Wrapping up the year....

It is just three days before my pre-viva presentation but yet, I still take time to write. But as my slides were ready and checked by my boss (sensei) since last week, I would like to be positive by quoting him 'just maintain you presentation pace and there should be no problem'. I left his room with an aim to wrap this year with a beautiful wrapper, better than last year's. Afterall, it has been a splendid year with many many good achievements to be remembered along the milestones and not to forget a few mistakes, not to be regretted at all but full with lessons that I am sure I would not be able to get by registering myself into any universities in this world.

People said that when you live life to the fullest, you will feel that the whole year passed by like a blink of an eye. Some may said that it is just a rinky-dink phrase but as if by magic, I feel the exact same way. I would like to dedicate this final post for the year 2008 to summarize everything (sounds impossible but I will try my best) with a hope that 2009 which will be an upcoming crucial year for all of us (economically), mark bigger changes towards the better me and nevertheless big steps towards fulfilling aims and responsbility.

I started January by writing the status 'New chapter' in my annual planner that I bought on the brim of New Year at the Loft. A snowboarding trip to Hakuba Iwatake at Nagano, visit to Osaka aquarium (Kaiyukan), Kenduri Kesyukuran Maal Hijrah at Abang Amir's place, Kenduri Ashura at Neshi's place, a few NEDO meetings and friendly visit to Robel's crypt ends the first month.

The status for February is 'Learning from sempai month' but regardless of spending time to learn all the analytical machines in the lab, it was also spent more towards emotional breakdowns that ends with a break-off with my girl just after St. Valentine's. Period. I did also attended KPIC Experience Japanese Culture with Mahendra at Kyoto Station.

March was a crazy month with express scandals and temptations (Some said that a fast one like choo choo train will just end with a crash. Well, it did), Daus birthday, a visit from a former kohai back in MC (ticket with his friends from Hokkaido), trip to Amanohashidate, attending Isayama's life concert, BBQ at Takaragaike and many uncharted trips and visits that purposely not to be stated here.

April was great as I started my masters officially after a year of Research Student (Kenkyusei) period as I graduated for my undergraduate degree in a 3 years-course back in UM (Japan universities required 16 years of education before continuing for masters degree). Greater when my mom and aunties visited Kyoto and Tokyo for a 'Sakura delight' holiday. Panasonic Hanami party at Arashiyama that I joinly organized with Bo Eng, Unplanned Post-Grad Hanami party with 'Kueytiow Goreng Duka', Disneyland trip with Daus, Ashraf, Asma and Kak Fairy and Wahid's hikkoshi filled the rest of my Sakura month.

In May, we made a legendary road trip that I am pretty sure quite hard to be repeated. With two drivers (one legal and another illegal) and a rented Estima Aeras, we tour for more than 1000 km southwards. The abstract of the journey could be read in three episodes started with here. Then, me with another group of Kyotorians and Osakarians also made a hike up to Daimonji hill that month.

June was the month for Panasonic area meeting, Kansai Sports Festival, lecture for conducting radioactive substances, presentation of Master's thesis chapter one and submission of paper for consideration of publication in an international academic journal.

Panasonic summer seminar at Nagano and Shiojiri, Biofuel World 2008 at Yokohama, high-tea with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Gion Matsuri , employment as research assistant starts, receive bundles of papers coming in for reviewing tasks and exams were all in July.

August summer's heat was tampered with a trip to conquer the peak of Fuji Mountain, Japan Institute of Energy Conference at Shinjuku, a visit to Komaba (Noel's) and Odaiba (Willy's), Summer Fest at Suma beach with Japanese labmates, Panasonic career meeting and a BBQ at Amanohashidate. My private life was then back to normal at this time. Not to forget, casual badminton matches and Udon or Joyfull delights at Katsura.

September was the month I turned 24, started a new semester with employment as a teaching assistance and also an end to employment as research assistant, bought a joined vehicle, Dr Ismail from USM tenure as invited scholar starts and his family followed to stay here soon after that, made an Inkan (Japanese name stamp), Hari Raya, attending several open houses, Afiqa's operation and also the month that my journal paper was accepted. Alhamdulillah. Panasonic Scholarship Inc also marks its 10th year anniversary ceremony at Kadoma and later after that event, Yayan, Noel, Willy and Andrea stay a little longer to visit Kyoto.

October and November were the months that I visited Tokyo the most. Tokyorians (Hadi and Jonny) also visited me after a business trip to Nagoya and we made a trip up to Ohara with other Kyotorians. Thanked God too that apart from several drawbacks in private matters in this month, I had received an official letter stating that I've been made one of the recipients of Japan Institute of Energy 'Promising Young Researcher' Award for 2008. which left my sensei with a good mood for the whole week. The award ceremony will be in February next year. Apart from that, I won an unpredicted encouragement prize for the annual Panasonic Japanese Essay Contest and the First Prize for Merdeka Essay contest conducted by MSAJ. Alhamdulillah. Unfortunately, I missed the chance to join my Graduate School foreign students trip to Nagoya and Fushimi-Inari hiking due to classes and research constraints.

December is great too with Xin-san (also from Biodiesel group) won another 'First Class Paper award' in an International Conference in China that left my sensei of another week smiling, doctoral students receiving GCOE research grants up to 1.5 million Yen (Asmadi, Xin, Pramila, Natthanon, Ma-chang and Mahendra) and surely will be hip with the upcoming pre-viva presentation, Dr Ismail and Dr Nap's farewell party, year-end party and several other long lists of parties in corresponding to New Year and Christmas.

I do look forward for an exciting year ahead as I will start it with a lonnnnnng holiday to Malaysia (and Indonesia) around Chinese New Year (revenge to those who went back to Malaysia for Hari Raya and 'tetau-tetibe-je-kat-Malaysia' sydrome (Daus and Wahid)). Nevertheless, I will make a move towards checkmate too in a time not too soon from now. I pray and hope that everyone will pray together for a glorious year ahead. Despite of the dawn of economic crisis effects, we just have to move forward. Some may have to divert and try a new path, some may have to return back to the turning point and start all over again, some will do whatever it takes to leap forward, some will brave him/herself to face important procedures in search for self-satisfaction and long-aimed wish lists, some will just stay on the same lane and work harder to strive ahead, some will start a new chapter, some will ice-break to reveal his/her true intentions to the long-known so-called-friend, some may just have to forgive and forget, some will have to kill his/her ego just to see somebody he/she loved smiling......Whatever it is, it must be not too far from refining our current journey for a better future. Happy celebrating year-end and many many good wishes for everyone in facing another new year soon....

