In less than 70 hours, 2014 would be officially over and everyone would welcome the coming of 2015, although this year it is likely that Malaysians will invite 2015 with grim and probably absence of warmth and excitement.
2014 has been a tragic year for the world, particularly Malaysia.
Early March this year the nation was shaken when MH370 was reported missing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Malaysia Airlines has an impressive safety record, with only one fatality accident since its establishment back in 1960s. Understandably the incident shook the nation and the nation watched the investigation unfolded with shock. The remains of the plane remain largely unknown, not a single debris, victim or any traces could be found. It remains one of the greatest aviation mysteries to date.
Mid July 2014, 17/7/2014 night 11pm, Facebook was suddenly filled with news that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, another Boeing 777, was shot down in eastern Ukraine. The news was a double blow to Malaysians, particularly MAS, as it is the second deadly incident involving MAS in less than a year for an airline relatively safe for 40+ years. The world, this time, was perplexed, angry, and extremely shocked, because this time it was clearly established that the plane was brought down by human. A barbaric act that snatched away almost 300 lives who have no involvement in whatever interests they had. The culprits, to date, remain unknown.
Just yesterday, Malaysia-based Indonesian AirAsia lost a plane in the vicinity of Jawa Sea, en route from Surubaya to Singapore. Until the moment of writing, the aeroplane remains unaccounted for. The lives of those on board are presumed dead, and the authorities are preparing for the worst.
Three aviation accidents, extremely deadly and earth-gripping, happened to Malaysia-linked airlines. Although the AirAsia case is an Indonesian aircraft, carrying Indonesian flag and bearing Indonesian name, it is still based in Malaysia, and the link certainly wasn't nice.
Besides aviation incidents, racist views that are uncalled-for are frequently made the headlines. The calling for the burning of bible by Ibrahim Ali angered Malaysians but he was let away scot-free for "defending the sanctity of Islam", according to the Attorney-General. What an excuse! Then ISMA, Perkasa and UMNO have frequently voiced out racist views and controversial comments like Muslims are not allowed to wish Christians Merry Christmas and these views, understandably, are simply preposterous. Extremists getting loud are, to some, a sign of desperation that those in power realise they could no longer cling on their position long, and thus resort to irrational, desperate measures to attempt to remain seated by making unfounded threats on issues never raised and claimed by keeping them in power, those issues would not be an issue anymore. What a laughing stock.
Then we have the worst flood to hit Malaysia in more than 30 years. Kelantan, the worst hit state, was inundated with water 2 floors high, and the people are trapped in some building completely in darkness with no electrical and water supplies and are sustaining their lives with whatever food they could scavenge before aids could reach them via air or boat. Hundreds of thousands are forced to evacuate and towns are literally paralysed and rendered inoperable. Lives have lost, but our Prime Minister was still playing golf in Hawaii and was "summoned" to come back due to terrible disaster. Another laughing stock. Let's just hope the water recede soon, it would be sad to see more lives are lost due to the monsoon season which is exceptionally terrible this year.
Outside Malaysia, we see Russia and Ukraine beginning to create tension and eventually we witness what the West called an intrusion. It is the tension between this two countries that brought down MH17. Then in Korea, a ferry sank and lives are lost, majority are high school student. Preliminary investigation showed sailor's negligence was part to be blamed, and the people are enraged because lives are disregarded to gain business.
In Taiwan a plane, ATR-72, crashed due to harsh weather. Again, lives are lost. In Africa, Air Algerie too lost a plane because of harsh weather and the plane broke into pieces on impact. In US, race relation gained some friction when a white policeman shot dead a black boy who witnesses saw unarmed and has his both hands raised went away scot-free, and then similar events broke out in other states. African-American have been, according to certain media, constantly discriminated against and this issue certainly hit the boiling point.
In Syria and Iraq, religious extremists ISIS expanded their territories and invaded Iraq, took control of Mosul, the second largest Iraq city and the site where Christians thrived, and declared a caliphate. Christians and Yazidi are slaughtered simply because of their religion and race. They are forced to either convert, pay taxes, or die. It is reported that those who opted for paid taxes are robbed of everything and was later told they have to either flee or convert. They face discrimination, and worse, genocide, for not professing Islam. ISIS also began recruiting people from various countries and threatened to obliterate the West. Kobane became the highlight when ISIS attempted to seize the control, but was stalled when US and other countries intervened.
Sydney Siege was partly inspired by ISIS. A lone gunman of unsound mind stormed into a Sydney cafe, held everyone in there hostage and forced them to stand against the window and hold a flag bearing Islamic symbols. After almost one day standoff, it ended with three dead.
US proposes to bring North Korea human right issues to International Criminal Court, but faces challenges from China, North Korea's ally, and to date is unable to make further movements.
There are more events that have happened in 2014. So many dark moments.
It ends in two days. Can 2014 end with no more sufferings and instead bring closure to all sad events that have yet to be closed?
Monday, 29 December 2014
Monday, 22 December 2014
Back Home
You know, coming back home, I realise I forgot how it feels like to be eating Penang food surrounded by people speaking Penang Hokkien.
I forgot how it feels like to meet up with old friends chat like old friends act like high school student because, to be honest, friends we made at high school are the simplest and thus when we get along we put our serious side away.
I forgot how it feels like to shower in a bathroom without worrying you'll hit the wall when you turn around.
I suddenly feel driving is heavy and driving at night can be very daunting.
I realise I don't have to worry for 3 meals per day at home, and better still at home I don't need to sweat all day because I don't need to walk all day going from one place to another.
I forget how it's like to have a strong wifi to use.
I forgot how it feels like to be burden-free, to not using both hands to wash clothes, to not worry about your stuffs constantly get stolen, to have a refrigerator to use, to have clean water supply that have no suspended particles in it.
Lastly, I forgot how it feels like to feel belonged. To feel truly part of a community because you speak and behave like the community. Home, is still the best place to be. Three and a half month is what it takes for me to realise all these, and for this, the first semester in university is not wasted.
I forgot how it feels like to meet up with old friends chat like old friends act like high school student because, to be honest, friends we made at high school are the simplest and thus when we get along we put our serious side away.
I forgot how it feels like to shower in a bathroom without worrying you'll hit the wall when you turn around.
I suddenly feel driving is heavy and driving at night can be very daunting.
I realise I don't have to worry for 3 meals per day at home, and better still at home I don't need to sweat all day because I don't need to walk all day going from one place to another.
I forget how it's like to have a strong wifi to use.
I forgot how it feels like to be burden-free, to not using both hands to wash clothes, to not worry about your stuffs constantly get stolen, to have a refrigerator to use, to have clean water supply that have no suspended particles in it.
Lastly, I forgot how it feels like to feel belonged. To feel truly part of a community because you speak and behave like the community. Home, is still the best place to be. Three and a half month is what it takes for me to realise all these, and for this, the first semester in university is not wasted.
Sunday, 14 December 2014
Baffling Conscience
The Court of Appeal last month ruled that Negeri Sembilan ban of cross-dressing criminalises and discriminates against male Muslims suffering from Gender Identity Disorder, and therefore, in its landmark ruling, declared section 66 as unconstitutional and thus, void.
While I am not a Muslim, I cannot deny the fact that the Mufti and the relevant authority fails to address how Muslims who are sufferers of GID should be subjected.
In my opinion, time has changed, and the law has to change according to the time. While it is true Islamic laws are divine, enacted laws are man-made, and man-interpreted, and therefore subjected to errors and should be reviewed.
As I have read in an article previously, Hudud punishes those who steal with amputation of hand is because in the past, there was no technology to effectively sever one hand, and thus subject the thief to gross and brutal amputation of hand because there was no alternatives in the past.
The time has changed. While the law could be upheld, the way it is upheld can be amended.
It too baffles me when certain Middle East Muslims, and certain in Malaysia, view this as "a new wave of assault on Islam", and that such law "promotes cross-dressing, and unhealthy liberalism that leads to the degradation the haunts US".
While I have no grounds to comment on the first, I have comments regarding the latter.
This ruling does not promote cross-dressing, and it is insulting to Malaysians to think that just because there was no rule, civilisation will disappear and people will start acting in a crazy way. This rule simply de-criminalises those suffering from GID, because they were born this way, and they do not have a choice. It is a recognition that people should be treated equally.
There is scientific evidence to back that GID is an existent medical condition, and there is no scientific evidence as to how GID could be treated.
To say that such ruling promotes cross-dressing is preposterous, and such statement is without basis and mere speculation.
To say that such ruling encourages liberalism is not accurate. While we indeed does not agree with oppressive laws that discriminates against the minority, supporting this ruling does not mean we agree that US liberalism is what we seek after.
We seek after liberalism, but we have clear conscience that we do not wish to have the lifestyles the Americans practise. Having sex, switching partners constantly or sex party such things were, and will never be, part of Malaysian culture. To support liberalism is to seek after healthy thinking and healthy lifestyle, and it is not the Asian culture to practise American's liberalism.
What we more seek after is the culture those Koreans and Japanese practise. They have clear conscience, progressive, show huge interest in learning, and at the same time, clearly conserve their culture and religion. This is how a country should function.
There is no need to fear that Malaysia will degrade to American's morale because Malaysia will never degrade to such level. What is there to fear is that unless prompt actions and the silent moderate Muslim majority voice out against the extremists, Malaysia is more likely to go on a path that plunges into the darkness that currently surrounds Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, where extremists wrongly interpreted and politicised the teaching of the religion, and throw their own countries into turmoil.
At the end, it is their own people who suffer. And we, a rather civilised country who is rather developed, certainly can do more to better interpret the Islamic teaching that promotes religious tolerance, moderation, and equality.
On a side note, I disagree with UMNO that claims vernacular school inhibits racial harmony. This comment is as absurd as stating that religious schools is an obstacle to religious tolerance, or is that what UMNO is insinuating?
It is time for Malaysians to speak out against the tyranny, who have now frequently abused their power to oppress those who do not concur with them, and politicise a religion and render a peaceful religion into one that is breaking the practitioners apart.
While I am not a Muslim, I cannot deny the fact that the Mufti and the relevant authority fails to address how Muslims who are sufferers of GID should be subjected.
In my opinion, time has changed, and the law has to change according to the time. While it is true Islamic laws are divine, enacted laws are man-made, and man-interpreted, and therefore subjected to errors and should be reviewed.
As I have read in an article previously, Hudud punishes those who steal with amputation of hand is because in the past, there was no technology to effectively sever one hand, and thus subject the thief to gross and brutal amputation of hand because there was no alternatives in the past.
The time has changed. While the law could be upheld, the way it is upheld can be amended.
It too baffles me when certain Middle East Muslims, and certain in Malaysia, view this as "a new wave of assault on Islam", and that such law "promotes cross-dressing, and unhealthy liberalism that leads to the degradation the haunts US".
While I have no grounds to comment on the first, I have comments regarding the latter.
This ruling does not promote cross-dressing, and it is insulting to Malaysians to think that just because there was no rule, civilisation will disappear and people will start acting in a crazy way. This rule simply de-criminalises those suffering from GID, because they were born this way, and they do not have a choice. It is a recognition that people should be treated equally.
There is scientific evidence to back that GID is an existent medical condition, and there is no scientific evidence as to how GID could be treated.
To say that such ruling promotes cross-dressing is preposterous, and such statement is without basis and mere speculation.
To say that such ruling encourages liberalism is not accurate. While we indeed does not agree with oppressive laws that discriminates against the minority, supporting this ruling does not mean we agree that US liberalism is what we seek after.
We seek after liberalism, but we have clear conscience that we do not wish to have the lifestyles the Americans practise. Having sex, switching partners constantly or sex party such things were, and will never be, part of Malaysian culture. To support liberalism is to seek after healthy thinking and healthy lifestyle, and it is not the Asian culture to practise American's liberalism.
What we more seek after is the culture those Koreans and Japanese practise. They have clear conscience, progressive, show huge interest in learning, and at the same time, clearly conserve their culture and religion. This is how a country should function.
There is no need to fear that Malaysia will degrade to American's morale because Malaysia will never degrade to such level. What is there to fear is that unless prompt actions and the silent moderate Muslim majority voice out against the extremists, Malaysia is more likely to go on a path that plunges into the darkness that currently surrounds Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, where extremists wrongly interpreted and politicised the teaching of the religion, and throw their own countries into turmoil.
At the end, it is their own people who suffer. And we, a rather civilised country who is rather developed, certainly can do more to better interpret the Islamic teaching that promotes religious tolerance, moderation, and equality.
On a side note, I disagree with UMNO that claims vernacular school inhibits racial harmony. This comment is as absurd as stating that religious schools is an obstacle to religious tolerance, or is that what UMNO is insinuating?
It is time for Malaysians to speak out against the tyranny, who have now frequently abused their power to oppress those who do not concur with them, and politicise a religion and render a peaceful religion into one that is breaking the practitioners apart.
Saturday, 13 December 2014
Court Cases
Apparently, Ibrahim Ali, or are more fondly been called katak, has decided to sue The Star CEO Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai over an article he wrote in The Star.
He demanded Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai to retract his statements, declare an apology, and pay a hefty sum of compensation, in which he denied and said he would not back down to extremism and wwill see Ibrahim Ali in court.
