Sunday, December 19, 2010

Looking for Promos for Next year Trip (if can)

http://travel.priceline.com.sg/eng/retailair/package.aspx

The prices in the website above for Bali seems attractive...Hm...not sure about the date of travel yet..Sigh..But I wanted to go Korea so badly...!!!! Bet it's going to be crazy ex! :C

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1438821

http://www.hongthai.com.sg/en/tour_package?page=8

Anyway, look out for MATTA FAIR if there are any this upcoming years!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Just received an email from Sunrise asking the scholarship recipients to send their 1st sem results to them once we got our results. Gosh. I'm afraid. I've been having so many bad dreams the last few days since the day I've came back. I'm really worried. I really need the scholarship to be continued. Lord, please. I hope that my results are satisfactory and was within the requirement. Sigh. I don't know. I'm really worried. Results will be released in 3 days time. Each day, my heart was beating at such a fast speed. I am always worried about my results, but I've to hide from everyone and tries to enjoy my stay. I love being with my friends. They always made me happy. But when I got back home, alone in my room, the worries come again. God, I will hand my worries to you...I hope to be able to continue the scholarship. Please.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The most beautiful feeling is to see the person you love smiling,
and it's even more beautiful to know that You are the reason behind it.

You'll never realise how strong you are until
you have no other choice but to stay strong.

Even if the path is a little bit blurry, keep walking.
You'll focus in when you know what you want.
Then the picture of your life will be crystal clear. Just don't ever give up.

Dream big. For there is no limit. You can go beyond the sky, moon and stars.

Monday, December 13, 2010

OMG OMG! He says I'm cute and talkative...:))
And I just realised that I found the one. But.... Not in NUS =(

He is almost like HJ in Playful Kiss!
OMG! I always wanted to find someone who is so brilliant and smart to be my partner. (I know Im not smart though. But isnt someone who is a lil dumb matches a smart guy?? xDD)

He is multi-talented. Not only he's a medicine student, but he is also good at computer stuff. I secretly liked him since last year June. But, I didnt tell anyone about it! Because I didnt really know him yet.

So, recently, last 4days ago, I had a gathering with my best buddies. She was studying in USM, the same course with him. She said that she got some struggles at first and at times. So, I asked her why not ask him. She said that guy always watch anime only, no time for her. And she told me that she was that type of guy that read things for once, and remembers at once. OMG. I thought that I could find a guy like HJ in NUS, but sigh, till now, I still couldnt find one. But the guy that I hoped to have is in USM. Deep sigh.

But just now, he rated me as "cute" and "talkative" :)

Haha. I remember that we chatted once and I used to call him doctor, and he called me "Miss Nurse". Then when he knew that I wanted to do Food Science, he called me "hi scientist!". Lol. Then there was once that I called back to give him a surprise on his birthday. Hahaha! So cute!!:)

Adele - Chasing Pavements

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Sometimes it's true. No, it's not sometimes, it is indeed true. First love stays forever. Even though when you're with another guy, there are times that you'll think of your first love.

I was facebook-ing awhile after watching my favourite Korean drama. I thought of having a break by facebook-ing. But I was wrong. His photo album with her appeared on my news feed. So, I thought of looking through his album with her. I wish I didn't look at it. I shouldn't. It breaks my heart so much.

I know that deep down I still liked him even though sometimes I say things the other way round. I am lying to myself by telling that I don't and won't have feelings for him anymore. But why my heart hurts so much when I saw the album !?

I find it so hard to forget my first love. He's the first person I loved so much than anyone else. He's the guy that I once in loved with till I wanted to be with him for my lifetime till death. But it all ended up so fast.

No matter how hard I told myself to forget about him or not to think about him, somehow, my heart refused to. It was a pain, a deep scar which still hurts at times...I hope to end this endless pain, but I find it hard to find a person to replace him. He's perfect...like him. But he can't be mine. I'm really envied the girl. I wish that I can be her. But...


Friday, November 26, 2010

Out of my hands

Darlene Zschech - Here I Am to Worship



I LOVE YOU LORD! I wish to draw myself nearer to You, Lord. I want to know you more, Lord. Thanks for being there with me all the time and let me felt your Presence and opened my eyes. I trust you with all my heart and I want to Praise You Lord with all my heart. :)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Words Will Never Be Enough

Words alone is never enough to describe the feelings I'm having now.
It's weird. I havent finished my studying (I've still got 10 chaps to go), and I don't felt any stress...This is so unlike myself. OMG. What had just happened to me? Shouldnt' I feel stress right now?? I still have mood to go here and there and shopping...LOL~!

Next thing is, I was studying this chapter about Food Colour Chemistry...All of sudden, I thought back about those days when I'm in Form 6. And I remember those days that I will study hard in Organic Chemistry just for her. Yeah, she's my idol teacher. She's the one who has motivated me in ORganic Chemistry as well as Inorganic Chemistry. Anyway, physical chemistry as well. No doubt for that, but my physical was weaker as I'm obssessed with Organic and Inorganic...

I remembered those days where I would borrow her notes back home and start studying and copy her notes to my books. Then, each week I would do exercises for Organic Chemistry (I'm not a mugger in this case, but it's because I love Organic too much and I'm so obssessed with it)...Then, I would let her mark the exercises that I've done. It makes me hate university life! How would I know that I understand the concept well if I didn't do exercises? This is so true for Chemistry...To me, to understand Chem, it's matter of doing exercises to make u more understand and know how to apply the concepts. But, too bad, this can never be done in NUS or maybe in the varsities because the lectures don't have the time to commit for us...

That's why I think Pn Teh is the best teacher among all...And Pn Teh, I really hope that you'd know how much I misses you..=(

Sunday, November 14, 2010

What's the significance of this dream?

I had a weird dream today.

Well, it goes like this.

I met a girl in a park. It seems that she was hurt or something. So, I asked if she needed any help. Though she looked a lil afraid of me initially, she trusted me after a while. It seems that she has magic and she was trying to escape from something. Then, I saw that she was actually protecting something---> a book.

It seems that she was under some kind of spell but a bad people that wanted to snatch the book from her. And it seems that the more she uses her magic to break open the door, the more she''ll get hurt. Suddenly, she asked me to help her to protect the book.

Okay. Then, I don't know somehow all of sudden I was in another place, with the book, that I was assigned to protect. Then, I'm not sure how and why I was in the toilet,( I assume I was alone at first), I was trying to pee..(IN THE DREAM!) Then, somehow I was curious, so I actually looking up at the book to see what it is... Dear readers, guess what is the book about? The title is --> Holy Bible. Yes, I'm not fooling around. This is what I saw in my dream. Then, all of sudden, I realised that there was this old man ( I don't know when or how he appear) standing behind me. I got the shocked of my life! How can he be there when I'm ......peeing?? Then, I try to run away, suddenly I was held by this guy leader that asked me what book I'm holding. I lied and said that it was just some novel. He then grabbed the book from me and ....I don't know what happened next...

Sigh...I really don't know what's the significance of this dream? Am I a failure to protect Lord's holy bible in this dream? Or...??? :((

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

When Pam said that she wants to be attached, I laughed at her.

But now...

I think I should....

