It's Fate!

Few days (or almost a week) after I bought the iMac, my Toshiba laptop died.

The laptop had been with me since my 1st year in England. I just didn't know why the screen of the laptop blacked out. I sent it the Toshiba authorised repairer and the technician told me that it'd cost me RM2000+ to get it fixed. "Forget about it!" I thought.

I think it's fate that I bought the new iMac. "What a right timing!" I sighed sadly.

Well, I guess that it's just not my destiny to own both iMac & Toshiba at the same time.

Men's Rhythmic Gymnastics

I'm sure you have watched Rhythmic Gymnastics, probably from the TVs (just like me).

Yes, those girls with thick make-up and wearing 'catchy' swim suits alike attires, dancing around on the floor while showing off their skills in manipulating the balls or clubs or hoops or ribbons or ropes. It's one of those 'must-watch' events during the multi-sports events, like Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games or SEA Games, at least for me.

The question: What do u think of guys taking part in Rhythmic Gymnastics?

I'm sure most of you will show me the 'disgusted' face. Sissy, feminine, not macho ....... are most likely to be some of the words cross your mind or even rush out from your mouth. Right? (corz these are my reaction, :p)

However, something has changed my thought. Just watch the youtube clip below. The only word I can think of to express the surprised discovery - COOL!

What a Mac!

I'm using it to blog!

My newly owned gadget - Apple iMac. I have been wanting to own this for a about a year; Googling the Net all the time to find out how other users comment about it. Of course, saving (financially) enough to get one was something to be planned.

I was supposed to buy one in August during the PC fair. Not because of the cheaper price, but for the extra freebies. Hehe..... :p However, rumours from the Net said that Apple was going to upgrade the existing model. So I decided to wait and see. Few days later, the rumour turned out to be truth.

Since there's not any stores in Ipoh selling Macs, I had to either moving North to Penang to buy one, or getting down to KL. I was once in Penang, but because of the tight schedule, I didn't have time to visit one of the stores.

So, when I had the time to get down to KL to look for one, sadly, the cheapest model that I was looking was out-of-stock everywhere. I did actually call a few stores to check. Guessed it's just to popular and people just couldn't wait to own one.

Until one week ago, a guy put up a post in cari.com forum, wanting to sell his iMac, exactly the same model I wanted. I contacted him and found out that he's just bought it for 5 days. 5 DAYS. No joke. His reason: would like to own an Apple Macbook Pro instead.

RM4200, come with extra 1Gb Ram and Windows XP Pro (legal). What a good deal; since the list price for that particular model was RM4799. I made the decision and dealt.

I went down to KL just to meet that guy, pay him and get this iMac back to Ipoh. If you happened to be in Mid Valley Megamall last Sunday, seeing someone carrying a bulky box, it's probably be me. :-)

A+ for the display, speakers, built-in cam, Wi-fi, ...... It's just so much user friendlier than PCs. Everything is ready and nothing much I should worry about. I'm getting the hang of it. Now, I don't have to see the Windows for the whole day anymore. Windows for works; Mac at home. Nice.

P/s: I'm RM4200 poorer now. I couldn't pay by Credit Card installment.... :(

你知道吗？你是最好的！

Stop envying others. Somewhere there is someone admiring you too.
Just remember: You are the Best!

你是否知道，在你贬低自己、羡慕着别人的时候，也许有另一个人，站在另一个你看不到的角落，欣赏着你的长处。每个人都有与众不同的地方。在你常常懊恼自己缺点的同时，你有没有看到自己的才华呢？

别在痴痴地羡慕他人。你得找到自己的魅力在哪里。从今天起，你要重新认识自己。每天早上，告诉在镜子中的你：“我是最好的！”晚上入睡前，检讨自己过失的当儿，不要忘记称赞自己。在这世上，有什么比自信心更有价值的？

MY FM, 我的稿费在哪里?

2006年，庆祝天公诞的前一晚，在驱车前往祖屋的路途中，我在车里习惯性地收听着马来西亚最红的中文电台——MY Fm。突然，听到一把男声：“人生就像是一场保龄球赛……再次失败，或球洗沟?没关系，输送带会把保龄球再次送到你的身旁，让你从 新来过……技术球就像人生挑战，须靠经验去应付。大家好，我是吴克群。”

咦，咁熟嘅？

这不是我在blog（还有这里）里发表过的几段字吗？为什么会出现在MY Fm的广告时段，并由时下偶像念出来？

保龄球

人生就像一场保龄球赛；每个人都全力以赴，以求一球全中。如果不能，也就尝试补中。再次失败，或球洗沟?没关系，输送带会把保龄球再次送到你的身旁，让你从新来过。这也意味着人生当中，机会是陆续有来的。只要你不气馁，抓住时机，总有成功的一次！切记：技术球就像人生挑战，须靠经验去应付。

我从没想过会有很多人浏览我的部落格；也没想过会有人欣赏我的文采。

当我从车里的收音机听见这一段，兴奋之余，有一点点小愤怒。觉得自己的创作好像被侵犯了。不会觉得这是抄袭，反正写在部落格里就是公开地给人阅读啊！

但是，电台这样做会给听众错觉，以为这一段话是出自该歌星或明星。而事实上，是他们引用了我部落格里的几句。很多时候，这一类的电台词都会有这样的开端：“著名诗人xxx说过……”等等。我不是什么大众人物，不用把我的名字说出来，也不必为我的部落格打广告，只需要加上一句“取自某部落格”，不就可以了吗？

