Think. Focus. Act.

Happy Birthday Begum

2012-02-04T00:31:00.003+08:00

To a friend of mine who dare to follow her dream; willing to give up an NTU offer to study psychology in a private university.

To a friend who is there replying my whatsapp messages when i am bored, and who is willing to take the effort in keeping our friendship intact.

Thank you for sharing my sorrow, frustration and my happiness.

And today, let me share your happiness and your 22nd birthday!

Cheers and stay lovely with Shah!

10,000 hrs

2012-02-02T01:15:00.006+08:00

My tutor for ES1102 mentioned about the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, and in this book the author hypothesize a magic number of 10,000hrs. It's the amount of time required for a person to spend practising on a particular field for him/her to be successful in it. E.g. a badminton player must have at least 10,000 hrs of training, equivalent to 10 years, to be good at badminton.

So now i am pretty convinced that the people in school who scored better than i do may not necessary be smarter than me. They are just more hardworking as compared to me in studies. If school is going to grade based on inclination towards sports, which i believe i have more than 10,000hrs of practice, i will do pretty well i guess.

Prof A. Chan, a friend of mine, is really fast at solving physics and math questions. Upon hearing how much assessment books he was forced to do when he was young, further affirm the 10,000hrs theory. It's really the hard work that a person put in which determine how well he/she does in school. So it's time for me to buck up and play some catching game and hopefully hit 10,000hrs before i graduate =)

lost to RH

2012-02-01T00:25:00.001+08:00

I don't know why but i am very confident of beating RH if we meet them in the finals. HAHA...

Let's see if our training pays off:)

Time to train!

CNY pics

2012-01-29T01:47:00.002+08:00

2012-01-29T00:54:00.001+08:00

http://www.temasek.nus.edu.sg/ihg1112/badminton-boys-show-off-their-secret-weapons/

ihg first game

2012-01-28T00:37:00.003+08:00

TH got into a good start of our campaign with a 4-1 win over KR hall.

I played okay today, with a score of 19-21, 21-17, 21-18 against James.

Thanks to some pointers i received during the interval after the first set, i managed to play a better game and put my opponent under pressure at the right-back of the court. Plus, i played a more conservative game and waited for my opponents to make mistakes.

Halfway through the third set i was leading 10-5, and i threw away the lead and allowed him to catch up to 11-8 before the interval. I was tired and my mind wasn't thinking. I was thinking of random stuff and luckily managed to get back the right frame of mind. I was leading once again at 20-15, but allowed him to catch up to 20-18, which made me rather uncomfortable. I took a short break to break his momentum and managed to get the last point.

Without physical fitness my mental strength was affected and i couldn't focus on my play, allowing my opponent to catch up when i should have extended the lead. Hopefully my physical fitness and mental fitness will be good on Sunday for the match against RH.

Enjoyed my game today and hopefully we can get into Semis.

Good night!

Bed

2012-01-27T01:21:00.001+08:00

The best time of a day is the time when I can finally lay on my bed and getting ready to sleep:)

ihg

2012-01-25T23:32:00.000+08:00

IHG is on friday.

With my current fitness how to play ihg? jialat =.=

CNY

2012-01-24T23:21:00.002+08:00

My mum was lamenting how the atmosphere of CNY was not there anymore this year. I am guilty because i did not accompany her to my relative house in the night as i chose to go down town for shopping, while my elder sis went out to buy present for her friend.

With a diluting culture and the youth taking the back-seat in preserving our culture, i wonder how many more decades will Singaporean Chinese be celebrating lunar new year. I shall try my best to preserve this culture by leading by example. Making more effort in house-visiting next time and inviting more friends over to my house to "Bai-nian". This is to make sure my mum feels the "atmosphere of CNY". And the best way is to burn a hole in her pocket. HAHA.....

Begum

2012-01-17T00:50:00.001+08:00

The post that put a smile on my face when i saw it:)

小資女孩向前衝插曲

2012-01-15T14:07:00.003+08:00

郁可唯《好朋友只是朋友》

郁可唯 ─ 傷不起

郁可唯微加幸福

Dare not to dream

2012-01-12T01:00:00.002+08:00

It comes to a point of life where i ask myself what i really want to do.

I want to study Chinese Medicine and be a Chinese Physician, helping people when they needed it the most. But i dare not to follow my dream, because it feels so distant. I don't think i have the courage, strength and intelligence to follow my dream.

I realised that people needed the most help when they are vulnerable, when they fall sick. And the worst thing that can happen to a person is not death, but falling sick. It will be something i want to do in my life, to help end the suffering of a patient.

For now, i dare not to dream, for i lack what it takes to break the dogma.

My Friend J

2012-01-10T00:02:00.003+08:00

Before the start of University life i always pray that i will not have girls who are childish around me. I heard from teachers that their overall feeling was girls from J.C were generally more playful and immature compared to Army men who just completed NS.

I guess i got what i wished for and i met a girl J whom maturity is beyond her age.

To cut her whole story short(her story can most probably write a thesis), her life was the direct opposite of mine. If i live in heaven, hers will be hell. And it is in this harsh living environment that mold her to become who she is now. The irony of life; only suffering can bring out the best in a person.

It really sadden me sometimes to see her suffering, and there is only so little i can do, or in fact none.

Take care and get well soon, i wouldn't want to give an eulogy of you.

Proposal

2012-01-09T00:30:00.002+08:00

The moment when friends around me are talking about marriage proposal, i had the sudden feeling of " Oh damn, so fast?"

5th Anniversary

2012-01-06T00:05:00.003+08:00

06/01/12 is our 5th year together! So happy that we manage to hold on until now.

I must say fate brought us together and helped us along the way.

We are going really strong at the moment and it's like nothing going to break us apart.

I LOVE YOU SENG YIE!

2012-01-05T23:49:00.001+08:00

The irony of life is that you have to be struggling in order to bring out the best in you.

Mummy

2012-01-05T00:31:00.004+08:00

Bought this phone for mummy after a long search. A brand new Ace for $280:) Thanks to my dear sisters for chipping in money to buy this for her too.

Sometimes we just neglect the people who love us the most and chose to spend time and money on people who are much less important. I think the money spend on this phone is so meaningful and worthwhile.

