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Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
09 July 2009 @ 00:09

Just came back from watching Ice Age 3 with my sis and her husband... in 3D too!! This must be the first time in I have no idea how many years where I actually step into a cinema with my sis. Usually I choose not to join them but I decided that I needa chill for a bit... besides, they largely leave me alone anyway, which suits me fine.

The only thing of interest that has happened recently is that I went kayaking on Sunday. With the barrage up and all, the waters off the Esplanade are no longer off limits. So we paddled down to that area from Kallang... nice, too bad we didn't have a camera. Uh apparently the limit is 100 metres from the shore (Esplanade and Merlion), but we thought it was 50 opps hee.... oh well :p hey, we'll just claim that we estimated the distance to be 100... And then went roller skating with my cousins in the evening. I guess you can call it my first time... I actually do wanna learn how to skate. Unfortunately, time ain't really on my side, seeing how I'm gonna be burning Sundays in the next few weeks :(

Today, something happened that further reinforced my view of how small this country is. I finally realised today why I kept finding XY so familiar ever since the first day he reported for work. Turns out he too was from 2 SIG. He was from MC Coy though... so we spent some time today exchanging gossip and stuff heh... basically pretty much the same stuff that WH and I were talking about that night (morning?). Seriously, for such a small unit, you meet people from that unit surprisingly often...

Just wanna record this small incident that happened just before we left for the cinema. So just before we left, my sis and her husband were having this little argument (it was nth big) about smth, and each didn't look like they were about to give in. So I just sat there and waited while they ding-donged about until finally my bro-in-law turned to me and asked me for my opinion (err, well, let's just say that I had a small interest (on his side) in the matter of dispute too). And then I did what I really seldom do at home, and that is to make a decision and make it final. (For personal reasons I rarely choose to make any decisions at home). So I basically told him to give in to my sis. At the point I made the decision, I made it just because she was my sis. It was only afterward while sitting at the back of the car that I realised how logically right my decision was... I figured that well, even if I didn't give in, it wouldn't have made me any happier. Besides, it would have made her upset. On the other hand, when I gave in, she was happy and I realised that on my side, it didn't really matter to me that I didn't get what I want. It really didn't, cos even if I got it, I wouldn't have been any happier.

Oh yeah, I'm trying to find out the title of this Japanese (I think) song... I think I've got the tune, unfortunately I dunno any of the words so I can't Google it. Besides, I speak no Jap. Although if my memory didn't fail me, I think some people sang it that night during the karaoke... haha oh well...

Hmm. If you went about life without expecting anything whatsoever, so that if you actually do get anything it's a bonus, would life be much better and filled with less disappointment?

Tags:
 
 
Listening To: 1 2 3 4 I Love You - Plain White T's
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
27 June 2009 @ 00:29

Sidenote #1: Michael Jackson passed away yesterday in LA. Myocardial infarction apparently. While there's no denying the fact that he had been involved in quite a number of controversial issues lately, there's also no denying the fact that he was a legend. Although I'll have to say that Singaporeans are quite a strange lot. Or maybe it's not just Singaporeans. But when my dad and I heard the news on the radio this morning, his first comment was something along the lines of "wah, he must have left a lot of money behind". As I stepped into the lift at the office later another person was commenting "wow, I'm sure he left plenty of money behind", at which another person commented that he thought that MJ was bankrupt. And I was thinking to myself "wad the heck?"

Sidenote #2: I've realised that there's actually something specific to Pittsburgh that I do miss. Q 92.9 FM, the best radio station I've ever listened to so far in my life. I especially miss it when I'm freaking stuck in traffic in Singapore *sigh* I mean, Class 95 is fine I guess, but it gets annoying sometimes too.

Sidenote #3: Have been stuck in a grand total of 4 traffic jams this week. ALL due to car accidents. Am seriously annoyed *sigh* Really....

Sidenote #4: I'm starting to wonder if my arms are a little too short for my own good. By right, when driving my dad's car, I'm supposed to be sitting further behind (as in, shifting the chair back further) than wad I'm currently doing due to the length of my legs. The problem is, if I move the chair any further back, my arms have issues reaching the steering wheel. This thought suddenly came to me because earlier this week I realised that I have a little bit of issues reaching out to insert the cashcard into the machine even though I think I've moved quite closed to it already hmm....

