Posts in Category: Uncategorized
Disneyland (1)
I know I am still in Hong Kong, but hey, this is the 2nd last post and next post on Disneyland is gonna be pretty short. So, if you just don’t know where to go in Hong Kong, I am sure Disneyland is one major attraction. When you arrive at the airport, you’d see the heavy promotions all over. It’s terrific. We took a train to Disneyland together.
A gift from the Amazing Conference that we just attended, rings necklace as memories:
When vanity strikes, girls can do anything and everything, even in the toilet: 
Being in the holiday season and New Year 2010, the crowd in Disneyland was massive. Undeniable that it has became one of the major attractions in the world. The parade began shortly after our entrance and we were just amazed and amused with the huge well designed animated characters into a gigantic presentation for the parade. 
Basically, the parade took the first part of Disneyland. I am saying bye bye to Disneyland, Hong Kong and all in 2 days time.
Hong Kong (Part 6)
I am actually summarising my posts for Hong Kong already. At the Conference, each country were supposed to present an item (I’ve said it before). And Malaysia’s performance was just almost the last night. Here, we were behind the stage practicing hard for our performance to do our best to represent Malaysia in the international (Asian) arena. We were nervous yet hilarious.
There we go, we’re on. Singing “Standing in the Eyes of the World”
Done with the Conferences’ post in Hong Kong. Now, we were about to celebrate New Year 2010 at Hong Kong. We were hosted by a church in Hong Kong – accommodation and all. They brought us out for dinner and on the way, they were so amazed with the POLICE Uniform! 😛
Here, at the Countdown, I was put up to doing the Solo because the Original Ashley was away somewhere somehow. So yeah, I had to do it.
We did this in the Conference, but not many pictures. We did the same at the Countdown. We were introducing the Malaysia’s stuffs to the world. KL Tower, Twin Tower, Louie Vuitton, Nike and so on. It was funny! 
Penang Bridge:
So called, the “Eye of Malaysia”:
And here was the video of our performance. The recording was not an absolute good recorder. And I had ulsers (thanks to eating so much HongKong fried food) that time. So, bare with my unbearable voice! 😛 It’s not normally bearable anyways! 😛
Disneyland posts are coming up, and say Goodbye to Hong Kong okay? 😛
Discrimination or Not?
If you have been following the media closely, I think you’d have read or came across the news on the “Disabled would could Not get Her Date”. If you’ve not, here was the article that this person wrote in to the Editor:
I WISH to highlight an incident where a disabled person was discriminated against. I participated in the "Win A Date with a Bachelor" contest hosted by CLEO magazine in April. A month later, a sales coordinator from CLEO called me to inform that I was one of the winners.
In my entry, I had stated that the preferred location for the "date" was Starbucks, but the coordinator suggested True Fitness instead. I told her that I was disabled and that the location was not convenient. She said she would consult with her manager and contact me again. As she failed to call me, I contacted her on May 13. She told me that my award had been given to another person since I was disabled. This is discrimination against the disabled and abuse of their rights. I am making this complaint on behalf of the disabled community as a whole. Read more: Magazine took away my date http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/21disabled/Article/#ixzz0t6X4zhAO
I actually came across this column or write up while I was eating my breakfast. And I seriously was pondering on the issue – Should a Disabled be Denied their Date; just because they are disabled? Please don’t shoot me, but a part of me did try to put myself into CLEO’s shoes. But the other half of me says that CLEO should not have done that. But my conscience told me, CLEO should not have reacted this way. I came into such conclusions without knowing or digging into details. Should a company like CLEO really deny the rights of the handicapped and disabled? Personally, I don’t think so. I’ve always been a person who believes that handicapped people should be given the same opportunity as a normal person. Or perhaps, they should probably be given more opportunities in today’s world. In a developing country like Malaysia, I often feel the lack of care towards the disabled. However, I must commend the effort by various parties who have been trying very hard to improve on this. Previously, there were not many malls with special car parks or even lifts. But recently, I’ve been observing that most malls in our country already have these special car parks and lifts for disabled. One thing that I see is coming up is also the