I was thinking about the lesson i learnt in my OCIP trip, and i think the one important lesson is that "family is the most important part of each and everyone's life". During the precious HTHT session i heard many stories, and at the same time shared my stories too.

One important thing i realize after thinking through my past actions was that i may prioritize my family first, but my actions are often not in tandem. So i made many changes when i came back from Chiang Mai and spent more time with my family.

We went for breakfast several times and with our collective effort, re-painted the house. So proud of myself for taking the initiative to make the change.

The following video was a precious moment i captured when mummy was changing diapers for baby abi. I started imagining this happening when i was still a baby and mummy was changing my diapers. Hopefully this video will still exist when baby abi grows up and she can see the love her grandma gave her.

2012

2012-01-01T01:13:00.002+08:00

Hello 2012!

So many events happened after i came back from ChiangMai.

With a blink of an eye, we are entering 2012.

Painting my house and now i have a yellow-wall living room and kitchen and a blue room! Love the colour of my room.

Met up with Msl Clique for dinner last sunday, many other catching up.

Oh ya... Results out. Not very well done, as expected. Time to buck up.

Getting a good Cap is one of my new year resolution. Setting a resolution is so easy, achieving it will be so different. Hopefully i will be able to do it!

I have yet the time alone to consolidate all that happened in 2011 and the plans for 2012. I wonder if i am ever going to do it anyway.

Happy 2012 people!

42Km Full Marathon

2011-12-06T19:56:00.001+08:00

So proud of pretty girl who completed the 42km with me. 7hrs and 50mins of torture and we made it.

My 21st Birthday!

2011-12-06T19:14:00.010+08:00

I will like to thank everyone who came for my birthday and celebrate the special day with me.

Especially my Da jie who planned this event for me.

Thank you!

Post Exam

2011-12-06T17:40:00.003+08:00

Sem 1 just passed so fast and it is now December.

So many memorable events to update, including mummy's birthday, my 21st birthday celebration, an outing with NUS first clique and my first Full Marathon with pretty girl.

Let the videos and pictures do the talking.

Will be off to Thailand, Chiangmai for CIP, will be back on the 22nd Dec.

Take care people!

喜悦、张海军 20110522 中国达人秀片段

2011-12-02T11:44:00.001+08:00

那些年, 我们一起追的女孩

2011-11-30T21:47:00.002+08:00

http://blog.jinku.com/attachments/2011/08/146855_201108272025301an28.thumb.jpg

十一月十日写:

刚看了九把刀的制作 "那些年, 我们一起追的女孩".真的好感动!让我连想到了周杰伦的制作 "不能说的秘密".好久都没这么感动了.

九把刀把我带回了中学时候, 当我遇见了我现任的女友.戏里的男主角柯景腾和女主角沈佳宜之间的爱情故事从同学开始,发展成了暧昧,最后因没有好好把握着对方,没能在一起.好可惜.

在座位前,座位后坐着的他们一起努力读书对我而言是最甜蜜的. 柯景腾努力的读书就是为了更接近沈佳宜,而沈佳宜也很努力的为柯景腾温习.他们对彼此的爱就着么的萌芽.

毕业后他们也各自到了不同的大学,在晚上也通电话,在圣誕节那天也有一起约会.可惜没在圣誕那天把握好机会在一起.

因为一次的误会,他们失恋了.

虽然都还喜欢对方,但都没开口. 沈佳宜最后和勇于追求她的男孩在一起.但不到五个月却分开了.原以为俩人(柯景腾和沈佳宜)还有可能在一起,但是九把刀没这么做.

过了两年,因一次的地震, 柯景腾拨了通电话慰沈佳宜还好吗.他们聊了一整晚,把以前好多好多的记忆又从温了一次. 沈佳宜在戏里说道: “ 听别人说爱昧往往都是最甜蜜的,想让你追求我久一点.如果太早在一起,你变懒了,那我不是吃亏.” 可能是因为这个原因,九把刀最后没让着俩恋人在一起.让他们的爱停留暧昧的接段,让这没有结局的爱情这么让人心酸,感动.

在电话里, 柯景腾也提到了: “可能在另一个时空,我们可能是在一起的.” 沈佳宜也淡淡的微了微笑,看着月亮说 : “那我好羡慕他们喔.”

过了多几年, 沈佳宜拨了通电话通知柯景腾自己要结婚了.在婚礼结束后,有一幕是柯景腾和沈佳宜在接吻,然后好多回忆都浮现出.九把刀给了我们观众思想空间.可能在另一个空间, 柯景腾和沈佳宜真的在一起,是他门俩结了婚,那是他们的婚礼.

这点好像 “不能说的秘密” , 周杰伦让大家自己发挥,到了最后他有没有回到过去和小雨在一起.真的是两部好棒的电影,触动了我的心.

和嵊芋看了这部电影,觉得自己好幸运,能和自己暗恋好久的女生在一起,我没有错过她.可能在另一个平行时空我门没能在一起呢?可能另一个时空的我们像故事里的柯景腾和沈佳宜一样,只能希望另一个时空的我们是在一起的.

我们的青春只有这么一次,而活在这个世上也只有那么一次,放胆去爱吧!不要犹豫这么多了.暗恋一个人就胆敢表白.就算不成功至少尝试过!

真的真的好庆幸我和嵊芋在一起.我真的真的好爱好爱她.得不到的不一定是最让人回味的.是在经历过种种的困难还能在一起才叫人感动吧.

谢谢九把刀这么感人的电影,让我回想起我一直好怀念的中学日子,让我在这么忙碌的生活里还能感动一下下.

这部电影一定要看!

2011-11-23T21:11:00.003+08:00

好想再看<那些年, 我们一起追的女孩>.

谁有兴趣要看可以和我邀约J

这几天都不停的在回味这电影.看了九把刀的访问后更想再看一遍.

等考后必把看完电影的感想放上来.

2011-11-20T00:32:00.000+08:00

觉得自己好像一张白白的纸.

55th Birthday!

2011-10-30T16:28:00.000+08:00

Dream of a snake bite

2011-10-18T01:57:00.003+08:00

As i am typing this i am getting goosebumps.

