Why We Accept/Reject/Ignore Facebook Friend Requests (and sometimes request)

It's the Social Media era. Has been since 2005 when we all had that regretful Myspace account. Then some of us moved on to Friendster (who actually remembers friendster?) and then EVERYONE migrated to Facebook. And stayed there. Forever.

I am one of those bipolar people who happens to have two active Facebook accounts. One is where I put all my dirty laundry out and another is for the goodie-goodie lecturer image I carry. I'd consider you a close friend if I happen to have you on both. However, lately I have been more active on the goodie account as it is not a revealing as the other. Maybe it's coz most of my present friends are added there. And I do intend to delete most of my past. Who doesn't, right?

Anyway the purpose of this blog entry today is to sorta summarize how or why I (or even everyone else too ) Accept/Reject/Ignore some FB requests. And also the special cases where I actually do the requesting part. (I don't normally request to add people, but when I do, consider yourself special). It's a common knowledge actually, but people mostly ignore these scenarios and hold on to whatever they want to feel and believe.

right? We do have common sense.

Accepting Facebook requests:
1. If I know you or have seen you in person
2. If we have at least 2 mutual friends

Rejecting Facebook requests:
1. If you use a weird name and have a weird or no profile pic
2. If you use a very obscene profile pic

Ignoring Facebook requests
1. If I know you but I don't like you (yet)
2. If you have a decent name and profile pic but we have 0 mutual friends

Oh I also delete and block people if they turn out to be stalkerish creeps.

I think it's the same for everyone, right? It's only common sense for people (who takes FB seriously) to be careful with who they approve access on to their FB profiles. Even after approving these requests you can never be too careful. People tend to screenshot your regrets and make them haunt you forever coz people are jerks. I have had my share of giving chances to weirdos and tried treating them normally but now I'm too lazy. Be a creep and I got nothing to say but hit that block button. If only we can do that to people in real life. 

On the other hand, I don't usually send requests to people because I have this weird pride thing. I only send requests if I am interested in that person or I want that person to be interested in me. So consider yourself special when you get my requests. 😝. Oh it's nothing desperate or romantic or flirty, or whatever... It's a step to know someone. And after we do, we can move on (away or closer that's fate to decide).

So I guess, think about it when you request to friend someone. There might be reasons why 2 years later, your request finally gets approved and you have no memory of requesting that person.

There you go, my first photoshop product

I put up so many photos of myself? Duh it is MY blog... 

It was harder than I thought, this Photoshop thing. I gotta be as creative as I can without ending up producing retarded photos... So far, I know how to use basic filters. I have no idea how long it'll be till I finally get my hands on high level photoshop things. We'll see.

What a 2-days diet can do.

Mr Photographer... I think I'm ready for my close up. Ugly or not, here I am!

What's up, readers?! (Do I even have any?) Here's a photo of me... A close up, to be more precise, of me in my niece's school. I'm happy to post this because I managed to slim down in only TWO (2) days! Hurrahhh...!!! It wasn't that easy. It was a crash Atkins. The target was.. to wear that Bella Ammara dress today. So i managed to squeeze into the dress. In pain. But not in vain. 

And... Here's a photo of me and my niece. Who is apparently smart. Of course why wouldn't she be? Look at her aunt. Clever as a... Clever as a... Okay googling.. there.. Clever as a fox. (Really? I thought Foxes were cunning... oh well...It's the best Google can do).

Homagad...! I look thin in this photo! It's temporary, though. One sashimi plate later and I'm back to Miss Jabba the Hut. 

And as I said before, I'm trying this photography thing. Turned out, I prefer to be in front of the camera instead of behind it. So, my very patient partner in crime took over and took photos of me. Yeay. 

Killing the Lights.

I'm gonna try this photography thing now. Got the family camera with me so i'll be practicing. I don't know how long it's gonna take for me to be good and creative in this. I was always in front of the camera, not much behind so we'll see.

A little overexposed there. Rookie. 

So here goes. Maybe if this works out I will start a newbie photography page. Ahh.. The things we wanna do with so little time. 

