Tuesday, March 30, 2010

LOL.

The term LOL , which means Laugh out Loud often used in instant messaging like Yahoo!Messenger, Windows Live, and the likes. It's suppose to tell your friends that you laughed at what they said.

Ex.

A : Yo momma's so fat, when she walk in front of the TV, I missed the whole marathon
B : LOL !

or

Cathy : I think I just saw you in a salon the other day.
John : LOL. I don't =)

But these days, people often misused the term. One that I observed was

D : My cat died today.
E : lol

or

Gigi : I just got fired. Now I don't have a job.
Gaga : Lol.

Now that's a LOL =)

Monday, March 29, 2010

Eco-Bio

My report for the school regarding the Eco-Bio Camp

Eco-Bio@Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve Program

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) had launched a four days and three nights camping program called “Eco-Bio@Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve” at Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Puchong, Selangor. UPM had invited 32 students from four different schools, namely SMK King George V, Seremban, SMK Aminuddin Baki, Kuala Lumpur, SMK Convent Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur, and Sekolah Seri Puteri, Cyberjaya, all of which are the “adopted high school” of UPM.
SMK King George V (SMK KGV) had sent eight of its Georgian, and two invitations for students from SMK Mambau to participate in this program with “Explore & Enjoy Nature” as its main theme throughout the whole program. The participants were also escorted by two teachers from SMK KGV for the whole program by Cikgu Hazlan and Cikgu Khadijah.
Ten participants from Negeri Sembilan consist of Jibrail Fitrah, Ahmad Hatimi, Danial Redzuan, Kok Bo Gyn, Tee Wei Jie, Mohd Afiq, Nurul Ain, Nurul Fatimah, Nur Atiqah and me, Zulfadhli. The trip was started around half past seven in the morning, on fourteenth of March. We arrived at the Faculty of Forestry, in UPM, approximately at nine in the morning, and we were the first to arrive. We were greeted warmly by the staffs in-charge, registered, and had breakfast served by the faculty itself. After the rest of the schools’ students arrived, all of the participants gathered at the lecture’s hall, for the official opening for the program, declared by the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Assoc. Prof Dr. Awang Noor Abd Ghani.
After the official opening ceremony ended, the whole thirty two students were divided into three groups, and were introduced the four facilitators for each group to assist and guide us throughout the program. Then, all of us were brought to Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Puchong by the university’s bus. The female participants were separated into two chalets, while the male participants shared a chalet with Cikgu Hazlan and some of the facilitators while the rest of the teachers were given their own chalet.
At night, a program “Night Walking” where every participants lined up, and guided to walk into part of the forest without any help of torchlight and totally dark and only guided by the facilitators. There, all of us could hear different sounds emitted by various creatures, from crickets to birds. Some of us were even lucky enough to spot fireflies flashing, as it’s not a common sight for all of us since most of us lived in cities. The main objective for this program was to show the participants how beautiful our forest is, and also to create awareness that the area of the forest in the world are declining due to human’s wrongdoings.




