the last leg . . (almost)...

What a semester. It has been a busy & tiring one. Though I have only 4 modules, there's still the FYP to battle with, and that is a constant source of my worries. When I first chose my topic for FYP, I did not expect much programming coming my way. Little did I know that I was wrong on this part; it is so heavy on programming, that sometimes I jus feel so overwhelmed. Not by the programming (yet..), but by what is coming my way. Other than programming the robot to behave at my bidding, I'l also have to learn to program using simulation softwares, skills which is somehow, one way or another, is out of my league. Have borrowed 2 books on how to use Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio, hopefully I'l be able to achieve a decent result on this aspect.

The 2 most enjoyable modules I'm taking this semester would probably be Einstein's Universe and Quantum Weirdness, and Malay I. Though much of the content in Einstein's Universe leaves me in a dazed state and a state of "huh??", some parts of it really does gets us thinking. Especially parts in Quantum Physics, where in the past, I just absorbed and learnt what was taught to us. Now, suddenly, most of it made more sense, though some didnt. But those that didnt make sense to me now, I learnt to see it in another perspective, and to comprehend why things were how they were. And writing the term paper for this module proved to be a challenge, albeit fun. It was fun discussing with my dear partner (:P) what to write, and laughing at each other's ideas (though most of the time, it was my idea that was laughed at -- bleahhh) . But now that we have a rough draft of ideas, I feel safer.

Malay I was another modules I thoroughly enjoyed. Because I made new friends with whom I could banter with, and also of a very fun tutor. This tutor particularly stands out in my list of "good tutors" (my list doesnt have many people on the list actually.). He teaches with passion, lots of it. Though he needs to cover much content in each tutorial class, he injects fun & laughter into the class lessons. He is meticulous and makes sure that each and everyone in the class has the chance to participate and learn. And he does all the small things to ensure that what we needed, he catered for. Initially, when I first attended his lessons, I was a little terrified of him, worried that he might pick me out to answer his questions in Bahasa Melayu and making a fool of myself. But after that first week of lessons, I realised that my fears were unfounded. Now, I am considering taking Malay II, but most likely I'l try to find out if he will be teaching that module too. And another side point, I met one fellow Regular who is in the same vocation as me, and another Regular-to-be with whom one day I could very well be working alongside with.

The other 2 modules, one on materials, and the other on vehicle dynamics, well, being engineering modules, what more can I say? I need to put in more effort for both these modules, since the continual assessments are not alot, and also, teaching and learning was simply one-way, unlike the teaching methods of Malay I.

I attended the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum (KRMF) on monday, 19 Oct 09. I got to see MM Lee Kwan Yew in person, for the first time. It was an experience which I have hoped for for a long time, and I finally got to see him in person. Not upclose though, he was probably at least 50m away from me on stage, but still, I was glad to have gone. I have listened to much of his words and speeches on television, so some of the insights he presented on monday were not new. However, hearing them words from the Lion's mouth is just different. Haha. And yes, I am impressed, from the way he speaks, what he says. Here is the man who built Singapore and had an important role in shaping Singapore the way She is now. If only I'd get a chance to shake his hand. And one of his sentences that night probably stayed deep in me (and perhaps with Dear too), that he made sure he did the best he could for whatever he set out to do, if not, dont do it at all. Yeah, many people probably said this and I've heard it many times. But again, hearing it from The Man, maybe its time I put serious thought to action, and do my best for my studies, and my career in the future.

This is now my final year of studies, my second-last semester in NUS. Going back to work in the Armed Forces for good doesnt seem so far now. And actually, lame as it might sound to some people out there, I am actually looking forward to going back to work, to get onto the next stage of my life.

Week 10 has come to an end. It's time to pull up my socks -- Quantum socks or not -- and to get mugging, before the deadlines and exams really start to come close.

Jiayous! =)

Back on the air . . .

