SIS Faculty Camp and Academic Briefing

Went for my faculty "compulsory" camp a week back. I'm not naming the camp to prevent this entry from showing up in Google search.

As predicted, the camp was a flop, a sentiment shared by many. I'm not the kind who likes to engage in meaningless games and I spent the first day faking enjoyment. The only activity that is useful I felt was the food hunt, where we were given a list of food stalls in the vicinity of our school to explore.

Due to national service commitment, I was able to escape from staying overnight in school. There's plenty of chances to stay overnight on campus ground once school starts, why suffer now? ha.

The second night was performances putted up by the groups. I managed to escaped that too.

The academic briefing was held a day after the faculty camp. Nothing much out of the ordinary. There was a segment where the Chairperson of the course society gave a presentation. I can't help but feel an air of conceitedness in him. We are the first to do this, first to do that and thumbing down on societies from other faculties. Complacency is not the way to go, dude.

Like the other 2 local universities, SMU requires its students to bid for modules they wish to take. It was a stressful experience for me as I failed to secure the module (Technology and World Change) I wish to take in the first 2 bidding rounds, only at the last round did I manage to bid for it.

Modules I'm taking for the first term,

Technology and World Change
IS Software Foundations
Seminar on Information Systems Management
Calculus
Business, Government and Society

School starting next week, better get my engine started and running.

SMU Freshmen Teambuilding Camp 2008 - Step In and Be Challenged

The Freshmen Teambuilding (FTB) Camp is a rite of passage for SMU freshmen. As the name suggests, the main purpose of the camp is teambuilding and to inculcates the SMU CIRCLE values through a series of activities (not games).

I wasn't very eager to go for the camp initially. I have not slept in the wilderness since my days in the air force and I am more than happy to leave such outdoor lifestyle as memories of my days in national service.

BUT, after going through the camp, I'm sold. Learning the SMU CIRCLE values through activities can be rather cheesy but my group bonded nevertheless. And yes, no over-enthusiastic people in our group. *Sigh in relief*

The camp was held at Outward Bound School (East Coast Campus) and majority of the activities were ran by students. Out of the activities, I believe everyone enjoyed the raft building the most. Sadly, one of the barrels came loose after we attempted to board it.

The last night, we had a mini mambo night after the performances by the sections. It was almost spontaneous, everyone just danced to the blasted music.

The finale of the camp, perhaps the most tiring of all, was a game (enough of activities, finally!) that requires us to run all over East Coast Park completing different stations.



Activity that requires us to build the tallest 'foot' tower


The guys from ZestBobWing


Our completed raft


Will be meeting the guys at Convocation next week and at SMU bash at Zouk on the first week of school term. :)

It felt like school has already started ....

It almost felt like school has started looking at my last week's calendar,

22 Jul - Library Orientation
24 Jul - Meeting with group members from faculty camp at Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar
25 Jul - Career Services Orientation
26 Jul - SMU Challenge Briefing for sub-committee members

I appreciate the efforts undertook by my faculty camp facilitators to arrange for a gathering prior to the camp itself. Thus, I did not give it a miss in spite the fact that it was also my Air Force coursemates' ORD gathering at Downtown East. Just a little disappointed that I had to leave half-way through the gathering.

The seniors shared with us their experiences in school and also some essential information. Some bits and pieces,

- Where to get hot shower in school (Sleepovers in school are normal for SIS students)
- Get a locker (To keep your toiletries)
- 'Compulsory' double majors for SIS students (You won't want to be interviewed by the Dean)

I didn't really find the the Career Services Orientation helpful. We were introduced to our counsellors and the Dean of Students, history of SMU and some personality profiling technique. All these can be done online but because we are 'different' so we did a physical briefing for that.

Mentioned in my earlier post, students are required to fulfill 80 hours of community involvement. I signed myself up for SMU Challenge and attended a briefing last Saturday. A little more about SMU Challenge,

SMU Challenge: Cyclethon 2008 will be a charity event organized by the Singapore Management University Student Association Council (SMU-SAC). The concept of the event is to have participants cycling on 120 spinner bikes simultaneously in an attempt to clock as much distance as possible for 30 hours consecutively. This is because for every kilometer cycle, we will raise a dollar for charity. This amount will be pledged and donated by our donors.

In conjunction, we intend to emphasise and promote the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle amongst SMU students and the public by the means of static cycling. Cycling is a sport of relatively low intensity, and at the same time it exercises the largest muscles in the body. Similarly, static spinning is an unmatched way to make fitness goals a reality. With no complicated moves to learn, top-notch instructors and music that motivates you to pedal, exercising can never been more fun and enticing for all.

Do visit http://www.smuchallenge.org to know more about the event.

After the briefing, I took the opportunity to explore the campus. The gym is fabulous! Reminds me of California Gym (even though I have never to one). There's a pub or sort at the basement, Subway, Watsons, NTUC clinic, OCBC and UOB branches and a short distance walk from my school, there's Cathay.

For the next 3 days (Mon - Wed), I will be away for Freshmen Teambuilding (FTB) camp. I am not really looking forward to it but I do hope that at the end of the camp my impression will change for the better.

