tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52411741544597251812024-03-14T01:49:22.051-07:00Blabbers From One Named NazranNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12946020255052370736noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-20472231193962966042014-11-30T10:24:00.002-08:002014-11-30T10:24:55.232-08:00Farewell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://andovergc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/farewell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://andovergc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/farewell.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
They say everything shall end in one way or the other. Unfortunately for this blog, the end is now. Seeing that my flair for writing blogs had died out or tamed due to some personal reason, I think it is finally the time to shut down this blog for good. Will I stop writing altogether? Nah, I'll keep on writing, just not in this blog. The personification of myself in this blog is one who is naive and fleeting. A facade that is neither truth or false. A mask to gain likes and share.<br />
<br />
But that facade ends here.<br />
<br />
In a journey to further discover myself, I shall rest this blog for good. I might open up a new one, just not now.<br />
<br />
A lot has happened in this blog including one life changing event that nearly broke me.<br />
<br />
But hey, you had a great life, friend.<br />
<br />
Farewell<br />
Adios<br />
Selamat tinggalK.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-92011578834541297742014-10-19T18:15:00.000-07:002014-10-19T18:15:52.461-07:00Something about Sanity<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131127032959/hunterxhunter/images/e/e6/106_-_Knov's_mental_breakdown.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131127032959/hunterxhunter/images/e/e6/106_-_Knov's_mental_breakdown.png" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It has been too long, but I won't go into the details. Let's jump to the topic at hand.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sanity</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It would be too much of a drama to say 'God, I'm going insane', or 'My sanity is slipping away from me'; so much so that they bear no significance to other words anymore. Life is not a tragic drama. Nothing happens. You are spouting hyperboles just to make life exciting and a little dramatic. You see things in a darker little and take every hit harder than it actually is because it is thrilling, no? Imagine watching NFL and you saw a 300 pounds blocker rammed a Quarterback with a resounding thud. Is it exciting? Hell yeah. Did the quarterback died? Nah, but he will almost always say "I felt my soul left my body a while when I was hit." That is a hyperbole, none of those happened but it makes life exciting, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But I digress</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Would you believe if your close family and friends told you, "Hey, I think I'm going to be insane."?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hardly. It is a hyperbole, a figure of speech, a convenient word play to generate hype, a cheap ploy to gain sympathy.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But what if he or she really is losing his/her mind? What if they really want to give you a signal for help because shit happens and they have too much shit to even give a shit anymore about the shit that happened? (Yes, let me have my fun here) But how would you know, right? Sanity is nothing but a mere placeholder and a convenient hyperbole to make life exciting</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And these people who tried to call for help, they just kept quiet. Holding in all to themselves as they are left to their darkest self all alone</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And be consumed by their own minds</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-19264403408442821512014-02-23T21:43:00.001-08:002014-02-23T21:43:52.585-08:00Me and Economics<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www-personal.umich.edu/~yingfan/Econ%20Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www-personal.umich.edu/~yingfan/Econ%20Logo.jpg" height="152" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So as you guys may or may not know, I am an Economics major, which is weird if you know my background. I graduated from a Science magnet school, a school specialized in Science. So much so that it has Science in its name (Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor or lit translated to Selangor Secondary School of Science) Back in high school, I love Science to the max. Not only that, I was actually good at it. I remembered that I was the only one who was ballsy enough to take on Biology, Chemistry and Physics as my subjects to tutor others.<br />
<br />
And for god knows why, I took on Economics. Didn't have much clue on it; I just said yes over another offer to study Chemical Engineering (which was my course of choice in high school).<br />
<br />
But did I regret it?<br />
<br />
Meh, not really.<br />
<br />
Wait. I don't regret it.<br />
<br />
Heck, I love it.<br />
<br />
You see, although if you go further back into the past, you could see that I have that engineering trait going now inside me. The typical engineer childhood stereotype, 'omg, I luv legossss' fits me. I love lego. I build enormous structures with my lego. I plan cities with my lego. Not only that, I was fond of computers too. I learned how to use (the then) Macromedia Flash including some programming language, Actionscript. I learned how to wield the computer with pride and expertise for a ten year old.<br />
<br />
But that changed. I entered high school and although I love science, I found my passion which persist inside of me until now: people.<br />
<br />
Observing people is my favorite past time. What makes them tick, what makes them motivated, what makes them sad, happy, angry, flustered. All of those question excites me to no end. And maybe that is why I chose Economics; I believe it serves as a middle ground between Science and people.<br />
<br />
And I hope it was that simple.<br />
<br />
You see, what you love back then may not be what you love now. Last year, I was head strong into Economics but now, I found myself second-guessing myself. What if this is not my true passion? Is there anything else I haven't discovered yet? True, between between becoming an economist and a motivational speaker, I would prefer the later. However, preferences change. In my ballsy, energetic youth time, maybe that is my preference but what if this circumstances change? Will I still retain my original preference?<br />
<br />
In UMich where I am surround with people who are will soul-searching within themselves, and here I am saying "Wow, you guys are lucky." because frankly speaking, I don't have much choice. Unlike most of the students here, I am bonded with a contract: "Economics or GTFO" basically to speak. I signed that contract. I agreed to its terms and conditions. The past Nazran has no problem with that but why am I second guessing myself now?<br />
<br />
Maybe I'm not doing enough. Maybe I became too complacent over my own passion. Love is a verb. You do love, you don't describe love. Maybe that is it. I need to do and work for my passion, which is why I started to listen economics podcasts, read economics articles, and apply economics theories into random daily life occurrences.<br />
<br />
And I fell in love...again<br />
<br />
Truly, love is a verb. Be it with your spouse, your friends, your family, your passion, your work. If you don't love it, you will never feel itK.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-24981677912211221522014-02-21T12:42:00.001-08:002014-02-21T15:35:40.898-08:00Business/Economics Lessons From The Renaissance<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.15; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/34091_1473423351462_3875751_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/34091_1473423351462_3875751_n.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Renaissance. Oh, how that word resonates strongly with me. It was, at some point of my live, the single most important thing ever. It was not just a word. It was an organization. My high school orchestra to be exact but that was not just it. It was a family. It was a mission. It was a lifestyle.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-4c7da3f9-562e-5063-ed57-17958f3d414c" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Maybe it is weird for me to talk about “Business Lessons From The Renaissance” without providing some context. The Renaissance is the name of the Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor (lit translation: Selangor Secondary School of Science) Wind Orchestra team. Formed way back in the 80’s as a marching and as a Wind Orchestra team in 2005. I joined this team in 2007 as a saxophone player. (I used to play the clarinet before changing because there are too many clarinet players and I didn’t get my own instrument). </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I joined, the team...well to be frank, sucks balls. The music room is shabby and looks like it will collapse any second. It reeked of brass polish and sweat and cockroach eggs. The carpet was stained by some liquid years ago and the AC was some AC from the 80’s. But despite that, I joined and stuck with them. Went to a competition in 2007. We got a Bronze Award (which is basically an euphemism for “Well, you guys are meh but hey, we are going to give you an award nonetheless.) Everyone cried and feel sad and stuff. We put it a lot of effort and yet, we suck.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>But that changed rapidly after that. In 2008, we got a Gold award for Division Two (Yeah, the competition introduced the Division system that year). In 2009, we got another Gold AND was promoted to Division One. In 2010, we got yet another gold plus a ticket to the Grand Finale (To put into context, the Grand Finale is a big deal because your team will compete with 5-8 other teams at the Putrajaya International Convention Center which is an awesome place in front of 3000 people including sultans and high ranking government officials) AND we got Second Place. In 2011, still a ticket to the Grand Finale, Fourth Place. And finally, 2012, Champion of The Wind Orchestra Festival.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It took 5 years to change from a shabby sucky orchestra into a very well known unit that managed to immortalized its name as the Champion in 2012. That is very impressive. Now, imagine if this is a business. A start up company for example. What lessons can we learn from The Renaissance?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t1/24814_1405254487283_5792143_n.jpg?lvh=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t1/24814_1405254487283_5792143_n.jpg?lvh=1" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swag intermission #1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Branding</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Oh, the Renaissance took our branding very very VERY seriously. Although we were a small orchestra unit, we won’t settle down for that. So we figured out something that would make us stand out. If we couldn’t stand out because of our musical prowess, at least stand out because of our brand. Which is why, in 2008, we did a very rigorous brand building. I remembered vaguely that this was the structure of my band’s brand:</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Orange</span></div>
</div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Renaissance</span></div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In 2008, the name The Renaissance was given. I find it cool back then though many would find it cheesy. And we also decided that our team’s color is orange. Wait, what? Orange for a Wind Orchestra attire? Well screw white shirts and black ties, bring on the black shirts and ORANGE FLUORESCENT TIES THAT BURNS YOUR EYES. So yeah, that is our performance attire which didn’t change for three years. And every other team refer us as the ‘orange tie team’.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Why is this important? The brand? Well there are many importance of this move which I would like to separate into two: Internal and External effects. </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Internal effects of the ‘Renaissance’ band was really apparent. By giving the band a name, its players could identify to it more and foster stronger connection and loyalty to the unit. Rather than just referring themselves as “A Band Member”, they refer themselves as “TheR”. And honestly speaking, it worked wonder. In every announcement, speeches, peptalks that we gave or were given, we use the word ‘TheR’ rather than band. Subconsciously, it forms the organization structure and cohesiveness. You are in this unit and this unit is different from the others. This is unit has a name and it is called TheR. More on that later.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The external effects would be the identity people associate with the Selangor School of Science Wind Orchestra (Oh god that is long) like you would associate McDonalds to burgers and fries, Burberry to expensive handbags, Facebook to pokes, blue background and annoying Facebook friends. The mental image that pops out when you say a unit’s name is important because at the very least, the unit will be known and associated with something rather than “Huh, who or what is that?” This is good for networking because TheR won’t be just an alien; it is a unit with an image (orange color attire) embed to it. With this, it is important to get the next point.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/284545_2242097007823_134134_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/284545_2242097007823_134134_n.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swag intermission #2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Networks and Resources (This will be long)</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Networks. It goes without saying that networks are important in the business world but in some high school orchestra competition? Not many would see that or think that it is an integral part of it. I mean, that is taking it much too seriously, no? Why would you network like a businessman for an orchestra? But then, this is one of the reason of TheR rapid progress and development.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See, in the business world, network gets you opportunities in form of jobs, promotions, self development platform and collaborations. All of these are resources that contributes to one’s growth. This doesn’t applies to just an individual; this applies to an organization too. Now, back to the orchestra. What is an orchestra without its players to make music? However, this orchestra is just a high school orchestra. The players are students whose main job is not to play music and they progress up higher in grades year by year. (Though they will be one or two person each year with innate talent or passion in music) In other words, music is not their main motivation and they won’t stay forever after they graduated but still you want the orchestra to be good. This brings to an interesting economics problem: An orchestra needs good players to be good but to produce good players, the orchestra need to allocate resources in form of energy and time to train new players for them to reach a level up-to-par with the old players. Other than that, you also want the old players to be better than they were before. Realistically speaking, you can’t have both with maximum efficiency. It is either you train new players to be as good as the old players while sustaining the old levels or you train the old players to be better, forsaking the future where the old players will eventually leave and cause a huge gap in talents and skills.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is where networking comes. As mentioned earlier, networking gets you connections to valuable resources. For the orchestra, networking nets us contacts to professional, semi-pro musicians for hire. If we hire these musicians to train the players, we remove some burden from the seniors to train new players and also provide an opportunity the whole orchestra to improve entirely as a unit. It is like killing two birds with one stone. However, notice that you would need ‘to hire’ these musician. It is not free. You would need resources in forms of money to achieve that.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>And again, networking comes back. Another big move that TheR decided to do that is revolutionary during its time is to seek support from parents. You see, previously, a high school team rarely seek parental support, mostly because fully residential schools separate children and parents in the first place and also because these schools have so many fundings from the government. However, government fundings are not enough and often unreliable because the process takes ages. So, since 2007, TheR have been networking with parents to get donations. I remembered that we organized a ‘sneak peek’ event every time before a competition to showcase our songs to parents and to get donations. I was skeptical at first but the effects of parents seeing their children playing in an orchestra excite them. So much so that they form a ‘Parents Council’ which goal is to support their children and the orchestra as a whole in terms of moral, emotional and financial support. We will go about this later but the financial support is essential because it helps to hire these professional musician. The networking with parents worked wonders and it is until now.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another miracle of networking is TheR’s access to opportunities to enrich the players outside of competitions. Because of the school’s strategic location near the city center, TheR often get the chance to perform in events. This performances aside from the annual competition, kept the players on their foots and ready to roll (hehehe). But is it just because it is located near the city center? Not really. It is more of the networks established. For example, in 2010, we were given an opportunity to travel 100 miles north to perform in a resort. Not only this excites the students and showing them that the orchestra is cool because you will get the chance to travel, but it is also a good platform to train the players to play and perform. The performance was no simple deal. 6-8 songs in a row will greatly challenge any subpar players in terms of stamina and skills and will definitely shape them up to be better players.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: 1.15; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/306450_2487638626210_1327608300_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/306450_2487638626210_1327608300_n.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swag Intermission #3 feat Nate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Loyalty</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This point has to do with the above two points. Now, I mentioned earlier that once a player graduated, he or she can’t play in the orchestra anymore and thus, his or her skills are considered ‘sunk cost’, a cost that could not be returned or liquefied...or is it? See, a conventional trend for orchestra teams is to treat alumni as sunk cost. They are done with school and we should not pester them to ‘come back’ and serve. Orchestra alumni are only people who will come for competition to support; nothing more nothing less. But for TheR, alumni stayed to ‘serve’ the orchestra. So much so that they formed a group called ‘Orchestra Consultant’ to manage the band. So now with the existence of this other unit, they remove some management burden from the students so the students/players can focus on improving their music. Again, good call to allocate resources but for the Orchestra Consultant, it seems like a losing situation because they were needed to do a mountain load of work yet are not paid and solely voluntarily basis yet they still do it. Why? Loyalty.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See, loyalty is one heck of a driving force though it is not seen as a significant human force to begin with. For one, it is hard to measure loyalty but subtleties aside, loyalty drives the orchestra. Alumni were seen returning back to the orchestra after school to actually help via management or emotional support which is different for the usually ‘oh Imma gonna show ma face during comp. Good luck’ trend. </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How TheR instill loyalty is really really subtle yet it works. One, it is the memory associated with the orchestra. The name ‘The Renaissance’ will resonates strongly in any orchestra members, mostly because hundreds even thousands of hours were invested into the orchestra, making it a very vivid memory to treasure and cherish. Another is the brand. The name ‘The Renaissance’ meant a very concrete image in the minds of the players. They were not in an orchestra, they are a part of The Renaissance. Added with a strong tradition of ‘The Orchestra is Family’, it adds to be sense of loyalty towards the orchestra. And with this loyalty, we can see less players becoming sunk cost and more players becoming revenue generating assets after they graduate.