Lessons from uni II

2nd post on lessons I have learnt from uni. This is based on my 2 years postgraduate program in MMU.

Learning is a life long journey. Learning is a self driven activities and it is by far the best experience I have. Formal education is just another channel to learn but doesn't simply mean once you signed up on formal education, you would learn. I am not the kind that remember notes and books by word. I just read, grasped and improvised the content. However not everyone has the same intention. Some were only after the scroll and the fame. So if you are the later one, please do not take up a technical postgraduate. You will suffer badly in ensuring the delivery of  your assignments, tests and thesis. You do not have the excuse to cheat. Your act do bothers me not because your result. It is because you may portrait my course wrongly to the external. Lucky you, that I am a 'mind my own business' person. So wishing you all the best in your future endeavour!

The major different between my undergraduate and postgraduate is the openness and equality we have. None was being discriminated. We are all the same in the eyes of lecturers. Bravo!

Finally, I would conclude saying that postgraduate on part time basis is not for everyone. Surely not for those like mentioned above and not for those lack of determination and passion. It really exhausted me to the max throughout the period. I salute those who have made it through honourably before me.

Another milestone

Being a goal oriented person really drives me far. Every time I set out for something, I always get it. Getting it  after efforts made and attentions paid, certainly not through the wrong or forcefully methods.

So my recent accomplishment and milestone is receiving my postgraduate degree. It has been real hard for the past 2 years. Coping with new office is nothing close to easy. It is really exhausting after the countless extra hours in office.

Thankfully it has finally comes to an end!

Proud to join 15 others in the graduates of Master of Engineering in Microelectronics year of 2012. Happy Graduation to my seniors and myself! 

Time flies

Time flies...this saying is true regardless of easy time or hard. Now I have joined 'M' for more that 6 months yet there are still so much to learn. Still a great part of the development cycle seemed so alien to me. I could not recall having this feeling when I was back in 'I'. I  was running at pace with others in the team by then.

Is it because I lost my focus? Is it because I am now overloaded trying to balance work, study and personal life all together at once? or is it because there are more to learn in embedded field or is it because 'M' is a more process centric organization?

No matter what it is, I am still eager to continue my path here. I will just need to hang on and overcome all the obstacles. This semester is coming to an end by this Saturday. After that I have only 2 more papers and a thesis to complete in next semester. Hope that I can finish my thesis by mid of this year to be in time for the 13th MMU Convocation. Then I will regain my luxury of time for my beloved activities...travelling, photographing and surfing the internet...My last long holiday abroad was in 2010 and next is in 2013. Missed those days where I have the luxury of 17 days of annual leave per year.

Blessing Quarter

Finally back to my blog...really a long stop since my last post.

It has been a busy quarter be it at work, study or home.

Glad that a lot has been accomplished. I am really happy now that so much has been sorted out.

Anticipating my new start and am certain that postgraduate is something I really want and something I can accomplish.

Now that I have the green light from both my academic and my industry supervisor, I just have to kick start my project. No more procrastination, Sze Wan!

Wrong decision

Sometimes I can't help it but to wonder if I have made the wrong decision. Is master degree something I really want and need?
I always wanted to prove to myself that I can achieve anything for as long as I want it. This is how I got myself into such a hard life now juggling between work, study and interest. I also put my finance and future into jeopardize. I am financial tied and changing my career path now seem like the toughness decision now.
Btw a master by half coursework and half research just don't fit well with my characteristic.
Decision has been made and I just have to hang on there. I only ask for a graduation...hope that my coursework result just don't screw me now...aft this sem I ll work on my project...the title is challenging and I confidence that I can make it!

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can't concentrate

Vlsi final paper I is less than 24hrs away yet I can't concentrate...perhaps I must have too much until lost of interest or because I have too much side track things to worry about...
Feel like sitting for the paper now and move on

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Why do I do my postgraduate study?

I can not deny that I am materialistic. I do hope that the master degree can earn me bigger paycheck and better career prospect. This is very obvious for my case and could easily be figured out by my family members and close friends. For those that understand me less, they will most probably be guessing that SW is probably a nerd.

They asked "why not MBA or other management course? Why master in Engineering instead?" since they heard me complaining about my job and my occasional remark that engineering is not my profession of choice to grow old with. Here is my respond, "there were too much MBA grads out there. I just want to be different and wants to do something harder. Besides, this route opens another path to the academic world."

So with these in mind, I pushes myself hard to balance between work, study and leisure as well as other side track activities in GGA. I learn by heart and try my best. Even I am to fail at some point, it is still my effort that counts. I am here to learn, not to zerox other people's effort.

