LIFE - Insight

AIMST

2010-08-25T21:13:00.002+08:00

So here's another quick update.

First off, I've managed to scrape through to a JPA scholarship for medicine at AIMST. Actually, just for Foundation in Science, whether the sponsorship will be continued will depend on my results (again).

Next, in comparison to KMS, AIMST is similar to heaven. We have a LAN port in every room, a much, much cooler atmosphere and laundry service. Study hours are from 8 am to 4 or 5 pm everyday but the schedule is much FASTER!!! Each subject has 3 hours of lectures and 2 hours of tutorials weekly.

As for lab sessions, we have 2 hours a week, rotating Physics, Chemistry and Biology lab sessions. Due to the obscenely high number of students in this program, we are having approximately 100 students in 1 single lab.....

Food, I shall not comment on, with this exception: Plutonians may feel right at home.

However, weighed with KMS, the hostels are a tad small and the furniture cannot be arranged to provide any inkling of privacy. There are 3 4-person rooms in each unit, which also contains 4 toilets and 4 shower rooms.

Lastly, it is to be emphasized that only 200 students are admitted into the MBBS course each year, so almost no students not from Foundation are admitted. Among the Foundation students here, competition is very great, as there were three intakes, amounting to about 500 students. Hence, many wasted a year and went home disappointed, or they could repeat Foundation. I shall leave it to readers to decide whether this is worthwhile.

Anyway, I'm having my assessment week so that's all for now!

Haunted

2010-06-03T19:43:00.001+08:00

Jut realized I must be haunted by spirits of carelessness and laziness.

How much more can I achieve if I were only just a little more hardworking and cautious??
Definitely more than second best.

18th!!!

2010-05-28T13:29:00.003+08:00

Today I commemorate my 18th year of existence on this wonderful earth.

I shall forget all my woes and look forward to a better future (it's cliched, I know.) for this single day.

Cheers to all!!!

Kolej Matrikulasi Selangor

2010-05-25T10:13:00.003+08:00

HAHAHA
Thank God blogs are not blocked.
Here in this wonderful dreamland, Facebook is only available after 5pm, and every other page used for entertainment is BLOCKED!!!
Hence, I'M BACK.

OK, before I have to go back to class, here's a quick update.
Venue : KMS
Activity : ZZZZZ
This is because all they do here is so amateurish and at such a slow pace!!!
LOVE IT here!!!

P.S. I love being sarcastic.

New Beginning

2010-04-29T14:36:00.003+08:00

Going to start college soon, in about 2 weeks time.

As I won't be having time to play all sorts of online games, I guess it's back to blogging, particularly in light of so many controversial happenings around the globe.

Be writing more soon!!

FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-14T18:50:00.001+08:00

I AM NOW OFFICIALLY UNSHACKLED FROM SPM.

Enough said.

Prefects' Leadership Camp 2009 (Day 1)

2009-03-19T16:55:00.005+08:00

March 15, the first day of the camp.

Firstly, we had some ice-breaking games. Well, I think the ice was broken and emotions definitely soared, but I'm afraid I didn't get any new names. Next, we're supposed to look for coloured strips of paper with our names. Cute, but no one stopped to think what happened to the unfound paper. Save the environment! Or so they say. From the colour,we get our teams. It's really unfair, as team members were pre-selected by members of the commitee, causing an overflow of talent, skills and other assets in a few teams, but a lack of the above attributes in others. This created a situation where the points gap between teams got as large as a bronchiosaurus.

Later, the bus ride. Or rather, the wait for the ride. Everyone sat around the school in expectant of the slowcoaches. We had wonderful school buses which rank of every odour one can think of, or maybe it's just my overly sensitive olfactory senses. Boring trip, without any of the expected mini-games. Hmmm... I guess the games commitee were too caught up in the rest of their work.

Nearing Nur Lembah Pangsun, it began drizzling. We had to carry our luggage all the way to the cafeteria, if you guessed it, underwater. The 'cafeteria' was a makeshift structure and all the luggage were drenched. Not bad for our first time there, huh? Anyway, lunch was a normal affair, with rice, 2 curry dishes and a drink. Little did I know that was to be the standard rations in the days to come, no matter breakfast, lunch or dinner. Lucky I brought some medication for my throat, lest it gets too 'spiced' up!

After the hot meal, everyone hung around our 'cafeteria' - two piece of canvas on a few metal poles (the concrete one is occupied by another group of lodgers) - and questions start to arise as to what in the world were we supposed to do. Turned out the tents were not ready yet! Anyway, we spent our time chatting and bonding. (Dennis kept singing his favourite song...) At long last, we moved to our tents form by form - yes, under the rain again - and it was out turn when we realised we have a shortage of the amazingly suffocating tents and the Form 5 guys shall be sacrified- let us sleep in the hall, please...... In the end, we left our luggage beside an old well, under a roof and went onto the events, leaving matters to the organisers.

First up, the obstacle-course-canopy-walk-flying-fox combo, where teams can experience these three outdoor games at different orders to save time. Well, they are quite enjoyable, as a new experience for this city guy. My group (Blue rocks!) did the obstacle course, flying fox and then the canopy walk. The obstacle course requires a lot of team work and strategy, with the males lending their strength to the rest of the team on many occasions. Next, the flying fox activity was pretty boring, but my views are contradicted by some screams. However, as only a maximum of two can go at a time, the longwait totally neutralizes any exhilaration felt during the ride. Lets not even bring up the mosquito infestation. When we finally finished 'flying' it rained, and we walkedthe canopy under slippery conditions. In fact, harder was the climb up the slope to the hanging bridge, as the mud-packed ground provides no friction whatsoever.