During the morning of the second day, fifteenth of March, after Subuh pray, all of the participants gathered at the opening for a morning jog around the area. Then, we played a game called “Squirrel / Hunter” where it tested how alert we are towards commands given, and how fast we could react. Then, we walked a little towards a hall for another activity. Here, each group were tasked to gather different types of leaves, and described them. Usually, when we walked around, we saw most leaves looked the same, but this activity taught us the minor differences in which making each of them unique in their own ways.
Then, the groups were brought deeper in the forest for the next activity, where each group were given a 10 x 10 plots of the forest for profiling, mapping, calculating the volumes of the trees, and calculating how dense the plot was. After the tasks were completed, we were brought to the Herb Garden, where the facilitators introduced the plants and trees around. They also taught us the history of specific plants, types of plants in the kingdom of plantae and such. At the evening, we were tasked on creating a handcraft out of bamboos and bertam leaves and at night, we should promote the handcraft, convincing that each group’s handcraft was better than the other’s. The day was packed with activities, and most of us were tired and went to sleep, while others enjoying a late night tea with a soothing ambience.
For the third day, from morning to evening, all of us were brought to two different faculties, Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Engineering, where professors and lecturers of those faculties introduced us the programs offered by those faculties and benefits of joining it, and also to instill an urge or need for the students to further their studies after they have passed their SPM examination.
There was supposed to be a campfire activity, but since it’s raining hard, we gathered in the hall for the activity. Each of the group must perform for the night. The first group, EcoRangers did an act of television news program. Despite the humorous performance by the EcoRangers, the motive of the performance was still to create awareness of the importance of the forests towards human being. The second group, Bugs Bunny, did quizzes regarding incidents and reactions of the facilitators throughout the whole program. This shows that the second group observed their facilitators closely and thus easier for them to cope with what the facilitators had taught them. The third group, which I am in, Terra QuaDiez did a minor act but canceled at the middle of the act as it was considered dull and boring. Then, Naquib of our group organized a train dance, where everyone joined and Naquib managed to pull it off.
After that, we were told that it was one of our participants from Negeri Sembilan, Mohd Afiq’s birthday after a gimmick set by the facilitators. There, we enjoyed the cake and the gifts given to the participants from our facilitators. Then, all of us went back to our chalets to pack our belongings because we would return to UPM for the final day and go back home.





The fourth day started with visiting the other two faculties in UPM, which was the Faculty of Veterinary, where we were explained of the programs offered and endorsed by UPM, procedures of animal treatments and such. Then we head to the Faculty of Science, where the professor gave us some details and information regarding the faculties, the area of studies and also some minor visits at the laboratory of physics and chemistry.
At the evening, all participants, escorting teachers, and facilitators gathered back at the lecture’s hall in the building of the Faculty of Forestry for the closing ceremony. The program was official declared closed by the Deputy Dean of Internationalization Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zaidon Ashaari. After that, all of us said our goodbyes to our new friends from different schools, the facilitators, and head back home to Negeri Sembilan.
It’s an enjoyable moments throughout the whole camp. We’ve learnt a lot from the facilitators and the willing lecturers. The whole program’s objectives were to create awareness of our forest that is declining today and also to expose students of the life in universities. We also met with various kinds of people whom can get along well despite the difference in their lifestyle. Besides, the program was also to attract students to further their studies in UPM and Forestry.
The students participated were the first batch, as this is the first time UPM did such program, and will held another for the next year. The impact of the program was so great that all of the participants requested for another session and hopefully, there will be another in the future for the first batch.
Written by,


Zulfadhli Saifuddin
5 Izzuddin, SMK King George V

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Music in my life.

Everyone ought to have their favorite kind of music, and also their least favored music genre/s.

"Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River"
Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

While I listen to almost all genres, I prefer country, like John Denver, Faith Hill, Shania Twain's songs and more. I also love pop songs, like Kelly Clarkson's and pop rock Kris Allen's songs.

These people that I favored their songs so much is because they have unique voices, voice that could make them a real singer. Michael Bublé and Adam Levine of Maroon 5, have that unique voices that made their singles and songs a hit worldwide, Celine Dion and Faith Hill have that strong voices that went perfect with "Because You Loved Me" and "There You'll Be' respectively.

"In my dream I always see you soar above the sky
In my heart there always be a place for you for all my life"

There You'll Be - Faith Hill

But lately, our radios are filled with songs from new artists, singers, and the likes. What I noticed is that, most of these songs are popularized not due to the quality of their voices that are equal or better than the artists I've mentioned above, but rather due to their catchy lyrics and beats. Rarely did I found new new singers with great voices, saves for Kris Allen, Susan Boyle and David Cook.

Some, like David Archuleta, has a great voice, and probably could be a phenomenal singer. Just listen to his performances in American Idol, and you'll be mesmerized. But after American Idol, try to observe the songs, singles, and debuts he did. It just doesn't appeared as appealing as the songs he sang during American Idol, well at least to me and my mom, though.

