There For Me

I have always wanted to share this song, which never fails to make me tear whenever I listen to it. It is also one of the most inspiring songs during my runs. I did not know until today that it is a song from The Phantom of the Opera. Well, now I do. Enjoy.

Original song by Josh Groban/Sarah Brightman.

Proud to be a Westerner

I have been living in Jurong for the past 18 years.


It is a place where most people associate badly polluted air, cheap housing and foreign workers with. In fact I had worked in Jurong for the last 5 years, and gradually had forgotten what it feels like to enjoy a nice breathe of fresh air. Foreign workers have become my "best friends", accompanying up and down the crowded journey to the work. I mingled with them day in day out, at the MRT station, Jurong Point, and even at my void deck. I became frequent customers of Indian "MAMA" shops, which sprung in numbers in my neighbourhood serving the pool of Indian worker-drinkers and merry-makers who ventured to my estate late at night. Slowly, they became a part of my life, as I grew numb to their existence around me.

Until recently after I switched job, I travel half the Singapore island to the north eastern side. I don't see my "best friends" anymore on the north bound MRT trains, AMK Hub or the Yio Chu Kang neighbourhood. To many, such an environment had been inherent until the news of a foreign worker dormitory to be located at Serangoon Gardens caused the population to break into cold sweat overnight.

What's wrong with staying nearby the dormitories? And why don't you see the Jurong population complaining? Is it that no one cares about the voices of Jurong-ians? Or so you thought that workers work in the west and so naturally their social radii spill over to the Jurong neighbourhood? Maybe because Jurong is the industrial community of Singapore anyway and that is the best and cheapest place to house them?

I am not implying that I LOVE the company of our dear friends who are helping us build our economy. In fact, there are many times when I saw them fighting after they got drunk at my void deck. At late night, I still go home in fear if I am alone. I don't exactly find them gracious, judging from the rubbish they generate every weekend at Boon Lay MRT. How I wish that my neighbourhood is spared from the potential hazards they offer, since we are already suffering from the poisonous acid rains, bitter cocoa smells mixed with industrial smoke and transport inaccessibility.

Over the years, I have learnt to live with them peacefully. Nobody is born to master the art of compromise but someone just has to do it. So why can't you? =)

Stairwaves to Henderson

I have always wanted to visit the highest bridge in Singapore. And I finally did on Friday. True enough, it was magnificently high; as you may not notice it unless you tilt your head up towards the sky for an at least 80 deg from the horizontal while driving on the road.

We parked the car at the first car park we see after driving through depot road. Initially the winding walking trail up to the bridge was pretty steep. Also, do watch out for the sign board to make sure that you are walking towards Henderson Waves and not Forest Trail or something, as the same carpark has many exits. In less than 5min, we reached the tip of the 36m above Henderson Road.

I must say that the bridge does look better from the outside, that is when you look at it from the road beneath because of the bright LED lights outlining the wave design of the bridge. The lightes remains on from 7pm to 2am daily. On the bridge itself, it was spacious and wide, with lots of spaces for kids to run around, couples to spend a quiet time, and groups of friends for a cosy getaway. There are also a handful of night joggers there, taking on the challenge of the steep meandering track.

It takes less than 15min for a slow stroll from one end of the bridge to the other. But it is a good walk as we were all so full after a sumptuous claypot chicken dinner at Clementi. We did not venture further than the Henderson Waves, even though we know that the end of the road will lead to Mt Faber and eventually Vivocity. Next time maybe, when all of us are in better and more suited gear =P

I will definitely go back to the Henderson Waves again, the next time in the early morning to savour the other views of daybreak. I will also like to visit the Alexander Arch, Southern Rideges and Floral Walk & HortPark! It will be great if I can get some potted plants from the HortPark to put in my office (Hopefully...)!

Hmmm.. I can already imagine that the day scenes will be as gorgeous as the Stairway to Heaven.

A Good Start

After the first week of teaching, I discovered that I can have several names with the 6th option most popular:

1) Ms Lilian
2) Mrs Lilian
3) Mrs Huang
4) Mdm Huang
5) Teacher
6) Cher (short-form for Teacher)

And I DO NOT forgive those students who call me Mrs Lilian, Mrs Huang, Mdm Huang because I already told them I am Ms Lilian Huang!!! Oh well.. ok they are students after all, so I shall give them another week to get use to my name =)



Contrary to popular belief, the year 1 students I am taking for CL1310 are rather quiet and attentive. How lucky. They are also receptive to the classroom expectation that I gave them and often respond positively. Their noise level was also generally acceptable such that I do not have to raise my voice too much. What a good start!