I dream about a snake bite last night, it's really an unusual dream. The snake came out of nowhere in my dream and bite me on my right arm. It's not the usual dream where a sequence of events are happening, this time round the events are happening, but suddenly the snake, i remember it was a green snake, came out from nowhere in my dream. Usually we are in control of our dream, but last night i was not in control when the snake attacked me.

I was curious so i went to take a look at the internet for dream interpretation and this is what i found.

Dreaming of being bitten by a snake is one of the most common and striking snake dreams. While the dreamer is likely to wake up scared or confused about the meaning of such a dream, a general interpretation considers snake bite imagery in dreams as a precious warning or wake up call regarding your waking life. A snake biting you symbolically signifies that you need to pay attention to a challenging situation or emotion that has not yet been completely acknowledged and dealt with.

Dream Meaning Summary

The snake bite symbolizes a wake up call
Warning about a situation, activity, behavior or thought that are “poisonous” in your life.
Warning about something that paralyzes your ability to make a choice in order to take the next step in your life or a relationship
Resistance to what is perceived as a “temptation” or a situation that challenges your beliefs or values
Sign that you’re on the verge of a deep personal transformation

For instance, a snake bite to the right hand means that you are conflicted about taking action or making the right choice in your life; it could suggest that you are preoccupied with acting in fairness or maintaining a healthy transparency in a relationship whether it is intimate or related to work.

http://www.snakedreams.org/snake-bite-dream.html

You may be surprise that i will actually look this up from the internet. I am the kind who don't usually believe in this. But then again, i just felt the need to. I felt something different about that dream.

" A wake up call" is what i think this dream is all about. At this point in life i think i have to start taking action about the situation in my life. I hope this "transformation" will be a positive one.

Baby Abi 1st Month

2011-10-18T01:28:00.004+08:00

An occasion which cheered me up a little during this period of time(:

Can't wait for her to grow up.

To the proud mother of Abigail, if you are reading this;

Stay strong during this trying period of time as it's going to be a tough time ahead,

but fret not because we are all behind you.

If ever you need a listening ears, we'll be there for you.

Mummy, daddy, da jie, me and of course bro-in-law, we are all here for you!

Jia you!

6/20

2011-10-12T01:47:00.002+08:00

I just got back my result for my physics mid-term test. I got 6/20. The average is 11. It's so disappointing.

But i am not going to give up. I am going to continue study and make sure i do better the next time.

never give up......

2011-10-09T00:37:00.002+08:00

What do i really want?

Now i am constantly faced with the dilemma of having to choose between studies and my other commitments. And i think i am really bad at making sound decision.

If given a choice between going out with friends and finishing up my assignments, i will choose to go out with friends. Despite having a big pile of work to complete, i will still choose to go out. I do care about my results, but i find it hard to say NO to friends. I have a soft spot for friends.

I really have to start focusing on what is important at the current moment and strive hard for my studies. The final exam is like NEXT MONTH. I really have to start waking up and study.

I need motivation, minus distraction.

Taking a break

2011-10-02T00:30:00.003+08:00

I was talking to Jollie on our way back home this afternoon and i brought up the topic of the stressful life in Singapore. Currently i am feeling the stress from the school work and not used to it.

Well, you see, i have been brought up in a family where there are not much expectation and stress from my parents. My parents will very much allow me to do whatever i want to do and expect me to just complete polytechnic and start working. I didn't know i can make it so far into getting into NUS too. Even in Jc i was pretty much spending more time in playing badminton and doing other stuff other than studying.

I felt as though i was thrown from playing in S-League to 1st division of the football league.

Suddenly my narrow-minded view of this evergreen world starts to widen a little. The competition is there and challenges are awaiting me to conquer. But i feel so foreign to this place, so out of place sometimes. I don't feel that i am the happy-go-lucky person anymore, because luck alone will not get me very far in this school.

Oh my, and i am quite sure the working life next time is going to be the same too. With our population so small and Singapore's appetite so big for global shares, each and everyone of us will most probably have to work doubly or triply hard to compete with other countries.

Survival of the fittest. Either i start coming out from my comfort zone to compete or i shall be left to wither, pathetically.

ISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-30T23:42:00.002+08:00

busy busy with mid terms.

Can't wait to visit Abigail when i have the time.

Till then.

NUSRRaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrr................

2011-09-23T21:44:00.004+08:00

If you tried and failed using method one, using the same method again will only gurantee the same failure.

baby niece

2011-09-20T09:57:00.000+08:00

A chat

2011-09-20T00:26:00.002+08:00

The level of stress she undertook was beyond comprehension.

And after hearing her story, i believe i am going to have a hard time sleeping tonight.

I am still a cocoon living in a well-protected environment, while she brave the storm to save herself. It was one of the biggest storm i have ever heard of.

And to hear it from her personally adds another degree of sorrow in me.

Stay strong.

Abigail

2011-09-19T01:46:00.003+08:00

My beautiful niece was finally born on 18/09/2011.

So proud of my sister and i am really grateful that my sis and the baby are safe and sound.

Can't wait to give her a hug when i first meet here(:

Study over friends

2011-09-17T18:05:00.002+08:00

Approximately one more week to mid-terms and i have been diligently studying. However, productivity wasn't high.

Have to give up many invitation from friends for badminton games, supper and other outings. It sucks but i really have PILES of notes to go through and revision to be done. Guilty, but that's a choice i have to make.

It's saturday and i am in school study room mugging with Pretty and friend. Tomorrow will be a full day of tuition and badminton, and hopefully i wouldn't be too tired to watch Man U in action against Chelsea at night.

NUSMUG.

Computer

2011-09-13T23:53:00.002+08:00

so sick of starring at the computer the whole evening.

Programming, Lab report and webcast all require computer. Can we go back to the old days where we still use blackboard and chalk?

Time

2011-09-13T00:27:00.001+08:00

Too busy. I don't like it when school is taking up so much of my time. I need a life.

HSM

2011-09-11T23:55:00.003+08:00

Looking through High School Musical videos in the middle of the night.

The familiarity is comforting.

-can i have this dance?

Mummy Love

2011-09-08T23:17:00.003+08:00

Mummy is going to cook maggie mee for me at this hour(:

I feel so fortunate, and pampered at the same time.

