Home computer formated

TYhis is a post using my now "brainwashed" home computer. I have to format it coz it was beginning to lag like a snail and Internet explorer is unusable because it keeps having pop-ups and other unessary toolbars on it.

From the software I installed so far, I think I am leaning to open source software then expensive commercial software. I installed mozilla thunderbird instead of M'soft outlook, firefox instead of IE, winamp instead of WMP, Openoffice instead of MS office and Foxit Reader instead of Adobe... what is the Adobe's PDF reader again? .. Ya, Acrobat. Try it, Foxit Reader is WAAAYYY better.

Right now looking for ads about jobs in the newspaper. Applied to some, with little response from any so far. Hopefully after new year things gets better.

Wifi problem

Right now the only way I can surf using my laptop is using the home wifi. It is provided by a router with an in-built modem that supports wifi and up to 4 Lan ports. So far the modem is very good as it can connect to internet easily and is xbox live friendly (as in no need to do advanced settings to connect).

The problem now is... WHY THE HECK THE SIGNAL KEEP DROPPING OUT FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON???!?! Definetely not the walls since it is quite near the router. I think could be the internet connection, if it drops, so does the wifi signal. Or maybe after I set the WEP (wireless encrpytion) the problem occured. Or maybe because my brother downloads stuff like crazy. But late at night when I am surfing and my brother is asleep no problem with the line.

This problem annoys me since it is very bad to talk via msn. Send 1 msg, disconnect and then you have to send again since the person you msg thought you disconnect. Then when the person wants to send msg, you disconnect and he/she can't send the msg. Unlike ICQ msn can't send pm when the receiver is offline. GRRRR...

2k5 in review

Since my brother made a post reviewing his life (any better word to say it ? :P) in the year 2005, I not to be outdone decide to post about myself what I did in the year 2005.

The first part of 2005 (and the month before it, Dec 2k4) was the first time I ever work to earn money and most importantly experience in the real world. I did practical training in a factory in Shah Alam as part of the requirement of my degree where I took the role as a trainee engineer. Basically my job was to ensure the production line is running smoothly and to save manpower and production cost as much as possible. But the most important thing bout working is getting along with ppl and getting the job done as soon as ppl and learn how to handle things without any guidance at all. Still remember vividly the person I'm under saying that I got to figure out what to do for myself and not simply wait and listen for instructions. Other things are pretty minor like braving the traffic to work, leaving home early and coming back home late (well, not very late) and finding out just how hard to support the type of lifestyle I'm without relying on my walking banks (hint: they raise me).

2k5 also marked the final year of my degree. Very time consuming and laborious work to complete the final year project of my degree. Late nights, working long hours during holidays, big arguments with project mates, supervisor oveaseas for half a year, been there done that. But it was done finally and with good grade to boot. The seminar went well, the exhibition went well and the final report was printed and send to Finland (where our supervisor was at the time) safely to be graded.

During my final year I fallen in love yet again after I first did 4 years ago when I was in Form 5. Four years is a long time to forget and get on with chasing another girl. Fortunately, I had more success this time as I managed to to kept in contact with her compared to last time where I totally forgotten to take note of her contact number. This time I tried not to repeat the mistakes that cost me dearly last time. But still, I still managed to screw up half way when things were looking good. Thanks to the advice of some friends, I finally learn what I should not have done. The good news is that I did went out with her once after my debacle...

I travelled more around Australia in 2005. Went with my friends in a rented car and did day trips to locations around Adelaide. The first day we went to Barrosa valley where I ended up with 2 bottles of sprakling juice, 1 bottle of red wine and 2 bottles of liquor. Second day went to Murray bridge and visited the Murraylands. Third day drove all the way to Port Augusta. Then during the semester break in semester 2, we went to Uluru on a backpacking trip. First time slept under the stars, literally. Fallen in love with a Korean girl on the Uluru trip but found out she was not single, priceless.

Back home in M'sian already

I am now back homw in M'sia already. The flight was 7 hours ++, with a lot of turbulence :(

Doing practically nothing at the moment except relaxing or playing. Right now I have retired from being a student to become an engineering graduate (unless I decided to do post-grad work, which is very unlikely). Have not look for a job yet, maybe soon next year.

Back from Melbourne :P

Just came back from Melbourne after leaving the city on the 22nd. Spent a night in Horsham b4 continuing on. The distance between Melbourne and Adelaide is 700 km+++!! Luckily my father was driving and I was the navigator :P but guiding my dad to Mount Gambier > Warrnambool > Great Ocean Road > Melbourne > Philip Island (Pengiuns!!!) > Melbourne > Horsham > back to Adelaide isn't easy though.

