THE DAY IS TODAY ... Lets Make It Happen

PLEASE JOIN ME, GUYS SHOW UR SUPPORT

On March 31 2007, for one hour, Sydney made a powerful statement about the greatest contributor to global warming – coal-fired electricity – by turning off its lights. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and over 2,100 businesses switched off, leading to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. What began as one city taking a stand against global warming caught the attention of the world.

In 2008, 24 global cities will participate in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

Mount Angsi in Memory

Dear readers,

My previous entry has made it clear. I engaged in Taylor’s Excursion Trip 2 Mount Angsi and undeniably, the trip invites many controversies and furors amongst those who participated. U probably have read the local outlines which described the events from their own perspectives but yeah, da challenges dat we encountered was not in our contemplation and control and things din ran smooth 2wards da end.

Please allow me to second and to assert my full support to the report forwarded by my learned colleague Miss Ng Kwee Noi. Indeed, da trip was successful and one should not be feeling regret for joining the initiative ever since it embarked. Things just happened but we accepted it, face it, and overcame it with a high spirit of teamwork and ‘togetherness.’

Without you (supportive lecturers and studs) the trip wouldn’t be a success. We took our precious time to respond to the last-minute changes and put our whole heart into it, just to turn our plans into execution, and we did it !!! ur self-persistent and sacrificial spirit 4 all shalt b a role model for both lects and studs.

I would personally rate dis trip as a victory wif unexpected things occurred but dat din allocate us to any state of discouragement and despondency. Yes, we were ‘struck down’ but NOT destroyed!! Challenges in life are meant 2 mould us 2 b a perfect person – preparing us 4 a better 2moro. N dis is juz one of ‘em.

Da incident, or shall I call it “god thrown blessings’, was basically an assignment for us and must b accomplished (in da day) wif an equal portion of patience, dedication, love, teamwork and never-give-up without any room of prejudice and discrimination.

N we did it …. We passed da “god given assignment”

Its an avenue 4 us 2 know each other more than normal ordinary contacts in lectures and in office. It’s a blessing in disguise – seeing few groups of ppl holding hands, hugging each other @ da riverside – after da rainpour- juz 2 keep ourselves warm n stable. We din remember ( and not even tried 2 b ) who da hell r u? Where r u cuming from? U Chinese, Malay, Indian? R u Muslims or Non Muslims? HELL NO!!! All we knew dat we wanted all of us 2 b safe n comfy.

We dug our bag searching 4 supplies, offering foods n water n everything dat we av so no one will feel hunger and thirst whilst waiting da rescue to come.

O Lord, how beautiful moment was dat 2 me …

Untill da Rescue came, dere wasn’t any moment of fear & regret. All we did – we never stop from HOPING !!! No complaints, no whinings but juz a whisper of Hope may Lord sends His Mercy … n He did

@ da end of d day, I’ve learnt, dat we shud all 4get minor differences btw us but 2 focus and striving 2getjer towards our greater and similar destination, which is a survivalism, a living and a life.

Let God’s Love Unite Us All,

ZI

Pics Pics and Pics

Can U read it ???

Can U find where am I?

Legal Studies Lecture at the Peak ... walaaaaaaaaaaaaooooweiiiii

Is AnyOne Can Read Chinese?

After a few hours of hiking, dun tell me dis is da peak *sigh*

Finally, We Touched Down with Pride (^_^)

Official Press Statement by the Committee

A very well-written explaination by Miss Ng Kwee Noi. Kudos to Miss Ng

XXX



My dear colleagues,

You would, no doubt, have heard details of our adventure when the Humanities Department (& Explorers’ Club of SAM) took 72 students on an expedition to scale Mt. Angsi on Saturday, 22 March. Here is our brief account of this first excursion of 2008 which was “prominent” enough to get press attention from the local print media. [Check out Sunday night’s edition of the Nanyang Siang Pau. Sin Chew Jit Poh and China Press, but don’t believe everything you read there!]

The 72 students were transported in two buses which left the College at 7:40 a.m. to arrive at the Ulu Bendul Recreational Forest which is a part of the Angsi Forest Reserve before 10:00 a.m. Accompanying them were Yap Keat Leong, Yap Yuen Kiat, Tong Jin Chong, Madhavan, Wan Zokhri and I. On the climb, the students were split into two groups, each having a lecturer at its head, in the midst of the pack and at the rear, to monitor their progress and to ensure no one was left behind. In all, 68 students succeeded in scaling the summit while only four (4) of the lecturers did so.


