Monday, August 31, 2009

O-Level Maths.

It's been a tough and tiring week, and just don't know why, but life always seems to throw all everything at me in one big shot: work, assignments, and the latest addition to my life - a tution assignment.

Yes, Kevin Chan is finally going to push himself out of his comfort zone and go teach that one subject that he really doesn't like that much. Yes, you guessed it right if you were with me during my JC days, it's that dreaded subject that Ms Wong used to teach us - MATH.

I don't think it's gonna end up like this though...

But oh well, I guess I've said time and time again in the past that being pushed out of your comfort zone and forcing yourself to do the things that are difficult, that are scary, that other people fear, is the only way to really grow and be that better person. So that's why I'm doing it despite my hectic schedule.

Now I've really got to learn to optimize my time for all the many things that I'm going to be doing this semester, or I'll never make it past this semester. But come to think of it, I learn things best this way.

Now time to work on that laser-like focus and ruthless efficiency that I need to get through this semester! And yes, I still need a room. Room in NTU, anyone?

Wish me luck on my teaching my first O-Level Elementary Math kid!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

15Malaysia

For those of you that follow this blog, you may know that I have always loved both watching and creating short films! I always wanted to film a short, sweet film that really communicates a strong message.

And then 15malaysia.com came along.

15 short films about what it means to be Malaysian, 15 different directors, 1 beloved country!

Here are a few of the first few films released:

"Potong Saga"


"Chocolate"


"Halal"


"House"


I found "House" by Linus Chung especially poignant and touching. If you have to choose one of the four videos I've posted, watch "House".

Support 15malaysia.com! It's about time that Malaysia's talent gets some recognition!


***

UPDATE:

Linus Chung just commented on my blog and I just realised that he is a Nuffnang blogger too!
If you are interested to read up on more of his thoughts on his new short, "House", check his blog right here.

And do watch the Making of "House" too! It's on YouTube! I want to make cool shorts like this too someday!

The Update

Hey guys, it's been some time since I've posted. I've been really busy with school, trying to find a CCA so I can earn points for hall next year and reading a really thick book on the life of Warren Buffet, "The Snowball".

I've really tried to iron the creases in my life out but I still face the same issues I did a month ago - homelessness, financial dependence on my parents and not as much willpower as I would like to have. I really hope to make progress in those three major areas and make it all better.

Well, one thing that I can be proud of is my new website, at http://kevinc.net! I have always wanted to have a dedicated blog to personal improvement and I have finally started one! I have been writing tons of really interesting articles concerning the three aspects of love, health and wealth with relation to personal development and am really excited about posting them and maintaining that blog!

So, give http://kevinc.net a visit and make sure you bookmark it or at least add it on your RSS feed! I am really trying to come up with original articles that will hopefully motivate you guys out there as well as share the knowledge of personal development that I have picked up over the years! Also, I am using it as a personal journal of sorts to chart my personal development over time.

As for this blog, as I am back in Singapore and do not have my direct support group I had the privelege of leaning on back in Malaysia, it has been difficult to come up with the next earth-shattering stunt.

But as it is always, life is unpredictable. So continue to watch this space. Who knows what will come up next?

P.S. If you know of any freshmen in NTU who are moving out of Hall, let me know ASAP! I still really need to find a permanent place to stay there! It would be heaven to finally have a desk, chair and wardrobe all to myself again!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Hamlet's Hero - The Questionnaire

I've just been quite busy with school and with my (not so) secret project lately and have been really not been updating this blog enough.

I did a really long questionnaire to try to be shortlisted for an interview for an upcoming reality TV programme and I just thought that it will be really interesting if I posted it up.

I didn't get selected but I just hope that you guys will enjoy reading my responses to the questionnaire!

My Completed Questionnaire

Questions for bloggers:

1. Profile

1. Which school/university did you go to?

I’m currently an undergraduate business student in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, doing a double major in marketing and law.

2. What is your dream job?

Ideally I would like to be self employed and create a business that allows me to be both creatively express myself as well as contribute to the betterment of society.

3. What was (or still is) your day job?

I’m still a student, but blogging for competitions these days comes close to a job.

4. What/how/who made you go into blogging?

I have always been one who needed to have his opinions heard, and I love to write from time to time. I had no reason not to blog when I was on my long break after my A-level papers, and I have never looked back.

