Coldplay: Music of the Spheres Concert in Kuala Lumpur

This is the first time I got to attend a concert where a band or celebrity do a world tour, in Bukit Jalil National Stadium for the first time. It was a fun and unforgettable moment for me. You won't get chances like this easily in the future. Luckily my friend helped me with the ticket purchase and we bought it together just 3 days before the concert day. Thank you GoLive for not releasing any announcement (unless you have the app) for people like me to buy those final release of tickets.

Main entrance of the stadium.

I was there at around 6 pm using the LRT. There were so many people selling merch of Coldplay, which I doubt it was from the organiser. Not only that, people were already swarming the place like ants.

Concert was at full swing with everyone's LED wristband lit up.

I had fun and sang along with Coldplay songs. Probably the best concert ever being held in Malaysia despite the rain.

Had to struggle through the crowd after the concert was over at 11 pm.

I was glad I managed to arrive home not too late because I will work the next day. I took a warm shower before go to bed due to rain. I really enjoyed the concert and will cherish this memory. Thank you Coldplay for performing in Malaysia. Hope to see your concert in the future again in Malaysia.

Finished my degree and graduated!

 It has been quite a while that I last updated this blog. I almost forgot the most important chapter in my life was that I finally finished my degree and graduated. The journey was both amazing and agonizing (mainly due to pandemic). Nevertheless, it was all a memory now. I know everything will come to pass eventually. I hope that I continue to inspire everyone who reads this to pursue their dreams and able to overcome many obstacles in their way. I know the stages of life is quite rough for regular people, moreover for less fortunate people than me. One thing I know is, do not give up. If need help, do not even think you can handle everything by yourself. There will always help. In life, you cannot afford to be lazy, also know when you need to rest so you do not overwork yourself. For the fresh degree graduates out there, please do find a job and gain as much experience as possible before you finally get the best job you can ever have. That is unless nepotism is involved, like many successful people you see on the internet (which they won't tell you). Be successful in your own way, it's a hurdle but still worth it and makes you wiser.

I received the scroll from the vice chancellor himself. The first among my course mates.

Most of my course mates are in the photo while some took off early and some did not attend the graduation ceremony.

Outside of the main hall under the heat of the sun near noon.

I hope these photos give inspiration to many people who wants to pursue degree and currently still an undergraduate student.

Working Opportunity

I just got a job offer from Property 213 Sdn Bhd under Idesion Technology. It was Friday last week that I had the job interview and it was very simple. Not knowing the interviewer himself was the CEO and founder of the company. I was so shocked when I found out afterwards. The position offered was Graphic Designer / Game Artist. I immediately got the offer just a few moments after the interview ended via Google Meet.

The office was not far from where I currently live so it was great and all. Besides, I even discussed about it with my parents and they supported me. So I accepted it. I'm not sure when they'll be sending me the offer letter but the opportunity was not to be ignored for too long or someone else might get it.

It was a blessing from the Lord. I felt a small relieve as I don't have to struggle to find a job anymore. I'll have to apologise for not having a lot of things to share at the moment. As exciting as it is, most of my peers wanted to rest for a bit before looking for a job. It's up to them. I really wanted to work as I had been so long wanting to not keeping my parents to support me all the time. I also received the contract offer letter which I had to sign digitally.

So I think I can't share the offer letter as it was labelled PRIVATE and CONFIDENTIAL. But news about it still can be shared.

Finally I can utilize my skills in digital art for work. It is a passion of mine doing digital art. I would personally thank everyone in my journey, wherever you are, indirectly or directly supporting, assisted or showing me to become a better person. The most important person I should be thankful is God himself. Never to forget your values and always to stay faithful to God.

It is a start of my career. Hopefully it will expand after gaining lots of experience while working. If I like working there, I'll stay very long.

Getting an Internship placement and starting to be independent

It has been more than a year since I last updated in this blog. I wish I had the time to think of more interesting things in my life but I guessed due to the pandemic, a lot of things changed. Well, at least I enjoyed myself a lot because I am an introvert. Played and currently still playing the critically acclaimed JRPG Open World spinoff game Genshin Impact by Hoyoverse (previously Mihoyo).

A screenshot of Venti in Mondstadt in Genshin Impact.

