Pre-(senior) semester...
I'm writing this blog post with mixed feelings.
Tomorrow will be the start of my senior and majoring semester. Which indirectly spells, I'm leaving uni life soon.
I'll be having my final class and semester with K. And this time, I am nervous. The reason was this is a major subject and I don't have the faintest idea what K will be telling us, 4 of us to do...
K, well... once he was a journalist. Currently working in the higher education field.
I remembered about 2 years ago coming to uni and the first person I met was K, not any of my classmates or uni friends. He introduced himself to me and said this "I'll be teaching you in the future...". Gulp. His words took me by surprise in fact. Teaching? I thought he don't teach. What's this? A warning signal? His words troubled me for few minutes until I was occupied with official matters.
I told myself not to be get scared and timid when I entered his class. After the first 4 months knowing K, he's a nice person actually. Throughout the 4 months I had doubts about changing major in the future... because of him (As some of you may not know, I was initially going for Advertising).
I made my mind going to Journalism around the last quarter of last year. K 're-lightened' my dreams and interest in writing. I wasn't keen on writing since Form 3 because the comment my English teacher made about my low level of proficiency in English. I don't care now any more! That has became the past tense. I know best what I want to do, based on my interest and believe!
Back to the current situation!
This will be my last semester and subject with K. I guess I won't get to see this person much in the future or will he become my supervisor? Unsure.
I do realised from my few previous posts, I had added the last paragraph of 'Writers' note'...
Writers' note: I'll try to treasure and remember this last times with K. After all he do inspired and led me back to where and what I initially wanted to do. Felt gratitude towards K after all, for leading me to this path.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
没有大舅的日子：第1166天
Disorganized collection of books...
Hi, hi!
Was supposed to write about my book collection yesterday...
An event occurred yesterday lead to the change of topic and also, I haven't take those pictures of my books too...
I don't have an enormous collection book library. But I think the books I had, from numerous series to just random books, were adequate for my reading needs. In between, I did borrowed some titles from friends around, from those who have interest and fond of reading.
Call me geek or whatever. I love reading and being occupied in the story itself.
Here's some small advice to those who wanted to write, become a journalist or doing whatever jobs that required writing: please READ some books! You are required to do so. No excuses. How are you suppose to write without reading?! What are you going to write without inspiration and soul?
Hi, hi!
Was supposed to write about my book collection yesterday...
An event occurred yesterday lead to the change of topic and also, I haven't take those pictures of my books too...
I don't have an enormous collection book library. But I think the books I had, from numerous series to just random books, were adequate for my reading needs. In between, I did borrowed some titles from friends around, from those who have interest and fond of reading.
Call me geek or whatever. I love reading and being occupied in the story itself.
Here's some small advice to those who wanted to write, become a journalist or doing whatever jobs that required writing: please READ some books! You are required to do so. No excuses. How are you suppose to write without reading?! What are you going to write without inspiration and soul?
The Millennium series by Stieg Larsson. My favorite series! Crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist! The first book 'Dragon Tattoo' was with my cousin, Teh Chi En. I borrowed him, but I forgotten to take it back.
Two of John Grisham books. Basically the stories are depressing. The innocent and pity ones don't have their good endings. I guess Grisham is trying to deliver the message of injustice...
One of the random books I bought when I got my RM 200 book voucher... Ha, ha, ha! It's just a random title I grabbed in the bookstore without much consideration! Tony Parsson, well I did heard about him before because an ex-Form 6 friend (Was the person Aziz? Can't remember... ) had his book or something... I love the story of modern and lusting China! Who actually is the 'favorite wife' in the book? Until now, I have no clue...
He is Malaysia's pride! How can you not buy his book?! I did enjoyed reading his journey as a humble Penang boy to become Malaysia's hero. Malaysians love you, Lee Chong Wei!!!
My current obsession! Yes! 50 Shades! And I'm old enough to read it, OK?! Someone said it's basically porn on book. Yes, indeed... Christian Grey, who can resist his charm? By the way, I haven't buy the last book of the trilogy... Still on my way reading '50 Shades Darker'.
It's hard for me to gather all of them (not all actually) because I placed them all over the house, upstairs and downstairs. I am in need of a box, to store them all in. Not forgetting the Harry Potter books! The Harry Potter series... They were well wrapped up and placed in the shelves along with my secondary school books. Ha, ha, ha! I didn't sell off my books. When I left school, the government decided to give free books on loan! (WTF) Anyways, now PPSMI was not in use anymore. So my Maths, Science and Add Maths books... they had became history of Malaysian education.
Please, can someone get me a nice large box so I can keep them together? I hate leaving the books here and there...
