The Ultimate Template :)

Here we are, with yet another new template.

Since it was only me who keeps changing it, I can't help but choose the ones with white and green color (don't you noticed?), in addition, it fits with the picture.

:)

It seems the changing season brings along fever and anything that comes with it. My brother and I both caught fever, hence unable me to spend the last days of my vacation with my beloved niece. Same goes to Arshana, but I think on her part it's more of moving to Kuantan reason, hehe.

Just pulling your leg, Arshana.

While I think most of us are busy packing, I am not so. Most of my stuffs are already at Kuantan, which I sorely hope still intact by the time I claim it. But I have other packing to do, my famil will be moving to Nilam Puri for a while due to financial constraints. It's not bad, actually, but my parents opted for the lesser burden. And it'll be a bit of adventurous for my part, the idea of living 'off-house' is quite appealing actually, it suits my eccentric self, haha.

So, I'll see you guys at Kuantan, by the time I hope my cold and fever has already ceased, in sya Allah.

University Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme

This scheme is a pre-service scholarship for potential post graduate student in science, technology and innovation to pursue studies at M.Sc and Ph.D level on full time research basis in selected Public Institutions of Higher Learning. Selection of candidates and payment is done by the various Public Institutions of Higher Learning through the Graduate School.


Form of Assistance:

1. Monthly allowances
• Masters - RM1,300 per month
• Doctorate - RM 1,500 per month
2. Tuition fees (includes registration and course fees)
3. Examination fees (viva)

Target Group:

1. This scheme is open to graduates who have shown excellence in academic at Bachelor's level and have not served any government agencies. Applicants must have qualities and interest in carrying out research as a life long career.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Malaysian citizen
2. Applicant's for Masters must not exceed 30 years of age (for masters) and 35 years of age for Ph.D upon application date
3. Full time study
4. Must obtain satisfactory academic qualification
5. Research conducted must have potential application to the industry and the our nation's development
6. Applicants are not Government servants or tutors in local institutions of higher learning.

How To Apply:

1. The application form can be downloaded from the Ministry's official website and completed form must be submitted to the university's Graduate School to be processed.
2. Application will be tabled in and approved by the Steering Committee Meeting. Decision made is final and any appeal shall not be entertained.

p/s: Thanks to Sis Zarina for sending this in. For more info: Go here

Scholar-ship

I was reading the papers today, in the Education segment and there was an article about an interesting undergrad and postgrad program being offered. It takes place on a cruise ship around the world. No boring university lecture halls for you. And where would your classes be you ask? The world! And the people you meet are the teachers. How cool is that?

Not only do you get to travel and see the world, you’ll get a degree by doing that. This has to be one of the best degree programs around. I don’t think there’ll be any quizzes or assignments. I’m not really sure how the students will be graded. But this truly appeals to me. One thing for sure, there'll be plenty of field trips.

But there’s a little drawback. It costs a whopping US$ 19K. That’s a lot of money. On the bright side, there’s a scholarship being offered for US$ 5K. The scholarship does not worth much actually. But if you have plenty of greens in your account, might as well take this opportunity and travel the world. It would be a great experience.

For more information: Scholar Ship

BBQ in Kuantan

I emailed this picture to Sis Anil & Dr Jalal the other day. So, guess what Dr Jalal replied:

Dear Arshana

Tqqqqq. ur camera make me yooounggg. Look like real sharrukh khan not Jalal khan. Belanja u and ur buddies in the Kuantan beach. promise.

Take care.

Wasssalam.

Khan

Haha, Dr Jalal is always full of jokes. So remember guys. The barbecue awaits us in Kuantan. :)



And here's what Sis Zarina has to say about the picture and the little gift we got her:

Salam Arshana,

Tq for the photo also the gift from your group. Really appreciate it, I
will miss u guys when I'm in UK but we can still keep in touch rite...

Maybe one day u plan to go there, do contact me.

Cheers,
K.Ina

And here's the reply from Sis Zaima for the picture and the gift as well:

thanks for the picture..!!!

Till then, ta-ta!

don't say goodbye...

An almost dying old man said this to his daughter in law:

Both love and death...come uninvited
And we have no power to control over it

That touches me alot...

Ati's Wish

A special delivery from Aqilah's aunt! :)

Eid Mubarak to all! Wishing you the best of hari raya my friends...

I'm feeling kind of lonesome, and forlorn. It's not like I'm sad or anything, it's just I feel, nothing, or rather, I feel something, but I can't permit myself to feel it because I can't feel it. It makes me feel old.

But don't fret, I'm still smiling, and I suppose I'm happier than I was a moment ago.

I'm a big girl now.

Maaf zahir batin my dear biotechnologist-to-be friends!!!

Eid Mubarak

Just another day to go. I'm sure most of you guys out there have already done the cookies, cleaning up, blah, blah, blah. Same old usual stuff. Most of you would probably be heading back to your kampungs, while I get stuck here in hazy KL. Nah, just kidding. Got used to the whole I-don't-balik-kampung-cause-I-don't-have-a-kampung thing. Anyhoo, I just want to take this opportunity to wish everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf zahir batin. It has been a good 3 years with you guys. Still looking forward to the many (hopefully) years to come.

Don't forget the exams. And skip some of the cookies. Save some for me, 'k! :)

The Real Update

I think I once used the same title before, but heck, I'm running out of ideas, but in attempt to keep this blog alive, and telling all people out there that we're, the biotechnologists-to-be, too alive and breathing here; the title doesn't matter as much.

Like they say, it's the thought that counts.

We're on the verge of our final week of the semester. Fortunately, all major assignments and presentations as well as tests has been completed. Now we're left with another two (Br. Kamarul's and Br. Faizul's Bioinformatics lab reports), which I hope despite its apparent tediousness, is not as much as I though it is. If there's an important thing I learn this semester, it's not about what you view it, it's about how you view it.

Final exams is in about two weeks time, and with classes ending early, it seems like we shall have plenty of time. But no, it's eid and the 10 days vacation is bound to be without books in mind and in hand. As soon as I reach home, I shall don the title Ati-the-Baker, not Ati-the-Biotechnologist-to-be, that's for sure.

The other Biotechnologists-to-Be, I'm cherished to see, are all doing welll too. Life is not all rosy for us, I must admit, but sometimes we just have to look at the core of our reason for living, and that should be enough for the time being to keep moving on.

As for me, I'm having the time of my life. Being around a protective brother, and playful friends is keeping me alive each day, and I shall not indeed waste my time (anymore) not being one.

To all people out there, wish us the best success in in the coming exams, and here to all Biotechnologists-to-Be; you rock!!! :)

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

Do you remember the time,
When little thing made you happy.

Do you remember the time,
When simple thing made you smile.

Life can be wonderful,
If you let it be.

Life can be simple,
If you try.

Whatever happened to those days?
Whatever happened to those nights?

Do you remember the time,
When little thing made you sad.

Do you remember the time,
When simple thing made you cry.

Is it just me
Or
Is it just us

Feeling lost in this world?

Why do we have to hurt each other
Why do we have to shed tears.

Life can be beautiful
If you try

Life can be joyful
If we try

Tell me
I’m not alone

Tell me
We are not alone in this world
Fighting against the wind

Do you remember the time
When simple thing made you happy

Do you remember the time
When little thing made you laugh.

You know
Life can be simple.

You know
Life is simple

Because
Best thing in life is yet to come

Because
Best is yet to come.

This was once a song I love from the soundtracks of Metal Gear Solid, I had the CD but it was borrowed and never to be returned.

I suppose belongings, tangible or intangible, sometimes are snatched away from your life in cruel manner, no matter how unfair you might feel it is.

And the only reason you have in hand to keep moving on, is to live.

In remembrance of everything that I lost, I'm not missing them anymore.

A Brief Comeback

For someone who finds satisfaction in writing, I should've been certainly unsatisfied for a very long time now.

