Pardon for the lack of updates. As usual, not much events happening recently that seemed interesting enough to be posted here.

Chinese New Year is becoming like a rountine, so I am not exactly excited to blog about it. After all its always house visiting followed by mahjong, eat, poker, eat, eat, sleep, eat. What is special this year is Recess week is the same week! Omg I hate it when I gotta study for mid terms and do essays when its the festive mood.

Its time to study for emotions mid terms, and also to finish up on the video project as well as a very weird "blind date" tutorial project. haha. Anyway, I am so contemplating whether to sign up for YOUTHSlead 2010. Seriously tempted to get this cool experience (recommended by huihui) but I wonder whether I have the time to commit.

Let me go sleep over it. Its surfing this weekend again =)

p.s I like the powerpoints lots.

My first time taking over the class. Super nervous in the beginning but I gradually got the hang of it.

Fortunately the students seemed manageable. Or was it because of the fact that I used "Mr Heng" aka "Mr Tan number 2" ?? haha.

Anyway we started with watching the second part of the movie of "Akeelah and the bee" for the 1st hour. Our second activity was a variant of the spelling bee competition. We split the students into 4 groups and each group has to memorise 4 list of words within 20mins. We also asked each group to think of a word to be used to test the others in the bonus round later.The game started with each member going up at least once in each round to answer the spelling. Correct answer will get 1 point. After that the next member go up and answer and this continues for 2 rounds. At the last round, each group can send a representative to go up to spell the word that another group has written down. Each correct answer will get 2 points. The word that other groups have written is not listed in the word list, as such it requires the person to really break up the words and spell them out.

First session for the new year and it's great that it all went smoothly =)

Don't really like to ramble about the daily activities on my blog, but I am seriously super sian.

Why do the prof want to put the mid term test immediately after recess week?? And why did the school have to put the recess week together with the chinese new year week?? Why does everyone get to go out and I gotta stay at home and mug for the test??

Oh well. Such rambling doesn't really solve anything. End of post. Now its back to mugging.

That's why I still choose Yale to NUS (If I have the choice).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGn3-RW8Ajk

Of course that is not a sign that NUS is bad in anyway. I am still glad that I made it here. University is still the best years of my life. We have cca cultures, hall culture, but it seems we still lack that NUS spirit. I can't really grapple what it is. Maybe because it is not distinctive enough.

That sparkle in the eye whenever the school is mentioned. I can't seem to feel it. But nevertheless, its a cool video. haha

Actually I don't know what else to say. I don't know whether to blog this out or not. But oh well.

We came.
We trained.
We tried.
But sometimes effort does not equate result.
I'm sorry.

Even if it is only by just 1 point.

Is there such a thing as a permanent group?

I don't really have an answer. After all that has happened the past few days, I really pondered over this question hard. It started out with the question as to why people join groups?

It seems that people join groups for a variety of reasons, such as for social support in times of need, to focus on a collective task, for companionship, for prestige, and all sorts of reason. And as I wondered more about what constitues an essence of a group, it appears I can't really think of any (of course this is restricted to my own perspective as usual).

What I feel is that people join group for a reason (they can't decide to join anyone for no reason at all), and the group is supposed to be the gel to achieve the person's agenda. So when...

1) one does not feels affilated to a group,
2) the different members have different agendas,
3) the task is completed
4) the well-liked member decide to leave the group

there seems to be nothing left for that can keep the group together. Or is there something that I missed out? because if everything can be so rationally understood, then my eventual conclusion will be that one does not need a permanent group after all.

Take for example, you join a group because you feel affilated and that you have a common goal. But when the goal is completed or the affilation disappears (for a variety of reason eg. conflicts, well-liked member left etc) Will you still remain in the group?

I joined windsurfing because of all the members that I got to know then. But when these people graduate, there is not much motivation to want to continue to be in the group, especially if I don't know anyone at all. As much as I put in so much effort all this while, one day I realise I will end up leaving the group too. So why should I put in effort for something that will be gone?

Using the example of family, the parents are the one who keep the "group" together. But one day they leave, will the essence of the group remains? This point shows that when members of a group leaves, the group will eventually disappear.

So in the end, can there ever be a permanent "group" where I can really anchor myself to?

大多数二十多岁的男人处于他一生中最暗淡的时刻，没事业，没钱。二十多岁的女人正处于她一生中最光彩的时刻，她年轻，她漂亮。 所以20多岁的男人更应该珍惜在这个时候爱他的女人，因为她是用她一生中最光彩的时刻来陪伴你一生中最暗淡的时刻!

kapo from kelvin's blog.

