"601223046xx telah berkongsi RM5 kepada akaun anda melalui Share-a-Top-Up. Rec#64334291. Baki: RM15.04. Tarikh Luput: 04.05.2008." - From 22121
Huh? Who's this? Why did he/she willingly send me airtime?
As I was checking the owner of the number from my phonebook, my phone beeped again...
"Here's some extra credit. I've quite a lot, since I top up every month and don't have enuf friends to call." - Jonoave
Flabbergasted, I stared at the screen, without meaning to, I bursted out in laughter, experiencing pseudo-asthma attack. The sms from him sounded, erm, pathethic? and I thought I should feel empathy or something. But no, I can't. And I couldn't explain why I felt so funny about that monotonous sms.
Actually my credit was running low as I called up Darryl to discuss the MMU IV issue with him. We decided if Wen Nee couldn't make it for MMU IV, both of us will be going there as adjudicators provided I manage to get UKM KKL transport. And we don't want to (always) involve the "retired" debaters like uncle Jonoave in this small tournament.
Hence after that, I called up Jonoave to inform him our decision - previously I did ask him if he's interested to join our team to debate in MMU for we're lacking one debater. And also talked about the coming Austral training camp and the assignments a little. I happened to inform him some where in the middle of our conversation that if my line broke off, that'll mean my credit is finished. For the last time I checked before I called him up, there's only RM2.14 left *sweat*
After 5 minutes of conversation, we've come to some conclusions and hanged up without any interference from Maxis. And I checked again. The credit left was RM0.04 *BIG SWEAT*
Soon, the two smses above were what I received. Jonoave is always a generous and considerate friend. He understands other people situation and sometimes offer to help voluntarily.
And this idea striked me: Why is it called "Share-a-Top-Up"? There is a sender and a receiver, or in another word, a giver and a receiver. The airtime is not literally "shared" by both of us. Once he had sent it over to me, then it is mine. But Hotlink is smart enough by not making it sounded like donating credit, although the deed is the same. The idea of sharing something from ourselves to others really make us feel closer to another person. And that's what telecommunication for - bringing people closer.
The next day, I need a softcopy for one of the lecture note, and I asked Si Zhe if he had it when I saw him on MSN. He attached it and sent it via MSN to me. Unluckily the wireless connection in my room is too slow and I couldn't receive it successfully. Then poped up is the window of folder sharing. I've never used this function before though I know its existence. And here came his dialogue: "I share with you."
It strikes me yet again, the idea of sharing.
As I ponder deeper on the idea of sharing, I realise the word "sharing" is not really how I understand for all this while. There's no such thing as sharing with each other while maintaining the current quantity we have. It's all about giving and receiving: when we share a piece of cheese cake with friends, we only consumed a part of the cake, the other part is given away; when we share a problem with our friend, the burden is lessen as it is lifted up from our shoulder; when we share a little time with our friends, the time is spent on them, not fully on ourselves; when we share a part of our life with someone, we give a part of our time, money, attention and etc, to them. These things are considered lost as we sacrifice them for the sake of others.
However, not all sharing will cause losses: when we share a lame joke with others the happiness doubled as we laugh hysterically together, when we share the knowledge on breast cancer and spread the awareness, the receivers will be benefited, and at the same time, we gain more understanding as we explore more on the issue; when we share the love we have, we will not run out of love but receive even more in return - without asking for it! This shows that when we share, we experience gains or losses - and we love every bit of it if we do it out of genuine generosity or compassion.
Sharing gives us a sense of hope. We know that someone is willing to spend a little time with us, to share what they have with us, not leaving us behind. We show our care for others when we share something with them. Afterall, no matter what we are sharing, we are sharing a part of us with them, and granting them the access to our life, the right to take away a part of us, and the right to top-up a part of us. What is more, our quality of life is improved, albeit a little, as we share.
If you were asked: Does mankind still have hope?
The answer simply depends on whether or not human are willing to share a future with each other. If Isreal and Palestine are willing to share the piece of Holy Land, there sould be less wars in there. If we are willing to share a little food with the poverty-stricken countries, there'll be less people dying from starvation. If we are willing to share a little time with others by praying for them, there'll be more love among us.
So, let's share-share lah =)
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Toxicology Test
"Hey, just now the paper was psycho lar.."
That's the first sentence Gina exchanged with me when she met me in cafe after our Toxicology paper. Apparenly she's more a civilise person. I was thinking of another word to describe the paper... oh, nevermind.
By the way, I got to stay in KTSN 1 again for next term. Thank God.
These days the wireless connection is very unstable and weak. Hence, before the wireless connection goes "limited", I better hit the publish button now. It's just a short post this time.
All the best for exams =)
That's the first sentence Gina exchanged with me when she met me in cafe after our Toxicology paper. Apparenly she's more a civilise person. I was thinking of another word to describe the paper... oh, nevermind.
By the way, I got to stay in KTSN 1 again for next term. Thank God.
These days the wireless connection is very unstable and weak. Hence, before the wireless connection goes "limited", I better hit the publish button now. It's just a short post this time.
All the best for exams =)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Good Laughs
I'm not sure if my funny bone is different from the rest, but I do find peculiar things funny at times, or laugh at things which usually don't make other people find them amusing.
I have a number of times giggling at lecturers who are, well, to me, witty. But no other people in the class seems to think so. Maybe sometimes the lecturers didn't mean to sound witty, but I find the situation to be funny, at that moment. If there's a chance the same situation occurs again, maybe I won't be laughing then, maybe.
I have a number of friends whom I find them to be amusing no matter what they do. I can read their blogs complaining about dissatisfaction they faced yet visualise the way they're actually talking that in front of me and...laugh! They have their own unique way of behaving, and I love to be with them because they're behaving like themselves - one of a kind ;-)
And sometimes I laugh as I read what people are doing with politics. To me, politics are just like dramas sometimes. The sudden fall and rise of a nation, an out-of-no-where decision to veto stem cell research, the leader of a particular country didn't turn up at a peace talk yet tell the public that he's still committed to it and etc. Ha, what can be more important than the peace of a nation? And the talk is suppose to bring related parties together and discuss the issue - they didn't turn up yet still committed? I'm SOO gonna believe in that!
I think sometimes we just have to find something to laugh at in our daily lifes. I need laughter more than I need coffee. Some of the times I even laugh at myself! It's even more amusing and healthy. Look at the things you did, have a good laugh, then move on.
Life is too short to worry. We can worry for it's our nature. But not too much of it. Remember that God is always with us! Laughter is still the best medicine =)
I have a number of times giggling at lecturers who are, well, to me, witty. But no other people in the class seems to think so. Maybe sometimes the lecturers didn't mean to sound witty, but I find the situation to be funny, at that moment. If there's a chance the same situation occurs again, maybe I won't be laughing then, maybe.
I have a number of friends whom I find them to be amusing no matter what they do. I can read their blogs complaining about dissatisfaction they faced yet visualise the way they're actually talking that in front of me and...laugh! They have their own unique way of behaving, and I love to be with them because they're behaving like themselves - one of a kind ;-)
And sometimes I laugh as I read what people are doing with politics. To me, politics are just like dramas sometimes. The sudden fall and rise of a nation, an out-of-no-where decision to veto stem cell research, the leader of a particular country didn't turn up at a peace talk yet tell the public that he's still committed to it and etc. Ha, what can be more important than the peace of a nation? And the talk is suppose to bring related parties together and discuss the issue - they didn't turn up yet still committed? I'm SOO gonna believe in that!
