Sunday, July 27, 2008

I met a few friends for coffee the other day and out of nowhere, the topic on birth control came into our conversation. We talked about the more common types of contraceptives like condoms, pills and anti-pregnancy patches but somehow we didn't find that they would be convenient in the long-run next time. Especially so if we and our future wives do not want to have kids.

For example, condoms are generally the most convenient contraceptive (not forgetting the multitude types and variety of flavours on the market) to use, but we wondered whether using condoms could be a hassle in the long-run. We did also talk about morning-after pills and anti-pregnancy patches. However, we reasoned that such contraceptive methods could actually do more harm then good; given that there could be a chance that going childless will not be long-term (who knows that a couple could just change their minds one day). Who knows what harmful hidden effects of these pills and patches would bring to an unborn child in the womb on top of the side effects the females usually get using the aforementioned contraceptive methods.

Tying up the female's tube seemed to be an awful choice too, since there could be a possibility (even if it's a small chance) of wanting babies in the future. Thus popped the question - how about vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a surgical process whereby a surgical cut is made on a vessel which carries sperms during ejaculation. Guess what, everyone around the table cringed at the thought of steel touching our balls. LOL.

Unlike the process of tying the fallopian tube, vasectomy has a 70% chance of being reversible. Thus, one who undergo vasectomy could go for a vasovasostomy to allow him to reproduce again. Although the chances are high, majority of us gave the no-no. We gave several reasons to our stand. For example, there is a fear of erectile dysfunction as one of the side effects from vasectomy. On top of that, even though it is a minor operation, most of us fear the pain of the post-op (it was unthinkable). Someone is cutting your balls open for God's sake!

Eventually, we all agreed that it was an "all-or-nothing" decision. If you don't want to have a child, stick with the choice forever (unless one does not mind adopting a kid). Therefore, most of us concurred that tubical ligation (i.e tying the fallopian tube) is the way to go!

Thinking back on our conversation, I felt that somehow we guys were quite selfish in concluding to that decision. Tubical ligation is an irreversible process while there is a large chance that the effects of vasectomy can be reversed. It cost more for the wifey-s as opposed to the hubbies. However, I can't deny that fear is one of the biggest barrier for men to even consider vasectomy as a feasible contraceptive method.

So what do you guys think?

Friday, July 25, 2008

I'm not sure how many of you had read his inspiring book "The Last Lecture" or watched his video of the last lecture (link). If you had read or watched his lecture, you'd know that the world has just lost an extraordinary man.

The Last Lecture is a book written by Dr. Pausch of his "last lecture" which he had given to his students and fellow lecturers at Carnegie Mellon University, after he had been diagnosed with a rare case of liver cancer for the second time. Since he had several month of good health left, he decided to give a customary last lecture which was inspiring to many.

In his book, Dr. Pausch wrote about fulfilling childhood dreams which left me touched to tears. How many of us have gone so far from what we dreamed of when we were young because of barriers? And he talked about the importance of having a dream, the brick walls that will prevent us from achieving these dreams and how these brick walls are meant to prove how badly we want something.

Towards the end of the book/lecture, he actually revealed who the lecture is meant for. It wasn't directly meant for his students or the people present on that day - his last lecture was meant for his children, who he had left today in his death.

My favourite quotes from his book.

But remember, the brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.


Be good at something, it makes you valuable.


People have to help you and I do believe in karma. I believe in paybacks. You get people to help you by telling the truth. Being earnest. I’ll take an earnest person over a hip person every day, because hip is short term. Earnest is long term.


It's not about how to achieve your dreams; it's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the dreams will come to you.


Rest in peace Randy Pausch.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

It's that time of the year again. Let me give you a clue.




It's an abbreviation which starts with a letter 'C'. Pain in the ass and irritates the hell out of most students.

And do you guys from CPE realize that there are so few modules offered for this semester; especially the level 4000 modules? To add to that, I'm really bothered by the time-tabling of the modules. Why on earth would you offer a level 4000 module, which needs a preclusion of a level 3000 module, both in the same semester?

Yes, I'm feeling very frustrated now. Argh!

So you guys know the answer already?

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

The registration for the run is officially closed! Days left before the run - 38.

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I've been training quite regularly (although I think it's still not enough) for the run. I need to clock more mileage but the weather has been forcing me to stay indoors and sleep (okay, I was just being lazy, LOL). But I'm getting decent mileage, at about 25km last week. I'm increasing it to 30km hopefully by the end of next week.