The ascent up to the 825 m mountain took roughly 3 ~ 3½ hours for the majority of the climbers. Several female students experienced minor difficulties in the upper reaches of the trail where the gradient was steeper than along the lower portion which meandered through secondary forest which used to be part of a rubber estate. Most merely required frequent stops along the trail to catch their breath before proceeding upward. However, two (2) among them had more serious problems as they are asthmatic and had not seen fit to bring along any medication for their condition. Moreover, in the Indemnity Form they had had completed and returned to us, they had failed to inform us of their condition &/or that they were on long-term medication. As a result, each of these girls had to be closely monitored at all times by a lecturer and a classmate as we made the laboured progress up the mountain. After covering about 80% of the trail, they were finally persuaded to turn back, resulting in these six (6) persons being unable to reach the peak. To complicate matters, one of the girls had surrendered her backpack to a boy who had offered to carry it after seeing how she had been struggling to keep up with the rest of the climbers. That backpack did not make it down the mountain even after the last of the 68 successful climbers returned to the starting point!


Partly because the slow progress of the weaker students had delayed the descent from the summit until about 2:00 p.m. and the rain that fell soon after caused the conditions on the trail to rapidly deteriorate, the journey was hampered when the climbers attempted to ford the river at two points along the trail. The last group of 24 students and two (2) lecturers were the most severely affected as they had already trudged so far in the miserable, cold and wet conditions but worked selflessly as a team to get everyone across. At the first point, despite the (normally) ankle-deep waters having risen to mid-thigh level, the males formed a human chain across the breath of the river to slow down the force of the current to allow the females to inch their way across first before, they, too, one by one, made it safely to the opposite bank. However, they were not so lucky at the second. By the time they arrived at the left bank of Sungai Batang Terachi, where the waters had been at mid-calf depth earlier that day, the river had risen to hip level and was now raging even more powerfully. Fearing for the safety of the entire group, they, together with Keat Leong who had been waiting there for these last 26, made the decision to stay put on the far bank of the now impassable river. After passing his torchlight and the last of this food supplies to the stranded members, he quickly made his way down to the park Office to alert the officer-in-charge there of the situation. By that time, it was already after 6:00 p.m.


Meanwhile, in the car park, another decision was made for 43 of the 48 students already safely ensconced in the two buses to get into one bus and make the journey back to Subang Jaya while Keat Leong, Yuen Kiat and Tong were to wait with the other bus to accompany the remaining 28 students, Madhavan and Zokhri back to the College. I took the last seat on the 44-seater bus that left about about 7:00 p.m. and arrived outside the College gates at 8:40 p.m. Along the way, Mrs. Hoe and Zaidah both called on the handphone to inform me that the press had been alerted to our situation and that the Civil Defence Department had dispatched a 13-member rescue team to help lead our members out.


On returning to the College, we found parents already there to collect their children, including a couple whose son was one of the stranded 24. After explaining the situation to them, I went to the Staffroom to get the Indemnity Forms so we could begin calling the parents of the affected students to allay their fears and concern since their children could not be contacted (there being no phone reception on the mountain). Mrs. Hoe and Mrs. Quek had returned to the College expressly to deal with this situation and together with them and Ms. Prema (who was hard at work on the March-intake timetables), we phoned each of the parents of the stranded students; by the time we talked to the last few parents, they informed us that they had already received news from their children that they were, indeed, safe and sound. What a relief that was to us! It was after 10:30 p.m. when we could relax and think of feeding our thirst and hunger at Asia Café.


From what I have been told, our students and lecturers kept calm throughout the time they had to wait, not for the rescuers to arrive but, for the waters to recede sufficiently. When they deemed it safe to attempt crossing Sungai Batang Terachi, again they linked arms to form a human chain to enable each member to scramble to safety on the other side. From then on, darkness was the biggest impediment; however, with seven torchlights amongst them, they could light up their way sufficiently to make out the trail and head in the direction of the park’s entrance. When that final leg was more than halfway completed, they were met by the Civil Defence rescue team who had been utterly surprised that our climbers had not suffered any injuries and were in good condition to walk out of the forest unaided. It took them another half-an-hour before they were thrust, literally, into the glare of publicity by the press photographers who lit up the night with an explosion of flashes as soon as the once-stranded group of 26 arrived at the head of the trail. They were treated like celebrities and some of them interviewed about their experiences. Even the State Assemblyman for Seri Menanti, En. Abdul Samad Ibrahim, was present to talk to the students who, by now, were ravenous and parched and only wanted ice cold-Coca Cola and 100 Plus to wash down their burgers and chips.


