MILESTONES

This is outdated news, but...

I OFFICIALLY graduated 1.5 months ago!

I HATE balloons; AND this big net of balloons was hanging directly above the area where I was seated. ARRRGGGHHH! I nearly had a heart attack!

Temasek Poly Alumnus!
Gold. White. Gold.
Science. Business. Science.

On the fateful day, while getting down to the graduation venue from work (I took a half-day leave from practicum), an unpredicted wave of indescribable feelings - of which the origins are unknown - overwhelmed me. I was thinking, "Is this it?", "Am I really graduating?", "Have 3 years really passed?". I could hardly believe it. It almost feel surreal; something ethereal.



3 years ago, I was 19. Fresh out of polytechnic. Faced with a big responsibility and a big decision, I almost rejected the letter of acceptance into university. Majoring in Chemistry - a subject which I have totally no prior knowledge of. Coupled with an academic sponsorship bond; which means that there is a standard of academic performance to keep up to. It was a painful dilemma; a catch-22. Studying chemistry at varsity level without any chemistry background is already suicidal enough; what's more with an additional academic bond to measure up to. If I were to take up the challenge and accept the admission into university but end up doing badly, not hitting the academic requirements, get struck off the namelist, and the bond, terminated, the damages which I have to cough out would be unimaginable. My family would most definitely have to mortgage the house if it were to happen; and I would be in a sea of huge debt overnight.

I was 19. It was a difficult choice to make. To bite the bullet and plunge in? But would I be biting off more than what I can chew?

I asked around the older people in the cell. The responses were diversely mixed; ranging from "NO WAY! How can you think of rejecting it?! There are so many people out there who would love to receive that letter of acceptance!" to "It's your call. If you feel confident enough to tackle it, go ahead. If you fail, it's ok. At least you tried."

ZW was a bit of both. He expressed his disbelief and exclamations of "Siao ah?!" in joking jest. That done, jokes aside, he advised me to consider it carefully. It was just silly to reject the offer. "You tried hard to get this, didn't you? You appealed to get in; and your appeal is successful. You got in! And this is exactly what you so desired, isn't it? You yourself said you have no wish to just stop at a diploma but to continue studying." I told him about my worries; the fears of not doing well enough academically, getting struck off the namelist, and having the bond terminated, resulting in a massive debt. "Well, gauge it yourself. Do you feel up to it? Anyway, you studied Biomedical Science in polytechnic, didn't you? What, then, is chemistry in comparison?" He laughed. I gave a weak smile, still somewhat unconvinced. "Ok, tell you what. Why not you just accept the offer first? Don't think of rejecting it, ok? Take things as they come; one step at a time. Once term starts, study the best you can. If you encounter any difficulties, let me know, ok? Perhaps I can get my elder sister to coach you. She studied Chemistry in JC, and she is from NJC. Deal?"

"Tell you ah, if you dare to reject the offer, I'll really KNOCK your head, I tell you!" He jokingly threatened.

That last sentence jolted me to my senses and, right there and then, it jump-started a somewhat finalized conviction. Because that sentence is something real and unpretentious. Because that sentence spells - clearly and plainly - the word c-a-r-e. Because I know, somewhere deep down in my heart, I would regret - heavily - rejecting the offer at least once in my lifetime.

Thanks, ZW, for offering to even enlist your sister's help. It really gave me tons of encouragement. Thanks, for offering to knock my head because it woke me up and propelled me forward.