I am SHERLOCKED

I am CRAYZEE about the Sherlock Series. The one with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. They are both so adorable and the storyline is beyond clever. Wow now even i sound like a British freak saying stuff like clever and having saying it in my head in a Brit accent!

Only on BBC (and the internet)

The thing about this series, is that it consists of only 3 episodes. They are all about 1.5 hours long so basically it's a seasonal Trilogy. I thought it was carefully written. It has a modern theme. Don't expect it to be in the 1800s. They still keep the classic elements of Sir AC Doyle's such as the hat, the hair, and the attitude.

I only started watching it because of Benedict Cumberbatch of course. Before Dr Strange I thought he was weird. You know, the face is nothing like any other Hollywood actor. Even his name is weird. Reminds me of some mobs in Tales of Pirate. He won my heart through his voice and attitude in Mister Doctor. All hail BC!

So I've only just finished season 2 episode 1. Irene Adler has finally showed up. Didn't like her, though. They should have cast a younger looking, prettier actress since she was (or is?) a 'dominatrix' having seduced the King himself. The actress playing her looks well... opposite all that.

Anywayssssss... I know this post should be in the 'review' blogs. I'll copy and paste it later. I have missed so many reviews I feel like the other page is forgotten.

Relationship Goals. Sherlock and Irene. 

BUCKET LIST

It's almost the end of 2016 and today is Halloween...!!!

Unfortunately I live in a country where Hotdogs are haram, so celebrating a festival of people in costumes worshiping ghosts is obviously taboo. This would mean, my activities on 31st October only include staying home blogging and wishing I was in England. 

The Fatmumslim website had organized this Photoaday Challenge which has been going on since 2012. I never managed to complete the challenge, although it was pretty interesting and managed to boost up my photography talent which i never had. This month I managed to complete it! Hoorah! Of course I cheated, posting a spam of photos in a day after missing a few. But still, I did it. And the last one was themed #fms_bucketlist. 

My 2016 Bucketlist - Updated October 2016

I never really had a long thought over the things I want to do before I die. I mean, I know I want to do things, but never really put them in a list for a serious thought. But here it is my bucket-list. The things I wanna do, have or experience before I die. 

1. Visit London - This would mean visit England. Experience the 4-seasons of a beautiful country I once lived in for 4 years. Ahh... Why did we ever leave?

2. Visit Madrid - Learn Spanish and put the language into use! Who wouldn't want to visit the Santiago Barnebeu?!

3. Visit Another Disneyland - Hong Kong - done. Next...! Paris? Tokyo? USA? Shanghai?

4. Graduate Masters. Hahahaha... duh?

5. Make a Difference - This is a hard one. I just wish to be able to open the mind of the shallow-minded people in the country and make them see that there are bigger possibilities out there.

6. Go to a Concert - Note that I wrote down -No Locals- there meaning Malaysian concerts are not welcome. Only international concerts. Sorry, that's my QC.

7. Go on TV. Obviously for good reasons only. I don't wanna be news headline for murder.

8. Get a Munchkin Cat. Only with Nugget's approval. She's priority.

9. Hug those critters.

10. Do those scary stuff.

11. Train rides!! Not in the country, of course. I just wanna be on a train outside the country to anywhere whithout zombies.

12. Live in a Foreign Land - Anywhere with better technology than this country.

13. Meet Someone famous - Again, noone Local.

14. Lyra. Good luck figuring that out.

Remember those MYSPACE surveys? Here's a Throwback.

