190. What we, our country needs.

I live in an Abode of Peace. I consider myself truly blessed. As I wonder along the corridors, working on my usual errands, I cannot help but notice and realise certain things. It’s a swarm of thoughts all trying to prioritise themselves but below are some thoughts I’d like to share.

What about, well… the title says it real clear.

Big focus on quality and not just quantity yet. Like many (all) jobs, bosses are seeking workers with quality because there lies efficiency, productivity and a vision. Like in many (all) products – whether it be food or goods, customers seek good quality products because they know it’s worth their money. Quality, that’s what we really need. It is only in quality that there’s a future since good stuff lasts longer. Enterprises here generally (not all and not specifically pointing at who or which) work with a proclivity to just “get it done and over with” or “have it then leave it”. There’s no such a thing as doing something half-heartedly but expect a big fat bonus. There’s no use too to have an establishment but only to attend and nurture it when it starts to break down. What’s the point of spending large sums of money on a project to only see it establish but not maintain it? When something of quality is made then a replication of them would make a strong empire.

Bee. Eee… Be Original! Trying to establish a market on selling spurious goods is one effort sure fail. It is not even ethical. How is it a pleasure to know that you’ve spent thousand of hours creating something “original” to only see another person take your work and earn loads of money from it? You don’t need to be creative to be original! Be original is simply be yourself – know who you are and be proud of that too. You’re born local, what’s so grand and hip about following the latest trend elsewhere but know nothing much about your OWN heritage. What pride is there to know other language but not our own mother tongue? What we have here is something no other country has. Why not nurture what we have and attract others to experience a difference to their culture? Why do we focus only to diversify foreign franchise and not local ones? Why do we need to follow a trend and not set a trend ourselves? I seriously believe that when we’re proud of who we are, where we come from, with respect and love, we could generate originality in all the works we do and subconsciously dedicating every piece for ourselves, our families and our country.

Stand as a whole. We want no hole. My mother always reminds me that there is a period in time where I have to stop relying on my family for money and shelter. Walking towards that, I also have been and must always learn to contribute to the community; whether it be money, favours, time, my hands and feet, or ear.  But that’s just her lecturing me, about me and my life. Projecting that small scale to a larger scale scenario,  the residents of this country have been relying on the government in almost every aspect in their life; job, shelter, food, education and health. Since I have been holding a permanent resident nationality, I don’t have the privilege to many of the goodies given. But I don’t need to be Einstein to realise that permanent resident or not, the government cannot forever subsidises every penny part of our life. We have to realise that the government has been trying very hard to aid and assist us all in our life with the goal that we succeed and perish for the country. We have to realise that WE are the COUNTRY. It is very naive to take advantage of this selfishly. What is the point of the government implementing systems but us not following them? The goverment opens doors of opportunity, we have to learn to take them and act on them wisely. From there, we apply what we have learnt to create a better space and place. We have to be a team!

It’s realisation. Followed by the will-power. Then, there’s application with preseverance and a touch of respect and love. Come then is an award.

It’s good to know now, that there’s KNK.
It’s good to know too that efforts are put into introducing and making local products perish in the global market.
We have a long way to go. It’s not too late to start.

189. All good stuff for college students.

It’s a two thumbs-up for StevePavlina! I should share a little of what I have learnt from his article and to my surprise, some of the stuff he said I have already experienced or is currently experiencing but only to realise these when I stumble across his article.

I don’t want to repeat what he’s saying already in his article but below is an outline and well, the gist of it.

Most of us have no idea why we are in college besides the usual remark “trying to get better pay in the future” or really… “that’s what’s everybody’s up to”. I guess these remarks are truer than not. Add on to this are other underlying stressful (whether realised or not) questions of whether we are taking the right course, whether we are on the right path, etc. So yes, the first tip he gives is crucial: “Why am I in college?” Once there is an answer to this, the rest pretty much fall into place. However, to nurture college experience, I guess we ought to ask, HOW we want our college experience to be like? For most people, college is the best place and time where you get to meet alot of new people; people who share similar interests or different viewpoints, etc. But that’s not just it.  The big part of it is that once you know why you are in college, allow that to lead you into how exactly or how ideal you want your college experience to be. It involves enjoying challenges, challenging the challenge, and really “bec[o]me a co-creator of my experience instead of a passive victim of it.”

