Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Youth Defined: Shape Our Future

I was given a chance to participate in “Youth Defined: Shape Our Future” workshop organized by myHarapan – a non-profit Youth Trust Foundation, and endorsed by the Ministry of Higher Education and PEMANDU. This workshop was held from Dec 10-12, where around 500 participants from IPTA and IPTS all over the nation were accommodated at this exclusive 5-star hotel: Palace of the Golden Horses, to contribute to our country.

Palace of Golden Horses
The objective of the workshop is to help the government improve the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and Government Transformation Programme (GTP), introduced by our Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Razak in 2010. 

In this 3-day workshop, we were split into 15 groups. Each group was in charge of one National Key Result Area (NKRA) or National Key Economic Area (NKEA). I was chosen to lead Group 12 to come out with a proposal to improve one of the NKRA (National Key Result Area) - Urban Public Transport. This NKRA is a part of Government Transformation Programme.

I was fortunate to have a group of very talented youth leaders from diverse background. One of my best assistants was even from Sydney. At the end of the workshop, we successfully came out with a detailed proposal to solve the deteriorating urban traffic congestion problem. We target at 3 key areas:
  • Reducing waiting time
  • Integrating public transport information on the web and mobile phone
  • Improving communication among the public, the Ministry of Transport, and the authority party
Our mission is to increase the users of public transports, and thus helping to reduce the congestion on the roads and promote urbanization.

The highlight of the event was the Summit Dinner, where we will present our proposal, which comprised 15 different projects, to our Prime Minister. Being one of the six youth representatives to dine with our Prime Minister at the VVIP Table was the icing on the cake to me! I would never imagine that! Thanks for all my teammates for their dedicated effort, trust and support! We shared some of our ideas to our Prime Minister at the dining table and we had a good mentoring session with him along the dinner. The Summit Dinner ended after the presentation of our proposal.

Summit Dinner with our Prime Minister - Y.A.B Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Najib, Minister of Higher Education - Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Chairman of myHarapan - Mr. Roslan Bakri Zakaria
I felt thrilled and proud to be able to give some contribution to my country. All in all, a million thanks to myHarapan for putting all this together! You guys have inspired many young leaders to contribute to our country.

Next, I will be working around the clock alongside Michael Teoh (One Young World Malaysian Ambassador), Chris Eigeland (One Young World Australia Ambassador), and many more patriotic youth leaders across Asia and Oceania region on one gigantic international project called #WakeUpCall! Stay Tuned! For more information, please visit www.ourwakeupcall.org

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Cracking the QR Codes: The Paper-Based Hyperlinks


My contact information in QR Code.
You’ve probably seen them in newspapers, magazines or other paper-based publications: two-dimensional bar codes, called quick response codes (QR codes). What are they? They have been described as paper-based hyperlinks, and this is a good description. You simply take a picture of a QR code with your smart phone, and you get redirected to a website using your cell phone’s browser. They can also be used digitally—you can append a QR code to a Tweet, or they can be displayed on a web page to transfer contact information directly to a cell phone, for example. This technology is blurring the distinction between smart phones, digital destination and content, and paper-based communication mediums.
QR technology provides cell phone users the ability to scan paper-based content using the cell phone’s camera to decode information on a menu, a magazine, a business card, a gift card, a coupon or a website. Once the QR code has been scanned and decoded, the user has access via their cell phone to the information or destinations that can be any or all of the following:
  • Personal or company contact information in a MeCard, BlackBerry PIN or BlackBerry vCard.
  • An embedded phone number which the phone can dial, or a company home page URL or a specific destination on a social network (i.e. company fan page).
  • An RSS feed, SMS or an arbitrary text message.
  • An email address or a calendar event with location, title, start and end time, alarm and zone.
  • A physical address with location coordinates information.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Getting a Permanent Change with Neuro Associative Conditioning (NAC)


           There is a myth that any change takes a long time and it undergoes lots of struggle. WRONG! Change is in an instant and out of pain and you can change anything you wish at any moment. Let me be a little bit in face and tell you that every change that you have made in your life actually happened in a moment, didn’t it? If you are lighting a cigarette right now and I put the gun on your head and say “You have got to put off your cigarette right now or else I will fire off!” I am sure that you would throw off your cigarette, wouldn’t you? Therefore change is not the matter of capability; it is the matter of motivation and willingness! I am going to share with you a knowledge that I learned to create a consistent change. 

