A Nation Thats Still Crawling

Tanggal 31 bulan 8 57 Merdeka Merdeka Negaraku Merdeka. Mari Kita Semua Warganegara Ramai2 Menyambut Hari Merdeka.
In a matter of hours, the clock will strike 12 meaning that its 31st August 2010! People will shout Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka, to reminiscing the moment Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Malaysia's 1st PM & Bapa Kemerdekaan shouted Merdeka 3 times to mark the end of British colonisation of Malaya on 31st August 1957. 53 years later, the 6th PM of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to join Malaysian of different races in recreating the 'feel'.
Yes, Malaysia is 53 years 'young', with the theme of this year's celebration '1 Malaysia Menjana Transformasi'. Lets go deeper into what may meant by the transformasi in the theme by my understanding:
Economy - Malaysia shall transformed from the middle income economy country to high income economy. As a result, the rakyat average income is also expected to increase. The bad news is as seen in other high income economy countries, prices of things are relatively high! So I am expecting that Malaysia shall be a high income economy country with rakyat's income increase but the price of things stay 'relatively stable' like now!
Politics - The same dominant coalition, Barisan Nasional or BN had been ruling Malaysia for the past 53 years. However, the 'blue tide' was overpowered by 'rakyat's anger tide' in the historic March 8 2008 12th General election which sees 4 states (Selangor, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Kedah but Perak had been returned to BN due to 'law technicalities') fall to the opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat, BN failed to get 2/3 outright majority in Parliament. Since then, Malaysia was shocked with all sorts of 'sensitive' remarks by certain parties until 1Malaysia came & created much hype. Too bad 1Malaysia didnt prevent more of those 'sensitive' remarks being uttered. What I would like to be transformed on the government side is 'ruling party' should not misuse government assets, 'independent' bodies such as SPRM, SPR shouldn't be related to government they should report to Parliament only instead, stamp out corruption whether its 'ikan besar', 'ikan bilis' or whatever (In other countries PM can also be investigated). The other side aka opposition also have things to be transformed, stop 'opposing everything the government does'. If you oppose, instead give your ideas of how it should be done. The Federal govenment shouldnt be making life miserable for opposition led states by providing funding to them. Who rugi if federal punish state by not giving enough funds? Federal rugi, why? If a international MNC wish to invest in say Penang but there arent facilities that was required by them because state govenment got no funding from Federal to built it. The MNC will run away to elsewhere. See FDI lost! Tax lost, jobs cant be created! With the very hot 'kopitiam' talk that 13th General elections is around the corner, both BN & PR stand a 50:50 chance of forming the next government on its own but it will be more interesting if its a hung Parliament & both will be forced to form 'Kerajaan Campuran'. I honestly states here that I am not either a big fan of BN or PR. It all depends on party manifesto, balanced viewpoint in media given, any personal attacks done, issues being addressed & any 'Maggi mee projects'. I also honestly states here that I am a fan of 1Malaysia concept but I am no fan of BN so far. I am more inclined to PR. I have a benchmark to decide who shall I vote when I turn 21. 
Mindset - 53 years already Merdeka & there are still parties having 'feudal' age mindset. We live in Malaysia a muti-race country so please dont only think of your own race when you speak out. This uttering of 'racist' comments must END! However, certain parties still wanting to 'scare' people with May13 incident & still get away with it! Please plant a 1Malaysia mindset! We all Malaysians are a nation-building partners of the government in building a better Malaysia for our future generations. I shall hear no more calling of 'tak tau berterima kasih', 'tak tau bersyukur', etc from TODAY!
We are 1Malaysia not because we love our char kway teow, nasi lemak or roti canai no matter we are Chinese, Indians or Malays. Malaysians are united by our love of food!
We are 1Malaysia not because we celebrate Chinese New Year, Deevapali, Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Xmas no matter what our races are!
We are 1Malaysia not because we are part of the government of closely aligned to the government
We are 1Malaysia not because we follow fasting when our Muslim friends are fasting
We are 1Malaysia not because we are happy with our govenment
But WE ARE 1MALAYSIA BECAUSE WE LIVE IN MALAYSIA/CALL MALAYSIA OUR BIRTHPLACE & 'RESPECTING DIFFERENCES, TOLERATING OTHERS'
I would say I have a pretty 1Malaysia extended family which not only consists of Chinese but Sabah Bumiputeras known as Sino. Its a common thing in Sabah & Sarawak for Chinese to marry Iban or Chinese to marry Sino. I would say Sabah & Sarawak is a truly representation of 1Malaysia!
At 53 years young, Malaysia is still crawling on its feet while preparing to stand on its own. From an agricultural country to industrial country inspired by Tun Dr Mahathir 4th Malaysia PM. Now, the baton lies in the hands of the 6th PM of Malaysia to bring Malaysia to stand on its own feet by 2020 by becoming a developed hign income nation. Various issues had rocked the country in its 53 years & in the years to come Malaysia is expected to face even more challenges internally or externally. The best asset that Malaysia can have to face these challenges are the 28 million of Malaysian united as 1 Nationality known as Malaysian!
HAVE A HAPPY MERDEKA TO ALL MALAYSIAN WHEREVER YOU ARE & MAY WE BE A MORE UNITED NATION IN THE YEARS TO COME
Before I end here are some jokes, Enjoy em & Have A great night Salam Ambang Kemerdekaan
Famous words of Malaysians as quoted from myc News:On The Way (means I just started my journey)
Banyak2 binatang bintang apa yang paling kedekut? answer Horse because the sound kedekut, kedekut, LOL!

