I went to watch the movie, ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’, with Auntie Emily on Friday. It has been some time since we went to catch a movie so to distress myself, as well as herself, who had ended her examination paper earlier, we went to watch the movie.

At one moment of the scene, both of us got shocked as the Yeti came out from nowhere and seriously, I jumped! So as someone! =X Haha… There are a few funny scenes but to be honest, the graphics and the audio was not bad. I give this movie a rating of 4 out of 5. If you guess did watch ‘The Mummy’ and ‘The Mummy Returns’, I guess this is also a nice movie of the show’s sequence. Its worth the money to watch such an adventurous show… =]

After the movie, I went back to Sembawang to have my soccer, at least for the last 15 minutes session. I was quite angry, but happy with my performance. Angry as I missed a header which was just missed from connecting the ball, probably like 2 cm or so?! Gosh!! However, I was playing quite fine, as the team keep winning through various scorers, such as Jack and Jimmy, who did with a header, while for Yang, with his ferocious shots.

Saturday was an outing with Auntie Emily again but this time, with my Mum, Sister and some Aunties to join us to the Nike Sales. I was okay with it, so as she. However, the Nike sales were really boring. Most of the products are mainly for women and for guys, I guess, you should not be there unless you want to buy a sling bag. Other than that, maybe you can go to the original shop for something else.

After that, Auntie Emily and I went to meet Marcus to buy the whistles for our lifeguard jobs. Haha!! It cost only $5 and the other shop was selling it for $8.50. This reminds me of what Huai Xin had said when she bought her whistle. It seems that she had bought it at a higher pricing, which kills instantly!! Haha… Well, after a while, we went to shop around for Adidas shoes… Anyway, thanks to Marcus for helping us to get the codes for our desired Adidas running shoes, so we can get a cheaper price. Thanks a lot. =]

I was back from my dinner just now at Turf City, with a buffet at the Hokkaido Japanese Restaurant. Its been some time since I ate Japanese food and seriously, the food was tasty. I don’t mean that it is the best Japanese food I have ever ate but at least, its edible and it does not taste funny that’s all. Haha… Nice chatting with Auntie Janet and her husband, as well as her two kids, Alan and Jun Long. We are previously childhood friends but I don’t remember that at all. Haha… Anyway, it was a nice dinner for we get to meet each other once every few years. =]

Now, before I end, tomorrow is the start of my IPP attachment. I don’t know how I feeling now but I am hope everything will go well for the next 11 weeks or so. All I ask for is to learn more things and do well with my job, since after the bad remarks from Andy and Kenny on my performance during projects and so. Think again, I was feeling quite bored when I got to know that I was chosen by SSA. However, when I think back the reason why I had chosen this path, I understand what am I supposed to do.

The reason is that I want to find something interesting so I can enhance my learning capability in the future workforce. I don’t have any qualities in the job for now but with the heart and mind to do things well, I can finally settled down and do things right. For the next few weeks, its gonna be learning, learning and learning.

Nicholas Teo Wei Teck… What are you waiting for now? Sleep now and get ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow is the brand new day for work, new day for IPP and a new day to learn things afresh. No fear is the code, no pain is the mentality. I will learn more with a good and focus conscious in my heart and soul. Good luck!!!

As well as those who are having their attachments. Good luck to you guys too. =]

Also, to Siew Boon if you do come across my blog, have a nice journey at Vietnam. Wish you all the best for your OIPP. Smile!!! =]

I’m back with some blog entries again. The stress was finally over on Wednesday, after 6pm. What I was referring to was the examinations that I had to go through since last Friday. The papers were alright but I do not have the confidence to score for my Coaching paper. Well, maybe a brief description of the paper later but let’s start from Friday, which the examination begins.

The day before the first paper, or should I say the few days before the start of the first paper, I was actually making my own notes and mind maps to study. All thanks to Ms. Lee, my Secondary form teacher for the entire 5 years in Canberra, who taught us how to do proper mind maps during school days, which makes me to be dependent more on mind maps for future academic examination revisions. Hence, I was scribbling for the past few days, from afternoon up till the wee hours but of course with some breaks in between. What was I doing during my breaks? Playing Pro Evolution Soccer 08 or killing the baddies in Counter Strike, depends on which side I’m taking.