Before I share with you this invaluable knowledge, you must adopt these beliefs. The first belief to make a long lasting change is that you must know you can change anything right now, in an instant. In fact, it is the not change itself that takes time. So why not make it at this instant? Secondly, you must know that you are responsible for your own change, not anyone else. Whatever happens, takes responsibility. I am glad that since the day I learnt and applied this knowledge, my life has been a bed of roses as my perspective changed.  So would you.

Neuro Associative Conditioning (NAC) is a human behavioral science founded by Anthony Robbins on the basis of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). It is a step by step process that can help you to condition your nervous system to associate massive pleasure with the things you want so that you continuously do whatever it takes to achieve them and also show you all the things or pain that you need to avoid doing to succeed continuously throughout your entire life. NAC provides six master steps and specific syntax to provide consistent and lasting change. These six fundamental steps are the basis of NAC and psychologists found that every change that human made in their life inevitably fulfill these steps. And here I stress, the essence of NAC is your practice.  Knowledge is only potential power when it comes into the hand of someone who knows how to get himself to take effective action. So if you have any behavior that you wish to change now, I challenge you to use the following NAC steps.

The fist step of NAC is to decide what you really want and what is preventing you from having it now. Most people when they are upset, they tend to focus on what they don’t want, instead of what they want. I don’t want to be sad, I don’t want to be lonely, I don’t want to be fat, I don’t want this, I don’t want that…STOP!!! If you keep focusing on what you don’t want, you will definitely get more out of it. Your outer circumstances are a reflection of your inner thoughts. So change your focus to what you want, to what you desire. State your outcomes in positive term. Be as specific as possible. I want happiness, I want to have friends, I want to be slim. Clarity is power. Next you have to be aware of what is preventing you from having what you want so that you could overcome these obstacles. Ask yourself, what benefits would I get if I still uphold this behavior? These are your obstacles that you have to get through. Awareness is a powerful tool.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Mackay's 35 to Stay Alive

This is Harvey Mackay's 35 secrets to tweak your public speaking! It is specially dedicated to people who want to be a trainer!

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In the course of speaking to innumerable audiences all over the world, Harvey has gleaned invaluable tips and tricks for giving speeches in any setting. He shares them here in his “35 To Stay Alive.”

