"The Grass is Always Greener On the Other Side of the Fence"

This idiom bring out the meaning of people that always think they would be happier in a different set of circumstances, or other people's circumstances seem more desirable than one's own but in reality are often not. I'm disagree with this saying. Sure, it has its point, because most people are not satisfy with their own life and fate, and always envy for others', or simply wants more than what they're already have. But in reality, the other side of the fence is not always greener and prettier. For example, lets say that you had bought a house located at the center of the town. At first you really satisfied with your decision, but then, when you start thinking about the rent fees, the traffic, and the noise, you start regretting on living there. Then you start thinking about how peaceful will it be for you friend who lives in the suburban house area, compared to you. Yes, it does have the peaceful and economy quality on living in the suburban area, but house at the center of the town wasn't a bad idea after all. By living there, it is a convenient on buying a household good and other stuff. The cost on the transportation can also be cut out because the distance between the house and other area are smaller compared to the person who lives outside of town. The same case can also be applied on the location of our University. We always talk about how boring it was to be studied in the center of this 'mountain' and 'forest', and how hard it is to buy stuff and supply because the store are quiet limited and far. We always envy the students that studied in the town's located University, as the can easily go to town, buying stuff, and can hardly get bored. But do we aware on our positive point on studying at this place? We can save our money, as the town is quite far from us, thus making us less interested on going there. We can also save the money if we needed to stay outside the campus, as the house rent in this area are a lot cheaper compare to those in town. With all the point said, it has proves on how the grass is NOT always greener on the other side of the fence, and just be grateful on what you have instead of others.

Home town

Penang is a state in Malaysia, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Stalt of Malacca. It is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite. There are many Historical Places in Penang such as Captain Francis Light, Bukit Ferringgi, Pulau Kasatu, fort Cornwalls, Convent Light Street. 

Penang has one of the most diverse food fare in Malaysia and at times, the food is so mixed with influences from the Indian, Malay, Chinese and Thai cuisine that it becomes unique to the island itself. To get to know Penang better, there are maps and trails that takes visitors through small alleyways and nooks & crannies where culture and traditions are still very much alive. The Chinese Operas held on the streets that mark certain festivals celebrated by Taoists or carrying of the Kavadi during Taipusam or even the Puppet shows at the Temples are for the people of Penang and by the people of Penang. The same goes with the food, and that's why the standards are good. Their most discerning customers are ones who have grown up on their food.

My Top 5 Awesome Things

There were a lot of awesome thing happen around our world, for each and everyday.. But for me, there were 5 things that top it all, which is..

5) The smell of the rain
 - Have you ever smell the rain? It smell really fresh and captivating.. For me, that is the smell of the earth.. It can be some kind of a natural 'aromatherapy' for me as it will give out the calm effect..

     the mesmerizing rain

4) Listening to your new favorite song over and over again
- I'm sure all of us has done this before right? When you fall for that one song, it will stuck on your mp3 player list for quiet some day.. And you will put it on repeat until the point that even your friend will memorize the lyric and throw a tantrum on you because they has sick of hearing it over and over again.. Well, it happen to everyone right? :)

even the baby know how to enjoy a good song

3) Get to sleep after pull out the whole 'stay-up' thing for an exam
- As a student, I'm sure all of us has face the 'stay-up' thingy every time the exam or due date is around the corner.. Do you still remember the feeling of wanted to sleep really bad during your study in the middle of the night? Even during the examination, you can't avoid to think about how good it feels to be lying down on you bed with the fluffy pillow under you head.. Well, the feeling when you reach your room after it all been settled down are even better.. Nothing can be compare to those feeling of a deep sleep after all those hard work that you have been pulled off all night.

sleeping is the best medicine for fatique, EVER!

2) Realizing you still remember your childhood friend’s phone number
- Realizing that you still remember old phone numbers gives a great smile on your face...The old memory start to coming back as you remember dialing those digits, day after day, without having to read the number from anywhere..Making plans for the lake's hang out, grumbling about teachers, whispering about cute classmates, you just suddenly remember those moments..Those time, where hand phone is somewhat only those rich kid would have, and dialing your friend by using home's phone secretly, afraid your mother will scold you for using it for too long..All those precious memories, that will never be forgotten..

now, everyone got their own phone. so communication is no longer a problem!

