Tuesday, March 26, 2019

回国贪吃手册(3月24日 - 26日)

2019年3月24日(星期日)
阔别一年又一个月,我终于踏上国土了。顺利入境后,迎接我的是一群可爱的小叮当。然后我坐上5am往巴生的巴士。这前前后后也只花了一个小时。只可惜的是,马来西亚的空气弥漫着烟霾。

小叮当正欢迎我回家!

清晨6时,我抵达了巴生。等了一会,爸妈来接我。其实我有些不好意思的,因为这么早就打扰他们驾车过来。我们在车上聊天。终于,回到久违的家了。当我站在门口的时候,奇怪,Happy 竟然没吠我。记得4年前我离开家参与为期5个月学生交换计划回来,它当我是陌生人大声地吠,这次终于记得我了。而我正式宣布:我的假期开始了!

今天是周日。早上7时,除了弟弟和在吉打升学的妹妹,我们全家到卫星市吃早餐。在一家爸妈常去的咖啡店里,我点了一盘叉烧云吞面,终于吃到传统大马茶餐室早餐了。过后我们到市集买蔬菜回去。后来我发现,家人开始注重健康饮食,而且他们当时还买了一整条好大只的鱼回去。

叉烧云吞面

回到家后,我开始拆行李,尤其他们吩咐我买的健康补品。午餐,妈妈煮了一锅啦啦海鲜粥。晚上,爸妈出席别人家的喜酒,我们到奇香吃肉骨茶。

等吃奇香肉骨茶

2019年3月25日(星期一)
早上我吃了妈妈准备的汉堡包(全麦面包夹肉片),过后陪她到店,顺便给Miss Sim 带来她托我买的护肤膏。就这样我有了第一笔现金供我花。午餐,我们到亚烈茶餐室。我点了好久没吃的杂饭。然后我便随妈妈去银行处理一些存款的事务。说真的,我不太喜欢去银行,因为都得处理这些耗时又繁琐的事,但钱嘛,好吧,去就去。晚上,我们在家吃妈妈煮的菜肴。

经济饭

2019年
3月26日(星期二)
这天早上,我跟随小妹去到我的母校 Monash University 马来西亚校区。其实这一次回来,我完全没有通知任何人,纯粹想给个 surprise visit。到了校区,我即刻往五楼实验室去。欸?实验室的门都给锁上,需要刷卡才能进去。我也注意到,每个学生不只穿上实验服,而且还必须佩戴护目镜。顿时让我觉得在安全方面,这一年内母校做得很多不错的措施。

好吧,既然暂时进不了实验室,那就去七楼的研究生办公室。我四处寻寻觅觅,第一个见到我的人是 Sangeetha,她是在我FYP的时候帮助我很多的研究生。虽然我和她不是很认识,不过我们应该我聊个15分钟。据她所知,Joseph 刚飞去日本了,而今天Dr. Lee因为是Milestone的评委,一整天没见到他。后来我找到了Victor聊天,我随着他进实验室,依然找不到EK,不过倒是见到一些还在这里做研究的朋友。

我去了Academic Staff 的办公室,发现原来靠近实验室的办公室,如今改装成新的实验室,也因此一些职员的办公室也搬了。后来我到Mr. Balaram 的办公室闲聊,顺便感谢他在我申请研究生时推荐我。

接着我下去四楼巡视了一轮,正要离开时,在门口巧遇Yin Hui,我发觉她剪了极短的头发。她带我去四楼图书馆,我还正好奇四楼有图书馆时。。。哇!原来的 rooftop 被改装为设计十分新颖的图书馆,有公共区,讨论区还有安静区。而她带我到公共区,我们坐下来聊着彼此的近况。后来我知道她不怎么回办公室了,而是经常在安静区静修做研究。

后来我真找不到EK,只好联络他人在哪。他终于忙完了,回复我他人在办公室。我又回到七楼,终于见到这位好朋友了。我们的谈话应该有近20分钟,后来他因为有事先走了。而座位和EK 同一区的Wencai 忙完她的lab demonstration,我和她也聊了一会儿。

后来的后来,我太饿了,因为大家不知我突然的到来而已用过午餐,Cafeteria 大装修,而我不习惯临时档口,所以我就去了Rock Cafe 吃午餐。当时已经近下午2时,我来到熟悉的马来自助饭摊买了食物吃,好饱。

RM 6.50 的马来饭

回到校区,我又回到七楼。这时看到Yihao,也和他聊近况。后来妹妹打电话来说可以回家了。我下楼至五楼的实验室门口时,碰见穿着实验服的Kristian (我做research assistant 时经常聊天的朋友,也是Dr Lee 的研究生)。他很惊讶我突然出现,因为他正好忙而我们也只聊了一阵子。

今天短短的4小时,很开心巧遇这么多朋友,几乎每一个还在大学的都见了,而我无法好好地和每一位聊,不过看到大家都好好的。而在我离开的一年内,校园真的变得蛮多。然而今天主要见朋友的缘故,所以下星期决定再来一趟,好好逛崭新的校区。

Saturday, March 23, 2019

26岁生日快乐

3月11日,我的 Confirmation seminar 终于过关了,而且是 pass without condition。虽然我仍然有很多进步的空间,但毕竟过关了,我暂时可以放下研究工作。那晚,我与 Jonathan 和 Christine 去吃泰国餐,算是为我小庆祝一番。那一餐太丰盛了,吃得我们好胀。。。

