MELting TANgent

Melvin the Shopaholic comes out with his wish list

2009-05-13T11:31:00.006+08:00

With some savings from monthly internship allowance, I might consider buying some stuffs to as rewards upon returning UTP this July.

So, I come out with this Wish List. Share with you all.

WISH LIST
= by Melvin the Shopaholic =

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT1 (or TS1)

(I might go for either Silver or Blue)

Initially, I wished for a cool DSLR camera.
However, after dropping Loongloong's camera, I started having phobia holding digital cameras.
My target changed: If I were to buy one, I need a tough guy.

Olympus? User reviews conclude with pretty unacceptable image quality, although it is rugged.
And now, I finally see the launching of Lumix TS1.

Physically, TS1 can withstand 3m water depth, 1.5m drop, and dust (with conditions that you go for service on camera seal annually). On performance wise, short shuttle lag, high ISO, and good zooming (even during video capturing) make it my aim for now.

Unfortunately, it has no touch screen, unlike Chong's Sony.

More reviews and test samples here.

Price: RM1499 (RRP from Panasonic, hope to get lower price in Lowyat)

2. Nike Edge Elite Air Backpack

(Left: Large Backpack, Right: Gear Backpack)

My first initiation was a big backpack for traveling.
And the market price is about, based on a friend who bought backpack.

My target switched to Large Backpack after a visit to Stadium, KLCC. Quite a nice backpack with big capacity, laptop sleeve, and multipocket design. Too bad that grayish blue is the only colour, which made me reconsidering the decision.

It was the time where the bigger Gear Backpack came to me. Found in Nike Shop, it has more pockets and bigger storage space. There is even a zipped compartment at bottom for putting shoes. Cool! And yeah, you can expect that it is more expensive. Colour? Still grayish blue, only.

Well, I make this backpack in pending status. Size matters, price matters, and colour matters also (Where to get a black one in KL?).

Price: RM200 (Large Backpack, after rebate in Stadium), RM269 (Gear Backpack, only available in Nike Shop).

3. Creative HN-605 Headphones

I am now using a Philips earplug. Besides uncomfortable, I need to turn volume up in LRT, ~~which increases the probability of deafness exponentially~~.
I am looking for a cheap foldable headgear, preferable with noise-cancellation.

Creative HN-605 is a good one for me, in fact. Operated with an AAA battery, it cancels 80% of unwanted noise. Furthermore, it is foldable and can be fit into the travel pouch.

But, there is also flaw to this product.
With noise-cancellation, yes, it gives excellent sound. However, sound becomes far soft when you turn it off. In that case, high battery consumption is expected for preserving sound quality. And I might have to buy rechargeable AAA batteries.
While in some reviews, users reported that the headphone is too small to fit ears. Hmm ... I need to test that. If the condition is not that severe, I would just ignore it.

Price: RM99 (in JB PC Fair years back, might be cheaper now)

For a conservative estimate, this wish list costs me RM1800.
It seems that I have to look for some money, by then.
Part time recruitment, anyone?

Earthquake and Tsunami - 22 July Prediction

2009-05-06T15:04:00.002+08:00

None of us can forget the tsunami in 2004, and also the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 (you're right, it's almost one year from now).

So, when such message comes to people's mailbox, chaos is expected.

20090722 - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI PREDICTED

Hi, Please be more cautious as the warnings has been given. Attached a photo for u.

I just received this message from a colleague. I don't know the source of the message; I also don't know the credibility of the content, but just beware. Below is the content on the message:

"Hello there. I just wanted 2 let you know that please stay away from the beaches all around in the month of July. There is a prediction that there will be another tsunami hitting on July 22nd. It is also when there will be sun eclipse. Predicted that it is going 2 be really bad and countries like Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak), Singapore, Maldives, Australia, Mauritius, Si Lanka, India, Indonesia, Philippines are going 2 be badly hit. Please try and stay away from the beaches in July. Better 2 be safe than sorry. Please pass the word around. Please also pray for all beings."

Thanks and have a nice day.

What does it signify, actually?

When this mail came from Natasya to my mailbox on 8 April, I did some researches and came out with this.

Okay, guys and gals ... Here are how I conclude:

The sun eclipse is true. It is said to be the longest total solar eclipse in the century. Source: NASA Website.
While tsunami issue is not that easy to say true or false.
The source is from Japanese Quake and Tsunami Predicted 22 July 2009. The author made an Excel-based simulator to predict earthquake and tsunami. The principle is based on the additional gravitational pull by Moon during solar eclipse, which causes tectonic plates moving up.

So, the problem comes now. How far the "gravitational pull" theory is true? If it is true, is the pull that powerful to pull the plates? Don't forget that Indon tsunami happened at morning, where there's no moon right above Indonesia. I admit that I cannot give a certain Yes or No to the "pull" theory. However, I hope it gives everyone a direction on verifying the prediction. Please ask around your friends or peers (especially those who are experts in astronomy, geology, and geophysics) so that we can have an answer on this asap.

From this, Dee sent another mail back to me, telling me something.

Something I think is not right is this: Moon is always on the sky. Simply you cant see it in the morning because the sun light reflected could not reach your eyes due to the bring light sky. Indeed sometime you can see moon in the early or late morning! I had seen that before in my place too!

Yeah, I missed that out. Forgive my lack of common sense :P

With that, we did not see any more reply on the clarification.
Until Snopes comes out with its investigation report.

After visiting California Institute of Technology, Snopes closed the case with two conclusions:

Solar eclipse will occur on 22 July 2009. But, its force is NOT enough to pull the tectonic plates. What causes earthquake is the accumulation of strains in the Earth's crust. No external force is involved in the gigantic move (although many people thought nuclear bombing at some corners can make the dominoes moving).
Earthquake is not predictable at the moment, even scientists who have spent so much time studying that.

(See the detailed coverage here)

I think this make everyone clear on what scenario we are facing.
The prediction of 22 July Disaster in the email is not justifiable. However, we can't say for sure whether it will happen.
Because everything is the matter of randomness.

(Mourn for the innocent lives lost in earthquake.)

[Joke] The Day the Penis Asked for a Raise

2009-05-01T22:16:00.004+08:00

Economy nowadays is not that good. Most of us will have thought of asking for pay raise (although it is merely impossible in reality).

Howey sent me something about salary raise as well - but the subject is ... P. Niss?

Pasted here for sharing. Enjoy!

(DISCLAIMER: Nothing erotic here.)

I, the Penis, hereby request a raise in salary for the following reasons:

I do physical labor.
I work at great depths.
I plunge headfirst into everything I do.
I do not get weekends or public holidays off.
I work in a damp environment.
I work in a dark workplace that has poor ventilation.
I work in high temperatures.
My work exposes me to contagious diseases.

