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Two days ago, as I was on the MRT on my way to attend a dinner, I saw a wheelchair-bound passenger
trying to board the train. Halfway in, part of the two side wheels sunk slightly into the gap between the train door and the commuter platform and he could not move further. I held the two sides of his wheelchair and tried to raise the wheelchair onto the train but it barely budged. There were a lot of strong and young people around and I expected someone to help but they just looked on. It was only when there were signals that the doors were closing did one person came forth and pull the wheelchair backward onto the platform. There's something seriously wrong.
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I'm happy that I've roughly found my research topic after reading books, a number of journal papers and sitting down to think. I'm currently refining my topic. My professor has been supportive and encouraging. After each meeting (so far three), I learn something new and I'm motivated to clock more mileage. I was also right to drop my special term module. After doing so, I'm much happier and less stressed.

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I decided to drop my "General Biology" module. I was interested in biology back in my secondary school days. I loved drawing cells and learning more about life (in the scientific sense). That was why I registered for a biology module. However, when formal lectures started two days ago, I felt I was no longer passionate about cells. The lab work and assignments pushed me to drop. I decided to focus on research and work on some simple freelance projects.

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Time flies when life is busy.
My last summer holidays though relaxed passed slowly.
Now it feels like moments in a time machine.
Half of my holidays are history.

I sat for my "living with maths" module exam yesterday.
I managed to finish the paper and that I'm happy.
I like the module.
It teaches application of math to daily life and helped me relate better to discrete math, statistical and computer security concepts. I also learned to verify ISBN numbers, and find routes between locations.

For now, I plan to give myself a short break before continuing with research.

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A group of us celebrated Mandy's belated birthday yesterday. We dined at Kenny Rogers and ordered quite a spread. I could see that everyone enjoyed the meal and there was a lot of laughter and teasing going round the table. I have always enjoyed warm occasions as such, catching up with friends over a long dinner or coffee break. It totally fits one of my favorite quotations:

You have achieved success if you have lived well, laughed often and loved much

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I like the song "Fly" by Hilary Duff. Here are the lyrics. Inspirational words in bold.

"Fly"

In a moment, everything can change,
Feel the wind on your shoulder,
For a minute, all the world can wait,
Let go of your yesterday.

Can you hear it calling?
Can you feel it in your soul?
Can you trust this longing?
And take control,

Fly
Open up the part of you that wants to hide away
You can shine,
Forget about the reasons why you can't in life,
And start to try, cause it's your time,
Time to fly.

All your worries, leave them somewhere else,
Find a dream you can follow,
Reach for something, when there's nothing left,
And the world's feeling hollow.

Can you hear it calling?
Can you feel it in your soul?
Can you trust this longing?
And take control,

Fly
Open up the part of you that wants to hide away
You can shine,
Forget about the reasons why you can't in life,
And start to try, cause it's your time,
Time to fly.

And when you're down and feel alone,
Just want to run away,
Trust yourself and don't give up,
You know you better than anyone else,

In a moment, everything can change,
Feel the wind on your shoulder,
For a minute, all the world can wait,
Let go of yesterday,

Fly
Open up the part of you that wants to hide away
You can shine,
Forget about the reasons why you can't in life,
And start to try,
Fly
Forget about the reasons why you can't in life,
And start to try, cause it's your time,
Time to fly.

In a moment, everything can change.

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Exam results were released yesterday.
fell short of expectations.
i read only 1 module this semester.
it's a subject i like,
and i worked really hard for it.
i spent much more time than anyone else.
and now i feel lousy.
Anyway, have to move on.
Another exam in 3 weeks time.
Another project milestone to meet by end of June.
let's move on, let's move on

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Summer holidays are going to be different.
Well, actually I don't understand why people use the term "summer holidays" in Singapore.
It sounds artificial and "potato-ish" since we don't really experience the four seasons.
Anyway, I was saying holidays are going to be different.
I remembered I slept through my last summer holidays. On several mornings I would jog with Alfred. In the afternoons i would read or sleep. And days just went by painfully slow and boring.
This time round, I foresee holidays would be busier.

firstly i'm reading a summer term module.
Attending lectures 1 week after exams isn't fun.
Plus a monotonous lecture in the late afternoon, you get the most potent tranquilizer dart.
One friend beside me fiddles with his iPhone throughout the whole lecture. and the other beside me pretends to listen, occasionally closing her eyes. Strangely, everyone else is attentive. Are they all Shaolin monks? So disciplined?

secondly, i'm doing my honors project. i'm excited but frightened as well. i've worked hard and i'm definitely going to continue running for the next 1 year to make my efforts count. i'm learning to write better.

besides work, i forgot to plan leisure. ideas anyone?

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Another semester ended.
I went places the last two days.
I brought a group of friends to farm mart in Chua Chu Kang.
Though most shops were closed, we enjoyed still.

One of the fun experiences was to watch a school of fishes gather around your legs...



Yesterday, we took a bus and walked to PS Cafe along Harding Road after dinner. As someone who frequents at cafes and coffee shops, I totally liked the place. The cafe had a warm and calming ambience. Away from the city "noise", it feels like a different world. The prices are a bit steep though.