Sidenote #5: In addition to a new camera, I need to get some new pairs of jeans, and coincidentally, I do want a white short-sleeved shirt. Wanted one since last year actually, but never found one that I liked... shall see if I can find any hmm...

Sidenote #6: It's getting difficult to go out in peace nowadays.

Sidenote #7: It's getting difficult to sleep in during the weekends.

Sidenote #8: My weekends have been so filled that I'm kinda tired. I mean, weekdays are taken up by work, and every weekend it's gathering after gathering after gathering... I dunno. Just feel like i don't really have time for myself? Or maybe it's just the pace of life here or something.

Okie, now to the entry proper :p

This is actually a collection of thoughts over the past many many months, just that I never got down to writing them down anywhere, nor am I sure if I actually know how to write them down.

But I guess in some ways I'm just tired? I dun actually know how to describe it. (By the way, this is in NO way referring to one specific issue or incident but rather is aimed at things in general). I mean, over time I've had friends who have been contacting me for help (and sometimes I don't hear from them until/unless they need a favour or something, although I have to admit that I've probably been guilty of this at times as well), or to just lend a ear, or to get some opinion etc... well, I'm busy sometimes (more often last sem), but I think I've tried my best to always make sure that I find some time to attend to all these because you folks are my friends. I'm not blaming you folks, in fact, please continue to feel free to approach me for help for anything. I promise I'll get to it if it's within my means. And I'm sorry if I've failed in that respect.

But when things happen, or you just need someone to talk to, or if you have no idea how to put things into words and just need someone to help bring some cheer to your life, and you look around you and realise you can find no one you can really talk to, and you check your MSN and realise that the people you can talk to are not around (sometimes never), you just keep it inside you. If it gets bad enough and you have a chance, maybe you'll just go out somewhere for a walk (even if it's freaking -20 degrees outside).

Then again, looking at it from another angle, I really shouldn't make my problems become other peoples' problems too right?

And at the end of the day, you just sigh to yourself and tell yourself to carry on.

*sigh* carry on.

 
 
Listening To: Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
24 June 2009 @ 22:37

Since it's summer break, I thought I should catch up a little on reading (I know there's work, but you see, I refuse to bring any work home). So I've been reading The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide, which I bought from Barnes and Noble (Squirrel Hill) last Thanksgiving but never had the chance to finish reading no thanks to the end of winter break and the start of 15-251. So I'm starting from the front *sigh* You know what? I've decided that my favourite character in there is Marvin the Paranoid Android. I think his outlook on life (or the lack thereof) and his personality fits my current one quite nicely hmmm.... anyway, for those who haven't read the book (or at least, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), you should :p

My sis's on her honeymoon now. The amazing thing is, neither my parents nor I have any idea whatsoever on exactly which spot on Earth she is at now, cos we have no idea where the island she mentioned she was headed to is. The only thing I know is that it's not that far, cos she took a ferry there. Well, the good thing is, this means I get her car these few days :p My ex-roommate suggested to me this morning that I steal the car and drive far far away... until he suddenly realised that you can't exactly drive very far in Singapore.

Speaking of my sis... I found her present! haha... was digging through my luggage for something else for my dad when I found it. Which is strange cos I can tell you I've been digging ard it forever since I got back and never found it and was already convinced that I probably left it in Pittsburgh. Oh well...

Hmm what other random news... oh, was talking to ZH this evening just before knocking off and mid-way into the conversation I realised that it was a very cmu-ish conversation (ZH was from CMU, so no surprise). Well, it was good... but still, a cmu-ish conversation.

Hmm I've got too many broken planes lying around my room (those who ever get the chance to see my room will know I have plenty of planes). I'm half wondering if I should fix them, but the thing is even if I fix them, many of them will again be broken by this time next year. *sigh* Maybe I really should go fix new ones when I go back.