Unfortunately, that's not the case.

I've learned to open up to many other new possibilities, and I found great fulfillment in trying new things. Most importantly, things I once were attached to before, today I figured out has not been that worth hanging on to anyway. I was blinded, and delusioned.

So now here I am, over again, trying to stand up on the piles of my mistakes - smiling proud, because despite of everything else, now I learnt a little bit more about life, I've seen and I've known my friends, as well as my foes.

Hopefully, not to turn back ever again. And this poem, is specially dedicated to myself =p

ONE ART

The art of losing isn't hard to master,
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster

Lose everything everyday, accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent
the art of losing isn't hard to master

Then practice losing farther, losing faster
places and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster

I lost my mother's watch, and look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three love houses went
the art of losing isn't hard to master

I lost two cities, lovely ones. And vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent,
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.

Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster

The Most Natural Thing in the World

I remember Arshana once told me she thought it was a bit weird for me to walk around campus by myself casually, and I remember Isma and Nurul always said how brave I was to walk alone for fun when they said they didn’t think they could do it. My evening walks is a sort of personal ritual for me – a time when I enjoyed myself, listened to my favourite songs, thought of practically anything, and seriously really had fun with myself. I walked, I run, I jumped, and I played along the way never caring a bit for passers by who sometimes would look at me curiously or (some who brave enough) would woo me.

However, today was a bit unusual,

I did one thing I never thought I would get to do, I did one thing I had once give up because I didn’t think I would get the chance to do it, ever.

Today I shared my evening walk with my brother, a real brother; a living, vivid, existent brother – and today’s evening walk I had with him felt like the most natural thing in the world.

I’ve always viewed human relationship as a complicated, fragile, and edgy object. Maybe not this time, no, this time what I have and what I see in my mind is as clear as spring water – and that’s how I want to share it with my friends – clearly and plainly;

I want to share with my friends about a dear, dear, dear brother of mine, and this brother, his name is; none other than our Lutfi.

Reading this may be a shock to some, confusion to others, or understanding to a few; but what it looks like is exactly what I meant; I made Lutfi my brother, and his family my family.

Reasons make sense of everything, and I have too many reasons to put forward.

Why a brother. Because I want a brother, I need a brother. I want to learn family, and I want to experience real family. Yes, may be it’s a bit unanticipated if I say that yes, it is because I never experienced real family that I want to be a part of a real family – but that’s what it is.

Anyone who has ever been to my house would understand, Nurul would, Kak Sofie would, and Lutfi would.

I remember a tag from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy; all happy families are alike, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. I would completely understand if my friends can’t see how my family is unhappy. But I would appreciate it very much if my friends understand how much I need this, how much I need a real brother, and a real family.

Why I chose Lutfi as my brother. Because I trust Lutfi and in many occasions, Lutfi has proven himself to be more than just a friend – but a guardian angel as well. To say that I’m one problematic girl is maybe true, and Lutfi had offered me hands to help. He had seen me at my lowest, and he stayed by my side nonetheless. That was when I realized I’m going to need his help to change, to fix myself, and to let go of my past. I need the guidance of a protective voice, a brother, one I never had from my family, not even from my father.

Hence, occasionally my friends would find my brother asking me if I’m okay, or me going out for breakfast with him, or we exchanging a glass of water. Herein I will make it clear, anything I did, I do, or I will do is on a sister-brother relationship accord - nothing more, and nothing less. Anything I give to Lutfi is anything a sister would give to her brother, and any manner Lutfi is treating me is a manner a brother would his sister.

Some might not understand, but I do hope my friends understand.

Bonus question; Why don't I find myself a man of my own? Isn't that what a girl search for her entire life to save and fix her? Tricky answer; I do wait for my knight in his shining armour, but I had searched, tried, and unfortunately I had failed many times. Something was always missing. I figured out maybe I didn't start right, I grew up too fast, leaving behind my childish-sister'y' coat to be independent on my own. And now I'm making a first step forward by taking two steps back. I want to learn family first, before I learn love. And I believe I have to find my family first before I find my love.

I’m sorry if I never shared anything with my friends about my stories, my family, and my past. I would like to, but I could never bring myself to, because I was afraid, because my story is too complicated, and I felt like I would burden my friends with it while I’m the only one who has to fix it. I would love to share my stories with my friends, as any girlfriend would with her girlfriends.

Thank you all, my friends. I'm sharing all of these with you guys for one simple reason, because we're friends.

Welcome to my world!

AGD

Come this 22 September, Kulliyyah of Science would be having its first annual grand dinner. As a farewell bid to Gombak. Tentatively to start at 8 pm with the theme "Elegant and Stylo", even though I think it should be 'stylish' instead.

This event has us excited and squirming in delight like a bunch of school kids about to go on a field trip. Well, even at this age, we still squirm in delight when there's a field trip.

Kak Sofie has roped in the entire batch as committees. One last contribution to the Science society before we leave Gombak. For me, probably the first and the last contribution. Hoho. And we get corsages. Maybe.

This time around I guess everyone is ready to be dressed to kill. Of course we had previous dinner like the Dean's list, etc but that didn't have a theme. Baju kurung for the girls and batik for the guys. That's what majority of the people usually wear.

But this time around, this dinner has gone to all new heights. Usually we just borrow one of the halls from Kulliyyah of Engineering, but this time around we're taking the biggest hall the university has to offer, CAC. Don't know what it stands for though. So it's a grand affair.

We do need to pay for the dinner, which is highly understandable since that we're shifting, plenty of the funds are being channeled there. But it's only RM 10. Highly affordable. We committees go in for free. Heh. The food better be good.

So here we are, rummaging through our clothes trying to find the perfect thing to wear (eeyyeerrr... sounds so bimbo-ish) or perhaps just getting something new instead. Expect a lot of changes I guess. Plain Jane transforms into glamour dolls (guys included). Hahahahaha...

HAPPY 22ND BIRTHDAY ISMA YANTI!

Old Already? - The Prelude

I was walking out of the car with Isma, Kak Sofie, and Nurul towards the Maryam's cafe, after a brief silence; I mumbled to myself; "Dah tua rupanya kita ya."

Kak Sofie laughed at my abrupt comment, asking what had led me into such conclusion. Expalaining to them about how much things have changed since our first year at university, Isma noddingly agreed to my notion by putting the example of how naive we were those days waiting every day for bus to go back and forth from Mahallah to Kulliyyah until nowadays we're commuting with our own car. Kak Sofie smiled and said; "Well, we're getting older, not old - that's more appropriate."

I believe the incidents that happened for the last few weeks had shaken our solidarity, at times like those we begin to see clearly the true identity of each and everyone of us in face of adversity. Somehow deep in our heart, we begin to re-judge each other, clouded by hurts and disappointments we had to suffer. As I once wrote before, an incident like these blurred the lines we had established for each other, it disturbed the equilibrium of our friendship, and somehow it is, undeniably, hard and upsetting.

However, I also believe such incident happened for a reason (though Lutfi adamantly put that it should never happened) - I believe the conflict was the beginning of our next stage in friendship, the conflict challenged our unity with each other, and it confronted our individual personality - and to overcome all those; only sane, awake, and matured minds can do - which I believe all of us are. Yes, without doubt along the way we made mistakes we thought we never would do, but we're humans - and unless we accept the idea that we'll make mistakes over and over again - we'll never be able to forgive each other, and most importantly, to forgive ourselves.

I browsed through our previous posts, I was surprisingly amazed at how easy we were to each other before. Unlike these days where some of us seems to always have something to say to each other but we never did. Now then I realized how true Lutfi was when he said to Kak Sofie how 'sayang' it is for us to let go of the friendship for petty reasons we had been cultivating the last few weeks. What has gotten into all of us, I wonder?

Change, I presume.