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/167655_1795871052453_3308392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/167655_1795871052453_3308392_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mega Swag Intermission #4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Specialization</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I have no idea where to throw this point into the main three so I just make it a separate point. Specialization is something I encountered in Econ101. It is where to make a firm to specialize in produce one good over the other because it has higher returns in value thus more efficient. Specialization happens in TheR (Well, it occurs to me in a retrospect.) It goes without saying that everyone has different aptitude in music. It not really have to do with talent but it has to do with interest and passion. Some people are overly passionate (like me) in music while some are so-so at the very most. We can’t change it or it is very hard to do so. So, given the preferences of these two people, we can see that who do we want to specialize in where.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To run an orchestra effectively, you would need good players and good management. Without good players, a well managed orchestra will produce bad sounds. Without good management, a good sounding orchestra will collapse onto its own weight. So the decision for the previous problem is clear (again in retrospect), give the musically passionate people to focus on music. Give those who is not a management position. Hence, the organizational structure was split into two: Music department and Management Department. Music department is headed by the student conductor with family principles and section principles under him while the Management department is headed by the President along with other post such as Vice-Pres, Secretary, Treasurer etc etc. Both department works in tandem. The management will make sure that the Music department can proceed with their agendas without any obstacle and the Music Department is responsible to reach that agenda. By specializing players into these roles, you will have a not-perfect-but-good management and a not-perfect-but-good music department. It is not at the extreme of things but assuming that the preferences over these two are convex, the average of the two is much more prefered than the extremes.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A good example would be the huge leap in 2010 from a Division Two team into a Division One team who leaped into the finals and nabbed second place. During this year, the two upperclassmen classes (Form 4 and Form 5) has a pretty good synergy. Most of the Form Fivers took on a management role while Form Fours took on a music role. Both are allocating most of their resources into their own specific role. Though the Form Fivers may lacking in practice but the Form Fours are there to back them up in the orchestra. While Form Fours are scattered and disorganized, they have Form Fivers to help them manage and organize. It was a beautiful synergy that lead to an efficient year and a huge leap of success.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2011, however, taught a lesson to us about resources allocation. This year Form Fours were lacking in musical aspects. A huge chunk of the musical department roles were still given to the Form Fivers plus with their newly acquired management role. Since the Form Fivers in 2011 are deemed as ‘one of the best batch in terms of musical and management skills’, they were overexpecting the value of the class. These expectations overloaded their skills as they were now required to allocate resources to both management and music. And that year was not the most efficient year that we have. And after that year, thankfully, they have learned their lesson.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Break</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So yeah, four business lessons I learned from TheR. In retrospect, I was really shocked how business-like (with applied economics here and there) my orchestra was. And frankly speaking it worked! I have no idea how to end this article but let just say I was bored and nostalgic when I wrote this. </span></div>
</div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-77028637419845137122014-02-08T21:40:00.001-08:002014-02-08T21:40:18.688-08:00Malaysians Outside Malaysia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://randomalphabets.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/malaysian-flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://randomalphabets.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/malaysian-flag.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Complementary picture<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let us get straight to the point: Today's topic is about that one place where most of my loved ones live and where my blood spilled on the ground (Tanah tumpahnya darahku much?), Malaysia<br />
<br />
See, I noticed that, (and you might noticed too) I love Malaysia...ALOT. My American friends would know that. A question that goes along the lines of "Where do you came from?" or "How is your hometown" and there I go, talking about everything Malaysia from food, to people to my parents to school. I will go into a frenzy and gave my American friend's an info dump about Malaysia. I just can't help it. That love inside me is too strong that any prompt to let it out is given a chance to fly.<br />
<br />
It is kinda hard to believe that I has already been half a year since I left Malaysian soil. Here in Michigan, where the weather is 50 degrees colder, the air is dry, the food not spicy enough and people do talk in proper English, it is a far cry from what I am used to experience back home. It is weird to wake up in the morning to see white snow blanketing the outside world while you shiver and curl into your blanket. It is weird to wear your socks inside your house. It is weird to be wearing a super thick jacket every single thing you want to open the door to the outside door. It is weird, I tell you. But as time passed, it became a habit, a lifestyle and its weirdness disappeared.<br />
<br />
But that doesn't mean I'm American. Yeah sure, I caught myself referring to football as soccer (Am embarrassed of it) but my Malaysian heart is still in tact.<br />
<br />
Then again, it is weird that one day I shall return back to Malaysia for good. I love Malaysia but seeing all the 'hu-ha' happening inside her borders saddens me. Religion conflict, racial tension, political tension, education deterioration, economic disparity. All of it is happening yet frankly speaking there is nothing I can do about it. I can only watch from 10 000 miles away as she falls sicker and sicker.<br />
<br />
Yet, I talked highly of her. She is like a child and I am the parent; whenever there is a need to tell the world about her, I would tell good stories about her. How she once successful. How diverse she is. How she is the epitome of a foodie's paradise. Yet, you know that she is rebelling against you. She is doing drugs, illicit sex, and black market dealing. You know she is going down under, yet you still speaks highly of her despite your fears that one day she will fall, hard. You want to try to help but you can't and you just watch helplessly. That, ladies and gentleman, is how I feel about Malaysia now.<br />
<br />
Even so, if you ask me, I would still love Malaysia. But the things I love: the unity, the peace, the people are disappearing, replaced with religious extremist, political fags and power hungry people. Stop it. I want to love you but give me a reason to.<br />
<br />
Oh Malaysia. I promise, I shall come back and try to revive you into your former glory. If I die in the process, at least I tried.K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-82537299408987243262014-02-04T12:22:00.000-08:002014-02-04T18:05:29.156-08:00A Teacher Who Inspires<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://discoveringalabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/geography-teacher-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://discoveringalabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/geography-teacher-4.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, we are talking about teachers. No, we are not talking about my long lost dream of becoming one nor the deep down feeling of frustration with teachers in general. Instead, I want to talk about a particular teacher; a teacher who inspires.<br />
<br />
Soon, it will be the third anniversary of the Black February, the reason why this very blog shuts down for a year. For those who don't know what is Black February is, don't worry, a tribute post will be posted soon. Let's just go with the fact that I messed up big time.<br />
<br />
After Black February, I was stripped off everything I worked hard for in school, most particularly, the respect from teachers. Most of the teachers abandoned me and send me looks of disgust. I have no idea what kind of stories they heard but that doesn't matter. The trip to the Staff Room is hell. I was...well, drowning in pure despair.<br />
<br />
But noticed that I used the word 'most' rather than 'all'. There are teachers who stood by me, teacher who understood me and what I'm trying to do. There is a certain Indian Chemistry teacher who gave me a 99 on a Chemistry exam and spoke about my 'Highest Score in the History of SMSS' in almost every other class he taught though in reality, I didn't get 99. I flipped through my 60/60 Paper 2 two years after and saw 3 errors which he cross out and ignored. It was intentional. And there are several other and one of them is no one than my Form 5 Physics teacher.<br />
<br />
Physics is not really my cup of tea, Chemistry was (But ironically, I took neither for my degree.) but the Physics lab was my favorite non-classroom spot next to the Band Room. The reason being is this particular Physics teacher. A little bit of background before she became my Physics teacher, she was the Team Manager for Team Vector Magnum, my Formula One in School Team. Working with her was an experience to behold and I had fun but I really got close to her after Black February.<br />
<br />
She is not your run-of-the-mill teacher who teaches and go. She is the kind of teacher who sincerely wants to know her student. She seek a personal connection with the student because she believed that would help them and help her to teach better. She believes that every student is unique. Bright students should be allowed to explore their interest and fly above the syllabus and become the very best. Weak students should be assisted without discrimination from the bright students. She believes in batch politics (and was quite well-versed in it). She doesn't mind students flocking her lab because she loves talking and knowing her students beyond the book and whiteboard.<br />
<br />
During Black February, I remembered she told me:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>"Mereka mungkin tak faham pandangan awak, sebab tu mereka tak suka. Tapi tak mengapa, saya percaya awak punya pandangan boleh mengubah dunia. Awak kan ada otak gila-gila sikit. Tu la kekuatan awak. Patut guna elok-elok."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"<i>They might not understand your views, that's why they don't like it. But that's alright because I believe that your views can change the world. You have a crazy mind. That's your strength. Utilize it properly."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As a student neck deep in the pits of despair and depression, do you know how valuable that advice was. Maybe she couldn't remember it but I did. Maybe the above quote is terribly misquoted but I won't forget how it feels. I feel...inspired as if there is hope despite the stares and slight. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I worked hard. I accepted the facts that my views are not the view of the world but my views are my views alone. I foster and cherish that. I accepted the fact that I am unique and I should not remove that from myself. True, I kept silent after Black February but in secret, I learn more and further improve my views and conviction. Soon, I was at a stage that I couldn't believe possible if Black February didn't happen. And now...here I am, writing this 10 000 miles away from Malaysia in a distant country.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She inspired me and I'm not the only one. She has a lot of fans, all for a positive reason. She is there for the student. She don't judge, she just listens. She will give advice when advice is needed, she will help when help is needed. She was seen as a popularist by other teachers because of her popularity but she wasn't. She was also not a favorite among the higher ups if I'm not mistaken. But see, she just cares...genuinely. And because of that, she is popular. Love given will get love in return.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yesterday, she posted a tweet:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Officially, I am no longer a teacher in SMSS"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was shocked beyond words. I expected a controversy or something but it turns out that she got promoted to an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Education (Maybe be wrong. I don't get government departments)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And her twitter is flooded by her students, expressing sadness about her transfer. She has become such an important figure to them, what will they do without her?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And that, my readers, is the sign that you have changed someone's life. Dear teacher Aini, if you are reading this (which you most probably will), trust me, you have changed my life. Without you, I may not climb this high. Many other students will agree with me. You made a difference. You achieved what many other teachers tried but didn't succeed: You inspired us and you changed our life. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So yeah, maybe SMSS don't really deserve someone like you. Maybe a larger scope of people need you. SMSS can't be selfish, we may hold you back for much too long. So go on, teacher. Be great. Inspire. That is your strength. Utilize it. This is the same advice you gave me three years ago and here I am returning that advice back.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Good luck teacher and with all my knightly heart and soul,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I salute you</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thank you</div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-30335836172960606122014-02-01T11:57:00.000-08:002014-02-01T11:57:26.901-08:00"Well sorry, I'm not born genius"<br />
<br />
Often we heard the above phrase in our daily lives especially if you are studying in a college or a university. It can come in many different forms such as<br />
<br />
"I just can't do this. I am not even smart to begin with!"<br />
"Weyh, aku memang bodoh math ar. Tak boleh doh"<br />
"Tau ar pandai. Kesian ar aku yang tak pandai macam ko."<br />
<br />
These people, as you may noticed, are saying that intelligence comes from birth. You are either smart or dumb. As simple as that, which brings us to a question, are their statements true? Does intelligence comes from genetics and heredity?<br />
<br />
Research showed that it is not REALLY the case. Sure, genetics has something to do with intelligence. Some kids are really born smarter than others but we are forgetting an important fact: intelligence (meaning our brain) are in fact quite malleable. We can work hard to become smarter than we are before!<br />
<br />
Let's take math for example, the most popular to this "Oh, I'm a math person/not a math person" problem. (See how many people complain about math on Twitter. Too many to count) In an article written by Noah Smith and Miles Kimball, they noticed a very peculiar patterns in high school mathematics students.<br />
<br />
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
<li style="font-family: PTSerif, Georgia, serif; line-height: 27px; text-align: left;"><i>Different kids with different levels of preparation come into a math class. Some of these kids have parents who have drilled them on math from a young age, while others never had that kind of parental input.</i></li>
<li style="font-family: PTSerif, Georgia, serif; line-height: 27px; text-align: left;"><i>On the first few tests, the well-prepared kids get perfect scores, while the unprepared kids get only what they could figure out by winging it—maybe 80 or 85%, a solid B.</i></li>
<li style="font-family: PTSerif, Georgia, serif; line-height: 27px; text-align: left;"><i>The unprepared kids, not realizing that the top scorers were well-prepared, assume that genetic ability was what determined the performance differences. Deciding that they “just aren’t math people,” they don’t try hard in future classes, and fall further behind.</i></li>
<li style="font-family: PTSerif, Georgia, serif; line-height: 27px; text-align: left;"><i>The well-prepared kids, not realizing that the B students were simply unprepared, assume that they are “math people,” and work hard in the future, cementing their advantage.</i></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: PTSerif, Georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><i>Source: Power of Myths, There is One Key Difference Between Kids Who Excel In Math And Those Who Don't</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: PTSerif, Georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;">As you can see, students who believe that they are 'not a math person' will really become 'not a math person' even though they actually are a 'math person' before. This self fulfilling prophecy is dangerous as you believe in a lie that you choose to believe, hence changing your fate and destiny. I, myself saw this during my high school years. A friend who believes that he can't do math to change his life choose to avoid math completely, refusing to do homework or put in time and effort to practice (an essential factor of mathematical success) thus he continue to fail in math. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;">Here is a plot twist: he actually is an A math student in his previous school. What happened was the transition from primary to secondary was a shock to him and it led him to believe that he was not good at math. Believing in that, he became a student who is not good in math. It is true that what you believe can actually become truth if you believe in it hard enough. </span><span style="line-height: 27px;">We can't really blame him. He is one of those many people who believe that intelligence are rigid and there is nothing you can do to change it. In his case, his drop in math score in secondary school pushed him to believe that he is not good in math. Even if he choose to work hard for it, he will still think it will be all for naught because he believes that intelligence is static. So, like many others, he choose not to work at all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;">In a flip side, if he believe that intelligence is malleable, he will work harder in the face of failure because he knew that hard work is a determinant of intelligence. Richard Nisbett recalled something from his book 'Intelligence and How to Get It'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: PTSerif, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27px;">Dweck and her colleagues then tried to convince a group of poor minority junior high school students that intelligence is highly malleable and can be developed by hard work…that learning changes the brain by forming new…connections and that students are in charge of this change process. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: PTSerif, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27px;">The results? Convincing students that they could make themselves smarter by hard work led them to work harder and get higher grades. The intervention had the biggest effect for students who started out believing intelligence was genetic. (A control group, who were taught how memory works, showed no such gains.)</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: PTSerif, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;">See? In simply believing that your hard work matters to your intelligence can really change your course during your academic years (or even in life). Isn't it sad to live your life believing that you are dumb and here is nothing you can do about it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;">Going back to the Math story, I think this is why our Math scores are plunging in the international level. There is no one to tell these students that they NEED to work hard to be smart, not just to 'berserah and bersyukur'. And there is a trend in school where the divide between 'pandai and bodoh' is so apparent which worsen this situation. As you know, there is a trend of dividing up class to first class, second class etc. This is simply society's way of saying that "You are not smart. That is why we are putting you here". This will make the student believe that they are in fact not smart and hence stop working hard at all. And again, there is no one to tell them that they can improve their intelligence with hard work and so, it spiraled down from here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;">Another factor which contributes to this is the abuse of the term "Bersyukur." Don't get me wrong, I absolutely support the said term and have nothing against it but it irks me to see that it is abused for all the wrong reasons. Bersyukur is basically to be grateful of whatever that you are given. True, but like most if not all terms that exist in this world, bersyukur is not something that is stand alone; there is another term to follow it up. Often, we think that by being bersyukur, everything is actually working out and there is nothing we can do about it. However, we forget that there is an 'usaha' component before the bersyukur part. I don't get it why you must be bersyukur of your subpar results when you didn't actually put in any effort into it. It is sadly nihilistic.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 27px;">So, stop believing that you can't change your life. Intelligence, believed to be an important determinate of a fulfilling live, can be determined by the amount of hard work and effort you put into it. You are not smart unless you choose to believe that you are not smart. Therefore, stop lamenting and start working hard!</span></div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-66023940738067849462014-02-01T11:45:00.001-08:002014-02-01T11:47:18.322-08:00The Vegetarian For A Month Project aka The Gua Makan Sayur! Project (GMSP)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sehatsehataja.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/sayur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sehatsehataja.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/sayur.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Sayur<br />
