Ramble on Education

Crazy day.

In the morning, as I was preparing for Environmental Ethic test, my mind was agitated and it didn't want to concentrate at all. While I was aware that time was at stake - for it was a last minute study after hectic days running E-waste, Beverage Carton and Unused Medication Collection Drive and managing Night Walk activity in conjunction with Biodiversity Week - part of my grey matter started to dispute over the current education system in Malaysia and consequently, shrieking loudly at the top of my lungs on my dissatisfaction on the poor way that we were being "groomed".

The fact that I found it hard to pay fathom on my revision might be due to way the knowledge was transferred. See, one should not teach the same model of thinking to all students because our understanding capacity and creativity differ from each other. Instead of telling us what is A and B, one should let us evaluate what is A and B after giving us introduction on what both things are. Well, that's the way I see how ethic should be taught. I appreciate how my lecturer created a debate avenue for us over a topic using the environmental theory that we were introduced. That would be more engaging and meaningful. I totally agree on that.

But beyond that teaching method, could there be anybetter option? Why I questioned this was because after being taught in class and did self-revision, I still found certain terms and phrases to be rather confusing. I questioned myself could it be my own low intelligence level that obstruct me from understanding a matter? I've got no answer to that as I am not  the only one who faces the same problem. I believe that no one is stupid; it's how we are taught/trained/exposed that differ us from stupidity. I have not been to oversea and taste their way of educating the people. Thus, I am unable to tell what should be changed in our current education system.

It does spells a difference seeing our neighbouring country's university like NUS ranked 22 in QS World University Ranking system while none of Malaysia's university make it to top 100. By reflecting on condition of our hostel room, many stories can be told on how much the government cares about our welfare. Not that I am yearning for air-conditioned room or what not, but at least not a skin-peeling wall. It's just like you are holding a rotten durian while claiming that Malaysia produces the best durian in Asia. Dare you say that?

Anyway, this debate has been in my mind ever since first year when we had to answer 100 objective questions for biology subject in final exam. Seriously? Do you literally think that such testing method on our excellence is genuine and credible? Of course not. We were just a group of photocopy machine, replicating what we half-heartedly memorize into that white sheet followed by a CTRL + DELETE button in our own brain software the moment we stepped out of exam hall.

Every now and then, I am just hoping that our "dearest leaders" out there to stop squabble over unnecessary matter particularly on race and religion. Address imperative matter proactively. If you want the nation to improve, it is not by increasing more palm oil plantation; if you want to stop brain drain, it is not by alluring those gems in oversea with big cars, houses and what not. All you have to do is improve your human resource by changing the education system.

This is just my two-cent on education. No offence to anyone who is reading this. At the end of the day, the test was cancelled. Great, I hope to find more time to think critically on the subject.

Bold to be Bald

Okay call me a crap or what, but getting bald has always been my dream. It gives me an opportunity to experience hair growth that I missed out when I was a baby. Nevertheless, I am extremely happy that my secondary school mate, Chiew Teng, shares similar dream as me.

She vows to shave her head bald if she managed to raise fund up to RM15,000! This money will then be used to support Epic Home initiative in building home for the needy. Such a noble cause.

Please support her and help the needy. While you have a roof above your head, think about those who don't.

To donate, click link.

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Every day, there are 12,322 families who live in unsafe housing in Peninsular Malaysia. I'm going to change that!

Project HOME: Help Out. Miracles Exist

Because everyone deserves a HOME.

Hi everyone, I am Ang Chiew Teng, aged 22 and I am currently a student in Taylor's University pursuing Biomedical Science degree.

I am here to raise funds to build a home for the homeless.

I am here because I care for the community and I really want to do something for them.

A simple wooden house which can accommodate a family of 4-5 costs about RM40k, and my team and I are still far behind our target. Therefore, I pledge to shave my head, if I can hit the target of raising RM 15, 000 in line with the Anything4HOME challenge by Taylor's University Community Service Initiatives (CSI).

