Today’s class in interesting. First off with lectures at 10am at the relative larger MLT1 lecture theater but only for 6 people! Only my class! I was expecting a combined lecture or so, but haha duh… overkill. Next lessons are at 3pm-5pm so thats a 4 hour break. Slacked my way out to FC2 after chicken-rice before responding to client emails at the library beating the lunch crowd and finishing up after noon.

Gym-a-ton
Met Pohfong doing laps in the pool & Kalip in the gym. Then Desmond & the gang popped around thereafter for a pre-class leisure swim (with rather funny butt landing accidents on slippery floors thereafter), while I went on my usual gym marathon for 2 1/2 hours (going through all my stations & hogging the modular machine for myself 3+1 Sets strength) then topping it all up with a finishing 5km on threadmill. Chanced upon Peiling and Meiping when leaving the gym, small world. Thursdays are good gym days this semester, not packed and machines free.

Got to give Option Talk…
Reached class only to be told that class actually started at 1pm – our usual time contrary to the shifted 3pm slot. but nevertheless theres a second mirror class at 3pm which I joined together with the rest who didn’t get the updated schedule. My lecturer later approached me asking whether I can give a presentation in representation of the product development group, CIE (creativity innovation & enterprise option) in the upcoming MM course option talk next Wednesday with 2 (12.30pm and 3.30pm slots) at the SP Auditorium.. Arghh arrowed! Arghh got to burn weekend to prepare slides… Arghh! had been sometime since I had spoken to an odd few hundred audience. Arghh! have not cut my hair! Arghh! got to plan talk. Arghhhhhhhh!

Won a prize!
Oh yea, didn’t get the chance to mention this previously, but I’ve won a lucky draw! Got an unexpected call from SPGG yesterday informing me that I’ve won a mini-compo from the feedback draw held at the SP CCA drive earlier this week. Dropped by the Guild house after class today to collect the prize before heading home.

Seeing Double
Mum came back after work today telling me that she needs to get a few new 17″ or 19″ monitors for her SGX trading booth, all to display realtime market information, with some of her fellow traders going up to 4 screens. Need to go shopping and help her install those monitors next week, so busy busy. Good thing LCD prices are a super all-time low, with a 19″ going around $300 tops. Back then around 2000 I remembered paying $550 even for a 15″. Now if only my 24″ LCD monitor price would go by that rule…

Millege for the last week (18th-24th Sept 7 day period)
SP Gym 2 Sets Target Chest and Bicep Weight Training – Tuesday
SP Track & Field Training, 4×1.5km 1min rest, 6km – Tuesday
20 rounds Tiong Bahru park, Friday – 20km
(Saturday IVP Last day)
(Overnight Track Chalet on Sat-Sun, no Sunday training)
Total Millege for week = 26km(86.7% of 30km/week target met)

I’ve just got details of the upcoming 2006 2nd Link Bridge Run (10km) will be posting it soon.

I remembered the old days when buses are those rickerty ones, esp the old double deck ones with quad folding doors and bell buttons which are chrome cylinder in shape with round red buttons, not to mention bell activator in rubber strips lined by the sides and they all all BEEP! Seats go creaky and they all have semi-cirular chrome railings which always stinks your hands after holding them. Things have changed greatly now, particularly technology which has evolved to now…

My usual SBS transit bus service 147 and 196 had got a new boost of new air-conditioned double decked 5th generation super buses lately, which seems to run on a the new Volvo engine. Took a 147 service to school and coincidentally, a service 196 of the same bus model today. The B9TL and is newer than the current 2004 10 liter Volvo B10TL which is both smaller and more powerful.

Technical:
SBS Transit’s Volvo B9TL (aka the Volvo Super Olympian) run a Volvo D9A300 340hp 9.4-litre Euro-3 engine mated to a 6-speed ZF 6HP502 automatic gearbox with inbuilt retarder (perfect for long distance cruising). The chassis is fitted ex-factory with 2 x 140 amp alternators and 3 x rotary air-conditioning compressors, providing strong and reliable cooling for our hot and humid climate. The B9TL chassis are to be built at Volvo Buses plant at Borås, Sweden, with the bodies manufactured in Singapore by ComfortDelGro Engineering.