I have followed up this story for quite a time, and am quite keyed-up when this news was released.
It too baffled me how calling for the burning of a bible is deemed not seditious. According to the Attorney General, the call must be viewed in context and it cannot be taken literally. As convenient as it sounds, it expresses that the call of the burning of the bible is to defend the sanctity of Islam, and it is therefore not seditious as he was defending a religion.
But what move is that towards Christianity? Is it allowed to defend a religion by attacking another?
Ibrahim Ali too claims that people are being biased against him. He claims himself as a moderate person, and does not understand why even the 25 prominent Malays, who recently wrote an open letter to call for a moderate dialogue, labelled him as "extremist" and likely insinuate that he is a threat to the nation than what he wants to be.
It's an inspiring and respectable move by Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai to challenge Ibrahim Ali's lawsuit. The court case should be interesting.
I wonder whether he could evoke any laws to challenge Ibrahim Ali's remarks, and have the court probed whether it is seditious and thus take appropriate measure.
Ibrahim Ali is a danger man who does not contribute anything to the nation except instigating hatred between races. He should be brought to court, and challenged, because at the end, moderation will be the victory, not extremism.
Four court cases I have set myself to watch
1) The Federal Court's decision on Anwar's appeal, whether it is rejected or accepted.
2) The Negeri Sembilan appeal on the cross-dressing ban, which was declared unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal as it criminalises Muslim males with Gender Identity Disorder.
3) Sister In Islam (SIS) challenge to quash fatwa, which was granted by the High Court only recently.
4) Katak vs Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
Moderates are beginning to stand up against the aggressive oppressive.
Interesting days ahead.
He demanded Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai to retract his statements, declare an apology, and pay a hefty sum of compensation, in which he denied and said he would not back down to extremism and wwill see Ibrahim Ali in court.
I have followed up this story for quite a time, and am quite keyed-up when this news was released.
It too baffled me how calling for the burning of a bible is deemed not seditious. According to the Attorney General, the call must be viewed in context and it cannot be taken literally. As convenient as it sounds, it expresses that the call of the burning of the bible is to defend the sanctity of Islam, and it is therefore not seditious as he was defending a religion.
But what move is that towards Christianity? Is it allowed to defend a religion by attacking another?
Ibrahim Ali too claims that people are being biased against him. He claims himself as a moderate person, and does not understand why even the 25 prominent Malays, who recently wrote an open letter to call for a moderate dialogue, labelled him as "extremist" and likely insinuate that he is a threat to the nation than what he wants to be.
It's an inspiring and respectable move by Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai to challenge Ibrahim Ali's lawsuit. The court case should be interesting.
I wonder whether he could evoke any laws to challenge Ibrahim Ali's remarks, and have the court probed whether it is seditious and thus take appropriate measure.
Ibrahim Ali is a danger man who does not contribute anything to the nation except instigating hatred between races. He should be brought to court, and challenged, because at the end, moderation will be the victory, not extremism.
Four court cases I have set myself to watch
1) The Federal Court's decision on Anwar's appeal, whether it is rejected or accepted.
2) The Negeri Sembilan appeal on the cross-dressing ban, which was declared unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal as it criminalises Muslim males with Gender Identity Disorder.
3) Sister In Islam (SIS) challenge to quash fatwa, which was granted by the High Court only recently.
4) Katak vs Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
Moderates are beginning to stand up against the aggressive oppressive.
Interesting days ahead.
Friday, 12 December 2014
Exam
My final exam begins tomorrow and ends next Wednesday, so I'll be very busy.
After my final exam, I'll be more rigorous in updating my daily lives.
My blog serves as my diary, and thus it'll not be left abandoned, because leaving it abandoned would signify I abandon my own life, and I have no intention to do so.
Busy.
After my final exam, I'll be more rigorous in updating my daily lives.
My blog serves as my diary, and thus it'll not be left abandoned, because leaving it abandoned would signify I abandon my own life, and I have no intention to do so.
Busy.
Saturday, 22 November 2014
Life So Far
I'm not going to write long because I've got a very tight schedule ahead.
I've got one major project to be handed in on Monday, one assignment on Friday, one presentation on Thursday, and two tests this week. I'm quite overwhelmed at the moment so I don't really want to spend too much time blogging.
Life so far in Kuching is quite good. Kuching people speak Chinese the way we (Penangites) do. So far I've observed people from Bintulu and Kapit tend to speak in a rather 'more standard' accent, which makes them quite distinguishable, and those from Sibu and Sarikei have Fuzhou accent like my father does.
Lots of Hokkien here in Kuching but the Hokkien here is slightly different from Penang. Accent is totally different.
There are lots of Fuzhou too. I'm a Fuzhou, father from Sitiawan, and I really regret (though I couldn't really change anything) not learning or given the opportunity to learn Fuzhou.
Mandarin here is quite different in terms of choice of word. For example, 50 cent is called 五毛钱，whereas in Penang and KL it's called 五角。
Bread here are damn delicious, sadly the price is not very inviting.
New Sarawak Tribune and The Borneo Post are the two local English newspapers here. New Sarawak Tribune lacks solid news as they have limited coverage and reporting, no comics as well, but they have additional features that I like. The Borneo Post exclusively reports only news and only contains about 2 or 3 additional articles that are not news-reporting.
Fried egg, 荷包蛋，is extremely rare in Kuching, and can normally only be bought through ordering, and it cost RM1 per piece. People who say it's not rare in Kuching obviously have not been to Penang. The rather common choice is salted egg and omelette.
There are more Penangites than I previously thought, and a lot of Peninsular Malaysians as well. However, Sarawakian is still the majority, comprising about 70% of local students.
After eating it for three months, Kolo Mee still tastes as good as I first taste it. Even better, actually. My first try was white Kolo Mee and now I am eating too much Red Kolo Mee.
That's all for now. Rushing assignment now.
I've got one major project to be handed in on Monday, one assignment on Friday, one presentation on Thursday, and two tests this week. I'm quite overwhelmed at the moment so I don't really want to spend too much time blogging.
Life so far in Kuching is quite good. Kuching people speak Chinese the way we (Penangites) do. So far I've observed people from Bintulu and Kapit tend to speak in a rather 'more standard' accent, which makes them quite distinguishable, and those from Sibu and Sarikei have Fuzhou accent like my father does.
Lots of Hokkien here in Kuching but the Hokkien here is slightly different from Penang. Accent is totally different.
There are lots of Fuzhou too. I'm a Fuzhou, father from Sitiawan, and I really regret (though I couldn't really change anything) not learning or given the opportunity to learn Fuzhou.
Mandarin here is quite different in terms of choice of word. For example, 50 cent is called 五毛钱，whereas in Penang and KL it's called 五角。
Bread here are damn delicious, sadly the price is not very inviting.
New Sarawak Tribune and The Borneo Post are the two local English newspapers here. New Sarawak Tribune lacks solid news as they have limited coverage and reporting, no comics as well, but they have additional features that I like. The Borneo Post exclusively reports only news and only contains about 2 or 3 additional articles that are not news-reporting.
Fried egg, 荷包蛋，is extremely rare in Kuching, and can normally only be bought through ordering, and it cost RM1 per piece. People who say it's not rare in Kuching obviously have not been to Penang. The rather common choice is salted egg and omelette.
There are more Penangites than I previously thought, and a lot of Peninsular Malaysians as well. However, Sarawakian is still the majority, comprising about 70% of local students.
After eating it for three months, Kolo Mee still tastes as good as I first taste it. Even better, actually. My first try was white Kolo Mee and now I am eating too much Red Kolo Mee.
That's all for now. Rushing assignment now.
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Disappointment
There's a reason why I always stay true to what I say, because I have been a victim of empty promises and disappointments throughout my life.
Every time people say they want to do something, they wanna give me something, they wanna do something to make me happy, at the end they do not.
They give empty promises. They give false hope. They give me an enormous elation and excitement only to crush it at the end.
It happens all the time, and ya I blame it mostly at him.
I won't say who he is, but I guess you might be able to figure it out.
Every time, all he does is give people a great excitement for something exciting, and then at the end he crushes it.
Even though right now I now he mostly is not true to his word and he rarely does what he says, sometimes I give myself the hope, and give him the benefit of the doubt, that he would in this case true to his word.
I have been stupid for 20 years. I have been stupid to treat myself with this.
Ya, I contribute this to my strong independence. I am always not given what people say they'll give me, so I have learned to grow up fighting to get what I want in my life.
Disappointed. I am also disappointed that even though I grow up like this for 20 years, I can still be disappointed by what I already know would be a disappointment.
This is why I have great difficulties trusting promises. All promises people give me are rubbish. If you cannot be responsible for what you say, go away, get out of my life. I am seriously tired of this shit.
Every time people say they want to do something, they wanna give me something, they wanna do something to make me happy, at the end they do not.
They give empty promises. They give false hope. They give me an enormous elation and excitement only to crush it at the end.
It happens all the time, and ya I blame it mostly at him.
I won't say who he is, but I guess you might be able to figure it out.
Every time, all he does is give people a great excitement for something exciting, and then at the end he crushes it.
Even though right now I now he mostly is not true to his word and he rarely does what he says, sometimes I give myself the hope, and give him the benefit of the doubt, that he would in this case true to his word.
I have been stupid for 20 years. I have been stupid to treat myself with this.
Ya, I contribute this to my strong independence. I am always not given what people say they'll give me, so I have learned to grow up fighting to get what I want in my life.
Disappointed. I am also disappointed that even though I grow up like this for 20 years, I can still be disappointed by what I already know would be a disappointment.
This is why I have great difficulties trusting promises. All promises people give me are rubbish. If you cannot be responsible for what you say, go away, get out of my life. I am seriously tired of this shit.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Feeling
I miss the challenges I faced when I studied form 6.
I also miss the challenges we faced together in STPM. It's actually the spirit we faced together that I pine for.
STPM could be the greatest blessing in your life, if you defeat it psychologically first.
Then, everything else about STPM would be the greatest thing that has happened to one.
It's true, I've several people who miss form 6 life even after graduating university.
Appreciate form 6 life, really. I miss it so much.
I also miss the challenges we faced together in STPM. It's actually the spirit we faced together that I pine for.
STPM could be the greatest blessing in your life, if you defeat it psychologically first.
Then, everything else about STPM would be the greatest thing that has happened to one.
It's true, I've several people who miss form 6 life even after graduating university.
Appreciate form 6 life, really. I miss it so much.
Monday, 27 October 2014
Anwar and the Desperate BN
It is obvious Barisan Nasional now finds Anwar so threatening that it has resorted to bar him from entering a public university.
University of Malaya does not belong to the government. It belongs to the rakyat.
Citing electrical issues, UM sends all its staffs back at 4pm, and place UM under lock down. It's like declaring darurat inside UM, only to no avail.
Crowds beginning to swell. They moved towards the locked gate and shook it until it budged, and Anwar entered and delivered his speech and left safe and sound.
For one you are so close to throwing into gaol, Barisan you certainly are desperate to such an extent of barring him from entering UM.
The greatest thing from the whole event, I must admit, is to watch the students defying the order, gather and fight valiantly for freedom of speech and academic.
It's good to know the young generations have started to defy oppression, and to learn to defend themselves against repressive government.
In this event, I see hope, and it's inspiring. Malaysia still has hope. The future we hope may not come soon, but it is coming.
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Me
While a lot of people, especially those who gave up Malaysian citizenship and are living in other countries, prefer to lament about how terrible Malaysia is, I personally prefer to appreciate that I am born in Malaysia and not North Korea, Middle East countries like Iraq and Syria which have never observed a minute of peace, and even China. I prefer to appreciate that I am not born in those war-torn countries and controlled by truly repressive government than to complain that I do not have a life as good as the Americans/British/Australians or even Singaporeans.
That's just me. Of course you could argue that if there's a better opportunity, why not go for it? But the problem is, everything comes at a price. I have observed people that people who snatched those opportunities are never actually content. They simply become heavily dependent on what the countries could offer, and if they're deprived of them for even a single second (for example, wifi, or a malfunctioning escalator), they would complain.
And they never stop complain. All they want is to be given what they think is the best offer available.
They have become unhealthily materialistic and are heavily dependent on machinery and technology on their daily lives. Take away their smartphone one day and they'll kill you.
So, I prefer to be living a middle life, a life that is significantly restricted in every aspects like freedom of speech (well, at least Malaysia has not censored media like China does), but a life that gives quite a lot of space for improvements.
Well, that's just me, and I am happy I am easily made happy.
At the same time, Malaysia is my home. No matter how terrible Malaysia has become, I will not abandon my country. I'll fight for my home, just like the Hong Kongers now do.
I have never seen an American telling Iraqi to flee their countries either. Most citizens tell the people to stand up to the oppressive, and I prefer to do so.
Unless Malaysia has become China where there is absolutely no room for changes, then I'll flee.
But Malaysia has not degraded to such level. A change is still possible - we simply need to cooperate, persevere, and fight.
Even if Malaysia could not change by the time I take in my last breath, then let me die fighting for the future of Malaysia.