Thanks, too, to XW; who was there, patiently. The times when I was sad. The times when tears overflowed. The times when I had no money to eat. The times of praying for the upcoming examinations. The times of asking for a list of the dates of the exam papers so that specific prayers can be made. The time - especially - that night by the River, when I nearly - very nearly - wanted to give up. I was so tired of everything, and wanted to quit school and start working. I was only in year 1 or year 2, but yet, suddenly, everything is not important anymore. Family. Work. Studies. University. Academic. Sponsorship bond. Damages. Finances. Who cares? What have always been important in my heart, suddenly, I couldn't care, anymore. That night, I asked a very important question, and you gave a very honest answer. It hurt, really, at that instant, it really did. I was shocked because, in my heart, I expected to hear the "oh-so-standard" answer - which did not come. Momentarily, a part of me grieved and resented you for that. For the mere cruelty of the act. For not telling me falsehood. The truth hurt, really. But it made me stronger, and it made my conviction even stronger as well. That, no matter what, I'm going to love - no matter what. That night, the truth hurt; but it freed - and strengthened me - at the same time. For that, I'm still grateful to you. But in the end? I didn't quit school. But. I quit the walk. It must have disappointed you so.



Thanks, for bringing me back. While I was out there for 6months, just as suddenly, you engaged me and extended an invitation; even though I was reluctant to at first. I tried to wriggle and slip off like a fish instead. Thanks, for not even once forcing me to make a decision but allowed me choices. I was lukewarm; unwilling to sacrifice "freedom"; reluctant to commit again; but I was given the space to decide, the grace to choose. Eventually, over time, I did. And because the choice is mine, it has now grown to become something personal; something me. Because the choice is mine, it has now come to a point whereby it is no longer just a decision - which is something factual. And as time goes by, we have differences and have gone through rough patches. But you know what? I'm glad we did.









Anyway, THE highlight of this post is:

TA-DAA!

These people are important, too. Very important. More than important.

At the end of the day, there is - still - no place like home.

BYEBYE, NUS CHEM

BYEBYE, NUS CHEM

ENDING SOON!

ENDING SOON!


3rd November 2008 (Monday) - Laboratory Quiz and Laboratory Oral Test Done!
5th November 2008 (Wednesday) - The Master. Beginner's test; Round 1. Dingdingding!!!
7th November 2008 (Friday) - Instrumental Analysis Quiz (30mins)
10th November 2008 (Monday) - Submission of the weekly Laboratory Report, and followed by a Laboratory Practical Test (5hours)
11th November 2008 (Tuesday) - Organic Reaction Mechanisms Test (1.5hours)
14th November 2008 (Friday) - Submission of scientific journal.

(I smell a murder conspiracy. NUS is trying to kill us. Crazy!!! Friday, Monday, and Tuesday!!! How on earth can I cramp that much information? This pea brain of mine is going to be SOOO crispy-ly fried!!!)

17th - 23rd November 2008 (Monday - Sunday) - STUDY WEEK!

24th November 2008 (Monday) - INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS FINAL EXAM (2hours)
3rd December 2008 (Wednesday) - ORGANIC REACTION MECHANISMS FINAL EXAM (2hours)
4th December 2008 (Thursday) - ORGANIC SYNTHESIS AND SPECTROSCOPY FINAL EXAM (2hours)

5th December 2008 (Friday) - Unofficially the end of my student walk! Bye, school, bye!


=)

COMPLETED!

COMPLETED!

21 pages (!!!)

So tired so tired sooo tired. Busy, busy, busy. AND there are 3 more of these weekly lab reports to complete! Sigh!


Busy busy busy.
And there are so many things I need/want to do; but the lab reports are already taking up a whole chuck of my time! Revision of coursework. Study for the second round of CA tests. Prepare for the upcoming laboratory "impromptu oral" test. Prepare for finals (!!!). Spend time with family. Meet up with friends. Eat. Sleep. QT. AH!



21 pages!!! (Okay la, to be fair, it's 21 pages long because there are plenty of graphs, and I used 1.5 line spacings)

Graphs graphs graphs.
Reports reports reports.
Lab lab lab.
Always lab, lab, lab.
Lab, lab, and more lab.
Even if the TAs are not sian, I am super sian.


I ABHOR lab reports. Chemistry is a verrry bad choice of study. Somebody, just please throw me a knife!

I can't wait to be done with studying; I can't wait to graduate. But people always yearn to be in the working society Instead of studying; and vice versa. Have heard so many people saying they'd rather quit their job and go back to studying. But then, the weekly lab sessions and lab reports are really putting me off greatly! Ahhh...

COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY

COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY








How to make sense out of all these things; even worse, to write a report?

I don't like computational chem.

GOT CA TEST ON TUESDAY


In mugging mode.

1) A mixture of CaO amd CaCO3 is analyzed. The thermogram shows one reaction between 500degree Celcius and 900degree Celcius, where the mass of the sample decreases from 125.3g to 95.4g. What is the percentage of CaCO3 in the sample?

2) Compound A has a molecular weight of 98.4g/mol and a heaf of fusion of 1.63kcal/mol. Compound B has a MW of 64.3g/mol and melts at approximately the same temperature as Compound A. Samples of 500mg of each yield DTA peak areas of 60 and 45cm squared respectively. What is the heat of fusion of Compound B?


Instrumental Analysis II. Siao.

You tell me, how to solve bombastic questions like those above-mentioned? You tell me, you tell me?!?!

HELLO, RECESS WEEK!


One week of break!

SO COLD; BUT I LIKE IT.


So, school started.

Yesterday, I had my very first lecture of the semester. For this semester, Mondays are the much-dreaded days of laboratory practical; from 10am to 6pm. Likewise, Tuesdays and Fridays are no better off; with 3 different lectures starting from 10am to 12pm, 12pm to 2pm, and finally, 2pm to 4pm. Hopefully, tutorial classes will fall on either Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Fridays. If so, I need not spend 2hours traveling all the way down to campus merely just for tutorials on Wednesdays and Thursdays. That'll be the best case scenario.

Am really grateful for my schedule this semester. It is a really stark contrast from the previous 2 semesters; which span from 8am to 6pm on 4 days out of 5. Totally horrible, considering that I need at least 4hours daily traveling back and fro to campus from home and vice versa.

Yesterday afternoon, during the last lecture of the day - CM3222 Organic Chemical Reactions - Prof posed us a couple of lame questions during a 10minutes break that totally stumped us all.




Question 1: Name the compound below.









Answer: Orthodox
(The 2 substituent groups are in the ortho- position with respect to the Benzene Ring. And after obtaining PhD certification, one is known as "Doctor". Therefore, "ortho-" + "doctor" = orthodox)





Question 2: Name the compound below.










Answer: Ferrous wheel.
(Ferris wheel, get it?)






Question 3: What is the chemical formula for diarrhea?

Answer: [CO(NH2)2]2, formula name: Di-urea
(Diarrhea. Di-urea. Geddit?)








The air-conditioning in LT23 was already freezing to start with. So much so that I was already shivering a little, and had to resort to tucking my hands under my lap for warmth. After Prof finished his jokes, I'm certain the temperature nose-dived. It was so freezing cold that I nearly got stuck to my seat.

OH, LET'S REJOICE


Finally, it's finished; over and done with. Full-stop. Period. The End.

Each time, I blink back tears, fold it neatly, keep it tidily in my cupboard, ensure that it's well out of my sight, and wonder earnestly when I'll be seeing it again.

Will I be missing it?

Do I feel a part of me has been taken away?

Is misery weighing down on me?

Do I feel lost or insecure?

Do I detect a tinge of regret or nostalgia?

Do I feel as though my self-identification is compromised in any way?

Does my heart ache?







Definitely not.


After having donned it for 5 years and counting, I can't wait to reduce it to ashes. Seriously. Honestly.

And the thought that it'll be another 3 months later the next time I'll be wearing it; man, it is music to the ears, nourishment for the body, and peace for the soul.


Goodbye to the weekly laboratory reports.
Adios to the 4 walls of the laboratories.
Au revoir to the grueling weekly 7hours-long experiment sessions.



Today is the last. The long-awaited finale.
For this semester, that is.


And now, all that's left is to finish off the laboratory reports that's due tomorrow and next week.
And then, it's the much-dreaded time of the semester again: 3 more weeks to Finals!


And, yes, goodbye to my lab coat and safety goggles. It'll be another 3months before I'll be seeing you again.