接下来几天,我忙着身为lab manager的任务,还有回国休息的规划。终于啊,一年又一个月了,我可以带着小成绩回国见见家人与好友。同时,我也策划在我家一个小派对,主要慰劳在研究的道路上帮助我的 Jonathan 和 Christine,也请室友吃,同时为我庆祝生日?哈哈。为了确保一切顺利完美进行,我花了相当长的时间安排,务必在我归国前开开心心地来个晚餐。

那一天 (3月22日) 下午4时,我就开始在住家忙着准备。说好7时正开始,结果他们也姗姗来迟。哈哈。首先 Jonathan 先到,虽然之前要求别再购买东西了,但他还是带来了半打啤酒。不久 Christine 和 Raymond 也来了,他们送我 Lindt 巧克力糖。

全员到齐了,我就开始把我的拿手家乡菜 - 肉骨才上桌。大家吃得津津有味,赞不绝口。我也开心,因为此前他俩对我亲自下厨的期待与要求蛮高。这也是为何我不得好好准备,确保万无一失。



晚餐后,我们就来玩游戏:纸牌麻将,Monopoly 桌游。Olivia 和 Qiu 有参与。由于在玩 Monopoly 相当耗时,她们在一边玩扑克牌,后来 Raymond 参他们。接近11时,我省略生日许愿等流程,就随意切蛋糕给大家当甜点。感谢他仨为我买的蛋糕,而我的室友显然忘了我的生日快到了。后来我们四人闲聊到午夜12时 (因为我要求聊到我的生日,哈哈),他们也回家了。


今年生日,我没把脸书生日通知关掉。其实也没啥,我纯粹是不想刻意隐瞒而关了;放着也好,在乎我的人会祝福我。要不然现在大家忙,谁会刻意记得呢,他们忘了我也自个儿不开心,有意思么? 这天,我的家人,诗璇,Ek, Ziyet, Peishan, Jessica, Kyle, Ms Loh, Tong Wei 和一些小学同学献上祝福。来到这个年纪,我心满意足了。

过了3月23日,我已是26岁了。这天,我踏上回国的航班,期待着见久违的家人与朋友。。。希望在这三个星期休假,我有个美好的回忆,并且日后再打拼,新一年把自己变得更好!

Friday, March 23, 2018

25岁生日快乐

今天3月23日是我25岁的生日,也是我第二次在墨尔本度过的生日。在这普通的一天,早上10时30分有每周与supervisor 的appointment, 我赶着去Uni 见面并讨论研究要点。11时结束会谈。哇!好多东西要跟上。回到办公室待到中午,查阅了天气预报。

今天天气晴朗,而周末阴凉有雨,所以我便回家了。我想今天就当作是家务事吧。我把该洗的衣服放进洗衣机后,便开始忙着准备午餐,顺便清掉已经购买的食物吧。忙了约1小时,终于煮好了马铃薯肉碎和炒菜心。可惜之前我把马铃薯块汆汤得太久了,结果煮出来的食物成了马铃薯泥,但没关系,味道还okay。大家也知道,煮后肚子也饿了,我也开动了。这次煮得多了,可以吃上三次,我就把剩下的食物储存起来。看来暂时不愁吃了。

衣服洗好了,我就晾晒衣服。过后在家等衣服干的当儿,我就看《小明星大跟班》。收好衣服了,时间接近5点,我想起今天Campus Centre 的大荧幕会播放《你的名字》动漫电影。虽然我是看过,但剧情我还是有些不明,而且反正没事嘛,好电影值得再去观赏。我便再次来到校园,那儿有许多人停下来看,有的躺在草地。我找到不错的角度,本来想观赏一阵子就离开,后来看着看着已经7时了,电影也结束了,我也回家。

家里还是没人,我想煮个方便面,给自己吃个简单的美味吧。这次我放了很多料,哈哈。煮好了,我边看《小明星大跟班》边吃,然后看最新的Running man。就这样,给自己的放纵,结束了一天。

当然,今早我起身的时候,最先收到知己诗璇的生日祝福。她真的很有心,分别在WhatsApp 和 Facebook Messenger 留言。晚上她也在Snapchat 再次祝福我。接着是室友俊凯。下午3时的WhatsApp很热闹,先是收到Jianning的信息(没想到她记得),突然家人的生日祝福,最先的竟然是弟弟。接着我收到家人陆续的祝福信息,而妈妈也留语音祝福我。同时另外一个室友Olivia也信息祝福我。隔天,我收到Peishan的生日祝福。

——————————————————————————————————

阔别7年了,经历懵懵懂懂的升学、出来社会、交友,从当初青涩的18岁到今年的25岁。现在的我人在异地。莫忘初衷。当初决定来到墨尔本,除了要换个环境跳出舒适圈,彻底改变不好的自己,也警惕自己这是人生奋斗的关键时刻,同时已经做好寂寞孤独的心理准备。

这几年,我在乎的人的生日,我一定记得,并于当日送上祝福,有时会花钱请客或者礼物表示。可惜,生日这日子,礼物、庆祝会对我而言是奢侈品,因为甚至这天收到的祝福甚少。你说我做好心理准备了嘛,但老实说,我内心还是很渴望我在乎的人记得我的生日,并送上简单、真心的祝福就好。

今年,收到的生日祝福中,妳又缺席了。妳曾经表明妳不会刻意去记得妳在乎的人的生日,我也不指望妳会记得。妳根本只是我的其中一个朋友。可不知为何这天到来了,始终还是对妳有所期望,到现在对妳的失望。我很无奈,但我会时时告诉自己:现在我只想在乎在乎我的人。我不想再和妳有任何关系。

如果命好能够活到百年,我的人生已经来到四分一的阶段了;如果只能活到50岁,我的人生其实走到一半了。这想法我只想写到这儿。接下来的日子我想充实地为自己而活。另外,我很庆幸始终有这么一位好知己,她简单的付出与陪伴,我感到心满意足。谢谢妳!