I think sometimes we just have to find something to laugh at in our daily lifes. I need laughter more than I need coffee. Some of the times I even laugh at myself! It's even more amusing and healthy. Look at the things you did, have a good laugh, then move on.
Life is too short to worry. We can worry for it's our nature. But not too much of it. Remember that God is always with us! Laughter is still the best medicine =)
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Power of Controversial Writing and the Value of Apology
When Kevin Rudd made a public (nation-wide, actually) apology, all the aborigines and non-aborigines in Australia applauded, some even cried in joy. For 200 years Australian government had been condemned for sidelining the local aborigines, now it has become a history. A new phase has come and everyone moves on.
When I wrote the Aftermath post, the main purpose was not to condemn anyone. As you look at the structure of the post, a big chunk of it was talking about how I feel about myself with my coursemates. As I announced it in my MSN common message “Coursemates, you names are mentioned in my post http://www.cherlinn.blogspot.com/”, that’s even clearer that I wanted them to know how I think I’ve made progressed in socializing with them.
However, sadly to say, the controversial part of it is the part I mentioned someone hasn’t forwarded the message to me. And everyone thought me pin-pointed her as a culprit behind my lost. The fact is I’ve never even thought that it could be this way for that was not my intention at all. Only those who have this kind of defaming thought can straight away interpret it that way for it is their nature.
I guess I have underestimated the attraction and power of controversial stories. When Dr.Chua’s sex scandal was made public, everyone liked to talk about it. It is only a 50 seconds clip, for crying out loud. If we were to compare to all the hard works and improvement in public health care system for years, the former should be the most insignificant sneeze one can have in his career. But because it was controversial, people love to discuss it out loud, albeit extravagantly. And his efforts for all these years had been unjustifiably overshadowed.
The second level to this is how people interpret the message conveyed. Every reader has to understand that I’m only telling the story from my point of view. After all, this is my blog, of course it is to talk about me. If I were to take everyone’s opinion into account before writing a post, then I might as well not establish this blog at the first place. And I’ve explained how I have no whatsoever intention to bring disgrace to any party as I narrated a fraction of my journey in life. Besides, I didn’t force you to read my post at the first place.
Yet, I understand how human minds are uncontrollable in terms of interpreting message. This is beyond my ability to ensure every reader is happy to read what I’ve posted. Read at your own risk, and if you have any comment or new angle to look at things mentioned, then you’re always welcome to leave comment to here.
What’s more, is what they did to this girl after reading my post: they teased her about this incident and made her felt very annoyed. That has as much relation to me as Koko Krunch to Jeffrey Archer. I felt empathy to hear what has happened to her, but it is not fair to put the blame on me for the reasons justified above.
If she thought I’m at fault, I have to agree at some point maybe I am, for I’m nearly violating the freedom of speech I enjoyed thus far. I still have to bear the responsibility that comes along as no right is absolute.
And I apologized to her at the very next chance I met her.
Broken-heartedly to say, my sincerity was not met with forgiveness. Then I believe there’s nothing else I can do but to move on. I don’t think I’m being irresponsible for I’ve done my part in saving our friendship. Now she’s the determining factor.
A strong friendship is one which can remain standing after disagreements or misunderstandings. It is the business between the directly related individuals and other people are to mind their own business. As a person has put down his or her pride and made an apology, it is something priceless which can only be met with its invaluable counterpart: forgiveness, for both come from our delicate heart. If these two elements exist in a relationship, only then a genuine friendship is appreciated.
I’m still holding an end of the rope of our friendship. I’m looking forward to seeing her to grab another end of it. For I appreciate her not because of she’s a high-flying student per se, but an easy-going and cheerful one, with straight-forward manner I always admire, and one can always see the twinkle in her eyes to know she’s genuinely who you see right in front of you.
When I wrote the Aftermath post, the main purpose was not to condemn anyone. As you look at the structure of the post, a big chunk of it was talking about how I feel about myself with my coursemates. As I announced it in my MSN common message “Coursemates, you names are mentioned in my post http://www.cherlinn.blogspot.com/”, that’s even clearer that I wanted them to know how I think I’ve made progressed in socializing with them.
However, sadly to say, the controversial part of it is the part I mentioned someone hasn’t forwarded the message to me. And everyone thought me pin-pointed her as a culprit behind my lost. The fact is I’ve never even thought that it could be this way for that was not my intention at all. Only those who have this kind of defaming thought can straight away interpret it that way for it is their nature.
I guess I have underestimated the attraction and power of controversial stories. When Dr.Chua’s sex scandal was made public, everyone liked to talk about it. It is only a 50 seconds clip, for crying out loud. If we were to compare to all the hard works and improvement in public health care system for years, the former should be the most insignificant sneeze one can have in his career. But because it was controversial, people love to discuss it out loud, albeit extravagantly. And his efforts for all these years had been unjustifiably overshadowed.
The second level to this is how people interpret the message conveyed. Every reader has to understand that I’m only telling the story from my point of view. After all, this is my blog, of course it is to talk about me. If I were to take everyone’s opinion into account before writing a post, then I might as well not establish this blog at the first place. And I’ve explained how I have no whatsoever intention to bring disgrace to any party as I narrated a fraction of my journey in life. Besides, I didn’t force you to read my post at the first place.
Yet, I understand how human minds are uncontrollable in terms of interpreting message. This is beyond my ability to ensure every reader is happy to read what I’ve posted. Read at your own risk, and if you have any comment or new angle to look at things mentioned, then you’re always welcome to leave comment to here.
What’s more, is what they did to this girl after reading my post: they teased her about this incident and made her felt very annoyed. That has as much relation to me as Koko Krunch to Jeffrey Archer. I felt empathy to hear what has happened to her, but it is not fair to put the blame on me for the reasons justified above.
If she thought I’m at fault, I have to agree at some point maybe I am, for I’m nearly violating the freedom of speech I enjoyed thus far. I still have to bear the responsibility that comes along as no right is absolute.
And I apologized to her at the very next chance I met her.
Broken-heartedly to say, my sincerity was not met with forgiveness. Then I believe there’s nothing else I can do but to move on. I don’t think I’m being irresponsible for I’ve done my part in saving our friendship. Now she’s the determining factor.
A strong friendship is one which can remain standing after disagreements or misunderstandings. It is the business between the directly related individuals and other people are to mind their own business. As a person has put down his or her pride and made an apology, it is something priceless which can only be met with its invaluable counterpart: forgiveness, for both come from our delicate heart. If these two elements exist in a relationship, only then a genuine friendship is appreciated.
I’m still holding an end of the rope of our friendship. I’m looking forward to seeing her to grab another end of it. For I appreciate her not because of she’s a high-flying student per se, but an easy-going and cheerful one, with straight-forward manner I always admire, and one can always see the twinkle in her eyes to know she’s genuinely who you see right in front of you.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Now I See It
For those who had read the previous post (Aftermath), hopefully you'll be able to relate or understand this post better.