But the real show has not started yet. With the commencing of practical experiments next week, I hope no one burn down the lab or concoct any explosive mixture with the variety of chemicals available in the laboratory. ~Amitaba~

Thank You For Listening

As I begin typing on this new entry, the 8pm talk show on Channel U is on TV. The topic: "Do you think looks is more important or inner beauty, with reference to girls?" A group of ladies is in intense discussions, including the famous blogger Xia Xue. After listening to the first 10min, I feel utterly disgusted and disappointed in their conversations, as most of them actually blatantly expressed that they rather be beautiful and stupid, than to be ugly and smart. And how they agree that botox and plastic surgery are normal and necessary if one is ugly. How I beg to differ!

Sounds familiar? It must be the spirit of SP4 (Semester Project 4) haunting me.

I had my first lesson on Monday since I joined NYP 3 months ago. The module? SP4, which is similar to what we call GP (General Paper) in college. Difference is that the discussion topics in class are mostly technical issues relating to chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Controversial topics which have no right or wrong answers. Objective of the module is to develop their technical presentation skills and also to defend and substantial their claims. It was indeed a fun module!



The lesson started off with a short video clip of "Thank You for Smoking" starring the comedian Aaron Eckhart in 2006. It was a Golden Globe nominated film. What is the relevance? Those who has never seen this show should see it right away...! It effectively exaggerated the power of argument and how an idea can be convincing as long as you have the evidence to support your stand. But the show can be easily misunderstood as "As long as you can bull****, you win" But that is definitely not my point =)

The class is a Year 2 class and hence are much cuter and attentive than I expected. They are responsive and yet not trouble makers. I feel that I can relate to them well also (Hee, think I am less than 10 years older than them lah!). Two more lessons to go for this week, Year 1 class for Physical and Inorganic Chemistry. Class management is really the key to handle Year 1 students, and that is the skill I lack.

Wish me luck!

New Semester, New Look

Heat exchangers, control valves, piping design, risk assessment... This is what "Projects" means to me all these years. Not forgetting how projects are always associated with ridiculously tight schedules and budgets, and the multi-millions of investment capital which is at stake. Thinking of these runs a sudden chill down my spine.

Now, Projects to me is defined with a whole new meaning. And my first project in NYP turns out to be something I really enjoy since young: Creativity and Design. Of course, my job does not involve the actual design, but I can get to decide the theme, what story the picture tells to its audience, and the selection of picture montage. That is fun!


Project Name: Revamp the existing door mural (above) for School of Chemical & Life Sciences
Budget: S$2000
Schedule: Before school starts on 13th Oct

Opps, 13th Oct? That is this coming Monday, and you guessed right, my project was "commissioned" today (one weekend before school reopens!) Phew. Here is the product.

It was tough to incorporate many concepts into one poster. If you look closely, caption says "Witness Technology Evolves, Right before Your Eyes..." Effervescence from the beakers revealed various fields of biochemical sciences, pharmaceutical processes, chemical engineering, green technology and basic chemistry. And you get to witness all these, in the Q4 labs in NYP! Potential students, anyone?

I am happy and excited about this new look which will greet students on the first day of school =)

Oh my Daisy!

I love daisies. They give me a sunny and refreshing feeling. But they are often sadly mistaken for chrysanthemum flowers, which is actually a larger breed of daisies, or so its Chinese name suggest. And because of the showing of Daisy in 2006 starring Jeong Woo-Seong and Jeon Ji-Hyeon, I became even more mesmerised with daisies.




One month ago, I received a pot of daisies on my office desk, its just like how the movie goes. But I know who is the sender of cause =), unlike Jeon Ji-Hyeon in Daisy 2006. On the first day, there were three flowers. After a week, there were four. Look how much it flourished under my care!


