F to the U to the N !


Seeing this picture, I think you can guess where is this hotel right? I'll give you a clue if you are really clueless. Check out the Largest Hotel in The World with 6,118 rooms. Well, my family and I went there last December. The check-in time is 3pm onwards and we arrived at the lobby around 2pm. When we went to pick our Q-system number, it has come to a shock!


Your number is 0824.
Now serving number of 0408.


Whoa! A jolt in disbelief. I think this is the only place in Malaysia where you’ll get your number to be this large? The gap between our Q-number and serving number is 416! Haha! What else can we do but to wait, enduring the boredom and agony that put our patience to the test. When my watch ticks 3pm, the number was about 1/3 of its way. Bored, I looked around me. The lobby was full of tourists and locals sitting here and there. Yes, if you can secure a good seat on the floor near one of the walls, it is good enough. You better believe it because the place was jammed packed with guests from all around the world waiting to be served and check-in.



We managed to secure seats on the bench provided. The only entertainment for guests who wait at the lobby was Discovery Channel with no sounds and Malay subtitle. Yeah, luckily I am a Malaysian. Hahaha~ If you can’t endure the long hours of the queue, just walk around and enjoy the exquisite scenery of the hotel or shop-till-your-hours-are-up.



Around 5pm, our number’s up. Gosh! Three hours! It was faster than what I have expected actually. Seriously! I thought that it might have to take us till the night to get into our room. Ah~ Room sweet room. With its natural air-conditioner, the room was chilly. Even colder than my fridge back at home. Hahaha~ But that is what I love about Genting. The cold weather and all its thrilling rides.



After dinner, we walked around and uh, there’s a cinema in here! Never notice it before. Haha, such a sakai. xP So, we pampered ourselves with OSIM-row tickets to The Day The Earth Stood Still at 1:30am. It was not expensive at all compared to the ordinary seats. Should try it. A whole movie-length of nice full body massage. Good way to relax and loosen up those stiff muscles after few days of walking and shopping.



next morning, it is time to fulfil my reason. I came with one simple reason. To conquer all its thrill rides. Since last year’s trip was a bit disappointing since it rained and I did not manage to play all, this year’s weather is siding on me. The only way to try all the rides in a limited time of 8am to 10pm, is Genting’s Express Pass. (Evil laugh) Although it is a bit more expensive than the ordinary all-day pass, I guarantee you that it is really worth it especially for first-time visitors. Ah~ The joy of cutting queues... Joking. Truthfully, I really do not savor the taste but if you compare it with the long hours of multiple queuing, it is definitely worth it. There are only certain rides that inclusive of the Express Pass. Others that are not included are such as Kart Prix and Bumper Boat. So, for these two, we did our part: Queuing. =.=



At the end of the day, I managed to ride all the thrill rides. All except for one, Flying Coaster. Still need time to gather up my gut to experience that hand-gliding roller coaster of 4. Although it is a thrill ride, the queue line to this ride was peculiarly short. Guess many were like me; courageous enough for other thrill rides except for this one. Seeing it roars the sky scared the hell out of me. Hopefully, one day I will manage to conquer it as well. Well, Genting was so much fun; I’ll say that it was a great way to end 2008!

Koizora

Have you watched this movie?





This Japanese movie was released around 2007. Well, rumor said that it touched the heart of more than 20 million viewers deeply. What else? I bought the DVD recently (saw it on a rack of a store) and watched it. Seriously, this is a nice and touching story. A super tear jerker. Recommended especially for those who have yet not watch it. Make sure to have a box of tissue nearby. ^_^

Review:
This is a story of two young high schoolers, Mika and Hiro who started a relationship through communication by cell phones over the summer vacation. The story continues on by telling how those two strives through love, hardship, lost, perseverence and challenge that comes between them.

Multicolours

Life's a multicolour. Some might think that the colours of your life depend on your own luck but others might say effort is the key on determining the colours of your life. Life can be simple and also the other way around. Everyone have different opinion about how life should be. If a person desires total comfort his entire life, the way of ‘work’ will determine how comfortable life can be.

How can we define the perfect life one could have? Living large, indefinably rich, wise and knowledgeable, laid-back with no worries or all-round ‘everyone-loves-me’ person?