Disbelieve

Has been quite some time I actually blog but this really trouble me. I won't believe this if I have not seen it myself. Just don't understand what are they trying to achieve from these 2 years. I know myself well and thank god for giving me a clear direction!

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Last update before holiday

I have been quite sometime since I update my blog. So I decided to give an update before I fly off for my holiday this weekend.

Some spammer just annoyed me and so I decide to remove my cbox here.

Moving on on other updates,

1. My master prog - status unknown. Result is not out yet. Can't tell I will continue on or just stop after sem 1. If I fail, then likelihood is I will quit the program and repay my company for the 1 semester fees. If I pass, likelihood is that I will graduate in 2 or not more than 4 yrs time.
2. Work - tiring and demanding as usual with a lot of uncertainty factor. I can't tell when is my last day but item 1 above may be the 1 of the many driving factor.
3. My new home - just moved in into my bro's new house. Got a comfy bed and at a more strategic place to stay in. I now need less time to travel to and from office daily. This equate to better living quality. On my new house, the construction is progressing very well. The house is almost 80% completed. However I hoped that it will not be completed so soon. I need more time to save for my renovation fund.
4. Leisure activities - I have less time for photographing and editing. However I did a lot of reading on these topics. Looking forward to capture great moments in Vietnam. While on the craft work, I did spend few hours creating 1 and a half monkeys. I will need to go buy more to complete them.
5. Dream gadget - I want and need an iPhone 4 so badly. My poor memory needs an external support. I have kept forgetting about my early morning and late night meeting. But as usual I have financial constraint. So it will depends on the status of item 1 as well. If I do not repay the fees, then I can probably afford 1 very soon.
6. Holiday plan - Trip to Vietnam is my last confirmed holiday. Wished I could afford another next year but with all those commitment, it is difficult. Japan and Australia are missions impossible now. Asia countries are difficult as well. :S :S :S

Looking forward to my holiday.

Bloody money sucking & inefficient UTM

Forgive me if you feel offended by this article. This was just my way to express my uneasiness and my dissatisfy towards our tertiary education system.

This is how my story went and ended up in a havoc...

I made up my mind to do my postgraduate in February....initially i have UTM's Master in Engineering (Microelectronics & Computer) and MMU's Master in Engineering (Telecommunication) and its Master in Engineering (Microelectronics) in consideration. However I chose UTM looking at my interest and the relevance to my current position in Intel.

So on February 23, I sent my application form to UTM on a registered express post for I have been mislead by the date mentioned in their website....which I was later told by the officers who came to Intel to do the introductory sharing that the date was meant for their current final year students who wish to continue on....this was the 1st wrong do of them.

In early April, my friends told me that they have received letter from the university saying that their applications have been received and in the mid of processing them. I did not receive any news about my application but I was sure that my application must have arrived after checking with Pos Malaysia....my friends application forms arrived in UTM in the end of Feb but only heard from them in early April...this was the 2nd wrong do of them...why would it take a month plus just to send out a simple computer generated letter to confirm that our applications have been received....worse when I heard nothing at all from them.

I grew more and more anxious as the days, weeks and months past.

By mid of May, my friends started to receive their confirmation letter and documents...yet there was no news about my application.

Finally on May 20, the uni authority rang me, telling me that they did not received my application payment. So I quickly fax over my receipt. One week later, I finally received the 1st letter my friends received...a little relieves after such a long tense up period.

Time flies...as the reporting date was drawing closer, I could no longer wait patiently. I called the SPS office...after being diverted few times, I was finally in touch with Cik H***m. I was told that I have been accepted and they are now in the process of sending out the acceptance letter.

Then on 25 June, I called Cik H***m again. This time I was told that the letter has already been delivered and I should be expecting it next week. The delay was due to the tuition fee review.

I waited impatiently till the following Monday, 29 June.I called Cik H***m to confirm the status of my application and again I was assured that I have been accepted and the letter was sent out on 26 June...this was their 3rd wrong do.

During this call, she claimed that the letter has been delivered but this time, she said it was only delivered out a day after our last call.So I asked for a hard copy to be delivered to me via fax. Surely I would not make the RM2k payment without any hard copy confirmation...

In the noon of 30 June, the mentioned letter has not arrived in my house yet. So I thought I may be more efficient if I made a request via an email.So here goes my email.

Dear Sir,

I am Lim Sze Wan (ARN: M091014069). I have called previously and have been informed that I have been accepted and official letter has been sent out. As of today, I have not received any related document from your university. Kindly verify and get back to me on my application status.

