Memories...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The beauty of Political Science, is that there are often no right or wrong answers. Especially in International Relations, where so many streams and tributaries of thought flow here and there, culminating in the messiness of the world order today.
How do we make sense of all these thoughts and events happening in our world right now?
I think that depends on what kind of lens u choose to view the world from.
Fascinating.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Hock's Law of Diminishing Lectural Returns (LDLR) states that ceteri paribus, the more lectures you attend, the more your grades will suffer as a result.
Which means i prob wont do well this sem, as compared to the last. HAHA!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
When i see other groups in my HR module having so much fun tog and doing such a good presentation and paper, i look at my group and feel damn xian.
3 of them SU, and simply bochup. Whole group is really passive. I had to do my darnest to coordinate the group, and did most of the research paper interviews myself. It is 1 week left to our project deadline, and while some other groups have oredi finished their papers, my group havent even had a proper meeting yet! And there's no sense of urgency from them at all, guess its coz they SUed le.
Tried my best to remind them nicely, and the usual lame excuses of them having tests, assignments etc come up...pui, as if i dun have essays and deadlines myself. And even SU is not an excuse.. I rem when i SUed my past modules, i still chipped in my fair share of the work in group projects, and still tried to do well for the group, coz i take a lot of pride in my work.
This has got to be the worst group i have ever experienced in my 5 semesters in Uni..i can understand if they dunno much about singapore companies or firms (they re all non-Singaporeans), but i cannot accept people who are lazy and so passive. It really really turns me off.
And of coz, noeing the outspoken me, i made my feelings known to them, and made it clear i ll report this matter to our tutor if necessary, coz its really unfair to me. They apologized to me and all that, and promised to work harder. But looking at today's tutorial, when 2 of them never come (again), my doubts still remain.
Bottomline??
(1) Choose your group mates for any project CAREFULLY!! VERY CAREFULLY!!!
(2) Speak up if necessary. Dun take shit lying down! The worst thing to have done in my situation is to silly silly do everything and tar everything myself. Nope, hocky will not take this kind of shit. Not when i have my rights as a fellow human being and University undergraduate.
(3) Coercive Diplomacy works big time. Talk soft and carry a big stick behind you.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE. HAHA!
Every sem since year 1 i have always tell myself to start early for my essays, and every sem that doesnt happen hah. I could always use Arts Club stuff as an excuse for the past 2 years, but my, i realize even after stepping down there ll always be things to do haha..And things to be preoccupied with......
Such that u leave 3 essays to be due in a week!!!! YOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!
IF YA SMELL WHAT THE HOCK IS COOKING??!!??!!
^_^
Sunday, October 22, 2006
=(
Saturday, October 21, 2006
I always listen to Class 95 when i ride on the road..and the other dae the DJ vernetta lopez was reporting on the traffic situation, and said "Thank God there is not much updates", sounding a tad relieved.
Which got me thinking, there is a traffic accident at some corner of Singapore almost everyday...i hear reports of such incidents from the radio so so often. In fact, i have personally witnessed quite a number of accidents throughout my frequent rides on the road..just 2 days ago, i saw a crashed taxi into another car along clementi road. Thankfully no one was hurt, but i could see the 2 drivers arguing with each other in the middle of the road, presumably to say who was at fault for the incident.
Time flies, and before i realize it, i am almost a 3rd year rider oredi..spending quite some time on the road have made me seen the ugliness of plenty of Singapore drivers as well as expand my horizons.
And i think the main problem with Singapore drivers is that they tailgate too often (a really irritating habit), and are often in such a mad rush of time that accidents become inevitable. A reflection of our society perhaps...
And i always feel there is only so fast that you can go in Singapore without being caught. A wise old biker friend once told me that in Singapore, even when say u go at 70 km/h while someone else goes at 120 km/h, in the end that person will only reach the destination faster than u by say, maximum 20 minutes?
20 minutes compared to a lifetime spent in a wheelchair or coffin, having your loved ones weep over your grave..Is it really worth it then?
I ride real slow on the roads nowadays (60-80 km/h), compared to when i first started riding (where i was going around 100-120 km/h)..i too, went through a few accidents in the past, which has taught me a lot of painful lessons. Yup..and they were some of the worst experiences of my life.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Hee i m finally officially 23 le haha! n_n
Wanna thank my Princess Shuang Er really..for making it such a memorable birthday for me..she blew balloons for me, set up her laptop with a slideshow full of our pictures tog, did and decorated a personal bdae card with lotsa pictures inside for me, cooked a wonderful wonderful dinner for me, digged out a pumpkin to make a cute bowl for me, gave me plenty of surprises over the entire 24 hours (such as hiding under the table haha), bought a yummy chocolate bdae cake for me, bought a pair of white sneakers which i have always liked, and wanted to surprise me again by playing with the TH band at YIH. Most of all, making me feel so loved and appreciated. I love you a lot a lot! *HUGZ* n_n
Wanna thank all my friends, family members, and beloved ones who wished me a happy birthdae.. Thanks! =) I felt quite guilty actually, when i received msgs from some of my really old old friends, whom i have forgotten their bdae dates when they remembered mine..sigh, many of these friends are those i have neglected as mentioned in the past when i was in MC..must really make the effort to do more for them and keep in touch with them..
