WOW Fantastic Baby

I literally took one hour to finish a 15 pages newspaper, sucking all the words into my brain from almost all the articles. It has been long since I last feel genuinely overwhelmed and satisfying reading newspaper article. I learned a lot on leadership thanks to The Star novel weekly issue – myStarjob – for saving my time in search for reliable sources on how to be a better leader and also saved my money for I once thought of attending seminar or workshop to build my soft skills. Messages in every read were precise, focused and clear unlike some articles written by the Western which I constantly brain haywire with the content let alone discrepancy and turmoil. Those articles always made me doubt on my reading skills.

Well, windows are always opened to all of us as long as we earnest and persevere in searching for it.

To sum up my fantabulous and bracing read, I would began on the article entitled Going To War Is So 20^th Century. 

The title has it all obviously. We are now living in the fast moving era which time waits for nobody – 21^st century – and the title summed up the read by saying that to achieve something, war – a mean our ancestors used to apply in achieving something – played no role anymore. The war, from the writer, defines and includes killing the ruling king or your competitors. The writer enlightens further as to why the word spells the following way in the sentence by injecting a point: Why did the same type of competitors keep bouncing though the present one already been eradicated? 

An example is used to illustrate the point.  In 2005, MGM, BMG and other entertainment companies sued Grokster, a small company that provide a service on sharing songs, software, etc or in another word, peer-to-peer (P2P) service. Yes, true that Gokster tumbled in the end, but a lot of companies that provide the similar service keep emerging and mushrooming at the same time. As a conclusion to this fail act, eliminating your competitors are not the best way to solve a problem when there is something offered in the market is constant in demand.

The emerged winner – Apple – did the right thing. COLLABORATE. Instead of KILLING the P2P application, Apple adopted the application and legalise it. How does collaborative seep in here? Apple struck a deal with the recording labels to allow users to download files at marginal fees via i-Tunes. It’s like you know what the people/consumers want and if you destroy it, yet the demand is still there, more companies will emerge to meet the demand and gain profit from that. So, in such situation, why don’t we look from the flipped side, take into account on what they want, and build a collaboration with some other and thus creating a win-win situation.
 
Another example on collaboration is Wikipedia. You collaborate with others, give them benefits, and let them see as if they benefitted a lot but at the same time, you are actually benefitting more from what they feel they are benefitting. Wikipedia is so famous because it collaborates with anyone who wish to contribute their piece of writing. When the unpaid volunteers feel they are contributing by watching their writing get posted in the internet, they will feel satisfy though no wage is given. This directly raised the name of Wikipedia, for no leaders are needed, but volunteer and also editors.

In the Red Indian tribe, called Apaches, has leader – Nant’an – who died, a new one emerged, not by appointment by because they wanted to, not because they had to. 

This phrase is superiorly vital and it applies on this example. Southwest Airlines and Air Asia have successfully engaged their customers to collaborate with them to lower their costs through downloading and printing their own airline ticket. You see, human will start to do something when they want to. They want to reduce their cost and so they will want to print their ticket. 

Last example would be the GoldCorp in Canda. Rob McEwen, a chairman and CEO took a bold step by revealing his propriety (rules of correct behaviour) mining data to the entire world and called for those who can help him study the data and find out where the next six million ounces of gold were. Reward will be given of course. The aftermath was a positive one when Nick Archibald, used 3D software to identify the key areas to mine. Well, collaboration and win-win situation. Although there is a risk on revealing something private from your company to the world, when a person has an urge or want to contribute with of course reward, you should not refrain. This is because you will gain back more when you give a little. GoldCorp catapulted from under-performing US$ 100 000 million to US$ 9 billion!

As a conclusion, collaborate, is what we should imply in 21^st century.

As for my second summary, I pick The Arrogance of Growth.

Rajeey Peshawaria written in dismay but at the same time, hoping to rekindle and evoke consciousness. The issue is about us, Asian, who constantly accusing the West for not trying to understand others’ perspective and wanting to rule the world with their own my-way-on-the-highway mentality. But in reality, the converse is the truth. Her own experience, she wrote. She was invited to give a talk on global best practices in creating a winning corporate culture to the Group Leadership Team (GLT) by the HR and CEO after reading her new book. But 15 minutes later, she was told to shorten her talk to 15 minutes only. Later on, they informed her that they would have to cancel a slot but however rebound to 15 minutes presentation after the plea by the HR and CEO to the management.

