Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Any more small classes?
Sunday, November 14, 2010
From Subang Jaya
I just found out Singapore was an al-Qaeda target in 2002, 7 bomb trucks were supposed to be deployed to kill thousands of people near places frequented by Americans, Britons and Australians, other than their embassies. After reading Jane Corbin's al-Qaeda, I pondered about a career in journalism. This is one possible career path I would definitely consider in the future, investigating and putting facts together for a book.
Another book I've finished reading is Ken Robinson's The Element. One of the points that caught my attention was the sign that someone is in his/her Element, is that time will fly when he/she engages in his/her passion. I'll be testing whether I like investigating and putting facts together when I start writing about how entrepreneurs in India can help to combat climate change.
But first, I need to revise Introduction to Geometry. (I can't help but notice that any modules in NUS with the word introductory seem like booby traps, the content will get more difficult after Week 6)
$W?h0w$
Monday, November 8, 2010
Please Remember
Likewise with this module, the interactions and group work resulted in new friendships being formed. I’ve learned that my resume (pre-Brad) was a mess. Other than that, I’ve also found out that “homely” is offensive. The blogging showed me that I have an interest in writing. The learning experience would’ve been ideal if stretched over 2 semesters, and better if there’s no bell curve to worry about. I’ve also had wonderful groupmates to work with; Nanhai and Xing Quan for the peer teaching, Guo Chen, Xiaoshi and Sylvester for the proposal and oral presentation. I’m also grateful to have Yuen May, Billet, Alicia, Shivam, Wenlue, Alvin, Elgin, Yanling, Vinod and Xi Xi as classmates. There will be a day when I’ll look back and reminisce about the good times we shared together.
Monday, November 1, 2010
EDITED: STOP - Skywalk and Tunnel Oral Presentation
Preparation
Before STOP, we spent the time planning on how to present our research data and proposal. Our initial plan was to use PowerPoint slides, but we switched to Prezi to better organise the points. The meetings were usually after lessons and on weekends at the Science Library Seminar Room and tutorial room at FoE. They were spent redesigning and improving our Prezi, delegating tasks (such as scouting for future actors and actresses, and filming them) and rehearsing our lines.
Delivery
I could have improved my delivery by elaborating more about the tunnel and skywalk structure. I should have practised my points more, because I would have the tendency to forget. In this case, it was the structure. Like Sylvester, I also felt that our approach is unique and fresh (the sound problem was not part of the presentation).
Use of slideware
The switch to Prezi was motivated by 2 main reasons, the ability to change views on one integrated canvass and to post YouTube videos. Trying out Prezi for the first time allowed me to explore uncharted waters. Now I know the advantages of using Prezi, but this comes at a price of it dominating the presentation. I now wonder how I would have performed if I stuck to the PowerPoint slides. I’m reminded of the Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken.
Other comments
I believe that our proposal was unique, and was not expected by any of my friends. Some of the initial suggestions about the proposal topic included having more study tables and power sockets on campus, and improving traffic congestion on campus by changing the bus routes. We decided to go one step further, hence the skywalk and underground tunnel. This taught me one valuable lesson; any future presentations or essays needs to have a creative idea to make it interesting. (Without neglecting delivery.)
To Xiaoshi, Sylvester and Guo Chen; I am very grateful to have all of you as teammates. Working with all of you showed me what we can do when we get creative and cooperate. The journey, although with its ups and downs, was enjoyable, and I wish that we can have a chance to work as a team again in other modules. As pointed out by Rascal Flatts, Life is a Highway!
$W?h0w$
Friday, October 29, 2010
Fall
This is a story about bad luck (and possibly old infrastructure).
I was catching up on the by-election news in Sabah, Malaysia, on 28 October, when I found out that the candidate from the opposition (Parti Keadilan Rakyat - People's Justice Party) fell into the sea because of a rickety bridge. Ansari Abdullah, the opposition candidate was there to meet the local community. The next day, he went to another village. Little did I expect, in 48 hours, he fell into the sea - again, for the same reason.
Fortunately, no one was injured, save for a few minor bruises.
Links below:
First time: (http://brudirect.com/index.php/The-Daily-Express/unsafe-jetty-causes-pkrs-ansari-to-fall-into-sea.html)
Second time:(http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/30/galas/7332553&sec=galas)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
EDITED: ≠ Accents
During my first few days of my freshman year, I befriended a student from China. We talked while waiting for the A2 bus opposite LT27. It was her first year, when she spoke to me, I noticed her English accent was ... different (No offense intended). During our conversation, I would sometimes ask her to repeat her sentence, as her heavily accented English was difficult to understand. She guessed that I had trouble understanding her, she asked "Is my English hard to understand?" I was tempted to give the politically right answer, but I decided to be honest and at the same time, didn't want to offend her. I told her that her English was difficult to understand, because this was the first time I heard her accent. I continued that to her my Mandarin would be weird to her because of my accent. My first language isn't Mandarin, nor it is my second. When I spoke Mandarin, she laughed at me, saying my Mandarin was horrible. I took it lightly as I knew I needed to polish my Mandarin, which I have postponed for over a decade now.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Discussion
Sunday, September 5, 2010
EDITED: Monetary Authority of Singapore
Residence 6, Block 30,
#07-05 S(118424)
kohwyhow@nus.edu.sg
+(65)84209460
2 September 2010
Human Resource Department,
Monetary Authority of Singapore,
10 Shenton Way, MAS Building,
Singapore 079117
Dear Sir/Madam,
Graduate Officer Programme
I am writing in response to the Graduate Officer Programme recruitment, which I came across on the MAS website. I have recently graduated with a BSc (Hons) Science with Mathematics.
