Interview

Arghhh...Ooooh...Ahhhhhh....Eeeeek!

It was my first time going for such a formal interview, but I reached there late by 20 minutes >_<. There was a heavy rain and the bus was moving very slow, stopping at almost every stop. Just when I tot I was a goner, the LTA personnel told me that I was actually very early. -___- I went to the waiting room and saw 4 ppl waiting, which means the schedule was overrun, by alot...

I remained very quiet in the room while the rest were talking among themselves. Just dun feel like opening my mouth at that moment, not because I'm nervous, but was probably just shy. All of them were currently serving NS. I heard one was in SAF band, playing the clarinet too! Another also played the clarinet in sec sch. Wah, din know there are so many male clarinetist!

Anyway I waited for 1 hr + until my turn...so longz... There were 3 interviewers. I can say that the atmosphere is not as stiff as oral exams. The interviewers were full of smiles and I could really talk freely to them. But one major problem is my answers were probably too superficial, not up to what they expect. And I dun have much achievements to boast about. Academic is my best alr but that one is self-explanatory. I think I also missed out some good keywords to describe myself. Actually I wanted to talk abt my PW which is closely related to LTA but then decided not to cos I forgot most of its contents and I think the project was also rather superficial. Overall I think I din do very well and can bye bye to the 2nd round liao.

Boarded the bus on my way home and it was totally empty...maybe it's trying to say I've no hope liao...sobz.

Thinking back abt my replies and the interviewers responses, I will go 'eeeeeeeks' lor. So malu. Aiyah, how I wish can just forget abt this whole episode...

Wasn't informed of any other scholarship interviews except this one. Doubt I will get a scholarship after all...haiz.

A Sweet Maple 'Story'

Was lvling my char yesterday when I saw a lvl 10 magician struggling with the monsters. He probably just arrived to the island in seek for his desired job class. His equipment is of the lousiest and the botak hair model made him look like some xiao di di struggling for survival. So kelian.

I observed him for some time and unknowingly also ks-ed him several times with my long ranged arrows. Very paiseh lor, he was already so weak and I still ks-ed him. >_< When I took the lower platform with the easier monsters, he was 'forced' to take the higher one with tougher monsters. However he was so weak that he was pwned by the mushrooms, having to use the chair every now and then, scoring few kills each time he went all out to attack. And he eventually died, losing precious exp. Dunno why he chose not to handle the weaker monsters at the lowest platform instead, or change to a less crowded channel.

Just as I tot he was gone, I saw him return again! Xiao di di chong chu jiang hu! He went for the same tougher monsters again, struggled and then died...lol. At this rate he was never going to level up lor. Poor thing. In the meantime I was still busy wiping off the weaker monsters that spawned so quickly, barely giving him the chance to land a finishing blow on any of them. >_<

Ok, I think he came back and died again. I wish I could pray in front of his tombstone. His spirit's so cute ^_^! Anyway after that, he refused to give up and continued to fight at the same spot...haiz. And finally, he levelled up! Yay! Felt very happy for him, I think he probably felt likewise too that his efforts paid off, though I think there's an easier and quicker way to be done. Wanted to congratulate him, but then I'm too shy lah, kai bu liao kou.

I really admired his perseverence (or rather silliness?) and wanted to give credit for it. So I tot adding his fame would be the best way. I went up to him when he was resting on his chair, smiled and added his fame. Then he thanked me ^_^! And even added me as a buddy! Though I know we probably not speak to each other after this incident, it was rather a kind gesture from him to accept me as his buddy.

=) So that ends the short little sweet maple 'story'. Learnt some lessons from it. Observing others can be quite enjoyable too, it helps to make the boring process of lvling up more tolerable. After all, interaction between players is the key appeal for MMORPGs.

Maple Story!

