I will not forget you, auspicious 2008

Goodbye, auspicious 2008. U have been a wonderful companion for me. I'll never forget what had happened throughout the times u were around. It all started when i decided to let everything go. Before i came to know u...i really had a bad life, infact the worse. Bcoz of u, i get to know, how to let go...how to put aside and to start anew.

When i first embrace ur presence, i told myself, i'm gonna be someone better, someone new. With ur help, i managed to change myself. With ur presence, my life transformed. Miracles happened, love came, efforts were repaid.

Academics, i tot would end in regrets. Instead, i managed to get the best out of it, i din believe myself. For the 1st time and only once, and that was the last semester, i got dean's list. I never had the time for academics, as my time was given to everyone else.

An accident happened, i could have lost my life..thanks to Lord Buddha, i was saved by His blessings. Miracle happened, i escaped unscratched. But moments before, it could have been the last thing i remembered in life...the spinning of the car, the roll and impact, window shattered and flashes of memories in the past. I began to appreciate things even more...my family, my friends, my companion...everything around me, my life.

Then came love, u gave me a new hope as i was giving up...u brought someone special to my life, someone who had taken away my heart. She was just perfect, and everything i needed. She gave me happiness in life, appreciation and spirit, motivation and determination. She became a companion where i finally can share my ups and downs with.

Friends u became, and friends u brought. As i was leaving campus, u showed me that i do have friends around. People who appreciated my presence, my help and my friendship. However, it was slightly too late as everyone are heading their own paths. But the moments spend with them, are unforgettable.

Happiness u brought to my family too, i get to be involved in a wedding i'll never forget. My only brother's wedding...in a truly malaysian manner. A mixed culture wedding, though its not new, but its an everlasting memory. Happiness filled the air of my family.

But life is fair, u never let anyone go away with good things in life...u let me taste near death, u let me suffer loss, u let me embrace embarrasement. U brought down my ego, u put my heads low, and u let me suffer loneliness. I understand...bcoz u are just being fair. But i wonder, how fair it would be, when ur younger sister takes over from u soon. Now u r leaving me...soon, very soon. I hope ur sister would treat me just as nice, just like u, 2008. Ur older sister, 2007 treated me badly, but i understand...that she wanted me to change. Then u came, and i'd changed. What more can i ask from u? I just hope 2009 will teach me more, but not harshly. i know...it will be a tough ride. Thanks for all that u've given me. I appreciate it, i treasure it. I'll never forget u, 2008. Goodbye and viva forever...

Merry X'mas and Happy New Year!!

I would like to wish every one visiting this page, a wonderful and merry christmas...not to forget a wonderful new year as well!...I'll be back soon to blog again...enjoy your holidays!!

Za'ba RC- Chapter 1: Nama diabadikan...

Di sini bermulanya langkahku,
Menjunjung cita,
Perkasakan aspirasi negara,
Lahir generasi berjaya, bersemangat waja,
Kami berpadu, minda dicurah...
Akan kami sama buktikan,
Tuju kecemerlangan

Za'ba nama diabadikan,
Kolej menjadi kebanggaan,
Akan ku mahkota harapan,

Impian tradisi warisan...
Pelbagai rupa dan bangsa,
Hidup sejahtera,
Bersatu....bersama....Di Kolej Kediaman Za'ba...

Every year, around this time, where everyone else are at home, celebrating 'Dong Zhi' and Christmas, i would be at my 2nd home, Za'ba college. i used to be 1 of the first to come back during holidays and usually 1 of the last to leave. Not that i love the college so much, but i love the environment, the spirit of its residents and its tradition (although the facilities were quite outdated). During this time of the year, i would be busy practising Ethnic Creative Dance (Tarian Kreatif) for UM Festival of Performing Arts Competition, representing Za'ba RC (for all 3 years of undergraduate). We are famously and proudly known as Za'ba Dancers.

Top: Girls dancing by standing on top of guys (that's me!) in Lingkaran Hidup 2006
Bottom: Three men tier, bottom (me), 2nd level (Ah Guan), 3rd level (Wei Yee) in Kalong 2008

Top: Celebration after the dance, 2006, we're the Champions!
Bottom: Celebration with friends, 2008, 2nd runner up.

The moment i first heard the college song, (lyrics above) i felt a strong bond with it. I knew at that time, that this is the college, where i will build my foundation. And i knew as well, that this is gonna be the place where i'll face the brightest and darkest days of my campus life (or maybe i'm just bit different from others). How deep my bond to college, is indescribable with words. i would term it this way; if i were cut, i bleed Za'ba. It is that deep. At least for me, it is that DEEP.

To some, Za'ba RC is just a normal residential college. To most, especially ppl like me, Za'ba is a home. A home where all brothers and sisters, with different races live together as one. When one insults our college, the whole college will be all out to defend. It is THAT, that feeling i doubt i will find elsewhere. Some will opt to move out by 2nd year, but most will fight to stay. In their mind, they say convenience...bt i know in their heart, it's just the spirit. How do i know that? From their involvement in college projects and the will and heart they put, in making college project a success.