1) When you manage to get ready super fast when there’s no time to shower

- Okay, I admit..Girls do take a 'little' time on getting ready..But the same case can be apply to the guys too you know?However, when some case occur, a person that usually takes up a lot of time for getting ready, can also be super fast at it..This can happen when you're late for an exam, class, or even date..With that said, its obviously that people need some push in order to be super fast on getting ready for some thing.. But, don't you think slowing up time for getting ready is a fun thing to do? :)

even the bird know how to take it's time to enjoy itself  :)

Well, that's my top 5 of awesome thing.. How about you???

Chocolate cake

Ingredients

¼ cup unsweetened Cocoa powder

1-2 cup all purpose flour

1tsp Vanilla

1cup sugar

1stp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1/3 cup oil

1 cup water

Steps

1- Mix together all the dry ingredients in a bowl.

2- Mix liquid ingredients in a separate bowl and combine it with dry ingredients.

3- Stir the mixture with a wire whisk until well mixed.

4- Grease an eight-inch baking pan.

5- Pour the prepared mixture into the pan.

6- Bake for about 45 minutes at 200^oC.

7- Top with ice cream and serve.

Students must vote during the 'Students' Election' because....

...imagine studying in an institution where no one has a voice at all. Each and every person is a robot that performs the will of the upper side people (i.e management people) of their institution. No matter how horrible the situation or how angry anyone gets regarding any issue, the management side will not listen to the students. Pretty scary to think about is it not? Well guess what, we practically live that way today. Our university's management could care less about the views that come from us, the students. Why? We do not vote. If we want our voice to be heard, if we want our issues to be debated, we need to stop our apathy and vote. Vote for the student that can be trusted to represent all of the student to fight for our right.We always sit back and complain about every single issue, yelling that the student councils does not represent us. The truth is, they are not entirely on faults, because we do on faults as well in this matter. Why should we complaining when we ourselves doesn't bid our vote, and choose the best leader instead them that doesn't give a care on what happen to the students' right and welfare. Instead of complaining, we should make a difference. More and more of us are starting to vote now more than ever, but it is not enough. We need to make our voice be heard. Give support to students' representative that listen to our voice. We can make a difference. Our voice counts. Don't let it be drowned out. Go out to vote, and do it, because our present and future life in the university depends on it.

Great Leaders Are Not Born. They Are Made

 This statement are strongly agreed because obviously, leadership cannot be pass by genes. A great leaders are optimists first and foremost. Their tendency is to interact according to Henry Ford's observation, "whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right." This is because the buck must stop somewhere and because the dynamic of authority dictates that all delegated authorities are themselves subject to authority, they understand that being a leader is far more than a title. There are a few qualities that represent a good leader, which is (courtesy of http://ezinearticles.com);

1. Great Leaders are mission inclined and ensure the survival of the vision.
2. Great Leaders are providers, oriented to whatever the individual or team cannot supply for itself.
3. Great Leaders are motivated by the welfare of the team.
4. Great Leaders are always ready to provide the tools necessary for achieving the goals of the team.
5. Great Leaders have great integrity (wholeness, soundness) and assume the role of keeper of ethics.
6. Great Leaders are consistently teachable. Information flows from the top.
7. Great Leaders are always willing to step aside rather than compromise the team
8. Great Leaders do not take control, but accept surrendered control.
9. Great Leaders understand the awesome responsibility of guiding human beings. 
10. Great Leaders understand the difference between passion for excellence and passion for power. 

Obviously all these traits cannot be pass down through a gene nor blood. It all  come from one's character and their own will on how they want to live up their own personality. A leadership cannot be forced into someone because it will bring no good to the person itself, and to the other person as well.

Some may have said that a leadership do run in the family, as it always been said, 'like father like son'. The

meaning is that, the child maybe inherit his parents' good gene. But if he becomes a great or successful person in the future depends on many factors such as his circumstance, his education and so on. So a successful father or mother does not means a successful son. Good congenital is important, and hard working after birth is more important. It all depends on how they are raised. Being great is not necessarily an automatic thing that will happen. A lot of kids of so called great people don't get the attention they need from that magnificent parent to turn out that way. Some simply don't want to be like their parents and do everything in their power to take the opposite route. Some get spoiled and take everything for granted. As been said earlier,  leadership cannot be pass by genes. A lot of thing need to be consider as the contributor to those leadership traits, and it surely takes a lot of effort to become a admirable leader.