The first picture shows the kangaroo I bought from Melbourne and the penguin I bought from Penguin.. sorry, Philip Island. The second picture is the graduation bear which I bought during my graduation :P

More pictures and posts soon :)

Getting ready for graduation...

Went out to settle a few things like the academic transcript and the graduation gown. The academic transcript have to PAY just to get a printout of it. Compared to Inti they will give you the first one free. Anyway have to wait till middle of next year to get it since by then my transcript will have a line saying "I graduate with so and so degree". Hope it reaches my home :P

The graduation gown was a slight hassle though. Walked all the way to Carrington Street to book the gown from a shop, but the shop ran out of gowns :( . So have to walk all the way back to university to book the gown from the university. Oklah the price, AU 55. But unlike the shop outside we must return it really really soon after the graduation ceremony, which leave little time for photo shots.

I have been planning the trip for my parents the past few weeks. The accomodation to Melbourne and back is settled. The one day trips to various points of interests have also been planned. Now have to cross fingers and know my way around since I am the one which is going to guide my parents around Australia.

Oh, and here's a photo of the lamp-post in front of my hostel which was knocked by some vehicles. I assume it must be a car since anything heavier will bring down the entire pole. Came back from settling everything only to find the entire street out of power :( Which means I must walk all the way up and all the way down :( The response was very quick. Six hours after I took this photo, around 9pm the pole is replaced and power is restored. Luckily for those guys working on the pole, it is only by 9 oclock that it is actually dark.

Christmas Season :)

I went to Victoria Square to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree there. Immediately after the Christmas tree is lit then saw a fireworks display. A little afriad of the fireworks (blame it on my phobia of fireworks or things that blow up) at first, but then it turn out OK. As you can see, the Christmas tree is quite tall and very very bright. There's another Christmas tree in the background on the Santos tower.

Next week is going to be the last week I will be staying alone since my parents will come on the 10th of December. I will follow them back to M'sia after that before the year is over. Well, better enjoy the freedom while it lasts!

Went shopping :)

Yesterday I went to Marion Shopping Center in the southwest part of Adelaide. Took the usual bus to the city and then another bus down south. The place is very far but atleast I have been to that part of Adelaide. Lepak for a few hours there, mostly looking at games and toys :P

The shopping complex is like Alamanda in Putrajaya, where the carpark is adjacent to the shopping area. It has only 2 stories, but house all the big retailers like Myer, Davond Jone, Harref Scarf, hypermaket retailers like Target, K-mart, Big-W amd supermarket like Coles and Woolworths; all under 1 roof! Funny thing is that Coles is on the 2nd floor while Woolworths is on the first floor and not next to eaxh other.

Oh, suprisingly there are no Christmas carols jiggling away at max volume. Most probably the ppl here grew tired of it after sooo long. Or maybe too early for Christmas. Then again there is a Santa Claus where kids can sit on his lap with a X'mas tree behind him.

So did I bought anything? Well I bought the map of Victoria and Melbourne. Then a "toy" for myself. It is a Lego arc fighter with movable S-foils. Call me a little kid or whatever, but I rather spend AU 70 on this than on Xbox or PC games when I have not fully played those games. I always wanted a model in my room, first it was the land raider, then a basalisk, a mech, then I prefer something that can withstand a lot of punishment and can be diassembled for the trip home.

In fact, thinking back about all the lego toys I have, I actually have ALOT of them. Most of the biggies are from the 1980s and early 1990s. Went to ebay and the net to look up, and gosh, I was surprised at the quality of legos in those days. Compared to this ARC fighter the box has so much air I wonder what the heck was Lego thinking. No wonder Lego is reporting losses.

Sadly the majority of pieces are either loss or mixed up with some other sets. hopefully if I keep this model intact and as a MODEL, it should remain intact.

Here are some Lego sets which I USED to have them in 1 piece.

Yellow roof house with caravan
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=1472-1

Bank with armored van that can "secure" the safe
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=1490-1

Fire truck with retractable ladder
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6358-1

Airport, where now I only have 3 out of 4 jet engines, still have the dish and the odd shape control tower glass
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6392-1

Parking garage with gas station and car wash!!! my best set ever!!!
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6394-1

Police truck with sirens and sound
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6450-1

Ultralight plane. Looks very familier
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6529-1

Sports car with bike trailer..still remember the car and trailer
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6644-1

Dumpster
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6652-1

4X4 with suspension (so far I have never seen this type of suspension anymore)
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6672-1

Utility repair lift (the wonders of lego)
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6671-1

Tow truck , recognized it by the red pulley with the highway logo
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6674-1

Shell tanker. I remember having a shell tanker, but not sure if it was this though
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6695-1

Fishing Boat. An actual boat that actually FLOATS!!!
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=4011-1

Coast guard boat with deployable dinghy. One day I saw on TV a coast guard boat which can deploy a dinghy just like this boat and I instantly remember about this set.
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6353-1

Some M:tron space sets with luminous panels and attennas :P
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6833-1
http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6877-1

I think I just stopped for now... AS you can see, this is only legos which I still can remember.. there are many many more other toys as well...

