今天，我想家了。。。

进入大学，不知不觉已过了四个月。四个月里，我终于想家了。。。
一直以为我已习惯了宿舍生活，并且也很坚强，所以一定不会像 Matrik 时那样，因想家而掉泪。但原来，我错了，竟然高估了自己。回家的日子还剩不到半个月，我竟然更想家了。。。@.@我是个奇怪得人吧？

Entering university, unknowingly, FOUR months have passed. In this four months, it's the first time I feel homesick...

All this while, I thought that I have grown accustomed to life in hostel, away from home and my family, and that I have grown to be tough. So, I won't be like the time when I was in Matrik, dropping tears because of homesickness. 

But in fact, I was very wrong. I overestimated myself. There is less than half a month to go before I'm going home, but I feel even more homesick in this period... @.@ I'm weird, right?

我觉得应该不是考试的关系。。。应该是突然发现自己与其他人的分别，所以感到孤单了。。。
I don't think this kind of feeling is because of the semester test... I think the this feeling arose due to I realise how different I am compared to the others, so I felt lonely...

到底是什么分别呢？

So, what's the difference?

从小学起，我就对“分数”有强烈的反感！
每当拿到某张试卷时，同学们跑过来追问分数，这让我很反感！
每当考完某张试卷时，同学们跑过来问：“考到怎样？一定很好！” 这让我很反感！（既然已经自己决定了我一定考到很好，那为什么还要问？！）
每当老师发完考卷后，许多人涌去前面向老师讨分数（不是因为老师改错）的场景，让我很反感！
每当同学来参考答案，不是为了从错误中学习，竟然是为了看哪里还可以挣点分数，这让我很反感！

Well, since primary school, I have ALWAYS have a strong aversion toward "exam marks"!

Every time after getting back an exam paper, friends coming to ask about my results, this makes me feel averse!

Every time after finishing a paper, friends coming to ask, "How's the test? You must have done very well!" This make me feel averse! (Since you already have that perception in your mind, why bother to ask?!)

Every time a teacher finished giving out our exam papers, the scene of everyone crowding around the teacher to ask for more marks (not because of the teacher marked wrongly), this makes me feel averse!

Every time friends come to compare answer, not because of they want to learn from their mistakes, but because they want to see where can they ask for more marks from the teacher, this makes me feel averse!

为什么全部人都把考试围绕在“分数” 上？！
为什么读书就不能为了想要提升自己？！
为什么考试就不能被期待？！
为什么考试就不能被视为衡量自己的能力的工具呢？！
为什么全部人都得把考试视为与别人比较高低的工具呢？！
 为什么分数就不能只是留着给自己知道呢？！

Why must everyone revolve around "marks" when it's about examination?!

Why can't studying be solely a learning process to upgrade ourselves?!

Why can't examination be something that is to be anticipated?!

Why can't examination be merely a tool for us to measure ourselves?!

Why must everyone treat exam as a tool to differentiate among people?!

Why can't "marks" be just something for ourselves to know?!

我还蛮讨厌社会互相比较的想法！！！
我的想法是： 我们只需要和自己比较，不断地提升自己，就已经是达到成功了！何必与别人比较呢？！如果只是与别人比较，那如果社会的等级比你低，那你是不是就可以休息了？那如果是这样，我相信社会不会像今天那么进步的！想想看，医生和科学家也是为了挑战自己的极限与知识而不断发现新的东西！所以，我始终坚决地相信与自己比较才是最好的！

I quite hate the thinking of our society now, everyone is just thinking about competition with others!

This is my thoughts: We only need to compare with our own selves, continuously improving ourselves, then we are already a success in our lives! Why compare with others?! If your aim is to be better than others, then if you already surpass others, does that mean you don't have to do anything anymore? If that is the case, then I believe that our society won't achieve the development that we have now! Think about it, the reason why doctors and scientists are able to discover new things are also due to their desire to challenge their own limits and knowledge! Therefore, I strongly believe that competing with our own selves is the BEST!

今天突然强烈地感受到我的想法跟朋友们都很不同，而且我又是很固执己见的人，因此感到很孤单。世界上有没有另一个人也是有和我一样的想法的呢？有的话，可以出来安慰我以下吗？让我知道我不是孤军作战的； 让我知道我不是个“怪物”。。。哈哈~（XD）
Today, I suddenly strongly feel the difference between my thoughts and my friends', although I already know about the existence of the differences. Furthermore, I am someone who is very stubborn to defend my own principles and very hard to change my views, so I feel a little lonely. Isn't there anyone in this world who shares the same thoughts with me? If there is, can you come out? Tell me that I'm not alone in this world; tell me that I'm not the odd one... Lol~ (XD)

Hooh~~~ Finally there's someplace where I can release all my thoughts!!! If I try to tell all these to someone, I might bore that person! XD

Pesta Hoki USM-Penang International 2011!!! (16-18th Dec 2011)

Technical Table at Minden field where I worked at on the 3rd day. The board with manila cards are under the Results & Records Department.

