I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.
- Wayne Gretzky
Friday, April 30, 2010
Foreseeing future and setting direction
Google search KFC, McD ads come out
Haha, Google search "KFC" will return you McD ads. Guess KFC gotta put more effort in advertising with Google? :)
Closed system
Closed systems are at the mercy of their creator having guessed at the optimal solution.
- Dick Costello
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The new Facebook social plugin security concern
I was quite puzzled with the new "Like Button" website that shows the recent links shared by friends in Facebook. To most people, the first thing that pops in their mind is: "wow, this is useful - can see the source where friends get their links and shared." But to me, the few questions that come into my mind:
Did a Google search, and found out about Facebook new initiatives, like Open Graph, social plugins, auto-login... where "users won’t even need to click on a Facebook Connect button to get started." Read more.
Facebook software engineer, Alex Li, described the new changes in FB blog.
Austin, Facebook Product Manager, described how the new social plugins work in FB blog.
Security and phishing concern.
With this new feature introduced. I'm sure this is going to give A LOT of rooms for phishing scams. Not many users out there are security savvy. And I'm very sure that there are people that do not even know that they need to check the login page originate from facebook.com domain. With this loosely coupled cross-domain integration, I'm sure sooner later there are bound to be people who is going to fall for this trap.
Sometimes, its just hard for people to identify and recognize the "true" Facebook tags when you have tons of Facebook-like website out there.
With Open Graph, now you don't even need Facebook account to retrieve status updates from FB. For example, https://graph.facebook.com/search?q=facebook&type=post will show you 25 recent status updates.
I'm sure all these new implementation in Facebook will make FB a gold mine for scammers and data miners. Facebook had made mistakes before. Lets see about this time.
Readings and references
Catastrophe
Anyone else feeling the facebook-is-so-going-to-be-another-friendster catastrophe that I'm feeling?
- The website can pull the list of my friends without me granting the permission?
- How come theres no identification or some sort of security or privacy approval check point?
- Is this part of FB? Why don't they reside it in FB domain?
- Is this going to give room for phishing attack?
The new FB likebutton.me
Did a Google search, and found out about Facebook new initiatives, like Open Graph, social plugins, auto-login... where "users won’t even need to click on a Facebook Connect button to get started." Read more.
Facebook software engineer, Alex Li, described the new changes in FB blog.
On each Community Page, you’ll be able to learn more about a topic or an experience—whether it’s cooking or learning a new language—and see what your friends and others in the Facebook community are saying about this topic. Community Pages are still in beta, but our long-term goal is to make them the best collection of shared knowledge on a topic. We’re starting by showing Wikipedia information, but we’re also looking for people who are passionate about any of these topics to sign up to contribute to the Page. We’ll let you know when we’re ready for your help.
Austin, Facebook Product Manager, described how the new social plugins work in FB blog.
How do the plugins work?
While these buttons and boxes appear on other websites, the content populating them comes directly from Facebook. The plugins were designed so that the website you are visiting receives none of this information. These plugins should be seen as an extension of Facebook.
You only see a personalized experience with your friends if you are logged into your Facebook account. If you are not already logged in, you will be prompted to log in to Facebook before you can use a plugin on another site.
At a technical level, social plugins work when external websites put an iframe from Facebook.com on their site—as if they were agreeing to give Facebook some real estate on their website. If you are logged into Facebook, the Facebook iframe can recognize you and show personalized content within the plugin as if the visitor were on Facebook.com directly. Even though the iframe is not on Facebook, it is designed with all the privacy protections as if it were.
Security and phishing concern.
With this new feature introduced. I'm sure this is going to give A LOT of rooms for phishing scams. Not many users out there are security savvy. And I'm very sure that there are people that do not even know that they need to check the login page originate from facebook.com domain. With this loosely coupled cross-domain integration, I'm sure sooner later there are bound to be people who is going to fall for this trap.
Sometimes, its just hard for people to identify and recognize the "true" Facebook tags when you have tons of Facebook-like website out there.
With Open Graph, now you don't even need Facebook account to retrieve status updates from FB. For example, https://graph.facebook.com/search?q=facebook&type=post will show you 25 recent status updates.
I'm sure all these new implementation in Facebook will make FB a gold mine for scammers and data miners. Facebook had made mistakes before. Lets see about this time.
Readings and references
- An article that I stumbled upon - "Deciving Users with Facebook like button".
- Another article thats worth to read on Facebook security - "Privacy of Open Graph, Social Plugins and Instant Personalization on Facebook". This article has few Facebook privacy and security guides, which I strongly recommend people to check out.
Catastrophe
Anyone else feeling the facebook-is-so-going-to-be-another-friendster catastrophe that I'm feeling?
smart way to encourage recycling - Bottle Bank Arcade
Smart smart... I like the whole concept of Fun Theory.
Overheard at NUS
Got this from Overheard at NUS Facebook group. That guy actually posted that question in forum. Damn funny.
Then I should put a smaller clock in my room so I'll age slower? Haha, seriously, how this guy get into university.
Check out the group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=270781852897. Lots of funny/EPIC-fail pictures.
Bloxorz guide + shortest moves
Screenshot of Bloxorz Level 33
This is record of the shortest (minimum) possible moves for the different levels in Bloxorz. Feel free to comment if you have better solutions :]
The game can be found here.
Level 1
Min moves (7): [by binghan]
Rx3 D Rx2 D
Passcode: 780464
Level 2
Min moves (17): [by binghan]
U R D Rx4 Ux2 D R D Rx2 U R U
Passcode: 290299
Level 3
Min moves (19): [by binghan]
R U Rx3 U L D R Ux2 Rx3 Dx2 D R U
Passcode: 918660
Level 4
Min moves (28): [by binghan]
U L U Rx2 U Rx6 D R Dx5 R U Lx6 D
Passcode: 520967
Level 5
Min moves (33): [by binghan]
Lx3 R Lx5 D R Dx2 Rx4 D Rx4 Lx4 D Lx6
Passcode: 028431
Level 6
Min moves (35): [by binghan]
Rx3 D R Dx2 R Dx2 R U Lx3 Ux2 L Ux3 Rx2 D Rx2 U L Dx2 Rx2 Dx2 R
Passcode: 028431
[I'll just skip these level first... continue to write when free :) ]
Level 32
Min moves (131): [by binghan]
U U L D R U R U R D L (first x)
R U L D L D L U R D L U R U R U R D L L Dx4 Lx4 U R D Rx3 Ux5 R U Rx2 U (second x)
D Lx2 D L Dx5 Lx4 U R (third x)
L D Rx4 ux5 R U Rx2 U (fourth x)
D Lx2 D L Dx5 Lx3 U L D Rx4 Ux4 Rx2 U L D L D L D R U Lx2 U Lx5 D
Passcode: 879021
Level 33
Min moves():
[omg... so many "O" tiles... maybe next time]
Passcode: 614955
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Natural Disaster and people to blame
Many women who do not dress modestly... lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes.
