My Reflections

On the mornings of Tuesdays and Fridays, I can’t help but smile in anticipation of the “adventure” I will embark upon in the class. My intention of signing up for this module is to enhance my verbal and written skills; reflecting on the works on the past 3 months, I believe I have fulfilled my goal. I’m in fact thankful, because what I am taking with me out of this module is more than that of I bargained for.

I value the opportunity to be able to voice out my opinions in the class freely, and also the chance to work with almost everyone in the class through various group works. The initial stage of writing a research report- from recording minutes, to finalising the topic, and setting up survey questions allowed me to understand the importance of working as a team. Most importantly, the short span of time allocated for the research report taught me how to make the best out of time. The learning process might be tedious, but I definitely picked up countless valuable skills. The fact that our research report was judged based on the 7C’s of writing made it even more enriching, since for once I have to pay attention to my language instead of merely focusing on the facts in the report.

Blogging became the main platform for online interaction between our classmate and the lecturer, Brad. Initially the class was split into 2 blogging groups, but eventually that line dissolved and everyone was making comments on each others’ blog freely. The task of writing blog post every week only enhances the different topics covered in the class, where I got the chance to explore a wide varsity of topics in writing. Brad also gave me countless valuable advices on my language and grammar usage, and I must thank him for his patience and guidance. Reading and making comments on classmates’ blog posts enabled me step out of my narrow view, to see things in different perspective as well.

The job search and mock interviews served as a wake-up call for me, to put some serious thoughts in what path I should take after the NUS days. Writing cover letters and resume also allowed me to see what is lacking in my CV, and the chance to repair the flaws. Having the chance to be in the seat of an interviewer allowed me to understand better what types of questions potential employers would tend to ask. The different interview scenarios I went through also gave me first hand exposure to how real job interviews could be like. This type of exposure is undeniably critical for any undergraduates, where the skills I picked up in school could be directly applicable in real world situations.

All in all, communication and writing skills I picked up from this class are not comparable to the unique bond forged among classmates and the lecturer. It is amazing (and almost touching) to see how the 17 of us evolved from strangers to friends in merely a short 3 months. In one way or another, this bond has facilitated our learning process, and made even the most serious moments less tense. Education is an on-going process, a work in progress, an unfinished masterpiece, something I will continue throughout my entire life. I hope that this class of ES2007S shall stay in touch in the years to come!

Mr Paddles Told Me That He Was Sorry For Being Glum On Tuesday.

A few days ago when I was rehearsing my speech with Ash, I jokingly suggested how funny it would be if an acute panic attack suddenly struck me and all I could say was:

“Plastics... heavy sigh.. Plastics... frowns... 3 recommendations... Thank you.”

Of course it was meant to be a joke, but part of me was secretly afraid that this presentation debacle might really come true. For this particular presentation, I didn’t want to rely on scripts or cue cards. Thus, my way of approach was to formulate the main points I want to convey at the back of my head, and slowly develop them- in the bathroom, during lecture breaks, before I sleep- I was talking to myself big time! I’m glad it worked out okay, partly because first of all my portion was manageable, and secondly it also gave me the freedom to elaborate according to my likings. I was terribly afraid that I might bore the audience; that is why I chose to use mainly pictures and as little words as possible.

Before the presentation, the unexpected technical glitch (which was fortunately saved Mr. Daniel) made me pretty upset that the video couldn’t be screened via the OHP, but I guess it was a blessing in disguise. Playing our video on the small laptop screen managed to capture the audiences attention- and I was extremely happy to see everyone squeezing ahead to get a better view.

During the presentation, I was initially flustered- the adrenaline rush made me felt incredibly light weighted. I believe I stumped over a couple of words in the front (perhaps more than I could recall), but after a while I kind of got use to environment and gradually calmed down. At certain point of time I realised I was slurring my words, especially near the end of the sentence. I caught myself playing with that little gadget in my hand as well, pushing in and out the battery cover- I guess nervousness got better out of me. I felt I could have done so much better actually.

Throughout the 8 minutes, I tried to maintain eye contact with the audiences, and attempted to make my delivery livelier by making use of the entire pathway. One thing I had to confess was the notion of passing of the Tupperware to the audiences. This was not something I planned to do; but at that point of time I remember standing in front of Wee Siong and he was staring right at the container in my hand. It seemed almost a reflex action- but I am glad I did so. The Tupperware was the spotlight during the Q&A, and I got to commend my 2 lovely group mates, Mark and Ash, for handling the questions so well.