Judging on other than the song itself, newbie singers mostly doesn't have a good voice. Try Akon. I mean, seriously, even that not-so-great voice of his, he's famed worldwide for his songs. Try Iyaz of "Replay". For me, he has a nasal voice. While it does appeared as favored by, I dare say, the majority of the world, probably due to his catchy lyrics and "cool" beats. But in the mean time, I beg to differ. Justin Bieber, in one case, I think he's too young to be singing. I mean he's 16,and even with that age, he has voice sounds like a boy under 10. People probably likes him due to his appearance, as he does has a decent looks, and once again, catchy lyrics and funky beats.

Well, all in all, I think that everyone has their own perception when it comes to music. Its just matters of different preference towards different genres of music. I did not mean to criticize those mentioned above, but rather just expressing my opinions about them. No hard feelings intended.

That's all from me. Cheers !

Thank you for the music
The songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty ?
What would life be ?
Without a song or dance what are we ?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me

Thank You For The Music - ABBA

Friday, March 19, 2010

My Life, My Time, before, during, and after Eco-Bio

Before the trip

I was told there would be a camping trip for four days and 3 nights held by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). I didn't get most of the details, but someone mentioned it would be in Ayer Hitam. I wondered, "Ayer Hitam Johor ke ?"

Then, Jibrail came to my class, politely asking the teacher's permission for me to leave to meet Puan Zawakhir, the Guru Penolong Kanan of Curiculum, briefing us of how we should behave and shows the other elite cluster schools of how the students in King George V (KGV) are. Then, Jibrail started to panic. Pressured from Puan Zawakhir's speech, as he is the leader elected not formally to for our school :P. I sighed in relief, as knowing that there would be two teacher accompanying us, Cikgu Hazlan the hype/sporting teacher, and also Cikgu Khadijah, the new, yet kind and caring teacher.

Its been a long time since I last went to a camping trip, to be specific, it's like, 6 years ? I couldn't recall exactly. So, when packing, I went like "Allah ! Apa aku nak pack ni ??!!!" Almost panicking, I remembered Jibrail. He's used to go to camping, so I contacted him. I've bombarded him with tons of questions regarding what to pack, either thru the phone, Facebook (FB), or Yahoo! Messenger(YM). Thank God he was there for me, if not, I could have used up the same clothes again and again.

Even with Jibrail's advice and guide, I packed most of my attires at the last minute. My parents and the other siblings went to Kota Bharu, Kelantan for my aunt's wedding, so I was alone at home for 3 days. Good thing that there's my cousin Kak Syida that helped me to go to school, if not, I would've missed the whole trip.

During the trip to UPM, a lot of funny moments happened, especially during our breakfast at one of the Rest & Relax (RNR) stations. Cikgu Hazlan asked Jibrail to buy a cup of "tongkat ali" for Cikgu, but Puan Zawakhir mistaken that Jibrail was going to drink the tongkat ali, instead of Cikgu Hazlan. Haha, up until then, the "tongkat ali" incident was mentioned thru most of the time during camping :P

During the camping

We were the first school to arrive. Hehe .. and we were greeted warmly by the Faculty of Forestry's staff. Then, the other schools arrived. I had a first impression that they would be like, as typical elite school students with rich parents and families, they ought to be snobbish. Well, it was proven wrong.

During the first briefing, they were cool and friendly. After our briefing about UPM and the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, we were divided into groups of three, comprising with Afiq, Fatimah, and me from KGV and 8 others from those three other schools, Sekolah Sri Puteri Cyberjaya, Sekolah Menengah Aminuddin Baki, Kuala Lumpur, Sekolah Menengah Convent Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur. We were then sent out for ice-breaking event, and from that moment, Terra QuaDiez was bornt. Terra means the earth in Greek, resembling the program's objectives of nurturing and teaching us regarding the forest, Qua, short form for quartro, number 4 in Latin, meaning 4 facilitators that would guide Terra QuaDiez along the way which consist of Abang Khairul, Kak Jalilah, Kak Laili, dan Abang Zul, and Diez means 10, although our members were in total of 11, which is Once in latin, we decided we would best go for Diez =).

