Never talk about getting a new appliance/electronic item, or the current one are bound to fail soon after.

Sounds crazy i know, but it happened alot of times now. Its almost like bad luck to badmouth a non living item. Getting a new mac is out of the question now. Im terribly short on cash. Though i can support myself quite comfortably with what i have right now, but it would take a long time  save up the money to get a new one. In the meantime im trying to find a way to fix the current one. All my songs and stuff are all inside! If i ever gonna save those things to the a new computer, i need an external Hard Disk first.

Ever since going to NTU, life has been a little different. Its not so different to Poly life, but the differences are there. The long lectures, the short tutorials and the blazingly fast pace at which lessons are taught, forcing you to comprehend and master the topic being taught within the week. And before you know it, another week arrives and it starts all over again. The lessons are heavy and deep, definitely a big level up from the poly curriculum, maybe several levels up.

What fascinates me is that you get to see all sorts of people and sometimes you happen to stumble upon primary school friends, secondary school friends and even poly mates in the same course but never had a chance to talk to them back then. I can still recognize some of them and its amazing that the people you have never met in so long could be in the same faculty as i am in. Though i highly doubt that they would recognize me.

Its nice to see quite a number of poly classmates around in the school. Makes it less alien. I only need to get acquainted with them and so far i have done to a few. Im slowly widening my circle of friends and no doubt life would be so much better in the coming months.

I finally got my iphone after a near month wait. Its great and im loving it. I can surf the net, get info on the go, wiki, facebook, read news, shop ( if i have the patient of keying my credit card number while on the train, and there is the security issue too.) I feel so connected with the iphone. With the 3G plan i can basically surf anywhere. I just cannot imagine losing the phone or not bringing it anywhere with me. A detachment from technology is highly disturbing indeed. Its like a weak form of the matrix, where you are so technologically dependent. I think we are starting to enter into an era where without internet and connective 24/7 whereever we go, we feel a sense of loss and disorientation.

I feel like to getting an apple computer soon. The softwares that i have seen, iLife and iWorks are simply amazing. Such rich content in which you can create with ease is nothing short of spectacular. Im thinking of getting it next year. Im on a tight budget and space constraint, so i might go for a mac mini. Maybe they would have new mac minis in the futures, with better specifications? Who knows? The upcoming apple keynote speech this september would certainly bring some surprises to the media and the consumers. We just have to wait and see. Im getting used to the interface of Apple. Now i just need to go deeper into the whole OS thingy and see how the Mac ticks. Ive had enough of the pc, giving me problems every now and then. The stability of which Apple is built upon is the key decisor in my next computer purchase. Im getting tired to doing DIYs and failing within the year, and its costly too if you really consider the fringe costs that are associated with DIY.

It used to be so much easier. Your aspirations, your passions, following what your heart says and staying true to it. Previously i have done that, and i have reach where im supposed to reach. So straightforward. Like Dorothy walking on a yellow brick road. But as it progressed, and new avenues are open. The paths get darker and dimmer… less obvious. And now the path ahead of me, is barely a path, going into a jungle of uncertainty, where i have to carve my own path, if its the correct direction that im going to in the first place.

This is i think the first time ever that im truly having a lot of doubt to where im truly going. To whether this is my true calling. To not able to see, and imagine what life would be like 4 to 5 years from now. I dont have a map, i dont have a direction to follow. Im hesitant to blaze my own path.

So now you can follow me on twitter. The twitter widget is at the bottom of the side panel. Any updates will be reflected over there. I plan to tweet little updates on what im doing now in NTU, maybe the things i learn for the day, or stuff im doing at that moment in time.

I plan to tweet on my iphone, but im still on the waiting list, waiting for Singtel to notify me on the availability. Im hoping i could get at the end of this month, so that it could really help me organise and manage my time properly. Its gonna be hectic in NTU, im feeling the pressure when i look at the some of the modules’ content. How i wish  i could remember everything i learn from Poly. It would be such a great help right now. I have to start learning the basics all over again (‘ala Physcial Chemistry) and on top of additional content to be taught in class. Tweeting would be the perfect solution to broadcast little updates about me.

Stay tune.

Its been a hefty 3 weeks or so. The transition from military life to civilian life aint an easy one, especially when a new phase of your life is just looming ahead of you. Yes thats right, its my start of a university life. Ive been waiting for a while now and im pretty excited about it. I mean i know its gonna be tough, challenges that ive never encountered before. Speed bumps in my life are gonna come my way sooner or later. But nonetheless im still going all out to make my 4 year experience a memorable one.

