PEACE: AN ETERNAL QUEST

             It was half past nine in the morning and the second period has just started. Miss Latifah, donning a black robe with a blend of gold and silver embroideries, covering her head with a headscarf which looks just ideal with her robe walked into her classroom. Miss Latifah , who graduated with a degree in Finance and Economics from University of Al-Ahzar teaches Mathematics and has begun writing some basic algebraic equations on the board. Malik, clad in a dark blue shirt and long black pants diligently copy the equations from the cracked, deplorable blackboard. The classroom which could accommodate about 20 pupils is yet to be painted with some unfixed broken window panes and cracked bricks. Malik and his friends could only depend on a single fan to keep the class ventilated from the scorching heat of summer with occasional, unexplainable power cuts. The quiet, tranquil morning was interrupted with a loud, deafening explosion. The frequency of the sound wave was sky high that it could shatter the delicate eardrums of the pupils. Malik and his friends quickly hid under their desks for protection. Miss Latifah did the same. Nobody screamed. Nobody panicked. It seems like a planned fire-drill, a perfect, noiseless one. Nobody uttered a single word. Nobody ran out of the classroom. Silence enveloped the air for a couple of minutes. Then, Miss Latifah ordered the students to re-sit and continue their work. Nobody spoke about the event as if it was a cursed one. Nobody cared or should I say everyone has acquired a certain extent of immunity towards the incident. Then, I realized. It was part of their lives. Bombs. Grenades. TNTs. You name it.

The event above is a typical occurrence in war-stricken countries; Iraq, Iran etc. Other than this, endless misery plagued Syria. North Korea is now conducting nuclear practice, creating a tension in the air as they are hinting possibilities to launch nuclear war against US-backed South Korea. It makes me wonder, when would peace finally dwell in the world? When would the earthlings attain harmony in lives? When can I hope for the day where the only explosions we hear would be fireworks? When will the children in Palestine be able to roam freely in the field playing football without a constant reminder of their friends who died being shot? We often hear this cliché phrase ‘light will always triumph over the darkness’. I feel that the phrase is being over-rated. I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. To people in war-stricken nations, it’s darkness all over them. The light is yet to shine the darkness away. The only things that keep them going are faith and hope. But then again, people of different faiths have never stopped fighting. To claim their faith as superior to others. Just recently, there had been a dispute between the Muslims and Buddhists in Myanmar that resulted in nothing but damage, loss and hatred. This is just the tip of the iceberg as there are many more incidents which are not highlighted by the media. Never put the blame on religions but its adherents. Religion only promotes peace and harmony and never hatred. Nowadays people are keen in propagating hatred than love. And yes, people are being egoistic. The positive traits being taught in their faiths are being suppressed by ego in them.

So who should we point fingers to? One of our most desired traits isn’t it; to blame others, mock others, find fault in others, pinpoint others’ weaknesses. We are diamonds, aren’t we? Looking down upon the black coals around us. Politicians; the god in power, the king who thinks they are one class above the rest, the mastermind who make decisions. They seem to be flawless, but mostly rotten inside. They declare wars, instruct their army to invade other countries. And their hidden agenda? To take over the world? To be the mighty God? Whatever it may be, they cause sufferings to the people involved. So tell me, who can put end to these sufferings? God? The chosen messenger? Perhaps Lord Vishnu to take another avatar to save His earthlings? Buddha?  I’m waiting!

Be Inspired

Some of us conquer the tallest peaks in the world, some of us reach the deepest point of Earth, some of us pledge to donate all of our wealth to the less-privileged, some of us dedicate our lives to social services or charity work, some of us spend years inside a lab to prove a theory and some work all day long as the sole breadwinner of the family. Behind all these achievements and endeavors, there’s a common point or should I say, the turning point. It might have been like a spark of a million lights, or a rush of adrenaline or even a tetanus of goosebumps. Perhaps all those feelings combined; feelings that you can’t exactly put in words. I had mine several times, on different occasions, and I always hope I’ll be having these feelings now and then to boost me. Inspiration. It not the act of inhaling, but a special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings.

               Let me tell a description of an event that inspired me.

 The dawn was breaking as faint rays of sun shines through the horizon, adding bright colours to a blend of blue-purplish sky. It was my fifth day in a foreign land as I was travelling to Jaipur, the pink city of Rajasthan in India. Along the roads, there were labyrinths of lanes and alleys and slumps, haunted with filth, plagued with disease and filled with stench. Millions call this their home, a place to take shelter, to live and to play for the rest of their life. This is indeed the dark side of India, with almost 100 million living under extreme poverty with an average earning of less than two rupee per day. The other facade of the town is the rich part of India; a town buzzing with fashion, gold and IT. Amid the slums, a dark-toned, skinny, maybe due to malnutrition, young lad wearing a pair of torn shorts caught my attention.