No mood to play games :( & Emotional rollacoaster :(

Now that all the exams and projects are over, I find it funny that I have no mood at all to play my Xbox and PC. The game I rented from the online renting website sits there unused. Dawn of War and Serious Sam 2 discs remain in thier colorful original case. Battlefield 2 too lazy to play. If the game is a little bit too hard I give up on it. I now have all the time in the world to actually play these games and I am not using that time for that purpose. Funny how the human mind relaxes itself? Most propably there isn't any hard work to balance out the need to play. There is a saying; Work hard play hard. Now I understand since now I am not working at all so that's why I am not playing at all.

My feelings have been through a very rough ride this few days. First it was the "jumped the gun" action I did (read previous blog entry), then I totally ruined any opportunity to atleast try to fix things right on Saturday night. Haih, if only I can turn back the clock to set things straight.. :(

Right now I am still in the cooldown period, trying to overcome what I have done wrong and trying to set my mind up to look ahead but still remember to prevent such a mistake. Its very hurting to know you have been rejected, but atleast it will be less hurting to know it upfront than the girl keeping you in the dark (courtesy of my first love). Also, in both instances we din even move pass the "gf&bf" part or the dating part even. I don't know why, but it seems like my relationship is broken before it even begins. Not to say it is bad though, since maybe there is still time to restart and give a second chance... well maybe, after the cool down period and going through the process more carefully this time.

Where should I begin my love story part 2?

I know her for quite a while already since I first came to Adelaide. She is in the same course as me and is a close friend to one my coursemates. During my 1st year in Adelaide where I was doing my 3rd year of my degree, I was still thinking and hoping to meet up with my 1st love although I got no idea where she is or whether she is even married even. I was also too busy at that time since it was first time overseas alone and trying to be able to cope with the new environment and workload.

It wasn't until the beginning of Semester 2 2005 that I somehow finally gave up my first love for good (maybe it was turning 21, maybe something activated in my brain somewhere). Also, during the practical training I did while I was in Malaysia I chatted with fresh graduate from US who started work the same time as me. He was already on the path to becoming a husband, as 2 months later he went to NRD and approve his marriage. Is that fast or what?

Not trying to break his record for his speed to marry, but as we chatted he said that actually the best time to get a gf is when you are studying. When you are working already, you are working no day no night and you rarely have a chance to meet up with ppl. No free leisure time to meet up with friends. The environment is more stressful than during studying. As I did my practical training, what he said all made sense. All I did was work and work. When you return home you are too sleepy for anything. Also when you start working everyone is busy. How to find a soulmate then? At that time I din really have a big social circle either, which further contribute to the problem.

After my practical training, I returned to Adelaide to continue and complete my degree. What he said still remained in my mind. I was thinking, since this is my last year I will be studying, I might as well atleast do something I can't or may not have time to do after I graduate.

I didn't tackle her in the first Semester because I was too busy with project and stuff. Also at that time I though she has a boyfriend already.

As the 2nd semester began I realized that she was actually single and from the looks of it available. Seeing an opportunity I cannot resist, I proceede to get to know her better. As I get to know her better, the more I began to like her even more. She might not be as beautiful as a supermodel or some friends I know, but she is hardworking, friendly and has the right attitude. One thing I know, having a supermodel type gf with a bad attitude is not good. Like having a Ferrari which requires $$$$ of matainance (but if you can tahan that, go ahead).

But still, I was not confident if I could kau her properly. I was still outside her circle of friends, I lacked any way to converse in my mother tougue and new a relative newbie to this kind of things. What to talk to her? How to approach her without frightening her.

All that change after that day at Uluru. That day, my friends went up the Rock but I decided against it coz it beyond my capabilities and feel guilty to climb up. Instead I walked around the Rock (9.4km!!!) with a Korean girl, who was also on our trip and also decided not to climb. We chatted as we walk around the rock, getting to know each other better. The next few days both of us were confortable chatting with each other and exchanged each others contacts. Too bad she already has a boy friend and her friend is too old (looks like she is 21 but actually 27!) and on her way.

Even so, that trip make me realized something; Given the appropriate setting, timing and the right person I am actually able to court a girl (I may sound like an absolute loser, but hey, atleast I tried and succeded in a way). All it needs is the confidence to go for it. That final 10% in any F1 team strategy, where 50% is the car, 40% is the team and 10% is the driver.