special lifts for handicap to get to the hotel by just driving in their wheelchair (if they are not capable of walking). My guess on why such a scene is occurring in Malaysia is because of the lack of this issue in our education system. Just take a look around you, disabled kids or children are rarely allowed into normal schools. This is because they are deemed to be a burden to the teachers or their classmates. Hence, normal students never get a chance to mingle with them. When I was in St John’s, there was a special class called “Resos Centre” just for the disabled (whether be it blind, deaf, dumb etc.) However, we really get a chance to mix or mingle or even spend time with these students because they are often in one side. They are also in a special class where they were given special teachers as well as special attention. I see so much love, care, effort and commitment in these teachers. But we really never got a chance to work with them or speak to them. I am not sure if it was because of the barrier in communication or the culture just made us that way. Nevertheless, I had to say that St John’s “Resos Center” has made the school proud numerous times with their results and their sporting activites. This really proves that one that is disabled may not be useless or may not be as good as a normal person. I believe that God made each of us equal and we have our own gifts, talents and capabilities. Why must people be discriminated just that they are not as fortunate as we are? They did not choose to be this way; and we can’t choose what we like or what we want in life either – and this is what makes our life fair. Coming back to the CLEO issue, CLEO should not have done such an act (if that was the truth). Their Public Relations had soon release a reply regarding the statement above:
Sirs – We note the letter “Magazine took away my date" from Ms Pua Ghin Chu of Petaling Jaya, Selangor, posted on nst.com.my on July 6 and published on July 7, 2010. To clarify some of the points raised by Ms Pua:
1) We did not deny Ms Pua a date because of her condition.
2) A CLEO representative telephoned Ms Pua to let her know she had been selected following an in-magazine contest as the winner of the CLEO Most Eligible Bachelors’ Gym Date. She told our representative that she is wheelchair-bound and would prefer the café date.
3) Unfortunately the café date she requested had already been awarded to another contestant. This fact was not yet known by the CLEO representative she was talking to. As such we could not offer the cafe date to her.
4) CLEO did not follow up with Ms Pua as we assumed she was not interested in the Gym Date.
CLEO contests and promotions generate many entries. This contest was particularly popular and we had many entries for only a limited number of set dates, which filled up quickly. These dates are sponsored by third parties. As such CLEO is unable to award more than the occasions pre-arranged with these sponsors.
We were informed of Ms Pua’s unhappiness over the incident on June 24. We telephoned her on June 24 to discuss the matter and, as a result, another date was arranged for her with a CLEO Bachelor. We understand Ms Pua has already been on this date and to our knowledge she is satisfied with this outcome. In fact, we believe Ms Pua has also written to your department on July 7 informing as such. A copy of her letter is attached below.
Nevertheless, we regret that the communications’ process caused Ms Pua some distress and we have undertaken an internal review of these procedures to ensure they are more effective.
CLEO prints in excess of 70,000 copies every month with the aim of entertaining and informing our readership. We value every one of our readers highly and greatly appreciate the trust and affection they place with us. We know this is not to be taken lightly, and regret having caused any unhappiness with our actions. Certainly they were unintentional and we sought to rectify the situation as soon as we were made aware of it.
We trust this clarifies the matter.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Goh
Marketing Communications Director
ACP Magazines Pte Ltd
I don’t know how true this is, but I think I should be fair in writing showing the whole issue – and for you to make your own judgement. Yes, I am studying Public Relations and I have been convinced that many PR Executives should be using ways to overcome Crisis – Crisis Management, they call it. But, I am giving it a benefit of the doubt? Here’s Ms Pua’s response thereafter,
Miss Pua’s letter as attached in the original response:
Date: Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Dear NST editor:
In regards to the previous post titled ‘Magazine took away my date’ dated on 6 July 2010, i wish to express my gratitude to the consumer tribunal of Malaysia for his precious help in sorting out this matter for me.
