Sunday was bright and sunny. We made our way to Hughes Hall to catch the F1 race with some other MBA students.

These new graduate rooms look out to a huge cricket field. The building is so new that it smells like a hospital.

Watching the Singapore F1 Night Race in Cambridge was a rather weird experience. The tracks look nothing like Singapore. It was weirder watching PM Lee walking to the winner with the trophy.

After the F1 race, we made our way to Jacqueline's flat to make some Chinese food. We had quite a difficult time finding fresh meat and the flat. Along the way, we saw this cat. Absolutely gorgeous. I must have spent a few minutes stroking it as if it was Blinky. I miss my cats. I wanted to put it in our backpack.


The kitchen at Jacqueline's was rather ill-equipped. Luckily, we brought a huge pot, frying slice, the necessary sauces, dried scallops and condiments.

Despite the lousy infrastructure, the meal turned out surprisingly well, and we invited the Norwegian Brand Director, Ketil, and his wife (who missed her flight earlier) for dinner. I thought it was great that she was around for dinner. She's lovely.

After the meal, we took like an hour to get home on foot. =_=
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This morning marks the start of the second week of the MBA Orientation. We had two lectures before lunch. The first was on CV and cover letter, and the second was by David Hibbitt, founder of ABAQUS.

Dr Hibbitt shared his entrepreneurial experience with us most candidly. I especially admire the portion on what they did right and wrong. In an hour, he managed to make us feel that he is measured and has rather outstanding personal mastery. Inspirational.

Since yesterday, our email inboxes have been flooded with emails. A large chunk was made up of invitations to set up Special Interest Groups (SIGs). And I went for a couple today.

First up was the Consulting SIG. Because the finance sector isn't doing well these days, many more MBAs are toying with the idea of exploring/joining the Consulting world. =))

Here you can see part of the huge Consulting SIG. Almost a third of the class turned up.

Somehow, I noticed that East Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Koreans etc) were not really represented. Does this have something to do with the different styles in management, i.e. the conventional term 'consulting' is 'western' and may not be totally appropriate for East Asian entities?

After the Consulting SIG, 'Good Fren' and I were famished. We bought some sandwiches and started walking around to find the Large Examination Hall. 'Good Fren' initially thought it's at the University Library and I got all excited because I thought we could finally visit the Montaigne exhibition. But it was not to be.

Along the way, we met our Commercial Banker classmate from Cyprus, and made our way to the Large Examination Hall together. Not for an exam, but for the Beer Game.


It was a crazy market place!! The noise level was so deafening that I couldn't take proper pictures!! =P


This is OPM, the Engineer from Nigeria. He partnered 'Good Fren' as Wholesalers.

While I partnered Mao, a journalist from China who has interviewed many VIPs (including Putin), as Distributors.

After 3 hours, we made our way back to Judge Business School for our second SIG meeting. It was the Real Estate SIG, initiated by the Hong Konger Architect, David. This is a much smaller group, in which I suspect, contains a uber wealthy oil shiekh or something. I'm not sure. I'll find out more in due time.

After much talk, the French finance specialist and actress, Michele, brought us to this wonderful asian fusion joint called DOJO, where I had some Thai Green Curry and Asahi Beer.

So much... Just in 1 day.

Oh... And our DHL boxes finally arrived. We sent them on the day we left Singapore. That was on Mon, 15 Sep 2008. It took 2 weeks to get here!! It's so late that 'Good Fren' had to buy a black tie for the dinner on Saturday! ROAR!!!

We woke up to a rather misty morning. And it is evident that the spiders have been hard at work. They set up shop almost anywhere.


'Good Fren' thinks they are in perfect competition. Yeah... He's getting into the Economics thing... =))

I had a very wonderful surprise in the mall box today. Angry Doc sent me a book! I was so pleased with it, that I was carrying it around a lot today.

We made our way to Judge Business School for a talk on Nuclear Energy. It was like a crash course on that industry. And the way Dr Bill Nuttall delivered the lecture provided a very solid framework to explore most industries, I would think.

The day developed very well in terms of weather. Check out the clear blue sky! Enjoy it while it lasts!!


Everyone was out today. Punting...


Enjoying the flowers...


Just look at the number of people waiting for their punting adventure!

Because we were attending a black-tie event this evening and that our DHL boxes had not arrived after more than a week, we had to buy something for 'Good Fren'. So, we went shopping.

The little shopping node in Cambridge was PACKED!


Full of energy lubricated by music.


After some heavy duty shopping, we made our way back to Churchill College. And look... the leaves are turning red.


In the evening, we made our way to Gonville and Caius College for a dinner lecture by Rod Schwartz, who introduced many of us to Social Business and Investment. You can read about it at www.socialinvestments.com. Sounds like something I would be interested in.

Before dinner and sunset, we took some pics of a rare phenomenon, i.e. the handsome gentlemen in their black ties. =))

That's Axel on the right. He's German and used to a Products Portfolio Manager. We love running into him in class because he has this cheeky twinkle in his eye.

Dinner was along a long table and in a richly decorated room, which is curiously greek revival.


Here you see 'Good Fren', Director of Judge Business School, Arnoud De Meyer, and a Judge MBA Alumni, known to us as 'Chuck'.

'Chuck' is a DNA Research Scientist who works at DNA Electronics in London and resides in Cambridge. His firm creates portable gene tests. And Chuck, as the name suggests, is American.

Jane Houng, a Cambridge Alumni who studied music, was seen taking a pic with Jacqueline. She now works for Carbon Resource Management. Very progressive industry.


And this is Jane's husband, Leo, a retired cellist from Hong Kong/Shanghai. Jane met Leo through... what else... but music! Leo was trying to explain to me the different types of operas in China.

That's Priscilla Li, Canadian Chinese who's into High Tech Consulting and Telecommunications. We have one thing in common. We miss Chinese food very much. =)))

And so... The night went on... Loads of chatting... The conversations are such fertile creations that wouldn't stop flowing.

And 'Chuck' offered us a ride back to Churchill College. When his wife came to pick us up, he turned to her and spoke in Mandarin!! He spent some years in Taiwan, and his wife is Taiwanese.

