I was trying to get pictures of ketupat and rendang from Flickr public database but seems no one would let their picture public for blog publishing. This is only what I got, a picture of ketupat lightings in The Curve, Damansara.
Aidilfitri (or sometime known as Eid-ul-Fitr, Hari Raya, Lebaran etc.) is all about celebrating the victory of Ramadhan, which happens a month before. It should be merry, full of colors, smiles and happiness. But unfortunately when it comes to celebrating Aidilfitri in Malaysia, most of the song I heard are melancholics. Broken hearts. Anak perantau tak dapat balik beraya. Sedih. Duka Nestapa. I always believe Aidilfitri should not be celebrated this way.
But anyway, just have fun folks. Some say Aidilfitri is for kids and not adults any longer (since the kids getting the money, and the working adults giving), but I believe the spirit is still there.
Wishing all my friends Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri dan Maaf Zahir dan Batin, wherever you are, London, Tokyo or anywhere else. Wish you a great celebration of Aidilfitri.
Will be away for a week. See you again after Raya.
Having full attempt of eating like crazy in my company's Iftar gathering at Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpur yesterday, but as usual, my petite stomach capacity won't make it. Ended up eating most of the buffet dishes but with smaller amount, so I still take it as my personal victory.
Got my festival bonus cheque yesterday and not, I am not rich yet. It is just a little help to ease my Raya budget burden and to support a fracture pieces of my Bangkok trip expenses. Not even fulfilling my wish list.
But anyway, thank you very much Boss.
I have got few comments and feedbacks regarding my new wish list entry. Most of them positive anyway. Some recommends Sigma DP-1 as another options. But I am not too keen with the model since brand is not so well-known here and a bit pricey. But the picture quality taken by this gadget is certainly superb.
The verdict: Panasonic Lumix LX-3 wins.
I am currently listening to old, nostalgic tunes of Gloria Estefan, Dionne Warwick, Linda Ronstadt and Imelda Papin. Ahh, the good old days. In my reading list is A Backpack and A Bit of Luck by Zhang Su Li. And also Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary. I have been spending too much time with Kanji lately. Hoping to finish the fiction sooner so that I can buy new books. In my mind I have Murakami Haruki's Norwegian Wood, Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Love in The Time of Cholera and some economic craps.
On another note, I am frustrated. Frustrated that my DVD of Iryu 2: Team Medical Dragon cannot be loaded to my DVD player. Not even my Macbook can play it. I just hooked up with the stories lately and really eager to know what happen next. Gotta go to get a replacement after work since I really need to know what happen to Asada Ryutaro and marvellous surgery team.
This suppose to be a Raya entry but I reserve it for a few more days. Wait folks.
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Update-25.09.2008
Return my problem DVD to Hiro yesterday after work and get a new one from different distributor. This one had no problem, but unfortunately I cannot watch episode 6 and 7. Too lazy and too tired to go there again for the same purpose. Straight away continue to Episode 8 and 9. Going to watch episode 10 today. Can't hardly wait. That drama is so damn good. I'm almost hooked up.
My Japanese class for JLPT 3 will start commenced this Saturday. Sigh. I am in desperate state of going to dermatologist. My allergic issue is killing me.
Ato de, folks...
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Got my festival bonus cheque yesterday and not, I am not rich yet. It is just a little help to ease my Raya budget burden and to support a fracture pieces of my Bangkok trip expenses. Not even fulfilling my wish list.
But anyway, thank you very much Boss.
I have got few comments and feedbacks regarding my new wish list entry. Most of them positive anyway. Some recommends Sigma DP-1 as another options. But I am not too keen with the model since brand is not so well-known here and a bit pricey. But the picture quality taken by this gadget is certainly superb.
The verdict: Panasonic Lumix LX-3 wins.
I am currently listening to old, nostalgic tunes of Gloria Estefan, Dionne Warwick, Linda Ronstadt and Imelda Papin. Ahh, the good old days. In my reading list is A Backpack and A Bit of Luck by Zhang Su Li. And also Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary. I have been spending too much time with Kanji lately. Hoping to finish the fiction sooner so that I can buy new books. In my mind I have Murakami Haruki's Norwegian Wood, Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Love in The Time of Cholera and some economic craps.