The buses are cool, literally not only with the modern looks outside but the air-conditioning too. Maybe in response to shut us commuters up with the recent fare hikes… The bright orangy-yellow vogelsitze seats gives a general warmer and inviting ambience compared to the older (and coder) looking blue/pink seats of the the Volvo B10TL based buses. The seats are very rigid and good for the back postures, but otherwise not as comfortable for prolonged seating. The interesting thing is that those babies are Turbo charged! Yea man, you can freaking hear the very distinct whine of the turbocharger even from a mile away especially at high RPMs, man had they grown! Totally cool for car modification and turbo addicts alike.

Imagine putting these beasts under the weighy foot of those old veteran bus uncles – trips in these babies are a breeze and man can those babies fly on power with a little acceleration. The gear change and suspension are smooth and good, on top of the rather crazy seat arrangement they have on the upper decks for the record to top it up, lesser head banging with the increased head room and ceiling height upstairs, stepless entrance and exit, wheelchair platforms and to top it up an 8″ LCD screen placed overhead the driver showing all life colour feeds from the bus’s 4 onboard cameras. Mmmm and do they still have the “new car smell”, hardly 1000km under the belt yet?

Volvo B9TL Rear Left	SBS Transit Volvo B9TL Spaceage Interior	Rear Right

Volvo B9TL Turbo Charged Acceleration

Pimp your bus! (from volvo)

Food for thought:

On a side note, for a good cause, I always have thought of travelling around the whole in a mobile home, like a bus similar or so (modified for globe trotting) with my family… you know… promoting a good cause like cancer awareness or the fight against hunger or so. Having like sort of a mini documentary with a camera crew to make like a series of our adventures and campaigning. One of these buses would be cool for it. If only we can get sponsors for both the vehicle and the monetary support…

It seems that Nokia is quite aggressive on the phone launch lately, sticking to the N80 form, comes the lighter yet (more loaded) N95. It simply just give me second thoughts of continuing to wait to purchase the super outdated and overdue Benq-Siemens P51 (which still spots a 1.3MP camera, but runs WM OS and had GPS) given the rapid specs race in the mobile phone industry. Luckily I didn’t go for the Dopod 838 Pro or the Sony Ericsson P990i Nokia N95 last month as there are so many interesting options now, esp with 5MP shooters starting with the LG KG920.

I believe I must make a stand now: my next phone must be able to record video at 640×480 @ 30fps minimum (so that will bring about a 3.2MP camera at least and reducing the need to get a dedicated video camera) have FM radio, Bluetooth, Wifi, GPS, WM OS and a hardware keyboard preferred (or a form similar to the P990i) if not I would be downgrading! Seems that the fine line between phones, still & video cameras are indeed fading now. You will meet the N95 only on the planned release date of Q1 2007 in Asia. Expected retails prices should loom around at least $900SGD without contract for initial release.

Nokia N95	Nokia N95 Open	Nokia N95 Media Buttons

• Slider Keypad form factor
• GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz, UMTS 2100MHz
• GPRS/WCDMA/HSDPA/WiFi
• Symbian OS
• 99mm x 53mm x 19mm
• 120g
• 8.75 days standby time (2.5/3.5 hours talk time, GSM/UMTS)
• 2.6″ 16M color TFT, 240×320 res
• MMS/EMS/SMS
• POP/IMAP4/SMTP Email
• 5 megapixel with Carl Zeiss Tessar Lens
• Video Capture 640×480 @ 30fps
• Secondary QVGA Video Call Camera
• Memory 160MB ROM, microSD expansion (Up to 2GB cards currently)
• Bluetooth with A2DP
• Infrared
• Wi-fi a/b/g
• GPS
• Java Installable Apps/Games
• Polyphonics & stereo speakers
• MP3/AAC/W4A/WMA Music player
• Dedicated reverse slide up Music buttons
• Hardware FM radio
• Dual Speakerphone

Here is an update from Allsymbian.com, updates in BOLD:

Nokia will announce the Nokia N95 its newest S60 3rd Edition multimedia computer or as Nokia say ‘it is what computers have become’. The N95 features an innovative double slide design with multimedia controls and a keypad on opposite end of the phones.