So there comes the first paper and it was NSA. Once I sat on my chair with the first glance on the paper, I was quite relief with the setting of the questions. It was not too difficult but though shall not estimate such papers and questions. Every meaning has another meaning in beneath it. I begin doing the paper when the time starts but as I continue to write down my stuff, I was feeling quite uneasy, probably due to the stress that I have not met before for the pass few weeks and months. At the end, NSA was a safe paper, which I think I have the confidence of scoring at most a C+ or B.

Next was Quality Management (QM), which was considered one of the toughest paper that everyone had to face. It was quite alright at the beginning but once it passes Section B, pressure starts to rise and the difficulty increases. Right from the bottom of my heart, I was feeling angry and depress about the paper. I studied like a mad man for the past two days and I have to face weird questions, like one of it, which states “Name the CRM qualities in the business…” HUH?!! Was that part of QM stuff? The note doesn’t seem to have it though. Well, once the paper ended, it was end and done with. Nothing’s gonna bother me for now as I’m going to concentrate on my next exam paper.

The next day was WHP, which was the easiest paper among all. I only manage to spend about 2 hours to memorize all the notes at the day of the examination but it was quite alright. The questions are mostly direct and it’s helping students to gain marks for this module. All thanks with the help from Mr. Lionel Teo, my PEM and tutorial lecturer, who has been helping us by giving useful tips before the examination begins. Well, at least he is kind enough to do so, unlike some lecturers who would give vague and useless tips, like for instance, “Class, the tips are in the entire textbook. Read the topics of ….” Well, once again, thanks Mr. Lionel Teo. I have full confidence of scoring a B+ for this. =]

Last but not least, the most depressing paper of all examinations is Coaching. I could not do the first question for the entire paper and that was the start of my drained hopes for the module, for doing my best into it. Attempting the questions was like pushing a horse from the field to its stable, with no strings attached. It was really hard, in addition with the tricky questions playing around the students, it was a disaster for me to score, at least a PASS!! I don’t aim high for such a paper but hope to attain a ‘D’ grade for once. The last ‘D’ grade I got was for Principles of Accounting, which was during my Year 1. Here’s comes the other paper with a depressing grade. Haix…

Although there is a point that lecturers should provide students with some tips before the examinations but it is not fair when the lecturer wants to help but isn’t helping. Andy’s statement was right that James Wong was not in the wrong. However, I guess it will be easier if he do not say a thing after all. If you sincerely wish to help, do it, and not beating around the bush. On the other hand, I guess it is not fair to what Andy has said that James Wong is good and its students fault. Probably it’s the differences in ideologies but one thing is for sure.

Healthy education is not by digesting what you have learnt. Yet, it is through experiences that we encounter during the learning which makes it very useful to students to have the capability to learn more. The phrase, ‘Own your learning’, does not mean that digesting 2 books a day before examination will help.

Especially towards this module, coaching is not about reading books and implement it what the book says. It’s about how you manage your players well, in and off the pitch. You fail to understand such a simple concept, I wonder why would you be a coach, or even be a student of S.W.? Is it for the sake for a diploma or for the purpose to understand sports? If it’s just a diploma, then forget it.

Ben~ What are you showing??!!

PD aka. 'Mother', Auntie Em, Me, Joel...

Yi Tian, Karen, Jia Bao, Li Fen (left)

Ben, Cai Yun aka. 'Chip', Kah Hong, Yeo Cheng (right)

Gerald's (Missing)

Cutting Cake Time!!

Everyone... =]

PD, Me, KH, Chip, Ben

Dear Em and Me

It’s been 3 weeks since I post an entry in my blog. My bad for that but that’s because I’m too busy with my projects and assignments that I could not afford to have the time to blog. Due to Auntie Emily’s countless reminders, I’ve finally update my blog with several posts today! =]

Since I have no much things to type, I shall hyperlink the sub-headers that are stated below, which will be the names of my entries for the past 3 weeks, sure it is enough to flood myself with memories, as well as any reader who wants to know what the hack has happened to me for the past few weeks. Well, here I go!!