As the days go by I managed to find some opportunity to chat with her. I also did the most important thing I WILL NOT FORGET AGAIN, I asked for her contact number. Also as the days go by my feeling for her has risen to the point where I just wish she was already taken to ease the huge feeling for her. Fortunately I managed to control my feelings and placed her as a secondary priority for a while and set more important stuff like project report as the main priority. At this time I wonder she even know I like her or not.

The moment of truth, or the climax moment is when I finally tell her I liked her. I don't know why it just had to be after an exam, but I just had to tell her I liked her. That exam was my FINAL exam for my entire degree, and chances of seeing her again is very very slim. My desire to tell her such is so heavy I could control it no longer. I had the fear that history will repeat itself again, as last time after the FINAL exam of SPM, my first love went home early and dissappeared.

Fortunately, it all worked out well and I did tell her I liked her face to face after following her back that day. It was a great moment of relief at that time, finally telling her why I like to chat with her. After confessing to her, she replied that she already knew that I liked her. Never felt so happy in a very long while.

However, as fate would have it, whenever there is a climax, there will be the period of whether it will turn out good or turn out bad. The following days after that showed great sign that things were badly going downhill. First, one day I decided go to university to take out some files stored in the CATS computer. After I took the files out, I decided to see if she was around in the CATS. I don't know what happen that day, but I just didn't see her. I spotted her friend, but it never occured to me that she is around. It was later that night in MSN that she said she was actually in CATS at that time. why I didn't see her? why I didn't talk to her friend?..

Also as the days go by, from the voice in her calls seem to be getting more stress. The first time I called her I can hear laughter in her voice. The second time I called her she is still quite ok, but I can sense she is a bit stress. The third time I call her, that fateful call that started the chain reaction, I can really sense she was under alot of stress. I should have known that was a danger sign. That was the sign things were about to implode. That was the sign to let her cool down for a while... that was the sign not to mentioned those fateful words...

After that she never answered my calls to her. I knew at that very time she is free, but she never returned my calls. I immediately had a sense of deja vu at that time, remembering what happened four years ago. So while eating humble pie I called my friend to tell him my problem. I usually don't like to consult ppl when it comes to relationships, but I had no other way. I did something wrong and I really need to do damage control.

After talking with him for a while, I finally knew what went wrong. The timing was way off. I jumped the gun. In the end he said that she MIGHT come to the gathering on Saturday night and ask me if I would come. I decided to go, but held that feeling she will not be there.

To be continued.... gosh, so many things to write, plus the dilemma of what to add or what not to add..

Love is in the air..

I don't know why, or such sheer coincidence, but there are two very sweet love letters pop up at the same time. I went to view Hui Ling's site and here I see a love letter dedicated to her boyfriend. Move over to my brother's blog (Ji Yung's blog), and ....WALAUEHHH.. a message beyond my capabilities ever! Is the 16th of November bring any significance whatsoever? I don't know.

What I do know is that the day before (15th) in a telephone call to a girl I spoke those three magic words to her. Then the next day (16th) I called her many times but she has not answered me yet :( . Ask my friend my problem and turns out I jumped the gun on the whole "I love you thing". See, apparently the situation wasn't prefect to say those 3 magic words.... Now I know why the first girl I tried to kau did not work out :(


I think she is still stress out since her exams have recently ended. Add in that "shocker" I think she just needs time to recover and her mood stabilized. Just hope it is not too late or the damage is permanent :(

Google Earth pictures

A friend of mine recently mentioned Google Earth in her blog and put up some pictures of her base of operations. So I thought well, maybe I put the location of my own base of operations. Only showing my place in Adelaide though, since I rather keep my Subang Jaya location secret for the time being (if you want to know where my house is e-mail me)

Here are the location of my hostel in Rose Park

Here's the satellite image of my university. The engineering buildings are eng north and south.

Here's the distance from my place to uni. 2.75km!

My degree has gone GOLD

That's right, it has gone gold. No more exams. No more projects to do. What's next is the graduation and the need to plan ahead. Still have not decided and virtually everything a graduate has do to like getting a job, sequring a house, planning for the future, managing personal finances.... .. boy its going to be a long road ahead.

Right now I am just lazing around what could be the last chance ever to laze around like this for the next 30 or more years!!! No where in life you can relax and sleep and money keeps flowing in thanks to a reserve of money from someone you know very dearly (hint: the ppl who sponser my education).

Been playing lots of computer games lately. Well only 1 game lately since games here are all ori and expensive. Been spending my time playing Dawn of War Winter Assault and installing a 1000 unit cap mod in ther process. The AI is bumped up, the races are more refine (although some are dumbed down) and like all games, there are still some problems. The Imperial Guard is too cheating, the space marines hare costlier to tech up and the chaos marines forgotten how to fire a rocket launcher and plasma gun. Still, the game is still rocks an worth the purchase. Looking forward to Serious Sam 2 next!

