Lancer-Matrix BLOG

Category: SMUX

  • Round Ubin

    Sunday, 4 November 2007, 12:22 pm
    Location: Home, Jurong East

    Today was my first time going round ubin on a kayak. (Unless you count the time I went OBS, HAHA) Well feeling quite tired now. Did it within 4 hrs. Started at 10:30 am, back at Changi at 2:30 pm, with 30 minutes lunch break. Was quite a good experience overall. Didn’t push myself that hard, more like keeping a constant pace so that at least still can survive the whole trip.

    Interesting what you can see on the other side of the Ubin. Think I would consider getting a camera to take photos to keep some moments. Well don’t really know how to discruibe it, must see for yourself.

    Well saw a freshie who has 4 star (sea) when we beached up. She was helping someone prastice Hand Roll. Think they had something like a (multi star) gathering. haha.

    Well back to SE, PMSB and BP. The “normal” school life again.

    That’s it then. END : 12:39 pm

  • Last Sat & Sunday

    Tuesday, 23 October 2007, 2:04 am
    Location: Home, Jurong East

    Well have not been updating, wrote a post half way but didn’t know what to write so, just left it as that.

    Well for a quick update, more about what happen for me last Saturday & Sunday.

    Saturday morning was the info session for Ad Jam 2007. A few JCs sent reps for the session. Had to do a part of the briefing, think I did ok, just that maybe could have slowed down a little. Happens to me all the time when I don’t have a script for my presentation, I would just pick up speed & rush to finish what I have to say.

    Then went for my SE pair programming. Was ok, just that didn’t get much planned work done. Ended fixing compilation errors. But at least got something cleared away. Then next was PMSB, quite an amount of time spent on this. But it was quite interesting to see that you can model a business process & try to simulate the whole process through a model. Change part of the model & simulate again & see the results. COOL.

    After that went to meet Cai & Jason. Cai brought someone along. We all went to a HQ gathering. Saw quite a lot of people from my army life there. Was a good time catching up with them, getting to know what they have been doing after leaving army. Well hope we all can get to gather more regularly.

    Then it’s back home.

    On Sunday, sleep in, but then still have to wake up cause going to Changi for a recce. Met ZM & AS at Changi at about 2 pm. Then we went for our recce. Don’t think I would like to say much. Cause it suppose to be a secret. HAHA

    Well that’s it. Would try to update this more regularly & maybe less about my life & more about my thoughts.

    END : 2:20 am

  • 2 Star Finally, Next 3 Star

    Friday, 12 October 2007, 3:15 am
    Location: Jurong East, Home

    Just finished my MS homework that I have to submit today. Don’t think I would need to go school to do that as I did it in soft copy. Still left BP not yet started, dateline is Sunday. Hope I can get it done.

    Did not post on Wednesday cause I was tired from the 2 Star course plus also needed the rest for the third & last day. For Wednesday, we went for an expedition down to Loyang beach, which was behind downtown east. Started late, and so causing us to have to kayak against the current. So the journey there was quite long, plus every-time we raft up, we started to drift back the direction that we came from. Had lunch at the beach. After lunch, we learned about kayak to swimmer rescue & then Eskimo bow rescue. For the Eskimo bow rescue, it was quite an experience, as it is something quite new to me. Didn’t did that well enough to pass it on that day. As we were about to go back, there was a storm over Pulau Ubin, which could have turned to us. So we were quite lucky to make it back without the storm turning towards us. When we reached Changi, we were suppose to form 1 line beside our instructor, but failing to do that, we were asked to capsize & swim to shore.

    Then on the last day, which was yesterday, we practiced the Eskimo bow rescue again, then we were tested & all cleared the test. Then it was revision of our side movement stokes or draw. Then next was the low & high recovery. Was quite interesting to know that using the recovery techniques you could prevent yourself from capsizing. Then next was low brace turn &Â stern rudder. What was the most fun & difficult part was having to let your kayak fill up with water to the combing then move around, really lets you practice your recoveries. Then we break for lunch.

    When we got back, we were ask to do an all in. (all to capsize then recover) Quite fun, but not when you have to do it a few times. Next we had some games, we had to paddle using just our hands and also try to catch our assistant instructor, did not manage to catch him. Next we had to repeat this with our kayaks submerged. This time we managed to catch him. But after all this playing around, I felt that I became better at controlling the kayak’s side to side row movement. Didn’t have to do that much recovery when I was going back to the shore. Next we were shown some of the 3 Star skills that we might get to learn, if we go for 3 star. Well then we washed the kayaks, bath, review session & getting our certs. Glad to say that all of us passed.

