Biotech!

The PM has been praising biotech a lot. There a boom in biotech now. Aren't we all glad that we're doing biotech. =D

Here's the excerpts from speech by the PM and here's today's headlines.

PWTC

It's been a while since I last posted here. Just got back from KL, a very short trip indeed, but worthwhile. Oh, met Mdm Rosmarina at PWTC and she sent her regards to all of you guys.

I'm quite busy with several "serious" stuffs lately, and may continue to be so to the end of vacation. So, maybe less entries from me. Whatever it is, to Arshana, Ann and Hajar, enjoy your classes! :D

Looking forward for next semester (How I miss the thrills of quizzes and exams and courseworks! Ha ha).

Robots

I was just thinking, now many companies have been coming up with more and more robots. And these robots are supposed to make human lives easier. If robots can do everything that humans can do, wouldn't they replace human activities? Then, what would humans be doing? You can definitely get rid of workers. But, anyway, just check this website. :D

Oxfam

Came upon this article in the paper. It was about how big, developed coutries are taking advantages on small, developing countries. More like the negative impacts of gloabalisation. They've got some nice pis with good messages. Refer to their website for more info.

Dreams of differences.

Most people dreams to make a difference, some others stay awake and do it.

I came across this phrase while I was on train from Gombak the other day. It makes me wonder, I do have a dream. And I dream of being ordinary. So that's mean I'm now staying awake and living it, right? Because I don't think I ever accomplished any differences. Heh.

I went through UNIMAS website last night, and found out they offer a wider range of courses relating to biology, one course is particularly attractive to me; it's a graduate studies entitled Conservation Biology. Well, maybe I should consider flying off to Sarawak for my master degree if in any ways, I don't have chance to further study overseas. Or maybe I could do my internship there? Interesting, interesting. Let see what Dr Jalal would say about this.

Oh, and I just found out that CGPA for students to be qualified for 1st Class Honour is 3.60 instead of 3.75 as I understood before. In sya Allah, I hope Allah helps all of us through our ways in achieving what is best for us. Though I do have a greater aims for my future, that is somewhat different from my field at present, it does not excuse me from doing what is best out of me. As I said to a friend, when it comes to a responsibility, then hardwork is a must.

I watched National Geographic this morning, about an Ecologist, Dr Michael Fay and his photographer friend, Nick Nicholas (if I'm not mistaken) who ran a data collection at Congo rainforest. The project was done to help them in their effort to save the forest from the usual causes, destruction by humans. It took about 1 year, I guess. And it was not an easy task, not as good as admiring Jane Goodall with her fellow gorillas friends. The photographer got hepatitis, the Dr. got malaria and not to mention several fights erupted between them and their guide. The worst is to watch piles of animal skulls, killed by workers and poachers both as food and black market. Will I ever go that far? Allahua'lam.

It is a shame, I think, when these people are struggling so hard to accomplish what they believe, to save every inch of earth and its resources, while we, Muslims, are still debating whether or not to do it when we proudly claim that WE ARE THE KHALIFAH OF EARTH. Or maybe we define earth as human?

Oh, this reminds me to my discussion with Arshana, Animal Activist vs. Human Activist. Hm, I shall write about that later.

Woplhin

Came across this artcile today. A wolphin: result of a whale and a dolphin. But it looks like any ordinary dolphin. For more details: here.

Exam Result for Sem II

The results for the exam would be out on 19th April 2005 at 4.30 pm. Good luck ppl!

Ngantuk seyy...ape2 pun essay dah siap!!

I was doing nothing after finishing my essay, but dat was 2 hours ago...what was i doing b4 writing dis?...anyway, the urge to write never came from nowhere whatsoever. But still, here i am...
It's weird how people willing to take risk and struggle for an uncertainty. At least i did. Writing an essay 1500 words the whole night with no sleep and no clear reason. Of course, it is for a competition and the prize is...Japan!...but those things didn't even cross my mind while i'm writing...So, was i writing for fun?....that's one question.
another question, can a person's focus and ability really increase under pressure? No doubt that i was a bit under pressure wondering, could i finish it on time? coz today is the due date and i have to email it to Arshana and she will help me post it from KL. Her dad goes to work around 8 maybe. I think i was more focus at the last hours. Memula memain hahaha.
Last question, is it good to do things last minutely? (last minutely-->does dis phrase really exists?)...i came accross a short article saying dat u can have a heart attack if u keep doing it. But i think it was fun...exciting too...challenging....and sometimes it makes u feel stupid! haha... But again, i never really failed to finish my task. Even if i failed, it never made me sad. Just carry on with my life and try not to fail for the next last minute task. But then again and again, i hope i won't keep doing things last minutely =)

p/s: tq arshana for the info and the help...McD...McD...McD...arkkk!!!

Finally!!!

