p.s Again.let the photo tell you the story.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
MARA Scholarship PILN Interview 2011.
Let's go straight to the point.
My interview was yesterday. Mom escorted me to MARA office. Arrived there 45 minutes earlier. Saw some familiar faces.Went into the office and found out that there were already some other candidates and their parents. After waiting for a while, the officer called out a few names to come into the discussion room. We went through our resume; consisting of the downloaded e-form, certified true copies of personal IC, birth certificates, academic certificates, examinations results, testimonial, school leaving certificates, extracurricular certificates, parents' IC, birth and/or death certificates, payslip, BE form, pension slip and etc. If you wish to include you school report cards, you may do so.
Actually I compiled the certified documents into a folder but the officer insisted to take everything out of the folder and clipped them together. Then we went in to wait for our turn. While waiting, had some conversation with this kid who's taking Mechanical Engineering, while I chose Chemical Engineering instead of Aeronautical Engineering. Same goes to the kid sitting to my right. They were 8 of us; 5 guys, 3 girls. Then I realised that we were the future engineers group. I was quite thrilled to know that the interview would be conducted in groups. All this while, I've been to a few seniors' blogs regarding on this matter, turns out that they used to have 2 interviewers versus 1 candidate. We were given clip-on tags with numbers. I was #1 (Sounds so cool!).
Challenge #1:
When the time has come, we were told to leave everything outside, including the original copy of our resumes. So, we went into the room empty- handed and saw the 3 most powerful people in the room; 2 men, 1 lady, in the middle of the room; 2 tables with a gap between them and there's another table at the side of the room. There were 2 bundles of raw spaghetti(uncooked version) weighing about 1kg, a pair of scissors and a reel of black thread on the table. One of the "interviewers" read out the instructions. Turns out that we were requested to build a spaghetti bridge out of the items given only. The bridge must be able to support the weight of a 0.5kg object (sardine can) within 60 seconds.We were given 30 minutes to complete the task and allowed to communicate with each other only in English. Not to brag, but we didn't encounter any problems with that since everyone was very fluent. Great job, guys! =DDD
Everyone started brainstorming about the structure of the bridge and immediately got to work. Along the way we keep adding on ideas to improve our original ideas, applying different laws of Physics. At the same time we were assessed by the panels. I could see that all of us wasn't distracted by them. Basically, we tied the spaghetti into smaller bundles and tied them together; with a few bundles of spaghetti at both ends of the bridge and a thick middle part. We managed to complete the task in time. Then the object was placed in the middle of the bridge. Waited silently for the 60 seconds to end, in case vibrations might affect the stability of the bridge.Gratefully, our bridge managed to support the object for more than 60 seconds! We congratulated each other.
Challenge #2
Subsequently, after the small celebration, we were asked to stand in a row according to our numbers. The lady-interviewer gave us each a question regarding the previous activity and we were given 60 seconds to read and think about it and another 60 seconds to answer the question.
My question was: "Do you consider your group as an effective team during this activity?". Other questions were like, ( not in the exact words) "Who do you think is the leader in your group?", " In this activity are you the leader or the follower?", " Will your group be able to complete the same task within 20 minutes?" and more.
After taking turns answering the questions, we dismantled our awesome, stable and strong bridge and then were allowed to leave the room. That's it. I thought they were going to interview us individually, but no.Thanked the "interviewers", exited the room and collected my original resume. The next group waiting for their turn was the medical group. I wonder whether they're going to do the same thing that my group and I did or something different.
My conclusion: As a group, we got along very well in a short period of time, listen and accept everyone's opinion, have the knowledge and common sense, incredible teamwork even though there's no leader; the panels should give us more time to bond so we know each others personality and strengths. Although it was a little nerve-wrecking in the beginning, in the end I had fun. Gratefully the 3 "interviewers" were cool.
That's all from me, now. I'm sure that the "interview" will be conducted the same way nationwide.
