Bersih?

29th April 2012

Is spilling of blood necessary for a country to change? Throughout history, there have been many wars fought: for power, for money, for freedom, for peace. Whatever it is, usually there's a spill of blood before substantial change happens. But is that really necessary?

Just yesterday there was a big rally in Malaysia, and in KL, things didn't turn out well. Government are pointing fingers at protesters for not keeping their promise of a peaceful rally. Organizers of the rally are blaming the government and police of excessive force. In the process, things got ugly and people were hurt, blood were spilled.

I wonder what will happen if the protesters were allowed to sit in in Dataran Merdeka. I wonder what will happen if protesters took the opportunity to have the protest in stadium instead. More importantly, I wonder why either one of those two didn't work out. Of course each gave their own reasons for not wanting to back down. Gov said Dataran Merdeka not suitable. Ambiga said a last minute change of venue was not possible as they do not have enough time to contact the NGO's. REALLY?

I don't find the arguments on either side plausible. I think it all boils down to image. Gov don't want to be seemed as if they were losing grip of their power. Maybe the same goes for the organizers. They might want to show the Gov that they have the right to protest and speak up (which they do) and by changing the venue, their image might be gone.

I am proud that so many Malaysians came out in support for clean and fair elections. I really am. But I wasn't proud when I see people beating their own people up, regardless of which side was beaten. Some might say police was brutal and yes, some were brutal but not all. Some might say that the protesters were brutal, and yes, some were brutal but not all. The danger in categorizing it as an all or nothing is very dangerous as more often than not, humans are not that simple. What I dislike most is how in these cases of 'war', blood are spilled. And the question comes... WHOSE BLOOD?

Is it the organizers' blood? No I don't think so. They are still pretty much alive and kicking. Is it the top people in the government who gives orders' blood? No, I don't think so.. They are even more alive and kicking. It is the blood of the common people that are spilled, regardless of whether they are in the police force, or the ordinary citizens who were teared gassed.

If either one party thought for a moment about people's safety and put aside the issue of their image, maybe this won't happen. At the end of the day, it is the people, the ordinary citizens who suffers. So is blood spill necessary? In the world that I live in right now, I think it is. But I hope it will change in the near future. This will happen if people can think for other people's welfare and not hang on so tightly onto one's idea that it's become so rigid.

God Bless~

End of the First Semester?

25th April 2012

It's almost the last week of class and finals is in 2 weeks time. After that will be the summer. Man, time sure flies. It's gonna be the end of the first semester already.

Hopefully I will be working full time during summer to earn some money. >,< dire financial situation. hoho..

How has my first semester been? Relaxing I would say for the most part, since most of my friends are busy shit every now and then. So I better enjoy it. I think Fall's gonna be shitty busy for me. But of well life goes on.

Work has been getting better I guess. Kids are more warmed up to me now. I have certain kids which I so love them. Other kids are just.... well.. let's not talk about those kids. :p

Nowadays whenever I see an aeroplane, I have a feeling. Feeling of going somewhere. When you live overseas with a bunch of friends, inevitably you will hear about people wanting to go places. Some of my friends are going back to Malaysia. Others are making plans to go road trips or some other trips. And that leaves me ...... nowhere. At least not yet somewhere.

Planning to go somewhere during the winter. *prays real hard* I better start planning and budgeting ^^

Oh did I mention I love grocery shopping now? I so don't like it back in Malaysia. But now it's something which I.... take responsibility in. lol.. really, when you have got nothing to do, having something to do is really awesome.

God Bless~

Living in the US

Feb 26, 2012

So after talking about my journey here, let's focus on what I have been doing here.

Louis picked me up from the airport and I stayed at Suzanne's place for a while before moving in to my dorm, the College Inn (it's as old as Malaysia XD). My room is simple, but ok i guess.

The weather is always changing and there's really a pretty big difference in temperature from midnight till morning, till afternoon and night again. I can wake up at 3 morning (which I do at times) feeling hot and sweating.

UNT is a big university and there are still places which I have yet to know, but so far I would have known almost all of the places which are important to me and I don't get lost anymore. More like trying to find shortcuts nowadays on which is the fastest route to get to somewhere.

I am pretty much still trying to be more resourceful. It doesn't feel good to be always depending on others for things but sometimes I just need to and learn to be more muka tebal lor. ho ho. Everyone here is kinda like fighting for themselves as we all have our own goals and we take on different pathways.

Sometimes I do not understand the terms being used by the guai lou here and I am still adapting to it. More so when I first went for volleyball practice. Have no idea what they were saying oh em gee.. the terms they use is so different. outside hitter, deep, shallow, you're tight, second up, i've got hands, etc. but slowly getting used to it.