We were given chalets to stay. Boys, mostly from our school and one more, Naquib, from Aminuddin Baki, the abang2 facee, stayed at Rumah Palas, name taken from Pokok Palas, as well as other chalets, that is Rumah Kelubi, and Rumah Bertam ( thanks Fini =D ).

Food is served almost every 3-4 hours intervals during the camp. Dah la sedap, tambah2 lagi :P.. naik 3 kilo pula !! haha.. The first day, at night, we have an activity where each of the students, facilitators (facee) and teachers to show off our unique trademarks. Mine was "Hobin Jang Hobin!", the Negeri Sembilan's football team's trademark. I don't know why exactly I picked it, as it was a random ones. But the most memorable trademark was a boy from SMK Aminuddin Baki, Naquib's "saya masih single" We laughed out loud, as it was accompanied with a funny and sly tone. That still lingers in my mind and I couldn't stop laughing every time I remembered that :P

For the second day, in morning, we were asked to gather at the Dewan Serbaguna, around 5 minutes walk from our chalet. For our first activity, we were told to picked up three various leaves, each differs from the others and asked to draw and listed out the characteristics of the leaves. Then, for the next activities, we were separated by our given groups, Evo Rangers, Terra QuaDiez, and Bugs Bunny, to walk around the nearby forest to identify various types of plants, leaves, and woods. It was a useful information, as before that, we would all look at the leaves, and say " Semua nampak sama je..", but after that, we could recognize a slight difference between leaves of different trees.

During the afternoon, in our own groups, we went deeper in the forest, where we were tasked by the usual students of the faculties did, to profile and mapping the given plot about the locations, diameters, types, etc etc of trees. For our standard, we got a 10 x 10 plot. We split works, Tara for profiling, Timah, Afiq and me for mapping and the rest did the calculations, and others while our facees guided us throughout the whole process. It was fun, as Timah and Afiq continuously arguing, where Afiq would go for a round-up number of the distance of trees, example 6.5, 7.0, and 3.5, and Timah would be more accurate, example 6.8, 7.2, and 3.7. This sparked out arguments, which I found it funny as I was observing them from down the slope. Moreover, those two also love doing the job, when I said finish, they told me "Zul, lagi satu pokok, lagi satu pokok !"

After that, we went on for the next activity, where we were asked to create a unique and useful handcraft from the given bamboos and I think some bertam trunks and leaves. We managed to build a mini camp with various purposes, and readied it for our oncoming activity of promoting it.

Third day, we visiting different faculties, including the Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Engineering. The brief from the Professor at the Faculty of Engineering was a blast, as the Professor there is hip, cool-headed guy despite the graying, or I say, white hair indicating his old age. And along the way, we got goody bags ! and nice treats (again, even with roti telur and karipap sardin, I'm getting fatter !) ! ;=P When the trip to faculties for that day finished, we were going for our buses, but suddenly, the common incident of "he" appearing. My sight was spinning LITERALLY, and my legs were partially numb. I hasten my steps towards the bus, and when we reached our chalet, the feeling gradually fading, and sitting on my bed. It was still a bit blurry, and a friend of mine, I couldn't recognized who, called out the facees for help. Tension and worries arose. I could not speak or response, so I could just nod and such. People are worried and curious of what happening to me, but it was rather embarrassing to tell. Sometimes, I would like to talk about it, but words just won't come out from my mouth.

