Refreshing Saturday :: The study day ::

Yesterday was breeze as I managed to go to school and settle a few stuffs, mainly 

• WINGS interview on NDP Experiences with Kheng Kia
• FA Revision
• Goldhill Chapter YMD Youth Gathering
• Complete TG Sharing Material

The day started out lazy as I was rather hesitant if I should go out for a run or not. This is not good, have to change. And, so I left for school rather early at around 9 plus in the morning, hopefully to start productive study. 

Well, theres so many distractions in school and I can say that I didnt really study productively. However, I managed to finish reading the NHR Chapter readings for TG. It was when Boon Hui come and study with me I got a bit more focused. 

Later on, I met up with Khengkia and Shannen to proceed with the WINGS Interview. The Interview was awesome as it made me reflect yet again alot about my NDP days. Khengkia too, has seen growth in himself and enjoyed the NDP. I was really glad with what he mentioned in the interview and happy for him that he enjoyed NDP so much. He also came to know more about SSA and our activities. 

Later im back to the study table with Boon Hui to continue my studies. Boon Hui is my member in SMUSD and I really had many things to talk to him about. Promising young man! 

In the evening, I attended Goldhill chapter YMD Youth gathering. It was a small group but we had a meaningful group dialogue! The topic was about Conviction and Prayers and I'm glad that our members, including Kheng Kia shared their thoughts on it and how important prayers are in one's life, and the reason why we chant. 

It is only through dialogues we understand how people actually feel about certain topics and guide and encourage each other accordingly. With prayers, inner life force can be manifested and you can more convicted to do the thngs you set out for! 

Really great to see all of them yesterday and we had a great meeting!

This morning, woke up at 7am. Went for a 5km run, if im not wrong. The run was refreshing. Shall do that more often. Later on, moved on to SMU for Instituition Meeting Kickoff. We had a really great session then as we were all putting in alot of efforts to decide how IM should be like, who should share or do what etc. We also spent 10-15 minutes reading the NHR and everybody come up with their point to share as well. Great learning session from all of them! 

After which, had lunch with Yongjian and a short dialogue,and headed to Alvin's house to study. Supposed to meet another friend with Alvin for lunch but he couldnt make it today. Oh well, i shall stop here and proceed on with my studies! =D

How's your day?

Rainy Thursday :: The new start ::

The campus dialogue yesterday night was especially meaningful as I have finally met up with some of the IS freshies and hear them sharing their concerns. Their concerns were definitely valid and I truly understand as I've been through. 

I set out to help them out as much as I can. I'm actually worried I am too serious in my tone but I honestly hope to reach out and guide them as much as I can, lest they make the mistakes Ive made when i started SMU.

The Campus Dialogue yesterday was really meaningful. We studies on the lecture series on 'The Supremacy of the Law' Part 3, as a wrap up of the entire Lecture Series. We talked about how do we know what is strong faith. On the way sending Karen back, we talked about this topic again and suddenly I had lots of reflections.

Theres this fundemental darkness in everyone. For me, it is often falling into low life condition, doubting my efforts, looking down on myself and wallowing into self pity. It was not until Mingyue pointed this to me that I realise I must challenge to change this. I'm glad that I have been basing on faith to challenge this, making sure that I maintain in a higher ife condition and not drop to LLC so easily. 

Then we talked about NDP days, Karen and I have a fair share of difficulties, obstacles in this NDP Journey. I suffered quite abit of setbacks with my commitments, and alot of times, my comrades encouraged me to pick myself up again. I gave my all in this NDP and truly enjoyed every moment. It is just so important that I have to bring this spirit into my daily life as well. 

So many things to ponder about. Just like this time, I have to do my FYP differently due to the lessons learnt from the previous FYP. Also, the way I treat people and members have to change too. 

Just came across the quote that is so meaningful. 

"Every second is important, every efforts you make in every second constitutes to the mission of Kosen-rufu." - The New Human Revolution Vol. 6. 

Looking at the freshies now is as if looking at myself in the past. I had the same sort of worries, and manage them badly. I hope to help them to manage them better so that they wont make the same mistakes. 

Well, looking good, I'm positive and all set out to achieve my objectives everyday! Let's all live every moment to the fullest! =) 

Morning Wednesday :: Picking the pieces ::

Yesterday was great! Attended EWS lesson and had quite abit of fun working on the in class activity with my group mates during lessons. Such a fun bunch. EWS is rather mind boggling as half of the time we have no idea what's going on. Really, the thought of having the mid term assignment next week scares me. I guess I really need to re do all the labs to familiarise myself with the share point again. 

Went for FYP Meeting after that. I basically conducted the whole meeting. I believe my role is to ensure that the group members know what's happening and how they can start doing work. Somehow, being a PM gives me a greater sense of responsibility. I see myself taking up more tasks that I used to take as a member only. You can say that this is a good thing, but it is also bad, considering how many other commitments I have. I guess, I'm just asking for another opportunity to expand my life even further. 

