I'm feeling happy

More thanksgiving! Passed grade 6 theory!

RANDOM SIDE NOTE: Dell and Microsoft have partnered up with international organisation (RED) to help combat HIV and AIDS in Africa. Dell now sells cool looking (PRODUCT)RED XPS PCs running on a special version of Vista Ultimate containing wallpapers and screensavers about (RED). This may be the PC I will get if I ever switch over to the dark side... too cool to miss! Check it out!

Greek Masterpieces from The Louvre

Yesterday, I went out with those taking art and Mr Tang to visit the Greek Masterpieces exhibition from The Louvre at the National Museum. We were there in the afternoon to do some on-the-spot sketching of sculptures. We found a sculpture we liked, set up a stool and started drawing for about 4 hours, and this was my chosen model (I think she's some goddess):


I walked around the exhibition and saw these other magnificent sculptures:

EOS 450D prototype launched

Just yesterday, dpreview reported that Canon announced a new compact digital SLR, the EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi), which is an upgrade to the current 400D. Together with that, there will be a new battery grip (BG-E5) too.


As can be seen, the new body is noticeably bigger and hence has a better grip, which is always a good thing considering how minute the 400D is now. Also, built quality has improved, e.g. metallic hot shoe mount and strap handles.

Here are the main new features:
- 12.2MP CMOS sensor (Up from 10.1MP)
- EOS cleaning system & Picture Styles (already present in 400D)
- Improved 9 point AF
- 3-inch LCD with Live View (I like that!)
- Larger viewfinder (I like that too!)
- DIGIC III imaging processor (400D uses DIGIC II)
- SPOT METERING (oh, one of the biggest improvements!)
- SD/SDHC cards instead of traditional CF (I dislike this change)
- Redesigned menu layout (including My Menu as seen in 40D)
- ISO setting displays in viewfinder and ISO button
- New high capacity battery
- Highlight Tone Priority (from 40D)
- Auto Lighting Optimiser (boosts shadows after shooting)

What's still missing...
- ISO 3200!

For full article, click here.

I think that there are significant improvements, many borrowed from its larger sibling the 40D, but more could be done... Nonetheless, I'm excited.

Tata chinese

I heaved a big sigh of relief upon knowing that I got an A2 for O level higher chinese paper. This is a good yet unexpected result, considering the fact that I didn't conclude my woefully short essay properly.

I was expecting a B3 or worse, a B4, but praise the Lord, he has blessed me with an A2. Really, this couldn't have been possible by my own strength, so all glory and honour unto God. I would also like to specially acknowledge the effort put in by 陈老师 in teaching us, which has definitely not gone to waste. The cohort did well generally, better than the previous year, so that's reason for rejoice.

Once again, thank you God, for you never let me go through it all. Never did I ever imagine holding a cert which reads 'A2', so here's my shot of the day:


Oh, and I must say that it feels wonderful not learning CHINESE forevermore!!

Macworld 08 Keynote Review Part 2

A brief summary of the announcements made during the Jobsnote on Tuesday: iTunes, Apple TV Take 2 & MacBook Air.



Recorded and shared with the Jing Project | Watch Part 1

Macworld 08 Keynote Review Part 1

A brief summary of the announcements made during the Jobsnote on Tuesday: Time Capsule, iPhone & iPod touch



Recorded and shared with the Jing Project | Watch Part 2

Macworld 08: MacBook Air

With Macworld 2008 happening very very soon, I'm super excited to hear what the Mac cult leader Jobs has to announce for us this year. Rumours have been circulating that an ultra-portable MacBook will make its debut, in a form factor somewhat similar to the old 12 inch PowerBooks, but of course much thinner.


It may exclude an optical drive, and there are rumours (again) that it may use flash drive instead of traditional hard drives, and could even sport a touch-screen with tablet-like functionality. However, I personally do not believe that the flash and touch screen will happen, simply because it's too early for Apple to integrate these new technologies into their product line, and apparently I've heard that Jobs dislikes the idea of a touch screen for a laptop, even though they have done much work on touch technologies with the iPhone and iPod touch. The name for this portable lightweight laptop is called the MacBook Air as of now.

