Light in Darkness

Tomorrow as Today

2007-07-30T04:31:00.000Z

It has been a while or I shall say been months I have not updated my blog. The time frame was like Marco Polo's silk path from the Bosphorus' air of Istanbul to the mainland China, experiencing new things and meeting new people in life. I have been experiencing the same situation since I first arrived from the UK in early June, only that mine is in the 21st century. The similar situation shapes up my perspective in life, narrowing down my dream yet to be achieved after graduation next year, and simplifying the choices that have to be chosen wisely.

Life in the university cannot be compared to the working life, it's not an apple to an apple, yet the effort to find the similarities will be just an effortless effort like one who tries to compare Mahatma Ghandi with Julius Caesar. At this point of time, I have been working as a Vacational Trainer for a month in KPMG Malaysia, or in the UK it s called as an internee. Throughout the month, my diary from Monday to Friday will be the same. The day for tomorrow will be the same as today when I close my eyes trying to get the best sleep I could have, this expectation is basis upon the working life for argument sake. This is the reality, the phase after the sweet and hard time in the university.

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

2007-05-12T17:53:00.000Z

Mary & Kingston Trio: PRESENT

" All the time in life, appreciation to the older generations will remind us that the world is not ours.
They, the older people they tasted the salt before we were born.
They faced the hardship and trauma during the world wars.
They survived the times of Hitler, Franco, and Mussolini,
They even saw the blooming flowers before us.
They fell in love before we comprehend how to say love.
They listened to the music full of harmony with deep, meaningful lines.
Thus, whenever we the young people started to think about it.
You will understand why I always, always.
Take my hat's off to the older people.
And this what makes me to appreciate those times.
Rings the bell in my head.
How great today's people are.
Greater, greater are those older people.
Let us take a step back.
In our racing path filled by selfish, egoism, and forgetfulness.
To look with passionate eyes.
The older people around us.
Who brace the English weather to walk on the streets.
Who brace the frail illness on wheelchairs.
Who brace God for forgiveness and sin done.
Humility arose from this reflection.
Even though I was born in a paradise.
Missing those wonderful and historic moments.
That they had experienced.
As I know.
Years in the future.
I will be like one of them too "

Wikipedia.com: Mary Travers (born 9 November 1936 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a member of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, along Peter Yarrow and Noel "Paul" Stookey. Together, they formed one of the most successful folk-singing groups of the 1960s.

Mary & Kingston Trio: WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG

Country Roads

2007-05-12T16:41:00.000Z

I...

come from a country where..

it is summer over the years..

and it will always be for thousand years to come..

where I can eat chinese, indian, and malay food in one single shop..

where i can take photos in the jungle..

or at the seaside..

and be in the city few hours later..

and the place where the awareness of cultural differences is exotically embraced.

Thanks to John Denver (1943 - 1997) for the song, it inflicts the appreciation in me.

Walking Path

2007-05-10T14:08:00.000Z

I am in my penultimate year of BA (Hons) Industrial Economics now. The path of my career planning has been charted out, and I have two options upon graduation. First, embarking the investment banking sector with power houses such as JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, or Credit Suisse. This is the reason I chose to include International Finance module as part of my modules for my final year. In a nutshell, typical issues that will be taught are foreign exchange markets, international risks, international banking, and security markets. Second, working in one of the Big Four like KPMG or PriceWaterhouse Coopers while achieving ICAW or ACCA. The former aspect is the most suitable vis-a-vis my degree title. The latter depends on my success on optional accounting modules like Corporate Finance (basically this module develops my knowledge of financial decision-making and strategic financial decisions like mergers and acquisitions), Management Accounting, and Financial Accounting which are the stepping stone for me to get exemption papers in ICAW or ACCA later. At the moment, I am focusing on my French learning and my aim is to speak good 'francais' in a year time. This ability brings a major advantage for me in the working world in the future if we talked about globalisation and the evolutionary finance. Moreover, the ability to speak a foreign language is part of the essential achievements in university education as today's world does not communicate in a single, isolated language.

I have done few research on my prospect degree. According to Nottingham University Business School 2006/07, a wide range of career options are possible upon graduation, though typically students of Industrial Economics gain final employment in areas such as management consultancy, accounting, and financial services. In addition, from the source of U.S. Department of Labour; Industrial Economists or organizational economists study the market structure of particular industries in terms of the number of competitors within those industries and examine the market decisions of competitive firms and monopolies. These economists also may be concerned with antitrust policy and its impact on market structure. Vis-a-vis prospect environment "economists have structured work schedules. They often work alone, writing reports, preparing statistical charts, and using computers, but they also may be an integral part of a research team. Most work under pressure of deadlines and tight schedules, which may require overtime. Their routine may be interrupted by special requests for data and by the need to attend meetings or conferences. Frequent travel may be necessary"... :)

For now, I have to seize every single day with hard work passioned by perseverance, dedication, and blessings from God. bon courage pour moi.

As Benjamin F. Fairless said "What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love, give it the best there is in you, seize your opportunities, and be a member of the team"

Finding Maddie

2007-05-08T09:12:00.000Z

The reason of one's happiness in marriage. The gift from God.

Please don't take it away.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=453049&in_page_id=1770&ICO=NEWS&ICL=TOPART

Rich Kids and Scholarships?

2007-05-07T00:11:00.000Z

[ I extended my highest gratitude in advance to a junior of mine back in A Level College whose the writer of the blog http://faizulmd.blogspot.com/ for allowing me to post this article ]

Why rich people still take scholarships although can afford not to?

Firstly, my intention is not to stir a controversy or create a conflict but it is to rationalise rich parents' decision on their kids taking up scholarships.

DEFINITIONS: My analysis will centre around 'rich' people who can afford to send their kids to overseas universities and can do so without any scholarship. Their 'kids' are people who undoubtedly have the merit to qualify for such a scholarship. The 'scholarship' is also one which entails an employment bond with summons if bond is broken.

So… why? If I was rich, lets call me Tan Sri Tengku daNN, I wouldn't want my kids to enter a scholarship contract if I can afford to pay for their education. Because later on, they would have to serve a very long bond, twice the average employment period in a private sector firm, with low salary. I would rather have them work for pure private firms, rather than government linked ones. Besides, my kid is a graduate from a top university with a top degree. Which employer wouldn’t want him/her? Unemployment is out of the question in this model.

Well… Theory 1 (which I think is the coolest): When bond is broken, summons paid to sponsor is exactly the nominal amount sponsor paid for education (half a million RM). So, the sponsor breaks even, in nominal terms. Fair enough.

But does it really break even? As a finance guy, I would say 'Hell No!'. The sponsor actually loses a significant amount of money. It forgo on the time value of money (it could have used the money to invest in a project) and it loses in real terms, because of inflation, but the time value of money is of course, a greater factor. Half a million ringgit worth of scholarship could have at least yielded an extra RM 55,000, interest compounded on a yearly basis for 3 years (equivalent period for university degree) at the most basic Bank Negara interest rate of 3.5%. So, a rich person, by telling his/her child to take up a scholarship, and then breaks the bond, actually earns a cost saving on the time value of money. It’s like a loan of RM 500,000 but without any interest. And when paying the summons, since the Future Value of a ringgit is more than the Present Value of a ringgit, and the summons is paid in the future, the Present Value of the summons settlement is in fact, less than the cost of education because the money used to pay for the summons could have earned interest for 3 years. Instead of putting aside RM 500,000, you only need to put aside RM 451,000 max, discounted using Bank Negara's OPR (basic interest rate).

That is super smart, in a finance-savvy kind of way. Which is a cool analysis, especially for finance people and economists since it assumes rationality, which is a sensible assumption.

Theory 2: Getting a scholarship is a Value in our society. It earns prestige and status. By having a scholarship, it 'signals' you’re smart or whatever (caveat: not always true). Time value of money doesn’t matter. This is a typical Sociologist's view.

Theory 3: Stingy parents. Want to save money just for the sake of maximising personal wealth without wanting children to have a better career. Can't rule out this possibility.

I am a profit maximising capitalist. I believe more in theory 1. Based on this premise, there could actually be huge policy implications. Firstly, to avoid this sort of 'rent seeking', sponsors should charge interest on defaulted bonds. The cost of default would increase and there would be less default. People who can afford, will no longer take up the scholarship (given the Present Value cost of default is greater than the Present Value cost of self sponsoring) and this leaves room to more working class, middle class and kampung people, who on average won't default because they can't afford to. This will then not only reduce the income gap but also sponsors make a 'Return on Scholarship', which is good for Wawasan 2020.So, tell me what do you think? Especially if your parents can totally afford but still signed your scholarship contract.But for now, don’t suggest sponsors to hike cost of default because I might want to consider doing that. Haha! Kidding. Actually, my rich friends might kill me.In my opinion, given Theory 1 holds, it is not wrong for rich kids to receive scholarships (given they qualify on merit) since it is actually the most rational and cost-minimising strategy to take. - daNN

[ Dann is an Accounting student in London School of Economics ]

Lebanon War and BTC?

2007-05-06T20:49:00.000Z

[ The introduction part in our MNEs' economic impacts paperwork for module: N1B208 International Firms. By: Mohd Sharazad Saiful Bahri, Kamran Karbassi, Omer Kigili, Izer Yakuppur, Rosdanial Rosti, Chris Masters ]

"The Kremlin has been ‘disturbed’ by the decisions made by Mikhail Saakashvili; the President of Georgia since 2003, about his campaign to join NATO and the European Union (EU). Yet, despite this cold relationship between Georgia and Russia, the centre of attention lies upon Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. It is a post-Soviet country with around 8 million people and most of the Shia Muslims, it has the biggest population. Not just that, it also has oil and gas which a consortium led by British Petroleum (BP) is extracting from the Caspian Sea and pumping through new pipelines across Georgia to Turkey and beyond. All the Caucasian economies are now picking up, recovering from the claw of communism and command economy – even corrupt Armenia’s, dependent though it mostly is on remittances. According to the finance minister, the 34.5% growth created by Azerbaijan’s second oil boom (the first was 100 years ago) was the highest in the world last year (The Economist, 2007)"

"The Caspian Sea is completely landlocked by Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC or “Baku-Ceyhan”) oil pipeline is a proposed pipeline that would span 1,056 miles from the Azerbaijan capital of Baku, through Tbilisi Georgia, ending in the Mediterranean city of Ceyhan, Turkey. British Petroleum (BP) is the lead sponsor; there are seven other participants. Construction is targeted to begin in autumn 2002; project operations are planned to commence by early 2005"

[The conclusion]

"Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is an example of an operation by MNEs in the less developed countries yet at this point of our writing they are experiencing a developing economy. This project paper explains the economic impacts that BTC brought upon the respective countries. However, on the course of achieving an agreement for the construction of the pipeline, various disputes had to be cleared out by the main MNE which is BP. The disputes and campaigns organised especially by the ‘environmentalists’ served as a fact that ‘positive’ economic impacts from the MNEs’ promises should not be taken at ‘face value’. In reality, there is always the other side of the coin which is always the negative impacts of an operation by MNEs that would not be revealed to the public. It is a fact that every MNE does not want to tarnish its reputation in convincing the public about the impacts that they may bring upon. Nonetheless, in today’s time of conflicting and escalating wars especially in Iraq and the tense attention towards Tehran (both countries are in the rich area of oil), BTC keeps on ensuring that energy consumers in the South America particularly Brazil, Europe, Japan, China, and all around the globe will experience subtle impacts in the global industry market. Energy industry leaders will receive a useful case study of how they can conduct major energy projects in the future. Energy-producing and energy-transit countries around the Caspian will have new choices about how to reach markets. Citizens in the three host countries will experience both indirect benefits (wealthier state coffers) as well as direct benefits – employment, local procurement, community development, and other social investments. All along the way, from the first conceptual discussions in the 1990s to the present day, BTC and its positive impacts have contributed to the economy and people of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Its first delivery of 600,000 barrels of crude oil by tanker to Savona, Italy on 9th June 2006 was just the harbinger of all good things to come in the Caucasus region. As Lord Browne the Group Chief Executive of BP predicted prior to the operation, “We can have a measurable and positive impact on the biodiversity of the world”

Surprisingly, during the course of my research I found this article by Michel Chossudovsky; a professor in Ottawa who was one of the speakers in the Perdana Global Peace Forum held in Malaysia last year:

(source: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=CHO20060726&articleId=2824)

"Water for Israel.. Also involved in this project is a pipeline to bring water to Israel, pumping water from upstream resources of the Tigris and Euphrates river system in Anatolia. This has been a long-run strategic objective of Israel to the detriment of Syria and Iraq. Israel's agenda with regard to water is supported by the military cooperation agreement between Tel Aviv and Ankara..

The Strategic Re-routing of Central Asian Oil... Diverting Central Asian oil and gas to the Eastern Mediterranean (under Israeli military protection), for re-export back to Asia, serves to undermine the inter-Asian energy market, which is based on the development of direct pipeline corridors linking Central Asia and Russia to South Asia, China and the Far East.
Ultimately, this design is intended to weaken Russia's role in Central Asia and cut off China from Central Asian oil resources. It is also intended to isolate Iran.

Meanwhile, Israel has emerged as a new powerful player in the global energy market.Russia's Military Presence in the Middle EastMeanwhile, Moscow has responded to the US-Israeli-Turkish design to militarize the East Mediterranean coastline with plans to establish a Russian naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus:

"Defense Ministry sources point out that a naval base in Tartus will enable Russia to solidify its positions in the Middle East and ensure security of Syria. Moscow intends to deploy an air defense system around the base - to provide air cover for the base itself and a substantial part of Syrian territory. (S-300PMU-2 Favorit systems will not be turned over to the Syrians. They will be manned and serviced by Russian personnel.) (Kommerzant, 2 June 2006, http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=IVA20060728&articleId=2847

Tartus is strategically located within 30 km. of the Lebanese border. Moreover, Moscow and Damascus have reached an agreement on the modernization of Syria's air defenses as well as a program in support to its ground forces, the modernization of its MIG-29 fighters as well as its submarines. (Kommerzant, 2 June 2006). In the context of an escalating conflict, these developments have farreaching implications.. "

And recently, The Independent UK on 2 May 2007 reported; "Lord Browne (born in Hamburg 1948, son of an Army officer and Auschwitz survivor) the chief executive of BP resigned yesterday in the aftermath of a torrid case of sex, lies and perjury. He lost 15m GBP and the right to keep his life private. Now he may face jail"

And now I fathom the business deals done on the back, dirty street.

Enron's Scandal

2007-05-06T20:32:00.000Z

[ The conclusion part in our group report for module N1B307: Financial Reporting ]

"Based on the above analysis, it is very obvious in terms of profitability measured by ROCE that BT has the largest chunk of profits that can be invested back into the company for the benefit of shareholders. In a glance, it is the most successful growth company compared as descended by Cable & Wireless, Vodafone, and Kingston. Similarly, BT is also the most efficient company in controlling its production costs followed by Cable & Wireless, Kingston and Vodafone is the most inefficient company based on the profit margin. The positive relationship between a high ROCE and a high profit margin is resembled by BT and Cable & Wireless but one may argue this when we look upon the case of Vodafone and Kingston. Obviously, these two companies share the same negative relationship of the two profitability measurements. However, when it comes to how efficient a company is in utilising its resources invested in fixed assets and working capital we may conclude Kingston. Even though BT is the most successful company it falls behind Kingston in employing its assets but still ahead Cable & Wireless and Vodafone. In a nutshell, in this period of our analysis we may say BT is the most growing company so far and the least performed company is Vodafone. Nonetheless, our analysis involves only the element of profitability and excludes short-term liquidity and long-term liquidity. Since the difficulties of the recession in the late 1980s liquidity, both short term and long term, has increased in importance. One has to bear in mind, companies which are profitable but have poor short term or long liquidity measures, will not survive the troughs of the trade cycle. In contrast, companies which are not profitable but are cash rich, do not survive in the long term either. Such companies are taken over for their cash flow or by others who believe that they can improve the profitability of the business. Financial reporting shall also be reported within the context the political, business, and economic environment in which the business operates, as figures cannot do the transparent justice to the corporate world like what Enron did. All in all, any of these four companies which do succeed and survive over the long term (which is beyond our period of analysis), is the one who has a well-rounded financial profile, and the best performer in all aspects of financial analysis"

Enron's corporate scandal in relation to Arthur Andersen should not be repeated again. It was a blindly excessive pursue of short-term shareholders' value that ignored the long-run shareholders' value. This case stressed upon the importance of transparency in corporate governance.

Nottingham University Business School

Undergraduate Programmes

FINANCIAL REPORTING

Ratio Analysis in the UK Telecommunications Industry

by:

Mohd Sharazad SAIFUL BAHRI

Bilal Qamar SANDHU

Maria STROUTHOU

Egli EVANGELOU

Talha IBRAHIM

Coffee Shop Lesson

2007-04-22T15:31:00.000Z

My Portuguese friend Ruben brought me a weekly Caffe Nero magazine while I was reading 'Prague: A Novel' on a pleaseant Saturday morning. Last week, when I was surfing the Caffe Nero website I came across the compliments or complaints section. As a regular customer at the outlet in Bridlesmith Gate overlooking Ted Baker, I wrote an email expressing my views on the service by the baristas since the day one I tasted its coffee. Ruben said Justina Virdee, who is the Head of Customer Services of Caffe Nero Group Plc chose to published my comments in their magazine three weeks in a row, as the best comments so far from its customers. I believe any kinds of service to the public, it shall be delivered in a professional manner, with a smile and warm attitude that ensures the satisfaction of the public. This is something that Malaysians in the public sector should ponder and improve on, after all these people are just baristas working in a coffee shop and earning minimum wages. Nonetheless, they never fail to smile and greet me.

Dziekuje (thank you) to Ruben, Eva, Greg, and the rest of the baristas. Bordza dobra robota (very good job)

;)

Subject:
RE: [NEWSENDER] - Thanks! - Message is from an unknown sender
Date:
Mon, 16 Apr 2007 09:23:04 +0100
From:
"Justina Virdee"
To:
"Saiful Bahri Mohd Sharazad"

YAHOO.Shortcuts.overlaySpaceId = "97546169";
YAHOO.Shortcuts.hostSpaceId = "97546168";
Hello Sharazad

Thank you for your email.

I am delighted to hear that you enjoy your visits to our Bridlesmith store in Nottingham . It’s great to receive such positive feedback from our customers. I will be sure to pass this onto our manager and team concerned. They will be equally delighted to read of your kind comments. I certainly hope that we can continue to serve you in the manner that you have come to expect.

Many thanks for your interest in Caffe Nero

Kind regards

Justina Virdee
Head of Customer Services
Caffe Nero Group Plc

Tel: 0207 520 5169
Email: justinav@caffenero.com

From: Saiful Bahri Mohd Sharazad [mailto:mohdsharazad@yahoo.com] Sent: 15 April 2007 21:39To: complimentsSubject: [NEWSENDER] - Thanks! - Message is from an unknown sender

Dear Caffe Nero team.
I would like to express my highest satisfaction and gratitude on its outlet service at Bridlesmith Gate Nottingham. I am an international student studying in University of Nottingham and Nero's would always be my regular spot to have a cup of caramelatte while studying or meeting up with friends. I am a regular customer and most of the baristas know me by now and their hospitality and greetings and sometimes accompanying me during breaktime have made me feel at home.

I have a suggestion here on the selection of music in Nero's; how about playing italian or eastern european music which is now starting to make its impact in the music world? and the soothing feeling in Nero's can be ambienced by playing some of the wonderful orchestra or classicals i believe.

Till now, kudos to Nero's.
Caramelatte will always be my favourite, and I hope the caffe will expand internationally, hopefully mark its first existence in my country, Malaysia !

Carpe diem,
Sharazad,
University of Nottingham

www.caffenero.com

Ahoj, Slovakia

2007-04-05T19:55:00.000Z

(click on the map to enlarge)

The plane took off from East Midlands Airport, United Kingdom like an eagle flying across the horizon en route to Bratislava International Airport, Slovakia. On the plane, the mixed feelings of curiosity and eagerness made a butterfly swing in my stomach as on this date 25 March 2007 will witness the start of my solo excursion through Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland, and Czech Republic. Everyone on the plane seemed to be heading to Vienna once Ryan Air landed on Bratislava International Airport, and as seconds passed by I almost succumbed to the decision not to go ahead with this solo excursion discovering the hidden charm of these Eastern European countries. I fought this failure temptation, kept on reminding my mind, go ahead with this. I kept on singing this line, and this was the only train of thought running on my mind while the plane flew across Germany;

“…the first condition of right thought is right sensation – the first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it…” – T.S. Elliot, ‘Rudyard Kipling’

I walked through the arrival gate, and my first instinct was to catch the bus no. 61 to Bratislava Hlavna Stanica (main train station). I went to the information counter and a Slovak young woman with a short, black hair assisted me on the location to catch the bus. She was not that friendly as a person who works in providing information to the public should be, and her littleness of English may be the reason perhaps. I saw the bus stand, and I saw this word ‘Wien’. I made a quick guess; Wien must be the word for the main train station in Slovak. Having satisfied with my wild guess, I put down my North Face’s Tetra 40 on the ground and felt the relief on my back. It was my only luggage throughout this journey, with my clothes, four packets of energy bar, Eastern European Lonely Planet guidebook, hostels leaflets, and other important documents all inside it. As seconds passed by, the bus stand was full of people waiting for the same bus. A tall, young woman wearing a cap with the typical Eastern European flair stood beside me. Losing my patience for the bus no. 61, I made a random asking which I believed is essential throughout my one week backpacking days;

“Do you speak English?”

The woman nodded with a smile, and I was relieved yet surprised with her ability to speak English. The assumption that communication would be the main challenge for me to smell the charm of these post-Soviet countries slowly drained away. She showed a ticket machine nearby which I could buy the ticket and as I realised I had no change to put into the machine’s slot, she told me she had to go as the bus had arrived. I examined carefully the Slovak Koruna notes (1 GBP equals to 49.0 Slovak Koruna), like Robinson Crusoe who had just found a plate of well-cooked steak in the middle of an isolated island. I had a problem, to get the change to use this machine. While I was staring at the machine hoping that it would accept Koruna notes at least once for a traveller like me, I realised few other backpackers behind me were in the same shoes as mine. Without any greetings, we discussed about how to change the notes in English as if we were friends before and this kind of mutual understanding and friendliness cleared out any thorns in my journey from this day. We shared the same ambition, we had decided to go out of our comfort zone, to discover other countries which were beyond our eyes and comprehension, and we had to be mentally strong and helping out each other, even though I knew this encounter was the first and last in my life. This short meeting encountered me with an American couple who were students; just arrived in Bratislava from somewhere in Central Europe, a confident and energetic Scottish student from Glasgow who has been backpacking alone for almost two weeks, and three Spanish students who by coincidence in the same university of mine in Nottingham on the Erasmus program for a year. After getting the required change from the information counter, I hold my ticket with an enthusiasm like a child holding an ice-cream with a flake. Once the bus had arrived, we got on it without any hesitation. The bus cruised along Trnavska Cesta, the main road leading towards the main train station. The Spanish guys and the Scottish guy got off from the bus earlier than my destination, and I asked the two passengers in front of me;

“Ahoj. Hmm, Hlavna Stanica?” like a man who had just learnt to speak Slovak bit by bit.

The two men answered me in Slovak which was all Greek to me, and the only thing that I could understand was the man’s finger pointing further ahead and his advice for me to sit back. I smiled, and said “D’akujem”.

When the sight of a rundown-seemed-to-be a train station appeared to me, one of the men turned his head towards me and gave me a smile that was Hlavna Stanica. He talked in broken English, “This is the train station”. Appreciating his effort, I once again bid him “D’akujem” which means “Thank You”. I looked at my watch, and it was half to 9 at night. Realising that I had to set my watch one hour in advance according to GMT, I felt the urge to walk fast to the counter and ask about the train time to Budapest, Hungary. I had the European Rail Timetable by Thomas Cook and also the Inter Rail Pass which I could use for unlimited travel by train in Zone D countries but I did not know how to use them as this was my first experience. However, the easiness in getting information from the information counter shall be put at edge as the woman whom I tried to talk to did not speak English at all. I looked at my watch, and it was almost 10 o’clock at night. I looked around, few citizens wearing soldierly-clad uniform passed by and staring at me, really perplexed me on their taste of attire, few Roma (wikipedia.com - an ethnic group living in many communities all over the world. The Roma are among the best known ethnic groups that appear in literature and folklore, and are often referred to as gypsies or gipsies, a term that is based on a mistaken belief of an origin in Egypt. The Roma are still thought of as wandering nomads, but most Roma today live settled in permanent housing. This widely dispersed ethnic group lives across the world not only near their historic roots in Southern and Eastern Europe, but also Western Asia, Latin America, the United States and the Middle East) who just wandering around the train station and staring at me like tigers who by any time looking for their prey, homeless and poor old men and women lying down near the heater as if it was the most luxurious item in their life, a crying woman approached by asking me “Do you speak English?” and asking for money to buy her train ticket, a Vietnamese who tried his best to gain my sympathy to get few euro from me by showing his passport, laid upon me his story about an Asian should help an Asian; as he did not have enough money for his train to Poprad (located in north-central of Slovakia) and all of these made my heart beating fast, added by the dilemma of ‘staring at people with undefined intention’. I tried not to observe the people, and I observed the train station instead. It was an old train station with the information board and its big clock operated manually, reminded me of the old photos of Tanah Melayu (Malaysia) in the 60’s, and its big ceiling just above the main departure gate leading towards its platforms was decorated by a painting of different priests with a little Baroque element like one could see in a Gothic church. I was trying to get the message out of it, a man with a white robe reaching his hand out to the sky, a child playing with a bird, few people surrounding a singing woman; but to no avail. After all, this was just my attention in escaping the night crowd at Hlavna Stanica.

[further writings are in progress]

Je Vais Bien

2007-03-20T19:22:00.000Z

Ever since childhood.. I have seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it. Those whistles sing bewitchment: railways are irresistible bazaars, making along perfectly level no matter what the landscape, improving your mood with speed, and never upsetting your drink. The train can reassure you in awful places - a far cry from the anxious sweats of doom aeroplanes inspire, or the nauseating gas-sickness of the long-distance bus, or the paralysis that afflicts the car passenger. If a train is large and comfortable you don't even need a destination; a corner seat is enough, and you can be one of these travellers who stay in motion, straddling the tracks, and never arrive or feel they ought to - Paul Theroux in The Great Railway Bazaar

1 Pound Sterling - 49.0 Slovak Koruna

- 10.86 Croatian Kuna

- 3.0 Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark

- 362 Hungarian Forint

- 5.71 Polish Zloty

- 41.5 Czech Koruna

I am mentally preparing for my solitary journey through the city of Bratislava, down to Zagreb, crossing the border of Bosnia-Herzegovina towards Sarajevo, then up north along Danube River towards Budapest, to Krakow, then to Prague's Old Royal Palace; once the sane of Bohemian banquets and indoor jousting tournaments.