I have learned that the course registration has been scheduled in Vistana Hotel this weekend. If my application is successful, can you send the document again on pos express for I will need to submit those documents to my company’s HR and need to get the medical check up done?

Thanks.

Another 2 days of waiting. They got on my nerves. It was Thursday, 2 July and I was expected to register on Saturday morning. In my mid of headache, I wrote an email to their Deputy Dean, Dr O****n, and CCed it to a whole long list of people involved...Sadly still no news from them by the end of the day.

Dear Sir,

I wish to get your attention into the subject mentioned above.

I have called Cik H***m for numerous times and have been informed that I am accepted for the Sarjana Kejuruteraan (Elektrik – Komputer & Sistem Mikroelektrik). I was told that the official letter and documents have been sent out last week, 24 June 2009 and expected to register myself this weekend. However up till this moment, I have yet to receive such documents from your university. I have also requested for a copy to be sent to me via fax and I did not receive any as well. Without any proper document from your university, I can neither proceed to get the medical check up nor made arrangement for fees payment.

Kindly get back to me at my email XXX@intel.com on the steps for registration for the course above.

Thanks.

3 July, a day before the registration, I received a call from Cik H***M. Never expected a call from her as early as 8.30am. This time her intonation wasn't that pleasing.

H***m : Lim Sze Wan
Me : Ya.
H***m : Kamu datang sahaja hari Sabtu ini. Surat itu boleh kamu dapatkan di kaunter nanti.
Me : Tapi boleh faxkan surat tawaran kepada saya, baru saya boleh proceed dengan payment. H***m : Saya sekarang ini sudah nak pergi Penang. Tak sempat nak send. Untuk pendaftaran esok, kamu bayar dua ribu sahaja.
Me : Jumlah yuran berapa?
H***m : Semua yuran adalah tiga puluh ribu ringgit.
Me : Ok.
(bump...heard her hang off so quickly)

Minutes later, I received an email from Dr O****n. This is his email.

Dear Sze Wan,
The registration will begin at 12noon tomorrow, vistana hotel. You can collect the second copy of the offer letter there. We are on the way to Penang now. Call my number 019XXXXXXX after 2pm today for clarification.

Regards

No wonder Cik H***m called that early morning in that rude intonation.

Anyway I just rang Dr O****n, wanting to see what he has got to say. By the end of our conversation, I felt so upset. He gave me no explanation for all the delay nor any explanation for the fee increment. I could only recalled a remark from him on the increment "What an unfortunate." Huh? Deputy Dean saying it's an unfortunate...guess not for the case of the university.

So with all this havoc, could one still continue in this university? Not sure about others, for me surely not in this bloody money sucking university and such an inefficient one.

Btw...the letter finally arrived in my house on that very last day, 3 July. The stamp on the envelope dated July 1, 2009.

UPM 32nd Convocation

Lessons from uni

After 4 years in UPM, I could only conclude that UPM was and is and will be super racist...I bet many would agree with me...my past experience and encounter with the university authorities for numerous clubs and societies best describe how unfair and injustice it was....and what politics were about....yes...I was saying 'politic'...how we were forced to act to their wish and how corrupted the e-system could be...well it may not be true as propagated by some students saying that the e-undi result was 'diubah-ubah dan diprogram' but it was surely manipulated by them...not sure if how many UPM students realized that clubs and societies leaders were in ways forced to attend those crappy camps which intended to brain wash us...these camps have been on for years and have always been classified as secret...and to the extend that, there were times that students were blindfolded on the journey....the venue had been kept secret...we were only told to be on standby...departure date and time announced only days before...

Besides having have to attend those camps, we were treated that if we were found engaged in any ways with those pro-mahasiswa activities, then our clubs' activities approval would be jeopardized....and due to the passion we had towards our own societies, we have to keep away from those pro-mahasiswa movements...due to my position here, I have to refrained myself from voicing my thoughts to the public and including my friends especially those that worked so hard and placed their future in big risk just to fight for our rights. I supported them and gave my moral supports to all our 'heroes'.

I bet many could still recalled back on the gangterism act issue among the MPP in UPM...it was really a 'berita gempar' to all Malaysians...my parents called asking if the situation was under control and asked me to take a week or 2 off if the university compound was unsafe...

The most unbelievable thing in this case was my course mate, Simon Ooi who was actually being victimized in this incident was charged with 7 sentences where else the barbarians were running wild freely with warnings...no hearing and no tribunals formed...And for poor Simon, he was charged in the tribunal but was not allowed to have his lawyers to represent him...so was this fair? AUKU sucked!

