13 weeks later...

Looking back at day I started asking around my friend’s for interesting modules to take and was recommended ES2007s. I recalled telling my friend, project and presentation should be fine. But to start a blog and to post a post every week?? That is a lot of work!

13 weeks on, I realized that I was so wrong. Writing that proposal is definitely the hardest thing and writing the blog the easiest and most enjoyable thing. I never thought there are so many components to be included in the proposal. I always thought it’s just going to be a straight forward format in which we will just need to follow. However, now I realized that I was so wrong. Wells, glad that I learned it now.

Looking back at my first blog post, I recalled myself spending a whole day, trying to think of something to write, re-reading and re-reading, not sure if that’s the right way to write. Only after reading the feedbacks, I had a sign of relief. Not long after, I find myself enjoying typing all these blog post.

I have always wanted to start a blog to record my thoughts. But I thought that doing up a blog is very troublesome hence I never bothered trying. Hence now that I tried blogging, I am very thankful for this opportunity given to me. Now, though the semester have comes to an end, I think, I will just continue blogging.

To be given so many opportunities to practice speaking, talking in front of the class, learning about proposal and to learn about so many interesting skills, I am very glad to have taken this module. I think that all of us have benefited a lot from this module. On top of that, to have such interesting classmates combined with a fun tutor teaching us all these, I guessed we are all very lucky.

xoxo,
Student A

5 minutes of hell

After all those practices, it’s time for the real thing. As usual, I felt nervous. Counting down the slides, waiting for the dead sentence, “now I would like to invite my group-mate Andy up …” Omg, it’s my turn. However, in a flash, the approximate 5 minutes just fly past. I just felt myself saying blah blah blah and then it’s over. All those talking felt like seconds.

Wells, after the whole presentation, as usual, mixed feelings. I remembered telling myself, before and during, the presentation to slow down. Nevertheless, I tried but I still feel myself talking abit too fast. I remembered myself mispronouncing a few words too. The cue cards on my hands were just too tempting to look at. I feel myself having this urge to look at them every other second. Other than that, I guessed the delivery part was ok.

With regards to the preparations, I thought that our slides were decent, looks nice and simple. Straight to the point, not too wordy. We tried to think of a way of a memorable ending but there doesn’t seem to have any songs or a nice clip that’s related to conservation and communication. Hmm... So forget it,I guessed. We rehearsed about 4-5 times and every time, there seems to be something to change. But I felt all those rehearsals helps in getting me to know the whole presentation slides better.

I am just glad that there’s no glaring mistakes(I think, i hope) and that everything went by smoothly.

Thank god it’s all over!!!

xoxo,
Student A

P.S. Pls let me know my weakness and strength. After all i cant see/hear myself ! Thanks!

oh wells..

While doing research for this blog, I was shocked to realise that there’s more than 160 definitions for the word culture! To me, the one that makes the most sense is to define it as, a set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group. One of the most obvious ways to observe a contrast of culture is to look at different country. From obvious differences such as language, race and religion, to the not so obvious ones such as behaviours. As someone so used to the typical life of living in Singapore, when travelling, it’s unavoidable to face with some culture shock.

A few years ago, my family and I went on a trip to Korea. The very first culture shock is of course the language. It has never been so difficult to communicate with others. Thank god there’s still the universally known calculator for me to use when bargaining with the shop owners, the wonders of sign language when asking simple questions. Those are actually stuff that we kind of expected even before arriving there. However, with regards to behaviour differences, that’s something we never knew what to expect.

While walking around the malls, this guy and me happens to nudged into each other, I wanted to apologize, however, he just continued walking as if nothing happened. In my mind I was like, “probably he’s in a rush”. I ignored what happen and continued to walk around. A while later, there’s this other guy who I am sure banged into me, however, he just continued to walk away. I was quite shocked as I was expecting him to at least turn around and say sorry or something. Back on the tour bus, our guide started to ask us about our shopping trip. She goes on to comment about the huge crowd and as its very pack, Koreans are actually used to such crowd and to them, banging into each other is a very common thing. It’s only then that I realised their indifferent reaction about what happened earlier.

Oh wells I guess it’s just their culture, at least for those living in the crowded cities. Guess every different place will have its own unique culture.

xoxo,
Student A

Application Letter

1 February 2010

Mediterranean Shipping Co (Singapore)
c/o jobreplies-OPS@msc-asia.com


Shipping Officer

Dear Sir / Mdm,

I write in response to your advertisement in the Straits Times of Singapore dated Sunday, 31 Jan 2010 for the above position. A copy of my detailed resume is attached for your information.