RANDOMNES

1.      Last beverage: Hot Chocolate. No sugar. Just milk

2.      Last phone call: Called the office, asked about my job status.

3.      Last song you listened to: Gary Barlow & Robbie Williams - Shame

4.      Last time you cried: Watching Ghost Whisperer, 2 days ago

5.      Have you dated someone twice: Yup. And more.

6.      Have you ever been cheated on: Who hasn’t?

7.      Have you lost someone special: I’ve lost a few cats… RIP.

8.      What are your three favorite colors: Pink, Black, Red

9.      Met someone who changed you in the past month: Not really.

10.   How many kids do you want: 2.

11.   Do you want any pets: already got a bunch.

12.   Do you want to change your name: yeah!

13.   What did you do for your last birthday: Walked around KL.

14.   What time did you wake up today: 6.48 am

15.   Name something you CANNOT wait for: Graduate my Masters

16.   Last time you saw your mother: Just now. In the kitchen.

17.   Most visited webpage: Obviously Facebook now.

18.   Nicknames: Anne, Baro, Buns…

19.   Relationship status: Unidentified parameter.

20.   Zodiac sign: Aquarius.

21.   Male or female: I was born female.

22.   Height: 5 feet nothing.

23.   Do you have a crush on someone: Yeah. Cristiano Ronaldo.

24.   Piercings: Ears.

25.   Tattoos: Does the stick on count?

26.   Strong or Weak: Semi strong.

FIRSTS

27.   First surgery: None yet.

28.   First best friend: I think it was this girl in England named Collette.

29.   First sport you joined: Haha. What is sports?

30.   First vacation: A lot… Can’t remember the earlier ones.

31.   First school: Christchurch Primary, Birkenhead, England.

32.   First pair of trainers: Lol. What?

WHICH IS BETTER

33.   Lips or eyes: Eyes!

34.   Hugs or kisses: Neither. People smell.

35.   Shorter or taller: Taller!

36.   Older or younger: Everyone wants younger.

37.   Romantic or spontaneous: Both works fine.

38.   Sensitive or loud: Neither.

39.   Hook-up or relationship: Too old for hookups.

40.   Shy or outgoing: Outgoing. Shy guys are pondan.

HAVE YOU EVER

41.   Gotten a speeding ticket: a dozen.

42.   Lost glasses/contacts: Nop.

43.   Broken someone’s heart: Who hasn’t?

44.   Been arrested: Nop.

45.   Have you turned someone down: A lot. Also got turned down a lot too.

46.   Fallen for a friend: Yep. Was Stupid.

47.   Moved out of town: Too many times.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN

48.   Miracles: Yes.

49.   Love at first sight: Nope.

50.   Heaven: Yes. There must be a happy ending somewhere.

51.   Santa Claus: Haha. Only in the movies.

Second Prize - eConvergence 2016

L-R: Dr Nana, Dato' Hj Ghaus, Dato' Mary Yap, Kak Shimi, Dato' Mokhlis, Me, Kak Ros, Kak Rose and Kak Iza

So, we won second prize... Lost to Politeknik Kota Kinabalu. Well deserved win.

The Team

Congratulations, team! 

Every year, yesterday...

Yesterday was Eid al adha. A celebration to celebrate Muslims doing Hajj... Or as Wikipedia defines it, is also called the "Sacrifice Feast", is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two. Obviously, you know I am not that religious but I do know the basics of Islam. You know, the 6 Rukun Iman and 5 Rukun Islam. And I also know some history stuff.

But at this day, every year since the invention of Facebook, I get emotional. On this holy day, I find people posting millions of videos of cows and sheeps and goats and lambs being slaughtered. I mean, okay I don't mind you doing all that since they make good food anyway but to post it on Facebook as something to enjoy? Doesn't it totally go against the whole concept of Qurban? It's such a shame for people to take this 'life-taking' experience and made it something to be proud about.

I know I know most of you probably disagree with me. Most of you would go ustaz on me and attack me with religious words and phrases you don't even understand yourself. Saying how slaughtering these poor animals would buy you a transport to heaven bla bla blah... Okay I get it. And I understand that part. I have nothing against that belief, but what I am hating right now is that people are taking this a little too far.

Earlier today on my timeline, a friend posted a selfie of herself with the head of a goat with some funny caption. What the hell, woman? You think slaughtering (or in other word, Qurban) animals is a joke?

Some people need to get their priorities sorted out.

The Struggle of Scholar - A CBBP DB & HLP Adventure.

Okay so you know I finally got through the processes of applying the HLP scholarship. The long waiting... the suspense... Here's to summarize the crazy journey of applying the CBBP HLP. I tell ya, its NOT for the faint hearted.

Applied online .... waited for approval results
Interview ... waited for interview results
Got results, waited for conditional offer letter ... waited for QA Course offer
Applied UPM... waited for UPM intake results... Approved.
QA Course ... exams ... waited for QA results
Passed QA ... waited for full offer letter... got full offer letter, prepared scholarship agreement.
Sent by-hand to Biasiswa @KPT.  Wait for the money.