YAY!!!!! I JUST WANT TO SHOUT OUT VERY VERY LOUD NOW~~~ AHHHH!!!!!!!! IT'S FINALLY BEEN CARRIED OUT SUCCESSFULLY!!!!

Before it's over, people keep asking me if I'm happy that it's going to be over soon. That time I thought that I will feel 依依不舍 because Pesta Hoki is going to be over and everyone won't be gathering together and do things together anymore. We will seldom meet each other anymore, unless we meet coincidentally in the bus or anywhere in USM...

BUT, the feeling is really, really different from what I've imagined when everything is over!!! My heart instantly feel very relax and very light and happy!!! I can't stop smiling!!! And everyone is also smiling non-stop! XP We shook hands, congratulating each other. The sense of satisfaction is really indescribable!!!

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Now, let me share with you what I've learned and what I feel throughout this event, be it before or during Pesta Hoki. While reading about my own feelings, please enjoy the pictures that I've took during the tournament! ^.^

I worked at the Stadium on the first day. In the evening, it rained quite heavily, but the match still had to go on. You know what our head said? "You get wet never mind, but must protect the match report form from getting wet." LOL! But this rain affected the 2nd day's matches. Some pitches cannot be used at Minden field, so there are some last minute changes, but fortunately only the beginning part of 2nd day was a bit chaotic, after a few matches, everything started to go on smoothly and back on track.

First, I learned a lot from interacting with different people in our own organising committee and enjoyed it very much! Most of them are Indians and sometimes they will talk in Tamil. But I didn't feel uncomfortable because I understand that sometimes using your own mother tongue language is more efficient (saves time) and effective (the person you want to talk to understands). And it's quite interesting watching people communicating in "alien language". LOL! ;P Everyone is very friendly and easy-going. This is why I love joining events related to sports instead of academic, because sports people usually is more flexible. In around October 2011, there was an event - Convex 2011, which is Convocation Day. They were also taking in students to help them. But that time when I went to the interview place, I suddenly don't have the urge to apply. From their interview style, I can feel that they are very rigid and strict. On the other hand, I was really looking forward to Pesta Hoki assistant coordinator's interview. And this proves that my intuition is right. I know what I love best and I love what I choose. I feel really committed throughout the whole process of organising this event.

This is Minden field! There are actually six pitches here, but during the final matches for all seniors categories on the third day, they were held in only one pitch. The picture shows one of the final matches. Senior categories include men's veteran (MV), men's open (MO), women's open (WO), varsity men (VM) and varsity women (VW). Junior categories' games were all completed during the second day and the prize giving ceremony for junior categories was also done on the second day.

Secondly, I realised one important thing. SMILE IS THE BEST TOOL TO CLOSE IN THE GAP OF FRIENDSHIP. I was in Technical of Games (TOG) Department. My Head of Department is someone who has a serious face. Really serious! At first I felt that he is someone who is hard to get closer to. But there's one night when we were doing things at the TOG room (TOG members often have to work till past midnight to process registration forms, check fixtures, deal with umpires, Field Marshals and Awards Committee, etc.), I saw him laugh really happily for the first time. At that moment, I felt so shocked, you know, because he looks totally different when he smiles! He looks really friendly. And then there's another time when we have to take pictures for our department, I noticed that I didn't smile and the photo came out not really pretty for me, because I didn't smile. These two situations made me realise that WE SHOULD SMILE MORE, MOREOVER, SMILING DOESN'T COST US ANYTHING. ^.^
 

Across the road, we have food stalls and also businesses related to hockey such as companies selling hockey equipments. Besides, for the three days, we have a Milo van distributing free Milo. But every time there would be a long queue. Fortunately, we don't have to go to queue. We just sat at the Technical table and someone will bring the Milo to us. XD

Thirdly, I learned how to communicate with people whom I'm not familiar to. If it was the past me, I won't have the courage to look at strangers in their faces or talk to them . But through Pesta Hoki, I got to talk to strangers through the phone as I have to call the team managers to settle issues such as payments and answering their questions or complaints. Then, during the three-days event, as I was appointed to be at the technical table, I had to answer several team managers' questions. I feel more confident when facing them and I can even say firmly about Pesta Hoki's rules to them. =)

This is the pavilion overlooking the field. This is also the place where the team registration was carried out. Team registration was the one that caused us TOG members to be deprived of sleep, as there was a registration at 5.30am! We had to reach before 5am, so imagine waking up at 4am, because taking the transport to this field needs time. But we still enjoy it! ^.^ Walking straight along this pavilion, you will reach the Technical table and R&R Department. Pity the Field Marshals, they had to run to the Technical table to pass the match report form after each match. And we even rushed them because we needed the results to prepare for the next match. Pity them... But they did a good job!

