Learning

Making good choices. I'm like a moral police; I always tell students to make better choices and act properly. In return, myself is being observed by them. Children learn from adults. They would tell me I have made poor choices when I shouted at them or when I didn't do the right things I preach to them. They observe every single bit of adults' behaviours and learn from it.

Ola Bola. Not so much. It was Malaysia vs Macau. Macau is almost an amateur team, ranked lowly. Nevertheless, Malaysia couldn't put in a goal against the opponent. The fans were cheerful and eager to see Malaysia win. Alas, Harimau Malaysia lacking prowess. In the end, encouraging chants turned into blaming shouts...people threw in bottles to protest...fans shouting "FAM bangsat" to show disappointment...and in the end, the only saving grace for the whole night was all supporters stood up to sing Negaraku passionately. Within us, there's still silver lining in team Malaysia.

Play. Play is essential. After so many years trying to find an answer to what children need: it's play. Yet, parents want them to be all academic and academic and academic. If I can, I will let them play all the times. They will create marvels. 

A Trip to East Coast

Finally I have visited all thirteen states in Malaysia!

It started at Sunday night. Took a 9.30pm bus from Melaka to Kuala Terengganu. It was in the early 5am when I arrived.

So I pulled out my phone, turn on the map, looking for places I could go for the day. Then light bulb moment!I should totally head to the beach for sunrise. After an hour walk, reached Batu Buruk Beach. Even as early as 6am there are some youngsters gathering and chitchatting at the square. Not sure if they didn't sleep or woke up that early...

Feeding the ant with leftover apple bits.

Having the whole beach for oneself can be eerie but once there's sunrise it's all bright.
However, one fatal thing was the public toilet would not opened until 8am so I had to walk all the way back to town to use the toilet.

With the problem solved, I walked around the town with no aim and suddenly stumbled upon this market. Seen it from TV program so when you see it for yourself it's ethereal. Pasar Besar Kedai Payang.

 

I believe once it was much more glamorous. Now the abandoned mannequin just waiting there to be consumed by the passing of time. 

Had simple mee sup and coffee in the market.

Afterward walked out and discovered Chinatown. 

It's a small and quiet place. A main street with a few lanes in between.

 

And upon Juin's recommendation, went for this "Pink Lady", ice blended coconut + dragon fruit. Not bad. Still can't beat pure coconut shake.

And before that, I was amazed how quickly the beautiful fence turn into utter crap, just after a few years. It's not only here, many Malaysian's public or tourist infrastructures suffer similar ill fate...and this one definitely can be blamed on poor construction. The metal bar is too close to the surface and lead to corrosion and rusting...and balls fell off as well...

And later I was walking all the way to look for keropok lekor.

When you see "Keropok Lekor" on the road sign it means it's definitely something big.
Imagine seeing Sate Celup or Chicken Rice or Coconut Shake or Cendol in Melaka's road sign.
After more than 45 mins walk I've come to this small little village in Losong with a few stalls selling keropok lekor. Being a novice did't really bother what kind of keropok I'm buying, I bought the steamed version. And it wasn't easy to chew down without putting much sauce to go with it...regret. Should've chosen the typical fried keropok lekor....

And then another 45 mins walk back to city centre. No chance catching this bus which was only scheduled for 5 trips throughout the day...never seen it in action, other than idling at bus station...


I was considering staying a night in Kuala Terengganu but by 1 PM I have explored most part of the town. Decided to head to Kota Bharu instead. But just to make sure I didn't miss anything I went to the tourist centre and got a map. Truth is, there's nothing much left in Kuala Terengganu.

Went up to Bukit Puteri to have a one last view of the city before taking 4 PM bus to Kota Bharu.

Here's the estimation of routes I have taken. Much more in the town not plotted in this map. Definitely walked more than 25KM from 5AM to 4PM.


With that. Departing to Kota Bharu with SP Bumi bus.
With no accommodation booked and no visual image of Kota Bharu, it must be exciting to land in a totally strange land!

And the traffic is quite heavy due to school holiday and Hari Raya Haji. It usually takes about 3 hours to arrive but this trip took more than 4 hours! I was lucky to meet Mr Lee, a salesperson, in the bus and he was going to stay in a hostel in Kota Bharu. It's an "unofficial" backpacker style guest house catered for their acquaintances, nothing fishy. Accommodation was settled. RM30 per night. Right in the middle of town!