----- 20个月过后 -----

2007年9月旬的某一个星期六，我如往常的驱车去用午餐。也像平时一样，收听着“马来西亚最高收听率的中文电台——MY Fm”的广播。朦胧地听到：“……在过程中所付出的，比最终的成果更为重要……不能太苛求，认为只有实现愿望才算是成功。我们最后所得到的，往往比原本的目标，更有价值……但任何一扇门都会带领我们到出路……大家好，我是蔡旻佑。”

咦，咁熟嘅？

不是吧！我部落格里的同一个entry又在我不被告知的情况下被引用了。又是MY Fm。

目标

人，真的需要目 标以求进步吗？若经历艰辛的过程后，目标还是未能达成，是否意味着只有失败与自己共舞？我想，在过程中所付出的，比最终的成果更为重要。有目标，才会使自己有动力，不得过且过。但是，自己并不能太苛求，认为只有实现愿望才算是成功。我们最后所得到的，往往比原本的目标，更有价值。虽然，在这过程的开始，往 往有异于自己的想象，但任何一扇门都会带领我们到出路。只要不怀失望、不灰心，按部就班地，一切都能迎刃而解！

试问：我要求拿回一点稿费，可以吗？

我不是在追什么版权费。毕竟，我是无名小卒。如果，我把这篇没有怎样的文章，投稿于某某报馆或杂志社，然后被选中刊登在保障或杂志上，我理应可以拿到稿费。

那现在我就当着某某人把我的文章‘投稿’到MY Fm。很幸运的，被选中了，可以on-air了！咦，稿费呢？

Bersih

Yellow is the new Black!

旧事重提

30 Hour Famine again. But it's just a few pics update. Thanks to my fellow 'Group 219'mates for the pics supply.

With our 'self-built - made in old newspaper' house

On the stage

30 hours? No big deal! We did it!

What did we get? Cert + Cake + Soy Milk + Cereal Drink

Milk

Since young, I have always been educated that Milk and other Dairy products are good sources of protein, calcium; good for this, good for that; can prevent this, can stop that; blah ...........

Unfortunately, my body can't take Milk. My mother told me at the age of around 3, my body started to work against Milk. I would just vomit whenever I consumed Milk. I guess that I'm just one of the billions of Asians that lacking the necessary gene to produce enzymes that allow humans to digest milk from the bovine species. (aka Milk intolerance)

However, surprisingly, I drink flavoured Milk. I eat Cheese, Yogurt and other Dairy products. Just not fresh (white-coloured) Milk. I tried drinking "White-Milk" when I was in UK, since everyone do that; but it just didn't work on me.

Recently, I came across a documentary talking about the 'Bads of Milk', from the cable TV. It seems that all the 'Goods of Milk' I've known for long is not really that true after all. I then went to Google about such topics. To my surprise, there's so much anti-Milk sites on the Internet. Such as Milk Sucks!.

These are a few points I got from one of the many reports. It's definitely something new to me, and maybe you too.

Moo not necessarily good for you
By NEAL D. BARNARD
PHYSICIAN

• every single child had antibodies against a particular cow's milk protein.
• milk proteins could trigger an autoimmune reaction that can destroy a susceptible child's insulin-producing cells, leading to diabetes.
• cow's milk was designed by nature for growing calves.
• it contains not only an enormous amount of fat (half its calories) and sugar (one-third its calories) but also dozens of hormones and growth factors that are natural for a rapidly growing calf, but not part of a normal human diet.
• milk-drinking men have substantially higher risk of prostate cancer, compared with men who avoid it.
• milk apparently alters a man's hormone balance in such a way that cancer cells are more likely to grow and spread.
• for the millions of people who are lactose intolerant, a glass of milk can cause painful cramps and diarrhea.
• milk does not even promote healthy bones.
• those who got the most dairy calcium had no protection at all against osteoporosis.
• they suffered more fractures than women who avoided milk.

So, is Milk good or bad???

刻舟求剑

在那里失去了，就要在那里找回来。要不然，兜兜转转后，才发现走了冤枉路。

I just sat down and noticed that my h/p wasn't with me. I searched around my seat and failed to look for it. I asked Max to call me. Yet, we didn't hear any ring tone nor see anything shining. Luckily, we were at the far corner seat; that's why our reaction didn't catch much attention.

I ran out from the cinema. I thought it could have been misplaced somewhere in Jusco, the Men Department. On the way, Max kept on calling my h/p, and hoped that someone would answer it and tell us where's my damn phone. But NO.

Max said: "Maybe it's fate that you should get a new phone!" Yes, I was thinking of getting a new phone anyway. However, it's sad to know that I'd lost something.

Our search in Jusco was useless. I thought: What the heck! It's OK. We headed back to the cinema for the movie, Skinwalkers.

Right before we were about to glue our asses on the seats, the young couple in front of us asked whether we were looking for phone. Hooray, it's found! She said she heard the phone ringing and couldn't find it for a while. I got the phone back from her.

9 missed calls. Question: Why didn't she pick up the phone? I guessed maybe she's just found it before we got back. Anyway, I really appreciated the good job she had done.

I told Max, "I'm so dumb!" Shouldn't I stay in the cinema a while longer to look for the phone? OK. I'll learn from mistake!

Visual DNA

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

饥饿 30 Hour Famine

I was in KL last weekend. Shopping? Nope. I was there for something special - attending the 30 Hour Famine Camp, co-organised by World Vision, Sin Chew Media & Help University College, at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil. This means that I, together with the other 5000+ campers, fasted for 30 hours. No food but only plain drinking water for 30 hours.