I won't run away from my home for lousy maintenance. I'll stay, and I'll fight for my own future, instead of seeking one that does not belong to me, one that only partially open for me for their own economic sake.
This is me. I do not like a materialistic life, I do not seek high standard of living and I will not leave Malaysia, no matter how people find Malaysia unlivable. Fighting for my own future is the ideology I grow up with, one that I strongly believe in, and not seeking for offers that could make my life easier.
This is me.
That's just me. Of course you could argue that if there's a better opportunity, why not go for it? But the problem is, everything comes at a price. I have observed people that people who snatched those opportunities are never actually content. They simply become heavily dependent on what the countries could offer, and if they're deprived of them for even a single second (for example, wifi, or a malfunctioning escalator), they would complain.
And they never stop complain. All they want is to be given what they think is the best offer available.
They have become unhealthily materialistic and are heavily dependent on machinery and technology on their daily lives. Take away their smartphone one day and they'll kill you.
So, I prefer to be living a middle life, a life that is significantly restricted in every aspects like freedom of speech (well, at least Malaysia has not censored media like China does), but a life that gives quite a lot of space for improvements.
Well, that's just me, and I am happy I am easily made happy.
At the same time, Malaysia is my home. No matter how terrible Malaysia has become, I will not abandon my country. I'll fight for my home, just like the Hong Kongers now do.
I have never seen an American telling Iraqi to flee their countries either. Most citizens tell the people to stand up to the oppressive, and I prefer to do so.
Unless Malaysia has become China where there is absolutely no room for changes, then I'll flee.
But Malaysia has not degraded to such level. A change is still possible - we simply need to cooperate, persevere, and fight.
Even if Malaysia could not change by the time I take in my last breath, then let me die fighting for the future of Malaysia.
I won't run away from my home for lousy maintenance. I'll stay, and I'll fight for my own future, instead of seeking one that does not belong to me, one that only partially open for me for their own economic sake.
This is me. I do not like a materialistic life, I do not seek high standard of living and I will not leave Malaysia, no matter how people find Malaysia unlivable. Fighting for my own future is the ideology I grow up with, one that I strongly believe in, and not seeking for offers that could make my life easier.
This is me.
Saturday, 11 October 2014
Graduate
In 2011, after SPM, I got my very first handphone. In 2013, after STPM, I got my very first smartphone. Therefore prior to obtaining these phones, I used what I had at my disposal to record memories - my brain. This is why I am highly sentimental. My brain contains everything. I meticulously record every journey, every part of my life in my brain, with absolutely no reliance on any technology. I record by remembering and writing. That makes me particular exceptional - I openly confess my feelings without shame, and I could recall a lot of past events normal people could not, right from primary to....now.
And this too contributes to my particularly active senses. My senses are hyperactive, and right now even while I am typing this I can recall greatly and vividly those things that happened in the past. I could feel and remember how tired I was in the school. I could remember the feeling of my sweaty shirt sticking to my back. I could remember the hot steering wheel of my car after school. I could remember the scent of the food in my canteen et cetera.
And this is why I am easily triggered whenever I come across something pertaining to my past. How can I tell my brain, which is my camera and cam-recorder, not to replay an event when the play button is hit?
University life has its fun, but admit it - secondary school is still the best. The life is simple. Stressful, yes, but simple and fun. Adolescence is a nice period where you don't get too mature and enjoy fun like children, but then you are not too childish to naively just play - you invent games, you find partners, and you prank.
Secondary school too functions as a partial shield. It provides substantial shield to the students that protect them from certain unforgiving incidents. Students are well protected from the ugliness of the society, to the point they consider school as "oppressive" although a school merely provides temporary shelter. The school allows you to make all sorts of mistakes without the students bearing terrible consequences. The worst you could land yourself was meeting parents or getting expelled, it's still better than getting fired and losing all your financial support when you're working.
University is different. It has its fun, but without a class, without classmates, without your own tables and chairs and without a fix classroom and a form teacher, everything is different. In high school, handphones are forbidden. Hence, you forge relationships with friends by emotional bonds. In university, when people have nothing to do, they don't take the initiative to talk, they get themselves buried in their phone.
So videos about graduation start circulating on facebook, I came across this video, which literally brought me to tears. Trust me when I say I would give everything back to go back to secondary school, because I really do.
What people say are true: a school is a cruel place that binds people with a robust bond, only to forcefully separate them when time is up.
For those graduating soon, appreciate the remaining days. No matter how much you hate it now, no matter how much fun you think you'll have in the next stage of your life, you'll miss it badly in the future. For those who still have years to go, enjoy your school life. It's awesome.
Happy graduation!
Friday, 3 October 2014
University
Hi guys, I have a very tight schedule here so I really don't have much time to post much here.
Anyway, I am currently studying in Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus. The campus is very small, slightly bigger than my secondary school but the location is really strategic.
Opposite Swinburne campus, there's immigration centre. Whatever issues you have about your student visa or passport can be settled there. All you need to do is to exit the gate and cross the road, and there you are.
Beside immigration, there's a police station, and I think it's Kuching headquarters. Thus the security around the campus is considered acceptable, although I have heard of a number of robberies but I guess expecting an absolute absence of crime is not possible.
Beside the police station, there's The Spring Mall, a shopping mall as high class as KLCC. Things inside there are very expensive, but I have to say the shopping mall is very convenient for the students. Need to buy anything? Head there, you can basically buy everything.
Behind the campus, we have KWSP. The office that deals with EPF. Then beside the building, there's a hospital - Borneo Medical Centre. It's just like 5 minutes walk! It's damn convenient! Swinburne's location is just too strategic!
About 10 minutes walk, and crossing a very busy and ridiculously big roundabout, we'll reach King Centre which has a number of food courts that sell street food that is more affordable for students. If you do not mind walking, you may walk for an extra 20 minutes to CityOne Megamall.
About 25 minutes walk from Swinburne campus, you can also reach Kenyalang Park. There's a market in there and certain food and cheap goods can be found.
About 10-15 drive and you'll reach Waterfront, or Kuching Old Town.
Swinburne's campus is just way too convenient. The strategic location is what I like the university best. Haha
There's one downside though, there's no McDonald's around Swinburne. The only fast food I like. The nearest stall requires a 15 minutes drive. Too bad.
Anyway, I am currently studying in Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus. The campus is very small, slightly bigger than my secondary school but the location is really strategic.
Opposite Swinburne campus, there's immigration centre. Whatever issues you have about your student visa or passport can be settled there. All you need to do is to exit the gate and cross the road, and there you are.
Beside immigration, there's a police station, and I think it's Kuching headquarters. Thus the security around the campus is considered acceptable, although I have heard of a number of robberies but I guess expecting an absolute absence of crime is not possible.
Beside the police station, there's The Spring Mall, a shopping mall as high class as KLCC. Things inside there are very expensive, but I have to say the shopping mall is very convenient for the students. Need to buy anything? Head there, you can basically buy everything.
Behind the campus, we have KWSP. The office that deals with EPF. Then beside the building, there's a hospital - Borneo Medical Centre. It's just like 5 minutes walk! It's damn convenient! Swinburne's location is just too strategic!
About 10 minutes walk, and crossing a very busy and ridiculously big roundabout, we'll reach King Centre which has a number of food courts that sell street food that is more affordable for students. If you do not mind walking, you may walk for an extra 20 minutes to CityOne Megamall.
About 25 minutes walk from Swinburne campus, you can also reach Kenyalang Park. There's a market in there and certain food and cheap goods can be found.
About 10-15 drive and you'll reach Waterfront, or Kuching Old Town.
Swinburne's campus is just way too convenient. The strategic location is what I like the university best. Haha
There's one downside though, there's no McDonald's around Swinburne. The only fast food I like. The nearest stall requires a 15 minutes drive. Too bad.
Monday, 29 September 2014
29/9/2014
I feel like writing something right now, but due to time constraints and lack of idea, I'll just write about what I'm taking at this semester.
Being one of the rare species who is studying degree here post-STPM, Energy and Motion and Engineering Mathematics are nothing new to us. In fact, engineering Maths is much easier than STPM Maths.
Energy and Motion is somewhat similar to STPM Dynamics and Kinematics, and so far there's nothing new except slightly different style of questions.
Mechanics of Structure, however, is an entirely new subject to us. This is where STPM students are disadvantaged. Majority who come up by foundation seem to cope better due to early study.
MPU subject "Hubungan Etnik" is ridiculous and doesn't worth my time to write about it.
Civil Engineering Project is a group project I am supposed to complete this semester. With completely no foundation, idea, knowledge and concepts regarding the course, we are asked to build a school and take water and waste, geotechnical, environmental, structural engineering and project management into account.
First year students appear to be doing a final-year project, with the exception of visiting sites.
Nice. High standard ya?
Being one of the rare species who is studying degree here post-STPM, Energy and Motion and Engineering Mathematics are nothing new to us. In fact, engineering Maths is much easier than STPM Maths.
Energy and Motion is somewhat similar to STPM Dynamics and Kinematics, and so far there's nothing new except slightly different style of questions.
Mechanics of Structure, however, is an entirely new subject to us. This is where STPM students are disadvantaged. Majority who come up by foundation seem to cope better due to early study.
MPU subject "Hubungan Etnik" is ridiculous and doesn't worth my time to write about it.
Civil Engineering Project is a group project I am supposed to complete this semester. With completely no foundation, idea, knowledge and concepts regarding the course, we are asked to build a school and take water and waste, geotechnical, environmental, structural engineering and project management into account.
First year students appear to be doing a final-year project, with the exception of visiting sites.
Nice. High standard ya?
Sunday, 28 September 2014
Revival
My blog is dying. Lol I've been away due to tight schedule.
But fear not, I'll never let my blog dies.
I'll come back, and one day my blog will be active again.
But fear not, I'll never let my blog dies.
I'll come back, and one day my blog will be active again.
Thursday, 11 September 2014
Nostalgia
The greatest thing that has happened in my life is none other than studying form 6.
I miss form 6 life.
Waking up early in the morning, drive lazily to gate 5, and then drag myself into my class and then fall asleep on my table.
Watch my friends come in one by one, then wait for the bell to ring and the teacher to enter the class or go to DK.
Normally, for the first few periods, my lethargy triumphs. I would just fall asleep until the sun is shining enough or the aroma of fried chicken from the chicken permeates to my class.
I too once in charge of the attendance book. It was a burden and troublesome too.
Then normally after recess time, I would be more lively.
But the humid and hot weather make almost all of us listless. We can't concentrate in class so we just play around and ignore our teacher.
Sometimes when teacher does not enter the class, we'll just go out lepak. Form 6 is quite free, they aren't strict with discipline.
I remember we once played boardless chess in class. We had the pieces only, so we used a ruler as the river and played boardless chess.
Then we play with syilings.
Then we poked people around.
When assignments are due and we couldn't do them, we just go search around for plausible answers and copy one entirely because we have no better choice to take.
When STPM result is released, we'll quickly contact everyone and ask about their result.
Then the next day after school, we'll all move to BSN to buy PIN number for retake, turning BSN into Jit Sin.
When we see too many people lining up, we'll just shove all PIN number to one who arrives first and gets to be served first.
I miss the moment, after school, we all go play badminton together.
I miss the moment, after school, we go around BM to look for famous hawker food. Sentosa yam rice, Jalan Kulim laksa etc...
I miss the moment, on Thursday, we go to now closed AEON Jusco to watch movies.
I miss the moment, every semesters, we wait for new publications to be on sale.
I miss the moment, every week, we have to stay back in school to study or attend co-curriculum activities.
I miss the moment, every day, after school we'll stay back and have lunch.
I miss the moment, sometimes, it rains and we wet ourselves on our way to our car.
I miss the moment, every day, whole throng of people walk out of the gates together in the hot sun.
I miss the moment, after every class, we'll go to toilet together and enter the class slightly late.
I miss the moment, for almost every week, we have a time to mingle around and play sports at our favourite place.
I miss the moment, every day, we play like children in the class.
I miss the moment, weirdly though, that we cooperate and clean the class during gotong-royong.
Form 6 life is awesome, and I never once regret taking STPM.
I would give everything I could if there's an opportunity to study form 6 again.
It is the best thing that has happened in my life. The most beautiful and memorable.
I miss it so much I refuse to write this post in past tense.
Nostalgia.
I miss form 6 life.
Waking up early in the morning, drive lazily to gate 5, and then drag myself into my class and then fall asleep on my table.
Watch my friends come in one by one, then wait for the bell to ring and the teacher to enter the class or go to DK.
Normally, for the first few periods, my lethargy triumphs. I would just fall asleep until the sun is shining enough or the aroma of fried chicken from the chicken permeates to my class.
I too once in charge of the attendance book. It was a burden and troublesome too.
Then normally after recess time, I would be more lively.
But the humid and hot weather make almost all of us listless. We can't concentrate in class so we just play around and ignore our teacher.
Sometimes when teacher does not enter the class, we'll just go out lepak. Form 6 is quite free, they aren't strict with discipline.
I remember we once played boardless chess in class. We had the pieces only, so we used a ruler as the river and played boardless chess.
Then we play with syilings.