Back to listening to webcast :)

IVP next year

2011-09-05T22:27:00.003+08:00

Okay. I have decided not to join the NUS Badminton School Team and instead take part in Operation Orion, an overseas CIP. I can't possibly handle both with my tonnes of workload. It's a very tough decision, but one which i need to make. I have to priorities my studies, OCIP and badminton. Sadly badminton has to go for the time being.

I must make sure my results at the end of year justify my decision in letting badminton go.

IFG Champion!

2011-09-04T23:02:00.006+08:00

This is by far the best thing that had happened for me in NUS- The winning of Inter-Faulty Game(IFG) Champion. We had successfully defended our title this year and i was proud of my performance in the Final.

In this year Final, we played against Medicine and we won with an overall score of 4-1. We met Medicine in the group stage and i lost my game to their single during our first meeting. I didn't play well that day and i reckon is the stress from school and being physically drained after Tuesday training with the school team.

It was a rough day for me in the Group Stage and i struggled during the games. My mind was clear and i knew what i wanted to play, but it seems like my muscles had forgotten how to serve a ball. I needed to focus very hard just to serve the ball. I knew my performance was going to be lousy when i first played against Biz where i won 15-7, 15-7. I served at least 5 out in the game and felt tired just into the first set at 7-7.

After which we played medicine and again, i tried very hard to play but eventually lost 15-8, 8-15, 12-15. It was demoralizing to lose to an opponent whom i know is going to join the school team too. This mean that the fight for a place to play singles is lost.

We played against School of Design and Environment(SDE) next and I wanted to play badly. I want to prove myself. So i went in and won 17-19, 15-6, 15-13. It was a tough game but i managed to cope well. I guess this game really strengthen me mentally and gave me confident to face the upcoming semi and final.

During the one week break i trained a little physically, doing the routine sprinting, skipping, push-ups and crunches. I try to sleep before 1230am every night and tried not to stress myself with the tonnes of school work.

Alas, it paid off when we met Medicine again in the finals. With the right mental and fitness in place, i managed to beat my opponent in straight set 21-18, 22-20. It was a sweet sweet revenge. This gave me the psychological advantage when we fight for a place to play in the school team.

I still believe the the most important factor in winning a game is in the mind, and it comes with experiences. This IFG tested me mentally and i am satisfied with my performance in the games.

It was a job well done and it made my day. It's time to focus on my studies(:

NUSRR

2011-09-01T00:10:00.002+08:00

Currently stuck in a rat race.

Something Borrowed

2011-08-26T23:17:00.002+08:00

-Sometimes we just have to be brave enough to go for what we want.

-Let's not have what we want to do be insignificant, and just live the life as what other expects us to do. Let's live it.

Tutorials

2011-08-26T01:01:00.003+08:00

It was so demoralizing when i stared at the tutorials without any knowledge of how to approach it.

It became a relieve when i called friends and they were equally clueless as me.

Relationship

2011-08-22T14:26:00.002+08:00

Being in a relationship for me is about having 80% Love, and 20% commitment. I don't believe in loving a person 100% all the time. There are bound to be times when we hope to strangle the other party because of some reasons. And it is during this period where our commitment to the relationship plays apart in keeping us together:)

2011-08-18T20:54:00.000+08:00

Keeping myself away from the slavery of technology.

Uni Life

2011-08-15T18:34:00.002+08:00

Still trying to get use to University life after 2 years of break from studies.

I need to learn to be more independent in University. There is no more subject reps who will help to photocopy notes, no tutors to push you to complete tutorials and i have to take initiatives in signing up for events.

I need to make more friends in school because Engineering is such a unfamiliar territory for me. Plus the fact that i am in Common Engineering, I don't have friends who share the same timetable as me.

Need to sign up for more events and make more friends.

Everything is so good so far(:

P.S. Will try to be discipline and blog at least once per week.

2011-07-30T00:36:00.002+08:00

Looking through physics notes at the eleventh hour hoping that it will be of some help to when I start on my bridging mods. Thanks to Kend tuck for lending me his Jc physics notes so I can read up a little before school starts.

Looking at the Work, energy and power topics. And I am taking way too long to understand the concept. Need to start cranking this rusty brain of mine before school official starts on the 2nd week Aug(:

2011-07-29T14:14:00.001+08:00

听了这么多歌手的歌，发现自己的最爱还是周杰伦唱的歌。

它们带给了我许多的回忆。

Late Nights

2011-07-28T01:11:00.004+08:00

I think the late night is taking a toll on my body. I can feel myself feeling restless and lack the energy to complete daily tasks. Will be going down for badminton training in NUS and I doubt my fitness will be anywhere near acceptable, plus the late night, my performance will be -20%.

Finally got a place in Engin O week after a drama-like day in NUS today. Luckily i have Susan who helped me when i needed. She guided me to the central library where i can print out the form. Thank you!

Met up with Skyler and Sean for a farewell high-tea for Skyler before he leaves for Canada. We came across this topic on PASSION. I felt sad for myself because i didn't have any Passion for anything in life. The best i have is interest in Soccer and Badminton. The burning Passion is lacking in me.

Then Skyler brought up this which i pretty much like and agree: Don't really have to have a Passion for anything in particular, but we can have Passion for Life in general. I love my life and I think i have Passion for my Life. Maybe that can be a start for me in developing my Passion.

Tomorrow will have to wake up early to bid for modules. I hope i can wake up on time. And maybe i will fall back asleep once i am done. I hate this irregular sleeping pattern of mine. Time to tune it back!!!

Come on.

Dilemma

2011-07-27T01:04:00.002+08:00

I had trouble sleeping yesterday because i was thinking whether i should go for Engin O Week, aka Orientation Week for my faculty. After much consideration, i decided to go for it after much advice from friends and i believe i need the networking if i want to do well in school. I will be going down tomorrow to NUS to sign up for the camp and hopefully i get a slot. It's a first come first serve basis.

I need to more decisive in life. I try too hard thinking of the benefits and costs which often resulting in a no-conclusion. Time to grow up, you long.

Tsk, Tsk.

Sales

2011-07-20T01:29:00.003+08:00

I suppose a 1 month telemarketing sales job is pretty useful after all.