Laugh at myself.

Because .....

I felt so lonely. Lol. Laugh at me if you want! I felt so bored and lonely.

Oh my...

Is it me?

zZz...All of sudden I want to get attached too...

I want someone to accompany me when I'm lonely...

I want someone to listen to me when I felt like complaining bout my studies...

I felt like telling someone which I can't tell my girlfriends here...

Sigh...

But I'm too afraid of everything...

Too afraid to start...

Afraid to get hurt like in the past...:(

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Week 13 is approaching.

And what's worst is....FINALS are coming.

I'm afraid.

As you can see, FST 1101 doesn't even have CA. And I don't even listen to the lecturers. Sigh. I'm afraid that I can't finish reading. And IT 1001, my computing module...We've only have projects and finals...But thank God, our team presents well yesterday. I was totally amazed by the way Kenneth (our team member, a Science student, good-looking but attached, iguess) presents the presentation of our websites. It's so awesome! He looks good and fluent in his delivery of the presentation. And he even answered well to the lecturer's and tutor's questions. I guess he must be a very smart guy.

And I saw this super cute guy! He looks like a mixed child. LOL!

Anyway, yesterday I met ZK. I acted that I don't know him. Okay. Don't ask me why. I think it's because of the prank or...hm..I'm trying hard not to like him...Argh...I don't know why I always felt afraid when I saw him. It's like I wanna avoid him. I guess, I think, he knew that I liked him. LOL! But then...okay..Whatever...I don't know what to say...Sigh...

He ...Hm..Lol. PAM, I don't know what to talk about him!:(
My mind is blank. Haha! Okay. Just wanna tell you, I still find that he's funny and cute.
So far, no progression in feelings development except that I will feel nervous whenever he's around. That's the reason I'm avoiding him. But don't ask me why I'm nervous. 'Cause I don't know why too...:(
Well, Now it is WEEK 12!
LSM 1101 CA2 was supposingly an easy exam. Truly. I wasn't satisfied with my "future" results...
Because of the stupid careless mistakes I did.
This made my whole mood down.
It is easy! But why would I do such stupid mistakes!
I'm so angry with myself.
But what can I do? Who can I complain to ? What is done has done.
There are no ways I can take back my papers and calculate again. And why the heck I will write nucleus of DNA? It supposed to be nucleus of egg. !!! I know how to answer all the questions. I've studied so hard. But.... I made those stupid mistakes.
Why? Why? Why?

Sigh...

Anyway, let's forget about this. Pray that God will be merciful that Prof Swami will never mark me whole thing wrong just because of one stupid word being written wrongly. Lord, I pray to you...Please let me get the marks that I'm supposed to get after all those hard works.

Sigh...

Probably, I shouldn't really slack that Sunday. Sigh.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Lecture - 12 Myoglobin and Hemoglobin

Woohoo~~Not planning to read LEcture 4 d then...:P
Hope this is enough:)


It's hard to determine whether
you really have feelings for someone
or you are just carried away by
the good things that he does

Which is why you cannot say if
you are just returning the  l o v e
or returning the  f a v o r.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

I am amazed with Stanley's determination in his studies. I wouldn't say that he is a nerd, but rather a guy who is hardworking. I wish that I am as determined as he is. Sigh.

Hm...I'm tired of reading right now. I shall attempt my Chem report right now so that I don't have to chiong like crazy after CA 2 because both Chem lab report and FST lab report is due next Thursday. So, hm...I shall start working on my Chem report. Oh gosh. I felt so hot now! Roar!

Taylor Swift - Mine

PANIC~~

WTH I just woke up. Fell asleep while studying Swami's Lecture 1...zZzz...Damn...!!!
Gar...Sigh...Chem report havent started. Will I able to finish reading? Tomorrow I'm going out again. Sigh. Deep sigh. Argh...Okay, I should calm myself now. Now, I shall continue Swami's Lecture 1 and then start on Deng's LEcture 3!!! Please don't fall asleep again!

wow...i wish i can dance like her...

Friday, October 29, 2010

Tonight's Aim

Just finished Swami's Lecture 3...

Copied a friend's notes the other day. Wow her notes has lotsa extra stuff. So, I copied and perhaps get to know some stuffs clearer...Hmm...But tonight has to go and study:

1) Swami's Lecture 2
2) Swami's Lecture 1

And try to understand the extras that I copied from her. Sigh. I don't know why I always copy things blindly. I felt that I'm weak at multi-task, as if understanding while copying, listening to songs when I'm studying. And what the heck. I'm so addicted to Facebook. Garr...Can someone stop me?!!By the way, I'm super amazed that some people really can multi task..i wish i can.

Sigh....

Though a lil sleepy...I...must...stay....awake and finish these two notes....

Or at least, 65% of it...

Jia you Sher lyn!

Hm...I wish....

We went for the Halloween party just now...Hm...Anyway, it's kinda ....hm...I'll leave this blank.

Grace was a good make up artist.! Hm...lemme show you some of my pictures taken using my lappie after the make ups...:)








By the way, I find that his mask was funny today! Hm...Cant believe that he will choose that type of mask. Unexpectedly.=)

Cool~~~

http://www.wiley.com/college/fob/anim/

Why A Broken Heart Really Does Hurt

Why A Broken Heart Really Does Hurt



Courtesy:http://www.palanski.com/search/label/Science

An interesting article to finish up science week on the nook. This one really won't need too much of an introduction as the title says it all—a broken heart really does physically hurt. Here is the full excerpt from the above-linked layman's version of the scientific paper:

Scientists have identified a genetic link between physical pain and social rejection, a finding that explains the common theory that being spurned or breaking up with a lover really "hurts". In a landmark research, psychologists at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that the human body has a gene which connects physical pain sensitivity with social pain sensitivity.

The research, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, backs the commonly held theory that rejection "hurts" by showing that a gene regulating the body''s most potent painkillers—mu-opioids—is involved in socially painful experiences too. "Individuals with the rare form of the pain gene, who were shown in previous work to be more sensitive to physical pain, also reported higher levels of rejection sensitivity and showed greater activity in social pain-related regions of the brain when they were excluded," said Prof Naomi Eisenberger, the study co-author.

The study indicates that a variation in the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), often associated with physical pain, is related to how much social pain a person feels in response to social rejection, the Daily Telegraph reported. "These findings suggest that the feeling of being given the cold shoulder by a romantic interest or not being picked for a schoolyard game of basketball may arise from the same circuits," said co-author Baldwin Way.

According to Prof Eisenberger, this overlap in the neurobiology of physical and social pain makes perfect sense.

