Prejudice and Discrimination

Yesterday, I worked on my WISP presentation power point slides till 6am. I prepared my speech on paper, designed the outlook of the slides, customized the animations on them and I was so confident of scoring a good impression on the class. Because it's the final presentation of this semester, and I wanted to make my last shot the best shot.

At the same time, I was expecting this from my lecturer:

So came the presentation and it lasted for an hour. And...

I missed the penalty...

I am damn shocked after hearing what my lecturer commented on my individual presentation.

"Not structured enough" (Okay I admitted to that, because I was damn nervous.)

"The first part of the presentation was good, except for the last part" (I did the last part...)

"The power point design could have been simpler, black and white should do the job" (???)

"A lot of irrelevant details" ("But sir, you said you wanted to look at the creativity skills?")

"Wordy slides should do the trick" (What the...)

"Your teammates did well in their respective slides" (...*clenching my fists tightly)

Two words floated around my mind during that time: Disappointment and Discrimination.

I admit I am always absent from classes but all the work I produced are all tip-top quality conditions!

It's very hurting to my working morale and moreover I sacrificed one night of sleep to ensure no screw-ups would happen...

It's very frustrating to see my work being discriminated when it's actually my own work instead of... Argh! Forget about it.

Next week.... I will definitely challenge for my marks!

WISP is a module where I put my 100% effort into it and all the essays that I have written have undergone research materials and lots and lots of reading and reflecting. I will definitely aim for AD. If someone were to get better grades than me, I am prepared to challenge him and make sure he/she doesn't seek external help or girlfriends/boyfriends to write any shit for him/her.

Mood: Confused, discouraged, frustrated and disappointed. (That's why I was kept ramming the soccer ball during the evening.)

Beautiful Luck

Road passengers are not only capable at sucking balls, they are people who possesses beautiful luck. Beautiful luck is permanent, it lasts for years! Good luck is temporary, it comes and goes whenever it wishes, and hopefully it is with me during the Lunar New Year. I've seen and worked with people with beautiful luck, and look what time is it now, I am still working on my project (trying my best not to be sarcastic).

Road passengers are blessed to have beautiful luck with them, and researchers (which is me) have observed that beautiful luck often occurs whenever there are people around them who are mostly road runners. I have mentioned previously before that road runners are the best group of people you would want to meet in your academic life. I can't comment much about myself being one, but I am definitely not a road runner.

I've worked with road runners before, and I always appreciated it. There's always bound to be arguments and disputes over the discussion table, but quality work is always showcased throughout the whole process. I am thankful for those road runners whom I've worked with, because I get to learn more about them inside out, and of course, the grades.

As for the road passengers... Thou shall not judge.

Typing this post at this particular hour in the morning can give you a rather brief conclusion regarding these road passengers. To put it bluntly, I am covering all the shit that is left on my 'toilet cubicle' now. I don't regret working with them, I just hate it.

Beautiful luck comes with beautiful people around them. Beautiful people cleaned up asses and ensure that road passengers get the grades that are similar to them. If its the first time or second, I am alright with it. But ask yourself this: "Have you seen or known a road passenger who has been in beautiful luck throughout his/her academic life?"

And it's not by his/her own effort, its through the beautiful people around him/her. Crap, now I am starting to envy road passengers...

How irony is it, that here I am focusing on the prejudices and discriminations against the minority communities in Singapore, trying to create a peaceful social cohesion in the society, and discriminating these road passengers. If I wasn't aiming for my As I would have long given up on shit already.

"Heng-Dai" or also known as Brother, is a very word that has already lost its meaning in the world of academics. When all else fails, this word will certainly be heard almost immediately, and its 99% proven. HAHA.

I like this. (1 person like this) (Click here to like. LOL!)

Performance

Looking back since the start of secondary one, my journey has been a rather exciting yet adventurous at the same time. If I were to put the focus now on my grades, the graph shown would probably be increasing constantly, which is, a positive time-displacement graph. Today, I am rightfully standing in the midst of top students in my course, or even the top few in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Am I considered someone successful in life already?

So here's the scenario: A bunch of year one junior students comes up to me and seeks my help to clarify some doubts in their homework. I agreed, but when it came to teaching them, my mind went totally blank. At that time, I realized that I was a road learner.

A road learner is someone who strives for his 'As' but doesn't know what he is learning about. He is someone who figures out the fastest method to solve a problem within a time range. At the end of the day, after achieving the expected grades, he forgets about it and moves on to the next module.