Writers' note: Currently, I'm in love with using appropriate words to write and also Ed Sheeran... his music! Ha, ha, ha! Just a practice I adopt of choosing the right words, so I won't get myself in trouble for the future...
Friday, August 24, 2012
没有大舅的日子：第1165天
Embracing change...
'Change'.
Don't take simple towards this word. It is (in fact) something larger than anyone can think of.
"What doesn't change around us is... change." Yes, the irony of reality. What doesn't change is indeed change itself. Change(s) happen all time. In fact, the evolution in our life is change. I guess change is a trailing habit, that we (should, no excuse to deny) constantly keep up to.
Keeping up to the change habit?
Sounds more like change the habit... Be careful and read twice (or more) to these words 'change habit'.
Better for me to clarify the final time: Change is a HABIT. Got it?!
I'll be in a field of work that constantly going through changes. I confess, I wasn't much of the person who subscribe to the ideology of change. Yes, resistant. In fact I'm very resistant. A resistant person going into a career in well... media? I don't know how I got the faintest to be a writer/journalist or an advertising creative staff for my future. Maybe I was young then, I didn't know about what's happening in the world, really.
"Human is a habitual species". That's what my lecturer told this last semester.
We are indeed habitual, we only stick to one thing at the same, or all the time... Once we learned/adopt/used to something, we will tend to glue to it no matter what. That's when the 'disaster' begins... We're in our comfort zones. Who would want to get out?! "I am happy with the situation I'm in, things I'm doing! Why change?!". This is the common justification people excused for not leaving their comfort zones.
The question came to my head: do people refuse leaving their comfort zones because... they're too glued to it? Or was it they are scared?
For the past 2 weeks, a feud happened in my house because of... well, change and economic purpose. A simple change (to me) actually frustrated my elderly because they, 1st. refused, 2nd. economic purpose. They actually 'blamed' me for interfering in their business.
I wasn't interfering! I loathed at the idea that they 'blamed' me for making change. To them, I think that they see me as someone being ungrateful, discontented. They do think that I'm a greedy person... I'm not defending myself to the point of being greedy because I'm unsure if I'm greedy or not!
The problem arise from the change was soluble. The solution was in fact just like 'put the sugar and milk into the coffee'. I basically do 'sugar-milk' solution every time in uni. No fret... But for my elderly, it's not... The small change poised a threat, probably will deteriorate the business, family and everything! And unwillingly, I suffered big stress because I took the blame for changing how things work and getting out of the comfort zone.
The situation at my home may sound familiar to some of you out there as you did encounter similar situations in the past...
Another question flashed into my mind: do people, habitual people addressed, don't like their daily routine interfered? And the alteration on the comfort zone, does it really cause stress because the daily routine had changed or people just afraid of change?
So what can we really do when change take place?
1. Fret and nervous? No.
2. Deny? A big no.
3. Don't change towards the change, I mean, still stick to the comfort zone? My answer is answered sarcastically in another question, "How can you do that?!"
4. Blame game. Please no! You're inflicting more relationship problems.
The solution/alternative is simple: embrace it. Just take it as it is. Have a calm mind and soul into facing change. Optimism is good in adhering change. I think that if someone is positive about change, that person will love change and to be change.
Are you such person...?
'Change'.
Don't take simple towards this word. It is (in fact) something larger than anyone can think of.
"What doesn't change around us is... change." Yes, the irony of reality. What doesn't change is indeed change itself. Change(s) happen all time. In fact, the evolution in our life is change. I guess change is a trailing habit, that we (should, no excuse to deny) constantly keep up to.
Keeping up to the change habit?
Sounds more like change the habit... Be careful and read twice (or more) to these words 'change habit'.
Better for me to clarify the final time: Change is a HABIT. Got it?!
I'll be in a field of work that constantly going through changes. I confess, I wasn't much of the person who subscribe to the ideology of change. Yes, resistant. In fact I'm very resistant. A resistant person going into a career in well... media? I don't know how I got the faintest to be a writer/journalist or an advertising creative staff for my future. Maybe I was young then, I didn't know about what's happening in the world, really.
"Human is a habitual species". That's what my lecturer told this last semester.
We are indeed habitual, we only stick to one thing at the same, or all the time... Once we learned/adopt/used to something, we will tend to glue to it no matter what. That's when the 'disaster' begins... We're in our comfort zones. Who would want to get out?! "I am happy with the situation I'm in, things I'm doing! Why change?!". This is the common justification people excused for not leaving their comfort zones.
The question came to my head: do people refuse leaving their comfort zones because... they're too glued to it? Or was it they are scared?