When news like this comes out, I usually like to dig up the original scientific paper so I can study it more thoroughly. If one thing ever holds true, it is that the media does a terrible job of representing scientific findings in a large percentage of their published stories. On top of that, the media never make it easy to find the original article from which they cite their information—they instead leave puzzle pieces for you to fit together. Maybe I ask too much. Either way, after some searching, I found the original, which can be downloaded here. The paper's abstract delves a little deeper into the mechanisms connecting emotional and physical pain associated with a broken heart:

Scientific understanding of social pain—the hurt feelings resulting from social rejection, separation, or loss—has been facilitated by the hypothesis that such feelings arise, in part, from some of the same neural and neurochemical systems that generate the unpleasant feelings resulting from physical pain. Accordingly, in animals, the painkiller morphine not only alleviates the distress of physical pain, but also the distress of social separation. Because morphine acts on the μ-opioid receptor, we examined whether variation in the μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), as measured by the functional A118G polymorphism, was associated with individual differences in rejection sensitivity. Participants (n = 122) completed a self-report inventory of dispositional sensitivity to social rejection and a subsample (n = 31) completed a functional MRI session in which they were rejected from an online ball-tossing game played with two supposed others. The A118G polymorphism was associated with dispositional sensitivity to rejection in the entire sample and in the fMRI subsample. Consistent with these results, G allele carriers showed greater reactivity to social rejection in neural regions previously shown to be involved in processing social pain as well as the unpleasantness of physical pain, particularly the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and anterior insula. Furthermore, dACC activity mediated the relationship between the A118G polymorphism and dispositional sensitivity to rejection, suggesting that this is a critical site for μ-opioid-related influence on social pain. Taken together, these data suggest that the A118G polymorphism specifically, and the μ-opioid receptor more generally, are involved in social pain in addition to physical pain.

In order to practise what I preach, here is the citation:

Way, Baldwin M., Shelley E. Taylor, and Naomi I. Eisenberger. "Variation in the μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) is associated with dispositional and neural sensitivity to social rejection." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (August 2009).

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Crying in Silent

I want to emo!

I saw my results today.

I felt like stabbing myself right now!

I failed.

I wanted to cry.

But I can't.

He's there. Many people are there.

How can I cry in front of public?

Especially in front of him.

Gosh. Stupid tears. I am in the public now. Stop welling up my eyes!!

I still think I'm the most stupid person in NUS.

God, please give me strength to move on.

This is the first time I failed in my whole life.

Hold your tears, Sher lyn...

Learn to accept these failures...

But....

WHAT ABOUT MY SCHOLARSHIP?

I've failed to prove others that I can do it.

I've failed to make my parents happy.

I've failed my 2 tests!!!

Tell me, will I be able to have the strength to continue?
Will I be able to succeed?
Do I still have time?
SHOOT! This is the FIRST time I dreamt of him. Garrr...STOP THIS, Sherlyn!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Oh my God! I just found this super cool stuff! It's so super cool! I love the lecture notes alot!!! It's detailed and brief. HAHAHA! But I hope that I found them earlier. Sigh....:(

Anyway, have to start studying LSM 1101 readings! After finished reading, if got extra time, I will go through the cool notes that I found just now.:)
Garrr....>.<

Hate those stupid last minute projects. Done parts of it but WTH...Still need editing on certain stuffs. ERGH!!!! I'm going crazy!!!

And LSM CA2 is just around the corner! 4days more left!!ARGH!!!! SAVE ME, SOMEONE...
How am I going to study with the endless projects and assignments??? >.<

Damn. I STILL HAVENT STUDY. and I felt that my brain is empty! =(
Everyone started ( I doubt it when some said that they havent ) ...Ergh...PLUS, I'm a slow learner...It's not that everything I read, i will understand right away! I need time to digest, time to wonder...Ergh...>.<

Am I emo-ing now? YES! Because of these damn reports and projects, I can't study! This made my life super miserable. At least I finished my LSM lab report. FST project in the midway...Hope no more edition need to be done...ROAR!!!!

Anyway, chaoz. Going for lecture now!

Monday, October 25, 2010




Kind of lazy to write my feelings out. But I guess these images will be self-explanatory in what I'm feeling right now...Miss you gurls...Love ya!!

Friday, October 22, 2010

He Says Goodbye to me

We had a BBQ session today. Pam was such a great chef! For making the crepe-on-flame birthday cake for Grace n Judy...:)



Credits to PaM, Su Chin, and Jin Min! You gurls rocks! The cake is super DELICIOUS!!

Hm...after the eating session, we played Truth or Dare.
When the bottle pointed at me, I chose Dare since I couldnt choose TRUTH! (they will ask me about him)

I think Jonathan n Sean knew that I like him. So, sigh...Jonathan sabo me, gave me his number and ask me to phone him and said " I will never pee on my bed again"....That sentence comes from Xu Xu...:(((((

Argh...Gosh! it's kinda embarrasing! IUrgh...felt like running away. Anyway, after this much of embarassment, surprisingly, he did talk to me just now. I thought that he will avoid me or what so ever.!

He even say goodbye to me when I was alone at the lift. Anyway, I'm deciding to stop that feeling though. Enough of bringing more embarassment towards myself. I don't deserve a good guy like him. I think other girls should be better on him than a girl who is crazy, stupid, and not smart like ME! I don't think I deserve to have him.

So, sherlyn. Stop that feeling. :)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Midterm results

After I saw my marks for CM1101 on the IVLE, I felt like breaking down and cry. But I'm in public. I have to wait till I enter the toilet to cry. I really felt that it sucks! Why after much effort I put in it , I don't even get better marks...Not even better than average?!!!I'm far below average. Now I felt that I'm the most stupid person in NUS. Yesterday I felt so happy because i saw him. But now, my results pulled down my whole emotion.

I don't understand. How come some people can study whole day without feeling tired or without sleep? Why? And why I always fell asleep when I study? Even though im studying on a table. I must be the most silliest person in the world. I can't accept failure now. I've tried my best, but still I failed. I'm very unhappy!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Hm...Never thought I will write about guys here. But since, Pam asked me to write about HIM, I just give it a go...Anyway, I did thought before about writing these 2 guys that appeared in my life since the day I stepped into NUS.

The first guy -Sean Yeap. I had a crush on him on the 1st week of MSL. Well, he's a lil muscular, slightly tanned, broad shoulder, good at sports, quite tall, and CUTE! I liked him. But rumors saying that he likes another girl named Jane. Well, it seems that Jane was very POPULAR among the GUYS! I don't think she's that pretty at all! (No, I'm not jealous. I think Rachel's prettier)
Well, maybe guys see girls differently than girls do. So, I kinda gave up on him after knowing about his crush. But I saw him at MSD Mid Autumn Fest, anyway, I tried not to look at him though I'm feeling a little happy inside.

The second guy- Zhi Kai. Well, so far, no much feelings for him except that I think he's cute. Sorry to disappoint you, Pam! But good news is, he did caught my attention! HAha...Hm...Well, generally what do I think about him? He's a gentleman, apologetic, kind, quiet, well-behaved, and he has his cuteness in his own way. A very typical type of him. He has his own unique personality. He have yet to make my heart beat, but I did felt a little happy when I saw him. Wait, that's not crush right?!! Hm...hm..hm...

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

I Realised I Don't Know How to Love Someone

Looking through some of my friend's photos with their boyfriends, I realised that there are many things that I don't think I'll do for a guy.

I don't think I'll be that affectionate enough with a guy. Well, I'm not sure. Maybe I haven't really liked someone till I wanna show the whole world that he's my guy.

Though I'm in uni now, I still think that I'm not fated to love by a guy or to love a guy. I'm not a lesbian (though I always like to look at pretty girls. But hey, it's because I'm envied of their beauty. If only I'm cute and pretty, I wouldn't need to look at others and envy bout it) but I'm not sure if is it the past which affected me a lot till I'm afraid of love.