5. What is your interest / passion that you blog about?

I like doing crazy, crazy things from time to time and that has become something that I try to treat my loyal blog readers from time to time with. However, if you look beyond the humour, wackiness and occasional rant, you will see that there is a strong self improvement theme running in my blog. I love self improvement and motivational literature and I always hope that what I write may benefit my readers out there.

6. How did you come up with your nickname?

I have a really dear friend whom I affectionately refer to as Hamlet from time to time. We once joked about being rock stars and having our own band and we thought at that point that it would be just awesome to name our band Hamlet’s Heroes. We never ended up forming that band, but it struck me as an awesome name to go by when I started blogging.

2. Blogger’s home

1. Show us your workstation / work area (Where do you live ? Do u mind us coming to your home ?

Sure, you guys are free to come over to my place. I live in Kota Damansara, quite near the Mutiara Damansara area, when I am not studying in Singapore.

2. Introduce to us your housemates / family members (Who would be available to be in our show? Really would love to speak to all your family members)

This can be arranged. My mom’s quite shy in front of the camera but my Dad is quite sporting. In fact my dad starred in my very first YouTube video for an advertorial I did with Nuffnang for Mr. Potato crisps!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usXZe7EmM_M

I also have a brother who is in secondary school and a youngest brother who is still in primary school.

3. Show us your wardrobe and share with us your style ? Any fashion tips for us?

Sure thing, if you don’t mind looking inside my travel bags. I like to dress simply but classily. A fitting black tee, nice jeans and the correct sneakers never seems to go wrong somehow.

4. What are your grooming tips?

I’m a simple guy. I just keep my hair short so it’s easy to style and shave regularly for that clean shaven look. Chinese guys should just shave more and go clean shaven. We’re just not made hairy.

5. Do your neighbors know that you’re a blogger?

No. I do live this mysterious double life.

3. Blogger’s favourite hangout place(s)

1. Where do you go to get your inspirations

It’s more of who I am with to get my inspiration rather than where I do so. I get my best ideas when I talk and chill with my closest buddies. Many of the ideas I used I must say are actually ideas of my close friends that we worked on together, with their permission, of course. I’ve got inspired sitting in the Kancil of one of my closest friends, as well as in various cafes and chillout places in Malaysia in Singapore. Places like Old Town White Coffee and Station One café.

2. Do you have anybody that knows you well who are willing to be part of the show where they will spill the beans on you? (a best friend/s?) Pls let us know on this .

I definitely do know plenty. The best person to contact for this would be Chan Wing Chuan. He knows plenty and has in fact helped me in a great deal of my blogging exploits!

3. Where do you workout / play sports / recreation (Any place that you go that you might want us to shoot ie futsal, rock climbing , go karting etc)

I work out when I can with a close friend of mine at Fitness First, the Curve and spend quite a lot of time in general in that area (when I am in the Klang Valley, of course).

4. Show us a secret hideout – Klang Valley’s best kept secret

The Dataran Sunway area near my place. It’s just bursting with good food and it’s so good that I rarely have to travel far for good food these days!

5. Do you have a girlfriend or a boyfriend that we can interview?

No, but I have tons of super close friends.

4. Blogger’s favourite entertainment

1. Who are your favourite celebrities – meet up with celebrities

I am currently loving the music of Jason Mraz, which I managed to meet and take a picture with last year in Singapore. He is just awesome.

2. Who is your favourite radio DJ – Hitz deejays

I really don’t listen to the radio all that much, and only do when I am in driving. No preferences here. Just give me good music and I am a happy dude. Listen to Hitz, Light and Red FM in the car.

3. Which local bands do you listen to?

I haven’t had the opportunity to listen to many local bands but my latest local obsession is Zee Avi! Her songs are just so sweet!

4. Share with us which website(s) you visit frequently and why

Cracked.com. I spend so much time checking this site for updates that it’s crazy! This site offers high quality humour articles which are just awesome. They also have the craziest top 10 lists on the web! You have to check it out!

Where else can you find lists like 5 Real Life Soldiers Who Make Rambo Look Like a Pussy or 9 Awesome Places to Have Sex (And the Horrific Consequences)!

5. What sports do you do or is there anything you do to keep active ?

I try to jog and visit the gym whenever I can.