We were all on the same track prior to the industrial training, which was not a problem to all of us because that was how we were when we knew each other since the beginning. However, after the practical, some changes are tremendous. Those who have changed are confused as how to go back to their previous identitites in the old days, and those who have not are equally confused as how to react to these friends who suddenly became stranger to them. No one is actually at fault, we are just at lost with the departing times that seems to be either too slow to some of us, or too fast to some other. And those who lost are sometimes scared, angry, disappointed, and sad - which is all what we are - emotional organisms.

It is without doubt however, hurts shall leave scars, and trust had to be rebuilt - but we're exceptional; we're organisms with not only emotions or minds, we're also endowed with soul; and only by learning from our previous mistakes and by making the best out of it shall we truly be characterized by that - spirited organisms; man, woman - human beings. I believe, as I already mentioned it before - the incident that had happened (and thankfully resolved) - happened for a reason - it happened because Allah wants us to be better persons; better individuals, and better friends to each other. And I have faith, and trust, and confidence in each of all of us; Arshana, Ann, Amer, Fauzan, Isma, Lutfi, Mun, Nurul, Sitot, and Kak Sofie - that all of us have become and will always be better person afterwards - no matter what happen.

Wet Lab

The word wet lab has taken a whole new definition. Our first Design & Optimization of Biotechnology Process lab yesterday was one bloody mess.

Four people in one group didn't seem to do the trick. We needed more hands. After making 1/4 of the lab wet with all the water spillage, and also partially taking over the 'makcik' cleaner's job of moping the floor, we finally succeeded.

The objective of the experiment was to measure the velocity of the water flowing through plastic pipes with various diameters and opening of the valve.

Not only was trying to fix the pipe to the valve was difficult, but when we nearly succeeded, the water starting spurting out through whatever possible openings it could find. Even after jamming it with plasticines, it still didn't help. The water kept flowing out all over the place.

Since we started with the biggest diameter, which was the hardest, we successfully managed to wet the lab and give it a good mop which I think it deserved. We have engineered a method that ensures the water flows out bubble-free as much as possible. But that was of course after all the unavoidable spillage.

It got easier after that. The smaller the diameter, the less spillage. We were the first group to finish. Woo! That hasn't happened in a long, long time. But that's cause most of the time we're not really bothered to join in the crazy frenzy to fight for the apparatus and materials. We're civilized, you see. =)

It was one tiring lab practical. Having to control the water from spilling more, avoiding poking friends with syringe (which I accidently did anyway) and without any air-con (unfortunately it's switched off on Sat). But it was fun. Probably one of the most fun labs so far. Whee!

Key to Score Bioinformatics

Since i'm bored to death right now waiting for Fauzan to finish his work on bioinformatics, i have no other choice but to make this entry.

Just now, we have a bioinformatics practical class. I'm in the same group as sitot and ann. We were asked to choose a species and a gene of interest for that species, then search for its sequence at NCBI a.k.a GenBank. After that, we need to BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) the sequence in order to find 29 more sequences of the same genus and gene of interest.

With the skills that ann and sitot have, we managed to finish it earlier than expected. That's why right now i am in quite a boredom. But they were great. I had learnt a lot from sitot. She said, in bioinformatics, we must remember the motto: STEP BY STEP TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING. I hope all of us can remember that! It is the greatest learning process in bioinformatics. If u wish to get A for this subject, stick to the motto :) Credit goes to sitot for her devotion in bioinformatics. Thank you, sitot!

Do You See Me Any Different?

Just a rather bold question to be asked, answers will not be evaluated. :)

(Anyhow, I think study of human behavior is interesting but I never get to figure out my own self, just yet.)

Science and Technology in the 21st Century

That was the title of the public seminar by Nobel laureate Professor C. N. Yang who won in 1957 in the field of physics. It was held at the Le Meridien hotel yesterday from 2 till 5 pm.

The place was filled with students and lecturers, professors and researchers. The seminar was started off by giving the background of the speaker. For someone aged above 80, he sure looked young and energetic. He looked 60. Maybe it was the distance from the stage that played such trick.

Prof. Yang started off by giving the history of MRI, computer and biotechnology. And then he talked about these fields in the current situation, followed by the future prospect in the next 50 years. Just as it was starting to get interesting, it ended abruptly.

Prof. Yang was talking about the inter-relation of basic science, developmental science and applied science. According to him, in the next 50 years, more emphasize will be given to applied science. At the end, it's all about money.

Kak Sofie was about to ask a question related to where Malaysia stands at this point. Is applied science given its due importance? Or are we lagging behind? But people were starting to queue up behind the microphone. Alas, it was too late for anymore questions. Better luck next time Kak Sofie.

The speaker was an interesting person. He knew all the people in the history he spoke about. He even knew Watson and Crick. In case you're wondering, they're the guys who discovered the double helix structure of DNA. It was a shame that his talk was a short one.

Apparently it is the Academy of Science Malaysia who is in charge of bringing these Nobel laureates here to give talks to the public. Hopefully, Malaysia will be able to produce one of its own soon enough. And I hope I'll live to see that day.

I'm Back!!!

Happy new semester to all my Biotechnologist-to-Be friends!!!

I'm not at all prepared to go to class. No money (all finished during practical), no stationeries (all lost during practical), no shoes (yet to be collected from Lanchang), no lab coats (and yet to be collected). And not to mention the unending compound I receive from Mahallah's office, and it's totaling up to RM100! What the...

This is by far my most unprepared (and/or un-motivated) self ever. But hey, ain't it a well-known phrase that "it's not how you start it, but how you end it'.

So I guess this time I shall only say; bring it on...

Till then, hope to see you guys in one piece this Monday at class. Ciao!

Timetable for Sem I, 06/07

Due to popular demand, or also known as incessant annoying by Hajar Fauzan, here'’s the timetable for the next semester.

1. Introduction to Bioinformatics
2. Instrumentation in Biotechnology Research
3. Design & Optimisation in Biotechnology Research
4. Medical Biotechnology
5. Chemistry & Biochemistry of Natural Products
6. Research Methodology
7. Skill - Replace the Photography class with whatever skill class you're taking

So there you go. A mouthful of subjects. Gosh, it sounds difficult. And I seriously have no idea what it's going to be about.

But one thing for sure, it would be a semester that I'm truly looking forward too. Reports. Assignments. Quizzes. Aaaahhh.... The bliss of the education system. And also the Photography class. Really hoping to get some pointers in this field. And maybe along the way shoot some really amazing photos. Wohoo!

The only thing I'll be complaining about would be the Saturday classes. I'm keeping my fingers crosses that it would be changed to a different time, but that's never going to happen. Bah, nothing wrong with wishing right? But since we need to 'import' our lecturers from outside, it willdefinitelyy be night classes and Saturday labs. I really, really hope it won't be therepetitionn of the previous semester. Replacing classes is a big hassle. Especially if it's with these imported lecturers.

Alrighty then. Can't wait to see all you guys real soon. And don't forget, I've got stuff from Aussie too. So behave. :)

3 weeks more...

Disebabkan dah terlampau lama tak post any entry dan tak post any comment dlm blog yang tak allow anonymous comment, saya hampir-hampir saja terlupa password sendiri. Alhamdulillah, setakat ni dah berjaya menamatkan 9 minggu yang memenatkan. 3 weeks more. Rasa macam lama je tempoh 3 minggu tu. Sepanjang 9 minggu yang panjang tu, sungguh tak sangka saya ber'interaksi' dengan microbes hari-hari. Pagi masuk lab, break kejap, and then lepas zohor sambung balik.Masa lab Applied Molecular Genetics dulu, start 2.30 ptg.Kalau pukul 5.30 ptg tak selesai lagi, mulalah saya jeling-jeling jam dan jeling-jeling member sekelas (especially Arshana,hahaha).Lab yang paling memenatkan (kadang-kadang bosan sikit) semenjak saya bergelar student biotech ni. Tapi,bila saya terpaksa bertapa di lab pagi dan petang dekat CEPP ni, lab Applied yang dulu terasa lama sebenarnya takdelah lama mana pun.

