Life...

Yes, despite all the complaining going on. Life goes on.

One's Life story usually goes like this;

Preface:
This chapter portrays how you started your life, from your mum's womb - the matrix, into the world. Perhaps, one might talk about how your mum took care of you while you were in it.

PART 1: The first dozen year - Carefree Life
Chapter 1: Awakening.
Here comes the the new born. As white as a piece or paper. So pure, so innocent. Chapter 1 depicts your life as a baby, until the day you start to turn into a mischievous little angel.

Chapter 2: The Toddler.
Yes, this is the time when you start input all you have in your surroundings. Everything seems to be new to you. You are excited, curious to learn everything and anything you can find around you. You start destroying everything you have in hand yet you are still lovable.

Chapter 3: Pre Schooler.
Finally, you got the chance to really learn the proper way. You start going to school, start learning how to speak correctly, count precisely - not that precise though, or even play some instrument. Me? I got to know piano when i was 5. Have been loving it since :)

Chapter 4: Novice.
Welcome to primary school and start spending the first 6 years of preliminary education. You will be exposed to more people, more input, and of course more conflicts in life. You might even start shaping your future now. For me, I thought I would either be a pianist or an athelete. Never thought that I could be the studious type.

PART 2: The next dozen of year - Steering Life
Chapter 5: Intermediate.
How was the first 6 years of your student life? Enjoyable? Can't bear to leave it? Worry not, you will soon come to complete the next 6 years of your student life. In this intermediate stage, all I had was visions and dreams. I dreamt of me playing piano in a concert. I dreamt of me going into the Olympics. I dreamt of being a Doctor as well as a Lawyer. Hmm.. endless sweet dreams. Nevertheless, there are also many life issues faced during this 6 years of secondary school. Towards the end of the 5th year, I hated who I am and can't wait to be an independant adult. This is also the rebellious period of my life.

Chapter 6: Advance.
My dad told me, in order to survive in future, you need to go through another few years studying. Well, I took a heed on his advise, moved on for tertiery education. Guess what, I took up a course which I would never imagine myself doing. Engineering. Perhaps it suited my character, always seeking challenges. Engineering is indeed about challange, solving endless problems. Finally, I graduated.

PART 3: 3rd dozen - Settling Life
Chapter 7: Independance.
What does it feel when you are able to be on your own? I though it would be happy, but i was wrong. It was stress. To be on your own simply means: you have to do everything by yourself and no one will be covering your ass anymore. I moved on - not long though...

Chapter 8: Union.
Once you are independant, you will start feeling helpless - mayb not all but me - for sure. As mentioned earlier, it's time to settle down your life. To continue the rest of the journey.

This is what i can jot down as I'm here at chapter 8. The rest will be updated accordingly if time permits. 1st January 2011 will mark the start of Chapter 8. I hope those who were in my life story to be able to celebrate the start of Chapter 8 with me. Let's reminisce the previous chapters of life...

PART 4: Expansion

Continue on 8/12/2014
Chapter 9: Fruit of Love
Marriage has been fun, no I don't mean it's not fun now, but it's time to move on. Time to add a new family member to the small family which only had two members. Our fruit of love was born on 3rd February 2013. Since then, my life has been fast paced. Watching him growing up in the speed of lightning. Everything just happen so fast. Moving on, we decided to have another fruit added to this tree. Our 2nd fruit of love was born May 2015.

Chapter 10: Maturing the fruits
Bearing fruit was not easy but taking care of them, making sure they grow healthily is way harder. Who would have though I would spend part 4 of my life staying at home looking after them.

MALAYSIA

What is the first thing that comes into your mind when u hear the word Malaysia? For me, it's

