For those of you who have me on msn, you would have know how it's EBL week just ended for me. Here are some pics from the process of building this hovercraft and all. Quite a fulfilling week as we managed to finish everything in time and as lady luck would have it, we managed to clear ALL the obstacles (only 2 out of 10 teams managed that) and even came in first for time taken to navigate the race course! I will be trying to upload some videos too of race-cum-testing day, but they aren't of very good quality. Anyway, here's the mess!
at first.. everything looked nice and tidy... just a fan and its wires on the foam board we've cut out
Happily testing the fan for its power input to thrust ratio...
along with the circuit board we would be using for radio control of the hovercraft
THEN... we began building the dreaded SKIRT
argh..
taping everything down...
naming it..
TADA!!!
these two obstacles - a ramp and a series of bumps - will be the killers of the race course. I expect (correctly) that the bumps will separate the winners from the rest.
View of the racecourse
some other team must really love their hover craft....
Gentlemen.... start your engines! 
Alright.. here are the videos that I've mentioned. Let me know if the links work for you guys :)
Video 1 (test drive)
Video 2 (race run 1)
Video 3 (race run 2)
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Hoover my Hover!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
From "Prozac Nation"
"There's nothing I hate more
than nothing
Nothing keeps me up at night
I toss and turn over nothing
Nothing could cause a great
big fight "
EDDIE BRICKELL
"Nothing"
Friday, February 17, 2006
Insomnia
in·som·ni·a (n-smn-)
n.
Chronic inability to fall asleep or remain asleep for an adequate length of time.
It's 0402hrs now.
So many random thoughts. So much to ponder about.
Fingers frozen at keyboard. Eyeballs fried by screen. Brain liquified by information cramming. Senses dulled by fatigue. Nerves frayed by stress. Temples throbbing to incessant pulse of heartbeat.
Yet one thought dashes them all aside make things all bearable again: "you're strange and you're beautiful"
I wonder, do you realise how much you have come to mean to me?
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
DO IT!!!
Quick!!! Go to this interesting link and contribute to building up a grid of my personality! Please leave your name...
http://kevan.org/johari?name=Sam%20Png
Arena(known to self and others) accepting, caring, giving, independent, mature | Blind Spot(known only to others) able, adaptable, bold, calm, cheerful, complex, confident, dependable, energetic, friendly, helpful, idealistic, intelligent, kind, knowledgable, logical, loving, modest, observant, organised, quiet, reflective, relaxed, religious, responsive, searching, self-assertive, self-conscious, sensible, sentimental, shy, spontaneous, trustworthy, warm, wise |
Façade(known only to self) witty | Unknown(known to nobody) brave, clever, dignified, extroverted, happy, ingenious, introverted, nervous, patient, powerful, proud, silly, sympathetic, tense |
All Percentages
able (17%) accepting (4%) adaptable (4%) bold (4%) brave (0%) calm (30%) caring (8%) cheerful (13%) clever (0%) complex (4%) confident (21%) dependable (39%) dignified (0%) energetic (4%) extroverted (0%) friendly (26%) giving (4%) happy (0%) helpful (4%) idealistic (4%) independent (30%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (13%) introverted (0%) kind (8%) knowledgable (17%) logical (13%) loving (4%) mature (39%) modest (13%) nervous (0%) observant (13%) organised (21%) patient (0%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (4%) reflective (13%) relaxed (4%) religious (4%) responsive (4%) searching (4%) self-assertive (4%) self-conscious (4%) sensible (34%) sentimental (39%) shy (4%) silly (0%) spontaneous (8%) sympathetic (0%) tense (0%) trustworthy (47%) warm (21%) wise (8%) witty (0%)
You can make your own Johari Window, or view Sam Png's full data.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Fly
" I was an astronaut who was going to fly so, so far beyond the moon, so far beyond the whole wide world.
But then I never had to worry about a crash landing because I never even took off. "
SingNite!!!
SINGNITE!!! Yes, finally, the pics from the formal dinner and dance night held in Manchester for ALL Singaporeans in U.K. are in. It wasn't a stuffy puffed up event, but more like a social gathering for everyone to have a chance to dress up and have a nice evening together in a relaxed atmosphere. Frankly, despite the cheap wine and horrendous food, I enjoyed myself immensely that night. It must have been the wonderful company I had throughout.
The boyzz
Me n Clifford
Yuan
Some pics at reception before the dinner
Left to Right : Me, Ling, Yovita, Brian
Was sssssssooooo happy that Ling agreed to be my date for the night, even though she was quite reluctant to do so. Can you tell I was just elated and overjoyed? :P
I kid ;P I was absolutely thrilled she came. The fact she enjoyed herself in spite of her earlier reservations made it all the better!
