my internship

I have just joined a sardine community. Why say so? haha... I'm going for my internship from Monday to Friday. Every morning, I would have to squeeze into the Light Railway Transit (LRT) with the rest of the working community. It's crazy!

One week has passed. What an experience! Like what people used to say, this is an experience you don't get in universities. This is REAL!

In my opinion, it's really exciting in the sense that I get the chance to be working in a practice. This allows me to see the atmoshpere in an architectural office. It's really interesting. I can sense the intensity as well as the expectation. I learn to observe how architects have to be realistic yet at the same time be conceptual. Of course, there is always the influence of budget.

Since I'm new and inexperience at this stage, the principal of the firm only gave me some simple works to do. However, as he said, as I start to pick up the pace, there will be more challenging works for me. I'm excited actually and I also know that there is the expectation. Since this is a great opportunity, I will push myself harder too, I want to absorb as much as I can in order to be better.

I would admit that before this, I have no AutoCAD skill at all. However, this week, through works given, I'm learning and I know I will get better by the end of the internship. Isn't that great? Another fun thing about this internship so far is that I was givn the opportunity to design. So far, I was given the opportunity to design gate, fence and sheds. I was also allowed to think of the design for some double stories teres housings and double stories semi detached housings as well as some town planning work.

Alright, got to go. I will tell you more about my internship experience next time.

getting ready

I just arrived back at Batu Pahat yesterday. For those who don't know, Batu Pahat is my hometown. I have found an accommodation for myself for the period of my internship. In order to know exactly where I'll be working as an intern, I have also passed by the working place. In other words, I have almost completed my preparation for my internship. I'm excited!

back to Malaysia

I'm back to Malaysia! No where is as good as home. The warmth and the emotion.... they are simply priceless!

I have been having fun the last few days. I was in Brunei for 2 days 1 night before I reached Malaysia. As I mentioned in my previous post, I was there due to the transit of flight. It gave me an opportunity to visit Brunei. It's really a peaceful country. I think it's too quiet for me. Nothing much goes on there. Since I reached there at about 6pm, maybe it's a bit late, therefore I would have probably missed some interesting events during the day. I took some photos of the architectures there and I will upload them soon at my photo blog. To look at the photos, please visit http://pho-memory.blogspot.com

At the moment, I'm making my preparation for my internship. I'll be going to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow as I need to look for my accommodation for the next three months there. It's a pity in the sense that I'm back to Malaysia, yet I don't get to spend much time with my family.

Alright, I'll tell you more about what's going on soon. Cheers!

growing passion, growing hunger

I'm still busy packing my things as I'll be leaving on Sunday morning. As I mentioned in last post, I'm telling you why I'm going back to Malaysia this summer. I got an INTERNSHIP!!! Oh, I can tell you that I'm really excited about it. Very, very excited about it!

Why bother going for an internship when I have 4 months holiday? I should not be doing anything and have fun, that's what some people suggested to me. However, there are also people who congratulated me for getting an internship. I also notice that some of my classmates were really envy about it as apparently it is quite hard to get one. One of my friends sent 25 applications and unfortunately got 5 replies only, with rejections.

I have a friend working as one of a directors in a firm, 1 or 2 years ago, I met him while playing tennis back in Malaysia. We talked about architecture and he told me that if I'm interested in an internship in his firm, I could tell him and he can arrange that for me. I did. I emailed him in September. Unfortunately, I didn't even get a reply. Of course, I have no idea why. Nothing much to say anyway...

I never really work before in my life, as a result I have doubt when I was thinking about going for an internship. I believe that I'm not the only one having such experience. I fear that I might not be good enough. I was worry. I was down in confidence. However, all this took place before I sent an email to my friend asking for an internship, that's September. After not getting the reply, I was like "OK, maybe I'll do it next year". What a loser!

After seeing how desperate my fellow classmates are come to an internship, I realise maybe I should get one too. I talk to my seniors, I talked to those who have done an internship before, I realise how important it is. Meanwhile, I never really feel good about getting an internship with the help from my friend, that's a bit too easy. After all that happened, I decided to do what other students do. I want to apply for an internship on my own, I want to see where I stand, I want to see whether practitioners would recognise my works and offer me an internship. Understanding more about what I want, learning more about myself, make my confidence grows, make my passion grows...

Apparently in New Zealand, firms don't really offer internship. They offer part-time job, which means if you apply, you are offered a job which most likely as a draughtsman. I decided to try my luck with Malaysian firms. I applied to 5 firms and I got 3 replies. Percentage wise, that's not bad. Two offered an interview, one was a rejection, but that firm did recommended another firm to me. I wasn't that fancy about the idea of going back to Malaysia for an interview not knowing if I may get it eventually. It costs me RM 4000+ to go back, if I don't get an internship eventually, that's not worth the money.