 He was carrying a load of red-bricks, balancing some on his head and some in his hands, making his way to a mini construction site after walking miles away from the place where the bricks are made. I was stunned and amazed by his act. The need to work at such tender age when all I did was playing happily at his age, caring less about the world. The need to earn money and to feed himself made him do things that no other kids in other parts of world would do. For starters, I never did that except playfully balancing books or pots over my head imitating an acrobat. Then it hit me hard, so hard that I cried in my heart, realizing how great my life has been. Is it my karma that I’m who I am today? I prayed and thanked God for giving me the life the boy would yearn for; which I’ve been complaining and never had satisfaction which signifies me being a weak human after all. I never had to worry about money, food, or anything except my exams. The little boy inspired me to work hard and never take the things I’ve been bestowed with for granted. For a minute, I look up the sky and contemplate how amazing my life is. Sometimes in life, all you need is a tiny catalyst at some moment, which enables you to reflect about yourself and drives you sky high; giving you the energy that you need to generate the momentum that accelerates towards attaining goals and dreams. Anyone can inspire you. Even the sky, which teaches you that there’s much more in life than what you can see, even beyond imaginations.

 All I can say is, be inspired :D

M.Y.S.T.E.R.Y.O.F.M.A.G.I.C



From left: Hermione, Harry and Ron



It's just disheartening to digest the fact that the world renowned magical series Harry Potter came to an end which leads to another fact that everything which has beginning will definitely end one day. Coming back to the story, reading and watching the series had coloured my childhood and make me believe in magic although I have to bear with the reality of Muggle world we live in. Watching the characters in the series led by Daniel Radcliffe( as Harry) together with his buddies Emma Watson (as Hermione) and Rupert Grint (as Ron) studying in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were truly exciting moments for all because everything seemed to be easy with the shake of wand.

The point is, sometimes we all undergo tough situations in life, whereby we are dragged down to the deepest point of the world as we might see it.We often think and wish that we have a magical wand that can sort all our problem so that we can reach the peak again.

The magical moment that we all want is in our life is defined as hope. Hope, a strong magical feeling that anyone is able to make/wish as we desire without limits. All of us have hopes in lives and a man with no hope is a dead man.

A king hopes peace and harmony for his people and country.

A doctor hopes to cure diseases.

A teacher hopes to educate all the students well.

A student hopes to excel in exams.

An old, sick man hopes to die peacefully.

And even, a beggar hopes that people will donate money for him/her.

What what's so magical about hope that what we wish for actually becomes reality. Sometimes things that we have not even imagined in our wildest dreams that it will happen in real. No deja vu moments! We call it a miracle or some say luck.

Whatever happens, hope gives us the strength to continue our lives with a purpose, as a propeller that forces us forward.

NEVER STOP HOPING BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU'LL LOSE THE MAGIC IN LIFE =D

Everyone can make a difference!

Has anyone wondered that we actually own the ability to make a difference no matter in whatever aspect of life or how significant the impact could be? Stop pinpointing fingers to others; politician or any random guy next to you, just because you are desperate for a change. Ever doubted you ability to inspire a change in others even in a small scale? Well, many people around the world have done remarkable things just by themselves.

Mahatma Gandhi led India to independence and inspired the movements for human rights,freedom and non-violence worldwide. Rosa Parks refused to gave up her seat in the bus to make room to a white passenger. There are many ordinary individuals with extraordinary abilities which is simply created by determined, unwavering will power in themselves. 
Our mind is actually a fertile garden, so never nurture it with seeds of negative thoughts that can really be detrimental towards our mental development. Always shower it with thoughts that can lead to self-esteem and confidence.


There is actually a splendid story that I would want to share today :)


While walking along a beach, an elderly gentleman saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.

He came closer still and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

The old man smiled, and said, “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, “But, young man, do you not realise that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it into the back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.”

NEVER LET ANYONE TO LOOK DOWN UPON YOU! EVERYONE IS UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT, NEVER BOTHER WHAT OTHERS SAY, DO WHAT YOU FEEL AND THINK RIGHT AND THE BEST FOR YOURSELF!!!

Critics In Critical Condition

Well, all humans have the tendency or ability to criticize others.

It's just a matter of courtesy they say; in order for the person they criticize improve their attitude, action or behaviour. 

They call it 'constructive criticism'.

Constructive criticism do actually help people in becoming a better person.  This kind of critic always impose this type of criticism not to hurt the particular person's feelings but solely on a good intention. It is a matter of fact that all of us are not perfect, so constructive criticism do aid us in being a better, wholesome individual.

But how about those who criticize someone in a bad intention. Do you guys hate this type of critic? I mean 'DUH!'

But what I would like to suggest over here is that all of us should start loving our critics. Critics who might be so irritating and annoying unintentionally do a favour for all of us. 

They certainly pinpoint certain things in our life that we are oblivious to. Things that hold each and every one of us from reaching our goals in life or to be precise, things that might hinder us from attaining greatness in our life.

Let me start from the beginning. why do people criticise us? This phenomena is indeed an immortal crisis, worldwide immortal crisis!

A critic criticizes another although the latter might not have done anything hurting or unpleasant towards the critic.