The N95 is Nokia’s first HSDPA (3.5G) device, but also boasts WiFi, WCDMA, quad-band GSM, Bluetooth, IrDA and USB 2.0 connectivity (via mini USB connector). Other hardware features include a 5 megapixel camera, a built in GPS, TV-Out, 3.5mm audio jack, a MicroSD memory card slot and 150MB of internal memory. At 99mm x 20mm x 53mm (90cc) the N95 packs an impressively amount into a small space. Read on for more details and pictures.

HSPDA is the next generation in cellular connectivity. The N95 is a category 6 HSPDA device which means it is up to 10 times faster that WCDMA or 3G (This is largely network dependant, check with your operator for such offered services. HSPDA is currently not available in Singapore)

The 5.0 megapixel camera uses Carl Zeiss Optics with autofocus and digital zoom with a dedicated 2 stage capture button on the side of the phone. Video capture at near DVD quality is also supported.

A GPS is integrated into the device with anticipated accuracy of around 10m (satellite signal permitting). The devices will ship with an application called Maps which has global overview maps built in. More detailed maps (with coverage over more than 100 different countries available) can be downloaded for free from an online server.

The N95 uses S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1 and as such includes version 2.0 of the opensource Nokia web browser (supports WML, XHTML and HTML in one browser), Flash Lite 2.0, FOTA (firmware over the air updates) and more.

New Images

N95 Keypad	N95 Media Keys

woot!

First day of school.. well semester is today, actually I can’t believe I am looking forward to school as it marks the end of hectic work and chores for me (and I am the one who actually get myself into all these). Nevertheless made quite a good sum of cash for maybe for a new PDA phone or a new 24″ LCD monitor I’ve always been drooling for. Now the matter is when I am getting my paycheck… Also to treat my family dinner (which I still owe mum where I so happily sprutted the intention the other day…)

First lesson was Engineering design and amazingly the module Teacher, Mr Choy who is taking my class for it still recognised me (ahhh you! you! – SHAUN!) from the IDEAs module last year ah? (Uhoh…) Soo whats your grade? Distinction? (ahhahh.. dunno what to say…) then he goes on talking about how hard is it the get a DIST, having to go through all the teachers, the director panels, etc etc… blah blah blah.

He’s a good teacher though, very helpful, but I guess he just have a little too much to share sometimes. Which I think isn’t that bad when you come to think about it.. industry experiences, competitions and stuffs. Just makes me wonder if someone if were so open and willing to teach, will students ever take advantage of such teachers. Because if they do, things will usually change and it can be rather devastating for the teacher and it affects their future outlook and self-confidence… and I had seen it happen before in my previous schools… Not pretty.

There is the CCA drive on at the sports hall. Unexpected and funny having it between semesters of no freshmen intake, as we didn’t have one last year either, CCA awareness drive you may? Mingled and stayed at track booth for a while where Elrick intended to sink this butt to man the booth whole afternoon. Couldn’t find the Scuba Divers booth where I want to enquire about any planned trips up to Aur the coming march diving season so I can take my concurrent Advanced Scuba Course.

