Today is the first day of the trip. We reach the hotel early and spend the whole day lazing around the hotel area. Sleeping and eating. Ate with ben, lionel, wei wen, calvin for breakfast . Then lunch went to eat at some store. For dinner had KFC. Tomorrow would the start of the cycling. Let’s do it.
Altius II – Day 1
December 3rd, 2009
Failures
October 25th, 2009Was reading a The New Paper article yesterday talking about how a group of NUS students has to do a project that involves helping others. Like how they started by finding prostitutes willing to be “saved” but could find any and eventually found a foreign student that was cheated by a “university” here that took him in. They tried to raise funds for him to help him return home but was no where close to being able to send him back. And they feared that they would fail the project when they compared themselves to other groups that were doing projects like “helping guys propose to their girlfriends” and “helping someone learn Hokkien”.
Reading this I found myself thinking, Have I either numbed myself to failing or are they just not able to see beyond the project. I feel that they just trying to help someone that is really in need of help is more worthwhile than a project that “helps to propose to someone else”. Even if they fail to help the person get back home, at least they helped. And I really hope that they get the best grade among all the teams.
Sometimes I feel that people can’t see beyond the failure of a project to see what has actually been done and what can be learn from it. A failure is a failure and nothing can be learn from it. The fear of failing stops people from stepping out to do things to make a difference, to be creative, to be just different. Cause if you fail, they would just keep repeating that to you.
Something that I learn from my BSM to Israel and really liked about that place is that no one is going to repeat about your failure, no one is going to tell you that giving up that high paying job in Intel or Oracle and starting your own company is a dumb thing to do. They would support you and tell you that you can make it. May be we should just be able to see beyond the result of passing or failing and be able to see what we actually learned or are doing to help others. Maybe that is why we are not as creative or as innovative as them.
Well, I guess it’s a culture issue. We are too results focus that we can’t see beyond it.
Looking at the field of IT, learning what I have learnt, I know that most (and it’s really a lot) of project fail. It is a fact of life in the industry that project do fail, they either don’t meet the deadline, overrun the budget, etc. For every software project that finished, there would be 9 that failed. Maybe that is why I don’t see failure as failing anymore, it’s more about what I can learn from this so that next time, this wouldn’t happen again.
In the end, I just hope that we can look beyond that results and learn from every experience and every failure that we get.
Expectation
October 20th, 2009Well today had a good lunch with WJ, caught up a little on what each of us have been doing. Although he said that he learn something from me everytime we talk, I think I too learn alot from him too. Being able to just share and think through things, listening to his experiences from his travels.
I think one important lesson is this, don’t expect too much from other people, they might just disappoint you. Have no expectation and just live a simple life.
The only one that you can expect more from is just yourself. At least you are in control.
What is it to Like / Love someone?
September 29th, 2009Actually I also don’t know if the title is a right title or not but here it goes.
Been thinking about something. About liking someone.
In life, each of us would sometimes make a choice to like someone based on feelings and certain things that you find attractive about that person. Then you would try to make the move toward that goal of being with her/him. But sometimes along the way, the more you interact with that someone, you find that maybe that person is not really the one for you. Cause you can’t find common ground to be on. Like the preference of singers and bands. The choice of activities to do. The sort of interaction you want like more responses or just have respond when you actually ask something via MSN or SMS. Maybe just more lively responses or just being plain interested.
And sometimes along the way, you might meet someone else, whom knows you like that someone. That you can talk to, that seems interested in the same things you are. Are at least seems more interested in your interaction with her/him. What do you do then, you move on to the next? Or just stick with your choice? Sometimes this is not an easy question to answer. Cause every decision that you make reflects who you are, and how others would perceive you.
But do you really have to care what others think about you? As long as you can answer to yourself, your own moral self, that I think would be more than enough. And if that someone else is also interested, then you should move on. Move with your heart, not your mind. Just let it flow, life will balance itself out. Take your time.
Hospitalised
September 24th, 2009Been in the hospital since Monday night after I walked into A&E for a wound that didn’t really heal and was having pus. Once I got in everything was fast. Although it did help that the place was empty. Got to see the nurse, then was called to see the doctor. I think the doc see the wound already, decided that I should be an emergency, made a call and walked me to the ward at the back. I was looked at by another doc, and was admitted into that ward. Sent to take x-ray and jumped queue (in front of me was 3 other people). Was given my first drip with 2 packets of solutions of antibiotics after that. Then the senior doc came and looked at the wound and think that my leg needed to be referred to check the bones whether it was infected. Sent me to be warded into the ward upstairs. And out I went to the A&E Observation ward. Got admitted.
Was sent up to Ward 52. Was pumped with antibiotics 4 times a day during the period I was there. The first 12 hours was not allowed to eat so as to prepared for the operation that would happen as soon as there is a slot. Went into the operation theatre at 3 pm and was awake at 4pm. Finally got to eat dinner after that.
Stayed for 2 nights and today the doc came and see the wound and said that I could go home and that it would take a month to heal. Well so one month it is and 25 days of MC.
