Depression

I'm headed down that road already if nobody can help me out.

Clayton + Australian synchrotron

Went down to Clayton today to meet up with Andrew. For one thing, I must say that Clayton is a little boring. It's like Mont Albert, but Monash Uni being there gives it some difference, I guess. Having nothing to do except lunch in town [the Indian food there is surprisingly delectable], we decided to tour the Monash Clayton campus.
And that led to the Australian synchrotron up along Blackburn Road. One thing surprised me regarding the synchrotron which doesn't show up in the photos. There's a lot of barbed wire around the fence, yet the gate is wide open.

Lucky thing I got back before the storm blew into Surrey Hills. It was bad enough in Clayton, and it definitely sounded worse here.

Anyway, pix.

That's the synchrotron seen from a distance.

The inside of the synchrotron

The frontage of the Australian synchrotron

L-R view of the Monash football field

Signboard advertising the Australian synchrotron

The Forgotten - part 8

Night.

Time of the great silence
the unknown lurks around.
Watching, waiting.
Anywhere, everywhere at once.

Unforgettable, the things that stay with us.
The good times, they pass too soon.
The bad moments, they stick
and haunt our dreams.

I do not fear night.
Stronger in the darkness,
my dreams take shape.


The Forgotten walks again tonight.

Regarding the policy reversal

[Disclaimer: the author is a product of the Malaysian education system. Any comments he makes here are true and not embellished in any way.]

After 6 years of implementation, 6 long years, now the policy has been reversed. I will tell you the same thing proponents of the policy say: Don't waste our money on changing plans back and forth. And now a quick shoutout to all those blithering idiots supporting the reversal.

To the Malay nationalists:

No, teaching Science and Maths in English is a good concept. It will not weaken the position of Malay, seeing that the standard of SPM Bahasa Malaysia questions are extremely high compared to the parody of an exam you call the SPM English 1119 paper. And there are already so many subjects taught in Malay, so there is no need to teach every non-language subject in Malay.

To the Chinese traditionalists:

If you enjoy Chinese so much, go. Just leave Malaysia. I have seen with my eyes how the Chinese in Australia adapt to using English in schools. Yes, I know they are forced to do it because of the system. But they are adapting to the system, not forcing the system to change every few years. Besides, Chinese students have been beating the crap out of the Malaysian education system, consistently scoring many A1's in SPM. So if our students have been able to do it when the mode of instruction was in Malay, and they did it again when Science and Maths were taught in English, why not let them continue? Why the resistance? Why can't we prove that the Chinese are flexible? Besides, why do you even support Malay at secondary school levels? Shouldn't you campaign for Chinese education to be available at all levels?

Technology

One of the best ways for parents to nag you about stuff, and also interrogate you about exam results.

GAH

Doncaster SC

A bit of a let down, really. I'd say it's like Subang Parade, without the arcade. Even then, who goes to the arcade in Parade? Certainly not me, even though I'm a proud Subang resident. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

Books, books. Just finished off a historical conspiracy theory story. Due to the historical nature of the story, it is damned sad when you get to the end of the story and read that the heroes have to die so that spacetime continuity is preserved. But all in all, I must say I enjoyed the read.


-Solace in the strength of the winds.-

Paydirt

After searching high and low in discount warehouses and in bookshop discount bins, finally. Finally some luck. Managed to get hold of not 1, but 3 books for $15. As sweet as it can get here.

Now I can read a lot again. Haha.

Posts

Long posts do not appeal to most readers. How sad.

Ah well. Maybe that's why newspapers no longer appeal to most people as well. Reading online articles might be easier for some, I guess.

-All it takes to destroy the world as we know it is for the good people to stand by while evil takes charge.-

Mixed feelings over switch, eh? Go screw yourself, says the wise one

Yet another change to the education system, yet another way of wasting taxpayers' money.

Define "mother tongue". Is it:

a) the language you first spoke at home?
or
b) the language of your race?

I remember some of us trying to debate this question with a lecturer last year. Sadly, to some people, as long as:

a) you aren't white,
b) you don't have a white parent,
c) you weren't born in an English speaking country, and lived there for more than 3 weeks,

you automatically don't qualify to say English is your mother tongue. Which is really unfair for those of us who've spoken English more than any other language since young. Hey, in case anyone high up reads blogs from the masses, understand this: we demand our rights too. Don't leave us out just because we aren't the majority. Our parents still pay you taxes, and I simply hate to see their hard-earned money going down the drain caused by the government changing plans every decade or so.

And why do the politicians need to come out to welcome the move? This seems like a sign that political pressures still rule this country of ours, that students are just pawns in the chess game of politics. So, in future, if you really want to change the lives of people, don't be an engineer or architect or scientist. Go and be a POLITICIAN. Even though you'll be cursed by everyone for failing them, you get to see your stuff implemented. You'll be happy, your supporters will be happy, your enemies will be happy, it's all a win-win situation, eh?

English is, and will be, the language for disseminating information throughout the world. General English is for communication purposes only. If you can't read and write technical terms in English, don't dream of going to any white man's land. Stay at home. Do your degree locally, feed the local education industry, earn lots of ringgit and make Malaysia proud. UTAR needs students. UiTM needs students. Go make them happy. Stay at home and make more champs. Then at international meetings, the only Malaysians you'll be seeing will be those who fit any one of these categories:

a) went to international schools
b) were born overseas, educated overseas since young
c) were through some distant relative, linked back to Malaysia

In short, the ones who will make us proud are the ones who ran away from the hopelessly failing education system. They will carry our flag, hidden in the shadows of another bigger flag.


To Muhyiddin, I don't know whether you enjoy this switch, but have fun facing criticism. To the Cabinet ministers who voted "Nay" to the change, I'm with you. To those who voted "Aye" for the change, I hope that your next trip in a bus ends up over a cliff. Hopefully while your contingent goes up to Genting, your driver fucks up. Good luck with facing rotten eggs anyway. Don't forget, the ones who understand more will end up with the world. Like Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Buddha. Not politicians.

Math and Science back to Bahasa, mother tongues

The Star
Published: Wednesday July 8, 2009 MYT 2:42:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday July 8, 2009 MYT 3:55:24 PM
Math and Science back to Bahasa, mother tongues

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has decided that the medium of instruction for Maths and Science will revert to Bahasa Malaysia in national schools and mother-tongue languages in national-type schools from 2012 onwards.

The reversal of the Teaching of Math and Science in English (PPSMI) policy will be done in stages, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Wednesday.

He however added that there will be greater emphasis on learning the English language.

English literature will be re-introduced, as will subjects on grammar and composition.

Beginning 2012, students in Year One and Year Four in primary schools, and Form One and Form Four in secondary schools, will learn Math and Science in Bahasa Malaysia.

The change will not affect those in Form Six and Matriculation.

The two subjects will be taught in two languages until 2014 for other students, he said.

“The gap between rural and urban students has widened since PPSMI started.

“Only 19.2% of secondary teachers and 9.96% of primary teachers were sufficiently proficient in English,” he said, explaining the Government’s decision to revert to the old system.

On efforts to emphasise the learning of English, the number of English teachers would be increased by 13,933 -- retirees would be hired, as well as foreigners if need be.

Primary schools will also increase English classes by 90 minutes a week.

There have been calls from various groups for the policy to revert to before 2003, when the subjects were taught in Bahasa Malaysia in national schools, and either in Chinese or Tamil in national-type schools.

The issue has seen a rare alliance between Malay and Chinese educationists, who are against the switch, although there are also calls by many parents and entrepreneurs for English to be maintained.