When the sale girls were trying to sell us(my gf and i) some package today at NYSS, i was like 'hey, I used that when i sales-talk my customer too; throwing freebies bit by bit and telling them this is the one and only chance to get the package, otherwise the next time when they sign up will be twice the price'

Of course i wasn't that rude to say that in-front of their faces, i was just thinking that through my head then.

After working in sales, i am more willing to reject people's offer knowing their tactics. I believe there are still people out there who are able to persuade me and sales-talk me into something. There are still much to learn(:

Queen of My Heart

2011-07-20T01:17:00.001+08:00

Tuition

2011-07-19T20:38:00.002+08:00

I believe in the benefits of having tuition because I am a beneficiary myself. When I was in primary 3, I couldn't write from A to Z. That was how bad my standard was. My mum has only primary education while my dad has until secondary 4 education(he didn't pass his secondary 4 though). Both my parents were busy working and there aren't many avenues where I can learn, of course except in classroom setting where one teacher is to 40 students. It's too big a class in my point of view and I wasn't given much attention. When I was at bottom 30% of my cohort, my mum decided to send me for tuition. That was my education took a change and I slowly make my way up to reach the standard of my peers. I was very grateful for the right choice my mum made to send me for tuition, and to my tutor who helped me so much.

Now that I am at a university level, I can no longer engage a tutor to give me tuition on my modules. I have to start learning on my own.

I hope to help as much as possible to my tuition kids, so that more of them can benefit like I do.

Life's like this.

2011-07-17T20:12:00.002+08:00

http://youlonghuang.blogspot.com/2010/07/oh-life.html

Last year this time i posted a post under the link above and there were a list of problems i was facing then

One year past and the problems had either been solved left out of the picture.

Firstly, coaching. I had stopped coaching due to the lack of time and students. I think it lacks progression. It lacks a direction thus the end of coaching for many students.

Secondly, tuition. Learning how to be a better tutor every session as i face new students. I am now helping out at MPM and I must acknowledge the teaching materials are challenging for the students and beneficial for them too. I am forgoing coaching for tuition.

Thirdly, badminton. Nothing much to look forward to except for playgroup with MSL team. Maintaining standard before entering Uni. I really really hope that i can join soccer and badminton in Uni, but looking at the workload, i doubt so. Opportunity Cost! Argh~

Fourthly, driving. I passed it 7 months ago! HAHA. What i need now is a CAR!

Lastly, day-day problems. Yeah, there are still problems that i face everyday. I guess life's like this, we are constantly faced with problems. Thankfully i am not Stress-out yet. Managing my problems well(:

Signing off with this song.

Keeping gf occupied

2011-07-16T00:56:00.002+08:00

I have the best method for keeping my girlfriend occupied when i will like to have some free time on my own.

Step 1: On the computer.

Step 2: Open Funshion.

Step 3: Open ANY Korean Drama. (ANY!)

Step 4: She will stick her butt there for as long as you don't disturb her. HAHA!

2011-07-15T01:30:00.002+08:00

I realized I have the habit to blog hop when I have nothing to do at night rather than looking at tweets or Facebook.

Just had my QET test this morning(yesterday morning). After more than two years the familiar scene of entering exams hall is back. It's like going back to a familiar place, but with a heavy heart, and leaving being light-hearted afterwards because it was another mission accomplished. There will be many more exams in the future and the test this morning reminded me the stressful life of a student. I almost forgot how it felt to take a test, and today is a good reminder of how it feels to have stress hormones runnin through my body and the urge to go toilet repeatedly.

Nonetheless, I am looking forward to another chapter of life and I believe it will be an enriching one. Have to equip myself well in these remaining years before I step out to workforce(:

That day at Sentosa

2011-07-12T00:14:00.003+08:00

We had a peaceful and enjoyable picnic day at Sentosa last month, accompanied by Banangrams, our home-made sushi and sandwiches. The weather was windy and cloudy. Perfect weather to be at Sentosa.

Hopefully i can have free days like this when school starts. I am excited that school is starting!

Chinese songs

2011-07-10T01:15:00.002+08:00

I am loving the chinese songs playing in 93.3FM now.

But it is so hard to get chinese songs and the title of the songs will often appear as square.

Can anyone please just send me all the latest chinese songs :(

Security

2011-07-06T19:42:00.003+08:00

Whenever we are on the train or bus, Girl will often lay her head my shoulder for a short nap. I am always amaze at how fast she dozes off, almost immediately. Apart from my amaze, I am hearten to know that because: only if a person feels secure and comfortable will they let their guard down and rest peacefully(not RIP). She must have felt secure with my presence:)

I am number 4

2011-07-06T16:42:00.003+08:00

Spent the whole afternoon watching I Am Number 4. It was a so-so movie for me with predictable plot, but I must say the action scenes are thrilling. And I guess I found another eye candy after Natalie Portman. Her name is Dianna Agron(:

She is also one of the cast in Glee.

93.3

2011-07-05T12:53:00.003+08:00

I started listening to radio since primary 6 under the influence of my two elder sisters. Back then we were listening to 93.3FM, mostly the mandarin pop songs from Taiwan artists; Jay Chou and S.H.E. Till date, these two are still my favourite when it comes to mandarin songs.

When i reached secondary school, Jason started to influence me with 987FM. I enjoyed English songs then with their catchy rhythm and the band playing.

But i must say, after being drawn to English songs for so long, i still prefer Mandarin songs. I find their lyrics much more meaningful compared to songs from the West.

NUS Engineering

2011-07-04T00:58:00.002+08:00

For the next 3-4years I will be spending my days in NUS studying, meeting new friends and learning. I guess Clementi Mall is going to be a place i frequent often in the next 3-4years.

I very much want to go to the comfort of my bed and sleep, but the registration is keeping me up. There is this " Registration Guide" that I have been reading up on, and i just applied for my tuition fees to be paid via my mum CPF. It's still pending.

I enjoy sleeping very much but lately there are many things in my mind; school, money and future. These are keeping me awake late into the night. I am fortunate i can still get to sleep peacefully and i don't have another "Woman" to worry about because i am happily attached now.