Then, it was bathing time! That was the first time I bathed with a whole bunch of males under the sky! As it was open-air, rain poured, and it was pointless to wipe yourself dry. Dinner was a customary affair, as stated above.

There was a discussion session later. where the juniors were verbally harassed by the organizers for being slow. Well, what would you expect when there wasn't a rain plan? Of course the participants would get disoriented and it's their first day so naturally they're slow on the uptake as they're tired! People are not born with rocks in their skulls for a reason. After the loooong reprimand, when even my patience is exhausted, they moved on to the activities. Each team are supposed to wrap three eggs in some sort of pouch and keep them intact throughout the camp. Plain waste of food when Africans are starving. Anyway, we went to bed after that. The good news: all of us get to kip in the hall!

Speeches

2009-01-26T20:29:00.002+08:00

Well, it's astonishing when our Headmistress went upstage and started berating us for our dismal toilet usage. It seems that the female washroom has been clogged by a large quantity of tissue paper and wrappers and errrmm...... sanitary pads......... What a disgrace!

However, the issue in this post will not be the way Malaysians dispose of their trash,but on speeches. Firstly, it came as a huge shock when Pn. Lee began screaming her head off when she normally looks so "grandma-ish", if you get what I mean. The passion in her voice, it's as if we just wrecked her home or something, oops, I forgot the school is her second home... I think that's what grabs the audience's attention. I've seen many speeches, but less than some, and a good speaker really lets the audience feel the speech. On the other hand, monotonous presentations bore people to death. Ever heard the saying, "sleeping is a waste of life"?

Also, anyone calculated the length of greetings in a speech? Especially at formal events, speeches in Malay particularly, takes around half a minute. 30 seconds isn't long, one might say, but in an 8-minute speech for instance, that's like 1/16 of the total time, couldn't one say something else instead of acknowledging the presence of the audience?

Is anyone aware that not all speeches are written by the speakers themselves? In fact, the profession of a speech-writer actually exists! The question is, can the speaker convey the writer's message. Everyone speaks in a different style. Although it's possible to model yours based on someone else's, the style will definitely vary slightly, especially the accent, gestures, volume and emotion. No two persons in the world are exact replicas of each other (yet)!

Some people have a very soothing voice. When they speak, it actually sounds like your conscience whispering in your ear. Creepy, but it certainly gets the message across. However, those people will need a mike in public presentations. They tend to speak softly so when addressing the public, those people with LOUD, but unmelodious, voices have the advantage. Seems like God's fair after all.

Also, different speeches are for different peeople. Like an enviromental speech, the speaker should have the suitable passion, not like some History teacher, or with an idotic, cheerful tone. Kinda ruins the whole point of the speech.

Lastly, keep the speeches short! If you wanna say a lot of stuff, blog!

Failure

2009-01-17T20:23:00.001+08:00

Failure - the inability to accomplish an objective; the model for future attempts; the bringer of despair; the mother of success.

Is failure positive or negative? It's just how one looks at it. Take this for example. Stand face to face with another person. Tell him/her to imitate you. Look to the right and say "Look right."
Observation: The person will probably ask, "Whose right?"
See my point? It's actually just the perspective, but it'll totally alter one's reaction.

One's failure may be another's success. Lets say I got 80 marks for my Add Maths. Many might think that "Wow! An A1! Excellent!!" but I would be like "No..... I didn't get 90...." Get it?

In the end, it's just about how high you're aiming. If you are after 80 and you got 81, you'll be happy like hell. But what if you got 79? Would it be like the end of the world? Just 1 more point to your aim? Will you feel the desire, the regret, the despair?

On the other hand, why don't you just set your sights lower and feel the immense satisfaction of attaining your goal? If not for the fact that you'll feel as if you just conned yourself? We'll know, ourselves even if everyone else doesn't, that we're not doing our best. And we'll be lying to ourselves if we did.

What can we do? I think that should be clear by now. Just give it your best, even though you know you'll never succeed.

"Do or do not. There is no try."

Master Yoda

Who knows, maybe God will decide to extend a hand of aid to you, for once.

Anyway, good luck to all of you, no matter what is your quest. And remember , so long as you're trying, you'll never fail.

BEST OF LUCK!!!

My Thoughts

2009-01-10T20:28:00.005+08:00

Just had a meeting on Friday. Took like tonnes of my valuable, precious time on Earth. Anyway, these are just some of what I thought during the looooooooong session - It's amazing what a bored mind can think of. - so, if you're expecting a bit of philosophy, wait for the next post. :)

Anyway, The Saw mentioned us taking of our ties outside the room was inappropriate. It was assumed that the action of removing a strip of cloth strangling your neck as a prelude to stripping. I couldn't care less. It was suffocating me! But thank god my classroom is quite near to the Room. Anyway, anyone notice that if we take it off in the Room, it's more like a perverted thing? Cause there's like 50 of us in there, all 'stripping' at once, in a rooom...... lol.

Next, we're supposed to stand like statues during assemblies. Well, so as you know, movement is one of the characteristics identifying humans as a living being, including respiration, excretion and response to stimuli. How in the world are we supposed to freeze under that sweltering ball of fire in the sky? How can we not move when we are half-asleep listening to boring old speeches on toilet usage (and blocked toilets too!)? Would you rather us sleep-stand? It's not like we're blocking anyone's way whatsoever.