Perhaps, watching movies and dramas and experiences from some friends actually made me phobic towards love. I'm afraid to like someone. If I liked someone, I'll make sure that it's just temporary.

And there's one thing. I think I will think of my friends more importantly than my boyfriend. I remember there were once, this guy asked me out. Well, I like (LIKE ONLY) him before. So, surprisingly I rejected him for my besties. Hm...

Let's just put a full stop to this first. I was thinking if I have a boyfriend, will I dare to show PDA (Public Display Affection) in the public? Will I always wanted to hug a guy? I guess I'll come to a state when I'll get bored of doing all these lovey-dovey stuff. I'm so afraid that I'll get bored to someone so easily.

Anyway, I'll see when the time comes. Right now, study comes first. No, it's my future. Just that I've never put love as a priority. In my definition,love is just a necessity. That's it.

Monday, October 11, 2010

My Coursemates:)

Hm...After "migrating" here and there as I usually did since secondary school, I realised that mixing around actually benefits me:)

Some of you who know me might have realised that I've mix with "them" lesser nowadays. Well, I have my own reason for that. Anyway, less being around with them doesn't mean I don't friend them. It's just that I think it's best for me to stay a certain gap from them. Well, this is not primary or kindergarden anyway, and I'm an adult now. No point behaving like a child. (though I'm childish at times. Haha.)

Okie. Lemme tell you bout some of good coursemates:)

1. PAMELIA CHIA- She's a good friend. Nice to be with. Sometimes kinda blur. But she's pretty! Lol. Enthusiasm is also high at times. We mug together before our LSM exam. It's a great time having an outing with her as well! Hm...But I've never been shopping with her or going for a movie before ler!!:(
LOL!!!!

2. LIM JIN MIN- She's a cute girl. Small size. Very caring and passionate about cute stuff. Yeah. We mug together too together with PAM. LOL! Sometimes I'm quite worried bout her when she went back home alone at night. Hm...(sometimes Spore not that safe, I realised! after listened to Jin Min n Pam's experiences. Anyway, Im keeping everything safe and sound.)

3. SONIA- She's the one who first called me when I thought of death the other day. I almost gave up because I'm overly stressed by the CGPA of the scholarship. She was so concerned about me and tell me what to do. Then, she accompany me the next day for dinner and I was touched. I've never had someone do this to me before. And yeah, she can be really CRAZY and HIGH like me when KARAOKE! AWESOME!:)

4. SHING YEE- Smart girl. She always helped me in the explanation in the things I don't know. There was once we studied together on the exam day for LSM, I needed "ladies' tissue" urgently. And she helped me go to the Central Forum to buy for me.:(
It's not a sad face. This sad smilie is because I felt bad that I've troubled her but she told me it's okay. That thing is more important. :(
I'm really touched. :(((

5. ZHI KAI- LOL. I don't know why I will write him at here. But I just wanna say that, hm...HE'S ACTUALLY NOT REALLY THE COLD TYPE GUY THAT I USED TO THINK HE IS ONE. I realised that he can be a warm guy as well. A good guy. Hm...But seriously, I think he's quite funny. Especially his email address. I find it cute and funny. Each time I saw him, I remembered his email address. Aww! So cute!!!

6. GRACE- Barbie doll girl! I realised she has a doll look! Oh...so pretty. I told her that, and she told me that I looked like a China doll as well. LOLOL!!! Hm...I just know a lil bout her lately. So, couldn't really write much at here. But I hope to get to know more about the others:)

Thanks a lot, girls. You all always made my day when I'm down!:)

Sunday, October 3, 2010

This is a true story

This is a real story told by my friend.

It was about her JC friend. As you know, Singapore is a very stressful country as everyone is competing with one another. But there is one thing which touched my heart—which is friendship.

Okay. It goes like this. I’m trying hard to remember as much as I can what she told me. My friend was studying IB in her junior college. And it was announced that the year 1 students should write a 4000 words? project during the 1st year so that the 2nd year they can actually more focus on the real studies. So, her friend, (let’s call her A) has no mechanism which remind her about deadline. And when it comes to her 2nd year d, A became very stressful.

Then, there was once the teacher said that there was a student kept locking herself in her room, never come out before. So, A’s best friend, B is very concern about A. So, my friend and B plans to visit A. My friend called A’s house and ask A’s dad if they can come over to visit A. When A’s father was answering halfway, to my friend’s surprise, A snatched the phone from her father and hung up (My friend’s assumption as she thinks it must be weird). And it’s that A will never even come out from the room AT ALL. Even her meals, her parents will just put on the floor outside her room door. And she will just open and take it when she’s hungry.

Then, my friend told B the next day what actually happened. They later decided to go to A’s house straightaway after school. That day was during rainstorm. And from the look of A’s house, it was kinda eerie. Because the lights are all off. It was just darkness around. ( Scary, huh? What will you do if you’re A and my friend?) Okay. Then, my friend and B asked A’s father if they can visit A. The father replied in a cold and eerie way ,” She’s in the room.” And there was only darkness in the house!

Then, my friend and B kept calling A from outside the room. And all of sudden, A screamed (not shout). My friend was like “Wow! I first time heard someone screamed.” My friend was kinda crazy type. Lol. Then, A’s father suddenly shouted from upstairs to force A to come out of the room because it was like no respect if we ignore someone who visits us. So, A’s father said “ You better come out of the room or I’ll use the key to open your room.”

Then, she opened her door finally. Her worried friend,B, hold A’s arm and said “Becky, what happened? Tell me. I’m your best friend.” Suddenly, A pushed B till she fell down the staircase. (According to my friend, luckily B was a strong girl). A said that “Go away! I don’t have a friend!” My friend then got the shock of her life. She actually quite afraid that time. But there are stories behind this. B was actually also a patient who actually recovered from IMH (Institute of Mental Hospital). My friend actually was kinda afraid that B’s past condition will relapse just like A.

Gosh. I find this really really scary. Hm…

Saturday, October 2, 2010

I felt humiliated and insulted. She (VT) asked what's my CGPA for STPM. I told her, 3.75 only. Then, she said " Oh..okay..." Then I asked hers. She said 3.83. Then I said that she must be very clever because hers is so high.

But after I get out from the bus, she told a good friend of mine. I think she don't know my friend told me what she told her. She told her that I don't deserve the Sunrise scholarship because her CGPA is higher than mine. She told me that she could have get it instead of me getting it. I was doomed. I thought of her as a friend even though I know she don't want to help me in studies and so on...But when this words came out from her mouth, my heart felt so insulted. I know, I'm not smart like her. I am not clever. My IQ is low. But, how can she say things like this?