祝我25岁生日快乐。


P/S: 隔两天的周日下午,室友俊凯突然叫我下楼吃蛋糕。我很意外,然后还是和室友们一起吃cheese 蛋糕、聊天。

切了吃了才忘了拍张照。

Saturday, March 17, 2018

他乡遇故知

来到墨尔本近三个星期了,周末的我都在住宿处理日常,生活平淡无奇。这天星期六(3月10日)晚上近10时,突然收到来自稀客——她的简讯。简短的信息透露了她因明天将到市中心的喜悦心情,询问我要不要咱见个面。当下我感到很意外,她说她也刚刚定了火车票与住宿,打算在市区留2天1夜。这时的我心里很犹豫,要是以前的我会马上答应,但我想反正我得空,女性朋友邀请耶,就答应见面吧~

后来我才知道,她得到2天休假,同时市区正举办Moomba Festival,想离开她所谓的乡下到她久违的大城市走走。去年的她也参与festival,但一个人。我坦诚自从来到这儿从来没到市中心去,她知道后说一定要好好吃好料的。我们讨论明天相约的细节,决定于下午1时30分在Southern Cross车站见面。

今天我很早起身,因为我计划好买一星期的食材。回到家刻意稍微地梳洗,于中午12时离开家,乘搭前往市中心的列车。在车上,我的心是平静的。说实在的,虽然第二次来到墨尔本,但这次真是我第一次来到市中心。我早到,四次逛逛。到了相约的时间,她打电话来问我实际meetup point。过后我收到来自她的SMS说见到我了,我四处观望。不久终于见到身穿橘色上衣蓝牛仔裤的她走着阶梯上来——我们相遇了。

我们边说边向着Higher Ground走去。到了门口,惊见外面聚集好多人排队,我们决定改换地方。老实说今天一整天我如无头苍蝇般四处乱走,好在有她,我紧紧跟随。不久我们来到位于巷子的Manchester Press咖啡厅(8, Rankins Ln),终于可以好好坐下来吃顿brunch了。


我点了14 Hour BBQ Pulled Pork 和 Matcha Latte。先到的咖啡是她点的,但拉花很糊。而我点的终于来了,好可爱,看起来是只狸猫。她看了后感慨地说:“你看,这是face problem,我以前点和现在的,都很模糊掉了:(” 我急忙安慰她,另外心里窃笑:难道她称赞我长得不错吗?哈哈。她想为这杯拉花拍照,还指示我手轻拖着杯盘。


然后主食来了,我们边吃边聊。当中的话题是近况和未来打算。她的倾诉透露了她在做intern时期所受的委屈,我没什么安慰,反而偶然还踩她一脚,哈哈,谁叫她当初不选择在市区上班,而且她为人善良。而我们也聊到感情,我透露自己在这里心中的寂寞,她认为我应该要找一位了解我的女生,我感慨地说:“可是当女生了解我的话,我们就不会是情侣了” 她顿时无言,我接着说:“像诗璇啊,妳啊。。。” 另外她向我说,她订了单人房,却收到两个单人床的套房。

用完膳食后,我们一起来到Federation 广场的Moomba Festival。今天天气凉爽,我开玩笑说:“看,也许老天为我们今天的见面而感到高兴吧。” 她笑笑同意。我们一起走走看看聊天,她说难得来到城市,就算一人她想玩一些刺激游戏。我笑说:“今天妳不会一人啦,我陪妳玩吧” 她还贴心地问我会不会勉强我,我回她:“哪有?” 她决定玩空中秋千,每人$9,说实在,价格蛮高昂,但一年一次难得和她一起玩,哈哈。我们排队等着进场。


终于轮到我们了,空中秋千是两人一座,自然而然我俩随意选了座位坐在一起。一切准备就绪,秋千徐徐升上空中,接着秋千以中心旋转,我们时而举起双手,仿佛在空中飞翔,而她手握手机,拍下旋转的一刻。旋转的速度不快,但当我下来的时候,有一点的晕眩,不过喝了点水,我们继续逛。

(Credit to her)

沿途经过以洋娃娃为奖品的游戏摊,我看得出她想玩,但最后没玩了。坦白说,如果我俩是情侣,我一定拉她去玩,直到赢取一份洋娃娃为止。但这仅仅是我的想法。

后来她建议我们一起玩快速绕圈的车车,每人$10。这个游戏一开始向前快速地旋转,后半段就倒退旋转。我坐在内侧,根据离心力的物理概念,我可能会碰到她,但其实如她说的,旁观者看起来很快速,但人在游戏中速度还好,而我紧握把手,心里也觉得不好碰到女生吧。

