True Confessions of Myself

I have moved!

2006-04-24T11:09:00.000+08:00

Here's my new blog address.

http://carineswan.wordpress.com

Please update your link. =>

Facts about Epilepsy

2006-04-20T13:25:00.000+08:00

My colleague who just came in told me that someone in the office had an epileptic attack. He is now taken care by his cubicle mates. As I had a close friend who also has epilepsy history, I began to wonder what are the right steps to take if my friend suffers an attack. So I did a quick search on the net.

To my surprise, 1 in 20 person will have an epileptic seizure at some time in their life. Anyone can develop epilepsy, it occurs in all ages. Epilepsy, more commonly known as fit, is actually a neurological condition.

Our brain is made up of millions of nerve cells called neurones. It sends and receives messages to make tasks like movement and awareness happen. If there is a mistake sending or receiving messages, a brief break in some or all of the brain's tasks can happen. If this happens a person may have a seizure (epileptic attack).

First aid for convulsive epileptic seizures
* Stay calm.
* Note the time.
* Prevent others from crowding round.
* Put something soft under the person’s head - like a jacket or cardigan - to prevent injury.
* Only move if they are in a dangerous place, such as in the road or at the top of stairs. Move things away from them if there is a risk of injury.
* Do not attempt to restrain the convulsive movements. Allow the seizure to take its course.
* Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. There is no danger of swallowing the tongue and teeth can easily be broken.

When the seizure has stopped:

* If possible roll the person onto their side into the recovery position.
* Wipe away any excess saliva. If breathing is still laboured check that nothing is blocking the throat, such as dentures or food.
* Do all you can to minimise embarrassment. If the person has been incontinent, deal with this as privately as possible.
* Stay with the person giving reassurance until they have fully recovered. Do not offer them a drink unless you are sure they are fully recovered.

Am I blocked again?

2006-04-20T13:23:00.000+08:00

Can't blog for the past few days in office...

Free week

2006-04-11T15:17:00.000+08:00

Hmm... have been quite free these 2 weeks. As my job is system integration, there are times when I will work like a horse and times when I can do nothing although there are many things to do.

Thanks to my bf, I get to watch a very nice HK series, jing zhi yu nie. It's a very exciting show, what impressed me is the acting skills of all 6 main actors and also their choice of words in their conversation.

This is the first Tueday when I do not have Japanese Lesson. All of a sudden, I have plenty of time.

Bye bye Jap Lessons

2006-04-05T16:24:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was the official last lesson of my term1 JLPT2 preparation course. I had decided to stop taking Japanese Language Lessons after studying for 2+ years, since I will be starting my MEng in the coming semester. Kind of sad cos my friends are still taking and I know I will feel bad when they get their cert next year.

The preparation course was very demanding for JLPT2 and required a lot of self study and practices. I've found other focus in life like earning $$$ by giving tuition and spending time limited with friends, taking organ lessons etc. Doing Jap homework and learning the weekly 5 pages of Kranji was the lowest priority in my life. Besides, I knew that I would never get to use it in at least these 3 years while I work in my current company.

Although I feel relieved now that its over, I get a strong feeling that something is left unfinished. It is kind of ironic that while I am picking up the organ (which I had gave up 8 years ago), I am giving up Japanese. Is this the FMA law of equivalent?

Do not Watch

2006-04-05T14:28:00.000+08:00

I was quite upset yesterday as I spent $6 and 2 hours of my time watching this disturbing show, "The hills have eyes". It was EXTREMELY disturbing and bloody. It was the first show which made me feel like leaving the theatre half way through the show.

All the killing and splashing of blood and chopped limps made me sick. Then there was no plot at all. There were about 12 actors. 6 victims and around 6 disfigured people who canibalised. In the end, it was just people killing one another and blood everywhere.

Horrible show!

Campus Superstar

2006-04-03T12:49:00.000+08:00

Woh, I didn't watch any of their prelimary episodes but watch the final showdown yesterday. At least out of the 4 of them, the 2 winners are definitely better singers. Though I feel both of them can't sing fast songs.

Teresa indeed has a better voice and pretty appearance. But Zhi Yang has more technique and can sing really high notes. Ha, think I'm baised becase I thought he sang like Jeff Chang (Zhang Xin Zhe) who is my favourite singer, and he's from HCJC too. haa

The show yesterday is extremely long... I was quite impressed with the number of songs they have prepared for this. I like the song sang by Teresa with the choir.

But my bf said both of them looked very childish (of course right?) and should go back and concentrate on their studies. He must be wondering why I enjoyed watching 2 kids singing.

Anyway, the big big winners are Singtel, M1 and Starhub. And their money is not going to stop here as more Super XXX is coming! Now that they have fewer charity shows, they need these to boost their revenues!

There's a BIRD in the upper deck of a SBS bus!

2006-04-01T18:58:00.000+08:00

I boarded bus 88 today and went up to the upper deck. It was quite crowded so I moved all the way to the last row. I got a shock! There's a bird, appeared quite frightened, walking on the back seats. So I immediately turned back and went to share a seat with someone at the front.

Then more and more people boarded the bus and I heard people annoucing that there's a bird in the bus etc. A man who just boarded the bus attempted to CATCH the bird! How can someone catch a bird! I wondered... So the bird flew around the bus and dun know why it keeps stopping besides my seat. I couldn't control myself so I screamed everytime it came near me. Hmm... I must have acted quite stupid just now.