For the past 2 weeks, a feud happened in my house because of... well, change and economic purpose. A simple change (to me) actually frustrated my elderly because they, 1st. refused, 2nd. economic purpose. They actually 'blamed' me for interfering in their business.
I wasn't interfering! I loathed at the idea that they 'blamed' me for making change. To them, I think that they see me as someone being ungrateful, discontented. They do think that I'm a greedy person... I'm not defending myself to the point of being greedy because I'm unsure if I'm greedy or not!
The problem arise from the change was soluble. The solution was in fact just like 'put the sugar and milk into the coffee'. I basically do 'sugar-milk' solution every time in uni. No fret... But for my elderly, it's not... The small change poised a threat, probably will deteriorate the business, family and everything! And unwillingly, I suffered big stress because I took the blame for changing how things work and getting out of the comfort zone.
The situation at my home may sound familiar to some of you out there as you did encounter similar situations in the past...
Another question flashed into my mind: do people, habitual people addressed, don't like their daily routine interfered? And the alteration on the comfort zone, does it really cause stress because the daily routine had changed or people just afraid of change?
So what can we really do when change take place?
1. Fret and nervous? No.
2. Deny? A big no.
3. Don't change towards the change, I mean, still stick to the comfort zone? My answer is answered sarcastically in another question, "How can you do that?!"
4. Blame game. Please no! You're inflicting more relationship problems.
The solution/alternative is simple: embrace it. Just take it as it is. Have a calm mind and soul into facing change. Optimism is good in adhering change. I think that if someone is positive about change, that person will love change and to be change.
Are you such person...?
'Change'. The slogan Mr. President used in his 2008 campaign, one of the memorable. We want to change, but are we really ready for a change...?
Writer's note: Well I need answers to my questions... Just to see who can give a good one! I love Robert Frost's 'The Road Not Taken'... The poem states the choices made in life, illustrating through two diverged roads. Well, I want to relate to the topic I'm writing on. The diverged roads, they are the choices, and changes we have to make for my life. Even if I take the less favourite road, I don't regret it as that had been a choice I made, the change I want for my life.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
没有大舅的日子：第1148天
Social media and talents...
Basically, it's an opinion piece. So if this post do offend certain parties, I sincerely apologize.
My confession: I rarely listen to radio nowadays. Radio used (it has been the past) to be my 2nd main medium to search and look out for current artistes and song. Keep updated with the music scene.
However, time had changed, drastically. Thanks to social media like YouTube (the foremost primary), Twitter, and Facebook, I look for the information I want there. These social media on the Internet, also expose me to some really talented yet unknown people that you don't see on mainstream arena. At this time, I began my suspicion on whether there's a drained of talents on mainstream music... Deep down inside, my inner voice told me so. There are lack of real talents in mainstream music.
I often compare music back then and now. I'm unsure if it's one-sided or other reasons, I prefer songs back then. Hence, that was why I blogged about 'Songs from the 1990s' part 1 and part 2. Those were some of the songs I heard growing up, that I can still remember until today. Was it because of sentimental feelings I had from those songs? No. I tried listening to similar songs that were about the same issue/meaning like love-lost and made my own justification. Yes. They were different. I prefer songs then because they bought out what is the true meaning/feelings of love-lost.
I made my decision to either be an entertainment or sports journalist in the future. Don't misunderstand the term 'entertainment journalist'. They're not paparazzi. They're journalist/reporter that report the happenings in the showbiz. Not those who made up stories. As a future entertainment journalist, I need to equip myself with knowledges from the mainstream and alternative music scenes. How can you write something/someone without proper knowledge?
Straight to the topic.
I'm going to talk on social media and talents. Simple say to illustrate, YouTube singers.
Recently, I'm hooked up on listening covers of top 40 songs by people on YouTube. I really love it! In fact, some of the songs I think are better than it's original version. Ha, ha, ha! Artists will have a run in their money.
I have no musical background or talent (the talent I guess I have is writing). But I have a sharp 'sense' in sentimental listening. Sentimental listening? It's something I made up. Ha, ha, ha! Basically listening to the mood/feeling of the song.
It's how an artist deliver a song with the right feeling and an attitude is what matter most. It distinguish between one artist from another. If everyone sings the same, why not just listen to robots?! All of the identical. Imagine one day, just imagine... If music and talents were produced in mass like cola-cola, everything we hear sounds the same and are standardized, how could music be defined then?
Here are some of the alternative singers that got me hooked up... (I wonder if anyone heard of them...)
1. Ed Sheeran
You can't help falling in love with his movie. This dude is full of attitude!!! 'Lego House' was the first song I heard from him. I briefly mentioned it before. I love British music. He's the new generation of Brit music. Just listen to his song and let his music speak!