1.     Room size.
2.     Room size.
3.     Room size. If a hundred are going to attend, the room size should hold 75. If five hundred people are coming, the room should hold four hundred. You want the excitement of a standing room only bumper to bumper crowd.
4.     If there is extra space at the back of the room, put up screens or use plants to cut down the excess space. Also, try to avoid high ceiling rooms.
5.     Avoid stages that are so high you look like the Ayatollah glaring down at your subjects.
6.     Studies show that people remember more and laugh more in brightness. Turn the lights up full blast, unless you are showing slides. Then, dim the screen area but light up the audience. Now, you can still have excellent eye contact with your audience.
7.     Set the podium back a few feet so you can walk in front of it.
8.     If you are addressing a breakfast, lunch, or dinner audience, ask your introducer to request politely that the people with their backs to the stage turn their chairs forward so they don’t have to crane their necks.
9.     Request that the photographer not take pictures during the first 10-15 minutes of your speech. You want no distractions while you are in the process of feeling out the microphone, adjusting to the lights, and getting the pulse of the audience.
10.   Always carry a ruler and masking tape in case the lip of the podium is not high enough for your papers… then build your own lip.
11.   Use masking tape to strap down any cranking door latches that might shut with a bang while you are talking. (Hotel rooms are notorious for this!)
12.   You can also use masking tape to seal off the back rows in order to insure the audience will fill in the front rows first. Your audience will want to scatter… you want them compact.
13.   Always try to have a real pro introduce you… not someone who is a poor speaker being given the honor because of their status in the organization. Introducers are critical… the stage must be set.
14.   Have the first row set very close to the stage. Too much space between the speaker and the first row creates a lack of chemistry with the audience.
15.   Outside noise from the adjoining rooms and hallways is the #1 killer of meetings. In fact, if another event is being held in the rooms adjacent to my talk, I will make every effort to book another venue. If you can’t hear a pin drop, you’re in the wrong room. A quick phone call to the catering manager will insure total quiet.
16.   Never, never, never end your program with a question and answer session. You cannot control the agenda or the quality of the questions and the fireworks of your topic can end with a fizzle. Start the Q & A five minutes before the end of your talk, then transition from one of your answers to a real climax.
17.   Most people are shy about asking the first question; therefore, you may get stymied by an awkward silence. Break the ice by stating that problem and then saying… “Okay, we’ll start with the second question!”
18.   If you have a questionable story, try it out on the person who invited you to speak and at least two others before using it. Better yet, if in doubt, don’t tell it at all.
19.   Find out who the group’s last three to five speakers were and how they were accepted. Probe as to why they were successful or why they failed.
20.   Sometimes you may be wise to turn down a speech, no matter how badly you want the order. Do your homework before you say yes. If it’s not within your area of expertise or the sponsoring organization really should not have invited you, be candid and turn it down. Ultimately, the negative word of mouth will come back and cost you much more than the value of the honorarium.
21.   Allow every organization to audio or video tape you gratis. Put your bread on the water and don’t get too big headed for your own good.
22.   Always request that an engineer be in the room during your entire talk in case of microphone problems.
23.   Request verbatim copies of any or all rating surveys from your talks. There is no substitute for constant, immediate, unfiltered audience feedback.
24.   Ask for copies of any prepared remarks from any other speakers if available. This can dramatically help your research on the company or the industry.
25.   Constantly update your prepared introductions. And, be sure they are written to be read as is. Don’t risk an under-rehearsed introducer stumbling through your bio.
26.   Contact the Chamber of Commerce of any city you are to speak in. They will give you loads of information to familiarize you with the local surroundings and help you personalize your remarks.
27.   Never, never mispronounce a proper name – - if you’re not sure, check with the sponsor. Then double check.
28.   Send a creative gift to the key person who helped you with the logistics, set up, and preparation for your speech. They are often overworked and underappreciated. They will never forget you for it.
29.   Whether it’s ten minutes, or ten hours, do not go over your allotted time. This puts additional pressure on all concerned. Remember: Agreements prevent disagreements. Have a perfect understanding of your time frame and what is expected of you.
30.   In doing your homework for a presentation ask for:
§  Investor relations kit (if publicly held company)
§  Annual reports
§  New and old newspaper, magazine stories
§  Video/audio information on company or organization
§  Company house newsletter
§  Industry publications
§  Company web sites
31.   Station someone in the back of the room whose sole job is to put out fires for you. Let them search for extra chairs, adjust the lights, quell outside noise, welcome late arrivals, and catch slamming doors, so you don’t have to think about it.
32.   Never check a room out with any of the audience present. If the audience has already started to arrive, you’re already too late to make substantive changes. Furthermore, you want the first impression to be you, on stage and in control, not sweating over a malfunctioning mike.
33.   Make a special effort to contact the competitors of the company you are addressing. Nothing gets the audience’s attention like the mention of an arch-rival.
34.   If you don’t have a smashing “opener” and “closer,” go back to the drawing board. And, don’t step up to the microphone until you do.

Debrief yourself within twenty-four hours of a speech, and take ten minutes to write down what you could do better the next time. With so many unknowns, the amount to be learned is infinite. Try something new every time you speak and you’ll never become stale.


By: Harvey Mackay

Thursday, November 10, 2011

《那些年,我们一起追的女孩》 观后感


昨晚,被我的童年好友约了去看《那些年,我们一起追的女孩》。果然太棒,太感触了!

正好,约我去看的好友也是那些年和我一起追那位女孩的死党!

干,原来你也要和我一起回忆一下咱们的青春!

《那些年》的大纲有七分类似我的故事。只是我的故事里没有胖子;我的班里也没有女孩!是耶,没女孩耶!好惨哦~

那些年,我喜欢了一位女孩N 年,一位也是很多人追的女孩!最后,她当然也和我擦身而过了。

现在想想,如果再给我重来,我那时一定会把握住的!柯景腾,你真的很笨耶!

感谢九把刀给了我这么多回忆!好多画面不禁涌现!

机车。。伤疤。。夜空。。课室。。书轩。。温书。。下雨天。。火车站。。电梯前。。藤井树。。补习中心。。Monster House电影。。半夜的短讯。。还有妳甜美无邪的笑容。。

初恋,好美、好单纯。。。

老朋友,妳还好吗?


改日,我要带我的另一半一起去台湾!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Global UGRAD Exchange 2012/2013 is OPEN!

Looking for an enriching undergraduate experience in an American college or university?

The Global UGRAD Malaysia 2012/2013 is now open! I have personally benefited from this program and I hope it will benefit you too!

The Global UGRAD Program provides scholarships for one semester or one academic year of U.S. study in a non-degree program. This program is funded by U.S. Department of State. The goal of the program is to provide a diverse group of emerging student leaders, from non-elite and under-represented groups with a substantive exchange experience at a U.S. College or University.

