2nd week of internship

Monday (17/12/2012)
Working the whole day on the nutrition labeling thing. Cause I need to do research on the health benefits and make sure that my sentences are not medicinal or drug claims. Even in Nutritional Claims, we have to comply to the law and are not allowed to do medicinal claims such as "This product would heal bla bla bla". Of 4 gourmet ingredients, pikopiko fern is the hardest to find. Trust me. You won't even able to find any information on the gourmet ingredients in journals. I've used Google Scholar but nothing is found. I'm curious, why nobody do a research on the native plants in New Zealands which is used as medicinal benefits by the Maoris?

Tuesday (18/12/2012)
Saw a new girl today. Actually she's not new, she's actually an ex-intern. She's here for a month to help Harry. Her name is Ariel. Also quite friendly person :) So, since yesterday I submitted my labeling to Joan, today I'm working on finding the 14% solution thing. Just to make sure if the method to make the 14% salt solution in my mind is the same as in my findings. Then, during some free time, I take the opportunity to self study what is food extrusion is about and how pet foods are made and I tried to relate to the method that Joan explained to me last Friday about the pet food production method in our plants in New Zealand.

Wednesday (19/12/2012)
Joan gave me a new task. This time I can feel a little pressure. Cause it was something that I totally haven't done before. It's formulation of the product for our Kangaroo Apples. Then, I must alter the percentage in the formula to meet the AAFCO requirement as well as the does not exceed the company's budget. I was given time to digest the information, thanks to Joan who is being understanding :)
After work, I meet up with piggy. So long didn't meet him d...Happy that he made an attempt to ask me out <3 Hahaha...Piggy, I think next time when you had the chance to meet up with my funny colleagues, they'd nickname you "Blog" lo..Cause my colleagues they give nickname to each others' bf/husband...One of my colleague's husband was called "forum" because her husband always look at forum for information. Then there are also nicknames such as "Christmas tree", " bus stop" , etc. Hahaha...It was because it was how they met. LOL. Since we met through blog, maybe you'll be called blog :P


Thursday (20/12/2012) 
OMG. Today first time see my boss. He's so good looking and young! Hehehe..And he had kind of a deep sexy voice. <3 According to my colleagues, he was only about 33 or 34 only. So young right!!! I looked so shy and blushed when he greeted me this morning. LOL. So, today, Joan suddenly thought of a new idea. To use crocodile meat in our product! LOL. So, I had to look for the supplier. Again, it's not something I learned before. So, I learning it from my colleagues. Certains such as FOB and CIF and MOQ. Sounds very chim right? Hahah...All these terms are business related actually. :)

Friday (21/12/2012)
So they said today the world ends. Lemme entertain you with my funny colleague's story about her cute mum. Her mum gave her a packet of batteries and a torchlight today! Heehehe. Cause her mum said today the world will end. She's afraid that her daughter can't see in the dark. So cute right? Okay. This is not the end yet! Then, her mum also got called her to ask her what time she's coming back. My colleague said won't be so early. Then her mum asked "Can you come back by 8pm?" Then she replied "Cannot leh...Later got party ;lehh" Her mum replied, " Har?? Cannot come back by 8pm ar? Then you don't want die with us ah? You rather die with your friends is it?" She then replied, " Ma, mai siao la...The world not ending la" Her mum replied, " Nvm la, where is your party? I come to your party." LOL. So funny leh....
Anyway, today been trying to work on the formulation. Not easy but keep trying :)

First Week of Intern

1st day (10/12/2012):
I was 30 minutes early to the company. I was supposed to report to Joan on my first day, but when I reached Mayki was the one who brought me in instead as Joan will be late today. She introduce the places around the company to me. The toilet, pantry, warehouse, colleagues and my table. Mayki was a very nice and friendly person. And OMG. I only knew after lunch that she was 30. To my horror. She looks way younger than her age! I thought she's only 26 or 27. And also Ria. She's an Indonesian. She's only 27 but she looks about 24 or 25 >.<  The people working here looks so young than they really are. Mayki made toast kaya bread for me on my first day and keep me company till Joan comes. And Mayki was from Penang and she's the company's graphic designer. Her designs are really nice. :) Heehehe. And one thing I agree with Mayki is that, although you get all strings of A's in studies, that does not makes you a successful person. What makes you successful is the amount of digits you earn, which is true. As in, for what you study so hard and showing off your A's when you don't earn much?