Uluru-Alice Springs Trip

Yesterday I just got back from Alice Springs onboard the Gahn. The trip lasted 20 hours and i only managed to get little sleep along the way. Didn't slept that much when the train was stopping and moving slowly between Tarcoola and Port Augusta to allow bigger frieght trains right of way. After that when the train was on its way continously to Adelaide and I managed to get some sleep.

My holiday started last week on the 22nd of September where I went to my friend's place to sleep. The next morning, (23rd September) all of us went out early from their apartment in East Terrace and proceed to the Wayward bus office at Waymouth street to begin the journey up north. Took a while though to get out of Adelaide since we have to wait for 2 ppl who just arrive in Adelaide by train onboard the Indian Pacific at Weswick station. After that we head north to the Barbossa valley, to Clare and onward to Quarn, a small town where we spend the night. Along the journey can see fields of canola in bright yellow, had to pay AU3 to taste wine at a winery (I thought it was free? When I went to Barbossa it was free... anyway more reason to taste ALOT), the driver made wrong turning several times (he was flown in from the NT, but oh well), and lastly at night had dinner and a drink at the local pub!

Next day (24th) left Quarn early to go Port Augusta to refuel. The modified truck-turned-to-bus is very very gas guzlling. After that we head towards the Arid lands botanic garden which we walked around for a while. The funny thing was we thought it was ok to walk outside w/o a sweater but when the wind blew we quickly wore them. After the arid lands botanic garden it was on to Woomera to see rockets and to stock up on food. Too bad they never sold any rockets. We continued our journey up towards Coober Pedy where we visit an opal mine in the heart of the city which has opals in the bottom level (the town is full of them) and slept underground in a dugout. NEVER NEVER LET ANYONE WHO SNORES SHARE THE SAME ROOM WITH YOU! Had a HUGE pizza at the local pizzaria which taste very very good.

The third day (25th) we left the Coober Pedy dugout to head for the Breakaways and the dog fence. Very desert like conditions at the area, but funny it was beginning to rain when we visited that area. Would look fantastic if it was sunny. We then head towards Erlunda (correct spelling?) in the Northen Territory to meet up with another bus from Alice Springs to continue on to Uluru! Had a fantastic sunset from the campgrounds with more ppl looking at the Rock than at the actual sunset. Spend the night at the campgrounds in a swag on the ground while looking at the stars while lying down. Spotted about 3-4 shooting stars that night.

The fouth day (24th) we head towards the Uluru-Kata Tjuta national park to view the sunrise. I can tell you the sunrise is crazy with loads of ppl at the same spot. The most amazing are those 5-star tours which serve wine during the sunrise! After watching the sunrise a short stop by the visitor centre to see the aboriginal culture and to buy some sourvenies (magnets and such). We then head off to Uluru again, this time stopping at the climbing area for those who wish to climb and for those who wish to do the base walk. I did not climb the Rock simply because I have not climbed any mountains or hills before and feel a bit guilty while doing it. I should had known that the base walk around Uluru was a whopping 9.4 km coz it was so far to walk 1 round! Anyway get to walk with 1 girl from Korea who did not followed her friend up :P So both paths had its reward.....

After Uluru it was to camp to rest for a while. Then we head towards Kata Tjuta. We walked around 5km that day through very difficult terrain with losse rocks and steep incline. Most of us walked towards the 2nd and most breathaking lookout point before we decided to walk back. My friends continue on to circle Kata Tjuta. Taking a slow walk back is alot better to actually see what we had miss first time.

At night we settle in for the night in our swags (some opted for tents) for the next morning. Very tiresome day and I can't believe I walked so far...

The fifth day (27th) we woke up a bit late to head to Uluru for a short guided tour (we already saw sunrise yesterday). The climb was closed today due to strong winds i guess. After that we head out of the Uluru area to King's Canyon. Stopped along the way to Mt. Ebenenze (a truck stop, not a mountain) to buy more souveniers. Once we reached King's creek station we rest for a while before heading to King's Canyon nearby. Got the option to ride in a helicopter at King's creek but my friends are not up to it coz it is so expensive!! Maybe I should have went myself...

At King's Canyon I did the valley walk instead of the rim walk for the same reasons as the Uluru, the path is demanding for me.

The 6th day (28th)we leave King's creek station onward to Alice Springs!! On the way we stopped by at Rainbow valley (actually, more like fly valley) and to see the singing dingo, which unfortunately is having a holiday. Reached Alice Springs about 4-5pm. At night we hang out at a saloon type restaurant for dinner and some beer. I only had 1 glass of beer coz tommorow we need to leave early for the Gahn and because I am with 2 Korean girls (from our group) who don't drink AT ALL. My friends on the other hand was with the 2 Japanese girls (also from our group) and they were drinking all night.