(picture was a courtesy taken with Hanin's D40)

p/s: Kindly press links to move to related articles

一期一会 (ichi go ichi e) - Once in a lifetime chance...

In the past recent weeks, several events around me were somehow in a way, related to the title above. 一期一会 (ichi go ichi e) is a Japanese famous 四字寂語 yojijyaku (4-Characters simple words) believed to be originated from China. It literally means a once-in-a-lifetime chance and had been widely interpreted into many Japanese disciplines including the spirit of Samurai, tea ceremony, preparation of dishes and relationship.

The presidential election of the US had seen Sen. Barrack Obama, the first African-American being chosen as a president-elect. This triumph of Obama has been described by critics around the world as an encounter of a lifetime, not long before Martin Luther King delivered his ' I have a dream' speech. This however has brought an airy phenomenal for multi-racial countries like Malaysia and Singapore, where minorities claimed for their right to be able to take the lead in the nation's leadership. Before the cries go out loud, those people should just read my statement, sit back and relax. Mr. Obama is an African-American but he speaks incredibly fluent American-English at home with his family, even to his mother and his grandmother. His daughters did not go to any African-language school. He did not wear any Kenyan attire and eat at the same diner where any ordinary Americans eat. There are no possible reasons in this world to deny the right of a true American to be a president in his own country. If somebody could extremely excel in the meritocracy system practiced in Singapore, surely Lee Hsien Long would be glad to allow him/her into his cabinet where most of its ministers holds at least a distinguished master's degree and could possibly succeeded him later on. Same with Malaysia, Malaysian will definitely agree if the candidate apart from being greatly qualified to be a Prime Minister; could also speak a fluent Bahasa Malaysia, comfortably be able to wear the Pakaian Kebangsaan at official ceremonies, studied in a Sekolah Kebangsaan before and comes from a non-racial-based party.


This 一期一会 phrase had also reminded me back to an incidence happened back in the year 1999. At that time, I just had a home internet access (Jaring.my) via my desktop and being among the first internet users, I was extraordinarily excited. When my 3 years-older cousin came from Ipoh to visit me, I introduced him to the MiRC, the pioneer program of the chatting world before YM and MSN took over. In 2 days time, he (at that time, 18 years old) had managed to secure a blind-date (Of course, without any parental consent). Being naive, I am the one who have to follow him to KLCC, the meeting place. We went there by Putra LRT and as we were early from the designated time, I went to buy Auntie Anne's Pretzels (I loved this pretzels but I don't know whether it is still available now) alone. When I went back to the designated meeting place at the KFC near Swatch (all this were according to the floor plan of KLCC back in 1999), I saw my cousin going out from the KFC in a rush and behind him, a poor chubby girl followed with a sad face, trying to match his fast steps. When my cousin saw me, he pulled my arms and led me towards the direction of the LRT station. I was puzzled with his act but somehow could read between the lines. The girl had cheated on my cousin by sending a different cute-looking girl pic to represent her in the net and when meeting my cousin in reality during the blind date, the cute gal in the pic is not at all similar to her. My cousin felt cheated and decided to walk-off without giving a room for apology to her. I still could remember the poor girl's voice calling for my cousin's name while we ran out of her sight towards Ampang Park. I had the chance to break loose, urged my cousin to go and see her to explain in a good way but I am just too naive to think of such a bold act back then. But that is the only chance in a lifetime that we have, and we turned it down. When I grew up, I just noticed that people made mistakes, but that doesn't mean we will keep on repeating it. So there's always room for apology, room to repent.

Out of nowhere, chances will somehow come to you either for you to correct your past mistakes or to amend your unwanted acts. My advice is just take the chance, try your best to endure all the circumstances no matter how but if u ain't change anything, maybe that is just not your thing. So drift away and move on with your life. After all, you have tried all your best to utilize the available chance. Life is hard, but that should just make you tougher. Do your best in whatever you do, respect and reward all the people around you with the true celebration of friendship or love, for it could be the only chance you have in your lifetime to prolong or extent that wonderful moments. And later when it never recurs again, you can smile thinking of it (without any regret), knowing in your heart that you've been there, did that, said it...the way you want it to be...wholeheartedly with full of sincerity.

(Pics were taken from the Tokyo Tower Observatory, circa early November 2008)

Salam syawal and the strength of a woman...

Salam Aidilfitri to all and many many apologies. Before I start, this article has nothing to do with Shaggy's song that comes with the same title with this post but nevertheless an acknowledgment towards all women in the world.

The world's Mother's Day, Women Day, St. Valentine's or whatever days related to appraisal for women is not around the corner but I just would like to stress out a thing that most of us tend to overlook in the midst of political blurry back home in Malaysia. Somehow, we tend to miss out an important figure behind every single occurence involving every great man.

When our ex-premier, Tun Dr. Mahathir resigned as an Umno member, the one who follows immediately without any comments made was Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah, his life's soul. When the opposition leader, Dato' Seri Anwar being attack now and before with sodomy charges, the one who stood still beside him or outside the grill bars of Penjara Sungai Buloh is Dato Seri Wan Azizah. Same to do with all popular court cases such as the one involving Abdul Razak Baginda and Raja Petra Kamaruddin, where we could see their wives stood still on the ground in defending their husbands, unquestionably loyal. Maybe this is what Dr. Ismail (a USM visiting Professor to Kyoto U) tried to deliver in his several pep-talks to me towards pursuing early marriage and the benefits of living with a life's soul mate. For she will always be there in time of needs and compliments you in every situation (good times as well as bad times) especially when you chose to live a life involving a long solitary tough path (try Phd course in Japan as an instant example...).