<br />
That is a Malay word for vegetables for my non-Malaysian reader. So what is up with Sayur?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I wanna be a vegetarian for a month</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know. This is like one of my projects again which is notorious for having a 70% failure rate. (Project Nazran's Tuesday and Thursday, Project ReGenesis, Project Cinta to name a few) But I believe the journey holds value rather than the destination and yes, it is not an all defensive stance here. I did learn a bit of something through my failure projects.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But why though? Ah, this is the reason why this post is here. In the spirit of me applying to Business School, I shall write a proposal (of sorts) to make it look proper, or like my ex-Orchestra Manager used to say, "Baru nampak professional lagi boom lagi"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ehem</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE 'GUA MAKAN SAYUR' PROJECT</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A Proposal</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>by</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Khairul Nazran Kamarulnizam</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Railzan Kurhna</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Kanzaki Haruna</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Zaki Harun</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Introduction</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Health is something I never really taken care about. I am overweight, love fried foods and eat fatty meat by the dozen. My urge to eat is almost perpetual, if not constraint by income, I would eat almost every other hour. Because of this, it is very worrying as I could feel myself deteriorating with aches and a less energetic body. Plus, my girlfriend always nagged at me about my health while she munch fruits and granolas for health. Not only that, she placed a bet on me to get fit. With that in mind, I find a vegetarian diet would be perfect. Hence, the '<b>Gua Makan Sayur' Project </b>is born</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Meaning Behind the Name</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
'Gua Makan Sayur' is a very eloquent and elegant translation of "I eat vegetables" into the Malay language. The Malay language used is similar to the style of language used by the higher class and the elites while sipping tea and discussing world issues. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Objective</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>To be healthier and more energetic</li>
<li>To lose some pounds</li>
<li>To generate and spark my love for vegetables</li>
<li>To win the bet with my girlfriend</li>
<li>To prove to myself that I can keep a habit going</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Challenge Structure</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Challenge will start officially after the MiMSA (Malaysia Student Association) Chinese New Year lunch event on 1st February, approx after 4.00pm</li>
<li>Due to the high failure rate, I could drop out anytime but the ultimate goal is to remain a herbivore until 1st March 2014.</li>
<li>Vegetarian here means no meat at all. Other animal produce (milk, eggs, cheese etc) are still acceptable</li>
<li>Once meat entered my mouth, the challenge is over and I am responsible to write up a report of the challenge thus far.</li>
<li>With every week of the challenge that is successful, I gained a 'Carnivore' level. The max level is 4 and that grants me a full course meat dinner at some lavish place</li>
</ul>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/assets/uploads/resizer/Kangkung_1_360_368_100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/assets/uploads/resizer/Kangkung_1_360_368_100.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THIS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<b>Key Achievements (if challenge is successful)</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li> The lost of a few pounds</li>
<li>No meat for a month</li>
<li>Bragging rights</li>
<li>Healthier Nazran</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Possible Obstacles</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The lack of 'umami' that enters my mouth. Umami is the savoury feeling of taste, found in steaks and meat.</li>
<li>The bland taste of vegetables generally</li>
<li>My short attention span and inability to stick to a routine</li>
<li>THE LACK OF TUNA </li>
<li>Peer pressure</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Possible Solution to Above Problems</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>God bless Siracha and Salsa. Because</li>
<li>Tofu burgers and Black Bean burgers</li>
<li>Dressings are the key to success.</li>
<li>Apply various economics theory to manipulate my utility, maximizing it and not subjecting it to the law of diminishing marginal utility</li>
<li>Experiment with vegetarian recipes, provided by 'Vege-Consultants'</li>
<li>Suck it up and be a man and continue eating grass</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Achievements (Like a true gamer)</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Shining Start Up: Three days without meat</li>
<li>Siracha Kindling : Use Siracha to make an otherwise bland salad taste better</li>
<li>A Helping Hand: Complain to a vegetarian how hard being a vegetarian is</li>
<li>Iron Resolve: Reject an offer to eat meat</li>
<li>Yeah, Econs, beach! : Graph possible utility functions between types of vegetables</li>
<li>Half Past Meat: Exactly 15 days without eating meat</li>
<li>Seitan Gila Ko: Eat Seitan without puking</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Conclusion</b><br />
Let's do this!</div>
</div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-9203436968095517112014-01-29T19:36:00.001-08:002014-01-29T19:36:04.419-08:00The Symbol of Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wolfhirschhorn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Hope-Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wolfhirschhorn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Hope-Image.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh<br />
Em<br />
Geee<br />
<br />
An update finally, after 3 months of inactivity. I'm so so sorry. Ever since coming to the States, I have left this blog to rot while my poetry blog flourished. (Well, it is easier to write a quick poem rather than a full length blogpost).<br />
<br />
Anyways what is up, Nazran? A lot has happened since my last post. If you are one of those rare readers who was not up to date with my Facebook statuses, I had been through a lot since November. First, I finished my first semester in U of M. Second, I traveled to New York and some other places (TIMES SQUARE BEBEH). Third, I had experienced winter...and I hate snow already. Fourth, I entered my first competition as a U of M student. (I bet you saw that coming considering my love for competitions)<br />
<br />
So yeah, among the other plethora of stuffs that I did, I went for an interview for the core team of Beyond Bounds (Check them out. They are a student support group helping students to find their core values and passion: http://www.livebeyondbounds.org/) One of the reason I wanted to be a part of them so much is because it is in line with something I love doing : Inspiring people. If you are among the sea of people who didn't know me back in high school, I was called "The Motivator" back then (Not really that title. Literally translated to that from Malay) It annoyed people sometimes because you can always see me spouting cheesy lines and pick me ups to people a midst examination stress and stuff. I remembered when I was the batch leader in 2009, all of my 'speeches' were 70% rhetorics and motivational quotes which annoyed the heck of some people.<br />
<br />
But why though? Why is this 'inspiring and motivation people' feels so fulfilling for me? I wondered about that these past weeks, along with another life-changing question "What am I doing with my life?"<br />
<br />
Now, that second question is kinda ironical. People will go "Eh, you have a job at Bank Negara. Obviously you are going to be an economist! Go worry about this for what?" But see, a career doesn't equal to life itself. Being an economists is not my life's goal. Heck any career is not my life goal. That is too shallow of an approach. A life goal, in my opinion, should be clear yet vague (what). It should be clear enough to let you see the path, yet vague enough that any career, university, spouse, life events that happened can bring you towards it.<br />
<br />
My life goal?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>To be a Symbol of Hope</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Wow, much grand. Such bold. Capitalszzzz</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But yeah, I want to be a symbol of hope. Someone that the general public look up to. Some figure that is synonymous to a cause like Gandhi to non-violence or MLK to civil rights. Some one whose quotes are everywhere in tumblrs and retweeted countless of times in Twitters despite horrible misquotation. Yes, I want to be that guy.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Isn't that egoistical? I don't really think so. I'm not doing it for fame. I won't deny that I will feel proud but I don't think I will be filled with hubris. I want to be like that so someone can be inspired by me. You know, that idol who you can relate with and you strive to be someone like them. Malaysia youths, especially the Malays, are in dire need of someone relate able to be their role model because the role models they have are freaking politicians. Seriously, as good as Mahathir was (Or Anwar or whoever.), they are not from your generation. I bet you can't even relate with them based on the food you eat. (Ironical for a Malaysian) But yet, the education system and society continue to shove down these politicians to be the role model of any students out there. I once been to BTN and they ask "Who is your role model?" and my god 90% of my group said "Mahathir". Fine, he is a respectable person but is there no other role model who is more relate able to you?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I digressed. So that is why. I want to be that man to finally be a role model to others. "Oh, he studies all the time. Book worm" "Ah, but he plays DotA. He is just like us!" is what I imagined some day in the future.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But see, the road to be there is hard. First, you need to be impressive enough as an individual first. You need to achieve and conquer mountains and be at the top. No one loves the first lose but everyone loves the winner. But really, that is not that important. The most important part of all is to <b>NOT LOSE MYSELF AS I CLIMBED</b> (Yes, all caps) I need to remind myself that I was once that kid. I was lost, hopeless, no skills, no friends, no nothing. I was a depressed messed as I slumped on my dirty hostel bed, wondering about life. And someone saved me. It is time that I save others</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-87879591911149543122013-11-25T11:12:00.001-08:002013-11-25T11:12:41.216-08:00Open Letter to SPM 2013 Students<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">An Open Letter
to SPM 2013 students.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Hello,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">As you guys may or may not realized, the end of SPM examination
means that school is finally over. A new fresh wings are bestowed upon you as
you can finally take those precious steps into the outside world. 11 years of
incubation and preparation in school are all for these steps. As you step
outside your school’s compound for the last time, be it physical or
hypothetically, this question may come across your mind, “Now what?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Many of you guys may think, “Hey, I’m free. Now I can relax and
enjoy my 6 months plus break.” Yes, you are correct. Do take a break. SPM
examination is a pain but remember, your break is not definite. These months
leading up to your SPM results and your enrollment to the next stage of
education (Assuming you are taking this step) is arguably the most important
time of your early adulthood. Six months is such a long time; there are much
that can be done. I’m here to guide you throughout this six months and
hopefully it will be a help towards you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://corps.salvationarmyindiana.org/fortwayne/files/2012/06/character-building-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://corps.salvationarmyindiana.org/fortwayne/files/2012/06/character-building-1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">What
do I need to do?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Character Building<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Sure, take a break for two or three weeks or so, then start get
cracking. One thing that you really want to tackle upon is <b>character.</b>
Without doubt, character is one of the biggest determinants of life. Look
around and observe successful people around you. Their skills aside, all of
them has some sort of strong character which enables them to climb the ladder
of success. Character traits such as integrity, responsibility, dedication,
discipline and perseverance play a huge role be it in college or in life
itself. So, build them NOW. The time between post-SPM and SPM results is a
great time to do this because you have no pressure from school or homework or
assignment. This is your ‘ME TIME’ so, proceed smartly. Read self-help books. Read
biographies of successful people. Join a volunteering club. Join and fight for
a cause. Participate in seminars. Start a personal or group project. Build up
those characters now and you will see the results in the future. In my personal
observation, my friends who took up volunteering and start up a video project
about Islamic dakwah has a strong character and better start to his college
life than my friend who merely works part time for six months. Don’t get me
wrong, I am not wrong part time jobs are useless but it is highly dependable on
your goal of taking up that job. If it is solely monetary, then chances are,
you will not invest much into building up your character via the part time job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://businessgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/business-skills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://businessgross.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/business-skills.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Skill Building<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Aside from character, another important thing to work on during
your long break is your skill array. It compliments a strong character and it
is more concrete and easily seen by scholarship scouts and employers in the
future. Skills can go from something menial like cooking, sewing, household
chores to something complex like computer programming and website designing.
Whatever it is, if the skill is beneficial, take it up and learn it. Heck, it
might even be something you are happened to be interested in like photography
or singing. Nowadays, to learn a skill is fairly easy with the advent of
technology. Wikihow and Google can provide readily-available steps and methods
in learning a new skills. Youtube also has a wide array of ‘How-To’s video to
guide you in learning a skill. Not only by learning a skill you will get a cool
skill into your life, it helps into building your character too. For example,
learning how to play a guitar requires patience and perseverance as you
repeating boring scales and chords over and over again to get it right. This
builds up those character traits indirectly as you get better at it. And also,
having skill sets is important for socializing too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>PS: Learn the skills to learn faster and efficiently like mind-mapping, holistic thinking, lateral thinking. It helps your college academic work A LOT.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theyec.org/wp-content/uploads/entrepreneurship-networking-advice-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://theyec.org/wp-content/uploads/entrepreneurship-networking-advice-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Networking<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Social media is a big thing nowadays but to have only a huge
quantity of friends does not and will not help you in the future. Quality
relationships, be it professional or personal, are a way to go. A relationship
network that is not too big nor too small is one of the key to a fulfilling
life. To start building up that network starts now. Go to social events or
volunteer for an organization. Don’t limit yourself to someone who is the same
age or shares the same interest as you. Open up to new friends and connections.
I found a group of highly motivated friends solely by serendipity in a blog
group. Soon, we became 94fs, a community that strives to inspire the 90’s
generation. A strong network is also essential for you to find opportunities
like projects and events. So, turn on your extroverted persona and get
socializing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wisepreneur.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/startup-300x199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://wisepreneur.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/startup-300x199.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Find Your Path<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Arguably one of the hardest question to be answered. “What path of
life do I want to take?” The Malaysian university system works like a
specialization institute; you pick a course and specialized in it. Unlike the
US college system which I am currently in where students are given the first
two years of their college life to explore and decide their major and
concentration, you don’t have that liberty in Malaysia. So, like my previous
advice, start now. Research on possible degrees that might interest you and <b>GO
DEEP. </b>Yes, I intentionally bold and capitalized that because it is
something that 95% of SPM graduates failed to do and they jumped into the hype
bandwagon and ultimately screw up their entire life doing something that doesn’t
interest them. RESEARCH REQUIRES TIME. And such a life-changing decision won’t
come to you overnight. When I say ‘GO DEEP’, I mean to go find out everything
about that degree you can possibly find like job prospect, syllabus, the
knowledge you might get, its application in the modern world etc. Also, ask
yourself about your existing skills and passion and how can you use that to
make your decision easier. Let’s take myself an example. I went to a
Science-Stream school for my entire high school. I was born, raised and molded
into a Scientist of sorts. However, deep down inside, the job prospect of a
Scientist does not interest me as I was more interested in human interactions
and psychology. However, Psychology might not be suitable for me as I want a
more rigorous academic life with math and deep analysis. Then, I found
economics which essentially deals with humans (Behavioral economics FTW) and
requires A LOT of analysis and also theory crafting (I mean, come on,
speculating the world economy is crude yet so fun. Kay, I should stop
econ-fanboying) And that’s when I know which path I am going to take. You can
achieve that too! You just need to <b>GO DEEP.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://inspirationboost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/never-be-afraid-to-try-something-new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://inspirationboost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/never-be-afraid-to-try-something-new.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Never be Afraid<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">More of a general statement than a legit advice. NEVER EVER BE
AFRAID TO STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. (Yes the caps is necessary) If you
never speak a word of English, for example, DO IT. If you never write an essay
just for fun, DO IT. If you never tried cracking a mathematical formula, DO IT.
