WADEHEK!!!

A month called Alumni

2011-06-14T19:45:00.002-05:00

Masuk harini dah 14 hb June, meaning dah genap sebulan gua bergelar alumni. Dah ada ijazah da dalam tangan, dah boleh masuk alam baru. Dah takde title "student" da.

Life gua masa ni walaupun relax2, tp the feeling is a bit different jugak la. Bangun2 tido, terus menghadap laptop, email sana email sini, telefon sana telefon sini. Pastu masak lunch, pastu sambung tulis tu tulis ni. Dah mcm Nora elena gua rasa, secretary berjaya. Tapi secretary kerja utk diri sendiri la. Kui3.

Ok, back to ape yg gua nk cakap arini. Actually, walaupun org kata carik keje ni susah, tapi gua tak rasa camtu, eventhough gua tak bekerja lagi la. Don't get it wrong. Gua kenal diri gua sendiri. Setakat kerja tu gua tak risau, insyaalah mesti ada kerja punye. Tipu sangat la takde keje available walaupun skrang economy isn't really looking good. Gua cukup paham ngan concept supply demand kerja ni. Ada almost 1500 positions exist everyday. Tapi kenapa orang kata carik kerja ni susah? Haaa... Meh gua nk jawab

Encik Syaf, tak susah ke cari keje? Kat US mcm lg susah je?

Dalam dunia ni, 80% wealth is hold by 1% of the population. 1% of the wealth is hold by 80% of the population. See that? Setakat kerja tu gua rasa gua tak perlu la risau sangat kot. Bukan bongkak/takbur, tapi rezeki tuhan dah letak di mana2, tak kira la kat mana2 tempat pon, semua benda dalam dunia ni kan tuhan punya, takde tanah yang berbeza dari dunia ni (gua tau korang nk jawab tanah gambut ngan tanah pasir tak sama, tp gua ignore je lawak bangang korang tu) yang membezakan satu tanah ngan satu tanah tu, adalah bahasa dan budaya je, tak lebih dari tu, so kenapa nak risau sangat? Gua dah datang beribu2 batu datang nk belajar, gua dah ada survival and language skills, and gua dah banyak tahu nk deal ngan dunia. Tapi yang paling penting, gua tahu gua dah usaha, the rest gua tawakal je la. Kalau takde rezeki gua kat sini, gua cuma perlu ambil flight, duduk dalam tu sehari, pastu nanti dapat kerja kat Malaysia. Ape beza US ngan Malaysia? Kalau tanya gua, gua jawab sama je, dua-dua tuhan punya. :D

Tapi Encik Syaf, nape kat US?

Dulu masa gua kecik2, gua pernah dgr satu quote, Nabi suruh kita belajar walaupun sampai ke Negeri China. Konsep tu la yg gua pegang sampai sekarang. Korang mesti nk kata, tu China la, bukan US! Daaaa, masa tu mana ada negara Amerika lagi samdol. Walaupun China sekarang tgh nak jadi hub untuk business dunia, gradually becoming one of the superpowers Tapi pengajaran yg kita dapat dari tu ialah, tuhan dah jadikan orang bermacam2 bangsa, bermacam2 budaya. Each ngan strong point ngan weak point diorang. Sbb tu kita disuruh travel, atau bahasa melayunya, melancong, sbb bkn utk habiskan duit membeli souvenir, tp untuk belajar. Belajar bukan aje dalam kelas, in fact, 1% org yg own 80% wealth bknnye ada Ph.D or ada Professional degree pon. Diorang kebanyakannya, orang biasa je, tp yg membezakan diorang dgn orang lain is the philosophy of life. The principles in life yg buat diorang berjaya jauh berbeza dgn org biasa. Again, it is wholly up to you, not the job, not the land nor the chances.

Life is full of opportunities,

Others strive to gain them,

Successful people do not gain them, they make em'

-Syaf-

Nape apply company Jepun je kat sini? Npe tak ngan company US?

Sbb gua bkn nk carik duit sgt pon, gua nk belajar je lg. Benda ni la yg orang selalu terlepas pandang. Number 1 superpower dalam dunia is USA, closing in fast is Japan. USA holds 37% world wealth, Japan 27%, combined jadi 64%. So, isn't it better to learn their method, fused together? Both weaknesses kita tahu, and both strongpoints kita tahu. So, kita boleh redesign system tu, and call it our own. Gua pernah baca satu buku ni dulu2 "The Jews who run businesses of the world",camtu la title dia. Npe org yahudi pandai berniaga? Sbb bukan diorang yg come up dgn solution utk deal dgn worldpower. Tapi method diorang is to learn at somebody elses expenses. War bonds, regional combined assets, tu semua hasil diorang belajar dari orang lain, tweak it, redesign, and call it their own. Now ape jadi? Dari negara orang dah boleh jadi negara sendiri. Allied nations officials semua dioarang pegang. Interpol, court system, semua diorang kawal. Trend of the world, flow of economics, bombing in Hiroshima, invasion on middle east, semua boleh dikawal. Don't you know that sebenarnya the life at the micro level, the growth of our pace, and the rise and fall of nation, ada 10 orang yg control, called the BIG 10. Diorang ni la philanthropists, thinker, movers, players. Bila kita nak jadi part of it? Even better, controlling it? Ok, bab2 ni gua semangat ni. Hihi.

Tak rindu ke makanan Malaysia?

3 years of my life I've spent to rebuild myself. Gua terpaksa asingkan diri untuk bring the most of physical demands. Lidah gua, gua dah basuh hari2 kasik apa yang ada depan mata, telan je janji kenyang. 3 tahun gua paksa diri jd untuk bentuk self-discipline. 3 tahun jugak gua terpaksa bersabar layan kerenah orang sana sini utk build networks on a larger scale. 3 tahun jugak gua merana dalam hati. Tapi I've survived all that. All for the reason utk build the better foundation of continuing to learn the do's and don'ts of the world. Rindu tu memang rindu, tapi hati gua sekarang dah dibentuk jadi mcm air. To bring the best out of everything, we had to give up something.

Ok, sekarang gua dah puas merepek. Nak sambung kerja, babai

As a man walks out of McTyiere

2011-04-27T04:39:00.002-05:00

I guess this is a good song to this post

Spring semester sophomore, masa tu gua baru setahun jagung kat Vandy, berbekalkan sedikit azam nk keluar dari comfort zone/ comfort bubble malaysians kat Vandy, gua decided nk pindah rumah ke McT. Masa tu cuak jugak, sbb kena interview 2 kali, kena ada recommnedation dari language teacher, etc etc. Boleh ke survive kat tempat org ni? Boleh ke hidup keluar dari comfort zone ni? Tapi last2 gua pikir

"Maybe there's some stuffs in store for me over here if I could muster a little bit more courage"

So, since then, I have to say that I like it here. One thing yg buat gua rasa appreciated kat sini is that "There is no stranger in McT, everybody is part of the family". Dari budak berhingus, sekarang, gua dah jd somebody. Gua boleh survive sorang2 kat Jepun, and also gua boleh survive kat mana2 dlm US ni. McT ni redefined kamus hidup gua what on how the world works. Despite the fact that you are a bit too eccentric or regardless you are an amazingly nerdy geek, all are to be treated all the same here in McTyiere. Since I don't know where I'm at in that particular hierarchy, I too should treat everyone here all the same.

Dari sini la, gua dpt better understanding in dealing with other people, what friendship is all about, what relationship that we need to account for, and mcm2 lagi lah. Since first day gua datang sini, gua rasa very appreciated by everybody. Well, I guess that's what builds my character to become a stronger man. A stronger man isn't found in those gyms lifting dumb bells, nor found in those hiding themselves in one entity, rather it's someone who could break out of the entity, sew them together and makes them, a community. That's what the strength of leadership is all about. Strength in the world is not about reading books and live yourself in seclusion, instead, it's them who goes out and talk to others, and make a difference.

In McTyiere, tiap-tiap tahun, seniors from respective hall (well, in my case, Japanese Hall) akan kasik will (wasiat) kat orang2 seterusnya. And tonight, it is finally my time to give a word or two to my fellow McTyeirites buddies. So, after deep consideration, gua decided to give 4 things/gifts as momentos to those who means a lot in my 3 years struggle in Vandy.

Andy-chan- sebagai pengganti tempat gua sebagai senpai next year, gua entrust this lovely hall to you :D

Chie Furukawa- 2 years of cherish able moments together both make us better adults. Though you're a couple of years older, you've treated me all the same, and so will I continue to apply your kindness towards others around me

Sohei Tateno-Baru kenal for a year, but I think this unprecedented fellow left such great memories sepanjang tahun ni. Needless to say, I've learnt a lot from you this past year, and I wish you all the best in the future undertakings. You taught me how to be wise bro :D

Keiko Rose Nakajima- The person who gave the most effort in turning Mr Syaf from nobody to somebody. Thank you for all the never-ending effort and teaching me the do and don'ts of the world :D

Lastly, not forgetting, even when you were not here tonight

Mr Sam Malanoski - Thanks for all the sincerity of being a memorable McTyiere fellow. I hereby announce this decree with all the Mctyiere powers bestowed in me to award you with Best McTyiere buddy :D

WITH YOU GUYS, ISN'T LIFE IS SIMPLY AMAZING? :D

Momento from McTyiere

Mr Sam Malanoski - Knowing you over these 3 years, I'm in my utmost confidence that you will be more than just successful in the future. I hope to see you soon, hopefully as world leaders :D

Sohei Tateno: A Japanese in the not-so-foreign land of America

Chie Furukawa: Friend, teacher, mentor :D

Ehem ehem, trailer number 2.....

2011-04-12T11:07:00.013-05:00

Ehem ehem, so dah lama jugak la gua tak update ini blog, baru2 ni gua mem''busy''kan diri dengan beberapa perkara penting dalam hidup gua seperti bergolek2 di atas katil, makan puas2 and membeli tingkap (window shopping).... Namun untuk tidak mengecewakan pembaca2 blog gua, arini gua nk review pasal trailer 2 MSAV S.E.W.E.L party (abbreviation senior-farewell).

So, ni video dia

Ok, untuk yang sedikit ~~dungu~~ kurang pandai, jalan cerita dia ialah, recap untuk semua theme2 yang diproposed before ni. Kiranya, setiap orang yang Boscoe (hero) jumpa sepanjang perjalanan crite ni bawak satu theme ngan diorang. For instance, yang first sekali ialah tema "Bekerja/working/warengek", then theme color, pastu "budak sekolah" then Victorian style, then binatang peliharaan/zoo (walaupun gua tak nampak ape correlation gorilla nak mengawan ngan tikus... (-_-") but that's what makes it funny. Hak3. Pastu Chun-li ngan Harry Potter tu bawak theme "Cosplay" and of course, rambut afro sarang tebuan serta button baju separa terbukak menayang ~~buah~~ dada tersebut membawak theme Retro!

Dipendekkan cerita, seme orang yang reject incik Boscoe sepanjang perjalanan cerita tersebut bermaksud theme tersebut di"reject". Paham ngak?! :-)

Anyways, gua malas nk review trailer ni sbb gua rasa jalan crite dia pon ok. Semangat gile budak2 ni dress up walaupun hanya untuk buat trailer, so gua rasa gua x pyh crite panjang lebar. Yang penting, gua rasa seme senior puas hati ngan usaha yang budak2 sophomore ni buat. Malam tu jugak, lintang pukang budak2 ni search online untuk carik baju sesuai ngan theme ni. Nafsu serakah shopping ni mmg dah lama jadi epidemic budak2 Vandy ni agaknye. Kah3

Masalah gua skrang ni ialah, mcm mana gua nk carik baju yg sesuai ngan retro ni. Ape definition retro ni agak2? Baru2 ni gua asyik la membeli tingkap (window shopping) kot2 ada baju2/costume2 yang gua minat. Tapi kejadah haram ape nk beli kalau konsep retro pon kite tak paham ye dak?

Meh sini kite survey sket2 concept retro ni meh!

The 50's!

Untuk kaum hawa, style 50's ni senang je. Style paling ketara ialah style dress simple2 menampakkan ketiak ~~busuk~~ serta jenis tie kat tengah2. Ala2 slim la senang crite. Tone color plak maximum 2-3 color aje. Corak paling moden tu plak kira polka dot je lah. Tambah plak ngan shades tebal2 kaler hitam/putih. Ni basic dressing dia ye. Paham ngak?

Untuk kaum jantan plak, senang je, pakai je topi cenggini. Skali ngan coat kaler hitam/kelabu. Abes crite. (Sesuai ngan sifat kaum jejantan yang tak suke pakai complicated2 tapi nk nampak smart, kui3)

The 60's!

Ini plak style the 60's. Masa ni musim ulat sutera kena kencing manis agaknya. Takpon pekerja2 kilang kapas kat China mogok lapar. Kalau korang perasan, skirt diorang dah makin pendek. Masa ni, fashion Mini Skirt dah start jadi femes. Mary Quant yg mula2 cipta benda alah ni kat Carnarby Street, UK. Plak tu, kaler baju2 akan jadi satu color. Mostly hitam/putih. Cube tanya mak2 korang, masa ni mmg dunia ni penuh ngan hitam putih je. Ye la kan, kalau campur hitam putih kang jadi taik cicak plak kan. So, pilih satu kaler sudah...

.................. (-_-") satu je komen gua, cawat kecik + sendat, tak selesa ehem2, nuff said.....

The 70's!

Time ni dikenali sebagai zaman keselesaan. Since comfortability jadi issue utama masa ni, byk fashion2 diubahsuai so that pemakai rasa selesa lagi comfortable. Selepas menyedari masalah cawat pendek, kaum lelaki decide nak kasik selesa sket kat seluar diorang. So, diorang besarkan sket part2 sempit, yg jadi problemnye, bahagian bawah je dilonggarkan. Cawat? Tarik nafas dalam2..... kepit sikit.... SETEL!

Masa ni aspek keselesaan tetiba jadi issue utama. Kirenye dah nampak sikit2 la pembaharuan fashion di kalangan kaum hawa. Design2/color2 dah makin banyak, masa ni UK jadi perintis utama fashion. Corak2 Burberry start claim design diorang dari sini. Since kaum2 pompuan takleh get over lagi dari fashion mini skirt of the 60s, diorang encounter penyakit baru dikenali sebagai "Simptom kangkang dingin". So, atas nasihat doctor pakar, kaum hawa cipta satu benda dinamakan knee socks.

The 80's!

Time ni, fashion dah jadi outbreak. Sbb time ni trend merepek2 makin menular kat segala pelusuk bumi. Baju ropol2 cam lemak kuda, rambu2 sana sini glitter tu glitter ni, tu seme style the 80s habaq hangggg....

Ni example dia:

Time ni la outbreak fashion, kirenye, time ni la accesories2 merepek2 byk dicipta sbb kaum manusia dah takde idea nk ubah baju mcm mana. So masa ni jadi shades mata lalat, leggings, baju londeh2 nampak tutttttt, etc etc...

Fashion sekarang?

No comment! (-_-")

THE TRAILER: THE REVIEW

2011-03-24T22:34:00.013-05:00

First things first,

JOM TGK VIDEO NI!

Dah tgk?

As a senior yang akan grad lagi 45 hari, gua rasa gua dah boleh grad dengan tenang lepas tgk trailer yang budak2 class of 2013 ni buat. From a neutral point of view, it sure seems like it takes a lot of time to produce such well-prepared film. Kira bukan buat cikai2 la. A few points yang aku suka are:

Sani's cincin third angle effect
-Gua paling suka part ni, sbb gua rasa camera part cincin tu di zoom in, and part letak marker tu style video Yasmin Ahmad. Gua rasa the biggest challenge untuk produce smooth transitioning video is to make use of the 3rd person environmental view. Susah nak paham? Meh sini gua explain.... b4 tu cube tgk video bawah ni:

Ok, kalau korang perasan, ada macam2 video yang diambil. Directors call these views as "third eye" maksudnya, directors make use of the eye effect from non-living objects or public view. For instance, view dari batu tepi jalan, or view dari divider tepi jalan, or batu dari sebatang pokok, or even view dari orang yg lalu-lalang di sekeliling anda. These views akan buat video lg crisp sbb ada effect "lag" tp tak mengganggu transition sesuatu ceriter.

Ok, kalau korang perasan, drama mexico banyak ada effect ni. Byk video is taken from forward view or side view. Technique ni byk digunapakai dalam drama yg panjang2 sbb style camni mempercepatkan filming process. Kalau drama panjang berjela2 style Rosalinda yg jadi pujaan hati kaum2 ibu korang tu, style ni byk digunapakai sbb nk jimat masa shooting. Ye la, masa shooting byk abes utk mekap muka Rosalinda saje. Kalau kikis2 mekap kat muka tu, bole buat cucur badak kot. So, nk jimat masa, kena la pakai method ni. Unless korang mmg jenis takde keje kat rumah or setakat nk buang masa sambil2 lipat2 baju tu, maka ok la kot korang tgk crite2 camni.

Lagi satu, korang familiar ngan Cinta Kirana x? Then, korang mesti familiar dgn style film camni:

Ni salah satu lg contoh camne nk buat crite panjang, tapi director malas ambek angle berbagai2. So, diorang akan buat byk efek terkejut sampai korang dah tak terkejut dah sbb dah mmg lali ngan 'kekejutan' tersebut. Ye la, take 10 minit je sampai nk 4-5 kali terkejut, ape kes??!! So, diorang akan zoom in kat muka and buat slow motion. Filem2 Indon mmg byk efek2 camni for some reason.

So, the usage of different angle dalam SFP ni gua rasa membuatkan clip video ni sgt interesting. Some key angle yg penting dalam ni gua rasa ialah:

1) Joe main squasy
-Camera pusing2 keliling player. Hopefully dalam process tu takde org kena hentak ngan bola tu la

2) Sani tulis equation kat whiteboard
-Camera zoom kat cincin sani. Stressing the point yg ada org tgh belajar or semangat belajar. Ada effect cam tunggu camtu

3) Aini terlanggar pintu.
-Timing is the best criteria kat sini. Dari angle belakang, pintu tak sempat tutup lg (slightly ajar), then tukar angle dari dpn, baru pintu slowly tertutup. Perfect! Baru nampak natural!! Gua estimate ni mau 6-7 kali take baru nk dapat ni. Takpon trim and cut masa video editing.

4) Sunlight beam terpancar dari 3rd person view masa berdiri ramai2
-Gua dgr budak2 ni crite yg efek tu kebetulan je dpt, takde add dlm video editing pon. Tapi efek tu look very vibrant from a distance. Ala2 mcm masuk dunia misteri or glance in a distance la.

5) View org jamming
-Kalau korang perasan, introduction utk Boscoe panggil budak2 jamming tu tak start dari wide angle tunjuk semua org. Instead, dia start dari close front view Bass, guitar mic ngan drum. So, efek ni yg buat video ni mahal. Nature manusia is very suggestive, so bila camera angle introduce the jamming scene dari angle ni, org akan start guessing, before actual wide video dipaparkan.

All in all, walaupun tak terlibat dgn actual work of the shooting or experiencing it first hand. Gua boleh rasa budak2 ni spend byk masa utk buat video ni. Gua estimate re"taking" untuk dapat the best angle possible take the most time out of everything. Honestly, gua terharu la sbb org spend so much time, juggling between homeworks and other activities to make this trailer, a reality. And frankly speaking, it's something that's worth to be bragged about.

To batch of 2013:

AWESOME WORK! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TREMENDOUS EFFORT. WE, CLASS OF 2011 HEREBY HOLD OUR HEADS HIGH AND TAKE OUR HANDS DOWN FOR THE AMAZING WORK! おつかれさまでした、みんなさん!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
*Senyum memanjang

A dad's wisdom in me

2011-03-15T15:58:00.005-05:00

"Along, I'll get you a computer if you manage to get 1st place in class"

Tu line pancing ayah gua nak suruh gua belajar betul2 masa skolah rendah dulu. Masa tu gua rasa function computer ni untuk main game aje, so gua pon seronok la sorang2. Lagi2 bila takde lagi computer kat rumah. Kira cam motivation la of some sort. Pandai sungguh incik ayah, pancing anak2 dengan hadiah. So, gua pon belajar la betol2, and alhamdulillah, lastly dapat jugak secure 1st place dlm class. So, a few weeks later, datang la computer baru kat rumah. Masa tu computer tu besar2, kotak2 dia toksah crite la, besar haram. Gua ingat mak gua recycle balik kotak computer tu buat simpan kain baju dalam stor. Punya la besar kan... Masa tu seronok tak ingat dunia la, siang malam main game aje keje. Tapi one day, gua dapat tau incik ayah mmg dah plan awal2 nk beli desktop pon untuk dia buat kerja pon, saje je dia pancing gua suruh blaja rajin2. Kira cam sambil menyelam minum air la orang kata. Pandai sungguh beliau

"Along, if you get 8As PMR, papa will give you a present, and you get to pick what you want"

Masa tu dekat PMR, so sebagai budak lelaki sejati, gua mmg berkenan dengan console2 game. Nak beli sendiri tak mampu. So, dulu2 gua sanggup kayuh beskal tgh2 panas pergi rumah kawan yang ada console sbb nk main sama2. Kalau time tayar beskal pancit, kena la menapak sendiri jauh2. Panas lagi, dahaga lagi, penat lagi. Seksa toksah crite la. Pancit siot. As a result, gua decide nk deal ngan incik ayah nk game sebijik. Target2 masa tu nk PS2 la. So, sebagai pelajar bertanggungjawab (hotak dia), gua maintain on top of the class sbb target gua satu je, nk console game tersebut. Hak3. Alhamdulillah, dapat 8As plak untuk PMR, so dapat la merasa main PS2 sendiri. Tak perlu kayuh beskal jauh2 semata2 nk main game lagi. Tak perlu lagi berpanas2, berpeluh2 pastu bau cam bangkai bile balik rumah jalan tengah2 panas.

Masa SPM plak, ayah gua tak janjikan apa2 pon. Ada la terdetik dalam hati ni kadang "eh, kali takde ape2 ke?" Tapi gua rasa incik ayah pun tau gua dah paham tanggungjawab gua masa tu sebagai seorang student tahun akhir secondary school. Tak perlu upah2 lagi, tak perlu hadiah2 lagi. Masing2 dah besar kan. Patutnya dah pandai pikir sendiri. Alhamdullilah jugak, gua pon dah pandai fikir sendiri masa tu. Tup2, gua dapat 12A1 and 1B3. B3 tu plak tasawwur islam, wakakakaka. Sayur giler bab2 agama ni rupenye gua ni. Tapi takpe, pedulik ape gua, janji dah buat yang terbaik dengan usaha sendiri. Petang tu kitaorang gerak pg KL. Sbb masa tu musim cuti sekolah. Malam tu, tgh2 chill2 sorang2 dalam bilik hotel, adik gua ketuk pintu.

Tok tok tok

Kelihatan adik gua yg kecik tu kat muka pintu.

"Along, papa ngan mama panggil along kat bilik, ada private conference sikit diorang cakap"

"Okey" balas gua selamba sambil bawak jambu batu hiris yang gua tgh melantak tadi.

Dalam bilik parents....

"Along! Duduk sini, papa nk cakap sikit."

*Dalam hati, "aiseh, gua ada buat salah ke? Serius pelik pulak nada ni"

Incik ayah duduk bersila depan gua ala2 samurai jepun. Sepantas kilat, dia celup poket kanan, kuarkan sesuatu.

"Abeslah, nk kena marah ke ape ni" jerit hati kecil gua, sedikit cuak

Tersergam indah duit kertas 50 hengget berhelai2 dalam genggaman incik ayah. Rupe2nye, duit yang dikeluarkan dari poket tadi. Pelan2 dihulurkan kat tangan gua.

"Along, papa bagi along RM2000 ni untuk along belanja. Ikut along lah nak beli ape2 pon. Tak kesah la game ke ape ke. Ni hadiah sempena result SPM along. Along tahu kan kitaorang sayang along."

Esoknya, gua pergi bank, gua sendiri pergi deposit duit tu kat ASB. Gua tak sampai hati nk guna duit tu untuk beli barang merapu2, instead gua simpan target utk investment masa depan. Mana tahu nanti dapat offer pergi mana2 nanti kan. At least da ada duit sendiri nk buat apa2 nnt.

Tup2, dah 4 tahun gua kat Vandy ni. Lagi 2 bulan lagi nk grad. Dah ready nk masuk alam pekerjaan dah pon.
4 years in the States brought the manhood in me. Macam2 pengalaman pahit and manis yang dah gua lalui untuk jadi orang berguna. And sepanjang 4 tahun tu jugak, wisdom incik ayah sentiasa ada kat diri gua. Hopefully, wisdom tu akan berkekalan sampai gua mati nnt.

