Hunting Books at UPM

Hi All,

Last Wednesday, I, Nanda, Nada and Amira went to a book fair called Big Bad Wolf, a warehouse book sales with so OMG I can’t believe it so cheap price (5-12 rm and more for thick and good-looking books). The event is at MAEPS (Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang) near UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia). It will end this Sunday. For book lovers out there, beware of get lost in piles of books and unaware of time.

Enough for promotion, UPM is quite far from UM (Universiti Malaya) especially if you go by public transport. From UM, we went by KTM (Keretapi Taktentu Masa, Keretapi Tanah Melayu), from MidValley Station to Serdang Station. Everything went well until we look for taxi to reach MAEPS from KTM Serdang station. The taxi coupon counter set the fee for RM 24 from KTM Serdang to MAEPS (why so expensive?) Fortunately, we got cheaper price outside.

After arrived at MAEPS, we were amazed by the amounts of books there (and hundreds of book hunters, people even queue in front of cashiers row). We then parted to look for our preferred books genre locations. After looking into “politic”, “history”, “reference” and other genres. I just realized that most of books were in “cooking” and children” sections. Considering the book fair was a warehouse sale, “cooking” and “children” genre should be the least bought ones in previous bookstores. It is sad to know that people starts to eat outside than cook for themselves (that explains why tons of cooking books was there) and leave their children to television and other digital stuffs rather than read fairytale stories for their children (that explains why those glittery and fancy kids books made nearly a third of book piles there). Interestingly, Amira found that many comic books that wouldn’t be in Malaysia (because of its obscene picture or controversial genres) was there.

At 7 pm, we’re done buying books there, I bought 10 books for RM 88 although others bought more (looking from their bulky bags and boxes). Now, how the hell could we go home?, MAEPS was deprived from taxis at night and nearest bus stop was 3-4 km away (told by laughing security officer, perhaps because of pitying us). And…. yes… we walked for 3 KILOMETERS, the street was dark and UPM was so damn HUGE (Thanks God, UM was so small that it would not hurt your legs if you’re an avid walker). After long walk, we reached the bus stop and immediately stop a taxi in fear of missing the last KTM train to MidValley).

Okay, enough for rambling story. Enjoy the pictures

                 

                   Me. Nanda and Amira at the book fair

                          Panorama view of the book fair
                        
                             Book bought, quite many right?
                              
           Me and  “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (at RM 8)
That’s all. The book fair is open until this Sunday, just go there if you have time.

After a Long Hiatus

Hi all, it has been a while since my last post. You should have thought that I have deserted this blog. Be assured that I have not and I will continue rambling in this blog. Please wait (again) for a while when I clean my blog from spider webs and piles of dust here and there (as if it is really there)

……………

Okay, where should I start? I have been busy these months with organizations and campus activities (and other things that I’ve already forgotten or ashamed to tell). Let me tell you what happened in those months that made me had no mood in posting anything here.

May

May, emmmm It was exam month so I needed to focus most of my time to study in preparation for seven subjects tests. Thanks god, I did it successfully although the courses departments tended to pair the exams with each other resulting on some days with two exams a day. Last half month was spent to register for short semester, seek cheap foreign language course and try to join any NGOs.

June-July

I spent these two months by taking short semester (while other had nearly 4 months-long holiday), French course and joining a NGO. FYI, at first my course department obliged me and my friends to register for short semester as the course offered in that semester won’t be offered again in next year. Later, it was revealed that the course would be offered next year and we were trapped in that course with third-year student (that also “trapped” there as they failed that course last year, so they had to take it in short semester in order to graduate). Despite all these trap stuffs, I still felt my choice of taking short semester was a right one as it let me to take French course (one of my “new year resolution”) and join a great NGO.

August

In August, I’ve been back to Indonesia already and had a full Ramadhan there. I have longed for a long time to spend Ramadhan in my home since taking courses in KL (as in that month I felt home sick the most). Weirdly, after I was there, I experienced nothing special compared in KL (except extra daily chores and weight gain). It was unfortunate that after spending many Ied days in KL, I started to lost track of my old Indonesian friends there. So after visiting close relatives and others, I spent the rest of Ied days home, washing dishes and emptying cracker and cookie jars (that would last for weeks after Ied without my help…. hey that explained the weight gain).

That’s all I think…. For this September, I have started to date with the horrible thesis (I’m final year student already), until now our relations is still so good, although a bit bumpy here and there. Wish me luck T_T.

Embarrassing Moment

I recalled when I took English course for international student in my university, I was ordered to write narrative essay on embarrassing moment.