Then we poked people around.
When assignments are due and we couldn't do them, we just go search around for plausible answers and copy one entirely because we have no better choice to take.
When STPM result is released, we'll quickly contact everyone and ask about their result.
Then the next day after school, we'll all move to BSN to buy PIN number for retake, turning BSN into Jit Sin.
When we see too many people lining up, we'll just shove all PIN number to one who arrives first and gets to be served first.
I miss the moment, after school, we all go play badminton together.
I miss the moment, after school, we go around BM to look for famous hawker food. Sentosa yam rice, Jalan Kulim laksa etc...
I miss the moment, on Thursday, we go to now closed AEON Jusco to watch movies.
I miss the moment, every semesters, we wait for new publications to be on sale.
I miss the moment, every week, we have to stay back in school to study or attend co-curriculum activities.
I miss the moment, every day, after school we'll stay back and have lunch.
I miss the moment, sometimes, it rains and we wet ourselves on our way to our car.
I miss the moment, every day, whole throng of people walk out of the gates together in the hot sun.
I miss the moment, after every class, we'll go to toilet together and enter the class slightly late.
I miss the moment, for almost every week, we have a time to mingle around and play sports at our favourite place.
I miss the moment, every day, we play like children in the class.
I miss the moment, weirdly though, that we cooperate and clean the class during gotong-royong.
Form 6 life is awesome, and I never once regret taking STPM.
I would give everything I could if there's an opportunity to study form 6 again.
It is the best thing that has happened in my life. The most beautiful and memorable.
I miss it so much I refuse to write this post in past tense.
Nostalgia.
Monday, 8 September 2014
Sarawak
Hi
guys, l am now in Sarawak for the eighth day and have adapted much better
than I did when I first reached here. First day was extremely lonely
and torturing actually as I was totally alone and in a place extremely
unfamiliar.
Totally alone in a foreign place is relatively unpleasant, especially when I first checked in hostel and realised that the hostel internet actually block almost all video sharing website - there goes my entertainment.
Swinburne University is a small university, only slightly bigger than Jit Sin. But surprisingly comfortable. At least when I walk from one office to finance department I don't have to walk like a kilometre.
My hostel internet is only available for one server. That means if I use laptop to serve the internet, I can't use my smartphone and vice versa. That prompted me to, for the first time in my life, purchase mobile data.
People here are friendly but they come from totally different cultural and societal background from me. People here strictly speak English, only a small number of Chinese speak Mandarin. That makes me an odd one out.
There are lots of Australians, Koreans, Indonesians, Europeans (some Swedish I heard), Africans, Sri Lankans and people of other countries. It is truly an international university.
However, so far, I've only come across three Peninsular Malaysia people - one from Penang, one from KL and another from Johor. Others are Sarawakians and Sabahans.
People in Sarawak are different. Lots of bumiputeras here and I have yet to be able to distinguish them from Chinese.
Certain things here are more expensive than Penang, while certain things are much cheaper. Food, for one, is much more expensive. However, some bottled drinks are cheaper. Penang White Curry Mee is only RM6 here compared to RM6.50 in BM, which is ironic since it's made in Bukit Tengah.
I've not been able to find any shops that sell Gardenia.
Time here seems to be one hour faster than Penang. 7pm is already very dark here.
McDonald is not found plenty here. I've yet to see one, but there's a franchise here that's called 'Sugar Bun' that is something like a hybrid of KFC and The Chicken Rice Shop. It's also the only fast food franchise I've seen that serve both fast food and Asian cuisine (claypot).
Fly Fm and Red Fm are not available here.
There are a number of local newspapers like 'The Borneo Post' and local radio stations which are in Malay or Iban language.
Nobody speaks Hokkien here, and the Chinese spoken here is slightly different from Penang. Even the accent is different - so you can tell, from the way the person speaks, whether he's from Borneo or out of Borneo.
Economy rice is virtually non-existent here. Rice here is incredibly expensive but normally comes in extremely big serving, almost twice the size of that in Penang.
Living cost in Sarawak is way much higher than Penang, but from what I've heard it's still lower than Sabah.
Oddly, most of the hawker centres are close by noon. It appears that do business only in the morning. Which means I've great trouble finding food for lunch and dinner except school cafeteria and The Spring Mall.
Saturday is not a working day in Sarawak. Not even half day.
On Saturday and Sunday, The Star Newspaper costs RM1.50 in Peninsular Malaysia, RM2.00 in Sabah but only RM1.20 in Sarawak.
Drivers here are less reckless and much more understanding than drivers in Penang. At least when I'm crossing the road, the car will stop and let me through. Unlike in Penang, even if the traffic light allows me to go there'll still be motorcycles that will break the light, and annoyingly even appears to think you are the one who wish to die.
Roads here are also much well-paved than roads in Penang. There are significantly less bumps and potholes.
Throughout six days of my life here, I've yet to hear a single honk by a car driver.
And I too haven't seen a single public bus on the road.
According to wikipedia, Kuching is the wettest town in Malaysia. I do not know when it triumphs Taiping, but Kuching is indeed wet.
Bumiputera here closely resemble Chinese, and to say the truth whenever I approach someone, I do not whether to speak Malay or Chinese.
Taxi ride here is incredibly expensive. 3km ride could possibly cost RM15.
I do not know why people say you'll get fat when you go university. I walk a lot everyday in the sun to the nearest food stalls outside, and I feel like everything I've eaten were burnt away on my way back to my room. I hardly see how I could get fat.
Classes start next Monday and I hate my time table. It's the worst time table I've seen ever since I was born.
Just to leave a message to let those who care about me to know that I'm fine, and I'm glad to hear everyone I care is also doing well.
I still miss home, my family, Penang, Penang food, all my friends especially form 6 pals. I wish to say that despite I'll get a life here soon, you guys still have a place in my life. You won't get removed, replaced or substituted because you all mean a lot to me.
See you guys. Miss you all. =)
Totally alone in a foreign place is relatively unpleasant, especially when I first checked in hostel and realised that the hostel internet actually block almost all video sharing website - there goes my entertainment.
Swinburne University is a small university, only slightly bigger than Jit Sin. But surprisingly comfortable. At least when I walk from one office to finance department I don't have to walk like a kilometre.
My hostel internet is only available for one server. That means if I use laptop to serve the internet, I can't use my smartphone and vice versa. That prompted me to, for the first time in my life, purchase mobile data.
People here are friendly but they come from totally different cultural and societal background from me. People here strictly speak English, only a small number of Chinese speak Mandarin. That makes me an odd one out.
There are lots of Australians, Koreans, Indonesians, Europeans (some Swedish I heard), Africans, Sri Lankans and people of other countries. It is truly an international university.
However, so far, I've only come across three Peninsular Malaysia people - one from Penang, one from KL and another from Johor. Others are Sarawakians and Sabahans.
People in Sarawak are different. Lots of bumiputeras here and I have yet to be able to distinguish them from Chinese.
Certain things here are more expensive than Penang, while certain things are much cheaper. Food, for one, is much more expensive. However, some bottled drinks are cheaper. Penang White Curry Mee is only RM6 here compared to RM6.50 in BM, which is ironic since it's made in Bukit Tengah.
I've not been able to find any shops that sell Gardenia.
Time here seems to be one hour faster than Penang. 7pm is already very dark here.
McDonald is not found plenty here. I've yet to see one, but there's a franchise here that's called 'Sugar Bun' that is something like a hybrid of KFC and The Chicken Rice Shop. It's also the only fast food franchise I've seen that serve both fast food and Asian cuisine (claypot).
Fly Fm and Red Fm are not available here.
There are a number of local newspapers like 'The Borneo Post' and local radio stations which are in Malay or Iban language.
Nobody speaks Hokkien here, and the Chinese spoken here is slightly different from Penang. Even the accent is different - so you can tell, from the way the person speaks, whether he's from Borneo or out of Borneo.
Economy rice is virtually non-existent here. Rice here is incredibly expensive but normally comes in extremely big serving, almost twice the size of that in Penang.
Living cost in Sarawak is way much higher than Penang, but from what I've heard it's still lower than Sabah.
Oddly, most of the hawker centres are close by noon. It appears that do business only in the morning. Which means I've great trouble finding food for lunch and dinner except school cafeteria and The Spring Mall.
Saturday is not a working day in Sarawak. Not even half day.
On Saturday and Sunday, The Star Newspaper costs RM1.50 in Peninsular Malaysia, RM2.00 in Sabah but only RM1.20 in Sarawak.
Drivers here are less reckless and much more understanding than drivers in Penang. At least when I'm crossing the road, the car will stop and let me through. Unlike in Penang, even if the traffic light allows me to go there'll still be motorcycles that will break the light, and annoyingly even appears to think you are the one who wish to die.
Roads here are also much well-paved than roads in Penang. There are significantly less bumps and potholes.
Throughout six days of my life here, I've yet to hear a single honk by a car driver.
And I too haven't seen a single public bus on the road.
According to wikipedia, Kuching is the wettest town in Malaysia. I do not know when it triumphs Taiping, but Kuching is indeed wet.
Bumiputera here closely resemble Chinese, and to say the truth whenever I approach someone, I do not whether to speak Malay or Chinese.
Taxi ride here is incredibly expensive. 3km ride could possibly cost RM15.
I do not know why people say you'll get fat when you go university. I walk a lot everyday in the sun to the nearest food stalls outside, and I feel like everything I've eaten were burnt away on my way back to my room. I hardly see how I could get fat.
Classes start next Monday and I hate my time table. It's the worst time table I've seen ever since I was born.
Just to leave a message to let those who care about me to know that I'm fine, and I'm glad to hear everyone I care is also doing well.
I still miss home, my family, Penang, Penang food, all my friends especially form 6 pals. I wish to say that despite I'll get a life here soon, you guys still have a place in my life. You won't get removed, replaced or substituted because you all mean a lot to me.
See you guys. Miss you all. =)
Friday, 5 September 2014
Swinburne University of Technology
Hi guys, it has been a long time since I last updated my blog.
I'm now in Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, and am quite busy dealing with lots of stuffs and struggling emotionally.
I miss Jit Sin, I miss Penang, and I miss my families and friends.
Years ago I've told myself, if circumstances allow, I would spend the rest of my life in Jit Sin, and in Penang.
Bye, I'll update whenever possible.
I'm now in Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, and am quite busy dealing with lots of stuffs and struggling emotionally.
I miss Jit Sin, I miss Penang, and I miss my families and friends.
Years ago I've told myself, if circumstances allow, I would spend the rest of my life in Jit Sin, and in Penang.
Bye, I'll update whenever possible.
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
UPU
UPU result was released yesterday and this is what I got.
Now I've got three offers: one from UM, one from USM and another from Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus.
I've accepted Swinburne offer and paid the fees, though I can get a refund.
Now I'm in a dilemma - which to choose?
Monday, 11 August 2014
Teaching and Learning
7 years had I spent my life in Jit Sin, and almost half a year working as a temporary teacher. Like it or now, Jit Sin has become a part of my life, it has become a place where I once belonged, and it'll forever be a place where once my happiness grows.
Secondary school is often a place teenagers shun or despise. There are some elements of truth in it, and I won't deny I hate secondary school to a certain degree. I hate waking up early in the morning, walking shakily and sleepily into the classroom only to sleep again on my desk. I hate struggling so hard to stay awake in class to gain knowledge only to fail and eventually fall asleep again. I hate the continuous hours of lessons with only a few minutes breaks in between. I hate going to cocurricular activities because I found the activities involve incredibly childish games, baffling morale and ridiculous organisation. I hate 1M1S that is only conducted for the purpose of validating a report. I hate the hot and humid ambience in a classroom during the dry season. I hate a lot of things.
But I cannot deny there are favourable elements in every despicable events. I enjoy being around with friends. I like having something to look forward to because it motivates me to do what I want. I like being around the same people for a year and interact with them. I like studying and sharing knowledge with friends. I like staying in school after school hours to study or mingle around. I like the sense of accomplishment when I finally deciphered something I initially thought was incomprehensible. I like being involved in committee because it allowed me to learn to organise and to carry out things effectively while tolerating with stuffs I detest, I found having a desk and a chair of your own is very enjoyable and I always like it when I sit on my spot. I like carrying out experiments and watch what I learn in textbook materialises in reality.
I like a lot of things in school. Just because there are flaws it doesn't mean I should overlook its pros.
Finishing study, I was given an opportunity to be a temporary teacher back in SMJK Jit Sin. Being a teacher is different from being a student, yet in certain occassion you don't feel different. Teachers represent another society in an ordinary school - the other one being the students - and like every society, it has its internal turmoil and problems that need to be dealt with. The internal politics in a secondary school actually is much murkier and dirtier if compared to the students'. Adult world are darker, it is generally acknowledged.
Being a teacher does not always mean you can always get what you want, and I don't mean from the students - I mean from your 'employees'. Teachers are someone who is caught in between two layers of society - employees (government) and students/parents. There are a lot of situations teacher stand along with the students, but due to certain complications the teachers are not allowed to express their stance. To say the truth, teachers are often oppressed more than students, but the students don't see it, simply because they are still young and naive and pumping with excessive adrenaline.