Okie, I shall get outta here... although I'm quite sure I forgot something... STM.

Tags:
 
 
Listening To: Alones - Aqua Timez
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
20 June 2009 @ 00:30

Well, almost anyway. Still gotta help my sis mail the paperwork back to ROM tomorrow.

Besides the stupid weather, it was a really good day I suppose. So I was tasked to open the car door for the groom this morning. Well, first, they locked all the doors (and gate) to the house before realising that I was still inside the house and had to unlock it all for me to get out again. And then, after the groom arrived, we all suddenly realised that I have no way of getting into the house until after the groom manages to convince them to open the door for him. So essentially I was locked out of my own house haha... and it's interesting that none of the neighbours have realised that I'm back.

And so after all the fun was over... and so they were paying their compliments to my grandmother before leaving for the groom's house... and as I stood at a corner watching them pay their compliments and looking at my grandmother's expression, I seriously almost cried. I'm pretty sure my grandmother was that close to crying too.

And then we realised that as her brother, apparently I'm supposed to follow the bride to the groom's place. So I went without any idea whatsoever about what I was supposed to be doing there haha... it was my first time there though, and met his parents for the first time too. Went down to Seletar Dam for a while to get some pictures taken... it was interesting how all the cars suddenly slowed down at where we were haha...

And then it was back home for tea ceremony (I was told that not many people still practice this today). So it was them serving tea to the elders, and me serving them tea at the end. Feels weird addressing my bro-in-law as 姐夫 all of a sudden.

Oh when taking family photos... so my parents and I sat in front and the couple stood behind us. So after the usual formal shot, the photographer was telling the couple to kiss and for my parents to kiss as well... and then as he was preparing to take the shot, everyone suddenly realised that something wasn't right because... well, let's just say I felt really bright.

And then nothing interesting happened until dinner. At Marina Mandarin! So I was the receptionist for the relatives on my side... met one of my cousin's husband for the first time (they got married last December), met the girlfriend of another cousin for the first time (didn't even know he was attached until last night). And apparently another cousin is gonna get married this December (will probably not be around again). And my goodness couldn't recognise any of my sister's old friends haha... well, to be fair, they didn't recognise me either hahahaha....

Well... dinner was dinner I guess... I think my cousins were quite amused at some of my responses and reactions to some of the comments being made on stage, and I think none of them realised (until the proposal video was played) that it has indeed been a 9 years courtship. By the way, the music for the proposal video was really good... Wedding Day, by the Bee Gees :)

Well, drove my parents home, and that's that. I'm done here.


Edited 220609 2049 hrs GMT +8

I forgot to mention that halfway through the dinner, my bro-in-law started this surprise (well, wasn't a surprise to me, but it was supposed to be a surprise for my sis) performance for my sis and he and his friend started playing the guitar and he was singing I'm Yours by Jason Mraz to her. Well, first of all, I had no idea whatsoever that he could play the guitar. And besides, he was more of singing than playing anyway hahahaha... but he was saying before the start of his performance that whenever this song came up on the radio in the car, my sis would cheer him up by doing her patented rabbit dance (yes, he says its patented). So while he was singing, my cousins being my cousins (those who know my cousins will know what I mean), started shouting "rabbit dance! rabbit dance!" hahaha... so that was also the first time I saw the rabbit dance hahahaha.... quite amusing, I have to admit.

And now that the paperwork is mailed out, I'm really done here.

Tags:
 
 
Listening To: Wedding Day - Bee Gees
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
16 June 2009 @ 22:19

I blame Sir for the title.

But yes, I got my warning order this evening. From my sis that is. So this Friday is gonna be my see-(some)-of-my-relatives-once-a-year day... didn't expect tt I'll get such a day this year actually. But that's besides the point...

Apparently I'm required to serve tea to my sis and my bro-in-law. I didn't know that haha... don't get me wrong, it's not tt I mind, I don't. I just didn't know tt haha....

Anyway... would a white shirt go better with a black jacket, or a greyish black shirt (the one I wore for the graduation)? Hmm...