On another note, I am frustrated. Frustrated that my DVD of Iryu 2: Team Medical Dragon cannot be loaded to my DVD player. Not even my Macbook can play it. I just hooked up with the stories lately and really eager to know what happen next. Gotta go to get a replacement after work since I really need to know what happen to Asada Ryutaro and marvellous surgery team.
This suppose to be a Raya entry but I reserve it for a few more days. Wait folks.
-------------------
Update-25.09.2008
Return my problem DVD to Hiro yesterday after work and get a new one from different distributor. This one had no problem, but unfortunately I cannot watch episode 6 and 7. Too lazy and too tired to go there again for the same purpose. Straight away continue to Episode 8 and 9. Going to watch episode 10 today. Can't hardly wait. That drama is so damn good. I'm almost hooked up.
My Japanese class for JLPT 3 will start commenced this Saturday. Sigh. I am in desperate state of going to dermatologist. My allergic issue is killing me.
Ato de, folks...
-------------------------
I know I have been drooling for so many other things, but this one is simply irresistible. While I am still grateful and absolutely still in love with my baby Casio Exilim S100 which I bought almost 3-4 years back, I am desperately need a camera that can take beautiful and significant images. Its not like my old Exilim not able to do that, but the 3.1 megapixel baby does have limitations.
Looking through sample of images on Flickr, list of accessories and the fact that LX-3 is a compact camera but able to capture SLR-ish quality of pictures make me even drooling more.
I have been hesitated whether to buy SLR or not due to the reason that I might not been able to keep up with the high cost of accessories like lenses and flashes, and plus having bulky camera in my hand is certainly not my likings. Thus, LX-3 is just perfect for me.
And yes baby, I want the Leica brown case as well to match my brownish iPod case!
Looking through sample of images on Flickr, list of accessories and the fact that LX-3 is a compact camera but able to capture SLR-ish quality of pictures make me even drooling more.
I have been hesitated whether to buy SLR or not due to the reason that I might not been able to keep up with the high cost of accessories like lenses and flashes, and plus having bulky camera in my hand is certainly not my likings. Thus, LX-3 is just perfect for me.
And yes baby, I want the Leica brown case as well to match my brownish iPod case!
I surfed The University of Tokyo's website yesterday and found that the international application for Sustainability Science program for October 2009 admission has been opened. Found out that I am eligible to apply, I was quite confuse and email my sensei (professor) to solve my conundrums. As usual, he quickly reply (which is a very good thing, thank you for kindness, sensei!).
My problem is whether I should apply for the international admission for October 2009 since I am eligible for it and most importantly, no exam required (just merely from selection by paper). My sensei mentioned in his reply that it is quite difficult to answer my question now, since it still early to make any judgement. He said, I can certainly apply for both research student (kenkyusei) to arrive in Japan before April next year (requirement from my sponsor, Panasonic to attend the scholar ceremony in its headquarter in Osaka in April), and if my international admission application turned out successful, I can start the Masters course by October. The only problem is if the application is not successful, I cannot apply for the next intake, which is in April 2010. And certaily life will be upside down if that happen.
Definitely I am in the state of confusion today. Should I apply or should I not?
Crazy by Ne-Yo and Love Song by Khalil Fong is in my heavy rotation. Gosh, God knows its been ages since I listen to Chinese song. And Ne-Yo is fab as usual. That chap is genius, man.
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Update-19.08.2008
The Sustainability Program coordinator has replied my email. Seems like I am not eligible to apply for October 2009 admission since I am not Monbusho (Japanese Government) nor Asian Development Bank (ABD) scholar. What a confusing notice on their website. They should make it clear that applicants not sponsored by those two bodies should not apply.
It is almost clear that I still need to take the exam next year and sit for TOEFL. Hmmm.