We were doing it for charity. It's a fun-raising event. We had to raise money for World Vision in order to join this camp. It’s something similar to the charity jog-a-thon; instead of going for a jog, we fast. But the lazy I didn't go around raising fund; I donated the minimum amount. :-p

I've always wanted to attend this long-heard event. Finally, I was able to move my ass and join this meaningful event. It's the 1oth anniversary, making me feeling more excited to become part among the campers.

This year, the theme was "Hungry for Hope; 因为你，孩有希望!" All the donation will be channelled to help the hungry kids around the world, especially those living in the poor villages and places in war. It has a very nice and touching Theme Song.

We had group activities with group mates, seminars & talks, live performance from various artists & the disabled communities and a few of touched moments that brought most people to tears. I was one of them. All of these were to have the campers to understand the theme and the on going jobs by World Vision.

At night, we slept anywhere in the stadium. It's just like the whole stadium had been transformed into a temporary relief centre. I felt like a refugee.

After 20 hours of hunger, it was so hard for me to stay focused and energetic. It's a new-discovered experience. For your information, the youngest camper was a 3 years old boy; the oldest was a 70+ lady. Therefore, unless you have health matter, I don' think you can't do this.

By the time of reaching 30th hour, I was so excited and in a short time, finished the light snacks provided. A chocolate flavoured soy milk; a small piece of banana cake; a nutritious (but not so nice) cereal drink.

I am so glad that I've done this. If time permitted, I will definitely take part in this event again. If you are reading this, I do hope that I will be seeing you during the 30 Hour Famine in the future.

Some people might think that we were a group of crazy dudes who had nothing better to do than starving ourselves. But it's only 30 hours! It's a different kind of experience. Moreover, it's a charity event and I wasn't doing something harmful to others.

Everyone understands that the children are our future & our hope. It's sad to know that there are so many kids in great hunger, in spite of the great development around the globe. Just a little contribution, probably RM1.00 per day, it can give them a decent lunch.

The distribution of food is not balanced. There shouldn't be so much over-sized. Is this the fruits of the urbanisation that we want? I'm feeling a little bit of guilt for the luxurious non-necessities I spent on.

Just to spread some news. World Vision Sponsor A Child, is a program where you contribute Rm50.00 a month to help a child in need. I've signed up this program a while ago and am now sponsoring 2 kids: 1 in Lebanon & 1 in Kalimantan, Indonesia. I hope that you can become a sponsor like me, so long that you are affordable.

When Tomorrow comes

We must have hope

We must reach out

To every single child

When Tomorrow comes

We spread our love

And make it a better day

24

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. Whether they're in SMSes, calls, Friendster messages, MSNs or even verbally, I really appreciate it. My birthday wish? Very simple. I just hope that I'll have a better year ahead.

My life wasn't close to fantastic at all (nor very bad, luckily) since my 22nd birthday. That's the time when I'd just graduated from England and just started to step into the working life. I have nothing much to talk about the past 2 years. Maybe, I could say that my life's been routined.

Therefore, I want to add more shining segments into my life ahead. Hopefully, a year later, when I'll have been alive for a quarter of a century, I will have a least something special to share with u guys.

I'm now officially 24 years old!!

山脚下男孩-月亮圆

在大马过中秋节，除了唱《传灯》，就是要听山脚下男孩的成名曲《月亮圆》！跟家人朋友一起赏月、一起吃月饼、一起提灯笼、一起猜灯谜、一起唱《月亮圆》！但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。

中秋节 @ Mid Autumn Festival (aka Mooncake Festival / Lantern Festival) is approaching soon. This year, it falls on 25th September. The main reason of why I like this festival so much, is not because of Mooncake (月饼) nor Lantern (灯笼). It's because my birthday is around this time. :-) Yes, I'm an Autumn kid!

Well, I'm here to wish you Happy Mid Autumn Festival 中秋节快乐! I hope that you will be having great celebration with your love ones. Not celebrating? Nevermind. Enjoy the video below. It's a song about the Moon by BM Boys. You might not be able to understand the lyric, but remember that 'Music is the universal language!'

自千禧年，我做了什么？

2001年，1月1日，收拾好行李，踏上堂哥的顺风车，到Subang开始另一阶段的学生生涯——A水平大学先修班。第一次离开家人，独自一人生活。这一段日子，到现在为止，我还是认为那是最为轻松的。最主要的原因：功课，一点都不难。数学和高级数学，一向是我的“保险”科目。只有经济这一课，给予我少许的挑战。只是遗憾的，没有跟同班的同学，建立很好的友谊。与他们都失去联络许久。

2002年，在步入19岁生日前的一个小时，马航的某一班机，从吉隆坡国际机场起飞了！载着我，还有我到国外留学的梦想，从欧亚大陆的东南方，像飞禽般翱翔到欧亚大陆东北方的不列颠群岛。我，有了新的身份——大学生。冒险的我，选了不知所谓的一系，挑战自己的智慧。第一年的成绩——标青；大二，失望中获得中等成绩；最后一年，麻木状态下，欣然接受——二等荣誉学士学位。对了，忘了告诉大家，我在大学里是学“摩尔斯电码”的。