My dearest companion along the journey will be my only pen and notebook.

I travel in silence, but the words will forever tell my stories.

ps: I have learned something in my French class today. The norm that we heard 'Mayday Mayday' which is the international distress call is actually a French word M'aider M'aider; which means Help Me Help Me. Oh, do not taint the beauty of this language ;)

" La semaine dernière, j'étais occupé avec le diner annuel des malaisiens ànottingham. le matin, j'ai ammené des assistants et des équipements en voiturede Dunkirk, St. Peter's Court, etRaleigh à Portland Building et King's Meadow Campus. J'avais appelé le servicede minibus auparavant de m'aider. Je restais à Portland pour aider les autrespréparer la halle pour le theatre. A midi, je suis allé déjeuné avec mes amis.Nous avons joué au foot à jubilee campus. Après, je suis retourné à l'universitévers 18h30. Les invitées sont arrivées autour de 20h00 et le theatre a commencéà 20h30. Les invitées ont dû monter dans les buses pour y aller. Il a terminé à23h00. Après, mes amis et moi sommes allé manger légèrement et boire. Nous avonsdiscuté jusqu'au le lendemain matin. Pour le reste de la journée, j'étais trèsoccupé et fatigué "

Flakes in Spring

2007-03-19T00:41:00.000Z

The flowers are starting to bloom, and spring is just around the corner. It was five o'clock in the morning, the wind brushed a teething sound on the window, and I was thinking all alone in darkness. I sent a message to a friend of mine, informing her of my solitude train of thoughts.

Sharazad : Have you ever felt that at this time of hour when everyone is asleep and the silence can be broken even with the brushes of the wind on the window..that this world seems to be in total boredom? When you think and ponder on the deepest purpose of our life, trying to find the answers...

Jennifer Friis : I think about that too! It is only when its really quiet that one can confront thoughts like this. Today as it snowed I wondered what purpose it had in the middle of spring.. surely God had something in mind.. and if He could make it snow to fulfil his plan and purpose for something else, He must be causing something to happen in my life to fulfil later the plan He has for me..reminded me why I get up in the morning, especially wen I feel bored with life! I hope u find ur answers u early bird xx

Yup, it did snow in spring.

How miracle it is, when the mind does the seeing.

Ball

2007-03-17T15:55:00.000Z

I am learning on how to juggle the daily life routines with work.

To do the groceries, to clean up the room and kitchen, to contribute to the society in the university, group and individual paperwork, to meet and mingle around the internationals in this university, and the top of them all; to play football at least once a week.

Yup, the seem-too-fast passing time shall never stolen away the minutes of playing football.

After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. No?

This is how I play my university life. After all, I have nothing to lose. The pressure shall be narrowed into my base of improvement as time goes on.

As Benjamin Spock (American pediatrician
1903-1998)said "A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard"

Malaysian Night 2007

2007-03-06T22:28:00.000Z

(Photos: Yi Ning and Phil Jackson's Copyright)

Event Details
Date: 10th March 2007
Time: 5.30 pm for Dinner
8.00 pm Play starts
Venues:
Portland Building for Dinner
King's Meadow Campus for Play
Theme: Mythical Malaysia
Dresscode:
Formal / Traditional
Price:
£15 (Dinner and Play)
£8 (Play only, early booking)
£10 (Play only, at the door)

* Those who attend will have a chance of winning a lucky draw prize of a ticket to Europe worth £ 499!

"Across the North Sea,

Wayfarers all of us be,

Soil of Malaya whence we tell thee,

Spirits of Hang Tuah, Cheng Ho, and Gandhi,

The golden tales we present once and only,

The pride of the Sultan undoubtedly,

The beauty of Puteri Gunung Ledang, heavenly,

The wily Raja Bersiong the Fanged King, wickedly,

Dwelling anger of Hang Jebat ferociously,

Share this lifetime cup of tea,

Anew wilful wisdom worldly-wit we shall see,

Rise to this glittering promise, a memory" (Sharazad)

www.nottsmnight.com

Thanks to all, without every one of you, this would not be such a memory.

Cymru Am Byth

2007-02-26T16:08:00.000Z

A man, a woman, and a small young boy entered the carriage, videlicet they are a family boarding the train at King's Cross Station London. I just comfortably sat down on my seat and I was fashionably early. There were only the family and I on the train and the their seats were just across the aisle to my left. I started to search for my magazine to kill off the time en route to Nottingham when I realised that the man was not going to travel with the woman and the small young boy. Curiosity arose, I looked at the man's face through the corner of my eyes, pretending like I am the statue of liberty sitting down with no particular interest in what was happening around me. The face of the man showed a glimpse of sadness, maybe because he had to stay in London for some work I supposed. Then he came in, with the angelic voice he could made he told his boy to come again next week. He asked whether the boy enjoyed the football match at Upton Park, and he nodded in silence with an air of innocence. The woman just ignored the man. I assumed both of them were divorced and now living separately, taking turns out of each other to show their hopeless love due to their negligence to smell the roses of marriage. Few minutes had passed by and it was about time for the train to rattle its way up north to the midlands. Who loves sayonara? However, everyone at least once in the phase of this life cannot run away from saying goodbye and refrain from the tears if not in the eyes deep in the heart of missing or not seeing someone for a long period of time. However, what was happening was the most cruel moments I could never want to swallow, as the woman deliberately attracting the boy's intention by asking him random questions in order not to let the boy fathom how much does his father love him as he waved endlessly towards the young face that would never at least turned and waved back at him. Oh how the illusion and ignorance of adulthood tainted the innocence, leaving the boy hanging for a split second to witness his father's love.

Maybe I am too observant.
Maybe I am thinking too much by observing every moment, every movement all around me.
Inter alia, perhaps I have to be ignorant?

Yesterday, I made my way towards Caerdydd, Cymru (Cardiff, Wales). Vis-a-vis the previous experience, on the train to Cardiff I observed the example of a joie de vivre. A lovely old couple sat beside me. How the old woman treated her husband, serving him sandwiches and politely conversing with him really flattered the inner of me as I was reading along the lines of my lecture notes on Industrial Economics A. How both of them exchanging ideas and appreciation about the scenery painted on the windows as Central Train made its way across the countryside towards Gloucester.

Maybe their appreciation on memento mori make them to really appreciate each other and the smallest of small things perhaps? How the fact that death is just around the corner makes them to capture every second in carpe diem perhaps?

Life.

Croeso (welcome!) to Caerdyyd, Cymru (Cardiff, Wales). Due to the recent fatal train crash in Cumbria en route to Glasgow which killed an old woman and severely injured 11 people there were intensive maintenance and 'Kilroy wuz ere' work on the signals along the tracks all over Great Britain. I arrived about one and a half hour late and after filling up the complaint form (the passengers are entitled to get the money back if the train arrived late more than an hour) I ran into Millennium Stadium to be part of the blues in the Carling Cup Final 2007.

And 'she' made her own way ;)

[The Kooks - She Makes Her Own Way]

I had nasi lemak at Bali restaurant in the city centre. There were lots of English people started to coming into the restaurant to satisfy their exotic hunger and taste. After explaining what is nasi lemak to the two men beside my table, he asked me whether I am from Malaysia. I said yes. When I was about to leave, the big man who was eating satay and could not resist to tell his friend "this is delicious" asked me did I come all the way from Malaysia to watch Chelsea in the final? Laziness crept in and I just said yes. Out of the blue he told all the Chelsea fans in the restaurtant;

"This chap came from Malaysia to watch Chelsea in the final!!!"

Haha. I was speechless and to share his delight I showed him the spirit of Chelsea as I walked out of the restaurant with exchanged of smiles between us. How great it is to know how the foreign people know the existence of my country and I am proud of the soil.

I boarded Arriva (Welsh train) and made changes in Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa and stranded for an hour at Birmingham New Street. The thought of being the only Malaysian on the trains full of the real 'English' people really made me cold in the feet and at times it made me smile to my own reflection on the window door as I sat down on the floor, listening to various English slang I have not heard of before.

And I smiled, how Chelsea and Arsenal shirts were mixed together throughout the carriages from Cardiff, that couldn't have happened 10 years ago.

Llanfairpwllgwyngyll or Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, also spelt Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll and commonly known as Llanfair PG or Llanfairpwll, is a village and community on the island of Anglesey in Wales, situated on the Menai Strait next to Menai Bridge and across the strait from Bangor. It is the longest place name in the UK. A translation into English would yield "St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio of the red cave".

The English name for Wales originates from the Germanic word Walha, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner", probably derived from the name Volcae. The term also appears in the "-wall" of Cornwall. The Welsh themselves called themselves Cymry, "compatriots", and named their country Cymru, which is thought to have meant "Land of the Compatriots" in Old Welsh; this has reference to their awareness that they were the original countrymen of Wales, and indeed Britain by virtue of their ancestors the Brythoniaid (Brythons), and also in order to distinguish themselves from the foreign invaders of Britain, the Saeson (English) and the Gaels (Irish). There is also a mediaeval legend found in the Historia Regum Britanniae of Sieffre o Fynwy (Geoffrey of Monmouth) that derives it from the name Camber, son of Brutus and, according to the legend, the eponymous King of Cymru (Cambria in Latin); this however was largely the fruit of Geoffrey's vivid imagination. Cumberland and Cumbria in the north of England derive their names from the same Old Welsh word.

ps: Cymru Am Byth = Wales Forever.

and merci beacoup to Apu, the dearest friend I ever had.

Vive La Différence

2007-02-23T22:43:00.000Z

You could be at your desk.
On the train.
In the lift.
At the sales.
Gardening.
Queueing.
Showering.
Jogging.
Even counting sheep.
We don't mind how you do your best thinking, as long as you do it.

Mostly because it means you're already like us.
You're not afraid of questioning the norm, or of giving other people your point of view.
The prospect of working on out-there projects for up-three clients doesn't make you quake in your boots.
Like the rest of us, you want to be challenged and pushed right out of your comfort zone.

The end result is that our thoughts change how the world works.

We broaden our minds on a daily basis.
We're pretty certain you're unlikely to find training and development opportunities that stretch you quite like ours will.
You could find yourself using technology in a way it's never been used before.
Or being told on a Friday night that you start a new project in Newcastle on Monday morning.
There's always going to be a lot happening.
And a great deal that makes you think - ACCENTURE

Having participated in the HSBC Business Challenge during my first year in University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus in 2006 served as a platform for me to work in the real world of banking and finance. The award of Trustee of the Year 2006 by International Securitisation Report (ISR) received by HSBC's Corporate Trust and Loan Agency (CTLA) business further strengthened its status as the truly local and global solutions to the clients from all over the world. In light of globalisation, the banking and finance industry is developing in a fast-changing environment and HSBC proves its ability to be the leader, driven by its dynamic worldwide workforce . My undergraduate course Industrial Economics with optionals like Financial Management and Management Accounting needs the real enrichment to apply and contribute my knowledge, and HSBC Corporate Banking is the ideal platform. In addition, globalisation brings about the different nationalities all around the world to cooperate, work, and learn from each other to keep on generating the corporate banking industry. The emergence of China and India proved my point to nurture my ability and career skills with other nationalities, and with offices in 76 countries, HSBC is one of the world s largest banking and financial services organisations; this is my golden chance to contribute and be part of the community wherever HSBC do the business. To gain experience during my internship in HSBC will develop myself to be a well rounded student, as David Kappler said experience is the most important quality.

Ian Christison the CIMA president once said, "chartered management accountants are leaders. We demonstrate our leadership in our approach to the profession and in our relationships with major stakeholders, most significantly, employers". Based on his saying, to work in a team group during my academic term will always be like the real test in working in a banking and finance industry. Globalisation brings about the importance of working with different nationalities. My group and I participated in the HSBC Business Challenge 2006 in Malaysia and my responsibility as a leader was to be professional in discussion to accept the views and ideas from the members. I also believe in the fun of the task that we have to accomplish, to work in a prosperous environment. Yes, different people will present different ideas and I believe the consensus shall be achieved based on the relevant and critical elements of all the ideas, and teamwork provides a pool of ideas that is also a reflection of a highly grounded, dynamic, healthy, and successful organisation. In 2006/07, my group and I from Nottingham Business School participate in the Global Management Challenge United Kingdom brought by Hobsons Graduate Employment, and to engage in the real world business proves the importance of a dynamic team working. I believe the different approaches and abilities from different members will bring about the positive outcome in any consensus that we shall make, and the most important aspect is we can contribute and learn from each other.

If people don't get to know each other first, there's a good chance the relationship won't last.

Vive la différence.

Robert Burns (January 25, 1759 – July 21, 1796) was a poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best-known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a 'light' Scots dialect which would have been accessible to a wider audience than simply Scottish people. At various times in his career, he wrote in English, and in these pieces, his political or civil commentary is often at its most blunt.

Burns is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death, he became an important source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. A cultural icon in Scotland and among Scots who have relocated to other parts of the world (the Scottish diaspora), his celebration became almost a national charismatic cult during periods of the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.

Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His poem (and song) "Auld Lang Syne" is often sung at Hogmanay (New Year), and "Scots Wha Hae" served for a long time as an unofficial national anthem of the country. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well-known across the world today, include "A Red, Red Rose", "A Man's A Man for A' That", "To a Louse" and "To a Mouse".

Burns' Night, effectively a second national day, is celebrated on 25 January with Burns' Suppers around the world, and is still more widely observed than the official national day, Saint Andrew's Day, or the proposed North American celebration Tartan Day. The format of Burn's supper has not changed since Robert's death in 1796. The basic format starts with a general welcome and anouncements followed with the Selkirk Grace. Just post the grace comes the piping and cutting of the Haggis, where Robert's famous ode To a Hagis is read, and the haggis is cut open. The event usually allows for people to start eating just after the haggis is presented. This is where the reading called the "immortal memmory" which is an over-view of Robert's life and work is given. Lastly the event will usually conclude with the singing of Auld Lang Syne - wikipedia.org

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne.

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp!

And surely I'll be mine!

And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,

For auld lang syne. For auld, &c.

We twa hae run about the braes,

And pou'd the gowans fine;

But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,

Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld, &c.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine;

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld, &c.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!

And gie's a hand o' thine!

And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught,

For auld lang syne. For auld, &c.

Ain't Left Behind

2007-02-21T16:56:00.000Z

US Media group Viacom (the owner of MTV and Paramount Pictures) is to provide free content to video website Joost (the founder of Skype), just weeks after demanding that YouTube (bought by Google) to remove more that 100,000 copyright video clips. In the music industry, Warner Music is making its way to acquire EMI (and the former is in a prosperous inter-industry relation with MTV) ;p.

I believe there must be some sort of 'under the table' business planning ;p

Daily readings that shape my joie de vivre, the harbinger of corporate and business skills that I need to hone along my career building -

The Independent UK Newspaper

The Economist

Financial Times

Wall Street Journal

Financial Management

Reader's Digest

It is no easy task. But all of us believe if there are commitment and perseverance, it shall develop towards habitual habit.

He Smiles

2007-02-20T01:54:00.000Z

There is an event on Creative Writing/British Media Awareness Training Session tomorrow at Malaysia Hall London, organised by UKEC in cooperation with the Malaysian Students Department UK and Eire. The respective speaker is Mr Wan Ahmad Hulaimi, the former NST correspondent for London and Europe.

Sadly, it is on Tuesday.

Unless the event is nigh to my place, any excuses to miss this are deeply unfathomable. Lest to miss the golden views from the speaker, I shall convey a bird to bring me back a letter of wisdom from what the event may bring.

Kudos to the rest who are going to spend their Tuesday for this.

Upon this posting, shall of us take a few minutes to ponder on something that is a certain in this life, but the enjoyment in life always do the injustice in reminding us about this.

Death.

It is not a moment of sadness, it is the moment for us to remind about it. And certainly, appreciate death.

I witnessed death at a young age when my friend and I promised to each other that I am going to be his best man when he gets married and likewise for my occasion.

Out of the blue, it was like a slap on my face.

Yup, it was painful and the sky fell on me when the incident happened. However, a wise mind will think and reflect on death.

I believe, that knowing your life has an endpoint will help you appreciate every moment your alive.

And, death helps you understand life's precious gifts. Every single of it, even the one we rarely think of. Anything. Anything.

It makes me wiser, I want to grow through life. I do not want to just go through life. Mark this dichotomy.

The world flashed its teeth to me in 2003, four years ago.

LOVE STORY FOR KAKAK
By Nanim (a piece written by my secondary school mate, who is now pursuing her dreams in journalism)

My sister asked me to tell her a love story, any love story for that matter, to give her some ideas on what to write for her assignment.

Love story. Uhh. I shudder to think of the word love.

Lest u think I’m a sceptic, oh I’ve been in relationships before. I have known love and love has known me. However, for some reason, love has eluded me, or rather, I have ran away from love.

You see, I had a very tragic first love. Ah... the mere mention of first love... brings back the memories, doesn’t it?

I was 13 when I met him. We were young, naïve and foolish. He wasn’t the best looking guy in school, nor was he the richest. Well, he was well off, but there were better looking guys compared to him.

His name was Ryan.

You see, I was infatuated with another boy, and Ryan was initially enlisted to help me win the attention of the boy I liked. I would look for him before, in between and after class everyday to know more about my dream guy, his likes and dislikes, what he did in class, little things like that. And Ryan was more than willing to indulge me with the information.

But little did I know, we would start sharing the same interests. He loved grunge – the music was so popular back in the 90s, I thought KL was Seattle – and I was into the genre too. We liked the same movies, the same comics, and we have the same favourite colour and the same favourite number. In fact, we even shared the same birth date, except that we’re 5 months apart.

So anyways, the infatuation didn’t last long, but our friendship did. At 15 years of age, I found out through a friend that he had feelings for me. I guess I could actually saw it coming, but nevertheless I was pleasantly surprised. A best friend who is like-minded in so many ways, that fits you like the missing jigsaw piece you just found under the bed, to become your boyfriend. What more can you ask for?

This story should come with a happy ending. However, I am sad to say that it won’t. We were together for only 2 months, but rest assured, the drama lasted longer than your favourite Philipino soap opera.

I abhorred the sight of him and the mere mention of his name. I wished I never found out that he had another girlfriend. That alone single-handedly shattered my esteem, my self-confidence, my faith in him. U can’t imagine the wounds of adolescence. It hit me rock bottom. He would say sorry, and I would take him back, then he would break his promise, and I would vow to stay away from him, and he would say sorry again, the vicious, incessant cycle exhausted me.

However, as we grew older, we somehow managed to salvage the friendship that we had, thus explaining why I never got rid of him in the first place. We had ups and downs, and he had always hinted that he still loved me, but for the sake of our friendship, I just never entertained it. We fought, like we always did, but we also supported each other, in an eccentric yet special way that only both of us knew. The fights were often ugly and public. The good parts, however, were never known to our peers. They only thought we would fight all the time. They say don’t hate someone too much, or you’ll end up loving them more than you think you would, and I found that to be true in the cruellest way possible.

Without a doubt, he was my first love. And do you understand me when I say that you would automatically assume that your first love is the one that you’ll marry? This is very foolish of me to admit, but I once thought that I would marry him. But things happened the way it did, and he once assured me that, no matter what, even if I’m a mother of six, married to someone else, he would want us to still be friends, so that our children can be friends like us when we were 13. I simply nodded at that time. I never knew how much it would mean to me later.

Today, the day this story is written, is the 13th. It’s our favourite number. He would have turned 22 today, had he survived the car crash. It has been four years since his passing, four years since I received that fateful phone call about his accident. It was never easy for me to recall any of these, I was depressed for quite a while before I could stand on my own feet again and moved on. Time heals pain. Time dulls pain. And time can also make you forget.

I remember the day of his burial. His cousin came to me and whispered, “The cards that you gave him, are still on his study desk. He often had them nearby whenever he studied.”

Another friend, who was close to him, told me something I never expected to hear, “Let it be known, that of all his exes, he loved you the most.”

Time is evil.

Time took him away from me before I could tell him I never meant to hate him for his wrongdoings. Time snatched him away before my children and his children could be friends like how he wanted.

But I have no power to bring him back. It doesn’t matter if my tear ducts are dry from crying, there’s just no rewind button to push on time.

Sometimes I do see him in crowds. That split second at the corner of your eyes, when you’re glancing, that’s where I always see him. And I know, for a thousand years more, he would be in that special place in my heart.

Does this affect my current relationship? Oh yes, it does immensely although the influence has been subdued lately. For all the pain that he put me through during his infamous infidelity (geez, we were only 15 then), I often demand my boyfriend to be what Ryan was not. And that can be straining. I’m in a long-term relationship that sometimes drains me. The line between love and dependency has since blurred. It gets me thinking to remember what Ryan used to say, “as long as it makes you happy.”

The innocence of first love is what I missed most. Nothing else mattered much then. It was stupid, but it was also true.

I’m sorry, dear kakak, my love story isn’t a happy one. I am forced to grow up too fast for falling in love too early when I was 15. I hope you would have better luck in love than me.

The End.

And I told her, do not cry. Achieve what you want to achieve in life. He will be smiling from there.

And I am doing the same.

I will keep on walking alone around the lake, sing the song sang by the swans, look at the trees, breathe the crystal air, and think. The silence breaks once in a while when I step through the bed of falling leaves.

And my tears fall unnoticedly, in harmony with the caress of the wind.

Wikipedia.org :

Pokarekare Ana is a traditional New Zealand love song, probably communally composed about the time World War 1 began in 1914. East Coast Māori song-writer Paraire Tomoana, who polished up the song in 1917 and published the words in 1921, wrote that it emanated from the North of Auckland and was popularised by Māori soldiers who were training near Auckland before embarking for the war in Europe.

There have been numerous claims and counterclaims regarding authorship over the years. Although the matter has never been definitively settled, guardianship of the words and music are held by the family (descendants) of Paraire Tomoana.
Although the Māori words have virtually remained unaltered over the decades, with only the waters in the first line being localized, there have been many different English translations.

Originally sung in a subtle 3/4 (waltz) time, since World War 2 it has been heard in a more plodding 4/4 time. The song is performed, usually badly in Māori, wherever Kiwis congregate anywhere in the world. It is very popular in New Zealand and is sometimes called the country's unofficial national anthem, although it has been adapted to commercial advertising and by sporting groups.

New Zealand soldiers taught it to Korean children during the 1950-53 war, and it is now much sung in South Korea.
A schoolyard parody, O curry curry arna, I found a squashed banana, is well known to New Zealand school-children, and was being sung in Melbourne playgrounds in the mid-1970s.

The tune of Pokarekare Ana has been borrowed for an Irish wedding song A Mhuire Mháthair sé seo mo ghuí.

Late in 2003 Pokarekare Ana featured on the Pure album released worldwide by the young New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. Pure is the fastest selling debut album ever on the UK classical charts. Internationally known New Zealand opera singers to previously record and perform Pokarekare Ana are Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Dame Malvina Major. Dozens of other artists throughout the world have recorded this song.

Brit Pop Rock

2007-02-17T22:46:00.000Z

Time out. This lights up my day. This was aired all around the university during the Freshers' Fayre.

And thou shall never give up in anything that thou want to do. Never give up.

xx

An Eagle and A Chicken

2007-02-16T19:06:00.000Z

Undergraduate Year Two: Nottingham University Business School, University of Nottingham -

N12205 Introductory Econometrics (Spring) credit 10
Mr TWJ Bailey

N12403 Financial Management (Autumn) credit 10
Dr B Reber

N12406 Quantitative Methods 2A (Autumn) credit 10
Dr RJ Young

LK11FB French (Spring) credit 10
Madame Moya Mason

N1A129 Origins and Development of the UK Economy (Autumn) credit 10
Professor CJ Wrigley

N1B208 International Firms (Spring) credit 10
Mr Vasilis Zervos

N1B405 Management Accounting and Decisions II (Autumn) credit 10
Business School Convenor

N1B307 Financial Reporting (Spring) credit 10
Mr Phil Dearing

N1B442 Economics of Organisation A (Autumn) credit 10
Professor P Swann

N1B443 Economics of Organisation B (Spring) credit 10
Professor P Swann

N1B444 Industrial Economics A: Structure, Conduct and Performance (Spring) credit 10
Dr D Paton

N1B445 Economics of Pricing and Decision Making (Autumn) credit 10
Mr TWJ Bailey

It was a full day of classes from early in the morning till 6pm. I had five paperwork and a language module which requires loads of my own initiatives in self-studying. When I reached my room in St. Peter's Court, I saw the 'online' sign of my sister's MSN Messenger. Seen my family as my source of comfort and the beacon of light in my life, without hesitation I 'nudged' ...

MaD___IzzE says:
eh Ijad Abah ni!

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
ok

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
abah x tidur lagi?

MaD___IzzE says:
belum

MaD___IzzE says:
How's things

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
am just recovering from flu and cold

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
loads of paperwork to do

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
analysis

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
what do u tink abah? im trying to find the unique MNEs impact on a particular region..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
dun want to analyse like automobiles in EU..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
tat's usual

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
want my report to be useful for future reference..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
thinking of analysing the impact of MNEs in a particular industry in eastern europe

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
coz last year's student he did the analysis on oil in kazakshtan

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
he got the credit from the government

MaD___IzzE says:
I'm not sure I can help u. Out of touch- perhaps reading the economic journals would help u ...

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
yeah yeah

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
i came across the article

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
about the oil industry in georgia

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
and azerbaijan

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
i'll try my best

MaD___IzzE says:
Is it part of yr economic syllabus?

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
yeah

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
international firms module

MaD___IzzE says:
Cant think of any MNEs right now - well apart from the usual industries

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
mm

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
any unique industry?

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
that is well discussed now.

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
like uranium and nuclear

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
but that one is confidential

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
thinking of oil and pipelines..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
mm

MaD___IzzE says:
That's quite normal I think - think along these lines ... off shoots of the main O & G industries - like the one we have in Mlaysia/ plastic, resin, the by products

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
mm

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
yeah like biotechnology...

MaD___IzzE says:
Any speficific location?

MaD___IzzE says:
I mean specific

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
i'll seach that

MaD___IzzE says:
How about steel indiutries? Big investment n a long recovery period but used to be mayor player

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
mm sounds good..

MaD___IzzE says:
Shipping insutries?

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
yup..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
will consider that..

MaD___IzzE says:
Tahniah on yr good results ...

MaD___IzzE says:
Keepit up ...