Need to remember to wash the car on my way home from the office on Thursday... got a sneaky feeling I'll forget actually haha

On a totally unrelated note, I've got a bad feeling about something.

Tags:
 
 
Listening To: Love Story - Taylor Swift
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
15 June 2009 @ 00:49

So it was my friend's mother last week.

This evening I just got news from another friend of mine who is (or actually by now, probably was) in London, telling me that he's on his way home now because his grandfather just passed away.

You folks now see why I try my best to always keep my immigration documents in order? It's cos of times like these when I'll actually need to leave and get home fast.

After all, like you once pointed out to me, life really is quite fleeting.

 
 
Feeling Kinda: contemplative
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
10 June 2009 @ 23:51

While doing a spot of random surfing tonight, I chanced upon a blog that revealed to me that I have been wrong about something for the past few months.

And right now, I'm actually feeling a little sorry for that guy...

 
 
Feeling Kinda: in thought
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
09 June 2009 @ 22:06

This entry isn't about me. Well, not directly anyway. Probably a first...

But the more I think about it (and the more I discuss it with a few other people), the more worried I get. Actually, it's been at the back of my mind for a few months now.

But I seriously see a friend of mine walking down a path that I myself have walked down before. And you know what? It's not a path that I would ever, ever, ever wish upon anyone, no matter how much I hate them. And since I'm calling this person a friend, there's obviously no hate involved here.

And of course, the thing is, I have no good advice whatsoever to give. Sure, as another friend put it to me today, it's sometimes amusing to be a bystander. But on a deeper level, I realise that it's not amusing at all, and I'm seriously afraid that at the end of the day, this friend of mine is gonna end up like me.

*sigh*

But anyway. My job here is done come the end of next Friday... (or maybe the early hours of next Saturday, depending on what time the event finishes ehh?)

 
 
Feeling Kinda: worried
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
06 June 2009 @ 23:49

So I went west today! And drove on some roads which I believe I haven't driven on since Daytona... hmm... and I made 2 small detours on the way home.

Well, it was a nice drive. Driving alone is good sometimes really. Although driving with good company is better... the problem is that good company is really hard to find... and of course, the thing is, drives here tend to be short (unless you're driving a MID vehicle).

Anyway! You know how in the US when you go buy stuff they usually wish you a nice day? (Or a good night, depending on wad time of the day it is). And so I usually reply with a "you too". So wad happened this evening was I went to buy some dinner, so the person told me "here is your change" and I thanked her. So her next sentence was "Your food will be served to you shortly"... just that the thing is I'm so used to the other side now by reflex action I went "you..." before I stopped myself. It would have been quite embarrassing if I completed the sentence wouldn't it?

Hmm sports update. The Penguins are currently drawn with the Detroit Red Wings for the Stanley Cup finals... and it seems like it's Lakers vs Magic on the basketball side? haha... go Pens! :)

Tags:
 
 
Listening To: I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
06 June 2009 @ 00:50

In a slight continuation of yesterday's entry...

So I was flipping through the pile of junk on the table beside the door this (actually yesterday, since it's after midnight now) afternoon (during lunch hour, official lunch hour :p), when I came across the following:

And I really couldn't help it but laugh to myself. Literally. Oh, and right below it was the stack of Mas Selamat posters that were printed out last year and posted on the door at various times while we were there.

I'm extremely amazed that after one year, these few pieces of papers are actually still lying around the office, and that no one actually bothered to clear them. Seriously amazed... I never in my life expected to see them again. So of course the thing is, I figured that I was about the only person in that room now who can remotely claim ownership over these papers, so I took them :p the sad thing was there was no one available in the room to share the joke (well, can it be called a joke?) with.

And then afterwards, I found myself the only joker left in the office at 1700 hrs.

So yes, I link items with people (and places) too. And I also link songs to certain people, event or places.

Anyway! I forgot to mention yesterday that Farrer Road is still one huge construction site. I'm freaking sure that it's been a huge construction site for at least 5 years already, cos I'm dead sure it was already in this state when I was in J1. Seriously... and it feels weird that Boon Lay is no longer the last station on the western end of the line.