5. Blogger’s family giving the low-down

1. Show us an old photo and tell the story behind it


That’s the oldest picture of me that I could find. That’s me when I was really young and I was pretending that my box radio which I somehow destroyed was some kind of telecommunications device. Yes, I was in to handphones even back then!

2. Parents’ view – about the blogger becoming a blogger? We need some embarrassing stories? What can we cover that would make it an interesting show?

I feel that my parents kinda take it for granted that their son goes around and does crazy things from time to time. Other people get really shocked when they see my Spartan pictures but my parents just laughed a little and got back with whatever they were doing. Guess that they’re just too used to it.

Well I once got really high on beer at a Nuffnang event and my parents weren’t too happy about it. Does that count?

3. Siblings – what they do, what ‘names’ they call each other

Two younger brothers, with one in secondary school and the other in primary school. The one in secondary school is a national debate champion and public speaker and my youngest brother loves sports.

4. Spouses talking about their first date, memorable and embarrassing moments together

No spouse to speak of yet.

6. Blogger’s secrets reveal

1. Tell us 5 things/secrets that all of us don’t know about you

· I am a certified Padi Open Water diver.

· I played the character of a gay nerd who sang and danced for a musical for my university earlier this year.

· I typed the responses to this questionnaire as well as did the majority of blogging for my blog posts on a nearly 4 year old Acer laptop which screen is breaking down till the point it has like a 2 inch thick discoloured band of pixels right in the middle of the screen! It’s dying and it is lagging all the time! Why did I have to have my Nuffnang laptop stolen!

· I once had a picture of me during my high school days ripped off my blog and used in an advertisement for a college in Vietnam. My friend was holidaying there and when she saw my face in giant posters all around the city she had a great shock and took tons of photos! http://hamletshero.blogspot.com/2008/08/this-is-what-happens-when-youre-on.html

· I was once the very responsible assistant head prefect of my secondary school, once upon a time.

2. Show us your other talent(s) – playing instrument, singing, dancing, etc

I was really active in the debating circuits in both Malaysia and Singapore during my secondary school and college years and now am continuing my oratorical career with the Toastmasters. I enjoy acting too and performed in my first musical earlier this year. I wish that I could play instruments and sing though.

3. Who is your favourite blogger(s) and why?

Well, considering I read tons of blogs I find it hard to put my finger on that ONE favourite blogger. But I must say that Kenny and Pinkpau are the two of the main blogger influences I had that motivated me to start blogging. Kenny is just great cause I really enjoy his brand of humour and Pinkpau just writes straight from the heart. Come to think of it, I try to a little bit of both in my own blog.

4. Truth or dare segment – ask a personal question (info from family/friends)

Well, feel free to come up with something to ask me. I’m game.

5. Any controversy that you might want us to cover?

Some crazy weird Malaysian issue featuring Malaysian politicians who say the darndest things would be interesting!

6. What is the most outrageous thing you will do to be in Project Alpha that we can film you doing ?

Well, I have walked through One Utama in a Spartan outfit, cross dressed and filmed a parody of Lady GaGa’s Poker Face, and much more. Maybe do some crazy Borat-ish stunt interviewing a Malaysian politician? Or maybe building a sawdust cannon on some building and setting it off? The sky’s the limit.

7. Have you got any footage of yourself doing any crazy/interesting things which we can use in the show ?

Sure, just look through my YouTube channel. (: It’s quite sad that we didn’t film the Spartan invasion thing though. ):

http://www.youtube.com/user/hamletshero

7. Blogger’s tips/Insights /views

1. Tips on how to become a blogger/writer

First off, have some kind of focus in your blog. The blog should have some content or some general theme that would make people keep coming back for more. Writing about your sad depressing life all the time generally isn’t that interesting, unless you happen to be some super hot female blogger, that is.

Secondly, post regularly. You don’t want to disappoint your readers by making them wait too long.

And thirdly, my pet peeve – putting music on your blog. Don’t do it! No matter what you think, I think it just makes your blog appear like a 13 year old girl’s livejournal, and it also makes your blog take longer to load.

2. Which Blogger do you think is Sexy /Hot and why?

I think Dawn Yang is hot! Cheesie is pretty cute too! Am I supposed to discuss my aesthetic preferences here? I just think that they are hot-lah!