In his series of advice to me and Ashraf (the common suspects) usually when we were driving (me driving, Ashraf co-piloting or vice versa), he tends to stress to us that all women are beautiful and the fact that a woman has to overcome endless obstacles in life compared to a man, do contribute to their desirable, strong and tough characteristic to support men in a companionship. A good candidate of your life's soulmate should accept you the way you are with open arms and an open heart. She conquers all and sacrificing herself, shows you signs that she is ready to put others needs before her own, symbolizing her ability to sacrifice for the family you are going to build together. The true beauty of a woman lies in her soul and not her curves. The unconditional love she possesses is mind boggling to many. The strength of a woman can not be described with words. It could be seen in the way she carries herself, her walk, her confidence, her sensuality, her self respect, the ability to walk with a smile and her head held high although at the same time, she is crying out loud deep inside, yet she is able to put all emotions aside and rise to any occasion. Maybe all of this is not directly from Dr. Ismail but I am sure that my own interpretations are nevertheless similar to what he is trying to say.

This Hari Raya, I wish to make peace to all. 'Honor the God, Love your women and defend your country' (Quoting Prince Hector in the movie Troy). May the transitions of power back home (Prime Minister Abdullah will step down next March for the sake of unity) were in favor of the new breed of Malaysian ultras. Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

Merdeka...Merdeka...Merdeka

It has been quite some time since I wrote my last post and during that period, Malaysia's Independence Day (Merdeka Day) on the 31st August and my birthday on 3rd September had passed us by. Being 24, I thought of changing my blogging style. Apart from merely the rantings of my heart, I wish to cater for larger issues but nevertheless still in touch with travel journal and book review from time to time. As a starting point in the celebration of the Merdeka Day, I would like to share a wonderful poetic masterpiece by the late Dato' Usman Awang (known by the pen name of Tongkat Warrant), a Malaysian National Laureate (Sasterawan Negara). I have always been the supporter for the spirit of 'Bangsa Malaysia'(always adore how Bangsa Indonesia made their cultures and traditions known to the world..Batik Indonesia, Angklong and Tarian Bali had always been their renowned trademarks even in Japan!!) and the emergence of Ultra breed of Neo-Malay to sustain the globalization era, but this poem entitled 'Melayu' should nevertheless be read and something just have to be churned out of it for motivational purposes. Please stop shouting about the Malay Supremacy (Ketuanan Melayu), it is just about time to read and learn something between the lines.

'Melayu' by Dato' Usman Awang

Melayu itu orang yang bijaksana
Nakalnya bersulam jenaka
Budi bahasanya tidak terkira
Kurang ajarnya tetap santun
Jika menipu pun masih bersopan
Bila mengampu bijak beralas tangan.

Melayu itu berani jika bersalah
Kecut takut kerana benar,
Janji simpan di perut
Selalu pecah di mulut,
Biar mati adat
Jangan mati anak.

Melayu di tanah Semenanjung luas maknanya:
Jawa itu Melayu, Bugis itu Melayu
Banjar juga disebut Melayu, Minangkabau memang Melayu,
Keturunan Acheh adalah Melayu,
Jakun dan Sakai asli Melayu,
Arab dan Pakistani, semua Melayu
Mamak dan Malbari serap ke Melayu
Malah mua'alaf bertakrif Melayu.

Dalam sejarahnya
Melayu itu pengembara lautan
Melorongkan jalur sejarah zaman
Begitu luas daerah sempadan
Sayangnya kini segala kehilangan

Melayu itu kaya falsafahnya
Kias kata bidal pusaka
Akar budi bersulamkan daya
Gedung akal laut bicara
Malangnya Melayu itu kuat bersorak
Terlalu ghairah pesta temasya
Sedangkan kampung telah tergadai
Sawah sejalur tinggal sejengkal
tanah sebidang mudah terjual

Meski telah memiliki telaga
Tangan masih memegang tali
Sedang orang mencapai timba.

Berbuahlah pisang tiga kali
Melayu itu masih bermimpi
Walaupun sudah mengenal universiti
Masih berdagang di rumah sendiri.

Berkelahi cara Melayu
Menikam dengan pantun
Menyanggah dengan senyum
Marahnya dengan diam
Merendah bukan menyembah
Meninggi bukan melonjak.

Watak Melayu menolak permusuhan
Setia dan sabar tiada sempadan
Tapi jika marah tak nampak telinga
Musuh dicari ke lubang cacing
Tak dapat tanduk telinga dijinjing
Maruah dan agama dihina jangan
Hebat amuknya tak kenal lawan

Berdamai cara Melayu indah sekali
Silaturrahim hati yang murni
Maaf diungkap senantiasa bersahut
Tangan diulur sentiasa bersambut
Luka pun tidak lagi berparut

Baiknya hati Melayu itu tak terbandingkan
Selagi yang ada sanggup diberikan
Sehingga tercipta sebuah kiasan:

"Dagang lalu nasi ditanakkan
Suami pulang lapar tak makan
Kera di hutan disusu-susukan
Anak di pangkuan mati kebuluran"

Bagaimanakah Melayu abad dua puluh satu
Masihkan tunduk tersipu-sipu?
Jangan takut melanggar pantang
Jika pantang menghalang kemajuan;
Jangan segan menentang larangan
Jika yakin kepada kebenaran;
Jangan malu mengucapkan keyakinan
Jika percaya kepada keadilan

Jadilah bangsa yang bijaksana
Memegang tali memegang timba
Memiliki ekonomi mencipta budaya
Menjadi tuan di negara Merdeka

To all Malaysian readers, Selamat Hari Merdeka!!!
Merdekakan diri anda di mana jua anda berada!!!

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body part II - The Verses of Love (Ayat-ayat Cinta)

I am never a fan of novels in Malay especially those related to love and life. Ahadiat Akasha once made a storming trend with his novels back then in 1990s but it never could catch an eye of me. The last pieces I've read in Malay were 'Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Political Biography' (Biografi Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra) by Prof. Datuk Dr. Ramlah Adam, a UM scholar and another piece by late National Laureate (Sasterawan Negara) Abdullah Hussain, called 'Interlok'.

