ICE.COLD.COFFEE

Mrs Leong told my class about the talk about 2 weeks ago, but only To Tang signed up. In the end, she sorta pressured Wei Xiang and Wei Yang to go too since each class had 4 places. Actually I was quite interested but couldn't find anyone to go with me.

Then during one horti meeting, Jia Yan said she wanted to go but didn't know anyone else who was going so we decided that we could go together. She would submit my name under her class since none of her classmates were going.

Her teacher said both of us could go. And I was really happy.

Somehow, Mrs Leong found out that I was registered under another class and she asked me if I did sign up. So I told her I did.

A few days later, Jia Yan told me that her teacher said she could not get the place for the talk, but I could go. I was surprised. Because Jia Yan was the one who submitted my name after all. If there was only one place left, she should be the one going.

I went to ask Mrs Leong if there was any way to squeeze one more person in. But she said the 40 places were all filled. I asked if I could let Jia Yan have my place. She didn't really object out right but I could tell that she wanted me to go.

Then I said "if there is really one more place, like someone dropped out last minute or something, can you let my friend go? please...." She gave that smirk she always has, then said "i try to see what I can do.".

A few days later, Jia Yan said that her teacher told her that she could go. The funny thing is that he didn't even tell her why she was rejected in the first place, then now she had the chance to go. It's just weird la!

I think it's Mrs Leong who helped her to get the place. Dunno why, but I just have that feeling. If it is, then THANKS!

So during CT session one wednesday, she told me that my friend was accepted and to get her in, she had to squeeze someone out. Oh... I felt so bad. But of course, I was glad that Jia Yan could go. Don't know if there was really someone who was squeezed out though...

Anyway, today morning, I had to reach school at 7.40am to board the bus to NTU.

Didn't get to sit next to Jia Yan because the bus was already half filled when we boarded it. We managed to sit almost next to each other though. Jia Yan fell asleep on the way there so I didn't have anything to do.

Then, the girl on my left started talking to me. Her name is Haojin, from 05A54. She was alone then because her friend would go to NTU herself.

Haojin is from bowling (I think I saw her during the inter-house bowling competition. No wonder she looked quite familiar.) and debate. We talked quite a bit about our ccas. And she lives super near school, just a 8 minute walk, according to her. She hopes to study law in future, if not, econs would be a possible second option. I told her that I just pierced my ears yesterday. She said she pierced hers on 28 Dec last year. I still remember. Haha...

It was quite fun talking to her. Otherwise, I would have found it a bit awkward when we both sat together not doing anything. Ha... Jia Yan thought I knew her since we were talking on the bus.

But we didn't really say anything after we left the bus cos I was with Jia Yan and she was with her friend. Nice girl though.

Anyway, when we got there, I found out that the talk was until 5pm! At first I thought it was only a talk on econs. About studying econs in NTU. But I got it completely wrong. It was a seminar on economics and public policy. Yong Bin was there too and he didn't know it would take so long also.

I was planning to meet Li Yue to register for SAT in the afternoon but in the end, we had to meet another day since I wouldn't be free.

This was the program schedule:

• 9.00 Introductory remarks
• 9.15 The Rise of China and Implications for Singapore and ASEAN
• 9.40 The Special Role of Prices in Singapore
• 10.05 Tea Break
• 10.35 Gender and the Singapore Labour Market
• 11.00 The Meaning of Competition
• 11.25 Q & A and Other Matters
• 12.15 Lunch
• 1.45 Manpower Markets and Policies in Singapore
• 2.10 Healthcare in the Singaporean Economy
• 2.35 Tea Break
• 3.05 The Exchange Rate System and Exchange Rate Policy in Singapore
• 3.30 Poverty and Inequality in Singapore and East Asia
• 4.15 Q & A and Closing Remarks

In case you're wondering how I could remember all this, I'm referring to the program booklet now. Haha...

Each speaker was only given 25 minutes. So as to keep to the schedule, a bell would be rang once when there were 5 minutes left. And thrice when 25 mintues was up. Jia Yan suggested that we should have bells for tutorials and lectures too. Haha... It was quite funny because there would be a slight commotion everytime the bell rang.

The first speaker, Professor Tan Kong Yam was really interesting and humourous. His presentation was wonderful!

Another presentation I liked was the one on competition by Dr. Park Donghyun (sounds like a Korean!). Maybe it's because it was quite simple to understand so it was more relaxing listening to him. And the way he said "competition" with his funny accent was so amusing!

During the first Q & A session, Mr Jack Cook asked 4 questions. But the person chairing the session was so funny because he didn't see Mr Cook coming up to the mike and kept trying to stretch his speech so as to wait till someone would want to come up to say something. It was only when the other professors told him that MR Cook was already at the mike that he stopped his lameness. He was really very funny!

The Q & A session ended early and we had 2 hours of lunch break.

Jia Yan and I wanted to explore the school a little and to find another place to eat, instead of canteen B downstairs where everyone was eating. After walking around for a while, we ended up at the same place so we decided to have lunch there.

Jia Yan had Tom Yam soup. I had fish soup. After lunch, we shared a soursop desert. We were so full!

Then, we went to a shop to take a look. It sold lots of computer stuff.

Soon, 2 hours were gone. It was so fast.

Refreshed, we went back for the talk. But just 50 minutes later, it was already time for the tea break.

The good thing about NTU it that they have wonderful tea breaks. Just like the last time when I came for Camp Ideapolis. Their breaks are even better than the main meals!

There were lots of food. Jia Yan and I shared since we wanted to try everything but were already so full.

Then we started laughing. I forgot why.

Anyway, we just kept on laughing like mad. Because we were eating the curry puff, she nick-named it funny puff. That made us laugh even more! From now onwards, I'll think of funny puff and Jia Yan everytime I eat a curry puff. Then people will wonder why I laugh at my food. Haha....

The talk ended right on time (thanks to the bell). But both of us dozed off in between since some parts were really quite chim and we didn't understand.

Overall, the talk was quite useful. I learnt some stuff, had fun (and ate lots of food!). Although some parts were really quite hard to understand. Haha...

We had a bus back to VJ and this time, I got to sit with Jia Yan. She offered me her MP3 but I rejected because I was really paranoid about my new earrings. They still hurt a little this morning. But it was already much better and I've gotten quite used to it.

I always hit it when I wash my face or brushing my hair. I never knew that I touched my ears so much! Even last night, I didn't dare to sleep on my side because I was afraid of squeezing my ear.

That's why I was quite tired today. So, together with Jia Yan, I fell alseep on the bus back to VJ.