--Hojjatoleslam Kazem Seddiqi
We can avoid earthquakes if the faithful and devoted people pray to God.
--Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, Head of Iran's Guardian Council
Seriously whats on their mind and how the country's people choose them as leaders. Wonder if they even complete their primary school education.
Earthquake is
Just because its difficult to predict, or the current science and tech still unable to predict accurately, we must therefore conclude that natural disasters are controlled by celestial forces.
A simple wiki search will gives u the information about earthquake predictions methods, and scientific efforts being done since ancient civilization to now.
Haha, I like the Boobquake organized by Jen McCreight. But I doubt the message will reach to those Iranian leaders any near time. You know, information censorship. Maybe 5 or 10 years later, maybe...
Side note:
I wonder why all these kind of narrow-minded-thinking always happen on educated leaders. Some of them even had their University degree (in Computer and Science)!
Few examples:
1. Iceland volcanic was caused by Allah for infidels.
Their houses were empty and in ruins, because they did wrong... A devastating volcanic eruption sent by Allah, paralyzed all movement, and a state of emergency was declared, and passenger flights were cancelled, and it struck the Infidels and polytheists with fear and terror...2. Indonesian minister links TV broadcast with natural disaster.
-- Palestinian religious leader
Television broadcasts that destroy morals are plentiful in this country and therefore disasters will continue to occur.3. Haiti "a very dark place".
-- Tifatul Sembiring
“There is no doubt that Haiti is a very dark place, where voodoo and all kinds of idolatry and all kinds of dark magic, all kinds of enslaving forms of religious belief are very prevalent,”
-- Albert Mohler
Seriously...
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Comparison of Japanese and U.S. version of One Piece Anime
Haha, this is so funny. Didn't know U.S is that conservative regarding censorship. Did a google search and found out the reason behind editing anime. And gosh, there were lots of cartoon which is modified.
And... haha, just realize the Pokémon series that I watch last time also edited to fit into American culture.
Quoted from a friend
seeing ur dad keeping a gun beside him is 100 times worst than watching cartoon characters bleeding lor. US have strange standards.
iPhone 4G saga
 |
| Image source: TUDream at http://twitpic.com/12ijf7 |
For those of you who missed out the iPhone saga, heres a summary of the whole hoohaa (in reverse sequence)...
23 April - Jason Chen's house was raided by R.E.A.C.T. (Computer Crime Police), seized 4 computers, 2 servers and more. http://gizmodo.com/5524843/
22 April - Gizmodo server overloaded because of the spike in increasing readers. [Graph from quantcast]
19 April - Apple formally requested for the iPhone. http://gizmodo.com/5520479/a-letter-apple-wants-its-secret-iphone-back
19 April - Gizmodo confirmed iPhone's owner via phone. http://gizmodo.com/5520438/how-apple-lost-the-next-iphone
19 April - Gizmodo got the leaked iPhone prototype for $5000 and posted the specifications and photos. http://gizmodo.com/5520164/this-is-apples-next-iphone
18 April - Engadget confirms the identity of iPhone by inspecting the leaked photos of iPad. http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/18/iphone-4g-proof/
17 April - Photos of leaked iPhone found their way into Engadget's gallery, but Engadget was unable to confirm the identity. http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/17/iphone-4g-is-this-it/
19 March - Apple bricked the stolen prototype remotely.
18 March - Apple engineer abandoned the iPhone prototype on bar stool after enjoying the fine imported ales at Gourmet Haus Staudt. http://gizmodo.com/5520438/how-apple-lost-the-next-iphone
20 Feb - TUDream posted a series of photos believe to be next gen iPhone. http://twitpic.com/14ge1m
--- Just few things running thru my mind. ---
► I wonder where TUDream got the leak photos back in Feb? He is sure resourceful.
► Gizmodo and Apple are the companies that get the most from this saga. Gizmodo's readers increased by near 5 times compared to previous weeks. Gosh! look at the stats:
Source: Alexa
Monday, April 26, 2010
Finland's Education Success
Saw this video about Finland's education system in youtube. Find it interesting to share with everyone.
Here goes the description of the video
When it comes to international results, Finland's schools score consistently at the top.Some of the points from the video
However, pupils study the fewest number of class hours in the developed world.
The BBC travels to Helsinki to find out the secret of the Finns' education success.
The first lesson about school in Finland is relax (0:38)
Learning foreign language here is seen as key (1:32)
Learning is more like a team game (1:56)
The best and worst students in any subject stay in the same class (2:00)
There might be more than one teacher in each class (2:30)
Trust between students and teacher (3:04), trust between teachers and head teacher (3:34)
Peer teaching from corporations (e.g. Nokia)
Their system success is build upon the idea of "less can be more", where you have relax school, free from politician, where nobody gets left behind. (6:40)
slimming using towel?
For the girls. :]
Didn't try it myself
Goo.gl - shortener
goo.ly shortener service at http://gaigalas.net/lab/googl
OMG! I didn't know there exist a site to get the super cool shortened url at goo.gl. All this while, I thought thats a service by Google exclusive to their own staff. The main website of goo.gl is just a bunch of text, indicate that its for Google products and not for broader consumer use.
Geez, gut the crap and heres the ways to get you cool goo.gl urls.
Chrome extension (by giakomino)The only drawback is there's no statistics and tracking for the urls created.
via gaigalas.net (by Alexandre Gaigalas)
Therefore I shall stay with bit.ly, tr.im and ow.ly for the time being :]
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Our Days in Hall (KR Command 2010 - Final Song)
Kent Ridge Hall Command 0910 - Final Song
Original song by:
Jiaxin
Joel
Vernon
Guide for International Students to NUS
Compiled a guide for a friend from Kuching who is coming to NUS. So thought of sharing it here with everyone.
Warning: This note might not be up-to-date by the time you read. Check NUS official website for precise information.