There are three types of learners:

1. Road Learner

2. Road Hogger

3. Passenger

Road learners are faster and capable of learning things the smarter way, sometimes through 'despicable methods'. They are fun and outgoing people and dislikes hanging around in places where the nerds lurk. Road learners are last minute workers, they produce last minute yet quality is recognized in their work. They are people whom the road hoggers will admire. Road learners are quick and decisive in what and how they do things.

Road hoggers are people whom are quiet yet a perfectionist. They are slow in learning, but most importantly they are willing to learn, because of their humility. Unlike road learners, road hoggers will often questions in classes, whereas the opposite would either sleep or don't even turn up for lessons. Road hoggers are hardworking, which is an advantage over the learners.

In a project, a balanced mix of road learners and hoggers should be a perfect one. (I've been in one before and I know it, and loved it )

The most disappointing group of the night would be: Passengers

This group possesses no knowledge of education nor whatsoever, but has a 99% of luck with them. They are people whom the road people will want to stay away from them, but it's difficult.

Shit happens.

Opps

At the soccer court

I played like the world.

I scored like the world.

I dribbled like the world.

I tackled like the world.

I acted like the world.

I became like the world.

I became the top scorer in the competition league for the first time in three years. The more goals I scored, the more vulgarities came out from my tongue.

What I lacked wasn't the control of the ball, it wasn't the dribbling skills, neither was it the goals. What I did not have was the control of my tongue. I blasted so many crude comments on my teammates and the game when things weren't going my way. I got so fed up that I even hurt a friend even though he wasn't good in football, but he wanted to play so that there was bonding in relationships.

The power of winning has taken control over my whole self, and I was going bonkers in the court trying to get the ball by stealing the legs of the opponents. I was self-centered and arrogant, and it was totally unacceptable.

Why reflect now? Why regret now? This is really human's nature. Shit.

Human Error

Seeing isn't believing. You cannot judge with your eyes by what you see, you cannot conclude from just your observations. Hearing from what the world says isn't enough, feeling with what your heart tells you isn't enough.

People claimed that they cannot see God. Unless they see him, they will never believe in Him. In fact, in the bible we know that God is the light of the world, the conqueror of darkness. Light is everywhere, and we cannot see it. If we can see God, it's either we're in heaven or the idols are playing a trick on you.

God. If we reverse the word, you get doG. Dog is man's best friend. God is man's best friend.

Oh my God, I don't know what I am typing right now. Jialat.

Trey's 21st Birthday Party

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CAI JIE QUAN TREY!!!

Trey:

It is an honor and blessing to know such a friend and brother during the period of 3 years in the aerospace course. Of course, the ending is the beginning of everything. We will all be graduating and departing from this campus filled with many unforgettable memories, not mentioning those overseas trips we have been through together.

Thank you for the joy rides you have given us since the day you got your driving license, thank you for all the encouragement, the good times and bad times you have given me throughout the ups and downs.

Even as we approached the final month before graduation party, let us hang on as a class, and give our last shot in whatever fun we are having right now.

Play hard, work hard and live hard.

God will be there to bless your relationship with Junie even though you are distant from Him, He loves you and hopes you will turn back to Him someday. He is a God of second chances.

The first step to adulthood brings many uncertainties and excitement, but no matter where you are, let us remain in contact and not end after the three years in polytechnic.

Till then,

Nicholas

Flight TUI 1153

"Hello this is your captain speaking, we are currently at flying at an altitude of 23,000 feet. The weather conditions are fine and we hope you enjoy your ride with us."

The next moment, both engines flame-out and the flight crew went into panic mode, with one shouting prayers all over the PA system instead of making calculations to glide the aircraft to its nearest airport in Palermo. Eventually, the aircraft ditched into the sea in three pieces. The flight crew ended up jailed and the airline company was re-branded before it re-scheduled its flights again.

Did last minute prayers really worked? Or was it part of God's plans? Funny as it seems, when such prayers failed you when you know you are going to perish. Some experienced miracles in last minute prayers in times like this, others experienced tragedies.

I am currently working on this case study presentation, and it was really unfortunate that the flight crew could not see the actual error working behind the scenes - the Fuel Quantity Indicator. To conclude, seeing isn't believing at all. This accident was really a tricky one.

I have not been blogging due to the upcoming deadline pressures and work at school. They are never ending, but fortunately the month of February is arriving. Everything would end by then.

Till then, chao - sai!

The aerospace hub and the school's library had been a second home to me ever since the start of this week. Projects weren't the least to be happy about, but I observed about the relationships between the three classes. It felt like those times in Year One, and it was just amazing to see that happening especially when this semester's ending soon. I hope Trey's birthday party would be the first, hopefully not the last gathering, to kick start this final year's journey before the graduation.

