Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Reach school at about twelve. I went to ELP to use the computer. SUrf net lol. Then at one pm, I went for medical microbiology lecture. I actually thought that there is no break between medical microbiology lecture and pharmacology tutorial. Wei Ting told me about that. So I went for my lunch during this break. Actually, I intended to take my lunch after the pharmacology lecture and tutorial. SInce got this break, eat during this break lol.

At three, went for pharmacology lecture and tutorial. The lecture was supposed to be in the morning. But then morning no immunology and marketing tutorial, so I ask Miss Yong to shift the morning lecture and combine it with the tutorial. So don't need to wake up so early ma... Haha... A group of Ang Mo Kio Secondary School students come to NYP for some food science workshop. There were some refreshments outside the food science lab. Wan Xin and peers tried to take but then they stopped when Mr Tan (not Mr Tan Khoo Bin, is another food science lecturer, Mr Steward Tan) looked at them. He looked in a weird way. Damn funny lol.

After the pharmacology lesson, went to library with Soon Aik, Yi Ting and Zhu Zhe to accompany them to do their immunology tutorial. After they finished, they went off first while I stay behind to use the computer a while more.

Reach home, eat, bath, watch tv, sleep...

I wonder whether I am diagnosed with this mental problem, psychosis.

WHAT IS PSYCHOSIS?

Psychosis is a condition that affects the mind. A person who has a psychotic illness may have delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking or abnormal behaviour. When someone becomes ill in this way, it is called a psychotic episode.

HOW COMMON IS PSYCHOSIS?

Psychosis is most likely to occur in young adults and is fairly common. Around 1 in 50 people will experience a psychotic episode in their lifetime. Like any other illness it can be treated and most people make a full recovery.

WHAT CAUSES PSYCHOSIS?

It is due to chemical imbalances in the brain, leading to a disruption of brain functioning. Some possible factors contributing to a psychotic episode are:
• Physical illness
• Environmental factors
• Genetic predisposition

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Feeling:
• Sad or irritable
• Isolated
• Confused or puzzled
• Like you cannot trust people
• Like you are being watched

Behaviour:
• DIfficult sleeping
• Talking or smiling to yourself
• Neglecting your appearance
• Avoid contact with people
• Behaving aggressively

Thinking/Perception
• Thinking people who are against you or talking about you
• Receiving personal messages from the TV or radio
• Senses seem sharper
• Hearing voices
• Seeing visions or things that others cannot see
• Thinking you have special powers

This issue first caught my attention when I was at Braddell mrt station. I saw this advertisment in the mrt notice board when I was waiting for my friend. As I read through the advertisment and when I reached the symptoms part, I was like wondering whether I have psychosis.

So why I wonder?? Let's start from the feelings of the symptoms sections. Out of the five points there, I actually possesed two of the characteristic. Isolated and being watched. I always feel isolated for no reason, and then usually I feel lonely at home. As for the second point, I always feel that I being watched by others. That probably explain why I always turn my head behind and see what's happening.

Let moves on the behaviour section. This section is probably more servere. Out of the five, I got three!!! First problem, difficult sleeping. Sometimes in the night, it takes me about 30 min to an hour before I will sleep. The recommend guide of having a good sleep is 10 min. The second problem, neglecting my appearance. I don't know what they are referring to. But I suppose is my clothing. Well... I am already trying to solve this problem by buying new clothes (although I have not done it, still trying to do so probably after next hair cut?) although I am still wearing my own clothes currently. As for the third problem, avod contact with people. I do sometimes avoid contact with people for which I do not know why. Maybe I feel I not too close with them??

Finally the last section, thinking/perception. Not much of a problem except thinking of people who are against you or talking about you. SOmetimes I do feel that there are people who are actually talking about me. Whether it is positive or negative with me, I do not know.

So in conclusion, am I diagnosed with psychosis??? I do not know...

Monday, October 30, 2006

Woke up at nine since there was no morning lesson. I went to school at twelve to continue to do my pharmaceutics report (still have not finish after doing a week). Then at one, I went for my pharmacology tutorial. This was a make up lesson for last week public holiday. After the tutorial, accompany Soon Aik to submit his MC for Friday. Saw Miss Karen Ho (My pharmaceutical chemistry lab instructor). Didn't see her for a long time. She have her hair cut. Lol, anyway, it does not matter to me. After that, I accompany Yu Sheng and gang to do their report. Actually, I was waiting for them to go and eat. But then I kept waiting until three forty when I couldn’t take it, I decided to go and eat by myself.

At four, I went for my first medical microbiology practical. Such a long time since I had a microbiology practical. Nearly forgot those to do when I enter the lab, wash your hands, swap your benches, etc. Jay is as cool as he used to be. The way he talks made him cool. Haha. He got handle two classes at one time. MB0506 was also having a medical microbiology practical session next door with Jay as well. Same time as well. The first practical was quite fast. 30 minutes and we finished our stuff. Of course, it was only the first part. So next week got to continue. One the part I did was actually taking a stick with cotton wool and stuff it into my nose to get the mucus lol. Disgusting right…. But no choice since Shereen will never do it. The purpose of doing it was to check whether there was any bacteria in my nose… But luckily, I did not have to take a sample of urine (part of the experiment also). Used Yeo Weijie’s urine sample. Haha. Again, this was to check whether there was any bacteria in the urine sample.

After the practical, went to ELP to finish up my lab report. Then I went to print. I find that there was something wrong with the printer. When I printed my graph, all the grid lines disappear. I wonder what happen to the printer. Then I got to rush to the admin office to submit my class report. Mr Tan was on leave but he already instructed us to hand in the report on Monday six pm. Just as we reached the admin office, the office was closed. But then, luckily, the staff was about to leave and I asked her to help me put the report in Mr Tan pigeonhole. Lucky indeed.

After that, Yu Sheng and gang left first while I head to the library to do some things. Actually, I wanted to use msn to ask Miss Yong something. But then she was already offline. So I sms her instead (lol my sms has already exceed the limit for the month). Then I also did my immunology tutorial in CMS. About seven fifteen, I went home.

Reach home, took dinner. My mother done her spring cleaning of the house again lol. Others clean do spring cleaning once a year while my mother does it once every month. Nothing to say. Throughout the night, the main door was kept open. I did not even bother to locked it as I know my father will go and open it again…

Another day just pass…

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Woke up at about nine plus. At eleven, I went to my grandma place to use the computer. Then I return home at about one forty.

Mum was busy. So I got to go and buy lunch. Bought Chicken rice. As usual, I got to quene up (there is always a lot of people buying chicken rice at lunch time). After finish my lunch, I went to do my pharmaceutics report.

At about six, I went out and stroll around bishan, J8 (as usual lol). When I was in the library reading newspaper, I kept hearing some noises like sand being thrown onto the floor. I looked at the window and realized it was raining. Then I have no choice but to keep strolling around J8 and the neighborhood even it was seven plus (the usual time that I go home). Then I thought of something, why not go Jia Yi’s house and borrow an umbrella since his live so near J8? By the time I thought of this, it was nearly eight pm. So I went to his house and borrow an umbrella. So, I was able to go home. Throughout my strolling, my parents call me but I did not answer, as I did not sense my phone vibration (my phone is always switched to silent mode). And when I tried to call back, the phone was hung up. Probably, my father had done it.

When I got home, I saw my father and he asked me where I got my umbrella. I told him I borrowed from my friend. The next thing was he gave me a lecture. He kept saying what’s the point of having a phone! Nobody answer the call! Why there was an English voice that kept answering (the voice record). I did not want to answer him back. I knew it was pointless. He was already in bad mood. It’s always been like that since I was a child. Every weekend he go out. And most of the time, when he came back, he was in bad mood. I do not wish to explain why. And whenever he was in bad mood, he will vent his frustrations by doing some very silly things. Like throwing the phone (he hates the phone ringing). That’s why I wasn’t able to call back just now. He will also anyhow throw things away, like plates, food, etc. I sick and tired of his behaviour lol. I sometimes wonder why am I born into such a family. Why do I have to endure such behaviour? Sometimes, I just hate my father.

Then at night, he kept the main door opened. When he went to sleep (he usually sleeps early), I locked the door. But then when everyone was asleep, he went to open the main door again, and the door was kept opened for the whole night.

Till now, I still do not get it why he likes to keep the main door open. If it’s in the day, I can understand. There are people are coming to my house for hair services everyday, so keeping the main door open will make it more convenience for people to come in. But I don’t understand why he wants to keep the door open at night? Waiting for the God of Fortune to come. I do not know.

Saturday:
Woke up at ten plus. Then I head to my grandma place to use the computer. After that, I went back home. Realized that my mum was not cooking, I went out to buy lunch. After I finished my lunch, slacked at home until four to watch Full Metal ALchemists.

At about five, I headed to Panther place to play bleach. Aheda, Akabane, Jovian, Wen Gan and Zero were already there. Then I played team battle mode (team up with Aheda). Quite fun. Especially when I use Komamura and Aheda used Mayuri. We will like using ban kai whenever we can. WHat a Ban Kai fever. Haha... ALso team up with Panther for two matches. He used Kon in one of the match and he landed his unblockable on Wen Gan and Zero at the same time!!! OMG!!! At about seven plus, Zero and I went off first while the rest went for their dinner.

Reach my grandma place (again lol) to have my dinner. Then I used Dennis's computer to watch Death Note anime (from youtube lol).

At about ten plus, my aunt drove me home...

Bath, sleep... ANother day just pass...

