Monday, 8 February 2016

Happy Chinese New Year

It's officially the year of the monkey!

Wishing you guys a prosperous new year and may the monkey bring joys in your life - however annoying they can be.

祝大家新年快乐,万事如意,身体健康。希望猴年是个好的一年。祝福大家。

Wednesday, 3 February 2016

STPM: You Get Your Full Result Even Though You Opt For Ulangan 3

Recently a lot of people have privately messaged me here or somewhere else to ask me whether opting for Ulangan 3 will adversely affect their applications to UPU, other universities and available scholarships out there.

The simple answer is no.

You need to realise that opting for Ulangan 3 does not mean you will not receive a physical result transcript or certificate. It also doesn't mean you will get your full result later than those who don't opt for Ulangan 3.

If you opt for Ulangan 3, your full result will be released at the same time as those who don't take Ulangan 3. The only difference is that you don't get a physical transcript. The online result could still well be used to apply for UPU, scholarships and any other universities out there.

If your result is satisfactory, the relevant universities of which you apply for may grant you a conditional offer only solely because the lack of a physical transcript poses a technical problem. Universities have policies that dictate only the authorised result transcripts of the exams they recognise can be taken as the concrete proof that you've met their requirements. Forecast results have been used for conditional offers as well, so a full result released by MPM is safe to be used.

Once you get your full result (which you'll get normally around late April), send it to them, and the conditional offer will be automatically reverted to a full offer. You won't get rejected because your final overall result could not be worse than your initial overall result (before U3) because only the best among them is picked. If your U3 result is worse than P3, P3 result is taken, and your original overall result which you get around March stays.

If you get rejected initially and your final overall result (after U3) improves, send your application again as you may have now passed their minimum threshold and thus are eligible for admission.

You should be reminded that once your final overall result is available, you should immediately send a copy of the transcript to the relevant authorities so that the scholarship/offer could be upgraded or evaluated as soon as possible. If you don't do it within the time frame they set, you risk losing everything, and it is your responsibility to ensure you heed the advice they give.

 I should also emphasise that you will eventually get a physical result transcript and STPM certificate. Ulangan 3 doesn't take away your chance of getting a proof that you survive one of the scariest exams in Malaysian examinations.

For UPU applications, you need not submit your STPM result because UPU will get your results directly from MPM themselves. There are two phases: fasa 1 and fasa 2. Fasa 1 closes before your final overall result is released (after U3) so you must apply for UPU before Fasa 1 closes. Fasa 2 will be opened for those who got that U3 result to make relevant amendments if they want. Back in 2014 when I applied for it, however, you'll not be able to apply for interview-required courses in Fasa 2 (medicine, law...)

Do drop a comment if you have any other inquiries. I'll answer if I can.




Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Stephen Colbert Nails Donald Trump


Saw this video on facebook. It's freaking hilarious!!

I don't know much about US politics and I could care little to follow up, but Donald Trump is a person you couldn't have missed due to his controversial and inflammatory remarks that send waves on a global level.

Trump avoided a presidential debate, and seizing his absence as a potential audience attraction, this smart late night show host decided to highlight Donald Trump's flip-flop policies and stance by creating a virtual debate between Donald and Mr. Trump.

This is brilliant! You've got to watch this!

Monday, 1 February 2016

Justin Bieber - Love Yourself



I don't normally listen to Justin Bieber's song. I am a boy but I didn't jump into the bandwagon to hate him for no reason as well. I simply had no reasons to like or despise him.

But this song changes me a bit. I first listened to this song on TV and didn't realise it was Bieber's. What particularly attracted me was the two dancers in the video. My god their dances are amazing!!

And this song is nice. It has some elements of Ed Sheeran in it, and that's because he is part of the song. He co-wrote it for Bieber. And Justin Bieber sang the song nice. I've always enjoyed songs like this, and this is just another beautiful masterpiece.


Thursday, 28 January 2016

Disturbing Facts

Collecting newspapers from various countries allow me to understand more on cross-boundary conflicts that are happening in the world.

To briefly summarise worrying conflicts:

- While major world organisations have lifted sanctions against Iran for its dubious and possibly discreet nuclear programmes, Iran-Saudi Arabia conflict has not exactly been solved and remains turbulent and likely ignited whenever the fade line is crossed.

- ISIS ground in the Middle East may have slowly shrunk, but its influence on other Islamists around the world is far beyond thought and have inspired attacks in Paris and Jakarta, while other attacks in other countries remain possible.

- North Korea recalcitrant behaviour to test a nuclear bomb continues to irk international organisations. China does not appear to side North Korea but North Korea's President's refusal to have further diplomatic ties while China does not bode well with China.

- China continues to claim sovereignty over disputed islands in South China Seas. Taiwan, China, the Philippines and Japan continue to defend the island.

- Taiwan first elected female President does not go down well with China as her stance is pro-Independence, and for the first time in Taiwan's history the major power in the parliament belongs to the pro-Independence party.

- China has arrested its critics but attempts to camouflage its acts by allegedly forcing them to make an open confession for old crimes they committed. It appears China has entered Hong Kong illegally and went against "One China, Two Systems" policies, and one of the critics is a dual-citizen with Swedish passport and Switzerland may not be happy with it.

- Economics around the world looks gloom. Apple Inc. annonced its first annual dip. Oil prices remain unstable. Many countries reported less than expected economic growth.

- Zika virus has gone viral in America, posing threats to Brazil who is hosting Olympics 2016.

- UK ponders to leave EU, threatening the whole bloc.

- Climate continues to rage. The northern atmosphere currently experienced unusual cold. Blizzard has landed and ravaged many areas where such weather is rare.

Many more to go. I just don't wish to continue. Hopefully things get better.

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Conflicting Interest

My parents have offered to buy me a second-hand car in Kuching since I first studied there.

I declined the offer, because back then I stayed in on-campus accommodation hence a car is not necessary.

Plus I find driving alone in a totally alien place was downright creepy.

Two years on, I've moved to an off-campus accommodation. I travel to and fro the campus by an assigned van prepared by the university.

I am thus constrained by its schedule, and has my mobility restricted.

I find a car would come in handy, and would be of great convenience.

However, asking for a car is hefty and expensive. A car cost up to 20k, even if it's second-hand.

I thus wonder, is a car needed for my convenience, or is it because it is a necessity?

Well, I have survived a semester without one, though with great inconvenience and constant help from my parents.

Should I continue how I am, or should I get a car?

Having a car means getting freedom, but gaining of freedom comes with great responsibilities.

I've got to take care of the car.

I need to have robust self-discipline to not abuse my new found freedom and travel around.

I may get more stressful owing to the traffic jam of which I would be a contributor if I have a car.

However, I could go to campus anytime I want.

I could go anywhere I want without my friends' help, particularly when I have difficulties.

I could in return bring my friends around, returning the favour they had given me last semester.

However, the crux of the problem is the same: is it worth getting a second-hand car?

I'm talking about 20k at least. It's not an amount of money to be splurged out without consequences.

Is having a car for convenience worth the money, when it isn't a necessity and I could survive without it fine?

Confused.


Monday, 18 January 2016

Restaurant City 2016

Restaurant City is back!!

Just a few weeks ago I was pining for the game and thought it was a damn waste the game had to go. I wished very badly for the game to be revived, and now it has!!

Restaurant City is back!! It is still at its infant phase and the server is currently overloaded as the capacity it has is momentarily unsustainable, so you may encounter some difficulties connecting to the game.

Other than that, most of the original features are retained! It's so great we could play our childhood game after a 6 years hiatus!!