1 Malaysia, Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan

I'm so "thankful" that I'm living in this country, a country where

1. I have to pay 3% interest for study loan - and need lengthy procedure to change the 3% to 1%
2. My batch of students are being discriminated as those who applied for PTPTN after July 2005 and graduated b4 2010 is unable to convert their loan to scholarship despite graduating with first class honours. FYI, only those who applied after July 2005 and graduated b4 2010 are affected. Why? Is it because those students are not Malaysian? They are not to be "didahulukan"? Or because their "Pencapaian" is not "diutamakan"? Talk about the "1" concept. Does it mean those students are not within the "1"?
3. Another case is for MOE. Thanks for their transparency in selecting GSTT. How many non-Malays are actually employed as GSTT? Why hasn't anyone ask MOE to publish those data? Are those data unavailable or those data are simply undisclosable?
4. Recently, I have been facing problems with Maxis. I know that Maxis is a NGO, so I should not put the blame on government. But then again, what happens to consumer rights organization? Aren't they supposed to be aided by the government to help us, users who are being jeapordised by those conglomerates? We have no channels to turn to. Are we suppose to turn to politicians everytime we face this kinda problems? If that's the case, I suppose those politicians or representatives will find that 24 hours a day is no longer sufficient.
5. Lastly, Insurance agents. It is also during these few months, I met with an incident where I cancelled my policy and was suppose to get some money back from the company. I cancelled it in late February and was told to wait for the cheque to be sent to my company (coz that's the address i gave them). I waited, and, waited. I called her in April, and July. The only response is to WAIT. I waited patiently until December. Supposing the lifetime of a cheque is 6 months, it will be expired even if i receive it now. I called the headquarter, bypass my agent. Guess what, the HQ says that the cheque has been sent out to their branch at Muar and is not invalid as it has expired. So, I will have to wait for another few months before getting my money back. Luckily it was only few hundreds, imagine if i was few hundred thousands, who can i ask for for those interest i could've earned. Insurance company? Insurance agent? Once again, no channel to complain.

Seriously, I'm starting to feel tired. Tired of Malaysia's policy. Of Malaysian's attitude. Of Malaysia's government. I love Malaysia, that was why I decided to work here instead of going abroad. Look at what has happened to me. If there's anyone to blame, I should blame on me for being patriotism.

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthyday to AMA,
Happy Birthday to you...

Dear Ama,

If only you were around, I will be on leave today, I will cook you red egg + mi sua, buy you a low sugar cake and bring you to hypermarkets for you to do your shopping

If only you were around, I will stay with you yesterday night, to chat with you before you sleep, to drink the milo you made for me before i sleep

If only you were around, I will be the most filial grandchild you have, to bring you for check-ups, to buy you medicine you need so you don't have to walk those extra miles

If only you were around, I will make sure your days which are numbered will be meningful, your past sufferings will be worthwhile and every sacrifices you made be priceless


I am sorry to not be able to do all those when you were around. Ever since the day you went away, I've been living my life with regrets, with shadows from the past, with things I didn't do and will never be able to do.

The grieving period, people say can be as short as 1 month but it too can be as long as a lifetime. I grieve because you meant a lot to me, I am here today, for you gave me the courage, you were a good exampler, you showed me a glimpse of my future. Thank you and you will always be remembered even after generations. This will be the greatest achievement in your life.

HaPPY 81 years old, AMA!

MTest, KPLI - PART 2

Continuation from Part 1,

We stopped at the scenario during examination. I presume you have got some idea on the exam day itself. Move on to the test formats and some question which i remember, getting ambigious d.. :P

I was in the 3rd column, so my 1st paper was the English paper. Not bad for a start, at least it doesn't dry up my brain juice fast. But the questions were harder then what I did in the reference book. Especially the part where we have to choose the correct sentence to replace the wrong ones. The sentences were long and lengthy. The 1st part where we have to identify the incorrect word was quite easy, most are easy to identify. Whilst the last part, also about the same standard as in the reference book. All in all, you can rely on the reference book for this English test, except that you might have to read faster during the exam as there are more words and sentences.

Paper 2 was the Quantitative paper. I almost couldn't finish it on time. Spent too much time calculating some questions on areas. Some basic stuffs, Algebra, Quadratic Equation, Perimeter, Volumes. Don't worry about some huge formula which you have to memorise, coz I didn't come across any which i don't remember the formula. A tip is to read the question and answers b4 you start calculating coz some answer can be found without even calculating. There's 3 questions which I seriously have no idea to answer. It was the statistic question. I was given a bar graph, x axis showing number of student which has got text book loan, y-axis showing number of student without the loan. There's number of student written on every bar showing number of student with loan. There were 3 questions based on this graph, at that time, with few minutes left, my only option was to make a wild guess. So i have only 3 wild guesses in that paper.

