4 days of mental drain has come to an end. In its place, a set of projects arrive. 1 I have my doubts about the outcome, 1 which I'm having dificulty executing though its easy to plan, 1 which I'll work on over the next 2 weeks, and 1 which is on-going, but I have submitted my latest information this morning.
Tuesday, Calculus. Papaer was do-able, except that even 3 weeks of revision wasn't enough, plus my weakness in time management skills has returned. Expecting at least a D grade, with marks ranging between 45 to 60.
Wednesday. The day the real thing started(even if I did not pass well for Calculus, I could still focus on Further Calculus). Fluid Mechanics. The first examination paper on which I drew a smiley. I'll be sure to take a shot of it when the papers are back. This paper was up to my expectations, and other than a 15-mark question where I was unsure of my steps, it'll definitely be an A Grade.
Thursday. Things were getting tougher with each day. Strength of Materials. This paper was easier than what I had initially expected, although, like the Applied Mechanics examination from the previous semester, there was a trick to a question. I fell victim to the order of the question, where in order to do part a well, it would be better to do part b first. I re-did the last question thrice. By then, I was definitely of out time to complete the question. I lost 10 marks from there. I'm sure of scorng at least a B+ Grade for this one.
Today, the finale, which also had me making some mistakes. Engineering Design. Extremely easy if one had studied, and extremely difficult if one brought nothing more than a die into the room. Surprisingly, I was able to complete the second part of the paper in 50 minutes. That left me with an additional 40 minutes to complete the first part. I'm not very confident of an A though I am sure every method I used in the second part was correct. Once again, I did not finish the paper.
Went to the CAD lab after the paper with Hong Peng and Yin Feng to do some parts of the CAD project. F1 modelling. Cool, but its tough. We tried to make cuts to the workpiece, but somehow we always got an error message. After an hour, we gave up. Went back, slacked till early evening before going n a 15km run. The first 8km was rather easy, though I was forced to stop at every road crossing. The next 5 was tougher. A stretch of road without a pavement, construction work and more crossings. The final 2, was the worst. The pains I felt after completing the marathon two weeks ago, returned. That was after I went to the Community Club at Bukit Timah for a short drink(water from the dispenser is free for public use, so why not use it?).
Guess it's time to head back to square 1, the 2-kilometer route, for a week, before returning to the usual 10 and 15km routes. In January, I'm considering upgrading the 15km route to a 25km one(which also means the route is totally different), which would mean I'll only be able to complete that distance on a weekend morning. Maybe I'll just keep to the usual, and cover the extra distance when I'm in the mood and when there's the time for it.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
We Came, We Ran, We Conquered
Sunday, December 6. The first time I completed 42.195km in one shot. Wasn't that bad, though there were moments.
We woke at 3, and left 40minutes later. The lights weren't on, so I wasn't able to notice the colour of his bag. Took a cab down to the baggage deposit point at the War Memorial Park. Just after we were on our way, we were at the 37km mark of the race. It was kind of like a preview of what things would be like hour later. We were rather early, so we put our stuff down, deposited our bags, and he left his phone there in his bag. First thought. What's the best way to keep in contact should the worst case scenario occur(separation)?
The first 13km was breeze. We completed the first 10km in 47minutes! That's my new personal best. At 14km, I started to feel a minor symptom of heat exhaustion. I felt some numbness in my body. Immediately, I told him we had better stop at the next water point. We did, though that caused problems for him and myself later on. I took a mint to consume. It helped a great deal! Within minutes I was ready to go, but sadly, he started having cramps. 15km, the first runner was on his way out of East Coast Park. We were barely 100 meters into the park. That was the worst part of the run. The East Coast stretch covered 15kilometers alone,with lots of slopes, bends and turns. We started running again after that water point, but since he was pushing me on, I decided to just keep up with him. But, after we passed the 16km mark, it was his turn.
For us, the real challenge came prematurely. At the 22km mark, it was the start of the mental war. It was fine, until he felt really unwell at the 29km mark. Since there were 2 medics, 2 officials, and another 5 volunteers at the water point at Station 16. Dropped him off there, more than an hour after our walk. I continued running, and met a friend along the way, joined him for another 5 minutes, before carrying on the race against my own time. I was aiming to complete the run in under 6 hours, with the expected time to be between 4 hours 30 minutes and 6 hours.
Since my engines were rather cold after that long break, I started feeling pain in the chest after running 2km after the 30km mark. I stopped, walked a little, and carried on at the 35km mark.
This time, the stitch arrived. I walked another 2 kilometers, before I was back on form. The 37-kilometer mark. It was fine until after the 38km mark, when my left calf had a mild cramp that lasted for less than a second. It felt like a rubberband that hit me lightly. I started walking a little, before running again. Turning into the F1 Pit area, I started walking again as I felt the second warning sign of a cramp. This time, I felt two rubberbad-like hits on my left calf. Fearing the worst, I walked the next 2kilometers. Walking along the building, I had a sense of deja vu. Some time ago, I had a dream of being part of a tour group I was with, at some building where there were lots of shutters with numbers on top of them. One of the shutters was halfway down, similar to what I saw in the dream, along with some music. The atmosphere there was similar, minus the marathon event. I came back to the flier. It's the 41-kilometer mark! I made 2 calls, one to my dad, which happened to be diverted back home(and I found out my brother had just gotten his new bike), and one to my mum, who was already waiting at the finish line since an hour ago. Alright, the last 1.195, I'll give it a sprint. I saw the timer counting away, with the time being 6 hours, 50minutes and 15seconds. I increased my speed, completing the run in 6hours, 50minutes and 28seconds. Physicaly, I felt really bad after that, but mentally, it felt I was at some grand celebration.
Anyways, today was a really bad day. I had 3 near accidents owing to my slow reaction(I wanted very much to cancel the training, but as it was less than 48 hours prior to the training time when I logged into the system, I decided to just go ahead with it. $60 for a session. If they would refund me the cash on the spot, I wouldn't mind cancelling it), all similar to one another. Other vehicles were wanting to enter my lane, but I kept going at constant speed, not noticing them, forcing them to make dangerous moves that could cause a fatal accident. But it was a good experience, although it would be best I did not repeat it again.
School, was a nightmare, when we were informed last minute that part of our plans could not be approved owing to some communication breakdown. Today, my team and I found a class that had the exact opposite gender distribution of one of the classes in our course!
I just hope tomorrow could be a better day. And I still think, the guy who won himself a place in the finals, would be doing the country a great deed by giving it to the girl who was more deserving of the position, but was eliminated for the wrong reasons, though it proves that miracles do happen.
I had yet another weird dream the night before, but it's a little personal to be posted up here. One thing, if that could happen in real life, it would be a miracle.
We woke at 3, and left 40minutes later. The lights weren't on, so I wasn't able to notice the colour of his bag. Took a cab down to the baggage deposit point at the War Memorial Park. Just after we were on our way, we were at the 37km mark of the race. It was kind of like a preview of what things would be like hour later. We were rather early, so we put our stuff down, deposited our bags, and he left his phone there in his bag. First thought. What's the best way to keep in contact should the worst case scenario occur(separation)?
The first 13km was breeze. We completed the first 10km in 47minutes! That's my new personal best. At 14km, I started to feel a minor symptom of heat exhaustion. I felt some numbness in my body. Immediately, I told him we had better stop at the next water point. We did, though that caused problems for him and myself later on. I took a mint to consume. It helped a great deal! Within minutes I was ready to go, but sadly, he started having cramps. 15km, the first runner was on his way out of East Coast Park. We were barely 100 meters into the park. That was the worst part of the run. The East Coast stretch covered 15kilometers alone,with lots of slopes, bends and turns. We started running again after that water point, but since he was pushing me on, I decided to just keep up with him. But, after we passed the 16km mark, it was his turn.
For us, the real challenge came prematurely. At the 22km mark, it was the start of the mental war. It was fine, until he felt really unwell at the 29km mark. Since there were 2 medics, 2 officials, and another 5 volunteers at the water point at Station 16. Dropped him off there, more than an hour after our walk. I continued running, and met a friend along the way, joined him for another 5 minutes, before carrying on the race against my own time. I was aiming to complete the run in under 6 hours, with the expected time to be between 4 hours 30 minutes and 6 hours.
Since my engines were rather cold after that long break, I started feeling pain in the chest after running 2km after the 30km mark. I stopped, walked a little, and carried on at the 35km mark.
This time, the stitch arrived. I walked another 2 kilometers, before I was back on form. The 37-kilometer mark. It was fine until after the 38km mark, when my left calf had a mild cramp that lasted for less than a second. It felt like a rubberband that hit me lightly. I started walking a little, before running again. Turning into the F1 Pit area, I started walking again as I felt the second warning sign of a cramp. This time, I felt two rubberbad-like hits on my left calf. Fearing the worst, I walked the next 2kilometers. Walking along the building, I had a sense of deja vu. Some time ago, I had a dream of being part of a tour group I was with, at some building where there were lots of shutters with numbers on top of them. One of the shutters was halfway down, similar to what I saw in the dream, along with some music. The atmosphere there was similar, minus the marathon event. I came back to the flier. It's the 41-kilometer mark! I made 2 calls, one to my dad, which happened to be diverted back home(and I found out my brother had just gotten his new bike), and one to my mum, who was already waiting at the finish line since an hour ago. Alright, the last 1.195, I'll give it a sprint. I saw the timer counting away, with the time being 6 hours, 50minutes and 15seconds. I increased my speed, completing the run in 6hours, 50minutes and 28seconds. Physicaly, I felt really bad after that, but mentally, it felt I was at some grand celebration.
Anyways, today was a really bad day. I had 3 near accidents owing to my slow reaction(I wanted very much to cancel the training, but as it was less than 48 hours prior to the training time when I logged into the system, I decided to just go ahead with it. $60 for a session. If they would refund me the cash on the spot, I wouldn't mind cancelling it), all similar to one another. Other vehicles were wanting to enter my lane, but I kept going at constant speed, not noticing them, forcing them to make dangerous moves that could cause a fatal accident. But it was a good experience, although it would be best I did not repeat it again.
School, was a nightmare, when we were informed last minute that part of our plans could not be approved owing to some communication breakdown. Today, my team and I found a class that had the exact opposite gender distribution of one of the classes in our course!
I just hope tomorrow could be a better day. And I still think, the guy who won himself a place in the finals, would be doing the country a great deed by giving it to the girl who was more deserving of the position, but was eliminated for the wrong reasons, though it proves that miracles do happen.
I had yet another weird dream the night before, but it's a little personal to be posted up here. One thing, if that could happen in real life, it would be a miracle.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Hours Before A Run
With less than 10 hours left before a big run, it's almost time to head to bed. Possibly my earliest time yet. The past week was, pathetic. I have not completed revision for all 3 modules for the common test, with ED being the worst hit.
Down with a flu that's recovering, I have got no idea if I'll be able to complete the run. Extremely bad timing. In just 8 days after tomorrow, it'll be the common tests. After that, I'll be doing lotsof revision and projects, before welcoming the new year.
This morning woke at 8.30am, after having yet another weird dream. Once again, it took place in school. There were 3 places that we went to. Lunch time, on a Friday(gut feeling I had during the dream). We went to Makan Place, and turning left, I saw a friend with a girl and two guys doing CAD?! Why is it that I always dream of others doing questions in the modules that I have done before? Anyways, I asked if I could join, took a chair, and sat next to them. Of all my 16 'sightings', this, was the first time I came across something like that (don't really want to say what I 'saw' up here, and, nothing I saw in the dream was R-rated). It did not end there. After lunch, I offered to go to a study corner with them, to help them out with the question. They were supposed to create an extrusion of a rod, with other small details. I went to join my class for some time, and somehow, I got a fast-forward to the 'scene' where I was at the study corner(somewhere near SIM), with them. This time, the two guys were replaced by two girls. The situation there, was rather weird, something I have never experienced before(though it could be something good). After that, somehow I was sent back to Makan Place with the same group from the study corner.
How was it so, that students from another school, was learning something that was taught only at SoE? I seriously doubt that anything like that would happen anytime in the near future. Of all the 16 'sightings', if this one were to come true, I have got nothing to say.
4pm, left home for WM's place by bus. Not too bad, enjoyed a sweet, short 30-minute nap before transfering onto the MRT at City Hall. Put down my stuff at his place, and an hour later we left for dinner at Aljuned Road. Dinner was nice, something similar to what I'll be having with my family each weekend. Right now, I'm just worried, that due to health problems, I would not be able to complete my run in the morning, or worse, completing it in one piece.
Alright then, till tomorrow! Here's wishing all runners all the best for tomorrow's run!
Could it be that, something has already happened, that I'll have something to believe in?
Down with a flu that's recovering, I have got no idea if I'll be able to complete the run. Extremely bad timing. In just 8 days after tomorrow, it'll be the common tests. After that, I'll be doing lotsof revision and projects, before welcoming the new year.
This morning woke at 8.30am, after having yet another weird dream. Once again, it took place in school. There were 3 places that we went to. Lunch time, on a Friday(gut feeling I had during the dream). We went to Makan Place, and turning left, I saw a friend with a girl and two guys doing CAD?! Why is it that I always dream of others doing questions in the modules that I have done before? Anyways, I asked if I could join, took a chair, and sat next to them. Of all my 16 'sightings', this, was the first time I came across something like that (don't really want to say what I 'saw' up here, and, nothing I saw in the dream was R-rated). It did not end there. After lunch, I offered to go to a study corner with them, to help them out with the question. They were supposed to create an extrusion of a rod, with other small details. I went to join my class for some time, and somehow, I got a fast-forward to the 'scene' where I was at the study corner(somewhere near SIM), with them. This time, the two guys were replaced by two girls. The situation there, was rather weird, something I have never experienced before(though it could be something good). After that, somehow I was sent back to Makan Place with the same group from the study corner.
How was it so, that students from another school, was learning something that was taught only at SoE? I seriously doubt that anything like that would happen anytime in the near future. Of all the 16 'sightings', if this one were to come true, I have got nothing to say.
4pm, left home for WM's place by bus. Not too bad, enjoyed a sweet, short 30-minute nap before transfering onto the MRT at City Hall. Put down my stuff at his place, and an hour later we left for dinner at Aljuned Road. Dinner was nice, something similar to what I'll be having with my family each weekend. Right now, I'm just worried, that due to health problems, I would not be able to complete my run in the morning, or worse, completing it in one piece.
Alright then, till tomorrow! Here's wishing all runners all the best for tomorrow's run!
Could it be that, something has already happened, that I'll have something to believe in?
Monday, November 30, 2009
And 2009's November Ends Like That
Once again, another month has passed. Not quite a day I would expect. My first time seeing authentic yellow paint being splashed on the car of the owner of a private home, with placards bearing the trademark "owe money, pay money" slogan. I reached school in my best time of 15 minutes by bus.
School was fine. They were changing the wireless modems at Block 56. I rushed through my tutorials with minimal understanding. I earned myself 3 out of the possible 5% for today's FM quiz. Truly a good wake up call. To think I had overcome that 2 years ago. No practicals after that, so wehad an early lunch, before heading off to study. The rest of the day was rather smooth and not as heavy as compared to the previous week. I finally cleared my doubts for SOM! Not a bad day, as I saw some familiar faces throughout the day.
After school, went to West Mall to purchase a new pack of Kit Kats. There was a girl who was asking around for 3 more stickers to exchange for a voucher. Wanted to help, but I was nowhere near the $15 mark. And so, I went home, before heading out for possibly my last run before the marathon this Sunday. It was about 6.30 when I reached the halfway mark, then there, I saw her again, walking up a bridge with her mom. Wow. Today has been rather coincidental.
The computer, is the source of my worries. Just flip it open, press the button, and I'll have a tsunami of thoughts, plans, assignments, emails, forms and worries gushing toward me at break-neck speed, out through the screen. Just this evening, received a form. It was alright, until the words " Cumulative GPA" appeared. Frankly, whenever the thought of grades come to mind, I see myself riding the world's scariest roller coaster. There was another item, which asked about my final year project or attachment. I have no idea. Guess I can look forward to not taking the long bus ride to Toa Payoh and back to school tomorrow.
I'm getting too complacent. Nothing good lasts forever, except the memories. Just because it has happened once, doesn't mean it would happen again. I'm growing to become overly dependent on memories. That aside, it might be late, but it's definitely time I started running instead of walking. It's now or never. Many places to go, many people to meet. But sadly, they require a certain level of intelligence. It is time.
The night before, I had a similar dream again, except that there were variations.
School was fine. They were changing the wireless modems at Block 56. I rushed through my tutorials with minimal understanding. I earned myself 3 out of the possible 5% for today's FM quiz. Truly a good wake up call. To think I had overcome that 2 years ago. No practicals after that, so wehad an early lunch, before heading off to study. The rest of the day was rather smooth and not as heavy as compared to the previous week. I finally cleared my doubts for SOM! Not a bad day, as I saw some familiar faces throughout the day.
After school, went to West Mall to purchase a new pack of Kit Kats. There was a girl who was asking around for 3 more stickers to exchange for a voucher. Wanted to help, but I was nowhere near the $15 mark. And so, I went home, before heading out for possibly my last run before the marathon this Sunday. It was about 6.30 when I reached the halfway mark, then there, I saw her again, walking up a bridge with her mom. Wow. Today has been rather coincidental.
The computer, is the source of my worries. Just flip it open, press the button, and I'll have a tsunami of thoughts, plans, assignments, emails, forms and worries gushing toward me at break-neck speed, out through the screen. Just this evening, received a form. It was alright, until the words " Cumulative GPA" appeared. Frankly, whenever the thought of grades come to mind, I see myself riding the world's scariest roller coaster. There was another item, which asked about my final year project or attachment. I have no idea. Guess I can look forward to not taking the long bus ride to Toa Payoh and back to school tomorrow.