At that night, we're on for promoting our handcraft. It was fun ! Naquib managed to pull it off, earning him the credit of several positive reviews towards our humble yet useful product :P.. useful la sangat :D.. then, we're on to our persembahan.. The first group did a tv reporting session, where Jibrail and Ricky's "ghayness" acts earned bursts of laughter from all of us. The third group did performed second, making a quiz where their members react on the facee's memorable moments, and asked us which facee did the mentioned acts. I managed to get most of it :P with the help from my group members, of course. Then, we were up next, and performed a small acting scene.. it was horrible ! People were almost going to die out of boredom,so we quit the acts, and Naquib suggested that all of us did the train dancing.. It started slowly, but eventually all joined us, and Naquib managed to pull it off for the second time.

Next was the teacher's time to perform. Cikgu Hazlan representing the whole teachers from other schools, mendeklamasikan sajak, where the choice of words and how Cikgu Hazlan mendeklamasikan the sajak made me laugh so hard my stomach aches. Then, Abang Zuhir and Zulfadli came in, saying that their money and belonging was stolen. I was crushed down. People closed to me knew that I took a trait from my mother, where when situation gets bad, all of my mood to have fun gone. I was wondering "Astaghfirullah! Siapa lah yang buat tuh ??!!!!" I almost cried. Yala, abang2 and kakak2 ni dah baik dengan kita, bantu kita. I respected all of them. I felt like they are my older brothers and sisters which I never had, since I am the eldest of my siblings. Sometimes, I want to feel how it's like to have someone older than me to help me out thru life. And once I got that feeling in this camping trip, some shit like this happened. I worried sick, and wondering what would they feel after this. But suddenly, one of them came in, bringing cake and candles lighted. I realized it was a gimmick, as that day was Afiq's birthday. Others were surprised with joy, but me, my mood had gone. While other peoples celebrating and singing, I just stand there, dumbfounded. Then I headed towards my chalet to relax my mind for couple of minutes.

After having some midnight snacks, I went out of my chalet, and sat at the pathway, watching and admiring the works of God, the beautiful nature where it couldn't be found in where I'm living currently. Took pictures, and abang Amir approached me, engaging conversations about his life and background, and so did I. I wanted to tell him of part of my life, parts which made my life so complicated, yet to no avail. There are urges to speak, but the words just won't come out. I don't know. But it's common for me, and maybe that's why I'm not that talkative in school. I would prefer typing than saying because of that particular reason.

On the fourth and final day, we visited the Faculty of Veterinary and the Faculty of Science. Nothing interesting, as I have less interest in those two subjects. Then it came to my most dreaded moments during the camp, the official closing event, meaning that the program would come to an end soon, but before that, all of us took the free time to note down all of our emails and telephone numbers, including the facee's so that we could contact each others in the future. During the closing event, bla bla bla, it's officially closed.

I was going home with my mother. After saying goodbye to all of my new found friends for the time, I sat around the area of the faculty. Before I knew it, tears are flowing from my eyes thru my cheeks. I watch around, as it would be my last time around here. The trees, the fresh airs..

Then my mother arrived, I said my goodbyes to Abang Amir, Abang Sham, Abang Farhan and others before heading home.

After Eco-Bio

During the ride towards home, I remembered our moments during the camping. Everything of it lingered in my mind. At night, before I sleep, I cried again, wishing that it would not end this soon, but like Abang Amir once said to me, "setiap pertemuan ada perpisahan". I understand, and I'm hoping to cope with the "rindu-ness".

Thanks

Special thanks to :

Abang Amir Affan
For helping me out when I'm not well, kerana sudi berbual dengan saya, and for taking care of me, and all of us during the camping, and for being like an elder brother I never had... Thanks a lot. I will heed the advices given. Once again, thank you very much.

Abang Khairul, Kak Laili, Kak Jalilah, and Abang Zulfadhli
For being the Terra QuaDiez's facilitators, for all your help, guidance, and assistance throughout the whole program, dan kerana sudi menjaga kami sepajang program. Terima kasih banyak-banyak. *senyum mata hampir tutup* Ape name .. haha.. trademark abang Khairul.