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
thanks..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
yeah nak naikkan my first class this semester..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
quite hard but will work hard

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
with 5 report to do

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
and 1 language module..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
abah and mak are my inspirations

MaD___IzzE says:
U can do it - if u have the time try to read the story of Roger Bannister - it could prove inspirational to u ... I wouldnt elaborate further hilang suspense but read it ...

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
roger bannister?

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
i just search on the net

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
roger bannister?

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
or any particular web?

MaD___IzzE says:
Dr. Roger Bannister - I may forget the full name but I'm pretty sure the Bannister

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
ok..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
is he an english

MaD___IzzE says:
Yup!

MaD___IzzE says:
Still alive and chairing something that wd be a big event in England

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
hmm

MaD___IzzE says:
Get one of the books about him ...

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
any particular book?

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
English neurologist who was the first athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes.

MaD___IzzE says:
The best place to start wd be the internet - at least there wd a synopsis abt him ...

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/ban0pro-1

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
what do u think of tis?

MaD___IzzE says:
abt what? Everbody was saying the human body cannot withstand the pressure even the medical profession but he proved them wrong. But the thing to remember here is how he psyche himself to do the impossible ...

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
yup..

MaD___IzzE says:
He has the belief he can do it ... try to emulate that belief - not only getting s 1st class but in every \thing we do

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
he managed to do it..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
yup..

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
what is the incoming event that he will organised?

MaD___IzzE says:
Olympic Games in UK

Sharazad ﺕﻈ ﺍﺮﺸ says:
k..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
yup inspired..

MaD___IzzE says:
Instill that belief within u n the sky is d limit ... if u can fly like an eagle why be a chicken eh?

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
yup..

MaD___IzzE says:
So if I say u can do it, U CAN DO IT - coz I belief in u as long u get perspective right - like RB - a medical student yet find time to run and excels in it ...

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
yup...

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
interesting

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
when did u first time read about him?

MaD___IzzE says:
I think Readers Digest - back in late 1960's. That was a book abt him at our house in Kajang (grand dad's time)

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
mmm

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
where's d book now?

MaD___IzzE says:
But now once the 4 min barrier has been broken, a lot of them managed ti run below 4 min - he's an inspiration in his quite and unassuming way. U shd be like that - be an inspiration to others

MaD___IzzE says:
The book's gone

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
ok..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
but

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
how could he do it..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
a mile under 4 minutes..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
that tells nothing is impossible

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
if we work hard..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
and focus on our objectives

MaD___IzzE says:
Practice, pratice and practice propels by the belief he has in himself....
Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
mm

MaD___IzzE says:
That belief is important - invisible but a portent forve to have inside u.

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
yup..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
his book "Four Minute Mile"

MaD___IzzE says:
That belief would differentiate the normal Thomasses and the genius Einsteins

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
why?

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
the normal Thomasses and the genius Einsteins?

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
what do u mean?

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
mm..

MaD___IzzE says:
Yup an expression - Thomas is quite a common name in English that wd describe an average person, contented with what he has. Compared to those budding Einsteins - ambitious, far sighted ready to change the world

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
with imagination..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
he once said imagination encircles the world with knowledge

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
imagination=belief

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
rite?

MaD___IzzE says:
Yeah that's sums up abt the whole thing eh?

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
mmm..

MaD___IzzE says:
Yeah u need a lot of imagination like Issac Newton. Sitting under an apple tree and he came up with the Theory of Gravity. A normalpwerson wd see an apple drops but not he - he has the imagination to transcend what is apparent.

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
yup..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
in silence..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
sometimes when ur alone

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
when im alone

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
which i prefer to be in here

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
i tend to think and appreciate the little of things

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
i dun really mix with my fellow friends..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
do the usual stuff like talking in a group..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
at times i do..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
at times i prefer my own time..

MaD___IzzE says:
You cannot be alone - God is with us n that's the greatest inspiration of all. I do find solace in solitude - asking lots of question, to ponder, finding answers to those quaetons n I try to find the time to smell the roses

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
yup..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
yup..

MaD___IzzE says:
I suppose that wd suffice for now - klau x hilang modal uth chat lain. Take care n have u seen the doctor?

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
hehe

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
i made the appointment

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
but it's on monday

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
i just go ahead to see him

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
i recovered already

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
took panadol and neurofen

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
but just see him on monday and get the prescriptions from him

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
in case in the future the flu hits me back..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
which it will..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
since i was small..

MaD___IzzE says:
Yeah I remember that well but some things I don't want to remember that well ... so eat well, sleep well and study well - not neccessarily in that order. God Bless You and wishing u well in yr stidies

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
thanks dad..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
ur going to sleep?

MaD___IzzE says:
How many wells I got there eh?

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
hehe

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
i don't know how to answer it

MaD___IzzE says:
It's 3.30 am here - just prove my point. Everybody's asleep and its quiet in the neighbourhood - in solitude you tend to think faster and to write a lot. So g'nite and missing u ...

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
alrite..

MaD___IzzE says:
Bye and asslamulaikum

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
haaa nasi lemak and teh tarik await u on saturday morning

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
or at least roti telur

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
take good care of urself dad

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
God will always bless u..

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
bye and waalaikumussalam

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
can't wait to go back on summer

MaD___IzzE says:
looking forward to see u but don't fret. You be back in no time. Bye

Sharazad www.mohdsharazad.blogspot.com says:
bye dad.

(Source: http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/ban0bio-1)

Roger Bannister was born in Harrow, Middlesex, England. He began school in a suburb of London, where he early showed a talent for running. University education had been beyond the reach of Bannnister's working class parents, and he resolved at a young age to win a place in one of England's elite universities and study medicine. At the outbreak of World War II, the family moved to historic Bath, England, where Roger Bannister had daily opportunities to practice his running on the way to and from school. At first, his studiousness made him unpopular with his less motivated classmates, but his exceptional speed on the running track soon won him the acceptance he sought, and his scholastic efforts paid off with a scholarship to Oxford University.

At Oxford, Bannister's speed in the mile and 1500 meter events drew the attention of the British sports press. To the consternation of many British track enthusiasts, the young miler declined to compete in the 1948 Olympics in London, preferring to concentrate on his training and his medical studies.
By 1951 Bannister had captured the British title in the mile and felt ready for Olympic competition. Unfortunately, last minute change in the schedule of the events at the 1952 games in Helsinki forced Bannister to compete without resting between events as he was accustomed to. He finished fourth in the 1500 meter run and endured the scorn of the British sports media, who blamed Bannister's rejection of conventional coaching and training methods.

Bannister resolved to redeem himself by breaking the world's record for the mile, the seemingly insurmountable four-minute barrier. By this time he was undertaking full-time medical studies at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, and setting aside only 45 minutes a day for training. But he had seen his time in the mile improve year after year, and was convinced that slow and steady training would enable him to break the record.

Bannister's opportunity came on May 6, 1954, in a meet at Oxford, with Bannister competing for the British Amateur Athletic Association. He had arranged for his friends Chris Chataway and Chris Brasher to set the pace for the first laps so he completed the first three quarter-mile laps in under three minutes. Finishing the last lap in less than a minute, Bannister broke the tape and collapsed as the announcer delivered his time to the cheering crowd: 3:59.4. The unbreakable record had been broken. At age 25, Roger Bannister had made history.

Within a month, the Australian runner John Landy had broken Bannister's record, but Bannister had the satisfaction of besting Landy at that summer's British Empire Games in Vancouver. In a race billed as "The Mile of the Century," both runners beat the four minute time, but Bannister came in first at 3:58.8 to landy's 3:59.6. Later that year, Roger Bannister was awarded the Silver Pears Trophy, bestowed annually for the outstanding British achievement in any field. He also secured the European title in the 1500 meter before retiring from competition. His autobiography, First Four Minutes, was published in 1955. It has since been reprinted as Four Minute Mile.

He completed his medical studies and for the next two decades combined a career in research with clinical practice as a neurologist. After recovering from a serious car accident he withdrew from private practice to devote himself to research. He maintained an interest in athletics, serving as Chairman of the Sports Council of Great Britain from 1971 to 1974, and as President of the International Council for Sport and Physical Recreation from 1976 to 1983. Dr. Bannister was knighted in 1975.

Today, Sir Roger Bannister is Director of the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases in London and a trustee-delegate of St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in Paddington. Since 1990 he has also been Chairman of the Editorial Board of the journal Clinical Autonomic Research and is the editor of Autonomic Failure, a textbook on clinical disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

Chelsea, Chelsea

2007-02-10T23:28:00.000Z

I was a small, full of curiosity young boy when my father first took me to the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur every week to watch Selangor played in the premier league games. Back then, the historic stadium was the home ground for the Red Giants of Malaysia. When the Saturday sun disappeared, I was so eager in looking forward to go to the stadium. My father never failed to disappoint me. I held my father's hand tight, as we walked in tandem of waves among the sea of people, the spirit was undescribable as parents held their children, notorious youths chanted the slogan of the team and we even sang the theme of Selangor towards the entrance. I could also remember how energetic my father was, and there was an incident one night when my father accidentally stepped into the drain and luckily he just suffered minor injuries. Even though I could see the blood running down on my father's ankle, his thrumpet of football never fade away. Deep in my heart, I always felt so passionate as the sea of people wore the same colours red and yellow, somehow I could sense that football unites the people, no matter whether we are young or old, malays, chinese, or indians.

"Merah kuning lambang kebanggaan, Selangor melangkah ke kejayaan"; these lines echoing in my mind whenever I watch football.

Today, I made my journey towards Stamford Bridge. This time, I was alone. Without the hands of my father. However, I imagined his wisdom eyes and voice shadowing me along the way. Today I took the Fulham route to support my childhood team Chelsea playing against Middlesborough. Like a sudden one clap, I vividly remembered those times when I watched football with my father. I took a black cab as I wanted to catch the blues' atmosphere half an hour before the kick off. There was a short silence in the cab but I had expected the driver's random asking as I told him my destination; "Stamford Bridge". The silence was broken when he opened his mouth and these question was directed to me with a smile; "Are you going to watch the football mate?". I nodded and yes was my answer without hesitation. I heated up the conversation as the journey continued and he told me he supports Crystal Palace, the derby team of Chelsea. I told him that my parents are very worried about me watching football in England as during their time in the late 70's and early 80's hooligans and fightings could not be separated from English football. He turned back looking at me with a baby-smile, assuring me that there are no hooligans anymore. He told me during those times the hooligans would always planned a fight during football match and Chelsea's hooligans were called 'The Headhunters'. However, he explained to me like a father teaching his child a moral lesson that it was during those times only and I should not be afraid of their presence anymore. I told him that it costs me around 45 pounds for this ticket and he said it was not a surprise to him as most of Chelsea supporters are the posh people. That explained why the Chelsea fans nowadays are 'well-behaved' compared to others like Man United or Liverpool. He even told me his season tickets only costs him around 300 pounds.

As the cab made its way through the faceless crowd in Oxford Street, I asked him what does he think about London. He answered me personally, and honestly he said that in London money is everything. If you do not have money, you are nobody in the streets of London. I listened with a deep interest like Dr. Watson listening to the narrative of case by Sherlock Holmes. He has one boy and a daughter and he really wants his children to be brought up in Spain, he wants his children to speak bilingual language, he wants his children to have the non-British upbringing, and he always dream of a home situated in the countryside surrounded by the green scenic and above are the flying birds, where they can play on the grass breathing fresh air, compared to the fast-paced, hectic Londonophobia. I told him I am from Malaysia and asked whether he has been to Southeast Asia and he said no. However, he always dream to go to the Southeast Asia countries and explore the exotic environment, and he believes one day he will make it as his wife's brother now is living in Thailand. As we passed by Harrods, I asked him since he was small and now, what are the differences between London in the 70's and to the present time. He answered,

"London is much more safer now mate".

However, he dislikes the current Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and he said the mayor is mad, he was expressing it by showing a mad man sign of a spinning head. I laughed upon his expression. He told me,

"There are more rules and lots more to be implemented here, as if the mayor is trying to convince us his obsession towards crime. The fin' is those rules only aim to curb petty crimes, not serious crimes. Nuffin'!".

I agreed with him as I told him the recent news about the plan to install CCTV in every traffic light around London, further justifying his point that the mayor is obsessed towards crimes. As the cab strolled along Fulham Road, he drove the cab to a halt. There was a sea of people walking up ahead the road. He told me he could not drive me any further. Before I handed him the money, he asked me,

"Do you know Sex Pistol?"

"Yes, I do. Is it similar to The Ramones?"

"Yeah yeah mate. When I was young, I used to be a punk rock youth. Me and my mates used to sleep along this road, and yes, during those times it was not safe".

He grinned with a cunning smile faded by his old age. "Now, it is safe mate. You just walk along these people and Stamford Bridge is on your right side".

I got off from the cab, we bid farewell with an ironic element of introduction;

"I am Harry, nice to meet you".

"I am Sharazad, nice to meet you too".

"Shhhaa.... what?".

"Shaaa raaa zaad".

"Sharazad!".

"Yes Harry, till we meet again, maybe somewhere along the streets in London." ;)

I stepped into the Chelsea ground. All of a sudden, I felt like I have been lifted to the cloud of nine, as the blues' passion of Jimmy Greaves, Ron 'Chopper' Harris, Peter Osgood, and Gianfranco Zola blew into my heartbeat.

Dear Fellow Chelsea Fan,

You may be aware of a campaign that is underway to get the Shed back to its heady singing days. The aim is to get noise from at least both ends of the ground and improve the atmosphere all around. Hopefully, today will see the campaign taking effect. Please get behind the team in any way you can.

To mark this effort, we would also like to bring back an old song that was sung in the Shed in the 60s. The song is "Strolling". It epitomises Chelsea; "Cool, Traditional, very London and Carefree". It's particularly suitable nowadays as we have to put up with all this tripe about being soulless and having no history.

In the old Shed days it was sung with your arms out stretched above your head. The CHELSEA chant at the end is the same as "10 men went to mow".

So here it is. Sing it with all you might, wherever you are in the ground, and let's roar the boys onto victory. Do it well and it can become our new (old) anthem!

"Strolling, just strolling
In the cool of the evening air
I don't envy the rich, in their automobiles,
For a motor car is phoney,
I'd rather have shank's pony!
Every night I go out strolling
And I know my luck is rolling
When I'm strolling with the one I love"

CHELSEA, clap clap clap, CHELSEA, clap clap clap
(Keep the CHELSEA chant going as long as you want)

And we won 3-0. Jose Mourinhoooooo, Jose Mourinhoooooooo.

It was the Chelsea day and I took the bus at Harrow Road towards Knightsbridge. Before I paid a visit to a friend of mine in Knightsbridge, I bought a dozen of Krispy Kreme doughnuts at Harrods. The cashier was totally friendly, and we made a short acknowledgement; he is from Colombia and I told him I am from Malaysia. I asked:

"Bogota?"

"No, quite far away from Bogota".

It is true what the recent survey revealed in The Independent newspaper, London now is the most cosmopolitan city in Europe. Middle Easterners and Eastern Europeans are increasingly making the bulk of the proportion in the labour force. When you are on the red double-decker, it is like an informal multi-language class in the heart of London. Name it; Greek, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and even the languages of the eastern Europeans.

I arrived at Nottingham around quarter to ten at night, and I shook hand with a man whom I helped to find his seat on the train before I got off from the train. A simple greeting "You're alright mate?" with a courtesy of smile to a stranger, never fail to tie a bond of friendship albeit I will never meet the stranger again.

Teppan rice and toriyaki was my late dinner at Skinny Sumo Restaurant. I sat beside the glass wall which I could see the people walking arms to arms, battling the cold weather to satisfy the tempation to have fun and go out drinking on Saturday night. Out of the blue, there was a bunch of men dressed-up like pirates knocked on the glass wall and trying their Rum Rum skills to scare me. I was smiling like mad and not to miss this unexpected pirates of the caribbeans wannabes, I hold up my forefinger asking them to wait as I took a photo of them. They were so happily lost in happiness, and they entered the restaurant making the other guests surprised as they told me,

"You're awesome mate!!!".

I just laughed at them. Shaking hands ended the night.

A simple lesson that I learned in this English land, greetings and manners.

Whenever my feet step into the foreign land,

I smile, and speak the language of its people - Sharazad

ps: I saw this banner "Cyprus Blues FC" in the stadium. Hmm... kala kala. Efharisto (Good good. Thank you in Greek). Courtesy of an informal teaching by my university mate, Nayia Nicolaou ;)

Juggling Corporatism

2007-02-07T23:37:00.000Z

Another interesting movie that I watched today at Broadway Nottingham.

It was advisable for the Year 3 students to watch this movie which relates to their module "Business Ethics", but it rang my bell of attention to willingly spend my Wednesday evening and have a go at the movie; after a cup of caramelatte, accompanied by the article "India cannot run as fast as China without further reform" [The Economist].

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the main theme of the movie, and it is one of the important functions in an organisational structure to ensure the competitiveness and to survive in the fast-changing world of globalisation.

At the end of the movie, this message was planted in every student's mind as all of us are the potential workforce in the corporate world: juggle your career and the commitments to your loved ones, in the most delicate manner, and professionally.

A season of films about social and ethical issues in business, programmed in conjunction with the International Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (ICCSR) at Nottingham University Business School. There will be an introduction before each screening and a discussion afterwards.

Wed 7 - Work Hard, Play Hard. Violence Des Echanges En Milieu Tempere (with English subtitles)

Synopsis: Philippe is a young business graduate who starts work at a management consultancy firm. Assigned to audit a company on the verge of a takeover, his task is to survey the staff and decide on imminent redundancies. Initially he is reluctant to get involved, but eventually begins to realise that the hard-headed approach of his supervisor and mentor is the best way to achieve results, and adopts the mantra of the company 'work hard, play hard'.

And I had constructive arguments and exchanged of ideas with Rohan on our way back to Victoria Center.

5-minute rest to the planet

2007-02-01T02:45:00.000Z

We live and die on this planet but most of us fail to perceive it as our dearest friend, a friend who gives us eternal air to breathe and the exotic floras and faunas that inspired painters worldwide like Van Gogh and Picasso.
People express the appreciations through the colours of paintings, but why do we still blindly taint it?
This planet, it is one of God's creations.
In a way, it is a living thing.
Pollution taints our planet, the sun shines abnormally, the snowflakes rarely flirt anymore like the past winter times, the ice on the north pole melts, the migration of birds and other sea animals is unpredictable, and all these arrived to one conclusion = the stupidity of human beings.

We just see the planet from inside of it, but we failed to imagine the beauty of the planet from the moon, we failed to appreciate the blue of the vast ocean and the green of the lands even though there was a footprint on the moon.

Blame ourselves.

But, it is never too late.

" MEDIA COVERAGE - RADIO 5 LIVE (UK NATIONAL RADIO STATION) Thanks to those of you who listened to me on the radio - hope it came across well!

If you missed it and would like to hear it then go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivel
ive/ and click on 'listen again'. scroll down to find the 'up all night' program on Wed 31st Jan.. then i come on about 15mins into the program!

Lights out everyone 1st of feb On the 1st February, 2007 throughout the world:

CORRECT START TIMES - there has been a lot of confusion but to save the difficulties of timezones then please read the following..

ENGLAND AND THE UK - We have the opportunity to join in with France since we are close. So the French start time is 7.55pm - that is 6.55pm (GMT) here in the UK. So let's join in with them to make the effect greater! I know there are some going for 7.55pm.. so if you're confused.. why not do both!?

USA AND CANADA - It's pointless you guys joining in with Europe cos it would be the middle of the day over there. So to save confusion about timezones just switch off your lights 7.55pm YOUR OWN LOCAL TIME.

Hope that makes things a little clearer.

WEBSITE - For great daily tips on how to conserve energy please visit www.coolmove.org - thanks!

The "Alliance pour la Planète" (a national grouping of environmentalassociations) appeals to all citizens to give the planet 5 minutesrespite :

Everybody to extinguish all their lights and illuminations and turnoff equipment on stand-by on the 1st February 2007 from 18h55 until 19h00. (GMT)

The purpose is not just to save electricity for 5 minutes that day, but todraw the attention of citizens, the media and the authorities to the wasteof energy and the need to initiate action! 5 minutes respite for the planet:that's not long, it costs nothing and will show our politicians that climatechange is something which should figure prominently in political debates.

Why the 1st February? Because that is the day on which the latestreport of the United Nations Panel of Experts is to be released in Paris.

Although this event is scheduled to take place in France, we should not missthis opportunity of drawing attention to the global climatic situation.

If we all participate our actions will have great public and politicalresonance, at an important moment in our political life.! "

Sometimes, good things can happen when the lights are off - New York City Blackout, 14 August 2003 ;)

HIM

2007-01-30T15:39:00.000Z

I start writing when I have no friends around and the peaceful silence all around me - Tash Aw, the author of The Harmony Silk Factory.

But HE is always around us - Zain Bhikha (South African singer) and Dawud Wharnsby Ali (Canadian singer)

From Brazil

2007-01-30T12:42:00.000Z

The author of The Alchemist, The Pilgrimage, and The Zahir sent me his words all across the Pacific Ocean from Brazil.

Dear Sharazad,

I hope that this message finds you in high spirits, as I was when I received yours. I thank you for your kind words and inspiration.

The Warrior of light concentrates on the small miracles of daily life

Paulo Coelho

www.paulocoelho.com.br

www.warriorofthelight.com.br

As Andre Gide said, "To read a writer is for me not merely to get an idea of what he says, but to go off with him and travel in his company"

Silva Rerum

2007-01-28T16:10:00.000Z

My blog has been linked to a blog written by Iain Rowan, an author who lives in the north-east of England, near the sea... but what perplexed me is 'it is not near enough' according to him ;p.

Thank you Iain.

Like the great Polish journalist and author; Ryszard Kapuscinski who passed away last few weeks, I agree with him that the world is silva rerum: 'the forest of things' - and he believed that "to capture it you have to penetrate it as completely as possible".

The forest of things.

To capture and penetrate it as completely as possible.

Below are the info about Iain Rowan's website (www.iainrowan.com)

Not forgetting, the TWO MUST-SEE VIDEOS posted on his website; THINGS I LIKE TODAY and DRUMTASTIC.

I write novels and short stories. My short stories have been published in a variety of magazines and anthologies. My novel ‘One of Us’ was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger. You can read the first chapter here. I’m represented by the literary agents Gregory and Company, and am working on revisions to ‘One of Us’ with them.

The novel is based on a short story of the same name, which was first published in Alfred Hitchcock’s, and will be reprinted in the anthology Best New Noir. I’ve also written a young adult novel, ‘Sea Change’, but have put that on hold for the time being while I concentrate on crime fiction.

Since the end of 2001 I’ve had over thirty short stories published in various anthologies and magazines, including Alfred Hitchcock’s, Ellery Queen’s, Postscripts, Polyphony, Black Gate, and the Thackery T. Lambshead Pocket Guide to Eccentric & Discredited Diseases. Full details are in the bibliography to the right.

I’ve not written much short fiction in 2006, but ‘Here Comes The New Way’ has been taken by Postscripts, and ‘Welcome to the Underworld’ and ‘From the Heart of the Earth to the Peaks of the Sky’ have been taken by Black Gate.

If you want to read any of my short fiction, some of it is available online, and can be found via the bibliography. One of my stories, “The Remains Of My Estate” was originally published in Handheld Crime, which is no longer a going concern, so I have republished it here. Here are quick links to some other stories: Chairman of the Bored, One Step Closer, The Moth, and Game On

I’ve also put some of the flash fiction that I’ve written online here.

‘One of Us’ will be reprinted in Best New Noir, and ‘Lilies’ was shortlisted for the British Fantasy Society’s Best Short Story of 2004, and was chosen for reprinting in the ‘Best New Horror 16’ anthology. ‘Driving In Circles’ was shortlisted for the BFS 2006 awards, and ‘One Step Closer’ won the 2005 Derringer Award (Best short story, mid-length).

Non-fiction: I’ve written book reviews for Infinity Plus and Project Pulp. I interviewed Mike Ashley, researcher, anthologist and Algernon Blackwood’s biographer for Infinity Plus. I’ve edited the Fall 2005 issue of the noir/hardboiled crime zine Hardluck Stories. I’m also currently contributing fiction and non-fiction articles to a literacy project for grade 3-9 children in the US.

BABEL

2007-01-27T21:13:00.000Z

You don't raise heroes; you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes - Walter Schirra Sr.

It was a sunny Saturday. The ray of lights that formed the silver lining across my room was just a smokescreen for a fool mind to believe that it was warm outside. The temperature was averaging about 5 degrees celcius and the chill of the wind caught my breath as I stepped outside. My destination was Cornerhouse in the city center of Nottingham, every second was counted as I could hardly resist the temptation to watch a promising movie which has been awarded for few awards during the Cannes Film Festival in France. BABEL, the movie on my mind.

My mind, mixed thoughts of happiness and sadness, and imagining myself as a shadow in the movie, took me to Japan, Morocco, San Diego, and Mexico in the same vein of real-life drama and tragedy. It took no surprise for the achievements of the movie recently as I watched with deep attention for almost three hours. It is not an ordinary movie, it is the most unique movie I ever seen that touches the insightful aspect of our lives, of the most appreciated gifts that human beings could ever get; children.

I shall say no more.
I doubt this movie will be approved by the board of censorship in my country Malaysia, thus I recommend those who would like to open their eyes about the real world find by any means to watch it; the blindness of the oppressor, the trap of confusions that surrounds the innocence, the importance of why God has created various nationalities in this world, and the most important thing the gifts that most of us fail to see the reasons behind them; as Walter Schirra Sr quoted above.

Carpe diem, and let your mind does the watching; the brilliant performance by Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garcia Bernal, Koji Yakusho, Adriana Barraza, and Rinko Kikuchi.

Kudos to Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, wishful wishes upon your children.

BABEL - in the remote sands of the Moroccan desert, a rifle shot rings out - detonating a chain of events that will link an American tourist couple’s frantic struggle to survive, two Moroccan boys involved in an accidental crime, a nanny illegally crossing into Mexico with two American children and a Japanese teen rebel whose father is sought by the police in Tokyo.
http://www.paramountvantage.com/babel/

Auld Lang Syne

2007-01-15T05:26:00.000Z

If poetry were a man,
Words would be a woman,
As the wind ruffles,
I wonder,
The faded aura of the poetry,
With the absence of,
Words from a woman,
Like the falling leaves,
As the winter fails,
To mesmerise the earth,
How melodic it would be,
The heavenly words,
Rise from the very heart,
Of an intriguing woman,
As if the soothing chords,
Of Clayderman’s touch,
She brings,
Oh how with the deep,
Insightful eyes,
She reflects the innocence,
Of the rainbows,
Abated the rains in me,
If poetry were a man,
Words must be a woman,
The words are born,
In the solace of silence,
In the angelic of solitary,
How distant the words,
They fly,
Fly the poet,
Crossing arms,
To the moon,
While Venus blinks,
The very words of auld lang syne - Sharazad 3am

Inspired by Kenny G and Richard Clayderman ;)

Below is a story of life received from a friend of mine, for all readers. Bless our life -

At this hectic time of the year, here's
a very useful piece of advice to put all
things into perspective.