In my opinion, there are a few colours in life that one ought to have to be truly happy in their life:

The colour of a warm family
The colour of beautiful friendship
The colour of being true in living
The colour of gratitude
The colour of authentic efforts

We are human. We are born with the instinct to be successful. We seek the most comfortable life and we desire a perfect life. However in this world, only a minor will get their full package of desired life to have. Others might gain some of it and there are those with none. Some gain it at the beginning of their life and others work their way to it; work hard or work smart.

There are times that things do not always go as the way we wanted to. There might be challenges in between and behind some dreadful moments, there might be a bliss expected to be found. Often, we encounter incidents such as arguments, mistakes and false acquisition. Just remember a few tips; it might not be effective but it might just work to make life whole lot easier.

Arguments:
When entangled in an argument, it is important to cool down before explanation. The hotter both tempers are, the harder it is to entangle the situation.

Mistakes:
Remember that as we are humans, we do make mistakes. We are not robot. The important thing is that when making a mistake; examine and learn from the mistake.

False Acquisition:
This is where someone is framing you for the thing that you might have not done or stating how wrong it is for you to think that it is right. A person told me a way to settle is to ignore. Ignore any provocation and act of displease from others. The heat will calm itself. I tried this before and pleased to say that it works. Better than to defend myself and waste saliva.

Holiday

I'm officially on holiday after today's last paper. Hello, rejuvination and goodbye to Semester 4! ^_^

EXAM

E - Evil (Mars said so.. muahaha)

X - X-cruciating

A - Atrocious

M -Mentally Challenging

-credited to my crazy mind and Marissa's brilliant brain. LOL


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Anyway, I'm in my second week of exam or should I say last week. It feels so good to be halfway done. Last week's papers are killer.


First exam, Technology. The questions were kind of out of what we had learnt the past half year. Questions like differentiate SLR and TLR, ISO100 and ISO400, Aperture 2.8 and 3.2 came out. What the?? Mostly about camera's functions. Should have concentrated on that. Though so, I'm pretty sure there's chance to score A in it. Luckily I remembered the discussion the night before the exam. =.="


Second exam, Teaching and Planning in Mathematics. Common sense paper and some factual like Gardner's Theory, Piaget's Cognitive Theory, Learning Styles and so on. Lots of notes (The notes compiled together is like 8cm thick? Thank God for the notes!) Hopefully can score higher by babbling lots in the paper. Non-stop writing for 2 and 1/2 hours for this one. XD


Third exam is the one which I would like to describe, as everyone had described after taking it as LONG PIAK (hokkien) paper. Really feels like knocking yourself against the wall after taking this paper. Oh ya, the paper is Calculus. Lots of formula, lots of twisted words to make you confuse and I did not read the optional question for the essay! That cost me ten precious marks. Sigh.. Please please at least I can pass this paper. +_+


Fourth is Integration of Arts in Education. Internal paper, so no need to say anything..
Four papers down and two more to go.


Next paper is on Monday (Curriculum and Pedagogy of Phys Ed) and the last one is on Wednesday (Principles of ELS). And I'm here blogging? Have I lost my mind? Guess it's soon...

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Cyanide and Happiness, a daily webcomic

Cyanide & Happiness @
Explosm.net
Cyanide and Happiness, a daily webcomic
Cyanide & Happiness @
Explosm.net

10 Camping Tips

Here are some camping tips that most think is not that important and might forget. My friends and I have some useful tips here:
  1. Always and always pack your stuff in plastic bags so that your stuff are water-proff.
  2. A friend of mine packs her clothes in plastic bags according to days. One plastic bag of clothes for a day. Useful, I might say.
  3. Bring first aid kit. This is a MUST!
  4. When building your tent, make sure to dig small drain around your tent for divert-off in case of heavy downpur.
  5. Build a flying sheet to avoid heavy downpour and moisture.
  6. Avoid using fragrant or scented personal products. Bugs are attracted to it.
  7. Wear light colored long sleeve shirts and pants. Never wear black especially at night if you do not want to have bug bitting you.
  8. Try to bath before sleeeping or at least keep yourself cool. Bugs are attracted to sweat.
  9. Keep your tent zipped at all times to stop bugs getting in.
  10. Pack up food and scraps at night — they attract unwelcome guests like possums and insects.