Please click here for the application form if you think that this is something for you.

Also, watch the video below for a better idea of what a life of an UGRADer looks like.



For more information about the program, you can visit our Malaysian UGRADer's website.
http://ugradmalaysia.weebly.com/

Also, please drop by our Facebook page for more quick up-to-date information.
http://www.facebook.com/ugradmalaysia

Saturday, October 29, 2011

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

It is just a sneak overview of the book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", by Stephen Covey. This book is essential to help us to be more effective and productive!

Private Victory:

1. Be Proactive - Principles of Personal Vision
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Put First Thing First - Principles of Personal Management

Public Victory:

4. Think Win-Win - Principles of Interpersonal Leadership
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood - Principles of Emphatic Communication
6. Synergize - Principles of Creative Cooperation

Renewal:

7. Sharpen the Saw - Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal

For a detailed explanation of the habits, please kindly read the book! This post also serves to remind myself of those seven habits that I should practice daily, especially Habit #5!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The 13 Principles to Riches

What do you want the most?

Is it money?
Is it fame?
Is it power?
Is it contentment?
Is it personality?
Is it a piece of mind?
Is it happiness?

The thirteen steps to riches described by Napoleon Hill offer the shortest dependable philosophy of individual achievement ever presented for the benefit of the man or woman who is searching for a definite goal in life. Napoleon Hill is the Father of Success Philosophy. After a few years studying the traits of successful men, I finally understand and experience that every GREAT success originates from a BURNING desire. It is the starting point of all achievement, the first step toward riches. Below are the 13 critical steps and elements mentioned by Napoleon Hill, that have inspired millions of successful men in these two centuries! See how many criteria do you fulfill.


  1. Desire - the starting point of all achievement
  2. Faith - visualization of, and belief in attainment of desire
  3. Auto Suggestion - the medium of influencing the subconscious mind
  4. Specialized Knowledge - personal experiences or observations
  5. Imagination - the workshop of the mind
  6. Organized Planning - the crystallization of desire into action
  7. Decision - the mastery of procrastination
  8. Persistence - the sustained effort necessary to induce faith
  9. Power of the Master Mind - the driving force
  10. The Mystery of Sex Transmutation - the tenth step toward riches
  11. The Subconscious Mind - the connecting link
  12. The Brain - a broadcasting and receiving station for thought
  13. The Sixth Sense - the door to the temple of wisdom
Last but not least, we must outwit the six ghosts of fear to achieve the success we desire. As a matter of fact, success requires no apologies; failure permits no alibis!

The Six Ghost of Fear

According to Napoleon Hill, there are six basic fears, with some combination of which every human suffers at one tie or another. Most people are fortunate if they do not suffer from the entire six. Named in the order of their most common appearance, they are:


  1. The Fear of POVERTY
  2. The Fear of CRITICISM
  3. The Fear of ILL HEALTH
  4. The Fear of LOSS OF LOVE OF SOMEONE
  5. The Fear of OLD AGE
  6. The Fear of DEATH
All other fears are of minor importance, they can be grouped under these six headings.

Fears are nothing more than just states of mind.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

30 Major Causes of Failure

1. Unfavorable Hereditary Background
2. Lack of Well-Defined Purpose in Life
3. Lack of Ambition to Aim above Mediocrity
4. Insufficient Education
5. Lack of Self-Discipline
6. Ill Health
7. Unfavorable Environmental Influences During Childhood
8. Procrastination
9. Lack of Persistence
10. Negative Personality
11. Lack of Controlled Sexual Urge
12. Uncontrolled Desire for "Something For Nothing"
13. Lack of Well-Defined Power of Decision
14. One or More of the Six Basic Fears
15. Wrong Selection of a Mate in Marriage
16. Over-Caution
17. Wrong Selection of Associates in Business
18. Superstition and Prejudice
19. Wrong Selection of a Vocation
20. Lack of Concentration of Effort
21. The Habit of Indiscriminate Spending
22. Lack of Enthusiasm
23. Intolerance
24. Intemperance
25. Inability to Cooperate with Others
26. Possession of Power which was not Acquired through Self Effort
27. Intentional Dishonesty
28. Egotism and Vanity
29. Guessing instead of Thinking
30. Lack of Capital

By: Napoleon Hill

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Reactive vs Proactive

I always say, "I am fully responsible for my life. That's what I choose. That's what I want to do." The matter of the fact is I choose to be proactive. Just so lately I have always listened to people saying that, "I have to do this. I have to do that. I have no choice. I have to be this. I have to be that. etc." So today I am writing a post about "reactive vs proactive" as a sharing.