In the last days in NS, i had to handover all my tasks and appointment to my understudy. I had to say my goodbyes to a lot of people, some of which are very good friends indeed. Ill definitely miss them alot. Ill definitely in some ways miss the life there in Jurong Camp. I  hope the best in everyone over at that camp.

And within a week, BAM! School is about to start. I need to thank Joash and Jamie for msning me on the 4 of Aug, asking me which tutorial group im in. If not for that, i would have remained clueless and missed my chance in confirming my matriculation into NTU. 4 of Aug happened to be my last day in Camp and also the last day for the online matriculation submission in the NTU’s website. It would have completely missed the boat if not for those 2. Thank you!!

On the day of the freshmen ceremony, i met a number of familiar faces. Apart from Joash, Jamie, Shiming and Chiong Jin, Lizhen paid a visit, which was nice and a few others, current senior students in NTU who were once our Juniors in NYP! I was introduced to Shiming and Jamies orientation group and i must say they are a bunch of nice people. Really nice. The ceremony was great, the feeling of being reunited with Joash, Jamie and Shiming was ecstatic. We reminisce about the past in NYP and how life in NTU is a stark reminders to the good old past, which i still treasure thank you very much. Oh how i wish Eng Pau and hock, ben, cher, and dee could be in NTU as well. Life on campus would truly be a blast! It would be like going through Poly all over again. The stress, the projects, the assignments, mugging in the library, hanging out after school.

But one week till the start of the semester is too short for me. Im not truly prepared emotionally and mentally. The new academic system is a lot to handle and i was quite overwhelmed. But i think in getting the hang of it. The choosing of electives and adding and dropping of modules was confusing at first,  but i understood the sytem somehow already. Looking at the big picture, its kinda interesting to be given the freedom to craft your own timetable based on the modules your have registered. You are completely independent now. I like the feeling, but i have some trepidations about it as well. I still dont know alot of people among the 200 strong contingent taking the same course as me. And given the flexibility of the schedule, i doubt it would be like in poly anymore, where you go through stuff as a class all the way through from the 1st year to the 4th year. It would be a greater challenge for me in this area because of the number of friends i have to make in such a short time. But im sure ill figure it out.

Next week is the real thing. Life in university starts now. It has begun….

Lately ive been listening to this particular song by Nickelback, entitled “If Today Was Your Last Day”

I love this song a lot recently. Its lyrics are beautiful and meaningful and relates to me in a lot of ways. Relates to my life, how i live it, and what im doing with it. Facing with a lot of questions that i rarely ask myself, like, ‘ If  today is my last day, what would i do?’. And with this mentally i have everyday, imagine the possibilities i can do with my life as i live through it everyday. Each day is a gift, not a given right. We should live it to the fullest, throw my fears away and just do my best in everything you do, because there is no second chance in every second you waste. Its such and inspirational song.

Just listen to it here.

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’re never living twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you’d finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
‘Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you’d finally fall in love if today was your last day?

I dunno why, but i feel very sluggish during the weekend. Despite the fact that i slug it out during the weekdays, doing my work intently. Weekdays can be hell. Its packed full of stuff to do, and my work is never ending. That could probably the reason why i feel so sluggish and lazy at the end of the week. Perhaps the need to be alone sometimes after dealing with so many people during the weekdays. Sucky feeling, i hate it.

I just feel like dont have th energy to sustain during the weekend to do the things i like to do, and this lazy and nonchalant attitude is pissing me off. My course starts in a month’s time and i need to tell myself to be active and to do things that i have not done before. To seize the opportunity to try out new stuff, take on challenges and truly live life to the fullest like never before. TO CHANGE MY LIFE. I cant let my 4 years go down the drain. I cant just concentrate on my studies alone. Ill go mad! I need to go out more often, i really do!

RAWR!

Improved apps use, bluetooth capabilities, cut-&-paste features are all pretty neat. Horizontal typing makes it easier to type stuff on the iPod touch.

You know I love electronic gadgets that have the ability to evolve through software updates. It really shows developers dedication in improving their products constantly and also shows that they value customer feedback above all else.

Although I kinda regret no being able to get the iPhone at the moment, I’m thoroughly satisfied in what my iPod touch can do for me. The ability to download apps are what, in my opinion makes the device fresh and interesting to use.