我想，我跟大部分的大学生一样，那段日子，都在过着“放荡”的生活。开夜车熬夜赶课业、偶尔的翘课、有事没事地聚在一起吃喝玩乐等等。感到欣慰的，是能认识到一班‘国际性’的好朋友，到现在都常保持联络。大大小小的英国城市，我们都有留下足迹。嫌英国太小，所以我们也当起背包旅人，走遍西欧之余，更踏足于与爱琴海为邻的希腊。虽然不是豪华旅行团，也不算是流浪，但那些回忆还是甜美的。

2005年7月12日，夏天，我参加了那简单但庄严的毕业典礼。犹记得，当乐队奏起古典乐的时候，心里突然涌上一股暖流。鼻子一酸，差点要流泪了！近20年的努力，原来就是为了这一天。这也意味着，在英国生活了三年后，是时候画上休止符了。学生生涯的结束，代表着我将迈入人生中更具挑战性的另一个阶段：去打拼自己事业的黄金时期。

我没选择继续待在这个国家。找工作？我不知道要投身于什么行业；精算师，不想当了；当金融业白领？兴趣已渐渐地失去了。还能做些什么？我在那个时候，感到非常迷茫。有想过要往统计学这方面前进，但想到还要继续深造，我就怕了。我的成绩不能给予我足够的信心申请研究所。因此，到最后也决定回国，再作打算。

后来，我选择继承祖业。到自己家族与伙伴在吉隆坡经营的建材经销公司上班了8个月后，因为厌倦了首都的生活，还有一些不方便在这儿公开的商业秘密，我就没干了。那段没有工作的日子里，一直反复地想想到底接下来该如何为自己的事业铺路，即使我知道我多数会回去怡保的‘总公司’上班。我后悔为什么那时候没好好地充实自己；没有去旅游充电。但是，那几个月，我还作了不少事情。基本上，就好像在过暑假一样。我可没呆在家里当‘宅男’呢！

2006年10月，我到‘总公司’报到。到现在为止，算一算，已有10个月了。在为家族事业‘服务’的同时，我也有个副业哦！那就是——教育。本来，打算拿个经营权，办间源自韩国的儿童数学教育中心。但是，他们嫌我没有经验，所也没有发我那个经营权。对了，忘了告诉大家，我现在还是一位‘业余’数学导师。没有桃李满天下，只有两名学生。金钱，并不是我所在乎的。我只是在打发时间，也为了与年轻学子分享我的知识。我不想把我在这十多年里所累积到的数学专业知识，渐渐地给淡忘掉！

我对未来有怎样的期望？暂时，我还不敢有什么奢望。只想按部就班，用一颗颗小石子，一小步一小步地，为自己的事业拚出条康庄大道。我也想在这几年内，作自我增值，考个硕士学位，在哪个专业都没关系。我不能腾出时间再到国外深造，唯有在本地半工读。你，会为我加油打气吧！

7年了。在一刻，我没什么好抱怨的。因此，总的来说，我的日子过得还好。虽然当中固然会有些遗憾，但只想正面的，就会把它当着‘遗憾美’来欣赏啰！我是一名典型的处女座完美主义者。既然我也可以那样看得开，你应该没问题吧！我们不能决定未来的片断如何上映，但我们有必要准备应付未来有可能发生的好与不好。往事不要再提。因为，我相信：阳光总在风雨后。如果大家都能未雨绸缪，还有什么好担心的呢？

脚步·足迹

一步一脚印，到出留足迹。

在英国留学的那三年，每逢节日，都会跟大伙儿到英国的不同地方探索，以求了解当地的生活文化。当中，品尝过甜酸苦辣，也体验过喜怒哀乐。

读万卷书不如行万里路。这句话真的没错。文字和照片，固然可以让你我凭自身的领悟能力，想象作者所描写的美景或心情。但是，有什么能比亲身经历来得更为真实呢？

以下，我总结了我所到过的地方。希望你们也有机会到当地旅游的机会。

• 捷豹汽车的发源地－Coventry·考文垂（短暂性的第二家园；在那里度过三个春天）
• 英国首都－London·伦敦（世界大都会；什么都有；光怪陆离；怀念在那里看音乐舞台剧）
• 第二大城市－Birmingham·伯明翰（从考文垂出发，不到半小时的火车程就能到达）
• 莎士比亚的出生地－Straford-upon-avon（去了五次都不觉得腻的小镇）
• 罗宾汉地盘－Nottingham·诺丁汉（每年至少去两次：全英规模最大的大马留学生运动会和全英大学校际保龄球赛）
• 庄严的大学城－Cambridge·剑桥 & Oxford·牛津（考不进，去看看也无妨）
• 北部海港－Liverpool·利物浦（当地人都说着我听不懂的方言）
• 苏格兰首府－Edinburgh·爱丁堡（在同一天，遭到雨、霜、雪的攻击）
• 曼联主场－Manchester·曼彻斯特（看到的不多，因为只逗留了短短的半天）
• 罗马遗产－Bath·巴斯（不会忘记三更半夜，从山上的巴斯大学，步行到镇中心，露宿街头）
• 西南海港－Bristol·布里斯托尔（去了两次，但没什么深刻印象）
• 威尔斯首府－Cardiff·卡迪夫（在那里，很巧和地遇到学记朋友；但没怎样看到这个城市）
• 中部小印度－Leicester·莱斯特（一个以印巴后裔居多的城市）
• 高地人故乡－Newcastle-upon-tyne·纽卡索（０６年再去英国时去找朋友）
• 没人看得懂－Stonehenge·巨石阵（几经攀山涉水才到达，但却不外如此。令人失望的文化遗产！）