Engineering Materials was on in the afternoon, it’s a very promising module so as our tutor Mrs Lim told us with the given small class size (6 of us, from 9 last sem) it would be very cohesive, fast and efficient to teach. The class set our targets on our first day – DIST and strive to achieve it. Interesting finally having a female lecturer after last 3 sems of male dominated lecturers and tutors, esp in Engineering departments. First week is easy with collection of lecture notes and briefing, real classes and lectures starts next week. Also to get over the holidays lag…

Still jet lagged from last saturday’s overnight BBQ, didn’t sleep at all which is very unlike me… (even at chalets, I will always find an excuse to doze off). The BBQ which started 9pm (super late) followed by bike rentals (3 mountain, 1 double) Macs dinner + lotsa fun get together bbq- your- own- food on You Boon’s porta grill gatherings. KC birthday celebration, water bomb fights (underwear got wet), chatting and overnight pool at marine cove (bowling alley closed past 3am, the other Longbeach don’t seem to exist anymore) slept 7.30am at home, woke up 1.30pm on Sunday. Still dragging my feet around today and lucky I didn’t miss my stops having dozed off on the bus to and from campus just now.

Seriously I need to get a new phone, can’t sync my contacts, SIM-only SMS storage, no music, sub VGA camera which I can’t get any pictures off. This old temp phone is killing me…

Got a e-mailer from DBS, guess should share it as I believe this not only applies to DBS atms as well. Also, in view of the increasing numbers of ATM card skimming cases around the world, its’s good advise for users to be extra cautious when using the ATM, locally or overseas, so we won’t fall victims to atm card fraud. In fact recent unauthorised ATM withdrawals have occurred in United Kingdom, Thailand and Europe which are quite controversal.

As, it’s largely a segmented html email, put together an illustration from it, giving credit to DBS who sent these rather helpful heads-up. After reading this, I remembered using atms with those large bulky card slots before, similar to those note readers found at carpark auto-pay stations. Sometimes tricksters can be rather good at faking atm parts, rather interesting.

Rest of the DBS mailer:
• Beware of foreign objects attached to the ATMs (e.g hidden, overhead cameras) as these may be used to read your card details and PINs.
• In Singapore, we are in the process of installing this new security device on all our ATMs to prevent your card information from being skimmed
• Ensure that any ATM you’re using is free of foreign devices before transacting and always shield the keypad when entering your PIN.
• Keep your PIN private and do not share your PIN with anyone. Do not use your PIN if someone else can see you keying it.
• Be alert of your environment when using the ATM.
• Never entrust your ATM card and PIN to another person to withdraw cash on your behalf.
• Do not choose a PIN that could be easily guessed e.g. your telephone number, NRIC number, date of birth, or other associated data.
• Memorise your PIN. Do not write down your PIN on slips of paper or on the back of your ATM card.
• Change your PIN regularly by using the ‘Change ATM Card PIN’ service ( under PIN/IB Services) at any DBS/POSB ATM in Singapore.
• Change your PIN immediately if you suspect it has been exposed to others or the moment you suspect any unauthorised access.
• Check your account balance regularly to ensure that there are no unusual or unauthorised transactions.
• Should you require any assistance when using the ATM, please call our 24-hr Customer Service Centre on 1800 111 1111 (or +65 6327 2265 from overseas).

My GEMS registration appointment are due today, so are given 10am and 5pm slots today to register. All to reduce site traffic, server load with spaces allocated per course for registration, so as claimed my SP.

Logged into the SAS on the dot at 10am (today after forcing myself to wake up at 9am) and to my horror- all the GEM modules which I shortlisted are ALL CLOSED! All NADA spaces left… What is this? My first registration appointment given to me and I can’t even choose any GEMS? This is too much.

Tried again at 5pm, my 2nd appointment and everything’s still the same, all taken no spaces. So much for staggering appointments, it seems that everything is first come first served, and it would be very unfair for courses (like mine) to register on the last “1st appointment” day, given that registrations actually started on the 18th for the whole cohort.

Well done SP, another in the books, first off the e-learning, the dumb new website, the CCA points screw-ups in SAS, now what?

The Terry fox run was on this morning. Contrary to the clear weather conditions during breakfast at redhill market, dark clouds and strong winds greeted us at habourfront hawker center at 7am upon meeting up with Alex and his friend Albert (who always can’t helped to be mocked my Alec about his age and the lack of a girlfriend, he is 28 btw). Queues for the direct shuttle stretched about 80m from the bus bay snaking to the MRT entrance, so at least when we are already halfway in the queue so not as bad.

