Thanks for working overtime these days, all these just to make sure that i will have a great start to my semester… orh.. u shouldn’t have gone to all these trouble, even though it’s just to let me know that u heavenly beings are actually hard @ work all the time…

I mean, how better to start the 1st day of sem by ensuring that i got assigned the worst expt in yr 3 lab, making me the chosen one… so teruk that 2 wks later i’m still trying to process data, and still swimming in the theory..

Not satisfied with ur effort, u tried harder to let me noe that u care for me, by letting me run into a road block enroute to malacca where i spent 50ringgit to feed the family of a cop…doing some charity makes me more aware of the ppl n world ard me…

Together with other angels n lucky stars of other nus students, u made cors crash..n how we panicked…how we complained in literally hundreds of blogs..how we kaopeh about nus wasting our sch fees…

I tot all these were good enuff, but of cos ur greatest move…making sure that i have 2 wks notice of a 4000word essay…thank you..what else can i say…just dun need to try so hard next time..appreciate ur effort yea..

#

Seems that Today never publish my letter, either they are too bz to care, or i was writing crap, or anti-establishment letters like this can never see the light of day… on another hand, i got tomorrowed, somewhat @ least via a trackback..haha

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Yet another fuck up by CORS… i shan’t talk about it, let the voices of bloggers tell u more… in any case, i typed an email to Today, but in case it doesnt get published n fails to see the light of day…here it is…

——– Original Message ——– Subject: Top University with less than top IT infrastructure Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 12:30:43 +0800 From: To: news@newstoday.com.sg I am a current third year undergraduate in NUS, one of the top 18 universities in the world. All undergraduates register and bid for the modules that they want to do in the current semester via an online registration system called Centralised Online Registration System (CORS) (http://www.cors.nus.edu.sg). In short CORS is an online auction system for our modules, and it is also used to ballot for our tutorial slots. CORS is not something new in NUS, and it has been in place for the last 3 years or so. However as I type this email now, I have been waiting for 2 hours to log in to the system, which is heavily overloaded. I am not the only one complaining about this, my classmates are all facing the same issue. This is a rather common problem in all of my 5 semesters so far, but it has been running extraordinarily poorly this semester with recurring server overload issues. Initial glitches are inevitable, but after 3 years of operation, one would expect the University to be more aware of the potential loads on the server and reallocate computing resources accordingly. We see new buildings popping up all over campus, as part of the campus redevelopment plan. Current projects include a music conservatory and a separate high school campus in Clementi, and a new administration block has been completed, probably not cheaply. We are taking over SMU’s Bukit Timah Campus and this means that some redevelopment costs would be incurred. In our push to establish ourselves as one of the top 10 universities, we are rapidly expanding in many key areas but often small details are missed out. A big machine does not depend solely on the latest technology or gizmos to work. Every small nut and bolt plays a part in the machine’s smooth operation. In the case of CORS, the expected server load could have been calculated based on the student population, and also having backup plans. This would make it easier for students to quickly decide what modules to take, and in the University’s words, /”.. an opportunity to educate you on the need to weigh your options, make decisions and live with the consequences of your actions.” / The University has to buck up on this issue, if not it would not be able to inspire confidence, even amongst the student population.

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Yet another fuck up by CORS… i shan’t talk about it, let the voices of bloggers tell u more… in any case, i typed an email to Today, but in case it doesnt get published n fails to see the light of day…here it is…

——– Original Message ——– Subject: Top University with less than top IT infrastructure Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 12:30:43 +0800 From: To: news@newstoday.com.sg

I am a current third year undergraduate in NUS, one of the top 18 universities in the world. All undergraduates register and bid for the modules that they want to do in the current semester via an online registration system called Centralised Online Registration System (CORS) (http://www.cors.nus.edu.sg). In short CORS is an online auction system for our modules, and it is also used to ballot for our tutorial slots.

CORS is not something new in NUS, and it has been in place for the last 3 years or so. However as I type this email now, I have been waiting for 2 hours to log in to the system, which is heavily overloaded. I am not the only one complaining about this, my classmates are all facing the same issue. This is a rather common problem in all of my 5 semesters so far, but it has been running extraordinarily poorly this semester with recurring server overload issues. Initial glitches are inevitable, but after 3 years of operation, one would expect the University to be more aware of the potential loads on the server and reallocate computing resources accordingly.