I'm getting too complacent. Nothing good lasts forever, except the memories. Just because it has happened once, doesn't mean it would happen again. I'm growing to become overly dependent on memories. That aside, it might be late, but it's definitely time I started running instead of walking. It's now or never. Many places to go, many people to meet. But sadly, they require a certain level of intelligence. It is time.
The night before, I had a similar dream again, except that there were variations.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Shingaboomz 1st Outing @ Marina Barrage
I'll have to type fast. I have yet to complete one more tutorial that's due the first thing after lunch. Maybe I'll refer a little?
Woke up at 7.45am, had breakfast, changed, packed my camera, sandwiches, and left for the floating platform at Marina. The journey was alright, but I was getting worried about the worst case scenario at the Standard Chartered 8th Anniversary Race Pack Collection. Queues as long as an MRT train. However, I got there rather early, at 9.20am(even by taking my time). I was surprised. I was 7th in line. 10 minutes later, it started to drizzle a little, and we were let in for shelter. Another 10 minutes later, the counters were open. Something I wasn't expecting was the cheers of the volunteers at the counters as we were brought in. By now, the queues were getting longer, but not as bad as I had expected. The whole process for me, took FIFTEEN seconds! I passed her my IC, before she went in. In a jiffy, she was out with my race pack. Checked the number and name, confirmed it, and I went in search of the verification counter. I was congratulated by an official, who said I was the first to get my race pack. WOW! He directed me to tun to my left, where I passed my chip to a volunteer to verify it, before heading off. The rain had stopped.
I went to the bus stop, took a peek at the contents, before placing the whole pack into my bag(seems like it has gotten smaller this year compared to last year), and unpacked my DSLR. At 10am, I began on a long walk toward the Marina Bay MRT Station. If I was walking in the right direction, I would arrive at the station at 10.50am. Along the way, I stopped at the Merlion Park to help a tourist couple get a shot of them with the Fullerton Hotel in the background, before moving off. So far, so good. OK, so I'll make a left turn into Marina Boulevard. I walked on until, I came to a guard house at a T-junction. On the map, it was the shortest possible route toward the train station, and I was almost halfway there! Considering that only tipper trucks and concrete mixers were passing through, I decided to use an alternative route, which would cause me to arrive at the station, at least 40 minutes later, at 11.10am. Since it was the first outing, it might not be a good thing to be late, for I'll never know if the bunch of them would be the kind who would stick strictly to the 11am meeting time. I headed to the Raffles Place MRT Station, took a short tour of the underground shopping mall, before taking a train to the destination at 10.45am.
I arrived at 10.50am. There were less than 5 others at the station, none of whom I knew. It's alright, maybe I'm too early, as always. I went up to the ground floor, and was greeted with the best surprise! I saw the same building I was near earlier on! So, I spent about a dollar, just to complete a distance I could walk in barely 20 minutes, by taking a train? Went to take a little walk around the small concrete 'island' that was surrounded by roads and construction sites. It was 11am when I went back down to wait, and shortly after Shen Faye arrived. Just as I made a call to Jaemeng later on, Angsiang also arrived! I found out he was already there when I arrived, just that he was waiting at the platform(only that I walked too fast to have noticed him). I made a call to Lionel, only to find out that he was waiting for us at the Barrage! Oh my. Jaemeng arrived at 11.45am and Jorge came soon after at 12pm, just moments before we boarded the shuttle bus. That was when I found out he, too would be taking part in the full marathon the next weekend.
One there, we took even more photographs, not forgetting to meet Lionel who was waiting there alone for the past 1 hour! We went to the rooftop, to set up our picnic spot at a corner. It was getting really hot after awhile, so we moved into the shelter. We played Blackjack, except that the loser does a forfeit of truth and dare, while the winner asks the questions. Lionel was the only one who got out unscath, while everyone of us lost or won at least twice. Of course, there were secrets being revealed, and hopefully they wouldn't leave the place. Shen Faye left some time later. Lionel left shortly 10 minutes after Rachel arrived, by taking the long way up. More photographs were taken, before we went for a round of Frisbee, and were greeted by a passing shower.
At 4pm, Cardus was on the way from Vivocity after getting the kites. We took photographs, ate, drank, talked, lazed around and went for some Frisbee for an hour, before Cardus arrived with the main dish, desert and 3 kites. So, we celebrated Rachel's 17Th birthday (if I'm not wrong), followed by dinner, served by Cardus. I simply love the pasta he brought for us, even without the sauce, it was damn good! Flied kites till 7pm, before Rachel left for a family gathering after taking lots and lots of photographs.
Just as we were about to leave, I met the members from the Photography Club, who were having their outing there! Like Jorge who knew he had friends who were at the Barrage on the same day as it was a coincidence, mine was similar. All I knew was the club was having an outing on that same day, but I never expected them to be there too. If I had known, maybe I could have joined them for 30 minutes, before going back to join the others with the celebration and photo taking after Cardus had arrived.
We went to Frolick at Serangoon for supper, via Toa Payoh, as Lionel was back to join us! Along the way we took even more photographs, so that we would not fall asleep. Once there, the yogurt looked really tasty! The temptation was almost irresistible! We talked about exotic food and overseas trips, as well as possible plans about where and how the next outing would be held. Angsiang, Cardus, Jaemeng and I took a bus back to Ang Mo Kio, to the usual bus stop, the same way the camp ended for us. Angsiang walked to the MRT station, while Jaemeng accompanied us to wait for the bus. There we talked about the people from the camp, as well as plans for the next outing. The bus came, and we reached Bukit Batok Interchange, where I managed to catch the last bus home.
I uploaded more than a third of the 900 photographs taken that day, before having the best sleep since the term started. I went on a visit to Dreamland from 2.30am till 11.30am this morning, dreaming only 1 dream, of how that day would be like, if all 11 of us were present for the outing. A dream like that, felt too great to be true.
Tomorrow's going to be a long day, and I have completed only half of what I was supposed to have completed a week ago.
Photo albums that are up on facebook:
The morning walk from the Floating Flatform to Marina Bay MRT Station
First Outing at Marina Barrage(11am to 5pm)
First Outing at Marina Barage(5pm till 7.45pm)
First Outing at Frolick(Marina Barrage to Serangoon via Toa Payoh)
Photographs would be uploaded to Picasa over the weekend.
Woke up at 7.45am, had breakfast, changed, packed my camera, sandwiches, and left for the floating platform at Marina. The journey was alright, but I was getting worried about the worst case scenario at the Standard Chartered 8th Anniversary Race Pack Collection. Queues as long as an MRT train. However, I got there rather early, at 9.20am(even by taking my time). I was surprised. I was 7th in line. 10 minutes later, it started to drizzle a little, and we were let in for shelter. Another 10 minutes later, the counters were open. Something I wasn't expecting was the cheers of the volunteers at the counters as we were brought in. By now, the queues were getting longer, but not as bad as I had expected. The whole process for me, took FIFTEEN seconds! I passed her my IC, before she went in. In a jiffy, she was out with my race pack. Checked the number and name, confirmed it, and I went in search of the verification counter. I was congratulated by an official, who said I was the first to get my race pack. WOW! He directed me to tun to my left, where I passed my chip to a volunteer to verify it, before heading off. The rain had stopped.
I went to the bus stop, took a peek at the contents, before placing the whole pack into my bag(seems like it has gotten smaller this year compared to last year), and unpacked my DSLR. At 10am, I began on a long walk toward the Marina Bay MRT Station. If I was walking in the right direction, I would arrive at the station at 10.50am. Along the way, I stopped at the Merlion Park to help a tourist couple get a shot of them with the Fullerton Hotel in the background, before moving off. So far, so good. OK, so I'll make a left turn into Marina Boulevard. I walked on until, I came to a guard house at a T-junction. On the map, it was the shortest possible route toward the train station, and I was almost halfway there! Considering that only tipper trucks and concrete mixers were passing through, I decided to use an alternative route, which would cause me to arrive at the station, at least 40 minutes later, at 11.10am. Since it was the first outing, it might not be a good thing to be late, for I'll never know if the bunch of them would be the kind who would stick strictly to the 11am meeting time. I headed to the Raffles Place MRT Station, took a short tour of the underground shopping mall, before taking a train to the destination at 10.45am.
I arrived at 10.50am. There were less than 5 others at the station, none of whom I knew. It's alright, maybe I'm too early, as always. I went up to the ground floor, and was greeted with the best surprise! I saw the same building I was near earlier on! So, I spent about a dollar, just to complete a distance I could walk in barely 20 minutes, by taking a train? Went to take a little walk around the small concrete 'island' that was surrounded by roads and construction sites. It was 11am when I went back down to wait, and shortly after Shen Faye arrived. Just as I made a call to Jaemeng later on, Angsiang also arrived! I found out he was already there when I arrived, just that he was waiting at the platform(only that I walked too fast to have noticed him). I made a call to Lionel, only to find out that he was waiting for us at the Barrage! Oh my. Jaemeng arrived at 11.45am and Jorge came soon after at 12pm, just moments before we boarded the shuttle bus. That was when I found out he, too would be taking part in the full marathon the next weekend.
One there, we took even more photographs, not forgetting to meet Lionel who was waiting there alone for the past 1 hour! We went to the rooftop, to set up our picnic spot at a corner. It was getting really hot after awhile, so we moved into the shelter. We played Blackjack, except that the loser does a forfeit of truth and dare, while the winner asks the questions. Lionel was the only one who got out unscath, while everyone of us lost or won at least twice. Of course, there were secrets being revealed, and hopefully they wouldn't leave the place. Shen Faye left some time later. Lionel left shortly 10 minutes after Rachel arrived, by taking the long way up. More photographs were taken, before we went for a round of Frisbee, and were greeted by a passing shower.
At 4pm, Cardus was on the way from Vivocity after getting the kites. We took photographs, ate, drank, talked, lazed around and went for some Frisbee for an hour, before Cardus arrived with the main dish, desert and 3 kites. So, we celebrated Rachel's 17Th birthday (if I'm not wrong), followed by dinner, served by Cardus. I simply love the pasta he brought for us, even without the sauce, it was damn good! Flied kites till 7pm, before Rachel left for a family gathering after taking lots and lots of photographs.
Just as we were about to leave, I met the members from the Photography Club, who were having their outing there! Like Jorge who knew he had friends who were at the Barrage on the same day as it was a coincidence, mine was similar. All I knew was the club was having an outing on that same day, but I never expected them to be there too. If I had known, maybe I could have joined them for 30 minutes, before going back to join the others with the celebration and photo taking after Cardus had arrived.
We went to Frolick at Serangoon for supper, via Toa Payoh, as Lionel was back to join us! Along the way we took even more photographs, so that we would not fall asleep. Once there, the yogurt looked really tasty! The temptation was almost irresistible! We talked about exotic food and overseas trips, as well as possible plans about where and how the next outing would be held. Angsiang, Cardus, Jaemeng and I took a bus back to Ang Mo Kio, to the usual bus stop, the same way the camp ended for us. Angsiang walked to the MRT station, while Jaemeng accompanied us to wait for the bus. There we talked about the people from the camp, as well as plans for the next outing. The bus came, and we reached Bukit Batok Interchange, where I managed to catch the last bus home.
I uploaded more than a third of the 900 photographs taken that day, before having the best sleep since the term started. I went on a visit to Dreamland from 2.30am till 11.30am this morning, dreaming only 1 dream, of how that day would be like, if all 11 of us were present for the outing. A dream like that, felt too great to be true.
Tomorrow's going to be a long day, and I have completed only half of what I was supposed to have completed a week ago.
Photo albums that are up on facebook:
The morning walk from the Floating Flatform to Marina Bay MRT Station
First Outing at Marina Barrage(11am to 5pm)
First Outing at Marina Barage(5pm till 7.45pm)
First Outing at Frolick(Marina Barrage to Serangoon via Toa Payoh)
Photographs would be uploaded to Picasa over the weekend.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
24 as the 25th
I mistook today as yesterday. Must have been due to the fact that I was trying to plan out an essay, capped at 500 words for the application of a nearly all-expenses paid trip the night before. Till now, I haven't got that many ideas to write on, but hopeully tomorrow I could get some inspiration. Just need to come up with 2 more points to write about, and I'll be done typing it all out in 40 minutes. Maybe less.
Yesterday went for my driving lesson once again, but he did not seem surprised at me failing. In fact, I was surprised by him about the number of failers, and that I had won the first prize! How cool was that?
School was fine, just that we were there to settle some adminstrative matters, and we were off to do other stuff.
Lots of stuff happened today. In school, I fell asleep during the practical lesson, which was why I lost 7 marks in the quiz. At least the codes for the milling machine is easier to understand than the turning machine. The practical lessons for CAD and CAM never fails to give us lots of surprises. The tool change for the HAAS CNC milling machine is damn cool! Maybe I should start recording clips of how the machines work and post them online? Went to do the CAD assignment due tomorrow, and practice a little for the test, before rushing home.
This morning I had a dream, of which I could only remember the last part. My family ad e in a car travelling towards the city, but there was a jam as soon as we left the estate. At the first traffic light after turning out, there was a serious accident, where no one was hurt. The accident occupied the left and middle lane. There was a blue Honda City, a red car and a black Mitsubishi piled up on the left lane. An olive green SUV was on the middle lane, with its badly damaged bonnet sandwiched in between the red car and the black car.
The following paragraph is not suitable for the faint-hearted. Reader discretion is advised.
Yesterday, I had an extremely weird dream. I was on board an MRT train of the future that was heading toward City Hall from Boon Lay, with my family, some friends and 5 others of whom I do not know.I alighted at Jurong East, leaving everyone behind, and boarded the train at the middle platform. As usual, I walked toward the first car, from the second. There were 2 sets surgical curtains, each at one side of the car, stretching from the first door to the emergency exit. There were 3 nurses, and 2 doctors manning the corner? I went up to them, and soon, I was thrown into a weird place with a doctor. The surroundings were white(and I couldn't see any walls). There he told me some stuff about AIDS and HIV, before showing me a bottle made of steel encased by a layer of plastic, that had 2 red openings on each side. I was told that inside the bottle, was samples of sperm?
A mixture of HIV infected and non-HIV infected samples. If one was not infected, a volunteer would do some stuff at the right end, and see if he would get infected with the virus. If a volunteer was infected with the virus, he would do the same thing at the left end, to increase the probability of a non-infected volunteer getting infected with the virus. I was thinking, after waking, why would someone be so silly as to gamble with his own life by doing something like that? A gamble with money is bad enough, so why is a gamble with life any better?
I don't belive something like that would ever come true, if at all.
Yesterday went for my driving lesson once again, but he did not seem surprised at me failing. In fact, I was surprised by him about the number of failers, and that I had won the first prize! How cool was that?
School was fine, just that we were there to settle some adminstrative matters, and we were off to do other stuff.
Lots of stuff happened today. In school, I fell asleep during the practical lesson, which was why I lost 7 marks in the quiz. At least the codes for the milling machine is easier to understand than the turning machine. The practical lessons for CAD and CAM never fails to give us lots of surprises. The tool change for the HAAS CNC milling machine is damn cool! Maybe I should start recording clips of how the machines work and post them online? Went to do the CAD assignment due tomorrow, and practice a little for the test, before rushing home.
This morning I had a dream, of which I could only remember the last part. My family ad e in a car travelling towards the city, but there was a jam as soon as we left the estate. At the first traffic light after turning out, there was a serious accident, where no one was hurt. The accident occupied the left and middle lane. There was a blue Honda City, a red car and a black Mitsubishi piled up on the left lane. An olive green SUV was on the middle lane, with its badly damaged bonnet sandwiched in between the red car and the black car.
The following paragraph is not suitable for the faint-hearted. Reader discretion is advised.
Yesterday, I had an extremely weird dream. I was on board an MRT train of the future that was heading toward City Hall from Boon Lay, with my family, some friends and 5 others of whom I do not know.I alighted at Jurong East, leaving everyone behind, and boarded the train at the middle platform. As usual, I walked toward the first car, from the second. There were 2 sets surgical curtains, each at one side of the car, stretching from the first door to the emergency exit. There were 3 nurses, and 2 doctors manning the corner? I went up to them, and soon, I was thrown into a weird place with a doctor. The surroundings were white(and I couldn't see any walls). There he told me some stuff about AIDS and HIV, before showing me a bottle made of steel encased by a layer of plastic, that had 2 red openings on each side. I was told that inside the bottle, was samples of sperm?
A mixture of HIV infected and non-HIV infected samples. If one was not infected, a volunteer would do some stuff at the right end, and see if he would get infected with the virus. If a volunteer was infected with the virus, he would do the same thing at the left end, to increase the probability of a non-infected volunteer getting infected with the virus. I was thinking, after waking, why would someone be so silly as to gamble with his own life by doing something like that? A gamble with money is bad enough, so why is a gamble with life any better?
I don't belive something like that would ever come true, if at all.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Scaling 2.2
It's piling rapidly, while I'm inching forward, slowly with much effort. Can't do much about it for now. 3 weeks to the common tests, and I had been slacking off for the past 2 weeks. So, that's the equivalent of using this one week, to make up for these 3 weeks of stuff, in addition to the revision of all that's been taught over the past 5 weeks or so.