Next, it's the INSAK paper.135 questions in 30 minutes, it means you'll have to answer them almost spontaneously. I did, and finished all in 20 minutes so I had 10 minutes to do checking. I reached Question 60+ when time's up. during 2nd checking, i realised i made 2 mistake. So i think it's better to finish them up faster and go for a 2nd round check. By the way, you cannot rely on reference book for this section. The answer in the reference book is fixed; ie. A for yes and B for no. But in the real test, they will list out A and B options. A can sometimes be: Saya akan menolongnya ke kuliah B. Saya akan menasihatinya supaya mengambil cuti. So, it demands more time for you to read. Try to read ASAP.

4th paper is the Verbal paper. all this while, when i was studying MTest, the only paper which i have doubt with myself is the Verbal Paper. It's simply so hard to tackle. The malay vocabs were way too hard for me to understand. However, in the real test, the vocab part was quite easy - in the sense, they ask words like Sedut - Hembus, Nasi - Saya Makan... all those easy word, leaving the hard part which is to define the relationship and choose the correct answer. At least it gives me a chance to think instead of choose blindly. The fill in the blank was also quite ok, with answers like mengesah, mengecam, mengenal pasti. Lastly, the Pemahaman - I have to say the text was long, 1.5 pages. About handphone. first question was to add a sentence, which they gave into the appropriate place so that it makes sense. Next, to find some isi tersirat - quite hard, last question was to find the main purpose of this text.

Lastly... the most challenging paper - especially when it's all in Malay - Analytical. Gosh, imagine reading out a situation in Malay and solving them. For me, I will have to translate them to either English or Chinese before they make sense. Imagine how much time i'll have to spend on it. There were 4 scenarios, 16 questions. and Last 4 questions bout other stuffs. There were 2 questions about inductive and deductive statement. I totally forgot wat's an inductive statement >.< I remember the last question was, in Malay but i remember them in English.

There are lots of kid with kutu on their hair during hot season. The kutu grows a lot during the hot season.

Find from Sentences A-D which match the logic of the sentence above.
A. I forgot what
B. forgot.
C. There are lots of KPLI candidates. The publisher needs to publish more book to meet the demands.
D. The beautiful beaches attracts lots of tourist during summer. Those states with beautiful beaches are filled with tourist during summer.

As for the questions with scenario, 1st scenario was there are 3 animals whose names are, A, B, and C; 3 colours, Perang, Putih and Hitam; 3 sizes, L, L and S; 3 kinds of animals, Kambing, Kucing and Arnab.
They gave few criterias to fulfil,
If Black animal, it must be Small
If kucing is L, Cici is Perang.
Kambing is Black.

Then you are asked to find answers with the conditions. The first q was which animal is Cici is?
There are few conditions which i forgot, but basically, this question is solvable.

Next scenario, bout a school which has 10 buildings and how they are linked tgt. Just draw out the buildings and arrow connecting them and you can get the answers. Quite easy for me so it will too for you :)

The following scene is quite confusing. About testing of cats, 1 technician can test 1 cat at a time. 1 technician working. 5 days a week. 2 sessions per day. Monday morning no lab. Then they have given 6 cats. A - F. listed down few criterias and asked few q in connection to the criterias. It's very confusing coz the cats are interchangable. To be honest, I guessed all 3 questions here.

Next, another confusing but making sense question. Family Relationship. Says that A is B's daughter-in-law, C is B's Brother... and so on.. I dun really remember. But remember to make the relationship flexible. They will add in more people or remove some in the questions.

I presume that's all I have to share. If you want to know more, leave a comment here and I will reply if my memory still serves me well.

That's all for MTest 2010, for January 2011 intake. All the best in case you too are on your way to be an educator/educationist - my friend and I once argued on this.

MTest, KPLI - PART 1

Recently, I have been googling on MTest - Malaysian Teacher Selection Test and my efforts was in vain. In fact not many info was provided for this, is it coz it's against the law for anyone to post tips on it? Or ppl were just too lazy or selfish to share. Anyway, it was a good experience. I really wonder is the MTest result valid, if that's the case, then why aren't all the teachers full of dedication or smart, in the sense, has certain level of intelligence. I'm not criticising teachers, but merely stating my 5 cents worth.

