Saturday, July 31, 2010

The month of July 2010

KL Trip - Jalan Jalan



The month of July had been an eventful one. To kick start the month of July, I went on a trip to KL with my poly friend. An free and easy that was entirely plan from the start till the end by us. Starting from a train trip to KL was my first. Even though the ride was bumpy, I managed to catch a few hours of sleep probably from the hours spent of FYP. Upon reaching KL, we went around travelling on their public monorails and LRT. It is very convenient as long you trust their train system. We tour around KL Civic Center and saw a lot of atas(High class, luxury) shops. Even one of the toilets required RM2 to enter. We went to numerous shopping centers, namely, Times Square, Pavilion, Central Market, Chinatown etc. To many shops and levels.

Food wise, my aim is to have at least one A&W. End up we had two times of it. Shiok coz it seems like Singapore have deprive me of A&W for many many years. We also have meals at cafe as well. For entertainment, we managed to visit the Sunway Lagoon and my friend was somehow so high after his wonderful "brushing" experience. Haha. Probably will not visit again since there are other amusement park in KL as well. Olympic hotel to say was not an very accessible place. A walk to the hotel that is surrounded by schools and churches can sometime be a daunting task if u are walking along. It is located faraway from KL but is very near to Chinatown where all the Polo, Fred Perry from Thailand are all available. Manage to get kites over there as well, probably the only place in KL that sell these.

Returning back to Singapore by bus was not a very good experience. Not for the ride but the purchase of tickets. A day before we leave for Singapore, we travel to the temporary bus terminal in Bukit Jali which is relocated from the Puduraya Terminal for renovation. We wanted to cross to the bus terminal using the overhead bridge but was ask to pay RM2. WTF, we walk away and my friend nearly got hit by a water bottle from the guys sitting beside the bridge. Nevertheless, we walked up further cross and purchase the ticket. I should say business there are very competitive till I considered it as touting. Back to Singapore was the end of the KL trip.

NTU SCE Chalet 2010

Well, the purpose is for our cohort to come together for one last gathering before we leave sch this Dec. Normally chalet is organised that is for those within our cliques. But this time round, we wanted to bring the spirit of cohesion of our batch together. It also enables us to know each other better. I was initially quite sceptical on encouraging my friend to hold this event as July is the peaked for most student still doing their FYP. Turnout was very encouraging as we hit the aim of getting our cohort to come together and mingle as one. We also had a night cycling from Pasir Ris to Changi village. Probably the last time I will be involved in organising. But memories will still remain.

Gate-crash SCE Graduate Dinner 2010 - Furama city centre

Even though we have yet to graduate, we managed gatecrash the SCE graduate dinner. Surprisingly, there were two tables still left empty. What happen to the newly graduands? There are a total of two tables that was gatecrashers which are one from computer science the other from
computer engineering. The event was full of games, laughter and fun with the charismatic MC around. I also get to talk to each other on sch stuff and some other things. Really enjoy the company for the night. Really hyperactive group of friends. Haha. I heard from one of the lecturer telling me that this year graduands are very boring, they didn't throw their hats or do anything except to attend, take their cert, some photos and that it. Probably that explain the disappointing turnout for the dinner as well. Well for my graduation in 2011, I wanna do things like throwing my hat together with the cohort of SCE, take photo shots in City area (Marina Sands, Marina Barrage and the green rooftop of the ADM library. Now no point taking photos in school, surrounded by barbed wires, fences, look like a prison. for the YOG. Yucks! I hope my friends will help fulfilled my wish. Haha.

Northland Sec Sch Gathering 2010

Salute to the alumni organising committee. It is always never easy to organise something of a bigger scale that involve alumni of not only your batch but other batches of graduates as well. Being the first gathering, is always as a form of encouragement when you see alumni coming together. A well-organised start to the event will go a long way. Fundings is always a problem when come to organising this event. But with the strength of word-of-mouth from the goodness of this event, I'm sure that more alumni will be willing to attend in future events. Requesting former students to volunteer their services is also a good way for them to feel that they can still contribute to school.