When things in your life seem almost too
much to handle, when 24 hours in a day
are not enough, remember the mayonnaise
jar... and the coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy
class and had some items in front of
him. When the class began, wordlessly,
he picked up a very large and empty
mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it
with golf balls. He then asked the
students if the jar was full. They
agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of
pebbles and poured them into the jar. He
shook the jar lightly. The pebbles
rolled into the open areas between the
golf balls. He then asked the students
again if the jar was full. They agreed
it was.

The professor next picked up a box of
sand and poured it into the jar. Of
course, the sand filled up everything
else. He asked once more if the jar was
full. The students responded with an
infamous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of
coffee from under the table and poured
the entire contents into the jar,
effectively filling the empty space
between sand. The students laughed.

Now, said the professor, as the
laughter subsided, I want you to
recognize that this jar represents your
life. The golf balls are the important
things. Your family, your children, your
faith, your health, your friends and
your favorite passions. Things, that if
everything else was lost and only they
remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that
matter. Your job, your house and your
car. The sand is everything else. The
small stuff. "If you put the sand into
the jar first," he continued, "there is
no room for the pebbles or the golf
balls. The same goes for life. If you
spend all your time and energy on the
small stuff, you will never have room
for the things that are important to
you. Pay attention to the things that
are critical to your happiness. Play
with your children. Take time to get
medical checkups. Take your partner out
to dinner. Play another 18. There will
always be time to clean the house and
fix the disposal. Take care of the golf
balls first, the things that really
matter. Set your priorities. The rest is
just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and
inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you
asked. It just goes to show you that no
matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of
cups of coffee with a friend."

First Taste of Salt

2007-01-08T20:16:00.000Z

On this Elizabethan soil I stand,

The North Sea wind caress my hand,

On the spinning globe a lone wayfarer I be,

Wilful wisdom worldly-wit I shall see,

What a man I am a man today,

The moments of childhood seem to be just yesterday,

My train of thoughts seems to be moving,

Like a child holding a kite, running,

The awe of my first blinking eyes,

As if this baby was born into a paradise,

The never ending tenderness by the two,

Like a beacon in the vast sea I hold on to,

The words are like Euphrates to the people,

The doors to fathom the unfathomable,

Who am I without you two,

A dark, hollow void I lost into,

They taught me to greet the sun,

And paint the moon, son,

Passion and flowing water of love, they blew,

Like a star falls from the sky out of the blue,

The touch of Midas I have been turning to,

The smile of Teresa makes me over the blue,

They taught me how to friend among friends,

Like the guidelines of Columbus, I sang,

Just as I was about to smell the roses,

They whispered life is not a bed of roses,

They torched the blindness in me,

As the puppiest of love creeps into me,

They still kiss me when I am a man,

As they know there is a baby in this man,

The truth of life knows no age,

To taste the sweet and bitter in edge,

The voices are like a lyre to the ears,

Sweep away the invisible tears,

These words are just one in billions,

After twenty two years I have been breathing millions,

Tell them that you love them,

They say,

As this life is temporary,

God say,

I love both of them eternally,

As I may,

Shall enter the gate of Babylon,

I pray,

As long as this pen,

Penned their true fairytale,

This is the bliss,

Of stories I could tell.

;)

Saya sayang ibu bapa saya,
Kerna genap 12 Januari saya dua puluh dua tahun,
Di kehidupan dunia.

Kepada teman-teman,
Ku ambil ulangtahun kelahiran ini,
Untuk meminta maaf sepanjang kehidupan,
Dan penghargaanku mengenali teman-teman,
Hidup ini indah,
Teruskan perjuangan,
Dengan hati seindah sutera.
Terima kasih.

The ink never fades,
Sharazad 12 Januari 1985 -

White Chocolate Mocha

2007-01-05T20:02:00.000Z

Another books been bought at Waterstone Nottingham, after a glass of Nero's white chocolate mocha and a short companion by the waiter whose hometown is Lisbon.

The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif

and

Persuasion by Jane Austen

As Sunday Express put it on the former: "wittily observed ... There is much here to delight armchair travellers and Egyptophiles alike".

Voila!

Seductive Paris

2007-01-03T23:48:00.000Z

In the adjoining Cour Carree, a flautist is playing Vivaldi. It's a cliche, of course, but then Paris is full of them. The familiar notes ring sweetly through the silence. Less ornate than the main Louvre courtyard, the square has a sparseness that is rendered almost luminous by night, when thousands of tiny spotlights make the friezes float in an amber aurora. Somehow it calls for calm and couples whisper on the stone benches, a dad tells his children to keep quiet.

The main, western wing is the most elaborately sculpted of the facades, abundant with tangled vines and bursting buds, lions' heads, wise philosophers, and angels. Cherubs gambol, their playful bottoms rendered in round relief, entwined with flowers and fruit and swooping swallows. It is a homage to nature and power, to royalty and religion, to literature and grand ideas. There is Homer playing a lyre, and next to him Virgil, pen in hand, a scroll of poetry falling over his knee. A majestic Moses brandishes the tablet of God's law.

It doesn't matter how many times we do this walk: without fail I'm struck by the heart-stopping beauty of Paris. You'd think the shock would wear off, that seeing it would no longer have the power to leave you wordless. But every sighting feels like the first. Frederic is as captivated as I am.

I used to marvel at Sydney Harbour too, whenever I saw it. Sparkling blue carves the city with covers and inlets; it's a wonder of nature. But somehow in Paris the feeling of being awe-struck is even stronger. Perhaps because it is still relatively new to me or perhaps because it somehow seems preposterous that such beauty could be created by people. The city is a testament to civilisation. Of course, I know from the last year that living in a gorgeous environment isn't enough to make you happy. But breathtaking beauty of any kind is moving. It makes tourists of us all. It anchors your heart to a place. Just like Sydney Harbour, the wonderful sights of Paris inspire emotion, yes, even love - Almost French novel by Sarah Turnbull

30 DEC 2006

English Time

0745 - The coach departs from Ye Olde Salutation Inn in Nottingham

1000 - 10 minutes rest at Stevenege

1045 - Journey continues down the south via A25/A1081

1330 - Arrives in Dover

(At the Dover Passport Inspection going into France, we did not have to step out of the coach for the individual inspection by the officer. Relieved happily, as all the passengers did not have to go through the hassle which is norm when dealing with immigration officers. Then, the jocose coach driver told us that there is a new kind of inspection which requires all of us to place our passport photo page on the window. Like children obeying their parents' order, we did as what he said only to be spared with laughters after realising the foolishness of it ;p)

French Time (1 hour ahead)

1700 - On board Pride of Calais cruise ship, crossing the English Channel

- Proceed via A1 highway passing by Aire de Souchez

- On coach entertainment; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang directed by Ian Fleming

2100 - The sight of State de France marks the journey into Paris

2200 - Rest in repose at Campanile Hotel in St. Quentin, a business area in Paris

31 DEC 2006

The walk started from Place De La Concorde - walked through Jardin Des Tuileriesa; vast, long walkway surrounded by naked trees among millions of people from different countries, stretching out along side the Seine, the Tuileries Gardens were created in 1564 by Queen Catherine de Medicis - detailed observation of the Louvre pyramid; the work of architect Ieoh Ming Pei - crossed the Seine towards Institut De France - street stalls of classing French paintings and books formed part of the street - arrived at Place Dolphine which situated across the Seine; a land that holds Saint Chapelle and the myth of the hunchback of who once upon a time rang the bell at Notre Dame - arrived at Pantheon, the major patriotic monumentin Paris, since 1885 when Victor Hugo’s funeral procession carried him to this burial spot, it has become the prestigious tomb of the most distinguished women and men of France, those whose works and spirit raised the Republic and honored humanity: Emile Zola, Marie Curie, Jean Moulin, and Alexander Dumas who wrote the novel entitled 'The Count of Monte Cristo' - arrived at Jardin Du Luxembourg; had a few minutes rest by sitting in the rest chair in the middle of l'observatoire while listening to the chirpings of the birds - walked along Boulevard St. Germain and had a wonderful French dessert at Latin Quarter - met a new French, Cameroonian-born friend; Christian - his eager intention to learn english slowly formed the rapport between us - as the night arrived; strolled along Avenue Des Champs Elysees (went into one of the shops and curiously appreciating the touch of Peugeout) a place of high end street shoppings towards Arc De Triomphe; a popular location for patriotic events and home to an unknown soldier - had dinner in Montparnasse - by midnight, stood beside a couple from Italy; among thousands of people waited for the new year's celebration in Palais De Chaillot; Eiffel Tower stood with sparkling elegance showering gold all over Parisien.

1 JAN 2007

Disneyland Paris - The child in this man jumped in joy, in a world of children accompanied by parents only the purity of innocence, I felt. My train of memories brought back my childhood inclinations; Snow White's dwarves, Pinocchio's nose, Beast's beauty, Star Wars' R2D2, Indiana Jones, Legends of the Wild West, Aladdin, Phantom Manor; they explained it all. The song 'It's A Small World' conveyed a message to the visitors that regardless from where we come from, it is our duty to make this planet a lovely and harmony place to live; only with the innocence of children in everyone's heart leads to such achievement.

2 JAN 2007

Journey back to the UK - had a half an hour stop at the duty free zone near Calais - reached Folkstone via Euro Tunnel - again, this mind opened up and I learned new perspectives from the Gallic land; and travel and observe are not a dichotomy, they are one worth of wisdom that must blends well.

The French are elegant, good self-appearance is imbued since birth, the love of arts and museums is nurtured since childhood, perfectionists in culinary, well known as cafe connoisseurs.

Discretion.

Seduction.

Elegance.

ps: Merci beacoup to Zhaf, Afny, and Christian for the French-words assistance and the joy shared in the romantic air of Paris, et Emir for giving me the second thoughts.

Apollo's Anthem

2006-12-29T02:17:00.000Z

Repose in peace forever Mr. James Brown.

His song 'I Feel Good' reminds me of NTV7 television advert years ago.

His wake-up call to the black people was the catalyst around the world in order to improve themselves, and it applies to every human soul who realises the importance of doing so, hitherto.

As the 'Godfather of Soul' was carried through a procession in Harlem to the historic Apollo Theater New York on Thursday, his anthem "Say it Loud — I'm Black and I'm Proud" will be heard forever.

The beauty of the world is beyond one's umbrella lies various colours of people, thou shall study with in depth thinking the uniqueness of each one of us.

Each one of us.

Jingling Bells

2006-12-24T00:20:00.000Z

Winter holidays has commenced since last week.

Everything falls into silence, even the bare-naked trees swing congruosly with the anthem of the wind.

The area of East Midlands down to London is blanketed by the unusual thick fog due to the high pressure, is it a sign that Santa will not be coming to Nottingham to perform his annual routine on Christmas? ;p

Nahhhh, the thought of the big fat white Santa with his rhyming Ho Ho Ho makes me smile and disposed my inner child trascending into the good old days when I was a child, like the wonders of Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz once I lived in surrounded by the innocence of childhood ;)

This winter, I take the opportunity to wish tis' season's greeting to all of my friends around the world; have a good time celebrating Christmas and spare loads of ginger breads for me ya?

The window in my room is my dearest sight at the moment, while I indulge myself in heaps of books for the upcoming January examination papers, all the best to all my mates.

Oi oi savaloy, life is great in winter innit ?

ps: A day trip to London tomorrow to catch the scene of Christmas Eve ho ho ho -

Caracas' Calling

2006-12-18T12:02:00.000Z

The meeting between Pak Lah and the Venezeluan President Hugo Chavez commences today, our main objective is to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and I could see that the latter's country is going to be one of the backbones of Malaysia international trade; having 77.2 billion barrels of proven conventional oil reserves and the Venezuelan state-owned company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) estimates that the Orinoco Belt, a territory which occupies the southern strip of the eastern Orinoco River Basin, has 236 billion barrels of heavy crude, which would make it the largest petroleum reserve in the world. Chavez's industrial policy in 'not to look upon' the Bush's dirty hands, shall remain, hitherto and in the future.

ps: Please read the positive statement by MOSSA by clicking the URL below:

http://www.openmalaysiablog.com/2006/12/position_statem.html#comment-26674040

The support from each of one you is the driving point that leads to a mountain of successful innovations for the positive openness in the world of ICT in Malaysia.

Bare This

2006-12-03T18:21:00.000Z

There are two cardinal sins from which all the others spring : impatience and laziness.

Franz Kafka.

Robin Hood & Malaysian Games

2006-11-29T13:44:00.000Z

Joyous comment: I felt like home at once when a friend of mine forwarded your article written on the 13 November regarding the Nottingham Malaysian Games.

As a Malaysian student studying far away from the home soil, any event as such is not the one to be missed by any reasons. While we utilise the exposure in the European life and culture and being out of the comfort zone, the effort to spread the wonders of Malaysians in this part of the world is the natural duty borne within ourselves.

Merci for the article as I know the Malaysians back in the country are aware of what is happening in here, our endless dream to introduce to the world how grand is Malaysia, the one and only.

It's such a horrendous not to gain the wisdom and experience while we are here, even I could learn something by walking along the path with a bed of red and violet leaves in this Elizabeth's soil. As I believe, when I am back in Malaysia I could contribute a golden contributions for a better Malaysia from the 'leaves'. I keep on imagining Robert Frost patting on my back while saying, "I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference".

As Margared Mead said, "As the traveler who has once been from home is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep, so a knowledge of one other culture should sharpen our ability to scrutinize more steadily, to appreciate more lovingly, our own".

To Catherine, Keith, and the other exchange students, we did enjoy the sunshine in Nottingham Malaysia Campus, didn't we? Even a year ;p

Kudos; keep on writing.

Notts rallies them from all over Britain
By Dzulkifli Razak

13 November, 2006

The Notts Games held in Britain last week for the 21st time brought together Malaysian students studying there for fun, games, food and free exchange of ideas. Three Malaysian ministers took time to be there. MOST Malaysians have not heard of the Notts Games despite it being around for more than two decades.

It stands for the Nottingham Games, an effort by Malaysian students studying at the University of Nottingham. Over the years, students from other universities got involved too.

Their aim was simple: To get as many Malaysian students as possible to interact, especially the new ones who have just set foot on the campus or Britain for that matter.

Year after year, the students have kept at it, with support from various quarters, notably the Malaysian Ministry of Education the Malaysian Students Department ( Britain) and, recently, the Ministry of Higher Education.

Spurred by the collective enthusiasm of the students, the Notts Games has a large gathering, attracting Malaysian students from the length and breath of England, Scotland and Wales.

It is not just sports. The games has also doubled as a Malaysian Food Festival of sorts.

The appetite-whetting menus range from nasi lemak to the diverse types of noodles.

The 21st Notts Games was held at the Nottingham main campus last week, with a record number of 5,200 students attending.

Two Cabinet ministers (Higher Education, Education, Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs) and two vice-chancellors from Malaysia attended the games.

It was a freezing Saturday morning on Nov 4 when busloads of students began arriving at the Games' venue.

Some had started their journey late night on the day before, others in the wee hours of the morning to be on time for the opening ceremony of the Games.

The temperature hovered just above zero degree Celsius with frost still visible on the ground.

But this couldn't dampen the spirit of the Games, and the warmth and excitement that oozed from the near ecstatic crowd.

As the frost melted away to make way for the enthusiasts and their supporters, the Minister of Higher Education applauded the spirit of Malaysia Boleh in his opening address.

This spirit was on full display, transcending all the artificial borders and barriers that can otherwise fragment Malaysian society.

Such was the spirit that the students decided to come voluntarily and participate despite the rather harsh weather conditions, and the many inconveniences, including journeys lasting up to seven hours.

The minister proudly likened the gathering as a "mini" Malaysia.

A British officer in charge of the sporting facilities that housed the Games noticed the difference with games organised by students from other nations the week before.

By comparison, the games the week before were not only smaller but also less diverse in terms of the number of participants and participation, and of lesser standing if the involvement of dignitaries was taken into account.

This was not all. The intangibles that are innately Malaysian which keep the bond of ties ever so strong and sincere among fellow students was keenly felt.

No doubt things were not perfect, but the staying power of the Notts Games nurtured by such good intentions was never in doubt. And it is getting better.

The outcome can only be positive and healthy for these young generations of potential leaders far away from home.

What made it even more special this time around was the DeepaRaya celebration held after the successful completion of the Games.

The event that took place in the evening resembled another typical Malaysian tradition — the open house.

There was also an intense demonstration of the cultural talent, in a jam-packed "dining hall" of the university.

Here, all the winners were roundly applauded and presented with trophies at a simple yet meaningful ceremony. Not unexpectedly, Nottingham University became the overall champion.

There were other champions too, albeit behind the scene. First, was the group of students who wore bright yellow T-shirts with the letters "vlntr" blazed across the front.

Yes, they were the more-than-willing volunteers who ensured that the events of the day proceeded with as few hiccups as possible.

Another group of champions was the organising committee which had been planning the event tirelessly for months, with every member making sure that everything fell in place on the big day.

Still, there were others, like the groups of intellectual "vlntrs" who had been unselfishly contributing ideas on how to continuously improve the education system back home.

What is most striking is the level of maturity shown by virtually everyone who spoke and aired their concerns during the pre-Games discourse that stretched into the night.

While discussion about education at home often invites some highly charged exchanges, the ones at Nottingham exemplify what we can all learn from each other.

In his closing speech, the Minister of Education was spot on when he expressed how privileged we all were to be part of a a meaningful occasion that will for sure stay fresh in our minds for a very long time to come.

Perhaps the best "independent" testimony to this came from four British students who had the opportunity to study for a year in Malaysia.

They had nothing but words of praise and said they were lucky to have had the opportunity to sample the unique Malaysian phenomena that has further enriched their educational adventure.

Kudos to all who have made the Notts Games a memorable experience.

And, more significantly, it serves to remind us of what lies ahead if only we stay as one people, one nation with one big heart, regardless of where we are.

The writer is the vice-chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia. He can be contacted at vc@usm.my

Sinatra's Advice

2006-11-22T01:31:00.000Z

What is this life if,

Full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare,

No time to stand beneath the boughs,

And stare as long as sheep or cows,

No time to see,

When woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass,

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night,

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance,

No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began,

A poor life this if,

Full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

By William Henry Davies.

Again, it is why I keep on telling myself that life is not a bed of roses. Also, why the road not taken is my most favourite path in this life.

As Frank Sinatra sang -

I've lived a life thats full,

I've traveled each and evry highway;

And more, much more than this,

I did it my way,

Regrets, I've had a few;

But then again,

Too few to mention,

I did what I had to do,

And saw it through without exemption,

I planned each charted course,

Each careful step along the byway,

But more, much more than this,

I did it my way,

Yes, there were times,

Im sure you knew,

When I bit off more than I could chew,

But through it all,

When there was doubt,

I ate it up and spit it out,

I faced it all and I stood tall;

And did it my way.

Pen and Paper

2006-11-14T23:30:00.001Z

My inspiration is the pen as gifts from my parents; Mont Blanc, Waterman Paris, and Parker.

My train of thoughts and opinions from a humble mind will be penned down, as long as my day of tomorrow beckons me.

"My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way".

Ernest Hemingway once said.

[Born: July 21, 1899 Oak Park, Illinois
Died: July 2, 1961 Ketchum, Idaho
Occupations: Writer and journalist
Literary Movement: The Lost Generation
Influences: Gertrude Stein, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Pio Baroja, Sherwood Anderson, Theodore Dreiser
Influenced: J.D. Salinger, Jack Kerouac, Hunter S. Thompson, Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, Douglas Coupland, Charles Bukowski]

And I am looking forward to read a book by J.D. Salinger recommended from a wonderful person, entitled Catcher in the Rye ;p

Rapport De Force

2006-11-14T23:14:00.000Z

The Independent UK newspaper stated its headlines on Tuesday 14 November 2006 - Our New Friends in the Middle East.

Mr. Blair, Mr. Bush, and Ehud Olmert are now the lame ducks of the century.

Unable even to survive their own heads above the Middle East water, they invited the hands of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Bashar al-Assad for a lift as their only salvations.

I hope the lame ducks are starting to fathom how high is the sky and how low is the land ;)

One Flag

2006-11-14T18:17:00.000Z

Perhimpunan Agung UMNO 2006 has commenced in Malaysia.

It should be a meeting of discussions and promising efforts in order to achieve the 9th Malaysia Plan objectives and not to forget, the Vision 2020.

The success of bringing down the 5% budget deficit in the economy to a point of 3.5% since 2003, shall be seen as the cornerstone for the more improvements in the future.

Kudos.

Do not take things for granted, all of you are obliged as khalifahs for the rakyat.

And I shall say, "The people in the glass houses should not throw stones to each other".

Similarly, "The kettle should not be calling the pot black".

Claptrap and shilly-shally, are to be avoided.

I shall say no more.

To the oppositions, grab the opportunity of freedom in giving speech and opinions as a bed of constructive criticisms.

;)

And post-the-heating-discussion of the assembly, Kathiresan wrote -

I HAVE begun looking at earwax in a different light. Some scientists, it appears, are waxing lyrical about that yucky paste’s ability to reveal the route our early ancestors took to reach the lands which they later populated.

A team of 39 researchers started prospecting for earwax to trace a pattern out of Africa where our genus is said to have begun.

After studying the genes in earwax of people in 33 ethnic groups across the globe, they conclude that there are basically two types of earwax: Wet and dry.

Almost all East Asians have dry earwax while almost all Europeans and Africans have the wet variety. Half of those in central and southern Asia have dry earwax while the other half has the wet stuff.

The scientists, led by researchers from the Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Japan, concluded that a gene called ABCC11 caused this difference. Why ABCC11? Perhaps the study was as simple as ABC. Or perhaps digging wax caused their dalliance with Greek and Latin words to wane.

If I understand it rightly, the ABCC11 controls the behaviour of a cell channel which in turn controls the flow of earwax-altering molecules. When, and if, a ABCC11 mutates, it can change the structure of the channel. This affects the type of earwax produced.

The researchers found that the switch in a single DNA in ABCC11 determines whether a person has wet or dry earwax.

They said a change in the channel could have occurred in our ancestors in north or northeast Asia. From there, the dry earwax spread to America.

This, if you are willing to lend them an ear, indicates that native Americans crossed over from the Siberian region, probably some 15,000 years ago.

On the subject of migration, some scientists, are questioning the Out of Africa theory that Homo erectus evolved in Africa and then spread out.

For years, I have read that my ancestors climbed down from the trees and wobbled on the African savannah before migrating — on foot — to India.

My cousins, of course, went their way and populated other parts of the earth such as China, Russia and Europe.

A recent genetic study of certain populations by Oxford University researchers showed that some of the earliest migrants could have travelled to Asia along the coasts of what are now Pakistan and India some 100,000 years or so ago.

But late last year, archaeologists Robin Dennell of the University of Sheffield in England and Wil Roebroeks of Leiden University in the Netherlands suggested that the first human-like beings probably walked in Asia.

They claim that early-human fossil discoveries in Asia are just as ancient as those found in Africa — up to 1.8 million years old.

Paleoanthropologists believed Neanderthals came after Homo erectus to be followed by Homo sapiens. But new dating techniques later showed that Homo Sapiens existed, in some places, at the same time as Neanderthals. It was then felt that Neanderthals and humans occupied different branches of the evolutionary tree. But soon, the hulking Neanderthals disappeared, with most scientists speculating that humans wiped them out.

Some, however, think the Neanderthals did not disappear but interbred with humans.

If you ask me, Neanderthals and other simian-like characters are still in our midst. They have simply put on clothes. Look around and you are sure to find quite a few simians walking among us.

You may not recognise them immediately, though. For one thing, their caudal appendages have shrunk into oblivion. For another, many of them wear coats and ties.

Having mastered language, and possessing an unshakeable belief in their infallibility or point of view, they run riot among us.

Some of them can be seen sitting in air-conditioned comfort discussing ways to pit one person or group against another; some can be seen frothing at the mouth at meetings as they pass incendiary remarks about other religions; and some are so dense, you wonder why they don’t hop onto the nearest tree and swing away to a galaxy far, far away.

Questions about Neanderthals and whether Out of Africa sounds better than Out of Asia may perplex scientists. But they don’t trouble me.

I’m inclined to side with those who say that where we are headed as a species is more important than where we come from. But since our origins will shed light on our present, I think it is wise to learn more.

Whether one believes we were created by God or are descended from apes or were seeded by aliens, everyone agrees that we have a common origin.

So why can’t we see that before we became East or West, before there was Islam or Christianity or Hinduism or Buddhism or Sikhism or any other religion, we were one family?

Religions are infants in our history. The concept of God took root millennia after our species started walking on Earth.

Can we say there was no God until the religions that exist today took shape?

Yes, we left Africa aeons ago, but we have yet to discard our animal heritage. Isn’t it time we behaved as humans?

Let us drink anew to the time when you Were a tadpole and I was a fish. — Langdon Smith

Monkey see monkey do, what say you?

TALKING about monkeys, I’ve decided not to use the phrase "monkey business" anymore. It is not something to be scorned or laughed at.

Monkeys, it appears, do know their business.

Yale University researchers played around with a colony of capuchin monkeys (indigenous to South America) to see how they made economic decisions. They (the scientists, not the monkeys) found that there was much similarity in the behaviour between them (the monkeys, not the scientists) and their Darwinian descendants.

The scientists conducted experiments to observe how the monkeys mimicked trading and gambling activities. Not surprisingly, they found that the monkeys’ behaviour mirrored that of our businessmen.

The authors of the study, Keith Chen, Venkat Lakshminarayanan and Laurie R. Santos, said the results of the experiment "suggest that loss-aversion extends beyond humans, and may be innate rather than learned".

The lesson perhaps is not to do business with a monkey or monkey around with a businessman.

If we need more proof that we are not too far removed in behaviour from our swinging cousins, let me recount an experiment done by a team led by Gerianne Alexander, a psychologist at Texas A&M University in College Station. The scientists placed a variety of toys in front of 44 male and 44 female vervets, a breed of small African monkeys.

They were surprised to find that male monkeys preferred to play with toy cars while the female monkeys kept company with the dolls. Also, the males liked playing with balls while the females enjoyed knocking around with cooking pots. This led Alexander to conclude: "Vervet monkeys, like human beings, show sex differences in toy preferences. Sex-related object preference appeared early in human evolution."

In another experiment, capuchin monkeys were found to co-operate to obtain food and share the rewards for their efforts.

