Noobest day of my life

When you say "good till the last drop" means it must be something good that you have (e.g. soups, drinks, gravy, even water when you start drinking it like a thirsty camel). When your car says "good till the last drop" it's bad news.

On a Friday evening, driving on my way to Bangsar to meet a friend of mine for a hang-out after a long week of research and some this and that, with my low fuel warning blinking since Sunday, and itchy-lar, want to see how much can the car really go with the thing blinking listening to the radio with YAB Najib announcing the Budget 2010.

At the time he announced that the government will encourage business related to Green Technology and Green Builiding Index and my car said "good till the last drop" and I say "I know my car does not run green, you don't have to do this to my car!" But anyway I pushed my car (800+ kgs) for 50 meters, uphill along Jalan Tun Razak near the Titwangsa Monorail single handedly until my muscles starts failing ,OUCH! Good thing is still having my colleague to pass by there, pick me up, go buy some gas despite going to pick up her mom from somewhere. Thanks Chin Hui (did I spell your name wrongly, just a guess but sincere).

Somehow feels like the song by Lobo, Me and You and a dog name Boo! That phrase "Another tank of gas and back on the road again"

Life is ......

What is life by its own essence? Using the perspective of Theo-centric religions (those religions revolve around the ideas of God, e.g. Islam, Christianity) that God grants you life for a purpose, serve Him as how you serve the yourself and the people on this Earth. While Homo-centric religions (belief systems that begins with Man themselves e.g. Buddhism) that it is up to Man themselves to explore their own purpose.

But as civilization advances, thus the common community belief system changes as well. Probably during the Stone Age humans are so "enslaved" by "Gods" as they do not comprehend nature well enough (I guess), advancing through glorious civilization of the Egyptians, Romans, Greek, Chinese, Indian, Babylonians and Mesopotamian with their own belief system. Birth of Moses, Buddha, Christ, Confucius, Mencius, Lao-Tzu, Prophet Muhammad begin to mold the thoughts of man.

Now with machinery able to make 3200000000 (3.2GHz) calculations per second, everything goes at the speed of light (or at least sound) and the grip of Adam Smith (writer of Wealth of Nations) remains strong in this world, somehow our thoughts are now revolving around a thing called wealth (and its other forms) while our purpose of life remains a question or being more questionable.

Over a sharing by a friend in campus over lunch talked about his experiences from a "greenhorn" into a "seasoned soldier" in the corporate field while juggling other matters such as family, friends...... And needless to say, it revolves around a thing called money. Needless to say our current society molded by capitalism, materialism and super billionaires (e.g. Bill Gates maybe top this list), while money for yourself, for your house (be it rent or purchased), for your car, for your family...... the word is still money.

Man judges the quality of Man by his wealth accumulated on the Kingdom of Earth but God judges the quality of Man by the treasures that Man collected in Kingdom of Heaven. (please correct me if I'm wrong, I remembered I heard something like this before this). I would be in Hell if Man rules the world (or more like being an outcast), while it is up to Him to audit my fortunes in Heaven. We live in a material world with our bodies of flesh and bone, while comprehending life which is inmaterial with our flesh brain filled with thoughts tainted by defilement, clouded by prejudice, directed by perspective, blessed by prayer, enriched by love, guided by compassion.

Oh great, why and what am I ranting about? Must be the headache I had this evening made me write this whole thing out out of impulse. Just treat this post like any other post but please do not dwell into the details so much.

** The writer is a tolerant and accepting Malaysian whom has only basic understanding on the religions practiced in Malaysia, needless to say the writer is not an atheist, a fanatic or even a philosopher but only human who likes to read about religion and understanding them

My own 15Malaysia reviews - Part 1

Well if you are not that well informed on the 15Malaysia project which is already halfway better check it out otherwise you will miss out all the fun made by our beloved independent filmmakers namely Ho Yuhung, Yasmin Ahmad, Amir Muhammad and many more.......let's get on with the review.......