Although the game literally filled the void of entertainment in myself, I also need to realize the real world that is happening around me. I am currently doing my internship at Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (AMIC) in Kajang, Selangor. I suppose it has been 19 weeks since I started my internship. My position is Graphic Design Intern because obviously the company needs a graphic designer to design and organize their designs up to the image of the company.

Briefly, AMIC is a non-profitable research company mainly focuses on research and technology. So most of the staffs there are researchers with degrees in engineering, information technology and other STEM related degrees. I was the only one with design degree there doing my internship. So basically, I am to do most of the design work such as designing the annual report, brochure and more. If not, some of the graphics were quite blurry, also the scale of images sometimes not uniform. The best part of doing my internship here is I get to receive monthly allowance.

A normal day doing my internship.

The allowance was barely enough to pay the rent for the house I rent at the moment. I had been living there alone for quite some time now. Feeling like growing up and believe me, living alone and to be independent is quite tiring. I really salute those who could live alone and make a living. I am trying my best to complete any tasks or work they provide, it was not that stressful because the company itself is not after the profit.

The part where I live alone is because my parents agreed for me to rent the whole apartment house alone where there are strangers as housemates which could be either toxic or if lucky really nice. It has been less than 5 months now living here. Not to mention the process of securing an internship and the rented house was very cumbersome.

I just realized I have 5 weeks left from finishing my internship. Currently I am applying for a job somewhere nearby (45 minutes of driving from home is the farthest company I applied) as either a junior graphic designer or a game designer. The process is quite similar to applying for my internship but a whole lot of processes. I thought securing an internship placement was difficult enough but trying to secure a full-time job is not as simple as it seems.

I will update here about the job and the process after I had secured a full-time job with monthly salary. I just can't wait to start working and relieve my parents of still supporting my finance.

So, back to the main topic, internship. I used LinkedIn. It was simple to install and use, however, need to make sure to customize and get used to using it. It's like Facebook but for job recruitment or sharing success stories from one's career. Just need to be careful of the recruiters too, as the company could be in Malaysia or overseas (remote). I prefer to be on-site as I already have a vehicle. This vehicle has been in West Malaysia since 2020 but I used it for a short while due to pandemic I was sent back to my hometown before being able to use it again by the end of 2021. Praise the Lord I have friends to take care of it for me back in Tanjung Malim, Perak. The car is my mother's so it has to be taken care of promptly after I got back to my hometown.

After I got a response from the recruiter, I was asked to email my resume and cover letter to my supposed internship supervisor at the company. So I did and about 2 days later she emailed back to me to conduct an online interview via Google Meet along with her colleague.

On the day of the interview, I got nervous but I already got to prepare everything like my portfolio and result slips. It was nerve wrecking but I got through it. And the following week, I got an answer with an offer to be as an intern. I was overjoyed that I even announced it to my parents. I accepted the offer.

Immediately after I accepted the offer, I had to secure a place to stay near to the company. So I thought of mudah.my. There were lots of rooms and houses and mostly it is for females which is kind a disadvantage for me. However, the house that I am currently staying at caught my eyes. I was able to contact the agent and secured the house. That was the only house available in the nearest date to start staying there because the starting date of my internship was just around the corner. I settled the 1 year rental house contract and house entering deposit.

Every working days I need to update my work in the log book as proof.

The house was empty but I slowly filled up the space with a bed, tables and chairs. I have no refrigerator nor television. I will consider those after I got a new and better place to stay. It was 18 minutes from the house to the company so I felt it was quite nice.

Initially, it was quite a hassle. I had to sleep on the floor with foam mattress for a week while ordering the bed and a proper mattress via Shopee. I even used Google maps for a week go to the company and back home. As I am uncomfortable with the public, I ordered meals using FoodPanda or GrabFood. I started to feel lonely and homesick but thinking about graduation and my parents' hopes had got me going. I even sometimes take time to read the Bible and pray so that I can keep my values. After a while, I got used to everything.

The rental house I stay in Kajang.

It was a very refreshing experience and I know I had to be independent eventually. I never even once expect things like these could happen but nothing is impossible if we believe we could do it. I was a bit jealous too seeing some people have relatives here to help them while I had to experience almost everything firsthand. Not to forget to also consider about other expenses like the electricity bill and maintenance. Food contributes the most expenses.

