This Is Me

Yesterday, my senior asked me, “Are you metro?”

This question got me stumped.

Wikipedia define Metrosexual as,

Metrosexual is a neologism derived from metropolitan and heterosexual coined in 1994 describing a man (especially one living in an urban, post-industrial, capitalist culture) who spends a lot of time and money on shopping for his appearance.

I didn’t exactly gave a clear cut answer. I wasn’t sure if being a metrosexual is widely accepted in Singapore.

Instead, I replied with, “Aren’t we all metrosexual? The question is rather the degree of metrosexuality that an individual has.”

He agreed and continued to ask me, “So do you go for facials?”

I replied, “Facials as in like those given at spas? No.”

That made me wonder, what if I said yes? Will I be looked down upon? Will I be teased as gay?

Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t lying. I honestly do not go for facials at all. I think they are a completely waste of money and rubbish. However, I wouldn’t doubt that I’m a metrosexual.

It’s not a secret at all that I invested a lot of money on skin care products. It’s because I’m a victim of acne. I’ve suffered it for years and it’s honestly bringing my self esteem down. As a result of that, I’m always searching for products that claim to clear skin.

Doesn’t anyone get envious at that friend of yours who has clear skin and puts in minimal effort to maintain it?

I definitely do.

It’s feels so cliché to be writing this but I felt that it was somewhat necessary. Twenty-eleven did had its fair share of ups and downs.

This was the year that I graduated from Temasek Polytechnic. Needless to say, I am very happy of my achievements. I have mentioned this a couple of times, I graduated with a merit and I am accepted into NTU, what more can I ask for? I am truly happy and I look forward to explore uncharted territories of computing in NTU.

This was also the year that I was enlisted into National Service. It wasn’t easy for me. I received the golden ticket to be enlisted a day before my birthday. I felt beyond devastated to the point that I cried. Yes, I did. Boys have feelings too. It was one of life’s moment that I dreaded so much.

Ever since I was young, everyone kept sharing stories of how cruel and ruthless National Service can be. I was instilled with utmost fear. Just the thought of entering into National Service makes me tremble and wet my pants.

I had a really difficult time adjusting to life in there. I’m the youngest child, I have been literally pampered every single day. I’ve never worked before in my entire life. My first working experience was the internship that Polytechnic courses offers. I can safely say at I’ve never experienced any real hardship.

When we entered, everyone was treated like no one, like a piece of shit I would say. That night, after my first day, I cried. Really hard. Words honestly cannot describe how I felt. It was an entirely different world inside. On my second day, we had a private interview with our Platoon Commander. He asked me, ‘How are you coping along?’

I took a deep breath. I closed my eyes and I broke down. At the point, simply said, I do not give a shit that I’m making a fool out of myself that I cried. I just couldn’t hold it anymore.

I told him I miss home and life is tough in here. I fully understand that National Service is mandatory and there is nothing he can do. I also told him that this place makes me feel suicidal, I just want to get out of here. There is no shortcut way of getting out of here other than the cold razor blade.

That was a fact of life and I just had to accept it. And I needed time to accept it.

I am absolutely thankful for my loving parents to drive each week to book in. I’d be at the back seat gazing emptily as city lights flash by. Hot tears would stream down while I keep questioning myself, why do I need to go through all of this? What did I do to deserve this?

It wasn’t a surprise to people that I was at the lowest point of my life, most people can read my emotions like an open book. Numerous people from my company tried to cheer me up. One of them noticed that I was crying in the car as we arrived at the entrance of the camp.

When we’re in camp, the best part of our day was our free time after dinner. It was the only time that I can call my parents. When the lights are out, I’d be on bed in a fetal position and crying silently. The question will be there again, why do I need to go through all of this? I just want to be home.

The tears eventually stopped in my sixth or seventh week. I was somewhat getting used to it and I know what was to be expected but life was still difficult inside. All I can ever think about was the passing out parade. I just want to be a human again.

I was on cloud nine when we passed out as privates. However, my euphoria was short-lived when the training for medical orderly started. It was like recruit life all over again. I’m tired of this crap and I had enough.

After lunch, we were told to fall in, I couldn’t hold it anymore and I broke down. I just wanted to get out of this course and be a clerk. An easy life I would say. At the end of the day, I cried in the crowded train, silently of course while facing the interior of the carriage.

With all those hardship, I did meet several wonderful people. And I have lost quite an amount of weight and I am satisfied with that. National Service made me realize how lucky I am for my parents. My parents would do anything to cheer me up when I’m back home for the weekends. But if I was given a choice to go through all of that again, I’d definitely turn down the offer.

Now, I have passed out from my medical training for about two months and I am posted to a hospital. I am simply looking forward to complete my two years, continue my studies and achieving my dreams and goals.

MacBook, my trustworthy companion. I had you for so long, you stayed right by my side through the eternal battles with school assignments. You’ve never let me down. You execute applications swiftly with utmost stability leaving those Windows machine in shame. You are incredibly awesome.

School assignments are things of the past. The mobility and the computational power of the MacBook is no longer useful for me. For that, I apologize for forsaking you. Forgive me MacBook for disregarding you for I have bought an iPad.

iPad. The legendary iPad. Who have not heard of the iPad? One of a kind. My companion.

The iPad was first announced on January 27, 2010 by Apple’s then-CEO Steve Jobs. It was marketed as a device to bridge the gap between smartphones and laptops. I’ve had mine for a couple of months and I must say that in fact, it rendered my MacBook useless.

I couldn’t find anymore reasons why I needed to boot up my MacBook for my computing needs when the iPad paired with my iMac was able to suffice my needs.