If you're asking why I'm training so hard - it's because I want to prepare myself for a marathon. I've always wanted to know how it feels like to run a marathon but I never had the motivation to go ahead and run. And I'm thinking while I'm still alive and healthy, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to get that experience. Thus, here I am running a 10K run to prepare for a 42K run in the future (hopefully next year).

I'm trying to live life like it was my last day today.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

There is news going around that Brazil may come to Singapore for one of their Olympics warm-up match on the 28th of July. Taken from CONFEDERAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DE FUTEBOL news,

Seleção Brasileira Olímpica embarca no dia 21 de julho para Cingapura, para preparação para Olimpíadas de Pequim. iagem será via Paris, onde os jogadores que atuam na Europa se apresentam, e equipe fará amistoso no dia 28 de julho contra Seleção de Cingapura.


translated to be..

Olympic Selection: friendly with Singapore and preparation outside Brazil. CBF mark departure for the day July 28 in Asia. Complete program for the Beijing Olympic Games is not yet disclosed


Singapore is chosen to be one of the Asian countries that the U21 team will be playing against! It'll be so cool to see the national team play against the giants. Although I foresee a trashing on the Singapore side, I guess it's good exposure for the team. And I wonder where this match will be played at? (since the last World Cup Qualifier match marks the closure of the Kallang Stadium for real!)

If they are really coming over to play Singapore, I'd definitely go and watch! And I'll wear a Brazilian jersey with a Lion's logo at the back. LOL.

Here is the tentative lineup for the Brazilian team.

Diego Alves - Almería

Renan - Internacional

Alex Silva - São Paulo

Breno - Bayern de Munique

Thiago Silva - Fluminense

Ilsinho - Shakhtar Donetsk

Rafinha - Schalke 04

Marcelo - Real Madrid

Anderson - Manchester United

Diego - Werder Bremen

Hernanes - São Paulo

Lucas - Liverpool

Ronaldinho - Barcelona

Thiago Neves - Fluminense

Alexandre Pato - Milan

Jô - Manchester City

Rafael Sobis - Real Bétis

Robinho - Real Madrid

Monday, July 14, 2008

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Sometimes I'll think until I fall asleep early in the morning. I've been thinking about my future - where my passion lies, things I would really want to do and many other personal matters.

Up till now, I'm still unsure to where my passion really lies. I've tried coming out with a list of where my passion could be and managed to converge to two jobs I'd like the most but are somehow they are conflicting, in terms of the area of expertise required. That left me completely baffled and lost. Here are the top three in the list I created (in no running order of favour)

1. Hardware Engineering.

I fell in love with my first computer when my family was given one by an uncle (who happen to find it quite useless at that time). It was a boxy Pentium machine running at 66MHz (turbo-charged to 100Mhz) and it was hooked to the latest Windows 3.11 Operating System. That was back in 1994 and I had just turned ten. I still remember those days, opening up the impenetrable metal chassis (with the permission of my brother) to see how it worked from the inside. I was amazed! Then when Duke Nukem 3D came along, I had to hack my brother's password (the game or probably Windows had a bad way of dealing with passwords, i.e no encryption) by snooping into the game's directory in DOS. The password was to unlock the Adult contents of the game. LOL.

Up till now, I've always loved computers and the limitless possibilities it can bring. This is especially so if you put your creative juices is designing something useful and innovative. And my ultimate goal if I'm in this industry is to be a part of something big - an innovative product/idea/invention that would change how people live in the future. Other than that, I hope that I can contribute to society positively.

2. Working for Discovery Channel/Nat Geo

I've always loved nature. The vast green pastures, dense tropical rain forests, the marvelous meandering rivers or the towering snow capped mountains - you name it, I love them! I find that the mechanism of Earth itself to be damn beautiful. It's amazing how every part of earth's system works in tandem with another - hence explains our Earthly phenomenon and also to make it habitable for Man.

And I find it so cool to be on an educational television programs (I love Discovery!) giving my thoughts/views pertaining to the issue at hand. Actually, I don't mind just being a photographer for National Geographic or even the new Discovery Channel Magazines. LOL.


Enough said. However, I feel that at times, fear grappling me and holding me back. I guess I have the necessary directions but I'm afraid to take the next step. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I'm afraid to fail. I hated the feeling of failure, tough I know it is part and parcel of learning. Other than fear, it could be that there are some things that are holding me back - family, love, the comfort zone that I'm living in now. There isn't much reason to break away and live my dreams.

But somehow, I know that when the time comes, I would want it badly and I will strive for it. I know that just by doing something for the sake of money or stability, I'd not last long. I need something to spur me on every time I feel jaded. And I think this "thing" could only lie in whatever passion I have for the work I'll be doing in the future.

I'll keeping my options open for now.