Fourthly, (and also the part that I love the most!) I got the chance to cooperate with many different people from different cultures, and has widen my view about other people. I realised that many people are actually more talented than what we perceive from the outside. For example, our secretary is a Siamese from from Kelantan who knows Thai, Chinese, English and Malay language! And I'm very impressed by how the International Liaison (LO) coordinator and assistant coordinators handle the international teams! Besides, I feel that our Logistics Department coordinator and assistant coordinators are like superman! They can sleep for less than one hour and then drive the van to pick us up on time! As for me, there was one day when I woke up late and everyone had waited for me for more than half an hour! The chemistry among all the departments is very good.

All the trophies for seniors categories. The participants are not allowed to take the trophies back. They can only take pictures with it. Then, the team name of the champion for each category will be engraved at the trophy.

Eveyone's role is equally important no matter what position and responsibilities that they take. Even runners who are responsible to hand in the match report form from the pitch to the technical table is also very important! So, with many people each specialising in their own tasks, Pesta Hoki can only be carried out successfully. We really depends on the manpower, which are the voluntary students, to ensure that this event can be carried out.

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That's all for my sharing now. I have to continue with my last assignment now and go to sleep early, as these few days I was really deprived of sleep. 
Goodbye, and see you again in FM004! ^.^

My own "Wall of Quotes"!

Recently, I got inspired by my Introduction to Management lecturer's quotes about the working life. Besides that, I also borrowed a Chinese book - 《我不是教你诈2》，刘墉著。

This book reveals the things that youngsters usually did wrongly when they are new in working. From this book, I learned a lot about the norms of working life, such as don't make decision by ourselves just because we think that it's good for the company, because after all, we are only the employees. For example, in a story written in the book, a manager A had sent a letter to his supplier, scolding the supplier for charging higher price. But later, he regretted because he realised that the other supplier who supplied at lower price was actually selling inferior goods. Then his secretary happily told him that she had not sent the letter because she knew that her boss would regret in the future. Instead of complimenting the secretary, the boss scolded her for making her own decision. You may think that why is the boss so ungrateful, but the secretary is in the wrong too. Imagine if you are the boss and you have a secretary who acts by herself, will you be able to trust her with the things that you want to get done?

Another thing that we should avoid is, don't talk bad about your own department or company. In the story above, the secretary later went to complain to a manager B in another department and asked the manager to let her work in his department instead. The manager just smiled. The next day, the secretary received a letter saying that she was fired. What did she do wrong? If the manager B accept the secretary, isn't he declaring war with the manager A? Besides, manager B may think, "If the secretary can talk bad behind her own manager, it's probable that she will betray me in the future too!" So, moral of the story: Anything that happens in your own department is best kept within the department itself.

While reading this book, I realised that a lot of the norms in work life actually apply to my life now! After reading, I can't help realising that I have actually done lots of things that I shouldn't do! From now on, must be more careful in whatever I say and do!

So,

From now on, I'm going to collect many different quotes from all resources about working, and post it on my "Wall of Quotes" page, to remind myself always!

DeeJay will strive to improve in all aspects of life!

ACCA Day 2011

Attended ACCA Day organised by USM Accounting Society. We listened to a talk about how to pursue our path in ACCA (The Associations of Chartered Certified Accountants) by Mr Ang. He's a really good presenter and very humorous. If you see me wide awake when listening to a speech or lecture, then the presenter or lecturer definitely has good presentation skills! It's real! Because I often fall asleep in talks... X(

Learned a lot today, but it's mostly about knowledge about interview skills, how to give good first impression and also 8 different types of handshakes. I think Mr Ang slotted in these extra topics because the content about ACCA path is not really much.

After lunch, we played station games. At first, I was really reluctant and felt lazy to play. But then, after two hours of running around, thinking nothing except about how to complete the tasks, I felt like my tension and stress is all gone! All those laughing, talking, getting wet and shouting made me feel uplifted, not feeling down like before. Really thanks to the station games! It made me think that the station games were actually the part of this ACCA Day that benefited me the most! I also got to know some second year seniors and also some of my first year coursemates. =)

DeeJay is glad to have grasp this opportunity!