Yet being a teacher is also a bless. It allows me to speak to a class of 44 students with no fear, and to share a knowledge you have with a class of students is indeed a generous act. Often, the students would not show any sign of interest in your teacher - and that poses a challenge. Students are usually uncooperative, and I understand why. You're tired, the weather is hot, you simply can't sit still and listen intently.
And this is where the teaching profession is unique. In every profession, when two parties could not reach an agreement or reach an impasse and could not proceed to the liking of both parties, they would attempt to reach a solution that neither parties would be disadvantaged. Yet in school, one party consists of a member, and the another consists of at least 20 members of which are young, naive, adrenaline-pumped, active, recalcitrant and in certain cases, difficult. Reaching an impasse is a sheer impossibility, and that's why teachers are allowed to give lectures on disciplines, while in any other jobs you don't get to tell how someone should behave. If one behaves badly in a job, we ignore, and we let him stumble upon an obstacle that will make him turn around. In school, teachers lecture to avoid the students meet an obstacle so that they learn things the easier way.
Teachers should try to understand the problem the students are facing, and try to understand a little by tolerating a bit. If they refuse to listen to your class, let him be at the initial stage. Observe. If he doesn't listen and his results are bad, then make him listen. If he refuses to listen and his result is okay, and let him be. Students however should try to be as cooperative as possible, and don't create troubles that'll disrupt lessons. Teachers have people to report to, students don't, so please try understand a teacher's situation. After all, you go school to learn, and now to stir troubles.
Secondary school is often a place teenagers shun or despise. There are some elements of truth in it, and I won't deny I hate secondary school to a certain degree. I hate waking up early in the morning, walking shakily and sleepily into the classroom only to sleep again on my desk. I hate struggling so hard to stay awake in class to gain knowledge only to fail and eventually fall asleep again. I hate the continuous hours of lessons with only a few minutes breaks in between. I hate going to cocurricular activities because I found the activities involve incredibly childish games, baffling morale and ridiculous organisation. I hate 1M1S that is only conducted for the purpose of validating a report. I hate the hot and humid ambience in a classroom during the dry season. I hate a lot of things.
But I cannot deny there are favourable elements in every despicable events. I enjoy being around with friends. I like having something to look forward to because it motivates me to do what I want. I like being around the same people for a year and interact with them. I like studying and sharing knowledge with friends. I like staying in school after school hours to study or mingle around. I like the sense of accomplishment when I finally deciphered something I initially thought was incomprehensible. I like being involved in committee because it allowed me to learn to organise and to carry out things effectively while tolerating with stuffs I detest, I found having a desk and a chair of your own is very enjoyable and I always like it when I sit on my spot. I like carrying out experiments and watch what I learn in textbook materialises in reality.
I like a lot of things in school. Just because there are flaws it doesn't mean I should overlook its pros.
Finishing study, I was given an opportunity to be a temporary teacher back in SMJK Jit Sin. Being a teacher is different from being a student, yet in certain occassion you don't feel different. Teachers represent another society in an ordinary school - the other one being the students - and like every society, it has its internal turmoil and problems that need to be dealt with. The internal politics in a secondary school actually is much murkier and dirtier if compared to the students'. Adult world are darker, it is generally acknowledged.
Being a teacher does not always mean you can always get what you want, and I don't mean from the students - I mean from your 'employees'. Teachers are someone who is caught in between two layers of society - employees (government) and students/parents. There are a lot of situations teacher stand along with the students, but due to certain complications the teachers are not allowed to express their stance. To say the truth, teachers are often oppressed more than students, but the students don't see it, simply because they are still young and naive and pumping with excessive adrenaline.
Yet being a teacher is also a bless. It allows me to speak to a class of 44 students with no fear, and to share a knowledge you have with a class of students is indeed a generous act. Often, the students would not show any sign of interest in your teacher - and that poses a challenge. Students are usually uncooperative, and I understand why. You're tired, the weather is hot, you simply can't sit still and listen intently.
And this is where the teaching profession is unique. In every profession, when two parties could not reach an agreement or reach an impasse and could not proceed to the liking of both parties, they would attempt to reach a solution that neither parties would be disadvantaged. Yet in school, one party consists of a member, and the another consists of at least 20 members of which are young, naive, adrenaline-pumped, active, recalcitrant and in certain cases, difficult. Reaching an impasse is a sheer impossibility, and that's why teachers are allowed to give lectures on disciplines, while in any other jobs you don't get to tell how someone should behave. If one behaves badly in a job, we ignore, and we let him stumble upon an obstacle that will make him turn around. In school, teachers lecture to avoid the students meet an obstacle so that they learn things the easier way.
Teachers should try to understand the problem the students are facing, and try to understand a little by tolerating a bit. If they refuse to listen to your class, let him be at the initial stage. Observe. If he doesn't listen and his results are bad, then make him listen. If he refuses to listen and his result is okay, and let him be. Students however should try to be as cooperative as possible, and don't create troubles that'll disrupt lessons. Teachers have people to report to, students don't, so please try understand a teacher's situation. After all, you go school to learn, and now to stir troubles.
Saturday, 9 August 2014
Sad
We know that extremists represent only a very minority of the huge population that walks the Earth, yet the destruction they bring along and give is far beyond what they could withhold, and far beyond control. ISIS massacres thousands of Christians in Iraq in the name of religion, even though no religion would condone any inter-religious conflict. Israel and Gaza continual bombardment would never let up until a harsh international intervention takes place, and before such event transpires, thousands of innocent civilians would be slaughtered mercilessly with weaponry so horrible militants themselves shun. Islam is a nice and peaceful religion, the Muslims extremists need to stop misinterpreting the teachings and start to respect the religion of others, while some politicians need to realise a peace talk work better than continual offensive, and in the mean time stop provoking and overreacting. 2014 is not yet over, and yet the trouble it piles have sent a shock wave never witnessed in the history throughout the world.
Sunday, 20 July 2014
The Cuckoo's Calling
Published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo's Calling is J.K.Rowling's first crime novel. I thought it would be an interesting book as its sales was overwhelming and its reception resounding. However, when I read it, I find it....hard to read. I am a Malaysian, and English is my second language. The book is written in strict British English and the sentence structures were too complicated for me, and the vocabulary was too wide for me too. It was definitely the most challenging book I have ever come across. However, the story plot was alright and ordinary, nothing unusual or extraordinary. There are also too many characters and it confounds me a lot. Anyway, I'll just bear in mind to shun British novels like this. Sorry it just doesn't suit me as my English isn't good enough.
.
Saturday, 19 July 2014
MH17
Four months after disappearance of MH370, a tragedy has struck again on our national carrier - Malaysia Airlines.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was allegedly shot down by a missile while traversing the Ukraine airspace.
No one has claimed responsibility of the tragedy, instead both countries in crisis began blaming each other.
MH17 carried 173 Dutch, 43 Malaysians, and passengers of other nationalities.
It is the darkest moment in Malaysia's history, and even darker for Malaysia Airlines. I believe there's no airline that has been hit with two major disasters within four months.
I was flabbergasted and sad. Malaysia Airlines did nothing wrong. The plane simply got caught in the crossfire of two conflicting countries.
I hope the perpetrators could be identified, and I hope a thorough and proper investigation could be carried out to ensure the culprits are put behind bars for the hideous acts on innocent people.
I hope Malaysia Airlines remains strong, and the people of Malaysia united in this very difficult time for the whole Malaysia.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was allegedly shot down by a missile while traversing the Ukraine airspace.
No one has claimed responsibility of the tragedy, instead both countries in crisis began blaming each other.
MH17 carried 173 Dutch, 43 Malaysians, and passengers of other nationalities.
It is the darkest moment in Malaysia's history, and even darker for Malaysia Airlines. I believe there's no airline that has been hit with two major disasters within four months.
I was flabbergasted and sad. Malaysia Airlines did nothing wrong. The plane simply got caught in the crossfire of two conflicting countries.
I hope the perpetrators could be identified, and I hope a thorough and proper investigation could be carried out to ensure the culprits are put behind bars for the hideous acts on innocent people.
I hope Malaysia Airlines remains strong, and the people of Malaysia united in this very difficult time for the whole Malaysia.
Saturday, 12 July 2014
Be Considerate
I have a friend who is now in a dilemma. On a specific day, he has plans with his family, but then he received a call from his friends from other states asking to go to his house on that particular day. My friend wanted to reject them as he prioritises his family outing, but his friends told him they have bought the bus ticket. He is now in a dilemma, he needs to go out with his family, but then his friends are coming up and he has no choice but to entertain.
This actually angers me. Sometimes I just wish people could be a little considerate.
I understand friends are supposed to entertain each other, and that friends should care for each other. Brothers are a kind of friendship built as fort - it is to be defended and it resists attacks, and it suffers and enjoys together.
Yet there's one thing we need to remember: we have grown up. While we agree that friends are important, we have to remember something too: with increasing freedom, we have increasing responsibilities.
Everyone now has their own lives. Now, we have families we have to stay with. We have errands and jobs to do that hugely affect your future. We have lots of things that are important to tend to. We are no longer like a schoolchildren - free for most of the time, duty and responsibility free, and has nothing to worry about except transport and money.
We have grown up. We sometimes need to ditch the childish thought that says 'you must be available when I call'.
You need to be considerate and responsible. Don't put people in that kind of dilemma. You can't take for granted your friends could accompany you 24/7 just because they used to when you were in school.
Call if you want to drop by and visit if you are coming for far. Give someone an advanced notice.
If my friend so happened is sick, outstation, or is nursing a sick patient in his house, and his friends go to his house without giving advanced notice, or, if they do, give notice making an irreversible decision, what would happen to him? How would my friend feel if his friends say they have bought the bus ticket and they could no place to go, but then he has a sick grandparent at home that needs peace? What happens if my friend has a wedding ceremony to attend to, and his friends insist on coming anyway?
To people out there: please be considerate, don't put people into that kind of unnecessary dilemma. Soon, when some have got married and have children, they would have their wives/husbands and children to take care of. You can't instruct them to tend to you just because you are a friend.
You need to realise that you can't take friendship for granted.
You can ask for help if you are in deep trouble. For example, if you are coming up from Kajang but then your car broke down somewhere close to a friend's house at midnight, then disturbing him and asking for a favour is okay. You need help, it's necessary, and you should be helped.
If you got robbed and in a deep trouble and hope a friend nearby could help, and you go look for him unannounced is also okay. You need help.
But in the event like my friend's, you don't need help. Don't make this kind of irresponsible and inconsiderate moves.
And to my friends out there: there comes a time you need to learn to reject. Our lives have got much busier as we now have larger responsibilities, and so we could not cater to all friends' needs even if we wish to. We have to sometimes reject a friend's request if it is not important. You need to learn to reject something you could not help or if you feel offended or taken advantage of.
Growing up sucks, you can say. But that's life. Deal with the unpleasant.
This actually angers me. Sometimes I just wish people could be a little considerate.
I understand friends are supposed to entertain each other, and that friends should care for each other. Brothers are a kind of friendship built as fort - it is to be defended and it resists attacks, and it suffers and enjoys together.
Yet there's one thing we need to remember: we have grown up. While we agree that friends are important, we have to remember something too: with increasing freedom, we have increasing responsibilities.
Everyone now has their own lives. Now, we have families we have to stay with. We have errands and jobs to do that hugely affect your future. We have lots of things that are important to tend to. We are no longer like a schoolchildren - free for most of the time, duty and responsibility free, and has nothing to worry about except transport and money.
We have grown up. We sometimes need to ditch the childish thought that says 'you must be available when I call'.
You need to be considerate and responsible. Don't put people in that kind of dilemma. You can't take for granted your friends could accompany you 24/7 just because they used to when you were in school.
Call if you want to drop by and visit if you are coming for far. Give someone an advanced notice.
If my friend so happened is sick, outstation, or is nursing a sick patient in his house, and his friends go to his house without giving advanced notice, or, if they do, give notice making an irreversible decision, what would happen to him? How would my friend feel if his friends say they have bought the bus ticket and they could no place to go, but then he has a sick grandparent at home that needs peace? What happens if my friend has a wedding ceremony to attend to, and his friends insist on coming anyway?
To people out there: please be considerate, don't put people into that kind of unnecessary dilemma. Soon, when some have got married and have children, they would have their wives/husbands and children to take care of. You can't instruct them to tend to you just because you are a friend.
You need to realise that you can't take friendship for granted.
You can ask for help if you are in deep trouble. For example, if you are coming up from Kajang but then your car broke down somewhere close to a friend's house at midnight, then disturbing him and asking for a favour is okay. You need help, it's necessary, and you should be helped.
If you got robbed and in a deep trouble and hope a friend nearby could help, and you go look for him unannounced is also okay. You need help.
But in the event like my friend's, you don't need help. Don't make this kind of irresponsible and inconsiderate moves.
And to my friends out there: there comes a time you need to learn to reject. Our lives have got much busier as we now have larger responsibilities, and so we could not cater to all friends' needs even if we wish to. We have to sometimes reject a friend's request if it is not important. You need to learn to reject something you could not help or if you feel offended or taken advantage of.