And seriously, Singapore is too crowded for its own good. *sigh*

By the way, I've been told that I've been described as "stone" by someone whom I met recently. There's probably some truth in it.

And I'm very surprised nothing happened tonight. Very surprised indeed...

 
 
Listening To: Glasgow Love Theme - Love Actually Soundtrack
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
04 June 2009 @ 20:53

Not. Andrew Carnegie would be so disappointed in me... ahh well, who cares?

Well, it's not my first time back there (it's my third actually), so I guess I know what to expect. And I also know not to expect too much of myself. Was quite amused on my first day when the first paper that I got was from CMU (somehow I think my sup did it on purpose). Of course, the thing is that they published the paper but they didn't release the tool, so I've put in a request which is still pending... hmm....

Well, the work itself is not the problem (yet). I'm taking it really slowly. The pay is really pathetic, but I can't really be bothered about that. The problem is the place. It feels kinda strange actually. It's the same place, same room, neighbouring table (I'm taking Chris's old table), but very different people. The atmosphere is different. And it feels really weird.

I mean, I usually link places with certain specific memories. Which is why I feel that when you return to a same place with very different people (or if you stay at the same place while the people change), you'll just feel really lousy.

So the day I reported, was pleasantly surprised to see quite a number of familiar faces with me signing the required papers. And then, we all went our separate ways and I realised I was the only one going back to that office *sigh* And then I stepped into the office and found 3 familiar faces (YX, ZH and JW), plus another familiar face one level down (YS). Well, not that I'm close to them, but still, at least I know some people right? Those of you who know me will know that I'm not exactly the most sociable or outgoing person on earth, so making friends is not that easy. Especially when it's you with one bunch of people who have known each other for so long. And when you're the second youngest chap in the room. And then I considered the fact that I'm linked to the organisation in other ways, I realised that I'm threading on somewhat dangerous grounds in that room. Not that I'm being elitist or wad, but you just feel... outside?

So I kinda ran away (well, not that I had a choice) for huge portions of the morning on Tuesday and Wednesday to settle the airfare quotes business (which by itself is ridiculously ridiculous). And so while I was there, the HR person and I chatted and I quite liked the conversations actually, because they were pretty frank. (Which, where HR is concerned, might be pretty rare I suspect). So we talked about life in the US, about scholarships (the Singapore kind), plus other realities and facts of life.

Speaking of which, I got assigned the freshies I'm supposed to be taking care of for a while. Two of them. First of all, one of them is going to John Hopkins. Now, how on earth am I supposed to be helping someone going to John Hopkins is beyond me. Second, both are non-CS majors. *sigh* I'll probably meet them next Tuesday though, see how that goes.

You know, somehow I feel like a tourist now. Or maybe just a visitor. Hearing Singlish all around me while walking along the streets requires some getting used to. In fact, I hvn't totally adjusted to it yet. There have been significant changes to the house (some renovation work was done), although my room still looks recognisable as my room (not that it was as I left it, but similar enough). And I'm not a food person, so I've more or less eaten everything I wanna eat with the exception of Roti Prata.

Oh yeah, driving! Since I came back, I've managed to hit the wiper stick instead of the signal stick once (much to the amusement of my bro-in-law to be, who kindly chose not to warn me when he saw me about to do it *mutters*), attempted to change gears using my right hand (and failed miserably since the gear stick was on the left), almost turned into the right (as in, the opposite of left) side of the road once, and stopped on the wrong side at the petrol station (of course, I only realised this after the guy pulled the hose over to the other side opps...). Oh yeah, I'm a guai driver now... have been stopping at every stop sign :p I suspect that sooner or later some guy is gonna horn at me, but that's his (or her) problem hahaha... (Oh yeah, the stop sign that I almost didn't stop at in Champaign? That was my bad... didn't realise that there was a stop sign haha, thanks for pointing it out to me) About the only thing that I don't have to get used to again is the speedometer. For the simple reason that even when driving in the US, I refer more to the kilometre scale than the mile scale of the speedometer. Oh, and there were new road markings to get used to.