HSK

I went to sit for HSK Chinese Proficiency Test in May, (just like IELTS or TOEFL for English). I took the Advanced level and got a B grade. It means that I'm at Level 10. (Level 1-8 for Beginner-Elementary, Level 9-11 for Advanced)

前几天，终于收到汉语水平考试（高等）的成绩了。成绩如下：

1. 听力理解： 79/100 （B）
2. 阅读理解：97/100 （A）
   
3. 综合表达：91/100 （A）
   
4. 作文：84/100 （A）
5. 口试：69/100 （B）

总分：420/500； 获得汉考10级证书，暨HSK（高等）B级。

要不是听力理解和口试都拿B等的话，我是那A等的（也就是第11级），因为我的总分是属于A等的。

嘿，都怪自己没有认真地做好口试那部分。

年纪不是问题...... U blog, I blog

Blogger, just like me and maybe you too, is the hidden identity of most of the people alive in the world. You can talk about Politics or Cosmetics, Movies or Musics, Chicks or Hunks, Food or Rubbish, ...... etc ...... etc or just simply a mixture of them, just like me.

One doesn't need any particular skills to manage the blog, so long that a heart to share is there. If you know how to use the mouse & keyboard and surf the Net, then you are able to blog. Many out there thinking, "My language is poor, so how to write a blog?" Well, language is not a barrier to blog. Just like me. I don't think I have a very excellent writing skill in both English & Chinese. Yet, I'm blogging!
(OK, I know this is the reason why my blog is so boring. :p)

Photos sharing or what's more popular to date, Videos sharing, with a few lines of words, or just a few words about your thought, are good enough to make an entry of a blog.
"A photo /video, speaks a thousand words."

OK, if you are reading this and you haven't own a blog yet, please go ahead and create one now! You will have my support in doing that. Too old? No....... this is not a good reason! Go to check out 老查某 Lao Zhar Bor (Old Woman, in Hokkien), and I can tell you that she's certainly doing a better job than me! If she can blog, why not you?

友共情

My Buddies - The Craziest

好耐好耐都冇好似噉样，咁齐人。过年嗰阵，都总争几個。难得同班知己一聚，当然唔会唔影番张相纪念下啦！

识左佢哋呢一班黐黐呆呆、疯疯癫癫嘅起碼都有十年左。我哋聚少离多，所以好珍惜每一次出来打打闹闹嘅机会。

就好似今次噉，食左三粒钟嘅打甂爐之后，就去我屋企坐下傾偈。唔需要做啲特别嘢，就可以打发时间，update下自己嘅生活。

我諗，老友鬼鬼左咁多年，我哋之间嘅友谊都没变淡，都几值得安慰！

山脚下男孩-童年颂

去Google搜索“山脚下男孩”，排在榜首的，便是小弟的部落格－《建谈辉议室》！真得有点不好意思！

大部分‘到此一游’的客人都是在寻找“山脚下男孩”的当儿，不小心路过这里而已。在此感谢那些有留下几行字的过客。

为了回馈大家，小弟特意拿出自己珍藏已久的VCD，马虎地做了少许编辑，把以下的‘绝版’上载到youtube.com，好让大细心欣赏并回味。

与您分享的快乐，胜过独自拥有！

Merdeka 1234

I support Jeff Ooi's Merdeka1234!

Quoted from jeffooi.com:-

"And nothing can be greater than making all Malaysians colour-blind.

With two months away from the 50th anniversary of Merdeka, I outlined my biggest wishlist for the next 50 years of nationhood.

Let's do away with Malaysians 1234. We have to abolish all forms of forms that demand you to fill in ( 1 ) for Malay; ( 2 ) for Chine; ( 3 ) for Indian; and ( 4 ) Lain-lain for the field of race.

Forging a Bangsa Malaysia, the media and civil society should make sure that it's not all form over substance."

When I was a university student in England, I had never come across forms that required race and religion. The only exception was a fingerprints scientific survey which I was asked about my ethnicity.

I personally don't that it's necessary to have forms asking your race. The Law is applied to everyone regardless of someone's ethnic. I'm a Chinese, but I don't there's any Law in M'sia that only enforced on the Chinese community.

黑眼圈 I Don't Want to Sleep Alone

不久前，趁还在KL之际，一个人跑去Cineleisure看蔡明亮大导演的《黑眼圈》。听了他的鼎鼎大名许久，但之前却没看过任何一部他的电影；只知道每一部都很有巨大之回响。

虽然这是虚构的故事，但无可否认的，蔡导把它拍得十分真实。我想，很多游客在吉隆坡都不曾遇到这些场景。就是不清楚为什么电影局会说拍得太邋遢。难道把真实的拍出来也不对？

电影中，四个主配角之间，没有台词。只有“茄哩啡”才有对白。几乎每一幕，都定格很久。至少有10秒。第一次看这类电影，有点难消化。

My Celebrity Look-alikes

My cool celebrity look-alike collage from MyHeritage.com. Get one for yourself.

Bahasa

NO MORE BAHASA MELAYU
IT'S NOW BAHASA MALAYSIA!!

I didn't know that this language is officially called Bahasa Melayu since 1986. I remember my SPM results slip and cert were stated as Bahasa Malaysia. In fact, I don't see any significant differences between Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Melayu.

National Language (Bahasa Malaysia) = Bahasa Melayu

Is this equation wrong??

