My Adidas Sundown 10K Marathon experience and random thoughts

Run, just run, do not give up. Let's what drove me to the finishing point of the 10km marathon. Based on my Nike+ kit, I took 58min to complete the race, will be waiting for my official timing to be released.

It would be suicidal to go for a race, how short it is, without any training. 1.5 months prior to the race, I been running 4km twice a week, but it slowly tapered down to 3km once a week after I started my summer job.

As the organizer didn't have my record in the system on the day of the race pack collection, my race mates and I had to arrive 2 hours early to collect our race tags. As a consolation, I manage to get a carpark slot for being the early bird.

Here's how I fare from my Nike+ kit,



I took a while to warm up and another reason for this was the Sennheiser earphones I was hearing. My advice is, never get their sports series. I been using it for less than a year, the earphones don't grip to the ears tightly and half the time I was adjusting it to make sure it doesn't slip out. Also, the insulation has split, exposing the copper wire.

The energy gels I purchased earlier came in useful too. At the 5km point, my stomach started to hurt, probably due to running on an empty stomach and it feels better after drinking one.

Hoping to try for Army Half Marathon 21km. Anyone keen? :)

Flying off to San Francisco in 5 days. With the H1N1 situation, many have asked me why have I not cancelled my trip. I could probably play punk and forfeit the scholarship citing the H1N1 epidemic as the reason (which is probably a strong one), but it's really a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the WWDC conference and I have other plans for next Summer.

Besides, who could resist a partially sponsored trip to San Francisco? *grin*

Being the responsible citizen, I took some precaution on my own, flu jab, vitamin C and Tamiflu prescribed by a colleague.

Going to plan my trip. Ciao~!

Summer updates

Exams ended almost a month ago and I'm really glad it was over. I have been staying up late in school 2 weeks before the exams for some very last minute revision. With the crazy amount of projects I had to juggle, it's almost impossible for constant revision.

Results were far from satisfactory but as far as I'm concerned, I'm contented not having to touch statistics anymore.

Lesson learnt - quantity and quality are mutually exclusive, at least in my case. I am not going to compromise on my results by taking more modules than I can handle. With Software Engineering coming up next term, I am just going to settle for 4 modules.

Started my vacation job 3 weeks ago in the area of systems planning and development. After much reflection, I felt that I haven't really been putting in efforts in my job. I seem to have lost touch with my former self. Perhaps it's the upcoming trip next month or maybe it's just the adoption period. Nevertheless, the coming weeks I aim to resolve all my shortcomings and prove my worth.

Moving next, I have decided to accept the scholarship offer after much deliberating. Doesn't it seem so strange that what you been wanting so much, you hesitate when it's offered to you? I will be heading to San Francisco for 2 weeks to attend the WWDC conference. I'm leaving next week and there's much things I have yet to prepare. Oh well.

Going for Adidas Sundown this Saturday with a group of university friends. Just 10km to get me prepared for Army Half-Marathon 21km run and if possible, Standard Chartered 42km marathon. I'm finally ditching the army-issued New Balance shoes for a better one. :D

Sleeping early tonight to have more energy for work the next day. Till then. :)

The End of Year 1 Term 2

The ending to my Year 1 Term 2 hasn't been one that is so often associated with fancy fanfare and what's not. The days leading to it was so much like the rest of the school days and for that, I have my programming project to thank for.

Last Friday, I submitted my research paper addressing the ethical concerns of allotransplantation, to be specific, facial transplant procedure. I felt that the standards of the paper contrast my previous submission. As much as I wish to blame my busy commitments, I have to admit that procrastination is not a student's good friend. My prof is a nice chap, gave every of us a tube of jelly beans for the last lesson we had and a curry puff from Old Chang Kee on submission day.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were spent in school, with a overnight stay on Sunday itself. All for the sake of completing the programming project. The amount of coffees I drowned myself in would have made me an interesting test subject for caffeine intoxication. Cold shower from a water hose would have put my army training to shame.

The final hours are spent on documenting the project and the moods changed drastically at the click of the submit button. For every of us, consumed from the lack of sleep, it was finally over.

Together with my other friends, one of which isn't from my course but stayed on to study, we headed to Geylang for dim sum supper. After sending one of them back, it was a teary moment as I reunite with my bed and I blissfully and willingly pay my sleep debt.

This is only a starter, I do not want to know how it is going to be like when I take Software Engineering next term.

Time to get myself prepared for my exams next week and face my worse fear - statistics.

Philosopher in training?

I am not sure if this is my university's response to Singapore's call for a liberal arts university, but I have a taste of liberal arts education with some of the modules I am taking.

Looking at what I had done this term,

A Pragmatic Approach to Legal Medical Documents
An attempt to look at the how legal medical documents such as "Do not resuscitate" order come into play in our society and that it is flexible in situation when medical intervention may lead to a positive outcome.

The Unethical Issues of Medical Ethics
This is by far, the only work I took pride in. A critique on medical ethics and its existence serve as a hindrance to scientific advancement.

The Face Value of Life
An on-going research paper on face transplantation.