I know the importance of FOC but i am quite taken aback by the games they played, especially those match-making games. But i guess i am going to put my worries aside and just attend maybe one or two orientation camps just before school starts.

Back to reading my Registration Guide(:

On train

2011-07-03T16:32:00.000+08:00

I have been traveling on the mrt frequently these few weeks for work and outing and I am really sick of travelling. It is like travelling from woodlands to nicholl highway everyday are draining all my energy away, even before I start work. This makes me more determine that I'm going to own a car when I have the financial ability to do so.

On a side note, I realized that Singaporeans aren't that selfish and inconsiderate as most of the people perceived us to be. I do see people giving up seats to elderly, pregnant lady and people who genuinely needs it more than they do. It is heartening to see these scenes and I hope it's from the bottom of the heart instead of the fear of being "Stomp".

I just hope that the courtesy of letting passengers out of the train can be improved.

2011-06-28T01:40:00.001+08:00

People beautifies Love, but I only see it during the toughest, ugliest and most trying period of time.

One lesson i learnt from NS

2011-06-27T23:11:00.001+08:00

A man never loses his cool, only a boy does.

A month of Celebration

2011-06-24T01:05:00.003+08:00

It was a month full of celebration. Just within the short span of two weeks, i celebrate with my family and friends two birthdays and one father's day.

Yi Ming's 22nd Birthday on the 5th June with a simple dinner at a restaurant near Chong Pang. We had a value meal because we spent around $10 each for so many dishes!

Celebrated Weili's Birthday on the 11th June. It was so crowded that day with so many of his relatives and friends. I enjoyed myself and brought home a token from his birthday. Only the badminton boys have one photo each.

And he did a failed planking that day. HAHA.

Yes. And finally daddy's father day on the 12th of June.

This is his 28th year celebrating. Cheers!

My Motivation

2011-06-22T00:37:00.006+08:00

Life is tough, and sometimes we struggle to stay afloat in this crazy world where everyone is vying for something more everyday. And whenever times get tough, i will start to think of my motivation: My Mum.

She is the strongest woman on this whole planet whom i have ever seen. She managed to hold our whole family together herself, when her three children are still too young to take care of themselves, when her depression husband started to get abusive and when her brothers kept calling to ask her for money.

My father suffered from depression when we were younger and there were time he wasn't mentally sound. He would occasionally do silly things like throwing away things at home, roaming outside not knowing where home is, calling police to lock up my mum, and worst of all, hit my mum. I only have vague memories of my childhood, but these memories do etched into my mind. When i grew older, i asked my mum why didn't she leave, and her answer was: who will be there to take care of the three of you if i am away?

We were financially tight during that time and my parents income only manages to meet ends need. On top of taking care of this family, she will have to work night shifts to feed us. She would prepare lunch and dinner for us, take care of us before leaving for work in the evening at Seagate. She would then return the next day morning, buy us breakfast, have a nap before waking up to prepare lunch. Then the cycles went on. How is that for a SuperWoman? There was no weekends for her.

And the last thing that leaves a deep impression for me was the days when my uncle will call home and ask money from my mum. My uncle was unemployed, sick and smoking heavily. He would call up my mum and mum would bring me along to this one-room apartment near Golden Mile Complex where my uncle lived. My mum would sometime pass around 20 dollars to him, which i guess most of it went to his cigarettes. I felt sorry and sad for my mum that time. She was being thrifty and saving money but her purse were often empty after visit to my uncle house. My heart aches looking at her empty purse. I understood how hard money came by when i was a child, and looking at how easily she handed over the money to him was really saddening.

I am fortunate to have a living example, my mum, to show me how it was done and no matter what is coming along in life, i will have the courage to face them.

A drop to the eyes

2011-06-16T13:33:00.002+08:00

Lately my eyes are pretty dry due to long hours of wearing contact lens. And I have started to put eye drop(eyeMo) before I sleep everynight.

It may have been the smell of the EyeMo, or the feel of the eyedrop rolling down my cheeks that reminded me of the days when my mum will put eyedrop for me.

To protect our eyes, she will fortnightly put EyeMo for us. I vividly remember days when I will lay on the sofa, put my head on her laps as I wait for the drop to hit my eyes. She will then ask me to close my eyes for 5sec before releasing me. I can still remember the smell of it, and the feel of love when the eyedrop rolls down my cheeks.

2011-06-13T10:09:00.001+08:00

Sometimes i wonder if we get to know the day we are going to die, will we actually put in more effort in whatever we do. But then, if i were given the chance, i wouldn't want to know it.

Appeal Result

2011-06-11T16:27:00.003+08:00

I hate to think of it this way, but i have a strong feeling my appeal is unsuccessful.

If it is unsuccessful, i will be studying Engineering in NUS.

Let's wait and see(:

A Walk to Remember

2011-06-11T00:22:00.003+08:00

I just finished watching this romance movie inspired from a novel by Nicholas Sparks. It is truly a touching movie and it moved me several time during the movie. It's about true love and what love should be.

Love is always patient and kind.

It is never jealous.

Love is never boastful or conceited.

It is never rude or selfish.

It does not take offence and it is not resentful.

Love take no pleasure in others people's sins, but delights in the truth.

It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.

-by Nicholas Sparks, from the book: A Walk to Remember.

It is a beautiful story and it taught me about love. I thought i understood love and my relationship with Girl is strong. Well, i guess we still have a long way to go.

There were times when i wasn't patient towards our relationship. Times when i felt frustrated with how things were going. There were time i felt a little sense of arrogance when people asked about how long we were together, and 4 years seems to be something worth boasting about. There were time when i resent the things i have to do as a boyfriend, the responsibility i shoulder in a relationship.

However, I must say i am becoming a better boyfriend as time comes by and our love is indeed becoming stronger. Never close to strong, but we are taking baby steps. There are so many obstacles out there which will test our relationship.

I love romance story, especially story like this. It touched me, and reminds me to appreciate Girl more.

I just want to give her a bear hug now.

2011-06-10T13:03:00.001+08:00

Testing! Finally I can use iPhone to blog:)

Iamwaitingeveryday.

2011-06-10T09:50:00.003+08:00

The only thing that i constantly on my mind is the result to my Uni Application.

The appeal results will very much depend on my future job and i really really hope that i will get into economics.

