Tagged by Sze Wei

Rules:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves
3. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment, letting them know they got tagged and to ask them to play and read your blog.

Starting time: 12.43 pm
Name: WJ
Sisters: No
Brothers: 1
Shoe size: 11 (inches?)
Height: 180+ cm
Where do you live: Melaka (Home), University of Nottingham campus (Study).

Favourite drinks: Fruit juice.
Favourite breakfast: Dim sum.
Have you ever Been on a plane: Few times (only recently).
Swam in the ocean: Ocean? No. Sea, yes.
Fallen asleep at school: Definitely.
Broken some one's heart: Maybe.
Fell off your chair: Can't remember...
Saved e-mails: E-mail storage is big nowadays... I delete only spam.
What is your room like: Normal room.
What's right beside you: My laptop.
What is the last thing you ate: Potato bread.


Ever Had

Chicken pox: Never. I'd been vaccinated!
Sore throat: Of course... and it can cause me fever...
Stitches: Looks like no.
Broken nose: Never.

Do you Believe in love at first sight: Who knows?
Like picnics: Love it.
Who was/were the last person You danced with: I don't dance.
Last made you smile: I smile with just about anybody.


Today did you

Talk to someone you like: No.
Kissed anyone: No.
Get sick: No.
Talk to an ex: No ex.
Miss someone: My friends.
Eat: I eat everyday.

Best feeling in the world: Achievement
Do you sleep with stuffed animals: What would people think?
What's under your bed: Air
Who do you really hate: I forgive and forget.
What time is it now: 1.06 am


Random

Is there a person who is on your mind now: The one who tagged me (thinking why she tagged me with all these dumb questions...)
Do you have any siblings: That was in the beginning section...
Do you want children: Why not?
Do you smile often: Quite.
Do you like your hand-writing: Hope you can read it.
Are your toe nails painted: You'll never see me do it.
Whose bed other than yours would you rather sleep in: My bed is the best.
What color shirt are you wearing now: Light yellow.
What were you doing at 7:00 p.m. yesterday: Bathing.
When did you cry last: (Secret)
Are you a friendly person: Usually.
Do you have any pets: No. My parents don't like.
Where is the person you have feelings for right now: Heaven knows.
Did you hold hands with the person who means anything to you now: No because nobody...
Do you sleep with the TV on: A few times.
What are you doing right now: Doing this.
Have you ever crawled through a window: I don't think so... Windows here are mostly grilled... And I don't want to risk my life.
Can you handle the truth: Nothing more important than the truth.
Are you too forgiving: Maybe.
Are you closer to your mother or father: Equal.
Who was the last person you cried in front of: My parents.
How many people can you say you've really loved: My family.
Do you eat healthy: Tried to.
Do you still have pictures of you & your ex: No ex.
Have you ever cried because of something someone said to you: No.
Are you loud or quiet most of the time: You should know.
Are you confident: Most of the time, but not arrogant.

5 things I was doing 10 years ago
Kids stuff.

5 things on my to-do list
Lots of stuff.

5 snacks I enjoy
1. Kit Kat
2. Twisties
3. Pringles
4. Potato wedges
5. French fries

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire
1. Travel to space
2. Invest
3. Buy big house and car
4. Buy cool stuff
5. Donate!

5 of my bad habits
No need to talk about that.

5 places I have lived in:
1. My mother's womb
2. Melaka
3. University of Nottingham campus
4. My grandmother's house in Penang
5. Many hotels

5 jobs I've had
1. Student
2. Blogger
3. Brother
4. Car washer (at home)
5. Painter (at home)


I Tag

Dead people (those that haven't updated their blogs for a long time):
Hou Ket
Han Way
Wei Di
++ Lazy to mention those who are beyond dead

For heavan's sake, update your blogs!

Government on detaining spree

Another Ops Lalang?

(From left) DAP's Teresa Kok, Raja Petra and Sin Chew reporter Tan Hoon Cheng were arrested Friday under the ISA. (Photo by The Star)

Less than 3 hours ago, Teresa Kok was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Earlier in the same day, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng were arrested under the same act while three Malaysian newspapers - Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan - were issued show cause letters by the Home Ministry. These actions by the BN led government is reminiscent of what happened in 1987 (though I don't even exist at that time), where 106 persons under the ISA and the publishing licenses of two dailies, The Star and the Sin Chew Jit Poh and two weeklies, The Sunday Star and Watan were revoked. Whether these latest events are the prelude to Ops Lalang II remains to be seen in the coming days.

