Trial Exam

Well, the warm-up test is commencing very soon, starting from this Tuesday to the next Tuesday.
I shall be concentrate on the books and notes now.
Wish me luck! :)

TMnet Streamyx Combo!

Found something interesting recently, apparently the local ISP, TMnet, is now offering a cheaper broadband services for the users.
The deal is called "Streamyx Combo", obviously following the trend from fast-food restaurants, combo deal #1 etc, heh.

People nowadays rely on computers very much, and of course Internet is definitely one of the biggest reason behind it. Surfing with a high-speed broadband can really make a huge difference in online experience. It's like comparing the speed of a bicycle with a motor, you can imagine that dont you?
Now back to the promotion. TMnet offers different Streamyx packages depending on the connection speed, ranging from the lowest RM 60 as advertised, to the higher end RM 160. The connection speed ranging from 384kbps to 4Mbps. Here's a simplified summary diagram:

Uncertain which package you should choose? Here’s another table for your reference:

Which package I'm using currently? I'm running on 512kbps for now. Might consider upgrade to 1Mbps, but since I'm not the one who pays for the bill so it's not easy to convince the bill-payer to upgrade eh.
I've been using Streamyx for 5 years, and overall, I'm satisfied with the service. During this 5 years I’ve received free upgrades, which boost the broadband speed and reduced monthly fees.
If you're a user like me, changing from 56k dial-up to Streamyx broadband, you'll noticed the big difference in terms of cost and time. For long run, Streamyx is much cost-friendly compare to dial-up.
Streamyx is running on unlimited basis 24/7, and you only have to pay for the fixed monthly fee.
As for 56k dial-up, you've to pay for every minute you online, and also the telephone charge which you used to connect to the net. Usually it'll cost 100++ per month for the Internet bill.
You know the difference, RM60 VS RM100++.

In terms of speed, do a simple maths, 56 and 512, which value is bigger? The bigger the value, the faster the speed goes.
Another Maths fact: If you're downloading a file, faster speed will result in higher download rate, which means the file will be loaded into your computer faster. Then again, you're comparing 56k's usual 5kb/sec with Streamyx’s 50kb/sec.... Streamyx perform much faster than its predecessor for sure.
Oh and also, remember the days when you couldn't receive or make calls when running on 56k? This is no longer a problem with Streamyx! :)
Actually the Streamyx Combo promotion doesn't stop there just yet. If you signup the Streamyx Combo now, you’ll be offered a great deal, compromises services below.

With an additional fee, you can enjoy some of the best services TMnet provide, like making unlimited local calls, Internet security, and also BlueHyppo online community access.

Streamyx broadband service provided by TMnet is a must for every family in Malaysia. If you haven’t signup for it now, you better do it fast! This is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss, so make the move now or you’ll regret i!

Further info can be referred from Streamyx Combo’s website (http://202.71.97.48/streamyx_combo/index.asp)

Check on my horoscope

I'm an early March baby, so I'm aligned with Pisces, the "double-fish" zodiac.
I checked Wikipedia bout the horoscope, thinking that I might get some clues of my own self better from the knowledge database I rely so much heheh.

According to common believes, a Pisces' birthdays fall between Feb 19 to March 20. They're said to be attributed with water element, which obviously, fish cant live without water.



Following are the Pisces characteristic traits that I think I posses:

• friendly -I've no problems to get along with people, even strangers, but I need sometime to get used to it.
  
• optimistic - Looking forward for every moment in my life!
  
• sensitive - I will somewhat know what's going wrong on things happening around me.
  
• mystical - I'm shaded by a mysterious veil from strangers.
  
• smart - Yes! I'm smart! :D
  
• emotional - Sometimes I can be a little emo, but it wont bother me that much, unless something BIG happened.
  
• reverent - I've earn a degree of respects from peers, and the elders.
  
• easygoing - I'm relatively eased with friends.
  
• fun - I love to enjoy things I like!
  
• sympathetic - I felt a sense of unease when looking at beggars, or people who're less unfortunate.
  
• compassionate - same as above.
  
• intuitive - I trust my instinct mostly, but of course
  
• unworldly - I do think that sometimes I dislodge myself with the world my friends live in.
  
• wise - The older I get, the wiser I become. :)
  
• open minded - I'm quite open for new things and difference in opinions. If it's a valid point I'm willing to accept it.
  
• caring - I do care bout those around me, ready to help whenever they need it.
  
• liberal - I'm neither left-winged nor right-winged. I'm neutral!
  
• humorous - Too bad not many people would enjoy my cynical jokes.
  
• imaginative - Oh I think alot! Well, mostly in my imagination lol.
  
• understanding - I'm good in this. Else, why friends would come and consult me when they're having problem?
  
• perceptive - I think this is same as intuitive above.
  
• tolerant - I can get along well with most people, provided they didnt breach tolerance limit.
  
• benevolent - I think I'm qualified for this as well. :P
  
• artistic - Artistic, only if that's something I'm interested in. I'm bad in drawing though.
  

Enough with positive traits. Good signs must be accompanied with least-favourable traits as well.

• distracted - since I think too much, I can easily running off-topic from my mindset.
  
• detached - sometimes distanced myself from things isn't good though.
  
• illusionary - excess imagination backfires.
  
• lazy - lazy, in terms of finishing homeworks hahah.
  
• erratic - some people might take me as a weirdo.
• aloof - refer detached.
  
• complicated - too many things to think of, overloaded brain!
  

Perhaps, all these info will give you a rough picture how I might be.

I believe that one shall not judge a person from the 1st sight, though 1st impression is important to get to know a person. :)

Handphone meme

Most people can't live without their cell phone...so here's a survey about it...
OK Go Grab your phone!



1. What color is your phone?
- Black and red, devilish.

2. Who 's the first person who comes up under the letter M?
- Mark Gun Lam, ex-schoolmate.

3. Who's the last person you called?
- Father

4. Who was your last missed call from?
- Father's office

5. Who's the 2nd person who miss called?
- Mother

6. Who's speed dial 2?
- Home 1

7. Who's the 3rd person who comes up under J?
- Jie Lian, ex-schoolmate and colleague

8. Who was your last received call?
- Father's office

9. Who's speed dial number 4?
- Mother

10. What is your wallpaper?
- A tree, separated into half. One half is autumn-themed and the other half is winter-themed.


11. How many text messages do you have?
- 30.

12. Who's speed dial number 8?
- Not assigned.

13 . What's the 5th message say in your inbox? and from?
- Sam's msg, asking me this Sat come out celebrate friend's birthday.

14. Who's the 1st person who comes up under B?
- Only 1 person. Bryan from C class.

15. Who was your last text message from?
- Money.

16. Name every person you have text messages from:
- Money, Hong Liang, Sam, Emily, Ling Wei.

17. Have you seen the 101 Chuck Norris facts?
- No, the last time I heard/read/saw bout Chuck Norris was years ago.

18. Who's the 3rd person on your missed call?
- Nope, only 2 miss calls for now.

19. What does the 3rd message in your Outbox/sent say?
- Ask money to come my house play badminton.

20. Who is the first name in your phonebook?
- Accomix, the computer shop I usually send my com to repair.

21. Who is the last name in your Phonebook?
- 7姨, my 7th aunt (I've a large extended family)

22. Where was your wallpaper taken?
- From the net.

23. Last 4 digits of your number?
- 6026

24. your cellphone's unit?
- Nokia 5310 XpressMusic

25. Sun/Globe/Smart/TM?
- Not using those comm services here. I'm running on Maxis btw.

26. when did you buy your phone?
- 22 Feb 2008.

27. where?
- From friend's brother, who's a phone dealer.

28. do you want to replace your phone?
if yes, what is it?
- Not for now, I'm happy with it.

29. favorite application on your phone?
- XpressMusic Player. The sound quality is great, I think surpass my previous mp3 player.

30. can you live without your phone?
- Possible, but I'll be losing contact with others....

Survey of myself

[01] Are you currently in a relationship?
- Nay

[02] Have you ever been given a rose..
- Nay

[03] What is your all-time favorite romance movie?
- I'm not into romance movie, so no answer.

[04 ] There's no number 4 question..
- .......?

[05] Do you believe that everyone has a soul mate ?
- Yes, everyone deserves to have someone whom they can share almost everything with.

[06] What's your current problem?
- Exam....

[07] Have you ever had your heart broken?
- Yes

[08] Your thoughts of online or long distance relationships?
- Somewhat thought of it, but never happened.

[09] Have you ever seen a friend as more than a friend?
- Yes

[10] The person you're with right now, do you want to spend your life with?
- ??? Who's with who?

[11] How many kids do you want to have?
- More than 1. I dont want my child to be lonely!

[12] What is/are & your favorite colors?
- Red, Blue, Black.

[13] Who are your celebrity crush?
- Crush? Nah I dont idolize celebs in this way.

[14] Do you believe you truly only love once??
- No idea, never experience it before.

[15] Imagine you're 79 & your spouse just died, would you get
re-married?
- So sad, but what to do? Who would want to marry an old folk close to his 80? Unless he's damn rich.

[16] At what age did you start noticing the opposite sex?
- Since the day I'm born. C'mon, your family must've consist of the opposite sex isnt it?

[17] What song do u want to be played at your wedding?
- "Waltz For The Moon" from Final Fantasy VIII.

[18 ] Do you like anyone?
- Not really into it.

Beckham's Golden Boots

At last Becks won his 100th cap for England national team!
Let the pics do the talking here. (Click for larger pics)

Becks chasing the Europass ball. (Didnt expect to see this ball in action prior EURO '08.)




Anelka VS Becks.


Adidas Predator PowerSwerve DB Gold VS Nike Tiempo Legend.


Previously another galactic star worn a golden boots as well. That was Zidane's Predator Absolute during World Cup 2006.
Here's some pics for you to recall and compare 2 golden boots.






For people who're not into football boots business, hardly can recognise the difference of 2 boots.
They'll simply say, it's just a pair of boots in gold colour with some white stripes. Heh, big mistaken. Zidane worn the previous generation Predator Absolute while Beckham's wearing latest Predator PowerSwerve.

I'm not fancy with the golden boots, thinking it's too flashy to wear it on the field.
Besides, Beck's golden boots are rumoured to be another limited edition boots, not for sale in anywhere, just like Zidane's golden boots.

You can read more bout Beckham's Adidas Predator boots here, with pics of the boots he worn since 2002.

Experimental Failure

Today was quite exhaustive after having class from 8am to 3.45pm....

The day kicks off with a rather dull Bio tutorial. The tutorial paper touches on kidney nephron stuff.
Now we all are more concern bout our AS preparation, so we're not really in the mood to layan Ms G's tutorial paper. I think that she deserves credit for her hardwork, but then again, we're pampered by Ms Chong so we couldnt get used to a new way, heh.

Proceed for another lesson, GP class. We're kinda in a hurry now as we've so many things to discuss yet we've so little time to prepare for it. We managed to discuss something regarding social issues, and we also managed to squeeze out 80 points for different social issues occur locally and globally.

The next lesson is Chemistry practical. We're required to run 2 experiments today. We've to determine the cation and anion of unknown salt solutions, and have to complete both experiments within 30 mins.
Somewhat, the results from one of the experiment is a little surprising as the test results do not really shows what anion/cation is in the solution.

We've been tricked by the special property of Al³⁺ ion as its strong polarizing power can break the OH^- bond of H_2O, thus providing H+ ions to react with carbonate CO₃^2- and then form CO₂ gas. Usually this reaction occurs when reacted with acids, like HCl for example. We do not expect a metallic cation can undergo the such reaction to release CO2!
In the end, the salt solution is confirmed to contain Al³⁺, SO₄^2-, & Br^- ions..

Lunch break. Thankfully today got enough time to settle for a proper meal as we left sharp at 1230. Though it's only 30 mins break, well at least I've managed to take in a full meal instead of just breads & buns.

It's not surprise to see that many students didn't turn up for the Bio lecture. I cant blame them because I've the same feeling of skipping it too lol. Finally, Ms G teaches the nervous system, but..... I think something is not right with her notes. The 1 hour lecture, is basically running on a rather monotone mood instead of excitements when conducted by Ms Chong.

I know it's not fair to put all the blame on the new lecturer, I can see Ms G did put in a lot of effort to prepare the materials, just that the plain notes aren't easily-digested by the students.
Even with a higher education qualification, that doesn't mean that one will be good in passing down the knowledge.... Teaching experience is the most important!

After the dreaded lecture, our final lesson of the day is Bio practical session with Ms Chong's lecturer, Ms Koo. Talk about generation gap lol.
Ms Koo definitely looks younger than described by Ms Chong, and we can see shadows of Ms Chong's teaching style from Ms Koo. I bet Ms Chong learn most of the style from Ms Koo, heh. Ms Koo is well-informed, aware of the experiment and gave us a briefing what we're suppose to do before carry out the experiment.