Seriously, everyone should watch this video. He and Rupert Grint looked like a pair of twin!
Please, please! Watch this video of him singing 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You' in a live studio recording. A man, with a guitar, beatboxing! Woah! It's breathtaking.
2. Tom Felton
Ha, ha, ha! I love this badass from Harry Potter! My father loves him too!
I didn't expect he sings too! Goodness, his songs were nice!
3. Joe Brooks
"Wah! So 'leng chai' leh!". That was how I reacted when I first saw and heard him. I even introduced to my ex-neighbour who's in US about his, joked that she should go see him on tour in US... Ha, ha, ha!
Sadly, I missed his fans meeting session in Segi Subang.
4. 10 Reasons To Live
I didn't hear this band before until 20 hours ago! Ha, ha, ha! Someone from their Twitter account sent a Tweet to me, informing about their existence...
I knew how this came about, my friend, Farah and I were chatting over Twitter on one of the trending topics, and Tweeted BB Mak's 'Back Here'. There! Both of us receive Tweet from them! Unbelievable right?!
5. Alex Goot
Random YouTube search and I found him! Ha, ha, ha! He's really talented. 'Wide Awake' and 'How To Save a Life' are my personal favourite. And, there's better than the original versions.
6. Jason Chen
I think those that dominate YouTube, there's an amount of them are Asian like Ryan Higa, Kevin 'KevJumba' Wu and Wong Fu Productions.
Love Jason Chen doing funky songs... Ha, ha, ha!
Long live Asians on YouTube.
7. David Choi
I knew David Choi from Wong Fu's videos. His songs were often use a the music for the videos. And he does act in Wong Fu's video like 'Strangers, again'.
8. Arden Cho
I HATE this song, ever since! I don't have the slightest clue why it was written at the first place.
But... she changed my attitude to this song completely! Not to mention she made the song cute and cheeky! How can you not love...?
9. Chester See
Basically, it's an opinion piece. So if this post do offend certain parties, I sincerely apologize.
My confession: I rarely listen to radio nowadays. Radio used (it has been the past) to be my 2nd main medium to search and look out for current artistes and song. Keep updated with the music scene.
However, time had changed, drastically. Thanks to social media like YouTube (the foremost primary), Twitter, and Facebook, I look for the information I want there. These social media on the Internet, also expose me to some really talented yet unknown people that you don't see on mainstream arena. At this time, I began my suspicion on whether there's a drained of talents on mainstream music... Deep down inside, my inner voice told me so. There are lack of real talents in mainstream music.
I often compare music back then and now. I'm unsure if it's one-sided or other reasons, I prefer songs back then. Hence, that was why I blogged about 'Songs from the 1990s' part 1 and part 2. Those were some of the songs I heard growing up, that I can still remember until today. Was it because of sentimental feelings I had from those songs? No. I tried listening to similar songs that were about the same issue/meaning like love-lost and made my own justification. Yes. They were different. I prefer songs then because they bought out what is the true meaning/feelings of love-lost.
I made my decision to either be an entertainment or sports journalist in the future. Don't misunderstand the term 'entertainment journalist'. They're not paparazzi. They're journalist/reporter that report the happenings in the showbiz. Not those who made up stories. As a future entertainment journalist, I need to equip myself with knowledges from the mainstream and alternative music scenes. How can you write something/someone without proper knowledge?
Straight to the topic.
I'm going to talk on social media and talents. Simple say to illustrate, YouTube singers.
Recently, I'm hooked up on listening covers of top 40 songs by people on YouTube. I really love it! In fact, some of the songs I think are better than it's original version. Ha, ha, ha! Artists will have a run in their money.
I have no musical background or talent (the talent I guess I have is writing). But I have a sharp 'sense' in sentimental listening. Sentimental listening? It's something I made up. Ha, ha, ha! Basically listening to the mood/feeling of the song.
It's how an artist deliver a song with the right feeling and an attitude is what matter most. It distinguish between one artist from another. If everyone sings the same, why not just listen to robots?! All of the identical. Imagine one day, just imagine... If music and talents were produced in mass like cola-cola, everything we hear sounds the same and are standardized, how could music be defined then?
Here are some of the alternative singers that got me hooked up... (I wonder if anyone heard of them...)
1. Ed Sheeran
You can't help falling in love with his movie. This dude is full of attitude!!! 'Lego House' was the first song I heard from him. I briefly mentioned it before. I love British music. He's the new generation of Brit music. Just listen to his song and let his music speak!
Seriously, everyone should watch this video. He and Rupert Grint looked like a pair of twin!