Most of the friends I know who live near the east are being posted to camps in the west. Does that mean most of the camps are located in the west? If that's the case I think I'm very lucky to live in this area ^_^. Oh ya, I just realised the only bus that goes thru Lim Chu Kang, 975, terminates at Bukit Panjang terminal which is so close to my home! So convenient! Shld have been posted to Sungei Gedong Camp in place of Zhi Wei and Yong Feng, haha. (but I haven't even started BMT yet >_<)

Now my house has become some kind of refuge cum internet cafe cum lan shop cum whatever, haha. At least for Zhi Wei. Becos of him, I've also found out why I can't connect to the Maple Story server after installing it early this year. So now, I've started to play Maple Story too! Lvl 15 Bowman so far. Much thanks to ZW for his patient guidance! Maple players lip lai!!!

Anyway is it too late for me to start playing Maple now? Seems like the craze had kinda died down. (Remember last year it was crazy) Heard some horror stories abt Maple, where some ppl sacrificed their sleep and work for the game, coms getting destroyed...those kind of thing. Yup, it's quite addictive I agree. But for ppl like me who have been playing com and video games since Primary 1, even during O and A lvl periods, the addiciton can be easily resisted. Haha, praising myself...

Feel like buying a TV tuner now, so that I can watch or record TV shows easily on my com ^_^. Cool rite?

Not this year?

Received a call from BCA regarding the scholarship that I applied. The personnel asked if I've completed NS, which I replied no. After that he said something which made my jaw dropped, "Then why did you apply for this scholarship?" WTF??? Did I just do something wrong? Or was he trying to interview me on the spot?

Actually the reason is, the scholarship is only applicable for those entering university this year and it's not possible to 'reserve' a scholarship 2 years later after my NS. What the hell??? In that case why did BCA send a scholarship invitation so early? Perhaps I didn't read the application form carefully but I thought all scholarships work the same way: apply now and enjoy the benefits 2 years later.

I went to double-check the scholarships I've applied and most of them are titled 'Undergraduate Scholarships 2006'. Does that mean I'm not supposed to apply for those scholarships until 2 years later? So confused... Even the NUS application form is written 'Undergraduate Admission 2006/2007'. So does that also mean I should apply earliest next year instead? Argh...

The root of this 'problem' lies with NS, I wish under such circumstances I'm a girl so I dun have to worry about such stuff...grr...

Anyway yesterday I received a call from LTA saying that I've been shortlisted for the 1st round interview, which is this coming wednesday! Oh noes, what shld I do??? So nervous... What to prepare beforehand, what to wear on that day??? Ah...

Fat

Due to the past few months of slacking, I can claim that I've become fat alr, even Youcheng says so. Those who just finished BMT must have emerged with tough tanned muscles while I still have white flabby flesh everywhere...haiz. The moment I received my enlistement letter I vowed to starting running alr but up till now nothing is accomplished. Ok, time to get my butt off the com chair and start exercising! Probably later...

Here are some symptoms that might indicate that you're fat:
- you notice an uncanny resemblance between your flesh and that of the bai zhan ji on your palate
- you find no need for belts on your pants
- you find it difficult to insert your handphone into your jeans pocket
- you know when your wallet at the back pocket of your jeans has dropped
- you attempt to look fat and it is surprisingly successful
- you feel that you're fatter than everyone around you.
- you feel that walking on a busy street is no different to a bumper car ride
- you take more than half the space of a double seater in the bus
- you think you've given ample space for someone to pass through in a bus but that person still says 'excuse me'
- you type stuff like this

Now for some newsflash regarding manga/anime:
- A Death Note movie is currently in the making! The characters look good except L who looks so wrong...


Light Yagami









L









Misa Amane








http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/deathnote/

- Bleach is finally licensed...sucks.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/pressrelease.php?id=1602

Da Chang Jin

Muhahaha, watched the first episode yesterday. I presumed that if I enjoyed watching Huan Zhu Ge Ge then I would also like this series. The first half was very draggy and boring, but it sets the prologue for the plot. Nevertheless I persevered and continued watching on, after which I understood the story better, which was starting to pick up. Now I can't wait to watch the next episode liao! But that doesn't change the fact that the show can be very draggy. In the olden days ah, ppl do things so slow one, man tun tun slower than slowpoke. It takes ages for a maid to serve tea, the emperor to pick the cup and drink it. Now we know how this show is able to span 70 episodes. Haiz, but can't blame them lah, past ppl have so much time in their lives lor. They dun have cinema, kbox, pool, seoul garden, cafe cartel... Also dun have computers to surf the net, update blogs, look up for scholarship info, chit chat in msn...