What's Better About being Single

1. Feeling like your life could be a trendy TV show.
2. Being the total master of your fate - from what you're going to eat for dinner to where you'll put your sofa to how you'll design the rest of your life.

3. Knowing there's someone who'll always listen when you want to talk, someone who's your ally in a cruel worlds: your best friend.
5. Making enormous changes in your life without feeling selfish or breaking anybody's heart.
6. Dreaming big single-type dreams, the hot job, the big bucks, the great romance.
7. Dressing for attention and relishing every ounce of it.
8. Not having any question about whose career comes first.
10.The thrill of feeling that anything could happen at anytime - and knowing that when it does, you'll be free to leap.
15. Having the privacy essential for meditating on such vital issues as who you are and what really makes you happy.
16. Turning your attention from men to more exciting things.

SHAWL

A shawl is a simple item of clothing, loosely worn over the shoulders, upper body and arms, sometimes also over the head. It is usually a rectangular or square piece of cloth that is often folded to make a triangle but can also be triangular in shape. Other shapes include oblong shawls.

Shawls are used in order to keep warm, to complement a costume, and for symbolic reasons. One famous type of shawl is the tallit, worn by Jewish men during prayers and ceremonies. Today, shawls are worn for added warmth (and fashion) at outdoor or indoor evening affairs where the temperature is warm enough for men in suits but not for women in dresses and where a jacket might be inappropriate.

Now days, there are many type of shawl that we can wear. The picture below shows the latest fashion to wear a shawl.

"Birth Order Trait"..Does It Really Represent Our Personality and Characteristic?

“We continue to shape our personality all our life. If we knew ourselves perfectly, we should die.”

-  Albert Camus

Psychologists claim that our birth order determines our character. Previous studies claim, among others, that:

1. the eldest child: more responsible, mature, often a perfectionist, a good leader, higher IQ, low self-esteem.
2. the middle child (any child born in between the eldest and the youngest): not an over achiever, creative, artistically inclined, often felt neglected, lack of direction. 
3. the youngest child: often get away with anything, not independent, often not taken seriously. 

Although this fact is being stated by the expert that is been carried out from an observation and research, but for me its not fully true. Being the youngest child in the family myself, I don't think the fact that is being stated above represent the character of the youngest child as a whole. It is true that the child at this position do act a little more lenient towards their family, but it is not to the point where they were being spoiled by it.

The first character that being specified by the psychologist which state about the youngest often get away with anything are totally not true. We still get the nagging every time anything bad happen. The beaten are still getting to us if  we do something wrong .  Its not like the world is in our hand by being the youngest child in the family. The punishment are still there, no matter in what position you are. As for the independent part, it depend on the peoples it selves. honestly, the youngest do depend a lot on their family. But as they grown up, they gradually become more independent as they got the taste of the real world, outside of their own family's world.

As the youngest family member, I do agree on the fact that we often not being taken seriously. Like if something  happen, an opinion from us are mostly being neglected as they keep thinking that we're not matured enough to handle a serious matter. People always treat us as a child no matter how old we are, as long as we are the youngest member in the family. And that is something to be depressed about. Even as the youngest, we still can be a matured and a responsible person. Our opinion should be counted as well, just like any other people.

The fact that the eldest child being labeled as having a higher IQ are not entirely true, as the IQ level does not depend on someone position in their siblings. It depends on their life routine, eating habit, environment and perhaps genetic as well. But I have to agree on the fact that the eldest has the good leadership in them as they been trained since little to take care of the other younger sibling. This goes to the middle child as well as they were mostly will be assisting the eldest child on handling the siblings, thus making the fact that the middle child lack of leadership and direction are not entirely true.

All of the statement and point above shows that the birth order traits do not determine our character entirely. Only a small part of it are true. But then again, as being stated by Albert Camus, the birth order can't really reflect one's personality and character as it is being develop along with the growing process, and it can be change from time to time.

