Sunday, October 18, 2009
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Snippets of My Last Semester (2)
Felt a bit weird to finally see my own blog after almost 2 months away in China, where blogs and Facebook are blocked. Might seem unthinkable for some to live without Facebook for such prolonged periods, but well, it wasn't all that difficult after all. It seemed eons ago since I concluded my last semester but I shall finish off what I had started in the previous post before I move on to life in China.
A surprise visit from someone for 4th April...
Off to the Capital, Canberra for the Easter Break. The Casino felt more like some underground gambling den. -_-
And, the Final Accountants shot outside the Exam Venue. That's it. ..... . .
And finally some Post-Exam fun..
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Snippets of my Last Semester (1)
Welcome BBQ for S.A.M. Whopping success.
Go-Karting. I only came in 3rd for the Men's race. -_-"
Strawberry Farm. From an initial target of 24 to the eventual convoy of 10 cars. One of the biggest Roadtrip for S.A.M yet.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
The Black Hole
Almost 3 years ago, I stepped into Melbourne with only one thing in mind, "One Goal, One Dream". I had a point to prove, that I am better than what I had been, that the wasted years spent in mediocrity is no more than a blip in my life. The anticipation of a fresh start overwhelms any possible anxiety of what is to come in the years ahead.
And so, in the next 3 years, I was focused on the 'simple' task of achieving academic excellence, reminding myself constantly on how my mediocre past has resulted in my parents having to fork out A$22,000 for tuition fees annually instead of the S$5,000+ had I managed to squeeze into the Big 3 like most of my peers. I am the anomaly, and I made sure I remembered how painful that is. It never was easy to be stepping into any of the Big 3 to visit friends, seeing others having orientation camps, making new friends, knowing that I'm not part of the 'club' and it took time for me to get used to it.
Nonetheless, I stuck to my task and there are times when I mugged like there was no day and night. Once I had built up that sort of momentum, I felt like it could go on forever. And when and if I did fail to get HD for any unit, at least I know I can still hold my head high and say that I've given my best shot at it. To a large extent, I believe I have achieved that but I'll always be scarred by my 'P' in my testamur. And I'm not even talking about a strong P, 52 to be precise. I barely passed. To say that I was shocked when i saw the mark was an understatement, and after viewing my exam script, I had every reason to feel disgrunted and unjust about the result. I could have brought it up to the chief examiner that I should have at least gotten a Credit but weighing up the Cost-Benefit Analysis, I decided against that, in risk of straining relations with the lecturers. But this, I'll never forget.
And of course, there's S.A.M. Almost like my baby. The journey from the bottom of the hierarchy as a Gen. Comm. to the top of the ladder was indeed something to remember. The challenges were immense, to reverse declining interest and membership base, to resurrect the hopelessly hopeless SSAV and now VSSA (actually, it still is hopeless despite the 'revamp') just to name 2. But with the challenges also come with the unexpected perks of being involved in the Singapore Day in Melbourne and meeting celebrities at such close proximity during the Gala Dinner. As I step down from my position unofficially, whether or not I've done a good job is for others to judge, but I can't help but think that there's so much more that I could and should have done. That I remain disappointed that certain things did not turn out as I had hoped they would have.
So, you would think, with my decent grades, decent extra curricular activities and decent internships that things are pretty much on the right track. Well, if you had told me 3 years ago that I would come through with these 'achievements', I would have grabbed them with both hands (and legs). And then comes the now-infamous GFS which pretty much derailed everything and flushed everything down the toilet bowl. It's like the black hole, where I only see total darkness ahead of me. I sit here, in the comfort of my home in Singapore, wondering why am I sitting here, literally sitting and doing nothing and having nothing to do for the next 6 months. It's not just about finding an internship to fill the gap, it's about the purpose. Suddenly, after sprinting at break-neck speed for the past 3 years, you thought you had turned a corner, but like some of us would have heard this, I probably turned so many corners that all I've done is just turning in circles. I'm lost, literally. And after being out of this 'system' for 3 years, all I hope is for that one break, to show what I can do, to prove that I'm up to it. Just that one break.
And of course, there's S.A.M. Almost like my baby. The journey from the bottom of the hierarchy as a Gen. Comm. to the top of the ladder was indeed something to remember. The challenges were immense, to reverse declining interest and membership base, to resurrect the hopelessly hopeless SSAV and now VSSA (actually, it still is hopeless despite the 'revamp') just to name 2. But with the challenges also come with the unexpected perks of being involved in the Singapore Day in Melbourne and meeting celebrities at such close proximity during the Gala Dinner. As I step down from my position unofficially, whether or not I've done a good job is for others to judge, but I can't help but think that there's so much more that I could and should have done. That I remain disappointed that certain things did not turn out as I had hoped they would have.