3. Financial matters
You will need to apply for a Singapore bank account when you are here in Singapore. The local bank for Singapore is DBS. But don't worry for the time being, seniors here will guide you along the way.
4. Few links that I think is useful for freshman/international students
► Twitter is also a good way to post your questions and get quick answers.
Warning: This note might not be up-to-date by the time you read. Check NUS official website for precise information.
1. Admission Application
Unless this is your first step in finding out information about "getting in to NUS", the following links will not be useful to you :)
Choice of courses - www.nus.edu.sg/oam/courses/course.html
Computing Degrees - www.comp.nus.edu.sg/undergradprog/degree.shtml2. Accommodation
Have you applied for accommodation? (The application deadline usually is in end-of-May or early-June). In-case you don't know, there are 3 accommodation options - "Student Residence", "Halls of Residence" and "yoHa".
The application website can be found here http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/housing/index.html
The locations of the residences in campus can be found here http://www.nus.edu.sg/campusmap/.
The application website can be found here http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/housing/index.html
The locations of the residences in campus can be found here http://www.nus.edu.sg/campusmap/.
► Student Residence (in campus)There are 3 Residences in NUS. Prince George's Park Residences, Ridge View Residences, and Kuok Foundation House.More info:http://www.nus.edu.sg/ohs/student/About.htm.
► Halls of Residences (in campus)There are 6 Halls in NUS. Eusoff Hall (EH), Kent Ridge Hall (KR), King Edward VII Hall (KE7), Raffles Hall (RH), Sheares Hall (SH), and Temasek Hall (TH).
► yoHa (off campus at Commonwealth drive and Boon Lay)
For me, I stayed in Hall (called Kent Ridge Hall) throughout my 4 years in NUS. It is one of the Halls nearest to School of Computing building (building name: Com1 - http://gothere.sg/maps#q:Kent%20Ridge%20Hall%20to%20Com1%20school%20of%20computing).
There are quite a number of Kuching people stays here too! Yeekiat (Year 4, graduating), Moses(Year 4, graduating), Jacky (Year 2)... many more... :)
Halls are more vibrant compare to Student Residences. I would personally suggest you to go to the website of each Halls of Residence, to find out more about the activities available in each Halls. Theres an brief write-up on Halls of Residence at www.funkygrad.com/campus/displayarticle.php?artID=761&subcat=rave, with some interesting facts about each Halls.
Do take note of the Orientation for Faculties, and Halls (Yeah, there 2 two Orientations for you to join). Besides orientation games, there will be sharing session (from seniors) for Freshman to know more about the courses, modules registration, etc. Its very useful. Do a Google search, you will find all the Orientation websites for Faculties and Halls.
3. Financial matters
I believe you know about the NUS scholarship/financial aid website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/scholarships-financialaid/financialaid/financial-aid-package.html. All the informations are in the website and self-explanatory, especially the flow chart in "Financial Aid Package" section.
Do take note on the NUS Notebook Ownership Scheme for interest-free loan (up to $2000) http://www.nus.edu.sg/comcen/notebook/purchase/interestloan.html.
You will need to apply for a Singapore bank account when you are here in Singapore. The local bank for Singapore is DBS. But don't worry for the time being, seniors here will guide you along the way.
4. Few links that I think is useful for freshman/international students
► Maps and public transit guide to travel around NUS/Singapore. Its a (very accurate) website for you to locate routes in Singapore.
► Things that computing freshman should know.
For example: From Changi Airport to NUS - http://gothere.sg/maps#q:changi%20to%20nus%20central
For example: From Causeway (JB) to NUS - http://gothere.sg/maps#q:causeway%20to%20NUS%20central
For example: From Causeway (JB) to NUS - http://gothere.sg/maps#q:causeway%20to%20NUS%20central
► Things that computing freshman should know.
► My blog post when I first came to NUS (Kent Ridge Hall). Haha
http://stiucsib86.blogspot.com/2006/07/life-in-singapore.html► Twitter is also a good way to post your questions and get quick answers.
NUS Office of Student Affairs (OSA) - http://twitter.com/nusosa
NUS School of Computing Club (CompClub) - http://twitter.com/nuscompclub
My compiled list of NUS affiliated twitter accounts - http://twitter.com/stiucsib86/nus-affiliations/members
My compiled list of NUS affiliated twitter accounts - http://twitter.com/stiucsib86/nus-affiliations/members
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The truth behind old and new.
To express yourself in freedom, you must die to everything of yesterday. From the 'old', you derive security; from the 'new', you gain the flow.
-Bruce Lee
KVR800D2N5/2G problem
Think my Kingston 2GB RAM (KVR800D2N5/2G) defected already. My motherboard (MSI K9A2VM V2) just won't boot when that RAM is plugged in. Luckily I still have my old 1GB RAM left to work with.
Been trying to figure out whats wrong with my desktop for the whole day already. At first I thought is the motherboard, checked, but can't figure out whats wrong. Then move on to harddisks, but all the HDD seems healthy. For second I thought my motherboard gone already, just like last time when the power current is not stable and shorted my motherboards (two new motherboards kena fried, luckily its still in 7 days one-to-one warranty). Just now suddenly hand itchy and decided to test with my old 1GB RAM. woalah! The computer booted. Waste my time sia... how I know RAM will have problems one, I thought RAM problem is a very, very RARE problem.
Gotta check whats the actual problem when exams end. Luckily DIMM rams are lifetime warranty. This might be the first time I have issue with Kingston's RAM.
ermm.... Gosh, how to work with 1GB of RAM?!? gg...
Been trying to figure out whats wrong with my desktop for the whole day already. At first I thought is the motherboard, checked, but can't figure out whats wrong. Then move on to harddisks, but all the HDD seems healthy. For second I thought my motherboard gone already, just like last time when the power current is not stable and shorted my motherboards (two new motherboards kena fried, luckily its still in 7 days one-to-one warranty). Just now suddenly hand itchy and decided to test with my old 1GB RAM. woalah! The computer booted. Waste my time sia... how I know RAM will have problems one, I thought RAM problem is a very, very RARE problem.
Gotta check whats the actual problem when exams end. Luckily DIMM rams are lifetime warranty. This might be the first time I have issue with Kingston's RAM.
ermm.... Gosh, how to work with 1GB of RAM?!? gg...