Planning the schedule was not easy as I basically have to estimate how much time each task should be given and who should be doing it. More often than not, I always consult my member's opinions and plan the schedule. After the client meeting yesterday, there is so many things I have to re plan as the scope is somewhat changed. So I have to do up the these few things

• Schedule
• Project Plan
• Research on various features

While my other team members have other tasks to do. I guess, motivating the team is good. I must ensure I get the job done and hopefully can maintain and improve the morale of the team.

Somehow or rather, I became dead tired when I reach home, knocked out almost immediately after i lay on bed. 

Another thing I had to improve. 

I set my alarm for 4.45am, intending to go for a run before going for the 8.15am lesson. Guess what, I just slept through the alarms and I found myself waking up at 6.30am. Heck! I'm gonna be late! I jumped off my bed and rushed to the toilet. Sorry mum, I had to snatch the toilet from you as I was going to be late. Luckily Mum was almost done already and she was just preparing to leave for work. Love u loads!

I'm so thankful that my Dad offered to fetch me to another bus stop where I can board 857 easily. You have no idea how packed this 857 is during peak hours. Once I had to wait up to 40 minutes to board this bus as I wasnt able to board any of the 857s which passed by due to overcrowding. =.=

Yup, and so, I arrived school early. MA lesson was rather boring, tried to listen properly. Kinda sad that I wasnt able to do my morning gongyo this morning. Shall payback tonight with 1 hour daimoku. 

Received back my MA Test papers, I didnt do too badly, but it wasnt good either. Shall reflect and put in alot more effort on MA. 

Decided to go to SYC to buy the NHR Volume 6 for the TG readings and guess what, the bookshop didnt open. I have to mention my pathetic wait for this 175. The arrival time screen showed 7 minutes at 11.22am when I reached the bus stop. The bus never came, it stayed at 7 minutes all the way till 11.46am and finally the number 6 minutes appear, and the bus came at 11.52am. 

Don't you just find this ultimately ridiculous? I rather be informed that the bus will take around 30 minutes to arrive than being duped that the bus will arrive in 7 minutes, and me having to wait at the bus stop like some idiot? 

Well, lastwarning. 

1 hour plus trip to SYC and the bookshop didnt open. Oh Well!! 

Decided to cab home lest wasting more time. 

Pounced to do my EWS lab and Starhub was down. 

I had to use my hotspot then. 

Everything rather unsmooth today and I just chant that I wont be that affected in any way. 

On the way to the Gym and Campus Dialogue soon. So excited. 

Hope your wednesday has been fine! =)

Feeling Better Tuesday :: Client Meeting and Plans ahead! ::

After a terrible day yesterday, I managed to finish up what I need to do for the client meeting this morning before I head to sleep. 

This client meeting is quite important as we are currently at the phase of gathering requirements and we are meeting the client for the 1st time! Not exactly the first, but first time for the 3 of us, as the 2 who originally met them couldn't make it this morning. 

I took up the PM role for this FYP and I really hope to correct all the flaws and letdowns in the previous FYP team that I'm in. It was a painful lesson for us then but it is also a worthy learning opportunity for all of us. 

The role of a PM is huge. I take this as a challenge for myself to learn and grow. I am also committed to make this FYP an efficient and productive journey, not like previously, endless long and unproductive meetings which is a waste of everybody's time. As a PM, the welfare of the group members matters, and I hope I can also manage my team members well and cater to the best for the group's needs. Let this be an opportunity for me to try new stuff, to learn and to grow. 

The client meeting went very smoothly, as the clients were surprisingly receptive and nice. We had a great meeting. We met at 9.45am and entered the meeting room at 10.30am. We prepared powerpoint slides but there weren't any projectors in the meeting room, so we ended up having to present using my laptop, and Thu took the minutes. 

I kicked off the presentation by explaining to them our project scope, team structure and plans. Fortunately, I had much experience in dealing with clients due to my previous internship learning experiences, I had not much of a problem gathering requirements. I even posed questions which might be essential for our project. 

I'm rather glad and grateful that my clients are rather receptive and my team mates are very nice too. I can feel that all of us are really working very hard for the best of the project. We communicate well, receptive towards each other and don't mind taking up tasks and responsibilities. This is crucial. For a team to work well, everyone needs to know what everyone is doing. I'll make sure this happens for this FYP. 

After the client meeting, we went to have lunch at the newly opened Pastamania in school. Aww, sinful as it is, but still, it is good. I dont remember having meals with my previous FYP team and all that we met up was for project, project and project. Team bonding is essential.

So many things I will do it differently as a PM and I do hope to cater to the best for the team. =) Challenges expected and I guess I'm ready for it. 