Bandar Utama

Hey there people, today I ventured out of my 'safety comfort zone' of Bandar Sunway again to Bandar Utama. Its 2 bus away from Sunway which takes 40min assuming there is not much traffic.
For those of you who dont know what do Bandar Utama have briefly its main attraction is the 1Utama Shopping Complex. I will go deeper into that later. Also there is a One World Hotel (remember the theme of 2008 Beijing Olympics One World, One dream), office blocks, shoplots, housings & of course Sri Pentas (TV3/Hot FM/8tv/ntv7/one fm/fly fm/tv9 HQ) (I am sure 1 day I shall walk into Sri Pentas not only as visitor but winner of prizes/gifts like I visit RTB usually to get my prizes).
Now, the cream of the pie, lets talk about 1Utama. What is so special about it. Well there is a forest inside the mall (minus the orangutans, lions, tigers, but there is a crocodile patung outside BBQ Plaza & also buaya darat like in the song 'Lelaki Buaya Darat'), there is a waterfall in it (Man I already love this mall its so 'green'), there is a rooftop garden on open on weekends named Secret Garden of 1Utama. (didnt know why the name was secret garden but for sure I almost got lost in there).
There is more asides from having 'forest in a mall' which draw crowds to this award-winning mall. Ready 123 you can play battlegame here, futsal, rock climbing (not joking everything is really in here), go to gym, watch a movie or 2, shop till your 'plastic' bust/'paper' runs out, feast like all that you like!
Of course, there is an intention of my travelling so far to 1utama. 1st, the see the place for the 1st time & 2nd, to visit Pull&bear to see its clothes (I have been wanting to buy stuffs from this brand for like 2 yr already, but last time in Singapore due to lack of time totally forget about it!).
When I reached the Pull&Bear store, I see the price hmm boleh tahan mahal jugak ini macam Basic House, but the moment I see 'FURTHER MARKDOWN' at a section with prices starting from RM$19.90, OMG! Apa lagi terus grab some of the bajulah to try! Its like 60% discount! Those costing 69.90 only 29.90 & those 89.90 only 39.90!
A little history lesson on Pull&Bear, its a Spanish brand! Heard of Zara, ah dats the same company as Zara! They introduced new things like every week. Aside from Pull&Bear, it also got a brand named XDYE that was launched in 1998 to with clothes more trendy & fashionable according to the new millenium.
So, at the store I got myself 2 T-shirts 1 is priced ad rm49.90 normal now 19.90, another is 69.90 now 29.90! I wish I could grab more but there are not much choice left due to the very crazy markdown!
There is something which I dont know is it funny to you but its kinda rather amusing to me! When I see the receipt stating the brand retailer in Malaysia, I see Prasan Fashion! People in Brunei always saya prasan eh orang ani! Did that name came from the Bruneian cactchphrase? I dont know! Last time I had heard of Gamut & Gagan, now there is another name Prasan! Haha, fashion label companies names are really unique like their baju!

Enough, of talk now let me end this post with some pictures taken just now. Bye & have a great week ahead as Monday is 2mrw dont get any 'blues'! Salam Kemerdekaan 

I dont know if you can see it or not but on the picture is a sign of IKEA & The Curve in the nearby Mutiara Damansara township. Plus, there is a e@curve for you gamers out there, modelled after Cineleisure Orchard in Singapore

Pull&Bear 1Utama

See that Futsal centre, battling arena, pool, rock-climbing, karaoke, etc

Rules to follow before entering Secret Garden

The futsal & baseball centre view from Secret Garden Upper Rooftop

This is the suspension bridge I talked about earlier.Its in a section known as Rainforest.Rainforest also got the BBQ Plaza from Thailand with the patung buaya I talked about earlier, many other eateries

Dont know if you can see it but its the waterfall

The Bandar Utama signage

Another Bandar Utama signage on 1Utama

Iutama logo & an LED board

No your eyes arent creating illusions its a paddy field/sawah padi. Guess its Raya or Merdeka deco.Feels like walking near the sawah padi

See parents/datuk&nini bringing their children/cucuto learn about padi

This looks like a durung in the middle of the sawah padi

Hey, the scarecrow guy but it wont scare shoppers away though & it 'scares' birds

 

The World Is Our Oyster

If you just read the title of this blogpost, you might think Im going to talk about how to eat oyster/how to cook oyster/how to make oyster sauce, LOL! Wrong all wrong! Its going to be about travel.The focus is on Travel & work in US, Travel & Work in Australia & lastly backpacking travel.
Some people wait till they are old & dah pakai tongkat/kerusi roda or in other words 'need to be aided to be able to travel', then they travel. Some people can only enjoy their life (include travelling) after they had pencen, as cost of living keeps on shooting up & to keep up with it your savings must be sufficient, in order to live a good life after pencen. Some people wait till they got married & had kids, then they started to travel. While some does most of their travelling while they are still young & have very high level of adrenaline to try something challenging & exciting in their life.