That time, I tried to remember any of my embarrassing moment I’ve experienced so far. A half hour and no vivid memories came into my mind, unfortunately (or fortunately) I have made myself to forget any of those miserable moments from my life. Really, there’s no use in keeping those memories, there’s no fun in being laughed by others except you’re comedian. Frustrated, I made up one embarrassing story out of my childhood memories with a bit spices here and there (no wonder she gave me B or C+ for that essay)

But to be honest, some embarrassing moments do linger in my mind. Let say, to remind me of how careless and clumsy I am (you should also read my earlier post, titled Look into More Detail). One of those was happened when my mother told me to buy things (mainly her personal care stuff) as she would go for official duty in few days.

Mind you, my mother is a very picky person. Her toiletries are  a list of specially selected personal care products (that shouldn’t be expensive but should pass her strict criterions). So, go shopping for her stuffs seems like go for a quest in RPG when we should acquire the right items to finish the mission. Then there I went, to forest of shops and supermarket forts to seek the wanted items. Pity me, the level of quest was so high that I only found the last item a man would buy in supermarket, the female pad (i.e. Kotex, Maxi-pad and their kind).

something like that

Determined that I should have brought something since I’ve already gone this far. I went straight to a female cashier only to pay that female pad. She smiled and laughed a bit. Damn, I should have never done this, my pride as a man was hurt deeply. I tried to justify my action by saying it was my mother order, but she kept smiling, tried hard not to laugh. That was really embarrassing, thanks god, there was no queue waiting behind me.

______________

ps. Actually, my mother asked for another female stuff, a panty liner, so my quest was a total failure. My father then went to buy her item and FYI he’s a pro in this kind of quest, I guessed he would check every shops on the street to accomplish the mission, good luck, Pak.

(Any pictures published above belong to their respective owner, source: Google.com)

Earth Hour 2011; Let there be darkness

 

26 March 2011, 08.30 pm.

(Switching off the light)

“Let there be darkness”

pic above was taken while earth hour was happening. That building is my residential college. Okay, some rooms were naughty to not switch off the light, not to mention ground floor that kept the light on. At least, we put effort on it. T_T

That was kind of scary though, mind you, my college is the oldest in my university and they switch off all the light in corridor to my room. That reminded me some scene in horror movies when monster, ghost, psycho and other scary stuff were waiting in the darkness at the end of the corridor.

Put that thought aside, this year earth hour was not so cool. There’s no environmental event like two years ago (in my campus), when we shared free apples to visitors, lighted candles and put them to form big 360 or 60 like this (UM Earth Hour 2009)

Instead, I just surfed internet with laptop in darkness.

To me, earth hour should be a reminder for us to pay more attention to our beloved earth. Sorry if that sounds so full of environmental jargon (I’m actually taking "Sustainable Development” recently in my assignment), but we should take more actions. One way is “to reduce”. FYI, our high consumption on energy and resources is dangerous to our environment (overfishing, extensive farming etc.). Use anything in moderation, believe me, using anything excessively will only bring harm. Eat excessively brings obesity, spend money recklessly brings financial problem and so on. Our world is more than enough for everyone in this world but won’t be enough for one greedy person.

So, reduce NOW to have more in FUTURE

Random Thought Today

Student's veeeery limited budget

While walking in Jusco and Carrefour

Me : Di, that's a very nice stuff. (@ male garment section)
Hadi : and here, delicious food and meals lie (@Japanese food section)
(both looking at the price tag)
Me: Forget it, all of these are illusions, merely faint illusion.
Hadi : Yeah, When will we able buy all these things without worrying about our money?
Me : T_T, when will that moment come?...

 As a student, particularly a college student, we should compromise with our strictly limited budget. Unable to work fully yet have to learn to be independent in our finance are really damn difficult.

Long Time No Write, Too Lazy to Post

Hi readers,

Long time no new post, right? even I did not post anything on February, my bad. Lazy mood was on rampage. Furthermore, I had some presentations to prepare for my tutorial.
Lately, I had two presentations in a row a day. To make it worse, I had them with the same tutor. She took pity on me and said

"Wahyu, if only you plan this well, you won't get this kind of problem. So, for all of you, you should plan your presentation turn well, this is one way to apply strategy theory that you have learn this far (this semester, we learn "The Development of Modern Strategy ")."

The class was in an awkward silence as the students reflected on their own presentation plan and took a pity on me as failure example.

However, their plan may end up as mine. To think about this planning further, I take seven courses in this semester that last for 16 weeks. As two first weeks were add and drop weeks and one week off for mid-term holiday, this semester actually has active 13 weeks. So how we plan seven presentations (let we assume all students are taking seven courses) in only 13 weeks?.