After that Joan came and after a while, she passed me a project that the company is working on. And so, I get to do New Product and Development for dog food. Due to company's privacy, I wouldn't reveal much. But I am in charge of the food production and formulation. A bit stressed cause it seems that I'm the only Food Tech there. :(   So, basically, it's like I'm kinda working on my own but not really my own. Okay. It does sounds very confusing. But ahh.. nevermind. So, first day, productivity was ZERO 'cause I really couldn't find any information regarding the stuffs I had to find.

2nd day (11/12/2012):
Not much stuff but feeling a lil sleepy while working. Blame it on the lightings. It's kinda dark when it gets by the evening and this kind of atmosphere really makes you feel like sleeping. Trust me. Sit at my place and you'll know. So, second day, I tried using different keywords to find the information and gets some information although it's not directly the information I wanted, but I think it should be applicable. So, keep searching and searching and searching. According to Mayki, boss is always not here (in the company) and he's only back about once every 4 years? or is it 4 times a year? Can't really remember that. :|

3rd day (12/12/2012)
Saw manager today and she looks kinda fierce, but sometimes very funny. She got a cute daughter called "Chita?" LOL. I don't know how to spell. Today Joan made a twice attempt to scare me. Hmm..first attempt. not so successful perhaps because my reaction doesn't show that I got scared or something. So, while I was being so attentive listening to Mayki's story, all of sudden when I turned to my apple crumble, I got the shocked of my life that I screamed and jumped off from my chair. I can say that Mayki was a good actress. She act very normal (as in she doesn't laugh or anything) when I'm so innocent-looking. LOL. Self-praising again. :|  Hahaha! So, when Joan saw me got shocked, she laughed and she's like so happy. LMAO. Then, I said, "Wow. Joan. Finally succeeded to scare me after your 1st attempt. " Then, we all laughed and laughed and laughed.

4th day (13/12/2012)
Today nothing special. Sent my draft to Joan and working halfway on the nutritional labeling as requested by Joan yesterday. Joan said that the work is actually marketing people's work, but since I'm an intern, I get to do everything :) It's good I think, as I get to learn about labeling as well :)   But I'm still kind of worried about the New Product Development thingy. Cause this time, I really have no one to refer to. Joan doesn't know much about processing method. :|  Oh yeah, met a new colleague today. Her name called Aiza (?) She's a Pinoy <3 Hahaha. Don't ask me why but I like Pinoy people alot. Maybe because of Charice. LMAO. Aiza is also 30 but she doesn't look her age also :|  Most people at here had been given the opportunity to go overseas to work. Arghhhh....I really wished to work in this company next time. Imagine being given the opportunity to travel and work like my other colleagues. Oh yeah, Aiza is also from the production and formulation line. But she's leaving Singapore next week :|   Sighh, thought she can be my "tutor" in this new new line. :(

5th day (14/12/2012)
So, today working on the nutrition labeling. Never know Green Lipped Mussels have so many benefits. :) Can recommend mum to eat this for her knee and joint pain. Didn't know that the Maoris are so good with the herbs. Kawakawa leaves and pikopiko ferns are native to New Zealands and actually had many nutritional benefits. Supposed to submit to Joan for review but I aimed to get it done by Monday. Jia you! :)

Interesting fact learned during Intern

Learned an interesting stuff while working on my research. In fact, this is the first time that I heard that ONLY leaves that have been chewed by the larvae of a type of moth signify that it is ready to be used in medicine because most of the time, we wouldn't want our food/vegetable being chewed or eaten by insects/larvae.

the seven-years period

My colleagues said that the seventh year of relationship is the most scariest period. It's usually known as the break-up period.:'(

With all the confusion that he has given me now of saying he loves being alone, what does that mean? For now, I don't even know if we can survive the seven years? Feeling so emotional these few months.

