So... this morning I received the SMS of Doom ™ , and that was after I had woken up at 6AM for god knows why (stupid insomnia) and couldn't sleep for the next hour... and bestie whatsapps me at 6.54AM which jarred me out of my semi-consciousness... and the SMS finally came at 7.10 AM.
This post contains my grades and stuff so if you want to see it read on.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Sunday, 27 May 2012
[Insomniac] The Five Stages of Results Day
Another article I wrote for FASS Insomniac:
On the morning of the 28th, many NUS students will awake to the SMS of Doom™. After just a month of summer vacation, this blissful break is rudely interrupted by your results. For some, the results may be good. However, for many, it tends to be below expectations.
Thus begins the first stage of receiving your results – Denial. As you roll around in your bed groggily, grasping your phone, staring at the SMS that you have received, you’re telling yourself: “No, this can’t be happening. Not to me. I’m still dreaming. Yes, a dream. That must be it.” You put your phone down, close your eyes, and will yourself back to sleep. You want to get back to the ludicrous dreams you were having of flying around the world on clouds, saving your romantic interest from fatal situations, or getting into the Dean's List.
You wake up several hours later, feeling more refreshed, alert… and BAM! You remember that odd dream you had earlier of receiving bad results. “What a bad dream! Lucky it was only a dream! I should have gotten at least a B+ average given the effort I put in!” You reach over and pick up your phone and have a look for the SMS of Doom™.
Your bad grades stare right back at you.
“Noooo!” You let out a bestial roar which no one in your house notices because you make that sound every morning when you wake up anyway. You toss your iPhone into the corner of your room as you enter the stage of Anger. “Why me?! I worked so hard! It’s not fair!” Then you remembered that you’re not using a Nokia anymore and rush quickly to check if your iPhone is alright. Then you go back to punching your pillow to vent your rage.
To continue reading, click here.
Results are coming out tomorrow, and that means grief for some. Alan Teo will take us through the 5 stages of grief of results day... and perhaps a silver lining?
On the morning of the 28th, many NUS students will awake to the SMS of Doom™. After just a month of summer vacation, this blissful break is rudely interrupted by your results. For some, the results may be good. However, for many, it tends to be below expectations.
Thus begins the first stage of receiving your results – Denial. As you roll around in your bed groggily, grasping your phone, staring at the SMS that you have received, you’re telling yourself: “No, this can’t be happening. Not to me. I’m still dreaming. Yes, a dream. That must be it.” You put your phone down, close your eyes, and will yourself back to sleep. You want to get back to the ludicrous dreams you were having of flying around the world on clouds, saving your romantic interest from fatal situations, or getting into the Dean's List.
You wake up several hours later, feeling more refreshed, alert… and BAM! You remember that odd dream you had earlier of receiving bad results. “What a bad dream! Lucky it was only a dream! I should have gotten at least a B+ average given the effort I put in!” You reach over and pick up your phone and have a look for the SMS of Doom™.
Your bad grades stare right back at you.
“Noooo!” You let out a bestial roar which no one in your house notices because you make that sound every morning when you wake up anyway. You toss your iPhone into the corner of your room as you enter the stage of Anger. “Why me?! I worked so hard! It’s not fair!” Then you remembered that you’re not using a Nokia anymore and rush quickly to check if your iPhone is alright. Then you go back to punching your pillow to vent your rage.
To continue reading, click here.
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Fitness Journal #5 - Stalled!
There is a term in weight-lifting known as 'stalling', which refers to when you are unable to progress on a particular weight on a progressive weight programme.
For example, in my routine I try to increase the weight I lift by 2.5 KG every session, with 5 sets of 5 reps each time. Then let's say in one session I am unable to complete all 5 sets (e.g. 3 or 4 reps only one on one of the sets) then I have 'stalled'.
I started my routine about 2 weeks ago, following the Stronglifts 5x5 program (go Google). I started light, with 20kg for bench, squats and 15 for barbell rows, and 30 for deadlifts(only started this one week in, because I was scared of doing it wrong).
I've recently began to add additional workouts because 3 exercises just didn't feel tiring enough and I didn't feel my body was getting a workout. And I wasn't observing and size gains, etc.