My interview was yesterday. Mom escorted me to MARA office. Arrived there 45 minutes earlier. Saw some familiar faces.Went into the office and found out that there were already some other candidates and their parents. After waiting for a while, the officer called out a few names to come into the discussion room. We went through our resume; consisting of the downloaded e-form, certified true copies of personal IC, birth certificates, academic certificates, examinations results, testimonial, school leaving certificates, extracurricular certificates, parents' IC, birth and/or death certificates, payslip, BE form, pension slip and etc. If you wish to include you school report cards, you may do so.
Actually I compiled the certified documents into a folder but the officer insisted to take everything out of the folder and clipped them together. Then we went in to wait for our turn. While waiting, had some conversation with this kid who's taking Mechanical Engineering, while I chose Chemical Engineering instead of Aeronautical Engineering. Same goes to the kid sitting to my right. They were 8 of us; 5 guys, 3 girls. Then I realised that we were the future engineers group. I was quite thrilled to know that the interview would be conducted in groups. All this while, I've been to a few seniors' blogs regarding on this matter, turns out that they used to have 2 interviewers versus 1 candidate. We were given clip-on tags with numbers. I was #1 (Sounds so cool!).
Challenge #1:
When the time has come, we were told to leave everything outside, including the original copy of our resumes. So, we went into the room empty- handed and saw the 3 most powerful people in the room; 2 men, 1 lady, in the middle of the room; 2 tables with a gap between them and there's another table at the side of the room. There were 2 bundles of raw spaghetti(uncooked version) weighing about 1kg, a pair of scissors and a reel of black thread on the table. One of the "interviewers" read out the instructions. Turns out that we were requested to build a spaghetti bridge out of the items given only. The bridge must be able to support the weight of a 0.5kg object (sardine can) within 60 seconds.We were given 30 minutes to complete the task and allowed to communicate with each other only in English. Not to brag, but we didn't encounter any problems with that since everyone was very fluent. Great job, guys! =DDD
Everyone started brainstorming about the structure of the bridge and immediately got to work. Along the way we keep adding on ideas to improve our original ideas, applying different laws of Physics. At the same time we were assessed by the panels. I could see that all of us wasn't distracted by them. Basically, we tied the spaghetti into smaller bundles and tied them together; with a few bundles of spaghetti at both ends of the bridge and a thick middle part. We managed to complete the task in time. Then the object was placed in the middle of the bridge. Waited silently for the 60 seconds to end, in case vibrations might affect the stability of the bridge.Gratefully, our bridge managed to support the object for more than 60 seconds! We congratulated each other.
Challenge #2
Subsequently, after the small celebration, we were asked to stand in a row according to our numbers. The lady-interviewer gave us each a question regarding the previous activity and we were given 60 seconds to read and think about it and another 60 seconds to answer the question.
My question was: "Do you consider your group as an effective team during this activity?". Other questions were like, ( not in the exact words) "Who do you think is the leader in your group?", " In this activity are you the leader or the follower?", " Will your group be able to complete the same task within 20 minutes?" and more.
After taking turns answering the questions, we dismantled our awesome, stable and strong bridge and then were allowed to leave the room. That's it. I thought they were going to interview us individually, but no.Thanked the "interviewers", exited the room and collected my original resume. The next group waiting for their turn was the medical group. I wonder whether they're going to do the same thing that my group and I did or something different.
My conclusion: As a group, we got along very well in a short period of time, listen and accept everyone's opinion, have the knowledge and common sense, incredible teamwork even though there's no leader; the panels should give us more time to bond so we know each others personality and strengths. Although it was a little nerve-wrecking in the beginning, in the end I had fun. Gratefully the 3 "interviewers" were cool.
That's all from me, now. I'm sure that the "interview" will be conducted the same way nationwide.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Welcome Home!
That's right! It's good to be back. I definitely agree to the saying 'There's no place like home'. Just came back from the airport. Even though it's only 4 days, but I really miss blogging. Well, I'll share some stories from the trip some other time, for sure. Feel free to check out my future posts. I guess that's it for now.
p.s M-scholarship interview is on the day after tomorrow. Need to work on some essay.
p.s M-scholarship interview is on the day after tomorrow. Need to work on some essay.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Project 101. Completed
I proudly announce that I've completed Project 101 in just 2 hours! Stayed up late last night just to go through the foreign-language-written manual. All I did was observed and studied the diagrams carefully.