Sampai sekarang gua ingat, incik ayah gua:

Incik ayah tak pernah merungut hantar anak dia jauh2 dulu sbb anak dia masuk pertandingan invention dulu2.
Incik ayah yang tak pernah say no kalau gua mintak apa2 dengan dia.
Incik ayah yang tak pernah berhenti tolong gua carik jalan penyelesaian kalau gua ada story2 problem kat dia.
Incik ayah yang rela korbankan masa rehat dia untuk bawak family pg bercuti sama2 time gua balik summer.
Incik ayah yang sentiasa bagi sokongan kat apa2 yg gua buat sampai gua jadi orang.

Now, it's time untuk gua pulak untuk teruskan wisdom beliau. Gua doakan 1 hatri nnt gua jadi orang yg awesome macam incik ayah jugak.

I love you dad!

Isn't life amazing when people appreciate us? :D

2011-03-14T23:57:00.024-05:00

11 March 2011 9PM

Jom dengar lagu ni sambil2 baca post ni:

"Buzz"

Bunyi YM kat desktop gua memecah keheningan malam. Gua tgh lalok atas katil tgk Family Guy, sitcom feveret gua terus terpaku, keras....

"Tap tap tap" bunyi keyboard logitech yg sedang rakus ditaip jejaka macho bernama Syaf.

"Kol 9 nnt jom pg cinema doe, ada crite baru kuar, red riding hood, aku ada tiket lebeh"

"Nape awal sangat doe, pergi la lewat sikit, ni baru Friday doug" gua taip selamba sambil tarik kening kanan ke atas ala2 The Rock, sambil berfikir sesuatu...

"Ada shooting ke?"

"Aah, dillot cakap takleh lewat2, ada shooting malam kang, kene shooting Senior Farewell Party lewat sikit sbb ramai orang kat Branscomb nnt"

Gua tersenyum sinis.

"Erm, okeh, layan je la then"

Tepat kol 9 malam, gua bergegas turun ke blik member gua kat McTyiere, si achid yang gua berjaya tarik masuk Chinese Hall dulu. Kelihatan beliau sedang kusyuk melantak ketiak ayam obies sorang2 dalam bilik.

"Eh, cepat la, kata movie start kol 9, ni dah 9.02 pm ni. Nnt tgk crite separuh jalan la jawabnye"

"Okeh, jom!!"

Deruman enjin Nissan Altima 2.5 di luar mengaum tanda dihidupkan. Gagak2 yang tgh tido atas pokok semua bertempiaran ~~lari~~ terbang dek kerana terkejut. Tak kurang yg rebah ke tanah akibat terkena serangan jantung.

"Damn, nanti kene isi minyak nampaknya ni" ujar gua selepas tgk meter minyak yang agak segan2 tunjuk kat E. Sambil tarik handbrake, gua sempat buat drift kat belakang Branscomb dalam sebijik dua sbb jarang dapat kereta best untuk dibawak berjalan walaupun sekadar untuk tgk wayang. "Screehhhhhhh" tayar belakang berasap menambah macho pada skill gua buat stunt. Ok, tu ~~tipu~~.

"Eh, singgah depan Branscomb la ambek budak2 ni. Diorang tunggu kat situ tu"

Nissan Altima yg degembar-gemburkan tadi dimatikan depan curb Branscomb. Tak semena-mena, si Achid ni ambek kunci kereta gua bawak kuar sedikit melemparkan senyuman sinis sambil berjalan ala2 Backstreet Boys masuk ke Branscomb. Mentang2 la kereta keyless tak payah cucuk kunci boleh start, ske ati beliau je nk cilok kunci gua, ceit!

Langkah gua pon dimulakan menuju ke Branscomb.

Krakkk

Sejurus selepas pintu dibuka, gua nampak budak2 ni tgh berkumpul belakang pokok.

"Heh, ini mesti nk kejutkan gua ni" gasak gua dalam hati tapi masih maintain muka cool.

Suara Wani the Datin terngiang ditelinga.

"Ala... tak jadi.... " sambil ambil gambar gua cover kejutan yg dah spoil.

Tak semena2, air berterbangan di udara singgah ke badan gua. BASAH KUYUP....

"Prappp prapp" bunyi bom telur yang pecah di badan gua. Wargh, basah, melekit. Gua rasa cam ular baru mengawan lilit badan gua pon ada. Hak3.

Terbahak-bahak budak2 sophomore Class of 2013 ni bantai gua ngan telur ngan air. Seronok la tu prank orang. Kui3.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYYYYYY!!!

Dengar suara budak2 ni menjerit bagai nk rak kat gua. Hak3..

So, dipendekkan crite, selepas menyental telur2 kat badan gua yg menggiurkan ni, gua patah balik kat Branscomb. Si achid ngan dillot tarik gua pg kat Lounge tgh and tersergam indah sebijik kek penuh berkilat2 kat meja. Rupe-rupenye diorang ni dah pakat nak kenakan gua sempena hari lahir gua yg ke 19 22 kat Vandy ni. Selebihnya, gua kasik gambar2 ni explain camne gua rasa masa tu.....

The aftermatch

Lpas kena baling telor

Senyuman berbisa meon yg mampu mencairkan hati gadis2

Kek penuh berkelip

Orang tak biasa potong kek

Video yang sempat dirakam Wani

How I wish ada gambar2 lagi untuk dibuat kenangan, tapi camera plak abes battery, hak3.... Kalau tak mesti sempat ambil gambar semua orang. Tapi takpe, yg penting, semangat budak2 ni yg bertungkus-lumus buat birthday party gua ni yang paling gua treasure. First birthday party in 4 years plak tu kan.... Seronok gaban! Ingatkan dah dapat kek kat Baskin Robbins takde la kena prank dah, alih2, kena jugak rupenyer.... Kui3.

Actually gua dah agak akan kena prank sbb ayat si Achid tadi yg agak terkantoi. Ye la kan, dah Spring Break, apekejadahnya ramai orang kat dorm plak kan. Kui3... Comel je gaya kantoi beliau. Tapi gua layankan jugak akhirnya. Gua rasa cam bapak budak kena prank ngan anak2 dia time balik keje, camtu la perasaan dia lebih kurang. Dia dah tahu budak2 ni nk prank dia, tapi dilayannya jugak sbb sayangkan anak2 dia. *Walaupun gua takde anak lagi, tapi insyaalah nnt gua nk dlm 7-8 orang, kalau boleh, buat team volleyball terus, baru meriah, hak3

Sbb takde picture semua orang, gua nk ucapkan kat semua budak2 yang datang sambut haritu:

Dillot, Abel, Achid, Bella, Wani, Aini, Meon, Diana, James, Boscoe, Zaki, Tasah, Syun, Iskandar, Saira, Atie, Sani, Rain, Irfan, and sape2 lagi yg datang in case gua tak ingat nk sebut nama korang :D

Thank you budak2, sbb sanggup ingat kat orang tua ni

Thank you budak2, sbb sanggup spend time busy buat trailer untuk belikan kek untuk gua

Thank you budak2, sbb buat gua rasa appreciate life even more

Thank you budak2, sbb bersusah payah buat prank untuk gua

And thank you budak2, sbb bagi memory terbaik kat gua sepanjang 4 tahun kat Vandy ni :D

Gua cakap ni sekali je eh? Lemak la nak ulang tayang kan. (Walaupun ni kira mencilok ayat korang kan)

"Aku sayang korang semua"

Random post dari orang tua yang akan tinggalkan Vandy soon

A little Florida suprise

2011-03-14T22:42:00.002-05:00

March 9th 2011

Baru2 ni gua sempat pergi Beach House ngan collegues gua kat Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Seronok la spend masa ngan budak2 ni sama2 main tepi pantai (lama tak mandi laut), so kitaorang target nk pergi mancing kat Pier, naik scooter jalan2 tepi pantai, shopping kat outlet, main air puas2, pendek kata enjoy abes la. Tapi sayangnye, since weather and situation x membenarkan plan kitaorang untuk fishing ngan naik scooter tinggal angan2 sebab weather panas terik and kedai sewa fishing rod plak tak jumpa carik walaupan dah 2 hari carik. Kureng asam punya tauke kedai... Cakap la kalau nk pindah ke, tutup ke, takde la kitaorang terjulur2 terjelir2 carik kedai ni. Ceit.

Anyways, sbb dah janji nk carik Ice Cream ngan orang, gua pon bertungkus lumus la carik Baskin Robbins malam tu kat google earth. Ada la 2 locations jumpa, tapi sayang berbau malang, satu kedai tu dah tutup. Isi alamat kat GPS carik Baskin Robbins, tapi alih2 sampai kedai jual ikan, waaaahhh, pandai plak GPS ni buat lawak antarabandar, aku hempuk ni kang! Nasib baik harta orang, kalau tak lama dah gua celup dalam air kopi buat biskut cicah. So, nasib baik ada alamat spare, so takde la kempunan sangat.

Si dillot, achid ngan abel ni plak dah merengek2 nk Ice Cream Baskin Robbins dari semalam, so untuk tidak menghampakan harapan adik2 tersayang, gua patah balik pergi Universal Blvd (x jauh pon, dlm 3 miles je). Tup2 plak masa tu hujan lebat tetibe, siap ngan angin bertiup kencang (fuh, ayat skema, ngeh3). Time bawak2 keter tu sampai terhuyung hayang steereng wheel tu gua rasa. Gua rasa kalau budak2 dalam keter ni ada kat luar, mau terbang je kene tiup angin cam ni

Siot! So, drive punya drive, sampai la jugak kat Baskin Robbins tu at last. Agak struggle gak la nak sampai ngan visibility yg sangat poor. Nampak je signboard Baskin Robbins tu.....

Budak2 ni terus menjerit terlolong terpekik2 cam orang gila dalam kereta. Ok, tu tipu la kan. Tapi, basically menjerit gak la sikit. Baru je gua pull in kat parking spot tu, tup2, tgk kanan kiri, budak2 tu dah hilang dari keter, gampang! Mcm pelesit berlari keluar keter masuk kedai BR. Lama tak mengidam mungkin? Terkebil2 gua dalam keter terlopong.

So, masuk2 kedai, gua pergi la kat counter tu ngan budak kecik ni pilih aiskrim. Lepas pilih2 ais krim tu, ternampak la budak2 ni tgh tunjuk2 kat peti sejuk besar kat tepi pintu masuk tu. Tunding sana tunding sini. Ntah ape diorang buat pon x tau. So, gua pusing blakang la tanye ape diorang buat, ternampak la si Achid ni pegang kotak kek sebijik. *tak perasan lg gua tgh perhati

"Beli ape doe Achid?"

Muka terkejut. Suasana kaget, hening.....

"Eh2, takde ape2 doe.."

Sambil buat cubaan gagal menyorok blakang Abel sorok kek. Kek besar kotak kasut nk disoroknya celah kaki besar botol air, mmg epic fail la kan. Hak3

So, gua perasan la budak2 ni rupenye merengek nk Baskin Robbins tu bkn sbb nk aiskrim sangat, tapi nk buat surprise untuk gua. Alahai, comelnye budak2 ni.. Nak beli sendiri tak boleh sbb kunci kereta gua pegang.... Hak3....

So, sbb dah terkantoi ngan gua, budak2 ni pon bayar je la kek tu, ambek talam 2 bijik and datang kat meja gua yg tgh lalok menjilat Ais Krim.

"Rasanya dah kantoi dah tadi, tapi takpelah, ape2 pon, kitaorang bertiga nk ucapkan Happy Birthday!"

*Senyum sampai ke telinga :-D

A little sneek peek

Brainfreeze melantak kek

Kek bentuk batang kayu

Adik di Vandy

Senyum memanjang

Mastermind a.k.a adik di McTyiere

1st actual birthday party in 4 years :D

Thank you korang for making my life, interesting!

DON'T LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE MAKES LIFE MUCH MORE AMAZING? :D

ほんとうに　ありがとう　ございます

Zaman budak hingusan dulu

2011-02-28T21:47:00.020-06:00

Entry 28 February 2011

Dear diary (takde kejenye gua nk tulis ayat2 gay cenggini kat blog)

Tadi gua baru je balik ISSS nk pg antar borang OPT, tapi sebab time semput, tak sempat plak gua nk kasik borang kejadah tu kat minah yg agak kurang cun kat counter pejabat tu. Takpe lah, esok nawaitu gua dah set untuk lebih cekal bangun ~~awal~~ untuk tayang muka kat office ISSS tu. Sambil2 tu nnt, boleh gak gua singgah kat starbucks sebelah layan green tea latte segelas dua.

Baru2 ni, sbb ANYF dah takde, gua tak tahu nak buat apa ngan hidup seharian selain rutin harian seperti melantak habis-habisan serta mandi manda guna cebok walaupun shower kat atas kepala aje. Hobi baru yang gua pick up dari kawan gua, encik jobol anak razif. Best jugak mandi cebok ni rupenyer, simbah situ simbah sini, bilas tu bilas ni.. Pastu tup2 kantoi ngan RA kes mandi setengah jam.. LULZ. APE KES MANDI SHOWER JE? Carik la benda2 baru nk buat dalam hidup kan.. Baru la hidup ni lagi bermakna,tak gitu? :-D

Lagi seminggu, dah spring break, bermakna dah berlalu setengah semester kat Vandy ni. Ntah2 ada lagi tak peluang gua nk tgk Vandy ni nanti...... ERKKK...... Ok, tukar topic...

Owh, also, gua baru tersangkut ngan lagu ni:

Phil Collins: Son of man

Kalau korang dibesarkan dengan pengaruh Pokemon, Doraemon kol 7 mlm and biasa main kejar-kejar ngan mak korang sbb tgk TV time maghrib, then gua cukup pasti korang mesti pernah dengar lagu ni. Dulu2, time kecik2, innocent, comel and takde bulu ketiak lagi, gua ngan adik2 gua suke bantai tgk movie tarzan ni ulang2. Agak2, ada la 32 kali sebulan kot kitaorang tgk sambil lompat dari sofa ke sofa terjulur-julur, terpekik terlolong macam orang hilang akal, berlakon jadi tarzan kononnye. Berbekalkan semangat kental serta suar pendek berparas lutut, gua jadi pelakon tambahan skali ngan adik2 gua time tu. Sorang jadi gajah, sorang jadi monyet, tapi yang pasti sorang je yg boleh jadi tarzan, and sebab gua paling tua, gua slalunye guna kuasa veto untuk lantik diri sendiri jd tarzan. (*Dasar abang gila kuasa, CISS)

*Gambar hiasan, tiada kena mengena antara yang O.K atau yang telah K.O

MASA TU SERONOKKK GABANN!!!! Sbb, dalam kepala takde langsung masalah2 dunia, takde masalah exam2 engineering yang boleh buat kepala pecah, or takde masalah drama2 cerekarama yang ntah camne 'ter'praktik kat orang2 keliling kita. Lepas bangun tido, main tu main ni, lepas main, tibai nasi ayam 3 pinggan, tak cukup ayam, mintak je, confirm2 mak masakkan lagi, bile penat main, ambek bantal, terus sambung tido. Bile dah bosan jadi tarzan kat rumah, merengek kat mak sikit, nnt dia 'upgrade' sikit location berlakon tarzan tu dari sofa2 lunyai kat rumah ke playground. Boleh panjat tinggi2 sikit, boleh bantai main buai pastu jatuh bergolek sorang2 atas pasir. Ntah2 ada TAIK KUCING ke TAIK HANJENG ke kat pasir tu pon x pedulik.. Sambung je main balik..

Bile penat main, mak bawak makan pisang goreng kat kedai sebelah. Masa tu, mak kasik je duit suruh pg beli ape2. Takde plak nk pesan "Ingat, jgn plak ko gatal2 lama2 setting kakak jual pisang goreng tu". Skrang ni, 4 kali sehari kot dia nk sound camtu kalau takmo kasik pg kedai lama2. Hak3. Of course la kan, time tu takde langsung nawaitu nak ushar2 awek2 jalanan ni, ntah2 term "nafsu" tu pon takde dalam kamus hidup lagi. Kui3.

Masa tu tempat gua takde la maju pon. Setakat bandar kecik je. Ada perpustakaan awam pon kire dah cukup maju dah tu. Alamanda ke, Sogo ke, toksah sebut ar, kitaorang tak tahu pon menatang ape. Kalau orang cakap spesis dugong tempatan pon kitaorang percaya kot. Tempat shopping yg slalu pg tu ada 2 je masa tu. Either pasar malam or Centre Point. Centre Point tu kire shopping complex la, walaupun tingkat 1 ngan tingkat 2 je ada kedai. Kedai paling besar pon kedai kain2 untuk golongan2 ibu. Kitaorang golongan "budak hingusan" ni asyik singgah kedai mainan je la walaupun kedai mainan tu size dia sekangkang kera je. Dah la kecik, sebijik je lak tu. Gua ingat tauke cina tu slalu tensen sbb gua asyik bertandang kat kedai dia, tapi tak beli ape2. Hak3. Tingkat atas2 tu gua rasa owner Centre Point tu mmg nk buat hiasan je, sbb takde kedai pon, papan2 tanda "Kedai untuk disewa" ade la. Ye la kan, paling cikai pon, kene la bukak kedai standed sket kalau dah namanye shopping complex. Kedai jual camera ke, jual laptop ke, takkan nk bukak kedai dobi dalam shopping complex,. Tak make sense langsung. Sbb tu la kot tingkat2 atas tu seme kosong je kot. Takde markettt

Kat kedai mainan tu, benda paling awesome masa tu untuk golongan lelaki belum berkahwin, forsho, KERETA TAMIYA!

Figure 1: Tamiya car kit

Benda alah ni dulu, mahal nak mampus. Kurang2 20-30 ringgit sebijik. Skrang ni, kat pasar malam 5 ringgit pon org tak pandang kot. Dulu keter first gua ni model Beak Spider, harapkan encik ayah, mati hidup balik beliau takmo beli. Buat abes air mata je nangis kuat2. Last2, uncle gua belikan sebijik masa birthday gua. Terima kasih daun keladi encik Uncle. Hak3

Time2 tu, seronok gile la kan, sbb da ada keter sendiri. Walaupun sekadar keter yg boleh gerak lurus je. Budak2 skrang ni, paling common pon, kurang2 keter control. Tak main ar gerak tegak je kan. Syarat minimum mesti boleh buat drift atas lantai rumah. Tak pon boleh buat kejar kucing bedebah korang yg asyik berak atas sofa.

Remote control pon dah makin complicated dah skrang. 2 channel la, 3 channel la, 4 channel la. Cepat plak rasa masa ni berjalan. Demmit! Nnt lg 10 tahun ntah2 budak2 tolong mak beli santan kedai Haji Wahab naik keter control je kot. Beskal2 ni pon ntah2 dah tak kenal dah kot time tu. Kui3

** AH CHENNN, TOLONG MAK BELI SANTAN SEKILOOO!!!!

BAIK MAK!!! VROOMM VROOMM....

*Sile guna imaginasi sendiri

A good memory, absolutely..... :D

2011-02-21T22:26:00.011-06:00

Facebook msg from a an old friend in Wash Uni

"Dude, this year's ANYF is amazing!"

"You think so? I think those emcees did great job at coordinating, no?" *ayat standed cover ke"kembang"an

"No, seriously, I think coming all the way from Wash U is totally worth it. It really made my weekend! Good job to you! Soran Bushi was mind blasting dude!"

**KEMBANG MODE STATUS - 10%

Syaf, you and your team have done an amazing job last night:) Soranbushi was definitely a blast, thank you for the amazing show! - Nisa

ビデオ見ましたー！
いいパフォーマンスでしたね。おつかれさま！- Sogabe sensei

すごくよかった！！　In all my years at Vandy, that was the BEST and MOST AWESOME Soran Bushi performance EVERRRRR, son!!!! Great job to you and everyone who participated in it!! - Josh

Never thought that i could enjoy myself bile masuk soran bushi, thanks jgk sbb ajak - Bella

Syaf kun,

Thank YOU!!!!!

Thank you so much for leading us, and you did really really GREAT!

Also, thank you so much for inviting me to be one of you. This is my first year here, and I did not know many people. Also, I am always too busy to enjoy my life here, but you gave me brilliant memory. It was FUN. I enjoyed so much! I'll always remember this! - Shiomi sensei

amboi taun ni bukn main agi, happy je memanjang - anonymous

Awesome show dude! I wish you're here again next year for Soran Bushi! - Graham

日本語ホール来年やろう、そらんぶしは - Syun

Syaf! It was an honor dancing with you! Thanks for being so patient with us, lol~ - Chrys

Thanks Syaf and everyone!
we did wonderful job!!! I had really good time(>3<)V
Oh,please help me to tag my facebook photos! have a nice Sunday!
Hugs,
Chie

**KEMBANG MODE STATUS - DANGER! OVERLOADING.....

Hak3, gurau je. Ni la antara feedback2 dari member2 gua yg gua terima sehari lepas ANYF. Pikir2 balik, performance yang dibuat takde la bagus mana, tapi bila kawan2 sentiasa bagi sokongan and hargai apa yang kita buat, kadang2, kita ni as human, rasa puas hati, puas teramat......

Bukan puas sbb orang puji, tapi puas sbb ada kawan2 yang tahu menghargai apa yg kita buat, and puas sbb ada kawan2 yang tak pernah jemu melayan kerenah gua yang bermacam2. Tak kurang jugak sbb puas sbb dah selesai jalankan tugas yg diamanahkan.

Sape sangka, lepas ANYF, kawan2 gua tarik gua berkenalan ngan parents diorang yg datang ke ANYF hanya untuk berterima kasih hanya sbb ajar anak diorang menari? Tak ke bonding namanya tu? :D

Sape sangka, lepas ANYF, kawan2 gua tinggalkan memori yang menarik untuk last year gua kat sini as student?

Sape sangka, lepas ANYF, byk gambar2 yang diorang ambil akan buat gua RINDU SANGAT2 dgn masa2 yang kita dah spent sama2?

Sape sangka, lepas ANYF, gua dapat berkenalan ngan ramai kawan2 baru? :D

Sape tahu, lepas ANYF, gua akan jadi orang yg lagi matang untuk masuk ke dunia bekerjaya?

So, in return, gua pon nak cakap thank you kat korang,

Thank you korang, sebab sanggup datang lepas exam Thermo berpeluh-peluh datang practice,
Thank you korang, sbb ajar gua camne nk handle a team yg awesome cam korang,
Thank you korang sbb bersabar ngan kerenah gua yg sangat la bermacam-macam,
Thank you korang sbb tolong gua solve problems sana sini,
Thank you korang sbb sanggup dengar gua berceloteh mcm pak cik,
Thank you korang sbb sanggup spend masa tido korang masa weekend utk practice,
And thank you korang sbb bg gua amazing memory utk gua kenang balik nnt bila2.

How I wish ada alasan untuk ajak budak2 ni dance sama2 lagi...
How I wish ada something to look forward to lagi...
How I wish ada benda yang nak dibuat bersama2 lagi....
How I wish we could be together lagi sekali....

MISSING THOSE MOMENTS ALREADY.......

Kita ni as human, often terlepas pandang benda2 yang kecik mcm ni, tapi benda2 mcm ni yang akan buat kita rindu balik masa2 kita student dulu masa kita dah tua nanti? Sape tahu yang kita akan pikir how beautiful life was dulu masa kita stress2 ngan workload kerja nnt? *Pejam mata, and imagine masa depan sikit, jeng3

Life is short and we live only once, appreciate it to the full extent possible.

Walaupun post ni agak merapu / takde jalan crite / mengarut, tapi tak salah kan kalau sembang ngan diri sendiri sekali sekala kan? PEACE!

Indeed, no matter how small these things were, they will be a good memory in the future

Some photos of ANYF :-)
Thanks guys for being part of my memory

Depan machine shop FGH 131

2011-02-15T10:49:00.004-06:00

Harini gua sempat skype ngan encik ayah yang makin lama makin busy memanjang. Ada visitor dari States kata dia. Kalau call, most of the times dalam meeting or ada kena jumpe orang. Tapi takpe, gua paham tugas beliau. Kalau takde, maka tak berjalan la warehouse operation untuk offshore logistics tu. Equation dia yang gua boleh pikir maybe camni

Incik Ayah x pergi meeting-->Logistics offshore kacau bilau-->minyak tak boleh drill-->Exxonmobil rugi-->harga minyak Mesia naik-->harga minyak dunia naik-->Harga tiket flight mahal-->Freshman,Sophomore, ngan Junior takleh balik mesia summer ni

Kui3. Selamba je buat equation sendiri kan?? Tapi takpe, since incik ayah ni or nicknamenye "papa" ni orang yang sangat komited ngan kerja, insyaalah harga minyak sedunia takkan naik kan? Incik ayah ni awesome orangnya, banyak wisdodm la orang kata, mcm ayah2 korang la. Dari hal masak teppanyaki ke hal investment kitaorang boleh layan sama2. Baru2 ni kitaorang sempat discuss pasal bond2 yang kitaorang dah buat sekali ngan mama. Boleh tahan jugak la otak business dia rupenyer, plan tu, plan ni. In a nut shell, semua benda jadi tersusun, sbb incik ayah ni pantang sikit kerja tak tersusun. Kalau boleh, semua benda kena letak dalam binders, each labelled untuk future reference. Bil tepon2, bil Astro, bil tu bil ni, seme ada kat dalam cabinet well-organized. Collection yang dah ada since 7 years ago kot. Kui3

Akhirnyeee, incik Southwest dah naik gile babeng, well, takde la naik gila babeng, tapi ade da dalam 20 cents gak seunit, ok dah tu, slalu terkial2 je naik turun 3-4 cents sehari, tensen gua... Deng.