Class is ok. Some are boring, some are interesting, but I suppose it's gonna get more interesting as time goes by. As of now, I have some free time, not a lot, but enough to get by my studies, sports, work and daily living.

Life is different here for sure. I guess inevitably there will be perception of me partying here in the US, but... it's not happening as yet. This place at least is very peaceful. people are just contented with life and honestly speaking is pretty mundane... comparing it to KL.

God Bless~

Coming to the US

24th February

I know it's been a long time since I updated my blog and I am sorry for that. Well i tried updating it once i was here wanting to talk about my flights but then blogger wouldn't want to upload the photo and i was lazy to resize it. :p So it ended up without any post. Well let's talk a little about it then.

I came to US on 11th January (it's been that long? oh em gee) and being very not accustomed to travelling (alone some more), it was really a little crazy I think, but what to do.... air flight expensive ar.. seorang datang bagus la. hahaha..

So my flight was about 1 morning and from KLIA, my first stop is in Beijing, China. Once landed, IT WAS SO COLD. NO FREAKING JOKE! it was definitely less than freezing point cause i can see water freezing. so cold die and then was walking to another terminal. good thing I had someone to assist me, if not I will be so lost. the person was like 'THAT IS TERMINAL THREE. WE ARE AT TERMINAL TWO!! LET'S WALK FASTER!!!' I not gan cheong also kena chui until gan cheong.. lol.. boarded the plane safely to next stop, Narita, Japan.

I think Japan's airport pretty nice (not that others not nice). And I had to go to San Francisco next. no issue on boarding my plane here as I need not change terminal. Nobody to assist and I just found my way, but not a biggie.

When landed in San Francisco, I need to go through customs (which I was told need not by the agency which I bought ticket from... how dare they tipu me XD) and therefore I couldn't board my flight to Dallas on time. I was like... sei lo... sei lo... i am gonna miss my flight soon.. quickly le!!! i even asked one of the officer whether I can get priority (so Malaysian right? XD) but he said nope. ><

so line the long line for custom check and I really didn't manage to board my flight. Had to reschedule to another time, about 6 hours later definitely got place, but there's a plane in about 2 hours time, and they put me on the waiting list. if got people didn't board the plane, i can go. But that is IF.

So go get my lunch and wait in full anticipation that I will have at least a place. A lot of people were also going to Dallas and on the waiting list as well and I was pretty back on the list. Shit. This means if I take the next flight, I will reach at about 1am and I really don't 1 to trouble Louis (the person who will be fetching me from airport). Initially I should be reaching Dallas at 5 pm, but then it was pushed back to 7pm and if this 7pm doesn't have place, I will be there at 1am O.O!!

So the time for boarding came and I was asked to wait while the people who have the right ticket enter first... not that many people.. but the plane ain't that big either >< finally.. i was asked to go inside as there was place... i was ELATED! went in and sat... then 2 minutes later, someone said the person with the actual ticket just arrived and asked me to kindly leave... i was like.. "Really?" so i went out of the plane.. and then when i was just about to exit the ramp connecting the airplane and the airport, someone said.. 'u there.. u wait a while.. u follow me.. there should be a seat.' and i was .... confused but hopeful. so the dude went in.. checked and there was 1 last seat available. and i got that seat. I was so happy.

Got to Dallas safely. Got to Denton safely and the rest they say is history... history will be coming up soon. XD

thank God for my safe trip

God Bless~

Alex's Wedding

7th January 2012

It was the day of Alex's wedding. He's my cousin btw. ;D My family went down to Melaka for the wedding and it started at the church where they exchanged vows.

When they reached home, it's the tea ceremony time.

Of course, there was the dinner at night. How could there be no dinner right where everyone Yum Seng.

After dinner, I thought that's all but no... I was asked by my cousin to go clubbing. Apparently, my other cousins told him that if he didn't go, they wouldn't attend his wedding when it comes. XD emotional blackmail. hahaha.. First time to a club.

During this wedding, I saw a lot of my kiddy cousins growing older and i felt that I am growing older too. Now I kinda understand what the older people meant when they frequently said 'wah, you changed already'.

God Bless Alex and Yu Kar

God Bless~

Grueling process to US

30th Dec 2011

Throughout this whole year, my one aim was to go to UNT for Masters and now that I am going, I am thinking of writing down a short (hopefully) description of how to get to the US.

1. After you have an idea where to go and what to study, you would need to see the requirement of the university for the course you are wanting to go. Most of the course for Masters in the US would require you to pass a test, either the GRE (most of the courses), GMAT (business i think) or some other test.