Once they had satisfied their hunger and thirst, and changed into drier clothes, the 26 got on board the bus with the waiting four (4) students and three (3) lecturers. It was close to 11:30 p.m. when the bus left the Ulu Bendul Recreational Forest and it arrived at our starting point a little past 1:00 a.m. Those students were quickly bundled into their parents’ cars, soon after, all six lecturers also dispersed. The only “casualty” that night was the backpack that seemed to have been left behind in the midst of all the unexpected turn of events. However, like all “fairy tales” that deserve a happy ending, I am happy to report that early yesterday (Monday) afternoon, a ranger from the park called the owner’s family to say that the missing backpack had been found. Moreover, the contents, including the student’s handphone, were intact!


There is much we have learnt from this experience and both the students and lecturers will surely remember how their sense of esprit de corps had saved the day. We have learnt that life has a way of throwing challenges at us when we least expect it but that with calmness, patience and fortitude, and faith in ourselves, we can overcome almost any adversity and, more importantly, emerge stronger and better individuals. However, before we get carried away clapping ourselves on the back, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following persons without whom the success of our expedition would have been impossible:


(a) Yap Keat Leong, whose leadership, fitness and experience of jungle-trekking resulted in him being the one having to traverse the length of the trail, back and forth several times, to ensure that climbers from both groups were able to reach the peak and return safely down. His was the most physically demanding task on the entire expedition. He also ensured that the environment was protected by threatening “bodily harm” to anyone who took more than photographs and left behind more than their footprints


(b) Yap Yuen Kiat, whose patience, quiet calmness and sensitivity enabled him to deal with the students’ many requests (reasonable as well as ridiculous) and parents’ frantic phone enquiries make him a candidate for automatic sainthood, and for his sacrifice ~ he did not make it to the summit through no fault of his own!


(c) Tong Jin Chong, whose tenacity and perseverance were an example to the youngsters that age and (outward) physical condition are not impediments to great physical achievements, and for his sense of humour and positive outlook. He was the first lecturer to reach the peak!


(d) Madhavan and Zokhri, whose quick action, cool-headedness (despite their lack of experience in the jungle) and perfect judgment were responsible for the stranded making it out of the jungle without a scratch on them and for getting strangers to bond into a team formidable enough to defeat even the forces of nature! They were the most reliable and amiable of companions along the trail and Madhavan makes the most sumptuous’s tuna fish sandwiches.


You are all first class colleagues and team members: I cannot ask for a more co-operative, selfless and reliable set of individuals to be stuck on a mountain with and, I believe, I can trust you with my life!


(e) Zaidah, for your constant help, support and offers of assistance, especially, with your expertise with Bahasa Malaysia, in the numerous arrangements prior to the expedition


(f) Angelene, Azreena, Banu, Geetha, Kevin, Indra, Prem, Rajani, Rachel, Santha, (Ting) Mee Kean and Yong Poo Ling, for being ready to help and assist (at short notice) in disseminating information, collecting money and forms and checking students’ personal particulars, etc. Without you, we would not have had such overwhelming response to our very first excursion nor would we have had such orderly conduct from students before and during the expedition


(g) Amarjeet and Adelina, for the orderly collection and safe-keeping of the Indemnity Forms, and for the constant enquiries from the students concerning the expedition


(h) Mrs. Hoe, Mrs. Quek and Ms. Prema, for your confidence in us, for giving us the freedom and opportunity to decide and execute plans our way and for your support ~ the safety net without which no first step would have been taken. Thank you, also, for rushing to our aid, at the drop of a hat, when ”damage control” was required.


There are, or course, others we need to thank but they are from outside the Programme. Rest assured, they and their contributions will be suitably acknowledged in due course. I apologise if I have inadvertently left out any deserving individual(s).



With much gratitude,
Kwee Noi
Chairperson,
Excursions, Trips & Visits Committee


P.S. If you wish to view some photographs and videp clips from the expedition, you may do so at tfile/SAM Academic/Photos/20080322 Mount Angsi. Also posted there are the press reports on “rescue” by the Civil Defence Department personnel. Enjoy!

Can U Spot Da Difference?

