Horticultural Therapy

It works… cause it requires much patience and creativity. It’s healing because we get closer to mother nature! Just love the experience! My art piece to share with everyone.

Interesting Exams

Here are some examples of interesting exams I had to take in this semester:

Classical Music Appreciation:

Name the classical piano when it's being played during the exam.

 

Introduction to World Religion:

Write a book review out of the 5 books recommended, and I picked the book about Australian Aborigines.

 

Jing-Si Aphorisms:

Write a personal view of Jing-Si Aphorisms. Anything will do, from the origin to how it has changed people.

 

World Culture Studies:

No right or wrong. They’re just personal opinions. The lecturer told us some of the most interesting stories of all time, from Greek mythologies to ancient Egypt.

 

Chinese Language:

Present each chapter of the text book. During Mid-term and Finals, the whole class is required to present 2 books together. That’s all.

 

Genes and Diseases:

We’re allowed to prepare an answer beforehand and just copy it into our exam answer sheet during the exam…

And basically for now, I have to write an average of three self-reflect or sharing notes each week, never less than that. Plus, I get to read all the books and novels I can read. How cool is that?!

 

Anyway, some weather updates: It’s raining heavily out there due to typhoon, and classes for today has been cancelled. And I believe that the sales for instant noodles went up just because of this weather… haha

Till then, do take care everyone! More to come…

大愛之夜

昨日的大愛之月跟美金老師和師丈一同合照，還請老師簽上名。太棒了！

感恩倩宜協助拍攝。

Hello? Telephone…

Have you ever called a company or an institution, where the first few lines you heard when the person on the other side of the line answered, “Hello, company name”.

Here are some instances where I’ve experienced, and perhaps you should try.

Call UTAR, and you hear this first line, “Hello, UTAR”

Call Dell, and you hear, “Thank you for calling Dell.”

So you may ask, what’s the difference?

The both of them are grammatically sound, but they mean different things. How are they different?

How would you greet your friend? Say, “Hello Peter.” or “Hello Jane”. So if the person answering your call said “Hello UTAR”, it means that your name is UTAR, not Peter or Jane.

A lecturer once pointed this out to us during an English class and this funny line never failed to entertain me throughout the day. “The next time you call UTAR and the person answered ‘Hello, UTAR’, you should reply this instead, ‘I’m sorry, my name is not UTAR. I am Mike.’”

So I hope that the next time you’re answering calls, try to say something like “Thank you for calling company name, how can I assist you?” or “This is company name support/hotline, how can I help you?”

Happy calling.

Two Blind Persons

I saw two blind persons in the LRT today.

When the LRT arrived at their destination, the two of them stood up and headed towards the wrong door.

No one helped them.

When the two of them started panicking, a kind lady helped to direct the two of them towards the right exit.
Just when I thought the problem was solved, the two blind persons headed down the wrong platform exit.

Again, no one helped them.

Some rude man even jumped across their walking stick, holding back his curse upon seeing the two who almost made him tripped.

And again, no one helped them.

Everyone left the platform except for a kind couple, who spent time guiding the two of them out of the station.

Someone helped them.

I was seating 5 metres away when I saw this. I was helpless. "Oh heaven's sake, why can't anyone help them?" However, I did learn something out of this incident.

1. Life is unfair. Some people are born with a perfect body, but do not use their brain.
2. There is still hope in this earth. There are still many helpful people around.
3. Treat these handicapped with kindness. You'd never know one day, you might be the handicapped who yearns for a little extra attention.

The next time you see someone like them, why not just spare them a few seconds, and that would make a huge difference.

A week full of travelling

The past week has been travel crazy.

Travel back to hometown, then to Singapore, and ended my weekend with a night’s stay at Sungai Lembing, Pahang.

Tiring indeed.

Update on the on the Sungai Lembing trip to come.

 

** I’ve gone crazy over panorama. Took over 20 sets of panorama to be stitched. Anyways, here’s a sample… Click on the image to enlarge.

More photos to come.

《一閃一閃亮晶晶》

沒想到這次的新年會是追《一閃一閃亮晶晶》的日子。

看見做老師的偉大，教育學生，改變學生的人生。

頓時響起曾經想要做老師的夢想。

看見學生的改變、成長，那種成就感，喜悅，難以形容。

現在，換個人生的方向，也還是不錯。

Thaipusam at Batu Caves

This year, was the first time I was there to witness Thaipusam.

Thaipusam at Batu Caves has been famous for so many years… famous for the huge crowd of people going there to pray, as well as famous for creating litters after the event.