So, you would think, with my decent grades, decent extra curricular activities and decent internships that things are pretty much on the right track. Well, if you had told me 3 years ago that I would come through with these 'achievements', I would have grabbed them with both hands (and legs). And then comes the now-infamous GFS which pretty much derailed everything and flushed everything down the toilet bowl. It's like the black hole, where I only see total darkness ahead of me. I sit here, in the comfort of my home in Singapore, wondering why am I sitting here, literally sitting and doing nothing and having nothing to do for the next 6 months. It's not just about finding an internship to fill the gap, it's about the purpose. Suddenly, after sprinting at break-neck speed for the past 3 years, you thought you had turned a corner, but like some of us would have heard this, I probably turned so many corners that all I've done is just turning in circles. I'm lost, literally. And after being out of this 'system' for 3 years, all I hope is for that one break, to show what I can do, to prove that I'm up to it. Just that one break.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 05, 2009
The End is Nigh
1 Number, 3 Alphabets and 1 Grade Average.
-4-
-HDs-
-84%-
For this is what will separate Greatness and the not-so-great.
For this is what will define my 3 years of undergraduate studies.
For the fact that, after days and nights of toiling,
this is it
the time is now.
-4-
-HDs-
-84%-
For this is what will separate Greatness and the not-so-great.
For this is what will define my 3 years of undergraduate studies.
For the fact that, after days and nights of toiling,
this is it
the time is now.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Dire state of Formula 1
The recent turn of events at Formula 1 has certainly got the entire motorsport fraternity talking.
Background Story: In light of more teams finding it difficult to compete with marque names like Ferrari, McLaren Mercedes which have substantial financial backing, over the past year or so, FIA (Motorsport's governing body) had drawn up plans to reduce the spiralling costs of running a Formula 1 racing team including possible budget caps and more technical restrictions to limit spending. This process was sped up following the global financial crisis and the consequent withdrawal of the Honda Racing Team. Shortly, the FIA proposed a budget cap of $40million to be implemented next season. The F1 teams, in a rare sign of solidarity, had greed in principle and signalled their joint commitment to reduce costs but noting the difficulty of the task, more consultation with FIA was sought. The main difficulties being, major manufacturers like Ferrari, McLaren Mercedes and Renault, spend upwards of $300million annually in the development of the car, to reduce that figure by almost 80% within a year was simply unrealistic.
To make matters worse, the FIA then unilaterally implemented a 2-tier system to be in place for the 2010-11 season, which comprises of one with the budget cap of $40million but enjoy greater technical freedom and another, without the budget cap but severely limited by technical restrictions. This unilateral action from the FIA instantly drew widespread criticism from the major F1 teams, led by Ferrari, Toyota, Renault and Red Bull Racing. Their main concern was not of the budget cap, but the manner in which the FIA implemented this ruling without due consultation with the teams involved and that the 2-tier system will create greater confusion and an unlevel playing field where different teams on the grid are subject to different rules. The above-mentioned 4 teams have signalled their intent to withdraw from F1 should the FIA continue with their current plans with the 2-tier system with the deadline for registration for next season being May 29.
Alright, in a nutshell, that's been the story so far, as far as I understand of it.
While Ferrari had hardly been the most popular team amongst the purists for their "off-track antics", many of them have expressed their support of Ferrari on this issue. The rational followers of the sport would realise that the quit-threat of the teams, led by Ferrari, is not an act which placed personal interests above that of the sport. Of course, their financial muscle would have come to naught under the paltry $40million budget cap but that was not their case in point. As brought up by them, the 2-tier system is akin to saying: Manchester United is rich, hence you can only field 9 players. While Hull City is struggling financially and hence will be entitled to 12 players. (They used the Italian Serie A as example). How does that sound?
Formula 1 has always been regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, where man and machine are pushed to the limits. Such is the speeds of Formula 1 cars that I remember a commentator once said, at almost 300km/h on the straights, these cars would have taken off if fitted with wings. It is not a sport for the faint-hearted, where 0.001s can decide a race. The push for technical innovation does not come cheap and there isn't a magic formula here. With greater financial backing, more money is available for more research, building more state-of-the-art wind tunnels, more track testing, and the list goes on. Never in mankind has research and development been cost-effective, if it was, we would still be taking steam ships across the pacific, much less race around state-of-the-art circuits at speeds of 300km/h. And it is because of such investment of resources that as well as that continual research and development that have culminated in the glitz and glamour of Formula 1 being the pinnacle of motorsports. With the imminent unilateral introduction of those sweeping plans, Formula 1 will never be the same again.
