It’s time for more boring updates on my school life. The recess week has officially started yesterday, and for the whole week we’re free to do whatever we want, except that there are certain things waiting for us after the recess week is over. They are called the mid term tests, and I have to prepare myself for those tests.

I have a GEK1520 test, a MA2216 test, and a EE2011 test as well as EE2004 online “quiz”. I’m not too worried about the EE2004 since I can do it anytime online, so I don’t need to memorize all the concepts + formulas.

Since I’m hopelessly lagging on my studies, I have decided to take this recess week to catch up on my lectures and tutorials so that I can start the 2nd part of the semester on a good note. However, I have not been successful at keeping to my schedules, since there is much to cover, especially with the mid term examinations looming around the corner. There’s also tutorials and assignments to prepare, and two term papers to write.

Hence this is not a recess week, but a catch-up-and-study-for-mid-term week. But I guess it’s pretty normal since I didn’t study so hard during the semester time itself. At least I had my free time too. But I guess when the second part of the semester comes, I’ll be more strict on myself.

The EE2005 lecturer says other universities (NTU included) have more stuff to cover for the EE2005 equivalent. I wonder if its true because if it is, then their syllabus is more sick and how can they be less stress than us? Hence, saying that NUS is more stress is a total bunch of bullshit. Why?

Because both universities take in the same batch of people. Unless you say that only hardworking and studious people go to NUS, then I believe there are such people in NTU too. And there are the many scholars that’s flooding NTU as well, so they are probably as stressed as us.

Anyway I’m more stressed than the first year, especially when I’m expecting more out of myself this semester. Well, got to study harder and see how it goes.

I know it’s a little behind other people’s reviews, but I just watched it the other day on my friend’s birthday. Didn’t intend to watch it since there’s no time during the semester, but since they suggested so I’m all right with it. (Jiahao’s review can be found here)

Basically Wall-E is about this little robot that’s cleaning up Earth. All of those assholes who have dirtied Earth have been sent to space to live in absolute luxury served by robots. It’s already 700 years after they left Earth and the people living in that spaceship are all fat people because they haven’t been moving much.

Eve came down on a mission one day, and Wall E starts to fall in love with her. Mind you, he hasn’t seen any other robots in years. All other Wall E robots are dead. Not to mention he has been watching those darned TV shows where you have all the hold hand and love thing that’s enough to make robots feel that they are lonely.

He tries to impress her by giving her things he collected, like lightbulbs, or a rubic cube that she solves within nano seconds. Eventually Eve got excited when she saw the plant he gave her and she took the plant and deactivated. Wall E was sad and stayed with her hoping she’ll wake up. Eventually a spaceship came and took Eve away, and Wall E went along.

By the way, to drift a little, when the spaceship got past the earth’s atmosphere, you see many satellites there in space. That is actually true. There are that many satellites there in space, some junk and some working. Almost every mother son launches a satellite in space.

Back to the story, the story is about how they eventually got the plant to the ship, how robots tried to sabotage the plant, and how they all returned to Earth in the end to take the first step in reclaiming the environment. And how Eve fell in love with Wall E after knowing all he did for her. Aww.. lol.

Anyway I kind of like the story. The moral of the story is that we have to take care of our environment ourselves and we are responsible for it. So please recycle and use both sides of the paper!

Recently, I read a blog via Ping.sg about the ridiculous pricing strategies of 7-11. I promptly commented and found some flaws in the person’s arguments, and I thought it is ridiculous that he bought the drink at his supposed ridiculous price, and then seek an explanation, as well as think he deserves some explanation.

The thing is, in another post, he actually called me ignorant. I find it funny that he actually bothered to attack me from another post when he could have just not mentioned me at all. I mean, there was really no need to bring it up unless he was feeling sore about it and that he needed some “revenge”. It isn’t the first time someone called me ignorant on the blogosphere. Typically, these people just call me ignorant due to my nick, but I just find it rather unoriginal. I mean, there are much more words in the English Dictionary that one can use.

For example, I feel that a better word could be pushy. I admit, I was rather pushy in trying to argue my stand and show flaws in his argument. But I’m definitely not ignorant in this matter. I must say though, there were times I am really ignorant, and after someone pointed out something to me, I thank them and move on. Hey, we all make mistakes, we learn and then it’s something new in our brains! I find it best if we all can correct each other’s mistakes.

However, someone felt that he was high and mighty and probably should be treated like king. But seriously, I think the “Customer is King” mantra is much too abused. The Customer is King, but he does not have absolute power. In a way, I feel that customers should have some responsibility to the community. If there is a service error or lapse or that there have been rude staff, for example, the the customer has the right to make a formal complaint, and he has a right to demand a satisfactory explanation. However in certain cases, people all around the world think that since they are customers, they have all the right to demand explanations, as if they are in the right all the time.

Have you met such people?