The surprises just keep coming...

Unbelievable. It's Friday! We've come to the end of our first week at Judge Business School.

The day started with us getting into Economics Lecture late. As a result, we have to sit in the first row. An experience which I enjoyed tremendously. When it comes to learning, I'm quite nerdy about it.

Next up, a careers talk. A sobering session... given the current world economic situation... I thought the vibes in the air dipped a little. It's ok to be concerned, but to worry is too extravagant at this juncture.

We had lunch at Pembroke College. Chatted with 2 new acquaintances. People usually smile when they hear how 'Good Fren' and I met through my blog. A 21st century story, really... I've been advocating for my classmates to 'embrace the cyberspace'. It comes complete with a hand/arm gesture, i.e. forming a circle in front of the chest as if one is hugging a tree.

After lunch, 'Good Fren' and I went for our 1:1 Careers Session where the Careers rep guides us through our CVs, our career plans etc. It's kind of like coaching, very aptly put by a senior.

We got back to Churchill College for a short rest. We even managed a laundry session before making our way back to Judge Business School at 6.30pm. Once again, we were late. Here you can see us waiting for the bus which comes by every 20-25 minutes.


It's a briefing on the Alumni Network to be followed by yet another 'reception'. READ: ALCOHOL SESSION.

'Good Fren' and I got so caught up trying to describe Singapore to a Spaniard who has spent the last 9 years in Finland that we didn't have a single drop of alcohol.

A typical snippet of socialisation in the MBA programme.

Here we have Simon from the UK trying to get Rachel from China to help him tell a joke in Mandarin.

Simon speaks rather good Mandarin having spent some time in Shanghai. He has spent the past 7 years doing International Development work. Rachel, on the other hand, has worked in Shanghai and Beijing. She used to be a finance reporter with China's only English newspaper, China Daily, and more recently, she was the Marketing Manager of CEIBS, a Chinese Business School.

As you can tell... Simon is trying very hard to get the words to sound right.


It's quite hilarious. He tries to practise his Mandarin on any one who knows Mandarin everyday.

Simon's jokes are really corny. So much that we are tempted to introduce him to Stephen Chow movies. He'll love them.

Because the reception served mainly alcohol, we got rather hungry.

We then realised that one of the Chinese classmates, another Simon, who stayed alone and away from the rest had not had dinner and was intending to microwave yet another frozen pizza for dinner.

'Good Fren' and I decided to invite him to our place for a meal of Singapore Chicken Curry (Prima Deli, of course), stir-fried vegetables and steamed rice.

Simon from China was very happy with the dinner.
He kept saying,"终于吃到白米饭了！"

I was very happy to prepare the meal and to watch 'Good Fren' and him tuck in too. Singapore Chicken Curry tastes exceptionally good on cold nights. And the cheap GBP4 white was surprisingly smooth.

We discussed so much tonight. Healthcare system, FaLunGong, Drugs, Death Penalty, Corruption, Education, Alcohol Consumption, the Olympics... and the list goes on...

Just before he left, he said the meal had reminded him of a line from a film that goes as follows:


It's hilarious, isn't it?! We had a great laugh.

I need to buy more of the Prima Deli Premixes. They come in real handy!!

JBS organised a BBQ Mixer for all MBA students at 4pm+, the Paddock, Downing College, today.

'Good Fren' and I kinda lost our way, looking for it. I kept sniffing the air for burning charcoal, but in vain. And after some exploration, we found it.


All the BBQ foods were pre-BBQ-ed, and served in a perfect lawn setting.


I love it. Especially with some alcohol in the system, it felt perfect. Like the perfect equilibrium we were introduced to in the Economics lectures.


This is our Swiss classmate, Dominique. He's also with Churchill College like us. We had lunch together and got to know the Swiss system a little in terms of housing, healthcare and education.


After a couple of reds, I was making my rounds happily. This was one of my stops. From the right: Dominique (Swiss Engineer who works in Cambridge), Jacqueline (Singaporean Social Worker), Patrick (American Jazz Guitarist) and David (Hong Konger Architect who works in the US).

I was trying to convince the table to get onto cyberspace, especially Facebook and of course... my blog. =))) I mean... HEY... This is the internet era... Who doesn't have an online identity, right?!!

I thought I kinda shocked a Korean classmate by exclaiming "SHEEBAI". He tells me that it literally refers to the particular female part, which incidentally is the same as the Hokkien exclamation of "CHEEBYE", while at the same time also sounds like the number 18 in Korean. I'm so delighted at this... Not at exchanging vulgarities, but at how similar Asian languages are. =))

We've been going past this in the city centre quite a bit. It looks like a secret door/coded contraption to somewhere dark and magical, doesn't it?

It is the Corpus Clock.
In the pic, you can see Professor Stephen Hawking posing with it when he unveiled it last week on 19 Sep 2008. (I am reminded of the question: Who am I to lament about having to deal with my body?)

The black creature on the golden dials is called a Chronophage, i.e. 'Time Eater'. It resembles a grasshopper as the creator/fund(er) of the Corpus Clock, John Taylor, pays homage to a famous 18th century clockmaker (John Harrison)'s invention of the Grasshopper Escapement. The entire effort cost Mr Taylor GBP1million and 5 years. 200 people were involved.

Somehow it's not too unbelieveable for an invention to be fashioned in this style, especially in Cambridge.

Everytime we pass it, I will have to slow down and/or stop to watch it for at least a while. It is really a Time Eater. And somehow, it's mesmerising. And there will always be others standing around as well.

Perhaps you may find it a little difficult to be amazed by a picture of the Corpus Clock. But I'm sure you will understand what I'm saying once you've watched this video.


'Good Fren' mentioned that we had completed at least 2% of our time in Cambridge, just by getting here, setting up, falling ill, going for a few days of orientation etc. There is just so much to do in such little time. To makes things worse, the city is distracting. There is just too much to experience.

'Good Fren' and I woke up at 7.30am to get ready for the first day of orientation. Wearing our only business suits, we took a bus to get to school.