I think I am not ready to find a someone special to marry yet until I can get my life figured out. I know some people could easily get one but I am quite new to everything so I need time. If time is right, and with God's will, I will marry someone suits me.

Halfway through my third year

 Currently I am in my 6th semester of degree. I am still able to do my assignments and still struggling with helping out my mother with her house chores and study. Besides, my final year project (FYP) has just started.

Before you continue reading this blog, I wanted you guys to try out a game I made here. Just download everything and just open the exe file. The catch is you only can access it via PC. Try it! This is just the tip of what I learned in my degree.

I remembered that I did not mention about my past semesters results. Whether I was able to keep up with my studies or not, let me tell you.

My 3rd semester was very outstanding and I got 3.92 GPA. My 4th semester was quite disappointing because due to the pandemic and everything that happened (if you read my previous post), I had obtained 3.58 GPA. Then I got used to the new norm and I got back up to 3.83 GPA. Now my CPGA is 3.71. Quite a close call before getting a first class. Well, I guess I have to do better this semester to get at least another 3.90 GPA to secure first class degree and might as well my student loan will turn into scholarship.

The hardest part in study online is doing a group project. I mean, I am a digital game student. After I had done my part of the game, do you expect me to send it to my team member to further enhance the game design? I was only able to send the game assets or receive them but sending the game project was PAIN. You know that the internet connection in my hometown is not even close to superior as of in big cities like Kuala Lumpur. But hey, I managed to get 3.83 GPA, right? That was because I put all-nighters on a game and did not sleep for 28 hours. Thankfully it was worth it. Praise the Lord.

Okay now I need to get back to do more research for my final year project and proposal presentation for next week. Wish me luck!

Everything that happened at my college until having online classes from home

 It has been a while since I last posted anything in my blog. I have been really busy with my degree and now I have a bit of free time to mention a lot of things happened.

After the Movement Control Order (MCO) was in force for the first time in March 2020, I was stuck in Tanjung Malim. I knew I could not take the risk of exposing myself to the virus if I ever wanted to go back to my hometown. It was very hard. I was not prepared for it. Some students were happy that the classes were cancelled but I was not sure I would be happy if I had to stay in my residential college.

As I was a member of the residential college student council, I was tasked with many designing lots of posters and infographics, including photography. I was in charge of those along side my partner, Aizat (everyone calls him Atos).

I am not sure now but every time I recalled about those days, I was very exhausted. A lot of procedures were made to send home the students who got stuck on campus. However, a student was indeed confirmed had contact with the virus when he/she landed at the airport. So the whole campus was under lockdown.

Besides, during that time, it was fasting month for the Muslims. What's becoming more unlucky was the cafeterias were closed and food only be available by retrieving them at the front gate of the campus. Even so, the meal time is all the way different for the Muslims and the non-Muslims. It was very, very tiring but if not us doing that for the sake of college residents, who will? We had been doing this for a month.

This is the meal we distributed for about 5 times everyday for more than a month.

We were even asked to take swab test and PCR to clarify our status as not positive Covid-19 patient or carrier.

We were handling the procedures of sending the students back to their hometown.

Well, the last trips were from Sarawak which is my homeland. Just us Sarawakians left. It was at the end of May at that time so quite fascinating that I was able to hold on since March. I thought the wait was over when I arrived Miri airport after departed from KLIA, but nope. We were quarantined again for another 14 days before I could go back to my hometown in Limbang. I would not blame them for being super careful but my mental state was not a peace as I had to reassure myself that this is going to be over soon.

Here I was quarantined for 14 days.

It was not bad for the first week of quarantine. Got to stay in the hotel, free food, free WiFi and a whole room of two beds for me. The semester classes continued while I was still in quarantine. Such luck.

This is the room, although I forgot the room number it it was a 3 digit numbers that starts with 4.

However, in the second week, the food starts to taste bland. No salt. Even they only provide us with only bottled drinking water. I need sugar too. I am young and need more energy not like old people who had their body metabolism slowed down. I was suffering because of this. Even the Char Kuey Tiaw is so bland and overcooked. I had very little appetite for the rest of the days until I finally got out of quarantine.