Sepanjang latihan industri ni, barulah nampak apa yang lecturer Calculus bagitau dulu,"Bila dah kerja nanti, awak cuma guna lebih kurang 15% drpd apa yang awak belajar dulu." Lebih kurang macam tu la ayat dia. Sungguh benar apa yang lecturer tu cakap. Ilmu-ilmu subject Introductory Microbiology masa first year dulu yang paling banyak saya perah keluar dari otak saya ni.Hampir 'berkarat' folder-folder pasal microbes yang saya save sikit-sikit dalam otak ni.So far, everything is fine eventhough saya pernah rasa pitam-pitam lalat akibat terlampau banyak buat streak plate and desperately trying to focus microbes under the microscope. FYI, they don't do the DNA-related thingy here.Too bad.I love DNA.

The folks here are great.They've helped me a lot. Thanks to them that I've got to learn things that I can never get to learn without this experience. Of course, there are always villains. But, hey, life is like a movie, right?It would be less fun and less adventurous without the so-called villains.Fuh.Can't wait to begin new semester and can't wait to see my fellow BTBs!Guys, good luck for these final 3 weeks!See you guys soon!

Major Revamp

I have a shocking news. Most of you guys probably know about it already by now. But hey, this blog is neglected. So here it goes. Be prepared.

Effective December 2006, which is this year, the Biotechnology and Biomedical departments of Kulliyyah of Science, IIUM would shift to the Kuantan campus. The Maths department would follow suit the following year (2007) in June.

The Dean would move to ISTAC. Our new dean would be Dr Ridzuan. The Deputy Dean for Student Affairs is Dr Adi Setia.

Em, that's the only shocking news I have so far. So, what's your reaction? :)

Personally I hate it cause I won't be able to go back home as often. Oh well.

It's Your Day Mom!

Apakah sebenarnya
Terbuku di kalbumu
Apakah erti linang air mata di pipimu

Ucapkanlah padaku
Tak bisaku rungkainya
Rahsia yang kau pendam itu

Aku hanya menduga
tidak mampu merasa
Sebenar-benar perasaanmu

Pengorbanan yang kau lakukan
Untuk dewasakanku
Hanya bisa ditanggung hati ibu

Namun ku percaya
Takkan terlerai kasih
Ikatan ini takkan putus

Telah kau telan lara
Dan terima segala
Dugaan dan badai yang melanda
Duhai ibu

(Siti Nurhaliza - Air Mata Ibu)

Pagi2 begini tetiba datang idea hendak menulis. Untuk dikongsi bersama. Mei ada banyak cerita di sebaliknya dan yang paling bermakna Hari Ibu (14 Mei).

Ada seorang hamba Allah pernah cakap pada saya, “Ibu adalah manusia yang pelik.” katanya. “Kenapa plak cakap macam tu?” tanya saya. “Tuhan memberinya hati yang luas.” jawabnya. Saya masih tak faham apa yang cuba dia cakapkan. “ Ibu berfikir dan memahami anak2 melalui hatinya bukan akalnya.” terangnya.

Bila difikirkan ada betulnya kata2 hamba Allah tu. Seperti semua orang, pada saya ibu adalah segalanya. Dialah di hati. Ibu yang bukan sekadar ibu tapi dia adalah motivator terhebat, rakan karib yang jujur dan setia, sumber ilham dan kekuatan yang tak pernah kurang dan kontang. Ibu tunggal lebih lagi peranannya. Anda yang mempunyai ibu begini tentu lebih faham.

Hari Ibu yang akan datang, saya nak lakukan perkara yang belum pernah saya lakukan. Zahirkan segalanya untuk ibu sementara saya diberi peluang. Sebelum segalanya terlambat. Syukur saya masih ada ibu.

Biotechnologist-to-be, Oct 03/ 04

Here's the picture my brother made for the frame that we wanted to give to Dr Irwandi. How's it?

Hope you guys like it. :) And I gave the frame to Dr Irwandi yesterday during the fund-raising dinner. He said thanks.

Ahahahahahaha (Evil Laughs)

Before Fauzan beats me to this, I want to start writing.

Just arrived from Kuala Berang, Terengganu chaffeured by my dear brother who went so sleepy the car got off the road many times. Poor guy, that's why I love and hate him all the same. :p

Oh, Kak Sofie is here with me at Kelantan - a perfect partner for house spring-cleaning.

You see I'm in the good mood, don't you?

Here is the thing, we just got back from a trip to Hutan Simpan Tembat, Tasik Kenyir - which was a blast! I shall keep the story, and maybe let Fauzan have the part. For now, I need a very good sleep.

Oh, we left Fauzan stranded at Terengganu - with Lutfi of course.

Cheerio everyone, missed you guys lots!

IIUM Wins Gold!

Dr Irwandi and his team made IIUM and Malaysia proud when they won the gold medal at the recent Geneva convention (it's called Pameran Antarabangsa Reka Cipta Teknik Baru dan Produk Ke-34 in Malay, which I'm too lazy to translate).

Their creation was a SFTIR that can detect any non-halal composition within any food samples. This is especially an important invention with many people out there who are more into profit, instead of giving real quality products. Very useful indeed for Muslims.

Not only can it be used for food samples, but it can also be used for cosmetics. The sample can be either in liquid or solid form.

For more information, please read this

My 1st Day Experience

This is what I learned from my 1st day at work:

• How to calculate sucrose level in food sample in Brix
• How to calculate viscosity in Bostwick using the Bostwick meter
• How to calculate acidity of a food sample with phenolphthalene and sodium hydroxide
• How to measure salt in food using silver nitrate and potassium chromate
• How to calculate pH using pH meter

Oh yeah, did I mention that their lab's like a kitchen? I shall never ever complain about UIA again. And the hostel as well. Never ever!

It's Over!!!

Ooh!!! I can't believe it's all over! Finally, the sufferings and agitations of Semester 2, 05/06 is at its end!

Forgive me my exaggeration, :)

This will be my departing moment with Day-to-Day Life of Biotechnologist-to-Be; from tomorrow onwards only Allah knows when will I get to be online again.

By the way, all the best to all dear friends out there; though it's going to be tough, enjoy every moment of it. We'll not get the same opportunity next time.

Love you guys very much, muaaaaaahs! Take care. I missed you guys already, it's weird being here at UIA but not seeing the faces of you lots.

Oh, I have a date this afternoon. :p

A Not So Holiday

Home, finally.

Uh, oh I have a report to be submitted by 10th April before 12.30 noon. I'm planning to not do anything at home, and I shall continue the report as soon as I reach UIA on 9th April and I'll crack my head off finishing it in one night.

I take it'll not be the best I could do, but I seriously couldn't care less anymore. This semester is disaster.

Hiccup.

Royal Decree

Hear ye, hear ye:

Due to overwhelming works and stresses, both the project manager and the CEO couldn't bear anymore with the unresolved burdens. It is with sad realization that we have to cancel it. Maybe we can make up for it next semester, that is if everyone is co-operative enough.

Ahem. Our makan-makan project for tomorrow is cancelled. Sorry.

33rd JAL Scholarship

Thanks to Yati for this info. Couldn't find it in the JAL's Malaysian website. Found it in HK's and NZ's instead.

For those of you who don't know what this is, this is an essay writing competition for university students. JAL is giving away free scholarships for about 2 weeks (in August) for the winners to be in Japan where they would participate in programs, which would mainly be about globalization.

The theme: WHAT MAKES A TRULY PROSPEROUS SOCIETY?

Some of the key-points for the essay:

• What 'globally-minded citizen' means to you
• How can you contribute to society and region
• Must care about environmental issues
• Have keen interest in Japan
• How to co-exist and cooperate for future of Asia and Oceania
• Necessary elements for achieving truly prosperous society
• How can you contribute towards achieving this
• Written in English, around 3 A4 pages (or Japanese if you prefer, 1200 characters)

Me and Lutfi tried our lucks last year, but to no avail. I read that this time around, they would give souvenirs for the participants. There was a poster in the U, but it was missing after a day or two.