Kalau tgk saham incik google plak:

Macam bese la, rugi 3-4 dollar camtu je, kuang asam betol. Tapi tu la nasib baik benda alah ni mahal cost dia seunit, takde la terasa sgt sbb tak mmg tak mampu beli banyak2...Kalau dah 625 USD seunit tu mmg cekik darah nak mati la kan... Maximum gua ada benda ni pon 8 unit je, pastu kena resell sbb comeback per unit kecik nak mati.

Ni lak stock market yang gua rasa antara yang paling mahal dalam dunia, Berkshire Hathaway:

Yang ni toksah cakap banyak la, kalau saham seunit pon dah harga 127k USD, gua just mampu tgk je la. Nak beli mmg tak mampu ar sbb student kan. Kuang asam betol la, jual la murah2 sket, jual ikut Kilogram ke, at least boleh gak angkat setengah Kilo. Tapi pulangan dia agak lumayan ar, margin standed ribu2 sehari kot. Tapi tu la kan, Geico je sebenarnya yang bawak Berkshire ni naik, kalau business dia yg lain tu takde la power sgt gua rasa. Buat duit gak kalau bukak syarikat insurance ni kot. Sbb untung main atas angin je. Invest sikit, terus menjadi, perghhhhh... Nnt gua nk bukak ar barang 1-2 syarikat insurance jugak. Ganti Takaful ke, Kurnia ke, awesome gak.

Actually, gua tgh bosan sebenarnya ni, patutnya ada kelas welding kat FGH 131, tapi gua ngan member gua, Wanshoh mat skem dari tadi duduk tepi pintu masuk sbb instructor kitaorang tak datang lagi. Tertido ke ape mamat ni? Kalau tertido tu cakap la awal2, boleh gua join bantai tido jugakk, ade ke tido sorang2? Tak make sense sungguh... Hak3. Lantak la, kalau dia tak datang2 jugak lagi 5 minit, gua nak blah sambung buat taik mata... Kui3

Friends make life even more amazing

2011-02-14T17:51:00.016-06:00

Harini genap tinggal 87 hari lagi gua nak grad insyaalah. ANYF is just around the corner, 2/19 ni gua perform 4 benda untuk Asian New Year Festival. Taiko Drum (drum Jepun yang 4 kali ganda lagi besar dari tong gas masak tu), Soran Bushi (tarian menjala ikan, don't ask, gua tak tahu history menatang ni, yang gua tahu, benda ni best je), Martial Arts (yang ni kalau gua kena explain gak tak tahu la), and Fashion Show. Sbb tinggal ngan 5 credit utk semester ni, gua decide untuk mem'busy'kan diri dengan benda2 alah camni, sbb gua dah tak tahu lagi nak buat apa kat Vandy ni. Owh, also, gua sempat la pergi snowboard kat North Carolina random2 masa weekend sbb dah tahu nak buat ape kan.....

Ok, beberapa hari lepas, gua sempat sembang ngan geng2 laki pasal pompuan idaman diorang. Kui3. Open crite la sikit2 kan sebarang dua. So, ada la yang jawab Tiz Zaqyah sbb muka dia nampak innocent, Nasha Aziz sebab body dia lecur melecur, and tak kurang Lisa Surihani sbb dia comel tapi educated. Owh, tak kurang je yang suka Cameron Diaz sbb dia comel2 gebu gitu. Hak3. Standed la conversation budak2 laki ni kan. Bahagian gatal tu mmg ada la sikit sebanyak. Kalau takde part gatal tu, samada korang ni "Saya gay, saya ok" or korang ni spesis alien planet E.T.

Macam2 ragam orang zaman sekarang ni kan. Dah tuhan jadikan laki pompuan tu sepasang, gatal2 pulak nak "main pedang" sama2 sendiri. Ok, since tu nasty, abaikan..... Anyways, topik yang gua nk cakap arini bukan yang ni sebenarnya, gua nk cakap pasal life kat Vandy ni sikit sebanyak recently.

Ada la member gua baru post aritu, "Spring is the season of love", kui3, betol la kot. Ada member gua sorang ni baru nk slow2 kenal the better half, tak kurang ngan orang yang terkial2 baru nk carik idea camne nak start berjinak2 ngan relationship, tak kurang jugak yang ada element of surprise pergi dinner sama2, and of course, tak kurang gak orang yang dah bawak ke jinjang pelamin. Kui3... Life is beautiful bak crite2 Korea kata....

Of course la, dalam relationship ngan orang ni, tak kurang yang bergaduh sikit2 kat facebook pastu terus tukar status. Gua rasa nk golek gelak2 pon ada kadang2. Relax la, stakat gado kecik2, tak perlu la dibesar-besarkan. Yang gado besar tu gua takmo masuk campur hal rumahtangga korang, tu pandai2 korang la setel sendiri. Tapi the point yang gua cuba bawak skrang, gua tgk life ni dah makin lama makin interesting skrang. Maybe sbb masa bila kita tahu masa kita makin limited dlm college life ni, before masuk dalam other turning point in life, kita makin appreciate benda2 keliling kita yang kita slalu look for granted selama ni.

Kat McTyiere ni dulu takde orang Mesia, tapi skrang gua dah ada 2 orang apprentice kat sini. Sorang hall Jepun, sorang Hall Chinese. Pendek kata, dah macam adik beradik dah. Sbb McTyiere ni single dormitories, kitaorang spend masa sama2 buat ape2. Tak kesah la makan ke, tgk tv ke, buat hw ke (FYI, definition HW dah takde dalam kamus hidup gua sekarang, kui3), or just lepak2 kat Starbucks or main Volley. Kadang2 rasa diri ni dah tua sbb dah senior, tapi spend byk masa ngan Sophomore 2 orang ni or sophomore2 lain kat Branscomb. Kui3. Tapi takpe, diorang ni pon budak2 baik gua rasa, and appreciate each other macam adik-beradik, so gua pon layan jek :p... From Neutral point of view, gua suka sangat spend masa ngan budak2 Sophomore ni, sbb gua rasa, diorang ni unik, unik sebab bond sesama sendiri tu very firm and tak berpecah-belah. Bond tu gua rasa bertahan sampai skrang sbb personality diorang yang very forgiving, tak berpura2, tolerant and tak pentingkan diri sendiri. Bila takde unsur2 tadi, automatically, hubungan sesama sendiri tu jadi rapat, and seme orang happy.

Kadang2, GUA JELES, jeles sangat-sangat sbb slalu tgk diorang ni bersama2, united as one. For 4 years gua kat Vandy, so far, view tu paling susah gua nk carik. Gua rasa Class of 2013 ni somewhat special, sbb macam2 jenis orang ada. Gua perhati2, ada macam2 element dalam ni, element Jepun yang gua dah berjaya masukkan dalam J-Hall, element Chinese yang gua dah berjaya tarik ke C-Hall, element Korea Nobody2 but you, and tak kurang jugak element2 lain yang bercampur aduk and dah sebati ngan budak2 ni. Kadang2, sebagai orang yang lagi tua (gua senior ok? bukan sophomore.. Kui3) bile tgk2 gambar budak2 ni kat Facebook, hati gua pon jadi sejuk... Maybe sbb gua dah tua kot jadi camni, kui3... Macam abang yang tgk adik2 dia bergurau senda sambil makan2, or a big family yang korang takkan bosan spend masa with.....

Dalam banyak2 gambar, gua paling suka yang ni:

Cube tgk betol2 gambar ni, ada tak senyum yang setakat senyum nak ambil gambar? Or ada tak senyum style nak berus gigi or tangan kayu masuk poket sengih2 ambek gambar macam kerang busuk? Bg gua, takde SLR pon xpe kalau boleh ambek gambar mcm ni slalu. Ni la gambar yang gua rasa paling honest and outstanding dalam byk2 gambar, sbb dalam ni gua nampak "Smile that comes from the heart". Gambar ni la yang sampai skrang gua buat wallpaper gua, sbb gua suka tgk slalu. Lg valuable dari letak gambar lanscape bukit2 or Eiffel Tower kat wallpaper laptop gua rasa. Panggil la gua emotional ke, ape ke, gua tak kesah, ape yang gua suke tgk, gua akan tetap suka tgk sampai bebile. Sape print gambar ni letak dalam frame lawa2, 30 dollar pon gua sanggup beli kot. Kui3. Ape2 pon, gua nak pesan kat semua orang dalam gambar ni,"Value each other till the end". Since manusia tak terlepas dari salah, kalau ada terbuat salah sikit sebanyak tu, pejam je la sebelah mata. Nanti bile dah naik jadi senior cam gua , nnt dah terlambat nk pusing balik masa. Especially kalau korang hidup kat McTyiere sorang2 mcm gua. Sape2 rasa legend engineer yang boleh buat Time Machine, kasitau gua, gua nk sponsor project time machine korang. Hak3

Remember, the bond that is built between people is on a base called TRUST. And TRUST is earned, not obtained. Bukan account Suntrust tau, tapi trust (Lame...). Human relation mmg berfitrah macam tu. True friends are earned. Bukan boleh beli kat kedai or jumpa random2 kat tgh pasar malam. Kalau ada bgtau gua, gua nak borong sampai licin. Material bukan everything, bilik yang serba lengkap, ada TV besar, ada desktop, ada console, hiasan sana, hiasan sini, tapi kalau hati kosong gua rasa takde guna sesen pon. Never kejar duit semata-mata untuk lead a happier life, instead, lead a happier life and the cash will simply come in rollin'. Gua nk quote kawan gua sket, encik Shawn:

"Strangers stab you in the front, friends stab you in the back, boyfriends/girlfriends stab you in the heart, but true friends poke you with a straw and grin, for that's what makes life amazing"

Current Mood Meter: Happy! :D

What is life to you?

2011-02-01T16:44:00.002-06:00

Pejam celik pejam celik, tinggal lagi 100 days before graduation. Truthfully, gua tak ready lagi nak grad, sbb gua rasa life kat college ni sangat interesting. Interesting tahap gaban. Very different dari zaman muda mudi kat high school dulu. Ye la, benda paling grand yang pernah skool gua buat pon, setakat hari Kokurikulum je. Masa tu ada la cikgu2 bantai ambek peluang carik cash extra dari students2 mereka. Ada yang masak, ada yang buat souvenir, macam2 arh. Tapi actual day tu, gua rasa standed pasar malam pon dah ada. Ada cikgu2 yang terpekik terlolong sana sini, ada yang terjulur-julur, terjelir-jelir carik air sebab makan mee goreng extra pedas (salahkan cikgu tersebut, ade ke letak cili sampai 3 genggang dalam mee goreng yg saiz dia tak ubah macam standed nasi lemak KL tu). Bukak2 mee goreng nampak cili je kot, mee dia ntah ke mana pon gua tak tahu la..

Ok, merepek jauh tu, skrang ni gua kena la pikir ape yang gua nk kejar dalam life after school ni. Truly, college makes a man, a better man. Tapi sejauh mana better man yang gua dah jadi? Itu takde benda boleh ukur kot. Tapi ape2 pon, gua takmo jadi engineer, setakat stranded dalam technical comfort zone ni, bagi gua, sampai bila2 pon akan keje ngan orang. Walau ape pon, azam gua satu je, gua tak nak jadi good employee, gua nk jadi good employer!

Dalam perspectives gua, a bad start doesn't mean a worse ending. Since what matters most, is the process of one implement things in life that makes a difference. Such process of which makes a significant different in how you lead your life and how you take it to the fullest. Ramai yang cakap, starting as an engineer is a stable job, and true, gua takkan argue benda tu. Tapi cuba tgk betol2, in technical, even if kalau dah jadi supervisor or anything related to such, takde la berbeza mana. Hidup gua nnt akan still sangkut ngan managing techical issues untuk company yang gua tak own. Bagi gua, gua nk nasib company tu bergantung kat tangan gua sendiri. SATU HARI, GUA NAK OWN COMPANY SENDIRI. Baru la gua puas hati kan. At any rate, gua baru perasan gua dah campur adukkan BM English sesuka mak cik tiri gua. Ah, taram aje la, blog gua kan, pedulik ar gua nk buat ape. Dalam hidup gua, lagi banyak orang yang berjaya (menurut perspectives gua) yang tak la belajar tinggi2. Gua ngan kawan2 gua iA akan grad dengan Bachelor of Engineering, tapi most of the times, gua tgk, ramai je yang lagi berjaya setakat lulusan cikai2.

Gua pernah jumpa banyak orang yang ada Ph.D tapi everyday life is still a struggle. Close family for example, dulu tak mampu belajar engineering, tapi sekarang dah own Fuel Station sendiri. Sorang lagi, lulusan setakat tingkatan 3, tu pun social science. Now ada 8 biji kereta, and bukan calang2 kereta, SLR tuuu. Kerjanya ape? Bukak kedai dobi je. Ada sorang tu technician MAS bega2 enjin RR, boleh kata pakar la bahagian2 baiki tu, baiki ni, tapi dah 3 kali pindah rumah sbb tak mampu bayar sewa. Ada sorang lagi pulak, dulu kerja bawak lori je, pakai baju lusuh2 ngan topi jerami style apek jual ais krim, skrang dah jadi tauke burung layang2. Sebulan RM800,000 masuk poket. Gua nk tanya, engineer mana kerja dapat RM800,000 sebulan? Kerja baiki roket NASA pon gua rasa top 5 angka je. Tu pon dah macam pecah otak baiki benda alah tu. Setakat rumah kat Damansara Utama tu, dia beli mcm beli teh tarik je. Tapi bagusnya orang ni, dia tak pernah lupa diri, duit yang dia dapat tu slalu je dia sedekahkan utk orang miskin/sekolah/sekolah pondok. Sbb tu la kot rezeki datang melimpah ruah. Mamat ni gua kenal masa pergi mancing kat tepi pantai jek. Kaki mancing jugak rupenyer. Hak3...

Like I said, what matters most is not the qualification, it's the determination that counts. Tuhan dah buat orang ni macam2 jenis orang, each with their own strong point and weak points. It is the individual responsibility to understand your own specs, and make the best out of it. Itu la yang most of the time orang cakap, kadang2, street smart is way better than book smart.

In my opinion, there exists a fine line between poor, normal and extraordinary. Tapi part ni gua takmo crite panjang, cukup la setakat surface2 je.

Poor- The person who possess no dream, and lost in the mist of uncertainty in life
Normal - The person who possess a dream, and struggle in making it a reality.
Extraordinary - The person who possess a dream, dare to dream even further and live to it.

Remember, normal people are those who treat life towards stability. Extraordinary people, on the other hand, treats life as a risk. Life is full with difficulties, and every difficulty is the risk taken. Do bear in mind that Extraordinary people do not make others expectations into their priority, they live to their own expectations, and that is what I call life-setter.

Einstein quoted "In every difficulties, lies opportunities"

So, plugging into the equation, we find, people who dream further tend to find more opportunities. The question is, what kind of dream does one may have? What makes them different? What makes them better?

Lastly, cube la spend masa sket berfikir, and tanya diri sendiri soalan2 macam ni, sbb life is short, live it to the fullest!

Trust yourself!

The spring awakening....

2011-01-28T02:31:00.000-06:00

1.58 a.m, for some reason still tak boleh tido... The thought of having 5 credits utk Spring langsung tak memainkan peranan last sem ni... busy memanjang gak rupenyer

Ok, hari ni since bangun tido, pg kelas Japanese, work on Soran Bushi, jumpa client, work on Soran Bushi, Welding class, work on Soran Bushi, dinner, work on Soran Bushi, then practice Soran Bushi... For the very first time, gua buntu gila arini nk choreograph beginning 2nd minute. Video online dah tgk berpuluh2 kali, pikir dah berpuluh2 kali, tapi still takde idea nk sambung next move... Last2, dapat extra 10-12 seconds je extension.. Nothing much mcm training before, tapi takpe, berbaloi, sbb tgk muka budak2 semua happy.... Gua boleh sengih je, kui3.... Itu la balasannye bila suruh orang tak berbakat choreograph benda yg dia tak tau, akibatnye? Naruto, Metal Gear Solid, habis seme character anime + kartun gua bantai masuk fuse sekali dalam Soran Bushi... Hak3, takpe2, janji ada hasil, and janji, idea tu takde limit possibilities. Hak3....

Takde la byk sgt update, tapi skrang struggle gak la masuk 3 dance sekaligus, tak termasuk 1 fashion show for ANYF 2011 nanti. Since ni last semester kat Vandy, gua rasa nak enjoy seme benda, bende2 yg gua byk take for granted dulu... Happiness rupe2nyer exists in little things in life, dah ade depan mata, cuma most of the time, kita take things for granted. Dah jadi senior baru perasan benda2 mcm ni. Sbb arini ada dance for Peace, demi tak mengecewakan mamat Filipino dalam J-Hall gua, gua pg jugak la tgk dia atas stage DJ tadi... Pelik budak tu, pelik sepelik-peliknye, tapi dalam hati gua, gua impressed sbb mamat ni yakin dengan benda2 yg dia suka, things of his own choice.... Gua sengih2 je sorang2 tadi tgk dia atas stage, dia pon sengih2 tgk gua sekali ngan the rest of the J-Hall, hak3, maybe seronok tgk teman2 dia datang bg support maybe? Dont know....

Pastu balik, sempat jugak la singgah FGH kejap, jumpa si Achid, sbb nk discuss over snowboard trip yg ntah ape nasib pon gua tak tau dah. Sbb scheduling conflict, ramai tak dpt pergi, so kesian gak la si Kuling kena pg 1 kereta instead of 2. Tapi since tu je available option, gua redha je.... Hak3, walaupun dlm hati gua melonjak2 nk pg, tapi responsibility kena la jadi priority... Kalau tak ape jadi la ngan group Soran Bushi gua nanti.... So, kat FGH, gua lepak2 la kejap sebelah budak2 sophomore ni. Achid Aqis Fuad tgh struggle buat HW Signal Processing... Pastu, gua pg Branscomb lak return buku si Joe tu, nampak la group2 sophomore buat HW ramai2 kat bawah, dah macam kampung melayu pun ade, kui3... Sorang tgh tenyeh2 mata sbb ngantuk tapi keje still tak siap2, sorang tgh sibuk kaco orang sana sini, sorang tgh main baling2 pen, sorang tgh kusyuk baca buku sambil dgr ipod (tak pon kusyuk dgr lagu, ape yg dibaca tu pg mana ntah)..... Sambil tgk2, ntah camne gua teringat time gua sophomore dulu... Struggle jugak la buat dynamics malam2 kot... Tapi gua byk buat sorang2 sbb masa tu baru pindah McTyiere.... Sayang sbb masa tu takde geng sgt nk buat hw sekali, nk pg tempat2 lain, malas plak... Ok, so basically, gua mengelamun la dalam setengah jam kot, tgk budak2 ni buat HW, dalam hati, rasa seronok pon ade, jeles pon ade, sbb kalau boleh putar balik masa, gua pon nk buat mcm diorang masa sophomore dulu....Walaupun HW banyak, tapi kalau buat keje sama2, mmg happy, kadang2 of course byk melagha la, tapi bende2 camtu la yg buat kita kenal hati budi orang... kenal manusia yg mcm2 jenis ade yg Tuhan cipta.... Byk jugak la benda yg gua mengelamun tadi rupenyer, kui3....

Kadang2, bila senior ni, bila gua balik bilik, landing atas katil, gua rasa mcm gambar kat bawah ni:

Sambil landing2, byk benda yg masuk dalam otak, byk benda yg gua fikir balik, and mcm2 yg kite pikir n rasa, resah ke, happy ke, rindu ke, penat ke, seronok ke, tu seme perasaan yg in a sense, buat kita jadi orang..... Ape salah yg kita buat harini, kita ingat so that kita tak buat benda yg sama esok hari, or ape yg kita dah buat arini, maybe ade yg boleh diimprovekan utk masa akan datang....

Life is short, live it to your expectation, not the expectation of others....

Maturity - Del Definition

2011-01-05T15:53:00.001-06:00

"Welcome back" gua nk cakap kat diri sendiri sbb lama tak sambung tulis blog ni. So, 2 days ago gua baru je balik berfoya2 kat Orlando, Miami ngan Key West. Before ni gua mmg pernah pg Florida dah, tapi dulu tu trip banyak jalan2 sgt tak sempat nak naik rides puas2, so this time, kitaorang bantai masuk theme park ulang2 kali sampai muntah. Kui3. Ni summary multiplier gua bantai naik rides kat Universal Studios, Busch Garden ngan Seaworld

Kraken, Seaworld - 2

Manta, Seaworld - 2

Gwazi, Seaworld - 2

Bomb Bay/Del Stukas, Wet and Wild - 2 (250ft vertical slide)

Sheikra, Busch Garden - 2

Montu, Busch Garden - 2

Hulk, Universal Studios - 6

Spiderman, Universal Studios - 3

Harry Potter, the Forbidden Adventure 4D - 5

Harry Potter Dragon Challenge - 20+ (tak ingat exact number)

In a nutshell, ni semua untuk cover balik masa2 yg hilang masa summer Freshmen dulu. Funny part is, kitaorang naik banyak2 sangat sampai ada yg dah mcm tauge turun Roller coaster. Muka kawan gua, Wansoh Mat Skem mmg priceless especially lepas turun Kraken., nak bantai gelak golek2 kang terasa plak. Kui3

Dulu masa kitaorang pg Florida tak sempat tgk Shamu kat Seaworld. So, good thing is that trip kali ni dah banyak cover apa yang 'miss' dulu.

Tapi tu bukan topic utama gua arini, in fact, takde correlation pon, setakat mukadimah boleh la kot. Arini gua nk cakap pasal maturity.

Gua rasa mmg tiap2 orang ada definition 'maturity'. Tapi gua ada definition gua sendiri, sama tak ngan ape yg korang rasa, gua pedulik ape kan... Hak3

Lelaki mature, dalam definition gua kena chill buat ape2. Bagi gua, lelaki mature bukan yang berdiri cekak pinggang or cross tangan sambil tercegat berdiri kat corner dinding dalam majlis or setakat masuk tangan masuk dlm poket angkat bahu purak2 nampak cool. Bagi gua, lelaki mature patutnya orang yg tenang berfikir time2 ada musibah, pandai jaga hati orang lain, and berani speak out ape yang dia fikir. Gua rasa, muka je ganas/macho, kalau tak berani nak speak out ape yg dia rasa kat public, gua rasa tak payah jadi lelaki la, buat malu kaum je. Point tak betul sikit2 pon takpe, janji berani buat apa2, barula gua rasa perangai jantan....

Ckp pasal maturity, gua cukup respect sama satu orang dalam family. Uncle gua ni, antara orang paling chill buat ape2...

Bagi gua, orang ni la mentor, guru and idola gua, Uncle Zuraidi nama dia. Mcm korang tgk dalam gambar2 ni, gua rasa dia la orang paling chill buat apa2, anak dah ada 2, besar panjang plak tu, tapi still hati muda and paling senang nak mintak tolong. Kalau dia ada, mesti time rasa cam gerak laju sbb aura "awesomeness" tu ada. Hak3, ok tu hiperbola... Tapi, mamat ni mmg legend sbb tak kira kanak2 ke, remaja ke, orang tua ke, dia mmg boleh bergaul tanpa segan silu. Borak lama mana pon tak bosan gua rasa. Being a CEO, pekerja2 dia mmg suka dia ni. Ada PhD, kaya raya, tapi still tak memilih berkawan, very honest guy. Iklan2 berlambak2 kat TV3 tu, mmg kerja dia la mostly. Tua ke muda ke, jahat ke baik, gua rasa takde definition ni dalam kamus dia, itu yang gua respek gila kat mamat ni. Pernah sekali gua tgk dia main kejar2 ngan budak2, takde hal pon. Satu prinsip dia yang gua nak pegang is, orang yang kaya dengan kawan2 itu jauh lagi baik dari orang yg kaya ngan duit.

Ini la baru gua rasa lelaki macho. Biar ape yg jadi pon, dia still boleh senyum buat lawak sambil try to overcome the unexpected circumstances. Mmg legend.

Miami Update

2010-12-27T01:36:00.002-06:00

Skrang ni jam tepat 2.35a.m. Gua tgh chill2 kejap kat lobby hotel gua kat Miami ni. Esok kena drive lagi 3 jam ke Key West, so gua takleh update byk mcm biasa. Nnt balik Florida ni gua open story okeh? Peace :p

SOAL JAWAB BERSAMA PENGARANG

2010-12-18T06:07:00.003-06:00

All in all, sebenarnya seronok kalau baca karangan orang ni. So, jom review sket soalan2 cepumas yang aku berjaya compile2 sedikit sebanyak tadi. Kiranya bolehlah jadi rujukan korang nanti esok lusa ke kan...

