October - the month of Actions!

Came October, and now gone October. Just realized I haven't blogged for 2 months! Some friends even tease me "when is ur next episode of Scientific Expedition?". I just said, "I've got no time to write la". I now realize, that writing a blog, is not that easy, when you have too many things to share, and yet to many things to do. I always wonder, why I have not enough time? Was it because I'm not good at time management? I guess so.

Well, this month have been hectic. Within two weeks, I've been away from my 'base' 2 times. First, Bangkok for Asian Youth Climate Workshop. Then, barely a few days, I'm on trip to Langkawi already. Jetlagged, but work needs to be done. People may envy me, for travelling a lot. But I always say, "this is my job, my passion...you can do the same if you really want".

To make things short, this month have the month of actions, and not just talk. It's quite inspiring how I made my mind, and decided to take bigger actions after I came back from Scientific Expedition. Thanks to Abe, who told me about 350.org, and I got a hook on it. All these while, I've been doing small small things that is not enough. Now, having the capacity with UM Cares, and eco-active friends from out of campus, I think I finally achieved something. The feeling is so different, so much different. It was even more different than getting the 'Braille walkway' done in campus. Maybe because this time I'm involved in the process of the action.

As the saying goes, picture paints a thousand words. I'll just gonna put up some link and photos to end this time's blog.

The big march in Bangkok to UN building during UNFCCC (5th Oct)

Freeze for Earth as part of our actions of awareness to push for 350 ppm of CO2 in the atm. Took place in KL Sentral and KLCC.

Thousands over candles lit in KPS,UM to mark UN day, and represent hope that we can achieve 350 ppm

The jump of joy as event ends...over the banner that I and Jimmy put on to the pole
another 350 made by shoes...so that we can feel the sand with our barefeet, and enjoy the nature before it's gone

Links to videos on youtube:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4vkNYlPIyY
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzUiwvasiUw
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfHje4RNslw
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBos7L-I43M
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcTiVeSsFg8
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK-s8Q5FVNA

That many videos? Well, at least that's what my passion goes to. Lets save our Earth before its too late. Not for us, but our children's children.

Prime Scientific Expedition Voyage 2009 -The Story Begins

30th June
I boarded on a voyage, might be the only one in my life. KD Perantau was responsible to wave us thru the seas of Sulu and Celebes. This voyage, a memory i'll never forget - for both right and wrong reasons. I've seen things beyond my age, knowledge and understandings. Being on a navy survey ship, opened my eyes and changed my personal perception - on scientist and navy personels.
Felt anxious and excited. Not many would have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My task - dive and record what i observed on laid transects. Dive sites - navy bases inaccessible by civilians around Spratly Islands, open seas along the waters of Sabah up to Sipadan.


1st; 2nd July
KD Perantau started sailing. After a night's journey, out in the middle of deep blue ocean, she stopped. "Letupan! Letupan! Letupan di keladak belakang!" All of us quickly gathered at the bow. It was just a drill, incase of real emergency. But, we still see real explosion. Set up by one of the personels. Then, few of us got the chance to try out firing the stand gun to a red target.


3rd July
Sunrises, and Layang-layang island can be seen at the horizon. Excitment begins. Finally set foot in Layang-layang, dived and survived. Didn't get to see big things. But reefs were exciting. First dive - survived. 2nd dive - failed. Recovery inflatable boat was down. We had to be towed back and abort second dive. In the end, 2nd dive turned to be night dive at the jetty. Though at jetty, wonderful things can be seen. Great view.

Stayed overnite in the fisheries research centre. Nice place, but lack of water supply.



4th July
Dawn dive, around 7am. Dive at reef balls. Doesn't seemed to be working as a good artificial reef. But still manage to see different kind of corals. Next dive, near slope. Great diversity. Healthy corals. 3rd dive, in reef ball site. Again, the reef balls doesnt seem to be working. Natural reef was nearby, seems healthy. But being attacked by COT. High diversity. Saw twin spot lionfish. A kind of rare sightings.

to be continued...

