Charles Ang - The 2nd Year

So I've been 23 for almost a week, but I can't say that it's much different from being 22. Nevertheless, thanks to all of you who wished me a happy birthday :}

Interestingly enough, the number of people who remembered my birthday this year increased by, let's say.... a multiple of 50. This, of course, was due to facebook's "upcoming birthdays" feature. While it was nice to receive messages and little $1 gifts, basic etiquette prompts me to later repay these people with similar $1 gifts. Mark Zuckerberg, you are one dangerous genius.

I had a nice birthday dinner with my mom, sis, uncle & aunt, plus this little squirmy thing:


Everything was great until the cake came out. What do you think happens when you spell out your name letter by letter to the cake-writer, and even write it out on a piece of paper? Well, if the cake-writer happens to be Chinese, you get this:

Genius. I guess you can't win 'em all.

Finally, 23 isn't really an important number in the grand scheme of things, but do you know that certain mathematical circles know the number 23 as the 'Birthday Paradox' number?

"The 'Birthday Paradox' states that a group of 23 randomly-selected persons is the lowest number where there will be a probability higher than 50 per cent that two people will share the same birthday."

That's kind of interesting... right? Well, at least it's relevant.