My Masters thesis can now be viewed online at http://carboncdm.wordpress.com/
Content will be updated regularly, along with all graphs, tables, figures. Enjoy!
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Graduation in Rainy Edinburgh!
Woke up, enjoyed some bread and coffee, and headed out to a Kiltmaker to hire a kilt for my graduation ceremony. Got it done, just.
I was happy during the entire graduation process. It was so different from my undergrad ceremony because I knew and liked everyone from my course. Whenever I chat with our classmates, I feel like we're on the same mission, with the same goals, same values for life. There isn't a single element of competition, animosity.
I also thought I looked like a stud in the kilt. I walked up on the stage confidently, back straight and smiling. How different from my undergrad days!! I've really found myself, I thought.
The rest of the day was spent at a wine reception in the majestic Playfair Library at Edinburgh University Old College. It was panicky as I had problems locating my belongings (kilt has no pockets for cameras, stuff, etc.). But even so, I was always at ease. Too much pity if these things can bother me.
Then over at Kushal's flat. Suddenly, in spurts, the culmination of everything hit me. I felt an urge to get my "stuff" out. I want people to know I love my chosen field, I want people to know my work on it, I want people to debate and criticise me, I want to know more and more people in the carbon world.
I knew once Kushal got the ball rolling through Linkedin, everything snowballed from there. He was now talking to everyone. I want the same.
From now on I will put my dissertation for public viewing and comment on wordpress - first thing when I go back to London.
But now, I've to collect my luggage from Stanley, visit my beloved Edinburgh uni kendo club and then graduation dinner.
I was happy during the entire graduation process. It was so different from my undergrad ceremony because I knew and liked everyone from my course. Whenever I chat with our classmates, I feel like we're on the same mission, with the same goals, same values for life. There isn't a single element of competition, animosity.
I also thought I looked like a stud in the kilt. I walked up on the stage confidently, back straight and smiling. How different from my undergrad days!! I've really found myself, I thought.
The rest of the day was spent at a wine reception in the majestic Playfair Library at Edinburgh University Old College. It was panicky as I had problems locating my belongings (kilt has no pockets for cameras, stuff, etc.). But even so, I was always at ease. Too much pity if these things can bother me.
Then over at Kushal's flat. Suddenly, in spurts, the culmination of everything hit me. I felt an urge to get my "stuff" out. I want people to know I love my chosen field, I want people to know my work on it, I want people to debate and criticise me, I want to know more and more people in the carbon world.
I knew once Kushal got the ball rolling through Linkedin, everything snowballed from there. He was now talking to everyone. I want the same.
From now on I will put my dissertation for public viewing and comment on wordpress - first thing when I go back to London.
But now, I've to collect my luggage from Stanley, visit my beloved Edinburgh uni kendo club and then graduation dinner.
Back to Edinburgh for Graduation!
Caught the train up to Edinburgh yesty, made a presention on my dissertion topic "Development of a CDM Strategy using PROMETHEE: a Case Study of Mongolia" at Edinburgh Business school. I really enjoyed talking about my work, and content after content just rolled off my tongue. I felt like a hotshot young professor from Stanford uni, and the way I answered questions was so confident even I found it hard to believe it was me.
After that met up with Kushal to have dinner at his place. Kushal is now a freelance consultant with Envirotrade on forestry carbon projects, and is in talks with South Pole Carbon on other forestry collaboration opportunities. But behind these industry leading organizations and companies, in reality life is unglamourous, I thought as we munched our way through some Indian-spiced leftover pasta.
After dinner we went to watch some Champions League football, which was bland as the main event - Barcelona v Inter Milan, was not being shown in favour of knocked out UK teams. But it was a blessing in disguise as we headed to a local pub "Royal Oak" famous for attracting Scotland's best folk singers.
It was one of the best moments I've spent in Scotland. A group of folk song/ poem loving ppl were there, each getting up in turns singing songs they wrote or reading poems that had wrote, often based on random whims of inspiration from ordinary incidents in their ordinary lives. But it felt soo...liberating. I closed my eyes as one of the girls sang, and thought for the first time I was really litening to a song. The most special part was that it was living proof that people don't need high tech gadgets, or even electricity, to entertain themselves thoroughly.
Upstairs, local folk singers sang and played the guitar unconscientiously, without a care in the world. They didn't give a crap who was there, what they thought of the music, or why they even came. The artists were simply in their natural habitat, and nothing was forced. Somehow this really appealed to me.