Travel & Work in USA

Youth is only once in your lifetime hence Enjoy it! Here &  there, annually around 90,000 students participate in Work & Travel USA. Quoting the official website, Work & Travel USA is an official US State Department programme that allows students in tertiary education from around the world (university undergraduates) to visit the USA during their term break to experience life in the US through working and traveling there.
Work & Travel USA without doubt is one of the best ways to discover the US. It is a huge country, with many different places to visit and things to see.
What makes is even more special is that it is also a great way for you to discover more about yourself. You will have more than just great memories and photos. You will also have international work experience, which will enhance your CV. You will have had a chance to improve/polish your English skills. And perhaps most important, you will have learned how to survive in a new and challenging environment, developing skills you can’t get sitting in a classroom or reading a book – interpersonal skills, negotiating skills, survival skills. All these will be useful to you in the future aka working world
So, rest assured this is no scam to ask you to be 'mule' or 'keldai' carrying contrabands.This is LEGAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM!
Every year, there are three periods during which Work & Travel USA operates:
- Winter: November 15th – April 15th
- Spring: dates vary
- Summer: June 1st – October 19th.
The min employment period is 2 months, and the max is 4 months. In addition to the working period, students are allowed to remain in the USA for an additional 25 days to travel. You are not allowed to work during this period.
Students may not miss part of their term in order to participate in Work & Travel USA – they must complete their term before traveling to the USA to take up a job, and must return to their home country in time to start the new semester.
Sounds FUN right but ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
To be eligible to participate in Work &  Travel USA, you must meet the following requirements:
- be at least 18 years old (Yes I am)
- be enrolled in a full time course at a state-recognised institution of tertiary education not in your final year of study (Yes)
- be able to function in an English speaking working environment (I can)
- have a pre-arranged job and a minimum of US$475 available to support yourself upon arrival in the USA. (your agent can help you in this)
If you have all that Come Join The Experience of A Lifetime!
Now, in your mind is the cost right? In Malaysia, it costs RM$3048 not inclusive of airfare. In Brunei, kindly ask the US Embassy. Im not sure whether Brunei students can join but just ask the US Embassy about it yeah!
Now, I had mentioned earlier that you gotta work there. What kind of jobs?
There are departmental stores jobs which requires long hours but you will meet different kinds of people.For those who likes something different, there are jobs in National Park or ski resorts. Imagine watching the bears go into hibernation mode in National Park, LOL! not true just a joke! Imagine you sking in the ski resort in the mountain.
For those who likes F&B industry, there are also jobs in McDonald's, KFC, etc.
Please be informed that you will be paid anything between USD800-1500/month for your job. These jobs are indicative only. You might get something not stated here like a ranch work & beach work


More info on Travel &Work in USA visit ciee.org

Travel & Work in Australia

If you have ever watched Border's Security on Crime & Investigation (Astro channel 732), you will notice how hard it is to enter Australia, 'The Land of 2Ks (Kangaroo & Koalas)'! The Australia Customs & Immigration are really trying hard to prevent people entering for illegal purposes other than stated on their visa. But, in my experience in travelling to Australia & passing through the border, it was a smooth process provided you had the CORRECT visa! There are much to explore in this 'Land of Down Under':beautiful beaches, metropolises, desert, etc. Last time, I had ever watched a program on TVB8 regarding overseas students who 'Study & work in Australia'. It shows that the students had entered Australia with the intention to learn English. Meanwhile, while they are free they have some part-time jobs such as working in a surfboard shop, a cabbage plantation, a cruise ship, etc. 

I dont know whether Australia offered the same program as US's 'Travel & Work in USA' but you can enquire at your country's Australia Embassy to find out more. Alright, in my opinion the best place in Australia is Surfer's Paradise Gold Coast. You have 3 theme parks there (Dreamworld, Movieworld & Seaworld), a beautiful beach of 80 km long & not forget to mention the sea conditions are really great for surfing, if you enjoy it. Did I mentioned that last time while I was there I almost couldnt get out of the toilet because it was really high-tech, LOL! This is true tak tipu punya! 

Backpacking or Trip-pool?

Backpacking is always associated with people with limited budgets living in hostels, motels, all the low-cost low standard accomodations. Some people associate backpacking travel with The Amazing Race. You see the participants carrying their big backpacks running around here & there, flying here & there, not having clean clothes, not having a proper bath (its TRUE as described by some of the participants in a special show after each season ends). Not necessarily now, as backpacking tour can be FUN as well. In a Mypaper article,'trip pooling' concept is introduced. It basically gets a few people who dont know each other to go on a holiday together. These 'trip poolers' are gathered through websites, forums & recommendations by friends. In Facebook, there is a group named Singapore Travel Buddies Group with 450 fans so far which collects all the people who wants to 'trip pool' This whole new 'trip pooling' might be a new thing to Malaysia but it will provide a new dimension to travel as it offers an option to people who dont want to go on a tour package or either backpacking. Its a FUN way to travel & make new friends. However, even these arrangements are exciting, there are problems such as fighting over small things & fighting over bathrooms, so on so forth. This new 'trip pooling' is a new idea that is worth exploring by travel agents who have to fight the emergence of online websites which offers hotels & airfares cheaper than their prices. 

So, my word to travel agents as Im studying Marketing:BE CREATIVE & BE ADVENTUROUS 

Thats it folks for this week. Some update on my life, before I wrap up this posting. 

Classes started on Monday Accounting & Finance its a 2hr 1.5 hr class starting 9am. However, there seems to be some miscommunication between the Allocate+ system & the lecturer as the timings stated in our timetable & the lecturer's are not same! Tuesday, is going to be the day that I hate most as I have classes till 6pm, good thing there are gaps in between. Started off at 10am with Marketing, a 1.5 hr lecture. Too bad the lecturer was sick & a replacement lecturer was brought in to replace her. The replacement lecturer shows us some basic info on the subjects & then very interesting slides such as 'You saw a girl & you go and tell her Im very rich marry me, she gives you a slap in your face'.What is this term in marketing? .... After that morning lecturer, I was not given any mercy as my Network A/c is faulty as well as my student ID card problem forces me to run & go up & down the IT System Office a few times! Then , came the time for afternoon tutorial basically its nothing much, just to meet up with the tutors. Then, Tutup Kedai & Go Back Hostel! 

Next week, its 31 August aka Malaysia National Day so there will be a special posting on it.

Bye & Salam Mesra From Bandar Sunway. SIGNING OFF!

P.s. This blogger cant understand why is he so anti-social! Or maybe he isnt just afraid to apporach people kot!