Last day of the trip to Alice Springs, we had lunch at the train station and departed Alice Springs at around 12.30pm. After that it was a long journey back home.

So how much beer did I drink during the trip?
1 glass at Quarn
1 bottle at Coober Pedy
5 cans of beer during the days at Uluru and King's canyon
1 glass at Alice Springs

The 1 bottle at Coober Pedy was only 375 ml, but it has 14.7% of alkohol and I can feel how high it can get. My friends were surprised I drank the entire bottle wayyy faster than them (hey, I rarely drink, how was I supposed to know I should not be drinking so fast?).

Holiday is here!

The mid-semester break is finally here. Yesterday, Monday I had presented my presentation and now the following 2 weeks is time to catch up on some work. Thank god the presentation went smoothly and without any major hitch. Anyway, had fun last night playing on Xbox Live with the usual friends. The line was good and my frag count was wayy better compared to last time :P

I tried to buy Burnout Revenge yesterday, went up and down Rundle Mall comparing prices (actually, availability) and went home empty handed. EB was selling the game, but at the full retail price. The shop I wanted to buy it from have not receive the new game yet although it advertised it should be here on Monday. Oh well, some money saved in the process.

Now I have that funny desire to buy a Nintendo DS. Wait... NINTENDO?!?!$!# Didn't I said I hated Mario? Didn't I said I hated Pokemon? Well, of course I hate those 2 franchises since Pokemon is lame on the GBcolor and Mario.... gosh that was YEARS ago, but after reading up about the DS, I found out that the DS isn't actually a bad system. So the comparison

PSP
Bad points
-cost AU399 on average, or about RM 1200 in M'sia
-need another RM 500 or more for the memory stick duo, which only compatible with Sony items
-the UMD movies are region coded. Boo boo if I purchased one here and can't view UMDs from Singapore or Japan (Why the hell S'pore and Japan are different regions?)
-chances of getting the dreaded dead pixel problem
-games run on UMD disks and some games has long loading times (.. argghh..it has the PS2 genes)
-need memory stick to save games (duh, it's a Sony)
-UMD games cost more than DS games (not sure about it yet)
-Fragile LCD screen just screams for a third party screen protector= more $$$ spent
-battery life

Good points
-OMG THE LCD SCREEN!!!! IT ROCKS!@#!@#$!@$ *** Drooling****
-UMD games are region free (thankfully)
-it looks waaayyy cooler and more techno than the DS... remember how good the PS2 looked last time?
-has multimedia function with internet browser, wifi, bluetooth
-the games looks GORGEGOUS!@#!@$@!$

DS
Bad points
-Mario... Pokemon... argghh
-just gaming?.. no MP3? no internet browser?what the heck is the wifi for?
-the LDC screen looks pale in comparison to the PSP
-looks so... plain
-cheap plastic

Good points
-Cost about AU 170 for a new one, so it is half the price of the PSP.
-NO NEED FOR MEMORY CARDS!@#!@
-has a touch screen and "some" games untilized them
-more durable than the PSP. Some even commented it can be dropped and still works after that. the PSP on the other hand....
-the flip design protects the screen
-Advanced Wars DS, Metroid Prime Hunters
-full backwards compatibility with GBA games

So all in all, the PSP will eat almost the same cost I "intended" to spent on the Xbox 360 when it is released in Singapore. I am estimating the Xbox 360 will cost around RM 2500, minus the trip to Singapore of course. Besides, the Xbox 360 has a lot more USEFUL functions than a PSP.
UMD movies: DVDs is waayyy better and region free. Movies are meant to be watched while sitting on a couch with the legs up
Mass data storage capability: a portable hard disk or a MP3 player which is cheaper and has far more GB capacity can get the job done better
Internet surfing: I don't think surfing with something without a keyboard (i mean, how to sent e-mails? I am puzzled) or for fun is something I will do in the future when my handphone can do a better job.
The awesome screen: I will definitely scratch the screen sooner or later

So I was thinking, most probably I will get DS first and a PSP later when I can actually afford it (hey, the 360 costs more u know). For the PSP the only games I want are Lumines, Ridge Racer and Wipeout Pure. For the DS it is Advanced Wars, Meteors, Metroid Prime Hunters (later next year) and Kirby. Bah, maybe I just get a 360 first.