By the time we got to Judge Business School, the atrium was already filled with people in business suits.

152 students, 49 nationalities, 25% female, average GMAT score: 690, average work experience = 7 years.

The programme for the day was simple.
Intro talk, Warm-up session, Class Photo, Champagne & Strawberries.

We will be having our first lecture tomorrow. Economics to be precise. I can't wait. It's been a long time... Ok... 4 years isn't exactly that long a time... since my last class.

All that socialising made me very hungry towards the end of the day. It's hard work going "Hi! My name is Hsin. I'm from Singapore..." for the entire day. We've met so many people today. My head is spinning from absorbing the different names, backgrounds, anecdotes etc.

Received quite a few comments on how tiny Singapore is, but JBS took 5 of us anyway. Someone thought Singapore, being such an over-achieving nation, must have a population of 10 or 20 million. We attempted to explain the CMIO-mother tongue policy to a German. Mosaic vs Melting Pot.

I feel fortunate being part of this. Such experiences are extremely humbling. A reminder of how insignificant one is, and how much more there is out there.

Bus ride back to Churchill College was a swift 15 minutes. It had rained a little in the afternoon, and was turning chilly. Immediately got down to making dinner. Stir-fried a bunch of stuff (chicken thigh pieces, fishballs, tofu, capsicum, pineapple, ginger and garlic) with oyster sauce, some sugar and black pepper. Simple, yet tasty. I think I shall attempt to steam something soon.

We realised that one of our classmates, a Korean, was staying in the same block as us with his wife. And both couples thought that because the block had been so quiet, no one else had moved in. Their water and room heaters have not been working, and they have been boiling water for showers! So poor thing!! So we offered our bathroom for their use. But it seems they are too paiseh to use it.

Though it's only 10pm, I'm tired. Will turn in early tonight.

2 sunny days in a row... What are the odds of that?
So today, I suggested for us to cycle to the centre of the city for museum-visiting.

I had wanted to check out the Montaigne collection at the Cambridge University Library, but it's closed on Sundays. So we visited Fitzwilliam Museum instead.

I had wanted to make a video of our cycling route from Churchill College to Fitzwilliam Museum as it will be our daily route to Judge Business School (The museum is across the road). But I am not too good with the mountain bike and the 'terrain' as yet, so we shall save it for another day.

A few minutes after we got off Madingley Road and onto Queen's Road, we noticed beautiful expanses of green on the left and got distracted.


This bit is behind Trinity College.


Many people were out today... Having some fun under the warm sun. I haven't gone punting. I'm not sure why... But I'm not too keen on it... Maybe some champagne will help. =P


So lomantic... Having fresh fruits by the stream amidst cool breeze and warm sun.

From their body language, I think it's a date...

We are such kaypohs, aren't we??
And we are so not romantic... at least not in any manner befitting this wonderful atmosphere.

Our 'romantic' attempt in front of Fitzwilliam Museum!!


We wanted to take a simple couple shot using the timer, but ended up taking ill-prepared pics because I didn't know how to work the camera I've had for almost 3 years. =_=

Anyway... We can't take any pictures of the exhibits, so we only have words.

Halfway through the exhibits, 'Good Fren' asked me a really difficult question.


Wah lau... Can his question get any harder?!

So, I summarised my thoughts into a one-liner, said it, and quickly walked a little further from him.


.................................................

On our way home, 'Good Fren' was cycling behind me when he exclaimed most suddenly and loudly...

GF: Oi!! GAO LUCK leh!!
BM: *looks around and sniffing the air... hoping to see the Gao Luck Man with his pushcart* Har?!! Where??
GF: There!! On the ground!!
BM: *looks towards the ground and sees shiny brown chestnuts* FWAH... Really leh...
GF: FWAH... GAO LUCK leh!! Collect and bring home and eat...
BM: =_="

I wanted to stop and take pics of the chestnuts, but was concerned that 'Good Fren' might attempt to collect them for consumption. Hence, no pics of the chestnuts.

For the past few days, we have been behaving like peasants.
Always carrying more stuff than we can handle.
Super tak glam and super funny. =)))
If we could bring 2 live chickens from Singapore in bamboo baskets, along with those red/white/blue striped plastic bags, I suspect we might just do it.

I fried some diced chicken and veges using the black bean sauce we bought from a Chinese grocery store called Winfield or 永辉行 last evening. It was so pungent that my neighbours must have fainted in their flats. Wait till I start on the sambal prawns... Eh... Did I bring the rendang sauce?!

I wanna try to find some pork ribs to make Bak Kut Teh... I'm so armed with my Prima Deli pre-mixes and Eu Yang Sang ginseng tea/dried longans etc lor...

And I made Green Bean soup this morning coz my mother says so.

The past fews days have been most surreal. I'm sure the jet lag, the change in climate/geography/physiological state etc have something to do with it.

Displacement is indeed unsettling. There are 2 main ways of dealing with it. One way is not to think about it. The other is to analyse it to bits, then brace oneself. Regardless of which way one chooses, the point is that the effects of displacement will hit and be over in a while. Prepared or not, once it's passed, one has to carry on with what's left.

While I was trying to sleep out the virus, I remember 'Good Fren' telling me about Lehman in-between the peaks of temperature. Here I was in a springy bed, staring at the beige ceiling of a somewhat weird smelling room, with a burning body and chilling extremities, and trying to make sense of the financial world's sicknesses and this little 800 year old academic town. It's like I'm in the middle of a case study. I can ask all the questions I want. And perhaps find what I am looking for.

Some articles in the papers speak of the greed of the minority as the root problem. I wonder how many of these people have mscs/mbas/phds. And how many don't. Does it really matter? What makes the bottom line for these financial institutions? What is accountability? Do such problems only affect private entities? How about public entities? What then is/are the bottom line(s) of public entities?
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Moby called me yesterday. He was at our apartment in Singapore, and reported that Blinky was purring.

While I felt very relieved that the cats were doing fine, I couldn't help but to wonder whether the cats actually gave a shite about our absence. =_=

Regardless, as long as they are fine, I'm fine with them purring at other people.