Dear all,

I usually disregard junk emails as I’ve no time 2 glance thru and most of the times the contents r nuts n dirty (well u know wat I mean) lol


But da one I received y’day was clearly an exception. I was speechless –jaw dropping- while reading 2wards da end. Blatantly, only now I know why our ‘neighbour’ is far more advanced and sophisticated than us. From da easiest disciplinary implementation on environment (every1 knows dat littering on any part of Singapore, one’ll be fined as well cud possibly end up in prison) 2 da hardest and most crucial nation governance of da country.


I still cud recall, upon attending Tunku Abdul Aziz’s public lecture on ‘Ethical Conduct of Malaysian MPs’, he vividly mentioned dat Singapore’s victory in combating bribery and corruption lies from its leaders who came into office wif clean hands n running da office wif clean pockets. They strictly observe “check and balance” policy, ensuring da every penny of the tax-payer’s contribution wudn’t b wasted and make it a worthwhile.


N only know I come to realize, how cud dis impossible scenario (in Malaysia) b possible in Singapore. I submit, da level of intellectuality and intelligence between these set of leaders, has justifiably distinguished da standards upheld among two nations.


However, you shudnt accuse me of degrading our local unis. I am not asserting dat da Malaysian unis aren’t gud/excellent (or whatever remark u wish to write) in its field but its just not as compatible as da universities where da Singaporean leaders graduated from. But frankly speaking, u dun av to preach anyone wif da fact dat, Cambridge n Harvard are far better than UM.


No objections @ all. Nuff sed.


Proven, da level of intelligence generates ‘outstanding outputs’ from its subjects. N I av been experiencing dis a lot. Those who are abroad-graduated demonstrate a different way of thinking, idealism and aspiration wif da one graduated locally. Whether they r better or worst, is a second issue. Both have their own ‘respective’ parameters to offer.


N I’m not an exception 2 dis. da way I perceive things 5 years back wasn’t da same wif wat I am analysing now. Still I cudnt find da answer how cud I jumped from being quite so-and-so conservative/orthodox into one being flexible, relaxed and positive way in looking @ n sailing in life.


Ya ya people changed. So do I


Back to da discussion, shall we? LOL


Again, pointing out fingers 2 da Malaysian leaders wudn’t solve da issue(s). Dere’s no way we can change or even touch da Minister’s portfolio which has been recently spelled out by the PM.


Perhaps a gud Q 2 throw is – wat can I do 4 a better Malaysia? Where will I stand in the next 10 years time? Time rotates incredibly fast, witnessing da transformation of da young becoming old (or not-so-young like me) n da olds will be leaving. Da issue is, are we prepared 4 such changes?


Im sorry shud my submission is flaw and contains no substance (at all???) in it. Yeah, it cud be any of my daily ramblings when I see things around. But hey, its my freedom of expression n I av da rite 2 express myself in anyway I want.


When there’s a will, there always be a way


For a better Malaysia,


ZI

P/S: I wont be able 2 reply within dis weekends as I’ll be away for Taylors’ Excursion 2 Mount Angsi wif studs. (n please dun ask me where da hell da Mount is or I’ll only can tell once I got back) I’ll be checking mails on Monday n onwards. Till then buh-bye

XXX



SINGAPORE CABINET

MALAYSIA CABINET


PM Lee Hsien Loong Cambridge University - First Class Honours (1974) Harvard University - Masters (1980)

PM Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi University of Malaya - Bachelor of Arts Honours (1964)


SM Goh Chok Tong University of Singapore - First Class Honours (1964) Williams College , USA - Masters (1967)
Deputy PM Dato' Sri Najib Razak University of Nottingham - Bachelor of Arts Honours (1974)


MM Lee Kuan Yew Cambridge University - First Class Honours (1949)
Minister of Foregn Affairs Syed Hamid Albar (can someone tell me his univeristy? )- Bachelor of Arts [ UITM ]


Minister for Law Prof. S Jayakumar University of Singapore - Bachelor of Law Honours (1963) Yale Univerity - Masters (1966)
Ministry of Works- Dato' Seri Samy Vellu (Education Unknown) [ Form 6, Anderson School ]


Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng University of Singapore - Bachelor of Arts & Business Admin (1977) London Business School - Masters (1979)
Ministry of International Trade & Industry Rafidah binti Aziz Universiti Malaya - Bachelor of Arts Honours


