I have 2 friends whose birthdays fall on today. It's Kelly and Marcia's 23rd and 22nd big days respectively! Sent them my birthday wishes over the Internet and hope they will enjoy themselves thoroughly on this very special day. Woke up at 5+ am this morning to do my CHEM 3310 assignment. Finally, I have slotted it under Ian's door before I left school at 4+ pm.
Went for Heat Exchange Network consultation with Geoff in the morning. And I must say that it has been quite a fruitful session, although I still need some time to digest the facts he fed me with. He is very patient and his office is spacious and big. Not to mention, he has a vast collection of reference books on Chemical Engineering as well. Then, I proceed to Mamaduke for lunch, where I purchased a big pizza bread which cost $5. The steep prices are typical of the food that is being sold there. But since I am leaving in just 5 weeks time, why not splurge a little on the food here. It is a form of enjoyment and I know I wouldn't be coming back to Australia in the next one year.
Handed up 2 of my CHEM 3310 lab reports and my library assignment to Adam. The time that I invested in finding the particular paper for a complex tosylaziridine compound had finally paid off, for Adam said that I could just hand up the printed paper to him without writing down the spectroscopic data and synthesis by hand. How kind of him! Anyway, I did not do too well for my first lab report, only 8/15. Let's hope I will fare better in subsequent reports. CHEM 3310 lab reports constitute 40% of the final grade, and I need to pass this component in order to pass the module overall.
Finally, I feel that there is significant progress in the clearing on my academic workload. Now, it is just a CHEM 3310 lab report and 2 CHEM 3210 lab reports. Met Robert in the library today, and he very patiently showed me how to look for articles on prostaglandin A2 synthesis. Among my friends, I am considered very lucky in terms of the distance between our homes and school. Faulkner Crescent is only 15 minutes walk away from school. Most of my friends need to walk longer distances, cycle, take buses or even train to school. Just to think that I used to complain that my current accomodation is very far away from school. But, I think the journey by foot to school will be much easier if there aren't any uneven roads.
Alas, the official school term has ended. But I still need to go back for 2 days next week. What a dampener! Nevertheless, it is better than 4 days! Time to start serious revision for exams, the first paper is on 19th June. On an ending note, honey waffles with butter taste heavenly! =)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Hiatus
I won't be blogging so often now,since I am rushing numerous assignments and haven't really started proper preparation for the exams. So, I take back my words when I said that there might be 31 entries in May. Shall devote as much time as possible to resting and sleeping now. So far, my grades have been fairly okay, scoring from 58-100%. For your information, I only need to ensure I get 50% overall for everything in order to pass. except for the miserable management essay which I scored less than 40%. Tony has agreed to see me next Monday to discuss about it, lets hope that it will be a fruitful session.
Finally, I have completed Experiment 2 and 3 of CHEM 3310. But I am stuck with the oxime stereochemistry question for Experiment 4. Feel so lazy to look for the answers at home, all thanks to the slow Internet. And there is a slight dampener. Alan will be shifting to Edwards Hall in the University campus on Friday. That means that I would have one less buddy to communicate with in the house. Frankly speaking, my terms with him are the best among everyone here. Nevertheless, we still be staying in contact since I got his MSN address already. Although he is only 19 years old, he demonstrates an impressive level of maturity and sensitivity. Kudos, mate!
I wonder why Ding's "cousin'', Suz, asked me to vet nursing assignments for her. And I foolishly agreed, now I feel like thinking of an excuse not to help her. It is not because I am mean, it is because I am bogged down by heaps of assignments. And I found it bizzare when Ding mentioned that Suz is not her cousin. Ah well, never mind. Should think twice before agreeing to help people so readily next time.
On some ending random notes, 4 cheeses marcoroni tastes delicious, with milk and butter. Cleaned the cooktop today, after Hongjun told me that Simon might be coming for a spot check ( but in the end, he didn't come. :P ). Tomorrow is the last management tutorial, hope to score as much participation marks from it as possible, so to whoever who is reading this post, please pass me all your luck! ( provided you do not need them)
Finally, I have completed Experiment 2 and 3 of CHEM 3310. But I am stuck with the oxime stereochemistry question for Experiment 4. Feel so lazy to look for the answers at home, all thanks to the slow Internet. And there is a slight dampener. Alan will be shifting to Edwards Hall in the University campus on Friday. That means that I would have one less buddy to communicate with in the house. Frankly speaking, my terms with him are the best among everyone here. Nevertheless, we still be staying in contact since I got his MSN address already. Although he is only 19 years old, he demonstrates an impressive level of maturity and sensitivity. Kudos, mate!