Miri airport. I guessed everyone embraced the new norms then.

Just showing my flight ticket from Miri to Limbang and my extremely uncomfortable long hair.

Lots and lots of SOP taken and I was getting tired of it as I landed in Limbang with the rest of students from Limbang too. It was nice that we were released because already undergone swab test and compulsory 14 days quarantine.

The first thing I got to do was eating Pezzo's pizzas as soon as I got into the car. My parents bought them for me because of how my meal at the hotel was horrible. I lost a lot of weight due to the MCO and the quarantine while everybody else gained weight. LOL.

The next day, I went for a haircut since barber shops and hair saloons were opened on 10th June, which I was still in the hotel at the time they were allowed to open.

I think that was all I can tell about my personal experience from my past year.

Set Your Goals Straight, Everyone! (For Undergraduate Students)

Let me get this first. Did you think you could simply relax and not trying your best in achieving your dreams when you enter a university? May be if I show the situation, it might be different.

After SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia), do not think you could simply skip the whole process before pursuing your degree. You need to get ready for degree after SPM. So that is why we need to go through colleges or diploma or STPM in order to get prepared (not well prepared anyways) for degree.

I mean, did you even realize that the higher our academic level is, the more we should pursue or learn more. That was why we had multiple tasks and assignments. So stop complaining about the assignments and lecturers because if you have a career in the future, the circumstances might be more challenging unless you don't work (we need to face the truth that everyone needs to work or else the world might be crazy).

Some might think that they had studied well enough in their past studies and they deserve to relax in further studies. I mean I was like /('O')\ when I found out about their mind set. Hey! Snap out of it! I also had satisfying results in my SPM and STPM, it does not mean I should stay dormant as I have entered the university as a reward of my past academic achievements. You wanted to further your study, so act like you wanted to learn more instead of complaining.

Remember to have a thought on your parents and anyone who had been raising and looked after you. Their hopes, anticipations and wishes should be of concern if you ever had the ridiculous mind set. Try to pursue knowledge more.

Let me tell you this, I am currently studying Bachelor of Digital Games Design. However, I also had to learn graphic designs as in poster designs, learn photography, video editing, read sophisticated books and many other subjects which are not my core subjects for my first degree. If I had the thought of only focus on my core subjects instead of the electives, I would surely not be having multiple skills in digital creativity. Whatever you study in your degree could help you land a job when you are looking for it. It does not mean that by hook or by crook I had to become a digital game designer. I could also become a VFX director, a photographer or a graphic designer.

To wrap up my opinion, always stay positive and be sure to believe in yourself that you are able to overcome life obstacles (make sure you overcome it in a fair and the best way without harming others in any possible way).

Second Year in UPSI

Well, it had been a very long time since I updated my last post. I had so much thing to tell that I think this might be one of my longest blog post ever! I was not that busy but I am not a socially engaged person, which in turn made me a bit reluctant to post small things in my social media accounts. Anyway, do not forget to follow my Instagram to get updated on my current status. And also be sure to follow my college media Instagram page as the page is mainly updated by myself.

Based on my Instagram, you will find out about how I fair with my university student life. I guess my life is going steady and more active than what I had been in my secondary school. I was given this much opportunity to get to know people and actively participating in college activities.

So about my college, first I want you to get to your PC and click or interact with this link. Alright, this is basically the information about my college. Talking about being an executive committee of the college student council, I was very honored to be able to serve as the publicity and media executive committee in the college student council of my college, well, for a year. Ungku Omar College is one of the 5 main colleges in Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI). It is located somewhere here. If I am not at class or doing my assignments, I will surely be at my college. Every college actually had its own college student council, so I was quite lucky to be one of them. You can also watch the corporate video of the student council here.

Ungku Omar College Student Council 2019/2020

That's me on the left! On the right is my partner in the same portfolio who is also my roommate. LOL!

Okay. All of this is designed by me but the photos were taken by my partner from the college student council.

I had been in so much activities in this university that I could not even count them. On-campus, off-campus and many more activities. I might not even had the chance to upload them in my Instagram but you can see from my college media Instagram page.