Friday, April 23, 2010
notes from FB : Letter to a Christian Girlfriend
Disclaimer: This is not written by me. Got it from a guy in Facebook, thought of sharing it with everyone. Do not mean to offend anyone.
Warning: If you are sensitive towards religion matters, I strongly advice you not to continue on.
---
Some Memories; No Doubt just Ramblings to the Passerby
When I first entered the National University of Singapore, I was the loner kid who did not bat an eyelid at girls. Girls, with all their idiosyncrasies like gossiping or buying pairs of shoes after shoes, were too much for me to handle. I was more interested in climbing, and girls only served to take away my climbing time.
You first approached me. You started giving me gifts, like chocolates and small cards. These little nuggets made a boring day suddenly exciting. In all your little notes, you asked about my life; you dropped encouragements; you made me feel special in a way no other person has managed to. Any unfeeling heart would melt under these circumstances.
In the one year that we spent together, I cannot remember a single unhappy moment. Sure we had disagreements, but we sorted them out as soon as they surfaced. Never once had we an argument. I still remember the incident when you crashed the car. To the best of my ability, I arranged for a mechanic to repair the damages, negotiated for a good repair price between the accident victim and the mechanic, and paid for all the upfront costs first. Do you remember how I told you then since you did not have any liquid assets; you could try to barter your fully stocked cupboard with the parties? A little nasty yes, but all for your own good. In the end, I still helped you make the payment with the money I scrupulously saved.
I still remember our overseas trips. Those weeks spent away from urbanisation, getting to learn more about each other, and gaining insights together. All these memories I hold close to my heart. But they aren’t important anymore. After one year together, without warning, you dropped a bombshell on me – convert or break up. I was devastated. I cannot begin to describe the hurt and anguish I felt. You’ve left me behind to walk the long road ahead on my own. I languished in my grief. I can’t even do the thing I loved to do most – climbing. All the fight has been drained out of me. How long will it take to pick up the pieces? I wonder. One Chinese proverb particularly lent me support: If you can pick it up, you should be able to put it down. In my desire to understand how a religion, which in its entirety claims to preach love and compassion, drove you to unilaterally and resolutely want the break up, I achieved revelation. Indeed, the learning process is accelerated when feelings are invested.
Undone by 2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked together with non-believers. You believe that God created you in His image, and that He is ‘a member of your body’. Because of this religious doctrine, you believe that the resulting union between a Christian and a non-Christian is unholy. You believe that you will not be granted entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. You believe that if you commit the sin, you will burn for eternity in hellfire.
I realise now how you could be so calm when you made your decision to break up known to me. I collapsed with grief, whereas you could still go jamming with the rest in the immediate aftermath. You felt like you were doing God’s work, and you found peace in Him. I had no such consolation. My life just fell apart. In sorrow, I grasped at reasons at why you might be unhappy with me. Did I treat you badly? Was I overly possessive? Was I not spontaneous enough for you? All these queries drew a blank.
Only after reading the scripture did my hurt, disappointment and anger subside. I realised the very difficult spiritual position you were in. Just like how Christ is head of the Church, the man is to be the head of the house. I cannot provide you with the spiritual support that is demanded of me in the bible. The bible you believe to be the divinely inspired word of God.
A Reason-Driven Life
You shared with me how you attended Sunday school since you were in primary school and finally got baptized in secondary one. You shared with me how you were previously a naughty and unruly girl, and how religion has changed you for the better. Unfortunately, I do not share that same background as you. But like you, I am a social construct of our upbringing.
I used to be the typical nerd in school and studied diligently. From a young age, I’ve learnt to correlate good results with hard work. If I studied hard and obtained good grades, I deserved all the credit. If I decided to be lazy, took a back seat and get punished with bad grades, then I reap what I sown. I do not praise the Lord for everything good thing that happened in my life and vice versa, blame Satan for everything bad. Rather, I encourage and berate myself in accordance to my successes or failures. As a result of my firm belief in effort and reward, my grades have always been above average, if not excellent. In the blink of an eye, 23 years have passed. In that same duration I have lived without a God in my life.
Because of this upbringing, I am firmly steeped in reason and anecdotal evidence. Just like how you are indoctrinated in unquestioningly faith as a virtue, I am indoctrinated in intellectual scepticism as a merit. For me to convert to become a fundamentalist Christian like yourself, instead of becoming a half-past-six Christian (as one Christian friend has appallingly recommended me), I need to be surrounded by overwhelming, mutually self-reinforcing evidence. I embarked on reading the Bible, and within the first few chapters of the holy book I already found several distasteful contradictions. Contradictions I am unable to reconcile. At this point, we must decide if we think whether intellectual scepticism or blind faith more virtuous. Should a child be inquisitive and ask and question and debate or should he be obedient and servient and accept everything spoken to be the truth of the world? Perhaps I failed to read the Bible spiritually, or adopt its teachings with the same unquestioning acceptance as you did. If I were to become a baptized Christian, then all my queries have to be answered to me by the faith, one by one. Prepare yourself for a deluge of intellectual bombardment.
Big Bang Theory
Mathematicians have calculated that the probability of us coming into existence out of random chance is very, very minute. Therefore, some higher being must have created us. But this hypothesis creates more problems than it solves – the problem of infinite regress. If you follow the logical train of thought, if God created us, then who created Him? Christians tell me that their Judeo-Christian God is uncreated, and that he has simply always existed. There is no analogy, no basis for comparison against this argument in nature, and I cannot wrap my head around this claim. If I were to worship a God, then naturally it behoves me to worship the ultimate creator. Can you conclusively prove to me that your God is the ultimate creator? Just because you firmly believe in something doesn’t necessarily mean it is correct. If I firmly believe that there is a teapot orbiting around the Earth, then the onus is on me to prove my theory. The onus is on you to prove your God to me.
So many Religions, Which one is True?
How are we supposed to know which religion is the true religion? Just because someone follows a certain faith does not necessarily mean it is the right path. Perhaps no one religion contains all the truth of the world. Perhaps every religion contains fragments of the truth and it is our responsibility to identify those fragments and piece them together. Or perhaps there are no gods. No one can say for sure. There were 3200 religions in the world since the start of time. Since only 1 religion can be correct, then the other 3199 religions must be wrong. Christians say their God is the one true God, as do the Muslims, Jews, Hindus and more. And radicals from each faith are willing to be a martyr for what they think is the highest ideal.