    After all this experience for 2 star, now really interested to go for 3 star, but most likely have to plan it so that it spreads over 4 weeks, as we were told that it is quite a demanding course, plus you would need time to practise the skills that you have learned. Will go just a matter of time, and who to go with.

    Now really interested to go further with my personal skills in kayaking. 3 star by summer?? Maybe, Just do it.

    Â Well thats it. END : 3:44 am

  • The start of my 2 Star course

    Wednesday, 10 October 2007, 12:03 am
    Location: Jurong East, Home

    Well going to make this short. Yesterday was the start of my kayaking 2 Star course. Went through the skills & theroy that I learn during my 1 Star with some corrections to it.
    Plus we were expected to take care of ourselves + if possible take care of others. So it’s more about refining your current skill sets & improving it to help others also.

    Saw the biking trip people when they were waiting for their turn to go on to the ferry. Quite happy to see them. Talked to them for a while them went to have my breakfast with John.
    The instructor showed us a 4 Star course video. Really making me want to go for 3 Star then go for 4 Star. Well will see what would happen as times goes by then.

    Had dinner with John after the course. Then both of us waited for the biking trip people to get back. Then went home after that with WB (who went for the biking trip).

    Well I know today’s post quite boring. But really tired now & tomorrow going to have expedition for my course. So going to sleep now.

    Thats it then. END : 12:10 am

  • The day I got a whole Star & The day of my final FT lesson

    Monday, 8 October 2007, 10:53 pm
    Location: Jurong East, Home

    From the title of this post, most would be able to guess that I got my Kayaking 1 Star. The experience for the second day, was quite different from the first. Started with practising what we learn the first day & learning the classic draw. Then on to learning about the rescue. Was quite an interesting experience. Got to know two other people because of doing the rescue. 1 is from SIM ODAC, the other is a police regular. Never knew that capsizing can be so interesting cause 1 of them kept on wanting to cap. ha-ha. Well in the end did get my 1 star, so now it is on to the next level, Kayaking 2 Star.

    Yesterday was also the day that I had to hand in my individual assignment for my Software Engineering module. Had to create a online t-shirt shop for this assignment. Did not really complete all the requirements so not quite happy with myself over this. Should have planned my time better. Well what has happened has happened.

    Today I had my “fine” dining lesson at Raffles Town Club. The food was ok. Although I find that my prof did not look as if he was assessing us. Maybe that was his plan. Well was a good lunch, more like a meal with all the other SIS people, as most of my class who signed up for today is from SIS. Went back to school for SE meeting after that. Wanted to go JB to meet the trekking people for dinner, but time forbids so have to give up that idea.

    Well someone told me something today via MSN, but then can not say what it is. But still understand why the person was telling me this. So sorry to have cause you problems on your side. Would do what I believe is right, but do remind me from time to time.

    Tomorrow would be 2 Star course, will last for 3 days. Well hope that I can pass. Otherwise would be quite wasted.

    Think thats it. END : 11:07 pm

  • The day I got “Half” a Star

    Saturday, 6 October 2007, 11:27 pm
    Location: Jurong East, Home

    Today was(is) the first day of my Kayaking 1 Star course. Interesting lessons, but then still quite bored, cause I have heard this lesson for a few times already. Like the names of the parts of a boat / Kayak, cause had to learn it for Advance Open Water Dive course. Did not knew that a Kayak is classified under a canoe, something new to me, always thought that they were different. Learnt the skills that was needed. More of a revision for me, but at least this time is a proper lesson on it.

    Realised that I have been doing quite a few things wrong but you learn everyday. Found that the kayak called Bandit is quite or in fact super maneuverable. Think I will fall in love with it. Maybe till I try dancer. Or maybe I will fall in love with single kayak in general. 🙂

    Not much for the first day of kayaking, although would have wished to go out further. But then it is after all a sort of basic course for everyone.