The problem was, the leaders were not interested at all in her speech – introducing some other kind of culture in leading for they think theirs’ are the best. You see, arrogance played. Such situation did happen and this is a great reminder to me so as not to be like them.

Gandhi always portrays and urges the world to go for leadership with humility. Yes, leadership with humility, is when you take into account of what your subordinates see and tell you.

LEADING WITH HUMBLE CONFIDENCE – three simple steps.

#1 : Ask three simple question before you give your opinion in a meeting.

#2 : Help others, try as much to reach out to people although in surface they might seem of no use to   you. Who knows, in future these are the people who can help you.

#3 : Share your expertise and vast knowledge at the same time, learn something from everyone you meet. Do not be veiled by their weakness only.

And, an additional from me based on Prof. Dr. Rohana Jani, my college’s master – “Afterall what you get does not belong to you at any means, so why not giving to others. “

My last summary and the one that I perceive as VIL – very important lesson – as I constantly face this problem and to be able to know how, would be the golden lesson among all.

Work-life balance, something I always seek, for I do not wish to live life with remorse or slap to consciousness only after a life-risking accident strikes me.

Work-life balance is not a static pendulum and the point is making the pendulum not stuck in the extreme only but allowing for moments of balance. So, how am I going to reach this?

ALL DILEMMAS OFFER A CHOICE. Unless held at gunpoint, we should not feel victimised or as if taken “hostage” by works, study, family and friends. We have and can make a choice. Next time when I face contradicting demands, I would make a conscious choice :

        1) Am I going to please the boss, the family, friends or myself?

    2) What do I want?

    3) What is my priority?

    4)  Every choice will mean paying some kind of price. We may want it all, but can we accept not          having it all without regret or guilt?

    5) Where do your feelings of achievement, joy, contentment come from?

Do remember that when you feel guilty for the choice you made, you will be unable to open for negotiation. Feeling guilty on the choice you made also will ruin the whole experience for choice you had made. It will use up your whole energy to fully engage with what you are doing.

REMEMBER : CREATING LIFE BALANCE IS ALL ABOUT REACHING EXTERNAL  AGREEMENT AND INTERNAL ACCEPTANCE. 

For organisational leaders who face ever-increasing change, demands and uncertainties about the future, CREATING A POSITIVE STATE-OF-MIND is critical competence.  Ask yourself these few questions to check whether you have found some kind of balance between life at work and life at home :

1) Am I enjoying life?

2) Am I on the path I want to be both professionally and personally?

3) Do I have enough time for my family, my work, my studies, and myself?

4) How do I recover my energy?

5) Do I feel in control or do I feel like a hostage?

To sum up, do realise the consequences for the future of the choices made or not made in the present.

: )

WOW Fantastic Baby.

That’s all from myself today. 1782 words. :)

Accepted

Today we had a  meeting with a few more hard-core members of UMCares – Kak Dee and Ainur. Glad to have them besides Angelicia and I in the group. With more manpower, I sincerely hope UMCares Squad in 7 can be expanded vastly. Meeting first time with Kak Dee actually taunted me a little as she seldom smile and looked hostile. I had encountered her numerous times as we were from the same floor in Block B in the last two semester. Although we were neighbour, we barely said hi to each other not to mention the other awkward moment in dining hall when she used to spoke to the workers there in a friendly manner. 

Nevertheless, I kept my cool and bravado when speaking to her on a matter I passionate most and at the same time simmered myself down whenever I sensed some seniority from her. Everything went on smoothly as we were in the same boat and of same goals.In fact, lots of great idea kept pouring in as we discussed like tomorrow will be the end of the world! A fabulous start and I hope we can keep up besides continue to influence the junior so that we can get our apprentice.

Today, we had to miss the lantern parade held by PTUM due to MIZ but yet we missed out the juniors' performance due to CC meeting. We had to pick our leaders for six major projects followed by some motivation talk by Wei Shen, which was good besides he did the most vital thing, which was to reformed the track, the initial objectives of ours in CC. I do not know what others feel for CC but for me, I have to concede that I am not pro CC neither do I against it. I just felt that there is importance of having CC for it bonds us, for it creates lot's of learning opportunities, for it allows us to see the true colour of everyone.

Later after the MIZ event, we had our meeting with the administration. Taunting. The reveal of the whole new board members for 2012/2013 session. The black cloud hovered my mind. All I remembered that night was that I was stunned through out the period. I was elected as the director of Citrawarna Za'ba instead of JKP ADIN President. Another reason for not being able to lift a smile was because of the reshuffle of the whole initially voted committees. It was like a hurricane of change. Only three persons who we initially chose stay on the same position.