That's just a mini-summary. I can almost clearly recall in detail the whole long journey, what I went through till I finally reach this day. This day, meaning my first Masters class. Everyone thinks I got it easy. But until you walk in my shoes. You have no idea.

March 2015

There was an online advertisement for academicians of Politenik Malaysia to apply for a study leave to complete their Masters/PhD. At this time, I was too crazy doing work for quality. We were working on this KIK project that took away half my sleep time. There was something about that add that caught my attention. An opportunity to take a break from work for 18 months AND a full financial support to do my Masters. Hell yeah! So I applied it online. There was a LOT to do. I had to make sure my SKT was above 85% for 3 years... I had to collect all the old personal academic files and whatnots, And the worse, I had to prepare a proposal for a Master's research. Guess it was a challenge I had to face.

April 2015

While waiting for the first results. The first shortlist where you would be called for an interview session, I attended an internal workshop to prepare a Masters proposal. The speaker was Dr Choong and Dr Seri. Two influential PhD holders in PUO. I learned quite a lot, although I felt kinda inferior, having only prepared a 10 paged proposal compared to the other candidates who had giant-sized folders of complete proposals. At that moment I intended only to pursue it for the experience. Meh... I didn't have time to create a thicker proposal. It was a miracle Dr Razu and Dr Seri approved what I managed to come up with. Thanks, guys.

Jun 2015

I got shortlisted! My application somehow found its way through to an interview session! Unfortunately, my interview date was during the Politeknik Malaysia KIK conference. I was torn apart between going for the HLP or the KIK. At one point I almost chose to forget about the interview and help my KIK team present our product which was held in Perlis. See how crazy that was? The interview in KL and the KIK conference in Perlis! But a senior, well respected lecturer, Mr Tan, told me to go for the interview. The KIK will survive, the worst that could happen is we didn't win, but the interview is my future. I shouldn't walk away only to regret what could have been. (Thanks, Mr Tan!)

So I decided to miss the first day of the KIK convention and go for the interview. I managed to expand my proposal from 10 to 15 pages (hooray...), fixed a folder of all my achievements and asked a favour from my parents to accompany me from KL to Perlis after the interview.

The Interview

For Masters candidates, we had to be interviewed in pairs. I was first to register so I was first to be called in for the afternoon session. My partner was a lecturer from a Politeknik downsouth. The interviewers were a University professor and a JPA senior staff. They told us to take turns to introduce our proposals. My partner (let's call her Puan M) started first. She spoke in English, and referred to her notes (written on small pieces of paper). I could see her struggling, trying to find the correct phrases while constantly reading her notes.. But she managed to introduce her proposal, something about inventing a windmill out of recycled parts. Hmm... Not bad, I thought. When It was my turn, I knew I got this. I firstly, politely asked for permission to speak in English before I went full blast Mat Salleh. Without even glancing at my proposal, I described it, the title, the objectives, the problem statements. I was impressed with myself. How de hell did I manage to speak like that? I was convincing. The interviewers liked my project and they said I spoke well. The project was something about a research on how to change Public Transport policies to allow bicycles on buses and trains. (I know even I laugh at it now). As for the other lady, they said her project was more suitable for a warrant application, not for Masters. I was pretty confident I got through it with flying colors. But I kept low profile just in case you know, I didn't...

So after the interview, my parents drove me from KL to Perlis for the KIK convention. Which by the way, we managed to get 4th place and represent Politeknik Malaysia in the Ministry of Education KIK Convention, sometime in September.

August 2015

As I predicted, or expected, I nailed the interview session. I got the Conditional Scholarship Offer Letter. All that was left to do was to attend a 17 days QA Course and pass the exams and I would be again, shortlisted for the full scholarship. Time to take a break from all this HLP stuff and get on with work and life.

March 2016

Applied UPM: Masters in Highway and Transportation. 2 weeks after, I got in. Cool.