Mondays like today are great, for everything that's heavy is done today. SOM, FM, and a laboratory session. 2 heavy modules of equal difficulty. Alright, FM is easier. SOM is tougher to understand, but upon getting it right, you'll feel as though you've attained Nirvana(if, at all). Didn't really do much revision this evening, as at 3.25pm this afternoon, I felt a mental block. Good thing it was during the last 2 hours of the day. Today's chapters that were covered were relatively heavy, and would definitely be tested in what's to arrive in about 3 weeks. The best thing happened this evening. At 1pm, I placed my laptop in my bag by accident after forgetting to turn it off before SOM tutorial. Surprisingly, my bag did not overheat for the next 5 hours! Even till 5pm when I carried my bag home, it felt cool. It was only until 8pm, when I was about to get my stuff to study, that I heard the sound of a fan in the room. It was really loud. 'Weird, I thought I turned off the fan in the dining room? And the fan in here was also not on.' I looked to my bag. I scrambled, unzipped the bag, opened the laptop compartment, and hot air gushed out! Oh my. I tried to take it out, but the surface was too hot to touch(I always place the laptop with the vent facing up to prevent overheating in case something like that really happened). Waited for a moment, and took it out finally. It was freaking hot! That wasn't the end. I still had another 20%(equivalent of 1 hour and 17 minutes) of battery life remaining. That's a new record for my laptop! 7 hours flat. If you wondered how it's doing, going by the length of the post, everything seems fine, for now. At least there're no burn marks in my bag or on the computer.
As for tomorrow, I'm expecting my instructor to stare at me with a blank face when he sees me approaching the car, before asking the 2 'trademarked' words,"Never Pass?" School would not bemuch of a trouble, as we're now just left with the task allocation, and some administrative stuff that's yet to come in the near future. That, should leave me with lots of time for some serious revision.
My memory seems to be rather poor at the moment. Maybe, it's due to the fact I'm thinking too much in depth again? One question that has got me pondering for some time: What exactly do I hold strongly to, that I can prove using something I have done in the past?
Mondays like today are great, for everything that's heavy is done today. SOM, FM, and a laboratory session. 2 heavy modules of equal difficulty. Alright, FM is easier. SOM is tougher to understand, but upon getting it right, you'll feel as though you've attained Nirvana(if, at all). Didn't really do much revision this evening, as at 3.25pm this afternoon, I felt a mental block. Good thing it was during the last 2 hours of the day. Today's chapters that were covered were relatively heavy, and would definitely be tested in what's to arrive in about 3 weeks. The best thing happened this evening. At 1pm, I placed my laptop in my bag by accident after forgetting to turn it off before SOM tutorial. Surprisingly, my bag did not overheat for the next 5 hours! Even till 5pm when I carried my bag home, it felt cool. It was only until 8pm, when I was about to get my stuff to study, that I heard the sound of a fan in the room. It was really loud. 'Weird, I thought I turned off the fan in the dining room? And the fan in here was also not on.' I looked to my bag. I scrambled, unzipped the bag, opened the laptop compartment, and hot air gushed out! Oh my. I tried to take it out, but the surface was too hot to touch(I always place the laptop with the vent facing up to prevent overheating in case something like that really happened). Waited for a moment, and took it out finally. It was freaking hot! That wasn't the end. I still had another 20%(equivalent of 1 hour and 17 minutes) of battery life remaining. That's a new record for my laptop! 7 hours flat. If you wondered how it's doing, going by the length of the post, everything seems fine, for now. At least there're no burn marks in my bag or on the computer.
As for tomorrow, I'm expecting my instructor to stare at me with a blank face when he sees me approaching the car, before asking the 2 'trademarked' words,"Never Pass?" School would not bemuch of a trouble, as we're now just left with the task allocation, and some administrative stuff that's yet to come in the near future. That, should leave me with lots of time for some serious revision.
My memory seems to be rather poor at the moment. Maybe, it's due to the fact I'm thinking too much in depth again? One question that has got me pondering for some time: What exactly do I hold strongly to, that I can prove using something I have done in the past?
Saturday, November 21, 2009
21-11-09
Finally started revising Calculus again after a long time. Less than 3 weeks to go, and I have yet to start on the actual revision. Falling behind for SOM and ED as well. Here I go. Next week till the week before Christmas, I won't be online between 7.30pm and 10pm on weekdays for revision. Weekends, well, have to see how it goes.
The morning started well, and I remembered almost everything I dreamt about, but wanted t wait till this evening before recording it in here. By now, it's a little too late, as I have forgotten most of te stuff that happened in the dream. I remember 4 things. Driving lesson(I had missed a lesson during the weekend in that dream), it took place somewhere on a weekday, I 'met' Germaise somewhere, and I 'visited' a few places I dreamt of some time ago. This morning I was able to remember almost everything, but once it was the afternoon, I had forgotten lots of it.
Went to IMM with parents to collect my brother's cake at 1.30pm, we took part in a cashback event at 2pm(and received a $50 Red Apple voucher), and reached home at 3pm to cut the cake. Set off with my cousin, parents and brother to Toa Payoh to drop off my cousin at the swimming complex before heading to Orchid Country Club to collect my brother's 2 bowlig balls, and continued on to Kallang to get his 2 'new' balls. Went to Bukit Merah for dinner, before we came home.
Took lots of pictures today. Most were blurred(as the were taken through the car window), some were ok, and a few were nice.
Tomorrow, it's back to revision, this time, re-writng my own notes for ED.
The morning started well, and I remembered almost everything I dreamt about, but wanted t wait till this evening before recording it in here. By now, it's a little too late, as I have forgotten most of te stuff that happened in the dream. I remember 4 things. Driving lesson(I had missed a lesson during the weekend in that dream), it took place somewhere on a weekday, I 'met' Germaise somewhere, and I 'visited' a few places I dreamt of some time ago. This morning I was able to remember almost everything, but once it was the afternoon, I had forgotten lots of it.
Went to IMM with parents to collect my brother's cake at 1.30pm, we took part in a cashback event at 2pm(and received a $50 Red Apple voucher), and reached home at 3pm to cut the cake. Set off with my cousin, parents and brother to Toa Payoh to drop off my cousin at the swimming complex before heading to Orchid Country Club to collect my brother's 2 bowlig balls, and continued on to Kallang to get his 2 'new' balls. Went to Bukit Merah for dinner, before we came home.
Took lots of pictures today. Most were blurred(as the were taken through the car window), some were ok, and a few were nice.
Tomorrow, it's back to revision, this time, re-writng my own notes for ED.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Mechanical Engineering Division Business Continuity Exercise '09
I slacked again. Damn. All I did was go online at 10am, 12.45pm and 3pm to submit some stuff, and I went back to sleep. Fine. I'll start revision in the morning. Woke up at 9.30 after sleeping through the night. Turned on my laptop, typed words and digits into a word document, and saved everything until it was time to submit them.
4.35pm, left on a long distance run to Bukit Panjang to meet Hong Peng for a 5km run. At the 7.6km mark, I thought it would be fine to walk there, since the distance calculated on Google Earth was 8.1km. It wouldn't hurt to walk 500 meters. In the end, I had to continue running, since from space, the distance was 500m, but on the ground, I still had another 1.4km to complete. In the end, I reached at 5.40, 5 minutes behind schedule. We went for a short 3km run, before turning back as we did not know exactly where we were heading, although all I knew was if we continued running along the canal, we would reach the back gate of my cousin's condominium. It was 6.10 when we reached 10 Mile Junction to get a drink. From there, we parted ways, and I continued the remaining 8km of the journey home. I completed 22km in 2 hours and 44 minutes(inclusive of time spent at 10 Mile Junction).
This morning, I had another dream. Maybe I'm too obessed with the series Legend of the Seeker? I 'starred' as the seeker, while the wizard was the same old man, and the confessor? If I'm not wrong, it's Lihui. Nevermind about the characters? We were kind of fighting some people for a reason I had forgotten, in a village, when after lots of stuff happened, we left and were in the middle of a clearing in a forest. It was a cross-roads. Both paths ahead of us looked exactly the same, but they were heading in different directions of course. There was a playground and a deserted watch tower near where we were, and we went there to think about which path we should take. We were joined by children who came to play, and we started asking them which path led where. Not long later, some people came as well. I knew almost all of them in person, but in that dream, it was as if we did not know one another at all. I went to the watch tower, climbed to the second floor to get a good look ofthe surrounding. The scene ended there, and I found us being somewhere else. In the end, I did not know which path we took, but we ended up somewhere grand. Somewhere, with red carpet, purple curtains with golden borders, candles as lighting. There was a long dining table with the finest cutlery and dishes. I woke up after that, just as I noticed the large, white doors open.
Weird. A dream in medival times? Me, a warrior? Fine dining? Of all the friends I 'saw', I knew only one? I have got no idea how, in any way, a dream like that could come true. Perhaps, it's just some small parts, or maybe it's just purely another dream.
4.35pm, left on a long distance run to Bukit Panjang to meet Hong Peng for a 5km run. At the 7.6km mark, I thought it would be fine to walk there, since the distance calculated on Google Earth was 8.1km. It wouldn't hurt to walk 500 meters. In the end, I had to continue running, since from space, the distance was 500m, but on the ground, I still had another 1.4km to complete. In the end, I reached at 5.40, 5 minutes behind schedule. We went for a short 3km run, before turning back as we did not know exactly where we were heading, although all I knew was if we continued running along the canal, we would reach the back gate of my cousin's condominium. It was 6.10 when we reached 10 Mile Junction to get a drink. From there, we parted ways, and I continued the remaining 8km of the journey home. I completed 22km in 2 hours and 44 minutes(inclusive of time spent at 10 Mile Junction).
This morning, I had another dream. Maybe I'm too obessed with the series Legend of the Seeker? I 'starred' as the seeker, while the wizard was the same old man, and the confessor? If I'm not wrong, it's Lihui. Nevermind about the characters? We were kind of fighting some people for a reason I had forgotten, in a village, when after lots of stuff happened, we left and were in the middle of a clearing in a forest. It was a cross-roads. Both paths ahead of us looked exactly the same, but they were heading in different directions of course. There was a playground and a deserted watch tower near where we were, and we went there to think about which path we should take. We were joined by children who came to play, and we started asking them which path led where. Not long later, some people came as well. I knew almost all of them in person, but in that dream, it was as if we did not know one another at all. I went to the watch tower, climbed to the second floor to get a good look ofthe surrounding. The scene ended there, and I found us being somewhere else. In the end, I did not know which path we took, but we ended up somewhere grand. Somewhere, with red carpet, purple curtains with golden borders, candles as lighting. There was a long dining table with the finest cutlery and dishes. I woke up after that, just as I noticed the large, white doors open.
Weird. A dream in medival times? Me, a warrior? Fine dining? Of all the friends I 'saw', I knew only one? I have got no idea how, in any way, a dream like that could come true. Perhaps, it's just some small parts, or maybe it's just purely another dream.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
2012 'Preview'
Today was the school took in los of water. Torrential rain in school, flash floods at the Convention Centre underpass and Atrium, and a waterfall at Makan Place. It happened really fast. 12.50pm, I was making my way to class at Block 50 via Blocks 72, 51 and 53. The storm had just begun.
Before that, I had a really bd morning. Waking late, taking really long to pack my stuff. Just as I was reaching the bus stop, I remembered I had forgotten to take my Calculus book along, so I turned back, and was almost late for the test. At Block 27, I met someone, though I can't remember who it was(since I was too focused on getting to the classroom as soon as possible). The test which was really easy except for a careless mistake, during CAD. Expecting to score at least 85% for that one. Lesson went pretty well. Went to Ourspace after buying lunch. It was already 12.25pm when we started eating. It was about 2 when someone announced about a flash flood at the Atrium. Our division was the furthest in, and it's located on a hill, thus we did not notice anything unusual going on. Started feeling unwell after that. One moment was feeling cold, the next I was feeling warm. However, I was not running a fever. 3pm, class ended, and I went back to Ourspace to complete some of the assignments due tomorrow, before heading home, instead of going for cca. Wanted to take part in the friendly this evening. Hopefully, I'll be well enough to go for a run tomorrow evening.
This morning, I can't recall a single dream. Hopefully, tonight I'll be able to dream peacefully, without any alarm which would cause an abrubt end to my dreams(I'm always nearing the climax in my dreams when the alarm clock goes off), which would help me remember my dreams with more ease. Tomorrow's the last day of BCE, but it seems that tomorrow is the only day where we'll be having an actual BCE where we don't have to go to school at all.
Before that, I had a really bd morning. Waking late, taking really long to pack my stuff. Just as I was reaching the bus stop, I remembered I had forgotten to take my Calculus book along, so I turned back, and was almost late for the test. At Block 27, I met someone, though I can't remember who it was(since I was too focused on getting to the classroom as soon as possible). The test which was really easy except for a careless mistake, during CAD. Expecting to score at least 85% for that one. Lesson went pretty well. Went to Ourspace after buying lunch. It was already 12.25pm when we started eating. It was about 2 when someone announced about a flash flood at the Atrium. Our division was the furthest in, and it's located on a hill, thus we did not notice anything unusual going on. Started feeling unwell after that. One moment was feeling cold, the next I was feeling warm. However, I was not running a fever. 3pm, class ended, and I went back to Ourspace to complete some of the assignments due tomorrow, before heading home, instead of going for cca. Wanted to take part in the friendly this evening. Hopefully, I'll be well enough to go for a run tomorrow evening.
This morning, I can't recall a single dream. Hopefully, tonight I'll be able to dream peacefully, without any alarm which would cause an abrubt end to my dreams(I'm always nearing the climax in my dreams when the alarm clock goes off), which would help me remember my dreams with more ease. Tomorrow's the last day of BCE, but it seems that tomorrow is the only day where we'll be having an actual BCE where we don't have to go to school at all.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Weatherly Wednesday
Today sucks. I had an additional 2 dreams of the same person. Just what exactly is my mind trying to tell me? Currently, the dream tally stands at 13. Of the 13, 6 took place in school, 2 at a public location, and 5 at a place I don't know or can't recall. Of the 6, 3 took place at the study corner at Block 39.
In school, we had CAM as usual. First incident. I saw two solar panels and some control box near the study corner at Block 39 on the way to the vending machin to get a drink during a break. The way the panels and the box were arranged, was similar in the manner some equipment was arranged in the dream I had earlier this morning at 7am. In that dream, I was with my class, when we passed a couple who were working on a final year project at that spot. One was dressed in a black cotton shirt with thin, alternating black, white and purple stripes and black jeans, while the other wore a yellow tee and light blue jeans. I knew one of them. The other, looked rather familiar, but I can't seem to remember who it was. I woke at 7.20am.
Later on, during the pratical demonstration, the air compressor that had a crucial part to play in the function of every CNC machine at the workshop, failed. That led to a 30-minute early dismissal from school today. The practical lesson kind of bcome a simple lecture and tutorial, although there was a short demonstration on the setting up of the tools. When I passed the study corner later on, I noticed some students and maybe even a lecturer at the solar panels and equipment, though I did not recognise anyone who resembled the two I 'saw'.
CAD practice was alright, and I should be able to handle the test tomorrow without much problems. Food delivery was disappointing, with only 4 of us present. The weather wasn't in our favour, but at least it was great to catch up on times with Glenn and Joel, and to meet someone new, but I forgot her name. We delivered 21 packs of food and delivered the last packet at 7pm. We took a bus back to Toa Payoh Hub, after taking some photographs.
As for the second dream, it's weird. Grandfather John, giving a lecture on a scaled-down model of the equipment I 'saw' at the study corner in the earlier dream? I was with my classmates, some members of the team, and the couple was there as well. Way too weird to be true. The equipment and set-up looked rather futuristic. An aircraft engine, that works when positioned vertically instead of horizontally. The colours were manly black, grey and silver, with some movable parts in yellow.
In school, we had CAM as usual. First incident. I saw two solar panels and some control box near the study corner at Block 39 on the way to the vending machin to get a drink during a break. The way the panels and the box were arranged, was similar in the manner some equipment was arranged in the dream I had earlier this morning at 7am. In that dream, I was with my class, when we passed a couple who were working on a final year project at that spot. One was dressed in a black cotton shirt with thin, alternating black, white and purple stripes and black jeans, while the other wore a yellow tee and light blue jeans. I knew one of them. The other, looked rather familiar, but I can't seem to remember who it was. I woke at 7.20am.
Later on, during the pratical demonstration, the air compressor that had a crucial part to play in the function of every CNC machine at the workshop, failed. That led to a 30-minute early dismissal from school today. The practical lesson kind of bcome a simple lecture and tutorial, although there was a short demonstration on the setting up of the tools. When I passed the study corner later on, I noticed some students and maybe even a lecturer at the solar panels and equipment, though I did not recognise anyone who resembled the two I 'saw'.
CAD practice was alright, and I should be able to handle the test tomorrow without much problems. Food delivery was disappointing, with only 4 of us present. The weather wasn't in our favour, but at least it was great to catch up on times with Glenn and Joel, and to meet someone new, but I forgot her name. We delivered 21 packs of food and delivered the last packet at 7pm. We took a bus back to Toa Payoh Hub, after taking some photographs.
As for the second dream, it's weird. Grandfather John, giving a lecture on a scaled-down model of the equipment I 'saw' at the study corner in the earlier dream? I was with my classmates, some members of the team, and the couple was there as well. Way too weird to be true. The equipment and set-up looked rather futuristic. An aircraft engine, that works when positioned vertically instead of horizontally. The colours were manly black, grey and silver, with some movable parts in yellow.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
17-11-09
It was scary, to come to know that our plans might have come to a dead end. Before I truly understood the problem, I had already jumped into conclusion, that it was because of the fact that I took my time to reply a simple email, that the organisation had taken it that my team was no longer interested, and they too, did not have the need to reply us after I sent in a soft copy of our proposal.
Sometimes, a solution, or a road, is revealed with a simple phone call. Till today, I still do not have the courage to make a phone call to someone I do not know. After the call, we were back on track, coming up with the more specific details of the plan, which was starting to take form.