游戏后,我们下车,我们异口同声都感到晕眩,她坦诚她刚才玩了空中秋千后,也觉得一点不舒服。我们笑说也许我们都上了年纪了吧,哈哈哈。这时路过一片草原,正好有歌唱演出,我们便席地而坐,缓一下自己的晕眩的状态。她说她从来没光顾墨尔本的rooftop bar,想今次进去品酒拍照。我笑说自己身体对酒精过敏,但愿意陪她光顾。在这之前,她陪我喝7-Eleven 的slurpee 饮料。离开festival之前,我为她拍张Moomba招牌下她的背影~

她的倩影 :D
接着我们酒吧所在地,需要乘搭电梯来到把阳台设计成的rooftop bar。人很多,几乎本地人,她去排队到吧台叫饮料,而我帮她找位子。好不容易找到位子了,她边品尝饮料边和我聊天,她也拍张照,算是完成了她的心愿吧。哈哈。

过后她建议晚餐到North Melbourne 的 Laksa King,她说这间专卖我国的美食,超推荐的。想到马来西亚的美食,心里也很兴奋。我们乘坐tram一路去到那儿,路程约20分钟,只见餐厅外大排长龙,我们只好放弃,改去附近也是专卖Malaysia食物的餐厅。还好有位子,随便点了菜,当时我们也很饿了。此时已经晚上7时40分了。

这时我检查回家的公交时间,发现最后一班的公车是10点之前,而我乘坐火车也需要时间。食物迟迟未上。。。她也知道了情况,我们慌了,她也帮我查询公交时间确认。食物送来了,我赶紧地吃面,她满怀歉意地叫我慢慢吃。我说她别感到愧疚,是我安排不当,也许明天正好是Labour Day,没想到公交时间提前结束。

我俩继续静静地吃着面,一边想着解决我回家的问题。这时我放下了筷子,看着她,问:“还是,我今晚在妳订的房间过夜吧。” 想不到她回答:“其实我也有这个想法。” 我吓了一跳,但还是礼貌地问了她:“但妳其实介不介意?” 她说:“不介意。” 她也透露因为只有两人的旅行,曾经和另一个男生一起同房过。我惊,问她:“那如果现在的房间是只有一张大床,妳也不介意吗?” 她回答:“我会放着一样东西于我们之间。” 她还说她睡觉习惯抱着东西,比如被单,所以有点会抢同床的被单。她还交待我别让父母知道。而我向她坦诚,这将是我第一次和女生同房,她无奈地说,我也有和妹妹同一间房吧。她也告诉我她其实有好几次在朋友家聊着待着就很晚了,也只好没带东西准备就在朋友家过夜,当然是女的。

事情暂时解决了,心情放松许多,我慢慢地吃。接着我们乘坐火车离开,于Flinders Street车站下车,立即前往Moomba Festival寻找好地点欣赏烟花秀。当时接近9.30pm,我指着人多的小小山丘,我们爬着上去,刚刚站好,一道闪光划过夜空,烟花秀开始了。我俩拍下此刻美丽的夜空,欣赏着璀璨的烟花。五彩缤纷的烟花足足放了10分钟就结束了,我俩也乘坐火车离开,来到她住宿附近。




她交待我别一起进来,担心柜台人员会看到。可是当时已是晚上10时,柜台关了,她带我去她的房间。她推开门,房间确实有两张单人床,而浴室是和其他房客共用的,她先去洗澡。这时我才发现我戴的是隐形眼镜。我的天!原以为想在她面前好好地打扮最好看的一面(虽然还好),没想到现在却成了烦恼。她洗好澡回来后,秀发仍散发水气与肥皂香气。

我告诉了她这件事,她看了时间,二话不说,立刻拉了我出门去寻找夜市了。而我,碍于手机快没电了,只好紧紧跟随她。虽然她有Android的cable,而偏偏我换了新手机,cable是与众不同,她之前说想去Daiso买个cable给我,但我几次拒绝了。途中我唠叨地说明真的不需要啦,可她说:“带着contact lens 睡觉不好。眼镜很重要,不是开玩笑的。” 我无言。老实说,我当下会表现得较小气,是因为我还未得到大学寄来的生活费,而我手头有点紧,所以无谓的花费能免则免,虽然,我还可以负担得起。

她当时身穿睡衣,头发还有点湿,我们在市区街道、巷子串呀串。我心里很愧疚,但她却说:“我才对不起你,害你没得回家。” 我俩来到QV的Woolworths,闸门被拉下了;我们又匆忙赶去Melbourne Central的Coles超市,还好还在营业着。

来到超市,她直接冲到购买隐形眼镜药水的架子,我提着篮子在后。那里只有一种大瓶的Re-nu隐形眼镜药水,她二话不说就提走了。她又迅速地购买一对牙刷。我阻止不了她,但吩咐她把东西放进我的篮子。可她认为我会把东西放回去,一路抱紧东西,不肯给我。她又来到售卖私人用品的地区,这里有售卖3、4条男性内裤一盒。她盯着那些内裤,我笑她道:“妳这样子看很变态啦。” 马上我严肃道:“妳不要买,我不会穿的。” 她才肯离开。我们买了一些宵夜,付钱就乘火车离开了。当时她不让我付钱。

终于又回到motel,我洗好澡,用了她买的隐形眼镜药水,也为了不辜负她的心意,我也用了蓝色的新牙刷。我同时发现,另一个是粉红色的。她给我的,又正好是我现在用的Sensodyne 粉红色牙膏!“好巧!” 我心里道。我笑说:“我也用这牙膏!这个粉红色牙膏在刷牙时是不是不容易溶化,很容易成块掉下来。” 她笑说:“对呀。”