We see new buildings popping up all over campus, as part of the campus redevelopment plan. Current projects include a music conservatory and a separate high school campus in Clementi, and a new administration block has been completed, probably not cheaply. We are taking over SMU’s Bukit Timah Campus and this means that some redevelopment costs would be incurred. In our push to establish ourselves as one of the top 10 universities, we are rapidly expanding in many key areas but often small details are missed out.

A big machine does not depend solely on the latest technology or gizmos to work. Every small nut and bolt plays a part in the machine’s smooth operation. In the case of CORS, the expected server load could have been calculated based on the student population, and also having backup plans. This would make it easier for students to quickly decide what modules to take, and in the University’s words, /”.. an opportunity to educate you on the need to weigh your options, make decisions and live with the consequences of your actions.” / The University has to buck up on this issue, if not it would not be able to inspire confidence, even amongst the student population.

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I realised that Today has good reasons to not publish my letter, as in there are bigger issues to talk about…like remaking singapore as PM Lee said, or even stuff like thi

get rid of crows posing threat to health khoo lih-han:

The numbers of black crows are increasing especially at places like Newton Hawker Centre and Somerset MRT.

At the Newton Hawker Centre, I have seen crows feed on leftovers and leave their droppings on the tables.

This is not hygienic. Couldn’t more workers be employed to ensure that leftover food is cleared away as quickly as possible?

As for Somerset MRT car park, the road is white from the crow droppings which may contaminate the food sold by mobile food vendors.

The relevant ministry should deploy more staff to get rid of these crows. The National Parks Board could also prune trees more regularly at places like Somerset to prevent crows from gathering there

ez-link card shows ‘new ride’ instead of ‘transfer’ tay sok khoon:

I took bus numbers 961, 66 and 985 on Aug 18, 21 and 22 respectively.

Each time I had to alight and take another bus of the same service either in the opposite direction, or to continue on from where I had alighted for various reasons.

(I overshot the journey, my son needed to pee and I had to return home for an emergency).

Each of these times when I boarded and tapped my ez-link card, I was surprised to see it register on the screen as a “new ride” instead of “transfer”. Why is that so? There u have it, perfectly important reasons to dump my letter, crow-culling and being shortchanged a few cents by ezlink are MORE impt than my cors letter..haha! Today Newspaper

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Finally got confirmed as an Esplanade usher, somehow i’m apprehensive about working there, with all the potential repercussions of my blogpost.. o well, if some ppl’s minds are engineered this way, then i can’t help it..smashing their heads and tryin to redesign (read: hamtam) their brains is a very tempting option u noe..but it will dirty my hands, or my helmet if i use that to smash them.. Anyway, not gonna work so soon..need to settle down in sch 1st…

#

I’m glad to say that i’m no longer a virgin, a traffic offence virgin that is… was going up to malacca with the scooters grp from SBF when i got stopped at road block, together with bufeng.. then we were told that we were going @ 121km/h by the policeman…then he immediately asked us wanna “settle” on the spot or not

BALLS! We werent travelling @ 121 ok..more like 130-140..oopz! But the point is, he could have just randomly selected us and randomly assigned a speed to us..since we are both young riders and perhaps deemed to be Robertos (ie carrot heads)

For those of you concerned about my safety, esp when riding @ 140..i think on north south highway..u have to ride above a certain speed, it’s actually safer..i can tell u @ 110, it’s so boring that i would have a high chance of dozing off…. i’m still Safety Rider Number 1. haha!

Malacca was great… had loads of chicken rice balls, my table of 6 ppl had 2.5 chickens.. that was later washed down with delicious chendol…some boring shopping @ a shopping mall came up next, while waiting for rain to stop…came back to somewhere near 2nd link to eat TEN COURSE seafood dinner…somebody actually suggested round 2…black pepper crab or durian….heng never go eventually….this kind of trip, every 3 mths can only go once, will become fat..

#

NUS riders grp just got approved…we should be known as “NUS Students’ Motorcyclists Interest Group”, which imo..sounds way too official n boring.. meeting OSA tml to discuss about the club, i’m hoping to incorporate NUSRiders into the name man… and i’m supposed to be the president of the club, at least in this interim period.. not very sure if i’m up to it, and if i really want it…have to find freshie liaoz!

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Reading this post by teck brought back some vivid memories, when we were working, together with guoyong, huishan, nora n some other ppl @ the singapore shooting open.. damn the bloody place..fucking far away, like lim chu kang..and it’s take 2 buses n walk 1.6km in.. but yea decent pay for very simple work, so long as u’re careful and attentive, u wun go wrong.. i mean, wat can go wrong with flipping scoreboards..

