David Pogue

Upon researching for BCC, I bumped into a link in Yahoo Finance about Best Tech Ideas of 2007. It was a 4-minute-video... but it comes in a playlist, with related videos continued to be played afterwards.

I don't know if I was just too bored or what.. but I can't take my eyes off from the shows for almost half hour! Meaning I watched almost 6 videos in one row. (a record for an impatient person like me) haha.. Let me introduce you to the enchanting video speaker: David Pogue. Most of his shows can also be seen at The Newyork Times

(This blog entry serve as a reminder incase I forget his name next year ^^)

Back to work,
Erlin.D

Reflection of Year 2007

Reflection… Like what others typically do in the end of the year ;) I’ll go randomly~

This year.. I had a wonderful time working at Apple… as well as priceless experience in Red Cross. Both of them were the choices I made.. and I truly felt thankful that I made the right decision. (Both of them are the most asked questions during interviews lor :p)

This year.. I'm no longer a teen-age T__T I turned 20… and traveled to more places than what I ever expected: Genting, Sunway Lagoon, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Medan, Hongkong, Shen Zhen, as well as Macao. Wish that I can visit my sister next year.. as well as my brother.. and maybe have some traveling during the job training… (there is no harm to dream, right? :p)

This year... I gained my Minor in Business. I finished my URECA... I tasted part time job… Although the job didn’t last long, I didn’t regret trying. I learnt lots of things.. and I’m glad to know different people in the library… as well as stayed in contacts with them.. They are all great people ^^

This year… I started what so called the scary Final Year Project… Thankfully, I got an angel as my supervisor.. It went alright (yes, I wont say it went very good T_T) I really hope that I wont disappoint her in the end.. and I’ll do my best for it.

This year… I’m really happy to have holiday with my parents.. It’s really a rare opportunity.. Last holiday together was 4 years ago… and maybe this is the only opportunity for the next few years… and I’m glad I decided to take this chance in the last minute. (The only bad side effect is.. I got another 5kg fat in me T_T) At the same year… my dear brother got married... I’m so happy… I love you all, my family =)

This year… is the first time I joined a competition, together with Helios, WK, and Max. It’s still in progress… I treasured the chance to be in a team with those great people. Their determination to do something is something that I learnt and cherished. Wishing us all the best!

And of course, the last few months of this year had been filled with job applications. It’s a long process.. my first ever interview with bank B, my first final assessment with bank C, the unbelievable interview with bank D… and thanks.. I made it through :)

So… well… this year… is coming to the end. That roughly summed up what I had gone through. I learnt a lot.. Hopefully I have become a bit wiser. :) Coming up next year will be my Final Semester, accompanied with FYP and BCC. Wishing us all the best ;)


Unforgettable Memories of 2007

Oh yes, credit to my Sony camera for all the pictures posted in 2007... It has been accompanying me throughout the year. So far, it has digitized almost 8000 memories. (with expenses of $440 + $150 bucks for the broken LCD T_T) anyway, thanks for sticking with me! ^^

Happy New Year 2008 everyone!
Erlin.D

This Christmas...

I’m back from holidays~ Finally.. Another holiday with parents after 4 years! In one week, I visited HK, got amazed at Macao, ate a lot at Shen Zhen, and had a Christmas’ Eve back at HK. I’m not sure of what photos should be post.. as 50% of them are food’s.. (sigh..) and another 50% are signboards’ for my fyp (sigh sigh…) soo.. I think I wont be posting any pictures :p.. hahaha..

Alright, summarizing the holiday:
1. HK people are even rusher than SG’s
2. Macau is where you can get great sight-seeing, great food, great drink, great transport, all for free!
3. Shenzhen was cold and scary.. until I met it’s awesome seafood~
4. I gained at least 5kg.. OMG.. T_T


Alrite.. one pic. Guess where I was in? :p

I was back to Singapore at 26 dec, around 4pm.. (thanks helios and tatsu for picking me up!) first destination was JP, KFC ^^; hahaha… can’t be helped.. only KFC can give me the power to do cleaning and unpacking until late at night.

Today, I went for signing the job offered by bank D… Finally… maybe today marks the end of my job hunting process.. it has been memorable.. all the recruitment talks, application forms, aptitude tests, rejection letters... Looking back, I really have learnt a lot =) Some had really been putting me in deep thought. Thanks for accepting me, bank D. I promise I will do my best! Not forgetting many thanks for all the encouragement I received from friends throughout the semester… I wont be able to survive without you all.. so.. Merci.. =]

Other than that… today has been spent doing nothing.. It’s nice to run away from FYP, but once you did it… you dont know how to start again. haha... I'm still accumulating the enthusiasm for fyp.. haha.. hope that I will be able to start by tomorrow.. ^^;

This Christmas... is The Best Christmas Ever,
Erlin.D

=]

Alrite.. I shouldn’t be blogging now, but I’m not sure if I had time later to do it later. This Thursday, I’m going for one-week holiday with my parents.. ^^ It’s all in sudden. I just bought the air-ticket on Friday. If only I bought it on Thursday.. I’ll have saved $200… (heard the flying melody of $200..) haha..

After the holiday confirmed, I informed my fyp supervisor.. not hoping to get a positive response.. but praying not to get scold for sudden MIA plan.. haha.. it turned out that she wanted to meet me on Monday.. of course, I replied yes.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.. I was quite tied up with the BCC competition stuff. The Saturday night was indeed refreshing though.. We have Christian’s b’day celebration.. followed with board and card games.. both of the games are of my liking.... so.. yay! We played from 5.30 – 12.30 =.= alright, I wasn’t playing all the time, got chat with friends as well.. Nancy.. you must survive ok! Survive and show to them who you are =)


Ingenious - Addictive game... especially if you win :p

Monday, I was meeting supervisor. I’m glad that it wasn’t turned out to be bad.. love you, supervisor =D I she asked me where I’m going.. I said that I’m going to Hongkong… silent for 3 seconds… then she said “No matter what, if you visit Hongkong, you must go to Macau as well!” oww.. that’s so sweet of you.. prof :) Don’t know how to express my gratitude for not burdening me.. although I haven’t given any result in 2 months (suddenly felt guilty again T_T) After meeting supervisor, my mood is all on for FYP.. I sent email to CMU asking for datasets.. and then tried to do my interim report. At 6.30, I have dinner with jess and helios.

As we’re heading back to hall, I realized there were 2 miscal in my handphone.. Jess suggested me to call back.. so I did.. and guess what.. it’s from D-bank! My first thought was.. “Huh? So polite, rejecting people also need to call? T__T” but it turned out that the call was for final round interview. I’m totally stunned… No idea on where I did right on the first interview (Steph, what you said was really oh so true! :S) The interview is scheduled to be on Wednesday.. One day before my departure.. pheeuw…

Alright.. so now is Tuesday, 12pm. Less then 24 hrs to my interview.. and I’m typing blog, planning to go for movie at the evening, and having a b’day party plan for next day…

Thanks everyone for the encouragement =] Although I haven't gotten any job offer, I feel blessed ^^

Wish me luck...
Erlin.D

50-Word Entry

It has been 2 weeks since my exam finished.. And I haven’t done anything. Not even my report. Helpppp! Professor.. I miss you.. when will I be able to see you? It has been almost 2 months since our last meeting… :’(

Finished 1 season of School Rumble (=__=)
Erlin.D

I’m down…

Last week, the first 3 days had been quite peaceful. Worrying about FYP and nothing else. On Tuesday, after many testing, I finally figured out my computer problem: the memory! It was really the best case I could expect.. haha.. I then remove the faulty memory and left my computer to be 512 until I have time to go to Bugis..


Finally figuring the cause of the strange behaviour!

On Thursday, I met Rina, Tomy, and Juli at library. They were going to JP.. and I was swayed by KFC to go to JP as well ^^;.. After a nice KFC and some shopping, I reached back room at 9pm. Upon opening email, I found an email from bank D about my job application. Strange, but I was expecting a rejection letter. But it turn out the other way round.. I was invited for interview! Should I be happy? Don’t know.. but my feeling that time was nervous.. nervous.. and it kept bugging me for the rest of the week.. T_T


KFC... With new menu: Spicy Pepper Fries~

The days after that were horrible. I (seemed to) forced my FYP supervisor to meet me on Friday… I felt guilty afterwards. Some more, it turned out that her school meeting was overrun until our discussion time.. hence she cancelled it anyway. It had been almost 2 months and I haven’t met her yet… need to meet soon to boast up my motivation for FYP. Haha..

Saturday.. I was doing B-Challenge for the whole day. Sunday.. I went to JP to buy formal shirt for interview (as well as having KFC), then again preparing for my D-Interview. I really don’t have peaceful sleeps those day.. No matter when I slept, I always wake up at 8 thinking about the D-Interview =_= hate myself for being so troubled…

On Monday… I went for the interview. It was… my worst nightmare. The interview was supposed to be 30 minutes interview.. but mine was cutted to 15 minutes.. and I definitely have no idea what rubbish I’m talking inside. I suddenly lose my ability to form sentences.. so so nervous that there is no word come out before an ‘errr’. The interviewers are 2 iron-faced men.. no smile at all.. one of the guy mobile keep ringing.. I wondered if it actually distracted me (trying to find excuse :p) well.. overall, I’m mad at myself.. what is the used of so many preparation.. if in the end I got nervous and forgot the whole thing?