3. Which Blogger do you think talks the most crap ?

Emo bloggers who just keep ranting on and on about their miserable lives. I don’t know who because I never stick around long enough to learn their names.

4. Which Blogger do you think is a wannabe ?

I think I may qualify as one, in the eyes of Malaysian blogging community. HAHAHA!

5. What is your secret to being an ALPHA BLOGGER?

I spend great time and effort planning out my exploits with my friends and have a great support team to help me out. I also take great time reflecting and writing my heart out whenever I can.

6. Which blogger do you admire the most ?

Steve Pavlina from http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/. He writes a good blog and really manages to come up with very fresh and interesting ideas concerning self improvement which I really enjoy. I admire the effort and energy he puts into his articles and the strong following that he has. His site may not look all that awesome, but this guy can really, really write!

7. Which Celebrity Blogger in Malaysia do you think cuts the grade as a blogger?

I think Kenny makes a pretty good benchmark – he has the traffic, writes well and posts pretty regularly.

8. What makes a good blog ?

In short a good blog is one that’s just interesting and makes me keep coming back for more. Just keep posting good content, and you will eventually get your following.

9. What makes a crap blog ?

A neglected blog is a crappy blog. I guess I already voiced out my opinions concerning emo kids complaining about their crappy lives on the net calling themselves bloggers but I have said too much already.

10. What do you think of doing advertorials? Is it selling out ?

It depends. I believe in doing advertorials only if you believe in the product you are writing about. If you are doing an advertorial for some kind of crappy product and waxing lyrical about it just because you are paid to do so, you will just end up misplacing all the trust your readers have in you. Trust on the internet is really important, because come to think of it, it’s all you have. So I would definitely say lying to your readers in advertorials is just bad and downright wrong.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

My dear friend, the Model (to be!)

This is my dear friend, Wing Chuan, and he is a dentist-to-be that aspires to be a model one day.

This is the photo he submitted in his application.

In order to make his dream a reality, he went for the recent Malaysia Supermodel Search audition at the Curve earlier this year just to give it a shot.
He even made me help him get that perfect shirt and the right he needed to ace that interview.

And he came to me recently with news that he made it through that very first round!

But now in order to proceed with the competition he needs SMS votes! In order to showcase his pure awesomeness and to solicit your very precious vote, we shot this video when he was down here in Singapore holidaying two weeks ago!

Beach Mayhem


Vote for Wing Chuan today by texting "MSS18" to 36828 today!
(This is applicable to Malaysian cell phone numbers and costs RM0.50 per vote)

Give him a fighting chance at being Malaysia's next supermodel today! Anyone who can rip off his clothes and steal the girl like that definitely deserves to go into the next round!

Vote for Wing Chuan today!

***

And I am just gushing over this Taylor Swift MV:



Things like this just bring out the hopeless romantic in me. If only magical things like that would happen in reality. But one can still dream.

Friday, August 14, 2009

This is where I will be sleeping tonight... NTU Hall 14

Where I currently stay.

Finally, I have a quasi-permanent place to stay.

Learning of my plight, my really nice senior, De Zien, offered me a place to stay in his single room in Hall 14. What's truly remarkable is that he welcomed me with open arms into his room without any hesitation, even though I was never really close to him to begin with.

Really, wouldn't this world of ours be so much better off if we had more such people? People who just would just go the extra mile for you, not because that they are chasing some reward, but because it just is the right thing to do?

It also made me realize that I want to just like that too - I want to help people out there because it just is the right thing to do.

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."
Albert Schweitzer
Go out there and rekindle someone's waning flame today. They'll be eternally grateful for it.

***

BREAKING NEWS:

I'm going to do my next crazy stunt and I need a backup team! Anyone, if you're in Singapore and willing to help, let me know! I need cameramen and creative minds! Hope to hear from some of ya!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

Just forget the mind-numbing fear and see the adventure. Focus. You will survive no matter what.

The flipside of true hardship and fear is exciting fear. I just have to keep my eyes on that.

It's all in your hands anyway, even right from the very beginning.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

This is where I will be sleeping tonight... NTU Hall 2

NTU Hall 2 this time!

I still have no permanent place to go but thankfully a dear friend had an extra room whom he still has the keys to. He has to return the keys tomorrow afternoon but I guess a bed to sleep on is always a bonus, ya? It's a miracle that I have not really had to sleep on the floor save for that night in the NUS reading room, seriously!