As I've missed the piece of information regarding Prof. Salmaan's tutorial, I was quite upset about it. Honestly, the reasons behind this was (1) he's a good lecturer with substance, disregard how you comment about the last tutorial as "nothing important", and (2) he is a witty lecturer - I mean, don't you feel alive everytime you listen to him talk? Human needs humour in life!
Now come Prof. Baha's tutorial - another outstanding and passionate educator too good to work under UKM. This time I received the sms from our class representative, Abang Saleh, as how we call him. And I passed it on down and up the chain so that hopefully this time it works in dwi-direction. And I sent it to William who also missed out SMS that day. And one to VJ, Merlinda and Chiun Chuan, respectively. And I put it as my MSN common message. Nolie saw the message and confirm with me again. I suppose she has yet to receive the message from her chain of friends, but I believe she will be the first one to initiate the forwarding business and get every possible souls informed.
I've become more aware of the importance of effective SMS forwarding system - if not because of the price I paid to be bestowed awareness. Now when I look back, I re-learnt the lesson : there is indeed reason behind for everything which has happened in our life. Be it a friend, an incident, etc. If we learn to appreciate it, then only we'll be touched by it.
We're unaware of the sufferings of many sad incidents in other land because we have yet to experience it. We're always in our comfort zone. We never appreciate electricity because it's so abundant in a big city like KL that even if there's a blackout - it'll resume in a blinking of eyes. We never (ok, sometimes) appreciate the some old economy rice served on our table because we know we'll be eating the same dish tomorrow, or even during the next meal! But if you've gone to a mission trip or visited some under-developed countries, we'll always be reminded of the condition there and learn to be more thankful.
But those people who are suffering play an important role in spreading awareness to us. If not because of wars and many lives lost in it, we wouldn't have kiss our love-ones everyday (no, I'm not thanking Bush for it, he's still an a** hole); if not because of male homosexuals, we wouldn't have found out that HIV is transmitted through body fluid and not mere physical hugs.
And I've received a comment from an anonymous regarding my behaviour all these while! Finally it provokes one to tell me straight at my face, which is a way I preferred, but do it privately. And that explains why my words are unpleasant to the ears (OK, sometimes is my manners): those words are something people usually bitch about it behind our backs, but I said them at their face. Honestly, if you know it'll benefit me, you gotta tell me about it long ago. I have been ignorant sometimes, that's why friends (who claim to be sincerely concerning you) are the one who should give you a whack at the head - all the time. Though I've yet to know how exactly I'm going to change, hopefully that person will contact me at my email or something.
p/s: Chui Yoke says she did forward me the message, it's just that I didn't receive it. It could be the telecommunication system technical problem. Please don't tell me it's my Samsung Ted Baker's fault - it's still new. I believe it has not suffered from any suffocation as it flew back from Newcastle that day.
As I've missed the piece of information regarding Prof. Salmaan's tutorial, I was quite upset about it. Honestly, the reasons behind this was (1) he's a good lecturer with substance, disregard how you comment about the last tutorial as "nothing important", and (2) he is a witty lecturer - I mean, don't you feel alive everytime you listen to him talk? Human needs humour in life!
Now come Prof. Baha's tutorial - another outstanding and passionate educator too good to work under UKM. This time I received the sms from our class representative, Abang Saleh, as how we call him. And I passed it on down and up the chain so that hopefully this time it works in dwi-direction. And I sent it to William who also missed out SMS that day. And one to VJ, Merlinda and Chiun Chuan, respectively. And I put it as my MSN common message. Nolie saw the message and confirm with me again. I suppose she has yet to receive the message from her chain of friends, but I believe she will be the first one to initiate the forwarding business and get every possible souls informed.
I've become more aware of the importance of effective SMS forwarding system - if not because of the price I paid to be bestowed awareness. Now when I look back, I re-learnt the lesson : there is indeed reason behind for everything which has happened in our life. Be it a friend, an incident, etc. If we learn to appreciate it, then only we'll be touched by it.
We're unaware of the sufferings of many sad incidents in other land because we have yet to experience it. We're always in our comfort zone. We never appreciate electricity because it's so abundant in a big city like KL that even if there's a blackout - it'll resume in a blinking of eyes. We never (ok, sometimes) appreciate the some old economy rice served on our table because we know we'll be eating the same dish tomorrow, or even during the next meal! But if you've gone to a mission trip or visited some under-developed countries, we'll always be reminded of the condition there and learn to be more thankful.
But those people who are suffering play an important role in spreading awareness to us. If not because of wars and many lives lost in it, we wouldn't have kiss our love-ones everyday (no, I'm not thanking Bush for it, he's still an a** hole); if not because of male homosexuals, we wouldn't have found out that HIV is transmitted through body fluid and not mere physical hugs.
And I've received a comment from an anonymous regarding my behaviour all these while! Finally it provokes one to tell me straight at my face, which is a way I preferred, but do it privately. And that explains why my words are unpleasant to the ears (OK, sometimes is my manners): those words are something people usually bitch about it behind our backs, but I said them at their face. Honestly, if you know it'll benefit me, you gotta tell me about it long ago. I have been ignorant sometimes, that's why friends (who claim to be sincerely concerning you) are the one who should give you a whack at the head - all the time. Though I've yet to know how exactly I'm going to change, hopefully that person will contact me at my email or something.
p/s: Chui Yoke says she did forward me the message, it's just that I didn't receive it. It could be the telecommunication system technical problem. Please don't tell me it's my Samsung Ted Baker's fault - it's still new. I believe it has not suffered from any suffocation as it flew back from Newcastle that day.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Aftermath
I was pretty angered last night. The raging fire consumed me so entirely that I couldn't do anything else beside going to bed early. And it wasn't a peaceful sleep either, though it managed to heal me a little from the wound.
I am pretty close with my other non-Chinese coursemates, honestly, judging by the fact that most(not all) of the time I always got first-hand information from them whenever they've arranged a replacement/extra class with lecturers, or to register subjects online etc. Hence I bear the (informal) responsibility to forward it (to Pau Ring) down the SMS chain among Chinese students to inform them about the news. I've never missed forwarding messages, be it the source is from a Chinese or Malay friend.
However, few days ago there's this circulated SMS about a tutorial by my Toxicology lecturer, Prof Salmaan. And for these entire 5 days I wasn't aware about it. Some of them up the chain received it and they as usual they assumed I was the one who forwarded it to the chain at the first place hence the one above me, Chui Yoke, didn't forward to me.
If it wasn't because I saw Siew Hui's MSN common message about tutorial which ended late hence she couldn't go for Sushi King Members' Day treat, I wouldn't have found out this plaque.
Everyone knew about it, except me, the loyal SMS forwarder. Everyone just assumed everyone knew about it, hence no verbal reminder was heard.