The chances are

• Seven weeks of presentation in a row and six free weeks
• One presentation per two weeks plus another presentation week
• Some presentation in some weeks and free weeks in between and after

To tell you, the odd of having the first and second options is actually very small. Due to some circumstances (sick tutor or lecturer, delayed tutorial, etc) they will end up having the third options. I even heard some students have three presentations in a week (and I'm waiting for someone to break the record with four or more presentations in a week). So, why bother to plan? just face them with all your might (and be prepared for sleepless night).
_________________________________

FYI, for next week, I still have to present two topics in a row on Thursday.

Some Pics This Weeks

Forest of Lights

I forgot to tell you that recently I've gone to I-City few days ago. It has beautiful light-themed park, I mean park of LED trees, animals and stuffs. FYI, it maybe another park that only opens and looks beautiful at night (after amusement park).

I-city is located in Shah ALam, Selangor. It takes half hour or less (depends on traffic jam) from Kuala Lumpur to go there by car. It charges 2 RM/person (about 0.65 USD) to enter the park and another 2 RM for some special parks there. If you go by car, then it'll be 10 RM per car. For me, 2 RM is worth it, but another 2 RM for special parks (that has slight difference from usual one) is a little bit too much. I-city itself is a shopping complex with outdoor cinema (beside the light park). It should have an indoor snow park in future, as written in its advertisement (when I went there, it's not opened yet hm.... I don't know for sure).

Btw, It's not my attention to promote it (although I did promote it), It's just beautiful place to see for once or twice (in third visit you'll lose the excitement of seeing this light forest, except if you date with your girlfriend/boyfriend here, it would be nice :P).

Well, enjoy the pics that captured by my phone, samsung wave s350 (oh noo, another promotion, my bad :P it's not really as nice as digital camera though)

A light orange trees

The forest of light, linearly

the trees are pine trees, right?

me and Amir (thanks for the ride ^_^)

me and white Christmas light tree

other pine trees, it would be nice if they make sakura/peach blossom trees right?

That's it, you can see my album in Facebook if you wanna see more or simply google it.

Human and Nature

Realize it or not, since our beginning, we/human is all about struggle with nature.

Our ancestors, had already begun the struggle, they challenged every mother nature threats and barriers and in some case, obliterated them completely. We, human are responsible for extinction of saber-toothed tiger, mammoths and many more creatures. We redefine earth by building cities, dams, canals even artificial lands. It is as if we already won the war, Is that really true?

Since our beginning too, we have been victims of mother nature's furies. Drought, tsunami, earthquake and volcanic eruption have killed and erased many civilizations. Diseases and plagues reduced our populations, and emptied kingdoms and countries of its citizen. We fought and struggled, new medicine founds and methods were invented to protect us from disasters. Yet, we still find ourselves powerless in might of mother nature. Once new medicine are found, new disease appeared and every methods we invented will never protect us completely. To make it worse, mother nature uses our wrongdoings to bring our doom (i.e. global warming). It is as if, however strong our effort is, we still submit to nature will.

In  other hand, since the beginning of human being, we have fought with our own nature. A self-interested, egoistic, and power-seeking nature of us have brought so many destruction to ourselves and our world. We have fought countless war and slaved our brethren and sisters. As if it isn't enough, we have created the most destructive weapon, nuclear bomb, to bring utter and complete destruction of our world. No matter how many treaties, charters, and conventions we signs, states keep fight each other. No matter how strong we hold norms, values, and religious beliefs, we keep get in conflict and murder each other.

Sometimes, I feel there is no hope to reach a peaceful ending in our struggle with the two natures we face. We may exploit mother nature and used it for our interest even if it brings our doom. We may kill each other and eventually end human history. Will we compromise with Earth? will we put aside our own egoistic interests for humanity and common good?

I know that having such a idyllic hope may disappoint me but having no hope at all will let me in despair. Hope is the most dangerous thing to lose, and I still hope we, human will reach the peaceful ending in these struggles.

Saying Happy Birthday in different perspectives

My friend just had her birthday last few days, then I'd like to post her my mediocre happy birthday post (happy Birthday, wish U all the best :)) in Facebook. Her wall was full of "happy birthday" posts, but one got my attention

             “Happy Birthday, A. You have just spent one year of your lifespan again."

 Although, this kind of post seems rude and pessimistic, it reminds us how short our life is. But for me, it is kind a weird one, We congratulate her for just able to reach one year more and hope for better life for this year while the other had passed away, this post remind us that we are drawing near to the end of our life, one step closer to our ancestors. For me, an optimistic one will be like this

           "Happy birthday, A. Wish you a full year of happiness and success. God bless you."

Then if we follow the former one, I would like to add his post like this

           "Happy Birthday A, now you're closing to your own death, how far have you gone? How much have you achieved? Think it well; you may end up in your coffin next year."

