My views

The Lingam Video Inquiry has become my favourite court proceeding of late. I enjoy the quotes made by the various witnesses and among the quotable quotes that I found interesting:
1.) “It sounds like me, it looks like me but I do not know whether it’s me”
2.) “I did not hate him. I just disliked him,” as said by Former Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah.

On 25th January 2008, The Royal Commission of Enquiry into the Lingam video inquiry decided that it would hold part of the proceedings behind close doors to prevent baseless and wild allegations from being reported. However, by holding part of the proceedings behind closed doors, it gives us public the impression that there is lack of transparency. I know that the Commission of Enquiry Act gives the Commission the right to include and exclude press and public from proceedings should they think it is necessary. However, the function of the Commission is to determine the authenticity of the video clip allegedly showing “somebody who looks like Lingam and sounds like Lingam” brokering judicial appointments with a senior judge over the phone. Therefore, the Royal Commission of Enquiry should at least show us that justice is being done. I opine with what Tan Sri Ramon Mavaratnam, the president of Transparency International Malaysia, said about the decision being an unfortunate one from the point of view of transparency, integrity and accountability since this issue involving the appointment of judges and the integrity of the judiciary is of wide public interest (Sunday Star 2007, 27 January, p. N13).

And I wonder who the culprit is???

My mum bought a shirt for me from Phuket last year. I have not worn it yet as I thought of using it during CNY as a casual wear (of course not on the 1st day!!!). So the shirt was always in my cupboard. Last Thursday, as I was trying on my 1st day outfit, I discovered that the shirt was missing. I took every stack of clothing out from the cupboard and ransacked every pile but alas, I could not find it. I informed my mum immediately about my missing shirt and together, we ransacked my cupboard once more. Still, I could not find my shirt. Who could have taken my shirt??

The next day, my mum asked the part-time cleaner (thereafter referred to as “The Train”- a nickname given to the cleaner by my sis and I. Ok, I know that I’m mean…) if she had seen my shirt and as usual, “The Train” blatantly denied it saying that I was the one who arranged my clothes in the cupboard. So my mum told her a “brilliant” story that my shirt is a brand new shirt that has been “blessed” by the temple medium in Thailand. Thus, any unauthorised persons having my shirt would be very unlucky because the shirt is not meant for them. (My mum is SO creative!)

On Saturday, 26/1/2008, I left the house at 8am to have breakfast with my dad before heading to college (at Kuching Eye Hill Road) for YEC’s first Coffee Chat session. By the time I got home, it was already 1:45pm and “The Train” had left. I went straight to my room, opened my cupboard, and lo and behold, my shirt was there (in the stack of my “going-out” shirts)!

And I wonder why it wasn’t there on last Thursday and Friday???

PS: “The Train” has 5 split unit air-cons in her intermediate single story terrace house and her husband drives a Toyota Camry.

Oh, my beloved shirt! Where did thy go last week???

Catching mosquitoes was not that bad after all

Samson & Daft (2003, p. 178) defines entrepreneurship as the process of initiating a business venture, organising the necessary resources, and assuming the associated risks and rewards.

To say that the college at Kuching Eye Hill Road's Y.E.C.'s "coffee chat" session for the month of January was a total success would be a blatant lie. However, it is also wrong to say that it was a total failure.

Truthfully speaking, I actually thought it was a total failure. I had failed as a president to organise an activity that will appeal to members. I had failed as a leader to influence and inspire members to cooperate with the committee to achieve the club's objectives. Worst of all, I had failed as a marketing major student. The marketing mix strategy in terms of the 4P's was not effective. What an embarrassment as it is suppose to be one of the expertise of a marketeer.

However, with the unwavering support from my ever-so-loyal fellow committee: Wilvin, and my ever-so-optimistic club adviser, my views changed -much appreciation and thanks Guys!. Quoting Mr Adviser, "Entrepreneurs seldom follow instructions and they are always willing to take risks." I pondered over his statement during lunch and it was then when I realised that we were actually true entrepreneurs (based on the definition given by Samson & Daft 2003).

We initiated the activity, organise the necessary resources (including going to the SME Bank for the sake of getting some brochures, designing a poster with the hope that it will stand out amidst the clutter on the notice board, creating powerpoint slides, and supplying FOC drinks to those attending, and etc.), and most importantly, we assumed the risk by going ahead with it. We did predict what the worst outcome might be but being staunch unbeliever of the Murphy's Law, I moseyed blithely with the "It would not happen" attitude so when my fellow committee, predicted it, I brushed it aside, telling them to be optimistic. Therefore, I was truly disheartened when it actually happened.

But come to think about it, our activity was not a failure because we had all displayed the qualities of an entrepreneur.....

-since when I was that optimistic....