Why patriotisme is always the reason for the politicians to support their own arguments?? Do I think this change will bring harmony among Malaysian? Not exactly. There are more need to be done for this!

Anyway, most people normally would just call it BM. Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Melayu? You decide!

What about changing "Cina" to "Han"（汉） or "Hua"（华）? So as to make the Chinese community in Malaysia more patriotic?? Still remember the issue of 'Kecinaan' few years back??

In Indonesia, Bahasa Tionghoa (Chinese Language) and orang Tionghoa (Chinese people) are used instead of Bahasa Cina and orang Cina. Tiongkok means China.

Taken from Wikipedia.org,

Tiongkok is a word adapted and used in Indonesian that describes the ethnicity, country, and anything that is related to the People Republic of China. The term "Tiongkok" is the Min Nan dialect (the local dialect of Southern Fujian of the word Zhongguo in Mandarin.

In Indonesia, the usage of the word "Cina" ("Chinese") in referring to race or ethnicity - particularly when it is used by indigenous Indonesian - is often considered derogatory and racist (similar to the word "Nigger" when referring to African Americans in the United States. According to an article in KOMPAS, the origin of this connotation came from the people of Mainland China who migrated to Indonesia. They associated the word "Cina" to Shina (支那), an offensive term used by the Japanese to describe the Chinese in the Second Sino-Japanese War.

As an alternative, the word "Tiongkok" is used.

Therefore, there should be a new campaign in this. No more 'Bangsa Cina' but 'Bangsa Hua / Han'; 'Bahasa Hua / Han' instead of 'Bahasa Cina'.

In my opinion, Mandarin is only referred to the Oral Language and not really the Written Language. So, someone can speak Mandarin and not Chinese; somebody can read Chinese but not Mandarin. Get what I mean?? Clear??

No more CINA
But HAN（汉） or HUA（华）

P/S: Well, when I was still studying in UK, I wouldn't tell ppl that I was Chinese because they would think that I came from China. Most of the time, I just said 'I'm Malaysian' and let them confused about my oriental look. 我不是中国人！

Damn Thief!

Stupid thief broke into my house compound area! I lost:

• 1 pair of soon-to-be-donated shoe
• 1 pair of regularly-wore brown leather shoe
• 1 pair of regularly-wore sneaker
• DKNY watch with broken band, from my car
• Touch-n-go card with credit left around RM50, from my car
• Coins worth around RM50, from my car

Although all of these things doesn't worth a lot, knowing that your stuff had been stolen caused me feeling uneasy. Especially both regularly-wore shoes. I have already 'bonded' with them for few years, but now gotta 'build start-from-zero-relationship' with the new shoes. :-(

The damn thief got into my car as well. Knowing that somebody was committing crime in your car..... eeww...... (it's the crime scene!) ...... feel sorry to my car. Luckily, my CDs (legal!) were untouched in the car. Phew..... I would feel really sad for that if it happened. But, I don't understand why my Giorgio Armani sunglass was safe from being stolen from the car??

At 1st, I thought that the thief could be one of those foreign workers from the construction sites nearby, according the 'stolen list'. However, later I found out that my Touch-n-go card was lost as well. So, I think I've made a wrong guess.

P/S: The thief wasn't smart enough. Or should I say, NOT PRO ENOUGH. Come on, if wanna steal, go steal expensive stuff rite? STUPID! haiz........

Akademi Fantasia

AF5 Finale Concert memang Best! It was so fantastic! Last Saturday Finale Concert of Season 5 Akademi Fantasia was held in Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil. I've never watched such a spectacular concert in Malaysia before. Grand opening, with touching moments towards the end of the concert. The production team has certainly done a very good job in it.

However, for me, it's more like an AF alumni gathering rather ‘convocation’ for the AF5 'students'. The best moment was when all previous AF stars performed together for the Menuju Puncak dance. So touching! Plus, it's a farewell party to the host, Aznil Nawawi, as well. The spotlight was more on Aznil. That's why I think this concert has failed to work as the finale for AF5 unfortunately.

For the 1st time, the Champion of AF is a lady! Mila aced it! Although I'm not a supporter of her this season, I do agree that she is good singer. Furthermore, I don't think that Candy deserved to be the 5th place. She should be well-placed in the top 3! Well, this might be because both Mila and Candy were too alike. So, voters had to choose one of them.

I still think Farhan of AF4 is better. But why she's not the champion last season?? She's always top the voting lists after every concert since the 2nd concert. At the end, she could only manage a 3rd place, behind the more popular duos - Faizal and Lotter. Nevertheless, I do agree that all 5 finalists of AF4 were deserved to be the top 5. No doubt! This was not the case for this season. (And also Season 1 and 3)

In my opinion: Farhan + Velvet (of AF4) = Mila + Candy (of AF5). All 4 are great singers! Let me name them as the 4 Diva of AF to time. (I don't see any Diva from Season 1 & 2 and I didn't follow Season 3, sorry!)

After all, we should understand that AF is not a singing competition where the best singer would be the champion. Popularity is not the only reason to explain it. There is a mixture of different factors affecting the public to vote for the AF 'students'. (I always call this the ‘x-factor’). As an example, the gimmicks that always surprise the students do affect the voting trend and not much in affecting the student’s performance.

There is no logic stand behind it. Therefore, don't be upset when your favourite 'students' or the best vocalists got eliminated. But, this rule is not easy to understand apparently. Even the pros from the entertainment industry couldn’t see it. This is a reality show. In reality, the best-selling singer is not necessarily the best singer. Moreover, we should know the difference between voting and buying ‘legal’ album. So what if you are the 1st place in AF, but your album isn’t selling? Remember: the x-factors!