Actually, if I have the chance, I wouldn't mind taking a nice long drive to some place back in the US, driving alone. I think if I have the chance I'll do it.

Uh not to mention that my sis (or rather, my bro-in-law to be) did some modifications to my sis's car. My mouth literally fell open at the airport carpark (no, not from the heat).

And of course, the weather sucks. But I've adjusted back to it I guess.

Sidenote: My phone worked in Champaign! And it's a tri-band phone... I hereby conclude it's probably AT&T's fault :p

Actually, in all honesty, I think driving in the US has taught me, above all, how to be a more patient driver. I've been taking things very easily on the road. Not that it matters how good (or bad) a driver I am. But I digress. So yeah, all in all, have been feeling quite sianz actually. Seriously, if you told me to fly back to Pittsburgh tomorrow, I'll probably just go "orh". I might not wanna come back for such a long period of time in future breaks.

And of course, there's the thing that happened last Saturday night that reminded me of one reason why I dislike (hate seems too strong a word) being home so much.

And a bee just flew into my room *stares at it flying around*

Well, there are still places that I want to visit but I have yet to get down to it. Some places are old (remember wad I said about memories up there?), some of them are new. Happened to be in the area of the canal the other day, and so I couldn't resist taking a few pics and posting them.

So yeah. That's the update on my pathetic life. Did I miss anything out? I'll add it in if I remember.

Oh well, I'll live.

Now to go do smth about that stupid bee. No thank you, I dun particularly feel like being stung in the middle of my sleep.

 
 
Listening To: Still - Hillsongs
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
25 May 2009 @ 23:14

Hmm I just realised that the last time (and the only time) that I got angry with you was almost exactly 4 years ago, 14th May... was quite surprised you still remember, actually.

I dunno. You probably got angry with me more times than that right? hmm...

 
 
Feeling Kinda: sigh...
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
24 May 2009 @ 11:35

突然好想你 - 五月天

最怕空气突然安静
最怕朋友突然的关心
最怕回忆突然翻滚
绞痛着不平息
最怕突然听到你的消息

想念如果会有声音
不愿那是悲伤的哭泣
事到如今
终于让自己属于我自己
只剩眼泪还骗不过自己

突然好想你
你会在哪里
过的快乐或委屈
突然好想你
突然锋利的回忆
突然模糊的眼睛

我们像一首最美丽的歌曲
变成两部悲伤的电影
为什么你
带我走过最难忘的旅行
然后留下最痛的纪念品

我们那么甜 那么美
那么相信
那么疯 那么热烈的曾经
为何我们
还是要奔向各自的幸福
和遗憾中老去

突然好想你
你会在哪里
过的快乐或委屈
突然好想你
突然锋利的回忆
突然模糊的眼睛

最怕空气突然安静
最怕朋友突然的关心
最怕回忆突然翻滚
绞痛着不平息
最怕突然听到你的消息
最怕此生已经决心自己过
没有你却又突然
听到你的消息

突然好想你。

 
 
Listening To: 突然好想你 - 五月天
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
21 May 2009 @ 15:32

So I'm home. I know I'm supposed to be feeling really happy and all, but somehow a wave of sadness has overcome me.

Actually I know why. I just dunno wad to do about it.

In the heat of summer sunshine
I miss you like nobody else

 
 
Feeling Kinda: moody
Listening To: Summer Sunshine - The Corrs
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
10 May 2009 @ 14:24

... so be it. I know I'm dumb.

 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
04 May 2009 @ 17:17
GG  

You know you're pretty much screwed when you flip open the exam paper early in the morning and the first thing you see is "Question 1 (130p)". Died pretty nicely for my second paper too.

Not that it's not my fault. I have to admit that I haven't been working as hard as I should have. Am just totally unmotivated and extremely tired already. Seriously, the amount of sleep I had last wk just trying to do my work (and I didn't even finish all of them) was amazing.

