Jesselton Debate Open (JDO) 2011

A Step Into A New World

Photo by Joseph Yapp

At the age of 21, my world is definitely changing.

I'm a student. But the status soon will change.

The question is: Am I ready?

Busy Bee

Hey! What's up? What's new?

Me? Nothing. The usual crap. Procrastinating from work. The dateline is tomorrow, and I barely wrote anything. I just couldn't get my head into it, especially at home. Too much distractions.

So, I decided to write a post on my friend. Whom probably going to be pissed to find out that I have not made much progress on our assignments. Yet, pleased that I dedicated this post for her. (I hope!)

Lelaki

Lelaki. Oh, lelaki.

Sering berkata, perempuan sukar diramal, sukar difahami. Selalu menuduh, perempuan tidak boleh dipercayai.

Eulogy for My Father.

My brother is right. Our parents are getting old, and yet, here we are, achieved nothing that can match their achievements when they were our ages. It is flattering that he still has faith in his younger brother and sister, to keep up with the race. It touches me, that he believes in me more than I believe in myself.

Malaysian Government censored The Economist

Honestly, are you really that surprised? Or are you just surprised their cover are blown?

Sure, sure. Article 10 of the Federal Constitution guarantees our freedom of speech, expression, assembly and association.

In general, we all can agree that our rights to freedom of speech and expression is not absolute. Malaysians have accepted the fact that the Parliament has the power to give us our 'freedom' and at the same time, put restrictions on them. Such as ISA, Publishing Act, AUKU among others.

Ibrahim Ali Awards

Did you hear? UiTM is going to offer an award, called Anugerah Ibrahim Ali.

The name is pretty self-explanatory.

If you don't know who Ibrahim Ali is, and cannot guess what the award is for, well, that's what Google is for.

I have a few more weeks before the ends of my diploma years, I don't want to risk expulsion by stating out my opinion.

I'm pretty this blogpost has a strong plausible deniability.

Great, UiTM. Just great.

Pinky Swear

A while ago, Kim and I made a deal. A deal which is the first step to self-development for the greater purpose.

Here We Go Again

Every semester break, I'll go through a phase where I will declutter and redecorate my room. It usually happens in the middle of the night, when I couldn't sleep, look around in my room, wanting to get rid of everything.

And I always do.

Every piece of clothings that I haven't worn in 3 months will be placed into a box, along with things that I realized that I don't really need. With exceptions on certain items like winter clothes, of course. My mother will then donate them to charity. (Or at least, I think so. The boxes usually magically disappear from my room after a few days.)

My parents don't really care what we do to our rooms as long as it stays within the perimeter of our room. And all the expenses come from our own pocket.

It resulted of me being quite a handyman. I learnt to use my dad's tools in the process. Without him knowing, of course. This is because he has this opinion that girls (or at least, his daughters) are incapable of handling any so-called "a man's job" such as changing car tyres, using a powerdrill etc. A bit sexist, I know. But that never stops me from "borrowing" his toolbox though.

The one thing I don't know how to do is, anything concerning electrical stuff. Of course I know how to change a lightbulb, I'm talking about rewiring etc. That's one thing I don't dare to experiment with as, well, I don't want to risk getting electrical shock.

But this year, I think I will do just that.

I've just arrived from my trip. And the first thing I thought of when I walked into my room is to change the layout of the furnitures. To reorganize things and boost my productivity. To reduce distractions so that I'll study, as this is my final semester of my diploma years.

I haven't really figured out what I want to do yet. (Except to fix my windows.) But I have 3 days to do it before my classes start.

Go! Go! Go!


Sent by DiGi from my BlackBerry® Smartphone

Hello, my name is Aqilah. And I'm a former geek.

The Bi-annual Internet Diet

Twice a year, I'll go on internet diet.

Don't worry, I won't go on and on to brag about how healthy it is and promote it to you. Truth to be told, I don't have other choice, but to detach myself from the addictive mystical cyber world. Honestly, why would one have internet diet anyway?

