The Unexpected Journey: MIHAS 2005

"Sakit badan weh!"

That was the first comment coming out of me upon remembering yesterday's trip to MIHAS 2005.

Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) is taking place at Malaysian International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Mines Resort City. It ends today, by the way. Now, let me brief you guys the details of the journey.

We took off from UIA at about 9.40 am. Although there were some incidents, and at first we thought one of us couldn't make it. Alas, at the very last moment all five of us; Isma, Mun, Sitot, Nurul and I, managed to proceed with the original plan. Alhamdulillah.

We had breakfast at McD upon reaching KL Central. While Kak Wi was still on LRT train to catch up on us, we were told to continue our journey without waiting for her and promised to meet at the MIHAS itself. From KL Central we took KTM Komuter to Serdang.

When Sitot told me that we'll only have to walk a little to reach MINES Resort City, I thought the distant was like from HS Cafe to Kuliyyah Engineering. But it was actually more like from Mahallah Maryam to Mahallah Safiyyah. Quite an exhausting walk I might say. Because it was just once in a while we get to do something eventful like this, it didn't matter at all.

After asking few people at MINES shopping complex (although one of the staff at Information Counter was a bit bothersome, typical Malaysian), and very fortunately the exhibition hall was right beside the building, we finally reached the registration area for MIHAS 2005.

However, we were at first stunned when we discovered a sign that MIHAS only opens for public on Sunday, 31st July. But with Sitot courage, the registration people allowed us to get inside provided we fill up the form.

I think the Malay proverb "Malu Bertanya Sesat Jalan" suited us very well here, and indeed we were not 'malu' and we didn't get 'sesat' as a result.

The exhibition and the booths? There were so many we only went to a select few. The first round until Zuhr, and the second round after Zuhr until about 3.50. I'll only write about a few noted booth.

The First Part

1. There was UPM's Institute of Halal Food booth, which was newly established since about four months. We get to see the electric nose, a device that detect the percentage of porcine content in foods. Unfortunately, the person responsible for demonstrating it was not coming. Then there were some papers of Dr. Yaakub, a well known halal food expert mentioned by Mdm Mariam a few times back in Halal & Haram classes, and the hardcover-bounded thesis of Mdm Mariam herself! The sister working at the booth seems to be very surprised to hear that we're her students, because of Mdm Mariam being the Head of Deputy Directors at JAKIM's Bahagian Kajian Makanan dan Gunaan Islam.

And of course, we did our best to mention "Kuliyyah of Science" and "Biotech students from UIA" each time people asked where we were from.

2. At De5 booth, a products of food supplements made of herbs. We met a MARA enterpreuner motivator (I forgot to ask his name). Knowing that we are students, he immediately gave us a short lecture on Malay, mind-setting, businesses, etc. One of his partner is UIA student of Business Management. Nurul and the madam exchanged phone number for any possibilities of purchasing the product or any case. The motivater also gave UIA students a compliment for being 'able to do the work'.

Other booths diplayed various goods. Some were foods, some others were products. Being hungry, we tested all the foods on display (talk about halal exhibition, you don't have to be selective, eat everything!). There was Nasi Ayam's paste, soy product tasted like chicken (and very yummy too!), chocolates, sweets, pegaga juices (tastes a bit like grass), cakes, surimis, salamis, etc.

Since the exhibition was actually only opens for public on Sunday, upon registering we only managed to get "Trade Buyer" tag, which in turn Alhamdulillah made us all being treated nicely by all the exhibitors because they thought we're going to buy their products!

Then it was Zuhr, and we proceeded to the nice small Surau nearby.

The Second Part.

After Zuhr, 60% of booths are yet to be visited. There were clothes booths, mainly from Indonesia and Bangladesh. And carpets booth from Turki and other related countries.

3. We came across the Nestle booths, and we asked about doing practical there. The guy said there is no R&D division in Malaysia, only in Singapore and New Zealand. But they advised us to write personally, and remind us to be a Dean List students jokingly. We immediately answered to them we are indeed the Dean List lots, and one of the guy brought out boxes of Nestle Gold and gave us a box each. Very nice pakciks, they are.

4. There were Ramly booths also. Here we also asked them about practical training because the factory located at Batu Caves. The sister told us to write to the factory, she couldnt do much because she is in marketing division.

Getting hungrier, we got more selective. Knowing that Dr Farouq Gad also opens a booth, we called Kak Wi to get the booth number and decided that will be the final destination.

5. Luckily, Kak Wi was also at the booth. And surprise! We met Mdm Mariam near the booth (thanks to Kak Wi for telling us). Mdm Mariam was very excited to see us and she keeps telling her friends that we're her students (one international guy, which later we found out was an Ex-UIA now working for YADIM, seem to be very facinated at the reunion atmosphere). We were ourselves indeed excited to see Mdm Mariam for she is an excellent teacher to us all.