Now for something that I was thinking about over the period that I was in the hospital. Looking at facebook and my SMSs. Thinking back who and when they messaged me. Who came to visit and who at least said they would but couldn’t or have planned for other days to come to visit like to my place. Who facebook-ed me or twitter-ed. And the ones that didn’t asked at all.
I also thought through how I got to know them, what we been through and every little thing. Sometimes I think I expect too much from some people (especially those that didn’t say anything), but is it too much to expect just a question on FB, or just clicking on the “like” button?? With communication so much easier than before, How hard is it to do that?? This reminds me of a post my ex wrote on why she didn’t go for last year’s 8th crew elections. I find myself agreeing with the whole post. Agreeing not just because I’m a senior that has been forgotten or has walked away. But as a senior that has work with the current batch that is going to step up. That a number of them have my hp number, my FB, my Twitter. That talked about FAMILY during their elections speech. I guess the
acid test of a family is one where you will not forget its members even if they have disappeared for some time, and will take effort to bring them back. Most seniors, even those who were once active, never turned back, simply because they felt they did not belong.
And perhaps just like her,
I’m just a detractor in the organisation, or some recluse, never really bothered to integrate oneself in the organisation.
But am I? I don’t know, I just know that I don’t talk much, don’t interact much. But I do try, I help, I organise & I participate.
Well for those who cared enough to get to read this and to the 9th crew, think about this. Don’t ask what the seniors have done, lots have done their part and they tried. Ask what you can do and have done. How do we retain seniors?? Well I don’t know, you ask yourself about it.
The following “thank you” list do contain a number of the organisation’s members, ex-crew, current crew and all. But alot of them I have been through events with them, bonded with them, confine in them that I know that they would ask if they know about it. Maybe it’s time to follow the steps of lots of seniors, to just walk away, to not support them? Maybe those who read this, please give me your view and tell me what you think I should do.
Well really thank all those stated below, cause they cared at least.
Thank you Luk for being the first to SMS me once you saw it on FB. Thanks Ron and Jie Han for SMS-ing to scold me for not informing them and also for visiting me 1 in the afternoon and the other in the evening. Thanks Hui Jun, Kheng Yew, JJ, Feng Ru, Ah Liang, Clamen & Amanda(YAH) for asking after me. Thanks for Ben, John, Zao Yi, Su Xian, Guang Jun & Ber for twitter-ing. Thanks Jeff (from ns), Seb, & Francis (from my intership with HQ supply), CS, Elizabeth (BSM), Marilyn, Ivan, Genie, Cher Han (ATO), Wei Bin, Xiao Hui, Jason (NS), Dennis (TB), Guen, Xue Kun, Jia Liang (for his jokes), Wei Yuan & Timothy for facebook-ing comments. And also to the most unexpected person that I thought would comment, XW, thanks for asking, and I didn’t copy your idea to take photo of my leg, I got too bored at night, Look how dark it is around the picture.
Well that’s it. At least for this post. Look forward to the next.
SMUX Elections
September 12th, 2009Well today went for SMUX Elections, and saw a new set of crew being elected into it. Although I was not one of them, I did took the week to think about whether I wanted to vote at all or not. Considering that someone of interest is running. And that once in crew, it would be a busy term for any of them. So it like if you vote and the person gets in, then busy how?? If you don’t vote and the person don’t get in?? That’s also another ‘how’ question as JJ would put it.
Well, I went, I voted, the someone got in. Well, that’s it. Time to slow down and just take it easy. Look and see how everything works out. See first lah.
Next week going to dive and seriously thinking about Tec Diving. But the cost of the equipments would really be something that needs to be considered…
Well that’s it for the latest update.
Road Trip – Recce for KL-Sing
July 31st, 2009On Thursday (30 July) went for a road trip to recce the route for the KL-Sing Biking trip that I would be going for next week. The road trip was really good, we covered more than 800+ km within a 24 hr period, travelling the whole journey that we planned for, that would take 5-6 days, in that time period.
Funny situations like the side windows don’t open made going pass customs more unique and funny. And see how the customs officers have to double check each person with the passports, cause the pictures are somewhat different is funny too.
First time driving down the north-south highway, and it was a learning experience for me too. Now I know what is an exit and a rest stop. Experienced the different driving styles that people have and got complained that I’m a back-seat driver.
Shared with them all things that I have been keeping to myself for some time now. Now 4 more persons know about it. Still not too sure what I should do, but I guess I know the direction better. But she’s so busy….. Well, just have to make her make time bah.
I’ll see what happens next bah. Can’t wait for KL-Sing.
More Updates…..
July 26th, 2009It’s 1 whole month since my last update. So what happened??
Well, I was part of the torch relay for AYG being a liaison officer to help instruct the carriers of the torch on how to use it, carry it, etc. Was quite an experience to be able to talk to people like Teo Ser Luck. Then my next involvement in AYG was being the Media Operations personnel at SAFRA Yishun for the shooting competition. Quite interesting to be able to see how this side of things work and what the media have to do all the time.
SMUX camp was the next event on my calendar. It was really a fun experience to be able to organise this camp once again with a different team of people. They really made this camp such a wonderful experience for the participant and me. Well this would be the last event that I would be organising within SMUX itself.
