I use Facebook. But sometimes I can't help but I wonder, is it good for me?

Seriously, do you think that there is a net benefit to using Facebook? What I mean is if we were to measure all the good stuff that it brings, does it sufficiently compensate for all the hours wasted when actual work should've been done?

I am writing this entry, not to provide any answers-- because I seriously don't know; maybe you can help me in figuring out the real added value of this very addictive contraption.

From my very on-the-surface analysis, I guess it does create a very active online social environment for users.

You can send e-vites and expect responses in an instant. You can easily create groups or communities depending on whatever your interests and views happen to be.

You can make a statement and voice your concerns hyper-effectively. For example, the UW U-Pass initiative has again resurfaced on campus, and through the power of Facebook groups, it was able to reach the support of 1,668 members in just a matter of a week-and-a-half.

Another great thing about Facebook is that because of its prevalent use, you can unite with friends from back in the day. I recently reconnected with some school friends from back when I was in Grade 1!

I think the major drawback is that it is such a time waster. Go to any computer lab, and I can bet someone is on Facebook.

I admit that I browse quite a bit to see what the heck people are up to. When a roommate changed her relationship status, for instance, I immediately called them to get the latest scoop. When someone posts new pictures, I am the first to view them. When you can't put a name to a face, you search them. When there's someone cute you find running in the halls, you search them, too.

It's quite sad when you start to recognize faces on campus or on the bus, just because you have seen his or her profile-- people of which you don't even know.

This is it from me, I will turn the mic over to you guys. Is Facebook good for society? Haha. For those who haven't been on Facebook, I encourage you to sign up and at least see what it's all about.

Facebook - [facebook.com]
Facebook - [wikipedia.org]
My Facebook Page (Login Required) - [facebook.com]
Facing the Facebook - [chronicle.com]

Some of you might've seen this before, but before the Youtube revolution. So, I thought I would upload it, so that maybe I would win some sort of "Youtube Emmy."

Anyways, this is a feature from my WLU Introduction to Marketing Management class. Our group was responsible to produce a small video that would make people understand the concept of psychological pricing. She said that humour usually gets people to retain concepts, so that's what we attempted to do.

I'm not sure if it is humourous, but rather, atrociously cheesy. This video was created took a total of ten hours to make-- from writing the script to the final product. Now that I look back at the video, I realized the billion mistakes that we made-- some intentional, some not.

Perhaps you will spot the obvious ones.

Enjoy one of my first video productions!

Psychological Pricing Skit - [youtube.com]
My "See Lai" Marketing Group - [hyperdot.net]
Psychological Pricing - [wikipedia.org]

Today is the kickoff to Waterloo's 50th anniversary celebration, and the university is holding a big bash today, and is continuing as I speak at the Physical Activities Complex.

It was crazy packed with students, faculty and staff. There was food, there was games, and there were celebrity impersonations-- 50 of them! One I recognize was Lucille Ball. Too bad I didn't have more time to stick around.

The university's anniversary tagline is "The Spirit of 'Why Not?'" I'm not sure what exactly that means, and it sounds a bit strange.

According to Wikipedia, in 1957, the university's first president, Gerry Hagey, gathered teachers of engineering and basic sciences, and also obtained an initial grant of $625,000 from the government to establish the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

What was interesting is that in early 1959, the Ontario government established three universities: Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier University-- notice the same acronym), University of St. Jerome's College, and the University of Waterloo.

Initially, St. Jerome's and Waterloo Lutheran were both expected to federate with the new UW, but in the end Waterloo Lutheran chose to remain independent. From there arts programs were established at UW. Then the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and the Faculty of Environmental Studies was created soon after.

Waterloo apparently created the first Faculty of Mathematics in North America, and the first co-op programs outside of engineering.

While browsing on the 50th anniversary webpage, I found that the UW Library has photo archives of the campus. Unfortunately, the site requires your UWdir information.

I guess we're in for an exciting year. I might also be cool to be convocating in this milestone year. Yay.

University of Waterloo - [wikipedia.org]
50th Anniversary - [uwaterloo.ca]
UW Campus Photo Archives - [uwaterloo.ca]

Photo courtesy UW Library Archives

As we leap over to another fresh page, I thought it would be good to take a look back at what happened in 2006. If I could sum up the year into one word, I would say 'stability'. There wasn't much crazy greatness that came out from this term, but there wasn't much bad craziness either.

WORK
I spent the most of my time this year working. Sadly the penultimate question now in 2007 is where all my money disappeared to. I ended up making a post-Christmas blitz of returns just to pay tuition, housing, and the credit card.

