed to Thomson Road to have our dinner. Sadly Benji couldn’t join us as he had to attend a family dinner. Dinner was Caspar’s treat too. THANKS AGAIN CASPAR!! After dinner, we headed to Caspar’s church as he had to speak to someone. And after that, we made our way to Changi Airport to send Joyce off for her 6 months student exchange at Italy.

Damn sad can. My best girl friend from work flew to Italy for 6 months. Will only see her again on 1 August. >< Then I won’t get to see Caspar and Benji that often anymore. Oh wells. We’ll meet again soon, I hope.

Now, I JUST CAN’T WAIT FOR MONDAY TO COME!

Not so good.

I wasn’t in the best of moods today due to several reasons. I was all excited for work today as I was scheduled to do SBE (rental of wagons, strollers and lockers) for the first time and I heard it was fun. However, during the morning briefing, before I could even learn just 1 thing about SBE, Vijay (AIC) announced that whoever that’s doing SBE today will be doing alone (and that’s me) as Lela is on MC. Then I told them that it’s my first time doing SBE. Damn. Shouldn’t have been so honest at that time. At that very point, they asked Liyana to replace me and I had to do entrance. Like, ZOMG. Come on man, they can just teach me within 5 minutes can. They insisted that they can’t train me today. Oh my gosh.

Later on, I was told that I can go over to SBE after lunch to be trained. I was really glad to hear that. Unfortunately, when I JUST came back from lunch, I was told that I am NOT going to be trained for SBE today. Like, what are they doing? Pushing me around? Not only that, at the entrance, I didn’t even get a chance to do members the whole day. At that point, I felt like I’m given the worst job all the time. :/

There was something else that made all these worse — abdominal pains & discomfort. Out of all days to experience this. When I even bother to mention that I’m experiencing this that means it’s not some mild pains that will go in an hour or two. Before lunch, I was already experiencing them. The pain didn’t ease after lunch and stuff (too lazy to really elaborate).

Anyway, Benji and Caspar were really nice and kind of helped me to request for a break so that I can sit down for awhile to reduce the pain. Then Cui Xia walked over and asked me to take a seat while she take over me for awhile. I felt bad for doing that but I know I’ll feel better that way. So, I went to sit and I felt really awkward and terrible about it. Then Marilyn Choo asked me to go home if I’m really not feeling well. I told her that some rest will be fine (considering that there’s only 1.5 hours to go and I need to get an MC for going home early). However, she went on to make me feel even more guilty by telling me that the rest are also tired and yet I am sitting there to rest. I was like, fine, I’ll just go back. No point sitting there and listening to all these when I already know it myself. In addition, I dislike the fact that she makes it sound like I’m faking it. Well, people who know me well won’t think that way. But oh well, how many people are there who know me well?

After all these that happened, there were a lot of negativity in my mind and all that. *sigh* You can say that I’m sensitive or what, but that’s only because I’ve heard all those stuff MANY times. So, when it’s mentioned, it’s like everything comes right back at me. >< I’ve been trying my best to get rid of this but so far the only thing that I can find to cheer me up a little is reassurance. And sorry if I ask silly questions at this sort of times.

I can laugh a lot even when I’m really upset. That’s what happened today.

Anyway, tomorrow is my last day of work and I’m scheduled to work at SBE again. I hope the same thing won’t happen again tomorrow if not I’ll be very upset. Tomorrow better be good. And it’s so sad that Joyce’s leaving Singapore tomorrow! Then I have one less girl friend to hang out with. :X

All right, I hope I’ll wake up tomorrow morning and feel refreshed and ready for the day. All the best to myself.