Nice shot of Brian and Cathleen
Shu Mei and Kristie
Our dear Emcees for the event, Sujatha and Clifford
Qi Lian and Kuan Ching
Sebez with the gals
Lay May with Yuan
Shu Mei and Alec
Aaron and Tracy
Brian, smile, show some teeth! Like Yovita
CHEERS!
OOOHHHH~~ Mask neh...
Mei Xuan with Alec... why the boys always dun smile.. even me...
Ling and Clifford smiling nicely together
Clifford, Philemon and Zhi Wei
Me with Best Fwen Shu Mei and Angry Fwen Brian. Hahaha~~
Clifford n me again
Group Hug!
the usual suspects
Table shot
Smile!
That's it! Everyone looked different, didn't they? :) Pat, look, I found someone who turns as red if not redder than you after drinking! However, she doesn't throw it all up afterwards like you do. Thank goodness. XP
Bear Hug, Anyone?
Bears are strong and independent creatures who roam in the forest in search of food. Bears are usually gentle, but anger one and be prepared for their full fury! You're big, you're tough, you won't back down from a fight -- classic attributes of a bear. Intelligent and resourceful, though lazy at times, you are a fascinating creature of the wild.You were almost a: Monkey or a Duck
You are least like a: Chipmunk or a GroundhogWhat Cute Animal Are You?
Friday, February 10, 2006
Good Old Fashioned
What is it about a good old fashioned snail mail that just warms your very being? In today's electronic age, the plain fact that someone took the EFFORT to post you something is very endearing.
Yes, Xin Hui and Laura, you are recognised as well in this post. You can now go gloat and be 'HAO LIAN' for a while. Hehe :)
One More Day!
To... the weekends.
To... the trip.
Why do I feel so excited? I am like a small boy again. *grins*
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
新年快乐 - Happy Lunar New Year
Yes yes, CNY has long passed and it's now already the what, 10th day? At least this post made it within the 15 days limit, didn't it? :P First, a general shout out to everyone, wishing you all good health, good times, good fortune, good food and good company :)
Remember the dedication I mentioned previously? I've decided to take this festival to give thanks to a few special people who have been there for me in this short 23 years of my life.
Mum - The very fact that you brought me into this world despite the difficulties and trials you must have faced at such a young age proves how much Sis and I must mean to you. I am eternally grateful for all the sacrifices and hardship you've had to endure for our sakes. Mere words can never describe the love you've shown us. Hard love and all. Haha. Thank you for developing this sense of self and independence in me. Thank you for the discipline and moral values.
Ah Gong & Ah Ma - My paternal Grandparents. Even thinking about them now brings an ache to my heart and a slight mist to my eyes. Both of them have passed within a year of each other and I miss them terribly every year for the past 6 years. They essentially brought me up as a child under the roof of their household when things weren't very rosy at home. Etched into my heart are images of my grandma labouring at the wok to whip up a feast for the family, my grandpa's back as he sent me to school on his puttering motorcycle, the morning prayers as my grandpa waved the joss sticks, the cursing and swearing of my grandma driving (boy can she swear, learnt every single vulgarity in the Hokkien dialect from her I think! :P) I miss them. Ah Gong, I am in University liaoz. Thank you for the daily prayers. I don't think I can ever forgive myself for not being by my grandma's side when she breathed her last, but to quote myself - "Letting go doesn't mean giving up the memories" So, yeah, Ah Gong and Ah Ma will always be here inside even though it still aches to think of them as no longer around.
Uncle Han, Aunties Heok and Yang - The dear ones who helped my grandparents keep my sister and I in hand and were we ever more than a handful. Thank you for taking us in and treating us with patience for over 10 years in Lor. Ah Soo. Thank you for spending so much of what was the prime of your lives taking care of us.