For me, the main purpose is to see the classmates which I hadn't seen for ages as well as to find out how well they had been doing. There are business-women, teachers and engineers to name a few who are craving a career for themselves. Teachers that have super memory that can remember the faces. Haha. Overall is a good one for us to come together again.

What a month. Yeah!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Greatness of Outdoor Fun

Anyone interested in outdoor fun? The following are the different types of outdoor fun you can do.

A: Cool Rides


WaveHouse at Sentosa

What: A lifestyle beach venue(left) on Sentosa. Ride the waves, a fast-moving thin-sheet of water in the Double FlowRider on flowboards, or try the FlowBarrel, which simulates a six-foot wave. Riders must be at least 1.35m to stand up on a board.
Where: 36 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa
Open: 11am to 11pm (Sundays to Thursdays), 11 to2am (Fridays and Saturdays and eve of public holidays)
Admission: From $30 an hour on weekdays
Info: Go to www.wavehousesentosa.com or call 6377-3113
Difficulty: Medium to difficult

ZOVB
What: Climb into a huge clear plastic ball (above), two at a time, and strap yourselves to the inside in a standing position, then get your friends to roll down the hill. Except a dizzying experience. Minimum of 10 participants.
Where: Any open space. Usually done in the large field area along Old Holland Road
Open: By appointment only
Admission: $35 for students and $50 for adults for two rolls
Info: Got to www.zovbsg.com or call 6779-1031
Difficulty: Easy

B: Shoot that Target

Archery
What: Pick up a bow. There are instructors who will give you a crash course on how to take aim and shoot. Ages four and up.
Where: Mini-indoor 6m range at Suntec City Mall, Temasek Boulevard Tower 3, 03-040; and a 90m range at 173 Hougang Avenue 1
Open: Suntec City Mall from 1 to 9pm daily. Hougang by appointment only.
Admission: From $15 for 30 minutes and $5 for a bundle of 12 arrows
Info: Go to www.dmxarchery.com.sg, call 63464788 or email dmarchery@hotmail.com
Difficulty: Easy to Medium

Clay target shooting
What: Learn to shoot down-the-line clay targets at the Singapore Dun Club. Instructors are there to teach and guide you. Minimum age is 12 years old and children should be strong enough to carry a 4kg gun.
Where: The Singapore Gun club, National Shooting centre, 990 Old Chao Chu Kang Rd.
Open: The range is open to first-time shooters from 2 to 4pm, Tuesdays to Fridays; 10am to 4pm, weekends.
Admission: $65 for non-members. The price includes a $10 day-membership fee, a $10 gun-hire fee, $20 ammunition and a $25 instructor fee.
Info: Call 6466-1575
Difficulty: Medium

Laser target shooting
What: This is trap-shooting gone green – no clay pigeons are actually shot or broken in the process. The guns have been fitted with laser-technology and will emit a sound when the target is shot accurately. A minimum of five participants is required.
Where: Any indoor or outdoor space with a minimum area 30m by 10m will suffice, though a large outdoor area is preferable.
Open: By appointment only.
Admission: From $23.
Info: Go to www.laserclay.com.sg or call 6779-1031
Difficulty: Medium

Paintball and airsoft
What: Battle it out with paintball guns where players fire small pellets of paint at one another. Players must be at least 18 years old. Those who are between 14 and 17 years old need parental consent.
Where: Singapore Discovery Centre, 510 Upper Jurong Road.
Open: 9am to 5.30pm, Tuesdays to Sundays, by appointment only. Closed on Mondays and public holidays
Admission: From $25 a person for a 90min session.
Info: Go to www.crossfire.com.sg or call 6792-6188
Difficulty: Easy to Medium

Frontline Airsoft
What: A shooting game which uses airsoft guns – automatic and semi-automatic guns that shoot plastic pellets..
Where: An open field behind the Turf City building, 200 Turf Club Road.
Open: 9am to 10pm daily by appointment only
Admission: From $35 a person for 250 pellets. Minimum of six players.
Info: Go to www.airsoft.com.sg or call 9228-8080
Difficulty: Easy to Medium

