Update

Hello everyone... How about someone keep us up to date about all our batchmates... like:
Where you are right now?
Specialising?
Married or not?
Any children?

I think that would help to keep us (by that I mean me hehe) up to date and also to stay in touch...

Finish line

I think by now, our M203 batchmates have all graduated. Most have gone on to their internships/housemanships. I just wanted to congratulate all of you, and wish you the very best in your respective careers wherever you may be.

I miss the good old days in IMU. Living across the road in Vista C. Going out for mamaks late into the night especially nearing the oh-so-frequent exams. Dim sum at Sri Petaling. The group study sessions in the library (always seeing Tong Saa there!). Cheering on our very talented futsal boys/girls during the IMU Cup. Hearing how EH 'accidentally' groped a rival team member.

I miss our IMU CG group. The fun we had, the bond we shared. Grace's Sarawak laksa. Yummm.

Will keep this short. I have to go for teaching conference now. All the best to all of you and thanks for the sweet memories..! I hope we'll be able to meet up as a batch some where along the way. Maybe you'll be bringing your spouse (and kids!) then, who knows... :)


-Caryn-

Conversion blues

One of the main attraction of australia to work in Australia, aside from the amazingly short hours, is the strength of the dollar compared to countries close to home...one dreams of working the years, and then shipping the money back, with a x3 sign after whatever you have saved...images of bangalows, beach houses, continental cars, early retirement....




.....Then the financial meltdown came along, and asian countries started dumping the aussie dollar...



Jan 2007: Conversion rate when i started clinical years in Australia

1 dollar= 2.8 ringgit

July 2008: Conversion rate when i had to pay my last semester fees (and when I consoled my dad that I will be paying him back the amount in that same conversion rate)

1 dollar= 3.17 ringgit

Today

1 dollar= 2.24 ringgit

Also today....

1 aussie dollar= 0.935 Sing Dollar




I can find a fancy saying, a famous quote, a philosophical statement to describe this situation...but i choose this one:



FUCK
- Anoymous who was screwed by the current economical turmoil-

Datuk Galore

One might wonder what is the criteria for being conferred Datukship in Malaysia? There are 13 states in Malaysia and it seems each of the ceremonial heads of states have to power to confer titles to whom they see fit...and judging by the pages and pages of names being given Tan Sri's, Dato's, Datuks and what not's, at the rate we are going, almost all Malaysians will be conferred something sooner or later....

Correct me if i'm wrong, but aren't these titles given to CITIZENS of MALAYSIA whom has contributed greatly for the betterment of society? Yes they can be artists, scientists, politicians, businessmen, doctors, etc, but they must have done something to make an impact on Malaysia, boost our image, improve healthcare, abolished ISA, won the world cup.....

Recently the royal families took a liking on conferring Datukships to celebrities. Well you can argue Datuk Siti Nurhuliza did do our nation proud in the SEA scene (that might be pushing it though). And then there was Datuk Micheal Yeoh, who fled the country for greener pastures of HK, so much so that the first time I found out the she was Malaysian was when our local newspapers screamed "MALAYSIAN BOND GIRL!". Well now she I can understand, she does promote Malaysia (in-exchange for money no doubt) and did put us on the map, but her partner, Datuk Jean Todt, now that's a toughie...he's not Malaysian, and he did nothing for Malaysia...well maybe he gave some discount for some of the ferrari's....and increase the import of ferrari's to Malaysia, thats contributing kan?

Now lo and behold, a foreign born artist named Shah Rukh Khan, is going to be conferred Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) which carries the title datuk. Awesome...lets track back and see what was his "contribution" to Malaysia...


...he shot a movie in A'famosa resort...


Gee...If thats the case Malaysia owe lotsa foreign born actors Datukships, Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones (in Entrapment), Chow Yun Fatt and Jodie Foster (Anna and the King), and heeps of others which i can't recall. It just boggles my mind when I think of the criteria in which datukship is conferred...I betcha the conversation from his publicity manager would sound like this...(Malaysianized...since he is gonna be given a Malaysian award)

Manager: Hey Shah!
Shah: Hey macha! long time no see! Got some new lubang for me to earn money?
Manager: Nola dei...you remember we went to Malaysia sometime ago?
Shah: Malaysia? Never heard before la macha...
Manager: Eh what is this la dei...you went there shot 1 film before....
Shah: *pauses"...kenot remember la...I shot so many films la...be more specific
Manager: There, that one near Singapore wan...
Shah: Ahhhh! Singapore I heard before....
Manager: alah...dei....You shot One 2 Ka 4 there la at the beach..
Shah: Oh yeah....now I remember...there was this babe there that I........
Manager: ........Anyway I got a call from some King there la...
Shah: Ehhh....don't tell me that babe is the kings daugther la macha, I din't do anything la macha...serious....we just had discussion in my room oni....
Manager: Nola relax la bro....not about that...apparently its the king's birthday la...
Shah: ohhhh....don't scare me la bro....so why this king call? He wan me go there sing? tell him usual price la, since is king i give discount 5%
Manager: Nola boss, he want give u some title or something la apparently
Shah: title? wat title?
Manager: its called "Latuk"
Shah: Latuk? What's that?
Manager: Dunno, i look up dictionary it says it means an old man with grandchildren....
Shah: WHAT? $#*$)(@...they calling me an old man???!!! And I knocked up a girl????!!!!!