Minister for Foreign Affairs BG George Yeo Cambridge University - Double First Class Honours (1976) Harvard Business School - MBA w/ Distinction (1985)
Minister of Agriculture Muhyiddin Yassin (Education Unknown) [ Polytechnic Ungku Omar ]


Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang Cambridge University - First Class Honours w/ Distinction (1976) Harvard University - Masters (1986)
Ministry of Domestic Trade Shafie Apdal (Education Unknown) [ Form 5, Failed English ]


Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean University of Manchester - First Class Honours (1976) Imperial College, London - Masters w/ Distinction (1977)
Minister of Education Hishammuddin Hussein (Education Unknown) [ Bachelor of Arts, Social Science ] Aberswyth, Wales


Minister for Education Tharman Shanmugaratnam London School of Economics - Bachelor of Arts Cambridge University - Masters Harvard University - Masters
Minister of Home Affairs Radzi bin Sheikh Ahmad (Education Unknown) [ Kolej Islam Malaysia , Diploma ]


**That is why they are so desperate to get Khairy Jamaluddin up so fast, because he is from Cambridge . God knows how he got in

Salam To Ye O Our Holy Prophet

Salam and May Peace be Upon Ye,

Asignofthecreator would like to wish a Happy “Maulid-Ar-Rasul” to all Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) ahlul bait*, companions and followers all around the world. May our remembrance to him and his teachings will be forever cherished and appreciated.

Wassalam

ZI

*ahlul bait means the family and relatives of the Holy Prophet

Mind Your Language Sir/Madam

Got if from colleague, at least I can plaster a smile on my lips upon reading down da lines


1. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?

2. Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?

3. If olive oil comes from olives, where does baby oil come from?

4. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?

5. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?

6. Why the man who invests all your money called a broker?

7. If horrific means to make horrible, does terrific mean to make terrible?

8. Why is it called building when it is already built?

9. If a book about failures doesn't sell, is it a success?

10. If you're not supposed to drink and drive, then why do Bars have parking lots?

11. If you take an Oriental person and spin him around several times, does he become disoriented?

12. If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat??


Have a nice day and a really gud day-off (for tomorrow) before a full month of April strikes in.


-grins-

Its Just Any Other Day

March 12 marked big impact 2 da recent SPM* leavers. Its da moment of truth – 2 know whether or not their 2 year effort been paid off. It cud be rewarding yet cud oso b frustrating. My time has already passed. Its my 8th year now since I last sat for da cert and cant hardly remember da rumbles and feelings I felt inside upon receiving da results.


Da fact is – I’ve been surrounded by countless individuals who sat for da exam n got their results yday. Commencing since da nite b4, my Nokia 5600 has been working hard, receiving messages of fear, anxious, hope and unease … n I think dat da blessings 4 being a young (emphasis added) lecturer at Taylors, where stud n I share our feelings without any boundary of age and profession. Speaking from a person who has underwent da trauma n nitemares, all I cud do is 2 give em strength to keep on hoping n praying, n never surrender unless da actual day strikes.


N Im glad cuz God gives me da chance 2 do dat – 2 stand (technically) beside sum1 when he/she needs most help and company. U dun av 2 b a great councillor 2 hear probs, neither a degree in psychology nor counselling – all u need 2 av is a pair of sincere ears and a heart to listen


Da nite passed, I slept, with my Nokia in my palm.


Sometimes, things just dun turn out in da way we supposed them to be. All da fear, anxious, hope and unease were converted into hopeless, chagrin and an extreme level of despondency. My brother even brimmed, when he was holding da slip in da hall –whoefully


Wat can I do?



N dis is wat I’ve done. I told him …
Life offers glories and defeats. It brings us up and cud also bring us down … rolling and rolling till da day we leave life. But life offers no regret. We shudnt be regretting for wat God has given to us. Although u’ve studied hard n did everything wif da best dat u can, God reserves ur success 4 a better moment in future. N if u played a truant n just din bother from da start, He is beckoning u dat dere’s a larger n far more critical test waiting u ahead n u better wake up now or forever u’ll b sorry.



Hence dere;s always a wisdom behind all things dat took place. I quoted once in me blog “U’ll find God’s grace in every mistakes” Its only whether u decipher n embrace it or ignore it



After 8 years of passing SPM, I come 2 a conclusion dat SPM its not everything in life. Its just a beginning 4 ur ongoing future. Believe u me, I’ve faced more than juz sitting-in-the-hall-for-papers test. I’ve been thru da most downfall moment in my life, da most killing frustration I ever felt, n da very hopeless n helpless situation I ever faced which all beyond compare.


