Keep On Fighting

Fight for your cause,

What you believe in may not be the best course of life,

But if you can see your future with what you believe,

Then the battle is worth fighting for.

Do not fight blindly,

Do not fight a lost cause,

Your time will be wasted on useless endeavor,

Seek in yourself, what you fight for,

For only then you shall know the true meaning,

Of the bruises and cuts you earned along the way.

I've found mine. Have you?

Thank you God

Dear God,

Thank you for the opportunities,

For the blessings You gave me in my work,

For the calmness that You spread in my heart,

During convenient times,

And especially during the tough ones.

I pray that I will always be in the shades of your mercy,

And help me as as long as I exist,

For there is surely no other that can help me,

In times of need or desire,

Than the One and Almighty.

Thank you for everything You gave me then, and now.

Overlooked

This is the modern era of highly advanced technology. Yet mankind still have to struggle day and night, working to support their living cost. The cruel world out there forces them to give their to keep living, just to face another day full of struggle.

It is no surprise then, that people often take timeouts to explore nature. Islands, coasts, jungles, rivers. Anywhere so they can regain serenity before once again being flung back to the painful realities of life.

I am undoubtedly lucky to be staying in a beautifully-landscaped university. However, it is only this evening that I really appreciate the beauties around it. Listening to the birds chirping, the trees that line up the perimeter of my RC and the ever calm nature of this place.

However, it is easily overlooked. Rushing here and there to finish multiple things, too busy chasing dreams. It is now time to contemplate and look back at what else is here for the taking.

Happy Birthday My Beloved Petrosains

It's been 10 months since I first came to this university. Add one week to that and you'll get the final day I went to work. I was there to say it last year, but this time around, I send my love from the state of Perak, to the one workplace that I have often thought about as the place that set the course for my life ever since I went there.

This weekend, Petrosains is celebrating its 12th anniversary. 12 years of discovery. That is something to be proud of.

No other place can equal to Petrosains, the one science centre that had opened me up to lots of possibilities and knowledge. May Petrosains continue creating wonder to people.

Happy birthday!

Homegrown History

The first tests are over.. And the short but most welcome holidays are here. Thank God. This semester is more struggle than the previous two, but I shall persevere, I hope.

An idea occurred to me last Friday. That when I was almost home, I noticed lots of change. Lots of things that weren't there before, and lots of things that simply aren't there anymore. Then, it occurred to me that we are a part of history in the making. Not that it had never occurred to me before, but the idea seemed to be more concrete last week, when I let my mind drift away to abstract thoughts.

The point that I'm trying to convey here is remember all the sweet things that happens today, because unless you do, it is lost forever. Another thing to consider is sometimes we need to reflect on the change that is happening around us. The velocity of development and of urban life may have made us take for granted what we have and don't have.

I believe if we stop for a while, observe what is changing, and reflect on how we react to it, perhaps we can be a bit more thankful on what we have today and not simply moan on what we don't have. Reflecting on recent events let us collect our thoughts and prepare us for the future. And who knows, maybe the reflection makes us remember something worth keeping forever, as a part of our history.

Our history is our identity. It is our story to tell, a proof that we have stepped on certain soils on Earth and reaped our share of experience.

I'm sorry if this post is a bit hectic in terms of content, but that is the way I am xD

I Don't Really Think, I Write From My Heart...

Bloggers have many forms. Some of them are what I call the thinkers. They write about what is going on in the world and give their point of view on it. Some relate their day to day experience, making their blog a public diary where much can be learned of the blogger's personality and way of life. Some are those who stick to a certain ideology and promote their belief through blogs.

Like I said, there are MANY kinds of bloggers out there.

So what kind of blogger do YOU think I am?

I don't really think about something and immediately decided to post it. Sometimes, like right now, I'm afraid I might sound immature to the followers. But then, this is MY blog, so I'm supposed to write it in my own way, right?

Perhaps I need to see things from a different perspective, rather than being stuck here and thinking about stuff. Anyway, sometimes it is unavoidable that I may be immature in my postings. I am a human being, after all. And although sometimes I'm called emotionless, there are those explosive moments.

I really hope that some grand idea is on its way into my thoughts soon. Otherwise I won't be posting here anytime soon.

I am not intelligent, I merely sought others' knowledge.
I am not rich, I merely gained others' wealth.
I am not a leader, I merely guide those I can.

