Studying?

Hey, it's the last paper of the year today! At 1730 hours...and what am I doing now??? =D heehee...I am blogging.

Well, these are some of the ways I avoid studying:-

1-Starring into the computer...

2-fiddling with my highlighter...
But one fine day, a doggy decided to visit (more of the owners forced it to stay with my sister and I for a whole day). LOOK HOW CUTE IT IS!!!

Hello, Mou Mou...He's a good boy...yes, he is...yes, he is... =D

ok! enough! MUST...CON-CEN-TRATE...

bye ppl!

Tanah tumpah darah airku

I received an email telling me about another incident of an ISA arrest. Considering that I'm overseas, in Australia and so not in touch with local Malaysian news, I've decided to investigate what has been happening. This lady that was arrested, Paula Khoo, as far as I've read (in the midst of exams, so I didn't read much) is innocent. But according to ISA she is a threat. How??? She was just participating in a peaceful vigil which was approved by the authorities! The authorities were there to keep watch of the whole thing and when asked to disperse, they complied with the request but the ISA had to detain a single person from that crowd for interogation. This burdens me, seeing that the rights of Malaysian citizens are not entirely...approved.

Then I remembered about the HINDRAF case. I googled it and stumbled upon a couple of videos. One video is a video of a British news telecast. A part of me is quite sad that a peaceful demonstration by Malaysians is not allowed at all and dealt with force! I would understand however that the government would feel threathen that a riot would break out. Still, no excuse for tear gasses and chemical sprays used by authorities to disperse the crowd when the crowd had nothing! Nothing! No weapons of any sort! I can't imagine how the government would handle terrorist. Nuclear bombs? If the government is acting with 'high security' with Malaysian citizen conducting a peaceful protest, how much more violent/forceful would it get when there are terrorist in the country? Another part of me feels embarrassed. In the telecast, they interviewed an Indian parliment representative (if I'm not mistaken). Sometimes I think our politicians are not mature in handling situations or perhaps they are so drown with so many negative issues that they've lost their perspective of what they are suppose to stand for (the people) and the maturity is just thrown out the window. I understand how easily that can happen because I've been appointed a committee member of something before (not to brag..hehehe)

Upon all these issues, it's very easy to stay where ever I'm studying, Australia as they are a much more mature country. Thus, more stable in many aspects. But that would be running from our problems. I have this burden in my heart to go back to Malaysia no matter how hard it would be to find a good job (pay-wise and course related) just to contribute what I've learnt here in Australia to help develop the country and to play a role at least in my local community to change the mindset of Malaysians, directing them to think selflessly and for the better of the country because it is the country where we reside. The place where I'm born and bred...Tanah tumpah darah airku...

I think this is the generation where our country needs the Malaysians, especially citizens by birth to build the nation. If all of us were to think of migrating overseas to build a family there, then who is left in the country?? The poor, elderly, outcast who has no where to run to? All the more we should stay in the country! This is the toughest period of our nation's growth as it is neither backward nor progressed - Malaysia is in her teenages years, so to speak. Tender age where moulding and vigilance is of utmost importance!

Shall we, my fellow readers, friends and family, heed the call of being Malaysian?? Lets get more personal, "shall I be MALAYSIAN?"

Procrastinating

P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.I.O.N.

Hmm...This word seems to be taboo word especially in times where examinations are just round the corner or when assignments are due. I was reading Purpose Driven Life (sounds like a very deep book, and it is...lol!) and one of the daily devotionals had "procrastination" as the title heading. Caught my eye! Anyway, the interesting thing is that it highlighted the 8 phases of procrastination. Boy, did it sound so familiar!

Phase 1: Hopeful – “I’ll start early this time.”

Phase 2: A little tension – “I’ve got to start soon.”

Phase 3: Creeping guilt – “I should have started sooner.”

Phase 4: False reassurance – “There is still time to do it.”

Phase 5: Getting desperate – “What’s wrong with me?”

Phase 6: Intense pain – “I can’t wait any longer!”