Farewell Dinner (22 Jul 08)

My office had a farewell dinner for the outgoing personnel, my fellow senior ops specialist, my buddy and myself, a few days back. In attendance were my Officers (MAJ Ang, CPT Lau, 2LT Wan) and fellow Specialists (MSG Lee, 1SG Lee, 3SG Tan and my 2 understudies).

Dinner was at an open-air restaurant located at a quiet residential area of Yishun, a stone's throw away from my camp.

Over food, we discussed on career prospects after national service and the usual military talks.

At the end of the dinner, we will made to give a farewell speech. I didn't really say much except to wish them luck during their tour of duty in the unit. No pun intended, really. The dinner was concluded with a few words of appreciation by my Operations Officer.

As much as I yearn for civilian life, a part of me still can't let go what I am doing now.

32 work days more to the end of my military life.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction Part 2 and Random Rants

Thanks to my wisdom teeth extraction, I spent my week at home, though it was rather unproductive. I don't think I did much except for catching up on my tv series.

I was told this time round the extraction will be harder to execute due to the position of the lower molar. But I thought otherwise. This dentist was more dedicated than the previous one. I realize for the operation, the pain isn't so much from the actual procedure but from the anesthesia injection. It was a strange and painful sensation having the needle piercing deeply through my oral cavity then the needle moving about within the cavity. Then, the traumatizing part of the drill bit drilling through the tooth which I shall not elaborate any further.

Post-procedure, I was only on painkiller for the day itself and back to solid food the next day. It's either the dentist is good or I'm numbed to the pain.

A month back, I was given a fine for not displaying a parking coupon. It was a honest mistake on my part and I was granted waiver for the fine. As a law abiding citizen, I paid the fine upfront while waiting for a response from the Housing and Development Board.

Until yesterday, I have yet to be reimbursed for the upfront payment even after sending a reminder email. In my line of work, I learnt that if thing doesn't go your way, always move up the chain of command. Thus,

From: Me
To: *Censored*
Cc: *Censored*
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 11:38 PM
Subject: Re: *Censored*


Dear *Censored*,

It has been 10 days since my last email (ref. appended email below) and I have yet to receive a reply from you.

I had made payment for the parking offence prior to the waiver granted by your office. As such, I believe there is an outstanding arrears of SGD30 in my favour.

I would appreciate your prompt action concerning this.

Thank you.


Yours sincerely,
*Censored*

The email was carbon copy sent to the Quality Service Manager and the general enquiry email of the branch. I received an apologetic call from them later. I guess it works somehow.

Recently, I received an email from my school students' group promoting the upcoming school camp for freshmen. Frankly speaking, I have never fancy school camps. To me, it's just a masquerade where everyone engages in silly ice-breaking games and pretends to have fun. To make it worse, my school is the only school that made the camp compulsory. Quoting from the email,

Please be reminded that attendance to *censored* is compulsory and individuals who fail to turn up without a valid reason will be imposed an extra 80 CIP hours.

In my university, it is a requirement to fulfill 80 hours of community service. I have no qualm with that since I enjoy volunteering.

But imposing an additional 80 hours (on top of the original 80 hours) to coerce attendance for the camp? That a despicable act.

Anyway, I received complimentary tickets for tomorrow's NDP Preview from my unit's HQ. Also, I was informed some time this year they might arranging a CH-47 Chinook joyride for us even though I am just a nominee for best airman. A happy closure to my numbered days in the Air Force as a NSF. :)

TB030 Around-the-Island Car Tour (20-21 Jun 08)

Sorry for the late post, I know you guys are so gonna kill me. :)

Past few days have been hectic, rushing from school to camp on Monday, combat shoot on Wednesday, duty on Thursday and on a fine Saturday like this, I'm on duty again.

Digressing not any further, TB030 had a gathering last month and it was unlike the usual, we had a 'car tour' around the island this time!

Dinner was supposedly at La Viva Spanish Bar. Slow service and less-than-satisfying food made us decided to head to Clark Quay instead.


James, Yi Quan and Sharon



Ripped off - This miniature bowl of potato costs $12.


The gang was in full attendance when we met at The Coffee Connoisseur, Clark Quay. My chicken and mushroom sandwich was so much better than earlier meal at La Viva Spanish Bar.







From left to right - Alan, Michell, James, Sharon, Peter, Boss, Myself, Yi Quan


After Clark Quay, the real car tour begun. We ended up at Jalan Kayu in the morning eventually.


Pit stop



Jalan Kayu @ 4.00am

Final Combat Shoot

The day before, I went for my final combat shoot with a detail formed from my unit. It was planned so that my buddy and I will be participating together with our coursemates from other unit though we won't be in the same detail.

At the range, I reminisced the days we trained together. We suffered as trainees but we did have fun and that's what kept us going. However, things started going downhill when we were posted to our units. People let their emotions get the better of them, not seeing eye to eye at work and so much more.

But yesterday was the day when people let whatever conflicts they have off their minds and bond together. The mood was light and laughter aplenty.