Situation 1: Korang bersedia nak mengarang and korang ada satu pen dalam laci. Tapi, sebab rasa sayang yang amat kat pen tadi, korang rasa takut nak guna. Maybe takut jadi apa2 yg korang maybe tak sanggup nak tanggungjawab nanti. Sbb pada hati korang, pen tu amatlah priceless value dia. So, korang cari pen lain untuk mengarang. So basically, dah ada beberapa cerita yang korang dah tulis menggunakan pen lain tadi. Lepas masa berlalu, datang plak perasaan janggal kat hati korang. Somehow, "longing" untuk guna pen yang lama, sbb hati kecik korang rasa nak guna je pen lama tu. Macam sayang plak kalau tak guna. So, ape yang korang nak buat?

Voted answer: Pergi je lah woiii, ape lagi tunggu2? Sian lak pen tu korang simpan dalam laci terperap dalam tu sepanjang masa. Padahal, pen tu sabar je menunggu korang ambek dia untuk sama2 buat cerita. Walaupun maybe pen tu tak berapa mahal harga dia, pen tu senang je bagi idea kat korang camne nak sambung cerita dalam buku korang. Takkan nak tunggu buku kena makan ngan anai2 kot, baru terkial2 nak carik pen yang korang rindu nak guna tadi? Or korang nak tunggu page dalam buku tu makin berkurang ke tahap kronik baru nak guna? Masa tu dah terlambat la. Kui3 All in all, belum cuba belum tahu. Buat je apa yang hati korang beritahu. Heart is the best guide! Lulz....

Situation 2: Masalah memilih. Korang ada banyak pen dalam laci korang. Tak pon kat bookstore Vandy yang korang boleh access sepanjang hari. Korang asyik round2 bookstore or tanya Roger T. Imai pasal pen ni, tapi takde plak nak beli... Ceit! Buang karan betul. Korang tak sure pen mana yang boleh jadi teman korang menulis dengan baik sbb dalam kepala hotak korang asyik pikir "Shoot, is this the right pen for me?". So, korang asyik terkedek2 masuk bookstore tu untuk ushar pen yang korang suka tu. Masa orang lain sibuk nak beli pen, korang sibuk plak ambek pen tu, buat2 ushar nak beli.... Bila orang dah blah, korang gedik2 plak sangkut pen tu kat tempat asal dia. Nak beli takut, tak beli takut tak menyempat. So camne tu?

Voted answer: Korang ni jenis yang agak memilih sangat lah kot. Time orang nak ushar pen tu, pandai plak korang buat2 busy ushar2 pen tu. Ntah ape2 la camni. Patutnya, kalau korang yakin pen tu yang terbaik untuk korang untuk korang sambung tulis cerita or dlm kata yang lagi senang, korang SUKA SANGAT pen tu, bawak2 la kat kaunter untuk dibayar. Keputusan tu memang ada dalam tangan korang, tapi kalau asyik terhegeh2 memilih, bila korang nak sambung mengarang? Nnt bila page korang blank, korang gak yang down, ye tak? Kalau tak confident pen mana yang terbaik untuk korang, korang bawak je la MAK KORANG time pergi bookstore tu nanti, abes crite.

Situation 3: Masalah tak kesampaian. Korang asyik la pergi kedai ni untuk carik pen yang sesuai ngan korang. Tapi, for some reason, pen tu ada kat counter glass wall gitu. Skrang ni korang nk buat macam mana? Korang hanya mampu tengok pen tu dari luar, nak capai dengan tangan tak dapat2 plak.... So, dalam fikiran korang asyik fikir camne nak ambil pen tadi. Last2, korang hanya mampu tengok buku korang kosong, so korang end up frust menonggeng sorang2.

Voted answer: Korang ni nak dah ready ke tak nak mengarang ni? Jangan kasik alasan duh pen tu tak kesampaian. Tu semua just psychology korang je tu. Sepatutnya masa ni, korang patut tackle problem tu a bit more technically. Cube la korang bawak2 usaha sikit. Setiap yang terkunci tu boleh dibuka. Apa yang korang kena carik skrang ni is just the right key untuk bukak glass enclosure tu. Kalau korang asyik ketuk2 and attempt nak pecahkan glass wall tadi, korang mungkin boleh cederakan diri sendiri. Tak semua benda dalam dunia ni is reachable by force. Even kalau korang dapat pon by force, korang maybe dah rosakkan sedikit sebanyak pen yang korang nak sangat2 tu. Maybe korang dah calarkan pen tu ke, rosakkan ink cartridge dia ke. So, TRY TO TACKLE THINGS SMART, NOT BY FORCE. Kalau takut sangat tak kesampaian, maybe korang kena consider beli pensel plak kot?

Jom open cerita!

2010-12-18T03:14:00.017-06:00

Sedar tak sedar tinggal lagi 5 bulan gua nak grad, insyaalah... Tapi tu bukan story gua malam ni, story gua ni dipetik dari perbincangan sambil2 makan steamboat kat Highland Quad malam ni. Skrang dah Winter break, so, nanti ramai orang akan keluar pergi jalan2. Gua pikir2, bila lagi nk open crite kan? So, ni gua ada cerita menarik untuk dikongsi, credit utk kawan gua sbb ilhamkan cerite best ni. Kui3

Skrang ni, jom belajar analogi sikit. Kasi berkias-kias la baru syok kan. Hak3

Mula2, jom kita cakap pasal buku. Ni bukan buku text korang, or buku Heat Transfer sbb yang encik Deyu Li suka sangat pekenakan gua, tapi ni buku 'korang'. Buku korang ni ada satu je dalam dunia, and tak boleh carik kat kedai2. So, agak2 priceless jugak la kan buku ni. Dalam buku ni, korang tersedia nk tulis macam2 jenis cerita. Jalan cerita dia, korang boleh alter2 sendiri, ikut suka hati. Cuma soalan dia, menarik mana cerita korang. Tak kesah la cerita tu pasal cerita dongeng ke, cerita chill2 ke, cerita ape ke kan.....

Ok? Dah paham concept? Bagus!

Antara cerita best yang gua dah dengar malam ni:

Orang dalam dunia ni, ada macam2 jenis orang. Ada orang yang tgh syok tulis buku, and ada gak orang tengah mencari2 buku, and ada orang yang tengah2 flip2 page buku. Skrang ni, kat mana situation korang? Adakah korang antara orang2 yang tengah rajin mencari idea nk tulis chapter seterusnya. Or tergolong dalam golongan orang still takde idea or tersangkut nak sambung cerita yang dah sedia ada. Hak3, susah gak cerita ni.....

Topic 1 : PEN MANA SESUAI DENGAN TANGAN ANDA?

Naturally, semua orang tahu kita perlukan pen untuk tulis apa2. Skrang ni question gua, mana pen korang? Adakah pen tu dalam simpanan korang? Adakah pen tu korang guna sekejap pastu korang letak tepi? Tu korang sendiri je boleh jawab. Kui3. Sekarang ni gua nak kasik nasihat sket kat orang yang tengah carik2 pen tu. Tangan korang tuhan dah jadikan lain2, so, logik la pen korang lain2 kan. Pen mana yang selesa ngan korang? *Gelak golek2 sendiri........

Katalah korang nak beli pen, macam mana agak2nye bentuk pen tu? Ada orang, pen yang harga dia standed2 tu selesa and dah mencukupi, pen yang exclusive sket tu, maybe susah nak guna/maintain. Ada jugak yg rasa pen yg exclusively hand made tu lagi senang nak guna, sebab tahan lama ke, ape ke... Ada jugak yang prefer pen yang 0.5mm sebab pen camtu standed, and orang tu prefer benda standed2. Tak kurang gak prefer yang kecik2, sbb dia rasa tulisan kecik2 and halus2 tu lagi sesuai ngan jiwa menulis korang. Again, tu subject to opinion sendiri2. Kui3

Pen tu ada macam2 jenis pen. Pen bulat, panjang, mahal, murah, cepat rosak, etc etc. Tapi harga pen tu unik pada tiap2 orang. Maybe sebatang pen ni, untuk Encik A harga dia mahal, tapi untuk Encik B, harga dia affordable. Again, tu korang punya opinion sendiri. Subject to change. Since banyak pen tu kat 'kedai' ada jual. Boleh jadi macam2 cara korang nak dapatkan pen tu. Samada korang sendiri rajin pg kedai nak carik the 'right pen' or korang nak tunggu je kenalan korang kasitau ada pen on sale ke. Question is, korang ni tergolong dalam orang yang asyik window shopping ke, or asyik eye-balling satu pen ni dari dulu sampai skrang.

Boleh jadi jugak korang ni jenis orang yang prefer mak korang belikan pen untuk korang. Masalah dia, pen yang mak korang beli, possible jugak pen yang dipilih tu terbaik untuk korang, sbb mak korang sangat mengenali cara korang mengarang. Tapi ada jugak possibility jugak mak korang carik pen yang nampak menarik kat luar, tapi bila korang guna, tiba2 dakwat tak keluar plak. Aiseh!!! Or lagi seronok kalau korang pergi merata-rata tempat carik the best pen, tapi korang tak perasan yang pen yang korang paling selesa mengarang actually ada dalam laci korang sendiri. Ahaks!

topic 2 : BERAPA BANYAK CERITA YANG KORANG ADA?

Pernah tak korang menulis tapi tak tahu ape nak tulis? Or pernah tak korang tengah2 menulis tu, korang takde idea nak sambung cerita yang korang tengah tulis? Or pernah tak korang tengah2 mengarang tu, korang sendiri rasa bosan dengan jalan cerita korang? So, remember, practice makes perfect. Orang biasa kena slow2 belajar menulis. Unless korang gifted tak perlu belajar mengarang, and tetibe je korang bley buat novel, korang ni tergolong dalam kategori orang biasa. Korang kena belajar slow2 menulis, and part korang takde idea tu, korang kena la tukar topic cerita kan.... Again, korang kena tulis cerita baru dalam buku tadi dengan pen lain, or possibly dengan pen lama. Hehh...... *Gelak guling2

Sometimes ada jugak korang terbaca buku orang lain. Tup2, random2 je korang ada idea camne nak sambung cerita yang diorang tulis kan? Tu possible jugak! Senang sebenarnya nak tulis cerita orang lain, tapi susah lagi sebenarnya nak tulis cerita sendiri. Or mungkin korang ada idea nak tulis pasal satu cerita, tapi somehow somewhat korang tak berani nak tulis cerita tu. Maybe sebab korang takut orang lain baca cerita korang or korang takut final episode cerita korang tak menarik. Banyak pulak possibity tuuu. Hak3....

So, cuba fikir2, sampai mana karangan korang setakat ni?

*Saje topic bosan malam2 ni, kui3*

Cerpen: Janji 2 dunia - Chapter 2

2010-12-17T06:35:00.006-06:00

"Eh, dah makin lewat ni, jom lah pulang" ajak Kei selamba.

Suasana di dalam densha itu agak hening daripada biasa. Dibenaknya, kembali memikirkan apa yang diterangkan Yuki di restoran tadi.

"Mungkin aku patut melupakannya...." bisik hati kecil Kei.

Fikirannya makin melayang jauh. Jauh dari Jepun ke Malaysia.

"Mungkin kita tak ditakdirkan bersama..." Imej seseorang semakin jelas terpancar di hati kecilnya, jiwanya sedikit pilu.

"Kei? Kenapa ni? Jauhnya termenung?" teguran Yuki memecahkan golak perasaan lelaki yang sibuk mengupas peristiwa silamnya.

"Oh, takde apa-apa. Cuma memikirkan cerita donburi tadi." suaranya sedikit suram.

"Awak percaya ke apa yang saya cerita tadi tu?"

"Awak rasa?" sambil menarik muka, lagaknya seperti menyembunyikan sesuatu.

"Hmm. Mak saya cakap, kalau orang tu fikir banyak pasal orang tu, maksudnya ada dua kemungkinan."

"Baiklah cik detektif, apa kemungkinannya?"

"Haha, saya sendiri pun tak pasti sebenarnya. Tapi, kemungkinannya, awak suka cerita dongeng, ataupun, awak sedang memikirkan seseorang. Betul tak?"

"Tak adalah...."

"Eee, tak pandai langsung nak tipuuuuu" usik Yuki, manja.

Gurauan manja Yuki memadamkan rindu lama lelaki sentimental itu.

"Yuki, sebenarnya..."

"Eh, tengok kat luar, ada bintang! Wah! Jarang sekali dapat tengok bintang sekarang ya? Tokyo pula semakin lama semakin penuh dengan bangunan tinggi-tinggi." ujar Yuki, riang, sambil melemparkan pandangannya jauh ke luar. Matanya liar memandang ke sana ke sini. Lagaknya seperti kanak-kanak kecil yang sibuk menghayati keindahan alam/

Telatah Yuki memadamkan rindu dendam yang semakin membuak-buak. Memori lalu seperti terbang kembali ke dalam ingatan Kei. Memori yang sukar untuk dilupakannya sehingga ke hari ini. Baginya, seakan melihat bayangan si dia kembali. Kei hanya mampu menarik nafas panjang, dan melayan karenah Yuki sambil tersenyum.

Malam itu, lelaki itu menjadi bingung. Kebiasaannya, tangannya rancak menari-nari di atas papan kekunci komputer membuat kerja, tapi malam itu agak berlainan. Di Youtube, terpampang lagu Robinson yang dipilihnya tadi untuk dibuat teman.

"Maaf Kei, Dilla dah jadi tunang orang lain..." terngiang-ngiang di telinganya. Memori itu sudah hampir 2 tahun berlalu. Semenjak itu Kei membuat keputusan untuk meninggalkan Malaysia dan mencari ketenangan di Jepun. Baginya, dirinya di negara asing, namun hatinya masih dimiliki seseorang. Ibarat Encik Asimo.

-Ceit, cerita dah jadi jiwang merapu-rapu (-_-")

Milo panas di atas meja kerja dihirupnya perlahan-lahan. Pandangannya ditumpu ke luar tingkap apartment kecil itu. Jelas salji masih tidak menunjukkan tanda-tanda untuk berhenti. Terus dicapai telefon bimbit.

Dah tidur ke?

Ditenungnya ayat yang ditaip tadi sebentar, send!

Teet Teet!

Masih termenung jauh ke, encik jurutera? Saya baru nak tidur ni...

Tak la. Tengah fikir nak mimpi apa malam ni. Haha

Heh, loyar buruk jugak awak ni ye? Ada apa-apa masalah ke? Kalau tak keberatan saya boleh tumpang dengar...

Takde, cuma mainan perasaan ni. Mood swing mungkin? Lol

Lameeee... Haha, kalau takut mainan perasaan, awak tengok je la salji kat luar tu...

Kei tersengih sendiri. Ada juga orang Jepun yang sudi jadi peneman.

Itulah, kalau boleh, saya nak perasaan rindu ni bersifat sementara macam salji kat luar tu. Turun sekejap, lepas tu bila panas, cair dan menghilang...

Haha, menarik juga. Tapi saya rasa awak terlupa satu perkara lagi.

Terlupa sesuatu? Terlupa apa?

Sms berhenti. Lama Kei menunggu tapi tiada jawapan. Kalau ikut hati, mahu saja dia meronta-ronta sendiri. Sejam kemudian, perlahan-lahan Kei berbaring di atas katil. Matanya dipaksa untuk tidak terlelap. Hatinya masih mahu menunggu jawapan.

"Dah tidur agaknya ni..."

Teet Teet!

Salji turun memang sekejap, bila panas nanti, memang salji akan cair dan menghilang. Tapi, awak terlupa yang sebelum cair dan hilang, salji akan meliputi semua benda dan hasilnya, satu pemandangan yang indah. Salji itu memang bersifat sementara, tapi mampu meninggalkan kesan kekal kepada orang ramai yang melihatnya. Begitu juga perasaan, walaupun perasaan itu sebentar, tapi pengajaran yang dibawanya kekal. Perasaan itu akan menjadikan kamu orang yang lebih matang, lebih kuat dan lebih terbuka. Cubalah lupakan tapi hargailah ia. Bersyukurlah dengan anugerah perasaan! Oyasumi nasai :p

Malam itu, terpampang senyuman di wajah seorang lelaki yang sedang enak bermimpi.

Update

2010-12-13T21:42:00.001-06:00

Parah2, skrang ni snow kat Nashville, tapi gua pon ada exam, sbb final year, nafsu main snow tu lagi tinggi dari nafsu nk prepare exam. Kui3... So, start besok, gua dah kena pulun untuk Final Heat Transfer. So, cerpen tu nanti gua sambung lepas final okeh?

Ciao~

Cerpen: Janji 2 dunia

2010-12-12T00:18:00.023-06:00

Sebab tadi gua kena cabar tulis cerpen, gua sahut cabaran beliau.. Tapi before start, korang pasang la lagu ni kasik layan sket, Ahaks

"Suram juga malam ni yek? Bila la salji nak berhenti ni..."

Kei berbisik sendirian di dalam hati, sambil berpaling dari cashier di depan.

"Arigatou gozaimasu"

Ujar cashier tersebut, sambil membongkok sedikit, menunjukkan hormat kepada pelanggan yang berkunjung. Kei keluar dari 7-11 tersebut sambil membuka payung kecil yang sentiasa dibawanya di dalam beg. Maklumlah, cuaca sekarang makin dingin, angin pula sejuk sampai ke tulang sum-sum. Sebagai engineer di Toyota Research Center, tanggungjawab beliau berat. Kadang-kadang research sampai pagi di negara matahari terbit tersebut. Kadang-kadang semacam tiada kamus tidur dalam benaknya. Macam-macam yang perlu difikirkan di dalam otak setiap masa.

Setibanya di stesen keretapi laju, Kei menjamah onigiri yang dibelinya tadi. Langkahnya lemah, bajunya basah kerana hujan , tangannya terasa kebas sedikit kerana angin sejuk. Matanya agak kuyu, penat. Sambil menguyah, Kei sempat melihat ramai orang Jepun yang berpusu-pusu balik dari mencari rezeki. Ada yang membawa beg galas, berkepit-kepit dengan kertas kerja, tak kurang juga yang tekun membaca sambil berjalan.

"Rajin .... agaknya mereka penat macam aku juga kot, tak penat ke hari-hari macam ni, haih, Jepun, jepun...."

Sedang enak menjamu selera, terasa begnya dipegang sesuatu. Kelihatan seorang perempuan Jepun memegang begnya, mendongak perlahan-lahan di tengah-tengah orang ramai.

"Maaf, contact lens saya terjatuh, saya sangkakan awak kawan sepejabat. Maafkan saya..." seraya menunduk.

"Oh, tidak apa. Mari saya tunjukkan jalan cik...." sambil memimpin tangan perempuan tersebut. Walaupun penat, hatinya ikhlas mahu menolong. Dirinya memang diasuh untuk membantu orang dalam kesusahan, mungkin kerana nalurinya yang senang berbelas kasihan.

"Hendak pergi ke mana?"

"Minami Machida, rumah saya dekat dengan stesen tu"

"Owh, kebetulan, rumah saya pun dekat dengan stesen, dekat dengan sekolah rendah Rinkan"

"Betul ke?" ujar perempuan tersebut, sedikit bernada terkejut sedikit gembira

"Betul, hari-hari saya pergi kerja ikut jalan belakang, dekat dengan tempat letak basikal awam tu.

"Oh, saya selalu ikut jalan sebelah Cafe tu, sebelum pergi kerja, saya selalu beli kopi kat situ, oh, maafkan saya, nama saya Yuki.."

"Saya dah tahu dah..."

"Macam mana awak tahu?"

"Tengok pun saya dah tahu, saya agak-agak nama mesti Yuki, sebab wanita comel muncul tengah-tengah salji, kan Yuki tu maksud dia salji..."ujar Kei sambil tarik muka comel selamba.

Kei memang ramah orangnya. Walaupun begitu, dia jarang bercakap dengan orang kerana adat orang Jepun yang kurang tegur menegur di tempat awam. Masing-masing macam semut, keluar membating tulang setiap hari kerana bagi mereka itulah tanggungjawab, sentiasa berkejar-kejaran mencari rezeki untuk diri sendiri dan keluarga. Tanggungjawab sebagai seorang rakyat Jepun.

"Awak orang Jepun kan?"

"Tak, saya orang Malaysia"

"Oh, tapi bahasa Jepun awak boleh tahan ape"

"Haha, saya belajar di Amerika dulu, kat Vanderbilt University, tapi sempat belajar bahasa Jepun sejak tahun kedua di Universiti"

"Jadi awak belajar Jepun selama 3 tahun?"

"Tak, saya ambil bahasa Jepun setahun aje. Tahun ketiga tak dapat ambil sebab clash dengan kelas engineering saya, tapi sebab saya tinggal kat International Hall, dapat juga saya belajar sikit-sikit"

"Oh, habis tu awak belajar bercakap dari mana?"

"Dari cikgu saya, Tomotsu sensei"

"Di Amerika?"

"Tak, Tomotsu tu watak anime, maksud saya, saya belajar dari anime" ujar Kei seraya tergelak kecil.

Aur wajah Yuki berubah merah melayan telatah Kei, menahan ketawa. Perbualan mereka berlanjutan. Sejam di dalam densha hampir tak terperasan. Malam itu merubah mood Kei. Letih-letih badan hilang. Sudah 2 tahun dia berada di sini, tapi hidupnya ibarat Honda Asimo, setiap hari kerja, kerja dan kerja. Selain bos dan rakan sekerja, dia tidak berapa bergaul dengan orang lain. Mungkin kerana dia tinggal seorang diri di rumah, tiada peneman, awal pagi keluar bekerja, balik pula tengah- tengah malam. Masa rehat di ofis pula hanya 45 minit.

Setibanya di Rinkan, mereka berjalan pulang bersama-sama. Banyak pula cerita. Senyap-senyap, sempat juga bertukar-tukar nombor telefon sebelum berpisah. Gatal... (-_-")

*Sbb gua susah nk sambung crite and rasa geli geleman sbb guna bahasa lembik2 camni, gua nk bg casual sket jalan crite

Hari esoknya bermula seperti biasa. Seawal 6 pagi, stesen kereta api sudah mula dipenuhi kelibat manusia. Dari barisan depan, Kei menjenguk-jenguk ke sana ke mari. Hanya ada kelibat salary man dan office lady, yang lesu dengan rutin harian mereka. Tiada tanda-tanda Yuki langsung. Hatinya hampa.

Tiba-tiba lagu Robinson berkumandang.

"Ah, ada orang sms.." getus hatinya sambil tangannya rakus menekan Iphone.

Ohio gozaimasu. Sihat harini? Terima kasih sebab tolong saya semalam. Maybe nak cepat balik semalam, tapi kena tolong saya pulak, sorry... Bukan senang nak cari orang macam awak kat Tokyo ni sekarang tau. Arigatou :p

"Tet tet tet" jari jemari Kei pantas menjawab.

Takpe, hal kecik aje tu. Lepas ni awak bawak la contacts spare pergi mana-mana. Ye la, nasib baik saya yang awak tersilap orang tu, kalau awak tersilap orang Yakuza macam mana? Bahaya tau? Nanti kalau awak nak saya teman balik lagi, sms je tau :p

Sinis, sedikit nakal tapi comel. Hari itu, Kei mendapat semangat baru hari ini. Gembira mendapat seorang kawan. Kerja yang berlambak-lambak di office, cepat saja diuruskan. Mood senang, hati pun girang. Sampai lunch pun terlupa sama sekali. Malam itu, mulalah perut Kei bermain Orchestra. Di luar office, kelihatan hujan sedang rancak turun.

"Krukk krukk" bunyi sang perut.

"Urgh, menyesal pula tak makan tadi, sekarang sape yang susah? Aku sendiri jugak!" bentaknya perlahan. Kerana tak tahan lapar, Kei terpaksa akur dengan kehendak perutnya.

"Malam ni makan Donburi la pulak, hari-hari asyik maggi je tengah-tengah malam, lagipun boleh tunggu hujan berhenti"

Sebagai penggemar makanan laut, Donburi memang 'soft spot' untuk Kei. Udang segar, serta hirisan halus tuna yang dihidang atas nasi, memang mampu buat penggemar seafood kecur mulut. Tambah-tambah lagi ada green tea panas masa-masa hujan macam malam ni. Sedang enak menjamu selera, pelayan restoran tiba-tiba bertanya.

"Maaf encik, restoran kami dah penuh. Tapi ada seorang lagi customer kat luar yang nak makan kat sini. So boleh saya bagi dia duduk sebelah encik?"

"Tiada masalah" jawabnya ringkas

"Maaf mengganggu....."

Kei semacam pernah dengar suara yang menyapanya dari belakang. Kelihatan Yuki dengan rambut basah, mukanya suam-suam merah.