Shock apparently should not be the reaction I realized. That was what I learned after listening to Dharma talk. When you accept uncertainties and prepare for uncertainties, Shock will never be your reaction.

Let the gone be bygone, and I would also not like to keep repeating my blab, dissatisfaction and groan anymore because I have accept it. What ever la, all this thing don't you ever come disturb my sleep!

Uncertainty

"Say you got a call from oversea, and the person told you that your love one has passed away."

"I expected that."

>>> Would you be able to say this?

You should be able to because this is what it meant by proactive, also meant that you have accept the uncertainties in life. The moment you manage to accept it, it shows you are able to adapt. Instead of asking on the reason it happened on you, instead of being angry, instead of being upset, what can you do still? Be sensible and accept it. Then, you will never be shocked.

"You don't know what is going to happen because this world is full of uncertainties."

 "It's not miracle that is happening, but uncertainties."

"Understand the law of nature, life is like a tentative. When you make a plan, make sure that you can make plan that is able to be bendable, malleable, like a plastic. Make something that is flexible because life is uncertain."

"When part of your jigsaw puzzle is not fixed to what you expected, you'll be angry but the problem is just because of human's attitude that do not accept the law that life is not certain."

"No why me anymore."

Story Of A Pembantu Mahasiswa's Life

29 June 2012 - 7 September 2012 marked how strong was I again to be able to go through another life process. A week had passed which also indicated that MHS had actually ended that long. But I had yet to solemnly sit down, rest my body and talk to my soul. Today, right now, right at this moment, I would like to date my neglected soul.

PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING

Reflecting back, brought Chuck's image to my mind. He was always somebody I looked up to, in fact he was the first person suggested me to joined PM in order to know more about the hassle yet necessary procedures in the administration of our own college. I was reluctant, seriously, very reluctant. It did not came across my mind before to be enthusiastic to meet a whole throng of freshmen, neither did I feel the urge to guide them. Frankly, I felt strongly that it was a waste of time and useless to sacrifice my own time for them. I could earn RM7 at most for every hour I spent during my holiday. What I felt was that I did not wish to be labour for this corrupted administration. I even rejected once, as I could not bring myself to lose more precious time with my family despite a few earnest advice by Chuck.

Nevertheless, what became the turning point was Chuck's words - " Ikut hati, jalan mati ". As much as I condemned that statement (not to mention my SPAS seniors), I took the precaution step and told myself to keep faith on an advice given by a caliber senior.

Lesson #1 : Sometimes in life, you need to identify clearly your priorities. Talk to yourself whenever there is discrepancy between what you want and what you should actually do. Consider thoroughly on the reason whenever someone mentioned on the benefits of doing what you should do and not what you want to do. The key word is : CONSIDER THOROUGHLY.

Lesson #2 : Accept all the happenings with open heart, not hatred but with gratitude. Why did this happening to you? Sometimes, we should not question ourselves that, because most of the time when you started it, soon it would turned into an incessant complains.

FIRST PHASE

Gamelan. When this word left Encik Nizam's thick lips, I was like whatthehell was that. Gamelan, a type of traditional Malay dance which required the dancer to be their most elegant, soft and refined self, was our task during the performance. This dance really bored me a a lot for the movements were very slow and up to beat. Anyhow, do or die. We made it and our group got number one!

I could still recall vividly and nostalgically the feeling that imbued me when I first saw all 18 unfamiliar faces. Mainly I felt worried that I would not be able to get under their skin, under the shawl, or under their long sleeves attire. I felt like a toddler standing on her own toes, with their sole up in the air, trying a few times hitching just to see what was over the brick wall. Prejudice seeped in while the ice was still impeccable without cracks.

Thanks to the camp in Malacca, we started to know each other more. Right after the camp, we were asked to vote for the board committee members. Rumour of politic and some underground dirty hand started creeping out but I was still ignorant and trying to remain positive with such scenario. I was not interested at all whether I would be selected or not, but what I cared most was that Chinese must be part of the committee especially at higher position.

And so, we had Carmen as treasurer and Mae Vin as vice president.

Lesson #3 : It was always the hard to begin but once you begin, you should not stop and you would not like to stop.

SECOND PHASE

I missed most of it for I was with NVG. When I came back, I had roughly a week and more before our one week holiday. I remembered during the second phase, we, BSS members confronted Rahman for our bureau internal's problem. Besides, I was also appointed as the director for our mini projects.