It was sometime in last year that I saw Firdaus keep bringing this novel entitled 'The Versus of Love' (Ayat-ayat cinta) everywhere he goes and even Kak Enn and Kak Mar borrowed it from him (He got the novel posted from Malaysia by a friend). But I never took it seriously although I've heard a few conversations from them related to this novel and its debut on the silver screen (I thought it was just another motivational piece like 'Don't Be Sad' by Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarnee). But one fine evening after we dine at Castromu (Neshi, Yana and Hanin's apartment) in celebration of Kak Jal's Japan homecoming, they have it viewed for all the guests.

This Indonesian movie comes with the same title with the novel which stars Fedi Nuril as Fahri, the protagonist in this piece surrounded by four beautiful, distinctfully different characters of women portrayed by Carissa Putri as Maria Girgis, Melanie Putria as Nurul, Zaskia Adya Mecca as Noura and Rianti Cartwright as Aisha. After a sensational view of this beautifully potrayed Islamic love story that saw Kak Mc eyes who sits next to the Tv turns red, the urge to get this novel and read it personally becomes higher.

Aisha, a good and wonderful wife but hardly knows the past of his newly-wed husband

'The Verses of Love' is nevertheless a love story. But seriously it is not just another ordinary love story. This story centered around how Fahri, a Masters student of Al-Azhar University, Cairo in Egypt deals with his daily ups and downs by Islamic approaches. He came from an Indonesian poor farmer family who sold their only ancestral farmland in order to send him to study in Al-Azhar. In Cairo, he did a part-time job doing translation works on books from Arabic to Indonesian to cater for his monthly needs. Fahri, an intelligent student and being a disciplined and dedicated one had completed all his predetermined targets step by step but not one, which is marriage.

Voted the best scene by me, Ashraf and Mon.

In my personal view, Fahri faced a problem in searching for 'the one' due to his nature which is so 'straight' in the meaning of honesty and fairness in approaching women that makes him never knew the meaning of 'love before marriage'. He definitely not articulated in dealing with women.
The conflict starts in his naive life when four women enters his life, each with different backgrounds and characters but with only one similarity, all of them adored him so much that they want him to be their future husband. Fahri, being nice to all of them hardly could 'read between the lines' of what could be described as a deep, extreme and secret admiration towards him that only being conveyed by the women through little sweet thoughts and actions (as little as naughty but shy eye contacts). This piece had also somehow demonstrated that a marriage (although being initiated by Islamic ways of 'taaruf' without any pre-datings and love periods) should never neglect the idea of knowing your partner at the best rate that you could before pursuing to marriage (It will surely be hard and shocking for Aisha to accept the fact that many had fell for Fahri before).

Maria and Fahri at the banks of the River Nile

Best dialogue (in Bahasa Indonesia):

Fahri:Sebelum aku ke sini, cuma ada dua hal yg bikin aku kagum sama Mesir. yaitu Al-Azhar dan Sungai Nil. karena tanpa sungai Nil, ngak ada Mesir dan nggak ada Al-Azhar.

Maria: Aku juga suka sama, kalau ngak ada Sungai Nil pasti ngak ada Mesir nggak ada perabadan dan yang hanya ada gurun pasir. Kau percaya jodoh Fahri? Aku rasa Sungai Nil dan Mesir itu jodoh.

Fahri:Ya! Setiap orang…..

Maria:Punya jodoh masing-masing..

Maria: Itu yang selalu kamu bilang. Aku rasa Sungai Nil dan Mesir itu jodoh. Senang ya, kalau kita bisa bertemu jodoh yang diberikan Tuhan dari langit.

Fahri: Bukan dari langit Maria, tapi dari hati. Dekat sekali.(saling berpandang mata)…

Maria, a broad-minded Christian Coptic girl daughter to Mr. Boutros which live in the apartment above Fahri's secretly fell in love with the beauty of Islam and also to Fahri (things she only reveals in her diary). She wonderfully could memorized and recites some of the Holy Quran verses particularly Surah Maryam (Mary in Semitic, the mother of Isa Al-Masih (Jesus)).

Nurul, also an Indonesian and a student of Al-Azhar, is a daughter of a renowned cleric Muslim Scholar called as 'ulama'. She had adored and fell for Fahri for long but never revealed her intentions directly. On the other hand Fahri, out of his inferiority complex as a farmer's son ditched his feelings towards Nurul as he felt that he is never to be the son-in-law of a rich and famous man. This had leaved Nurul in a state of confusion and blurry of what to do next.

Noura, an abused Egyptian neighbor, develops strong romantic feelings for Fahri, who in turn simply sympathizes with her situation. Hardly, it is just practically empathy that leads Fahri to help her at his might but definitely not love. Noura however seems to ask for more. His romantic rejection destroys her faith and logical judgment and eventually leads to a false accusation of rape victimizing Fahri.

Aisha, being 'the one' in this story for Fahri is a German Turkish student in Cairo that haunts Fahri with her beautiful pair of eyes. Since an incident that saw Fahri stood for her against a rigid-minded Muslim, both had fell onto the love boat. The story later unravels on how Fahri made his decision, how the world reacts towards it and the sturdiness of Aisha in defending his husband which she hardly knew due to instant marriage without deeper friendship at first.

I could only introduce this wonderful Indonesian piece in my blog but you all could venture into details of it personally only by watching the movie and later read the novel. The movie of 'Ayat-ayat Cinta' by Hanung Bramantyo is available on DVDs in Asian countries and could be viewed segmentally on YouTube. The novel by Habiburrahman El Shirazy is on sale at all prominent bookstores and the PDF version of it could also be downloaded via the internet.

I had my hard-cover piece bought by Mr. Azizi a.k.a Mon at Popular Bookstore before his visit to Kyoto and view Neshi's DVD. This book and movie should somehow widen your view towards Islam and its teaching as well as giving you some guide in searching for 'the one' in your life. However, as imperfect me could never be compared with this pious Fahri, I personally thought that a hope to get 'the one' as wonderful on the inner and the outer such as Aisha is too much for me. But the journey goes on and we will never know where this route designated by God will lead us to. Let's work and pray for the best as it is OK to shoot for the stars but hit the moon apart from not shooting at all.