A critic may openly criticise someone in the public in an unscrupulous manner mainly to degrade the latter.

A critic is indeed an individual who obtains self-satisfaction by witnessing people being embarrased and made the joke of the town.

To put it simple,

A critic is a mad fool who thinks a hell of great about himself or herself to an extent of finding victims for them to mock and to wound.

This might be mind boggling, yet the answer to this epidemic is so simple.

Critica are a group of people who aren't satisfied about themselves.Because someone would never want to annoy anyone if the former thinks that he/she is not good enough.

All of us must bear in our minds that without critics, our life would probably be simple and plain. They don colours in our life although it might not be so colourful. They give an invaluable experience that we should all receive them with an open heart. 

LEARN TO LOVE YOUR CRITICS BUT MAKE SURE YOU DON'T FALL IN THEIR NASTY TRAP :)

Petronas Interview Experince

Today, my blog post gonna be something unique which is a non-green one after all these environmental-related posts, I thought of giving em some break ;) So it's basically about my interview experience in Universiti Teknologi Petronas which is located in Tronoh, Perak. Previously,I didn't knew that such place existed! Anyways, it's a two-day experience with loads of test and interview as well. Well, the first day was slightly boring and  we had this opening ceremony of our Petronas EduQuest camp in the morning and briefings in the noon.The lunch was pretty good and we were got to go to our rooms. My roommate was an amiable, well-mannered Terengganu guy who studied in MRSM Pengkalan Chepa *name is kept confidential*

Then later at night, we had our first test, Maths n Science(MST) and we were tested on Physics, Chemistry, Add Maths and Modern Maths.It was kinda easy and thank God I remembered all the formula.That wrapped up day one as we had our supper and went to our rooms. My buddy,Yuvinraj was there too and we chatted at the cafeteria after the test.

 Day2- I woke up around 6am, took bath with the freaking cold water, get dressed up and went for my breakfast.Later on, I took the bus provided to my interview hall....oooppsss forgotten..the breakfast tasted really, really @$$#@#$! In the hall(more like a big room), we were grouped and given the case study on genetically modified food(GM Food)! I was like*what the heck going on here*...We had to present the topic individually and then followed by group discussion.It went on well and group members agreed to come up with a superb conclusion regarding the matter( the topic can be elaborated here but I'm just too lazy)...and that's it, so-called interview ENDED..D.O.T!

In the noon, I headed to the exam hall and had a few tests including English Placement Test,Critical Reasoning Test and Verbal Evaluation. CRT test was a little tricky and time provided was inadequate. Can you imagine answering 40 CRT questions in 20 minutes..And for those who are interested in what is CRT is all about, please kindly google.*lazy again for me to explain* :P The tests ended around 4.30pm and it's time to go HOME!!!

Advice: So for those who went for Petronas interview or will be going in the future, all the best, give it a shot and see how it all goes.The library was freaking awesome, huge,amazing...bla2 and sadly,I didn't have to chance to go it. That was how it all went although it wasn't in detail here.Adios =)

Nuclear still Unclear O.o

Hmmm... I am finally back to update my blog; not from any splendid vacation to Venice but just a short break*approximately 3 months* lazying at home! Gosh,I feel like I've just finished my SPM and it's April already!=.=! plus today is 1st April and luckily, I didn't get fooled by my buddies=)

So today,I am gonna talk about some happenings in the world especially about the recent 9.0-magnitude earthquake in Japan which left massive destruction and the nuclear crisis which made this a twin disaster.Till today, the cooling systems of the reactors are unable to function due to the temblor as the authorities have to use seawater to cool down the reactors to avoid meltdown which occurred in Chernobyl on 26 April 1986...meltdown occurs when the uranium rod gets too hot and melts besides explosions due to hydrogen build-ups...too much facts huh??

One of my friend told me that I could have aced EST after reading my blog...LOL

Speaking about LOL, do you guys know that the word LOL which is the abbreviation for laugh out loud is in dictionaries now..O.o..unbelievable..ok, that was for commercial part and coming back to our story, the million dollar question is that do we need nuclear energy in our country? Aha...From my point of view, one fine day, all the natural resources will deplete which include natural gas, coal and petroleum and what will we be using to generate electricity?Renewable energies such as solar which is the most potential one in Malaysia can only generate little energy and consumes large space to place solar panels..but we must use think out of the box approach to handle this situation... all buildings can start installing solar panels to maximise the energy production besides minimising carbon emission.

We can start having our nuclear plants as the technology advances to develop the reactors to be more stable, secured and safe...It is zero emission and the half life of uranium-238 is 4.6 billion years although radioactive wastes must be disposed in proper ways..but look at the bright side, technology will advance, whether we like it or not, and we must embrace this fact or be left behind; facing and dealing with the associated risks and should be part and parcel of our technology-dependent lives...

Hopefully, one day the matters about nuclear will be cleared eventhough I am being pessimistic about it:( never-ending drama! Looking forward to see one of these below in Malaysia soon:)