Friday, October 27, 2006

Thursday:
Woke up as usual. Then reach school at nine for my first lesson of the day, medical microbiology lecture. Then followed by Immunology Lecture (Same lecturer lol, AK). After that, got Marketing lecture. The marketing lecture started quite late. The plan time was 11.10 but then due to technical error, the lecture starts at 11.40 (so late lol). But then this marketing lecture is an overview of what we have learn for the last sem, so it ended quite fast.

After that went for lunch. Actually didn't want to go to north canteen for lunch. But then when I stepped out of shopping arcade, saw Terence and gang and they were heading to north canteen as well, so ended up in north canteen for lunch. Then all of us sit together (13 people lo including Yu Sheng and others). It seems like an old gathering of MB0503. So many people eat chicken rice lol (7 people including me).

After we finish our lunch, we walked back together to Block Q. Terence and gang got marketing tutorial while we have our Pharmaceutics Lecture. This pharmaceutics lecture was killing me lol. SO dry and boring. Don't even understand the whole lecture lol.

After pharmaceutics lecture, went for Skills practical. Got to make two preparations lol. Some people choose to do the report first, while others choose to make the two preparations first. I accidentally spilled the powder on the bench then got to reweight again (waste time lol). Finish my whole practical at about five plus. But then I stay behind the lab to help Miss Ang carry her stuff. Imagine she needs to carry her own stuff, the preparations we make and out lab notebook. I carried the notebook while Soon Aik carried the preparations.

As we walk to atrium, we were chatting about the grouping stuff propose by Yeo Weijie. After Zhu Zhu accompany Yi Ting to wait for her father while Yu SHeng, Soon Aik and I head off first.

Reach back Bishan. Suppose to buy chicken rice but the stall was not opened so ended cooking noodles at home and eat.

Friday:
Reach school at nine for my first immunology practical. The lecturer is a part time lecturer. The practical was about blood staining. Of course I didn't used my blood. Used SHereen's blood instead (means she got pricked). After immunology practical, went for Pharmaceutics practical. Lol. The briefing so long about 35 min. The practical also quite long. Need to do two parts and my group did the faster part. But then next week need to do the longer part as well. Left the lab at about one fifty cause I stayed back in the lab to ask Mr Tan questions about report. Then took my lunch (finish in five min lol)) and head to my Clinical Trials lecture.

The lecture was not bad. The lecturer is quite a nice person. She was able to deliver her lecture well. And then there was quiz and people were quire enthu about it. After lecture ended, I headed to ELP to finish the last bit of my pharmacology tutorial and printed it (print it in the photocopy shop since I can no longer print at ELP). Bought my medical microbiology practical manual as well. It was so thin. Seriously, they should have just staple it and it will probably cosy only fifty cents insteasd of $1.40. Waited for people in school for them to submit their Pharmacology tutorial. I thought Miss Yong was teaching biochemistry in the LTS-2. Then I went and reealized that it was Miss Shailu teaching it lol. After everyone submitted, I went to the staff office to had in the tutorial to Miss Yong.

After that, I went to the library to find ziYi. Accompany him to go the bustop to wait for bus, but then the moment we reached the bus stop, his bus came. So we didn't manage to chat much. For me, I walked to AMK mrt station lol. Not that far, so i decided to walk (only save a bit of transport money).

Reach home at six. I have decided to return home because I wanted to have a short rest and bath before I go to bugis. Went to bugis and play games lol. This time I reduced my spending lol. Still losing to Uncle Lim in sc3. Must learn to adapt to his style. Play a game of guilty gear (GG) since I have not play the game for a long time. Beat an Eddie play twice but then I lost later.

Went back home at eleven plus with Jovian.

Then bath and sleep at one...

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Woke up at seven plus casue lesson start at nine. Have my first Immunology Lecture. Got to say AK is a great lecturer. He really knows how to deliever his lecture well. He seems very prepared for lecture.

Then head to ELP to use the computer a while before going for pharmacology lecture at eleven. After the lecture ended, head to south canteen for lunch. Then went to the photocopy vendor to print and photocopy tomorrow marketing lecture notes for the whole class (job of class reP???). Then at one, got the usual schdule pharmacology lecture. Just now the lecture was the made up lecture. Yesterday was public holiday. So need to have a made up lecture (that's the problem for poly students). Can you imagine having three hours of pharmacology?? Luckily, the first and second lecture is spaced one hour apart and today's lecture is not really hard.

After the lecture ended, went to ask Miss Yong about the tutorial. Cause don't know how to do. That's why I ask her. You wonder why ask her how to do when we are going to tutorial session. The reason is because, the tutorial has marks and is part of the assessment. Thus, need to do well in this part to score for pharmacology. SO no choice got to ask her how to do the tutorial. Help Shereen to ask Miss Yong a question. Then I called for Shereen, I did not know what was going on my mind, I just called MISS YONG instead of Shereen. Probably I was too rush, as a result, call wrong names. Really very sorry. I still feeling bad about it.

After that, help Miss Yong to take our Skills notebook to the office. Got 25 books. A bit heavy. Can't expect Miss Yong to take right. SO help her take lol. Then went to library with Yu SHeng and Yi Ting. I went to use the computer to do my tutorial and lab report. Lol. I still have not finish my pharmaceutics lab report. Then Yi Ting left followed by Yu Sheng. Left the school at about seven plus.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Wake up as usual. Then left home at about ten to go to the MRT station to get my free TODAY newspaper. Cause today is public holiday, so the paper is available at ten. I got to get it myself cause my dad didn't take it for me. The paper arrived late. Only got it at about ten twenty something.

Stay at home until about twelve plus and I went out to buy lunch. At about three forty, went to Panther place. Farp, Aheda, Yu Jie and Jovian was there already. Aheda had already stay overnight. Use Farp labtop for a while. Then saw some vids of Bleach. SO cool lol. The combo was so awsome. Then play bleach. Jovian picked up the game quite fast. Lost to him a few matches (to think I play the game earlier than him). Got pretty own by Ioune and CHad. Ioune is so turtle. Even more turtle than Ishida. All she does is shoot projectile and then heal life lol Wait until time up to win opponent. So that's probably the reason why Aizen wants her (read the bleach manga). CHad's jab was like so ubberly fast. And I lost just because of his Jabs. SO cheap lol.

Left Panther place at about seven forty. Yu Jie took bus home. Then accompany Jovian to mac to buy fries. Then we parted ways at my house downstairs.

Eat, bath, watch tv, sleep...

Monday, October 23, 2006

Woke up as usual. Went to the bishan town council office to buy bills. Then on the way back bought char siew. After I finish my lunch, went back to school. Actually, I have no lesson today. But then i need to use the computer to do some of stuff. Eg. Need to attempt Immunology tutorial online. Need to do searches for the pharmacology tutorial.

Then meet at ziYi at about four. After that we went to the library. He needs to print lecture notes. So I decided to use the computer there lol. After that, ziYi left at five for his IT lecture while I continue to stay in the library to do my own stuff. At six, ziYi came back. DIdn't do much stuff lol. Didn't complete my lab report. Haiz. Then about seven forty, before we left, help ziYi hide some books (reference books lol). Reach home quite late, about eight thiry. Then mum was like complaining. Then she add something to my noodle which made me dislike the noodles lol.

Watch tv, bath then sleep...

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Morning woke up as usual. Took my breakfast and then watch tv at eleven (watch Yu Gi Oh anime lol). After that, went to do a bit of basic pharmaceutics report. After that, went around the neighbour to take a stroll. But then it rained the moment I stepped out of the house. So I waited until one (the rain has stopped) before I left house. I headed to the library first to surf net. Then went to Junction 8. At this moment, it rained again and it was more heavily than just now. Went to popular to buy A4 size notebook. Realized that it was the same one as I saw in AMK popular. Then I realized that popular seems to sell only one brand of A4 size notebook. If I known this earlier, probably, I could buy some here, then some at AMK popular and Toa Payah popular. Then the whole class can have the same A4 notebook. But then a bit too late. So I post it in the class blog to ask them to buy at popular if they have not bought their A4 notebook. I found one strange thing. A clear holder cost $0.95 while ten of it cost $2.80. So strange. The rain was still heavy. But then I decided to just run across the traffic. After ten minutes I reached home, the rain stopped. OMG.

It is always like that. Whenever it is raining, if you just wait there, the rain doesn’t seem to stop. Then you decided to go in spite of the rain (cause you think that the rain will not stop). When you reach your destination (let’s say it will take ten minutes), the rain then stopped. And you will stand there wondering whether you should have waited another ten minutes for the rain to stop.

Took my lunch. Then use a bit of time to my skills in extemporaneous preparations lab report (very simple lol). But then can’t do the rest of my schoolwork cause Immunology tutorial needs to be attempted online. Pharmacology tutorial, I probably need to do some searches in the net. So probably think I need to go back to school tomorrow (my free day lol) to do all these. Also, I may need to consult Mr Tan about basic pharmaceutics lab report.

Help mum to a bit of stuff then went out again. Went to grandma house to email stuff (cause need to transfer things from my floopy disk). Then went to bishan and take a stroll. Wanted to buy the clear holder (mention earlier) but then after I saw the quence, I decided not to buy.

Went home, eat, watch tv, bath, sleep...

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Morning woke up later than usual. Woke at about ten twenty. Usually about nine plus wake up or at most latest at about ten. Maybe too tired because yesterday I slept quite late (about one am although to some is still consider early).

After I finish my breakfast, I went to grandma place. But then I only left house at about twelve (usually about eleven or eleven plus). Cause need to wait mum to finish dong the touch up for grandma clothes. Went there then use the computer, surf net, download anime, etc.