Okay, I only use the term "internet diet" because it sounds, erm, cooler than "I-cannot-afford-roaming-or-the-hotel's-internet-facilities-therefore-I-cannot-online".


I'm lucky to have a mother who enjoys traveling. Even luckier that she likes to bring me along with her. I think the facts that I'm the youngest and doesn't shop much may be the factors.

This time, I'm going to Bangkok with both my parents. My father has a conference meeting there, and my mother saw this as an opportunity to travel and cut the accommodation cost. After all, my father's travel needs will be covered by his company. Baba will be busy working. Mom will be free to shop all she likes, with extra 30kg baggage allowance. The perfect travel plan, for the mother.

Right now, I feel that having a Blackberry is completely useless. I honestly thought, with a smartphone, I will never have to go through another day without internet. That I will always be connected to the world, cyberworld. Well, I could, if I could afford the RM36/day roaming fee. I feel so cheated by Blackberry and Blackberry Internet Service (BIS).

I'll be in Bangkok for 5 days. I do not have RM180 laying around for roaming. Hell, I could barely afford my current phone bills.

I do hope the hotel provides free wi-fi. I do not want to go through the agony of being internet-less for 5 consecutive days.

Yes, I'll live. It's not fatal. Doesn't mean I'm okay with it.

If there's free wi-fi, I'll update you soon from the Land of White Elephants.
If they don't, then see you when I'm back.

The 90s

I've been thinking about my childhood a lot lately. Call it "quarter-life crisis" or whatever. But I guess it has something to do with turning 21.

Not willing to let go. Bla bla bla. You can do your own psycho-analysis. But I do believe that the 90s is the best time, especially for kids to grow up in.

We have the best of everything. Pop culture. Toys. And cartoons! Especially cartoons. Have you checked out the cartoons kids watch these days? Ben10, Fanboy & ChumChum, and whatever other cartoons they watch. 

Whatever happened to cartoon shows like Rugrats, Her Arnold, Rocko's Modern Life, Ren and Stimpy, The Animaniacs, Tiny Toons Adventure, Beavis and Buthead, Doug, Dexter's Laboratory, Futurama, Pinky and the Brain, Darkwing Duck, Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Cow & Chicken... Let me just stop there, because it's going to take forever if I am to list them all down.

It is not just cartoon shows. Its kids shows too, like Banana in Pyjamas! "Banana, in pyjamas, are running down the stairs..." Man, I used to watch that show everyday before I go to school. Along with Blue's Clues. I watched them religiously, till I was 15. Yes, and I'm not ashamed of it. In Form 1 and Form 2, my classes were in the afternoon, but I wake up early anyway, just to be able to watch these shows.

Can you guess the cartoon characters?

So, I've decided that, if my mother is forcing me to have a birthday party for my 21st birthday, I'll make it a tribute to the 90s cartoon characters. Yes, a costume party of sort. Where all my guests have to dress up in their choice of 90s cartoons characters.

My way of giving up my childhood and move on to adulthood.

That is, if my mother forces me to. I highly doubt I'll have a birthday party, as I don't particularly enjoy hosting them. But my mother wasn't pleased when I refused to have one last year, she ranted about it on her Facebook. So, this year, if I have to have one, at least make it special, right?

I Love My Mom

My last minute Mother's Day gift for my mom. Wanted to do a different kind of video, but due to the time constraint, I guess my mother has to settle for a picture slideshow.

Thankfully, she liked it. Phew! (or at least, she said so.)


The people of 76 and the girls of 60 actually wanted to do a joint-celebration for Mother's Day. However, due to some circumstances, we are unable to do so. Our mothers had to attend a social event during the day.

So, how did we celebrate Mother's Day? Well, "Water for Elephants". Yes, watching movie at the cinema.

Simple and kinda lame. It's okay, I'll redeem myself on her upcoming birthday in September.