I'm definitely not the best leader out there, but I feel privileged to say that, I have a supportive team. They might not be the easiest people to work with, but I have the faith and trust in them to always get the job done. No body's perfect. Like them, I'm here to learn. Personally, in our team, no one's the definite leader. There's just the four of us, a mentor who loves providing us with challenges and thought-provoking advice, and an organisation we want to help.
6 months. 4 members. 1 shot. That's all we got.
Once again, I did not manage to remember my dreams of last nght, except for a scene where I and 2 others were trapped in a place where the water was contaminated with radioactive material.
Sometimes, a solution, or a road, is revealed with a simple phone call. Till today, I still do not have the courage to make a phone call to someone I do not know. After the call, we were back on track, coming up with the more specific details of the plan, which was starting to take form.
I'm definitely not the best leader out there, but I feel privileged to say that, I have a supportive team. They might not be the easiest people to work with, but I have the faith and trust in them to always get the job done. No body's perfect. Like them, I'm here to learn. Personally, in our team, no one's the definite leader. There's just the four of us, a mentor who loves providing us with challenges and thought-provoking advice, and an organisation we want to help.
6 months. 4 members. 1 shot. That's all we got.
Once again, I did not manage to remember my dreams of last nght, except for a scene where I and 2 others were trapped in a place where the water was contaminated with radioactive material.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
It's Happening
So far, everything seems to be falling in place very nicely. Camp, a week of normal lessons, followed by a week of lecture and tutorials attended from home(excluding the practicals on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday). So far, after the camp, somehow I slipped back into holiday mood. The past week was simply enter the classroom, listen, take notes, leave for the next class, and so on.
This week, is the perfect period to pick up momentum and return to the pace I was going at before the camp. I had 3 weird dreams the night before. Almost all 3 had the same 'cast', but the sets were different. The first was at a team gathering, we were at an air conditioned place if I'm not wrong, and we were all standing. Can't really remember what we were discussing about, before I woke around 5, and went back to sleep again.
The next, was really weird. We were at some camp, with the exact same people from the previous camp. This campsite looked like a school campus, but there was something fishy. The walls were similar to those defining the boundaries of Changi Prison. Really tall concrete walls with barbed wire at the top, though there were no guard towers at the corners. Somehow, the same group of us who were in 'prison' back atthe camp, were back to do what we did best. We were at the window of the second floor of a block, coming up with a plan on how to break through the 2 guards at the door, and how we were going to escape. The campsite, had 2 layers of walls. However, if we were to get pass the first door, we would be at the carpark, and there, I could get to my van(hold on for a moment, I owned a van? And how in the world was I going to drive a van when I still don't have a license?), and we would escape.
Grandfather(or is it Godfather?) stood on the zinc roof of an adjacent building and called for us to head back to the main hall for the session. We dashed for the door after jumping from the second floor window. We broke into 3 teams of 3. Two teams would tie up the guards, while the for the third group, one would act as the look-out, the other 2 would pry open the door. We made it through. Grandfather had disappeared. We had to act fast, in case he called for back up. We went to the carpark, but there were 5 guards with batons charging at us! I dashed for the van with another partner, removed the chains that held it there, and drove it to where the rest were. Everyone got on, I drove straight at the wire fence without thinking twice(there was a spike strip blocking our path). The dream ended when we arrived along a stretch of road near the school. I woke at 8.45am. Thinking it was very early, I went back to sleep again.
The last, was at some event in school. The time was around 4pm and 6.30pm. Not sure if it was sunny or cloudy, though I was sure it wasn't raining. I was there to provide media coverage under the Videography and Photography Clubs. Since most of the students there were wearing yellow, and we were moving along the shelthered walkway linking Makan Place(Block 51) and the FMS Block toward Ourspace, it might be fine to assume that the event might have been organised by either by SU, BA FMS or HMS. Noticed some familiar faces along the way. The dream lasted roughly about 30 minutes, and I woke at 9.45.
I don't know how, but Kit Kat seems to have some sort of an effect on my dreams. The Third, Fourth and Fifth, were results of me consuming a packet of the chocolate before turning in for the night. I'm not so sure about the First and Second though. All these, no matter how weird they are, might just become a reality in one way or another, and they do not necessarily have to be 100% true and accurate.
Dreams with good outcomes, or with events that I look forward to seeing in my life, seldom come true. However, dreams that I don't wish to happen in real life, usually have a 30 to 40% chance of happening in real life. Dreams that leave me half-hearted about an expected outcome, might have an 80% or greater, chance of happening in real life(observed from The Third and another dream 3 years back).
Oh, and tomorrow, if there isn't much to talk about, I'll compile the 3 camp posts into one short story. I had 2 packets of chocolate the night before, and tonight, I had another.
Some dreams, can be changed, some can't. Quote from tonight's episode of Flashforward, "I choose hope".
This week, is the perfect period to pick up momentum and return to the pace I was going at before the camp. I had 3 weird dreams the night before. Almost all 3 had the same 'cast', but the sets were different. The first was at a team gathering, we were at an air conditioned place if I'm not wrong, and we were all standing. Can't really remember what we were discussing about, before I woke around 5, and went back to sleep again.
The next, was really weird. We were at some camp, with the exact same people from the previous camp. This campsite looked like a school campus, but there was something fishy. The walls were similar to those defining the boundaries of Changi Prison. Really tall concrete walls with barbed wire at the top, though there were no guard towers at the corners. Somehow, the same group of us who were in 'prison' back atthe camp, were back to do what we did best. We were at the window of the second floor of a block, coming up with a plan on how to break through the 2 guards at the door, and how we were going to escape. The campsite, had 2 layers of walls. However, if we were to get pass the first door, we would be at the carpark, and there, I could get to my van(hold on for a moment, I owned a van? And how in the world was I going to drive a van when I still don't have a license?), and we would escape.
Grandfather(or is it Godfather?) stood on the zinc roof of an adjacent building and called for us to head back to the main hall for the session. We dashed for the door after jumping from the second floor window. We broke into 3 teams of 3. Two teams would tie up the guards, while the for the third group, one would act as the look-out, the other 2 would pry open the door. We made it through. Grandfather had disappeared. We had to act fast, in case he called for back up. We went to the carpark, but there were 5 guards with batons charging at us! I dashed for the van with another partner, removed the chains that held it there, and drove it to where the rest were. Everyone got on, I drove straight at the wire fence without thinking twice(there was a spike strip blocking our path). The dream ended when we arrived along a stretch of road near the school. I woke at 8.45am. Thinking it was very early, I went back to sleep again.
The last, was at some event in school. The time was around 4pm and 6.30pm. Not sure if it was sunny or cloudy, though I was sure it wasn't raining. I was there to provide media coverage under the Videography and Photography Clubs. Since most of the students there were wearing yellow, and we were moving along the shelthered walkway linking Makan Place(Block 51) and the FMS Block toward Ourspace, it might be fine to assume that the event might have been organised by either by SU, BA FMS or HMS. Noticed some familiar faces along the way. The dream lasted roughly about 30 minutes, and I woke at 9.45.
I don't know how, but Kit Kat seems to have some sort of an effect on my dreams. The Third, Fourth and Fifth, were results of me consuming a packet of the chocolate before turning in for the night. I'm not so sure about the First and Second though. All these, no matter how weird they are, might just become a reality in one way or another, and they do not necessarily have to be 100% true and accurate.
Dreams with good outcomes, or with events that I look forward to seeing in my life, seldom come true. However, dreams that I don't wish to happen in real life, usually have a 30 to 40% chance of happening in real life. Dreams that leave me half-hearted about an expected outcome, might have an 80% or greater, chance of happening in real life(observed from The Third and another dream 3 years back).
Oh, and tomorrow, if there isn't much to talk about, I'll compile the 3 camp posts into one short story. I had 2 packets of chocolate the night before, and tonight, I had another.
Some dreams, can be changed, some can't. Quote from tonight's episode of Flashforward, "I choose hope".
Friday, November 13, 2009
Back On Track
This post might be sensitive to some readers. If you could understand the words, you're really something.
I had never been to a camp that has been able to create that small change in me. Millions of things have happened since the day I breathed my first breath. Energetic and social, to timid and introverted over 6 years. Recovered. Slowly. And then there came an email, which I did not want to reply at first. Asked around for opinions. Saw green all around. Rushed to the office, before going off for my driving lesson.
Much assests have been wasted on me. I never wanted this to be the 5th time. 'Just one last time. If this one doesn't create that spark, let's give the next few the miss.'
The name is probably one of the most boring ones I have seen. How could it even be one where I heard nothing but praises about? Forget it. Just endure for 3 days, and we're free.
The morning before it started was silent. Before it even started, I was already having a nice chat with 4 others. The first camp where there wasn't an obvious ice breaker. Everyone, simply bonded like a magnet. Birds of a feather, we flocked together. Indeed. Who was I to judge the novel by its name? With a boring title, Its contents where bright as gold. Flipping through, I was greeted with challenges and opportunities.
I was given a chance. Hesistantly, I took it. Something must have given me that little push, which got things started. Loud, hyper, enthusiastic on the inside, yet silent, shy, sheepish on the outside. Had the chance, took the risk, made the change. I started to break away.
The act on the last day. It could relate to how I felt when I felt it happening. From packing my stuff disdaintedly the night before, to being reluctant to leave everyone. Looking back, it's always the same feeling. Wondering about how it could have lasted for another day or two, it was just a void, feeling of emptiness, yet there was something to look forward to. A new me. Just as quiet, shy and boring, but when it comes to communicating, there's depth and enthusiasm.
Each time I look back, I'll think with regret. 'If I had come expecting nothing great, I would have been able to take home lots and lots of goodies that a greedy kid would die for.'
I wish I was normal... What am I doing... I don't belong... I'm a weirdo... I'm a creep... I feel like taking up the guitar again, and although I have forgotten my voice, I wish I could sing a little in front of others...
I had never been to a camp that has been able to create that small change in me. Millions of things have happened since the day I breathed my first breath. Energetic and social, to timid and introverted over 6 years. Recovered. Slowly. And then there came an email, which I did not want to reply at first. Asked around for opinions. Saw green all around. Rushed to the office, before going off for my driving lesson.
Much assests have been wasted on me. I never wanted this to be the 5th time. 'Just one last time. If this one doesn't create that spark, let's give the next few the miss.'
The name is probably one of the most boring ones I have seen. How could it even be one where I heard nothing but praises about? Forget it. Just endure for 3 days, and we're free.
The morning before it started was silent. Before it even started, I was already having a nice chat with 4 others. The first camp where there wasn't an obvious ice breaker. Everyone, simply bonded like a magnet. Birds of a feather, we flocked together. Indeed. Who was I to judge the novel by its name? With a boring title, Its contents where bright as gold. Flipping through, I was greeted with challenges and opportunities.
I was given a chance. Hesistantly, I took it. Something must have given me that little push, which got things started. Loud, hyper, enthusiastic on the inside, yet silent, shy, sheepish on the outside. Had the chance, took the risk, made the change. I started to break away.
The act on the last day. It could relate to how I felt when I felt it happening. From packing my stuff disdaintedly the night before, to being reluctant to leave everyone. Looking back, it's always the same feeling. Wondering about how it could have lasted for another day or two, it was just a void, feeling of emptiness, yet there was something to look forward to. A new me. Just as quiet, shy and boring, but when it comes to communicating, there's depth and enthusiasm.
Each time I look back, I'll think with regret. 'If I had come expecting nothing great, I would have been able to take home lots and lots of goodies that a greedy kid would die for.'
I wish I was normal... What am I doing... I don't belong... I'm a weirdo... I'm a creep... I feel like taking up the guitar again, and although I have forgotten my voice, I wish I could sing a little in front of others...
Thursday, November 12, 2009
CampTCP5 '09-Day 3(The Moment I Confessed To The World)
"Attended a camp with a friend, at a school on a Friday. Booked in at 4pm, had activities till late, and we had the best night walk ever. Pitch black environment, used torches(those used in medival times) as torchlights and the monsters and ghosts, were real. We even entered the bridge of a space ship!
The next morning had some games, before we had the prize pesentation. For some reason, the both of us were down to help with the area cleaning, and when we got back, we were dismissed.Here's the weird part. A girl and her father, came to us, asking for a friendly match. Alright. This match is something that would never happen in real life. Seen the anime Avatar? That's what happened. They controlled water, we controlled fire. Behind them, was a boy who could control air. We sneaked up to him, told him our plan, and we got down to it.
However, we were never successful. Until when we finally managed to carry out our plan, the girl suddenly ran to the washroom, and came out soon after, only to throw out. Someone threw a roll of toilet paper out as well, and out came the cleaner, angry about the mess she made.
We just let her let lose her anger and she walked away. I went over to her with her father. He asked if she was fine before bringing her home. He thanked us for the time and took her home.My friend and I stayed there for awhile to help with the cleaning, before going off. We went to the bus interchange together, before going our seperate ways. Went to wait for the bus, before, I met her again. Asked where her father was, she only said he had to rush back to work after something cropped up. Offered to accompany her home, and the dream ended when we boarded an SBS bus.
Here's the weird stuff. A camp at a school? A super realistic night walk that was out-of-this-world. A girl who I had seen in 4 dreams, including this one. The first sighting was in March this year. A bus insterchange that was fully air-conditioned.
Some traits. 160 to 165 in height, sky blue tee with some sliver lines and white shorts, shoulder-length hair tied up with a black band and, neither too thin nor plump. This might freak some out. Aged between 14 to 16(though I think it's more likely to be between 15 to 16).Weird eh?
Discussed this with Jon, and we both agreed it was weird with lots of weird stuff, though some parts might just become a reality. Honestly, I hope this dream doesn't come true in any possible way. As for that girl, I don't know if someone like that really exists in the real world, an even if someone really exists, I have nothing to say, other than, how was it even possible for me to dream of someone I have never met in real life? "
That night, the final conversation started with me poping the question,"I just remembered something. Have you guys ever dreamt of someone you have never met before in real life?"
Cardus said he did, and he had a nice experience in that one(for more, just ask him). "Well, I also did, and that dream was this camp itself! Almost everything came true." That got Dax and Gary excited. I wondered if Philip was still awake, as he was acting kind of drunk although he as damn sleepy at the time. I told them about the three scenes that happened earlier during the day, as well as the team mate I saw a total of 9 times in my dreams so far. They went on asking me if I could do an introduction the next day, before I gave in and turned in for the night.
I slept for 2 hours, before going back to pack my bags and prepared to head to Ourspace. Breakfast that morning was similar to the breakfast I had back in the Philippines, but I did not have the appetite to eat much. As expected, they called me over, and asked who she was(although they only knew her name). I told them, and was relieved they let it rest after that.
"The next morning had some games, before we had the prize pesentation."
Session 6. The Moat Game. The ultimate test of our teamwork. Apparently, in my dream, we finished it in under 15minutes. However, during the actual activity, we were at it for 185 minutes! Throughout, there was something that was missing in the game plan. Cooperation among the sections. Had a short lesson on that, before we went back to the same place we first gathered at, for lunch.
The closing ceremony was grand with all the good food at the buffet, though I liked the closing ceremony we had the night before we left the Philippines more. As expected, there was the prize presentation.
We had out final M&M session. Before that, I had wanted to use the same move I used 2 years ago during the Graduation Nite Dinner, which was to tell her in person just after everyone else had gone off. That day, I did not. That's when I disclosed the dream to them. Finally, I told them 2 things I had wanted to say the night before. The first, was a brief overview of the things I did and experienced during my 7-day trip to the Philippines. The next, was the dream, which I was hesistant to tell at first. "Seen the anime Avatar? That's what happened."
"Alright, this is going to sound very freaky, and some might get freaked out. Has anyone watched the TV programme Flashforward before? It's because I can, kind of see the future in my dreams. And there's one that came true. Ok, Since March till Friday night, I had 9 dreams of the same person. I'll tell you about the person later. The first two I saw were just shadows, but for the third, I dreamt of this camp. Almost everything in that dream came true, and on Friday when I joined the team, I was freaked out as well. I dreamt of me running from someone, the grid game, the campfire and the moat game. As for the person who I saw, is among us, is a girl, and she is..."
The girl who I had dreamt of for 9 times, was Belinda. I got the results I had anticipated. On the inside, I was cursing and swearing. 'Why? Why did I have to go around scaring people off like that? Yes, no doubt anyone would find it really cool and interesting, but, won't it cause unnecessary harm to some?'
At 4pm, Cardus, Gary, Dax, Jaemeng and I left for Ang Mo Kio Hub via SBS service 74. We went to buy tickets to My Girlfriend Is An Agent, before going to the arcade and went to meet Cardus' friends. Had western dinner, before going to watch the movie. At 10, we went to the Air conditioned bus interchange to help Cardus purchase his bus concession, before we offered to accompany Jaemeng to her place, before we went to the bus stop, since it was along the way. After boarding the bus, we had a little talk about how they were going to give Jaemeng a surprise this evening at her home(wondering how it went), and discussed about the possible reasons about of all things, I 'saw' her more than 5 times.
There you have it. The third dream I had. On a side note, although most of the events in the dream revolved about the same person, in real life, the same events took place, except each time it was a different person. There were small portions which did not occur fully in real, but were linked to some of the events that took place. Thus, this dream, to date, has one of the highest accuracy rates I had so far, with roughly 90% of the events I dreamt about happening during the camp.
Today nothing much happened in school, and apart from that, I'm not really in the mood to study, and I'm too tired to type on. Got lots and lots of catching up to do tomorrow.