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I'm so in craze with these songs...
It is so beautiful that it makes you felt like looking forward to getting married. -.-''
Hehehe...

So, in future, these few songs shall be in my wedding song playlist. :)

A reflection of my studies in NUS

Although this is not my official time of leaving NUS, but 30/4/2012 was the date that marked the day when all of us (NUS FST Year 3 students) separate. This is because after the exams, we would be having our internship. And after our internship, some of us would be graduated, some of us would still stay for Honours, while some of us would stay for another semester to clear up our MCs. 

Didn't realize that time passed so fast, and all these came to an end. I thought I wouldn't miss anyone. But, somehow, I started to miss the teases, the hates, the fun, and so on. If not because of the conversation with a friend who used to be my best friend when we're in Semester 1, I wouldn't even have these nostalgic feelings. 

If there's one thing I regret, I'd say that, I regretted that I didn't attempt to really really know everyone in the class. Until this semester. 'Cause the past 2 years, the people that I knew in class wasn't helpful in guiding me things that I don't know. My first semester was tough as I was new to the environment and I need a lot of adaptation to learn as the teaching was very different. So, there's been a lot of new things that I don't know and I don't understand. So, I tried asking those smart people that I knew, but all I get from them is the answer "That one I simply do only. I also don't know how to do". But the answers they got are all correct. So, I realized, that as our cohort is very small, the competition is very high. So, people usually might be afraid that others will be smarter than them, so they don't dare to teach too.

Anyway, since then, I started to learn things on my own, and rely on myself. I tried to work harder but Semester 2 was not a good semester for me. A lot of things happened..and that caused my CAP to suffer. Abit depressed about my CAP but I told myself, the next coming years, I must strive harder. So, I worked harder, and slowly I saw improvements in my CAP. Semester 3, it increased. Semester 4, it increased again. :)

And now, I'm in Semester 5. I really hope to see more improvements. And of course, I need to thank some of my helpful Professors. This semester I had 5 core modules and I would say that although semester 5 had the heaviest workload and most hectic ones, I really really learnt alot this semester. From Food Microbiology to Food Safety to Food Engineering and Food Innovations, Sensory and Packaging as well as Nutrition for Disease Prevention. As for Food Microbiology and Food Safety, I became more aware of the foodborne pathogens. I didn't even know before this that, even without signs of defects in the food, food poisoning can occur. And it's all due to the foodborne pathogens. And also, some pathogens are actually able to grow in refrigerated or frozen foods, like Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia Enterolitica. Their names are quite unique right? Hehehe...I like the name Salmonella. Probably because got the word "salmon" in it. :P Hehehe. :D   Then I had some funny friends that call my professors "Sin Bin kor" or "Biao kor" ...LMAO ROFL LOL. Okay, of course they don't call that names in front of the professor la. If not, later the professor would think " Wah, I'm very close to you ar? I'm your brother ah?" Hahahaha. Oh yeah, and also we learnt about fermentation too! We learnt how to make wines and white kimchi and also we had a hand-on project in which my group chose to make "chou tou fu" which stinks the whole lab whenever we opened the cupboard. Hehehehe. 

As for my Food Engineering module, I also learnt alot from Prof Zhou. Sometimes, I would think how good if I had a father like him. LOL. Too much imagination. Haha! But seriously,he's really a good lecturer.  And to be honest, Semester 5 was the first semester that I do every tutorial without fail. :)  Perhaps, it was because his teaching was really good. And he really make sure that we understand everything we learnt. And when we asked him question, he would want us to think. And that's really a good point about him :) Of course previously there's another professor who is similar to him, but I don't even know why Prof Zhou (my Food Engineering module professor) had such a huge impact on me. Especially when a student like me who never do tutorials. -.-''

