Refrigerator Door Alarm Project

This video was created to inspire students taking the 'Refrigerator Door Alarm' project in the Fundamentals of Electronics. Click here.

NetRiders' Competition 2013

Date: 30 Sep 2013, Monday
Time: 1030 to 1700 hours
Venue: Nanyang Polytechnic
Form teams of 2 NSS students who will work jointly on answering theory questions (MCQ and fill in the blanks) and practical using Packet Tracer.
Attractive prizes and refreshment from Cisco Systems.
NP Wind Breakers for top 2 teams from NP (this is on top of the prizes from Cisco).
CCA points for all participants.
Results: Lau Kok Tiong and Dorwin Yang Junwen came in 9th.

NP Runners' Relay 2013 (19 July)

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Team A led from start to finish. Alan grabbed the pole position and never looked back, he pulled ahead with a yawning gap from the rest, Sze KL stretched it farther, Mark Wong a bit more, Chee Yuen even more.  Zekun ran like crazy so that Liu Qi will have an easier time, Billy the 7th runner was competing against the other 6th runners.  He almost overtook me (6th runner in team B) at the finishing point. Team A won in a record time of 37+ min. For the record, this is the first time we managed to retain our title. Well done, ECE! This calls for celebration.
Team A: Alan, Sze KL, Mark Wong, Zekun, Chee Yuen, Liu Qi, Billy (Wai Sing, reserve)

Team B played the catch-up game like what Team A did last year by putting the lady runner ahead in the running order. The strategy worked beautifully. When you chase and overtake a fellow competitor, you will feel a sense of focused energy and a surge of adrenalin as you pass that person. I have my kicks.
We ran our guts out and came in fifth. Do you know what? There are only 5 prizes in the staff category and we got the last one! We are so grateful and thankful.
Team B: Ong TS, Janet Goh, Ong MT, Calvin, Khee Peng, Chee Kin, Yang Yu. (Jen Hong, reserve)

We won because we have the 3 elements of success on our side:
1. 天时: Zekun and Liu Qi are leaving us next month. Had the timing been against us, we would lose 2 key members. Billy and Teck Soon will not be available had the race been postponed a week later.
2. 地利: We are physically closest to the running track compared to all other divisions so it is easy for us to hold training.
3. 人和: We banded together to bring glory to our division.
Team A has its strong foundation in Team B and Team B benefited from the overflow of talent from Team A. Teck Soon and Yang Yu can easily replace any Team A member (other than the lead and anchor runners) with minimum impact.

Many thanks to our supporters:
Wei Lian, our cheer leader, camera lady, store keeper
Wai Sing: team 1 lap time keeper
Jen Hong: team 2 lap time keeper
Amanda, Kou LP, Eric Koh, Chua KC, Yang Yu's wife: camera man
Boon Kee: cheer leader and prize handler

The power of Yoga

My running speed and stamina have been declining over the years. From my youth where I chased 2.4 km under 9 min (never succeed) to struggling just to go under 10 min and before I knew it, I was even happy when I could clock under 11 and then 12.
After the last campus run, I noticed I slowed down significantly. I have to seriously push myself just to go under 13 min. I even began to accept it as part of my aging. Recently and for the first time, I was able to reverse the decline. My secret? Yoga.
At my wife’s urging, I signed up for a Yoga class with her. The package is not cheap and I struggled. I realized that I did not practice what I preached. I always say beside God, my health and my relationship with my wife takes precedence over all others. But in real life, I put money ahead of them.
Ever since the first Yoga class, I have not regretted the decision. I fall in love with my wife all over again and I am courting her every day.  Now I am back to challenging the 12 min barrier and spending time with my wife. It is money well spent.

Cisco NetAcad Partner Meeting 2013 at Bali, Indonesia, 30-31 May

I was quite nervous actually. This is my first time that I attended such a conference and most people were strangers to me. I should have taken my time to show off the examples that we had. Poor time management on my part. I was given half an hour and I did not make the most out of it.
Nonetheless, I am very thankful to Cisco Systems for giving me the opportunity to speak in such an important conference. It is an honour and a very good experience for me. I hope the same for my counterparts in the other institutions.

Forest Adventure @ Bedok Reservoir

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Coasta Victoria Cruise 15-20 Dec '12

Cruise Pictures
Langkawi
Penang
Recommendation: Die die must try. We paid about S$500 per person for the cruise (not including the island tours) and we get to enjoy free flow of food, accommodation, hot water pool, sauna, nightly entertainment, gym, etc.
Reminder: Must bring power adapter for charging your mobile devices.