I wonder why Ding's "cousin'', Suz, asked me to vet nursing assignments for her. And I foolishly agreed, now I feel like thinking of an excuse not to help her. It is not because I am mean, it is because I am bogged down by heaps of assignments. And I found it bizzare when Ding mentioned that Suz is not her cousin. Ah well, never mind. Should think twice before agreeing to help people so readily next time.
On some ending random notes, 4 cheeses marcoroni tastes delicious, with milk and butter. Cleaned the cooktop today, after Hongjun told me that Simon might be coming for a spot check ( but in the end, he didn't come. :P ). Tomorrow is the last management tutorial, hope to score as much participation marks from it as possible, so to whoever who is reading this post, please pass me all your luck! ( provided you do not need them)
Long therapeutic sleep
Tomorrow is the last day of the official school term already! But I need to come back on Monday and Tuesday afternoons next week. =( For there is a last session for both CHEM 3210 tutorial and CHEM 3310 retrosynthetic workshop. Speaking of the latter, the questions posed at the workshop yesterday were so difficult. The methods that Adam used to cut the complex molecules seem so different than that of Dr Bates'. And there were barely any retrosynthetic lectures that taught us how to break complex compounds into the appropriate synthons. Guess I got to use my intelligence and diligence to do these kind of questions in the exams now.
Made 2 new friends at the Shortland canteen yesterday. Finally met up with Durrah face-to-face and she introduced a new friend called Ika to me. Both malay girls are really friendly and amicable, and I felt at ease throughout the 45 minutes we spent together. Exchanged numbers with Ika too. She stays in Pasir Ris, which is definitely "light years'' away from Jurong East. But the good thing is, her location is within walking distance of Downtown East, where the holidays chalets are located. But given a chance, I rather stay in my own home, because all the daily necessities are within an arm's reach. Ate a small but hearty portion of spaghetti bolognease for an early lunch. It was bursting with cheese flavour and I really like it. Ika stays in Waratah West, which was where Durrah used to live in. Both of them imprinted good impressions in my mind, look forward to meeting them once again before leaving in 37 days time.
Gave Kelly a towel which I had gotten from Tasmania as an advanced birthday present. She was really thrilled and gave me a hug in return. That was a very sweet gesture , because I am really glad that she liked what I gave her. Could feel her sincere thanks from the heart, especially when she mentioned that she did not expect me to remember her birthday. Kelly, like Catherine, may be a new friend, but she can make one feel really comfortable with her reassuring words and ready smile.
Did my CHEM 3310 lab reports with Catherine for about 3 hours after lab as well. We alternated between Auchmuty Library and CT Building because there was a lesson going on in the former's computer lab. Got to discover an useful spectral database website, all thanks to Catherine. She really knows how to look for the information she needs online. If not for her, I wouldn't have discovered Google scholar, Chemspider and SDBS. Managed to wrap up both Experiment 2 and 3, and will hand it in on Friday, hopefully, Adam will be in his office. I feel the mighty burden lightening significantly when I pass up my assignments.
Reached home at 7.30 pm, paid Hongjun the money I owed him and proceeded to cook dinner. Fried mushroom omelette and managed to fold it into a nice shape again. Remembered to add soya sauce to the raw egg mixture this time around. The end product was good, but not perfect, because small portions of the eggs were still quite watery. Dessert was an apple, but its size was a far cry away from the apples I got at Jesmond Fruit Barn. Fell asleep before 9 pm and woke up at past 6 am today. That is more than the usual duration of 8 hours.
Sigh, since I am not going to school today, I will try to make good use of the time today to complete my CHEM 3310 lab report and start on Ian's assignment which is due on Friday. Wish me the best of luck,everyone! For I have a huge tendency to waste the day away by lazing and slacking.
