Safety First

Safety being taken to a whole new level here...
I took this pic without her noticing! (I think) Amazing right =p

What're they doing?

Every single day (believe it or not), there'll be at least a few times when I'll suddenly think,

"Hm...I wonder what's my mum doing at this moment...is she chopping chicken...marking books...struggling with her laptop...queuing up in OCBC..mopping/sweeping the floor...driving to school, etc.."

"My dad...hm...is he riding his motorcycle to the temple...cleaning up the Rukun Tetangga Hall...learning line dancing, yoga, tai chi..or busy sleeping in front of the tv with newspaper on his lap..."

"Sis....is she stressing over her work..studies...or secretly checking her email at work...driving back from work but got caught up in traffic jam...or is she star-chasing...training for futsal..getting ready to pick up more bruises while wearing her proud E&Y jersey =p or maybe having a meal with sevvy, cy, fish, audrey.."

"Ken Jin...is he playing dota....cooking with Qin Yao...watching tv...downloading movies with the so many gigabites he gets per month (hmph!)...tensioning with his assignment..."

"My nephews and nieces...how're they coping with studies...SPM approaching...Sejarah...Matematik Tambahan (which I LOVE!), Biologi, Kimia...are they having difficulties?...are they different kind of teenagers now to the extent that I can't even click with them anymore?"

I'll be wondering if this is a good time to call home...but when this happens, I'm usually on campus and making a call back home using hp is crazy...

Gimme a 55cent flat rate international call!

Verbally bashed by lecturer

Yeam:
I'm just trying my luck here cause so far...almost all my econs courses
do not provide tute solutions...

Dear Tim,

I’m wondering if past tutorial solutions can be provided.

This shouldn’t lead to a decline in tutorial attendance since
participation marks will still be taken.

Yes, tutors try their best to go through all the tute questions every
week. As a result, they might not have spent a desirable amount of time
on each question, leaving students very little time to absorb what is
written on the board. But since answers are not provided in webct, we
have no choice but to copy first and ponder later.

Tutorial solution is a good guideline as to how to tackle exams at the
end of the semester. For some theoretical questions especially, tutors
tend to not write the answers on the board but just mention a few key
phrases here and there. When asked for the full answer at the end of the
tute, some replied, “They’re all in the textbook.”

We all know all the stuffs are in the textbook. It’s a matter of which
part of it should be written down in the exam. And tute solution will
give us an idea on which is the important point that answers a
particular question.

Also, if there’s an error in tute questions or solutions, you can always
post a corrected version in webct.

Please consider this, Tim. It really helps, as students, when you at
least know there’s a correct and standardise source to refer to,
especially when all tutors are different which results to slight
discrepancies amongst answers from different tutorial classes.

Thanks!

ps: To make it easier for you, you can choose to post a handwritten
solution instead of a typed one =)


Lecturer:
The short answer is NO. Please stop wasting my time by trying your
luck.

You are supposed to think about the problems before class and do
them. That way, in class you are just confirming your work with
your classmates' and tutor's discussion -- Not just frantically
copying answers down!

1. I frown upon students who just show up to tutorials to copy down
the answers. You will learn nothing that way. Tutorials are designed
for you to SHARE and learn from each other. NOT solely for tutors to
tell you the answer. Tutors are not expected to cover every question
in class. If they run out of time, you are supposed to have tried
the questions yourself. Go see your tutor afterwards to check, if
you are keen.

2. University education is not about rote learning what answers go
with what questions. If you do not THINK and TRY solving problems
yourself, you will not do well in the exams.

3. The exams will test your ability to apply skills that you have
exercised YOURSELF to creatively solve new problems. If you memorize
solutions to tutorial problems and examples,without USING YOUR BRAIN,
you will be wasting your time in this course.

4. The university is not a Degree vending machine where you put
money in and expect a degree at the end without using your brain.

Yeam:
Tim,

Your response sounds blunt and lacks sense of humour, which is a bit
unlike you.

Obviously, you dislike students who don't think and try. That's fine
with me.

Now think about students who actually do.

We try solving tute problems ourselves before class. Understandably, we
won't get it 100% right but we'll absorb more from tute by even attempting.

You mentioned that tutes are designed for us to learn from each other.
My friend and I did just that and we realised discrepancies in some of
our tutors' answers (we're of 2 different tutors).

I then consulted a tutor to check out the correct answer and find out
where my mistakes were. But how about the rest of my tutorial-mates who
noted down the wrong answer from the board?

You would've answered, "If they're keen, they'll consult tutors and find
out themselves too."

Is this practical? Wouldn't it be more productive for consultation times
to be spent on understanding and grasping the right solution, rather
than correcting the same error numerous times?

Regarding exams, memorising w/o brain is a waste of time. But exercising
creativity w/o brain would've led to a similar result. You've dealt with
lots of students. You would've known by now that some students have
unique economics interpretation which differs from answer scheme.
They're not wrong...but just different.