Miracously the man managed to catch it and hold it in his palm professionally, trapping the bird in between his fingers. Then he let it flew off when the door opened. Phew... thanks man. I could have a peaceful 45 mins ride because of him. The feeling of uneasiness is terrible. The bird might fly over and loaded ANYWHERE, ANYTIME and on ANYONE. (similar to terrorist attack) I wonder why the bird flew in in the first place.... hmm...

'Chit Chat' over

2006-03-30T13:23:00.000+08:00

Yeah. I went into the glass meeting room at 9.05 and exit at 9.40am.

Boss gave me a piece of paper and asked me to rate all those projects that I had done. Then I got to justify my ratings. hmm... Anyway, he already got a rating for me already, so its for me to guess where I'm standing.

Ha, and I overshoot for one of the ratings, then quickly draw back. So the finally rating agreed is 3 out of 5.

Other than this exercise, its a rather casual chit chat session since I won't be considered for promotion this year anyway. Being unbonded sure have some advantages, feel like the boss is making efforts to keep me in my job. yeah.

Hmm... now that I know what's its like, I am now able to tune myself for my future projects and his expectations.

Anyway, I was constantly warned by my project manager and boss that I will be very busy at the end of the year. Hope I can cope with my master studies too.

Performance appraisal

2006-03-29T09:22:00.000+08:00

Hmm... I will be having a one-to-one "chit chat" session with boss tmr at 9am. The talk is supposed to determine my future promotion and performance bonus this year. Really nervous, don't know what he is going to ask me. Feel like going to a job interview again.

It is kind of weird that a person's performance is based on your skills of presenting yourself, or in other words "smoking". The boss actually assess your performance based on a 2 page write-up and an 1/2 hour chit chat. But then again, whatever an individual has gained is not visible to outsiders, so I also can't think of a better to perform this appraisal.

Tried to ask my colleagues what will the session be like, since its my first time, but they just smiled and joked with me. Hmm... so secretive meh. Ok, I will know the ans tmr...

I miss my old colleague

2006-03-19T22:07:00.000+08:00

Let me give a short introduction of this old colleague of mine. Like most people, after completing my A'Levels, I worked part-time at Sun Microsystems. There, I get to know a secretary, S.H. She is married and has 3 daughters. (1 twin). Although age wise we are quite far apart, we enjoyed each other's company, hmm... some kind of mo qi ba.

After leaving the company, I still keep in touch with her via sms. Haven hear from her for as long as about 6 months. I just received an sms from her and would like to share with you a very statement that she made.

Me: How are your daughters?
S.H: Daughters are all fine and happy
but mummy is stress and naggy
because both twins are sitting for PSLE

NTU Career Fair

2006-03-17T21:05:00.000+08:00

Back from 2 tiring days at the NTU Career Fair. Phew, it's really tiring. I mean my feet! Stand whole day from 10am to 5pm on heels! So painful that I can't walk properly at the end of the 1st day.

I was tricked by the HR people to wear a covered heels shoes, only to realise that they themselves are wearing open-toes shoes. The strange thing is, we engineers are expected to be pro-active and approach students when the HR people are chit-chatting in around a table and sitting comfortably. Hmm... they said they can't answer questions like "what is the job nature"...

Anyway, I changed into a comfortable flat shoes on the second day.

Besides the pain in my feet, I enjoyed myself in those 2 days. Met many juniors from WSC and familiar faces here and there. I start to wonder that maybe I am more suited to be a PR then an engineer. Anyway, those 2 days are a nice break from programming.

Whenever, I see a student "pretending" to look at the posters of our booth, I know that they are interested to find out about our company but too pai seh to approach us. So, being pro-active, I would approach them.

Here's my opening line.
"Anything I can help?"
And I hand them the brochures and free gift.
Next I will find out more about their background like their discipline and year of study.

Its rather funny to observe their behaviours. Generally, they are very careful and reserved when I talk to them, trying to behave like professionals. But after I tell them that I'm also from CE and only year their senior, they immediately changed their tone, language and body language. Ha ha, of course I prefer to talk to them when they are more relax.

The strange thing is, some of them came for both days and fill in the form twice. Hmm... to increase their probability of getting selected? I guess it will only create frustrations to the HR.

One guy, with long sleeve shirt and tie, came to look at our booth and ask about the poster's description. He said he's from computer science and when asked if he is from NUS he said yes. Then my colleague spend like 15 mins talking to this guy.

1 hour later, I saw this guy talking to a branch of students at the booth beside ours. This guy is such a nonsense. He definitely has no need to lie to us. We will still explain to him even if he's not a student. Feel so cheated. And the worst thing is his booth is just beside ours. So I pretend I did not see him although it's so obvious.

Anyway, it was fun! yeah

Yeah! Milestone #1

2006-03-14T13:38:00.000+08:00

Ha ha, I'm so efficient today. Some breakthrough for the week before I go off to NTU Career Fair tomorrow and the day after tmr.

I managed to:
1. send data from my webcam application to the embedded devices (PPC_1) via sockets
2. route the data from PPC_1 to PPC_2
3. transmit the data from PPC_2 back to my webcam application for display.