AF is not only a platform for the new talents. It’s a stage for the existing entertainers as well. The ‘students’ are trying to shine; the ‘tenaga pengajar’ are shining without noticing; the ‘pengkritik’ are gaining the popularity; some artists got to appear in AF, thus some of them were getting 2nd chance to sparkle; even the host himself become a superstar! This is phenomenon. It has certainly boosted the local entertainment industry.

Well, good luck to all of them. I’m waiting for the next season to begin. Munuju Puncak, that’s where you all want to be!

Why 怡保= 坝罗 ?

住在怡保或附近小镇的老一辈，尤其是华人，大多数把怡保(Ipoh)称为“坝罗”(Paloh)。这是许多外坡人所听不懂的。可是，当中的原因，连很多土生土长的怡保人，也未必可以给你一个确实的答案。

而我呢？呃……不知道！只知道有个坝罗古庙，有关系码？哈哈……我还没有资格当个‘怡保通’。这个疑问，也在我脑子里逗留了不短的时间。

不久前，阅读着《怡保城乡散记》里<怡保市开辟简史>一文时，看到作者—朱宗贤写到：

“近打县开发时，首府在华都牙也。
当时交通靠水运，船舶沿着霹雳河，
由安顺经华都牙也北上怡保，
于甘榜巴罗(Kampung Paloh)码头停泊，
所以“坝罗”（或“巴罗”）即是怡保的别名。”

这时，我才恍然大悟，“原来如此也！”如果作者朱宗贤没有骗读者的话，以上的疑问也就‘水落石出’！你明白了吗？

注：
· 近打县(Kinta District/Daerah Kinta) — 霹雳州境内九个县之一；人口最稠密的县。
· 华都牙也(Batu Gajah) —离怡保不远的一个小镇；华裔人口居多；著名景点：凯利古堡(Kellie's Castle)。
· 安顺(Teluk Intan, 旧称:Teluk Anson) — 位于霹雳河下流；属于下霹雳县；著名景点：安顺斜塔。
· 甘榜巴罗(Kampung Paloh) — 处于近打河旁；有一座‘城隍庙’。

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

In 1983 (the year you were born)

Ronald Reagan is president of the US Sally Ride becomes the first American woman to travel in space Marines are killed when a TNT laden suicide terrorists blows up Marine headquarters at Beirut International Airport US Marines and Rangers invade the island of Grenada and evacuate hundreds of US citizens The Soviets shoot down Korean Airlines flight 007 The Internet Domain Name System was invented by Paul Mockapetris Ronald Wilson Reagan signs a bill creating Martin Luther King Day Baltimore Orioles win the World Series Washington Redskins win Superbowl XVII New York Islanders win the Stanley Cup Return of the Jedi is the top grossing film "Every Breath You Take" by The Police spends the most time at the top of US charts The A-Team and Webster premiere

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

再见啰，《娱乐新闻》！

2007年4月20日，台湾TVBS《娱乐新闻》在播出最后一集后，便成为历史，从此消失于电视荧幕上。

这个节目，在台湾娱乐史上，开创了播报娱乐新闻的新风格。从此，全球的中文电子媒体也相继涌出不少同类型节目。譬如：台湾的《娱乐百分百》、《完全娱乐》；香港的《娱乐最前线》；大马的《八八六十事》等节目。陶晶莹也因《娱乐新闻》而奠定了她在主持界的地位。除此之外，独特的主持方式与百变形象，使她荣获几座金钟奖。

21世纪初，随着小燕家族集体过当新开台的“东风”，陶子也因而告别这主持了近6年并让她成名的《娱乐新闻》。在“东风”，她主持为她量身定做的《亚洲娱乐中心》，对撼旧东家的《娱乐新闻》！

自陶子的离开，直到停播为止，《娱乐新闻》的主持群以换了几轮。先有“天天陪你唱双簧”的双黄主播--黄嘉千和黄韵玲。两人的“双手联弹”至今仍让人津津乐道。黄韵玲离去后，有虚拟主播-饭团，陪伴黄嘉千。过后，黄嘉千被遗弃了，由No-Way（Nono和林佑威）接过主持棒子。然后，有聂云和阿雅--小娴--小娴和阿海--黑涩会美眉。中间还有许多代班主播。

我曾经也像许多台湾七年级生一样，每天到了傍晚时段，一定会守在电视机前，准时收看《娱乐新闻》。这习惯持续到我赴英国深造为止。暑假回来，也没有追看。毕业后回国后，也几乎忘了有此节目。我也是在前几天，很不经意地转台转到TVBS-ASIA，刚好看到黄子佼在主持着《娱乐新闻》之回顾，才得知《娱乐新闻》过了这个星期便要停播了！庆幸的，我可以跟《娱乐新闻》道别，收看最后一集。

推陈出新，是娱乐圈的规律。旧或不好的，便会被淘汰。取而代之的，便是新颖且受欢迎的。我只希望，电视荧幕上不会在看到白痴的综艺节目。这些节目，哗众取宠，一点内涵也没有，看了等于没看。

Ipohmali, talak sombong!

The official MV of Ipohmali by Point Blanc, is up for preview in Youtube. I have previously blogged the lyrics in this post. Now, it's time for you to check out the MV. It's really cool!