After the interview, I went to bugis, have a.. tea break(?) at Yoshinoya, together with moja and adi… afterwards, going to change the faulty memory.. It was raining quite hard that time.. after getting new memory and going to pray, I went to mrt and go back..


My first time dine @ Yoshinoya

During the silent time.. I was pondering about myself… first was a self destruction.. of how bad I’m in interview.. why I can’t show confidence like what the others did.. why all the finance news I read just didn’t seem to get through my brain? Why I also so bothered with any interview call? second was a self reflection.. what am I actually looking for? Money and pride although the environment might not suits me? All these time, I have really looking only on those two.. because we never know what the environment will be. However, what if the job just didn’t match my character? This job seems to requite a lot of high level discussion as well as attention to every details… not much of coding as they outsource a lot of software.. Is this really the job I want? I can’t imagine how my job life like if the 2 interviewers become my boss.. I felt so small.. so weak.. so.. Nothing. Is investment bank really the place I want to work at?

Back to room, I felt so sleepy.. but my brain didn’t seem to calm down yet.. can’t sleep and hence pouring down some thought to lighten my brain :p.. going to have B-challenge discussion soon.. Continuing FYP tomorrow.. =]

In the changing state of my life,
Erlin.D

Code Geass : Lelouch of the Rebellion

There are 3 animes I watched this year: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (CLAMP), fumofu (just for filler :p), and Code Geass (viva CLAMP!)

Code Geass has a great story line.. a good example of how conflict can happen.. and when u can’t simply tell who is right or wrong. Each character has their own believe, their own innocence, as well as their own sins… Quite assembling human.. right?

After watching the anime, I think I know which character I am. I’m more to Suzaku type, a type of person who just follow the trend. Britannian or Japan, the important thing is how to survive. I know my own limitation, hence I won’t bother wasting energy trying to change back the world, like what Lelouch did. But anyway, usually it’s a Lelouch type of people that will be able to make big difference and get recognized.. (like in this anime, Lelouch is the main character, not Suzaku :p)


Code Geass: Lelouch and Suzaku

In short, the anime is worth watching.. Yet I wonder if it’s actually shonen.. they got the characteristic of shonen: robots, tactic, pretty girls. I dont mind about the preety girls part (;P) but I am a bit confused on what actually happening in the wars O.o I never really exposed to tactic world. Hahaha.. The end of the season 1, is as expected, full of question mark T_T I’m really looking forward to season 2.. oh dear CLAMP.. can’t u focus on 1 project instead of keep everything on hold? T_T When will TRC season III out as well? Hahaha…

Going to watch TRC OVA now~
Erlin.D

Post-Exam

Finally finishing the ‘game’ aka exam as well as the ‘bonus stage’ aka interview. Hahaha.. I had planned to pour out all my grumbles about exam and interview on Saturday.. however, it happened that my computer didn’t allow me to do so… It shut down as soon as the windows logo appeared. In confusion, I reformat the computer, thinking that it is already the worst thing that can happen to me.. but I’m definitely wrong. In the middle of installation, the computer hang! And it gets worse every time I retry. I tried to format at least 5 times with different result each. Some turn to be normal until I have installed the whole software, then find out that video can’t be played.. (restart everytime I try) some just didn’t allow me to start windows at all. Or some was corrupted as I restart. A lot of funny errors that I encountered for the first time.

After the software approached failed, I suspect that it’s hardware instead.. so yeah.. I try to troubleshoot the hardware. Cut the story short, the error occurred when I was using 2 memory cards, while it’s ok for any memory card in any of the slot as long as it's 1. Seems like the problem is with the slot.. need to go to Sim Lim again T__T.. Sim Lim, anyone? Haha..

Anyway, the lesson learnt is... Troubleshooting of hardware is very very difficult! There are countless possibilities that can turn out to be viable. Like when I encountered the corrupted file during my installation… was it due to the installation CD? Or it’s because of memory? Or even VGA card? Or it was the CD ROM instead? Or combination of them? It's really a frustrating part! You never be able to really sure of the cause T_T Thanks that I didn’t need to learn hardware in computer science course.. hahaha :p

---

So, it turned out that my computer problem outweight the exam and interview part.. I can’t remember anything about the crypto exam anymore.. just that I really didn't have time to calculate the answer dan I wrote "x --> Sorry, don’t have time to calculate” huahaha.. I did many stupid mistakes as well.. huhu.. but.. It’s over anyway :p.. the interview went so so.. I was just happy because finally everything ended. Haha..

Oh yes, I have got rejection letter from 2 company.. both of them started with B… suddenly realize the reality that getting someone to pay us is really not easy. Haha.. Seems like I need to apply to more company more seriously in second semester..

Ok… That’s all.. Dooh! My blog didn’t really connected in each paragraph... Haha.. pardon me, I am too sleepy T_T

FYP FYP, Don’t haunt me now!!!
Erlin.D

Are you going back on December holiday?

Christmas is coming again... Can't believe how fast time flies! And definitely... the most frequent asked question in this season is: Are you going back for holiday?

Remembering what I answered every year make me feel funny... When I was being asked, these are my answers from year to year:

First Year: “Hmm… Less than half year here. So fast going back again? Wanna feel how is the Christmas in Singapore.. Then go back next year~”

Second Year: “Oh… Better use the time to take special semester.. so that I can reduce my workload at third year and go back next year”

Third Year: “Wah.. need to prerpare to work for Industrial Attachment.. can’t go back. Maybe next year”

Fourth Year: “If I’m not doing my FYP on December, wont have other time to do it. And what if got interview call? How to go back?”

Moral of the story: Whenever you have the chance and desire to go back, don’t keep delaying it.

Just a random post,
Erlin.D

2nd blog of the day ^^;

Today is my second battle. Still similar to the first battle, I can’t finish it on time. I wonder if I’m really getting THAT slow. During my last exam, I remember I always have at least 15 minutes to check beforehand. Now is like… I realized that I make mistake only a second before the answer book is taken away from me. Like just now. After the “Please stop writing” command, I realize I forgot to answer a whole part of a question! Estimating the time taken for invigilator to walk till my place, I secretly write another 2 lines to my answer book.. but gosh, nervous + feeling guilty, the writing isn’t even readable.. T__T.. I think I should just give up. Haha..

After the battle, I had a good lunch with others at can A… talking about anything from A to Z. I’m really sure that I’m going to miss this time, pals.. Don’t want to admit that we’re now in final year.. can we have more outing? T_T

At the same time, I remember about my karma case.. Hence I purposely buy a milo and paid 50 cents to them, explaining that I paid less the other day. Haha.. they accepted my apology.. I feel kinda relieved =)

Back to room, I can’t remember what I do.. (I didn’t study, of course) But time passed really fast.. and since I have promised Henry to go to library, I went there at 3.30.. and back again around 8.30.

When turning on my computer, I saw the MSN chat… SCE people were going out to watch movieeee!!! Aaaaa… and I miss the chance to go out with them… T__T.. I lost my chance to be the publicity.. haha.. Wish that another chance will come in… ok ok?

Btw.. schedule for my last semester is out… they have more subjects this time.. 11 to choose from, compare with 7 from last semester. Haha.. I still have no idea what to choose.. want to take robotics as they said it’s easy to score.. but somehow I feel like turning to the wrong track ^^; Ah.. anyway, it’s still early~ let’s watch Code Geass first… it’s getting addictive now XD

Procrastination mode ON,
Erlin.D

The Spinning Dancer

Ever see this pic before? What do you see? is the dancer spinning left or right?


The Spinning Dancer

It's said that if u see it spinning clockwise, then you're right-brained. Otherwise, you're left-brained.

No matter when I see it, the first time the dancer always appeared to be spinning right for me. But then, when i look longer, it will suddenly spin left. First time I saw the image, I was impressed. Second time, I doubt whether it is a bogus image (e.g. the image actually turn left and right occationally) and I actually splitted out the GIF image to check. hahaha.. (but result in nothing). Third time, I was really TOO curious.. hence I look for some explanation through internet. It conviced me that it's really not a fake test.. haha..

But anyway, I still want to prove it! Looking forward for a chance to see it together with friends... will ask and compare what they saw with mine :p

1 More exam to go!
Erlin.D

Karma

Yesterday, I was studying at library. Too sleepy, I decided to go down to canteen to buy 2 cup of coffees. Didn’t drink Canteen A’s coffee for quite sometimes, I can’t remember what the price per cup. $0.25? $0.30? I only know that adding 2 cup covers will cost me another $0.10, but not sure about the price itself.

Confidently, I paid $0.70 to the seem-to-be-new staff. I asked her to help me cover the cup as well and asking for 2 small spoons. Since she didn’t return any change to me, I assumed that the coffee is $0.30, and I went back to library~

But then… when Winson paid me, I realized that the coffee is actually $0.35! I have cheated $0.10 from the drink stall.. might seems a small value, but it’s more than 10% of the price I should have paid.. I felt uneasy.. but somehow I didn’t brother to pay the $0.10 back to them… I drank the coffee and wish that I won’t get stomach ache afterwards.