Please, please! Watch this video of him singing 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You' in a live studio recording. A man, with a guitar, beatboxing! Woah! It's breathtaking.
2. Tom Felton
Ha, ha, ha! I love this badass from Harry Potter! My father loves him too!
I didn't expect he sings too! Goodness, his songs were nice!
3. Joe Brooks
"Wah! So 'leng chai' leh!". That was how I reacted when I first saw and heard him. I even introduced to my ex-neighbour who's in US about his, joked that she should go see him on tour in US... Ha, ha, ha!
Sadly, I missed his fans meeting session in Segi Subang.
4. 10 Reasons To Live
I didn't hear this band before until 20 hours ago! Ha, ha, ha! Someone from their Twitter account sent a Tweet to me, informing about their existence...
I knew how this came about, my friend, Farah and I were chatting over Twitter on one of the trending topics, and Tweeted BB Mak's 'Back Here'. There! Both of us receive Tweet from them! Unbelievable right?!
5. Alex Goot
Random YouTube search and I found him! Ha, ha, ha! He's really talented. 'Wide Awake' and 'How To Save a Life' are my personal favourite. And, there's better than the original versions.
6. Jason Chen
I think those that dominate YouTube, there's an amount of them are Asian like Ryan Higa, Kevin 'KevJumba' Wu and Wong Fu Productions.
Love Jason Chen doing funky songs... Ha, ha, ha!
Long live Asians on YouTube.
7. David Choi
I knew David Choi from Wong Fu's videos. His songs were often use a the music for the videos. And he does act in Wong Fu's video like 'Strangers, again'.
8. Arden Cho
I HATE this song, ever since! I don't have the slightest clue why it was written at the first place.
But... she changed my attitude to this song completely! Not to mention she made the song cute and cheeky! How can you not love...?
9. Chester See
He's funny and talented!!! Feel in love with his music when I heard 'Nice Guys'.
"Bromance...". Ha, ha, ha!
Friday, August 3, 2012
没有大舅的日子：第1244天
Return to peacefulness...
Sounds so spiritual? No. I'm not. I love the word, peacefulness. Made me realise and appreciate my holidays even more.
I'm back to holidays!!! Currently enjoying the peace (yes, peace. Not piece) of mind by watching most Olympic games on TV. For me, holidays often associated with watching televisions. Had been my habit for years. Other than just TV for holidays, I went for movie, as I will do with Sow Lei Wei. Batman! Great movie and mind-raping. And my cousin's speech at his school. OK. That's what I had done so far...
What else should I include in this post?
Yes, how could I ever forget to do a summary of my semester!
What I did was a damned research paper (seems like doing research is a never-ending thing, isn't it?) and a trial. Trial. I didn't type it wrong or you misread. A trial, as if like a courtroom situation, there's the judge, prosecutor, defence lawyer, witnesses, accused, and the juries (not the Malaysian legal system that was used in this trial). I had been to trials conducted by Mr. Borges for my friends in the American degree classes however it has never crossed my mind that I will be doing this too! Felt glad and grateful to do so, as this spell a break from the normal boring assignments that students normally do.
Post trial. That's Mr. Borges in the middle.
That was after the trial. Everyone were busy taking pictures with each other with costumes on! Ha, ha, ha!
Dave and Pui Teng, my personal favourite.
The boys in my class... Silly pose, right?
Mr. Borges and I.
As I mentioned earlier, I learned a lot from this man's class. Other than the trial, certain things that he said I can still remember are
1. "I don't understand those that visit the art museum... I was visiting an art museum, there's two people looking at a painting... They were looking for a long time... I don't know what does the painting means!... I asked them 'What... what it was about?'... The goatee guy was like, 'um huh, um huh'... Come on!"
2. "Look at this picture, the girl. She's so disgusted by this guy. I guess it's taken in Midwest US, where people are more conservative... Definitely not my place San Francisco... People there basically don't care."
3. "Texas loves killing people!... It's because of the cowboy background... An eye for an eye"
4. "Oh... I wish I can have the sarcastic expressions from his face..."
Sounds funny? If it doesn't to you, try to add some sarcasm into it. Ha, ha, ha!
That's the random things he said he class that I can recall for now.
4. "Oh... I wish I can have the sarcastic expressions from his face..."
Sounds funny? If it doesn't to you, try to add some sarcasm into it. Ha, ha, ha!
That's the random things he said he class that I can recall for now.
Karmen and I. My friend and ex-neighbour. She will be going to the States this month, probably. All the best for your new life in US!!!
Another friend who left uni after this semester, Jee Fung. Good luck in your work life!
Well, that's all I have to pen down. Till the next blog...
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