N I’ve learnt, shud I fall, I’ll get up n walk, shud I’ll loose, I’ll raise n fight. Becuz da only reason da humans r still living is becuz we r still fighting … not 4 a war not even for money but fighting for a survival


Yup. Our very own survivalism


U mite blame urself 4 not putting da slope of tangents/derivatives formulae rite, but have u ever wonder, dat more than half a millions of ur fren all over da world, who cant even count 1, 2, 3


U probably be cursing for not getting A for ur EST (sorry I dun know how 2 describe da subject, its far too advanced … LOL) but do u know dat da Somalis,African and da rest from poor countries dun even know how 2 spell ‘book’


Still u forget


Thus, cant u c how lucky u r compared 2 them? Dun u think dat da world has acted unjustly 2 em n not 2 u (3 not getting str8 As in SPM ? ) they r da ones who shud whine … by rite they shud blame their fate 4 making them suffering without a proper cause n wudnt av da chance 2 change da cause. And all we know, they did nothing much. They carry out their life wif wat they av n wif wat they own. Everything dat they av, they appreciate it


Y cant u?


Occay, Im bit over da line now. LOL Ampunnnnnnnnn


In short, da glory n joy are awaiting u ahead. God wants u 2 wait a lil longer so dat u’ll keep on giving ur best 4 ur life. N da waiting will never be a waste. It’s a worthwhile – an investment 4 a brite n better life in da years 2 cum


So no more tears, conclude farewell 2 sadness. U’ll welcome challenges n test which eventually make u firm n stern – appreciate wif wat u have n be positive wif wat u dun


Last, but not least, albeit 2 sum up my sermon 4 2day –grins-, please lend ur ears 2 dis soul-enlightening call of my favourite band, The Rascal
May it boosts back da dying spirit, revamping da strength 2 drive 4 d next phase in life.


After all, MARCH 12 will be just any normal day 2 you …

Best wishes,
ZI

* Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia aka Malaysian Certificate of Education

Hurraaaaaaaaahhhhhhh ... Its Break Time

Warriors,

I hope it's still not too late to wish you a happy holiday. It's the moment that all of us waiting for - time for re-charging our minds and souls, a time for relaxing and a time to reflect ourselves (both students and lecturers) how far we have done in SAM. To those who are non-klites, I wish you will have a safe journey back to your hometown, may your journey be blessed and guided - to allow you embarking the new semester with safe and sound.


I take that everyone has his/her own tentavive(s) lining up for this break. What ever you do, wherever you go, please take a proportionate care of yourself. Do not engage which is far too extreme and could lead you to greater harm. Remember the loved ones as they never forget you even within seconds. And among them is Me !!!


While enjoying your break, there are some 'treats' that would be useful should you pay sufficient consideration: -

1) Please there will be no late submissions 4 ur hols assignments as they will not be entertained and be marked. You've been told that the deadline for essays are on March 17. Kindly observe the terms of your presentation i.e TNR 12 & 1.5 spacing.


2) Please start your CPT Research by reading (at least) 5 articles in regards to your topic. And I need to see some evidences that you've read them and not merely printing and providing. I've got ways to find out (just to let you know) -grins-


3) Please present your CPT materials on March 17. I need to see your folder together with your Scrap/Folio Book, relevant forms and assessment etc. Failure to do so will lead to deductions of marks on certain parts of the assessment.


4) Please update your reading. We've covered Lesson 32 on Australian Constitution and I dont have to remind you how significant it is to make personal reading in order to avoid a hellish 'last-minute-dot-com' preparation.


5) We reached on a resolution that everyone must have a textbook when attending lectures. Will you please bring one upon embarking the new semester next week, enabling us to have references on each of every topic.


6) Should you need to reach me, by all means please do so - I've given u all means of communications to be utilised, hence its up to you. Some of the students and myself are arranging one day for us to meet up over a cuppa and we'll run thru from Lesson 11 to Lesson 30. So shud you be around during thesedays and willingly to discuss about your personal development in LS, I would be happy to assist - bearing its not a guarantee I may fulfill all of the requests. But one thing for sure, I'll try my very best.