My current weights for the exercises are:
Today I tried 40kg for Bench for the first time... and in my third rep of my second set, I suddenly couldn't lift it ! I let my arm relax slightly and I suddenly felt the entire weight pressing on my chest and felt a wave of panic surge through me. It's like being pinned down and you cannot move!
I quickly recovered and did a Roll of Shame to get out of it. Whew! Uninjured.
For a quick video of what a roll of shame is:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOCKsP7G6AE]
It was odd as I completed the rest of the sets : 5 3 5 5 4 (completed 5 reps of 3rd and 4th set), so I'm not sure why I couldn't finish the 2nd set. I think I was doing it too slowly and trying to feel the strain as I used to always do.
I'm going to try 40KG again next week, hopefully I'll be able to do it without stalling again. Any one wants to gym with me to be my spotter? I go to Toa Payoh / Hougang ClubFitt gym on Tues, Thurs, Sat, 12PM!
For example, in my routine I try to increase the weight I lift by 2.5 KG every session, with 5 sets of 5 reps each time. Then let's say in one session I am unable to complete all 5 sets (e.g. 3 or 4 reps only one on one of the sets) then I have 'stalled'.
I started my routine about 2 weeks ago, following the Stronglifts 5x5 program (go Google). I started light, with 20kg for bench, squats and 15 for barbell rows, and 30 for deadlifts(only started this one week in, because I was scared of doing it wrong).
I've recently began to add additional workouts because 3 exercises just didn't feel tiring enough and I didn't feel my body was getting a workout. And I wasn't observing and size gains, etc.
My current weights for the exercises are:
- Squats (40kg) (Still can increase, I think my 1 RM (max) is about 50-60?)
- Barbell Rows (22.5kg) (Still can increase)
- Deadlifts (35kg) (Still can increase waaay more)
- Overhead Press (20kg) (Stalled for one session, next session was easy)
- Bench Press (37.5kg) (Still can increase)
- Yes I know they're all very low I'm a small and scrawny guy okayyy
Today I tried 40kg for Bench for the first time... and in my third rep of my second set, I suddenly couldn't lift it ! I let my arm relax slightly and I suddenly felt the entire weight pressing on my chest and felt a wave of panic surge through me. It's like being pinned down and you cannot move!
I quickly recovered and did a Roll of Shame to get out of it. Whew! Uninjured.
For a quick video of what a roll of shame is:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOCKsP7G6AE]
It was odd as I completed the rest of the sets : 5 3 5 5 4 (completed 5 reps of 3rd and 4th set), so I'm not sure why I couldn't finish the 2nd set. I think I was doing it too slowly and trying to feel the strain as I used to always do.
I'm going to try 40KG again next week, hopefully I'll be able to do it without stalling again. Any one wants to gym with me to be my spotter? I go to Toa Payoh / Hougang ClubFitt gym on Tues, Thurs, Sat, 12PM!
Friday, 25 May 2012
[S] Cool story, bro
If you haven't already heard, the latest online furore occurred yesterday or two days ago when pictures of Xiaxue was posted on Temasek (something)'s Facebook Page, inviting people to post (rude) captions.
What ensued is elaborated well here.
The gist of it - dirty old men called XX and her friends sluts and whores, and XX retaliated by posting up their photos in her blog entry.
And Straits Times covers it here too.
I'm not here to debate who's right or wrong, because clearly both are wrong to some extent (though I do find the lewd comments utterly disgusting and think they deserve it), but I was reading the Straits Times' cover story on it when something just made cringe.
Context: One of the disgusting men, let's call him 'SC', posted the Facebook comment on XX's photo:
When asked by the Straits Times about his comment, "he said that his comment was 'incomplete', and that 'he didn't meant that at all', adding that he was actually trying to defend her. "(directly quoted from the Straits Times article)
HAHAHHA BULLSHIT . Yea, insinuating that they are Geylang hookers is totally trying to defend her!
And as for the 'incomplete' comment... well a screenshot tells it all: (6th comment down)
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="466"]
Taken from xiaxue.blogspot.com[/caption]
Yea, it was totally incomplete because the rest of his text is invisible!