You know the past two weeks was such a downer for me. Having hit hard on the flu and now a bad sore throat,  but thats not the difficult part that i had to go through. Its the fact that im going to ORD in 2 months and time has just slowed down to a crawl. I mean seriously a crawl. Only 2 weeks has passed and it felt like a month! ugh!

I just finished reading Twilight (Finally yay!) and although its a great book in the way its written, i just cant stand certain parts of the book. Parts where there are long descriptions of Edward and paragraphs of conversation containing ‘ I love you, you love me, youre handsome and youre pretty’ gosh this book is really such a chick book. But after reading you cant deny how well its written. Its easy and pleasant to read. Im still contemplating on whether or not i should continue with the sequels, or not. I probably will, but only during my free time or when i have absolutely no other books to read.

I recently bought a book written by Fareed Zakaria. Its titled “A Post American World“. This book not only talks about the decline of America, but the rise of everyone else. It talks about the changing geopolitics and the rising new powers of the East and its impact on the world’s future. This book has recieved critical acclaimed in giving a fresh and unique perspective of the world and world powers.

Im getting addicted to Daughtry’s new single, No Surprise. I love the music. If anyone has the mp3 version, please please send it straight to my email at mdjasrie@gmail.com Cant stop listening to it! I noticed that Shinedown’s ‘Second Chance’ is slowly rising in the itunes most download song chart. A couple of weeks a go it stands at the top 20, but now its risen to the top 10 (8)!! Way the go Shinedown. If you ever come to Singapore for a concert, ill definitely be there! Im so glad that i found your band on Amazon.com’s ‘recommend’ list. Shinedown’s songs simply blows me away!!

Talking about concerts, its been a long while since i attended a concert, much less a rock concert. Id only go if any of these bands or singers comes to Singapore:

Theory of a Deadman

Lifehouse

Daughtry

Utada Hikaru ( Im dying to listen to you sing live!)

Shinedown

Keane

James Morrison

There are a number of other bands that i would support but the ones listed are my top bands that i would go to if they ever hold a concert in Singapore.

As for musicals, i dunno. Im not really an artsy fartsy theatrical type of person. But ill go if:

‘Wicked’ comes to town with Kristin Chenoweth as part of the cast.

I bought Changeling on DVD last week and i still think that the movie is a work of art in its finest form. Such a well scripted, well casted movie from the begining to the end. Angelina Jolie puts up a fantastic performance as a mother in a desperate fight against corrupted police and her quest in finding her kidnapped son. For those who missed the movies in theathers, this is a must–buy DVD! Get it now!

Im dying to go back Timbre again. I just love the pizza, the ambience and the live music. Ill probably organise one just before i start school, and will invite all my good friends, Hock Evans, Ben, maybe Sanjiv, Dee, Cherlyn and Eng Pau! It would be a good reunion and to mark another milestone of great frienship.

I went to the PC show for a quick look. I simply bought an Acer portable DVD drive for my Acer Aspire One netbook. You know how portable netbooks can be and with portability, comes with no built in dvd drive. So i bought it so that if there is a need to use disc based media, i can simply plug into my netbook using usb cables as its main source of power. Its really small light and handy and you can plug to any computer that needs it. I know my pc needs it too, ever since the BenQ DVD drive tray just gets stuck even after ejecting! Its so frustrating that you had to use a needle to force it out open. And thats not all! Sometimes the computer cannot detect the drive at all! I had to restart the computer if i desperately need to use pop a disc inside for use!

I have more or less decided to get my new pair of spectacles. Im going for the Ted Baker’s Intencity pair of glasses from Paris Miki, at Bugis Junction. It’s so hard to find that precise brand and the precise model. Only Paris Miki outlet at Bugis Junction sells it and i pray hard that its not out of stock or phased out yet. I cant afford another pair of Oakley. Though im also eyeing one particular model from the Oakley brand, its way over budget for me. The Ted Baker’s one is around 200 bucks for the frame itself.

I had to go online and accept the matriculation declaration, fill up my personal particulars. Then i had to fill up my parents particulars, after that on to the acceptance of tuition grants, CPF education loan scheme, matriculation ID Card application with a passport sized photos, selection of NTU Email account. PHEW!!

Luckily, NTU sent me a hand guidebook with all the infomation needed to make the application a smooth one. They laid out the annexes and important information for new students and also attached hardcopies of various application forms. They were also kind enough to provide a checklist of all the forms and applications that needed to be filled with all the corresponding datelines, so that you will not miss any part of the matriculation process.

