Is this Maths or Geography? Or just.. transport business?

Here is my assignment question to ponder over from my International Transport, Level 4000 Transport module.

This is probably very boring stuff for people who are not in the know. Or taking transport modules like me. So skip this post if you don't want to get your brain working or dozing. I just need an outlet to vent my frustrations at boggling questions like these, hence this entry.

Do you think you can solve this?

This is a complex 2-way flight situation. If you are based in Singapore and you buy a return ticket to Los Angeles from SIA, the fare will be different from an American person buying an SIA ticket from Los Angeles to Singapore (return). Both you and the American traveler are actually competing for the same seats on the SIA flight. With this market feature in mind, take a look at the following scenario and answer the questions below:

Assume SIA has daily flight on the Singapore – Tokyo – Los Angeles route using a Boeing 747 aircraft with 375 seats.

The fares (yields) on the flight, which are applicable over a six-month period, are as follows:

Singapore -> Tokyo (return): $1,200

Singapore -> Los Angeles (return): $2,000

Tokyo -> Los Angeles (return): $1,100

Tokyo -> Singapore (return): $1,000

Los Angeles -> Singapore (return): $2,100

Los Angeles -> Tokyo (return): $1,300

(a) If you are the market planning manager for SIA, how would you try to allocate the seats on this return flight, assuming you can easily fill up the seats in all sectors?

(b) Based on your seat allocation, how much revenue would SIA attain on this flight?

This is not an impossible to do question but I am confused.

Is the correct answer aiming for revenue maximization? Or are there hidden codes and rules in deriving seat allocation?

Does the Fifth Freedom of International Air Transport apply to a purely Tokyo -> LAX flight without originating from Singapore (Third Freedom)? So as to say, passengers can hop onto an SIA flight from Tokyo to LAX and return from LAX to Tokyo without flying to Singapore.

"Fifth Freedom: The right to take on passengers, mail and freight destined at one foreign state to another foreign state, provided the flight originates from home state of carrier" ----> NRT-LAX (return) is okay.

How about the 'hidden' codes? Such as, aircrafts should give seat capacity mostly on SIN-LAX(return) flights or LAX-SIN(return) flights based on the respective Third and Fourth Freedoms of the Air. As Fifth Freedom is a "derived" freedom given as a 'privilege' with the two freedoms, not on its own.

If i choose the profit maximisation route, i will definitely allocate all seats if i can, on SIN-NRT (return) and LAX-NRT(return) segments. If i want to take in account of the 'hidden' codes so called, i have to accord a majority of seats for SIN-LAX or LAX-SIN(return) flights.

But how much is the majority?!

**Shall post the suggested answer after my group have presented this in class. For me, as this is my question, i will just draw a table with projected figures and seats in each possible scenario.

xoxo, principessa the NERD

I hate Geog Thought.

Try understanding what this means:

"Moving on, theory is more likely to be concerned with the desperate pressure for happening - what comes next and next and next and next -which is neither history nor culture and with the kind of self-substantiating "agency" that results, which is compelled by all manner of auto-reactive influences and by its own demonstrations. Then, theory is more determinedly realist because it understands that so much of interaction imitates interaction itself in its own articulation." - Amin & Thrift, 2005

Do you feel like pulling your hair out? I read and re-read and re-read the whole sentence, and this only forms 1% or less of the whole article, and yet i cannot understand ANYTHING from this. At this moment, my mind is filled with a truckload of unseemly expletives that are mounting and threatening to explode at these 'innocent' few pieces of paper.

Tell me, how am i going to cope with this cursed philosophical based module that every Geography Honors year student have to go through and pass? (And for me, at least get a B+ or A- in?)

The pressure is on. I am not competing with anyone. I hate to ever think of learning as a competition. So school and grades are not competition to compare with others, but a reflection of your own competition with your own humble limitations and fulfilling your 'self' and your potential abilities.