One of the heart-throbbing experience was during the last day in college. I thought of collecting the letter which I expected it to be signed by Master. However, ny ketter was rejected again and that was during 430pm, another half an hour to closing. I ran hastily to look for a printer to redo thee whole thing, Fortunately, I made it.

THIRD PHASE

When we gathered back, my mini project was to be carried out asap. During the whole process of writing the proposal and letter, I forgot to do reflection with myself. But as I recalled back, I learned a lot technically. However, there was a dismay - poor decision making and not quick enough. Constantly and easily being influenced by others saying was also another. And the root of these problems were because I did not establish a firm mindset first on how I want things to be.

Lesson #4 : Before kick starting anything, remember to set a few objectives and goals. Refers it from time to time, and reflects on it you are lost.

Lesson #5 : *(What I learned from Rahman's weakness) Always set goals for your members to attend, timeline on things to be achieved and be alert on what others wanted from us.

FOURTH PHASE  

Fourth phase was the most crucial phase when we were rushing to finish the undone and did the final touch up. Special events that happened during the phase was HEP camp. Devastated and frustrated as well. From here, I spotted my weakness. I missed out something important as a leader : to foresee future. I forgot the fact and importance of Encik Norman's words which was about creating new cheers. I naively thought that our cheers were spirited enough and superb that there was not a need at all for any new cheers to burden our PMs to learn it. In the end, we came out only with two new cheers.

Besides, I realized myself for not huo zai dang xia. It was true. I had an urge to stand our with a spontaneous choreographed move when IM4U song was played. However, I pulled myself back so that I did not look dominating.

Another incident was when I was selected to play for street soccer women's team. Jaw dropped. Soccer was something I detest. Nevertheless, I told myself to try my best since there were no other substitute. Ultimately, we scored the goal.

Next would be regarding Jamuan Merdeka Raya. During PM training, Jax was someone I looked up to, someone I felt that it would be fun to be with it. But, maybe I should expect less. He was a way too passive and could be very emotional on certain things which his expression taunted me a lot. Well, the only thing that might be able to kept me with him would only be dancing. However perfect i thought, he did also let me down in dancing.

Lesson #6 : Learned how to be a leader. I also found criterias of a good leader : to be able to use common sense to predict the happenings, foresee the future and make long term planning. Always prepare a back up plan and react fast. A good leader also should be able to lead and not afraid bad comments. 

Lesson #7 : Huo zai dang xia.

Lesson #8 : When you are situation, you need to identify clearly what situation it is, what moods it requires, what are the things to be achieved, what are your own objectives. These are the things that I need to ponder own. The best example were during the last few hours before MHS began. Pyton, also someone I looked up to, gave me a great piece of advice. I still remembered he asked for the reason I became a PM and I answered him it was because of UMCARES. He rebuked me and reminded me that right now was MHS and what was MHS all about? Freshmen and not about a PM's personal reason, emotions,etc and also not about an organization havoc, politic, hatred. That how defined the meaning of professionalism.

_________________________________________________________________________________

THINGS THAT I HAD LEARNED OVERALL FROM THE BEGINNING TILL THE END OF MHS

Lesson #9 : Again, I would like to repeat this - to never ask why a happening falls on you but not others, but to accept with gratitude.

Lesson #10 : Never to question yourself on something you have a lot of fire in it. Never to doubt the initial faith. Never to let yourself to think of impossibilities.

Lesson #11 : To always listen to the people who are talking, do not let yourself to think of something else or distract own self.

Lesson #12 : To never make own assumption that the person already know something that has been popping up in your own mind. Make sure the message you have in mind is transferred to every each of the people without putting any initial expectation.

Lesson #13 : Before making a decision, if time allow, make sure all the opinions from every each of the member are collected.

Lesson #14 : Before a project starts, as a leader, you need to make sure every each of the aspect is satisfied. Example, during mini project, I should have reminded my logistic members to check on the journey distance and also journey duration.

_________________________________________________________________________________

THE HAPPY MOMENTS DURING PM

Actually there were a lot of great memory that I would like to thank God a lot for giving me this chance to experience it before the others. Firstly, the very crazy and wild time would be gorging Curry Wantan Mee at 5am under rain especially with the presence of Shiew Chin, the finally-joined chatime gang who willing to stay up so late for the first time with us. the surprisingly Jax Wai, Carmen, the always generous one to drive us, Desmond, the one who I love to watch eating, Huck Kian, who we both silly enough to not order Curry Wantan Mee when we were already in the stall but ordered Dry Curry Wantan Mee instead, Yapan, who I looked up to, to keep up the vibe and Maevin, the forever fishing girl.