And more surprise! The friend of Mdm Mariam, standing tall beside her turned out to be The CEO of MIHAS 2005 (Gosh I forgot his name, must find later). We got to meet the CEO in person, to me that was like getting to see the celebrity (and for us being nerdy, the CEO is more than just a celebrity of course!). He asked us from where did we know about MIHAS, when we told him from The Halal Journal. He was like, "how did you find that magazine and why are you reading it?!". Ha ha, once again, talk about being nerds. And it is worth it for me, as we Biotech students of UIA is no ordinary lots!

6. Then we continued to Dr Farouq's booths. As usual, Dr is very excited and full of spirit. And I personally love one of his statements as he gladly introduced us to his friend, "These are my students, eventhough I'm not teaching them." If only all teachers have his attitude.

There were few papers on display, with one of our friend's pic (he is listed in the friends link, go figure) was also on the show. Dr Farouq told us about his country wanting him back and everything. That'll be a big loss to us if it comes true, and I still hope to this day that he'll teach us sometimes in the future.

Finally...

The urge to eat was finally unbearable. We decided to call it a day and we headed to Mines Shopping Complex to get some bite at the food court. And yes, that was not the end.

After filling up the necessary intake, we actually planned another big event. Because it might be our first and the last visit to Mines, we decided to treat ourselves to the water taxi ride around the lake. We chose the 30 minutes special ride around the North lake. And it is very breathtaking! Some of us even fall asleep and some other get to be jiwang-jiwang while on the ride. Ha ha.

Finished at about 5.30, we prayed Asr and while the others went back to UIA after that, I headed off to my friend's house to attend her kenduri.

We took lots of pictures (but not inside the MIHAS because it was strictly prohibited), I think that will be handled by Mun, our photographer!

And to Ann, we are praying for you. Be strong!

SMART Group

One of the controversial latest issues going around at our faculty, the SMART group. SMART stands for Science, Mind, Akhlak, something and something. I can't remember. >.<

So, first off was the meeting with the mentors, which consists of seniors. Went pretty smooth as there was no one to go against their plans. It was the shock of it I tell you.

Two days later, there was the gathering of the new students to help them adapt to the new environment and also to introduce all the big kahunas in the society. Later on, the SMART group was introduced. I was thinking that I might not be able to make it cause I had a class that night. But apparenty, luck was on my side (or was it not), and I still managed to see the on-goings of it all. The mentors and co-mentor were distributed accordingly to their juniors aka mentee aka protege.

All of us, except Ann was co-mentors. But Ann might be having a mentor soon too. A bit of introduction and small chit-chat with the juniors and the seniors. All of us were split according to our courses. More talking. Some juniors were already asking what concnetration they should take. They should really take it slow. We, the next batch to take the concentration are so laid back about it. And this people who are all still in 1st year have already popped the question. Adik-adik, do your Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, MCB and whole load of other basics first before worrying about something that you're going to do 2 years from now. Have a strong foundation first.

And some were already asking where they would work. And about their practical training. Even I have not decided about it yet and I'll be going in the next batch. Kids these days...

More blah, blah, blah. Eat. Go back. Sleep.

Let's just hope everything goes smoothly. I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about.

Industrial Training

The thing that has been on our minds since last week. It isn't until next year, but we were told to start looking for place right away.

Here's a little recap from the briefing the other day. It is 6 credit hours. Starting from our batch, it will now be graded. Previously it was only based on pas or fail. It would be for 12 weeks. That's from April to June. The objective of this training is to expose students to the working environment.

The grading would be based on a weekly report and 12-week report (which is supposed to be a summary of your 12 week stint). This carries 25% each. Then there's the supervisor's report which carries 50%.

Many places were mentioned the other day. Among them hospitals, MARDI, NIOSH, Shell, UKM, USM, UM, KUSTEM, RRI and loads of other places.

So, where you guys planning on going?

New Semester

Is it a bit late to talk about this?

The new semester has started. I personally call this semester; 'semester pasar' because of continuous events held throughout the semester and there will be bazaars being set up all along the main route in campus.

I'm expecting less hectic schedule for this semester compared to the last one as we only take three core courses. Nevertheless, as for now we have several tasks and quizzes mounting up. We already have two assignment of Bioprocess and Calculus, and one quiz has passed already. Well, students' life, what can we expect?

We're going for industrial training this term. Arshana will talk more on this, I guess.

Mosquito Bay: A place to be visited.