Erm... I haven't been blogging coz we just got internet last afternoon, and more importantly, something not too pleasant has happened. Apparently, I've been hit by a really powerful virus.

After typing the last entry in a word doc, I started to feel really uncomfortable. Entire body was aching. Not just the bits from carrying too much stuff. Soon, the fever started to rage. For the next 48 hours, the fever and I were playing a game of hide and seek. Finished a pack of 16 Panadol Extras. At some point, it felt so bad... I was having nightmares. Felt really desperate and started to sms Angry Doc in Singapore and my doctor friend in the UK. Both more or less concluded that it was the flu.

Managed to secure an appointment with the doctor yesterday afternoon. She said it was a viral illness and didn't give me any medication. If this was Singapore, I would have been given at least 1 medication for each symptom I had described. After seeing the doc, I walked back to the college as I thought it was too troublesome to call a cab. Vomited halfway.

Got back to college, and vomited somemore.

At 1am this morning, I woke up burning and shivering. Called up my doctor friend to ask about emergency medical attention. Called CamDoc, i.e. a urgent medical service. The person manning the line told 'Good Fren' to open the windows so that I do not 'cook'. In the end, we called for an ambulance and went to Addenbrooke Hospital.

They put a tap in my left wrist, tagged my right, took blood and urine samples, injected an anti-sickness clear liquid (which made everything feel rather muted), and put me on the drip.

The conclusion is clear. The virus was really powerful. The cute lady doc commented that it was a sucky way to start my stay in Cambridge.

A few hours later, I was ready to go with some anti-puking pills. 'Good Fren' called a cab, and dawn was breaking.

Once we got back, I took the meds and some plain rice porridge which 'Good Fren' had made, before taking a nap. As you can tell, I'm better now, coz I am blogging.

So, Mummy and Angry need not worry. It's been a rough couple of days but I'm OK now. Think my mother is at my cousin's wedding now. Wait till she reads this!

Woke up at 4.30am UK time today. My shoulders are aching from carrying too many things yesterday. Let’s recap on what happened yesterday.

At around 5am, the plane touched down at Heathrow after a rather uneventful flight, which is really all one can ask for. I had the window seat, while ‘Good Fren’ was squashed between an old English lady and me. She slept quite a bit during the flight, so ‘Good Fren’ and I had to climb over her to go to the loo. It was quite funny. Somehow, mature mothers like to chat with ‘Good Fren’. She told him many things. For example, her son was a top broker who stayed somewhere is Club Street. How the luxurious apartment came with no toilet paper, but only an automatic bidet. How she tend to suffer mishaps on each trip. How selfish her mother is. And many more.

All this while, I had ear plugs stuffed in my ears to keep out as much noise as possible. I realize this helps to lessen the toil of the flight. And I also watched Sex in the City. If the series is anything like the movie, I don’t get its popularity. Too focused on problems of the 4th decade. Desperate Housewives touches on the similar issues, but is less in your face, and more intriguing.

We were asked to visit Health Control at Immigrations. Had to take an X-Ray. As it was relatively early in the morning, it was a breeze. I was expecting a 3-hour wait or something. When we got to the belt, we only waited for the belt to complete 1 round before we collected all our heavy cases.

Next, getting onto the airport trains proved to be the start of much pain. 5 cases ranging from 15kg to 25kg, and 2 backpacks are really different to manoeuvre. After 20 minutes, we got to Central Bus Station. While I waited, ‘Good Fren’ queued up for tickets. I thought we would be waiting for a hour or so, and could buy some caffeine from Nero. Just then, I heard an announcement for bus to Cambridge. ‘Good Fren’ walked over and said that we ought to try asking the bus driver whether he would take us, even though our tickets were for the next bus. Caffeine or Bus? Caffeine or Bus? We chose the latter and were on our way.

The bus stopped at Parker’s Piece at around 10am. Once again, we struggled with our cases and wondered whether we could flag a cab off the streets or had to walk some 100m to a nearby cab station. Just then, we spotted a cab emptying its passengers and their cases. Brilliant!

10 minutes and GBP5.20 later, we arrived at Porter’s Lodge of Churchill College. Struggled with the cases again. Signed in, got the key and got lost in the college grounds. We didn’t even make it out of the Porter’s Lodge. Haha… Just then, a very helpful student came over and offered help and directions. Our flat was about half a km away from Porter’s Lodge lor!! Win oredi…

After more struggling, we got to Wolfson Flats. A U-shaped blocked with family-housing on the ground floor and couple flats on the upper floor. The brick building reminds me of Raffles Hall a little. And the scale of the building is like one of those old Government Holiday Chalets in Loyang.

While ‘Good Fren’ waited on the ground floor, I went in search of the flat. Man… It was at the other end of the U. More struggling and stuff, we shifted all cases into the flat. We were rather surprised at the somewhat completeness of the flat. It comes with a tiny kitchen (cooker, fridge, cutlery, utensils, crockery etc), a toilet with bathtub, a dining table for 4, a living area with a 2-seater, a wardrobe, a double bed, and even a small study room. We even found a pail/mop and a vacuum cleaner. That’s a lot to be found in 300sqft, isn’t it?


All it’s missing is a couple of cats. I miss my cats. =((

After we rested a little, we attempted to get out of the flat for lunch. But somehow, we ended up unpacking quite a bit. Walked backed to Porter’s Lodge to find the lady-in-charge of accommodations, Rebecca. She gave us a welcome pack with some forms, and showed us around and told us to collect our Student Cards from Accounts. With the Student Card, we decided to have our first meal in Cambridge in the Churchill Dining Hall.

That’s when it hit me. It is official. We are in Cambridge.