What concerns me that made me sacrifice some of my time (tests are around the corner) to blog about this is the way justice is served. What did these three people do that warrant such treatment? Firstly, let's look at the sections of the legislation that are related to the ISA:

Section 73(1) Internal Security Act 1960: "Any police officer may without warrant arrest and detain pending enquiries any person in respect of whom he has reason to believe that there are grounds which would justify his detention under section 8; and that he has acted or is about to act or is likely to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to maintenance of essential services therein or to the economic life thereof."

Section 8 ISA: Power to order detention or restriction of persons. "(i) If the Minister is satisfied that the detention of any person is necessary with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to the maintenance of essential services therein or the economic life thereof, he may make an order (hereinafter referred to as a detention order) directing that that person be detained for any period not exceeding two years."

In short, a person must be a threat to national security in order to be detained under the ISA. Are these three individuals really a threat to security?


Raja Petra

Those who read Malaysia Today would surely know that Raja Petra is known for his "no holds barred" criticism of the government. Yes, his articles published in Malaysia Today are certainly the cause of his detention.

Just a week ago, the Home Minister, Syed Hamid Albar said (link) Raja Petra could be charged under the Internal Security Act for comments allegedly insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad in an article entitled "I promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim".

The million-dollar question: How can insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad be a threat to national security?


Tan Hoon Cheng

I'm surprised and shocked that a reporter who is merely doing her job is arrested under the same act. She is apparently arrested over her report on alleged racist remarks by Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

A reporter's job is to cover events happening in the country, and Tan as a reporter has every right to do this. If she is negligent in her job e.g. misquoted Ahmad Ismail, then it's up to Ahmad Ismail to take legal action against her. In fact, it was reported (link) that UMNO Penang was appointing a lawyer to sue her. It seems that the government thinks that the courts are not to be trusted and decided to take matters into their own hands.

The million-dollar question: Who is more of a threat to national security? An unrepentant leader continuing making racist remarks even after the reported event or a reporter just doing her job?


Teresa Kok

Yet again, there is no concrete reason for Teresa Kok's arrest. Teresa Kok has been accused of disallowing azan (calls for prayers) from sounding in mosques in Puchong and Kota Damansara.

The accuser was none other than former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, who in an Utusan report, urged the opposition Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government not to concede to purported moves by “a certain party” to disallow azan emanating from loudspeakers of mosques in Puchong and Kota Damansara (link). The government decided to take the word of Mohd Khir as gospel truth while disregarding the accounts of Kota Raja member of parliament Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud of PAS (link) and even the mosque involved (link). The person who is a threat to national security should be the accuser who has distorted facts.

The million-dollar question: Who is Dr Mohd Khir Toyo?


Conclusion: The case studies above show that the ISA can be interpreted and manipulated to the whims and fancies of the present BN-led government.

Tagged by YY

Since this post is posted on 31st August a.k.a. Merdeka Day, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all MalaysiansHappy Merdeka!
Do take note that the fight for independance did not end on August 31st, 1957. The freedom and rights of the people is still under threat from corruption, cronyism and racism. Together we shall fight for a true Merdeka!

People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any questions that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

Tag 8 people to do this quiz and those who are tagged cannot refuse.These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by. Continue this game by sending it to other people.

1 ) Are you allowed to have a bf/gf?
Probably yes... but is the time right?

2 ) Describe urself in one word.
Serious. What do you think?

3 ) Who would you pick, someone who really loves you, or the one you love?
It takes both hands to clap.

4) Have you ever loved someone BEFORE but never had the courage to tell him/her?
Not really. That isn't real love anyway, so don't bother.

5 ) Does it feel good to love?
What's life without love?

6 ) What's the best thing to do with the one you love?
Depends on who.

7) What will you say to someone who doesn't want to believe you??
Go to heaven.

8 ) Was ever a time that you tried to learn to love someone?
I guess not.

9 ) What's your opinion about someone who's jealous?
Life's like that.

10 ) What would yo say to playboys/playgirls?
You live your life and I live mine.


[[ * PART 2 * ]]

1 ) Best place to cry?
Home.

2) Who do you love the most?
My family.

3 ) Tell us about ur dream last night?
I slept soundly.

4) Ever hated someone so bad?
Yes.

5 )The biggest & most hurtful lie you heard?
No idea.

The last person..
-you had a beer with?
My family.

-you went to the movies with?
My family. Watched The Chronicles or Narnia: Prince Caspian.

