Today, I found myself.. (Day 296)

Today, I found myself about to be deprived of the freedom to act while needing to take on a different persona.

Today, I found myself.. (Day 283)

Today, I found myself back in the zone amidst danger though soaking it all up. 

Today, I found myself.. (Day 280)

Today, I found myself hitting myself awake and that I should get a grip to make things better, even if they already are.

Epic.

Today, I found myself.. (Day 267)

Today, I found myself mildly satisfied and sapping knowledge from the size of my palm.

Today, I found myself.. (Day 246)

Today, I found myself buying iffey a new suit made out of the lightest and hardest.

Today, I found myself.. (Day 129)

Today, I found myself contemplating the offer of an exchange for a friend, with another.

Meet my friend, Iffey.

Today, I found myself.. (Day 123)

Today, I found myself stuffing boredom down my throat while contemplating iffey's checkup.

Want BRB NOW.

Photo credits

Today, I found myself.. (Day 29)

Today, I found myself pacing and taking strides to program my life.

Welcome to the Polytechnic

Just in the the mood for a little editorial/promotional post for this update on metallic-stains. Read on to find out more...

"

Work, Work.

Introductory Address:

Congratulations on your graduation from secondary education. It must have been a grueling past couple of months for all of you out there who has been seamlessly hard at work, in preparation for the much dreaded O' level examinations.

Well, you've finally done it and here you are, standing at a crossroad between distinctly different paths, paths that will change and script your life from this new chapter of tertiary education and beyond. Certainly, much thought and deliberation must be put before you make your choice.

There are different paths to take en route to the first step towards tertiary education, though in our highly demanding society as such, results are the basis (more often than not) of qualification.

However, allow me, in less than 2 minutes of your precious time, try and convince (or so to speak) you, as an individual, why the option of a Polytechnic is both enticing and promising as a education prospect (with deep reference to the institution I'm currently studying at).

The Wide Spectrum of Expertise:

A polytechnic can be defined as an institution devoted to technical and industrial education and though this may seem unappealing in the past, it is fast adopting itself into the educational journey of Singapore's landscape.

Today, more and more people are willing to commit to polytechnics due to the flexibility, environment as well as the wide spectrum of skills taught through a myriad of courses available.

Love the Media? Why not choose a mass communication course, where you'll learn more about how the media functions, works and operates. You'll also be equipped with valuable skills and proficiencies needed for the industry.

From Business to Designing, Information Technology to Health Sciences. Polytechnics are certainly stepping it up a notch by improving both the quality and quantity of courses in which newly grads get to choose from.

It is thus safe to say that from whatever viewpoint you take, Polytechnics will certainly fulfill your interest and future industrial needs.

Future Potential:

Many universities around the world and locally have seen an increased intake from polytechnics. So upon reception of your diploma (depending on your results), you'll have the option of either stepping early into the industry or pursuing further and higher levels of education.

And since you're already "ready-made" for the industry, industries of the appropriate fields will be acceptable.

A Day in the Life:

Moving away from official dynamics, I'm pretty sure the rest of the relevant information can be found in your average "poly-promotion" flier so I'll talk about something which most (if not all) fliers miss out; the true lifestyle of students in Polytechnics.

Many perceive the typical poly life as
- Relaxed
- Fun
- Innovative
- Interesting
- University-like (in terms of freedom and orientation)

But no positive is possible without negatives like
- Slack (which means there's no need for work to be done)
- Full of negative influences
- A lack of future prospects

I feel that the positives speak for themselves as indeed, the poly lifestyle can be fun and enriching at the same time for the individual.

However, the negatives are attributed to the common misconceptions of modern society (in local context) and personally I feel that the poly life is NOT entirely composed to such negatives.

A typical poly day will start (depending on your timetable) at varying times of the day. Be it at 8am or 6pm, it is rather fluid in polytechnics.