刷牙后,我们各自在床上。她正简单完成课业,而我用她的ipad看戏。不久,她说她睏了想睡了,我也看了时间,已经凌晨1时。灯关了,她很快就入眠,而我辗转难眠,也许不认床吧,或者口有点渴,怕打扰她而不敢贸然起身(同时也不想给她不安全感吧),但绝对不是因为第一次和别的女生同房而心理作用的。

所以那一夜我是睡睡醒醒的,直到早上8时,她起身了,而我也跟着起床。我们梳洗过后,她收拾好行李。她办好退房手续,我们便离开了前往 114 Berkeley Street, Carlton 的 Seven Seeds 咖啡厅吃 brunch。途中,我主动直接帮她提行李,作为小小的感谢。

来到Seven Seeds,我们在排队等了一会,观察这家咖啡厅里的装潢,她也四处拍照。不久服务员带领我们到一个角落面壁的二人座位,我们并排而坐。她点了flat white,而我习惯性地点了latte。而主食,我们一起点了一样的 Chicken Cubano。Latte送来了,款式是简单的爱心拉花。主食来了,也许饿了,我吃完两份的面包,而她打算留下一份当回程时的午餐。确实,对她而言,分量有些大。

当中我们也有说不完的话题。她感叹她即将回到现实,念念有词地重复“back to reality” 而我也向她稍微倾诉我的爱情观,比如peer pressure、年龄与父母的关系,觉得是时候自己该认真地谈恋爱了。她却劝我别在意人家的想法,做好自己就好了。然而我说很多时候不能这么自私吧。

吃完brunch,她帮我查询回我地点的公交时间。那时接近中午12时,我们乘坐火车沿着city loop。我想送她在Southern Cross,但她拒绝,要我在Flinders Street 车站下车。在列车那短暂的时间,我简单地感谢与她今次的相遇,因为我把这次当作我俩最后一次在Melbourne的meetup。而我笑说:“说不定妳一年后回国了,找到对象,而到时4年后我回国了,就收到妳的红色炸弹!哈哈。” 快到站了,我说:“说不定回国还要拜托妳给我介绍女生呢。哈哈。” 而她回我什么,我也忘了。

我没坚持,因为担心不好拉拉扯扯地,不好看不够男生的干脆,我在Flinders Street 站下车——我们就此道别了。当时心情还好,我记得出站的时候,大街前有一条长长的舞龙经过这车站。观赏一阵子,舞龙走远了,我也乘坐另一条列车回家了。到家时,我向她报平安。她回了我,她依然在回去的火车上,车程约2小时半。

我很珍惜这次难得在异乡的相遇。尔后她也在insta story感激与我的相遇。虽然这次我们的meetup有点突然有点搞笑又临时改变取消计划的,但当大家见了面,依然无话不谈。她的委屈与我的寂寞,大家互相倾诉互相支持。而且,我真心觉得,她是一位很贴心的女生,她借我她的ipad来消遣,也细心安排用品给我,而且还不断地向我表达歉意。不过,我心里丝毫没觉得不方便还是不开心,我还要再次地,谢谢妳~

Saturday, February 25, 2017

End of Internship in Nestlé - 20th-24th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

Monday, 20th Feb 2017 (8am - 6pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators. 

Between 11.00 a.m. and 12.15 p.m., Tee had called me to meet at the new DAF site and asked me about the procedure for operating the air saturation system. The condition of the water surface in the separator unit was unsatisfactory as certain parts were bubbling and other parts had insufficient air bubbles. We were adjusting the hand valves at air nozzles manually and observing the water surface so that all parts of the DAF unit are injected with numerous fine air bubbles. It took up time for Tee to troubleshoot this problem. 

At 12.30 p.m., Jaclyn asked me to help her monitor the MBR operation and ensure the recording is done by the operator.

Between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., I continued to prepare the presentation slide. The slide contents include the projects I was involved such as the new DAF system and filter press. Then I emailed this file to Tee for checking. Meanwhile, I had sent one of my completed tasks, the WWTP flow diagram to Tee for checking as well. 

Tuesday, 21st Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

ON LEAVE 

Wednesday, 22nd Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators as usual.

Between 8.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., I updated the SOP of filter press operation and emailed the completed files to Tee. 

Between 2.30 and 5.00 p.m., I continued to prepare and update my presentation slides. Tee had checked my final version of slides. 

Thursday, 23rd Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators. 

At 10.00 a.m., we were in the meeting room to set up the venue for the presentation. The presentation session began at 10.30 a.m. when Mr Shinya, Head of the Engineering Department, was here. I was the first presenter, followed by Samuel and Yi Jie. Each of us had presented the projects involved and the tasks assigned during this three-month internship. There were Q&A sessions after our presentations. Then Mr Shinya gave a short speech and advice at the end of the presentation session. 

Between 1.30 and 5.00 p.m., I was tidying up all the belongings and obtaining the signature from the superior for approving some document in the Engineering office.