EPSP 2009 - Leg 2: Layang-layang and Spratley Islands

Here's the sneak preview of the 2nd leg of Ekpedisi Pelayaran Saintifik Perdana 2009, which started from Labuan and into Layang-layang and Spratley Islands (Gugusan Semarang Peninjau). It was a great experience, being on a Navy Hydrography ship, KD Perantau and travelled miles and miles with limited communication lines. Now berthing in KK, where we scientists all stayed in hotels and i decided to put up a short note while i'm able to online now. After sunday, i'm out of line for probably 2 weeks or so. Great experience, good and bad. The worse: I still haven't managed to see Manta Ray or Whale Shark!

This is the ship that brought us around, KD Perantau!

Below are naval bases we stop by in Spratley islands (missed out photo of Stesen Uniform in Ubi Island as the wheather was very bad):-

Naval bases in Layang-layang (Stesen Lima), Peninjau Island (Stesen Papa), Siput Island (Stesen Sierra), Mantanani Island (Stesen Mike) and not in picture is Ubi Island (Stesen Uniform).

Here are some collection of pictures:-

That's all for now, got to go out and get some fresh air!...will try to update my blog whenever i can get online...there's more to come!

Something wonderful to share...

Regina Brett is indeed very wise !!

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it..

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day.... Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland ,Ohio on May 28, 2006

USM fiasco - fair or unfair?

Lately, our first APEX university, USM made a big mistake in putting up a list of 8173 on their website as successful while it was supposed to be only 3599. What happens to the other 4574 who were mistakenly posted as successful?

Well, at first glance, everyone would point finger on USM for the blunder. Everyone would felt the future of these 4574 students would be in danger. Everyone are asking the government to do something and make sure all these 4574 students will be given places without jeopardising the eligible candidates. This is what should be done to be fair to the 4574 students.

I have a different opinion though. I'm trying to view this matter in a logical and fair perspective based on the limited knowledge of what really happened. I can only comment from my point of view as i didn't know 100% what exactly happened.

First, USM had rectify the mistake the next day. So, does that one day period really affected the 4574 students? Some claimed that they had rejected offers from overseas uni. I think that's bullshit. Based on my experience, after I checked online, I didn't decide immediately (this may not be the case for some people, i know). Just like last time, i had offers from Auckland U and UM. UM offer came later than Auckland U within few days. However, i decided to take up UM before the dateline for both offers. I didn't decide immediately after both offers came. It took me about a week to really decide which to choose.

My point is, these 4574 students, should have double confirmed the offer by calling, or wait for the official offer letter. Nothing is official until the letter arrives. This is also what overseas Uni are doing. They will send an official offer letter.

The next thing, when we apply to uni, usually we make application to all channels, and all avaiable uni. If our results fulfil minium requirement, we are only eligible (but not accepted yet!). So, dun tell me, if someone's results is at minimum, expects to get a place, with only one application to one Uni. Bullshit!. (If the results is damn good, then its exceptional la. But if results are good, ur already have high chance of getting a place dy). Chinese are very kiasu, so usually they will apply everywhere. But if ur not qualify, ur not qualify!. So this blunder case, its almost similar to u were rejected by that Uni. Just that u thought u got to USM. But UPU results also haven't come out yet. So what's the big fuss? Why not wait til the UPU results comes out, and then see what happens. If still doesnt get a place, there's still appeal.

Lets turn the case around. If the upload was correct, only 3599 were listed, then what happens? Conclusion, ur still not qualified. So, should these 4574 ppl be given special previlege and MUST be given a place in Uni? It sounds like other uni are forced to open up some place to accept these 4574 students for the sake of being fair to them. But does that fair to the 60 000++ students who apply to UPU but not USM? USM should be responsible for the mistake, yes. But that doesn't mean all these 4574 ppl would be ASSURED a place in other uni. Government, should then provide some counselling to these ppl instead.

Some ppl think everything must be fair. But in reality, nothing is 100% fair. If its 100% fair, you and I are equal in every aspect. God made us different from each other. So u wanna blame God for being unfair coz He made u and me different? I hope Malaysians really open up their mind and think logically. I worry the worse for Malaysia. If our mindset are so locked up, will our country develop further? Ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country. We want everything thing to be given to us, claiming its' our right. But the question is, do u deserve the right at the first place? This is something we should ponder on. If you wanna complain so much, then why dun u step out and take charge. And let's see how good u r then...