My lab coat. Indeed, you've served me faithfully and loyally for the past 5 academic years. You're crisp and clean, durable and reliable. Never once have you failed me. Try as I might, no matter how many times I accidentally contaminated you with bacterial cultures, clinical wastes, strong acids or alkalines, and thus the consequent harsh bleaching and detergent washing on my part; you never once gave up on me. Hell, you never even once complained. Bless you!

I remember back in my Poly days, I once burnt you with a red-hot innoculation needle after having heat-sterilized it. I can still recall the burnt smell of garment, the sizzling sound that's reminiscent of grilled meat on a hotplate, and the resultant spiral coil of hazy smoke. Of course, it was honestly unintentional. I even felt so bad afterwards and gave myself a good, hard mental kick. After all, you're mine. You belong to me. In fact, I can still recall the joy and jubilant on that particular day 5 years ago when I made you mine.

Much as you get on my nerves, it was never my intention - then and now - to hurt you in any way imaginable. Admittedly, at times I get tempted to do so so badly, and I relished and indulged in the heavenly idea of executing it. However, whatever little love I have remaining for you always prevail; albeit it was anything but triumphantly. Perhaps, it's mainly because I still need you, and I WILL STILL BE NEEDING YOU until the day I graduate and kiss my student life goodbye.

Back then, I made you mine for SGD$18; and considering that it's been 5 donkey years (and counting) since we've been together, you're truly indeed value for money.


I may sound like an ingrate. Evil. Heartless and cold-hearted, even.
BUT no, I will not miss you for the coming 3months.

Goodbye, dear lab coat. I loveD you~ 

NAUSEANT


I thought I've already seen the worst in Analytical Chemistry.

But, as it's been said, one mountain always got one mountain higher.


Organic Chemistry. Alpha-substitution. Alpha-halogenation. Alpha-alkylation. Aldol addition. Aldol condensation. Clasien-type addition. Micheal reaction. Stork Enamine Reaction. Biological Carbonyl addition. Robinson Annulation reaction. Dieckman cyclisation. Malonic ester synthesis. O-alkylation. C-alkylation. E-enolate. Z-enolate. Gilman reagent. Grignard reagent. Williamson Ether synthesis. Organometallic reactions. Permanganate oxidation. Periodic Acid oxidation. Ozonolysis. Hammond Postulate. Oxymercuration. Hydroboration. Halohydrin formation. Simmons-Smith reaction. Alcohol protection-deprotection. Hell-Volhard-Zelinskii bromination. Friedel-Crafts acylation. Diorganocopper reaction. Regioselectivity. Chemoselectivity. pKa. Hard acid. Soft acid. Hard base. Soft base. Strong reducing agents. Weak reducing agents. Strong oxidizing agents. Weak oxidizing agents. DIBAH. LDA. Regioselective deprotonations. Steric effects. Electrostatic effects. Cyclic ketone enolate formation. Acyclic ketone enolate formation. 250 degree Celcius. -78 degree Celcius.

Starting materials. Reactants. Catalysts. Reaction conditions. Reaction mechanism. Reagent sensitivity. Which acidic proton to extract first. Which nucleophile attacks first. Which functional group gets attacked first. Electron-withdrawing. Electron-donating. Resonance stabilization. Temperature. Pressure. pH. Rate of reaction. Fast. Slow. Side products. Major product. Minor product(s).



What the banana.


One word. Siao.


And it's so painful whenever my lecturer goes, "Isn't this just so fascinating? The way how everything works?". And he wasn't even trying to be funny. That man totally LOVES it wholeheartedly. I - and almost everyone else - feel so thoroughly grossed out.


Finals are really coming.


Till then.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE VERY BAD


GOOD: Mid-term tests are over as from this week onwards.

BAD: Finals are in one-month's time.

VERY BAD: Reality has not sinked in on me - yet.

SHE IS NOT DEAD YET, YES, THAT'S RIGHT. SHE'S NOT.


The author-cum-owner of this blog is still alive and kicking. Very much alive, thank you.

