Melbourne Uni Experiments

During my time at Uni, I had the opportunity to participate in a couple of school experiments (which gives out a minimum of AUD 10 for participation).

I was fairly impressed with this one, hence the detailed account I wrote on Google Keep on what I was tasked with and the results I got at the end of it, so here goes:

Task 1

You have 50 ECU. 

There is equal chances of succeeding or failing an investment. If you succeed, you get triple the amount you invested. If you fail, you get nothing. If you choose not to invest, you get 50 ECU for sure.

-(I INVESTED 15 ECU)

Task 2

Encoding. You can choose to do either activity 1, activity 2, both or neither. Earnings for task 2 will be the sum of the two activities.

In activity 1, you're paired with a random partner. You will get either get prize 1 of 250 ECU or prize 2 of 150 ECU. You can increase your chances of winning prize 1 by encoding more than your partner. 

(I encoded 22/23 words)

In activity 2, for each word you encode correctly, you get 1.25 ECU for sure (individual).

(I encoded 24 words = 30 ECU)

Your payment will be based on EITHER task 1 or task 2 chosen randomly by the computer.

EARNINGS: Task 2. 

- In activity 1, I got prize 1: 250 ECU 

- In activity 2, I got 30 ECU 

- Participation Fee: 10 AUD

Conversion Rate: 10 ECU to 1 AUD

Therefore, total earnings: 38 AUD

It was the most I had earned from an experiment, & I must say, it was also the most interesting (& intense) one that I've participated in. 

Mental struggles

11 November 2015 - the day of the last paper. 
In normal circumstances, students like myself would have been jumping for joy on such a day, being all happy about the 'freedom' (a.k.a school vacations) that we have from the semester. But why oh why do I feel so lost right now.

The fear that I wouldn't be able to pass my papers? or the fear that I'll graduate and face the corporate society where I have to start all over again? Either way, it's nothing to be happy about. 

What am I going to do now? What is next? The tunnel ahead is so so dark and gloomy. Will I be able to somehow install fairy lights in the tunnel to lighten the road ahead? I just wanna curve into a ball and hide in a corner for now. 

あきらめない (DONT GIVE UP)

If there is one key takeaway/incentive from watching animes, that would probably be the "never give up" spirit, "あきらめない".

Although fictional and rather unbelievable that the protagonist would always seem to triumph any 'pinch' situation through willpower alone... how many of us truly believe in ourselves in the real world? The transition from being a student to a professional invokes doubt and disbelief, probably not for everyone, but that is definitely what I am going through right now.

Despite how cowardly the idea of giving up feels, it is often the easy way out and more-than-frequently used. How many of us had gone: "urgh, i'm leaving this to fate"? or "I'm just like that, there's nothing I can do"... this are things I have heard myself and people around me say.

Perhaps its time to change things up a little, to start believing and to delete the phrase, 'give up' from my life dictionary. ありがとう、Fairy Tail. たくさん教えてくれました。今から、頑張ります。

It's week TWELVE!

It's my penultimate semester... and the twelve teaching weeks had flown by. :O

A whole 12 weeks from trying to understand each subject to the flooding of group assignments to actually completing all required lessons and simply self-studying for the impending examinations. No doubt that there were ups and downs through the term, but I think I've gained much more than I've lost this academic year. For one, I'd made new friends (which I had thought was an impossible task) :D.

And so... it is the examinations! With three consecutive papers in approx. 15 days, I wonder why I'm procrastinating by blogging. lol. Alright, ファイト! 화이팅! 

A Tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew

23 March 2015... the day that Singaporeans woke up to the solemn news of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's passing. Every year, watching the NDP on television, my family & I often look forward to Mr Lee's arrival to the parade. Knowing that he is still healthy and strong always brings a sense of relief.

This year, 2015, marks the 50th year of Singapore's independence. More than anything, I would have hoped Mr Lee Kuan Yew could celebrate this year's NDP with us, it is, after all, an extremely special year in Singapore's history. However, this wish would now become an eternal regret (终生的遗憾).

Being a Singaporean, no words could express my gratitude to Mr Lee. He, a man with great wisdom and vision, transformed Singapore from a corrupted society to now a prosperous city-state recognised by the world. As a young Singaporean receiving tertiary education overseas, it is regrettable that I am unable to pay my final respects to our founding father, however, your legacy will be passed on to younger generations and your contributions will live on through decades to come.

To Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Thank You.

Credits to http://www.fivestarsandamoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/984158_785166031533749_7956530433981508571_n.jpg

Definition of a "Friend"

"What exactly is a 'friend'?"

Here's some definitions provided by some electronic sources:

Google & Oxford Dictionary- "a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations."

The Free Dictionary - 
1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement

Dictionary.com -
1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter
3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile

Seems legit enough... however, is being a 'friend' solely determined by one's feelings? If so, doesn't it make friendships a little too superficial (since feelings are generally based on aesthetic factors and can be irrational)? #randomthoughts

Semester 1, 2014

137th day since I left home for Melbourne, I am done with my first semester at UMelb! Glad to have pulled through 'Introductory Econometrics' which I had considered the module that I could have easily failed. 

今は冬休みから、母と姉が今メルボルンでいます。来週の月曜日シンガポールへ帰る。

Been hooked on 'The Voice Australia' and 'MasterChef Australia'... simply awesome shows... :) gotta think about how I should spend the rest of my winter holidays... 

p.s. 3 more weeks to Semester 2... :x