Seriously, if you want to post such bullshit then man up and take ownership of your post! Simisai trying to defend her.
Ok that's all I have to say. Cool story bro.
What ensued is elaborated well here.
The gist of it - dirty old men called XX and her friends sluts and whores, and XX retaliated by posting up their photos in her blog entry.
And Straits Times covers it here too.
I'm not here to debate who's right or wrong, because clearly both are wrong to some extent (though I do find the lewd comments utterly disgusting and think they deserve it), but I was reading the Straits Times' cover story on it when something just made cringe.
Context: One of the disgusting men, let's call him 'SC', posted the Facebook comment on XX's photo:
"Pretty and sexy girls, which part of Geylang they work?"
When asked by the Straits Times about his comment, "he said that his comment was 'incomplete', and that 'he didn't meant that at all', adding that he was actually trying to defend her. "(directly quoted from the Straits Times article)
HAHAHHA BULLSHIT . Yea, insinuating that they are Geylang hookers is totally trying to defend her!
And as for the 'incomplete' comment... well a screenshot tells it all: (6th comment down)
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="466"]
Taken from xiaxue.blogspot.com[/caption]Yea, it was totally incomplete because the rest of his text is invisible!
Seriously, if you want to post such bullshit then man up and take ownership of your post! Simisai trying to defend her.
Ok that's all I have to say. Cool story bro.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Fitness Journal #4 - Achievement Unlocked!
I've always been a skinny kid - ever since I was a little boy, I was small and skinny. When I had my growth spurt in lower secondary, I shot up, but I was still stick-like. I had those skinny 6 pack abs that every skinny guy who exercises has.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="196"]
Not like these, these are muscular 6 pack abs, not skinny guy 6 pack abs[/caption]
Anyway, back to my main point - I have always been skinny. Along with being skinny, my weight has never crossed the magical 64kg barrier. I'm not sure why, but the most I ever weighed in at was 64kg, and I would waiver there, and fluctuate down. And since my uni years I've been about 60ish.
Today, after about 2-3 weeks of a 5-6 meals a day diet (my diet is here), I decided to weigh myself when I came home...
Woohoo!
Now I'm debating whether to continue pushing and try to hit my target weight of 70KG, or to start to add in cardio to my routine (atm just doing weight training 3x a week) and try to cut down my body fat while maintaining my weight. I'm leaning towards the latter, but I'm just afraid later I lose back down to 59kg then back to square one lol! But ok la, shouldn't, with my eating extra everyday. Gogogo wish me luck!
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="196"]
Not like these, these are muscular 6 pack abs, not skinny guy 6 pack abs[/caption]Anyway, back to my main point - I have always been skinny. Along with being skinny, my weight has never crossed the magical 64kg barrier. I'm not sure why, but the most I ever weighed in at was 64kg, and I would waiver there, and fluctuate down. And since my uni years I've been about 60ish.
Today, after about 2-3 weeks of a 5-6 meals a day diet (my diet is here), I decided to weigh myself when I came home...
65KG!
Woohoo!
Now I'm debating whether to continue pushing and try to hit my target weight of 70KG, or to start to add in cardio to my routine (atm just doing weight training 3x a week) and try to cut down my body fat while maintaining my weight. I'm leaning towards the latter, but I'm just afraid later I lose back down to 59kg then back to square one lol! But ok la, shouldn't, with my eating extra everyday. Gogogo wish me luck!
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Fitness Journal #3 - The Weight
One of my goals for working out was to put on weight - the initial target was 70kg, but that seemed unrealistic so I lowered it to 65kg. But in actuality, I don't really care about the weight. I just want to look bigger. And stronger. And more muscular.
Monday, 14 May 2012
Got Diablo III a day before everyone else!
The title kinda gives away the point of this post, but before that, just a quick writeup.
Diablo III is scheduled to released on May 15th (tomorrow) worldwide, with servers going live at 3PM. There has been much hype about the release of this game, due to the makers Blizzard Entertainment being a reknowned game publisher, and Diablo II and I were successful franchises.