Made 2 new friends at the Shortland canteen yesterday. Finally met up with Durrah face-to-face and she introduced a new friend called Ika to me. Both malay girls are really friendly and amicable, and I felt at ease throughout the 45 minutes we spent together. Exchanged numbers with Ika too. She stays in Pasir Ris, which is definitely "light years'' away from Jurong East. But the good thing is, her location is within walking distance of Downtown East, where the holidays chalets are located. But given a chance, I rather stay in my own home, because all the daily necessities are within an arm's reach. Ate a small but hearty portion of spaghetti bolognease for an early lunch. It was bursting with cheese flavour and I really like it. Ika stays in Waratah West, which was where Durrah used to live in. Both of them imprinted good impressions in my mind, look forward to meeting them once again before leaving in 37 days time.
Gave Kelly a towel which I had gotten from Tasmania as an advanced birthday present. She was really thrilled and gave me a hug in return. That was a very sweet gesture , because I am really glad that she liked what I gave her. Could feel her sincere thanks from the heart, especially when she mentioned that she did not expect me to remember her birthday. Kelly, like Catherine, may be a new friend, but she can make one feel really comfortable with her reassuring words and ready smile.
Did my CHEM 3310 lab reports with Catherine for about 3 hours after lab as well. We alternated between Auchmuty Library and CT Building because there was a lesson going on in the former's computer lab. Got to discover an useful spectral database website, all thanks to Catherine. She really knows how to look for the information she needs online. If not for her, I wouldn't have discovered Google scholar, Chemspider and SDBS. Managed to wrap up both Experiment 2 and 3, and will hand it in on Friday, hopefully, Adam will be in his office. I feel the mighty burden lightening significantly when I pass up my assignments.
Reached home at 7.30 pm, paid Hongjun the money I owed him and proceeded to cook dinner. Fried mushroom omelette and managed to fold it into a nice shape again. Remembered to add soya sauce to the raw egg mixture this time around. The end product was good, but not perfect, because small portions of the eggs were still quite watery. Dessert was an apple, but its size was a far cry away from the apples I got at Jesmond Fruit Barn. Fell asleep before 9 pm and woke up at past 6 am today. That is more than the usual duration of 8 hours.
Sigh, since I am not going to school today, I will try to make good use of the time today to complete my CHEM 3310 lab report and start on Ian's assignment which is due on Friday. Wish me the best of luck,everyone! For I have a huge tendency to waste the day away by lazing and slacking.
Monday, May 26, 2008
True UoN blues
I foresee that the stress level will increase at an exponential speed in time to come, for the deadlines are creeping closer and closer, as it is already the final week of the school term. Bits of lab reports for both CHEM 3210 and CHEM 3310 are still undone, not to mention the tedious CHEM 3310 assignment and literature review. There are feelings of insecurity and worry churning inside me as well. IRHR 1001 management exam is closed book instead of open book. Which means that I have to force as many concepts and theories into my head as much as possible. To my utmost shock and horror, I flunked my 2nd essay, pretty badly in fact. I have just emailed the head tutor, Anthony. Hopefully he will agree to have a consultation with me, so that I do not repeat the same mistakes in my essays during the exam.
I was quite surprised that I actually scored 60% for my Pinch Technology cum Heat Exchanger Network assignment, because I had left a major part of the question blank. It was too late for me to seek for help back then because I did not want to copy wholesale from my coursemates, and I just did not feel like asking me to teach me how to do that portion. All the assignments for Green Engineering have been completed and handed up. Pray for a pass in the pending two assignment results. And, a fruitful consultation session with Geoff on this coming Friday, 11 am. On a more positive note, I scored 17/20 for the 2nd organic chemistry assignment. It is nothing to shout about for all the 3 CHEM 3310 assignments only constitute to a mere 20%. I need more luck and intelligence in the lab reports and final exam which carry 40% each.
Went to Jesmond after school to purchase a bottle of body foam and bee hoon dinner from Oceanic. It is the first time I stayed in school to attend the last management lecture. But the session was indeed disappointing, as quoted by Shaun, for past year exam papers will not be issued to us. We have to write 4 essays of 2-3 pages within 2.5 hours. Needless to say, time allocation is of utmost importance. However, Shaun only spoke to us for 1/2 hour, so I left the place at about 6.30 pm. Something embarrassing and unexpected happened while I was walking out of the school premises. I stumbled and fell on onto the pavement. Luckily, my jeans cushioned my fall to a certain extent, otherwise I might have gotten knee grazes.