Tim, you're probably gonna think why am I stupidly convincing you,
knowing that you're unlikely to change you stand.

But I'm just not satisfied with the fact that you underestimated
what tute solutions mean to students, the hardworking one that is. Since
they're only provided at the end of the week, it wouldn't stop students
from attempting the questions first before tute.

Solutions clarify errors which confuse students unecessarily. They teach
us techniques to answer questions and bring us back on the right track,
just in case our creativity takes us too far.

Memorising won't be a good idea since you won't be setting the same
questions for finals anyway. But all these drills enhance students'
examination skills and more importantly, improve our economic
intuition.

Lecturer:
Shin Yau:

I'm sorry if you feel differently to our no-spoon-feeding policy.
As you acknowledged in your first bulletin post:

"I'm just trying my luck here cause so far...almost all my econs
courses do not provide tute solutions..."

I, or my tutors, won't be the first to give out our tutorial answers.
We want you to make a positive contribution to discussions in
tutorials. Not to just sit there and "absorb".

Please come and see me in person if you are still dissatisfied with
this outcome. You know where my office is.

Tag by Sis

Rules:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves
3. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they got tagged and to ask them to play and read your blog

Starting time: 7.38pm
Name: Yeam Shin Yau
Sisters: 1
Brothers: 0
Shoe size: 7
Height: 165cm
Where do you live: Malaysia, Currently Australia
Favourite drinks: Coconut
Favourite breakfast: Bacon

Have you ever
Been on a plane: Yes
Swam in the ocean: Yes
Fallen asleep at school: Yes…even often in uni..since it’s harder to get caught
Broken someone's heart: Yup
Fell off your chair: Yup
Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call: Yes
Saved e-mails: Yes
What is your room like: Homey
What's right beside you: Lots of comp
What is the last thing you ate: Fried rice with Malay Curry

Ever had
Chicken pox: Ya
Sore throat: Ya
Stitches: No
Broken nose: No

Do you
Believe in love at first sight: Yes
Like picnics: Yes
Who was were the last person
You danced with: The mirror..lol
Last made you smile: The person who snored in the comp lab and chocked
You last yelled at: I yell at weimin everyday…hahaha

Today did you
Talk to someone you like: Yes
Kissed anyone: Yes
Get sick: No
Talk to an ex: No
Miss someone: No
Eat: Yes
Best feeling in the world
Do you sleep with stuffed animals: No
What's under your bed: Luggage bag..boxes..
Who do you really hate: long tags =p
What time is it now: 7.46pm

Random
Is there a person who is on your mind now: No
Do you have any siblings: Yes
Do you want children: Yes
Do you smile often: Not anymore
Do you like your hand-writing: Yes
Are your toe nails painted: No
Whose bed other than yours would you rather sleep in: My sister’s

What color shirt are you wearing now: Black
What were you doing at 7:00 p.m. yesterday: Attending an appreciation dinner
Are you a friendly person: Yes..generally
Do you have any pets: I wish
Where is the person you have feelings for right now: Yes
Did you hold hands with the person who mean anything to you now: Yes
Do you sleep with the TV on: Yes
What are you doing right now: Tutorial
Have you ever crawled through a window: No
Can you handle the truth: Yes

Are you too forgiving: No
Are you closer to your mother or father: Both
Who was the last person you cried in front of: wei min
How many people can you say you've really loved:
Do you eat healthy: I try to…
Do you still have pictures of you & your ex: No
Have you ever cried because of something someone said to you: Yes
If you're having a bad day, who are you most likely to go to: bed
Are you loud or quiet most of the time: quiet
Are you confident: yes

5 things I was doing 10 years ago
1. wondering why I’'ve got to mop and sweep the floor everyday
2. confusing my dad with friends calling me yeam (his friend calls him yeam too)
3. wondering why my parents didn’t let me go for my class trips
4. charing ppl 5 cents for swearing….my prefect duty
5. figuring out whether jumping does make me taller

5 things on my to-do list today
1. Tutorials
2. Pass Years
3. Send MSO Emails
4. Bathe.
5. Sleep.

5 snacks I enjoy
1. Macadamia Nuts 2. Super Ring3. Twistees4. Frech Fries5. Caramel Popcorn

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire
1. Charity
2. Bring my parents for holiday
3. Help my nieces and nephews futher their studies
4. Help my cousins back home, struggling financially
5. Buy an environmental-friendly car…come on la..I’ve gotta pamper myself also what..

5 of my bad habits
1. Emo
2. Judging people instantly
3. High expectations
4. Taking people for granted
5. Not caring enough..genuinely

5 places I have lived in
1. Taiping Garden
2. Tmn Tasik Permai
3. Shah Alam
4. Ursula Hall
5. Bruce Hall

5 jobs I've had (including part time)
1. Kitchen Hand
2. Bus Surveyor
3. Traffic Surveyor
4. Waiter
5. Office Boy

The End is Near

ANU Students' Assocation (ANUSA) Election is coming to an end today!

