STARS War

BiAnnual war for courses.

Tips & Things to rmb (notes for myself):
- Use google chrome. (for intu at least) (EDIT: 2018: USE FIREFOX? chrome doesn't work now)
- Use autofill passwords to save time in case of situations
- Use STARS planner - Plan 1 ) Core mods only , Plan 2) electives, mods etcs
- Click the "Submit to STARS" button on planner to check your system time and double check your registration date. (Alt way to check your date other than going through the admin link in Studentlink)

- Close the planner tab until the minute before your STAR WARS time. (so you won't suffer with having to relogin after the page expires.)
- Your page WILL expire.
- IT WILL. 

- Don't use "refresh" "f5" when the page expires - so far I don't think it works, friends have told me it doesnt work, etc
- Close tab and reopen planner from intu page (Autofill passwords to the rescue)
- CONFIRM your core mods

- then slowly, add in your electives. NO NEED TO RUSH
- Electives are not first come first serve, rather they are a waitlist that is then later allocated by the system randomly. (Seniors more priority though)
- have at least 3 elective options. 5 best.

Ay2Sem2 review

Modules taken Ay2Sem2 ('16/17):
BS2004 - MCB II
BS2007 - Immuno
BS2012 - Genetics and Genomics (under new profs from diff previous years)
BS2008 - EMCB
HW0228 - Scientific Communication II
Elective:
AAA18e - DRAWING (NIE)

This sem had too many written assignments, practically every week had a written assignment due during the second half. 
(details under read more)
UPDATE FROM AY3S1: content from bs2004 proves to be very very useful foundation for many future mods.  - like PTM and apoptosis.

Just.

I want to be able. To bake bread.
Bread that I can give my grandfather. Bread that my grandfather will like.
And I'm aiming to do that.
He and I share this love of bread and biscuits. It's something I have left. 

(sorry, personal post.)

AGA workshop in SG (@NUS utown)

I was real lucky to have been given the chance to attend a workshop by AGA, who is a locking legend.
It was really hard to (still is) separate upper body and lower body, and then after that focus on keeping up with the song, keeping in tune/in flow with the music, and also being aware of your cleanliness, your groove.
AGA also imparted a lot of really enlightening info, especially about music, about ways to train.

Fun things from this semester

Include that day in SBS where there was free food (actually, thank you SBS for the many times we get free food and stuff. <3 )

First open class - followed immediately by second class

Thanks to the jio by Sj and J, was convinced and glad to have company to attend an open class for the first time.
We went to KS 's locking class at R!studios. Thankfully KS decided to go easier on us, seeing as to how more than half of the people were newbies - including us 3.
It was emphasised more on how for the same routines, we can increase the speed, and basically train basics in combination with footwork - not v complicated footwork, but a bit psycho motor at first.
(Note to self: next 2 weeks still at somerset OC but after that, R!studios changing venue to somewhere ... else. )
(First timer first lesson 10$)

Then follow Z to a Soul (beginners ) class at O school - totally didn't know what soul is even, technically.
Was a really cool class but wow - I still don't get the rocking properly - need to find the balance and the comfortable limit of my body's lean forward and back, and get the rhythm, and THEN can I go about adding the groove and feel in. (And as usual, foot work got me confused for a mo -or a long moment.) (left right left and then right left right - what )
But it was really fun and even though it was hella tough - dam grateful for the instructor (alex and bryan)(?) as they tried to give tips and corrections to our movement. Thank you so much.
Note to rmb, the choreo has a constant upbeat feel , but try to take note of accents and points where they speed up, or change a bit of feel - it makes the dance less monotonous. More feel? More life?
(14 bucks.)

I'm sad I can't join them for Jin's locking class tmr (thurs ) but eh, pre plans.

Just taking down notes for self record. :)

Hopefully I'll continue going go more classes - and more importantly, further practise what I learnt in those classes.

Cheers!

JDC 2017 - Thyme for Bed

JDC 2017 (photo credits LiXu -FB)

Ever since watching the previous Joint Dance Concert in 2016, I already knew it was a concert I wanted to perform in, in the next dance club I planned to join the following sem.
Soulfunky caught my attention partly because friends who joined the dance inspired me, partly because you just have to watch them perform and not be amazed, I dare you.

It was spectacular.

Really, I feel JDC is a concert worth watching, as every year, all dances go all out to present you beautiful amazing fun emotional breath-taking pieces, and that's not including the guests invited - from circus duos, to parkour teams, and special dance schools. (And of course, goodie bag yo)
So:
Step 1) Join a school dance club - CHECK!
Step 2) Join JDC  - CHECK!

Went up on stage, hearts full, ready to rock our hearts out with childish happiness with the fellow Lostboys and Tinkerbells of Neverland.<3

DIED a little from having just ended HOCC then having to dive right into the deep end of JDC practices, catching up on both choreo AND school, and a crazy stressful choreo exam, and basically trying to catch up to the level of others who have been to practices while HOCC was on.
Of course, as with every performance, and the numerous practices that build up to it, there are times when morale is low, emotions are running a little wild, and body a little too tired. (There was a cough going around. :)))) ) But through these difficulties, it further highlighted something I am grateful for.

I am grateful that I entered SF under the guide of so many great seniors and fellow juniors. I love the open culture, the way no one hesitates to help to teach - although yes, we have a typical problem of "not being able to voice up" any issues or any questions when asked. Best seniors ever.
And choreographers too.
They all have extra commitments, their day jobs, school, family, to juggle, and yet they have time to come up with choreos, formations, and cleaning us till performance standard.

Well, I can only hope we managed to inspire that bit of cheerfulness and joy of Neverland to the audience, and maybe even inspire future dancers to join SF next time. :)

Finals period is still ongoing, with me having my last paper on Friday.
Can't wait to be free to dance again and meet my friends.

Stay strong, everyone. :) 💙💚💛💜

deep

I was notified by Facebook of things i posted before in the past, and this was from 2014. I have no idea what this me was harping on about but wow - i need that English now:

"
hints and expectations of every single soul abiding by the supposed social norms that are structured in your life are just such intangible things, that- that are like cigarette smoke.
some people might notice it, some might recognise it, BUT IT IS only some. not all.
if only more people took action, clarified more, expressed more. at least, maybe this way, speculations won't keep building and festering in carcinogenic mold that eats you alive.
even i am guilty of inaction. but still.
"

HOCC 17

Second year of HOCC is done and over.
It has been tiring as usual - maybe more so because I am taking both HOCC and JDC this year. Amongst other things.

This year, our dance item was extra significant as, in a way, it is so much more than just us, it's performing a piece to pay tribute to a great singer and great person, Christina Grimmie. 

Ay2 Sem1 review

Modules taken this sem:
Core: 
Bs2002 Microbiology B
Bs2003 Biochem II B-
Bs0001 Biology and Society (pulled from year 3) B+
HW0128 Scientific Communication I (Ger) A
Electives: (GERPE and UE)
MA8103 Human Resource Management (HRM) (BM) P
BS8003 Science or fiction? - biology in popular media (Biofic) A+


My only disappointment is in my biochemistry, but i also know my studies in 2003 were of lower standard than what i put in for the rest ... so... what will be will be. 
Module review in detail below:  (CLICK READ MORE)