The next morning had some games, before we had the prize pesentation. For some reason, the both of us were down to help with the area cleaning, and when we got back, we were dismissed.Here's the weird part. A girl and her father, came to us, asking for a friendly match. Alright. This match is something that would never happen in real life. Seen the anime Avatar? That's what happened. They controlled water, we controlled fire. Behind them, was a boy who could control air. We sneaked up to him, told him our plan, and we got down to it.
However, we were never successful. Until when we finally managed to carry out our plan, the girl suddenly ran to the washroom, and came out soon after, only to throw out. Someone threw a roll of toilet paper out as well, and out came the cleaner, angry about the mess she made.
We just let her let lose her anger and she walked away. I went over to her with her father. He asked if she was fine before bringing her home. He thanked us for the time and took her home.My friend and I stayed there for awhile to help with the cleaning, before going off. We went to the bus interchange together, before going our seperate ways. Went to wait for the bus, before, I met her again. Asked where her father was, she only said he had to rush back to work after something cropped up. Offered to accompany her home, and the dream ended when we boarded an SBS bus.
Here's the weird stuff. A camp at a school? A super realistic night walk that was out-of-this-world. A girl who I had seen in 4 dreams, including this one. The first sighting was in March this year. A bus insterchange that was fully air-conditioned.
Some traits. 160 to 165 in height, sky blue tee with some sliver lines and white shorts, shoulder-length hair tied up with a black band and, neither too thin nor plump. This might freak some out. Aged between 14 to 16(though I think it's more likely to be between 15 to 16).Weird eh?
Discussed this with Jon, and we both agreed it was weird with lots of weird stuff, though some parts might just become a reality. Honestly, I hope this dream doesn't come true in any possible way. As for that girl, I don't know if someone like that really exists in the real world, an even if someone really exists, I have nothing to say, other than, how was it even possible for me to dream of someone I have never met in real life? "
That night, the final conversation started with me poping the question,"I just remembered something. Have you guys ever dreamt of someone you have never met before in real life?"
Cardus said he did, and he had a nice experience in that one(for more, just ask him). "Well, I also did, and that dream was this camp itself! Almost everything came true." That got Dax and Gary excited. I wondered if Philip was still awake, as he was acting kind of drunk although he as damn sleepy at the time. I told them about the three scenes that happened earlier during the day, as well as the team mate I saw a total of 9 times in my dreams so far. They went on asking me if I could do an introduction the next day, before I gave in and turned in for the night.
I slept for 2 hours, before going back to pack my bags and prepared to head to Ourspace. Breakfast that morning was similar to the breakfast I had back in the Philippines, but I did not have the appetite to eat much. As expected, they called me over, and asked who she was(although they only knew her name). I told them, and was relieved they let it rest after that.
"The next morning had some games, before we had the prize pesentation."
Session 6. The Moat Game. The ultimate test of our teamwork. Apparently, in my dream, we finished it in under 15minutes. However, during the actual activity, we were at it for 185 minutes! Throughout, there was something that was missing in the game plan. Cooperation among the sections. Had a short lesson on that, before we went back to the same place we first gathered at, for lunch.
The closing ceremony was grand with all the good food at the buffet, though I liked the closing ceremony we had the night before we left the Philippines more. As expected, there was the prize presentation.
We had out final M&M session. Before that, I had wanted to use the same move I used 2 years ago during the Graduation Nite Dinner, which was to tell her in person just after everyone else had gone off. That day, I did not. That's when I disclosed the dream to them. Finally, I told them 2 things I had wanted to say the night before. The first, was a brief overview of the things I did and experienced during my 7-day trip to the Philippines. The next, was the dream, which I was hesistant to tell at first. "Seen the anime Avatar? That's what happened."
"Alright, this is going to sound very freaky, and some might get freaked out. Has anyone watched the TV programme Flashforward before? It's because I can, kind of see the future in my dreams. And there's one that came true. Ok, Since March till Friday night, I had 9 dreams of the same person. I'll tell you about the person later. The first two I saw were just shadows, but for the third, I dreamt of this camp. Almost everything in that dream came true, and on Friday when I joined the team, I was freaked out as well. I dreamt of me running from someone, the grid game, the campfire and the moat game. As for the person who I saw, is among us, is a girl, and she is..."
The girl who I had dreamt of for 9 times, was Belinda. I got the results I had anticipated. On the inside, I was cursing and swearing. 'Why? Why did I have to go around scaring people off like that? Yes, no doubt anyone would find it really cool and interesting, but, won't it cause unnecessary harm to some?'
At 4pm, Cardus, Gary, Dax, Jaemeng and I left for Ang Mo Kio Hub via SBS service 74. We went to buy tickets to My Girlfriend Is An Agent, before going to the arcade and went to meet Cardus' friends. Had western dinner, before going to watch the movie. At 10, we went to the Air conditioned bus interchange to help Cardus purchase his bus concession, before we offered to accompany Jaemeng to her place, before we went to the bus stop, since it was along the way. After boarding the bus, we had a little talk about how they were going to give Jaemeng a surprise this evening at her home(wondering how it went), and discussed about the possible reasons about of all things, I 'saw' her more than 5 times.
There you have it. The third dream I had. On a side note, although most of the events in the dream revolved about the same person, in real life, the same events took place, except each time it was a different person. There were small portions which did not occur fully in real, but were linked to some of the events that took place. Thus, this dream, to date, has one of the highest accuracy rates I had so far, with roughly 90% of the events I dreamt about happening during the camp.
Today nothing much happened in school, and apart from that, I'm not really in the mood to study, and I'm too tired to type on. Got lots and lots of catching up to do tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
CampTCP5 '09-Day 2(The Day I noticed a Large Crack On The Side Of My Shell)
I woke too early at 6am, and went back to sleep again. I remembered I dreamt about something the night before, but I just could not recall what it was. Just before I woke up at 7.30am, I 'saw' her again, for the ninth time. Why? Why was it that, the only thing I could remember was a short dream that lasted less than 15 seconds, and it's always the same character? Was there some kind of meaning to it? All I saw, was noticing someone looking over the shoulder of a team mate just as I turned in that direction, while we were doing something. I can't remember clearly if it was on the floor or at a table. Alright. It's been 9 times, and there's I might have found her. If it really is her, prove it to me. Today.
Before we go on, let me share with you an excerpt of the post I typed a month ago.
"Attended a camp with a friend, at a school on a Friday. Booked in at 4pm, had activities till late, and we had the best night walk ever. Pitch black environment, used torches(those used in medival times) as torchlights and the monsters and ghosts, were real. We even entered the bridge of a space ship!
The next morning had some games, before we had the prize pesentation. For some reason, the both of us were down to help with the area cleaning, and when we got back, we were dismissed.Here's the weird part. A girl and her father, came to us, asking for a friendly match. Alright. This match is something that would never happen in real life. Seen the anime Avatar? That's what happened. They controlled water, we controlled fire. Behind them, was a boy who could control air. We sneaked up to him, told him our plan, and we got down to it.
However, we were never successful. Until when we finally managed to carry out our plan, the girl suddenly ran to the washroom, and came out soon after, only to throw out. Someone threw a roll of toilet paper out as well, and out came the cleaner, angry about the mess she made.
We just let her let lose her anger and she walked away. I went over to her with her father. He asked if she was fine before bringing her home. He thanked us for the time and took her home.My friend and I stayed there for awhile to help with the cleaning, before going off. We went to the bus interchange together, before going our seperate ways. Went to wait for the bus, before, I met her again. Asked where her father was, she only said he had to rush back to work after something cropped up. Offered to accompany her home, and the dream ended when we boarded an SBS bus.
Here's the weird stuff. A camp at a school? A super realistic night walk that was out-of-this-world. A girl who I had seen in 4 dreams, including this one. The first sighting was in March this year. A bus insterchange that was fully air-conditioned.
Some traits. 160 to 165 in height, sky blue tee with some sliver lines and white shorts, shoulder-length hair tied up with a black band and, neither too thin nor plump. This might freak some out. Aged between 14 to 16(though I think it's more likely to be between 15 to 16).Weird eh?
Discussed this with Jon, and we both agreed it was weird with lots of weird stuff, though some parts might just become a reality. Honestly, I hope this dream doesn't come true in any possible way. As for that girl, I don't know if someone like that really exists in the real world, an even if someone really exists, I have nothing to say, other than, how was it even possible for me to dream of someone I have never met in real life? "
Basically, parts in red are events that have fully happened, orange are things that I perceived, that have happened in a different form, yellow is something that is linked to something I told everyone about on the third day, and sky blue, is linked to an acitvity we did on the morning of the third day. This post is meant for the second day, so I'll put the same excerpt up for the next post as well, before posting these 2 posts as a single post for those who have lots of time to read it.
The day began rather peacefully with breakfast. At 9.30am, we began on the first activity of the day. We had an interview with Wei Hao, and if I'm not wrong, I might have seen him on TV during a tuition class in Secondary 4, as part of an exercise to help me improve on my Chinese paper 1.
Session 3, The Paper Bag Dilema. We got into place, and started buying the necessary stuff we needed to make enough money to make ends meet. In less than 5 minutes, Jorge came to take Rachel to a prison. Although stunned, we did not really let it hit us. We decided that, if we could earn enough, we would save her. We could not. Every 5 to 7 minutes, one of them would come up to us, demanding we turn one of us in if we did not do something. Guess it really got into me at the 38 minute mark, when I went to ask for the price of bailing Rachel out of there. Jorge came again, 6 times in under 15 minutes. The first time, he had a 'warrant' for arrest for Cardus. The next time his team mate came, we managed to say something that allowed us to go free. On the third time, he wanted to take someone away(can't remember if it was Ang Siang, Belinda, Lionel or Cardus). I wanted to hand myself in. They held me back.
"Hey, let me speak to them, then I'll come with you."
"Ok, go."
I told Caruds(was Jaemeng there as well?),"It's going to be fine, I don't know how to fold the bags. Might as well let me go and you'll enjoy a short period of peace."
"No, you can't! We need you."
"Ok ok! I'll let you go this time. Next time better give us something or you will go to prison!"
The fourth time, he came back, and said,"Want to see how much your friend is suffering? One person come with me. I promise I won't make you join her. Just have a look of how she is doing."
We refused to go. He gave up, and left. Although he kind of meant what he said, for once, I felt as though the trust I had in him had disappeared. In its place, I felt a fire burning. It's getting irritating. Why not, I do something that could cause them some confusion that would help not just our family, but the other 5 families as well? Afterall, we're all working hard to make ends meet right? All it takes was just one to step out, and there would be some peace, even if that peace lasted only for 5 minutes.
The fifth time, his team mate came, and we decided to perform. And he left after that. I went with Lionel to ask for some glue, and we returned after Germaise generously gave us a small portion of their rations. We were greatfully thankful for the help."Don't worry, we'll ask them for help later on too." The bomb that was ticking had just exploded inside, although as usual, I was too shy to show it, lest the 'enforcers' noticed it and took me away before I even did something.
The sixth time. Both came. As they started talking to my family members, asking to take someone away, I felt my conscience fade into thin air. At that moment, time stopped for me. I stared blankly at the notes his teammate held in his hand. I heard a voice. "Take the money. Take the money and run!"
'Did someone say run?'
My heart skipped a beat, a thousand and one thoughts ran through my mind in a split second.
"We won't be able to get Rachel out."
"You know, some people were caught trying to steal money."
"Someone from another team was caught trying to steal money from the money lender!"
"It's ok, let them have it. We'll look to them for help later on."
Play Hard, Live High. I'mpossible. Without thinking with reason, I grabed the notes in his hand, leaving him with just $2. "What the?! HEY!" I made a sprint around Our Space. It's too late to turn back. If I stopped, my team and I are goners. I burst through the door into the lounge. I jumped over someone without thinking. Guess the days of Taekwondo training since I was 12 till last month paid off. I looped around the place once, before smiling at my family through the glass window, and continued on, crashing out through the front door. I came to my senses and returned him SOME of his cash. He asked me about my offences. Speeding(I was sprinting at about 17 or 18km/h in the premises, way greater than the 1m/h allowed), stealing, running from a Government Official, evading arrest, talking back at a Government Official. After that, just after he said something about bringing me to 'paradise', the fire in me was still raging. Once again, a second explosion took place from within, I started running, narrowly evading Jorge.
I noticed Faye, Lionel, Cardus, Jaemeng and Belinda(was anyone else there, or did I add someone extra?) coming in my direction. I grabbed onto Jorge who resisted for only awhile. I pushed him away as his team mate was trying to grab onto me as well. I countered it by locking his arms(similar to what I would do in a Taekwondo sparring competition) really tightly and pinned him to the pillar,hollered,"GO!" Before pushing him away, and sprinted in the opposite direction once they were safe. I hid for a short while, but apparently I tried to contact Cardus, not knowing he had been made scapegoat for my crimes(or was it because of some other reason?). A team tried to disclose of my position, but they failed, and one of them got sent to prison.
I silently passed Faye the money, and just before I got back into my hiding place, I was caught, and sent to prison, though they failed to notice I was in need of some first aid. That's the way to be in a game! Once there, it was shocking. People tied up, and blinded. Even Cardus was in a bad shape. Just then, I realised that scene one of my third dream had become a reality.
This was something that I did not post, as it was something that I liked to do on a daily basis. There were plans to execute a prison break. I sneaked away just as my family tried to distract the prison master, to help Cardus. The fire had died down a little, but it was still burning. I told Cardus about how I would help him to break free before we ran out through the door. Just as I was brought to have my hands tied up, a riot broke out. I took the chance, and joined up with Philip till the end. Grandpa(Rhordan) noticed my injury, and sent me to the first aid corner. It was then, that I learnt that our camp, was the first of 5 camps to organise a riot and a prison break. And we sure were a rough bunch!
Next, we had a discussion on the earlier activity. There were suggestions like how the government could help the poor, setting up NGOs, organising trips to educate the people. There were the touching and inpiring stories of how our mentors had gone to war-torn countries, and helped make a change in the way the people lived their lives. There were also heart warming stories of the trips where some of us went overseas to help a community. I learnt alot, and it sure has reinforced the experiences I had back in Dumagete City, Negros Oriental, The Philippines. If given the chance, I will definitely want to return on the next trip. No questions asked. The only thing I am worried of, is whether I would have enough money to make that move.
It was 1.30pm, when we were finally let off for lunch(which was none other than Session 4, Lunch Unlimited). Most of us received the letter "A". First reaction? Who has an "A" as well? One by one, the groups were let off. We had a photograph taken. Did Jaemeng request for that? I saw the fine diners, normal packed lunch for those on chairs, and for us, we were going to have bread on the floor. 'Wow. This is the first camp that allowed everyone to have a feel of how the temptations I felt by looking at my friends enjoy the thick layers of cheese on the pizzas at Pizza Hut! Kudos to them!' Germaise offered food. Once again, as long as someone stoof out, there would be a great change. Everyone started to share their food. 'This is too good to be true! Imagine, just imagine, the joy I could share with my friends when I could finally consume cheese!' Out of worry that there might not be enough food to go around, I decided to skip lunch. Well, that's me. Just to see a smile on the faces of others(especially those I knew or am close to), I am willing to do anything to help. As for what would happen to my fate? I don't really give a damn. Their happiness is as good as all the wealth I could have in the world.
We came back, had a debrief about the activity we just had. They were impressed, simply because we helped to clear the food and drinks, instead of simply sharing the food. Sharing the love. Wow. That, was something we learnt from the teachers and principals at Malau-nay Elementary School(aka School on a Hill). Sometimes, the children go to school with just one meal, or they simply starve throughout the day of lessons! Worse still, some don't even have proper stationery to study with. Like what Lionel shared earlier, there were indeed families according to the principal(I might be wrong as to who raised that point back in March), who said,"Why should we let our children go to school? They are not the brightest people in the village, so we might as well save them the stress and burden of studying hard with little hope of going on to High School, and just let them continue working with us to earn a living."
We had a short break, before we went on to the Initiation Challenge at 5pm. Unlike the other camps where it was every team for themself, this camp had games that stressed on every team for everyone, for the greater good of everyone. The second and third scenes have also become a reality. The first game was one where we had to go in sequence in a room, tapping on cards with numbers, going from 1 to 20 and leaving the room in under 12 seconds. We had a hard time trying out 3 different strategies as a single team, before we finally came up with one that allowed us to complete it in 10 seconds flat.
By then, we were now together as a section, as teams 2 and 5 merged to form a team, to complete the second challenge. The next challenge would be the second scene. The grids, where to pass from one side to the other, our teams would have to work on solving the 2 halves of the route. I wanted very much to share with them the first 5 steps that I remembered from the dream. However, there was the condition of confidentiality listed on the first day. I gave up after awhile, and went on the first 4. However, when I stepped on the 5th step, the whistle was blown. 'WHAT?! You can't be serious! If the first 4 were right, then the 5th must be as well, right?' After some time, we managed to solve the puzzle, and we left them behind, after all they had done for us. As for that 5th step, I was right in the end. Feeling guilty, one of us went to tell them the clue to the next location. We walked at first, but later on, we ran to the field at block 50 as a faction.
We were the first to arrive, and there, was the first task that required us to work as a real team, as a cohort, as one. Many voices, many ideas, one strategy. After lots of discussion, we arrived at one strategy and with it, we broke the time record of 18 seconds, with a time of 17 seconds. Our final clue, was for us to head over to the 'spaceship'.
The night walk? We ran(that's why it was out-of-this-world) as one. Once there. I freaked out. Here's the excerpt again.
"Pitch black environment, used torches(those used in medival times) as torchlights and the monsters and ghosts, were real. We even entered the bridge of a space ship!"