"Ah!"

"Ah! Yuki! Wah, kebetulan lagi ye kita terjumpa. Mari-mari duduk sini"

sambil menarik kerusi dengan gaya agak gentleman.

"Terima kasih...." jawabnya ringkas, sedikit malu.

Malam itu ialah pertemuan mereka yang kedua. Tapi, kurang dirasakan jurangnya. Setiap luahan perkataan semakin mesra.

"Awak tahu tak ada kisah menarik pasal Donburi ni? Kenapa hampir semua benda dalam Donburi ni, semuanya dua? Awak tengok, egg roll, kek manis, tiram, udang, malah hirisan timun, hampir semunya sepasang "

"Tak tahu. Kenapa? Kenapa?" balas Kei, kelihatan berminat.

"Masa saya kecil, mak saya cakap, Donburi ni bukan sekadar makanan, tapi sebagai simbol pengorbanan. Dulu, hidupan laut dan hidupan darat hidup bersama-sama. Padi yang ditanam manusia sentiasa menjadi dan mereka hidup bahagia bersama-sama, walaupun dari dua dunia yang berbeza" Jelasnya bersungguh-sungguh.

"Tapi, pada satu hari, semua hasil pertanian rosak kerana penyakit. Kerana tiada sumber makanan, semua hidupan kelaparan dan menimbulkan pergaduhan. Kaum hidupan laut bersedih kerana kejadian itu, dan membuat keputusan untuk kembali ke laut kerana laut sentiasa dipenuhi makanan. Sebelum berpindah ke laut, mereka sempat berpesan kepada kaum manusia. Jika mereka makanan di darat tiada, datanglah ke laut, kerana hidupan laut bersumpah akan sentiasa berkorban untuk kaum manusia. Tapi dengan tiga syarat. Satu, ambil hanya hidupan yang besar sahaja dan lepaskan yang anak-anak yang kecil. Kedua, kalau boleh, pasang-pasangkan hidupan laut sebelum dimakan sebagai tanda mereka berkorban yang laki-laki dan betina. Ketiga, manusia mestilah sentiasa bersyukur dengan rezeki mereka."

Kei mengangguk perlahan.

"Sebab itulah, orang Jepun akan cuba menghias Donburi ini berpasang-pasangan. Sebagai tanda terima kasih kepada hidupan laut yang sanggup berkorban untuk menjadi makanan mereka. Sepertimana manusia, hidupan laut juga ada perasaan untuk berpasang-pasangan." Suaranya makin perlahan.

BERSAMBUNG......

Aku rasa crite ni agak awesome! An Atheist Prof with the students.

2010-12-11T02:26:00.001-06:00

An atheist Professor of Philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty.

He asks one of his new students to stand and asks the following:

Prof: So you believe in God?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof: Is God good?

Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?

Student: Yes..

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella.

Is God good?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?

Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From....God. ..

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, Correct?

Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?

(Student does not answer.)

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?

Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you.

Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your 'GOD' doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes, Faith. And that is the problem science has.

~@~

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theater becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat..

But we don't have anything called cold.

We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that.

There is no such thing as cold.

Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold.

Heat is energy.

Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it .
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor?

Is there such a thing as darkness?

Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student : You're wrong again, sir.

Darkness is the absence of something.

You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....

But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it?

In reality, darkness isn't.

If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is that your philosophical premise is flawed.

Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality.

You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God.

You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure.

Sir, science can't even explain a thought..

It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.

To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.

Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it.

Now tell me, Professor.

Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir?

Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?

No one appears to have done so.

So, according to the established rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir.

With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable. )

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it sir... The link between man & god is FAITH.
That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I believe you have enjoyed the conversation. ..and if so...you'll probably want your friends/colleagues to enjoy the same...won't you?

This is a true story, and the student was none other than.... Avul Pakir Jainulabideen Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India.

Guby si arnab yg lupa diri

2010-12-11T01:58:00.018-06:00

Sbb dah ckp pasal moto, teringat pulak pasal incik Guby....

Dulu2 before fly ke US, family gua ada bela arnab. Arnab ni kitaorang kasi nama Guby. Masa tu gua rajin la turun rumah kawan gua sorang ni, nama dia Shah. Incik Shah ni ada byk rabbit2 kat rumah dia, ntah mcm mana satu hari tu, dia random2 tanya gua

"Weyh, ko nak tak arnab sekor?"
"Errr, boleh la kot"

So, sejak haritu, family kitaorang pon bertambah dari 7 orang ke 8. Guby ni, kitaorang dapat sejak kecik lagi, plus dapat pon sekor aje, takde peneman. Masa beliau kecik2 dulu, comel jugak la kot, rasa nk ~~pijak2~~ jentik2 pon ade gak la kadang2. Part paling best kalau main bulu2 dia, dah la gebu, berbulu plak tu. Mmg seronok ar petting2 petang2 buat hilang tensen keje skolah berlambak2 kan.

Guby ni, sbb kitaorang dapat masa kecik kan. Takde adik beradik rabbit lak tu. Kitaorang plak sumbat dia kat dalam kandang kecik sbb masa tu takde lagi tanda2 incik ayah nk buat kandang yg besar sikit kan. Maklumlah, baru dapat arnab baru, projek tu kena tambah kat living cost lagi kan. So, si Guby ni ended up kat kandang yg size dia about Coleman MSAV yang encik Jobol slalu guna buat cocktail susu masa Raya.

Ni ha.. sape yang rasa2 tak tau Coleman tu ape. So, kandang si Guby ni besar2 ni la kot agak2.

Sbb takde teman, Guby yg kecik ni tak tahu la dia asal mana aku rasa. For some reason, Guby ni tak memilih bab2 makanan. Korang pernah tgk tak rabbit makan burger McD, skali ngan daging2 tu dia tibai. Bukan tu je, kadang2 sbb makanan terlebih/ basi kitaorang adik beradik akan pakat2 la bg makanan yg nk buang tu kat Guby kan. Dgn relax and muka slumberland je, Guby akan habiskan makanan2 tadi. Kalau letak makanan masa lunch, by malam tu confirm habeh. Makan nk banyak, exercise malas, nasib baik la ko comel, kalau tak lama dah gua buat satay. kui3

For some reason, gua rasa Guby ni tak tau beliau seekor rabbit kot. Satu sebab maybe dia tak pernah nampak arnab2 lain kot. Penat je aku tunjuk surat beranak dia, tapi dia buat dekkk je. Maybe sbb dia tak paham English kot. Kalau la aku boleh speaking Bahasa Rabbit, masalah ni maybe tak timbul. Tapi, kalau kita tgk style Guby ni makan, menu dia dah mcm binatang omnivor, maybe incik Guby ni perasan dia seekor kucing ke, ~~hanjeng~~ anjing ke ape kann...

Then aku dapat offer pg US, masa tu seronok gak.. tapi agak terasa gak la sbb kena tinggal family ngan Guby kan.

Incik arnab yg lupa diri!
Tapi skrang Guby dah tinggal kenangan dah, skrang ni dah ganti ngan rabbit lain. 2 ekor plak tu, nama yang kelabu tu, kitaorang panggil Guby gak, yang oren tu kitaorang panggil Cucino (short form utk Cappucino) walaupun takde rupa Cappucino langsung. Owh well.....

Sbb rumah aku area berpasir kan, ada satu side je yg berumput sikit. So, arnab2 ni slalu la landing, sun bathing ngan Rayban kat area rumput tu. Ok, tu tipu. Tapi mmg slalu la diaorang lepak2 kat situ kan. Pasir2 ni tak main la diorang cakap, geli duh, nnt kotor lak kuku kene manicure lak. Jelas arnab2 ni dah messed up dah. Hampeh!

How we define treasure :p

2010-12-11T00:02:00.008-06:00

Situation gua skrang yg tgh rajin bekerja menimbulkan tanda tanya kat kepala hotak gua sendiri. So, utk membuang masa ngan efficient, gua nk share pasal benda yg kita treasure plak. Dah nama blog gua, ske ati la kan... Hak3 (gelak tak ikhlas kat diri sendiri)

Before that, ada orang tanya, ape maksud *gaya nabil yg aku post kat entry sebelum ni. Jawapan dia senang je, korang bley blaja kat sini.

So, kalau gua tulis *gaya nabil tu, korang imagine la Sentap ni eh..

Ok, back to topic, gua masa first2 sampai sini dulu, gua dtg sehelai sepinggang bersarung jaket. Bezanya, gua dtg sehelai sepinggang sbb baju gua letak baju2 lain dlm bag. Gelak *gaya nabil sorang2. So, nk dijadikan crite, masa freshman tu, gua takde la kaya sgt, tapi tau2 ada la senior ni ada moto. Yg best, moto ni bukan motobot, tapi moto CBR 1000RR. Masa tu gua hangguk kepala purak2 paham je bila senior tu cakap pasal CBR 1000RR beliau sbb gua sendiri tak sure CBR 1000RR tu benda ape sbb tak tahu sgt pon pasal moto. Gua tahu pasal moto besar sket2 je sbb masa tu ilmu pasal moto tu agak jahil lagi. Nak mendalami ilmu pasal moto ni, kene la guna Astro, tapi ade kat rumah pon mak buat tgk AF je or adik2 buat layan Cartoon Network jek. So, aku buat la research sebulan pasal2 moto ni kan.

Dalam byk2 moto tu aku plg berkenan kat Ducati 848.

Ducati ni dlm dunia, ibarat Ferrari in the world of Motocycles la. Color dia pon putih, so cam smart gile arh. Kat Naza Malaysia diorang jual menda alah ni dkt 250k sebijik. Kalau mampu beli, agak2 korang nk ke spend 250K kat benda yg ada 2 tayar and utk 1 rider je? Mesti korang pikir, baik beli rumah ke, simpan utk kawen ke, ape ke kan... Well, biasa la, tax mesia kan mmg tinggi tahap gaban.

Masa tu mmg jeles habeh la kat senior ni. Diorang dua2 ni ada motor yang sama, Honda CBR 1000RR. Mmg hot stuff kat Vandy la masa tu. Ye la kan, masa tu sape je mampu beli moto. Moto saje dekat $8K, helmet 200-300 lagi, insurance, tax, minyak, tu belom masuk account lagi. Kurang2 additional 2k-3k. Total seme tak ke dalam 11K camtu? Student lagi kan, setakat spark plug ngan tiub tayar je kot yg mampu, hak3

JELES JELES JELES WOOO

Awal 2010, Alhamdullilah, berkat saving2 ngan bisnes sket2, akhirnya dpt jugak beli moto. Credit to maskulin ngan hadi sbb teman gua pg ushar moto. Takde la mahal pon, benda 2nd hand je, tapi sbb dapat deal yg berbaloi, so sbb tu tibai je beli. Lgpon gua bukannya mat rempit tapi sekadar mat sempit. Tak berani bawak laju2 sgt pon. Stakat ni 80 mph je kot, tu pon sbb first time bawak highway, tak pandai lagi control throttle. Bukan apa, cuak kot first time naik moto besar ni. Plg besar gua pernah bawak before ni pon Virago je, ni nak jump ke 1000cc terus. Kategori Super Sports Bike plak tu. Silap tarik kang, kecut je jantung ni kalau dia tetiba wheelie satu tayar. Travis, mamat yang jual moto ni kat gua pon terkejut gua nk angkat 1000cc sbb gua ckp kat dia plg besar gua bawak b4 ni 250cc aje. Virago tu cruiser so tak kira dlm spesis super sport. Dia pesan2 jugak la, bahaya sebenarnya buat camni. Sbb R1 Gear 1 dah capable 100 mph full throttle at 15500 rpm. Gear 2,3,4,5 tu korang agak2 sendiri la. Stakat Porsche ngan Ferrari tu dia pandang sebelah mata jek. Last2 dia buat muka cool sambil cakap "Respect the bike, and the bike will respect you". Fuh, dalam tu, gua punya processor tak sempat nk tangkap ape maksud dia....

Finally! Ni la Yamaha R1 gua!

Walaupun barang sekadar 2nd hand, gua sayang babeng dgn benda ni. Sbb, merasa peritnya cari duit utk dapatkan something. Pernah gua bantai keje 20 jam straight masa summer woo.. Kuar2 je tempat keje tu rasa cam boleh jatuh pitam anytime je. Kui3. Slalu orang kasik nama kat benda yg kita treasure kan. Haaa, nama R1 gua ni Guby. Walaupun muka dia garang, gua kasik nama comel sbb color dia cam Gummy Bear yg merah2 tu, so Guby ni short form utk Gummy bear la. Lgpon Guby tu nama pet arnab gua before sampai sini. Tapi sayang beliau dah mati. Reason? tak tau. Tak sempat nak buat post mortem dah tanam.

Tapi pikir2 balik, nama Guby ni kurang best. Dah la nama arnab, pastu letak kat motor, ape crite camtu kan? So, gua nk kasik nama baru, Maximus! (Kuda dalam crite Tangled).

Silap jugak sebenarnya sbb beli Maximus ni masa Junior, sbb takde peneman yg satu batch. Masa tu slalu kuar ngan Hadi ngan Lah je. Diorang dua2 ni lak ada Suzuki GSXR. Ni ada gambar yg diorang ambek masa pg picnic ngan batch diorang.

GSXR ni mmg lawa, design dia mantop, tapi taste gua more to benda yg ada 2 mata. Style2 satu mata ni gua kurang sket. Tapi macho je rasanya. Aku ingat dulu tgk satu gambar Lah ni sarung helmet ngna baju Yoshimura dia, wargh.. Mmg terbaik bai. Kalau awek tgk aku rasa cair lak jugak setitik dua kan.

Ni plak gambar kitaorang pg riding kat taman, Centennial Park. Hadi ni tak suka sejuk sikit, so susah jugak la nak ajak dia kuar kalau luar tu 8-11 Celcius. Kalau korang perasan, moto kitaorang sama2 merah, tak tahu nape ramai suke sgt merah.... So, lepas Hadi ngan Lah grad, aku takde da geng nk ride moto. Nak ajak Abg Zali, takkan nk konvoi ngan Harley kot, bapak tak cool kan..... :p

Masa nk beli moto ni, mcm biasa la, kena la tanya pendapat parents kan, mintak izin dulu ape2. Tgh2 Skype ngan family, uncle gua yg agak rempit ni sempat la mencelah kan. Gua rasa, masa tu la topic moto jadi topic plg epic kat family gua. Uncle gua ni mulut tak makan saman sket, tapi ada la camni lebeh kurang

Uncle: Nak beli moto ke Along?

S: Aah, nak beli moto R1 la cadang2, harga dah ok, condition tip top, dpt free gift lagi, masa ni la nak bawak balik something kan, sbb tax mesia mahal kalau beli dari mesia. At least jimat gak 40-50k ringgit. Byk tu.

Uncle: Owh, moto besar ke? Dulu uncle slalu gak bawak moto besar, tapi tangki je la besar, moto tu kecik je (lawak lame disertai gelak tak berapa ikhlas, kui3)

S: Owh, so agak2 ni ok la kan?

Uncle: Laju tak moto tu? Brape top speed dia?

S: Erm, dalam 320Km/h je. Tak berani nk bawak laju2 takut nnt terbang plak rider dia

Uncle: **Berfikir sejenak.** . Kalau 320 Km/h tu bukan rider je terbang, benda celah kangkang pon agak2 boleh terbang kot.

S: ................ (speechless)

Itu la lawak kitaorang kat rumah, walaupun mulut dia mengalahkan pistol laser Star Trek, tapi hati dia baik. Anak dia pon Hafiz, hidup diorang selalu senang. Ade je rezeki mencurah2. Mcm takde masalah negara langsung. Bahagian nk mintak tolong, mmg tak perlu mintak, dia sendiri akan offer. Alhamdullilah ada Uncle yg awesome camni.

Apa kata mak and ayah gua? Masa nk beli moto tu, penat gua pikir camne nk break it down kan. Sampai masa Skype tu

S: Mama, I nk beli moto ni..... (pause sekejap tanda bagi hint)

Mama: Okeh. Nnt mama ckp kat papa.

S: .......... (Speechless yet again)

The next day, daddy called, and kitaorang borak2 pasal family sket, then pasal moto. Ada la dia tanya moto ape, model ape, tahun brape, harga brape, etc etc etc. Last2 dia ckp, "Ok, just bawa moto tu elok mama pesan". Gua dah over the moon. Kalau gua ni anime, imagine blakang gua skrang tetibe kuar sayap sambil terbang2 ngan gumbira dgn background serba putih.

Itu la parents gua, tahu gak isi hati gua sedalam-dalamnya. Plak tu sempat pesan nnt riding tu elok2, ye la kan, parents mana tak sayang anak dia kan. TQ, Mama & Papa!

Finally, kawan gua yang asal Gua Musey ni sorang, akhirnya akur ngan pujuk rayu gua utk angkat moto gak. Hak3, YEAH! Nama dia salman, tapi orang selalu panggil maskuling je. Nama samaran dia yg lain is Abg Musey. Dia ni very chill guy, senang nk buat kawan. Senang nk carik topik borak2. Moto dia gua panggil Musey gak sbb kelabu macam musang.

So, skrang kitaorang dah jadi team Yamaha!

~~Guby~~ Maximus ngan Musey side by side!

So, ape treasure gua? Gua akan tunjuk moto, tapi treasure yg sebetolnya bukan moto tu yg gua maksudkan, tapi penat lelah kerja, usaha and topic nk bonding2 ngan family tu yg gua treasure! Ahaks!

Something that we don't usually think of, but worth every second it may be

2010-12-10T16:37:00.009-06:00

Ok, balik kat topic Mctyiere. Budak2 Mctyiere ni yg buat dia unik dari yg lain is that kitaorang tak malu nk buat apa2. Benda yg make sense la tapi. Jgn la suruh kitaorang pg sembelih zirafah ke ape kan. Nak carik urat merih dia pon terkapai2 kot. Illustration seterusnya ni drawing yg kitaorang buat years ago, untuk prove kan nape hall ni exist in the first place.

The dancing samurai

Utk orang yang tak berapa ~~sakai~~ expert dalam bab interpret gambar, meh aku tolong explain. Gambar ni pasal 2 samurai yg hidup dia slalu chill buat ape2. Rock and roll tu kan budaya America and sunglasses kaler2 tu kan common jumpa kat Europe. So, gambar ni nak cakap, even though kita ni rumpun berbeza, kita tak malu utk embrace new stuffs and make it better than it is. Yang membezakan benda tu is minat and whether kita berani tak buat benda yg orang serumpun ngan kita tak buat. Jgn segan2 or malu2 ar senang crite kalau nk buat ape2 yg ko minat. Jgn minat ko merampok bank sudah la.

Senang crite, kalau ko suka belajar Japanese, sedangkan orang lain sibok belajar arab sbb subject tu senang, ape exactly yg ko akan buat? Belajar semata2 utk grade saje2 or utk kebaikan or interest diri sendiri? Remember, you know YOURSELF BETTER. Nobody else does. Personally, aku rasa baik grade rendah dari ~~easy~~ A. Pernah dulu aku tanya budak2 Vandy, nape tak ambil bahasa lain selain Arab? Dgn slumber, diorang ckp, owh, sbb EASY A kot. Well, bukan semua la, tapi ada portion2 yg bg jawapan camtu. And tak kurang yg tanya soalan defensive, nape ko tak ambek Arab? Tak nak belajar bahasa Quran ke? (jawapan plg defensive and offensive at the same time). Nak tergelak pon ade bila teringat benda ni.

Incik, fikir dulu before tanya. Korang ingat Arab je ke bahasa dlm dunia ni? Kalau ye, nape mat salleh, org cina, jepun, korean tak ckp arab and still bawak negara diorang jauh lagi maju dari middle eastern world? Habes tu nak jadi tanggungjawab sape lak nk dakwah kat diorang? Takkan nak dakwah bahasa Arab kat Japan kot? Nasib orang Islam kat sana mcm mana? Tak make sense la camtu. Remember, tuhan buat kita lain2 minat sbb ada la reason dia. Camne nk kasik org jepun tahu Islam tu camne kalau ko pot pet pot pet bahasa arab. Ye dak? Just pikir tanggungjawab masing2 and diam2 suda. Ahaks!

Quote yg aku slalu remind diri sendiri is, LIVE TO YOU OWN EXPECTATIONS, NOT OTHERS. It's your life, deal with it in your own way! Sekadar pesanan utk diri sendiri yek!

Mctyiere part 2, and some insight of J-Hall

2010-12-10T11:10:00.025-06:00

11.10a.m, 12/10/2010, seperti tabiat biasa budak2 Uni yang takde kelas, gua bangun lambat arini. Agak jimbit di situ. Breakfast kat Mctyiere ni dia serve dari pukul 7a.m sampai 10 a.m, tapi sbb semalam tido lambat asyik facebook ngan blogging, gua hit the bunk pukul 4 pagi. So, naturally, gua bangun kol 10.31am la sbb badan memerlukan 6 jam 31 minit utk refresh (data dari Sleeping Studies, author: kepala hangguk Syaf). Ok, so, arini gua nak sambung sket entry semalam, pasal Mctyiere, kalau rasa bosan, bukak2 la facebook, stalk orang lain ke ape ke kan....

So, Mctyierites slalunya ada impression sendiri kat dorm ni. So, diorang ada macam2 cara nak illustrate dorm ni. Kitaorang "Japanese Hall" or "J-Hall" kalau nak lagi manja, ada cara sendiri nk illustrate menda alah ni. Tak berapa penting pon sebenarnya, saje nak carik alasan nk procrastinate belaja sbb final ada satu jek, kih3. So, ni illustration kitaorang yang sekarang ni terpampang megah kat dinding sebelah bilik aku:

Haaa.... Brown building kat belakang tu la Mctyiere, nape kitaorang add clock tower tinggi tu, jgn tanya, kitaorang tak tau. Saje menggedik mungkin? Kat depan tu ada arnab ramai2, sbb kitaorang J-Hall members ni merasakan diri kitaorang sgt cute dan adorable, so kitaorang illustrate diri sendiri ngan arnab. Baju biru tu ngan merah (kat arnab tido sebelah kiri) tu dipanggil Happi Coat. Baju ni famous sbb dia melambangkan Hall ni selain Kimono ngan Yukata.

Benda alah ni la yg dipanggil Happi Coat. Dia tutup aurat bahagian atas aje plus area Angry Bird sikit2, bawah korang kena la carik seuar panjang ke, suar pendek ke, skirt??? Tak kena okeh, so jgn buat malu kaum pakai menda alah ni ngan skirt ala2 sailormoon walaupun skirt camtu famous kat Jepun.

Orang jepun cukup bangga dgn coat ni sbb diorang rasa benda ni melambangkan rumpun diorang. Sbb tu dlm anime ke, dlm manga ke, x jadi issue la kalau korang jumpa coat ni. Kadang2 gak, org jepun ni terlalu creative atau terlalu bangga ngan coat ni sampai kat KFC pon diorang nk guna.

Colonel Kentaki in Happi Coat.

Anjing pun diorang kasik pakai. Nasib baik anjing ni jenis tak kesah, setakat casting nk berlakon Naruto tu anytime je kot

Lagi design pelik2 utk ~~hanjeng~~ anjing.

Ambek ko, abes benda diorang nk letak coat ni. Ahaks! Coat ni agak mahal la, last aku check kat Ebay dlm 40-50USD kot kalau dari Jepun. Yang utk anjing punya boleh cecah 300-400 USD. The HECKKKKK. Logik ke? Kalau takde duit byk takkan la boleh dia spend kat anjing punya baju kan? So logik la kot! Kalau dari China tu 4 USD sekilo je kot. So, kurang la best kat situ kan..... Gua mmg dah lama berkenan coat ni. Skrang ni kat bilik gua dah ada 2 kimono ngan 1 noren/のれん (cloth kat entrance tu). So, nak lengkapkan collection la. Ala, bukan benda mahal sampai ribu2 pun kan....

Ni la keadaan bilik gua. Ada 1 kimono kahwin (black) ngan satu lagi casual (patches2 ala2 polka dot tu). Benda alah kat luar tu plak nama dia Noren, sesuai utk buat lawa semasa menyambut tetamu or utk buat neighbour sebelah jeles bertalu2. Kih3. Aku dapat Noren ni masa pg Little Tokyo kat Los Angeles masa sophomore dulu. Masa Freshman aku pg gak, tapi tak terdetik plak kat hati nk angkat satu, balik2 sampai Vandy frust menonggeng sbb tak beli. Tapi masa tu tgh jahil2 lagi, tak kenal lg Mctyiere tu ape. So, beli la masa Sophomore kan... Janji tak terkilan.. Owh well... Nostalgic gak Sophomore year aku rupenyer

Ni la sikit2 rupa Mctyiere yg aku bley tunjuk setakat ni, tapi skrang kena pg mandi dulu nnt nk pg Smayang Jumaat. Lunch, pastu aku sambung balik okeh!