Well, all i can say is i tried my best in my application to present the best of myself. All i can do now is PRAY~

The result should be out in the next 1-2 weeks.

Good luck to me!

Thank you

2011-06-05T11:12:00.003+08:00

Just a short post to show appreciation to all the good things that is happening in my life.

Thank you, whoever is up there for keeping my family healthy, fit and happy.

Thank you, for giving me a beautiful girlfriend who is always there for me.

Thank you, for putting my friends, genuine ones who care for me around me.

Thank you for my good health and happiness.

And in return, i will spread my fortune to the people who needs it.

Sometimes in life i will feel that everything is within control, it feels like i can dictate my life and things happening around me.

But other times the world seems so enormous to me, and i felt powerless.

And it is during these time that i will silently pray, to whoever is out there, to keep everything in place, while i try my very best ability to do the same.

Run Baby Run

2011-06-04T22:07:00.001+08:00

My body loves running.

Carefree Life

2011-06-04T19:10:00.001+08:00

I must say i am extremely fortunate to have led a carefree and stress-free life for the past 20years because i do not have to shoulder any responsibility.

Being in a Relationship

2011-05-31T22:54:00.004+08:00

The best thing about being in a relationship:

I have a free stress-reliever.

And the direction for treatment:

Hug her.

Our Future Home

2011-05-30T23:34:00.005+08:00

This is an excellent time to blog and i am in the mood to do it. What is lacking is a topic.

So i randomly picked one in my mind, which is and will be a big concern to my generation when we get married.

*this is going to be quite a dry topic

Prior to the election, the uproar of unhappiness with the transport system and housing has certainty taken effect. Our new Minister of National Development Khaw Boon Wan has given the green light to Build-to-Order(BTO) flats which have not yet hit the 70% quota. And looking at the HDB website, I am delighted that there are 3-4 BTO flats rolling out every single month since November last year.

It simply means when i reach the age of marriage, there will be a sharp increase in supply of HDB flats, and what follows will be the spiraling price of HDB flats.

How to afford a 4-Room HDB flat at 300k now? I have not even seen 30k in my bank account before.

Yes they say that we are only paying the house with approximately 20% of our household income. But it is a 30 years long period! I would have ORD 15 times by then. It is a freaking long period and we will most likely to be slave to our job for 30years. Who dares to quit their job to pursue their dreams when they have to pay for their home? If I am to start work at the age of 25, i will only be free from this slavery at the age of 55.

Back then when my parents bought this home which i am currently staying, they paid off using CPF immediately. It costs them 20k. It is a mere 20k for a 3-room flat. I am pretty sure my family will be in great financial stress if flats then were expensive and they had to take up a 30-years installment.

Lets see if the price of housing is going to drop in the next five years, if not, i will not show mercy when it's my turn to vote in the next GE.

Part time job(2)

2011-05-30T22:44:00.004+08:00

Tomorrow will be the first day of work at Golden Mile Complex.

Hopefully i will gain valuable experience from this job, and at least i am guaranteed to be an expert in MioTV Services and Pricing. HAHA.

Soccer

2011-05-28T00:12:00.002+08:00

I want to join Soccer when I enter Uni!

Part time job

2011-05-27T13:40:00.003+08:00

I never thought that a part time job will be so hard to come by. This time i totally have no "lobang" to find a job. Usually i will go for jobs recommended by friends, but this time not many with a job to recommend.

So i resort to the ancient way of finding a job. Flipping of The Straits Times classified. And Wa-La! Interview for telemarketer sales this coming Monday. So if you receive a call from me please be kind and at least hear me out for a minute before hanging up the phone on me. And for those who will like to sign up for Singtel's MioTV package, broadband or anything, please let me know okay? HAHA. I start advertising for them even before confirming the job.

I thought that after leaving Army i will be free. Yes, i am, physically free, but financially tied. I thought my piggy bank and tuitions can last me to the day i start University, but i guess i underestimated my spending ability. 90% spend on food, 10% miscellaneous, 0% save. Even the Government's Growth Package is not enough to feed my soon-to-be anorexic piggy.

The primary objective of working is to feed myself, and the secondary objective is to learn something new from it. Staying at home for a month after ORD has made youlong dumber, so it's time to go out there and work to freshen up my mind before the school starts.

Work work. Off i go then.

The first photo we took together.

2011-05-27T13:36:00.003+08:00

Movies

2011-05-24T22:58:00.002+08:00

I watched these three movies in a span of four days!

Fast Five, Pirates of the Carribean: on strangers tides and Thor.

Fast Five is the best among the three, followed by Thor and Pirates.

Thanks to the thrilling Fast Five, i went to find and watched Tokyo Drift. I am going to watch Fast and Furious 4 soon.

Pirates was kind of a let down. No climax and it was a story-telling. Following through the sequence where Jack finds the Fountain of Youth.

Thor's graphic is nice and it is worth the money, especially when Natalie Portman is in it too!

Priest soon?

i love the number 19!

2011-05-23T01:12:00.002+08:00

One of my wish is to be able to visit Old Trafford and watch Man United play.

Charice- Before it Explodes

2011-05-18T12:17:00.003+08:00

This is a song that is going to be replayed in my iTunes for a million times(:

Think

2011-05-16T12:24:00.002+08:00

If there is anything to remember when i re-read this blog, it will be to

1. ALWAYS USE YOUR BRAIN TO THINK.

2. BE MORE OBSERVANT.

3. PREDICT 3 STEPS IN ADVANCE!!!!

Come on and be a better person(:

Hobbies

2011-05-06T01:28:00.002+08:00

I am becoming more aware of my hobbies lately as i start to think what do i really enjoy doing. Prior to that, i will say my hobbies are badminton and sleeping. But in actual fact i doubt so. I don't spend time watching badminton games on the net like that i did for soccer. And for sleeping, it is really not a hobby but a need.

What i enjoy doing and will look forward to do are soccer games with friends and watching weekends EPL games online. I have the interest in soccer and i truly enjoy it when i play. I will never turn down a soccer game, but i will for badminton. However, i must say the positive experiences at SAFSA had brought back some spark for my love in badminton.