Indeed, the environment was pitch black when we arrived, there were torches, really the ones used in medival times. The monsters and ghosts were, yes you guessed it, our mentors themselves! There they were, at the bridge of the spaceship(the stage). One of the "monsters" used a torch, to light another 2 torches, before passing it to someone. And not just that, just like how I had dreamt it to be, that "monster" could sing! Why I thought it was a spaceship? An image of the Earth being flashed on the walls with projectors.
We had probably the best dinner at a camp, buffet dinner with free flow of ice cream, pop corn and cotton candy! WOW!
Come to think of it, the 2 overnight TCP events I had attended, both had a great dinner the night before the day the events came to a saddening close.
We proceeded to take some photographs, before carrying on to Ourspace for M&M again. For the first time, I felt no fear in speaking out to the team. I noticed a large, long crack running along my shell. The first day, was kind of an experience for us, to understand ourselves and our characters, which form the basis and the very foundation of a team. On the second day, we were going to use that experience and the lessons learnt, to form the next level of a team.
'Keep to your promise, you said you'll tell them.'
I wanted to, but I guess there just wasn't enough time for me to go on talking so much. And so, we were dismissed for the night after another photoshoot.
"We had activities till late." That night, I joined Cardus and his room mates, together with Philip, Jaemeng and Jalyn in his apartment. We played the Monopoly card game for sometime, ate snacks, added one another on facebook and chatted till 3am. As promised, I decided to tell the guys first. Gary and Dax seemed really interested on when I would finally introduce her, to them, after I broke the news. I asked the typical probability question, and they gave encouaging answers to the math question.
At 3am, I turned in for the night, hoping that the next morning would not be a tearful one. I couldn't bear to leave everyone just after I got to know them well.
Went to school as usualy for CAM today. The CNC turning machine is so cool! I love the sounds of the hydraulics and the cutter at work! Man! I love my course! As usual, we went to the labs to complete our assignments due the next day. Since there was still some time left, I decided to go meet my advisor. I had always thought my advisor was a 'he', until I went to check for her extention number, to request an audience with her. She's a really nice person to talk to, and I sure was surprised that I was the first student to meet with her. Initially I was worried that we might end up with nothing much to talk about, but thanks to the camp, somehow, I was able to open up well. I talked the way I never used to. Enjoyed the session lots. Oh, and I also told her about the dream I had about the camp, and she asked if I could dream about any potential first prize numbers for the 4D. Had my breakfast, lunch and dinner in a single meal at 4pm with Ying Feng, before going to the library to settle for the extremely slow internet speeds till 6.30pm, before meeting Joel for the Videography Club meeting. I told Joel about the dream later that evening before we boarded the bus, and again, he said he was looking forward to getting a 4D number from me. Oh man, just when I thought it would be good to share about that with people around me. Well, anyways, I'll try for one!
Another dream I had the night before. We were at Shaw House on a shopping trip. There were less than 10 of us, from team 5. All I could remember is we were trying on clothes at a shop, and went for coffee and some light food at TCC. I woke up after that.
Alright. I admit defeat. You got me. You win. So, the next day, I shall tell my team tomorrow, before we all go home for the weekend, as promised. The accuracy of that dream has made it to my cloud of fame, with an accuracy of over 80%. Right now, deep inside, I'm hoping for the 10th. However, up there, I don't want myself to get occupied with unnecessary thoughts and dreams. As of that night, I was speechless, and lost. Everything had happened almost exactly the way I dreamt it to. Was it a good thing? Would I scare my friends away? Afterall, it's a gift for being knocked cold for a short moment after falling off a flight of steps on board the school bus when I was just 7, for playing and running around on board the moving bus.
Before we go on, let me share with you an excerpt of the post I typed a month ago.
"Attended a camp with a friend, at a school on a Friday. Booked in at 4pm, had activities till late, and we had the best night walk ever. Pitch black environment, used torches(those used in medival times) as torchlights and the monsters and ghosts, were real. We even entered the bridge of a space ship!
The next morning had some games, before we had the prize pesentation. For some reason, the both of us were down to help with the area cleaning, and when we got back, we were dismissed.Here's the weird part. A girl and her father, came to us, asking for a friendly match. Alright. This match is something that would never happen in real life. Seen the anime Avatar? That's what happened. They controlled water, we controlled fire. Behind them, was a boy who could control air. We sneaked up to him, told him our plan, and we got down to it.
However, we were never successful. Until when we finally managed to carry out our plan, the girl suddenly ran to the washroom, and came out soon after, only to throw out. Someone threw a roll of toilet paper out as well, and out came the cleaner, angry about the mess she made.
We just let her let lose her anger and she walked away. I went over to her with her father. He asked if she was fine before bringing her home. He thanked us for the time and took her home.My friend and I stayed there for awhile to help with the cleaning, before going off. We went to the bus interchange together, before going our seperate ways. Went to wait for the bus, before, I met her again. Asked where her father was, she only said he had to rush back to work after something cropped up. Offered to accompany her home, and the dream ended when we boarded an SBS bus.
Here's the weird stuff. A camp at a school? A super realistic night walk that was out-of-this-world. A girl who I had seen in 4 dreams, including this one. The first sighting was in March this year. A bus insterchange that was fully air-conditioned.
Some traits. 160 to 165 in height, sky blue tee with some sliver lines and white shorts, shoulder-length hair tied up with a black band and, neither too thin nor plump. This might freak some out. Aged between 14 to 16(though I think it's more likely to be between 15 to 16).Weird eh?
Discussed this with Jon, and we both agreed it was weird with lots of weird stuff, though some parts might just become a reality. Honestly, I hope this dream doesn't come true in any possible way. As for that girl, I don't know if someone like that really exists in the real world, an even if someone really exists, I have nothing to say, other than, how was it even possible for me to dream of someone I have never met in real life? "
Basically, parts in red are events that have fully happened, orange are things that I perceived, that have happened in a different form, yellow is something that is linked to something I told everyone about on the third day, and sky blue, is linked to an acitvity we did on the morning of the third day. This post is meant for the second day, so I'll put the same excerpt up for the next post as well, before posting these 2 posts as a single post for those who have lots of time to read it.
The day began rather peacefully with breakfast. At 9.30am, we began on the first activity of the day. We had an interview with Wei Hao, and if I'm not wrong, I might have seen him on TV during a tuition class in Secondary 4, as part of an exercise to help me improve on my Chinese paper 1.
Session 3, The Paper Bag Dilema. We got into place, and started buying the necessary stuff we needed to make enough money to make ends meet. In less than 5 minutes, Jorge came to take Rachel to a prison. Although stunned, we did not really let it hit us. We decided that, if we could earn enough, we would save her. We could not. Every 5 to 7 minutes, one of them would come up to us, demanding we turn one of us in if we did not do something. Guess it really got into me at the 38 minute mark, when I went to ask for the price of bailing Rachel out of there. Jorge came again, 6 times in under 15 minutes. The first time, he had a 'warrant' for arrest for Cardus. The next time his team mate came, we managed to say something that allowed us to go free. On the third time, he wanted to take someone away(can't remember if it was Ang Siang, Belinda, Lionel or Cardus). I wanted to hand myself in. They held me back.
"Hey, let me speak to them, then I'll come with you."
"Ok, go."
I told Caruds(was Jaemeng there as well?),"It's going to be fine, I don't know how to fold the bags. Might as well let me go and you'll enjoy a short period of peace."
"No, you can't! We need you."
"Ok ok! I'll let you go this time. Next time better give us something or you will go to prison!"
The fourth time, he came back, and said,"Want to see how much your friend is suffering? One person come with me. I promise I won't make you join her. Just have a look of how she is doing."
We refused to go. He gave up, and left. Although he kind of meant what he said, for once, I felt as though the trust I had in him had disappeared. In its place, I felt a fire burning. It's getting irritating. Why not, I do something that could cause them some confusion that would help not just our family, but the other 5 families as well? Afterall, we're all working hard to make ends meet right? All it takes was just one to step out, and there would be some peace, even if that peace lasted only for 5 minutes.
The fifth time, his team mate came, and we decided to perform. And he left after that. I went with Lionel to ask for some glue, and we returned after Germaise generously gave us a small portion of their rations. We were greatfully thankful for the help."Don't worry, we'll ask them for help later on too." The bomb that was ticking had just exploded inside, although as usual, I was too shy to show it, lest the 'enforcers' noticed it and took me away before I even did something.
The sixth time. Both came. As they started talking to my family members, asking to take someone away, I felt my conscience fade into thin air. At that moment, time stopped for me. I stared blankly at the notes his teammate held in his hand. I heard a voice. "Take the money. Take the money and run!"
'Did someone say run?'
My heart skipped a beat, a thousand and one thoughts ran through my mind in a split second.
"We won't be able to get Rachel out."
"You know, some people were caught trying to steal money."
"Someone from another team was caught trying to steal money from the money lender!"
"It's ok, let them have it. We'll look to them for help later on."
Play Hard, Live High. I'mpossible. Without thinking with reason, I grabed the notes in his hand, leaving him with just $2. "What the?! HEY!" I made a sprint around Our Space. It's too late to turn back. If I stopped, my team and I are goners. I burst through the door into the lounge. I jumped over someone without thinking. Guess the days of Taekwondo training since I was 12 till last month paid off. I looped around the place once, before smiling at my family through the glass window, and continued on, crashing out through the front door. I came to my senses and returned him SOME of his cash. He asked me about my offences. Speeding(I was sprinting at about 17 or 18km/h in the premises, way greater than the 1m/h allowed), stealing, running from a Government Official, evading arrest, talking back at a Government Official. After that, just after he said something about bringing me to 'paradise', the fire in me was still raging. Once again, a second explosion took place from within, I started running, narrowly evading Jorge.
I noticed Faye, Lionel, Cardus, Jaemeng and Belinda(was anyone else there, or did I add someone extra?) coming in my direction. I grabbed onto Jorge who resisted for only awhile. I pushed him away as his team mate was trying to grab onto me as well. I countered it by locking his arms(similar to what I would do in a Taekwondo sparring competition) really tightly and pinned him to the pillar,hollered,"GO!" Before pushing him away, and sprinted in the opposite direction once they were safe. I hid for a short while, but apparently I tried to contact Cardus, not knowing he had been made scapegoat for my crimes(or was it because of some other reason?). A team tried to disclose of my position, but they failed, and one of them got sent to prison.
I silently passed Faye the money, and just before I got back into my hiding place, I was caught, and sent to prison, though they failed to notice I was in need of some first aid. That's the way to be in a game! Once there, it was shocking. People tied up, and blinded. Even Cardus was in a bad shape. Just then, I realised that scene one of my third dream had become a reality.
This was something that I did not post, as it was something that I liked to do on a daily basis. There were plans to execute a prison break. I sneaked away just as my family tried to distract the prison master, to help Cardus. The fire had died down a little, but it was still burning. I told Cardus about how I would help him to break free before we ran out through the door. Just as I was brought to have my hands tied up, a riot broke out. I took the chance, and joined up with Philip till the end. Grandpa(Rhordan) noticed my injury, and sent me to the first aid corner. It was then, that I learnt that our camp, was the first of 5 camps to organise a riot and a prison break. And we sure were a rough bunch!
Next, we had a discussion on the earlier activity. There were suggestions like how the government could help the poor, setting up NGOs, organising trips to educate the people. There were the touching and inpiring stories of how our mentors had gone to war-torn countries, and helped make a change in the way the people lived their lives. There were also heart warming stories of the trips where some of us went overseas to help a community. I learnt alot, and it sure has reinforced the experiences I had back in Dumagete City, Negros Oriental, The Philippines. If given the chance, I will definitely want to return on the next trip. No questions asked. The only thing I am worried of, is whether I would have enough money to make that move.
It was 1.30pm, when we were finally let off for lunch(which was none other than Session 4, Lunch Unlimited). Most of us received the letter "A". First reaction? Who has an "A" as well? One by one, the groups were let off. We had a photograph taken. Did Jaemeng request for that? I saw the fine diners, normal packed lunch for those on chairs, and for us, we were going to have bread on the floor. 'Wow. This is the first camp that allowed everyone to have a feel of how the temptations I felt by looking at my friends enjoy the thick layers of cheese on the pizzas at Pizza Hut! Kudos to them!' Germaise offered food. Once again, as long as someone stoof out, there would be a great change. Everyone started to share their food. 'This is too good to be true! Imagine, just imagine, the joy I could share with my friends when I could finally consume cheese!' Out of worry that there might not be enough food to go around, I decided to skip lunch. Well, that's me. Just to see a smile on the faces of others(especially those I knew or am close to), I am willing to do anything to help. As for what would happen to my fate? I don't really give a damn. Their happiness is as good as all the wealth I could have in the world.
We came back, had a debrief about the activity we just had. They were impressed, simply because we helped to clear the food and drinks, instead of simply sharing the food. Sharing the love. Wow. That, was something we learnt from the teachers and principals at Malau-nay Elementary School(aka School on a Hill). Sometimes, the children go to school with just one meal, or they simply starve throughout the day of lessons! Worse still, some don't even have proper stationery to study with. Like what Lionel shared earlier, there were indeed families according to the principal(I might be wrong as to who raised that point back in March), who said,"Why should we let our children go to school? They are not the brightest people in the village, so we might as well save them the stress and burden of studying hard with little hope of going on to High School, and just let them continue working with us to earn a living."
We had a short break, before we went on to the Initiation Challenge at 5pm. Unlike the other camps where it was every team for themself, this camp had games that stressed on every team for everyone, for the greater good of everyone. The second and third scenes have also become a reality. The first game was one where we had to go in sequence in a room, tapping on cards with numbers, going from 1 to 20 and leaving the room in under 12 seconds. We had a hard time trying out 3 different strategies as a single team, before we finally came up with one that allowed us to complete it in 10 seconds flat.
By then, we were now together as a section, as teams 2 and 5 merged to form a team, to complete the second challenge. The next challenge would be the second scene. The grids, where to pass from one side to the other, our teams would have to work on solving the 2 halves of the route. I wanted very much to share with them the first 5 steps that I remembered from the dream. However, there was the condition of confidentiality listed on the first day. I gave up after awhile, and went on the first 4. However, when I stepped on the 5th step, the whistle was blown. 'WHAT?! You can't be serious! If the first 4 were right, then the 5th must be as well, right?' After some time, we managed to solve the puzzle, and we left them behind, after all they had done for us. As for that 5th step, I was right in the end. Feeling guilty, one of us went to tell them the clue to the next location. We walked at first, but later on, we ran to the field at block 50 as a faction.
We were the first to arrive, and there, was the first task that required us to work as a real team, as a cohort, as one. Many voices, many ideas, one strategy. After lots of discussion, we arrived at one strategy and with it, we broke the time record of 18 seconds, with a time of 17 seconds. Our final clue, was for us to head over to the 'spaceship'.
The night walk? We ran(that's why it was out-of-this-world) as one. Once there. I freaked out. Here's the excerpt again.
"Pitch black environment, used torches(those used in medival times) as torchlights and the monsters and ghosts, were real. We even entered the bridge of a space ship!"
Indeed, the environment was pitch black when we arrived, there were torches, really the ones used in medival times. The monsters and ghosts were, yes you guessed it, our mentors themselves! There they were, at the bridge of the spaceship(the stage). One of the "monsters" used a torch, to light another 2 torches, before passing it to someone. And not just that, just like how I had dreamt it to be, that "monster" could sing! Why I thought it was a spaceship? An image of the Earth being flashed on the walls with projectors.
We had probably the best dinner at a camp, buffet dinner with free flow of ice cream, pop corn and cotton candy! WOW!
Come to think of it, the 2 overnight TCP events I had attended, both had a great dinner the night before the day the events came to a saddening close.
We proceeded to take some photographs, before carrying on to Ourspace for M&M again. For the first time, I felt no fear in speaking out to the team. I noticed a large, long crack running along my shell. The first day, was kind of an experience for us, to understand ourselves and our characters, which form the basis and the very foundation of a team. On the second day, we were going to use that experience and the lessons learnt, to form the next level of a team.
'Keep to your promise, you said you'll tell them.'
I wanted to, but I guess there just wasn't enough time for me to go on talking so much. And so, we were dismissed for the night after another photoshoot.
"We had activities till late." That night, I joined Cardus and his room mates, together with Philip, Jaemeng and Jalyn in his apartment. We played the Monopoly card game for sometime, ate snacks, added one another on facebook and chatted till 3am. As promised, I decided to tell the guys first. Gary and Dax seemed really interested on when I would finally introduce her, to them, after I broke the news. I asked the typical probability question, and they gave encouaging answers to the math question.
At 3am, I turned in for the night, hoping that the next morning would not be a tearful one. I couldn't bear to leave everyone just after I got to know them well.
Went to school as usualy for CAM today. The CNC turning machine is so cool! I love the sounds of the hydraulics and the cutter at work! Man! I love my course! As usual, we went to the labs to complete our assignments due the next day. Since there was still some time left, I decided to go meet my advisor. I had always thought my advisor was a 'he', until I went to check for her extention number, to request an audience with her. She's a really nice person to talk to, and I sure was surprised that I was the first student to meet with her. Initially I was worried that we might end up with nothing much to talk about, but thanks to the camp, somehow, I was able to open up well. I talked the way I never used to. Enjoyed the session lots. Oh, and I also told her about the dream I had about the camp, and she asked if I could dream about any potential first prize numbers for the 4D. Had my breakfast, lunch and dinner in a single meal at 4pm with Ying Feng, before going to the library to settle for the extremely slow internet speeds till 6.30pm, before meeting Joel for the Videography Club meeting. I told Joel about the dream later that evening before we boarded the bus, and again, he said he was looking forward to getting a 4D number from me. Oh man, just when I thought it would be good to share about that with people around me. Well, anyways, I'll try for one!
