I can't believe I am in lab right now, while the truth is my flight to Hong Kong is only a day away. Scribbling facts and arguments about sustainable energy and filling out form in Japanese (yes, in kanji mind you) is the last thing I could ever imagine to do before heading south to a warmer climate. Geez. I should start reading fiction, lazying around or at least packing some stuffs! But now the real picture is my home in total mess, and I'm still here getting my kanji writing right.
Stop babbling and it'll make you an old fart.
So, updates? Well, a lot actually. I learned how to ski, went to my French buddy's housewarming party and tonnes of karaoke meets. Don't let me start with other thing because its all academic, and I am not really sure you delighted to read that.
Oh, and I failed my JLPT. As expected. I remember walking out from the exam hall with dizzy head figuring how to read long Japanese articles and essays as my Kanji illiteracy still slows down my reading. And true indeed, my vocab and reading comprehension marks are the lowest. Listening is the only savior (thanks to frequent Japanese conversation and ridiculous Japanese TV show), but when the other two papers suck, nothing can be done anymore. So here I am, repeating the paper this July, hoping soon I can read Japanese essay as fast as I could (Mr. Haruki Murakami, help me!)
Can't wait to backpack in Hong Kong! Despite my tight budget and financial constraint (hmm, that's the trait of backpackers I reckon? We're the under-privileged people who eager to explore the world :p), I am so gonna explore the sight of Cantopop and Hong Kong movie background. I used to be a big fan (and still do, just not as frequent) of TVB dramas back then (all thanks to my mom who is a drama craze of all genre, and now the gene is inherited to her only son). And of course not surprisingly, I do listen to Cantonese songs from Hong Kong, from Sam Hui mellow, feel good romantic song to newer act like soul kid Khalil Fong (well his songs are in Mandarin, but he is based in Hong Kong anyway).
Oh I'm listening to it right now. Just to get the feel. Call me silly folks.
The weather report shows Hong Kong will be rainy this week long. Not a good sign for backpackers like me who initially plan to walk around town and discover narrow streets and alleys. I should pack my see through umbrella (which I believe only available in Japan, seriously I never seen it been sold anywhere else! If my fact is true, Japan should consider patent it to be national trademark :p)
Toodles, people. See you in a more humid and warmer environment in few days time.
Showing posts with label Self Note. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Note. Show all posts
How fast time flies. I still remember the pandemonium and panic over the Y2K bugs last 10 years, and within blink of eyes, it's already 2010.
2009 has its own mark in my walk of life. The year I started my life in foreign land, specifically in Japan. The year I was so worn out to study for my graduate school entrance exam but Alhamdulillah passed it. And few other adventures and life experiences that I feel so precious to be listed here.
I remember in previous years I did make new year resolutions and aim to achieve it. I dare say I'd fulfilled the 2009 list with some points not achieved but I really feel good. And this year I just hope that my life would be better than last year, the world will be much better place for us to live in and of course, the happiness of everybody. My master course and research will begin this spring, I really hope I can nail it graduate like everyone else.
New year celebration back in my home country has this close image to concerts and fireworks. Sleepless nights. But surprisingly in Japan, although new year is a big celebration celebrated by Japanese (long holiday and they go back to their hometown, like Christmas for Christians and Eid for Muslims), concerts and fireworks are not common to celebrate New Year. I can't recall what I did back in 2009 for New Year's Eve, probably watch the countdown at home. It has been ages since I went to countdown concerts and watch firework show for new year, the last one maybe while I was still in college.
New Year's Eve: This year I didn't go out either, I was not really motivated to spend the whole night outside since it was freezing. Watched Downtown Gaki ni Tsukai: Waratte wa Ikenai and Kouhaku Uta Gassen with Shogo and Anthony instead (without both of them, my New Year's Eve will be a bit lonely). I watched both show in Youtube before (I think it's pretty famous on Internet), so this is my first time to watch it on tv. Ended up continue watch tv the whole night and sleep at 5:00 am. What a way to celebrate new year.
Jan 1: woke up at 14:00, and went to Nagareyama Ootakanomori to check out the fukubukuro scene but unfortunately all shops were closed (New Year is really like Eid in Malaysia, Tokyo streets were almost empty and shops are mostly closed), so decided to go to karaoke with Shogo and Reginaldo instead. At least the karaoke parlor and kombini was still open. More about Japanese new year, click here.
My first 年賀状/nengajou/New Year's Postcard, a common etiquette in Japan (more about common etiquette in Japan, click here) from Coy. The postcard normally will be received exactly on the first day of new year and commonly replied within seven days.
Jan 2: went to Gotemba Premium Outlet in Gotemba, Shizuoka. The bus ride took about one and a half hour from Tokyo. Despite colder weather in Shizuoka, the crowd was immense, all can't wait to spend their yens. Managed to get myself a new wallet, Nike Snow Trainer 3 and francfranc fukubukuro.
富士山/Fuji-san/Fuji Mountain from far. Gotemba located in the foot of the mountain.
皆さん、
新年明けましておめでとうございます。
昨年は色々とお世話になりました。
ありがとうございます。
今年も宜しくお願いします。
今年も頑張りましょう。
「。。。この風は
あなたですか？
次の春を吹きますか。。。」
ーコブクロ「風」２００２
2009 has its own mark in my walk of life. The year I started my life in foreign land, specifically in Japan. The year I was so worn out to study for my graduate school entrance exam but Alhamdulillah passed it. And few other adventures and life experiences that I feel so precious to be listed here.
I remember in previous years I did make new year resolutions and aim to achieve it. I dare say I'd fulfilled the 2009 list with some points not achieved but I really feel good. And this year I just hope that my life would be better than last year, the world will be much better place for us to live in and of course, the happiness of everybody. My master course and research will begin this spring, I really hope I can nail it graduate like everyone else.
New year celebration back in my home country has this close image to concerts and fireworks. Sleepless nights. But surprisingly in Japan, although new year is a big celebration celebrated by Japanese (long holiday and they go back to their hometown, like Christmas for Christians and Eid for Muslims), concerts and fireworks are not common to celebrate New Year. I can't recall what I did back in 2009 for New Year's Eve, probably watch the countdown at home. It has been ages since I went to countdown concerts and watch firework show for new year, the last one maybe while I was still in college.
New Year's Eve: This year I didn't go out either, I was not really motivated to spend the whole night outside since it was freezing. Watched Downtown Gaki ni Tsukai: Waratte wa Ikenai and Kouhaku Uta Gassen with Shogo and Anthony instead (without both of them, my New Year's Eve will be a bit lonely). I watched both show in Youtube before (I think it's pretty famous on Internet), so this is my first time to watch it on tv. Ended up continue watch tv the whole night and sleep at 5:00 am. What a way to celebrate new year.