Super best friend

1.   Be your own best friend first.

Learn how to respect yourself. Decide what boundaries are important to you and respect them. Understand what values are important to you, stick by them and seek others who honor those values.

2.   Be loyal.

Stick up for your friend when they need it. Respect those times when they need to stick up for themselves. Trust your friend and allow yourself to be vulnerable with them. Also come to understand their limits and say "no" when you need to while still being their friend. A friend of integrity is of great value. It is the fact that through ups, downs, and disagreements you still seek to work things out and be their friend that truly demonstrates your loyalty.

3.   Listen.

Nobody likes a best friend who just talks and talks, but never listens. If you're a chatterbox, it's okay if you're also a good listener. Whenever your best friend says something, listen carefully and say something. Don't just say "yeah" and move on. Don't interrupt or fidget continually while they're talking to you. If they ask for advice, listen carefully and give them the best advice you can. It'll earn you respect and of course, make them come to you more.

4.   Be trustworthy.

If they tell you a secret, keep it, never ever, ever, tell someone a secret your friend wanted you to keep. Don't even leak it out to someone you know you can trust. A secret is a secret.

5.   Stick up for them.

Sitting and watching your best friend get picked on or teased is definitely not going to earn you a brownie badge!! In best friends.

6.   Spend time together.

Hang out on the weekends or plan activities together every now and then, do some homework together, and chat during break at school. You don't have to live in each others' pockets, but make sure you spend some quality time together with your best friend to make the friendship grow and become stronger.

7.   Care for your best friend.

Best friends care for each other. Show them you appreciate their presence in your life. If your best friend is ever upset then ask them what's wrong. They might not tell you straight away but they will in the end, you just have to comfort them and let them know that you are there no matter what.

8.   Avoid expectations.

If you assume what best friends' roles are, you will get disappointed and frustrated. Best friends are one of the most valuable friends you have, but they cannot help or support you in every aspect of your life. Do not expect them to always be there, or expect them to say the thing you want to hear. If there are expectations your best friends need to reach, that will only leave you in a disappointing defeat. Be nice, do not email them saying they are a liar or you won't feel so good.

9.   Share laughs.

There is nothing like laughing and smiling to bring people together. Besides, when they're really friends, you guys can laugh at the dumbest and funniest stuff.

10. Be yourself.

You are who you are, and your best friend will accept that. Being "fake" could lead you to losing your best friend.

11. Maybe you weren't meant to be best friends.

If neither of you make an effort to get together, or if you get into fights with them for no reason, then maybe you weren't meant to be best friends. It's natural to stop having chemistry with a certain person, and if you grow apart, just be happy for the good times, and know how lucky you were to have that great person have a part in your life.

12. Never leave them.

I've done this many times before and i regret it a lot. Never say "yeah, i'll walk home with you!" or "i'll meet up with you tomorrow" and then you don't do it. That makes your friend think do i really trust her? Never do this.

13. If they pick another friend over you, just try to be friends with her friend too.

Maybe you guys can be a group of friends!

"Do you think we should give monetary incentives to the KP2 students to motivate them to get better grades?"

 the third topic that has been assigned to us for this week is "Do you think we should give monetary incentives to the KP2 students to motivate them to get better grades?".. quiet a tough topic i must say.. it gets me almost a week to think about it, and yet i didn't come with any idea at all..haha..and now since the time almost up, i must quickly think some idea or else, i might just facing a trouble with this course..*sigh*..okay, enough with all the ramble talk, and lets enter the serious mode..

_____________________________________________________________

 A KP2 student can be defined as a student who had a low grade (in this case below 2.0 gpa) for two consecutive semester. If at the next semester they still get the KP title, they will be ask to quit their study. thats mean this is a serious deal. As it is a serious deal that involve someone's future, a lot of idea and suggestion has been brought in order to reduce the number of student in this category and help those student to improve. Among the suggestion was the incentives in form of money to motivate them to get a better grades. as it seems promising to some, but for me it is not an appropriate act to do. Yes, i do acknowledge that money can surely boost someone motivation and spirit, but how long can it last?  There are several points that can support my objection to this suggestion, which is it that the incentive can only last for short term, it cannot really make them set their goal and mind straight, and can even lead someone else to the wrong path.