Sincerely,
P. Niss

Dear Penis:

After assessing your request, and considering the arguments you have raised, the administration rejects your request for the following reasons:

You do not work 8 hours straight.
You fall asleep after brief work periods.
You do not always follow the orders of the management team.
You do notstay in your designated area and are often seen visiting other locations.
You do not take initiative - you need to be pressured and stimulated in order to start working.
You leave the workplace rather messy at the end of your shift.
You don't always observe necessary safety regulations, such as wearing the correct protective clothing.
You will retire well before you should.
You are unable to work double shifts.
You sometimes leave your designated work area before you have completed the assigned task.
And if that were not all, you have been seen constantly entering andexiting the workplace carrying two suspicious-looking bags.

Sincerely,
V. Gina

Cows, Chickens, Palm Civets ... and Pigs?

2009-04-27T07:04:00.003+08:00

In recent history, most of the plagues are related to animal consumptions.

Initially, we have cow.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, aka Mad Cow Disease)
starring cows

Then, we come to chickens.

Avian Influenza (aka Bird Flu)
starring chickens and birds

After that, palm civet makes its appearance as well.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (aka SARS)
starring masked palm civets

In April 2009, alleged plague alert comes again. This time, the host is ... pig.

Swine Influenza (aka Pig Flu)
starring pigs

Does it mean being vegetarian is the safest way (to avoid virus from animals)?

Money Makes Slumdog ... A Dog

2009-04-20T09:15:00.002+08:00

Our Slumdog "Jai Ho" Millionaire had achieved the history in Oscar, and also the slum in Mumbai.

However, the glory doesn't change anything in the poor community. Yet brings more ugly issues.

Previously, the little "Salim" Azharuddin Ismail was slapped by daddy in front of international media - allegedly. Well, no further clarification nor explanation after all. Up to you whether to believe.

And now, we see another news - item-for-sell ad, I should say.
Our little "Latika" Rubina Ali is on sale at $300,000.

Latika on sale - by his father ...

For Rubina's family, it is the way to make them away from poverty. On the other hand, they claim it (sending her off to rich men) is "the best for Rubina's future".

My view: Money can really make slumdog a dog.

Scholarships for studying master? In Kauhsiong?

2009-04-17T07:33:00.003+08:00

Economy slowdown is a big global issue for everyone, especially those who are about to graduate soon.

So, for the freshmen-to-be, the government has suggested a way to counter the bad scenario. Further studies.

Fund offers RM3b in study loans

... For postgraduate studies, the government would use the allocation in the mini-Budget to give RM10,000 to meet the tuition fees of each student and another RM20,000 for study and research material ...

(http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2524450/Article/index_html)

And while viewing UTP eLearning, I found something interesting ...

Att: ME Final Year Students
National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung city, Taiwan, ROC – Scholarship of Master program

In order to develop the international cooperation between Taiwan and Asia SouthEast Nations, especially Malaysia, in educational exchange, the KUAS offers a full-time scholarship to ones who are interested in studying Master program of Mechanical Engineering as well as Mold & Die Engineering, Fall 2009 in Taiwan.
...
Interested students need to obtain ME HOD approval before submitting their application.
Thank you.

Wow, studying Master Degree in Taiwan? Nice and envious enough.

国立高雄应用科技大学 www.kuas.edu.my

(By the way, it also provides Chemical Engineering. 高雄应用科技大学化学工程与材料工程系)

I wonder when Taiwan (or China as well) will offer scholarships for Master of Chemical Engineering.

Melvin will be very glad to apply for it, haha ...

I am on Plurk now!

2009-04-14T11:05:00.006+08:00

This is to certify that

MELVIN TAN ZI HERN

has officially joined as a member of Plurk!

(Join me at http://www.plurk.com/zihern.)

LOST - KLCC and PC Fair Special

2009-04-12T18:42:00.001+08:00

The ~~endless soap~~ drama LOST is airing a special edition this weekend. This time, our special guest Melvin Tan is being left in chaos, confusions, and conflicts.

This time, our background is Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), or to be more exact, PIKOM PC Fair 2009 in KLCC.

Promotional Poster of LOST Special
(LOST = Getting Lost = Lords of Selling and Trading)

Crowd ...

I had been in PC Fair in Johor Bahru, Penang, and Ipoh. Here is a short list of previous trips.

2004 - JB City Square - My first thumb drive (512MB Transcend which cost RM200)

2005 - JB City Square - Logitech LX7 cordless mouse (RM140)

2006 - (forgotten ...)

2007 - Penang PISA - Sony NW-E013F MP3 Player (1GB, RM300)

2008 - Ipoh Indera Mahkota - WesternDigital External Hard Disk (160GB, RM200)

Many people told me that KL PC Fair is much larger than expected. That's why I was in the crowd this weekend. VIsiting PC Fair in KLCC.

Tee Hooi bought two thumb drives, FXuan bought Cyber Clean Cloth, Jiamin walked around (didn't ask what she bought).

So how about me?

I bought power adaptor for my 3-year Compaq Presario. RM145 being sucked off because of that. It was RM150 at first place. I rejected the power cord for RM5 rebate. (Yeah, I know that the cord is much more than RM5. But I don't want something extra with me.)

Usually, we can see the trend of IT market by touring around PC Fair. So let's see how it goes for this year.

PDA Phones (or touch-screen phones) emerge
Credit to Apple which releases iPhone. Because of this, we also see HTC and pdaexpert in the hall (and iPhone, of course). One of my dream phones, HTC Diamond Touch, is at RM1999 each.
External Storage still rules
Thumb drives are getting cheaper and cheaper (4GB at RM20?!), and you can even see 64GB thumb drive selling. If you don't mind having a heavier one, a 1TB desktop MyBook (RM330++) suits you also. And not to forget the portable external hard disks, although the prices seem to stabilize (eg. 160GB WD at RM169).
Lighter, lighter, and lighter
I refer to netbooks and light laptops, not igniting PC Fair (lame joke ~~~). Can be expensive Sony and Toshiba, or budget Atom-powered. One of the irresistible offers is Mac AirBook (NP RM7000++) which cost only RM5000 (plus an iPod Shuffle)! But too bad that I don't like an external DVD burner, and too bad that I'm broke.
PC Fair with Mobile Broadband Fair hybrid
Name any mobile broadband providers that you know. Celcom? Maxis? Digi? P1 WiMax? Izzi? ... You are right. They are all there, competing on who can seduce most new users. While puzzled over countless issues on speeds, contracts, capacity limit, payments, and also budget, I decided to KIV.

Now, let's get back to topic. LOST in the maze and LOST in so-called "promotions".

KLCC PC Fair is not a comfortable place to walk. FIrst, you need to take lift / staircases to Level 3. After getting into Hall 1, you do a hairpin reverse (Initial D?) to Hall 2. After that, get back to Hall 3 to Hall 5 in ground floor. First few halls are selling itemized products (PC, lappie, camera, phones, printers ...) while the accessories are cramped in the later halls. For my case, I need to go upstairs, squeeze with people, go downstairs, get rid of rows of mobile broadband promoters, and finally reach Hall 5 to get just a power adapter. Tiring and long journey, indeed.