This may sound crazy to you and especially to all my friends who would know how much I treasure my hair.

I am not smart in raising money, nor do I know about trading or investing to double the money, therefore, what I am left with is the things that I can offer, and this is my pledge that I am willing to trade in just to build a home for the homeless people. I hope, you will support my cause, pay it forward and also be blessed in return. If you cannot afford to donate then please share this link to your friends and relatives because we really need help in reaching out to more people as every little effort helps us in reaching our goal.

My challenge would be:

First RM 5,000 raised - I will have my hair cut to shoulder length and the 8 to 9 inches ponytail will be donated to the National Cancer Society, Malaysia to make a wig for the cancer patients.

RM 10,000 raised - I will have a boy-cut.

RM 15,000 - I will shave all my hair and be bald.

All my hair will be donated to the cancer patients via National Cancer Society under Locks of Hope campaign, so it is not just about hair-cutting and building home.

Join me in my challenge too! Like few of my friends who have promised to go bald with me if I can get RM15k.

Please support us. Spread the kindness. Good day to you and thank you for your time at this. :)

Come On, Cousin

Watched Come On, Cousin, a TVB drama in Astro On Demand yesterday before sleep.

It was a comedy starred by two prominent actors: Kwok Chun On and Wong Cho Lam. Hahaha I don't really watch drama but this captivated me because Kwok played a role as a environment activist against Wong, spoiled brat who exploits his wealth and power.

Kwok Chun On's image just made me laugh out loud - with his long hair curtaining his forehead, swinging every now and then, while uttering bullet-fast environmental facts. Hahaha...

Should watch this and see how the director portrays the clash between green people and business tycoon. LOL!

Mid-sem break

It's mid-sem break! Yay! Holiday mood is really turned on this time compared to the past few mid-sem break because I was always occupied with events management and the holiday is the only time to sort things out, mobilize people to do work, etc etc. Currently I am still into that similar routine, but thank God, it's less intensive.

Feeling more relaxed and squandered my time every now and then. Well, I need to get disciplined asap, else "Penyakit Malas" will infect me.

Here's a To Do List:

1) Future planning
2) Practice keyboard
3) Learn about plant
4) Ecology report
5) Revise Ethic course for test

The list can go on and on and on because in life there is just too much of distraction and at times, you have the misconception that it is important and no way that you should miss that learning opportunity. But think again, what you do should be coherent to your own ultimate goal. Constantly remind yourself of you what you want would certainly guide you better. Cheers!

Night Walk and Birding at Genting

I never know that there are so much eco activity that can be done in Genting until attending this Herping and Birding event organized by MNS.

You might not heard of the word "herp" before and in fact, you wouldn't be able to find this word in dictionary. Herp is actually a short form of herpetofauna, and this word is referring to amphibians and reptiles. 

It was raining cats and dogs in Genting but luckily it slowed at night. According to Steven, the event organizer, such weather is very suitable for herping activity as frogs will be more conspicuous. Shivering under the thick sweater, layered with colourful ponchos, the frost biting weather did not stop our trailblazing night. Everyone was excited to hunt for elusive frogs and reptiles in the pitch black trail.

Armed with his sharp eyes and alertness, Steven spotted a few frogs species near a small pond just when we were about to start. His passion for herp really impressed me for he can tell the scientific names and distinctive features of the herps like how we recognize our friends' name and characteristics.