CLEO Magazine had took immediate action and currently they are in the process of compensating what they had promised the readers in the contest form to my friend and I. Last Saturday, they had arranged my date with Dr Nanda (one of the CLEO Bachelor) and also they are in the process of arranging the prizes for me and my friend now. Finally, I will get what I deserve as promised in the contest form!
Once again, thanks for your concern.
Best regards,
Pua Ghin Chu
*****
Miss Pua’s next letter to NST to clarify some things:
Thursday, 8 July 2010 11:11 AM
Dear NST editor:
In regards to my previous email yesterday, I am so sorry to make such a big mistake which is I thank to wrong national body.
I would like to clarify again here.
In regards to the previous post titled ‘Magazine took away my date’ dated on 6 July 2010, i wish to express my gratitude to the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) for his precious help in sorting out this matter for me.
Once again, thank you!
Regards,
Pua Ghin Chu
Whether it is true or not that CLEO had done that because of the act of discrimination, I can’t be sure. But let’s all Malaysians – not discriminate the disabled, the poor, the needy or even the weak. Let’s make Malaysia a better place.
Hong Kong (Part 5)
Bear with me, I am finishing the Hong Kong posts already. Are you guys bored of it already? Here, we went to the town for some shopping and some walk around. It’s just nice to walk in a chilly cooling weather. I don’t mind walking on the busy street.
Somehow, their toilet caught our attentions with their unique decorations
Endless eating, endless laughters – it’s so delicious, most of their delicacies there! 
I’ve to mention about this shop; it has really delicious hot sandwiches! 😛
Yes, my sleepy face eating Curry Fishballs 😛
And at the conference, we had another session of workshops on HIV and AIDS. It was a fun and interactive workshop with loads of self learning and exploring. The facilitator (picture below) was some DIrector of that or something!
We were asked to act as different roles, and be spontaneous in what we should do when temptation comes. Prevention or Cure?
We had this for dinner; all I heard was this thing below costs HKD800 and we could not even finished it. And I didn’t exactly like it like really really much. It’s called Phoon Choy! It somehow does look cool doesnt it? 😛
I’ll try to squeeze and finish off my Hong Kong post the next round.
Hong Kong (Part 4)
My sincere apologies, according to a few people including smashpOp, my last last post on Hong Kong showed my true sleepy face. Yes, I admit. But that trip wasn’t boring! 😛 I was just so tired the night before, and was forced to wake up early. And today, our first stop was Kowloon City for a walk. Spot the aunty below in this picture! 😛 I am sure this picture brings a great start to this post!
For those who was envious of me having great egg tarts. Here is another brilliant picture on eggtarts. Don’t you just love it? Look at the crispy sides, and the softness of the tarts! It’s so delicious I can smell it as I am typing. Who wanna go Hong Kong again with me now? 😛 I wanna go during winter by the way!
Here, at our conference hall. A picture of the Malaysian delegates. We represented Malaysia in this conference. We were just the few eenie-minnie in the whole conference, but we made Malaysia proud. 2 of our leaders were the Emcee for the event; while the other Malaysians goes up every morning to do ice breakers before the sessions! We were loud, tough and sporting! 
Yes, a little sleepy face again. It was taken in the bus with the Indonesian group.
Another morning at the Conference.
As promised, here was what I was saying. In 2006, the conference was held in Port Dickson, Malaysia. We handled the conference with over 700 participants; and turned away a few hundreds because of the good response. We handled everything including games. Because of our professionalism in handling those, we were requested to handle the games in Hong Kong. I planned most of it, with another youth of mine and we did the similar games in Malaysia. Sadly, a few games got rejected by the Hongkies, but it was nonetheless, fun. We actually got the Asians to do Caterpillar Race in the compound. Refer pictures below! 😛
Somehow, I couldn’t find the pictures on the other station games such as dressing up as a mammie, throwing the ball from the higher floor down, oil and marble game, and some other tough, crazy and hard games! These were just some of the games (or team building activites, they call it, in Hong Kong) that we played in the Conference in Hong Kong. Sorry, I didnt mean to offend you Asians with our trademark games! 😛
Exams or No Exams?
