Some people have been telling me that as a girl, it isn't really a good idea for me to study engineering, much less mechanical engineering which involves more hands-on and slightly menial work. When I say that it is an option for me, they look at me as if they can't really understand why I would want that, then they have nothing else to say but point out the fact that very few girls do that. What they may have failed to realise is that though I may look weak and all feminine and stuff, I am much tougher than I look. Plus I have had lots of experience in the field that many other guys never had. I love hands-on work. I've cut, hammered, bent, glued, used machines, simple tools, and my bare hands to get things done. Just because I am a girl doesn't discount me in any way, whether ability-wise or strength-wise. It doesn't mean that I 'can't take it' or 'won't do as well'. I've been cut by a saw, burnt by a hot glue gun, poked in various places by penknives and screwdrivers. In the past countless times have I gotten injuries, whether minor or more serious, because I was working on robots. I have won competitions with my teams against guys who have teachers to guide them along and help them each step of the way. I take pride in knowing that it was my contribution and hard work (together with some of my team members sometimes) that brought us to success. That I can win on my own merit, against the commonly-thought-to-be-better-in-this-field guys. I'm not the least bit feminist, I'm not saying that I'm very good or capable, I'm not being ego or whatever, I just feel that before telling me that this field may not be suitable for me, do examine the facts. If I choose to do mechanical engineering, does it mean that I can't fare as well because I'm not a guy? Perhaps sometimes they have a slight edge over me, when physical work is required. But I still feel that the skills and experience that I possess matter more than any amount of physical strength does.