Hereby is its movie theme song by Rossa and my fav trailer.

Zeitgeist...

Today, I revisited my old blogging place and somehow went through an article that I have written during last summer. Thought it is better to share it with all in this summer too. More importantly is that I personally have to practice more of what I have written. It seems that I have forgotten the genuine ways to value peoples around me.

8 Souvenirs..

Monday blues hits me again...Stucked in the lab in this hot summer generates an idea (ilham) for me to come out with these sentimental thoughts...8 souvenirs that we have 'inside'..give it away..give it away..

All this 8 souvenirs may not be on sale but it really matters to us all...U don't have to buy it too... but instead, u have to reward it to others..

1) Presence
Your presence on the side of your dearest ones either on critical times or just other ordinary days may alter the atmosphere around them..Presence does not only means by physically attending but could be conveyed via e-mail, letters, phone calls, quoting someone in your blog and short messages...Let your presence brought along happiness and best wishes to all...

2) Listen
Please refer 'Listen' by Beyonce..hehe..Not many people could really be a good listener..most of us prefer to critic and straight jump to conclusion..Please take time to listen..consider what you hear as classified, keep it in a sealed box stocked deep below in your heart..Look deeply into your companion's eyes and try to put yourself in whatever situation they are facing right now..apart from new experience, this also could be an escapism to you..for you to feel better that you are not in that current situation or for you to feel relieved that there is also another person facing the same dilemma as you are right now..Listen to others, it will not cost you much..just a portion of time, patience and humbleness needed..with a reward of unmatchable trust and friendship...

3) Silence
Same as words, silence could be both fatal and soothing..There is justification in silence. It could be also used to punish, irritate and to deliver seriousness...Silence could also be interpret as Love...by giving 'space'...sometimes it is too much to be at all time together...when advices were seen as nagging..it is time to stop..everybody needs a little time away...

4) Freedom
When you love somebody..give them wings to fly..provided you installed a tracking device at their feet so that you could track them back whenever they flew too high...Loving somebody does not means that you have the authority to own their life and make major decisions in everything...More than its initial meaning, giving freedom is to let the person you loved having chance to express their true potentials and make use of their opportunity to the uppermost level they could reach...

5) Beauty
Who could be luckier than having someone pretty or handsome as the one you loved...But more important than physically being pretty or handsome is to be pretty 'inside'...It could also be delivered by gifts, appearance and thoughts...

6) Positive Attitude
Unaware, we usually set a negative standard towards somebody without leaving an allowance for them to prove themselves more worthy that we thought of...Recount how many 'thanks' that you have said to your partner for always being there or to your friend to keep your weekends busy with activities and party... ;P

7) Giving way
Nobody is perfect..so give way..give chances..be considerate...be a man with respect, it will reflect your wisdom and virtue...

8) Smile
Smile do comes with an extraordinary power with it..a sincere smile could weaken a stubborn heart, could motivate someone tends to give up, refresh a tiring days...a smile is an international passport to love and friendship......

Give these souvenirs to others while you still have the ability and opportunity to do so....Somehow, you will feel being rewarded 'inside'.....Live a life, spread the love...

On Top of 'Our' World - Fuji-san Hiking Trip 08'

No one among us seems ready enough physically for this hike up to the peak of Mount Fuji (Fuji-san, 富士山) at 3766 metres or 12,388 feet above sea level (Unfit and untrained for a true hiker). But mentally, no doubt that 10 of us possess the highest level of aspiration and self anticipation to conquer the greatest challenge of this summer. I personally just got back from Tokyo while Ashraf from Thailand, both for an oral presentation in a conference, Paee and Yana from Okinawa and nevertheless the rest of us must be tired due to daily laboratory routines from Monday to the departure day itself (Not a holiday week). We started our journey from Kintetsu Takeda Station, Kyoto on Thursday 7th August 2008 at 11.50 pm boarding the Fuji Summit Express. Mr. and Mrs. Azizi (Kak Mc) won in terms of punctuality as both of them stood at the meeting point since 9.30 pm, an outstanding and remarkable record for this always-late pair of Koleq and Kataq (pardon the Qs). Ashraf and Enn (Nur or Sabby) made their way from Katsura while me and Mahendra left our bikes at Marikouji and joined Muji, Paee and Yana to Kyoto Station while Firdaus being Firdaus, will always pops out of nowhere. This is definitely true when we met him at Kintetsu Kyoto Station after boarding the local train as he somehow mistakenly took an express one that bypass Takeda station before.

Before the hike at Base Camp 5 (go gou me, 五合目）

This guided tour costs us 21,700 Yen per person inclusive of round trip bus fare, 4 meals, rental for Motel Huts at Base Camp 8 and a short rest for meal ad bath at Fujiyama Onsen after descending the mountain. I did not knew the exact time that I fell asleep in the bus but when I woke up the next morning, the traffic is not moving. According to Ashraf's prediction as our camp commandant cum penglipur lara, the traffic might occured due to longer waiting time in this official hiking season for the bus to take turns in ascending the road up to Base Camp 5 which later happened just to be a small accident involving a pickup truck. Hihihi...

At Base Camp 6 (Roku gou me, 六合目）

The ascending route from Base Camp 5 to Base Camp 8 (took appr. 6 hours) was an easy zig-zag trail with nice established route and retaining walls for mitigation purposes. As in the pic, a horse could be seen carrying what could probably be an exhausted hiker way back down or a real rich man dare not to risk any of his energy to conquer Mount Fuji. Our 65 year old hiking guide led us steadily up while sometimes yelling 'Ato..ato..' to us who eagerly try to match him and leave the group behind.

