Sunday, December 21, 2008

My first semester...

My holidays ended nicely as I have planned. I got a part of commitment in ROBOCON. Learning introduction to robotics gave me a spark of interest in mechatronics. I know the types of motor, how robot works, components like PIC, circuit design like H-bridge and etc. In addition, I got to be friends with my final year seniors and a few great guys that teach me a lot in mechanical techniques.

Surprisingly, I also got involved in the initial plan of my holiday stay which is the research assistantship. Whether is luck or not, the first day I was given a task under fabrication of skeleton structure for master students on their engine conversion project. I work for 3 hours and finally decide to prioritise ROBOCON. As I return back to Engine’s Lab, I was assigned by Prof Horizon on the Omnilux’s resonant mechanical lamp oscillation design. This is a good start for mechatronics lover. As my previous friends who are in RA, they have done the mechanical work which is the oscillating blade with coil. When I took over, it’s time to duplicate the circuit part. I have learn up from basic soldering those components, identify them , draw schematic, learn up PicBasicPro, modified circuit board, and lots of electronic stuffs. I also got a skill learned from Prof Horizon which is the bite wiring skill. I got this skill when I saw him bite the insulator off the covered wire. I learn up and it pretty much helps. This is called experience, cant’t get form book. Lol. On the 17th, I have a movie preview session with Prof Horizon and a bunch of engine lab guys. We watched a documentary on finding longitudes. I have been inspired by Prof on navigation. Gonna find out how to find out location. Also, thanks for the kudos by Prof Horizon. We have a nice educative Nasi Kandar meal while watching the DVD. Finally, I found somebody as my university target example. That’s Prof Horizon. I want to copy his style of inspiring people, converting idea into words, sound knowledge in mechanical and mechatronics and the way he translate knowledge. This makes me change the way I learn stuff. I learn by doing.MIT motto, MIND AND HAND. I will learn by doing. Practicals is much more unexpected than theory. SAE club will be my base to show off.

My SECAV project is a failed one which I couldn’t generate sponsors. Well, no choices for but take money out from my wallet.

9th January will determine my first venture on entrepreneurship. That day will tell me whether my business works or no.

However, things don’t goes well as expected all the time. This semester my result is average…I think I can have better grade than just edge of good pointer. I wonder why I could get this result as I have full confidence and put up all my very best.
Some people say, results is very important, some people say the other way round. I think so far the most important is train all the skill you can obtained either soft skills, technical skill, communication skills and so forth.

When I looked back after four years, what is the achievement I possess, a paper? Developed characteristics? Financial literacy? Which matters the most? I have to find out. No doubt, I am still care my grades, but what really matters is beyond your book.

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