Then I went back home at about two. Finish my lunch then slack at home lol. Then I watched Full Metal Alchemists at four. After that, took a bath and left for Panther place. Then need to help Aheda to buy something to eat. He wanted to eat char kuay teow. But then the coffee shop did not have. So I went to another coffee shop to look for it but that coffee shop did not have it either. So I bought fish and chip for him (since he requested for it). Reached Panther place at about five fifteen. Heard Akabane has already left (about five pm lol) Very few people came. Wen Gan, Zero and Wee min went to watch death note (don’t know why they want to watch on Saturday when it is so expensive.) I probably won’t go to the cinema to watch Death Note movie. Waiting for Soon Aik to download it and borrow from him. Hehe.. Aheda thought a lot of people would come, so he bought four bottles of Pepsi. But then it turned out to be like that. Probably you can guess already, I went there to play bleach. Anyway, if I know there weren’t many people, I won’t rush there. Play with Aheda. Was quite fun playing against his Kon. Ate his finisher a few times (kicking a ball to the opponent). Play Komamura for fun against him as well. In some matches, I used Byakuya cause he quite strong. Used Ishida and Aizen as well. Then Panther kept saying my playing style very cheap lol. About six plus, Timonty came. Apparent, he had walked all the way from Beatty secondary school to Panther place (damn far lol, wonder how he ended up there).

At about seven, we left his place and head to mac to look for Justin. Then they had dinner there as well (as usual I was not eating). Chat about here and there lol. I will still say talking to Aheda is good. He really knows how to talk. He got a sense of humour. Haha. Then about eight, they went back to Panther place while I went to grandma place. Took my dinner. After that, use the computer to watch Death Note anime episode 3. Panther did not want to pass me the anime, and I don’t wish to download it (cause I got no time). So I went to watch it in youtube (a great place to watch stuff, like Taiwan variety show, anime, Korean Drama). Then also watched Bleach. Already expect how the way the episode ended lol. SAw the NYP magazine send to Colleen (Polytechnic always send magazine to students who are taking the 'O' levels lol). SAw Yi Ting's face in the magazine. Haha. Also learn from the magazine that one of the lab technians is now stuyding at Australia. Good for her. Stay at grandma place until eleven (watch a bit of tv as well).

After that, went home, bath, and sleep…

I missed ####. Like #### very much but then #### treats me only as a friend, and #### has someone in mind already. Why do I always like someone who has other people in mind lol? Perhaps I should also treat #### as a good friend ba… Should I search for a new one or remain faithful and continue to wait while being good friends? Probably I may not know, one day #### will accept me… Of course, I do hope that #### will accept me… Hoping such a day will come and I can imagine the day #### and I together… haha… I am dreaming lol…

Friday, October 20, 2006

Morning at about six to seven, rain heavily... Finally got rain, but then the haze situation didn't improve lol. Before I left home, the PSI reading is at 101.

Reach school at eleven for basic pharmaceutics practical. Cause morning no immunology practical so come school at eleven. The Yeo Weijie keep calling me CRYSTAL lol. Feel like slapping him... Then Mr Tan go through the lab saftey, bla, bla (so boring lol). The practical a bit sianz lol. We do dilution then put them under the spectrophotometer for the absorbance reading. Then plot graph to find the unknown concentration of a solution lol. The lab report is group report. I team with my usual gang, but then one group lack of one member (Malcom absence lol, heard he kenna accident). So I went to join Jian Yuan's group (for one practical lol). Did quite fast. The third group to finish. But then need to do a round up for the practical, so I left the lab at about one twenty plus. need to go to Ang Mo kio to buy A4 notebook for the class (school sell at $3.80 lol!!!). Then reach AMK, but then both bookstore doesn't have 25 copies. SO in the end, got to ask the class to buy themselves. Cause go AMK, so about ten minutes late for Principles of Clinical Trials lecture.

Nothing much for clinical trials lecture. Then we need to form three groups for the clinical trials project. Then my group consists of my usual gang and Ying Ying, Huang Rhoo and Ivy Li. After the lecture, went to south canteen to take my lunch. Eat Wanton noodle. the aunty give more than usual lol. Then ziYi came to find me. Finish my lunch, went to ELP. Supoose to be there to discuss project with my usual gang, but they were discussing about Pharmaceutics lab report. So I did not need to join them cause I not doing this report with them. So I used the com there to do some stuff like emailing, msn, surf, etc. ziYi also used the com. He used the one beside me. Haha. Then we keep chatting and use the com at the same time.

At about five thirty, we left ELP. ziYi bought something to eat before leaving. On the way back, saw Wen Gan (SOrry la, didn't chat with you much on the way back, keep chatting with my friend, sorry la). Took mrt back, then parted ways with ziYi when we reached AMK station.

Then meet up with Wen Gan at funland. After that we went home together. Went home took my dinner and I left for bugis. Go bugis arcade lol. Play sc3. Lost a lot. I will never use Setsuka again (just can't buffer her FC 3aB). Leave Bugis quite late. Raymus play so long lol. Went home with Jovian, Raymus, Aretha and one more guy. DOn't know what his name. Then reach Bishan, Jovian and I parted ways with Raymus and Aretha.

Reach home at about twelve. Then bath finish sleep at about one...

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Went to school at eleven for marketing. Morning no Medical microbiology and Immunology LEcture. That's why start lesson at eleven. Instead of starting having the usual marketing lecture, we got a external speaker, Dr Ong to talk a bit of marketing to us. He uses a case study to talk to us(chewy gums). Is like a talk or seminar. Some of the NYP staff (SCL lecturers as well) plus some year 3 students also attened as well. This talk quite ok. Got a lot of laughter. He should teach marketing to us... He ended the talk by saying lessons learnt from this case study. The best part was the last the lesson learnt: Don't mess with 2Ps and 1A (he's referring to the PAP government). By the way, Dr. Ong has a PhD in Biochemistry. DOn't know why he ended up being the marketing line. Saw Dr. Xu using the com in the lecture hall. Guess he's gonna teach the year one organic chemistry. Good luck to the year ones.

After the talk, got one hour break. Walk around and also went to buy medical microbiology lecture notes. Then went to have my lunch and went to look for Yu Sheng and the rest after I finish my lunch. On the life up to level six, saw Mr Jay and Miss Ang. At one pm got basic pharmaceutics lecture. On the way to Q516 (since I having lecture there), saw the food science lab. Quite big. People will like discussing about the lab and how they should make use of it (Yi Ting say store ice cream in the frezzer). The lecture start about half an hour late. Cause his labtop was so laggy and the screen was very blur (due to the projector). He then went to get his own labtop up. But then the projector couldn't work on his labtop. So all this stuff cause the lecture to start late. And also, the lecture go on without the usual powerpoint presentation. The lab report for this module is only 10%. SO stingy lol. And week 5 also got a test. Luckily is a MCQ test but I still worry about it (cause of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Test lol). Is a closed book test but if ask for open book test will be harder lol. So in the end, decide on closed book test. Halfway through the lecture, got break. Saw a lab tech getting a lecture from Dr Lionel Lau. Pity that guy.

After the lecture, went for Skills in Extemporaneous Preparations (lol what a long name for a module) practical. Before we start the practical, got to appoint new class rep (Yeo Weijie and Hui Min are stepping down). Then appoint Shereen and me to be the class rep lol. We got a one hour long briefing lol. Is a individual practical. Then also need to submit the lab report at the end of the practical session, but this is the first time, so we can hand in the report next wed. Instead of the usual type print report, we got to wrtie in a A4 size notebook then submit at the end of the practical session. This practical seems to be fun. After the long briefing, finally start the practical. Since there 25 in the class, so it's gonna be slow. Everybody like rushing to get weigh the incredigent. Oh, did I mention what's this practical about?? This module is a fully practical module. Assessed by lab report and practical test. Basically, every practical session, we need to practise how to prepare medicine from the raw incredigent. Usually, if you go the polyclinic, the medicine that they give you is done in this way. This week practical is preparing paeditric ferrous sulphate oral solution (is a child iron supplment).

Since everbody was like rushing, so I went to get other stuff first like rasberry solution and chloroform solution. after got my ferrous sulphate and absorbic acid (vitamin C), mix my stuff and got the medicine... SOunds fun??? or Boring??? Then need to put label. Miss Ang is very straight about labelling. Must write properly. Cannot cancel, if not must write again. Then I write wrongly (copy other people label until other people admin no also copy). Hand in my solution then stay for a while before I left. Went with Shereen to find Mr AK. He not in his office. Cause need to ask him whether tomorrow got immunology practical (lab briefing). No point coming at nine for a lab briefing session which last then less than 30 min. Then learnt that AK has already change the session to self directed learning. SO tomorrow come school at eleven. Yay. Can sleep more... After that went to the photocopy vendor to photocopy one practical ok skills for the whole class (cause can't this practical from CMS). Then went to the library to use com.

Go home, eat, bath, watch tv, sleep...

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Today morning no immunology lecture so lesson only start at one... Come school at around 12+. Head to ELP to print skills in extemporaneous practical manual. So much stuff to print for this practical manual lol.

Then 1 pm got pharmacology lecture. This module like damn hard lol. The lecture notes that I have bought is only 1/3. But then already got alot stuff need to study lol. Imagine all the pharmacology lecture notes and need to study all for exam... CAn faint lol...Need memorising and understanding. First lecture already so hard... Don't know about the future weeks lol... goona even more harder lol. Furthermore, got 3 tests and 1 exams for this module. First test at week 6. So it will come very soon. Probably need to start revising early le...