Along the way, I solve the problem of:
1. The mismatch of the socket class. I modified the webcam application's socket class
2. not knowing the datasize of each video packet.

Hmm... later going to see the big boss. Some chit chat session for we new staffs.

Disorganised complains

2006-03-13T17:09:00.000+08:00

I have been looking at this videoCam application sample code for a few weeks, trying to incorporate my application with it. There is a big problem. My application is running on vxworks on some embedded devices and this videoCam is running on the windows directx 9.0 framework. The problem is this videoCam application uses some very high level socket class called the CSocket, UDP connection. The code is so simple and neat. But my application uses the 'traditional' winsock class, opening a socket and reading the data from a file descriptor. These 2 application just refuse to talk to each other.

I searched the net and found that there are no other socket lib. So I got to modify this videoCam application, which is really my last choice.

Simply put, my application involves processing and routing the data around a few devices so it's really very restricted. I wonder why boss wants to have video streaming. Really giving me more problems only. Why can't just read and send a file? (Which can be done easily) Ok, at least now I learnt about socket programming.

So only one data path for my application and this videoCam application has 4. Ha ha, so I get rid of all the other messages type. No more audio, control, text. Just video data streams is enough!

Ha ha, now my problem is simplier. No need to differentiate the type of the messages and which port to send to.

yeah.

One Piece Voices

2006-03-10T16:24:00.000+08:00

That day, I was listening to the Opening song(special edition) of the anime One Piece, sang by the characters. It was quite interesting, throughout the song, I was guessing and imagining which character is singing this verse and that. So I surf the net for the voices behind these characters and was really shocked to find that all of the voices are done by people more than 40 yrs old. Ha ha, I find it kind of comical because if you know, One Piece is a very funny or kiddy anime.

To my surprise, the voice behind Ussop, is the voice of InuYasha! Ha ha. Fun fun.

Have a break.

2006-01-03T16:00:00.000+08:00

I like this picture a lot. I think it's very well taken. You know where I get it from?
(hint hint: Do you have internet banking?)

Create your avatar!

2006-01-03T10:06:00.000+08:00

Try this. Easy interface to create your avatar!

I regret not completing my Electone when I was 16...

2005-12-13T17:08:00.000+08:00

Sigh, now that I think back, I was really childish when I gave up Electone in Sec 4. It was the last grade to qualify as a music teacher. The passion for Electone re-ignites when I get to know a colleague who also plays the Electone. Also, my dad took up flute lessons recently and has been practising it every night. So I decided to go for my Electone lessons again. Although a bit old already, but look at my dad and I convinced myself that it's never too late.

So now, I am looking for a used Yamaha Electon EL-90. Anyone wants to sell?

Finally Confirmed!

2005-12-03T14:34:00.000+08:00

Yeah, I got my confirmation letter today! Finally!!! Ok, and that marked my six months in the company. Unbelieveable. Time really flies. Looking back, I am glad that I clicked well with my colleagues and my boss doesn't bother me a lot. However, I have not completed the task assigned to me and my dateline is less than 1 month away.

Good luck to me.

Tuition brings good money

2005-11-17T14:16:00.000+08:00

Yeah, recently I received a call from my relative and asked me to help her niece... This niece of hers failed her Sec 2 final year exam and will be retaking it in 2 weeks time. Since my relative asked, I got to help her right.

I realised I know her niece after all. She spent like 1 year in my gu gu's house who took care of me since I was baby. She was like 3 years old then... MY GOD, she's already 14 now! Ok, I am old already. She still remembers me, no wonder she is willing to let me teach her. (She refused to be taught by strangers)

To play safe, I kept on stressing to her mum, the fact that I CAN'T do miracles in 2 weeks time. (4 lessons) While I am blogging now, she's preparing for her exams tmr. Ha ha.

Anyway, yesterday is my last lesson with her and I got my pay. yeah. Although the amount is not a lot more than what I get when I was in U, I think its a lot of money now that I'm working. Strange right, I should feel the opposite wat... When I start to work, the responsibility comes in (got to give parents), pay CPF, pay bills, pay insurance, pay this and that... then still need to have savings. So a few hundred dollars more DOES makes a big difference.

You cannot CON Bill Gates

2005-11-11T10:01:00.000+08:00

Ha ha, an Indian discovered that nobody can create a folder or file anywhere named as
"con" This is something pretty odd and unbelievable. At Microsoft the whole
Team, including Bill Gates, couldn't answer why this happened! Try it out
yourself!

Do you prefer sub or dub?

2005-11-11T08:59:00.000+08:00

Hmm... personally I prefer to watch animes which are sub lah. I would very much want to watch raw ones, but can only understand like 50% of it. There's really a lot to learn from the language they use, especially the degree of formality and the sarcasism.

http://animenewsnetwork.com/columns/DubTrack.php?discuss=11

Happy 3rd Anniversary!

2005-11-07T23:28:00.000+08:00

Super super 感动! Although we agreed not to spend money on buying presents for each other, he still bought me a huge "pot" of flowers with 2 cutie bear bear in the middle. It is delivered to my house some more...

Thanks dear.I feel so 幸福。。。
Happy 3rd anniversary!