And TALKING during duty! Well, I know for one that communication is essential for efficiency (check the military for example). Anyone wonder why the radio, the telephone and Live Messenger was invented? What else do you think we can do during those periods of boredom? Besides fantasising, of course. Thank god that illogical rule has been abolished now.

Moving on, exams. I seriously think duties should be suspended during the examination period. For all I care, exams define the life of a student. It's not like the school's unable to function without us anyway. There will not be disciplinary apocalypse if we're not there, either. Our results are seriously affected, even. Plus, we can't study duriong recess and we're supposed to keep the students out of their classes too!

Continuing, I'm also immensely dissatisfied when we're supposed to stop students from eating in TOILETS -ridiculous, isn't it?- and we can't keep text books in our lockers. But that's for next time, so bye for now!!

PS: I hope I didn't offend anybody. If so, you're welcome to share your thoughts on the above topics. Just don't curse me, k?

Time Flies

2009-01-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

Without realizing, 3, 2, 1, 2009 is HERE! And Oops, there goes another year full of frustration.

Well, as for this year, who knows what horrors Fate has in store for me. For one, this is my SPM year, and I don't need to explain what a pain that is - it practically decides your future! The 9 misfortunes to be expected from the year 2009 are:

Mind-boggling studies
Dozens of homework
Tonnes of crap to be committed to memory
Profound revision
Extra tuition classes
Additional examinations
Less time
No PlayStation2
Periodic breaks from blogging

On the other hand, only 1 more year and I'll say, "Goodbye, secondary education!" and may all memorising work be gone with it. Plus, another half a year till the 'Tie-Tossing Ceremony', when I'll officially be relieved of the burden of being a prefect of CHS -yay! Also, I'll be getting my driving licence soon! I'm dreaming of driving right now... And the best thing on the list: high education! I shall not announce where I'll be heading but soon I'm gonna say:"Here I come!"

Next, on a perspective beyond myself, 2008 did not bring all the woes from Earth with it.

"It has been said that time heals all wounds. I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue, and the pain lessens, but it is never gone."
Rose Kennedy

All the pains in the world did not decrease in the slightest bit. Instead, new tragedies pop up, commemorating the arrival of the new year. Most prominent of all: the war between Israel and Hamas. I've grown so tired of anti-war campaigning, or begging God to save us all from this pointless game. Maybe it's because of this:

"There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough, and liked it, never really care for anything else."
Ernest Hemingway

And lets not forget our favourite sport: wreaking havoc on our Home. As usual, men are spilling tonnes of toxic waste into the oceans, releasing poisonous fumes into the air, and studying the effects. Hence, it's more like a blessing we are able to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

Happy 2009!!!

Celebrating Christmas

2008-12-25T12:15:00.000+08:00

Lets drop all the worries in the world for a while and shout:

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!"

Anyway, behind all those fanciful decorations, joyous carols and the wonderful spirit of Christmas, lets not ignore the less fortunate among us, and that includes plants, animals and Mother Earth as well.

That's all I'm going to blabber today, cause I'm off celebrating!!

Race

2008-12-16T02:40:00.000+08:00

Been seeing for a long time on the media about some interesting news. For instance, outrageous comments in the parliament, Barack Obama's election and the terrible terrorist attacks.

One might wonder how can a means to identify different members of a same species create so much disharmony among homo sapiens. Throughout history, it is evident race has been a cause of strife among human residents of the same area. Fights stem from the reason of "You _____-skinned pigs have done ___ to my people/are totally useless wimps/are inferior to our magnificent race/are a disgrace to the society.... The list is endless. Notice the main point: you are of a different race/skin colour.

How could this happen? Although there are an endless list of causes for discord, none have brought an impact of such a magnitude as race. These fights are just a tiny example, as wars between tribes, nations are also wrought of this infallible excuse. And don't get me started on the devastating consequences of war.

We call ourselves the smartest beings on this planet. But do we see other living things kill each other because of having a different colour? Plants of course, can't fight. But the animals? DO bees sting each other to death for having different-coloured hair? DO chickens peck each other to the end for different-coloured feathers? DO monkeys strangle each other to the grave for different-coloured fur? DO fish nibble each other into Death's awaiting arms for different-coloured scales? DO tigers bite each other to oblivion for having different-coloured coats? DO bulls gore each other to hell for having different-coloured hides? One last question: DO humans slaughter each other for having different-coloured skin into the Grim Reaper's welcoming scythe?

The answer should be before our very eyes. Instead, we should have been working together to achieve a common goal: peace and harmony. These wars and skirmishes are depleting our already-constricted resources! What with daggers, swords, bows, spears, pistols, machine guns, rifles, grenades, nuclear bombs, we are wasting valuable and limited resources on a pointless cause!! Why don't those warlords see this obvious fact??

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."
-Native Americans

Here we are, squandering our precious metals and other resources killing ourselves, when in another instant an alien fleet could swoop down invading our planet. That's a bit far-fetched of course, but who's to say it's impossible?

Even with the success of president-elect Obama as the first black President of the United States, it is far from enough. We must move beyond the boundaries of race, until it is no more than just a part of our identities. Even then, I fear it is not satisfactory, for there still exists the borders of religion, but that's another post. God help us from this hopeless quagmire!

At the end of the day, most of us will realize this fact. Yet be unable to stop it, just like me, cause this is how we are made. I can only hope the rest of the population discovers our deteriorating situation, ere it is too late.