To be honest, Diablo isn't the best of games - it's pretty simple in terms of gameplay (point and click) and is not as complex or visually engaging as some other RPGs that I know of. The skill/talent tree is nowhere as complex as other games (such as World of Warcraft or even, ugh, Maple Story). But somehow, the game is just THAT popular.
Diablo III is scheduled to released on May 15th (tomorrow) worldwide, with servers going live at 3PM. There has been much hype about the release of this game, due to the makers Blizzard Entertainment being a reknowned game publisher, and Diablo II and I were successful franchises.
To be honest, Diablo isn't the best of games - it's pretty simple in terms of gameplay (point and click) and is not as complex or visually engaging as some other RPGs that I know of. The skill/talent tree is nowhere as complex as other games (such as World of Warcraft or even, ugh, Maple Story). But somehow, the game is just THAT popular.
Sunday, 13 May 2012
NUS Module Review Semester 2 AY 11/12
Once again, I’m going to review the modules that I took this semester.
If you have any questions, please send it to my email atqhteo@gmail.com, or leave a comment below.
The modules covered in this post:
If you want to see previous reviews for
If you have any questions, please send it to my email atqhteo@gmail.com, or leave a comment below.
The modules covered in this post:
PC1325/GEK1508 (Einstein's Universe and Quantum Weirdness)
MKT1003X (Introduction to Marketing)
PL3252 (Social-Cognitive Perspectives of Emotion)
PL3234 (Developmental Psychology)
PH2211 (Philosophy of Religion)
PL3252 (Social-Cognitive Perspectives of Emotion)
PL3234 (Developmental Psychology)
PH2211 (Philosophy of Religion)
I’ll answer 5 questions for each: What is it about? How’s the workload? How difficult is it? Any miscellaneous tips? Should you take it?
If you want to see previous reviews for
- GEk1519, SE1101E, PL3236, PL3233, PL3240, click this link.
- PL1101E, NM1101E, PH1102E, LAF1201, PL2131, click this link.
- For PL2132, PL3232, SSB2216 , PL3235, PH2110, click this link.
Do note that modules do vary across semesters, depending on which professor is taking it, so I will include the name of the professor for your benefit.
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Just an update
Life is good now. For now.
Income
I am working for my previous company (well, I kinda never really stopped working for them), working on Google advertisements and stuff. It's quite an interesting job role, and I'm enjoying what I do. Plus, the hours are extremely flexible - at the moment I'm going in Mon, Wed, Fridays, from the morning till whatever time I want. That means I usually leave anytime between 12-3, depending on me. :D Yes, it is THAT flexible. Plus, I can also work from home and get paid.
I am kinda primarily working to support my increased food intake + gym. Eating more is expensive!
Diet + Weights
With this luxury of time, it also means I have time to plan and prepare my diet, and do my weights, in accordance to my plan to bulk up. My goal is anywhere from 65-70KG, but my primary focus isn't really a weight gain but a mass gain. I want to look bigger. I'm tired of looking skinny. Being skinny looks weak. Malnourished. Unattractive (for guys). Small. I want to look healthy. Fit. Buff.
Eating more is proving more tough than I thought. From breakfast onwards, I am NEVER not full. In other words, I am perpetually, consistently feeling full. And I keep eating. And eating. My current mealtimes are something like 9AM(breakfast), 11AM(brunch), 1PM(lunch), 3/4PM(mid-day snack), 6/7PM(dinner), 8PM(protein shake), 9PM (fruits), 10PM (yoghurt). It's hard. And expensive.
I'll post my diet in my next fitness journal or something, perhaps together with the nutritional information for fun. Yes, I spent quite some time calculating the calories/protein because I had daily target intakes I needed to hit.
Blogs
I started an entry on a philosophical topic, then I got really bored and stopped midway through. The thing is, I don't even know if there's an audience for it, what's the point of writing if noone reads? All these other stuff that I'm blogging now I don't mind blogging even if noone reads, because it's kind of a diary for myself. But the philo stuff, I've spent hours writing/thinking about it during semester time so it's kinda depressing to think about it again now lol.
