Last Minute Pissed Me! (Continued...)

On 26 November, Monday, I decided to call 1800-3676767, the number listed on the NS PORTAL (www.ns.sg) to provide feedback on my last minute ICT notification. The person on the other line was a guy named Roslie (?). I told him I wanted to feedback to the relevant personnel on my matter. He said, "So you want to complain?"

"No, I didn't say I want to complain," I replied immediately. "And please don't take it down as a complaint. I only want to feedback."

As I was explaining everything to him, I could hear him punching his keyboard furiously. Towards the end, he said, "We'll ask someone from your unit to contact you within these few days."

Feeling rather insecure, I decided to send my feedback via e-mail too. So by 10PM, I sent my e-mail to them at contact@ns.sg.

The following morning at 9 o'clock, I called Mr. Venkat from MOE to request for a deferment letter for National Service call-up. The speaker was very friendly and encouraging. I suspected that he was the same person I had spoken to two years ago when I called for the same reason.

Before I ended my conversation with him, I received a second line from an unfamiliar caller. When I tried to answer it, the caller hung up. As soon as I ended my call with Mr Venkat, the mysterious number appeared again. I quickly answered it and soon discovered that the person was a lady - from 403 SAR.

She introduced herself as Ms. Ng and explained to me that the late notification was due to the change of division sometime early this year. My data just happened not to be transferred properly then and hence, they missed out on me. Anyway, the lady kept apologising to me as she was explaining to me. Finally, she popped that question, "Do you want to come back? If you don't want, it's okay because we know it's our fault." To take the blue pill or the red one?

House Warming at Derrick's...

I met up with Alan at Choa Chu Kang LRT station yesterday at 12.30PM. As usual, he was late, by about 10 minutes. We were on our way to Derrick's house warming, which is located near Fajar LRT station. When we reached the void deck under his block, May and her boyfriend were already there, waiting for us to join them. Anyway, Alan and I felt embarrassed if we just went up to his place empty-handed. The three of us bought him a bedcover (?).

Derrick's place was crowded with guests; most of them wore unfamiliar faces. Some were teachers from his school (CCKPS) and the rest were his relatives. He showed us around and we eventually chatted in his bedroom. And Derrick and Alan boasted how much bonuses (2.5 months) they were going to get this year-end! Arrggghhhh... Just wait for me to graduate by 2009 and see who's got the last laugh.... Hee... hee...

We left his house at approximately 2.30PM and took a bus to Funan. I went to one of the appointed Apple resellers and requested them to test the adaptor which I brought along. "Yeah, it's spoilt", confirmed the young man. I unwillingly pulled out 3 $50 notes from my wallet for a new one. Alan remarked that a Fujitsu AC adaptor only cost less than one-third of the price I had paid for my Mac one.

After that, we decided to walk to Sim Lim Square (SLS). He wanted to buy an antique graphic card for his PC and a game for his friend. After spending some fruitless time at SLS, he decided to call it a day. We then went separate ways. I took 67 home.

My Utterly Rotten Apple! (Continued...)

Just on last Saturday, something went wrong with my MacBook again. This time, the 60W MagSafe Power Adaptor that accompanied the MacBook was spoilt! I really want to puke over the quality of Apple products. First, it was the screen. Then came the adaptor. What would I expect next? Keypad unresponsive? SuperDrive jammed? Battery burst into flames?

Last Minute Pissed Me!

On 22 November 2007, Thursday, I received a letter of notification to report for the annual ICT, which starts from 03 December, Monday and ends on 15 December 2007, Saturday. The letter was dated 19 November 2007. I was shocked, utterly shocked by the last minute notification! Aren't they (the people higher up there) supposed to inform their (service)men six months in advance? And why am I not given the official SAF100? Subsequent checks on www.ns.sg only displayed an SAF100 for a briefing which has been scheduled for NEXT YEAR! There is no presence of the SAF100 for the annual ICT!

Don't think I want to siam the ICT, okay! I am more willing to attend the training because it is currently holidays anyway. I just dislike the last minute notice! What if I have already made plans to go on a trip or return to school for some courses? Do I cancel my plans because of this? Who the hell is responsible for this? Why do they like to disrupt a civilian's life like this? They seem to suka-suka recall unwary civilians and give them much hell.

Careless Mistakes All Over!

This afternoon, I took my AAE101 paper. Before entering the exam hall, I was so full of confidence. I expected myself to do well for this paper, getting at least an A-. This paper, together with AAE104, were the only papers that could get me As in this semester. Unfortunately, I made a couple of careless and silly mistakes, which could easily cost me 40 marks (20% of total weightage)! No wonder I saw so many delighted faces when the exam ended. They were the cautious ones. How could I possibly get an A- now?

I wasted so much precious time answering two questions, when I was only asked to attempt ONE question! How could I have misread the question? I could have used the time to answer other questions which had much higher weightages! Arrggghhhh...

Wow! Exams Are Coming!

15 Nov 2007 (Thu), 1300-1530hr:
AAE101 - Introduction to the Study of Language

20 Nov 2007 (Tue), 0900-1130hr:
AAE202 - Language Meaning and Use

21Nov 2007 (Wed), 1300-1530hr:
AAE104 - Exploring the Grammar of English

23 Nov 2007 (Fri), 0900-1130hr:
AAE201 - The Social Variation of Language

An excursion to T3...

I felt like a superstar when I was greeted by my ex-students from 4.2. They were screaming my name and waving at me with excitement. When one of my students, Shan Hao, came to me and asked, "Mr. Lim, you're going for the excursion, isn't it?", I knew he had wanted me to be in their class. I replied, "Yah. You want to snatch me away from the other class?" He nodded, and replied, "Yes, yes." That alone was a great encouragement for me to be a better teacher.

Anyway, here are some images of my excursion with 4.11 to T3, which cost a hefty price tag of S$1.75 billion to build.

Impressed by Sony Catalogues...

A Note to Take...

28 Oct, 12:06PM:
"Still working on my counselling. Never mind la. I'll change my lit review to fit into your analysis."

27 Oct, 5:53PM:
"I'm uncomfortable with this mode of working when we can't openly discuss. Tough. Just a comment."

27 Oct, 5:04PM:
"I don't know. Cabrina rushed me. Now i don't hear anything from anyone after that. What do you proposed?"

27 Oct, 4:42PM:
"Need to make some ammendments with you on the assignment 101 but now working on 232. Maybe can work during one hour break before Physllis and Benny's lecture on monday. I'll provide the cita on monday too. Amending my lit review too. Didn't put in the references.

26 Oct, 1:33PM:
"Sorry. I couldn't wake up. Slept at 4am. Talk tonight. 2 pts: the th sound is not consonant inventory of the language tamil. And the rhotic sound is a feature of indian languages."

25 Oct, 7:34PM:
"The lit review is based on the analysed data you submit yesterday. I need to discuss with you your content. Anyway, i don't think i need to submit to Cabrina for editing now. We can both look at it tomorrow or saturday. Discuss online and via phone."

09 Oct, 4:02PM:
"Try different group dynamics. I want to do well for the modules."

09 Oct, 4:01PM:
"Ooi..i'm thinking of joining another group for social linguistics group assignment. I'll let you know on wednesday during the tutorial."

02 Oct, 10:19AM:
"I'll pass the BOOK tomorrow cos i don't gave time to collect it today."