Anyway, my purchasing plans are:
DS (October), AU 300 = RM 1000 (just estimating)
PSP (January), RM 2000
360 (middle of 2006?), RM 4000 , inclusive of games, the console itself and the trip down?

and for my current Xbox:
Burnout Revenge AU 80
Conker (still deciding, coz this game isn't really child or senior friendly due to its language, and paying so much for a game full of @$%@$%@ isn't such a good idea to me) AU 80
Far Cry Instinct AU 90
Kingdom Under Fire AU 90
Beyond Good and Evil AU 50 (darn it, why only EB has it?)

So in a years time I will spent RM 8000 on games and the gadgets above.

hmm.. that's not so bad, especially since the hardware will last a long long time...

oh wait, I forgetten to add PC games into the equation. But I don't think it will cost so much since my present PC is capable of handling the current games. It did managed to play BF2 without a hitch.

Royal Adelaide Show

Adding some blog entry in between work and more work. Last Saturday my friend and I went to the Royal Adelaide Show on its last day. It was something like a giant fun fair with the whole Wayville Showgrounds abuzz with activity. There's the section with all the rides, games etc and there is a section selling show bags. Show bags are something like goody bags with some novelty stuff in them together with toys, junk food and just plain junk. I saw one show bag with a toy rifle that is almost 1:1 scale, has a scope and even has the V support for the barrel. That is the closest you can get a toy gun to look like the real thing. Too bad it ran out of stock. That is one of the "gun" toy show bags. Got Pokemon showbag, Transformer showbag (with transformer mechandice, but not the transformer itself), Yugioh showbag.

The bags I bought is the Kit kat one and the Coca-cola show bag, in which the Coke one gives you a REAL brand new nylon bag with 2 coke bottles and some coke goodies. The Coke bag only costs AU10 since it is the last day and must have sold badly earlier this week (the Pepsi one is wayyy better with a grey bag and some useful goodies... but sold out).













I bought a can shaped camera from the Coke stall. There's even a flash version, but the one I bought is the normal version. Not bad though, the size is almost similar to that of a REAL CAN.

Then another souvenier from the show: 2 mugs costing only AU 5 for both. That time only left the pig and the sheep type. Fortunately I managed to get a sheep mug before it ran out.















That's all for now... gotta long week ahead...... somemore planning to go to Alice Springs.....

Xbox 360 I want and Brukunga Trip

Last week Microsoft annouced the price of the Xbox 360; it will cost only US399!!! So cheap for such a powerful and highly capable console! I want I want! Somemore it comes with the console, the removable hard disk, a wireless controller, a headset for Xbox live, a special DVD remote and HD_Tv cables (if we are ever going to afford a TV as expensive as a Kancil to use that cable). Somemore it comes with 30 day free trial of Xbox Live! It is due to arrive soon at the end of the year in US, Japan and Europe, but gods knows when it will come to Singapore or let alone Australia. So no chance of getting one while I am still here :( Still, I wonder if I can cough up US 399 for the console itself and another US100 for 2 Xbox 360 games. Atleast the Xbox 360 is better than spending RM 1500 on a Sony PSP, which I still thinking if I should get one as the 360 will take a while to arrive in Singapore. I'm sure got some ppl go and import the 360 from Japan, but like the first PS2s to arrive from Japan, it will cost a bomb :(

Today I went on a field trip to the Brukunga Fire Training Centre 40km from Adelaide. Guess it was part of the benefits of doing the Fire Engineering Elective :P Anyway got to see the facilities where firefighters are trained and some pretty expensive fire simulators for them to be trained. The picture on the left you see a tanker hot pad training rig which is called the "upside down LPG barbecue under water " tha t cost half a million dollars. It can simulate smoke coming out from the tyres, fire on the tanker itself and the big one, a big bad flame on the road, or in the following picture:-


On the pad. Take note that when I took this picture IT IS VERY VERY HOT. There is alot of radiant heat coming from the pad itself flame and being an LPG flame with little or no smoke the combustion is almost perfect. Also take note at how far I am standing from; it is quite some distance from the rig itself and I can feel my fore head (the only part exposed, except the hands and face) beginning to get hot as well.

Here are 2 more pictures showing another "upsude down barbecue under water" hot pad.

Final sem = so much work :(

Have not been able to blog anything lately. So much work that when I come home i am simple too lazy to do anything that require some thinking (writing this blog with proper English is one of them). My Xbox also I never play as often when I first got it. Maybe it is because I got a RPG game which will suck up so much time I rather not start on it otherwise I will play it for 3-6 hours none stop. Also, got some pretty good stuff to play on the PC at the moment.

First is the F.E.A.R demo. It rocked when I saw it when it was shown on E3, it rocked again when I tried the demo! Too bad my computer isn't up to par with the required specs needed to run the game as intended, but my computer has just enough juice to allow the "bullet time" and particle effects to be displayed :P The graphics was superb! The wait to download it, stalled at 98%, downloaded it AGAIN payed off.