Because during this slack time, exploration is easier to do because you have
nothing to lose, no grades to maintain and no homework to stand by your way.
Explore and see the world outside your own coconut shell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Closing
Words<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I
hope my 1000+ words of advice will help you guys. As a SPM 2011 graduate and an
avid follower of Malaysia education (Is this the correct term? Let’s just say I
always keep up with the progress of SPM graduates), I found out there are a lot
of lost souls after SPM. Even more heartbreaking, people with potential were
swept away in blissful ignorance as they burn out their ‘vacation’ and suffered
through college. Although, I have also seen people who are thought to be ‘without
potential or hope’ to rise up from mediocrity and rose to success. It is
possible. If I could do a research paper about the correlation between the time
spent effectively during this period after SPM and the student success in life,
I would do it. So yeah. Take my advice, young ones and may I see you at the top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-45767280800633481912013-09-11T09:16:00.002-07:002013-09-11T09:16:54.423-07:00You, The Greatest Enemy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.empowernetwork.com/miked24/files/2013/01/Inner-Demon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://www.empowernetwork.com/miked24/files/2013/01/Inner-Demon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-align: start;">Original Source of Picture: CptnDerp @ Deviant Art</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I woke up to my first ever panic attack ever since I came here; the first after a series of panic attacks before I got my long awaited acceptance letter from this same university. I remembered how I woke up at 2 in the morning - breath labored, body drenched in sweat and heart thumping- thinking about that dream I had moments before I woke up in this horrible state. I shook my head to clear off that lucid image of the nightmare and the sweet yet venomous sound that I wish not to hear.<br />
<br />
Then, I slept again hoping that this is just a random event.<br />
<br />
But it wasn't.<br />
<br />I can't remember clearly how many times I woke up. Was it three or four? I'm not sure. The point is, I didn't get much sleep yesterday. Every time I drift off to the depths of my own consciousness, I would wake up a hour later in a pile of sweaty clothes and heavy breaths. Again, haunted by that dream.<br />
<br />
You might want to ask: "What kind of dream? Is there any kind of dream that can scare you shitless when in reality you are quite a strong person?"<br />
<br />
Answer to that: Yes, there is.<br />
<br />
I wrote a poem earlier this morning about <a href="http://fromthepenofrnk.blogspot.com/2013/09/to-be-man.html?view=classic">being a man</a>. That poem is in response to my panic attacks before. Men are humans. Humans are naturally weak. They are capable of breaking down and crying under pressure. However, humans are only naturally strong. They can prevail and strive under pressure too. <b>It is just a mere choice</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Back to the point, what did I dreamed of? Let's just say that I'm strong because I have important people in my life to support me through thick and thin. They are my life line and my reason to fight. What if, somehow, they slowly drift apart? No, not through death or anything abrupt. Just slowing fading away and disappearing no matter how hard you try to hold on. Like holding a fistful of sand and seeing it escape through the cracks between your fingers and when you open them, you can only see just a part of what it used to be.<br />
<br />
I'm so far away currently and that by itself is daunting. Everyone I cared is at the other side of the Earth, around 16000km away. I can't see them in person so I need to keep in touch via technology. Soon, 'checking up' became sort of an obsession. I want to know how are you doing. I want to know that you are okay. I want to know that you are doing fine.<br />
<br />
Sure, I get busy and soon put it at the back of my mind. Honestly, I got over my waves of homesickness a little while ago and I thought that I was okay. But see, I didn't <i>forget</i> about it. I merely stash it away into the depths of my own subconsciousness.<br />
<br />
If you have been reading this blog for a while, you might notice that I have this peculiar voice inside my head that is myself and also not myself (Confusing. Yeah, I don't know how it works too) but in a broader sense, I would like to think this voice as myself. Every time when I have my mind free from school and socializing, this voice started to wander, "Hey, I wonder what is he/she doing now?" That question soon escalate into a series of "What if"s. And we all know that 'what ifs' creates anxiety and fear.<br />
<br />
That's how I (think) got my panic attack. I am the cause of it<br />
<br />
But why?<br />
<br />
I don't know for sure. Maybe it is because I choose to be insecure?<br />
<br />
Heh.<br />
<br />
Throughout my life, I have been struggling with myself without rest. I'm the cause of my success and I'm the cause of my failure. Kinda heavy of a burden eh? But yeah, that is how it is. I am my greatest enemy.<br />
<br />
In this case, I choose to be afraid and anxious. Although technically I didn't, a part of me (Or a huge part of me) choose to do just that. To quote a certain failure of a Will Smith movie:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The danger is there but fear is a choice</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Which brings me to another question: Will I be okay?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hm.. tough one but generally, a big fat <b>YES</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As weird as it seems, I am better than myself. So, this time I choose to be brave instead.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
End word: Always, always, always fight against your inner demons. You are your greatest enemy</div>
<br />
<br />K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-56758599389141748722013-09-03T19:17:00.002-07:002013-09-03T19:17:47.981-07:00Hello Murica!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/972180_10201497033803636_659838321_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/972180_10201497033803636_659838321_n.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the infamous UMich Bell Tower. Nice right?<b> ITS HAUNTED!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hello people of the internet! After going through a month of emotional rollercoaster, homesickness and 'kejutan kultural', I am back writing in my now-filled-with-cobwebs personal blog. Kinda weird because I always update my poetry <a href="http://fromthepenofrnk.blogspot.com/?view=classic">blog</a> but I never had the chance/time to invest idea and creative energy into my beloved nazranvision.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I'm in 'Murica. No idea where it is? Okay, I shall speak it more clearly.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Me</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ri</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ka</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, people. Finally, I'm in United States; land of obesity, the dollar bill and 90% of the western artiste you guys worship on daily basis. Specifically, I'm in the town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Where is that you might ask? It is 5 hours north of Chicago. Where is Chicago you ask? It is 7 hours east of New york. Where is New York you ask? For god's sake, get an atlas!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ehem</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyway, the journey to Ann Arbor, Michigan took around 30 hours including transit, travelling more than 11 hundred miles (Yeah, American system!) and 7 full-length movies...and sleep. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Why am I here? To party and pick up chicks, of course!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
jk, I'm studying in the University of Michigan. College of LSA, majoring in Economics and planning to double major in Psychology too...or a double degree in business. We shall see how the future unfolds.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It has been almost two weeks here and I like my experience so far. Generally, the people here are more sociable and open to others. Their service is great too. Friends, a plenty though I have trouble finding a genuine close friend yet. (Come on, baru dua minggu. Chill) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Parties? I've been to a few. Well, duh, not frat or sorority parties with alcohol and weed bongs and orgies. Normal parties with people and music and free finger food that is not actually filling. Parties play an important social aspect of life as a student here. Miss them, then your experience will suck. It is just like mamak sessions in Malaysia...though they don't really carried away until 4am.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
How about studies? Well, can't really say much because today is my first day of class. So far, it is enjoyable. Finally taking up Japanese this time. (Yes! Akiba, here I come~~~) Also taking English writing because they don't accept 'Malaysia-standard English. (Heh, good what. Grammar perfect some more. You all is no nothing of this) And last but not least, <b>Calculus II</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>*cue frightening music*</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, I'm not the brightest one for maths and stuff. My basics suck balls but one thing I do enjoy about math is the dissection of normal everyday concepts into numbers and graphs and functions and further dissecting it. It is like looking into the universe around us....naked. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ehem.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But I think I can bear with it. Come on, it is 'just' 13 credits. <--Future Nazran won't approve of this. I bet you.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyway, I'm finally here. I won't lie when I see I miss Malaysia. I miss the food there. (Seriously, I'm turning into a rabbit here. Salads everytime) I miss the sights. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss my Sam. I miss my Panda. I miss my Kyou and Emma (I love you, babe. Please ship yourself to me T_T)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But life goes on. This is a new chapter. A new beginning. A clean slate for me to spray whatever color paint I wish. Total freedom is a gift but also a burden. I'm confident that I will survive this experience 16000 km away from home (Metric system, I miss you) where toilets have no water bidets (I miss you too, bidets) with nothing but a scroll in hand</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...and maybe a slight accent</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
SLIGHT OKAY.</div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-55440951096935924152013-07-25T11:11:00.000-07:002013-07-25T11:11:05.616-07:00Countdown. More Than Words Version<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/images/Countdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/images/Countdown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My days here are numbered. But that doesn't mean I should sit at a corner and cry right? So, I'm writing here to answer the question:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"So, how do you spend your last days, Nazran?"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, here is my answer, in a More Than Words edition!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I'm lazy to write tonight</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>1. Nights With Semoa</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was kinda random. A friend of mine suddenly came to me and asked, "Eh, datang lah." So, I did. It was a fun night and I met a lot of my long lost friends</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEFPg1zycHsmlwf3yt_qjZ0JiV9yNRedlpzFd0-mz8viXIooAWEIQ8kfhvuSCGqxfoX8CdTU8PEtOZ8V9-GI1Tk6zwx7XXWMUiBkxFHvErbU7VjodadlOuHe3eg-My4_isM6pOuXJHw4/s1600/IMG_1195%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEFPg1zycHsmlwf3yt_qjZ0JiV9yNRedlpzFd0-mz8viXIooAWEIQ8kfhvuSCGqxfoX8CdTU8PEtOZ8V9-GI1Tk6zwx7XXWMUiBkxFHvErbU7VjodadlOuHe3eg-My4_isM6pOuXJHw4/s320/IMG_1195%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With awesome people, Rizwan and San</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuJVA2o6yssTvpWLwawslAjMTpZsTbSKQAAsS12zK_vJQEJDx4zByPQz6N89sviK9iAkg3rp2tYfGZEM4M9Jx7bowChoMUNcpGvhCedgF7VlYY6D3QAxtQOZ3AhYZZyAItvvrcQe8-bU/s1600/IMG_1197%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuJVA2o6yssTvpWLwawslAjMTpZsTbSKQAAsS12zK_vJQEJDx4zByPQz6N89sviK9iAkg3rp2tYfGZEM4M9Jx7bowChoMUNcpGvhCedgF7VlYY6D3QAxtQOZ3AhYZZyAItvvrcQe8-bU/s320/IMG_1197%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mates for the night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIq36X5ukSS_QXT_CxI0O_A5mbzyQNY-c9y7OvpMZHHVle9NlDKP0NI1kG61C8xYjWNCIWU59NAT4u-v5dnqj-At4W176uDbLzMUbT-h5xYp3sPwBLm-HZMibLXF_CwXSeD7eaSJM8r0/s1600/IMG_1200%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIq36X5ukSS_QXT_CxI0O_A5mbzyQNY-c9y7OvpMZHHVle9NlDKP0NI1kG61C8xYjWNCIWU59NAT4u-v5dnqj-At4W176uDbLzMUbT-h5xYp3sPwBLm-HZMibLXF_CwXSeD7eaSJM8r0/s320/IMG_1200%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puak Kijang united</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTTwNzF93MiS8cEJsHfc3DSRtbbI2yuvMNniQASsxABjE28eTVyYLNhK_f1LOWcBZRqylJRzW-9G2Oywku4QyYY4JzQPUvnceiTPZi_vpQx4CXU-8QW4FaS95-q3sC9Ea8UaZ01-lK64/s1600/IMG_1206%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTTwNzF93MiS8cEJsHfc3DSRtbbI2yuvMNniQASsxABjE28eTVyYLNhK_f1LOWcBZRqylJRzW-9G2Oywku4QyYY4JzQPUvnceiTPZi_vpQx4CXU-8QW4FaS95-q3sC9Ea8UaZ01-lK64/s320/IMG_1206%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Akhiar, a senior</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>2. ADP Graduation</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh god, I finally graduated. It seems like yesterday that I just got my letter from Taylors. Now, I had officially graduated. It was fun, really.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSuNqGPTfrzxsP_JiEw07cp_qSeqyKDeW4JLhwlK-sw_Q413jgKeqhOCVzId9sAM0J2rUpQgqGhgJj_n06filFi9tO6SUHaAMV27Eh0GgwU6zGWz7z5KorWAke3cMBSN59mO7OCM4CZI/s1600/IMG_1243%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSuNqGPTfrzxsP_JiEw07cp_qSeqyKDeW4JLhwlK-sw_Q413jgKeqhOCVzId9sAM0J2rUpQgqGhgJj_n06filFi9tO6SUHaAMV27Eh0GgwU6zGWz7z5KorWAke3cMBSN59mO7OCM4CZI/s320/IMG_1243%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two shining rays.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBW20FzmKxtJLT23LaQQNgDN4Mm9uyaq7vYLNC-ThBObTfk74KOsqwQnwl0SW8Px8tGPuj-F6sXIthmXrtym52VwcQtGPE083aacMhtd1U5_KzYexm6nbLirPRWDJc1v8m2brIHQnUlE/s1600/IMG_1225%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBW20FzmKxtJLT23LaQQNgDN4Mm9uyaq7vYLNC-ThBObTfk74KOsqwQnwl0SW8Px8tGPuj-F6sXIthmXrtym52VwcQtGPE083aacMhtd1U5_KzYexm6nbLirPRWDJc1v8m2brIHQnUlE/s320/IMG_1225%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Among the awesome friends I have in ADP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-9M4oo5u2MlnFf0fJGwWemF5CYapEK5VrM8ehjp5yrokHS8ZD7O109ss0MtiJU1Qcu2ebWC2BqqhcBgp3tgtVfOZXsbATqkQa0wGrRYc39FF6TfYQEMDo6oOFCnAsRArPWNP-qxkTRg/s1600/IMG_1267%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-9M4oo5u2MlnFf0fJGwWemF5CYapEK5VrM8ehjp5yrokHS8ZD7O109ss0MtiJU1Qcu2ebWC2BqqhcBgp3tgtVfOZXsbATqkQa0wGrRYc39FF6TfYQEMDo6oOFCnAsRArPWNP-qxkTRg/s320/IMG_1267%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puak Michigan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglT3aYpYfzBg4yX3RRW9-KQaSzaFdW9LCRlOzsjzRJhDYABliToUyT1iiJjObQHcQnL2o9zPOnkEkFxc4YGwdR3yT5kxANy4bqAlTbIvC0Gd2eHIVHAFaIcuP7FTMaR4SnVQeCLcP1pBA/s1600/IMG_1272%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglT3aYpYfzBg4yX3RRW9-KQaSzaFdW9LCRlOzsjzRJhDYABliToUyT1iiJjObQHcQnL2o9zPOnkEkFxc4YGwdR3yT5kxANy4bqAlTbIvC0Gd2eHIVHAFaIcuP7FTMaR4SnVQeCLcP1pBA/s320/IMG_1272%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel, Sherlynn and Darren. They always make my day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd-PrS2N4NE0ZKKfcNbwVEkJ6sBungD-HHkbRM-37PnvqMs3yhx9hS1t882ZEGJww-kedkazGCNYtmyPfPh9-jua9GnFm8_a_hCLxa4Aw-zZaxOK5fV5crQyxh158mk2Sq0WhD1Buxng/s1600/IMG_1277%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd-PrS2N4NE0ZKKfcNbwVEkJ6sBungD-HHkbRM-37PnvqMs3yhx9hS1t882ZEGJww-kedkazGCNYtmyPfPh9-jua9GnFm8_a_hCLxa4Aw-zZaxOK5fV5crQyxh158mk2Sq0WhD1Buxng/s320/IMG_1277%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my favorite lecturer, Ms Lim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmM4y0ZThPp_V_TeAA06nUfl7DtbRWEpnD79I2Vjzw-SQEVp6oJITmVQb7pwv1bPHyigk_A9q_9dAOo0S9r9_oGtUItJaeqNFFoGVrurksDnEo3YQP0Dr9kAOW2R7X2bVqFxLryMF2L4/s1600/IMG_1279%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmM4y0ZThPp_V_TeAA06nUfl7DtbRWEpnD79I2Vjzw-SQEVp6oJITmVQb7pwv1bPHyigk_A9q_9dAOo0S9r9_oGtUItJaeqNFFoGVrurksDnEo3YQP0Dr9kAOW2R7X2bVqFxLryMF2L4/s320/IMG_1279%5B1%5D.