** Click on the links below. Some might not be updated hence please be patient. =]

Entries:

Projects Crazy – Some Screwed, Some… Phew!

Entrepreneurship Day is over!

My Beautiful Gal

IPP Posting

All you need to do is click on the sub-headings and it will link you to the entry. Smile!! =]

Yeah... Really hungry.... =X

Overall, I just post these pictures for fun so Dear, don't kill me alright?

Last but not least, Dear Dear Auntie Emily aka. 大Blur Blur, I love you... =]

I just checked my IPP posting yesterday and I’m posted to the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA), which is located at Toa Payoh. It seems a bit far but compared to Raymond and Azirah, I think I’m the fortunate soul. Raymond is been placed in SICC (Singapore Island Country Club) whereas Azirah is in SSC (Singapore Sports Council), which is around Kallang that area.

Think again, I sometimes I feel quite demoralized with the postings. I wanted to choose some location that is nearer like the Singapore Sports School (SSS) but too bad, I did not get into it. No one replied me when I need them, especially when it is for Self-Placement. Well, at least I got into SSA, which maybe the start of my working life. Anyway, the elder lifeguards in Yishun Swimming Complex keep asking me if I want to take up their post as their General Manager for the pool. Gosh! Maybe from there, it will be a learning experience for me.

I’m scared of getting things undone and not fulfilling what I have promised during my IPP moments but what even scares me more is the expectations that my supervisors will give me. According to my last visit to the headquarters of SSA, Tillyson (SW senior) told Dexter Kang, who soon to be my supervisor, that I have done well in my previous TEP attachment and I fear that this can affect my performance, in terms of my current attitude towards work and studies.

On the other hand, I was thinking about this matter the night before and something came into my mind; my goals for taking up SSA. Yes, I want to learn something and not being a coffee boy in a attachment area where I will need to do these crap stuff for 3 months?! No way. I’m here to learn and I want to build my character, creating an impact to my life. That’s why I’m here!!

Alright, I’m quite motivated by now! Good luck for my attachment after my examinations. Here I come SSA and I won’t be giving up till the end of the attachment. No fear!!

After nearly 3 months of struggling, it’s finally over! Entrepreneurship Day (ED) is finally over and I guess I did manage to do quite well at the end of the day. I give my best and I’m happy with the results. The day before, I was still worry about the whole presentation but after numerous rehearsals, I still feel that I have all the contents of what I’m gonna say the next day.

It was not easy at the beginning as I have plenty to say for the presentation. As my teammates have told me, my part is the soul of the entire project. With such a heavy task, it shows how important it is to tell the judges everything. Moreover, the timings that I had seem to be more difficult for me to speed through the presentation. Imagine with a 5 minutes portion and I spent an entire of 9 minutes to complete my presentation part, it drags everyone’s timing down.

On judgment day itself, the same thing occurred, with me saying too much and the team has to speed through everything. We did not finish the conclusion part but it seems that the judges are happy with our DETAILED analysis. One of the judges even said that our project is workable and this probably shows that we can score high for this project.

After the presentation, Kenny and the rest were mentioning about my mistakes on my part and it is really a few good words of advice. I understand that my presentation skills are always very bad. Once I got nervous, I will go crazy with my sentences not seemed to be linked together. Stage frights is a phobia for me I guess. Although I’m often on the stage singing, it is still hard for me to use such confidence in presentations. Maybe a bit more of confidence and understanding what I have said will be better. As the saying goes, “Think before you say anything”.

Anyway, few days later, one of the judges called Kenny and explained to him that he is interested to work with us for our project. The judge was known to be a person who has an online portal in advertising magazines to the readers online. Hence, with our online portal, maybe he can plan to do some investments in our business. It’s a good idea and I really think that it is worth to try.

However, with an amount of $10K, I guess my Mum was mentioning that I should push that idea aside and concentrate on my studies. All the possibilities of failure in the business will come into my mind and think again, I have my National Service to attend for. Where’s the time for such things in the future.