+++

Today, I am not going to library.. so go to dapao for dinner. I went to can 14.. and stopped at the Chinese stall, which happened to be the only stall without any buyer. The seller looked very unfriendly (and seems to just have a bad day) but I didn’t care. I picked my usual 1 meat 2 vegetables… ready to pay $2.. but then… he charged me $2.6! I wanted to question him, but he really didn’t seem to be in a good mood… kept banging the dishes.... I was scared and hence just pay… After I paid, he just threw the packet to me. So rude! I went back to hall full with anger, questioning how could react like that.. no wonder he got no customer. Huh!

Upon eating the food (yes, I still have mood to eat no matter how angry I am) I then remember about my case yesterday… I cheated people.. hence being cheated back... =.= Karma is really powerful. I hope that this case has already even out my bad karma yesterday.. T__T so sorry, drink stall owner…

My name is Erlin, and I believe in Karma, too :p
Erlin.D

In the midst of Exam…

Not in my finest condition. A chapter a day and I could hardly finished it. Headaches everytime my head touch the pillow.. which cause me stay awake until late at night. High chance of insomnia.. Worst, I lost my ability to fall to a deep sleep. I wake up around 9 with uncomfortable feeling, and must continue trying to study with dizzy head :(

Wanna say Happy Birthday to my dearest roomie.. =D Finally 21st.. yeah :p hahaha.. glad that I managed to surprise her this time =X Wishing you all the best... always~

Erlin.D

From the 1st paper of the year

Several weeks ago, during the last day of Neural Lecture, Prof. O said:

“Don’t worry; the exam this time will be very easy. So easy that if I give you any clue, you all will get full mark” (laugh)

The questions were indeed not that difficult. Yeah. Everyone said that they can do it. But I made mistake here and there! I’m so careless... After telling myself so many times to read the question carefully, I still fall into it. Wrong question leaded to wrong derivation and wrong calculations. I realized some of them the second after I hand in my exam paper. The rest were known only after I walked out from the exam hall…

“Since the exam will be very easy, make sure you didn’t make mistake… I will penalize every small mistake made”

And what happened to me is really the reverse. I make mistakes. Lotz of them. I know something like careless can always happen. But last time the occurrence was like one in five. Now is in every quiz I taken and even exam! All my algo quiz grade were deducted because of trivial error that I overlook. And even for resume writing.. The C grade due to wrong grammar… Erlin erlin.. Since when you become so negligent?

Oh yeah, 1 thing before I end my self reflection blog. The exam… 80% theory!!! And I spent almost 80% of my studying on calculation instead. So misleading T_T

Whatever done is done.
Erlin.D

To the 1st paper of the year

My Neural Network exam will be less than 100 hours from now…. And I felt so unprepared. Flipping through the past year exam questions, I can’t even understand what is being asked. When I tried to do some of the calculations, it took more times than it should (judging from the mark) and even worse, I made mistake in 90% of them. I hate to calculate all those decimals numbers... I spent more time pressing calculator rather than writing down answers. The good news is, all the calculations carry a relatively lower mark.. The bad news is, the higher marks go for theory and proving, where I have no idea how to do it. I’m particularly very annoyed with one last year question about SVM. It asked us to prove why the optimal margin of separation should be 2/||wo||… and all I can gather in my mind is “1 + 1 so 2 lor.” But it’s 20 marks question! And I’m just blank… I really hate those types of questions T_T


At the end of the day, will I get it right?

Is my brain deprecated after IA? Or I simply become lazy T_T
Erlin. D

Few Posts before exam?

This few weeks, my blogs related much to my dear PC ~__~ Ya, it keeps showing me bad sign. I worry so much that it’s hardware problem.. Upon consultation with several experts, one finally gave me an ultimate advice: “There are some problems with your driver. Format your computer and everything will be fine” And I did. And the problem resolved! Thanks so much Chris!

Recalling back, now I remember that the sudden shutdown problem happened since I started to download the theme =.= Upon installing the theme, it asked us to install some software as well. They said that we can always remove it afterwards.. I did remove it.. but seems like it wasn’t clean. So.. in conclusion, after so much network security warning from lectures, I was still fooled!!! Felt naïve T__T now I really think twice when downloading anything from not trusted source.. but still.. how many sites are trusted? Do you expect that all email are trusted as well? And after learning so many fraud in internet banking.. how am I supposed to still try to use it? Sigh.. now I become abnormal.

Ok, enough about the security stuff.. So now, I have my computer reborn, with no theme installed. Haha.. for first week, I’m using a classic windows theme. When chatting with mum over phone on weekend, she suggested me to use green color wallpaper, since it’s better for eyes. So I did.. For my first choice, I randomly pick forest wallpaper. Stick with it for 2 days.. but somehow isn’t satisfied.. It’s too common to fill my desktop for long time. Eventually, I remember about Leopard’s Beta Wallpaper. Changing the theme to green template .. and.. bump.. my computer got new look.. which I predict to last for long this time =]

Anyway, I had stopped drinking coffee for a week. Why? My tea bags are going to expire soon.. So did my honey lime. Both Tea and honey lime tasted great… but I still prefer coffee.. With mission to finish them soon, I mix the tea and honey… become tea-honey-lime. And I get the smell of lime.. but the taste of…? Plain water aka tasteless! Amazing ~.~

Talk about my daily life… Most of lessons are finished. I’m left with one prof comm tutorial. All the job hunting thing had hopefully stopped as well.. My last application was to JPM. Right after exam, I will have one discussion group for bank C. haha.. For bank B.. it’s painful… but I need to say that I’m waiting for it’s rejection letter after the disastrous phone interview. Bank D? No news so far. So did bank M. haha.. anyone can guess exactly what bank I am referring to? XD I felt it quite funny as they are really in sequence of BCD… XD.. Oh yes, for B+C… I should have as well rejected ~ One of my friend had already got the interview call although he submitted latter then I am. For FYP.. my supervisor is back already.. met her just now.. she asked if I’m studying hard.. eheem.. that’s a good question, Prof. haha.. Anyway.. thanks so much for asking =] Thanks to the lab technician too.. she didn’t get mad at me although I kept the computer at lab opened for 2 weeks! You’re the best!

Ok.. That’s all for the update… Shall ‘try’ to study now =)

Not get used to Mozzila Firefox yet :S,
Erlin.D

Neural Network Experiences

1. After an exhausting 5 days of work, including a Microsoft word which hang every time I tried to save, gladly glancing at my 6-pages report. Take a rest for half day, then starting the 3^rd question. Copy pasting my code for 2^nd question to 3^rd question. Upon examining the training output, finding out something very weird…
2. … Heart pounding, sweat dropping, and what I can define as nightmare become reality. Lacking of 1 line of normalization code, I need to throw away all my result and analysis of question 2 from the 5 days.
3. Try to find my teammate, but not contactable.
4. My computer starts acting weird. After training for 25 minutes, it will restart by itself, which of course, make my whole result gone. Everytime I restart, the life time becomes shorter and shorter. Now, every time I started matlab, the monitor will become blur and my computer will restart in 10 minutes. Countless time it encounters the blue screen of death. Now I need to depend on 512MB computer lab to do the training…
5. … But it didn’t last long. After the whole night training on Sunday, wake up in the morning only to find out that the computer in lab is absurdly shutdown. The result gone again. Run to lab and figure out that a FYP student is doing a demo in the computer Yes.. we’re sharing computer.. and it’s absolutely not his fault that he logged in. However, his demo including disconnecting the computer from NTU LAN. Means I won’t be able to even open the share folder anymore. Not until his demo on Friday.
6. In whole confusion… going back and try to use my computer. No improvement. Eventually, asked helios to help me setting up the computer from my lab. Then I can remote again! I then quickly tried to run the matlab again. Error. NTU run out of license for neural toolbox. What a short happiness.
7. Teammate told me that she stuck with the learning rate part, which is the first question, first part, first section. There are 3 questions in total containing 3 part each and 5 section each. The deadline is in one week time.
8. I didn’t know what to do anymore, so I went to eat Beef Pepper Steak. (ha?)

I think this is really the worst project management I ever did. I don’t mind the trouble of the long training.. but the fact that I was getting so many useless result due to my own carelessness… is something that I really cant stand with. Too rush to start the training even before I verify the code. Sigh. If I had done a proper training from beginning, the project itself won’t take more than 2 weeks to complete. Really.

After the project is eventually submitted (submitted 2 hours before the deadline) I would now gladly thank these people:

1. Teammate, who had been chased by me everyday until the submission date.
2. Arianto, who had sacrificed his laptop for matlab and training the whole week. I owe you =D
3. Helios, who had helped me set up the computer at lab. It means a lot!
4. Lab executive, who practically recovered the LAN for me. I really don’t know what excuse I should put on when I meet her… “Yes, I’m using the computer lab overnights for 2 weeks. No, not for fyp, but project...”
5. My dear computer, who accompany me in the beginning but leave me when I’m down. Despite of being given a new cloth. Huh! (so u’re put in the last of the list :p)

In conclusion… hmm… ok… experience is always priceless. So I didn’t regret to taste this one. It’s important in training out stress handling approach. But still, once is really enough to get the essence of it.