Not every ppl can stand this kind of show, so I'll recommend Xing Shan Shan instead. I think the scriptwriter had the inspiration from Weilian, haha. The Anqi girl very cute lor, so mischievous and defiant ^_^. Get 100 marks for ting xie also can get scolded...

Got something on for the next 2 nights, so cannot get to watch the 2 shows, haiz. Difficult to record shows from 2 different channels too. After enlisting in NS, can forget abt watching TV alr.

Seoul

Is that the city where Zhe Han's at now? South Korea seems to be a popular tourist destination country nowsdays, esp with the rise of Korean pop culture. Korean girls are pretty but the guys look like >_>. Apparent from the latest issue of I-Weekly. That cover-page male is really...ugly. And it reminds me of...See Yong Wei!!! From the hairstyle, face shape, smile, and the bai-zhan-ji physique. >_< Do I sound offending? Haha, din notice how Yongwei looks like now, he probably has changed after all the gym-ing.

I think only Korean girls will appreciate the looks of Korean guys...lol.

Anyway, went to Seoul Garden today (I wonder how's this restaurant related to Korea). Ages since I've been there (like 3 years?). Dun like the idea of cooking my own food lah, esp when I dun know how to see whether the food is cooked (only know when the food is overcooked, and it's too late...). I think the hotplate hates me, it kept spurting hot oil in my direction, over my face, specs kena the most. I wonder what will happen if I were to wear contacts at that time, will I get blind? lol...

Took sprite from the dispenser but it gave me some plain-water + gas mixture instead. More bland and bitter than 100-plus. I hope I made a wise choice to drink it up after all...

I think the food that worths my 20 bucks most is ICE cream!!! Haha, I like to eat ice stuff! However was so full that could only consume 1 helping. Actually I could have packed in more ice cream in my stomach...nvm.

Every staff in the restaurant seemed to have butterfingers. I was sitting in front of the kitchen entrance when someone beside me dropped a stack a bowls which made a awful deafening noise. The manager came along and helped to pick up the bowls, after which he apologised to me =). Time passed...the manager was pushing a trolley into the kitchen, when a tray of fork and spoons fell off the shelf and scattered over the floor, with a loud annoying noise again...-___-. With the paiseh look he apologised to the nearby customers and picked the cutlery. =S Time passed...was eating my cool ice cream peacefully when suddenly a loud crackling of falling plates burst from the kitchen... Shortly after the manager appeared again and went to take a look at the kitchen. I pretended not to notice anything, haha, he's embarrassed enough liao.

Moral of story:
- dun sit in front of the kitchen in restaurants
- use disposible plates and cutlery
- never be the manager of a restaurant

That's all for my trip to Seoul... 이별! 너를 다음 시간 보십시요!

I need a ticket...

...to board the scholarship! Hee...currently applying now.

Applying for scholarships is so mah huan, it's giving me a huge headache. Fortunately I submitted all my applications alr, including the NUS one. Very relieved now. Lucky for me, I did not have to submit a 500 word essay for any of the applications (pities yf), but that means the authorities will decide the shortlisted applications based mainly on results and qualifications/achievements. Results-wise I think I would do fine, but have to cross my fingers for the qualifications/achievements (why are these 2 words so long?!) aspect.

Haiz, felt so depressed whenever I leave the qualf/achv (a valid contraction??) fields blank. Then I would start to think of those ppl who have so many stuff to pen down in this section: olympiad medals, piano grades, winning projects, sports competition awards, blah blah... while I have nothing, haha... Felt that I've achieved nothing outside academics during the past 10 over years in school, sad. A lifeless being you can say...

Not that I've no achievements at all, just that those I have are not worth mentioning. Looked thru my whole academic documents and discovered a lot of certificates, from primary sch onwards...but they are all cheap certs lah. Like those Australian competitions, completion of computer course, model student award, first in maths/science, edusave scholarship, OBS (the memories...), chinese high projects day (for some crappy box project), young scientist badge (had to do a list of silly activities), maths olypmiad (COP only lah), festival that the band participated (like that also can get cert), and the list goes on... The most important ones shld be the cambridge certs, beautifully laminated among the other scrap papers.