Primatologists at the Yerkes Primate Centre of Emory University discovered that the monkeys had learnt to do what we often find so difficult: Co-operating for mutual benefit.

The director of Yerkes’ Living Links Centre, Frans de Waal, said: "Society wouldn’t exist without co-operative behaviour. Our lives depend on our ability to co-operate with one another and to reciprocate for the help of others."

Simians are certainly smarter than I thought they were. The smartest of all non-human primates, according to Duke University Medical Centre researchers, are the great apes.

And swinging at the top of the smart pyramid are our very own orang utans — together with chimpanzees and gorillas.

Now I understand why the orang utan is often chosen as our mascot.

Paperwork: Outsourcing

2006-11-09T23:21:00.000Z

Module title: Economics of Corporate Strategy
Module Convenor: Jason Lee, Economics Lecturer Nottingham University Business School
Date Work Handed in: 19 April 2006

It is not a new phenomenon for outsourcing, originally called the contracting out of organisational activities, in today's world. In eighteenth and nineteenth century, England public services were serviced by the private sector in the form of street lighting, prison management, road maintenance, the collection of taxes, and other public revenues. Similarly, private operations provided mail delivery in America and Australia, and the construction and management of the railway network was contracted out to commercial companies through competitive tendering in France. As the industrial revolution proceeded, the activities of outsourcing dominated the organisation of production and distribution throught the western world. The mechanism of outsourcing involves contracting with a third party to provide goods and services to the host organisation that would have been available in-house. The basic objective for sourcing out the responsibility for managing particular resources to other parties is that it has become unprofitable for the host organisation to maintain them within the corporate framework.

The Boston Consulting Group concluded that most western companies outsource primarily to save on overheads through short-term cost savings. The 1990's global competition compelled large companies to apply greater discipline over costs and over product to market time cycles, resulting in a smaller product and services portfolio and a loosening of the vertical links in the production process. As a result, firms have divested what they regard as elements peripheral to their business so as to focus upon their 'core' business. Reliance on the vertically driven organisation has been reduced. In turn, greater emphasis has been given to the horizontal relationships so as to improve quality, whilst paying attention to cost effectiveness. In 1999 Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch group, with a portfolio of 1600 food, toiletries, and household products announced that it would focus on a smaller number of 'power brands' (core products) which would have greater worldwide reach in enhancing sales growth and profitability. The aim is to reduce costs and exploit new channels of distribution, such as the internet. The search for greater efficiency, leading to increased specialisation, coupled with attempting to achieve other value adding objectives, added a new dimension to outsourcing, that of attempting to manage multiple, but, at times, ill fitting sourcing strategies. Such managerial gymnastics have masked a more fundamental issue, which is determining what is core to the host organisation so that those processes and activities that are considered peripheral can be passed over to an external service provider.

Determining what is core and non-core to the organisation, whilst attempting to attain multiple outcomes through outsourcing, has been a focal point of debate. Some regard core activities as representative of core competences, in that those ares in which the firm is continuously engaged are fundamental to the survival of the firm. Certain writers consider that what is core and what is peripheral is an academic debate, as outsourcing decisions should be driven by the nature of sourcing contracts and the contractual and informal relationships between the purchaser and supplier, which in turn, lead to the development of a new cluster of core competences. Still, others advocate concentrating solely on competitive advantage, arguing that core competences are those activities that offer long-term competitive advantage and thus should be kept in-house. Nike, for example, outsourced shoe production and manufactures only the key elements of its 'Nike Air' system on the basis that Nike creates maximum value by concentrating on what is unique to them, namely, research and development and post-production activities. Other Nike activities like distribution, sales and marketing (exception: advertising) have been outsourced. In a similar vein, Argyle Diamonds, a major diamond producer, has outsourced all aspects of its operations (earth-moving operations, housing and services for workers, distribution) to best-in-class suppliers. However, the separation and the sorting of diamonds (which is considered core) has been kept in-house.

In the IT industry; global competition, downsizing, the move to flatter organisations, the search for greater flexibility, and rapid changes in technology are cites as the causes of the upsurge in IT outsourcing. Data storage capability has dramatically increased in quality and at the same time has become significantly cheaper, to the extent that data storage services are being charged on a cost-per-megabyte-per-month basis, in a similar way that clients pay for utilities like electricity and water. Therefore, IT has acquired more of a 'commodity' status. Consequently, firms in their pursuit of gaining competitive advantage have been increasing their reliance on external suppliers of information services. Thus, the outsourcing of IT has grown at a phenomenal rate over the past decade in North America, United Kingdom, and Australia. Analysis shows that Western Europe, South America, and parts of South East Asia, including Japan, are now following suit, having previously resisted the trend. For example, the IT market analysts, the Gartner Group, have projected a 16.3 per cent growth rate world-wide between 1997 and 2002, estimating a $120 billion IT outsourcing market by 2002.

Outsourcing in the future, as identified by researchers and practitioners like Justin Jewitt (CEO, Nestor Healthcare Group Plc), emphasises that the present trend of effectively managing a number of horizontal contractual relationships with key trusted suppliers, with each supplier in the chain focusing on providing best-in-class service to give the host organisation competitive advantage, will gain momentum. Enabling the host organisation to gain greater competitive advantage and to be repositioned up the value chain is considered as likely to be achieved by simultaneously pursuing a number of outsourcing strategies, like improving service quality whilst striving to attain cost advantage. Such goals will be realised through a variety of outsourcing arrangements, principally with preferred suppliers with whom there exists an established relationship through performance-based contracts. Such efforts to externalise and become an extended enterprise bear a remarkable resemblamce to the Japanese 'keiretsu' model. Historically, a keiretsu (consortium) of independent Japanese companies were created out of the giant, family-owned Sumitomo zaibatsu (business combine), which was broken up after World War II. Keiretsu based enterprises are accustomed to managing long-standing relationships involving explicit (equity holdings) and implicit (reputational) aspects. The relationships are considered to enable greater focus and business discipline for the benefits of the partners by the partners. This is because they create conditions that permit suppliers to make the investments that will help them to accelerate through their learning curve of providing high-quality service, principally through showing them the advantages of having a volume based and lower cost-per-unit-based relationship with the 'mother company'. For example, by the early 21st century, the Sumitomo group comprised several dozen firms, and all of the major firms were large multinational corporations based in Tokyo or Osaka, such as the Sumitomo Mitsui Financial and Sumitomo Chemical Group.

However, a number of elements has to be considered in the light of outsourcing. Transaction cost theory highlights the significance of transaction cost in market exchanges. When relying on market to provide needed products or services, organisations must invest considerable resources in mechanism designed to guard against the opportunistic behaviour by the trading partner, thus incurring transaction costs. The costs include the costs of writing, negotiationg, monitoring, and enforcing contracts as well as the internal costs related with contract management (Poppo and Zenger 1998). For example, OMB Circular A-76 in the United States provides guidance on how to prepare the extensive in-house cost estimate and the team will need detailed costs that are not normally readily available such as personnel costs, expenses for materials and supplies, other attributable cost like depreciation, overhead and administrative costs, and inflation adjustments. From the perspective of transaction cost theory, transaction costs reflect the diseconomy of market and thus directly influence the firm boundary.

In addition, agency problem occurs when the principal and the agent have different goals and different attitude toward risk. While traditional agency model is primarily concerned with preventing the agent's shirking behaviour, critics of agency theory have pointed out that neither risk-aversion nor effort-aversion is as important as the classic agency model suggests. Instead, the real agency conflict has less to do with getting the agent to work harder, but more to do with getting the agent to choose the right combination of actions and decisions that maximises the principal's welfare. This problem would be particularly salient when the agent is faced with multiple objectives competing for finite resources and the optimal solution requires to strike a balance between the different dimensions. In response to this criticism, agency theory has evolved to address the more complex agency issues such as multi-tasking and measurement imperfection in principal-agency relationships (Indejejikian, 1999). From an agency theory perspective, firm governance is no more than an agency contract between employees or divisions and the organisation or senior management. In this sense, insourcing simply substitutes the agency cost related with the employment contract for the agent cost associated with the client-vendor relationship, which has the same underlying contents as the transaction cost defined by transaction cost theory. Therefore, the firm boundary choice is of limited significance in terms of mitigating the agency cost inherent in the delegation relationships (Alchian and Demzetz 1972; Jensen and Meckling 1976; Poppo and Zenger 1998).

Other element is asset specificity; defined as the degree to which the assests in an exchange are more valuable in their current application than in their next best use (Leiblein and Miller 2003). Vis-a-vis transaction cost theory, specific assets create the incentives for trading partners to appropriate returns from the specialised investments through post-contractual bargaining or threats of termination (Poppo and Zenger 1998; Klein et al. 1978). To safeguard this possibility of 'opportunistic expropriation', organisations have to invest more resources in contract negotiation, enforcement and management, thus leading to increased transaction costs.

In today's business world. it is crucial for a firm to practice 'smart' sourcing, in the sense of weighing up circumstances and being both efficient in the use of resources and delivering the desired outcomes. In outsourcing, 'smart' denotes having considered how to gain advantage through repositioning of enterprise resources and then effectively managing a number of supplier relationships. It focuses as much on the transformational capabilities of identifying ways forward and being effective at the motivation of and communication with people, as on the transactional skills of managing the detailed aspects of business and the routine application of technology. A general manager in a business consultancy firm explains "a smart company anticipates the challenges associated with the outsourcing of its activities and for example takes an active approach to minimise the discomfort of its employees. My experience shows that it is impossible to avoid some dip in employee morale when a company makes an outsourcing announcement, but it is possible to avoid its long term effects. Human Resource arrangements can make or break an outsourcing initiative".

A Question of Psychology

2006-10-31T01:55:00.000Z

Currently attached to:

1. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

2. Winter in Madrid by C.J. Sansom

" As Freud tells us, women want the opposite of what they think or say they want, which, when you consider it, is not so bad, because men, as is more than evident, respond, contrariwise, to the dictates of their genital and digestive organs " - Fermin in the former novel

Hedonism Amsterdam

2006-10-25T15:50:00.000Z

Friday ~ 20 October 2006

The view of the midlands glanced by as the train made its way from Nottingham, Beeston, Loughborough, Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, and finally Luton. A short change to Luton Parkway Airport began my journey to Amsterdam. Arrived safely and sound at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam at approximately 10 pm (9pm UK time) via Easy Jet. Warm sight of Pak Uda relieved me, chatting while on our way to his place in Amstelveen, about 15 minutes from the airport. Had a heavenly sleep while the rain rattling on the window, breezed by the wind from the sea which the level is about 4 metres above Pak Uda's house. That is why Holland is named after, in Dutch it means 'the land in a hole' surrounded by the ocean. That night, the insulate climate whispered the songs by Phil Collins, Enrique Iglesias and Whitney Houston, and Juanes.

Saturday ~ 21 October 2006

Morning. It was windy as my eyes staring fixedly towards the window from the attic, the yellow leaves painted the glass. Accompanied Pak Uda, Mak Uda, and graceful Grandmother to East Amsterdam, bought some meat and chicken at a turkish market. Had a conversation with Pak Uda regarding the current development of the Dutch companies like KLM, Skoda, and Philips. Been told that the former and latter have been taken over by the French and the Czech, the only remaining left is Philips. My train of thoughts arrived to a blur conclusion that the Dutch is concentrating on their agricultural advantage, perhaps. As the car drifted around the city, I noticed that canals form important landscapes around it as a means of natural drainage from the sea. Paid a visit to Bovenkerk Mall and Ajax Stadium soon after.

In the afternoon, made our way towards Zaanse Schans; the place of wind mills, clog (a symbol of regional origin for those who wore it in Holland in the 19th century) and cheese factories. Passed by Bazaar Turkey, a location where cheap goods including meat and households itinerary can be found, attracting tourists and the Dutch as well. A story of Van Gogh really captured my attention, where the film producer was stabbed ferociously by a Moroccan as a result from the former's stupidity and lack of respect in showing a scene of a naked Muslim girl with the Koran's words all over her body in one of his movies. The ignorance paid its toll, which occured during the heat of the cartoon publication in Denmark. As the sun lost its smile, I went back, smiling of the sight of a Dutch lady feeding the cows, behind her was a big wind mill.

Comprehension arrived as the night came by, as the only main attraction in Amsterdam is the Red Light District. Believe me, apart from Centraal Station (1882-1889), Amstel, Canal Houses, Prins Hendrikkade, Dam Square, National Monument, and Koninklijk Palais (Royal Palace 1648-1665). I just knew that ABN-AMRO is the Dutch Bank, which sponsored Ajax FC. In addition, Holland is just about the size of half of the Peninsular of Malaysia and it takes about 4 hours from the end of the south towards the north. That night, the tram rattled away from Sacharovlaan near Pak Uda's place towards Oranjebaan, the curtain raiser of my night walk with my cousin. Most of the passengers smelled green, all the way.

Fear rose everytime I was about to cross the road. There are ways for bicycles, trams, buses, cars, and motorcycles worsened by my failure to adopt the left hand drive policy in this country; they complicated my sense of direction ;p One interesting fact, every Dutch owns a bicycle (as the land is flat, cycling from one place to the other is such a pleasure), and every Dutch experiences the loss of it from bicycle thieves ;) There is a huge space for bicycles at the Centraal, it is very huge till I wonder how on earth one will know which one is his?

Red light district self-touring commenced beyond the red-glowed small pillars. Window shopping made me laughed. Live show made me laughed even more. Smokey bar made me laughed the worst in this capital of hedonism. Hedonism, to the extent the illegals became legal is the sole attraction of the city. Tour it for my general knowledge, for every country has its own differing policies and legislations. It rang my bell of curiosity on why the Dutch students do not go oversea for tertiary education and it was understood by the fact that the education is free in this country. From the baby was born, everything would be taken care of by the government including if one's inability to buy a buggy due to financial constraint the government would fund it, and the human-norm teaches us the words 'thankful' and 'appreciate', and the same goes to the Dutch people. The black aspect glided through, as once a Dutch turns 21 he shall live on his own away from his parents for self-independent, in my opinion it affects one's grey relationship with his family. Worse, old citizens shall stay on their own too in places provided by the government with the reason not to burden their children, which I arrived to the same conclusion as before. Family is the most important part in our life, I strongly believe.

Sunday 22 October 2006 ~

Two trips. One was cherishing the 400th celebration of Rembrandt, the Dutch artists at Rijksmuseum and the second was the trip to Anne Frank House at Prinsengracht. The former, as it was called The Masterpieces, witnessed the fact that never have the Netherlands been so wealthy and powerful in the 17th century, the Golden Age. In the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) the Dutch expelled their Spanish rulers and established an independent state. It was not long before the Republic of the Seven United Provinces became one of Europe's leading nations. The country grew rich on trade and shipping, merchants amassed fortunes and art and culture flourished. The museum presents the beautiful dolls' houses, a wealth of silverware, the best delftware, the spectacular civic company pieces, and of course the public's favourites like the famous paintings by Jan Steen, Frans Hals, Vermeer and Rembrandt. Over 400 masterpieces are on show. In a nutshell, they give an impressive picture of the political, economic, and artistic miracle of the Dutch Golden Age.

I relished the study of literature during my secondary school at Prinsengracht, where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary in the secret annexe of the house. The Jewish families Frank, Van Pels, and Mr. Pfeffer hid in the secret annexe from July 1942 until August 1944. But there were many more Jewish Amsterdam residents who managed to find a place to hide. Some 25,000 Jews lived in hiding across the Netherlands during the war. One-third of them were arrested anyway - ofen after being betrayed - and then murdered. Near Prinsengracht there is Gay Monument at Keizersgracht. It commemorates the persecution of homosexuals across the centuries. The monument is made up of three pink triangles. The pink triangle was the distinguishing mark homosexual prisoners had to wear on their clothes in the concentration camps in Nazi Germany. My Sunday night was a pleasure in having a waffle with Belgian chocolate at Australian Homemade in the city centre, flown away by the song Mr. Postman by The Carpenters.

Monday 23 October 2006 ~

Eid.
Lemang.
Nasi impit.
Rendang ayam.
Rendang daging.
Serunding.
Pak Uda and family.
Abang Ar, my cousin who paid a visit as a break from his Euro Trip at the moment from Berlin.
Nenek.
The voice of Mak and Abah, the well being of Adik and Nurul.

They all explained the day. Enough said. Dot.

I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone , and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support - Anne Frank, 12 June 1942

Hilario's Hand

2006-10-19T02:15:00.000Z

The night was shining blue, once again.

Chelsea 1. Barcelona 0.

Twas an entertaining game.

The ball rolled perfectly in harmony, across the champions galaxy.

Kudos to the third goalkeeper, and the team as a whole.

Mourinho's positive arrogance illustrates the magic of a Portuguese's mind game to the British region ;p

Faraway Aidilfitri

2006-10-18T11:25:00.001Z

Lamunanku terhenti,
Anak mataku meliar-liar mencari,
Secahaya mentari,
Yang kemaluannya,
Diselubungi dek awan,
Daun-daun berguguran,
Angin sejuk,
Yang menerjah tulangku,
Aku mencari,
Aku gagal,
Aku mencari,
Aku gagal,
Lalu aku mengimaji,
Panorama halaman tanahairku,
Mataku ditutup,
Anjakan minda ke suatu tanah,
Aku tersenyum,
Hatiku menangis,
Aku tersenyum,
Hatiku menangis gembira,
Terhenti lamunan,
Lintasan kelibat,
Ayahanda dan bonda,
Keriuhan manja,
Adik-adikku,
Sentuhan emas,
Nendaku,
Mengusap rambut hitamku,
Bak sutera,
Aku tersenyum lantarannya,
Lamunanku tersentak,
Takbir raya yang kubayangkan,
Ku singkap,
Sejarah masa riang,
Kecilku,
Malam,
Yang tiada penghujungnya,
Siang esok,
Yang tiada suramnya,
Hanyalah cahaya kegembiraan,
Diriku ini,
Membayangkan,
Walaupun jauh anakanda,
Usah diukur jangkalnya,
Usah diresah keadaannya,
Anakanda menumpang gembira,
Anakanda menangguh kesyukuran,
Cahaya tanahair yang tiada penggantinya,
Kerna anakanda percaya,
Di sebalik awan,
Ada cahaya,
Walaupun setulus benang sutera Cina ;)

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

" The absence of my favourite lemang and rendang ayam isolates my soul when the day comes, only the favour thought from my loved ones in Malaysia brings back the runaway soul "

Lots of loves and regards,

From Nottingham to Malaysia : S H A R A Z A D

From Vikings to Victorians

2006-10-17T20:02:00.000Z

"On a cold spring morning in northwest England, on ground first contested more than a thousand years ago, a group of Viking warriors girded once again for battle.

They were oddly short, pink-cheeked Vikings, clad in sneakers, plastic breastplates and fleece jackets, and the broadswords they brandished toward the towers of York Minster were actually green Styrofoam noodles. Urged on by the battle cries of bloodthirsty parents, they were celebrating the first morning of the city's annual Viking Festival with a salute to their 9th-century ancestors' style of mayhem and pillage

Sheltered by Roman walls and crowned by the city's famous cathedral, York's handsome downtown is the tourist and shopping mecca. Topshop, a snazzy clothing chain, flaunts 21st-century fashions alongside Roman baths and museums. The medieval Shambles, a merchant lane mentioned in William the Conqueror's 1086 census, the Domesday Book, is still open for business. On this street, "family business" means living above the shop for 700 years. Honey-colored limestone squares festooned with red and white flowers (Wars of the Roses references are big here) offer a variety of scenes: young buskers in St. Helen's Square, a greengrocer in Kings Square, and in St. Sampson's Square, an introduction to the Viking past.

Vikings invaded from across the North Sea in 866 and stayed 200 years. As the conquerors married the conquered, the city became one of the largest in Europe (its current population is 181,000). Borrowing the Romans' city walls and plumbing, the Vikings built a wooden town along the river port. In 1976, while building a downtown shopping center, bulldozers unearthed the whole down-and-dirty town, then called Jorvik, buried below"

As my feet stepped into the Bootham Bar ( ' Barrier' ), which overlooks the north of the York city, I felt like I have been transported to the era 866 all over again. It is one of the entrance of the city walls originally made of wood, built by the Normans as a safeguard from attack. I walked along the city walls with the sight of the ancient York Minster till I arrived to the Monk Bar.

I entered the green garden, and my patience had taken its toll as I straightaway went on discovering the interior of York Minster. The building has sixteen main sections llike The Rose Window, The High Altar, Great East Window, Dragon's Head, The Roof Bosses and Shields, and others with treasury and crypt underneath it. Basically,many aspects of the Christian faith are depicted in the Minster but their symbolism can be hard to understand, which the Christians believe they were created to celebrate the glory of God. It is the largetst medieval gothic cathedral in northern Europe and took over 250 years to build. The first Minster is believed to have been built to mark the occasion of King Edwin, who was an Anglo-Saxon King of Northumbria from 612 to 632, turning to Christianity following his marriage to a Christian princess from Kent. I grabbed the opportunity to climb up the top of Minster, exhausted but satisfied from the view over it seeing York and a certificate that certified my effort in climbing up the 275 steps of the Central Tower of York Minster.

After deep observation of the Minster, I walked along Museum Street till I arrived at Lendal Bridge to take a tour by boat along the River Oouse. The cruise took 40 minutes to reach South Esplanade and I passed by York Dungeon, had a quick chat with a 'gatekeeper' who was trying to scare off visitors with his white, pale make up and evil teeth.

A visit to Clifford's Tower traced back to the history of 1068, when William the Conqueror built the tower of wood but this was burnt down in 1190 when the cities Jewish population took refuge from persecution inside. Later in the 13th century, Henry III rebuilt it, and used the tower as the central keep of the castle. It is known as 'Clifford's Tower' because in 1322, Edward II had the rebel Lord Robert Clifford hanged in chains from the walls.

The sun set in York witnessed my sayonara to the town of ancient Roman, Norman, Anglo-Saxon, and Medieval English. Wacker's Fish & Chips was my meal for breaking my fast during the journey back. And till now, I am perplexed and trying to meet the end of these lines :

"Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths;
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments;
Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings,
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures.
Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front;
And now, instead of mounting barded steeds
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,
He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber
To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.
But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks,
Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass;
I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty
To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;
I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion,
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,
Deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at me as I halt by them;
Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace,
Have no delight to pass away the time,
Unless to spy my shadow in the sun
And descant on mine own deformity:
And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,
By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,
To set my brother Clarence and the king
In deadly hate the one against the other:
And if King Edward be as true and just
As I am subtle, false and treacherous,
This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up, A
About a prophecy, which says that 'G'
Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be.
Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here
Clarence comes"

Nasi Lemak

2006-10-16T15:00:00.000Z

Had my first nasi lemak for 'buka puasa' in the region of Nottingham.

Twas a warm weekend hospitality, I felt like home at once again.

Thank you.

Merci beacoup.

Gracias to the wonderful people of 25, Beeston Road ;)

I owe you guys one, and more.

Forget Summer, Embrace October

2006-10-04T23:46:00.000Z

25 Reasons To Love Autumn (Source: http://lifestyle.uk.msn.com/features/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1031152)

I was walking by the Lakeside when the wind blew, the falling leaves swirled in tandem with the songs sang by the swans -

Summer was nice this year, wasn’t it? A blazing July was followed by a slightly soggy August, but the whole thing was topped off nicely with a warm and sunny September. Lovely. Now forget it. It’s about to get cold and dark and depressing again, so you’d better get used to the idea. At least, that’s what many of us feel at this time of year, as we dig out the woolly jumpers and look forward to endless weeks of suet puddings and drizzle. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Yes, the days will get shorter, colder, and rainier. But if you accept it, embrace it even, you might just realise that there are still plenty of reasons to love the autumn. Here are 25, just for starters.

1. Hello darkness, my old friend. Simon and Garfunkel weren’t actually singing about the clocks going back, but they might have been. For one glorious Sunday you get an extra hour in bed, and for the next six months you don’t have to feel guilty about slipping into fluffy slippers, eating great stodgy puddings made primarily of lard (it keeps you warm), and spending long, dark evenings in front of the DVD. Autumn is a time to get cosy, and there’s nothing depressing about that.

2. Kicking leaves. Kicking though mountains of crumply fallen leaves is just fab, in a carefree, childish, who-gives-a-damn kind of way.

3. Proper pubs. In summer, the local boozer is dark, dank and depressing. Come October, the very same boozer is warm, snug and welcoming. Magic. Cheers!

4. Promotion. You’re not guaranteed a promotion in October, but after the lethargy of summer, your productivity will skyrocket. Make the most of it and you could be quids in by Christmas.

5. The football season. It seems like it’s been going on forever already, but it doesn’t get serious until the trees are bare and those silkily skilful South American imports are attempting their fancy step-overs in four inches of mud.

6. Fresh air. After the humid, heavy, pollen-polluted air of summer, Autumn’s cool breezes can arrive like a breath of fresh air. They bring with them the scent of rain, wet grass, and fallen fruits. Well, not on the M62, but you know what we mean.

7. Conker fights. Trust us, they’re not just for kids. But baking your prize conker in the oven is cheating.

8. We’re British. As such, thousands of years of evolution have conditioned us to the changing seasons. If autumn didn’t turn up, we’d miss it, and if it was ‘scorchio’ every day, we’d hate it. You might have to trust us on this one.
9. Autumn fashion. For all the fashion industry hoo ha, summer wardrobes are restricted by the need to wear as little as possible without actually getting sacked or arrested. Autumn is when fashion really comes into its own. The unpredictable nature of the autumn climate also means that you have to dress in layers, which is a really good excuse to go out and buy lots and lots of new clothes.

10. Public Transport. The daily commute is unbearable in summer, and bearable, just, in autumn.

11. Autumn entertainments. If you think the telly has been rubbish for the last few months, you’re probably right. The TV companies keep all the good stuff for the autumn, when the potential audience is not likely to be away on holiday or taking part in some ridiculous outdoor activity, like power walking or cheese rolling. Think ‘Extras’ and ‘The Sopranos’. The same is true for theatre companies and concert venues. Autumn is a time of cultural plenty, so tuck right in. And talking of tucking in…

12. Food. Let’s face it, we’re not very good at salads, and British food is not big on sophistication. But it comes into its own on those long dark evenings in front of the fire. Steak and kidney pie, treacle pudding, roast dinners: it’s not haute cuisine, but it won’t leave you hungry, unlike the two inch square of unidentifiable mush they’d serve you in France. Probably. Oh, and put your prejudice aside: sprouts are lovely, and they’re very – very - good for you.

13. Pumpkins. Buy them for Halloween lanterns, then devour their innards in sumptuous soups and perfect pies.

14. Wasps. There aren’t any. Flies? All dead. Mosquitoes? The cold does for them, too. The demise of the creepy crawlies is reason enough to love the autumn, in our humble opinion.

