My bike (part 2)

I've just got my bike fixed. It cost me S$73. S$30 for the tow services, S$18 for the front break pad and S$25 for the wiring repair. It was the wiring that causing the problem.

Indeed, I really don't know who to blame. As the matter of fact, my bike has already given me the symptom that something is not right with it and I can save the bloody S$30 for the tow services if I think probably and did not listen to the mechanic who thought that it was the battery that causing the problem. I knew that the IU is still working fine and I somehow still able to start the engine after a few kick-starts before I got the battery changed. In fact, I can save S$70 (replacing the battery plus the tow services) if I insisted the mechanic to check the wiring thoroughly, instead of changing the battery, during the previous services. If I'm smart enough, it is not hard to find out that the problem got nothing to with the battery. How could a faulty battery still able to supply electricity to the IU but the motorbike to start-up?

This is a very hard lesson for me. I've wasted a lot of time traveling from my house to NUS and more than S$70 which includes all the public transports fees (buses and MRT). This really shouldn't happen if I was calm and analyzed the problem carefully. I think I'm a person who can easily lose my head. How weak!

Anyway, I'm glad that this nightmare is finally over.

On the other hand, somehow, I feel that I love my bike even more. Wayne (one of my very close friend, who is a biker as well) suggested me to change my bike to Honda since my bike given me so much problems (big question mark for the future as well). However, my first reaction was a big "NO!" and my gut instinct told me that I'll regret if I change my bike. I think I've put too much "effort" and time into my bike, thus I'm not willing to change it. I think my bike is my "blood, sweat and tears". (Ridiculous, huh?)

Lastly, will you change your bike if you were me?

My bike

My beloved bike broke down today. It was the second major break down since he was under my possession since May 2005. The first major break down was just 10 months ago and I've sent my bike to the bike shop, where I bought my bike from, 3 times in order to get the problem solved. It was the magnetic coil which controlling the spark plug that faulty causing the problem and it costs me S$220 to get it fixed. It was a very dangerous (broke down at the middle of the road 3 times) and horrible experience.

Now, here's another issue today. I don't know the root-cause yet as I just found out that it is faulty while I was trying to start the engine at home. I can't start the engine. There is no light from the "N"(neutral) light bulb after I've turn the ignition key switch. I've just got my battery changed 3 days ago (due to same issue but somehow able to start the engine again after a few "kick-start") and my in-vehicle unit (IU) is still working fine. Thus, it is not the battery that causing the problem, I guess (d**n! I've wasted bloody S$40 to replace a still functioning battery!). Fortunately, it wasn't happened while I'm on the way to an important event like exam or job interview.

Well, I have to call for tow service again but unfortunately, today is Sunday and Hari Raya Haji. Meaning tomorrow Monday will be public holiday. I won't get my bike fixed until Tuesday.

Sometimes, I really hate my bike so much. I didn't hit the roof, however, but I just kept scolding vulgarities when I've found out the incident. My bike is going to burn another big hole of my pocket and causes me a lot of inconvenience soon. However, by looking back, it has accompanied me for more then 6 years. I really enjoying riding it and it "shared" a lot of my bitter and sweet moments (especially when I'm studying in NUS). When I'm studying in NUS, it never caused me any major issue and he just silently performed up to my expectation. I "talked" to him as well when I'm in rage or sorrow, despite the fact that I knew he would never answer me anything. I like to sing out lough while I'm riding, too. So he is not only my transport but my biggest fan and best listening ear as well.

He's really a good machine, no doubt about that, but the luck just wasn't at my side this time, I guess.

Anyway, would like to take this opportunity to thank you as well.

Love you, my bike.

Star

What does an outer space planet and a flower on earth share in common?

No, nothing? Think harder.

Well, yes indeed they are beautiful (don’t you agree?) and…?

To me, they are all stars.

A planet is a star in the sky. A flower is a star on the earth.

Both of them are colorful and beautiful.

However, they can never say “Hi” to each other.

When the stars in the sky appear, the stars on the earth will disappear.

When the stars on the earth appear, the stars in the sky will disappear.

…

Twinkle twinkle little star.

How sad I know what you are.

Plan.

This is a mascot of NUS graduate in gold robe, which represents Bachelor of Science (gold with white represents Engineering, etc).

Yes, indeed, I'm a Bachelor of Science, major in Physics now (since July 2011) and I can tell you that it was very hard and bitter for me to become a "bachelor".

When I was year two taking a module called Experimental Physics, Dr. Colla Massimiliano once said this to me: "Shame on you.", Prof. Tang Sing Hai said "I think you should go back and revise all your secondary school physics." and Asst. Prof. Ariando said "Seriously, are you *really* a physics major?". They said these to me while they, individually, examine my lab report and asked me questions (in NUS, we call it VIVA). I was stressed and panicked. I couldn't utter a word. I can only say "Er... I don't know.." I was so embarrassed for 3 different VIVAs! However, eventually, I'm still able to get through the module but with pretty bad grade (expected, right?).

I stared at the mascot yesterday and it brought me back all the bitter memories (low grades even though I've tried study very hard, studied until 2am to 3am, rain while riding bike to school and got wet, etc) throughout these 3 years of Physics education in NUS. This little soft toy really means a lot to me!

Now that I'm done with my bachelor and I think I should continue to do physics, as in do my own research without any supervisor. I wanted to do master in physics but unfortunately, due to my poor performance, I don't think NUS would like to have me as their master student. Well, by looking at the bright side, it actually opens up another window to me. I think it's pretty cool to do research (theoretical physics) without any supervisor! Many many thanks to Wu ZhenZhou for his motivation on me and his encouragement! As the matter of fact, in order to do theoretical physics, all you need are a pen, a paper, Mathematica or MatLab (mathematics is the boss of physics!) and the ability to reach all the research papers as your reference (as alumNUS, you can pay 5-year membership package of S$400 to obtain library membership so that you can reach all the research papers). Well, like what ZhenZhou said before:" it might be hard, but not impossible." Thanks again, Zhen Zhou!

Of course, research is only a "part-time job". Eventually I still need to look up a full time job to earn a living. I haven't decide what to do for my full time job yet at the moment and I'll think about it again while I'm travelling in Japan in mid November later.

Since I like to take photos and write "nonsense" which "provokes emotions", I'm also considering to write a book which consists of a lot of photos with my "poem", short story or simply my imagination with regard of the photo. Just like "Junction". I've already came out with the title of the book, namely "Photostories: Through my camera, through my mind". I hope you'll like it!

Well, here's my plan at the moment.

What's yours?

Junction

Going to Japan again soon. So here’s a piece of nonsense :))))))



18/11/2011 6:49 PM, Osaka

Autumn, no twilight, 16 degree C and drizzling.

A guy, holding up an umbrella, standing near a t-junction in the town.

He seems to be lost and he stands there for more than 10mins.

Maybe he is just wondering why heaven weeps.

He started to look around and, apparently, he doesn’t know what to do next.

He sees maple leafs floating on the wind: just like the plastic bag scene of American Beauty.

He tries to catch a maple leaf. He also picks up some on the street.

He stares at the leafs for a moment.

Finally, he decides to head back where he came from. Maybe he’s going back to his hotel or maybe he’s going to Shin Osaka at next turn.

“You’ve got to put the past behind you, keep your faith and move forward.” Maybe he has just not enough courage to continue the journey ahead.

He disappears, eventually and finally the rain stops.