My only hurdle left is getting a good passport sized photo for the ID card and i had to do it by 19 June 2009, which is next friday! I even had to submit a hardcopy of the MOE Tuition Grant form directly to the NTU itself.

Well i gotta get started lest i lose my NTU spot!

But with all the slew announcements, i was most eager to keep tabs with Heavy Rain with does not make an appearance at all during the press conference. Uncharted 2 and God of War III certainly impresses me with live demonstrations of the gameplay and it certainly looks awesome.  One thing im quite dissapointed is the release dates of Heavy Rain and God of War III. Both games are slated for a spring 2010 release, just before the new fiscal year. No one should wait that long for a blockbuster game.

But it wasnt only Sony that blew the E3 floor with all those exclusives. On Microsoft’s front, they stole the exclusivity of the Metal Gear franchise with the announcement of Metal Gear Rising, featuring Raiden as the main character, coming out on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. Thier motion sensing technology was also showcased with must success, Project Natal and Forza 3 and the usual Halo announcements. Microsoft does have a strong and impressive press conference in its own right. 

With all that over, we should all look forward to next year’s E3 and start anticipating for even great yet announced game titles.

I wish i could have a long MC duration. I so badly wants to watch the Sony E3 Press Conference. I guess i have to wait till the weekends to watch the recorded clips of the press conference.

Unchartedfutures.com is still dominantly hosted by WordPress. I just acquired a different domain name for a small fee in which i pay WordPress every year. The cost is about 15 bucks a year and it would soon expire coming this July. I have yet to renew it. I’m thinking of going one step further by hosting this blog to a proper host server. But i just dunno which one is the best one out there for the best price to suit the best of my needs. I also know nuts about exporting my stuff, adding content to my blog once its hosted somewhere else.  I also dont want it to be too much of a hassle maintaining it, since i forsee myself to be extremely busy in the near future to be meddling with all the tiny details in getting the blog up and running all the time. I want to be able to update quickly and effortlessly like what im doing right now.

If anyone out there would be wiling to give handy advice, tips or step by step guide on how to make the transition smooth, im all ears. I want to break away from wordpress soon. I guess its about time to reach another new milestone for this blog. I still want to keep unchartedfutures.com domain. I really like it. I’m just begining to get bored of all the cookie-cutter theme and templates that wordpress offers for free. I want to choose one out there that would really reflect the purpose of this blog.

SGD239….. Mini Urban? Size 8 1/2?

ITS A NEW SHOE!!!!!!

I had a friend who bought a Dior Homme prescription glasses. That’s semi wrong!! LOL!! But it was very nice looking for him and i had no objections to the design of the glasses.

Anyways, im currently looking for a new pair of glasses myself. I noticed that all the big brands are dominating the prescription glasses market. Even an average optometrist at the HDB shops are showcasing Dior, Prada Hugo Boss and lots of other luxury brand glasses. I’ve looked into a few shops myself and im currently eyeing closely on:

1. Ted Baker’s ‘Intencity” at a around SGD 210 for the frames alone.

2. Oakley’s “Dictate 2.0” costing around SGD a whopping SGD 410 for the frames alone. 

Id rather choose the Dictate over the Intencity, but the price of really turning me off. Im still exploring my options.

Its very good actually, exceeding my expectations on what an open world gameplay might offer. 

Im not really a fan of open world games where you can just explore the place and go wherever you like. Im more of a story driven player and i look for games that have a good story in them. However, i was pleasantly surprised that Infamous has a very good story to follow considering that its an open world game.

Im not going to intro you on the setting or the story, you can just google it yourself, but suffice to say, toward the end, it actually gets better and just after the climatic ending, you are definitely in for an unexpected twist, which in my opinion, is very satisfying. The story isnt draggy at all, nor it is short. You can easily clock in about 20 odd hours playing the game, even more if you complete every side mission it has to offer. Even then the 20 odd hours doesnt really bogs down the story at all. In fact, i feel that the story is concise, tight and easy to follow, with engaging and unique characters with very beautiful graphic novel like cutscenes to move the along. Voice acting is top notch and i like the raspy male protoganist, Cole in which you control the character in the game.

The twist toward the end is unexpected and it really accomplishes the goal in allowing the players to connect with him. In the end it was bittersweet for me to see Cole suffer and making life changing sacrifices. Yet he doesnt falter one bit and he gave a really big hint that sequel is definitely on the table, continuing his epic reluctant superhero tale.