And next, I am quite disappointed while some well-known brands are just disappeared from PC Fair, especially for speakers and headphones. Creative? Altec Lansing? Logitech (I saw mouse and keyboards in SEPARATED stalls, but no speakers)? Not being invited or something goes wrong? Only heaven knows.

Furthermore, as I mentioned above, mobile broadband promotions. In fact, I do not wish to blame the promoters (their job, anyway). But somehow, could it be just too annoying? A row of red shirts mumbling "Free Modem" around your ears, a row of blue shirts shouting "Mobile Broadband with no contract" (but with handling fee or penalty), a group of people surrounding you with brochures and comparison tables ... Well, I am having headache after walking out of PC Fair.

I like the design of the Maxis USB Modem, actually. Nuffnang's Music Bash?

Those in red are mobile broadband promoters. Try and count how many are there.

Frankly speaking, PC Fair is always noisy, chaotic, crowded, tempting, and confusing. However, this PC Fair in Kuala Lumpur tells me something.
KL PC Fair is not always full equipped. And over-promotion make people nausea.

Crowd again ...

P/S: As a broke technosexual, I had to suppress my desire to get the toys so hard in the hall. Alas ~

Another P/S: Sharing two of my favourite booths here.
The spaceship-like P1 WiMax, and the sophisticated pdaexpert "purple prisms".

[Ad Time] PETRONAS Refuelling Challenge

2009-03-29T18:29:00.001+08:00

A small advertisement one behalf of Formula One (F1) PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix.

PETRONAS - Formula 1 exhibition is held from 28 March 2009 to 8 April 2009 in Suria KLCC. Booths are set up for selling tickets, merchandises, and watches (yeah, Certina watches).

On the other hand, you might stand a chance to win a Certina watch worth RM 1500!

How? Just get yourself in PETRONAS Refuelling Challenge.

Here is an acrylic F1 racing car with actual refuelling hose (just as the one seen at pit stop).
INSTRUCTION: Time starts when you step out from starting line. Plug the hose in place and press the two handles. "Fuel" (blue light) will fill the trapezoidal "tank" in middle. When 25 boxes in the tank was filled, plug the hose out and place it back on floor. Whoever finished the task in shortest time will get the prize of the day.

Sounds easy, right? But since the prize is a 1.5K-watch per day, competition can be extremely tough.

Let's see some time facts:

Refuelling 25 boxes in the "tank" takes 9.99 (or sometimes 10.00) seconds. If you are less than that, you are not making it full, and you are disqualified.
On 28 March, a 20-year-old guy walked away with a Certina with 13.51 seconds.
On 29 March, a Dutch was leading in Slot 1 with 12.68 seconds. In Slot 2 (just now), we saw the records of 12.78 seconds and 12.62 seconds - and the latter is holding the record of the day.
If you are not making any mistake, average time of the whole task is between 13 to 14 seconds. Otherwise, you can end up with more than 15 seconds.
By the way, mine was 13.42 seconds. I joined Slot 2 on 29 March.

Yes, although the task is easy, every millisecond can makes the difference. If you are above 18 and dare to try, come and register yourself.

Refuelling Challenge is available everyday, from 28 March to 5 April. Prizes on 1, 4, and 5 April are 3 Certina watches, each per day. While for the rest, BMW merchandises will be given away.
There are 3 time slots per day: 1.30pm, 5.30pm, and 7.30pm.
Register yourself at the DJ console before the slots begin. Only 5 participants are accepted per slot so first come first served.

However, it doesn't mind whether you win the watch or the merchandise or whatever. There are still lots of fun here. Come to Suria KLCC and take a look if you are free.

Earth Hour 2009 Special in KLCC

2009-03-29T12:59:00.001+08:00

Imagine what if the tallest twin towers in the world vanish from the dark sky?
Well, I can say that it will only happen once in a blue moon, both technically and logically.
And the scenario was valid during Earth Hour 2009. 28 March, 8.30pm.

This exclusive* telecast will show you how the three fellows witnessed the historical moment with more than 1000 people at KLCC park.

Earth Hour 2009 Coverage in PETRONAS Twin Towers. Enjoy.

* Why excusive?
Because the three "world-class" reporters only appear in this sole video.
But don't worry on that. Towers are still the emphasis. You won't see them long in the video.

First Step in Fitness First: An Introduction

2009-03-29T12:14:00.001+08:00

Gyms are almost everywhere in Kuala Lumpur, especially in Ampang and Damansara.
For the newbies who are interested to start the healthier life through Fitness First chain-stores, here is a factual introduction about joining it as a new member.

ABOUT FITNESS FIRST:

Fitness First one of the biggest gym chain-store operated in Malaysia. Up to now, the branches are located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Penang. Besides basic workout equipments, the gym also provides group classes (both Les Mills and in-house classes), paid personal trainer service, sauna and steam room facilities, free movie DVD rental, and many more privileges to members.

REGISTRATION:

A membership consultant will entertain the visitor enquiring of membership or free trial sessions. Before introducing the packages, consultant will conduct a detailed survey on your body conditions (habits of exercising), expectations (where to train and what to improve), and requirements (how many workouts per week and how much to invest on workout per month). By then, they are always ready for you to sign up. Registration can be done in minutes by filling forms and signing agreements.

PACKAGE SELECTION:

Joining gym is more or less like joining clubs, where some of them run in contract basis. For Fitness First, two packages are introduced, either shorter 3-month membership or cheaper 12-month membership. It depends on which one you are comfortable with.

FIRST-TIME PAYMENT:

Here is one of the samples for first-time payment in 3-month membership.

Registration Fee: Waived

Administration Fee: RM 109.00

Monthly Fee: RM 74.00 (special corporate price offer for Month 1, with normal price of around RM 200. Price may vary from time to time)

BODYFIRST Kit: RM 149.00
BODYFIRST Kit is the starters' guide from Fitness First. It contains 3 books (workout guide, food guide, and training record journal) worth RM 79.95 and 3 personal training sessions worth RM 69.05 in total.
To encourage members for frequent visit, RM 149.00 will be fully refunded by credited into your Fitness First account. It means your Month 2 fee can be deducted. Conditions: of the member visits the gym for at least 7 times and completes all 3 personal training sessions in the first month.

Starter Kit: Free
A free package of backpack, towel, headphone, and water bottle will be given upon registration. It can be obtained by providing contact numbers of 10 potential persons which might join Fitness First.

TOTAL FIRST-TIME PAYMENT: RM 332.00

FREEZING:

It is a common practice for gyms. If you are unable to visit the gym for a certain month, you have to pay only 20% of normal monthly fee, given that you have given notification 14 days before the "freezing" month.

COMFORT GUARANTEE:

Fitness First wants members to be comfortable with the decision of signing up. So, a Comfort Guarantee system is introduced. Upon registration, you will be issued with a Comfort Guarantee coupon:

If the membership is terminated within 14 days of enrolment, you will receive a full refund with no further obligations or payments, except of administration fee.