How does it feel to be 23? haha, i ll think that time flies after u hit the magical age of 18 and 21... Would like to take this chance to thank my family and tell them that i love them for what they have done for me, and put up with this noisy, demanding, bad-tempered, impatient brat of the family for the past 23 years haha..I feel that whoever we are todae depends largely on the kind of family background and upbringing that we went thru in the past as toddlers and kids..I also wanna thank all my dear friends of hocky, past and present, for their support, encouragement, company, advice, faith, criticism, and being there for me at times when i was down. I always consider myself fortunate that i have great friends around me since young, who have also help to shape my character and personality..
Watched World Trade Center last week and i really enjoyed it. I walked into the cinema expecting a very pro-American propagandic kind of film reminding why the world should continue bombing and flushing out terrorists. Instead, the film focused on the strength and courage of mankind, as well as reminding us that what keeps the world go round is not money but love. I think the film teaches us to better appreciate our loved ones around us todae because u ll never know whether they would still be alive tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. Good touching film, and i hope all u guys catch it as well. =)
Also went for the Singapore Model United Nations meeting organized by the PS Society on Monday, and i must say i was really impressed. This is a massive huge project and it gives me great pride to be involved, esp as a moderator. Was impressed with Alvin e pd too haha..it was good to see him stepping out on his own and heading a committee. Also got to know a lot of new people and fellow PS majors too, which was a good thing..also a good experience for me as part of a Society event..Sometimes when u have done too much Faculty Club stuff, u may tend to be too comfortable working in a particular kind of way and system..and i think its very important in university to grab hold of various opportunities to expose oneself to different kinds of experiences...
Think i ll cut down on my games and spend more time on my studies for the coming weeks..my Hell Week is coming and i havent started much, haha..time to pi4 guan1 xiu1 lian4 soon, like last sem. Those who know me well will noe that i really do put in a lot a lot of effort into my essays, coz i take a lot of pride in my intellectual property, and i always feel a great sense of warped satisfaction when i churn out my 3000 word essays haha..
Thursday, October 12, 2006
I am absolutely delighted!!! ^_^
I was informed by OSA today that they have nominated me (tog with the ex-USP President Edwin) to represent NUS at the Global Youth Symposium 2006 held at the Asia-Europe Institute at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur! It ll be held from 17th-22nd Dec (just nice after my reservist in-camp-training!), and student leaders/reps from top Universities all over the world such as the University of College, Havard University, Cambridge University ll be there as well! It ll be a wonderful chance and opportunity to link up with and befriend top talents from all over the world!
Whats more, we ll be discussing and debating on international issues such as brain drain, globalization, terrorism, and the West Vs East Culture! All familiar topics esp to me as a PS major!
Its been a childhood dream for me really, to be able to participate in such an international global conference on world affairs, esp when my grades werent good enuff in the past and when opportunities were limited in secondary and college level..and yesh! I can finally talk all e cock that i want at a global stage rather than just in the confines of my blog, Kopi Tiam, and the Arts Clubroom with fellow PS majors haha!
Will definitely read up more and prepare on these topics so that i dun go there and lao kui! I thought this experience wud help me greatly in the Singapore Model United Nations Conference with PS Soc as well..so its really a win-win-win-win thing for me..and now i really have something to look foward to for the coming end of the year and i m really excited about it!
Can feel a lot of fire coming back to me todae! *ROARRRSS*
PS: I am looking foward to visiting Malaysian Zoos as well..coz i think there are a lot of exotic animals there, and i wanna hug a White Tiger heh heh :p
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Crunch time is coming haha..i have 2 tutorial presentations soon, 3 essays soon, and 1 group project soon.
Had a nice chat with afian yest..he got Mr Photogenic in Mr World 2006 pageant..and got into the top few also..happy for him.
England take on Croatia tonight..i hope rooney regains his form..i am no fan of England, but i do support the United players in the squad very much..carrick, rooney, neville, ferdinand..and i always hope they do well at the international stage.
I feel that in every organization and every state, the leader at the top is the one ultimately responsible for driving and pushing the whole organization and state foward. Many a times, what we see of an organization is symbolically personified by the leader at the top.
When people think of George W Bush's cowboy image and "u are either with us or against us", they re reminded of America's unilateralist policy. When people think of Osama Bin Laden, they re reminded of a jihad and global terrorism. When people think of Kim Jong II, they re reminded of North Korea's rogue state status. When people think of Kofi Annan, they think of the benevolent UN who tried their best despite getting their hands tied most of the time. When people think of Peter Schmeichel, they re reminded of the all conquering Danish team for Euro'92. When people think of Captain Jack Sparrow, they re reminded of the Black Pearl.