Then there is the Dungeon Siege 2 Demo. It was a whopping 1.5 gigs to download. Thankfully it was downloaded without any hitch at all. The game was ok, the sheer size of the download was due to the fact it came with a full motion video introduction of more than 5 minutes and some fantastic cutscenes. Played it pass the first mission and stopped there though. One rpg at a time is enough.

So that's 2 games in the horizon to get, provided my computer still has the power to play them. Somemore I am expecting Serious Sam 2, Star Wars Battlefront 2, the Dawn of War Expansion..... .. Xbox 360, PSP... so many things to play not enough time nor money!

Tommorow I am going to attent the one and only Level 4 lab this semester; The Air-con lab. It is at the Thebarton campus west of the city. From what I see, I can get there without even alighting in the city as my bus will continue on past that area. Still I still need to alight as I will meet my friend for lunch b4 heading there together.

Now I got 2 assignments due in the coming weeks. Still got the seminar abstract to do somemore :P

1st week of my last semester

I would expect the 1st week to be a walk in the park, but no, it was a walk down a ravine. So many things to do and although there are very little lectures my project mates and I have to do experiments and our Final Year Project itself. Somemore have to do things on Saturday :( The supervisor has been very supportive but he expects too much from us. It's still a long way way more from the end of this year so there is still time.

Recently I have gotten something I ordered from the States. It is the E3 2005:Gamespot Collector's DVD Set. I was expecting it to arrive by 30th of July but it came 2 weeks earlier. No wonder the shipping cost more than the DVD set itself! The DVD is 19.90 US, but the shipping is 29 US!! Then the shipping was done by USP and it was very fast too. Still I read some ppl can get the postage cheaper by asking their US mates to send from the US to thier country and it cost a fraction of the cost! Common mistakes when purchasing on the internet, the shipping charges are inflated as hell. Here's the picture to the left, with some details hidden form view :P

Edit: I realized the price of shipping was wrong 1st time around, not 27, but 29.

2nd last sem results

I managed to pass all of my 2nd last sem subjects. Managed to get 1 Distinction, 1 Credits and 2 Pass. I was surprised that I managed to get a credit for Combustion, and even more surprised to get a Pass for Topic in Welded Structures (surprised as in: WHY THE HELL DID I GET SO LOW!#$#!). Thankfully I barely escaped from failing advanced vibration. The paper is really set to kill. The past exams paper showed one thrend, it gets tougher and tougher! and this years one is killer coz there are only 3 questions and all of them have not been seen before and require some thinking to do! Again, a miracle I survive that!

Then come Topics in Welded Structures. It took us one whole month to do the assignment regarding a pressurised stainless steel vessel. The exam paper expect us to do it in 1.5 hours, this time the vessel is made out of 2 materials, one stainless steel, one carbon steel. Write an answer similar to the assignment that took us a month in only 1.5 hours (and consists of 50% of the paper) ? Oh yeah, another "I know how to do it, just that I am not The Flash".

Lastly was space vehicle design. Everyone says it was easy, the past year was easy. But somehow it was TOO easy. Then the exam came about and the type of questions really shocked us. A mars to mars orbit launch question. How do we know the Low Mars Orbit? if there is one? What kind of procedure should we use. It was a gamble question for sure. I took what I know about earth to Geo launchers and modify them for mars. Then hope it is logical enough that it is right. Not many got high marks in this subject. I got a Distinction, but not high enough.

Now I got a long road ahead which will reveal many challenges. My final semester is the only hurdle (or mountain as shown in the picture) to go b4 I graduate. After that... dunnoleh..

This picture was taken on the 3rd day of my trip. After visiting Port Augusta, we head up to the Flinders range to a lookout point high in the hills. As you can see, the road is deserted, perfect for a photo like this!

Semester break

More than a month I never post anything, bout time I posted something. Last few weeks was very hectic studying for my exams. Also the first week of holidays too lazy and too tired from all that studying to type anything. Also in the first week of holidays I went with my friends on a day trip to the country side in a span of 3 days.

Day 1 we visited the wine producing areas like Clare Valley and Barossa Valley. Bought 5 bottles home. 1 red vine, 1 sweet (some sort of liquire), 1 some-type-of-drink-with-chocolate (how to explain it?) and 2 spackling juice. Regret not buying more :(

Day 2 we visited the Murraylands. Nothing much to see besides scenery, scenery and more scenery. Atleast the first day got to taste wine, but this day nothing much to buy and do.

Day 3 we drove up to Port Piery then to Port Augusta. Again, nothing much to see and buy besides scenery, scenery and more scenery.

That's all for now. Maybe later I will add in some pictures and such.