Happy and have a most prosperous Chinese New Year to whoever is reading this!

I just realized that the title of my blog is "HK Expedition". Perhaps I should change the title to something else since I've already return to Singapore. However, I can't bear to do so because HK gave me many beautiful memories. I have not regretted setting up this blog because reading it brings me back those memorable moments; the prime purpose of setting up this blog is to record down those moments and since I have already accquire a habit of writing, I might as well continue to do so.

Knowing Emily dear in HK is the greatest thing that could happen in this exchange. Although many a times, we have disagreements and small quarrels are inevitable even till this day, I still treasure her as much as before and I sincerely hope things will turn out well. I guess quarrels between couple is common, one of the reasons is probably they like each other too much and at times, have higher-than-usual expectations. Whether or not we will last forever, only Father Time will tell; I guess there is not much use worrying about something that remains a question mark. The important element in a relationship is truthfulness and honesty, 2 qualities that should never be compromised at all. Term time is always a good time to test out a relationship as both parties are busy and hardly have time for one another; only if a relationship can go through a series of such acid tests (over a period of time) will we know whether it will last.

Not to forget of course, friends whom I gotta know in HK and those wonderful place I have visited over that period of time. If you ask me what are the regrets that I have in HK, I will say I should have plan my holiday earlier in order to visit more places and also to spend more time with my HK friends. Come to think of it, I hardly go out with them, except of course the occasion lunches and crapping in campus.

Did this exchange change my perspectives of life and my future goals? Difficult to say but I will tend towards giving "yes" as an answer. When you are exposed to a new learning and living environment, you'll grew to become independent and learn much more. You are now on your own and as what the custom officers in HK airport told me in day 1, "the world is your's!"

Chemistry has always been my passion, no doubt. However, I feel that a chemical education here (and probably in HK as well) does not suit me because there aren't many passionate individuals as well. Most are going after the "A+" rat race and in a way, made me disillusioned. Friends whom I have met in school over the past 7 semesters told me that I have entered the wrong university; I should go to the States etc. Well, there's no use saying such things now since I'm about to graduate from this system. I remembered reading an article about this young chap from Malaysia who entered NUS to study Physics when he was 16; 4 years later, when he was about to graduate with a Second Lower from this system, he commented that "I entered NUS thinking that I am extraordinary; now I just feel that I am an ordinary individual who has tried his best". I can relate to him because I felt the same way.

When I first entered NUS, I felt like an Artist who has not been drawing for a long time. He can still draw, no doubt, just that he has lost this "feeling". Did I manage to find back this feeling after 3.5 years here? I am not sure but I am glad to say that I am still able to inspire my juniors in Chemistry. I guess finding this "feeling" requires the presence of the correct friends and environment and I think this is something that is lacking. Many a times, helping others bring me closer to this "feeling" as I feel more at home. For example, teaching the Singapore representatives for the ICHO last year really made me got back some of this "feeling"; they are so passionate. When I look at them, I saw myself when I was at that age.

What about now? Did it get better? Well, I think I am gearing up for my project already. Started an experiment last Thursday and was pretty rusty. Things still went on well though :p I hope to publish a paper or two for this project and I seriously hope the synthetic route I planned and the compunds I aspired to synthesize will be accomplished in the next 9 months. Modules wise, I haven't been doing much readings and I gotta start them by today. They are still pretty manageable; I mean afterall, after taking Prof. Wu's module, I have managed to look at chemical reactions from another perspectives; he helped to piece up the fragments.

To find back this "feeling", I gotta depend on myself. Afterall, not many share this passion with me and I am not able to isolate one here. I realized that through reading papers and books, it makes you excited and you will start to think of the mechanisms behind those wonderful reactions; that's when the "feeling" comes in.

To date, I'll have 4 major presentations this semester. One literature review for my FYP that's scheduled on the last 2 days of February, a presentation of my experiences in SEP, UROPS and Honours on 11th and 12th March (NUS Open House) and a project presentation for Bioorganic sometime in late March I guess. Excited and yet nervous especially for the one during Open House. I hope my passion will be able to ignite the dormant passion in my prospective juniors.