Ignorance - A Bliss

2008-12-12T16:25:00.000+08:00

Ignorance, to not know, like a newborn, would indeed be a bliss. Not knowing the tragedies of the world, not giving a damn to the worries around. Ever noticed those afflicted with Down's Syndrome always have a wonderful smile on their faces? Even when all about them war is waging, people dying, forests being demolished, the oceans are poisoned, the air contaminated, hunger gnawing, a cheerful aura emanates from these unfortunate people. OR are they as unlucky as we think? Could they not be the blessed ones instead? Not feeling the hurts of the world, not knowing the disasters around them, not being pressured by any force in the world, could you honestly say God missed them?

I, on the other hand, am of different opinion. Instead of unfortunate, they are the luckiest among us all. These blessed people has escaped the enormous sorrow encompassing this cursed realm. Who says God is fair? There will always be persons better or worse than others. But there are some far above us all: those so called idiots. Free to enjoy the savours and other pleasantries of this God-forsaken planet. Free of the downsides we have to deal with everyday. Free from all negative feelings. Free from malcontent. And that is the best gift of all.

What do we have, instead? Since birth, with the first breath, noxious fumes scar our lungs; with the first gulp of milk, accumulated toxins from the mother -or the cow- breach our systems; with the first mouth of food, countless poisons begin the long process of being stored in our fragile flesh. Then, as we entered school, we absorb the cultural contaminants-such as vulgar terms-by mingling with other students; we absorb the infestimal knowledge and voluminous propaganda through a Ministry-approved syllabus.

Secondary school, we are encouraged to note social issues. That's when we realise the dangers of this world: dying environment, natural disasters, humans afflicted with horrendous disease, pointless wars waged by fools, soldiers dying for a fake cause, homes destroyed, innocents losing lives...... When all the while fat, obnoxious politicians and rulers sit -in their tailored clothes, on their elaborate chairs, around beautifully-carved tables, sipping exquisite beverages, sampling sumptuous food- bickering over the best way to solve these self-brought problems.

And this is but a tiny portion of the ailments plaguing the residents of this planet, and let's not forget I've never actually experienced these myself.

Back to the point, these unfairness are totally lost on the victims of Down's Syndrome. They can never experience these firsthand, since none of these touches their soul. Yet they are always cheerful, optimistic beyond measure. I once heard that,

"We feel sad so as to know happiness when it arrives."

But this is not true in the case of these gifted people. I don't think they've ever felt sorrow. Yet they know joy, and cherish every moment of it.

Seems like God isn't fair after all. But who are we to judge? And who are the blessed ones?

Greed

2008-12-10T02:15:00.000+08:00

Ahhhh... Finally, I'm back after a 5 weeks' absence. In case you're wondering, I can't access Internet Explorer on my desktop. Turns out I've 50 plus unread mails. Sigh. Anyway, an apology to Dennis. Can't do the tag, not enough time!

Greed, man's eternal flaw. We can never satisfy ourselves, no matter what we achieve. After one goal is reached, another pops up to take its place. And this, is the source of all evil in the world. Take money for instance. A popular saying: one can never have enough money, proves the point well enough.

Besides wealth, thousands greed for fame, and power. Hence sprang all those celebrities and politicians. How many politicians can say they join politics truly for the sake of the people? All those inspiring speeches, presentations... Are they true? If they are, what happened after they succeeded? Any of those promises came true?

The people, the backbone of every country, every organisation, are STARVING! And what are the "leaders" doing?! In Malaysia, my dear beloved country, they are bickering over who should be the head of the party, who should be the head of the Johor division, which race should the Prime Minister be...... sigh

Let this nonsense end, once and for all! There are more important things to do! Let the energy flow from words to action! Oh, and yeah, DROP your antics in the parliment!! Your personal dignity is of no concern to me, but it's my country's reputation you're losing right there, monkey!
What's more, these self-righteous jerks actually get paid after a long weary day of err... calling each other names and using unparlimentary words. And here's the best part, its our tax the money comes from. Not to mention the corrupt ones, who swallow enormous amounts of currency just by some paperwork. Wonder if those who approved the papers thought of where most of the cash flowed to. They probably got some of it themselves.

So what caused this marvellous phenomena? Greed, of course! Greed for money, for wealth, for easy cash, for a new mansion, for a brand new Mercedez-Benz....... I don't give a damn what your properties include, dear Dato's and Datins and Tan Sris, except for the tiny, lil' fact that, IT'S MY MONEY YOU ARE SPENDING!!!

All in all, this post wouldn't change anything. They would still be sitting in that high chair, or lying on the moaning couch; and I'll still be stuck here, lamentating on how the world has gone to the dogs.

What can I do? I can't stop their greed. I doubt God can uncreate this flaw in His lovely creation. I can only watch. And try not to be alike myself.

Financial Crisis

2008-11-02T16:23:00.005+08:00

The financial crisis recently brought woeful tidings to the whole world. Now, it isn't the main news, as the daily decline has reached the stage where it's just part and parcel of life.

I believe the misfortunes along the wake of the economical downfall have been elaboratively, painstakingly explored by the papers, news and of course my fellow bloggers in cyberspace. Therefore, I will be exploring the reason of this drastic financial drop. My question today, why is this tragedy happening?

According to my understanding, the economy is basically an exchange rate. More importantly, it was brought upon the face of earth by mankind. Isn't it supposed to benefit humans? Then, why are people being forced to declare bancruptcy each and every week? Or, what caused those poor souls to expire in famish? If so, why do we need, or want this system in the first place?

My point, since we designed this system, why can't we destroy this flaw in the system? Can all the leaders come together and sign some agreement to halt this downhill roll? Why not? Would you rather watch thousands of people be pauper or even intensely hungry? Yet you ask why so many thieves and robbers are about.