I was doing the dishes after dinner, suddenly the urge to write came out of nowhere. So here I am.

1. Baby Naufal

Four of us managed to go to Kajang to visit Kak Ira and her baby. The trip was rather okay, except for the surprise of how slow KTM komuter seems to be moving. It was more like riding a monorail for sightseeing in some island. Heh.

As for the baby Naufal, he is red. All of us personally learnt a lesson of how to hold a two weeks infant, and I would say Isma displayed the most potential to be the next mother. There were photos taken, with each of us with the baby.

Most important of all, we had sate kajang with the courtesy of Kak Ira and family. =) And of course, we had a really great time.

2. Rat race

Had a brief talk with my classmate last night. There was something that he said that really got into me. The situation is more or less the same, it happened many times before. For example, there was a time when we were asked in class why we chose Biotechnology, why do we study Biotechnology, etc.

As for me, my answers varied. But never was "to be a biotechnologist." Why? Well, obviously I'd be a biotechnologist, because I'm studying Biotechnology!!! So, as for last night, my answer was I need money to open a bookstore, and I need excuses to travel. And upon the answer, my friend replied:

"Good, just get out of the rat race."

Now that's a good one. Some people would automatically assume I'm not happy with my choice at present. That's wrong. I'm perfectly happy to be in this course, and even thinking of getting it further. But, sometimes people are freaked out if we're a little more or less deviating from the systems. It's like, you're not going to succeed if you're not following the systems.

Do I get myself clear? Or was I just babbling? Heh.

Bluejacking

Bluejacking... What is it? Is it a blue jacket? Or using a blue car jack? Haha... I made that up. Lame though. >_>

Bluejacking... The latest thing to do to annoy people. Found this article on The Star in the In.Tech pull-out. Couldn't find the online link though. I've been finding a lot of articles lately. I'm definately bored.

Back to bluejacking, you need Bluetooth for it, where you can send SMS/MMS to any random number around you. Kinda fun. If you have Bluetooth that is. For those who don't, it's the usual miss-calling-random-numbers I suppose.

p/s: Yahoo! Mail has upgraded to 1 GB. But Gmail has upgraded to 2 GB. Try and beat that! =D And I have Gmail. Mwahaha...

Age of Computer

The pictures speak for themselves.

#Please register to continue using this software


p/s: I take no credit for any of the pics above. If there is some kind of copyright for it, it belongs to the respective owners, not me. =D

IM-ing

With the ever expanding (free) software on the net, there's always more goodies. Here's a good one. Everyone IMs. Well, at least I think they do (for those who doesn't know what IM is, it is Instant Messaging, e.g. Yahoo Messenger). But, with so many programs with similar functions, why not just get one program which can run all! I found this article in the newspaper. So, if you wanna get this awesome software, go here. The program is updated frequently, so you need to check back the website often to get the latest scoop.

Happy IM-ing. =D


p/s: I tried it. Not to my liking though.

Shark's Fin

Ever noticed the many campaigns against eating shark's fin soup? What I noticed so far is that it is targeted at individuals. I think it should be targeted at hotels and restaurants instead. It's them who are selling it after all...

Hmm... Maybe there should a be a ban or a fine, or something along that line. Then, hunting for shark's fin would probably stop.

I'm sounding like an Animal Activist myself. Hehe...

p/s: I'm not against animals. I'm only 'not very keen' on the idea on spending lots of money on animals instead of humans. *ahem*

The Human Activist

Right before our BLE exam, we had a little 'argument' about animal activist and human activist. The Human Activist would be me. The Animal Activists would be Yati and Kak Sofie. With supporting role by Sitot (on my side, that is).

Firstly, the Human Activist argued that there should not be any animal activist (or something of that sort). Why waste money on animals when you can actually use it to save human lives instead. Example: During the war in Afghan, some people were more concerned with the zoo, especially the half-blind lion. Concerned people from all over the world started to donate for the cause. What about the people who were dying there? I don't think there was anyone setting up a cause for that. In the end, the half-blind lion still died. R.I.P.

So, the Human Activist concluded that people should save their own species, which is Homo sapiens (for those who didn't know), instead of other species (e.g. the half-blind lion). The Animal Activists were flabbergasted. Speechless. Then, the Animal Activists said something about equality (I forgot).

So, end of the day, I won. Or that's what I think it was. Hahaha....


p/s: Dedicated to the Animal Activist Yati. This is all I can say ---> Mwahaha....

Malaysia Boleh!

You know you're Malaysian when ...

You complain about the quality of the pirated DVD you just purchased. "What, RM10 for DVD5?! Aiyah, boss ... sound no good, cheaperlah ..."

You're willing to consume sambal petai and durian and gladly suffer the bloating and wind-breaking incidents.