Today's experiment, sounds easy but it's not. We've to determine the rate of enzyme reaction in different concentrations. The enzyme is amylase and the substrate is starch, with iodine as the indicator.

Preparing different concentrations of enzymes itself is already quite confusing, most of us spend lots of time to figure out how to prepare it. Before we can start the thing, those solutions are already drained by those who've figured it out earlier.
I managed to pull out something to continue the experiment. It's kinda embarrassing to get stuck while others are doing their sets.

My test result, definitely not the best colour , somewhat you can see gradually fading colour change. I haven't tested the last row when taking this pic, that's the original colour of the iodine solution.


Friend's experiment result. Noticed the darker colour compared to my result.


One of our biggest disadvantage doing practical is that we did not carry out individual experiment until this year, which means we've less than 6 months to prepare for it. We're supposed to do it by ourself since last year but because the then-lecturers do not know much bout the examination criteria, we're allowed to conduct the experiment in group, which is something impossible in our real exam.

These experiments cannot be underestimated as many students who do well in their paper 1 and 2, didnt manage to score a good mark for the subject because of the paper 3, the practical exam.

Thursday is a dreaded day after spending so much time to run those experiments, and it's like rub salt to a wound to have an abysmal lecture going on.... and not to forget the relatively short lunch break!

Life for Pre-U students are not as fun as diploma students, I think my coursemates will agree on this fact!

F1 @ Sepang videos

I'm done processing the vids now, enjoy! :D

Video #1: The King's escort. (~0.30 min)



The monarch's car flanked by police Honda bikes escort, followed by Perdana V6, then the King's Rolls Royce Silver Seraph. Behind the grande limousine is a BMW 7 series, a previous gen BMW 5 series, another Perdana V6, a Toyota Alphard, BMW X5, puny Proton Iswara and lastly another royal's car, Porsche Cayenne.

Video #2: The race. (~2 mins)



Compilation of few videoclips taken during the race, pretty impressive.

* Be wary of the sound from this vid, if you watch it live, the noise is 100 times louder than in the video! Noise pollution....

[Pictures]

How fast can you type?

101 words

Speedtest

My best try so far.... it's good to know how fast can you react with the keyboard, and of course you dont need to see the keyboard if you're familiar with the keys, easily fetch up to 70+ words/minute. :)

New record 98 words/min! Previously was 93 words, heh. I wanna break 100 words/min! Just wait and see!

101 words!! Hahah I'm addicted to it now.... see how fast I can go from this point. :)

Lecturers' Evaluation

Today Ms Hwang interrupted Mr Yap's Applied Maths past year questions discussion to let us do a survey to evaluate the lecturers. Heh, this is the time when students can voice out their opinions bout the lecturers anonymously. Usually students went to the office to lodge complaint, but of course showing yourself complaining might damage your reputation so, some ought to write it instead of voice it out in the office, like me!   :D

Looks like my lecture hall, but it's not!

I've been quite kind actually, because I think all the lecturers are doing a good job teaching us, except for some special cases.

I gave quite high rating for Mr Low & Ms Chong, both of them teaches my fav subject, Chemistry & Biology respectively. They did a very good job, at least from my view. At the comments I wrote Mr Low "a very nice guy", and for Ms Chong's part, I want her to come back teach us soon! She's taking maternity leave now.

Ms Ngow & Ms Ong has been doing a great job for their part too, both of them get quite high rating from me too. Both of them work really hard to prepare all the teaching materials, and I think their lecture are quite OK too. I used to have problems for their subjects but now I'm doing pretty smooth here. Kudos to the lecturers!
Almost forgot bout Mr Yap, the mischief genius. His lecture is one of the most looking-forward class, but too bad now he only do past year questions discussions with us because he's done with the lectures! And, most of us enjoy his sinister jokes, especially when he grabbed student's food as "tax" LOL! He's such a funny lecturer, but he's very smart, very very smart I've to stress out.

Ms Marilyn, she may be a good lecturer, we enjoyed her GP class very much, but for the sake of our exam, we are not doing very well in terms of preparing for the paper. She's a highly intelligent lady, lots of experiences she has, wonderful charisma, she's the bomb in the class, but.... if she still failed to turn out to the class, we'll miss more GP lessons. which means we're learning less things. I think it's not fair to put all the blame to her, as she only take over from the previous GP lecturer due to some riffs between the students and the previous lecturer. Her days teaching us are numbered, as she'll be quitting this job soon, so I guess we really have to appreciate the last lessons with her.