The next link is for the MV made by the fans.

The making of 'Ipohmali' trailer:-

Itinerary: Journey to Jogya (Day 4)

~ Day 4 ~

Woke up in the early morning to catch the early flights back to KL/Jakarta.

- End of the journey -

Itinerary: Journey to Jogya (Day 3)

~ Day 3 ~

Same as yesterday, buffet breakfast at the hotel.

We're then heading to the worldwide famous Buddhist ancient site, Borobudur.

Took a lots of pics.







* I could touch the Buddha's finger. My wish should be coming true.

* We were surrounded by the souvenirs sellers. Like superstar being approached by die-hard fans.

Lunch at a very cozy hotel. Aiyar.... forgot the name.

Next destination: Mendut Temple

* Modern Tarzans.

Went to a local snacks shop & Jalan Malioboro to do some shopping.

* Beware of the tourist trap. Dun believe in so called 'Last Day Batik Exhibition'.

Last meal in Jogya: Dinner at Chinese Restaurant with entertaining Uncle-Auntie karaoke session.

Back to the hotel and had 'chat-chill-gossip-talk-....' session.

- End of Day 3 -

Itinerary: Journey to Jogya (Day 2)

~ Day 2 ~

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, marked the start of the 2nd day.

1st destination of the day: Kraton aka Royal Palace.


* Tips for the tour guide is expected, although we've paid the entrance fees. What de...


* Earthquake in 2006 caused this to happen.


Traditional dance performed. Something to do with the story of Ramayana.


Taman Sari / Water Castle (Used to be the private Swimming/Bathing Pools for the Royal Family)



* Weide wrongly placed his foot in the pool.


Buffet dinner at a quite classy hotel (forgot about the name).

* Spent 2 hours there corz we're still full from the breakfast.

Next, we were going to visit to Prambanan Temple, famous Hindu temples complex.


* Too bad that it was raining; otherwise, we could have spent more time there and take more crazy photos.... should have changed our schedule

* Look! What's earthquake has done to this ancient site.


Shopping for souvenirs around the Temple.

Went to a gallery-cum-souvenir shop. (P/S: we're 'students')



Guess what's next? It's dinner time at some popular local restaurant, called Suharti (if not mistaken), famous for the fried Chicken.

* It would be a torturing Day 2 for Dharmini. so many food....

Headed back to the hotel for a short rest.

Went to the shopping mall next to the hotel. Had a neo-print session.

Then, we were picked up to go to watch a Ramayana ballet dance show. (105,000 Rupiah, show + transport)

- End of Day 2 -

Itinerary: Journey to Jogya (Day 1)

~ Day 1 ~

Reluctantly stayed awaken in the early morning to catch the earliest KL Sentral-LCCT shuttle bus. Thanks to Mabel's mum for sending us to KL Sentral in the wee hours of the morning.

* Our flight (AK996) delayed for almost 1 hour.

After meeting up with our tour guide, Wati, and Vid (taking flight from Jakarta) at the Solo Airport, we were then heading the Jogya. The journey took about 1 hour.

1st meal: Buffet lunch at Pesta Perak.


After lunch:-

Batik factory (nobody bought anything, typical 'students')



Kota Gade Silverware factory (applause plz.... Christie bought something.....)


Kabul 'Picasso' Art Gallery (again, we showed ppl that we're 'students'!)

Finally, checked in to our hotel - Saphir Jogya. Had shower and short nap.


Then it's dinner time at a 'not so Chinese' Chinese Restaurant.


Window-shopping at the biggest mall in Jogya.

Walked back to the hotel. Experiencing what the locals do.


'Tapau' Terang Bulan/Martabak (aka Da Kaw Min 大块面 alike)


Chilling at the hotel lounge with Martabak and Welcome Drinks.

- End of Day 1 -

日惹 Yogyakarta(Jogja)

浮罗佛图 Borodudur

Lion Dance 舞狮

CNY celebration won't be perfect without the performance of Lion Dance. It is believed that the 'Lion' will scare away the 'bads' and bring in the 'goods'. A team of with a few 'Lion Dancers' and musicians will be invited to houses, shops and even corporate buildings to perform, in hoping that it would bring good luck to the family members or more businesses.

My family owns a well-known building materials shop in Ipoh. Every year, on the 2nd day of CNY(年初二), the Lion Dance team is expected around noon time to perform at the shop. This tradition has been carried out for many years, even before I was born. I am still a first row spectator of that, although I'm now 24. Just like my cousins ........


This year, of course, there's Lion Dance performance at our shop. This time, they came with a 关公狮(Red lion). As to what I know, there are Black/Green(张飞狮), Yellow(刘备狮) and others. All the lions are named according to their colour, with a character in Romance of the Three Kingdoms(三国演义).

The musicians: - Setting up & getting ready

I'm coming in!

In front of the Altar, blessing for my Ancestors.

Half time, change of player!

In the showroom of the shop.

Look! The Lion is so Pro & Creative!

采青ing

Finale - Kowtowing

Thanks Dudes! Pity them, had to cramp in this tiny lorry.

Normally, the performance would be ended with fire crackers burning. Nevertheless, this is now banned in Malaysia. Too bad. Otherwise, we could see the floor covered by a layer of red colour pieces. It's definitely a good time to take good photo. Not only for the colour, but for the 'Noise' too. Long long time ago, people burned firecrackers as they believed that it would scared away the monster, Nian(年). Red, is always the 'In' colour during CNY!