Jalan-jalan di Mctyiere International Hall

2010-12-10T01:14:00.052-06:00

Sebab malam ni gua dah abes kena gulai kawah ngan exam Vibration, homework pon dah takde (buat2 takde actually), and bak kata sophomores yang seronok pangkah gua takde life, gua decide nak tulis entry pasal Mctyiere plak.

Utk orang2 Malaysia, Mctyiere tu bukanlah satu spesis biawak yg rare or sejenis kuda yg bisa main snuker, tapi dia ni sebuah dorm. Dorm Mctyiere ni was built especially utk orang yang nak belajar bahasa2 asing, ie: 2nd language ke, 3rd language ke, lantak korang lah. As for me, since sophomore, aku start kenal Mctyiere sbb minat ngan Jepun, and berminat nk belajar Japanese. Nak belajar masa skolah menengah tak logik la, sbb aku skolah harian, pengetua punya English pon terketar2, Japanese mmg tak nampak wajah la. Since then, somehow, gua rasa Mctyiere ni dorm paling awesome utk stay, sbb boleh kuar dari comfortable zone, bley blaja berdikari, bley belajar bahasa baru, blaja culture2 satu dunia yang berbeza beza and paling awesome, bley dapat kawan baru. Orang kata, kawan biar seribu, musuh biar takde. Especially plak, kalau kawan2 kita tu budak bukan dari rumpun yang sama, dari thousand miles away. Bond tu yang kita nak carik, sbb nanti bila2 travel mana2, ada je geng yg kenal, tak ke mesra alam camtu? Ye tak? (gaya nabil*, tangan kat bahu, mata pandang atas, geleng sket kepala)

So, dlm Mctyiere ni ada 7 hall alltogether.

Japanese
French
Russian
German
Italian
Chinese
International

Each Hall ada allocation of space sendiri. Ie: ada meja makan sendiri, ada location sendiri, and ada aktiviti2 sendiri. Senpai aku dulu ckp, kalau nak masuk Mctyiere kena ada Commitment... Alhamdullilah, skrang dah paham ape maksud dia. Every Monday-Thursday ada dinner from 6pm-7pm. Responsibility of a Mctyierite is to speak in the specified language for the whole hour masa dinner. In my case, gua kena cakap Japanese la. English is not allowed unless user nak tanya maksud yg dia tak tau sebut dlm Japanese. Well, that's besides the point kan... Sape2 yang ingkar rule ni, ie: tak cakap the language, cukup bulan akan ditendang keluar utk bagi spot kat orang yg betol2 nk belajar bahasa sbb space kat tempat ni agak limited. 78 orang je total if I'm not mistaken. Kat Japanese Hall ni ade satu reminder yang dibuat khusus utk orang2 degil ni.

Yang ni nama dia Batsu (punishment)

Yang ni pulak nama dia Maru (Correct)

Kalau orang tu cakap guna ayat bombastic lagi power, then kita just ambil benda alah ni kat tgh2 meja tu, and tunjuk Maru kat dia, sambil sebut "Tensai" (genius), "Beri gud" (japanese for very good), or "sugoi" (hebat/marvellous).

Kalau guna english/mexican atau lain2 bahasa yg terlarang. Korang just perlu terbalikkan maru tu kasik nampak Batsu, then ketuk kepala dia slowly or tayang depan muka dia camni

Tayang depan muke die, kasik padan muke sket!

Nak dipendekkan crite, dah almost 3 years gua kat sini. Dah macam2 benda dah lalui. Tapi biasa la kan, ni la asam garam kehidupan. Kalau byk sangat garam nnt kentut masin, kalau sikit sgt nnt cepat cramp kaki, so kena balance2 jek. Ok, lame... Balik pada crite, Japanese Hall ni, to me, ada sentimental value dia sendiri, bukan nk cakap aku sentimental, layan lagu jiwang2 tu mmg jauh skali, tapi to me, Hall ni agak seronok. Ahli2 dia pon byk yg gila2, awesome and tak malu nk buat apa2. Byk benda jugak la yg kitaorang as a hall buat, sampai tak bley recall kadang2. Antara benda paling awesome yg kitaorang buat are prank bilik hall lain dgn salotape door knob diorang ngan bilik opposite, tgk movie sama2 sampai 3-4 pagi, minum jem strawberry pastu tadah mulut kat luar masa snowing (mcm makan air batu campur la), masak sama2, lepak sama2, kuar mana2 bersama (tolong jgn samakan ngan outing MRSM, standed tu lain2). Pendek kata, benda2 pelik tapi awesome la.

Byk added value yang gua belajar kat sini. Antaranya, how to respect people, how to balance discipline, responsibility and emotion, how to be part of an organization and bla bla bla... Satu benda yang bley jumpa kat Mctyiere yg maybe takde kat Hall lain, is togetherness. Maybe dah macam jadi tradition kat sini, buat apa2 kat sini dah macam a big FAMILY :p . Orang2 Mctyiere pandai nak buat each other rasa belong kat sini. Antaranya, time birthday korang, korang akan diminta berdiri atas kerusi depan SEMUA ORANG kat Mctyiere masa dinner tadi. Then, diorang akan nyanyikan lagu Happy Birthday tu ramai2 sambil tepuk tangan. Takde la dapat hadiah, tapi the thought counts way better than gift no? Simple things macam ni yang make you feel appreciated and most importantly belong to something. Setakat duit tu aku pandang sebelah mata je kalau dpt layanan mcm ni hari2 kot. Tapi kalau nk bg 1 million USD tu, kita nego blakang2 okeh?

Ada banyak aktiviti kat Mctyiere ni actually, one of them is Study break. Study break atau nama popularnya Belajar Rehat ni ada sejam seminggu yang wajib. Yang sunat lak, kadang2 ada kadang2 takde, depending on commitee/Mctyiere budget punya decision. Yg wajib sejam seminggu tu ikut specific hall, in other words, Hall tu sendiri bertanggungjawab buat study break tu and semua orang is given the responsibility to do so. For instance, study break first gua yg buat, then next week, neighbour gua punya turn, then so on and so on. Macam2 la yang kitaorang buat utk study break ni. Masa gua punya turn aritu, gua host Batsu game (ばつガム) atau dlm BI, punishment game. Game yg gua buat dulu tu camni, ada 10 jus kat atas meja and 2 team, setiap team akan hantar wakil bergilir2, utk testing, while the other team akan pilih 1 jus. Blindfolded, the tester tu kena minum jus tadi and ingat rasa dia. Bila bukak blindfold tu, nnt dia kena carik balik jus yg dia minum tadi via minum jus2 atas meja one by one. Kalau orang tu dapat teka betul, or "ter"nasib baik terambil jus yg diminum tu awal2 skali, that person akan dapat puding as the present. TAPIIII, kalau kalah, orang tu kena makan seaweed kat bawah ni....

Mesti dalam kepala otak korang pikir, eleh, setakat seaweed ni, takde challenge pon kan? WRONGGG, sbb orang tu kena makan seaweed ni dengan

Mayo + Mustard + Tabasco + Seaweed = ??

Bayangkan mayonnaise, mustard sauce, and tabasco sauce diletak skali kat seaweed tu. Agak2 korang, ape rasa dia? Toksah cakap byk, gua dah rasa, gua tibai 3 kali sbb salah teka 3 kali. Mmg malam tu berguling2 la, hak3. Ape2 pon, game ni aku rasa agak seronok and thrilling. So, kitaorang layan jek. Stock perut kereta kebal sorang2. Haih.....

Ni aku bawak jalan2 sket kat hall2 Mcytiere ni.

Chinese Hall overlooking the end of the hall

Chinese Hall random whiteboard scribble

Japanese Hall dinner table. Tempat kitaorang makan sambil practice Japanese!

French Hall who loves to "Frenchise" everything, kesian encik panda tersebut (~~")

Japanese Hall + Italian Hall

Encik monyet yang kena dera ngan French Hall

Tak lupa juga Cik Popo the French Leopard

Apparently, skill decorative org Russian Hall is just tambah mata 2 bijik kat peta, HEH!

Worm Factory! Apparently ada mat salleh sorang ni yg too enviromental friendly sampai nak bawak balik pet cacing dia masuk dorm (0_0").

Nama pet ni is "Bait" by the way. Aku yg kasik nama, ngeh3

Ok, now aku nk bawak korang tgk bilik2 diorang plak. Mcm yg kita biasa dgr, lain orang lain ragam, lain perangai. Orang putih lak cakap "People come from all walk of life". Jom kite ushar

Mamat ni nama dia Alex, boleh cakap English, German ngan Japanese. Jiran gua la senang crite, major Chem and jenis tak byk bergaul ngan orang, tapi time dinner datang sure on time. Very disciplined fellow :p

Minah ni plak nama dia Kai-Chan. Jenis senyap2 sket, tak cakap byk, tapi very nice person. Kalau nak makan omelette best pg la Rand Brunch Sunday sbb dia keje kat situ.

Kadang2 kita bley gak jumpa orang yg tak percaya kat tuhan, mcm minah ni. Nama glamor dia is "Atheist". Kadang2 rasa nk je sekeh sket kepala dia ni, tapi Nabi pesan dakwah biar bijaksana. Ahaks, byk bersabar yek!

Mamat ni plak, nama dia Sohei Tateno. Very awesome guy. Major in Mathematics. Setakat rubric (toy orang nerd tu) dia bley setel dlm seminit je. Blindfolded lak tu. Exam 100 memanjang, mmg power!

So, wrapping up, staying kat Mctyiere ni, mmg byk benda gua belajar, pasal kawan, budaya, ilmu, bahasa and macam2 lagi la, just name it. Bukan tu je, gua pon dah pandai bawak diri ngan orang lebih tua yg dtg dari bangsa2 yg berbeza. Experience is the one that differentiate a better adult than the rest. Personally, aku rasa benda ni susah nk dapat kalau kita asyik stay dalam bubble aje. So, fikir2kanlah yek

Owh, ni gua include kan gambar2 yg nnt gua agak2 bila dah tua nk tgk balik, insyaalah kalau umur panjang. Gambar2 yang byk bawak meaning kat diri ni. Orang kata masa tu la nak cerita kat anak cucu kan....Ye tak? Heee :p

Tekan lagu ni sambil2 tgk gambar2 kat bawah, baru best~~

Thanks guys for the AWESOME MEMORY! ;p

New blog, new resolution

2010-12-09T22:33:00.003-06:00

Finally, dah update BLOG!!! selama ni blog cam sampah je, so wajarlah kot diberi nafas baru, harap2 pasni rajin update okeh? Encik ayah ngan cik mak kat rumah pon boleh la tumpang2 baca kalau bosan2 kan. Peace!

PS: Credit to cik Dillott sbb consult blog design :p

Kisah lama

2010-12-09T21:47:00.015-06:00

Dulu-dulu masa aku kecik2, dlm 12 tahun kot, (kecik la sangat), ada la kawan ni crite sorang. Crite yg aku rasa agak epic la sbb situation tu agak takleh blah and tak boleh nk agak. Mr. A (bukan nama sebenar) tgh kuar jalan2 kat luar. Kalau tak silap aku, masa tu tahun baru, so ramai la kuar shopping, tak gitu? Unless, mcm perkara biasa budak2 remaja sekarang, tgh pokai sbb asyik belanja awek makan kat Pizza Hut.

So, nak dijadikan crite, Mr. A ni stuck kat traffic light kat simpang 4 ni. *rujuk ilustrasi di bawah. Tgh syok2 layan lagu rock kapak kat radio kat simpang 4 tu, tetibe je cuaca mendung.

Owh, lupe nk cakap, sbb aku asal terengganu, ada satu company bas nama dia "Thong Aik", kalau ikut kat tempat aku, company ni legend la sbb dah established since 1980s lagi. Masa tu aku pon belom lahir lagi, kih3. So, imagine la bas diorang yang dah ada in service since 1980s tu, tingkap tepi tu kalau nasib baik je ade, kalau takde tu perkara biasa dah. Asap plak stock berkepul2 penyumbang kanser paru paru ngan Green House Effect. Part best, driver dia ni apek cina sorang. Pakai cermin mata style kamen rider dulu2, singlet putih agak2 labuh sket dari pinggang, and of course complete ngan suar pendek ala2 nk pg mancing. Kalau suar tu zip tu kira nasib baik la, kalau ari tak baik tu, dia tarik singlet dia labuh2 sket kasik tutup Angry Bird dia. But that's besides the point.

Angry bird, versi sopan

Illustrasi artist terhadap encik apek

So, nak dijadikan crite, kat simpang 4 tu, Mr. A tu nampak bas Thong Aik ni sampai kat arah kanan. Biasa la kan, sbb traffic light merah, kena la tunggu sekijap. Tgh chill2 tu, hujan dah start la turun rintik2. Tiba2, Mr A nampak apek cina driver tadi turun bas tgh2 hujan tu. Takde tanda2 langsung beliau nak kuarkan payung ke, tukar poncho ke. "Aneh..." getus hati kecil Mr. A. Terkedek2, Mr A nampak si apek ni dok selongkar something kat tepi bas tu. Rupe-rupenya, dia kuarkan 2 objek hitam mcm dlm illustrasi seterusnya.

Bayangkan la, tgh2 hujan camtu, apek cina tersebut bawak 2 objek panjang hitam dlm 3-4 kaki panjang. Cuak la kan, ntah2 nak belasah org kes tensen gado ngan bini ke, pet anjing kesayangan dia mati kes cirit birit ke hape kan.

Dgn muka penuh semangat, encik apek berpaling kat depan bas, and tanpa segan silu , start gosok2 cermin bas ngan objek hitam tadi. Rupe rupenyer, wiper bas tu dah rosak.. Apek tadi tak nampak la nk driving sbb hujan, so sementara tunggu traffic light ni merah, dia transform jadi wiper manual.

Ilustrasi seterusnya cukup utk explain all the details. PEACE !

Sorry lukisan tak lawa, highest aku dpt masa subject pendidikan seni time skolah menengah dulu C+ aje, so paham2 sendiri la yek!

PS: TQ pak cik apek sbb tambah crite best dalam hidup gua, jasamu takkan gua lupakan, Ahaks!

Some thoughts, 166 days before graduation

2010-11-28T22:41:00.001-06:00

It's been a while since I last wrote. These few weeks have been a tremendous relief, a relief to my life as senior. Many things have came around these days. From cabin break over Gatlinburg and to how I got "Syaf sophomore" as my new nick name. Haha. Well, placing those things aside, life is good, and I can't simply express how grateful I am. Senior year is not as hectic as before, many interesting things took place, as well those unprecedented stuffs in store. Owh well....

Overall, I would say the gatlinburg trip was decent. I remember the old days when I was a sophomore and junior, getting the chance spend every single fall and spring break together with the seniors and the super seniors. This time around, I'm the only senior and the rest are sophomores. Don't ask why, let's just consider it paying my gratitude to them seniors. Too bad, this was probably my last trip. I'm not sure myself if I could simply make it next time for snowboarding due to some unforeseen planning. I might make it again, but I might not. Hopefully yes though.

6 months left in the both Vandy and the States. I've been spending my days walking around the place, mostly midnight and early in the morning. Too bad, these couple of days are turning freezing cold. Well, a remedy to that is a walk with some hot choco in hand, too bad it'll just cool down just as quickly. Ok, let's switch to malay. Kadang2 terfikir jugak, whether nk sambung belajar, but then, tak rasa nk dah. Tired, tired and tired. I'm not sure if I am ready enough for the working environment. But that's when the excitement comes in mind, to meet new people, to travel around, to make things right, to make life more interesting.... Somehow, rasa macam malas nak balik.. Reason? I don't know... Maybe umur masih muda, I kinda wanted to meet more new people, to see the world myself, and to go around the world. Except of course, the same reason shared with everybody else. Encik Duit takde... Share market not as strong recently, US economy seems to be deteriorating, bad... and as if that's not bad enough, things are harder to calculate. Hopefully ada enough dough to face this final 6 months.

I remembered what Adeeb and Wira used to tell me. Every single story they shared. Sometimes, working world is not a sweet as you thought it may be. Life is not easy, and it'll never be. Only those who are strong willed will be able to survive. It's a man eat man and dog eat dog world out there. I guess that'w why Grad school exists. Exists solely for the purpose of providing those who's tired in the working environment a place to rebound for a couple more years. Honestly, I don't really wanna be an engineer... Why? Say you're an engineer for BMW, what is it likely that you'll be able to afford the car that you've invented, or designed... Sedangkan, some people out there who doesn't even know what sin pi is equal to, or know how to simplify some simple theorem, somehow managed to drive all those beemers that they could ever wanted. Life is hard, but to them, somehow, life is simple.

Life, is somehow easy, sort of like a breeze. It stroked me sometimes, whether am I really doing the right thing? Or because I'm following expectations? If so, whose expectations do they belong to? Am I following my own expectation? Are everybody else's expectations are far more important than my own? How do we even get caught in this dilemma in the first place? That's a question that I kept on reminding myself every single day. Life has no value, if you were to follow the expectations of others. Set your own goal, and trust yourself in making it a reality. (muhasabah diri sekejap)

A story worth reading, just a simple I LOVE YOU

2010-04-19T19:52:00.001-05:00

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman
out to dinner and a movie. She said I love you but I know this other
woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has
been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three
children had made it impossible to visit her, only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of
woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a
sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I
responded. "Just the two of us."

She thought ! about it f or a moment, and then said, "I would like
that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit
nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed
to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on.
She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to
celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was
as radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they
were impressed, "she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to
hear about our meeting".

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and
cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat
down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print.
Half way through the entries , I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting
there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.

"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she
said.

"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I
responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation - nothing
extraordinary, but catching up on recent events of each other's life.
We talked so much that we missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you
again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home.

"Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened
so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant
receipt from the same place mother and I had dined.

An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure
that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plate s - one
for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that
night meant for me. I love you, son."

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in
time: "I LOVE YOU!" and to give our loved ones the time that they
deserve. Nothing in life is more important than God and your family.
Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off
till "some other time

A competitive Malaysia

2010-03-27T14:38:00.001-05:00

Some good advice from Dato' Bakri Musa

Chapter 17: Granting Malaysians Their Merdeka

Dismantling the Feudal Culture

One would expect that since the sultans are secure with their affluence through generous civil allowances and other privileges, they would be spared the obsession of acquiring further wealth. Far from it! They are the first to hog the public trough. The sultans still consider public land their personal fiefdom. These sultans have also become even more enterprising, shamelessly selling royal titles. Datukships can now be had for a mere RM200,000. They are prostituting the institution of royalty. The reason for this greed is that they are still stuck in the mindset of the material phase.

Contrast the behaviors of the Malay royalty class to its European counterpart. Even during medieval times the European royalty and aristocrats had a sense of philanthropy. They were patrons of the arts and regularly took under their wings talented musicians and artists. Mozart, Michelangelo and others had generous royal patrons.

Such philanthropy is notably absent among Malay sultans and nobility. This is surprising as the sultans are titular heads of Islam, and charity is one of the five pillars of the faith, ahead of fasting and the Hajj. One would expect the sultans to lead with their philanthropy. Not so! It is doubtful whether they even pay their mandatory zakat (tithe). There is no evidence of any waning of this greed as these sultans continue to squat on the apex of the special privileges heap. As they are role models, it is no surprise that such crass materialism and lack of altruism and public charity permeate the larger society.

Such philanthropy is also noticeably absent among the Chinese, whether Malaysian, Singapore, or the Red China variety.

Malays pay homage to their sultans like Hindus to their deities, with offerings of tributes, services, and valuables. In days of yore, it was quite common to see the entire family’s wealth from prized buffaloes to premium harvest rice offered to the sultans while the peasant’s family was left destitute. Today’s sultans are continuing this acquisitive avarice by grabbing the state’s modern offerings like public lands, contracts, and concessions. They feel affronted when the chief minister would not accede to their voracious greed.

The royalty is an expensive burden, what with their generous civil allowances extending to their vast extended families and assorted royal hangers on. Then there are their expensive state-supplied toys like palaces and fleets of Rolls Royces. The far greater burden, and more difficult to remove, is the attendant nonproductive mindset and culture. Among others, this breeds the “Sultan Syndrome,” of senior officials expecting to be treated regally, be adulated, and be served with offerings and tributes. Real work is for their subordinates.

Getting rid of the sultans as some republican-minded Malays are advocating would not solve the problem unless we also discard the accompanying feudal mindset of blind obedience and personal loyalty. Otherwise, what we would get instead are non-royal leaders assuming the role of sultans.

Indonesia got rid of its many sultans; that did not help the country’s development. In fact, it made it worse, with Sukarno and his henchmen replacing the royal household. Sukarno declared himself “President for Life,” just like the sultans. When Mahathir tried to clip the powers of the sultans in the 1980s and 90s, he had considerable opposition. The general fear was that Malays would be substituting one sultan for another, and a non-royal one at that.

More important than merely getting rid of the sultans is to change the feudal mindset and culture associated with royalty. Were this to be done suddenly, it would be socially disruptive and destabilizing. When Mahathir attempted to clip the powers of the royalty, he precipitated an unnecessary constitutional crisis that paralyzed the nation and deeply divided Malays.

More effective and enduring would be to initiate incremental changes that would not be disruptive. First would be to impress upon leaders and followers alike that sultans are ordinary mortals and thus subject to all the human foibles and weaknesses. Once this concept is accepted, then the other ideas would follow easily. One would be that these sultans and leaders be answerable to the citizens and to the law. Being answerable means being subjected to scrutiny. Ascension to the throne or other leadership positions entails the assumption of certain responsibilities.

Recently the editor of Malaysia-Today posted an exposé of corruption in the Negri Sembilan royal family.2 The incensed Yang Di Pertuan Besar (Sultan) pressured the police to arrest its editor, Raja Petra Kamarudin, who happens to be a member of the neighboring (Selangor) royal family. The remarkable aspect to the whole episode was the fact that the series was even published in the first place. It marked a significant cultural transformation for Malays, the beginning (I hope) of our emancipation from feudalism. I would give Raja Petra as much credit as Mahathir in disabusing the Malay masses of their near-divine reverence for their sultans.

The Japanese used to think of their emperor as god, but General Mac Arthur successfully disabused them of their collective delusion during the American Occupation following World War II.3 He did it not by humiliating the emperor or stripping him of his dignity. Indeed, Mac Arthur was alone in opposing charging the emperor for war crimes, believing that he could use the emperor as an instrument to effect major cultural change on the Japanese. Mac Arthur was right, and he did it through subtle but symbolically powerful signals. For example, on their first meeting Mac Arthur made the emperor come to him at the American embassy, and not have the General go to the palace. At the embassy the emperor had to hand his top hat to an aide, just like any other visitor. In their subsequent official portrait together, there was Mac Arthur standing in his army khaki fatigues without a tie and with his hands clasped on his hips, towering beside the diminutive Hirohito. The not-so-subtle message conveyed by their body language was unmistakable.

To reinforce the message further, Mac Arthur made the emperor tour the country to disavow that he was the descendent of the Sun Goddess. Mac Arthur also made sure that the Emperor’s motorcade stopped at all red traffic lights. The message to the Japanese people was clear: even the mightiest emperor had to obey the lowly traffic laws of the country. It was through such small gestures and symbolisms that Mac Arthur was able to effect profound cultural changes upon Japanese society, illustrating my earlier point of the bilateral and mutually reinforcing interactions between culture and leader.

What a supreme irony that Mac Arthur, a gaijin (literally, foreign barbarian) who knew next to nothing about Japan was able to transform its society and culture, while Mahathir, locally born and bred, could not change his own people! If the Japanese and Irish (described earlier) could be changed culturally, so could the Malays. Indeed Malays had shown remarkable capacity to undertake momentous cultural changes in the past. Under Datuk Onn, we prevailed over the British on the Malayan Union issue. With the proper leadership, Malays could undergo yet another transformation, and do it not in the divisive and confrontational ways a la Mahathir but through the Mac Arthur manner, incrementally through the effective use of powerful symbols and gestures.

To nudge Malays out of our collective feudal mentality and excessive deference to the sultans, we could begin by treating them as mere mortals. Start with making sure that they obey traffic laws and strip them of their outriders, except on ceremonial occasions. If they run the red light or park in “No Parking” zones, ticket them. If the Prime Minister could be handed speeding tickets, so could the sultans. Do away with the elaborate ceremonies and get rid of the kompang drummers and petal throwers. If it is too hot and sunny, let the sultans and ministers carry their own umbrellas. Or wear hats!

One positive consequence to the political squabble between Abdullah Badawi and his immediate predecessor that reached its height by late 2006 is this. Mahathir had effectively broken down the entrenched cultural taboo against criticizing the leadership. It is ironic that Mahathir would make one of his greatest contributions only after he retired.

To be sure, Mahahitr was only one, though the critical, factor. Abdullah’s own glaring ineptness contributed greatly; he practically invited the derisions and scathing criticisms. Then there was the growth of the Internet and alternative media, fueled by the rapidly declining credibility of the mainstream papers that are the establishment’s remaining supporters.