CANCELLATION WITHIN 14 DAYS:

By applying Comfort Guarantee within 14 days from your registration, the refund is shown as listed below:

Administration Fee: No refund

Monthly Fee: RM 74.00, full refund

BODYFIRST Kit: As mentioned above, given that you have complied with the conditions, RM 149.00 will be credited to your Fitness First account. Of course, not in form of money.

TOTAL REFUND BY CANCELLING YOUR ACCOUNT WITHIN 14 DAYS: RM 74.00

Some might think that the charges in Fitness First is pretty high. In fact, with new equipments, multiple branches for flexible visit, and add-on privileges, it might worth the members for joining in long term.

So, for those who are interested in the gym, think about it and enjoy it.

Tagged ... "It’s harder than it looks!"

2009-02-28T14:28:00.002+08:00

Wei Juan tagged me, so I did as follows:

Rules: It’s harder than it looks!

Copy to your own note, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag twenty people.
Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions.
They have to be real. Nothing made up!
If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers.
You cannot use any word twice and you can’t use your name for the boy/girl name question.

1.What is your name : Melvin Tan Zi Hern
2. A four Letter Word : Moon
3. A boy’s Name : Marcus
4. A girl’s Name : Melissa
5. An occupation : Manager
6. A color : Maroon
7. Something you’ll wear : Muffler
9. A food : Maggi Mee
10. Something found in the bathroom : MagicClean (detergent)
11. A place : Moscow (where Patrick is in now)
12. A reason for being late : Met Jay Chou and queued up for his signature ...
13. Something you’d shout : My gosh!
14. A movie title : Million Dollar Baby
15. A drink : Mocha
16. A musical group : Maroon 5
17. An animal : Monkey
18. A street name : Mahsuri Road (a.k.a. Jalan Mahsuri, Sibu)
19. A type of car : Mercedes Benz
20. The title of a song : Make A Wish (Vic Chou a.k.a. ZaiZai)

Holy shit, finally.. now i’m going to tag someone..

Dunno who to tag la. Let me finish this ...

12 Ways to Boost Your BRAIN ~~~

2008-11-03T12:32:00.001+08:00

Yeah, I know this topic can be a hot one during this exam period.

Healthy Living in Yahoo! has posted 12 ways to increase your brain memory and productivity, and of course, keeping you sane. It might be pretty helpful to anyone.

Ready? So here we go!

Eat Almonds
Almond is believed to improve memory. If a combination of almond oil and milk is taken together before going to bed or after getting up at morning, it strengthens our memory power. Almond milk is prepared by crushing the almonds without the outer cover and adding water and sugar to it.
Almond? My favourite, especially on the Big Apple Donut "California Chocolate".
Drink Apple Juice
Research from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) indicates that apple juice increases the production of the essential neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, resulting in an increased memory power.
I don't have a blender at dorm. Anyway, eating solid apples gives the identical effect, right?
Sleep well
Research indicates that the long-term memory is consolidated during sleep by replaying the images of the experiences of the day. These repeated playbacks program the subconscious mind to store these images and other related information.
Obviously, many UTPians (including me) never practice this. You can see lights on 24/7 here, even at night.
Enjoy Simple Pleasures
Stress drains our brainpower. A stress-ridden mind consumes much of our memory resources to leave us with a feeble mind. Make a habit to engage yourself in few simple pleasures everyday to dissolve stress from your mind. Some of these simple pleasures are good for your mind, body and soul.
* Enjoy music you love
* Play with your children
* Appreciate others
* Run few miles a day, bike or swim
* Start a blog (That's what I'm doing now)
* Take a yoga class or Total Wellness routine
Exercise Your Mind
Just as physical exercise is essential for a strong body, mental exercise is equally essential for a sharp and agile mind. Have you noticed that children have far superior brainpower than an adult does? Children have playful minds. A playful mind exhibits superior memory power. Engage in some of the activities that require your mind to remain active and playful.
* Play scrabble or crossword puzzle
* Volunteer
* Interact with others
* Start a new hobby such as blogging, reading, painting, bird watching
* Learn new skill or a foreign language
Practice Yoga or Meditation
Yoga or Meditation relives stress. Stress is a known memory buster. With less stress, lower blood pressure, slower respiration, slower metabolism, and released muscle tension follows. All of these factors contribute significantly towards increases in our brainpower.
It is hard, I can be frank to you. You won't be able to be completely relaxed and think of nothing so easily during meditation. Determination rules.
Reduce Sugar Intake
Sugar is a non-food. It’s a form of carbohydrate that offers illusionary energy, only to cause a downhill slump once the initial burst has been worn off. Excess intake of sugar results in neurotic symptoms. Excess sugar is known to cause claustrophobia, memory loss and other neurotic disorders. Eat food without adding sugar. Stay away from sweet drinks or excess consumption of caffeine with sugar.
Eat Whole Wheat
The whole wheat germs contain lecithin. Lecithin helps ease the problem of the hardening of the arteries, which often impairs brain functioning.
Eat a Light Meal at Night
A heavy meal at night causes tossing and turning and a prolonged emotional stress while at sleep. It’s wise to eat heavy meal during the day when our body is in motion to consume the heavy in-take. Eating a light meal with some fruits allows us to sleep well. A good night sleep strengthens our brainpower.
Develop Imagination
Greeks mastered the principle of imagination and association to memorize everything. This technique requires one to develop a vivid and colourful imagination that can be linked to a known object. If you involve all your senses - touching, feeling, smelling, hearing and seeing in the imagination process, you can remember greater details of the event.
Control Your Temper
Bleached food, excess of starch or excess of white bread can lead to nerve grating effect. This results in a violent and some time depressive behaviour. Eat fresh vegetables. Drink lots of water and meditate or practice yoga to relieve these toxic emotions of temper and stressful mood swings.
What? Rice and bread can cause violence? Serious?
Take Vitamin B-complex
Vitamin B-complex strengthens memory power. Eat food and vegetables high in Vitamin B-complex. Stay away from the starch food or white bread, which depletes the Vitamin B-complex necessary for a healthy mind.

Courtesy of Shilpan Patel of Success Soul and cross-posted from Dumb Little Man.

(P/S: Another conclusion - I've got to throw my Gardenia ...)

Birthday Kings

2008-10-29T00:05:00.000+08:00

Two Scorpios around me are having their birthdays today.
"Around me", literally. Because one of them is in Penang. Another one, Moscow.

This is Chong Kian Chuah a.k.a. Gordon a.k.a. YAXB Feirenheit, the 21-yr-old birthday boy.
Also our Chief of Federation of Extreme Idiocy (F.E.I.). Now interning in Intel Penang.
Our dear batch mate, known since July 2005. We'd just met him in Ipoh last weekend.