    Went to get contacts lens for myself cause used up all of them already. Although it took me like more than a year to use up my 6 months supply of monthly contacts. Decided to switch to daily. Think it would be more cost efficient, based on the way I wear contacts. Had my eyes check again, cause the last check was before I ORD. And something good was told to me, both my eyes the degrees dropped by 100. Or maybe its just that they added 100 more. Well you will never know.

    Went to the kayaking team dinner, nothing much to talk about it, except that there was dinner. Although WB warned me about something someone might ask, cause during the expedition that they had today, “SHIT” was stirred again. So since the thing was about me, it was eventually directed to me. But when that person asked, did not answer, cause I feel that the person need not know. Plus I have somewhat placed it as TOP SECRET. So it is best that the person do not know. :p

    WB also told me another thing, so to whoever is reading this, (if that person comes back at all to read), Please do not freak out. Cause I am just putting my feeling into words, without directly naming anyone, although those involved would know what is happening. If you feel that something needs to be taken down, you can either tell me or have someone inform me. I am okie with it.

    Drove today, so sent the same 3 person back. Went by Holland Village’s Cold Storage as they wanted to buy something for the trek that they would be going tomorrow. Well talked to the person a little. Really little. Don’t know why got so few words, when I can crap with others, like ZM & SY & (someone whom I talked on the phone for 4 hours, who I can’t name as the person say so). So maybe it is the comfort level, well I don’t know.

    Anyway hope they have fun on the trek. Can’t go cause got 1 Star day 2. But anyway kayaking have priority, no matter what cause promised JJ that I would get my 2 star by week 8 end. Would really have wanted to go, but to think about it, go also no point.

    Well think that is about it. Have to go rush my SE Individual project.

    So thats it. END : 12:24 am (the next day)

  • More point to add to last post

    Friday, 5 October 2007, 10:44 pm
    Location: Jurong East, Home

    When some of you (who ever you are) read the last post, you might feel that I doing like a cost benefit analysis on what is happening with my life. Well maybe you can say that just by reading & only reading the last post. So I am here to add more points to it.

    What I feel with relation to what I have type is that if I were to emo too long, it would affect my work & the rest of my life, cause I will be spending time think about it. This effect would cause me not to perform well for the task that has been given to me. And so affect the view of people about me. (Although I don’t think I really care) But this view would be shared to others, maybe even her. So in a way damage my “image” (if I have one 🙂 ).

    So therefore what I felt I should do is to actually work hard on my personal commitment that I have promised myself to. Perform & do it well. And so make it reflect who I truly am. (Like Leadership by example). And maybe Just maybe, she would notice what I have done.

    Â So Show who you truly are not by saying, But by your actions that you do in your everyday Life. LIVE to be your Best.

    So thats it. END : 10:55 pm

  • The day I decided what to do

    Friday, 5 October 2007, 6:41 pm
    Location: SMU, SIS, Level 3, GSR 3.2

    Today had my MS mid term, don’t think I did well in it. Cause got a few questions that I did not answer like the question about conditional probability. But the prof did expect that we all not to finish the paper & told us that she would mod the grades so how.

    Well somewhat have a decision over something after yesterday night of thinking & also with some decision making using MS.
    More or less decided that I would not spend time thinking about relationship anymore. Cause in terms of returns, currently it is hard to get. So rather than let it cause me to emo & not do my work well, I should just let it flow naturally and not think about it.

    Got quite a few things that I need to get done. Like the Ad Jam 2007 Safety Admin Instruction, and also the kayaking expedtion stuff. Can not let ZM who trust that I can handle the safety IC task down. If not I would not be doing the right thing. For the kayaking expedtion, been think about the training program for it. As I do feel that we really need to start training. This is also the same concern expressed by AIKS & WB. Since I do not have any appointment now, I feel I would be able to take up the role of training IC & Safety (just need to bring over what I learn from Ad Jam).

    As for the portal for the expedtion, I have 3 sample up already. Just need to see which 1 is easier to use. So that we can start using it.

    And there is also school work. Been not doing much for IS mods, so really need to do something about it. Do not want my grades to drop this term, want it to improve. So that I have the motivtion to carry on to study well.

    So there so much things for me to do. So let’s just do what I have and let the rest just fall into place.

    Thats it then. END : 7:00 pm

  • The day that I was suppose to study for MS

    Thursday, 4 October 2007, 7:29 pm
    Location: SMU, Library, Level 4, SMUX Corner

    Today was suppose to study for MS, but till now, have not gone past Chapter 2.
    Was in school since 9:30 am, crashed for like half an hour after having my breakfast.
    Still feeling tired, want to close my eyes while writing this.