Bye Neural Assignment. Welcome Neural Lecture recording & Tutorial!

Neural Exam in 10 days,

Erlin.D

A Letter for You...

My dear computer,

From the time we met at Bugis, I know that you are the one. I will never forget the time you came and filled my heart ever since. I can’t believe how fast time flies. We have been going through a lot of happy and sad time together. You’re always with me whenever I need it. Everyday. Accompaning me when I have insomnia, staying with me when I need to do project overnight. You show the world to me. You introduce new things to me. A lot of times you have been going through suffering when you help me with academic projects. I remember once you were mad and don’t want to talk to me at all. I brought you to doctor, but they said nothing is wrong with you. Eventually, I surrender and stop forcing you to use Winamp. Afterwards, you started to talk happily again.

Not long ago, you have been going through power supply and motherboard disease. The doctor told me that it wasn’t recoverable, unless I changed part of you. I was so confuse deciding either to let you rest in peace or try my best to save you. I chose the latter. I’m sorry that I just love you too much.

My dear computer,

I know that I had been asking too much in these few weeks.. I know that you’ve been showing the symptom of illness. I really want to stop this suffering... but I just have no choice. Please.. don’t leave me alone again. I promise that this is the last year.. and afterwards, I will definitely clear all those troubling stuff.. and we’ll live happily ever after again…


Blue Screen of Death caused by Matlab

Please stand by me… Just for few more months.

Stress and start talking to computer,
Erlin.D

-----Update-----
Realizing that I had been leaving my computer with the same wallpaper for more than 3 years. Decided to change now.. *grin* and hence changing the theme as well to suit it *perfectionist mode on*



My theme for the past 3 years...


I like the wallpaper so much.. Thanks Boly...~

Reason behind the wallpaper selection:
1. TRC is my current favourite manga =D
2. The wing represents memories... after more than 3 years, my computer did keep alot of my memories: Photos, Video, ECA, Projects, Academic, etc etc... =D So please. Don't crash T_T
3. Dark colour is said to be better for eyes

But.. still not sure if i can get used to the new theme.. still feel weird now ~.~

Lalala... my computer gets new look~
Erlin.D

Neural, NEUral, NEURAL!!!

After so many grumbles about Crypto… it’s odd that it was eventually this particular subject that I manage to get ride first. (ok, in term of assignment, not revision) And.. like what you can predict from the title, I’m definitely in warning state for this soothing neural network!! I’m still 0%! Can you believe!? 0% with deadline in less than 2 weeks time. Millions of neurons to be trained, 20++ pages of report to be written. And I’m still 0%.

And now I’m sleepy. Would like to take a nap first before starting the neural.. gosh.. I really can’t help to keep delaying it.. why why.. T__T

Lesson learnt: It needs more than a handsome lecturer to get u started doing a project.

Aaa, got another Algo quiz somemore... +__+
Erlin.D

Terminating Gracefully…

These 2 weeks had been very long for me.. I am too exhausted to recall back the whole things.. so here is just a small summary list:
- Catching up with lesson
- Phone interview
- Meeting up with sister
- Being tour guide for brother
- Meeting for Prof Com
- FYP Demo
- Algo 4th Quiz
- Neural Presentation
- Crypto Assignment 1
- Crypto Assignment 2
- Crypto Assignment 3

I’m glad to say that now I’m ONLY left with:
- Prof Com Rehearsal
- Credit Suisse Aptitude Test
- Prof Com Presentation
- JP Morgan Application
- 100% Untouched Neural Assignment
- Algo 5th Quiz

This serves as reminder for myself.. hahaha.. anyway, I realized that I am really bad working under the pressure of deadlines.. The more deadlines I have, the more lazy I’m to start doing those things.. it just feels like too hard to catch up… finally feel reluctant to start.. funny hum? ^^;.. but I’m glad that I eventually passed through almost 2/3 of the whole list.. alrite, excluding studying for exam and tutorials… hahaha…

I had been extremely moody in these past two weeks... Due to the feeling of lagging behind, I lost my patience frequently.. to myself and to people surround me. I’m so sorry pals.. I know this shouldn’t be an excuse for my temperamental action… but trust me.. it’s really out of my control.. T__T..

Hmm.. ok.. this blog seems to be very gloomy.. let’s terminate it with something happy.. a picture of double Botak Jones? hahaz… Yup, I just back from high school gathering.. so glad to see them again and catch up with each other.. (read: gossiping).. It’s really hard to believe that some of our classmates are already married… even has baby now! Another is now a teacher.. some are already working.. (including Endy and Ratna)… Can’t believe how fast time pass! Thanks Fendi and Tomy to organize this gathering.. Except of me kept being bullied there, this is really a great way to end my 2 weeks of stress. Hahaha.. wish for more gathering in the coming holiday :p


Fighterz Crew @ Clementi~


A picture says a thousand words -- Double Botak Jones w Cheese - $13

Anyway, one funny story about the Botak Jones... there were 3 people ordering the botak burgers.. 2 double meat and 1 single meat. When they are delivering the 3 plates, there were confused as there were only 1 guy who hasn't got the food yet.. "How come there are 2 double meat!?" The waiter paused for 30 seconds don't know where to put the plate.. eventually i helped him to take it down to my table... huahaha.. sorry to confuse you... My portion is slightly bigger than normal ^^;.. and the even worse case for me is that.. i finished it.. while Tomy was flagging white flag after 1 1/2 of the meat.. no wonder i was kept being teased.. T__T But really.. nice stress reliever ^^

Happy Birthday, dearest daddy~
Erlin.D

And the Tarot says…

Today, we’re having Cool Guy’s b’day celebration. Rather than the usual midnight party, this was held during lunch time. And rather than the usual b’day cake cutting, we’re having ice cream scoping: Coke Float~ Haha.. Special thanks to Henny and Handy for the creative and successful event!

Happy 21st B'day, Cool Guy!

This time, I’m getting a chance to try out Tarot Card. Tarot had always been said to be accurate. The result shocked me... I’m stated to be someone reluctant to ask for help, resulting in me being an individualistic person, live in my own world, not able to communicate well and hard to grow… T__T… The first sentence is quite true.. For me, asking for help is my last magic resource I’ll use wisely for hard time. Hahaha.. Everyone has their own problem, so I shouldn’t be bothering them if I still have way to do it by myself, right? Or have I been living in the wrong perspective all these time?

On the other side, I’m happy when people asking help from me. It’s nice to know I’m still needed in some way :p Hahaz. Anyway, I noticed some people can ask for favor nicely such that we’ll help them willingly and happily. I must say that it’s a talent! Indeed, it’s a talent that every leader should have – the art of work distribution. Although I had been given the chance to practice it in these 2 years.. I must say that I didn’t have the talent… So.. Admiring those who have this character in yourselves =)

Enough saying about the miserable part of the result. As I was asking about relationship, my last card said that I’ll be a ‘good FATHER who can think to start a family now’ :S of course, they laughed as Winson read out the result. FATHER? Didn’t happy with it, I tried for the second time, asking about career. My first card start with ‘having a great MASCULINE soul in you…,” what!?!? Hellow.. what happen.. I agree that this is only a card game, but why no other people getting these cards beside me? More over, during the Truth or Dare game, I was picked to act masculine as well. Now I become to doubt about my personality :S.. huk huk huk.. T_T

Even in the online Tarot Reading, I still get the "Gentle Masculine" words :S

Ok ok.. masculine or feminine, I’ll need to start my Neural Network assignment T_T

300th Post!
Erlin.D

My short holiday @ Medan

Back to Medan, I was astonished seeing so many relatives around! And I really can’t remember whether to call them ‘aku’, ‘akim’, ‘aso’, ‘apek’ etcetc.. in the end I decided to call all as ‘aie’ and ‘acek’.. which not turn out to be a good solution.. I’m being stared by mum and dad every time I call the wrong title.. ~.~

Anyway, medan is about food :p.. my first night was satisfied with mouth watering fried rice.. my breakfast was 2 packet of chicken rice.. my lunch was cheesy bites pizza.. followed by hot buffet steamboat as dinner ^^

The next day.. which is the H day, my gown can’t fit me due to rotund stomach T__T in the end I needed to sacrify my breakfast to get the gown up. Afterwards, have a great brunch with cakes, continued with great lunch at hotel.. didn’t eat much because too busy running here and there… but lucky that at night, I did have a good dinner. Hahaha… The performance were good.. until my brother went up to stage and dedicated one song for all of us +__+ his singing talent is not better than mine. Lucky that I still have appetite to eat afterwards.. hahaha..