Some stories of him:

In his first birthday with us, we bought him a c****m as present, ~~thinking that he might need it~~ (complete the word on your own, I'm not saying anything).
In his second and third birthday, he had never escaped from being our "victim". Incidents like "toilet trap due to towel missing" would not be absent.
When he was still with us (no worry, he will still be with us next July), he was the bully target of Xiyi on bed ... (interpret that on your own. Still, I'm not saying anything)

By the way, I do admit that he's a nice guy although he always gives us some funny ~~and sexy~~ thoughts. When he is serious, he can be constructive. He listens to your problems and gives advices.

Oh ya, he is still single now. Others singles are welcomed.
P/S: When he saw the announcement that I posted in blog, he commented that he's gay (same rule: interpret that on your own, I'm not saying anything).

Kian, sorry for no present this time, wakaka ...

Next, we come to Patrick, who is my god-bro. He doesn't like to show himself in public so I grab this photo from his Friendster. He's celebrating his 22nd in medical school, Moscow.

I knew him through magazine column in 2004. When we both communicate as co-writers through ICQ, he proposed having me as god-bro. But, we only met face-to-face in August 2005, one year after we knew each other.

Our relationship is pretty weird. Sometimes, he takes care of me as an elder brother. But sometimes, I give him advices as if I'm the elder brother.

Patrick is a casual person. He can go shopping with only shorts and slippers (with shirt also, of course). He can go everywhere and try on the massager. He can be honest to me on what he likes and what he dislikes.

=REMINDER! I risk my life writing the following paragraph. If any mishap happens to me, please refer to Mr. Patrick.=
=Yeah, Patrick, I'm writing this to you so you can't do anything to be, wakakakakaka ...=
But, nobody is perfect, and the same goes to him. He's pretty indulged in ... hentainism (Don't know what hentainism is? Check what "hentai" stands for in Japanese). He can be easily "excited" with some relevant words, especially "aluba" (NOT Aruba Island).
I am not sure whether he had been even crashed to pile with legs opened. But since he's interested in it, I might try that on him in future, hehe ...

Gor ... No gift for you also. But my birthday message is teleported to your place soon la ...

Okay, these are the two Scorpios celebrating their 21st and 22nd today.
Unable to celebrate with you both. But hope that you both can be happy in the coming year.

Happy birthday, Kian!
Happy birthday, Gor!

20081016

2008-10-15T21:01:00.001+08:00

16 October 2008. This will be a day of happenings. Just like what we said in Chinese, "多事之秋".

Engineering Design Exhibition (EDX) 22. From morning to evening.
As Engineering Team Project (ETP) participant.
Vote for ETP #30 - Roachoff!

Special lecture by Tun Dr Mahathir. Morning.
Classes rescheduled for students to attend that.

Collection of examination slip. From morning to evening.
Better get that before forgetting.

And last but not least, Test 2 for Human Resource Management. Night.
From this Thursday to next Tuesday, and returns to this Thursday today.

All four in one day.
Hectic, huh?

Say Hi to Shinigami

2008-10-03T16:37:00.003+08:00

If death is a game which you can decide the outcome,
how do you decide whether it should be EXECUTE or PASS OVER?

Sweet rain @ 死神の精度 (Accuracy of Death)
Adaption from novel by Kotaro Isaka

Everyone's death is foretold. But, suspension might happen.
Chiba, a Shinigami (there are more than one Shinigamis out there!) is assigned to evaluate those who are about to die in 7 days.
Then, he made the decision. Execute, or Pass Over?

The three cases started with Kazue Fujiki. An Office Lady with no hope in her world.
Verdict: PASS OVER

Next, the fate of the Older Yakuza is passed to him. He will be double-crossed while in a revenge.
Verdict: EXECUTE one day after he saved his chinpira Akatsu

Finally, Chiba is assigned to a 70-year-old hairdresser. The task has challenged his accuracy of making decisions ...
Verdict: CHECK IT YOURSELF in the movie

Although seems to involve in three different scenarios, Chiba is actually altering the life of solely one person.
Kazue Fujiki's, exactly.
If you are careful enough, you can link all three cases into a big picture.

This is why the term "accuracy" comes.
You made two decisions. In the end, both come to a final scenario.
There, you have to make a final verdict, and also a self-evaluation on how well were you in that.

How is the worth of a living human calculated? One's responsibility or one's happiness?
Chiba extends Fujiki's life, thinking that she has incomplete tasks.
However, the people around her are facing mishaps. She even ended up abandoning her own son.
Did Chiba make wrong decisions? It's subjective.

"What do you think about death?" should better be intepreted as "What do you think about life?"
They are in contrary, yet unseparable.

In the movie, what Chiba encounters is always rainy days. He has never seen sunny day and blue sky before.
While the movie theme song, sung by Manami Konishi (or Kazue FUjiki in the movie), is named SUNNY DAY.

SUNNY DAY

koboreochita no wa
namida jyanaku inoru koe
miagete ita no wa
kumo no ue no taiyou

nemuru youni ikite ita
itsumo kodoku datta
kimi ni deau sono hi made wa
zutto zutto koko de

hitori demo utaeru
ai no uta ga aru toshite mo
hitori de wa sagasenai
ryoute ni fureta kono nukumori

kamen wo matoeba
wasurerareru kigashiteta
kioku wo shimatta
hako ni kagi wo kakete

anna kurai basho de sae
kimi wo mitsukedaseta
modoru koto ga dekinakute mo
motto motto tooku

hitorikiri oboeta
ai no uta ga aru toshite mo
hitori de wa todokanai
doa no mukou de matsu ashita e
koko kara mou ichido arukidasu
with you...

kanashimi wo yasashisa ni
kaete miseru kara
itsuka wa kanarazu
hontou no jibun wo yurusetara
itami mo kieteku
kitto

hitori demo utaeru
ai no uta wa mou iranai
hitori de wa sagasenai
hidamari no youna kono nukumori
kimi to nara sagaseru
mita koto no nai ashita wo

What spilled down
wasn’t a tear but a praying voice
What I looked up at
was the sun above the clouds

I was living like I was asleep
I was always alone
Until the day I meet you
I am always, always here

Even if there’s a love song
I could sing by myself
The warmth of the touch of two hands
can’t be found alone

I put on a mask
to feel like I have been forgotten
I shut away my memories
and locked them in a box

Even in a dark place
I will be able to find you
Even if I can’t return
I’ll keep going farther, farther

Even if there’s a love song
that I can experience alone,
I won't appreciate it
From here, I’ll walk out once more
Toward the door to tomorrow
With you…

I’ll transform sadness
into kindness
And someday,
once I’ve set my true self free
the pain will disappear
I know it

I don’t need a love song which
I can sing by myself anymore
A warm place like sunshines
can’t be found alone
Together, we can find a tomorrow which is never seen

"A warm place like sunshine ... where is it?"
Heavy rain in Johor Bahru now.