Since, I’ve been going on a trend which blogs about the things around me (in my country) and its issues. I’ve decided to stick on to this trend. I shall call it the “Nonsense Friday”, just so cause it has nothing to do with me, but it’s all about the people, the place or the things around me. I think I’m so full of myself in events and trips from Saturday till Thursday. Let’s give it a break, shall we? Here’s the new topic: 
If you have been following the media, you’d know that the subject of Abolishing UPSR and PMR has been the headlines for at least few days. I, for one feels that every Education Minister in our country that took over this post has been trying and vying to show or prove something to the nation, by making outstanding but crazy and ridiculous decisions. And such decisions has not been well implemented over the past many ministers and past many years. I’d personally object to this idea of abolishing UPSR and PMR. Not because I’ve passed the years of UPSR and PMR (yes, i have. if you are wondering), but it’s because I fear that it’d go from bad to worst. I foresee bad implementation as well as much mishandling of the results and the future of the kids. UPSR is a public examination taken by Standard 6 students; while PMR is another examination taken by Form 3 students. Both these tests has it’s own significant purposes. UPSR was and is used to help to stream students and to decide the school/hostel that they would go to in Secondary School while PMR is another exam used to stream students into the Arts and Science Stream. If the government was trying to justify that the two exams would be replaced by School Assessments, how sure are we to assure on the standards and the quality of these questions and results? I’ve said this before, and I am saying it again – it’s no point good at implementing, but bad at maintaining. Take for an example, the diagnostic tests sent by the government to schools. The same questions were used for all the schools, but the students sat for the papers at different time of the day. Hence, the leakage. What are the assurance that can be given to Malaysians that these internal papers would serve the same purpose of UPSR and PMR; while maintaining the qualities and standards? With this, we can also no longer differentiate the top schools as well as the not-so-top schools. The government has been using different names to classified the schools into different categories through the results of these public examinations. Although it boils down to just different taglines, but it helps the country and people to know what are the prominent schools around! Being a student for St John’s; I’ve had the privileged of being taught by many good and experience teachers. Yes, undeniably true – being in a school like ours; we are constantly expected to perform well in our major examinations (that includes SPM). In addition, we were put into heavy stress and unnecessary burdens in our work. But it actually helped me a lot. Here is what I experienced: I had a principal that was fierce yet, had good intentions. He introduced many methods and ways just to get students to do well. Me, being a lazy and not-so-smart student, I was forced to do many things. Some of the things I remembered clearly was to copy essays like crazy weekly and to be handed in; I was also required to sit for exams for two weeks in a month after school. It was then, I felt so traumatized with exams. I decided to even cancelled my tuition despite those years. I was also caned for not completing my work; and was being asked to sit outside the class (even when I was Form 5). Embarrassing moments? Nevertheless, through all this – I had to say that I made through my PMR and SPM (not with flying colours) but with above average results. And many were amazed, that I did not attended tuition. Exams helped push the school, the teachers and the students to their fullest potential. Many at times, we slack when we are not expected of something. We tend to take it easy. What more, Malaysians? Yes, the government is trying to make us think out of the box; but I feel that it does not help much by abolishing exams. Recently, in my semester, I’ve been attending a module on “Creativity and Innovation”. It’s a weird module, but it really does help me think out of the box. Creativity has no limitations and our education system should be thinking of ways to incorporate this issue on “Creativity and Innovation” in our syllabus and to cultivate a creative environment in classes where both teachers and students get to share and learn together. That’s what learning is all about. I guess we can’t force one to be creative, but we can always create an environment where students are allowed to just spread their wings and fly be creative. Questions in the exams could also be tailored into a very open-ended questions instead of just 1+1. We are very much limited in our education system not because of the examinations, but because of what is in our examinations. Many choose to memorise and regurgitate it all in the exams, instead of understanding the subject matter. Hence, when they leave high school – many do come out with the same expectations to be fed in universities. That happens all the time anyways, I’ve seen that since I came into University. And it took me quite a little while to adjust. Enough of experiences; I know its a little messed up – cause I am writing what’s on my mind without planning the whole post. This post is good, long and wordy enough even without bringing the issue of Maths and Science in English back to Bahasa. Let’s just take a vote and see what you guys really think; and drop me a comment on the comment box. I won’t shoot you for going against me.