As for my Food Sensory module, I also learnt a lot about our senses, particularly the taste and the smell. Professor Ong was quite young and cool. And we always get foodies from him during lecture. I remembered the first time when he was trying to make us experience retronasal aroma so that we can understand it. So, he gave everyone flavoured mentos. And he taught us how to get that experience. Cause as a food scientist, apart from orthonasal aroma, retronasal aroma is also important. In layman's term, orthonasal aroma is the aroma that you'd get by sniffing the food. But for retronasal aroma, it's the aroma that you'd get from the action of biting or chewing of the food. There's also one time that he wanted us to understand the Signal Detection Theory. So, he asked the class to pick any song that we want to hear. Some of us gave some suggestions like "Lady Gaga", "Bad romance", or some lao ge (old chinese songs). Then, he said, "hmm...don't want la. Okay. Let's listen to Bruno Mars's Lazy Song okay?" Then we all like, "Wooo~~~~" Hahaha...He's quite cute. The idea of putting the song as the background while he's teaching, although it's quite distracting, but that's the main point! Cause Signal Detection Theory is about a person making their decision and reasoning under the presence of uncertainties. In other way, it actually means that you're trying to detect a signal (the professor's voice) from the background noise (the music). He really explained things in such an understandable and easier way to remember. Even when writing these out, I don't even refer to the notes although it's already after exam, which is a good thing. Cause usually for me, I tend to forget everything after the exams. :P

And lastly, for my Nutrition and Disease Prevention module, I also learnt a lot. And do you know that nutrition indeed has a lot of controversies? As in, you might think that excessive salt intake is the only reason that causes high blood pressure. But in fact, studies actually showed inconsistencies of the results. Some studies showed that salt causes hypertension, but some studies showed that salt doesn't have effect on blood pressure. Nevertheless, it's very important to reduce salt intake though, because the inconsistencies could be due to salt hypersensitivity or other secondary problems such as kidney damage , defects in the salt management of kidneys and so on. Also, I learnt to eat better and healthier in order to prevent myself from those chronic diseases. And I should avoid pickled food too :(    Cause pickled food can cause cancer too. :(   Sad face 'cause I love pickles alot. >.<

Also food to be avoided are of cause the most famous trans fat and saturated fats. And I should eat more of the PUFA and MUFA and Omega 3-FA. Eat more good fats to promote healthy breasts ^_^  And also, I should start losing weight too. Cause I think I'm in the overweight category now (Asian BMI and Caucasian BMI are different). And also I learnt how obesity can lead to so many chronic diseases such as hypertension, DIABETES, CVD....All these conditions in combinations lead to a medical condition called Metabolic Syndrome. So scary huh...Cause obesity is actually not only a problem of eating too much or storing too much fats. Our adipose tissues actually had its capacity and it's actually an endocrine organ as well. I never knew fats send hormone before until I learnt about this in this module. And so, when our the fatty acids are overloading in the blood when the adipose tissue is at its capacity, they start to search for places to be stored and they usually will get stored in the muscles, liver and pancreas. And how does obesity leads to diabetes? Interesting right? Okay, it's actually because when the organs became overloaded with fats, glucose uptake by our muscles cannot happen. So, the glucose will be like floating around in the blood. Then, the fatty liver causes insulin resistance :(  That's how you actually get diabetes from obesity. OMG. I wrote too much. Hehehe. Sorry, I'm a person who tend to write things long-winded. Such a bad habit >.<

Besides feeling "smarter a lil" for this semester, there is also a few of my classmates that I just got to know better this semester. They're really willing to teach me in things that I don't understand although I'm not so close to them yet. They're smart but humble. Not like others that I knew in the first semester. And the best thing is, if you don't understand, they're willing to explain till you understand. :')  

And regarding about my best friend in Semester 1, after we parted after the first semester, we hardly talked to each other together much until like the end of this semester. She is also the one who has never fail to plan all birthday surprises for me each year. Seeing her Whatsapp message, being invited to her party, planning for hangouts, although we're back together, but it doesn't feels the same anymore. As in we're not that close anymore. Perhaps it's because there are differences between us but the only thing that we had in common is GOOD FOOD and HANGOUTS. And the worst thing is, she kept making fun of me being drunk once. >.<    OMG. Why all my friends' "fondest" memories of me is me being drunk? >.<