You're exceedingly polite to the Mat Sallehs but you slag your own kind. "Hello, sir. Why don't you sit here, it’s got the best view of the city skyline." But, "Aunty-ah, your table is over there next to the kitchen."

You order Maggi goreng and fried chicken, complain about how oily the food is, and then proceed to finish it anyway.

You love to talk about food. You're already thinking about what to have for dinner while eating lunch. "I'm stuffed. What shall we have for dinner?"

You dive into a communal-style meal the moment the dish lands on the table only to hesitate at the last morsel of food on the serving dish. There are two possible explanations for this: the first is the pai seh (embarrassed) factor, while the other is the myth that the person who eats the last piece will be a spinster.

You hit the accelerator the moment the first drop of rain hits your windshield. "Alamak, it's going to rain. Sure traffic jam one. I'd better drive faster."

You seize the opportunity to make a U-turn anywhere ... especially where there is a sign telling you not to. Well, so long as the cops aren't in sight.

You feel a burning desire to send text messages and even have the gall to give your friend a blow-by-blow account of the movie to your friend on the handphone — during the screening of the movie. "Okay, now that girl Lizzie is impersonating an Italian singer; she so doesn’t look Italian ..."

You forsake your loved ones for the all-important four letter-word: S-A-L-E. "Sorry, mum, I can't take you to Aunt Mary’s because I have to go to MidValley before the crowd."

You’re also more than happy to be part of the insane traffic jam that forms around malls during weekends and sale periods.

Reality shows Akademi Fantasia and Malaysian Idol dictate your social life. "What, no TV at the mamak? Count me out — I'm staying home. Rinie needs my support."

You pepper every sentence with lah. "No-lah, I can't see you today-lah. I have to study-lah. You know-lah, the prison warden aka mak is watching me like a hawk"

You fail to function normally without your daily dose of teh tarik and nasi lemak.

You have owned at least one Proton in your lifetime. Cheap, cheap. That is until you start to make enough dough to buy that Honda you've been salivating over.

You slow down at an accident site to take down the car number plate, but won't step out of your car to help — the victim could be a robber!

You'd rather park your car along the main road outside the mall, where there's a yellow line, rather than pay RM1 to park inside where there are adequate bays.

You plead, bat your eyelids and relate a sob story to the officer at the town council office to let you off the hook (or reduce the amount considerably) for the fine you incurred when you parked your car on the double line.

You make an appointment for 10am and conveniently show up a half hour late — Malaysian time, what ...

You pop open the wet tissue packet at the Chinese restaurant by squeezing the trapped air to the top of the packet before proceeding to smash your fist into it. The louder the pop the better.

You greet your friend / neighbor / acquaintance on the street with "How are things?" or "Have you eaten?" or better yet, by stating the obvious: "Went to market ah?"

Ramlee burger is the "piece de resistance" of your growing-up-years cuisine.

You catch all major televised events at the mamak.

You have roughly six meals a day (breakfast, mid-morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper). Then there's the snacking — keropok ikan, pisang goreng, muruku, jam tarts and the like.

You get the whole family dressed to the nines, jump into the car and head for the minister's open house — and ask for styrofoam boxes and plastic bags to tar pau food.

Your accent and language style vary according to the race of the person you are conversing with.

You've got a friendly disposition. Smiles are abundant and your "Apa khabar?" is warm and sincere.

You exclaim loudly how expensive everything is, even though the items may in fact be going for a steal. "Wah! So expensive, ah? Hak sei ngor (Scare me to death)!"

You dig deep into your pockets to contribute to the latest appeal for donations in the newspapers.

You "diss" our country all the time, but as soon as something good happens (like winning the Thomas Cup), you morph into a proud Malaysian.

You never travel abroad without a bottle of chilli sauce, or sachets which you can sneak into restaurants.

You're proud to be Malaysian!

p/s: Got this from an e-mail too. I see a pattern here. I'm bored. Yes. I am. >_>

Amazing Facts from around the world

1. Americans eat 45, 000 burgers per minute.

2. Tomato Ketchup was once used as medicine in the United States. Was sold as "Dr. Miles Compound Extract of Tomato".

3. Amazon, a gigantic system of rivers and forests, supplies 1/5th of the world's oxygen. Now that's the reason why these forests should be conserved.

4. Brazil is the only country to have played in every World Cup Soccer Tournament.

5. The largest employer in the world is the Indian Railways, employing over one million people.

6. Vatican City is the smallest city in the world. And the only country within a country.

7. Leonardo da Vinci invented the scissors.

8. The actual height of the Eiffel Tower is 984 feet. But it grows by 6 inches in summer, as metal expands. And shrinks back to normal in the winter, as metal contracts.