There are 3 different types of classification for the mode of educational delivery, mainly;
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Lab Sessions (Subjective)

For me personally, a typical day may be composed of something like this;
- Head to first lesson of the day, Lecture
- Break for Lunch with fellow classmates
- Head for after-lunch Tutorial/Lab Session
- End School
- Attend meetings and discussions for various Projects
- Head home
- Start on tutorials and projects given
- Rinse and repeat

How are we graded in Polytechnics? Well simply put, Polytechnics are very much project based and that often means working with different groups of people, on different projects, which can be a very good experience.

Of course there are your typical exams for certain modules, depending on its nature.

Awesome Classmates will make your day a lot better.

Ahh, how can I possibly overlook one of the most important aspects of poly life? New friends. For sure, one will be exposed to different people from all walks of life and thus in a way, widen horizons.

Friendships will be fostered and these relationships will be a significant part in poly life (or in life in general) and certainly will stay with you, etched in memory for a long time to come.

I personally feel that self discipline is vital while in a Polytechnic simply accredited to the fact that you will undoubtedly, have a lot of spare time on your hands. In a way, the poly life will be an interesting change for those who crave for the learning environment with a difference.

So you know where you are?

You're in the Poly

But no,

You're not gonna die.

"

I hope you guys enjoyed my little promotional review (in a way) that I put together as seen above. Apologies for the length and for readers who are not targeted in the context, apologies at that too.

Well the past couple of days were as usual, taxing both mentally and physically, as I've always mentioned. A roller-coaster of emotions for me personally with reasons which I choose not to disclose.

Winter approaches as the colds gradually stash light and warmth away for a couple of months. Well actually, it isn't that bad. I personally enjoy the "winter" we're getting here in the tropics of the world, with frequent rains to cool everything down.

The strain of late nights and taxing personal demands have kicked in, in a way, for me. But I guess this is where improvement steps in as a compulsory aspect.

Well, I guess that's pretty much all for this update. My iPhone cable is nowhere to be found and my iPhone is dangerously low on the juices, and partly why I'm saving up content for the next post (as photographs are in the phone, shoot). But trust me it'll be good.

I've also received feedback about metallic-stains which I appreciate very very much. A big thank you to those who supplemented me with thoughts and ways to improve (some of which are currently in consideration with the development team).

Due to the said demand, be sure to check back for the next post as I'll be concluding the previous mini-narrative (Inspiration or Desecration?) to end it off with a "after-content" line of feel.

Before I go, let me post a question in relation to today's main substantive, which I would dearly value feedback upon;

What is your ideal type of tertiary education system?

Feel free to comment via the comments option you see right above the tags for this post. I'll be waiting.

Cya'll later.

"Welcome to the Jungle, We've got fun and games..."

*The owner of this blog is in no way, obliged to write this promotional article and is doing it on his own accord. Readers are advised to treat this post as a reference with "a pinch of salt". The "Song of the Post" belongs to its rightful writer and creator.

----------------

Song of the Post;

Now playing: Guns N' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle
via FoxyTunes

i(am)Here

A little something happened on a certain weekend, during a certain time, at a certain place...

Its like telling the world that you've just bought an Apple product and you're loving it (which is largely true).

This is it.

I totally dig the packaging; its really attractive. Two separate boxes overlapping one another, in sleek black finishing, of course.

The iPhone 3G. And its finally within my possession. *inserts evil laughter here*

*

Well yea, a couple of days back, I took action and purchased the new Apple iPhone 3G. Loads of consideration were put into this consumer purchase process before I made my decision; some of you guys might recall my dilemma which I brought up, a couple a posts back.

Trust me, it was a largely intensive and volatile process as I had to carefully weigh the pros and cons of the purchase as compared to other products of either the same function and use.

It wasn't easy.

But in the end, I decided to pursue the trends of tomorrow and also due to the added fact of the new semester's workload, I'm sure the iPhone will fulfill whatever tasks its entrusted with and in doing so, maximizing its potential for use and improvement of efficiency.

Ta-dah!

My purpose of this post is mainly to help potential iPhone users, or rather, to warn them of the limitations as well as the (huge) benefits of the iPhone. Though I've been doing a little product research about the iPhone for about 3 months prior to my purchase, I was in for big "surprises" (good and bad) upon my first use of the beautifully crafted device.