Bringing bouquet of roses for bride~~

The event ended at 10pm.. but most of relatives still stay until 11++.. I myself get back to room only at 12.. very tired as I woke up 4am for the make up thingy… slept soundly until 8.30 in the morning.. mum said that there was blackout the whole night.. but I didn’t realize it at all ^^;

Friday, I stayed at bro’s hotel room most of the time, relax and chat with sisters.. I was having Tabona curry for lunch.. and my dinner was supposed to be hotel’s vegetarian food.. but I begged sister to buy me a garuda nasi padang instead.. so when they are eating downstairs, I’m having fun with the fried chicken, accompanied by TV.. haha.. great dinner, of course.. So glad that I can eat it before I went back to sg :p

Saturday, nothing much anymore.. going back to sg.. which means going back to reality of my fyp, neural network assignment, crypto code breaking, algo quiz, prof comm presentation, and interview preparation.. sigh.. That’s life ~.~

Anyway, looking forward to meeting bro and sis who are coming tmrw! =D
Erlin.D

Happy Marriage, Bro!

I can’t believe how fast time passed. My only brother is eventually married! I still remember the time while we’re fighting each other and how he was being scold by mum every time I pretended to cry. Hahaha..

Putting the fighting case aside, he is definitely the best brother I can ever wish for. His continuous advices had brought me to where I’m now. Thanks so much Bro.. Now with a great woman at your side, I’m wishing you a great new life ahead!


Wen - Wie

4th October 2007, I got a new sister! ^o^
Erlin.D

Changi!

This 297th post is created in Changi =D Yup yup.. I'm now at Changi... Going back to Medan in half hour time ^^.. Special thanks to Tomy, Tatsu, Adi and Anton to accompany me in 199.. Wish that you enjoy your KFC... Sad that I just dont have time to eat along T__T.. I still have the voucher... valid until end of October. Anyone interested? =D =D

I enjoyed walking at Changi alot.. the places always very awesome.. The chocolate and candies are always so tempting... but I still manage to survive without buying anything.. muahaha.. (Medy's evil laugh?) Maybe I'm good in window shopping.. but anyway, the thought of Nasi Padang, Sate Padang, Fried Rice make me decided to save my tummy for the best :p.. I'm coming soon all.. And this time with FIT condition! not like what happen 3 months ago.. haha..

When checking my email, I just realized that today is the start of RedCross Awareness Week.. Oh gosh.. I miss it! T__T Wish that everything is a big success =)

Ok.. 6.45 now.. Shall go onboard already =) Dearest roomie.. take care.. get ready to see your roomie in round face XD


Thanks for the free internet, iConnect!

Time Remaining: 0.34,
Erlin.D

Few Words

Update on Nightmare(s):
- The Night before Cryptography discussion 9.30 in the morning
Dreamt that I wake up at 11.30. My team mates kept calling me, but since my hand phone is put to silent, I know nothing.

- The Night before the deadly monday
A funny dream.. Something like I supposed to meet Prof Yeo early in the morning, then on the day itself, I realize that I have 2 writing assignment due! I’m so rush asking people if it’s really due today.. Yes, one is due at 1pm and another one at 3pm. I have quiz at 2.30 and still need to meet Prof before. Try to make the meeting short, but somehow, I run to the wrong Prof, end up talking for 1 hour with Prof Zhang and late for meeting Prof Yeo. Being advised by Prof Yeo for not being on time.. when everything finished, it was already 11am.. so confused with the due-soon assignment.. then I woke up and felt very relief =)

--- End of my October’s nightmares ---

Haha.. After trying to blog it out, I realized that I got quite a lot of nightmares in one month ^^;.. But those dreams actually helped me to keep being thankful of what I have now.. Thanks that there are a lot of worse scenarios that I don’t need to face in reality :p

And anyway, the deadly Monday didn’t turn out to be as deadly as expected. Joyce suddenly postponed our neural network meeting, because she isn’t ready yet.. and can you imagine, I got an email from BC on Sunday, saying that they cancelled the Woman in Technology event! Can you believe it? It’s Sunday! Instead of being sad for not being able to attend the event.. I jumped out in joy.. the cancellation means that I don’t need to wear formal to school the whole day, can focus on my algo quiz, don’t need to worry about how to get there, no need to pay for taxi, no need to miss my first Crypto lecture with Woo Wing Keong, and many more.. and the best thing is that.. It’s BC saying sorry to me, not the other way round! Fufu...

Btw, WWK is really great.. After the tutorial with LPC, it’s continued with his lecture.. which is.. like I’m now being in real cryptography class instead of Math III. He is very energetic too. Everyone say that they are seeing a light of hope in the crypto class.. huahaha.. Hope that it’s not only for first day. During the first week, LPC also still using human language.

Anyway, not everything turned out to be fine also.. Our choice of neural network tutorial got cancelled.. because the chapter wont be covered in lecture.. so we need to pick an exam question instead :( so sad. I discussed with Joyce in the afternoon, and we eventually decided on one question. No one select it before. Wish that it’s not an indication that the question is tough..

I reached back hostel at almost 8.. had my dinner, chatted, then packed.. took back a lot of rubbish to medan.. hope that I wont get scolded.. haha.. Have done my internet check in as well..

Ok.. now is 11.11.. time to end up this blog…Will blog again when I’m back to SG on Saturday.. if I’m not dead yet with the assignments deadline~

Coming home~
Erlin.D

Nightmare(s)

Typically, the night before a most-waited event always turn into a nightmare for me. Here are some which I experienced this month:

- The Night before first Algo Quiz
Dreamt that 15 minutes before the end of Quiz, I read back and realized that I did the question wrongly. Panic and try to redo the part. The more I read, the more I realized that my answers are indeed all wrong!

- The Night before online test application
Dreamt that I only answer 5 questions… and suddenly times up! (Well, this one actually happen to me during the Merryll Lynch Online Test T_T)

- The Night before Networking Night
Dreamt that there is a company giving away thumbdrive 2GB. I rushed there but the queue is so long.. in the middle of the queue, the thumbdrive is finished. Rushed to other company which give free make-up stuff.. but also finished before it reached me. Getting more and more worried… in the end I didn’t get any goodie bag.

- The Night before updating Prof Yeo about FYP
Dreamt that my application suddenly crashed 3 hours before my reporting time. The more I tried to fix it, the worse it becomes. Worse to worse, it eventually crash the server. 1 hour before the meeting time, I was sweating looking at the 2 server broken down by me.

Somehow, I'm good in predicting worst case, huh? ^^;

Recess is ending... :'(
Erlin.D

Week of Recess

I had a long list to update.. But the FYP haunted me so strong that everytime after I clicked blogger.com, my next click is to close the browser…

After a long week, I eventually decided to set aside my FYP.. and concentrate on other things from tomorrow on. Now is 12.20am, too tired to continue the FYP.. and the time is to slim to do any other thing.. so I eventually get the time to blog.. yay =D

This entry will back to the typical chronological type, but concentrating only to certain event…

1. Friday, Moon Cake Festival @ Yunnan Garden
After the Algo lecture, the poor SCE students eventually can celebrate their recess. Before going to Yunnan Garden, we still have time to take some not-so-important pics.. ^^; well, honestly, I’m really glad that I can meet my friends again this year.. days during IA has really made me miss friends and appreciated what I still have now =)


Advance Algo Takers~


Any idea what we’re trying to do? =.=

When I reached Yunnan Garden, I contact my roomie who was also planned to go there.. too bad.. she just stepped to the bus back home T_T yeah, we’re really late.. the festival started at 7 and we reached only at 9.. a lot of the good things are already finished… I wanted the wishing tree.. huk huk.. anyway, we still managed take photos though =D

SCE with MCF main characters

I reached back home at almost 11.. as usual.. Friday night isn’t supposed to be spent with studying. Topped up with the fact that it’s recess.. I can’t really remember what I did until I fell asleep early in the morning

2. Saturday, CSC Photo Taking
Suddenly I felt that I have lots of SCE-an pics.. haha.. after the pics we took together at Electronics Lab, this time we took pics for Indo year book. Time was 3pm.. but I was late for 15 minutes.. XD.. lucky not being punished.. gomene Erikson :p Took some photos.. then went back at around 5.. We took pics at MLT and SBS.. waiting for the pics from memed’s camera.. stupid me forgot to bring my dearest camera T_T

~SCE Indo 2008~


The CSC Winning 11 XD - Absent: Devit, Ronald :(

3. Saturday, Tomy and Tatsu B’day
Organized by my dear roommate, the b’day itself are fabulous! Thanks to julianto for the super nice welfare. You really understand what we want. Haha.. 3 cheers to Nancy who come down from Bishan! Btw, she got part time job already.. still finding a suitable full time job for herself.. good luck Nan! I know you can do it! The party ended only at 12 passes.. Happy B’day Tomy.. Happy Belated B’day Tatsu.. All the best for both of you!


Nice snacks =D


Group Pics :p

4. Sunday, Google Pizza Party
It started with an email around 2 weeks ago by Shaopeng, asking if we’re free for a Google Pizza party during the week of recess. Of course I replied yes! It’s Pizz.. eer.. I mean, It’s Google!! So I went there at around 4pm.. after my very unsuccessful attempt in Merryll Linch Online test (20 questions, answered 13, correct only around 10). My mood was quite down when I walked slowly to SAC. Thanks to the party though, it helped to alter my mind from keep pitying myself.


Thanks to Google & Shaopeng!