Uncle Han, you were the only one who taught me what it is like to be a man - a gentleman. In between your sailing days and growing up on your own accord, you still managed to start me off onto the path of the straight and right. From that small first step, I have formed my own moral values and way of living over the years. They may never measure up to yours, but hey you had a 16 year head start! All the best to you and your family in New Zealand. May God shower your 2 kids with blessings and let them grow up filled with love and lofty aspirations for themselves. May you and your wife enjoy each other till the end of days. May your hairline stop receding :P
Aunt Heok, thank you so much for everything. You were like a 2nd mom to us. Cooking, washing, caning and all that. Hahaha. You were always there for us. Your voice never left us too. Nag non-stop. XP I am glad you've found someone in that pilot of yours. Whatever the case, just be happy, alright? Also, start thinking more for yourself and not fret over your younger siblings so much anymore. They should have long learnt how to fend for themselves. Do more things for yourself. Enjoy life more. Relax a little more and worry a lot less. Take that CPF and retire to somewhere else maybe. Get away from it all and I'll come visit you in "nothing" land once in a while :)
Aunt Yang, grateful I am to you for introducing me to God. At a time of turmoil and excruciatingly painful uncertainty, you offered me a place to seek solace in. It most probably is the major factor for my current sanity (well, what's left of it anyway). Thank you for the calm disposition that I possess today. Your courage and persistence in getting Uncle David accepted by the family was nothing but admirable. Hope everything goes well in your new job!
God-Brother Toh Bao Guang - Mr. Electric God (雷神王） himself! Hahaha, private joke. Bao Bao has been shooting down girls with his electric eyes since time immemorial! From neighbours>>buddies>>god-brothers Bao Bao is kin not of my blood but of my soul. We share too many childhood memories to count ever since we met in that spectacular way at our home's playground playing "catching". Keeping in touch even after I moved out of Lor. Ah Soo, it is now 15 years (and counting) that our friendship has gone on. You may never know and I've never told you, but you probably saved my life. Thank you for extending your hand in friendship to me when you did. It is something that I appreciate deeply. Hope all goes well for you, Mr. Deadly Faithful Womaniser. You know you break how many gals heart already anot? So faithful but yet still so attractive to so many gals. Tsk tsk. Hahaha XP Do well in NTU. I know when we next meet, things will be as ever for the 2 of us when we're together. Good laughs and great memories.
Jonathan She Rui Bao - or RB/Vege as we lovingly call him. My buddy from secondary school times. We got to know each other in the Military Band and never ever looked back since. I introduced Basketball and Robert Jordan's Wheel Of Time to him, he introduced back vegetables and herbal life to me. Hahaha. Go back Singapore where do I go? JOOK! Because of who? RB and ML! He is someone that I really hold dear and close to heart.
Jason Lim Ming Long - Got to know ML through RB. They were already "Brothers" when I got to know him and entered into the Band Of Brothers Hailing from Jook. Might not have known him as long as I have RB, but he is every bit as tight as RB. Someone you can rely on in dire times. Impeccably good taste in food. Awesome choice of music. Put RB and him together and the night is pretty much taken care of with endless jibes from all 3 of us in all random directions. Even just sitting at a kopitiam and talking cock over teh-peng makes the time fly right by.
Of course, there are others who are very dear to me but I haven't mentioned. People like Patricia, Desmond, Nerissa, Jintao, Brian, Jonathan Siu, Stephen Wei and many many many more. I have had a blessed life in the fact that I've managed to have so many awesome people as my friend. Please do not feel slighted in the least.
If you know me well enough, you should know already that if you're my friend, your worth in my heart is immense. Good friends are hard to come by :) Just felt that these few above have stood by me and withstood the test of time. No, don't go "but most of them are your family members..." Because I can tell you now that familial ties carry no weight in the amount of sincerity you put into a relationship with anyone. I should know, because I've seen this sad fact come to pass in my own family.
So, once again, thank you :)
Do You Have The Keys To This Locked Heart?
| The Keys to Your Heart |
 You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is low. Even if you're tempted, you'd try hard not to do it. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted. |
Monday, February 06, 2006
Old Trafford Stadium
It's been a while since I've posted any real photos, but not for the lack of wanting to. Circumstances just haven't been the most complying of late. School is pretty much up and running now that the first week is over and we're once more immersed in projects, presentations, tutorials and the like. However, this was a nice wkend as we had "Singnite" on saturday and then a tour to Old Trafford Stadium today (Sunday) No pics from the formal dinner and dance yet, apologies, but I do have some from the tour today. Benefits of having a niffy camera phone :) Without further ado, here are the pics!
Stadium grounds :
Roger, can see anot? MANCHESTER UNITED!!!!!
Walking to the "dug out"
THE Tunnel
Home Team
Press Room
Inside the Changing Room
Man Of The Match
That's it! :) Hope everyone's doing well and do take care of your health no matter where you may be. Loads of my frens been coming down with a bug or other recently. There should be another post from me shortly, I have something in mind that I would like to dedicate to a few special ones. Till then, ciaoz!
