Maximillion

2016-01-01T01:04:00.000+00:00

1.27am start blogging!
Hi, it's me Ron, i start blogging dy~
haha... Quantify everything here in my blog...~ stay updated...

2015-12-31T23:50:00.000+00:00

Last post for Year 2015!
(Quietly, and shamefully, first post after 2 years of non-blogging)

Dear Readers!

I am back and kicking!

It is this time of the year again to summoning up 2015. Year 2015 has been a roller-coaster journey for me. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely say THANK YOU to all who has been with me for this roller-coaster journey. Along the way, you encouraged me, being my listener, pulled out your torch in the dark tunnel whenever I am lost, gave me the help I needed most AND/OR you discouraged me, you responded me in cold manner, you undermined my potential... ALL in ALL, THANK YOU. Without these, I will not be where I am and who I am, right now.

A few determinations I take pride in myself, and with immense gratitude of the following:

1. I had breakthrough the very discriminative immigration policy/employment opportunity (in the UK) to land myself not only an employment but two.
2. I realized that a change within myself (human revolution) has the potential to change the direction of my life. In short, I literally take charge in ALL ASPECTS of my life and I am not dependent on others in deciding it; and not blaming others for what I have to face.
3. The oneness of one and the environment (one of the very principle of Buddhism). I felt supported by the forces of the universe in realizing my mission in life and to go about my daily life, too. More empowering-ly, I felt that I can 'instruct' the forces of the universe to work on behalf of myself. I strived to be of constant 'conversation' between the flora and fauna I encountered daily. P/S-I still say thank you to plants and animals I came across daily. Call me insane :)
4. Able to recognize the importance of supporting others. To literally see others being lifted out of their suffering is the most liberated feeling ever. Such a life state. Strive to go OUT THERE and do more!
5. To celebrate life itself! A day of life in the universe is more worthy than all the treasure of the universe combined. This branches to the following determination.
6. To shift a larger part of my diet towards non-animal based. Who are we, human being to say that we should consume animals to survive. Meat is not a need any more, it is a want. Ever more so when we see people who are likely able to afford more are simply wasting their food. All to the bin. Pathetic.
7. To appreciate the people and the circumstances even if it is at a very shitty moment. That's the opportunity to re-determine and to get ourselves together, re-focus and march towards our goals.
8. To appreciate the ties of friendship, family, colleagues. To always strive so that the relationship blossoms at greater heights.
9. To be able to summon up courage to encourage the person right in front of me, right at that moment, no hesitation.
10. To cast the transient and revealing the truth. The importance of beauty of diversity - people of different races, cultures, nationalities, beliefs all come together to realise a life full of happiness not suffering. Let's all, human being celebrate the world's most beautiful unity in diversity.

Three cheers for life(lives)! Three cheers for humanity in diversity! Three cheers to welcome Year 2016 - The Year of Expansion! Let's take this opportunity to expand our life force even just a millimetre.

Happy New Year 2016.

Loch Ness © zhenrontan 311215

This is a view I have captured the way driving down to Drumnadrochit alongside the Loch Ness where Monster Ness is still asleep. :) The Sun is always shining. Vow to be the Sun!

Sum up for 2014a.

2014-12-31T23:56:00.003+00:00

Dear Readers,

It has been literally a year now since my last blog. Thank you if you are still following. There is so much to write about this year. I am not sure whether I have even at this point decided to write down everything I intended to blog about.

This year marks a really significant year for me and for the people in my environment. To be honest I do not know where to start off with. Anyway, let me put them in a 'at presence' format and then started to add in flavours and spices here and there just like when one is preparing for Chinese food - it is all about the layering (a famous quote by an American born Chinese chef featured in the food programme on BBC iPlayer).

Now, I am renting a place at a shared accommodation at Basingstoke, Hampshire, a town South East of England that I never even heard of before. Just as a token of appreciation, I would like to say some words of appreciation about my housemates. They are John, a Portuguese pharmacist; Ella and Lydia, two Romanians ladies as care workers looking after vulnerable people with needs; and an English lady working as a station enquiry officer. They are a bunch of lovely people indeed, I felt so fortunate to have them in this point of my life. We spent this Xmas together, spoke about our own problems/challenges and encouraged each others when life is down. It is a bit like the Buddhist Discussion Meeting I participated monthly.

Being granted an opportunity to work at Design ACB here is itself truly an amazing thing. Everyone knows that it is indeed extremely hard to get a job in the UK as a non-EEU national. However, I am able to put the practice of the Lotus Sutra into reality and persevere through hardships and champion it, making the impossible possible. My determination during that hard time was 'as earnestly as though to produce fire from damp wood or to obtain water from parched ground'. At the moment, I am the only non-EEU employee there. Very diversified cultural background, as we have colleagues from German, Italian, American, Polish background. Colleagues at ACB are very helpful when it comes to any technical / work-related questions; and very crazy too when it comes to 'playtime'... They are very beautiful human beings. There is so much to learn, I hope I do not disappoint them, especially those 3 young directors, sincerely respecting them from the bottom of my heart. There are a lot of challenges ahead but I have decided to face each of them head on! Bring it on! I am surrounded by beautiful, helpful and playful colleagues, I appreciate that a lot. Thank you ACB.

As for friendship, I think 2014 has been the most significant year when it comes to building bonds between friends. I met so many people this year, meeting at least 200 or so of them this whole year. Some are existing friends, housemates, some strangers, etc. Friends, I called are those whom I have spoken and met with and had a heart-to-heart conversation, let it be issues associated with work, family, friendship, society, economy, politics, architecture, food, Buddhism, you name it... Each conversation and encounter are very unique in its own way and had since then planted a seed in the bottom of my heart. These are the seeds of friendship. I have decided to mention the big word here together in this friendship section - L O V E. I had met a special one this year too, a very beautiful lady with very distinguished characters. That was what attracted me most, we have so much in common, we are both Buddhist, we had been letter-writing the old fashion way... Thank you for sharing your life with me. Though it was short but it has impacted my my life in some way. Please stay the way you are and be happy. I will always chant for your happiness and people around you.

On 17th July 2014, that day marked one of the most important day in my life - Graduation. A recognition for completion of my Masters Degree in Architecture. So much effort was put in along the way, those countless nights drawings in the studio, doing models, eating Dominos, those countless power naps, those tears and laughters... They all surfaced into my mind at this very moment once again... I have to thank the ever highly respected Professor Alan Dunlop, lecturer Penny Lewis, lecturer Simon Leeman for their words of encouragement and the help they provided in any kind of dimensions throughout these 2 years within the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture - Masters Unit 2, the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. One point need to be noted, they strived hard to assist me in the dimension of job-hunting too, sincerely appreciate that and thank you! Leaving University does not mean the lecturer - student relationship cease there, we managed to keep in touch with each other in different dimensions.

Your Blogger,
Ron.

Summary of 2013. What is next in 2014?

2013-12-31T16:19:00.003+00:00

Hi again readers from the world, this is just a post I am reflecting myself for the entire soon-to-end year 2013. Although I only blog once in a blue moon, I still feel very connected with my dearest readers let it be in wherever part of the world. I appreciate your time reading my post and hopefully able to find similarities in like-minded people and interesting future awaits us. Right, I am going to structure this post in different themes: faith, love, study, family, career, friendship and others.

First of all, I would like to share a wee bit about my faith. I am born into a Buddhist family so I am a Buddhist by heart. To be exact, I am practicing Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism. This is a sect of Buddhism founded by a lay priest in 13th Century Japan. A wee bit of explanation here: Nichiren taught devotion to the Lotus Sutra (entitled Myōhō-Renge-Kyō in Japanese)— which contained Gautama Buddha's teachings towards the end of his life — as the exclusive means to attain enlightenment (in other words Buddhahood). Furthermore, Nichiren believed that the Lotus Sutra contained the essence of all of Gautama Buddha's teachings relating to the laws of cause and effect and karma. This devotion to the sutra entails the chanting of Nam-Myōhō-Renge-Kyō (referred to as "daimoku") as the essential practice of the teaching. That is what I do every morning and night or whenever I can. Performing daimoku is likened as accumulating good fortune in life, let it be wealth, health and happiness. Another aspect I would like to share with you my dear readers is the lay organization of Soka Gakkai International. Soka Gakkai has, together with its international offshoot Soka Gakkai International (SGI) been described as "the world's largest Buddhist lay group'. SGI is a lay Buddhist movement linking more than 12 million people around the world. SGI members integrate their Buddhist practice into their daily lives, following the Lotus Sutra based teachings of Nichiren, a 13th-century Japanese Buddhist priest. Just as the lotus blooms in a muddy pond, all people can manifest the Buddha nature--inner resources of courage, wisdom and compassion that can equip them to overcome life's challenges and lead happy and fulfilling lives. As "engaged Buddhists," SGI members aim to create value in any circumstances and contribute to the well-being of others. Their practice sparks a process of ongoing inner transformation and empowerment known as "human revolution." The promotion of peace, culture and education is central to SGI's activities. Most of the content here are exactly copied and pasted from the source . So in other words, I pride myself as a lay world citizen who helps in promoting world peace. I have grown much in faith, get inspired and am constantly sharing my view on life based on the Buddhism principle I live with, that is why I always say Buddhism is a reason and it is a living Buddhism as we infused those principles into our life. I received my very own Gohonzon on the 17th June 2013 and I have been appointed as the Young Men District Leader for my local SGI district. That means more responsibilities to bare. I learn and I will always learn no matter what.

Although this section here is a little bit private but I know what I am talking about now. As for love, I met very interesting people in my life throughout this year. We have much in common and shared really much like-minded views, let it be life, career, faith or in general the future ahead. I believe if I really pursue and follow my instinct I will fall in love once again. :) Yet, there is this girl that I really liked and I can sense that she has the same chemistry for me too. But we felt the timing is not right at the moment. Maybe more on me, that I am not prepared yet and I wish to travel and explore more in my career, in particular the various locations for my work in the future. Yet, it seems that she wanted a guy that is settled right this moment. Well, time will proof if this chemical equation works out or not. Speaking about love, of course self-appreciation is another form of love as well. I love myself too. I believe one has to appreciate oneself first before appreciating and loving someone else.