The litters were thrown all around the area, and every single year, the local municipal has to send over hundreds of staffs just to come clean up the area.

Other than just going there to take photographs, I was there to help inform the public about the act of recycling. I know that I shouldn’t be posting this following photograph, but this shot is just too beautiful to be kept as an archive.

A group about 20 people went out to help create awareness, but due to the huge crowd, it’s not really effective.

I did a quick survey around, observing and listening to the public, and made a short note on why can’t the area be clean throughout the event.

Lack of rubbish bins, therefore lack of convenience to throw them.

Rubbish bins misplaced in some un-crowded areas, and you could see these bins were empty.

Filled rubbish bins are not cleared quickly leading to overflowing rubbish bins.

It’s not like the people there were not educated to properly utilize the rubbish bins, they just couldn’t find one, or the bins were just too full to contain anymore rubbish.

No point for us to be there telling them to throw litters into bins or have litters placed in recycling bins when all the bins were actually full of rubbish!

By the way, most of them walked to Batu Caves and many of them took the public transport there. This was good, wasn’t it? But how about the train service? Badly managed ticketing system, no proper queues, people rushing to get into the trains. All these bad services just made things worse. Anyways, I just feel that something has to be done about this, people of the public has to be included as well.

 

For a while, I felt like I was in India…

In short, Godspeed, Malaysia.

UKTAR V-Gen Potluck Dinner

Yesterday’s potluck dinner at TBR was fun. Although the place is a bit small, but it was a heartfelt event. Lots of people there, lots of food, and much laughter and joy. We even celebrated the birthday of October child.

A bit of discussion for the upcoming V-Gen Fiesta on the 24th Oct.

Anyways, just to take some time to promote the event, be a vegetarian and you’re most welcome to join the fun at V-Gen Fiesta. Free entrance. Look at the following poster for more info!