The whole story about 7-11 is that this young and thirsty boy went into 7-11 wanting to buy a drink to quench his thirst. He took the bottle of green tea and went to the cashier, only to be told that its $2 for one bottle, but $2.30 for two bottles. He thinks its ridiculous. But nonetheless, he paid for two bottles, took the receipt, and went to make a formal complaint, and he now demands an explanation.

I think he is being ridiculous, and I am can support my accusation perfectly well.

Firstly, such pricing strategies are not uncommon in the world we live in today. We have seen companies selling things in packs. They try to bundle different products together to sell. In fact, it’s kind of like the buy 2 get 1 free policy. The aim is to make consumers buy that 1 more to qualify for that free product. Even toothbrushes are bundled in fours, and are sold as buy 3 get 1 free. There’s really nothing wrong. In fact, the aim of selling it at $0.30 more is so that you’ll be more inclined to purchase the second bottle, since according to our logic it would be “more worth”. I put it in “” because I feel that its based on personal ideas and values. Our values system are different, and some people may feel that it is worth the money and some may not. But whatever it is, more often than not we will think that it’s better to have the second bottle. Or look at the shop downstairs which sell their bread at $0.30 cheaper at night from 8-10pm. Are they being ridiculous? No. They are selling off excess inventory because anything not sold by 10pm (when they close) would be a loss since there is no money earned. It’s like econs, where in the short run, as long as you can cover the variable costs, then it makes sense to stay in business although you are making a loss. Hence even if they make a loss on their breads, it makes sense to sell them at a cheaper price, considering they will earn a sum of money compared to not at all.

All these policies are business and economic policies which are perfectly sound and not ridiculous. The aim is to make the consumer buy the product. That is always the aim of business owners. To sell.

Secondly, 7-11 is not being unreasonable, nor were their staff rude. The staff may not know anything about 7-11 pricing strategies, since they are low level staff, and they are probably not as well educated. I mean, if you have studied economics or business, you are more probably not going to work in 7-11, unless you are strapped for cash. I don’t see any need for a complaint. I don’t recall any thing along the lines of the service staff forcing the blogger in question to purchase the drinks. Since the customer obviously purchased the items on his own free will, then what right does he have to demand an explanation for “ridiculous” pricing? Obviously, if one finds the pricing ridiculous, he would not have contemplated buying the item. Excuses like carrying a lot of things, or lazy to walk back to change are merely excuses. If you feel so strongly against the pricing that you actually blogged about it and made a formal complain demanding explanations, then I guess you should also feel strong enough to say “In that case, never mind, I’ll get something else”. I knew I would, especially if it’s going to break my budget.

Thirdly and lastly (I know you all are tired), there are alternatives in the store. In fact, if a pricing strategy offends me, and I feel that pricing is an important consideration, I’ll change the drink. Look at the drink in question. It’s green tea. It’s probably more of a luxury then a necessity, in economic terms. I am sure there are cheaper alternatives, like mineral water. I know Carrefour sells Ice Mountain rather cheaply, less than a dollar. There are lousier brands at 40 cents. Although this is not Carrefour, but I believe there are alternatives, cheaper ones in fact, in 7-11. I know even H20 is at $1.50. A bottle of plain water should be cheaper right? Furthermore, if pricing was such an important consideration, then other considerations like green tea is healthier should then be of a lower priority isn’t it? But if it isn’t, then pricing is obviously not that important.

In conclusion, the above shows why I feel the post is ridiculous. Now, if you feel I am wrong, or I am ignorant, do let me know, and please substantiate it with something so I can learn from it. I don’t profess to have all the knowledge required in discussing this subject, that is why I am Ignorantsoup and not WiseSoup. Let us just all learn from each other. Perhaps there’s an economics major here who can explain in greater detail and prove me wrong? I don’t know, but at least I hope I’m not being ridiculous.

Well yesterday (since its already past 0000), I went to Tiong Bahru to meet up with QQ and Nelson for dinner. We’re supposed to give QQ her birthday surprise (her birthday’s today), and we have been kept busy the whole day with changes in plans because our oweek councillor Terence asked QQ to eat at Tiong Bahru when the original plan was Bukit Timah Market.

We spent quite long (from 5.30 to 6.20) walking about Tiong Bahru Plaza. I tried to find the new Fish Leong’s cd (hey I saw her in Bugis live on Friday. She’s quite cute.) but there’s no CD Rama there. The Music Junction Shop showed her CD behind the counter. I couldn’t even take it for myself to see what’s inside. Anyway its 26++ dollars so I felt it’s a little expensive. Shall find other places and see if that’s standard rate. And I actually went to ask the staff like this: “How much is the fish’s cd?”. Lol.