Thank goodness my brother and sister escape the horrors of reverting to BM and mother tongues for Science and Maths. They're just one year ahead of this epic reversal stunt pulled off by the Cabinet.

Let's look at something I find interesting:

The issue has seen a rare alliance between Malay and Chinese educationists, who are against the switch...

Do you really think that they are allied against the teaching of Science and Maths in English for the same reasons? I don't think so. The two groups may be allied in their stand, but one thing has been clear from the start: They each have their own agendas. As far as I understand [and this understanding may be biased or flawed], the Malays feel that the "superiority" of their language is being threatened by English. On the other hand, the Chinese educationists believe that the majority of Chinese students are not making much headway with Science and Maths taught in English. It's basically two different groups of people, with different reasons for uniting against a common problem. What they plan after that is another point entirely. Which worries me. Will another different group of people demand something else again later on? And how will the Cabinet decide this time round?

Conspiracy theories aside, all I can say regarding this piece of news is that the education system in Malaysia is just another step towards generating failures. "Malaysisa", one of the most common spelling mistakes for "Malaysia", might soon become fact rather than fiction, if we keep spewing out "sisa" like the person writing the letter in the post below this.

Malaysian English

Malaysia-Today
Why English should not be taught in Bahasa Malaysia
Posted by admin
Tuesday, 07 July 2009 15:20

There is currently a brouhaha going on about the proposed teaching of Science and Maths in English. Some would like these two subjects to be taught in Bahasa Malaysia. I am not too concerned about Science and Maths. I am more worried about English. I feel English should no longer be taught in Bahasa Malaysia.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

And why do I think that English should not be taught in Bahasa Malaysia? Well, maybe this circular from one of Malaysia’s leading universities would explain everything.
*************************************************

4th UiTM INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FIESTA
19 – 23 November 2009 FUTSAL-RUGBY 7- TENPIN BOWLING-BADMINTON

Dear Sport Friends,

Regarding about the global issue H1N1 happens around the world, sadly to be informing that our UiTM International Sports Fiesta will be postponing to 19-23 November 2009.

For all teams which have been confirm to participate in our events, we have to say sorry for this announcements and our Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health also advise to us to change the date for this current situation.

By the date have been confirm incoming this November hopefully your teams still can participate in our event and don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.

And again, we would like to say sorry about the date change for the sake of our health among us.

See you in this November at UiTM Malaysia!!

Regards,

Mr. Mustaza Ahmad
Director
Sports Centre
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Malaysia

I have nothing more to say about this other than:

EPIC FAIL

Government monitoring blogs closely, says Rais

Tuesday July 7, 2009 MYT 7:27:00 PM
Government monitoring blogs closely says Rais

KUALA LUMPUR: Special units have been set up under both the Home, and the Information, Communications and Culture Ministries to monitor blogs and ensure that the content adheres to local laws.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, who is in charge of the communications portfolio, said both ministries would also exchange information between themselves to ensure maximum monitoring.

Besides monitoring, Dr Rais said his ministry also held meetings and dialogues with bloggers and website operators to inform them about government policies.

“We inform them about the various laws that they should be aware of when they blog, especially those relating to racial harmony and national security.

“We also remind them about the existence of legislation such as the Sedition Act, Defamation Act and Internal Security Act,” he said.

Earlier, he told both Shamsudin Mehat and Datuk Dr Yeow Chai Thiam that the Government would adopt an “open approach” towards the new media.

“The Government encourages people to use the internet to search for information and knowledge as this helps to increase the broadband usage in the country,” he said.

Dr Rais said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission also organised programmes to promote awareness on proper usage of internet, such as cyberspace security, publication of articles, interviews in electronic media and in advertisments.

To a question from Ahmad Hussin whether the Government intended to draw up a code of ethics for bloggers as they had the power either to unite or wreck society, Dr Rais said the Home Ministry would monitor the bloggers under the Printing and Publications Act.

“My ministry will monitor these blogs under the Communications and Multimedia Act,” he said.

Hmm. Seems like we kids won't be in much trouble over these sort of acts. But thinking about it, do we really need police in the Net? [I refer, of course, to the Net policing and monitoring Rais refers to.]

I don't think that all of us are that naive to assume that everything on the Net is true.

Do not trust Wikipedia 100%.
-Ray Dagastine-

Although you do have one or two mishaps, not all of us will believe that there is a Father somewhere in Malaysia attempting to convert Muslims. What more to stories of slaughter and bloodshed. For that, we need more than one reliable source to actually start thinking that something real has happened/is happening.
As for politics, I will not delve into that deeply, since that is beyond the normal, politically unconnected Malaysian. We can only speculate. We can't say anything. Anything we say is, really, hot air until it's confirmed by someone in the right areas.

Top Gear

MSN PMs are a good place to find interesting stuff. This evening I watched Jeremy, James and Hammond try to make better police cars. Now I'm watching them trash the Satria Neo and the Myvi. Check them out!

Just for fun

在这里住了快要五个月了，我不觉得这儿像洋人的地盘。假如你到市中心走一趟，你会看到一大把华人。
对某些人讲，这里就很像家乡，根本都不需要走很远就碰见同乡的人。

唉。太久没用华语了，虽然遇到大陆来的，他们跟我们大马来的多数就是用英文谈天。

Crysis: Warhead

Finished Crysis: Warhead last night. Verdict: No replayability value if you take the same route through the game.

I'm bored again. Crysis really takes a chunk out of my laptop, and I can't afford to run Crysis all the time. Better get out and go exploring again.

Books

It's hard to find a book that I really enjoy reading, since I filter books before actually buying/borrowing them.

Good plot? Check.
No cliched characters? Check.
Good thickness? Check.

If I get hold of books like that, I'll be happy. But even in a warehouse like the one in Collingwood, I still can't find much to interest me. Self help? Nah. Autobiographies/biographies? Not that the people featured are worth reading about. [eg. Katie Price]

Oh well. Looks like I should go exploring more places instead. Melbourne is so big, there's so many places to go. Hmm.

Solace in boredom

Quite the oxymoron in the title. But then again sometimes boredom brings more interesting things to light. Like the fun of playing DotA or Crysis Warhead.
Or the simple joy of exploring suburbs, finding the fascinating stuff to enjoy.
Ha. What some of us love, others miss out on.

May we kiss whom we please, and please whom we kiss.
-Toast-

The Star
Friday July 3, 2009
Some lost in both languages

IT is a known fact that our younger generation is weak in English and I am happy to know our Government is addressing this issue.

Sadly though, I have not heard anything about the level of proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia. Are we happy with the command of Bahasa Malaysia among our youths, especially the non-Malays?

We have used Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction for more than 30 years, and yet I can still find many who are below 30 years old who are weak in Bahasa Malaysia. Despite going through school and passing examinations, this group of people cannot converse in Bahasa Malaysia.

There are many local graduates who are neither proficient in Bahasa Malaysia nor English. They cannot speak, write or debate in both languages.

In short, for all its strength, our education system has created a portion of society who can neither speak our national language nor the international language i.e. English.

Why do we talk about mastering English to compete globally when we cannot even master our own national language?

RONIN TAY,

Kuala Lumpur.

Well said. Focus on one, lose the other. Focus on the other, lose the first one. Focus on both simultaneously, lose everything.

Wandering

Went to Chadstone today for the sake of stretching my legs. A lot of sales on now. Didn't buy clothes though. Managed to get hold of Crysis Warhead, so I'm going to be playing that first.