I'm always very sensitive towards issue about I'm the only isolated one among my coursemates. I've prayed for things to improved, and it worked, at some measures. I've shown more concern towards friends, thick-facedly asked to join them for lunch or offer to go out and do some shopping together, talked about Colby Cailat to Lee Yen, discussed hair-do fashion with Pei Yoong, told Steven to look at the bright side of having much responsibilities because of his growing talents as a leader, follow up with their blogs (such as those at the right hand side) to know what's up outside KTSN (for I'm the only Chinese girl staying in UKM hostel among my coursemates), etc. I no longer sit alone in class, but with friends all around me. We've had inside jokes about Lik Wei and how he's related to Wilson disease, Kee Siang has once in a while asks me questions about class via MSN (maybe because I'm one of the few who insists to set my MSN status as "online" rather than "away" or "busy" when I'm around). Ah Chew has once asked me:" So how's things?" - a simple question coming from a brother-in-Christ was indeed a big pat at the back; Adeline has shown most concern towards me since I told her about how I felt about myself being the weirdest "outliers" among my coursemates few months ago.
But things haven't really changed, actually. The relationship and companion I long for all this while have yet to come true. William said he also didn't receive the message but he asked about it himself. Maybe that's what I should do - depend on myself. For all the advancement in telecommunication technology mankind has achieved thus far, assumption and miscommunication have made a mocking to it, and hence holding human social networking back.
There's no point of pointing finger when things have happened. Afterall, I think I'm back to square one where I'm still the non-sociable weirdo - who loves to read about Zimbabwe and the stubborn Robert Mugabe, the Green Car Race between Toyota and GM, the skyrocketed crude oil price and inflation following the war in Middle East, the Shariah Law in British court, headscarves in Turkish university, boycotting Beijing Olympic, or global warming (yes, please close the door whenever you're in or out of an air-conditioned room), recognising Palestinian refugees, Kosovo and Kurdish independence, North Korea and its nuclear weapon, Asia and its booming economy as a whole, US and Russia conflict in allowing Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO, and other... stuff.
It's just an irony - things happened so far away from my social cycle yet I am aware about them, however for things happened right in front of my eyes I'm too blind to see them. Next time I'll be more aware about what's on around me, especially those which is not published in the paper.
I am pretty close with my other non-Chinese coursemates, honestly, judging by the fact that most(not all) of the time I always got first-hand information from them whenever they've arranged a replacement/extra class with lecturers, or to register subjects online etc. Hence I bear the (informal) responsibility to forward it (to Pau Ring) down the SMS chain among Chinese students to inform them about the news. I've never missed forwarding messages, be it the source is from a Chinese or Malay friend.
However, few days ago there's this circulated SMS about a tutorial by my Toxicology lecturer, Prof Salmaan. And for these entire 5 days I wasn't aware about it. Some of them up the chain received it and they as usual they assumed I was the one who forwarded it to the chain at the first place hence the one above me, Chui Yoke, didn't forward to me.
If it wasn't because I saw Siew Hui's MSN common message about tutorial which ended late hence she couldn't go for Sushi King Members' Day treat, I wouldn't have found out this plaque.
Everyone knew about it, except me, the loyal SMS forwarder. Everyone just assumed everyone knew about it, hence no verbal reminder was heard.
I'm always very sensitive towards issue about I'm the only isolated one among my coursemates. I've prayed for things to improved, and it worked, at some measures. I've shown more concern towards friends, thick-facedly asked to join them for lunch or offer to go out and do some shopping together, talked about Colby Cailat to Lee Yen, discussed hair-do fashion with Pei Yoong, told Steven to look at the bright side of having much responsibilities because of his growing talents as a leader, follow up with their blogs (such as those at the right hand side) to know what's up outside KTSN (for I'm the only Chinese girl staying in UKM hostel among my coursemates), etc. I no longer sit alone in class, but with friends all around me. We've had inside jokes about Lik Wei and how he's related to Wilson disease, Kee Siang has once in a while asks me questions about class via MSN (maybe because I'm one of the few who insists to set my MSN status as "online" rather than "away" or "busy" when I'm around). Ah Chew has once asked me:" So how's things?" - a simple question coming from a brother-in-Christ was indeed a big pat at the back; Adeline has shown most concern towards me since I told her about how I felt about myself being the weirdest "outliers" among my coursemates few months ago.
But things haven't really changed, actually. The relationship and companion I long for all this while have yet to come true. William said he also didn't receive the message but he asked about it himself. Maybe that's what I should do - depend on myself. For all the advancement in telecommunication technology mankind has achieved thus far, assumption and miscommunication have made a mocking to it, and hence holding human social networking back.
There's no point of pointing finger when things have happened. Afterall, I think I'm back to square one where I'm still the non-sociable weirdo - who loves to read about Zimbabwe and the stubborn Robert Mugabe, the Green Car Race between Toyota and GM, the skyrocketed crude oil price and inflation following the war in Middle East, the Shariah Law in British court, headscarves in Turkish university, boycotting Beijing Olympic, or global warming (yes, please close the door whenever you're in or out of an air-conditioned room), recognising Palestinian refugees, Kosovo and Kurdish independence, North Korea and its nuclear weapon, Asia and its booming economy as a whole, US and Russia conflict in allowing Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO, and other... stuff.
It's just an irony - things happened so far away from my social cycle yet I am aware about them, however for things happened right in front of my eyes I'm too blind to see them. Next time I'll be more aware about what's on around me, especially those which is not published in the paper.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Missing You
The chilling wind blows, the dark clouds loom in. Blinding lighting strikes a sense of fear into me, loud thunder soon follows. Down pouring rain is anticipated, yet again.
Standing in the hallway, alone. Watching the greyish sky , oh so familiar.
The tree leaves spring into a dance, ready to soak in the shower. Little flowers sing, embracing themselves to survive through the down pour. Humble grass hold their breath in preserverance, determine to smile at the rainbow after rain.
The nature, isn't very natural, especially when it is mixed with a complicated emotion inside. It becomes humane. It reminds me of a friend, only whom can stir my emotion, silently, violently.
It is a surprise. After all this while, he is still on my mind. New friends come and go, so is he. But his smiles never leave. His shadow is everywhere.
Wake up! He is no longer here!
Eyes closed, I shake my head, trying to swing him off my mind. Yet, like a stubborn dirt, no solution is effective enough to eliminate him from my consciousness. The stain stays, the emotion lingers. My heart is calling the name whose owner is miles away.
Did you hear it?
The thunder roars and the wind pierces my bone, sending shivers down my spine. My heart aches and my mind floats.
Oh gravity! Pull me back!
Crystal drops scattered on the soil, roof, cars and leaves, concerting harmonic orchestra. The power of nature speaks with authority. It is loud, but I hear silence. It is a teamwork, but I fight the battle alone - the battle to get over with the fact that...
I still miss you.
Standing in the hallway, alone. Watching the greyish sky , oh so familiar.
The tree leaves spring into a dance, ready to soak in the shower. Little flowers sing, embracing themselves to survive through the down pour. Humble grass hold their breath in preserverance, determine to smile at the rainbow after rain.
The nature, isn't very natural, especially when it is mixed with a complicated emotion inside. It becomes humane. It reminds me of a friend, only whom can stir my emotion, silently, violently.
It is a surprise. After all this while, he is still on my mind. New friends come and go, so is he. But his smiles never leave. His shadow is everywhere.