人生的最後一天

經過了幾天前的意外后，讓我一時領悟了，不要等到人走了，才後悔。

借此機會，來說說心中想說的一些話。。。

敬愛的媽媽，

感恩您，我小時候的照顧，花時間照顧我。

感恩您，每天早上七早八早起來為我準備早餐，讓我有便當帶去學校。

感恩您，讓我每天有成長的機會。

感恩您，給我自立的機會。

感恩您，時時提醒安全，關心我。

感恩您，不斷地鼓勵，在我最需要愛的時候，您都出現。

感恩您，照顧我的學業，確保我沒有在煩惱金錢的環境中長大。

感恩您，走入了慈濟，改變了自己的人生。

感恩您，感恩了還是要感恩。

敬愛的爸爸，

感恩您，讓我在不同的環境下長大。

感恩您，我小時候載我上學，接我回家。

感恩您，讓我接觸了不同的人，讓我有機會在人與人之間的成長。

感恩您，時時地關心，也讓我有機會自立，勇於承擔。

感恩您，讓我知道更多姿多彩的世界。

感恩您，讓我了解人生的可貴。

感恩您，讓我有機會接觸別人沒有機會接觸與學習的東西與活動。

感恩您，再忙，也抽空過來看我，關心我。

感恩您，把世界最好吃的榴蓮選出來給我吃。

感恩您，感恩了還是要感恩。

師公上人常常開釋，行善行孝不能等。父母恩重難報啊！

敬愛的姐姐，

感恩您，再多的委屈，也是時時關心我。

感恩您，讓我有機會接觸了不同的朋友。

感恩您，跨越自己，不斷成長。

感恩您，讓我在一個充滿音樂的環境下成長。

感恩您，讓我有機會磨練自己的耐心、毅力。

感恩您，讓我了解，錢不是一切。

感恩您，讓我了解，只要自己肯站起來，一定有美好的明天。

感恩您，讓我明白，人與人之間的摩擦是可以減少的。

感恩您，感恩了還是要感恩。

敬愛的阿姨、姨丈、表哥姐弟妹們，

感恩您們，時時關心，讓我有機會在充滿愛的大家庭裏成長。

感恩您們，讓我有機會接觸了人與人之間的摩擦。

感恩您們，讓我有機會在一個充滿教育的家庭中長大。

感恩您們，讓我了解了互相關心的重要。

感恩您們，感恩了還是要感恩。

敬愛的姑姑，姑丈，伯父伯母、堂哥姐弟妹們，

感恩您們，讓我知道被叫叔叔/伯伯個感受。

感恩您們，讓我多了解多姿多彩、無憂無慮的生活。

感恩您們，給我種種的考驗，讓我有機會成長。

感恩您們，時時的關心與關懷。

感恩您們，感恩了還是要感恩。

敬愛的慈濟大家庭，

感恩您們，圓滿了這個大家庭，讓我充滿愛的成長。

感恩師公上人，讓我有機會了解真正的慈悲大愛、充滿智慧的佛教。

感恩大愛爸爸媽媽們，時時地關心，讓我有機會享用豐富美食，讓我有機會溫暖的成長。

感恩學長姐，讓我了解人生的重要性，為他人服務的幸福。

感恩慈青伙伴們，讓我更了解人生的方向，一切都是好因緣。

感恩那麽多人的成就，感恩那麽多人的付出，感恩了還是要感恩。

敬愛的朋友們，

感恩您們，時時地關心，讓我生活充滿樂趣。

感恩您們，讓我了解什麽就是surprised到哭！

感恩您們，讓我了解互相幫忙的重要。

感恩您們，讓我接觸了種種的人與人之間的考驗。

感恩您們，讓我有機會感受到友情的重要。

感恩您們，感恩了還是要感恩。

那麽充滿愛的世界，哪裏值得讓我浪費精神在生氣、怨恨呢？

感恩各位用心聆聽我的心聲。感恩合十。

 

好書介紹：考驗

真是一本好書，看看證嚴法師如何面對挑戰，如何用智慧解決種種的考驗。

本書可以在靜思書軒請購。

 

Step out of comfort zone

I think, it is time for me to step out from the comfort zone of KL.

It is time for me to explore something else other than the busy life in KL.

I guess, going to a place full of strangers would be scary at first, but as time pass, it gets better.

Have I really made up my mind to go?

To a place no one expects me to go?

To a place worse than Kampar hah?

To a place where I have my other Malay friends around to accompany.

It should be alright.

It should be interesting.

It should consume less money too!

Till then, I should make the best decision, not the right one.

Getting cancer soon…

Tomorrow is the day where I have to sit for a test called Oncology. And the section tested would involve all the cancer pathways and the dysregulation of all these pathways lead to cancer formation (carcinogenesis).

So here’s an overview of the cancer pathways:

1. The AKT/PKB Pathway

 

This pathway is involved in the cell proliferation and growth.

 

2. Cyclins and Cell Cycle Regulation

 

This pathway is a continuation of previous pathway. This pathway regulates DNA replication and cell proliferation.

 

4. The Famous p53 Pathway – One of the most important cell guardian

This pathway makes sure that everything is right. Not too much of proliferation, induce repair mechanisms and apoptosis in cases of DNA damage. It basically protects a cell from going crazy. Mutation in gene expressing this p53 protein eventually leads to cancer formation, no doubt.

 

4. Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Pathway

 

Part of the pathways was learnt, and again, they all regulate cell proliferation and growth.

 

5. (Summary of) Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Pathway

I think this is the most complex diagram ever constructed. This is how complex cancer is. 

6. (Another Summary of) Pathways in Human Cancer

This is exactly what I’m studying at this moment. This PDF is available at http://www.cellsignal.com/about/marketing/pdfs/cancer_poster.pdf

As you can see, the pathways are driving everyone crazy, and these are all normal cell processes. Without them, we cannot survive. Yet, dysregulation of these pathways lead to cancer formation. Why dysregulation occurs? Too many factors already, which include chemical and physical exposures, cellular processes etc. Most frequently, food is one of the main causes of cancer. So, YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

By the way, too much of stress do induce cancer formation… and I’m a bit stressed out… Hope that I don’t get cancer because of this… CHOY!!!

Also, if you like the other posters, do not hesitate to download them from http://www.abcam.com/index.html?pageconfig=resource&rid=11069&pid=10628. Credit goes to them for creating such fantastic posters that makes everyone crazy!!!

Failed…

I am an example of failed education system… Yes or No?

 

P/S: I’m not talking about our Malaysian Education System ah! Don’t get me wrong.

時間不足

頓時覺得，時間真的是不夠用。太少了。

那麽多東西要做，Thesis 要寫，Report 要做，Assignment 要交，FYP Presentation 的 ppt 還沒做，還有IPC Presentation，要準備考試，Virology Song 還沒製作完，還得申請要接下去讀書。。。那麽多東西要做。真是喘不過氣來。

真佩服那些還有時間看戯逛逛街的人。難道您們都做完了嗎？

現在都是在不停的鼓勵自己要加油！時間寶貴，要好好珍惜。

突然閒覺得，讀完了Degree回家休息一下也好。身體好累，心可不累，還有很多東西要做。只怪自己身體沒有辦法跟上啊。。。

Coming in a rush…

Everything is coming in a rush… so… better work faster…

The ironic president

Yesterday was the day we met the president of UTAR – Professor Chua, and for me, it was the very first time.