My mind wanders as much as my body does. In fact it goes further.

Drafts

It's unbelievably difficult to write up a simple letter nowadays. Introduction, body, ending. I hate it, since it gives the feel of an exam. Without the grades, of course.

Oh well, one simple remedy - procrastination.

"When I first saw you I thought you were some high school student."
"What..."
-random quote from yesterday-

Market research

Went to South Melbourne for some market research stuff. I can't believe that you can hide modern stuff inside an old furniture warehouse.

*recalls Old Engineering building*

Then again, maybe you can. But anyway, market research is always secret. I hate that sort of secrecy crap. "Sign here, and here, and swear not to tell anyone until this product hits the market."
Focus group was 5 Malaysians, 1 Singaporean, 1 German and 1 Canadian. Asian domination ftw. Other than that, I really can't say anything more. Mainly because someone in the group kept staring at me for the entire 2 hours.

Frank open stares are inviting.

June -> July

Transition is something that happens. It just happens. If there's no significance to the transition, no fireworks will go off. Like day to night, night to day. Who really cares and parties every midnight? It's just some cold logic though.

Other transitions are more memorable though. Your 18th, your first day at a new school, anything that will change your life by more than just 2 inches will be memorable.

-Unrequited love always hurts.-

Hibernation

Such is winter. I am more or less hibernating as well. There's not much to do, and thanks to my parents, I'm forced to get back home by 3 pm if I go out. So that's kinda limiting some of my travelling, since exploring far out places like Clayton or Springvale need time. And it seems that time isn't always what I have. Oh well.

Chrono-technology is matter transfer technology. I want it badly.

The Forgotten - part 7

He wakes
alone in the dark
silence washes over him.

It is bliss
the welcome quiet
after an evening of noise and anger.

Clouds scud across the sky
blotting out the silver moonlight
blanketing the houses below.

This is what I like
Just let me be.

Housing/Science and Maths

Went house hunting yesterday. Found 2 decent places, so around this time next year I'll be living in the city. I haven't confirmed which part of the city though, although I know I'll be either somewhere around Melbourne Central or up near Spring St. At least that's one thing I worry about less, now that I've figured out my accommodation.

*

The Star
Monday June 29, 2009
Anwar: Scrap use of English for Science and Maths

PETALING JAYA: Scrap the policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English and bring back Bahasa Melayu as the medium of instruction in the education system, said Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also called for the return of Bahasa Melayu’s status as the supreme language, which includes using it as the medium to teach Science and Maths in national schools and also strengthening its usage in Chinese and Tamil schools.

“This issue has become a controversy for far too long.

“We consider this policy a betrayal of Bahasa Melayu as our official language,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Anwar, however, conceded that it was important to master English and agreed that there should be constructive steps taken to improve the usage and understanding of the language.

“But how we do it should be decided by educationists and with consideration towards the national education policy.

“This includes not forcing our children to pass English as a compulsory subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) as this will result in many students, especially in rural areas, to fail,” added Anwar.

On another matter, Anwar questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s sincerity when announcing the government’s plan to introduce a new category of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships which would be based purely on merit.

“The last time when I suggested the plan, I was called a Chinese agent and a traitor to the Malays,” he said.

Anwar also lauded PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s proposal to have a debate with Najib.

He said an open debate would be the best way to clear up the accusations against the Kelantan Mentri Besar.

Unfortunately for Pakatan Rakyat, I have to disagree with Anwar over his handling of the Science and Maths issue. I am seeing first-hand how some of the mainland Chinese students struggle to deal with the technical terms used in tertiary level studies. So if you think these stuff should come instinctively, you are dead wrong. There are those who can do it intuitively, and there are those who can't. It's one of the sad facts of life now.

The Forgotten - part 6

The abyss looms
deep and dark.
I peer inside
feelings welling from deep in me.

The love once budding
cut by shears,
sharp and bright.
The trust once given
now crumpled and cast aside.

From the darkness
A light beckons
From within
Forgiveness waves hello

I crave solace.
I hunger for release.

"Just let me go."

The Forgotten - part 5

He walks again, amongst the living.
He's next to you, but you don't feel him
until you need him.
By then, he's miles away, seeking acceptance
forever trying to fit in.
Like a key bent out of shape
by some malevolent force.
He is desperate,
but few will stop to help
for he is but another oddity
in their minds.

When will he find solace?
When will he find acceptance?
When will he be satisfied with his life?

When will he find himself?

Transformers 2

It was good for the action and Megan Fox. Other than that, apparently some people don't really like the plot and the way it unfolded. To me, when I watch a movie for the explosions and stuff, I don't really think deeply about all the mechanics of plot and stuff, I just watch for the boom and bang. Although how a destroyer carries a railgun is kinda interesting and plot-breaking.

Oh and by the way, for those guys whining about Megatron, think about it this way instead. Why did they make Optimus Prime so strong?

Red Alert 3

Finally finished the 3 campaigns for Red Alert 3. I am once again, bored.

I wish I had the Cryocopter's cryobeam weapons. Imagine all the cheesy stunts you could pull off.

Star Wars fan fiction

There's a reason why I stopped reading Star Wars fan fiction once I'd read Jedi Eclipse. It just got overly boring. I mean, there's only so much death and destruction that you can take. Don't tell me that the galaxy is only that big. Come on, there have to be better scenarios than genocidal aliens coming in to eradicate every sentient being.

Having said that, I still find that fan fiction spawns some of the more intriguing stuff. Like Kyp, for example. Hotshot Jedi, he doesn't always play by the rules. And he makes his own rules, I guess, like me. Haha.

Szechuan food

Chilli is fun, as is peppercorn. Apparently peppercorn, when chewed, tastes of berries after the residual pepper taste fades away. And that was the reddest meal I'd ever had, with chilli in every dish except the long beans.
Sheer boredom then led to the following stuff. I don't usually think of myself as an inspiration, but then a random comment about the taste of peppercorns led to a peppercorn treasure hunt.

Searching hard for the peppercorns. Plenty of effort expended.

And voila! The end result. Not much to speak of though.

Others join in a different hunt.

And their result - lots of bean sprouts!

Finally, change of scenery. Tea art with chilli oil.

Cameras

2 megapixels is no longer enough for any decent photo work nowadays. All the pictures I take on my mobile phone are hopelessly blurry. Looks like this holidays I'll be looking out for new/reliable models for digital cameras.

Sunday

It's that day in the whole week where nobody shouts if you sleep in.

It's that day when your friends tell you, "Not morning please, I'm busy."

It's the last day of the week, when you curse and say, "Back to serious stuff tomorrow."

Parties

In vino veritas. That sums up the whole party last night.

Unfortunately I had to miss the Kokoda trip, but then in a way, I'd already made up for it by going to Olinda. Near enough to the Dandenong Ranges to count as "going up the mountainside". The houses there are lovely, even though they're hardly counted as mansions.

*

At least the cleaning up paid off. I now have an open space in my lounge, didn't expect that. It was fun to have so many friends over, except that it was kinda boring - nothing to play with or watch in my place, except lots of music. And so we ended up eating, enjoying music, and generally fooling around. Good clean fun.

I honestly need to get a good digital camera. Most of my mobile phone shots aren't worthy of blog space.

Catalyst

I know two things that will make a guy clean his house. Friends coming over, or the landlord coming to inspect. So at least I've got something done already for today, despite getting up at 12.

Plenty of stuff for me to do up during these 2 days.