15. Covering up. There’s a certain amount of pressure in summer to flaunt all those bits that really we’d rather keep under wraps. Scabby feet, saggy arms, protruding midriffs: all best left to the imagination, surely? Well, from now on they can be. The only downer is that you can no longer hide crows' feet behind a pair of enormous Jackie Onassis shades

16. Autumn festivals. They’re all about light and fire and imagination. Kids love spooky Halloween and explosive Bonfire Night. Parents love mulled wine and bonfire toffee. It’s all rounded off by Christmas, the only time of the year when it’s OK to utter the sentence, “ooh, it’s nearly 2pm, time to crack another bottle”.

17. Late holidays. Despite the wonders of a British autumn, it’s still nice to get a week or two in the sun. But there’s even more reason to take an autumn break. Jetting off while everyone slaves in the office feels just a little bit naughty, in a nice kind of way, and when you get to the beach you’ll practically have it to yourself. Which begs the question: why do we only head for the sun when it’s sunny here?

18. Staying in. When it’s cold and dark outside, there’s no reason to leave the sofa. If only you had that excuse for the rest of the year.

19. Accessories. You’ve got a new coat and boots, but your autumn shopping spree needn’t end there. Now let’s see. You’ll need a scarf, gloves, a hat, another hat, a new bag to put them all in, an umbrella…

20. Colours. The endless green of summer explodes into a fiery display of russets, scarlets, coppers and, er, yellows! Like the cherry blossom of spring, it doesn’t last long, but you wouldn’t want to miss it for the world.

21. Pampering. Feel a bit under the weather? Short days getting you down? Time to light up the scented candles, fish out the essential oils, and slip into a deep, hot, stress-busting bath. Let’s face it, it wouldn’t seem right if it was 28 degrees in the shade outside. Even better, take yourself off for a spa weekend. As your summer tan fades, replace it with a healthy glow of autumnal well-being.

22. Drinks. Pimms? Alcopops? Spring water! Thankfully, you are now at liberty to pour those weird summer drinks straight down the sink, and stock up on the good stuff: full-bodied red wine, soothing hot chocolate, and maybe a bottle of cockle warming brandy for those long, cold nights ahead.

23. Snowflakes. The first snowflake of the season will meander nonchalantly to earth sometime in November, where it will melt into the soil and not be seen again until January. It’s still a thrilling moment, especially if you’re a 10-year-old trapped inside a 30-something’s body. Like us.

24. Sickies. It’s so much easier to get away with a day in bed, we find, when “there’s a bug going round the office”, or the boss has gone down with a virus. And it’s so much more fun, we find, when you’re actually in rude good health.

25. Winter. Autumn is not winter. That’s a pretty good reason to love it

;)

Yes, Doc?

2006-10-04T23:19:00.000Z

As I walked pass the foot of Nottingham Castle towards Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Inn, the oldest inn in England dated back to 1189AD, I thought of these lines:

[Robin of Loxley and Marion saying goodbye on the tor]

Marion: "Are we going to die?"

Robin: "Everyone dies."

Marion: "That's not what I said."

Robin: "I know. It's not over yet."

[...]

Robin: "I thought you had more courage."

Marion: "Courage?!"

Robin: "To stay alive. Dying's easy."

[...]

Robin: "There are so many things I want to say to you but time's caught up and now I'll never say them. Except that I loved you from the first moment I saw you and every moment since."

[...]

Robin: "Do you want them to win?"

Marion: "I don't care about them."

Robin: "But you must. For the sake of everything we've meant to each other, you must care - because that way you'll keep alive all we believed in. And I can't die then, can I?"

I arrived here in the 18th of September and since then my days as a university student in a foreign country has begun. The falling leaves of autumn welcomed me as I stepped into this beautiful campus in the heart of England, in an area known as the East Midlands. The city is lively and vibrant, coloured by the sight of the Old Market Square, Nottingham Royal Centre, Nottingham Playhouse, Lace Market, Victoria Centre, the museum of Robin Hood, loads of entertaining spots to chill like the Hog Head and Weatherspoon, not to forget the easiness to find halal food with the abundant shops like the Kebab House.

The University of Nottingham (www.nottingham.ac.uk) basically is divided into University Park Campus and Jubilee Campus. The former is the main campus of the university and there are four main entrance which are the north, east, south, and west entrance. It has the beautiful landscape of a lake surrounded by the artistic monument of Trent and Portland building. Highfields Park by the lake is the home to a number of singing ducks over the years. The on campus halls like Rutland, Derby, Lincoln, Lenton & Wortley are on the natural green meadows called The Downs. During the welcome programme last week, I walked across The Downs during the sun set and with the pleasant wind and fog all around me, the place reminds me of the story of The Hound of Baskervilles when Sherlock Holmes is in the middle of large green area investigating the crime scene.

My classes are held in the Jubilee Campus, which takes about 5 minutes by a hopper bus from the University Park Campus. Similarly, the former shared the same ambience and beautiful scenery for the students to cherish as part of their university life. I am staying in St. Peter's Court, about 15-minute walk to Jubilee Campus and I take it as an initiative for me to have a healthy life as days go by.

In a nutshell, I am enjoying the part of my life at the moment. Meeting lots of people from Cyprus, Mauritius, Serbia, Sweden, Afghanistan, United States of America, the local people, and other Asians teach me how big the world is and how important it is for me to keep improving and learning from time to time. The ultimate ambition - to be a well rounded person.

Thank you to Tengku Zharif, Nik Azim, Rafiuddin, Saiful Adli, Norman, and Shahrul for the warm hospitality during my weekend stay in London. The unexpected meeting with Shaun Wright-Phillips at Tinseltown Bar was a memorable one and having Haagen-Dasz in Leicester Square chilled in my body ;p

I played football with the Malaysians at Lakeside this evening and the presence of the community feels like I am at home for once. However, this is a quest for a golden key for my future, and I keep on saying ' Do not measure the distance, measure the thoughts '

As temperature goes down to the average of 11 degree celcius today, I am looking forward to the Nottingham Goose Fair and Nottingham Robin Hood Pageant this weekend; to warm up my life, in the heart of Nottinghamshire.

Sharazad,
92/D St. Peter's Court,
New Road,
Nottingham,
Nottinghamshire,
NG7 3ET

0 (044) 785 264 2553

My joke - In a grocery shop in Beeston, south of University of Nottingham.

Sharazad: How much is the Snickers?

The skinny woman at the cashier counter: It's 40 pence, doc.

[Sharazad asked himself; did she just call me a DOG? !! Damn !!]

Sharazad: I don't have change. I only have 1 pound.

The skinny woman at the cashier counter: It's ok, doc.

[Uh?? It cannot be. Maybe I heard it wrongly]

The skinny woman: Thank you, doc. Cheers, doc.

Sharazad: Thank you [in a sombre mood]

Outside the grocery store.

Sharazad: Dude, that skinny lady just called me DOG!

Fahmi: Hahhahahahahha. You must be kidding me man. Maybe she called you DOLL? Hahahhaha

Sharazad: Hmm... maybe. Maybe she wanted to be friendly to me. Nah, nevermind.

We walked back, trying to find the logic behind the word DOC to illustrate the friendliness of one's to the other, only to discover during the short drama performed by the Student Union that in here when someone older says DOC to you, he is just trying to be very friendly with you ;p

Sam to Dorian

2006-10-03T11:34:00.000Z

My windy day in October was shone by a happiness of an email by my beloved sister in Malaysia. As I am writing on my experience living as a student in the United Kingdom, this piece is the curtain riser of the new environment. Do not mind the content because every family has its own skeleton in the closet, just mind the touch of a pen by a 14-year old girl -

My beloved Dorian,

Can you do me a favour?

Can you please stop logging on your MSN and then left it on for hours afterwards because it's driving your poor sister to death?

Anyway, I don't care if your fellow friends think it's odd for a brother to send e-mails to his sister, because they are just a bunch of green-eyed monsters.

I did something to your brother that you'll either approve or scold me a million times until I get sick. His jackass of a friend eat at our house during the daytime and I thought it would be impolite to not to serve your guest so I brought up a glass of water and a jar of peanuts for him to eat but suprise, surprise. He didn't even touch it.Your brother wasn't too pleased and gave me a lecture on my misbehaviour(don't worry, I'm still alive). You may be pleased to know our parents didn't even give out to me and their silence means they approve of my actions and so you must, too.

How's life been treating my big bro? I hope you're being squeeze the life out of you since you're getting a better weather than we do. God, the heat. And it's suppose to be the rain season.
Mum's been asking me if you have a girlfriend who you left behind in Malaysia since you sounded so sad at the telephone. I told her I don't hold the key to your private life and she should ask you herself. I told her it's the cold and hunger and not some pain at leaving some girl behind. I mean, come on, you're not a child. Maybe you did left a girl, but how am I supposed to know?

I've been busy studying and had decided the computer is evil when you told the Godfather I haven't reply to your e-mail. The Nightingale is pressuring me to study and Mr. Gray is encouraging me to play. Who am I supposed to side with? My book, obviously. 'Rosie Dunne' is a page-turner and funnier than any other books.

At least I'm reading something and not playing. It's a win-win situation. The Godfather would certainly agree with me.

Oh, before I signed off, would you please spend some quality time talking with your brother since he's been a bit down lately. Recently, Nightingale muster some courage(finally!) and told him why he haven't get his Lagenda yet. He agreed but he's still not talking to the Godfather. Hum, I wonder why?

Our Maid Marian remarked since I'm the youngest child, I should be 'daddy's girl' and not your brother. I told her I'm too matured for that.

Our Grandma have decided to dig her daughters' money(joking) and fly over to Amsterdam to spend Raya with her son. Maybe you could hop on a train or something to Amsterdam? Abang Ar is staying with her son the last time I heard.
Well, I must be boring you with unnecessary news so I must pen off now. I would really appreciate it if you don't tell Nightingale about what I wrote because it'll result in her bugging me and me trying to curb my notorious fury.

Well, see you in two years time. Back to my books. Wish me luck for my exams. No, don't do that. Pray for me. May ALLAH bless you.

And, as they never say it over there,

Cheerio.

Love,
Sam (bored-to-death sister of Mr. Gray and Mr. Logan a.k.a. Wolverine)

p.s. I'm on a two-day holiday thanks to PMR. WOOHOO!

I love you sister ;)

As We Grow

2006-09-16T20:53:00.000Z

(Left: Macha, Sharazad, Dodo, and cousin Arafah)

Au revoire to all my friends from my primary school time till now.

Cherishing the past moments and looking at how beautiful the yin yang of innocence versus experience in life, wiser people we be ;)

My appreciation to all of you and how great friends they are, by being the colours in my life.

Age is creeping as years go by, but never let the memorable moments of growing up hand in hand slip by - Sharazad, 9 September 2006

Courtesy from a great photographer, a good friend among good friends of mine; Ibrahim Macha - www.ibrahimacha.multiply.com

Merci.

Now or Never

2006-09-08T15:52:00.000Z

Another weddding occasion in September, the bridegroom was my university friend's brother who is now an economist working in Credit Suisse.

Another glittering night, more glitter with the sight of the honoured guest Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datin Seri Wan Azizah.

Added with lots of familiar faces across the hall, including Nik Nazmi my super senior back in KMYS.

Thank you Harith for inviting.

* Again, Selamat Pengantin Baru *

Tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for, a get together with all my friends from secondary school time till now. I keep on saying, it is about now the time for us to meet, or never.

As Elvis Presley said, " It's now or never " ;)

Budget 2006/07

2006-09-02T04:31:00.000Z

A 12-page Economic Report 2006/07 produced by the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, is my dearest companion at the moment.

I hope I could learn something. Yes. Yes.

Let's hope for the achievement of all the targets :)

"I have consistently supported tax relief to create a more robust economy and to stimulate long-term economic recovery" - Todd Akin

A Doctor's Wish

2006-09-01T17:41:00.000Z

In conjuction with our Independence Day, I would like to share this piece written by a doctor in our country, Malaysia. Open up your mind, broaden up your analytical horizon, and begins with a crystal-clear free mind :)

"A 46-year-old Dewan Bandaraya worker was admitted for progressive, generalised weakness associated with a severe inflammatory rash. Unable even to swallow saliva, nasogastric feeding was started on complete nutrition formula milk. As investigations were carried out to clinch a diagnosis, she developed severe hospital-acquired pneumonia which scarred her lungs extensively.

Due to a severe shortage of beds, the patient was discharged prematurely although she was still bedridden and unable to swallow. Her husband was told that he would have to buy the milk for nasogastric feeding on their own, estimated to cost RM60 per tin, which should last about a week.

A low-ranked clerk in the civil service, he pleaded for goodwill to prevail, that the milk be provided free as they were already unable to cope with the increasing cost of living. He was told however, that he would have to go through the social welfare, the application process of which would take some time.

In the meantime, however, they would have to go home empty handed. Bed-ridden but without a wheelchair, disfigured but not dispirited, too weak to even enter their humble, rented shophouse home, she was sent packing without her only source of nutrition.

A 39-year-old mother of six young children presents with severe pneumonia secondary to multiple sclerosis. Paralysed from the neck down, she had Grade III bed sores from prolonged immobilisation. Her chests were hardly expanding due to diaphragmatic fatigue but she otherwise mentally alert and sharp.

The doctor-in-charge started antibiotics but immediately pronounced DNR – do not resuscitate. It simply means that intubation was not to be attempted should her condition deteriorate. One reason behind this rationale was due to the severe shortage of ventilators in the hospital. The family was advised to purchase an oxygen machine as well as a special mattress to prevent further bed sores.

At the mention of the amount, the patient’s husband, a lowly roadside hawker, reacted in shock as there was no way they could ever afford to pay. Referral to social welfare was made, but due to ‘limited funds’, their appeal was rejected. One and a half months later, she lies there still in the ward - too sick to go home, and too poor to get better.

Too tired to continue fighting an incurable illness and too weak to express herself in full, she mustered her remaining strength and begged to be euthanised which, in a sense, is exactly what we are doing – because of a supposed lack of funds in an oil-rich nation.

I can’t imagine what goes through the minds of faceless Malaysians when someone declares prosperity and justice for all Malaysians every Aug 31. There are families too poor to take a bus ride from the hospital back to their kampong and politicians who throw tantrums in public because they were only offered ‘some useless cars’ from the Customs Department.

Our special schools for special children are miserably pathetic yet the ruling feudal masters feel that a RM490 million sports academy is of greater urgency. Our teachers, lecturers and healthcare workers are overworked, understaffed and underpaid but we somehow have RM600 million annually to organise the great Malaysian summer camp a.k.a National Service.

Even as the monkeys bersilat, brandish their keris and sound the battle cry annually, snatch thieves wield their daggers and rob the lives of innocent Malaysians on a daily basis. We have a group of youth parading on the streets proclaiming support for Hamas and Hezbollah, but no one to champion the plight of the Pak Ciks debilitated from stroke and cancer.

The cops arrest couples for holding hands in public and crack down on sincere, dissenting voices but ‘close one eye’ when ** warlords contemptuously ignore their traffic summonses and fan racial and religious sentiments in mainstream media.

The ** spends millions to ‘re-train’ unemployed university graduates after spending years brainwashing them with the nebulous **** agenda and thereafter expects them to perform in the real world. We have laws criminalising hardworking family physicians while un-taxable illegal immigrants live off the fat of the land without fear of being apprehended and deported.
Our local citizens wait for months for an ultrasound scan while Project M citizens have no qualms paying for a RM20,000 angiogram.

The stupidity and ignorance of the current **** leadership is best exemplified none other by the Putera **** chief’s vain attempt to ‘re-brand’ the daredevil Mat Rempits, even as hundreds of them are bedridden in our hospitals with vertebral fractures and amputated limbs, and countless more putrefying quietly in the graves of the soil of Malaysia

The dearth of sound leadership has never been more conspicuous as now. ‘Di mana tiada helang, kata belalang, akulah helang’.

As Malaysians of all colours and creed daily face the threat of choking haze, violent crime, drug abuse, HIV, diabetes and a disproportionate rise in living costs, it seems that the only issue that **** is concerned with is a non-existent Sino threat to its obsession with Ketuanan Melayu.

As I sit here wishing to do and earn more as a government doctor, something tells me that a young man my age is wishing to have more than a RM9.1 million share and to be more than the ***** *******’s son-in-law.

Somewhere else, however, I am reminded of a lady yearning to sweep the filthy streets of Kuala Lumpur like she used to and another who will be eternally grateful just to breathe on her own, even if the air is hazy"

Cheers. Saya cinta negara saya.

Sex Joke

2006-08-31T08:25:00.000Z

I laughed when I read these portions from the book Almost French by Sarah Turnbull.

Would like to share with the readers - hehe

Excerpt: After we've finished eating, Frederic pats his coat pocket, his eyes skimming the room, searching for something. This is a familiar routine. I now know that when Frederic told me in Bucharest he was 'maniac' he meant he was obsessively tidy. Keeping everything in perfect order - shirts stacked in a colour-coded pile, the bed neatly made each morning- is his way of restraining his natural disorderliness. But it's as though he's still surprised by his tidy habits. Frederic can never recall the thoughtful places where he puts things away.

I think I know what he's looking for - one of his pipes. "Tu veus une pipe?" I ask.

It takes less than a split second to realise that my question is not quite right. Not right at all, in fact, judging by the four male faces which freeze in surprise before cracking into hooting, helpless laughter. Without even meaning to, I have been fabulously funny. This is my first joke in French - the first time since my arrival that I've managed to make an entire table laugh - and it seems a bit unfair that I don't get it.

"Where can I find an Australian girlfriend?" wheezes one guest, appreciatively.

The French language is full of double entendre. Although toilet humour is considered poor taste in France, sex-related witticisms are acceptable in virtually any social setting. Sustaining linguistic volleys of naughty innuendo is a national sport. Sometimes these word games are subtle and sophisticated. But often the banter is ribald and silly - a bit like Frederic's joke about peeing off the Pont des Arts. 'Pipe' is the sort of word which ping-pongs across dinner tables. Although it shares the innocent English meaning, in French it also has a more risque definition. Had I said ta pipe - your pipe - it might not have been so funny. But as it is, I have just offered Frederic a blow job :)

Merdeka

2006-08-31T07:19:00.000Z

(Coretanku ditemani lagu orkestra Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti)

Di sebalik citrawarna kehujanan bunga-bunga api yg aku saksikan dari tempat kumenghirup aroma kopi menjelang jam 12 malam semalam, hati kecilku bertanya - apakah erti kemerdekaan yang sebenarnya? Aku melihat anak-anak bangsa dari pelbagai kaum dari pelbagai warna kulit menghiasi malam di sekitar KLCC dengan satu warna bendera tanahairku, Malaysia. Turut menyerikan suasana kehadiran pelancong-pelancong asing yang turut sama meraikan semangat kebangsaan negara tercintaku.

Aku terpegun dengan hujan-hujan warna berlatarkan langit malam yang terang, tetapi adakah aku pegun dengan kemerdekaan ini? Walaupun umur aku hanyalah separa jagung ulangtahun, aku masih tertanya-tanya, apakah kemerdekaan yang sebenarnya? Inkuiriku bertanya kepada ayahandaku beberapa hari yang lalu, siapakah yang memperjuangkan kemerdekaan kita sebenar-benarnya? Guru-guru dan penulis-penulislah yang erti penat dan putus asa tidak wujud dalam diari hidup mereka, yang terus menyuarakan perjuangan, yang terus mendaulatkan jati diri dan hak-hak bangsa Melayu, yang tidak tunduk di bawah telunjuk-telunjuk kuasa kolonilah - pejuang-pejuang sebenar yang patut tercatit di dalam buku sejarah kita. Bukannnya pemimpin yang menjadi boneka melaungkan laungan kosong, dan bukanlah pemimpin yang tunduk di bawah telunjuk jari-jemari koloni yang bermandi air kotor dengan pegangan kolot 'white men are always right'.

Kemerdekaan ini dipotraitkan dengan bangunan-bangunan yang mencakar langit dek indah dihiasi dengan lampu-lampu malam, infrastruktur yang tersergam megah bagaikan istana kayangan Babylon, ya! Aku bangga dengan semua pencapaian ini. Lagi tinggi banggaku ini jikalau kesemua pencakar-pencakar langit ini mempotraitkan keharmonian rakyat yang miskin dan kesedaran rakyat yang kaya, ketulusan terhadap cara yang sistematik dan kebencian kepada rasuah, dan pencakaran mentaliti kelas pertama yang dipamerkan oleh rakyat-rakyat Malaysia. Aku impikan pencakaran bangunan minda yang tidak buang sampah merata-rata, sifat cintai tandas-tandas awam, senyuman terhadap pelanggan, lafaz terima kasih, nilai murni membuka pintu untuk orang lain, dan keutamaan terhadap pejalan-pejalan kaki di laluan negara kita.

Alangkah bersyukurnya aku jikalau siswa-siswi dalam dan luar negara diberikan landasan demokrasi untuk menyuarakan pendapat, kerana inilah generasi yang menjadi 'beacon of flame' untuk negara pada masa akan datang. Yang akan menentukan hala tuju dan perjalanan polisi-polisi untuk mencapai taraf negara maju, seperti yang dilaungkan oleh para pemimpin dari dulu hingga sekarang, yang tidak lekang dek hujan dan panas, yang aku harapkan bukanlah hanya tin kosong yang tiada gunanya. Janganlah dikunci mulut ini kerana gentarkan manusia dan sayangkan kuasa, janganlah dibutakan hati kami, kerana kami pelajar bangsa berjanji, di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit darah bangsa kami dijunjung.

Merdekakah kita apabila hak-hak keistimewaan Islam dan Melayu yang dimaktubkan di dalam perjanjian kemerdekaan dipersoalkan dan dicabul oleh badan-badan yang buta lagi kabur yang berlagak bagaikan helang di langit tinggi padahal hanyalah seekor burung gagak yang lapar berterbangan mencari mangsa?

Merdekakah kita sebenarnya? Natijahnya, tidak sempurna merdeka kita jikalau apa yang aku coretkan di atas adalah benar dan hanya disambut dengan mata-mata pesimis yang hanya merugikan negara kita sendiri. Salahkah aku menyuarakannya?

Marilah kita mengambil iktibar daripada penindasan kuasa pada tahun 1988, yang menyebabkan Tun Salleh Abbas menjadi kabur dan hilang di tengah lautan perhakiman negara apabila beliau dilucutkan jawatan kerana memperjuangkan hak yang benar, sehingga beliau mengatakan "I was so disillusioned by the judiciary system till I told my children and grandchildren not to learn law".

Sama sama kita menganjakkan paradigma, membuka mata dan fikiran seluas lautan Pasifik, mengimpikan Malaysia mengembalikan kegemilangan Andalusia yang terletak di tangan-tangan yang sedar akannya.

Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan ke -49.

And this is the first and the last for me to write about our Independence Day.

Kepada bondaku yang berada di London pada masa ini dan ayahandaku yang sedang mendendangkan lagu Frank Sinatra, anakanda dengan ikhlasnya menguntaikan ucapan terima kasih kerana me'merdeka'kan diriku ini :)

From Kuala Lumpur to Monterrey

2006-08-29T05:39:00.002Z

A new acquaintance from Mexico who is now practising as a doctor in Monterrey, north of Mexico (It is near Guadalupe. Source: Reader's Digest World Atlas). A friendly woman and her sense of profesionalism captures my degree of respect. Besides, her awareness of the ongoing global news arrived to her curiosity regarding the expulsion of Petronas in the oil concession in Chad; which I found further analysis of news is a must.

A woman doctor will always be respectable in the eyes of the public.

Now I am learning the Spanish language bit by bit, upon Eunice's favour; or she is more comfortable to be called Niza.

Bonito dia = have a nice day
Dulces suenos = goodnight
Como estas = how are you
Estoy bien = i'm good

Terima kasih Doctor Niza. All the best in your career :)

Monday, 21 Aug 2006

2006-08-21T10:25:00.001Z

7.30 am: I went to Mont Kiara Medical Centre KLCC early this morning to arrange for my medical checkup appointment. Had an early, solitary breakfast at Coffee Bean soon after while catching up with the latest news by reading the newspaper, metaphorically my usual curtain-raiser of the day.

I took a cab back home, driven by a young Indian man. The sombre, with a bit of forlorn mood of most KL citizens in the morning was not the obvious reflection from his face. I decided to break the flame of silence in the cab by initating an informal conversation with him; I asked about his previous passengers and where did he send them to. As the guard of prejudism and self security has been laid down, the initial chat that seemed pointless arrived to a topic that I least expected from him - The dream castle built upon the heart of Siti Nurhaliza and Datuk K.

His explanation and positive views on the publicly-surreal marriage to most Malaysians awed me with the sense of respect towards him. He said let them choose the life that they believe in together, let us drain away the negative thinking as they are also human beings who only themselves know what is the best for them. Their personal matters and intangible issues preceeding the latter's divorce are not our garden to walk into.

I told the driver, yes. Let the garden blooms with colourful flora, the pouring rain will add the ambience of harmony if God permits; for the passers-by to cherish, and to ponder on what is good and bad in a marriage. Every marriage has its ups and downs, the pivot of a successful marriage is how a husband juggles them with his wife to let the ups prevail based on the experience of downs.

As Amrose Bierce quoted - Love: a temporary insanity, curable by marriage, and I added - with a good and successful woman :)

The sight of my dearest abode marked the sad end of this unexpected-yet-enriching conversation with this wonderful acquaintance whom humility prevails in him. I bid; Thank you Sir. Hope to meet you again in the future.

Pour de l'amore Siti Nurhaliza et Datuk K; my wish of future happiness is echoed by "Selamat mendirikan mahligai hidup suami isteri hehe. Tawanan hati terpaut di buaian indah seorang wanita yang berjaya apabila mahligai menyeru masanya"

Let them speak.
Let them talk.
Most people see grey in times of imaginating oneself in other people's shoes.
I see blue, I see red too in my willingness in analysing this wonderful issue. I prefer the former, based on my incompleteness of a human being which God knows the best for one's happiness.

:)

Now, let us pray for the disruption of the IFC. Not to forget, the evil-driven NGOs. You know which one. Yes.

S'il vous plait (svp) - Please response and show the dissatisfaction citizens.