After ORD i found another hobby: Movies. I watched 6 movies last month and i am now on the look out for new movies which are coming up. And i must say i am spoilt for choices! Transformer, Pirates of the Caribbean, Thor, Fast and Furious 5, Beastly and HP7 II, just to name a few. I can't wait to head to theatre with Pretty and Friends.

So much time to think through life's little pleasure and knowing myself better.

Apart from Hobbies, I suppose i found something important about myself which will be beneficial to my studies. I CAN'T STUDY SHIT AT HOME! I am those who need to head down either to Starbucks or 24Hr Mac to study. I hope it's not too late to realise this now. My home is too comfortable a place for me to study in.

That's all i wanted to record down today on 6th May 2011.

Happy 52nd Month Anniversary Pretty!

should i go and find a part-time job for these 3 months? Dilemma):

Mothers' Day

2011-05-05T02:37:00.005+08:00

We went down to Upper Thomson Road to celebrate Mother's Day last Saturday, on the 1st May. We had good food and the company of the whole family, pretty girl came along too. From the smile of the previous photo, i can tell mummy enjoyed her day. So did we.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

i don't know what will become of me if you have left the family.

thanks for all the sacrifices made throughout the years.

and there's nothing as noble as your love for us.

辛苦您了！

Pretty's 21st Birthday

2011-04-29T22:06:00.003+08:00

Today is Pretty's 21st Birthday! And it coincide with Prince William and Kate Wedding. What a day to celebrate birthday.

I am so proud of myself as i made Sushi for her all by myself. The last time i made her sushi was on our First Valentine's Day, on 14 Feb 2007.

I was preparing it since 11am in the morning and had to give excuses like going to friend's house and soccer game to entertain her today while i busily prepare her dinner. It was a 5.5hrs affair preparing the sushi, from buying of ingredients to the end where i have to wash up.

My effort was worthwhile as she appreciated my effort very much and phew~ I did okay for her 21st birthday. Although wasn't a posh dinner at restaurant, nor can i afford a diamond necklace, my effort is well-received by the birthday girl.

I am happy today because she is happy!

20yrs 364days

2011-04-28T12:11:00.004+08:00

My Pretty Girl is turning 21 tomorrow. And here i am doing nothing to celebrate her birthday.

Well, at least i bought her gifts, a chair and a smurf's T-shirt.

She doesn't want any celebration because her exams are around the corner, next week to be exact. But at least i got to spent two birthday celebrations with her, with friends who are ever so thoughtful. Thanks to Hui Jia, Li qi, Jasmin, Ken and Yue Ying.

Cheers to this beauty whom i knew since Secondary 1. It has been 8 years since we knew each other!

Wishing you a happy 21st birthday!

Friends

2011-04-25T16:38:00.002+08:00

True friends are hard to come by(:

Natalie Portman

2011-04-25T13:52:00.004+08:00

I was watching No Strings Attached this morning and Natalie Portman mesmerise me a little with her beauty. Then i realised she starred in Closer(2004), Star Wars(1999) and soon to come Thor(2011). I am so going to watch every single of these movies.

Army

2011-04-23T18:26:00.003+08:00

If there is anything to be proud of in the 2 years of service, it will be this(:

ORD Celebration

2011-04-22T18:55:00.004+08:00

THANKS SO MUCH TO HUI JIA FOR PLANNING THIS EVENT! WITHOUT YOUR EFFORT, SENG YIE AND I WILL NOT HAVE ENJOYED OURSELVES SO MUCH!

And many thanks to Li qi and Jasmin for taking your precious time to come meet up and celebrate my ORD and Seng yie's birthday! I understand how busy both of you are.

You guys made our day, especially mine, because i have not been surprised for a long long time. I was literally stunned when Seng yie brought in the cake as i completely believe she's not going to turn up. I can't stop smiling when the cake was brought in. Thanks for the memories!

I was expecting only a simple lunch but you guys made it special and a day worth remembering. I am a happy man today.

And of course, thanking my pretty girl for going all the way to Bishan J8 to design this one and only cake, specially made for me. I'm very very impressed at how beautifully you decorated the cake(:

My NS life

2011-04-21T14:22:00.006+08:00

The people whom i will like to thank for the help they gave during my NS life.

BMT:

I will like to thank Zhao Shan for accompanying me throughout the 7 weeks in BMT, especially during the Lender Incident.

OETI:

K.C, my best buddy in OETI, although we drifted slightly apart after our training, thanks for always being in there bringing joy to my 10 weeks in training.

12FMD:

I will like to thank EVERYONE in 12FMD for making my stay a memorable one. Especially the people in my platoon, those who ORD-ed, and those who are still in service.

Special Thank to:

Staff Melvin Lao, the best MTT in 12FMD.

Master Dialjeet, the soccer enthusiast

Er, the most resourceful person in 12FMD.

Master Peter Quek, the most "hardworking".

Ah Lian, the most fun Regular around in 12FMD.

Kheng meng, for passing down his ES knowledge to me.

You You, the most dedicated Platoon Clerk.

Yong Han, Ruthi, Shashi, Eugene Bong, Justin Kong, Wei Xin, Kend Tuck, Eddy, Gary Wong, Eugene Chng, Aldo, Joel Sim, Joel Teo, Andy Wan, Eugene Guo, Kevin Yap, Yao Wen, Wei Liang, Vernon, Danial, Skyler, Shao xiong, Jeremy Wijaya, Jovian, Joshua kong, Gary Tiah, Mandrick, Timonthy, Kenson......... ( I am sorry if your name is not mentioned here, this list is definitely NOT exhaustive).

SAFSA:

Mr Victor Sim, WO Richard Sim, Kok Ming, Guo Rui, Alex, Xing Quan, Thiam Guan, Liu Bing....

Armband

2011-04-21T00:23:00.002+08:00

This will serve as an addition motivation for me to RUN!

Last time i am sick: 12 Jan 2011

Sick-Free Days: 98 Days(:

It feels good to be HEALTHY!

I shall try my best to resist Mac and other junk food.

Pretty

2011-04-13T23:52:00.003+08:00

She drew this on the back of my GC cover when we were J2(:

our trip to MFM for lunch

and we came across this in Plaza Sing.

and pretty took the effort to design this <3