Yanzi’s concert was really wonderful. A lot, a lot better than her last concert that I went for. This time the whole concert was a non-stop continuous show that never seen to end. This is also the first time that she danced so much, like almost every other song she is dancing. Really thank my dear friend for taking time to go for the concert with me. Thank you, you know who you are.
17 July Overnight ride till 18 July morning, went to crash the night bike recce and had a good time riding with them although the crashers were equal to the number of GLs that attended. But at the end it was a wonderful ride.
19 July Morning, went for the KL-Sing training session that was changed to a local ride. Went up Mount Fader and down West Coast highway, then up north to kranji, then south back to school. Was a fast and fun ride.
24 July Overnight ride till 25 July morning, drove the car to ECP so that could drive home at the end of the ride. Cycled all the way up to Yishun Stadium, then went round the night bike route with the rest. Was quite fun. Will see if my friend can figure out where the second burger went to. haha.
Internship, well, it has been, up till now a wonderful experience for me. Being able to work and experience the army life once again. But thinking back, in terms of project scope and ability to complete the project, I think I should had try to accept a small workload somewhat knowing that all IT projects have a common result of being delayed and not up to standard. Hope at least I would be able to complete what is most critical for the users so that at least they have something that is somewhat useful.
Well, so what is coming up next for me.
First would be the end of my internship and the start of me having to write a report for OCS and also to pass a copy to MINDEF side.
Next would be KL-Sing Cycling trip, having to cycle from Port Dickson back to Singapore.
After that would be the AHM after all running is what keeps me going.
Mayday Concert would be on 29 August, still trying to find people to go with me for this. And also just relised that Night Bike would be on the same day. Think I’ll likely have to load the bike in the car and try to find them after the concert.
Well that all till the end of August. Will update as much as I can. I hope.
Update for Plans for the Summer
June 26th, 2009It’s 26th of June and almost half of Summer has gone past. So what have I completed.
Well for SMU Adventure Race, it was quite fun even being just a helper. Moving stuff and all. Find that the race was quite a success as everything seem to have went well. Although after watching the show Sports@SG that featured the NTU Adventure Trail Challenge, I felt that there is still a lot of improvement that SMUX can have for their adventure race like having more elements of adventure in it.
SMU Ad Race, The Back Stage, Day 0
SMU Ad Race, The Back Stage, D Day Part 1
SMU Ad Race, The Back Stage, D Day Part 2
Raw Duathlon was quite good, just that I had an accident during that event. Got knocked from the back by someone on my bike. Still completed the event and overall the event was good just that the location was quite open for the running part making it quite hot during the end.
BSM Israel was an adventure for me, getting to travel to the middle east area and experience the food and culture there and also be able to compare a little the difference between the middle east country to Israel. Got to see some of the different companies that operate in Israel and how friendly and straight forward the people there are.
My Internship started the Monday after I got back. Currently still ongoing and have been doing quite interesting work for them. Don’t think I can talk about it online, but if you really want to know, just come talk to me. haha.
For the Sundown Marathon, I was really a good run as I felt really good after I ran finish. Maybe it is the night being so cooling that made the run felt so much better.
Would not be going for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon as I would be involved in AYG. Plus with H1N1 going around, I think it might be better to avoid going overseas for the time being.
For AYG, I’m going to be doing Media Operations at SAFRA Yishun for the Shooting Event. I would also be doing Liaison Officer for the Touch Relay. The whole event is looking to be one of the biggest sporting event that Singapore has hosted ever. And I really hope that everything does goes well.
Whereas for SMUX Camp, it is shaping up to becoming a great camp all in all. And it is getting closer day by day. Hope that everyone would just hang on for just a little longer as it would be over soon.
Talking about H1N1, it has become a bigger and bigger issue from the time I went to Israel till now. And there is now more and more cases of it in Singapore. There are people that has also called for AYG to be cancelled because of it. Well what I feel is that if we don’t carry on our normal lives and live in fear of it, then it would be just too much. As long as everyone is willing to be more public minded, like if you are sick or not feeling well, go see a doctor and rest at home. And also follow the instructions in this link. I think this H1N1 can be contained.
For the Yanzi concert, found someone willing to go with me, so thanks to that person.
Well that’s the update for now. Will update more when it happens.
Plans for the Summer
April 17th, 2009What I am going to do for the summer??
Well the list is as follows.
- Help out for SMU Adventure Race – 25 April
- Raw Duathlon – 26 April
- Business Study Mission to Israel – 29 April to 10 May
- Internship with MINDEF, DXO – 11 May + 10 Weeks + whatever leave I going to take
- Adidas Sundown Marathon – 30 May
- Standard Chartered KL Marathon (28 June) (21 km) – 26 to 28 June (Trip)
- Asian Youth Games – 29 June to 7 July
- SMUX Camp – 8 to 10 July
- Yanzi Concert – 11 July
- FYP Development – 20 July to 16 August
- Army Half Marathon – 16 August
- Mayday Concert – 29 August
- F1 Singapore GP – 25 to 27 September
Think that’s about it.