YEAH!

Throughout this whole week, students have been harassed non-stop by hardworking campaigners.

You can see people wearing the same group t-shirt for countless days
And some went the extra mile, painting their bodies in yellow and wear a pink superman cloth..like the one in the middle of this pic..i would've been frozen to death..

They pasted posters almost everywhere

Even the bins aren't spared

Look how fugly the wall is

Oh well..at least the they spare the trees..

A Night of Many Thoughts

The traffic lights were green all the way to The National Convention Centre (NCC).

“Aha! This is a sign that everything’s gonna be smooth tonight!” Zahin joked.

I prayed hard this good omen is not merely a sign.

When the night ended last Saturday, I flashed back this moment and thanked God it came true. I screamed and some might have noticed how loud I was. Nonetheless, Malam Gemilang (MG) was such a sweet success to all those who spent sleepless night planning and working on it.

Then, came along Jared’s latest blog entry which really provoked my thoughts. I suddenly realized that there can exist such vast difference between feedbacks from an organizer and a participant regarding the same event.

Spontaneous stage jokes which were something refreshing to me turned out to be taken seriously by some. I have to admit being bias but having watched the cast rehearsal a couple of days before and spending hours and hours, attempting a trailer just so the audience have an idea on what the sketch is about, I couldn’t help but to feel proud of the sketch.

Yes, Akram forgot his lines but he made full use of it. It could’ve been worse if it was one of the actors who was in lost of words and panicked on the huge stage. To me, Bob and Akram created some priceless spontaneous moments which I valued as a plus point rather than the opposite.

Also, a serious Hang Tuah sketch would’ve been dead boring no matter how good the quality is. A paradox of it, on the other hand, would be less typical and more refreshing. Ultimately, it’s all about conveying a message about what a warrior Hang Tuah was and I believe we succeeded.

There were deco and other flaws which audience might note. Being organizers however, we predicted some hiccups and knew that a perfect event was far-fetched.

No matter what the criticism from the audience is, we did our best and will acknowledge our mistakes from this valuable experience.

Family

You know how there are times when you achieved something and you wish your parents are there.
You'd wonder at that moment, "Will they feel proud of me?"
It can be the smallest things like acting maturely, cooking my own lunch at the speed of light, donating some amount of money per month for children with cataract or the big ones like running an event...

Just a thought...

Spring's Near

Winter's almost coming to an end but it's still cold..

Most of the trees in ANU are bald now =(

But some of the flowers are beginning to blossom =)

And it's gonna be heavenly when September comes!

They helped me =)

Malam Gemilang rehearsal didn't go that well.
And we have about 200 sandwiches to make for those going skiing tmr...
But some just couldn't be bothered to help, leaving Sher Reen doing it all alone. Sick and tired of questioning their commitments.
So I brought lots of bread and tuna to room 234 and plan to start another sandwich station myself.
Miracle happened =)

My 234 buddies helped me instead! Tim stealing a bite here =p

It brings back the feeling of being with families when they won't let you bear the burden alone...
They were fantastic! Finished making all the sandwiches in 20 minutes =D

Couldn't thank you guys enough!

Keeping It Simple

I made a complete fool of myself..

Tutor: Does anyone know what time it is?

I glanced at my watch and took a few seconds to deduct 15 minutes. Strangely enough, no one has yet to answer. The time was 11.25am btw.

You know how people say "5 to" when it's 11.55.. So this time I answered this way.

Me: It's five minutes to eleven thirty...

Then I realised it would've been much shorter if i just mentioned 11.25am.. So I mumbled softly,

"Or should I just say..eleven twenty five....ok I sound so stupid"

But everyone heard me and started laughing including the tutor =s

Behind Everyman's Success,

there are 5 guys..with Jared supporting you from down under =p

Got Whipped

Last Sunday, I was playing badminton as usual with my mates. We realised there was this Australian couple playing on the court next to us with superb skills. The guy looks like in his thirties while the lady looks a bit older.

Excited looking at the Caucasians playing so well, my friend Rick was tempted to play with them.

"Eh, Yeam, lets challenge them!"

"Ha...but we both guys wor..not fair la like that"

"Aiya, that lady so strong, sure can one"

So we went ahead with the plan and approached both the Aussies. At first, they hesitated but later decided to play one set with us.

My God they were good! Good return, minimum mistakes, strong smashes...place your ball anywhere on their court and they'll be able to take it.

We were trashed 5-21.....

"Wow, you guys were great! Are both of you state player or sth?"

"Well, she's training for the National Comp while I played for Australia a couple of years back"

"So you would've played in Commonwealth Games before, right?"

"Nope, not that but I've played in Thomas Cup"

Our jaws dropped