The next tip he gives is rather a challenge itself: “Take at least one extra class each semester.” Where I study though, there is a limited number of units we can take per semester. If I’m not mistaken, we are advised to take no less than 15units? But for most of the people I know (including myself), we take no less than 17units. haha. For some though, there’s no escape but are made to take all 20units. Perhaps this tip is not as applicable but the next ones is:“Set clear goals for each class.” This is simply scoring real good for your major subjects, the subjects that you are keen on. Steve uses some examples that are spot on but I’ll state just one simple one he uses; so say there’s an assignment (an essay) that costs 10% but it requires you to work hours and hours over cups and cups of coffee for an A but only a few hours for a B. Would you go for an A? It all comes down to weighing whether this essay is worth your time. If not, get a B for this essay and spend the remaining time on something more valuable to you.So, I guess this goes hand in hand with the next tip he gives: “Triage ruthlessly”.

Besides these, what time you get up and how you manage your time are of utmost importance too. Starting early would mean you could get a lot more done. That includes exercise, work, meals and rest in between. I believe we are diurnal – so working at night is not “healthy”. Managing time here include knowing which lecture to attend, which to… *whispers* skip. haha.

Moving on is what I think is one of the most important: “Learn material the very first time it’s presented.” This strictly means understanding what you’re taught and right after you’re taught. If you don’t understand, seek for assistance! Weak foundation means utterly poor grades as we advance. It’s like saying, don’t know 1 2 3, don’t expect to do sums.

Seriously, I really think these tips are handy! haha.

Don’t you think so?

188. Oh, I’ve learnt. realised. breatheandmoveon.

One. When rain poured, I welcomed it. It felt like it has been very hot recently. Then…
the rain poured too much. I started to get unwell. I silently called the Sun to come back.
Thank goodness, not long after that – the Sun greeted me with warmth. So, I guess a little too much of something is not good.

Two. I never realised the value of money – not until recently. Though I wasn’t a spendthrift, I could hardly control the amount of money coming in and out of my pocket. Sometimes, it’s a need to spend – sometimes, subconsciously I have spent it thinking it was a need only to realise it was a want-to-spend instead. Now, the $$ is slowly draining away – slowly and little by little each time. So I guess I know now that I could spend all I want provided the rate of me earning them is as fast and as much as I spend them.

Three. I thought I was right on track with things; prioritising what is the most important first. It did go well for the most part but I think I have left out the other perhaps considered rather insignificant ones, only to realise in the end that keeping them ignored did not make me happy – because suddenly it appears everything is as important. So I guess I need to keep ALL in check giving equal and minimum biased attention to each and everyone of them.

Four. Then there is this thing about keeping friends. I have a hard time keeping in touch with many of them whether they are far or near, close to me or not. You see what I mean about prioritising my schedule? It’s not that friends aren’t important but usually I’d need to weigh between them over due dates, chores, and appointments. Choosing them would make them happy and me glad – but only to kill me severely later when due dates, chores and appointments stab me in the heart and mind. So I realise now what people mean by saying “best friends are forever” because I know how tough it is to be a friend and to be one’s friend. I don’t know how many friends I have… =/ Guess, I have just realised that too.

Five. Recently, I also realise how inconsiderate humans can be. And to add too how humans do almost anything to seek money and attention, pride and power. When he was alive, no one gives a shit. He owed large sums of cash, physically weak, medically unfit – no one helped him. Now, he’s gone – then people start swarming around his burial grounds and homes, giving him gifts and telling him how much they mean to him. Well, too bad now then – He’s dead and I bet he’d appreciate it if those kind touching words and gifts were said and given to him when he was still breathing air. So yeah, wise guy once said “always tell your love ones what they mean to you when you have the chance”

Six. It’s weird but everybody should clean their hands before they eat, you know… the “rituals to healthy lifestyle” but I guess they have forgotten about it. Then with this new disease – suddenly, everyone is OBSESSED with cleaning every inch of their hands, face… >.> If I’d known better, I think most of the diseases that seem to bring chills to the majority are created by the… well, the most abundant species on earth – humans too. -.-

Seven. Mom told me there’s no such thing as “love”. But I guess she’s only referring to one sort – the thing with dad. But I guess that’s nothing new. Out of 10 couples I have talked to, 10 have told me there’s something wrong with the partner. And yet, in that 10 too, 8 have told me that they love each other despite all the flaws. I don’t know much about how this sort of love works ( all the talks about chemistry and sparks and whatnot) but I do know this bond exists. What’s more though, I want this bond my bond remain pure… pure, intact… intact, strong strong true… all of the above. P.s: I don’t why I just said that. But I’m in search of true love. hahaha. that sounded soooo cheesy!

