June 14th, 2011
I usually do not comment on current events on my site for due to various reasons especially on stuff so close to home but on this matter I just find it ridiculous. The reason for me writing this? The Malaysian government has conveniently decided to ban internet access to certain file sharing websites. Both torrent and direct download sites. I mean how and where can I now download my prons documents and stuff? Okay, okay I know you the venerable reader has just doubt my reasons for it but then unfortunately the reasons stated for such a move is greatly unreasonable and unjustified.
Due to the so called pressure mounted by the local music and movie industry this initiative is being implemented. I would strongly suggest the local entertainment industry especially the movie industry to stop creating mind numbing crap in the first place before even mentioning that piracy affect their sales.
Blocking direct download sites is stupid as it will effect those who do NOT download copyrighted files from them. Direct download sites usually have users ‘flagging’ inappropriate content so that it can be removed. Besides, the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees states that the goverment will not censor the internet. This action would only bring a precedence of the goverment controlling the internet and thus giving control to certain quaters for their own gains.
More work should be done to combat piracy by making original products more affordable or by creating an enviroment whereby the normal average joe could actually afford those said original products.
A blue-ray disc in the US is RM35 after conversion but the same item cost about RM90+. A rediculous example perhaps but an example of why people resort to piracy in the first place. Smoke don’t appear when there is no fire.
February 6th, 2011
Its now the new year. Chinese New Year to be precised and its not looking very good for me. Lack of festivities aside, I’m down in the dumps again. ‘Emo’ as I usually calls it. I quit my second job just two days before the first day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The first job wasn’t a problem and the people was nice but it wasn’t what I wanted to do. The second one…well…due to my decision to try it out it has really affected not only me but also my relationship to those around me. Again, I got misunderstood, not just by friends but by family as well.
I was told of nonsense by my boss and yes I relayed what was said to me to those I spoke to. Although many times I have said that I do NOT care what he said and that I’m only trying to take the opportunity to use his resources to train the people I bring in, I keep getting misunderstood as “you felt for his tricks and gimmick”. Regardless, as much hurt and pain I’m reeling from this treatment I’m getting its nothing compared to the words of your love ones condemning you to shame.
One might ask me questions on my bad decisions and give suggestions to stay on and then give degrading statements that I’m useless and couldn’t hold a job but let me ask this:
“Are you happy? With your current (first) job?” Yes?
“Do you like the environment you’re in?” Yes?
“Do you have great colleagues and an understanding and cooperative boss?” Yes?
If its yes the you have not been in my shoes. I’m looking for what you have right now. It might not be 100% the same that is true but I’m looking for the right environment and that’s why I change. The current company I am in is dying to a point where it cannot sustain itself due to mismanagement and very bad planning. I did not see this during most of the first month I was there but only during the second month and I then quit with the rest of the company at the end of my second month there.
Indeed, I am not perfect and I will make mistakes and continue to make mistakes in my life but it doesn’t mean one doesn’t learn from experience and move on. That is the part and parcel of becoming human. Show me one human being that has never made a mistake before and I’ll show you a portrait of Da Vinci painted by Mona Lisa herself.
Went to Seremban this year to visit my girlfriend’s family for the Chinese New Year. Worst decision ever. They hated me. Well hate is a harsh word so I guess “disagree with her choice” is the more appropriate one to use. Not to say I didn’t expect what will happen though. Don’t really blame them too. If I dated myself I’ll disagree too.
Anyways, I’m just gonna take things easy for the rest of the month and take my time finding another job opportunity. It hurts but I guess I should not be bothered so much about this. People will always say stuff about you after they met you only once(or twice). First impression as they say is important but as I always say…in life…”never judge a book by its cover” and “actions are better than words”.
Happy Lunar New Year to you and your family and may prosperity shine upon you this new year.
January 4th, 2011
Its now the start of 2011 and I know I have not been blogging lately. Its sad to see my writing L33T writing skillz degrade from minuscule to nothingless. See! Even nothingless is not even a real word. I should really not write anything while having a headache otherwise I’ll create even more Bushisms than even George.W.Bush himself. But enough of this shenanigans, lets take a look at my 2010 shall we? If you prefer you can always go here instead.
2010 was a really REALLY weird year for me. It was a years of change, joy and also sadness. All mixed up in a giant blender top off with some disappointment.