After lecture, went to south canteen to have my lunch. Then went to ELP to use com. USe co until about 6 before I left. Chat with people through msn. Found one thing strange. The com i use suddenly can't print stuff. Thought that the staff have already remove the unlimited printing. Then suddenly, the printer logo read unlimited balance. This means that we can print stuff for free. So I quickly go and print pass year exam paper. After that, the printer logo read $1.50 credit balance then followed by $0.00. Strange lol. ANyway, lesson learnt: When you can print for free, go for it. Haha... Went to library for a while. Never see much of the cafe lol. Probably next time then visit the cafe again.

On the way of leaving school, saw Zhi Rong (Tee Khan's friend). Walk with him to the MRT station since he also taking the MRT. Then parted ways since he taking towards Jurong East. I went to Panther place again. PLay mission mode (again?). The hardest is probably playing against Tousen and Konmamura (His damn Ban Kai!!!). Then at about seven, Justin came and Zero last min say not coming... About 7.20, I left his place.

Go home, eat, bath, watch tv and then sleep...

Tuesday:
First day of school. Only got one lesson, which is medical microbiology lecture. Cause don’t have pharmacology lecture and tutorial, no immunology and marketing tutorial. Went to library first before heading to school. Went to check whether there is any new notes at the photocopy vendor. Then went to ELP to use com. To my surprise, most the coms have been upgraded. The coms are those in library but better. Then I found out can print stuff for free, so keep printing lol. Print my immunology lecture notes and practical manual. Then saw Tee Khan’s classmate. They told me Tee Khan has already changed class from them cause Tee Khan need to take one extra module (Japanese lol, he withdraw that module last 2 sem). Feel sad for him lol. Cause the three of them usually together, then now separated lol.

Then went for my lesson, medical microbiology. The projector seems to be spolit. So Jay did not teach much things. He only gave us an overview of the whole module. He also say practical only start from week 3 onwards. Yay!!! Which means I am going to have a long weekend. Monday no lesson cause no practical, then Tuesday public holiday also no school, so four days of break!!! HaHa…. But them, this module is also a bit hard according to Jay. First week already got project need to do for medical microbiology. Need to read a scientific paper then understand it and do a presentation about it. Don’t get it??? Example, a lecturer needs to prepare before he gives the lecture, right? SO he will first read up the reference books. Summarize the main point and then do a presentation on it. SO the project is like giving a lecture to our classmates, but then we can present in a variety of ways. As usual, I team up with my usual gang, Yu Sheng, Soon Aik, Yi Ting and Zhu Zhe. Then lecture end at about 1.40 pm.

Head to tutorial room to settle notes stuff with class. After that, I went back to ELP to print my immunology lecture notes, cause just now did not print finish. Then I went to have my lunch (3 pm lol). Went to library next to pass my lab report to Hui Yee. Accompany her to go south canteen since she has not taken her lunch yet. On the way, went to the photocopy shop to buy Principles of Clinical Trials lecture notes.

After she finished her lunch, we went to ELP (again lol). Cause she wanted to printed pass year exam paper. Then I ask her to print another set for me (give ziYi lol) since she is also printing. Then a few students pass by saying not even common test yet already start printing exam paper lol. We print until all the paper used up lol and then still have not printed finish, still lack of cell biology. After that, pass the papers to ziYi and then I left school for Panther place.

Went to Panther place again to play Bleach. Same as yesterday, we played 2 players mission mode. Trying to change all the grades to “S” lol. The hardest mission is probably fighting against Urahara and Mayuri (his damn Ban Kai!!!!). Play until 7.20 pm and I left home.

ziYi sms me ask me whether want to go give flyers. $30 per day. Do for 2 days (Wednesday and Thursday) from six pm onwards. But then I did not want to take up his offer. Cause my right arm is still pain and then this job is quite hard to finish based on past experience lol. People just don’t want to take the flyers lol…

Took dinner, watch TV, bath and sleep… Another day just pass lol…

Monday, October 16, 2006

Sunday:
Morning went to grandma place to use com. Watch anime (Bleach & Yu Gi Oh GX) lol. Then went home to have my lunch and then went back to grandma place to pass them some things. Then do push up and stretching again. My arms are now in a pain lol Think not going to do push ups until my arm is ok.

Head to Panther place to play Bleach: Blade Battles (is a PS2 game). The game is quite nice. try out a few characters. Decided to use Byakuya and Ishida (he is such a turtle character). I was like turtling all the way using Ishida. Just using projectiles the whole match lol.

Then Justin, Wen Gan, Zero, Wee Min and I went to bishan J8. They took MRT while I choose to walk lol. Save money ma... Haha... Took me 10 min to reach J8 from Braddell. When I reach there, they still have not bought their stuff at popular lol. In the end, nothing was bought lol. Then accompany them to have dinner at food junction. Things there are so expensive lol...

After that Wee Min went for a hair cut. While waiting for him, there is woman who was shouting her phone lol. Apparently she's like giving her child a lecture over the phone lol. There is a fire man lift lobby and she did not want to go in and talk. Damn bleddy loud lol.

After that we parted ways. Wee Min got to go back to camp, Justin took mrt to go home while Zero took bus to go home. Wen Gan and I walk home.

Reach home have dinner. Then my dad went home with a bad face. Should know he is bad mood. Then he could not find his newspaper. I think my mum has accidently use some of the newspaper lo. Then they started quarrel over such a small matter. To show his displeasure, dad started to throw things away (so immature, right). And then he purposely nail something on my mum cupboard to hang his things lol.... Then at night, the main door was open for the whole night for no reason. This is not the first time that such things have happen. It always happen when my dad is in foul mood. And he is in foul mood during every weekends... Should't explain why he is always in foul mood... So hard to live in this family....

Monday:
Today is supposed to start school. But then only got 2h microbiology practical and there is no practical today. So got one more day of break. Morning slack at home. Then about eleven plus went to coffee shop bought some char siew. At about twelve plus, head to the library to use com and read newspaper.

In the afternoon, I slack at home do nothing except walking at home and watching the TV. Also transfer my last sem notes into the cupboard. Haze was quite bad. Reach a PSI of 130 in the afternoon. After mum came back, I head to Panther place to play bleach. Instead of playing vs mode, we play mission mode. I also decided to use one more character in the game, Aizen. Not a bad character anyway. Then in most missions, I was using Ishida and turtling around. Kon special move is so funny, kicking a ball into the opponent. Play at his place until six plus before I left. Then walk back to bishan and go J8 to take a walk before going back home.

Then have dinner and watch TV. Can’t believe that my mum actually like to watch the ultimate comedian (a talent quest show to search for a comedian). After that bath, watch TV again and sleep.

This holiday is extremely long (6 weeks). They should think of cutting the holiday to four weeks. For this holiday, I have been doing nothing much except walking at home and around the neighbourhood. Didn’t go out much. Just go places like bugis and Panther place. I was also quite sad because of my exams results. Still have not gotten over it.

For this new semester, I got to work even more harder to get A for all my modules, and if possible Distinction, so that I can pull up my GPA to around 3.7 plus. I am almost about to give up the idea of getting into NUS pharmacy. Only one in our class can make it to NUS pharmacy. So I don’t think I got much chance to get into pharmacy, but then I will still try my best apply for it (try my luck haha). Well, I will never know. Maybe in the future, I may go into a course in the university in which I have never thought of it. Definitely not into life science course again. Life science is not my forte.

Anyway, wish all the best for the people (especially people who are starting school as me) who are reading this blog.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Anyway, i read an interesting article in TODAY, monday copy. It talks about the career prospects in life science currently. The article is in the front page. I recommend current life science student (polytechnic or undergraduate) or students who wish to study life science at polytechnic or undergraduate level to read. It might help to think twice before choosing to study life science. Since I am studying a life science course (focus on Pharmaceutical Science), it do directly or indirectly affect me. Thus, i decide to put this article.

For the benefit of those who do not read TODAY or don't wish to go through all the trouble to find the article in the newspaper or at todayonline, i post the article below.

TODAY Oct 9, 2006
The Life Sciences conundrum

After the hype, grads realize that there’s no place for them in the industry.

LOH CHEE KONG
cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg

IN 2002, when Singapore universities had barely begun producing their own life sciences graduates, Mr Philip Yeo, chairman of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), famously rattled those undergraduates when he said that they would be qualified to wash test tubes.

But four years on, armed with their Bachelor’s degree, some of these graduates are learning the truth of his words the hard way. Many from the first cohort have ended up in junior research positions or manufacturing and sales jobs in the industry – position that do not require a life sciences degree. Others find themselves completely out of the field.

Said Edmund Lim, 27, who graduated two years ago, and now works as a property agent: “One of my classmates is working illegally in Australia, peddling psychotropic drugs to clubbers. Many of my classmates have gone into teaching. Others are in pharmaceutical or equipment sales”.

Another life sciences graduate, who declined to be named, found a job recently at a tuition centre, after failing to land research-related position for over a year despite numerous job applications.

Already an established base for pharmaceutical manufacturing, Singapore has been trying in the past five years, to move beyond manufacturing to more high-end research that is “valued-added”.

According to the industry’s annual reviews compiled by A*STAR and the Economic Development Board’s Biomedical Sciences Group (EDB BMSG), an average of a thousand new jobs were created annually for the past five years. Last year, there were 10,200 manufacturing jobs in the industry, almost doubling the 5,700 jobs created in the then-fledgling sector in 2001. By 2015, EDB targets the number of such jobs to hit 15,000.

But the booming figures mask a Catch-22 situation: The current shortage of PhD holders in the biomedical sciences cluster is hampering Singapore’s bid to attract multinational companies to move their high-end research projects here. Without a PhD, most of Singapore’s life sciences graduates are only qualified to work as research assistants.