Not much inspiration to blog. I am very tired from school work. I should spend time personal time tomorrow with God.

And hopefully restraint myself from Facebook.

One down, two to go!

Tuesday's a pretty bad idea for me to play football especially in the first month of the new year. I've got a feeling I might not live before the Lunar New Year. Guess what, I fell down on a puddle of dirty water while shooting the soccer ball yesterday. The only good news that night was my team managed to knock 3 teams in a row, nice.

I am late for school as usual, and I've received the warning/debarment letter from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Yes, how screwed up am I right now. On a lighter note, I thank God because the application for local universities required only the results from my 5 semesters, but of course to confirm our slot would depend on the final semester. That would be a problem for me, especially when all the marks on my attendance and participation has been deducted, which leaves me to only attaining a maximum of 90% for each module. Shit.

I am still in the midst of coming up with a teaching theme for the ministry. Let's hope I will 'see' it tomorrow.

I hope my supervisor replies me regarding the ticket to get me into this year's airshow exhibition 2010. I promise I will be a good boy. (:

Oh, and I just got my contract plan changed - unlimited sms to the max. I am starting to spam my classmates everyday with text messages. How irritating is that. Nice.

Next up! Trey's 21st madness party!

Kim Tae Yeon!

Here are few reasons why Kim Tae Yeon is so beautiful, I decided not to use terms like 'cute', 'chio', 'hot', 'swee zha bor' or 'pretty' to describe her. She can sing, dance, cook and even fix up her own furniture (from a random episode on 'We Got Married')!

If only my girlfriend was her... P.E.R.F.E.C.T

I was supposed to be staying back in school to finish up my deadline before the submission on Wednesday, and ended up searching for her pictures to set as my laptop wallpaper. Now that I have her wall paper, I hope this would be a motivation to drive me to work on my deadlines. She's really beautiful, and I am starting to become obsessed over her already...

Somebody help me!!!

Okay cut the nonsense already. It's time for serious business, today happened to be Cheryl's birthday and the results of the O Levels. (I know it's Tuesday, please bear with me)

The results of the O Levels had brought tears of happiness to some, yet tears of regret and sorrow for some. The remaining already knew their fate, be it good or bad.

Those who have been blessed by the Lord for a long time, if you suddenly feel that you have received such a big impact to your life right now, or you are feeling like there's no hope, wondering what your parents might think of you, wondering what's the next step, thinking that the end of the world is here, or even blaming God for this downfall... Cry out to Him, pray to Him.

It's okay to feel angry and disappointed. Some of you have put in all your efforts and sacrifice over sleepless nights just to prepare for the papers, but yet the results you received is totally the opposite of what you were expecting! I totally understand how you feel. It sucks.

My only prayer for some of you is that you will be able to stand strong in times like this, to be able to strengthen your faith through this period of downfall, and place all your hope and trust onto the Lord that He may lead and guide you. When all else fails, God doesn't. He has already prepared the road for you to walk, but whether are you able to pick yourself up and move on, that is another question. But stay strong in the Lord, for He will definitely take care of your needs and provide in areas which you are lacking.

In good times, praise God. In bad times, trust God. At all times, stand, for the victory with God and in God is forever ours...

I would like to end off this post with some verses from the word of God to encourage you...

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

Psalm 42 : 5 - 6a

"Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved"

Psalm 55: 22

"Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen you; I will help you, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

For I, the Lord your God will hold your right hand, Saying to you ' Fear not, I will help you'. Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel will help you," says the Lord and Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 41 : 10, 13-14

Hide-and-blog

Warning: This post is not a blog attack to anyone, anywhere and anytime.

I am an avid reader of people's blogs, and most of my inspiration comes from them, with the remainder originating from myself or observations around my environment. However, as time passes, it seems like enabling passwords to secure their blogs are becoming a trend, and those whom are close are able to access it.

In the first place, why start a blog? I believe that a blog is designed and created for people to read and make comments, be it positive or negative. A blog expresses how you feel and what you think of the world and people around you. As a blogger, you must be prepared to face the consequences of whatever you type and the comments you will be receiving from the public. Of course, I am not requesting posts with regards to racism, sexism, or even insulting somebody.

I just don't understand why a password is needed to secure your blog or a random post.

For me, when I am unhappy about a person or something, I will just type it out. I know of the consequences I will be facing, but screw it. If that person is feeling offended by my post, it means he's guilty of it. So what comes after that? Spamming nonsensical bullshit on my tags. That's childish. At least while reading the post, it makes that person reflect on what he/she has done. There's no need to type happy posts while you are putting on a different emotion while looking at the screen.