1. FINAL YEAR PROJECT
Pretty hard to miss this one here. Its my Final year pursuing my degree in electronics engineering in Multimedia University. It was tiring, kinda fun, painfully sad and satisfying when this was all over. It was a solo project. Not a very smart thing to do mind you. It didn’t really work out in the end and although I wanted to do this in a team I was unfortunately to receive the short end of the straw…again. As usual, I could sum up my entire university life in just two words really. Lonely and disappointment. Yes I did meet some really great people and had some wonderfully crazy times but the times I had IN class with people just didn’t really work out.
The yellow block of cheese robot didn’t move in the end after building it up due to very bad board fabrication. Would have done a better job if I had a partner to do it with. Anyways, whats done is done. No use crying over spilled milk.
2. USA SUSI TRIP
The land of liberty and freedom. I had one heck of a shocker when I found out that I was selected as one of the 7 Malaysians to participate in the year’s summer Study of the US Institute program. I had loads of fun there. Meeting the people. Seeing the sights and listening to the sounds of a country I have admire from behind a TV screen all my life. The Americans and their lifestyle may not be perfect or great but no ever country ever is. They might have their problems but their ideals ingrained in every citizen is really something to admire about.
Its hard to describe something as an experience into words. Only that it was EPIC. Although, there was a certain incident that made the rest of the SUSI participants hate me. I blame it on the huge age differences and on how I view things differently. I will return to the US of A that I guarantee but without the extra baggage.
3. END OF STUDIES
About two months after the SUSI program ended, I finally completed my extra semester for an additional subject and also partly due to the US trip. I was actually pretty weird going to class without seeing most of the people I knew throughout the years. Almost all of them had graduated by the time I came back since the convocation was held during my entire flight duration back to Malaysia. Finishing up my degree should feel satisfying but again…I’m not really feeling it that much. Maybe because I have a freaking study loan the cost of a brand sparkling new Toyota Vios with automatic transmission to boot literally up my ass. That was really a punch to the balls especially since they decided to start the payment counter in May and NOT in October when Ive actually finished my course.
4.WORK WORK….CARRY ON NOW…
A couple of weeks after my final FINAL paper I started working with an engineering firm nearby as a project engineer. They were supposed to be dealing in building control systems as part of a green building kinda program. I though ‘Hey, this should be interesting as by joining the project team I will be learning so much and benefiting from it too. HAHAHAHAHA.’ I was wrong…I became a site supervisor instead. After over a month of not delivering what they hired me for I quit and a week later with recommendation from my sister, I’m now at my new job doing sales and marketing in an events company that specializes in trade shows. I do not know whether I feel lucky or not because I really hate conducting sales. But I’m now trying to stay positive….really…really hard. Hehehe. ;;>__> On the plus side, I’m now at least involved in the events field. Although, it is not what I expected it to be. This company may be small, old school and very obsolete but at least I’m being given opportunities to learn and grow.
It has been a tiring but not entirely not great year for me. I just hope and wish that this year in 2011, would be a better life changing year ahead. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY AND GOD BLESS!!!!!!
August 1st, 2010
As I’m sitting here in the hotel lobby at the Marriot Washington DC trying to savor what is left of my time here in the United Stated, it means that the SUSI program is coming to an end. So far, I’ve seen small towns to big buildings in the cities. I’ve experience a taste of what some may call as the the American dream and I have tasted the food. It has been an amazing experience to say the least but other than the material things, I believe that the most important (which will also make me sad the most) is the people. I’m so gonna miss everyone.
What makes this experience here in the United States so special is the locals and I believe that in traveling it is the local people that will make the trip a more fulfilling one. Those that I have met should it be either our graduate mentors, our lecturers, our host family or even the local towns people, they have really gave me the opportunity to learn so much about them.
After all that is said and done, I have only one conclusion and it is that the American people are one of the nicest, most honest and strong people I have ever met.
Thank you Dr.Foster, Dr.Jackson, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Jackson, Drew, Cary, Onur, Joel, Jennifer, Dr.Brown, Emily, Selin, the Wagners and to all those who had work so ahrd to made our experience an unforgettable one.
To the people of the United States, I say this to you for I shall return…one day.
July 7th, 2010
After a short briefing/orientation session and getting our documents in checked, we finally started our classes located at the social science building called Faner Hall a short walk away from the dorms. The Study of the U.S. Institute’s New Media program is spearheaded by Dr.John Foster and Dr.John Jackson both from the Political Science Department of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
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