Ok its a bit lame, but the point is, he doesn't know jack about Malaysia, and he contributed nothing to Malaysia...what merits him the title of datukship?


Here's the CM of Malacca's explaination:

"Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the decision to confer the title on the actor was based on a suggestion by former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin to Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob recently as a means to further promote Malacca owing to the fact that the actor had shot a movie scene here several years ago.

He said the movie One 2 ka 4 was shot at the A Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah in 2001.

“This resulted in many people visiting Malacca since then. The award is given in recognition of this,” he said after the awards presentation ceremony on Saturday.

Mohd Ali said awarding international artistes was also a good way to promote the state and country as a location for movies."

Maybe I should star in a movie in Windsor Castle in the UK and get the title "Sir"

Financial Pearls

I know i'm at risk of turning this into a political blog, but man politics in Malaysia is interesting isn't it?

Now this one, my friends, is the tale of petrol prices. Well our finance minister...oh no...i told a lie...our ex-finance minister (he is now defense minister) taught me a thing or two about running the country..honestly, cross my heart, I learnt a lot from his endless wisdom.


June 4th 2008

The government decided to increase petrol prices by a whooping 78 cents, the reason is pretty valid...with rising global prices of petrol reaching unprecedented heights, our government subsidy bill has reached unbearable peak. So fair enough, a new system was enacted...with the government keeping the max subsidy of 30 cents regardless of price

It is justified of course by comparing our prices to non-crude oil producing nations, even though we still are a net exporting nation. Even though with inflated global petrol prices we should be raking in the cash to start with? No no...No no...apparently, Petronas can only subsidize so much...the rest of the earnings...I dunno....we "invest" it in something else, you know, because the welfare of the nation is not as important as investment...


Ok...the nation grumbled and moaned, price of everything from electricity to teh tarik increased...busineses shut down, broke people become broker....


fast forward to 17th September 2008


With the tumbling global economy, crude oil prices are tumbling to record lows...woohoo! The nation should expect lowering prices since you know, with how far the price gone down the government might not even have to subsidize the 30 cents as we might be paying equal rate as the market rate kan?

This is what our PM comment about the global crude oil prices

"On the oil price drop in the world market, Abdullah said it was good but Petronas’ revenue would drop as well as the subsidy (from petronas)." -The star, Wed 17 sept 2008

damnit...I realize...our nation just can't win. Minyak naik kita rugi, minyak turun pun kita rugi...

Financial advice of the day: 1+1 does not equal 2

Give me a reason to love my country...

For those who know me well enough would know I am one of those who has a burning desire to return back home to Malaysia, God willing, after I gain enough experience abroad. People often ask, "what so good about M'sia that you want to go back?" My answer? Well, as all good Msians we will start with food of course, then of course family and friends come into mind, good weather................and I start to realize, there isn't anything else that I can boast about to make my country look good. For those of you who plan to go back too, try asking yourselves honestly, beside the above mentioned reasons, what other reasons is there that our beloved nation is better then your host nation?



Mind went blank eh?



When I look back, conversations such as these tend to linger around food...(A LOT)...nasi lemak outside IMU lah (which made it to the star, for wrong reasons=P)...banana leaf lah....char kuey teow lah...nasi kandar lah...penang hae mee lah. And if its winter, we will bitch about how damn cold it is and how it is summer year long in Malaysia (not like the winter in Brisbane is anything to bitch about) And we will talk about being close to family and friends....

Im just starting to wonder if all those are good enough reasons to return home? Are those reasons too immature? Those food are good, but they are probably the most unhealthy grub you can find, accelerating atherosclerosis, because the government doesn't give a damn about population health anyways...the weather, Brisbane is pretty good weather, except for the damn water restrictions...family, we all grow up and get detached from our family and heck, with airasia i can afford to fly back home pretty often or fly my parents here....

As I grow up I think I need better reasons than those of above to be convinced returning home is the best option. Will my rights be assured? Will I get anything resembling equal opportunity? Will my kids have a future and be safe? HECK....WILL MY CITIZENSHIP BE CHALLENGED??

I know this is all a political tirade, between the No1 and No2 of the ruling party. When No.2 apologized for what was a blatant racist remark, and No1 just gave a 3 year "suspension", giving him a hero status amoung his peers, and then invoked the dreaded ISA on the reporter and slapping show cause letters on anti-establisment newspapers, you know something is not quite right. How can you apologize for something, and then arrest someone for stating something you apologized for????!!!!!!

As if we did not need reminding of our class of citizenship in Malaysia? As if our rights haven't been trampled on enough? Now you are using a mere reporter for your political gain? Who was, by your top brass apology...telling the truth? You are arresting a MP, for allegedly banning morning prayers been broadcast, when all that happened was a couple of non-muslims signed a petition for the volume to be turned down a little?

Common, settle your squabbles internally! Malaysia cannot afford to have squabbling kids running our nation! With so much problems going on its only detrimental to our economy. We are not as stupid as we were before, pitting race against race. We have grown up significantly and are tired of your politics. Why do you think PKR is hot on your heels? treatening to topple you any minute?

3 reasons to go back, 1001 reasons I shouldn't...please, let there be a change that we all can be proud of....I am more than willing to return home, but am I wanted in my own country??

England its best at

Before reading on...remember...this editorial is written by a UNIVERSITY!!

ADVERTORIAL
New Straits Times
23 August 2008, page 43

HONORARY DEGREE AWARD
7TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY UNIVERSITY TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
TO
YANG AMAT MULIA RAJA ZARITH SOFIAH BINTI ALMARHUM
SULTAN IDRIS AL-MUTAWAKIL ALALLAHI SHAH
D.K.II, S.P.M.J., S.P.C.M.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah has born on 14th of August 1959 in Hospital Batu Gajah, Perak. Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith is a third son to Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Perak Darul Ridzwan and Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Mazuwin binti almarhum Raja Arif Shah.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah get early education in Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Datin Khadijah Kuala Kangsar in the state his birthplace namely in Perak. After end of the education in primary school, Yang Amat Mulia continue the education to form one at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Raja Perempuan Kalsom Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

In the month of September 1972, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah have set forth to England for further education in Chaltenham Ladies College, Gloucestershire to form six. Then, Yang Amat Mulia continue learning it in Davies College London in September 1977 and his following year in receive enter to Somerville College, London after having passed Oxford Entrance Examination.

After graduated at Oxford University with Bachelor of Art in June 1983 and follow the traditional University of Oxford, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith will receive Master of Art after three years in 1986. Yang Amat Mulia also is a linguist follow several courses including language Mandarin at the tertiary level, French and Italy language.

As his father, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah is a person that talented in picture arts. Refinement of soul, Yang Amat Mulia always watching natural beauty environment immortalize in the form photograph and painting to make look and reference. Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith performance become guide to deliver the message education to general public. Yang Amat Mulia concern on women and natural world and it custody aspect in become deep theme in painting.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah comply have interest profoundest field documentation. Apart from producing book, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith doubled up guest writer in the The New Straits Times newspapers and in personal column it “Mind Matters” in The Star newspaper. Besides writing, Yang Amat Mulia comply active presenting a working paper at the conference national level and international.

Education from her father and mother over concern to the people, make Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah likes engaged in voluntary activities about as Deputy President of Majlis Wanita Johor (ROSE), Chief of Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia Johor branch, Chairman of Nationalistic Community Service Red Crescent Malaysia, Patron of Spastic Children School in Johor Bahru, Patron Rotary Club of Tebrau Foundation, Advisor of Traditional Arts School International in London and become Pro Chancellor University Technology Malaysia (UTM) and becomen Royal Felllow Faculty of Language and Linguistic University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

As the appreciation towards her contributions of ideas and efforts in the development of education in Malaysia, Chancellor of University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Duli Yang Amat Mulia Tunku lbrahim lsmail lbni Sultan lskandar, Tunku Mahkota Johor, has approbation to presented the awards to Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah the Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Education at 7th Convocation Ceremony of University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in this year. Congratulation from us, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia members.

HAHAHA...I thought my england was bad enough...this is priceless. Poor Tun Hussein Onn, He must be looking down (or up) in disgust at the university of his namesake publishing such a hilarious advertorial. Good job dear government, and you wonder why the hell your teachers can't even speak proper English let alone educate our future generations in that language.

The honoured person mentioned won't be too happy too, since they changed her sex...hahahaha!

I didn't even know this University existed, so I decided to look it up on the internet. I got interested in how many publications in journals this University are involved in, you know, indicating how active they are in research...

http://www.uthm.edu.my/v2/content/view/201/189/lang,en/

Publication in 2007

The Publication of scholarly countings is vital in the academic world because through it academicians are able to share their knowledge and expertise with the students and society. Publication is the best medium to achieve the University's aspiration in disseminating and sharing knowledge with the society at large.

wah, i'm impressed....it is vital that academicians share their knowledge and expertise....

Publication Materials

In 2007, as many as 77 materials were successfully published. They include original book works, journals, learning modules, proceedings and others. The types of publication are as follows:

Type Of Publication	Total
Original Book Works	2
Learning Modules	68
Journals	2
Proceedings	3
Other Publications	2

77 materials, not bad...eh wait... learning modules pun kira kut?? Proceedings? Apa tu?

2. Journal

No.	Title / Subject	Edition
1.	Jurnal Sains dan Teknologi UTHM	Jilid 4 Bilangan 1 Jun 2007
2.	Jurnal Sains Sosial UTHM	Jilid4 Bilangan 1 Jun 2007

Jurnal Sains dan Teknologi UTHM??!! Tak pernah dengar ni jurnal apa tu?



UTHM= University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia...


ohhhh.....


Enough said........