Jan 1: woke up at 14:00, and went to Nagareyama Ootakanomori to check out the fukubukuro scene but unfortunately all shops were closed (New Year is really like Eid in Malaysia, Tokyo streets were almost empty and shops are mostly closed), so decided to go to karaoke with Shogo and Reginaldo instead. At least the karaoke parlor and kombini was still open. More about Japanese new year, click here.
My first 年賀状/nengajou/New Year's Postcard, a common etiquette in Japan (more about common etiquette in Japan, click here) from Coy. The postcard normally will be received exactly on the first day of new year and commonly replied within seven days.Jan 2: went to Gotemba Premium Outlet in Gotemba, Shizuoka. The bus ride took about one and a half hour from Tokyo. Despite colder weather in Shizuoka, the crowd was immense, all can't wait to spend their yens. Managed to get myself a new wallet, Nike Snow Trainer 3 and francfranc fukubukuro.
富士山/Fuji-san/Fuji Mountain from far. Gotemba located in the foot of the mountain. 皆さん、
新年明けましておめでとうございます。
昨年は色々とお世話になりました。
ありがとうございます。
今年も宜しくお願いします。
今年も頑張りましょう。
「。。。この風は
あなたですか？
次の春を吹きますか。。。」
ーコブクロ「風」２００２
I spend the whole Saturday watching online drama and tweaking layouts. And venturing into Hatena. Not something productive physically I tell you, but lazying around do give me some blissful feeling.
I am not sure whether it is the sign of aging or maturity that get me thinking I am getting lazier and lazier, day by day. I used to have habit in diligently drilling into html or xml codes to get what I want for the layout, sadly, I am no more near that feeling. Just upload the downloaded templates from the Internet, add some Blogger gadgets and Twitter/Facebook widgets, gotcha here I am. Simple, I don't even have blogroll now.
I remember I signed up with Blogger service since 2002, and have been blogging ever since although I changed URL few times and lost my early archives. This blog has seen my ups and downs in life. I have been tempted to switch to WordPress and Movable Type, for reason that they have cooler features and designs, but true what people said, first love remains forever. I first fall in love with Blogger and for that reason, I decided to keep blogging in this platform.
Even after I found Hatena and their cool features like Diary(the blog service, with some cute layouts to drool), Fotolife (replacement of Flickr and so on), Haiku (similar like Twitter), Ugomemo(you can create your own drawings and scribbles; normally by Nintendo DS, big thing in Japan) and Bookmark(like you share links on Facebook), I keep with my decision, to stay blogging in English, in Blogger.
As a non-native English speaker, I used to suck in English (in fact I still do), mispronouncing words is my common habit, when I was in elementary school, I cannot understand any English fiction I read and I don't score much in my high school English exam. I started blogging initially just to share my own thought, and like others do, to improve my writing skill in English. Without realizing it, blogging does improve my English skill.
When I come to Japan, one problem that I have to face is the challenge of maintaining the English skill (which already broken prior coming here, unfortunately) and yet at the same time, improve the skill in Japanese. I bet it is common challenge to all foreigners here (who interested to learn Japanese and has not gave up yet, obviously).
So I decided to start blogging in Japanese, for the same initial reason when I start blogging in English. It is the same feeling, embarrassed by limited vocabulary and broken grammar rules, but learning is never an easy process. It's like climbing the mountain, they said, you stopped to take your breath, then continue walk up the path.
My Hatena user ID is groover58. Yoroshiku.
p/s- One of Hatena blogger that I love.
I am not sure whether it is the sign of aging or maturity that get me thinking I am getting lazier and lazier, day by day. I used to have habit in diligently drilling into html or xml codes to get what I want for the layout, sadly, I am no more near that feeling. Just upload the downloaded templates from the Internet, add some Blogger gadgets and Twitter/Facebook widgets, gotcha here I am. Simple, I don't even have blogroll now.
I remember I signed up with Blogger service since 2002, and have been blogging ever since although I changed URL few times and lost my early archives. This blog has seen my ups and downs in life. I have been tempted to switch to WordPress and Movable Type, for reason that they have cooler features and designs, but true what people said, first love remains forever. I first fall in love with Blogger and for that reason, I decided to keep blogging in this platform.
Even after I found Hatena and their cool features like Diary(the blog service, with some cute layouts to drool), Fotolife (replacement of Flickr and so on), Haiku (similar like Twitter), Ugomemo(you can create your own drawings and scribbles; normally by Nintendo DS, big thing in Japan) and Bookmark(like you share links on Facebook), I keep with my decision, to stay blogging in English, in Blogger.
As a non-native English speaker, I used to suck in English (in fact I still do), mispronouncing words is my common habit, when I was in elementary school, I cannot understand any English fiction I read and I don't score much in my high school English exam. I started blogging initially just to share my own thought, and like others do, to improve my writing skill in English. Without realizing it, blogging does improve my English skill.
When I come to Japan, one problem that I have to face is the challenge of maintaining the English skill (which already broken prior coming here, unfortunately) and yet at the same time, improve the skill in Japanese. I bet it is common challenge to all foreigners here (who interested to learn Japanese and has not gave up yet, obviously).
So I decided to start blogging in Japanese, for the same initial reason when I start blogging in English. It is the same feeling, embarrassed by limited vocabulary and broken grammar rules, but learning is never an easy process. It's like climbing the mountain, they said, you stopped to take your breath, then continue walk up the path.
My Hatena user ID is groover58. Yoroshiku.
p/s- One of Hatena blogger that I love.
Can't hardly wait for the bronze autumn leaves season (紅葉）to come.
My friend, Nauwar asked me whether I can be contributor (co-author) for her entertainment blog covering the news and updates of Japan music industry, considering that I am currently dwelling in Japan and my interest in Japan entertainment industry. I posted my first post (in Bahasa Melayu, mind you, what a biggest challenge to write in my own mother tongue :p) about weekly song ranking in Music Station. You can read the post here.
Another challenge is the WordPress platform. I have been a loyal Blogger user since the year 2002 (although I have changed blog and address few times) and when I first write my post in WordPress, I really had difficult time to find the way how to publish it. I have been considering to change my blog platform from Blogger to WordPress (especially because of their super cool layout) and also Hatena (the Japanese blog service, I think they have pretty cool layout and intergration service as well), but with my problem is getting used with the new blogging service make me daunting.
Too many things in my head right now. About whether I should change my blog platform to Hatena or WordPress. About whether I should get that Canon G11. Whether I should subscribe to Yoga Journal and Monocle.
I reckon what I need is Decision Making 101.
My friend, Nauwar asked me whether I can be contributor (co-author) for her entertainment blog covering the news and updates of Japan music industry, considering that I am currently dwelling in Japan and my interest in Japan entertainment industry. I posted my first post (in Bahasa Melayu, mind you, what a biggest challenge to write in my own mother tongue :p) about weekly song ranking in Music Station. You can read the post here.
