On the 11th January, I met up with my Starhub friends.
In the end, one of them couldn't make it because she got depression over SIM. I'm not so sure what's that about but either way, Clarence, Wei Qi, Ai Hui and Pearli turned up nevertheless.
So we walked all the way to the Cathay initially hoping for a Japanese buffet at the basement but apparently the student offer only lasted till 5pm so we were not able to enjoy it.
Sakae Sushi
Thus, we decided to head towards Sakae Sushi at Parkway Mall. The one opposite the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station and I thought it was the worst choice we've made because the food there seriously sucks !
I hate the sushis man, they are not only low quality but tasted really bad.
Doubt I will ever step in there ever again. I had such a hard time eating.
But nonetheless, it was alot of fun as we sat there, chatting away about all sorts of rubbish.
So after we were super full from the buffet, we thought we should go for a walk rather than just head home.
Then we decided to walk to Orchard. But because it was quite inconvenient for some of them,we decided to head down to Clarence's school instead, which is SMU.
We went into the seminar room and took some random pictures with one of the application from Fujitsu. Some Photobooth thingy and it was a lot of fun. Just randomly snapping away and laughing about how nonsensical we all are.
Then we continued touring the SMU and suddenly we found an empty Seminar Room.
Well, its already 10pm so no surprise. Its really spacious man and they even have office chairs.
Their tables are so big that you can put your laptop, bag, books, and food. Unlike the ones in NTU, its so small that once you put your books on the table, there's pretty much no more space already. Its even smaller than my primary school's desk man.
How cheap can NTU get.
Then we went on to make use of the room to watch some Japanese videos which are really hilarious.
The media reports on the 13th zodiac sign and the change in the zodiac calender has sent thousands into an astrological identity crisis. However, the real meaning seems to have been lost in translation.
Horoscope change
Birth in ancient Babalonian formulation
It all began with astronomer Parke Kunkle's interview to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, during which the board member of the Minnesota Planetarium Society told the publication of how ancient Babylonians formulated the zodiac signs.
Kunkle explained that Babylonians based zodiac signs on the constellation the sun was 'in' on the day a person was born. As millenniums passed by, the moon's gravitational pull has made the Earth "wobble" around its axis, creating about a one-month bump in the stars' alignment, Kunkle is quoted as saying in the January 9 report.
"When they [astrologers] say that the sun is in Pisces, it's really not in Pisces," Kunkle said, indicating that most horoscope readers may be reading the wrong predictions and may be rationalizing their behavior on wrong traits.
Kunkle, who teaches astronomy at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, also stated that there is no physical connection between constellations and personality traits.
"Sure, we can connect harvest to the stars. But personality? No."
With the Kunkle's remark that people are no longer looking at the sky to understand astrology, the report concluded on a thought-provoking note stating that this could be the reason why sometimes "why a day might not have turned out exactly as predicted."
The Proffesional Astrolger argue hat when these 12 conventional stars were introduced the earh was in a different position with respect to sun as well as moon.
You may loose your orignal stars and have new one, this movement of earth created a 13th star Ophiuchus and to accomodate it in 365 days of the year tha spam of privious 12 stars have been shorten.
It means as i am a taurean now i am not taurean any more, i am Aries now.
Sun is constant at its position but the Earth is constantly moving around it orbit and now its in different position so the stars should change accordingly.
The introduction of 13 star Ophiuchus is not new, it was also present in the findings of ancien astrologers as well as. Its sighn or animal is still not confirmed yet.
Marta is a long-standing Deviant Artist. She is 22 and from Poland, and she has been with DeviantArt since early 2003. During that time her amazing artwork and community involvement has made her work easily recognizable on the Deviant Art site. Her series of the seven deadly sins are pure perfection and a must see for any aspiring digital painter.
In Russian there is an expression:The wise man learns from someone else’s mistakes, the smart man learns from his own, and the stupid one never learns. You’d think I’d be putting the Chinese government in the latter category – obviously the Chinese have not learned from Dubai’s mistakes, and they don’t seem to want to learn from their own empty shopping malls and cities which, based on these Google Earth images, are scattered all over China.
So erecting a $1.3 billion “seven-star hotel” when Beijing’s office vacancy rate was over 20% just a year ago (I doubt it has changed much, considering how much they’ve built in a year) would appear to be less than smart. Wrong! It is brilliant! The report also states, “The Saudi side was expected to foot the entire bill.” The “Saudi side” will bear the eventual losses.
Burj Khalifa
I thought what the author said above was pretty interesting. Now that China said that its building Burj Khalifa Number 2, there has been a lot of hype surrounding it. On how China is climbing so quickly, dominating the world in no time after it has taken over Japan as the 2nd largest economy. Its appetite seems to be getting bigger.