Proactive people choose to act. Reactive people choose to be acted upon. Reactive people say I have to do it. Circumstances or other people are forcing me to do what I do. I'm not free to choose my own actions. They let life controls them. On the other hand, proactive people know that they are in charge of their life.

The language of reactive people absolves them of responsibility.

Because our attitudes and behaviors flow out of our paradigms, if we use our self-awareness to examine them, we can often see in them the nature of our underlying maps. Our language, for example, is a very real indicator of the degree to which we see ourselves as proactive people.

Reactive Language: There's nothing I can do. That's just the way I am. He makes me so mad.
They won't allow that. I have to do that. I can't. I must. If only.

Proactive Language: Let's look at our alternatives. I can choose a different approach. I control my own feelings. I can create an effective presentation. I will choose an appropriate response. I choose. I prefer. I will.

That language comes from a basic paradigm of determinism. And the whole spirit of it is the transfer of responsibility. I am not responsible, not able to choose my response.

Any NLP practitioners will tell you that your words will be your reality. So listen to your language. Examine what type of person you are because every change starts from awareness. Ask yourself, "Am I always in direct control of my problem? Am I always in charge of my life?" Then decide or not to make a paradigm shift.

At any rate, you can choose to be proactive by first changing your language.

Choose your words wisely. Because..
Your Words = Your Reality.

BMW Malaysia Price List

Effective August 1, 2011



Just some basic requirement of driving a BMW 3 series.
驾一辆宝马“3”系列到底需要什么基本的条件。
第一条件:钱
每月
车期供款:最少RM 3300
汽车电油:最少RM 400
每年
汽车保养与维修:最少RM1500
汽车保险与路税:最少RM4500
**RM6000 / 12MONTH =RM500

第二条件:还是钱
RM3300+RM400+RM500=。。。。
对,坐一辆宝马每月大概的费用最少是RM 4200

第三条件:要不然就是你老爸有的就是钱。

This is the data in 2008. Please take into account of inflation too.
Quoted from www.anthonytan.net @ 2008.

Monday, August 1, 2011

CS Actuarial Academy

If you are in two minds about studying actuarial science in college, this website is for you!


CS Actuarial Academy is a non-profit organization to provide you with more information about actuarial science to further assist you in making a better life decision. At the academy, you will learn who should study actuarial science, why should you study it, how to study it, and where to study it. Our mission is to enlighten you about your path to ensure you study the right course at the first place.

I created it out of interest while I was in the states. Hope it helps! Enjoy!


Saturday, July 30, 2011

Summary of My U.S. Exchange Experience

I reached Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on 19 August, 2010 and there I started my magnificent exchange experience abroad at the United States of America. I was placed at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, majoring in Bachelor of Business Administration – Management Entrepreneurship. Back in Malaysia, I pursued Bachelor of Science - Actuarial Science. Thus, studying business was a complete novel field for me. However, I was very excited because business was what I was always passionate about learning. Throughout the academic year, I took 22 credits of business related studies and 3 credits of American study, which was U.S. Culture and Institution. I joined several college clubs like University Activities Commissions, International Student Association, and Malaysian Abroad Diversified.
I encountered numerous culture shocks when I first mingled in the American community. Nevertheless, I found it very thrilling because that was what I have always anticipated to experience. A new life; a new culture. I enjoyed participating in various cultural events. One of the examples was our college “International Folk Fair”. I, along with other Malaysians, represented Malaysia in the fair to promote Malaysia and our culture such as food and costumes. Besides that, I also took part in our college’s Homecoming, Halloween celebration at Madison, Thanksgiving, and Native American’s Pow Wow Party of the Ojibwe’s tribe.
Pow Wow Party of Ojibwe's Tribe

Pumpkin Carving

International Folk Fair


In social aspect, I tried for my first time salsa dancing, two-to-tango, and Waltz in our annual Viennese Ball. Dancing is really fun! Although Wisconsin had the most severe underage drinking issue, I did not drink and party that much. For sports, I jogged, swam, and played basketball, badminton, ping pong, and volleyball. I also enjoyed watching American Football on ESPN. Most important, the very sports that I enjoyed the most were downhill skiing and cross country skiing. That was what I did not get to do in Malaysia because we do not have snow.

Salsa Dancing


Cross Country Skiing @ Carson Park


Viennese Ball


As Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland, I even had the chance to go down to my American friend’s farm to milk cows!