Hong Kong (Part 3)
Coming to Part 3, most of the pictures were from The Peak and the city. And call me weird, or crazy; cause I ate McDonalds at Hong Kong. Nothing was wrong with me; we just decided to eat McDonalds for no reason. There were strange menus on the board when I have not even seen them before; but I decided to stick to my Spicy Chicken McDeluxe. Don’t you think it’s the best burger in McD?
Amazed by Chilli Sauce 😛 
We saw this bunch of birds there; it was soooo friggin’ cute! Although I dislike animals, but hey, there are really cute! 
A picture at The Peak; don’t you think the background looks so like a wallpaper? 
Here is where Sher Leen actually got confused with her gender; and capabilities! Opps, but look at the design, it’s so coool! 
A random shot, as we were walking around, they met this 2 young chap; which was so tall. Just when I thought I was tall enough, look at them – a head taller!
Here are some photos outside of The Peak: 
Please do not look at my belly! 😛 
We saw Haagen Dazs and we were drooling for it; but we didn’t manage to eat it though! 
Here, at the town, we met Pastor Daniel from SIBKL; what a great coincidence. 😉 
If you are interested to see how Malaysians tortured the other Asians in the Conference; check out tomorrow! 😛 Hope Hong Kong doesn’t bore you to death! If it did, here is a video to entertain you:
Tell me if you had a good laugh!
Hong Kong (Part 2)
Here comes the interesting Part 2. After a good break, we head to the huge conference hall. We were more or less still very energetic; first day mah! And we all had a good rest the night before. The smiles on the faces just says it all.
Being a Asian event; each country were requested to do their performance representing their country. And here was the launching band from one of Hong Kong’s high school. Being from an All-Boys School, I had the privilege of seeing girls playing in a band (again!). I usually only get to see it when I am in the Band Competition! Yeah, aku jakun!
I don’t know when and how was it, but she just fell asleep inside the bus. And here’s the pretty picture I WAS TALKING ABOUT, Jiahuei! 
We spotted Jusco in Hong Kong the next day on our way to the conference. Oh, did I mention that the location we stay is at least 30 mins drive or more to the Conference Hall? It’s so far, and we had to wake up like.. really early. 
We had workshops in the afternoon during the conference. I attended this workshop on “Tactics to Busyness” and it actually talks much about Time Management; and how Not-To-Be-Busy. I actually think that the workshop name should not be called “Tactics to Busyness”, it’s weird (and ironic, somehow!)
Being the Starbucks fan, I’ve been always visiting Starbucks in other country for the fun of it. I visited Starbucks in Australia, and now in Hong Kong. It was just minutes walk from our Conference Hall. And I found this Salad (which of course, Malaysia doesnt have it!) 
We just had to take individual pictures with Starbucks! 
This is what I call addiction; just look at her face! I guess she had lack of sleep though! And all she needs during this winter season was Coffee! 
But guess what, I decided not to drink in Hong Kong when all of them actually drank. I behaved myself didn’t feel like drinking! 
I can’t exactly remember where this picture was taken from, but I had a feeling was from The Peak. 
Another performance by another country. I actually don’t remember which country is which; except Malaysia and Singapore. That post should be coming next or the one after! 
I guess this was Japan; demonstrating some Taekwondo. 
The smiles at the conference. These smiles will always be a part of my heart! 
I am missing Hong Kong already!