Eight. I still weep when I think of grandpa.

Nine. Definitely have learnt that people can have so many personalities. Since one can only be someone at a particular place with particular people then that very same person can be totally different when at different place meeting with different people. So, I don’t think I agree when people say life is about finding yourself… I think life is about creating yourself. What do you think?

Oh yeah, I’ve learnt, realised, breathe and move on with these that I’ve picked up along the way.

187. Beach Clean Up Time!

Now, Brunei is pretty well known for its “greenery” and our untouched pristine forest and our oil. haha. But we locals here know that these are not only the treasures that our country has. For all I know, we like to get out and go fishing! if not, Singing!! =D Okay, perhaps that’s abit too general but you get the idea, no? We like outdoor activities!

Our beaches are beautiful! To be just sitting on one of the big rocks, or drawing letters and pictures on the sand with your fingers, or building sand castles, or have a sandwich (or nasi katok. haha)! It’s a blessing, no?! And what’s better, this enjoyable experience can be shared by the many without a cent spent! – well, okay… apart from the fuel and da-dee-da… but really, to enjoy God’s gift? Hmms, don’t think so.

So So So. It’s just so important to keep the beach clean because it won’t do any good to anyone and everyone (including the beach itself) if we are being inconsiderate and litter the place (consciously or subconsciously). Yah, like you’d like to spend a lazy cool late afternoon surrounded with all the beauty of nature but just suddenly “greeted” by some *trying-to-disintegrate* plastics or diapers! -.- sigh* Not nice at all, ey?!

I was once in the Environment Committee of a Student Council in high school, my role was not a very grand one. But, as a team we made a difference! When I left the school, I’m glad to know today that they are doing beach clean up like a routine! =D But face it, they themselves can’t do ALL the job!

So! Let’s do this!

Cikgu Mansor has organised a date – 12th July at 4pm for us to gather at Jerudong Beach. It’ll be a picnic, it’ll be a sunset watching experience, it’ll be get-to-know the team members and the locals!! and above all, it’s about having a great time and FEELING GOOD FOR DOING SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY AND FOR NATURE!!!!

Of course it’s open to everyone. Of course it’s you I’m hoping that will come. And Of course you can bring your friends and family! And YAH, BRING FOOD AND CAMERA!

P.s.: Don’t forget some gloves and plastic bags – it’s a beach clean up afterall.

Beach Clean up gang for CAS 2006!

Hope to see you!

186. It all has been…

going real fine. Though not everything gives smiles, it seems like the death of Michael Jackson has sparked off everyone’s attention, no doubt since he is one of the best musicians I know. Wars and poverty are constantly topics of discussion and debates though now H1N1 flu case has been added to the list. I’m sure I have missed more other important stuff but lately, I have been living detached from the happenings around me.

Okay, so bio reports are finally done and over with which should give some space to do other stuff. Little did I hope for this but my time slots are taken by – if it’s not tutoring, it’ll be tutoring. I’m juggling and shuffling my time to work at three places, hoping I’d have enough cash but each time I receive my pay, they don’t seem to stay – for long. *pouts* It’s good however that I did/do manage to have some free time, catching up with some friends who have just returned from Lost Island. HAHA. somewhere-not-here. I guess I should also add that amidst of all the workload, I was made happy by him, who tried and make Fettucine Cabonara. I wouldn’t say it went absolutely well but least, it was edible and it was filling. haha. Besides that though, I have been trying to read a little of my biology textbook. A dull thing to do,yes but it was interesting. If you’re asking though whether I’d remember a thing about what I’ve read, I doubt I’ll give you a good picture. haha. =/ oh well.

Today has been well. I went down to Seria and was greeted by smiles and snoozes. I never get tired of being surrounded with the laid back environment. It’s not like where I am staying here is anywhere close to being busy and hectic place but when compared, down there would make you feel like the entire place – the entire stretch is home. There, the birds live so close with the people that without one, the place would seem it has lacked something significant.

Tip. Toe. Tip. Toe.

185. Blooming~

In case you haven’t noticed but by the road sides or just by your neighbour’s garden, most flowers seem to be blooming now! I know mine have and they look utterly beautiful! Wouldn’t trade the world for them! haha..