Milking Cow @ Pittsville, WI


In addition, I was actively involved in community service. In the Fall Semester, I volunteered to help out at the International Fall Festival, organized by Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. My roles included being a volunteer coordinator, floater, working at the information center, as well as helping to tear down. In spring, I helped to sort out and categorize some international stuff and document of a high school in Washington D.C.

Community Service @ International Fall Festival


I completed my internship by working as a Merchandise Sales Manager for Eau Claire Jazz, Inc. It was my first time to get involved in the music industry. I got to learn jazz so much and I found that I really enjoy jazz. Some of my roles were to find the merchandise to sell, negotiated the price, determine the price for sale, manage the inventory control, manage merchandise logistic, and do sales reconciliation work.

Sales Team of 44th Annual Eau Claire Jazz Festival



In addition to campus life, I also had a nice host family that hosted me for the first few days I arrived and brought me out periodically during my academic year.
With Host Family - Ruth Anne and John @ their cabin at Grandview, WI

In March, together with three other Malaysian UGRADers, we represented Malaysia in Re-Entry Workshop that took place in Washington D.C., organized by World Learning. We were so delightful to meet all the wonderful UGRADers from the other 19 countries. Wearing Malaysian traditional costumes, we performed a Malay song- “Rasa Sayang” at the Cultural Night.

Introducing Malaysian Traditional Costumes at Re-Entry Workshop @ Washington D.C.




Apart from academic, social, and cultural involvement, I also took every opportunity I had to travel all around the U.S. From the nine months period, I visited several major cities – Madison, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Washington D.C., New York, Boston, Milwaukee, etc. I really enjoyed travelling in the U.S.
All in all, this exchange experience has shaped my life as a better individual. I returned to Malaysia with a mix of American and Malaysian values. It turned out that choosing to apply for Global UGRAD Exchange scholarship one of the best decisions in my life. Thank you MACEE! Thank you Global UGRAD! Thank you World Learning! Most importantly, I want to express my profuse gratitude to all Americans! Without them, I would not have gone to America. Thank you!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Snowy Oversea Birthday

My first oversea birthday was complimentary with a lovely snow! It was dramatic! Thank you to my friends who celebrated it with me on Saturday. What a wonderful day! =)

幸福的新机会

前几天,朋友介绍的一个从报章上看到的论文。真谢谢他的分享!我认为挺具高深智慧的,所以在这冬季分手的季节和大家分享!有点长,希望大家可以耐心看完。
(苏格拉底-伟大的思想家-Socrates)-不懂当时这段对话是否是他真人说的,若是,我真的佩服得五体投地!
(失恋者)
苏:孩子,为什么悲伤?
失:我失恋了。
苏:哦,这很正常。如果没失恋了没有伤悲,恋爱大概就没什么味道。可是,年轻人,我怎么发现你对失恋的投入甚至比对恋爱的投入还要倾心呢?
失:到手的葡萄给丢了,这份遗憾,这份失落,您非个中人,怎知其中的酸楚啊。
苏:丢了就是丢了,何不继续向前走去,鲜美的葡萄还有很多。
失:等待,等到海枯石烂,直到她回心转意向我走来。
苏:但这一天也许永远不会到来。你最后会眼睁睁的看着她和另一个人走了去的。
失:那我就用自杀来表示我的诚心.
苏:但如果这样,你不但失去了你的恋人,同时还失去了你自己,你会蒙受双倍的损失。
失:踩上她一脚又如何?我得不到的,别人也别想得到。
离开也是幸福
苏:可这只能使你离她更远,而你本来是想与她更接近的。
失:你说我该怎么办?我可真的很爱她。
苏:真的很爱?
失:是的。
苏:那你当然希望你所爱的人幸福?
失:那是自然。
苏:如果她认为离开你是一种幸福呢?
失:不会的!她曾经跟我说,只有跟我在一起的时候她才感到幸福!
苏:那是曾经,是过去,可她现在并不那么认为。
失:这就是说,她一直在骗我?
苏:不,她一直对你很忠诚。当她爱你的时候,她和你在一起,现在她不爱你,她就离去,世界上再没有比这更大的忠诚。如果她不再爱你,却还装得对你很有情谊,甚至跟你结婚,生子,那才是真正的欺骗呢。
失:可我为她投入的感情不是白白浪费了吗?谁来补偿我?
苏:不,你的感情从来没有浪费,根本不存在补偿的问题,因为在你付出感情的同时,她也对你付出了感情,在你给她快乐的时候,她也给了你快乐。
失:可是,她现在不爱我了,我却还苦苦地爱着她,这多不公平啊!
为自己痛苦
苏:的确不公平,我是说你对所爱的那个人不公平。本来,爱她是你的权利,但爱不爱你则是她的权利,而你却想在自己行使权利的时候剥夺别人行速权利的自由。这是何等不公平!
失:可是您看的明明白白,现在痛苦的是我而不是她,是我在为她痛苦。
苏:为她而痛苦?她的日子可能过得很好,不如说是你为自己而痛苦吧。明明是为了自己,却还打着别人的旗号。年轻人,德行可不能丢哟。
失:依您的说法,这一切倒成了我的错?
苏:是的,从一开始你就犯了错,如果你能给她带来幸福,她是不会从你的生活中离开的,要知道,没有人会逃避幸福。
失:可她连机会都不给我,您说可恶不可恶?
苏:当然可恶。好在你现在已经摆脱了这可恶的人,你应该感到高兴,孩子。
失:高兴?怎么可能呢,不管怎么说,我是被人抛弃了这总叫人感到自卑的。
苏:不,年轻人的身上只能有自豪,不可自卑。要记住,被抛弃的并不是就是不好的。
失:此话怎讲?
苏:有一次,我在商店中看中一套高贵的西服,可谓爱不释手,营业员问我要不要。你猜我怎么说,我说质地太差,不要!其实,我口袋里没有钱。年轻人,也许你就是这件被遗弃的西服。
失:你真会安慰人,可惜您还是不能把我从失恋的痛苦中引出。
苏:是的,我很遗憾自己没有这个能力。但,可以向你推荐一位有能力的朋友。
失:谁?
苏:时间,时间是最伟大的导师,我见过无数被失恋折磨得死去活来的人,是时间帮助他们抚平了心灵的创伤,并重新为他们选择了梦中情人,最后他们都享受到了本来属于自己的那份人间快乐。
失:但愿我也有这一天,可我的第一步该从哪里做起呢?
苏:去感谢那个抛弃你的人,为她祝福。
失:为什么?
苏:因为她给了你那份忠诚,给了你寻找幸福的新机会。
说完,苏格拉底走了。