Combat Skirmish or Laser Shooting
What: These laser or infra-red guns use a computerized system that monitors game play to eliminate cheating. There are guns of all sizes, ranging from a 200gm pistol to a 5kg sniper rifle. Ages five and up.
Where: Location is flexible.
Open: By appointment only
Admission: From $30 an hour.
Info: Go to www.combatlasersingapore.com or call 6779-1031
Difficulty: Easy

C: Zip Around

MegaZip Adventure Park
What: You can opt for zip-lining(MegaZip) over the treetops along a 450m cable, a free-fall experience(ParaJump) or rope-climbing adventures(ClimbMax). The 16m rock wall can be hired for functions. Children must be at least 1.2m tall.
Where: Imbiah Hill Road, Sentosa
Open: 2 to 7pm(Weekdays), 11am to 7pm(weekends and public holidays).
Admission: From $12 for a ParaJump experience to $59 for a combination of ParaJump, MegaZip and ClimbMax.
Info: Go to www.megazip.com.sg, call 6376-3101 or email booking@megazip.com.sg
Difficulty: Easy to Medium

Zip-line Forest Adventure
What: Zip-line across the tranquil waters of Bedok reservoir. There are four zip-lines built through the trees and over the water. There are two courses – the grand course for adults and the kids’ course. All participants have to wear a helmet and harness. The minimum height requirements is 1.1m for the kids’ course and 1.4m for the grand course.
Where: Forest Adventure Bedok Reservoir park, off Bedok Reservoir Rd.
Open: 10am to 6pm daily. The kids’ course is open on weekends and public holidays from 10am to 6pm.
Admission: $36 for adults, $34 for students, $32 for those under 18. A round on the kids’ course costs $24
Info: Go to www.forestadventure.com.sg or call 8100-7420
Difficulty: Easy to Medium

Kartright Speedway
What: A 750m competition-grade go-kart circuit that opened last October and cost $2 million to set up. Let the wind run through your hair at this permanent go-kart track. Drivers must be at least 1.4m tall.
Where: Arena Country Club, 511 Upper Jurong Rd 01-05.
Open: 11am to 10pm (Tuesdays to Fridays), 9am to 10pm (weekends and public holidays). Closed on Mondays
Admission: From $30 for a 10 minute ride.
Info: Call 6265-3303
Difficulty: Medium

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

The real truth behind comparing

Living in a highly competitive country, we always feels that competition is always surrounding us. Be it competing for a table in kopitiam, or queuing up for something to competing for the best results or jobs, it will be just there even though we can't feel nor see it. Since young, comparing have been instilled into my mindset. My mom will use to compare my exam results against my brother to see which one is better. Obviously the one that got the scolding will always be the one that have the worst result of all. At that young age, it seems harmless probably due to ignorant and innocence of a little boy. If we belong to different schools, maybe I will have something to backup my claims such as saying my school set tougher papers than my brother school.

But soon, it will turn to a very bad habit. As I progressed up through the education system, stress and work load increases drastically. Comparing with each other seems inevitable as standards are no longer set by lecturers but by the students itself. Each wanted to outbid, outwit each other in projects to secure maximum points before the exams. I can feel it during my poly days where occasionally our friends will ask each other what they have done or "extras" that they have added. With a higher threshold of comparing, I also upped my expectations as well which also will not be good especially groups project.

Within a group, each members have different expectations. Some low, some high, and if a member is being pushed further than his or her expectations, they might think you are pushing them to far which sometime lead to conflicts. Sometimes these conflicts are so bad that the next time round you won't be able to work with them anymore or worse bad-mouthed in front of your friends.

Due to this, I got one friend who told me that there is no point comparing coz it is just adding more stress to yourself. More stress, problems build up lead to unhappiness. Sometime I feels that the stress have been affecting my relationship. Since that statement, comparing is no longer a necessity to achieve what I wanted. I have since been less bother about comparing or rather ask myself have I done enough to get closer to my aim. If you haven't do so, probably is time to time about it and to become a more carefree person.

Friday, July 02, 2010

Microsoft .NET vs Java - The Movie

Now you know y I like Java so much.