Ive got punked in style! I guess

Hey guys, we meet again. What the story today. Umm, I went out of my comfort safety zone of Bandar Sunway to Mid Valley City this morning. It was a 30min bus ride from Bandar Sunway which isnt quite far by KL standards macam KB to Seria. It costs RM$2.50 but I soon learnt that taking taxi might be a wiser choice this time around! Read on to know what happened to me as I arrive there!

Exclusive:Alleged Students selling Artwork as Assignment Scam

Yes, this is 245 EXCLUSIVE, nobody has this story unless newspapers want to cover it & it comes out from the mouth of 'the victim' itself (Yours Truly, how sad). In MTV; WE say YOU HAVE BEEN PUNKED! In normal language:Awak dah kena tipu! This serves as a warning to others so that others wont kena tipu also!In the newspapers, dah berkali2 cover this issue but its back with a twist. I remembered few months ago, 988 had reported on its news bulletin regarding the 'students selling things for donation scam'. This are usually run by a syndicate & they employ students to do their kind of things by offering them up to 50% of the nilai yang dapat. Thats easy money, just sweet talk a bit & kautim! Instead of asking for donation, now their way is asking people to buy their Artwork pieces. As I was about to cross the road to Mid Valley from the bus stop (the wrong 'expensive' way), Carson (tukang jual yang tipu) who persuades me to buy one of his Artwork pieces, 'This is a project by their lecturer, the more they sell the more marks they can get'. I was trying to run away from him, but he keeps on pleading finally saying its very cheap one. So I said RM$15 enough or not. That Carson said cannot, if like that he cannot get mark & its only extra RM$5 only. Then I said 'I got not enough money'. He says 'If you dont have small change I got'. Finally after sometime I gave him RM$20 & he gave me a chopstick. He asked me to write my name & sign on a piece of form. On the form it seems that some people have been paying up to RM$65 while mostly pays RM$20-35. 1 sentence 'You Very Lengchai' Already Me Kena Tipu! Then another 'You Like People From Taiwan' brings me in further! What my Mandarin like orang Taiwan! You must be joking, I cant even speak proper Mandarin! So, once bitten never will kena again! Thank god its only RM$20! Never ever I shall trust all these AGAIN EVER! (yoh marah aku) Next time Im going to say I got 50sen only you want take if dont want get lost! This serves as a reminder to others!

Being stylish cost a fortune!

Get preppy school look with Kim Nam Gil The Class modelling (Robinsons Basic House facebook)

Mosey your way to Robinsons at The Gardens and you’ll soon be dressing up like Yoon Eun-hye and Kim Hyun-joong (SS501 & Boys Over Flowers)! Just select what you’re comfortable with from Basic House and you’ll soon be looking like the popular pair. (k-popped.com)

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An ads with Kim Hyung Joong as the model (Robinson's Basic House Facebook)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My main objective to travel all the way down to Mid Valley City definitely not for kena tipu is to get something trendy from Korea (K-style) to wear for my 1st day of class, but I end up buying also something nice but not for the 1st day of class. So, from Mid Valley Megamall I crossed over to The Gardens where Robinsons is located. Robinsons is the only place in Malaysia which sells Basic House & The Class (2 of Korea's hottest brand). Now, I know what's in your mind is PRICE RIGHT? Plain T-shirts start from RM$39, while T-shirts start from RM$69 up to RM$99 (I feel really nyaman sekali when wearing the T-shirt). Short pants start from RM$79. Jeans RM$100+, vest also RM$100+, jacket almost RM$200. The markup by Robinsons over Korea prices well its oklah 20-30% compared to some brands 50-60% gila! But the T-shirt are marked up too much. The good thing is Robinsons didnt remove Korean prices so you know how much extra you are paying here. So, I bought a short pant & a T-shirt at RM$79 each. Guess, better buy in Singapore maybe cheaper no thanks to Malaysia high tax rate on import stuffs!The good thing is Korea size starts at 26 so its easier to find my size.

The Garden is So High Class but Megamall is 4 All

Glory Man United! LOL! Thats Nike Store in Mid Valley Megamall Centre Court

Calvin Klein The Gardens is having sale.All things branded can be found in The Gardens Its About U!

GRAFITEE The Gardens! malaysia's best T-shirt brand.Its latest collection of T-shirt is IT with wordings like Loving IT, blogging facebooking, twittering, emailing, what's next? & Why An Apple but no a Lemon.Prices from RM$60+

Up there is GSC Signature a very exclusive cinema of your own in a room but be prepared to pay up to RM$40!

Money in a full bloom in The Gardens! Yeah right, for your tenantslah! For us, kosong poket!

Thats The Garden Mall, a very high class mall!

For those of you who have no idea what is available in Mid Valley City. Let me give a brief intro. The exact location of this mall is near the end of KL & Selangor, before you reach Kota Darul Ehsan (entry to Selangor landmark). MVC consists of a few office & condo towers, 2 hotel (Cititel is the cheaper 1, Boulevard is the more mahal 1), 2 malls (Megamall for the masses & The Gardens is the higher class 1). The Gardens is so high class that even its toilets are also high class LOL! Anyways some pictures of The Gardens & Megamall to sum up! 

To skaters:There's you fav brand VANS

The Gardens!

And this is Robinsons The Garden the only place you can find Basic House, Mind House, The Class & VOLL in Malaysia. Its currently having Seize The Deals Sale!
 