The Love I Know

2008-09-20T09:07:00.001+08:00

A song that I heard last night. Sung by Evan Yo 蔡旻佑.
"What does love really mean to us during its first ever in our lives?"
I like the lyric.

the love i know - evan yo
lyricist: wendy h
composer: evan yo

one day someone x me
what does love really mean to me
i said how should i know
i have never been in love before

but there is something that i know
it truly tortures when it comes to love
and there are some things that i have seen
love doesn't always shine and gleam

if you wanna know what i think
i think i'll tell you that i still believe
believe that one day it'll be my turn
to fall into the mess i have seen before

yeah~

"The shortest path between two points is ..."

2008-09-19T11:32:00.002+08:00

Lectures from 10am to 12noon. Test at 5pm later.
But I don't want to go for classes. Neither for studying. Kinda moody now.
Bad example to schoolboys and schoolgirls. DON'T ever skip class, please.

So, I hide myself in library and type an entry.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the shortest path between two points?
Mathematically, we can tell out the answer,
"A Straight Line".

I've never taken this theory seriously. Until two matters.

One is from my Dad. He gets his hands on Wingtsun.

In a real fight, there's no judge, there's no rule and law.
It's the matter of life and death.
So, the faster one can influence the situation to his own advantage.

While most of us intend to beat people by raising our fist diagonally and accelerate it, a fist parallel with our arm reaches the enemy faster.
That's what he believes in.
Of course, you have to train yourself to have your power on without using acceleration.

Another matter is our eye-catching but user-unfriendly Chancellor Complex.
In simple, it is a formation of an incomplete pentagon.
Ideally, the paths to connect the corners should be straight lines.
However, it ended up to be curves and arcs. Both between adjacent blocks and between opposite blocks.
I do admit that from some extend, streamlines look more comfortable and not rigid as a polygon.
But, the beauty does not worth much if it brings inconvenience to users.

Map of UTP Chancellor Complex. Red lines represent proposed shortest paths.
(See? How much extra distance we have gone through?)

Previously, a notice board was put up at the entry corner of Pocket D, asking students to walk on "proper way".
Ever think of how the board comes? Because students walk on grass / sideway instead of main path.
Ever think of why students walk on sideway instead? Because it is much nearer.
The answer is obvious.

Sometimes, how we treat people is also one of the "straight-line theory" applications.
We tend to beat around bushes to get from our heart to another point in someone's heart, thinking that it's advantageous.
However, it weakens what we want to express, and make the distance between our hearts further.
So, in cases of being truthful does not hurt others, why don't we make it straightforward?

Make a straight line. Get your cheese.

Options, or no option at all

2008-09-14T10:57:00.001+08:00

A day can be in cheerful and happy mood.
A day can also be in gloomy mood.

Just like what the tag line in my blog stated "过得好是生活，过得不好也是生活" ...
A day can be made with two options -
either be cheerful or be gloomy.

Someone might ask, "y dun we stay happy and cheerful?"
Well, it might sound easy, yet not as simple as said.

Today, I found the existence of a third option -

no day at all.
(Jump off - jump and off)

One's Stupidity can cause RAGE

2008-09-09T01:16:00.001+08:00

Who are Malaysian Chinese?

Squatters (tumpang kat Malaysia)?

American Jews (rampas ekonomi dan seterusnya rampas politik)?

... quoted by AI (not Artificial Intelligence, and we know that it's much worse than that) from Bukit Bendera.

Shall I call him a lunatic?

... sorry, I should not insult the word "lunatic".

AI is categorized as Level 23 in the Scale of Evil.
"HIGHLY TOXIC. Contaminating humans' mind."

Scale Your Own Evilness

2008-08-27T11:56:00.001+08:00

Currently downloading an Investigation Discovery documentary series named MOST EVIL. I've been longed for it, since I watched the ad from Discovery Channel in February.

In the program, a Scale of Evil created by forensic psychiatrist Michael Stone is frequently used. Based on the theory that 1% of the whole world populations are the so-called "disoriented", many of us can have the potential to be the next murderer. Believe or not?

The list below is the Scale of Evil that Stone applies. We might be in one of the categories. Who knows?

SCALE OF EVIL
22邪惡等級量表

Level 1
Those who kill in self-defense and do not show psychopathic tendencies (justifiable homicide)
為了自衛殺人、但是並沒有心理病態傾向的人。

Level 2
Jealous lovers who, though egocentric or immature, are not psychopathic (crime of passion)
雖然自我中心或不成熟，但並沒有心理病態的善妒情人。

Level 3
Willing companions of killers: aberrant personality — probably impulse-ridden, with antisocial traits
擁有異常人格的殺人同夥，可能具有反社會的衝動特質。

Level 4
Kill in self-defense, but had been extremely provocative towards the victim
自衛殺人，但先前對受害者一直非常挑釁。

Level 5
Traumatized, desperate people who kill abusive relatives and others (like to support a drug habit) but lack significant traits. Genuinely remorseful
受創的絕望者殺害施虐的近親或其他人（例如：為了滿足毒癮），不過他們缺乏明顯的心理病態特質，而且事後會悔恨不已。

Level 6
Impetuous, hotheaded murderers, yet without marked psychopathic features
暴躁、衝動的殺人犯，但不具備明顯的心理病態特徵。

Level 7
Highly narcissistic, not distinctly psychopathic people with a psychotic core who kill people close to them (jealousy an underlying motive)
極度自戀但並未展現明顯心理病態的人，內在有精神病傾向，殺害親近的人（嫉妒是導致他們殺人的一大動機）。

Level 8
Non psychopathic people with smoldering rage who kill when rage is ignited
沒有心理病態、但心中蘊藏怒火的人在被激怒時殺人。

Level 9
Jealous lovers with psychopathic features
具備心理病態特徵的善妒情人。

Level 10
Killers of people who were "in the way" or who killed, for example, witnesses (egocentric but not distinctly psychopathic)
殺害礙事者或目擊者的人（自我中心但沒有明顯的心理病態）。

Level 11
Psychopathic killers of people "in the way"
殺害礙事者的病態殺人犯。

Level 12
Power-hungry psychopaths who killed when they were "cornered"
渴望權力的心理病態者在陷入絕境時殺人。

Level 13
Killers with inadequate, rage-filled personalities who "snapped"
擁有憤怒、不當性格的殺人犯，突然一時失控殺人。

Level 14
Ruthlessly self-centered psychopathic schemers
高度自我中心的病態陰謀家。

Level 15
Psychopathic "cold-blooded" spree or multiple murders
病態”冷血”的縱慾殺人狂或連續殺人犯。

Level 16
Psychopaths committing multiple vicious acts
犯下多起惡意攻擊行動的心理病態者。

Level 17
Sexually perverse serial murderers, torture-murderers (among the males, rape is the primary motive with murder to hide the evidence; Systematic torture is not a primary factor)
性變態連續殺人犯（男性殺人犯又以強暴為主要殺人動機，藉此隱藏證據；有計畫的施虐並非主要因素）。

Level 18
Torture-murderers with murder the primary motive
以殺人為主要動機的虐殺者。

Level 19
Psychopaths driven to terrorism, subjugation, intimidation and rape, (short of murder)
訴諸恐怖行動、壓制行為、恐嚇或強暴（但沒有殺人）的心理病態者。

Level 20
Torture murderers with torture as the primary motive but in psychotic personalities
以施虐為主要動機的虐殺者，但擁有精神病態性格。

Level 21
"Psyhcopaths preoccupied with torture in the extreme, but not known to have commited murder."
喜歡嚴刑折磨受害者的心理病態者，但過去沒有殺人的紀錄。

Level 22
Psychopathic torture-murderers, with torture their primary motive, sexual homicide
以施虐為主要動機的病態虐殺者。

I need help to revive M'sia judiciary ...