Phenomenal Woman

Only the most ancient love on earth
will wash and comb the statue of the children,
straighten the feet and knees.
The water rises, the soap slithers,
and the pure body comes up to breathe
the air of flowers and motherhood.
Oh, the sharp watchfulness,
the sweet deception,
the lukewarm struggle!
Now the hair is a tangled
pelt criscrossed by charcoal,
by sawdust and oil,
soot, wiring, crabs,
until love, in its patience,
sets up buckets and sponges,
combs and towels,
and, out of scrubbing and combing, amber,
primal scrupulousness, jasmines,
has emerged the child, newer still,
running from the mother’s arms
to clamber again on its cyclone,
go looking for mud, oil, urine and ink,
hurt itself, roll about on the stones.
Thurs, newly washed, the child springs into life,
for later, it will have time for nothing more
than keeping clean, but with the life lacking.

Pablo Neruda, "To Wash A Child"

Happy Mother's Day

to all the mothers in the world.

Mei

Masa berlalu begitu pantas sekali. Dalam sekelip mata, bulan Mei telah tiba. Diri ini masih belum bersedia.

Stop While You Can

Debating has taught me a lot. It taught me to open my mind, think outside the box, consider the others and all soft skills that will be useful in the future.

But there's one thing debate has failed me.

It forgot to tell me that debating with self-righteous narrow minded monkeys are pointless. Like talking to a wall. No, it's like talking to a magical mirror, that the more you debate, the more stupid you'll become. It's infectious. I'm surprised scientists all over the world have not discovered this and put all these monkeys in quarantine.

So, my advice to everyone dealing with these kind of people out there, stop. They are not worth it. Don't fry your braincells for them. You may not be able to develop your neurons back. Is that a risk you're willing to take? I don't. I'm not a pious person, I don't have the patience to deal with these sort of backward mentality. It's not my responsibility to convert these people and make them see the light.

I've learnt the hard way. You don't have to. Stop while you can. Protect your brain from this infectious disease.

In fact, you should run. Run far away. Save yourself! Quick! Use your zombie apocalypse plan! This is a similar scenario! They are eating your brains out!

Ching Chong Ting Tong Ling Long

My Mother

Great, Mom. Rub it in a little more. Tell me more about your "mother-daughter" bonding time with my sister. Awesome.

=(

I Miss My Mom

I realize that statement makes me appear as a momma's girl, especially since I live in the same house with my parents.

Time to Change

Most of you probably are wondering; change what? Change my outfit? Change my phone? Change the world? Or change my hair style, like Alia did?

Did He Really Just Do That?

No, I'm not going to tell you a story about some guy doing some stupid things. But this blogger will.

As I was surfing the net, while waiting for my crops to be harvested in Cityville. (My name is Q and I am a game addict.) I stumbled upon this cute blog, Did He Really Just Do That?

The title pretty much speaks for itself, it's all about male stupidity at its finest. No, I'm not being sexist or anything. Guys have blonde jokes, let us girls have this one.

So, girls. If you're looking for true and unfortunate stories about male stupidity. Then, read this blog, I quote, "for tales of drunken men peeing in my cabinets, exes telling me stories of their new hookups, stalkers named Wolf Man leaving love notes on my car, and many more."

Attn: Geeks

Finally, Sabah's Ministry of Resource Development and IT did something right. They organized a special program, and it is all free!

Thou, for an IT Ministry, they really need to update their website. To let it be neglected for more than a year, that's just embarrassing. And they also need to work on advertising their events, as this program (which I'm about to tell you) has been going on since early March, and I only found out about it today. Through my mother. Who has an acquaintance in that ministry. Imagine that, if she didn't know anyone in the ministry, we would still be in the dark about this.

Tsunami & Japan

When I read about the earthquake in Japan via Twitter on Friday, my mind quickly flashed back to a movie I watched with Kim and Alia last year. It's called "Tidal Wave", and yes, it is about tsunami. At first, I thought, "what the hell? It's just like the movie! Oh my gosh! Life imitating art!" but then I realized, in the movie, it's actually about Korea, not Japan. (But they're neighbors, so, I'm not too far stretched. Haha!)