7) The 'Parliamentary Reforms' Talk is scheduled this Wednesday March 12 at LT 1 TUCMC. I probably be going as dis will be (I assume) an interesting debate, learning the Government had suffer from a 'huge' defeat last Saturday and they should look forward to installing some changes and reforms in order to sustain their 'survivalism' in office. Should you find this interests you. lets join me and the others on Wednesday.


8) I am noe in the midst of preparing notes for Lesson 33 and onwards. Once its available for display, I'll give a shout k


9) What else yah? Nothing much I guess. Should there be latest info coming up, I'll buzz in BB6. In conclusion for a million times (if not zillions) please please and please check your BB6 at all times as most lecturers will communicate with you via dis medium.


I guess thats it for now. Will definitely will stay in touch with you guys during hols. Be nice and dont be naughty ( I know I shouldn't be saying this to a 17-year-old (at least) ppl like you, but since you behaved like a kid all this while, this message is certainly applicable) LOL


OPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSS one more thing, GUD LUCK FOR DIS COMING WEDNESDAY. I am sure it will be a determining day for your future in Taylor's but I know you'll be just fine with it. Lets pray hard that God will award us accordingly to our efforts shown. Just to let you know, whatever results u will be awarded, you will always be a hero to me. Promise me that you wont look down but to chin up for the continuing survival in SAM at Taylor's.


BEST WISHES FOR YOUR SPM 2007


You always be in my prayers,
ZI

BN wins federal govt but opposition takes five states

*News Courtesy of The New Straits Time Online*

(The Moment Of Truth is arriving. The Malaysians have already decided)

KUALA LUMPUR: It was a day of shocks for Barisan Nasional as some of its big guns tumbled in the general election.


Though it had managed to secure a simple majority in parliament, the loose opposition alliance of the DAP, Pas and PKR managed to take control of Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Perak and retained Kelantan comfortably.


MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Gerakan acting president and outgoing Penang chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Wanita Umno deputy head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil were among the main casualties for BN.


Samy Vellu lost the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat on his 72nd birthday, which virtually ended a long and colourful career in politics spanning more than 30 years.


Koh, who moved from a state seat to contest the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat, lost to DAP newcomer P. Ramasamy, while Shahrizat was also beaten by a newcomer, Nurul Izzah Anwar of PKR, in Lembah Pantai.The tide against BN also saw the ruling coalition losing its two-thirds majority in parliament and suffering casualties in Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin, Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Mohd Azim Zabidi, and deputy ministers Datuk M. Kayveas (Prime Minister's Department) and Datuk Tan Chai Ho (Home Affairs).


However, the BN retained control of other states, although it saw some of its margins shaved from the previous election in 2004.


It reigned supreme in Johor, Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang, Malacca, Terengganu, Perlis and won Negri Sembilan by a simple majority.But the sensation was in the unexpected defeats that took a huge toll on Umno's main partners in the BN, namely the MCA, MIC and Gerakan.


MCA, which already did not have its deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek in its lineup, was further crippled with the defeat of Tan, central committee member Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, deputy Wanita chief Datuk Chew Mei Fun and vice-president Datuk Donald Lim.


As for Gerakan, of the 12 parliamentary seats it contested, it lost 10 and won only in Gerik and Simpang Renggam. It also lost 26 of the 31 state seats it vied for.


Apart from Samy Vellu, all of the other top leaders in the MIC were also ousted - deputy president Datuk G Palanivel in Hulu Selangor, vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan in Teluk Kemang, Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran in Kota Raja and Wanita chief P. Komala Devi in Kapar.


Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi retained his seat in Kepala Batas as did his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Pekan.


They and other top BN leaders monitored the results from the BN's headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre. The results and the upsets in many places put paid to opposition claims that the election process lacked transparency and that the Election Commission was biased towards the ruling coalition.


The results in Penang were stunning as it was the first time in 39 years that the opposition has managed to take over the state.Koh, who was chief minister for 18 years, had an audience with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Rahman Abbas shortly before 9pm to concede defeat.


In 1969, Gerakan, which was then a newly formed opposition party, captured the state government, winning 16 of the 24 state seats, with Dr Lim Chong Eu as chief minister.Up against the challenges of running an opposition state government and the political realities of the day, the party formed a coalition government two years later and shortly after, it joined the ruling federal coalition in an expanded Barisan Nasional.