Party - Olinda, 8 pm tonight, staying over until morning
Trekking + picnic - Kokoda walk, 9 am tomorrow
Box Hill lunch - Station St, Box Hill, ~1 pm tomorrow
Dessert - Surrey Hills, ~2.30 pm tomorrow

But for all that stuff, I'm gonna miss my friends during the winter break, since most of them won't be in Melbourne then. T_T

Forever

I will say this for the last time, before my friends ask me to shut my gob for good.

EXAMS ARE FINALLY OVER FOR ME TODAY!

Got that outta my system now, so that's good. Bloody tired after barefoot volleyball, dodgeball and random chasing around Flagstaff Gardens.

*

I'm being coerced into finding a job for winter. I know it's a decent idea to work during winter, but I still feel it's the kind of jobs I'm being asked to apply for that turns me off. Argh.

Well, then it's time for me to find solace in poetry.

There's no reason
There's no point
There's already the best one in front of me

Why do I search so hard?
Why do I look so far?
Why do I wonder what they think of me?

Nobody but you will do
Nobody else will be you
I think of you forever more
You're that shining one
In my dreams

Forever and ever
you'll be there for me
always in my heart.

English again

The Star, Wednesday June 17, 2009
DPM: Students must improve command of English
By KAREN CHAPMAN and PRIYA KULASAGARAN

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government recognises the need to improve students’ command of English to ensure they can compete globally.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said students must be proficient in the language and have other skills to interact with the global community and tap into knowledge.

“Equity of access must be demonstrated in the provision of the knowledge and skills that will facilitate this access,” he said when delivering his welcome remarks before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak opened the 17th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

“While we are aware of the importance of mother tongue instruction in the early years of childhood education, we also need to address the future needs of our youth,” he said.

Muhyiddin, who is Education Minister, said Malaysia has always believed in the sharing of experience and knowledge through partnerships with each other in the region and beyond to attain Unesco’s Education for All goals.

As lack of resources often limits access to universal education, all stakeholders including governments, donors and the people must act to overcome it.

He said Malaysia was working with its Seameo, Asean and Unesco partners to make Education for All a reality.

The conference, which was also the golden jubilee celebration of the first Commonwealth Education Ministers’ Meeting in Oxford in 1959, was an ideal platform to minimise the impact of the global economic crisis on the education system of member states, he added.

Speaking to reporters later, Muhyiddin said the Government was close to making a decision on the language of instruction for Mathematics and Science.

“I will be briefing the Prime Minister soon.”

The Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English policy was introduced in stages, starting with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students, in 2003.

Proficient in the language indeed. Hmm. Why is it when Malaysians go overseas, some of them find it easier to speak in Malay?

And why does the Education Ministry find it useful to keep changing its policies? If you're a fan of conspiracy theories, I think you'll find the answer pretty fast.

Oh and one more interesting note:

"Close to making a decision on the language of instruction for Mathematics and Science."

Haven't you guys made up your minds on that yet? I know about all the roundtable talks and stuff, but seriously, what's taking you guys so long to decide what to do?

Mirotic

I'm slowly turning into a K-pop fan, thanks to my friends now. Getting more information to K-pop thanks to them.

Ok, to be fair I'm actually getting most of my K-pop info from one good friend, since Form 4 [I think]. And now I try to introduce it to other friends. Well, I try. Sometimes it doesn't work, then I enjoy new songs by myself.

Check out the songs which hit the 100+ list!

I went to bed when it was light, and I got up when it had gotten dark.

Empty

What happens when you're bored and there's nothing much to do.

Like me now, I feel like I've got too much time on my hands now. Hence the improved blog layout, changed colours and Yuriko Omega sitting on the bottom corner.

Oh yes, finally got my hands on Red Alert 3. After beta-testing it last year, finally I get to play the game. Whoopee!
Now I'm trying out the Rising Sun missions, should be done with them by tonight.

This is what happens when you're that bored.

City vs. suburbs

Just came back from the city after spending close to 4 days there. My God. He works in very strange ways sometimes, now hinting that I should move down to the city as soon as I get the chance to.

In the city, I know that I'll be near enough to all of my friends, then I don't have to run up and down from the city to Surrey Hills.


I can't wait for October to be here, it feels far away still.

Post-calculus effect

Exams -> long lunch -> walking around Camberwell -> back to city -> Fed Square -> Liling's place for dinner -> Hoyts Melbourne Central for The Hangover

The post-calculus effect. It's fantastic. At least it got most of our circle together for a lot of fun. For one, I managed to get some of us to see my side of life, out here in the suburbs. And we also got to try out some good food in Camberwell. Well, finally something I really like - friends coming to the suburbs for some fun.

Fed Square had an interesting art exhibit this time, called Volume by UVA. I was pretty impressed with what they did. Unfortunately for anyone to fully enjoy the effects of Volume, you need to be able to listen to the musical effects as well. The changing colours won't be enough to enthrall anyone.

And a side note on cooking: Once you've been forced to fend for your own self for at least a year, you develop your own style of cooking. Whether it's derived from cooking shows, or your own housemates, the skill will always differ with person and cooking utensils. You can imitate, but eventually you'll develop your own style.

I can't believe a girl suggested that we watch The Hangover. I guess it's better suited to guys, but that's just me, since the show was just lots of swearing and jokes. A little too frank for my tastes, but, well, considering the plot and stuff, it's pretty good for a de-stressing show.

Now I also know how innocent [or lack thereof] my friends are, with them laughing at every single joke The Hangover threw at us. Every. Single. Joke.

You can't choose your relatives, but you can choose your friends.-
-Not me.-

Core

Suggested theory: In any circle of friends more than 6 people, you tend to have a core/nucleus of friends who are the main movers and shakers of the whole gang.

It seems that I've found the movers and shakers for my circle of friends in Melbourne.

1. Jun Yeu
2. Michelle
3. Me
4. Shu Jie
5. KC

You'll definitely see us around anything we organise. We'd call out for something to do, and you'll definitely see the 5 of us in the thick of it.

Camberwell tomorrow. After Calculus 2.

Fun.

Fun.

Fun!

"Proof needed"

Sometimes the problem with teaching is that the concept can be alien. And thus, some people feel that they need clarification on topics you took for granted.

*

And when you get stuff like "Proof needed" in your sample answers you feel like punching the person who gave the answers in the first place. Why the hell bother to give answers if you can't tell us how you arrive at the "proof"?

Anyhow, back to studying. Getting bashed by my friends for not doing much for calculus now.

English?

Wednesday June 10, 2009
Many object to making English a ‘must pass’ SPM subject
By KAREN CHAPMAN

PETALING JAYA: Most of the 500 views received by the Education Ministry as at the end of office hours yesterday are against any move to make English compulsory in order to obtain the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate.

A ministry official said those who contacted the ministry wanted the status quo to remain.

“We started receiving telephone calls from 10am until 5.30pm yesterday,” she said.

From today, she said people could telephone the ministry’s hunting line at 03-7723-7070 with their views from 8am to 5.30pm.

“There are 27 lines and we have enough people manning them,” she said.

People can also e-mail their views to kpkpm@moe.gov.my or send a fax to 03-7710-8880.

On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said he was surprised to learn that English was not a “must pass” subject for SPM and wanted public feedback on the matter.

The Education Minister said it was a revelation to him as he had always thought that it was a prerequisite since students had to learn English in school.

He said he was also shocked to learn that national schools no longer taught English grammar.

Muhyiddin said students were now merely learning communicative English.

“This means they are picking up the language for communication purposes only,” he said, adding that almost 70% of students who take English passed the subject.

A pass in English has never been compulsory for SPM. Since 2000, a pass in Bahasa Malaysia was sufficient to get the SPM certificate. Previously, a credit was a must.

Somebody is living in the past here.

Anyway, for once I agree with something somebody in the government has to say. English should have been made compulsory, and yes, we have been learning basic grammar and communicative English only. Anyone will know whether you're Malaysian overseas. You tend to speak in your own brand of English. Which is how I know whether that Asian sitting across from me is Malaysian or not.

Now, who is against this move to make English compulsory for getting the SPM cert?
Speculation isn't really my forte, but if you ask me I think there are 2 main groups who would shout the loudest now - the traditionalist Chinese groups and some Malay groups. Holding onto old things, I guess, how far would that take you?

Chem

I just realised how much the tests cover that the lectures don't.

I don't like that. It forces us to actually use the textbooks. Not fair.

Oh well. Can't complain too much. Back to studying.

In every loss
In every lie
In every truth that you denied
In each regret
In each goodbye
Was a mistake
too great to hide
-New Divide - Linkin Park-

Winter

It's cold every day. Sometimes even the people turn cold. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the exams.

Showers.
Sunlight.
Songs.

Ghost of Love - The Rasmus

Does it hurt
Does it burn
Do you know
What you've lost
Are you scared
Of the dark

Now that you've gone
All that remains
Is the ghost of love
Deep in my mind
I hear the dreams
Of the ghost of love

-I didn't come here looking for love, but if I stumble across it here why should I reject it?-
CY

Preston trip

Don't ask me what I was doing up in Preston before exams. I myself don't understand what I do sometimes. Accepting a tutoring job before my own exams? That's really... unusual. Oh wait, it's kinda like me to help others before solving my own problems.

Anyway, about Preston. It's quite a quiet town, I'd say. Not many trees, not much greenery. The main street is High Street, where you find almost all the shops. The other street is Gower Street, which intersects High Street and is where most of the public facilities are.

It's too silent a suburb for me. That might be part of the real estate agent's charms though - "Beautiful quiet suburb". Otherwise there's nothing much to describe about Preston.

Oh, and I did promise pictures, didn't I? Here you go!

Merri? This station, and the next one, Rushall, embody the Aussie spirit of finding weird names for places.

Preston town hall. I bet it's a relic of colonial times past.

Don't you just find the bird logo intricate?

Walking in the rain
so they can't see my tears - random quote

Plans

Creative writing assignment due - must print, must bring previous assignments, must get cover sheet, must attach SAE.
Preston trip - need to get Epping line to Preston station. [I promise pictures.]
Borrowed books - need to return by 6pm to Baillieu or risk epic fines.
More exam preparations - State Library closes at 9pm tomorrow.

Whee.

-It's really good to hear your voice
saying my name
it sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
hearing those words it makes me weak-
Lips of an Angel, Hinder

Bored

Finally finished my creative writing assignment.
Now I can focus on my final preparations for Chem, Calc 2 and ESD - although there really isn't anything to study for ESD, just probably going through all the past topics discussed in lectures. I still wonder what the use of ESD 1 is. The way I put it:

If NASA were to use Lego Mindstorms robots in their future space missions, or if Lego needed a remake of the Mindstorms program, only then would Robolab be justified.

But that's just a simplified way of looking at it.

Better get back to studying.

Fear denies faith.
-Space Marine quote, Warhammer 40k-

Forgotten part 4

I need my friends. They spark my life to greater heights.

Going outta my mind
Thinking of you
Random thoughts, random memories of us
Just you and I
Unforgettable
Not now, not ever

I weave in and out
of sanity
Between the poles
of light and dark
Being lonely isn't for us
being alone isn't a choice

Random conversation II

The intricate art of talking rubbish. Useful for jokes and to annoy people. Just make sure that you do it properly so that the victim will still forgive you. Here's an example [you know who you are, and I've modified parts]:

Location: Melb Uni Bookshop

MQ: He's not picking up.

CY: He must be wanking then.

JY: Yeah, "********!" [censored for privacy]
[with appropriate wanking action]

MQ: ... [1 second silence] What the... [starts chasing JY while whacking him]

Stress

Haven't felt like updating much now. Exam stress is upon me again. Why does the State Library close so early on Fridays, 3 hours earlier than usual? At least that's a place where I can study, unlike at home, where all I do is switch on my laptop and start playing and chatting.

Better yet, I just realised that my Creative Writing final assignment is 300 words short of the 1500 word count. Gotta do that up then. So I've got to switch gears, summon my artistic side in to do that job for me.

New Divide - Linkin Park

Whee. New song from Linkin Park, for the new Transformers movie. Have fun!

EPIC PHAIL of the Malaysian education system

The Star, Malaysia
Thursday June 4, 2009
Why 10 subjects is enough for SPM

KUALA LUMPUR: There are many positive reasons to limit the number of SPM subjects to 10, including the fact that it could overcome the shortage of teachers, Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said statistics showed that almost 90% of students took 10 subjects anyway.

“It all comes down to how we want to manage our education system so that we can produce students who are capable and not only in exams,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Asked whether opposition to the idea would lead to the proposal being shelved, he said:

“There are many who agree and they come from the education system.”

Muhyiddin said by limiting the subjects, the students could focus on core subjects as well as participate in other activities that would open up their minds.

“Apart from this, it can help teachers. With the reduced number of subjects, their energy can be focused on core subjects and the shortage of manpower could be somewhat overcome.”

Muhyiddin said that students also pursued more subjects just to add a few more As to their score.

“There are 111 electives, and some of these are not taught in school but require tuition outside of school. This means only those who can afford the tuition will benefit,” he said.

Producing students who are capable, not only in exams is a dream. As long as you retain the current ailing and failing syllabus, you won't be getting anywhere near achieving that dream of yours.

And what the hell are core subjects anyway? Look at the stuff we get fed in Malay. Your literature has a long history of being good, yes I agree with that. But it doesn't encourage lateral thinking.

"Patutkah Hang Jebat menderhaka terhadap Sultan Melaka?"

When the day comes when we students can say "Patut, seratus peratus patut!" to that question, then only will I say there is an improvement in anything you suggest.

And when you look subjectively at Moral Ed, think. Just think. And I'll prove that you will fail, Muhyiddin. You will bloody well fail if we asked you to take the Moral Ed exam for SPM. Civics is another subject which has practically nil value. How in the world are you supposed to teach patriotism and civic duty when the newspaper is full of stories of corruption and lawlessness? Don't think that students nowadays are so into games and studies that they neglect to look at current affairs. How are you supposed to teach good values when there are so many out there who don't practise what they preach?

And what sort of "other activities" will help to open up their minds? I will not be shocked or surprised to know that 90% of your students have parents who invest in piano education for their children. I have yet to see adequate proof that playing music is good for the mind. Sure, I have close friends who play the piano and consistently get good grades in exams and such. But there are those who don't play any music instruments and still get better grades. And talking about open minds, what counts? Does participating in political rallies count as "open minds"? Does participating in F1 research count? Does being national champion for Under-18 golf tourneys count? Does emerging as the runners-up in SEA DotA championship count?

Gah. And to think that I came from this sort of education system. I'm only lucky that I read outside of the syllabus for enjoyment, or life would be a constant torment.

Relatives

It seems to me that most of the Malaysians I know in Melbourne all have relatives somewhere about Aussie. In fact, I've always wondered why Melbourne is one of the cities of choice for Malaysians to go to.
Quick comparison of 3 major cities in Aussie:

Brisbane: Haven't been there for long, but the tropical weather would most likely suit us, coming from the humid tropics.

Sydney: Milder than Brisbane, but the beaches are more happening, apparently. More evidence needed from my friends in Sydney. More cosmopolitan than Melbourne, and nightlife seems to be better.

Melbourne: For the cold weather. It's good fun here, nightlife is adequate [although I haven't been allowed to go clubbing legally yet], beaches are ok, there's lots of different people from different backgrounds here.

But it still doesn't explain the clustering well enough. Sometimes even asking those who've been here for >10 years doesn't really help.

Revision

I don't feel productive enough. When I study in the State Library, at least I know I'm accomplishing something. But at home, that's a different story totally. Messenger is running, Facebook is active, I'm checking forums. Doesn't sound like I'm getting important stuff done at all. I'm thinking I should spend more time out of my place, so at least I know I'm studying properly.

Facebook quizzes

Now most of my friends are hooked on Facebook quizzes. How accurate these quizzes are, don't ask me. I made mine difficult but doable and still nobody's scored 100 for it yet, which isn't weird - cos I haven't shared everything with most of my friends yet. Proves that you guys don't really "know" me as well as you think you do.

I'm not gloating. I'm just being serious and reflective of the truth.

Engineering

We are the slackers united. How is it possible that compared to the psych students, the commerce and the science students, we seem to have so much time on our hands before exam time? And we thought we were stressed. I have my doubts about uni now. Who actually judges whether a course is difficult or easy? Students or public opinion?

Oh well. Maybe I should enjoy while it lasts.

Slacking/Hyperactive

***Note: this is meant to be a two-part update.***

(15:01) Rach: wad are u up to right now
(15:02) -Kyp Chia-Yang -: slacking and playing bejeweled 2 on fb

This is me. Lazing around, even though exams are up within two weeks. Of course I'm worried whether I'm doing any revision, compared to my friends. They all seem to be studying hard for their own reasons, unlike me. I read textbooks like storybooks, only looking at the interesting parts, hardly stopping to read the serious parts. I wonder where this path I'm on will take me to.

-I hope I'm one of those fellows who can skive off studying and still score well for uni exams.-

***

There are some songs which get me up and going. Like the one in the vid below, It's You. At least I got spurred to get out of the dumps [besides all the help I got from my friends, of course] and get on with life. At least getting over a breakup makes me feel better.

So now I'm hyper instead, which is at least better than emo-ing day and night. I'm now getting stuff done up, so all's good for me.

Friends

I have 3 types of friends - acquaintances, good friends and close friends/inner sanctum. Like the colours of the rainbow, the boundaries aren't clear at all, so don't take anything I say here to heart.

#1. Acquaintances - I know you guys for a short time, haven't really known more about you than just your name and where you stay. Mostly known through social gatherings and introduced through friends. We'd hardly meet in uni or on the streets.

#2. Good friends - I've known you guys for at least 3 months and counting. Probably would have trusted some of you with my history, so you'd know something about me from secondary school, or even further back. Usually people whom I meet at social gatherings, and then bump into regularly at uni. Oh, and we'd most likely sign up for events together.

#3. Inner sanctum - I've been into your house at least once, and stayed overnight at least once as well. Might not know you guys for long, but we see each other regularly enough to be comfortable. People whom I "trust" with secrets, and who trust me with theirs as well. We're gonna rule uni with our ways. And we're the core of any gatherings we plan.

So it is good that I have some amount of people in my inner sanctum to dig me outta the mud I sank into. Thanks to you guys, I'm more or less stable again. I owe you guys one.

What I would give to get a sign from up above
Letting me know that everything would be okay
I wish someone would pull me up from outta the mud
Will anyone out there
Say to me
I'm here
For you
Don't worry
Cos I've got you
I've got you baby
Don't dread
Don't sweat
My life seems to be heading
Over the edge
-Over the Edge, Akon-

Erratic

Lately I haven't been sleeping properly. I'd go to my room, try to read a book, then I'd get my head down on the pillows and sleep. And then I'd get up at 2 am the next morning. Which really isn't very productive at all.
I know I need help, but I can't find somebody trusted enough to discuss this with. Unless....
Any suggestions, anyone listening?

Forgotten part 3

if i were to disappear for a day or two
i wonder
what my friends would do
or what they'd say

since i'm invisible
they might not know to ask
"what's wrong?"
or
"what's the problem?"
i don't wear my heart on my sleeves
so nothing is apparent

but when you're the one suffering in silence
nothing is fun
the day is gloomy
the day is gone
ice forms in your heart and mind
you'd snap at anything that talks to you
or you'd just snap without warning
and rampage through whichever unfortunate
soul standing in your way

Super Junior fever

Thanks to my good friend in Malaysia, and another good friend over here in Melbourne, I'm now addicted to Super Junior, and more specifically this song. Enjoy!

Dead blogs

Blogs don't die out in one shot unless someone decides to assassinate it. Blogs die when we neglect them. And usually nobody bothers to resuscitate it, leading to a painful and slow death.

Somehow the Commerce students seem to have more stuff to do, causing them to ignore their blogs. Or maybe it's just me and them, the difference between us. I don't know, and honestly, I'm not really bothered.

Or maybe I'm a slacker, one of the worse slackers.

Box Hill

Half an hour from my place. I go there regularly now, but so far only one of my friends has been up there with me. Maybe it's just me, but I can say that I love exploring. I've been around quite a bit, and I'm planning to go further out if I can, or get the opportunity to. For one, I haven't been out to Doncaster or Glen Waverley. So I'm gonna find my way around while I still have my monthly passes. Once I move down to the city I doubt I'll do a lot of weekly suburb trips. Maybe once in a while, I'd travel.

But I'm going to treasure this time now while it lasts. Suburbs are quiet, and the scenery is good pending on the suburb.

Sleep - it's optional

I finally broke my awake streak yesterday at 38 hours, by sleeping at 9 last night.

And I still managed to go for badminton today.

So I've confirmed 2 things - I'm solar-powered, meaning I'm a day person, and I'm also a random sleeper - I don't sleep at fixed times.

And I've just remembered one thing - even though I'm staying in the suburbs and I've gotta get up earlier than most of my other friends, I still sleep later than those in the city itself.

I'm just plain crazy.

37 hour run... again.

Hi, it's me again. That crazy impulse to ignore natural sleeping instincts has kicked in again. Oh wait - that's for tonight. Last night was another story altogether. That was "forced" due to us watching Cape No. 7 and also playing Gears of War for the early morning sessions. So I basically had a uber long day - starting on 7am Friday morning, and ending sometime late tomorrow afternoon. Whee.

I'm kinda hyper now, at the same time the lack of expansion room is inhibiting my hyperactivity. So I'm in the middle of a conflict of ideas - emo-ness and overdrive. Both of them together may not be quite as useful as you'd think it'll be.

Anyway, back to my coffee regime and stimulants to keep me running. I think I'm kinda solar-powered, explaining why I enjoy the mornings more than evenings. But that's just a random idea out of nowhere.

Whee.

Forgotten part 2

i am still the Forgotten.

know that well
for what you do shapes me
and who i'll be

i'm still gonna be around
to listen when you wanna be heard
to help when you're in trouble
to cheer you guys up when everyone's down.


but i'll raise my question now:

who's gonna be there
to hear me out
when i wanna be heard

who's gonna be there
when i need help

who's gonna be there
to cheer me up
when i'm down

tell me
tell me now
tell me if you know
tell me if you can
tell me if you will
and just...
tell me all i wanna know

for i am the Forgotten
but i want to be remembered.

Forgotten part 1

I am the Forgotten.

But that doesn't make me forget people
nor does it make me ignore people.

I know people forget about me easily
but I'm still here.

I'm still gonna be around
to listen when you wanna be heard
to help when you're in trouble
to cheer you guys up when everyone's down.

Even when you don't see me
even if you don't hear me
even if you don't know it

I'll still be here.

Human interactions

I find it interesting to note that sometimes what you expect is not what you get, and you don't always get things your way.

Last night I decided to take an early night, so that I could wake up early to prepare my lunch for break time in uni. I left my computer and mobile phone on throughout the night though. So when I got up at 7 today, this is the list of stuff I missed through the night:

1. 3 SMS
2. 1 missed call
3. 2 instant messages

There could be more, but this is quite a bit for me already.


-Once again, everything is relative to our perceptions.-

Exams

There is absolutely no mood for me to study now. When I saw what Michelle posted in her blog I was stunned that everyone [or almost everyone I know] is studying much, much harder than me.


I'm screwed, bloody well screwed.



-People tend to judge you when you feel relaxed?-
-Yes.-
-Psychoanalysis testing-

Freedom

No more ESD workshops for next week.

No more Chem labs for next week.

Hotel 626 to play.

This is one hell of a slack period for me, even though exams are coming up. I'm screwed.

Tuition

Just got back from Box Hill.

Tutoring is not easy, repeat not easy even though you understand the topic well enough. It may be easy for you to understand, but it's the explanation to your student which is slightly harder. But luckily for me I got a student who kinda understands what I'm saying, so I'm fine for now.

-I will not say the words "easy money".-

Winamp + Live Messenger

Toaster - some plug-in I found online.
Basically it's a plug-in for Winamp, which lets Live Messenger read the currently playing song and display it as your personal message in Live Messenger. Which basically is the similar to using WMP to play your songs, and then displaying the Now Playing song in your PM.
If you're like me - anti-WMP and prefers Winamp - then I strongly suggest that you get this plug-in. It works, and it appears to be slightly more versatile than the WMP version.

WMP - replaces your PM with your Now Playing song
Winamp/Toaster - adds your Now Playing song to your PM, as shown below in the red box:Final comments: I like this plug-in. It works with Vista although it's only rated for XP, so that's an advantage for most of us.

-Google is the most useful tool here in Melbourne. 95% of anything you need is online, and Google has 99% of that 95% catalogued, you just need to know where and how to look for what you need.-

Dinner

I eat in front of my laptop. Some people have said it isn't good for digestion. I don't know.

I don't think I'd try either.

Creative writing fail

Ok, this is a piece of short fiction we "wrote" in class today. By saying "wrote", it actually means that 5 different people had a go on different sections of the story.
Try and see what is wrong with it - it should be quite obvious!

***

I am an invisible man. With my magic axe, I disappear behind my enemies' backs, trying to reach the orb of power before it slips away. Skeleton warriors and ents clash furiously, whilst I blend into their midst and head for my enemies. I see the orb of power hanging from his back. The undead general, proud and tall even in undeath, he marched with his troops, his orb glowing bright. I sneak towards him, trying to be as quiet as possible. The crunch of my feet on the dry leaves scattered around the graveyard is masked by the cracking of bone in socket as the skeletons mill around confusedly, trying to find the smell of meat that has awoken them. I am close now, the orb of power is mere feet away. I can feel its otherworldly power drawing me in, the world disappears, fading to white. My energy starts to drain away, I know I don't have much time. If I take too long I'll just collapse in a heap, pray for the scavenging skeletons that are getting ever closer on their quest for fresh meat.
In my peripheral vision my eye catches the undead general's rotting corpse as it plunders around the graveyard. "He knows I'm here" is the only thing that I must avoid. Be decisive, I told myself firmly. There is no room for uncertainty on the battlefield.
Gripping my axe firmly, I slithered forward silently, shrouded from the general by my axe. I held my breath, careful not to give away my presence.
Within striking distance now. I swung my axe high - and then I woke up. Feeling, once again, that I don't belong in this reality, that I shouldn't open my eyes to see through my window the tall buildings and barely moving cars in the streets. I know there is somone out there who needs to be saved from skeleton warriors.

Talents

Talents are everywhere. I've been seeing a lot of it since I got here. Most of my friends can play some instrument or other. Some can talk a lot and make it seem as though they really know what they're talking about. Some like me, write long [and hopefully good] stories.
I'm starting my final creative writing assignment, writing about a crystal shatter-proof sword. I'm hoping the idea actually works out, since some of it is based on the idea of Tiberium. Haha.

-Some people can sing, some can play instruments, some are good at sports, some can write well, and some can do nothing.- 5 random observations

Job applications

I have seen some of the most outrageous stuff on job vacancy advertisements ever since I started looking for part time jobs. My favourite so far:
Location: my house/at my home.

I mean, come on, we know you'd like home tutoring sessions. We'd like to know where your home is, or else we can't go to your place to give tuition, right? Just let us know where you stay. That's what the location means. Horribly sad.

Ski Trip

Argh. Just got off the phone with my parents. Mega ski trip is bloody well cancelled for me, and this isn't an event I can just write off and disappear round their backs for. I mean, they'd know if $540 just vanished from my account. So to disappoint all those hoping I'd go, I can't make this year's ski trip. Parents and money permitting, I'm going for the next one. Bloody hell, I want to go for this year's trip. Don't get me wrong on that.

Resonance

There was a mini-debate yesterday as to why some people tend to join in all, if any, activities or gathering of friends. I must say that I gathered this from the debate:

#1. If you tend to stay further out from your friends, you'll prefer to join in all activities/gatherings planned by friends.
Reason: You're cut off from your friends by distance. You can't just call them for a gathering at Melbourne Central.

#2. If you don't have many classes with your friends, you'll also prefer to join in all activities/gatherings planned.
Reason: You know they're in uni somewhere, but you can't meet up due to classes and timetables. You'll also wanna see more of them.

So there you have it. That's why I tend to join in when anyone asks me to join them for lunch/dinner/games etc etc.

Lunch

It's a good time for us friends to get together. We catch up with each other's weekends. We catch up with our non-mutual friends. We just spend some time together, enjoying each other's company. Eating and chatting brings some sense of kinship and comradeship during these times, especially with tests and exams drawing nearer. We need some protection, don't we? And so we find solace in our friends. Of course. We just kinda have to find a shoulder to cry on, a caring fellow to listen to you and your hopeless problems. It makes sense, doesn't it?

Refer to first pic you see below.

Creative writing

Finally managed to finish writing the nonfiction piece I'm supposed to write for my current assignment. It's due tomorrow, 4 pm. I'm done with the writing part, now I just have to put in the other section on aims and influences, where I'm required to expound what suggested to me to write on whatever topic I've chosen. If that doesn't sound right, its because I'm writing this at 2 in the morning, so that I can catch some quick shut-eye in the afternoon tomorrow.

When committees get together...

Magic happens. Anyway, it was fun. We went down to SK's [IESS ex-president 2 terms ago] place in Maribyrnong. Karaoke session, and lots of food, and better yet, we learnt bridge! Although not everyone likes singing, I was pretty sure I could hear the whole house full of people sing when "Mandy" played. Although I'd wager not all of us sang. It was a potluck lunch, with plenty of stuff to go around. Lots of fried food, as well as pasta. I think that's one of the easiest to cook when it comes to students. As for myself, I brought jelly.
Induction meeting this Monday [tomorrow]. And I'm going to have to finish off my work fast to be able to spend time on that.