Thats Angklung, hanging in The Gardens

Thats GSC Mid Valley, Malaysia's largest cineplex with 18 screens

The 'New Start':1st step

Halo, nihao, anhnyeongsaeyo, this will be the story of the start of my journey up the ladders of success (as if I had not enough naik&turun tangga in SMSA) in Monash Malaysia. The 'New Start' will chronicle the stories of my life in uni starting with the orientation which started yesterday (18th August). My 'Ancora Imparo' journey starts here! Later I shall explain what it means by Ancora Imparo!
Orientation can be sum up as All Work & Some Fun. 1st day of orientation starts at 10am in the Plenary Theatre. I arrived around 8.45am at the campus & walked around just to familiarise myself with the surroundings & then plug up some music with my copy of FREE theSun newspaper.

1st Talk

Thats MONGA (Monash Gazette) not MANGGA

At 10am, registration starts & orientation guide, MNS subjects guide & MONGA were distributed. Very interestingly, the August 2010 intake only consists of 28 students coming from various background & countries such as Malaysia (just 3 or 4), Indonesia (most), Korea (2 guys), China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, etc. Even more, interesting 3 out of 4 people are taking Business so most are my lecturemates. At 10.30, a short welcoming speech was given by Prof. Jeyapalan Kasipillai, Deputy Head of School, School of Business. He congratulate us for being accepted & making a wise choice of choosing Monash as our Higher-Ed choice. Monash prides itself as 1 of the top 50 universities in the world & 1 of the youngest & vibrant in the world with a global connection in Australia, Malaysia, Italy & South Africa. He also spoke about Monash Passport, which literally means YOU PAY RM$ fees but you can study at other partner universities around the world or in Monash Australia campus. ANCORA IMPARO the uni motto means commitment to life long learning or Im still learning
MUSA's President, Julius Wong also gave a short speech on MUSA (Monash University Student Association). MUSA is the link between uni admin & us the students. He also spoke about some of MUSA's upcoming plans include Monash Talent Show (which is American Idol ala Monash) on 24th August & for the year-end bash, Monash Annual Ball 2010 to be held at Royale Chulan KL. This association encourages students to 'stand up & speak up' as its motto, so as to nurture leadership skills.
Then, came the 'lifeline' talk on insurance by a representative from Chartis Malaysia. Blablabla all the insurance thingy & he didnt encourage us to participate in 'illegal car racing' or 'mat rempit' activities, as should something happened to us (touchwood) while doing those activities, INSURANCE WILL NO PAY A SINGLE SEN! Lastly, he said Enjoy Our Uni Life & Enjoy Your youth!
Next, is the very interesting briefing on Health, Security & Safety by Mr Pramekumar Nair, Head of OHSE. He spoke about the HSE policy that was singed by Prof Robin Pollard, Pro Vice Chancellor Monash Malaysia & their commitment to keep us safe till we get our 'piece of paper'. He also spoke about how this campus wants to be 'green' by reducing paper (but they dont recycle exam papers, LOL!), plastic, styrofoam, electric (promote staircase usage) usage. As well as No Alcohol, No Smoking (there is a 'Cancer zone' if some1 wish to puff out) & No Drugs policy. He also said about the misuse of the fire alarm bell will make you end up 'eating nasi kari' for 3 months in our 'luxurious' packed Correctional Facility aka jail! He also told a story about how an 'experiment' that was conducted in Monash Australia went wrong.
Lastly, is the MNS briefing. oh god I gotta learn Bahasa Melayu again! And in addition to that, Malaysia Studies, Moral Studies!

MAKAN TIME

After all the talk, its MAKAN TIME! The university had prepared a buffet of chicken rice meal with vegetables for lunch. Great idea, to introduce our various types of Malaysian food to the international students. So over our lunch, the senior buddies came over to talk to each of us to break down the barriers between us, the newbies! 

CAMPUS TOUR

After lunch, its time for campus tour. The buddies had problem dividing us into 2 groups so as to differentiate what course we are taking as its imbalanced! After that is solved off to start campus tour! 1st stop Building 6 which is School of Business Building. 1st we were brought to MUSA Student's Lounge where students can play pool (RM$1/5 min), foosball (RM$2 per game) or just chillaxing. MUSA also manages gym application, umbrella rental, sports area booking, billboard advertising, club registration, colourful locker rental, etc. Then, we were introduced to some of MUSA's officers in charge of this & that & shown the 'aquarium' meeting room. As we were about to leave the lounge, a notice pasted interests me it read:Due to national shortage of robots, MUSA's facilities are handled by manpower/humans. Should you do no good (say bad words/threatened them/beat them up) to any of MUSA officers, you will be denied services should you require them!

Then, we went up to see the Dance Studio & Wom*en's Room, a place for the ladies to relax, watch TV & study. We were also shown where our tutorial & lecture rooms are. After that we 'jumped' from Building 6 to Building 7 (Library), nah not jump its connected, LOL! 

The library is 3 storeys with resources in hardcopy or digitalised form. There we were shown how to borrow books & how to top up our printing credit of RM$15 should it runs out. The library also offers netbook rental so that students are not required to angkat their 2-3kg of laptop to campus. 

OMG Games

Coincidentally, our orientation timing is the same as Monash Inter-Faculty Games or Oh My God Games (even the MUSA President said Oh My God many times instead of the correct name) wrong its Oh My Monash Games. Since, there were 15min left before another program, we were brought to play some games here. There were 'Eraser Fight' (remember in our Primary days kitani main lawan pemadam), Are You Colour blind, The black box, the magic pop, cup stacking & Arm Wrestling. I tried my hand at 'magic pop' but didnt win it! 

Roomate differences 

At 2pm, a Transitional Issues & Assertive Skills workshop was held at what the seniors describe as the 'Chamber of Torture' aka Exam Hall. The 1st hour was quite interesting as we played a game which sounds like this, you need to read your partner's mind eg if I show 1 my partner shows 1 then you bow, if both show 2 shake hand, if 3 pat each other back & lastly 4 a HUG! (free hugs any1 LOL!). But if you don't show the same number, keep on playing, good thing that didn't happen. Then, there was another game you introduce yourself & tell the people sitting next to you your expectation in uni. Im not going to tell everything about the workshop as it will take ages. In addition, I forget the content already haha! Just going to focus on 1 main point: Roomate differences! 