Enough of the introduction, about MTest. Candidates were informed 5 days prior to MTest, which gives them only 5 days to prepare. Assuming most candidates are working adult, they only have 5-6 hours/day, 25 hours to really prepare for this exam. Mtest consists of 5 components:

1. INSAK
2. English
3. Quantitative
4. Verbal
5. Analytical

All questions are in Malay, except for English of course. If my mind still works well, Quantitative is bilingual (Malay and English).

Before going into those questions, I think it's better to share my experience so that those who plan to take MTest will have a better picture and will not be as blur I were then.

Reach the location - which is a secondary school at 8.30am. Some people were queuing up for I don't know what so I just continue the line. When i reach the front, then only i realise the queue was for candidates to look at few pieces of A4 paper to look for your name, IC and sit number. Mine was Room D, number 17. After I got my seat number, i proceed to the class room, Room D.. Now, where is Room D? There were no indications except for a paper pasted at the classroom door. I will have to look at every door then, great way to waste your time!

Here it is, 2nd floor, 2nd room. Signed my name at a piece of paper at the door since everyone else did the same. I suppose we should just follow the crowd. Waited outside the classroom because everyone else was there. At about 8.50am, few school teachers walked into the room with a clock and OMR papers. We were instructed to sit at the designated place, place our pencil box on the floor, only stationaries, IC and exam slip on the desk - reminiscing the past~~

The teacher distributed the blank OMR paper, please do not simply change the paper coz there are serial number on it and it is distributed in accordance to the number. On top of that, do not write anything unless asked. Time is crucial here.

An additional note on the OMR paper, it's 2-sided, 1st page has 160 or so column for A or B, there's also the word INSAK written on top. I think it's self explanatory. This page is for you to shade your INSAK answers. Next page, there are 4 parts, Quantitative, Analytical, English and Verbal - forgot the sequence though. Thus, do remember to shade in the right column!

Bout 8.50am, the teacher distributed the booklet. There are 5 column and 6 rows of seat in the classroom. Every column will be distributed with different question book. Still unclear? A clearer illustration, Column 1 will be given Booklet A, which is INSAK; Column 2, Quantitative; Column 3, English; Column 4, Analytical; Column 5, Verbal. Every question book has to be answered in 30 minutes and the booklets will be rotated. Hence, DO NOT write anything on the book unless you want your neighbour to know all your answers!

In the next 2 hours and 30 minutes, all you have to do is to concentrate answering the questions, the invigilator has a lot to talk... Simply ignore her if you want to finish those questions in a section in 30 minutes.

Wanna know about the format and questions? Read on Part 2...

Violin Performance

Something to share~

Registration of Marriage

I haven't been updating my post since ages ago, mainly due to lack of idea. Engineers are bored, you see~! However, during these period, been planning to get registered before we get married mid next year. Then, we met with few probs...

1. He is from Kuching, so he went to JPN (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara) at Kuching and asked how are we supposed to get registered. Their reply is: He has to go to JPN at Kota Samarahan coz his IC address is there, then he has to submit the form there while me, from JB, i will have to submit my form at JB's JPN. aFter 21 days with no objection, we can arrange a date to officially register our marriage.

2. One week later, i went to JB's JPN to asked the same thing - just to double confirm. Turns out that, she said; he has to have his IC's address changed to JB if we want to register here, and vice versa. and I asked if there are any other options, she would say, get married at persatuan, then you don't have to have your address changed.

Now, what exactly does the government want us to do so that we can get our marriage officiated?

Again, It's not that I dun want to get married, I do not know how to get marrried. Thanks to Malaysian Government for employing such good workers~

New Watch

My dear bought me a new watch~!

suitable for me to teach my students...

coz it is not fragile, not auntie'ish, not very expensive~! doesnt mean i can break it though~~

Here it goes:

CASIO POPTONE LCF-20-9




It's a kinda cool watch, since today's my 1st day using it, i have not much comment. Let's see how it's gonna be in time to come...

thanks DEAR~!

gonna give it another shot

A second chance is often a must - i believe..

