I speak perfect North American English? Lol.

The 2nd joke on my spoken English cf. 30th Apr 2007 Entry.

Attended the Hall tutor meeting yesterday afternoon. Met up with Prof. CK Tang, the Hall Warden for the New Hall (the name of the hall is call New Hall) and various other hall tutors. Only me and a GZ gal were new, the rest were hall tutors in New Hall for at least a year. I was assigned to be the hall tutor in charge of the 2nd floor, now officially designated as the international floor. Prof. Tang chose me because I am an international student and he said something like let the international student handle the international students. =.=''' Then he said I spoke in perfect North American English (gosh, I never knew that) and thus it'll minimize the communication barrier. '''=.=''' Finally he told me that international students tend to make more trouble as they always organize smoke and drinking parties; I have to stop them if they go overboard. And, I have to ask the securities for help if it's too much to handle on my own. The funniest part was, he selected me coz he read that I received the best soldier award during my NS days. =.=''' (actually I received the best soldier award not for my fitness, but more for my admin; my greatest achievement back then was to clear up the mess for IPPT, SOC, UC and ATP and to write a Brigade SOP for everyone to follow. In addition, I gave a presentation to all the new Specialists and Officers and tell them about the requirements.)

So now I am confused. Do I speak in British or American English? Anyway it doesn't matter. Perhaps I subconsciously switch my accent a little here and there when I speak to different people. Well well.

The upcoming semester will be tough. I gotta manage both the hall people and my research. Should be a good experience for me as I am gonna be a teacher in the future. This allows me to understand and handle students from various backgrounds and culture. Hopefully things will be ok.

A Bright Journey Ahead

Finally, I am out of this circle. I took a step back, climbed to a higher point & realized that things were not as bad as I've thought. Sometimes we chose to go around in circles, maybe because we were too stubborn. I am enlightened, in a way. The chat with Ms. Tam from Dean's Office proved to be great. Yesterday night, I shaved, after keeping it for close to 10 days. The last time in which I was so depressed was when I was in year 2 semester 2; together with Zhijie, we got out of it.

Thinking back, life is a journey of up and down. There are crisis that we must tide through from time to time. We may have the support from friends and familes but ultimately, we have to clear the obstacle in us; that's often the toughest. If we can't then we will be going around in circles.

Right now, I will continue to pursue my dreams and what I need to do. I sincerely hope Suling will do the same and let us support one another in the pursuit of our dreams. Indeed "只要相信，期待就会成真". Part 1 has a memorable beginning; may part 2 has a beautiful ending.

Emotional Roller Coaster Rides

The past 2 months have been eventful; it's some sort of a TVB drama happening in real life. Traveled more than 7000 miles, a series of heart wrenching emotional roller coaster rides, shedding of numerous cups of tears, hours of stars folding, collecting of Jolly Shandy bottles... going around in circles and circles; at the end of the journey, I am back to square one. Everything is reduced to nothing.

Back to Routine Lifestyle

I am back to routine lifestyle, except that I have not been productive for the past 3 days. Been bothered by a lot of issues. It seems that at the end of the day, everything is reduce to emptiness. We just have to suck it up and move on.

Anyway I am glad that my previous blog entry brought joy to you and a couple of my other friends. Again, it's not meant to promote HK but rather my reflections on the whole trip. Quoting from today's South China Morning Post, "Where else can you find landscapes that rival those of the Caribbean and shopping malls as fabulous as some in New York within easy distance of each other?"

For friends who are considering to come, my reply is don't hesitate. It's a really nice place to shop and hike. HK demostrates the epitome of cantonese cuisine. It also boast the most beautiful night skyline that the world can offer.

Time Flies...

Indeed, time flies. Before I know it, I am back to HK this morning.

The past 2 weeks has been draining, both mentally and physically. Perhaps I should not pack myself with so many activities during my holiday back home and during the period of time when I am not in the mood to do anything. Miracaly, everything went on smoothly and I thank Suling for the support throughout.

The primary thing I was back for was for commencement 2007. However, it seems that I am back mainly for the invited talks to the 4 JCs (YJC, ACJC, NJC and HCI) on Chemistry Olympiad. Ha, and I am talking to the teachers! Suling commented that I was daring as I am so young and dare to talk to a crowd consisting of some veteran teachers. It takes some courage I guess.

The JC talks went on rather well. It also gave me a glimpse into their system and thus allow me to better decide which JC I will like to go in the future. It's nice to see my classmates in the various JCs - Andy in YJC, Huei Huei and Baojin in ACJC, Weili, Angeline and Si Ling in NJC and Ming Lee (a senior, gotta know her during ICHO 2006) in HCI. At the same time, it is also weird to give a talk in front of them. Anyway, it's more of sharing my experience in coaching the national team and as a committee member in SCHO 2006. I realized that teachers are just like students in the following aspect:

1. When they are looking for seats, they do not like to sit "in front" (i.e. near the speaker). I won't eat them up.

2. They like to ask for model answers. :( we are not "redspot"

3. They like to ask whether past year papers to the SCHO are given. If not given, why? Ask NUS.

4. They like to ask for free complimentary copies of my book to be given. I am not the publisher. Even if I am the publisher, if I give everyone, then what do I earn? Lol.

Anyway they are cute lor. I was kinda dumbfounded. On the whole, it's a good experience. Whatever the case is, I will only need to worry about which JC to go into 2.5 years later. It's still a long way.

Monica's wedding on the 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong Handover (1st July 2007) was nice (ambience only!). The food sucked big time, downplaying the essence of chinese cooking. This was the first wedding dinner that I attended and it was an eye-opener.

Commencement on 4th July 2007 was ok. However, the feeling of "graduating" is no longer there; perhaps due to the fact that I was already half a year into my graduate studies. Felt quite empty also as I do not know most of the people in my junior cohort. Luckily, Yuan-Ting, Chee Siong and my CSS juniors were there.

With mom and dad.

With Chee Siong and Yuan-Ting

With Suling

With CSS juniors

With Prof. Hor

Other than the above, my remaining time was spent catching up with friends, bumping around NUS, resting at home and some shopping in the malls.