From my enclosed CV, I have led sponsorship committees which require me to negotiate with corporate organisations to raise funds for school events, ranging from sports competitions to environmental campaigns. This experience has given me some exposure in working as a team, negotiating and leadership skills. As a result, I was elected the Marketing Executive of the 31st Sports Club Management Committee. My responsibility was to lead all marketing committees in 26 member clubs, and to avoid any conflicts of interest from taking place in any Sports Club events. I hope to enrich my experience regarding teamwork and leadership while working in MAS.
My most recent commitment, Sponsorship Director of ASEANpreneurs 2010, has allowed me to negotiate with foreign companies in South-East Asia for monetary sponsorship for our programme. The main objective of ASEANpreneurs was to promote entrepreneurship within ASEAN by exchange trips, conferences and competitions. ASEANpreneurs was different compared to my other CCAs as I had to analyse the background of private companies, then negotiate with foreign companies in return for region wide networking opportunities. I am strongly motivated by variety in my work, to motivate and challenge myself. I believe that MAS has varied opportunities for professional growth via job rotations, which I hope I can be part of.
Other than studying mathematics, I had the privilege of being part of the NUS Overseas College Programme in Bio Valley. I have no qualms about stepping into uncharted waters, & I hope to contribute to building a diverse and multidisciplinary workforce, which is one of the aims of MAS. The NOC programme has allowed me to learn to work in a fast paced environment, without compromising standards. The programme allowed me to study while interning at a start-up company, and this was different compared to the lectures on campus, as I have the exposure to a working environment and improved my soft skills, which I am also keen to improve while working in MAS.
With MAS, I would like to extend my knowledge and experience by joining the Capital Markets Department. I wish to apply the skills that I have, coupled with the training provided by MAS, in regulating corporate fundraising, takeovers and mergers. Other than that, I wish to gain experience in promoting the financial development of Singapore. I am driven to do my best in all my responsibilities, and willing to learn to work in new environments. This is what I hope I am able to contribute to MAS.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Koh Wyhow
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
EDITED: Busy Thursday
Monday, August 30, 2010
Updates
Monday, August 23, 2010
EDITED: Interpersonal Conflict
It was 12 February 2005. He approached me during recess, asking whether I believed in Jesus, I replied him, "Why do you ask?" He said, "Jesus died to save you." As the conversation continued, he asked me to join one of his church's events. I accepted the invitation, on a condition that he must attend one of the dharma talks organised by my temple. Then we sealed the deal, we would attend each other's event to "share" our religions.
My event was earlier than his. During the dharma talk at my temple, I was expecting him to show up, but he didn't. He texted that he was too busy, so I told him when the next dharma talk would be held. He never showed up for the next 2 talks, so my suspicion began to grow. At school, I reminded him about our deal. He said he was busy with his school work, but according to his classmates, he does not hand in assignments on time. As time flew by, he approached me several times, asking me reasons I find Buddhism interesting, while promoting his religion to me.
I confronted him that he was imposing, not sharing his religion. He did not keep his end of the bargain, and that was the last time I spoke to him. Since I've come to NUS, I've met another person in another faculty who's exactly like him. As that ugly episode comes back to haunt me, sometimes I wonder, how could I have handled that better?
(I do not mean to offend any religion with this blog post. I am not an anti-Christian, but I am against those who impose their own religion towards other people. I believe everyone has the right to choose their own religion, and no one has the right to convert others to other religions, unless that choice is made voluntarily.)
Saturday, August 21, 2010
EDITED: Effective Communication
Communication allows me to lead my team of marketers effectively. We need to know what we can offer to external organisations, whether publicity or networking opportunities. I've had the privilege to work with the most hardworking and dedicated people, such as in TalentQuest 2010 and RunNUS 2010.
During one of my trips I organised for the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association (SJBA) back in Malaysia, I befriended a manager working at an American bank. He advised, "Grades will get you the job interview, it's the communication skills that will get you the job." His reason was people who join CCAs gain soft skills that wouldn't be taught in lectures.
Effective communication is just one of the many important skills that I seek to continuously learn, as it has helped me to form new friendships, negotiate with external parties, as well as face interviews in university.
$W?h0w$