Growing up sucks, you can say. But that's life. Deal with the unpleasant.
Dragon
You know,
if you want a child who is well-behaved,
a child who grows up the normal he should,
a child that would be obedient, polite, and not at all rude,
don't give birth in the dragon year.
All I can see now is that dragon year babies are badly spoilt
by parents who are superstitious
who thinks that they bring good fortune or luck to the family
and who thought they would be active instead of passive.
Owing to that many people have chosen to give birth in dragon year,
and due to that we have too many students in a school for that year's intake,
and due to that one class would contain too many students,
and due to that discipline is extremely hard to control.
Exacerbated by the fact that they are overly protected,
it makes them very hard to control in the school,
and very hard to have discipline and manners instilled.
Don't give birth in dragon year,
if you love your children.
Saturday, 5 July 2014
Gift
So I left the office and found the fairly naughty boy roaming around. He saw me and immediately he turned around and called for his buddy, and he began to appear nervous, as if something huge was coming. My instincts told me something was wrong - nobody reacted that way when they bumped into a teacher. Why would they?
So he caught up with his friend on our way up, and upon turning a corner I caught a glimpse of the class. Several people were out the class, apparently peeking at where I was. Upon catching sight of me, they nervously turned back into the class.
So the two "guides" guided me to the front of the class. The classroom door was closed tight, and so was the back door. I knew when I pushed open the door, something was bound to transpire. Something perhaps unpleasant but it definitely was going to be unexpected as I wasn't prepared for anything unforeseen.
I moved a bit further to attempt to see what was happening behind the door. I saw nothing, but a class of students sitting silently in the class as if something sudden was going to abruptly materialise anytime soon. The back door was shut tight. I was forced to enter through the front door. I pushed open the door without stepping in, and I saw the students sitting on their chairs without moving or talking, and a guy standing right behind the door. I actually thought they were going to pour me a bucket of water, or to throw thrashes at me. But turned out I was merely too imaginative. The moment I stepped inside, I was hit with something, and the class broke into screams. I got momentarily flabbergasted and turned to see what had hit me - and there it was, the Stitch, lying on the floor in a bag with a collection of signature.
I had to admit, I was stunned for a moment and didn't know what had actually happened and how to react. Perhaps my momentary lack or devoid of response and unintentionally offended several students as my response was, at the moment, inappropriate and incongruous. I am deeply sorry for that. It took me a while to catch up with what had happened, and a feeling of elation began to brew, and burst, though I had smartly suppressed it.
I was touched. To be given a duty to d something you have not much confidence in, but to be somehow rewarded for your effort of trying is indeed a feeling that is beyond describable. The best feeling in this world is to be felt appreciated, especially after you have tried your best very to accomplish something you never thought you could have done, and you thought you have failed.
Thank you, 2A2! I will never forget all of you, for your warmth, for your sincerity, and for your surprise. The biggest surprise in my life! =)
Sunday, 8 June 2014
UM: Ujian Kelayakan (Engineering)
I wasn't sure whether 94s were the first batch to sit for a qualification test before interviews, but it certainly seemed so. Anyone who applied for engineering course in UM needed to sit for an ujian kelayakan. It was announced only one week before the test, and it provided no information whatsoever pertaining to what we would face, what we would be tested, and what format would be adopted.
I asked around, and nobody knew. They said we were the first batch.
Not that I cared, but expecting a proper reaction to something so sudden is a little aggressive.
So I didn't care. Together with my friends, we went to Alor Setar. After getting a hotel and settling down, we slept, and the next day we woke up and went to Regency Hotel.
As expected, we saw tons of people literally squeezing into the hotel. We saw several familiar faces, expectedly, and without much delays and with a tad anxiety, we walked to where we should go. After we sat down in the hall, we were instructed to leave the hall until the doors were opened for us.
So out we went. And as expected, since punctuality was one Malaysians lack of, everything got delayed.
And finally we were told to get in. We sat down, and we were tentatively instructed to fill the objective papers.
Then we were allowed to see the question papers. Oh yes - UM were testing us on STPM Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
The questions were extremely easy. The only reason we complained hard is because we had no touched anything STPM related stuffs for half a year, and expecting us to ace the exam when we were given last minute information to prepare was quite impossible.
Maths was okay. Rather simple if you can remember the formula. Chemistry was okay, only balancing equations and finding moles. Physics was ok though I couldn't be sure. PA was downright weird.
And then, we ended our ujian kelayakan. Quite flabbergasted, but relieved.
I asked around, and nobody knew. They said we were the first batch.
Not that I cared, but expecting a proper reaction to something so sudden is a little aggressive.
So I didn't care. Together with my friends, we went to Alor Setar. After getting a hotel and settling down, we slept, and the next day we woke up and went to Regency Hotel.
As expected, we saw tons of people literally squeezing into the hotel. We saw several familiar faces, expectedly, and without much delays and with a tad anxiety, we walked to where we should go. After we sat down in the hall, we were instructed to leave the hall until the doors were opened for us.
So out we went. And as expected, since punctuality was one Malaysians lack of, everything got delayed.
And finally we were told to get in. We sat down, and we were tentatively instructed to fill the objective papers.
Then we were allowed to see the question papers. Oh yes - UM were testing us on STPM Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
The questions were extremely easy. The only reason we complained hard is because we had no touched anything STPM related stuffs for half a year, and expecting us to ace the exam when we were given last minute information to prepare was quite impossible.
Maths was okay. Rather simple if you can remember the formula. Chemistry was okay, only balancing equations and finding moles. Physics was ok though I couldn't be sure. PA was downright weird.
And then, we ended our ujian kelayakan. Quite flabbergasted, but relieved.
Tuesday, 3 June 2014
Alor Setar: Hotel and Relax
It was suddenly announced that on a Friday, the result of our online university application will be released. I checked the website every minute and yet there was nothing, until several hours later it was announced that the result will only be made available at 3pm on the same day.
So I waited patiently and I got my result: I got an offer to interview for Civil Engineering course in UM on next Saturday. The first thing it came to my mind was: are you crazy? You released the result today, and you expected me to go to Alor Setar by next Friday without providing accommodation, advanced notice (I don't consider a week early as 'advanced'), and transport?
I say, okay. Maybe it's the way it's supposed to be. I would bear with it.
And there was an 'ujian kelayakan' (qualification test). What would be tested and what should we expect were never told.
I began to find friends who were going as well, and got many response. Eventually, I followed two friends - Wei En and Eric - there to Alor Setar on Thursday evening.
Before we departed to Alor Setar, we stopped by at Sunway Carnival to buy the necessary attire. It took a moment for my friends to lay eyes on those they desired, and it took some time later when we arrived Alor Setar.
You see, Alor Setar is a city where Malay's the majority. Hence, there bound to be cultural difference as there in Penang. In a deeply Islamic city, dress code tended to be strict, and nightlife were therefore somehow limited.
We went to search for Regency Hotel first, as there was where we would have our interviews and exam, and later, through the poor attempt by GPS, we began to search for hotels nearby that would be conveniently close and financially affordable.
Of course we found one, it's Hotel Koperasi. It looked neat, grand, and at least well managed, but alas there was nobody at the reception and therefore we forwent the hotel. Then there was one very close to the hotel - Hotel Sri Gemilang - and it looked rather dilapidated and dirty. I said we shouldn't judge the hotel by its looks and told Eric to give it a try.
So we ascended the stairs and entered the lobby, and we were rather greeted with a cold, a little intimidating and indifferent receptionist. We requested to have a look at the hotel first before we booked, and there he offered. He opened the door, and the first sight I caught was a flying cockroach in front of a rather dirty, perhaps musty, toilet with yellow stains.
We fled.
My friends then use GPS and found Fuller Hotel, one that appeared to have received appreciably positive comments. So I called in desperation, fearing the hotel would be fully booked as I expected lots of people swarming into Alor Setar looking for accommodation. To my surprise, there were still rooms available, at RM108/night.
Again, we fled, only this time rather happily.
So we arrived at Fuller Hotel, after a momentary wait, we managed to get a hotel room. The hotel room was rather clean, though the floor was sticky. The bed was extremely comfortable, the toilet resplendent, and the decoration was beautiful. It was the right call to stay here.
It was around 9.30pm and therefore we went out in search for dinner. There were a number of cafeterias and pubs below but the cafeterias catered for the rich and the pubs for serious drinkers, so we strolled further and after bending a corner, we were greeted with a street of hawker centres.
Oh yes, there was indeed a great location!
However, food at Alor Setar, despite we tried to be positive, were rather bland and unsatisfactory. Perhaps we were to use to eating Penang food, but food in Alor Setar tasted rather stale.
Sunday, 25 May 2014
Thomas Cup 2014
Malaysia was so close to winning the Thomas Cup, and so close to breaking a 22 years record.
Alas, Malaysia lost, but Malaysia managed to get into Final. I consider that good enough. =)
I'll be doing edits next time as right now my heart is still with the match, and I'll post about my experience with UM interviews soon.
I'll be back! =)
Alas, Malaysia lost, but Malaysia managed to get into Final. I consider that good enough. =)
I'll be doing edits next time as right now my heart is still with the match, and I'll post about my experience with UM interviews soon.
I'll be back! =)
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Coffee
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Random
How is your life?
Mine is a bit challenging, and somewhat tiring.
The job I currently undertake requires some social skills
of which I do not dread but have not truly acquired.
Students
are people of confusing characters.
Adolescence
is the matter
Recalcitrance best defines them
or annoyingly resilient, if you prefer
listening to instructions ain't a choice,
it's a resistance they are genetically coded to shun
PBS has engendered yet another level of education deterioration
students under PBS finds almost none motivation to study
and ergo the basic they have is one that falls on light impact
and one that collapses on one hit
Malaysian education is screwed up.
People who do not know the system runs the system
and therefore we get tonnes of rubbishes
and instructions that are unrealistic and impractical
This government must be changed.
When I'm eligible to vote, I'll make sure I personally oust them
To toy with a country's future is a treason
where one should never escape scot-free.
Yet the culprit in Malaysia is politically protected
and with abuse of power strengthens their hold
and eliminate their enemies
Malaysia is sick.
We need new government
who actually cares about the country.
Pray for Malaysia.
And Malaysians please rise,
for the future lies on our hands.
By the way,
MH370,
where are you?
Thursday, 24 April 2014
STPM 2013
Though after retake, my Term 3 Chemistry has obtained an A, my overall result remains the same: an A-.
My CGPA stays at 3.92.
It hurts quite bad to pay RM51 to remove a dash, but then at least I've tried.
STPM is finally over for me.
On the bright side, there are now altogether 21 4-flats in SMJK Jit Sin, and the school manages to achieve a CGPA of 3.32. Quite an amazing achievements, I think.
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
STPM 2013 Ulangan 3 Result
The result for ulangan 3 was released today, and this is the last time I am waiting for any results from MPM.
My previous grade was A-, now I managed to score an A, thank God!
My first term result was A-, second term B+, and now third term A. Would I be the 20th 4 flat-er in my school? I guess I have the potential, but I guess I can only get an answer by 24/4.
Hopefully, I can get an A, and score a 4 flat.
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Busy
I am busy with works these few months. I have lost touch with English for quite a while - a language I believe I couldn't survive long without.
By June, I would be free. I would escape from all quagmire I'm in, and then I'll spend the remaining time pursuing my hobby, improving my English again.
By June, I will be free. I might be free earlier than June, if my big boss decides to terminate my contract. But so far I guess this ain't likely yet.
June, the old me will return, before vanishing forever.
By June, I would be free. I would escape from all quagmire I'm in, and then I'll spend the remaining time pursuing my hobby, improving my English again.
By June, I will be free. I might be free earlier than June, if my big boss decides to terminate my contract. But so far I guess this ain't likely yet.
June, the old me will return, before vanishing forever.
Thursday, 27 March 2014
March
It's now March, the fourth month since I'd completed my STPM.
Right now I am quite troubled by where I should go. While I do feel a bit excited to go overseas, I am somewhat lazy to go through the necessary procedures to realise my dream. This ultimately makes me realise I never want to go overseas as much as I've dreamt of, because if I do really want to go overseas I wouldn't bother the troubling procedures.
So, obviously overseas ain't my choice now as I am lazy to apply, and I really ain't that excited to go. Apparently my excitement to go overseas can't be compensated by eradicating my laziness. So, just stay at home.
Where should I go?
Local universities, obviously.
But what course?
Maths is my forte, and my strongest subject so far. Engineering sounds good, and is now my top choice.
But I am quite reluctant to give up English. Learning English is my passion, and I can study English when there's no exams, and this is not the case for Maths.
But then what can an English major do? And even if I study English, my English would never be on par with those who speak it as a first language. Like the Americans, British, or even Singaporeans, for I do not have the environment and culture to learn the language.
Troubling.
Right now I am quite troubled by where I should go. While I do feel a bit excited to go overseas, I am somewhat lazy to go through the necessary procedures to realise my dream. This ultimately makes me realise I never want to go overseas as much as I've dreamt of, because if I do really want to go overseas I wouldn't bother the troubling procedures.