I passed my NMR test this afternoon! Hmm this means I'll be able to use the NMR machine from tomorrow onwards. This is pretty exciting as I have always been wanted to run NMR on my own, instead of troubling my postgraduates.

I guess last weekend and the beginning of this week has been an interesting period for both Emily and I as we brought Alice and her mom around Singapore. It's interesting to bring our foreign friends around Singapore and even happier to see that they enjoyed the trip and liked the clean and green feature of our country.

Both of them arrive in the late afternoon on Sunday; Zhijie, Emily and I went to fetch them from the airport and brought them to YWCA where they will be staying for the next few days.

Dinner was at Lau Pat Sat and we had a wonderful spread of local food which includes nasi brani, satay, bbq stingray, po pia, roti prata etc.

For the next few days, we brought them around Singapore to visit some great attractions which include the Night Safari, Fort Canning Park, Singapore River, Chinatown, Orchard Road, Esplanade, Merlion etc. In addition, Alice also visited Biopolis and NUS; she added quite a couple of books to her collections too.

We hope they have enjoyed themselves for the past 4 days and we have enjoyed ourselves too. Singapore is a mere 3.5 hours flight away from HK and we can visit one another so long as time permits. So when will be the next time we catch up again? In Singapore or HK or when the burly hurly's done? :p The last thingy was wrote in just to make it sounds like Macbeth.

Had my first Natural Product Chemistry tutorial yesterday. It was kinda crappy; for the first part, Prof. Harrison gave us 6 natural products and asked if they obey the isoprene rules. For the second part, he gave us the following:
Moral of the story: Arrow pushing is important in organic chemistry. If you have the fundamentals and intuition, you will not have much problems with all areas related to organic chemistry.

The rest of the day was spent completing my Honours proposal and went to NUH High School to let Prof. Lai vet it. He was kinda busy and so I just left it there and called him in the evening to see if it's ok. He told me it's ok and go ahead with the experimental work. Let's pray that my ideas can work and the stuff I made will show some promoising luminescence property.

MOE replied me and told me to ahead with Graduate School application first. Whether they will approve the 2 years Masters I intend to pursue will be on a case to case basis. I guess they are result oriented and this will mean I have to do well in my Honours year.

Prof. Wu replied my email and he sounded pretty positive in wanting to accept me into his group. At the end of the day, MOE may not want to release me for graduate studies. Well, that'll be a year later and just hope that things will turn out well.

I received a surprising email this morning from Dr. Toh and he asked me whether I'll like to give a presentation for the upcoming Science Faculty Open House on 110306 and 120306. It'll be half an hour and I'm suppose to talk about my SEP, UROPS and Honours experience o_O *stress* I'll look for him next week for more details.

My HK room mate Bronze had a pretty long chat with me online 2 nights ago. He told me that he was forced to move out of our room because my original room mate swooped room with another person from another hall. Bronze was kinda pissed off and he moved into a room which smells of mothballs. He's allergic to it due to G6PD deficiency; in the end, he managed to change to another room and he has to use the dettol I left behind to clean it up for 3 times! Poor Bronze.

Just came back from NMR training. I was pretty happy as I finally can do my own NMR; I have been bothering my postgraduate to do NMR for me for the one year plus when I was doing research in the lab. I realized that the NMR rules have been relaxed - non-honours year students can now request to be trained in NMR. So fortunate!

This week is the 2nd week of the term and I have attended the lectures for all the courses. The enrolment for Natural Product Chemistry dropped from 20+ to 5! It's nice to have a small class but 5 is too little; many people dropped because the exam is open-book an the lecturer said that most of the time, you'll be solving "jig-saw" puzzle. I guess many dropped the course for practical reasons - who will want to risk their grades, especially most people taking it are in their final semester. Prof. Harisson is a pretty okay lecturer; I will not comment further as he has not gone into the hardcore stuff. Bioinorganic Chemistry has the most people - 64 in total, about 2/3 of the Honours cohort. As usual, it's the classic Dr. Yip style of lecturing and he managed to arouse people's interest in the course by giving a brief overview of cutting-edge bioinorganic lecture in the first lecture today. In any case, the class size is a little too large and all of us were squeezed in a small classroom. Dr. Vinh's Advanced Coordination Chemistry was okay; the usual inorganic stuff for a start and he'll be teaching more advanced stuff later on. Dr. Lu's Bioorganic Chemistry, the graduate module that I am taking, has a lot of readings. His lecture was okay, just that it's a little monotonous. I have selected my project topic for this module and all I need to do now is to find materials and work on the presentation and report.