This post is typed out in a random chronological order, for I do not have the mental capacity to organize my thoughts out. Alas, I have gotten all the melting points for the compounds in CHEM 3310 lab. But the downside is, I haven't answered those challenging questions. I owe Hongjun a hefty sum of money, for he has paid the rent for May and June in advance. Must go and withdraw somemore money tomorrow. There are many more things to be done, and I want them done as soon as possible. To everyone who is reading this, please bless me! Thanks!
I was quite surprised that I actually scored 60% for my Pinch Technology cum Heat Exchanger Network assignment, because I had left a major part of the question blank. It was too late for me to seek for help back then because I did not want to copy wholesale from my coursemates, and I just did not feel like asking me to teach me how to do that portion. All the assignments for Green Engineering have been completed and handed up. Pray for a pass in the pending two assignment results. And, a fruitful consultation session with Geoff on this coming Friday, 11 am. On a more positive note, I scored 17/20 for the 2nd organic chemistry assignment. It is nothing to shout about for all the 3 CHEM 3310 assignments only constitute to a mere 20%. I need more luck and intelligence in the lab reports and final exam which carry 40% each.
Went to Jesmond after school to purchase a bottle of body foam and bee hoon dinner from Oceanic. It is the first time I stayed in school to attend the last management lecture. But the session was indeed disappointing, as quoted by Shaun, for past year exam papers will not be issued to us. We have to write 4 essays of 2-3 pages within 2.5 hours. Needless to say, time allocation is of utmost importance. However, Shaun only spoke to us for 1/2 hour, so I left the place at about 6.30 pm. Something embarrassing and unexpected happened while I was walking out of the school premises. I stumbled and fell on onto the pavement. Luckily, my jeans cushioned my fall to a certain extent, otherwise I might have gotten knee grazes.
This post is typed out in a random chronological order, for I do not have the mental capacity to organize my thoughts out. Alas, I have gotten all the melting points for the compounds in CHEM 3310 lab. But the downside is, I haven't answered those challenging questions. I owe Hongjun a hefty sum of money, for he has paid the rent for May and June in advance. Must go and withdraw somemore money tomorrow. There are many more things to be done, and I want them done as soon as possible. To everyone who is reading this, please bless me! Thanks!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Made of Honour
Turns out that I did not lose my past year papers and lab manuals after all. Because I found them in another compartment of my pink Billabong bag. It was indeed a huge sigh of relief. Spent a couple of hours in Auchmuty yesterday morning, to look for information to do my assignments. It was rather fruitless as usual, but something inside me said that I should not give up, for these assignments will be taken account into the final overall mark that I would get. At night, Catherine gave me a glimmer of hope when she told that she had found the alternate name for the elusive deoxybenzoin oxime. Hopefully with that piece of information, I can its melting point on Sci Finder Scholar on Monday.
Boarded the Glendale bound 101 bus to watch the movie, Made of Honour with Rachel. The buses on weekends only arrive on an hourly basis. So, if we didn't board the same bus, catching the 2.30 pm movie would be impossible. Discovered something really intriguing when the bus passed by one of Newcastle's suburbs, Elermore Vale. It had a lot of road names that were named after the 12 constellation signs in astrology. To be exact, 8 out of the 12 constellation names are used. They are Aries Way, Pisces Avenue, Gemini Avenue, Libra Close, Virgo Street, Leo Close, Taurus Street and Sagittarius Close. Taking the public transport will allow passengers more time to look out for new road names and landmarks, because buses travel more slowly than cars, and they stop periodically. Wouldn't it be cool if I lived in Aries Way? ;)
Reached the bus stop outside Greater Union Cinemas at 1.41 pm. We proceeded to buy the tickets, and I got myself some nuggets and fries, together with sweet chilli sauce. After getting the tickets, Rachel decided to head to the hardware store in the vicinity to get a large reel of thin wire. I felt that the proportion of the nuggets were too small compared to the abundant strips of fries. And the meal cost $6.50. But there isn't much variety for heavy meals in the cinema, only fast food. They also have a candy shop, and I was particularly amused by one type of the sweets, which appeared to resemble human gums and teeth!
Made of Honour is a romantic and light hearted comedy, and I really enjoyed it quite a lot. It is about a pair of best friends who met during their school days and fell in love with each other. Ironically, their first encounters with each other weren't pleasant, for they got into a petty fight because a young Hannah sprayed perfume on Ben, for she mistook the latter for a troublemaker who tried to get fresh with her. However, a decade down the road, they became really close friends. In the end, after a major incident, they tied the knot. The ending and plot are very predictable and simple, but overall, the show gave me a sense of satisfaction after watching it.