But the problem then comes, "Can China bite off more than it can chew?"
It seems to have forgetten that there might be severe repercussions. I just read up on Economics about the theory of the law of diminishing returns and economic profits.
Burj Khalifa Height
In short, could China have spent those money more wisely on developing something else? Things that could propel it further in its lead in certain fields like automobiles, clean green technology, etc.
Burj Khalifa spectacular view
Automobiles is going green and the best part is China is in the lead when it comes to the spending on Green Technology as well. So why not focus on these 2 fields and build up a synergy then? It could very well be the next big thing and China could be in the spotlight for quite some time should this project be immensely successful.
Burj Khalifa
Rather than being divided in attention and diversifying like a reckless drunk kid. China should stay focused and continue to do what it does best, sticking to its hedgehog concept.
Perhaps, its time for time to review their strategies and policies once again. Its not good to be always in the spotlight, especially when its not even sustainable.
So what if you can’t beat the feat, just plan a look-a-like of the world’s tallest building. A few days after its first anniversary, the Burj Khalifa, is inspiring a similar structure in China.
The People’s Daily, in a report on Thursday, said the proposed $1.3 billion tower (the Burj cost an estimated $1.5 billion to build) would come up in Mentougou district of the capital and would house a seven-star hotel.
Burj Dubai Burj Dubai Burj Dubai
While not naming the developer, it said the project would be jointly developed with Saudi Arabia. The report quoted Wang Hongzhong, a senior official of the Mentougou district, as saying the design and planning of the seven-star hotel was ready. “It has been designed as a stream-lined building like the Khalifa Tower in Dubai,’’ the report quoted him as saying. The official did not mention the completion date of the venture, but said the hotel would be world-class and would bear the hallmark of luxury.
Burj Khalifa Burj Khalifa Burj Khalifa
It seems like China is not standing idle. It is going to compete to show the world who's the tallest in the world. China is so competitive, just overwhelming competitive. It wants to copy the best of the world's icons. Emulating every top strategy employed by top strategists in the world. Hopefully all works out well for China and it doesn't all backfire at her simultaneously.
Burj Khalifa Burj Khalifa Burj Khalifa
However, Burj Khalifa is definitely here to stay in terms of the tallest building in the world. At least for the next few years. China had better try harder.
Remember that I said that I did not receive my excel quiz results when everyone else did a few days back?
Well, I got the official one today.
And I was shocked. Not by the results of course, but by my IT tutor. I looked at the sender email and I thought it was a little strange because it wasn't from NTU
In 2005, he wascurrently a director of SoftML Pte Ltd, maker of data integration engine XPS. Having worked in US, Japan and Singapore, Chee Kai brings with him more than 10 years of both government and private sector experience in the IT industry. He chairs the XML Working Group in ITSC, and also contributed to the UBL development in 2003 responsible for generating the UBL 1.0-beta schemas. Chee Kai holds a Highest-Honors double-major degree from University of California at Berkeley, and a Masters of Science degree from Stanford University.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2001/2002
PRESIDENT
Tay Choon Chong (from May 07, 2001)
Chin Chee Kai (till May 06, 2001)
VICE PRESIDENT
Don Huse
SECRETARY
Rasiah Sundralingam
TREASURER
Kathy Craig
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Tay Choon Chong (till May 06, 2001)
Tan Gim Hong
Jeyan Nadarajah
Richard Hartung
Leslie Lim
To be honest, I knew something was with him. He was teaching IT and Stats at the same time.
On top of that, he is extremely humble, funny and he always praises the students.
He is smart and yet not boastful. The best part is that he can teach.
He always tell us that it is not easy to teach IT because there are so many technical terms and a lot of people just get turned off the moment they hear a term that is so abstract.
Hence, a lot of people dislike IT.
However, he makes it so much more enjoyable and fun. Its really a pleasure to be taught by him. In fact, its an honour. I knew he was very special but only till today, did I realise that he is a Stanford Masters graduate.
Very impressive indeed. He definitely deserves to be a Master graduate from there because he is clearly super intelligent.
A very dark movie, yet a riveting one that offers an edge on the competitiveness of ballet performers. They are not just any performers, remember, they are world-class performers, one that stand out from the millions out there.
Being given the opportunity to star in one of those shows will be a breakthrough, a life-changing moment for them. So naturally, they will fight it out, no matter what it takes, to get the position.
Black Swan's Mystery
Black Swan follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter's professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.
Of course, this summary is nothing more than a loped-sided one. Of course, if you want to find out more, do go to Wikipedia and read the plot. Its really interesting.