To think of it, I'm not even sure if the scholarship is offered for Malaysian since that it's not mentioned in any local websites yet. I'll email 'em and let all you guys know.

Let's all try our luck this time! I think the closing date is on 19th April 2006 (according to Yati).

My World is Changing...

I sensed a few differences, something will not ever be the same again...

I learned a few lessons, some of which I had known all along but I just never see..

I found a new things, some are very much surprising but some others I had expected long before...

All in all,

I just glad, from all of these I discovered true friends.

And most importantly,

I found myself back.

All the best to all of you for the final exams, this is my last post for this semester. :)

P/S;
Arshana, semester depan kita jumpa lagi dalam satu kelas yang sama! - Your loyal disciple.

Women - The Animal Instinct

A friend said to me one day,

"You know, women are just like female animals - they move in packs, and protect each other's group no matter what the reasons are."

I think it's somehow true...

Biotechnologist-to-Be Corporation: Special Edition

I got a missed call from my father the other day.

Now, that was just plain unusual. My father is the kind of man who talks only when it is needed. Most of the time, the conversation on the phone with my family involves my mom and me. If it is my dad or my brothers, there has to be something really important - really important, I mean.

So I called back, and Dad just gave me homework.

Yes, you bet you read that right. I have to dig information on biodiesel, and to forward the details to him as soon as possible. The specifications are on jatropha species, a type of plant my dad mentioned quite widespread here in Malaysia. My dad wants the detail on the species and the related technologies, because he needs it for his proposal to be presented to Kerajaan Negeri.

Actually, it’s my dad and my uncle. My uncle right now is running a farm on buah I-forgot-its-name at Kota Tinggi, Johor. From what I understand, it’s quite big and has already gone international i.e. exported. Even my 3rd bro just started his work there as farm supervisor. The basis my dad and uncle want to forego with jatropha is as replacement crop for tobacco which I think has been exterminated its development there in Kelantan and use the plant (jatropha) as supplies for the government new plan of developing and commercializing biodiesel.

Well, that's basically it. I shall conclude the specifications to be searched in details below;

Nak tahu Jatropha;
* Berbuah sepanjang tahun/bermusim
* Satu ekar jatropha mengeluarkan buah/biji berapa kilogram / sebulan.. setahun
* Kadar conversion 1 tan biji jatropha boleh mengeluarkan biodiesel
berapa liter.. by-product lain juga spt glycerin.. berapa liter…
* Berapa lama setelah di tanam mula mengeluarkan buah/biji….
* Berapa lama productive life pokok jatropha
* Jenis tanah spt mana yang paling sesuai jatropha
* Minima luas tanaman yang ekonomik/padan dgn kos membina
teknologi pengeluaran ( pilot processing plant)

If you guys happen to find yourself at the convenience of having a free time and wondering what to do at the moment, you might as well help me and search for the details. The simplest thing to do is to just leave the related links in the comment section and I'll proceed from there. Thank you.

On a personal note, actually it just strucked me right after the conversation with my dad; "Now, I'm of use to him!". To begin with, I've been living with engineering minds of my father and my brothers since forever - the only conversation that goes lively enough in the house is about their obsession on technicalities, machineries, computer games (excluding my dad of course) and whatsoever. Not that I'm complaining, but being the minority females in the house is indeed sometimes devastating! Adding to the fact that I'm never actually into those stuffs though I spend a lifetime living around them. So, the other day I just smiled mischieviously. Maybe it was right after all, I remembered mom insisting me taking medicine when I was very adamant on changing to Biological Science. Then, actually mom was kind of hoping me to get into Food Biotechnology in order for me to learn the technology relating to food processing but I just proceed with my gut taking Environmental Biotechnology. Hopefully, just maybe - it's right after all. In sya Allah.

Girls, remember our proposed project on Ladang Betik? Maybe we can proceed with it after all, with the knowledge and experiences of my uncle etc. I'm dreaming; we started with Biotechnologist-to-be and we shall end up with Biotechnologist-Already Corporation Sdn. Bhd. Yummy.

Update! Update!

We're done with Biodiversity class, which beginning to mark the end of this semester. Final exam, here we come!

I'm planning to write about something scientific (as Lutfi puts it); but it's already an hour and I'm hungry and I need to get back to my room because it's nearly 7 pm which means it's getting late and I have to get a bath and prepare for Maghrib prayer.

Wow, talk about Christopher style of writing.

Quando, quando, quando........

I can't wait a moment more,
Tell me quando quando quando............

-Michael Buble feat. Nelly Furtado-

I believe that my feelings now are transient,
For I cannot afford them to be permanent, or else,
I'll be in a loss beyond compare........

UNGS 2050

SAYA SEKADAR INGIN MELUAHKAN RASA KEBOSANAN DAN KEMENGANTUKAN TERHADAP KELAS UNGS 2050. Rasa cam kena brainwash je duk dalam kelas tu. Slot 1 jam boleh tahan lagi. Slot 2 jam tu...killing me bit by bit...korang semua ok ke?

Girls Only!!!

Ehem, ehem...

A magic of thinking big :p

Ilustrasi penulis (merangkap pelukis) tentang idea belon yang dipasangkan pada kenderaan bermotor dan corong-corong kilang.

Dulu,
Masa zaman kanak-kanak, Fauzan selalu takut bila tengok Dokumentari Majalah 3. Apa tidaknya, pada masa tu, Majalah 3 selalu buat pendedahan tentang kerosakan alam sekitar yang disebabkan aktiviti-aktiviti manusia yang terlalu ghairah mengeksploitasikan sumber asli negara. Isu-isu seperti Greenhouse Effects dan Penipisan Lapisan Ozon kian menjadi dan selalu bermain difikiran. Dalam usia 9 atau 10 tahun tersebut, kapasiti pemikiran Fauzan adalah sangat terbatas, tambahan lagi, selalu disogok oleh kakak-kakak dan abang dengan cerita-cerita yang mengaitkan tentang kemusnahan alam dengan tanda-tanda akhir zaman. Fauzan jadi sangat takut.

Dalam ketakutan itu, Fauzan selalu berfikir cara-cara yang paling sesuai untuk menyelamatkan alam sekitar yang kian musnah. Akhirnya tercetus satu idea. Ideanya ringkas dan mudah.Tidak memerlukan kos yang tinggi, dan paling penting, ia mungkin dapat membantu meningkatkatkan kualiti udara dan pada masa yang sama dapat menyelamatkan udara dari terus tercemar. Setiap kereta atau corong-corong dari kilang perlu dipasang dengan belon yang sangat elastik. Oleh itu, gas-gas yang beracun tidak akan terbebas ke udara dan terus terperangkap dalam belon tersebut.

Dengan rakus, terus menyuarakan idea tersebut pada abang dan kakak-kakak. Peliknya, Fauzan terus digelak dan diperlekeh. Dalam hati, Fauzan terus bermonolog penuh kekecewaan. Apatidaknya, Fauzan dituduh saintis gila!

Sekarang,
Fauzan sedar. Memang idea masa kecil dulu sangat katun dan lawak. Baru terfikir, apaynag bakal terjadi sekiranya belon-belon elastic tersebut mengembang dan terus mengembang. Sudah pasti, bumi yang sudah kecil disebabkan saiz populasi yang semakin bertambah akan terus sesak dengan pertambahan saiz belon-belon yang yang semakin bertambah. Jadi memnag patutlah Fauzan di perlekeh dulu.

