MJ's gone

A lot of people are talking about the news now, I believe- even my husband yang xdengar muzik tu..

I was shocked when I heard the news on MHI. I remembered the first time I saw MJ on TV was when I was in Grade 2, masa belajar kat SRK Convent Infant Jesus(1) Melaka. Masa tu kalau xsilap xde kelas or cikgu xdatang or something, so kami dibawa ke bilik tv, and tgk MTV ranking. Terpegun tgk MJ singing Beat It and Billy Jean.

Later I bought his album yang ada lagu Man in the Mirror. I would read the lyrics all over again, sing along over and over again..and I think that contributed to my English (yg tak seberapa ni).

Every now and then I would follow his updates, tapi sedih juga rasanya bila his life ended like this.

I guess legendaries end this way most of the time...

Takpelah, life goes on..kita ni pulak macam mana agaknya...

Here, knowledge is free

What I like the most about working here in UKM, apart from the flexibility, is the availability of knowledge for free.

I can ask publishers to send books to me at no cost as long as they are in line with my field/interest, and attend trainings arranged in-house or outside as I wish (and this happens almost all the time)

I have recently registered for a training on repairing printers. I have one unused printer at home because something went wrong but I don't know how to fix it. When I saw the ad in UKM's website, I thought it would be great if I can do it myself-what's more-its FOC!

A training on e-learning which I attended 2 weeks ago was also very helpful, not only for the class I am going to teach inside UKM, but also for those outside. If I have time, I can develop e-content for online learning-utilizing what I have learnt from the training.

As an educator, we also have the priviledge to request for readings not available in univ's library. Just ask online and they will get it for you.

So everyday, quietly in my room, I would devote myself to the ritual of reading--of course playing around with the internet when I get bored--and I can't tell you how fulfilling it is.

Nevertheless, I still hate deadlines but considering all the other 'blessings', it is absolutely fine for me.

It is not the money. It is when the knowledge is free, I am happy.

Somebody is watching me

There is an awkward feeling about writing this blog.
I feel like somebody is watching me, secretly. Somebody I know.
Blogging means exposing myself to the world, and that is well-understood.
But when it comes to --how come you suddenly know ah?- thing, my curiosity antenna grows longer.

Oh, anyway, as long as it is not detrimental, what a heck. Dozo, bacalah! ;)

A taxing week

I have been terribly busy for the past 2 weeks.

Pergi balik Melaka, making calls, business meetings...

Inilah rasanya bila nak set up business..

For all these while, sedar tak sedar I have actually underwent portions of my life with big events (to me laa..)

Zaman kanak2 dulu tu malas nak cerita, starting from 20~24 years of age, my first experience in Japan, went backpacking to several countries in Europe. 25~30, working in a Japanese company -- where I learnt the practical things as an engineer and administrator. 30~ 35 (I guess), masters & phd and setting up a company for my family.

I see all these sebagai satu cabaran yang perlu dihadapi.

I remembered when I was at the lowest point masa buat masters dulu.

I thought to myself that that point will pass..and there will always be a silver lining..

So it did...alhamdulillah.

This business thingy, is really taxing, financial and energy wise.

Sampai dah 4 hari rasa xberapa sihat.

Anyway, I will try my best to finally see that silver lining.

Ganbarou!!

I am now "officially" at work

Today marks my 1st week being a UKM staff.

Owning an individual room, more flexible working hours are 2 new experiences for me...or should I say the first 2 culture shocks in my history of employment..lol.

Since I entered in the middle of the semester, I won't be teaching any subject.

What I have to do is get prepared for my PhD; complete the basic requirements -SLAB course & BTN and get a place + scholarship to study.

Luckily my ex-classmate in Sharodz is here so I'm always accompanied during lunch time. Oh, there are another 2 who reported on the same day, so we keep one another informed of what to do and what not.

I am going to miss doing trainings..had to decline 2 offers this month-just hoping that I won't regret it.

Establishing Asia-Pacific Children Convention (APCC) Bridge Club Malaysia

In 1998, when I was studying for my degree course in Kyushu Univ 3rd year, I decided to participate as a volunteer in Asia-Pacific Children Convention in Fukuoka during the summer holidays. This huge event is organized since 1988 by an NGO in Fukuoka, now known as APCC to promote peace and international ties between Japan and participating countries.

Every year APCC invites children all over Asia-Pacific countries to Fukuoka. During their 2-week stay, they will experience homestay at typical Japanese homes, and participate in various activities arranged for them. Usually there will be 10 participants from each country, 8 selected school children, 1 PA (Peace Ambassador) and 1 chaperon. That makes up about 400 participants in total. As this international event requires a lot of communication in English/ various languages, anybody can join as a volunteer in documentation, and on field. That was where I came in. I participated in this event as a volunteer to help Malaysian delegates communicate, along with a junior student from Malaysia, Adie, who was assigned to help children from Tuvalu.

You can check the details of this event at http://www.apcc.gr.jp/e/

This was one of the most precious experiences I had in Fukuoka. I got to know people from various countries, esp from those we rarely hear about like Tuvalu and Bhutan. I got Matsuoka's (a top Japanese tennis player at the time) sign my yellow "We are the bridge" t-shirt which kept until last year (that was 10 years). The delegates, homestay families and volunteers were so cheerful and friendly which made saying goodbye to them was so painful to me.

And all those memories come back to life when one of the boys contacted me through facebook recently. Man, they still remember me? Unbelievable! They were 11 years old when I first met them, sekarang dah besar panjang! Syahmi, Zahirah, Sharifah were those I met at the meeting.

That brought me to the meeting between APCC representative from Fukuoka, former APCC participants with officers at Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia and later with Embassy of Japan. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss matters pertaining APCC like sponsorship etc, but most importantly about the establishment of Bridge Club Malaysia. Bridge Club is an alumni for those participated in APCC, and their job is to promote APCC by making activities and social work in their country. Sri Lanka,Indonesia and Thai BCs are already active but Malaysia has yet to start any.

Now it is time for these kids to make their first move, and I think it is my responsibility to help them in any way I can. The establishment of Malaysia's BC will help promote the ties between 2 countries thus realize the motto of APCC, "We are the Bridge".

皆さん、頑張って！応援するよ！！

Hey guys, I'm through!

On this day, last week, just after I finished the interview session at MDeC, I've got the awaited call from UKM.

And..I am through! Alhamdulillah. They are offering me a lecturer position at the Faculty of Economics & Business. It is actually a breakthrough because never have they selected someone from engineering background for this position.

The unofficial letter of offer from the faculty arrived last Saturday. Until this day, I am still holding from replying the letter. I am waiting the response from MDeC, which environment I have started to fall for from my observation during the last 2 interviews.

We'll see what happens.