Coping with my other modules, with faith, I'm sure I can manage. Excellence shall be all that we will head for! =) 

After that, I went to the bookstore to grab some markers for the meeting tonight and bought some cards. I decided to drop by a member's place tonight as I couldn't home visit him yesterday due to my migraine and unwell body. He is having exams tomorrow already and I think the least I could do is to drop him an encouragement before he starts his exam. I'm sure it will help. 

So many point of reflections for just this morning alone and I decide to really do my best for everything. I shall correct my flaws bit by bit everyday and make sure I'm a improved person everyday.  

Just received whatsapp message from my dearest sister asking me about my flu and migraine. Feels so loved. Thanks alot sis! 

I'm actually fine now, except for some minor flu. 

I hope I'm well enough to go out for a run tonight or tmr morning. 

Life's great if you live your life to be one! 

:: Groggy Monday :: The =.=

As my flu starts to subside, and sore throat gets better, headache bugged me. 

I had no choice but to cancel the home visit I have tonight lest I pass this virus to the member, affecting him and his exams. 

I went to school just for the FA quiz. Luckily it was alright, I had more confidence in this quiz than the one before. However after the quiz, migraine starts to attack me. I had mild headache first, and i thought it was just the effects of the flu and sore throat that i had. 

Nevertheless, I tried to focus onto the lessons, but it was really hard. The headache was so bad that I had to text my mum to pick up up after class, but to no avail. I had to take the bus back. 

When i reached back home, i quickly grabbed 2 panadols to eat, hopefully my headache will ease soon. It was to my horror that the headache just continues and worsens. I walked to the toilet weakly and immediately head to the toilet bowl. The next thing I knew, was throwing up like a merlion. This is the usual case for migraine. Throwing up after consuming panadols. 

It was torturing as the headache doesnt go away. My dad and grandparents were rather worried for me and I feel bad too. I typically had no strength to talk to them in the normal manner, just saying that "It's very painful, but I'm fine"

All I could do was to head back to the bed and sleep. 

Really thanks to my dad for coming over to see if Ive got fever, and gave me 2 panadols and asked me to rest well. Appreciate it. 

After 1.5 hours of sleep, my headache finally subsided but i still felt weak nevertheless. I tried to finish my part of the project before the client's meeting tomorrow.

Shall go and chant and sleep soon. =)

:: Groggy Monday ::

I had such an enriching weekend, and I fell sick at around 4.30pm yesterday. Just when I got the time to get down to my books, and prepare for the quiz today, I was bugged with flu and sore throat. 

I'm not begrudging, not complaining. I let myself rest for 1 hour before I start my fa revision. My head gets real groggy and I have no idea how to go on. I revisited my objective for that night and ensure that I revise through all my revisions before I can sleep.

I wouldn't say the revision was very productive, but I tried to make it to be. Most importantly, I must fulfil my objective before I sleep. 

I slept at 10.30pm and woke up at 3.30am, and I started revision again. I know and am aware that who the hell wakes up at such ungodly hours to study? Me, of course. Yes, I'm aware that this is very unhealthy and unwise, especially when I'm not feeling well already. However, I had not much choice. I had to make sure that at least i know the concepts and be prepared enough for the quiz later. 

My flu and sore throat just got worse. My head feels heavy and I felt feverish. I decided not to attend Ethics class as I think I wouldnt be able to to last through 7 hours of lessons. Hence, I'm at home. 

In the morning at around 9am, one of my friend from internship whatsapped me that his mother just passed away from cardiac arrest. It is a sudden departure for him. I'm definitely sure it is alot for him to take. I am concerned over how he is to cope over the departure of his loved one, and thought of ways to encourage him. I told him, 

"You must stay strong and firm." 

I am sorry that I will not be able to attend the wake as I'm preoccupied with other things planned already. I do hope to have a chance to meet him up soon to encourage him. 

Life's not been easy for everyone. Everyone's struggling with their daily problems. It is important that we all support each other and encourage one another to grit their teeth and move on. 

I chanted for 30 minutes in the morning, chanted sincerely that my flu and sore throat can go away when i take the quiz later and especially when I do the home visit later. I have to make every second count. 

There are some things that I did today that I'm not very happy with, like slacking my time away, taking my illness as an excuse for slow revision progress etc. This has to stop. I'm determined to tackle on such flaws in myself from this moment on. If I cant even handle my own problems, I wont be expected to help other people with their problems. This definitely has to stop. 

Renew your determinations everyday and do your best to create value in your life and other people's lives. How meaningful a life can be if all that you are going after is only for yourself right? 

I have a home visit tonight. My member is going to have his exams soon and I hope I can do my part to at least know how he is doing and chant together with him. 

As for myself, I have to rush a few work after I come back from the home visit later for a client meeting tomorrow. With that said, this shall be my blog entry to pen down my thoughts.

Hope you have a great monday too!