Go ahead, type whatever you want. At least it makes you feel lighter after looking at the post.

I am already used to receiving shit from shitty people, so start getting used to it in this new year 2010...

Chow Sai~

Fear and the world.

"Knock, knock!"

Sinner: "Who's there?"

"Jesus"

Sinner: "Jesus Who?"

"Jesus Christ."

Sinner: "I'm sorry, could you come back another time? I am trying to prepare for tomorrow's final papers."

...

I believed that everyone of us are guilty of that. Whenever a sales person comes knocking on my door, I peeped through the hole, and then I quickly switched off my lights and wait for him/her to walk off. I am very annoyed when I have to entertain situations like this, more over I was in my boxers, and I don't wear pants at home.

Are we showing the same attitude to God too? Let's put aside the categorization between Christians and the non-believers. In fact, we are the same, the only difference between us is that we are able to recognize the fact that we are sinners by nature and Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins by laying his life on the cross.

When God comes knocking onto the door of your heart, what do you do?

1. Open it and welcome Him with open arms.

2. Stay as quiet as possible and wait for Him to leave.

3. Open the door and chase Him out of your heart.

Note that the door of your heart comes with only one knob, and this door knob cannot be opened from the outside, but from the inside. God doesn't make the choice for you, you decide.

People often refuse to open their doors to God is because they are not ready yet, they are unsure what would happen to them if they ever open it, they are from other religions, they are living a 'perfect' life, so why should they do it?

Definition of fear:

a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling

Fear is a very powerful word, my friends. People refuse to open their hearts because of fear. Fear of guilt, fear of persecution, fear of what the world would think of them.

Fear can make you do things that are unimaginable, fear forms hallucination, fear makes you worry, fear creates anxiety.

It's time to do something about your life, do you want to continue living your life full of fears, or a life with one fear? What exactly is this one fear that we are looking at? It is the fear of the Lord, and a good fear.

Why?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning to wisdom.

The next time someone comes knocking at your door, open it, who knows that person you might see is Jesus...

Proverbs 1:7

⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Open sesame!

I am currently alone inside the Ngee Ann Polytechnic library, and it's super quiet, peaceful. I cannot hear anything except myself typing against the keyboard. I came back to school today to help out in the open house and to guide some of my friends around the campus. Fortunately, that piece of donut saved my life if not I would faint in the library without knowing it. Yes, I am super hungry right now.

The open house in Ngee Ann Polytechnic is getting more boring as the year goes by, and in an blink of any eye, it's the third and the last open house I will be involved in before moving out from this campus. Freebies are getting less attractive, events aren't really attracting the crowd, but the number of female students applying for diploma course are increasing! What about the guys? The smart ones would opt for their Junior Colleges while the stupid ones are either accompanying the ladies or ... I don't know la.

At the aerospace hub, many female students expressed interest in being a pilot, but not the course itself! This is very dangerous for the the guys especially, you can't expect us to fix and maintain the planes while the females pilot them. It's totally unacceptable! However, if you are a female and interested to join the aerospace technology course, don't hesitate! The lecturers will definitely ensure you a smooth journey all the way to university! The only obstacle you have is that pack of lecherous boys in your class which you will face for 3 years! (:

"I am from Aerospace Technology." This phrase often scare the shit out of people when you are roaming around campus. Because when you are inside the course, people would think that you are smart and capable, as compared to those from the Mechanical/Mechatronic engineering site. The truth is, we are capable and smart.

And we are humble. (:

Shall share more about some tips when surviving in the polytechnic campuses. Till then...

The boy who can't do a single pull-up

I promise I will never laugh at the dragon boat, canoe and gym people already, period. Today NAPFA was almost perfect; I aced all stations except for pull-ups. I can't even manage to lift myself up the bar for once. Frustration and disappointment were the emotions being expressed at the stadium. I have to train and master the technique of pull-ups, if not when I enter into National Service, that's it.

Oh did I mention I won myself a free 2 months trip ticket to Tekong island? Great, absolutely great.

Some updates on my life for now:

1. Spectacles still yet to be fixed/changed.

2. Nose still suffering from minor swelling.

3. Wearing the white spectacles is definitely not working out for me and the chicks in Ngee Ann.

4. I was just kidding for point number 3.

5. School is great, especially when I am finding a way to cut costs on transportation.

Here's my 5 cents worth on how to travel from your house to Ngee Ann and vice versa:

Firstly, if you are staying in Woodlands or other areas which provide the free shuttle bus service, you are on the right direction my friend. Next, take a morning stroll from your house to the bus interchange. Queue up and wait till the shuttle bus arrives to pick you up to campus.