It is upon such small almost imperceptible measures are great changes effected. We need to initiate more of them if Malaysia were to catapult into the next phase of development.

The diverging roads

2010-03-27T14:16:00.009-05:00

“Kenapa ko gila sangat jepun? Lupa diri!" (“why do you love japan so much?, ungrateful!") I've remembered those words a couple of while back when I was merely a high school students. Those vulgar, stinging like serpents venom-filled words came from a friend of mine, back in the days. Well, I have my own reason to believe in what I choose to believe, and there's no need for me to mention that here, as I could go for hours without stopping. Haha. I don't understand the logic in those words, and I didn’t reply either, because I wasn't able to decipher those meaning, until now. Maybe it is a blasphemy being born as a Malaysian and having interest in the Japan. Or maybe, it is wrong to have your own interest? Or maybe, because god made me the way I am, and my interest being the way it is, you're blaming god for it? I have no idea, really.

Personally, my high school time isn't as good as everybody else. I remembered one day I came back to class from lab, my backpack is hanging on the fan. And one day, I found somebody placed women tampons all over my textbook. Had to throw them away as they stick to the pages really firm and in the attempt of taking them away, I’d torn at least 7-8 pages of them. There’s even one time where I couldn’t find my books anywhere in the class, just to find that they are hidden behind the staircase of the ground floor. Well, I guess that school is suited to be a zoo, seems like more animals exist than students. Owh, bear in mind that my class is on the 3rd floor, I’d to search for it on every darn floor. I knew who did that but I still didn’t do anything just yet despite the fact that I know I could easily give him a sucker punch on the face (plus, I’m a lot bigger and that them). Why? Because I’ll be ruining my reputation as a student (Gosh, that was annoying, there's no place to go even when you’re right sometimes) So, now, please tell me the reason why I should go back to that cursed school. I have more bad moment in school than good time. These rascals…. But I was being patient. Well, in any case, I made my way through high school, and the keen interest in Japan never fades away, in fact, it drove me to work hard every day until SPM (An examination that decides whether you could further your studies overseas), and yes Alhamdullilah (praise to Allah) I aced it. Bye high school, hello university life! Well, I guess those experience made me stronger and better person now. (Matsumoto Hitoshi quoted: The person who doesn't across the river will not find the treasure on the other side of the bank). やった！！

Let's look ahead into the future

So, I began to apply for scholarships here and there. Well, to my surprise, I managed to secure Bank Negara, Mara, and JAD scholarship. Here are the differences:

Bank Negara (National Bank)- Preparation needed, best scholarship award, working contract 6 years as Financial Engineer

MARA - Vanderbilt University - No preparation needed, Payback 1-2% out of the total amount spent , no working contract

JAD - Japanese Associate Degree program, preparation for 3 years and 2 years in Japan (Waseda University), Mechanical Engineering program, No working contract

Now I ended up in Vanderbilt, becoming a Mechanical Engineer. This is my 3rd year here, but I whenever I look back, a shallow tide of regret would push me over turning down JAD. Somehow I felt that I betrayed myself, but what’s done is done I suppose. There’s no turning back in time. So, to make up for it, I’ve decided that I should still be here, in Mctyiere’s Japanese Hall, I turned down money (extra allowances) to be able to learn things that I like back in the days, and I'm content, contented that way. Unlike the Americans I knew here, most of them have at least travelled abroad to the country of their liking, and it is safe to say that I'm a bit jealous, haha. I know Sam from the German hall, have at least been to Germany, or Cole, and most of the people in Japanese Hall would speak of studying abroad, as if it's easy as buying milk from the Varsity Store. Why their parents are are so darn rich? Haha, I wish I could go to Japan some day. Some day soon. Hopefully. Next year, I'll have more family members in the Japanese Hall, more people, more 中ま(nakama-friends), hopefully, next year would be a good time, insyaalah (if god permits)....

Japanese Lab project

2010-03-27T12:53:00.001-05:00

Just recently I was wondering if I should do something that is worth doing, other than spending all day, than merely sprawling on my bed, being indecisive, juggling, switching back and forth homework and assignments. But then, that’s not the only case, I was thinking of doing something other than homework that is both beneficial and fun. I need something new that people don’t often do, and so last night I’ve installed Adobe Premier Pro on my PC and tried to work on some video projects that are probably worth seeing (hopefully). Being amateur as I am, I’ll need some more time to properly edit things properly. Hee hee

This project I’m talking about is a Japanese lab project (smirking**) . Nges nges. Being only a first year Japanese is really annoying as you could talk only to yourself, since everybody in Vandy appears to be at least a bilingual (why is everybody here so smart???). So, I need more practice for myself and help others in Japanese out there. This idea comes from an interesting approach by Amy-chan, a freelancer on intense Japanese training through online video. As I’m not as good as her, my focus would be the ichinensei (first year) students who are interested in honing the Japanese speaking skills. For that particular reason, I was thinking of some quick methods in teaching Japanese, both for the video and my Japanese partner, Yoda-san. Owh, by the way, we started our first meeting last week, and every week, we would be practicing both Japanese and English. So, check it out soon, my first video to be uploaded on Youtube!! (-_-) Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

Every Little Thing - 黄金の月 LIVE concert

2010-03-23T15:17:00.003-05:00

Every little things had and always has been my favorite group in J-Pop music. The first time I found the song was back when I was chillin' with my cup of tea, sprawl on my stomach, while browsing the J-drama directory. Kekkon dekinai otoko sounded funny, and that's when I realize time just flew and I was done with it. Somewhat, the OST kinda came back and forth to this mind and I googled it. Here, I was the very first time Every Little Thing (ELT) became my very favorite.

Here is the link and the lyrics, I've changed the kanji to hiragana for your ease. :p

作詞：Kaori Mochida 作曲：Kaori Mochida
かすかな
ひかりがあなたをてらす
せいじゃくにみをひそめたひびが
もうすぐ
おわりをつげてたびだつ
今こそがじしんにみちる

まけそうになった
ひもあったけど
おうごんのつきを
てにいれるため

※たいせつな人がいるから
今日までをずっと
とべたきがするよ
あなたこそがひかりだ
むげんのチ力を
さぁはなつて
はるかなみちをゆけ※

もうなにも
こわがることはないんだ
なにもかもは
むだじゃないよ

言ってみせた
スーパーヒーロー
みたいに
ただただ
つよくなりたかった

なきそうになった
日もあったけど
よろこびのうたは
きこえていたんだ

たえずいとしさがあるから
いつもどおり
かがやけるはずさ
あなたこそがひかりだ
あたたかな心ははねる
あおきそらまでゆけ

いとしきものよ
キラキラ
ながれるように

めに見たことが
すべてじゃないよ
だいじなのはそう
このおもいだけ
※たいせつな人がいるから
今日までをずっと
とべたきがするよ
あなたこそがひかりだ
むげんのチ力を
さぁはなつて
はるかなみちをゆけ※

How reality blindfolds

2010-02-06T14:14:00.003-06:00

Have you ever thought of why you’re being born in the world? If you do, what is it that you dream of? If you do have the passion on your dream, what is it that drives you? Most people would probably say, yeah, I want to lead a simple life, have kids and all that. Some would probably say, yeah, I would like to be doctor, and aid people, and a small portion would say, I would like to work hard and make a fortune out of myself. Regardless, what is it that drives you for such dream? I wouldn’t be surprised if someone came up to me and say that’s for the sake of the family, or nation, or someone you care about.

There are also people out that care too much about money. I mean, to the extent that they thought life is nothing without cash in hand. Sometimes, I wonder, if a CEO makes a living with 6 digit paycheck and another janitor barely makes 4-5 dollars an hour, what is it that differ the two? Is it the status? Is it power? Is it consuming or purchasing power? Without regard, both of them are money, it's just the value. Money is just way too common. There are things out there that I believe is much more important than mere printed bills. Should you swap your time in exchange for money? Yes, people do that to make a living, sure! But why? Money is mere tool, a tool to control the nature of a human, indirectly derives it, nurtures it, and makes them dare to believe and work on things.

Is this the norm of the human? If it is, whoever gains control of it, he possesses the power to control other people too. And with such power, it is possible to rewrite history. It is possible to make war, and reap from it. It is possible to cause chaotic havoc in the world without having them realize what it is. And of course, more terrifyingly, the power to change the human itself. A power that differs what we are and how we are governed daily. Of course, to receive such power, there exist sacrifices. And, what are those I wonder?

And of course, my eyes are and still watching....

From a piece of thought today, “what if I…..”

Another passion in life

2010-02-05T17:22:00.003-06:00

Quite recently, I believe I need a replacement for Naruto. Being an otaku, I do think Naruto is nice and all, well, until recently since the storyline just gets really slow and plain boring. So, taking up a recommendation from a friend, I started reading the very first episode of One Piece..... And yes, as you might expect, it got me addicted ever since. I literally read 100 chapters a day, devoting my whole free time on it. Why? You might ask. Simple, the storyline is effectively interesting. It’s currently on 573rd chapter and the ‘kick’ is still there.

It got me hooked to the extent of I had to delete some movies in my desktop for the mangas.
But yeah, they all seem to worth every second I spend. This is the first time for me to read such creative piece of work that dictates a whole new level of manga style, humor, hope, and determination in a single piece of work. Nice. The character is well made, the plot is well planned, and the prompt humor and surprises just stroke me aback in suspense and relief. Overall, 9.5/10! If I’m able to offer him what I have, I would only hope that I could follow this manga to the end. Argh!

I especially like the part that Luffy met Boa Hancock and the war between the Whitebeard pirates against the government. Owhhhhh (send me flying in joy). Another passion placed in me by the Japanese. I wouldn’t be surprised. There are a lot of things to learn in the Japanese world, and yeah, as you may know, I’m game for it.

松本人氏マイイドル

2010-01-23T14:32:00.006-06:00

\

If we were to talk about the person you idolize, or the person of the generation, I would say that man is Matsumoto Hitoshi (松本人氏). This guy hailed from Downtown duo, namely Owarai Duo, nicknamed Super sadist Hamada Masatoshi and Matchan (松ちゃん).
So, this Matsumoto guy was born in Amagasaki to a really poor family, being the youngest of the 3 siblings’ family. Being poor doesn’t seem to bother him in leading a happy life, much that to the extent that he’s currently being ranked first in Japan TV! In one of his book, he did express himself about his childhood, of having to grow up in such hardship, when only laughter was the only antidote for those times. His poverty made his imagination grew bigger and bigger and such sense of humor led him to the success of his show, up until now. I just love how to hear his laugh. It’s somehow, relaxing, and not holding anything aback.

Recently, I found out that J-TV made a special show, just for him to celebrate his 44 year birthday. The show was kind of filled with joy and laughter, and honestly, I think he look so much younger than always. About his personal life, this guy doesn’t believe in marriage as the children would just be a distraction for his wife’s attention. Somehow, he prefers dogs being companion.

Being a Japanese die-hard-fan, I do enjoy his show, Gaki no tsukai: Ya arehende (餓鬼のつかい：やあれへんで) translated: this is not the show for kids. Some of his masterpiece clips are the DT: Matsumoto talks about curry and Matsumoto gets angry. Somewhat, his story and success, made me a stronger man each day and to continue what I believe in and to keep working hard for it, as well as to laugh at times of fall.
A couple of things that he invented that became such a trend in Japan are:

• samui or sabui (寒い, サブい) Literally meaning "cold," it refers to anything corny and unfunny.
• BLUE ni naru (ブルーになる) To become "blue" (sad).
• gyaku-gire (逆ギレ) When one becomes angry as a response to someone who is angry at them. [22]
Source: Wikipedia

I’ve come to learn that his new movie too is out: namely Symbol: starring himself as the director and the main actor. Argh, I’ve gotta watch this!!!!

Pondering the little things

2010-01-21T00:01:00.001-06:00

In case you don't know I come from this little town called Chukai in a really set-aside district of Kemaman. Well, since primary school, I'm not much of a traveler, I mean, yeah, my dad took us out sometimes for trips, but that is not the point here. Now, I'm talking about school trips, or more scientifically, field-trips! If my memory doesn't fail me (yet), the furthest trip I've been so far was Kuantan, during my primary school year. A lovely town just a bit further out of my kinda isolated place. Honestly, I was envious to a couple of my friends who managed to get the permission from their parents just as easily in such school-ambience stuffs and bragged about it in class, but that was back then. Thinking it over now, I'm no longer in Malaysia! I have to lead my own life here in thousands of miles away from home which is kind of an undeniably new challenge. Regardless of the distance, my parents yet again, never let me down whenever I encounter hard times of being a student. Now, that I realized why they had done so, god knows how much I couldn't be any more grateful than what I could. Why? I mean, if they wouldn't, I might be still be stuck there and not know how it's like to open up to the world. I suppose he (my dad) who hailed from Oxford does know how to handle his kids, no? Anyway, thanks dad! I owe you one!

I have a feeling

2010-01-20T21:06:00.003-06:00

I have a feeling, a feeling of uneasiness. Somehow, I think this year’s J-Hall just plainly boring. To the extent, I have less and less intention of continuing to stay in Mctyiere. Reason? Simply put, people WHO ARE NOT INTERESTED IN LEARNING JAPANESE are STILL HERE. Period. Please, evacuate the place if you don’t want to keep on learning, there are many more people out there would be more than please to stay. The reason I’m here is to learn Japanese, to master the language, I could have simply move someplace else for whatever other reason. Currently in my junior standing, it is hard for me to decide whether or not to stay. Why? Because I could be better off not taking the Meal plan, which will simply take so much portions of the scholarship! Nevertheless, I still want to stay here, but not in this condition! Come on, I had to make sacrifices just to be able to learn. Please, if you simply know to complain, or plainly envious of other people’s matters, get out, seriously.
I miss the old J-Hall. Miss the chit chats I had with Dale-kun, Jerrica, and Sarah. I wish Wynne’s here too. Even though we’re busy most of the times, but we had so much fun.

Sleepyhead scribbles

2010-01-13T01:44:00.002-06:00

It's now 1.46 am and my first class is due to start tomorrow at 10. Nice! Thinking myself as a sleepyhead, it's almost certainly better off for me to sign up for later classes. More time to sleep, and yet I'm sprawling but these blinking eyes can't simply close just yet. Not yet!
The break was good, spent a good vacation over in New York and Boston. Nothing much to tell, it was too snowy for good photos. But I guess, being a guy from Malaysia, snow photos are exotic, somewhat. Mctyeire was quite a while, nobody's around except a couple of guys from the Chinese Hall and Chie just across my room. Was thinking of visiting Sam in Maryland, but I guess the thick snow makes it hard with flight delays and all. Plus, I don't really have the money for spending spree. Considering I need to get insurance for my bike as well really soon.
I've actually done some thinking. Some thinking of which bothers me, significantly. A thought of where am I going to end up next year. I wish I could still stay in Mctyeire. But I definitely don't want to sign up for the Meal Plan and all. Why can't I just stay in Mctyeire and not take the darn Meal Plan. Alternative, McGill? Tolman? Or Chaffin? Of course, my deep down I would like to stay here, but having extra cash actually is fairly sweet too.どうしようか？Unless of course, I'm one of them RA's, but I was wondering if I could get that post here? Why does Mctyeire needs only 3 RAs??? WHY WHY WHY?
Argh, forget it, so anyhow, the ranking goes:

1)Mctyeire
2)McGill
3)Tolman
4)Chaffin

MCTYEIRE! For god's sake, please take meal plan off your cost! おねがいします！

Warning - This video is EXTREMELY disturbing..

2009-12-04T01:10:00.003-06:00

Hey y'all, just something I thought would be interesting to be posted here. Video codename Dnepropetrovsk Maniacs Murder Video (3 Guys 1 Hammer) :p

http://www.ohlookaforum.com/sick-vids-f21/dnepropetrovsk-maniacs-ukraine-murder-video-guys-hammer-3guys1hammer-t102.html

Some parts of the world (visual)

2009-10-10T14:26:00.003-05:00

Ever sit down one day with tea and crackers and ponder on what's going on in some parts of the world out there? Well, ever wonder if some people somewhere else is able to enjoy such tranquility and good time that we're having? Ever wonder what is it like to live in such situation where crime and danger haunts us every single day?

Here's a clip that would make you grateful of what you're having right now.

I was disgusted on how people treat each other wherever this incident took place. I'm not a big fan of slicing people right in the public, or how uncivilized they are despite modernization that SHOULD nurture CIVILIZATION in their mindset. I don't know what the person had done, but I sure know that such brutal head-tapering isn't in my to do list if I'm angry of something. There are limits to everything. I'm pretty sure that my religion is the same as the Indonesians, but I do not recall any code that makes such act permissible. Funny how dangerous lust and revenge works eh? Of course, we are mere humans, and we're born with lust and revenge, but it is up to us on how we contain them. Something worth thinking about, i guess....

Rockbanging with Sogabe 先生

2009-10-10T12:34:00.005-05:00

Mctyiere is getting somewhat less thrilling these days. Probably because everyone was busy minding their own business. Or, it just plain boring on Friday nights that I would prefer to go out somewhere else. Hurm, Japanese Hall should never be boring, i dont know, probably the new members aren't used to the 'Japanese Hall spirit" yet. There's less "spark" going on in the hall. We used to have sp much fun despite how boring the environment is. At least to me. Let's just give it some time yeah? :-(
もういいか？

So, last Thursdays, we had 曽我部先生 as our Japanese Guess. She's a really chill person despite how serious she could be in class sometimes. 新しい車が買ったそうです. In a nutshell, rockband came into conversation right after dinner, which somehow thrilled our beloved 曽我部先生. So, we kinda lured her into joining us rockbanging after dinner. In a snap, Harrison-san already made his way upstairs to set up the tools. And we had 曽我部先生 as the drummer. It was so much fun to have her around with the us that particular night. Upon finishing, she would give us the look the same look that she used to do in class after kanji quiz, uttering "あ、おもしろい", plain feelingless. Haha. Typical 曽我部先生, but hey, we still love her!

So, i guess here's the update till now. Of course, I will keep writing on interesting stuffs soon :p

New faces in Mctyiere :p

2009-09-16T19:08:00.002-05:00

It's a ground breaking dinner we're having tonight, with exceptions that, we're having new faces in the Japanese Hall. Well, new year, new Fall, new members and of course, I'm anticipating new environment! :p

So, I took the motorcycle test (permit) last 2 weeks or so, just to find out that I failed, shockingly, not once, but rather twice. So last Friday, I went ahead and took my chances, again, and Alhamdullilah, I've passed, FINALLY! Hehe, suki suki. Looking forward to purchase a bike really really soon. Maybe a Yamaha or Ducati. Or maybe a Honda CBR. Should i get 2 bikes, eg: a FZ6 and a R6. Sell off the R6 and keep the FZ6 for work commute? Hm... Sounds like a plan, but I need at least 10k USD just to be able to do so, and i mean, AT LEAST! ARGHH, It's ok's alright, money is everywhere. Business man business, or rather, purchase stock markets! Hehe

Credit to Hilmi and Azrin for their kinds effort, teaching me a few stuffs on stock markets. I've finally a registered user of sharetrade and Etrade. Getting ready for some real stock market business! Sounds fun, argh, can't wait. Hopefully, I'll learn a lot of stuffs from this, maybe to the extend of making a living? Hihi

I remembered a quote "9/10 of the rezeki (earnings) comes from trading". Heck yeah, I think so too. Rarely I see an engineer making millions by the age of 30, 0r even 40. I really really think that by doing business, we've automatically place ourselves in a fun-gambling type environment, and simultaneously, breaking the barrier of our source of income! Insyaalah, I will be a great businessman one day,
ONE DAY! がんばります！

Today

2009-08-25T04:07:00.002-05:00

It's been almost a week now that I'm here in Vanderbilt after a not-so-long home trip. Unfortunately today, our car broke down, again.. Haha. Apparently the air-conditioner was left on while the engine is ignited, which probably the main reason the alternator broke. Insufficient lub is another supporting factor. I think.... It's alright, I'm glad that we managed to pull back into the parking space, (50% of the car) before it actually broke down. Somehow my language sucks this week, probably I haven't been speaking English for quite a while during the summer. But, we'll fix that soon. Kih3

Now that I've manage to completely settle in my new room, I get to hang out with the rest of the gang today. Well, I still miss the previous Japanese Hall members, probably because I'm the only one left now. We have a set of new Japanese members now, making me a senpai. Hihi, a senpai with poor Japanese skills(日本語は上手じゃないです). We need to fix this one too, Syaf.. Hihi.. It's not 4.16am in the morning and I'm waiting my dad to get off work... Come home quickly pa, I've got stories to tell. :p

Spare time for some thoughts

2009-08-11T12:12:00.004-05:00

It's been almost a month and a half now ever since I first arrived home from Vanderbilt. I was fishing this morning, when my mom called and asked if I would like to drop by at her workplace. They have a bit of a mini-convoy exhibition of big bikes over there. Of course, I can't resist such temptation. :p

So, there is one FZ1 that I laid my eyes on. It's sexy, and it's nasty. It's a little monster that according to the owner, could be tamed in a short amount of time. So, we had a little chit chat over the bike, he seemed a little surprised that I know Fazer quite well, at least that's what he said to me. Haha. So, that guy spent well 70,000 on that ride. Inside, I thought he must have a pretty darn well-paid job to be able to afford that thing as soon as I learned that it had been purchased here in Malaysia.

How I wished I could afford one of this. But something came out to my mind, I knew countless people who managed to secure PhD credentials, but most of them, live solely on constant paychecks, and everyday save a bit of money to spend on something nice every once in a while. There is nothing wrong to this regulation, but I think such method limits your potential in life. There are many opportunities that are waiting to be discovered out there, and they lie all over the world. If combined, there will be enough supply of things for everybody and there will be unlimited funds of cash waiting for you everyday. Owh, and I just love how uncertainties lead my life.

Another random subject of the day

Honestly, I don't care about the locals, whether you chinese, indian or malays as Malaysia should rise as 1 nationality. In order to reach exponential improvement, changes should be made, and a nation must fall to rise. The citizens must be freed from the subsidy-mentality. Some should fall so that others could rise, and the process is ongoing. Bottomline, there should be no uneven excuses. Period.

Random thoughts of the day.

Updates from Malaysia: random topics of the day

2009-07-27T07:11:00.007-05:00

So, its been quite a while since I last showed up in words. Hihi. Really I don't have much to write about, like REALLY! So, today I decided that I need a little hair cut, of course fuzzy hair frustration came into mind when I had a little trip to the Monique Bay Beach a few days back, and try imagining the sweet, crisp beach breeze came into a synchronizing lullaby with my pretty darn long hair, haha.

OK! OK! Haircut! I used to have my haircut right by Tan Chong Eng, but today, my mom suggested her regular service, and so I did. Well, the shop isn't too shabby from the outside looks, but hey it's pretty comfy inside, owh and not to mention it's a saloon, not a haircut and shaving hut. I was introduced to the owner, a young Chinese lady, looking sweet in her dress. I thought she was really a successful owner, as I learned soon after that she has 7 workers, currently working for her. First thing that came to mind as I came in is that, this place is anything but unsuccessful. There, laid a white Benz just by the car lot, my inference is, this lady really is a money maker.

Ok, so I had a haircut over there, a little facial and cleansing, and the cost, isn't so bad at all. I would definitely come again. (^^)

So, talking about holiday eh? Time really flies my dear. It's been almost 3 weeks here in my hometown. I have this little plan of having a little reunion thinghy with a couple of my ex school buddies, was wondering how is Alex, Aeeron, and the rest of the gang doing. I would be heading to KL again sometime next week, and on initial plan of spending 2-3 days over there, of course meeting arif, marina, farah and bla bla bla.

Had a message the other day, from Prabu, well, he's already off to Melbourne, haha. It's been 2 years since I last met him after SPM and in a pretty darn good coincidence, we found out that we have the similiar holidays by 2 weeks, except that his is winter's and mine is summer's. Prabu's a humble guy, and he deserve to e recognized, we've been friends for almost 7 years now, plus minus a few days, haha.

So, we had some good time fishing and yum cha-ing. Owh, Did i mention that we met Hafiz, Pei Liang and Yong Jie too? It's funny that Yong Jie and I, we both study in the states, but we never bother to go visit each other, haha, I would definitely pay him a visit sometime soon, as soon as I'm done with my "well-planned" Europe trip. The question is just the matter of time though. And of course m.o.n.e.y. ^^

Speaking of money, I've been saving up to treat myself with a little surprise, jeng jeng jeng (SFX)... (-_-") probably a nice motorcycle, or an upgraded gaming desktop, please don't mind the name, I rarely play games on my computer. Except the Sims 3 of course. I'm a crackhead when it comes to simulation games. Haha

Hurm, I was wondering how much does it cost to get myself a Yamaha R6, or R1, but a Honda CBR is not a bad idea too, or a kawasaki Z1000 ninja. I just hate the insurance that comes along with it though, Urghhh, need to get myself a nice hot tea to cool down when it comes to machines, :p.