April 2016

QA Course. It was 17 days long, held in the northest part of Peninsular Malaysia where hardly any civilization could be found. (Trust me, I know, I lived here for 11 years of my life). It was an experience to remember. God seemed to help me all the way through. I drove myself for the first time up-north, I managed to get good friends, managed to ace all assignments and learned a LOT. Of course there was a few dramas in between which I'm not going to get into. But in the end, I also learned from that, as a lesson that everybody is born and raise differently. During the exams, I managed to answer all the questions but at that moment, I was unsure if I had answered them well. I felt too tired to stay another minute in the exam hall, so I was the first person to leave. Hoping for the best.

May 2016

It was time to explore my options. I already got an offer from UPM, but other local Universities also got my attention. I applied UKM as a back up plan, just in case I decided to go for Civil Engineering. Then, I went to a Post Grad fair in KLCC. Boring academic stuff I'm not gonna elaborate. UPM would be my first choice at this point.

August 2016

After 4 months of anticipating, finally one by one the QA results came out. By one by one, I mean the results arrived to each individual one turn at a time. Regardless of passing or failing, I went to Pantai Hospital for a medical check up. It costed me like RM100+. When I got my results through email, I was relieved. I made it. Sadly, more than 20 persons from the QA course didn't make it. It was a bummer, as all those people were like the 17 days family I had grown close with. But life goes on. There's still a looooong way to go. There were still forms and letters to fill up and sent to BKPro and Biasiswa to finalize my study leave.

I went to Putrajaya to get the Full Scholarship Offer Letter. Then, went to LHDN to duty-stamp the scholarship agreement, before re-sending it to Biasiswa in Putrajaya by hand.

Moving time. I spent the last 2 weeks of August registering at UPM, packing my stuff, finishing up my work at the office, saying goodbyes, spending time with my BFFs and students, terminating fixed lines, settling deposits with my landlord... etc... It was a very, tiring month.Although I know there are people who are excited for my departure (not everyone likes me, for sure), It was still a hard goodbye. I loved working in PUO. I love my students.


September 2016

So here I am, staying at my sister's while waiting for 6pm for my classes. Time to move on to another entry as My Masters Journey begins...

Thank you

A big warm, fuzzy Thank You for all those who helped me along the way... My bosses, En Zubir, En Azhar, Pn Samikhah, Che Man, En Rashid, En Azmi who supported me through my ups and downs during work and showed me appreciation for all the things I do, and given me ALL the opportunities anyone could ask for... To those I worked with in KIK, Kak Shimi, Mr Tan, Kak Siti, Padi, Fira, Thinesh for your perseverance and awesome teamwork and for understanding my struggles through it all.. To the Doctors who approved my humble proposal, and became my inspiration for this, Dr Razu, Dr Seri Bunian and Dr Choong... To my JKA colleagues who helped me through their support and love, Kak Pina, Kak Chelvi, Kak Sha, Kak Ekin, Kak Rose, Kak Maizan, Asiah, Kak Mas (stay gorgeous, kak!) and all who were there for my simple farewell... To my first breakfast buddies who I hadn't spend much time with anymore, but still remember your friendship, Dayana, Kak Aziah, Kak Nori, Kak Shida, Jeya... To all my QA buddies, Lin, Balqiz, Noryn, Kak Norma, Kak Niza, Anuar aka ustaz, for your friendship and companionship through the partially head damage course... To my BFFs who put up with me through it all, Fadz (love you, babe) and Chiang (you're awesome, and you know it) ... To all I worked with En Jams, En Azahan and team, Kak Iza, kak Ros senibina, Kak Yus JKM, Pok Nik and soooo many more I haven't listed here, but you know who you are. To my old friend, Dr Fiza and the Future Dr Zummy for the proposal examples which helped and inspired me... My ex-Sabah BFFs, Kak Za, Kak Faten, Kak Nini, Kak Del, Nisa for their continuous loving support and guidance, not forgetting future Dr Rusdi (en mentor), Zara and Bob for sharing your experiences with me. My mama, papa and family and buffy, for everything big and small, from travelling to moving to financial helps... Without you, this would't be possible... So many people helped me, I couldn't have done it without you guys, and I will remember you for the rest of my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. God Bless you all.

Sorry to anyone I have forgotten... Still in a blur from all the moving and settling down... love ya.