I know flowered pots don't maintain its flourish for long, the flowers grow and die, its a natural cycle. So when the flowers finally withered, I plucked them out and cut away those yellowish leaves. If you see closely there are still young flower buds growing out (left). They looked healthy at first, but after a few weeks (right)

Ok I admit that I neglected it during my trip and course for two weeks, but I did not expect its life expectancy to be so short! My colleague recommends money plants which thrives well in office conditions. But I do hope to find something more interesting and varied.

Run My Own Race

As F1 was roared past the island last weekend, here is the route map for my own "F1 track" to prepare for Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2008 (SCSM-10km). *Ta Da!*



Today marked my humble comeback to this beautiful lake at Pandan Reservoir. We reached the reservoir late at 7am, but surprising it was a good and relaxing run, after nearly 5 months break. And it is still one of my favourite spots for long distance running.

Why? Time seems to stop still here. Besides the artificial breakwater rocks, calm waters reflecting the surreal sky of clouds and trees, this place also reeked of occasional smells of Gardenia and Delifrance bread. If you are lucky, you can spot turtles and huge fishes swimming near the water surface. On the softer side, sweet memories filled the area, as my secondary school used to be located opposite the reservoir.











Back in my teenage schooldays, no one ever ventured beyond the "2.4km" mark near the first make-shift bridge at the reservoir. Those were the times when we thought we have the best cross country route of all. Some schools run along roads with heavy traffic, around the perimeter of the school compound, or even along large smelly canals. Eeeek. How fortunate.

Was doing some research on other running routes in Singapore, in a bid to train for SCSM 2008 on 7th Dec. We are running the 10km category only lah!! West coast park is a frequent place we go due to the massive shade from overhanging trees and the good terrain. But the last time I was there, the park was filled with posters of Mas Selamat, making the place somewhat shady, figuratively =)











Looks like Bedok is a good candidate to practise on the final runs at 6.2miles, or around 10km. But it can a wee bit too far.. hmm, but it is good to explore, have never been there. Maybe the air is really better in the east? =)



I have always wondered how marathoners can run without music. They must have magnificent mental strength.. I think I would have given up at the 2km without my Josh Groban and Piano Spas. Heehee.

Happy Boo!

During Monday's Beyond Words workshop at SP, we were made to draw anything under the sun using markers and crayons in just 5min.

I must say it is very therapeutic to let my imaginations run wild and draw like a kid. Below is my proud production (middle picture).














Argh... Its been some time since I watched Monster Inc. and I got the colour code all wrong. Now I know Boo wears a pink coveralls pyjamas, purple slacks with white sneakers. Seems like Yuan looks more like Boo than my drawing... heehee. Time to grow your hair into 2 cute ponies, Yuan!

(Yuan: "Its Mummy who keep cutting my hair! Boo!")

Serenity in a Turmoil

This morning my eyes were glued to TV Mobile. Last night, NYSE tumbled the worst since The Great Depression, as the US house of parliament rejected the bailout bill of US$700B. Dow Jones dipped by a historic rate of -7%, Citigroup by -12%, ExxonMobil by -10%.

The world seemed to be entering into a complete turmoil. And so am I, when I suddenly realised that I left my hp at home!?! I panicked.

The first thing I thought of was how I can contact Desmond as we are meeting tonight. Then I wondered if someone from the school or my vendor will call me (God! the sense of urgency from EM days is still with me!). I also needed to call the Chinese doctor to confirm my appointment later this evening. So many things to do!

When I reach SP, I went to the staff office to beg for a desk phone to call Desmond. During lunch, I borrowed another phone at the reception to call my Chinese doctor. After training, I used a public phone to call Desmond to inform him of the time of my arrival. ~Job done~

After the anxiety to make calls set in, a strong sense of tranquility overcame me. Throughout the day, there was no hp to lose, no silent mode to switch to, no constant checking of missed calls and receiving of junk SMS. I was able to concentrate on my training, and no longer fidgeting with that candy bar. It was a surprisingly pleasant and serene feeling.

I remember that some time ago Serena told me that she does not wear watches on weekends. That was when we were colleagues in EM and everyday was spent fighting one war after another. So on weekends, she said it is therapeutic to lose track of time, sink yourself in whatever you are doing, and enjoy...just like a child. I find this comment intriguing, in fact who cares about wearing a watch these days, when all you really need is your hp.

At that time, I did not think that the same concept can be applied to hp. But after today, I was convinced that technology does not have such a strong power over me, after all.