Here's why;

Awesome-ness

Need I say more? I'm sure you've been hearing a steady flow of praises about this new product from Apple. From a marketing perspective, Apple has always been at the forefront of branding and positioning, whats more, with their avid use of awareness creation in their promotional tactics, Apple has established itself on a steady foothold in today's technology market.

And the iPhone 3G, doesn't by any means, undermine that fact. But in actual reality, has further consolidated Apple's world dominance on the technological market.

With its sleek appearance, sensitive (but durable) touch screen feature, this device will win tech geeks, as well as babes alike, over in a jiffy.

It isn't all looks though; the iPhone function as well as it looks. With awesome built in features, like the conventional iPod, the ever helpful Google maps, Photo viewer as well as the ever helpful Notepad, it pretty much speaks out for itself.

Its simply:
- an iPod (awesome music player)
- a Street directory
- a photo album
- an organizer
- a mobile device
- a web browser
- a mini computer
- a very sophisticated device

And I've not even started on apps yet.

The presence of the app store is what makes your iPhone different from your Uncle's business mobile device. Apps can do ANYTHING (okay almost anything, think logically). From being a lightsaber (from the app "Lightsaber Unleashed", Star War fans will understand what I'm ranting on about), to having a mobile online chat with your contacts, apps top this crown of gold with beautiful gems.

The iPhone is after all, a mobile device, and does not disappoint. I particularly enjoy the text message interface, which is in the form of a continuous chat orientation, which I'm sure, will be a huge hit to the next generation who are more obsessed in texting on their mobile devices rather than actually talking.

The iPhone is also very interactive. So interactive that I'm surprised that it actually can't talk. Every flick of the finger, tap of the thumb or swipe across the screen results in instant reaction from the iPhone. The brightness of the iPhone is also determined by the light intensity of your surroundings and you can't say that's not awesome.

It makes us wonder if technology can someday, take over the role of humans.

Why it blows (skip this part if you're a delusional Apple fan).

My first problem when I got my iPhone really got me on the nerves. Sure the package and everything else were perfect BUT the instruction manual, if it can be considered one, was really just a piece of "something that told me nothing useful".

For instance (and this was my second problem), I discovered that all my SIM contacts weren't in my iPhone. I looked through the product package and "instruction manual" in hopes of finding possible solutions but were largely in vain. The internet wasn't too helpful.

After a couple of taps and flicks on the iPhone, I finally found out why my SIM contacts weren't in the phone; they weren't imported from my SIM card, yet. Note that the manual or troubleshooting guides weren't able to offer me the solution.

Then comes the issue of the much talked about Battery life of the iPhone. Though this isn't a major issue for me as yet (probably due to my new battery), I foresee the limitations of the iPhone's battery, accredited due to its numerous functions.

Typing has also been a hassle for me though I'm slowly getting the hang of typing via tapping. For conventional cellphone users, it may take awhile to get used to tapping on the iPhone's screen for both speed and precision.

Don't have a stable internet connection? Well that will reduce your iPhone to a simple, "not-so-cool" device. Simply because a load of the iPhone's functions (ie. Maps, App store, Youtube, Safari and more) are internet intensive.

Think of an iPhone without the internet as say, Slash without his guitar or Ronaldo without his soccer boots.

Probably one of the most taxing problems (to me at least), is the absence of the Apple itunes store in the country that I'm living in; Singapore. This means that one of the most important feature of the iPhone, the itunes feature, is rendered totally obsolete until Apple decides to open a store locally.

For now, the app store is the only salvation to this problem.

Technology has its improvements, and thus humans must do the same.

All in all, I feel that the pros outweigh the cons, which is why I decided to purchase the iPhone as compared to the iPod touch or another Sony Phone.

Alright, that's all for this post I guess. Time to go get my accessories now the iPhone feels naked and unprotected. Remember to check back for updates, as well as articles and stay golden, my readers.

Cya'll later.

*Disclaimer. The owner of this blog and its management team holds no relation to the Apple corporation and does not get paid for promoting or analyzing its product(s). All Apple brand names and products belongs solely to the manufacturer and producers.*

Choice Number 1

"You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."