The Future
The next thing to look forward to is May 15th when Diablo 3 is released. I probably won't be THAT hooked because my gf will be emomeemo if I neglect her (haha) and I'm not the sort to play something for hours without getting tired... at least not nowadays anyway (the 14-year-old me is more than capable of sitting through 5-6 hours of Counter-Strike). And after that... will be May 28th/29th (I really gotta check exactly when it is) when results are released! That will probably set the tone of the next few months. :(
And of course, will be expecting my letter from Boston Uni anytime soon, and should be planning my trip in the US with fellow SEP friends! Hope it will be fun!
I will also be very interested in tracking my progress in my gymming... I wonder if the programme I'm on is as effective as it touts itself to be. My goal is to bench/squat my own body weight! :D Wish me luck!
Income
I am working for my previous company (well, I kinda never really stopped working for them), working on Google advertisements and stuff. It's quite an interesting job role, and I'm enjoying what I do. Plus, the hours are extremely flexible - at the moment I'm going in Mon, Wed, Fridays, from the morning till whatever time I want. That means I usually leave anytime between 12-3, depending on me. :D Yes, it is THAT flexible. Plus, I can also work from home and get paid.
I am kinda primarily working to support my increased food intake + gym. Eating more is expensive!
Diet + Weights
With this luxury of time, it also means I have time to plan and prepare my diet, and do my weights, in accordance to my plan to bulk up. My goal is anywhere from 65-70KG, but my primary focus isn't really a weight gain but a mass gain. I want to look bigger. I'm tired of looking skinny. Being skinny looks weak. Malnourished. Unattractive (for guys). Small. I want to look healthy. Fit. Buff.
Eating more is proving more tough than I thought. From breakfast onwards, I am NEVER not full. In other words, I am perpetually, consistently feeling full. And I keep eating. And eating. My current mealtimes are something like 9AM(breakfast), 11AM(brunch), 1PM(lunch), 3/4PM(mid-day snack), 6/7PM(dinner), 8PM(protein shake), 9PM (fruits), 10PM (yoghurt). It's hard. And expensive.
I'll post my diet in my next fitness journal or something, perhaps together with the nutritional information for fun. Yes, I spent quite some time calculating the calories/protein because I had daily target intakes I needed to hit.
Blogs
I started an entry on a philosophical topic, then I got really bored and stopped midway through. The thing is, I don't even know if there's an audience for it, what's the point of writing if noone reads? All these other stuff that I'm blogging now I don't mind blogging even if noone reads, because it's kind of a diary for myself. But the philo stuff, I've spent hours writing/thinking about it during semester time so it's kinda depressing to think about it again now lol.
The Future
The next thing to look forward to is May 15th when Diablo 3 is released. I probably won't be THAT hooked because my gf will be emomeemo if I neglect her (haha) and I'm not the sort to play something for hours without getting tired... at least not nowadays anyway (the 14-year-old me is more than capable of sitting through 5-6 hours of Counter-Strike). And after that... will be May 28th/29th (I really gotta check exactly when it is) when results are released! That will probably set the tone of the next few months. :(
And of course, will be expecting my letter from Boston Uni anytime soon, and should be planning my trip in the US with fellow SEP friends! Hope it will be fun!
I will also be very interested in tracking my progress in my gymming... I wonder if the programme I'm on is as effective as it touts itself to be. My goal is to bench/squat my own body weight! :D Wish me luck!
Friday, 11 May 2012
How do I hit 3000 calories?
As some of you may know if you've read my Fitness Journal blog entries (1 / 2), I have begun on my journey to gain muscle/weight. I'm tired of being 'the skinny guy', and I aim to bulk up abit over the next few months.
Apart from hitting the gym, a big part of it is eating more. And I'm having problems with that.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="356"]
Maybe I need to eat like this.[/caption]
Apart from hitting the gym, a big part of it is eating more. And I'm having problems with that.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="356"]
Maybe I need to eat like this.[/caption]Thursday, 10 May 2012
Fitness Journal #2
So I’ve been gymming for a week now… and I’ve barely settled in. I’m still struggling to find a regular gym, still struggling to find a good routine to follow, still struggling to get my diet plan in place.
Indeed, this quest for a bigger body is not an easy one. And is plagued with obstacles.
Indeed, this quest for a bigger body is not an easy one. And is plagued with obstacles.