Do you not see that the place of your birth determines your religion? If you were born in Japan, you’ll be a Shinto. If you were born in India, you’ll be a Hindu. If you were born in Tibet, you’ll be a Buddhist. If you were born in Norway during the times of the Vikings, you’ll believe in Thor and his hammer! The fact that Christians think a child to be the child of God, instead of a child of Christian parents, or Hindu parents, or Muslim parents, is unacceptable.
Do not all religions appear strange to those who stand outside of them? A case in point: when I recounted my predicament to a PRC friend, she found religion to be a ludicrous myth. Only an insidious force such as religion can break up such a happy relationship, she told me. She also shared with me how the Fa Lun Gong Movement is creating a lot of social problems in China.
Age of the Earth
Creationists argue that the world is 6000 years old. But science, through using several independent methods of radiological dating, has repeatedly proven the world to be about 4.5billion years old. Dinosaur fossils are tested to be about 65million years old. That the age of the Earth is 6000 years old is a myth. How Christians stand steadfast in their story of creation in the face of such staggering evidence defies understanding.
Warning: If you are sensitive towards religion matters, I strongly advice you not to continue on.
---
Some Memories; No Doubt just Ramblings to the Passerby
When I first entered the National University of Singapore, I was the loner kid who did not bat an eyelid at girls. Girls, with all their idiosyncrasies like gossiping or buying pairs of shoes after shoes, were too much for me to handle. I was more interested in climbing, and girls only served to take away my climbing time.
You first approached me. You started giving me gifts, like chocolates and small cards. These little nuggets made a boring day suddenly exciting. In all your little notes, you asked about my life; you dropped encouragements; you made me feel special in a way no other person has managed to. Any unfeeling heart would melt under these circumstances.
In the one year that we spent together, I cannot remember a single unhappy moment. Sure we had disagreements, but we sorted them out as soon as they surfaced. Never once had we an argument. I still remember the incident when you crashed the car. To the best of my ability, I arranged for a mechanic to repair the damages, negotiated for a good repair price between the accident victim and the mechanic, and paid for all the upfront costs first. Do you remember how I told you then since you did not have any liquid assets; you could try to barter your fully stocked cupboard with the parties? A little nasty yes, but all for your own good. In the end, I still helped you make the payment with the money I scrupulously saved.
I still remember our overseas trips. Those weeks spent away from urbanisation, getting to learn more about each other, and gaining insights together. All these memories I hold close to my heart. But they aren’t important anymore. After one year together, without warning, you dropped a bombshell on me – convert or break up. I was devastated. I cannot begin to describe the hurt and anguish I felt. You’ve left me behind to walk the long road ahead on my own. I languished in my grief. I can’t even do the thing I loved to do most – climbing. All the fight has been drained out of me. How long will it take to pick up the pieces? I wonder. One Chinese proverb particularly lent me support: If you can pick it up, you should be able to put it down. In my desire to understand how a religion, which in its entirety claims to preach love and compassion, drove you to unilaterally and resolutely want the break up, I achieved revelation. Indeed, the learning process is accelerated when feelings are invested.
Undone by 2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked together with non-believers. You believe that God created you in His image, and that He is ‘a member of your body’. Because of this religious doctrine, you believe that the resulting union between a Christian and a non-Christian is unholy. You believe that you will not be granted entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. You believe that if you commit the sin, you will burn for eternity in hellfire.
I realise now how you could be so calm when you made your decision to break up known to me. I collapsed with grief, whereas you could still go jamming with the rest in the immediate aftermath. You felt like you were doing God’s work, and you found peace in Him. I had no such consolation. My life just fell apart. In sorrow, I grasped at reasons at why you might be unhappy with me. Did I treat you badly? Was I overly possessive? Was I not spontaneous enough for you? All these queries drew a blank.
Only after reading the scripture did my hurt, disappointment and anger subside. I realised the very difficult spiritual position you were in. Just like how Christ is head of the Church, the man is to be the head of the house. I cannot provide you with the spiritual support that is demanded of me in the bible. The bible you believe to be the divinely inspired word of God.
A Reason-Driven Life
You shared with me how you attended Sunday school since you were in primary school and finally got baptized in secondary one. You shared with me how you were previously a naughty and unruly girl, and how religion has changed you for the better. Unfortunately, I do not share that same background as you. But like you, I am a social construct of our upbringing.
I used to be the typical nerd in school and studied diligently. From a young age, I’ve learnt to correlate good results with hard work. If I studied hard and obtained good grades, I deserved all the credit. If I decided to be lazy, took a back seat and get punished with bad grades, then I reap what I sown. I do not praise the Lord for everything good thing that happened in my life and vice versa, blame Satan for everything bad. Rather, I encourage and berate myself in accordance to my successes or failures. As a result of my firm belief in effort and reward, my grades have always been above average, if not excellent. In the blink of an eye, 23 years have passed. In that same duration I have lived without a God in my life.
Because of this upbringing, I am firmly steeped in reason and anecdotal evidence. Just like how you are indoctrinated in unquestioningly faith as a virtue, I am indoctrinated in intellectual scepticism as a merit. For me to convert to become a fundamentalist Christian like yourself, instead of becoming a half-past-six Christian (as one Christian friend has appallingly recommended me), I need to be surrounded by overwhelming, mutually self-reinforcing evidence. I embarked on reading the Bible, and within the first few chapters of the holy book I already found several distasteful contradictions. Contradictions I am unable to reconcile. At this point, we must decide if we think whether intellectual scepticism or blind faith more virtuous. Should a child be inquisitive and ask and question and debate or should he be obedient and servient and accept everything spoken to be the truth of the world? Perhaps I failed to read the Bible spiritually, or adopt its teachings with the same unquestioning acceptance as you did. If I were to become a baptized Christian, then all my queries have to be answered to me by the faith, one by one. Prepare yourself for a deluge of intellectual bombardment.
Big Bang Theory
Mathematicians have calculated that the probability of us coming into existence out of random chance is very, very minute. Therefore, some higher being must have created us. But this hypothesis creates more problems than it solves – the problem of infinite regress. If you follow the logical train of thought, if God created us, then who created Him? Christians tell me that their Judeo-Christian God is uncreated, and that he has simply always existed. There is no analogy, no basis for comparison against this argument in nature, and I cannot wrap my head around this claim. If I were to worship a God, then naturally it behoves me to worship the ultimate creator. Can you conclusively prove to me that your God is the ultimate creator? Just because you firmly believe in something doesn’t necessarily mean it is correct. If I firmly believe that there is a teapot orbiting around the Earth, then the onus is on me to prove my theory. The onus is on you to prove your God to me.