Yes! I decide to drop the project, maybe letting the rest to handle the project. I’m happy with my achievement during the entire project and if you ask me, am I satisfied for what I have done in this project, including the presentation that was quite screwed? I will reply you that I’m happy with what I have done. Not that I’m affecting others but I tried my very best to make the job done. Yes, I tried. =]

With a firm smile, I can show my ‘victory’ hand signal to everyone and say, “Projects are over!” Not just only me, I guess everyone are relieved as all projects have come to an end. For Year 3 students like many of us, it means that it’s gonna be the second last time we gonna touch these projects in school. Imagine we have various projects on hand, which need to be submitted under a tight schedule. Now, that’s what I called it ‘CRAZY’!

Apparently, from my title of my entry, you can guess that I have screw a few projects but some, I guess I did marginally well in it. Alright, let me just do a brief description on all of my projects now.

One of the best few projects that I did quite alright is the NSA project. The project was to type out all of the information that we have got from the National Sport Association, understanding what problems they faced at the moment. As my team got Gateball as the rightful NSA for this project, Kenny and I had to travel all the way to East Coast to do the interview. Now that is far.. To add on, we have plenty of projects that we have no choice but to place this project as the last project that we gonna settled before the exam period starts. In the end, it was cleared but I guess, I was not doing quite a good job as I sometimes miscommunicate with my teammates. Anyway, that is a project with a ‘Phew’, with no major problems occurred, I guess… =]

Another ‘Phew’ project was Entrepreneurship, which I have to team up not just only my own classmates but other schools as well to come out with a project that is either, to improvise the current ideas or create a new product or service. To me, it is a big challenge as we spend nearly 3 months to come out with a 54 pages report. This is the safest project that I have ever done, especially with Kenny the leader that is leading us. It isn’t easy for the first few weeks but with guidance, we are able to proceed with our project quite smoothly. Sometimes, I’m tired with the project as I have to do extra stuff for the project, such as doing other parts that are not mine but overall, it is still worth it to complete such a wonderful report plus presentation. Two-thumbs up for this project!!

Quality Management was a safe project too, under the guidance of Andy, even though there is a misconception in the project at the end of the day. It seems stupid for me to send him my part and yet he rejected my parts for the project and said that I was not doing what he wanted. By doing so, how am I supposed to concentrate on other projects? Anyway, I did not think of that in the beginning but think again, it sucks! At the end of the day, everything still went smoothly but to have Andy as a leader, I may be thinking of other representative to take the job. Ideas are there but not the leadership and recognition of work. Anyway, I think we can score well for Quality Management so it is not a problem after all.

Coaching was a disaster for me, a screwed one, which was a last minute work. I understand that it is stupid for me to rush all the questions at one go but too bad, I’m not superman or else, everything can be done in an instant. I remembered that I was rushing the project until it was 8am in the morning the next day before I can have a good nap. The questions are vague and its really stupid to do something like that. There is no focus in the project and it is really difficult for someone to score a high mark for the project if it happens like this. Pass or fail? I don’t know but I know that I need to score well for the exam paper to secure a pass for the module. =.-“

Customer Relationship Management was another screwed project partly. Everything went smooth in the beginning but due to the poor leadership, there seems to be a bit slow in the team’s progress. I was alright with my part for the project but I guess Charmain was making Andy going crazy with all the tasks that she had assigned to her, which seems to be taxing. Well, I guess a leader should understand what is needed to be done by each individual, depending on what are the strengths and weakness of each of them. However, most of all, understanding what is considered enough for that individual. Gosh!! Luckily, I’m not the one… Haha…

Last but not least, WHP project! That is the worst project that I have done for this semester, in terms of group project. Since Daryl was the leader, with the addition of the difficulty in digesting the details of the project, it makes it very difficult for me to do my part for the report. I have many problems in understanding my part for the project and thanks to Kenny and Andy, I manage to know much better about the issues and what to be done for my part. Being a WHP professional is that hard after all. You need to help people but not change people. This isn’t a good job for me, especially when I’m easily losing patience towards things.

Overall, that’s for the projects. Now, its time to concentrate on my exam papers as I gonna rush through this obstacle, get my 4 days off and straight away start my IPP attachment on 25th August. Good luck everyone for exams!!! =]