The story from Shaopeng about Google was really amazing.. Their work loads are determined by themselves: every 3 months, they will need to plan for what they want to achieve and then access their selves whether they had reached the target set. Nice right? And all the games.. video, etc.. In short, Google provides everything you may ever wish for.

Dig further to the history of how Shaopeng can be selected by Google, we found out that he had start programming from primary 1!! And the fact that he really excelled in it, granted him the work at Google. After hearing that, I dropped back to reality. Google is just a dream.. haha.. so.. it means that I still need to apply for companies… T_T haha..

5. Monday, Bugis & Suntec
Learning from mistake, for Barclays online test, I went through lots of practices first. The more I practices, the more I felt that my attempt yesterday was really stupid.. T_T how can I go through test without any preparation.. This time, after practices, Helios and I did the test together.. *I really hope that no Barclays employee read this* Finished with the stressing test, it was already 2.20pm. After changing cloths, we went directly to bugis to pray for our success in online test.. hahax.. just kidding.. but we did went to pray.. together with tatsu. Nancy and Jess joined us not long after. I managed to buy a thumbdrive for myself.. SanDisk, 2GB, $32. Loving it ^^.. However, I failed to find the lipstick my sister ordered.. out of stock :( I also didn’t manage to find a gift for phing.. still wondering what to buy.. I did plan to buy her a thumbdrive.. but tatsu said that it’s so unfeminine of me =.=’ well. What am I supposed to do.. If anyone gives me thumbdrive, I think I’ll thank the person day and night. Haha.. It’s about preferences what.. Phing, may I know what you like? T_T

Anyway, after bugis, we went to Suntec~. Manage to get a b’day card for her. Then we walked for another 1 hour before gathering with tomy, winson, anton, adi and juli and have our discounted carl jr =D it’s nice~ And I still able to finish the whole meal. Proof that my appetite is still there =D wakakak.. (I’m not sure if it’s actually something to be proud of) Back to home, it is almost 11.. and that is how the first day of recess ended.

6. Tuesday, FYP
Being chased by supervisor, being replied by Su Ming, having no more excuse, I unwillingly resume my FYP *Again, hope that my FYP sup didn’t read it XD*. Nothing much on Tuesday.. a blue FYP day for me.. Oh, out of the blue, still find a great game from suhu’s blog.. Finding Star II. Great game. Grat flash. And as mentioned, it’s addictive =D

7. Wednesday, FYP
Promised myself to do all I can for FYP, and will hibernate it next day to do my assignment. On half way, helios let me know that we’re now allowed to choose the timing for phone interview with Barclays! It meant that we had really passed the numerical and verbal test.. horray =D But then.. Weew.. I am really nervous.. (only choosing timing is already nervous.. what will happen during interview =.=) the interview range from 1nd October to 19th October… I choose 9th.. Since I’ll be going back to indo from 2nd to 6th v_v.. helios chose 3rd. All the best Helios! At evening, Winson and Helios went to JP Morgan off campus presentation.. while I confused myself with FYP.. @.@ it’s along day.. really..

After a long consideration, I eventually decided to take up the Barclays “Woman in Technology” presentation on Monday, although it means that I’ll need to rush for my Algo Quiz, pay for Taxi, and skip Crypto again. Add to the fact that I still have meeting in the morning, review Algo in afternoon, pack for departure on next day, I wonder why I still wanted to attend this presentation... wish that my Monday wont be as deadly as predicted.

8. Thursday, Networking Night
The first 2 hours of Thursday was spent blogging :p.. today will be another long list to do. I’ll be going to lab, lib, and attending networking night.. shall stop my blog here and rest.. Let see if I can still update my blog before my departure to Medan :p

Happy Go Lucky,
Erlin.D

Final Year Project

So far, I had just complained about crypto. Let’s grumble about FYP today.

For this 2 weeks, I had practically done nothing. Doesn’t mean that I didn’t touch my FYP at all... no. but it’s just that there is no improvement.

Based from Alfonso’s code, I have built a stand alone application for server. The app can get image, extract, translate, convert to voice, and output the necessary file. But then, the integration part comes to be tricky. First, I didn’t know about the structure of the server. Second, I wasn’t granted access at all to server. So, how am I going to integrate it?

Prof expected me come out with one file in which I can then just tell the lab technician to put and thing will just work. But that’s not the situation at all. Lab technician deals more with hardware and setting up access, but didn’t know about the software inside server. Nor did Prof Yeo. Then who knows? Again, I disturbed Alfonso. Then he told me that it was Su Ming, the PO who helped him all the way last time, along with another FYP student. Too bad that Su Ming had just moved out and the other FYP student should have graduated.

So I consult with Prof Yeo again. She were then granted me the access to private server. It was the server where I should plant the code. Ok. Look through the server. Copy Paste my code to the server. And I got errors due to the lower version of .Net Framework used in the server. So I converted my code to suit the needs. But afterwards, if I’m to do the real demo, I’ll need to send MMS from mobile to server, which will then call my functions and sent back the result to mobile. Yes, it is said that the MMS server had been build in CeMNet. However, I didn’t have any information about it, no documentation, no readme, no nothing. I was again left with nothing to start of. Stuck again.

Consult with Prof Yeo, she asked me to contact Su Ming directly. I emailed him.. and get the reply only one week after I eventually sms him. He explained some stuff, but then suggested me to approached Ms. Chua for further detail. So I approached Ms. Chua. She was then telling me to approach other FYP student. So I approach the student. But he is just as blur as I am. He said that he was only doing SMS, not MMS.. and clement is the one who know clearly about it.

In the end, I really felt mad with this endless pointing process. At one side, I know I should not keep bothering Lab Technician.. she already helped me with what she knows… On the other hand, I don’t feel right to keep bugging Su Ming too, as he already left CeMNet and not a staff here anymore.. sigh.. This MMS project has been developed since like 5 years ago… So the best thing I can do now is to read the FYP report of the implementation, starting from FYP 02… But then... there is no specific documentation about the server. Siiigh..

Now start reading the code from FYP 02,
Erlin.D

Backstreet Boys - Inconsolable

Presenting… The first music video I embedded =D =D =D Update: *and banned*

...
...
...

I sound so IT noob =.=

Backstreet Boys - Inconsolable

Update: * This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Zomba Label Group* T_T

Although I didn’t remember each personnel’s name (I never did for any band), I’m a big fans of Backstreet Boys. Their “All I Have to Give” will always be in the top list of my all-time-favorites. Special thanks to Winson for the latest mp3 and Ari for the premiere avi. This has been the song I listen most in this month =D

Anyway.. from the clip, they did look old now =.=.. but who cares.. their voices are still awesome! Looking forward for the album in October! =D =D

All I ever want, it comes right down to you, to you~
Erlin.D

Campus Recruitments

I’m drowned virtually by the amount of electronic forms I need to fill T__T I never expect that I will need to bother about working life so fast… I wasn’t even taking the recruitment talk too seriously.. until recent conversations with friends and I found that I’m a way too slow in applying already. Most of my peers had applied to at least 3 of banking companies… My application? Well.. still 0. Thanks pals to bring me back to the reality..

This week had been packed with Recruitment Talk. Gosh, I had skipped so many crypto lectures. Now being in his class is really like listening to encrypted lecture.

So, what did I get by forgoing the lecture? Humm.. huumm… Now I know (at least) to spell correctly the name of some investment banking Bank. Here is my before and after recruitment talk spelling:

City Bank-> Citi Bank
Barklay -> Barclays Capital
Credit Swiss -> Credit Suisse
Merry Linh -> Merrill Lynch
Dutch Bank -> Deutsche Bank

Plus some embarrassing experiences and some talk with seniors and some useful information about highest salary employer; McKinsey is in the top of the top! But I’m 100 years too early to apply.

Back to filling form,
Erlin.D

So Embarrassing :(

Today, I attended CS Recruitment Talk. The talk went as usual.. 1 hour presentation, continued with networking session. During networking session, all of us gathered around Apong and Julius, asking from A to Z. After making them exhausted, we then discussed how to approach the big bosses :p

I.. as usual.. super nervous. Moja went first by approaching an IT guy. I stand not far from there, listening while gathering my courage to speak to another IT guy beside. The courage wasn’t half filled yet, when suddenly a fresh grad full-time staff kindly asked if I had anything to ask. She was standing beside the big boss I intend to talk to later.

Believe it or not, my concentration was so messed up. It ruined all the words I had been preparing. And even stupider, instead of talking back to the lady, I forced to shake hand with the big boss although he didn’t seem to expect it, and the lady seem to be stunt too. Then during the hand-shaking.. I suddenly forgot my name T__T I looked very stupid! And like it’s not enough yet, when he was asking when is my expected date of graduation, I answered that I’m expert in C# and Java. And my voice was so soft and shaking.. I can’t concentrate on the rest Q & A session anymore as I’m so embarrassed.

So, I cancel my plan to offer my name card. With such a messy introduction, he will use the name card to be put in black list instead of potential list. So.. till now, my name card distribution to company is still.. 0.

Aaa.. still feel very bad.. Especially to the kind lady.. I didn’t talk to her at all after that. She was attending to Adi when I finished. I really want to say sorry to her.. but my friends said that it’s not necessary.. will look even dumber if she didn’t actually recognized who I am. Well. Sigh. Sorry. I really want to say it. Sorry from the bottom of my heart. I must look like haunting only big bosses and don’t want to talk with fresh grad staff. Oh no T_T I didn’t know what if I really go in there and she’ll be my boss.