In retrospect, TTC was a quite a fun to work. It was definitely one of the driving forces to help me gain confidence to endure these awful graduate school applications preparations. (More on this later).

I learned that TTC has hardly any money. With the economy growing and ridership increasing, TTC is without proper capital and operating resources, and is choking on its success because of it.

See also:
How come buses never arrive on time?

OXFORD EXCHANGE

I went to Oxford in April for five weeks. Oxford is gorgeous city. I'm not sure if I would categorize it as a city--it is more like a town. We had lots of fun experiencing the alcohol-induced, nostalgic culture of Britain. It is also during this trip that I was able to get to know the planners better.

While in Oxford, Martina, Liz, Tiff and I met the royal majesty herself. In her surprisingly pink outfit, she managed to really place a glowing awestruck look to all of our faces. From the pictures taken in the local paper, we became pseudo-celebrities in planning. Well, it was mostly Martina who stole the show, since perhaps I'm not as pretty as she is.

While on the exchange, we also visited the magnificent city that is Paris. Experiencing the culture, food, monuments, and vistas with friends was definitely breathtaking.

Don't forget the hot Spanish boys I talked about when we visited Barcelona and Madrid. Barcelona was definitely the most enjoyable part of the whole excursion, since I loved the laid-back atmosphere in nice hot sun. Anyways, there were definitely ups and downs on the trip, as with any trip, but when you smooth out the bumps, it was a great experience for sure.

See also:
Pics of Actually Oxford II
Pics of Actually Oxford I
Quick, Pronounce 'Leicester'!
Drink up, young chap!
Are bristol boards made in Bristol?
Oxford Exchange in Numbers
Hola Spain!
Farewell Oxford!
Queens and London
Tidbits of the Week - Paris
Paris Pictures I
Tidbits of the Week - Britain
Oxford Pictures
Oxford Packing

SCHOOL LIFE, PULL MY HAIR

I returned to school in September to what I thought would be a smooth sailing year. Little did I know that preparations for graduate school would bring me to such high levels of anxiety. Whether it was being worried that reference letters would not be ready, or the fact that my written work was not perfected, it ends up consuming so much of my time, and my physical and mental capacity. (This is carried forward to January.) All this, mixed in with the expected piles of marking for GIS, and the loads of coursework, makes Matt a hair-shedding boy.

I guess the term wasn't all bad. Teaching GIS was actually one of the highlights of the term. Even though many kids really did not want any part of it, I found that it was fun just being there training and be the centre of attention; it helps with the nerves. Marking labs and tests however is another story. Also, we did manage to go out just a tad more this term despite all the craziness. Weirdly, the Wax became the hangout, and not dirty Phil's.

Course-wise, it was an amazing term. I learned a great deal, especially from the OMB Tribunals and Land Development Planning course. I think I finally understand what the role of land-use planners in development planning. It only took me close to five years to get it. Hey, it's better late than never.

After taking the Site Planning Studio course, I have come to the conclusion that I am not a man of urban design. I had to shed too many tears having to always compromise my designs with the group. Also, asking a double-extension for an design project is a new low for me.

See Also:
Happy Family Restaurant
School jitters

FAMILY

Family-wise, things were pleasant and without issues. Other than the usual petty nagging from my mother, I have no complaints. Living at home during my time working was surprisingly enjoyable. The only downside is privacy; not that it would ever be warranted in my small Chinese home. Pictured above is my sister's convocation at Ryerson.

THAT THING CALLED 'LOVE'
Relationship-wise, nothing really to report since there were none. I guess I have been too immersed into other priorities to really be majorly affected by it. Though I always mention that I want to be in a relationship, I'm not sure if I totally mean that. Don't get me wrong, I do not consider myself to be 'single and fabulous.' I think of myself as 'single and doing okay.' I do find that my stance on whether I want a boyfriend or not changes fluctuates. I have gone out on several dinner dates, but I always get this sense of hesitation to go further.

Is it my jadedness and cynicism for relationships? Or is it that I just see the more urgent priorities, like my academic and career future? I mean, could I possibly have had timefor a boyfriend like, for example, this past Fall term when I think I was running on such low fuel? Or am I just making an excuse, and that there is a more underlying reason for this? Or maybe it is just my jadedness and cynicism for relationships. I'm not sure of the reason exactly; maybe it's a combination of all these factors.

In short, I have high hopes for 2007. Let's just see if I get into grad school.