Another top crazy thing we did was after Jamuan BBQ, we went to karaoke and sang out loud! That moment I guessed were Carmen and I 's best moment, because I finally and literally held the microphone all the the time and sang till my throat dried to the max. I seriously sang a lot, most of the songs were of high notes and up to beat and most importantly, all were my favourite songs. LOL!

The thrill was when eight of us squeezed into the tiny Atos and we wheezed on the quiet road with much effort yet drove LIKE A BOSS under the gleaming moonlight and light post. After karaoke, we chatted for hours until 815 am, and proceeded for our breakfast. Thinking back, I felt sorry for my liver. Hopefully it was worth doing so, because finally we had such chatime to bond us and most importantly, I found some who were like me, who valued relationship to the utmost.

Being a PM was also very fortunate to be able to receive numerous things : PM corporate uniform that made me felt proud whenever I wore it, PM black jacket - a jacket I envied a lot to see Chuck and Choppy wearing it, acting like a boss with the hand inside the pocket - I love it a lot and found it to be very useful for it could keep warm and had hidden pockets in it, get to know Huck Kian - I realised that he was very hilarious with his booming and exaggerating words, get to taste all the delicacies made full of love by our lovely and hardworking DM's chefs - kuih bakar, agar hijau, roti jala with scrumptious curry gravy, karipap, doughnut, popiah, mihun soup - ahhhh...just iressistable.

In addition, I got to know Arif, who could be my jogging mate, Shiew Chin - got to know who she really was : playful, jovial, punctual, kind-hearted, caring to friends, enjoys food, drama and sleep a lot, responsible but emotional, cried easily, a little bit passive, complain queen, lack of patience and not conscientious enough - hopefully I can influence her to be more positive, Johnson - somebody who I could speak without much gap like how it once existed during MKC, Hikmal - the very humourous and caliber person, Mumtaz - a superbly angelic one, Pah - who I enjoyed playing with too.

There were more happy moments like the laughter I shared with Pah and Mimi when I was in their room, eating while teasing each other, matching each other with other male PMs; finally get the chance to dance like SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE ! I really felt the gist of it; visited Beryl's too, although the tour was like bullet train fast, but at least we got to eat free chocolates; watched STEP UP 4 (3D) first time with Chinese PM too!; being one of the top in fitness test!; contributed much and got lots of compliment for being a great goal keeper for woman street soccer; got the chance to experience MHS again but as a PM status; Tun Dr.Mahathir, Lisa Suriandi and Dr.Faiz Khaeed, thanks a lot for coming; the spectacular performance during Malam Integrasi - *great fusion of music from various musical instrument be it from Chinese traditional instrument, Indian, Sikh or the modern instrument.

So far, these were all the memories that still stick with me and I hoped I did not miss out any other.

The Royal Visit

Another memorable and eye opening experience to be archived by 12 University of Malaya students. The varsity students were very lucky to be part of the luncheon held by British Malaysia Chamber of Commerce in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) during the visit by Prince William and wife, Catherine on behalf of their grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee year. 

Initially I rejected the offer by Carmen to attend this function for my initial insight would be everyone standing around, or beside the bar, immaculately-dressed, striding into the banquet hall with bravado, holding a tall and slim champagne glass, chatting and muffles a small laugh just to get pass the awkwardness. Overall, what I am trying to say that you need to be gregarious when attending high class event, which anyhow, not a style of mine.

I should not say I as if I attended the event neither I was invited or paid for the entrance, but in fact, I was paid to be there. To work. To be part of the manpower that helped in making the Duch and Duchess of Cambridge visit smooth and flawless, for just seven hours. Well, our job was basically like a runner or usherer. We have to approach the guests and direct them to the correct registration counter as well as to ensure they had prepared the documents registration. The guests mainly consist of local celebrity, corporate from large and sky tall companies, shareholder and some international delegates. Not forgetting the VIP who were high profile people honoured with Tan Sri, Dato', Datuk or Datin status and also some from Standard Chartered bank ( one of the main sponsor ).