It mess my mood to do anything for the rest of my Monday ><

Seems like I need to add these to my limitations and learning list:
be brave
be natural
be spontaneous
no soft voiceeee!! AAAAAaaAAAA *practicing screaming*

To those who had it.. care to share some tips? I know practice make perfect.. but to practice and repeat another incident like this.. aaa.. don’t want don’t want don’t want T_T

Red face,
Erlin.D

I lost my thumbdrive T_T

The last time I used it was on Tuesday night, when I was saving SCE’s photos for batch 2008. The next day, I was at lib for almost the whole day and didn’t use it at all. Today, when I need to transfer data to lab technician, I realize that it’s gonee!!! Thief? Drop? Why I always so careless :’( My dear sister… sorry that I lost your gift again… I’m disappointed with myself.. :’(

Thumbdrive-less,
Erlin.D

Cryptography (?)

In today crypto lecture, the lecturer taught:
- Non Polynomial Bounded functions
- Fermet’s Little Theorem
- Euler’s Totient Function
- Corollary
- Chinese Remainder Theorem
- Hard Problems
- Notion of No-Harder-Than
- Primitive Roots of Integers
- Modular Arithmetic
- Extended Euclic Algorithm
- Discrete Logarithm
- Miller-Rabin Primality Test
- Pseudo-Primes
- Prime Distribution
- Affirmative Prive Tests
- One-Way Functions

From today crypto lecture, what stick in my brain are:
- “I hope this is not hard for you to see that…”
- “It is clear that…”
- “So, it turns out that…”
- “I believe it is very obvious to you that…”
- “I leave the proof to you”

I dont understand any of the theorems @.@

I wonder if I'm taking Math III or Cryptography?
Erlin.D

Limitations

Everyone had limitations, right? My first limitation is in sport… Frankly speaking, I’m terrible in all sports (Yeah). Back to senior high school times, I really wanted to learn ice skating when the place is available at the new mall opened. I kept pushing my friends to go with me. At the end of the game, all my friends can skate smoothly, but I kept falling down T__T Why? Don’t want to give up yet, I forced my sister to bring me there again for several times… I even got a trainer to help me...but up to the time I am typing this, I still don’t know how to skate.

The same things happen when I want to learn swimming, or ballet, or pool. I really don’t want to believe I’m that bad in sport.. Until I tried one running game (During my first year at NTU, to get 2 points :P) and be the last runner.

I began to accept the fact that I’m not good in sport.. and really impressed with people who are good in sport =D I felt that they must have really been putting much effort than me, that's why they deserved to have it.

Alrite. I lost track of the original intended content of this entry.

What I actually want to grumble is about my inadequacy in soft skill…. in writing something impressive and interesting to read on. I had been complained that my blog entry always very long winded and full with grammatical error =.=. But I didn’t care too much about it.. I blog because I enjoy it.. If I need to type, think, re-edit and review before I posted it.. I wont enjoy the process.. That was my defense.

Now, here I’m in final year. I can’t escape from professional writing anymore. At least, I need to do my resume. And my Final Year Report. Ha. Now I regret why I never take it seriously before.. I also regret why I didn’t have much reading on English novel or what.. I felt so lack of word choices to express my thought. When I read back of what I write.. I know that it wasn’t exactly what I mean, but I can’t rephrase it better! You must know how bad it feels when the result didn’t match our expectation T_T

So, here are 2 conclusions of today entry:
1. People tend to be impressed with other who had skill which he/she doesn't acquire.. I am impressed with some of my classmates who can always present their ideas well. No matter it's right or wrong, it's still a skill!
2. Don’t only learn what you are asked to learn.. Do what you like. Be good in it. Practice will be necessary (especially things like communications skill. It can't be built overnight) It will eventually be proven to be useful in different way. There is no such thing as time being wasted :)

Sad to be bad in sense of direction, proud to be (at least) good in eating :p
Erlin.D

My sisters @ NTU... =D

Since the first time I met Ilfina, people said I look like her. I can't count how many people had guessed that we're sisters (some even really believe it when I lied!) =.='' I started to believe that we really looked alike.. until came Stefani at the following years.. Then people said that she is the transition between me and Ilfina.. XD.. Hmm.. I agree that she really looked like Ilfina. But with me? hmm.. I really can't see much similarity.. well.. maybe I just not able to judge myself.. So I eventually decided to take pics of 3 of us... Are we really alike? ~.~ I look like stranger beside them =.=

Erlin (CSC 4th) - Ilfina (CSC 3rd) - Stefani (CBC 2nd)

Anyway, I figured out that I really got alooot of similarity with Ilfina.. from our sense of direction until our cloths =.= Lucky that she didn't eat so much as I did.. XD I didn't know much about Stephanie last year.. but now, she becomes my neighbour. Sometimes I wonder if it was fated XD hahaha...

Any freshie wanna complete our hierarcy?
Erlin.D

Liar Game

I eventually finished Liar Game episode 11.. Thanks Winson for the updated news about subtitle.. =D The movie ended with Akimaya’s smile. The more I watch Akimaya, the more I felt that I saw the face before.. I scanned through my photos collections.. and tadaa.. I found the photo of my friends who look like him! Hoho..

So this is Mr. Akiyama...


and this is my friend... Jason Ooi, MAE. the number 3 from left... similar ma? XD


MB 103 Team - Group Photo... Miss you all guys...

Not going to watch any other drama in short time,
Erlin.D

Sem 6 Subjects

4th week is here.. just realized that I haven’t talked much about the subject I enrolled to this semester.. Since it has been common practice for me to do so… here it goes ^^

CSC401: Advance Algorithm

Is the subject I took without doubt. The 9.30pm lecture was not even bother me. Not because I really like this subject.. but because it was proven to be very useful, no matter what field you are specializing in. And the code ‘401’ somehow suggested that this subject is ‘top in the list’ :P So, Huang Shell Ying, please bear with me. No more hard quiz next week, please T__T

CSC409: Neural Networks

Is the module I added after dropping my Parallel Processing and swapping my Prof Comms tutorial. Reasons why it worths all the trouble? Well, the prof is handso.. Eem. Let me rephrase. The professor is friendlier than the one in Parallel Processing. More, I want to learn Mathlab more than C. I’m glad that I eventually taking this subject (although it’s chapter 4 now and I still don’t understand what a neuron is). Anyway, looking forward for more funny videos, Prof! :p

CSC422: Cryptography and Network Security

While some of the subjects I decided based from the lecturer (read: neural and parallel), I selected this one purely because I wanted to learn it. Cryptography is to defense hacking. I love hacking (since it sound very cool) and because this subject is the closest related to hacking, I took it. CPE students, who already knew about the lecturer, were very doubtful to take this subject. However, it turned out that the lecturer had repented. He is now far better than the average lecturers in SCE. Happy to take this subject. And happy to meet chrstian, winson, and helios again. It had been almost 2 years since all of us be in a same LT.

HW310: Professional Communications

This subject is compulsory. Thus, not much cost-benefit analysis for this subject. The tutorial group is also so so packed that we can’t choose who we want to be taught by. Anyway, I got Susan Khoo, which turned out to be very energic and friendly young tutor. I love her. Thanks Kok Heng to help me find someone to swap my tutorial group. I meet Erikson, Devit, and Sharon in this tutorial. Glad that I’m not the only one need to wake up at 7.30 for it :p

Final Year Project

Erm. This one is 70% chosen based from supervisor (sigh) The supervisor is indeed very nice. But I didn’t think I did any useful work yet :( help help..

In conclusion, all my prescribe subjects dealing lots with Maths. Poor rusty brain will need to train a lot T_T

Continuing FYP,
Erlin.D

A word about Red Cross...

My AGM passed. I eventually stepped down.. New communications had been chosen too (Congratz, Theresia and Thang!) Suddenly, the one year felt so short.. so many things had passed.. I didn’t do any speech for AGM.. first because it’s not necessary in Red Cross, second because I was having my very first Algo Quiz during the AGM time. T__T

Looking back, I’ll say that I really have given my best to Red Cross (my apology if it didn’t turn out to be so) In return, they had given back the best to me too. It might be a smaller club in compare to school club, but I was really impressed with the true effort everyone’s putting inside. From Red Cross, I met a lot of people with true volunteerism heart. (not like me who entered because of friends :p). One of them is our advisor, Miss Chan. My volunteerism spirit is somehow grown because of her. I learnt lots from fellow maincommers too. It opened my eyes to a wider world.


with our dearest Advisor.. Miss Chan.. can give A for Prof Comms? :p

I must say that the workload here was more than any other club I had ever entered in my 3 years in NTU. We did design (publicity), website (webmaster), booklet (publication), video (IT), logistic, fund raising (a.k.a business manager :p), etc etc. However, strangely, I didn’t feel this as ‘unfair’ compared with when I was in other club. You bet why.. One is because I can feel the sense of belonging here. Everyone is treated as friend, as one big family apart from the portfolio status we’re holding. Who want to disappoint a family member? (well.. unless really unavoidable.. ) Another is because everything was doing that amount of work.. If I should say, even greater work than what I did! My partner might be one of the example.. someone who always offered to do everything. Although he complained quite a lot, he did them too at the end :p My president is another type of person. He gave a lot of publicities ideas (which sometimes sound so crazy) but he helped lots in the process too. In the end, he gave all the credits to me.. And then… whenever the design is printed out.. I will be very happy and forget all the tiring process in the designing. Haha.. This year, I was experiencing the whole new range of publicity stuff. Putting video @ ChannelNTU, e-banner @ edveNTUre, article @ tribune, printing pin, booklet, stickers, and more… Thanks so much for all the precious experience!