And both graduates and diploma holders vie for these positions that could pay less than $2,000 a month. In the industry’s manufacturing sector, life sciences graduates compete against their peers from other general sciences and engineering disciplines. They face even stiffer competition in the sales sector, where paper qualifications take a less significance.

A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council oversees and coordinates public sector biomedical research and development activities. On the surplus of life sciences graduates, its executive director, Dr Beh Swan Gin told TODAY: “ It is not a situation that can be easily communicated, as there are many factors involved. Simply put, a PhD is essential for progress as a researcher. And there are not enough Singaporeans pursuing PhD studies.”

Adding that the local universities should not pander to the students’ demand for the subject, Dr Beh said: “The job market of today and tomorrow is the market the universities should focus on. The manufacturing and commercial jobs have always been there, albeit there are more of these now. NUS (National University of Singapore) and NTU (Nanyang Technological University) should get better data on the demand for life sciences graduates at the Bachelor’s degree level.”

In 2001, NUS’s Science Faculty rolled out an integrated life sciences curriculum and NTU started its School of Biological Sciences (SBS), a year later. Meanwhile, the polytechnics also introduced more life sciences courses. Thousands of students jumped on the bandwagon, with demand outstripping the supply of places in these courses. Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS’s Dean of Science – who believes that it could take another five years for the industry to establish itself – acknowledged that his school’s life sciences undergraduate intake was “a bit too high”.

“When we started offering a major in life sciences in 2001, 550 students took up the programme. For the subsequent intakes, the number stabilized at about 450. But we would be more comfortable with a hundred less,” said Prof Tan, who added that many students were “unrealistic” about their job prospects.

Said Prof Tan: “A lot of students were probably all hyped up to look for R&D jobs. And when they can’t get such jobs, they could be disappointed. If they want to do research, they should further their studies.”

Nonetheless, some headhunters, like Kelly Services’ Lita Nithiyanandan, predict that it is “only a matter of time’ before these “high valued” graduates find willing employers. Said Ms Nithiyanandan: “As most of these multinational life sciences companies have recently set up or moved their R&D centres in Singapore, they require senior and experienced research professionals at this stage to streamline operations and get compounds approved fast for clinical trials. Once these centres are more established they definitely need fresh graduates for researching new compounds.”

She added: “Overall, Singapore biomedical scene is evolving as a mature hub for Asia Pacific. This would create opportunities across the board for skill sets through the value chain from fresh graduates to mid-level research and analysts to high-end PhD professionals.”

P.S. For those who are wondering what did Mr Philip Yeo, chairman of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), said, this was what he say:

"A basic science degree qualifies you to wash test tubes. A master's makes you an advanced washer. And a PhD makes you an ordinary worker."

P.S. In addition, if you ever filp through the ST classified recruits section every saturday, try searching for jobs that require a life science diploma or Bachelor Science degree (Not Master degree or PhD). You probably find VERY FEW jobs that require such qualifications.


Below are the replies to this article.

TODAY Oct 10, 2006
Degrees of distinction

Lack of local PhD students is related to universities’ scholarship policies.

Letter from HE YI HUA

I refer to the front-page article, “The life sciences conundrum” (Oct 9). I am a forth- year undergraduate majoring in Chemistry and my final-year project is a life science-based one.

I, too, wish to go into the life sciences and chemistry related research industry upon earning my Bachelor of Science degree. However, so far, research-based job opportunities for people like us are minimal.

The few lucky ones should work as research assistants for their professors, which is the closest to a research-related job. Some are all out to compete with polytechnic graduates for $1,200-$1,400-a-month quality control-type jobs. Most will eventually end up working for the Ministry of Education (MOE) as schoolteachers.

Dr Beh Swan Gin is quoted in the article as saying that there are not enough locals pursuing PhD studies. Yes, apparently, of those pursuing a PhD here, less than 25 percent are Singaporeans. This is not without a reason.

Firstly, from my personal experience, there are many local undergrads (including myself) who are dying to pursue a Master of Science and a PhD at the National University of Singapore, but are not given a chance. The situation is complicated but it boils down to the fact that only first and second-upper class honours graduates are accepted into the graduate school with a guaranteed scholarship.

As for second-lower and third class honours graduates, they are left stranded even they have a passion for research. Either they pay their own tuition fees and living expenses in order to enter graduate school, or they have to apply for teaching positions with a four-year bond with MOE. I belong to the latter group.

One may argue that second-lower and third class honours graduates are not as smart or good as the first and second-upper honours graduates. But this is not true. The CAP grading system itself is a problem. Even though one may get mostly B+ in most modules, one could end up getting a second-lower or third class honours if one fails or nearly fails one or two modules.

Also, many of the first and second-upper class honours graduates were already bonded with MOE or other government bodies before they enter NUS’ science faculty, so even if they want to pursue PhDs, they are not allowed to to.

Secondly, I know of some mainland Chinese who had gotten their MSc from China before applying to the NUS graduate school. Some have relevant work experience. How can local fresh BSc graduate compete with these “better qualified” mainland Chinese for vacancies as well as scholarships at the NUS graduate school?

Furthermore, there is no such thing as degree classification in China universities. It is a pass-or-fail type of grading there. In order to get admitted to the NUS graduate school, they only need their professors to write a recommendation letter stating that they are in the top quartile of their cohort. But when it comes to doing research, some seek help from the undergraduates.

I hope I have explained why “there are not enough locals pursuing PhDs in Singapore”. The real reason is not lack of qualifications or passion, but the appropriate giving put of postgraduate scholarships.

I think it is only logical to have specific postgraduate scholarships catering to the first, second-upper and third class honours students, as well as scholarships that are set aside just for international students.


TODAY Oct 12, 2006
We’re scholars for good reasons

Letter from RAN XIA

I refer to the He Yi Hua’s letter, “Degree of distinction” (Oct 10). I am from mainland China and I was a research scholar with the National University of Singapore (NUS), from which I graduated with a Master’s degree. I feel I must clarify some distorted facts.

Ms He says only graduates with first and second-upper class honours are accepted to the NUS graduate school on scholarship, while local undergrads with a passion for research are not given a chance.

Universities evaluate potential scholars based on criteria among which academic results are usually key. What is more appropriate than scoresheets in assessing a student’s capability for the purpose of advanced study and research?

Ms He pointed out that the Cumulative Average Point (CAP) system is a problem. The CAP system applies equally to everyone, so blaming it is not right.

As for passion, that is not all it takes to be a good researcher.

Yes, as Ms He points out, there are no degree-classifications in China. But it takes more than a professor’s recommendation to get into the NUS graduate school. Every Chinese student has to submit their scoresheets with all the marks of their subjects.

A CAP system can also be calculated using the marking system in China as a comparison. There is no basis to assume that NUS only looks at recommendation letters when it offers scholarships to mainland Chinese students.

Ms He said: “When it comes to doing research, some (postgraduate students) seek help from the undergraduates.” I do not know what “help” she refers to. If it is about academic guidance or research direction, then I guess the undergraduate is doing the job of the professors at NUS. If it is about lending a hand in experiments or clarifying English terminology, what is the big deal?

I am not discrediting the help in anyway. But they way Ms He perceives the significance of such “help” may be quite different from how others view it.

It is not graceful to justify one’s deservedness of a scholarship by discrediting another’s, especially without knowing the facts. And if one wants a scholarship, the right thing to do is to prove that one is worth, not depend on the grace of a system change.


TODAY Oct 11, 2006
Life sciences headhunt

Recruiter on bleak prospects for non-PhD holders, how fresh grads can get into research.

Letter from ROBIN TAN

I read with interest your article, “The life science conundrum” (Oct 9).

As a life sciences graduate, I agree with the first part of the article on the large number of Bachelor of science degrees entering the market without the degree carrying much weight in terms of employment value in the research-and-development (R&D) sector. This has been happening since the late 1980s when I graduated.

The same goes for the polytechnics producing diploma holders in life science. Parents have complained that their children were not able to find jobs, in spite of the buzz about jobs being created in this sector.

But what type of jobs did the sector create and who got them in the end? Just take a stroll through Science Parks I, II and III and see for yourself.

I am heading up a life sciences recruitment practice in Singapore and the region, and we’re currently No. 1 in clinical research recruitment. That is, we assist clients in searching for experienced clinical researchers, and also for pre-clinical drug discovery personnel.

Based on our sector focus and headhunting experience in this area for the past four years, I have to disagree with the comments made in your earlier story about those fresh graduates who were termed “high valued”.

Without a PhD, they will remain as technicians or research associates. And the current demand is for PhD holders.

The fact that many life sciences graduates end up in sales, manufacturing and even headhunting is not surprising, and should not be deemed a failure of social (or economic) engineering – as the philosophy at the macro level is that the more science students we take in, the more likely we are to produce PhDs in seven to nine years.

But studying for seven to nine years is a luxury many of us do not have, and we have to start working to pay off the study loans.

As headhunters, we accept the fact. And in order to respond to current demand for PhDs in Singapore, we simply import them from India and China.

The demand is not in pre-clinical drug discovery scientists, at the PhD – or, at minimum, Masters – level. The following are the hottest life sciences R&D jobs in town:
Organic and medicinal chemists.
Bioinformatics scientists
In vivo and in vitro scientists (with in vivo people being pursued worldwide, not just here)
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic/ ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) scientists
Clinical research physicians

Unfortunately, none of the above positions require fresh graduates. So, how does the fresh graduate enter the R&D sector?