Camped Out!

A glance of the recent camping for IPGs from all over Sarawak at IP Rajang, Bintangor. This 4 days and 3 nights camp has exorted all my energy out; physically, mentally, and socially too.. :S

Briefly, the camp is all about Scout, Red Crescent and TKRS. All together, there's 235 participants if I'm not mistaken. We arrived there around 3pm on the first day. Located our camping ground and start to build up the tents for the night.

Second day: Group discussion about Community Service at SK Nanga Stras

Group who was in charge of the food

Our group was assigned to clean the dormitory

The dorm looks nice in front but wait till you see the back!

Dirty job. Call Mike Rowe!!

Halfway done through cleaning...

Group photo! Job well done!



After we have finished, it's time to get back to the camping ground. Heavy downpour suddenly hit us. "Man, I have a bad feeling about this", popped out in my mind. When we got back...

We saw the open-air hall was full with bags and luggages

Seemed like the heavy rain has hit our camping ground hard. Most evacuated their belongings. The Scout team has been really helpful. They helped to evacuate our stuff to the hall and when we saw them, they were like dripping wet and their uniform was all wet as well.

Scouts were getting their dinner ready. They just never stop working...

Camping ground. Good news for them, their tents were in good shape


Though for some...

And for us... Flood!

Still, our group has the mood to cook! :)

Girls ended up sleeping at the open-air hall <br>

Our facilitator commented us the next morning, "Semalam saya lihat kamu semua tidur berhimpit-himpit. 100 lebih tidur macam udang kering, bengkok sini sana. Mana tak, sejuk dari khemah kerana dewan itu open-air. Malam ini, semua wajib tidur dalam khemah; basah ke tak. Oh swell...

Third day: B.O.M (Bantuan Operasi Menyelamat)


B.O.M was our last formal activity in the schedule for the entire camping week. B.O.M is a situation where we will set up a team of Disaster Force Team in an area where a disaster happened. There will be sections such as Registration of patients, Survey team, Mass Feeding team, Search and Rescue team, Logistic team, Public Communication team, and not least the First Aid team which will be under the orders of main Operation Room. We had fun during B.O.M. Challenging as given situation differs from head-cracking situation to silly ones such as an old lady called Red Crescent Disaster Task Force to allocate her cat. -_-". I learned a lot about Disaster Management during that activity.



The fourth day has arrived, FINALLY! Everyone was rejoiced to go home.. Well, back to campus at least. Back to that comfty bed, back to alone time and back to technology. We bid farewell to some old friends and new ones. Headed back to college and it took us around 5 hours. That's quick.


Odd to say for a person like me who deeply loves camping out, this is the worst camping I had gone through. The activity is not challenging at all and there's like major conflicts here and there; internally and also among IPGs. I guess this camping has brought out everyone's true color. Sad to say, even myself. Some of the time, I really felt like strangling some people for being so insensitive with others. Argh.. can't wait for graduation where I can be away from most of those hypocrites! I guess I might only miss my coursemates. Should have chosen Scout instead of Red Crescent where most of my coursemates are...


Well, looking at the positive side, at least I managed to meet some of my friends from other IPs. There's Lee Sin, Chai, Hui Lan and Shan Ling from my field-based experience team; Lo, my three-in-a-row camping friend; some of my netball rivals and new friends as well.

PAYING IT FORWARD

Today I've learned something, something so obvious, so precious yet many have not discovered. Paying It Forward.




'Pay It Forward' is actually a novel written by author, Catherine Ryan Hyde and others to help in inspiring students that it is possible to help change the world. The story is about a 12-year-old boy named Trevor McKinney that believed in the goodness of human nature. He was determined to change the world for the better thus creating the concept of paying it forward. Help one who will help another. A chain of good deed that comes from even a small favor.




Let's say that a stranger or a friend comes up to you and helps you, even in a small way of helping to carry your stuff or guiding you through your assignments. Paying it forward means the act of helping another when someone helps you even in the simpliest way. An act where you repays their kindness by helping others who are in need. Help others but expect nothing out of them. Touch their heart and change their opinion of the world by your unobtrusive acts of kindness.