Mine was the GRE and there's a general GRE paper and specific GRE paper. You can take the specific ones to 'show off' your knowledge on a particular field, but it's not necessary. Of course, it would cost more also if u take the specific paper, but you MUST take the general paper.

GRE is tough, and I once heard it's 'the mother of all test'. It's also expensive (appx. RM 560). If you fail, you have to pay the money again, so better don't fail. There are books to guide you through the examination and it's best to study about at least half a year. I rushed through it. I think I studies like.. 2 - 3 months. Good thing I passed.

2. Besides the GRE, another test that international students need to take would be an English proficiency test. You can take either TOEFL or IELTS. I took TOEFL and it wasn't that tough. Just be on your toes as it's also pretty expensive (appx. RM 480)

3. If let's say you passed both the test, then YAY! I suppose the university will require some recommendation letters, a completed application forms, registration fees, writing sample etc. Check for the requirements and go get all of those done. Don't get frustrated or discouraged when your lecturers don't reply to your email about the recommendation letter. BUG THEM! :p

For institutions in Texas (I don't know about other states), you can actually send applications online on applytexas.org. It's really cool in a sense that you can complete application and send to many schools at once, and you can pay through credit card online too. 1 application will cost around USD 50 - USD 75. So if you apply for 4 schools, it will roughly come up to appx. RM 700.

4. WAIT! this is one of the most torturous part where you have sent them everything and you wait for their reply. There is no certainty when they will reply, and in my case, my wait was pretty *tut* long (like half a year long).

5. Let's say they have accepted you. Hurray! Quickly ask them to send over the I-20 together with all your necessary documents. Now you have to pass the visa interview. In order to schedule an interview, you first need to fill up the DS-160 form, pay USD 140 for the visa fees at Standard Chartered bank, pay USD 400 for SEVIS fee, and schedule an interview after all the payment. This is the website for Malaysian if you want to apply for a visa. http://www.ustraveldocs.com/my/

In the meantime, go renew your passport, take a visa photo (white background, 2 X 2 inches), look at the possible visa interview questions and get prepared. My interview was supposed to be 7.40 a.m. I reached at 7.10 a.m and there were already 5 person in front of me. My advice, schedule an appointment early and go early, cause the jam is terrible in KL. Early appointment will make parking hunting easier. Remember to bring pertinent items to the interview (valid passport, visa photograph, I-20, financial documents and any relevant documents depicting strong ties to country). Also, look for a place to stay there. If you are staying with friends or relatives, then all's good and well. If you are like me, going alone, better make sure u have a roof before boarding on the plane.

Be confident during interview. My interview lasted less than a minute, 2 minutes top, and I was told that I passed my interview. YAY!

6. Now that visa is done, book an air ticket. Mine was really expensive. You can go through agent or book straight from the airlines, but going to the US, there must be a transit. More often than not, there will be a change of airlines. Even if there isn't, it's normally cheaper to buy from an agent. But it's good that you check it yourself. Buy early to avoid dissapointment.

7. Shop for relevant items. Winter clothes are really expensive, but nothing can be done. It will be winter when I go there. Advice: need not buy that much, cause it's cheaper and of better quality there.

8. I suppose the last step before boarding the plane would be to meet up with loved ones to say bye bye.

Next year will be my first year in a foreign country, experiencing winter, boarding a plane by myself. It will definitely be a year of many firsts for me. It's a little scary thinking about it, but I am taking the leap of faith.

God Bless~

Nostalgic

27th November 2011

2011 has been a great and adventurous year. I have had many first times this year and it started with my first airplane experience to Bali with my friends. First time out of country with friends also. It was really great, seeing one small part of the world where their culture is so different. People are more laidback and I liked it.

Of course, my second flight was also this year to Terengganu and I went to Lang Tengah. It was also my first time snorkeling there. It was great to see the clear waters and the clear sky at night where there were lots of stars.

Very importantly, this year is my first year stepping full time into the working force. Being a mentor in a child development centre has been an awesomely wonderful experience. It's also great that we have birthday celebrations and boss pays for it. XD. It helps when colleagues are friendly and willing to guide. They are all sweet and they gave me a farewell with a present! manis giler.

Most of the kids are lovely and I will definitely miss all of them dearly. Some gave me presents for Teacher's Day, my birthday and .... on other random days as well. One of them asked me whether I will take the stars which she gave me overseas. :x

Sometimes we adults don't realize how small things matter so much to the young ones.

December is coming. Christmas is coming. The season when I like it's festive mood and listening to it's music. This year will end close to perfect if I pass my visa interview and get ready to go to Texas. Hopefully I would be more equipped in a few years time to help more people.

God Bless~