Another challenge is the WordPress platform. I have been a loyal Blogger user since the year 2002 (although I have changed blog and address few times) and when I first write my post in WordPress, I really had difficult time to find the way how to publish it. I have been considering to change my blog platform from Blogger to WordPress (especially because of their super cool layout) and also Hatena (the Japanese blog service, I think they have pretty cool layout and intergration service as well), but with my problem is getting used with the new blogging service make me daunting.
Too many things in my head right now. About whether I should change my blog platform to Hatena or WordPress. About whether I should get that Canon G11. Whether I should subscribe to Yoga Journal and Monocle.
I reckon what I need is Decision Making 101.
picture taken from flickr@hiromyまぶしい光に 憧れた
その日 殻にヒビが入った
思い切って のぞいて
初めて見た高い空
嬉しくもなって 手をのばした
同時に怖くもなった
この羽の使い方は
とてもじゃないけど解らない
小さく小さく 風に負けても
信じきってみたい
青い空に高く 今なら飛べるかな
もしこのまま 落下しても
今はそれでもいい
宝を持ったこと 幸でもあり
欲望にのまれたりもする
こんなはずじゃなくて 何度も言った
素直な気持ちだった
小さな世界をやぶって
大きく君を愛したい
青い空に高く いろんな景色を見て
もしこのまま 落下しても
今はそれでもいい
朱く泣く道しるべ
心は透き通って
いつか大きくうなずく
青い空に高く
今なら飛べるかな
もしこのまま 落下しても
今はそれでもいい
青い空に高く
今なら飛べるよね
もしこのまま 落下しても
今はそれでイイ
-大塚愛 「羽ありたまご」
For those who dream big, and want to make it a reality. Good luck.
It is second day of Raya and here I am at lab, connecting to the Internet since I lost my connection at home (serve me right for stealing, sigh). Too lazy to upload Eid pics to Facebook, instead I spend the day reading the news and blogs I missed since last week. Not much of updates, in Japan mostly it's all about the new Hatoyama line up and his plan to cut out CO2 up to 25%. The new environment minister, Sakihito Ozawa would soon pass the basic bill to Diet regarding the emission trading system and environment tax to meet Hatoyama emission vision.
And my fingers not really in the mood of typing. In my mind now:
1. internet connection at home (thinking of NTT Flets Hikari),
2. English teaching certification,
3. Copenhagen and aurora trip (watching aurora in front of my eyes is one of my life must-see list and I always want to backpack to Scandinavian country albeit its crazy super expensive cost), 4. Olympus Pen EP-1 (oh, that Panasonic GF1 looks good too),
5. autumn peacoat at Hanjiro (definitely must buy),
6. United Arrows's Green Label Relaxing chronograph (surprised to know their sunglass and wrist accessory collection are not that expensive),
7. walk around Ochanomizu neighborhood (to look for sax and some cheap CD title include My Favourite Ennio Morricone presented by Junichiro Koizumi) and Ueno.
8. Panasonic essay contest (still deciding what to write though, sigh)
On another note, Murakami Haruki's Norwegian Wood is awesome. Still few chapters more to complete, what a difficult book to put down. Murakami Haruki definitely one of my favourite author to date, especially in modern Japanese literature. Really can't hardly wait to be able to read his pieces in Japanese though I know that need a lil bit of hard work (kanji, and so on, sigh again)
I'm trying my very best to stop listening to Raya songs this few days, but still can't stop listening to Amy Mastura's Setahun Sekali
and Black Dog Bone's Cahaya Aidilfitri.
And the new Yuzu's Niji comes in between.
Have a lovely day everyone.
And my fingers not really in the mood of typing. In my mind now:
1. internet connection at home (thinking of NTT Flets Hikari),
2. English teaching certification,
3. Copenhagen and aurora trip (watching aurora in front of my eyes is one of my life must-see list and I always want to backpack to Scandinavian country albeit its crazy super expensive cost), 4. Olympus Pen EP-1 (oh, that Panasonic GF1 looks good too),
5. autumn peacoat at Hanjiro (definitely must buy),
6. United Arrows's Green Label Relaxing chronograph (surprised to know their sunglass and wrist accessory collection are not that expensive),
7. walk around Ochanomizu neighborhood (to look for sax and some cheap CD title include My Favourite Ennio Morricone presented by Junichiro Koizumi) and Ueno.
8. Panasonic essay contest (still deciding what to write though, sigh)
On another note, Murakami Haruki's Norwegian Wood is awesome. Still few chapters more to complete, what a difficult book to put down. Murakami Haruki definitely one of my favourite author to date, especially in modern Japanese literature. Really can't hardly wait to be able to read his pieces in Japanese though I know that need a lil bit of hard work (kanji, and so on, sigh again)
I'm trying my very best to stop listening to Raya songs this few days, but still can't stop listening to Amy Mastura's Setahun Sekali
and Black Dog Bone's Cahaya Aidilfitri.
And the new Yuzu's Niji comes in between.
Have a lovely day everyone.
(picture from my own collection, taken during Panasonic Orientation for new scholars, April 2009)Two days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Or known globally as Eid or some called it Lebaran. I am not coming back to Malaysia and celebrate Eid there this year because I just feel that it is better for me to stay here since I already know the feeling of celebrating Eid back home. And back home, I come to realize that I am no longer have 'kampung' like I used to back in childhood days, since my grandmother of my mom side passed away few years back. And my grandmonther from my dad side is no longer stay in Johor, she's in KL now.
It has been a while since I feel any joy celebrating Raya. For me, every year, Raya turned out to be a simple celebration, our small family just celebrate it in KL and everyone knows what KL should look like during Raya days, empty and spacey. And ever since I celebrate it, for me Raya always has this sad image, depressed and melancholic songs (although there are cheerful Raya songs out there, but my mind always associate the feel of Raya with sorrowful feel). And for that I take it that I didn't really appreciate Raya as I supposed to 25 years back.
But I do have beautiful memories during Raya. They said Raya is for the kids, and I can't hardly argue that is so true. My childhood Raya memories was always look beautiful in my mind, the joy of balik kampung (going back to hometown of dad and mum side), spending the time with cousins and relatives, glorious Raya foods, fireworks and awesome TV shows. And not forgotten the euphoria feel of getting duit Raya. But year by year, when I start to grow up, the feel is slowly fade away, left me with the feel of assuming that Raya just like other ordinary holiday in my life.
This year marks my first Raya celebration away from family, abroad. To think it will be the same feeling like previous years, I don't dare to make any pre-assumptions yet. But I do miss my family, friends and somehow the sensation of Raya back in Malaysia. Some said you will appreciate thing more when you lost it. Which I feel so true.
"Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri buat mak, abah and adik di Kuala Lumpur. Kupohon kemaafan zahir dan batin andai ada tersilap kata mahupun perbuatan. Tidak lupa juga buat saudara-mara, teman-teman akrab, sahabat handai yang mengenali diri ini. Semoga Hari Raya tahun ini lebih berkat dan menjadikan diri kita insan yang lebih baik dan berkualiti daripada sebelumnya"
-Fid Anuar, Tokyo, Japan September 2009
PROLOGUE: Al-Fatihah to the late Yasmin Ahmad and Asri Ibrahim. May Allah blesses their soul. For all the good deeds they did to our world and humankind.
And I am finally back at blogging. After months of dreadful life.
All praises to Allah, I pass the entrance exam and officially belong here. Although some people said the entrance exam is just a formality to be accepted in, but I know I had tried my best and worked very hard for it. And for sure now, I feel liberated that I already passed one stage of my life here.
Another six months to go before I started my postgraduate course. Six months full of plans. Six months packed with pursuing my interests, exploring cultures, learning new stuffs. And start thinking about the direction of my research.
I am a man of planning. Detailed and organized. Not a multitasker. Some people said it complicated and wasting time, but I can't helped being myself because it's in my gene. I prefer to do job one at a time. And since I settled with the exam thing, now is the time for doing the next task and make it work.
In my list include: back at blogging (let this be the first post to start with), resume my reading list (The Second World: How Emerging Powers Are Redefining Global Competition in The Twenty-first Century by Parag Khanna is on my currently reading status), continue yoga (my last stretch is last year, what a long time. Miss the pretzel-ing moment), prepare for JLPT Level 2 this December and aiming to read Murakami Haruki's 1Q84 (of course in Japanese, so far no English translation yet) at least by the time I pass JLPT Level 1 next year. Pick up at least one blowing instrument before April next year, jazz saxophone is in my mind now. So much of a list, I questioned myself whether I can keep up with that or not.
But no harm listing, I said to myself. Having goals is way better than having nothing at all. Than living aimlessly.
I am happy and content that all of you are here with me; families, friends and acquaintances. We might not living within reach, but somehow I can feel the connection to make me less feel that I am so far away from home.
"My yesterdays are all boxed up and neatly put away
But every now and then you come to mind
Cause you were always waiting to be picked to play the game
But when your name was called, you found a place to hide
When you knew that I was always on your side"
-Always On Your Side by Sheryl Crow feat. Sting, 2005.
EPILOGUE: August 2006, London, United Kingdom. The moment when my life ended, and started again.
And I am finally back at blogging. After months of dreadful life.
All praises to Allah, I pass the entrance exam and officially belong here. Although some people said the entrance exam is just a formality to be accepted in, but I know I had tried my best and worked very hard for it. And for sure now, I feel liberated that I already passed one stage of my life here.
Another six months to go before I started my postgraduate course. Six months full of plans. Six months packed with pursuing my interests, exploring cultures, learning new stuffs. And start thinking about the direction of my research.
I am a man of planning. Detailed and organized. Not a multitasker. Some people said it complicated and wasting time, but I can't helped being myself because it's in my gene. I prefer to do job one at a time. And since I settled with the exam thing, now is the time for doing the next task and make it work.
In my list include: back at blogging (let this be the first post to start with), resume my reading list (The Second World: How Emerging Powers Are Redefining Global Competition in The Twenty-first Century by Parag Khanna is on my currently reading status), continue yoga (my last stretch is last year, what a long time. Miss the pretzel-ing moment), prepare for JLPT Level 2 this December and aiming to read Murakami Haruki's 1Q84 (of course in Japanese, so far no English translation yet) at least by the time I pass JLPT Level 1 next year. Pick up at least one blowing instrument before April next year, jazz saxophone is in my mind now. So much of a list, I questioned myself whether I can keep up with that or not.
But no harm listing, I said to myself. Having goals is way better than having nothing at all. Than living aimlessly.
I am happy and content that all of you are here with me; families, friends and acquaintances. We might not living within reach, but somehow I can feel the connection to make me less feel that I am so far away from home.
"My yesterdays are all boxed up and neatly put away
But every now and then you come to mind
Cause you were always waiting to be picked to play the game
But when your name was called, you found a place to hide
When you knew that I was always on your side"
-Always On Your Side by Sheryl Crow feat. Sting, 2005.
EPILOGUE: August 2006, London, United Kingdom. The moment when my life ended, and started again.
It's been ages since I update anything here, pardon me for being so busy with mathematics and studies (like that is something bad to do, sigh). My entrance exam will be one month from now. And I already prepared my research plan presentation slide and receive a good feedback from fellow labmates and my supervisor. I really hope everything will turn out well (of course with the math too :p)
So what I am going to confront in this entrance exam? Starting on 25th August, until the following four days, I will face TOEFL in the first day, written examination (comprises of 300 words environmental essay and two questions that can be chosen from math, physics, chemistry, biology and geoscience-time duration 2.5 hours) on the second day, five minutes presentation on research plan and undergraduate thesis on the third day, and the last day for interview and results!
So wish me luck people!
There are so many things I want to update, but I just don't have energy to write to tell you the truth. My life everyday is full of numbers and math formula cheat sheets, that utterly complete my lost of words. During my hiatus I have been to Kansai (Osaka region, which includes Kyoto, Hyogo, Kobe, Wakayama and the surrounding area), been to Universal Studios in Osaka, watched my first Kabuki performance in National Theatre in Hanzomon, Tokyo and many more things. My elaborate updates will only begin after the exam ended people, so just hang in there.
On another matter, I received an sms about Yasmin Ahmad passed away and was totally shocked. Thank God the rumor was not true, and apparently she stopped breathing after a stroke attack during her presentation in TV3 and now stabilizes to coma. My prayer for her, ya Allah. I really love the endless creative idea that comes from her movie and commercial.
My favourite Yasmin Ahmad movie is still Gubra. I remember I watched it four times in cinema (yes, I was that pathetic) and I still remember the ending part dearly.
Beautiful.
And from the same movie, comes my favourite line from Malaysian movie, the script when the people from different faith prays and that time you realize that no matter what God do you pray for, we all still pray for the happiness in life and forgiveness of all the sin we had done.
"Have mercy on me, oh God...
Maka ampunilah bagi kami segala dosa kami
According to your unfailing love
According to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions, wash away all my iniquity,
dan hapuskanlah dari kami segala kejahatan kami
and cleanse me from my sin
Wahai Tuhan kami,
berikanlah pada kami apa yang telah Engkau janjikan melalui Rasul Mu
dan janganlah hinakan kami pada Hari Kiamat
Sesungguhnya Engkau tidak menyalahi janji"
-Gubra, Yasmin Ahmad 2006 (the English lines come from Psalm 51, and the Malay part comes from Ali-Imran 192-194).