Wake up! He is no longer here!
Eyes closed, I shake my head, trying to swing him off my mind. Yet, like a stubborn dirt, no solution is effective enough to eliminate him from my consciousness. The stain stays, the emotion lingers. My heart is calling the name whose owner is miles away.
Did you hear it?
The thunder roars and the wind pierces my bone, sending shivers down my spine. My heart aches and my mind floats.
Oh gravity! Pull me back!
Crystal drops scattered on the soil, roof, cars and leaves, concerting harmonic orchestra. The power of nature speaks with authority. It is loud, but I hear silence. It is a teamwork, but I fight the battle alone - the battle to get over with the fact that...
I still miss you.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Consortium and Super Nice bus driver smoke in the bus during the journey
No, this is not defaming. But a true incident happened to me on Wednesday evening (on Consortium bus boarded at Plaza Rakyat platform 4, 5:30 pm) and Sunday afternoon (on Super Nice bus boarded at home town in Penang, 1:45pm)
This is becoming a trend I believe, for whichever driver told not to smoke in the bus during the journey they's first reply:" Kalau busuk duduk belakang la!".
Let's forgive those brain immersed in carcinogenic smoke for speaking such selfish and senseless reply, for they don't know what they're doing. Oh, if they do have a brain, so to say.
But the company should be sued because they didn't ensure the safety of the passengers and their employees.
1. Same reason behind banning of handphones usage while driving - It's obvious that while using handphones while driving can distract the driver from what's on the road and they'll either in risk of (1) slow in response should there be any emergency e.g. emergency break (2) hands are not free to control the sterring and handbrake (3) not noticing any signs of danger at all for their focus is on the phone. For risk number 1 and 2, they can happen to smoker bus driver too, when they're searching for lighter or equivalent, or when they accidently drop the ciggerates and bend down to pick it up, it can cause road accident, too. This can lead to passengers and other innocent road users' life at risk, which is not fair at all. What's the difference between a ciggerate and a handphone in this case? Both also occupy our hands and are hazardous on the road. The same principle simply applies here.
2. Passengers' right - You don't have to be a physics professors to know even if the driver smoke near the window, ciggerate smoke doesn't blowned out of the bus but instead, blown into the bus because of stronger wind outside the vehicle. Even if the driver "kindly" suggest we sit behind if we can't bear the smell, but we have to consider if there is anyone willing to swap place with us at the first place? And, it's not just the smell, but the driver is exposing EVERYONE in the bus to lung cancer risk, with no rooms to flee to! Not that I want to sound as if the whole bus consists of health-conscious passengers, but it's a fact that a lot of passengers feel suffocating everytime the driver smoke. What makes us so special that we have to make other people to take our cancerous seat for we pay the same amount of money for the trip? The idea of giving other people something we want to get rid off is very wrong and selfish at the first place. The second level to this idea is that, why must we as the customers have to be the one oppressed by the service provider? I don't like to say this but it's true that we pay for "Super Nice" service - a healthy and safe service, and we want what we've paid for, that's it. Why should the non-smokers be the one giving in to smokers whose second hand smoke causes more harm to the surrounding people than the first hand smokers themselves? I don't mind companies hiring smoker driver. Drivers can have inform choice that if they smoke, very high chance they'll get lung cancer 20 years down the road. But their choice must not interfere with other people's right, too! We made the informed choice not to smoke, then why are our decisions not respected for we are still forced to breathe in second hand smoke from insensitive smokers? That's simply unacceptable!
3. Drivers' health - Obviously it is for the benefit of the drivers themselves to quit smoking. If they smoke, they wont live long. If they're sick of their life and want to end it rapidly, please use methods which will not cause discomfort to other people. Of course, comitting suiside is wrong at the first place. But when you're chronically killing other innocent people along with their suicidal plan, that again, infrindges other people's right, which is double sin. Don't tell me how cruel the society is and you need to boost yourselves to stay awake while driving OT in order to make more money. That's even more dangerous, can't you see it? You're half asleep and you need to constantly take in substances to keep you awake (and alive). As things go over limit and back-fired, again, who are the innocent victims? It's not like staying up to study when you gulp down 3 cups of coffee and let your own kidneys damaged by the effects of caffein and no other people be affected. It is different when it involves third parties directly or indirectly.
4. Companies image - While the government is strongly campaigning for anti-smoking activities, Tak Nak to ciggerates and etc, corporate responsibilites should also be on the shoulders of conventional campanies to uphold what is good for the nation. Of course, bus companies don't sell tobacco products and it sounds like they have nothing to do with each other, but as the trend of THEIR drivers smoking while performing duties is fast becoming a sad trend, the companies should take initiative to look into the matters. The drivers' welfare should be taken care of. Even if their employees are willing, but the employers have to assess if they are capable of performing their duties without depending on carcinogenic substances. Justification to this is that, if unluckily they lost their drivers to lung cancer or road accidents, they have to again spend money and time to train new drivers to keep up with their customers' demand; yet if they don't want to train new drivers, they'll loose their customers to other rival bus companies. Incentives for the companies is that they'll build good, healthy images for themselves by embracing anti-smoking motive. With this, I believe they'll attract even more customers as citizens are becoming more and more health-conscious these years.
These are the reasons I believe smoking should be banned on conventional drivers. If you find banning the usage of handphone while driving is justified, you should be able to understand why it is justified to ban smoking while driving a bus (which, mind you, carry more lifes in it!) too. If you find banning smoking in public places is justified, you should be able to understand how banning smoking while driving express bus is just an extension of the law, to better protect the non-smokers public and uphold human rights.
Let's say no to smoking. Let's boycott companies which allow their drivers to smoke WHILE driving the bus.
This is becoming a trend I believe, for whichever driver told not to smoke in the bus during the journey they's first reply:" Kalau busuk duduk belakang la!".
Let's forgive those brain immersed in carcinogenic smoke for speaking such selfish and senseless reply, for they don't know what they're doing. Oh, if they do have a brain, so to say.
But the company should be sued because they didn't ensure the safety of the passengers and their employees.
1. Same reason behind banning of handphones usage while driving - It's obvious that while using handphones while driving can distract the driver from what's on the road and they'll either in risk of (1) slow in response should there be any emergency e.g. emergency break (2) hands are not free to control the sterring and handbrake (3) not noticing any signs of danger at all for their focus is on the phone. For risk number 1 and 2, they can happen to smoker bus driver too, when they're searching for lighter or equivalent, or when they accidently drop the ciggerates and bend down to pick it up, it can cause road accident, too. This can lead to passengers and other innocent road users' life at risk, which is not fair at all. What's the difference between a ciggerate and a handphone in this case? Both also occupy our hands and are hazardous on the road. The same principle simply applies here.