What's for dinner? Thai + Chinese fusion dishes at Golden Flower Restaurant with Mr Lee and his friends. Then went to KB Mall.

The next day, woke up before the town has awaken. Had an apple, then off to explore the streets.

One destination in mind was Pasar Siti Khadijah. It was just a 10 minutes walk away.

I was going to walk in expecting to see this colorful market...

























But instead, this appeared...under renovation





















Then walked to Jalan Kebun Sultan for breakfast. Walked up and down hoping to find something unique but all I could see was same offerings like those in other places, wantan mee, porridge, chicken rice...So just settled with claypot yee mee.

One little surprise when the noodle was served. It has brinjal yong tau fu in it! It made my day :)

Then visited a few museums pretending to be interested in Kelantan royal families and heritage.
And met a retired teacher teaching arts in Handicraft Village and Craft Museum.

For a while, suddenly feel I am such a 文艺青年, very got 内涵.

Then went to Nasi Ulam Cikgu for a scrumptious meal.

Yummy!

Walked back under hot sun to hostel, had a nice shower, checked out. Then went through nothing-to-see-the-river-is-murky riverside walk and back to town for second helping of lunch, Nasi Kukus Zaeman. The rice was okay, but maybe it was over-hyped? Its chicken was just so-so.

Took a public bus to Wakaf Bharu to catch a 4 pm train. The train never come, the bus came...

So my first supposedly train ride in US was a bus (a.k.a. coach), now my first KTM train was also a bus...

Went through a 5 hours long bus journey to Gua Musang to take the connecting train to Gemas. The amazing thing was nobody in the bus, 40 of the passengers, including children, asked the bus driver to stop for toilet break. 5 hours, nobody wanted to stop for toilet. Amazing,

Boarded the train after having nasi kerabu for dinner.

I thought Amtrak train ride was not comfortable but KTM was even worse. Booked superior seating all I got was normal seating. Amtrak dimmed the light for night travel but KTM just kept the light on as bright as possible throughout the midnight journey...From 10.00 pm to 6.00 am all light on...I couldn't sleep well...

In Gemas, warmly greeted by Pn Tan and she brought me to her favorite noodle place again for breakfast.

9 am, took Southern Bus to Tampin, then Panorama Melaka back to Melaka town. Final stretch of journey was riding my motorcycle under haze...At this point, I could feel my body is already aching and giving me warning after a few days of crazy adventure. First thing to do back home was to have a shower then off to a good nap...zzz.

This was my little dream accomplished! Nothing was planned except to book the departing bus and returning train, and to meet with Pn Tan. A great journey.

The Curious Case of Malaysian Education Fixation in Science, and Many Others.

According to this news article it's again brought up that Malaysia needs more and more students in the so called Science stream. Yeah, in Form Four, Malaysia students need to face the cruel decision to choose either science or arts and have to say goodbye to their friends, after all, each of us have different preferences in life right? right?

No, in this weird Malaysia, all top students are expected to go into Science stream. So naturally, all 3 Arif students go 4 Science 1, all 3 Zaplap students go 4 Perdagangan. No need say goodbye to our usual friends.
Want to be a lawyer? Let's go science stream.
Want to be an economist? Go science.
Want to be teacher? Science.
Want to be doctor? Science of course.
Want to be engineer? Science la.
Want to be accountant? Science also.

If you are good student considering accountacy, here's what you hear:
Aiyah no need go account class, that class teacher won't go teach properly one. Come science class, then take tuition at that Mr Lim. He very good one, guarantee A.

So it's not a matter of choice; all top scorers are expected to go into science stream automatically, with only few exceptions when the students and parents know and make decisions different from school arrangement. And that usually put the students in disadvantage in term of learning.

Yeah the school usually assign you into science classes if you score good in PMR, unless you protest.
The top students go science, the rest of the bad weak students go do arts and you are doomed. Nobody will love you because you are in arts class.Because you are bad students, you cannot study.

So where's the point of science and arts streaming? I also don't know. Malaysian education system is a bureaucratic haphazard irrational system for so long. Teachers can sleep in class and won't get sacked. Teachers ponteng more than students yet still get paid. All those over stacking paper woks.

