FYRP

Well, time flies. And it certainly flies fast. Finishing SPM felt only like one year ago, and finishing STPM is still so fresh in my mind I can recall so many things to actually write a dedicated essay for it. I can also still feel the excitement when I first travelled alone to Kuching, only for fears to finally sink in and paralyse me to the point I almost wept myself to sleep on the first night in my hostel in Sarawak. Total foreign land. Total strange place. No relatives, no people I know. Absolutely no elements of familiarity. I was so scared, but luckily after years, I've established sort of a nest here, and Kuching has become a rather comforting place for me to call a second home.

Anyway, it's now my final year here, and of course, it means one thing: Final Year Research Project. Damn. Anyway, after years of studying civil engineering, the conclusion I can draw is that I absolutely love Structural and Geotechnical Engineering. At the same time I cannot even begin to say how much I despise Road Engineering and Hydrology. I hate them. I can do them, but I hate them. Torn between Structural and Geo, I opted for Geo, because I had my fair share of exposure to structural engineering during my internship.

My FYRP topic is basically the usage of Finite Element Modelling to design piles. Piles are a common structural element to support a structure, and though they are commonly designed and have performed their functions superbly, often they are created with unnecessary overdesign to compensate the inability to investigate the soil-structure interaction. Hence, my FYRP is to investigate the behaviour and interaction of the soil and pile. It's quite hard, actually, mainly because I am super weak in using any computer software. But, my topic is quite fun. And to say the truth: I love it. But like any other people, playing around what I should play around is fun. Doing the report is a different nightmare to tell.

Digi Sucks

My university hostel doesn't provide internet anymore as it has stopped accepting new students and there are only six students who are still living here. I have no choice but to continue by Digi Broadband that I subscribed last semester, and right now I wish to say Digi sucks to the core! The line is not stable, not working, and often just not functional. It is very difficult to use this kind of line to do my FYRP which I am doing this semester. I seriously want to switch to Maxis, but Maxis is just too damn expensive. I am not sure how Celcom would work but Celcom appears to be also very expensive. Digi is cheap, undeniable, but with cheap products come lousy quality. I won't recommend Digi to anyone. Ever.

Chris Carter's "The Caller"

Chris Carter is one of the most underrated crime novel author in the world. Any one of his novels easily beats those by Patricia Cornwell and Jeffrey Deaver. I mean, seriously, check his books' review on the internet. They are all above 4.5/5. Once you begin reading his book, there is no way you could stop. His books are about an ultra-violent crime handling unit in LAPD and the two main characters - Robert Hunter and Garcia - handle only the sickest murder cases in LA. Hence, all the murderers in his books commit highly sinful, extremely sickening and violent crime to their victims. He employed the most torturous method on earth, designed specifically to inject the greatest pain to the sufferers. What makes his books so great ain't the sickening M.O., but rather the suspense Chris Carter uses in his book. Each chapter is short - between two and six pages long - and each ends with a suspense that will make you want to keep reading. Because Chris Carter is an actual criminal analyst, he knows what he is writing, and he knows how to deliver. His books are awesome. I say if you like crime novels, you must read his book! It's highly recommended! I'll give it a solid score!

KL

I am not in the mood to say much, so I'll summarise my point: I'm happier away from my family.

And that makes a decision for me: After I graduate, I'll move to KL for work.

Some people wonder why I hate mingling with people. Try living with my parents a while, and you'll understand why I enjoy solitude for possibly eternally.

Living with them is mentally exhausting. There is a limit to how much I can endure, and I'm reaching it.

With all due respect, I love my parents. They give me shelter, they provide me with my necessities, and I'm thankful for that. I love them, and I want to stay with them.

But sometimes, it is just too tiring. Too mentally tiring.

Erica Spindler's 'The First Wife'

This is a good book. I bought this book using BB1M last year but read it only recently. The opening is a bit cliche, but the story picks up pace as it goes along, and the suspense is indeed quite good. I haven't finished a book this fast for quite a long time. Only a few authors can make me this intrigued but this previously-unknown-to-me author made me totally piqued.

Basically, this book is about a lady who marries a man in haste. When she returns to his hometown, a shantytown, she realises there is a rumour that he is suspected to be involved in a number of disappearances and the murder of his first wife. Then things happen and the truth begins to unravel. And a knock to her head when she discovers something instrumental to the case actually allows the book to be longer than it naturally needs to.

The English used in the book is rather simple, so it's good for basic learners. I think I'll be looking for her other books to buy from now on.

Little Mix - Touch

I don't show particular fancy towards Little Mix's song, but I don't know why this song has me hooked and dazzled me since I actually pay attention to it a few days ago.

I've heard this song a number of times since it was released, but I never paid attention to it until one day I decided to relax and actually listen to the music in the radio. Just suddenly, this song managed to charm me.

Internship

I have just resumed my internship this month, so I'm going to be inactive for a while.

My current internship is quite tiring. Will be off a while. Will be back soon.