THE DAY IS TOMORROW

My YM Status - Anxiouly Waiting ... The Day is Tomorrow


*Sigh* Im using GREEN dis time


Yours,
XXX 32 hours before xxx

At times, Laughter Could Be The Best Medicine

Quoting my student - Jun Nee "Politics Can Be Hillarious"

n I leave it 4 u 2 judge =) peace ya

THINGS WE TEND TO FORGET

Hey guys, I got dis from a colleague yday. Upon reading the lines, it makes my mind to ponder how we tend to neglect these rules as we go along with our life. As a result, we always thot dat how time could fly so fast and everyday passed was full of a waste. SHAME. Hence this wud make our life more be fulfilling and meaningful and makes us to appreciate and to cherish every moment that we have been thru (up to dis very moment we r breathing).

Last but not least, albeit to sum up, and I quote –


‘A good life starts only when you stop wanting a better one'


' Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away '


Have a nice weekend to all,
* MUACKS *

FIRST RULE : THE POWER OF TRUST

TRUST is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation.

A telephone operator told me that one day she received a phone call. She answered, 'Public Utilities Board.' There was silence. She repeated, 'PUB.' There was still no answer. When she was going to cut off the line, she heard a lady's voice, 'Oh, so this is PUB. Sorry, I got the number from my Husband's pocket but I do not know whose number it is.'

Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just 'hello' instead of 'PUB'.

SECOND RULE : NO POINTING FINGERS

A man asked his father-in-law, 'Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me your secret?' The father-in-law answered in a smile, 'Never criticise your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than you.'

We all look forward to being loved and respected. Many people are afraid of losing face. Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at. This is the start of a war. We should always remember that when we point one finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves.

If we forgive others, others will ignore our mistake(s), too.

THIRD RULE : NONE IS PERFECT

A person visited the Singapore government matchmaker for marriage, SDU, and requested 'I am looking for a spouse. Please help me to find a suitable one.' The SDU officer said, 'Your requirements, please.' 'Oh, good looking, polite, humorous , sporty, knowledgeable, good in singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour, if I don't go out. Telling me interesting stories when I need companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest.' The officer listened carefully and replied, 'I understand; you need television.'

There is a saying that a perfect match can only be found between a blind wife and a deaf husband, because the blind wife cannot see the faults of the husband and the deaf husband cannot hear the nagging of the wife. Many couples are blind and deaf at the courting stage and dream of perpetually perfect relationship. Unfortunately, when the excitement of love wears off, they wake up a nd discover that marriage is not a bed of roses. Then, the nightmare begins.

FOURTH RULE : NO OVERPOWERING

Many relationships fail because one party tries to overpower another, or demands too much. People in love tend to think that love will conquer all and their spouses will change the bad habits after marriage. Actually, this is not the case. There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that 'It is easier to reshape a mountain or a river than a person's character.'

It is not easy to change. Thus, having high expectations on changing the spouse character will cause disappointment and unpleasantness.

It would be less painful to change ourselves and lower our expectations..

FIFTH RULE : RIGHT SPEECH

There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that 'A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation.' Many relationships break off because of wrong speech. When a couple is too close to each other, they always forget mutual respect and courtesy. They may say anything without considering if it would hurt the other party.

A friend and her millionaire husband visited their construction site. A worker who wore a helmet saw her and shouted, 'Hi, Emily! Remember me? We used to date in secondary school.' On the way home, her millionaire husband teased her, 'Luckily you married me. Otherwise you will be the wife of a construction worker.' She answered,'You should appreciate that you married me. Otherwise, he will be the millionaire and not you.'

Frequently exchanging these remarks plants the seed for a bad relationship. It's like a broken egg: it cannot be put back together again!

SIXTH RULE : PERSONAL PERCEPTION

Different people have different perception. One man's meat could be another man's poison. A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home, a boy commented, 'Very stupid. Why is neither of them riding on the donkey?’ Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, 'The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?' Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey.

Further along the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, 'How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman.' The husband, thus, quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey. Then, they met a young man. He commented, 'Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you.' Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders.

It seems to be the only choice left. Later, on a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river. You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.

Thus, do not be too bothered by others’ words if our conscience is clear.

SEVENTH RULE : BE PATIENT

This is a true story which happened in the States. A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment. When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital.

Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands. When the boy woke up from the surgery and saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, 'Daddy, I'm sorry about your truck.' Then he asked, 'but when are my fingers going to grow back?' The father went home and committed suicide.

Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or you wish to take revenge. Think first before you lose your patience with someone you love. Trucks can be repaired.. Broken bones and hurt feelings often can't. Too often we fail to recognise the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge.

People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes … but the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever.