Marathon Enthusiasts

I used to run quite often but due to legs injury in Dec 2008, I have stopped running long distance since then. Two days ago, Soon Ying invited me to join them for a run near Commonwealth. I was hesitating because I scared my legs would pain again. Since the sky was dark, I was praying that it would rain so that I can avoid.. hahaha.. 

Anway, we gathered at Commonwealth mrt as starting point. We jogged by Margaret Drive till the tunnel parallel to Alexandra Road, went to private residential area and back to Margaret Drive. The distance was 7km. Luckily there was only slight pain on my left shin. 

I am glad that I went.  At least, I know I can go up to 7km now. Besides, I got to know this group of marathon enthusiasts. It is wonderful that people not knowing each other and share the same interest meet to enjoy together :)

NUS most expensive university in Asia :Forbes

Soruce: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090218-122860.html

THE National University of Singapore (NUS) has been named by Forbes.com as one of the world's most expensive universities.

It ranks alongside US institutions like George Washington University in Washington DC, Kenyon College in Ohio, Canada's Quest University, and Imperial College in the UK.

Forbes reported that full annual fees at NUS comes to about US$24,000 ($36,000) on average.

A spokesman for NUS said, however, that the university does not consider itself one of the most expensive universities in the world.

'The tuition fee actually payable by students for the majority of courses at NUS is much lower because they receive tuition grants from the Government,' the spokesman said.

The spokesman is right - the Forbes rankings do not take into account any financial aid, such as subsidies and grants, that students may receive.

According to the NUS spokesman, all Singaporean students pay subsidised fees of between $6,000 and $8,000 per annum for undergraduate courses other than medicine.

The fees for international students range from $9,000 to $12,000 per year. Only those who do not receive the Ministry of Education's tuition grant pay the full fees.

The spokesman said: 'These fees are much less than what is charged by other top universities overseas.

'Imperial College London, which is also cited by Forbes as one of top universities outside the US, charges annual tuition fees that are in the $33,000 to $43,000 range. Top US universities charge even more.'

The spokesman explained that international students who take up the tuition grant sign a deed with the Singapore Government requiring them to work in Singapore for three years upon graduation from NUS.

In addition, NUS also offers financial assistance to students in the form of tuition fee loans, bursaries and scholarships.

These are available to both Singaporean and international students.

Most Singaporean students pay heavily subsidised fees.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

Subsidised fees for:

Singapore citizens: $6,360 - $18,230

Singapore PRs: $7,000 - $20,060

Non-Singapore citizens: $9,540 - $27,350

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Subsidised fees for:

Singapore citizens: $6,360

Singapore PRs: $7,000

Non-Singapore citizens: $9,540

SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY

Subsidised fees for:

S'pore citizens: $9,130

Singapore PRs: $10,040

Non-S'pore citizens: $13,700

FedEx Delivery

I placed an order for Microsoft Office 2007 last Friday. Yesterday I received an email saying my package is on the way. My first response was "That is fast!" 

Today, I just received a call from FedEx deliveryman. He said he is at my doorstep right now. My first response was "What?" I told him that I am at work and  no one is at home. He said he knows no one is at home, that's why he called me. My second response was "Then why are you at my doorstep?" He asked if can he drops the package at my doorstep. God.. what kind of service is this. I asked him to come by my office instead since it is just 5minutes away from my house. Again, he said he covers only that area so he cannot deliver to another area. /Sweat... 

No choice I called FedEx hotline to re-arrange the delivery. I told the lady that attended to my call that I am not at home during office hour and would like to re-schedule the delivery. My final encounter (hopefully) with FedEx: The lady on the phone said she can only arrange one more time delivery tomorrow to my house. I was ....

Finally, I managed to change the delivery address. Phew! Why didn't they call in advance before the delivery? I prefer DHL service where they will make appointment one day in advance. This is what I called customer experience.