Thats the problem creator:1 internet port & 1 switch

So, I'm going to talk about this situation from my own experience & then I'm going to tell you about a video that we were shown. In my room that I shared with my Johorian roomate there is only 1 internet port but there is a problem 2 people have to use it. The solution buy a switch, so that both computers can go online. However, at the earlier stage there seems to be 'slight' problem, there are not enough power points as this switch requires power point. So my roomate is like a 'little' marahlah! because he got lots of things to be plugged up (his 2 mobiles,hairdryer, etc). So, I work up a solution get a multi-plug for him as a goodwill gesture for allowing me to pasang the switch. Now, lets turn the situation around 360 degree. If my this roomate dont allow me to plug up the switch how? Easy if there is anything money can buy there is solution, LOL! Get my own internet connection but then it costs $$ So, I would say I have a pretty understanding roomate! 

Now, the video that we were shown. There were 3 cases & a good way & bad way. The 1st video is about a guy who wants to watch other channel & wants to have some of his roomate chips/keropok. The good way shows his roomate allows him to change the channel & shared the chips with him (Sharing is caring). However, the bad way shows that  his roomate take the remote control, buang the battery & said bad words to him & refused to share the chips with him (Karit!)

The 2nd video was about a guy was trying to study but his roomate music volume is very loud. The good way shows his roomate lowers down the volume & even offers him an apple. The bad way shows his roomate 'macam line engage' & with the 2nd plea dengan sengaja increase the volume even further. 

The 3rd video is about a guy who wants his roomate to clear his dustbin. The good way shows his roomate do it right away. The bad way shows that his roomate reply 'there are no squirrrels in the dustbin' (there are actually)

Miss Tham Look Alike

Thats my student's diary & RM$80 Accounting textbook

 The last part of the workshop bores me, Are you assertive! But what interests me is the presenter who very much talk & look like Miss Tham from SMSA (my PreU centre). After the boring talk ends finally, we were served afternoon tea which consists of sandwich, samosa, ondeh-ondeh & coffee. After the meal, its time for photo taking session for our student card. Our student card is our access card, library card, etc. I had my student card done pretty fast as I had completed all the processes while the others mostly were scrambbling to register their Authcate account with only 2 computers available. Here I was also given my students diary. After this process was done, Im off to activate my card at Security Office & went to buy 1 of the required textbook. RM$85 but since its coloured & imported its oklah! The end of Day 1 orientation

2nd Talk  

 On the last day of orientation, again its all day talk! Started at 10am at the underground Lecture Room with no network coverage. Again a welcoming speech by Prof Jeyabalan. He states that Monash Sunway School of Business is the largest among the 6 schools available with 45% of total students are in it. And he is proud to say that 99% of undergraduates who have graduated get jobs easily (good news to me). After his speech, a boring presentation followed up by how to plan your units well. Its very important that you plan your units well because it may delay your graduation. After the talk, there were lunch waiting for us. Today's menu is nasi ayam (only the nasi), kari ayam, potato in kicap & kangkung. Over the lunch, I enjoyed listening to the international students talking about fasting, JAIS, 'duit kopi', etc. There were also 2 Koreans talking but couldnt understand what they say (tulah pandai tonton cerita Korea but dont learn Bahasa Korea).After lunch, I got no program till 2.30 but the international students got so I lepak at library. 

Another Joanne?

At 2.30pm, there was a Learning Skills:Secret of Success by Dr Joanne Rajadurai. In SMSA, I had a very helpful Mrs Joan L Cherian who was also my GP & group tutor. And, here I am with another Joanne again! Apparently, since only 3 of us are in early while the others got lost as the venue changes due to the original venue being used for classes, she asked us why we were in August & not July. 1 of them answered cant make up their mind, while another say because they have been rejected late by NTU,SIM,NUS & missed July intake dateline (Ini macam kes aku je). She also asked us where we did our Pre-U. Apparently, most of them did A Levels including me with a unique location outside Malaysia i.e. Brunei. She states that in university things are done very differently compared to school. e.g. In schools, we have a packed timetable but in Pre-U we got PS period but in uni most of the time is PS. For instance you have a lecture class 9am then after that 2h class you are free, then suddenly 3pm there is a tutorial class. That 4h have to be utilised properly otherwise you could end up doing nothing the 4h. One very interesting part of the talk is What is your goals in uni? Some typical answers (not from us) include finding boyfriends/girlfriends, getting a degree, making use of uni facilities, making friends (very expensive way of making friends), etc. Lastly, she states that Enjoy Your University Life Because Its The Best Time In Your Life. Wait a min, last time some1 said Pre-U is the best time of our life? Im confused! 

Alright folks, thats about it for this posting. Catch you all up next week as I starts my classes on Monday. Sorry for the very lengthy posting

P.S. Since our youth is the best time to enjoy, why not plan something like 'Travel & Work in US' or 'Study, Travel & Work in Australia' or 'backpacking tour' to broaden our scope on the world. 

For more info on Travel & work in US log on to http://www.outofthebox.com.my

(Please note that this posting/this part is not an advertorial or being paid by any companies/organisation.It serves as an info only)

Think out of the box, get out of the box & explore the world! 

Next week: I shall write about this traveling thingy alright

This blogger hopes that he can plays basketball rather than watching ASAP after his kecederaan is ok. He really misses dribbling, shooting into the basket! Its really frustrating just look!