I'm back (From Hong Kong)

2005-11-02T23:18:00.000+08:00

Hmm... after disappearing for more than 1 month, I decided to blog again. My mind is almost completely occupied with tours. Just came back from Hong Kong and now getting ready to go overseas for training. Ok, one matter at a time, I shall talk about my Hong Kong trip first.

Indeed, Hong Kong is all about buying things and eating. The highlight is of course the DisneyLand! Although it is said that Hong Kong Disneyland is the smallest and very crowded etc (a lot of negative comments), I find it quite ok. Ha, I haven been to other disneylands so I can't compare. I must agree that it is small cos by 5pm, I've finished all the rides and loitered around, waiting for the fireworks at 7pm. It was not crowded at all, since its a weekday and we waited at most 1/2 an hour for the rides. And I get to take pictures with most of the disney characters. hehe.

I guess, this trip is enjoyable because of the company. My mum was with me, my cousin with her family and my Japanese class friend with her parents. My cousin has a 5 year old girl named "Carine" as well. Ha ha, such a coincidence right. She didn't know I was called "Carine" since they always call me by my chinese name.

Little Carine is very close to me and she's so adorable! (See picture below)

We took the train (MTR) to disneyland. Its quite fascinating. The train which goes to disneyland is specially designed. The windows are not rectangular but takes the shape of a micky mouse head. Even the train station is worthed taking pictures.

Little Carine is so cute. She didn't believe my name is also Carine. I finally showed her my namecard as proof. She was shocked. Then she began to pester her Mum for explanations. Ha ha. So funny.

Beside the disneyland, we also visited the famous Da yu Shan (the big buddha). The scenary there was quite magnificent too.

To sum it all, it was an enjoyable trip. Do not expect much and you will get surprises. =p Really cheap and nice watches there. Pirated VCDs too!

Winnie the Pool Quiz

2005-11-02T23:03:00.000+08:00

Took this personality quiz cos it seems very accurate for my boyfriend. Does it describe me accurately as well?

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

I see light!

2005-09-22T08:42:00.000+08:00

Its good to blog. After I blog about my problem, I found the problem!!! So debugging is about trial and error and depends a lot on our luck. Ha ha.

In the end, the problem is just a value I assigned to a global variable. Seems like it does not accept a range. Must be multiple of 128.

This is the problem with debugging without much knowledge of the system.

Anyway, thanks to those who share my frustration and conforted me =>

The saturation point of debugging

2005-09-21T09:13:00.000+08:00

I used to think that the most challenging and fun part in programming is the debugging stage. Yeah, that is provided I know how to debug.

There is too many uncertainties in the system I am developing that I can't conclude for sure that the problem lies with my code. It may be the hardware, the way I uses the hardware, the initialisation of the hardware etc...

I've tried lots of ways and has by now run out of ideas to investigate the problem. The worst thing is there is no available similar resource in the Internet and there is one in the company is familiar. I can only turn to the "support".

I emailed them last friday, expected them to reply on Monday, but they did not. Ok, so I tell myself to give them more time. Tuesday, still no reply. So my frustration built up. The feeling of deadline drawing nearer and nearer and yet I am not making any progress is torturing. My boyfriend encouraged me and pumped in some confidence in me. So I decided to think that I am a genius, in an attempt to motivate myself. Yet, another day went by with no results.

So I pinned all my hopes on today. However the support disappointed me once again! So what should I do today... How to think out of the box?

Hope I can find the answer today...

The blogger is down again

2005-09-16T08:51:00.000+08:00

Cannot upload... testing...

Mooncake craze

2005-09-08T09:09:00.000+08:00

I never thought I will want to buy mooncakes this year until I tried the Champagne Truffle Mooncake by Raffles hotel. Yummy yummy! Not that I will get commission by advertising for them but its really nice. When you cut it into half, you will get a shock. First, its really very soft. Next, you will think that you had bought the wrong box. Why is there egg yolk inside???? Ha, that's the white chocolate! Furthermore, its not extremely expensive, especially for those with citybank credit card and UOB. Citybank can get 20% discount.

Hmm... I am going to try the four seasons real durian mooncake today. Heard from colleagues that there are really nice. Since I can get staff discount, I may get one box if its nice. =>

Join the mooncake craze guys.

The brain draining game

2005-08-23T16:16:00.000+08:00

You know about the game that hooks housewives? YES, its the "famous" game Sudoku, as covered by Life! Hmm... the strange thing I didn't heard of this game until I read about it. Ha. Anyway, try this. http://www.miniclip.com/sudoku/sudoku.htm

Dun be too ambitious, go for the easy one first. (I didn't managed to solve any puzzle after 1/2 hr of playing)

Have fun.

Revisiting pays

2005-08-23T10:58:00.000+08:00

After 2 days of revising my programming concepts, in particular the datatypes. I finally had a small break through!!! Congrats to me man. haha. Some I know now. unsigned int is 32 bits which is 4 bytes, char is 8 bits (1 byte). 1 byte is also known 1 octet. haha.

So what am I doing?
Describe it simply, I am going to send a picture after encoding and decoding lah. For the very first time in 3 months I received the picture at the destination. Woh, I cannot control my happiness and smile at the screen non-stop. (like a crazy girl). But who cares.