They have to be less choosy and be prepared to work hard. They must throw away all old perceptions. They can start by joining one of the Government’s many research institutions, such as the National Cancer Centre, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore Eye Research Institute or the Tamasek Life Sciences Lab. They should gain experience and move on to commercial-sector companies such as S*BIO, Merlion and so on, and work with specialized recruiters.

The fact remains if the students do not pursue a PhD in the R&D sector, they will not get very far in their research careers, so ultimately, the sector may lose them after a few years.

That is why for some with a life sciences background, property sales may not seem like such a bad career choice after all.


TODAY Oct 12, 2006
Look elsewhere, doc

Contrary to popular belief, having a PhD won’t guarantee work in life science research

Letter from PETER SONG

I refer to your report, “The life science conundrum” (Oct 9).

I studied civil engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Then, with so much hype being created about the future of life sciences, and with the civil engineering industry in the sunset stage, I took a shot at being retrained for the life sciences. I got a scholarship to do an NUS PhD programme in bioengineering.

I stopped after three years on my own accord, deciding to graduate with a Masters degree instead. Contrary to what some have said, PhD will not get you a research position in Singapore.

I learn this the hard way.

Firstly, a PhD is very specialized and most students learn only with a small sub-field governed by their thesis’ area of research. So, when the student graduates, he is considered experienced only in that small area of science.

He thus loses all chance of working in any life science research position – even a junior post, as he is over-qualified. He will likely to find a post-doctoral position in the department from which he obtained his PhD. But his supervisor may not have the grant money to employ him.

This lack, despite the Government’s generous funding, has to do with the research environment at the university, which views students as the main source of manpower.

When PhD students graduate, the professor simply gets another group of students to continue research. The students are paid a stipend from another department in charge of scholarships; effectively, the students come free to the professor because the grant money isn’t used to pay them.

For grant approval, the professor competes on quality of ideas, commercial potential of ideas and estimated cost of research. all things being equal, the professor who quotes the least amount is given priority.

So, the PhD holder has one last option for employment: A*STAR’s research institutes and private sector research firms. But A*STAR seeks out researchers who are experienced and have good track records. The private sector also requires people with a specific set of experience. And, unless their thesis is related, fresh graduate do not have a chance.

Finally, A*STAR scholars, due to their bonds, can start as fresh PhD graduates in its research institutes. The moral of story? If you want to work in life science research, you must be an A*STAR scholar; a PhD from elsewhere in Singapore would be useless.


TODAY Oct 14 – 15, 2006
Life in the science lab

Finding a post-doctoral job requires flexible research interests

Letter from
RAYMOND CHOO KIM-KWANG
In Canberra, Australia

I refer to Peter Song’s letter, “Look elsewhere, doc” (Oct 12).

The issues he points out may be true to a certain extent, but they do not necessarily reflect the experience of other PhD graduates.

Mr Song pointed out that PhD research topics are usually specialized and, consequently, limits one’s post-doctoral career choice.

Getting a post-doctoral research position requires more than a PhD parchment. The latter opens the door but seldom gets one beyond the door.

We are often measured by our research capabilities – including our research publications (e.g., impact factor and citation factor) and our acknowledged expertise within the field (e.g., through professional involvement as invited conference programme committee member or conference/journal reviewer) – achieved during our PhD candidature.

Despite A*STAR scholars have an edge over non-A*STAR scholars due to their scholarship bonds, I believe that non-A*STAR scholars would have equal employment opportunities based on merit.

Shortly after I submitted my PhD thesis for external examination, I was offered a research fellow position with one of A*STAR’s research institutes, despite the fact that I am neither an A*STAR scholar nor a graduate of one of Singapore’s universities.

Seeking employment with private-sector research firms can be daunting and, in some cases – as Mr Song pointed out – near impossible if your research interests do not significantly overlap with those of the companies.

Perhaps one might consider exploring beyond one’s comfort zone, such as venturing into other related – even vaguely related- areas of research, and also consider seeking opportunities with the research arms of Government agencies or statutory boards.

I myself chose these options. From a theoretical cryptographic background – which is, unfortunately, rather unmarketable – I choose to go into a vaguely related research area with a Commonwealth Government statutory board.

Through this move entails a steep learning curve and can be challenging, I am enjoying every moment of it.


Life sciences lab are saturated, operate on limited budgets

Letter from ZHENG XINYI

Your article, “The life sciences conundrum” (Oct 9) did not come as a surprise to me, nor did the letters that followed.

I’d like to add on from a polytechnic graduate’s perspective. These days, many students from top secondary schools like myself choose to go to the polytechnic to learn hands-on skills in subjects that interest us. Many of us intend to later pursue our related degrees in the universities.

Especially at the time I obtained my ‘O’ levels, the polys were heavily marketing their life sciences courses to woo elite students, hawking the industry as full of potential and jobs.

The reality: I have been fortunately to land my current position as a laboratory technologist in a research lab, while many of my classmates struggled for months to find a permanent job.

What many students who are now pursuing their life sciences courses may fail to realize is that the labs are saturated. A lab usually does not hire more than a handful of technologists.

Clinical diagnostic labs are also switching to automation, hence cutting down the number of lab techs need to manual bench work. For research labs, it depends whether your boss has a project for you to work on: No ideas for a project, no grant given, ultimately, no money to hire a lab technologist or research assistant.

This brings me to my next point: It’s hard to find a permanent job if you want to do lab research. Everyone is hired on a contract basis. My own supervisor has had his contract renewed a few times and he is in his eighth year. Imagine the instability and uncertainty.

Another colleague who has been with the company for seven years was told to leave when she finds another job, as the boss’grant no longer has enough money to pay her salary (my colleague complete her Masters recently).

When a proposal is submitted to a research council for funds, the salary of the staff is mapped out. Many of us agree that this makes the salary of the lab tech highly uncompetitive.

As one staff said during my poly attachment days, you can’t make big bucks in this line of work if you only have a diploma or degree.

This is a Catch-22 situation. We want to go on for further studies but with low salary, it may take us a few years to save up.

And what then, when we finally obtain our degree, only to find ourselves competing for thousands of graduates for the same old, low pay to repay our bank loans?

And if you command a higher salary because you have higher qualifications, you may be asked to leave as the grant may not have allocated enough funds for your salary.

All said and done, perhaps I should start sourcing for a sales position in a biotech company and maybe enroll in something other than life sciences when I get into the university.

TODAY Oct 16, 2006
Do your research to succeed in life science

Letter from DAVID POON

I refer to the letter to He Yi Hua’s letter “Degrees of distinction” (Oct 10) and Ran Xia’s letter, “We are scholars for good reasons” (Oct 12).

I am Singaporean and recently graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, majoring in Life Science and minoring in Computational Science. I am working in research.

Ms He said research-based job opportunities for a BSc degree holder are “minimal”. In the two months after graduation, I went for seven job interviews and obtained three job offers. Two offered me a salary of more than $2,200 a month.

If one is attracted to research, my advice is to prove oneself. While in school, join mentorship programmes that allow you to conduct interesting research in the tertiary institutions.

In university, do research based modules and published some papers. Approach professors and indicate your interest to join their team as a student research assistant.

Experience is critical, publications are important as Raymond Choo (“Life in the science lab”, Oct 14) points out.

One should not expect to enter the research line with little or no lab experience. Doing honours in university is a good chance to gain such experience, but it will cost one an extra year. NUS offers undergrad research opportunities for those who are passionate about research.

Ms HE said many local undergraduates are dying to pursue a Masters and PhD, but are not given a chance.

At the end of my first year in university, I checked with the administration and was told that second-lower and third class honours graduates could get scholarships on a case-by-case basis.

In my first week after graduation, I was interviewed by an NUS professor doing research in lectins (which I had an interest in) and was told she was interested to take me if I had at least a second-lower class honours.

I have a friend who went for a direct scholarship overseas, after complete her BSc in NUS.

TODAY Oct 18, 2006
Life sciences – the future’s good

Many grads do have bright job prospects, in and out of lab

Letter from CHAN SOCK HOAI and TIONG CHI TZE

We refer to your article, “The life sciences conundrum” (Oct 9). We are fourth-year undergraduate students at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) School of biological Sciences, expecting to graduate with a Bachelor of Science with Honours degree in July 2007.

The article has caused much distress among our cohort as it seems to paint a picture of gloom for our job prospects.

The NTU School of Biological Sciences has only this year seen its first cohort graduate. Has employment been so bad for our NTU seniors, as the article implied?

We received a very clear answer from our school: No, more than 95 per cent of our seniors are either gainfully employed or pursuing PhD studies. And this is only three months after their graduation. Many receive salaries in the range of $2,500 to $2,700.

Subsequently, letter to TODAY have provided from a life sciences industry headhunter, local and foreign PhD students/graduates and polytechnic graduates. We would like to contribute a further perspective.

We used to have a narrow-minded idea of what a career in the life sciences meant. Research-based jobs were the only ones we would think of. Our classmates who are not so keen on laboratory-based jobs used to be fearful that they have no practical options.

To our surprise, our professors did not think so. They pointed out that support is required to run the life sciences research well. The support can be administrative, operational, business and legal in nature, but all equally important. Recently, we understood what they meant from the list of final year projects the School has prepared for us. Most are hard-core research in nature, as expected.

Some, however, deal with business planning related to life sciences (pharmaceuticals, Traditional Chinese Medicine), or in depth studies on management of research institutes (feasibility studies for culture preparations units).

With this variety that addresses the realistic needs of the life science industry, it is not surprising that our seniors had so much success in their employment.

They were given a chance to see where they can fir into the industry and, perhaps, that helped them to into the job market with a confidence about how they can contribute. Yes, students may be “unrealistic about their jobs prospects” as stated in your article. We are naïve and inexperienced. But give us the guidance as our school has done, and we will happily step into the job market with confidence.