Views Before The 'New Start'

Being Single

Yesterday was July 7 in the Chinese lunar calendar which is also Valentine's Day. The irony is the month of July is 'Hungry Ghost Festival' Month, which is why a 'day for lovers' seems weird in this month. Weird to you & me but it maybe special to some other people.
Yesterday I was listening to the radio & the DJ was discussing about July 7 Valentine's day. 1 point that was said was 'Being single is in now' so if you are now still single-mingle like 'Yours Truly' it can be enjoyable too & following the current trend. Yeah, Im following the latest trend, LOL!
Please note that this is not an encouragement to people to 'dump' their partners as to follow the trend (Just clarifying my points just in case some1 reads this & interprets it as something else as a 140 character Tweet can be misinterpreted what more my 'long-winding' blogpost').
Moneywise, being single is good too as you can save the money that need to be spend to treat your partner makan (of course not at mamak stalls unless you want your partner to 'dump' you), buy gifts, calling & SMS each other almost 247 (like my cousin LOL!), going on movie dates, etc.
Socialwise, it may not be a great thing being single as you have nobody to share your feelings with, so you can only share your feelings by your Facebook/Twitter status update or if you have a blog write it up, just like what I am doing right now!
Lastly, before I close up this 'Being Single' story, recently in Facebook I came about a video which titled 'Thats Why Engineers Cant Get a girlfriend'. (This is not to insult Engineering students or Engineers out there, SORRY IF YOU ARE OFFENDED). 
There are pros & cons of 'being single', but if you are ready to explore the world of 'lover relationship' please enjoy em too!

People might think that me a 'single person' had saved up a lot of money, well its not partly true because I spend money like 'a running tap water'. E.g. A trip to the bookstore I can end up buying at least 4 copies of newspapers & 4 copies of magazines (although now I cant because my money is tied)

Mind Game

As this is the Hungry Ghost Festival month where spirits are roaming around not to mention devils too, I have been experiencing quite a few of nightmares over the past few nites. The nightmares include dreaming about something bad happened to my family. To make it worse, yesterday morning I saw a black cat! (Chinese believes that when you see a black cat its not a good sign). So, I tell myself this is all 'mind game' by the devils trying to influence my conscious mind into believing such a thing had happened. Whoah, lega sekali selepas meluahkan perasaan saya! Anyone of you had the same experience like mine share em yeah!

Close Up

Last but not least, today is my last day to roam around & lepak at Sunway Pyramid when others are cracking their heads up while listening to 'bullet-train' lecturers in classes. This is because tomorrow at 10am, I am officially a part of Monash University Sunway campus August 2010 intake as I start my 3 day orientation. Cant wait for it to start, & start meeting new people from around the world. Sources, told me that there are a lot of beauties enrolling in the course that I am taking so its a great hunting ground for me, LOL! 

Till, next time Say NO TO DRUGS, ALCOHOL, SMOKING, CORRUPTION & PLASTICS BAG. Reduce misunderstanding & Improve Relationship with others.

Salam Mesra & Salam 1Malaysia From Bandar Sunway. SIGNING OFF

A long climb up the hills of success is going to be my journey for the next 3 years!

Pictorial post

Thank you please come again other days, because the blue duck & Sunway Lagoon cant serve you on Tuesday

This is how much you should pay to enter Sunway Lagoon. If just look2 saja how much? LOL!

This is the place where on 31st July everyone rocked to the tunes of Wonder Girls, Kate Perry, Tokio Hotel, Bunkface, etc in the rain for MTV World Stage 2010.Its the Surf Beach

Welcome to the Pyramid please enjoy your time while you shop till you drop at over 800 stores or shop till your leg sakit! No worries, there are free wifi for you to poke2 in facebook & tweet in Twitter. Also lots of seating places!

Come & explore our 3 parts of Sunway Lagoon. There is Xtreme Park, Zoo & another 1 what's the name ... I will get back to you later

Motosikal lamaku berjalan perlahan2 menyusuri dunia yang indah lalala please sambung the lyrics

Zam zam alazakam, The duck with its 'magic' genie grants you only 1 wish. My wish is to get First Class Honours at the end of my course. Your wish is my command,sire! LOL! Whats your wish? Sorry that wasnt it, the duck & genie welcomes you to Sunway Lagoon

Hey guys, testing 123, all systems go finally after I had spend almost RM$100 on useless cables, splitter (wrong item required), internet splitter switch, LAN cables (correct items) to get wired on hostel's network. This is my 1st posting using the hostel's network & thus my wordings have to be careful as 'big brother' is always watching just like in Brunei, LOL!

Birds locked in cages, but in Louis Vitton shops, bags are locked in cages, LOL!

Is this a car showroom or what? Its a unique cafe. Drop by Fulllhouse!

I have said in my previous postings that this blog will become more colourful & less wordy. So, in this posting its going to be pictures, pictures & more pictures enjoy folks the 'feast for the eyes' & it might even tempt you to visit Bandar Sunway during your Puasa/Raya holidays.

Asian Avenue where you will find all the latest & trendiest stuffs

Remember in kampung, there is a 'basikal tua' under our 'datuk & nini' house

A typical stesyen keretapi, with clock tower & of course train!

Come lets go ice-skating. Too bad I cant skate!

Sunway Lagoon entrance view

This is my crib for the next few years till I graduate. 

                                                                                                          Well folks thats about it for this posting.More coming up next week. this post is still kinda messy so bare with it for a while I get used to this picture uploading adjustment function. Bye, happy weekend & have FUN! 