Baru-baru ini, idea lama yang telah terkubur telah timbul semula. Sedang asyik study Environmental Biotechnology pada satu malam, fauzan tertarik dengan satu approach yang digunakan untuk merawat bahan pencemar iaitu melalu biofilm. Ideanya lebih kurang sama dengan idea belon, tetapi lebih sofistikated. Biofilm ialah satu lapisan kompleks yang mengandungi "campurization" (sila sedar yang "campurization" adalah perkataan baru yang telah di reka) of bacteria yang digunakan untuk merawat bahan-bahan pencemar.

Hati menjadi sedikit berbunga-bunga, dan perasaan teruja dengan diri sendiri semakin membara-bara. Terus bersyukur dan sedar, yang idea yang bodoh seharusnya tidak perlu diperlekehkan. Dan orang yang dihina sebab idea yang bodoh tidak perlu terus merendah diri. Sila sedar yang idea atau ilham adalah petunjuk dari Allah yang Maha Kuasa dan Bijaksana. Kita patut bersyukur. Dengan sedikit modifikasi, idea yang dianggap bodoh akan menjadi sangat berguna, jika tidak sekarang, mungking sutu hari nanti.

NOTA KAKI:

1. Biofilm forms when bacteria attach to surfaces exposed to water, and begin to excrete a slimy, glue-like substance. Colonies of biofilm bacteria carry out a variety of detrimental or beneficial reactions that affect all of us daily.

2. ARSHANA, idea saya tentang cara-cara untuk mendapatkan vaccine AIDS/HIV tidak perlu dihebahkan kepada orang lain. OK??

Exams

Life is full of unexpected things. The most crucial thing is that we must adapt to it. Accept it as a part of us. Looking at our 'student life' right now, things won't always go our ways. Sometimes, you study a little, but you do well in your exam. The other time, you study a lot, putting a lot of effort, but you just somehow fail to live up to your own expectation. Happy with the first one, but extremely sad for the latter.

Well, I won't be sad about any of my exam result. Luckily, I've been implementing 'adaptive management'. **hoho, cam biodiversity plak** However, some could get a cut easily. Why? Like I've mentioned earlier, put a lot of effort, but failed to meet the expectation. When you're happy about yourself, you just can't help it but to be sad seeing some of your friends in sadness. What can you do about it at the very minute?

New Addition to the Olympics

Here I'd like to suggest some new additions that ought to be considered in the competitive world of sports from the even more competitive world of lab:

1. Fastest micro-pipette grabber
2. Fastest micro-pipette tips finder
3. Fastest reagent seeker
4. Fastest gel loader

And I learned all this from the lousy lab practical yesterday in which time is never a factor. Are you game? Sheesh.

Re-examining Biotechnology

Since Lutfi has called forth entries that are more scientific to reflect our status, here is a few;

1

We had a group discussion on effects of biotechnology on diversity last week, upon discussion with others one conclusion strucked my mind - it's all started from one reason; to satisfy our needs.

To think of it, biotechnology is initially developed because we need more foods, we need cleaner environment, and we need a better life. It's never about to serve others, but to serve our own selves. In fact, the definition of biotechnology itself; "the application of technology on organisms for the benefit of human."

Oh, how it sounds self-centered.

Then again, in view of the fact that we are learning, in a larger picture, for our own benefit - it also means we are learning to give service to others too, our fellow human. The justification, is somewhat reassuring.

2

Why there are so many skeptical response accompanying the advance of biotechnology - I wonder?

If we are feared to cause disruption to the systems of earth - what then were we doing all these millions years developing countries and exploring natural resources?

If so, we might as well do nothing and sit tight.

Or rather maybe, being a biotechnology student makes all those 'supposedly exciting cum controversial' issues of GMOs and whatnots are not more than just rhetorical exploitations of certain parties to another.

End of somewhat scientific issues. :)

A Late Morning.

Alamak..habislah aku! Itu perkataan yang terkeluar dari mulut bila aku terjaga dari tidur. Jam di handphone menunjukkan 6.18 pagi. Janji dengan Mun pukul 6.30 dah tunggu kat main gate Hafsa. Arghh..macam mana nie? Aku tak mandi lagi, tak solat subuh lagi, tak gosok tudung lagi, baju tak kemas lagi. Memang kelam kabut masa itu yelah bayangkan macam mana aku nak settlekan semua tu dalam masa kurang dari setengah jam.

Dengan segala kelajuan yang ada, aku terus mandi, gosok tudung dan kemas baju dengan ala kadar. Dalam hati aku berdoa supaya Mun tak jadi naga berapi kerana menunggu aku. Masa tengah nak bersiap, Mun miscalled. Alamak..maknanya dia dah tunggu kat main gate. Jam sudah pukul 6.32 pagi. Huh..cepat2 aku bersiap. Tengah dalam bersiap tu, hati aku rasa tak best. Aku tertinggal sesuatu yang penting. Buku applied ke? Nota food chem ke? Bukan..bukan...hati aku beritahu.

6.35 pagi, Mun called terus. Aku kata tengah bersiap walhal aku tak siap sepenuhnya. Suaranya macam kami dah tertinggal bas putra. Memang pun. Aiyaa..tiket masa bas Melaka 8.00 pagi. Ikutkan rasa nak cepat memang aku tak nak fikir apa yang aku tertinggal. Tapi, benda ini macam paksa gak aku ingat apa yang aku terlupa. Astagfirullah...aku tak solat lagi rupanya. Mun dah miscalled kali kedua. Hati dah berbelah bagi nak pergi terus atau solat dulu? Aku memang dah betul2 lewat. Kalau lambat aku terpaksa beli tiket baru dan Mun pasti akan kelam kabut dengan waktu tiketnya. Sama ada tunaikan hak tuhan atau janji? Aku rasa macam dah terdesak lantas teringatkan pesan arwah ayah. Aku pun solat subuh dulu.

Dalam pukul 6.45, aku turun dengan hati bimbang aku kena beli tiket baru. Bas putra dah lepas, Mun kata. Ada teksi tak? Aku tanya. Pagi2 buta ni mana ada teksi, Mun jawab. Ye tak ye. Aku terlupa. Ishh..confirm sampai Pudu lambat. Kami senyap je kat bus stop Hafsa. Yelah salah aku. Bangun lambat padahal aku tido awal. Bas putra yang kedua pasti lambat lagi. Dalam hati aku berdoa agar segalanya berjalan lancar. Kurang dari lima minit aku nampak sinar harapan. Fuhh…dah sampai pun bas. Sepatutnya lambat lagi. Ehh…awal pulak bas ni datang selalunya lambat nak mampus. Syukur…7.45 pagi kami dah sampai di Pudu. Selamat duit aku.

Dalam bas ke Muar, aku terfikir andai kata aku tinggalkan solat subuh dengan alasan aku dah sangat terlewat adakah sama kesudahannya dengan aku tunaikan solat subuh sedangkan aku berjanji tidak akan lewat? Emm..something to think about.

p/s: Mun sorry arr..masa tu memang tido mati tak dengar pun bunyi jam loceng . Seharian kita meronda KLCC, petang tengok Kal Ho Na Ho sampai meleleh air mata, malam plak bantai tengok cd How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Hari yang ‘penat’, I guess…hehheh

10 to 1 Things Tag

10 FAVORITES
Favorite Color: White and green
Favorite Food: Breads, doughnuts, pastries.
Favorite Month: October
Favorite Song: From This Moment (Shania Twain)
Favorite Movie: You've Got Mail
Favorite Actor: Jude Law
Favorite Season: Autumn
Favorite Day Of the week: Saturday
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Strawberry
Favorite Time of Day: Early mornings

9 CURRENTS
Current Mood: On the cloud 9
Current Taste: Sweet
Current Clothes: Red t-shirt, blue track bottom.
Current Location: At home
Current Desktop: Motivational words from the magic man.
Current Toenail Color: Natural
Current Time: 9.03 pm
Current Surroundings: Warm
Current Thoughts: Shouldn't I be studying?