Hong Kong (Part 1)
This is a super long overdue post for Hong Kong; for those who didn’t know, I was actually away to Hong Kong at Dec 2009 to January 2010. Yes, I celebrated New Year there. I went with a bunch of monkeys youths there to have a good holiday as well as to attend a Conference there in Hong Kong for the Asia Pacific Christian youths. It was held for 4 days; and the rest were mainly holidays and tours. Here is 2 young ladies who joined us to Hong Kong right after their SPM Examination.
We were so excited that we screamed, laughed, chat in the van. Okay, I know the picture below doesnt at all sound convincing because of the emo guy behind. But yeah, we were so excited about the trip that we took tons and tons of photos even before we reached the airport.
Thanks to my kind, generous dad, he actually drove us all to the airport. Here is a group picture of us – the Malaysia delegate at the airport. Spot the joy on our faces!
Here, we were boarding on the train to our departure gate. We made noise wherever we were and I somehow felt the security guards might probably be thinking who this bunch of monkeys people are. 😛
Most of us were busy tweeting, calling, onlining at the airport while waiting for the aeroplane. And yes, we did not sit AirAsia this round. 
When we arrived at Hong Kong, a team of people welcomed us and we hopped on into our bus to head to the place we were gonna stay. Apparently, the place we were gonna stay is the border of Hong Kong and China; I still don’t know how true is that! 
First day, first night – already posing! 
Because we reached day a day earlier or so before the conference, we walked and went around the town near the meeting place to grab some food and to splash some money! 
Just check that out – SHOPPING! 
Don’t you just love these egg tarts? The picture makes me drool! 😛 
This was a new found friend from Hong Kong. She was such a nice and outgoing girl! 
Here was our meeting place. 
Stay tune for Part 2! I don’t know how many parts I am gonna post yet; I am still sorting out the pictures! There are just too many I want to share! Tell me how? :S
Urbanscapes (& Project Angkat Rumah)
Some of you guys may have know that I won a pair of tickets to Urbanscapes 2010 – The City’s All-Day Creative Arts Festival organised by KLuE. If you didn’t know, I wont it by writing a random comment (which I never thought I’d win) on their Facebook. Coming to read it back again, I somehow felt it is so lame. I actually submitted 2 comments on different days; but the winning entry was:
Apart from this entry, the one I wrote before (which did not get posted on their Facebook cause of some problems) was:
Alvin does not like living and jumping in the jungle with the monkeys; and the only way to get out is to be urbanised at Urbanscapes!
Yes, lame stuffs. Anyways, I had 2 tickets and I went in with Bryan; but finally I had to leave early, so I passed by ticket to smashpOp thereafter when I realised he doesn’t have his. I had to say I am not very much impressed with the whole event; mainly because the things there doesnt attract me as much. I can just conclude that YOUTH’10 was a more well organised event. Here are some pictures I took, don’t be too amazed because I myself ain’t amazed after all. Thank goodness for the free tickets! 😛 Here was quite a disastrous pretty art work
Some of the shop at the marketplace; they were selling some tshirts; and I do love some of those super cool wordings on the tshirts. They make me look cool, I think.
This area was a free-for-all to take. There are some really nice postcards that we can take. It does have some very unique, funky pctures. I only took like a few; just the nice ones!
Here is something I wanted to write about, Project Angkat Rumah.
“Film maker Liew Seng Tat with the support of Five Arts Center wants to re-live the spirit of gotong-royong by moving a house. Yes, they are going to carry and move a whole house to KLPac. Check out Projek Angkat Rumah.” – http://jiboneus.com/Project Angkat Rumah Ad.
I have to say, it was a great effort of bringing people together to do something (for the better); it really showed great unity in diversity. People of different background, age, race, religion all come together – for one purpose, for one success. It definitely shown a good Malaysian spirit. Despite all this, yes, I am still proud to be a Malaysian. This was a short video I took when i was there. I am still impressed with the effort and teamwork shown.
Some other pictures to conclude the post: 
Thank you KLuE for giving me the free tickets; definitely has been one of a great day out!
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