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hours of library studying: Worth it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1xmOBNnJ5zy_QZOsbgDP1FLScRQGxZ_mwXGl7a7iuhN5jum3lJHX7pEF-OgOxipKtrE7pSMKT2Jp7d38Dw70QroD85NDb_XxkVmIAK96aV-6WlnAjn6z7p8ikmai-c1U-pEYnlI7Kro/s1600/IMG_1249%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1xmOBNnJ5zy_QZOsbgDP1FLScRQGxZ_mwXGl7a7iuhN5jum3lJHX7pEF-OgOxipKtrE7pSMKT2Jp7d38Dw70QroD85NDb_XxkVmIAK96aV-6WlnAjn6z7p8ikmai-c1U-pEYnlI7Kro/s320/IMG_1249%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of us in Turga-ish (Turgic) pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>3. Prom Night</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I never been to prom. So I say YOLO and went to one. I cost me shitloads of money but IT WAS WORTH IT. PERIOD. I'M NOT JOKING ON THIS</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc455v89gosIzT8LuJeo5CSN_1VuXrh4zpLKsd6BAlAdFF5o7vdA_lig2BTv85w_Vaq4uPbsdk2XQGds4ilwm5RAvowf-rtufiP6TfuWnOXXuQ2B0MZcdPMpLXFwmkCVMs_FIV0LMPSc8/s1600/IMG_1311%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc455v89gosIzT8LuJeo5CSN_1VuXrh4zpLKsd6BAlAdFF5o7vdA_lig2BTv85w_Vaq4uPbsdk2XQGds4ilwm5RAvowf-rtufiP6TfuWnOXXuQ2B0MZcdPMpLXFwmkCVMs_FIV0LMPSc8/s320/IMG_1311%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manly stare</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMZT01xSjiwj4BILdCTMF9K4dKZpRqlgHjbaSNK_mhdMvPhklWXF-GoMg_qR-Cis74A-FbVabcTvvuQ5j1mRDfaDhksD1ro1X73VAz5e0zVqPnGO4fkfUIM7QEpLLP-_WpAygdDn2IXA/s1600/IMG_1315%5B2%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMZT01xSjiwj4BILdCTMF9K4dKZpRqlgHjbaSNK_mhdMvPhklWXF-GoMg_qR-Cis74A-FbVabcTvvuQ5j1mRDfaDhksD1ro1X73VAz5e0zVqPnGO4fkfUIM7QEpLLP-_WpAygdDn2IXA/s320/IMG_1315%5B2%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tux and a white piano. How gentlemanly is that?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lailKho0HhagcAd4gr9J34ccFhcf2s_xp8KGUb3wpjMvp3tZLqxt5yll75hjADenQv46QuNfzl35iajNs20s44L3iIR5-hZ8hVt_n8UW7n6UdUFFVmqrUYn_nAbPzaI3BfqlMHuDJys/s1600/IMG_1343%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lailKho0HhagcAd4gr9J34ccFhcf2s_xp8KGUb3wpjMvp3tZLqxt5yll75hjADenQv46QuNfzl35iajNs20s44L3iIR5-hZ8hVt_n8UW7n6UdUFFVmqrUYn_nAbPzaI3BfqlMHuDJys/s320/IMG_1343%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prom gang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4ANvXNUGjL_9HwW2Rf2kl8on2-sAR3jaV0uZ_JFl1KocmFNZWGWLw7afURtI7gVXDalgOZj4FidKtrNO1pGnBC2p5jClHQ4Yt52cQNbnDjJGp3sHDRZGeD6Eh9SZnI7HcyAer-UDlD4/s1600/IMG_1324%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4ANvXNUGjL_9HwW2Rf2kl8on2-sAR3jaV0uZ_JFl1KocmFNZWGWLw7afURtI7gVXDalgOZj4FidKtrNO1pGnBC2p5jClHQ4Yt52cQNbnDjJGp3sHDRZGeD6Eh9SZnI7HcyAer-UDlD4/s320/IMG_1324%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manly man in suits and tie (bowtie)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8xzlYlrKhsjuuXd5nBorw-fN5WfAN75b1WCi-l78yC-WD9ORbPv1L7Uc0LZbwI-xe1VOC6t3AdU1po__041pe1JiOxMaAOt3KBT5TLobR099NpfIaDscLyPb2Tx1IfP5FSMnVaQi-gg/s1600/IMG_1321%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8xzlYlrKhsjuuXd5nBorw-fN5WfAN75b1WCi-l78yC-WD9ORbPv1L7Uc0LZbwI-xe1VOC6t3AdU1po__041pe1JiOxMaAOt3KBT5TLobR099NpfIaDscLyPb2Tx1IfP5FSMnVaQi-gg/s320/IMG_1321%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shir Lin, the bubbly girl in black</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK_wTicjq4r3HXcQpuiH2BWfOiYLYM9MIGIIkhvK-k9Ih_Z1KtvJdW9D0HHhR0v_qBGSrKV3rEkrOHyRfytBquUEPs0gaf983f1vV207kCIsge30KkAuoDhB57TTRJkrX0yxi45CCmms/s1600/IMG_1344%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK_wTicjq4r3HXcQpuiH2BWfOiYLYM9MIGIIkhvK-k9Ih_Z1KtvJdW9D0HHhR0v_qBGSrKV3rEkrOHyRfytBquUEPs0gaf983f1vV207kCIsge30KkAuoDhB57TTRJkrX0yxi45CCmms/s320/IMG_1344%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heizen, the cute mashimaro who turned into a white angel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>4. IftarOhsem</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
94fs very first iftar! With great people and great food.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHTkWaD5ZwRcZMTHCL27NM18az3xqx3HbcthArNLVcon565GygQlGQFRRZmLf_RdOEZ2vIjA_lr7x4uVrh4fUdPdVlbEnFPv8CeB7pSZbpmdu1hPjq3pK04lIKSPyTLV178JijTVe2u4/s1600/IMG_1359%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHTkWaD5ZwRcZMTHCL27NM18az3xqx3HbcthArNLVcon565GygQlGQFRRZmLf_RdOEZ2vIjA_lr7x4uVrh4fUdPdVlbEnFPv8CeB7pSZbpmdu1hPjq3pK04lIKSPyTLV178JijTVe2u4/s320/IMG_1359%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ohsem people. Take 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv4Pu2H1TyujECXDppBXJr1t9jfb6-f72TMjjLjId0X3BTiKBl5slk9YSBNNIgLpDv9AhV6xlI-zR5wRmn3FlZ-LOAJidmQTgMo2KRMHU0gKI-GQKccN_w1rb8wphNnlvVHa2TwRtXYU/s1600/IMG_1363%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv4Pu2H1TyujECXDppBXJr1t9jfb6-f72TMjjLjId0X3BTiKBl5slk9YSBNNIgLpDv9AhV6xlI-zR5wRmn3FlZ-LOAJidmQTgMo2KRMHU0gKI-GQKccN_w1rb8wphNnlvVHa2TwRtXYU/s320/IMG_1363%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future Prime Minister and Future</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrv2iWBpuvq0DiosZEVsGfCtnmahOxtcZ_pEQW9KOC-hx1VTdPlUKkiNtgMxZb0QJfYtZbsAD4Zixive8VD_RHFFF7RvcK0HkcBzx5yZGsv5jfMIuFO5HSjqOnMJ4o739YmI-k0VgPF8/s1600/IMG_1362%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrv2iWBpuvq0DiosZEVsGfCtnmahOxtcZ_pEQW9KOC-hx1VTdPlUKkiNtgMxZb0QJfYtZbsAD4Zixive8VD_RHFFF7RvcK0HkcBzx5yZGsv5jfMIuFO5HSjqOnMJ4o739YmI-k0VgPF8/s320/IMG_1362%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ali and Zik, being sweet </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHVSWMK5xbwBlrhQpSlm3H9CXQr2fiamYoXjdDz6sCakRSC3BxvghA3fmQZ762_SyxS5kx4GHm3fJfWg-2RbU_itdk1bEzoAkk-5EwKHHxj_ARrPelsCyv7CdRxNu-QRRYO-01RSR0Ag/s1600/IMG_1361%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHVSWMK5xbwBlrhQpSlm3H9CXQr2fiamYoXjdDz6sCakRSC3BxvghA3fmQZ762_SyxS5kx4GHm3fJfWg-2RbU_itdk1bEzoAkk-5EwKHHxj_ARrPelsCyv7CdRxNu-QRRYO-01RSR0Ag/s320/IMG_1361%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-54682622770754919012013-07-24T10:20:00.001-07:002013-07-24T10:20:52.594-07:00I Hate Goodbyes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSXc6Z2tS7Mkwz-l4mURNomq2G721VpvpjzJacJbMMtGrCP45ZD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSXc6Z2tS7Mkwz-l4mURNomq2G721VpvpjzJacJbMMtGrCP45ZD" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warning. Emotional post ahead. Sorry, I tried repressing it but I can't</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Close eyes, open eyes, close eyes, open eyes.<br />
<br />
There are now less then 30 days before a huge double decker metal bird will take me away from a place called Malaysia and fly me off to the New World Of Opportunity. Everyday, without fail, I would daydream of a certain scene in an airport and emotions bubbled inside me. Hypothetical tears become increasingly real with every repetition. Faces of family and friends flashed with their bittersweet smile and encouraging goodbyes. The smell of McDonalds of KLIA. God, I hate that smell. I swear to myself not to visit any McDs to prevent my memory from triggering again.<br />
<br />
Why so emo lah?<br />
<br />
I don't know. I should be excited and happy that there are now less than a month left before I fly off. Flying to the States to study has been one of my greatest teenage dream and it is finally becoming real but why am I sad and slightly angry at this?<br />
<br />
Maybe because time passed to fast. The Man of the Clockwork is trolling me by setting time in 'fast forward' mode and laugh maniacally at my blissful ignorance of time until I realized that time has ran out. Time to spend with family and friends and pets and acquaintances. Time to let memories, good and bad sink into my grey matter.<br />
<br />
But maybe that's not it. Maybe it is something different that is causing this bubbling madness of emotions in me. No, it is not the Man of the Clockwork's fault although I really wish to put all the blame onto him. So, what is it?<br />
<br />
<b>I hate goodbyes</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Yes, maybe that's it. I hate goodbyes. I really do. But isn't that ironical for me? I never cried in any graduation/farewell party before. Seriously, I never ever cry so, why am I so sensitive with goodbyes? The thing is, I am sensitive to goodbyes. I just stash it away into the depths of my mind and repress it like I always did with my other emotions. Wait, that's an oxymoron too? An emotionless Nazran? Bullshit<br />
<br />
But see, I have a really strong facade to hide whatever I am feeling current all in the name of logic and rationality. <i>I should not feel like this. Think objectively. Think objectively. THINK OBJECTIVELY</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Maybe that's the reason why I can't really express myself well. Wait, another oxymoron? Yes, I'm a good adaptor too. I see social context and fit in perfectly, saying things people want to hear and what not. Fake? Meh, it is called being smart.<br />
<br />
Enough digression. The point here is, I hate goodbyes. Yeah sure, we have Facebook, Twitter, Skype and what not to keep in touch but things will never be the same. It will never, shall ever never be the same. And that scared me shitless.<br />
<br />
If you read what I wrote a few months by about fear, maybe you would understand. The fear to take a step forward is more frightening than experience the current fear instill into you. That's what I'm going through right now. I'm scared. I'm insecure. I'm afraid.<br />
<br />
That's why I hate goodbyes. Goodbyes are the signal of a new beginning. Although I condone the act of starting something new, I can't deny of the fact that I am still scared shitless of that idea.<br />
<br />
Will I be crippled by fear?<br />
Hell no. The Nazran writing this one hell of an emotional blog post is just a part of a whole Nazran in the Great System of Nazrans in the Naz-Brain. The optimistic and motivated part of me will surely override this insecure Nazran soon. But again, that doesn't mean I purge my fear altogether. <b>The fear is there, just repressed.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
With less than a month left, I think this is a good time to spend it with friends, family and lover. Yeah, that sounds about right. Of course, tears will be shed in the night of the 20th but I'm going to make sure that those tears will be the testament of my 'Why I am going to US'. Tears are expensive. Must make them worth it.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, I haven't really settled 100% of my college preparation so I guess you can say some of the fear is originating from there.<br />
<br />
<br />K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-78328850986062638292013-07-16T22:04:00.000-07:002013-07-16T22:04:22.405-07:00The Origins: Celebrating 100th Post on Nazranvision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://oldworldgardenfarms.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/100th-post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://oldworldgardenfarms.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/100th-post.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
It has come: <b>THE 100TH POST ON NAZRANVISION!!!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>WOOHOOO!</b><br />
<b>YEYYYYYY!</b><br />
<b>*FIRES CONFETTI*</b><br />
<b>*DO A MOONSAULT, CARTWHEEL TRIPLE BACKFLIP WHILE WEARING A PURPLE LEOTARD*</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Ehem,<br />
I can't believe it, after only a year since revival the new nazranvision has reached its 100th post. First of all, I would like to thank myself (selves) for always updating this blog though at times it may gather dust due to writer's block and what not. Thank you Nazran. Thank you Railzan. Thank you Kanzaki<br />
<br />
And thank you! Yeah, YOU. Oi, you la the one reading this. Yeah, you. Because without you, I wouldn't have any reason to update this blog. Seeing my views rising slowly and steadily is one of my favorite past times and oh boy, it sure gave me a good high.<br />
<br />
To commemorate this post, I shall do a simple FAQ (Yes, FAK FAK FAK!) regarding nazranvision<br />
<br />
<b>So, why the heck would you name your blog 'nazranvision'? That was lame</b><br />
I. Have. No. Idea. Maybe because my 16 years old self thinks it is cool. Come on, I was a teenager when I first created this blog and teenagers are stupid. ALL teenagers are stupid.<br />
<br />
<b>I heard somewhere along the way, nazranvision was shut down. Really ah?</b><br />
Yeah. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, nazranvision was shut down on 19th February 2011. Then over a year later, nazranvision was reborn.<br />
<br />
<b>What is the purpose of nazranvision?</b><br />
To tell you the truth, I first blog because I want to show my crush my writing skills. So I wrote diary entries of my life and all in a wacky writing style to get her attention. She didn't work out though but this blog did. After the shut down, nazranvision was revived as a 'philosophically deep and inspiring blog' where I write some ambiguous and general stuffs without a personal taste of 'me'. But then, this is my blog. It should have something about me! So after that, nazranvision just became...my blog. I can write whatever I want to and no one can stop me!....except for myself (selves)<br />
<br />
<b>You always mentioned Railzan and Kanzaki. Who or what are they?</b><br />
Railzan and Kanzaki are figments of my personality. See, I get confused with myself often. I pride myself with my facade and my adaptability to the world, resulting very contrasting traits and personalities to exist within me. In order to save myself from an identity crisis, I organize/relate my personalities into 'persons'. Railzan and Kanzaki are two parts of an opposing spectrum and whatever in between is Nazran. Railzan is my perfectionist, organized, logical and rational side with his bombastic words spamming, long convoluted sentences and his disregard for the human emotions. Kanzaki is my feminine and softer side and also my source of extraversion, enthusiasm and the love for humans in general.<br />
<br />
<b>Oh I see, then who is Nazran?</b><br />
Nazran is everything here and there and in between. Yes, that's deep and I shall leave it there.<br />
<br />
<b>How does nazranvision changed you?</b><br />
Nazranvision changed me in more ways than I could imagine. The shut down of nazranvision in 2011 thought me a valuable lesson and serves as a harsh wake up call. Nazranvision is also the reason I found one of my closest friends through the blogosphere and also my beloved group of inspiring teens, the 94 Congress. Nazranvision helped me a lot to build up my maturity. Try reading my earlier posts and my later post. You can see an evolution in thought and writing style. This my friend, is the fruits of my maturity...and nazranvision played a part in garnering and immortalizing that.<br />
<br />
<b>So, what now for nazranvision?</b><br />
To stay awesome. Yes, nuff said.<br />
<br />
**<br />
Again, I would like to thank all of you who always read my blog post no matter how random or long/short it is. Without you guys, this blog will be dead in days. Yes, you guys are the oxygen for this blog. Never. Stop. Reading.<br />
<br />
With that, nazranvision's 100th post:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>FINISHED</b></span></div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-52296112575478955162013-07-10T09:42:00.000-07:002013-07-10T09:42:28.459-07:00A Fast Rant Regarding Fasting Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0b98EwYcj1Uw2I0Hfe85W7GRrznrq1g56BzN0kxVgr2Wcfley" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0b98EwYcj1Uw2I0Hfe85W7GRrznrq1g56BzN0kxVgr2Wcfley" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy Ramadhan everybody! We, from Nazranvision team would like to wish you guys happy fasting. Do good. Be good. And stay good.<br />
<br />
Because most of the topic I had in mind now are either not suitable to be posted online or not suitable to be posted during this time period. Since Ramadhan has just begun, I would like to strike while the iron is hot and send you guys a message via (seemingly) random rants<br />
<br />
<b>1. Those people who 'transform' into an angel during Ramadhan</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Yes, these kinds of people exist. They were...well, not really bad during other months but they were not good either. Skipping prayers, cursing and revealing all is there to reveal as if the world is stamped with their name in big red block letters. Then, Ramadhan came and they suddenly undergo a metamorphosis into an angel with sanctimonious tweets, soft spoken words and perfect religious program. Now, what can you say about these people?<br />
<br />
"Siot, bajet baik je. Dah setan, setan ar. Pui"<br />
"Bajet bagus. Nak menunjuk ar tu time2 Ramadhan ni. Hak tui"<br />
"Munafik. Nakharom"<br />
<br />
Chill my brothers and sisters. Why the hate? Although yeah, they 'might' be faking it but see, it doesn't change the fact that they are 'doing' it. Yeah, chances are they might not know what they are doing and that's good; we, as the 'enlightened' one should show them the way. See, fakes can be original. By faking their alignment towards good, they are trying to imitate the original. Isn't that a good thing, right?<br />
<br />
But noooooo. Our so called 'enlightened' group scurried their 'Bashing Machine Guns' and condemn these people into oblivion. Hurtful words and remarks that is so cruel, you would not believe that he/she is someone who is 'enlightened'. And these 'fakes' who generally functions closely with society's perception say, "Hey, you know what. Screw this crap. I'm going to be true to myself and drop the act". Hence, these 'fakes' stop faking and continue their original lifestyle.<br />