After lunch, we walked back to our flat, and saw a huge light-coloured cat. =(( I miss Blinky and Tiger. While ‘Good Fren’ studied the forms (internet, healthcare etc) and stuff, the flat began to absorb the contents of our cases rather quickly. Made a list of stuff to buy. Then made our way back to the main building with one of the hand luggages. Rebecca asked if I were done with Cambridge and ready to go home. =)) With a letter stating my UK address and home address, we took a slow walk to town. Found the HSBC near the Market and signed up for an account. First contact service was friendly and quick. Processing is not on the spot, i.e. takes at least 2 days. ‘Good Fren’ attempted to change his UK savings account to a student account, and was told he had to show the same letter which he didn’t request for. Another item to the to-do list.

Next, we attempted to buy SIM cards. We realised that if we had a UK credit card, we would be able to buy them on the spot. However, because ‘Good Fren’ had not managed to change the mailing address, the application was rejected. I guess the SIM cards will have to wait.

We walked around like tourists and bought a Cambridge sweater each. It’s like a souvenir mah!

Finally, we decided that we would go to Sainsbury for groceries. Bought more groceries than a hand luggage can hold. Carried half of them, hanging from the shoulders. By the time we got back, I was really tired and needed to be horizontal. Being in graduate housing meant that some kids would be screaming their heads off when you are suffering from jet lag and trying to sleep. After a while, I shut down.

That’s our first day at Cambridge.

'Good Fren' woke up really early today to have breakfast with 2 of his colleagues at Adam Road. After that, he went back to the main office for a chat with one of his big bosses. Then he went to his other office to return a mobile phone charger.

At about 10am, he got back home to pick me up. We then went to VFS to collect our VISAs, passports and stuff. Finally, it's done. With the little red books in our pockets, we can leave tonight.

Went to Great World City, ordered a demand draft and had lunch. Saw a couple of chicks in the IJ uniform. We are so bringing Chen Meiling with us.

Came home and packed packed packed. The suitcases had to choose today to play us out. They are incredibly small lor... =_=

DHL Man came at around 5.30pm to pick up the 2 boxes, while I was frantically trying to stuff my laptop with all my favourite songs. Music is very important, ok!!

Blinky and Tiger have been rather affectionate today. I must be imagining things. I spent some time sitting in a chair, holding them in my arms, and chatting with them. ROAR... Sad sad sad... I keep trying to avoid the thought of farewell-bidding later.

We are almost ready to go, except for the impulse to smuggle the cats and formal dinner wear.

I realise that I do not have anything to wear for formal dinners. I can probably buy something off the rack once we get there, but somehow I feel the need to get a sarong kebaya.

Even 'Good Fren' packed his batik shirt. It's like he's going for some official trip.

So, we are going on a sarong kebaya hunt today.

'Good Fren' offered to buy me one of those lovely glittery sarees we keep seeing in the streetside glass showcases in Selegie. How like that?!!
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*UPDATE

'Good Fren' drove me to meet up with my ex-colleague. She gave me this.

It's a scalar energy pendant.
She had read about my pain problems and decided to buy me one as a farewell present. So thoughtful of her. I'm supposed to wear it around my neck or put it in my pocket, i.e. bring it around with me everyday.

Since I'm also on the Pill, it will be difficult to isolate the cause of the pain alleviation. We shall see.

After that we went to Geylang Serai. The crowd was just too thick at the height of a scorching noon. We gave up after 20 minutes. Went to Joo Chiat instead.

On the 2nd floor of Kim Choo is a lovely stash of peranakan wearable/usable culture. We met Raymond Wong, a third generation Peranakan, who enthusiastically helped us with our search of the sarong kebaya. While I was parading the outfit for 'Good Fren' and decision-making, a lady commented that it looked good. Turns out, MP Cynthia Phua was shopping with his family. And she recognised 'Good Fren' from work.

Somehow, not sure whether it's the sexiness of the Peranakan culture or the gentle demeanour of Raymond, 'Good Fren' bought 2 batik shirts as well. Here you can see my lovely turquoise top, the sarong and his shirt after my hand-washing attempt.

I wonder how I am gonna wear it for formal dinners without freezing to death in the UK. 爱美，不要命！

I must say, there has been like a renewed awareness of the Peranakan culture in these couple of years. I keep missing the opening hours of the new Peranakan Museum, but I have been to True Blue, i.e. the Peranakan restaurant along Armenian Street, a couple of times. YUMMY! And on TV, Mediacorp is milking the Peranakan theme again and again with Sayang Sayang, then Little Nonya.

Well, it seems Raymond and his brother, Edmond, have started a Facebook Group to petition for a Peranakan Street in Joo Chiat. While the details of their proposed plans to NHB are not ready, they seek your support to join the group.

Maybe they can set up an exhibition at Speaker's Corner. Throw in Peranakan food... Sure Win...

I think it's a great idea to consolidate Joo Chiat/Katong's identity. Authenticity goes a long way. However, I'm not too sure how the stat boards will react to the Wong brothers' proposal, especially when NHB is working on the Peranakan Museum/Armenian Street area too. Asking the same stat board to work on 2 similar nodes?! How many Peranakan nodes does Singapore need? Unlike the situation along Armenian Street, the State doesn't own properties in the Kim Choo/Joo Chiat/Katong stretch. Tough for state-operated physical presence = Tough for state-control. Time to explore indirect state participation. Now... what does that mean?

Suggested for Raymond to get URA and STB involved. For the proposal, convince STB of its economic value, convince NHB of its historical/heritage value, and so, convince URA to do the necessary for zoning, new buildings, car park provisions etc. This may take years.

Perhaps it will be like the IRs. We thought it was only Marina Bay or Sentosa... Then... in a very Singaporean Ah Beng style... Ah Bo have 2 lor!!

Whatever the outcome, the officers evaluating this Peranakan proposal will have more fun than the one in panic over the Serangoon Gardens Workers Dorm saga. The colourful fabric of the Peranakan culture is just too rich to ignore.

In any case, we ended our little cultural excursion with what else but some Nonya Chang, Otah and Ondeh-Ondeh. Mmmmm... Gonna miss them...

It has been a long day...

