Halfway through Ramadhan!

Time really flies, and now it's already the 15th of Ramadhan! This also signifies that my exams are drawing closer. No~! Systems Analysis is really giving me a hard time. Apart from that, I have Business Statistics to think about. I just found out that the Business Statistics we're learning here is similar to a 1st year subject for Actuarial Science in the UK. That even creates a stronger impression that this is a diffiicult subject!

Anyway, I went to the airport today, and bought myself a new book. It has been a while since I finished reading Autumn Bridge (please refer to November's post), and it just so happen that this book was listed as 1st on the New Bestseller list - hence the purchase.

Till then, I need to study. Benkyo shimas!

Making your own LAN cables

The unix test was okay (I hope!). Anyway, today we had to make our own RJ45 cables, and then you'll have to test it in front of the tutor (using some kind of device to see whether it works or otherwise). If the cable is working (there will be 4 dotted lights coming out from the device), you'll have to connect it to a hub, and join the network. Upon completion, you'll get a tick in the mark sheet. Well, I'm not really sure how many marks this whole thing is worth, but all I know is that I got the tick.

It took me 2 tries before I finally got all 4 dots blinking. It was such a relief as some of the students never got theirs working at all. It seems next week is the last week of lectures, and then there's a 1 week break before the exams begin.

UNIX test this week!

There was a time, which was about 2 years back, that I thought that Linux is fun. I actually went to the library, borrowed some books on UNIX and Linux, and installed Red Hat (running side by side with Windows) on my machine using a dual-boot system. At that time I thought that my pc looked cool with the Linux desktop (Gnome), and also using the command line to do whatever you want. Remembering all the commands was a hassle, but at that time I only remembered a few commands (<15 I think), so it was still fun toying around with my new OS.

Now, after 2 years of leaving Linux behind, I'm back to learning UNIX command line at uni. And the thing is, we learn all these boring commands that I don't think there is any use in real life. If there's no other software that can rival Microsoft Office, I don't see the purpose of using a machine that is Linux based.

Enough of that already. I have a test on UNIX commands this Thursday! It would be more beneficial for everyone if they taught us how to do certain stuff on Linux using the graphical desktop, rather than bother with those out-dated command lines!

VU Cultural Week

This week is the Cultural Week for the International Students Association (ISA). As one of the activities, you get to promote your country. A friend opened a booth and asked me to help him out. It turned out that many people were interested in Malaysia. They came and asked a lot of questions, including tricky ones such as "What does the red and white straps on the Malaysian flag signify?" Thank god Aiz (picture: left) knows a lot about Malaysia, especially about tourism and food.

Anyway, it was fun. They are also having a closing ceremony for the ISA Cultural Week this Friday. You must go wearing your traditional dress. Well, I'll see if I can make it.

Malam Gemilang 2004

I just got back from KUAM's Malam Gemilang Annual Dinner 2004. (KUAM = Kelab UMNO Australia Melbourne). We arrived at Prahran Town Hall (the venue) around 6:45pm. The rest of the guest arrived around 7:30pm.

There were traditional Malay dances, a short drama, and a band performance. The band performance was outstanding. As for the food, most people find it good, but personally I think it was just average. The same remarks for the whole event. Last year's Malam Gemilang was way better. Imagine a buffet for a formal dinner? It gives the feeling as if I'm back at high school having dinner. Seriously, these guys are so much inorganised.

But apart from all these, my table (table number 1, nearest to the stage!) was lucky enough to have 3 people (out of 7) to win the lucky draw! The prizes were great (i.e The Sims Collectors Edition, PS2, Polaroid Camera etc).

Anyway, as for pictures, I'll upload them later.