Maybe i am writing in some kind of a contorted language myself, and i just read in the papers that many young Singaporeans do not feel the need to learn proper English as they are contented with their level of Singlish or broken English.

How narrow minded, i think. We are such a small country and have nothing except our own people, if our people do not even feel the desire to improve themselves to compete and outshine (or on par with) others in the world...and feel that we can get by with just interacting with fellow Singaporeans who speak Singlish.. how can we maintain our level of competitiveness? What is worst, is that many children and even their parents dislike or turn their noses up at the mention of learning Mandarin. If our edge is being bilingual, of knowing both English and Mandarin, how can we even maintain it (lest to say improve it) if people do not even see the importance of speaking good English and Mandarin?!

I think both language (and others such as Malay, Tamil etc) are very important in our identity as Singaporeans. We are a global city with many attributes of the West and yet retain an Asian heart. Singaporeans must look outwards, not inwards because we are too small to be self-sufficient. I really hope the younger generation and their parents could reflect on these. Maybe we are too comfortable over here, so sheltered that we take good times for granted and forget the true nature of our vulnerabilities. But you know, i'm not chatising the use of Singlish because it is unique and has a special place in our hearts (it is really a lovely feeling to identify the presence of Singaporeans overseas just by the language)... but i think we should all practice code-switching. We should know both, and be able and comfortable to use either depending on the context.

Okay, enough digressing. Sigh, back to my Amin and Thrift. I feel like i'm drowning in a sea of impossible to read articles too abstract and cheem for my very limited understanding abilities. How do i stay afloat? God, please help me before i turn mad one day and 'throw the towel', along with my Honors Degree.

What kept me Sane this week? Let's see...

Bundles of fur with their very cute teeth and nose.

And some very good, authentic French dessert and tea ;)

xoxo, principessa

School and ramblings. Really random.

School has started and it is going to the end of Week Three. Assignments and group discussions are in the early stages of progress..

No official CCA or extra school activities for me this semester, and i am quite disappointed actually. I was looking forward to learning dance or taking up cardio latinobics classes or salsa etc. Do something productive in school besides studying, but i was too late to sign up for these :(

This semester, i am going to be perenially broke too. Not teaching tuition at the moment, nor do i have a part time job, meaning i have to survive solely on my tiny allowance. It is enough for food, transport, some photocopying costs for school and i'll have to rely on less than a hundred bucks for shopping, entertainment and eating out. :(

That is majorly sad because a top from Topshop already costs >$40-70! Oh my gosh, 1 shopping item a month? Or if i stretch it further i could buy 2-3 tops from F21 online for that same amount. Or i could start selling my current possessions... but with yahoo auctions singapore closing, ebay or online trade communities remain the only viable online platform. I don't really like Ebay though, don't know why.

OR i could go and hunt for someone to teach. I've received some job offers from tuition agencies but the location, timing, pay, or subject don't always agree.

Well nvm about my sad financial status, i'll find a way.

Just hope that school will be okay, though that is so much harder to achieve than to find funding for my shopping.

Mushroom themed buffet + Durian buffet!

I love to eat! And that is no understatement. Maybe i don't eat in big portions or chunks, but the variety and diversity of buffets, a well cooked dish, simple happy food or elaborately decorated food that looks pretty and evokes feelings of warmth delights me thoroughly.

Bf brings me to Cafe Vic at the Carlton Hotel for a Mushroom themed buffet, with a huge selection of all kinds of durian dessert for my 22nd Birthday. (: Pure Happiness but i really overate by a lot lot.

Excited about the buffet although i ate a really heavy lunch

Wonder where we are driving to, he didn't tell.

Candid shot. Some sort of jam in front.

The Singapore Flyer seem to have a different colour nowadays

Okay, i ate numerous rounds, and kept taking this appetizer dish which is my ultimate favourite. Unagi fish salad with shrooms. :D It is so delicious i wish i can go back there again and ransack all the food again. Not cheap though, at $45 per person before any tax, gst etc.