1. Potong Saga by Ho Yuhung

Synopsis: Namewee was introduced to Islamic banking and its benefits by his friends but being misled on the procedures of applying one which made him circumcised his dick......
Verdict: It's is so good until laughed almost throughout the film. I could watch it several times without getting bored of it. (10/10)

2. Chocolate by The Late Yasmin Ahmad

Synopsis: A son who refuses a scholarship offer being scolded by his mother and constantly being fed with negative statement regarding other races until he met a Malay girl wanted to buy some items from the store but not enough to pay for the piece of chocolate.
Verdict: Hats off for Yasmin Ahmad as states the videos message boldly, clearly and directly (10/10)

3. The Tree by Amir Muhammad feat. Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat

Synopsis: A detailed explanation by YAB Nik Aziz about how people can earn a living using righteous while collecting merits means using an Islamic perspective using agriculture as an example
Verdict: This is more like an interview rather than a video, a 4 min sermon but still it is meaningful on how to live a good life using noble means. (6/10)

4. House by Linus Chung

Synopsis: A touching story about an Indian family living in poverty. While the house he built being threaten by bullies in school, the house at home is at the verge of being demolished.
Verdict: Does this sound like High Chapparal in Penang? But still most of us can count our blessings, but too this shows an ugly side on how the rich can drive the poor. (8/10)

5. Halal by Liew Seng Tat feat. Adibah Noor

Synopsis: A simple and concise film on Halal food through comedy using poultry as an example from preparing to slaughter to preparing to cook.
Verdict: Message is there but the part Madam Ong repeatedly saying "Babi, babi, babi, babi, babi, babi......" is a little redundant and distasteful even for me, overall the is still good. (5/10)

6. The Son by Desmond Ng feat. Datuk Zainal Ibrahim

Synopsis: A son being driven to the police station by his father in relation to a racially driven assault case. The son have actually obtained a recording of the incident.
Verdict: The message of the danger of inter communal distrust and conflict can go ugly in many ways unseen and unknown is indirectly expressed through this film. No problem on the message but some may not be able to get the message. (8/10)

7. Lumpur by Kamal Sabran

Synopsis: A ode to our motherland by many different people of ethnicity, occupation and social background. By adding water and soil we get mud (which is how tanah + air = lumpur is made but "tanah air" means nation) by removing the mud (which are the defilements happening in our nation shown at the end), we have clear water and good soil (represents the nation)
Verdict: Very meaningful video which serves as a reminder that our nation is where we are and where we are united for now and forever and the timing is right to be released on our 52nd Independence Day. (9/10)

8. One Future by Tan Chui Mui feat. Tian Chua and Ida Nerina

Synopsis: A sci-fi film using a series of still pictures showing a perfect future of Malaysia where all are united with integration and zero poverty as all are given a house and a job by the government. But all this comes in a price of freedom of speech, literally!
Verdict: Futuristic, YES! Using tons of still pics to portray the "future" so you have to watch it like a "comic" but what is happening in there is kinda scary too. Since is made by a young independent filmmaker I guess it's alright, it's a new concept and I like it, still have room for some improvement. (8/10)

9. Slovak Sling by Woo Ming Jin feat. Harith Iskandar and Patrick Teoh

Synopsis: Another comedy showing how politicians entice the other party to join them while the day is close to the election. Their actions are being watched by a pirated DVD seller while learning a few "tricks" of bribery.
Verdict: LOL! I better keep the best part which is the end to myself. I could get choked just by laughing. (10/10)

More videos coming up with familiar faces such as Khairy Jamaluddin and Dato Seri Liow Tiong Lai, the Health Minister. All you have to do is check out http://www.15malaysia.com

New blogs to release

Well with so many interests lined up for me I think its time to segregate them in categories rather than lump them all up in my vault, with all the clutter. Here are the proposed blogs which I may make this July.

Title: Fantasy Wizardry
Theme: For all things regarding Magic The Gathering, events, cards, decks......