Short rants, short rants...
I just could not figure out the right title to fill the empty space in the title field, so let it be. I am super busy with maths, Panasonic Summer Seminar (going for 8 hours bus ride to Kyoto tomorrow's night!) in Awaji Island in Hyogo prefecture, Tanabata Party in Kashiwanoha Future Village (I am sooo looking forward to 花火/hanabi/fireworks tonight, but the 梅雨/tsuyu/rainy season makes me worried)
It's already July and there will be only one month and few weeks left before the 入学試験/nyuugaku shiken/university entrance exam in August. Wish me all the best in the world people! I really have to pass this, so that I feel totally belong here!
...and to make all my other plan works out.
I saw Natsuo Kirino's new novel, In in Kinokuniya Nagareyama last few days and contemplating to buy it. It is in Japanese of course ;p. The Summer sale craze already started here, and I manage to do some quick bargain. Love my new silver snickers from Zara!
Away to Kansai region peeps! Will be back next Sunday, and the entrance exam mode will be switch on to full blast after that!
Later.
I just could not figure out the right title to fill the empty space in the title field, so let it be. I am super busy with maths, Panasonic Summer Seminar (going for 8 hours bus ride to Kyoto tomorrow's night!) in Awaji Island in Hyogo prefecture, Tanabata Party in Kashiwanoha Future Village (I am sooo looking forward to 花火/hanabi/fireworks tonight, but the 梅雨/tsuyu/rainy season makes me worried)
It's already July and there will be only one month and few weeks left before the 入学試験/nyuugaku shiken/university entrance exam in August. Wish me all the best in the world people! I really have to pass this, so that I feel totally belong here!
...and to make all my other plan works out.
I saw Natsuo Kirino's new novel, In in Kinokuniya Nagareyama last few days and contemplating to buy it. It is in Japanese of course ;p. The Summer sale craze already started here, and I manage to do some quick bargain. Love my new silver snickers from Zara!
Away to Kansai region peeps! Will be back next Sunday, and the entrance exam mode will be switch on to full blast after that!
Later.
I am so bad at blogging and I don't feel like updating any longer. But there'd been lots of tremendous things going around me and I kinda like to blog the snippets here.
1. My golden week holiday was filled by a road trip to beaches of Kamogawa in Chiba and exposure to Japanese pottery art in Kasama, Ibaraki.
2. I am going hiatus again after this. Perhaps a long one. Busy with academic matters, entrance exam, seminar's presentations etc.
3. I swear I want to learn and do everything I want after the hell of entrance exam is over (with the good outcome of course) and I don't want to procrastinate this thing anymore. Let's start with saxophone, shakuhachi, climbing Fuji mountain and being a loyal yoga practitioner.
4. I really need to learn the art of organizing my financial matters and sorting out my ever growing need and want list.
5. I start to realize that you won't get any possibility of brighter skin when living in a temperate climate countries. Yes, I was that conservative.
6. I predict I am going to dream more about climate change and carbon dioxide after this. Geez.
7. Apart from my busy schedule of entrance exam this August, I do have plan to go to Hokkaido this summer. Looking forward to that.
8. There are rumors spreading around that Panasonic will release Lumix LX6 in third quarter of 2010. I don't think I can wait that long if I still stick to L-series for my wanted photography gear.
9. Volunteering, part-time jobs, freelancing and being a climate activist are few things that keep rotating in my mind right now.
Have a good life, peeps.
Being away from Malaysia does not mean that I do not know what is going around back home. In the age of internet and globalization, everything in the world is connected.
Below is the line up of new cabinet under the leadership of Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak, the new appointed Prime Minister of Malaysia. I personally like the line up, especially the new Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water.
I wish every best to the new Prime Minister and his line up to work hard for the country. Having to live in country like Japan, where Malaysia is left behind comparatively, make me strongly believe that the spirit of Malaysia Boleh should be instilled back to our citizen. Like the Japanese says, 'がんばってください’(ganbatte kudasai) when they are wishing somebody for the best of luck, although it is not directly translated as good luck, but wishing ones a hard work in what their do. Comparing our level with Japanese, do we have time to relax and stay left behind?
Some personal note:
1-I'm still reading Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore and enjoying it. I need to start reading some Japanese reading stuff, and I found Kitajima Kosuke's autobiography, 夢，はじまる。。 (Dream, Begin...) is a good read. Yes, I'm a big fan of Kitajima (although I am not really a swimmer myself, but everytime I see Kitajima's face, I feel spirited and bersemangat)
2-Attending the advance Japanese class make me even spirited to brush up my Japanese level to a more advance level. My lab mate, Tanaka-san said my Japanese is good, but I know that is not really true. There are still thousands of kanji that I don't understand and so many words that slowed down my conversation with my Japanese friend. がんばります！
3-So far, there are only four Malaysians in my campus, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa Campus, including me. And from these four, two of them are Malay (again including me). I've get the opportunity to mingle with the international student community here in my campus, and few of them are saxophone player. I always find saxophone as interesting and sexy. Maybe I should learn how to blow a sax than oboe since the variety of tunes the sax can fit in.
Below is the line up of new cabinet under the leadership of Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak, the new appointed Prime Minister of Malaysia. I personally like the line up, especially the new Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister 1: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Deputy PM and Education Minister: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Ministers in Prime Minister’s Department
Unity and Performance Management: Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon
Law and Parliament: Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz
Religious Affairs: Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharum
Economic Planning Unit: Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop
Deputies: Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, Datuk SK Devamany, Ahmad Maslan, Senator T. Murugiah
Finance
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Finance Minister II: Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah
Deputies: Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein
Education
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputies: Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Datuk Puad Zarkashi
Transport
Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat
Deputies: Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, Datuk Robert Lau
Home
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
Deputies: Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop, Jelaing Mersat
Information, Communications, Arts and Culture
Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Deputies: Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Senator Heng Seai Kie
Energy, Green Technology & Water
Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy: Noriah Kasnon
Plantation Industries and Commodities
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Deputy: Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin
Rural and Regional Development
Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal
Deputies: Datuk Hassan Malek, Datuk Joseph Entulu
Higher Education
Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin
Deputies: Dr Hou Kok Chung, Saifuddin Abdullah
International Trade and Industry
Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
Deputies: Datuk Muhkriz Mahathir, Datuk Jacob Dungau
Science, Technology and Innovation
Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
Deputy: Fadillah Yusof
Natural Resources and Environment
Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas
Deputy: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup
Tourism
Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen
Deputy: Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib
Agriculture and Agro-based Industries
Datuk Noh Omar
Deputies: Johari Baharum, Rohani Abdul Karim
Defence
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Deputy: Datuk Dr Abdul Latif
Works
Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Deputy: Datuk Yong Khoon Seng
Health
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai
Deputy: Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shilin
Youth and Sports
Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Deputies: Datuk Razali Ibrahim, Wee Jeck Seng
Human Resources
Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam
Deputy: Datuk Maznah Mazlan
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri
Deputy: Datuk Tan Lian Hoe
Housing and Local Government
Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Deputy: Lajim Ukin
Women, Family and Community Development
Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil
Deputy: Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
Foreign Affairs
Datuk Anifah Aman
Deputies: Datuk Lee Chee Leong, Senator A. Kohilan Pillai
Federal Territories
Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin
Deputy: Datuk M. Saravanan
I wish every best to the new Prime Minister and his line up to work hard for the country. Having to live in country like Japan, where Malaysia is left behind comparatively, make me strongly believe that the spirit of Malaysia Boleh should be instilled back to our citizen. Like the Japanese says, 'がんばってください’(ganbatte kudasai) when they are wishing somebody for the best of luck, although it is not directly translated as good luck, but wishing ones a hard work in what their do. Comparing our level with Japanese, do we have time to relax and stay left behind?