Another dream I had the night before. We were at Shaw House on a shopping trip. There were less than 10 of us, from team 5. All I could remember is we were trying on clothes at a shop, and went for coffee and some light food at TCC. I woke up after that.
Alright. I admit defeat. You got me. You win. So, the next day, I shall tell my team tomorrow, before we all go home for the weekend, as promised. The accuracy of that dream has made it to my cloud of fame, with an accuracy of over 80%. Right now, deep inside, I'm hoping for the 10th. However, up there, I don't want myself to get occupied with unnecessary thoughts and dreams. As of that night, I was speechless, and lost. Everything had happened almost exactly the way I dreamt it to. Was it a good thing? Would I scare my friends away? Afterall, it's a gift for being knocked cold for a short moment after falling off a flight of steps on board the school bus when I was just 7, for playing and running around on board the moving bus.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
CampTCP5 '09-Day 1(Let's Start Over, Shall We?)
Returned from a 3day 2 night camp from school on Sunday night, but since I was so tired, I decided to post it up today instead. This camp, was one I was looking forward to, yet nervous and afraid to attend due to various reasons(well, we'll see). This camp was one of 5 camps held and organised jointly by ROHEI(I still haven't got any idea what it stands for) and SDAR. Named the Leadership and Empowerment Camp, it was going to be a fabulously excellent camp, although the name stated otherwise.
Friday morning, I woke late, at 6.45, however, it seemed as though I was way too early when the doors to the Alumni Club House were locked! Before that, I saw two other campers(who would soon become my team mates if I'm not wrong) head for SIM. A guy, who I later came to know as Philip, found an oen door at 8, and together with 3 others, we went up to the function room on the second floor. We sat down, broke some ice and went back down to direct the others who might get stuck on the outside due to the locked front doors which could only be opened at 9.30. At 8.25, we went back up to find our teams, as by then, most of the 75 or so of us had already arrived.
As far as I knew, I had only one other camp mate(who I had never met) who was also my course mate. I was assigned to team 5. I went to the table right in front of me, and sat down silently. I sat down, and without taking a glance, I looked down. Less than a second later, a voice welcomed me to the team, and introduced himself. We introduced ourseles to each other, before I felt a little comfortable and took a quick glance around. Since I was loud on the inside and silent on the outside, I went into deep thought.
'No way! Are you sure? It can't be right?'
'Alright, I'll look somewhere else for 5 seconds, and after that, please tell me it was just me feeling sleepy.'
'Alright. So it was really true, or maybe not. You have seen, but you havent heard. So just sit back and relax.'
After a few more members arrived and sat down, we had a round of introduction. 'Ok, so it's more or less settled.' That, was the first camp I mentioned about myself being quiet. No idea why I said it, but inside, there was something, that said,'Don't waste it. This is the one where you will notice a great change in your life. Don't worry about anything else. Go with it.'
So, our team had a mentor, and 10 of us. Jorge, Jaemeng, Jalyn, Jessica, Rachel, Belinda, Faye, Angsiang, Lionel, Cardus, and I. We had our first game, and Rachel and I were picked by our first leader, Cardus. Oh my! It's only the first activity of the camp, and I'm already forced to open my mouth! It's just sooner or later, right? At first, I took a minute to prepare myself for the worst, before starting to let everything else fade away. Now, it's just the team, Rachel and I. I understood almost every single action they made, except for the one where Cardus pointed at his tag. 'What has his name got to do with the activity?' It was only after I saw the task that I finally knew what he meant.
So, the next activity. We had to come up with a team name, motto and a symbol. Afterward, we would put all that onto a cloak. In most camps, we would have flags and banners. However, in this one, we would be making a cloak. We came up with the team name which has an essence of irony. Shing-a-boomz! As for the motto and symbol, we derived those from the rad(ioactive) red rat. Live high, Play hard, I'mPossible. You'll see.
Camp's too boring? That might be the last time one would find the camp boring. After that, we had our first lunch together. The usual. Afterwhich, we began on the first session. Direct, Interactive, Supportive, Careful(DISC). That's a profiling based on our behaviours in a certain environment. Similar to the quizzes I take on facebook, I fall under the S category. That session, perhaps it was to accelerate the rate we got to know our team members while at the same time helping us to understand ourselves?
We went for a buffet dinner(it's nice), before going on to Session 2, Overcoming Adversities. This was one activity that I have never done in any camp before, since this activity carried a relatively high level of sensitivity and confidentiality. 'Ok, if it's your turn, share it with them. It will help you a great deal in your next 2 days. Trust me.' I did. To date, less than 15 others I know in this lifetime know about it. It was a great experience, to learn something about one another. Some teams had touching stories to share at the end, which gave lots of meaning to the Session we had that evening. There was also an interview with a cancer survivor, which was an excellent eye-opener! As long as we were alive, no adversity is too great for us to handle. I started to wonder how boring things would be, if I had attended the lectures and tutorials and head home only to enjoy my weekend in front of the computer screen.
M&M Session was the activity we had before closing off the day. Yes, you could say the M&M chocolates were involved as well, but it stands for Mentor and Mentee Session. I did not really share that much that night(which I felt was ok), although deep inside, I was dying to tell the world how great I felt on just the first day alone. I'm one who's loud and hyper on the inside, but lacked the courage to show it on the outside. Imagine a nuclear bomb exploding 10,000 feet underground.
Slept at the earliest time since school started, at 12am. 6am, I woke, and went back to sleep again. I remembered I dreamt about something, but I just could not recall what it was. Just before I woke, I 'saw' her again, for the ninth time. Why? Why was it that, the only thing I could remember is a short dream that lasts less than a minute, and it's always the same character? Was there some kind of meaning to it? Alright. It's been 9 times, and I might have found her. If it really is her, prove it to me. Today.
This morning, I had a dream, of which I could only remember one line."Look, at the rate you're going, you might fail the test." Once again, I laughed it off, though I kept thinking about how I was going to fail. 7.30, I woke, packed my stuff, got changed and went down to the driving centre for my test. I did pathetically badly for the warm-up, and even more so for the actual test. I went wide at 2 left turns, used the wrong gear twice and I even failed to slow down just before a turn! Best incident of the day? I nearly made a taxi kiss my ass! How great was that? Just what exactly was wrong with my form this morning? Those were the mistakes that I had never ever committed since I started my first driving lesson(except for the part on the usage of wrong gear). The verdict? With 28 demerit points(my new highscore) and 1 immediate failure, I failed the test, and won the right to drive with the red "L" plates in front of and behind the car for another 2 months. That's more than SGD2000 down the drain. Went home, had lunch, went back to school. At least things were slightly better, when we became the first team to receive our lecturer's stamp of approval for I&E. Good thing the stuff I learnt at the recent camp came in handy. It felt like a really bad heartbreak, but thanks to the quotes and stuff I learnt, I recovered in 2 hours. As long as I was up and breathing, no failure or adversity was too great to overcome.
I don't know what to say. It's been 9 times. Why can't we just let the 'sightings' end there? Alright, today's going to be the second day. If the 3rd carried an accuracy of 50%, I shall tell the guys in my team. But, if it carried an accuracy of 80%, I shall tell the whole team, and some other guys I'm close to.
Friday morning, I woke late, at 6.45, however, it seemed as though I was way too early when the doors to the Alumni Club House were locked! Before that, I saw two other campers(who would soon become my team mates if I'm not wrong) head for SIM. A guy, who I later came to know as Philip, found an oen door at 8, and together with 3 others, we went up to the function room on the second floor. We sat down, broke some ice and went back down to direct the others who might get stuck on the outside due to the locked front doors which could only be opened at 9.30. At 8.25, we went back up to find our teams, as by then, most of the 75 or so of us had already arrived.
As far as I knew, I had only one other camp mate(who I had never met) who was also my course mate. I was assigned to team 5. I went to the table right in front of me, and sat down silently. I sat down, and without taking a glance, I looked down. Less than a second later, a voice welcomed me to the team, and introduced himself. We introduced ourseles to each other, before I felt a little comfortable and took a quick glance around. Since I was loud on the inside and silent on the outside, I went into deep thought.
'No way! Are you sure? It can't be right?'
'Alright, I'll look somewhere else for 5 seconds, and after that, please tell me it was just me feeling sleepy.'
'Alright. So it was really true, or maybe not. You have seen, but you havent heard. So just sit back and relax.'
After a few more members arrived and sat down, we had a round of introduction. 'Ok, so it's more or less settled.' That, was the first camp I mentioned about myself being quiet. No idea why I said it, but inside, there was something, that said,'Don't waste it. This is the one where you will notice a great change in your life. Don't worry about anything else. Go with it.'
So, our team had a mentor, and 10 of us. Jorge, Jaemeng, Jalyn, Jessica, Rachel, Belinda, Faye, Angsiang, Lionel, Cardus, and I. We had our first game, and Rachel and I were picked by our first leader, Cardus. Oh my! It's only the first activity of the camp, and I'm already forced to open my mouth! It's just sooner or later, right? At first, I took a minute to prepare myself for the worst, before starting to let everything else fade away. Now, it's just the team, Rachel and I. I understood almost every single action they made, except for the one where Cardus pointed at his tag. 'What has his name got to do with the activity?' It was only after I saw the task that I finally knew what he meant.
So, the next activity. We had to come up with a team name, motto and a symbol. Afterward, we would put all that onto a cloak. In most camps, we would have flags and banners. However, in this one, we would be making a cloak. We came up with the team name which has an essence of irony. Shing-a-boomz! As for the motto and symbol, we derived those from the rad(ioactive) red rat. Live high, Play hard, I'mPossible. You'll see.
Camp's too boring? That might be the last time one would find the camp boring. After that, we had our first lunch together. The usual. Afterwhich, we began on the first session. Direct, Interactive, Supportive, Careful(DISC). That's a profiling based on our behaviours in a certain environment. Similar to the quizzes I take on facebook, I fall under the S category. That session, perhaps it was to accelerate the rate we got to know our team members while at the same time helping us to understand ourselves?
We went for a buffet dinner(it's nice), before going on to Session 2, Overcoming Adversities. This was one activity that I have never done in any camp before, since this activity carried a relatively high level of sensitivity and confidentiality. 'Ok, if it's your turn, share it with them. It will help you a great deal in your next 2 days. Trust me.' I did. To date, less than 15 others I know in this lifetime know about it. It was a great experience, to learn something about one another. Some teams had touching stories to share at the end, which gave lots of meaning to the Session we had that evening. There was also an interview with a cancer survivor, which was an excellent eye-opener! As long as we were alive, no adversity is too great for us to handle. I started to wonder how boring things would be, if I had attended the lectures and tutorials and head home only to enjoy my weekend in front of the computer screen.
M&M Session was the activity we had before closing off the day. Yes, you could say the M&M chocolates were involved as well, but it stands for Mentor and Mentee Session. I did not really share that much that night(which I felt was ok), although deep inside, I was dying to tell the world how great I felt on just the first day alone. I'm one who's loud and hyper on the inside, but lacked the courage to show it on the outside. Imagine a nuclear bomb exploding 10,000 feet underground.
Slept at the earliest time since school started, at 12am. 6am, I woke, and went back to sleep again. I remembered I dreamt about something, but I just could not recall what it was. Just before I woke, I 'saw' her again, for the ninth time. Why? Why was it that, the only thing I could remember is a short dream that lasts less than a minute, and it's always the same character? Was there some kind of meaning to it? Alright. It's been 9 times, and I might have found her. If it really is her, prove it to me. Today.
This morning, I had a dream, of which I could only remember one line."Look, at the rate you're going, you might fail the test." Once again, I laughed it off, though I kept thinking about how I was going to fail. 7.30, I woke, packed my stuff, got changed and went down to the driving centre for my test. I did pathetically badly for the warm-up, and even more so for the actual test. I went wide at 2 left turns, used the wrong gear twice and I even failed to slow down just before a turn! Best incident of the day? I nearly made a taxi kiss my ass! How great was that? Just what exactly was wrong with my form this morning? Those were the mistakes that I had never ever committed since I started my first driving lesson(except for the part on the usage of wrong gear). The verdict? With 28 demerit points(my new highscore) and 1 immediate failure, I failed the test, and won the right to drive with the red "L" plates in front of and behind the car for another 2 months. That's more than SGD2000 down the drain. Went home, had lunch, went back to school. At least things were slightly better, when we became the first team to receive our lecturer's stamp of approval for I&E. Good thing the stuff I learnt at the recent camp came in handy. It felt like a really bad heartbreak, but thanks to the quotes and stuff I learnt, I recovered in 2 hours. As long as I was up and breathing, no failure or adversity was too great to overcome.
I don't know what to say. It's been 9 times. Why can't we just let the 'sightings' end there? Alright, today's going to be the second day. If the 3rd carried an accuracy of 50%, I shall tell the guys in my team. But, if it carried an accuracy of 80%, I shall tell the whole team, and some other guys I'm close to.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
3rd Camp
Today was fast paced. We're doing fine for CAD, though this week, there's a longer list of assignments and tutorials to do, and so far, I have done very little. It's going to be a struggle this Sunday after the Leadership and Empowerment camp in school that lasts 3 days till Sunday. Hopefully I'll be able to spread out the workload over the next 5 days after Sunday. As for Calculus, tiring, and challenging. Expecting to spend lots of time on revision as well, meaning there'll be little time for rest the coming week. The next 3 days shall be for relaxing, and the following 5 to 7 days would be in overdrive.
Won't be posting anything much, if at all, until Sunday night. 5 more days.
Up there, it's telling it hopes they would not become a reality, while down here, it's saying it hopes they would occur before my eyes. Whatever it is, I'm just there to enjoy and learn. Anything extra and unexpected, shall be a bonus.
Won't be posting anything much, if at all, until Sunday night. 5 more days.
Up there, it's telling it hopes they would not become a reality, while down here, it's saying it hopes they would occur before my eyes. Whatever it is, I'm just there to enjoy and learn. Anything extra and unexpected, shall be a bonus.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
4-11-09
Don't know why, but after looking at today's date, I just think it's a nice date. November 4th. What's so special about today? I don't know. Just some normal day, with lots of jam(if not, butter?) on the roads. Was late for school this morning(the first time this semester). Damn there goes my effort to be early for every lesson this semester. Class was fine, though I did myself in again by remaining silent even after making a serious error in my program. Went to complete an assignment before going for lunch an headed home, before going back to school for CCA once again. Went for a super short 1.6km run after that, due to the massive lightning display that helped me maintain my pace throughout.
I had a total of 5 dreams today. One which I dreamt the night before and can' t remember fully, one which I dreamt for 15 minutes after snoozing the phone alarm at 7.30 this morning, and the other 3, on the bus after falling asleep on the way home. The first one, I 'saw' her again, but this time, I can't remember the setting, time and her attire, other than her face. Weird. The second, was one that might have been too good to be true. I saw someone who sat a few tables away from me at the study corner outside LT45. Soon, we starting exchanging looks, and when she went to get a drink, I went over to have a look at what she was doing. I woke up shortly after I saw her walking back with a cup in her hand. The other 3 were rather random stuff, which I dreamt of only because of the surrounding sounds and sights I saw just before falling asleep each time on the bus.
6 More days to the day that might change my future.
I'm starting to believe that it might just happen over the weekend. If it's meant to happen, so be it. If the 7 sightings were just a passing dream to satisfy the emptiness, it's better than it letting it be empty all this while. I'll just face it either way. Nothing beats the pains of September.
I had a total of 5 dreams today. One which I dreamt the night before and can' t remember fully, one which I dreamt for 15 minutes after snoozing the phone alarm at 7.30 this morning, and the other 3, on the bus after falling asleep on the way home. The first one, I 'saw' her again, but this time, I can't remember the setting, time and her attire, other than her face. Weird. The second, was one that might have been too good to be true. I saw someone who sat a few tables away from me at the study corner outside LT45. Soon, we starting exchanging looks, and when she went to get a drink, I went over to have a look at what she was doing. I woke up shortly after I saw her walking back with a cup in her hand. The other 3 were rather random stuff, which I dreamt of only because of the surrounding sounds and sights I saw just before falling asleep each time on the bus.
6 More days to the day that might change my future.
I'm starting to believe that it might just happen over the weekend. If it's meant to happen, so be it. If the 7 sightings were just a passing dream to satisfy the emptiness, it's better than it letting it be empty all this while. I'll just face it either way. Nothing beats the pains of September.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Experience Drive-29
The last lesson before the actual test in 7 days. 10TH November 2009, 10.15am. Slightly less than a week to go. Today I did the circuit with nearly no mistakes at all during he first 30 minutes before we went out on the road. Stalled the vehicle once on the slope due to carelessness(crap). The car was shaking badly each time I moved off on the slope(different car again I guess?). Was attached to car 19 this morning. This car is able to accelerate and move off faster, though I had some problems with the clutch at times. On the road, I did relatively fine, except for 2 mistakes. I forgot to turn on the signal at the merging lanes and changed lanes at a traffic junction. The rest of that route went smoothly.
We went back for a mock test, starting with the road first. At the second turn into Bukit Batok Road, I forgot to check my blindspot. I made the same mistake later while making a right turn into the road beside Hong Kah North Community Club. I delayed traffic there as well while waiting to make the turn. In a hurry I drove off without checking. The rest of the route was fine, until we came to the traffic junction before the right turn. I went wide at the turn when I accelerated too much(as a result of changing to the second gear while turning at high speed). At the final turn, I delayed traffic once again, just to wait for a van that was travelling slowly to pass. It did not end there. Back in the circuit, I failed to give way to 2 motorcycles at the entrance after moving up from the slope. I did fine in the circuit, and this time, I did much better at the parallel parking. In all, I received a total of 14 demerit points.