I need to complete my Honours project proposal soon.

Zhijie called and told me about the unfairness of his Honours project progress report assessment. I can sensed his anger and disappointment as it was the first time I saw him feeling so anguish and mistreated. The closest was the spectroscopic application module that we took in 2 years ago. He was examined by 2 examiners whom he perceived, think nothing about his field of research (and they weren't even in the inorganic field of research). All I can say is to ask him to try his best and if think really did not turn out well, then just accept it and move on. Complaining to the higher authorities is one option but it seldom turns out well. Unfairness is everywhere and I guess there's nothing much we can do with it. Well, I sincerely believe that "tomorrow will be a better day", a direct reference to the Chinese saying "山穷水尽疑无路 柳暗花明又一村". Or translated into English, "where the hills and streams end and there seems to be no road ahead, amidst shady willows and blooming flowers, another village appears".

Emily told me that most of the friends she made during exchange were transient ones and when things are back to normal, they'll probably not contact one another again. Hmm I think that is being rather negative, though to a certain extent, I agree with her. I'm probably lucky as I've made some really nice HK friends. At the end of the day, it takes 2 hands to clap to maintain a long lasting friendship.

I was thinking about doing a Masters as one of my fellow MOE scholar friend told me that they have relaxed the rules and allow us to do a 2 years Master (initially they allow a 1 year Master but in Chemistry, that is next to impossible!). I thought of Canada, HK and Australia. I excluded US from my choice as I'll like to go there for Ph.D; that is if I still have the energy at the end of the day. Also, I'm kind of lazy and it might be too late to take GRE now.

I was eyeing for ANU but its costs is too high - around AUD$21000 per year and they don't usually give stipends/scholarships to foreigners unless they are really outstanding. Since I'm definitely not getting 1st Class, I guess that's out for me. Canada and HK Masters program costs about the same, averaging S$8000 a year. Student stipends and scholarship wise is kind of different; in Canada, we have to earn it through teaching (which is something I like to do) and HK wise, they give you studentship. However, the U that I wanna go to (Uni.of Alberta) requires us to do a 3 years Master! That's pretty long for me. Costs of living there is high too. The next better choice is HK and I'm looking at HKU and UST. UST may be a better choice as I can work under Prof Wu and learn some physical organic calculation technique/skills from him. This is of vital importance if I wanna go into hardcore organic research in the future.

Nothing is cast in stone yet and I am stll waiting for MOE's reply to my Master stint. They may disapprove it eventually and I'll then have to go into NIE to do my diploma in education and serve out my bond first. The most immediate thing I have to worry now is my Honours project and also to do well in my modules. Worse come to worse, I can do a Master in NUS Chem new program which is course work based and requires only a year; everything here suits MOE's requirement and I can brush up all my course content before engaging in research after my bond. Whatever the case is, the future, I believe, will be pretty bright.

It was quite an eventful week. The most significant event was that I have decided not to work with Dr. Yao for my honours year project. I have been feeling lousy ever since I returned and I realized that apart from the post-exchange bluez, another main reason was my honours year project.

Well what's wrong with the project then? Too difficult? Can't get back to work after taking a break for 5 months? There's nothing wrong with Dr. Yao; he's one of best in NUS in Chemical Biology and he published an average of 15 papers a year ever since he came to NUS 4 years ago. However, for some reason or another, that project just didn't strike the exciting chord in me. In addition, he is known to drive his students and will always be around to pressure them; my working style is completely different from him as I prefer to do things on my own and at my own pace, without people nagging at me or watching me. If I met up with problems, I'll discuss with people or look for my own solutions. Readers may then think that I am a slacker but that's not true; I worked till late hours during my undergraduate research and the postgraduates in my lab can verify. Finally, I find the lab's condition pretty unhealthy as it has poor ventilation system and I got really sick the other day when I was packing some stuff.