Luckily, thanks to the media power, his case was postponed indefinitely...guessed the university authorities could not figured out ways to shut their mouths so they chose to keep silent and let the time past....So congratulation to Simon for he has finally managed to work out of his hell in his mortar and red robe!

Finally my advice to the younger ones are do not choose UPM if all that you wanted from your university years is freedom...local public universities are not the right choice for you! But however if you want to try out my challenging experiences and brushes up your 变脸神功(meet people speak people language, meet ghost speak ghostly language)...then UPM welcomes you! Or in the case you are those apathy ones, then UPM may be fine for you!

Apart from the crappy administration, UPM was still fine for me... :P excluding the encounter with that Dr 羊咩咩...who actually said this...."Ini Melayu punya, ini Cina punya" while pointing to 2 stacks of examination sheets when I visited him in his office to remark my paper...don't worry for he has been fired....

*All these were true and based on my personal experience….I am free and not liable for any trouble caused by this article...so if you feel uneasy with those remarks, ignore them!...And just for the info of those unwelcomed personnel....I am no longer an undergraduate...so AUKU doesn't work on me...haha!

My Convocation

I have been waiting long for this moment...not sure if this will be my last but surely a moment to be remebered.

Oct 21 2008 was the day. The day which I could proudly call myself a graduate. The day which I could fill in my applications saying that my highest qualification is tertiaray level.

Honestly, I was still very excited about it eventhough there were times I was saying that I didn't have much feeling bout it since it was long after I have joined the working force. It was hard to describe the moment. Yes...thinking of it made me sick...waited for months to my convocation and now that I have started working for months ready, the cert was no longer that important anymore....but I was so happy just for being able to put on the red robe, my name being read out loud and me walking up the stage before all our parents and friends. So the pros of this ceremony were it was a protocol or event for me and my family to share and talk about and it was a great opportunity for photography sessions...haha :P

smile before pro-chanselor

Oh yes...the suckiest and crappy part of this ceremony was the university authority barring me into the ceremony with a pair of pants...forcing me to put on the ugly looking long black skirt...This was what that old Malay official said "Kamu tak boleh masuk dengan seluar...ada kawan atau keluarga yang boleh bawa skirt labuh? ...belakang tu ada gerai, boleh beli kain..." Why would I need a skirt labuh when my pants were long enough...I didn't expose a single inch of my body parts else that my face and neck area as well as my 2 palms. Sometimes they would justify that no pants were allowed because pants were tight at times, and may be menjolok mata to certain parties but today, with the long robe on, nothing could be revealed at all...so stupid wasn't it?

Other than that, it was still a great day....So here are some shots for the day and some on my gifts and flowers.

before entering the hall...morning blues

from my parents...sunflower signify bright future

pink roses...from sis....

bear1...thanks Mang Rui...ex-roommates cum junior

bear2...thanks Phaik...

and...the Parker....thanks 雪婷

bear3...from mummy and papa

And not to forget to express my gratitude to my parents and family members, my 'lecturers', my coursemates and friends who made my past four years in uni be fruitful and memorable.

Stay tune...more photos are coming up here...have yet to collect them from studio and Wesley

Time to catch up with friends

Seriously, there were too many unhappy news and regrets recently. I wish I could have longer days, more time with my friends and family members.

These were from my recent gathering with CCC members.

our dinner at Saisaki

'CCC jie mei'

where's the others?

thanks YY...we got a great journey to and from KL.

Oh yes...food at Saisaki was ok...worth the money if you are really a Jap food lover like me...or else not a good choice...fresh oyster is a must there.

Vietnam Day I - Tired Day

Was tired today after burning midnight oil for so many days...busy preparing for FYP and final examination. Until noon, I was still too tired to be excited even I was due to fly in the evening.

My Java paper was for 2 hours but I left after an hour. The paper sucked...what standard that we have here in UPM when lecturers are only smart enough to copy questions blindly from the book.

Luckily I have browsed through the solution before I went into the examination hall. So I believed even with more effort in learning the language, I would not do any better. I bet programmers would not know the answers to those theoretical questions.

I felt like that I have let down all those heavy burdens off my shoulder. The moment I walked out the hall, I let out a big breath. By 10am, I was already in the South City Plaza.I went to do last minute shopping...bought a pair of sunglasses and of course to feed my stomach to reward her for being so obedient. So another great meal at the Wong Kok Restaurant...yippie!

We departed from college at 4.30pm and arrived in LCCT at closed to 6pm. Normally I would not described my taxi ride but this trip seem to be different with the no kissing sign...wth! What is wrong if we are to show our affection?