2. Passengers' right - You don't have to be a physics professors to know even if the driver smoke near the window, ciggerate smoke doesn't blowned out of the bus but instead, blown into the bus because of stronger wind outside the vehicle. Even if the driver "kindly" suggest we sit behind if we can't bear the smell, but we have to consider if there is anyone willing to swap place with us at the first place? And, it's not just the smell, but the driver is exposing EVERYONE in the bus to lung cancer risk, with no rooms to flee to! Not that I want to sound as if the whole bus consists of health-conscious passengers, but it's a fact that a lot of passengers feel suffocating everytime the driver smoke. What makes us so special that we have to make other people to take our cancerous seat for we pay the same amount of money for the trip? The idea of giving other people something we want to get rid off is very wrong and selfish at the first place. The second level to this idea is that, why must we as the customers have to be the one oppressed by the service provider? I don't like to say this but it's true that we pay for "Super Nice" service - a healthy and safe service, and we want what we've paid for, that's it. Why should the non-smokers be the one giving in to smokers whose second hand smoke causes more harm to the surrounding people than the first hand smokers themselves? I don't mind companies hiring smoker driver. Drivers can have inform choice that if they smoke, very high chance they'll get lung cancer 20 years down the road. But their choice must not interfere with other people's right, too! We made the informed choice not to smoke, then why are our decisions not respected for we are still forced to breathe in second hand smoke from insensitive smokers? That's simply unacceptable!
3. Drivers' health - Obviously it is for the benefit of the drivers themselves to quit smoking. If they smoke, they wont live long. If they're sick of their life and want to end it rapidly, please use methods which will not cause discomfort to other people. Of course, comitting suiside is wrong at the first place. But when you're chronically killing other innocent people along with their suicidal plan, that again, infrindges other people's right, which is double sin. Don't tell me how cruel the society is and you need to boost yourselves to stay awake while driving OT in order to make more money. That's even more dangerous, can't you see it? You're half asleep and you need to constantly take in substances to keep you awake (and alive). As things go over limit and back-fired, again, who are the innocent victims? It's not like staying up to study when you gulp down 3 cups of coffee and let your own kidneys damaged by the effects of caffein and no other people be affected. It is different when it involves third parties directly or indirectly.
4. Companies image - While the government is strongly campaigning for anti-smoking activities, Tak Nak to ciggerates and etc, corporate responsibilites should also be on the shoulders of conventional campanies to uphold what is good for the nation. Of course, bus companies don't sell tobacco products and it sounds like they have nothing to do with each other, but as the trend of THEIR drivers smoking while performing duties is fast becoming a sad trend, the companies should take initiative to look into the matters. The drivers' welfare should be taken care of. Even if their employees are willing, but the employers have to assess if they are capable of performing their duties without depending on carcinogenic substances. Justification to this is that, if unluckily they lost their drivers to lung cancer or road accidents, they have to again spend money and time to train new drivers to keep up with their customers' demand; yet if they don't want to train new drivers, they'll loose their customers to other rival bus companies. Incentives for the companies is that they'll build good, healthy images for themselves by embracing anti-smoking motive. With this, I believe they'll attract even more customers as citizens are becoming more and more health-conscious these years.
These are the reasons I believe smoking should be banned on conventional drivers. If you find banning the usage of handphone while driving is justified, you should be able to understand why it is justified to ban smoking while driving a bus (which, mind you, carry more lifes in it!) too. If you find banning smoking in public places is justified, you should be able to understand how banning smoking while driving express bus is just an extension of the law, to better protect the non-smokers public and uphold human rights.
Let's say no to smoking. Let's boycott companies which allow their drivers to smoke WHILE driving the bus.
Friday, March 14, 2008
A Timely Change
For half a century, Malaysia was governed by the same political coalition party: Barisan National, or how Al-Jazeera translated it - National Front.
After the latest general election, I believe every (most, at least) Malaysian citizen has awaken to the fact that we do can make a change. And everybody is talking about the most dramatic political scene in Malaysia we can live to experience - National Front only won a simple (not two-third) majority to form the governement, with five states (Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak and Selangor) fell into the hands of Oppisition parties.
I used to wonder if Malaysia democracy has died. We seemed to vote for the incumbent government no longer for the reason because they are really good, but for the fear we might face if we supported the Opposition parties. For too long a period the government has not changed, the people developed a sense of betrayal or rebellious if we voted other parties.
In fact, BN does looked like the best choice, with different race-based parties join together, logically thinking they will take care of every races concerned, which is the best decision for Malaysia, a multi-racial country.
However, with more and more corruption disclosed and injustice voiced, especially the ambiguity of separation between legislation and jurisdiction, people started to wonder if we continue to let the same party to govern us is the best way. Undeniably, racial issue is always the center of our attention and dearly to every Malaysian's heart. But we actually have moved on a little from being very racial minded. Sometimes we make policy no longer for certain race or groups of people, but for everyone. *ahem* except there are still rules protecting the not-so-real indigenous people (whose ancestors were actually fled from Indonesia, as stated in our history text books) and genuine indigenous inhabitants. That is another issue, anyway.
With BN big lost, Malaysia politics became something interesting and alive! People start to take note of what each politicians says and promises or begin to check if the leaders of the country is doing something good for the nation or something nasty behind our backs. The Rakyat is growing closer to each other despite different views on who should lead the nation. I always think politics of different nations are interesting in their own ways (such as how Bush is a joke in US politic), except for Malaysia's which news I simply flipped through every time I read the newspaper.
However, now every eyes is upon the new government and speculating how the new leaders are going to join hand in hand to develop the nation while the coming five years unfold. And the politicians better serve the people fast and efficient, because we now understand we have the power to hire them or fire them. Perhaps the political news will be as hot-selling as entertainment news, with more scandals discovered by opposite parties and clean and fair governance is ensured? Let's watch =)
Last but not least, I like the way Malaysians are civilised enough (except for a minority group of people in Terengganu during election day) to give the world an anti-climax scene - where we didn't have riot after the election result was released. I thank God for that. To anyone who wished for a riot in Malaysia - You're such a disgusting moron!
After the latest general election, I believe every (most, at least) Malaysian citizen has awaken to the fact that we do can make a change. And everybody is talking about the most dramatic political scene in Malaysia we can live to experience - National Front only won a simple (not two-third) majority to form the governement, with five states (Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak and Selangor) fell into the hands of Oppisition parties.
I used to wonder if Malaysia democracy has died. We seemed to vote for the incumbent government no longer for the reason because they are really good, but for the fear we might face if we supported the Opposition parties. For too long a period the government has not changed, the people developed a sense of betrayal or rebellious if we voted other parties.
In fact, BN does looked like the best choice, with different race-based parties join together, logically thinking they will take care of every races concerned, which is the best decision for Malaysia, a multi-racial country.
However, with more and more corruption disclosed and injustice voiced, especially the ambiguity of separation between legislation and jurisdiction, people started to wonder if we continue to let the same party to govern us is the best way. Undeniably, racial issue is always the center of our attention and dearly to every Malaysian's heart. But we actually have moved on a little from being very racial minded. Sometimes we make policy no longer for certain race or groups of people, but for everyone. *ahem* except there are still rules protecting the not-so-real indigenous people (whose ancestors were actually fled from Indonesia, as stated in our history text books) and genuine indigenous inhabitants. That is another issue, anyway.
With BN big lost, Malaysia politics became something interesting and alive! People start to take note of what each politicians says and promises or begin to check if the leaders of the country is doing something good for the nation or something nasty behind our backs. The Rakyat is growing closer to each other despite different views on who should lead the nation. I always think politics of different nations are interesting in their own ways (such as how Bush is a joke in US politic), except for Malaysia's which news I simply flipped through every time I read the newspaper.
