8 Guys + 1 Girl

I had a group coursework for Fluid Mechanics last term, which we were to design an examination question in relation to our course syllabus, a proper answer sheet and marking scheme. Due to the lack of female species in my engineering course, I was grouped with another 7 guys. Because it involved group work, we had to stay in uni quite often to have regular meeting regarding the content of our coursework.

All of us were yet to realise, until our group leader Hugh inform us that there was actually another group member who she herself wasn't aware that she was in our group. Yes it was a SHE.

There was one meeting that all the group members had to present own's work solution to others. The meeting was held in the coffee lobby of my department. There was no proper table available, hence, the meeting was carried out with all of us sitting on chairs, with a low coffee table in the centre.

All the guys obtained similar solution, therefore no further discussion took place. Until she presented her different workings for the question, we were confused and needed her to give further explanation.

She sat on her chair, bent almost 70 degrees (from the vertical) to reach the coffee table in order to write her workings. She was wearing a rather loose top, hence, u know, it kept slipping and "something" kept revealing. I could feel the intense atmosphere at that instance. All the guys (including me) were holding our breathe, trying to concentrate on the paper, at the mean time praying nothing "slippery" would happen.

She carried on her explanation, with complete silence among the guys. No further question was raised.

We were gald that the meeting ended early. In the end, the friction was able to withstand the gravitational force, although it was barely. Really.

I was reminded of this incident because I saw her wearing the same top in lecture today.

Sakuragi

Slam Dunk, my favourite manga when I was young. Sakuragi Hanamichi, the character who is always spastic (just look at the pictures) and clumsy. Yet he was the one who developed my interest and drove my motivation the most to play basketball. So much of disappointment when I just started to play basketball in my primary years. However I never gave up, because I looked up to him. =)

Well, although my basketball skills still isn't kickin' ass.... =P. And I don't play as often as I did anymore.

Despite the colourful, hilarious and high-achieving Sakuragi in the manga, I found out that the manga was actually inspired by a Japanese basketball player. Yes there was a Sakuragi Hanamichi in real life. However, his life was tragic.

Sakuragi Hanamichi was born in 1968. He lost his mother since he was young. He was in a very small size when he was young, therefore he was always teased by other kids. Since then he had learnt to deal with this kind of problem with violence.

When he was 12, he was in the height of 178 cm (man I am still below that and I am 21 -_-). In an occasion of fighting he was spotted by a coach, who discovered his potential. Hence he started playing basketball.

When he was 17, he was playing against the Japanese national team in a basketball competition. He had succeeded in impressing Japan in his rookie match by scoring 33 points.

However, his father was in fatal condition and he had to rushed back to Tokyo. On the way of crossing the road to the hospital, he was knocked by a car. That was the last journey of his life and he was only 18.

Sorry for the lousy translation. lol.

I feel so shocked to read that his life is such a tragic. When he was about to start his high achievement in basketball, the accident stole his life. I realise how vulnerable life could be. And I also learnt that there are always underlying stories behind a story. It is always those underlying stories which lead to the story that we are seeing, or experiencing.

Suddenly, I feel like playing basketball again now.

The Untold Truth

Today I got emotional watching a show. Not some tragic Korean dramas though.

If there is a 40 minutes to spare, download this (although its illegal =P) and watch.

The Long-Waited

I have small ears. Thats why I feel extremely uncomfotable putting on standard earphones into my ears. The feeling is like stucking a pencil into his penis (after correction from Nik). Hence, when I first got my Ipod mini, I bought a Sennheiser PMX 60 from ebay because I thought my ears would feel more comfortable with it, and it looked kinda cool too.

Indeed, it does serve above functions. But it doesn't comfort my heart. The transducer principle of the headphone is dynamic open, which means (to me), with your headphone on, people aournd you still can share the music with you. In other words, they can listen to what exactly you are listening, or the beat of the bass, if the volume is slightly higher.