    Saw her come to the library at around 10:30pm. Did not say or wave hi. Just ignoring her I suppose. (Attitude)
    Although I did somewhat stared at her, think that cause her to changed the seat that she wanted. Did not like face me when she sat down.

    Well lunch was with WB, told him about my blog & all, show him when we got back. No comments from him.

    Still did not do much studying. Or maybe I’m just slow.

    Went for SE pair programming session at 3:30pm, did much work there, but there are still issues that we as a team need to settle. Like the Data Set & how we going to input it into the Database & also how the flow of the system going to be. Etc…..

    Concluded the meeting at 6:00 pm, an hour earlier than expected. So that was good. Went back to the library. & Saw that she had gone off, for class I heard. Marketing I suppose.

    Went for dinner with WB & K. K asked about the post of TTTX, which was quite an old post from WB & me point of view. But we talked about it. K got to know about L’s new target so was quite surprised.

    Don’t know if that post could apply to my issue. But I don’t think can. Cause a person’s point of view will always be different when they are personally involved.

    Find that my life is simpler when I did not think about these issues, so good just being a loner, cause you just take care & think about yourself & that is it. But I think it about the friends you make along the way also. Just need to open up & let people know you. Although it is also a give & take process, cause if a person do not want to know you, you also can not force them.

    I find that all the close friends that I have are people that I worked with for quite sometime, with lots of contact. Like my SMUX camp program committee, YAH group and TB people. Cause they all got to see how I work & my dumb attitude to things that do not go my way. If you are considered my friend, what you ask if I can get it done, I will do it.

    Typed this to someone on MSN:
    maybe when i like someone its more about me wanting to get to know that person + letting that person know more about me.

    I am really interested to know her better, but I think the “normal” (what is the norm anyway)Â way of knowing people is not my way. I must really work with that person. So that the person would know me too. Not the sort that can make friends like on the streets. They will just become hi bye friends.

    Would kill to be on the same committee or project group with her, then can get to know her.

    Think I crap enough for today. Still my MS to settle, then my SE individual project.

    So thats it. END : 8:32 pm

  • The day I ran alone near school

    Wednesday, 3 October 2007, 9:10 pm
    Location: SMU, Library, Level 4, SMUX Corner

    Just finished dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf at 8 pm. The people who went were, WB, John, Jac, XW & me. All but Jac went there with bags & all, but then decided that to go back to the library as it was still quite early. All but WB went back. As usual, the library looks full for this time, but must be due to the mid terms this week. Everyone is mugging for their tests this week. Maybe the reason I went back was because of her, but this reminds me about what I thought about when I was running today.

    Earlier today, I went to run alone, as WB did not bring his running gear. But this gave me time to think about what WY said to me yesterday. The main thing was “Why do I like her?”. Well truthfully, can’t think of any good reasons. Cause every reason that I can think of, in most cases, can be found in the girls around me. So I think to truly know whether you like someone, it is more about each person’s beliefs about things. If your belief on things matches, there would be a chance that you would be together. Even if it differs, as long you are able to talk it out, you would be able to bring things forward. So I would have to say that it goes back to communication.

    For the friends that I have gotten close to, you all might see me as someone who is crappy & maybe talk too much. But for those who are new to me, or not as close, you would know me as someone who is silent & don’t talk much.
    Well the reasons that I have always say are these few, Don’t know what to talk about, Not comfortable talking, Want alone time with the person.
    But like what others have tell me, Why don’t you have anything to talk to the person about, Is it because you don’t know the person well? Why are you not comfortable talking? Why the fear? Scared that you would embarrass yourself?

    Well I don’t know, about scared of being embarrass is quite true. There is always that fear specifically if it is in front of people I am fond about. But why have that fear. Just be yourself like you have been in front of your close friends. Never fear about embarrassing yourself in front of her. Cause I think if you do, then you are not letting her know the true you. Cause what you are showing her is just a mask. Nothing more than that. Cause your true self is the self that you are in front of your closest friends.

    Learn to open up, show your true self in front of everyone. Never stop trying to open up. Cause if you do close up, then people would never have the chance to know you.

    Â Well thats it. END : 10:08 pm