Imagine that you helped three person. Say this to them: "Repay my kindness by helping another three person that needs your help. Pay it forward." When that three person helped another three each, we are actually spreading the positive way of making the world a better place to live in. Sooner or later, the chain spreads through. This will goes on and on. See? Even a simple deed can help a lot in any way.





Practicing this concept will make people to be alert about those in need and those who helped them, who spread kindness to them. Nowadays, it is risky to help strangers but let your own good intentions guide you on your actions. Let this concept shapes people to become more grateful even for the smallest act of kindness from others.




Many do not know how much that their help would benefit this world. Help others who are in need and guide them to help others. Learn and spread the good value of 'PAYING IT FORWARD'. Make this world a better place. You can lend a hand to change the goodness in this world. Believe it, you can do it.



To learn more about this, please visit the following website:


Writer on Red Headband...

I'll be away from blogspot for a while... Need to concentrate on 3 deadly project due next two weeks.


Now, abstinence from Friendster and Facebook too.. X_X


Oh yea.. Happy Independence Day, everyone! Monday's public holiday. Hohoho..

Seven Deadly Sins

Have you heard of the seven deadly sins? Well, I've read a novel recently about it and found out that it is related to Christianity. Seven deadly sins:


1. Luxuria meaning Lust

2. Gula meaning Gluttony

3. Avaritia meaning Greed

4. Acedia meaning Sloth

5. Ira meaning Wrath

6. Invidia meaning Envy

7. Superbia meaning Pride


This seven deadly sins also known as the cardinal sins. According to famous Wikipedia, these sins destroyed the life of grace, and created the threat of eternal damnation unless either absolved through the sacrament of confession, or forgiven through perfect contrition on the part of the penitent.


Deadly Sin #1: Lust

Lust or lechery is the thought of obsessive or excessive thoughts or desires of a sexual nature. Unfulfilled lusts can lead to sexual or sociological compulsions and/or transgressions including sexual addiction, adultery, bestiality, rape, and incest. Be thankful for your spouse. It is said that people commits adultery because they are seaching for that 10% of satisfactory where as their spouse if providing them that 90% from the beginning of their marriage, be it good or bad.


Deadly Sin #2: Gluttony

Gluttony is the act of excessive eating or drinking that can lead to the point of waste. Thomas Aquinas stated a list of six ways to commit gluttony, including


Praepropere, eating too soon;
Laute (washedly), eating finely;
Nimis, eating too much;
Ardenter, eating burningly;
Studiose (keenly), eating daintily;
Forente (boringly), eating wildly.


Deadly Sin #3: Greed

Greed is also another deadly sin of excess, appearantly similar to lust and gluttony. Greed is applied to desire to the acquisition of excessive wealth. Examples of greed activities are such as bribery, scavenging, hoarding, theft, trickery, and manipulation that results in gaining desired by the wrong way. Greed can alter humanity and leads to treason, deliberate betrayal and disloyalty. Wealth is materialistic possession. Rather than chasing this unworthy possession that you can't even bring to your bed on the day you rest in peace, pursue those possessions that can be cherish forever. Possessions such as love and spiritual ones.


Deadly Sin #4: Sloth

Earlier of the century, sloth is known as sin of sadness and despair. Dante refined this further, describing sloth as being the "failure to love God with all one's heart, all one's mind and all one's soul." As for modern days, sloth is closely related to laziness which is dislikes of work especially involving physical movement. God gives us specific talent, skills and abilities in each unique individual. Failure to utilize it fully could be labelled as sloth. This sin is actually the least deadly sin among all seven deadly sins.


Deadly Sin #5: Wrath

Wrath is excessive anger which can leads to vengeance, destruction and suffering to others. Uncontrollable anger and hatred can be categorized as wrath. The transgressions borne of vengeance are among the most serious, including murder, assault, and in extreme cases, genocide. Excessive anger or hatred, whether it is related to selfishness or the other way around is another deadly sin. Be patience and be cool. When you feel like turning into Hulk, pin-point that wrath is one of the seven deadly sins. Count one until ten, breath in and breath out. Wrath does not solve anything. Vengeance does not solve anything. Seek for advise or see


Deadly Sin #6: Envy

Envy which can be described as the resentful or unhappy feeling of wanting somebody else's success, good fortune, qualities, or possessions. Those who commit this sin those who commit the sin of envy resent that another person has something they perceive themselves as lacking, and wish the other person to be deprived of it. This sin is usually described as the pleasure of seeing another suffer. Envy leads to unsatisfactory which leads to someone doing bad or bad-mouthing of another, later to gain sinful pleasure of seeing others brought low. Be humble and be satisfied of what is gained, whether it is worth to what you have contribute. God is the witness of your deed and he will reward you in future.