So, obviously overseas ain't my choice now as I am lazy to apply, and I really ain't that excited to go. Apparently my excitement to go overseas can't be compensated by eradicating my laziness. So, just stay at home.
Where should I go?
Local universities, obviously.
But what course?
Maths is my forte, and my strongest subject so far. Engineering sounds good, and is now my top choice.
But I am quite reluctant to give up English. Learning English is my passion, and I can study English when there's no exams, and this is not the case for Maths.
But then what can an English major do? And even if I study English, my English would never be on par with those who speak it as a first language. Like the Americans, British, or even Singaporeans, for I do not have the environment and culture to learn the language.
Troubling.
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
STPM 2013
Totally satisfied.
I actually opted for term 3 Chemistry retake. I guess I'll see whether I have the potential to be the 20th person to get 4 flat in my school. =)
Monday, 17 March 2014
MH370 Incident
Malaysia has come under international scrutiny over its handling of the missing commercial airliner MH370 which went missing on Saturday morning. The Beijing bound flight suddenly lost contact and had never been seen since.
I have to admit, Malaysia has done quite many embarrassing mistakes. Failing to inform that the plane might remain airborne might have wasted lots of efforts and assets. And then we have bomohs who ridiculously claimed that the plane was hijacked by spirits, and is either in air or under the sea. And then Malaysia Airlines allowed two passengers using stolen passports to enter the plane, having no idea how they bypassed the security undetected. And how the air force in Malaysia allowed a plane to fly pass unquestioned while military radar had picked up the traces is really disturbing.
Of course, Malaysia should be strongly lambasted.
But then, think carefully. This incident is totally unprecedented. Never in the world history a plane was deliberately diverted with malicious intent, or at least that's what the preliminary investigation indicates. Having the plane transponder switched off and contact cut off, the plane smartly diverted its path and turned back to Peninsular Malaysia and moved forward to other location instead.
To say the truth, with 25 countries now involved in the investigation, I really doubt Malaysia can hide much. Maybe Malaysia can lie to the public, but they can't lie to the investigative team.
And to be honest, I don't think Malaysia needs to release all information publicly if they deem certain are unnecessary. After all, the case is categorised as a terrorism act, and releasing information to the public would alert the terrorist and probably thwart any rescue mission.
Right now I believe Malaysia has done a great job. Using information gleaned from satellite alone to locate a missing aircraft was called unprecedented and was greatly eulogised as "thinking outside of box" as the satellite information was never designed to be used to search an aeroplane. However, given the limitation of data, the Malaysia authority has only managed to narrow down to two corridors: a Northern corridor, and a Southern corridor, both seem like an unlikely corridors for the plane to manoeuvre as the Northern corridor appears to be risky and does not appear to allow a plane to fly pass undetected, while the Southern corridor literally goes to nowhere and it is a great question why would a plane would bother to fly there, unless it never planned to land and decided to drive the plane straight down to the seabed, killing everyone on board.
However, everything is speculative, and investigation is still ongoing.
Despite a multitude of flaws and contradictory remarks, I personally find Malaysia has done a decent job. After all, Malaysia, or any other countries, has never been prepared for this kind of unexpected incident, and to react a little nervously seemed appropriate to me.
However, if Malaysia did make a huge mistake where it potentially let a rescue chance slip by, then Malaysia deserves to be criticised heavily.
I also wish to point out that during a media statement, those who are not aviation experts should refrain from talking. Najib should never represent MAS to speak as he is not an aviation expert and he might not deliver the message correctly as he does not know the plane. You don't see Barack Obama releasing media statement regarding H1N1 outbreak in 2009, do you? It's WHO that made the statements, because they are the experts, and they know the best. Asking anyone who isn't an expert in that field would be adding confusion as lack of professionalism brings along contradictory or confusing remarks which will only further aggravate the already messed up situation.
I wish MH370 could be found quickly and that everyone on board is found safe and sound. However, like I have said earlier, the prospect to find a survivor seems pretty dim and to unravel the mystery behind its disappearance appears to be a difficult mission.
I have to admit, Malaysia has done quite many embarrassing mistakes. Failing to inform that the plane might remain airborne might have wasted lots of efforts and assets. And then we have bomohs who ridiculously claimed that the plane was hijacked by spirits, and is either in air or under the sea. And then Malaysia Airlines allowed two passengers using stolen passports to enter the plane, having no idea how they bypassed the security undetected. And how the air force in Malaysia allowed a plane to fly pass unquestioned while military radar had picked up the traces is really disturbing.
Of course, Malaysia should be strongly lambasted.
But then, think carefully. This incident is totally unprecedented. Never in the world history a plane was deliberately diverted with malicious intent, or at least that's what the preliminary investigation indicates. Having the plane transponder switched off and contact cut off, the plane smartly diverted its path and turned back to Peninsular Malaysia and moved forward to other location instead.
To say the truth, with 25 countries now involved in the investigation, I really doubt Malaysia can hide much. Maybe Malaysia can lie to the public, but they can't lie to the investigative team.
And to be honest, I don't think Malaysia needs to release all information publicly if they deem certain are unnecessary. After all, the case is categorised as a terrorism act, and releasing information to the public would alert the terrorist and probably thwart any rescue mission.
Right now I believe Malaysia has done a great job. Using information gleaned from satellite alone to locate a missing aircraft was called unprecedented and was greatly eulogised as "thinking outside of box" as the satellite information was never designed to be used to search an aeroplane. However, given the limitation of data, the Malaysia authority has only managed to narrow down to two corridors: a Northern corridor, and a Southern corridor, both seem like an unlikely corridors for the plane to manoeuvre as the Northern corridor appears to be risky and does not appear to allow a plane to fly pass undetected, while the Southern corridor literally goes to nowhere and it is a great question why would a plane would bother to fly there, unless it never planned to land and decided to drive the plane straight down to the seabed, killing everyone on board.
However, everything is speculative, and investigation is still ongoing.
Despite a multitude of flaws and contradictory remarks, I personally find Malaysia has done a decent job. After all, Malaysia, or any other countries, has never been prepared for this kind of unexpected incident, and to react a little nervously seemed appropriate to me.
However, if Malaysia did make a huge mistake where it potentially let a rescue chance slip by, then Malaysia deserves to be criticised heavily.
I also wish to point out that during a media statement, those who are not aviation experts should refrain from talking. Najib should never represent MAS to speak as he is not an aviation expert and he might not deliver the message correctly as he does not know the plane. You don't see Barack Obama releasing media statement regarding H1N1 outbreak in 2009, do you? It's WHO that made the statements, because they are the experts, and they know the best. Asking anyone who isn't an expert in that field would be adding confusion as lack of professionalism brings along contradictory or confusing remarks which will only further aggravate the already messed up situation.
I wish MH370 could be found quickly and that everyone on board is found safe and sound. However, like I have said earlier, the prospect to find a survivor seems pretty dim and to unravel the mystery behind its disappearance appears to be a difficult mission.
Saturday, 15 March 2014
Voice
What have you guys been up to? I'd officially ended my school life last year and am now marching towards the second phase of life - complete independence. Now I'm waiting to enter university life, and to where I should spend my life is yet to be decided.
Right now I am working, of which I wish not to divulge. However, I could say that it ain't pleasant, but is certainly much better than I previously thought.
STPM full result will be released next Wednesday. I guess my life turning point is about to arrive.
Pray. =)
Right now I am working, of which I wish not to divulge. However, I could say that it ain't pleasant, but is certainly much better than I previously thought.
STPM full result will be released next Wednesday. I guess my life turning point is about to arrive.
Pray. =)
Sunday, 9 March 2014
MH370
This is probably the darkest moment in Malaysia history in the past decade, and the darkest in Malaysia Airline's history.
Malaysia Flight MH370 bound to Beijing, China from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, disappeared and lost contact with Air Control Traffic two hours into flight.
It had been two days, and there was still no trace of the aeroplane, despite extensive search and thorough investigation.
It is a real mystery why the plane could go astray, especially when there was no reports of bad weathers, faulty mechanical parts, or distress calls.
Experts suspect whatever happened to the plane was sudden, leaving the crews no time to make any emergency calls.
Whatever it is, the plane was suspected to have disappeared at a disputed area. However, right now, the territory claim has been put aside, and all neighbour countries have come forward and joint efforts to search for the missing plane.
I have to admit I don't think there'll be survivors, however, I will not cease to pray in supplication for any trace of the planes to be found.
May the plane MH370 be found quickly, the cause of disappearance investigated early, and the sufferings for the relatives of the passengers end as soon as possible.
Pray.
Malaysia Flight MH370 bound to Beijing, China from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, disappeared and lost contact with Air Control Traffic two hours into flight.
It had been two days, and there was still no trace of the aeroplane, despite extensive search and thorough investigation.
It is a real mystery why the plane could go astray, especially when there was no reports of bad weathers, faulty mechanical parts, or distress calls.
Experts suspect whatever happened to the plane was sudden, leaving the crews no time to make any emergency calls.
Whatever it is, the plane was suspected to have disappeared at a disputed area. However, right now, the territory claim has been put aside, and all neighbour countries have come forward and joint efforts to search for the missing plane.
I have to admit I don't think there'll be survivors, however, I will not cease to pray in supplication for any trace of the planes to be found.
May the plane MH370 be found quickly, the cause of disappearance investigated early, and the sufferings for the relatives of the passengers end as soon as possible.
Pray.
Sunday, 2 March 2014
【那些年，我們一起追的女孩】電影主題曲《那些年》官方正式MV
It's been three years, but this song this manages to move me.
It also reminds me of those beautiful years, when I was still a student. Those lives are something I cannot never enjoy again, and are now a great memory.
It's a great song.
Monday, 17 February 2014
STPM 2013 Ulangan 1 Result
I opted to resit only one paper: first term Physics.
I had no time to prepare much for the paper as Physics (U1) is scheduled 4 days after term 3 exam ends. I used only a mere 4 days to revise everything I learnt when I was in lower six.
When I flipped through the question, I realised there are questions I couldn't answer, and later I found out I got the projectile done wrong.
I expected a grade below B, which is what I got for my first term, and ended up got pleasantly surprised that I scored an A.
I couldn't fully absorb this news yet, but right now I don't really have much to complain.
Thank God again!
Monday, 10 February 2014
STPM 2013 Term 3 Result
I cannot be more satisfied.
But I'll opt for a retake for Chemistry. Now that I have time (though a little only due to work), I might be able to improve my result.
Thank God.
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Working
I have come to realise that working is never as pleasant as it may seem. While the notion of receiving money at the end of every month, and the thought of spending them, is very attractive and appealing, the process one has to go through to earn that money appears to suggest that everyone in the world deserves at least triple the amount the money they receive. Going through a bumpy month, lots of physical hard work and always-changing working hours, and earning only a basic of RM800 per month is simply not a job that is worth taking for a long term.
However, working does suggest one thing: that one needs to grow up, to start leaving the comfort zone and do stuffs that are much more demanding and less relaxing. It is often believed that working is about freedom. It is one which you think you get freedom to roam around, and seek for whatever that gains you money. However, every work has its rules and regulation, and a complete freedom is never bestowed to anyone who sign up for a job.
In this complicated world, social contact has become a little foreign to certain people and communicating with strangers has become a very challenging job. I have, with only a meagre one month experience, come to realisation that different clients have different requirements, and this different requirements is what makes the job extremely challenging. You have got to try your best to satisfy everyone's desire, and give them your best shot to fulfil their wishes in order to succeed and gain profit. It is not an easy task, as physically we grow tired, and mentally we get frustrated. Exacerbated by heavy traffic due to constant travelling and time factors, a business trip isn't a pleasant journey one would look upon.
It's been the second month I've ventured into the world of business, and I foresee I'll continue to be part of this world until the end of May. I have, through experience, realised that I need to leave my comfort zone. The fact that I currently still live in my abode engenders me to get lazy while working: that I hate waking up early - though living in a hostel probably makes no difference - that I eagerly await for lunch break every morning, that after the break I wait to go back home, and never want to OT.
It isn't a good thought. It simply suggest I have become a slave to the job, to such an extent I have been wrestling to get out of it as much as possible. I should make changes: I should make the job a slave of mine. I shouldn't care much about the time, I should OT as willingly as possible, and never let the time tells me what I should do while I'm working. Through careful measures and analysis I have come to the conclusion that I am acting in such a deplorable way because I subconsciously know that I would be at my best comfort zone after work - home, and this causes me to reject anything that is between my way from my working place to my home whenever it is erasable.
And thus I've become a slave to my job. And an off time suggests a freedom from labour.
It's a bad thought.
Therefore, I would try my best to change. I'll try not to wear a watch, and to remember one thing: while I occasionally hate my job, I am not alone. There are people out there who are going through the same thing as I: going to work against one's will, bound to rules and regulations that greatly restricts freedom, and often is thrown hindrance that oppressively repels any form of gains. I am not alone, and I will never be.
Look at the world from a different angle, and you might find the world a place where everyone is isolated and yet bound together with the same stuff that separates everyone. The world is not that bad. Smile, and it'll get better. Time lapses the same way and at the same speed however way you carry out your life. =)
However, working does suggest one thing: that one needs to grow up, to start leaving the comfort zone and do stuffs that are much more demanding and less relaxing. It is often believed that working is about freedom. It is one which you think you get freedom to roam around, and seek for whatever that gains you money. However, every work has its rules and regulation, and a complete freedom is never bestowed to anyone who sign up for a job.