Suddenly felt that I'd miss her most. Anyway, we're planning of a Graduation trip together after our Intership or is it after our graduation (i can't remember). Hahaha. And also, we probably would be hanging out together after work (if our body allows us). :) 

Oh yeah, before I end, I wanna talk about this cute friend of mine. She's actually from China, but she doesn't even look from China and doesn't even have the China accent. LOL. And for one year, I really thought that she's a local until my friend said whenever the professor asked whois from China, some will look at Mi Jie also. Then, I'll like, " Huh? She looks like she's from China meh?" My friend then tell me that she's originally from China. She's hmmm...not to say tomboyish, but a lil tomboyish. LOL. Oh yeah, she's our health advisor. LOL. As in, she's a person who is very particular about health and also an environmentalist. Hahahaha! If you wanna eat snacks or junk foods, better not in front of her, you'll get last warning from her. LMAO. But of course, in a funnier way la. It's not that she scold us or what, but she'll like "Eh, sherlyn, why are u eating this? Not healthy you know. See all those saturated fats and trans fats and bla bla bla". And also, shouldn't eat animal products in front of her. Hahaha. Cause she will give another nag. :P   Being a vegetarian is actually her own choice. It's actually because after watching the videos about how those animals that we eating is killed, she felt very bad about it and pity the animals. That's why she chose to be a vegetarian and I respect her for that. 

I usually respect people's choice of food  except some people who restricts their food just because they wanted to stay slim. Oh c'mmon, as long as there's energy intake and energy utilization, you won't gain weight unless your net energy is positive (energy intake - energy utlization). The idea of people keep counting their calories and don't allow themselves eating those nice foods although it's like not in an often occasion really makes me felt that it's ridiculous and unnecessary. Sometimes, we should just free ourselves up and just enjoy the food although it's high in fats or whatever. It's not that you're doing it everyday duh! 

The Power of Time

People says "Power proves everything".

And I couldn't help agreeing. It's a fact. Time proves everything.

It proved to us that things changed with time.
It proved to us that people changed with time.
It also proves that .... changed with time, doesn't it?

Sometimes, I wished that I could just freeze the time so that things would last forever. Feelings. Relationship. Love.

It doesn't feels like what it used to be before anymore. Everything seemed to changed. It's like the world turned upside down.

Just hope  it's not what's in my mind. Maybe I should stop thinking about it and go get some sleep.

Sex is Zero

Don't get me wrong from the topic of this blog post.
It's actually the name of a movie.
And yes, from the title of the movie, it's actually R-rated.
I came upon this movie during the exam "stress" period. Hmmm...yes, I'm stressed during the exams, but usually probably there are some hormonal changes within me. I won't elaborate more.

So, exams had finished. So, it marks the commencement of some movie marathon that I wanted to watch during the holidays, commencement of my "weight loss program" due to the weight gain during the pre-examination period, and also it marks the commencement of ....my INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT ! Arghhhh~ Abit nervous and a bit scared.

Anyway, kept these aside. Lemme talk bout this movie which made me cried so much. Okay. As I'm a more emotional person, I tend to cry easier than others. So, maybe this movie wouldn't make you cry at all!
But, from my point of view, this movie actually touching perhaps due the love that the guy gave. This man, may not be the most good looking guy in the world, but his love is so unique in a way....I don't know how to describe but I strongly recommended that you should watch.

His character is actually quite pity leh. Other people might view him as silly or something, but sometimes, when you love someone, you'll do anything for them just to make them happy right? Even though he's poor, even though he's not good looking or even though he's not super smart like others.

It's like he's the best guy in the world. And the most important thing is, he's loyal. :) Although his friend dragged him to the whorehouse, he's not even intended to have anything with the hooker. And yes, he also does have his own needs. Every guys have their own needs, and we women should respect that it's their needs as long as it's not over-excessive and it does not influence your relationship, and the most important thing is, the guy respect you and is responsible.

Anyway, here's the full movie from Youtube and enjoy! :)

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE89-2Ne1PU

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PqgEnS_Y74&feature=g-like