Major Project

Finally, our major project is falling into place and we have only a few minor touchups to do and to go live.

I think, we've been very lucky. Firstly, we have a Japanese exchange student in our group and secondly, for every project since year 1. No matter how late we start on it, we will still be able to produce something of top quality on time.

I think this project is very good and that as long as we deploy live, A is a given.

We could have been relaxing now if we didn't spend the first few weeks of MP doing nothing and playing counterstrike everyday.

Luckily, our Japanese exchange team member - 永井　誠さん (Nagai Makoto-san) has helped us alot to get our web application working. It's amazing, in the whole team, everyone is using and learning this new language but he managed to grasp it faster and better than us all.

Plus, the way he codes is really amazing, it's simple yet complex but once you understand it. You will realise why Japan is such a economic powerhouse.

I'm just glad that this will all be over soon and in 7 weeks, I'll be flying off to 熊本 (Kumamoto) for 6 months and be ready for graduation. Somehow, it still feels like yesterday that I was choosing what course to enter.

Most of the time, I feel like I'm in the wrong course but this course has made me learnt alot about myself and given me many opportunities. Today, our group had lunch with our MP supervisor and Course Manager as the CM wants to talk to the 誠さん before he leaves for Finland on monday.

Hearing the CM talk about his experience in Japan, makes me really wonder what the future holds for me and how will I carve it out. Maybe it's time for us to put down what we're doing and think about what we really want and go for it?

With less than 60 days before my departure. I'm slowly building up a checklist of what to bring to Japan lest I become miserable during the 6 months stay.

It'll be the end of autumn by the time of my arrival, so I'll need alot of thick clothing for winter.

日本にいきたいん!

And I'm such a idiot.

I got awed by myself when I accidentally looked through my lens wide open. I was directly looking through the viewfinder using the lens.

Nice.

Happy Birthday

Technically, I was on the same week as the nation's birthday. This was long due but I only had the time to post it up only now.

44 years and counting.

You can't deny the wonders that the ruling party have done to this small island, their propaganda although obvious and getting desperate - does work.

I grew up studying MOE approved Social Studies and History textbook which means like 98% of Singapore children, I've viewed the founding father Lee as a hero.

When internet became widespread, information was readily available, information not available in Times Bookshop or Popular. That's when the ugly truth shows itself.

I would still be supportive of the ruling party if it wasn't for their self glorifying means - Giving themselves a pay hike and the master and slave mentality. I suppose everyone understands about pay hike and all hikes. Pay hike? That's minister pay hike not your pay hike.

Master and Slave mentality. Ever read Neil Humphreys? As a british expat himself here, even he knows that most of the so called Caucasian directors here in Singapore are just average joes back in their homeland.

What with all those SPGs throwing them to them like free water? It's a sign on dependence much like the colonial times when the whites were the rulers and asians are just expendable pawns.

Disgusting.

I don't hate foreign talents, in fact, I welcome Bangladeshi workers, ASEAN workers here in Singapore. Because they work jobs that we don't want and they are Asians.

Two groups I hate most are Caucasian expats and PRCs. Actually, make that 3, I hate asians who view Caucasian as higher beings whether is it suddenly being very friendly about them, praising them for nothing or even attempting to mimick their accent.

I feel it's very fake and disgraces our own asian heritage. Nevermind if you're borned in a western country and grew up with it.

If I ever had my ways, all caucasians expats would be expelled from Singapore. Though they will be given option to take up Singaporean citizenship and not allowed to transfer more than 15% of their monthly income out of the country.

20 Years and Counting..

As the days went by, I was closer to be being 20 year old. It's like a milestone to me because I'm entering my twenties now.

I was really moody then, even though I had a fun celebration with the boys and prior to that, I went out with Rachel, Zhihao and Yongzhi for a night of fun.

Listening to some words my friend said, what a friend blogged about. It really made me wonder about myself.

Here I am, 20 year old. I have no qualifications yet, just a lousy O levels certificate. I have less than $2,000 to my name. I am living under roofs not paid by myself. Sometimes I feel guilty that I'll be leaving for Japan and it's still not paid for by myself, sometimes I wonder should I just stay and earn my own keep.

Maybe I'm just being selfish, but in this world - who isn't?

My friends wanna go to Taiwan next year. I wished I could go too, I probably would be short of cash by then. One friend suggested to borrow money from parents.

I rather not, it's not a excuse. I wanna go but I don't wanna burden my parents anymore as long as I've graduated. Things are getting from bad to worst.

Besides, I already have plans for the money I would have then. I don't think the short term gains would be beneficial for the long term.

Photography

Haven't got much time to use my camera nowadays, I've had an idea in mind but I just can't find the time to put it into motion. I was kinda disappointed when I saw a set from ClubSnap which is somewhat similar to what I would have done.

Disappointed that I spent so much time to look around and brainstorm about this and now from Original, I've become Unoriginal. Then I'll probably have to execute mine far better than the other set, which I think is very difficult.

I took this shot some time back, it was suppose to be the prelude to this set, but time hasn't been very kind to me.

Awesome!

Thankfully, that waking up 6am today was pretty fruitful. Had to report to Science Center at 8.30am for X-Site 2009.

We were lucky, we came in second place out of 2 NYP teams and 3 ITE teams, We were the only TP team to make it to the finals.

Almost could have gotten first and that awesome Ipod Touch. But not that too bad, we got the latest Ipod Nano 8gb. I'm looking to sell it now, $200. Let me know if you're interested.

After that, I took half my journey home on train and cab. Then went down Pasir ris to play field soccer. After that, went home bathe and cabbed down to parkway parade to meet Rachel and Zhihao. God, I spent $30++ on cab fares today.

We had dinner then talked alot to catch up since it's been some time that we've last met. Then we walked around Roxy square to look at cheesy pubs. Initially wanted to head down Clarke Quay to go some pub but they didn't really want in the end.

Then we went to Paramount and god, that place is filled with dirty pubs and badly scantily dressed thai/vietnamese girls. After walking through that porn scene, we went to Joo Chiat because according to Rachel, it's the new red light district.

No prostitutes on the streets, or at least they didn't disturb us enough for us to notice them. The whole stretch was filled with indecent pubs and uncles way past their primes.

Finally, we played a lame game and I lost. I had to choose a pub from those dirty lanes to go in and get a seat. Luckily, I spotted a decent looking pub and went there, the moment I opened the door. There were indonesian girls, truckload of them.

Thankfully they didn't bug us much other than the occasional push to get another jug.

Overall, it was a fruitful day. It's pretty interesting actually, quite fun. And I was forced to sing a song which I don't know why I eventually did.