So many Religions, Which one is True?
How are we supposed to know which religion is the true religion? Just because someone follows a certain faith does not necessarily mean it is the right path. Perhaps no one religion contains all the truth of the world. Perhaps every religion contains fragments of the truth and it is our responsibility to identify those fragments and piece them together. Or perhaps there are no gods. No one can say for sure. There were 3200 religions in the world since the start of time. Since only 1 religion can be correct, then the other 3199 religions must be wrong. Christians say their God is the one true God, as do the Muslims, Jews, Hindus and more. And radicals from each faith are willing to be a martyr for what they think is the highest ideal.
Do you not see that the place of your birth determines your religion? If you were born in Japan, you’ll be a Shinto. If you were born in India, you’ll be a Hindu. If you were born in Tibet, you’ll be a Buddhist. If you were born in Norway during the times of the Vikings, you’ll believe in Thor and his hammer! The fact that Christians think a child to be the child of God, instead of a child of Christian parents, or Hindu parents, or Muslim parents, is unacceptable.
Do not all religions appear strange to those who stand outside of them? A case in point: when I recounted my predicament to a PRC friend, she found religion to be a ludicrous myth. Only an insidious force such as religion can break up such a happy relationship, she told me. She also shared with me how the Fa Lun Gong Movement is creating a lot of social problems in China.
Age of the Earth
Creationists argue that the world is 6000 years old. But science, through using several independent methods of radiological dating, has repeatedly proven the world to be about 4.5billion years old. Dinosaur fossils are tested to be about 65million years old. That the age of the Earth is 6000 years old is a myth. How Christians stand steadfast in their story of creation in the face of such staggering evidence defies understanding.
親情
曾經看過一對兩鬢班白的夫婦在公園牽手散步，
我問他們：你們難道真的相愛一輩子？
他們回答：或許沒有愛情，但我們擁有親情，有恩情。
她不再是我的愛人，而是我的親人。
Saw this in FB just now. Find it meaningful and matches the same idea thats in my mind :)
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself -- at the university's 114th Commencement on June 12, 2005.
Transcript of Steve Jobs' address:
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news...
Stanford University channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/stanford
Very inspiring and meaningful talk. Some of the quotes I find em very true and totally make sense.
You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.and
Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.The whole text of Steve Jobs for Stanford Commencement 2005 can be found at http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Bloxorz Flash Game
Saw this game in down-time page of rlslog.net. So shared it here with everyone :]
Warning: Its really addictive ;)
Note: My compiled solution (and the minimum moves required) to each of the levels is here.
Note: Click here if you don't see the game below.
Play Games at AddictingGames
Enjoy!
Warning: Its really addictive ;)
Note: My compiled solution (and the minimum moves required) to each of the levels is here.
Note: Click here if you don't see the game below.
Play Games at AddictingGames
Enjoy!
Google Earth Day logo
Its 7.30am, and I am still awake... nvm, presenting to you - Google Earth Day logo.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Switchfoot - This is Home
Nice song, like it. (Heard it from C block Command Video).
Its included in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian OST.
This is Home - Switchfoot Lyrics
I’ve got my memories
Always inside of me
But I can’t go back
Back to how it was
I believe now
I’ve come too far
No I can’t go back
Back to how it was
Created for a place
I’ve never known
This is home
Now I’m finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I’ve been searching
For a place of my own
Now I’ve found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home
Belief over misery
I’ve seen the enemy
And I won’t go back
Back to how it was
And I got my heart
Set on
What happens next
I got my eyes wide
It’s not over yet
We are miracles
And we’re not alone
Yeah
This is home
Now I’m finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I’ve been searching
For a place of my own
Now I’ve found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home
And now after all
My searching
After all my questions
I’m gonna call it home
I got a brand new mindset
I can finally see
The sunset
I’m gonna call it home
Home
This is home
Now I’m finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I’ve been searching
For a place of my own
Now I’ve found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home
Now I know
Yeah, this is home
I’ve come too far
And I won’t go back
Yeah, this is home
Its included in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian OST.
This is Home - Switchfoot Lyrics
I’ve got my memories
Always inside of me
But I can’t go back
Back to how it was
I believe now
I’ve come too far
No I can’t go back
Back to how it was
Created for a place
I’ve never known
This is home
Now I’m finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I’ve been searching
For a place of my own
Now I’ve found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home
Belief over misery
I’ve seen the enemy
And I won’t go back
Back to how it was
And I got my heart
Set on
What happens next
I got my eyes wide
It’s not over yet
We are miracles
And we’re not alone
Yeah
This is home
Now I’m finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I’ve been searching
For a place of my own
Now I’ve found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home
And now after all
My searching
After all my questions
I’m gonna call it home
I got a brand new mindset
I can finally see
The sunset
I’m gonna call it home
Home
This is home
Now I’m finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I’ve been searching
For a place of my own
Now I’ve found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home
Now I know
Yeah, this is home
I’ve come too far
And I won’t go back
Yeah, this is home
Random
Just finish recording my expenses for the past months. I spent about $300 for the March...
and gosh! I spent $570 for Feb?!? Oh, thats the suay month where I lost my wallet after withdraw from bank... smart ass yeah? =.='
Ah, need to really start reduce my expenses and start saving money...
---
what a sien day... the dark storm around 6pm is the best description of my feeling today.
and gosh! I spent $570 for Feb?!? Oh, thats the suay month where I lost my wallet after withdraw from bank... smart ass yeah? =.='
Ah, need to really start reduce my expenses and start saving money...
---
what a sien day... the dark storm around 6pm is the best description of my feeling today.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
StarCraft 2 + AI Installation Guide
Update: Get StarCraft II Wings of Liberty-RELOADED here.
NOTE: This post is last updated on 14 July 2010.
NOTE: To extract the 7z.00x files, use 7zip. Its free!
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12 Lotus
Nice movie. Glad that more Sg movies and tv-series are "officially" available on the internet - for free streaming. :] (gonna find and watch "12 storeys" next).