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My problem is whether I should apply for the international admission for October 2009 since I am eligible for it and most importantly, no exam required (just merely from selection by paper). My sensei mentioned in his reply that it is quite difficult to answer my question now, since it still early to make any judgement. He said, I can certainly apply for both research student (kenkyusei) to arrive in Japan before April next year (requirement from my sponsor, Panasonic to attend the scholar ceremony in its headquarter in Osaka in April), and if my international admission application turned out successful, I can start the Masters course by October. The only problem is if the application is not successful, I cannot apply for the next intake, which is in April 2010. And certaily life will be upside down if that happen.
Definitely I am in the state of confusion today. Should I apply or should I not?
Crazy by Ne-Yo and Love Song by Khalil Fong is in my heavy rotation. Gosh, God knows its been ages since I listen to Chinese song. And Ne-Yo is fab as usual. That chap is genius, man.
--------
Update-19.08.2008
The Sustainability Program coordinator has replied my email. Seems like I am not eligible to apply for October 2009 admission since I am not Monbusho (Japanese Government) nor Asian Development Bank (ABD) scholar. What a confusing notice on their website. They should make it clear that applicants not sponsored by those two bodies should not apply.
It is almost clear that I still need to take the exam next year and sit for TOEFL. Hmmm.
--------
I admit that I am not usually the trend follower. I tend to like things and styles that people normally dislikes. But it all took a different path for me when it comes to Japanese stuff. I often opt to like everything. And this includes their teen idol (well his age should not be treated as teen actually), Takuya Kimura (wiki)(later will be refered as Kimutaku) and the J-Pop queen, Ayumi Hamasaki (wiki). I remember I started to watch Beautiful Life (wiki) back in my boarding school days, which aired in TV3 on evening foreign drama slot. And I never failed to watch every single drama that has Takuya in it since then.
CHANGE (wiki; official website) is the latest Kimutaku drama that I watched, since his last appearance in Karei Naru Ichizoku (also a great piece fo drama). Similar to his previous appearance, CHANGE is basically focusing on Kimutaku's special career man character. While he had acted in almost every drama as the coolest person who had the coolest career everyone in Japan could think of (he has been pro-stylist, public prosecutor, ice hockey team captain, pilot, pro-car racer, Japan's big think-tank legend, and pianist) , there is certainly one more cool character he should try, which is the prime minister of Japan.
And it happens this time in CHANGE.
Kimutaku plays Asakura Keita, an elementary school teacher in Nagano who never had any interest in politics until one day when his father and brother (both MPs and active in politics) died in helicopter crash in Vietnam. The leader of ruling party, Kanbayashi Masaichi and his secretary, Miyama Rika later conceive the idea of appointing Asakura as the next candidate of local election in Fukuoka, replacing his father. Of course, he rejected at first approach but accepted the offer then, with condition that Miyama would give up on her choice if he losses in that election.
But it turned out that he wins. Kanbayashi, who realized the opportunity to use Asakura brand to fulfill his dream to becoming the next prime minister, try to promote the young and clueless Asakura to be the next candidate of prime minister election among other influential MPs. Due to his looks, fashion taste and decentness, he wins poeple's heart and nominated as the next prime minister without knowing that he is been using in dirty politic trap.
Although I strongly believe that life of Japanese prime minister showcased in CHANGE is certainly different in reality, but I like the fact that the drama tries to feature the other side of prime minister life which is after all, a normal human being. And I also like the idea that Kimutaku plays a decent character close enough that he is not influenced by other politic game, but keep the national issue as the first priority.
I personally keep relating the story line with local politic scene here in Malaysia (I watched CHANGE in the midst of Japan's shock of Fukuda resignation (wiki), and further call for Pak Lah stepdown), but I later realize that our local politic landscape is different story altogether.