Earlier this morning, right after sending my younger sibling to school, I straight away started on the project. Let's use the diagrams shall we?
p.s I placed the pieces on the manual, not some random paper or anything.
Earlier this morning, right after sending my younger sibling to school, I straight away started on the project. Let's use the diagrams shall we?
 | |||
| Piece #1 |
 | |
| Piece #2 |
 | ||||
| Piece #3 |
 | |
| Piece #4 |
 | ||
| Pieces #1+#2+#3, horizontally |
 | |
| Upright version |
 |
| Piece #4 attached |
 | |
| Another upright version |
 | |
| Pieces #5 & #6 |
 | |
 | |
| Piece #7 attached |
 |
| Almost there.. |
 | |
| Voila! |
 | |
| Front view |
 | |
| Side view 1 |
 |
| Side view 2 |
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Project 101.
Finally I have something to share in this post. Been away for a while since my schedule is always unpredictable. Let's go straight to the point! Woke up this morning and found out a special parcel on the table. There's codes written on the parcel. Took quite a while to decode the codes.The codes say something (can't tell you guys about that, but it's positive messages!) and it ended with "Hope you like it!" Turns out that it was from my uncle's lady-friend in Hangzhou. So, I opened the parcel and got...
The best part was I have to create it myself! Just like Lego. Whoopdeedoo! Haha! The only problem now is I can't read the manual since it's written in foreign language, so this might take a while. Don't for get to check with me with my progress. If I complete this project I'll definitely tell you guys!
The best part was I have to create it myself! Just like Lego. Whoopdeedoo! Haha! The only problem now is I can't read the manual since it's written in foreign language, so this might take a while. Don't for get to check with me with my progress. If I complete this project I'll definitely tell you guys!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Spot The Difference.
Photo #1
Photo #2
Clue: Ignore the background and other photos. The answer is in the middle.
Photo #2
Clue: Ignore the background and other photos. The answer is in the middle.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Moment Has Arrived. Part 2
Finally, I was able to cool myself down. Quite hard to digest the new information I received moments ago. Feeling neutral; not ecstatic or bummed, just ok. But I'm definitely grateful that I was chosen for the 2nd batch since going for National Service makes me excited, until I was rejected for the 1st batch.
My comments? Let's see. 2nd batch- cool. Duration/period- just fine. Camp- Hmm... I was expecting somewhere near to my hometown,going to be far away from families, best/close buddies, partners-in-crime and also acquaintances. Not to mention being left behind on latest updates in the city, events, outings, birthdays and more. Hopefully I can come home during the 1 week break in June.
But, I ACCEPT this challenge. I will defeat those people (if necessary, what people? I have no idea too. Tee hee..), survive National service and return home with pride and full of experiences and a lot of new acquaintances. I pray that my other buddy will be making it into the 2nd batch too. Congratulations to my other buddy( not the one I mentioned just now) for making it to the 2nd batch, we're going to camps at the same state only.
p.s I wonder why am I so positive.
My comments? Let's see. 2nd batch- cool. Duration/period- just fine. Camp- Hmm... I was expecting somewhere near to my hometown,going to be far away from families, best/close buddies, partners-in-crime and also acquaintances. Not to mention being left behind on latest updates in the city, events, outings, birthdays and more. Hopefully I can come home during the 1 week break in June.
But, I ACCEPT this challenge. I will defeat those people (if necessary, what people? I have no idea too. Tee hee..), survive National service and return home with pride and full of experiences and a lot of new acquaintances. I pray that my other buddy will be making it into the 2nd batch too. Congratulations to my other buddy( not the one I mentioned just now) for making it to the 2nd batch, we're going to camps at the same state only.
p.s I wonder why am I so positive.
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