Ok, before it coming too long winded, let me end it here. This will be my last ECA in NTU… I’m glad that it was eventually a meaningful one =) I would like to wish the new committee the best year ahead.. All the best!!

Stepping down,
Erlin.D

Oh yes, theYahoo! Photos announced that they will be no longer providing services for photos upload started next month.. T_T Sorry Theresia.. seems like u need to find another provider for our huge photos XD

Current situation: Raining, lazy to go out, cook Indomie for dinner, tried out the sushi cook by junior (it's delicious o^.^o), chit chat... In conclusion, haven't do anything for today... ^^;

Current FYP status: Software is already installed in server, Google has approved my account to use Google Translate API, Yeo Chai Kiat had updated me. The only thing lack is my mood to start FYP... =.=

Impressive Dream (2)

Today I got another box-office dream like what I have 2 years ago. this time around, it is around friendship and weird world ^^;

Story started with my home as the setting. I was on holiday and having gathering with old friends… During the chit-chat, I asked where is P and why she didn’t join us.. P is one of my best friend… Then I got the shocking news that she died several weeks ago.. She went to sea shore and being murdered by M, which is well-known as mysterious person well known as witch. I was shocked as I remember still having email from P several days ago, even chatting with her! I was then showing the mail to my friends as proof. We’re puzzled.. then decided to reply her email.. and few hours later, I got reply from her!! (now getting scarier? :p) She was telling the stories of how she being murdered.. and how she regretted going to sea shore. The situation turn melaconic and I almost cried out.. I was so angry with M, and decided to do conference with whole town telling the bad things about M. The whole people in town curse M. We all decided to kill her.. but she didn’t talk at all.. Just that her face look so miserable. At that time being, I suspect.. what if the witch has actually get into P body, and put P soul in her body instead and making her can’t talk at all.

(at that time, I wake up because my mobile rang. Shut it down, then continued my dream)

Then the story goes. But this time, I became third person.. I was like watching a movie. Let’s call the main actor B now. Although M is already died, her spirit was still with B. B talked about everything under the sun with her. B also talked about her crush with P. P always support B in everything.. however, sometimes, P went missing.. and B didn’t know where she was.. until B meet L, who was a B’s old enemy.. but then, she got information that shocked B. L was there when P is murdered by M. After the murder, P turned into angel. Yet, because she still had things she wanted to do here, She then killed a horse (?) to get the power she needed to keep staying in the world. L then found out that she got a lover that she can’t leave yet.. and out from expectation… her lover is the same with B crush.. B felt betrayed.. then also found out that everytime P went missing, she went to her lover’s place… So B…

Nah, the story ended here =.= My mobile rang again and I was shocked to know that it was about 12pm T__T So I decided to wake up.. see if the dream will continue tonight (which is unlikely to happen).. there are still a lot of mistery unveiled.. like who is M actually.. and what B is going to do with P.. etc etc~ hahaha.. anyway, it’s quite a nice dream.. the background, the setting and everything was really real ^^;

End of my 10 hours sleep,
Erlin.D

Days to first quiz... (and AGM)

As planned, I spent my Sunday doing resume… but didn’t manage to touch Matlab and fyp at all T_T.. On the evening, I attended a quick junior’s gathering @ our block lounge. I never expect that we, seniors, (boly, inche, helios, winson and me) were the one bullied by them. When we entered the room, they were all clapping hands.. and since there are no seat available, we stand there.. and they asked us to introduce ourselves.. sigh… youngster.. haiyaaa.. *suddenly feel so old* We were there around 30 minutes.. then went back to our respective halls.. they ended quite early too, around 10++… I felt guilty not doing fyp, but then.. sleepiness win. I slept at around 12.. ^^;

.. until 9.30am at the next morning. Monday.. my lecture timing are very weird.. start at 10.30, 1 hour lecture, 2 hours free, 1 hour lecture,…and continue until 7.30 T_T afterwards, moved for maincomm recruitment. Thanks calvin to help me covered my part.. the recruitment continued until 9.30.. we got 10 interviewees.. really nothing compared with others.. say, bddr, who got 22 interviewees.. The positive point is that we don’t need to spent lots of time judging who should go for rally. Haha.. we finished around 10.30.. then had macdonald for supper.. and reached back hall around 11.30.. tireed.. I went to sleep after applying for several recruitment talks.

Tuesday, NTU internet connection was down the whole day. I woke up at 9.30.. as I brushed my teeth, I came to wonder how am I going to wake up at 7.30 for the next day.. as I have communications lab at 8.30. After decided to slept early at night, I showered.. then have lunch.. then blur blur went to lecture.. why I said blur.. because I didn’t bring my water bottle.. Not even my pencil case! T__T Thanx Rizky and Henry to lend me pen.. For water, I need to walk in and out from lab every half hour. =.=… After dozing at lab until 5.45, I went for dinner with others.. Another chicken chop.. I didn’t know why.. seems like it become my favorite this semester. It was my 3th time eating it this week =.= After dinner, we went directly for the briefing for networking nights.. 50% of the participants are Indonesian.. (guess, what does it mean :p) the briefing went quite smooth… figured out that I didn’t have appropriate high heels shoes for the event.. T__T meaning I will need to go shopping.. sigh. Lazy lazy.. 1 month from now.. but I really don’t like to go buy that kind of stuff :S

After briefing, I went for the maincomm recruitment again.. today.. not so many people applying. Only 2 people were interviewed for communications.. after that, we consolidated the candidates at 9.. ended at 10.. then went to wish Peng Ho a happy b’day at N2 B5.. Afterwards.. went for CEC maincomm rally ^_^ at first, I was glad to hear that the rally isn’t finished yet. But then, knowing that it hasn’t even half yet, I was abit worried of how long will it get.. after a long long wait (together with winson, medy and calvin), the situation become hot when reaching the vp position.. a new comer being shot for many times. After the first vp, second was rudi.. situation was cooling down again.. and then.. when the rally for president eventually came.. I was really enthusiastic.. I “sssstt” everyone who tried to talk to me.. but then.. after 10 minutes.. I felt that the question become more and more out of the line.. There were several questions that I felt very irritating.. and blood-boiling. After 1 hours of Q&A.. I really can’t stand it anymore (part is sleepiness, part is madness) and I went back to hostel, failed to watch until the last candidate. I felt that the club is just too mean…

Reached hostel, I suddenly remember my initial plan to slept earlier today.. because I need to wake up early for 8.30 class.. in the end, I slept at 3am..


Happy B'day Peng Hoe~ Vote Penghoe for VP (VP for VP!)

Lucky, I was still able to wake up at 7.30. I showered, drank my cup of coffee, and went to school with Inche.. it was raining out there.. reached school, I grabbed some sandwich, then went to hunt for CSKL-4.. lucky I didn’t get lost too long :) I manage to get there on time.. beside CSKL-4 is CSKL-5.. I saw Ms Chan inside the lab 5.. she was dressing very formal.. looked very pretty.. ^^ now I really believed that dress code matters. Haha.. Anyway, we’re being taught by Susan. I like her a lot ^^ and I loved my teammates also ^^ after the lab session.. i need to decide between sleeping at hostel or at lab. Eventually decided to sleep at lab. So, here I goes.. Not long after I dozed… Prof Yeo suddenly came and greeted me!! Oh dear.. T__T I never expect that to happen.. but after half hour of discussion, I was somehow thankful that she was there.. (else I will sleep until lecture time) haha.. after the discussion, I went to neural’s lecture.. I was really to sleepy to absorb anything.. sigh.. back from lecture.. I went back to lab again, waiting for dinner time with nancy.. =D yup, nancy is eventually back to sg. Haha.. at 5.30, I leave lab, went to SRC to take my last heritage walk tshirt.. I must said that the tshirt is really very nice ^^.. Afterwards, waited 15 minutes for shuttle bus.. then went for dinner at can 16… I back around 7.30.. when I was going to shower, met my sibling at next door XD.. Although Inche had told me before about it, I was still quite shock.. she really looked like ilfina.. just a bit *censored*. Haha..

Ok.. so.. after showered.. I still felt sleepy (I wonder how many time the ‘sleepy’ word turn out in this post) I want to take a nap.. but I am sure I wont be able to wake up until morning.. I want to study.. but can’t concentrate.. so.. best way will be to blog :p haha.. now is already 10pm.. time to start packing and sleep.. yeah =D

Looking forward to AGM.. and quiz T__T,
Erlin.D