The pass couple of days were somewhat inward as well as solitary for me as I dug deep into the uncharted regions of my mind, reflecting on everything that's been going on, everything that has happened, and everything that I foresee happening. To put it simply, I've been doing a thorough overhaul mentally.

I've thought about various issues, not only those related to me personally but also to the society as a whole. I've also come to realize that things aren't always what it turns out to be and that the society has a much stronger foothold on us than we had envisioned it.

A couple of weeks back, I received a call inquiring about my services as a tutor. In a way, I was really excited about taking in another student.

A few days back saw the first lesson with my new student (so now I have 2 students, for those of you keeping track at home) and it was, if I may comment, a new experience with regard to my previous student.

Not drawing any comparisons here but I'm really thankful, both from a professional and personal perspective for this new business opportunity. Again, having a new client means, naturally, newer challenges but I'm ready to face them head on.

During the lesson however, came a particular challenge that caught me off guard.

We chanced upon this "multiple choice" vocabulary question, one of those where you have to pick an answer out of the 4 given and write its corresponding number. It went like this;

Question: On Sunday, we went to the library to ____ books

1) Buy
2) Borrow
3) Lend
4) Draw

Well, I'm pretty sure you're sitting there in your chair going "that's easy, the answer's 2".

Yes, that was my presumption too. But sometimes like they say "ignorance is bliss".

"I think the answer is number 1!"

She (my student) then happily scribbled down her answer on the book and gave me a satisfied expression upon doing so.

"that's because sometimes libraries sell books too!"

Buy. Borrow. Yes common sense tells you that you "borrow" books from the library but is "buy" really deemed incorrect?

That was when I started thinking of the article which I posted recently; "Eating at Disambiguation; Agreeing is not Disagreeing". Why can't the answer be choice number 1?

"What if" the library decided to organize a book fare to sell its old books on that particular Sunday which the question was referring to?

I guess in reality, the "politically correct" answer would be option 2 as people NORMALLY borrow and not buy books at the library.

The presence of ambiguity (with huge reference to my article), has indeed elevated this question into a philosophical issue rather than a primary one (first grade) question.

Indeed, I was dumbfounded by the question as well as my student's response. In fact, there was a minute's grace before I gathered my assessment of her answer.

Life catches you unawares on more than one occasion and I guess, this is one such example. Here we see the clash between innocence and ambiguity in society. People automatically assume the norm.

Its like saying,

"Stop ___ on your computer, you've been at it all day!"

The "correct" answer being "playing" but can you entirely say that "working" is "politically incorrect"?

A child's innocence is the result of an unfiltered mind. The child may know of both sides as they're not subjected to typicality as yet.

Oh well.

On to lighter issues.

Sigh.

I have this strange urge to go and adopt a cat (thus the reason for the pictures in this post). I've been a fan of cats (as compared to dogs) for quite sometime now but only recently has this idea resurfaced (yes, I've considered the idea of adoption only to be rejected by my folks).

If only Life was like this.

I would take pictures of stray cats I see on the streets and along with a bunch of friends whom share the similar interest and fondness for cats, talk about them every time the thought pops up.

I sense a trip down to the local pet shelter sometime soon.

I've also decided (more or less) to purchase an iPhone, which will happen sometime soon during the week.

Figured that purchasing an iPhone will speed up my efficiency, both on a professional front as well as on a personal basis. Of course, I took into consideration a load of other factors.

Alright, I'd best get to bed; expected to be up early tomorrow prior to a significant event (which I may or may not update on).

Remember to check back for updates and articles.

Cya'll later.

*All Photos/Pictures used in this post belongs to their respective owners and photographers*

iDifferent

Time for a quick update (and yes, in case you were curious about the picture, I'll touch on that as well later on).

Subway dinners are awesome especially this particular outlet I went to a couple of hours ago (I'm not trying to plug for them but those who love Subway sandwiches will get the deal). To top it off, they had this awesome promotion; buy ANY Subs and get a large meal totally FREE.