And yet, there are some part of the population on the other end of the spectrum, continuing being overwhelmingly rich, worried -oh, yes- about some crooks grabbing their property. Some obtained their wealth the hard way, some by inheritance, and some ...... well, everybody knows how.

Why is the world so injust? Is this the way God created it? Did He deliberately created man with incredible flaws capable of destroying himself? Why? I'll never know.

Exams - A Summary

2008-09-26T23:17:00.007+08:00

Yes! It's the end of exams! Another month of immersing my saturated mind in books, and I don't mean good books. Stupid, boring, composed by a bunch of total fools textbooks and reference books, adhering to an immensely moronic syllabus made up by a huge sack of nincompoops.

22/9

Accounts 2: Forgotten almost everything. Studied for nothing.

English 1: Fingers went numb from non-stop writing.

23/9

Biology 2: Not bad, at least I don't remember despairing over it =p

Chinese 1: Darn, I seemed to have lost three quarters of my Chinese literary skills......

24/9

Biology 1: Easy like ....

BM 2: Damn, I hate Malay literature!

25/9

EST 1: Dunno what I was writing......

Chemictry 2: Well, let's just say it was better than last term.

26/9

Accounts 1: So easy that everyone ended early, need to study Add Maths.

Add Maths 2: 40 minutes left, so much easier compared to last year's.

27/9-5/10

Yea, hols! But have to study ... :(

6/10

Sejarah 2: Do we have to learn, no, make that memorise the whole looooooooong history of Islam, and all those facts which let the Muslims of old appear smart?

English 2: HAHAHAHA!!!

7/10

Physics 2: Wow!

Sejarah 1: Mind dazzling facts again.

8/10

Moral Studies: To be commented later.

Chinese 2: TONNES of stuff to remember, really envy those who aren't taking!

9/10

Add Maths 1: Almost can't finish! Writing down to the last second!

Malay 1: My wrist is aching...

10/10

Biology 3: Yipee!

Maths 2: What! Chapter 11 is being tested?! No, I'm gonna get all the questions blank, everybody says the chapter is mind-boggling, including Julian, who never had to study... Then Panda said, it all depends on whether you can see it. Finished studying Chap 11 in 30 minutes.

11/10-19/10

PMR!!! I still remember thee good old days......

20/10

3 more days!

EST 2: Done in a flash!

Maths 1: What a pushover!

21/10

2 more days!!

Chemistry 1: Okay...

Chemistry 3: Sooooooooooomany experiments!!

22/10

1 more day!!!

Physics 1: Why did she have to squeeze 50 questions into 6 pages?! My saturated mind can't think of the formulae anymore!

Physics 3: Huh?! Why is Light in the paper?! Lucky nothing about the theory. And,the planning experiment part, who would have thought of it?! I'm gonna fail Physics......

At least it's all OVER now! Time to brood over the marks.....

Blogging

2008-09-13T15:31:00.004+08:00

Nowadays, been spending all my free time reading blogs (slow server and not so high-tech computer) instead of posting and argh studying. Finally, I have time to hone my writing skills!

Currently, my favourite bloggers are Jin Yee, Lily, Kai Boon and James. Their personalities are of a stark contrast, with the first pair having a cheerful disposition and the latter duo exactly like how I feel. These blogs four provide a different perspective of the world we live -and endure- in; Jin Yee providing a positive way of looking at anything; Lily having her ups -and recently, downs; Kai Boon's mad at everything; James writing on all the undesirables with reason (debater at heart).

Thus, I know if it's just me, or... Reality by the last 2 lets me know I'm not the only one who thinks this world is not fine, not fine at all; and the others bring me laughs, and a minimal amount of hope. Ah, ignorance is indeed a bliss, so is blindness it seems, or do they pretend not to see?

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us.
O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
-LEONARDO DA VINCI

Someone once told me on how she disagrees on people writing 'emo' stuff on their blogs. Will you look at what you posted? Reminds me of Edward. Oh, yeah, she also posted that migrating will not solve anything. I happen to agree, if it meant help this country. Now, the post is that she wishes to migrate. Hmm...Edward.

Anyway, it's for certain this is a rotten place. And this has nothing to do with me being a pessimist. And I hope to breath the fresh, fair air of ather countries soon.

Exams!!

2008-09-09T23:42:00.000+08:00

FIRE! FIRE!!

I mean , the exams are here!

The nightmare haunting each and every student in the world of education. Don't try to act cool and unconcerned, I know you mind!

For us at CHS, examinations begin on the 22nd of September, yes, barely 2 weeks later!! So, buck up and start studying, folks!

Anyway, I am of the opinion that examinations are totally pointless in the Malaysian education system. I'm definitely sure all of you know about the glaring flaws in it. Most promonent of all, it only tests us on our memorizing ability, and this includes all the Science subjects as well. I mean, where else in the world is a student supposed to memorise a whole experiment perfectly? We even had to remember those oh-so-effing-long names of ancient Arabians, not forgetting they only have a limited choice of names, resulting in many historical icons of the same name!

Next, for Moral Studies, memorising 36 values and their definitions and their attributes and revelent information from the text book! Assuming we really did remember everything perfectly, what's the point? I do not think that swallowing all these crap can form a morally-right, ethical individual. Most of us swear while memorising the rubbish anyway! What's more, the crime rates are actually INCREASING! Is the Educaton Ministry giving us the message that thievery, robbery, rape, etc. are parallel to good moral? These criminals are sure to have studied Moral Studies at one point or another, so assuming the syllabus is effective, why are they committing these terrible crimes? Then, if the syllabus is ineffective, shouldn't it be revised and altered?