She knows that she's very much missed. But sometimes, life simply does not work out the way we would like it to. Sometimes, there are things that we have to - and die die also must - do, no matter what. The sun may stop shining. The heavens may drop. The wind may stop blowing. The ocean may dry up. Pigs may fly. Cows may bark. Edison Chen may quit showbiz. Mas Selamat may repent and start up philanthropic organizations.

But CERTAIN things don't stop. They just don't. Period.

School work, for one.
Fanatical fascination and blind obsession with the amazing DBSK, for another.
Endless examinations and quizzes and laboratory experiments lasting more than 6 hours per session per week, and the consequential laboratory reports, for yet another.


Sigh.


She'll be back.
Soon.
A couple of weeks more.


P.S. She's really gotta save up cash and purchase the new T album (2CDs) by DBSK. Maybe even the 2CDs + 2DVDs version if she feels rich enough. But first, she's gotta check if it's available for sales in this tiny dot called Singapore.

HELLO FLABBY MONSTER. BYE BYE ZZZ MONSTER - PART II


Genes and Society Term Test tomorrow at 1030am at MPSH1.

Social Work report to be sent by tomorrow night. 400 - 600 words; and I haven't decently started on it yet.

2 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Reports due on this coming Wednesday, 10th of October.

16th October, 2 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory Reports due. TO BE HANDWRITTEN.
The rest as follows.


OH MY TIAN.


It's been weeks since I've had a nice, long, undisturbed sleep; free of guilt and burden because of uncompleted school work, and free of a heavy heart, and a buzzing mind.

HELLO FLABBY MONSTER. BYE BYE ZZZ MONSTER.


Somehow, I realized that the flabby monster has successfully sneaked up, and entered, into my life for the past year.

OH MY GOSH.

Time to watch what I pop into my mouth, especially when I'm in Rubbish Bin mode.


Anyway, there's a Physical Chemistry to sit for tomorrow. AND a Genes and Society Term Test on Saturday.
There's loads of work cut out for tonight, and tomorrow night.

BYE BYE, SLEEP.


Ta!

BUSY


Finally, mid-semester term break is coming next week. But, as always, term breaks are ANYTHING BUT break. I have enough school work on hand to last me till next Easter. All of a sudden, how I miss primary and secondary school.

24th - 30th September: Term break

24th September (Monday): Group discussion to complete Social Work module report
2nd October (Tuesday): Inorganic Test 2
3rd October (Wednesday): Physical Laboratory Report due
5th October (Friday): Physical Chemistry Test 2
06th October (Saturday): Genes and Society Combined Term Test

1 week Term Break to rest and recharge? My foot!



And that's not all... ... ...

16th October (Friday): 2 Inorganic Laboratory Reports due. HANDWRITTEN (!!!)
21st October (Sunday): Analytical Chemistry Reflective writing due
23rd October (Tuesday): Inorganic Test 3
26th October (Friday): Social Work module written test
1st November (Thursday): Analytical Chemistry Term test 2
2nd November (Friday): Genes and Society Essay assignment due
14th November (Tuesday): Inorganic Test 4


And all these are just a brief outline. I've not even included the weekly tutorials for each module, as well as the remaining 5 weekly laboratory sessions --- all of which will only ends on week 12. And now is only week 6.


I smell blood. I suspect a murder conspiracy. They're trying to kill us.

EAT BOOKS ALSO CAN FILL STOMACH ONE. DON'T PLAY PLAY.


As this is only the 2nd week of a new academic term, tutorials and laboratories have not started yet. They typically start on the 3rd week. As a result, I only had 2 lectures to attend on Tuesday; 1 of which is from 8am - 10am, and the another from 6pm - 8pm. There's an 8hours long break from 10am to 6pm.
Having printed lecture notes at the printing center after ending the 1st lecture, I headed to the library at 11am, with the intention of reserving a reference book. Unlike normal reference books on the shelves which have loan periods of 2weeks, this particular reference book is in the restricted section, and thus, die-die also has to be returned to the Loan Desk within 2 hours. And it just so happened that someone (at freaking 9.30am in the morning) has gotten his/her hands on that book before I could, and so, I had to "queue" in line.