I have read a book entitled "100 Things To Do Before Die". It was among the best book that I have encountered. And again, I borrowed it from the Books Lover. Thus, my entry herein, contains the very first thing (as proposed) that (as a scientist) should do! Hahaha.

Imagine a fantastic expirience of swimming in a lake full of Tinkerbells fairy dust! Pure magic, the experience is actually indescribable. Hidden along the Caribbean coast is one of the most spectacular Bioluminescent Bays in the world. The mysterious blue-green light is created by micro-organisms which thrive in an environment uniquely suited to their needs. A trip into the bay on a balmy night is a magical experience. Fish flash by in dark water, and a swim is like floating through stardust. Wah syioknyerrrrrrrrr.

The secret: The water contained tiny dinoflagellates inside that will light up once they are touched! What is dinoflagellates? My dear friends, did you still remember Biology 1 with Madam Rosmarina during the Matriculation?

The bioluminescent dinoflagellates Pyrodinium bahamense are a photosynthesis using plankton. They are one celled and measure about 1/500 th of an inch. The tiny burst of light it gives off is a hundred times bigger than itself. ( Above is merely an artists depiction of the glow) Each dinoflagellete bursts into light when it feels pressure against its cell wall. The light is given off in an instantaneous process; when you add the light bursts of 750,000 dinoflagellates per cubic foot of water together the effect is spectacular!

Almost all marine bioluminescence is (greenish) blue in color, for two related reasons. First, blue-green light (wavelength around 470 nm) transmits furthest in water. The reason that underwater photos usually look blue is because red light is quickly absorbed as you descend. The second reason for bioluminescence to be blue is that most organisms are sensitive only to blue light.

The luminescence of a single dinoflagellate is readily visible to the dark adapted human eye. Most dinoflagellates emit about 6e8 photons in a flash lasting only about 0.1 second. Much larger organisms such as jellyfish emit about 2e11 photons per second for sometimes tens of seconds. The intensity of luminescence by photosynthetic dinoflagellates is strongly influenced by the intensity of sunlight the previous day. The brighter the sunlight the brighter the flash.

The chemical reaction responsible for the production of light bursts begins with a luciferin, a light emitter. This chemical is either acquired through the food chain or synthesized within the organism itself. Different types of organisms use different luciferins for their reactions. There are believed to be about six different types of luciferin molecules. The luciferin reacts with another chemical, called the luciferase, salt and oxygen resulting in a burst of light and water.

Luciferin + Luciferase + Oxygen + Salt ----> Light + Water

Bioluminescence is a primarily marine phenomenon. It is the predominant source of light in the largest fraction of the habitable volume of the earth, the deep ocean .
In contrast, bioluminescence is essentially absent (with a few exceptions) in fresh water, even in Lake Baikal. On land it is most commonly seen in the few families of luminous insects.

Bioluminescence has evolved many times in the sea as evidenced by the several distinct chemical mechanisms by which light is emitted and the large number of only distantly related taxonomic groups that have many bioluminescent members.


ps/ Perhaps, we can propose to our Dean about this place, may be for a field trip to Mosquito Bay. Hahahaa

Reference:
http://www.elenas-vieques.com/bioluminescent.html

Aren't We All Rich?

New sem just started. First week was kinda easy. Just briefing and a pre-test. >_>

And also the loads of books we need to buy. That means loads of money that needs to be forked out too. Since I can't remember the long titles of the books, I'll just put the subject it is used for instead:

1. Calculus: RM 72.00
2. Cell Tissue Culture: RM 84.00
3. Genetics: RM 81.00
4. Bioprocess (2 options): RM 85.00 and ~RM 73.00

That brings it to a total of RM 300+. Not to mention the tonnes and tonnes of notes that needs to be photocopied, lab manuals and other things that might crop up suddenly, which can easily amount to another RM 100. Aren't we all rich? Thanks to PTPTN and JPA.

Good news!

My cat, Sassy.



Met her prince charming.



Then she got pregnant.



Finally, she gave birth to four baby kittens last night. I couldn't watch the delivery process because I was asleep. Last night though she already had showed some signs and had comfortably slept in her 'delivery room'. I woke up this morning and dad told me the kittens were already born! Its a miracle. From one cat, now I'm watching another four struggling to move with their eyes closed. They're so adorable, and funny. One kitten couldn't get through past her/his siblings to suckle her/his mother's milk and was desperately sucking the mother's hand instead.

I'm waiting for more adventure.

Oh, I couldn't get their pictures taken yet, because old sayings prohibit taking pictures of kittens or they will die. Not that I actually believe it, but I'd rather not take the chance. Anyway, kittens have high mortality rate. But with their mother around and a vet just a drive away, I hope these kittens will make it and be part of the family.