Okay, I maybe a bit exaggerate it. Whether it is pessimistic or optimistic way to say happy birthday, both are right. We can't be thankful for years that we don't even know we're still alive to live it or not. In the other hand, every year we have passed showed how God is merciful while we pray for better life this year. But we should be wary of our short and precious life, time flies quickly, every second counts, and we won't notice that we're already at the end of this journey. Then, we’ll be sorry for days that won’t come back (Heaven forbid).

Hmm, perhaps next time I’ll post this.

           “Happy Birthday, A. Now, a year has been passed in our lifetime, I believe you have used it well. Then for this year, I hope you a full year of happiness, luck and success. :)"

How that sounds?

How to be not scared so much when watching scary movies

Have you ever watched scary movies but didn't know how the story goes because in most of the movies you closed your eyes closely?
or... scream to your heart desire and surprised people who sat next to you (lucky, they didn't get heart attack or had their eardrum exploded)
Worry no more, I'll tell you how to tackle this issue. My friends always ask me why I never startled or surprised and so calm when watching movies in cinema, and let me tell you my little secrets.

• Know what genre (to be exact, from where) of horror movies you watch, every region has its own taste of horror and they are reflected from their own horror movies. An American or western horror movie has grotesque and extrovert monster/ghost or any apparition, the movies usually focus on gory scene and how the protagonists are chased by the monster (watch any zombie movies, House of Wax, Halloween etc.). Japanese movies has introvert and mostly beautiful yet scary ghost (if not monster), they are so shy and wander around the protagonist like ninja, you can see only them in seconds. Japanese movies usually has complicated and unique plot, so you may miss or not understand the story. Now, the last genre the south-east Asia horror movies (Thailand), the monster/ghost are neither extrovert nor introvert, they wander around the place and surprise the protagonists (include you) so often.
• Expect most (if not all) characters to die. The question is where, when and how. The monster may eat, slash, hack, gore or any possible way to kill the characters (especially in final destination, the monster is the grim reaper of course). Be pessimistic, expect none survives (or two, if you want a happy ending). Don't be scared by gory scene, trust me, the real version is much more scary that you can't forget for a week (if you insist, then you may see the gory pics in any shock websites and compare it).
• Know what fear the movie use to scare you, is it fear of powerless against so many monsters (like in zombie movies), fear of blood and gory animation (like SAW), fear of very ugly and scary yet strong and invincible monster (alien), or fear of unknowing threats.
• Be prepare for some special scenes that surprise you. We can know them by special sound effect, a zoom in to special places, or when you suddenly see the protagonists from the monster point of view and watch how they are helpless and ready to be the monster's meal.
• At last, they are not real. You can still look at the mirror and the reflection is still mimicking you after watching "The Mirror" and zombies in real life will be decayed and soon return to soil as natural fertilizer in months. Still scared? read funny stories and comics, don't ever think about the psycho that hack and cut the unlucky character's head off in hockey mask, forget him and let him sleep well in that lake for eternity.

I hope these tips will help you watch the whole scary movie silently without closing your eyes. What's fun watching the movie this way, you ask? you can watch them full and see how the director struggle to scare you (even after doing this tips, you may freak out if the director is really that good), at least from now on, you can watch them in different perspective, and not be ashamed in that way. :)

New Year, New You?

Haa... it's already 2011 and I just made 3 posts in this blog. To all readers, please forgive me for my laziness. Really, having a college life is a very busy one, right? (eh, no?). After all, those assignments, tasks, projects, and a bit (or large chunks?) of facebook truly made time flew so fast

 A view from my room window, not related to this topic eh? then I put this pic to help us reflect our life in 2010

So? what's your resolutions this year? It wouldn't be the same as 2010, right? for me, I still have some left overs from last year. What is it, you ask? that's kicking my bad habits out.

1.  Sleep late at night, and can't wake up early, oh yes, I got this habit back, after all morning wake-up training from my mum from elementary to senior high school. Being free from your mother scolding has side effects too. 
2. Pray at my wish (when I should pray 5 times a day, according to Muslim belief). To devote 10 minutes of your time to pray 5 times a day shouldn't be so difficult. The problem is one of them is done at dawn, when I can't wake up early enough to catch it, and ...... many other reasons that I would be ashamed to tell.   

And now for this year, I'd like to add some

• Learn foreign language, seriously. Any major foreign language is acceptable (but I still prefer Japanese though)

• Having an internship whether in NGOs or other institutions. This year 4 months holiday (you read it? 4 MONTHS) shouldn't be a waste.

What? that's very FEW resolutions. Yes, it is, we'd better speak few and do a lot right? Writing a list of 100 resolutions will also make you bored just by reading this and make this not so popular blog will be not even known of its existence.
How about you? have you made your resolution, have you planned a new "you" for this year? tell me :)