Deadly Sin #7: Pride

Pride. Yes, pride is one of the deadly sin. It is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to give compliments to others though they may be deserving of them, and excessive love of self (especially holding self out of proper position toward God). Pride is good but excessive pride is not the same. Be proud of what you think you have done best and be satisfied.


Overall, be moderate and be satisfied. If you can master this two thing, you will be far away from these seven deadly sins. Seems easy since it is only two thing to master? Try to master it first. Things are never that easy.
Upon the seven deadly sins, the opposite, the good:


Lust --> Chastity (plainess or simplicity)
Gluttony --> Temperance (self-restrain)
Greed --> Charity (generosity)
Sloth --> Diligence
Wrath --> Patience
Envy --> Kindness
Pride -->Humility

Please la!

One event happened recently. Let's take a peek, shall we?



One week before...
B: C, please remind me to get ready all the preparations ready for event 1 and event 2.
C: Ok.



Few days later...
C: How's the preparation going for event 1 and event 2? A smsed me, said he listed out names to give to you.
B: I totally forgot! I was busy here and there! The names need to be fax A.S.A.P! Event 1 is this week and event 2 is next! (@_@)
C: (deep big sigh) I'll help to type out the schedule and paperwork for event 1. A will handle event 2.



Hours later...
C: Hey, A. This is schedule for event 1. B made it just now and he wants name list for event 2.
A: Ok. I already listed out the names for few but we are short on people.
C: B said we can take from juniors. When we can ask them?
A: Let's go together right now.



Next two days, there's meeting. A prepared for the venue booking and stuff. A even called friends to help with the foods. Event 1 was swell...


----------------------------------------------------------------------------


One week before event 2...
A: Hey! How's the preparation going? Could you help me to take the paperwork from B?
C: I'm not so sure. B contacted me recently, said he's handling everything. Ok, I'll help you get that.



Moments later...
C: How's the preparation going? A called me to get the paperwork from you, B.
B: OMG! I forgot! Can you get from me by tomorrow?
C: (Big deep sigh) Fine.



C tried to call A but A is out of reach.



Next day...
C: The paperwork?
B: Ya, I finished it. I am so damn busy! Here and there.. Bla.. Bla.. Bla..
C: I'll send the paperwork to the top.



C brings paperwork to the top.
C: This is the paperwork for event 2, sir.
Top: (Reads and approve) Ok. I'll see to this later. Check the result back here in the afternoon.
C: Thanks, sir.



C abandoned the crisis for a while to work on another crisis..
Afternoon..
A: Where are you? This afternoon still on?
C: This afternoon? Man! Yes! Yes! Please help me see to that for a while? I need to get something done for a while!
A: Ok ok. Just get here later.



Moments later...
C: I'm here regarding event earlier on.
Top: I have approve it. Now, you get this forms, fill it in and bring it back.


C brings back the forms to A since A is the president.
C: Here is the forms needed to be filled. I can't find B. B is not around.
A:I'll just fill it and ask recognition from other dep.


So, that whole afternoon, C and A walked around to finish up with the preparations.


Last two days before event 2...
B: (in meeting) This couple of weeks has been busy for me. I was bla.. bla.. bla.. Thanks to C who helped me.
C: (shocked and pointed at A)
B: Oh yes. A too. Thanks! C bla.. bla.. bla...



By the end of the meeting, C tried talking to A. A would not listen. A was hurt because all A's work was not looked upon by B. C smsed A...
C: Hey, are you ok?
A: Yeah, I am fine. It was nothing.
C: Oh, ok. B told me that B is going to handle to breakfast for tomorrow.
A: Are you sure? I don't think so. Let us watch.