9. King Louis XIX ruled France for a total of fifteen minutes.

10. The Buckingham Palace, home to the Royal family, has 602 rooms.

11. The Kea Bird lives in New Zealand and likes to eat the rubber around the car windows.

12. The Great Wall of China is 1, 500 miles long and can be seen from outer space.

13. The tooth brush was invented in China in 1498.

14. A Hippo can open its mouth wide enough to fit a 4 ft tall child inside. Nothing to worry, though....they are herbivorous!

15. Penguin is the only BIRD that can swim, but not fly.

16. Did you always think that the Polar Bear's fur is white? Well, you were wrong! Its actually clear. It appears white because it reflects the sunlight.

17. The word Eskimo means "eater of raw flesh".

18. Egyptian women invented the "Lip-stick".

19. Two million stone blocks were used to build a pyramid. And each weighed more than a school bus.

20. Ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made of stone.

p/s: Got this off an e-mail. Read up people! =D

Writer's Block

I stumbled upon this article in the newspaper. Anyone interested?

The only reason I wanna enter this is coz' of the prize. Too good to pass it up. :D

For more info, click here. It's the main website.

I'm currently out of ideas. After writing a 2, 500 words for my term paper during my previous sem, this should be a piece of cake. Too bad it isn't.... v_v

What is the relationship between the brain and enzymes - Ati's Law of Plateau

This conversation is too valuable to be missed:

Me: I’m currently demoralized, so in the midst of boredom, I developed a theory: “Our brain works just like enzyme, it acts in direct proportion to the tasks we have. Basically, our brain works greatest with maximum tasks, but as the tasks are mounting, our brain reaches plateau effect; its activity is neither increasing nor declining.” Do you agree or do you not?

Says…

Sitot: But then my brain has not reach the plateau point yet, may be it reaches the point tonight. Wehehehe…

Isma: The only thing that I can hope is that, our “enzyme” would not be denatured.

Mun: Interesting and how can I be disagree with this theory. My brain nearly reaches plateau stage, and when it does, I’ll go watch TV. Perhaps it can boost my “enzyme”. =)

Lutfi: Not really. I don’t know my brain limit. Wonder if it has a limit. I know it doesn’t work alone. Maybe my brain limit is my body, my heart and my soul. (,”)

Arshana: Fulamak Yati, boleh masukkan dalam blog nanti. Dah lukis graf? Boleh masukkan teori ni dalam buku text. Kalau otak dah denature boleh renature balik tak? Haha…

Fauzan: Setuju! Tapi kalau malas (inhibitor) apa pun tak jadi jugak,

Spring Cleaning

Exam's over, alhamdulillah, and I'm finally home (though my flight was delayed by 1 1/2 hours). What's waiting me at home? a room full of boxes and books!!! *Sigh* It's going to be an intensive spring cleaning for these one whole weeks (or maybe two?).

Arshana the writer seems to be effectivelly updating this blog. Never mind, I'll put my chakra enough to catch up. He he.

Okaylah, have to stop FOR A WHILE (remember, I am now officially 24 hours ONLINE) :D

Christopher Reeve

I was watching Oprah yesterday (yes, I do watch Oprah), and it was about the Superman. Oprah interviewed his wife, Dana and his 13 year old son, Will (12 1/2 then). It was her first interview after her husband's death.

It was amazing. The life that Chris went through. It was utterly unbelievable. Even though he was paralyzed neck down due to an accident on a horse, he still stayed strong and went through with his life. How many people can actually do that?

Even on a wheel-chair, he managed to do many things: direct a movie, act and he wrote 2 best-selling books. And through all that time, he even set up a foundation for the people suffering the same fate. He has helped countless of people and I'm sure he will still be doing so even though he's dead, thanks to the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

One of his friend commented (I think it was Robin Williams, or was it Alec Baldwin) that Chris is doing all this even though he is paralyzed. Imagine what he will do if he wasn't?

It then made me realize how grateful we should be for even being able to walk, talk and eat ourselves. How we have actually taken this simple daily activities for granted....

Dana also mentioned that throughout the 9 1/2 year her husband was paralyzed, he never complained about it, maybe only like once or twice, but that's it. He was happy with his life. Chris even said that at one point of his life he would give anything to be a guy in the street- just being able to walk. But, he later realized and said that he would never trade his life with anyone. He was happy with the way it is.

Everything happens for a reason and nothing is in our hands.

And another important point to note: his wife is amazing. How many people would actually stick around with a guy who can't even do anything on his own? Most people would probably try to squeeze a fat cheque and leave for some other hunk.

*ahem*

I said most people.

Freedom (temporarily at least)

Yes, yes, yes!

The exams are over. Dinner was great, except it was cold.

And one more thing, we played UNO and I won 3 times. Hahaha.... :D

p/s: Oh yeah, I forgot, we have about 3 weeks break. That's for those who are taking short sem. For those who aren't, they'll be having about 4 months of nothing-ness. >_>