Some personal note:
1-I'm still reading Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore and enjoying it. I need to start reading some Japanese reading stuff, and I found Kitajima Kosuke's autobiography, 夢，はじまる。。 (Dream, Begin...) is a good read. Yes, I'm a big fan of Kitajima (although I am not really a swimmer myself, but everytime I see Kitajima's face, I feel spirited and bersemangat)
2-Attending the advance Japanese class make me even spirited to brush up my Japanese level to a more advance level. My lab mate, Tanaka-san said my Japanese is good, but I know that is not really true. There are still thousands of kanji that I don't understand and so many words that slowed down my conversation with my Japanese friend. がんばります！
3-So far, there are only four Malaysians in my campus, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa Campus, including me. And from these four, two of them are Malay (again including me). I've get the opportunity to mingle with the international student community here in my campus, and few of them are saxophone player. I always find saxophone as interesting and sexy. Maybe I should learn how to blow a sax than oboe since the variety of tunes the sax can fit in.
Just a quick one (because I'm posting from my friend's Mac), I have safely arrived in Narita Airport, yesterday morning at 6:50am. It was cloudy and a bit cold (I'm wearing a jacket and a layer of shirt, and I can feel the cold wind blows through my skin), but Alhamdulillah, everything turned out great so far.
Will have a busy week due to settle all my stuff before heading for Osaka on April 2 for Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony. Things to do before April 2 are:
1.Register for alien card (外国人渡鹿署) in Yokohama city hall (if possible because I need alien card urgently to start my life here). I'm staying with my friend's house in Yokohama and only will go to Kashiwa tomorrow. I am not sure whether I can register in Yokohama as resident although it is clearly stated that my university campus ground located in Kashiwa, Chiba.
2.If alien card done smoothly, apply for bank account in Mitsui-Sumitomo Bank and later register for mobile phone (read:iPhone 3G)
3.If alien card cannot be done in Yokohama city hall, no other option, need to find an apartment as soon as possible.
4. 10am, March 24, Tuesday-appointment with my tutor in Environmental Building, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa.
5.March 26, Thursday-Yokohama National University undergraduate graduation ceremony (横浜国立大学卒業式)! Congratulation guys!
6. March 27, Friday - Meet up with Mr. Koezuka and Mr. Yamamoto from Panasonic Scholarship Japan in University of Tokyo Hongo campus for receiving the Panasonic Envelope.
7. March 30 - My friend is going back to Malaysia. Safe journey home.
8. April 2 - Going to Osaka by bullet train (新幹線) for Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony.
9. April 3 - back in Tokyo. My life as research student (研究生) begins.
Wish me all the luck in the world:)
Will have a busy week due to settle all my stuff before heading for Osaka on April 2 for Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony. Things to do before April 2 are:
1.Register for alien card (外国人渡鹿署) in Yokohama city hall (if possible because I need alien card urgently to start my life here). I'm staying with my friend's house in Yokohama and only will go to Kashiwa tomorrow. I am not sure whether I can register in Yokohama as resident although it is clearly stated that my university campus ground located in Kashiwa, Chiba.
2.If alien card done smoothly, apply for bank account in Mitsui-Sumitomo Bank and later register for mobile phone (read:iPhone 3G)
3.If alien card cannot be done in Yokohama city hall, no other option, need to find an apartment as soon as possible.
4. 10am, March 24, Tuesday-appointment with my tutor in Environmental Building, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa.
5.March 26, Thursday-Yokohama National University undergraduate graduation ceremony (横浜国立大学卒業式)! Congratulation guys!
6. March 27, Friday - Meet up with Mr. Koezuka and Mr. Yamamoto from Panasonic Scholarship Japan in University of Tokyo Hongo campus for receiving the Panasonic Envelope.
7. March 30 - My friend is going back to Malaysia. Safe journey home.
8. April 2 - Going to Osaka by bullet train (新幹線) for Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony.
9. April 3 - back in Tokyo. My life as research student (研究生) begins.
Wish me all the luck in the world:)
I am actually in the middle of getting my Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for my student visa to Japan to be done, but I won't rather let it to cost me boredom. I was busy the whole week emailing the respective person in admission office in University of Tokyo to ask about my situation (I still have not received my official offer letter yet, and I blame Pos Malaysia for it) and finally, I am going to submit my COE form back to them insya Allah by today. Within that frame of time, I was actually manage to download three movies and watched them back to back, marathon style.
The first movie is Volver, directed by Pedro Almodovar. It's a Spanish film, with Spain as the background. I first know about the movie when I was back in London 2 years back, was passing the film poster on the tube station. My friend who was me, instantly saying he already watch the movie, and it was good. 2 years after, I managed to download the movie and up to my surprises, the movie has won so many awards and recognitions. Even Mr. Almodovar is actually quite a renowned name in the industry. The movie, basically revolves around few characters but actually the main spotlight is on Raimunda, played by Penelope Cruz (she's awesome) who live in average life with her daughter, Paula and the always drunk husband, Paco. Paco was then been stabbed by Paula, after an attempt from Paco to molest her. Frightened and panic, they're apparently did not deal with one death alone that night, after at the same time, Raimunda's sister, Sole called her to inform that their Aunt Paula has passed away. The story then goes revealing the secret Raimunda had been kept all this while, and also the funny part where her deceased mother, Irene come back in their life. No, it's not a scary flick we're talking here. Volver was presented in a more cynical and dramatic way, with beautiful Spanish feeling to it.
The next film is the Long Time Dead. It's a British production film and I have watched this back in the university years. I always fond to hear people speak with British accent and somehow I can say, Long Time Dead is quite scary too. The plot of the film is loosely centers about a group of youngsters who played Ouija board and the ghost spirit named Djinn haunted them to death. Sounds like a boring film, but after all, I pretty interested to watch this film again.