Windows Briefcase

Just learned a new function of Windows. Maybe I'm too outdated. XD

This function is really useful!!!Do you always backup files in your computer into your thumbdrive or portable hard disk? Then do you find it frustrating having to copy and paste each time you have changed the contents of the files? And sometimes you even forget which files you have changed, right?

Well, with this Briefcase, it's really easy!

At your portable hard disk or thumbdrive, just right click > New > Briefcase. Then copy whatever files, folders, documents that you want to backup into the Briefcase.

In the future, whenever you have changed the contents of the files, just plug in your thumbdrive or portable hard disk, then open the Briefcase, right click on the files, documents or folders, and choose "Update". The computer will automatically scan anything new, whether added, modified or deleted, and you can choose which one to update, or even update all of them. Easy, right?

And what's more convenient is, you can use your thumbdrive in other computers to change the files, then update the original files in your computer later! Which is why it's called Briefcase! You can bring it anywhere and work on it!

DeeJay likes this function really much!!! ^.^

Enjoy using it!

An Adventurous Day

Just returned to USM. Sat bus to Butterworth, then hopped on the ferry, and then sat bus for another 1 hour to USM. So, it was quite tiring.

Inside the ferry. This time it's quite different. I was on the 2nd level, and as you can see, there were no cars, and there was even a counter selling food like sausages, buns, and kerepek!

In the evening, I initially decided to go to borrow a bicycle to ride. Who knows, on the way, I met my friend who was planning to go for a hike at Bukit Jambul! She asked me to join before, but that time she and her friends planned to go in the morning. Today, they changed their plan and decided to go in the evening. So, I joined them. :D We went there by car.

Climbing Bukit Jambul is quite challenging, as the road is very steep. But the journey is very short, only half an hour and you can reach the top.

Sitting on the bench, enjoying the evening breeze, it's very relaxing!

Can see Penang bridge and Butterworth far, far away.

Pulau Jerejak. My friend said last time it was used to confine people with Tuberculosis (TB) disease. But now, it has been developed as a tourism spot. There are resorts built there.

Hustling and bustling of the city. Watching the cars heading to their destinations, I was thinking, "They have an aim about where to go; What about me? What is my aim now?"

I learned something today! Which is----

When you want to climb down a steep slope, going backwards makes it easier and more comfortable! No wonder I saw people walking backwards when we were climbing up. XD

Gratitude

Today, I suddenly have the urge to express my gratitude to......

EVERYONE whom I've met at some point of my life!

Thanks to:

• My mom and dad for bringing me up so healthily!
• My grandma for cooking such delicious food for me!
• My uncles and aunties for concerning about me!
• My brother for teaching me computer stuffs and arguing with me! ;p
• Not to forget, my friends who have given me help and support; sharing burden, joy, experiences and knowledge with me; and many more!
• Last but not least, the strangers whom I have met before for helping me in small things such as picking up my coins or giving me road directions!

In life, you may think that the small help you give to other people does not mean anything and you forget about it very fast, but to the person who has received your help, it may mean A LOT  to them! You may not know, maybe your small help has changed their lives! So, don't think that you are useless! Do a good deed a day, even though it's small, as long as it comes from your sincere heart to help that person! ^.^


P.S. Can I use my birthday wish now? (Even though it's still very long XD)

DeeJay would like to wish that:

Everyone who has appeared in my life 

and given me any form of help, 

I wish you GREAT HEALTH AND HAPPINESS in your life!!! 

May my wish come true! 

*blow imaginary candles* XP

Value

I hope to be like a piece of RM1 note.

No matter how many times a RM1 note is folded, exchanged hands, whether it's torn or stepped on, it still retain it's own value - RM1.

An Inspirational Book

Book title: Just Ask the Right Questions to Get What You Want
Author: Ian Cooper

Ian Cooper is a leading consultant, skills trainer and presenter in business and personal development for professional practices and service organizations. He has written ten books and appeared many times on radio and TV.

Do you know what holds you back more  than anything else? Ian Cooper believes that it is our failure to JUST ASK for what we want. After reading this book, I kind of agree with him. He has helped many of his clients to win business bids by just calling and asking for the specifications that the company wants. Sometimes, he even gets information like the price of other bidders! But of course, there are certain techniques when asking, which are written in the book. I've tried out some techniques like asking for a lower price when buying clothes. And after reading this book, I am more sensitive to the way people ask questions, I tend to analyse their way of asking!

Below is an excerpt from Questions to "Just Ask" Yourself section:

*Specially dedicated to Jaff*

Am I guilty of 'paralysis by analysis'?