Title: Imperial Guard Barracks
Theme: For all my Warhammer 40k Imperial Guard Army, regiments, painting and stuff like that

1st Attempt on Painting Warhammer 40k miniatures

A few one word description. It's "TOUGH" but it's "FUN" and "RELAXING". I've found my own meditation after cooking and archery. Craft is a good form of "meditation". Sorry Alvin, I've started it up without your guiding hand, just that my itchy hands has started to react so I've started up with a Cadian Shock Troops and some paints and washes (incomplete paint jobs, and some crummy appearances).

Cadian Imperial Guard with Lasgun

Imperial Guard with Vox-caster

Guardsman with Flamer

Guardsman with Grenade Launcher

The models are initially assembled and undercoated with black spray paint (acrylic paint), the armor is exactly what I've want (in black), the fatigues are painted in Dark Angels Green washed with Badab Black, while the metallic parts painted with Boltgun Metal, skins are painted with Dwarf Flesh washed with Gryphonne Sephia.

The meaning of a successful life......

All of a sudden I have been contemplating this matter, I don't know why but anyway such thoughts pops up so kind of want to write about it.

Probably our parents (basically is social mindset) would say the following:
1. Go study, get good grades
2. Go university/college, graduate
3. Work, get promoted, get high salary job
4. Get married, have kids
5. Bringing up the kids (oh wait, and our kids will start begin from step 1)
6. Retire, spend your last few years (maybe our grandchildren will start from step 1)
7. Depart from the Kingdom of Earth

This cyclical notion of life goes on generation after generation feel sort of nothing much to talk about, this path of modern society. Alas, I'm was born and raised in this era. So there are also times I thought of that the life of ancient society was much richer than now although comparatively they are deprived of certain luxuries or some other thing. Society then were probably close to nature but now we are more surrounded by jungles of concrete, steel and glass towering 400+ meters above your head.

Yet able to advance, develop and improve are some traits of humans which we cannot deny, thus that goes to our existence and mindset changing with the times. I wonder what would the readers would think of it?

My new life, new place, new......

Its already 2 week plus after moving in, here somethings I've did during that period of time.

1. Got the room furnished

Got it all spruced up with some furniture transferred from my UNITEN days plus the curtains bought from Carrefour Wangsa Maju

2. Serviced my car for the 3rd time

That is the kind of distance I've traveled to had my car serviced for 10,000 km and a whooping RM160.00+ for service plus some engine cleaner and injector cleaning

3. Go around some places around Tmn Melati

Some of the places I've went or passed-by, which I had it all pin-pointed (red is where I am now)

4. Get to know UTAR and some funny people in UTAR
UTAR people are people friendly, but with many funny twists and turn here and there.

5. Archery in MSN Taman Keramat with WIRA
I thought is where the nationals train, maybe I wasn't there to if they happen to train during weekdays as I go threre only on weekends. Oh btw, WIRA means Wilayah Red Arrows.

Moving to a new place for a new......

As of this post, I'll be posting all the way from Taman Melati in a decently furnished condo room about 100 square feet. I'll be starting work on 31 March so I still have to hang around for a while and get used to the environment.

I'll see you in the next few posts......

My last few days in Carsem

Some crazy pics they took with me on my last few days in Carsem. This means I'm going to start my Research Assistant job in no time and my Masters will commence in no time too followed by my tutorship.

The tallest guy in Carsem compared to an average girl
(Kar Wei wants to know how short she is)


Me and Assistant Engineers
(From left: Tan, Me and Hoong)


The whole team
(The front most guy is a Filipino, dun play play, this industry runs on Filipino brain power in M'sia)

Some poetry upon leaving Carsem

I was kind of inspired by this poem by Robert Lee Frost titled "The Road Not Taken"

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I could have stayed back and have a good wad of cash every month easily and have a really easy life staying with my folks in Ipoh, but I took the one less traveled by (taking the VSS to study Masters) and that has made all the difference (which is still uncertain of the final result)

What I faced for the past few months is almost 100% what Mr. Frost had when he wrote this poem, making the tough choice.