All in all, despite the many ways I thought I could have performed better, I must thank my fellow rangers again- Mark and Ash, for the wonderful presentation we put together. I had so much fun, from the planning to the execution of the project, and of course picked up many valuable tips and advices along the way. Lastly a big thank you to ALL OF YOU, my lovely audiences, for paying attention to my ramblings and being enthusiastic throughout the entire presentation!

POT BROWNIE ANYONE?

Pot vending machines take root in Los Angeles

Machines distribute the drug to people with cards authorizing use

Los Angeles medical-cannabis dispensary owner Vincent Mehdizadeh poses with his new Marijuana vending machine installed at the Herbal Nutrition Center in Los Angeles Tuesday.
Damian Dovarganes / AP

updated 7:01 a.m. ET Jan. 30, 2008

LOS ANGELES - The city that popularized the fast food drive-thru has a new innovation: 24-hour medical marijuana vending machines.

Patients suffering from chronic pain, loss of appetite and other ailments that marijuana is said to alleviate can get their pot with a dose of convenience at the Herbal Nutrition Center, where a large machine will dole out the drug around the clock.

"Convenient access, lower prices, safety, anonymity," inventor and owner Vincent Mehdizadeh said, extolling the benefits of the machine.

But federal drug agents say the invention may need unplugging.

"Somebody owns (it), it's on a property and somebody fills it," said DEA Special Agent Jose Martinez. "Once we find out where it's at, we'll look into it and see if they're violating laws."

At least three dispensaries in the city, including two belonging to Mehdizadeh, have installed vending machines to distribute the drug to people who carry cards authorizing marijuana use.

Mehdizadeh said he spent seven months to develop and patent the black, armored box, which he calls the "PVM," or prescription vending machine.

Convenience and privacy
A sliding fence protects the tinted windows of his dispensary, barely distinguishing it from a busy thoroughfare of strip malls, automobile dealers and furniture shops. A box resembling a large refrigerator stands inside the nearly empty shop, near a few shelves stocked with vitamins and herbs.

A guard in a black T-shirt emblazoned with the word "Security" on the front stands at the door. A poster of Bob Marley decorates a back room.

The computerized machine requires fingerprint identification and a prepaid card with a magnetic stripe. Once the card and fingerprint are verified, a bright green envelope with the pot drops down a slot.

Mehdizadeh says any user approved for medical marijuana and registered in a computer database at his dispensaries can pre-purchase the drug and then use the machine to pick up.

The process provides convenience and privacy for users who may otherwise feel uncomfortable about buying marijuana, Mehdizadeh said.

At the Timothy Leary Medical Dispensary in the San Fernando Valley, the vending machine is accessible only during business hours. An employee there said the machine was introduced about five months ago, and provides speedy service.

"It helps a lot of patients who are in a lot of pain and don't want to wait around to get help," Robert Schwartz said. "It's been working out great."

Mehdizadeh said he sought the advice of doctors, and decided to limit the amount of marijuana per user to an ounce per week. Each purchase from the machine yields 1/8th or 2/8th of an ounce. By eliminating a vendor behind the counter, he said, the machine offers users lower drug prices. The 1/8th ounce packet would cost about $40 — $20 lower than the average price at other dispensaries.

'It's to medicate'

A spokesman for a marijuana advocacy group said the machine also benefits dispensary owners.

"It limits the number of workers in the store in the event of a raid, and it'll make it harder for theft," said Nathan Sands, of The Compassionate Coalition.

Marijuana use is illegal under federal law, which does not recognize the medical marijuana laws in California and 11 other states.

The Drug Enforcement Agency and other federal agencies have been actively shutting down major medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state over the last two years and charging their operators with felony distribution charges.

Mehdizadeh said the Herbal Nutrition Center was the target of a federal raid in December. He said no arrests were made and no charges have been filed against him.

Kris Hermes, a spokesman for advocacy group Americans for Safe Access, said the machine might benefit those who already know how much and what strain of marijuana they're looking for. But he said others will want to see and smell the drug before they buy it.

A man who said he has been authorized to use medical marijuana as part of his anger management therapy said the vending machine's security measures would at least protect against illicit use of the drug.

"You have kids that want to get high and that's not what marijuana is for," Robert Miko said. "It's to medicate."

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I thought this would be something interesting to share- a vending machine that dispenses pot! Now how cool is that (ok maybe not). Sometimes I really wonder, how weird can this world evolve to, still.