European Flame

2006-08-21T09:42:00.000Z

An old book, the second reading:

1. The Flame Tree by Yang-May Ooi - Sybil commented; "A highly-charged, highly-readable thriller. It's also a fine portrait of a young Asian woman struggling to establish her own identity in Western society... Set against the contrasting backdrops of well-heeled London legal life and the lush, tropical highlands of Malaysia, the novel is a gripping, intelligent debut masterpiece from a writer with a future"

A new book, a new perspective:

2. I just bought it at Kinokuniya KLCC. Almost French: A New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull. As the writer wrote; "I left Australia hoping to cram a lifetime of adventures into one unforgettable year. Instead, I ended up with a new life. I'd taken one year's leave from my job as a television reporter in Sydney to travel around Europe. The idea was to immerse myself in fascinating foreign cultures, to work as a freelance journalist in Eastern Europe, which in my mind bubbled with unwritten, hard-hitting stories"

As George Moore quoted (1873-1958) - "A man travels the world in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it"

Tiara's Touch

2006-08-15T17:00:00.000Z

Venue: Istana Budaya

Writer's impression : Marvellous.

Heart-thumping.

Ear-catching music.

Tremendous Malay historical outshone.

Artistic and energetic theatrical display by Tiara Jacquelina, Stephen Rahman Hughes, Adlin Aman Ramli, AC Mizal, and the rest of the performers.

As Afdlin Shauki said, " Puteri Gunung Ledang the Musical is BEST GILER BABS!! OUTSTANDING MALAYSIAN ACHIEVEMENT! TAK TENGOK RUGI KODOK!!! " ;P

Tiara's touch completed my night.

Kudos to the impresario, for making it happened too.

Spanish Música

2006-08-12T09:32:00.000Z

Another ordinary Saturday, but painted by the visit from my cousins who are now on holidays from Amsterdam.

Another new album to my delight - Sigo Siendo Yo by Marc Anthony and Grandes Exitos.

Another Spanish album recommended by father - Juanes.

Valio La Pena :)

Just a Joke

2006-08-10T15:04:00.000Z

The whimsical side of my father blew the air of cloud nine during our dinner time, added the joy to the usual respectful exuberant mood.

He said - I received a text message from a friend of mine saying that as Datuk K bought a new City in contrast to Datuk E who bought a second hand Tiara, the latter shall pay a respect to the former.

My father replied - Eventhough Datuk E bought a second hand Tiara, he has Puteri Gunung Ledang as the driver ;)))))

And while eating my favourite ikan terubok, my heart smiled from ear to ear.

A Voter

2006-08-09T08:47:00.000Z

Triple plate was my lunch for today in KLCC.

Had my lunch overlooking the park, in deep but joyous conversation with Muzzie and my ex-roommate during my first year in university, Nabil.

One thing for sure - I am eligible to vote for the next election as I took the opportunity to sign up at the Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya booth at Level G.

My responsibility, and it applies to all of you too.

* I saw Anthony Eusoff, the Bidayuh lad who carved the limelight to his name through the modelling and theather world (it was such a coincidence as I just read about him in the newspaper few days back) . Not to forget, the tall Malay girl who hosts the 3R tv show eating at the same place *

I do not know her name ;( Any feminism school of believers, help me? ;P

Hail Hizbullah

2006-08-03T05:15:00.000Z

I was in The Saujana Kuala Lumpur for a night last few weeks, accompanied my mother attending her business conference. Surrounded by green forest in the vicinity of Subang Airport, I had my own sweet time in the well furnished and decorated room. My solitary time was occupied by listening to the CNN and BBC, my mind was searching for the root cause of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

The Israelis claimed that the attacks are on their rightwill as two of their soldiers have been captured by Hizbullah. The attacks on southern Lebanon and the most destructive of all on Qana which hundreds of children have been killed are unequal to the captive of their soldiers; which still has to be justified and my common sense tells me : we do not need to use a sledgehammer to kill a fly, I believe.

With in depth interest of the Middle East conflict I had heaps of readings on the Internet to do the analysis. I came to a conclusion, the Zionism regime and its allied the United States of America represented by the blind Condoleezza Rice have their own capitalism interest to control the wealth of the oil and to bring the new prospect of satellite countries in the Middle East, under their own dirty hands.

An ustaz told me it has been said that in the Koran; God has said that the Jewish will never ever be pleased with the Muslims and even other religions as their stupidity has been proven in the history of our prophets. They believe that the world belongs to them, a dream that only they cherish every night of their lives.

The leaders of the OIC are weak, instead of voicing out and taking drastic measures to punish the Israel of damaging the international laws they just resorted to have a conference that I believe is fruitless. Pray is the only solution for the normal citizens like us.

PLO is just an invicible organisation with a name now, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan have been bribed by the Rice team, and it lefts to Syria and Iran now.

Keep on defending the country, Hizbullah - an eye is for an eye.

Soon it is going to be the D-Day for the innocents ones, and I wonder what is the role of the Perdana Peace Global Forum that I attented last year on this matter?

Below is the letter written by Khairy Jamaluddin to the blind woman, Condoleezza Rice :

Madam Secretary: YOU were and remain unwelcome in Malaysia because you really should have been elsewhere. You should have gone straight from Rome to Beirut and then to Damascus in order to secure an immediate ceasefire to Israel’s brutal attacks on Lebanon.

But then, you’re not interested in a ceasefire, right? You had a chance a few days ago in Rome to agree to an immediate cessation of violence, but you were having none of that.

Two weeks ago, at the United Nations, Qatar sponsored a Security Council resolution that demanded Israel withdraw its troops from Gaza, another killing field that you have encouraged your ally to create, but you had to exercise your first veto in almost two years. In fact, you were the only country in the Security Council to exercise the veto.

It seems clearer by the day and as more innocent Lebanese and Palestinian lives are obliterated by weapons made in your country and supplied on a fast-track basis to Israel that you are not interested in peace in the region.

It is, therefore, not surprising that your inaction is regarded as acquiescence to the murder of civilian populations and wanton destruction of property, infrastructure and livelihoods.

Your continued refusal to call for a halt to the violence and intervene in the crisis is tantamount to giving Israel the green light to continue butchering its way to an end no one quite knows.

Israel’s own Justice Minister said, "We received... at the Rome conference permission from the world to continue the operation."

I cannot begin to tell you how offensive that statement is. Are you and your ally, Israel, so delusional as to think that the world supports this destruction of Lebanon and attack on Gaza? Do you think we are stupid enough to buy the spin that Hizbollah and Hamas are to be blamed for the escalation in violence?

What about decades of neglect and disenfranchisement of the Palestinian people, who are denied a sovereign nation and driven from their own lands?

What about 18 years of the brutal and bloody occupation of southern Lebanon by Israeli forces?

What about US foreign policy in the Middle East which has continued to abet and support Israeli intransigence and violence?

What the world sees is a massively disproportionate response by Israel to the capture of one Israeli soldier in Gaza and two in southern Lebanon.

What about the 10,000 Palestinian political prisoners languishing in Israeli jails or the thousands of Lebanese who suffered unspeakable torture at the prison in Khiam?

If they respond for every Palestinian or Lebanese captured and tortured with the same ferocity that the Zionist regime has shown over three soldiers, Israel would be flattened and Israelis will cease to exist.

That is how disproportionate Israel’s response has been. The atrocious and dastardly attacks, especially on the Lebanese people, are acts of state terrorism. There is nothing that separates Israel and al-Qaeda, no fine distinction between Osama bin Laden and Ehud Olmert.

As far as the Malaysian people are concerned, Israel is a terrorist state with its hands stained with the blood of innocent Lebanese and Palestinians. Israel is responsible for severe war crimes, committed in cold blood without mercy and without differentiating enemy combatants and civilians. There is no other way to describe such an evil and despicable country that commits indiscriminate murder in front of the entire world than as a terrorist state.

As an ally of Israel, the US was presented with the moral obligation of stopping these atrocities. And yet you have not.

You have implied in your silence and stalling that Israel must be given the time to achieve its aims. But what are its aims? The world is told that Israel’s brutal bombings are to take out Hizbollah’s installations. But the world can smell your bulls... from a mile away. Are convoys of Lebanese families fleeing their homes, enemy installations?

People running for safety have been killed by American-made Israeli bombs. Are people rushing to safety with babies and young children considered enemy combatants? Are they?

But I know this does not trouble you. You have become so desensitised to seeing innocent people butchered. You even have a cold, heartless term for those who die at the hands of this brutality — collateral damage. The people who have been killed are not collateral damage. They have been murdered by a country that you continue to protect and support.

You know that Lebanon is just emerging from decades of civil war and rebuilding a better future for its people. Israel’s obliteration of Lebanese homes, bridges, airports and other infrastructure has taken the country a decade back in terms of development.

It has successfully radicalised a new generation of Lebanese youth for whom revenge is now a categorical imperative. In short, Israel has done your dirty work in leaving behind another failed state in the region to join the likes of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The extent of your hypocrisy is sickening. You claim to want to support the spread of democracy in the Middle East. But when election results throw up leaders whom you find unacceptable, you punish the very people you have supposedly liberated with elections.

You announce to the world that you are alarmed by the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon but you continue to deliver weapons to Israel to inflict the very suffering that you supposedly decry. Is it any wonder that so many people in the world hate your Government? You have absolutely no sense of integrity let alone a commitment to justice.

You want the world to fight terrorism with you. We sympathised with the people of the US in the aftermath of 9/11, but with your invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq and now with you abetting the murder of the Lebanese and Palestinians, you have not just depleted any goodwill you had but you have also sunk to the level of terrorists yourselves.

You cannot possibly expect billions of youth around the world watching this massacre on their TV screens to subscribe to the war against terror.

What Israel has done and what you have condoned will be responsible for a wave of Muslims who will cross the lines and rationality and tolerance and want to see your destruction. This is your doing. You are pushing so many into the arms of the extremists because of your immorality and absolute disdain towards the sanctity of innocent lives.

As you probably heard during our demonstration outside the conference hall yesterday, those who are angry with you and despise Israel are not just Muslims. Malaysians regardless of race and religion gathered to protest this senseless violence. The entire world — and not just the Muslim world — is against you.

One day, and I pray that day will come soon, the majority of nations will gang up against you. You strut around the world like a big, fat bully with a couple of snotty sidekicks making life a living hell for the rest of us. But one day, we will realise that there is safety in numbers. One day the majority of kids being bullied in the playground will turn against you and no one will come to your defence because you have no real friends. One day, we will all rise to teach you a lesson that is long overdue — that the injustice, discrimination and double standards must stop. We will build a newer world order based on justice and equality of nations. Until that day arrives, you will be despised. Make no mistake about it. In the meantime, please take your blood-stained hands back to the region and do the right thing.

You have the power and influence to save the lives of the Lebanese and Palestinians. Repent now and atone for your sins. For if you do not by the grace of God you will get what you deserve, in this life or the next.

Yours sincerely,Khairy Jamaluddin

The writer is an investment banker and deputy head of Barisan Nasional Youth.

Berlin to Brickedonbury

2006-07-19T08:23:00.000Z

I am a football player by myself, and the passion runs in me as my medium of satisfaction in life. Harsh tackles and invisible yet tight man-marking are the way the football is, they could be tolerated as I could channelled it through my course of improvement on the field. Harsh words towards my family? Put glory and nation aside, family is the backbone in my life. Patience has its limit enveloped by the ideal circumstances, and an eye is for an eye. We have Dignity and Self Respect, do I need to repeat the words?

Always put yourself in other people's shoes, in time of analysing issues.

Vis-a-vis the RM 490 m sports complex proposal in Brickedonbury. I shall present Tan Sri Dr. B.C. Sekhars food for thoughts in clearing the fog of arguments -

"MANY conflicting and erroneous statements have appeared in the Press. Let me clearly state the situation of the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) in Brickendonbury, in relation to ownership of the land, restrictions clearly laid down in the Memorandum and Articles of the Association under which TARRC operates, the control of the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) on the research and development programme and perhaps state categorically the research value of this unit in the United Kingdom for Malaysia.

As I have been associated with this outfit since 1949, I am clearly aware of the history and geography of the entire Malaysian association.

• The Memorandum and Articles of the Association registered in 1938 clearly confines the objectives to research and development related to natural rubber and related materials. They have for 68 years enjoyed tax-free status.

• Consequent to the name changes from BRPRA to NRPRA, then MRPRA and in 1977 to Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre, amendments made were consequential to name changes with restricted objectives of research and development clearly maintained including ownership of assets.

• The land at Brickedonbury was bought with the reserves the association had accumulated by 1971. The annual research and development activities budgeted for were funded by the MRRDB (now MRB).

• The association (TARRC) owns the land, not the MRB. The MRB obviously has full control on the research and development programme of TARRC and related activities.

• The existence of some recreational facilities for the staff in TARRC is perhaps more modest than what we have in research and development institutions in Malaysia.

• The question of spending millions on the sports academy is irrelevant to the issue of TARRC’s research activity. The research operations and expertise have been built over 68 years.
The laboratory is a unique window to Western science and expertise which Malaysia can tap at will and the reputation the laboratory has established in elastomer science and fundamental science across the globe is not only outstanding but one of a kind. Many of the researchers can be found as professors in Ivy League universities in the United States and United Kingdom.

The laboratory developed fundamental information in oxidation chemistry, sulphur vulcanisation mechanisms, rubber crystallisation, and many other fields. The laboratory spearheaded the developments of earthquake isolation devices, bridge bearings and vibration buildings and heavy machinery. The laboratory is recognised by the University of London.

They have always operated at the cutting edge and continue to enjoy close relationship with researchers and research companies all around Europe, the United States and Canada. They are certainly equipped to meet the challenges posed by the development of biotechnology relevant to Malaysia.

I do not wish to pursue this issue any more in public. Obviously I will be happy to clarify any or all the statements made in this letter. I stand with all I have said in this letter” - July 18, 2006

Oh ya Nik, Sven-Goran Erikkson is not in the list of my personal top coaches in the world. He could be visualised as the winner of The Most Successful Coach in Cheating the English FA, having made the latter to pay him high wages at the benefit of winning the World Cup 2006 in Deutschland.

Thus, whatever plan that our government has, the essentials are the right people and the systematic execution.

First class mentality eh?

Cheers cheers.

Pak Lah vs Maha vs Anwar

2006-07-15T09:20:00.001Z

I am in the midst of clarifying the upheat political scene in Malaysia.

I am trying my best to read the writings from the former Prime Minister who is in an anger disposition at the moment, the opinions from the brilliant Oxford-based ex Deputy Prime Minister, and our current Prime Minister's Empowerment: The Role of Citizens.

To support my absence from our country political agenda is such an irrelevant excuse, as if we do not care about it who else is going to do so?

The jinx of this case study: Make the right decision based on the truth vs false, regardless which parties or prominent figures who involved in our analysis of mind.

I love my country, Malaysia. Do you?

All that we need is - Common Sense. Do I need to repeat the words?

http://www.malaysia-today.net/guest-columnists/index.htm

Back to primary school

2006-07-02T19:41:00.001Z

I miss this song - Really
I used to sing this song when I was in primary school - Really
Yes. Really, those days.

Angin bayu membawa diriku,
Sepintas lalu ku terkenangkanmu,
Memori silam meresap malam,
Kenangan bersama tersimpan selamanya,
Walaupun kau pergi jauh dari diri ini,
Cintaku masih bersemadi di hati,
Keyakinan kita kan kembali,
Menghidupkan semula janji bara cinta,
Kita bersama mengejar mimpi,
Terpisah sementara ku pasti,
Suatu hari nanti,
Cinta kita bersemi,
Kembali menerangi mekar di taman hati,
Walaupun jauh pandangan mata,
Ku yakin kau kan tetap setia,
Begitulah ku jua,
Keikhlasan di jiwa,
Dan cinta ku hanyalah untukmu,
Saban hari diriku menunggu,
Khabar berita darimu di sana,
Gerimis senja kembali reda,
Kerinduan di jiwa kan jadi penawar,
Rindu pada mu tak dapat terkata,
Tiap saat waktu bagai terlalu lama,
Bila kita kembali bersama,
Hiduplah semula,
Janji bara cinta Ohhh

*reminiscing joyfully*

Headboy + Best Student + Sportsman of the Year,
Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Pasar (2) - 1992 till 1997

Thank you teachers, KRU, and Feminin ;))

Women and Work

2006-07-02T11:53:00.001Z

Being in a relationship is an uncertain phase in one's life. A couple cannot promise a happy ending yet they can smooth the phase along the way with the elements of understanding and honesty. However, to understand your partner is such a mounting task. To know a person in the earlier stage is just the tip of the iceberg and one has to play along the time to get his or her true picture of personality. A sweet beginning in one's relationship is not a cornerstone for the future happiness. In light of this issue, I found an interesting article written by Jim Sulski, a Chicago-based freelance writer. Read, you may -

WHY HE'S NOT THE MARRYING TYPE

Brendan and Sharon had been dating since the late 1980s, when they met in college. Every holiday, every birthday, every major event, Sharon was on pins and needles. Would Brendan finally pop the question, produce a ring and ask her to marry him? And every holiday, every birthday, every major event, he didn’t.

Friends began to scoff at her and her family reminded her that her biological clock was clicking away.

On a cold winter morning, Sharon came to a harsh but honest realization. Brendan just wasn’t the marrying kind. She got the courage to ask him why. “It turns out he still had deep emotional scars from his parents’ divorce when he was a child,” she says. “He felt that marriage was too risky, too painful—so why bother?”

Sharon suggested counseling and even a trial period of living together, but Brendan wouldn’t budge. After more than a decade of dating, Sharon broke it off with Brendan. “I realized he truly wasn’t the marrying type and that wasn't going to change,” she says. “I just wish I’d known sooner.”

In addition to coming from divorced parents, there are others reasons why some guys aren’t cut out for marriage. Consider these other signs that a man is a confirmed bachelor… and if you’re dating a fella whose description follows, you might want to pack up your tent the way Sharon finally did:

He needs his space - Some men aren’t comfortable sharing their space and possessions with a woman, let alone the sticky, smelly children that may come along. Here are a few signs that he prefers to be isolated: He’s a perfectionist, he’s extremely well-organized and his place is cleaner and better decorated than yours is. He needs lots of time to read. He doesn’t want to be disturbed at all when watching the History Channel or the playoffs. You get the picture.

He’s married to his work - Some guys live to work, not work to live. If his job is ever present, whether it’s frequent business trips or constant shop talk, chances are the job will take priority over a marriage. “Bill made it clear that if we even talked about marrying, the relationship would be built around his work,” says Barb, an accountant. “That was ironic, in that I made more money than he did.” For some men, though, the relationship has to wrap itself around the job. They cancel dinner plans with another couple when work beckons and just can’t make it out of town on Labor Day because they need to catch up on paperwork. If that’s how he approaches his life, do you really want to buy into that?

He’s been married before and got burned - Some guys refuse to look at their failed marriage as a “starter marriage” and instead are reluctant to saddle up again. A trial period together may help, but he’ll need a lot of pampering and therapy to get over his shell shock. And some men embody the “once burned, twice shy” saying. If he’s always referring to his ex with a variety of put-downs and expletives, you are probably with a guy who’s too angry to move forward. Also, a guy who’s paying alimony may be feeling as if he never again wants to be financially vulnerable in that way. “I once got serious with a guy who was previously married and his big fear was being driven into bankruptcy again,” recalls Marcia. “That’s what kept him away from the altar.”

He has gray hair, but he’s still a 22-year-old emotionally - Some guys never get past the incredible feeling of independence that comes with being able to stay up as late as they would like to, eat whatever they want, drop their dirty laundry wherever they want and not get yelled at. That’s a hard pattern to break. If his “boys” call the shots on the weekend, if being hung-over many mornings is fine with him, and if paying his taxes is something you have to orchestrate for him, well, your bachelor may be destined to stay that way.

Hmm, as my friend Ibrahim quoted when we discussed about love and women in Subang few days ago; The chase is always better than the catch - Metallica. I shall say it depends on one's priority in the argument between career building and love. Do not let love blinded us, we shall keep the initial sweet lasts long.

Furthermore, my friend Azhar gave his opinion; in a relationship we shall not follow the upward sloping curve which when it reaches its maximum point it will move downwards. It is better to have a perfectly horizontal demand curve which ensures the stability rather than former curve. A good woman is for a good man. An understanding woman is for an understanding man.

Yes.

Summer before September

2006-06-27T06:55:00.000Z

Activities to occupy my summer holiday -

- Futsal once a week
- Easy reading; Reader's Digest
- Student Visa Application to the United Kingdom
- Filling in the University of Nottingham Offer and Accommodation Letter
- Playing football every evening
- Cherish the quality moments and responsibilities with my family
- 'Balik Kampung' and visit my grandmother in Malacca
- Occasionally alfresco with friends around Kuala Lumpur
- World Cup showdown in Germany
- Fashion hunting via shopping
- Inspiring my Paris in the East Coast, the dearest of them all

The holiday is the opportunity for me to reflect myself in order to be a better person. A true man is the one of values and success, for he is the one who grow through life and not just go through it. Hmm ~

Albert Beach, Father's Wish

2006-06-15T11:06:00.000Z

My summer holiday began with a 3 day trip to Pulau Sibu, an island off the coast of Mersing on the south-east side of Malaysia. It took about 7 hours for my family and I to reach Tanjung Leman jetty from the so called city never sleeps; Kuala Lumpur. The wind from the South China Sea brushed aside our faces, as if the silence nature welcoming us in our retreat disposition from the topsy-turvy city life. The ferry arrived, the local people named her as Damai. There were only few Malaysians on board with the rest were mainly from Singapore and Korea. The half an hour journey was overshadowed by heavy rain, thick fog surrounded Damai and all of us were just sitting and praying silently for our safety arrival as the nature of waves displayed its untolerable circumstances.

The greeny-side of Pulau Sibu brought relief to all of us. We were welcomed by a group of singers and a guitarist from Phillipines and I could just remember these lines:

Welcome to Pulau Sibu,
Enjoy your time with family and friends

While my mother confirmed with the receptionist regarding our registration, I took the opportunity to wander around the lobby. My attention in observing the lush beach trees around the place was captured by a golden plate on the lobby desk, "AWARDED FOR THE BEST HOSPITALITY BEACH RESORT IN MALAYSIA", added to my excitement in the days ahead during my stay here.

I spend my first night in my room relaxing and reading Joseph Stiglitz's "Globalisation" and World Cup 2006 Guide UK Edition. I enjoyed the solitary night, away from the city only accompanied by the hissing sounds of wild insects and the nature song of the wind passed by the greeny forest around me. I began my day with snorkelling, the presence of the various types of fish with various colours added to my excitement in the underwater world. After long hours of fishy companions, I decided to be alone at Albert Beach in Pulau Sibu in the afternoon. It was 2 o'clock in the evening, my eyes were appreciating the wonders of God; the white sandy Albeart Beach, the crystal-clear sea, and the endless horizon of South China Sea. Again, I said to myself this is the time when the eyes are not responsible anymore when our human mind does the seeing, my lips responsed with the words: The Almighty God is great (Allahuakbar)

At night, we made a surprise birthday cake for my father upon his 54th birthday on 5th June 2006 and also to celebrate my parents' anniversary. The Equinox Band from Philippines sang the birthday song, and later he made a special request from them as he asked for a song to show how deep his love is to our family. This is the song, You Needed Me by Anne Murray and bare my words my father, I still need you as well as long as I am still breathing in this world.

I cried a tear
You wiped it dry
I was confused
You cleared my mind
I sold my soul
You bought it back for me
And held me up and gave me dignity
Somehow you needed me
You gave me strength
To stand alone again
To face the world
Out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me
You needed me
And I can't believe it's you
I can't believe it's true
I needed you and you were there
And I'll never leave, why should I leaveI'd be a fool
'Cause I've finally found someone who really cares
You held my hand
When it was cold
When I was lost
You took me home
You gave me hope
When I was at the end
And turned my lies
Back into truth again
You even called me friend (http://www.annemurray.com/)

Oh yes my friends, there is Albert Beach in Malaysia and according to a staff who works there it was named after a Malaysian born-German nationality man who first introduced the beautiful silent of the beach to a group of tourists from German long time ago.

However true the history is, I shall bid thank you Albert Beach for witnessing my father's 54th birthday simple celebration. Happy birthday dad - 'He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it'

Au revoire

2006-05-26T09:45:00.001Z

The academic university year of 2005/06 has ended. It was a year full of excitement, a mingling pot of different nationalities all around the world. We learned each other's culture and languages, horizontally across from mainland China to United Kingdom in a single institution in Malaysia. To mark the end of the year in a joyous occasion, painted by the smiles of my friends from Nigeria all over to Pakistan we had a wonderful-camarederie-yet-not-the-last occasion in the heart of Kuala Lumpur last night. I enjoyed the time with Divij and other friends from India, we had a farewell conversation echoed by the sound of music in the club. Up to this date, I managed to keep contacts of my international friends as I believe in the future they might be helpful business associates in light of globalisation, with a dynamic network effect. They might be the future accountants, CEOs of the national companies, economists, politicians, and other professions and with a strong platform in forging the economic and business cooperations across the region; we as professionals may contribute a piece of our mind for the betterment of the world. With this, allow me to wish happy summer holiday and let the time proves that our future rendezvous is not impossible.

To Kamol who has been back to Bangkok, keep on raising out your valuable views for your country's better situation. To Divij, thanks for the hope that all of us are going to be successful in the future. Insyaallah we shall talk again in Delhi, perhaps. To Michael from Myanmar, eventhough the insensible regime prohibits your freedom to land your feet in your own country that does not mean the spirit of nationalism will fade away, I will do the best to find an alternative job for you here in Malaysia. To the rest especially Muzzie, Harith, Helmy, Ratna, Rosdanial, Vashti, Amina, Sara, Yana, Shereen, Khalis, Fahmi, Haroun, Husni, Aiman, Harith Treetrunk, Nabil, Wilson, Njoroge, Amri, Moodi, Abbas, Raninda, Fairuz, Shazlan, and Agus; thank you for the presence in the university.

We shall meet again -

Mohd Sharazad Saiful Bahri,
BA (Hons) Business Economics and Management,
Nottingham University Business School,
University of Nottingham

IMF hidden agenda

2006-05-20T08:53:00.000Z

It is just another ordinary Saturday in the rainy month of May as I write this. I went to KLCC at noon accompanying my little sister to Mont Kiara Medical Centre for her dental appointment. My advanced-plan in organising personal agendas during the upcoming summer holiday resorted me to pay a visit to Times Bookstore.

In light of the globalisation around the world nowadays between developing and developed countries I decided to buy a book called 'Globalisation: and its discontents' by Joseph Stiglitz who is the winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics 2001.

One of my agendas then during the holiday, opening up my mind in evaluating the forceful argument that has yet been made against the IMF and its policies; as commented by Benjamin M. Friedman, New York Review of Books

Kalimullah speaks on love

2006-05-10T16:07:00.000Z

Post-writing of mine on love I discovered an interesting article by Kalimullah Hassan who is the writer for The News Straits Times Malaysia. I was amazed by the hygiene views from him and read it, you may.

Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn’t it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defences, you build up a whole suit of armour, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life ...

You give them a piece of you. They didn’t ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn’t your own anymore. Love takes hostage. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like ‘maybe we should be just friends’ turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It’s a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you- and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love.

OUCH! This passage is from Neil Gaiman, the English-born American novelist, screenwriter and children’s book author.Love or shattered love both evoke strong emotions and reactions. Those who were young once can empathise with Gaiman’s spurned lover for surely, like most teenagers, they, too, went through such heartbreak.

It’s like this. When you are in love, nothing can go wrong. The freckles on your loved one’s face "add to her striking looks" and the wispy moustache on his face "makes him look macho".

But when love turns sour, the "freckles and all" bother you. When love goes bad, that wispy moustache, actually, makes him a wimp.

Strange thing, love. It’s understandable why Gaiman hates it so much.

Some time ago, Donny Osmond’s song Puppy Love was the favourite tune of many a teenager. Osmond mirrored the views of teenagers then — and now — when he sang that the elders don’t really understand.

And they called it puppy love
Oh, I guess
They’ll never know
How a young heart really feelsAnd why I love her so
And they called itpuppy loveJust because we’rein our teens
Tell them all it isn’t fair
To take away my only dream

That’s what my kids tell me now. I don’t understand. What is there to understand? I have been through it.

Didn’t my Standard Five trainee teacher break my heart when she went back to Day Training College after two months and never contacted me?

I still remember her house in Lahat Road in Penang. That’s how smitten I was.

Didn’t my Form Three teacher do the same when she upped and went and married that dentist in Bukit Mertajam?

And I still remember her white Datsun 100A and that she used to take off her shoes when she drove it.

(I used to jostle with a few other lovesick classmates to carry her bag when she drove in. That’s how I knew she took off her shoes when driving.)

And my first "real" love — someone my age — forsook me when she became engaged to that engineering student who won a scholarship to Brighton University.

Of course, I understand. There is time for love and there is time for studies. Now is the time for studies. Love can come later, I tell them.

The problem with kids is, like Benjamin Disraeli said, they don’t realise that "the magic of first love is our ignorance that it can ever end".

End it surely does. Rare are those who say that they married their first love and have since lived happily ever after.

The reason everyone talks about their first love is because there was a second and a third and…

So, logic dictates that, in time, you will find your lasting love.

Why, therefore, forego the "more important" things in life now like your books, earning a degree and getting a good job instead of "wasting time" on a romance that in all probability will not last?

My friends, too, have this issue with their children. So we must be right and the children wrong. Right? Well…

After one such discussion with the children — they’re all in their teens or early 20s — I was reminded by my wife that we, too, were young once.

She’s the smart one in the family with her worldly wise views. It’s just that when you are set in your ways, like I have become, you don’t want wisdom to interfere with your ways.

When did I stop being a child and become a father? And a father like my father who, when I was a child, I thought did not understand me either.He didn’t like it when I borrowed his car and took my college-bound girlfriend out till late.

He didn’t like it when his friends told him that I was seen in town holding hands with her.

He didn’t like it when I tore pages from my schoolbook to write love notes which were never sent to her.

He didn’t like it when I went to the bachelor parties thrown by Munusamy and Goh Beng Huat, where the music was made for slow dances.

He didn’t understand.

I actually thought that he didn’t love me and I once ran away from home for five days, staying at a friend’s house in Penang.

Even when he came looking for me and found me and burst into tears when he saw I was safe, I didn’t realise that he loved me.

Now I know better. Because I am the father that he was — always meaning well, loving the kids very much, yet, sometimes forgetting that I, too, was young once.

It takes us a long time to realise that our sons will grow up to love someone else because that’s the way life is, and that’s the way it should be.

It takes us a longer time to realise that our daughters will one day find another man in their lives — besides their father — and will go away.

Now, the fear sets in. They have new loves, they are going away to college, they are going to get married — so who’s going to be with us when we are old and frail?

These are the real worries but, I think, we sometimes just don’t want the kids to be hurt because we know that their hearts will be broken.

We cannot bear it when they pine for a love that could not be.

The last two verses of Puppy Love go thus:

I cry each night my
tears for you
My tears are all in vain
I’ll hope and I’ll pray
that maybe someday
You’ll be back in
my arms once again
Someone, help me, help me,
help me please
Is the answer up above
How can I,
how can I tell them
This is not a puppy love.

Didn’t we go through that as well and isn’t that why we want them to focus on real things such as studies and college?

No. Not really true, is it?

If we really are honest with ourselves, we have never forgotten our first loves.

We can remember the shape of their nose, the colour of their glasses, the wave of their hair, the smell of their soap and shampoo….

Each time we fell in love, it was a great feeling.

Our friends would call us stupid, love-sick puppies and we’d think they envied us.

Our fathers would rant and rave and we’d think the old fellows don’t know what it’s like to be in love.

Walking in the rain was so much fun; the scorching sun was a good excuse to go to the waterfalls in Sik (Kedah); the cold nights were an excuse to sit close together; the warm nights were a reason to spend a longer time in Ponniah’s ais kacang stall.

We could find an excuse for everything — as long as we were together.

Really, really, really… don’t you relish the memories of those days of puppy love? I do.

And it would be sad if we deprived our children of such memories to live on when they get older.

The important thing, though, is our last love, I must tell them. And I found it with their mother. (It’s true.)

For my late father, if he is watching me, I want to say:

"I became the man I think you wanted me to become. I know you loved me very much.

"But like you, after my episode as the runaway kid, I, too, will let the children be children.

"Because as you learned, I have learned. That’s the way it should be."

Just like what my father told me when I was in school indulging in the same scenario. Now I understand. God bless you father.

Don't close one eye this May

2006-05-10T15:22:00.000Z

This whole month of May is the examinations period as a mean to end my first year degree. There are six papers and I am doing the best, the rest is upon God's wind of success.

There are many interesting issues on the surface lately including the heating-up 'closed one eye' issue by an irresponsible MP as a resulf of when a power holds by a blind man, again. This revelation of misconduct has been steered by the resignation of Datuk Shahrir as the Chairman of Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BBC) when he supported the Opposition motion headed by Lim Kit Siang which proposed a transparency investigation on the inappropriate action by the blind man, as the Whip (affinity to an oath of allegiance to the party) steps into the parliamentary act.

Till today, I am still finding the most accurate definition of democracy in Malaysia but to no avail. I am in a state of perplexity.

However, the perplexity indulged by democracy vanished as I read the newspaper regarding the landslide win gained by PAP Singapore against the Opposition party, echoed by the comments by Lim Kuan Yew, 'A strong opposition is vital in order to sustain the credibility and transparency of the public'

Come what may, this May is the most important month in my first year university.

Welcome home Anwar.

Les Feuilles Mortes- Autumn Leaves

2006-04-29T15:44:00.000Z

This is a recommodation, the most worth-buying album of the year I believe : AMORE by Andrea Bocelli.

Produced by David Foster and Humberto Gatica, featuring Kenny G, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, and a band of talented musicians.

Give your ears a try.

My favourites: Besame Mucho, Mi Manchi, L'Appuntamento, Can't Help Falling in Love; live from Lake Las Vegas "Amore Under The Desert Sky" and the wonderful Les Feuilles Mortes featuring Veronica Berti ~

C'est une chanson,
Qui nous resemble,
Toi tu m'aimais,
Et je t'aimais,

Nous vivions tous,
Les deux ensemble,
Toi qui m'aimais,
Moi qui t'aimais,

Mais la vie separe,
Ceux qui s'aiment, And the falling leaves
Tout doucement,
Sans faire de bruit. Drifted by the window
Et la mer efface sur le sable, The autumn leaves
Les pas des amants desunis Of the red and gold

Thanks for buying the album dad =)

'If God had a singing voice, it would sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli' - Celine Dion

:: http://www.andreabocelli.com/2006/home.html ::

From New York to Tehran

2006-04-27T15:50:00.000Z

I am now reading a non fiction book entitled 'Neither East Nor West'

The synopsis of the book - Fusing travelogue, historical inquiry, and interviews with Iranians from all walks of life, it is a landmark contribution to travel writing and to cultural studies, as well as a timely illumination of a nation deeply misunderstood by most Westerners. In describing life in Iran today, Christiane Bird, an American who spent part of her childhood there, breaks the silence that has surrounded Iran's culture, unlike its politics for nearly twenty years.

Bird's travels take her from the modern, bustling capital of Tehran to the medieval holy city of Qom, from the sacred pilgrimage site of Mashhad- visited by more than twelve million Shi'ites annually- to the isolated valley of Alamut, once home to the legendary cult of the Assassins. She visits mosques, public baths, Khomeini's former home, and a Caspian sea resort, and attends prayer meetings and a horse racing meet. Along the way, she talks to muleteers and ayatollahs, Kurds and Turkomans, Westernised and traditional Iranians- many of whom invite her home for a cup of tea.

The results is an astounding, insightful journey into the Islamic Republic of Iran- in all its beauty, ferocity, and contradiction.

I am now following the trail and footsteps from Tabriz to Bam, left behind by Bird, who is the author of The Jazz and Blues Lover's Guide to the U.S. and New York City Handbook, and a co-author of Below the Line: Living Poor in America, graduated from Yale University and a former travel writer for the New York Daily News, and lives in New York City.

A simple word - LOVE

2006-04-24T18:37:00.000Z

I am sitting on a bench, in the middle of the night in Canakkale, south of Istanbul. The usual routine at night which is sleeping is not an interest for the people in here as I can see the Turkish people, especially adolescence around my age walking by in front of me. There are couple holding hands together feeling as if the windy night belongs to them, there are a group of youths laughing and talking loudly to each other feeling as if this laughter lightens up the darkness of the night, and there are people walking in a solitude feeling as if the world belongs only to himself. It is a windy night, I am tired due to the earlier long journey from Ephesus. The leaves falling as if the earth wants it to be, as the wind dominates the scenery. I am warming up myself with the leather jacket that I wear, at times I shiver as the nature gets over me. I look right of me, seeing a couple hugging themselves together and as a human being, I dream of the moment that they cherish now, right in front of my eyes. The sceptical side of me awakes when it comes to love. As I grow, experience and knowing people have taught me that love is not as easy as I say it. Like the Dardanell Straits in front of me, which the horizon marks the limit of my eyes in seeing the European side of Turkey, the similar blindness emerges in my comprehension of love. There is more to love than just holding hands, there is more to love than just sex and kissing, and even more than just saying I LOVE YOU. If I were to fall in love, I will do the best for me and the other half of the sky. However, do not say that the love is not there if I just give half of my effort and commitment. Do not just see what you want to see, do not just assume what you want to assume, as monkey see monkey do. There is still a long way to go, another sea to across, another mountain to climb, and another day to sail as the future is very uncertain and we are bounded by our own rationality. At my age now, this is the precious time for me to know a lot of people and doing things that I want to do. It is for the purpose of filling up my Experience Bank. I believe if both have good intentions to spend half of the life with the other half of the sky, that is the beginning of a new phase in life, which is the time for me to be a father and for the other half of the sky to be a mother. Yes, it is my highest happiness in the future to see my own baby, cuddling the baby as my father did to me. When the right time arrives, everything will be there.

At the moment, my desire of solitary moment in carving my own career path in the next four to five years clings to the words by Paulo Coelhe in 'The Zahir' -

If you're asking me if I like your company, the answer is yes. If on the other hand, you're asking me if I could live without you, the answer is also yes

However, I can plan but there are various possibility of different outcomes. I have my own bounded rationality too. As in 'The Zahir' -

Some time ago, I was in Geneva for a series of interviews. At the end of a day's work, and because a woman friend I was supposed to have supper with cancelled at the last minute, I set off for a stroll around the city. It was a particularly lovely night, the streets were deserted, the bars and restaurants still full of life, and everything seemed utterly calm, orderly, pretty, and yet suddenly I realised that I was utterly alone.

Needless to say, I had been alone on other occasions during the year. Needless to say, my girlfriend was only two hours away by plane. Needless to say, after a busy day, what could be better than a stroll through the narrow streets and lanes of the old city, without having talk to anyone, simply enjoying the beauty around me. And yet the feeling that surfaced was one of oppressive, distressing loneliness - not having someone with whom I could share the city, the walk, the things I'd like to say.

I got out my mobile phone; after all, I had a reasonable number of friends in the city, but it was too late to phone anyone. I considered going into one of the bars and ordering a drink; someone was bound to recognise me and invite me to join them. But I resisted the temptation and tried to get through that moment, discovering, in the process, that there is nothing worse than the feeling that no one cares whether we exist or not, that no one is interested in what we have to say about life, and that the world can continue turning without our awkward presence.

I began to imagine how many million of people were, at that moment, feeling utterly useless and wretched - however rich, charming and delightful they might be - because they were alone that night, as they were yesterday, and as they might well be tomorrow. Students with no one to go out with, older people sitting in front of the TV as if it were their sole salvation, businessmen in their hotel rooms, wondering if what they were doing made any sense, women who spent the afternoon carefully applying their makeup and doing their hair in order to to a bar only to pretend that they're not looking for company; all they want is confirmation that they're still attractive; the men ogle them and chat them, but the women reject them all disdainfully, because they feel inferior and are afraid the men will find out that they're single mothers or lowly clerks with nothing to say about what's going on in the world because they work from dawn to dusk to scrape a living and have no time to read the newspapers. People who look at themselves in the mirror and think themselves ugly, believing that being beautiful is what really matters, and spend their time reading magazines in which everyone is pretty, rich, and famous. Husbands and wives who wish they could talk over supper as they used to, but there are always other things demanding their attention, more important things, and the conversation can always wait for a tomorrow that never comes.

That day, I had lunch with a friend who had just got divorced and she said t me, 'Now I can enjoy the freedom I've always dreamed of having.' But that's a lie. No one wants that kind of freedom: we all want commitment, we all want someone to be beside us to enjoy the beauties of Geneva, to discuss books, films, or even to share a sandwhich with because there isn't enough money to buy one each. Better to eat half a sandwhich than a whole one.

I get up from my long sitting, an air of pleasure in realising the wonderful possibility arises as I am now longing for my bed in the hotel. I walk pass the 'wooden horse' of Troy exhibited on the seafront, breathing the air of victory as resembled by the horse.

Gun, Devil, and the Blue colour

2006-04-17T11:21:00.000Z

I wrote a poem in expressing my happiness for the team which I have supported since Gianfranco Zola's time when at that time almost Malaysians supported Manchester United and Liverpool, that the English season will witness for the second consecutive year their champion as the season is going to and end, to mark the beginning of the biggest football tournament on earth, World Cup in Deustchland.

The sky is blue,
The helpless Devil shyly says that it is true,
Even the arsenic Gun is seeing blue,
That the English season will be painted blue.

=)

I received a response from my accounting teacher, Mr. Kay who is an Arsenal diehard fan who taught me during my A-Level, which I found it was a very good and justified response.

The moment the money has been invested,
The world has seen that success is obligatory,
But if it falters then it is unacceptable,
Return On Capital Employed should be justified,
A club with no money like the Arsenic Gun should be contented.

Nevertheless, that is the game. One will win, one will lose at the other side. Football is like our life which resembles the two vertical points on a spinning wheel. There are times when my team is on the higher point, and I believe in the near future it will be vice versa. For the moment, I am enjoying the present moment. There is a saying in English, 'Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment'.

A Nation and A Blind Man

2006-04-02T18:21:00.000Z

Is politics a forbidden world for the students nowadays?

Are we as students just have to go to lectures, read the mainstream newspapers, believing every news in favour of the current situation and do not even have the chance to evaluate the right truth about our beloved country, Malaysia?

Would we be labelled as citizens who do not have the patriotism and nationalism spirit if we voiced out the right truth, figures, and facts regarding our countries?

I strongly believe as a Malaysian student who loves this country as the blessed soil of my life, I have the right to read and to listen to different sources of news. I believe that in order for one, for every human being to be fair in evaluating wisely, one has to have sufficient knowledge and information from two contrary sources (one that in favour and the other one against of) thus one knows how to make the right and wise judgement, conclusion, and choice. Why do people simply jump to a conclusion if we voiced out the unfavourable facts regarding our country however true the facts are, we are against the current government and spreading out the propaganda that would adversely affect the prosperity and unity in this country? I would rather say that people who voice out the truth facts are those people who are really Malaysians, who really care, who really have the nationalism spirit. My lecturer Thomas said, "You can take me out of Scotland, but you cannot take the Scottish out of me". Do not forget, we as students supposed to act like a bridge between the rakyat and the government.

Do not live in a claustrophobic world in an environment called 'university'. We are not school children anymore. We have the right to keep track of our country's current affairs, evaluate, and conclude the right scenario. The most important thing, do not just stand in front of the stumbling block in your mind, leap or jump over it.

Who is going to take care of this country in the future, who is going to tell the future generation the ups and downs of our country, who is going to determine the fate of Malaysia, who is going to challenge some of the biased history facts of this country since 1957, if not us? The so called Malaysian students?

Think about it.

As Malcolm X said, 'You are not to be so blind with patriotism that you cannot face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it'

Really.

http://www.malaysia-today.net/ShamRais/2006/03/anak-muda-dan-ilmu.htm

http://www.malaysia-today.net/ShamRais/2005_02_06_MT_ShamRais_archive.htm

I am Malaysian.
You can take me out of Malaysia, but you can never take the Malaysian out of me.

Recommended readings by the time of graduation:
1. Salina by A. Samad Said
2. SHIT by Shahnon Ahmad
3. The Asian Renaissance by Anwar Ibrahim
4. My Side of History by @ Chin Peng
5. Paradoxes of Mahathirism by Khoo Boo Teik
6. The Flame Tree by Yang-May Ooi

Starless Sky, Fit to Fly

2006-03-15T17:04:00.000Z

It is a starless night. I am in my room, resting as I just came back from the gym. I have been working out and doing cardiovascular for a month with the hope to keep fit and maintaining my stamina. It is easy to plan and have hopes like this, but the truth is it is very hard if there is no consistency and the spirit to make it a daily routine. I keep remembering my inner heart that ‘action speaks louder than words’. I feel very healthy and satisfied after working out and to sweat profusely. My aim now is to be consistent and I will keep on doing this until the final day of my life.

To make my future children proud that they have a healthy and active father and at the same time setting a good example for them that exercise and sports are part of their life, and this is the only reason for my eternal happiness.

And to prove to my future wife that the theory of ageing process is not a stumbling block for one’s to work out and to keep fit.

When the sun rises and the crystal-clear sky is visible, I will whisper to my loved ones, “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy, for there is more to life than just work, study, and exams”

Oh yes. There is only a star in the sky tonight, twinkling like a precious diamond bounded by the silence of darkness. Starry starry night =)

Kenyan Language

2006-03-10T18:41:00.000Z

The diary of one's university life is not just about lectures and exams. I took the opportunity of having multinational friends to learn about the different cultures and languages. My housemates, Wilson Kuteli Kakai and Mahmood from Kenya did not hesitate when I asked them to do me a favour, which was to teach me the Swahili language.

I am still learning Swahili.

They are helpful yet wonderful housemates.

Shukran (Thank you)

Below are some of the Swahili words that keep on tickling in my mind at the moment :

1. Habari = How are you
2. Mzuri Sana = I am fine
3. Po'a = I am good
4. Alam Siki = Goodnight/Bless
5. Bi Noor = response to alam siki
6. Umekula = Have you eaten?
7. Ndiyo = Yes
8. La = No
9. Ashanti/Shukran = Thank you
10. Umeshindaje = How is your day?
11. Vyema = Well/Fun
12. Umechoka = Are you tired?

Kumbafu?

Ask Wilson or Mahmood for the meaning =P

The Lure of Indo

2006-03-10T18:18:00.000Z

The new artists from Indonesia, Radja and Rossa have deepen my interest in the country's music industry. Again.

The lure of the songs is like an apple to my eyes.

Music is wonderful.

Music is riveting.

One of the former hit songs entitled 'Jujur' tells us how important the element of honesty in one's relationship, even life. With the absence of it, sooner or later you will discover the dead end of the topsy-turvy road. What a waste of time.

As Otway said, "Honesty needs no disguise nor ornament; be plain"

Their Stupidity, Our Unity

2006-02-26T17:27:00.000Z

God gives us the most precious element in life, which is our mind. It is for us to distinguish between black and white, good and bad, and to be sensible about other people's pride and emotions.

Sadly, today's world is clueless and lost on how to utilise the precious element. The freedom of speech and act has been seen as borderless, with the absence of respect and sensitivity.

As a result, I do not have even a small dust of respect to these kind of people.

It is not a weird fact, that the Third World countries are in better civilisation than these kind of countries again.

Stupidity prevails from their dead, black sea.

Then comes our unity, raining cats and dogs above the sea.

An activist, Hishamuddin Rais, an uncle of a friend of mine Hafas presents his views on this matter : http://www.malaysia-today.net/ShamRais/2006/02/lakaran-dan-kebebasan.htm

Lovely Gift

2006-02-23T19:57:00.000Z

Nothing can be compared to the happiness when I told my beloved parents about my semester 1 result. The moment when they smiled from ear to ear nearly made me cry, how I am deeply grateful to the Almighty for granting me the good result that resembles the bridge for me to further my study in the UK.

69.03, graded as second class upper with just 0.97 to achieve first class is best enough for me as the inspiration for me for the second semester.

Yes, this is my gift to my parents.

And also a gift to PETRONAS, my degree sponsorship unit.

And not to forget, to Nottingham University Business School, Faculty of Social Science 2005.

This is my life.

It is like a ship, sailing across the sea.

I am the captain of the ship.

Scottish Jokes

2006-02-23T06:54:00.001Z

Dr. Thomas Thornborrow entertained the class with his jokes few days ago. Let's see whether the jokes can make all of you smile, smiling from ear to ear perhaps.

1. Two goldfish in a tank. One asks the other, "How to drive this thing?"

Hmm.

2. Thomas Thornborrow went to see a doctor. He told the doctor, "Doc, I am having this problem for the past 3 months. EVERYONE IS IGNORING ME." Then, the doctor said, "Next patient, please."

Hmmm.

Final Platform

2006-02-13T15:07:00.000Z

Year 2, Semester 2 has begun. I have six modules to be completed, and last week was the chance for me to get a glimpse of pictures of all the modules. Yes, it is a more interesting semester. The modules are :

1. Economics of Corporate Strategy

2. Contemporary Economics Policy

3. Management Accounting

4. Digital Economy

5. Organisational Behaviour, taught by Dr. Thomas Thornborrow who captures my interest in studying the real panoramic situation in the working world, added by the interesting yet humorous Scottish flair.

6. Quantitative Methods

And it is my final platform to shift the paradigm in continuing my study in the United Kingdom, blessed by the cold breeze of Europe. God grant me the success. Merci.

Food for Thought 2

2006-02-09T11:56:00.000Z

The temperature is high lately in Malaysia and I can feel the blazing heat everytime I step out to the outside world. According to the newspaper, it is due to the changing of monsoon season and it will lasts until March or April. However, it rained this evening. Thank God for the pouring rain, earthly must be happy =)

The food for thought for today continues as we indulge into Steve Day's words :

"Your mind is one great mystery
That none can penetrate
Who knows what you may dream of
What things you can create
You're really very special
And you'll achieve a lot
And if they tell you otherwise
Listen to them not

They think they know your limits
But they can't work you out
No clue to your potential
Or what you're all about
The limited horizon
In as far as they can see
And few will march the distance
To see what else can be

So freedom is each step you take
No word your doubters sent
No need their dire predictions
No need for their consent
Go climb those distant mountains
Get moving don't just look
For you can live the hero's life
That's in your favourite book"

Great.

Oh yes, I am going to play indoor soccer today. I have to regain my stamina and skills prior to a friendly match this Saturday. It is my ultimate satisfaction to play football and sweat profusely.

Paradigm Shift

2006-02-09T04:56:00.000Z

My fellow friends, I came across this interesting yet relevant issue about Malaysian students in The Sun (Wednesday, Feb 8) and I would like to flick some lights upon this issue. We can look at it as a platform for us to learn and making effort to improve, in order to be well-rounded students and employees in the future.

Excerpt :

Being employed means having a job but being employable means having the qualities to keep a job and progress in the workplace. You might not be able to hold down a job if you are not adequately skilled.

So why is employability seemingly so elusive to so many Malaysian graduates? A local public university was said to have a graduate unemployment rate of 38% in 2004.

Before anyone smirks and says "Not me! I am joining a private university", the thousands who can't speak nor write English properly - A CORE EMPLOYABILITY SKILL - are not only from public universities, but also from local private colleges and universities.

Students at private colleges and universities may study in English but they are also rarely graded for their grasp of the language, except in specific instances.

Naturally, language competency, both written and oral, helps one to understand lectures and academic text, and to convey ideas and argue points, but it is still possible to get away with a minimal competency because lecturers give marks on the core subject and not on language skills.

What is sad is that these students then have the illusion that their competency level is acceptable in the real world, and don't bother to improve their skills, ONLY TO BE SHOCKED DURING THEIR JOB SEARCH OR WHEN THEY START WORKING.

Entering a private university or college does not guarantee employability. It only provides the opportunity to build up employability skills. There must be intense self-learning in strengthening all type of skills, language included.

Examinations and assignments are good practice for critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving and time management. They are also tests of endurance and creativity - which are all employable skills.

Yet, many students view tests and assignments as they do in secondary school, as ends in themselves.

Perhaps such an attitude implies an expectation to be spoon fed by the lecturer and even to be given exam tips.

The three to four years at university are not viewed as practice for the workplace - dealing with colleagues who may be uncooperative or incompetent ( IN COLLEGE - LAZY OR INCOMPETENT COURSE MATES IN GROUP PROJECTS), clashing deadlines (EXAMS AND ASSIGNMENTS WITH OVERLAPPING DEADLINES), demanding bosses (DEMANDING LECTURERS), or even personal or financial problems interfering with work (PERSONAL PROBLEM AFFECTING STUDY).

Simply put, if basic things like PUNCTUALITY or ability to listen well and follow instructions, are not developed by the time a person graduates, he is likely to be a dilemma in the workplace.

The late Kathleen Cotton of the American Northwest Regional Laboratory, in her School Improvement Series, titled Developing Employability Skills, divided employability skills into basic skills, higher order, and affective skills and traits.

In her report, she quoted L.L. Buck and R.K. Barrick from They're Trained, But Are They Employable? (Vocational Education Journal 62/5 (1987) : "Employability skills are the attributes of employees, other than technical competence, that make them an asset to the employer." "

Hopefully we would be able to achieve the expectation. Good luck.

Frankl once said, "What was really needed was a fundamental change in our attitude toward life. We had to learn ourselves and, furthermore, we had to teach the despairing men, that it did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us"