However, now every eyes is upon the new government and speculating how the new leaders are going to join hand in hand to develop the nation while the coming five years unfold. And the politicians better serve the people fast and efficient, because we now understand we have the power to hire them or fire them. Perhaps the political news will be as hot-selling as entertainment news, with more scandals discovered by opposite parties and clean and fair governance is ensured? Let's watch =)
Last but not least, I like the way Malaysians are civilised enough (except for a minority group of people in Terengganu during election day) to give the world an anti-climax scene - where we didn't have riot after the election result was released. I thank God for that. To anyone who wished for a riot in Malaysia - You're such a disgusting moron!
Saturday, March 08, 2008
International Women's Day which nobody wants to talk about
8th March 2008 : Malaysia 12th General Election is apparently a happening event and catches all the lime light away from International Women's Day. Everyone is talking about the former. Let me talk about the latter then.
According to Wikipedia: The first IWD was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. Among other relevant historic events, it commemorates the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (New York, 1911), where over 140 women lost their lives. The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialization and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions. By urban legend,[1][2] women from clothing and textile factories staged one such protest on 8 March 1857 in New York City[citation needed].[3] The garment workers were protesting against very poor working conditions and low wages. The protesters were attacked and dispersed by police. These women established their first labor union in the same month two years later.
More protests followed on 8 March in subsequent years, most notably in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights[citation needed]. In 1910 the first international women's conference was held in Copenhagen (in the labour-movement building located at Jagtvej 69, which until recently housed Ungdomshuset) by the Second International and an 'International Women's Day' was established, which was submitted by the important German Socialist Clara Zetkin. The following year, IWD was marked by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. However, soon thereafter, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City killed over 140 garment workers. A lack of safety measures was blamed for the high death toll. Furthermore, on the eve of World War I, women across Europe held peace rallies on 8 March 1913. In the West, International Women's Day was commemorated during the 1910s and 1920s, but dwindled. It was revived by the rise of feminism in the 1960s.
Demonstrations marking International Women's Day in Russia proved to be the first stage of the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Following the October Revolution, the Bolshevik feminist Alexandra Kollontai persuaded Lenin to make it an official holiday in Russia, and it was established, but was a working day until 1965. On May 8, 1965 by the decree of the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet International Women's Day was declared as a non working day in the USSR "in commemoration of outstanding merits of the Soviet women in communistic construction, in the defense of their Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, their heroism and selflessness at the front and in rear, and also marking the big contribution of women to strengthening friendship between peoples and struggle for the peace."
Sometimes people are confused. Are feminist contradicting themselves while asking for equal treatment (as in zero discrimination towards female officials and thereof) claiming they (I mean "we") can do the same as their counterparts, while at the same time, calling towards men to treat them as a lady.
I once read a post saying feminism and gentleman-ness are not mutually exclusive. Women can be a feminist, spreading the awareness of protecting women from domestic violence and office molestation. But at the same time, gentlemanly gestures are not only still flattering but should be practised by men who call themselves one. I believe this is the way to go because these two things in fact go hand in hand - showing more respect for women. Of course, women should show equivalent respect to men as well.
With this, I shall stop my writing here. Not really in a mood to type a good post though.
According to Wikipedia: The first IWD was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. Among other relevant historic events, it commemorates the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire (New York, 1911), where over 140 women lost their lives. The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialization and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions. By urban legend,[1][2] women from clothing and textile factories staged one such protest on 8 March 1857 in New York City[citation needed].[3] The garment workers were protesting against very poor working conditions and low wages. The protesters were attacked and dispersed by police. These women established their first labor union in the same month two years later.
More protests followed on 8 March in subsequent years, most notably in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights[citation needed]. In 1910 the first international women's conference was held in Copenhagen (in the labour-movement building located at Jagtvej 69, which until recently housed Ungdomshuset) by the Second International and an 'International Women's Day' was established, which was submitted by the important German Socialist Clara Zetkin. The following year, IWD was marked by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. However, soon thereafter, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City killed over 140 garment workers. A lack of safety measures was blamed for the high death toll. Furthermore, on the eve of World War I, women across Europe held peace rallies on 8 March 1913. In the West, International Women's Day was commemorated during the 1910s and 1920s, but dwindled. It was revived by the rise of feminism in the 1960s.
Demonstrations marking International Women's Day in Russia proved to be the first stage of the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Following the October Revolution, the Bolshevik feminist Alexandra Kollontai persuaded Lenin to make it an official holiday in Russia, and it was established, but was a working day until 1965. On May 8, 1965 by the decree of the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet International Women's Day was declared as a non working day in the USSR "in commemoration of outstanding merits of the Soviet women in communistic construction, in the defense of their Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, their heroism and selflessness at the front and in rear, and also marking the big contribution of women to strengthening friendship between peoples and struggle for the peace."
Sometimes people are confused. Are feminist contradicting themselves while asking for equal treatment (as in zero discrimination towards female officials and thereof) claiming they (I mean "we") can do the same as their counterparts, while at the same time, calling towards men to treat them as a lady.
I once read a post saying feminism and gentleman-ness are not mutually exclusive. Women can be a feminist, spreading the awareness of protecting women from domestic violence and office molestation. But at the same time, gentlemanly gestures are not only still flattering but should be practised by men who call themselves one. I believe this is the way to go because these two things in fact go hand in hand - showing more respect for women. Of course, women should show equivalent respect to men as well.
With this, I shall stop my writing here. Not really in a mood to type a good post though.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
KLIUC 1st Friendlies
Maybe I should thank my SPM BM tuition teacher for his dedication in making us a letter-writing machine back then. With the most flower-ish and bodek-ing vocab I could come up to get UKM drives us to KLIUC, I was overjoyed as I received the news that for only two people going there from UKM KL, they still allocate driver for us during last weekend. Before going further, KLIUC stands for Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College, whose first Friendly Debate Tournament was only last week, and UKM sent one team and one adjudicator (me, again) as representative.
If not mistaken, this is my second experience of leading a team to tournament, with my first during MMU Women 2007. The team comprised of Ganeshree, Darryl, Dev (whose face shall always be remembered) and Issac. The motions were quite up to date, while some were simply too open. For example, This House Believes That Ronald McDonald should Run for Presidential Election. Dr.Omar wished me good luck before that round started, Haha~ Well, it turned out wasn't very confusing, for it's a fair and understandable case, yet the Opposition didn't do well in attacking the right place of the case, and the Government wasn't that strong in arguments either.
Out of four preliminary rounds, UKM lost thrice and won only once. It sounded terrible. But what do you know, the total team score were the third highest compared to all other teams attended the tournament (around 18 teams), including those who won more often than us. HAHA! That shows UKM do have good speakers - it is just that sometimes we tend to loose for few but killing factors. Work harder, babies! Next time you guys will surely make us proud =)
Actually I was all over the moon when I finally find out the reason (not the fact) UKM "nearly" made it into final round : There's no eliminary rounds before Final. So we thought they'll choose the team base on number of winnings and then compare the total team scores. But they didn't. We were gasping in confusion and overwhelmed with shock when we stared at the screen saying UKM was the Opposition team against UiTM the Government team. That was before we explained how things suppose to run (Hey, it's their first Friendly anyway) and IIU 3 found out their adjudicator gave them the wrong scores during the last round, landing them the team with the highest total team score (so instead of second highest, we were the team with third highest total team score).