Process flow diagram of wastewater treatment plant

Friday, 24th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

ON LEAVE

END OF INTERNSHIP
THANK YOU

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Internship in Nestlé - 17th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

Friday, 17th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

Between 8.00 and 10.30 a.m., as requested by Fam, I did a stock check for spare pumps and motors at the DPRS store room to collect all data. Then, Fam and I carried out the stock check for spare instruments, which are used in DPRS, in the Instrument Room. Those spare instruments, such as transmitters and switches, were in disorder, and we had taken up time to gather all instruments in one box. Later, I updated and completed the Spare Parts List of DPRS before emailing all three Spare Parts Lists to Fam and Tee for checking.

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators. 

At 10.00 a.m., I guided Vasu for strainer cleaning in the DPRS site. This task should be carried out when the internal pressure of the MBR feed pipeline is above 1.0 bar. At the same time, Leon had been here to monitor the MBR operation. He told me that he had detected several programming errors in the PLC system and Maurice would fix this problem at the end of February.

At 11.00 a.m., I went to the DAF site and asked Vasu about the air saturation system, as this system is crucial for an effective dissolved air flotation process. He had explained to me about the parameters to be monitored and adjusted. However, most of the settings were done by the process engineer during the commissioning stage. Later, I updated the SOP of the new DAF system by adding the section on the Air Saturation System in the Engineering office.

Between 3.00 and 5.00 p.m., I attended the second training session on Filter Press operation with Tee and Vasu. This session was mainly about the introduction of the HMI panel, maintenance of the filter press system, detailed operation and specifications. Each of us was given a copy of the operation manual, which includes all detailed information.


Thursday, February 16, 2017

Internship in Nestlé - 15-16th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

Wednesday, 15th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators.

Between 9.30 and 10.15 a.m., I was in the WWTP to observe unit operations and conduct a final pipeline tracing. In general, worn pipelines in the entire WWTP were replaced and arranged as an above-ground type.

Between 10.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m., I was in the WWTP laboratory to conduct an experiment of flocculation in sludge solution by a flocculant, polymer (polyacrylamide) solution. Finally, this experiment could be carried out with the installation of a new sludge feed pump so that the sample can be collected. The sludge sample and polymer solution were taken from the sludge silo with Vasu’s assistance. The objective of this experiment is to determine an optimum polymer dosing for flocculating particles in the sludge mixture before feeding it into the Filter Press system for dewatering. I had recorded the results based on my observations and taken several photos as a reference.

Between 3.00 and 5.00 p.m., I had prepared a laboratory report for the experiment conducted. The format of the report is same as the previous one, which includes procedure, result tabulation, detailed discussions and conclusion.

Sludge Flocculation

Thursday, 16th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)  

At 8.00 a.m., Jaclyn had left a message for me to help her guide the operators about the procedures of MBR desludging and strainer cleaning. Later, I did a final check on the laboratory report, which was prepared yesterday before sending it to Tee.

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators.

At 10.30 a.m., I guided Vasu through the procedure of MBR desludging when MLSS exceeds 10000 mg/L in the DPRS site. The whole process is done manually. However, at 3.00 p.m., I was informed by Leon that he had set a schedule using PLC to carry out a daily desludging step automatically.

From 11.00 a.m. to 12.15 p.m., Fam, Tee, and I had a short meeting to discuss the Spare Parts Lists and the FLOCs. Fam had asked me to help him record the specifications of additional spare pumps which are located in the DPRS storeroom. I had updated those files based on their comments after the meeting. Afterwards, I had shown the material balances of WWTP and parameters to Tee for any feedback.

Meanwhile, I had shown the WWTP flow diagram that I had reviewed and updated during these months. Later, Fam had printed an old version of WWTP mapping in A2 size, which was drawn by a draftsman, to me. I had to mark down any new pipelines and equipment that existed in the current WWTP on this A2 paper for their future reference.

At 2.00 p.m., I had asked Lakman, from the Technical Store, about the systematic approach of recording the spare parts. He explained the method while showing me the guidelines.

At 5.00 p.m., I had sent all three updated FLOCs for the new DAF, DPRS, and Filter Press to Tee and Fam for checking. Tee had given several comments and asked me to update both the SOP of the new DAF system and the Filter Press, especially including a section about the Air Saturation System for the new DAF system.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Internship in Nestlé - 13-14th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

Monday, 13th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators.

At 9.45 a.m., I guided the WWTP operator, Vasu to recognize the new DPRS data log sheet in the control room. I told him to use this log sheet onwards for recording DPRS parameters.

Between 9.00 a.m. and 12.00 p.m., Jaclyn had asked me to prepare a guideline for basket strainer cleaning at the DPRS site. She explained the steps of cleaning to me. Later, I went to the site to take several photos to be inserted into the guideline for illustrations. I had emailed the guidelines to Tee and Jaclyn for checking once completed. Then, Tee reminded us to include LOTO practice during cleaning. It is important to apply LOTO for safety purposes.

Between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., I continued to prepare the detailed SOP of the new DAF system. After that, I began to prepare another format (simple version) of SOP in flow chart. 


Tuesday, 14th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 8.00 a.m., I did a final check on the SOP of the new DAF system before emailing this file to Tee. 

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators as usual. 

At 10.00 a.m., I received an email about the information of the End Internship Presentation, which is scheduled for next Thursday morning. We should prepare a presentation slide about the projects involved.

Between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., I was revising and updating the WWTP flow diagram, which was drawn during the early internship period. Meanwhile, Fam had followed up on the Spare Parts Lists, and Tee had informed me that we would have a short meeting to discuss the Spare Parts Lists and FLOCs.  