Speaking about career, I regard myself as a really fortunate chap having the opportunity to work with Danish firm schmidt hammer lassen architects SHL in their Shanghai office. The working environment is truly a fusion one between Danish culture and a Chinese one, very fascinating one. I do enjoy all the moments with my colleagues, my boss! We went partying, we stayed late together in the office etc. Also, the model making experience is truly something that really inspired me a lot here especially for my model-making skills. This 3 months period of internship is actually an eye-opener to me looking at China. I think I would like to spend more time understanding about China and the Chinese people and of course the Chinese culture. I would rather say it is also about understanding about myself especially exploring the Chinese root within.

Friendship - This is something I really benefited from a lot this year. I met some really amazing coursemates whom we can talk about hearts. Although we come from very different culture, background yet we still share very similar thoughts in study and life in general. I moved flat this year in Aberdeen. I am grateful to have met very interesting housemates. We shared thoughts, we go out for drinks and we encouraged each other in life. I think life should be like that. Friendship is a two way thing, the weigh should be balanced up, no less no much. Also, from my experience I would like to encourage you to appreciate your friend who stood up whenever you need them by your side. There is a saying goes, 'A friend in need, is a friend indeed'. In particular I met two very goodfriends of mine now. Both from Klang. We got closer when we knew that we could trust each other and we could share our views in life with each other. We even talk about secret lol. Well, one of the very many secret. :) Let's vow that we should keep this kind of friendship let it be 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 40 years in time and we could make it in Shanghai / London / India / SG / Msia or any way in the world. By that time we will have family etc. hahahaha... :)

Long story cut short, 2013 has been a roller coaster year for myself. I hope it has been the same for you too! Let's look forward for the new year!

(P/s: I will touch up this post with some photos tomorrow on the New Year Day)

Your Blogger,

Ron.

M.Arch Student Studio Project - Suzhou Boat Facility

2013-11-21T02:20:00.000+00:00

Hi All again!

I just got up from bed after lying for 5mins and decided to share with you the ongoing website update of work that me and my peers are doing for our Masters in Architecture projects here in Scott Sutherland School of Architecture. The project site is in Suzhou near Tai Lake. Suzhou is located to the West of Shanghai. The studio work is led by Professor Alan Dunlop, Penny Lewis and Simon.

Please click into the website. It records the findings of interesting facts, and see with yourself how the design evolved. I am doing an industrial project - Suzhou Boat Facility. In this boat facility there are mainly 3 distinguish volumes (programmes) - 1. Offices+Canteen, 2. Testing workshop+Drawing Studio+Mould Loft, and 3. Boat Building Workshop. Please have a look into my work from the start of last year September 2012 until the present time. This is the link.

This studio project is interesting and is never done before for a Scottish / British architectural master design studio unit to brave herself to tackle some of the issues that topped the priority list faced by the growing Chinese population, such as who is responsible to look after the growing ageing population, the housing needs for the growing population, the shift from one-child policy to a more liberal more-than-one child policy, the elimination of education through labour system, the multifacets industrial autonomy etc... ... the list continues.

I see the problems the Chinese facing currently as vast opportunity especially looking from the perspective of architecture, politics and socio-economy. Also, the problem-solving that are happening now or will happen soon (as I seen) are regarded as a precaution steps developing economies should take note of. This eventually lead me think about the Rise of China or maybe some of you think otherwise, well it is far too early to draw a full stop on that now.

Well, that's enough for now... My body is reminding me that I should get back to sleep now.
Take care! :)

Please leave me comment regarding the studio design project via my university email - 1015612@rgu.ac.uk Thank you for reading.

From your author,
Zhen Ron.

Greetings from the Author: Random

2013-11-21T01:37:00.005+00:00

To my dear readers around the world.

Just to update you if you not have already known, I am Zhen Ron a Masters in Architecture student currently studying at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom. Thi

Something about me here:

I am a keen explorer of the world and my inner self. I am eager to see how much further I can challenge myself in regards of career, study, friendship, relationship, anything... I am a positive thinking person, bright and always cheerful. Happy to befriend with any one, I do not agree with the notion of 'the higher education level you get, the civilized you are'... I do not judge people on first sight and do not like to be judged so as well. I respect people who respect their own selves. I believe in the law of attraction, the law of cause and effect. To me I think Buddhism is not so much a religion but it is indeed a way of life and the Soka Gakkai International always emphasizes as the living Buddhism. I am studying in the field of Architecture now and wish to bring great change to people / society at large in any way I can. Life is simply great with all the challenges ahead! One thing I always encourage myself so not to be defeated is to live the dream of those that are not capable of realizing theirs, there is a kind of mission that I carry and bound to be accomplished.

Well, as stated like the title this blog should be random and it's time for me to go to bed now.

Goodnight all.

From your handsome author,

Zhen Ron.

The billion dollar Chinese marriage market / industry.

2013-11-17T04:25:00.002+00:00

This is an article from CNN I found interesting and it is certainly an eye-opener for the West who is not aware or do not know anything about the marriage market in China. This is quite common practice happening in China and some of the Asian countries.

Article By Katie Hunt, CNN on November 4, 2013 -- Updated 0157 GMT (0957 HKT)

- Beginning of article –

Shanghai (CNN) -- Liu Jianle smiles as he spots a potential suitor for his recently divorced niece among a sea of white personal ads pegged to a board.

Pencil in hand, he jots down the man's details -- 33 years old, 1.7 meters tall (5 feet 7 inches), 140 pounds, a property owner, divorced but no kids.

The only wrinkle is that his salary is $800 a month, not high by Shanghai standards. No matter, says Liu, his niece has a good job.

Welcome to Shanghai's marriage market.

Mister or Miss Right for their children.

Some write posters by hand listing their offsprings' vital statistics -- height, age, income, education and their hukou or registered hometown -- and pin them to umbrellas or shopping bags. Others come with a notebook to see what is available.

Liu is a veteran. He found his son a wife here and they've been married for more than a year.

"She's 1.69 meters tall (5 feet 6 inches) and beautiful like a movie star," he says. "He was happy to get the introduction."

With young Chinese told to put education and work before finding love, many struggle to find boyfriends or girlfriends, a source of deep concern for their parents in a society which emphasizes the survival of the family line.

Worried family members are joined by professional matchmakers, who try to make a living from the unusual gathering.

The city even organizes an "annual love and marriage expo" to help young people find love that attracts 18,000.

"A lot of kids who were born after 1980, they don't have siblings. So they grow up in an environment where you don't have the experience to meet with people of the opposite sex," Song Li, the founder of an online dating service, told CNN at the event in May.

The market has been around since 2004, says Li, who runs a professional matchmaking service from the park. With almost three times as many women looking for partners than men, it can be difficult to make a successful match.

Men can register for free, while she charges a fee of $500 for her female clients.

She also has an age limit; men born after 1970 can sign up, but women must be under 33.

"There's a shortage of superior men," she says by way of explanation.

It's a similar story at Fan Dongfang's booth. He says he matches 20 to 30 people a year and brandishes a clutch of wedding invitations as if to prove it. He also has a glut of women on his books.

"There are too many leftover women in Shanghai," he says, using a popular term to describe an educated, single, urban woman over the age of 27.

"Their standards are too high."

While the numbers stack up in favor of Chinese women -- according to the China Statistics Bureau, there are now 34 million more men than women in China -- this doesn't mean they will pair up easily.

Chinese men tend to "marry down" both in terms of age and educational level, observers say. Plus, many of China's unmarried men live in the countryside.

Distance is no obstacle to the parents' matchmaking ambitions, nor is their children's consent.

One mother displays a handwritten A4-sized poster in a clear plastic wallet seeking a match for her 36-year-old daughter, who works as an accountant in Toronto. The market has an "overseas corner" for parents who have children living abroad.

"I can't give you my name because my daughter doesn't know I'm doing this and I don't want her to find out," she says.

"I just want her to find someone with a stable job, who is tolerant and open-minded."

- End of article -

DEMOCRACY in Malaysia - DIED or REBORN, 05 May 2013

2013-05-06T01:02:00.001+01:00

This is the first time I felt such a disappointment and utterly helpless for what I can do more to contribute to my beloved country especially on this special day the 5th May 2013 - Malaysian 13th General Election. It is rather very disappointing to note the attitude and all the 'accidents' created by the Election Committee in this very election.

With the 'Magic Show' for blackout and in just 10 minutes, the EC found another bag of postal votes and this turned the already winning Bentong PR-candidate Wong Tack (with 1k majority votes) to 1000 votes behind BN like a roller coaster in the Disneyland. In this very 13th General Election as well, phantom voters were caught with evidence, yet being ushered by police force into the polling centres, all these drove madness to the Rakyat! One of the footage of a phantom voter not even know what he supposed to defend if he is eligible to vote, Evidence (in the footage the crowd was yelling for identity card 'IC', a must-have document to prove you have the citizenship to be eligible for voting).

If you are aware of this citizens of the world, you will notice especially your Malaysian friends have changed their profile photo to black - protesting silently that the DEMOCRACY in Malaysia is gone. We also received encouragement messages and support from some of our FB friends from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei and Australia by switching their FB profile page black. We hope for that the international society could exert some pressure on the Government. Please share this message out if you too agree with this movement.

On the other hand, looking at this 13th General Election, the Election Committee announced that this time round is the highest turnout for voters in Malaysia, achieving 80% voters turnout in history since independence. This is the highest in Malaysian electoral history, beating the 78.9 percent recorded in 1964 - quoted Malaysiakini.com. I am Sabahan originates from East Malaysia, Borneo - Looking at the current result for Sabah, I would said we actually has won and this is rather a great leap forward. According to the 13th General Election result, we have won 12 states (only one single win in 12th GE) and 3 parliamentary seats. From my point of view, most of the cities where mass media with internet access available have successfully made the change to vote for the opposition where the remaining majority interiors with limited and internet access is not available still voted for the same BN who has been constantly 'raped' for this course of 50 years (since the federation of Malaysia 1963) still placed their mandate onto the same 'rapist'. It is tremendously shameful and bizarre to say this but I have to say it, it is like handing out different flavours of condoms to the same rapist despite being raped constantly and so frequently. Please forgive my rudeness. Anyhow, this is already a great way forward to a balanced distribution of power for the government in Malaysia.