<br />
Yeah, this might be an exaggeration and over generalization but this is a very plausible and might be real scenario. 'Enlightened' people, as much as you think you can control people, I am here to say, "You can't". What you can control though is your reaction and action towards an external stimuli; in this case, the 'fakes'. By noticing the root of the problem (The fakes trying to imitate the original), a truly 'enlightened' person would take this opportunity rather than to let it slip.<br />
<br />
So yeah, stop bashing these 'fakes' and try to help them out instead!<br />
<br />
<b>2. Hey, Ya Non-Muslim. You Need To Respect Us! Here is 1001 Things You Can't Do </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
"Non-Muslim, we would like you to respect us Muslim while we are fasting. Please don't bla bla bla bla"<br />
<br />
Kay, I'm not denying the fact that non-muslim should have some respect towards us fasting Muslim. It is common sense not to dangle food in front of a fasting person without risking to awake the monster inside of him/her. But people are abusing it by taking this concept a little bit too far. Worse, they are actually forcing it down our non-Muslims companion's throats.<br />
<br />
"Don't RT food pictures"<br />
"Don't wear sleveless"<br />"Don't show me your aurat-exposed face"<br />
"Don't talk to me. I might get aroused"<br />
"Walao, still do the thing I told you not to. You $%^& racist. Ci$%^&*( Ke$%^&*() Tut tut tut"<br />
<br />
(Again, exaggeration but you get what I mean)<br />
<br />
Which I would like to respond as "WOW! So power your convictions are! Bravo!" Are your willpower that 'cikai' that you get turned on by a simplest exposure of aurat of a non-Muslim. Kay, I putting it out that I don't know the proper hukum of that but I kinda pity my non-Muslim friend who got bash because she didn't wear a tudung during Ramadhan. I mean, why should she? It is not her religious obligation whatsoever so she don't have responsibility to wear it. This act of forcing our religious views down into others throat is a toxic behavior indeed.<br />
<br />
I mean, yeah, we need to uphold Islam as a religion and all. But to shove our 'Islam' into our non-Muslim friends is not upholding Islam at all; in fact, you're tainting it with the image of 'All Muslims are extremist fanatics who lived in their own world'<br />
<br />
Have a bit of respect too. And maybe you will receive respect in a truckload<br />
<br />
<b>3. ????</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Dammit. I'm out of rants to rant. I need ideas on Ramadhan, FAST! (See what I did there?)K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-67349410826838924772013-07-07T07:26:00.001-07:002013-07-07T07:26:19.645-07:00To Love Thyself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://eslblogcafe.com/skr/tong10428/files/2013/05/i-love-myself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://eslblogcafe.com/skr/tong10428/files/2013/05/i-love-myself.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm going to post this quote and the link to the whole video. Watch it. Very inspiring.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"And if you can’t see anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror. Look a little closer. Stare a little longer. Because there’s something inside you that made you keep trying despite how everyone told you to quit. You built a cast around your broken heart and signed it yourself, you signed it, They were wrong."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">-To This Day, Shane Koyczan-</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">link to the original: </span></i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltun92DfnPY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltun92DfnPY</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dann, short blog post ever</div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-21299825310413868052013-06-27T23:58:00.003-07:002013-06-28T00:00:41.003-07:00Of Perception and Pure Skill<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLyuHR--nrDvboD2WMBDoZSPlYpX_ydDJ7vGurnBYpYLe9tS2J" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLyuHR--nrDvboD2WMBDoZSPlYpX_ydDJ7vGurnBYpYLe9tS2J" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because I lack proper images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hello everybody. It is a dull Friday (again) after a hectic week of non-stop outings and spending. So, what is better to spice up your Friday than reading of one my rants?<br />
<br />
*crickets sounds*<br />
<br />
Meh.<br />
<br />
So anyway, I had this nice conversation with a friend of mine about perception and skills. It goes something like this.<br />
<br />
Friend: Eh, don't you think that perception is more powerful than skill?<br />
Me: Explain<br />
Friend: Like, I noticed that I am able to hone my skills better after I got this scholarship...and I got this scholarship mainly because of perception<br />
Me: Really meh? *deep thought*<br />
<br />
<i>Disclaimer: Event may not be 100% accurate but you get the gist of it</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
After a deep thought and philosophical ranting with the two people inside my head, I came to a conclusion<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PERCEPTION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PURE SKILL</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, before you start debating with me with concrete arguments, let me explain my thought process here. I define perception as <b>how you exhibit yourself to the world around you </b>and pure skill as <b>your personal ability</b>. Putting the definitions in, I'm saying that <b>how you exhibit yourself to the world around you </b>is more important than <b>your personal ability</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Why is that?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because although you and everyone else has their own unique personal ability and skill like good memory, ability to ace test, athletics ability etc, ultimately, only the holder of the said ability truly know that they possess that ability. Moving forward, this means that although you know that you have that ability, others won't.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For example, you know that you have a talent for playing chess. Now, if you meet someone new, will they know that you're good in playing chess just by talking to you for five minutes? Unless that person is a mentalist, I highly doubt it. Even if you say "I'm a chess player" or "I am good at chess", that person can really 'know' that you are 'that good' at chess.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Unless, you really plant in the idea that you are good in chess</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, here is where perception came in. To make that person know that you are good in chess, you would need to show him or her. No, you'd not need to pull out a chess board or anything but maybe you can just say "I played chess in tournaments before"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Boom. Perception changed.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just by adding the word 'tournament', the other person will get the idea of you holding a chess tournament medal/trophy and quickly conclude that you are good in chess. Although in reality you may ended up last in many tournaments, but that doesn't matter. You showed them an image of a tournament, <b>but not really your skill. </b>They, themselves concluded that you are good in chess. Now, you are perceived as good in chess. Objective achieved.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>How can we relate it to real life? I mean, what significant of knowing that perception is more important than skill?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
See, to survive in life, you'll need to look good. Looking good here is not looking good physically but it is the image others perceived you to be. Although you may not have the skill, but by looking good, you will be able to hone that said skill. A simple example would be my own scholarship interview.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I admit, I lack the skills required to be a Bank Negara scholar. Although my academic and cocurriculum track records are well above average, I lack the 'zing' to be a BNM scholar. But then, during the interview, I perceive myself as 'The Guy That Should Be A Scholar' and I plant that image into my interviewers mind. In doing so, I got the scholarship and because of the opportunity that came afterwards, I became 'The Guy That Should Be A Scholar' (<i>Woah, it is like super bragging and crap. But bear with me and take in the message) </i>Opportunities to obtain 'pure skill' is opened up by using 'perception'</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But then, maybe it is an isolated case....or it is?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ever been to a MLM function before? Are those people in front wearing their suits and ties and looking all nice and fancy that skilled and rich? Chances are, they are not....probably. But they successfully planted that image into the audience mind and because of that, they WILL be that skilled and rich guy/girl.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>"Perception is the key."</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>After note: Now, you may have noticed some gaping holes in my arguments above. I noticed that too and it was intentional. You know, to make something to be debated upon. So yeah, what do you think about perception?</i></div>
</div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-23369265699481988242013-06-26T17:39:00.001-07:002013-06-26T17:39:49.789-07:00Effort Rationalization<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/1946147070_1366437872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/1946147070_1366437872.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"If you want to achieve something, work hard. If you can't, work harder"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>-Railzan Kurhna</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hello people! Here am I writing a new blog post early in the morning. The first time ever since I graduated from Taylor's. So, in this lovely morning I shall write about something called '<b>effort rationalization'</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What is effort rationalization? It is an act of thinking about your efforts to put into an action, prompting you to decide to put in more effort or to put in less. To put it simply, you think and control whether to work harder or to work less. This <b>effort rationalization</b> is a heck of a skill to master because you can make yourself more efficient by controlling the amount of effort you put into an action. Hence, no effort is wasted.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Another way to see effort rationalization is by relating it to stabilization policy in Macroeconomics. Sure, the economy and yourself has a 'self-correcting' mechanism to <i>correct </i>itself/yourself in times of boom and slack but it will be too slow. To put it in a personal context, by the time you realized that you are putting too much effort in winning the heart of a girl you like, you had already spent so much money and time for her that it is not worth it anymore. Hence, effort rationalization should kick in.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>BUT WAIT </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Effort rationalization is just like stabilization policy. Meaning while you won't go down as bad as it should, you also won't go up as high as it should. You are chained to not be at the bottom spot <b>AND </b>the top spot. You are trapped in the middle. You become average. Just like the economy, you are stuck in the <b>middle income trap.</b> Your life is good. It won't go down and to go up, it takes 'too much effort'. Complacency kicked in and you can say hello to the average life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Look around you, no, look at yourself. Can you see the effect of effort rationalization in you? You can't? Think again, have you said this?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Ala, B pon B la. Cukup ok la tu"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Nombor 7 pon ok la. At least aku tak bottom 10"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Perlu ke aku study lagi? Aku rasa cukup untuk pass ni"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You my friend is a victim of effort rationalization. True, it helps at times but this is abuse.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>FOR ONCE, STOP RATIONALIZING!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>SCREW LOGIC </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>YOU!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>GET OUT FROM YOUR #$%^& COMFORT ZONE</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>AND WORK HARDER DAMMIT!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-43125950489207918982013-06-23T09:05:00.000-07:002013-06-23T09:05:26.330-07:00Hope or Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQsolqrwO_eBo8FOy7uCa9Nrx98uqLzOwh-ADTsJ-tIMbhU6RYk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQsolqrwO_eBo8FOy7uCa9Nrx98uqLzOwh-ADTsJ-tIMbhU6RYk" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I iz back! After five days of fun (read:torture) in the middle of the jungle without internet and phone connection, I'm back into my concrete jungle with 20mbps unifi.<br />
<br />
So, what's up? Well there is nothing much to talk about the camp....heh, I lied. Actually there is ALOT of things that can be discussed regarding the BTN camp. <b>A LOT</b>. But worry not my readers. I won't pull off a controversial political post with Revolusi and Bersih and PR and BN and Perkara 153 bla bla bla. I won't risk the ISA or something barging into my home and capturing me. *shivers*<br />
<br />
Today, I will be talking about <b>Hope and Fear. </b>Before that, here is a disclaimer<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The following post did not represent any parties, groups or factions and it is wholly based on the author's own point of view. It is just an opinion meaning it is may or may not be true. Healthy debate is encourage but baseless slight is not welcome.</i></div>
<b><br /></b>
What does hope and fear has to do with BTN camp? It's related to the fundamental element used by BTN to 'brainwash' and indoctrinate their participant to serve the country. In their module, they have various topics covered like Equality, Malaysia's law and the Constitution but to deliver those topics they resorted into one very fundamental element: <b>fear</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
How do they instill fear? Simple. They compare with another 'worse' country like Palestine, Syria dan Turki. They elucidate very clearly the worst case scenario that could happen if you don't serve the country and be thankful to the government. The module operates from the top down, meaning they deconstruct the fall of a nation from the top.<br />
<br />
A good example is one of the question stated in the module : <b>Which is more important for a country? Education, Social, Politics or Economics?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Personally, I think the answer is <b>education</b>. Reason being is that education forms the basis of progress and it is also the glue to sustain a nation. Without a proper education, one could not change his fate. Without education, a nation would just stay stagnant and without any progress.<br />
<br />
But what is the answer given by the module? <b>Politics. </b>Reason: Without politics, a nation would go into chaos. It is quiet logical for a nation to crumble when the government fails. If they is no one to control and supervise the people, people can just do anything we want...and people are not as rational as we thought. Examples given was Palestine, Syria and Egypt.<br />
<br />
Notice the difference? With education, you are looking forward and finding a way to become better. That is <b>hope. </b>With politics, you are looking down and trying to find a way so you won't fall down. That is <b>fear.</b> As stated earlier, the BTN module operates on the basis of instilling fear into the hearts of the young. They showed the bottom of the barrel in the worst possible way and expect you to keep on climbing if you don't know to fall down.<br />
<br />
Is it bad?<br />
<br />
Heck no. Inspiration via fear has been done a lot of time and it is not a bad way to inspire a nation. Thinking back, we as humans progress in the name of fear during prehistoric ages. To survive, we need to keep on moving forward. Kill, eat and thrive in the wilderness. For a moment if you give up, you die. Don't want to die, keep on living. Simple.<br />
<br />
But see, fear essentially forces us to dwell in the scars of past mistakes. As long as we didn't fall into the void, we are okay...even if we are merely inches away from falling down. Hey, that is better than falling down, right? As long as the worst case scenario doesn't happen, <b>it is good enough.</b> The notion of 'Kita patut bersyukur kerana ia boleh menjadi lebih teruk' is a possible notion but relying on this alone will force the whole nation to be complacent and to NEVER PROGRESS FORWARD<br />