She was indirectly saying that stupid people shouldn't get scholarship! My friend saw that I nearly break down, but she told me not to be sad. Just try my best in my studies. I really never thought someone I thought as a friend will treat me like this. I really don't know. I told mummy about it and mum told me not to mix with this kind of people too much. But ...I really hope that there is other smart people in my class other than her so that I don't have to rely on her...:(

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

People in NUS are really kiasu!
That girl...Okay..I'm not intending to talk bad bout her here. But I really don't like her because she is not willing to share what she know to people. She is smart. And there was once I accidentally saw a file in her pendrive and I guess that she wanted to be in the Dean List as the file was stated " Top List of Names who entered into the Dean List". So what? Is she afraid that after sharing knowledges, the other person will do better than her? Come on. I don't want any dean list. I just want to maintain my scholarship or to pass my university life with just a degree, that's all. My life was just that simple.

Yesterday was CM1101 exam. And yes, I screwed my CHEMISTRY exam. 20 marks gone. I seriously don't know what the hell the question about and how to answer. Wtf. I studied 3books for the whole week, and in the end, I don't know how to answer. Gosh! I'm so fucking disappointed with myself!!! Others know how to do, I don't know. Sigh. I'm such a loser.

Anyway, LSM 1101 and LAJ1201 is coming...Have to start studying. I havent start anything for biochem and I dont know what that lecturer is teaching. Damn! Have to self-study in such a short time. And yet I'm tired. I felt like pulling out. But I have to go on...Sigh...

Anyway, here are some thing for myself.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Study-Biochemistry&id=1404949

Sunday, August 29, 2010

I felt like shouting...
I have not make any effort while everyone's was studying...
What is wrong with me?
Can't you stop yourself being a pig?!!!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Encouragements

Pn Teh just gave me one word of encouragement. I'm really touched that she still remembers me. And her concern...She's like a mother to me.

For me, she's the best Chemistry teacher in the whole world. Nobody can be compared to her. She and Mr. Lok was the best. I hope I can consult Mr Lok to teach me instead. Is there any tuition classes for university students? Need help desperately:(

Self-studying was hard. Especially when I know NOTHING bout physics. Everything you learn in NUS is so much in depth. The recommended textbooks doesnt really help much. IT confused me instead. Sigh.

Due to the motivation and encouraging words from them, the people I love, I will work hard and try my best. I am trying my best not to compare myself to her, but it's a little hard. I always compare myself with her. Sigh. Should stop it...Can someone tell me how to stop comparing??

p/s: I just realised his existence. And I almost got ..... I mean...I've seen him twice or two. But today, he looked more handsome than before. Oh my...Stop it. I come NUS to study. Not finding bfs...!! By the way, I'm still thinking of him. Shit! Can my mind please stop it??!!!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Another post...Related to my CM1101 module:)

http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/light/zeeman-split.html

http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/contspec.html

Happy studying, Sher lyn!!
You can do it too if others can...
Jia you!! Gambatte!:)

Thanks YouTube:)

I'm taking 5 modules this semester, which is yeah, the minimum number of modules a student can take in NUS.

Japanese Language, LAJ 1201...I like learning new languages..But for someone who has no prior knowledge of it, it's DAMN tough. ( I know many people here studied before Japanese either by themselves or taking private lessons...I know because most of my friends who took the same module as me learned it before even though the JAP lecturer said that students who have prior knowledge of Jap are not allowed to take. But who knows ?? Whatever lar...)

CM1101, a Chemistry module, which is my core module...Honestly I am still a little blur about it..Since I have no knowledge about physics...I'm grateful and thankful that there are people who are willing to teach me..But I'm afraid to ask them to teach me because I'm slow in learning...Especially when I don't even know any physics term...It's like an ALIEN to me...So, before I can start studying this module, I have to know more or less about light, photons, waves, particles, de Broglie's principle, the uncertainty principle and etc....There are f***ngly more stuffs that I have to learn MYSELF...Too afraid to ask people to teach me this because I'm scared that they might have no patient in teaching a nooby person like me...

LSM 1101...The prof is okay...Well, sometimes his lesson was a lil unclear...Due to his pronounciation as he was a Japanese....Anyway, I think so far things he thought I've learned before...So far, I think his lectures are still managable...Worst come to worst I will spam him with questions and consultations...

IT1001...A boring lecture..But I've chose this because I have little knowledge regarding computers and computing stuff...So, I was hoping to gain some knowledge in it...So far, I guess I learnt just 2%?? Haha....Havent read through the lecture notes since I was busy with my CM1101 and LAJ1201...

FST1101...It is a food science course...THE MOST INTERESTING LECTURE ever!! I LOVE MY PROF! Haha..I find that this lecture was the most enjoyable ones compared to all...Perhaps maybe due to the small cohort, we can have more interactions during classes..It was absolute FUN! ANd I guess that I will love it in the long run, hopefully:)

Getting know seniors like Wei Bin, and my class mates...It was really kinda fun to meet new people...Wei Bin is a good senior...Funny as well...Great sense of humour...Haha...But he's a smart guy:)
Sean Tay, our class rep, just know him a lil yesterday when he asked us to have lunch together after our lab sessions...Haha...Knew the cool guy, Zhi Yang too...He's just too COLD from the look of his face...So cold till I don't felt like knowing him..But when he asked me who I am, so, I just replied...He's still as cool as he is...Well, I have no comments bout him...
Then Jonathan Phoon...A Msian!! He was so bad that he and Pei Yee cheated to me and Kar Hui that they are from Brunei!! >.<
Both of us got cheated, but in the end, they said that they joked. Lol. Why I'm so easily got cheated?? !!!
Anyway, they are just having fun...I am not really offended. Haha...
Francine really looks like Chong Shir Leen ler!!!!! OMG...I was wondering, are they cousins???? Lol...She really looks like her!!! The face, the eyes, the nose....Oh my oh my....I'm not dreaming, am i?

Btw, heard that Felicia Chin, a Mediacorp artist will be studying in NUS Biz...Oh my God...She really caused the stir in NUS...Hope to meet her though I'm not really a big fan of her...But the idea of being in the same university with a celebrity is really something UNEXPECTED for me...Haha...:))

Oh yeah...Felt like posting this web link to help in my studies:))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fUdeck487w&feature=related

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

When was the last time I stopped smiling happily?

I felt that my happiness faded since I came to NUS.

Is it because I still have yet to adapt well?

Or is it because I'm feeling stupid?

Why did I choose NUS in the first place?

These questions made me felt as if I'm doubting myself.

I know efforts are needed to be here. Really extra effort.

I still remember when I was in Form Sixth, I still get my beauty sleep every evening...watch my TV series....Online-ing...and so on...Life was not so busy as I felt now...I'm more relaxed a lil...

But now?

I felt like dying.

I was hoping that the world ends at any seconds so that I will have worries no more!

I admit that I might not be able to adapt with the surrounding environment when all the world class's best is around me. Almost everyone , well yeah, everyone here are fuckingly smart! Mind you, you have to put in extra effort to be at least an average...Nothing else you can do...Well...I'm really emo today...Maybe it's been a week or two im feeling this. Well yeah, I don't have nothing else to say...Not that I'm going to say that I will study or whatsoever, cause I know my actions is not equivalent to words...

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Life in NUS

Honestly, life in the university wasn't something really fun...Especially when you have lots of stuff to do...

Sigh...I was thinking, did I made a wrong choice to come here in NUS?

People here are so smart. I felt so down and scared. But yet, I did not do a thing to upgrade myself. I kept saying that I will do this and that...But in the end, nothing comes up.