Hmm... so for the first time, I "analysed" the picture. It's the picture of my colleague's baby. Soooo... cute! Big watery round eyes and round face. I think they took the picture when they were feeding her, because her mouth is like slightly opened, expecting food, with both hands raised up. Sooo... cute!

Of course, that's not the end of my project. You know, there are many levels of communications. I've only done 2 layers. Still got one more, but super complicated layer to do.

Ganbatte!

Re-visiting the basics of OO Programming

2005-08-17T16:20:00.000+08:00

As I was debugging my code, I got all confused with typecasting issues and even down to the details like the number of bits of an int and char. Sigh... things that I took for granted last time now becomes so important all of a sudden.

Typecasting seems to be a simple concept back in my schooling days but now, I got super confused by it. It is giving me problems like memory leak or the familiar nightmare "coredump"!

So back to the basics. I always got a rough understanding of what is "abstraction" in OO programming. Here is an explanation that I found online.

What is abstraction?
Think of a collection of blank papers glued (or stapled) together. A piece of blank paper is a piece of paper, after all. However, when you see the neatly bound object, you leap up in joy and assert, "Oh, that's my note book!"
This is abstraction.

Just for laughs

2005-08-17T10:51:00.000+08:00

-- Taken from Reader's Digest (April 2005)

As the result of an explosive argument with our mother, my brother pasted a sign reading "I hate Mum" on the door to his room and slammed it shut.

My dad, a school psychologist, came home after work to this tense standoff. "I'll take care of it," he confidently told Mum and went into my brother's room.

Minutes later, Dad came out. "He doesn't hate you any more, "he reassured her.

Sure enough, my brother had crossed out "Mum" on his sign. It now read "I hate Dad."

Showcase of convo photos... finally

2005-08-07T19:32:00.000+08:00

Woh... after many many weeks, I finally feel like putting up my convocation photos!

Look at this photo!!!! This is the nicest picture I've taken with my best friend Thereeeeesa... We have known each other since Sec 1. The strange thing is we got closer to each other when we are in different class, and different JC and different course in NTU. Ha ha.

Next is the picture of me, Leslie and Zaifa taken at Esplanade.

He he, this is the nicest picture of me and Leslie! =>

Yes, this is the group of uni friends who make my 4-years in university interesting and fun!

Family photos! See how sweet my Mummy's smile is. Ha ha. Mum and Dad, I've graduated!

I finally drove alone!

2005-07-25T15:55:00.000+08:00

It's so exciting and scary. It's much worse than going for exams...

Yesterday, I finally gathered enough determination and courage to drive to Yishun all by myself. I even had 1 practice the night before to familiar myself with the road and which lane to take and etc. Ha, I was lucky enough to find parking lots with 2 free lots to park the car. The feeling of driving alone is really COOL. (Especially when I am a female and was driving a relatively big car, although not Merc or BMW lah, but at least it's not those tortoise car). COOL COOL, SUPER COOL. Ultimately, my aim is to drive to work.

Driving alone actually boast my self confidence, because I won't know how dangerous I was, only the passenger and the drivers around me knows. Ha ha, so although I always have a lot of "close shave" when my dad is beside me, yesterday's drive is "smooth" to me. =p

Anyway, working life has become kind of repetitive that I don't blog often already. Although the work I'm doing is different everyday, but they still categorised under "work". I realised this sad fact when I was describing my working life to my lastspash. I don't feel like doing anything except watch TV / anime passively. Sigh... I was even too lazy to put up my convo pictures.

Disappointing...

2005-07-15T16:20:00.000+08:00

Sigh... I've got Primary School chalet tonight till Sunday and I've noted down the date on my calendar since last month. I even got my mum's approval to stay overnight tonight and brought a big bag to office today. Sadly, my close gang are not going to this chalet, very few people are staying tonight and the official gathering dinner is tmr night. So I decided to go tmr afternoon instead. Sigh... wasted ah.

Sharp Develops 'Two-Way Viewing-Angle' LCD

2005-07-15T09:21:00.000+08:00

Great Technology! Wonder how it works...

Sharp Corp. has developed a liquid-crystal display that shows totally different images to people viewing the screen from the left and the right.

One person can be surfing the Internet, using the display as a PC screen, while another watches a downloaded movie or TV broadcast. It also works for watching two TV channels: One person can watch baseball while another watches a soap opera.

NKF CEO earns too much???

2005-07-13T15:20:00.000+08:00

"
'The money is for the people,' said Mr Durai.

'And your taps,' retorted Mr Singh.

" -- ST

Dun know about you but I find this statement in the newspaper very entertainment. I would wish to attend the court session if I can.

With an annual income of $600,000 a month, is it too much for someone who runs a multi-million company? Hmm... I am kind of uncomfortable with the fact that donations are revenues and moneys to the patients are actually expenditures.

I am surprised by how few patients they have. So one must be extremely poor to be able to qualify for the help. So all the middle-income families are there struggling. I mean its not as though they do not have enough funds to help more people right.

I'm sure the charity show tmr will be a failure. Feel kind of sad for those overseas singers, espeically Jeff Chang. (Cos he's my favourite singer)

Brain

2005-07-12T16:46:00.000+08:00

Yesterday is my convo, but I do not have the energy to blog about it after the tiring photo taking exercise. Feeling bored, so did this test.