-you talked on the cell phone with?
My mum.

-you hugged?
My pillow.

-you yelled at?
My brother (yeah, a long time ago).

In the last week have you..
~Kissed someone?
Nope.

~Danced crazy?
Never.


Think of the last time u were angry, why were u angry?
Can't remember.

If you could do anything OR wish anything, wad would it be?
Live this life to the fullest.

If you could have an all expense paid trip, where will you go?
A trip to everywhere.

Would you or have you ever blackmailed someone?
No reasons for that.

Are you old fashioned?
Sometimes old is gold.

What would be harder for you, to tell someone you love them or that you do not love them back?
Both.

What thing would be the hardest thing for you to give up on?
My computer.

5 Facts About Me:
Friendly
Forgetful
Open minded
Lazy
Thoughtful

5 Things that Scares Me:
Nothing scares me.. except my wild imaginations.

7 Songs Playing in My Head Lately:
Lazy to get songs to listen... If you want to know, listen to the music playing on my blog.

7 Words/Things I Always Use:
"Huh?"
"OK"
"Errr..."
"Uh huh"
"Really?"
"Wa..."
"Eh..."


I tag...

Introducing Foundation bloggers @ Nottingham:

• Kelvin (2nd time I tagged)
  
• Benjamin
  
• Zheng Koon
  
• Sang Huey
  
• Vivien
  
• Sze Wei
  
• Jessie
  
• Who else? Zhi Yang has a blog, but looks dead.

Thousand apologies to those that I've missed out. Do drop me a line if you want to get your blog noticed, especially by Dr. Khiew!

To old friends... I haven't forgotten you! You sure kena the next tag if there is one!

My lecturer visited my blog

Roughly 3 weeks ago, I wrote a post entitled “No easy life in Nottingham” with the sole purpose of keeping my friends informed about life in the University of Nottingham. I chose to tell about academic life here, so naturally my topic revolves around classes and lecturers. Because my friends are currently pursuing their studies taking different routes like Form 6, A-Levels and Foundation, I felt that it was informative to include comparisons between here and elsewhere.

On Thursday, I was surprised that my lecturer for the Light, Waves and Electron module, Dr. Khiew, left some comments in my Shoutbox regarding what I’ve written in that post.

PSkhiew Thanks for the comment. I understand that you are one of most smart student I have and seems like the module is abit easy for you...
PSkhiew Please remember that we need to deal with many types of students that came in with different entry qualification.
PSkhiew Hence, the structures of "A" modules have been designed that they only cover revision on the subjects you have learned in SPM or O-level.
PSkhiew Correct, I seldom discuss about the formula derivation during my class.
PSkhiew This is due to the reason that engineering and physics are two different contexts eventhough they are inter-related to each other.
PSkhiew Engineering is the extension of the fundamental theories to the application.
PSkhiew You are an engineering student, we should train you to use equations to solve research problem.
PSkhiew Due to the time constraint in the class, instead of using the limited time for formula derivation,
PSkhiew I would rather to use it for explaining more on solving problem using the equation/formula.
PSkhiew Mr. Wee is your physics lecturer, the way of teaching physics of course will be abit different compare to mine.
PSkhiew Nevertheless, if you believe that formula derivation is important and you are interested to learn about it,
PSkhiew I would be happy to have the discussion with you after the class.

Firstly, to Dr. Khiew. I would like to thank him for spending time reading my blog, commenting, and saying that it’s OK to have a discussion with me after class. I truly appreciate that. Regarding his comments, I would like to clarify that what I’d written was not a formal complain – it was just a way of me informing readers that the situation here it’s like that and what I think about it – whether it’s a good or bad thing, I leave it up to them to decide. The issue of derivation of formulas may be trivial to many; I brought up this issue only because I feel that the derivation of formulas is an important part in learning Physics. Some may agree and some may not. I don’t blame Dr. Khiew for not teaching derivations, since he already gave his reasons about time constrain during class. In my blog post I’m actually telling my friends that in Form 6 or A-Levels that there is more depth in subject matter compared to Foundation here. As for his comment about me finding his module easy, I would like to say that each module has its own challenges; I wouldn’t dare to say that I know everything about Light, Waves and Electrons. I’m still in the process of learning, and I’m fortunate to have Dr. Khiew as my lecturer because he can explain the subject matter well, hence I find it easy to understand.