- Wiki Info Box
- Title (English): CHANGE
- Format: Renzoku
- Genre: Human drama, politics
- Episodes: 10
- Viewership ratings: 21.7 (Kanto)
- Broadcast network: Fuji TV
- Broadcast period: 2008-May-12 to 2008-Jul-14
- Air time: Monday 21:00
- Theme song: Miles Away by Madonna
- Casts:
- Kimura Takuya as Asakura Keita
- Fukatsu Eri as Miyama Rika
- Terao Akira as Kanbayashi Shoichi
- Kato Rosa as Miyamoto Hikaru
- Abe Hiroshi as Nirasawa Katsutoshi
I'm trying to change the layout of this blog since yesterday, and so this is the result. I finished my report last week and submitted it, leaving me now with all the freedom in the world since my boss back to UK. I don't know whether I like this new blog layout or not, somehow i feel it rather too Apple like and boring, but it seems cleaner this way (and the cool date in every post title rocks!)
Besides doing the layout, I'm also has been busy on wiki and updating the software in my Mac. I am suddenly interested to know more about denomination in Islam (Sunnis, Shiites and Salafis) and might doing a mini research on that. Things just get clearer when you start to know something that you been heard relentlessly all this while but you just don't have a slight idea of what it is.
I have also downloaded the new Ne-Yo album, Year of the Gentlemen and like few tracks innit (including the catchy Closer, of course). Will review about it later.
Book wise, currently reading A Backpack and A Bit of Luck by Zhang Su Li, a bit slow paced but hope to get the story soon. Hoping to finish it sooner, and start buying new books (my head thinking of Murakami Haruki, some Freakonomics and chic lit haha), although there's still few books left in my desk, untouched.
I might change the layout again today, so just bear with this one for the time being.
Besides doing the layout, I'm also has been busy on wiki and updating the software in my Mac. I am suddenly interested to know more about denomination in Islam (Sunnis, Shiites and Salafis) and might doing a mini research on that. Things just get clearer when you start to know something that you been heard relentlessly all this while but you just don't have a slight idea of what it is.
I have also downloaded the new Ne-Yo album, Year of the Gentlemen and like few tracks innit (including the catchy Closer, of course). Will review about it later.
Book wise, currently reading A Backpack and A Bit of Luck by Zhang Su Li, a bit slow paced but hope to get the story soon. Hoping to finish it sooner, and start buying new books (my head thinking of Murakami Haruki, some Freakonomics and chic lit haha), although there's still few books left in my desk, untouched.
I might change the layout again today, so just bear with this one for the time being.
I am not a fan on non-fiction and serious stuff in normal days. But when my eyes catch the glimpse of one red book in Kinokuniya in few months back, I know I need to get my thoughts on this one. Besides, I know I am not in my normal state of being so this one might be an exception.
So there goes my bargain.
The Last Oil Shock: A Survival Guide to the Imminent Extinction of Petroleum Man (pheww!)(website; amazon) is actually not really a heavy read albeit it is listed as non-fiction category. In bookshelf normally it placed among other seriously serious matter like Freakonomics and the Jack Welch series of ramblings. While I put a remark that it might not be a heavy read to you, it does have graphs, charts and theories to ponder upon your head while you read it. The main subject of the book is basically about the oil crisis of the world, the theory behind the reality of oil shock that could happen in our globe in near future (the author points out that it could be real soon), consequences and what we should do to get ourselves ready for it. Yeah, it sounds like a grad thesis for me at first, complete with references list and so on. Having myself graduating college with a scroll in engineering, it keeps me wondering why somehow I have problem understanding the technical concept mentioned in the book. But nevertheless, after few chapter, I managed to keep track and enjoy it a lot.
While the book specifically intends to remind the people of the world on how important to get ready real soon for the shortage of hydrocarbons (means that we should be in the state of panic by now), the author seems to act cool about it. There are few thoughts and theories regarding the oil companies exaggerate the oil production and prediction data just to cover up the truth, and yeah, they are all make sense. It getting me on my nerves to realize that the recent oil price hike is not necessarily domestic issues but of course, a global one.