8 FIRSTS
First Best Friend: Yat
First Kiss: By a lover? None.
First Screen Name: ilham_hanna
First Pet: Hitam
First Piercing: 4 years old
First Crush: Standard 5
First Album: I bought? Anugerah by The Zikr

7 LASTS
Last Cigarette: I don't smoke
Last Drink: Nescafe
Last Car Ride: From Sultan Ismail Petra airport to home.
Last Kiss: There's no last for something that doesn't even have its first.
Last Movie Seen: Chronicles of Narnia
Last Phone Call: The magic man
Last CD Played: Michelle Branch's The Spirit Room

6 HAVE YOU EVERS
Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Guy Friends: What constitutes dating?
Have You Ever Broken the Law: Yes
Have You Ever Been Arrested: No
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: What?
Have You Ever Been on TV: Don't think so.
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: Urgh.

5 THINGS
Thing You're Wearing: Again, red t-shirt, blue track bottom.
Thing You've Done Today: Watch 4 DVDs.
Thing You Can Hear Right Now: Sounds from Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire
Thing You Can't Live Without: My brain
Thing You Do When You're Bored: Read books

4 PLACES YOU'VE BEEN TODAY
1. Kitchen
2. Living room
3. Bathroom
4. Garbage area

3 PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO
1. The magic man
2. The magic man
3. The magic man

2 CHOICES
1. To hold on or to let go?
2. To listen to my heart or to my head?

1 THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
To live my life.

Tag - Arshana, Lutfi, Fauzan, Isma, Nurul, Mun, Ann, Sitot, Kak Sofie & Amer.

Water

I know this is long. But it caught my attention while I was about to fall asleep studying. Taken from Food Chemistry 3rd Edition edited by Owen R. Fennema under the chapter Water and Ice, Prologue: Water- The Deceptive Matter of Life and Death. Read on.

Unnoticed in the darkness of a subterranean cavern, a water droplet trickles slowly down a stalactite, following a path left by countless predecessors, imparting, as did they, a small but almost magical touch of mineral beauty. Pausing at the tip, the droplet grows slowly to full size, then plunges quickly to the cavern floor, as if anxious to perform other tasks or to assume different forms. For water, the possibilities are countless. Some droplets assume roles of quiet beauty--on a child's coat sleeve, where a snowflake of unique design and exquisite perfection lies unnoticed; on a spider's web, where dew drops burst into sudden brilliance at the first touch of the morning sun; in the countryside, where a summer shower brings refreshment; or in a city, where fog gently permeates the night air, subduing harsh sounds with a glaze of tranquillity. Others lend themselves to noise and vigour of waterfall, to the overwhelming immensity of glacier, to the ominous nature of an impending storm, or to the persuasiveness of a tear on a woman's cheek. For others the role is less obvious but far more critical. There is life--initiated and sustained by water in a myriad of subtle and poorly understood ways--or death inevitable, catalyzed under special circumstances by a few hostile crystals of ice; or decay at the forest's floor, where water works relentlessly to disassemble the past so life can begin anew. But the form of water most familiar to humans is none of these; rather it is simple, ordinary, and uninspiring, unworthy of special notice as it flows forth in cool abundance from a household tap. "Humdrum", galunks a frog in concurrence, or so it seems as he views with stony indifference the watery milieu on which his very life depends. Surely, then, water's most remarkable feature is deception, for it is in reality a substance of infinite complexity, of great and unassessable importance, and one that is endowed with a strangeness and beauty sufficient to excite and challenge anyone making its acquaintance.

Langkawi: Environmental Fellas Get Exposed!

Dear Food Friends,

As of now, I'm writing from home fresh awake after a straight 5 hours sleep. Somehow, I felt personally obliged to write the extensive report on our trip to Langkawi - read on!

Day 1 - Telaga Tujuh Excavation

We arrived at Langkawi early in the morning, our official drivers (Abg Nahar, Abg Amir & Haji) got us to INOCEM office and we had a survivor-like breakfast of roti canai and teh tarik. Then, in crampy vans all of us went to our designated house at MaliBest Resort, Pantai Chenang. The place was very nice, right in front of the beach - though the boys' view was better. We took some rest while the guys went to Solat Jumaat.

After the Friday prayer, we headed straight to Telaga Tujuh where our first task of collecting samples is waiting. We had to climb a 500 steps staircase, which turned out to be very exhausting before reaching the place for sample collection. All of us except Amer, who was placed in Eagle group; Kak Sofie, Lutfi, Fauzan and I were placed in Andaman's group. We were assigned to collect sample along the riverside as opposed to the Eagles, whom territory was terrestrial.

We catched a plenty of fish (not for the BBQ though, Arshana), few insects and some frogs.




Andaman's Group

Kak Syahida, Lutfi, and Abg Ibrahim in action.

What's Lutfi looking for?

Lecturers and Abg Nahar were getting wet too.

It was near dark by the time we finally finished. We stopped by to have laksa & cendol before heading back to the beach. The boys continued to have their 'playtime' having fun in the water while us girls got ourselves ready for Maghrib and dinner.

At night, we were treated with ala kampung dinner with delicious ABC special and crunchy ikan goreng.

At the beach later on, before getting to sleep - Kak Syahida, Kak Anna, Kak Sofie and I had a walk by the beach while the boys sometimes later played some kind of football - I didn't know the exact name, forgive me.
Day 2 - Sea Cucumber & Cable Car

Coral beach was our destination, it was an island - by right it was actually named as Pulau Kentut Besar, but eventually it was changed to Pulau Intan Besar. We departed from jetty of Awana Porto Malai resort, three boats were used to accommodate all of us and the trip took about 30 minutes to reach the island.

The island was very rocky, and slippery. It was quite a challenge as we had to get off the boat at the rocky region, where water was deeper before walking all the way to the sandy region at the other side of the island.

After a short briefing by Br. Kamarul, all of us spreaded out to find the sea cucumber and gamat. Still, the challenge didn't ends because the beach was full of rocks and corals - which made it nearly impossible for us to walk barefooted. Scratches and cuts were inevitable, and Abg Razali got his foot attacked by sea urchins.

On the boat.

Do I looked extremely sunburnt?.

After a photo session, we finished at around 11. We had nasi lemak and kuih, and some guys continued to play in the water. We headed back to jetty around 12.30, only to find out we got our pictures taken and transformed into a decorating plate which we had to buy at RM 10. It's the thing that Lutfi was holding in the picture, see?

The Fellowship of The Net - Lutfi Baggins and Fauzan Gamgee

After Zuhr, we had a free time to ourselves until night. The plan was to spend the evening on the cable car before heading to Pekan Kuah for shopping spree time. The cable car experience was indeed, splendid. We had real fun up 700m above the sea levels. The air was real fresh and the scenery was breathtaking. There were even eagles soaring above, which was amazing.

Cable car from afar.

Cable car on arrival.

Abg Ibrahim, Abg Hasbi & Lutfi on the sky

Special pose for Food Fellas!

Some fun the guys had... What were they trying to do?

See the eagles?.

We finished by Maghrib, and we then headed straight to Pekan Kuah afterwards. I bought few chocolates, but no souvenirs as I got no idea what to buy because there were too many and most of them are apparently not quite unusual - well, to say I'm quite ignorant with shopping may be true too. However, the girls were having the time of their life; and the guys too?

Finally, Abg Nahar & Abg Amir got us to Medan Selera Nelayan for dinner, which is famous for its ikan bakar and obviously was visited by the Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan crews too. I didn't get myself ikan bakar, though - as it was very late at night and very cold - I couldn't think much and opted for Nasi Padprik. And the price, was unbelieavably cheap!

Day 3 - Mangroves Area, Dataran Helang, & Group Presentation.

The final and most special task, the mud treatment! It was another boat rides and the island was Pulau Dayang Bunting. Before reaching the destination we get to watch the eagles being fed by the boat driver (part of the tourist attraction, I guess) and there were so many of them. To me, they looked quite majestic and royalty.