HakuunSo Hut where we stayed was a hiking motel situated at 3200 metres above sea level. It offers bunk beds that could cater up to 400 hikers at a time with several kolong as could be seen in P. Ramlee's movie Ibu Mertuaku. We had our meal, slept and rest for 9 hours here. In conjunction with the altitude, the price of things up here also multiplies in great margin (A cup of UCC Coffee 400yen (Normal Price:100Yen for 2), A piece of Kairo, heating pads 200Yen (100Yen for 5), Oxygen tube 1500Yen (700Yen)). This is the time where hard works of carrying foods up here such as Green Curry and Tomato Chilli Tuna, biscuits and 3 in 1 Horlicks and Ovaltine paid off but not lucky enough when a cup of hot water to mix our drinks also cost us 200Yen. However, the motel owner was friendly and all the workers were helpful enough apart from the skyrocketing prices. How about the toilets? As a fair comment, it was among the cleanest along the way with ample supply of water but not to describe the smell when hikers jammed it before the midnight hike and the fact that we guys and girls shared the same facility (Enough description?..huhu).

HakuunSo Hut

View of 1 of the 5 lakes from the top

To reach the peak just before the sunrise (goraikou, ご来光), we had to start our journey up at midnight after resting for approximately 6 hours at the hut. I had absolutely no idea what to expect for the hike up to the peak after this Base Camp 8 as our tour manager had warned us that it will be a rough one after this. She also did warned us after the meal that any attempts to give up after this will cost us a huge amount of money so it is better to decide now. We head for a small discussion and later decide that none of us will give up and will make it to the top at whatever cost it may takes. I had never done any mountain hiking before, but let me tell you, I would never have been able to imagine it could ever be as hard as it was. This was literally the longest most intense 3 hours of my life. I definitely had no clue what a real hiking was until I went through it!

Before the midnight hike to the peak of Mt. Fuji

I could tell everyone around me was a little nervous because none of us knew what was coming ahead of us. Words cant even begin to describe what this second phase hike felt like, but if I were to sum up the first few laps uphill, it started with bad odors from the toilets choking you for air, feeling a little dizzy in needs of a few pumps of oxygen and before I knew it, it just became harder and harder and harder. The way up seems promising with your heart telling you that it is just a few metres up but later it felt like it was a never-ending hike. Starting off wasn’t so bad, but as it built up my heart started pounding and I was breathing very heavy. I had no idea I was capable of sweating that much! It was probably about 20 minutes that all of us have been separated by thousands of people going up and hundreds of them who rest along the narrow route with a face enough to make you down. Paee and Firdaus had race between each other uphill while me, Ashraf, Enn and Mahendra made our way in pace with the group. I had to put myself in a zone and literally talk to myself to get through it and to keep pushing. For the entire hour, four of us were cheering each other on to keep going and at this time that songs like Menaruh Harapan by Zaiton Sameon, Jangan Bilang Tidak by Raffi Ahmad and Inilah Barisan Kita by Mahendra...hihihi...were sang. Muji and Yana were a few laps behind and Mr. and Mrs. Azizi anchored the group. All I keep saying to everyone was that, “Come on, we can do it…Its just a few laps ahead…8 more...4 more...We can do this!!” (In Malay), and it was that cheer that kept us all going although they knew that my numbers seems not aligned with the laps we were passing through.

As it came closer to the peak, all I could feel were my legs burning, my heart racing, and my arms pulsing. I had never felt like this before. The intensity of this hike to the top was overpowering. I had no idea my body could reach the point of agony that it did. As I reached the final gate representing the last checkpoint, I realized that I made it through till the end, the very last second! I couldn’t believe it! I think it was definitely the high determination in realization of the dream to be on top of the highest mountain in Japan, and literally pushing myself to the limit and giving it everything that I had down to the very last bit. Once we finished I can honestly say that I feel like crying and thankful to God for giving me such a courage to reach the peak. Now I understand when people say that it is mind over matter…That three hours hike definitely tops the charts as the most difficult, most intense and rigorous hour I have ever been through but the view up there was astonishing and the feeling of glory was indispensable. I just couldn’t believe I got through it, but I did it and so did all the others in our team. I was so proud of everyone and surely this will fire up our spirit to overcome all the challenges that lies ahead in years to come!!

Facts about hiking up to the peak of Mt. Fuji

Necessary for emergency: Wet tissues, Oxygen tube (S), Energy Drink (Weider jellify liquid), Yens, A loyal and steady companion (This is the time that Mr. Azizi proved his vows before marriage to Kak Mek that lautan api sanggup kurenangi bersamamu, gunung berapi (Mt. Fuji) sanggup kudaki, denai dan lembah akan kuturuni...having low blood pressure, it was really hard for Kak Mek to overcome the altitude sickness but through her HUGE determination out of her petite body plus the everlasting support from Mr. Azizi to go with her pace, carry all the loads and supply her with each of her needs...This Mt. Fuji is nevertheless a true testing place for love birds and married couples), Sherpa=skilled mountaineers (Definitely in our case it goes to Ashraf where he brought with him long lists of gadgets and stuffs from Tongkat Ali Power Root drinks, Ammeltz YokoYoko to Minyak Urut Hajah XXX in his Deuter backpack...thanks Ashraf for such a well-planned preparations).

Prepare for: Strong winds, Bad odors from toilets, Extreme weather (Temperature drops with increase of altitude), Rude hikers.

Myths: Descending the mountain is an easy job (Try and you'll know!!!), No one queue up during hiking (In Japan, we have to queue up almost everywhere).

Last but not least, enjoy the pics!!!

Hikers eagerly make their way up through the final gate

Goraikou, ご来光 on top of Mt. Fuji!!! The first sunrise in the world for 9th August!

Lalala...

Kyoto Mt. Fuji Hikers 08'

To the crater!!!

Arrival at Kyoto Station

The Certificate!!Yeay Yeay!!!

Blood type...hihihi..sooo cute...

Ketsueki-gata (血液型, ketsueki-gata) is a Japanese popularity-based belief that a blood type is predictive to someone's personality. However, this study once started by a Professor Takeji Furukawa (1927) from Tokyo Women's Teacher School lacks of credentials as not more than 20 persons were taken as samples in this study. Over the years, the popularity remains despite the lack of concrete evidence behind it. Personally, I am an A-type and found most of the traits soooo true. Just for the fun of it, please enjoy the cartoons (received from a forwarded email. Thank you Ms. Sender). Click on it for larger image!!!