Just like a sunflower, life is a cycle of ups and downs. Each morning the sunflower faces towards the sun and opens up, spreading its bright yellow petals for everyone to admire. At night, it bends down and silently awaits for the next day.

Once in a while, someone will pass by and compliment you for brightening their day. That without you, their existence will never be the same. But most of the time, you will be neglected. Society itself is like that, humans are too busy to appreciate what lies along their path.

But does that mean the sunflower shouldn't open their petals then? No, because collectively, if each sunflower does not want to open up itself, the whole world will be such a dark and uninspiring place. The sunflower is the symbol of happiness.

Similarly, if each of us is like a sunflower, I urge everyone to continue to stay happy. Even when it seems that day is the worst time of your life, stay happy. Even when the whole world is against you, stay happy as well. It will be hard to do so, but you still gotta try.

Happiness is contagious. Help spread it. For tomorrow will be a better day =)

My last hurdle. Hope I made the correct decisions this time round.

GE2018/SSA2215 - The Biophysical Environment of Singapore
GE2220 - Terrestrial & Coastal Environments
PL3240 - Group Dynamics
PL3252 - Social-Cognitive Perspectives on Emotion
MNO1001- Management and Organisation

Away for SIM Windsurfing Championship 9-10 Jan. Pray for good wind =)

Sometimes I really wondered whether it is good to have so many red-tape all over the place. On the other hand, I know as well that bureaucracy is ultimately essential for every society. It forms the basic framework, creates law and order and helps to create jobs for people. One thing is for sure, this is definitely not the ideal bureaucracy that Max Weber had envisioned.

Seeing how the paperwork gets pushed all around the different departments, and how these so called high-ranking legislators give promises that they don't follow up on, I am rather disappointed with the civil service.

What is the job of the civil service? To serve the people.

If it can't even accomplish such a task, what's the use of having so many people? Perhaps the adage "too many cook spoil the soup" is indeed applicable here.

School's reopening soon. So it's about time to start mugging and pull up my CAP.

As usual resolutions for the new year (which sadly remains the same for the past few years)

show more care and concern to those around me.
be more sensitive when I speak.
achieve 4.0 GPA
save up a $10,000 bank account.
level 1 heart-to-heart with mixedrice.
teach windsurfing to the juniors.
go read up more on investing.
write out my first collection of short stories.
master french to at least intermediate level.

Wish me luck for the new year =)

The year-end review is back again. This is a full year of surprises and shocks, almost like a roller-coaster ride. And I'm glad I managed to survive this tough year. Brief recap of the interesting things that occurred over the past year.


Jan - Many firsts in life. First trip to Vietnam with the Team Gusto volunteers as well as first french meal with jean, the first friend i made in French class.

Feb - Training with the windsurfing peeps for NTU Open and ITWC. Let's do it again this year. 4th in a row.

Mar - Late night supper with the supper gang and spending time to Bare Your Sole for charity.

Apr - "I wanna nobody nobody but you!" *clap clap and Uniform Party in charissa's room in RH. We hope we didn't terrorise the school too much =P

May - Month of waltz-ing and emo-ing with Life on the Moon. It's also back to work at LISEN. omgomgomg.

Jun - One of the best trips so far in Gunung Stong. It's all about Teamwork, Perseverance and Goal-Doing.

Jul - Disappointed with how the windsurf camp went, but I guess this feeling will pass. Busy month with SL Matric Fair and Project Excellence.

Aug - Marveled at the sight of Jupiter and surfing it out at my first windsurfing competition.

Sep - The most emotional month of the year. "I still want to believe that miracles do exist" and it still does.

Oct - What makes me happy? I didn't have an answer then. "Like Love, Happiness need no reminder." (CP,2009)

Nov - Meteor shower reminded me that some things in life do really deserve the wait. Being overly pessimistic is just not worth the time. MR First Halloween Party occurred as well.

Dec - Philosophical pondering and First "Ready For School" project. Lots of time spent with Mugger Republic as well.

To my friends out there, I know its not easy to get along with me. I can be overly emotional, very stubborn at times, insensitive to others and extremely straightforward/blunt. While I am gradually learning to accept the flaws I see in people, I do urge you all can do the same for me.

Someday when I am less critical of others and myself, perhaps I can finally see that this world is still beautiful in a way. Have faith =)

Happy 2010.