Some of the best photos of college project NVC (National Varsity Counselling).
Top: Just got down from plane in KK, Sabah.
Bottom: Makan-makan in Ranau.

Below 1st pic: The crowd during opening in Kuching.
Below 2nd pic: That's me giving counselling!

The day we left college, the final day, i remember, i was in tears...i know the 3 years when i was there, i've stamped a mark in that college (though i know, the current admin trying to wipe out my name in college) so does it stamped its mark in my heart. Friendship, life, organizing, family values, love....all these, i've learnt from this college. No doubt. i can still remember, every single moment i had in that college. I could still see the shadow of myself, what i was doing at every corner of the college; my rooms (A425, A305, A205), lobby, tennis court, IS, Balai Za'ba, basketball court, futsal court, BRP, adin kemas and peka rooms, girls block (ok, i only go in during open floor and spot checks, that also being accompanied by fellows).

i came to UM with a mindset, not on academic only...but life as well. As the saying goes, the best youth life is campus life. That's where we meet our true friends, our love, our reason for living. But how many share the same feeling as i do? How many would appreciate this chance? We come to uni only once in our lifetime...and that's it. You'll never get it back. We only appreciate things when they are gone, and even if you get them back, they would never be the same anymore.

A Wet Weekend...

This is how i spend my weekend, a wet weekend...

Saturday, 13th Dec 2008
i went to my first live concert...coz i got free tickets:-

'Shi fen hong' concert...at Padang Timur, opposite Amcorp Building

My first concert...a wet one, look at how we had to take off our shoes on a wet field...

My friends that joined me...Poh Suan (left) and her hometown friend

Look at the crowd...still big crowd although after rain

Emil Chau, the artist to start off the concert

Next, Fan Wei Qi from Taiwan

Then, Vincy, Singaporean born Hong Kong artist...

...with a "V" balloon made for her by her fans, crazy!

Our local cantonese rappers...Manhand

Another local artist - Danny Wen Li Ming, not chinese educated, he's famous for the song Siapa...

Y2J, from Taiwan, created the blast of the nite with their powerful high key voices
But i hav to leave early from the concert, worried that i would miss the last lrt...
and there it goes, my first live concert...which i'd never planned to go, but not gonna waste free tickets

Sunday, 14th Dec 08
I went to watch Amnesty International Human Rights Day Celebration at Annexe, Central Market:-
Here i am, waiting for LRT...on a rainy day

Below are some of the art works in the exhibition that interests me...either from their pictures, or even their phrases...
"Real men don't rape"

Everyone has the right to live, the right to be educated, the right choose our own belief, the right to express...get to know ur rights...n fight for it.

That's how my weekend goes...quite 'syok'! woohoo

South China Sea Conference 2008 - A step closer to protect the marine ecosystems

For the past week, I was away attending an international conference, South China Sea Conference organised by UM, together with MOSTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovative) and MSMS (Malaysia Society of Marine Sciences). This conference is one step closer in creating transboundary and collaboration to protect one of the most diverse ecosystem, the South China Sea. It was held in Hyatt Regency, Kuantan from 25th til 28th November 2008.

I attended this conference with two mindsets...
1st: to present my work on corals on a poster.
2nd: to get more knowledge in scientific value on how to conserve the large marine ecosystem.

Expert scientists and researchers all over the world. From left: Ms Li Jianwei (China), Dr. Fadli Syamsudin (Indonesia), Dr. Tan Koh Siang (Singapore), Prof. Dr. Phan Siew Moi (UM), Dr. Kenneth Sherman (US), Prof. Vo Si Tuan (Vietnam), Dr. Koch Savath (Cambodia) and Abraham Sakili (the Phillipines).

This conference is big, as it was attended by bigshots around the world involved in marine protection, such as Dr. Kenneth Sherman (US), Director of National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Dr. Vo Si Tuan (Vietnam), COBSEA project, Dr. Tan Koh Siang (Singapore), Dr. Yasuwo Fukuyo, Prof Phang Siew Moi (UM), Director of Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences and etc from all over the world including China, UK, US, the Phillipines, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea. I was proud to have joined this conference as I get to know what efforts have been made to protect marine ecosystem in this region.

I was excited as I get to present my poster in an international conference. It's an important value for a researcher as the more scientific paper published, the higher reputation you'll get. This is a start for me, as I had my poster presented. To add further excitement, there were competition for the best poster presentation. My team, including my well respected supervisor and only expert in Malaysian corals (I reckon so) Mr. Affendi Yang Amri, Badrul Huzaimi, Nikoo Cheheltani, Munira, Poh Leem, Jia Jie, Kok Wei, Faedz (didn't attend) had posters and oral presentation during that conference. And the great news is, our team won 2 out of 3 winners in poster presentation. Mr Affendi, and myself....both winning the biological category. It was my first time winning an award in an international conference (the first i attended as well)...and guess what, the judges are from overseas, so it shows that our work are on par with other U in the world.

My poster: Effect of Jetty Pillar Orientation on Scleractinian Corals

1st pic: That's me and my supervisor, Mr Affendi. 2nd pic: Posing with Mr. Affendi's poster, one of the winner of best poster awards.