Your Brain is 53.33% Female, 46.67% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female

You are both sensitive and savvy

Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed

But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Its getting exciting

2005-07-01T16:04:00.000+08:00

Ha ha, as I mentioned, today we will have some new colleagues. And that include Chris. Yes, Chris, the VP of WSC. Its really so qiao, he's in the same office and his lab is in the same room as me. Singapore is so small... I suddenly got a stupid image in my mind, will we end up organising community events for the department???!!! Hmm... or maybe he will be arrowed to organise a bash. Ha ha. Yeah, better to keep lower profile.

I can post!

2005-07-01T08:52:00.000+08:00

Hmm... I can post in office! I realised its not that they banned me from posting, I just did remove from Ad-ware and destroyed some 31 critical objects and wala! Great, now I will post more often.

The long awaited July

2005-07-01T08:47:00.000+08:00

Yeah, today is the first day of July! So what's so interesting about July??? There will be 2 new staff in my team today. Yeah, I no longer the newest. Then I will attend the 3-day Induction programme (like Orientation la) next week, followed by my convocation and primary school chalet and maybe JC chalet. tanoshimi ne! (means going to be interesting in jap)

Photos!

2005-06-27T20:51:00.000+08:00

Yeah,

Photo show time!Ha, I'm currently in some sort of photo craze. So just bear with me ok.

This cute boy boy is my nephew! Very cute right. hehe, he got a checky face.

My mahjong kakis. My best friend Theresa, Leslie and his best friend, Zaifa.

My good friends in NTU! Study together and always sit together in lectures.

At last...

2005-06-27T20:25:00.000+08:00

At last, I managed to post the entry on my 1st drive. Hmm... so it means my company network has "ban" me from blogging. sob sob.

1st drive to company --- in a weekend

2005-06-27T20:19:00.000+08:00

Ok, this is the second time I am rewriting this blog and the 7th time I tried to publish it. Finished typing the whole long long entry and just when I was about to publish it, the blog server is down.

Hmm... let me recall what I write just now...

Everytime I drive, I am sure to have frightening experiences that makes me not want to drive for the next few months. Yesterday's practice is no exception.

Close shave 1
I was driving in the middle lane along Holland Road. Moving closely on my left side is a coach and on my right is a black car. The black car signalled his left signal and being "kind", I let him cut the lane. So I slowed down my car. My dad who was sitting beside me sensed that the
coach beside me is swaying towards me (or maybe it's my car which is swaying towards the coach). Nevertheless, he hurriedly turned my steering wheel to the left. Apparantly, he did not notice the black car. So he got a shock when he saw the approaching black car and immediately steered to the left. My car is like squeezed in the middle. Instinctly, I stamped on the brakes to avoid the collision. Ha and that started off a series of horns. From the left coach, the black car on my right, the car behind me (cos I stopped in the middle of road without reason) and the
car behind behind me etc...

Lesson Learnt
Never drive too close, be it beside or behind, to a heavy vehicle. Just cut it!

Close shave 2
It's always the taxis...
Was following a taxi when it stopped suddenly to pick up passengers. I tried to change lane but failed because too many cars. Thus, I stopped behind it. A lorry driver was very kind and gave way to me. He horned at me, signalling to me that I can change lane now. So I happily drive
to the next lane. Just at this moment, a van cut into this lane suddenly. I almost knocked into the van if I had not steered away. It was a rather big shock for me. So hands turned cold...

Lesson Learnt
Try not to drive on the left most lane. Vehicles always stop as they wish to pick up or drop passengers.

In the end, my parents and I decided that I need more practice before I can start practising on weekdays. sigh... まだまだだね　(mada mada dane) the famous words of Echizen Ryoma in Prince of Tennis - it means I still have a long long way to go.

What's wrong

2005-06-27T13:23:00.000+08:00

Hmm... testing testing. Haven been able to blog because the server is down...

BORED

2005-06-17T15:37:00.000+08:00

I'm very bored right now. Most of my colleagues are not in the office today, my boss too. I always thought I am a people who likes to work in a non-stress environment, however I found myself so unmotivated to work when everyone are not around. I should have gone with them to the exhibition!

Yesterday, I took a half day off and went back to NTU for some "Gold Award" interview. I thought it was an award given to us by NTU and so did not prepare anything for it. (Besides taking a leave) When I reached there, I heard the staff mentioned PEB and I figured it out then that it refers to "Professional Engineer Board". I was the first candidate and sad to say, I did badly for the interview. Its like a job interview!

Q1: Tell me about yourself in 5 mins, and why you deserve the award.
Q2: At the end of the day, what impact do you think you have caused on others.
Q3: What do you know about PEB.
etc... (can't remember already)

Q3 is the worst. I know nuts about PEB. So I frankly say I don't know. Then they ask me to guess! Ok, so I gave them some lame answers and that marks the end of my award...

But I'm not disappointed or wat cos it's something extra. The more happening thing that happened to be yesterday is the shopping session with mummy after the interview. Its sale here and there and I am glad to avoid the evening crowd.

Ok, better get back to work.

I want to drive!

2005-06-15T13:51:00.000+08:00

Ha, after obtaining a driving licence for almost 2.5 years, I finally see the need to drive! Was looking at the master courses in NTU and NUS and I only considered NUS because its near. However, I am more familiar with NTU grading systems and I know the professors there better. So I realised I can go back to NTU after all, if I can drive!