He was happily talking with us about the future after UTAR, giving us guides on what should we do things in our interviews and job hunting etc. Then he said something I will remember forever.

When you guys build something, please make sure it is eco-friendly, it must be environmental friendly.

Right after his speech, all the students went out for a short tea break, and guess what, we were served with polystyrene cups and the desserts and kuih were served wrap in plastics. I still can understand if they wish to use plastic wrappings for food, but polystyrene cups?! come on! Can’t UTAR at least provide paper cups if not glass cups?

Up there, Prof Chua said that we need to be environmental friendly, but at the back, we are using non-environmental friendly polystyrene cups. I felt so sad, disappointed and frustrated at the same time. If you would like to promote students to be green, how are you suppose the students would follow suit if you do not do it yourself. By the way, the staff served you with glass cup just because you are the president of UTAR. Some of the students even used two polystyrene cups – one for the drink, while the other for putting food in it. So what’s the point of Community Service Society’s “No Polystyrene on Wednesdays” project?

Something to ponder about. Guys, if you want to be environmental friendly, you have to CHANGE YOUR MINDSET.

P/S: I’m not trying to insult anyone here. But I just couldn’t stand here doing nothing. Someone has got to tell the president about this.

Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making

This is the second UTAR softskills workshop I joined. It was fun, the trainer was fantastic and I definitely enjoyed my time there.

While waiting for the LRT… a sight to behold.

 

During the course, we were required to build a plane based on some of the guidelines given.

Test flight…

 

Pilots with the airplanes…

 

The “wobble-wobble” test to test the structural integrity of the aeroplane.

   

 

And finally, my team with the trainer, Captain Ariva.

 

 

Thanks to him, I now know the truth behind Bermuda Triangle… haha. Anyways, I hope to meet him again in the future for other courses.

Tzu Ching Camp 2009 / 2010

This camp must be one of the best camps I’ve ever attended. Over 700 Tzu Chings (慈青) from all over the globe come to Hua Lian, Taiwan.

First off was the global Tzu Ching Camp, followed by the Overseas Tzu Ching Camp and lastly, the hospital volunteer.

The trip started on 24th December 2009 and ended on 11th January 2010.

Enough said, let’s go to the photos.

Unexpected luck to be able sit near to a window, to watch sunset from the airplane.

 

Tao-Yuan Jing-si Hall.

 

Train to Hua-Lian, one of the fastest I’ve ever boarded.

 

Tzu Chi International 6 Star ‘Hotel’…

 

The place where the Silent Mentors are honoured.

Sharing session with this newly met xue jie working in Tzu Chi Office.

 

Then came the day where we have to walk all the way from Hua-Lian JingSi Hall to Jing She. Distance about 8 to 12 km.

 

Getting to the next stop.

 

An actual size of Jing She behind Daai Broadcasting Centre.

 

 

Orange night sky.

 

Hua-Lian JingSi Hall

 

A view from where I stayed…

 

Farm beside the Jing She, where many different vegetables were planted for our consumption.

 

View around the farm.

 

Heading back to Taipei.

 

Sunset on our journey to Tao Yuan JingSi Hall.

 

Shi Bo explaining the soap making process…

 

One of the exhibits at Ren Wen Activities Exhibition.

 

Everyone is a close buddy during camp.

 

Walk around the nearby park, and they had facilities for roller skating.

 

Another fate to meet with Mr. Kun-Shan Xie.

Although tiring, and having to sleep by 9.30 pm and wake up at 3.50 am everyday, it was a great experience and I definitely had fun during this camp. Meeting everyone from all over the globe was another great feat done in such a short time.

A visit to Setapak FYP

So… I dropped by Setapak FYP labs for a visit… have a chat… and attempt to feel the hustle of getting things done in the Setapak FYP lab… no wonder everyone is under a lot of stress…

 

This lab has less students in it… or maybe they’re absent… not sure…

Cleaning the glasswares after PTC lab…

One of the best shots of the day…

 

And the cutest photo of all…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big headed Greg… haha… specially shot with wide angle lens… Give it a try!