So yea, I ended up with one of my favorites, Cold Cut Trio, foot long, no pickles and green chili, sweet onion sauce WITH a large meal (3 chocolate chip cookies, 1 huge cup of coke) entirely on the house.

You can't say that isn't awesome.

Ended up feeling really (really) full and as often when you're feeling full, sleepy (pig much?).

The pass couple of days for me were somewhat enriching to a certain extend.

I've been doing an extensive research about Apple and Apple products. Partly because I'm really impressed with their range of products (with form as well as function) like the newly released iPhone 3G, iPod Nano Chrome and partly because Apple has a really unique marketing system, both in terms of sales as well as conceptualization. Allow me to elaborate.

Apple's sales and production ideas function on the basis of

If I have a phone as well as an MP3 player, why not merge them together?

as well as

I (the company) think the product is cool, you (the consumer) should too.

correct me if I'm wrong about the above observations but as a common consumer in the modern market, that is what Apple is trying to say to its customers.

This is however, not necessarily a bad thing.

In a recent conversation with my folks, we've talked about a myriad of issues, one of which revolving around the idea that teenagers (young adults) yearn to be different in whichever way they can.

Be it in terms of their dressing, hairstyles or even their attitudes, young people nowadays are really being over of the box huh?

as commented from one of my folks.

Yet I can't agree more. Being a member of the "young people" classification myself, I can't help but agree to that observation that the "people of tomorrow and the future" want to and more often, strive to be different.

I guess we prize individuality as an asset and rightly so, in my opinion. I've always believe that being a unique individual is something that no one, will and can ever take away.

And that recollection kinda linked me back to Apple.

The reason why they're doing so well in terms of worldwide sales (for their iPods, Macs, as well as the iPhones) would probably reason down to the simple fact; they approach their businesses differently.

Companies nowadays adopt the marketing concept as it is largely considered "safest" and that's what the consumers generally want, as claimed by marketers. Customizing products to suit its customers' needs and wants may sound really vital and smart in the modern competitive market. But is it what it seems?

With Apple, it is largely believed that they adopt a product concept, generally going along the lines of "Hey, if I think my product is good, it IS good". Simply put, the producers believe in their product.

These guys do not take the consumers' needs and wants into top priority but instead ask themselves stuff like "It would be pretty cool to have a device which you can communicate, listen to music, watch videos as well as surf the internet altogether in one wouldn't it?" and in doing so, conjuring up with fantastic and innovative products.

In a way, Apple is lucky to have received such a response, for it is a huge risk; what if the general consumer base rejects the way the company thinks?

Yet millions of people own Apple products worldwide and I'm pretty sure that a large number comes from the young adults and their ideas of "being different".

Sure, Apple is different from other companies, but it works for them and up till now, I'm trying to figure out why.

This coming from the fact that I have a Safari browser (an Apple program) running looking up facts of the iPhone and just a couple of hours ago, downloaded iTunes (another Apple program) to sought out my music.

And in case you're wondering, yes, I'm seriously contemplating a purchase for the newly released iPhone.

Why the appeal?

I'm afraid its a mixture of the right marketing tools as well as an excellent production process. Both the marketing process, the hype generated thrown into the blender with an already excellent technological marvel results in an exclusive result, something that will attract consumers en masses.

Being different isn't a bad thing and for that, I applaud you Mr Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple) for bringing the such innovative and revolutionary gadgets into the world of not only young adults, but also the world of human beings as a whole.

I know that the people of tomorrow, will carry not only the knowledge but also the gadgets of tomorrow.

And I, being one of them, have some serious considerations to make before my final decision.

This isn't just a trend, but also a statement. Not a fashion equivalent but a statement to being different and a statement of revolution.

Should I or shouldn't I? That is the question.

Alright, as I ponder over that little question, remember to check back for updates as well as the upcoming review and revisit on Hysteria's Call right here on metallic-stains.

As mentioned previously, articles might flow in slower during this period of time and thus I express my sincere apologies. But be sure to check back for updates and remember to share your thought via the comment option you see right after this post.

Cya'll later.