For more detailed reports, you MUST read:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/01/breaking-macboo.html
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/14/more-macbook-air-evidence-wafts-by/

Ah, I don't think I have the time to cover Macworld in detail this time round, but if time really permits, I may do a special podcast just for the Jobsnote. For detailed and superb live coverage, check back consistently at engadget or TUAW.

Other Macworld related articles:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/11/macworld-2008-banners-popping-up-theres-something-in-the-air/

Lastly, I predict and hope that Steve Jobs would also introduce a new range of Apple Cinema Display monitors, because the current monitors are really dated and are in a serious need of a revision. Fingers crossed, let's hope this also happens.

Oh wait... one more thing, we could also see a firmware upgrade (1.1.3) for the iPhone and subsequently the iPod touch. And my response to all those iPhone fans who claim that a new 3G iPhone will be released this year with 16GB of storage is this: yes I believe this will happen, but not at this Macworld. Definitely sometime later in the year.

These are some of my predictions... but amidst the uncertainty the mini MacBook is almost certain to be a reality!

Resolution for 2008

With the coming of a new year, many people make their personal resolutions. But unfortunately, not many ensure that they see their resolutions come to success throughout the year. I for one am guilty of this, hence this year I decided that instead of pouring out a long list of resolutions, I shall just make one and then work on it diligently.

This year my church is embarking on a year of prayer and worship (last year was missions), so I think that my resolution should be related to my spiritual life with God, because living a Christ-centered life is the only way to live an enriching and fulfilling life. I always believe in putting God first, as He, being the master planner, will ensure that everything else falls into place nicely, including things like exams. Therefore, for 2008, I have decided to make a simple resolution. In church last Sunday, I learnt what it means to 'seek the Lord', and I have decided that this shall be my resolution for this year: to SEEK the Lord.

I'm sure every Christian has heard of these 3 seemingly trivial words before, but it is easy to say but hard to do. Practicing Biblical knowledge in our daily lives is always challenging, partly because of the evil one against us, and also because we humanly lack perseverance to run the race. Hence, to 'seek the Lord' is a tough thing to accomplish, because what it demands is an intimate walk and an appetite for Biblical truths and understanding the ways of God.

What does the word 'seek' imply? Why not replace it with 'find'? 'Seek' suggests that there is much effort being put in and a level of commitment is required. When we 'seek' for something, it isn't similar as finding something. Seeking means to look high and low and to spend time and effort. Thus I hope that I can truly seek God with all my heart, and I know he will then reveal himself to me, as promised in Matthew 7:7 - "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

To help me 'seek', I have set two goals.
1) To do my devotion everyday.
2) To start a pray journal recording my conversation with God.

Yup... That's it for my 2008 resolution, and by the grace of God, I hope I can succeed!

Muscle man En Wei doing incredible pull-ups

Some of my class guys, like me, can't do pull-ups for nuts, so we have committed ourselves to visiting the pull-up bar once we are free during break... now we demonstrate how easy pull-ups can be! Enjoy this hilarious video starring En Wei!

LOL! (: 08S43 is great fun man!

Blog down

Sorry guys, my apologies firstly for not updating this site, and secondly, if you realise, my podcasts aren't accessible. I don't know what's up with the VJ server, but ftp doesn't seem to connect. As all audio files are hosted on server, this means that TUWP shows are not downloadable through iTunes or through web browser or any means, hence I've stopped podcasting for quite a while.

Just today I relocated some of the images onto flickr so they now load, but some links, like my Neworld site, will not load at all as all files are hosted on server. Sorry once again. I really really hope my files are still there!

Wow JC life is hectic, just the first week of lessons and I'm already back at 6-7 everyday...