After quitting from my previous engineering job - i thought i would never go back into that boring and mundane life.. but then again, what else to do but that? I'm trained for 4 years for that. what else do i know but that? Tomorrow, will mark another new start of my career. after hesitating for 1 year, accomplishing nothing in a year, it's time to remend what i've done and what i've lost.

lucky to have a supporting lover with me. I'm sure he'll help with my work when i bump into obstacles..

So, wish me all the best for my new job as a Design Engineer - again~!

I wanna be an engineer who is an engineer

What does the statement above implies?

that I am still as confused as i used to?

I'm outspoken, I can make stone to gold just be describing it. But, I first must believe in it. I have an extraordinary gift, a gift of tongue. I excel in presentations, I crap well, even if my results ain't that well..

This is also something which makes me dislike myself... I talk until I myself do not know what's the truth and what's not. I didn't have the intention to lie, but lie just pop out of nowhere~

Can i say that i hate myself yet i love myself for this gift? How am I able to make use of this gift?

Waves

Sometimes I feel my life is like a wave... but this wave is continuously striking the sand... My happiness is short-lived, same as my sadness... they locked one another, they bind to each other - when will i get to swim to the middle part of the ocean. But then again, will I get used to peaceful life if i ever get to swim to it?

Tired yet exciting + unpredictable - that's what keeps Diaane going strong.

Yuan, thanks for being the port i can always go back to when i'm tired of swimming...

Fly like an albatross, not a sparrow

Quoted from Mr. Thum "When you want to fly, first of all, you need to be able to withstand crashes. Next, be an albatross, not a sparrow"..

I asked him why.. he said.. "when one decides one's dream is to fly, then should one's final goal to be soaring above the waves in the open ocean or gliding among crops in a paddy plantation?"

I have dreams.. huge dreams.. but the problem is if those dreams are able to be reality. Or i should do what Yuan told me, alter your dreams accordingly. Do not persist into something you know you cannot achieve. Have I really decided to give up on my dream? If not, are you willing to walk my dream with me, Yuan?

Being in Love

Hmm...

Not been updating my blog coz busy pat tuo...

I noe it's not an excuse, but it's a REASON~!

Feel weird, seems like you have to start living with someone besides you, with someone in your mind, with someone who cares for you. It's good to not feel alone, but for someone like me, who has been alone for so long... It's kinda weird.. but i'm adapting to it.

Is this what life is all about? The cycle that we can not escape from? What's left is to make the best out of this routine? If that's the case, does it matter anymore what you choose to do and who you choose to be with? Coz in the end, it's all bout working hard towards a happier life.

Better not to think too much, just love and let love just like how we live and let live~

Valentine's approaching

Hmm...

Valentine's approaching...

I have few friends who have planned a surprise Valentine for their girlfriends.. I feel that they are so sweet :) In fact, I feel glad that I get to contribute something for the success of the surprise...

Today will be the day i deliver flowers to my client's girlfriends and wives.. I have a feeling it's going to be a memorable time. I feel excited coz I look forward the look on their face...

Lastly, wishing everyone a HappY VaLeNTinE!!!

Start Sponsoring a Child!

I'm happy.. not because i start sponsoring a child once i start working but i've spread the words around and got 2 other friend starts sponsoring.. I think, i'll never feel more happier even if i were to sell off the 50 stalks of roses i'm going to sell this weekend.

Now, 3 kids are able to go to school, learn how to read and has proper food to eat. with merely RM50 a month, that is like 1 meal of Japanese food less from your dinner, and you get to help a kid. The little one, i always say...

It feels really good and YOU too, should start spreading the news around and help out more kids~! RM50 does matter a lot to them...

Hatyai

I've been to Hatyai last year but never get a chance to post those pics up.. so... here i'm doing it now since i'm kinda free... >.<

Beef Noodle

Chrysanthemum Drink

Mixed Pork Porridge

KoYo - where prawns are caught massively

Some Thai Noodle - look like tang hoon

Chicken rice... cheap + a lot~~

The Beaches + Mermaid of Songkhla

Bak Kut Teh

Kuey Tiaw

Money Tree

Drive Thru Coconut

Seafood Restaurant

Dim Sum

REJECTION

Rejection... what does this word mean to you?

Sad? Happy? Disappointed?