I missed the late night discussion with Lao Cai and also the variety of organic synthesis I did in Prof. Lai's lab. That's why I decided to do my Honours project under Prof. Lai again. Although he is too busy to supervise me given his hectic principal schedule in NUS High School, I am fine with it as I am able to work on my own most of the time. I like this independence. In addition, there is also ample lab space in his lab and this allows me to work in a more efficient way. I thank Dr. Yao for listening to me and agreeing to let me withdrew from his lab; he ended with a note of disappointment by feeling that I waved the white flag before starting. Whether I am waving the white flag or not depends on how one views it but I am much happier now. I'll probably do well if I stayed on but I'll have miss many spices of life.

I am excited over my Honours project now and I am determined to excel in it. The road ahead will be tough as I'll be on my own most of the time but I like such challenges. For the next few days, I'll be secreening for better ideas and will meet up with Prof. Lai for a discussion. My project proposal will be due on 23rd Jan. I'll need to submit it early as Alice will be coming over to Singapore to do her GRE and I'll be bringing her around on 22nd and 24th.

The day ended with a lecture on bioorganic chemistry. Friends felt that I am crazy for taking up a graduate module. I think otherwise; I mean if you like the module, just take it. Whether it's a graduate module or not isn't an important factor. I did pretty well in the graduate module in HKUST and I will repeat the same feat again. Although this module has biology component which may be to my disadvantage, I'll do my best to overcome them. Oh yah, this module requires us to do a project (presentation and written report) as well, something similar to the one I did in HK. I thought of doing on Barry Sharpless' Click Chemistry, which is being used to screen for potential drugs (and/or inhibitors).

Finally, thanks Emily dear for being with me all these while, supporting and encouraging me. This is really crucial as it is a "down" period of my life.

May things go on well after this week.

Thanks Emily dear for bringing me to GENUS concert and let me experience a new form of music - in the form of Niibori guitars. It's an eye opener and I don't mind listening to such concerts again. Not that I can appreciate them to a degree like you or any other musicians but I guess it's soothing to my ears and it's a good time to relax. I recalled attending the Beethoven 9th Symphony concert with Zhijie 2 years ago and it was a week or 2 before the finals - a good time to relax after one semester of hard work :p

School will be starting next week and well, I am not in the mood yet to attend school or go all out for my FYP. I guess I gotta take things slowly for the first few weeks. Not that I am in holiday mood now but it's this transition period I gotta go through. I guess it's post-SEP bluez. Hopefully after a couple of weeks, things will become better. Thanks Emily dear for all the encouraging words in her blog; I suppose Father time is the factor now as I am equip with the knowledge and ability to do relatively well in my project and modules. The SEP experience has certainly widened my horizon and increased my chemistry knowledge. All I need is sometime to gather and think through what I have experience, learnt and integrate them.

May things go well for all of us in this upcoming semester.

I've been back for 3 days and nothing very constructive has happened except for some unpacking and looking for Dr. Yao (my Honours supervisor) the morning after I landed.

Singapore seemed a strange and yet familiar place when I touched down. It's a mixed feelings upon return, both happy and sad. Happy in the sense I have returned home and will be seeing my family and friends once again. The familiar settings, sound, sights ... etc. Sad in the sense my expedition in HK has ended and I will miss all my hospitable HK friends who are always there for me when I need them.

Before I mentioned them, the most memorable days in my life in HK is spent with dearest Emily. She's always there for me and we spent countless joyous moments together - the late night talks in Quarry Bay Park, Guangzhou and UST, the hiking at Victoria Peak, the outings at Tuen Mun, Lok Ma Chau etc, the numerous drumming sessions ... Though those moments can only be remembered now and we are back to NUS to continue our studies, I believed that everyday will be "such moments" so long as we support one another hand in hand and walk through arduous journeys together.