Well eventually all came and we ate. Nelson and I were worried because cy’s suppose to bring the cake and she’s late. Eventually she did appear with the cake and we presented QQ with a Yoshi soft toy with the sunflower curled round the Yoshi. The sunflower is more of a private joke thing, and I suggested it. It’s pretty original now that the Yoshi is decorated. Haha.

Then we took the mrt down and transferred to 96 to University Cultural Center at NUS. Michelle’s dancing in the concert so we all (except cy who has her friend’s birthday party elsewhere) went to support her. At first I was wondering if it was the right decision, since I have stuff to clear in terms of school work, but I’m glad I went. It’s a pretty enjoyable evening, and the dances are pretty interesting.

I like the one where the guy is searching for his darling, and the dance has this story which showed that the girl is always beside him, but she’s already dead because of a fire that broke out in the house, and the husband (the guy) didn’t know because he’s overseas. I find that rather sad and I think the whole song and story and dance fits pretty well. I enjoyed that a lot.

Another one I enjoyed is perhaps the solo which was dedicated by the dance to his mum. The song is chosen very well and it fits with the dedication. Hence I thought it was rather meaningful. The other dances were great, but I cannot grasp the meaning of each and every one of them. Michelle appeared in three dances and she did a pretty good job, especially since she’s the secretary and she’s always so busy till we don’t see her around in school.

After the concert we hung about outside waiting for Michelle and then we gave her her belated birthday present. Her birthday’s on 6th September. Yay. Finally all the pretence and planning has come to an end with all the 3 September babies’ birthday over! Phew!

Finally we had ice cream at Mc Donalds and then we all went home!

I think by now everyone already know that the semester is eating me up. There are lesser posts and most posts are about updates on my life, rather boring I know but just bear with me.

I just finished my Japanese lessons on Sunday 7th September, a day JH calls my 22.25 birthday because 0.25 years ago I had my 22nd birthday. I actually took quite some time to figure it out when he told me. Anyway on the 7th I had the final exam for the course (which lasted 8 weeks, 8 lessons in total), and I managed to pass it. Hence I have put down a very huge stone, and now I can fully concentrate on my 6 modules in NUS.

However studying for the Japanese exam meant that I sacrificed my entire Sunday to memorize the vocabulary and study the grammar and try to practice for the oral examination. Hence I didn’t really have time to catch up on my work or finish my tutorials.

The problem is that I had lab yesterday and I spent the entire day on the lab because the questions are so vague and I don’t really know what exactly I should be learning. The stupid thing is, we have to print the simulation out, but the lab only has 2 computers and no one can use it. Anyway there isn’t any printers. The software cannot be installed on school computers too because we’re not having an administrator account. Hence they force us to go home to do the simulation and print them out. The problem is the TA went through a quick lesson and we all forgot what we should do once we got home. The lab manual also didn’t help.

Having spent a whole day for the lab report meant that I had one less day to recap and do my tutorials. This week is especially sick because apart from EE2005′s tutorial 3, I had to do 3/4 of tutorial 4 (which is for next week), for my assignment due tomorrow after lecture. That’s like 2 tutorials worth!

I also couldn’t find time to edit my marketing assignment, which I just did and I don’t know how I will do. I also couldn’t find time to catch up on my EE2004, so I’m now officially lost. I’m also quite lost for EE2011, but I suppose I can catch up during the recess week. It’s a minor coordinate system conversion problem that I’m stuck with, but I’m confident it can all be solved during the recess week.

I’m pushing everything to the recess week, and I’ll be having more intensive studying sessions to catch up and revise for mid term tests. When the next part of the term begins, I have to be consistent and not lag behind, so I got to plan my time better and make use of my weekends better. I guess it’ll be easier now I don’t have Japanese lessons + homework + memorizing of vocabulary? So my aim is to be able to do revision at night after the morning + afternoon lectures, and all my tutorials should be finished by Sunday night so I won’t need to touch tutorials during the weekday. It’s difficult but I have to do it.

I’m also getting sick of marketing. In a way the notes are so vague that I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to study. I don’t know why EE forces us to take two business related modules. Marketing is a different module from engine lo. Engine is just technical. Mathematics. We have right answers and right methods and it’s interesting. Marketing is like no right answers, so much text to memorize and its difficult to memorize. At least I can derive engineering stuff out if I have the formulas. But marketing is like totally no linkage to me. It’s my killer mod!

Well I guess that’s university life for you. I have just begun to feel that I’m really in university, and I’m getting so busy with 6 modules. Should clear the projects and term paper as soon as possible before the shit comes in.

I need more practices!

*Yells like a mad man*

The Straits Times today touched upon the issue of foreign workers being housed in dormitories near to the HDB estates. Residents are mainly worried since the inclusion of those foreign workers actually increases their current population by 25%, which means in the future, one in five people there is actually a foreign worker.