Since the next 101 that leads us back to University Drive only comes at 5:51 pm, we decided to make use of the 1 hour allowance to go grocery shopping. Although I had lost my shopping list, I think I managed to get all the edible food that I wanted. However, I realised that I have ran out of shower foam this morning. Guess there ain't any choice but to go get a bottle tomorrow. Rachel thinks that the variety of food at Glendale Woolsworth is wider than that of Jesmond. But I barely notice the difference between the two. Maybe it is because I always managed to get all that I want at both venues without fail.
Rachel has finally found the recipe to making real carbonara sauce. And she prepared it for our dinner yesterday night. She used french onion instant soup, ham, mushroom, chicken and a parsley like vegetable to make the sauce from scratch and drizzle it over Vietnam macoroni. Initially, she was skeptical about whether the macoroni could blend well with the carbonara sauce or not. But her doubts were unfounded when we both enjoyed the final result of her cooking experiment. Fried fish fillets and chicken sausages were our side dishes. However, the chicken sausages looked unappealing after the frying process, for they had disintegrated due to high heat. Nevertheless, both us enjoyed the food and company as usual, on a cool Saturday night. =)
Before we slept, Rachel did up some of her models using cardboard, while I made a rather frail attempt on my CHEM 3310 assignment, all thanks to the distractions outside for Weifun and Oiyin had popped over to cook for the party of 4. Staying with so many people under one roof is no easy feat. I certainly crave for the comfort of my own Jurong East home again. Just another 40 more days to go only, endure!
Boarded the Glendale bound 101 bus to watch the movie, Made of Honour with Rachel. The buses on weekends only arrive on an hourly basis. So, if we didn't board the same bus, catching the 2.30 pm movie would be impossible. Discovered something really intriguing when the bus passed by one of Newcastle's suburbs, Elermore Vale. It had a lot of road names that were named after the 12 constellation signs in astrology. To be exact, 8 out of the 12 constellation names are used. They are Aries Way, Pisces Avenue, Gemini Avenue, Libra Close, Virgo Street, Leo Close, Taurus Street and Sagittarius Close. Taking the public transport will allow passengers more time to look out for new road names and landmarks, because buses travel more slowly than cars, and they stop periodically. Wouldn't it be cool if I lived in Aries Way? ;)
Reached the bus stop outside Greater Union Cinemas at 1.41 pm. We proceeded to buy the tickets, and I got myself some nuggets and fries, together with sweet chilli sauce. After getting the tickets, Rachel decided to head to the hardware store in the vicinity to get a large reel of thin wire. I felt that the proportion of the nuggets were too small compared to the abundant strips of fries. And the meal cost $6.50. But there isn't much variety for heavy meals in the cinema, only fast food. They also have a candy shop, and I was particularly amused by one type of the sweets, which appeared to resemble human gums and teeth!
Made of Honour is a romantic and light hearted comedy, and I really enjoyed it quite a lot. It is about a pair of best friends who met during their school days and fell in love with each other. Ironically, their first encounters with each other weren't pleasant, for they got into a petty fight because a young Hannah sprayed perfume on Ben, for she mistook the latter for a troublemaker who tried to get fresh with her. However, a decade down the road, they became really close friends. In the end, after a major incident, they tied the knot. The ending and plot are very predictable and simple, but overall, the show gave me a sense of satisfaction after watching it.
Since the next 101 that leads us back to University Drive only comes at 5:51 pm, we decided to make use of the 1 hour allowance to go grocery shopping. Although I had lost my shopping list, I think I managed to get all the edible food that I wanted. However, I realised that I have ran out of shower foam this morning. Guess there ain't any choice but to go get a bottle tomorrow. Rachel thinks that the variety of food at Glendale Woolsworth is wider than that of Jesmond. But I barely notice the difference between the two. Maybe it is because I always managed to get all that I want at both venues without fail.