 As I said before, the incentive given (in a form of money) can only last for a short period. This is because, it is a common behavior for students (which majority of them are teenagers) to only have their spirit lift up the moment they got the money, but after that? What does the money could really do to them for a long term? this statement doesn't come out of nowhere, because it comes from personal experiences and observations. Most of the students, when they got money on their hand, it quickly hype up their mood and they will start to think about a lot of way to spending them. The same thing will happen if the KP2 students gets the monetary incentives.  Although the main purposes of providing them with such incentives was to motivate them to get a better result, but this things doesn't seem like can be achieves. The monetary incentives can surely boost their spirit on achieving a better grade, but mostly on just the first few week after getting the money. After the money given has been fully spend, they will lost their will again. That happen all the time with the teenagers, which can easily be affected by money and losing focus when things happen.

 Another point that can be consider as the reason on why the monetary incentives is irrelevant to motivate the KP2 student in their study is that it won't make them set their goal and mind straight. By getting money in order to improve their grade doesn't seem like a right way to do, because it only seems like they study for the sake of money, not themselves. This way, it will make them thinking that money can be used to boost one's will, and not by depending on their own self and work for it. this is surely a wrong way of thinking for a student that suppose to achieve a good grade for their own self, by their own.

The last point that can support the argument on this topic is that money as the influence on achieving a better grade can lead student to the wrong path. Most of the people are aware that students are mostly facing with the financial issues as the allowance that been given to them is not enough to support their life. There are a lot to be thinking about by the students nowadays, such as the transportation cost, house rental, books, finishing projects and so on. Most of the time, all of this can't be handle by the amount of the students' allowance. All of this can bring a tense and pressure to their life, as well as might make them thinking of a lot of way to gain extra money. So, imagine if the monetary incentive is being held, what is the consequences that can occur from it? Student that usually get a good or average grade can purposely lower down their grade, just to get the incentive money. As this think seem rather nonsense to some, it does has it possibility to happen as the pressure on having short of money can really make people do a lot of think out of normal thinking.

Three major point have been stated in order to bring out  a clearer view on the disadvantages that can be bring by having a monetary as the incentives for KP2 students to motivate them to get better grades. There is a lot of other way to motivate them, such as assign them to a study group that consist of a student with a good grade to discuss the problem on their study together. A counseling session can also be held to help them gain their confidence on getting a better academic result. As being said by the Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible until its done.”

Chocolate

Chocolate has been used as a drink for nearly all of its history. The earliest record of using chocolate dates back before the Olmec.

The first chocolate house opened in London in 1657. In 1689, noted physician and collector Hans Sloane developed a milk chocolate drink in Jamalca which was initially used by apothecarles, but later sold to the Cadbury brothers in 1897.

Did you know?? Although chocolate is known for its rich taste, there are also many health benefits of eating chocolate. With a high cocoa content, dark chocolate is a great source of flavonoids, gallic acid, and epicatechin and is thought to be very good for the heart. Here are some other key benefits of dark chocolate. 

1. Chocolate may be good for your heart:

Preliminary research studies claim that chocolate and other cocoa products may have circulatory benefits. A study presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s claimed that eating flavonoid-rich foods, including chocolate, ensured low risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Dark chocolate contains higher amounts of flavonoids than milk chocolate. However, through the manufacturing process chocolate syrups and processed cocoa powder removes much of the antioxidants. To experience chocolate in its unadulterated form, you'd have to by cocoa beans or raw, unprocessed cocoa powder.

2. Chocolate lowers LDL cholesterol:

Studies have suggested that eating dark chocolate can reduce bad cholesterol ( LDL  Cholesterol). An Italian study published in the August 2005 issue of the Hypertension Journal revealed that eating dark chocolate can lower LDL cholesterol levels by 10 percent. In a study, Pennsylvania State University researchers have also found that people who consumed flavonoid-rich dark chocolate have higher levels of good cholesterol compared with people in the control group.

3. Eating Chocolate may lower your blood pressure:

One of the key benefits of dark chocolate is healthy blood pressure. Cocoa contains a substance that processes a compound called nitric oxide. This substance helps in maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood flow.