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
5 Memorable Things about Hall
Last Saturday, I finally moved out of Raffles Hall after living there for the past 4 months. I leave behind many good memories and AY 11/12 Semester 2 is definitely one I won't forget for a while because of my stint in hall. In this post, I will run through the top 5 most memorable things about hall (in no particular order). This is quite a long, wordy post, so if that's not your style, don't click to read more ;)
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576"]
From left to right: SM, me, Will, CaiJie, Daryl, ChinHooi[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576"]
From left to right: SM, me, Will, CaiJie, Daryl, ChinHooi[/caption]Sunday, 6 May 2012
[S] "You got any job lobangs?"
My friend J, who some of you may remember from my MLM adventure blog posts, suddenly messaged me on Facebook today:
It took everything I had not to reply:
"Yea I do, you want to meet my boss to talk about it? I can't really give you much details, but it's flexible hours, can work a few hours per week only, and very good pay! It's something to do with manipulating your friends and family into parting with their money to extend YOUR personal wealth! If you can do that you'll be rich! Oh wait but I think you may know something about this already..."
I don't even know if he reads this blog. Will be awkward if he does huh hahaha
I don't hate or dislike him. I dislike the concept. I dislike what it turned him into and what it almost turned me into. J, if you're reading this... no hard feelings yo ;0
"Hey alan, you got any job lobangs?"
It took everything I had not to reply:
"Yea I do, you want to meet my boss to talk about it? I can't really give you much details, but it's flexible hours, can work a few hours per week only, and very good pay! It's something to do with manipulating your friends and family into parting with their money to extend YOUR personal wealth! If you can do that you'll be rich! Oh wait but I think you may know something about this already..."
I don't even know if he reads this blog. Will be awkward if he does huh hahaha
I don't hate or dislike him. I dislike the concept. I dislike what it turned him into and what it almost turned me into. J, if you're reading this... no hard feelings yo ;0
Friday, 4 May 2012
The Last Hurrah
Five guys. Over five pounds of ribeye steak, bacon strips, hotdogs and bratwurst sausages. A grill. Some beers/drinks. Music.
That was the scene on Thursday night, probably the last time the guys from hall were having a meal together. Me, Will, Soemin, Daryl, CaiJie had a mini-BBQ to celebrate the end of the semester and exams, and it had all of the good stuff.
No chicken wings or any of the 'usual' BBQ stuff. The meat was GOOD stuff. The steaks were almost an inch thick and juicy as hell. The bratwurst were the size of four of my fingers. Bacon was crispy and tasty (abit too salty too)
[caption id="attachment_1484" align="alignnone" width="500"]
Yummy yummy beef![/caption]
Pictures ahead!
That was the scene on Thursday night, probably the last time the guys from hall were having a meal together. Me, Will, Soemin, Daryl, CaiJie had a mini-BBQ to celebrate the end of the semester and exams, and it had all of the good stuff.
No chicken wings or any of the 'usual' BBQ stuff. The meat was GOOD stuff. The steaks were almost an inch thick and juicy as hell. The bratwurst were the size of four of my fingers. Bacon was crispy and tasty (abit too salty too)
[caption id="attachment_1484" align="alignnone" width="500"]
Yummy yummy beef![/caption]Pictures ahead!
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Fitness Journal - #1
Yay yay yay I'm actually quite excited about this for some weird reason but I am going to start working out! Yes, that means hitting the gym three times a week and lifting heavy weights to torture and batter my body.
I'm not just saying it, I'm going to commit to it... especially because I've also purchased a big can of protein powder lolol. It cost about $70+ which was pretty cheap considering the normal retail prices of 100+. It was delivered to my doorstep too!
It cost about $77 , and was recommended by one of my friends, so I decided to try it =X
The info page is here in case you're interested. Retail price is apparently $150, no idea how true that is haha.
I'm not just saying it, I'm going to commit to it... especially because I've also purchased a big can of protein powder lolol. It cost about $70+ which was pretty cheap considering the normal retail prices of 100+. It was delivered to my doorstep too!
It cost about $77 , and was recommended by one of my friends, so I decided to try it =X
The info page is here in case you're interested. Retail price is apparently $150, no idea how true that is haha.
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