SWAR group 10

There was this project, a project that I knew that was gonna throw most engineers off the road. A project that was gonna make you crack your mind up thinking, staying up until the wee hours of the morning. Maybe even worse not getting any sleep at all. However, it was just another small bump for me, that's what I thought.

Project warman is a competition held every year between the Australia Universities. You can say that it's one of the biggest project of my life as an engineer. This year, 2 device were to be built. Device A and B. Device A has to ferry a payload as heavy as 600 grams, avoid obstacles and lift as high as 80 cm, and transfer the load to Device B, that was the main aim of the project. Sounds easy :D

Device A can be powered by electrical components such as motors and Arduino motherboards. Device B is fully mechanical, no motors are allowed, just pure physics.

I was in charge of device A, which suits me the best, I love how electrical components work and now, I'll have to built a robot from scratch. The phrase ' Bring it on ' kept on flashing in my head.

The main challenge wasn't building the robot. It was finding materials. Specific materials were needed to built what was desired. During the first meeting with my friends, the robot wasn't well planned. A little chaotic I would say. There's more chit- chatting than there's planning. I told myself, if this goes on, the robot might not even move an inch during the day itself.

I knew sitting down, using papers, designing the robot, planning, draining and squeezing out ideas isn't gonna work. My tool box was packed, unpacking most of my tamiya stuff, filling my toolbox with nails, screws, bolts, hammer and all other equipment you will find in a typical tool box, and off I go. Everything I needed was right under my nose. The problem was, where do I start. After this project, I realized that, finding the starting edge was a pain in the ass.

I actually built 2 bases, which I soon scrapped it off which wasn't too ideal. The 3 base was a gamble, it has a dimension of 28 cm x 35 cm. It was a huge base which gave us a slight advantage on placing the mother board, battery and motors. However, in engineering, shit happens. Unexpected problem starts to occur which can drive you up the wall. The new base wasn't too ideal. It was too heavy, I've actually overestimated the strength of the tyres. It was a little too much of me to expect 4 tyres to withstand a weight of 4.6 kg. I swear, if the tyres have the ability to talk, it would be screaming , ' FUCK YOU, WAI KIT ! ' for the whole month. When we programmed the robot to move, we noticed the tyres were sagging outwards. By that, a problem has just been placed on my shoulders.

Since, the tyres does not have the ability to function at its tip top condition, no doubt the robot will have problems translating to the exchange zone. Now, this problem had 8 of us staying all night up, for 2 nights. At least I managed get at least 2 hours of sleep. However, my friends, they didn't have any shut eye, I couldn't put it in words how much I adore them. From the first week until the third week, I was almost on my own, there was a little help here and there. But other than that, I was actually hammering device A, putting all the stress and burden on my shoulders. Somehow, I told myself, if I fail, all 8 of us will fail as well. Therefore, stopping wasn't a choice for me. Even during the holidays ( which didn't feel like one ), coming back to Uni everyday was a necessity. Thank god, help came when I needed them the most. ( I'll elaborate on this later )

After the holidays, most of my friends came back, they knew I've been stressing my brain for the past 3 weeks, the knew my steam ( stamina ) was dropping exponentially low and they knew I would not be contributing much later in the project. They told each other, ' It's ok if Wai Kit doesn't wanna help, it's ok if he wants to sleep, he's dead tired, let him be . ' Now, this means a lot to me, a lot.

About 48 hours before the final deadline, we started working from 7pm up to 6 am. You guys had no idea how mentally tired I was. By 1 am, I was about to yell ' fuck this shit, I'm sleeping. ' I was on the edge of giving up. But leaving my friends to deal with the project alone, nope, no way. By 4 am, my brain finally shut off, I went to sleep. The next morning, the device was 90 % there. Surprised, excited, and nervous at the same time. We did the calibration to the mother board. There it was , that lumpy, no good piece of robot was finally working. My friends, they did it, in one night. Something that I've couldn't done in 3 weeks. You have no idea how gutted I was, pondering whether I'm a good engineer or what.

On the final day, there were 12 groups to present their robots. We were the 10th. Thus, waiting was torturing for us. When it reached the 9th group, no robot succeeded to overcome to full track. We were a little relieved. Finally, our group was called, it was judgement time. I was the one to start the device. My hands were not trembling, but my heart was beating like a drum.

Guess what, we did it ! The only group to pass. Well, we were fucking lucky. Things happened so quickly, even I couldn't believe we passed. The video below will show how lucky we were

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1fk_w4lyvU


I'm too lazy to elaborate anymore. but our group is gonna represent Monash Sunway to Sydney to compete. Proud is the only word to describe how I'm feeling right now.


From this project, I've learnt that pursuing a degree isn't about grades. It's about the passion, the curiosity to learn more, the ability to stand up and say ' It's okay, let's do it again. ' I'm not getting HD's but I certainly love what I'm doing right now.

new year, new semester, new friends, new knowledge, new obstacles, new adventures.

Same Determination, same dream :)

Working in Gadget Republic
- I get to use my phone
- Bringing a story book to read when there aren't customers seems fine
- Highly paid commission
- Watch YouTube on their large smart TV
- Super friendly and reliable boss
- No problem for me yawning and sitting down on the sales floor
- Not afraid of being scolded by seniors
- I don't need a freaking belt and watch while I work

Things listed above are something that I will not be able to find while working in Uniqlo. I'm a happy boy now

May God Bless You

My family and I were having supper around Uptown Damansara. It was around 10.30 pm , where we were almost done and was asking for the bill. 2 tables away, an old man probably around his 50's was selling some New Year cookies. He was holding maybe 15 - 20 containers of them, I could see him barely being able to stand up right. His body was tilted to a side, due to the weigh of those cookies. I whispered to my mum , ' Ma , do you want to buy some cookies from that old man there ? ' As expected, she said no.