Salad - i always start with this

Cold dish and appetitizers, shared

Every dish served in the buffet is related to either durian or mushroom.. it could be physically present, be part of the sauce, used as a base to put stuffing or something like that.

Cold dishes are my favourite. Sushi, Salmon, Cold Tofu, Cha Soba (not nice) and my unagi salad

Warm stuff. The grilled pork with apple sauce and some mushroom is my favourite of all the meaty dishes (bottom right) I took it twice.

BBQ salmon with golden mushrooms, roasted lamb

Best pasta sauce ever, tomato base. There is a bit of cheese in the pasta, i love it!

Cream based pasta, shared

Shared with bf.

Cakes galore. The bottom left one is a chocolate and durain cake, heavenly!

Durain pudding - no mess version of enjoying durains..

As you can see, i clearly enjoy desserts, very much. :)

Completely filled.

But that's not all, there is still the durian buffet where you are led to the outdoor area where you can choose from a shelf, any amount of durain and any type you want.

And the 'chef' will open it on the spot for you. :D Instant enjoyment of the freshest durains!

Ours. :) A high grade one i believe, the taste is superb. We can eat any amount we want and there's no need to be afraid of waste because the clean leftovers will be used by the restaurant to prepare tomorrow's durain desserts.

Thanks darling for bringing me there! And i have never eaten so much at buffets before, the American trip must have increased my appetite drastically.

xoxo, principessa ;)

2+2 = 4 cakes Birthday :)

I just turned 22 last week, and this is one of few birthdays that i have a cake! Yes, i had cakes when i was a child and i even remember inviting my primary school friends over in Pri 4 or 5. But that was kind of the last few years that i've got a cake for my birthday because my family don't really have a tradition of celebrating birthdays with cakes, we are the traditional Chinese family.. except that my dad is not strictly patriarchal, as i grow up i learn to negotiate for more freedom and space to make myself heard in the family. :)

Our 'tradition' is to have mian xian with 2 eggs and pig kidneys for birthdays. My parents feel that cakes are a waste of money, are too sweet and unhealthy and is quite a western tradition. That explains the quiet birthdays, mother's/father's day and so on every year. At most, we will celebrate with a nice dinner outside.

Often, i'll wish that we are a bit more 'western' because i love pretty cakes, making wishes and having candles to blow, taking pictures, having mini parties and receiving presents. It is not really just that, but the effort taken to plan these also reflects care and concern which otherwise, have less chance to be shown this visibly.

This year, i didn't get my mian xian cos my mum forgot to buy it (i even have to remind her lol). We didn't go out for a family dinner. I haven't received a present from my family members but this year, i got my cake, four cakes in fact. And a little Hongbao from mum.

I feel really blessed this year to have such good friends and family who spends time and effort to celebrate with me, and plan lovely surprises! Thank God and thank you everyone!! :)

Cake One:

Fydi + Geog Girls + Joshua and Johnathon
@ Nihon Mura and Timbre - 14th August 08

Prettified using my Sony T70!
Wen Jie, Celest, Me, Joce, Angus, Sophie

I am really glad to have such good friends who never fails to make every day brighter with their presence, care and solidarity. United in Geography kays, no matter where we may end up doing or not doing geography when we start working.

Geog girlfriends who makes Honors year much easier to bear.
Angus found this choice spot for taking pictures with the National Musuem.

And Fydi, very important friends who makes you smile :)

We attempted this at least 5 times or so placing the camera on a low bench, with flash, without flash, smiling, pouting (cos the musuem is closed when we reached, closes at 8pm on friday)

Am I lucky or what? A picture with 4 boys/guys/men(?!)
Prettified :D i love playing with in-camera functions.

I wasn't really expecting a cake but the very sweet Joshua and his friend Johnathon, whom i have never met prior to that day, went out to buy a cake to surprise me while the rest of us are drinking at Timbre and playing table games and jokes! I'm glad Angus and Sophie and I invited him over the phone spontaneously.