In the words of Rene Descartes, "I think therefore I am." It suggests that as long as there is thought, we can be sure that the thought, or the person thinking truly exist. For thought cannot exist if there is no one is thinking about it.

I don't know whether I truly exist in the past, it could be a mere construction of a new memory , instead of reconstruction of a past memory. I don't know whether I exist in the future in a similar fashion. Because what I am thinking now, whether it is the past or the future is just based on representation of my current thought. Everything could just be a dream.

If what Descartes says is in fact true, at least at the very present moment, I know that I exist. Similarly feelings/emotions are presented in the same way too. I don't know what I felt in the past or in the future, but I do know that this feeling is present now.

I could imagine being happy in the future, I could imagine being happy in the past, but I cannot confirm both with certainty as well. But I know I can be sure I am feeling happy at the present moment.

Perhaps ultimately only the present matters.

Today simon told me an interesting illustration of the importance of patience. I shall call it the water heater example.

"When people bath, they turn the water heater to a certain level (eg. level 2). But they complain that the water is still too cold. So they turn up the heater to a higher temperature. In the end, they complain that the water is too hot."

This example shows us that very often we are too impatient to wait and tend to rush things a little. The water heater takes time to heat up the water, but because of our impatience, we turn up the temperature to a level that is not suitable for us (too hot). Perhaps in reality, this level 2 is already the best/optimal temperature for us.

So what this all suggest is that sometimes in life, we have to be patient. Somethings are already working at its best, so its no good to make things move a little faster. Time can be our best friend, it can also be our worst enemy.

Even though there is more good news than bad news, I don't really feel like blogging here.

But generally, both windsurf events went well without any major hiccups, all that is left are the post-event paperwork and they can be closed. The committee is getting more bonded, so that is another call for celebration. After all, that is one of the main goals I set for the second year in committee.

"Ready for School Project" was great too. Its definitely an experience worth remembering and I hope I will be back again next year.

Results was what I had hoped to achieve, so its another relief for me. Of course I will continue to work hard the next semester (or rather all the remaining ones).

Let's just hope the good things continue =)

Merry Xmas to everyone and enjoy the festive mood!

credits from yahoo images

Away for

December Training Camp,

Mugger Republic JB Trip,

CDAC "Ready for School" Event,

Windsurfing Internal Race'09,

MixedRice Year-End Party,

Project Excellence Xmas Party,

& Sports Club Welfare Treat.

shall update when I'm back! Enjoy the holidays everyone =)

p.s pray for good wind and clear skies too.

Till Death Us Do Part

Harry and Sophia wanted to take seriously the words of the minister would utter as they exchanged rings: "These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle." This meant putting their collective interest first, and their individual interests second. If they could do that, the marriage would be better for both of them.

But Harry had seen his own parents divorce and too many friends and relations hurt by betrayal and deceit to accept this unquestioningly. The calculating part of his brain reasoned that, if he put himself second, and Sophia put herself first, Sophia would get a good deal from the marriage but he wouldn't. In other words, he risked being taken for a mug if he romantically failed to protect his own self-interest.

Sophia had similar thoughts. They had even discussed the problem and agreed that they would really would not be egotistical in the marriage. But neither could be sure the other would keep their part of the bargain, so the safest course of action for both was to secretly look out for themselves. That inevitably meant the marriage would not be as good as it could have been. But surely it was the only rational course of action to take?

(from "The Pig that wants to be eaten)

The classic "prisoner's dilemma" presented here again. If humans can be less calculating and care more for a collective good, this world would be a more beautiful place. But if this kind of problem can happen in marriage (concerns just 2 person), I cannot imagine how people can work together for a greater good. Sometimes blind faith might work better.

I don't know if its confirmatory bias but somehow I seem to notice a lot of relationship stuff happening all around me. It could be good news, bad news or whatever, but what interests me is that why am I starting to notice them?

Is it because these days I'm brainstorming a new storyline (a topic about cupid and love) that causes this or was it something else?

Even my mum is behaving so weirdly the past few weeks (and I'm pretty sure its not a perceptual problem). Must be because my younger brother got a girlfriend. haha.

p.s I'm collecting some interesting love stories for this. So if you have anything interesting please sent it to me =)

Super tired after such a busy week. But its not over yet.

After 2 days of intensive packing, we are done with the 9000++ vouchers to be given out for the CDAC "Ready For School" event.

Mambo, random CPG party, night cycling, adobe photoshop workshop, (kite-flying?). I need more sleep =(