With regards to that incident with TP, i’m glad to say that it didnt affect me for long, like within 15 minutes.. after i’ve tried to explain to TP that what i wanted to ask the referee to do actually makes complete sense and would simplify our work, cos we dun have to have someone physically making sure the wire wun tangle.. that means extra time to twang.. but of cos TP has the NS mentality..if it’s working, dun need to fix, or even improve it.. and cos the ref is the in-charge..we should just let him do whatever he wants, even though he may tangle the wire.. credits to ramu, the referee..he’s smart and alert enuf to walk with care..not tangling the wire.. and i seriously think the other referee wun fuck us upside down if we gave him advise…

i think ppl who know me well will know my style of working.. i will go for the best method, even if some unimportant toes have to be stomped on.. of cos everyone’s toes are important, i just can’t stand some ppl thinking that their toes are more precious than other ppl’s. Can’t stand ppl who think that they are very impt, their opinions on everything have to be heard by everyone, if not it means u dun respect them.. The most efficient way of doing any task may not be the most diplomatic way, but so long as it gets things done efficiently and doesnt affect my ppl, trust me to do it..

actually when i look back @ incidents like this, i wonder sometimes if it could have been handled in a more diplomatic way… but @ least for the vbala and mark from pharm soc incident, i wun wanna handle it in another way..some toes not just have to be stomped upon..they have to be crushed to wake up the owner.. haha!

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I think i’ve more or less firmed up my timetable for this sem, taking the following modules and i’m so engz to write proper descriptions for them…or ok i wanted to, but the pirate in me ripped them off from here..

PC2267 BIOPHYSICS I

PC3235 SOLID STATE PHYSICS 1

This is a first course in solid state physics. It aims to lay the foundations for students seeking to major in physics as well as students studying in materials science and engineering. The lectures emphasize on the fundamental concepts of condensed matter, covering crystal structure and reciprocal lattice, crystal binding and elastic constants, crystal vibrations and thermal properties, free electron theory and physical properties of metals, electron in periodic potentials, and basic semiconductors. Simple model prediction data and the experimental data from real systems would be compared and discussed to help students develop on intuitive understanding of the subject.

PC3245 MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL IN EXPERIMENTS

[Damnit! this module is a potential pirate ship, less than 10 of us in the class..no lect notes, no description as well!]

PC3193 EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS II

This continuous assessment module is intended to provide training in experimental techniques and analytical skills. Experiments are based on various areas of physics such as spectroscopy, nuclear physics, laser physics, optics and electronics. Some experiments involve the use of research-grade equipment like the electron microscope, the atomic force microscope and the FTIR spectrophotometer. Project-type experiments are also available. The module is targeted at science and engineering students who have a foundation in Level 2 experimental physics.

EC3101 MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS II

This module is designed to equip students with the standard set of tools and techniques to access higher level modules that make use of microeconomic analysis. The module begins with the general equilibrium model, and is followed by analysis on problems presented by externalities and public goods. The general equilibrium framework is also extended to cover choices over time and choices under uncertainty. The module then moves on to game theory and its applications to economic problems. The game theoretic concepts are also used in discussing economic issues pertaining to asymmetric information. The course is mounted for students who wish to major in Economics for the B.A. degree.

SSA2220 GLOBAL ECONONIC DIMENSIONS OF SINGAPORE

This course will introduce students to the dynamics of the world economy and the impact on Singapore in the last two centuries. It will demonstrate how Singapore grew through continual dependence on the rest of the world in different ways by focusing on major labour, capital and technological factors, in which threats are also seen as opportunities

This is really the most impt sem for me so far, time to make good, time to 出人头地!

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Was reading NUSSU’s e-magazine when i saw this article by a certain Janice Lim about CORS, our module-bidding system that has caused headaches for many ppl but not really for me [u just have to take cold modules to avoid the problems of bidding]. And this error practically stood out like a flashing beacon in a storm..

For you freshies who are still not experienced in this shrewd competition, let yours truly give u the 411. You lucky year ones bid within yourselves, and the rest of us, we fight for our modules with the rest of the student population. Each semester, 600 points are deposited into both your Programme and General accounts, and the former account is used for bidding any modules within your faculty, the latter, any outside your faculty. Round 1A to 1C are for bidding modules of your major, as well as modules within your faculty. Round 2A onwards are for cross faculty modules and General Education Modules (GEMs).

You would think that they have the common sense to edit and vete thru it 1st…but no they didnt…so typical of the organisation that represents the student body..