Ferrari, for one, since its birth, is synonymous with racing, and as they put it, "racing is in our DNA". And they are the only team which has been continuously involved in Formula 1 since its inception 60 years ago. Formula 1 is Ferrari. Ferrari is Formula 1. Exaggeration it may be, but it's no coincidence that the commercial rights holder of Formula 1 said, "Ferrari and Formula 1 is like a marriage made in heaven". No less. And it's easy to see why. The sea of red in the grandstands during the Grand Prix is testament to the worldwide adulation for the Scarlet Red cars from Maranello. With all due respect to the 'lesser' teams, it is a rarity to see Formula 1 fans donned in Red Bull Racing Polo Tees and caps, or even Force India for that matter. In fact, you hardly even see fans wearing Toyota or Renault's replica teamwear. Such is the support for Ferrari. On the other hand, several new teams have welcomed FIA's initiatives and have signalled their intent to enter Formula 1 next year and these teams being: Wirth Research, Lola, USF1 amongst others. LOLA? USF1? WIRTH RESEARCH? In my own analogy, it's like telling the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool that they can't spend and invest on good players, managers and training facilities, so that the Premier League can be more affordable and expanded to accomodate more Hull Citys, Burleys and Readings. Hardly inspiring as far as the Premier League's standards are concerned. And not to mention United and Liverpool are 'supposed' to play with only 9 players as compared to the Hull City's 12 on the pitch in a bid to 'level' the playing field between the rich and the poor.
Only a week before the May 29 deadline. Watch this space, or we wouldn't be watching Ferrari round Marina Bay next year.
To make matters worse, the FIA then unilaterally implemented a 2-tier system to be in place for the 2010-11 season, which comprises of one with the budget cap of $40million but enjoy greater technical freedom and another, without the budget cap but severely limited by technical restrictions. This unilateral action from the FIA instantly drew widespread criticism from the major F1 teams, led by Ferrari, Toyota, Renault and Red Bull Racing. Their main concern was not of the budget cap, but the manner in which the FIA implemented this ruling without due consultation with the teams involved and that the 2-tier system will create greater confusion and an unlevel playing field where different teams on the grid are subject to different rules. The above-mentioned 4 teams have signalled their intent to withdraw from F1 should the FIA continue with their current plans with the 2-tier system with the deadline for registration for next season being May 29.
Alright, in a nutshell, that's been the story so far, as far as I understand of it.
While Ferrari had hardly been the most popular team amongst the purists for their "off-track antics", many of them have expressed their support of Ferrari on this issue. The rational followers of the sport would realise that the quit-threat of the teams, led by Ferrari, is not an act which placed personal interests above that of the sport. Of course, their financial muscle would have come to naught under the paltry $40million budget cap but that was not their case in point. As brought up by them, the 2-tier system is akin to saying: Manchester United is rich, hence you can only field 9 players. While Hull City is struggling financially and hence will be entitled to 12 players. (They used the Italian Serie A as example). How does that sound?
Formula 1 has always been regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, where man and machine are pushed to the limits. Such is the speeds of Formula 1 cars that I remember a commentator once said, at almost 300km/h on the straights, these cars would have taken off if fitted with wings. It is not a sport for the faint-hearted, where 0.001s can decide a race. The push for technical innovation does not come cheap and there isn't a magic formula here. With greater financial backing, more money is available for more research, building more state-of-the-art wind tunnels, more track testing, and the list goes on. Never in mankind has research and development been cost-effective, if it was, we would still be taking steam ships across the pacific, much less race around state-of-the-art circuits at speeds of 300km/h. And it is because of such investment of resources that as well as that continual research and development that have culminated in the glitz and glamour of Formula 1 being the pinnacle of motorsports. With the imminent unilateral introduction of those sweeping plans, Formula 1 will never be the same again.
Ferrari, for one, since its birth, is synonymous with racing, and as they put it, "racing is in our DNA". And they are the only team which has been continuously involved in Formula 1 since its inception 60 years ago. Formula 1 is Ferrari. Ferrari is Formula 1. Exaggeration it may be, but it's no coincidence that the commercial rights holder of Formula 1 said, "Ferrari and Formula 1 is like a marriage made in heaven". No less. And it's easy to see why. The sea of red in the grandstands during the Grand Prix is testament to the worldwide adulation for the Scarlet Red cars from Maranello. With all due respect to the 'lesser' teams, it is a rarity to see Formula 1 fans donned in Red Bull Racing Polo Tees and caps, or even Force India for that matter. In fact, you hardly even see fans wearing Toyota or Renault's replica teamwear. Such is the support for Ferrari. On the other hand, several new teams have welcomed FIA's initiatives and have signalled their intent to enter Formula 1 next year and these teams being: Wirth Research, Lola, USF1 amongst others. LOLA? USF1? WIRTH RESEARCH? In my own analogy, it's like telling the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool that they can't spend and invest on good players, managers and training facilities, so that the Premier League can be more affordable and expanded to accomodate more Hull Citys, Burleys and Readings. Hardly inspiring as far as the Premier League's standards are concerned. And not to mention United and Liverpool are 'supposed' to play with only 9 players as compared to the Hull City's 12 on the pitch in a bid to 'level' the playing field between the rich and the poor.
Only a week before the May 29 deadline. Watch this space, or we wouldn't be watching Ferrari round Marina Bay next year.
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