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Internship in Nestlé - 8-10th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

Wednesday, 8th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators. Later, I observed the unit operations in WWTP as usual.  Recently, foaming floats have accumulated at the surface of aeration tanks, indicating that activated sludge microorganisms are under a nutrient-limited condition. The nutrient is pumped into the treatment system to improve water quality.

 

Foaming of the aeration tank.

Between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., Tee had assigned me to type in the COD of several influent sources for the past four weeks and tabulate a graph using an Excel file. Later, Jaclyn had emailed me a file of the current format of the MBR data log sheet and asked me to key in the handwritten record of DPRS parameters, since the first day, into this file.  

Later, Jaclyn had given me the information about the settings of chemical dosing and level setpoints of the DAF balance tank. She asked me to prepare a simple notice as a guideline for WWTP operators to operate and monitor the new DAF system. I had finished the given tasks and emailed the files to them as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I continued the SOP of the new DAF system.  

At 1.30 p.m., I met Jaclyn at the DPRS site. At the same time, suddenly one of the MBR feed pumps vibrated vigorously. We quickly shut down the MBR operation and noticed that the actual pressure and TMP of MBR MT5700 were extremely high. We had reported this issue to Fam and Maurice online in the control room.

Thursday, 9th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)    

PUBLIC HOLIDAY


Friday, 10th Feb 2017 (8am - 6pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators as usual.

Between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., Jaclyn had asked me to prepare a guideline about the manual desludging from MBR in the case of MLSS higher than 10000 mg/L. Before that, I had gathered the information from Leon about the condition and procedure of MBR desludging. However, I were informed this guideline was prepared for the WWTP operator, and therefore she asked me to prepare this guideline in simple English with attached photos. Meanwhile, I continued the SOP of the new DAF system.

Afterwards, Jaclyn had asked me to help her prepare a new format of MBR data log sheet, including the MC section, so that the operators can easily follow up the recording task. Besides that, the step-by-step guideline for recording should be prepared for them as well. After several discussions and editing, the MBR data log sheet with the latest format and its guidelines was finalised and printed out.

Between 5.00 and 6.00 p.m., Jaclyn and I guided Desa through the steps of recording MBR parameters using the data log sheet of the new format. I stick the guideline inside the DPRS control room.  

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Internship in Nestlé - 6-7th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

Monday, 6th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 8.30 a.m., I emailed the punch list of WWTP, which was created last week, to Tee after including all the issues.

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators.

Between 9.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., I continued to prepare the SOP of the new DAF system. I had taken several photos of the PLC panel and the instruments of the new DAF system, which would be included in this SOP.

At 11.00 a.m., Jaclyn and I were in the DPRS control room and we noticed that the scheduled 10 a.m. maintenance cleaning (MC) of MBR was aborted. This situation occurred since last week, however the PLC panel just displayed ‘ABORTED’ without any detail. We had informed the project engineer, Fam about this issue.

At 3.00 p.m., Fam, Jaclyn, Christ and I were in the DPRS control room. We had communicated with Maurice online about this issue and required technical support to fix this problem. We exchanged the MC schedule of both MBRs to investigate this issue further.


Tuesday, 7th Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

Between 8.30 a.m. and 12.00 p.m., I updated the Spare Part List for new DAF and DPRS as requested by Jaclyn and with Fam’s guidance. The information on spare parts such as brand and dimension was recorded for future reference. I emailed these files to Fam once completed and checked.

At 9.15 a.m., we had a meeting with the operators as usual.

At 9.50 a.m., Fam asked me to help him monitor the operational mode and parameters (mainly TMP) of MBR during the MC at 10 o’clock later. I went to the DPRS control room to monitor the MBR MT5750 which conducted MC for an hour while the other (MT5700) was in production mode. Eventually, the MC was completed before automatically returning to production mode.

Later at 2.00 p.m., again I monitored the MBR MT5700 which the MC was scheduled at this time. I noticed that once this MBR entered MC mode, the PLC panel immediately displayed ‘ABORTED’, without further stages. I returned to the office to inform Fam about this same issue. I typed the collected data of these two MC periods into an Excel file before emailing this file to Fam.

At 3.15 p.m., we communicated with Maurice about this issue online. 

Friday, February 3, 2017

Internship in Nestlé - 1st-3rd Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

Wednesday, 1st Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators.

At 11.00 a.m., someone asked me to help him sort the information in his Excel file.

Between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., I studied the process flow diagram and P&ID of DAF in the office before performing the pipeline tracing of the new DAF unit which is under operation now. Meanwhile, I took several photos of the tag number of the pump and instruments for FLOC registration of the new DAF unit. Currently, the old DAF unit is shut down and the operators were draining off the remaining content before cleaning the old DAF unit.


Thursday, 2nd Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)   

At 9.15 a.m., we had a meeting with the operators. The WWTP operator, Ridzuan had brought out some issues about the operation of the new DAF unit, such as leakage at several parts. Shanji had asked me to follow up on these issues.

At 9.30 a.m., I followed Ridzuan to observe the sections where he mentioned during the meeting. He said there was leakage at the flange of the automatic valve located between the DAF feed pump and flocculator due to a sudden surge during the start-up of the system. Besides that, there is leakage from the sludge discharge compartment. I have taken photos of the sections for reference.

Later Shanji shared with me the template of the Punch List for WWTP. He explained that this list is used to record the issues reflected by the operators in their working areas. Shanji and I generated the list based on the issues reported by the operator.