Thursday, January 13, 2011

A Trip to the West Coast of the USA

I was off for a vacation to the West Coast of USA from 18 Dec 2010 - 5 Jan 2011. This 17-day vacation turned out to be my best trip so far!!!

I started off with Minneapolis on Dec 18. Minneapolis downtown is one of the U.S. top five downtowns which is rich in culture and diversity. The city is very unique because the buildings are interconnected with skyways to keep the people from the extreme weather out there. We do not need to put on our heavy winter clothes to get to the other building. They are all connected indoors through the skyways. Besides, I had a wonderful Malaysian cuisine in the downtown. I also visited the Mystic Lake Casino and it was my first time entering a casino. It truly opened my eyes.


The next day, equipped with extremely high spirit and excitement, I took the plane and headed all the way west to the most wonderful city in the USA- San Francisco. I was so excited that morning and my heartbeat was pounding like a hurricane. I knew I was going to meet with a bunch of buddies from Malaysia in a jiffy!!! Despite the excitement, I remembered that day was Jodie's BIG DAY!!! Woohoo~ I wished her and we sang a birthday song to her at night! I'd definitely buy her a big cake if she could join us in San Francisco!

Let's go back to my trip. Alighted the plane in ecstasy, I made my way hurriedly to the lounge to meet with Zaolon! I gave him a BIG HUG at the second I saw him! Then we just couldn't wait but took BART right away to meet with other friends, which were currently waiting for us in Chinatown! It was to my ultimate frenzy to meet with Shi Ee, Yu Fen, Diego, Yang Wei and Gan! Time was frozen. My heart skipped a beat... Our first reunion in the states! Wow!!! We started our tour in Chinatown and Union Square at that wonderful night. Back to the hostel, we talked about all our happenings in the states. We chitchatted until we fell asleep...It was a lovely night! Very lovely... =)

The next morning, we taught and trained Zaolon how to make pancakes and he was very thrilled to learn. For the next consecutive mornings, he woke up early to make us ones. Courtesy of him, we had great breakfasts to start up the day with!


We began our trip at this hilly city with Golden Gate Park, Golden Gate Bridge, Vista Point, Ghirardelli, Lombard Street, Fisherman Wharf, Pier 39, Alcatraz Island, Cable Car Museum, Transamerica Tower, Japan Town, and downtown. We were delightful to have the famous Clam Chowder at Fisherman Wharf. In the meanwhile, we learned about the public transports in San Francisco such as trains or trolleybuses, which are more environmentally friendly than fossil-fuel or hydrocarbon-based vehicles. They run on electricity or cable car wire.