At Pulau Dayang Bunting, as the final year students had to collect some samples - we on the other hand had to catch mudskipper. The mud was apparently deep, as in the picture - and the movement in there was obviously not easy; but it was fun! Following Kak Anna, Kak Syahida & abg Hasbi along the way, I didn't get to catch any mudskipper though - but I was personally voted by abg Mior as 'Perempuan Terkotor', thanks to the mud all over me.

There was one experience I couldn't forget though - of getting on the boat afterwards. The water was deep, and I couldn't swim - never was in my life I felt such helpless - and Amer was my saviour at the time; thanks a zillion Amer!

Bro Faizul & Abg Mior in mud.

Kak Anna, Fauzan & Lutfi in mud, too..

Afterward, we stopped by Pulau Siput (as the others called it) to eat and get more playing-in-water time. I didn't get to get in the water too as I got a cut at my foot and the saline water couldn't make it feel better.

Oh, yes - at this time actually Prof. Torla and his family was joining us.

Then, we got back to the beach for Zuhr prayer and lunch before afterwards all of us went to INOCEM office for group discussion and presentation preparation for the night. At the same time, we were demontrated by Haji and abg Naim for some satellite software and sample filtration procedure.

Since we still have few times before the presentation, abg Nahar got us to Dataran Helang for dinner. The presentation and group performance was very brief, Eagle group had some singing performance while Andaman's group had a re-making of what's been happening of our three days visit to Langkawi.

The famous Dataran Helang.

Amer had transformed into Bob Marley - see Kak Anna and Kak Marni couldn't stop laughing.

Andaman group got the 1st place!.

Later on, we had fun. Some of us started packing, some had a walk by the beach, the guys played football, the lecturers were chatting, etc. Though, at around 2 a.m - Kak Syahida, Kak Anna, Kak Marni, Kak Sofie, Lutfi, Fauzan and I did our sample calculation until 3 a.m.

Day 4 - Finally Happy to be Home

Finally, we headed back to jetty early in the morning. The ride on the ferry was marvellous, as the guys in the picture seems to be having fun. I was downstair at the time watching some movie, though. The IIU bus was already waiting as we reached Kuala Perlis and we had a 7 hours journey until we finally reached Gombak.

Last ride on the ferry.

The eligible bachelors of Biotechnologist-to-Be.
So, all in all - Langkawi was fun! Though I missed you girls very much - it was not at all the same without lots of you - I've been messaging with Isma, Nurul & Arshana from time to time updating what we've been doing at Langkawi. Alas, friends I got there at Langkawi was very kind and supportive too, that I wouldn't deny.

Next stop - Bukit Tinggi, Taman Negara, Pulau Perhentian?

Trips Galore

The Environment people will be heading back from Langkawi to the U today. Well, from what I heard, they had quite a bit of fun. C'mon, when it's mud, it has to be fun. Heh. And the BBQ. Let's not forget that.

We, the Food people, on the other hand, were stranded in the U, with no Langkawi anywhere near for the time being. But rest assured, the Johor trip is coming up real soon, which is tentatively on 25th and 26th February. We're visiting some herbal farm, a honey processing place and whatever industries that are available there. I heard we'll be staying at a bungalow, which is located quite high above sea level. Think along the lines of Bukit Tinggi. There's even spa, sauna and the like up there. Definitely beats any "mud treatment" you guys have in Langkawi. Oh, we'll be staying there for the weekend, hence the bungalow.

Then, later on we're having another trip to MPOB with Dr. Irwandi. The Yakult one was cancelled I believe. Then there's one to Ayer Hitam in UPM right after the holidays. And that's one day after our Food Chem mid-term exam. Oh boy. I'd rather have the UPM one cancelled instead of Yakult. Forest and me, I believe, don't get along too well.

Niat asal untuk membantu, mendengar dan memahami. Tapi akhirnya terkena diri sendiri. Empunya masalah sudah lega tapi pundak sendiri terbeban. Mahu saja dizahirkan, dilaungkan, diceritakan biar semua tahu biar semua dengar. Namun janji tetap janji, rahsia tetap rahsia. Ini amanah dari hamba Tuhan yang mahu dimengerti tapi tak mahu mengerti. Kasarkah tangan ini menulis? Keraskah hati ini menafsir? Tidak. Sudah tentu tidak. Ini cuma separuh bukan semua. “Berhati2 di sepanjang perjalanan.” Pesan orang lama usah dipandang sepi dah terkena baru sedar betul pesanannya.
Tak pernah rasa menyesal menolong orang. Material, sokongan, segalanya kerana dalam hati yakin Tuhan itu mengadili dan hati rasa sakinah. Tapi kali ini, benar2 menyedarkan bahawa pertolongan itu hanya untuk kepentingan peribadi yang ditolong. Akhirnya hati sendiri yang punah. Dari situ baru tahu niat baik perlu kena tempat. Membantu perlu kena orang yang betul. Hati ini sedar juga.
Akal memberi jalan, lupakan saja masalah yang diberi oleh hamba Tuhan yang ditolong tapi ingatkan bagaimana masalah itu bermula. Ini pengajaran yang amat sempurna. Syukur kerana dilimpahi kesedihan, kematian, dikhianati, dipergunakan kerana dari situ ada kebahagian mutlak walau hadirnya sikit dan sementara.

p/s: saya belajar istilah ‘sama tapi tidak serasi’ untuk pengalaman ini.

Utter Horror!

At one morning, the below conversation took place;

Fauzan: Saya dan Lutfi study Env Biotech semalam, so pagi ni dah
longlai.

Ati: Apasal korang rakus sangat study ni?

Fauzan: What has exorcised you Yati? Kita kan ada quiz esok.

My world turned black, I felt a sting of terror at the back of my head; WHAT???

I didn't know how that happened, I didn't even get to figure out even why I didn't hear the announcement made by Bro. Faizul. I don't know what has gotten into me, seriously.

Suddenly I felt so alone - kalau sekali dengan Nurul & Isma, mesti diorang ingatkan. Kalau ada Arshana, boleh ajak bincang-bincang sekali. My fellow girlfriends, Ann, Sitot & Mun - it wouldn't have happened if I were with them.

The worst feeling of all, that was when I feel I missed the other girls most - tak tipu, cakap jujur nih.

:)

Then again, all the ifs would not change a thing - I realized. A close friend of mine had always reminded me, it's you who has to be happy - no other people can make that.

So, out of the shock - I dragged Isma to JJ Wangsa Maju, burnt my supposed-to-be-spent-at-Langkawi RM 100 buying books, and got myself a Dunkin sandwich.

The girl in heaven - Isma told me.

(Yes Fauzan, I didn't go to Secret Recipe for lunch with that somebody. I was just pulling your leg. :p)

And I stayed up the following night finishing what I didn't even started - but I figured out - Allah takes you to it, Allah brings you through it.

And well, it's not that bad - not knowing you have a quiz until only it's the following day. Seriously, it's not that bad.

:)

Sakit

Bagaimana kepedihan di dalam hati, yang tidak nampak itu; boleh jadi begitu menyakitkan sekali?

Zoo Negara Malaysia (Hadiqatul Haiwanat Malizi) : New Year Visit

Happy 1st Anniversary Dear Blog!

It's been a year!

Well, not that it's anything extraordinary but still, it's worth celebrating ain't it? Start with small successes, Andrew Matthew says.

Coincidentally, it's New Year 2006 too - it hardly makes any differences, to me that is - but to most people then I wish Happy New Year and may all the dreams and wishes come true (provided it comes with your efforts!).

All the new resolutions, may it not be just a mere excitement of moving on - but a firm determination of growing up as well.

To all; Amer, Ann, Arshana, Fauzan, Isma, Lutfi, Kak Op, Mun, Nurul, and Sitot - may the year to come offers us a bountiful promises of happiness and contentment. In sya Allah.

I'm a changed person - :)