I felt I bashed Ms Geraldline too lightly this time. I can understand that she's new in the scene, but from the way she introduce herself to us, I think we're pretty much disappointed because we hold high expectations from her. She said she's done her Master in Bio now, and planning to further study Ph.D soon. Well, she said she successfully genetically-implant a human gene into a banana. Achievements sound good, but for her lecture.... very disappointed. I guess we're too pampered by Ms Chong, so it's hard to get used to her teaching. Furthermore, she's messed up with the syllabus.... to our horror. I'm still skeptical whether is she teaching the right thing now? I thought we're suppose to learn nervous system, but she's teaching hormonal controls? Hmm..... I should've deducted her ratings hahah. She's just taught us for the 2nd day, I think we need some time to get used to her way 'eh?

I've lots of respects to a teacher or lecturer, because I think it's not easy to be a teacher, one have to work really hard and sacrifice lots of time for the sake of students. Although I've some remarks on certain lecturers, I still hold a degree of respect towards them and I will not speak too badly bout them, heh.

F1 @ Sepang!

Sunday is the race day for Malaysia F1 Grand Prix, and I'm very lucky enough as my father handed me 2 ticks for the big event! Hahah, thanks to the sponsor Astro!

Without the sponsor, I wouldnt want to fork out that much money just for this tick!

Money and Ben went there on Saturday for the qualifying round, while I went for the race day with Money, since the tick is valid for 3 days.

Journey to the circuit was a breeze at the beginning, credit goes to the KL-Putrajaya highway. Well, the rest of the journey was bumpy from the junction turn to Sepang circuit's direction. We've to make way for the King's car, you know, VVVIP's treatment, he's the no.1 man in the country. I took a vid of the King's car escort moving beside our car, will post the vid once I upload to Youtube.

Thankfully there's still parking lots there, lots of 'em waiting for cars to fill 'em up! Dont expect shaded parking lots though, it's just merely a cleared palm oil tree ground.

OK now, let the pics do the talking.
(There's quite a lot of pics here, please be patient! Click for larger pics.)

Nice bike

KLIA is just a stone throw away from the parking lot!

Reached F1 circuit!

Take pic with some nice and cool Mercs cars! Love 'em!

Mercedes CL 500! First sighted in Malaysia! It's name almost completed "CLF" lol.

Walking to our seats.

Ferrari's merchandise booth.

Max zoom from my camera, showing the pit. (I'm standing out of the fence)

View from my seat.

Binocular view of the crowd seating at the far opposite field.

Mercedes ML on standby, with some crews.

Circuit map from my booklet.

Cars warming up.

Fellipe Massa's car (Ferrari).

One of the safety car, a Mercs C class wagon AMG model. Too bad didnt take the new SL AMG....

I like this car's colour, Torro Rosso.

Ferrari car VS the crowd.

Another fast car pass-by.

Crew watching from the big screen.

This cameraman probably got the best view of the track.

Massa's car stranded. Not a clear view, but you can see a red figure stuck below the RBS sign.

View from my seat

Raikkonen close up.

The car I like has been tolled due to engine failure, oh well.

Final score: #1 Raikkonen (Ferr), #2 Kubica (BMW), #3 Kovalainen (McL-Mercs)

Well, it was really a whole new experience for me. I'm not an F1 fan then, but now I'll be keeping an eye on this sports then, heh.

One thing I dislike is the noise made by the car, too loud until my ears could be deaf if I didnt put on the earplugs. They say wanna reduce pollution, yet this sports create such serious noise pollution huh.... contradicting!

I've got some vids to be shared here, but I've to process them in Movie Maker then upload to Youtube, before sharing it here with you all! :D

Update:
Videos are ready now! [Link]

Prelude - Sepang F1

Had a great day in Sepang Circuit watching F1 today!
Sorry no post bout it today, I'm exhausted..... More pics and vids to come soon! (If I've the time to sort out the vids, I'm done with the pics now.)

2 pics for now....




Stay tune for more updates on F1!

UPDATE:
Pics and write-ups are now ready! [Link]
Vids are ready as well! [Link]