Rachel has finally found the recipe to making real carbonara sauce. And she prepared it for our dinner yesterday night. She used french onion instant soup, ham, mushroom, chicken and a parsley like vegetable to make the sauce from scratch and drizzle it over Vietnam macoroni. Initially, she was skeptical about whether the macoroni could blend well with the carbonara sauce or not. But her doubts were unfounded when we both enjoyed the final result of her cooking experiment. Fried fish fillets and chicken sausages were our side dishes. However, the chicken sausages looked unappealing after the frying process, for they had disintegrated due to high heat. Nevertheless, both us enjoyed the food and company as usual, on a cool Saturday night. =)
Before we slept, Rachel did up some of her models using cardboard, while I made a rather frail attempt on my CHEM 3310 assignment, all thanks to the distractions outside for Weifun and Oiyin had popped over to cook for the party of 4. Staying with so many people under one roof is no easy feat. I certainly crave for the comfort of my own Jurong East home again. Just another 40 more days to go only, endure!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Yet another careless act.
Spent several hours in school yesterday,doing a myriad of things. Finally got to meet Adam and he told me to use Sci Finder Scholar to find the synthesis of the complex looking compound which I had been assigned too. However, I have yet to master the art of using the computer to draw molecules, so I can't use the structure to look for the exact compound. I have gotten all the melting points for CHEM 3310 lab, except for that of deoxybenzoin oxime. Wonder why is this organic molecules so elusive online. Got my CHEM 3210 and CHEM 3310 past year papers, will definitely look through them and attempt some, if not all of the questions. Hope the lecturers re-use the questions, so that I do not need 2 struggle with the tedious process of memorizing so many equations.
The Mysun club seems a lot more active than Insnewie. They are going to have a "lepak'' gathering at Barahineban today, which starts from 7.30 pm till late. The last event for Insnewie was before the 2 week holidays.Definitely would not be going for it since Rachel would be coming over for a sleepover and we agreed 2 start mugging hard together for my exams and her practical assignments. So shocked to know that the requirements for an Australian PR to enter UNSW is so much more stringent than that for foreign students. Nevertheless, I believe she will succeed, since she is so disciplined and conscientious.
When I was doing my CHEM 3210 lab report, I ran into difficulties again. I can never complete anything fully, ie. being able to do all the components. Thus, it is inevitable to seek help actively from friends and lecturers. And I rarely, or even never, do all these back in NTU. I finally experience the true meaning of being out of my comfort zone. But the worst realization was, I left my CHEM 3310 lab manual, past year papers and other academic documents in Auchmuty library. Chided myself for being so careless again, and not having learnt my lesson after losing my thumbdrive. Will be going back to the library to retrieve them later, hopefully, they are still there.
Noodles, both udon and thick yellow noodles, taste great with honey,soy and garlic sauce! Love the nectarine taste of the honey. Savouring good food takes my worries off my mind, although it is only transient. Wish that the hectic and hellish period passes by as soon as possible, I can never be truly enjoying my stay here if I have to worry non stop about undone work and challenging exams. 41 days till I return back to the sunny shores of Singapore, can't wait ! And, it's high time for another round of grocery shopping, running out of fruits,noodles,eggs,fresh vegetables and breakfast food.
The Mysun club seems a lot more active than Insnewie. They are going to have a "lepak'' gathering at Barahineban today, which starts from 7.30 pm till late. The last event for Insnewie was before the 2 week holidays.Definitely would not be going for it since Rachel would be coming over for a sleepover and we agreed 2 start mugging hard together for my exams and her practical assignments. So shocked to know that the requirements for an Australian PR to enter UNSW is so much more stringent than that for foreign students. Nevertheless, I believe she will succeed, since she is so disciplined and conscientious.
When I was doing my CHEM 3210 lab report, I ran into difficulties again. I can never complete anything fully, ie. being able to do all the components. Thus, it is inevitable to seek help actively from friends and lecturers. And I rarely, or even never, do all these back in NTU. I finally experience the true meaning of being out of my comfort zone. But the worst realization was, I left my CHEM 3310 lab manual, past year papers and other academic documents in Auchmuty library. Chided myself for being so careless again, and not having learnt my lesson after losing my thumbdrive. Will be going back to the library to retrieve them later, hopefully, they are still there.