This is how they look like:

Yamaha R6, isn't she sexy? :p

Yamaha R1 Raven, pure beauty!

Honda 1000RR, menacing!

Kawasaki Z1000, melting!

So, let's just leave these things on fate, of course, I would still be craving everyday and night for these.

きたああああああ！！

2009-07-12T18:27:00.012-05:00

It was as funny as crap at Nashville's Airport. The limit for luggage was 50 pounds, but both of my bags exceeded the very number, namely one being 83 pounds, and another being 63 pounds. I had to get myself a new bag, but it was rather anticipated for since the day before. So, we arrived at Newark Airport a few hours later, hurm, honestly I prefer LAX, this one looks really like a mess. Heck, it’s not like I’m gonna be here for more than a day, toleration took place.

~New York Airport~

~Arlanda Airport, Stockholm, Sweden~

Soon we boarded the Malaysian Airlines flight (MAS). We had to stop for a drop-off at Stockholm (Arlanda Airport) and for the couple of hours, at Amsterdam Airport for refueling. My Uncle was supposed to be with us, I mean piloting this MH 91 back to Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately something came up, but hey, we managed to secure three great seats with ample space of leg room. Heck, it was fun. Owh, did I mention that the steward and stewardess are superb too? One of them steward by the name of Ridzuan is a miraculously friendly. I soon found out that he is the uncle of one of us Vanderbilt Students. So, we were being shown around the cabin, and of course, we did not miss the cabin crew rest place on the upper deck. Heck, I mean how often can you be here? Haha

Noel and me

Special Tour of the crew's resting place (Had to squeeze myself to be able to fit in)

Hanis looks menacing (-_-")

The cool stewardess

And the stewards too!

Stockholm snapshot, a glance of Arlanda

In the canteen, with the cool Abg. Ridzuan

We touched down sometime around 10.30 ish, minus taxiing to the aprons. Boy it was a good flight, i mean, despite MAS having so much trouble this days with the newly elected Idris Jala trying to turn around the economic plan, MAS still live its name with the best Cabin Crew airline. I mean heck, I couldn't ask for more :p

So we were welcomed by the thermal cameras on our way out, 3 of them in fact, in total. However it may be, we survived all that and made our way to the baggage claim area. To my horror, none of our bags were there, until Billy Jo (B.J) secured his, and everybody sighed in relief. Hehe. (This scene is made dramatic according to the guidelines by Warner Bros. Company)

With the baggages claimed, I strolled down the aisle to the airport exit. There, my parents and little Syasya and Imi were waiting, looking rather impatiently. I was greeted with a bouquet of flower and a box of chocolate with greeting card attached to it. Hey, it was a really warm welcome indeed. Thanks all! うれしかった！ So, we hugged each other for a while and made it to the car.

The flower, the chocolate and the greet card! :p うれしい　:p

That day, we had lunch at the local Thai restaurant. Being in the states for 2 years, I was almost clueless of how my taste buds might react to the food. There were fried soft shelled crabs, wonton, jumbo shrimps, fried sweet sour fish, Ranchai crabs and a lot of cold juices! Urgh, I love Malaysia's food. I think they should establish a foundation of the chefs around here. Haha

So, I'm now in Kemaman. Zurriya, Syera, Fawwaz are coming down sometime next week. Prabu is off to KL for his Taylor's reunion or something. Me? Staying home getting fat and fatter. So far, I had Hai Peng coffee and kaya buns, owh, not to mention mom's chi fan (Chicken rice), Li's fried dry noodle and Tong Juan's stuff crab. Yet in the lists are Patani's Red meat rice (Nasi daging merah), Teratak's wonton noodle, and Chinatown's Mata Kucing drink, Cherating's Fried Chicken rice, Kuantan's sizzling hot plate, KT's fried ice cream and much much much much more!

Li's fried dry noodle

Yummy!!

Stuff crabs!!! :p

I wish the people from Japanese Hall are here too. Probably one day in near future. I heard Makiko's coming down here to Malaysia, but i wasn't sure of the date. Haiz..

It's been a while since I was last here. There are a couple of noticeable changes here and there. Here are a couple of snapshots of our home.

A little white rack with rose ends

?? Some random clock attached to the main pillar. Rose ends

Our living room - with Syasya and Imi lost in the slumber

The humble computer and reading section

Living room, left wing

Kitchen to living room view

The chinese-retro style kitchen (The table is of the same design as Tong Juan's), I was to be blamed for the mess. Hihihi

Our new rabbits! Well, our Guby died a couple of months back. So, here's the replacement. I missed the big ol' fat Guby though :-(

Summer updates

2009-05-31T16:23:00.005-05:00

Hye y'all.

It's been a while since I've been away, away for this very blog. Reason? More like excuses, hehe. But let's just skip that part, yeah?

So far summer is hanging by with boredom, with all days filled with nap, one after another, and another... Urgh... I'm actually looking forward to go back to Malaysia, to see my family. See how are they doin'. My sister's off to college finally and my brother was accepted into MRSM (Boarding school) a few months back. The two kids, well, let's just say I'm left with them now.

I wonder what would I be doing back home? Just chillin' all day in the room watching TV and getting fat? However it may be, i'm sure on keen on my little trip to Hai Peng and Ton Juan's stuff crabs! Yummy! Hurm, I have the least possible idea of what might be in store there other than stuffing myself all day. So, my mom wanted this Victoria Secret thing, and my dad, being an electronic-die-hard-fan like he is, decided to get a Cobra laser detector instead. Owh, Hafiz, begged me for the J-shirt, with "Looking for japanese girlfriends" imprinted on it.

I wonder if my friends in high school is like now? Everybody is busy busting their asses with college, etc etc... Everybody's busy while being so far away from each other. I kinda regretted for being so busy when i was high school with inventions and stuffs and not spending most of my time in class with you know, the rest of the people. But hey, that's a little history now.

Should I go back and do internships instead? Owh, or, i think I could do some stock market thinghy online too. That ought to be fun! Making some cash from far away sounds cool too! Alritey, let's do this jose!

Urgh,

Some updates during the summer

2009-05-11T05:07:00.010-05:00

May 9th was the day that Mctyeire had to be evacuated for the summer. I didn't manage to sleep that day in particular, as it will be 3 more months before it will be open again. Truthfully, i do not really look forward for summer, as for one reason, namely I would be yearning to experience the days in Japanese Hall that I used to reside in during the semester.

Here's a couple of photos to commemorate:

Belem-chan and Cole-san

Max-kun, Andrea-chan and Belem-chan!

And our drummer who never fail to show up in his boxer (-_-")

さよなら、まきこさん

Not forgetting, Thuy!

For the good old time in Mctyeire ほんとにありがとうございますりえーさん！　：ｐ

Our last photo　（さいごのしゃしん）

That morning, I was wide awake. Thought of knocking on Rie's door, but she's probably sleeping. Haha. Anyways, most of my stuffs are all packed. Thanks to Clay and Amy for their help the night before. I appreciate the help! So, it was finally 10 am, and I was kinda helping out Amir right across the hall and Rie with her stuffs. She's moving to Texas Tech soon, and the next appointed coordinator would be one of her acquaintance, hopefully as あかるい as her.

So Dale had to leave at around 12. It was kinda sad to send him off. We hugged and bid each other farewell, before he promised me that he would be around sometime soon for visiting. Owh, and Rie too. When? God knows. ahaha.. Soon after we're done with Rie's stuffs, Blaine came to pick me up for lunch. It's been a while since I last hang out together since the last Friday Night Friend dinner, and so we had Korea House for his treat this time. We kinda talked about Russell Peter's joke of racism and those kinda craps, and made quite a noise in the small, not too shabby restaurant. Boy, it was a good chat over lunch. After all, Blaine never failed to entertain me. :p

Subsequently, we headed to our place.....

Argh, sleepy, I'll update the blog later. ZZZZZ

Chicken a la Carte

2009-05-05T12:17:00.004-05:00

This is how someone laughter bring me close to tears. Masyaalah, such a good video. In some part of the world, some people just never been so fortunate

A bit of sarcasm, by Usman Awang, whose words signify the truth

2009-05-05T04:41:00.002-05:00

Melayu itu orang yang bijaksana
Nakalnya bersulam jenaka
Budi bahasanya tidak terkira
Kurang ajarnya tetap santun
Jika menipu pun masih bersopan
Bila mengampu bijak beralas tangan

Melayu itu berani jika bersalah
Kecut takut kerana benar
Janji simpan di perut
Selalu pecah di mulut
Biar mati adat
Jangan mati anak

Melayu di Tanah Semenanjung luas maknanya:
Jawa itu Melayu, Bugis itu Melayu
Banjar juga disebut Melayu,
Minangkabau memang Melayu,
Keturunan Acheh adalah Melayu,
Jakun dan Sakai asli Melayu,
Arab dan Pakistani, semua Melayu
Mamak dan Malbari serap ke Melayu
Malah mua'alaf bertakrif Melayu
(Setelah disunat anunya itu)

Dalam sejarahnya
Melayu itu pengembara lautan
Melorongkan jalur sejarah zaman
Begitu luas daerah sempadan
Sayangnya kini segala kehilangan

Melayu itu kaya falsafahnya
Kias kata bidal pusaka
Akar budi bersulamkan daya
Gedung akal laut bicara

Malangnya Melayu itu kuat bersorak
Terlalu ghairah pesta temasya
Sedangkan kampung telah tergadai
Sawah sejalur tinggal sejengkal
Tanah sebidang mudah terjual

Meski telah memiliki telaga
Tangan masih memegang tali
Sedang orang mencapai timba
Berbuahlah pisang tiga kali
Melayu itu masih bermimpi

Walaupun sudah mengenal universiti
Masih berdagang di rumah sendiri
Berkelahi cara Melayu
Menikam dengan pantun
Menyanggah dengan senyum
Marahnya dengan diam
Merendah bukan menyembah
Meninggi bukan melonjak

Watak Melayu menolak permusuhan
Setia dan sabar tiada sempadan
Tapi jika marah tak nampak telinga
Musuh dicari ke lubang cacing
Tak dapat tanduk telinga dijinjing
Maruah dan agama dihina jangan
Hebat amuknya tak kenal lawan

Berdamai cara Melayu indah sekali
Silaturrahim hati yang murni
Maaf diungkap senantiasa bersahut
Tangan diulur sentiasa bersambut
Luka pun tidak lagi berparut

Baiknya hati Melayu itu tak terbandingkan
Selaga yang ada sanggup diberikan
Sehingga tercipta sebuah kiasan:
"Dagang lalu nasi ditanakkan
Suami pulang lapar tak makan
Kera di hutan disusu-susukan
Anak di pangkuan mati kebuluran"

Bagaimanakah Melayu abad dua puluh satu
Masihkan tunduk tersipu-sipu ?
Jangan takut melanggar pantang
Jika pantang menghalang kemajuan;
Jangan segan menentang larangan
Jika yakin kepada kebenaran;
Jangan malu mengucapkan keyakinan
Jika percaya kepada keadilan

Jadilah bangsa yang bijaksana
Memegang tali memegang timba
Memiliki ekonomi mencipta budaya
Menjadi tuan di negara Merdeka

Usman Awang

Of rich and poor

2009-05-04T08:53:00.016-05:00

Today seems to be the kick-off for another class, after a long spring semester, and not-so-long break. Maymester that is. I'm here, stuck in Nashville, yearning to do something, I hate to be stuck here during the holidays it's just so plain boring, with foreseeable daily activity, which includes, but not limited to, a long hibernation that leads to dizziness, stuffing everything and yearning for food and never-ending hunger, missing friends all day long, IMing, SKYPE-ing, waiting for Rie to come back, or waiting to spend some time with Clay, Uyen and whoever lives around Nashville.

Put that aside shall we, and let's think of what others do at this very moment of time, on the other part of the world. I remembered the last trip I went to L.A, It was my third time (三回) as far as my memory doesn't fail me. It was the last day of my winter break, that I was catching a flight back to Nashville, Danny and I were about to return the U-Haul truck back to where it belongs. It was a dull morning on 7th st. with people gushing here and there getting ready for daily concerns or jobs, whichever goes with them.

I was driving the jumbo truck, with Danny looking like a pimp on the co-pilot seat. We're about to enter the rather secluded U-Haul office, when a gang of Mexicans (illegal immigrants, i presumed), came running in our direction with signboard, crying out "Labour! Labour!". Now, i had never seen any of this scene in my life, which surprised me at first, when Danny giggled and explained that they're just immigrants trying to make some money for food to survive yet another day. I sighed, in relief. I remembered back in the days when I was in Malaysia, Danny called us from L.A whenever he had the chance to, talked about his work, etc etc, leaving me wondering what kind of city L.A is like. Initially, when somebody would mention L.A, I would thought of Hollywood, people cruising in Beemers, with convertibles parked in front of the mall, and things like that and not having a single thought of people begging for alms, not to mention homeless. Well, that's what I thought, thousand miles away, until I made my way here, and to witness the truth of life.

Bla bla bla. I remained in front of the office, for like quite a while, standing by quietly, with every bits of seconds, observing these people. There were probably like 20 people, no, more like 30 people clustering in a small gathering at the main gate. Some, with hair rather unkempt, ragged clothes, and tired eyes. I did not have any expectations that some people in L.A lead such life, since statistically California holds the largest growth in economy standing, compared to other states, with 10% of Fortune 500 companies residing at the very hub of L.A, allocating tremendous job opportunities to the 12% Americans, making it the eighth-largest economy in the world.

Screw the statistics, However it may be, this scene doesn't convey anything like it at all. Now do you know how it feels to be like them? It came to my attention that some people are just less fortunate. They came into this world in poverty, rarely able to eat breakfast every morning and still not complaining about the food they're having, while me, wasting food every single day and yet, full with complaints.

What does it feel to be them? Is it pleasant to live such live? Is it pleasant to live solely on the uncertainties of tomorrow? What does it feel not being able to eat when you're hungry but merely watching the passer-by with delicious hot dogs in their hands, stuffing their faces? What does it feel no to be able to eat cheese and know what they even taste like, not to mention to acknowledge the difference between mozzarella and cheddar? How does it feel to wear rugged, smelly clothes and least to say, in their life to ever heard of Converse, or Old Navy or ....... (name your brand) and regardless, still be able to joke around with their fellow friends waiting for uncertain work opportunity and smile every now and then? How does that feel to go to the beach side, and as you take stroll along the beach of L.A, found a little child begging for alms in the middle of the people sun-basking.

A bit eccentric if you ask me, but to my amazement, such thing does exist.

A bit of thing to ponder upon, of being poor material-wise and rich at heart. I'll leave the answer to you to decide. But one thing for sure, it won't hurt to change this sign right?

A bit of reminder to myself, to be grateful of what I'm having and stop becoming a complainer. I hope that one day, I could make a difference. Insyaalah, I could make these smile even more meaningful :P

僕の家族

2009-04-25T16:49:00.024-05:00

I came into this world in an average-income family. My dad, works with Exxonmobil while my mom supports the family being a teacher(中学先生). I was raised and nurtured in an off-town environment, away from those daily city-hustle. I remember when I was a kid, I used to be very naughty kid, upsetting my parents and always causing them trouble, here and there.

Despite having such an ungrateful kid that I am, my parents never give up raising me with love and care. My mom （母）is the type of a woman who never fail to give me a hug when I encountered a downside in life, and always there to support my back when I'm on something. She's a brilliant practitioner for a person who gave up college for the sake of the family during the recession. Thanks mom for never giving up on me under any circumstances :p

My dad（父）, is such a responsible man who always prioritize family at any cost. I remembered he took a day-off even though he's supposed to be assigned for an important meeting for the weekend merely to accompany to a competition that I was on. Apart from that, he taught me presentation techniques and reasoning skills on our 3-hours drive to KL. Alhamdullillah, things went smooth during my high school year that I manage to secure such a promising scholarship.

And not forgetting, my brothers and sisters（兄弟）. By the time I graduate, promise that we would spend time at home, watching TV while reminiscing good ol' childhood time over tea!

From left, Sya, Sera, Imi and Syasya, one missing-in-action brother in Nashville! :p
左から、シャ、セラ、イミ、シャシャ、ぼくはいないです！：ｐ

p/s: Syasya's face looks like Dunkin' Donuts now. Ahaha！
ｐ・ｓ：今はシャシャのかおがＤＵＮＫＩＮ’ＤＯＮＵＴみたいです。あはは！

Without your support, I wouldn't have had this

Or this...

Or this....

In this textbook

Or standing proud on this stage...

Pondering over these memories, I can't imagine what kind of future do I have without them? Needless to say about scholarship or education, would I even grow up being a human being? Would I be a stray kid just like those we see in certain countries? Thinking back, I'm so glad that my dad is not the king of a region, or the president of a company or a prime minister of a country, as I'm grateful enough to have such a parent who never fail to listen to me on any circumstances, or for worrying-sick if something happens to me. Truthfully, I want to be a great dad like you are, dad! And of course, one day, having a wife as superb as you mom!

いつもほんとうにありがとうございます
DEEPEST THANK YOU ALWAYS

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!
PAPA AND MAMA!

Anybody up for a challenge?

2009-04-24T18:50:00.007-05:00

CLICK HERE TO PLAY!

I can't figure out the number for the madman mission, anybody interested to break my record? Hehe. And make sure to turn off the lights! WAHAHHAHAHAHAHA

why I don't eat pork

2009-04-24T00:59:00.005-05:00

I came across this video a while back, and it turned out that worms/maggots did appear out of the pork, squiggling on top of it. As far the accuracy extend is invloved, I do not know, but no pork for me, that's for sure. Some says that they do exist in other meat, but I have not came across any of that on youtube so far. I wonder.... Also I don't know if they would be sterilized thoroughly if they are heat up during cooking process, but I sure don't want to try it. Hehe....

Any opinion, anyone?

Interesting speech by Ustaz Azhar Idrus ^^

2009-04-24T00:46:00.004-05:00

Something interesting to share, I think...

And to anybody who doesn't understand this, it's about the permissibility for dog as home guard. Well, I guess that's what the dog's are for right?

To a certain Malaysian people, they are kind of skeptical about the permissibility of dogs at home. Probably not the Malaysians here, but the ones especially in Terengganu, or Kelantan area. I don't know about those living in KL or the area around it, but this is why I think dog exists for in the first place. There's no need to run away from them, unless, of course the stray dogs, you don't wanna get bitten for no reason, right? ^^

Wallahualam'

みんながんばって下さいね

2009-04-24T00:22:00.003-05:00

Dedicated to all my friends in Vanderbilt, or whoever reads this post.

みんなはきまつしけんががんばって下さいね！

Trouble is a friend

2009-04-22T21:02:00.004-05:00

Strong words, deep meaning....

ときどき、じぶんで何もできない

Spring's almost over, そして、何かな？

2009-04-22T20:32:00.006-05:00

Day by day passed like sand in sand clock. It appears too fast to the naked eyes can see. どしおかな？I can't wait to actually go back, to go back to where I belong, at least used to. I miss em' food by the stalls, reminds me how funny things are. Ahaha. Here's the thing, the food served by the roadside are 500% better than such fancy restaurant capable of producing. Why? I do not know, probably that's why they said don't just a book by it's cover? LOL. Billboards and book rating do not actually show the real sense of taste. For instance, if the majority proposes chicken breast is best part of dish, and if I say I like the wing side better, people's gonna be like "oh, come on man! Are you seriously eating that?" **Exaggerated, but you get the idea. ** Basically you try to be them stereotypes just so people look at you to certain level.

I guess it's ok sometimes, I could eat chicken breast too, with a condition, please please please steam it, as chicken rice. URGHHH. I've been craving for Chicken Rice so much that mere saying it could cause my eyes to widen, and obviously my mouth to start watering. **Blame the reflex**

Hurm, too much cholesterol consumption recently, I gotta work out to keep them even. Midwest game... Hurm , I guess I'm playing volley again, this time, and frankly I do not wish for a medal, but I just want to be in when the good game is on. Owh, some of my friends did ask me whether or not I should join their team for volleyball, but I guess this time, Vandy asked me first, so I should consider Vandy my first choice eh? I miss em' good ol' time when we were enjoyin' so much, and curse here and there till the situation kinda get tensed **I guess we should stop cursing this time**. Don't put the blame on me, I did not curse last time, it was a senior* that's responsible. It's OK, age doesn't matter to me, senior, sophomore,or junior, they are all humans. I do not believe seniority counts as a privilege, in any way. I guess I prefer equal chances, you know 50-50. Despite who you are and where you came from. Haha. LOL. But overall, they were good games, so let's stop talking about seniority. What's matter is that we're having fun right?

みんながんばってくださいね！！ :p

A good winding

2009-04-21T20:24:00.008-05:00

Finally, after a night struggle (てすや-all nighter), I'm finally done with Dynamics, I'm doing alright in that class so far, except for the kinematics and vectors chapters (chapter 15-chapter from hell). GUHHHH... Anyways, what's passed is past. Soon after class, I was kinda exhausted for the day. It's probably the caffeine effect from McDonald's coffer last night. YUMMY. I don't care, as long as I have something do drink while working on something, it's fine with me, totes!

So last night we had a birthday party for ゆこさん, くぼたさん family are leaving for good, going home to Japan. It was rather unanticipated at dinner time, when they gave me a しゅゆう, a japanese style bookmark, as a parting gift, really, I think I'm the one who's customarily speaking, should give him something instead. Hehe. I promise him I'll use it often....

So, today I missed the last Japanese class, which is kinda absurd, because why would I? For god's sake, it's the lastttttt class. What on earth am I doing? Hurm, i was actually kinda tired, so i decided to take a nap instead. Just to wake up and realize that it's almost 15 minutes before the class would be over already. Nah, it's ok, continue napping.... ZZZZZ

Woke up at 2.30 when somebody bang my door. It's probably Wynne, I don't care, the door's unlocked anyways, he would probably just barge in later, continue napping.... It was almost 3 when I woke up, again, and Thuy was outside as usual, when she asked me whether or not I should come over to Commons celebration or something. I uttered that I might not be going, but I do wanna check out da' Stress Fest.

Called Belem but nobody picked up,busy I presumed? Decided to call Max instead, it turned out that he was having a sweet date, with mastering chem still.... So, all that skipped, and I found myself over at the SLC, for the Stress Fest, no major difference. MSAV still serves the old-good teh tarik. And of course, the layer cake, though I'm not really a big fan of sweets. Saw her, again, but she was rather minding her own business. Her favorite song was up there on the screen though, playing, over and over again. Owh, Mrs Carol Rubin! My mechanical professor whose personality amazes me, behind that goody-goody face, she enjoys dancing really much, at least that's what I could tell. Haniff and the gang stood into the dance party, not long before I decided to give it a go too.

Carol Rubin was the instructor, she's nice. I didn't know that Hebrew has so much similarities with the Arabic language. たとえば, it's ashalamualaikum and arabic's assalamualaikum (peace be upon you). She's a cool professor, i mean who would have thought a Mechanical Proffesor is also a part time dance instructor :p. Such a small world, and yet I had never met such interesting people. どしてですかね？ Hehe,　にっげんはおもしろいねやっぱり？ (Humans are sure interesting right?) ***Grinning***

Overall, today was interesting. All winded and ready to wind again. きまつしけんががんばります！！！　：ｐ

Of forgiving and forgetting

2009-04-20T14:30:00.009-05:00

I got off ME 171 exam just a moment ago. Came back to Mctyeire, met Dale, and we're kinda talk for a bit, about childhood's Final Fantasy and stuffs. He's a guy whose conversation is always filled with laughter. Dale's a chill guy, never fail to entertain me everyday with his sincerest smile, never hold grudges against other people. Hardly i see him frowning over anything, never did. I wish I was him sometimes, for being able to forgive and forget, having a bad day today and still able to smile at dinner time.

It reminds me to this conversation I had over the weekend "Syaf, just forgive and forget, it's better for you". And when I asked her how did she manage, she simply replied "I just go to sleep and the next day I knew it's already off my mind". My dear, I'm not you. I cannot simply change my behavior or simply change myself. Easier said than done. I knew I can't go to sleep over something of a foul mood and wake up tomorrow with the grin like Dale's.

Can I just forgive and forget? It's like concocting both remedy and poison in a single pot. As if having both sour and sweet in yourself, simultaneously. I know, I know, I'm just feeding excuses to myself. I'll try to be forgiving, and to be forgetful. I think I'm progressing, it was rather slow, but at least moving somewhere, I've already OK with a person who I've been ignoring since freshman year, I haven't talk to her, but I think deep in my heart, I've already began to accept her the way she is. In fact, I think she's wayyyy better than me, social-wise and other stuffs. I know what you think, not that kind of accepting, OK? ^^ But the kind of a companion accepting each other.... May god fill her life with more joy and berkat.

Thanks Dale, for always filling my life with joy in Mctyeire ^^
ほんとうにありがとうございます ^^