I chaired for all the rounds, maybe single panel for several, and due to conflict reason, I was given the chance to chair for the Final round!! Woohoo!! I've never break as an adjudicator, but this time, I was in the Final! Well, simply because Dr.Omar and Zamir cannot chair for both UiTM and IIU were in the Final, that's why. Anyway, it marked an important chapter or history in my debating journey. It boosted my confident in myself and it served as an encouragement for me to stay in debate.
All and all, it's an interesting and meaningful weekend, with Ganesh, Darryl (who promised to work hard to sound more manly), Dev and Issac as a team, and moral support from Fea and Jun Hoe. Believe it or not, I can always remember the good, simple time we shared in mamakstall or any other eating outlets with this bunch of people. Journey walked with them are simply memorable.
Also not forgetting to mention a very good friend of mine, Huai Ming, who allowed to let me bunk in with her during the Saturday night. We had a long chat and watched Prison Break together. It's really a wonderful weekend =)
OK, back to studies!
If not mistaken, this is my second experience of leading a team to tournament, with my first during MMU Women 2007. The team comprised of Ganeshree, Darryl, Dev (whose face shall always be remembered) and Issac. The motions were quite up to date, while some were simply too open. For example, This House Believes That Ronald McDonald should Run for Presidential Election. Dr.Omar wished me good luck before that round started, Haha~ Well, it turned out wasn't very confusing, for it's a fair and understandable case, yet the Opposition didn't do well in attacking the right place of the case, and the Government wasn't that strong in arguments either.
Out of four preliminary rounds, UKM lost thrice and won only once. It sounded terrible. But what do you know, the total team score were the third highest compared to all other teams attended the tournament (around 18 teams), including those who won more often than us. HAHA! That shows UKM do have good speakers - it is just that sometimes we tend to loose for few but killing factors. Work harder, babies! Next time you guys will surely make us proud =)
Actually I was all over the moon when I finally find out the reason (not the fact) UKM "nearly" made it into final round : There's no eliminary rounds before Final. So we thought they'll choose the team base on number of winnings and then compare the total team scores. But they didn't. We were gasping in confusion and overwhelmed with shock when we stared at the screen saying UKM was the Opposition team against UiTM the Government team. That was before we explained how things suppose to run (Hey, it's their first Friendly anyway) and IIU 3 found out their adjudicator gave them the wrong scores during the last round, landing them the team with the highest total team score (so instead of second highest, we were the team with third highest total team score).
I chaired for all the rounds, maybe single panel for several, and due to conflict reason, I was given the chance to chair for the Final round!! Woohoo!! I've never break as an adjudicator, but this time, I was in the Final! Well, simply because Dr.Omar and Zamir cannot chair for both UiTM and IIU were in the Final, that's why. Anyway, it marked an important chapter or history in my debating journey. It boosted my confident in myself and it served as an encouragement for me to stay in debate.
All and all, it's an interesting and meaningful weekend, with Ganesh, Darryl (who promised to work hard to sound more manly), Dev and Issac as a team, and moral support from Fea and Jun Hoe. Believe it or not, I can always remember the good, simple time we shared in mamakstall or any other eating outlets with this bunch of people. Journey walked with them are simply memorable.
Also not forgetting to mention a very good friend of mine, Huai Ming, who allowed to let me bunk in with her during the Saturday night. We had a long chat and watched Prison Break together. It's really a wonderful weekend =)
OK, back to studies!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
One Girl Show
The sound of commuter swooping past the light railway, and there was I, waiting beneath Gombak Putra Station, for RapidKL T213 to depart from the station.
Yet another experience of traveling to a university for debate tournament with route I'm not familiar with, alone. This time, I'm attending IIU League Leg3.
It was a different experience all together, for I not only traveled there alone, but participated under the name of UKM - alone, too.
"Are you debating, Cher Linn?"
"No, I'm adjudicating. =) "
"I see. Then where is the rest of your team?"
"Well, they cannot make it for this time because they have exams coming up."
"Oh, you are the only one coming from UKM?"
"Yea..."
It sounds pathethic. At some point it was. Participating in a debate tournament never crosses my mind as a one man show, or in my case, a one girl show. We always attend tournaments as a team, a big team. And we tend to stick to each other a lot and make noice. Our team is a happening, happy family team. This time, I'm doing all the talking and socialising alone, for my non-present team.
Everythig turned out well. I managed to get to know a number of new friends and engaged in more and deeper conversation with old friends, besides having a number of good laughs and lame jokes down the throat, which I doubt I have the chance to do it otherwise.
Spent a night at IIU, with Guljan from MMU Cyberjaya as roommate and enjoyed some good food from their cafeteria. IIU is a beautiful university. Wonderful architectures and breath-taking designs around campus, not to mention the strong, warm and friendly Islamic atmosphere there.
Chaired for two rounds of debate and paneled for three rounds. That's all. Fay from UiTM was kind enough to send me to Wangsa Maju Putra Station after the tournament on Sunday. That's very nice of her, despite the fact that UiTM and UKM were usually rivals in tournaments, haha =) Myabe that's already in history. Fay is still always my favourite Prime Minister, too bad she doesn't get dominated for election this time.
Yet another experience of traveling to a university for debate tournament with route I'm not familiar with, alone. This time, I'm attending IIU League Leg3.
It was a different experience all together, for I not only traveled there alone, but participated under the name of UKM - alone, too.
"Are you debating, Cher Linn?"
"No, I'm adjudicating. =) "
"I see. Then where is the rest of your team?"
"Well, they cannot make it for this time because they have exams coming up."
"Oh, you are the only one coming from UKM?"
"Yea..."
It sounds pathethic. At some point it was. Participating in a debate tournament never crosses my mind as a one man show, or in my case, a one girl show. We always attend tournaments as a team, a big team. And we tend to stick to each other a lot and make noice. Our team is a happening, happy family team. This time, I'm doing all the talking and socialising alone, for my non-present team.
Everythig turned out well. I managed to get to know a number of new friends and engaged in more and deeper conversation with old friends, besides having a number of good laughs and lame jokes down the throat, which I doubt I have the chance to do it otherwise.
Spent a night at IIU, with Guljan from MMU Cyberjaya as roommate and enjoyed some good food from their cafeteria. IIU is a beautiful university. Wonderful architectures and breath-taking designs around campus, not to mention the strong, warm and friendly Islamic atmosphere there.
Chaired for two rounds of debate and paneled for three rounds. That's all. Fay from UiTM was kind enough to send me to Wangsa Maju Putra Station after the tournament on Sunday. That's very nice of her, despite the fact that UiTM and UKM were usually rivals in tournaments, haha =) Myabe that's already in history. Fay is still always my favourite Prime Minister, too bad she doesn't get dominated for election this time
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