2008-08-18T13:45:00.001+08:00

Hi all,

I'm now preparing for a serious matter. Meanwhile, I hope to listen to your opinion on this topic. Either professional or casual can do.

Now, you have two choices. JUDICIAL PERSONNEL and POLITICAL FIGURE.

So, in order of reviving our country's judiciary,

(a) who plays a more vital role?

(b) who should play a more vital role?

For any opinion, kindly email me at zihern[at]gmail[dot]com (if you think not convenient to write here) or leave your comment here. Thank you!

NACES 2008 - Sneak Preview

2008-08-05T01:10:00.001+08:00

3D2N adventure in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
Casting 400+ future chemical engineers.
A weekend of happenings.

National Chemical Engineering Symposium 2008
1 - 3 August 2008

Full story in MELting TANgent. Coming soon ...

NACES I - The Fellowship of the Teams (COMING SOON)
NACES II - The Two Challenges (COMING SOON)
NACES III - The Return of the Teams (COMING SOON)

Joker = Chemical Engineer?

2008-07-25T09:58:00.001+08:00

Frankly speaking, I've never read the comic Batman before.
But since I became the fan of the movie Batman Begins (partly because of Christopher Nolan), I am looking forward to watching The Dark Knight.
And sadly, though many of my friends have watched, I have not. (sob ... sob ...)

While waiting for the chance to go to cinema, I did some googlings of the blockbuster.

The main emphasis of the movie falls on ~~Bruce Wayne aka Batman~~ the Joker (R.I.P. Heath Ledger). And surprisingly, I found that he's considered my "ancestor" ...

as a chemical engineer (of course not as a clown).

After falling into a vat of chemicals, his appearance was changed. And that's the start of his extraordinary sanity (not exactly insanity).

His main weapon is Joker Venom, which makes you laugh to die. Besides this, he uses chemicals like cyanide and acid to attack people as well. Sounds cool, huh?

Since the ancestor Joker has such achievements in Gotham City, so what can I do in my Final Year Project?
Bleaching chemicals? (for those who wanna turn fair)
Cyanide-bait pie? (as effective pesticide)
or some kind of "Melvin Venom"? (for my own use, HA HA HA ...)

Disclaimer: The content above is simply imagination. What I told are craps, nothing but the craps. So please don't arrest me. WHY SO SERIOUS?

Show me what makes a leader

2008-07-15T00:12:00.001+08:00

Went back from a national event organized by UTP.
CASFUMAL. Career Summit for Future Malaysian Leaders.
300 participants from 15 universities. 2-day journey in Pan Pacific Hotel KLIA.
7 sessions conducted by leaders from different companies.
Students of today become leaders of tomorrow.

Stay tuned for what we've done in the journey.

New Site on the Run

2008-07-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

New Mandarin blog is officially on the run. Stay tuned for more surprises and fun.

http://tanzihern.blogspot.com/

"You really think I'm Note Printing Machine?"

2008-06-15T23:34:00.003+08:00

When we were young, we always wanted to buy toys. Unlimited toys.

And what would our parents say?

“你真的以为我是印钞机咩？”
"You really think I'm note printing machine?"

Recently, YB Lim Guan Eng has a special interest (or shall I say 'intension' or 'motive'?) towards PETRONAS. Suddenly, subsiding petrol and building bridge become PETRONAS' jobs.
His reason is, "PETRONAS earns money. It should share more with people."

Well, I do admit that PETRONAS earns money. (Which company is established not to earn money, anyway?)
But I wonder whether he knows how the cost of oil and gas industry increase within these years.
And I even wonder whether he knows what it means by "NET import of oil".

Oil is not simply sucked and used directly. You have to purify it before it is pumped into our car. And of course, you have to explore and confirm which spot on the sea you can get oil.
Exploration. Pipeline and oil rig construction. Maintenance. Processing. Employees' salary.
All the upstream and downstream processes COST and the cost is getting higher and higher.

And do we really earn money by exporting oil? We're turning into NET importer of oil in 2014. It means the difference between what we export and what we import is getting smaller and smaller. In 2014, the value of "export - import" becomes negative. And that's what it means by NET IMPORT. We might get more in exporting, but we're also paying more in importing! So, who says we're earning a lot.

On the other hand, PETRONAS pays 38% of its profit to government. If the claim of "it should share more" surfaces, how much should PETRONAS pay? 50%, 75%, or simply 100%? In that case, PETRONAS should change its name to "PETRONAS Charity Corporation".

I know that my words are not convincing. Some might say I'm siding PETRONAS. Some might also say I'm too naive to say this.
But I think someone like a chemical engineer or petroleum engineer can give a similar yet more accurate answer on this issue THAN ANYONE ELSE.

“你真的以为我是印钞机咩？”
"You really think I'm note printing machine?"

PREVIEW: Coming soon ...

2008-06-15T23:05:00.001+08:00

Planned to renovate my Mandarin blog in July.

So, I photoshopped a preview poster just now ...

Stay tuned for more details.

Doubl2, Tripl3, or N0thing

2008-06-13T15:39:00.001+08:00

贰叁零之役。
A new Chinese game show in 8TV.
Its name can be "230" or "Doubl2, Tripl3, or N0thing".
Debut on 6 July 2008. Dylan Liong is the host.

Why do I mention this in my blog?
Because I was given chance to be at the scene of the recording. At ntv7 studio this morning.
My first experience of observing how TV program is made.

In brief, the show emphasizes on mathematics, memory, observation, and deduction. You have to be sensitive to numbers and logic in order to conquer the games.

Sounds pretty hard, right?
Wanna know how it goes?
Catch it on 8TV every Sunday night starting July and you'll know what's going on.

Want to know further? Will tell you more whenever it's suitable to. Stay tuned!

Mathematics Behind Petrol Price Increment

2008-06-05T01:57:00.006+08:00

Petrol naik harga ...

Ya, I know that.

PETROL
Every Drop Costs!

Initially, I was shocked (and so for everyone).
78 cents/L (for petrol) and RM1/L (for diesel) is pretty high.
However, when I know about the petrol allowance ...

Something seems different. Especially in my family.
Let me show you how it goes.

(DISCLAIMER: I'm not that kind of rich. My mum's car has just celebrated its 11th. My dad's is for his storage purpose in work, not for leisure.)

CASE STUDY 1
My Mama - Perodua Kancil - less than 2000cc (Pic shows the similar model, not so new)
Pak Lah says, "Get annual rebate of RM625."