We then went to the Library bar to socialise with course mates, and ppl from other courses. I managed to squeeze in my favourite kebab from the only kebab shop I trust in UK, then went home to Kushal's place, chatted a bit, and slept.
After that met up with Kushal to have dinner at his place. Kushal is now a freelance consultant with Envirotrade on forestry carbon projects, and is in talks with South Pole Carbon on other forestry collaboration opportunities. But behind these industry leading organizations and companies, in reality life is unglamourous, I thought as we munched our way through some Indian-spiced leftover pasta.
After dinner we went to watch some Champions League football, which was bland as the main event - Barcelona v Inter Milan, was not being shown in favour of knocked out UK teams. But it was a blessing in disguise as we headed to a local pub "Royal Oak" famous for attracting Scotland's best folk singers.
It was one of the best moments I've spent in Scotland. A group of folk song/ poem loving ppl were there, each getting up in turns singing songs they wrote or reading poems that had wrote, often based on random whims of inspiration from ordinary incidents in their ordinary lives. But it felt soo...liberating. I closed my eyes as one of the girls sang, and thought for the first time I was really litening to a song. The most special part was that it was living proof that people don't need high tech gadgets, or even electricity, to entertain themselves thoroughly.
Upstairs, local folk singers sang and played the guitar unconscientiously, without a care in the world. They didn't give a crap who was there, what they thought of the music, or why they even came. The artists were simply in their natural habitat, and nothing was forced. Somehow this really appealed to me.
We then went to the Library bar to socialise with course mates, and ppl from other courses. I managed to squeeze in my favourite kebab from the only kebab shop I trust in UK, then went home to Kushal's place, chatted a bit, and slept.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Snapshots of my recent days
So easy to forget to update my blog....guess that's why Facebook is so popular, simply uploading a nice picture to tell a thousand words.
But...!! Some things do need recording so...
1. PROHIBITION ON STAYING FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS IN THE HOUSE
Yah, it's a house rule to specifically apply to me...by Nakai. "no es posible estar en la casa, esatamos en London! Come se peude voya con chicas si estas en la casa!" Flatmate Cici is also a party animal herself...we rarely see her, except for the odd days I'm off work and eating lunch...at home of course. She's usually cooking her healthy diet friendly dishes, but woks and woks of it....so seems like they are canceling each other out lol.
But going out has never been so pain-free because Nakai does all the research. I simply just go, or invite ppl to go....until he's able to makes new friends.
So far my favourite is definitely Cargo, located near Old Street tube.
http://www.cargo-london.com/
It's just a really really cool place to hang out with a big group of friends. Entry is free, there are indoor bar areas, a disco area, live band area, quite restaurant area for easy conversations or a coffee, sociable outdoor area, all in the one place!!! It's really a night out all in one, and free entry makes it the best...and the waiting lines long.
2. BREAKFAST AT WORK
Unbelievable as it sounds, I look forward to work. Because if I wake early and beat the traffic, I can enjoy a peaceful breakfast at the office, however I like it. Company has a kitchen and large storage area where I keep my breakfast...cereals, breads etc, and a cafe area to relax. The views overlooking the office are amazing too. It feels so good to be early...like you are in control of your day, and whatever happens you're already prepared for. I remember one time I came in right on time and already ppl were seated and working. I hated that feeling...
3. WEEKLY VISITS TO BOROUGH MARKETS
Yes I know I've never been a conosseur of quality food. I can't really taste the difference between a great wine and a good one, don't really know about cheese types and differences in how they're made, and don't really eat bread that's non-toast (although I heart polish and nan bread). I usually eat 'sophiticated' breads at special dinner outings or hotels in travels, and must say the differences in taste are huge.
This is not to say I hadn't cared about food. My limited food variety intake has mainly been for economic reasons - i.e. I was a poor student. But I have read Omnivore Dilemma and In Defence of Food by Michael Pollan so I'm well-versed in the evil agribusiness sector and 'factory churned' meats that have turned Americans into the most obese and cancer prone people on Earth. I do know the importance of quality food and the need to support organic, traditional, sustainable and small-scale agriculture.
So....since I'm in London, I've made it a habit to visit Borough every Saturday morning and buy some 'real' food. Every week has a theme, last week was bread and this week is cheese. I don't buy much, just a treat that I allow myself for a hard week's savings. I do learn a lot about different varieties, how different foods are made, and better understand the lives of people who devote their lives to promoting quality food. It's a good deal, for both my soul and wallet.