As you probably have already known, the mainstream medias in Malaysia are wholly controlled by the BN-led government with their cronies, thus it is very unlikely that the interior villagers/residents are able to access internet access with free media. They are being fed only with whatever information given to them. This truly is a sad case especially in Malaysia, largely a nation to be known as the leading economy in Southeast Asia. In my opinion, it is not too unbelievable to say that the access to free media is somewhat comparable to the fully crackdown of mass media in China.

What I can say about DEMOCRACY in Malaysia anymore now? We just hope that there will be international intervention and help free Malaysia from this false government. One good thing most of the Rakyat has learnt is the need to be united no matter what, the urge for a Clean and Transparent Election! Some of the Malaysians have called for Bersih 4.0 in these few coming weeks. I just hope that no bloodshed and accidents, we are all indeed Malaysians!

I have decided to write this post as I really felt that something has to be done to end this Corrupted Government who is sucking up all the Rakyats' money, safety, etc! I do not respect the government who won this 13th GE by buying votes (so openly) and flew those 60,000 foreign voters into the country just to vote for the BN! So furious, yet, finger-crossed still hope for international aid / intervention please. Thank you.

Camp Bongkud, Ranau.

2011-12-20T06:56:00.035+00:00

Arkitrekkers, Nick Nearchou and Zhen Ron with two other volunteers from the United Kingdom, Holly and Annabel spent a lovely time contributing to the Community of Kampung Bongkud (Village Bongkud). It is considered exciting for Zhen Ron as this is his very first trip working (and of course enjoying) with Arkitrek outside the office. Photograph above shows the main common area where meals are served and most activities being held.

Being with the Community

With the arrangement made by the camp manager - Eve, Nick, Zhen Ron, Holly and Annabel were lucky enough to be presented some village dances by the local kids. They were then being invited to join the dance. They danced so clumsily, well, despite of that it is considered a good "side-read".

These are some photographs taken during the dance.

On early morning the next day, they managed to witness the prize giving ceremony for the local kids at the Fajar Ceria Play School. The chief village, Bindang was invited to deliver a speech to the audience presented that morning. In his speech, he expressed his appreciation to Camp Borneo and all the volunteers who willingly work and contribute to the local community. Kids on stage with a Sumazau Dance. How adorable they are.

On the Building Projects

Arkitrek is building a Community Hall and a Gravity Feed Water Tank at the Camp Bongkud. To ease readers (especially with architectural background), it will be easier for you to understand the project as we described along with the attachment of a plan of the community hall.

The layout plan on the right depicts the simple arrangement of space organization in the community hall. Eve said that there is a need for a guest house so that people from the government department of any government official can stay overnight there if necessary.

The photograph above depicts the kitchen area where concrete is to be poured. It will be levelled at the height of the ground beam... Much work to go~

Currently, we are now at the concreting stage for the ground floor slab at the kitchen and pantry areas. Concreting seems easy, yet, until you tuck on your boots and start mixing with shovel you will realise how labourous the work is.

Also, there is a lot of precaution steps to be aware of and to get the right chemistry mixture reminds us of the boring (or maybe interesting) Chemistry classes back in school. The lower photograph shows a number of steel plates are embedded partially into the ground beam on a central axis.

These are some other photographs taken at the building site.

This photograph was taken after a labourous day under the Malaysian hot Sun!

They are enjoying, aren't they? (From Left: Nick, Holly and Annabel)

Others

In an occasion, Zhen Ron and Eve went to nearby hawker stalls to get some fresh fish and vegetables to cook. The hawker stalls are about 10 minutes drive from Camp Bongkud site. There are a lot of BBQ chicken skewers for sale, they looked so tempting and irresistible. Zhen Ron had bought some snacks and also managed to get some photographs of what are sold there. Nick and Holly loved the Chicken Skewers and BBQ Chicken Wings so much. They craved for more~ This is the food bit.

From top: Fresh fishes, BBQ Chicken bottom, and BBQ Chicken wings.

During the stays in Camp Bongkud, it rained quite often as work at site was not able to begin on 1 particular whole day. Yet, they managed to get themselves busy up with some interesting chatting sessions and some card games. Zhen Ron introduced some card games which are quite popular amongst the local Malaysians. The topics they were having concludes cultural differences, study and life experience in the UK and Malaysia.

In an occasion, Holly was drying her clothes on the drying lines. All of a sudden she was shouting out loud: " A giant spider!" It was at a quite corner and it seems invincible. It is a very colourful one. It would probably glow in the dark. Here is this pretty babe:

Look at that pretty babe! Holly was trying to get a detailed image of the spider.

Yeah, one more thing to mention - Shaznini! Oh, look at the name Shaznini, what can you think of? A lady? A place? ... ... No, it is a kitten. An evil one~ Shaznini was born at Camp Bongkud. She has been wondering around the camp all this while. Need not to mention, of course the source of food is the leftover one coming from the gappers or the students. She is evil because she will jump onto the table and grab your food! She is a bad kitten. Nick was pissed off with Shaznini once she tried to grab Nick's food from the plate. On the other hand, she will entertain the gappers whenever she can but ONLY after she has eaten. Her entertainment during the stays for the gappers made her eligible to be included into several posters created by different groups of gappers who volunteered at Camp Bongkud. Here is Shaznini: Look at her evil face... She is Hunting for food without mercy~

LOvely Girl on the Train

2011-10-15T13:19:00.000+01:00

Just a quick buzz, I met a lovely lady on this train down to London.
Happy. :)

A Current Update of Me. Now and then?

2011-09-29T11:33:00.000+01:00

Dear fellow readers,

It has been quite awhile since the last blog. I am still constantly combating my fundamental darkness - Procrastination. I wanted to blog for quite a long time already since the starting of Semester 2 in January but tick-tocks it went and I ended up preparing food, drugged myself with Facebook, sending CVs, travelling around for both leisure and Gakkai activities, thinking impossible stuffs... imagining having a special someone beside me... talking nonsense... I have a very 'weird' characteristics - I will blog in a certain period of time frame to update my current circumstances for both myself and also for those who wanted to understand how am I doing so far. Thank you for your concern.

Seeing photographs of my dear coursemates from UCSI University who graduated last June was really awesome. Loads of photographs, seeing those photographs, it means all of you are ready to embark for another crucial check point in your life. Congratulations to Linxin, Hui Hui, Wei Shen! :) (Sorry if I have missed out someone)... But the same feeling goes to you! Here, I would like to wish you a great and an enjoyable working life ahead. For those who wanted to continue for their further studies please do so as study never ends as if Winter will always turns to Spring. You will always find something fresh, something new or perhaps somebody that will paint together with you for the rest of your life... Is it not amazing? Life is full of fun, surprises, energy, hope... ...!

It has been really quite happening these few months after Semester 2 at Scott Sutherland School of Architecture ended in June 2011. As you might probably have known that I am still currently waiting for further placement news. I would rather said this process of 'struggling' is somewhat very exciting but also discouraging in certain ways, it depends solely how I viewed this. Yet, there are alot of amazement and things to share with you.

There were quite a numbe of offers for me on the work placement. First, 'Sonspims & Bowrn' Architects in Edinburgh accepted me but no pay is given. Though they are quite a big firm in Scotland. Realising I could not afford the expenses to work for free so... That was happening at the end of June. Later on, I saw an email from RGU, it was the Conservation Summer Technical School organized by Historic Scotland at Stirling. I had decided to join this as it is about Building Conservation & Heritage which I am interested in. I had a session with Procrastination Devil and hence I missed the dateline for the application. It was closed! I felt a total guilt! I mean a total GUILT!

Despite two days late, I wrote the reason for my participation and why Historic Scotland should select me. I had written down everything and posted it later. To my surprise 2 days later, I received Historic Scotland reply and telling me that I was accepted to join the Summer School! Wow! Deep in my heart, I knew this was the protection of Shoten Zenjin. ;) I expressed my gratitude to Gohonzon. Needless to say, the Summer Course was really awesome. I shall post some photographs. We learned alot of the insights of Building Construction mainly on Construction, materials and little on design. But as an architectural students, this is really one defining point and I will always remember it. This Summer Course was a steering wheel for my direction for both career and study. Let me explain, during that week, we were introduced to meet professionals: Stonemason, Brick layer, Welder, someone who casts iron, etc...

During the demonstration work, they showed us their daily task and we were asked to join and do our part. I could recall seeing all of them, mostly already in their 50s still showed keen interest in their work and absolute attention on details too. There was a Stonemason, with glasses demonstreted his sensitivity in work and also attention to details. He was showing us the technique on chamfering the edge of the Granite block. At the first attempt, he did it but he said that was not perfect enough and he went for the second and the third attempt. We were so amazed with his seriousness and professionalism attitude. At that particular moment, I was so embarrased for myself that in the design studio the word 'Design' exists on everything but not the treatment on the materials itself. How careless I am. And now to my best ability, whenever I design or on the drawing board, materials treatment will be one of the priority concern. They are so prefessional that I feel a sense of guilt if my attitude towards design is still the same as before.

I met new friends across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkrik, Stirling. I am a person who really treasure friendship alot. I viewed this as a life-long benefit for all of us. It is not easy to have been given this chance to study in the UK, to have this opportunity to meet great friends across Scotland. This is not just a case of coincidence. It surely not.

Right, about the Job Placement hunting: As I could remember I have been sending out my Cover Letter + Examplar of Work to various architectural firms across the world I would say. In term of geography, the furthest one ever reached California, America. I have tried Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Hong Kong, China and some of the Europe contries. Interestingly, I have several offers from London but all offers no salary at all. Quite reluctant actually. Can you imagine this feeling as hope has been given but all coming back is either rejected or without no pay? It somehow very discouraging, but thanks really to Nicherin Daishonin Buddhism as I am able to stay strong in faitth. For me faith is the fundamental support one has. Without faith he/she will be a walking dead without soul~

I managed to presevere and again I received an email from RGU, that Highland Council has a post for year out student. Without hesitation, I phoned up Mr. S to enquire the details for that post. We engaged in a good chat. I submitted my CV + Examplar of works. Just before the Conservation Summer Course started, I was granted an opportunity for an interview with the Highland Council. I was so excited, really. I was brimming with high spirit while participating the Summer Course. After the course I went up to Highland Council, Dingwall office for the interview, we had a great chat, I would say a heart-to-heart dialogue. We discussed about study, work, family, culture, life, and a little bit of Buddhism. The interview / dialogue went for 1 hour... haha...

Anyway, after 1 week wait, I was not successful for that interview. But Mr. S was kind enough to reimburse me the expenses going down for the interview, though not much was only 35 quids but he showed his appreciation in a post to me. Thank you Mr. S. I will take your advice and hope we will meet again in the near future.

My dad visited me at Aberdeen. He was with a friend, Mr. Chia. Though the trip was so short but we did really cherish the time we had. And on this trip down to London, I might join him for the remaining of this stays in London before flying back on the 4th October.

Right, that's all for now, I am on the East Coast Service train from Aberdeen to King Cross London. Yes, I am going down to London again to 'smell' the architecture there and also of course to support a grand event the 50th Anniversary of Sensei visit to Europe. There will be 500 youths across the whole Europe participating the event! :) I am very much looking forward on that.

Have a nice day Readers,

Zhen Ron.

Scottish Pound VS English Pound?

2011-05-29T15:21:00.000+01:00

Dear Readers,

I am currently at London enjoying another Architectural Trip! :)
It is me here just came back from ASDA Troughton, Greenwich. One thing puzzled me, why they do not easily accept Scottish Pound here?

Any idea related to the UK Legislation or what?

I have been staying at Scotland but they accept English Pounds at large. Why not the other way round?
Is this another 'virtual image' created so to show Scottish Pounds somehow is not easily accepted at large throughout the UK~

I am eager to know. Please leave me comments.

Currently at London,
Zhen Ron.

A wonderful Explanation of Art Deco

2011-05-28T08:59:00.000+01:00

Before departing for London from Aberdeen 0952hours, I decided to share a wonderful writing. This piece of text talks about Art Deco in London. I have yet come across with such beautiful text on Art Deco. Hence, I have decided to 'copy and paste' here.

Author, Colin Hines is a great fans of Art Deco. In his Book 'Art Deco London' he claimed that he lives in a marvelous curved-window, green-roof-tiled, 1935 'moderne' semi, complete with bracing draughts as the wind whistles through the panaromic Crittal window.

What is Art Deco?

Art Deco is usually thought of as a backdrop to the luxurious and stylish lives of the wealtny in the 1920's and 1930's - Huge ocean liners, jazz or big band music, the shaking of cocktails, sumptuously decorated buildings from ballrooms to cinemas, sleek cars and smooth cars. Yet this is only half of the story. The reality also encompasses democratic deco, whose popular, commercial side meant that most homes boosted a curved Bakelite radio, most handbags contained a deco compact and most families enjoyed weekly visit to that high street emporium of fantasy, the cinema.

(To be continued) ... ...

The Future of Sabah, Malaysia.

2011-05-08T12:05:00.000+01:00

The state of Sabah, my beloved homeland, - 'The Land Below the Wind' which largely to be known as North Borneo by the Western is now 'in danger'. Due to the failure of the immigration department, the amount of Illegal Immigrants especially from the North of Sabah - the Philippines flooded Sabah ever since.

I as a young patriotic Sabahan would like to express my dissatisfaction towards this phenomenon. I hope there will be someone that could actually change the "faith'' of Sabah and its beloved people. We, the Sabahans hope that this 'someone' could change the destiny and faith of the State that seems quite 'depressing' at the moment.

We dont want to be ended up being a "Minority"! I know although this piece of voice is hardly heard at the state government administration level, hope that things are getting in the right place as soon as possible. If the next general election is to be happen in the near future, the deciding power of Sabahans I believed will drastically change the faith and future of Sabah. Hence, this remaining period of time will be quite a challenge for the existing government (Federal + State) to perform changes to better the current circumstances.

Mr. Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak just to let you know that when I was in Sabah with my ex-girlfriend, whenever we were inside Centre Point (a local shopping complex), both of us felt unsecured with 'bunch' of 'Filipino' behind and around us. This is already a sense of 'threatening' effect caused to the local people. This is just a piece of voice from a lay citizen. But I believe in the People's power, If the government is unable to solve the problem, we the People will solve the problem ourselves by electing our "The People Government"...

This is a video I found so appropriate to describe the Current Circumstance now.

The Story of a Malaysian developer

2011-05-03T10:06:00.000+01:00

While doing my daily prayer, I read through member's experience on Soka Gakkai International (SGI) website. This piece of experience by member of Soka Gakkai Malaysia is related with the construction stream. Source: Soka Gakkai International (SGI)

Experience by Mr. Chai Koh Pong

I worked as a civil engineer and corporate manager before I started my own business as a property developer in 1985. It was my dream to make it really big and rich in business, like some corporate players whom I took as my role models.

Every minute of my life was spent in getting more business and trying to maximize profits. It was a pressurized, selfish and greedy world of trying to win at all times. Exploiting others to the full was common practice--an apparent necessity. That was my idea of securing happiness in life.

Then, when the economy crashed, some of my role models got into serious financial trouble and some even landed in jail. This shattered my sense of security and gave me a feeling of emptiness. I felt a need to ponder on the direction of my life, the values I had adopted.

I started reading up on philosophy when an old classmate introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism in 1986. Nichiren's teachings seemed to coincide with what I learned from motivational books and courses. I began to practice, chanting "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

Changes began to happen gradually, starting with my idea of happiness. Instead of finding joy in materialistic gains or one-sided victories, I came to believe in and experience a deeper sense of happiness coming from within me--a happiness fueled by altruism, a solid state of mind that revels in simply being alive.

I have seen that Nichiren Buddhism goes much deeper than the self-motivational work I have done. One can learn or improve many skills, such as public speaking, but the practice of a correct religious philosophy creates a positive transformation at the core of one's life, releasing unimagined potential. True communication skills, for example, are more than just respecting the speaker and listening sincerely. They rest on a spirit of compassion and an ability to open one's heart.

Change of Heart

These changes made me a more humble and approachable person. I began treating my associates and staff with greater respect, gratitude and sincere concern. Before practicing Buddhism, I used to evaluate a person's "importance" purely on the basis of what "profits" they could bring me, but through my involvement in Soka Gakkai Malaysia's activities, I can now appreciate each individual's respective role in contributing to the success of an enterprise.

Instead of squeezing every ounce of profit from others, I now prefer fairer deals. My judgments and decisions now include concern for others' satisfaction, thus winning the trust of my associates and partners. My staff is willing to put in hard work and extra time for me. The contractors that work with my company strive to raise the standard of their work, and buyers show their contentment by repeated purchases.

Improvement in my relationships with my staff, associates and contractors means less time wasted on conflict management. The result is greater productivity and faster completion of projects, which translates into less wastage and improved profitability.

Knowing for sure that more money does not always equal more happiness, I have become less calculating. I do not mind earning less money or spending extra time and putting more resources into building better houses.

The wisdom I gained from my Buddhist practice has also changed the way I handle funds. I see good cash flow as the key to maintaining the strength of the business. I have become more selective and cautious in the acquisition of projects. Less greedy, I do not bid for huge projects which require me to borrow heavily and thus put my company at unnecessarily high risk. Hence my company is able to proceed quite smoothly despite economic recessions or turmoil.

I believe that when more business owners subscribe to a positive philosophy and have the correct values, the business world will become a fairer place for all, with the distribution of wealth being more balanced. With less wastage of time and resources and greater productivity, the cost of goods can be lowered, enabling many more people to enjoy a better life.

[Courtesy, October 2006 SGI Quarterly]

What a Malaysian Chinese want?

2011-05-02T09:30:00.000+01:00

What do you think a Malaysian Chinese want? These are truths that are disguise from the mainstream media. Here I disclosed a 'response' from a Malaysian Chinese that would just merely would like to address the inner thoughts majority of the Malaysian Chinese have. What is your say then after reading the 'article'?

A very well written reply from Kee Thuan Chye which I feel truly reflects how we Malaysian Chinese feel and want. Do read till the end, which incidentally, the general election is perhaps around the corner.

Utusan Says "Chinese Malaysians Ask Far Too Much"TC Replies to the article "Orang Cina Malaysia , apa lagi yang anda mahu?"

WHAT else do Chinese Malaysians want? Let us put aside the reasons why they do not support the current government in Kuala Lumpur . Let us study first what else they want.

For that, we have to go back to history. The Chinese came to Malaya to seek opportunities. They had lived a hard life in mainland China for hundreds of years. Like the whites who migrated to the American continent because it was the land of opportunity, the Chinese migrated to Malaya to make their fortunes in this bountiful land.

The strategy of their forebears has borne fruit. The Chinese have attained what they wanted. They now live in the lap of luxury in this land of opportunity called Malaysia . In fact, it is not only in Malaysia that they have attained what they wanted. They have even gained full control of Singapore . Singapore is not their original country. The Singapore Chinese and the Malaysian Chinese were originally boat people. The difference is that those who landed in Singapore managed to gain full control of Singapore , but those who landed in Malaysia did not manage to control Malaysia .

In Malaysia , the Chinese live in peace with the Malays, the indigenous people and the Indians. In comparison, in Singapore , the Chinese control politics and the Government. In Malaysia , the Malays still control politics and the government. The systems of both governments are the same, but it is vice versa: The Malays dominate in Malaysia while the Chinese dominate across the Causeway.

In contrast, the Malays in Singapore and the Chinese in Malaysia are very different. The Malays in Singapore lead ordinary lives while the Chinese in Malaysia lead lives that are ‘more than ordinary’. In fact, former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad once stated that if all the Chinese-owned buildings in Kuala Lumpur were lifted from the map, only the buildings in Kampung Baru, a Malay area, would remain in the city.

All the other buildings are owned by Chinese Malaysians. The well-known shopping centres in Malaysia are owned by the Chinese. The Chinese Malaysians are fantastic. They control all the cities and major towns in peninsular Malaysia , as well as Sabah and Sarawak .
They produce the largest number of, and the most successful, professionals. The school system of the Chinese Malaysians is the best among similar school systems in the world. The Chinese account for most of the students studying in the best private colleges in Malaysia .

The Malays can gain admission into only government-owned colleges of ordinary reputation. With regard to corporate and private organisations, it is the Chinese who dominate. The Malays number just a few; most of them are low-level employees. In fact, knowing Mandarin is a prerequisite for applying for jobs in these organisations.