Secondly, my post dated August 1 comes at a time when I’m still adjusting to life here in Nottingham. Like they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. Things may have changed, and my thoughts and opinions may be different now. I’m sorry if any other lecturer became the victim of my excessive comparison between here and elsewhere. Like what Dr. Khiew mentioned, each lecturer has his/her own teaching style, so he/she cannot satisfy the needs of everybody. I would cooperate with any lecturer regardless of my personal opinion towards that person. All in all, I’m generally quite satisfied with the quality of teaching here in Nottingham and have no intention to leave this place until I get my degree.

Lastly, I would like to stress that I’m a person that deals with issues, and I have nothing personal against anybody unless somebody gets personal with me – and I really don’t want that to happen.

Assignment: Computer concept map

Computer concept map - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: Computer concept map

Computer Concept Map Software Hardware Computer components System unit System software Processor Operating system Memory Application software Input device Output device Monitor Keyboard Supercomputer Data Information Mouse Printer Microcomputer People Personal computer Mainframes Legend Subset of Flow of data/ information Related to Computer literacy For reference only. © WJ. Revised: 17 Aug 2008

What is this? From time to time, I'll be posting the assignments I did here at the University of Nottingham in my blog just to share with everybody my work instead of just showing it to my lecturer, so that my efforts seem more worth it. However, no warranties are provided, except that my lecturer has gone through it. But then again, the only result from passing up our assignments to her are a few ticks here and there...

No easy life in Nottingham

This is the end of my third week in the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. You may notice that my blog hasn’t been updated for about 2 weeks. Why? The short answer is in the title of this post, while a more detailed answer will follow as you continue to read this post.

Although my short stint in Malacca High School seems like a distant memory to me now, but I still can remember what the teachers there used “brainwash” Form 6 students about how you can have an easy life in college. They say, “If you want an easy life, go college lah! In Form 6, you must be prepared to slog!” (Although I’m technically a university student, but I still categorize myself as a college student, because saying that I’m a university student would give the impression that I’m an undergraduate.) No doubt that life is a little easier here, but in no way that I’m passing my days as if each day is a holiday. To let you have a “feel” of my life in Nottingham, I’ll start off with writing about the subjects (they call it modules) I’m currently taking in Sem 0 of my Foundation in Engineering course.


Light, Waves and Electron A (EN0 LWA)

Lecturer & Tutor: Dr. Khiew
Duration: 2 hours lecture, 1 hour of example class per week
Time: Monday, 2 – 5 pm
This is basically a Physics-related module where we learn about mostly light and waves, for example lenses, interference of waves and so on. Dr. Khiew is my only lecturer with a PhD. We have 2 hours of lecture where he lectures while showing PowerPoint slides and another hour of doing exercises. His lessons are quite easy to understand, but what I don’t like about his lessons is that he refuses to derive some of the formulas we encounter, like the lens formulas. He would say that we are engineering students, so it’s enough to know how to apply these formulas... I wonder what Mr. Wee will say about this.


Basic Mathematical Techniques (HG1 BMT)

Lecturer & Tutor: Mr. Balrama
Duration: 2 hours lecture, 1 hour of example class per week
Time: Monday, 9 – 11 am; Thursday, 11 am – 12 pm (Example class)
This module is taught by a quite experienced-looking man, though I'm feeling that we're moving too slowly. What we learn here is basically what we learn before in Form 4 and Form 5, like indices, inequalities, progression and so on. But the questions given can be quite tricky in such a way that befits our age. It’s like a tougher form of the SPM Mathematics syllabus.


Properties of Materials (EN0 POM)

Lecturer & Tutor: Mr. Chiang
Duration: 2 hours lecture, 1 hour of example class per week
Time: Tuesday, 2 – 5 pm
Fondly (the opposite is true) known as POM. The lecturer of this module claims to be the funniest lecturer in the University, and true enough, he likes to crack jokes. He has something funny to say every few minutes or so, but then some are not so funny… Anyway, this module is a mixture of Chemistry and Physics, but it’s still more related to Chemistry than Physics. Examples of topics covered are atoms, bonding, crystals and gases. And even worse than Chemistry in secondary school, this module requires a lot of memorizing. Well, we’re supposed to know about the properties of materials, and the only way is to memorize them.


Basic Engineering Mechanics A (EN0 BMA)

Lecturer: Mr. Lim
Duration: 2 hours lecture, 1 hour of example class per week
Time: Wednesday, 2 – 5 pm
This is another Physics-related module that everybody who studied Physics before is familiar with. Topics covered in this module are usually discussed at the beginning chapters of most Physics textbooks. It includes physical quantities, vectors, kinematics, Newton’s Laws up to work and power.