I decided to apply to another 5 firms, I got 2 replies with emails interview. Fortunately, I got it! They think that I have a good grasp of architecture concept. I was pleased. With that, I'm heading home. This offer of internship makes me want to work even harder. I want to get better and better.

Being good enough is no more enough!

semester ends

I finished my test at 11.10am. That marks the end of my third year second semester. However, the semester would only be officially over when the result is out. Anyway, since marking and grading are not what I do. I don't have to think about it. What need to be done should have been done during the semester. Hehehe...

What' up next? Well, I would have to start packing as I will be leaving New Zealand on Sunday. I'm taking Royal Brunei Airlines, as a result I will transit in Brunei. What's cool about this is that I will get a free one night accommodation in Brunei before I leave for Kuala Lumpur the next day. Some people don't like this sort of arrangement as it could be tiring. However, that is fantastic for me as I will get a chance to be in Brunei. It's the experience that counts.

Some people question about how much I can do in Brunei with less than one day of stopover. Well, without disrespect let me say it this way , unfortunately Brunei is so small that I may not purposely pay to go anytime soon, thus this transit gives me the opportunity to look at this country for free. I googled through the internet, found that it is really a small country which makes my one night stay there enough to gain some interesting experience. If this is still not enough in your opinion, I will once again stop in Brunei on my way back to Auckland next year, this should be enough I assume. Of course, I must admit I wouldn't have too much time to go too far from the city in both of these visits. (I still don't think there will be much to miss anyway, haha!)

I'm kind of tired at the moment, feel like going home to have a nap. In the next update, I'll tell you why I'm going back to Malaysia for this summer break.

i want justice

I finally presented my final presentation on Wednesday. Although it's 3 days ago, I'm still kind of exhausted. I'm tired and I can't be focus. However, I must pull myself together as I would be having a test next Wednesday. After that, my semester would be completed as I have no exams for this semester. I only have about 4 days to study, therefore I must start today.

How did my presentation go? I think it was alright. Not that fantatstic, at the same time not terrible. I'm not happy for the fact that they were rushing me throughout the presentation. I was one of the last few left, I suppose the critics and the tutor couldn't wait to go home soon. IT'S NOT FAIR! Students who presented at the beginning were given so much time, some went as much as 25 minutes. On the other hand, mine was easily less than 10 minutes.

I can confidently say that my work is within the 'A' quality range. But, the outcome from tutor may not. I happen to see how he graded me after my presentation, I can tell you, that was SHOCKING! I saw a 'B+' and a 'C+'. I'm SPEECHLESS. Well, since the grade is not a final one as there will still be moderation to be carried out; as well as I wasn't suppose to see it at this stage, I decided not to confront my tutor. But I can tell you, I was hurt. Could you believe that your tutor have been telling you throughout the semester that you have been doing great. Even during the final presentation, he said, "well, nothing much to comment on, the only comment would be the roof". Doesn't that sounded like I did pretty well? So, it's DISAPPOINTING!

If I were to be given a 'C+', that's going to be the worst score I was ever given. I feel like I'm changing from hoping to get an 'A' to hoping to not fail. Well, what can I do? After all grading is beyond my control, the only thing I can do now is to hope that things will eventually turn out my way. However, if I got a 'C', no doubt I will demand an explanation. I want justice, I want fairness...

Wish me luck, my friends!

in the process...

Yeah... still kicking! I have been working on my Design final presentation since my submission of my Design Procedures assignment. My physical modelling is almost completed, I'll say I have completed almost 80-85%. However, I have not started my drawings. In other words, if I don't start my drawing today, I'll be in deep trouble...

So, what's the plan? I'm going to stop my physical modelling first. I have to draw 4 plans (1:200), 2 sections (1:100), 4 perspectives, 2 elevations (1:200), site plan (1:200 or 1:500) and some detail drawings. I plan to finish all these in 3 days. I got to be kidding, but that's true. I have to...

Anyway, just watch...

battle against time

It's been so busy lately as the end of the semester arrives. I haven't been updating the blog the last four days as I was busy finishing my 3000 words writing for my Design Procedures assignment. I finally finished it last night and I had dropped it into the submission box. The moment when I dropped it in, it's like one big obstacle has just been destroyed. It feels GREAT!!!

And now... the big, big week has come! I have 9 days until my final presentation for my Design. I have to make a 1:100 physical model which is a 4 stories Innovative Material Centre, produce drawings of plans, sections, elevations, perspectives and structures as well as compiling a booklet of the whole semester Design work. I suppose I probably can sleep for only 4 hours a day.

I wish I can say more, but I don't really have time now... got to go back to make my model. By the way, recently, I just started a new blog... http://pho-memory.blogspot.com. Trust me, you'll love it!

Gambathe!!!!

can't stop working...