The last film review, is A Beautiful Mind. I watched this after SPM and believe me, it's one of the film that I feel so satisfied watching it in movie hall and I do love genius people. A Beautiful Mind is a story about John Nash, a Nobel laureate in economics who use to work in Princeton and MIT. The main plot centers around Nash struggles against his disease of schizophrenia, where his creates imaginary friends and persons, and drawn to it. His disease has taken to a level where he thought he worked as the code breaker of the United States in Cold War. He was then been taken to the psychiatrist but managed to marry the love of his life and had one son (despite his condition). It appeared that schizophrenia cannot be healed easily, as he deals with the imaginary character every single time until he aged. He tried to ignore and while he struggle to do it, he faces discrimination and humiliation from people around him who always think he is crazy (yeah, he is but discrimination and humiliation is simply intolerable). A Beautiful Mind has taken me into the pleasure of being academic and knowledgeable.
On the book note, I am still waiting for the book of Tariq Ramadan arrive in Kinokuniya end of the month. Still reading the dramatic Michael Crichton's State of Fear.
The first movie is Volver, directed by Pedro Almodovar. It's a Spanish film, with Spain as the background. I first know about the movie when I was back in London 2 years back, was passing the film poster on the tube station. My friend who was me, instantly saying he already watch the movie, and it was good. 2 years after, I managed to download the movie and up to my surprises, the movie has won so many awards and recognitions. Even Mr. Almodovar is actually quite a renowned name in the industry. The movie, basically revolves around few characters but actually the main spotlight is on Raimunda, played by Penelope Cruz (she's awesome) who live in average life with her daughter, Paula and the always drunk husband, Paco. Paco was then been stabbed by Paula, after an attempt from Paco to molest her. Frightened and panic, they're apparently did not deal with one death alone that night, after at the same time, Raimunda's sister, Sole called her to inform that their Aunt Paula has passed away. The story then goes revealing the secret Raimunda had been kept all this while, and also the funny part where her deceased mother, Irene come back in their life. No, it's not a scary flick we're talking here. Volver was presented in a more cynical and dramatic way, with beautiful Spanish feeling to it.
The next film is the Long Time Dead. It's a British production film and I have watched this back in the university years. I always fond to hear people speak with British accent and somehow I can say, Long Time Dead is quite scary too. The plot of the film is loosely centers about a group of youngsters who played Ouija board and the ghost spirit named Djinn haunted them to death. Sounds like a boring film, but after all, I pretty interested to watch this film again.
The last film review, is A Beautiful Mind. I watched this after SPM and believe me, it's one of the film that I feel so satisfied watching it in movie hall and I do love genius people. A Beautiful Mind is a story about John Nash, a Nobel laureate in economics who use to work in Princeton and MIT. The main plot centers around Nash struggles against his disease of schizophrenia, where his creates imaginary friends and persons, and drawn to it. His disease has taken to a level where he thought he worked as the code breaker of the United States in Cold War. He was then been taken to the psychiatrist but managed to marry the love of his life and had one son (despite his condition). It appeared that schizophrenia cannot be healed easily, as he deals with the imaginary character every single time until he aged. He tried to ignore and while he struggle to do it, he faces discrimination and humiliation from people around him who always think he is crazy (yeah, he is but discrimination and humiliation is simply intolerable). A Beautiful Mind has taken me into the pleasure of being academic and knowledgeable.
On the book note, I am still waiting for the book of Tariq Ramadan arrive in Kinokuniya end of the month. Still reading the dramatic Michael Crichton's State of Fear.
If you're living in Malaysia, you will heard the same news headline everyday, the Gaza (it is actually pronounced as Ghazzah in Arabic) crisis. Not just the printed news material, but also the prime 8.00 pm news on telly. We even had special parliament meeting to present the stand of Malaysia in this issue, and of course, to show the world that our congressman, regardless of political side, has ability to unite and voice out their stand and opinion to the world.
Despite thousands of ringgits had been funded to Palestinians funds all around the nation, there is one more campaign I believe is getting popular, which is the boycott of Israel and US products that is known to support the Israel attack on Palestinians. If you seen the list, I am very sure you will let out a sigh. It is almost impossible to boycott all, since the products listed are not a rare products, and we have been using those in our daily necessities (although some don't).
Boycott is not new. The boycott against Israel products has been started since the Arab-Israel war in 1941. Although Israel's economy is known to be relatively well along that period until now (perhaps with the support of US economy and the grooming capitalist market), the boycott has made significant impact towards Israel economy and international trade.
There was a call for boycott renewal after intifada, but since Gaza crisis in 2005, the boycott has weakened its support from the Arab countries. It is too early to predict what will the effect of boycott this time after the Gaza 2008 crisis, since there is no certain consensus by the Arab world against the Israel. Nevertheless, I have seen people starts boycotting the product in Malaysia, and I believe if not major, it will seen minor significant results to Israel.
Noktah Hitam has posted one post to explain about the campaign from economic view in a more clear picture. I am today, however, not simply stating that I had start boycotting the products, but I working my best to avoid any questionable product that relates to the issue.
Despite thousands of ringgits had been funded to Palestinians funds all around the nation, there is one more campaign I believe is getting popular, which is the boycott of Israel and US products that is known to support the Israel attack on Palestinians. If you seen the list, I am very sure you will let out a sigh. It is almost impossible to boycott all, since the products listed are not a rare products, and we have been using those in our daily necessities (although some don't).
Boycott is not new. The boycott against Israel products has been started since the Arab-Israel war in 1941. Although Israel's economy is known to be relatively well along that period until now (perhaps with the support of US economy and the grooming capitalist market), the boycott has made significant impact towards Israel economy and international trade.
There was a call for boycott renewal after intifada, but since Gaza crisis in 2005, the boycott has weakened its support from the Arab countries. It is too early to predict what will the effect of boycott this time after the Gaza 2008 crisis, since there is no certain consensus by the Arab world against the Israel. Nevertheless, I have seen people starts boycotting the product in Malaysia, and I believe if not major, it will seen minor significant results to Israel.
Noktah Hitam has posted one post to explain about the campaign from economic view in a more clear picture. I am today, however, not simply stating that I had start boycotting the products, but I working my best to avoid any questionable product that relates to the issue.
I hope it's not too late to post the new year wish since I only can get Internet connection in my office and here I am, back at work. I tried to rely on P1 Wimax for connection in my house but it turned out the connection was so slow and unreliable.
And anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR AND LET'S ROCK 2009! Everyone knows how suck 2008 was and how frightening 2009 will be, just forget the forecast and the downturns for just a moment and blow your wish.