5 things that you should bear in mind on board a flight (be it long-haul or short-haul)

1. Do not recline your seat all the way to the back. The passenger sitting behind you needs some leg room too. Do not evade their personal space. Better still, do not even recline your seat. At least, if I am sitting behind you, I will truly appreciate you for that.
2. To all parents, please make your kid sit still and stop fidgeting around. The passenger sitting in front of your kid does not need a free massage. (Anyway, if he/she needs one, he/she can always drop by at any OSIM/ OGAWA/ GINTELL outlets to try their new massage chairs. Just act as if you are so interested in the chair and tell the sales person that you are seriously considering it. BTW, do not give away your contact details. Just say that you will come back again and look for him or her. Make the sales person happy by asking for their name and name card).
3. Do not steal the in-flight magazine (particularly AirAsia passengers). Do you know the meaning of "in-flight magazine"? The mag is suppose to stay in the aeroplane, and not in your house. If you really one a souvenir from AirAsia but too poor to buy one, steal the air sick bag then.
4. Especially on long-haul flights at the wee hours of the morning, Do not snore EXTRA LOUD (though I know that it is beyond your control) I am happy that you are blessed with the ability to sleep through any condition. However, have some thoughts for those who are only able to sleep at the comfort of their bed at home. Your snoring will only make their insomnia worse.
5. Switch off your reading light if you are not reading/ Do not doze off while reading and leave your reading light on. We want to sleep too. Better still, do not on your reading light unless the person sitting next to you is wearing an eye mask or is fast asleep.

• Always remember Newton's Third Law (Hukum Newton Ketiga): EVERY ACTION HAS A REACTION OF EQUAL MAGNITUDE BUT OPPOSITE DIRECTION (every action has an equal and opposite reaction). Therefore, the Golden Rule in Life: "DO UNTO OTHERS AS TO HOW YOU WANT OTHERS TO DO UNTO YOU" applies.

Hopeless Me

I was humbled after reading Adrian Yap's "Amazing Race" story in the January 2008's publication of Reader's Digest (pp. 25-7). Despite being hearing-impaired, Adrian has achieved many things in life which I, for one, have not been able to achieve in spite of the fact that I am born perfectly normal.

Adrian's academic achievements were outstanding. He scored 4As in his A-Levels and managed to secure a scholarship to study computing in N.U.S. My academic achievements is nothing to shout about. I was not able to score straight As in any public examinations though my results were sufficient to secure my place in the "academically outstanding" class every year. While i thought my SPM results were good, it was not good enough to secure either a JPA, Petronas or Shell scholarship. Well, like what my dad always say, "Self praise is no praise"

Adrian has gone to Nepal to trek up the Annapurna Circuit. He helped built a school in hainan Island and was the first hearing-impaired Asian to go on the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 05/06. Currently, Adrian is participating in The Amazing Race Asia Season 2 with his team mate, Collin Low.

As for me, I have not even scaled Mount Santubong though (I have been trekking at Gunung Gading National Park twice and climbed up the stairs of Mount Singai umpteenth times!!!) . I DO NOT HAVE ANY OUTDOOR ACHIEVEMENTS. (Unless my success in surviving the 3 days 2 nights Kem Kerja Pengawas Sesi 2003/2004 in February, 2004 where all of us, "the 2003/2004 Thomians' Pride" slept on cardboard cartons on the football field of SMK St. Thomas in a canopy-like tent with no pillow, mattress, blanket, air-con or fan is considered an achievement. We did not have proper shower facilities too....).

I know I sound like a pathetic brat who cannot even rough it out for a night or two, but after all, I am a Generation Y urbanite and a midcentric (though I am skewed more towards the characteristics of psychocentric)! can i be forgiven for that??

That is why I am fervently rooting for Adrian and Collin to win The Amazing Race Asia Season 2. Their teamwork, patience, courage, and determination is something to be emulated. To Adrian and Collin, May you win the race....

Updated on 15 February, 2008: Heartiest Congratulations to Adrian and Collin for winning The Amazing Race Asia Season 2. Singapore (and I) is proud of you superb achievement.

Memories

Here are some reminiscence of my diploma days...I really missed those days....

Financial Accounting 2 (FA2)

Whilst many students say that this is one of the easiest diploma subjects, I beg to differ. As a science stream student even in Form 6, I had no basics in accounting besides those few chapters in the Form 3 KH syllabus which I had generously returned to my teacher immediately after my PMR KH paper was over. That was why I considered my first day of FA2 lecture to be shit cos I did not even know what a trial balance/ balance sheet/ T,P&L accounts was back then. Once, I slept at 8am the next day because I could not "balance" the balance sheet. Classes were boring. There were only 4 regular class-goers and my friend "dumped" me by deferring this subject. But today, I looked at it as a blessing in disguise because thanks to the small number of students in class, I managed to get more personalized tutoring from the lecturer. With enough hardwork (and plentiful of guidance from the lecturer, I pulled through and actually got an A for FA2. I am such a genius ... BTW, I have not forgiven you yet for dumping me, Emelline!!!!

To all accountants and accountancy students, I salute you.
Sorry dad for dashing your hopes but I will make you proud somehow...

Marketing Management

My MM lecturer, Mr JFerson(!!!), loved our handwriting so much and had a lot of red ink and time to waste that he gave us tutorial questions after every lecture. Minimum: 2 essay questions per lesson...