Moreover, the flavonoids in chocolates prevent blood clots as they do not allow fatty substances in the bloodstream to oxidize the arteries.

4. Eating chocolate reduces stress:  

Eating a bar of chocolate may lift your mood. Many researchers confirm the  anti-depressant qualities of chocolates. A study conducted on 3,000 subjects by the Black Dog Institute found that almost 45 percent people with depression improved their mood after having chocolate. The main component behind chocolate’s anti-depressant properties is serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Chocolate also stimulates the production of endorphins, which can induce feeling of pleasure. Scientists have found that the endorphins and opoids in chocolates makes people feel less anxious and worried and makes them relaxed.

5. Chocolate is rich in Antioxidants:

The high flavonoid content in chocolate, particularly dark chocolate and cocoa powder, can not only relax blood pressure, but also may protect your body from aging. A study conducted by researchers of the University of Scranton confirms the high antioxidant content in chocolate. Flavonoids (or flavonols) in chocolate acts as antioxidants and fights against free radicals.

"if I could Rule the World, I would"
I do not want to change things so dramatically, but I wants everyone to facilitate public interaction and discussion as we have here. What I have in my mind is that to raise the living standards of all people. I want to establish an institution where the blind people been treated as the way the normal people treated. And they will be given a range of facilities,more than now.

A quote of fact, the Braille system is a method widely used that is by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing. Braille was devised in 1821 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in two columns of arectangle containing three dots others. A dot may be raised at any of the six positions to form sixty-four (26) Possible subsets, including the arrangement in which no dots are raised.

Purposes For reference, a particular permutation may be described by naming the positions where dots are raised, the positions being universally numbered 1 to 3, from top to bottom, on the left, and 4 to 6, from top to bottom, on the right. For example, dots 1-3-4 (⠍) would describe a cell with three dots raised, at the top and bottom in the left column and on top of the right column, i.e., the letter m.

The horizontal lines of Braille text are separated by a space, much like visible printed text, that so the dots of one line can be differentiated from the Braille text above and below. Punctuation is represented by its own unique set of characters.

The Braille system has been uniquely develop in order to help blind people to read and communicate with people. Perhaps if I could rule the world, I could created a better world for them as the communication is limited for them. I want to create a systems where crossing the road and driving is no longer a problem

in the future



 We want to create a tool that can facilitate the housewife in the future,with the device can handle a lot of work at a time. This machine is call "EASY MACHINE".

 Housewives are tired with all the work that need to be completed everyday. But with the existence of this machine, it will do the work like washing clothes, drying and ironing or folding the clothes.

 In this way, we recommend every home should have a "EASY MACHINE", as expenses incurred by the household can also be reduced. In addition, more time can be spent for the family and get a happy family. :) 

a blast weekend


as usual, we fill our weekend with a fun yet tiring event, that is 'a mall tour'.. before we started our exploration, we filled up our stomach to boost up the stamina for the whole day.. we've decided SEOUL GARDEN as the place for having our brunch, as it a new experience to taste the korean cuisine..

the restaurant are quite cozy with the grill and steamboat placed are assigned at each table for 4 pax.. the selection of foods are also varies from a different kind of marinated lamb, beef and chicken, vegetables, and also seafood.. as greedy as we can get, we took a lot of different kind of foods. but despite all this cool stuff about the place, there were one thing that has been bothered us, which is the cockroaches that one of us has spotted on the top of  one of the food there. but overall it was a satisfying brunch for all of us.

selection of foods at buffet corner 

our selection of beef, chicken and lamb

a bit of crab

YUMMYYY!

grilling time

choc n vanilla as the dessert

My Educational Aspiration for 2011

as we entering the new semester this year, a new goal has been set up which is of course a better grade for ourselves..its a natural thing for a students like us to have that kind of goal for every new semester..even though the last semester didn't give out the best results from both of us, it has made us realize that we must work harder in order to overcome the situation..another aspiration for us to get a better results were our colleagues and seniors that has manage to score well..we thought that if they can do it, why not us?one thing for sure, NOTHINGS IS IMPOSSIBLE IF WE GET THE DETERMINATION AND WILL ALONG WITH A GOOD EFFORT!