This is Week 10, in 2 weeks time I will be presenting my final presentation. And... I'm running out of time. I have to do modellings and drawings. arrgh... kind of a little stress, though I always feel like I will nail it eventually. Haha...

Lately, my bio-clock is running wrong, I can't sleep before 4am. This is not funny, it's driving me crazy. I tried to adjust it back by sleeping at around 12am. I ended up laying on bed for the next few hours. Worse still, since I end up sleeping at 4am, I couldn't get up at 7am as I would want to. I have to get up at around 10-11am to feel healthy. This is making my daily schedule a mess. Since I couldn't help it and I'm pissed of with how time being wasted on bed, I have decided I'm going to work throughout the night till 4am. I suppose my working hours now have been adjusted in a way I start my day at around 12pm and end at 4am. What a good boy! Haha...

keep going

'Keep going' is probably one of the common phrase in the studio. Basically it's an attitude towards your Design process, you simply never stop. In other words, works are constantly being developed in order to arrive at a more resolved stage.

Perhaps I shouldn't say never stop, over the years, I did learn one thing, 'stop when you have to'. Not knowing when to stop may sound like you are pushing yourself really hard, but if you can't stop at an appropriate time, you may not even make it during the dateline. What's the point of keep developing if you can't manage to finish the final presentation on time? An incomplete presentation is just a letdown and it does you no good at all especially in conveying your ideas.

So, what do I do nowadays? I plan my schedule properly, I learn to stop when I have to. Most importantly, a complete final presentation is my priority. Oh my, feel like I'm getting more mature with my working attitude, I love it!

Alright, I got to go back to my Design now. Too much work to do, too little time to complete...

it was good

I had a productive weekend. It makes me feel good. Although I didn't complete the whole model, I manage to make my models to the stage which it is good enough to show my intentions. I met my Design tutor on Monday afternoon. He liked it. Well, I like it too. It has my signature style, haha... keeping it subtle on the outside, having it complicated on the inside.

So, what am I doing now? Well, this is Week 9 and the final presentation is on the middle of Week 12. Basically, I have about 3 weeks to complete my final presentation. Please don't think that 3 weeks are long. It's not really. I know I can't work like a superman for 24/7. In other words, I may only have 2 weeks the most in terms of hours. Additionally to that, I have assignment on Design Procedures, a 3000 words essay which I have to submit on Week 11 and technical drawing for Design Technology which is due on the same day as my Design presentation. Thus, 3 weeks are not long at all, not at all...

What's the plan then? I'm working on my Design Procedures and my Design Technology now. The plan is to finish Design Procedures by next Wednesday, this will get rid of it out of my system. Then, I would be able to focus on my final presentation. For your information, the Design Technology drawing are technical drawings of my present Design. As a result, I got to finalise the plan of my Design ASAP, talk to an engineer on the structures and complete the drawings. Then, I will get rid of Design Technology.

Yeah, that's a lot of work for a few days. But, don't worry, I will pull it through, whatever it takes. It's just vital that I keep pushing myself. And... if you know me well, you'll know that I will still go for tennis, I will still go for dancing... haha!!! Life can't be just 'bout working, you got to have fun too!

Work hard, play hard!!!

busy weekend ahead

For this weekend, I would have to make a 1:100 model for my Design proposal on the coming Monday. This task would definitely push me to the limit. It's quite an amount of work to do. Thinking from a positive point of view, it's going to be fun and I can practise my modelling speed.

I'm in the architecture school now, will be going home soon. I was playing tennis before this at the ASB Tennis Centre. I feel proud to have the opportunity to play at ASB Tennis Centre as it is the location for the annual ATP tennis tournament in New Zealand - the Heineken Open as well as WTA Tour's ASB Classic. These tournaments attracted some of the big names in tennis over the years, players like Rafael Nadal, Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer, Jelena Jankovic and Daniela Hantuchova played here before.

Alright I got to go now, I need to stop by the art shop to grab some card boards on my way. Have a nice weekend. As for me, I look forward to have a productive one.

hey, listen, this is my way!

all I can say is..... I'm still sick!!! arrrgg....

The weekend is for sure not at all a productive one.... I spent more time on bed than on my desk doing work. Sound serious, but don't worry I'm not dying!!! I can still bounce here and there, it's just that my nose is ..... forget it, you don't have to know the details. I don't want to get you sick. Anyway, I'm feeling better today.

Over the 3 years of being an architecture student, it's not unusual to realise that everyone has a way of designing. There are definitely some works that can be identified as whose without actually looking at the signatured name. Some people like straight lines and some people like curvy ones. Having say this, it doesn't mean that everyone has a very obvious style of their own, there are always people who are still searching and developing theirs.