Today as I was leaving NUS for NTU, Nayan, my dear ex-roommate chided me for always being so last minute and not knowing where exactly I was going to sleep tonight. He said that if I just took like time out to plan in advance, I wouldn't be caught up wondering where I would rest for the night till the very last moment.

And I guess he has a point.

I really need to learn how to plan, how to have multiple plans of action instead of just going headfirst into something and hoping that it all works out.

But then again I think that I am secretly addicted to the adrenaline rush of being so crazily spontaneous.

I really hope that I get a room in the third round of balloting. The results are rumoured to come out tomorrow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying hard.

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Choke.


I'm just done reading Choke, another novel from Chuck Palahniuk and there's this one quote, on the second last page of the book that somehow stands out a little more than the rest.

"We can spend out lives letting the world tell us who we are. Sane or insane. Saints or sex addicts. Heroes or victims. Letting history tell us how good or bad we are. Letting our past decide our future. Or we can just decide for ourselves. And maybe it's our job to invent something better."
- Choke, Chuck Palahniuk

Yeah, maybe it is our job to invent something better. It's about time.

And off I go to do another two sets of forty.

Saturday, August 08, 2009

This is where I will be sleeping tonight... NUS.

This is where I will be sleeping tonight, a quiet room in an unspecified hall in NUS.

Finally, a really comfy mattress!

Thank God for good friends, seriously!

I was walking along the Bras Basah complex after dinner and I saw a homeless old man just sleeping on the cold concrete with his few possessions just right next to him. As dire as my situation may seem to me, I really am just so lucky to always manage to find some way to keep a roof over my head, be it in a kind friend's room or in some university reading room.

But I really need to do more to get myself of this rut by finding some way to make enough money for me to afford to get a place of my own.

And so I decided to drop by the Singapore Nuffnang office to just see how they're doing down there and chat with Ming about working there.

And Ming told me to check out their rooftop. So we did.

That's Adelyn, a junior of mine in SA who is also in debate, on the rooftop.

If you think that the tables and grassy rooftop isn't cool enough, wait till you see the next picture.

It's a pretty cool pool!

Yup, they have a freaking pool just above their workplace!

Now I'm definitely going to work there if they take me in!

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Homelessness: The Adventure Begins

It's going to be a good night as I finally found someone who can spare me a nice bed and room all to myself with an internet connection to boot! I am in a hostel room in NUS and am staying there for a couple of days before my friend has to move in. Finally, some way to get my internet fix which I am so sorely lacking!

This is what you have to do when you don't have a place to stay.

The past few days have just flown by like an awesome blur as Chuan, Bryan and I toured Singapore like mad tourists doing all sorts of crazy fun stuff, which I am at this moment, frankly too tired to blog about now.

But they left for Malaysia this afternoon, leaving me alone by myself in Singapore, still without a fixed place to stay. Where will I move my stuff and bunk in next? Only God knows.

Who knows, as hard as it may be to be a nomad and move around all the time, it hasn't been all bad. Moving around and bunking around a friends places has given me the opportunity to meet and reconnect with friends that I have not had the privilege to see in ages, as well as the chance to meet new people.

Being forced to sleep on empty tables in a dark reading room may also have been extremely uncomfortable, but it has made me a harder, stronger and more resilient person. We only grow when we push ourselves into the realm of the uncomfortable, don't we?

Chuan, Bryan, thanks so much for coming down, helping out and always believing in me. You guys are the best. I wouldn't trade my brothers who will stand by me through thick and thin for the world.

Being caught stranded, without a place to stay down here has really helped me see who my real friends who will go all out to help me, pray for me, and care for me are. And it has made me realise that I have so many blessings in my life that I really have no right to complain.

Here, I guess my real nomadic experience begins. Wish me luck!

Sunday, August 02, 2009

I should be packing...

But I'm spending all the time I can with my closest friends instead. No wonder I always end up packing last minute and just cramming all my stuff into suitcases.


Cramming stuff into suitcases, and after that, it's Singapore all over again.

Only this time, I'm gonna really push myself to do all that I have to do. There's no other way about it.

***

Edit:

It's 9:13am, Monday morning and my bus will leave at 11am. I am still not ready to leave.