The situation is the same for other subjects. Did anyone really think memorising the formula F=ma can really help us understand the world around us? Or the Periodic Table, Charge Table, Reactivity Series let us know the chemical reactions in a glass of water? ABSURD! These scraps of knowledge are no better than bull excrement when inapplicable! Oh, application is included in the syllabus, BUT funnily enough, it is the part least emphasized by the teachers! What's more, applicatory questions only appear on the exam sheets once in a blue moon!

Hmmm.... Wonder what is going on in the minds of the members of the government. They even allowed a rabid dog to bark insults at humans! Didn't Ahmad learn Pendidikan Moral? Why is he lying and denying, refusing to utter a single, disyllabic word? Would it kill him to do that? C'mon, nobody is flawless, what matters is the action taken after erring! And what was the ISA for? WE learned that in Moral, right? That guy is going to swear upon his holy book next.

Speaking about swearing, what about the PM-hopeful and his act of unnatural intercourse? Could these be related? Might the first incident be a ploy to distract our eyes? Is Ahmad free of the latter's influence? We wouldn't know...

Ooops, looks like it's close to 4. Have to crawl to bed now, or I'll be dozing in class. Good night, and best of luck.

LISTEN!

2008-08-31T20:41:00.000+08:00

School reopened on Monday, ushering in the usual, never-ending stack of much-loathed problems.

Had an English oral presentation on the next day, enlightnening me to another cruel fact of homo sapiens. In this high-tech world, with instantaneous communication at our fingertips, we have learned to be very, very prodigious at expressing ourselves. That is, to the extent of forgetting the first rule of a good speaker: be a good listener! People nowadays seem to talk non-stop, not that the speeches are of any value, and fail to notice that their listeners are talking themselves or drifting of to Dreamland, bored by the endless sentences being forced into their auditory canals, especially when they are supposed to listen to another person.

This way of life - or attitude, if you prefer another term - definitely must be put at an end. Where has our respect for the speaker gone to? Or do we still retain it?

God, I must study! Exams are approaching, and at the speed of light! -For us who haven't started revising, I mean memorising, anyway.

Back to the main topic......
This is the problem facing the boss, specifically his voice, which is supposed to be the leading one in the fellowship is getting increasingly unenthusiastic response. I'm harping, of course, on the disastrous morning meetings. Morning, at 0715, the time where most of us are SUPPOSED to be asleep, that's the time of the daily meetings. I know we are all sleepy, and the meeting itself is a routine -boring- thing, but shouldn't we all be nodding to sleep? Then why in the world are those frogs croaking so loudly, as if the world is theirs, even when the boss is greeting us with his oh so cheerful voice? I simply can't comprehend this embarassing situation.

Proper disciplinary action must be taken against these unblushing sources of sound pollution! Disciplinary Group, what the heck are you guys doing? Can't you see they are undermining our leader's authority? And to you, BOSS, I repeat my statement at the beginning of the year, exercise your rights! We are YOURS to command! Release the bindings on your vocal cords, now your ulcers are gone, and SCREAM at them! Treat them with your vilest language! Let them show the price of DISRESPECT!

This situation is even worse in my class, where a bunch of pupils treat the place as a playground for future night market hawkers. They holler about, scream, shriek, shout, guffaw.....to the extent of bringing headaches-literally. The poor teachers can't even teach, for god's sake, though I credit a few teachers for having complete inability to control a class.This really gets on my nerves, as the exams are like a hair's breadth away, the teachers are giving TIPS, And I simply can't hear over the exuberant, deafening indicators of a really effective family education. Curse them all to a HELL where they had to listen to excruciatingly loud noises with sealed lips!

Off to find a nice spot to cool down and shut up myself............Quietus..................

Miracles?

2008-08-24T16:16:00.000+08:00

Miracles - Surprising and remarkable events which do not follow the laws of nature [known to man].

We all know what miracles are. But, DO they exist? Are miracles real? Or are they an excuse made up by man to explain the unexplainable?

I, neither God's messenger nor the possesser of the highest mental power among mankind, has no answer.

But an extraordinary event happened to me. Before you haphazard a guess, no, God did not whisper in my ear, and I did not witness the Loch Ness monster. A few days ago, Mum started receiving weird calls asking for a taxi driver. She was bemused at first, wondering why her number was connected to a cabby.

Then , I remembered ... my phone diverts calls to my Mum! I consulted her about this brainwave and she exclaimed:"The last call was a diverted call!" My hopes of seeing the black phone soar over the clouds again.... Over the next handful of days, my strong spirited mother called the dialler of the diverted calls and finally found out the number of the user of my phone.

It was the taxi driver! We then got his details with the LPKP, which governs the cab services, and contacted the dishonest old man. After many negotiations through the phone, and tonnes of lies (on his part), he finally agreed to return the handphone. Even when returning, he added lots of conditions and 'payment', which we could never agree!

In the end Mum called lots of influential people for aid and advice. Luckily, the cabby decided to give in in the end because if it went the other way, it could have been VERY BAD for the guy. He ordered us to head to his friend's house, situated deep in some residential area for the phone. His friend turned out to be a kind, elderly man, and a devoted Buddhist, what irony!! We were quite glad the precautionary measures we took were proven unnecessary...