Well At least I know Malaysia produces lots of brilliant students and becoming the best of the best in various industries, but the problem is they are not serving in Malaysia. Where? Singapore. Also UK USA etc. Why? Malaysian government is stupid. Yeah they are stupid enough to pay millions and billions for scholars yet can't retain many. Yeah and here is no meritocracy, here no appreciating talents. Until we need a thing calls TalentCorp to help Malaysia getting back talents yet still not really successful.

Oh why we still fail to fulfill the 60:40 quota? I don't know. Even the so many Education ministers also don't know how I know. When I was studying they already want 60:40 and what I see was/is good students go science, weak students go arts. And Science students become successful business persons, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders.

And Muhyiddin, we don't want so many science students who don't even know what science is about. It's not about the quantity, it's about the quality.

So I heard ministry is going to recruit only the top 30% graduates to be the teachers. Well I say let's open our eyes and see.

I only speak for myself from a narrowed point of view. I want Malaysia to be a better Malaysia. Change is very much needed.

Don't throw rubbish from your car - Part II

We have new winners! Congratulations to the drivers. Please claim your prize as soon as possible.

This is the prize for you to claim:

One mini  waste bin for you to conveniently keep your rubbish!

And the winners are:

JKA 7503

BKV 6086 with evidence

WUU 5822 

MBS 2673

NBF 7050

How to enter to win exciting prizes?

1. Drive any vehicle.
2. Throw rubbish from your vehicle.
3. If you are lucky, a photo of your vehicle will be taken and published here with no prior notification.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Make sure you wipe your vehicle registration plate so we can identify clearly. Void if number unclear.
2. We value your privacy; your face will not be published unless with consent.

Thanks to my new informer for submitting the first two photos. Please send me photos if you manage to capture them*. Thanks :)

I'm looking for future sponsors as well.

*Please do not risk your life. I'm not responsible for any injury occurred if the driver you captured realized you took a photo and stop the vehicle and come toward you to throw rubbish at your.

Why Kids Can't Stay Quiet During Exam?

Because they are not curious.

That's why Malaysia can't produce movie like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Instead we have so many KL Gangsters.

What's my reasoning?

Many kids are lazy, being used to be spoon fed, lazy, lack of imagination, lazy, lack of thinking skills, and lazy.

So during exam, when finished answering the questions, they started to want to talk with friends. Cannot tahan one, they must talk to friends, or whisper. Because they are lazy to use their brain to think about anything in life.

So today I went in front of the class and told them what to do after finishing your exam. First, look at your pencil case. Think: why the zip can zip zip zip? why you pull it zips? then opens?

Then look at your pencils? Why the red color? why the black color?

Then look at your table? Why why why?

Then look at the windows. What what what? 

How how how?

Think many questions, answer them yourself, think the solutions, think the possibilities. Imagination! Then you won't talk to friends. 

Don't be lazy! The more you use your brain the smarter you become.

And so the end.

Petrol naik harga, so how? protest?

Recently there's petrol price hike in Malaysia (in case you don't know).

Beside Malaysia, India also did the same thing on the same day...co-incidence?

So why suddenly petrol price raised from rm1.92 to rm2.70 and diesel from rm1.58 to rm2.58? Government revamped the fuel subsidies policy! Not only Msia & India, Indonesia and Taiwan also reduced the subsidies. Judging the recent global high fuel price, it's a change that inevitable for Malaysia...(like the change that we Americans can believe in Obama...just for comparison :)

To view my opinions on this issue just go [here]. A post that shares same views.

I lazy to type here...

or [here]

actually same....

by the way, petrol naik harga, cars turun harga la...I can't drive a USD18,000 All new 2009 Camry back to Malaysia...

Reflection . Future . Life

When a person reach a point of his life, it's inevitable to look back at the past...

looking back the my past 20 year, it's a long journey.

Well, some people have plans until the day they feel it's time for eternity sleep (some even decide where to sleep I think)...some people have no plans for life at all...but there's one thing for sure: plans can never be followed 100%; not even 99.99%

In my life, there's many unexpected journeys...I really did a lot beyond my imagination.

Born in a kampung surrounded by padi, now in University of Michigan pursuing my dreams (is it my dreams?), it is not planned...and much of the times I have no plans :)

My memories of the past is still vivid in my life...

story telling time!
at kindergarten, I'm just an extraordinary normal kid...learning and knowing friends...

And as little child, there's nothing to worried about; it's so carefree...and all those afternoons after school playing with siblings and friends around the residential area...and I never really pressing hard to study...and my parents never gave even tiny pressure on academics...and then to primary school.

And for no reasons I've been selected as school prefect and class monitor...And I know I'm not the "tough" disciplinarian so I've done my jobs pretty well with the Mr Good Guy image.

And then life continues...in secondary school. at first admitted to a newly built school but the study environment was terrible...and if I did not decide to switch to GBS...maybe I've ended up as a billionaire now, who knows :)

The most anticipated class was PE...all classes can be cancelled but PE! and I enjoyed playing football every second even though I'm damn cacat at it.

Maybe it's just DNA, I'm not the talkative guy, I'm not outgoing etc, and maybe people have perceived me as a nerd or an introvert person...whatever, I'm just being myself, I'm not a nerd, I don't really study, I love outdoor activities, I love to be friend with others, I am Unique...

And growing older, on top of being the elder brother of two sisters, I've learned responsibilities. Though my 1st sister & I always quarrel and I always kacau my 2nd sister and never shown as a caring brother, I do care about them; and I must say I'm a home guy who just enjoy go back to home for unexplainable reasons. Home is warm...

I've gained invaluable experiences after elected as the St John Ambulance President in school; that's one of the toughest responsibilities. Imagine you are the leader for an active uniform body not only in school but involved in community. Through interaction with all the officers I've learnt; through all those competitions I'm proud; through leading I'm braver. And there's no other greatest moments after emerged as national first-aid competition champion team and received the Grand Prior highest honor for cadet...

and I was at the turning point of life: after SPM.

Form 6 was my only option after rejected both Matrikulasi and JPA before JPA accepted the appeal.

INTEC was another milestone in my life. With no intention to involve in any clubs , it ended up I being the VP for IE Club. Besides, the 1.5 years was a spiritual journey for me when I finally rediscovered Buddhism.

The path from INTEC to Michigan was a real crazy experience...but I'm happy with my decision to come here and I'm on my way to become the weird plant biologist...

20 years, it's just like yesterday, but yet it is so far away; there's sweet memories, but also evil deeds that I wish I could have not done...but we can never go back, and I bet you won't go back even there's time machine, there's no way we can alter the past to be better...there's no perfect life, we just need to acknowledge the past and keep moving.

People always say life is short; not really. When you live to the fullest, you live to be happy and contentious, life is just nice; learn to enjoy.

drink a cup of coffee, listen to music, admiring the views from windows; or go for a trip, take a break, life is enjoyable...

that's just my view of life. Life is to enjoy, live my way of life...and be happy

So relax huh? How to achieve in life?...no need to work? Don't worry, we can achieve because we believe we can.

Bicycle & Motorcycle & Oh...Memories!

I have a driving license for car, motorcycle and also bicycle...

Frankly, I NEVER drive a car after I passed the driving test...oh yeah...I drove once trying my family's new Avanza (drive a round in my taman) and that's all...the reason: I love motorcycle and bicycle!


There are thousands interesting experiences to share but let's start with a story long long time ago...

Ok, my first bike accident...I have a vivid memory of this event because it happened in my favorite small town called Tanjung Sepat. Since I was small I always anticipating to go back my mom's kampung to visit grandparents and had fun with cousins...miss all those wonderful times...[out of topic la!]...Ok, the accident: My 表哥 gave me a ride and he bumped to a bumper and lost balance and I fell to road...and I remember it took me a very long time before the bruises on my knees disappeared...that was like 4YO

Then this is very funny! About 5or6YO...I crashed a motorcycle! Really! and there was one piece of blue plastic fallen from the motorcycle...and imagined I was riding a miniature bike and my sister ran beside me and I never saw the motorcycle coming from the corner and just banged into its side...and then I have no idea somehow I just got away like that...and this time I'm safe and sound...real Crazy...

Oh...it's so fun riding a bike and I just love riding it around my taman (taman = residential area)

When time passes, eveything changes...so then I have a motorcycle!

Interesting...I was watching my motorcycle banged into a Mercedez Benz by a friend who's trying it out...Ouch...my shiny black Modenas...and it slightly crashed the rear bumper of the mercedez which belonged to our boss! (we were working in a restaurant then...and the incident happened right in front the restaurant...luckily he didn't discover at that time...) and my motorcycle was amazingly tough...it survived with only a few scratches...and from then onward I never let anyone else ride my motorcycle.

and second accident...this was thrilling!
I was enjoying my ride and about to reach a junction...and suddenly I felt a strong force stroke from my right and then a man was thrown infront of me! at that seconds I was totally numbed...and his motorcycle was smashed and pieces falling off after colliding to my motorcycle...the only feeling I had then was the strain I felt on my arms which firmly holding the motorcycle handle...It was a really strong force and somehow i'm holding my motorcycle right at the spot without being thrown...the guy walked up...damn him holding a phone and continued to talk to his friend "I involve in accident la...call you later"! (the accident happened because he came from the opposite side of a one way road!) and I asked about his condition and he seems ok...[he really "fly" from his motorcycle, truth]

Apparently it was his fault so I tried to negotiate with him about compensation but then he denied to have any money and seeing his poor motorcycle I just let it be la...I spent RM70+ to replaced the front "fork" which suffered from misalignment....and some pain in my arms for few days. And I am still wondering how could I hold my motorcycle so firmly. Superman? Perhaps.

Universal truth: motorcycle is not that comfartable as car but I just love it because it's convenient to start, no parking hassle, can park anywhere including kaki lima...can squeeze through traffic jam etc...

but one biggest disadvantage: OH NO Please Don't RAIN!


It's freezing cold to ride in rain!!! and it's such a trouble...and always after I washed my motorcycle to shiny black it rains the next day and became dirty again...

Oh there's one more horrible experience when riding my motorcycle back to my home...it was a wonderful afternoon (so don't expect a ghost riding with me) and I fetched my sister back from friend's house...and when I turned into a road, 2 guys on another motorcycle who look like "stupid barbarians mat rempit bodoh otak sial tak siuman" started horning at us and intimidating us...and even fircely asked us to "berhenti...aku suruh awak henti! henti" (STOP right here) and kept closer to us...and I looked around for any vehicles in sight but to no avail. And I knew whatever they want I won't stop! And I stared at them like I don't care and keep speeding++++
and just fled those 2 idiots who had nothing better to do...at least go eat shit ma. Should have taken down their no. for police report...
and I seems pretty tough huh...actually I trembled after I reach home...what an encounter!

So if you want to ride motorcycle? after considering my cases you may consider to abandon your plan...

But other than that it was really a convenient transportation...

wait...I still have a story about bicycle, here's the link to it...in my old friendster blog :)
http://fong_5_5.blogs.friendster.com/fowarding/2007/09/im_cycling_to_i.html

and a motorcycle story. You can see the photo of my shiny black motorcyle!
http://fongforward.blogspot.com/2007/12/oh-o-tire-puncture.html
which is the first post on wah! live for fun.

My next bicycle story: riding around Malaysia! My dream! And I really thought of riding from Shah Alam to Melaka...but now ended in Michigan...or else 99.9% done that already...

Durian . Dance . Dandiya . Dan lain-lain

It was a great Southeast Asia Night In UMichigan last Saturday! A great showcase for Southeast Asia countries!

Indonesia Malaysia Singapore Thailand Vietnam + Cambodia. Foods, band performances, cultural performances, sketch!

As part of proud Malaysia community in Michigan, I performed in an Indian dance! I just don't know why...I'm never been a good dancer but then I've danced in a few occasions, at least I never spoils the dances :)

So the Malaysian performance was about a Indian & Malay couple in long long time ago...their relation is disapproved by parents and reborn into modern Malaysia and continue their love story...with Dandiya(Indian dance), Ulek Mayang and Chinese Fan Dance to embellish the story.
Here's the video!

Southeast Asia=foods.
So we have our nasi lemak! And what we can have for RM1 in Malaysia = USD3
It definitely looks good and tastes great, but sambal can be more spicy...maybe it have been modified to suit non-Malaysians?

And nasi lemak always come with durian! (is it?)

Don't expect to get cheap durian here...1 = USD 10!
Other than durian and nasi lemak, there were chicken rice, rojak, beef rendang, Goi Cuon (Vietnamese spring roll) etc. And not to forget "Chi Kut Teh" from Malaysia! Huh? It's the chicken version of bak kut teh!

It was a real Southeast Asia night!

A Better Malaysia

March 8. Malaysians have voted.
Democratic. People's voice is heard.
Change. It's time for change.
Hope. A better nation for everyone.
Me. so far so good and getting better :)