GOOD VS BAD

A-Type : earnest, creative, sensible, calm vs
fastidious, overperfectionist, worrier
B-Type : wild, a doer, cheerful, frank vs
selfish, irresponsible, arrogant, heartless
AB-Type : cool, control, rational vs
critical, indecisive
O-Type : agreeable, sociable, caring, optimist vs
vain, careless, ruthless

Gion Night Stroll...

Spring semester is nearly over, and the time for end of semester exam comes again. This semester, 2 of my subjects entitled Advanced Study on Energy I and II were assessed by a little extraordinary way never been done by me before. The final exam for both of this subjects were conducted by online debate (not related at all with Anwar-Shabery debate..hihihi). After 8 consecutive weeks of Omnibus lectures (series of lectures by professors with different specialized fields related to energy), during the lass lecture, students were given a username and password to access the online educational debate system (see attached pic). In a period of one week, students have to key in their personal information and an energy-related topic formulated by the lecturers was to be discussed. Prior stand and justifications must be filled in with supporting evidences such as academic journals or references from websites to support our stand and justification. It could be done from anywhere and any pc with internet access. During the final lecture, students will have to debate their topic with other unknown students in real-time application for 0ne hour. Each group of four students will receive a different topic, and will be assessed by the professor in charge to the topic given. Through this kind of assessment, my Graduate School aims that the critical thinking ability for postgraduate students in delivering an analysis, stand strong for it and justified it with concrete reasons could be polished. After graduating, it is hoped that the graduates will not just be a person with high academic achievement and technical background but also do possess value added skills to make them an exceptional one. Maybe Malaysian universities should try this too!!!

Anyway, Kyoto celebrated its biggest festival of the year, Gion Matsuri this week. So Kyotorians leaved home in their yukatas and stroll over the night parade viewing rituals float and visiting stalls. Malaysians took the chance to gather (despite of the hectic schedule of exams especially for the undergrads) and joined the night stroll too!!!

A petty actor in this sordid world...

Pragmatism is an important way of approach towards certain matters in life especially in the new order of world today. Being pragmatic also allows you to widen your horizon in viewing issues and help you analyze anything properly towards a practical solution.

I had a chance to participate in a dialogue session with one of the key senior minister in Malaysian cabinet recently. During that session, I took the chance to ask him 2 questions (all in Bahasa Melayu), not just to steal the limelight but more inclined towards receiving his personal opinions and views regarding certain important issues (this is very very crucial as he was said to be one our prime minister candidate in the near future...you have to know who he is and what he is running for before you place your support right?).

My first question was related to the factors affecting investor's interest in bringing their foreign direct investments (FDI) to Malaysia. In the factor of providing cheap labour force, China, India and Vietnam overthrow us in multiple times and there is no way of competing in this factor. In offering skilled technicians and expertise, most of our good engineers and scientists prefer to work overseas, in favor of independent and technology-savvy environment of work as well as receiving higher pay. This brain drain however is not just a national issue but also affects other countries in this nearly borderless world of trade and human capital. In the past, we used to sell to the world our political stability and harmoniously living races as factors to attract investors into our country. However, with recent trend of demonstrations, challenges towards the country leadership and one statutory declarations after another, it is obvious that this factor is no longer a significant one. So, I asked him about his opinion and what is the next best thing to do. My second question (thanks to Ashraf for the idea) revolve in the issue of revoking Maths and Science in English policy so that it could be taught in Bahasa Melayu like before. This was somehow in accordance to a proposed declaration by a southern state in Malaysia where this minister came from. I stated that any move to revoke the policy is nevertheless a move backwards (langkah ke belakang) and wish to see his personal view towards this.

The minister, being well-versed in politics, an experienced one and senior to many portfolios in the government did answer to my two questions professionally. He did answer that apart from offering cheap labour force, Malaysia is well-known for its good infrastructure and good policy in securing trade activities. China may be a cheap place to venture into but unknown extra taxes and charges implied by the government made most of the investors reluctant to stay. Furthermore, Malaysia is still politically stable in comparison to its neighbouring countries and current demos and protests are mostly outcome of the former TPM's personal war to aim for the nation's premiership. However, the minister was still strong with his stand in revoking the teaching of Maths and Science in English back to Bahasa Melayu with a justification that Japanese could progress much in science and technology by using Japanese language so why not us too.

I have no chance to counter question him as this is not the noble parliament and I am just a petty player in this sordid drama of life. In my point of view, Japanese could progress so much by using Japanese language as they themselves are the technology and instrumentation developer while we are just the technology user. Japanese could did their chemical analysis by themselves by using their self-build Japanese version of Shimadzu analytical machines while exporting the English version of it to the rest of the world but for us, without any knowledge in English, we could not operate the machine and far from it that we could develop a Bahasa Melayu version of it, either software (maybe we could) or hardware wise (anyone have any idea?). I did realize that there were flaws in implementing the Maths and Science in English teachings but that is not just the reason for us to stop it. It may be difficult to find good teachers to teach at the rural areas but by familiarizing ourselves with English at early age, it could provide us a key to the whole world. With English proficiency, maybe one day we could have the chance to see our Malaysian-owned breakfast cafe selling Nasi Lemak and Teh Tarik at the banks of the river Thames or at the busy Spring Street at the corner of Lafayette in New York.

Maybe teaching Maths and Science in English to standard one pupils is too early for them. We could start with a subject like 'English for Mathematics and Science' to familiarize the pupils with terms related to the subjects which will provide them with better understanding to proceed to the later stage. Our educationists surely have a lot more better ideas than mine if they stop making educational institution just as stepping stones to reach for higher posts in the ministry and concentrate in doing their job to educate the new generation at their best.

I may sound convincing but I am just a petty actor in this sordid world*...hope that my voice will be heard one day...thank you to MSAJ Kansai for giving me an opportunity to attend this dialogue session, salam to all and have a pleasant week ahead...

*credit to yt as this is formerly her ym status.


(Picture in display is not related at all to this post. I just took it on my way back from the high-tea. It shows the riverside of Kamo River near Shijo at summer nights where young couples date. A sociology professor even did a research on the average distance between couples...dunno for what purpose..hehehe)

Wednesday blues and Izakaya Taxi...