Anyway, after a few days worth of effort on Mum's part and a certain amount of phone, petrol and toll fees, I got my phone back! But the creep scarred my phone's glossy surface, and deleted all my stuff! So many memories gone...... But I guess I should be thankful he didn't decide to keep it for himself.

In this world where morality is close to zero, does this count as a miracle? I'm not sure, but it definitely is an extraordinary event. Many people just needed the right push to do good. In this case, Mum's persuasive skills certainly catalysed the return of the lost item. Thanks, Mum!!

Food or Fun?

2008-08-20T01:37:00.000+08:00

The Annual Dinner of year 2008 was held on Sunday, that's right, Lee Chong Wei VS Lin Dan night.

By 1 o'clock, I was ready for my friend Panda to pick me up from my house. The real event starts at 6 but we have to be there about 3 to arrange the ballroom: I'm mentally prepared to waste 2 fine hours-sigh-as all the movie have been sold out. Half an hour later I sensed something wrong-the deadline's 3-so I called him. 'Oh, I SMS you already what. I'm coming at 3." was the answer. I told him I lost my phone, dunno what he's thinking.

In the car he realised he forgot to bring his script (he's the emcee) and had to call someone living near his house to bring it over, but he conveniently didn't have his number. In the end, I called home and asked my mother to look in the contact list. Then we promptly found out, upon calling his friend, that he had already arrived.

We then reached our destination around 3.30 and met our friend, KH. While Panda was frantically calling everyone on Earth for his script, KH told me the soles of both his shoes dropped off. [Note: Never leave your shoes unworn for too long-the glue will come off] I decided that this was a more pressing matter so I joined him in his quest to buy a new pair of shoes in the shopping centre opposite the hotel.

An hour and a half later we had the new shoes (his mum came back and sped up the process) and went back to the hotel. Jules decided to go to the Border's sales nearby and the three of us(Yao, Lily and me) went along. Books, books and books everywhere! If only I know whether Paradise looks like this.... Well, I found a fair few interesting novels but I could only read for the half an hour I had (only had 10 bucks ;p). 5.30 and we're back. I arranged a few chairs for the photo session and then arranged the candles (they stuck together and the wick got embedded in the wax) then spent the remaining time chatting (since it was so boring) and looking at Boon working on the laptop on some slide shows. Finally the honourable guests arrived and we had a photo session: not being photogenic I did not find this interesting....

Next it was time for the speeches - I almost fell asleep... The person famed for having wonderfully boring speeches "took this opportunity to talk more"...zz...zz...... Then it was time to present the souvenirs to the retiring seniors. Next, we had a "Passing of the Flame" ceremony, involving the lighting up of candles from the seniors to the juniors, what a brilliant idea! We could just burn up the whole hotel and THAT would be the most memorable dinner we'll ever had.

Finally, dinner time arrived! We, as the host had to wait for everybody else to take their food and the catering had been set for less than the number of attendees...... Chatting for many minutes later, most of them about Chong Wei, our turn finally arrived. Firstly, the appetizers-if you call mounds of salad appetizing-was devoured, along with copious amounts of Thousand Island sauce.

A few slide shows came up next, along with the main course comprising mainly of spagetthi. I pity Boon, who had to eat in front of his laptop alone as the slide show required his attention. A surprise birthday party went up for Hui Wen and Jin along with a teacher. we sang the birthday song-god knows how many times-and cut a cake. Then, up came the musical performances, starting with a lovely song accompanied by the guitar - she didn't remember the lyrics - followed by a trio of 2 violins and a cello, a guitar solo and a song. A break folowed, allowing the emcees to fill their innards, Panda was practically shoving food down his throat :D.

Up next came the defining moment of the dinner ----- Lee Chong Wei VS Lin Dan in the badminton finals of the Olympics. Lots of frantic typing on the keyboard - 'Too many people online right now, I can't use wireless!' - and at last using a Maxis Broadband portable modem, a connection was established. A hush fell over the hall...The results refreshed every 15 seconds, 2:0 to Lin Dan.... A collective groan went round the hall, about 120 pairs of eyes riveted on the projected screen... The performances resumed with a music ensemble. Not many people paid attention, most of us had our eyes watching the numbers steadily countdown from 15 seconds on the screen...

I offer my deepest sympathy for the performers as the attention was diverted away from them although they had put in a lot of effort and preparations. But Malaysia's last hope at a sole gold medal....... A violin trio up next, again 2 violins and a cello. James was anxiously hoping for the results as he played onstage... XD Finally, a song, again....... Why so many songs and musical instruments? And no one used the drumset......

Needless to say, 'our boy' lost to China's top player, perhaps due to pressure and a hostile environment. Our table was the first to know the news, as Karluis was in constant contact with one of his friends, and he kept screaming out the latest news, even when the songs are on!! Respect? Nah, dumped by adrenaline and anxiety. Now I know why Dad prefers to go to coffee shops to watch football instead of staying at home...

Later, it was a sad affair, with nobody in the mood of doing anything except mourn over the loss of Malaysia's sole hope for an aurum medal, instead we only got ONE arget while China has like 20+ gold ones... Last, it was Damian's farewell poem which wrapped up the whole sad tale, with suitable music to mark our nation's top player's humiliating defeat. MALAYSIA BOLEH!! kalah. I suppose all we can do is say:"Well, there's next time.." after four years. Then, to our surprise, Damian started handing out lil' presents for us - cute clothes pegs! Simple, but touching to the heart.

All in all, this banquet has been lots of fun, not to forget sadness, and as for the food, let's wait for another dinner, shall we? For every banquet, there must be an ending, said the chinese. So here ends the Annual Dinner of 2008, and Malaysia's dreams of a bright, shiny 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal.