Abang Sham dan Abang Farhan
Kerana sudi berbual dengan saya, dan mengajak makan bersama2..

Tak lupa juga kepada abang-abang dan kakak-kakak facilitators yang lain kerana bantuan dan pertolongan yang diberikan. Terima kasih and one last word, "KEEP UP THE COOLNESS YAH !! haha

And lastly, I'm sorry for making everyone worried during the camping. I didn't mean to. And I appreciate all of what I had during the program. Kalau ada terlajur kata harap maaf, kalau ada tersilap ejaan nama harap maaf, tidak berniat, dan kalau ada saya buat sesuatu yang menyinggung perasaan dan sakit hati, I'm really really sorry.

All of this written based on truly what happened but not chronologically. I may have missed out someone, an event/s or so, and I apologize. And note, there aren't any exaggerations written here. All based on true story and honestly written.

Last but not least

Takkan dapat ku lupakan,
Takkan dapat ku lukiskan
Takkan dapat ku gambarkan
Hanya dapat ku kenangkan


Well, I think that's all from me. Cheers !

Friday, January 1, 2010

2010...

New year has come ! Goodbye 2009, welcome 2010 ! Hahaha... 2009 had been a blissful year, although the ups and downs were there, but it's life, right ? But how about 2010 ? Who knows.. Well, like Eleanor Roosevelt once stated, "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why its called the present." So, happy 2010 everyone !

I sent a new year greeting to over 500 contacts through Yahoo!Messenger and Windows Live, and all of the replies were the same, friendly greetings of New Year, but one of them really piqued my interest. Lemme share it.

"PERHATIAN WAHAI UMAT ISLAM..!! Bila smpi 31 dsember,brape rmikah yg brsedia mraikn thn baru??ttpi sdrkh mreka bhwa tlh difatwakn oleh Sheikh al Azhar,Sheikh Tantawi,Sheikh Yusof al Qardhawi..dan ulama2 kontmporary bhwe myambut Thn Baru bererti mymbut ulangtahun hari jd tuhan yahudi & kristian.Bagi mrk yg x tahu,hukumnyer fasiq(dosa bsr),ttpi bg yg dh thu..hukumya MURTAD.. Astaghfirullah.."

When I read this, I went like "What the ****?" Was this fella serious ?

First of all, we, the people around the world use the Gregorian Calender, the 12-month based calender, since it was accepted worldwide, and plus, the Muslims also use the Islamic calendar.

The person who sent me the above message is seriously narrow-minded. Did he seriously think that we celebrated the New Year based on the Christian and Jew's belief ? No, we celebrated the New Year because it means the coming of a new year, in this case, 2010. We're living in a world based on the 12 months calender. We do activities, work, daily routines on a 365 / 366 days, but in our heart, we're Muslim, we pray, we fast in Ramadhan, we celebrate Eid, Maal Hijrah cause that is who we are. For me, never in my mind I celebrated New Year for the sake of Christian / Jew's belief, but for the coming of a new year, schooltime, and who knows what more to come. We celebrate to share the joy of the celebration, just as the other religions did with us during Eid-ul Fitr, and just as we did with them during Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali. We celebrate those festivals because of the joy it brings, the unity amongst ourselves, especially in Malaysia, where different races live in harmony. Not because we Muslims worshiped their God/s and follow what they preached. There are some Muslims that despise their brothers and sisters of Islam who join the other to celebrate religious festivals, but they need to note something, like during Christmas, not all Muslims, at least for me, was celebrating as a remembrance for Jesus's birth, but to join the joy the festival brought. What I like about Christmas are the songs played on radios, the movies with deep moral values, and also the decorations in malls and shopping complex, and not religion-based interests.

Right... This is just an opinion of mine. Being my second language, I don't think I represent my opinion smoothly, but you might as well roughly get my idea. If any of the words might upset, disturb, or hurt you, I'm deeply sorry in advance, but this is my own words and I stand strong by it.

Well, that's all for now. Cheers.