Malaysia

No, this is not some soppy nostalgic post about how much I miss that "fair land".

I want to highlight the common perception that foreigners have of Malaysia.

It's a good place for shopping. It's a tourist haven. Food galore!

To tourists, they see more of the scenic part of Malaysia. We see the hopeless side of Malaysia - the constant bickering in Parliament, the idiocy between the two biggest political parties at home, and a myriad other hopelessly useless things we witness daily.

Well, I guess the best thing is that 80% of Malaysians at Melbourne Uni are Chinese. So we get to whine and do stuff we really wanna do, like studying properly, or working.

HA.

Good morning again!

I'm back to my laptop, and I'm continuing from where I left off yesterday. Today looks like the start of a 26 hour marathon. [and the clock's still ticking.] The heater cleaning guy is in the house now cleaning all the heating stuff, getting all the residue from the renovations out of the ducts. The jelly is still sitting in the fridge, waiting for me to take it out to the potluck lunch later.

Anyway, 26 hours is just a start. I'm seeing if I can stretch this to tomorrow night, when I literally crash for the night. So just keep an eye open on this blog. I'll update whatever stuff happens in the meantime.

Morning

Another sleepless night in Surrey Hills. Midnight snack's still sitting next to me [a delectable mud cake], and my laptop's blaring Korean DBSK songs. Jelly's setting in the fridge, haven't checked it since I left it in the fridge. Since I've nothing better to do, I'll start ranting and grumbling.

First off, it's disgraceful how democracy has been perverted in Malaysia for so long now. How can you drag the speaker of the house out, "escorting" him with police? That's disgusting.

And secondly, I'm sure of another thing. The Malaysian education system has been a hopeless failure since some smart aleck decided to start using only Malay in teaching. Now, the conventional argument is to ask, if the Chinese can do it, why can't the Malaysians? Ok, the answer is simple. Look at a simple book like Harry Potter. When the 6th book, The Half-Blood Prince came out, within 2 weeks the Chinese translation was on the shelves. Look at how long it took the Malay translation to hit the shelves. Now change the book from a popular novel to academic texts. Then you tell me how long it'll take a Malay translation to hit the shelves compared to the Chinese translation.
So, Muhyddin, take a hint. You don't need your local and foreign experts to tell you what is going on or going wrong. Ask your students, they'll tell you all you really need to know.

This is Malaysia [not Sparta you smart aleck], and we're just gonna have to demand change or force it ourselves. Which is no longer democracy if we take to the streets like in Thailand.

Study

ESD is hard. Especially when your team members decline to help you out enough. So far only Constantine on my group is helping me to complete the report. Which is good. But the girl isn't doing much.

I'm gonna stop whining and get on with the job. Currently updating my Matlab coding and scripts.

Another attempt at productivity

Whee. My Thursday is going to be another "record-breaking" day. Firstly, I'm going to try and get my Matlab part for ESD done with. That's due on Tuesday. Secondly, I'm going to have to finish off my Creative Writing article, which is due on Monday. And then I'm going to have to try and break the sleeping record. I'm going to sleep soon, so that I'll be charged up for tomorrow morning. Ha. This will be fun, I'm sure. Await my next few posts to see what I'm up to!

For the record

I am not gonna go without sleep for that long again. Because of sleep deprivation, I missed some lectures, stoned all the way to uni and back. But then, on the plus side, I managed to go to Crown, had good food, and got elected into a committee.

37 hours 45 minutes sleepless in Melbourne. Epic.

-Trade offs are difficult.-

IESS AGM update

Ok, I was half stoned when I went into the meeting, all owed to my epic lack of sleep - 29 hours without sleep. So going into that tiny lecture theatrette made for a little incoherence, as well as an accompanying disdain for authority. And so, in delivering my policy speech for the editor's position in IESS, I inadvertedly took swipes at the outgoing editor, Luke. I mean, it wasn't, and was never meant to be, a personal attack on him. *Side note: If this were in Star Wars it would have been the master [Luke] being dug at by the student [Kyp]. *

Jun Yeu also made a similar slip, taking a jibe at the outgoing publicity chief, Daniel. Luckily for the both of us, our outgoing seniors were sporting fellows, who understand what the IESS voting process is like. So for now, we can get along with our seniors and the exco members quite well.

New IESS exco:
President - Kok Keong
Vice - Wai Kit
Treasurer - Eric
Secretary - Luke

General committee:
Activities - David, Rachel
Logistics - Chun Yu
Publicity - Jun Yeu
Welfare - Shu Jie
Sponsorship - Michelle
IT - Kee Ching
Editor - Me

This will be fun. I mean it.

30 hour marathon

Ok, I've been up for 30 hours now. I'm not tired yet, but my mind is playing tricks on me. I'm getting a little blur at times, and sounds aren't particularly clear at times when I don't focus things.

More updates soon to come.

Sleep deprivation

Good morning, guys and girls! I have now gone 24 hours without sleep. Let us examine the effect of this on me throughout this whole day. Watch here for any updates!

Inflation? NO, I don't think so.

It's about the economy, stupid

I must say that I agree whole-heartedly with RPK on this matter. After doing some amount of grocery shopping over here myself, I find that the prices over here are much more competitive. I mean, I stock up on groceries, it only comes out to around $20 a week. At home, doing the same thing would cost me something like RM 60 a week. So pray tell me, who's profiting, dollar for ringgit? Us over here, of course!

How are we supposed to survive at home, tell me? Clever government we have indeed.

Random conversation

.:*Liling*:. says:
- since u insist tht u r unique

Kyp Chia-Yang - God save the good work says:
- then?

.:*Liling*:. says:
- and u said tht unique not equal to normal
- therefore, unique is not normal
- Thus, chia yang is not normal

Kyp Chia-Yang - God save the good work says:
- cool
- i like that

.:*Liling*:. says:
- =.=||

Kyp Chia-Yang - God save the good work says:
- lol


This is me. Random, unpredictable.

the Westlife generation

I'm feeling nostalgic today, hence the title.

Back in Taylor's, I always felt that S4 was the place I belonged, not least due to almost every one of us liking Westlife songs. The Irish band occupied a special place in our playlists - the most played list.
I guess the best one of their songs would have to be 'Flying Without Wings', the one featured in the first Pokemon movie [the one with Lugia in it]. Kids like me back then liked the message in that song.

And then on S4's class trip I remember vividly the whole back half of the bus singing along to 'If I Let You Go'. Well, almost all of us were singing. Those of us sleeping didn't sing, for obvious reasons. I should have brought some of my Westlife CDs on that trip. Dammit.

But anyway, what is past is in the past. Time to look to the future, and to burn the idiot who reinvented the crash helmet in a pit of embers.

Sleep

This is morning. And I'm very sleepy still. Sleeping at 3am doesn't always agree with me. The last time I slept late was at 6am.

So, I'm in a lecture which is kinda boring the pants off me. I feel like sleeping, and my head's throbbing and threatening to take me out.

I'm gonna sleep this one through.

Good morning... not

Technically it's morning now. But the sky outside is dark as night. So what counts as night, and what counts as day? Someone once asked me about that. To me, night is whatever happens before you sleep for the rest of the day. And day is when you're actively doing something. So theoretically I'm now in a time crisis - It's dark outside [thus suggesting night-time], but I'm awake [suggesting it's day].

Paradox?

Interesting conundrum. I'll try and untangle it.