Cash Spent = $0

Once classes are dismissed, you can proceed to the back of canteen 2 within the campus, and walk your way to the bus stop at the Shell station. Take 961 back to the interchange, and walk home from there.

Cash Spent = $1.31

If $1.31 x 5 days = $6.15,

$6.15 x 4 weeks = $24.60

Bus Concession = $50

Difference = $50 - $24.60 = $25.40.

With that amount of money left, I am still able to use it for other purposes or top up E-Z link card if I am hanging out with my friends. (:

Oh well, it's suitable for those who are considering Ngee Ann as their first choice.

I am still stuck with projects and projects and loads of assignments for this last month before the Lunar New Year and final papers. I heard this year is the Year of the Tiger. Good luck to the girls out there. (inside joke)

Trey's 21st party is coming soon, followed by Ya Ting's...

It's gonna be a blast.

It's not me against the world, it's me against my limits, and it requires a large amount of determination and faith. I failed NAPFA not because I was weak, but the requirement stated to have at least a 'C/E/D' in all stations in order to gain CCA points and scored myself two months free from early entry into National Service.

Tomorrow is the day...

Oh yes, I got back my Human Factors' test and assignment results: 44 / 50 and 20 / 25 respectively.

Honestly, it took me two days to memorize all that power point slides, hard work finally paid off. Thank God for his never-ending love and protection and blessings on me. While seeing those shock looks on some of my classmates faces, it made me thought of the times in year one. How arrogant I was during that time. Oh well, I have to give credits to them too, without their reminder, I wouldn't have scored such a grade. My classmates have been covering my ass since the youth camp, so all credits to them for my results and lastly to God who have blessed me with such people. (:

Okay okay, I know what you are all thinking. Don't worry I will not leech the shit out of you people.

At least, not now though... hahaha

And that was the end of my spectacles. Thank God for no broken nose or swollen eyes.

Today I completely hibernated at home, and I wasn't sure who switched off my alarm or... was it myself who didn't bothered to wake up?

Prayer pointer: Graduate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic smoothly (Red-alert)

Why?

Because I have not attended WISP lesson for the fifth time already...

A new hangout place

A place where cash flow wouldn't hurt our pockets, a place where food is never a problem for anyone of us, a place where transportation would be convenient for us to go home, a place where there are no gaming hangouts, a place where fellowship sessions can be held without disrupting the public, and finally a place not located around Dhoby Ghaut...

In the year 2009, I believed I have contributed more than 800 dollars of my earnings to the gaming hangouts, and it's all because of this game called Left4Dead. Yes, I am going to starve to death if I continue any further, and this must come to a halt.

I am determined to find another chilling/hangout place for all of us.

Unfortunately, pubs and clubs are cancelled out. LOL

No matter what, I feel that this year shouldn't be a year of Left4Dead. I believe that there is a greater spending purpose rather than on online gaming. I've yet to find that purpose, but no more online gaming for me... period.

What? Where? How?

I am still searching...

Re-start those times in school.

"Arise, go out there and build relationships with people, and at the same time, stay focus on being mission-minded."

It's nothing wrong when I look at myself struggling at these two important factors - mission-minded and building relationship. If you can manage both of them ideally, then you are prepared to become an evangelist or a missionary. What actually contributes to this type of ideal management? Reading the word of God and of course spending quiet time in prayer.

What I want to achieve at the end of this year is to receive the wisdom of God from reading the bible, through attending bible studies and applying the word of God in my spiritual life. It's difficult, when you have the likes of Facebook or YouTube standing in your way. Temptations from the devil do not actually take the form of any demonic powers or witchcraft, it is actually all around us, they are things that distract us away from the bible. And we become so distracted, that excuses and reasons starting flowing in like river waters, when we find ourselves not reading the word of God.

In 2010, I need to step out from the past, and move on to the future. I cannot be stuck in my own cocoon. Like a snail, it's going to be a long journey in the walk with Christ, with a lot of temptations and persecutions against me this year. Army life will be another starting point soon. My prayer for this year is to graduate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic without failing and get into a local university.

Recently, I've played this game among the cell group leaders. The rule goes like this, whenever a crude word is heard, insults or trying to bring someone down with negative comments, the person will be fined 50 cents. All the fines would proceed into the cell funds.

Guess what? I think I just contributed about 11 dollars already...

But I thank God, because it's the third day, and I am sure He will be with me to cut down on my addiction with temptation. (: