Walking By Myself

Transforming...

2010-01-31T08:51:00.000-08:00

I have a philosophy of life. That sounds a little pretentious. But I am not unique in this, nor is having a personal philosophy of life elitist in any way. You have a philosophy of life as well. It may be more elaborate than mine, it may be better reasoned, it may even be more passionately held. Or your philosophy may be more felt than articulated, less well organized and may contain more elements destined to cause you harm. But either way, you cannot escape having a philosophy of life that guides you and protects you in important ways. My life's philosophy has led me along certain pathways to certain destinations. It has led me into an exploration of life. And now, it has led me here…

Cambridge

Cambridge is a fantabulous, beautiful university city located 80km north of London. It is probably one of the best places to pursue our education as Cambridge is popular with its academic history. The weather in Cambridge has began to drop again since last night. It is damn cold now! I am utterly perplexed and appalled at how the locals here can withstand the bitter cold. The locals here are exuberant and helpful.

Links to London are excellent, with 'Cambridge Cruiser' trains leaving for the capital every half an hour. Cambridge is a small but famous city. When I first arrived here, the city’s unique charm attracted me: quiet, safe, green, clean, beautiful and filled with a strong academic atmosphere. Cambridge is not a big city and thus this means that you could always go for a walk along the streets. We need not to worry that we will have no idea where to go, because there are always interesting places for you to see. Famous colleges of Cambridge University like King’s College and Trinity College are all near the town centre. You even can see where Sir Isaac Newton did his studies and meet with some best scientists of our century. There are all kinds of other academic opportunities that aid out study. For instance, I will attend a conference entitled “Improving Your Chances Of Becoming A Doctor” at UCL, in central London.

My college, Bellerbys College Cambridge has two campuses, each with its own character. Depending on the subjects you choose, you will either study at Queens Campus - with its classic Cambridge college buildings, or Manor Campus with its more contemporary feel. College education here has provided me with opportunities to explore new fields as well as venture into a whole new dimension of hands-on style education. I am currently studying in Manor Campus which is a modern, self-contained campus in the north of Cambridge, approximately 2 km from the city centre. It offers a student residence and a range of social amenities on site. All the science-based students will gather here. My class consists of approximately 9 students, in which seven of us are planning to go medicine in university and other 2 students aim for dentistry. In my campus, there is lots of international students. Found out after the fire alarm rang and everyone had to gather at the carpark. They are mostly from china, constant murmurs of rapid chinese convos floating around. There are other from Vietnam, Nigeria, Singapore and so on. It is like the whole is amalgamating in one place – on a much exiguous scale. I have met some that are really nice.

Bellerbys College is really awesome. Studying at Bellerbys is also very enjoyable. The teachers are greatly experienced with international students, not to mention been very skillful at giving you new knowledge. All members of staff are friendly, willing to assist students on everyday matters to academic problems. But most important of all, your teacher will prepare you for university studies. They will prepare you exactly for the degree that you would like to study.Our campus have tutors who specialist in different areas of guiding us towards medical school. For instance, there are A-Level advisor, UCAS manager, ELP manager and so on who assist us to step closer to our dream university.

In United Kingdom, punctuality is everything. Government is very concerned with students’ attitude and performance in class. Well, that is one of point that I emphasised the most as well (except when I am entangled in adverse circumstances).

In Bellerbys College, I am currently taking seven subjects, namely Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics and Chinese. Basically, A-Level student will only take three to four subjects as Oxford or Cambridge university’s entry requirement is AAA*. In addition, I study French language as one of my advantage in applying university.

I am now living in homestay and my host family lends me extremely nice. They are Mr Derreck and Mdm Susanne. They have grandchildren, but they are not living together. Mr Derreck is local English but he had been travelled to Africa, India, Philippine…. for teaching. He is now a French Lecturer in University of Cambridge. Mrs Susanne cooks for us everyday. It is a great place to stay since you never get bored. There is always someone that you can become friend with. There are totally nine of us living in my host family’s two houses. Six of them are from China, 2 from Malaysia (including me) and one from Mongolia.

Mdm Susanne, Mr Derreck and I

Tee Neng (Dentistry) and my senoir, Jade (Medicine)

My dinner

Having dinner with my senoirs

The foods here are quite cheap (if you do not convert to ringgit Malaysia). Everything is about a pound, more or less. It is much more cheaper than what have I expected. The selection and choices of bizarre and odd food are definitely enticing. I would like to tell everyone that I have tried every single food and English dishes has offered! Pretty naïve and nonchalant. It is snowing again in cambridge.

Tee Neng was so exuberant once he saw snow

In cambridge citycentre

Outing with friends

Shopping...

My friends, Agnes (medicine) and Monica (Dentistry)

Irina, Agnes and Sonia (shooted in front of King's College)

Thank you

My friend said this little chinese boy is damn cute, kissing himself in mirror

Medicine is by no means a walk in the park. It is more like a trek through a leech-infested rainforest. Aware of this, I am still determined to become a doctor. Why? Ever since a small age, finding the reason behind things we take for granted has never ceased to astound me. It is sad that the only time some people care about their heart is when it is failing. Just reading books about the intricate way a nervous impulse spreads along your myocardium, initiating a heartbeat sends me into a distant realm of wonder. Being able to understand and to repair these systems is one of the main reasons I want to study medicine. Another thing that pushes me in the direction of medical school is the frequency of the use of logic in a doctor’s day. After doing logic puzzles, I realised just how much the existence of order brings a sense of purpose to my life. Of course my sole purpose in life is not to complete every puzzles in my book, but, even in my favourite subject chemistry, predicting reactions by reasoning why and how a certain theory does or does not fit in a particular circumstance seems to make my life a little sweeter. I have a queer addiction for that high when I finally put my pen down after a glorious victory after a 30-minute logic battle with a calculation. Being able to exercise logic and reasoning in my working life is a chance that I would be a fool to miss.

The college life of a student who aims medicine in United Kingdom is definitely loaded with lots of works. I have to prepare myself well for UCAS application, UKCAT test, BMAT test, IELTS, writing personal statement, preparing for interview… In fact, we cannot apply for both Cambridge university and oxford university. We can only choose either one. The accepted seat for medicine for international student in Oxbridge is about 7 students only. High competition and we have to strive hard to succeed. Our college also suggests us to apply for University College London, Imperial University, King’s College University and other top ten universities in United Kingdom, because the acceptance for Oxbridge medicine is incredibly hard and can be considered impossible. By the way, the chances of offer for Cambridge university’s engineering, mathematics and law course is very high in my college. But, that is not my aim and the purpose I come United Kingdom for A-Level is to increase my chance to be enrolled into Oxbridge medicine course with the assistance from professionals in my college. I can stay in Malaysia and enjoy my 3-months-after-spm holidays before the result is announced, but my future will be decided by government if I choose government scholarship. We are probably to be sent to India or Russia to complete our medicine course, but my dream university is not there. Thus, I finally decide to control my future so that it ends as what I have expected and hope for.

In a mean time, we will apply for our volunteer work and practical works in United Kingdom Hospitals. This is one of the key factor that can aid us in applying medical school. With all the assistance and support we will need, I believe that we have a big chance of succeeding in the future. Furthermore, I am invited by Bellerbys College to be the blogger in Bellerbys College’s blog, representing Cambridge campus. It is my immense pleasure to share my experience with those willing to study in United Kingdom or even in Bellerbys College. I am planning also to join the college’s newsletter committee and basketball club.

I understand from my research that medicine is a highly skilled profession and I like the fact that it will offer me a demanding and varied career. I am prepared to work hard at the academic and practical aspects of the course to develop my skills and build my confidence. We used to be cheerful, capable, adaptable person with good teamwork and interpersonal skills. I look forward to the opportunity of using my full potential by studying at a higher academic level on a course with a balance of theory and professional practice.

New Milestone in Life

2010-01-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

A person needs to achieve certain goals in one’s life before you can call them successful. Success is to achieve goals, you have set. I have set certain goals I would like to achieve in my lifetime. Some of these goals are personal while others are professional. It is very important for me to receive a good education. Most job fields require a descent education. If I don’t have an education I would not be able to function properly at the work place and I would not understand what to do. To maintain a good job that will make good money will require me to go thorough schooling or training and maybe even both. Education is the first and foremost way to become successful.

After struggling for few weeks to prepare myself for further study, completing complicated visa application procedure and facing few scholarships interviews, now, I finally settle down to be ready to depart to United Kingdom. It has been such a busy but substantial period for me to accomplish everything after my one-month long SPM examination. I will pursue my A-Level study in Cambridge, United Kingdom under a full scholarship, and I will depart on 8th January 2010. I believe this college education provides me with opportunities to explore new fields as well as venture into a whole new dimension of hands-on style education.

My A-Level study in Bellerbys College, Cambridge will starts on 11th January 2010 and ends on 17th June 2011. It is a five terms course. I will stay there with Mrs Susanne Gomaz Rojas. I prefer homestay because homestay gives me the opportunity to immerse myself fully in British culture and to feel part of a family, eating meals with them, or sharing my life while getting a real experience of British life.

Bellerbys Advanced Level students consistently achieve stronger results than the British average. With exceptional academic ability, of course, we want to apply to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. These institutions are two of the most competitive in the world and to give me the best chance, as well as my academic qualifications. Bellerbys college will provide us with a range of specialist curricular and extra-curricular preparation for Oxbridge entry. This factor amplifies my strong will to study there, as Oxbridge is my aimed university. There will be regular formal discussions about current affairs, news and events to develop cultural enrichment and communication skills, and weekly “Insights Into Western Philosophy” seminars.
In United Kingdom, A Level can be considered compulsory for medicine. For entry to other courses in United Kingdom such as business, engineering and so on, foundation is necessary. If one is not aiming medicine course, choosing A Level is actually a waste of time (I think). However, there are lots of my friends planning to further a-level, even they are not interested in medicine. They did so just because they have no idea what to study so far. For medicine course, Bellerbys will give us advice on the UKCAT medical admissions test for preparing us to medical school. In addition, we will be visited by medical school staff together with work experience and mock interviews. We will receive talks from Medical admission tutors, guided through the Medical applications process for UCAS, receive training in interview techniques and practice the UKCAT medical admissions tests.

While studying in United Kingdom, we will gain special experience that is different from studying locally. We will be guided by school about preparation for university face-to-face interviews, which includes the opportunity to discuss interview techniques and meet former Bellerbys students now at Oxford or Cambridge. Furthermore, Bellerbys employs a full-time, dedicated team of counselors whose sole responsibility is assisting us to be enrolled into the top university in United Kingdom. Additional classes are often made available to Oxbridge students in order to ensure that we can have the best possible opportunity of obtaining the new A* grade at A-Level, that is critical for entry under the new examination structure. In fact, there are much more scholarships offered in United Kingdom if compared to that in Malaysia. The college’s scholarship which I have now is based on my SPM trial result, while Malaysia’s government scholarships are only based on SPM actual result. So, I will be back in March to contend for the government scholarships again (maybe). I grabbed this great opportunity to further study as I once reject an offer from Chung Hua Miri that can maximize my potentials.

Someone ever told me that, study pre-u locally will achieve the same result as studying it abroad. Thinking wisely, it is impossible. The support and experience gained while studying abroad will maximize my talent. Study A-Level in UK earlier will has greater benefit not only for UK local scholarship application, but also Oxbridge entry. However, it can be considered right if someone are willing to go any university in United Kingdom. But I only aim Oxbridge.

Some of you may laugh at me as if as I am indulged in my own wishful thinking. But I will answer you, “Dare to dream”. Someone ever said, what is the difference between one that has no dream and a salted fish? I once told someone about my future plan: I will not specifically focus in my career only (medicine), and I want to have my own group corporation (business), my own hospital, be the president of MCA (at least, I think)…. I am exaggerating, obviously. Then, he kept laughing selflessly at me. But, DARE TO DREAM. No matter how the dreams are unreasonable, but we ever dream of it, at least. Who will ever think of a small boy from Bekenu can further his study in UK under scholarship and beat other top students in Malaysia even world for scholarship. Even my parents also never think of it. This, at least, has proven me that I am now nearer to my dream. This is what I always share with my friends in class, dare to dream. If you have extremely strong will, you certainly can overcome any obstacles to realize your dream.

My teachers ever ask me, “How can you excel in your study?”or “Why you study”. For me, it starts with motivation. I am also once a stubborn boy as any advices to me were just rain dropping to sand. My primary study is not filled with books, but television programmes. It was my year 5 in 2003, I scored E for my bahasa melayu comprehension and composition. This shocked me suddenly. A question pop out: Do you wish to see the same result in actual UPSR? This thought motivated me to study hard with my sister’s assistance during school holidays. In year 6, I appeared as one of the hope student and I managed to score 7A in UPSR. Even my science teacher ever described me as a dark horse – the little known person who unexpectedly becomes successful or prominent. Thus, I ultimately prove that hardwork can recover any congenitally deficiency. My study’s purpose change during secondary school. I want to win. I do not like the feeling when I am lose and stepped by others. I keep remind me that, I must be the top among tops, and I strive for excellence while competiting, not with bekenu, but in state, nation, even world. Success may not belong to us, but we should strive as hard as we can to own it. It is true that, no one is perfect. But, I always tell myself that, we should try our best so that we are nearer to prefect but not stay far distant from it.

Initially, studying in United Kingdom is not my plan as I aim to go Harvard Medical School in United State of America. However, my research indicates that the academic system of US is quite different from Malaysia, as it is based on credit points. The period of study is not fixed and usually longer than in Malaysia as well as in UK. Its perk is so tempting, and it will be a paramount task to wave off this university. After considering it wisely, I decide to swift to UK. My other dream universities, Oxford and Cambridge is there. I will strive hardly so that I can be enrolled into my dream university. The purpose of my study in UK is to be enrolled into Oxbridge. Nevertheless, I still plan to obtain my master or PhD in Harvard. I ought to be more than well-aware that stuffs never come to you in a perfect bundle, with the most desirable permutation of choice available for you to pick. Some things will just have to go. This dilemma would not be easily resolved, yet i certainly do not wish that it would be, for the fact that it concerns the future of my life for the next decade, which may ascertain what i will do for the rest of my life. I firmly believe that I have did a good choice.

I am now to steer the years ahead of me and brew the adventurous persona in me. Till this, I think the next time I blog, I shall be in United Kingdom for my study.

Sweet Memory of Year ‘08

2009-12-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

Life is short,
Break the rules;
Forgive quickly;
Laugh constantly;
And never stop smiling, no matter how strange life is;
Life is not always the party we expected to be,
But as long as we are here, we should smile and be grateful.

Unforgettable korea trip

These banana milks taste extremely nice

Oh my godness! My mum was maltreated!

My mom and sis were having "lunch" (The food are fake)

Kim Chi House

Family Winter Sonata

First time in Korea's Dunkin' Donuts

So cool...

Fully equipped for skating

My sis fell down again

The scenery over here was wonderful

Trying to make kimchi

The tour guide who taught me lots

Lente

Korea's presidential palace

Den

Having dinner here

Mooncake Festival Celebration, one of the most touching programme I organised

All chinese students were working together

Having a brief rehearsal

Playing

Work hard

The master of ceremony

Waiting for the ceremony to start

Holding their own lanterns

Around Bekenu town

Praising for their good work

Red uniform

Cleaning the hall

Form 4 Form Teacher: Miss Teorene

Miss Teorene's Birthday Party

The cake

Moral project

At school bus station

Moral project

Mr Robertson

Happy Teachers' Day 08 (Form 4 Amanah)

In class

Discussing with teacher and friends

Cooperation

Preparation for Teachers' Day

My cousin, wei ai's birthday party

Gambling

Celebrating

Sivik party

Partying

Cheers...

The food were delicious

Astronomy night

Form 3 motivation camp

Wow...

"Beauty" and the "beast"

Bomba Day 2008: Foot Drill Competition

VIP with my previous principal, Mr Abu Saran

So heavy

Future fireman

Leadership Camp of Youth Unit of Red Cresent Society, SMK Bekenu

Mr Yasir

Madam Siti Hasinah

Posing

Bandaging test

A briefing

Orientation course of red cresent in school

With SMK Baru

Lawatan Sambil Belajar to Bintulu

Crocodile in Taman Tumbina, Bintulu

Making new friends in Semilajau

My monkey friend

Program Khidmat Masyarakat 2008: Pembersihan Kampung Bukit Kawang

Discussion with ketua kampung

Preparing for opening ceremony

Preparing food

Decorating the hall

Preparing for painting

Miss Zati

Miss Elie and the villagers were preparing food

A talk

Closing ceremony

Receiving souvenir from Kampung Kawang

Welcome to Kampung Bukit Kawang

Memory in Kampung Kawang

Winner of Presentation

School Banquest from prefects

Prefect Camp 2008

Mr Lucas was delivering his speech

Singing

Prefects were focusing

Life is short,
Make it sweet...

Sweet Memory of Year ‘09

2009-12-28T04:08:00.000-08:00

2009 has been life changing, and I owe it all to:
My family - Dad, Mom, Sister for always being there for me. Thanks for caring about quality of life, and arranging with real emotion.

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bekenu’s academic staff, you are not just teachers, but also my true friends. Thanks for always being so supportive and looking out for me like a big son. Your dedication and advice helps me so much in everything I do. Thank you also for always caring for me in your own special way. You all have selflessly given me so much over the years and I want all of you to know that all of you have a special place in my heart. Thanks again for your soft power! Sweet and tough is a rare combination, and I am so lucky to be able to study from all of you! Teachers, for being my second parents, and sharing your profound world with me. Thank you for letting me learn from the extreme best. Words cannot express…

Here are some events happen in my '09 life.

The British man is my English "Teacher"

Listening to the briefing for e-PPDa competition

Discussing with my group members

Representatives from other school in Miri

My team member, Nurul Nissa was presenting the slide show

A show preformed by Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang

Winner of e-PPDa competition Bahagian Miri: SMK Bekenu

Just finish e-PPDa competition (state-level) in Mukah, Sarawak

Having KFC with great dikir barat team

Winner of e-PPDa competition (Sarawak state level): SMK Bekenu, Miri

Shooted with Miss Yip who accompany us throughout the whole competition

e-PPDa (national level) competition room in Kedah

Porridge

SM Teknik Sungai Petani,Kedah, the place we live

Going TESCO in Kedah

The green chilli can still be obviously seen in the noodle

Having breakfast at Indian stall

My form teacher, Ustazah Salina's birthday party in school

Celebrating

Partying

The photo that i had laughed selflessly

Posing

Merentas Desa Activity

Sports Day. Rumah Temenggung was marching

First Aid team was assisting

Winner: Rumah Temenggung

Cikgu Warnida was cheering for her own group

On the way to Long Cave, Mulu

In Gua Mulu

My aunt was shocked while looking at my sister!

Lawatan Sambil Belajar Panitia Pendidikan Sivik dan Kewarganegaraan SMK Bekenu

Hawaii Miri

One of small village in Bakam

Muzium Sains Petroleum Miri

One of the 7 wonders in Bekenu: Lambir Waterfall

In Lambir

Seminar at Marriott Hotel: Let's Make The Internet A Safer Place

New batch of Youth Unit of Red Cresent, SMK Bekenu

The bride, Shiang Shiang

Cousin's wedding

Academic staff of SMK Bekenu, Miri

SMK Bekenu's Prefectorial Board 2009

AND finally,
To all the friends, thank you for lending your ears and hearts to me. In return, I hope you are given inspiration… to be the change you want to see in world.

Love, Peace and Care.

Hey, folks

2009-12-25T17:35:00.000-08:00

This is an unfair world. Someone are born to be rich, worth millions. Someone are born in rural area, the opportunities are grabbed by other. Some countries are rich, many are poor. Globalization may make it more unfair by widening the gap between gaps, as new information is disseminated everyday. But if you position your country to make the most of the opportunities of globalization, you will do better than those who do not.

One great question underlies our experience, whether we think about it consciously or not: What is the purpose of life? I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. From the moment of birth, every human being wants happiness and does not want to suffer. From the very core of our being we simply desire satisfaction. Therefore, I think, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.

As long as we live in this world we are bound to encounter problems. If at such times, we lose hope and become discouraged, we diminish our ability to face difficulties. If on the other hand, we remember that it is not just ourselves but everyone who faces hardships of one kind or another, this more realistic perspective will increase out determination and capacity to overcome our troubles. Indeed, with this attitude, each new obstacle can be seen as yet another valuable opportunity to improve our mind! Thus, we can strive gradually to become more compassionate, that is we can develop both genuine sympathy for others’ suffering and the will to help remove their pain. As a result our own serenity and inner strength will increase.

Some would say, the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater becomes our own sense of well-being. (I think, as it should) Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. This helps remove whether fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the ultimate source of success in life.

There has been a leader told me that, if you aspire to be a leader, you must remember that the phrase “to be human” is everything, and nothing. One must be human. This means that one must know that everything which one does as Head of State, or as soldiers, or as interviewers, or as photographers, must have a reason. One must always be human, but at the same time one may be inhuman. To be human is important, but one must also be inhuman when one is in this position, or in any high position. One must do work in superman ways. One must do it. One must make the things that are best for fellow humans, then it will be better for us, since we have achieved something. We are here to be human, to make money so that we have money to spend, and to make a good name for ourselves so that we are praised. But all of this, if we have money, we will spend it, and in the end we will lose the money. What is left is the pure soul. That is what we must attain – the pure soul. But if we are to attain the pure soul, we must give. Giving of the heart and the feeling is one reason why leaders, if they are in a high position, should not think that their high position has been earned by hard work alone. Yes, it has been earned by hard work alone. But not only that: The position has to be maintained. This will lead to a more satisfying feeling for the soul. That is the reason why the leaders of the world should do that – they should give more and take less.

I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. It is only this feeling that can remove the self-centered motives that cause people to deceive and misuse worth and confidence and there will be no need to be fearful of others. We must all learn to work not just for our own self, family or nation, but for the benefit of all mankind. And now, I start walking by myself……