Yes, I have a licence but no confidence to drive. Think its rather common among girls. =p As planned, this sunday I will start my driving confidence building course. Hopefully, monday I can drive to work with my daddy beside me. yeah

Digital Camera

2005-06-13T13:10:00.000+08:00

Yes. Good news to share to everyone. I just bought a digital camera, canon A95. Hmm... its a recommended brand by my friends who are good in photography. Ha ha, now I can put pictures on my blog already. yeah yeah.

Basically, the camera is mend for my convocation photos and also on the hindsight that I would be travelling at year end. Also, my old camera spoilt last year. Ha, ok I think all these sound like excuses for buying things hor.

Nothing Interesting...

2005-06-08T12:24:00.000+08:00

yeah, its lunch time now so I decided to post something since it has been a long time since I last posted. Sigh... I am more or less settled down already and days just passed by with no special happenings.

However, today I fell down early in the morning. The floor was slippery and my Nike shoes, despite having so many cubes on the sole, has no grip at all! Luckily I did not fall on my butt, else I will be so embarrassed. I am wearing a beige pants today you see... It was not a bad fall, just some blue black on my left knee. Since unfortunate things do not happen once, I was denied access to my workplace. Fortunately, there are a few other colleagues who encountered the same problem as me, else I would think that I was retrenched or something... (I heard from a friend who tells me that's how people get retrenched. "Access denied", then you go HR and get a letter. You are escorted to your seat, packed your stuffs and off you go.)

Only here for the 3rd week and already I feel the need to take up Master. After a small chat with boss, he recommended me to take up software-related Master. Will update on this matter later la.

Right now, I am looking forward to the mahjong session on saturday. Ha ha. The only thing good about working life is that all weekends are FREE.

Btw, Happy 31 months!

Bad Luck

2005-05-31T14:44:00.000+08:00

Sigh... Bad luck always happen more than once.

Today I came into the office to realise that I forgot to eat my medicine. Then I realised I forgot to bring my water bottle. So I bought one from the cafe. Step into the office, received an email from the system reminding key in some report. I am not aware of it and today is the last day of submission. Then my colleague came and told me that there's a security spot check yesterday night. It seems that they are looking for confidential files lying on the tables or any storage devices on the table. My colleague told me that they will even open my drawers if I did not lock them.

And it so happens that yesterday is the first day I brought my mp3 player (also a thumb drive) to office and left it my my drawer. AND I forgot to lock the drawer. Sigh... Lucky I didn't get any warning letter. Else I will die. They will take pictures as evidence and sent them to my boss. Hmm... BIG BROTHER is watching me...

The First Friday of Working Life

2005-05-28T10:04:00.000+08:00

Friday is a like a recreational day in the company. I am growing to like my new job. Since it's not a commercial company, there is no politics (not that I know of) and the stress of the job only comes from yourself. Quite similar to studying life, need to read and research a lot and solve problems. Then on top of them, a committee organised many competititions and activities for all staff. These activities were mostly held on Fridays. I wanted to participate in the bowling competition with my colleagues, but too bad I have to attend a course on that day.

Yesterday is only the 4th day of work. And I already find myself very occupied with things to do. After attending presentation(Full day) for 2 consecutive days, I request to break for one day for me to read up and catch up. So Friday is a day with no presentation. I got the whole day by myself to read up and do my stuffs. It happens that today is the day my final year resuls are going to be released.

Early in the morning just when I want to log into NTU website to check results I found my PC down. So I let my friend check my results for me. To our frustration, the results were only released at around 3pm. To my surprise, I got an A for my most feared subject (Mobile communication). Lucky lucky.My mum was very excited, much more than myself. Ha Ha but seeing her so happy, I felt proud of myself too.

So now, all my friends graduated already. See you all in the convocation! Congrats to all.

First day of work

2005-05-24T21:30:00.000+08:00

Description of job: Super technical!
Job Scope: Reading up, implementation and development and research

I guess its the usual process for all new staffs. First meet the HR people and then given a security briefing. Of course, no camera phone and CD player. To my relief, there are 2 other new staffs. Both of them from NTU EEE. One of them is even in the same department as me, although we are not in the same project team.

There are around 12 people in my project team and of course I am unable to remember their faces not to mention their names. Up to today, I only know my 2 neighbours and my boss with his "secretary" in the next cubicle. Sigh... my table is at the "strategic" location where my back is facing the boss. He is able to spot check on me without I knowing!

I got the hook of my future working life already. I will be stationed most of the time in the lab. In the lab, I will be dealing with as many computers as I like and got oscilliscope, multimeter etc. All the equipments we can find the digital lab. Hmm... I also dun know how I end up in such a technical job. I used to think that I am not up to be a engineer and thus will take up a management job or consultant. But now... I am a hard core engineer!

All the staffs of my department are stationed in one big room. There are partitions here and there. And guess what, these partitions are taller than me! Since I am around 1.53m, I estimate the partitions are around 1.6m. So, for a directionally challenged person like me, the office is like a maze. I can't see anyone, only can see the walls. Luckily, there are some landmarks in the office like the meeting room. So I just find my way to the meeting room, turn left and walk straight until I find my name on the wall.