As industry grows, so does number of jobs for non-PhDs

Letter from DR ANDREW P LUCY
Director, MDIS School of Life Sciences
Management Development Institute of Singapore

Over the next five years, the Singapore Government intends to invest some $15 billion on research and create between 15,000 and 30,000 jobs in the life sciences sector by 2015.

Will all of these jobs be for “Ivory Tower mega-brains”? No. In fact, a reasonable “rule of thumb” is that for every highly skilled job created in the sciences, seven jobs at lower skill levels are commonly required. However, to adapt a borrowed phrase, “lower skill” doesn’t mean no skill.

The life sciences industry is one that requires a considerable skill and knowledge base. Indeed, in tandem with scientific advancements, the level of scientific expertise required, both academically and practically, has been rising steeply in recent years.

It was once possible for someone with A-levels to acquire a position as research assistant or industrial technician and make a career out of the role. Today, as A*STAR’s Mr Philip Yeo has suggested, anything lower than a degree in a relevant discipline is unlikely to suit even these basic needs.

But to state that there are few jobs for degree holders is spurious at best. In any industry, different levels of academic attainment and experience are required for different types of posts.

More importantly, the more companies that come in and get established and the more Singapore establishes itself as a hub in this sector – already well under way – the more need there will be, in the mature industry, for technical assistants and such.

Our Government is making exemplary progress in this area. The steps being taken are well-founded on the principle that a nucleating centre of excellence must be established to continue to attract top talent and industry. Achieving this will promote and enable the creation of jobs at every level of the industry.

But to become the life science hub Singapore aims to be, we need human capabilities, not just financial and industrial ones. Discoveries are already being made here – discoveries that are shaking scientific thought and attracting the eye of some of the greatest minds on the planet.

By attracting such top talent, we capture the focus of the global industry. This creates a cycle of growth and prospers the sector. But if we give in to knee-jerk reactions now, and stop producing the degree holders, we will kill the roots of this industry.

Life science in Singapore is a growth engine, and no, this is not mere type. As with all engines, an array of parts is required.

To use another metaphor, to try to fill the industry with talent at only the bottom (diploma holders) and top (PhDs) is akin to making a sandwich without any filling – there is no substance and it will fail in its purpose.

TODAY Oct 20, 2006
Building ladders for the lab officers

With more clarity, opportunities and guidance, non-PhD grads can carve out careers in industry

Letter from PETER SONG

I refer to the letters in “Life sciences – the future’s good” (Oct 18).

I am excited by Dr Andrew P Lucy’s statement that one high-skill job created in the sciences leads to seven more lower-skill jobs. Indeed, the research output is more efficient if there are many pairs of hand from non-PhD research assistants and lab officers.

But there are worries about the way research assistants and lab officers are being managed in the life-science research labs. Non-PhD life-science graduates want a career, not just a contract job.

Without proper career mapping, research assistants and lab officers are no different from the traditional odd-jobs labourers, who work on a project basis and have to keep finding new job stints.

They also have no career portfolio to build. After years of experience, their titles are merely senior research assistants and lab officers, and they still do the same work.

The whole life-sciences conundrum could be improved id a clear career line was created for these research assistants and lab officers.

Also, some schools and research institutes do not include the name of the research assistant or lab officer in published scientific papers, even though these workers sometimes do more than half of the bench experiments.

Some of their superiors argue that their low qualifications would affect the reputation of their published research. but why can’t the superior see it as a way to build the research assistant’s or lab officer’s career? The latter could use the published papers – with their names as references – to venture overseas to work with other top research groups, or even clinch scholarships.

This would allow them to progress in their career and do a PhD if they want.

A good analogy would be of these graduates’ peers in the teaching industry. Years ago, the Ministry of Education had problems encouraging graduates to choose teaching as their career. After it revamped the career paths and salaries of teachers, teaching is now a popular profession.

Separately, readers Chan Sock Hoai and Tiong Chi Tze said their school, the Nanyang Technological University School of Biological Sciences, released information that more than 95 per cent of its graduates found employment within three months of graduation.

The writers also said employment is generated from positions that support the life sciences research, which is certainly true – for instance, there are many sales and administrative positive positions generated by companies that supply consumables and equipment to the labs and industry.

It would be interesting to have information on the 95 per cent that are employed, so that we can learn what type of complementary jobs there are.

This would help clear the air because, for example, some administrative jobs in the life sciences might be done more cheaply by a non-graduate from any discipline – why employ a life-science graduate?

Lastly, those readers said their school gave them guidance to help their graduates move into the life-sciences industry.

This is absent at my university, where students’ only form guidance is job fairs with a life science theme.

In addition, our research projects have not been widely-ranging as theirs, and only include hardcore science, not business and management-related projects.

wrote in the notebook @ 10/15/2006 12:42:00 PM

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Wednesday:
Do nothing much... Slack at home... Sleep, eat, tv then library lol...Receive a letter from NYP. It's regarding the CDC-CCC bursary. They send me the application form for the application for the bursary. But then I have already receive the bursary from Pfizer, so cannot apply for this bursary. NYP policy only allow a student to receive one bursary.

Thursday:
Morning read newspaper then go library for a while. Then meet ziYi afternoon in school to buy lecture notes. But then ziYi came late. So I went to buy first. Only got Basic Pharmaceutics. SO only buy this module. Saw Han Zhong and Bao Cheng. Feel sad for them lol. They come from Chua Chu Kang to buy notes but then no notes for them lol. Waste time. Then at about four, ziYi came. He only bought Biostatistics lecture notes.

After that we went to the library to use com for a while. Print time table, module schedule, etc. The library cafe is finally ready (after like don't know who long). We went in, but then the staff told us the cafe is only opene to the students from 16 Oct. Then very pai seh lol... Then I helped ziYi to search for reference for his modules. He took two sets then hide it in the library lol. We then went to mac. Accompany ziYi eat lol (as usual, I was not eating).

Then we walk from school all the way to AMK mrt station. On the way, chat with him about some stuff. Once we reach, we parted ways. He took bus home while I took mrt back.

Friday:
Morning Tee Khan came my house to return anime. Brought him to the libary since he has not visit the libary before. hen we head back to school to buy lecture notes. Then I felt very what lol. I came back again hoping that there will be more notes available, but then the list was like not updated... Don't understand why this time the notes are release quite slow. The last 2 sem was like very fast lol. After that accompany Tee Khan to have his lunch.

Next we head to level four. Then saw Miss Ang. Lol. Saw her wear jeans, a bit surprised cause she usually wear skirts. Then I ask her about the lecture notes stuff. Then she tell me some need to print from CMS (the screwed up system) and some only available next week. Then head to library to use the com lol. Found out got a class blog. Then from the blog, i learn that there is no practical on mon (Yay!!! WHich means monday no need to go school!!! start school on tuesday!!! haha!!) We went back to the photocopy vendor. Tee Khan need to buy his marketing notes while I went to print basic pharmaceutics lab manual (so that I won't go back empty handed...) Then took mrt back home...

On the way back home, Saw Mr Ong (not Ong Chee Meng, is my Pri 6 Form Teacher). Quite long didn't see him le. He was waiting for transport to go changi to claim something.

Then about five plus, I head to the library to read newspaper. Went back home next to have dinner. Head to bugis next. Wanted to pwn HKW, only beat him one match, must pwn him more. However, i got pwn by uncle Lim lol... Don't know how to play his "luan" style... Haha... Then on the other side got battle of bitches... X vs X lol... Saw Aretha. She is now taller than me lol (she now 14 years old). She and Raymus must have inferited genes from their parents lol... Both of them are quite tall... Went home with Fabian and Jovian. IN the mrt, saw Jessie. Quite long didn't see her le...

Reach home, eat fruit, brush then bath. Receive Shi Kiat sms lol... Morning sms him, he 12 hours then reply...

Saturday:
Morning went to grandma place to use com lol... Then went to buy lunch. After that, rot at home until four. Also did push up and stretching. Need to start preparaing for NAFA test. Watch Full Metal Alchemists. Then head to Braddell to meet Zhen Jie to borrow thumbdrive from him. Accompany him to walk home lol.

Head to Panther place to play majong. Today a bit lucky lol. Won $5. Then return Panther his $3.50 (always asking me for money lol). Then didn't collect money from Wen Gan (he that time also didn't collect money from me). Left his place quite early cause Panther need to rush down to Seow Choon to collect his game: Bleach (He's like waiting like mad for the game). Walk to bishan. Head to S11 cause Wen Gan want to buy his dinner. Then saw Raymus, chat with him for a while. After that, Wen Gan went home, then I went to funland see see before I head to my grandma place.

Watch Death Note anime. Qute interesting. Probably borrowing the manga from someone. Can't wait to see what's goona happen.

So I should stop here ba...

wrote in the notebook @ 10/14/2006 09:44:00 PM

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Found this in 8 days magazine... Quite interesting... SO decided to post here... Haha...

Things that make us go hmmm

Why is “bra” singular but “panties” plural?

Can you cry underwater?

If a pizza is round, why does it come in a square box?

How come people say they “slept like a baby”, when babies wake up like every bleddy two hours?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered ‘assassinated’ instead of just plain ‘murdered’?

Why are you IN a movie, but ON TV?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetable, what is baby oil made from?

Chope, chope, chope” don’t the ‘Alphabet Song’ and ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ have the same tune?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

wrote in the notebook @ 10/12/2006 04:41:00 PM

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Monday:
Slack the whole day at home lol... Eat, sleep, watch tv lol... Then went to the library to read newspaper lol...