Friday, 3rd Feb 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators.

Between 10.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., I completed the FLOC registration of the new DAF system, including the details of the maintenance required. Jaclyn and I monitored the operation of DPRS, especially the parameter (TMP) before and after the scheduled maintenance cleaning of membrane modules in both tanks. Meanwhile, I have begun the SOP of the new DAF unit based on the information recorded last week and the operation manual of the new DAF.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Internship in Nestlé - 26th Jan 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 11.00 a.m., Chow delivered a spare feed diaphragm pump and filter clothes for the filter press system. He advised us always to clean the surface of filter clothes using a water jet after using it.

Between 9.00 a.m. and 4 p.m., I observed the unit operations and meanwhile, I followed up on the commissioning projects in the WWTP site, mainly the new DAF operation.

Today we would monitor the colour (quality) of the effluent from DAF. We monitored the pH value of the fluid in the flocculator. The purpose of pH correction system is to provide a desired pH range for the physical-chemical process inside the flocculator. However, the reading displayed by the pH meter was unsteady and fluctuated within a wide range, e.g. from pH 4.0 to pH 7.0, which made it difficult to adjust the NaOH dosing system accurately.

Then Istiak guided us through the procedure of doing pH probe recalibration of the flocculator while performing the demonstration. He suggested us to conduct the recalibration every month or when the pH reading fluctuates within a wide range. Firstly the probe was rinsed with clean water. Two pH buffer solutions were used, with pH values of 4.01 and 7.01 during recalibration. Eventually, the pH reading varied with a narrow range, and the effluent was relatively clear.

Later he showed us the steps of operating the touch panel of the DAF unit so that we can control the DAF system by adjusting the settings accordingly. He explained to us the main differences between new and old DAF units are:

(a)   Air saturation system, and

(b) Sediment discharge system. An auger is installed for new DAF to compact, dewater and transfer the sediment towards the sediment valve, which is opened periodically releasing the sediment. Currently, the setting is once every hour.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Internship in Nestlé - 25th Jan 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 9.15 a.m., we had a daily review meeting with the operators.

At 9.30 a.m., Fam asked me to help him generate several adhesive stickers of black words with yellow background to label the chemical dosing systems in the WWTP. It was my first time using the label dispenser in a technical store.

At 12.00 p.m., Fam shared some ideas with me about the working principles and theories behind the DAF process. He told me that only certain suitable size of air bubbles is generated and attached to the solids to allow the solid floatation before being scrapped off at the water surface. Besides that, there are several DAF process arrangements and operating conditions.

At 2.30 p.m., Jaclyn, Satiya, Vasu and I were in the DPRS control room to summarize the steps of operating the touch panel to display the parameters to be recorded. We had prepared a written procedure and checklist so the operators could follow up easily.

Between 10.00 a.m. and 5.15 p.m., Jaclyn, the operators and I were in WWTP to follow up on the new DAF commissioning. Istiak, a process engineer, was in charge of the new DAF commissioning project. The old, small DAF unit was switched off while the influent was fed into the new, larger DAF unit. The mechanical parts such as the scrapper system of DAF were in normal operation.

Istiak performed a simple jar test experiment to monitor the chemical dosing systems of the flocculator at the site. The chemicals used for DAF are FeCl3, NaOH and polymer solution. The desired outcome is a distinct separation between floc sediments and a relatively clear solution. The chemical dosing systems are ready for operation except for NaOH.

At the same time, three intermediate bulk containers (IBC) of NaOH arrived for DAF commissioning. The NaOH dosing pump was tripped several times after turning on. Istiak suspected that there was an airlock in the pipeline connecting the IBC and NaOH dosing point on the flocculator. However, the contractors were taking half-day leave and we had tried several alternative methods so that NaOH could be effectively dosed to the DAF system. It took a certain time to fix this problem.

Later we adjusted and monitored the chemical dosing systems for several times by trial and error. Eventually, we obtained a satisfactory outcome before sending it into the DAF separator unit.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Internship in Nestlé - 24th Jan 2017 (8am - 5pm)

At 8.30 a.m., Tee had asked me to help him draw a flow diagram of liquid sugar transfer from the tanker and it needed to be done by today.

At 9.15 a.m., we had a meeting with the operators as usual.

Between 10.00 a.m. and 12.05 p.m., the DPRS training session was conducted by introducing Maintenance Cleaning of MBRs which is performed weekly. The chemicals used during the maintenance cleaning of fiber membranes are sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and citric acid. Neither chemical can be dosed at the same time to prevent the formation of toxic chlorine gas, Cl2. Leon had explained the purpose, processes involved and duration during the cleaning of MBRs.

Between 2.00 and 5.30 p.m., the training was continued by introducing the key parameters to be monitored during cleaning. Leon told us that transmembrane pressure (TMP) should be recorded before and after the cleaning process. We had a discussion to plan a suitable schedule for maintenance cleaning before entering the data into the PLC. He reminded us that we should always check the quantity of the chemicals to prevent running out. Later Tee asked me to check the amount of chemical carboys in the storeroom.

At 6.00 p.m., we met a man at the filter press site while he was observing the filter press. He demonstrated a simple experiment to us about the flocculation of sludge by using different types of polymer solution. Later he gave us several suggestions on the improvements of the filter press system. 

Simple experiment of the flocculation of sludge 

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