My mum spends around RM35.00 on petrol per week. It was around 25 / 1.97 = 17.76 L of petrol.
Now, 17.76 L of petrol costs 17.76 X 2.70 = RM48.00.
With the aid of rebate, the price becomes 48 - (625 / 52) = RM36.00.
Increment = RM1.00 or 2.85%.

CASE STUDY 2
My Papa - Ford Ranger - more than 2500cc (Pic shows the similar model, not so elegant)
Pak Lah says, "RM200 rebate given for renewing road tax."

My dad spends around RM80.00 on diesel per week. It was around 80 / 1.58 = 50.63 L of diesel.
Now, 50.63 L of diesel costs 50.63 X 2.58 = RM130.60.
With the aid of rebate, the price becomes 130.60 - (200 / 52) = RM126.70.
Increment = RM46.60 or 58%.

See the difference?

Well, we know that it's not the end of the story.
How slow and how hard could it be for getting the rebate through postal cheque? Nobody knows.
And how will be the "free-flop" of petrol after August 2008? Nobody knows.

So, what can we say?

Goodbye and good luck!

Every drop really costs!!!

Melvin on the run? No more run ...

2008-06-01T21:13:00.007+08:00

I expected this for a long time.

(Penang Bridge Marathon 2008 Official Site - As viewed on 1 June 2008)

I kept waiting updates from the website.

But it ended up to be ...

Acara larian Penang Bridge Marathon
bagi tahun ini dibatalkan

9 April 2008 Acara larian Penang Bridge Marathon bagi tahun ini adalah dibatalkan. Pembatalan acara tersebut adalah disebabkan oleh beberapa masalah yang tidak dapat dielakkan.

(http://www.llmnet.gov.my/serverpages/news/news_detail.aspx?newsid=39)

Canceled?!
It sounds as if I was being cheated by the site. Sigh ...

_____________________________________________________

(If not mistaken, those winners from UTP Intervillage Sports Tournament - Campus Run still haven't obtain their medals from organizing committee. Who knows what makes the medals not prepared even 2 months after the event ...)

My Illness Log

2008-05-30T23:14:00.002+08:00

After final examination, I fell sick.

Here is how it happened:

Mon, 26 May, KL
Visited Popular Book Fest with Eric. Everything was still alright.

Tue, 27 May, KL
Stayed at Ong's place. Having Ampang Yong Tau Foo.
Started feeling sore throat when returning to UTP.
Wong Lo Kat herbal tea at Petaling Street didn't help much.

Wed, 28 May, Cameron Highlands
Sore throat became more severe. Flu attack at night after pasar malam tour.

Thu, 29 May, Cameron Highlands
Severe influenza. Sauna worsened the condition.

Fri, 30 May, UTP Tronoh
Potential coughing. Clinic doc prescripted painkiller, flu pills, throat lozenges, and cough syrup.
Gave up the trip to Pangkor. Sigh ...

Sat, 31 May, UTP Tronoh (most probably)
Doc's suggestion: Not to go to hot spring.
Gave up another trip to Sungkai Hot Spring.

Damn ... How come I always get sick during semester break?

生死不离 Be Together, Alive or Not - Dedication to Earthquake Victims

2008-05-20T02:50:00.003+08:00

Encourage those affected in Sichuan Earthquake. Sing this song together.
(Spent some time labelling pronunciation and making translation. Do let me know in case of any error. TQ!)

生死不离 Be Together, Alive or Not

(mp3 Download link)

Chinese Lyric:
Wang Pingjiu 王平久
Cultural Activities Department,
The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG)

Artist:
Jackie Chan 成龙

English Lyric Translation:
Partial reference from Pan Keren 潘科任(http://bbs.service.sina.com.cn/tableforum/App/view.php?bbsid=9&subid=0&tbid=2927&fid=342986&p=goto24343)

生死不离你的梦落在哪里
sheng si bu li, ni de meng luo zai na li
Be together, alive or not, for there rests your dream so quiet

想着生活继续
xiang zhe sheng huo ji xu
Dream of continuing a life

天空失去了美丽
tian kong shi qu le mei li
But the sky has lost its beauty

你却等待梦在明天站起
ni que deng dai meng zai ming tian zhan qi
Yet, you're still waiting for dream to revive tomorrow

你的呼喊刻在我的血液里
ni de hu han ke zai wo de xue ye li
And right engraved in my blood is your cry

生死不离我数秒等你的消息
sheng si bu li, wo shu miao deng ni de xiao xi
Be together, alive or not, and I’m awaiting news about you as seconds tick by

相信生命不息
xiang xin sheng ming bu xi
Believing in your strong life

与你祈祷一起呼吸
yu ni qi dao yi qi hu xi
I stay together with the pray to you

我看不到你却牵挂在心里
wo kan bu dao ni que qian gua zai xin li
You’re out of my sight, but never out of my mind

你的目光是我全部的意义
ni de mu guang shi wo quan bu de yi yi
Your sight means everything to me

无论你在哪里我都要找到你
wu lun ni zai na li, wo dou yao zhao dao ni
Wherever you are, I’ll spare no expense to find you

血脉能创造奇迹生命是命题
xue mai neng chuang zao qi ji, sheng ming shi ming ti
Our blood ties can make miracle, although life is still a proposition

无论你在哪里我都要找到你
wu lun ni zai na li, wo dou yao zhao dao ni
Wherever you are, I’ll spare no expense to find you

手拉着手生死不离
shou la zhe shou, sheng si bu li
Hold my hand tightly, be together, alive or not

生死不离全世界都被沉寂
sheng si bu li, quan shi jie dou bei chen ji
Be together, alive or not, for that makes silence heard worldwide

痛苦也不哭泣
tong ku ye bu ku qi
Feeling the pain but never cry

爱是你的传奇
ai shi ni de chuan qi
Love is your legend

彩虹在风雨后坚强升起
cai hong zai feng yu hou jian qiang sheng qi
When rainbow rises after the storm

我的努力看到爱的力气
wo de nu li kan dao ai de li qi
My effort shows the strength of love

无论你在哪里我都要找到你
wu lun ni zai na li, wo dou yao zhao dao ni
Wherever you are, I’ll spare no expense to find you

血脉能创造奇迹大山毅然举起
xue mai neng chuang zao qi ji, da shan yi ran ju qi
Our blood ties can make miracle, although the mountains have been lifted

无论你在哪里我都要找到你
wu lun ni zai na li, wo dou yao zhao dao ni
Wherever you are, I’ll spare no expense to find you

天裂了去缝起
tian lie le, qu feng qi
Wherever the sky breaks, we'll joint it back

你一丝希望是我全部的动力
ni yi si xi wang shi wo quan bu de dong li
Your glimmer of hope is my entire driving force

搭起我的手筑成你回家的路基
da qi wo de shou zhu cheng ni hui jia de lu ji
Hold my hands up, make it your way back home