Today's Viral : Eating in Public during Ramadhan

Everyone has an opinion about something. This is mine.

This week's chosen viral is about the Muslim girl who ate in public during her mensies.

Well, well, well... I think what she did was not wrong, but dumb. I mean, how ignorant can you be to not realize what country you live in? This country is hopeless when it comes to not judgeing and minding your own business. I kinda have learned to accept that ages ago. People judge you on how you dress, what you do. They even judge the judgers. So girl, i welcome to to the country where your bold actions will be put on Facebook and you will be famous for at least a week, if not forever. (remember Kiki? Who doesn't?)

Eating in public during the month of Ramadhan is not a sin (you know if you have the right excuses, obviously). It's just taboo and highly frowned upon. People will always find your faults no matter how tiny. It's your job to be discreet until you move to another country. So, all I can say is... She dug her own grave.

Converging the E

Teamwork at its best! Last year I was drowned in the pool of KIK work, I barely had time for anything else. It was time and energy consuming but I had a great time all the way. My team won best presentation which is something, because in KIK, presentation is the highlight. Or, that's just me mending the bitterness that we didn't win any prize. 

Anyways, this year I had a few projects running. One of them is the eConvergence. Some platform of videos contributed by lecturers and students to supposedly promote TVET in Malaysian Polytechnics. It was me on video again. Despite my skin breaking out like crazy during the shoots, we managed to produce a decent video about Design Thinking in Final year students' projects. 

So this is the team. 

(L-R: Kak Ros, Kak Rose, Me, Kak Iza and Kak Shimi)

Honestly, I still have no idea the point in this project, (Hope they don't mind). I guess it's something to make the world notice the existence of our Polytechnics and what we serve. Also, Design Thinking, the title of the video is another story. It is about a learning process where students follow the steps of this Design Thinking to invent something. It's a brilliant topic which I need to learn more about. 

Overall, I had fun doing these video projects. I just hope I don't let anyone down with the stupidness of my face!

Here are some photos taken during the shoots:

Quantity Analysis Course 1/2016 (Master) : How it went.

QA course 2016, Day #2: Just learned how to write journals, thesis, papers effectively. Now I see how stupid my conference paper is. Thanks, brains.

QA Course Day #3: Preparation of Proposal. Cool sangat lecturer ni... Dr Siti Rohaida, USM. Got a little inspired and motivated. I see sunlight!

QA Course day #4: Literature Review. According to my observation, i can summarize that the more we learn about research, the less we actually know about research. Too much input may harm the brains. Therefore, we have to keep reminding ourselves why we are here to avoid mental injuries. (Nor Haniza, 2016).

QA Course day #7: Walking down memory lane, chit chatting with an old friend, reminiscing the past. Oh the things i'd like to say to 14 year old me... (Btw, thanks Op for lunch!)

QA Course day #8: Qualitative Analysis. No lecture today, only groupwork. while struggling to finish the work... All I can think of is... Lecturer ini sangat cantik... 😍 Okay too exhausted to stay awake. Goodnight.

QA Course Day #9: Qualitative Analysis, Groupwork and Presentation. While the brain is being fed with more and more information, here i am posing for a random photoshoot. It can be assumed that although we are mentally and physically exhausted, we must never let it show on our faces. (Nor Haniza, 2016)

QA Course Day #12: Statistics. On the verge of tears... Hanya rakan-rakan kursus je memahami... Badan penat, otak penat, hati pun penat... Despite the hilarious jokes and whatnots, i realize my brain is not 20 years old anymore... Heart, strength and soul, I need you now more than ever.

QA Course day #13: Hypothesis Testing. Almost at the end now. There's a little bit of sunlight... My desperate prayers were answered, Alhamdulillah... There is a little hope now, just need to work harder. I don't have much humour left in me, but i know i'm going to miss this place. Seriously.

QA Course day #14: Hypotheses Testing.

H0: No Relationship can be established only through whatsapp.

H1: A Relationship can be established only through whatsapp.

P-value is higher than alpha.

Failed to reject H0; There is significant evidence to support that no relationship can be established only through whatsapp. Life does not work that way. At least not for me.