Anyway, at 11.30am, I headed down to the Loan Desk to retrieve it. Went up to Level 5 to photocopy what I needed, and returned the book to Loan Desk at 1pm. It was only then, did I realize that the library is freaking crowded.

This is Science Library at early 1pm plus in the afternoon.

The same library at late 4pm plus in the same afternoon.

THIS IS CRAZY. THIS IS ONLY THE 2ND WEEK OF TERM. NEED TO BE SO SHIONG A NOT, YOU TELL ME???!!! YOU THINK CHIONG SUA, AH???
Stressing, sia! This is, I repeat, ONLY the 2nd week of school, can? Arrgggh!!!

Don't they need to eat, by the way?

IT'S ONLY THE FIRST DAY...


And I was late for my 1st lecture by a grand 30minutes.

To set the record straight, I did not oversleep. I woke up at 5.40am in order to catch my 8.00am lecture, and got my arse out of the flat by 6.10am. Made a detour and went to Punggol Interchange to purchase my Bus Concession. After which, yours truly took bus 62 to Macpherson Road before transferring to bus 151 to get to Kent Ridge Cresent. And FINALLY, took an Internal Shutter Bus to get to Faculty of Science.

And what time did I reach the lecture theater??? 8.30am.
GOSH.


Think I have to leave the flat by 5.45am in future. =(

Anyway, just realized that my timetable this semester is horrible. It's practically worse than holding a 8-5 job.

Monday - 8.00am - 6.00pm
Tuesday - 8.00am - 8.00pm (12 whole hours - half of a day - spent in campus)
Wednesday - 10.00am - 5.00pm (7 hours of LABORATORY SESSION!!!!!!!!!!)
Thursday - 8.00am - 6.00am
Friday - 8.00am - 8.00pm (another half-day gone for good)

Horrible. Really.
And I can't do anything much about it. Because the 8.00am - 10.00am lectures and 6.00pm - 8.00pm lectures are my CORE MODULES. So I have to take them and be present for the lectures whether I like it or not.

This means that I have to wake up at 5.15am, get out of the flat by 5.45am, and will reach home at 10.00pm+, on every Tuesdays and Fridays.

Hopefully something good will come out of this. Perhaps it'll take a couple of pounds off the scales. I'd love it.

Sigh. I'm practically camping in school.
I should get an automobile.


Yeah, right.

CAMP PICTURES



Early in the morning at Arts Forum near Central Library.



Playing of Jacob's Ladder. Now you know how and why I got stepped on. Twice.


Amazing Race. Oh yeah, I hope I did mention that the terrains in campus are super-mountainous. Did I?



After completing the "I love you very much" shouting stunt from the rooftop of the old Law building (the new Law campus is at Bukit Merah, I think. Or is it Bukit Batok???), we proceeded to act sexy.



Ask not. I don't know what we're doing.
Peiyun looks like she's tanning under the sun somewhere in Hawaii. Haha.



Finally dragged our ass down from the rooftop of the old Law building and back to ground level.



"Committing suicide" outside MacDonalds at the Engineering Block.



We love Mr. Ronald MacDonald. Really, we do.



Had to take a photo with a bike at Food Republic at Vivocity before having our dinner. Expensive place where a normal-looking plate of wanton noodles costs SGD$5+++. *mumble grumble*



At 1am plus in the morning, when we had to play games to kill time when waiting to venture off for Fright Night/Confidence Walk in groups of three.




And finally, the snapshots of the urinals.

FIRST TO BATA, THEN TO SCHOOL


Too bad it's been 5 years since I've last worn canvas shoes.

Another new term officially commences this coming Monday the 13th. Having been on vacation since the start of June, the prospect of heading back to school and getting beleaguered left, right, and center with staggering stacks of notes is welcomed with mixed reaction.
And the thought of 7hours-at-one-go per lab session per week simply makes one feel deeply nauseant. I'm going to adore my Wednesdays, from 1000hours to 1700hours.


