New companion

Went shopping yesterday for something that I've been wanting to get for a long time. I only realised how much I really needed them when I stepped into the new Reeboks. Yum, now hitting the asphalt will feel a lot less like hitting the asphalt.


That said, my trusty Nikes have served me well. They've been around since I really picked up running regularly. They've taken me through two Singapore Bay Runs and I've taken them all the way to London so that I could jog around the Thames. Now it's time for them to retire from the running scene. But since our government is all for re-employment of retired workers, Nikes will probably find a new vocation as my regulation "close-toed shoes" in lab. I'm sure we will continue to have a really good working relationship.

Happy 42nd, Singapore!

Taken during the last NDP rehearsal last Saturday. The parade segment was real, as in the marching stuff, but the performance part wasn't. It wasn't even full-dress or full-attendance. Probably because the performers need time to launder their costumes for the actual parade tonight. I liked the parade, especially since there were extra items to celebrate NS 40 this year. The organisers got people to stand in for the MPs, the MM and PM and the President. The way the master of ceremony went, "Please rise to welcome the arrival of the President... simulated" was rather hilarious. You can practically hear the parenthesis in his tone. Sadly, there were no fireworks, the highlights we were expecting. As were the scores of people camped on the steps in front of Marina Square. They had it worse as we were at least informed during the show.

Anyway, catch the real thing online or on TV later. Maybe I'll finally understand what the performance segment was about this time. Yes, the MC gave up the commentary after the parade part. Presumably there will be celebrity hosts, who weren't there that day.

In other news, I'm having a break! Heh, for about a week. Happy.

INTP

Followed a link from plhu.



This result is different from this one I took some time ago. First thing that sprang to mind is: "Oops, that's quite a change." Especially since I've always felt that I'm more Feeling than anything. Haha, yep, look inside and it's all cotton-fluff and candy floss. But. Upon closer inspection, the percentages for all 4 traits are in the 50+ range. Hmm, seems like I'm pretty much split both ways and not too much or either eh.

Taken with a pinch of salt, grin.

Stir-fry

Q: What's the difference between serving a steak and presenting a stir-fried meat dish?
A: You let everyone do his/her own cutting when you serve a steak whereas you do the cutting for everyone if you prepare a stir-fried dish.

Maybe in some way it represents feminine empowerment because the woman doing the cooking will only do so much. The rest is up to the diner. If you want to spear the whole slab of cow and chew, go ahead. But I guess that would appear too barbaric and not reflect very well on the diner and the community on the whole.

Not cutting up the meat beforehand lengthens the time needed to consume the meal considerably. There are several advantages to this effect:
(1) It is definitely more gratifying to the chef; the time taken partake the dish is more proportionate to the time taken to prepare it.
(2) It encourages family bonding because everyone stays at the table for a longer duration.
With regards to point (1), haven't you noticed that it takes just 10 to 15 minutes for a family to finish a home-cooked Chinese meal consisting of several dishes (meat, fish, veg, soup) when it had actually taken the matriach 2 hours of preparation+cooking? All everyone needs to do is wield his/her own pair of chopsticks and take what he/she wants. Then it's back to TV/studying/computer games while the poor Mum does the cleaning up.

So I say the Western Mother (ok, I'm generalising here) must have found the secret to letting everyone do their fair share of work in filling their tummies.

While I don't think you can persuade your mother to start grilling steaks and burgers anytime soon, I suggest that you:
(1) help out in preparing your meal;
(2) eat slower and enjoy the dishes;
(3) help clearing up... or at least clear your own plate and
(4) finish up the dishes and tell her that you do enjoy her cooking.

我毕业了

Event: Commencement 2007
Date: Wednesday 4 July 2007
Location: University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore
Significance:
(1) Got to wear the graduation gown and mortarboard, shake Pro-Chancellor Andrew Chew's hand and collect my degree scroll;
(2) Marks the end of my undergraduate career;
(3) Was a day that made my parents very very proud and very very happy;
(4) Got to share the joy with friends who made whole journey all the more memorable and fun.


And now to let pictures do the talking :)



Some things to show for my four years in NUS.



My family, sans elder brother.



Wonderful girlfriends with whom I sat in lectures, moaned nearing exams and deadlines, worked for assignments and gossiped during lunch. Clockwise from top left: me, boon, kathleen, pw and voz.



My very treasured friend, Wenwei.



Labmate, lunchmate, stay-overnight-in-lab companion and brilliant multitasker Huifun.



Kay Wee, who shares the same surname as me... which is how we became friends in the first place, heh.



Jian Hong, a capable, sensible and reliable guy with whom I have the pleasure to be acquainted.



Jiamin who has a really nice smile! Really :)