Doesn't feel good. I could feel people around me in the bus, or in a silent atmosphere (eg library) staring cock at me. It's as though they see an alien wearing a headphone. -_-

Hence, I had to turn down the volume. What came next? I could hear the annoying sound of vehicles or dogs barking when I was walking. Yeah its good as a sign of aware that dogs are coming to bite me. But the music? No more enjoyment really.

Therefore, I decided to buy an insert type earphone (with closed transducer principle specifically!). Asked around and made some research online and finally, from the recommendation of Matthew, who has maybe 6 to 7 earphones of this type, I opt for Pioneer SE-CL30.

I searched ebay, kelkoo, amazon, google, ebay us, ebay hongkong................ No such product available.

Until I came across Audiocubes (a US website) and some other Taiwan and Japan website selling it. Japanese? Yeah I have the standard equivalent to primary one, so heck it. Taiwan? Need to join memebrship, survey this survey that. Oh well, lastly I decided to buy it from Audiocubes, on the 3rd of February.

The website provided me a tracking number for the item. I was so happy and lalala everyday kept tracking the status of my new toy.

It was dispatched from Osaka on the 12th of February, reached UK on the 14th. I was so exicted, waiting everyday when the postman would come.

But he didn't come. Not even a "You are out!" slip. AAHAHAAAJHhhhhhhh...........

Then I discovered it had been in the London Depot since the date of arrival, under the status of being held. What? They smuggled some heroine with my earphone or what?

In the end, I couldn't wait any longer and I called Parcel Force. Talked to the stupid computerised operator for a while, and finally got to complain to a real human operator.

Me: Where is my earphone?
She: Oh it has been attempted to be delivered. You did't get the slip?
Me: No. (Not even a hair)
She: Oh ok I'll arrange a redelivery for you.
Me: Send it to Queensway post offfice please. I don't trust postman anymore.

And YES! I went to post office today to collect it. Man I was so excited (and desperate) after the long wait. After collecting, I just took my cutter out from my bag and cut the package, took the earphone out and put it on. The process took place in the post office for about 5 minutes.

It looks so gorgeous! (Sorry for the ulu-ness, its the long wait!)

Hah! I switched the volume of my mini (not cooper, its an Ipod) higher, and man the quality of the sound was superb! No more stare cocks. And its noise cancelling. Hence no more vrroom vroom or wow wow anymore. I even felt worried I couldn't hear the bus coming. Hahahaha.....

My ears are small. But the earbuds fit in nicely. The more brilliant thing is, it comes with 3 pairs of earbuds with different sizes. Wonderful!

In the bus, I could finally feel the music in my heart. The feeling was so good. I could feel Hacken Lee, Jay Chou and Alicia Keys singing next to me. =)

I nearly forgot to get off the bus. Plus, I wished the journey from the bus stop to my department was longer so that I could listen to more songs. =P

With the socks that Cherylmon gave me, at this instance, it has somehow controlled my lust. The lust of buying an Ipod Video. Hahahaha....

*Happy birthday to How Liong!!*

Dota

Dota, the most popular game for gamers nowadays. Who doesn't play dota? One thing great about dota is, it is not merely a game. It serves more than a game.

It makes gamers think. Think about strategy and skills. Above that, they download other good players' full game to have post match analysis. To learn and also, to develop strategies and skills to counter.

They are my housemates.

There is no border between dota. Dota makes people closer to each other. I had a friend, Quek who came down from Loughborough during Xmas holidays. Before he arrived I was worried I won't be hospitable enough. And he didn't know 2 of my housemates. But guess what, dota pulls them together and most of the time, he was playing and analysing dota with them. Nowadays they still play dota on hamachi, a dota server who people join and play. Some sort of combination of messenger and battlenet.

Even people who doesn't play dota (me) knows about hamachi. Can you imagine the popularity?