Sometimes it's better to left things unsaid, I guess.

People here are so hardworking and smart. And I'm here, slacking, doing nothing. At least during form sixth, I did study a lil. Better than now. I felt like I'm doing nothing when the rest are busy with homeworks, assignments, studies...

What am I doing here? Sleep...Fuck myself!

I guess I need motivation...

P/s: I really don't like some people here, acting in front of me. Saying that they did not study, but if did not study, why their notes are so "clean" and scribbled here and there even before the lecture starts? Sorry if you read this and you think you are one of them. I just don't like people acting in front of me and lied to me.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Wonders ~~

Wondering...why people who are kind initially will become wild and bitchy all of sudden?
Wondering...why some people here are so open that they fondled each others' thing in public?
Wondering...why people here are giving "free shows" most of the time?

A friend of mine, she used to be my close friend when I was in primary school...She was a decent type of girl last time....Time somehow brought us apart...We lost contact...I met her again...And she looked wilder and bitchy now. She was no longer the old friend I used to know. Time changed her so much...The way she talked now also sounds sarcastic...I don't blame her. Environment around her might have changed her to who she is today. She chose to have this type of wild life, then she will have to suffer in the future. I'm not cursing her, but I did advise her not to mix with those wild boys too much and she just wouldn't listen. So, there's nothing else I can do.

And we passed by KE Hall to go to PGP tonight. IT was already late at night. And I happened to saw a girl in her sexy nighties, with her half-naked boyfriend in a room. I just realized how spoilt the society is. Why is it that guys are allowed to enter a girl's room so openly...???
Why girls today doesn't know what's the importance of virginity and image of themselves and their parents?? What they care about are just the so-called FUN of having that bored stuff ??
Well, maybe I just need to get used to the norm here I guess. I hate seeing this yuckie things which people may want to see, but I have no interest in any of these. Please let my "gifted ability" to others instead.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Stop talking b****

Sherlyn, please. Stop talking b****. Stop talking as if someone's gonna say that you're dumb if you don't talk.

Stop talking bull**** and asking SILLY questions and make yourself look more stupid and dumb...

L said that I'm good for nothing the other day. That made me break out in silent. He might not know that he accidentally hurted my feelings with his word. But I tried my best not to show it...

A said that I'm stupid for asking him a silly question. Okay. I'm NOT SMART. I know everyone here are SUPER SMART except the odd me.

Did I made a wrong choice to come here? Yeah, I guess. I felt myself so inferior after coming here. I'm afraid. I really need a light to guide me. I need a shoulder to cry on when I'm down and afraid. I need an ear to listen to my problem.

I know that I cannot regret on the path I chosen. I've came this far and chosen this path, I have no way to go back. I even go against everyone's will to come here. How can I go back?
The only thing I can do now is to be tough, be strong...
I shall not shed any tears in front of anyone I know here...
I shall not show how fragile I'm inside...
No matter how I wanted to cry, I will never reveal it to anyone I know here...

Friday, August 6, 2010

Frustrated Day

I went to IT Coop today for 3 times. Yes. To and fro for 3 times.

First time, I was a little pissed because I felt so hot. Damn weather, I HATE YOU! After reaching there and tell my problem, the technician taught me the same way Yugene did for me. But there's one step where he asked me to copy the files from the "Download" file to the ":C" program...

Okay. I go back and try. Again cannot.

Second time, I went there again. I was waiting for the lady to come back, with full hopes that my printer will be installed successfully. But the lady told me to bring my laptop and she will ask the technician to try and help me with it. Okay. Another time have to rush back before 12.30pm because she told me that they are closing at 1pm.

Then I got back, with my printer, again to IT Coop. The technician tried and tried and tried. There was once this F***ing FAT ASSHOLE guy almost knocked down my laptop. What the hell! He broke my laptop, I'm gonna ask him to get me a Macbook instead. Damn stupid guy. Look where you lean on la, fucka!

I was so pissed d, he some more get on my nerves. The technician tried to help me, but in the end, they said cannot. They tried on another laptop with windows 7 x64...But can. The lady said that it must be something wrong with my laptop since the printer works fine for other laptop. She then ask me to come again tomorrow or Tuesday. I felt hot tears in my eyes that time. My heart is so pain. I used so much money to buy a stupid laptop and I'm really frustrated. My heart aches. I don't intend to let anyone know how I'm feeling right now, but I really need to shout it out!!

I really hope that my printer can be installed:(

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Downs of my Life

Baby are you down, down, down, down, down,....Down~~~Down~~~
Even if the sky is falling down~~
Down~~~Down~~~

So, you're trying to tell me don't worry??
Well, it's hard...
I don't know what happened...
All things ...bad luck falls on me...nowadays...

I felt like immersing my face into a shoulder...

I bought a printer today. It costed me SGD 99...
And...I can't install it:(

I wanna cry...It's tough for me to carry the printer back to IT Coop and then carry it back to my room...It's so heavy:(

Why does this bad luck falls on me?? !!!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

The End of It

I finally knew who is the girl that he likes. Well, I realized that he was just a person I had a crushed on. Not love. I have to stop it before I let myself being so immersed into it. Well, the girl was really pretty,smart and rich, while I'm the opposite. Instead, I'm the UGLY DUCKLING.

Thanks to Wan Jun for pointing to me who is the girl. They have been honest to me by telling me straight-forwardly that I'll never be able to beat with her. She has almost all the things that a girl wants.

Therefore, I decided to give up on that person after I realized all these. Anyway, cut the crap. I'll never be in a relationship for at least 2 years from 13/12/09...Whatever it is, I know that I'm fated to be single, as predicted. I can accept that fact. It's okay.

School semester is almost started. Recently there's been a lot of happenings around me. Lots of unlucky things happened like getting a correct bus at the wrong bus stop, fought with dad, misunderstandings between friends, and so on....

All these caused me so emo... But I've been trying to find ways to solve them...I miss my baby...I miss my Hua Lian and Convent besties...:(

Friday, July 30, 2010

I'm Happy for Her

I read your blog, Miss Aggie-ness...

It's such a sweet thing that he did for you...I'm touched and tears rolled down my eyes. I'm happy for you. Yeah. You two proved that with faith, long-distance relationship will still be strong. I believe that he will be your life time partner, your soul mate. He cherished you so much and did so much for you. Well, guess that you too have to do your part too kay:)


Where is he studying now?? By the way, I'll return the money I owed him perhaps end of the year. Sorry that I didn't manage to meet up with you gurls the other day due to workloads and that stupid prank.

By the way...

Yeah...

I miss ya a lot...

Love ya ...

and...

Take care...

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Nostalgia

What am I doing? Drank a can of a Nostalgia can drink with Mandy just now. I'm now thinking bout the past right now.

Sigh. It's a bad hair day for me today. Uhm...Actually I was initially in a good mood. When it comes to the time my stupid hp ran out of battery, and my friend seriously needs to talk to me, I was not there for her. I felt like hitting or banging myself to the wall. Why I didn't charge my phone earlier??!!