Phase 7: Get it over with – “Just get it done!”

Phase 8: Cycle repeats – “Next time, I’ll start earlier.”

Yup, 8 phases. To top things up, it's a CYCLE! This means that it something addictive or it becomes a habit and it comes back to 'haunt' you! Now that somebody has highlighted that procrastination is an addiction, it's high time that we acknowledge this problem (like how addicts admit of their addiction) and deal with it! We've got all the time in the world if we didn't procrastinate.

Say NO to procrastination!!!

(instead of drugs/smoking - hehehehe)

Sincerely,

procrastination addict =P

current obsession

oh my goodness!! how long has it been since my last post?!?!

I didn't realise how long it has been *eyes wide open*

Can you believe it if I told you that I actually forgot all about the existance of blog? yes, that actually happened to me. Well, initially I just didn't feel like blogging. Then I just got too busy to post anything. And I eventually forgot all about it! I didn't even remember that I could read my friends blogs! Oh my goodness, what has become of me.... =P Hehe.

Thank goodness for a "old" friend, namely Eli who sort of scolded me for not updating my blog. Haha!!!

Anyways, this song is my current (today's) obsession.

ONLY HOPE - Mandy Moore

There's a song that's inside of my soul,

It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again,

I'm awake in the infinite cold,

But you sing to me over and over and over again.

So, I lay my head back down,

And I lift my hands and pray,

To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours,

I know now you're my only hope.

Sing to me the song of the stars,

Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again.

When it feels like my dreams are so far,

Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again.

So I lay my head back down,

And I lift my hands and pray,

To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours

I know now, you're my only hope.

I give you my destiny.

I'm giving you all of me.

I want your symphony,

singing in all that I am At the top of my lungs,

I'm giving it back.

So I lay my head back down,

And I lift my hands and pray

To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours

I pray, to be only yours I know now you're my only hope.

The song is so jiwang but so meaningful. Don't you think so?? Haha. Ok la...I'll let you people off from my blabbering *wink wink*

Shay day - we all have 2 choices to make

I got this forwarded email from a friend and i almost teared while reading it. It is so touching to me because the story is about going against "human nature" and against the culture of today that is selfishness and competitiveness. The world would be such a wonderful place IF only everyone did an act of compassion.

Read on and you'll get what i mean...


Two Choices

What would you do? You make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY: We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference. We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.' So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

You now have two choices:
1. Delete
2. Forward

May your day, be a Shay Day.

in the computer labs

Hello!
I'm now in the computer lab in uni just waiting for time to past. the computer itself is an e mac and it's so cool!!!! i've taken a picture of it but i haven't transfered it out from my phone to the computer. so, i can't post it up to show you how cool it is! there's about 50 emacs in this lab!!!! how fantastic is that?!?!?!?! i suppose it's a good thing to know that they are using our (international students') money well.

anyway, this time, i'm literally just wasting time. i just finished a test which wasn't too hard but the thing was that we all didn't have enough time! i think i slowed down in writing...so long didn't write essays like in form 6. sigh...i don't want to start on any work eventhough i do have work!

in the process of wasting time, i looked at some of the powerpoint files downloaded onto the desktop here. hehe...kepo abit *wink wink*. i came across this comic drawing in the powerpoint presentation and i extracted it! it's pretty funny. just wanted to share with all of you. how cool is it that the lecturer has a sense of humour?!

interesting recipe

Yellow!

First of all, sorry for abandoning my blog for so long. I'm getting really lazy lately...hehehehe

Anyway, yesterday I went to the uni library to do some studying and a coursemate joined me (or vice versa). We were talking about some random things and she told me that her family makes yoghurt at home, in Kenya! I was like "wow, so cool!"

It's really simple.

All you need is a tablespoon of yoghurt (from a previous batch, bought or made) and about 1.5 liters of fresh milk.

Heat the milk but don't bring it to a boil. Cool it a wee bit and then add the yoghurt and keep it in the refridgerator overnight.

ta-da! homemade yoghurt. easy, hey?