Put Me In Your References: The Copycat Attitude

After a few days of business, slow internet connections and countless CS kills, I am finally back in. Needless to say, my poor time management skills have made me somewhat in a bit of a rush throughout this week, and I'm glad it's  finally the weekends.

Being a university student, I cannot run away from multiple assignments, quizzes, reports and other stuff to write, read and think about (although I very much wanted to escape from all the hassle the jobs have to offer). Nevertheless, for the sake of the bachelor degree, I shall persevere, as all students do.

Anyway, what I'm gonna talk (or write) about here is something common to students, be it school or university. The habit of copying. The black plague that haunts all the 'do-it-yourself' kind of people, and a seemingly harmless attitude to the 'I'm-taking-yours-as-a-"reference"' kind of people.

It is undeniable that in university life, we are burdened with such heavy assignments, not to mention out-of-class activities like being in student bodies and all that. Being a poor time manager, I know how it feels like. 

But, that is not the reason for us to take our assignments lightly and resort to the copycat attitude. Personally, I don't mind occasional copycats. Partly because I am one myself, and because you can't expect everyone to finish everything by themselves in a short span of time. However, I loath those who take the attitude to the core.

It seems like they are not even trying to finish their work on time. They simply depend on others and take free credit. It's like giving a poor man a fish, and he will beg for another tomorrow. 

How do we reduce this partly unhealthy habit? I would suggest the following: 

1. Do not copy the assignment word by word. Be creative, rephrase. 

2. Once step 1 is understood, read through the assignment being copied and add information here and there.

3. When you are used to adding information, do not copy the assignment. Instead, refer to the assignment owner and ask to glance through his assignment. Then do away with what information is gained.

4. This time, do not look at the assignment. Just ask the person how he/she tackle the question and write yours according to that.

I hope this four steps can help us all to reduce our dependency on other people's work, and start doing work with our own trademark.

Why Blogging?

A thought provoking question that entered my mind while watching someone's vlog on Youtube. It's past 1 am when one of my friends questioned the necessity of making our thoughts heard.

So before I continue, I'd like to ask fellow bloggers out there the same question. For me, I'd rather take the medium approach in answering this since I don't want to appear too harsh on any side of the argument.

As much as I liked to keep my thoughts to myself, I also feel the need to express what I think so that at least SOME people would know my opinion and SOME of THEM would take action based on what I think. I said this because sometimes the problem comes when you do not express yourself clear enough, or you do not express yourself at all.

I try to keep my posts now, previously and in the future as friendly as possible, which I think is important in giving the opinion a place in someone's consideration. I am not here to change the world, far from it. Instead I am here because I think everyone's voice counts for something.

Even the most negative opinion has to be heard, because although it is a harsh way of saying the weakness of something, it is a medium to broaden our minds on possible outcomes. My advice is that we should not judge a book by its cover. Yeah I know it's hard to do so. Even I am in difficulty of doing that sometimes.

To my fellow bloggers, vloggers, and even the note posters on Facebook, this humble, junior blogger advices caution in writing. We are expressive, but not to a point that hurts people. We want our voice to be heard and considered, not ignored and hated.

It is now past 2.30 am. Hosni Mubarak is down. But this is far from the end, as people would say it. As a chapter closes, another opens. I hope for the best, for me and the whole occupants of our planet. May the sun shine from the east and birds sing in the sky as the dawn of a new day starts on this side of the planet.

Blood!!

I've been busy these past few days, and a lot of thoughts have entered my mind that I have to make them coherent and orderly so that I can prioritize and write here.

The university has once again managed to get the Minggu Mesra Kampus(MMK), roughly translated as Campus-Warming Week, going for this semester. As usual, the major clubs and student bodies of the university participated to show what they are all about.

In conjunction, they held a blood donation drive. I was lucky to have logged into my email and noticed the event. Otherwise I might not even know they are going to have it yesterday. Anyway, this is my second time already and I do have to tell you that there is nothing to be afraid of in donating blood.

Seriously, if the doctor who runs the test finds out that you can't donate, they'll tell you. They're not gonna drain your blood out. Unless you go to the vampire blood bank. So what they do is, if you pass the test and are fit to donate, you go and lie down, and they will put a needle into a vein (again, it doesn't hurt...much), and you just lie down until your bag is filled.

See, it's so small I have to use macro to capture this

And you get that certificate where they'll write where you donate, when and how much. I don't know about you guys, but I am motivated to donate in the future when I see the certificate book.