Last night, as almost everyone I know panicked about the possibilities of tsunami hitting Sabah's coast, I couldn't help but wonder how long will it takes for Japan to recover from this. And as I watch CNN's updates on this crisis at 76 with Viv and Roxy, I still wonder if Japan's advance technology can help them. I know, that's very insensitive of me, watching videos of people, cars and houses get carried away by the tide, but still can think of such things instead of worrying about them.

But, it's Japan! I'm pretty sure they'll be back on their feet soon enough. Much faster than Bandar Aceh. Unless, if their nuclear plant explode, of course.

Nicholas Kristof wrote a good article on this matter (Sympathy for Japan and Admiration. He wrote about how the national culture and stoicism will bring Japan out of this obstacles.

Let's just observe how the Japanese handle this situation, and learn from it. They are, I believe, more advanced than the Westerners.

P.S: Watch out for price hikes, many supplies are from Japan. Oh, to beach lovers, be careful. High tides are predicted. Unless you're a surfer, well then, have fun!

Back to High School

I miss high school. I do. I'm sure everyone does. Who doesn't?

High school is different from university. Very different.Obviously I wasn't a role model student back in high school days, but that's what I like about it. The fact that we can get away with anything.


Another thing I miss most about high school is my body. Of course not when I was still in Form 1 or Form 2. Believe it or not, I was pretty short at the time. One of the shortest among of my closest high school friends. And was mocked for it too. (You know, aside from my "Maggi Mee" hair and my inability to pronounce "R").

Valentine's Day

Ah, politics in Malaysia. We try so hard to project the image that we are a 'harmonious peaceful & colourful nation', but the truth is the opposite. We're a bunch of racists, forced to live with each other.

Every year, in the month of February, the month of love, Malaysians will be more spiteful than loving. Extremists Muslims will start preaching and telling everyone that celebrating Valentine's Day is a sin.

Some, who are supposed to be educated people, even call Valentine's Day is a Christian holiday where they basically get drunk and have extra-marital sex. Blasphemy! I'm not a Christian, but even I know that Jesus disapprove of such acts.

Tsk, tsk. I'm not a pious person. But these people tainted the name of Islam. They wonder why people are Islamophobic, but they never take a look in the mirror long enough to see what they've done. The way they handle things, is just plain un-Islamic.

On Valentine's Day, you will also see in social networking sites, such as Facebook & Twitter, where Muslims will update their status as "I'm a Muslim, I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. But Happy Valentine's Day to those who does". I find this annoying, its like saying "I'm Asian, I don't celebrate Mother's Day, but Happy Mother's Day Mom!".

I would like to use Christmas as an example, but that wouldn't be correct, as Christmas is actually a Christian holiday, while Valentine's is not.

And if there's anyone out there who want to say that Muslims can't celebrate other religion's celebration, well, it sucks to be you. You live in a multi-cultural nation, but you can't celebrate anything but Muslim holidays? Tsk tsk. No wonder you're so uptight and narrow-minded.

Sent by DiGi from my BlackBerry® Smartphone

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Discovery

This week, I've learnt that there's a lot of things I don't know about myself and my body.

1. I think too much when I'm sick. And dangerously grumpy too.

2. I pee more than I drink. I don't know where all the liquid comes from. I need to ask a medical practitioner.

3. I can blow bubbles through my nostril. With my mucus. I know its a disgusting image, but it fascinate me. I feel like Bo from Shin Chan.

4. I'm too easily amused by silly things. Like nose-bubble.

There's more about myself and my body I discovered these few days. But they are too, how should I say this, erm, personal? Some are just borderline crazy.

Well, I do have a vivid imagination.

Sent by DiGi from my BlackBerry® Smartphone

2011 has arrived

This year means a great deal to me.

Turning 21. Finishing my diploma. My last year in my hometown.

I have a feeling it will be a good year. It'll be a rough and bumpy journey, but good nevertheless.

I'm sure I'll get through all the obstacles, after all, the new year started off well.

For 2011, I ditched all my life plans. Intend to 'follow the flow' but with some 'rules of life' to guide my path.

Happy New Year everyone! May 2011 bless us with prosperity and well being.

Sent by DiGi from my BlackBerry® Smartphone