Then, I went to Orchard to meet up with Mandy. Shopping in Orchard was fun. Lots of cheap stuffs. Bought two shorts...Mandy bought for me actually. I felt so bad when she insisted to pay for the shorts and dinner. :(

After dinner, I went back. So unlucky. I don't know what happened to me. I went to the wrong bus stop and got into the bus for twice. Wasting money right? :(

After that, I got down and asked..I realised the other bus stop I went earlier is for interchange or something. I should have gone to the Bus Stop 1...Sigh...What a day...:(

Saturday, July 24, 2010

The opposite of me??

Hm...How should I say?? I'm in NUS now...Life was great...Got to know few friends...At first I thought to be another person. But then, it's fucking hard! I can't be someone else! I'm always the crazy me...Stupidity...Damn!

Why is it so hard for me to change?? :(

Hm...Now I'm "famous" because of the so-called scandal rumours...zZzz....It all started with Antebellum's I Need You Now song. I was so excited to hear that song that I answered " I Need You Now" when a guy asked me what's the name of the song. Then, all of them sabo me saying that I proposed to him...zZZz....

Anyway, all my feelings and crushes go to my secret blog. So, I'm NOT going to tell you who I had a crush on! Hm...Anyway, all of sudden I preferred one-sided love though it breaks my heart so much because of the past. It left such a deep impact on me. I've never thought that it will affect me so much till I'm afraid to be in a relationship again.

And I realised that I suddenly have such a high demand in the type of guys I will look at..The past of me, I don't really take into account into many things...But now, I felt that...Hm...An example will be, I will not like(crush) a guy IF he showed that he's nervous when he's with me...I will like the SLow and SteaDy type...Cool...Hm...Enough of the description. I'm not going to describe more....

Now, I'm feeling really frustrated. Bidding modules. I still unsure which modules I should take. Everything is so freaking confusing to me...How ?? How ?? How?? And everyone here are so smart...ESpecially the China students...They are giving me the feeling of nervous and scared even when they talked to me...:(

Anyway, stars stars stars...I need you to brighten my pathway...I need to be brave to overcome those stupid thinkings...I SURE CAN DO IT~!!!! I'm going to be able to score well ...!!!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Why I Grew Up Hating Certain Guys

I'm sicked staying at home. Life at home was peaceful without the guys at home. Those parasites. I really hate them. Those 3 parasites.

I just don't understand why would mum pampered my brothers so much. Guys are always the one given the privilege and loves. Even my boss agreed that.

They worked. But where's their money gone too ?!! And why must they kept bugging mum for money...?? And keep sucking mum's blood. I've kept telling mum not to give them money. But she always sided them. And in the end, she will complain to me that those parasites keep sucking her blood and caused her no money.

I will then be very mad when she complained it to me. I was asking her " Who asked you to borrow them? I've told you so many times not to borrow them. They will never pay you back. I've experienced it so many times. You never see that I won't even bother to borrow them? When they said "borrow", it's equivalent to "give". Those stupid bloodsuckers can't be trusted. You're giving yourself troubles. "

I've never wanted to lecture mum that harsh. But she keeps on siding them. What can I do? When I borrow money from her, she will said " I have no money" or sort of excuses. But things can be different for those idiot bloodsuckers. That's why I hated those guys in my house so much that I wished to leave that house of sadness so much!

And my first brother, he's such a pervert. See beautiful girls around, he will say " How good if he can **** her. " Damn! That's why I grew up hating guys behaving like those perverts. But he's my brother. Then my second brother, whenever he wants money, he kept bugging mum. If mum said that she doesn't have at the moment, he will scream and scold rude words, and banging stuff here and there.

I really hate being in the house when those 3 guys are at home. Home was not a peaceful place with them around. Mum kept saying that she wants to leave the house too. But when I asked her along, she will then find excuses and so on. I'm really tired.

Because of those 3 guys in my house and past experiences with guys, I felt that guys (well, most of them though there are a few good guys out there like Uncle Daniel and Uncle Michael) can't be trusted, unfaithful, liars...There's no point I kept talking bout how bad guys are. All good guys have extincted. So, what can I say more?

Happy Night

Thanks a lot to Lee Shuang for making my night so memorable yesterday. We went RexBox and hit the G room. Wow. It was so damn expensive!! RM 58 for a small room, 3 hours. Haha. We sang like crazy. As if no one will hears us. Really like sampat girls. Haha. And most of the songs we sang are English songs. She really knows what songs I liked. Haha. And I really enjoyed singing Lady Gaga's Bad Romance, Just Dance, Katy Perry's Waking Up in Vegas, Hot N Cold, I Kissed A Girl...And Celine Dion's Because You Loved Me and so on.. There are much more. As well as Miley Cyrus 's The Climb. All nice nice. Super nice. And our last song was MJ's You're Not Alone.Hahahaha....Love Love Love. I was so enjoyed. Really. :)

Thank you a lot, Lee Shuang.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Post-Job Sadness

Hm...Today was my last day of work. It was supposed to be yesterday, but my boss asked me to help her for another day. Since I'm desperate for money, without thinking , I agreed. Anyway, I don't want to stay home facing those parasites. Mum actually wanted to cook my favourite "gandum" today, but because I told her that I have to work today, she said will cook it tomorrow. Yummy~~!! Love love love. xD

And I seriously gonna miss Amy, Lai, and Gan... They are my colleagues in Y.T Choong. They guided me so much. I've learnt a lot during the days I started work. I remember I often complain during my first day or work. But after today, I felt "bu she de".

I just received my cheque from Miss Choong today. Hm...The amount...I was thinking about getting above RM1200...But then...it's lesser than that by uhm..RM 6....Lol...I have too high expectation towards myself I guess...

And I realised that I'm a perfectionist...I want things to be perfect. I don't dare to let the Malay guy to do those hard files. I prefer to do it myself. It's not that I don't want him to learn. It's just that he is not willing to learn. I've taught him before a number of times. And he kept making the same mistakes and did not use the formula I asked him to use. So, what can I do? I don't want him to get scolding because Miss Choong is very strict and she will check all files we do. One mistake she spotted and you'll get the scolding in front of everyone.

So, it's better that no one gets the scolding right? Because once Miss Choong was angry, she will curse non-stop. That's just her. She treats me quite good. But sometimes, I'm aware that some might be jealous or unhappy about it. Because this month I am the only one to get all the good treats, from big mangoes to increased salary.. well, I just felt that it's part of my job as an employee to complete my work. I work with heart, not because of money though I'm money-faced.

It's funny that my boss said that she increased my salary so that I can buy more mini skirts...Then, everyone was laughing. Haha. Reason? I wear skirts (not really mini lar...) occasionally to work. There's no dress code ma. I wear what I like and felt comfortable ma..Haha..And after today, I'm missing them..:(

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Lack of experience is often the biggest obstacle college graduates must overcome when entering the job market. Prospective employers can sound like a broken record, saying over and over, "You don't have enough experience"--followed by the devastating "We'll call you" (especially last year, when only 19.7 percent of graduates had a job lined up after graduating). So how do you get your foot in the door--how do you gain experience if you don't have any already?

Many new grads already have what recruiters are looking for. They just need to recognize it and package it properly in their resumes and cover letters. To begin with, think of experience you gained before you entered "the real world" that could apply. Consider including all the things you did during college, even those you wouldn't have considered job experience at the time.