Plus you get refreshments. You know.. to replace the blood xD

So if you're 45kg and above, are healthy, have slept for at least 5 hours on the night before, and have eaten a bit, go and donate blood. It makes you healthy and you might be someone's saviour.

New Favourites

This past week I had a few favourite books and music that I thought I'd share with all of you.

A great novel, revolving around the life of a woman whose wishes suddenly come true

Fans of Pride and Prejudice should really read this

The best of the three books I bought last week, based on a true story

I've been listening to a few songs, not new ones but they're my favourite for last week

1. Sunny-Boney M

2. Le Festin-Camille

3. Wind of Change- Scorpions

4. Hotel California- Eagles

I think people around me are a bit annoyed already at my habit of repeating those songs this past week.



Peace and The Freedom of Choice

From a small column news, to the front page. I am not sure how fast the conflict in Egypt developed or for how long it has been brewing. However, I'm sure you all can find further updated news of this conflict on many websites.

To me, it is an act to aggressively signal to the leader(s) that they are doing something which the people does not like. When the people's voice gets ignored, they rise up against the government. An act of severe aggression, started with the mere intention to voice out displeasures over certain issues.

On a same note, peace is hard to come by these days. Since the September 11 event, a great war is being fought by many people across the world. Unfortunately, everyone seemed to be involved in this war, whether voluntarily or not, in silence or in the open. We are all trapped on the thin line that separates peace and chaos. Thus, all acts must be considered carefully before doing it.

People are given the freedom of choice. To me that is one of the key factors that lead to many disagreement. Don't get me wrong, freedom of choice can be used in a totally great way. It allows people to choose the right path for themselves. Unfortunately, like with all other tools we have, it is always the person that makes the tool evil.

In this author's point of view, the people has a right to stand up and voice out their dissatisfaction. It is the function of the government to listen and observe the people they serve, to explain the rationality of their actions and if necessary, to concur with the people. Likewise, it is the responsibility of the people to choose their leaders carefully, to voice out their opinion in a civilised manner and to exert the power of the people only when completely necessary.

I don't want to say here under what circumstances are the use of people power necessary, because all of us are gifted with the ability to reason. I believe that, everything being said, tolerance is the key to peace. The only problem with tolerance is that we do not really see (for those who choose to do so) how others tolerate us.

We might have an issue with our neighbour parking his car up to our gate, so we tolerate and parked our car outside to ease maneuver. But did we see that our neighbour had put up with our habit of turning up the stereo every so often at night.

It is totally up to us to choose what path we want to follow, just as it is up to us to choose whether to see and do good or not. It is totally up to us to make peace or chaos. We are the ones living in this world. We have been given the power of choice.

I... I pray for my friends, and all the innocent ones trapped in the conflict in Egypt, in Palestine, and everywhere else in the world.

The world is never ours.

Because They Are People Too...

I was washing my clothes late this morning when I took around my surroundings. The toilet on the first floor of the Etana block in Village 6. It has always been that way, clean and sparkling every morning, no matter how dirty it gets the night before.


It dawns on me how hardworking the janitors are, cleaning the toilets, corridors, lecture halls and every other place in this university. And they do all that for people they mostly don't even know. Sure they get paid to do the job, but that isn't really the point of this topic.


They can easily slack on the job and nobody will know. But every morning, the trash is gone, the grime is wiped out, the dustbin is empty, all proof of how they sincere their work are. And I never even say a word of thanks to these people, who provided service so that the future generation can study in comfort.


Then, as I went out to hang my clothes on the line, I remembered some other people who perform vital functions yet are hidden in plain sight. The security officers, office people, librarians, lab technicians, are but some of the people that ensures everything is in order for another day of operation.


Unfortunately, some of us take these people for granted and even worse, discriminate them because of their job. I don't really have to say that even in this modern age, a shade of the feudal system is still in people's minds. Classifying people according to their social status. The phenomenon that plagued some of us in society.


Every one of us plays a role in maintaining world order. That's why we are here. So let's reflect back on all the people around us and begin or continue to appreciate them, because they are people too...

Housewarming

Welcome one and all to the spot where I bare my soul. Being a university student, the development of my views towards the world are constantly changing, and sometimes it became pessimistic. But I must not give up hope, for the world is dynamic. Tomorrow will be another day, with other chances and changes to the world, and to myself.


So I welcome you reader, whoever you are, supporter or critic, friend, neutral or hostile, to my virtual diary.