Is PW considered a subject taken in A lvls ah? Was thinking whether to include my PW result in the application... (though I dun really want to)

Another major problem faced was whether to write 'The Chinese High School' or 'Hwa Chong Institution' (as well as 'HCJC' or 'HCI'). Officially it shld be the latter but I wonder if it might be confusing. And it was still called TCHS when I studied there. Furthermore I hate to spell the word 'institution', esp when writing it in block letters. Not to forget the parentheses (College) and (High School). Had to cram the words to fit in the long name. Am I complaining too much? Haha.

As for family particulars my parents were reluctant to provide their true monthly income, in fear that it might affect my application, haha. Can infer from this that I dun actually need a scholarship at all. Just applying mainly for the sake of securing a job in the future.

My mum was telling me to choose chem engineering, becos the course is popular and ppl with better results usually choose this course. O_o I think the reason for the popularity is due to its higher starting salary, haha. Besides, more females will choose this course becos it involves chemistry mah (a female's affinity), as compared to other male-orientated engineering courses. But then I heard chem engineering relates very little to chemisty, mainly maths and physics. I wonder if some girls regretted their choices...

The 'your hobbies' and 'talk abt yourself' parts are another headache too. I dun play any sports regulary nor enjoy reading books (da vinci code those kind). These 'desirable' hobbies are all out for me, leaving the 'undesirable' 'low-class' ones like playing com/video games and reading comics, which obviously I'm not supposed to write them right? Was even hesitant in putting down 'listen to music', cos it would usually be mistaken as listening to classical, orchestra-type music. 'Listen to songs' doesn't sound right either, it's like no diff as 'watch TV'. 'Listen to pop songs' also doesn't sound like something we want to write in an application form, and 'watch TV for its news and documentaries' sounds like bullshit lah. 'Sitting in front of the com whole day' is definitely out of the question.

I did write something though, but I wun disclose it lah, haha.

Going out often with friends means party-ing, all play and no work. Staring at the com screen for long hours is perceived as a waste of time. Going online everyday implies mindless chatting, bad influences from undesirable websites. Even using a computer can be seen as playing computer games (many parents seem to assume that, mine is no exception: they always say 'play' instead of 'use' when it comes to computers).

The only pastimes that dun seem to have any misconceptions are, going out to play sports, and staying home to read books. Sadly, I'm far from that kind of lifestyle. IMO it's quite boring to live like that, esp in the 21st century when technology is so advanced and minds are opening up. Our lifestyle might change but some traditional practices and perceptions will always remain the same...

What a disorganised entry! Anyway it's getting late, will probably continue next time...

Scholarship

Still so confused over it. Insufficient info too. Dunno what to choose. What a dilemma, haiz. It would be quite a waste if I dun apply for any scholarships with my results. Never knew planning my future career would be so difficult. Furthermore I'm so easily influenced by others. Shall look thru the pile of scholarship materials for the umpteenth time...

Got my enlistment letter finally, after 4 months of gruelling wait. Really big thanks to Zhe Han! (enjoy your trip to South Korea!)Managed to squeeze into the April batch with his help, otherwise I really dunno what to do le... Gotta start training alr, but I dun seem to have the motivation to do so =(

NUS open house anyone??? Those interested in engineering...come come with me. ^_^

How come I received so many info booklets and letters from NUS and SMU but not NTU ah? NTU dun want to promote themselves meh?

A lvl results

Did anyone see the chinese news? Hwa Chong was featured! Congrats to those who appeared in the report, esp Ivan who became the media's attention for the 2nd time! Still can't forget the news article pic where me and Yong Feng were lifting Ivan...haha. Hmm, how come only hc was featured? Ok, I think we all know that the chinese media favour hc/chinese high...hee.

Congrats to yf too, he's so happy with his results =D.

Haiz, how come so many ppl got B3 for GP? It's like the standard grade for GP lor, and I'm below standard! Nvm, it's my very first B in GP...shld be happy liao.

S papers IMO had the most tyco results (as tyco as A2 in O lvl English). I'm really clueless of how they grade s papers one.