Noodles, both udon and thick yellow noodles, taste great with honey,soy and garlic sauce! Love the nectarine taste of the honey. Savouring good food takes my worries off my mind, although it is only transient. Wish that the hectic and hellish period passes by as soon as possible, I can never be truly enjoying my stay here if I have to worry non stop about undone work and challenging exams. 41 days till I return back to the sunny shores of Singapore, can't wait ! And, it's high time for another round of grocery shopping, running out of fruits,noodles,eggs,fresh vegetables and breakfast food.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Tired and busy days ahead
These days have been really hectic and panicky. All thanks to the inefficiency of Auchmuty resources and things not going smoothly. Called Adam to fix an appointment bud he was only free during the time when I was having CHEM 3210 lab. The perception that Australian is an advanced and efficient country is so untrue now. Couldn't log into Sci Finder Scholar whenever there are too many logins concurrently. The Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Google Scholar and Google provide me with a lot of irrelevant information, except for the exact compound I am looking for. Tell me, how atrocious can things get? Since time is running out, I have no choice but to drag myself to school today to meet Adam, provided he not on leave. Last but not least, it is still impossible to print out PDF files from the library's computer terminals. I can only do it in the Engineering Building. So many things to do and yet I don't know the correct way of getting to complete it. But by hook or by crook, all my assignments must be of a passable standard before passing up.
Yesterday's IRHR 1001 tutorial session was the best one for me ever, for I have never spoken out to give my opinions to Tony and my tutorial mates to such a big extent before. Although, it is still a far cry from the outspoken caucasians. It is the second last tutorial session and want to make up for my poor performances for the past few sessions. Feel more secure if I pass all the components in this module. I must attend the last Monday lecture next week, for Shaun might give tips on the exams. I have only attended his lectures twice, because it is late at night, 6-8 pm. In addition, I can do the readings on my own.
Saw a polarography machine in the first time in my life during CHEM 3210 lab today. Progress was very slow, for I only managed to get 2 polarographs and UV-vis spectras for the macrocyclic complexes. A lot of time was wasted on waiting for the machines to become available. And making up the correct concentration in the volumetric flasks is very tedious, although the calculations might seem simple. Went to Auchmuty library to continue searching for literature, although it was futile, sent an email to Ian requesting for help and blog-hopped until 6 pm.
Had a really late dinner at 10+ pm, because the food required time to thaw despite being soaked in lukewarm water. Also, I was so caught up with work that my hunger pangs vanished. The last time I ate before dinner was at 8 am, more than half a day apart. But I do not feel lethargic or anything, for it is most probably due to my sedentary lifestyle. In a good way, I can go on a diet. Recently, I read about an article about a special kind of program called the Gabriel's Diet, which is about a man who lost more than 100 kg within 6 months without dieting. And he claimed that you can lose weight without controlling your diet by deactivating the fat switch in your body. And one incredulous way to turn off the fat switch is to spend 5 minutes sitting in the sun. In my frankest opinion, I think the degree of difficulty to lose so much weight is to good to be true. Call me old fashioned or traditional, but I firmly believe in the saying: no pain, no gain.
Yesterday's IRHR 1001 tutorial session was the best one for me ever, for I have never spoken out to give my opinions to Tony and my tutorial mates to such a big extent before. Although, it is still a far cry from the outspoken caucasians. It is the second last tutorial session and want to make up for my poor performances for the past few sessions. Feel more secure if I pass all the components in this module. I must attend the last Monday lecture next week, for Shaun might give tips on the exams. I have only attended his lectures twice, because it is late at night, 6-8 pm. In addition, I can do the readings on my own.
Saw a polarography machine in the first time in my life during CHEM 3210 lab today. Progress was very slow, for I only managed to get 2 polarographs and UV-vis spectras for the macrocyclic complexes. A lot of time was wasted on waiting for the machines to become available. And making up the correct concentration in the volumetric flasks is very tedious, although the calculations might seem simple. Went to Auchmuty library to continue searching for literature, although it was futile, sent an email to Ian requesting for help and blog-hopped until 6 pm.
Had a really late dinner at 10+ pm, because the food required time to thaw despite being soaked in lukewarm water. Also, I was so caught up with work that my hunger pangs vanished. The last time I ate before dinner was at 8 am, more than half a day apart. But I do not feel lethargic or anything, for it is most probably due to my sedentary lifestyle. In a good way, I can go on a diet. Recently, I read about an article about a special kind of program called the Gabriel's Diet, which is about a man who lost more than 100 kg within 6 months without dieting. And he claimed that you can lose weight without controlling your diet by deactivating the fat switch in your body. And one incredulous way to turn off the fat switch is to spend 5 minutes sitting in the sun. In my frankest opinion, I think the degree of difficulty to lose so much weight is to good to be true. Call me old fashioned or traditional, but I firmly believe in the saying: no pain, no gain.
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