While some people might think that hydrocarbons (petroleum, gas, coal and whatever contains carbons and useful) is basically covers your car fuel tanks everyday, it is actually more than that. The electricity, transportation, daily products, commercial heating/cooling and the list goes on, it just a nightmare to think that we are in shortage of oil real soon. Imagine living your life without electric, without transportation and many else. Sure enough, we'll be dead (or turning primitive again).
Not just the daily necessities and consumption, but the recent global warming and environmental issues also directly related to hydrocarbons. The excess of carbon dioxides in air is one of the main factor of global warming and that's the reason behind Kyoto Protocol. In conclusion, the world need to focus on how to be fully independent from hydrocarbons lifestyle (by renewable energy, sustainable society et cetera) so that we could handle the situation properly.
At the end of the book, the author suggests the reader on how to help to ease the oil shock (yes people, it is not merely the scientist, economist or policymakers job alone). Some of the good suggestions are:
a)Use your own shopping bags and stop using plastic (the time has come for us to get one decent shopping bag, a tote or whatever, be it by Tods or cheaper brands)
b)Use tap water instead of bottled water (not really applicable in Malaysia, utilities people, do something)
c)Get fit, lose weight (ride bicycle to work is said to be faster journey compared to driving your car, due to daily traffic problems)
d)Live within your energy budget (buy all the energy saving stuff, save on your monthly utilities bills)
Well there's lot more, but go read yourself. Mind you some of the book content inclined towards British folks, but since globalization has taken its place, we're after all in the same shoes.
Submitted my report this morning and now I feel liberated. Free like a bird. It's been a while since I use the internet facility in this office to the max (the real max I tell you :p), so then the time has come to do it now. I have a lot of things to share in this blog, but workloads resist my intention.
First of all, Happy Ramadhan to all Muslims in this world. Let us cherish this moment of blessed month. Personally, I really looking forward to Ramadhan, ever since I was a young kid. Surprisingly, not for Aidilfitri (The Hari Raya). I prefer the fasting month although it means to be hungry and restless all month long. I prefer this month just because the joy you feel in Ramadhan is beyond words. People buying foods in the evening for berbuka puasa, people go to the mosque for Tarawih and many more. Something you will not find in other period of time.
In Ramadhan every year, I used to perform my Tarawih prayer in Wilayah Persekutuan Mosque in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur ever since I'm in secondary school (or college, which does not matter). Loads of people will flood the mosque every year, but ironically this year, it is not happen. Less people coming, only few cars parked, and of course smaller crowd. Looking smaller and smaller the crowd turned day by day saddening me, left my mind wondering why this happen? The current unstable political situation? Expensive fuel price?
This year would be my last year celebrating Ramadhan in Malaysia before I left for Japan next year. I strongly believe the Ramadhan would have different aura in Japan, certainly not as good in Malaysia, but I do hope the blessed month does have the magic anywhere else in this planet.
Forgive me God, for whom I am sinned.
First of all, Happy Ramadhan to all Muslims in this world. Let us cherish this moment of blessed month. Personally, I really looking forward to Ramadhan, ever since I was a young kid. Surprisingly, not for Aidilfitri (The Hari Raya). I prefer the fasting month although it means to be hungry and restless all month long. I prefer this month just because the joy you feel in Ramadhan is beyond words. People buying foods in the evening for berbuka puasa, people go to the mosque for Tarawih and many more. Something you will not find in other period of time.
In Ramadhan every year, I used to perform my Tarawih prayer in Wilayah Persekutuan Mosque in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur ever since I'm in secondary school (or college, which does not matter). Loads of people will flood the mosque every year, but ironically this year, it is not happen. Less people coming, only few cars parked, and of course smaller crowd. Looking smaller and smaller the crowd turned day by day saddening me, left my mind wondering why this happen? The current unstable political situation? Expensive fuel price?
This year would be my last year celebrating Ramadhan in Malaysia before I left for Japan next year. I strongly believe the Ramadhan would have different aura in Japan, certainly not as good in Malaysia, but I do hope the blessed month does have the magic anywhere else in this planet.
Forgive me God, for whom I am sinned.
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