It may sound racist, and even wrong, because everyone’s reasoning has a fundamental “flaw”, that is they seem to assume that foreign workers are the cause of crime, rowdiness etc. However I don’t think that it’s a flaw, but rather, all these shows how we are uncomfortable with the idea of foreign workers being around us, although we accept the fact that they are here to stay in Singapore because they are doing the work that we Singaporeans are not willing to do.

To digress a little, isn’t it funny how people are championing for it to be a right to have a university education? If such a case were to happen, everyone would be a degree holder and then everyone will expect degree level jobs. In the future, perhaps even our technicians, or our factory assembly lines would be powered by foreign workers. Because there is no one left who wants to do them. Everyone assumes that their degree gives them the right to demand better jobs.

Back to the point, I must say that I myself is uncomfortable with foreign workers. Do I have to do the same disclaimer that everyone does before they voice their views to the MP? Ok here goes: I have nothing against them. I appreciate their work in building Singapore blah blah blah. I think that’s nonsense. There is no need to say all these and justify that we arn’t being racist or whatever not. No one should have to be labelled a racist just because they oppose the housing of foreign workers near their estate.

Every Sunday when I go back home after my Japanese lessons at Orchard, I will pass by the MRT station Outram Park. At that station, and at that time period, there would be an influx of foreign workers coming into the train, and the whole place would be packed with them. (F*** the transport system for making it so damn packed).

I feel very uncomfortable when they swarm the trains. It’s probably because that we belong to different groups. Not based on elite ideals or what, but Singaporeans (people who’ve lived here for a certain period of time) vs these foreign workers. I find that they haven’t really acclimatised to our country yet, and there are many little culture bits and pieces that they do not grasp.

But the reason why I feel uncomfortable should be classified under a universal category, because I think everyone should understand it. It’s the concept of personal space. I hate it when people infringe on my personal space, whether its Singaporeans, non-Singaporeans, Aliens, fat, thin, rich, poor, male, female and what you have that’s contrasting. I am always rudely shocked to find my personal space being infringed upon by those foreign workers. I have no idea why they always like to squeeze me into a corner. When they come in, some of them grab two different poles with two hands, and they take up an awful lot of space. Their hands brush against my hair and they treat it like it’s something normal. I hate it. I don’t understand why people can’t position themselves properly when they know they are touching someone indirectly. It doesn’t help when your face is near his bloody armpit.

The thing is, I move, and I try to squeeze myself further in with limits, because I have to be aware that I cannot compromise too much on other people. I find my space getting lesser, and after 2 minutes that idiot’s hand is at my hair again. As far as it goes, I find myself having lesser and lesser space. What are they? Invaders of the MRT?

Not to mention that I find myself disgusted by one of the foreign workers recently. He was holding on to the hand grip provided by MRT. Those white triangular handles you can grab for stability. I was holding on to the one beside him. Suddenly, he held on to the pole (that links all the handles) and I don’t understand why he has to hold the pole in a way that his arm touches my hand. I mean, there is a distance between two handles, and why should you choose to hold it where someone’s hand is at? Knowing full well there’s the empty handle he just vacated.

He then proceeds to dig his nose in front of me. Hence, the former handle he grabbed is now out of bounds since it’s dirty. I know it’s already dirty because there’s other people who probably dug their nose and held there, but it feels worst when you KNOW someone dug his nose and grabbed that fucking handle.

My friend smsed me and then I use the handle hand to take my phone out from my pocket, since my other hand is full. That idiot took over my handle! Seriously, they are not foreign workers to me, but invaders of the MRT. They invade my personal space and invade the clean handle I was holding on to. Tell me if you’ll hold that handle again. And the best thing is? After holding it for 3 s he released it, and found a seat to sit. Whilst poor me have to stand without a mentally clean handle.

Hence tell me if the uncomfortable feeling towards foreign workers are unjustified. I think they are perfectly legitimate feelings. We are just not comfortable with them being too near us, for me when they compromise on my own personal space. If anyone of you haven’t realized yet, humans have a little space called their personal space. In a mathematical point of view, take the center of your body and draw a circle of radius r with its center being your center. r varies from person to person and we feel uncomfortable when strangers come close , however it’s perfectly fine when it’s a cute girl. I don’t mind the default squeezing. But what’s up with the indirect touches, even if it wasn’t intentional? What’s up with putting your hand near my face that I feel weird? That I’m suddenly conscious about how I breathe because if I breathe heavily your hand’s going to get the air?

Hence to me I feel that I understand. Safety issues, well, I understand too. It’s all part of how you are willing to accept other people. It doesn’t help when there are many stories about invaders of mrt touching girls in the orchard crowd during new year, or the maid with invaders having fun in the master’s bedroom. Or them loitering and looking at you, making you feel uncomfortable like you’ve been mentally raped.

Whatever it is, I understand their fears. But I don’t wish to debate on where they should be housed, because it’s a huge problem.