<br />
<br />
If we use hope as a method of inspiration, what will happen instead? We will look up and forward. We can see our end point as a nation clearly. There is a saying that if you want to inspire our workers to build a ship, show them the beautiful vastness of the ocean. When we can see our end point, we can strategised and plan our next step towards progress. Effectively when we progress forward, we escape the void of worst case scenarios.<br />
<br />
Now isn't that a better way to inspire a group of hopeful young individuals?K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-79267455127879385012013-06-15T06:08:00.001-07:002013-06-15T06:08:26.579-07:00Selfishness. Bad? To be honest with you guys, I was really thinking of writing about SPARTFEST and the joys of arts and music as I strut the corridors of my campus ogling all the artsy spartsy stuff and let my ears be serenaded by music of all kinds.<br />
<br />
But then, I changed my mind. So, here is a picture to sum the SPARTFEST experience<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcbKY7_bD1UxNAv7L43yXDbIjLrXZgD1zH6PM2OBLBU03SPBN9nhPFK3w0hHlidD5hC3rTdZdRDY06CEhNE6UlMMZt6NbkJdTipbxjDCEiYb28UZHQn9PL3skD-e7GaxwoCiTvExFL14/s1600/1014509_4745022597518_711310210_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcbKY7_bD1UxNAv7L43yXDbIjLrXZgD1zH6PM2OBLBU03SPBN9nhPFK3w0hHlidD5hC3rTdZdRDY06CEhNE6UlMMZt6NbkJdTipbxjDCEiYb28UZHQn9PL3skD-e7GaxwoCiTvExFL14/s400/1014509_4745022597518_711310210_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And on to today's topic: Selfishness<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Warning</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The following post may or may not be emo depends on the tone of the voice inside your head that reads out everything you read into your internal microphone and the current song in your playlist.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, you may be wondering, why did Nazran chose such an emo topic to blog about? The answer is simple: Because I wanted to. See, I am being selfish right now. In reaction to that, you may produce a frown on your cute/handsome face with the thought of 'what a jerk, I need real answers dammit' flashing upon your mind. Now, you may deny that you don't have that thought in mind but that is just wishful thinking. It is natural for you to have that kind of thought and <b>it is okay.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Selfishness has long been a 'bad, uncivilized' trait to have. Being selfishness sends a signal to everyone else that you either lack the social awareness to function in a typical social environment of the modern age or you are just big gaping A-hole. Selfishness breaks to order of our social dynamics by fulfilling the needs of a certain individual. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our planet's ecosystem works on the basis of helping each other out. Even in the case of a fly was eaten by a frog, that fly is actually helping the frog to survive by being its food. That noble little insects forgone its wife, kids and friends just to be broken down into nutrition of molecular size for the frog to use. That is an absence of selfishness. Imagine a scenario (might be a bit ridiculous but bear with me nonetheless), where the fly refuse to be the food of the frog. That selfish fly refuse to hang out at the typical spot for it to be hunted and to opt for chilling out at home, drinking fly beer, playing with the kids and fornicating with its wife. Other flies seeing that selfish fly enjoying its time would also opt to be selfish too. What would happen to the frog, then? Dies. What happen to snakes that eat frogs? Dies, or opt for other sustenance. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The point is, when you're being selfish others lose out. You cut the line because you want your food faster, other who waited for so long will have to wait longer. You pick up the last Pau Kacang in your school canteen, other will never get it. You, not giving out your homework for your friend to copy, they don't finish their homework and get suspended. You, by being selfish are disrupting nature and everyone knows that disrupting nature is not cool, bro.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvl3GEl8jAE7xlAuE2zqljizdExaz2TFLHLxucsUa40co-VXIs" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvl3GEl8jAE7xlAuE2zqljizdExaz2TFLHLxucsUa40co-VXIs" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intermission~~ Source: wherethepunis.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>But wait!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Most of those examples, although selfish by nature, those ARE the right thing to do. I am going to screw your mind by saying <b>selfishness is natural too. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Wait, What the Fishcake?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
See, although we live in the ever-connected, ever-related world, we are still, no matter what happen, living OUR OWN LIVES. Whatever we do everyday is to stay alive and be in the game of life until our end came to us. Until then, we can't avoid to be so selfless. Because not matter what you do, there will be winners and losers. There are the strong and the weak. And for you to keep on going in life, <b>you must be selfish!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Butt weight!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As stated earlier, you can't be so overly selfish too. That will...well, disrupt nature. And disrupting nature is not cool... So yeah, balance in everything is important.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>The point is....?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The reason why I am writing this post is because I am in a huge dilemma of becoming super selfish and super selfless. And to organize myself better (and to a certain extent, console myself) I write and babble in this blog. Henceforth, this post about selfishness.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You see, I am a generally nice guy and quite selfless too. I don't mind sacrificing my time and energy to something that is worth my investment (highlight that part. See, I don't do favors like a dog) The conflict came when between quite unimaginable happened.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fell</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Love</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Boom</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There you have it. The thing is I am flying off to the land of opportunity this August. Even so, that doesn't change the fact that I had fell in love. Two constant: 1) I'll be flying off in August. 2) I fell in love. One thing that struck my mind: <b>This is going to be complicated</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Two ways to tackle this.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1)Be selfish and confess</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2)Be selfless and held it all in</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Again, the only thing that struck my mind is <b>this is going to be complicated.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To be selfish or selfless? Which path should I take to preserve the balance of the universe? (heh)</div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-84195346498987493012013-06-02T04:05:00.002-07:002013-06-02T04:05:22.006-07:00Loneliness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRVGVy9a1vsnFflSiOQZI0mnMAZexuzGoUJbbNcnM2x9vbiQpIVWg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRVGVy9a1vsnFflSiOQZI0mnMAZexuzGoUJbbNcnM2x9vbiQpIVWg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I am here, laying down on the floor</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Enclosed by these four walls of pure agony</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>As the sounds of my breathing echoed through the box</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Silence that is loud</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Loudness that is silent</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Here in this room</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Here is this world I created</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I am alone</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>-Railzan Kurhna</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, you may be wondering why the sudden change of writing style and mood. Simply put, Kanzaki is not here which is good because this blog needs a bit more serious tone as what it was originally: a simple philosophical, metaphorical and deep blog. So today we will be talking about loneliness; something that is not alien to most of us.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It sucks to be alone. To be that one person who doesn't have a pair. To be that one person left out from the social circle. To be that one person staying home during a campus-wide party. To be stranded in the middle of nowhere without anyone as accompany. To be lonely SUCKS. Humans being innately social creatures to begin with need company to survive. The absence of company is a state of loneliness and this violates our own human nature. Humans can not be lonely. It is just...wrong.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But loneliness is not just an absence of company, it is also an absence of connection. One can know alot of people and often surrounded of them but still feels lonely. It is because there is no connection from the people he knows; no connection deep enough to fill the loneliness in his/her heart. And just like the absence of company, the absence of connection SUCKS as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Why am I complaining about being lonely SUCKS?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Am I...lonely?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />My dear readers, maybe I am but isn't that weird? I have a family. I have friends that spans five to six social levels. I have pets to snuggle during rainy days. There is no absence of company or absence of connection in my life, yet I do feel alone at times.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Why?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Humans are indeed innately social creatures but the action of dwelling and surrendering oneself's to society causes one to eventually lose his or her own voice.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Wait, what? Lose his or her own voice?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes my dear readers, losing our own voice is possible especially when you are always socializing with others. Their views, the collective views of society will assimilate itself into you until the line that separates the two of them blurred and ultimately <b>what society is, you are.</b> You will be able to think for yourself, ask yourself questions or be yourself because you lost your voice due to the fact you are always listening to the voice of others.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Loneliness solves this problem. By being all by yourself and removing all connection, you stand with your own two feet. The only voice you hear is the voice of your own. By being isolated, you are able to think for yourself, not to satisfy the views of society. <b>By being alone, you are you in your purest form</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, yes. I do feel alone. Because before all of this great friends and acquaintances came into my life, I was alone. I experienced the purest form of me enabling me to think, formulate, reflect, and feel without the pressures of society. Because I was alone at first, I was able to break some that same loneliness. Irony, I know. And at times, I just wish to escape to that same void called loneliness so I can hear myself again and <b>be me in the purest form of me.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Loneliness isn't that bad.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It is just a mere choice.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-76374828920807780532013-05-28T10:04:00.000-07:002013-05-28T10:10:07.151-07:00My Three Weeks of Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKySbOtGQuH5oDdCQdt2APpc5acAgL0WdINYsHs9s3JrQRnph_nRIIqmSeLUah7rTQchysz0sAoXJLaBfUM9pj6rSaLkrFsTy4acJjFIakZxvfdFd-0UGjU5agvPIH8ZY8NWC-s22bC_w/s1600/back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKySbOtGQuH5oDdCQdt2APpc5acAgL0WdINYsHs9s3JrQRnph_nRIIqmSeLUah7rTQchysz0sAoXJLaBfUM9pj6rSaLkrFsTy4acJjFIakZxvfdFd-0UGjU5agvPIH8ZY8NWC-s22bC_w/s320/back.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>AM</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>BACK</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PEOPLE</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No, it doesn't read as 'I am back people', btw. Put a damn comma.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Andddddd I am back from the dead. After the epic aftermath of GE 13, followed by the super stress finals week, I am finally on my break. Though it was sad that I'll be leaving Taylor's ADP forever and ever (And the thank you post has gathered dust in my dashboard) So I'll take this opportunity to thank everyone who had made my time in Taylor's ADP fun and memorable. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, now what? With holidays lengthy and feels like it will never end. (I'm so going to regret this later), I was left with boredom. But see, this is not like all the holidays I had been through before. This holiday is...well different. This three-month holiday will be my last holiday before I finally spread my wings and carry my overweight body to the New World aka United States of America aka The Country That Is So Free That You Can Bang A Cow And It Is Legal. With that in mind, I swore to myself to utilize my time well. The conscientiousness me (Read: Railzan) kicked into action and put up a general to-do-list for the holidays</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Nazran's To-Do-List before Flying to US</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Railzan and Kanzaki</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Spend time with family and friends and friends of friends</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Visit school often and help out</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Enlighten thyself</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4. Prepare all da documents</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5. Meet some new people</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6. Explore Malaysia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7. Create a League of Legends account</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8. <strike>Find a girlfriend </strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, with that in mind, let's tackle the top of the list: Spending time with family and friends (And friends of friends) This takes the top of the list because I feel sad when I think of leaving behind such awesome family and friends behind to pursue my dreams. So I scroll through my friend's list and made plans with everyone and hopefully, I can cover them all.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Seriously, if you wanna lepak with me. Roger2 me fast. I really wanna spend time with you gaissss!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ehem...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So three weeks has passed since I made that list. What is my progress?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm proud to say that I (think I) made quite a progress. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First of all there's the SWAG E-Sports group consist of Axel, Hanis, Eli, Azwan. I feel kinda guilty for not spending time with the during college. (Sorry, I was busy...as always) All the DotA games that rejected will came back haunting me if I don't start spending time with them now. So, I did. We played DotA until the wee hours of the morning and then go for a quick bite at Siti Zubaidah (GG waistline) Even today, we went out to Lowyat to buy....well, gaming stuffs. Just like true buddies, we exchange racial jokes without any shit taken. Now that my friends, are the true 1Malaysia. Get it right, PM</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then, there is the SSP concert aka Flourishes. Perfect time to go and spend time with band member. So, rang up my musical pal, Arief and my pet sis, Afiqah and invite them. (I did invite Mike, but he no reply) The concert was so-so and me and Afiqah had a long talk during the traffic jam. Arief has his stocks of 'hot stories' readied to be shared. What? It is a great past time :3</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSF0N-LMkTuKQDGCc7KSbRtY_tfjepVGg3d3rH8NFZWUEG4Q8SxA6iS4vkn38Eaf5SQFA4GOyWgrrc9TJznzWUhNllEzqHbJZqSwxAybjjTemJhU5GyHNjx4a6v1m9vwnNB3UDC3ENho/s1600/IMG_1003%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSF0N-LMkTuKQDGCc7KSbRtY_tfjepVGg3d3rH8NFZWUEG4Q8SxA6iS4vkn38Eaf5SQFA4GOyWgrrc9TJznzWUhNllEzqHbJZqSwxAybjjTemJhU5GyHNjx4a6v1m9vwnNB3UDC3ENho/s320/IMG_1003%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SSP WO</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJIoFTU2xsuSf6Si9Z_IwLhqn7zUkuGgvKygEjXmuYpsr9GJWCrxiKeEqMzXr63E0TVuZWif1trqWjrxPlsPYEJVgmK7rqduS8wKjSENuB4omOYbPiAIV5fjj5AsWxXhEj-Th4UjVBEk/s1600/IMG_1006%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJIoFTU2xsuSf6Si9Z_IwLhqn7zUkuGgvKygEjXmuYpsr9GJWCrxiKeEqMzXr63E0TVuZWif1trqWjrxPlsPYEJVgmK7rqduS8wKjSENuB4omOYbPiAIV5fjj5AsWxXhEj-Th4UjVBEk/s320/IMG_1006%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't always camwhore, but when I do, I look horrible </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After that, the weekend came and along with it is the SUPERAWESOMEOMGITISCOMINGTOSMSSFINALLYAFTER40YEARS HKSBP. For ye foreigners out there (Oi, school-ist) HKSBP stands for Hari Kecemerlangan SBP and it is an event where every, I repeat, EVERY single SBP in the face of Malaysia will gather in one place (or three in SMSS' case) to fight it out in debate and basketball along with a grandious award ceremony for the kiasu and fabulous. And yes, it was held in my own alma mater, Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor. Curious with the preparations, I dropped by at school once and it was a sight to behold. Teachers and students rushing everywhere to prepare and organize. For the first time ever, I saw the whole school getting hyped up for a single event. (Well, there's rugby but whatever)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I went to see the debate twice with my First Subang neighbour, Imran. It is funny when he disguise himself under the pseudonym 'Ching Meng' and effectively fooling everyone that he is a Chinese from Damansara (He is a Malay from ASIS btw)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And there's the Majlis Anugerah Cemerlang where I also dropped by to see how things are...Okay, I lied, Mike dragged me to it to meet his girlfriend, Ain. And what do you know, the very moment I stepped into the teachers attacked me with a request</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Can we help us? We need a PA for the emcee"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And me, being a Yes man I accepted their request (I lied, I just want to menyibuk) Hence, I was given the task as Fedtri Yahya (sp?) PA for the day. For those of ya anti government people, Fedtri Yahya is a host in MHI TV3. So again, I was dragged into a SBP event. What is best course of action now?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>INFILTRATE </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ENTERTAIN</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ENJOY</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And poof! I'm in my school's batik as a disguise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzDfZWzWfb4oemL0UuaaOTCSsqi7LkbDnTrPMVeAzdxgTFOz8rzObQzBUuuS5uiwT-0z5kHvtQahlBKJ3v8WCMZ29LBJOpeFlr2VU8bzl2KH935yJTyp-LU1wiRRflcZcWPJDAec-308/s1600/IMG_1030%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzDfZWzWfb4oemL0UuaaOTCSsqi7LkbDnTrPMVeAzdxgTFOz8rzObQzBUuuS5uiwT-0z5kHvtQahlBKJ3v8WCMZ29LBJOpeFlr2VU8bzl2KH935yJTyp-LU1wiRRflcZcWPJDAec-308/s320/IMG_1030%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behold of my lack of calcium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I did talk to some of the current SBP student under the pseudonym of Asran Maskor (lame). But I had fun. Oh, I hang out with my band juniors too. Great to finally able to talk to them</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And on Sunday there's the concert with PJPO. For me, it was...well, more of a performance than a full concert because I only have one song. Oh, the hardships of a saxophonist in a philharmonic orchestra. But the good side is, I became closer to my orchestra mates.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p206x206/944199_10201143242125169_1339455269_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p206x206/944199_10201143242125169_1339455269_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not fat! I look big because I'm taking up air into my belly, I swear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mAn-SbkuCNWQRaDYQ47np9ZnXb4sGc1iVRm1mMvgi8_eixDvd1RmAqjiWp0YhxvUhg9IhuVMOwBwzgEN65J8OW3PJX6FmaHDVA3TOpPXAlpuhidSJXrIJo9KWsdzvbRD30_0RVGLLSs/s1600/IMG_1022%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mAn-SbkuCNWQRaDYQ47np9ZnXb4sGc1iVRm1mMvgi8_eixDvd1RmAqjiWp0YhxvUhg9IhuVMOwBwzgEN65J8OW3PJX6FmaHDVA3TOpPXAlpuhidSJXrIJo9KWsdzvbRD30_0RVGLLSs/s320/IMG_1022%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the imba trumpeter, Nyzem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77T7g_kXwWmUs-4iA2-S4UXNG5udd4hhmT5ALoqPAjNrn8DHawRett_7hrh65rBfd2RPUa9ragCe6u_g3P7iz2Pu1_BkaFHiSlJYO6hOnM3V11Dh8iUo8yEifeGCunM9J9OBkOq1FDaU/s1600/IMG_1020%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77T7g_kXwWmUs-4iA2-S4UXNG5udd4hhmT5ALoqPAjNrn8DHawRett_7hrh65rBfd2RPUa9ragCe6u_g3P7iz2Pu1_BkaFHiSlJYO6hOnM3V11Dh8iUo8yEifeGCunM9J9OBkOq1FDaU/s320/IMG_1020%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So nais. Full orchestra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/934935_10201149899131590_1864544905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/934935_10201149899131590_1864544905_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taylor's University Symphonic Orchestra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And finally, there is this busking thing I did for SPARTFEST. 30minutes of jamming songs like "When I Was Your Man" and "Careless Whisper" in a crowd that is....well, rich and loaded. Raised RM35 in 30 minutes. Woohoo~</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then Sherlyn gave me a 50% off Chatime as a reward. WORTH</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcX4WQ4i6rxR23kC74IdMOAAA0TU_X0g83RljifdXakazF_UJs7EMP3cKNInviklmzNjBduXUB3wtqTBW5qU7UmcXdEZSgd87wWMg4ajs4dDCqFZOpqX-wRsv9sc0-7CQRYu3veQQsOEw/s1600/IMG_1025%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcX4WQ4i6rxR23kC74IdMOAAA0TU_X0g83RljifdXakazF_UJs7EMP3cKNInviklmzNjBduXUB3wtqTBW5qU7UmcXdEZSgd87wWMg4ajs4dDCqFZOpqX-wRsv9sc0-7CQRYu3veQQsOEw/s320/IMG_1025%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my middle split hair glory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI7NOtT9LLhroM6aUmb2HEMznAT2iNxljSfDMZEAYaBFtcuGtAnQ-H7RdESX2BIFHXdlAAhXkjuJi2Uq1YqNdQ-2q62zorTfLMQqWKTvocnLibl6eK_uV3MAZG6aOMhMHpSYmMkBXfRI/s1600/IMG_1017%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI7NOtT9LLhroM6aUmb2HEMznAT2iNxljSfDMZEAYaBFtcuGtAnQ-H7RdESX2BIFHXdlAAhXkjuJi2Uq1YqNdQ-2q62zorTfLMQqWKTvocnLibl6eK_uV3MAZG6aOMhMHpSYmMkBXfRI/s320/IMG_1017%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0Jx7vHE7Lbr_GpjWK7higCzUOseu1xKYKBE_LTU1HzT1I2Rujs_ZYwM7rusWL_276Fmzm0ZfT4CDyHkNDtUocoDd5rCucQ4jZFQLHHylZk8oD1cX6gmIgb6dh6l8qT7ieVrP1X-0TO0/s1600/IMG_1028%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0Jx7vHE7Lbr_GpjWK7higCzUOseu1xKYKBE_LTU1HzT1I2Rujs_ZYwM7rusWL_276Fmzm0ZfT4CDyHkNDtUocoDd5rCucQ4jZFQLHHylZk8oD1cX6gmIgb6dh6l8qT7ieVrP1X-0TO0/s320/IMG_1028%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cash. So naiss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And that concludes my activity for three weeks! Well, not all of the activity I did, but whatever.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, any ideas for what should I do next? I need ideas!<br />
<br />
PS: To my loyal readers, you might ask 'Why the sudden change in writing style?". Blame Kanzaki for it. Seriously. Blame her -Nazran</div>
K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-35878597331054463142013-05-04T02:56:00.001-07:002013-05-04T02:56:37.778-07:00The Need For Conflict<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9N_PEg_2r16ZzWfny6q_KR3vW0-qJEqO2QpAjg498xRVFCX7q" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9N_PEg_2r16ZzWfny6q_KR3vW0-qJEqO2QpAjg498xRVFCX7q" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hello Earthlings. Yeah, I know. It has been a while? Why? Because screw ADP Death Week (read: Shitload of assignments) and now, I'm in the middle of my very last Final in Taylor's ADP. Still haven't studied much and one more project to do. Haiz...<br />
<br />
But on the side note, it is time for the GENERAL ELECTION~~~YIPPIE *shoots confetti*<br />
<br />
Why am I so excited? Because -to quote an uncle in Facebook-,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"True, GE13 is the Mother Of All Elections, in the sense that for the first time in Malaysian history, a change of government is seen possible, if not probable. But at the end of the day, it should not simply boil down to a Battle Of The Ulamaks, Songkok Tinggi vs Kopiah Putih, Hudud vs Dangdut, Winnable vs Wannabe, Manifesto vs Akujanji, Haves vs Have-nots, Ini Kali Lah vs Lain Kali Lah or whatever. Nor should it have extremely racial or religious tones. Or gutter politics like peddling pornographic pictures and videos, whether genuine or edited."</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>-Zaim Al-Amin-</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
And just to make things clear, I'm a non-partisan in the battle of two factions. I love both of them and hate both of them equally. (See? It is great. Come to the non-partisan side!) But that doesn't matter I should be apathetic and not give a care/damn at all. I do care, mostly because politics is so closely related to economics and it is oddly interesting to see the interaction between the two. As I scroll through my Facebook and Twitter laden with various political posts such as-<br />
<br />
"Ya Allah, Mereka ingin menguasai XXX. Hilanglah XXX daripada dunia ini. BANGKIT!"<br />
"Mereka kejam and penipu. Ubah dan pangkah XXX"<br />
"Negara ini akan menjadi XXX jika XXX menguasai!"<br />
"Bangla masuk! Dafuq?"<br />
<br />
And seriously, the quality of arguments presented by both parties are...well...BAD. The arguments reeked ignorance and sheer stupidity and 'macai-ness'. (Though I won't deny there is some golden argument presented in the internet as such the ever-famous Rafizi's open letter) And don't let me started on the photoshopped pictures -.-<br />
<br />
But see, one thing I realized through the course of GE:13 is that the amount of patriotism towards one's country. I have this stereotype in my head saying, "Heh, Malaysians are a bunch of non-patriotic people". I WAS WRONG. And this election around, for the first time ever we get to see the Gen Y people finally being able to vote. This Gen Y people, hip and technologically connected became an important political tool in this election and in my opinion will turn around this coming election. With their fresh ideas, I believe the Gen Y people can make Malaysia into a better country.<br />
<br />
<b>HOWEVER</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This is where the problem starts. Sure, Gen Y is being able to vote for the first time in history but that doesn't mean the older generation will be obsolete. Older generation aka the Baby Boomers and Gen X are...well, more conservative compared to the more liberal Gen Y. Some of them were born before Merdeka and a fair number of them still remembered the tragedy of 13th May 1969. Some of them still have racial sentiments and some of them still thinks Malaysia is as good as it is, compared to the yesteryears.<br />
<br />
Because of that, it creates conflict between the 'new' and the 'old'. The new wanted change, to restructure Malaysia, to take apart, to clean the interior and build it back again. The old wanted to preserve stability, to oil up the parts and to put up a new coat of paint for Malaysia. Sure, there are some of the 'old' who thinks like a 'new' and vice versa but generally, this is where they belong at the spectrum of ideology.<br />
<br />
So, is this bad?<br />
<br />
Hardly, this is what we should be experiencing to achieve progress. You see, conflicting ideologies is not necessarily a bad thing. (It will if some A-hole decided to go violent) In a calm and intellectual debate, the two conflicting ideology can find a middle a ground and balance each other out. Sure, I don't want to live in a Malaysia that is super strict and conservative that I can't even 'melatah' (eg: Babs gila!) I need my dose of 'melatah'. And I don't want to live in a Malaysia where it is super liberal and free without any authority. Yeah, I'm over exaggerating here but you get my point.<br />
<br />
So calm down people. Conflict is normal. Who knows, we can live in a better Malaysia after this?K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241174154459725181.post-59223052082459577052013-04-16T17:30:00.000-07:002013-04-16T17:30:57.951-07:00A Leap of Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQjohDrXsQl0U2DIO17odvpAm8K3IyOdJ4ZFtFY3DntXR8B4-hQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQjohDrXsQl0U2DIO17odvpAm8K3IyOdJ4ZFtFY3DntXR8B4-hQ" width="400" /></a></div>
It is super early at the time of writing this. I tell you, ah, if you wake up early just for the sake of waking up early you could find yourself discovering or doing something that will make your day less shitty. Trust me.<br />
<br />
So it has been over a week since my last update. Can't blame me. Asssignments (Yes, with a triple 's') and projects have been a beach to me. Yeah, I whine because it is a natural defense mechanism for us humans...and also I want attention.<br />
<br />
Heh.<br />
<br />
Kay, enough with random introduction and bantering. The topic I feel like writing today can be explained easily by the inverse of a popular saying<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Leap Before You Think"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Wait, whuuttttt?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I jump before I think? Won't it be bad?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I mean imagine I jumped of a cliff</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And halfway I think and I say "Eh, maybe this is not a good idea"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But stop ya inner monologue my dear friend for a while and hear me out. Of course, there are things you must need to think before you do it (eg: Jumping of a cliff. Come on, who the heck wants to jump of a cliff???) But have you been in a situation where thinking makes you unable to move?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yeah sure. To fail to plan is to plan to fail. But one thing that most of us tend to forget (including me) is that we are just mere humans in this pale blue dot suspended in pillar of sunbeam. Humans DO NOT control. Screw those motivational speakers who told you that you have total control over the world. That's total BS. Instead, humans just make sure that their sails and ships are in good condition and let the current of fate lead them. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yeah, it is a good trait to plan everything but when planning inhibits action, it is BAD. The past weeks, I have been observing and lurking from the background and I see a lot of my friends, be it post SPM or post Asasi/Matrik, contemplating about their future, asking way too many questions that they are rooted in place in fear that their plans will fall apart. And because of that, they are trapped; unsure of the future and getting lost in the present. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But for me, I think my advice would be to <b>JUST DECIDE</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Woah woah woah. You are talking about someone's future, Nazran. You can't just 'decide' your future.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Duh, of course you can't decide your future BUT you can decide to decide.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You see, in making decision, sometimes you must go deep inside yourself and ask yourself a simple yet hard question: "What do I want?" Once you asked that question and finding the answer, you don't need plans anymore. Just jump and hold that belief strong in your heart. Insya Allah, YOU WILL GET IT.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I shall cite Abraham Maslow because it helps me to remember my Psychology terminology:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"What a man can be, he MUST be"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If what you want is to be a musician, you can and MUST be a musician. That way, you will have no regrets in life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just like my brother. He wanted to be a professional gamer, a very unorthodox job and slighted in our Kiasu Asian community. But that is want he wants therefore, he can and MUST be a professional gamer.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, screw planning. Screw calculating the probabilty and chances of success. Screw it all. Nothing matters if you have decided on what you WANT and you just hold on to that. I tell you, you WILL get it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Jump my dear friends!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>But hold on to your heart</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And may you land in a bed of roses</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Although you may be hurt or beaten</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>But hey, at least you still have your heart</b></div>
<br />
<br />K.Nazranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17587007923092715167noreply@blogger.com0