The moderate rain didn’t drench the spirits of the crowd, which went on with the warm ups and pre-race workouts at tanjong beach. At least we didn’t see a cancellation of the 9km route due to “landslides” caused by heavy downpour

Overall it’s a good run, not too wet, nor too cold. This is also one of the races where we kept together most as a group during the run, waving to other SGrunners we see on the U-turn and hi-fiving cheering marshals along the route. Finished with a leisure 47:17 with still lots of white towels left for distribution, while albert and alec finished around +2 to +3mins after me.

Did I mentioned that there was a truck stuck in the sand as well? Well so as a mini lorry with got dug into the beach sand when packing out the post-race stores, but the courtesy of a horde of like 20 runners came to it’s aid and almost lifted it out when it successfully came out of the sand on reverse.

For the record 2 times in a row, missed the post-race phototaking session with SGrunners again. wahhaha. Good thing for them to have lunch outside at habourfront, contrary to what us three musketeers had at the Sentosa kofu foodcourt. Prices are just outrageously high there! Like $5 for claypot chicken rice for mine, but the most non-value dish have to be albert’s small plate of charsiew rice for $4.80.

The sun did come up around 12noon at palawan, the most intense sun we can ever get for the day. Quite a relief for me to get a flop at the beach to roast for an hour or too. Otherwise I thinking I am getting fatter by eating so much lately… body not so defined now and had been sometime since I pumped those abs too… last check on my oregon scientific body fat percentage scale is like 12.2%, wahhaha man I am fat…

At least the weather is cooling tonight…

Millege for the last week (7 day period 11- 17Sept)
SP Gym 2 Sets Target Chest and Bicep Weight Training – Tuesday
SP Track & Field Training, 3×1.5km+2X1km 1min rest, 6.5km – Tuesday
23 rounds Tiong Bahru park, Friday- 21.4km
Terry Fox Run, Sunday- 9km
Total Millege for week = 36.9km (123.0% of 30km/week target met)

Aim to do another 21km next friday as usual. Maybe I should hit the gym with more intense coming tuesday too.

You can’t deny it, Suntec City Mall is the safest place to shop in the world, or at least in Asia for now. Almost every junction around the Suntec/CBD area, including bugis where I was today is controlled by traffic police with uniforms as white as their freaking pretty highway patrol bikes, even theres no obvious need for them, maybe to “wayang” as usual when all the IMF big shots are around the country. Today can be called a food hunt, well so as mum planned for this saturday as family day. Having parked around bugis street area, we combed and we made our way to bugis selegie house for chicken laska, then shopping around parco bugis where dad got a new pair of Leather Shoes and me some ummm Joe-Boxers duh…

Aji-Tei Japanese Restaurant
It’s saturday so we can expect the shopping areas, especially the parco and bugis street to be super packed, not to mention the traffic and the lack of parking lots in the area. Had some desserts at Sheena’s so-craved for japanese dessert speciality restaurant (Ajitei japanese cuisine and dessert house) after shopping, so it’s like eat-shop-eat. Left the joint around 5.30pm only to make our way to tiong bahru market area immediately for seafood dinner at Por Kee Eating House (est 1996. in Seng Poh Lane Carpark). So literally it’s back- to- back- non- stop- eating- action. It’s more conservative then piggy out straight in a buffet but the end results at the end of the day are the same, super bloated and full, yet satisfying. Not to burn em’ calories with a few runs here and there.

To add to the eye candy of this blog post, Sheena brought along her Canon E10 D-SLR and can’t resist taking a few shots of the desserts at Aji-Tei, here to share ya.

Unagi (Eel) Set Dish	White Radish	Assorted Desserts

The Terry Fox Run will be on tomorrow, where I will be running for 3 causes, one in aid and funding of cancer research (which kills 1,500 people worldwide everyday) and secondly in aid for veterinarian medicine against pet-related cancer diseases and lastly in memory of my late family pet, Chirper which died of bone cancer.