I've not touched my blog in ages now.. the last time was in May, now, its' already stepping into the last week of July 2009. How time flies.. fast. In the blink of an eye, the holidays are over, soon. School starts again on 11 August, and that also signifies the beginning of my last year in NUS. I don't know whether to be happy or not.. Happy, cos I'd be rid of studying soon. Sad? well, I dunno.. cos work will then commence? Not that I would hate working. I dont mind working to earn my keep. haha.. In fact, I'm kinda looking forward to commencing work and settle down with my life. :) But first, i'll have to overcome my FYP first. haha. I was quite disappointed in not being able to get the FYP which I really really really wanted. Performance and evaluation of an electric vehicle. I had all my plans and goals all ready already. BUT, the department had to "follow their policy", ie. the better CAP gets the project. Sigh. And ironically, I am specialising in Automotive Engineering, but my FYP has absolutely nothing to do with AE! None at all. Though what was told to me was that all ME topics have something to do with AE. Well, teachnically yes and no. Yes, cos sensors still hav a part to play in automotive, definitely. But no, well, as the term "automotive" suggests, something to do with automobiles, vehicles etc etc. But i'll still graduate with a certificate to show that i'm graduating with a certificate in Automotive Engineering. haha.

Well, no point harping on that now. Anyways, i had finally confirmed the allocation of my FYP on wed, after an extra week of worrying and thinking and sifting thru the list of "rejects". Well, not to make it sound so bad. They're projects that were not taken by anyone during the first round of allocations 1wk ago. So, here's what my project will be about:

Coverage of urban areas using cooperative Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs)

The student will design and build mini mobile sensors for mission effectiveness studies on
the use of cooperative UGVs for covering a given urban area in field security
operations. Simulation studies will be performed and validated by actual hardware
experiments. UGV related projects may be viewed at http://dynlab.mpe.nus.edu.sg/mpelsb/COSY/index.html.

Sensors, not exactly a field in which i'm super expert in. But still, I'll do my best, and hopefully get a good grade and a good takeaway in this final year!! =)

Cheerios :)

next chapter: holidays (again) . . .

Define: Freedom ---- the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints.

This is one of the definitions which Google gave me.

hello everybody! it's the month of May already! i havent been updating my blog for more than a month.. partly because I was lazy to update, but mainly because I had so little time. There was just so much to do, especially projects. This had been a totally crazy semester. Though I only had 3 exam papers, there was so much other things to do. Especially design project. I must say that the project brought me lots of experiences. Good ones, and bad ones too. I had fun machining and cutting wood and assembling our group's prototype. I had fun getting myself dirty with grime and wood chips and Alu grains. But 2ppl sure did drove me up the wall many many times. And I had to bite back my words and keep from lashing out at them. Repeated loud yawns when people are working sure drive me nuts. And the best part: Sam made a direct comment before, but the perpretrator did not catch it. Or perhaps he didnt bother to.

Here's a picture of our prototype (disassembled version) :

and here's the video.. haha :)


and i'm proud to say that it can withstand 300kg without failure!! =D wahaha..

My exams ended on monday, and i'l be going back to SAF for vacation attachment soooooon.. I tried finding internships for this hols, but the companies I'd emailed didnt reply. And I wasnt successful in NUS' balloting for the internship companies, so hence, back to SAF. Kinda looking fwd to meeting with the rest of the VAs and gang again, and enjoy our hols and times together! :) and of course, have a good breakkk! Before my FYP starts!! =x

and tomorrow is a special day for my dear gal :)

Happy 21st Birthday!!! =)

蒲公英

old song which i still remember and love till now :)

蒲公英. From the TV show 阳光列车 (The Morning Express) . Long long long ago..

More than 10years definitely! haha

gotta start studying for a 2nd quiz on wednesday.. sighs.
loads and loads of work..

and i wish i had an electronic keyboard which i can just play and connect to my laptop to compose my 60sec mdi!!! haha

*tries rubbing Aladdin's lamp* :D

I dislike reckless drivers. Drivers who dun care about others' safety on the roads. Drivers who change lanes discriminately, who dont bother to signal or pehaps check their blind spots. And taxis who tailgate and highbeam me despite there being soo many cars on the roads on a busy peak period, and cars tailgating me even though i'm already above the limit of 80 in CTE! sheesh.. well, perhaps they were just drafting, using me to break the wind resistance so that they can save petrol by reducing the resistance against them.. haha