So, this man finally came to our table. And the conversation started just like this. 

Old man : ' Good Evening Ma'am, would you like some Chinese New Year cookies ? ' 

Mum : ' No thanks , Sir. Anyways, thank for offering' *Smiles * 

Old man : ' Are you sure ? These are fresh ' 

Mum : 'Sorry Sir , but we don't need them' 

So we went back calling for the bill. I think he was on the verge on giving up selling. The old man stood there for about 3 seconds. He packed his cookies back into that fragile plastic bag. Then, he started walking off. He didn't offered selling those cookies to the next table. But before he left, he said something that caught my attention. 

Old man : ' Thank you for your time Ma'am. Have a good evening and may god bless you ' 

Then he started walking off. I gave my mum the ' HELP HIM' look. Then mum told me to buy some cookies from him. Without hesitation, I rushed up to him. Told him we'll take one. A smiled magically appeared. He started introducing cookies that he made. Mum bought 1 container of spring rolls. Which looks something like this.

It tasted like any ordinary spring rolls. Maybe slightly better than average. It cost us RM 28. Mum said cookies like these can only be eaten during Chinese New Year, that's why it's a little costly. Mum gave that old man RM 30. For the first time in forever, mum said keep that change. Yup, the first time I'm hearing that from mum. 

The old man was grateful. He bowed and muttered, ' May God bless you. ' We left then, back to our car. He stood there from afar, waving. I think that amount of cash meant a lot for him. For an old man like him, to carry all those heavy and bulky cookies. He needed it. 

He left his contact on top of the container. His name is Robert Lim , 016 2213780. If people finding cookies for Chinese New Year. Do please help this man. I can't guarantee all cookies are yummy as I've only tried one. But I do think it's worth helping him out :) 

The point is, this man maybe has not much in his pocket. But he still had so much faith to keep going on. If I was working and starting to earn, I would have bought a bit more, and told him to go home and rest. 

I don't normally say any prayers. But, 

Dear God, please help men like these to pass through every obstacle in life. 

Dear God, please help the poor, the broken ones, the unfortunate ones, get back up onto their feet. 

Dear God, please teach the capable ones to help each other. 

Dear God, please give me strength to help. 

Uniqlo

Last year, 2013. I didn't manage to do any donations to those unfortunate. Dad actually rewarded a few hundred for year end results, which I've done pretty well. 3 Distinctions and 1 Credit. A major leap compared to the last semester. However, I've spent it all in Hong Kong -.- I've bought 1100 Hong Kong dollar worth of Tamiya. I know slap me :/

Instead of feeling guilty, I've actually found a temporary job in Uniqlo. This year, I intend to double up the amount of cash that I'm donating. It will be around RM 400 :D By end of this month, hopefully before Chinese New Year, the unfortunate will receive those cash :) 

Now working in Uniqlo is hectic. Seniors want you to finish your allocated task at a minimal amount of time. Which is ridiculous. I thought it would be easy working there. I've never been sooooo wrong. Shopping malls open from 10am - 10 pm. But the management wants the staffs to be there at 8am and go home around 11pm. Usually 12am.. The stock room is where I started out with, carrying heavy boxes, unpacking clothes. There was one day where 142 cartons of boxes that we had to unpack. So, Uniqlo isn't that easy. 

Another issue is the Overtime (OT), temporary staffs aren't paid extra if you OT. I don't mind them not paying me OT, but the management kept asking us to stay for OT and pile up tedious jobs on us. I have friends ending up leaving around 9pm. And that's the morning shift. The afternoon shift people will normally still till 12am. Which is pretty ridiculous. Although we are paid the same rate for OT, I don't think it's right to exploit us. 

Temporary Staff aren't paid extra during PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. ikr. same rate. Uniqlo wtf ? 

There's something I look forward to everyday. The staffs in Uniqlo, friendly, helpful and funny. Well, not those high ranked donkeys -.- 

Bye people, need to work till 11pm tomorrow :( 

That polaroid photo of ours has never left that wallet of mine. 

3 words of ' I love you' crafted on cheap copper that we bought for our anniversary still remains in that pocket of mine. 

Sorrow, colouring my heart, as that thought of me forcing a goodbye pressed onto me. Like it has always haunt me every night. 

That lump of guilt, still stuck in my throat. It will be something that will take a long time for me to swallow. 

That toy bear that you bought has been secure in my arms every night. 

Pictures that were taken, fills a whole file in my computer. Still, there wasn't enough courage for me to hit that delete bottom that seems so far away. 

That scar that seemed like a huge burden for you, makes me question myself. 

You were convincing me to stay, asking for another chance. All I did was to shake my head. For that, I will not forgive myself. 

Haunting myself with whys and regrets. Deep down I'll just hope you'll forget someone like me. 

went to a lounge in KL. Had a cup of alcohol plus coke. 1st sip of alcohol, and I went like wtf. plus... the bill came up to 100 bucks per person.... Utter Bullshit. Well, I wasn't drunk and still managed to drive.. Thank God