Disappointment

2008-08-17T15:01:00.000+08:00

Thursday, the boss vented again.

I guess someone advised him on the effectiveness on exploding so he just called the whole batch of us seniors and released all of his disappointments on us.

Music to the ears.......you are great examples to your juniors......you know......teachers complained......nobody working......

Then the other committee members chipped in......ni men zhi dao ma......wo men xu yao da jia de he zuo......I see nobody going into the middle......come on lah.......

BAW-bloody-RING

I mean, alright I admit I see the worst side of everything but, this has been told dozens of times!!
If complaining and scolding ever had an effect, it should be apparent by now? What's the point in shouting your guts out when it's just like the wind? Who in this bloody world cares what he's thinking when they talk during meetings??! Show some respect, bastards!

Then later, when all the steam has been let out, the boss asked if we can do what he requested. Everybody shouted:"YESSSS!" - except me. I DO NOT lie. I know I can not - or will not - do it, just as most of the shouters do - but they shouted anyway, goddarn hypocrites - not me, I do not lie to myself, nor to anyone else for that matter.

Next, an inquire on whether we have any questions. A commitee member complained that there are too many blanks on a form to fill in - when there are only 3. Obviously, she never even read the form; and she dares to say she's a commitee member?! D'Arvit!

I, myself, amidst all the scepticism felt only pity for the boss. At first, I too had the same ambitions as him -- change the fellowship to a better future. After the election of the new commitee, I realised, how can this mission succeed when the commitee itself is full of people chosen, not by ability, but by popularity? All most of them are good for nothing, well except look good, crap around with people, saying useless nonsense......

Then I realised, the boss himself is picked 60% based on popularity! I'm not saying that he's a useless lump of trash, but how many of his voters picked him for his cheerful nature, as opposed to his efficiency?? I strongly believe that the democracy system itself should be put into the bin, considering how many talented personnel got wasted by this so called 'fair' system?

A total moron once told me, do not let your emotions affect your judgement. Haha, what a joke! The way you feel towards something, i.e. your feelings is how you judge something! Don't know how that idiot thinks......

Since the elections, I have come to a new understanding on autocracy. It really is the best system if, and only if, the leader is a really fair and good one, which I know is rare nowadays.

In a nutshell, the question is, what has happened to this world? It wasn't like this a few years ago. Or was I too naive to uinderstand it then? I'm afraid I could never answer this question......

Rage

2008-08-13T23:47:00.000+08:00

In this modern technological era, human communication is increasingly disastrous. People throwing tantrums can be seen everyday, everywhere. Plus, it has arrived at the stage of being a business opportunity! I heard of a restaurant where you do not eat, but fling plates, culery and even furniture about......and for a price!! My point is, now you can see what this civilised age has brought to us!

In my point of view, it is definitely, totally fine to be angry. I mean, there must be something which provoked you in the first place, right? And that provocation is to be blamed, not poor you who lost control. Next, it's the worst thing to do if you bottle up your anger. When they say, forgive and forget, you are not actually letting it go from yourself, but keeping it even deeper within........The source of one's rage is surely having a high time, laughing to itself as it escapes your ominous wrath!! Additionally, if you don't let go............once the time comes when you can't control it any longer.................................................................

The following is what happened on Monday...
The boss, who is a typical 'nice' guy-plus a cute face and affable nature-only showed his red hot emotions once before. But on this day, due to a certain lack of initiative from his subordinates, THE volcano erupted. Lava overflowed and steam gushed out in billowing clumps...out of a crater we never expected. Ah well, lucky the damage was close to zero-just a few pieces of official documents flung into the air and then he stormed out of the room.

Naturally, we were in great shock. I for one froze to my seat and only one person went after him...... Later, we found out what really happened: He told our superior we already had 5 people to attend a particular function, when instead we only have 3................

Proof

2008-08-10T00:25:00.000+08:00

I went to SMK Subang Utama today.
It was great fun and we could see that the prefects of that school have really prepared for this moment. I guess this kind of activities is what keeps me alive right now. Anyway, by some misfortune, I left my effing handphone in the taxi we took back to our school. It's not that the phone's worth much, but hey, it's my first phone. So, if any kindred soul out there happen to find a black LG KU380 with a beach wallpaper, please inform me. I know there's a very slim chance, thinner than the latest chips, but one musn't give up hope, right? To be honest, I myself had already given up.......................

Life totally sucks

2008-08-09T19:16:00.000+08:00

Life totally, really, wholly sucks. Accept it, that's a fact. Or more aptly, that's life. This is not the postings of a mad, depressed teenager, but one who has seen too many undesirables in life and is totally sick of it. I know what you're going to suggest, "Just commit suicide lah!" But that is still not under consideration. Coz I still see people with OMG so cheerful dispositions everyday. If they can be so happy, then what's wrong with me? Being inqusitive by nature, that would be my top question to solve before I pass from this world; maybe I should just ask God, but He has never replied me; lucky, I guess, for not hearing voices inside my own head.

I have many solutions for this particular enigma, most prominent among them: I'm blind to the wonders and miracles around me; or I'm just plain unfortunate. My friends-some of them anyway-might be so shocked at this, seeing that I have this goddamn happy-go-lucky, nevermind facade; laughing at every lame joke...................Anyway, THAT is just a mask; a pretty realistic mask if I may say so myself.

All in all, after 16 years of existence, too many sorrows, regrets imprint themselves in my memories. I just can't take it anymore..............................