Spontaneous things could be real fun actually, i mean, i will never have known Joshua if Angus didn't ask him to join our mugging session 2 sems ago. Friends through social network? It is a great idea actually, i feel especially excited when my friends who previously don't know each other hit off well when they meet at my introduction. Haha.

Cake Two:

Anna, Alvin, Grace (+ douglas later), Sister, Nopp
@ my friendly neighbourhood park - 15th August 08

Before this, Nopp brought me to Cafe Vic @ Carlton Hotel for a Mushroom themed buffet with a huge durain spread. I really didn't know anything was happening although during the buffet dinner, my bf looks really distracted sometimes, receives strange phonecalls and is always sms-ing away even when he is driving. There seems to be something going on, and yes, It's Anna's surprise!!!

She got Nopp to bring me to this area near to the beach park carpark and as i walked around the corner, behind these trees was a tiny grass patch where I was greeted by this very pretty and heartwarming display of candles and lanterns!! Spelling out my name. It looked super romantic and it is so sweet and thoughtful of her to plan the surprise! I turned around to see Alvin, Anna, Grace and even my Sis coming out with a cake! :D

Making a birthday wish :)

Anna Thank you Anna, so much so much!

She's the only JADE member who without fail, is always with me every year in Singapore.. we've come so far since secondary three although sec 4 is really the year that we got really close. We've spent sweet sixteen, eighteen, twenty ones and now twenty two with all the years in between together!

With Alvin and Anna.

I actually really like Alvin, as in approve of him as Anna's boyfriend. I am sure Joy thinks this way too..

Girls of Teesaurus -
I'm so happy to have known Grace through it, she is a really bubbly friend and sometimes remind me of Debbie. But one amazing thing about Grace is that she always seems to be smiley and positive ;)

I never knew my name can look so pretty in candles. ;)
Nopp got the cake for me, it is a chocolate brownie cake from Emicakes. Thank you darling!

Younger Sis, thanks for bringing the tissues and collecting the cake and placing candles with them. The person who knows me since i'm One, share the room, had our share of fights and quarrels and giggly times.

We actually took a lot of photos of the whole group of us but they are on Alvin's camera. Will upload when i get them, we did tons of funny poses and crazy stuff!


Cake Three:
With The-Vine Fellowship in Church, 17th August 08

Esther, her dad and Moses (i think?) got me a cake from Dino and it is a really pretty pink and white heartshape cake! It is just completely kawaii and something i'll love to get for myself if i could choose...

Kawaii pink chocolate rolls.. Buttery soft and fluffy cake layered with puffs and layers of white cream. It is just perfect! I like anything in the shape of a heart or a bow/ribbon or a aloha smiley face. Okay, i know i sound completely girlish but i really like that kind of things. Very Vivi. ;D It will be even more perfect if it has layers of strawberry in them and a biscuity crunchy crusty pie like base at the bottom. Sounds like a strawberry shortcake? (:

No pictures cos they're all taken from other cameras but i'll post them if i get the pictures.

And thank you The-Vine so much! We've all grown up together since i was in Primary 4 and i'm so happy that we're serving the Lord, learning about Him and growing together in church.

Cake Four:

With my family and bf @ my house - 17th August 08
For my Brother whose bday is 10 days after mine, and me!
Bought lovingly and thoughtfully by my dear sister.

We started off with a modest steamboat dinner to celebrate. My decision it is cheaper and more comfy, intimate to eat at home since it has been some time since we all ate together at the same time around the table. Brother comes home only at 8.30-9pm due to work and i am always in school or out with friends/bf, while my mum sometimes won't cook as she will attend church activities on weekdays.

It was quite fun just eating and listening to the PM Speech, and watching the Finals of Singapore vs China in Table Tennis together, and commenting about it.

:D But dad wasn't here for photos and cake cos he went to a church friend's house for crab bee hoon.

Will post the pictures of the buffet soon!

xoxo, principessa