Do you ever spend time agonizing so much over things that they never get done at all? Do you ever miss out on good opportunities because you are striving for the perfect answer?

I had a client many years ago who decided that, for the first time ever, they needed a glossy brochure to promote their various services. I had been asked to guide and help them with this process. Guess how long it took from the day the first word was drafted to them holding the brochure in their hands? Six weeks? Three months? Try again! It took them over four years!

This was because they over-analyzed every word and choice as if their lives depended on it. It culminated with a three-hour meeting in a beautiful boardroom, where 20 senior members of the organization argued over what percentage shade of grey would go on the front cover!

In their efforts to get it right, their 'paralysis by analysis' had cost them four years of missed opportunities, during which time they didn't have the promotional material they had decided they needed.

Sometimes, you just need to stop over-thinking and simply act on your best instinct. Ask yourself whether the extra time, stress and mental exercise justifies what you lose or miss out on whilst you are doing your thinking.

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DeeJay sincerely recommend this book to everyone! It really is worth reading! 

Buy it or borrow it from a library!

Starting of Mid-term Holidays

What will be a good start for a holidays? Reaching home and enjoy home-cooked food? Taking a long, hot bath? Or just lying on your soft, fluffy bed? Haha! All these are things that I want to do very much!!! :D But let me tell you my journey of reaching home (the "home" means my kampung, not my home in KL)...

My bus was supposed to be 8.30am on Saturday (5/11), at Sungai Nibong bus station, which is quite near to USM. But, I woke up late!!! It was already 9.50am when I woke up! I did freak out for a while, then I calmed myself down and started thinking of other alternatives. Then I decided to take a bus to the jetty, go to Butterworth by ferry, and then buy another bus ticket to Alor Setar, because the bus from Butterworth to Alor Setar is quite frequent, about half an hour once; Unlike Sungai Nibong, only twice a day. After making my decision, I quickly double-check that I've packed everything, then headed out of my room without even brushing my teeth! XD

If I was the old me, I would have blamed myself a lot and stressed out and think that I am very useless to have done such a mistake! I still remember when I was in primary school, whenever I was going to be late for school, I would feel very stressful. My parents would reassure me that it would be fine to be late once in a while, but that time, I really thought it was very serious. Now that I think back, it was really something small!

10.00am - 10.30am:

Bus station at Bukit Gambir, just opposite of my hostel.

Waiting at the bus station... No bus was coming while 2 buses had already left at the opposite station. So, I decided to cross the road and take the bus at the opposite station. Maybe I was waiting at the wrong station...

10.30am - 11.30am:
Journey on the bus, enjoying the "tour" around the city. Learned that bus no. 302 can reach Komtar! Hehe, next time can take this bus! :D
I didn't even know where should I stop, just follow my intuition. XD I saw a bus terminal near the beach, then thought that maybe it's the jetty. :p Luckily I was correct!

11.30am - 12.00pm:

~ ~ BOARDING THE FERRY~ ~

Vehicles and people can also board the ferry. It's free from  Penang Island to Butterworth, but from Butterworth to Penang need to pay around RM1.20, I think.

 

 

The ferry started its engine! Go go go!!! Go home! ^.^ And it was really windy~~~

Goodbye, Penang Island! See you again later!

This is how the ferry looked like as a whole. There are two storeys, both can accommodate vehicles and people.

Say hello to Butterworth~~~

Ferry entering the dock.

12.00pm - 12.30pm:
Bought the bus ticket to Alor Setar and waited for it to arrive. Saw a few USM students waiting for bus too. It's quite easy to recognise, because they were using USM bags, including myself. XP

12.30pm - 2pm:
Finally, can rest on the bus! Ate biscuits as breakfast and slept. Hehe!

Overall, even though I missed my bus, I still think I have had a meaningful day, because I've experienced and learned new things. I've the chance to tour around Penang Island on the bus and first time going on board of a ferry with vehicles!
Whenever things don't go the way I've planned, I usually have this thinking, "Maybe God purposely arrange this to happen. Maybe it's my fate." Then, I'll face any new challenges or changes more open-heartedly. ^.^

DeeJay believes that if we look at things positively, we will DEFINITELY feel much better living in this world. 

My lecturer once said: "

• If you meet a reckless driver, don't let it ruin your day, think that maybe he/she needs to go to the loo urgently;
• If you receive a bad service from someone, think that maybe he/she has had a bad day, or you can even think that he/she may not be educated.

Any unhappy things that you've faced, just think of some humorous or logical or even non-logical reasons behind it, then JUST LAUGH IT OFF, and CONTINUE WITH YOUR LIFE. =) "