Finally, an annual survey by the Malaysian Business magazine has found that eight of the 10 richest people in Malaysia are Chinese. The following is the list of the 10 richest people in Malaysia :

Mr. Robert Kuok Hock Nien
Mr Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan
Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng
Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay
Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan
Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary
Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua
Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King
Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun

This is the reality in Malaysia , my beloved country. Is the current government, which has been in power for 52 years, cruel and totalitarian? What else do the Chinese Malaysians want? I think I know, and I think you know too.

Date: Sunday, 2 May, 2010, 10:16 PM

Here is Thuan Chye’s response to Utusan Malaysia ’s article
Source: www.freemalaysiatoday.com

Thuan Chye Responds to “Orang Cina Malaysia , apa lagi yang anda mahu?”(Utusan Malaysia article)
By Kee Thuan Chye

Every time the Barisan Nasional gets less than the expected support from Chinese voters at an election, the question invariably pops up among the petty-minded: Why are the Chinese ungrateful? So now, after the Hulu Selangor by-election, it’s not surprising to read in Utusan Malaysia a piece that asks:

“Orang Cina Malaysia , apa lagi yang anda mahu?” (trans. Chinese of Malaysia, what more do you want?) Normally, something intentionally provocative and propagandistic as this doesn’t deserve to be honoured with a reply. But even though I’m fed up with such disruptive and ethnocentric polemics, this time I feel obliged to reply – partly because the article has also been published, in an English translation, in the Straits Times of Singapore.

I wish to emphasise here that I am replying not as a Chinese Malaysian but, simply, as a Malaysian. Let me say at the outset that the Chinese have got nothing more than what any citizen should get. So to ask “what more” it is they want, is misguided. A correct question would be, “What do the Chinese want?”

All our lives, we Chinese have held to the belief that no one owes us a living. We have to work for it.
Most of us have got where we are by the sweat of our brow, not by handouts or the policies of the... ... We have come to expect nothing – not awards, not accolades, not gifts from official sources. (Let’s not lump in Datukships, that’s a different ball game.) We know that no Chinese who writes in the Chinese language will ever be bestowed the title of Sasterawan Negara, unlike in Singapore where the literatures of all the main language streams are recognised and honoured with the Cultural Medallion, etc.

We have learned we can’t expect the government to grant us scholarships.Some will get those, but countless others won’t. We’ve learned to live with that and to work extra hard in order to support our children to attain higher education – because education is very important to us. We experience a lot of daily pressure to achieve that.

Unfortunately, not many non-Chinese realise or understand that. In fact, many Chinese had no choice but to emigrate for the sake of their children’s further education. Or to accept scholarships from abroad, many from Singapore , which has inevitably led to a brain drain.

The writer of the Utusan article says the Chinese “account for most of the students” enrolled in “the best private colleges in Malaysia ”. Even so, the Chinese still have to pay a lot of money to have their children study in these colleges. And to earn that money, the parents have to work very hard. The money does not fall from the sky. The writer goes on to add: “The Malays can gain admission into only government-owned colleges of ordinary reputation.” That is utter nonsense.

Some of these colleges are meant for the cream of the Malay crop of students and are endowed with the best facilities. They are given elite treatment.

The writer also fails to acknowledge that the Chinese are barred from being admitted to some of these colleges. As a result, the Chinese are forced to pay more money to go to private colleges. Furthermore, the Malays are also welcome to enrol in the private colleges, and many of them do. It’s, after all, a free enterprise.
Plain and simple reasonThe writer claims that the Chinese live “in the lap of luxury” and lead lives that are “more than ordinary” whereas the Malays in Singapore , their minority-race counterparts there, lead “ordinary lives”. Such sweeping statements sound inane especially when they are not backed up by definitions of “lap of luxury” and “ordinary lives”. They sound hysterical, if not hilarious as well, when they are not backed up by evidence. It’s surprising that a national daily like Utusan Malaysia would publish something as idiosyncratic as that. And the Straits Times too.

The writer quotes from a survey that said eight of the 10 richest people in Malaysia are Chinese. Well, if these people are where they are, it must have also come from hard work and prudent business sense. Is that something to be faulted?

If the writer had said that some of them achieved greater wealth through being given crony privileges and lucrative contracts by the government, there might be a point, but even then, it would still take hard work and business acumen to secure success. Certainly, Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, who is one of the 10, would take exception if it were said that he has not worked hard and lacks business savvy.

Most important, it should be noted that the eight Chinese tycoons mentioned in the survey represent but a minuscule percentage of the wider Chinese Malaysian population. To extrapolate that because eight Chinese are filthy rich, the rest of the Chinese must therefore live in the lap of luxury and lead more than ordinary lives would be a mockery of the truth.

The writerhas obviously not met the vast numbers of very poor Chinese.The crux of the writer’s article is that the Chinese are not grateful to the government by not voting for Barisan Nasional at the Hulu Selangor by-election. But this demonstrates the thinking of either a simple mind or a closed one.

Why did the Chinese by and large not vote for BN? Because it’s corrupt. Plain and simple.
Let’s call a spade a spade.And BN showed how corrupt it was during the campaign by throwing bribes to the electorate, including baiting a Chinese school in Rasa by promising RM3 million should it win the by-election.
The Chinese were not alone in seeing this corruption. The figures are unofficial but one could assume that at least 40 per cent of Malays and 45 per cent of Indians who voted against BN in that by-election also had their eyes open. So, what’s wrong with not supporting a government that is corrupt?

If the government is corrupt, do we continue to support it? To answer the question then, what do the Chinese want?

They want a government…

a. that is not corrupt;
b. that can govern well and proves to have done so;
c. that tells the truth rather than lies;
d. that follows the rule of law;
e. that upholds rather than abuses the country’s sacred institutions.

Because BN does not fit that description, the Chinese have learned not to vote for it. This is not what only the Chinese want. It is something every sensible Malaysian, regardless of race, wants. Is that something that is too difficult to understand?

Some people think that the government is to be equated with the country, and therefore if someone does not support the government, they are being disloyal to the country. This is a complete fallacy.

BN is not Malaysia . It is not a country. It is merely a political coalition that is the government of the day. Rejecting BN is not rejecting the Country.

A sense of belongingLet’s be clear about this important distinction. In America , the people sometimes vote for the Democrats and sometimes for the Republicans. Voting against the one that is in government at the time is not considered disloyalty to the country.

By the same token, voting against UMNO is also voting against a party, not against a race. And if the Chinese or whoever criticise UMNO, they are criticising the party; they are not criticising Malays. It just happens that UMNO’s leaders are Malay. It is time all Malaysians realised this so that we can once and for all dispel the confusion.

Let us no longer confuse country with government. We can love our country and at the same time hate the government. It is perfectly all right. I should add here what the Chinese don’t want:
a. We don’t want to be insulted,
b. We don’t want to be called pendatang
c. We don’t want to be told to be grateful for our citizenship.

We have been loyal citizens; we duly and dutifully pay taxes; we respect the country’s constitution and its institutions. Our forefathers came to this country many generations ago and helped it to prosper. We are continuing to contribute to the country’s growth and development.

Would anyone like to be disparaged, made to feel unwelcome or unwanted? For the benefit of the writer of the Utusan article, what MCA president Chua Soi Lek means when he says the MCA needs to be more vocal is that it needs to speak up whenever the Chinese community is disparaged. For too long, the MCA has not spoken up strongly enough when UMNO politicians and associates like Ahmad Ismail, Nasir Safar, Ahmad Noh and others before them insulted the Chinese and made them feel like they don’t belong. That’s why the Chinese have largely rejected the MCA. You see, the Chinese, like all human beings, want self-respect. And a sense of belonging in this country they call home. That is all the Chinese want, and have always wanted. Nothing more.

The Utusan Malaysia article: Orang Cina Malaysia , apa lagi yang anda mahu?Dramatist and journalist Kee Thuan Chye is the author of ‘March 8: The Day Malaysia Woke Up’.

He is a contributor to Free Malaysia Today.
"To sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards of people” - Emily Cox
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them" - Walt Disney

Politics + My Own Thoughts.

2011-03-07T00:15:00.000+00:00

Hi again my Dear Readers,

Here again I am back with some issues that caught my mind and my intention. I think perhaps it is the TIME for us to think about this.

Currently, I am listening at Raja Petra's talk on A Blog Activist's Tale with Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK) at http://www.malaysia-today.net/ .

This quote of his caught my attention - Mahathir said "See, that is the reason why we need to thank the ISA (Internal Security Act) for still having our Petronas Twin Tower still standing up high" , he continues: "See what happened at USA, the Incident of Septermber 11, this happened because they dont have ISA but Malaysia is clever with its ISA to safeguard our Petronas Twin Tower." Quite sarcastic to hear about this.

In the video, Mahathir claimed that ISA is essential to prevent one from committing crime further. "It is good to arrest you when we see your face saying that you are going to bring down the Petronas Twin Tower, so by seeing your face we need no reason to charge you!" NONSENSE!

Fine, I cant do much but this is enough to evoke those inner feeling that something is gone wrong especially "frauds" happened in Judisciary, Executive, the Monarchy (Especially the one happened in Perak recently).

Change another topic -

Reading through the news, it is quite saddening to see that the East Malaysians (Sabahans + Sarawakians) are of the poorest citizens in the whole Malaysia. Local politicians claimed that the Eastern Malaysia was of better state before joining Malaysia in 1963. The resourceful states of Sabah and Sarawak are being exploited since the Independence Day of Malaysia.

Price for Crude Oil is to be rise resulted from Saudi Arabia's demonstration, US's Obama is to be at a very challenging situation whether to support his "brother" - The Saudi King or to support the "Angry Mob" which resulted just as same as the situation likewise of Egypt... What will happen in weeks? Guess~ It will be hellish situation...

Fine, I gonna do my design work now. If not I'll end up to be a politician... LOL!!! >.<

U dont read you will surely Regret. It's for your future.

2011-02-21T02:13:00.000+00:00

Hi again, My dear Readers, Semester schedule being busy.
Here is a piece of article that I have received from a Member of Parliament that has had his name anynomous.

I could not resist myself not to post this publicly. Do read this. It is so important that I should not waste any more seconds on stressing on this. Please do pass it around.
The 4 PR states of Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan have beat the other 10 BN states by attracting RM25 billion in investments comprising 53% of Malaysia's total investments of RM47.2 billion in 2010. For the first time in history, Penang is now the new champion of investments in Malaysia, coming out top in 2010.

Penang replaced the previous 2009 champion Sarawak by recording RM 12.2 billion in 2010 as compared to Sarawak RM3.9 billion. Penang was No. 4 in 2009 with RM 2.1 billion but shot up 5 times to No.1. On the other hand Sarawak went down from No.1 in 2009 with RM 8.5 billion to No. 4 with RM3.9 billion in 2010. Penang's success in drawing in RM12.2 billion is an extraordinary vote of confidence by both foreign and local investors in the PR state government of Penang.
The No.2 state after Penang is another PR state of Selangor with RM 10.6 billion in investments. In fact the 4 PR states of Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan combined comprise RM 25 billion investments or 53% of the total investments in Malaysia of RM47,177 million in 2010. These 4 PR states alone can beat the remainder 10 states of BN Malaysia combined!
Despite the financial constraints and limitations imposed by BN, PR have shown our good governance. In Penang we have excelled by being praised by the Auditor-General Report for being the best financially managed state with record surpluses of RM88 million in 2008 and RM77 million in 2009. Penang became the first state government in history to be commended by Transparency International for CAT(Competency, Accountability and Transparency) governance in establishing integrity in leadership.

We have wiped out hard-core poverty, the first state to do so in Malaysia. We are giving senior citizens RM100 every year and when they die, their beneficiaries a one-off RM1,000/-. All partially assisted schools of Chinese,Tamil and Sekolah Agama Rakyat are given a fixed sum of at least RM11.3 million every year. We are working towards a wifi state offered free of charge.
Penang is going green and leading in green practices such as "No Free Plastic Bag" campaigns and waste treatment through 3R of Reduce, Reuse Recycle. Penang enjoys the cheapest water rates in the country. Penang is also the Silicon Valley of Malaysia and selected as the most livable city in Malaysia on par with Kuala Lumpur. We have done more in 3 years what BN fail to do in 51 years.

So who says that PR can not govern. We may not have the experience but neither do we have the experience to cheat or be corrupt. PR has proven that a clean government can outperform corrupt governments. Voters of Tenang should choose PR that offers a better future not only for you but for your children.
PR is the better choice because we embrace the future. We embrace the future by embracing each and every one of you whether Malays, Indians, Chinese, Kadazans and Ibans as Malaysian brothers and sisters, Malaysian sons and daughters. Let us grow together, learn together and enjoy the success together.

My First Chinese New Year 'Reunion Dinner' Abroad~

2011-02-02T15:41:00.001+00:00

Hi my dear Readers,

Today is a special date for me and all the Chinese around the world. Today is so unique that each Chinese will go back home and spend their moments with the family especially those who are working abroad or studying abroad. This custom has been around since the earliest civilisation in Chinese history.

According to the lunar calendar, today is the 30th Day of the last month in the Year of Tiger (2010). Thus, it is as important as the New Year eve dinner likewise what the locals here celebrated. Entering the year of the Rabbit, tomorrow which will be Chinese New Year first day, kids and single (non-married) individuals will greet their elderlys and parents, some pleasants wishes. In return, the elderlys will hand in Red Packet that contains bank notes that resembles sense of gratitude and also the greetings for their children or the youngsters.

I am so happy today that I have received a parcel from my parents through sea mail. :)

Here I am to upload some of the photos of food that I had these few days.

Spegetti

Heinz Mushroom soup + Fresh mushroom + Broccoli

Of course you gonna prepare an empty bowl or plate

Few Slices of Cheddar Cheese

Egg

Ready-To-Serve

Spegetti

Spegetti with its "Gravy"

Another View

Fresh Salmon = 3.50pounds

Fresh Salmon = 4.00pounds

Baked Salmon with melting Cheese~

Stir Fry Broccoli + Mushroom + Lettuce

My Reunion "Lunch"

Stir Fry Belly Pork + Celery

Baked Salmon with Cheese~ Look at the Omega oil! Yummy!

Simple Lunch~ Of course with Facebook at the upper left hand side

Finished!

Dear readers, I am going to write until here now. I am going back to my site to do some note taking now... :) Will have the reunion dinner with my colleagues in the Restaurant later. :) Hope all of us have a prosperous and wealthy year in this Year of Rabbit! Cheers, everyone...

Added PART: Here is some photos of the Reunion Dinner taken at my workplace - Mr. Li Chinese Restaurant, Crown Terrace, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.

Dear readers, see for yourself how great the food here is!Do click on the above hyperlink and click on the MENU tag right above and try the food for yourself... We also do a Salsa beginner session on Sunday night. Do phone us at 01224210592 for enquiries. Why not try some new dancing Skill in the beginning of this Chinese New Year. :)

新年快乐恭喜发财新年进步万事如意财源广进龙马精神喜气洋洋！

Happy Chinese New Year 2011

Zhen Ron...!

China - A growing Power.

2011-02-02T01:21:00.000+00:00

Hi my dear Readers out there, it is Chinese New Year Eve today... Here I would like to take this oppurtunity to wish you a Happy Reunion Dinner with family + friends.

Ok, topic for today: China - A growing Power.

It is undeniable that China is gaining more power on the world stage with an incredible pace. Same as for many organizations you cannot devote all your resources and focus to too many things. You have to carefully select and prioritize your undertakings. China did that and the recent achievements only confirm that it's doing remarkably. Geely is first Chinese company that took over a huge payer in the western automobile industry (Volvo), China will build High speed railways in the USA, in a near decade the Chinese Yuan might become the most important currency. Some people might think that a decade is still far away, but those who are smart and with a long-term focus will know that a decade is just right around the corner.

On the other hand, China has also chosen to neglect some other important aspects such as Human right, free speech, freedom of press. I hope that those things will become a primary focus in the near future.

To get back to the multitasking thing, China does indeed perform incredibly well in certain areas and not so well in other areas. In my opinion that is perfectly normal or have you seen a prefect country? I mean if China tries to be the best in all areas then it will fail hard. China is paving its way for the better, as it is strengthen its economy and its military power to protect itself from invasions/interference from other countries (since it doesn't want to end up like Afghanistan or Iraq) and with those prerequisites in its hand it can turn its focus slowly but surely to enhance the quality of life for its people.

Enjoying Soka Gakkai activities... Bravo!

2011-01-28T03:52:00.000+00:00

Good 'midnight' my dear Readers!

I have decided to put up some of the photos that have taken in different occasions. They are about Buddhist activities that I have joined and had took part at. Here in Aberdeen, Scotland, I am really glad to meet Soka Gakkai International (SGI) members here. We have Mohed from India, Sarah + Vivian + Danialle from Taiwan, Andrew + Chas + Jeff + Kirsty + Mick + Cynn + Debbie + Emma + Hilda = Aberdonians and Scots. Marta is from Portugese. Guido, Italy. It's really my good fortune to have met them here in Aberdeen. :) I enjoyed each and every meeting we had.

Here Chas and Vivian together with Debbie's daughters preparing Gakkai song.

Nice song indeed. Cheers~

How lovely~ How magnificient a mother love is~

Here Marta with her new born baby!

The interesting thing about this is that from my Final Assessment review for studio, accidentally I met Marta in the corridor, haha! How surprised I was! We have met in discussion meetings and the only thing I know aout Marta is that she is a graduate from the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture. But who knows~ She is lecturing at RGU! haha... She is a Stage 2 lecturer. Great! I will go for her whenever I have an unsolved problem! hahaha... She was so shocked when I told her that we have met in discussion meetings~

Photo taken in a discussion meeting at Andrew's place

Taken on New Year Day! @ Jeff's. He is now at Goa with his friends

Bravo! Guido - the MC for the Annual General Meeting at Glasgow!

Members on the stage with Gakkai Song!

This was taken at Hilda's. It was a meeting for Kosen-Rufu Gongyo

Everyone takes part in reading Sensei's New Year message on the Art of Living

This is me reading a short paragraph on Sensei's message

I am looking forward to take part in more Gakkai activites. I will sort out my time arrangement to try to excel in my studies and Gakkai activities here. This is the Soka Spirit! :) Cheers everyone, Good Day! Looking at the last photo, I missed my long hair~ haha...! Good night, have to sleep now... I have an appointment with a bank officer at 12pm. ;)

FIRST Blog for 2011... A "Bold Statement"...

2011-01-09T10:50:00.000+00:00

Good morning dear Readers, here I am blogging the very first blog for the Year 2011. I would say let us start the brand new year with a very defining and bold statement. Here is a passage by Soka Gakkai International President, Daisaku Ikeda. Soka Gakkai International is a lay religious movement within Nichiren Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism derived from the teachings of the thirteenth-century Japanese monk, Nichiren Daishonin. There are more than 12 million members of Sōka Gakkai International in 192 countries and territories.

This passage is also one of the Daily Encouragement from President Daisaku Ikeda to all the fellow buddhist practitioners throughtout the world.

The Three Kinds of Treasure

The following story appears in the Buddhist scriptures: 'There were once seven practitioners of Buddhism who had come from a distant land to receive instruction from Shakyamuni Buddha. All lived together in a single lodging. However, though they had come with the intention of seeking the Buddhist way under the guidance of Shakyamuni, they passed day after day together in their lodging, amusing themselves with small talk and gossip. One day Shakyamuni paid a visit to the seven and preached to them as follows:

"In life there are, in general, five things that everyone depends on for his sense of security. These are youthfulness, physical attractiveness, strength and ability, material wealth and social status or position. But are these truly dependable? The seven of you have been spending your days amusing yourselves with small talk, but what is it exactly that you are relying upon to feel secure?"

'With this, Shakyamuni began to expound the impermanent and fleeting nature of life and the doctrine of the four universal sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death. Hearing this, the seven began to realize for the first time just what it was they ought to be doing. Making a fresh determination, they began to devote themselves to Buddhist practice.'

'What is it exactly that you base your existence upon?' was Shakyamuni's question to them. What is it then, that we should seek as our 'nourishment' in life? In clarifying this, Nichiren Daishonin describes the 'three treasures' of life. These are the treasures of the storehouse, the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart.

The 'five things' which people tend to seek, as mentioned in the above story, fall under the categories of treasures of the storehouse and treasures of the body: material wealth, needless to say, is a treasure of the storehouse; and youthfulness, physical attractiveness, strength and ability, and social status or position are, from the Buddhist viewpoint, all treasures of the body.

Each of these treasures has a certain measure of value for one's daily life and existence, and therefor it may seem only natural to seek them. But the problem lies in whether or not these are, in fact, true treasures that will serve as eternal nourishment for our life. Some people become victims of treachery or even murder because of their wealth and material possessions. More than a few women, on account of their beauty, have become objects of intense jealousy or been subject to manipulation. Also, there are many who, after having gained fame, become arrogant and follow a miserable course in life. Those with high social status are often enslaved to the devilish nature of authority. There have been too many such examples to be enumerated. Among these so-called treasures there is not one that will endure eternally. Since this is the case, neither treasures of the storehouse nor treasures of the body can be regarded as the nourishment for life which will enable one to experience true happiness. With these alone, a person cannot even begin to lead a truly fulfilled existence.

On what; then, should people base their lives? Nichiren Daishonin unequivocally teaches that 'the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all' (Major Writings, Vol 2, p. 279). By the phrase, 'treasures of the heart', he means faith. Faith is the only eternal 'treasure' and 'nourishment' for human life.

Faith includes unfathomable benefit and limitless good fortune; it contains the great power of the universe, transforming even the land in which one lives. Faith is the source of infinite joy, wisdom and compassion, enabling one to make full use of the treasures of the storehouse and the treasures of the body towards the end of realizing eternal happiness. Each of you already possesses this supreme nourishment for life. All that you have to do is tap its limitless power.

Life passes quickly. If you waste your time in hesitation, complaining or criticizing others, or if you yield to your own lazy nature, before you know it, your youth will have passed you by. Each and every day is important. It is my hope that you will spend a fulfilled life, in which you feel as though each day is as valuable as a thousand years or even a thousand aeons. And that for this purpose, while young, you will persevere amid the realities of life, at the same time pondering the vastness of the universe and the nature of eternity.

Pascal, the great French philosopher, defined every activity that turns one's attention away from the true aspect of life as a 'diversion'. Diversions, in this sense, indicate activities that do not contribute to the development of one's life and possess no inherent value, such as partaking of simple amusement or pleasure.

Socrates believed that in order for human beings to awaken to their true nature, it is first necessary to do away with ignorance of oneself. Herein lies an excellent view of life which makes Socrates one of the truly great philosophers of Greek antiquity. It is something that no second or third-rate thinker or critic could have come up with. It is not too much to say that all kinds of unhappiness without doubt arise from ignorance of oneself. In reality, however, most people are unaware of their true 'self', the eternal aspect of their lives, and spend the better part of their time courting a shallow self, whose existence is based on material wealth and fame, pleasure and status. This amounts to nothing more than pursuit of the treasures of the storehouse and the treasures of the body, which, in themselves, fall under the category of diversions. If one pursues only such diversions, unable to avoid life's impermanence, he will ultimately be swept away by the current of unhappiness.

In contrast, when one discovers his true self and has come to understand what constitutes authentic happiness and value in life, he will never settle only for mere diversions. Manifesting the true self, one takes action, prays and creates value for the sake of establishing eternal happiness. One thus is able to acquire the supreme treasures of the heart.

The important issue in life is whether, not being deceived by his shallow self, a person can keenly perceive his true self, which is endowed with all of the Ten Worlds, in particular the ultimate condition of Buddhahood. I believe that this is the true meaning for Socrates' emphasis on philosophy (literally, love of wisdom) as the clarification of the self.

Many years ago, I read a documentary called 'Bread Crust'. It was an unforgettable story of the life and death of a young mother who had struggled to survive in the middle of a big city while caring for her five small children. Her husband had gone to another province for seasonal work, but the amount of money he sent home was small and she was forced to take on a low-paying job in order for her family to survive. After feeding her hungry children there was often little left for her to eat, and in the end she died of malnutrition. After her death, her diary was discovered and it was learned that she spend her last several months eating nothing but bread crust. It appears, however, that she did not die of malnutrition alone. Her diary entry on the day she passed away reads as follows: 'I no longer have the energy to go on living, but I'm afraid of dying. If only I had someone to support me - someone to talk to..... People here seem so cold.' While alive she had steadfastly refused to accept handouts.

Though her case may seem exceptional, her will and determination to live and support her family through her own means must have been greater than that of most people. It seems that she possessed the confidence to work to obtain the physical nourishment necessary for her family to survive. However, she lacked the 'spiritual nourishment' of having a friend to whom she could talk. In my opinion, this was the reason why she lost the fundamental energy to go on living. When I think of the chilling image of this young mother, totally isolated and alone, with no one whom to depend, I feel a sense of indignation towards a society that is unable to lend a hand to save people who have no one to rely on and no means to support themselves.

This incident prompts us to consider once again the important question of what it is that people can base their lives upon. Again, I cannot help but wonder how different the outcome would have been for this young mother if she had only had a friend who was a member of the Soka Gakkai. Few people are filled with the goodwill or possess the kindness of heart of our fellow Soka Gakkai members, spending whatever little spare time they have to wholeheartedly encourage those who are suffering and help them to overcome their loneliness and isolation. Through showing people the existence of the Mystic Law and the correct way of practice based on it, and through their strong encouragement, they have enabled many people to show actual proof of the principle that 'myo means revitalization'. In this sense, our fellow members are truly invaluable, and the Soka Gakkai is like a beacon of hope in a society where individuals are completely isolated from one another in their hearts.

If she had only known of the Soka Gakkai and the Mystic Law, that young mother would not have died as she did; rather, there is no doubt that her life would have been revitalized. That this did not happen is truly regrettable. At the same time, it is my heartfelt prayer that you will advance with an even greater sense of honour as you further expand your powerful activities, giving hope to many people.

I hope after reading this passage, you will have a greater determination in life, a betterment of future undertakings, and of course as the Mr. Ikeda mentioned in the passage, the Treasure of the Heart is the most valuable of all. Be strong in faith everyone. Have a great year ahead! Feel free to comment.

From your blogger, Maximillion. ;)

Last Blog for 2010... :)

2010-12-31T16:26:00.001+00:00

Here in this post, I would like to write about "things" that I have been through in the of Year 2010. It is the last day of 2010. A feel of guilt unconsciously appears if I didn't come out with any post today. And here now I am in my Flat, 1st Flr Left, 162 Crown Street, Aberdeen, leaning on the wall on my bed with leg-crossed position. Allowing myself an hour time spend on this post.

Overally, I would consider Year 2010 as the most happening year in my lifetime. Chronologically from the Lunar Calender, my family and I had a great Chinese New Year Eve dinner celebration back in my hometown, Sabah, Malaysia. Still fresh on my mind just like it happened right a minute ago: Robin (my 2nd younger brother) was busy packing his stuffs for his further studies to University of Tasmania (UTAS), Australia. Dad and mum were quite busy and worried that he get all the necessary stuffs with him. Here I post a photo of my dad and mum busy helped with the packing.

Mum: "Put all the stationaries you need"

Seems that Dad is the one that going to Uni. Hahaha...

Now, Robin is still at Tasmania, Australia. He will be going back to Malaysia for Chinese New Year in 2011. We had a great Chinese New Year Celebration. I hanged out with some of my ex.classmates and schoolmates. We had great chat. Some of them were not seen after graduated... haha... Miss all of you, my friends... This is a photo that we took at that night.

Group photo at Salim 2 (not sure 1 or 2)

Happy to see all of you, my friends... :)

Photographer: Dennis Loi

All handsome Boys... ;P

Danny acted like a big BOSS

All sweet and lovely girls...

Danny, me, Lau

Danny, me, Boon and Rendall

me, Kah Lung, Apple and Li Yee

Extreme contrast on colour, sex, skin colour, size of logo and size of_____ :P

Four of us: me, Kah Lung, Dennis and Eric Dragon... haha...

Such a memorable hanging out we had. Wish that I could have the chance to join you guys again in 2011 but too bad my second semester going to begin on 31st Jan. Not going back for CNY 2011.

After the "CNY Celebration", again as usual "before" I broke up with my ex-gf we had such a short time to meet each other up. Though quick but it was really exciting and we had another memorable one. We bided farewell to each other and life went on as usual. A cheap flight from Kota Kinabalu Terminal 2 to Low-Cost CarrierTerminal, Kuala Lumpur costed only RM150.00 about 30 quid.

Hectic life began as I reached KL and continued with that busy life... Lots of assignments + courseworks... Though tiring but the moments we had between coursemates and lecturers were indeed enjoyable and memorable. I still remember that the weather was so hot that I even sweat inside my room. With the East-West Link highway just approx. 300m outside my house, it made the aura more tense and not encouragable to do work but to sleep on my bed. Such hectic lifestyle I had in Kuala Lumpur. Though disliking the hot, thank you for the upcoming activities that we had. All Studio 4 Architecture and Studio 5 interior architecture mates went down to Port Dickson on 2nd to 4th May. Had my first Paintball game, It was really painful and exciting.... haha.... :) Thank you Pn. Zarina, Ms. Shikin and also Ms. Sii. We had some enjoyable sessions of games. But that day I dropped my new N86 into the Sea, even accidentally stepped on it. I dried it and am still using it now... This is the same phone that we have bought in Jan 2010. Try to keep it until it really dies off one day. Some of the photos we had at Port Dickson. (Photos were stolen from others, Courtesy of Gracia and Linxin)

All pretty girls.... ;P

After that, we went to Taiwan. I've posted alot for the Taiwan trip in May archive. For day by day details trip please do visit Taiwan Trip May 2010. During that trip to Taiwan, I have been to many many many places. All after all, here I would again appreciate my greatest gratitude to all the Taiwanese students that treated us like "Kings and Queens". Of course the soul of person of our Taiwan trip - Mr. Teoh Chee Keong. We learned alot regarding the foreign architecture. But the most valuable is that we have learned the correct attitude that we should have in life. The righteous philosophy that will guarantee your success in the future. Here I post some of the photos we took at Taiwan.

Group photo on the 1st Day

Kimmy as our representative for UCSI University

Some of the Taiwanese students that had Educational visit to Malaysia

Mr. Teoh was up on the stage speaking his view on that conference session

MAP president, Faiz 法依滋 :)

Our class rep. Kah Chuan... My pleasure to have him with me here... :)

From left: Kimmy, Hui Hui and Leong Wei (acting cute)... :p

While we were walking to the Train Station at 9am

From left: Linxin, Jing Mei, Jiunn Hao, Kimmy, Kah Chuan, Daniel, Joshua and I(Photographer)

While we were in the Train. 捷运 (faster train)

A very detailed-architectured Temple

A significant landmark and is a must-go-place for the local community

AIRASIA - Taiwan to Malaysia

At this moment of time, we were back to Kuala Lumpur and were working on the Installation Competition for Archustic organized by Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia. (PAM). Something like Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in the UK. Mr. Teoh is the guiding lecturer for this competition. Our teammates are Joshua, Leong Wei, Nicholas, Hui Hui, Kimmy and I. Its theme for this year was ARCHUSTIC = Architecture + Acoustic. Acoustically designed architecture that would potray a sense of spatial quality. We went through some experimental sessions with all kind of materials. The venue for experimentation was at our house at Connaught. Quite an enjoyable moment we had. There is some of the preparation photo we had and also the final product.

After the Archustic Competition, here come the very shocking and bad news of the Year. We broke up unclearly, unplanned and the process was very painful... Really very painful... Here I will post the last photo we took together... Let this image of us remained in this blog. It reminds me of a better future that I will pursue for my own sake and also for my future partner in life. Of course, together we had alot of sweet and sour memory, alot of exciting and memorable one of course there are also some unforgettable and sad one we had. Being together with you I have learned alot from you, Eiwon, I learned how to take care of myself more. I learned how to eat healthier. I learned how to control my temper. I learned how to share what I have with the one I loved. I hope that you will be happy thereafter. Recently, UEC result has been announced and I do hope that you are able to pursue the degree you prefer. Sometimes, I have to tell you that somehow you have to have your own decision on certain matter esp. those that interfere with your future undertaking. Now, you are lucky that you have got my wish for both of you to be happiness in the future. I hope the guy that you are with now is better than I am. My door to be your listener if you need is ever ready available for you. Please take care of yourself. You have a great brothers that really care of you and also loving parents. Goodbye to you. I just need more time to get over this though it has been almost 5 months after we broke up. This relationship of us started from 2nd November 2005 during Japanese Nakamura Camp until 18th June 2010 while I was in the hospital for appendicity operation was almost 5 years long. Though it was a distant one but I believed that we both do appreciate what we had done and what we had encountered. We treasured the moments I flew back to KK and brought you out for Mc. Donalds, etc... ... ... I would somehow think of writing a book of a short story of us. All that I remember within this 4.5 years of relationship. I believed the story of us is really romantic and will be the favourite love story for others. ;) Anyhow, not to talk much anymore. BE safe and hope you enjoy the future that you are going to experience with.

It was taken in Ford Ranger.

Venue: Kian Kok Middle School

After broke up, the next morning I got an appendicity operation. LOL! How unfortunate and how unlucky... :( Thank you all, I got alot of greeting messages from everyone. Thank you to those that visited me in the ward. But the first experience of getting into the operation theatre was so damn real~ Just like while the movie ER. Everything is identical from the Emergency Light, the lift, the Pathway into the Operation Theatre, the Doctor + Nurses, the Operation Theatre, everything is so identical and scary... "Hak Si Ngia Ma eh Lai Zhu"... :P

Thank you Mr. Teoh and Ms. Lin Lin, Ms. Shikin, Ms. Sue, everyone for the messages. Really touching... Also, gratitude to Hui Hui, Lin Xin, Joshua, Wei Shen, Gracia visited me despite having so many assigments to be completed. In the hospital, I met a pretty Chi. nurse, bare age :) We chatted awhile. Some intersting and cute chat we had. Miss that moment also, hahaha... Of course, I was emotionally not settled. Luckily the nurse was there. In short, we had a great chat and I promised I will look for her when I go back to KL. :)

After that, I joined Studio 5 for the bbbtogether with Lin Lin and Ms. Sue. We visited some old shophouses. The hotel that we stayed is considered as best deal. Quite cheap yet it was really a great hotel. Might be a 2-star rated. Here I post some of the photos we took during that trip. A picture says a thousand words.

Colonial Architecture left by the British.

Carry forward, we had some farewell dinner for me + Faiz + Nicholas at Kuala Lumpur for us to be prepared for our UK further studies. I had alot of farewell this year. LOL~... Here I post some of the photos we took.

Will soon upload the photo we took with Nicholas and Faiz.

My brother, Jackson is so cute... Just to share out with you...

Dear Jackson, I miss you so much... Happy Countdown 2011 at home!

Quickly, here we are now in the UK. My mum and I reached the UK in September 11... Tragic day for the world. Luckily it was safe that day... :) No bomb no terrorists on the plane... :) Here is some of the photos that we took in Malaysia Kota Kinabalu International airport and also photos taken in the UK.

With my maid, Kakak Isa

With Parents... I love you

My dad... Always that strict...

English Breakfast 1

English Breakfast 2

With Siang Jin and Su Qiao

With Alex and Siang Jin

With Pey Yun... :)

(Have you get a job now?)

Taken at Brunei Sultan's Palace...

At the back dome made of pure gold...

With my Brunei cousins and uncle...

The BIG BEN!

Great architecture...

And here now after 4.30hours blogging, I have to get ready for my part time work... Here I wish all of you again, Happy New Year 2011. Be careful when you write the date for any documentations. May you be familiar with the word 2011 the figure of 2011. Here I wish that the World Economy will get better. Happy New Year again everyone... :)

Enjoy my blog yeah... Share me yours too... Bye now... Farewell 2010!

GOOD News and BAD News for Malaysians...

2010-12-29T02:55:00.000+00:00

Hi my dear Readers, I just read some of Malaysian Local online news. I would like to share a little bit after finish reading them. It is about the decisions that the government has made and going to be implemented next year. They are both very beneficial for all Malaysians. Yet, they are some drawbacks.

The Government's 2011 Implementations:

● The ministry of Education is going to implement "Standardization of Education in Primary School" also Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) in Malay. Also, under this implementation, the amount of weekly class would be fixed at 1,380 minutes for all Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKc), Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK), and Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan India (SJKi). 教育部開始推行小學標準課程（KSSR），而在新制度下的國小、華小和淡小的每週上課時間將統一為1千380分鐘。

● For house (property) buyer not more than RM220,000.00 whom monthly household income lower than RM3,000.00, the government will help to pay the 10% down payment. In other words, they are eligible for 100% house loan. 家庭收入在3000令吉以下者，購買22萬令吉以下的首間房屋，10%頭期付款由政府擔保；換言之，他們可獲100%貸款。

● Malaysian citizens whom purchase house (Property) for the first time + does not exceed RM350,000.00 + the agreement is made between 1st Jan 2010 and 1st Jan 2011, are eligible for 50% waiver stamp duty charge. 2011年1月1日至2012年12月31日簽署的房屋買賣合約，首次購置房屋且價格不超過35萬令吉的國民，可享有房屋買賣合約及貸款合約，分別豁免50%印花稅的優惠。

● Increase in house loan for Government servants from existing RM360,000.00 to RM450,000.00. 公務員可申請的房屋貸款從現有的36萬令吉，增加至45萬令吉。

● Increase in maternity leave for Government servants from existing 60 to 90 days. Eventhough during that period of time they are eligible to receive FULL salary. The only limitation is that the total leave taken throughout the whole employment should not exceed a total of 300 days. 女性公務員的產假，由目前的60天增至90天，且可領全薪；不過，這項福利的前提是有關公務員在服務任期內，最多只能獲得300天的產假。

● 內陸稅收局將從明年起全面落實電子資金轉賬（ETF）措施，以將退稅直接匯入納稅人的個人銀行戶頭，儘可能減少以支票的形式付還退稅。(Fail to translate~, I'm sorry)

● Employers have to pay an additional of RM120.00 Medical Insurance for each immigrant worker. 僱主必須為新聘外勞購買120令吉的醫藥保險。

● Increase of 1% to 6% on existing Service Tax which is 5%. 現有5%的服務稅調高1%至6%。

● Audience has to pay an additional of 6% Service Tax for Satelite Television, i.e. ASTRO TV. 付費電視必須在月費中向顧客徵收6%服務稅。

● Products need government's MC stamp of approval for sales from 1st February 2011. Goods are to be sophisticated if fail to do so.國內貿易、合作社及消費部規定從2011年2月1日起，國內所有上架的兒童玩具必須貼上“MC”（大馬符合）標籤，以證明產品遵守生產指南，沒有標上有關標簽的玩具，將被沒收。

● Food products need to meet "3P" requirements by 2011. 政府將嚴厲執行食品管理法令，強制所有入口蔬果必須標明“3P標簽”，及等級分類、標簽及包裝。

● Rice traders that have stocks not more than 2000kilo are not needed to participate in the Record of Buy and Sell for Rice.白米庫存量少於2萬公斤的雜貨商，可以豁免執行米糧買賣記錄填報的措施。

● The Penang Government will lauch its "None free plastic bag" starting from 1st Jan 2011" campaign. Also, food stall venders are not allowed to use any polystryene at all. 檳州政府從明年1月1日開始推行“全年無免費塑料袋”措施及小販禁用保麗龍。

After reading this, I skype with my mum and told her that we better cut off our ASTRO watch only the national TV channels, TV1, TV2, TV3, NTV7 and 8TV. hahaha... Sure very boring... What I still remember is that there will be some nice and funny Bollywood movies on Saturday 3pm... :) hahaha...

All in all, Malaysia is marching forward to its VISION 2020 introduced by the then Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohammad. By 2020, Malaysia will be a developed country too (Hope so)...~

The original news was in Chinese, here is the original post for the news: http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/188122?tid=1

Thank you for reading my blog.

Going to sleep now. Good night and good morning. ;)

Stay tune for the next blog.

Lots of Photos.

2010-12-27T10:54:00.000+00:00

Hi Readers,

Here attached is a link where you can find lots of images that are related with the postings.

Feel free to view them...

http://www.google.com/profiles/potatobaby.54321

PHOTOGRAPHS