I hoped that working under the freezing and icy cold atmosphere did not stop me from being professional and eloquent when speaking with those tuxedo or sassy-dressed veteran as well as bachelor or bachelorette. Frankly, speaking, I did not feel jittery when speaking with them, in fact I enjoyed myself pretty much. It was my priviledge to be able to serve them. I got to see Tiara Jacquelina who looked young and vibrant, confident with that towering high stiletto, elegant with vintage shawl embracing her pint-sized body and her face practically gleamed whenever she beamed. Besides that, the boisterous, playful yet witty Red FM deejays - Sarimah and Lil Kev - were here to make the crowd merrier. I wanted so much to say hi to them, but I had forgotten their name. T.T

Another local artist that embedded memory in my grey matter was Asha Gill. Oh my God. She was so damn tall, I would say, more than 180 cm. I wonder did she heard me talking to her, cause it was like a little ant trying to get a five years old toddler attention. She still and always very thin, scrawny I would say. She exuded some kind of aura as she walked past me. Besides that, Xandria Ooi was one of the guest too. She with her forever impeccable bob hairstyle that will never run out of place or disheveled.

Initially, I thought I was there to make the crowd looked larger and merrier, but apparently, I was the one who misunderstood tremendously. Lol. That was why initially I thought I needed to be gregarious and I console myself as a price of it, I would treat myself a lot of teensy-weensy puff, freshly-baked pastry, some British bakeries that were not available in Malaysia and also our own traditional and authentic local delicacies. However, it was not what I imagined. Since we were here to work, we were not expected to enter the banquet, but to have our lunch in another floor. Anyway, it was a sheer coincident that Lek Meng was one of the worker too.


Overall it was fun because at the end of the banquet, we still got the chance to get into the banquet hall just to get the feel and also to enjoy the beautifully decorated tables of numerous red and white roses.

In addition, we got to sip on the famous and genuine local teh tarik by “Teh Tarik King” Fakir Jamal. Wine was also served for free too.  

The experience was jolly and enjoyable although we only managed to catch a glimpse of Prince William's head and that was also only through our colleague's photo.

 And the happiest thing was ......Ta Da!!


A box of specially blended Boh Tea just for the occasion!

And the most exciting one would be..... RM80 pay for the working and once in a lifetime enjoyment!

Scholarship Trial In Memory

My name is Tan She Mei, 20 years old this year currently pursuing an undergraduate programme – Environmental Science and Management – of Science Faculty in University of Malaya.

The main reason for applying Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Foundation is because I am having financial constraint. My father is the sole breadwinner and his business has been very slow ever since 2006. I sincerely hope to obtain this scholarship so that my father and mother would not have to fork out their saving to pay for my fees. 

To be frank, being a government matriculation leaver, most of my friends needless to say parents and relatives, would be expecting me to apply for critical programmes like for example, Medical study, Pharmacy or Actuarial Science. This is a typical paradigm for it is said to guarantee a bright future with secure income. Yes, true indeed, however, against the odd, Environmental Science and Management remained to be my first choice during Institut Pengajian Tinggi Awam (IPTA) application despite my family’s expectation.

This is because my passion has always been towards the environment. Witnessing the ailing Mother Nature that is further threatened and damaged by irresponsible parties really urged me strongly to step up and make a change so that the next young generation can have a better air to breathe. Taking up this programme, I embrace a hope to learn as much as I can in order to contribute directly in solving environmental issue at the same time, educating and creating more awareness to all Malaysians. 

I understand that this programme I am pursuing now might not earned me a million, billion nor trillion like other profession. However, honestly speaking, money is not the first place in my mission. I would not live peacefully if I were to have a bucket of gold while the earth is in devastating condition. At the same time, I sincerely hope that even when I have graduated in the future, I would not have much educational loan to repay as I fear that the large sum would obstruct me from achieving my aim. Besides, I wish to avoid financial burden during my tertiary studies so that I could save it for more environmental-based volunteering activities.

I wrote so because I had an experience which due to financial problem, I had to put my dream on hold. It was regarding an environmental-based volunteering programme under an NGO body called Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU). This programme involved conserving sea turtle, held in Terengganu whereby it required RM500 in order for me to participate. Due to the large sum, I could barely join.

Although studying in local university is not as expensive as compared to other institution, I would like to state that the current residential college that I am staying now is a bit costly for me though this is an inevitable situation as I am the one who chose to continue leaving in it. Ever since young, I studied earnestly and get flying colours so that I can qualified myself for any scholarship and then I can pursue my dream. Nevertheless, luck was not by my side most of the time, as I have been let down by Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) Scholarship, PETRONAS Scholarship Malaysia and Yayasan Telekom Malaysia Scholarship.

I sincerely hope I can get this scholarship for I promise to contribute back to the society for all they have once given me before. Thank you.