"More plants. More planet"...That is what written on the brown tissue I use to wrap my Starbucks green tea frapp. It was made from 70% post-consumer recycled fibers and 30% bamboo fibers. Details and depth, the Japanese-style..informative but sometimes tiring and boring...While waiting for the next train to Demachiyanagi as I missed an express one a minute ago, I killed my time by reading all readable sentences around me and began to wonder on how much longer I will linger in Japan. Am I gonna stay for phd here? or go home and later further it somewhere else?

Madi brought up the question in me while we had our occasional sushi outing at Musashi with Danial just now. He said that after a while, he started to feel that life has gone to a slower pace near bore and each day seems similar to its previous and the next one. It triggers me to think of what will be my next step? A big move or just cumulative little ones. Drafting plans in my head, the decision should be made wise and clear without any intervention of emotional issues and other small insignificant factors. I should take one peaceful weekend to draft everything, big thing is worth it to be analyzed critically from all views, based on the big picture.

In the meantime, Kyoto is currently experiencing another cycle of summer again. As usual, summer is a great time for BBQ and party. This summer, Auntie Jap's and Yana's birthday bash plus a get together at Neshi's house to welcome Prof Roslan (USM) and Assoc Prof Fatimah Kari (UM) for their academic visit opens the door to somewhat that I believe will be a series of summer parties and events (reminds me of Prof. Ibrahim, Mr. Jamal and Prof. Norizan visit last summer). Each of them gave an introductory speech and all of them somehow deliver a message between the lines that educated young generation like us should be prepared to take the helm and help build a new Malaysia after coming home. I seems inspired but I guess I will not be coming home too soon for good anyway. Gonna spend some time chasing dreams...one after another...


The most important thing I would like to share with all in this post is about the latest shocking revelation by a Japanese newspaper (Asahi Shimbun, please refer scanned pic) here this week. It is about the 'Izakaya Taxi' plot. Izakaya is some kind of a restaurant-cum-bar where heavy meals and drinks including alcoholic one were served in an atmosphere suitable for after-work relaxation or a small celebration in Japan. This case is not just another ordinary case normally happened at leisure entertainment centers or red light streets but a unique one involving ethical conduct of government officers. Common to everywhere in the world, government administrative officers in Japan (we called them as PTDs in Malaysia) were paid to serve the community in whatever field they were designated to by the taxpayer's money itself. Basically, the people pay taxes in order to receive good services from the government so that they could function as a good citizen in a systematic structure called a nation. What really happened in this Izakaya Taxi plot is that 1402 government officers were caught receiving bribe from taxi drivers. The basic modus operandi of this plot starts when these government officers tend to ride a cab to go home from their Tokyo Metropolitan office complex in Shinjuku to their homes situated at the outskirts of Metropolitan Tokyo instead of using trains or subways on daily basis. The Japanese government encourage all Japanese to travel by public transport so as a government machinery, their officers must show a good example by practicing it (should be recommended in Malaysia aite?..aren't our Putrajaya parcels were packed with cars parking along its streets?). However, these carefully selected brilliant officers who undergo several special trainings use their brain to manipulate the taxpayer's money in order to get benefits for themselves. For example, a taxi ride from Metropolitan Tokyo to Chiba or Saitama will cost them around 10,000 to 20,000 Yen per ride and if multiplied for one month, the amount will grow into an amount where it will be more than enough to cater the taxi driver income per month without servicing other passengers. Out of this special favor, the taxi driver will have to entertain these officers at Izakaya with expensive foods and beers occasionally. Three of them even being caught receiving cash (duit kopi) from the taxi driver. But it does not take long for the Japanese government to smell something fishy in its monthly claims account. 33 officers were immediately charged with disciplinary actions including salary reduction and immediate discharge from service while the others will receive their punishments after the investigation finished.

A lesson should be learnt by us especially me and my friends (currently in lower grade of 41 from whatever scheme it is M (PTDs), J (Engineers), DS (Lecturers) DG (Teachers)) so that bribery, duit kopi, hampers, duit raya and komisyen culture does not roots in our veins. Those who were in private sectors must also quit the practice of giving gifts in return to favors either it is as small as a hamper or as big as a Benz to lobby for government tenders. It is about time that we stop the tradition of 'know-who' in winning tenders but instead concentrate on developing 'know-how' and know-what'. Annually, billions and billions of money in every currencies were spend on this bribery activities especially in third world countries and thus, offsetting the economic growth of the nations itself. If we were to emerge into a prominent player in world economy, we must reduce this unhealthy activity to the minimum level as we could.

Borrowing Datuk Rafiah Salim's (UM's VC) definition on 'integrity' as per described in her explanation on UM's core values; one should demonstrates high ethical and moral values, acts with honesty and without consideration of personal gains, stands by decisions that are in the interest of truth and justice without fear or favour, does not abuse power or authority and does not tolerate unprofessional or unethical conduct in their decision making process. Only with that, we could contribute in making the world a better place to stay.

Another point to be pondered in this post is I would like to call to everyone to stop thinking that by changing to natural gas vehicle (NGV) or by modifying your ride to be able to use natural gas, you have done a wise step in this recent fuel crisis. Being in the field of energy, I realized that natural gas price also fluctuates easily and the price is still cheap in Malaysia just because it is heavily subsidized by Petronas. The capital needed to develop an NGV gas station is extremely pricey and this be the reason why only a few of it exists and all of them were Petronas (other fuel service provider won't venture into a money-losing activity!!!). If all tend to change to NGV, the demand will be higher than supply and therefore, there is no choice apart from increasing the gas price (basic economy). However, NGV users really contributes in reducing the CO2 emissions to the world. For other options, try hybrid cars (Prius, Harrier and Estima for Toyota and Civic for Honda). It may be a little costly at first but will eventually save a lot of your fuel expenditure in the long run. The government should also look into this by giving a road tax-exemption to hybrid cars user instead of revising fuel subsidies only for 4WD users in Sabah and Sarawak but not for farmers in highlands or remote areas in the Peninsular (This is sooo a political-driven move!!!).

Enough blabbering, happy weekend to all!!!