C: Hey, B. I'm telling you that A is doing a great job here. Why didn't you mention about A?
B: A did? I didn't know that.
C: Sure you don't! That why I am telling you!
B: I'll remind myself to thank A later on.



Last day before event 2...
B called another meeting with all the others from main headquater...
B: This is bla.. bla.. bla...

Meeting goes on then suddenly...
B: So, how about breakfast for tomorrow?
C: (dead shocked) (What the..?! Yesterday told me B going to handle everything! Now?!)
A: (smirked at C) See? I've told you.



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Footnote:
A is smart. A is responsible. As a viewer, I had admit him as probably one of hundred that you find in this world. He is born with a leadership skill, swift moves as organizer and also an addition, sharp mouth. You can't deny that. But A is quite an avenge person. Yes, B is not honoring A for what A has done. Reason?! A did everything on silent mode, without any interaction with B. It is a noble thing did A done but I mean like, please! Don't explode your anger just because your hard work is not visible by B. C seen it and A knows that. Don't treat someone as a sand bag! It's not a pleasant sight! Be a gentleman that you claim to be! "It's ok. I'm alright with it. I work behind the curtain"? Do you really mean that or it is just words to please yourself and others?
I'm shooting this back at you since you're shooting someone first without knowing the whole truth. SYT...

Omen

Kuching people and those who are in Kuching, Sarawak. Saw this incident? How the sun looked like on the afternoon of July 28th, 2008.

It is not a reflection by the camera. The sun was in the centre and there's a rainbow-like ring appeared surrounding the darker sight of the sky. X-file much?


A video taken by my coursemate, NC.

The End of Our Horror Days

Yeah! Days of horror are finally going to be over. MQA, MQA, MQA. For our class, we had done our job and done it with double thumbs up. Wondering what is MQA? Look at the pictures first..

Part of the MQA


Plane tessellations and geometry section's arrangement


Finalizing everything...


See how many trees that we had killed?


Everyone with their frustrated faces

Still wondering what is MQA? MQA is acronym for Malaysian Qualification Agency. Since we are the pioneer group, the quality of our tasks and assignments, projects and etc will determine whether our degree will be qualified or not. This will not only affect us but our juniors as well. The burden we are carrying now... For all those photostated notes and tasks, we spent around MYR 6k for it. O_O Fingers cross, hope all this goes well.


Kembara Sosial

Program Bina Insan Guru Semester 4/2008: Kembara Sosial.
A 3 days 2 night social tracking to village.
(21st July 2008 - 23rd July 2008)


Guys unpacking the tents


Phase 1 of the hill: Girls' campsite


First night group activity. It was like orientation all over again


Second day: A trip to our foster family's house in the village


My group members


Look! Mango tree! Juicy...



This is the reason why restaurants hire men as main chef


Itadakimasu!!


Social trekking group no.6


Third day: Group photo with our 'wedding chair'.



BIG PPPRPET CoHord2 Year 2008


KAGUM UB 2008

KAGUM Unit Beruniform (UB) 2008 this year is at Ulu Lipur Forest Reserve, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. This event is only held once every four years. Lucky! All the uniform units; Red Crescent, KRS, Scout, Girls Guide and PPIM will be going. There was like 55 of us from IPTAR, almost a whole plane. "P


Early morning flight with MAS


Breakfast (Baguettes and orange juice)



Candid of my DEAKIN seniors sleeping "P



Taking IBBM bus to Ulu Bendul


Red Crescent camping ground for 27 units x 11 people


Got selected for Konda Kondi, a traditional game




Cooking competition for Red Crescent


Met my Rajang senior, Alice


Drill competition


KRS drill team


IPPP's Humanity mural




Getting ready for team photo


Say cheese!


Got second place in Konda Kondi


After breaking camp


At KLIA




Our luggage was like few hundreds kg. Luckily, we have like 1200kg bag access limit. Hahaha. I am glad that I got the chance to take part in this rare event. Met new friends and some old ones too. The camping was not tough. I mean the Red Crescent unit was quite care free. We only need to do kitchen duty twice that week for the whole 300 participants, one night sentry, and twice of cleaning duty. We managed to visit Nilai, the centre of textiles before going back. ^_^