While the world celebrating and cheerful with fireworks and so on, let's pray for the people of Gaza who definitely had unhappy new year moment. They don't have colorful fireworks there, just bombs and carnage. While some of you had new year's eve dinner with kids and family, they're hiding behind walls and crying over their babies death. Some of my friends just watched Schindler's List and I am totally agree with comments and morale from the story. If Israelis campaigning through Spielberg's piece that they're retaliating the Palestinians and Gaza people for what Hitler had done to them in the Holocaust, what make them different fron Nazi now? Retaliating is not the answer.
On the other note, I wish 2009 to be more productive, lovely and peaceful.
-I wish to pass University of Tokyo's entrance exam for Graduate Program in Sustainability Science in August.
-started to learn on how to play oboe
-continue my yoga practice.
-pass Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2 in December
-start volunteering and living a green life to make this world a better place to live in.
-be a better Muslim
-excel in TOEFL this February
-own an iPhone
-hope to get a chance to travel more. Since I am going to Tokyo, I hope I can discover Kansai area (Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara) and Nagoya perhaps (since my fellow Panasonic friend, Ooi, will be heading there)
- be less procrastinate and hope to make more friends around the world. I am known to be the less talker and a bit introvert at first, but I am making effort to change.
The list grows day by day, but after all, it aims on being the better for the world. Let's hope this year it will come true.
________________________________________
Added on 08.01.2009:
I forgot to add that I am seriously want Panasonic LX-3 this year. I want to shoot more awesome pictures and pursue my journey in photography. Let's hope that will come true as well.
It's been a while since Eid, and I know, there is too much to report right now. Let's have some snippets on updates that will follow (sooner or later, let's hope):
1. The Fatwa Council of Malaysia is banning yoga for Muslims. For more info, click here
2. I was away to Bangkok (and Pattaya), Thailand for backpacking trip and it was awesome.
3. I had submitted my application to University of Tokyo for next year admission of research student.
4. I was asked to give an acceptance speech tomorrow in front of Minister of International Trade and Industry, YB Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin and fellow honorable guests from Japan for Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony. Yes, I am currently nervous like hell, and yes, I hate public speaking THAT much (but I'm trying to improve that)
5. I read Hanis Zalikha's blog and ready to list down my 'senarai kesyukuran' (list of grateful things?). And true, I am ready to blog in Malay. Be careful, be very careful.
6. I am so interested to blog more about sustainability and climate change (since I am going to be seriously involved in that field starting next year), but hold on, I am preparing before pulling it full throttle.
7. I am also interested to blog about The United States Presidential Election, but I do not know whether I have sufficient info for that matter.
8. So in a nutshell, give me time to read and be ready for the next post. We'll take it from there.
Till then.
1. The Fatwa Council of Malaysia is banning yoga for Muslims. For more info, click here
2. I was away to Bangkok (and Pattaya), Thailand for backpacking trip and it was awesome.
3. I had submitted my application to University of Tokyo for next year admission of research student.
4. I was asked to give an acceptance speech tomorrow in front of Minister of International Trade and Industry, YB Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin and fellow honorable guests from Japan for Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony. Yes, I am currently nervous like hell, and yes, I hate public speaking THAT much (but I'm trying to improve that)
5. I read Hanis Zalikha's blog and ready to list down my 'senarai kesyukuran' (list of grateful things?). And true, I am ready to blog in Malay. Be careful, be very careful.
6. I am so interested to blog more about sustainability and climate change (since I am going to be seriously involved in that field starting next year), but hold on, I am preparing before pulling it full throttle.
7. I am also interested to blog about The United States Presidential Election, but I do not know whether I have sufficient info for that matter.
8. So in a nutshell, give me time to read and be ready for the next post. We'll take it from there.
Till then.
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.
-------------------
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...
-------------------------
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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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.
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Dear readers (if there's any),
It has been two long years since I post anything here in my site. It's not that I'm away, I'm still here, still breathing the same polluted air, the glaring at the same sun shine, and looking at the same shooting star as you people. I'm still here in the land of Kuala Lumpur, having fun, and currently sipping my favorite coffee at my very same desk two years back (except it's been a bit messy with files and rubbish). In other word, life has been the same, with few surprises and solaces, and here I am, still kicking the ass like tomorrow's never end.
And I do hope you guys have the same feeling in your life.
When I decided to start back writing and re-energize this blog, I am very sure that nobody is gonna read it. I am so surprised to see some of friend's comment in the past post, and dear God, I do love all my friends. Having friends shares the mutual feeling that you are currently be loved, and been taken care of, and of course that's the best feeling to keep you in sanity.
Some little update on what happen to me during two years of non-blogging drift away: I have fulfilled most of my new year's resolutions and the long wish list, I have started practicing yoga and pilates and loving every single minute of it, I went to Tokyo last year for visiting friend and vacation (besides realizing my travel dream), plus I'm now a proud owner of my own Macbook lappy and iPod. There's some setbacks came along the way, but after all life was good.
And recently, I've got an offer from Panasonic to pursue my graduate degree in Japan. And even more recent, I got feedback from one of my target professors in University of Tokyo that he is willing to accept me as student in his lab. Alhamdulillah God, all praises to Him.
Looking back at my unsuccessful attempt to go to UK last two years, how ironic to realize that God does listen to your prayers, chanting and what your heart speaks. Being a firm believer in God and destiny, I believe I am stronger now. Amin.
It has been two long years since I post anything here in my site. It's not that I'm away, I'm still here, still breathing the same polluted air, the glaring at the same sun shine, and looking at the same shooting star as you people. I'm still here in the land of Kuala Lumpur, having fun, and currently sipping my favorite coffee at my very same desk two years back (except it's been a bit messy with files and rubbish). In other word, life has been the same, with few surprises and solaces, and here I am, still kicking the ass like tomorrow's never end.
And I do hope you guys have the same feeling in your life.
When I decided to start back writing and re-energize this blog, I am very sure that nobody is gonna read it. I am so surprised to see some of friend's comment in the past post, and dear God, I do love all my friends. Having friends shares the mutual feeling that you are currently be loved, and been taken care of, and of course that's the best feeling to keep you in sanity.
Some little update on what happen to me during two years of non-blogging drift away: I have fulfilled most of my new year's resolutions and the long wish list, I have started practicing yoga and pilates and loving every single minute of it, I went to Tokyo last year for visiting friend and vacation (besides realizing my travel dream), plus I'm now a proud owner of my own Macbook lappy and iPod. There's some setbacks came along the way, but after all life was good.
And recently, I've got an offer from Panasonic to pursue my graduate degree in Japan. And even more recent, I got feedback from one of my target professors in University of Tokyo that he is willing to accept me as student in his lab. Alhamdulillah God, all praises to Him.
Looking back at my unsuccessful attempt to go to UK last two years, how ironic to realize that God does listen to your prayers, chanting and what your heart speaks. Being a firm believer in God and destiny, I believe I am stronger now. Amin.
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