---
12 Lotus (12莲花)
Producer:
Raintree Pictures
Synopsis:
As a talented singer adored by her fervent fans, all Lian Hua (Mindee, Liu Ling Ling) wants is As a talented singer adored by her fervent fans, all Lian Hua (Mindee, Liu Ling Ling) wants is acceptance from her loved ones. Underneath it all, she is simply a filial daughter and a devoted girlfriend. The tragedy that unfolds is an age-worn tale of love and betrayal. Her fall from grace is as spectacular as her heights of fame and fortune. Although heartbroken, Lian Hua's indomitable spirit prevails, and her voice soars one final time, blooming like a flower..
Link:
http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/12-lotus/1hy3p8o7j
---
12 Lotus (12莲花)
Producer:
Raintree Pictures
Synopsis:
As a talented singer adored by her fervent fans, all Lian Hua (Mindee, Liu Ling Ling) wants is As a talented singer adored by her fervent fans, all Lian Hua (Mindee, Liu Ling Ling) wants is acceptance from her loved ones. Underneath it all, she is simply a filial daughter and a devoted girlfriend. The tragedy that unfolds is an age-worn tale of love and betrayal. Her fall from grace is as spectacular as her heights of fame and fortune. Although heartbroken, Lian Hua's indomitable spirit prevails, and her voice soars one final time, blooming like a flower..
Link:
http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/12-lotus/1hy3p8o7j
Friday, April 16, 2010
Soon we can talk to animals
HAI (Human-Animal Interaction) has been a research field for many years.
Introducing Google Translate for Animals - an Android apps to record animal sounds have have it Google-Translate-ed.
More of it here
http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2010/04/grunt-woof-and-moo-to-you-too.html
I wonder will we be able to communicate with animals using computer as the bridge? Record-translate-then-we-response.
Interesting future.
NUS Arts Club Defaced
This is the aftermath of NUSArts Club hacked site.
The scripts of the defaced site: http://www.mediafire.com/?mzwbg3ql3ty
The scripts of the defaced site: http://www.mediafire.com/?mzwbg3ql3ty
From Get Reel to Command 09/10
Command-ed for Hall Command on 13th April, and Block Command on 14th April. Commands mark the end of 4-years Hall Life in KR.
Get Reel
The beginning of everything, Get Reel, the theme for Freshman Welcome Orientation Camp (FWOC) 06/07.
Hall Command
I'm only involve in Opening Dance and Glow in The Dark (GiTD). A-Block Opening dance is just 6 sets of 8 counts. Pretty simple, because the our choreo – Brian, simplified the dance move for us; GiTD is a UV-light performance. There are 10 of us perform for that item, (from C-Block) Weliam, Tina, ZhuHui, Kimberly, Heidi, Esther and (A-Block) me, Joseph, Annie, Kenny.
In Hall Command, for the first time I see Tzewee cried. I alway thought Tzewee was the most 男子汉. But, who knows he was the first to burst into tears just after we walk out from curtain for the family song. Once in a life time view.
Block Command
I think this is the best Block Command I’ve ever experienced for my 4 years in KR. Kudos to Bryan and the blockcommers. And also to the rest who helped out throughout the whole event. I’m sure they prepared hard for the event. From the decos, games, food, gifts, and the video/slideshows. Can tell a lot of efforts have been poured in for those little little items.
In Block Command, for the first time I see Haoxiang cried. His tears came off half way when he gave his speech, representing all the FYFs. I'm sure all the other FYFs felt the sentiment too when he describe how the rest of us relate to his journey in KR.
Commands were a blast
Get Reel
The beginning of everything, Get Reel, the theme for Freshman Welcome Orientation Camp (FWOC) 06/07.
Hall Command
I'm only involve in Opening Dance and Glow in The Dark (GiTD). A-Block Opening dance is just 6 sets of 8 counts. Pretty simple, because the our choreo – Brian, simplified the dance move for us; GiTD is a UV-light performance. There are 10 of us perform for that item, (from C-Block) Weliam, Tina, ZhuHui, Kimberly, Heidi, Esther and (A-Block) me, Joseph, Annie, Kenny.
In Hall Command, for the first time I see Tzewee cried. I alway thought Tzewee was the most 男子汉. But, who knows he was the first to burst into tears just after we walk out from curtain for the family song. Once in a life time view.
Block Command
I think this is the best Block Command I’ve ever experienced for my 4 years in KR. Kudos to Bryan and the blockcommers. And also to the rest who helped out throughout the whole event. I’m sure they prepared hard for the event. From the decos, games, food, gifts, and the video/slideshows. Can tell a lot of efforts have been poured in for those little little items.
In Block Command, for the first time I see Haoxiang cried. His tears came off half way when he gave his speech, representing all the FYFs. I'm sure all the other FYFs felt the sentiment too when he describe how the rest of us relate to his journey in KR.
Commands were a blast
A great ending to wrap-up my 4 years fulfilling journey in KR. Compiled photos of past commands on Facebook.
Kent Ridge Hall, a home away from home.
Kent Ridge Hall, a home away from home.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Weekend at Sushi Tei
Went Sushi Tei Vivo with yc, simin and hoongsoon. Its on hs. Not bad, everyone quite surprised when he decided to treat. Haha.
The girls commented that they feel that his attitude changed somehow. He dont argue much with ppl when kena suan-ed. Maybe because of his girl-girl ba - The power of love =p
Anyway, enjoyed talking to him. :]
The girls commented that they feel that his attitude changed somehow. He dont argue much with ppl when kena suan-ed. Maybe because of his girl-girl ba - The power of love =p
Anyway, enjoyed talking to him. :]
Sunday, April 11, 2010
i8000 Apps that I follow
Samsung i8000 Mobile Apps
Softwares-related
Taskbar
- Dark Ninja Android Taskbar
GPS
- Garmin
- Free Maps
- My-Sg-Br: http://www.malsingmaps.com/
- NaviComputer
- GPSModDriver
- GPS Fix
Shopping List
- MiCarrito
- My Shopping List
Public Transit Guide
Keypad
- Exidler's FingerKeyboard
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=501122
eBook Reader
Data Controller
iPhoneToday
Hardware-related
OpenGL
- OpenGL ES 3D Driver
- http://www.modaco.com/content/i8000-verizon-sch-i920-omnia-ii-http-i8000-modaco-com/291735/opengl-es-3d-drivers-v1-compatibility-layer/
- OpenGL ES Benchmark
- http://www.glbenchmark.com/tools.jsp?benchmark=glpro11
- .NET Compact Framework Wrapper for OpenGL ES
- http://www.koushikdutta.com/2008/08/net-compact-framework-wrapper-for.html
FPU Enabler
Dev Tools
SKtools
Last updated -Bing Han Goh 11/04/2010 11:07
Google Chrome Bookmark in Docs
Just realize Chrome bookmark is available for edit in Google Docs. Cool right? :]
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Earth Hour
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After Google-ed for a while, well, found out that its NOT true.