The Escape
With a trowel and spade in hand, I squatted down by the side. Burying my hands not so deeply into the softness of the wet though almost puffy-like soil, I started making huge rainbows with my palm subconsciously. A little friend greeted me sometimes, and his friend sometimes tag along; they are friends of the soil. They make passageways and little trails. They don’t like me at times when I dig too deep but yet they don’t mind (i hope) when I lift them up and settle them into a cozier landing, buried them deep, close to where I picked them up. Then, I sang. Oh, sometimes I hum. A tune or two – tune I myself have never heard of. The wind whistles along usually and the little shrubs and herbs sway, silently dancing while the flowers nod gently against the sun. I gently plucked out the unwanted ones, those weeds are quite notorious sometimes. By the time the sun bids goodbye for the day, and car sirens and honks, booms and blustering music took over the wind’s gentle symphony, I stood up slowly and stretched. With a trowel and spade in hand, now with a smile I bid the little patch of garden adieu for the day.

184. Sing.A.Pore.

Touched down at the airport, back here around half past twelve in the afternoon and first thing that greeted me back home was the heat. Not that where I went was anywhere close to being cold but Singapore has been cool during my visit, much wind and much rain. I can’t recall me, sweating even when I walked along Orchard road.

My visit has been brief. I bought only a few ka-ching with me, $400? Most of my meals were taken care of (by my aunt) and much of my money was spent into shopping for clothes and whatnot. I didn’t buy as much as I wanted to (c’mon.. with only $400? in singapore? ya kidding?) but I did manage to buy a few of the really-wants. Since Singapore now has this mega mid-year sales, I manage to buy loads of dresses that were once around $60 but now has reduced to only.. well, $15. And apparently these $15 are ClubMarc New York’s – found and bought in Orchard Road. Mom first guessed that I bought them from Bugis junction where things are alot cheaper. Guess I proved her wrong. haha. My shopping skills ain’t THAT bad I think. haha.

Besides shopping being the very reason for visiting Singapore, I actually went to visit my lovely cuzzy Samuel King. He surprised us by… well, sort of announced to us that he entered the final round of a piano competition. He was one of the selected fives out of twenty-five in this competition. He played three pieces (Praeludium & Gigue in G from Partita No. 5, BWV 829 by J.S.Bach and Nocturne in C minor Op.48 No. 1 by Chopin).He didn’t beat to the top three but he did improve sooo much from the last piece I’ve heard him play one-ish year ago!

Anyway, before the whole competition, I’m sure Sam here was awfully tired since he didn’t have good sleep the night before. So, wise as he is, he thought of going to get bananas and somehow swallow them just before the competition. When all the pianists played their pieces and the judges have gone out of the room to decide the winner, the M.C came in. The emcee came in after a few minutes indeed and the whole audience had thought that the winners were about to be announced… Only, he raised up his right hand and showed a plastic bag – before my aunt and I could figure out why the bag looked so familiar, he said: “Who left his these bananas outside?”. I flipped. lol.

Apparently, that wasn’t the only thing that I thought was funny. Just down the road where Sam stays, there’s this stall where they serve pretty good food. It was night time and I was utterly tired. Before I could show a sulky face, Sam asked me to listen to what the owner of the shop called out after we ordered our drinks.

We ordered Milo Ping and Barley Ping.

Owner shouted: “Kak-kiau Ping… Barley Ping”.

o.O WTH?! hahaha. Apparently Kak-Kiau Ping is Milo Ping. haha. I flipped .again.

Ah, right now though, I am glad I am at home. Although… although…my mood is abit…well,in a so-so state… my result just came out. It’s not THAT bad I’d say…but I expected better. =/ OH well~

I love my pillow. haha.

183. BI 1116.

Finally! I reached BSB early afternoon and could not help but to feel glad that I am back. The days spent in Temburong could be looked as a fusion of fun, frustration, stress, laughter and sleepless nights!

First Day

Some of us arrived very early in campus but it wasn’t long until the rest arrived. We headed off from Bandar around 6am and reached Bangar around 9am and were brought to a resthouse to which we would be spending the rest of the week at.

After sorting our bags, filling our tummies with food and listened to a briefing by Dr.Charles, we made our way to Bukit Patoi. First thing we had to do was to set up small mammal traps in two areas (Padi field – an ecotone, and the Mixed Dipterocarp Forest) and compare the species richness of both sites. Setting up these traps were not as tiring as climbing up Bukit Patoi to gather leaf litter; another set of project we have to finish. Leaf litter was collected from both Kerangas forest (which was 1200m up the hill) and Mixed Dipterocarp Forest (MDF). TIRING I TELL YOU!!!