As such, how an organization is perceived by the public is often a times, regarded by how the leader himself is perceived by the public.
At the same time, how the leader works and behave is often unconsciously and unknowingly passed down to his or her subordinates. Every single step and action u take, 24/7. From what i have seen and read over the years, the best types of leaders are those that dare to lead by example, and dare to make tough decisions sometimes even to the point of subsuming the interests of certain individuals for the greater good of the organization.
These 2 traits are often easier said than done, because at the ground level, a leader is not dealing with rubber tires, computers, spanners, or rice-cookers, but rather fellow human beings. And nurturing human relations takes time, sincerity, effort, and lots of empathy.
A famous person once said "Show me the follower and i ll know their leader." I beg to differ on this because i believe there can be very strong followers but this doesnt necessarily mean that their leader was the one responsible for inculcating their attitude and character. An inspirational leader can make ordinary gentlemen become a league of extraordinary gentlemen, but a league of extraordinary gentlemen cannot make their ordinary leader an inspirational one. Just look at Thaksin for instance.
My point is that at the end of the day, there is only so much that the league of extraordinary gentlemen can do. And the league cannot survive without a motivated, inspirational, and capable leader committed to showing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Need more examples? Just check out the real League of Nations which collapsed soon after the US under Woodrow Wilson withdrew.
Avid readers of my blog and close friends of mine will noe that i love quotes, especially meaningful and inspirational quotes. Here is one from Captain Winters (a true WW2 survivor) from the Band of Brothers Episode <
>:
" If you are a leader, you lead the way. Not just on the easy you take the tough ones too".
PS: Yes, i know i very free still got time watch Band of Brothers =)
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Life has been good and tranquil. Haha, great for me coz i really need that peace and tranquility when i have been deprived of it for the past 2 years (can count as 4 years if u include army 2 years). And yes, speaking of army, hocky boi is going for ippt on wed!!
Piang eh, e last time the me ah, no problem in running for ippt gold during my army daes.. now ah.. *looks down at the fats on my stomach* will be happy if i can pass smoothly lo haha..
went to Hwa Chong MAF celebrations on sat night..felt really happy and nostalgic..actually i realize i have been going back for the past 6 years le.. =) and even more happy when i saw my OAC juniors..they have now act reached the 32th batch le!! *gasp*! hahaha, i was like the oldest senior who was there at the wu3 ling2 ta1 hui4 (an annual seniors gathering)..and gave a very long-winded speech as usual..saw all my junior Chief Instructors or Presidents there..and felt really glad that the Club had grown strong and carried on... was also very happy to see Hwa Chong JC in general maintaining the strong MAF spirit, and of coz all the mass dance, community songs, and family spirit!! I never did once regret going to hwa chong, and i still feel todae that we really have a strong hwa chong spirit, identity and fun-loving ethos!!
And yesh, i duly realize (act i also noe all along la) that hocky can study for 36 hours non-stop when it comes to crunch times, but during the inter-war period like now, i can go for 36 days without even touching my coursepack. haha, hey! but i m trying ok!! And anyway i map out all my deadlines liao la, so thats a good start...
Been thinking recently as well..how am i going to spend the next 2 years of my uni life now that i have stepped down? I have oredi accepted a new challenge in the SMUN project by PS Society..what other challenges shud i set for myself...? Question mark question mark..
i ll be 23 in exactly a week..haha, wow time really flies..i guess 18 and 21 re the two mystical ages. After them hmm, like not much difference liao haha..but still, i am a person who embraces the future and being old.
Heh, after all men are like wine. Our waistline may grow as we age but it is in so many other realms that we become sweeter and more tasty.
Yum yum!! ^_^
Monday, October 02, 2006
It is almost a week since Thank You Dinner ended... =( And i m oredi missing the 26th..And missing the adrelaine-pumping action of MC life..something i ve been used to since i stepped into NUS 2 years ago..
bleah~
Oh well, the past week has been kinda unreal for me..with so much time for my personal life finally, with girlfriend and old friends..so much time to rest, sleep, talk cock, gossip, clean my room, jog, exercise, watch vcds, read newspapers, stroll to Bukit Panjang Plaza everyday to buy blue coral milk tea (my fave drink btw heh) and then stroll back, sweep the floor, surf net for rubbish stuff, think about issues in life (read my previous post), think more about future careers etc etc...
Yeah, which means i ve done pretty much everything except study.
Some things never change.
HAHHAHAHA!! *grinz* =p Hey! At least i bought new highlighters liao..hahah...Ya la, i noe la, better start studying soon, heh, better protect my cap score and my honours degree.
And by the way, i have started thinking of how to leave my legacy in mankind. As in think of how the world (not just Singapore) will remember me when 1 day, i cease to exist and no longer roam the surface of the Earth.