Feel as if it's the end of the world?

IN fact, all these emotions engulfed me, except for Happy of course.

Yea.. I was rejected the CEMACUBE scholarship. But they offered me a chance to participate the programme. and uncertain if they will waive me the tuition fees... gosh...

I don't like waiting for results.. Neither do i enjoy being rejected. Why must one face so many rejection before gaining approval? My life after graduation has been a series of REJECTION... I'm getting tired of REJECTION. Why can't I not need anyone's approval to do whatever i want to do? Coz i dun have $$$...

MATERIAL WORLD~!

Living Standard in Johor Bahru

Before i begin, the idea of this blog originated from my friend who's from Kluang but working in Singapore. He told me, his colleague told him that, "There's no standard living in JB." Now.. take some time and ponder over this statement...

1....
2......
3........
4...........
5..............


Normally, outside of JB, who will get to drive luxurious car? For sure, they are those who work as business man, executives or professionals. But in JB....

How bout houses? Who can afford to stay in semi-Detached house or even bangalows? It'll be those i mentioned above. But in JB....

Next, who can afford to eat in high class cafes and restaurant but not those ppl i mentioned? But in JB....

BUT IN JB.... anyone working in Singapore is able to do it. Regardless of their occupation. He/She can be an operator, a janitor, a security, an escort, a construction worker, DVD/CD seller, or even bus driver...

Where is the standard? Is standard being measured by money or measured by one's attitude and behaviour?

This phenomenon is so sickening that everyone who stays in JB are being supported by their relatives to find a job in Singapore. Even a simple OPERATOR in Singapore get paid equivalent to an ENGINEER in JB! NURSES in Singapore draws high pay than a DOCTOR in JB!

Thus, if it's money you're after, why bother going through the education period? Just go and work in Singapore~!

Why didn't the government do anything about it? Or there's nothing they can do. Singapore government should stop all this as it is jeopardizing JB's standard of living. Ppl in JB are slowly getting more materialistic... This is definitely not a good sign.

What can be done to stop this?

For me, the only option is to leave this state for somewhere where engineers are engineers and operators are operators...

Getting used to life?

Hmm... Good News.. i sticked on to my job for 3.5 months d... it's a good sign.. it can either mean:

1. I love my job
2. I have no other choice
3. I've learned to live with the real world
4. I've given up on life - do whatever they want me to do

Basically, option 1 is very unlikely to happen. Option 2? nah.. which left me with Option 3 and 4...

CNY coming... this year's CNY happens to be Valentine's Day too.. Since my family is not having a reunion this year, I've decided to do something meningful this CNY.. to sell roses and contribute some of the profits to charity... meningful rite? Who wanna join me? or i should say, who wanna support me by buying those roses??? feel free to contact me to place order ya~~ only RM10 per stalk~~

Time for a proper New Year Resolution

Well.. I noe i'm back-dated... It's already the 7th of January 2010 and I'm only about to list my New Year Resolution...

Basically.. I have not been thinking much about it. Coz there's one thing that has been bothering me.. my weight >.< so.. the 1st thing in my list is...

1. To Lose at least 5kg this year - i noe it's a so typical resolution a gal will make.. but i really mean it.. my weight is killing me. Not because of how ppl look at me. but of how uncomfortable i feel.. I feel i'm a humpty dumpty that will fall anytime from now... In addition, i'll get to save $$ from buying all those tempting food...

What will i want besides losing my weight? hmm....

2. To save enough for me to buy things i like - a Mac Book and a camera.

3. To be able to pursue my studies overseas - Only Biomedical Engineering.

4. To not be emo all the time...

Well.. I guess New YEar resolutions are getting lesser as i age. why? Izzit coz i'm contented? nah.. it's coz i've given up on life.. sad but true...

SK 40C - Starter Kit for PIC uC

I'm not introducing a new product... but I'm sharing something I've designed. Gosh... never have i imagined i am able to come up with something - although it's only a modification of its predecessor... But then again, it's still something i designed from scratch.

SK40C is the successor of SK40B... for more information on SK40C.. refer to: here



Even though i resigned before SK40C is launched, but I'm still glad that I actually did contributed to my previous employers.. At least, I'm not useless... like how i felt when i decided to leave~