**ticket to 'temporary' freedom**

this very simple slip of paper means the world to me.
finally, the hard work and effort for the past 2 months have come to an end.
from nothing to something...
blank sheets of document to a completed piece of study.
starting from scratch of looking through journals and books
to the endless editing and re-editing,
to the formatting and fine tuning.
it's finally over!

now, all i can hope is that there will be rainbow after the rain!

my very 'kua zhang' acknowledgements

At the outset, my utmost debt of gratitude is owned to my beloved father Peter and my beloved mother May, whose everlasting love, support, encouragement and financial providence has enabled me to complete my course of study. They have both been my silent mentors and inspiration throughout my life and this dissertation is dedicated to them with love. Thank you for believing in me and for the unconditional love that the both have showered me with throughout my life. ‘I love the both of you so much’.

I would like to thank my family for their constant support, encouragements and love they have showered me with. I would also like to thank my best friends Chynna and Melissa for being the sisters I never had. The bond we share is priceless. A big thank you goes out to Joseph for his assistance in vetting through this study and for the love that we share.

I consider myself more than obliged to my good friends Jaster, Soo Ling, Wan Fang, Tracy, Fiona and Melissa for their valuable support, friendships and encouragements throughout the days at University. ‘Thank you my dears’.

Last but not least, I would like to extend my greatest appreciation to my supervisor, Dr Gang Li for his constructive advices on this report. This dissertation would not have been made possible without his patience, support and guidance throughout this study.