So anyway, the Fat Sad Man comes on tomorrow. (For those who dunno about the Fat Sad Man, try looking at the last slide of (almost) every GTI lecture note)

And the stupid flu. Have managed to convince my parents that there's NO WAY for me to avoid going to states that have it (anyway, PA reported its first case already), so that's that. But looking at it as it is now, I won't be surprised if I'm slapped with a Section 15 of the Infectious Diseases Act (aka Home Quarantine Order) the moment I touch down back home. Suddenly going home doesn't look very enticing anymore hmm.... oh well.

Anyway. I came up with a theory on how the figures reported in the papers can be really misleading. Anyone ever realise that those figures only go up, and not down?

Anyway. Praise God for waking me up this morning just in time to go for my exam... haha overslept again, but He somehow woke me up at 0800 hrs. :)

Right. On to dying tomorrow.

 
 
Feeling Kinda: stressed
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
23 April 2009 @ 03:01

So the class I'm grading for had an assignment due Tuesday night, but we're being pretty flexible about the hand in date because it is not a trivial assignment. So they're supposed to be turning in a C source file, let's just call it gg.c.

So apparently one guy did something really... bad... yeah well, basically, he sent us a screen shot of his shell terminal that had the following lines (for those of you who are familiar with shell commands, you shldn't hv problems understanding it)

% ./gg -flags arguments
Segmentation Fault
% rm gg.c
% ls
-ls output-
% ls
-ls output-

It was basically at this point in time he took a screenshot, circled the line with the "rm" command, drew a crying face, and sent us a screenshot asking for an extension.

I'm sorry but I couldn't stop laughing after I saw it. And the way he called 02 x "ls" commands right after that... haha... Oh my goodness. I'm so gonna keep that screenshot...

 
 
Feeling Kinda: amused
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
05 April 2009 @ 14:01

When I was still in Singapore prior to coming over to the US, everytime you read about gun violence in the newspapers you'll think to yourself that well, the US is pretty far away. Doesn't really affect me in anyway does it?

And then I came to the US. So there have been gun violence crimes in recent weeks. First, in Oakland, CA, which is well, on the west coast and still pretty far way. And then it was New York. Well, closer, but still a plane ride away.

And then I came to the realisation yesterday that three police officers were shot and killed in Pittsburgh yesterday morning. 4.3 km north of campus. I think tt's pretty darn near enough. I suppose many of you might have read about it already, seeing that it's been reported all over the world, including the Sunday Times and CNA.

I think Pittsburgh can be considered to be one of the relatively safer cities in the US already, hence the fact that such an event could happen here is mildly shocking actually. Well, the thing is, CMU is kinda like an island within Pittsburgh itself. People in here get so caught up with their work and wad not, none of us (including myself) really have an idea of what goes on in the city beyond the campus's boundaries. I think I'm not far off the mark when I say that if you pick any random person in the world, he/she is more likely to have known about yesterday's incident than any CMU student you pick.

It's like we're in this protected bubble of our own and we don't give two hoots about what goes on right outside it. That's not healthy.

Makes me wonder if that's what education is all about. Books, classes, homework, quizzes, exams, school activities.

As for the three officers... well, they didn't deserve to die. This morning on the bus I saw this lady who went up to hug the officer who was directing traffic at Allegheny Commons. I think it's a very nice gesture.

Right. Back to.... work (wad else?).

 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
04 April 2009 @ 04:45

So after fiddling around with ScheduleMan with some other people this evening (after finally finishing GTI *mutters*), this is what I currently have.

So of course the thing is that out of all those courses you see on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 of them I more or less have to take. The last one if I can find a substitute that I think I might reasonably like and if it somehow or other fits into the rest of the schedule, I will consider switching. But then again....

*sigh* Someone just shoot me now.

Right. Sleep. 40 days.

Tags:
 
 
Feeling Kinda: exhausted
 
 
Vincent "Vinnie" Teo
25 March 2009 @ 02:18

So here we are discussing homework at 0215 with a test later in the morning. And part of the conversation went as such:
Me: yeah, but each number doesn't represent one bit wad
Friend: doesnt?
Me: no?
Friend: why not?
Me: why yes?
Friend: hmm
Me: I mean
Friend: actually i think i know what you mean

I think that's an excellent way to answer questions :p Hey, it works!

Right, back to work, and sleep.