Second day

My feet weren’t THAT sore after first day but it definitely start to after the second day! Second day was spent on bird watching study as well as checking the mammal traps that were set up the day before. Bird study started very early in the morning- before the sun rise. We had to wake up at 4am (latest) and breakfast was served at 5am! Most of us either did not sleep enough or did not sleep at all! Anyway, bird study went smoothly. Some of us managed to see and identify birds while some were trying to figure out how binocs work without getting oneself dizzy. haha.

Second day didn’t quite end with just bird study. We went to check all mammal traps and found one species in the padi field and one in MDF. Not bad for just 20 traps being set up per site.

We returned to the base for analysis and not long after that, us being half dead half alive – was dinner time. We spent the rest of the night-after dinner- climbing up a hill with torchlights to see if we could come across nocturnal mammals. Some of us managed to see a tarsier! And according to Dr.C, that’s hard to come by!!! haha. so hoorah!! (though I only see it sort of jumped to another tree and vanished into the darkness)

Third day

Thinking second day was bad enough, third day proved me wrong. Third day was the ONLY day that managed to give me SO MANY BRUISES!!! We had to climb Bukit Patoi (again) and this time we had to do some forest profile analysis. We have to measure the size of barks of trees, measure the terrain size, measure the trees’ crown size – which all of them are not easy at all!! By the time we finished these, our legs were literally numb! The thought of having to do Pitfall traps later in the day just kills every body cell of enthusiasm! Thank goodness thank goodness indeed – we did not do any pitfall traps and it actually turned out that we don’t need to do that at all! haha.

Fourth day

Stream study!! I really enjoyed this part of the practical. We were divided into groups and we were asked to study several sites of the same stream. We had to understand the physical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen level and saturation, conductivity and nutrient availability) as well the macroinvertebrates present in the stream. We caught lots of Gerridae(pond skaters) and a few larvae -although in total, the number of individuals were less than expected. After collecting the data, we went back for analysis and thank goodness,we did not leave to anywhere but worked very hard in identifying the invertebrates.  Very hard I say!

Fifth Day

We spent the entire day analysing the invertebrates we’ve found in the tullgren funnel. It is the only day we did not need to go out into the field – which was good!! The lab work of indentifying the invertebrates was challenging enough to keep our hands busy! We got so dizzy after staring into the compound microscope for so long! Before most of us realise, it was dinner time already. After dinner, we spent the rest of the night getting ready powerpoint slides for our presentation the next day! By this time, most of us couldn’t wait to get it over and done with! We couldn’t wait to go home!!

Sixth Day

Nothing eventful happened – only us getting prepared (oh, so last minute), gave our presentation and headed out back home. In the boat heading to the ferry terminal in BSB, from afar we could see the Yayasan building greeted us with a Welcome back! haha.

Couldn’t believe it but it was just hours ago, I was in Temburong. I am glad to be back home. But I dread to work on the 5/6 reports due next two weeks!!! UGH!

I miss my bed.

P.S: Most of the pictures taken were from Pei Fen. =)

182. Life in temburong. Still in Bkt. Patoi.

Today is the second last day that I am here with my peers. It is the lunch break now and I am typing away using Nikki’s laptop. Some of us have not finished mounting slides of Pseudoscorpions (sigh* and those slides are graded). Anyway, I can’t talk much right now since my group have not finished sorting and identifying the soil invertebrates we have collected but so far, just so far… the experience has helped strengthen my passion towards learning and understanding more about ecology and Brunei’s diverse species of flora and fauna. I still believe that we should protect the only thing that is I feel is worth in preserving. It is only this course that I have taken that opens my eyes to things that I have not understood before. I feel close with nature. I feel close to all other living things. It makes me feel calm. It makes me feel that I belong.

.Group 4.

Signing out with a smile.

181. Off and away.

A week I will be in Bukit Patoi. The schedule looks rather tiring but exciting at the same time! Bird watching, small mammal study, stream study – tiring I tell you but very very interesting. I am not sure whether I am exactly prepared for this, you know… in terms of what exactly to bring and stuff like that. So far, I know my bag is already heavy. haha.

Today is Sunday. I have spent the morning rechecking and reticking the list of stuff I must bring for tomorrow. I spent the later morning eating out with  a few friends at Dynasty restaurant, followed by the movie Terminator Salvation. It was a good movie, not bad at all.

So okay, now it’s 3.45pm. And, I’m blogging. And it doesn’t feel like tomorrow is the day I’ll be heading out – away from civilisation! haha

.I don’t know what to say anymore.

I’ll be back in a week with updates! *grins*