A New Start In a new place

Hi there people, I am back online thanks to DiGi Turbo 3g network & soon on the hostel network of Sunway Digital Wave. The night view from where I am now is just great I can see KLCC from my hostel & also Menara KL. Ok lets start with the 1st part

The RBA Experience

Thanks to a great timing by RBA, instead of Air Asia I used RBA. Check-in online before departure & everything is so fast, just drop off your bags & done! In my Twitter, yesterday I had stated my simple comments on RBA service:good music, great food & smiling crew. Good music is the latest & great choice of songs. On the food side, RBC I think had improved food quality compared to few years back, this time I had Szechuan chicken with garlic rice which is just nice for a people who cant tahan 'makan pedas'. 1 thing is I think to cut cost or safety reasons, the cutleries are plastic. The whole flight was quite okay with a few small bumps. So overall, its great flying with RBA. This is my 1st time flying RBA since 2008 CNY.

The GPS & Taxi driver

The 1st day in KL started quite badly starting with a 'newbie uncle' taxi driver armed with a GPS but didnt knew his way around. Eventually, after I called the hostel management who tell the driver which way to go then we managed to arrive at my hostel just in time for check-in.

The Hostel

 Sun U-Residence which is just a short walk from my uni campus will be my place of stay till 2013 (graduation) subject to 'Finance controller' approval aka my dad. There are 2 condo blocks in the complex which I called Blok Kedai & Blok Makan to differentiate the blocks. The facilities here are same like what you would find in condo such as 247 security, swimming pool, badminton court, squash court with the addition of internet-enabled air-conditioned study room, convenience store, cafe & kedai dobi as it is a students hostel. Each newbie staying in this hostel will get a welcome pack which consists of laptop lock, mattress cover & 30% discount on entry ticket to Sunway Lagoon amusement park. My unit is located on Level 10-19 (exact cant be disclosed due to security reasons, LOL!). The view from up here is just great with my uni campus & soon to be completed new block of hostels Sun Monash U Residence can be seen from the balcony & from my room part of Sunway Pyramid Mall & some of KL skyscrapers like Petronas Twin Towers & TM Tower.  Each unit have 4 rooms which can accomodate max of 7 people. There are 3 double rooms & 1 single room. In each unit, there are 4 bathrooms, a washing machine & water machine, hence I can save some $$$ for shopping saving.  My room that I shared with a Engineering student originating from Johor is the 1st room in the unit. So far, the unit is only occupied by 4 people including me which I know that 3/4 is Johorians & 100% Chinese. Wait do that make me, a Johorian as well since my dad is from Johor? I guess so! All this comes at a price tag of RM$650

The hostel version 1.1

There is an incident that happen on Sunday to me, dint know its funny or not but anyway here goes nothing! On Sunday nite after my dinner & returned to my unit. I didnt realise that I pressed the wrong Level in the lift until, it became the hostel Exec & 'pak guard' business. So, went to the wrong floor & tried to open the door but the door wont co-operate. Had a few tries but still no response from the door like some of my friends say 'telefon engage' situation. Then went down to request help from 'pak guard' & again tried at the wrong door with the 'telefon engage' situation. After that, the guard contacted Mr Thina, hostel Exec then I realised I pressed the wrong floor, there is a 1 floor difference. La patutlah tak dapat buka rupanya salah Floor! Sorry kerana menimbulkan masalah ini ya 'pak guard' & hostel Exec!

The Monash Walk

On Monday, went to campus for the 1st time to settle some admin stuffs at PSO. The campus is within a short walking distance just across my hostel but the only thing is there are simply too many cars which makes it difficult to cross the roads for 'buta estimate' people like me, so I just follow others when they cross the streets (ikut-ikutan untuk keselamatan). I wonder why the management wont consider installing pedestrian traffic lights.

The Lost City of Sunway Pyramid

After settling of things at campus, returned back to the hostel to catch the free shuttle bus to Sunway Pyramid which is less than 1km away or 5min bus ride or a cut-throat RM$5 metered taxi ride! It is a huge mall where you can find everything under 1 roof. Some of its main attraction including the design of the mall itself which is modeled after the Egypt's Pyramid & Sphinx. The mall is also providing free wifi for you to poke2 in Facebook, tweet to your followers in Twitter, surf the net, etc while you do your shopping. Oh yes, another attraction of the mall is the ice skating rink, Pyramid Ice & the Celebrity Fitness Express gym. Apparently, in this 4 million sq ft mall I got lost while finding my way back to 1 of the shuttle bus pickup point, Pyramid Tower Hotel. From my observation, there seems to be a lot of 'Pak Arab' shopping here & of course students. My advice to those who easily sesat remember the 1st shop as you enter & find back that shop when you want to exit from the mall.

To come

By next week, Wednesday 18th August 3 day orientation will start & by 23th August classes will start. In September, a huge bookfair, Bookfest 2010 will be held in KLCC from 4-13 September & I plan to make my way down there as I had always wanted to visit this event. I also plan to make my way down to Bukit Bintang to 'cuci mata' & have a 'walking shopping' in Pavilion. Maybe, in November I shall make my way down to BB again to shop at Uniqlo 1st Malaysia's store due to be open at Fahrenheit 88.

The New Start

In conjunction with my new life in KL, chatlepak.blogspot.com will be renamed as 245isme.blogspot.com. This is due to the fact that chatlepak is such a weirdo blog add for a personal blog dont you think? Hence, the need to change the address.

Before I end my posting for this time, a big thank you all the way from KL & to those in Brunei enjoy yourself although its Puasa time as I am enjoying mine here. Lastly:

SELAMAT BERPUASA KEPADA SELURUH UMAT ISLAM & SEMOGA IBADAH RAMADAN ANDA SEMUA DITERIMA OLEH ALLAH

I shall be back with Orientation sessions tales next week. 

P.S. People find it weird when I say I am from Labuan but study/live in Brunei.