A Defense of Abortion
A critique of Judith Jarvis Thomson's controversial paper - A Defense of Abortion. My first exposure to thought experiments.

I don't deny after my first paper on legal medical documents, I gained much interest in ethics, particularly in the field of medicine. Writing skill aside, one of the modules I am taking imparted some skills on forming valid and sound argument, i.e. not committing a fallacy, and how to spot a fallacious argument.

After completing this term, I will be in my year 2 already. When your mind is occupied, you didn't really notice how time passes by so quickly. Year 2 will be much tougher with modules relating to software engineering and from the lesson I learnt this term, I am not going to squeeze in 5 modules.

I need a well-deserved break after my exams in 3 weeks time before I embark on my next journey.

Till then.

Mid-Term Break

It's academic week 8, a short one week break before chaos reigns again.

Although it's called term break, deadlines are still conveniently slotted in the recess week and for some, mid-term tests. Just 2 days ago was the interim submission for my Java project. Things went well pretty alright, which I attribute it to a diversity of talents in this team of 3, programming, database and documentation. I was surprise myself that after years of stagnancy, my knowledge of database management still holds well, well enough for me to pass the waiver test too.

Myself aside, things weren't so good for my friend. She cried in school. She did not manage to submit the project in time (2359Hrs) and only managed to finish it for submission 6 in the morning. No thanks to the non-locals in her team.

I just can't wait summer holidays to start and embark on some non-academic pursuits, volunteering, temporary job, redo my room decor, catching up with friends, short holiday out of Singapore and soooooo much more.

If any of you guys know of any temporary job from April to August, do let me know. Doesn't have to be IT-related. :)

Heading back to my research paper. Ciao!

Waking up today with a sense of helplessness, I know somehow I need to vent this negative feelings.

I have been leading a school life with the sole concern on deadlines that I did not realize I am in week 6 of school. Week 7 is where most of my deadlines are due and also my approaching mid-term examinations. Home after school, most of the time were spent on making ends meet than to revise on my studies.

Out of the 6 modules (4 full modules and 2 half modules), 4 include projects as part of the continuous assessment. Some of the projects exist for the sake of existing. Do we need a project to learn creativity? Do we really need a module to learn creativity? Perhaps this is resulted from the inherent flaw of our education system, everything can be learnt, everything can be expressed in theories and pushed down the throats of the eager minds.

Day after day, I grow weary of the schemes of my school. Something I did not feel in my previous studies. Was it the fertility of the mind that leads to this self-awareness?

I have myself to blame in self-deceiving 6 modules are manageable. Perhaps I overlooked the fact that some of the modules are project intensive.

As much as I detest the current state I am in, I read with interest on the fast-track programme allowing students to pursue a Bachelor and Master degrees at a shorter time, specially, the BSc (ISM) & MITB (Financial Services) Fast-Track and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Fast-Track. The work of a conditioned mind in the pursuit of paper qualifications.

10 medical articles to digest, better work on it now before my meeting at 7pm.

Happy Lunar New Year 2009!

This year's lunar new year has been satisfying. Not in term of monetary inflow but a refreshing look of the house. A fresh coat of paint and new living room furniture, it's worth the mess (from the painting) and the time (from furniture scouting).

School hasn't been kind to me, projects, assignments and readings. Due to public holidays, I will have make-up lesson on Friday from 1900 - 2200 Hrs and Saturday from 1200 - 1500Hrs. The modules I am taking this term is pretty intensive with the readings. Although I am more prepared after going through the first term, it gets pretty monotonous when life after school is usually stuck in my room with school work after dinner.

Another thing that's on my mind is how am I going to spend my summer vacation. I thought of 'intern-ing' but so far, nothing has caught my attention.

3 deadlines this week, sleepless nights ahead. Ciao!

Year 1 Term 2

First week of school and the pressure is mounting again. Test and first assignment due next week and the week of Chinese New Year is filled with deadlines. I won't be surprise if I have to skip the house visitings to meet deadlines.

It's another crazy 3 months ahead. *sigh*

My friend had asked me whether am I keen to be her co-leader for the overseas community involvement project in Cebu she plans to organize in summer. I thought it would be an interesting experience but I have the intention of doing an intern during summer and being involved in 2 other CCAs, I doubt I can afford the time.

Wanted to prepare for next week's test and the school system is down. Great.

I hope it won't be long before my next post. Later.

December 2008 Update

I think the frequent between my posts are spreading wider. Now, should I update just once a month and titled it by the month? :)

I enjoy jogging even more after going through military training. No, I haven't consider a marathon yet, for now it's just short distance of 6 km or less. I bought myself a Nike + iPod Sport Kit shortly after investing in an iPod Nano. It keeps track of my runs (time, distance, pace, etc), motivates me with the power song feature and even congratulates me when I hit a personal best. Although the distance is sometime way off and once it lost sync with my iPod Nano and recorded a 5.1 km run as 2.28 km run it still my best companion whenever I sweat it out.



Headed down to Dhoby Ghaut after my course last week to donate blood and to support my university's blood drive. It was the same event that I was given the opportunity (refer here) to organize after going through a round of interview. I think what deters most people from donating is the sight of the needle. What you can't see, can't scare you, so don't look at it when the nurse insert it in. Less than an hour of my time and just 450 ml of my blood (imagine a coke bottle) to save 3 lives, it's worth it. Please donate. :)

Tried The Soup Spoon for the first time and I find it pretty normal, nothing much to rave about. I had the Beef Goulash soup with Mushroom Pesto sandwich. My dining companion's Boston Clam Chowder was tasteless and 'boring'.



I'm one year older today. Feel so old now, hate to think of my age when I finally complete my degree. I had an early celebration with my family at home the day before. Going for another celebration at Lawry's later. :)

In loving memory of my miniature Schnauzer who passed away on 1st December 2006.

School's out? Right.

Third week of December and It's fast approaching the end of my school vacation. For all the blood and sweat I gave for my projects and exams, I haven't enjoyed enough! If this isn't enough, I will be attending a one week Java course later. Great.

My results are not really satisfactory, qualifies only a Cum Laude. I am contented if I can graduate with a Cum Laude and not slip any further back.

Met up with Ms. Ng and Amanda a few days back for dinner at Shoduko, Raffles City. The usual catching-up and stuff. Also met-up the TB030 in our 2-monthly gathering. The gathering was at Jewel Box @ Mt. Faber. We had fine dining in casual wear and the most expensive roti prata at $17 for two. *roll eyes* But it's the company that matters. The cable car ride was amazing, love the night scenery around Vivocity. Ended the night with a chill' out session at Alan's pub.

All the catching-ups, I'm suddenly reminded I'm suppose to meet my Chief Clerk from my camp for lunch.

The day before attended an appreciation night event by Microsoft held at Singapore Polytechnic Graduates Guild. The event aside, it provides great networking opportunity. I spoke with this gentleman who is in-charge of Live Search in Singapore and it was simply amazing knowing how things work behind the scene.

I really hope December lasts forever. :(

and they said, opportunity don't knock twice.

The outgoing Events Director of my university's mac society called me a few days back, asking me if I am interested to take up the soon to be vacant position. For a period of time, I was pretty active, helping to run an event. I guess it was because of this I got noticed.

Because of my Microsoft Student Partner involvement, I'm not sure if I should take up the post. I do not want to be in the position where I neglect my studies because of my co-curricular activities.

If only the post was offered to me when I am in my Year 2 after the lapse of my MSP. Oh well.

Anyway, I decided not to work in December. I took the plunge by signing up for enrichment course offered by my school, Sun SL275 Java Programming. It's a risk I took as I skipped the basic course (Sun SL-110) and went straight one level up.

If I do well for the course, I might consider taking up the Sun Certified Java Programmer certification exam.

Revision for exams going on a rather slow and inefficient pace. I kinda forgotten how to study for exams. :(

It's 4am now, heading to bed and resume my revision 5 hours later. Ciao!

Revision Week

Revision week finally! 13 weeks of hell and 2 more weeks of crazy mugging I can look forward to my December holiday!

Alot had happened since my last post. First on the list, I bought a Macbook Pro! It was a much needed upgrade to my 4 years old Powerbook. I hate to let it go, it had struggled to keep up with my work, ALICE programming, Java programming and presentations.

It sits peacefully besides my Macbook Pro. Don't really know what to do with it, I hate to sell it away (it doesn't worth much anyway) and it lacks the computing power (a G4 processor) to do any serious work. Might explore the option of running it as a server with Mac OS X server.

Second on the list, I am now a Microsoft Student Partner (MSP)! If you recall the interviews I mentioned in my previous posts, yep, it's interviews for MSP. First round of interview was conducted in Singapore Management University, and the second and third are conducted at Microsoft Singapore, One Marina Boulevard. Some background information,

Quoting from Microsoft,

Microsoft Student Partners are a select group of students in Singapore who are passionate about technology and have a strong willingness to share their knowledge with their peers. Student Partners are the students creating and leading campus clubs or organizations and special interest groups. Always on the leading edge of technology innovation, these students are evangelists in the classic sense, looking to spread their infectious enthusiasm for software development far and wide. Student Partners are black-belt and highly experienced student developers who have demonstrated their technical and/or managerial expertise and commitment to their respective campus communities.

These students are recognized, credible, and accessible individuals with expertise on the Microsoft developer platform. They actively participate in online and offline communities to share their knowledge and expertise with other students and in some cases, with professional developers.

The Microsoft Singapore Student Partner Program is the way that Microsoft formally acknowledges the accomplishments of these individuals for their contributions to community. It is focused on allowing all students, and most especially, these select student influentials, to realize their full potential.

From Wikipedia,

The Microsoft Student Partners is a worldwide educational program to sponsor students majoring in disciplines related to technology. MSP program attempts to enhance students' employability by offering training in skills not usually taught in academia, including knowledge in various Microsoft technologies.

Looking forward to the opportunities the programme may have to offer. :)

Been sick for a week, probably due to late nights from my projects. Going to have a proper rest during this revision week. Of course, not forgetting my studies. :)