We have been worried about the visa because it is peak season and we hadn't heard from them for 10 days. Despite that we have stuff to do. We went to Holland Village for lunch and haircut this noon. After the haircut and with the help of some very helpful friends, we managed to secure an email that says the visas will be ready for collection 12 hours before our flight. =)))

We then went to my mother's house to fix her laptop. We stood outside the gate for like 10 minutes, calling out to the oblivious maid. =_= Until 'Good Fren' climbed over the wall to look for her.

After that, we went to get our teeth cleaned. The dentist thought I've had braces. I'm so flattered. I was so freaked out by the scaling... The hello kitty stickers above me didn't help at all.

Lastly, with gritty mouths, we had dinner with Angry who passed me a year's supply of The Pill. For the record, I washed my first pill down with Erdinger. I have resisted taking The Pill for ages. And now, it's out of necessity because the monthly downtime has gotten too much for me in at least 3 years. It's too tiring and too painful to be organic. Yeah... Apart from inhibiting fertility, The Pill has other effects. I hope I don't get DVT though.

I love the way the instruction describes the lighter flow as 'breakthrough bleeding', coz technically, it's no longer part of a fertile cycle, and so cannot be called menstruation.

And there is this hilarious bit on The Pill in wikipedia.


Angry: If 'Good Fren' starts to smell different, better stop taking it. Sekali break up!!
BM: What are we? Animals?!!
Angry: Hey... It's all in the neurotransmitters, ok!
BM: Whatever!! Biological theories are limited!

And so, that was our eventful day.

I've been jolted awake in the past few mornings by this inexplicable feeling of anxiety. Every new morning means 1 day closer to departure.

Everyday, I hold my cats close.
Every time I walk past that huge luggage in the living room, I imagine smuggling them in it.

真的很舍不得你们
希望你们不会想念我
要照常嬉闹玩乐
一年 很快就过去了

There are so many things I want to do. I am sure there are many more which I have not discovered that I would like to attempt. I was telling Angry that the limiting factor is, neither intelligence nor will, but, in this lifetime, likely to be my body.

The body disallows one to be free. It requires maintenance and nourishment. Too little and it will disintegrate. Too much and it will deteriorate.

The effort taken to learn the appropriate techniques is not less than that to build an airplane. The techniques are so complex these days that one is required to purchase outsourced specialised services.

The time taken to practise these techniques deprives devotion to other pursuits. And time, regardless of age, wealth, gender etc, is the same for all.

Regardless, I still need to keep this bag of bones, flesh and blood together. I still need the damn host.

'Good Fren' and I are on a local fare rampage. After we briefed the M&M (my Mother & Moby) team on the cats and apartment on Saturday, we decided to walk to the temporary market beside Raffles Hospital for dinner.


We so gonna miss local food. =_=


Where are we to find sugar cane drink in the UK??


Maybe we can buy one of these tricycles to get around in the UK... Good for groceries...


The familiar stool.


Despite our unhealthy cholesterol levels, we decided to indulge in lovely hokkien mee and Orh Luah... MMmmm...

I wish I could cook like that... =_=

Almost at the end of our meal, it started to rain very heavily. My crazy idea of walking back in the rain invited deadly stares from 'Good Fren'... So we walked around the temporary market and found a sundry shop. The uncle said he didn't have umbrellas but he had raincoats for sale?!!

RAINCOATS?!! How old school is that? We bought 2 and put them on while hiding behind some closed stalls. 'Good Fren' trying to stop me from showing off our raincoats to the other hawker centre patrons who were trapped by the rain.

Somehow, the raincoats brought us to a lively and noisy Albert Mall.


Eh... What's going on?!!


FWAH!! It's a singing competition leh! Check out the name of the live band!! Happening!!


The judges looked very serious. Only the one in the middle looked like he was sleeping...


Took a quick video of one of the contestants.

I think hokkien songs are really sad. This entire affair reminded me of that scene in 新不了情 where Anita Yuen's mother sang to pay for Anita's medical bills.

It has been a crazy week. Our to-do list just gets longer and longer. We win some, we lose some. We await the results of the visa application gingerly.

CATS
Finally, blood was drawn from both cats. I think having an experienced vet with cats of his own do it helps. Even though they were visibly unhappy during the blood-taking, they did not struggle as the Vet held onto them firmly with his huge kind hands. I like Dr E.

Finally, we sorted out an arrangement with my mother and Moby. Cats will remain in the apartment. The M&M (Mother & Moby) team will take turns to take care of the cats. Weekday and weekend shifts. This Saturday, Mother and Moby will be coming to the apartment for a briefing session. So exciting!!

Here you see a pic of Moby getting harassed by them. Good Luck for the coming year!


HELP
After the previous entry, many have offered help in all sorts of ways. A reader whom I've never met offered to take care of the cats. An old friend who's emigrated to Cardiff, UK, offered tips/phonecards etc. Many offered kind words of encouragement. I am very grateful.

QUERIES
I have also gotten some queries on GMAT, MBA, career etc issues. Some questions are basic and answers can be easily found online. E.g. What is the difference between EMBA and MBA? What is the difference between GMAT and GRE? How much does the MBA programme cost?

Others are highly subjective, e.g. Should I get pursue a masters right after my bachelors degree? Which is the right Masters for me? Which MBA is better? What is an MBA for? Why are you able to get into Cambridge? These are tough questions with no single and/or straightforward answers.

Different fields (engineering, banking, IT, public service etc) require different degrees of higher education. Some masters require the applicant to demonstrate work experience. Some fields do not require a masters at all. Of course, not all MBAs are the same. Some schools have more legitimacy than others. Graduating from these schools may help to open more (better) doors. Some MBA programmes are longer than others. Some MBAs cost more than others.

CRITERIA
I don't think the admissions committee (the powerful people from the business school evaluating the applications) will ever totally explain in details why X has been accepted or not. Even if one manages to secure a position in School A, the criteria for Schools B, C, D... Z are unlikely to be the same.

Of course, if you are Superman from an Ivy League with GPA of almost 4.0, worked in big name firm for a few years, has international experience, bagged a GMAT score of mid/high 700s, with great pro-bono work/ECA records, holds exotic nationality, speaks multiple languages, and topped with engaging writing skills + a great personality... I'd say your chances are the best anyone can have. Schools will pay you to sign up with them, e.g. offer a scholarship to reduce tuition fees partially/fully. While you are at it, ah bo you fill up one more form to apply to be Singaporean and be our future PM or something. We, like any huge self-respecting organisation in the world, love talents.