I left the office at 6.20pm, and just as I expected, I am the first one to leave the office. But its ok. Cos just when I was leaving, boss waved bye bye to me. =>

Something comforting: There are plenty of opportunities to take courses. They expect that we know nothing and need a few months to familiarize with the job.

Met the director of the department today, was quite tensed up when I entered his room. To my surprised, he is one of the interviewers as well. I thought he was just a project manager.

Although the job is very technical, I am certain that I can learn many things in the company. And so far I sense no polities within the team or between different teams. In fact, I was introduced to other team mates by another project managers who is also one of my interviewers. I guessed this is the benefit of being interviewed by so many people. Kind of know all the big guys of the department already. Right now, I am planning to take my master probably in a year's time. As for the topic, I hope I can find my interest over this year.

A Fulfilling Saturday

2005-05-22T09:41:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was a very fulfilling day. After attending the course for 4 full days, I am deprived of slacking time. So I spent my Saturday morning nuaing at home. I watched 11 episodes of ナルト(Naruto) which is close to 4 hours of anime. Ha. Did some washing of clothes for my Mummy and went shopping in the late afternoon.

The highlight of yesterday was meeting Anson, Hong Shui, Loretta, Aidi and Yiding in the evening for dinner! Ha, never seen them for approximately 1 year already. Anson seemed taller! Ha, my neck felt kind of strained when talking with him. He is still so crappy as before. On the other hand, Hong Shui seemed matured and not as crappy already. He did not have as many 欠扁问答题 as before. Zaifa is the king of such questions, followed by a series of "Super hero" questions by Yiding. Thanks to them that we had some common topic. It is inevitable that we do not have much to say to each other since some of them working and some of us just graduated. We had Jap food at Ichiban Boshi and then moved to Swensens for desserts. Meeting them reminds me of the elderly. Hmm... going to make a visit to the home soon.

End of Course

2005-05-21T07:51:00.000+08:00

After a 4 day full time course, its finally the long weekend. This week is like a prelude to my working life. From my classmates who are all hard-core engineers in different companies, I kind of get a taste of working life...

People seldom goes to work on the dot = )
They also never leaves the company on the dot = (
I will get to have lots of tea breaks
There is no clear line between EEE, EE, Comp Eng and Comp Science. We all end
up in the same place
The increment every year is only 2 digit... Sigh... when can I get to earn
more than $5000
If you take too much MCs, it will affect your year end bonus
You have to write a report before and after the course
In some companies, you even have to conduct the course to your other
colleagues! No wonder they cursed and sweared, being the one arrowed to go for the course
ST companies treasures people from DSO and DSTA because these two companies are their clients.
Out of all the ST companies, ST Aerospace is the best (get like 6 months bonus)
My colleagues will talk about proposal, engagement, wedding plans and budgets if they are not married yet.
People who can teach, cannot work.
Working for 3 years is not long, it is only then when I start to gain something from the job
I will look forward to lunch in the morning, teabreak after my lunch and weekend after teabreak... Will not look forward to knock-off because I won't get to leave early anyway
You will be bonded for at least 3 months if your course is like $3000 if you are working in government companies

Feel kind of stressed after attending the course, hopefully they will not assume I know a lot when I start work next Tue... Looking forward to start working and know my colleagues. Really hope they are fun loving and dynamic people like elders main committee. Then meetings will be so fun and constructive and I will look forward to going to work then. Wish myself luck.

Contract with the hair-dresser

2005-05-12T13:52:00.000+08:00

For those who are thinking of reborning their hair for a change, my advice is no no no. Its a black hole, once you go in, you can never come out of it. Many times I tried to break free but in the end I still give my money willingly to the hair-dresser. The reborned hair is no doubt very silky and straight. However, it does not last. Especially for people like me, who has natural curl. After 5-6 months, you can see the top of the head like a bush, and the ends of the hair wierdly straight.

There is once when I tried to break the cycle of reborning every half a year and endured with the bushes till the whole head is a bush! Hmm... the effect is similar to the picture below.

After all these complaints, sad to say that I'm going to reborn my hair again this sat, before I start work next Tue.

Got to enjoy my life for the last few days as much as I can! Entering my next phase of life next Tue.

Yeah

My First Entry

2005-05-11T11:14:00.000+08:00

After being "nagged" or "strongly encouraged" for 1 month by my boyfriend that I should start a blog, I finally find the urge to start one. Even the title of my blog is suggested by him. It came from the book "True confessions of Adrian Albert Mole".

I guess the traditional way of starting is to explain my name.

The word "swan" is definitely not there to say that I am pretty or graceful like a swan. (In fact I am quite the opposite). It came from the anime "One piece". If you happen to watch "One piece", you will know the character Sanji. He is the gentlemen in suit who has powerful kicks. He likes to call girls " ~swan" instead of "~chan".

I think you can guess now that I am quite an anime fan. I watched a lot of animes, especially during my exam periods. Strangely, now that I am very free, I find some of them boring. However, the few highly recommended animes, which I am chasing now, are "One piece", "Prince of tennis", "Detective Q" and "Bleach". I watched animes for the interesting plot, their funny conversation and partly to improve and keep in touch with the language. (Learning it for 1.5 years already).