"Off-the-job" training
Bill Warner, director of sales and recruiting at the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, oversees all the hiring of interns and recent graduates for sales and operations positions there. He says one of the best resume/cover letters he's seen recently came from a woman who described how her position as rush chair at her sorority had given her the leadership and project-management skills she needed to work at AstraZeneca. She told of the unique challenges of dealing with rush rules that were changed that year, as well as how she managed the process, calculated how many new members to bring in, and got all the other parts of the job done as well.

Warner, impressed, offered her a job even though she had never worked in pharmaceutical sales. "They do have experience, but they struggle with the bridge from what they've done in college, how to link it to the position they're interested in," he says.


Build bridges
To identify that bridge, look at the skills you displayed and tasks you pulled off in your college exploits. One applicant hurt his chances by failing to emphasize being editor in chief of his university's newspaper, Warner says. That activity involved numerous duties employers consider valuable experience, such as managing a staff, working with outside vendors, and balancing the newspaper and schoolwork.

When you interview with potential employers and the issue of experience comes up, be prepared with an answer that doesn't dwell on past jobs (or lack thereof)."Don't stress your work experience as much as your skill set," says Tarek Pertew, cofounder and director of marketing at the career website MyWorkster.

Educate yourself
When college experiences and your skill set aren't enough, try brushing up on a job's specific requirements, Pertew says. If you repeatedly hear that you lack a specific technical skill for the jobs you want, take classes to gain that competency. Add those classes to your resume as you continue your job search. "It shows that you have ambition," she says.


Volunteering pays
Another way to gain technical competence is by volunteering your professional skills in the service of a nonprofit. The monetary perks might not be there, but the equally important networking perks will be. For instance, if you're looking for a position in public relations or marketing, volunteer to help an organization in those areas. You'll expand your circle of networking contacts, gain valuable experience, and learn the trade. Ask the professionals you work with if they know of any opportunities in your field or anyone you should meet, and try to add to your skill set while you're at it.

Volunteering anywhere improves your resume, but if you can work with a nonprofit that has connections to a company you want to work for, that's even better. It shows you've done your homework about the firm, and it's a way to network your way to employees already there.


Consider temp work
Also, apply for temp work at staffing agencies that place people in your intended field. That way, you can gain experience and meet professionals to further add to your networking circle, and a temp job can sometimes lead to full-time work.

"Temp agencies are still hiring, because companies are still waiting to see how things will unfold in the third and fourth quarters," says Joanie Ruge, senior vice president of Adecco Group North America, a human resources services firm. "They may have openings for which they can't bring someone on full time. Temp workers give companies flexibility as they wait to see supply and demand. As the market turns, they'll look at the temps first when they're ready to hire permanently."


Always be networking
Meanwhile, join your industry's professional association, and attend its monthly meetings and conferences. Also, join a committee in the association, and take a leadership position, since that way you can meet some of your field's most active professionals. That's another good way to network with people who know of job openings. Don't be intimidated because you're younger than them all. They'll be impressed with your eagerness to break in to the field. "It shows you've got initiative and leadership abilities," says Joe Ruffolo, a career coach at 360jobinterview.com.

In short, networking is the most effective way to find a job in this economy, particularly if you don't have much professional experience. Whether you're volunteering, temping, or attending a summer barbecue, have a 30-second elevator pitch ready to share with people who ask what you'd like to be doing professionally. That's a brief explanation of what you'd like your next job to look like and what you've done in the past, whether it's school, internships, or full-time work.


Sometimes you just have to take any job. If there's a position you can get as a manager at the Gap or as an executive assistant, go for it. The trick will be to successfully market the skills you learned on that job when you meet a hiring manager for the job you really want.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Top 10 Jobs You can Do from Home

If you live in an isolated area, or can't commute to a typical nine-to-five job for other reasons, you don't have to sacrifice a successful career. The following ten jobs offer freelance and work-at-home options that allow you--with the right career training--to succeed from a home office.


1. Management analyst (average salary in 2009: $84,650) An expert in a given industry or business area may earn a living advising other companies as a management analyst (or management consultant). These consultants work on a project basis and may work from a home office or commute to client sites. Management analysts often have a bachelor's degree and extensive experience in a particular field.


2. Web developer (average salary in 2009: $70,930) Web developers can create Web sites and Internet applications from any computer with the appropriate software, so they often perform project-based client work from home. Most Web developers have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, but an associate's degree or certificate can also be sufficient.


3. Technical writer (average salary in 2009: $65,610) Technical writers are communication specialists who translate technical subject matter into common, easy-to-follow language. They often write how-to guides, instruction manuals, and medical brochures. Many technical writers work from home offices, and they often hold a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or another communications field.


4. Public relations specialist (average salary in 2009: $59,370) Public relations specialists help companies and organizations build a positive relationship with the public--they write press releases, address media inquiries, and communicate with interest groups. A bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field is required for entry-level public relations positions.


5. Interior designer (average salary in 2009: $51,990) Interior designers combine principles of art, architecture, and spatial planning to design building interiors that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Many interior designers are self employed and work from home offices on a project basis. Before working on their own, interior designers generally earn an associate's degree or bachelor's degree in interior design and complete a design internship.


6. Graphic designer (average salary in 2009: $47,820) Graphic designers use computer design applications to create advertisements, brochures, logos, and other communications materials for clients. A bachelor's degree in graphic design is the most common way to become a graphic designer, although associate's degree and certificate programs are also available.


7. Caterer (average salary in 2009: $44,240 [includes all chefs and head cooks])As an alternative to busy restaurant life, some chefs become caterers and prepare food for special events. Caterers need well-equipped kitchens and efficient staff to prepare food for large parties, but they can often run the business and planning side of catering from a home office. Many successful caterers have prior restaurant experience and an associate's degree in culinary arts.


8. Mental health counselor (average salary in 2009: $41,710) Mental health counselors use therapeutic techniques to treat patients suffering from depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, and other mental health disorders. Some self-employed mental health counselors hold counseling sessions in their home. To become a mental health counselor, you must earn a master's degree in mental health or clinical counseling and become licensed by your state.


9. Massage therapist (average salary in 2009: $39,780) Massage therapists help clients reduce stress, relax overworked muscles, and recover from injury using a variety of massage techniques. Many massage therapists are self-employed and can schedule appointments to fit their lifestyle. Most states require massage therapists to become licensed by completing an accredited massage therapy program.


10. Customer service representative (average salary in 2009: $32,410) According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a growing number of companies are hiring customer service representatives who telecommute and answer customers' calls from home. Not all customer service jobs require postsecondary education, but some companies prefer to hire people with a bachelor's degree in communications, business administration, or a related field.


Career training for a home-based careerWhatever your current job or education level, you can work towards a rewarding, home-based career with the proper career training and degree. Online degree programs are especially convenient for working students, so you can continue your education and reach your professional goals.
Jessica Hanley is a writer pursuing a graduate degree in creative writing. Her previous experience includes marketing for the Penguin Young Readers Group and teaching writing to students of all ages. Jessica received a BA in English from Stanford University.
Source: All salary data was reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.