In this complicated world, social contact has become a little foreign to certain people and communicating with strangers has become a very challenging job. I have, with only a meagre one month experience, come to realisation that different clients have different requirements, and this different requirements is what makes the job extremely challenging. You have got to try your best to satisfy everyone's desire, and give them your best shot to fulfil their wishes in order to succeed and gain profit. It is not an easy task, as physically we grow tired, and mentally we get frustrated. Exacerbated by heavy traffic due to constant travelling and time factors, a business trip isn't a pleasant journey one would look upon.
It's been the second month I've ventured into the world of business, and I foresee I'll continue to be part of this world until the end of May. I have, through experience, realised that I need to leave my comfort zone. The fact that I currently still live in my abode engenders me to get lazy while working: that I hate waking up early - though living in a hostel probably makes no difference - that I eagerly await for lunch break every morning, that after the break I wait to go back home, and never want to OT.
It isn't a good thought. It simply suggest I have become a slave to the job, to such an extent I have been wrestling to get out of it as much as possible. I should make changes: I should make the job a slave of mine. I shouldn't care much about the time, I should OT as willingly as possible, and never let the time tells me what I should do while I'm working. Through careful measures and analysis I have come to the conclusion that I am acting in such a deplorable way because I subconsciously know that I would be at my best comfort zone after work - home, and this causes me to reject anything that is between my way from my working place to my home whenever it is erasable.
And thus I've become a slave to my job. And an off time suggests a freedom from labour.
It's a bad thought.
Therefore, I would try my best to change. I'll try not to wear a watch, and to remember one thing: while I occasionally hate my job, I am not alone. There are people out there who are going through the same thing as I: going to work against one's will, bound to rules and regulations that greatly restricts freedom, and often is thrown hindrance that oppressively repels any form of gains. I am not alone, and I will never be.
Look at the world from a different angle, and you might find the world a place where everyone is isolated and yet bound together with the same stuff that separates everyone. The world is not that bad. Smile, and it'll get better. Time lapses the same way and at the same speed however way you carry out your life. =)
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Off
I have my days off beginning today, till 3/2/14. The second job, which is the one I'm having, is one that is ridiculously tiring and frustrating.
Compared to the first, the job I'm currently have has less pay by almost 50%, the working hours is equally long, and requires much more physical work than the first one. Every day after work, I feel like dying of exhaustion.
Luckily, time does heal. The tiredness begins to fade away soon as my body adapts to this kind of lifestyle, though I consider this detrimental to my health if continues for a long time.
Anyway, I take my first day off to complete some unfinished business in Penang, and met some old friends who are working there.
It really feels great to be meeting with friends again after a few weeks of busy life. You get to have some time off, meet your friends, chat for a long time, and share some moments together like how we did back when we were together in secondary schools, or work.
To those who are still studying: trust me, you wanna appreciate your studying life in school. No matter how tiring school life is, you get to share your days and moments with friends, and are free of burdens, responsibilities and inevitable obstacles.
And to those who wanna give up studying: trust me, just persist and finish your study. Looking for a full-time job without a degree is extremely hard. You get very little paid, and are asked to do stuffs that degree holders refuse to do.
Working is no fun. While the notion of receiving salary is fun, the process you go through for it worth much more than the salary you receive, no matter what job you're taking.
That's why people say money is hard to earn.
And that's why life's tough and full of turmoil.
But don't worry, working has its ups, just very much less than studying.
Compared to the first, the job I'm currently have has less pay by almost 50%, the working hours is equally long, and requires much more physical work than the first one. Every day after work, I feel like dying of exhaustion.
Luckily, time does heal. The tiredness begins to fade away soon as my body adapts to this kind of lifestyle, though I consider this detrimental to my health if continues for a long time.
Anyway, I take my first day off to complete some unfinished business in Penang, and met some old friends who are working there.
It really feels great to be meeting with friends again after a few weeks of busy life. You get to have some time off, meet your friends, chat for a long time, and share some moments together like how we did back when we were together in secondary schools, or work.
To those who are still studying: trust me, you wanna appreciate your studying life in school. No matter how tiring school life is, you get to share your days and moments with friends, and are free of burdens, responsibilities and inevitable obstacles.
And to those who wanna give up studying: trust me, just persist and finish your study. Looking for a full-time job without a degree is extremely hard. You get very little paid, and are asked to do stuffs that degree holders refuse to do.
Working is no fun. While the notion of receiving salary is fun, the process you go through for it worth much more than the salary you receive, no matter what job you're taking.
That's why people say money is hard to earn.
And that's why life's tough and full of turmoil.
But don't worry, working has its ups, just very much less than studying.
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
I'm Sorry.
It's a new year now, and I've marched into the second stage of my life: the beginning of total independence, and the commencement of working life. My school life has officially ended, and I may not repeat it however I want.
2014 means I'm twenty this year, it heralds lots of unimaginable things.
Anyway, previously, I had been working at a sushi shop for a time. I was tasked under maki bar, mainly focused on making rolled sushi. The work was fine, ambiance was nice, and colleagues were co-operative, hospitable and nice to mingle with. The working hour, however, left much to be desired. The work begins either 9.30am, 11am or 12.30pm and ends earliest at 11pm, with 2 and a half hours, 2 hours and 1 and a half hours breaks respectively in between. The working hour wasn't exactly why I liked, but tolerable.
The job itself was okay. As I was newly exposed to the world of sushi, and am a kitchen helper, I am assigned to lots of unfamiliar stuffs like making rolled sushi, preparing curie, and learning the Japanese names and Japanese dishes.
The work requires us to be able for work for 6 days a week, and our off day will be randomly selected depending on requests made by colleagues. Hence, the chance we'll have the same day off for weeks and with friends is exceedingly slim.
I worked in Penang, so the job provided me hostel. The hostel was fine, though the cleanliness could be improved.
First week was okay for me. I had Friday off, so right after Thursdays' shift, I wanted to go home. After work, I was famished, and therefore went to have dinner after work. Okay, it was past midnight, around 12.30am, but I was hungry, and hadn't eaten dinner, so my friends and I decided to have a meal outside.
However, my father knew I was dining outside past midnight, and was furious. He hasn't been the kind of person who is able to move on with time. Having a meal outside past midnight is an offensive action, and one he strongly condemns. He realised I was eating, and when I reached home, he yelled at me, saying "eating outside past midnight, acting like it is a normal thing to do, is what I have been trying to avoid for my whole life", and tells me to quit my job, and go back home to search for another job so that, I presume, he could monitor my movements and obey his instructions.
I don't want to lament much, because I know once my dad makes a decision, there's no room for discussion. He has never been a listener, and is used to making decision due to his job. He cannot and refuse to have his decision challenged. I know I couldn't win this argument, but I made one thing clear: if you wanna me be an engineer, if you wanna me to venture into the private sectors, this is my life. I'll be at work even past midnights, and one day I might be so busy I'll never go home for the whole night. And he says, that's your life, and that time you're a grown up, you make your call.
So my dad consider me, at 20, to be someone who could not be independent. Ya, sure, I have known this. I have never gained their trust, nobody what I do. I said I wanted to go Penang to work, my mother freaked out, became all so overprotective as if I am a 3 year old trying to run all the way to Penang. My dad reacted the same way. My aunt feared I succumb to lures and begin to smoke.
I'm 19, about to hit 20, and soon going to university. Can I gain a little trust? Is trying to gain a trust to do something meaningful that hard? What have I done to not gain it? I haven't smoked, or got involved in an argument. I haven't mixed up with horrible friends, disobeyed any of your words, secretly drive your car out, or gamble with my life. Can't I, at age 19, gain a little trust to actually learn to be independent?
Why am I still a puppet, hugely controlled and manipulated by you? I know you guys love me, but what you guys do is pampering me, being overprotective, and these aren't helping me. These are destroying me, because one day I have to be independent, and if you can't let me at age 19, when can you let me?
And yet you complain youngsters nowadays are ignorant and incapable of surviving autonomously, when you're doing the same thing to your son.
I was forced to quit my job at sushi. It was one extremely difficult decision to make, because I ended it the second week when I decided to end it 3 months later. The job meant a lot to me.
I felt like I have betrayed my friends, my boss, and the shop I worked at. The hired me and had high expectation of me, but I left, because my parents do not trust me to be alone outside at Penang.
What a lame excuse this sounds, what a stupid reason this is. Yet, this is the reason that forced me to make this painful decision.
I'm sorry, Zanmai. As much as I hate this decision, as much as I hate how my parents treat me, my parents still have more influence to me than the shop. I do not want to get into an argument over a temporary job with my parents.
I'm sorry.
And if there's any consolation: I actually cried. None of my friends in the hostel knows, but my parents do. Ya, they are selfish, I was thrown into a quagmire, but I had made a decision.
I'm sorry. To my friends. To my colleagues. To the shop, and to myself.
I'm sorry.
2014 means I'm twenty this year, it heralds lots of unimaginable things.
Anyway, previously, I had been working at a sushi shop for a time. I was tasked under maki bar, mainly focused on making rolled sushi. The work was fine, ambiance was nice, and colleagues were co-operative, hospitable and nice to mingle with. The working hour, however, left much to be desired. The work begins either 9.30am, 11am or 12.30pm and ends earliest at 11pm, with 2 and a half hours, 2 hours and 1 and a half hours breaks respectively in between. The working hour wasn't exactly why I liked, but tolerable.
The job itself was okay. As I was newly exposed to the world of sushi, and am a kitchen helper, I am assigned to lots of unfamiliar stuffs like making rolled sushi, preparing curie, and learning the Japanese names and Japanese dishes.
The work requires us to be able for work for 6 days a week, and our off day will be randomly selected depending on requests made by colleagues. Hence, the chance we'll have the same day off for weeks and with friends is exceedingly slim.
I worked in Penang, so the job provided me hostel. The hostel was fine, though the cleanliness could be improved.
First week was okay for me. I had Friday off, so right after Thursdays' shift, I wanted to go home. After work, I was famished, and therefore went to have dinner after work. Okay, it was past midnight, around 12.30am, but I was hungry, and hadn't eaten dinner, so my friends and I decided to have a meal outside.
However, my father knew I was dining outside past midnight, and was furious. He hasn't been the kind of person who is able to move on with time. Having a meal outside past midnight is an offensive action, and one he strongly condemns. He realised I was eating, and when I reached home, he yelled at me, saying "eating outside past midnight, acting like it is a normal thing to do, is what I have been trying to avoid for my whole life", and tells me to quit my job, and go back home to search for another job so that, I presume, he could monitor my movements and obey his instructions.
I don't want to lament much, because I know once my dad makes a decision, there's no room for discussion. He has never been a listener, and is used to making decision due to his job. He cannot and refuse to have his decision challenged. I know I couldn't win this argument, but I made one thing clear: if you wanna me be an engineer, if you wanna me to venture into the private sectors, this is my life. I'll be at work even past midnights, and one day I might be so busy I'll never go home for the whole night. And he says, that's your life, and that time you're a grown up, you make your call.
So my dad consider me, at 20, to be someone who could not be independent. Ya, sure, I have known this. I have never gained their trust, nobody what I do. I said I wanted to go Penang to work, my mother freaked out, became all so overprotective as if I am a 3 year old trying to run all the way to Penang. My dad reacted the same way. My aunt feared I succumb to lures and begin to smoke.
I'm 19, about to hit 20, and soon going to university. Can I gain a little trust? Is trying to gain a trust to do something meaningful that hard? What have I done to not gain it? I haven't smoked, or got involved in an argument. I haven't mixed up with horrible friends, disobeyed any of your words, secretly drive your car out, or gamble with my life. Can't I, at age 19, gain a little trust to actually learn to be independent?
Why am I still a puppet, hugely controlled and manipulated by you? I know you guys love me, but what you guys do is pampering me, being overprotective, and these aren't helping me. These are destroying me, because one day I have to be independent, and if you can't let me at age 19, when can you let me?
And yet you complain youngsters nowadays are ignorant and incapable of surviving autonomously, when you're doing the same thing to your son.
I was forced to quit my job at sushi. It was one extremely difficult decision to make, because I ended it the second week when I decided to end it 3 months later. The job meant a lot to me.
I felt like I have betrayed my friends, my boss, and the shop I worked at. The hired me and had high expectation of me, but I left, because my parents do not trust me to be alone outside at Penang.
What a lame excuse this sounds, what a stupid reason this is. Yet, this is the reason that forced me to make this painful decision.
I'm sorry, Zanmai. As much as I hate this decision, as much as I hate how my parents treat me, my parents still have more influence to me than the shop. I do not want to get into an argument over a temporary job with my parents.
I'm sorry.
And if there's any consolation: I actually cried. None of my friends in the hostel knows, but my parents do. Ya, they are selfish, I was thrown into a quagmire, but I had made a decision.
I'm sorry. To my friends. To my colleagues. To the shop, and to myself.
I'm sorry.
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