In total, we saw 13 frogs. They were

Dark-sided Chorus Frog - Microhyla heymonsi
Common Grass Frog - Fejervarya limnocharis
Four Linned Tree Frog - Polypedates leucomystax
Saffron Bellied Frog - Chaperina fusca
Malesian Frog - Limnonectes malesianus
Giant River Frog - Limnonectes blythii
Corrugated Frog - Limnonectes laticeps
Long Legged Horned Frog - Xenophrys longipes
Perak Horned Frog - Xenophrys aceras
Poison Rock Frog - Odorrana hosii
Banjaran Frog - Hylarana banjarana
Malayan Gliding Frog - Rhacophorus prominanus
Amolops larutensis - Amolops larutensis

I learned that it was not that difficult to find one as long as you keep an eye on moist area. Apparently, photographers are able to capture vivid photos of this fauna by simply glaring the torchlight to their eyes to freeze their movement. It was also eye-opening to know about various interesting frog names and each of it is very related to their features. I also gained experience in holding a frog in a proper way. It felt so surreal to be able to feel its sticky body clasping on my fingers and heart beating against my skin! =)

Corrugated Frog - Limnonectes laticeps

Long Legged Horned Frog - Xenophrys longipes

Poison Rock Frog - Odorrana hosii

Perak Horned Frog - Xenophrys aceras

We were also lucky to spot two interesting lizards:

Marbled Bent Toed Gecko - Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus
Southern Titiwangsa Bent-Toed Gecko - Cyrtodactylus australotitiwangsaensis (photo below)

And snakes! 

Common Mock Viper - Psammodynastes pictus (photo below)

This is a non-venomous snake which would pretend to be like a viper when it feels like being threatened. We found it in the male toilet by coincidence! 

Now this is the real viper! Viper was what we targeted to see and we were so lucky to spot it last minute before call it a night! What was even more amazing was that the viper was eating a frog! Yum yum!

Siamese Pit Viper - Trimeresurus fucatus (feeding on a R. prominanus!)

Pink Headed Reed Snake - Calamaria schlegeli

The next morning, we were honoured to have a bunch bird experts to guide us on bird watching.

These bird amateurs are real no joke.

Picture tells a thousand word.

More photos on the next update!



Photos courtesy of Henry Goh (MNS president), Boon Peng and Whei Li. 

Russelia equisetiformis

Read about this particular plant in the newspaper and decided to document it! I've seen this before but I cannot recall where and of what occasion. Anyway, let's get to know about Russelia equisetiformis.

Background of the Plant

1) Common name: Russelia letup-letup (Malay)

                               Prathat Chine (Thai)

                               Coral Water Fall
                               Coral Bush

                               Coral Fountain
                               Firecracker Fern

2) Native: Mexico

3) Member of figwort family, Scrophulariaceae 

4) Genues name (Russelia) comes from Scottish naturalist and physician, Alexander Russell
    Species name (equisetiformis) means "like Equisetum", as the plant has the same form as Horsetail 

    plant, Equisetum

5) Plant also resembles firecrackers 

6) Flower colour: bright red, creamy yellow, pale pink 

7) Seeds are tiny and inconspicuous 

8) Fast growing, multi-branching

9) Its long and slender angular stems grow out arching first and then gracefully cascade down to form a mound

10) Leaves are scale-like in shape - too small to be notice

Functions

1) As a decoration (ornamental value)

2) Medicinal purpose: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial

3) In Nigeria, traditional healers use it to treat diabetes, cancer and inflammatory diseases.

4) Methanol extract from plant promotes hair growth;

    Extract from leaves and stems are used to make soaps and bath products.

5) Landscape use: good choice for an informal or unclipped hedge. When there is wind, the wiry branches will way but they will not break. They create much desired movement in the hot garden for a breezy effect.  

Plant Care 

1) Grow in full sun or partial sun patches in well-draining, rich soil. 

2) Keep plant hydrated and don't let soil dry out.

3) Once established, the bush has a weedy side. When the stems touch the ground, they will take root quickly. To prevent this, cut back every now and then to keep it looking fresh and neat. 

4) You can deadhead plant to stop unwanted seedlings production.

5) Feed regularly with organic goat fertilizer or any balanced liquid fertilizer.

6) Can be easily propagated using its stem cuttings of about 12cm long. Insert about halt the length of the cutting into some damp clean crumbly soil.