At the end of our final combat shoot, I can't help but feel emotional about our inevitible parting. I will miss the slacking moments in Specialists' Mess, the time we had steamboat in bunk and the jokes we shared.

Me and my pre-army days blues.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

For NSFs, one of the few surgeries fully paid for is wisdom tooth extraction. Without subsidies, a procedure like this costs up to $800 and that is only for one side of the jaw. Influenced by my peers and the amount I can save from not paying for it, I decided to go for it. Another factor was the medical leave. But hey, at least I scheduled it nearing my ORD date and when my understudies have already reported to unit. I am still a responsible soldier. *grins*

There are two ways to this, get it done by a SAF dentist or in government restructured hospitals. For reasons known to most NSFs, I choose the latter. Wisdom tooth extraction is hell, you don't want to make it worse.

On the faithful day itself, I checked myself in at National Dental Centre. In my surgical gown, after the local anesthetic injection took effect, the dentist started working on my lower jaw. After cutting my gum, a tool was used to saw my wisdom tooth, splitting it into half, for easy extraction. It was a harrowing experience having the tool vibrating against your skull.

The upper jaw was the worse. A cramp or so (I couldn't see) was used to clamp the upper wisdom tooth. The nurse held my head and the dentist yanked it out. Yes, yanked it out. I almost cried.

I was presented with my 'trophies' at the end of the operation. I was quite intrigued by how it actually looks and feels like.

I'm going through all these again when I go for extraction on the other side of my jaw. Oh well.

Grisly photos of my wisdom teeth below. Pictures not suitable for the faint-hearted. You have been warned.



Bloody and freshly extracted


After removing the flesh and washing it

Stuart Anderson's Black Angus Restaurant

I remember when I was still a child, my parents often brought me out for dinner at steakhouses. Since then, I had developed a liking for red meat and every now and then I crave for it.

Two weeks back, I celebrated an occasion at Stuart Anderson's Black Angus Restaurant located at Orchard Parade Hotel, Tanglin Road. I was glad I made a reservation a week back because it was pretty crowded on that day.

The ambience of the restaurant reminds me of Jack's Place albeit rather cosy.

As the restaurant's name suggests, they serve Angus beef. We ordered a rib-eye steak course each that consists of soup, salad and the steak. Service was fast, our steaks arrived before I could finish my soup and the usual photo-taking.

The steak was flavorful and I love the way it was done - slightly pink.

Sadly, I did not manage to try their Mud Pie, which was highly recommended by netizens. I am inclined to venture into medium-raw steak at my next steakhouse visit. Lawry's next.

It was rather dark thus the grainy pictures. Enjoy anyway.


The steak accompanied with baked potato, fried onion side dish, greens and red wine sauce


Pink center, medium done

Cafe Cartel, National Service, Grado.

A week back, I patronized Cafe Cartel with my friend. The quality of food seems to have dropped quite a bit since my last visit. The St. Louis Pork Ribs I ordered had a stench which made it rather unpalatable while my friend's Pasta Carbonara was stiff and dry.

Food aside, I notice half of the crews were foreigners. Economical labour, yes. Quality service? I doubt so.





One of my friends who completed his national service just two days ago had stated his job hunt and borrowed a tie for his job interview next week. For me, it's 3 more months to go except that it's back to school for me. I'd probably miss the allowance that comes in so faithfully the 10th of each month.

My understudies will be reporting to camp this week. It's good news for it brings me closer to the reality that I will be finishing my national service soon.

Going off to enjoy my new Grado Lab Prestige Series headphones. My first bold step into the audiophile community. :)

J.CO Donuts

Before I start, I like to express my deepest and sincerest condolences to the victims of Myanmar and China natural disasters. For now, I can only hope no matter how dim the chances are, there are still survivors and bodies buried deep in the rubble can be recovered and accounted for.

Last Saturday, headed over to J.CO Donuts and Coffee with my army friend for my donuts fix. Along the way, we passed the much-hyped Donut Factory. The queue was lined only by a handful of people which was quite a contrast when it first started up with queue snaking up to the music store.

Back to J.Co Donuts, we ordered half a dozen of assorted donuts. The cafe was partitioned in such a way that you order donuts and beverages at different sections of the cafe. So after buying the donuts, my friend went to place order for the coffees. We didn't realize that for each coffee purchased there is a free donuts. Splitting up the initial donuts ordered, we ended up with 4 donuts each. *roll eyes*

We definitely had an overload of sugar and carbohydrates. Pictures of our sinful donuts indulgence,

Next Book: Harry Potter and The Deadly Hallows

I haven't been able to read at my normal pace. There often distraction like computer and other reading materials like magazines.

After two months, I done reading The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford. The book is intriguing and thought-provoking and after reading it, it makes me look things at a different light. It deserve a second reading and I definitely revisit it again after finishing my next book.

I have been eyeing Harry Potter and The Deadly Hallows for quite some time but always held back from buying it. I finally bought it last week with a 30% discount from Borders. I peeled off the pricing labels and I am astonished at how the price drops. The top price label was $19.95 over a label of $42.95 and lastly a label of $53.40. A 36.7% drop in price! I guess that's the price you have to pay to read it early.

Back to camp again. Till then.