For the less qualified mortals (like myself), the only way is to trial and error. While there are many Supermen on the international platform (so many that I don't understand the lack of humility in some), there are also many many (good) business schools. Also, beyond X no. of Supermen, the schools may take in dissimilar mortals to ensure diversity (in terms of work experience, nationality, interests, whether applicant is sponsored by employer etc.) While the applicants try to weigh their chances, the schools are also weighing theirs.

INVESTMENT
The entire application process will take months to put together. Throw in a few months for GMAT in front of that and it adds up to almost a year plus a conservative estimate of 1 or 2 thousand dollars. It is long-drawn, difficult and can be potentially frustruating. This is all happening while you hold onto your day job, just in case you end up back at Square 1 after the entire attempt.

The part that gets to me most is the requirement for recommenders. Some schools require 2. Some require 3. Former/current supervisors and peers. I feel very bad about asking people to fill up the form which can go on for pages. And there is no better way out of this. You want someone who is credible in his own right and in the eyes of the admissions committee. Inevitably, these people will have huge responsibilities at work and in their private lives. By making the requests, you are basically taking away time and energy from them. For mortals like myself, I worry about not getting into any schools and wasting my recommenders' investments. It's especially uncomfortable when you know that your recommenders are willing to help you regardless of outcome. I am eternally grateful to them.

I have come across certain websites online which offer 'help' for applications. They basically provide advice on schools and 'help' you with the essays etc. 'Help' may either mean vetting or drafting the essays for you. While this may be tempting for the busy executive, I do not recommend subscribing to such services because (i) the application journey is useful for self-reflection, and (ii) you will never be sure whether you didn't get into the schools because your profile is unsuitable or the essays written for you were from a standard template which the admissions committee has seen a million times before. Some schools are very particular about applicants submitting only essays which they have written on their own. Even vetting by another is discouraged.

And to ace the GMAT, some people subscribe to online help. Some guy set up an operation where he gets people to take the GMAT and report the questions. He then gets you to subscribe to his website so that you have access to the latest GMAT questions. (Think GMAT changes its questions once a month, which explains why you cannot take the GMAT twice in the same month). Apparently, GMAC (the GMAT org) seized that guy's harddisk with all subscribers' credit card info in it, and I last read that GMAC may release the info to all business school. Some of these subscribers have taken their GMAT, graduated with MBAs and have gone onto their new jobs. The implications are huge. Imagine something like that coming back to haunt you when you are high-flying in some large corporation, managing billions of dollars worth of assets and with million-dollar mortgages to pay for that dream apartment and car.

GLOBAL LABOUR
I am particularly amazed at how big and developed this GMAT/MBA industry is. It is yet another a clear sign of the sheer number of people who subscribe to the concept of 'hope.

I remember very vividly, 'Good Fren' and I were attempting our essays furiously one weekend afternoon, when he picked up a newspaper story on foreign construction workers who had borrowed from family and friends to pay agents for training and job placings in Singapore in hope that they would eventually make enough/a lot more to go back to their villages. There were pictures of large houses they have built for themselves and happy wives/children in the story. Like one of those insurance/property/bank ads.

'Good Fren' and I had a good laugh coz it's very clear. We are going through the same process, just like the foreign construction worker. We are using time, energy, money, family/other relationships to exchange for hope. 买一个希望. And our agents are the glossy business schools.

Not sure whether the construction workers' agents require recommendations and give out scholarships though. =)) Scholar Construction Worker! Win oredi...

ORDINARY PEOPLE & JOURNEY
So, beyond a certain point, there is nothing brave/extraordinary about our MBA endeavour. There are millions of people all over the world attempting similar journeys in search of a better tomorrow. Our forefathers did the same just a few generations ago.

I think all of us are very lucky to being part of Singapore during its amazing lightspeed developmental years. At the same time, we have also become extremely comfortable. Not the St Regis type of comfortable, but our minds wish we could just cruise along. We think we have achieved much, and so have much to lose if we attempted otherwise. In addition, whenever we want something, we will intuitively wish for someone/thing else (e.g. the Govt) to help us. Even something as personal as having children.

Sometimes, I wonder how we got here. Just a few generations ago, our forefathers were trying everything they could to make a living and feed huge families. What has happened to that 'Can Do' spirit? Suggestions are most often than not met with a 'Cannot!! Because this, this, this and that...' response, instead of a 'Hmmm... I get what you are trying to say... Let's see how this can work... How about...'

We have become so impressed with the agility of our (well-schooled) mental faculties that we merely wanna show it off, and often stop at thinking. I'm not saying all of us have stopped. If not, Singapore would not have sustained growth over the years. But I observe that many people are unwilling to do more, and they sometimes get angry when others, whom they perceive as peers, doing more because it upsets the current equilibrium.

Whatever it is, the next time you walk/drive past a foreign construction worker, think about what he had to do to get to Singapore, only to work under the hot sun and hang from some dangerous height. Regardless whether he came because of herd mentality, he did go through with it. And that is respectable, isn't it?

About 9 months ago, 'Good Fren' and I embarked on a journey, wondering about what we wanted to do with the next phase of our lives. Between the 2 of us, we have 14 years of working experience, 2 Bachelors and Masters degrees, x amount of savings, x amount of home loan debt, and most importantly, probably a total of 100 mortal years to go.

Looking forward, we can either (A) carry on with our jobs, use our savings to offset a large chunk of the home loan, and continue with our current somewhat yuppie lifestyle, or (B) use our savings, together with some help from family/bank, to expand our career options.

After much exploration and consideration, we decided to pursue the MBA.

APPLICATIONS
We then spent about 6 months for the following: preparing for the GMAT, exploring the various schools' MBA programmes, seeking solid recommenders, and putting together the applications.
We applied for 3 schools together. The initial bet was that if we both got in = cool!. But if 'Good Fren' got in and I didn't, I would quit my job and join him so as to be together. Cats will follow us.