Research Methods

I have no regrets taking this subject. It helped me a lot in my other assignments and I now appreciate Mr JFerson for making us do literature review for the assignment. It taught me not to regret taking ITT because if it wasn't for the tourism research part in ITT, I would not have understood the difference between applied and basic research that soon. BTW, thanks for the left-over Cola and Pepsi you "chia"ed us as a treat for becoming the guinea pig, Mr JFerson.

International Marketing (IM)

"Calling all passengers on board SEGi Airlines flight MKT3001 to South Africa, your flight is ready for boarding at Room 302. Thank you."

My friends and I used to joke that going for IM lecture is like going on a tour because after every lecture, our IM lecturer a.ka. Mr Einstein of Brand Lab will introduce us to the market and economic trends of other countries such as Middle East, Netherlands, Russia, USA and South Africa. He will incorporate other information eg: the attractions and culture of these countries in his "briefing". The first-session of the class=in the plane (no-frills flight on board a budget airline). The chief steward was our ever-so-understanding lecturer. Our in-flight magazine was our IM textbook and in-flight movies were the lecture slides. Unfortunately, we were not using the Boeing 777 so there were no personalized screen in front of our seats. Second-session of the class=tour begins.

BTW, thanks for the Esprit 2008 planner, Sir.

Business Strategy

I took BS with several friends: Davidson, Li Sia, Danny Ho. etc. During our first lesson, all of us were so impressed that our lecturer was using Windows Vista as the operating system for her laptop. (How sakai were we!!!). While most class discussions revolve around companies, our BS class discussion was about Madonna (Can anyone tell me how is Madonna related to Strategic Planning?) While most lecturers would be doing last minute revision with us during the last lesson, our BS lecturer played eye teaser games with us!!!

Exam blues

My exams are drawing near. One quiz due on 1st February, one paper on CNY eve, and another on the 8th day of CNY. Unfortunately, I do not have any motivation to start my revision. I stare aimlessly at the pages of my textbook every time I TRY TO START SERIOUS REVISION. My brains are saturated with rubbish (stuff that are not related to my studies). My heart is yearning for life. I hate exams... But sad to say, Exams are a necessary evil in every student's life (or in my life, at least). To all students, GAMBATEH!

DO YOUR WORK, KJ.

Am I your secretary or what???

As a president of a club, it is part of my job scope to arrange for committee meetings.

Last week, I was entrusted with that responsibility once more, so after sending numerous emails and sms to my fellow committee members (and getting indecisive replies from them), I finally managed to set a "compromised" date and time. Thus, before going on compassionate leave last Friday, I smsed my fellow committee to inform them about the details of the next meeting. Everyone was fine with it except for one who replied "Ok.Remind again on d day.Thanks"

WHAT IS THIS??? Am I supposed to be his secretary too? The fact that I bothered to send the details via sms instead of email is already a very sacrificing thing to do (It cost money to sent those smses)... Can't he set a reminder on his handphone? Or maybe Nokia does not even have that function... But it can't be because even my archaic mono-coloured screen Nokia have that function. Or maybe he is just too stupid or "technology illiterate" to use that function...

Well, if that is part of a president's job scope to remind their members, then I might as well provide morning call service every morning to remind him to get up for class/ eat breakfast/ brush his teeth/ bath/ answer the call of nature....

May your soul rest in peace, Grandpa

Grandpa passed away peacefully this morning at 7.25am in Sibu General Hospital... May you rest in peace, Grandpa.

To all my family members: my aunts, uncle, cousins in Sibu (and not forgetting daddy) who took care for Grandpa for the past few weeks, thank you very much....

Miss you Grandpa, Miss you Grandma

My paternal grandfather was a banker. He is a good mathematician and an animal-lover. My paternal grandmother, on the other hand, was a housewife with green fingers and a successful entrepreneur (in my point of view). Unfortunately, I have none of their traits...

Grandma passed away in 2002 after battling with cancer for more than four years. Unfortunately, I was not beside her during her last few days. In fact, I did not even attend her funeral because it happened while I was sitting for my monthly tests in school. Not wanting me to skip school since I was due to sit for my SPM exams in less than three months time, Grandpa insisted that I need not attend the funeral.

Grandpa just celebrated his 96th birthday last December. But today, Grandpa is very sick. He can no longer do his kung-fu exercise in the morning. Thinking about his condition makes me sad. I wish that there is something I can do... Get well soon, Grandpa.

I miss Grandpa and Grandma very much. I will always remember all the junk food that Grandpa would let me eat when I was a kid (much to the dismay of my dad!!) and the frog soup that Grandma would specially boil for me during my annual pilgrimage back to Sibu to visit them. May you rest in peace, Grandma.

Grandma's wish is to see all her grandchildren graduate with at least a degree and be successful in their respective fields/ career. Don't worry, Grandma, I will not let you down. No matter how difficult it is, I WILL GRADUATE with a Bachelor of Business (Majoring in Marketing) by the end of this year. I WILL PURSUE MY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE MY PRINCIPLES OF LIFE. And when I enter the corporate world, I WILL STRIVE FOR SUCCESS IN MY UNDERTAKINGS WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON INTEGRITY.