QA Course Day #15: Revision Day. Despite the unnecessary dramas, this crazy adventure is reaching its end. I made cool friends, met a creep, had ups and downs and learned statistics and life. Thank you, God for being with me all the way... Thank you, heart and soul for staying strong. Brains, your turn now... Let's do this!

QA Course Day #16: FREEDOM. We've done our part, now all that's left is tawakkal... Time to go home, back to reality... Gonna bring only the sweet, sweet memories with me. Drama-drama semua tu tinggal sini yea... I am going to miss this place. Good luck, semua.

And so we have completed this journey. Time to close the book and start a new one. Ah... what a memory!

QA Course, Siri 1/2016

I did it...! I drove alone 250+ km northbound. And now, i have reached the edge of the country knowing noone and feeling superly alone. But that's not bugging me so much. Just the lack of information and signage making me blurry.

So the room is okay. Nothing bad about it so far. Oh except for providing only one key per room, meaning you have to share with the roommate. They're probably trying to bond us or something. Other than that, it's all fine. Sec, lemme figure out how to blog on my iphone and post a photo of the room. 

There. The room is kinda okay.

Upon registration they gave us a file containing a small notebook, a piece of A4 paper and a timetable. Oh and a fan. See? These people are considerate about the scorching hot weather here. They gave us a fan.

So yeah i'm nervous. But as previous courses had been before, all would fall in place one step at a time. I miss Nugget like crazy. My bafu is also going back to Sabah for a long time so yeah. This is the time to focus on me and the future. Wish me luck!

Only 1 day off! And an exam...! This is truly the warm up session before the real studies begin... Yikes! 

Back to school : How I got the scholarship (HLP)

So... Last year I went to an interview for a scholarship to do my Masters. The scholarship is like a 2 in 1 offer. They give you a paid study leave from work, and also pay for your tuition fee. So it's something that everyone wants, and it's not that easy to get. I took a chance and applied the scholarship. One of the documents I had to prepare was a research proposal. Unfortunately, I hate research. I hate collecting data and I hate analyzing data. Why? Because no matter what new innovation you can come up with, nobody's gonna use it.

Because it was compulsory, I prepared the proposal anyways. In one day, I managed to prepare a 15 paged proposal. ONLY. Everyone else had like at least 50 pages of idea. While me? Well I had ONE lazy idea and the best i could do was expand that lazy idea into 15 pages of nonsense. At least for me it was like that. My confidence level? Z.E.R.O. So when I got the call for interview I was like, oh what the heck... I'll do this for the experience.

I have to point out that last year was one crazy year. I was busy everyday. There was always something I had to do. In between hectic schedules, I managed to attend the interview. Thanks especially for mum and dad for driving me from south to way up north for the sake of my career. At the interview waiting area I looked around and noticed people carrying files and files of what i assumed were proposals and related documents. All I had in my hand was a suitcase of certificates and that 15 pages of expanded rookie idea which I was too lazy to improve.

Masters participants had to be interviewed in pairs. I think I was paired up with some lecturer from Port Dickson. I was too nervous to observe people so I just took a deep breath and went with the flow. There was a professor and a man (probably some scholarship representative) in front of us. My partner was interviewed first. I could tell she was more nervous than I was, her hand was shaking as she tried to explain her proposal using short notes. Something about windmills. As soon as I saw her struggling with both her idea and her English skills, I took the chance to take over. Nope. No notes-referring weakling was going to steal my scholarship.

I didn't have notes. I had a copy of my proposal in my hands. I closed it. I sat up straight and I asked politely to "try" explain in English what my idea was. I was on fire! My proposal turned out to be 15 pages of sincere honesty. Everything I wrote in that booklet was from my own head and heart. Every single word of it. Using all the skills and speaking talent I have, I sold the product. The professor was interested in my idea, he congratulated me for doing well, and I knew at that moment I had a chance.

Weeks later, I checked the results of the interview. I got the scholarship. I could only thank God for my luck and giving me great parents who were with me all the way. However, even today, a year after that, I still have a long way to go. So many things I have to do before I actually pursue my masters. I hope, with great intentions and great effort, I can do it.