I believe the content of the email originated from http://nose4news.wordpress.com/2010/03/25/tnb-to-sue-wwf-over-earth-hour/. But I guess the owner deleted the flaming post.
The effect of Earth Hour on Power Generated?
Theres however a news about how much Earth Hour actually contributed to reduction of electricity production - ZERO. Simply because the energy that produced by power plants are not reduced, thus Earth Hour has zero effect on change of carbon emissions.... more.
How much that 1 hour contributed?
Read more about the statistics at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_hour#Measurement_of_reduction_in_electricity_use
Earth Hour is NOT a bad idea.
I'm NOT posting this to show that "Earth Hour" is a bad idea. Just to suggest that maybe
- Earth Hour organizer can liaise with power producers to reduce the power production. Maybe in terms of reducing the electricity reserve margin.
- Organize Earth Hour (or similar events) more frequent to have actual impact on the power consumption. I mean 1 hour a year is just too insignificant. (But still a good idea for "awareness", once a year...)
Thursday, April 08, 2010
random
Just wana grumble about things that were running back-n-forth in my mind...
- Haih, my nightmare just begin when everyone else's finishes.
- Should start warping up my project for the lvl5 module.
- Command - hall command, block command...
- Still waiting for Blp result - no news since the shadow... maybe no hope?
- ImagineCup - not sure how to continue the next round - time constrain.
- Holiday - should I go back? Or stay to find work / do project / slack?!?
- What is my goal in life? Goal for the next phase of life?
Monday, April 05, 2010
Home
Saw this blog of a fellow Muslim Malaysian, of of the side gadget has this description.
Just feel glad to see people think this way. Many conservative-thinking Malays always commented on Malaysian Chinese (or Indians) being "immigrants", and should be treated like "outsiders" (or worst - should be sent back to where they belong).
Saw this article in BBC News,
I'm sure all Malaysian Chinese feel the same sentiment too.
Many educated Chinese Malaysian leaves Malaysia simply because they feel they are illy treated. Just take my class for example, more than 10 out of 40 students are oversea (some migrated, mostly to Australia) now. So one can just roughly guess the number of highly educated Chinese migrated each year. Not including non-Chinese, i.e. Malays, Indians...
A news from The Malaysian Insider which states the figures of migrated Malaysian from March 08 to August 09.
Another figures from The Star for the period between 1996 and 1997.
A paradigm shift must take place. Especially for those conservative Malaysians. Message must be passed on to them. Someone (leaders) must change them and let them rethink their current modes of thinking, norms, etc. Let them rethink so to change the fate of our country.
PM, DS Najib commented on the privileges of Malays in an interview on Al Jazeera,
Hopefully, 1Malaysia can be the channel to start keeping talented Malaysian from leaving. Hopefully.
Malaysia is our Home
It is obvious that the country belongs to all its citizens.
Malaysia is the home of all Malaysians. All Malaysians. Since it is our home, it is our duty to take care of it.
Even in our house, sometimes we have our siblings who may do things that may damage our home. Or they may show selfish tendencies that make the house less of a home. Home is to be shared by all. We have to make it a happy home habitable by all of us.
If we do not care for the state of the home, then we are behaving like a guest in the hotel. We have no say in the state of the hotel room. We just do not care as long as we can sleep there for a while. We have no attachment.
To some citizens, the country may be a house, but to the Rapera, the country is a home.
Just feel glad to see people think this way. Many conservative-thinking Malays always commented on Malaysian Chinese (or Indians) being "immigrants", and should be treated like "outsiders" (or worst - should be sent back to where they belong).
Saw this article in BBC News,
"We go to China on holidays and see where our ancestors come from," said businessman Banie Chin.This is exactly what I feel too. I wanted to China, just to see where my grandparent/ancestors came from and how is the place looks like. But, deep down in heart, I'm still regard myself as Malaysian. And wish to be able to contribute to this country someday.
"I've been to my village - to see my grandfather's grave in Jiangxi. My grandfather died fighting with Mao, and my father then came here from China when he was very young.
"But I'm Malaysian," he added.
I'm sure all Malaysian Chinese feel the same sentiment too.
Many educated Chinese Malaysian leaves Malaysia simply because they feel they are illy treated. Just take my class for example, more than 10 out of 40 students are oversea (some migrated, mostly to Australia) now. So one can just roughly guess the number of highly educated Chinese migrated each year. Not including non-Chinese, i.e. Malays, Indians...
A news from The Malaysian Insider which states the figures of migrated Malaysian from March 08 to August 09.
This figure, however, is much smaller than the 304,358 Malaysians who were reported to have migrated from March 2008 to August 2009.
“Generally, the push factor from Malaysia has been on the rise ... people feel pushed away from the country. They feel alienated and they feel that their prospects are limited by factors that they have no control over,” he added.
Another figures from The Star for the period between 1996 and 1997.
According to Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho, some 106,000 Malaysians had given up their citizenship between 1996 and April this year.
Of the figure, 70% or 79,100 were Malays, 25,107 Chinese, 1,347 Indians and 350 of other races.
A paradigm shift must take place. Especially for those conservative Malaysians. Message must be passed on to them. Someone (leaders) must change them and let them rethink their current modes of thinking, norms, etc. Let them rethink so to change the fate of our country.
PM, DS Najib commented on the privileges of Malays in an interview on Al Jazeera,
Speaking about his 1 Malaysia platform, Najib denied that the special privileges of the Malays would be trampled upon.
He said that 1 Malaysia was predicated on the constitution and provisions to protect Malay special rights.
Hopefully, 1Malaysia can be the channel to start keeping talented Malaysian from leaving. Hopefully.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Aiba Masaki's Blood Type Experiment (English Subs)
Aiba-kun from Arashi does an experiment to test the reactions of kindergartners according to their blood types.
Blood type A: The worriers
Blood type B: don't-care-type
Blood type O: don't-forgive-type
Blood type AB: UNPREDICTABLE
Haha, interesting and funny at the same time.
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