One of the main reasons why iOS devices are wildly successful is because of the App Store. Needless to say, there is an app for almost everything. The apps themselves extend the capability of the iOS devices tremendously. When you think about it, without the apps, iOS devices are nothing. Plain devices with no special functionality. That is one of the reasons why I preferred my iPad over my MacBook. The vast amount of apps allows me to do a lot of things. Just yesterday, I was watching a movie on my iPad. It was streamed via my iMac. I’m not saying that it’s not possible to watch it on my MacBook streamed via the iMac but it’s a hassle to set it up.

Moreover, the iPad is so much lighter than the MacBook. I wouldn’t want a heavy device on me while I’m lying down on my bed watching a movie. Furthermore, the MacBook contains a typical hard disk with movables parts. It can cause detrimental effects with sudden movement, not cool when you’re lying down with it.

My MacBook, it’s archaic, it’s no longer in production. The battery is wrecked. It’s not able to hold a charge for more than two hours. Unlike the iPad, it holds it’s battery charge a whole lot longer. And I no longer need to worry about the blanket blocking the ventilation and causing overheating problems.

The iPad is of course great but when I’m starting University, I’m definitely getting a MacBook Pro. The iPad isn’t really catered for developers or programmers. However, it’s great for creating quick app or site mockups! But still, it’s more of a device to consume content, not so much on content creation. I’d definitely encourage the general public to get an iPad, it might be able to suffice the needs of many. The only regrets I have is not getting the 64GB model. Other than that, I can’t live without my iPad.

“Have you taken your lunch?”

*Nods head*

“You’re working alone today?”

*Nods head*

“Did Alpha XXX convey any patient to hotel 2 today?”

*Nods head*

“Where do you live?”

*Nods head*

“Huh? So where do you live?”

“Oh. Simei.”

That awkward moment when you couldn’t really hear what the other party was saying and you just nodded your head in agreement. And then I felt retarded afterwards.

Am I the only one who experienced this?

I guess it’s more appropriate to say “I beg your pardon” but I don’t like saying that a couple of times in a conversation because I don’t want the other party to think that I’m deaf.

If I were to make a wild guess, I guess that majority of the people wouldn’t wish to be a part of National Service. I truly understand that but I also do perfectly understand why National Service is important for this country.

I didn’t had to wait long to be enlisted into National Service upon graduating. While I was still a student, I honestly worked really hard. Each day, I’d leave the campus at 9PM. I spend up to 12 hours a day in school during my final year. I was honestly pushing myself to graduate with a merit and hoping that I can get a place in a local university. My hard work did paid off. I graduated with a merit and I’m accepted into Nanyang Technological University to complete my Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science with Business Minor. Of course I was beyond ecstatic.

I was on a roll, I was ready to conquer the next challenge in my education life. I was hungry for more knowledge. My hands were itching to code more applications. As crazy as it sounds, I was actually very excited to start university life. To this day, I am still very interested to start university and be a student again.

But no, I had to be enlisted into National Service. Currently right now, I’m a hospital medic. I went through 5 weeks of cramming my tiny brain with medical terms and procedures. Honestly, at one point of time I was thinking to myself, what the hell is this all about? I graduated with a Diploma in Information Technology WITH a Merit and now I’m studying all this medical terms. Seriously, what the hell? It was totally irrelevant to my area of specialization.

Right now, I feel that what I’ve been learning for three years in polytechnic is slowly slipping away. I’d imagine that by the time I start university, I’ll probably forget all the basics of computing. Looks like my efforts are in vain.

My point is that, I wish MINDEF would properly utilize “us” and post us to proper vocation based on what we are good in. Wouldn’t that be better?

Well, all I can do right now is just wish harder and suck my thumb. Life is never fair to begin with.

My obsession has moved over to skin care.

Have you ever watched television(seriously, who haven’t?) and noticed how flawless celebrities’ skin are? Granted that celebrities might be piling on an inch of make up on or their photos were digitally enhanced, I am still envious and desire such skin.

For that I have succumbed and bought these products in hopes of achieving such outcome. Damn you media. And damn you credit card.

I never really ever know what to say
When all of my emotions get in the way
I’m just trying to get us on the same page

I don’t feel right
What has come over me, I’m about
To lose my mind

This is long overdue. I bought this back then while I was doing my internship at Institute for Inforcomm Research. It is a great companion to me in long rides. On top of that, a single charge can literally last for weeks.

It makes reading so much easier. I’m an avid reader and this device is definitely a worthy purchase. I barely have any more space to store all my books.

Yes I know, an alternative is to borrow books from the library as oppose to buying books. But I’ve never fancy that idea. Just imagine, how many people actually touched that book? It’s probably inhibited with a billion kinds of bacteria.

Besides, who has the time to drop by the library so often. And also, am I the only one who feels pressurized when I’m suppose to read a book before a specific date?

Oh kindle, you are a great device.

Being in NS is one of the things I wasn’t looking forward to. We are constantly being punished for the slightest mistakes. For an instance, we were punished because we were making a lot of noise.

Ever since that incident, we would often hear “sshh” or someone shouting “lower your volume!”

It makes me wonder which way is a more effective way to bring silence on us. One would say “sshh” would be rather effective considering that it is an universal sound to be quiet compared to shouting and adding more noise.

In my opinion, I prefer the ‘sshh’. I think that shouting is just annoying and makes the situation more chaotic. Just imagine if everyone pitch in and ‘sshh’ together? A harmonious sound. We can probably create a choir out of it. That would be a world’s first.

But I guess there are other various factors to consider. Such as, context, whether you are with friends or strangers, whether you have an authoritative figure associated with and many more I guess.

If you are Dumbledore, I reckon shouting would be the most effective way.

I bought a Magic Mouse as a gift for myself during Christmas. It is indeed magical. Do I really need a mouse? Nope. I’m just an Apple Fan boy. Let’s see what should I get next from Apple..