We had two very wonderful times in San Francisco. One was at Vista Point, viewing the picturesque city on top of a hill! At that point of time, I thought I was still dreaming! How the hell could I make myself to the states?! This was unbelievable! The second one was at Lombard Street. We enjoyed the moment very very much. We hoped to freeze the time at that moment! San Francisco has become my favorite city in the world!!! If I am to introduce my friend a place to visit in the USA, it'd definitely be this hilly city. I Love SF!!!


Goodbye SF, Hello LA!

We spent four days at the U.S. second largest city - Los Angeles! We stayed in Orbit Hotel, located at Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood. On the first day, we went to Hollywood! The Hollywood Walk of Fame was very fantastic! We met with people wearing the costume, busy taking pictures with the tourists. There were Jedi, Spiderman, Batman, and any superhero or cartoon that you can name. At last, there were two costume people gesturing at me, indicating to take pictures with me. Of course, I'd love to take with them.

"Whom do you want to take with?"

"Both!" I exclaimed in excitement.

Without second thought, I took with both of them and I asked Shi Ee to do so too.



After the pictures, they asked for tips! Oh My God!!! I found that I only had 20 dollars in my wallet! Neither did Shi Ee have any small bill. In that instant, a cold chill ran through our spine. Swallowing a lump in my throat, I held Shi Ee's hand, and without further ado, we....RAN!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That was extremely exciting! The feeling was so freaking awesome!!! While Shi Ee had her goosebumps still! I am not suggesting taking pictures without tipping. Please don't do that! Later did we find out this was their butter and bread. Ops.. We were sorry! Haha..But coming to think of it, running from tips has become one of our best experiences in Hollywood!

In the afternoon, we decided to climb the famous Hollywood hill. We were lost in the hill at some point. We bumped into a rich middle-aged guy in the exclusive Hollywood neighborhood. He offered us a ride to the closest lookout point of the Hollywood sign in his open-roof, two-door Audi. Oh My God! I have never sit in an open-roof car. I made my first experience in Hollywood. Thanks to him, Mr. Aldo- the nicest guy in Hollywood! He made our day!!!


We went on to go to Beverly Hill, University of California- Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Universal Studio Hollywood, Farmer's Market, and LA downtown on the following days. I met up with my two good friends in UCLA - Jia Long and Kai Sheng. We had a wonderful tour in the school. We also had a good sunset view in Santa Monica Pier. That was very lovely!

LA, checked! If SF is a walking city, we would regard LA as a car city. It is just too big! Next in our list was San Diego!

San Diego is a very gorgeous city with a lot of Spanish speaking people. Everything is in English and Spanish these two languages, be it transport, food, etc. It is just a plain 30 minutes' drive to San Tijuana, a city in Mexico. We spent 75% of our time in San Diego to watch ANIMALS!!! We went to San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park a.k.a Safari, and Sea World. We had numerous phenomenal animal performances, like Shamu's, dolphins', our lovely penguins' and sea lions'. The other wonderful times in San Diego were spent in USS Midway Museum, Coronado Beach, Old Town, Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy. We had a very wonderful encounter with the Pacific Ocean sunset. That was magnificent! We got to see a big balloon parade in the downtown too!


After San Diego, we went to the Sin City.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada.


I was amazed to learn that the city was built in a desert. We learned about the history behind this splendid city, how it was built in this godforsaken place, and all the great entrepreneurs and Casino Kings that made all these possible. Apparently, there was only a place in Nevada which prohibits gaming - Boulder City. Just to mention that Nevada is the only state in which prostitution is legal. The grandeur of Las Vegas was depicted in The Strip. From pyramid to castle, from Paris to New York, The Strip has every possible entertainment and "WOW" that make you drop your jaw! I had the chance to visit all the grand casinos and celebrated our 2010 New Year Eve in the fabulous Las Vegas. The best experience in Las Vegas, to me, was to visit Grand Canyon in Arizona. We spent an excellent time in this Seven Natural Wonders of the World. I swore I'd come back to Grand Canyon again to do the water rafting.



Happy moments passed by in lightning speed. In a glimpse, we have come to the end of our trip. How I wish I could turn back the time pendulum. We bid farewell and headed back to our respective school, leaving our wonderful memory forever in our minds..

Goodbye California! Goodbye Nevada! Goodbye Arizona!