Tuesday:
Same as yesterday, except got a haircut at home. My hair is now like shit lol... Can't imagine myself having hair cut at home for 2 years and don't know how many months lol... WHich means the same hairstyle.... Don't even bother to buy any new clothes lol... Cause even got new clothes, it just doesn't match... I won't also look good lol... Haiz...

I VOWED this the last time I gonna have my hair cut at home for the last time. From the next time onwards, i will visit salon to have my hair cut. Goona wait for at least 4 weeks before my hair grow back to an acceptable length to go for hair cut... People recommend me to cut layer... Must try it out haha... After new hair cut, must get new clothes and change my specs to some trendy colour spectacles... Then will look cool... haha... I am dreaming lol... Nonetheless, 4 more weeks to go!!!

wrote in the notebook @ 10/10/2006 06:33:00 PM

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Went to my grandma place this morning. After that then went home eat.

During the afternoon, got some poeple come to my place for hair dying. So help mum a bit to speed things up. Then i went to check my letter box and found one letter sent from NYP to me.

I open and read:

Dear Weijie

RE: PFIZER BURSARY AWARD FOR AY2006/2007

1. We are pleased to inform you that the Pfizer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd has agreed to renew your bursary for AY2006/2007. The value of this award is $2,000.

2. The Finance Department will take about 3 weeks to process payment for the bursary. If you have a GIRO account with the Polytechnic, the amount will be deposited into that account. Otherwise, a cheque will be sent to you.

3. We hope that this award will aid you in your studies at the Polytechnic and spur you on to achieve good results.

Yours sincerely
BRENDA CHEONG
Student Services Officer
Registrar's office

After reading that, i was damn... Haha... What do you think??? Another $2000 will be going to be deposited into my account soon... Haha...

However, i was also a bit sad. Look at point three again:

"We hope that this award will aid you in your studies at the Polytechnic and spur you on to achieve good results."

Cause this made me thought of my last sem results which was not that good... Still haven't gotten over my last sem results... Haiz... Hence, i feel that i should not have gotten this award... Haiz...

Which means i will be shaking hands with DPM Mr Wong Kan Seng next year... (Cannot get CDC-CCC Bursary cause NYP policy only allow a student to get one bursary.)

Anyway, the haze has improve and the PSI reading was at 35( 4pm).

Other than that, i was rotting at home. This coming week will be the last week of my holiday. So must enjoy myself... haha...

wrote in the notebook @ 10/08/2006 07:14:00 PM

Friday night:
Went to Bugis at night to play some games... On the way in the MRT, got three china people came in. Two of them are male and the other is female. The two guys were behaving very imitate... wonder whether they are gay... Lol... they were touching each other here and there lol...

Then at bugis, i play a bit of SC3... got thrash by this newbie using sophitia.... then when i want to rematch, Raymus went to put credit... then i have no chance to play with that guy again. That guy went home after playing with Raymus... Must pwn the next time... Then i also got pwn by another sophitia/lizardman play.... Also must remember to pwn the next time i see him...

Then i went home together with Jovian and Raymus. We went to 7-11 then saw a maxi player called Jason. Didn't know that he also live in bishan.... Jovian then went home first and i accompany Raymus to wait for his bus.... Anyway, the haze was terrible at night...

Saturday:
Wait up at about 8+ cause need to go bugis early for the tourney... Reach bugis at about 10+ and then accompany Justin and Farp to have their breadfast at Mac. Then Raymus was like saying to me"...". I didn't understand that at first. Then Jovian tell me that I will meet my greatest fear in the tourney. ANd he con't by saying" if is not me, then must be the other guy. And I have a feeling that i will face Raymus in the first match. Then they release the chart which tell us who we will be playing with. Then, as i search for my name, i saw that i got to play with Raymus... OMG... I then understand what Jovian and Raymus were telling me...Akabane was also quite unlucky, he kenna Jovian in the first match.

The tourney started a bit late cause due to some techinal difficulties. Playing with Raymus was hard, I use Zaslamel against his Voldo at first then i switch Xianghua. But still lost. U have to relealize that is pretty hard to fight against Raymus lol. He complain that i was playing very bitchy lol, using the same moves over and over again. But then how he expect me to play. I don't know how to play against his Voldo (in fact, almost no one there coud pla against his Voldo cause they will unfamiliar very Voldo). Ethan was totally own by Raymus's Voldo as well. But at least using Xianghua i nearly beat his Voldo. Aheda, Ethan and blitz join because some people were actually not here and they took over their place. Spyer actually join but he was working so he could not come.

I was surprised that DTarchon was eliminated in the 1/8 finals. Wonder why he didn't want to use his Taki. THen another surprising thing, rememer the newbie sophitia player that pwn me, he actually made it into the quarter finals. Anyway, he was quite lucky. He fought against his own friend in the first round and then beat Farp in the second round. I wonder how could Farp has actually lost. Then there is an even more surprising thing, Jovian was also eliminated in the 1/8 finals. He lost to Hikaru. I thought that Jovian could actually won the tourney. Then got one match very exciting, it was the semi-finals. Hikaru got ring out 6 times by Raymus (meaning every round Hikaru was being ring out). Everybody was like saying how cheap Raymus was. Oh, btw, Raymus was using Astaroth, which is the Ring Out(RO) beast. Even people who didn't play this game came to watch and also say the same thing. But then Raymus keena about 4-5 times of SS from Jas in the finals.

The results:
!st - Raymus
2nd - Jas
3rd - Taxi

Congrats to the winners!!!

Then ace tried to steal away Raymus's prize ($300 cash) casue he could not stand how he actually pwn Hikaru in the semi-finals. (BTW, ace and Hikaru use the same character in the game).

The tourney ended at about 2.30. It was quite later. It was actually scheduled to end at about 12.30... oh well...

After that, i went home. Drop at the coffee shop to have my lunch before i went home. I bath and then watch Full Metal Alchemists at 4 pm. After that i hely mum to do some house chores... lol...

At about five thirty, went to Panther place to have some game. Wen Gan, AL, Shi Kiat, Zero and Timonthy was there.WHen i tell how Ethan was pwn by Raymus's Voldo to Panther and AL, they was like cheering. Then play majong. Lol, me and Shi Kiat pair as one team. And we only won two games. The first and the last game. OMG. Then we lost about $2.20. The overall winner was Wen Gan. He won about $3+. But then he was very kind. He didn't want us to pay any cents... Haha...

After that, we( me, Wen Gan, Shi Kiat and Zero) walked back to Bishan. AL had left earlier. On the way back, the haze was very bad. According to the psi at that time, it was around 150!!! OMG!!! Then Shi Kiat (he is in the same course with me but he is my senior) and I was talking about FYP and attachment. And he was telling me that people who did their FYP in school and Biopolis, got an A easily for their FYP... Then we part ways. I went to Grandma place, when they accompany Wen Gan to buy his dinner before they went home.

Then at night was watching Hard Gay with Dennis and Mavis... OMG.!!! Damn funny lol and the Hard Gay was like saying "say" and "hoo" all the time... haha...

After that went home bath and sleep.... haha...

Sunday morning:
Wake up at about 9.50. I saw my watch and it show 9.25. Then i realize my watch was spoilt. The longer hand was like very loose.At one point it can show 9.40 and then it can also show 9.15... It will always point differently lol... Need to send for another repair lol. The last time i send for repair because the watch will slow down after some time... Hope this time, the repair will not inccur any cost( the last repair also did not inccur any cost lol).

Today is also another boring day... Don't know what to do for the rest of today... Haiz....Haiz...

wrote in the notebook @ 10/08/2006 11:48:00 AM

Friday, October 06, 2006

My first blog blog post... haha... Gonna blog about my boring life...

Today me went to chinatown to consult on my skin specialist. Always consult the same thing. Actually i only want to purchase the cream, but then the clinic has a policy such that you need to consult the first time, and the next time you visit you can just purchase the medicine. SO the last time i purchase the medicine so this round i need to go for consultation. I bluff the doctor that i am using the moistureizer... haha.. If not, he will scold me... haha...

Anyway, after having this skin condition for more than 10 years, i finally know what is the name of my condition, is called Atopic dermatitis... Then chat with the doctor for a while before i left the clinic... haha...

Then i went to help my mum to buy some stuff then i went home le...

Probably i will heading to bugis later to the arcade to play some games... especially soul calibur 3. Tomorrow is the sc3 tourney and i have not play the game for quite a long time (i last play before my exams... haha...) I join the tourney cause they say not enough players... that's why i join...

wrote in the notebook @ 10/06/2006 03:48:00 PM

INTRO

You have just stepped into the Death Note.

PROFILE

Pei Weijie Male Nanyang Polytechnic Diploma in Molecular BioTechnology (Pharmaceutical & Clinical Trials) Ugly Boring Lonely Loves to walk Anything else I can describe or you want to know?

MISC

comrades

• MB0502 (PCT)
• Attachment Experiences
• Alec
• Bao Cheng
• Chin Boon
• Colleen
• Danielle
• Eric
• Fiona
• Guan Heng
• Heather
• Hui Ling
• Hui Yee
• Lydia
• Mavis
• Manga
• Malcom
• Panther
• Sabrina
• Shereen
• Terence
• Wen Gan
• Wilson
• Yi Ting

Past Memories

October 2006
November 2006
December 2006
January 2007
February 2007
March 2007
April 2007
May 2007
June 2007
July 2007
August 2007
September 2007
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
April 2008
May 2008
June 2008
July 2008
August 2008

CREDITS

Layout: BENIHIME
Pictures: DEATHGOD.ORG
Brushes: MISSM