English Language and Study Skills Introductory (EN0 ELI)

Lecturer: Ms. Cecily
Duration: 4 hours per week
Time: Tuesday, 11 am – 1 pm; Thursday, 9 – 11 am
English lessons again… the most boring and useless (the study skills part) subject (that’s what I think). The difference is that we’re learning academic English, not the story-telling kind of English but English based on cold hard facts (my emphasis). I can't deny that I learned something more about the English language especially the grammar part, but there’s nothing more to that. And this module is supposed to teach us study skills, which I doubt it will reach its objective. In order to “teach” us study skills, this module requires us to submit a so-called study diary to our lecturer each week. And my lecturer is going on very slowly, so I wouldn’t learn much actually.


IT and Design A (XX0 C02)

Lecturer: Ms. Geetha
Duration: 2 hours lecture, 1 hour of example class per week
Time: Thursday, 2 – 5 pm
The lecturer for this module has the easiest time. A Masters Degree holder currently pursuing her PhD in my university, she spends the least time with us. Her class ends at 3.30 pm at most (so far) and she leaves us doing the exercise she gave us. For the past lessons, the exercises given involved finding information about IT-related stuff. We have to arrange the information we found in a folio, and we have to hand it in the following week.


Malaysian Studies (MPW2133)

Lecturer: Ms. Evans
Duration: 5 hours per week in one day (!)
Time: Friday, 12 – 5 pm
It’s Sejarah all over again during Malaysian Studies. Not everything is about History though, because we also will learn about the Malaysian parliament, government and its policies, kind of like Paper 1 of Pengajian Am in Form 6 if I’m not mistaken. Ms. Evans, a Masters Degree holder too, is a part-time lecturer at Nottingham and she’s the best History teacher I’ve ever had (because my previous ones suck). She knows the history of Malaysia like the back of her hand. It’s quite interesting learning about the history of Malaysia actually, but I shudder at the thought of squeezing all these facts into my head again to sit for tests.


Lab

Supervisor: Mr. Tan
Duration: 2 hours per week
Time: Wednesday, 10 – 11 am
This is not a module on its own, but just a slot in our timetable where we carry out Physics and Chemistry experiments. I can’t comment much here because lab sessions are only on next week.


Now you can see what my coursemates and I have to go through each week. According to our timetable, we have an average of 5.2 hours of classes per day, sort of like the time spent for classes in school if you’re in Form 6. And this does not include breaks. But of course, Form 6 students will have lots of extra classes, and some of my lecturers are “kind” enough to give early dismissals.

Phew, what a long post I’ve written. However, it won't end just yet. Proves that I’ve a lot of free time right? Nah, this is just to compensate for the drought of updates in my blog for the past two weeks. If you don’t believe me, let me show you why my hands are not empty.

1. Malaysian Studies assignment about Home Ministry – 10 pages worth of research to be done by the end of this semester.
   
2. Malaysian Studies presentation – my group is planning to do a video about the Malaysian Parliament. If all goes well, it may be uploaded on YouTube.
   
3. Tests! Next week I have English, Malaysian Studies and POM tests. And I’ve been to Form 6 long enough to know that their monthly tests also fall on August. Proves that we’re moving at a very fast pace (not exactly, just joking). Yesterday I just had my BMT quiz, a small test that was over in 20 minutes. All of these tests will contribute to my final results.

One more thing, for the very first time, I’ll be spending my weekend at Nottingham. I still haven’t thought of what to do over the weekend. Living full-time in Nottingham can be described as living like a frog underneath a well; the only contact with the outside world is through the phone, internet, newspapers or taking a bus ride out of this “well”.

P.S.: The JPA scholarship results for 9A students are out, and I was offered a scholarship even though I stated my institution as Nottingham. Moreover, the ever-you-know-what JPA still keeps people guessing about the details of this scholarship. If they sponsor foundation students like me too, don’t you think that it’s better to do foundation here at a prestigious (again my emphasis) university like mine fully-sponsored rather than studying Form 6?

P.S. 2: A big salute to those who managed to read each and every word of my 1000-plus-words post.

P.S. 3: To those who want to see photos, I would say this: Since a picture is worth a thousand words, therefore I've just posted a very clear picture of Nottingham, don't you think? OK, OK, I'll try to get some photos during this weekend. But then when I'll be posting these photos will be another unknown...

UPDATE: To avoid any misunderstandings especially regarding my comments on classes and lecturers, please check out my follow up to this post.