I am currently a final year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Statistics from the National University of Singapore. I will be graduating in July and will be able to start work anytime in July. During the course, I took several mathematics and project based modules which help me improve my analytical and interpersonal skills.

During my high school days, I served as the captain of the canoeing team. My leadership skills were put to a test and I learned about the importance of teamwork. My high school teacher testified that I am a meticulous and careful student with an aptitude for analytical thinking.

During my term break, I work part-time at SingTel as a customer service officer (CSO). As a CSO, I had first-hand experience of how to handle all kinds of different customers and to communicate with them effectively.

I am proficient in MS Office applications and am effectively Bi-lingual in English and Chinese. I am a quick learner and a strong team player.

I would be grateful for an opportunity to discuss the details of my application at any time convenient to you.

Thank you for your kind attention.


Yours faithfully,

Andy Law
Hp: 9000 1234
Email: andylaw@live.com.sg

right ? wrong ?

A few years back, I was surprisingly elected to serve in this leadership position. I had to work with this committee consisting of a few other people. As the pioneers of this club, we did not have any seniors to look up to. I was totally clueless about what’s expected of me to do. Hence, I did what I felt was right. One fine boring day, we were having training. I felt the team’s moral was kind of low, so I decided to do something different, just some light trainings followed by something I thought would be fun. Before we start the ‘fun’ activity, 2 members, 1 of them a committee member, went off to do other stuffs. I felt super pissed. I mean why can’t they be more supportive? Especially since 1 of them is a committee member. After training, I decided to talk to the 2 of them. That’s when the volcano erupted. I started questioning them about their actions. To cut things short (actually all that happened, was JUST some shouting and screaming), some other committee members came in to add some ice, and all of us walk out with the urge to kill each other. Being someone who’s pretty laid back, open to ideas and with mild temper, it was a situation I never expected to be in. I felt I wasn’t in the wrong, hence there’s no need for me to do anything. I thought that, it will be a full-stop, everything will be fine after ‘a while', and if there’s anything, we can always talk about it nicely and come to a conclusion. But wells, what really happened, were that the two of us keep communication between each other to a minimum. The feeling is just s****.

Sometimes, I wonder, was I so totally right? Is there really no wrong with my actions? What would happen if I choose not to approach them? Is there a better way out? Is there anything else I could have done back then? Mm...

Eventually, the ‘a while’ turns out to be a few years. We happened to meet unexpectedly, though things were kind of weird at first, but, at least we chatted. By then a much more mature me armed with much more wisdom then before, realised that, actually there’s no such thing such as who’s right who’s wrong. Everyone’s right. It’s just a matter of perspective. What everyone wanted back then, was for the best interest for the team, just that we were standing at different angles.

Take a step back, and the view would be much clearer. It takes so much effort to hate someone, so why bother? Instead, why don’t we just try to be a bit more understanding, throw away that worthless ego and life would be so much better.

“Speak when you are angry - and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret.”
Dr. Laurence J. Peter

xoxo,
Student A

Useful ? mm..

The whole idea of giving presentation, public speaking have always sound pretty easy to me, or at least till the very day I have to do my very first presentation in class. I felt this super shitty feeling, anxiety, and had butterflies in my stomach. My mind just went blank. I went home thinking about what had just happened. It is only at that point of time, that I realise there is so much about learning how to talk in front of a crowd. Taking ES2007S will firstly allow me to learn about the basic skills in communication, understanding the different ways to communicate (verbal and non-verbal communication). The numerous opportunities to speak in front of the class will also help me to gain much confidence. After all, practice makes perfect. The chance to work on projects and conduct a class are just many of the other interesting things I will get to do, unlike all the typical science modules I had been taking, allowing me to learn about working with people from different background.

I always thought I know myself best and knows what I want in life, however, some time ago, when everyone starts asking me what I intend to do after graduation, and all I could reply is, “ erm anything “ . This trigger me to start reflecting on what I really wanted to do, what I enjoy doing. Taking ES2007S will not just help me to know more about myself, it also provides me with the chance to research on the different jobs available, and at the same time, force me to prepare my resume. At least, according to the schedule, those are topics that will be covered in this module and I really hope I can learn those skills during the cause of this module. Cheers!

xoxo,
Student A