Andy was waiting to enter the classroom to sit for his final theory test when I left for school. Although he did not pass on the first attempt, I'm sure he'll comeback with a vengence. Once bitten, 1/4 as shy. As usual, took a 20-minute nap on board 985 to Trellis Towers, before transferring to 154 back to school. Had a quick lunch and went for class.Before 2pm, I was at a total loss as to what we should do for I&E. We began sourcing, and finally found one. Have got to come up with a proposal fast. For now, we're safe, but there are still issues to overcome.
Would what I saw really come true this weekend?
We went back for a mock test, starting with the road first. At the second turn into Bukit Batok Road, I forgot to check my blindspot. I made the same mistake later while making a right turn into the road beside Hong Kah North Community Club. I delayed traffic there as well while waiting to make the turn. In a hurry I drove off without checking. The rest of the route was fine, until we came to the traffic junction before the right turn. I went wide at the turn when I accelerated too much(as a result of changing to the second gear while turning at high speed). At the final turn, I delayed traffic once again, just to wait for a van that was travelling slowly to pass. It did not end there. Back in the circuit, I failed to give way to 2 motorcycles at the entrance after moving up from the slope. I did fine in the circuit, and this time, I did much better at the parallel parking. In all, I received a total of 14 demerit points.
Andy was waiting to enter the classroom to sit for his final theory test when I left for school. Although he did not pass on the first attempt, I'm sure he'll comeback with a vengence. Once bitten, 1/4 as shy. As usual, took a 20-minute nap on board 985 to Trellis Towers, before transferring to 154 back to school. Had a quick lunch and went for class.Before 2pm, I was at a total loss as to what we should do for I&E. We began sourcing, and finally found one. Have got to come up with a proposal fast. For now, we're safe, but there are still issues to overcome.
Would what I saw really come true this weekend?
Monday, November 02, 2009
Experience Drive-28
It might have been late, but I'm starting to show some improvment with the control of the car. I was able to do the parallel parking with some improvement and I took less time at it. The car, for a second time in a row, did not stall. Hope it all goes well, or even better during the final revision session tomorrow. That's going to be used as a gauge to see which areas I got to be careful with, especially since after tomorrow, I would not have any chances to do any more practices on the road until the warm-up session before the traffic police test. Shall do my best to break my current record of 2 consecutive sessions where I did not stall the car.
Today's really heavy, and tiring. The first part of the day was fine, and felt some satisfaction when I finally understood the first part of the second chapter of FM. When I first read throug it the day before, I could not understand a thing about it. FM practical was relaxing, though we were working against the clock to complete two practicals within 2 hours! After lunch came the tiring part. SOM tutorial was rather smooth, and I did not encounter much problems. I started to fall asleep during the lecture, especially after completing the questions assigned to us. Had many mistakes in the FM tutorial, but at least now I have been directed back onto the right track.
Tomorrow, would not be as heavy as today, but it will definitely be more stressful and tiring. I have received my camp letter for this Friday. As it turns out, I'll be missing the whole day of ED tutorial and lecture. Guess I'll have to contact him tomorrow or the day after to inform him.
Patience and hope really do pay off. After 2 weeks where I was unable to recall my dreams properly with details, last night, I was finally able to remember chunks of my dreams. This one's weird(doesn't really matter, since all my dreams are weird). I was part of a battalion waiting to ambush some troops who were marching toward us. We waited on the slopes of a hill while waiting for them to pass through the dried out river, before commencing our attack. The enemy? Not exactly sure who they were, but after some hours, a group of US soldiers entered and joined in the fight. Somehow, we were ordered to attack them as well. We continued on, only to find ourselves preparing for war once again. This time, we were defending ourselves against aliens?! I started running around, acting as a messenger to the survivors of the 2 other parties who were involved in the earlier battle, gathering their help. As for how it ended, I have no idea.
Today's really heavy, and tiring. The first part of the day was fine, and felt some satisfaction when I finally understood the first part of the second chapter of FM. When I first read throug it the day before, I could not understand a thing about it. FM practical was relaxing, though we were working against the clock to complete two practicals within 2 hours! After lunch came the tiring part. SOM tutorial was rather smooth, and I did not encounter much problems. I started to fall asleep during the lecture, especially after completing the questions assigned to us. Had many mistakes in the FM tutorial, but at least now I have been directed back onto the right track.
Tomorrow, would not be as heavy as today, but it will definitely be more stressful and tiring. I have received my camp letter for this Friday. As it turns out, I'll be missing the whole day of ED tutorial and lecture. Guess I'll have to contact him tomorrow or the day after to inform him.
Patience and hope really do pay off. After 2 weeks where I was unable to recall my dreams properly with details, last night, I was finally able to remember chunks of my dreams. This one's weird(doesn't really matter, since all my dreams are weird). I was part of a battalion waiting to ambush some troops who were marching toward us. We waited on the slopes of a hill while waiting for them to pass through the dried out river, before commencing our attack. The enemy? Not exactly sure who they were, but after some hours, a group of US soldiers entered and joined in the fight. Somehow, we were ordered to attack them as well. We continued on, only to find ourselves preparing for war once again. This time, we were defending ourselves against aliens?! I started running around, acting as a messenger to the survivors of the 2 other parties who were involved in the earlier battle, gathering their help. As for how it ended, I have no idea.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Experience Drive-27
Probably the last time I would be having my lesson on a weekend. That day, my skills totally sucked. Stalled the vehicle once on a slope, mounted the kerb twice during the directional change, striked down a pole while the parallel parking and I was slow in changing lanes on the road. Anyways, better to commit those fatal mistakes during a lesson and at a time where the traffic was relatively light, than during a test and on a road with heavy traffic.
Finally, this morning managed to recall small parts of a dream I had the night before. Better than the last week where I did not manage to remember a single dream. Did not do much other than some revision, slacking, and dinner out. There's nothing of interest to watch on television on weekends either. Tomorrow? Don't think anything bad could happen, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Tuesday. Should I book a games station for an hour from 6pm to 7pm for Wednesday? I'm tempted to try out the games before the meeting starts.
Finally, this morning managed to recall small parts of a dream I had the night before. Better than the last week where I did not manage to remember a single dream. Did not do much other than some revision, slacking, and dinner out. There's nothing of interest to watch on television on weekends either. Tomorrow? Don't think anything bad could happen, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Tuesday. Should I book a games station for an hour from 6pm to 7pm for Wednesday? I'm tempted to try out the games before the meeting starts.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Experience Drive-26
The second revision session before the actual test. Had the lesson on a Tuesday morning, as that would be during the time period of my test, so that I could simulate the traffic conditions in the circuit as well as on the road. Was expecting a different instructor, as before I managed to get the slots, there were no slots available for me to book only until 2 weeks before I managed to find slots from 9.50am to 11.30am. Went through every station in the circuit followed by another 2 test routes before the session ended. I still had problems with the parallel parking and waiting till it was safe enough to make a turn into another road. Other than that, my vehicle did not stall again.
Today, for the first time this semester, I studied. Cleared almost all the doubts that I had so far over the past 2 weeks. If only I had started earlier(just like what I did in the first semester), I might even be a chapter ahead of the class by now. During dinner, history repeated itself, once again. 9 years ago, I got a fish bone stuck in my throat. This evening, I got another stuck in the same area. The good thing was, compared to 9 years ago, this time it happened on a weekend. In the past, it was on the evening I had my dinner after coming home from school at 7pm, the day I had my SA2 Chinese paper in P3. Initially, I thoguht it would be fine to simply leave it in there since it was just a small bone, and it would cause alot of trouble if I had to get it out, until learning that if I left it there for more than a week, I could stand a chance to breathe my last breath. At least tonight we only took a minute to get it out, compared to the agonising 120 minutes we went through at NUH and lots more cash spent, compared to tonight, although we still had to leave home to extract the bone.
Since school started I havent really been able to remember my dreams as clearly as I used o during the holidays. Got a strong feeling it could be due to the amount of sleep I get each night. Perhaps I should turn in earlier each night. I want to remember my dreams. Who knows, that one dream might just help me in the future...
Today, for the first time this semester, I studied. Cleared almost all the doubts that I had so far over the past 2 weeks. If only I had started earlier(just like what I did in the first semester), I might even be a chapter ahead of the class by now. During dinner, history repeated itself, once again. 9 years ago, I got a fish bone stuck in my throat. This evening, I got another stuck in the same area. The good thing was, compared to 9 years ago, this time it happened on a weekend. In the past, it was on the evening I had my dinner after coming home from school at 7pm, the day I had my SA2 Chinese paper in P3. Initially, I thoguht it would be fine to simply leave it in there since it was just a small bone, and it would cause alot of trouble if I had to get it out, until learning that if I left it there for more than a week, I could stand a chance to breathe my last breath. At least tonight we only took a minute to get it out, compared to the agonising 120 minutes we went through at NUH and lots more cash spent, compared to tonight, although we still had to leave home to extract the bone.
Since school started I havent really been able to remember my dreams as clearly as I used o during the holidays. Got a strong feeling it could be due to the amount of sleep I get each night. Perhaps I should turn in earlier each night. I want to remember my dreams. Who knows, that one dream might just help me in the future...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Experience Drive-25
We're coming close. That one lesson, we finalised that the one last problem I had in the circuit was the parallel parking. On the roads, as long as I paid attention to the traffic conditions and other vehicles, I would do fine. Stalled the vehicle once that day, while turning.
Today, as expected, was relaxed and easy-going. Covered couplings for ED, completed the tutorials, and completed the motor selection for the project. Guess I still have lots of catching up to do with the selection process and the stuff that I have got to take into consideration, other than just simply selecting the motor with the most suitable speed and power. Relatively short day, with lots of rain in the evening, enough to make me tired and sleepy.
Today, as expected, was relaxed and easy-going. Covered couplings for ED, completed the tutorials, and completed the motor selection for the project. Guess I still have lots of catching up to do with the selection process and the stuff that I have got to take into consideration, other than just simply selecting the motor with the most suitable speed and power. Relatively short day, with lots of rain in the evening, enough to make me tired and sleepy.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Experience Drive-24
Saturday afternoon. Went through the whole test process. Warm up followed by the mock test. I committed lots of careless mistakes, such as mounting the kerb and striking the pole while doing the parallel parking. He took a short break efore we went for the evaluation. Scored a total of 12 points within the circuit, and I nearly failed the parallel parking segment. On the road, I took too long to turn twice, which cost me an additional 4 points. In all, I received 16 out of the maximum of 18 demerit points allowed. That was a close one. The final one in roughly less than a month's time, would cary much higher standards than that day. From that day on, it would be another 5 weekly revision sessions(except for one), before we come to the actual traffic police practical test.
This morning had a short reunion with Edward and Darren at Clementi. We took the shuttle bus to school, before carrying on toward our own venues for classes. CAD practical was, a challenge today, and I'm glad the lecturer received the email I sent him the night before. Got to know moe about the types of lines the program could draw and the ways the lines coud be manipulated to remove material from the solids. One thing I was sure of, this program is better than the one we were trained to use a year ago. Went for lunch, before going off for Calculus. The lecture was fast paced once again, though we managed to cover all the topics for the lecture. One thing that we were told. This module carried a failure rate of 23%,while the next one, Further Calculus, carried an appalling 100% failure rate for the previous semester! Wow. Let's hope we could bring down those numbers.
Looking forward to ED tomorrow.
This morning had a short reunion with Edward and Darren at Clementi. We took the shuttle bus to school, before carrying on toward our own venues for classes. CAD practical was, a challenge today, and I'm glad the lecturer received the email I sent him the night before. Got to know moe about the types of lines the program could draw and the ways the lines coud be manipulated to remove material from the solids. One thing I was sure of, this program is better than the one we were trained to use a year ago. Went for lunch, before going off for Calculus. The lecture was fast paced once again, though we managed to cover all the topics for the lecture. One thing that we were told. This module carried a failure rate of 23%,while the next one, Further Calculus, carried an appalling 100% failure rate for the previous semester! Wow. Let's hope we could bring down those numbers.
Looking forward to ED tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Experience Drive-23
A nice Friday morning. That would be my first time driving an automatic transmission car. The instructor was really slacked. I was assgined to car 152. Really fun to drive with him. That day, I learnt that the automatic car has a nickname, the "toy car". Similar to a radio control car, there's no clutch pedal and no gears to control whilst driving on the road. It's easier to move off on slopes and traffic light junctions, though it is difficult to slow the vehicle down. We went for a drive around Bukit Panjang,Choa Chu Kang and near Yew Tee, before heading back to end the session. A great timing to have the lesson as well, for it helped me improve the lane change technique. Something I liked about the lesson, was I overtook 3 consecutive cars wih the 'L' plate. That was the first time I overtook a moving vehicle. Best of all, I did not have to worry about stalling the vehicle!
This morning all seemed fine, and perhaps, maybe also a little lucky? Missed the first bus when I was waiting to cross the busy road. Just as I reached the bus stop, the next bus arrived. Alighted at the bus interchange, only to notice the queue for the bus was way longer than I had expected! No wonder recent surveys had the result of more people driving private cars to work instead of taking the public transport. Immediately,I took an alternative route, which was faster, but more tiring as I had to walk about a kilometer or so to the classroom after alighting from the bus. Practical was great, especially with the air conditioning. That's the first time in a practical lesson that I nearly fell asleep. Went to complete some assignments before going for lunch and headed home to rush the assignments again, before heading back to school for a meeting that lasted an hour and 30minutes, before, once again, heading home. By now,I'm feeling so tired, I have put all other incomplete work aside. Good thing I had completed almost all my tutorials that are due next week, meaning I could have the weekend to complete my Calculus tutorial and other assignments assigned tomorrow and on Friday.
This semester is starting to become tiring, not stressful. If I were stressed, it would be due to the amount of work I could not complete due to the reductions in the number of breaks I always had while working on assignments.
Ok, so, for having an attitude of not treasuring what I had, bad things happen. If I had lost contact with something I held on to dearly, I'll start thinking wildly, not caring about what others would think until I felt a great impact on my cheek. To date, I have lost friends and possibly a gift that some longed to have. If only, the virtue of treasuring the wealth one had, could be taught.
This morning all seemed fine, and perhaps, maybe also a little lucky? Missed the first bus when I was waiting to cross the busy road. Just as I reached the bus stop, the next bus arrived. Alighted at the bus interchange, only to notice the queue for the bus was way longer than I had expected! No wonder recent surveys had the result of more people driving private cars to work instead of taking the public transport. Immediately,I took an alternative route, which was faster, but more tiring as I had to walk about a kilometer or so to the classroom after alighting from the bus. Practical was great, especially with the air conditioning. That's the first time in a practical lesson that I nearly fell asleep. Went to complete some assignments before going for lunch and headed home to rush the assignments again, before heading back to school for a meeting that lasted an hour and 30minutes, before, once again, heading home. By now,I'm feeling so tired, I have put all other incomplete work aside. Good thing I had completed almost all my tutorials that are due next week, meaning I could have the weekend to complete my Calculus tutorial and other assignments assigned tomorrow and on Friday.
This semester is starting to become tiring, not stressful. If I were stressed, it would be due to the amount of work I could not complete due to the reductions in the number of breaks I always had while working on assignments.
Ok, so, for having an attitude of not treasuring what I had, bad things happen. If I had lost contact with something I held on to dearly, I'll start thinking wildly, not caring about what others would think until I felt a great impact on my cheek. To date, I have lost friends and possibly a gift that some longed to have. If only, the virtue of treasuring the wealth one had, could be taught.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Experience Drive-22
The second last lesson. Probably the last lesson in the course. Had a different instructor that Tuesday. I was attached to car 20 for that session. That lesson was pretty much like a revision session. He guided me through some of the stuff regarding techniques for the directional change and moving off on a slope. Apparently, that day I did not have any problems with the parallel parking, but I have forgotten exactly how I was able to do it. Had problems with the clutch as well, though I caused the car to stall on a slope. Finally, that was the first time, I was able to experience for myself how little I had to turn the wheel to make a simple lane change. I was also able to regulate the vehicle speed more efficiently and quickly. With that, I would have no problems with the evaluation on Saturday morning.
Today was tiring. School from 1 to 5. Overcame the fear of the module at least. Came up with lots of ideas, but none reflected on the route we were taking, community. We had a great idea, which was a combination of Events Management and Entrepreneurship, but nothing about Community. Asked him for hints after the lesson, and he gave me a couple of sites to check out. That saved quite a lot of time on trying to find the right route to take to bring us back on the right track. Alright. With less dreams to remember, I do feel at ease most of the time, and with less things to worry about, I could concentrate more on the stuff that require lots of attention. Now, I just have got to let go of the dreams that have happened and are not likely to repeat itself again. Hopefully, I could lose the ability to "see". That way, I could simply live on without worrying of what to do or not to do to avoid an event. Anyways, at the end of the day, if you're destined to go today, then it shall be today, vice versa.
Today was tiring. School from 1 to 5. Overcame the fear of the module at least. Came up with lots of ideas, but none reflected on the route we were taking, community. We had a great idea, which was a combination of Events Management and Entrepreneurship, but nothing about Community. Asked him for hints after the lesson, and he gave me a couple of sites to check out. That saved quite a lot of time on trying to find the right route to take to bring us back on the right track. Alright. With less dreams to remember, I do feel at ease most of the time, and with less things to worry about, I could concentrate more on the stuff that require lots of attention. Now, I just have got to let go of the dreams that have happened and are not likely to repeat itself again. Hopefully, I could lose the ability to "see". That way, I could simply live on without worrying of what to do or not to do to avoid an event. Anyways, at the end of the day, if you're destined to go today, then it shall be today, vice versa.