Dota also helps to make new friends. Look at the network expansion:

October: Yinky Chau, Wee Yow, XQ, Vilex.
November: October + Wei Mun, Patrick.
December: November + Quek, Quek's friend from Msia (thanks to battlenet).
January: December - Wei Munn - Vilex.
Wei Mun -- Unknown reason.
Vilex -- Not enough time to study.
February (now): Yinky Chau, Wee Yow, XQ, Patrick, Kwan Wey, Kwan Xiang.
Just nice for 3 vs 3. However they complain there is difference in level. =P

See! The power of dota.

Dota is addictive too. My housemate Wee Yow plays dota when he comes back from uni. Plays dota after dinner. And one more, or maybe two before he sleeps. Same for my roommate, Yinky Chau. Yinky Chau couldn't even sleep when he couldn't understand some "technique" in dota. He would jump out from bed, try to work out something from dota before getting the satisfaction.

Not to forget to mention, they have post match analysis after each game. Everywhere. After the match. On the way to uni. In 4 seasons. In Magic Wok. In my living room (happening now). In lecture hall. And etc.

I guess I have to stop here because they have just finished their post game analysis. They think I am blackmailing them now. Having said these, I would like to clarify I don't play dota. But see the power of dota? haha...

Real-ly Stunned

Real Madrid has the greatest money-making power among the world's football clubs. Upon that, Real Madrid has even greater power in delivering disappointment.

Stunned by Henry and a bunch of Arsenal young lads. Inexperienced bunch of players who seem so small compared to Beckham, Ronaldo's fame.

Yet its their confidence and hard work that pay off. Hard work for opening space for Henry.If it wasn't their lack of luck, Real could have gone 2 to 3 down.

Real, so what? Didn't even see any quality football flowing among Real players. Cicinho should have played as a right wing instead so that he won't leave the right side empty most of the time. Guti? Captain? Didn't even realise his presence. I feel Real's formation was without a mid field player. Hardly see a mid field player connecting the football.

And maybe they need one more Mourinho to lead them. The managers (who have been sacked, or is about to be sacked soon) are like Alex Yoong driving a Ferrari, losing to Sauber. Sorry Alex. haha...

Good play Benfica and AC Milan. Real made me lost my betting combination, again. =(

The Football Theory: Football Is Round has again be proven. Where is my luckkkkkkkkk?

Now I am looking forward to tomorrow's Chelsea vs Barcelona. Manuel got a ticket to Stamford Bridge. Damn...

Me: I heard u are going to Stamford Bridge?
Manuel: Yea man!
Me: Are you gonna sit with home fans or away fans?
Manuel: I'll sit at the home side but I am going to wear Barcelona jersey and carry a Spain flag and keep waving.
Check if you'll see me on the TV. A Spain flag among the home fans. Thats me.
Me: Are you sure?
Manuel: Of course I am sure MAN!
Me: .................

I admire his braveness. Oh forgot to mention, Manuel is a Spanish.

Look out for him on the TV, anyone.

Hopefully Crespo will be my Hero tomorrow!

A New Thing

I always have a weird feeling when I wanna use some of my old belongings. Old belongings which I haven't used them for a long long time. Some are hidden in my cupboard. Some are abandoned in my drawer. Or in my closet at the most bottom part, underneath all my clothes.

Like, I used to dig out some t shirts which I haven't worn for ages (or, I have abandoned them...) when I ran out of t shirts to wear. At the moment of stepping out my house, I hesitated and in the end took it off and changed. Somehow the feeling wasn't so right. I felt they make me look weird. Although they were once my favourites.

Same thing to my shoes, my bags, my jeans, my accessories, and etc.

I guess that's the reason I have this new page. I (highly) rarely even sribble anything on my msn page. Feel so weird to even click on the link. haha.

Hence, I created this new page. Hopefully I'll use it regularly so that I don have to create another one in the future.

Note: I don't treat my gurl friend and friends in this way tho. Don't worry mon! =)