Upon our arrival in LCCT, we checked in our luggage and then headed to McD. We waited for almost an hour until our flight departed for Ho Chin Minh aka Saigon...another delay by AirAsia. Like my past experience with AirAsia's airbus, it was not comfortable more over for such a long hour flight. We finally landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 7.50 pm local time.


On the ground, my first impression on Vietnam was bravo. Thumbs up! Never on an AirAsia flight that I did felt not as being treated 2nd class. Every time, we were asked to walk to the terminal using the the side allay and stairs. We were welcomed and greeted with smiles. Officers were stationed at every few steps away. So Vietnam may be on par with Malaysia to promote great hospitality of Asians.

Our taxi driver, a Vietnamese Chinese drove us to the Lu Vuan Guesthouse...been very friendly and felt the connectivity here for he too speaks our language.

After refreshing up, we went for a walk at Bu Vien Street. Here, we tasted our first dinner...half squatting...but the BBQ pork was superb...really missed those parties during school time...oh yes...the steam egg was marvelous as well! The taste was good and the texture too!


Great night sleep!

100th post

我想了很久在我这第100篇里，该写什么。刚好我快要毕业了，哪就写我这四年在大学的生活如何。感谢的话可免了。我只想要跟大家份相。我学到的是坚持，但不是拗。还有我们华人在大学里，真的必须学会怎么跟那些姓马的教授沟通。有些不只偏心而且很光明正大挂在嘴边。所以说做人难，做个华人大学生更难。

现在当我快要上班，相信这些事情不会在发生，但是我担心人家所谓的办公室政治。

期望明天会更好!

祝朋友们，工作顺利!

My final days in uni...Burning Midnight Oil

Time flies...I have been complaining about how hard uni life is but now it is almost the end, I start to feel so solemn...It seems that I have to move on to my next phase which I could image it as tough tough tough with less surprises and joyous moment hanging out with friends...only routines to be complete days after days...

I wonder what will my decision now lead me to? I hope I would not regret my decision in choosing Intel as my starting point...my learning platform and network expansion.

..........

Now in the middle of the night...a time which I am supposed to burn my midnight oil...I chose to blog...I just can not concentrate...I have been watching drama for the past 2 days...and my fisrt paper is on monday...I feel guilty but I just can't help it...I really have to get back to my books...

A leap on my FYP

It is such a relieve today....Finally after weeks of self quarantine in the lab...the major part of my project is done.

I have finished programmed my microcontroller as well as the controlling unit...So now I have a choice to either continue to improve the project with graphical interface or just end there. I actually have done part of the graphical but now I am kind of lazy and tired of the project...7 days a week...and so many weeks continuously...I am fed up with myself...feels like I have no life!

Anyway I have set a timeline for myself...I will continue on my FYP till end of April 10th. and that's it...after all no big deal anymore...already get a job more....haha :D

yeah yeah yeah.......

A Night to remember with CCCPro Fellows

This may perhaps be the last CC gathering that I attended with still as an undergraduate. I am really proud and thankful to our 3^rd year junior for such a well done job….

Our Graduation Night will always be remembered.

Our night begins at 7pm in the Berjaya Golf Resort's pool side. Though the weather was rather bad, drizzling a most of the time, but we enjoyed the great plan. We was placed on the cafe ground next to the pool side...so no worries about shelter....hence we were all dry....:D

Besides the ground, everything seems well too. The performances were great. I could not believe that they actually put in so much effort in preparing us this special night. and the games....thou at some point it was rather disgusting, it was still a great plan.

And not to forget to mention here...our special event...'Everyone is King & Queen'...well i know many were not surprised by the title...I have been expecting mine has got something to do with food...like Ms. HoChiak. So I was closed....I got Ms. Food Critic...Actually personally until now, I would still prefer Ms HoChiak...let me go and get another key chain on that.

I could not continue any longer in my half squating position, trying to find some free access point around the neighbourhood...no comfortable chair nor table :-(

photos to be updated later!

It's good to let it out

Finally recharged...

After some tiring days, finally they came to an end...I am now sitting in leisure in Kim Gary after the bowling game...trust me, a bowling game is really good to relax...you can toast away all your stress and unhappiness...

While a night out with my coursemates were stress free promising...We were in Mines Wonderland yesterday night to witness the CNY celebration...The snow house was freezing cold and the lanterns were astonishing...I have to admit that all of us are photomaniacs...everycorner we turned, we were sure to stop for a shot with either a lantern or even a gigantic piece of ice.









And the performance was excellent...I can't image myself being tossed up in the air...don't believe me then watch this clip...





Thank you to Ee Pheng, Yau, Kuan Mon, Hooi Fang and Kim Haur for such a good company!



Now I am so energetic after this great recharged!