Black Swan confusion
To be honest, I myself have yet to watch the movie. Having said that, simply by just reading the plot at Wiki, I'm already getting the goosebumps and I can totally imagine how the story will be laid out. The visuals, sound effectives, perfect. And the best part is, its filled with an abundance of great actresses and actors and directors. So, we do not have to worry about the perfect storyline being screwed by lousy actors and settings.
Nina was casted for the show entitled "Swan Dance" by the director, Leroy.
Its a very interesting role because it requires the ballerina to showcase a completely innocent side of her as she plays the "White Swan" and then morph into a "Black Swan" the next instant, who is guile and filled with sensuality.
Guile basically means craft, cunning and being filled with deceptive objectives.
It seems really difficult for Nina to portray the role of the Black Swan initially for she is so innocent and nice as a person. However, throughout the movie, she starts to change as a person.
Black Swan Movie
This is very interesting because its somewhat a reflection of our generation today. We start off as being perfect, clean, innocent and naive.
However, having been exposed to the rewards, money, fame and glory out there. We start to lose track sometimes and most of us won't ever get back on track anymore. We become lost forever.
In need of self-justification, we continue to walk down the path of evil, even though we are very well conscious of it. Nonetheless, its a path of no return.
I would assume that most of you would think that all of us are up to no good now. But I don't think its that bad yet, we still have yet to reach the point whereby we are plotting against someone to achieve our aims relentlessly.
Most of us can't do that now. At most, we are only termed selfish, not vicious and ruthless.
However, in due time, we might become ruthless. Anything that stands in our way, that prevent us from reaching our goals, will be obliterated. Spare no way, show no mercy. Cast emotions and friendships away and make use of every pawns you have.
When that time comes, we will then encapsulate the idea of a "Black Swan".
Black Swan
However, at the end of the movie, we can see that even though we turn into a "Black Swan", the "White Swan" in us is still very much still present. It will be overshadowed by the Black one, yes, but it will never be consumed by it.
There's no way of erasing the existence of the "White Swan" in us. That's the good news.
Hope you guys make some time to watch this movie for its really dark, controversial, manipulative and meaningful.
The story comes after it. If you want to hear it that is.
Okay so here it goes
Last Wednesday, I emailed the co-ordinator because I thought its nearing the release of our Final results on the 18th January and she mentioned that we will be getting our Excel&Access quiz results prior to that.
So I thought since its January already and there's no news, I should go ahead and ask her about it.
Then I emailed her and she said yeah, the scores are ready and moderated already. They will be sending out the result by the end of last week.
So I waited patiently till Sunday and there was still no news.
Then I asked her again and she said yeah, its by Monday.
So I waited on Monday.
And still, nothing at all.
So, this time round, I went to ask my personal IT tutor and he said that he had already sent it out yesterday (9 January 2011)
Then I was shocked. I told him that I did not receive anything at all.
And he said its strange because he sent out to all the students yesterday already. However, he mentioned that if I still don't get it by tonight, I need to inform him.
So, by 8:15pm, I still had nothing at all in the mail and I start to email him again.
He said that its strange indeed so he ended up attaching my results in the email per se.
Weird email system indeed. And apparently, there might be a problem with the Excel Quiz : Pivot Table portion because my friend got below expectation too.
So, perhaps the system might have marked us all wrongly. I have already asked the co-ordinator, probably waiting for her reply now.
Intel, whose main customers are focused on corporate customers, mainly focused on brand image advertising to match their business-to-business marketing scheme.
Hence, you will rarely see celebrities in their promotions or advertisements because their target market are matured businesses. They don't rely on celebrities to buy the idea of a good product. They are not like the normal consumers out there who use whatever their favourite celebrities use.
They don't go for the superficials. They look at the quality of the product per se.
SNSD
So why the different approach this time round then? In fact, its a groundbreaking move made by Intel.
SNSD
Reason being: It was to globally expose and emphasize the superiority of Korea's cultural products.
SNSD
They are using this opportunity to promote to the entire Asia altogether now that SNSD has become an icon, a cultural icon simultaneously.
Even a supergiant like Intel is making the move already, it would come as no surprise when the Kpop scene starts to gain more recognition, not just for their music, but for their influence and clout over the entire world.
SNSD
They will slowly encroach into new terriorities and fields that one can never imagine. As they spread and mature their talents, they are definitely capable of playing larger roles in today's society.
Intel Korea’s Lee Hee Sung concluded, “Our consumer campaign for our second generation Intel Core product will feature SNSD’s cute and modern visuals. We’re introducing our products in a variety of fun and exciting ways for our consumers.”
SNSD Intel
In conclusion, I still stand by what I said months ago, that is the success of Kpop goes to show how much Marketing can do. And of course, how great South Korea's entertainment groups and media are at Marketing. Definitely a learning point for the world.