SSD2210... Managing Singapore's Built Environment.... 24/11/2007 (Sat)...... 9:00 AM
CM2111... Inorganic Chemistry.............................. 29/11/2007 (Thu)...... 1:00 PM
SW2104... Human Development over the Lifespan...... 30/11/2007 (Fri)....... 1:00 PM
CM2132... Physical Chemistry............................... 01/12/2007 (Sat) ...... 1:00 PM
CM2141... Analytical Chemistry............................. 03/12/2007 (Mon).... 9:00 AM
GEK1527... Genes and Society.............................. 05/12/2007 (Wed)..... 9:00 AM


Just like any other sane students on the streets, I don't like examinations.

And I have a sinking premonition I'm not going to enjoy Physical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry.
Numbers never fail to make me see stars, and Albert Einstein is my arch enemy; my nemesis. I would love to give him a good flying kick, as I would cats.

And there are 2 papers to sit for on 2 separate Saturdays. Duh...

CAMP


Went for a 2D1N orientation camp in school about 2 weeks ago, on the 23rd and 24th of July. It was totally action-packed, fun-filled, and physical --- with loads of screaming and shrieking and yelling and yelping and cheering and running up and down and scrambling here and there --- especially on the 1st day. And it doesn't help that the terrains in campus are nothing short of horrible.


OVERVIEW

DAY 1. 23rd July. Monday.
- Gathered at Arts Forum at 9am.
- Played Jacob's Ladder. And someone accidentally tripped over my ankle and another one stepped on my left calf. And both are guys, can??? Not some dainty and petite little ladies loh. PAIN ONE LOH!!!
- Played Earthquake. And run somemore.
- Lunch at TechnoEdge (Engineering's canteen).
- Speech by Mr. Darren.
- Amazing Race. And run somemore. And did I mention that there are nothing but mountainous terrains in campus?
- Played Secret Pal.
- Photo Shoot competition.
- Dinner at Harbourfront.
- Fright Night.
- Showered at 4.00am at Multi-Purpose Sports Hall. (!!!)
- And finally, slept at 4.30am.

DAY 2. 24th July. Tuesday.
- Forced to wake up at 7.30am.
- Walked to West Coast for breakfast at MacDonalds. And a production crew happened to be filming a MacDonalds commercial. And admittedly, it's kind of satisfying and entertaining --- in a somewhat sick, and sadistic, way --- to see those people having loads of NGs while indulgently munching away on your aromatic and succulent hot pancakes smattered with thick honey and butter.
- Adjourned to West Coast Park.
- BATTLE TIME!!! Had a series of 3 war games where the different orientation groups (OGs) pit against each other. AND I think it's not fair, as my OG - out of a total strength of 14 - had only 3 guys. Of course, needless to say, we lost in each of the war games.
- Last but not least, WATER BOMB. Gladiator-style.
- Walked back to campus.
- Revealing of Secret Pal's 如山真面目 (ru2 shan1 zhen1 mian4 mu4).
- Performance by each OG.
- Award presentation.
- 6.30pm --- BOOK OUT!!!



Taken during Amazing Race. Gosh, Engineering blocks are really nice and sophisticated.



Taken at the rooftop of the old Law building during the Photo Shoot competition. We had to do loads of silly things like making a video of us shouting down from the rooftop "Wo hen ai ni" (translation: I love you very much) to our OG guys who were stationed below, take pictures of us "committing suicide" outside MacDonalds at the Enginnering block, and... ... ...



Taking a photo of girls flushing a row of urinals together. (-_-")

We decided to be creative; and thus positioned an OG guy smack in the midst of the girls.


Can you spot the ONLY man in black? I think it must be somewhat traumatizing for him. And I wonder, will it have any negative impact on him in future. Perhaps, going to the gents will never be the same ever again. Hohoho.


Sigh. Did I mention that it's mountainous???


Battle scars, wounds of bravery, and bruises of courage --- courtesy of action-packed war games gallantly fought.


I counted at least 7 bruises.
Aiyoyo-yo-yo.