4. COOKING AT HOME
On the subject of food, I really really like the food culture in our flat. First thing to notice is that there are very few meats. For whatever reason non of us are big meat eaters. Cici prefers fish, Nakai doesn't eat any meats other than Italian hams/salamis, and Steven usually just eats out. So the fridge is basically full of fresh vegetables and fruit.
Me and Nakai simply don't eat out at all so we're always in the kitchen in the evenings. We don't cook anything spectacular but it's always something I look forward to in the day. Usually on the menu is a simple pasta (tomato, carbonara or pesto) or toasted breads with some olives, tomatoes, cheese and olive oil. I sometimes do a curry, or experiement with chilli con carne (vege) or Mexican. It's amazing to see the Meditterean culture so entrenched in him. He's 25, you'd think he'd love to eat the junk stuff but he's perfectly content to make the most healthy sandwiches that most Chinese or Americans would regard as not 'filling' or 'satisfying' enough. But he absolutely loves it...and to be honest so do I.
But...!! Some things do need recording so...
1. PROHIBITION ON STAYING FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS IN THE HOUSE
Yah, it's a house rule to specifically apply to me...by Nakai. "no es posible estar en la casa, esatamos en London! Come se peude voya con chicas si estas en la casa!" Flatmate Cici is also a party animal herself...we rarely see her, except for the odd days I'm off work and eating lunch...at home of course. She's usually cooking her healthy diet friendly dishes, but woks and woks of it....so seems like they are canceling each other out lol.
But going out has never been so pain-free because Nakai does all the research. I simply just go, or invite ppl to go....until he's able to makes new friends.
So far my favourite is definitely Cargo, located near Old Street tube.
http://www.cargo-london.com/
It's just a really really cool place to hang out with a big group of friends. Entry is free, there are indoor bar areas, a disco area, live band area, quite restaurant area for easy conversations or a coffee, sociable outdoor area, all in the one place!!! It's really a night out all in one, and free entry makes it the best...and the waiting lines long.
2. BREAKFAST AT WORK
Unbelievable as it sounds, I look forward to work. Because if I wake early and beat the traffic, I can enjoy a peaceful breakfast at the office, however I like it. Company has a kitchen and large storage area where I keep my breakfast...cereals, breads etc, and a cafe area to relax. The views overlooking the office are amazing too. It feels so good to be early...like you are in control of your day, and whatever happens you're already prepared for. I remember one time I came in right on time and already ppl were seated and working. I hated that feeling...
3. WEEKLY VISITS TO BOROUGH MARKETS
Yes I know I've never been a conosseur of quality food. I can't really taste the difference between a great wine and a good one, don't really know about cheese types and differences in how they're made, and don't really eat bread that's non-toast (although I heart polish and nan bread). I usually eat 'sophiticated' breads at special dinner outings or hotels in travels, and must say the differences in taste are huge.
This is not to say I hadn't cared about food. My limited food variety intake has mainly been for economic reasons - i.e. I was a poor student. But I have read Omnivore Dilemma and In Defence of Food by Michael Pollan so I'm well-versed in the evil agribusiness sector and 'factory churned' meats that have turned Americans into the most obese and cancer prone people on Earth. I do know the importance of quality food and the need to support organic, traditional, sustainable and small-scale agriculture.
So....since I'm in London, I've made it a habit to visit Borough every Saturday morning and buy some 'real' food. Every week has a theme, last week was bread and this week is cheese. I don't buy much, just a treat that I allow myself for a hard week's savings. I do learn a lot about different varieties, how different foods are made, and better understand the lives of people who devote their lives to promoting quality food. It's a good deal, for both my soul and wallet.
4. COOKING AT HOME
On the subject of food, I really really like the food culture in our flat. First thing to notice is that there are very few meats. For whatever reason non of us are big meat eaters. Cici prefers fish, Nakai doesn't eat any meats other than Italian hams/salamis, and Steven usually just eats out. So the fridge is basically full of fresh vegetables and fruit.
Me and Nakai simply don't eat out at all so we're always in the kitchen in the evenings. We don't cook anything spectacular but it's always something I look forward to in the day. Usually on the menu is a simple pasta (tomato, carbonara or pesto) or toasted breads with some olives, tomatoes, cheese and olive oil. I sometimes do a curry, or experiement with chilli con carne (vege) or Mexican. It's amazing to see the Meditterean culture so entrenched in him. He's 25, you'd think he'd love to eat the junk stuff but he's perfectly content to make the most healthy sandwiches that most Chinese or Americans would regard as not 'filling' or 'satisfying' enough. But he absolutely loves it...and to be honest so do I.
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