One of the most important HK friend of mine is Frankie. He's the first HK friend I knew and being a Chemistry major, he introduced me to some of his close friends in the Chemistry cohort. I will always remembered and missed the late night chats we had in his hostel rooms. We spoke about on almost everything under the sun - from ambitions to life to work. The next person I knew was Alice. She's the HK friend I knew who is most into Chemistry and always spoke with this passion and enthusiasm. I will miss those discussions we had on current Chemistry topics. There is also Tommy, who is always so helpful and people like Charlie, Ah Sing, Kelvin, Bronze etc that always made my day brighter.

Not to forget, the numerous international friends whom I gotta know - from China, Linjia, Shu Chen, Zhao Yu, Yun Xin, Suiyan etc; from States, Philip, Bounmee etc; from Germany, Markus. And also, Singapore exchange conunterparts like Don, Weilan, Daniel and Yuin Yee.

People and friends aside, I will miss this Asia's World City. Not just it's shopping area like TST, Admiralty, Central Causeway Bay etc (not that I have gone there many times); I will miss the magnificient skyline of HK viewed from TST the most. It's very beautiful at night, especially with the laser show. When you are there, you will know why HK is called the pearl of the orient.

Lastly, buildings and night sky aside, the other side of HK is not to be missed. The visits to the various outlying islands represent one of the most excitiing expedition of my life. Not to forget, my most favourite place - Sai Kung East which I call the most beautiful place in HK. Nowhere else in HK is nature drawn on such impressive scale, or with the same great variety. Lantau island has many memorable features, Tai Mo Shan rears up to the sky and Pat Sin Leng heights are majestic. Still, by comparison, the Sai Kung peninsular boasts more untouched, lyrical beauty along its coasts and in its uplands.

Thank you, HK, for bringing me such great memories. The past 5 months will represent one of the most important chapter in my life.

An old chapter closes, a new one opens. I am back to reality now and life goes on, just like the Honia river flows. Reality or fiction, it's up to one to create miracles. It may be reality now but I will do my best to create a whole new world out of this reality.

In less than an hours time, I'll be landing in Changi International Airport, back to the place where I departed 4.5 months ago. Today is a day full of nostalgia and sadness; waves of emotions were exchanged and it marked the final day of my exchange in HK. It began with Yuan-Ting and I, with the help of Tommy, checked in our luggages at the Airport Express Station at Central. Tommy accompanied Yuan-Ting for some last minute shopping while I went back to UST to collect my remaining hand carried luggages and also bid farewell to some of the staffs whom I have troubled for the past few months. Before that, while on my way back to UST, I did a short detour to a cafe in North Point and took some shots of that cafe before settling down for a quick breakfast there. The name of the cafe is "麗星餐廳", the cafe that I first asked Emily dear out for dinner. I am glad that I managed to find time to spent my last moment in HK there to recollect some memories.

I managed to find Ms Elaine, who is the staff at the Science Dean office whom I corresponded to ever since April 2005. Chatted with her for a while, took 2 photos and bidded farewell reluctantly, all in less than 20mins. Following that, I went to the computer barn to use up Emily and my remaining print credits by printing some Chemistry review articles.

I rushed back to Hall to keep my laptop and complete my remaining errands. I called those close HK friends of mine who were not meeting me for lunch today and bidded farewell to them. It's really great to have them around and I thanked them all for their hospitality. I met Alice and Kelvin outside library. Kelvin was not going to have lunch with me but he just wanna bid farewell to me personally; how sweet! I took some shots of the library before I leave and went to Mong Kok with Alice to meet Charlie, Frankie and Tommy for lunch. It was a great lunch and finally in my last day in HK, I managed to have a taste of "golden friend rice", a superb dish that I tasted when I was in HK 8 years ago.

Following lunch, we went around Mong Kok area to search for a CD for Zhijie (smsed me the title a couple of days back) but to no avail. 5pm is getting closer and we decided to halt our search; I bidded farewell to Charlie and Frankie and took the MTR to Central with Alice and Tommy. We reached Central and found Yuan-Ting at about 5.15pm; Yuan-Ting and I said goodbye to Tommy and Alice before taking the Airport Express to the airport. They are really nice people and I will remember them for life.