I know my way, my style, I know what is my focus when I design and I know what I'm better at at the moment. Considering architecture is a long career that you can keep going until the age of 90 or when you die, being a third year student, I'm no way in a position to say too much and talk loudly about architecture. But still, I know that I should have a say and a stand which may change eventually. At least, this reflects that these 3 years have not been a waste, I learn something.

My tutor, he is a nice guy. He always like 'cool' stuff. Those that look 'cool', those that feel cool. I like 'cool' stuff too. BUT, BUT, BUT.... I don't like to design 'cool' stuff for the sake of just being 'cool'. Looking at the way I design over the years, I know, I mean I know I like designing buildings that are subtle from the outside, complicated in the inside. With that, the 'wow' factors come when you are inside as you crossed from outside to inside. It's the experience that counts. But some people call them "boxes", "boring". SHUT UPPPP!

Another things bothering me is that 'cool' building to some extend look scuptural to me. At this stage, you should probably understand what kind of 'cool' building I'm refering to. But again, please don't get me wrong, it's no one's fault to design in certain ways. There are many different ways of designing as we can see through all the wonderful buildings we have and they are all designed by some successful architects we have out there

Before I stop writing, I think I might as well let you know that I prefer straight lines than curvy ones at this point of my career. This doesn't mean that I won't try curvy ones, I will, and that's for sure. And, you are right, my tutor listened to me and said "you know what you are doing".

Of course, I know what I'm doing. I do what I'm good at.

feeling the heat

I guess this is probably the hectic time of the semester. Unfortunately I fall sick yesterday. I guess that was for working too much on my assignments and not sleeping well. The last 2 days I haven't been productive at all. I guess I was a bit exhausted. Anyway, hopefully everything would be fine soon.

I know I sound like a working freak. Please don't think it that way, I suppose it's common in architecture school, not saying that people from other school don't work like this. But I believe my friends in this field would understand what I meant.

Ok, carry on with what happen on Wednesday. After seeing my tutor, he was suggesting me to modify my present design. As a result, I'm back to my drawing board and further development. I would have to come out with some more work on Monday. I suppose this weekend is going to be a busy one. I plan to produce a 1:100 model and drawings with structural information by Monday.

I'm not sure if I can achieve that, but it's good to push myself. Wish me luck and hopefully I will get well soon.

getting busier and busier

This is the second day after university started and I'm working my ass off. I presented my 1:200 model to my Design tutor yesterday. He was happy about that and he wanted me to produce another model at 1:100 scale tomorrow. The challenging part about what he asked for was that he expect to see circulation like stairs and ramp too as well as double height space. For your information, it's a six stories building. That's a bit crazy in the sense that I have less than 36 hours to make all this, but this doesn't mean it is not possible. I'm working on it now and one thing for sure, no sleeping tonight.

All he said was: "I know you can do it". When he said that, I was in fact thinking, "what the F**K!". Anyway, he's a nice guys and I suppose it's a pleasure when someone have trust on your ability. Whatever it takes, I'm going to work hard to complete the model on time.

Oh by the way, some of you may wonder what am I doing nowadays and where am I now. I'm studying architecture in University of Auckland, New Zealand. This is my third year here. I'm studying the Bachelor of Architectural Studies at the moment, this is the first degree for architecture. There's still one more after this.

Ok, back to work... cheers!

what a day

My mid semester break would be over in 2 days time. DAMN! I wish it could be longer... haha! I have been busy these few days, working on my Design. I have been making quite a number of models. Exploring different potentials the various types of models can offer spatially and conceptually. Besides, I have been doing some sketches too.

Thinking, drawing, modelling.... drawing, modelling, thinking.... modelling, thinking, drawing.... some reading too...

It's challenging, it's tough, but fun and interesting!

Apart from being busy with my Design, I was watching the US Open Women's semifinals. The match between Justine Henin and Venus Williams was simply thrilling. In my opinion, it's more like a final instead.

Today is in fact a great day for me. I went to play tennis with my friends. Guess what, I played 10 sets of tennis today for almost 5+ hours. It's fun! Really fun... I guess that's the way it should be, have fun, study, work hard, have fun...

starting all over again....

it's been a long time since I updated my previous blog. I decided to start again, a new one... hopefully I don't screw up this time... hahaha! I'm still enjoying and 'enjoying' my mid semester break. it's enjoyable in the sense that I can give myself a break from my busy daily schedule and get to watch the US Open everyday on the Sky Sports channel in my room. On the other hand, I have my Design to do as well as my Design Procedures essay to write.

Today's match between Justine Henin and Serena Williams was simply fantastic. on the other hand, Rafael Nadal is out.... what an upset! but I have to say, David Ferrer played excellently. It was another great match.

For your information, for my Design this semester, we are suppose to design an Innovative Material Centre. I'm at the stage where I need to start doing the schematic design. Tonight I will start making some conceptual models.

Have FUN, have FUN!!! Work, work, work!!! Enjoy!!!