Explaining to one of the judges, Prof Dang from Vietnam


En Ismail, National Coordinator for the Large Marine Ecosystem project

Prof Dr. Gareth Jones (UK) listening to my presentation on my work.

I hope that after this conference, more of the scientists in the world will collaborate with each other to share data and protect the world's largest ecosystem, the marine ecosystem. I hope one day, I'll be able to get involved actively in protecting this fragile ecosystem.

I would also like to acknowlegde Mr. Affendi, Prof Chong, my family and siblings, my project mates, my housemates and a very important person in my life, Kuan Ching...in winning the best poster award. Thanks to all of ur support and assistance. I wouldnt have gotten the award if it wasn't because of all of you!

Oceanarium in Mabul - is it worth it?

I was shock to read the news in The Star few days ago, that there was a plan to build an oceanarium in Pulau Mabul. I personally feel that this idea is not just stupid but its worthless. The money use to build this oceanarium could have been used for a long term conservation. It was reported that a Japanese company would join venture to build so-called 'eco-friendly' building concept. Although the Japanese are very good with these eco-friendly projects, this is nothing but a project that will fail the environment.

It is also reported that the EIA have not been obtained, but this is not the point. Being an graduate in Ecology and Biodversity, and also a SCUBA diver, I know that the EIA report will not be able to stop these culprits from getting this project done. This is because, from my experience, after the original EIA report have been done, these culprits will alter and change the report accordingly before handing it to the authorities. Some of the suggestions in EIA report will not be followed but will be changed to suit their projects.

As a person who have personal interest in coral reef system, I find that building an oceanarium will not create more income in tourism. Foreign tourists came to Malaysia to see the originality and natural environment. If this oceanarium is being built, we will be wasting millions of ringgit. Some would be wasted on building the oceanarium, some would be losses due to the drop of tourists because more corals are being destroyed. Only a fool would believe, that corals can still be preserved while this project is on going. Corals are slow growing organisms, it took billions of years to reach such massive system. Moreover, Malaysia lies in the coral triangle, and Sabah being in the centre of the triangle. Coral triangle is where the highest coral diversity in the world is found. How can a country, with such high diversity, allow such projects to be approved? It shouldn't be in the plan at all! I have dived in Lahad Datu, somewhere near Sipadan island, and the corals there are already amazing. What more in Mabul and Sipadan?

I understand that development is important. We cant run away from it. However, development is necessary when it helps to reduce the burden of people. But this project, doesn't seem to make any difference in people's lifestyle. Infact it will disrupt the income of those who are depending on corals in Mabul. Some fishermen have already been doing damage to corals with illegal fishing, fish bombing, muro ami and etc. Now, with such a big project, the whole reef system in Mabul will be destroyed. Let us all put our hands together, and stop this nonsense from these selfish developers who only think of their profits.

"The earth belongs to our children, not our ancestors. It's time for us to return the earth back to them"

Eddie's Wedding: The Mixed Malaysian Culture Detailed Story

On 6th Nov, the biggest day of my beloved and only brother, Eddie Lau, (now known as Fahim Lau) as he would wed his beloved Arnida Arsam. Their wedding is simply special, because they had a three day wedding celebration with a mixed ceremony of the Malay and Chinese culture.
The wedding started with a Malay culture of akad nikah and bersanding on the first day, at Arnida's house. I was involved directly as i'm Eddie's best man. It was started with sending the hantaran, where my cousins all the way from NZ were among the few to carry the hantarans. The akad nikah went well, Eddie managed to continued get thru the akad nikah just once. Both the bride and groom, looked gorgeous and stunningly attractive.
They looked even more matching and attractive when they came out with new set of clothes for bersanding. Then my family especially, managed to experience 'merenjis' for the very first time. 'Merenjis' is done by sprinkling water and placing flower petals on the hands of the bride and groom. It is done to bless the married couple.
The wedding is continued with Chinese tea ceremony the next day. According to the chinese custom, we can't see the bride and groom face to face before they enter the house...so all of us, immediate family stayed in the house right til my bro and his wife step into the house. Then we also experience kid jumping and rolling on the groom's bed...believing that it will bring children to the couple. The ceremony continued with tea ceremony..."cam cha" to the elderly.
The last day, was the lunch reception. It was held at Community Centre in Bukit Damansara. It was a nice place and had a nice setup. The entourage of the couple arrived in a very grand manner, followed by kompang beats at the back. The couple and their immediate family had the honour of having lunch on high table, making them feeling like king n queen (That's where the Raja Sehari phrase comes from i guess, haha).
Being his brother, its a once in a lifetime experience to get involved in the ceremony. My family, have been waiting for such a long time for this moment to arrive. I would expected this day soon, however, not that soon. But nevertheless, I felt so happy and excited for my brother, as he has proven that pure Malaysian culture still lives on. A culture where Malay and Chinese were put together in on occasion. This should be the ideal concept for Malaysian not only today, but for as long as Malaysia exists. Never had i thought my family would practise the true Malaysian spirit...

*frustrated coz cant upload photo,duno what's the prob*