PS: I never highlighted the mistake, let’s see how many ppl can spot it.. huimin did so within a min…;)

NUS NUSSU CORS

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Was at esplanade training, last session yesterday when me and him were called out by theresa thank to this post…some ppl have told me b4 that this post has been spreading like wildfire among current espl ushers waves to anyone of u reading this and they took it very seriously, serious enuff to email theresa to ask if ucc ushers are being discriminated against, and they being ex-ucc, wat are the repercussions.. so she had to clarify on my behalf and that explained the discussion between the 3 of us, of which i was made known that it’s not an attempt to force me to edit my blogpost..which i did willingly by putting the original post in quotes..

I think that discussion that we had after module 6 (fire evac) with the ucc ppl was done when we were still highly-strung after commencement, and the fact that training was conducted in a manner that dampens our morale.. hence in my own words, i took 2 + 2 to be equal to be 4.5 and hence i (or even more than a few of us) felt that we were being discriminated..

Nobody said that we are cliquish in reality, it’s just that we should try to make more friends out of ucc circle…that doesnt imply we are cliquish..imho, that’s saying 2 - 1 = 2 + (-1), but perhaps they really didn’t mean it that way, i’m thinking too much as usual…

I raised my concerns about the training, and i won’t hesitate to talk about them here…

1. There is a gap in their definition of facilitators and mine…cos it seems that facis = trainers for them…for my case, it’s a bit different..facilitators opens doors and guide ppl to cross over to the other room on their own accord thru reasoning and analysis…facilitators dun have to force ppl thru the doors..imho, modules 1,2,3 and 5, we have trainers, not facilitators in that sense..
2. I witnessed a member of the HR team waving the attendence records in front of a gal’s face n telling her in a threatening voice that if next time no foto, no need to come back training.. that is highly unncessary, and it’s a pity that i never got the chance to speak to that gal
3. A CSO when bringing a grp ard for fire evac route familiarisation flared up and banged the door with her hand, shouted at 2 trainees who were in her opinion hiding further up the stairwell, when in reality they could have been blocked by other trainees, deprieving them of the chance to look thru a door… the same CSO later reminded the class that she can be a very nice person if she wants to.
4. A trainer when bringing her grp ard for site tour, upon discovering that 3 of her trainees are missing was immediately concerned enuff, not to search for them but rather deem them as inattentive and drifted off.. The reason for drifting off was that the grp left from break w/o them, a headcount may not have been done… i wun speculate..but with all the trainers being linked up by walkies, it could have been easier to check with other trainers if there were extra ppl in their grps… my trainers, jasmine and xavier did that when we were short of ppl at the start..

For all these reasons, i deem that espl has alot to touch up in terms of training esp for the above 4 modules… the reasons that i’ve heard for these incl that the trainers are humans as well, and make mistakes too due to long hours and working in a high stress environment…that they have experience with trainees from prev batches who chao keng during training, and hence they need to be more vigiliant.. these are all very valid reasons, but more care has to be taken to ensure that the same issues do not come up again, and it’s impt to have trust between trainers and trainees…

It was only after modules 4 and 5, the cust service modules that i realised the place has a very human touch to it..from providing a specific brand of whiskey to a regular patron, to making sure a large-sized patron has access to the wider seats…these are all examples of personal touch…

Eventually after all the training, no matter they are conducted in watever manner..the job is still to ensure that every patron has a good and unforgettable experience..it’s about being a professional usher and a competent host.. i still yearn for this challenge to work in this place.. n of cos for the money as well =Pp To all the ucc ushers in espl training…thanks for standing by me, esp LM who had to endure thru the discussion despite his flu…

To all ex/current ucc ushers @ espl…u noe who u are…u found my blog or someone told u to read it..i may noe some of u… i just wanna say sorry for all the distress that i’ve caused…this was never my intention at the start…

To espl ushers who have felt that it’s necessary to fwd my blog, 1stly thanks for raising the profile of my blog..i came, oh so close to winning endorsements… haha! but on a serious note, i believe that as professional ushers, we wun have problems working together if we treat one another with sincerity.. i dunno u ppl, and u dunno me on a personal basis..hence it’s a clean slate and we can definitely build on this..

For staff/ushers who are bent on making me suffer @ espl..i’m not sure if u ppl exist in the 1st place, i hope there is none..but if suay suay there is…takes 2 to tango….dun expect me to carry balls…i’m more likely to carry urs high high…n throw them down…dun gimme the shit that u’re senior, i must give u face…u earn ur own respect…

enuff of ranting and explaining…

Tags: Singapore Esplanade

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