The journey was tedious, especially while holding a relatively new and/or full-time job. And I felt extra stressed out because I know 'Good Fren's credentials are really super (erm... graduated with First Class Honours from Oxford), and that if we wanted to end up together in the same school, I had to put in a lot more to make up for my average NUS undergraduate performance. And to make things worse, he took his GMAT before me and scored a mid-700s, after only looking at the GMAT Review for like 3 weeks. While I took a few months to prepare for it, after slogging at the books during lunch time almost everyday. Some maths olympiad winner we know only looked at the GMAT book a week before his test. He scored a high 700, i.e. just a little short of the perfect score of 800. =_=

In any case, I must take this opportunity to thank my recommenders if they are reading this entry. I put them up to the tedious exercise for 3 different schools.

INVITATION
On night of 14 May 2008, 'Good Fren' received an email invitation for an interview with one of the schools. I kept refreshing my inbox and... nothing. It was a shitty feeling to be feeling excited for 'Good Fren' and simultaneously devastated. 'Good Fren' sent them an email to check on my application status, while I sulked and worried overnight and at work the next day.

The next evening after work, we received an email from the school, stating that they had sent me the email invite as well... In fact... They sent my email invite before 'Good Fren's. That was when I saw one new email under 'SPAM'?!!!!! Tamade... Made me worry and sulk for 24 hours. The email invite actually got filtered into the SPAM box?!! ROOOOOAAAAAARRRRR!!!! *fainted*

Once I regained consciousness, we quickly applied for leave and headed to the UK for the interview in early Jun 08.


After 13 hours of flight and 3 hours of bus ride, we arrived at Cambridge. It was a beautiful sunny day. It was amazing.


On 2 Jun 08, we went to Judge Business School for our interview and met many potential classmates from all over the world. There were reps from all parts of the world. America, Europe, all parts of Asia, Australia etc. I mentioned that it's like a pageant, and the admin guy, James, had a brainwave. For the next batch, he may include everyone's national flag on the nametags!! =)))

I will blog about Cambridge in the relevant entr(ies) and update the link later.

After Cambridge, we made our way to Oxford where he showed me his undergraduate life. Amidst the Oxford leg, Judge Business School sent us emails confirming our places. I remember we were in the Bed & Breakfast room and on my laptop via wifi. Super elated. Smsed my recommenders and called my mother. It was absolutely surreal.

Subsequently, 'Good Fren' got accepted for another Top 10 MBA programme and I didn't. After some rather painful consideration, i.e. of guilt, of opportunity cost, of cost etc, we decided that Cambridge is still the best option. While I was struggling with the decision, 'Good Fren' said something which struck me very hard. He said,"Are we being too rational (at that point we were thinking of pursuing the MBAs separately)? We started this journey together. We have to carry on together."

PREPARATIONS & SHARING
After getting back to Singapore, we started informing people at various stages. We gave our employers at least 2-3 months' notice. Worked out our expenses on excel spreadsheets. Many considerations. Cats, apartment, cashflow, loan installments etc.

This preparation period has been most intense. Not just because there are many arrangements to be made, but also because this episode has provided an unexpected platform for human emotions to act out. And most surprisingly, emotions from friends.

We are both uber blessed to have friends who have shared our joy and have even offered help (financial, look after cats, help to courier stuff etc.) Unfortunately, some 'friends' have demonstrated that they are not as close as we make them out to be. Some just cannot help passing sarcastic remarks about how we are able to afford the MBA and other related issues etc. We realised that not all friends share our joy in the way we would have if they were going for this. This saddens me quite a bit, because I have always believed that I had been careful about choosing friends, especially those close enough to share such joys with.

Apart from the 'friend' hiccup, many others have asked us about our experience in deciding and applying for the MBA programmes. We have hosted different batches of people over wine and food at our place or outside. Sharing sessions, if you will. Distributed the brochures/GMAT books, shared as much information as we possibly can. Our message is very simple:

• While the present may only be slightly unsatisfactory, yet comfortable, do look ahead and imagine your life in decades. Next 10 years... What do you see? How about the next 20 years? Next 30?
• If you want something, get your ass to try for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
• Rejection is common. Deal with it.

In early Aug 08, a future MBA classmate from the UK was dropping by Singapore on his before-MBA mad tour of Asia. We didn't know who he was. He had asked the admin pple at Judge Business School to hook him up with the candidates in Singapore. After a few rounds of emailing, we decided to invite all to our place, instead of meeting outside where it'll be noisy and awkward for a bunch of strangers. So on my birthday, a group of strangers gathered in our tiny apartment: 2 Singaporeans, 1 Chinese who is working in Singapore, and a UK citizen.

Singapore is too damn small. One of the Singaporeans is the husband of a former colleague, while the other Singaporean is a junior from St Nicks. So, for the coming Cambridge MBA batch, there will be 4 Singaporeans. 3 out of 4 are/were from the Public Service. 2 out of 3 from the Service are scholars funding their own MBAs though they had been offered post-graduate scholarships.
............................................

This noon, we brought Tiger to the vet as he had been rather listless. The very experienced Vet managed to draw loads of blood from him for testing and even for the rabies test (for quarantine purposes) without struggle. From the tests, Tiger is merely having a toothache, and nothing more. =)) Tomorrow, we will bring Blinky for the blood-drawing. When the Vet told the Helper that another cat was coming in tomorrow, the Helper asked us,"Blinky ah?" and had that sheepish grin on her face. Everyone at the clinic knows Blinky is the psycho cat oredi... He is infamous. Let's hope the Vet can draw enough blood from him tomorrow. Target: 4-5ml!!!

We then went to the UK Visa office this afternoon. Waited for 2 hours to find out that we omitted proof of financial ability. =_= Gonna try again once we get the relevant statements from the bank.

We also attempted to pay for our airtix in vain because the NETS machine was not up and the nearest ATM was out of cash.

RRRRRRROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!!!!

Try again later...