As a part of the college student council, the responsibility given to me was designing posters or banners or buntings, capture and recording medias, updating social profiles of the college and always updated with every event or activity held by the college student council members or any events related to colleges. Quite tiresome and annoying sometimes but I think I get the hang of it. If I set aside the bossy or obnoxious program directors and the very demanding college staffs, I would be fine. Besides, I had to evade some things just to keep up with my studies and assignments. I had learnt from my second semester results which had dropped from 3.78 GPA of my first semester to 3.50 GPA, although still listed in the Dean's List. I think my GPA will improve in my third semester judging based on my commitments and studies I had going since the beginning of the semester. My wish is to be an honored student in this university, like every student could wish for. Well, actions speak louder than words, so stop dreaming and start doing!

I was on the Dean's List for two semesters straight!

Another part is my church community here in RG Ministry, or registered as Tanjung Malim Borneo Evangelical Mission. I am very satisfied with their hospitality and the church service. It serves very well for the church community (mainly UPSI students). Without the church, I would not know how I can survive without interacting with the Christian community among the UPSI students.

Besides the church, I also had home cell group for my college. Before going further, I wanted to the difficulties while trying to conduct the home cell group for the first few weeks when the semester starts. The supposed home cell group leader changed university without notice. Everyone of us was surprised and many of the members also had to stay off campus because the college had to give space for the new intake to stay. Whatever happened in the past had became blurry as time pass by. I knew that I had to look after them (first semester students) besides looking after myself. After all, I am among the most senior student in my home cell group. I might become the leader of my home cell group the next semester as my chances of staying in college is quite high. I love them like my brothers and sisters as we are already brothers and sisters in Christ.

There was me and my friend beside me, while the rest are first semester students.

Well, it looks like I had forgotten a few things to say but I think I will update my blog every time I get the chance. Stay tuned!

PROPEX Camp

1 March 2019:
All of the executive committees were instructed to join the PROPEX camp to get all of us prepared for the Ungku Omar Open Day. It is my college's open day. As one the executive committee members, I was also included to join the camp. PROPEX is Program Pemantapan Rakan Exco or Executive Committee Enhancing Programme.

There were approximately 70 of us were able to join the camp while the rest had to attend classes which was inevitable to be excused. Three buses were used to carry all of us to the camp.

Just as we got there, there were no reception for DiGi, which was the Telco I used. Celcom users were lucky enough to even have 4G reception and were able to be updated about anything happened back at college or UPSI and were to contact their parents.

We were then told to set up our own camp. I setted the camp with others in no time.

The camp we setted up was near the river. One the member almost lose his shoe due to the strong current.

Later on we were to be gathered at the open hall where we first arrived. We were there until night falls. We did some fun activities and discussed the lessons learnt from each and every activities. Before we could go back to our tents, we were told by the facilitator to gather on the field just beside the river. He told us that he was going to detain us for being careless and impolite. The mistakes of one or two person became all of our fault. The first was the shoe problem caused by one of the camp participant early in the evening. The other one was too much laughing and talking. That he made us rolled on the ground with sands and small rocks. However, which made him got the temper and told us to gather on the field was because of blowing a whistle. Got too excited that this person blew a whistle to support a member appointed as head of safety committee, due to the fact that whistles were allowed to be blown in case of emergencies.

After a long and elaborate speech, we were told to be submerged ourselves in the river water for an hour. I was unable to cooperate with such matters that I kept quiet the whole time and my chest suddenly felt hurt every time I tried to breathe in. Luckily one of the girl stood up for us as she was very brave to do that. She debated with the facilitator and got us another chance to not being submerged in the river water. We were then told to go back to our tents and took some sleep. It was already midnight. I applied my inhaler as soon as I got into my tent as I was almost suffocating. I never really wanted to tell anyone about this but I still had minor asthma although it was supposed to be gone. I think the dust while rolling on the ground entered my respiratory system did that.

2 March 2019:
The following day we woke up at 6 and gathered at 7 in the morning. We were asked to do a few not so challenging activities, which was team building, water floating (water tubing was cancelled due to shallow waters and lack of tubes) and jungle cooking (jungle trekking was also cancelled). Time flew really fast. The facilitator changed his perspective about us (being a little considerate). Later that night we were doing our own shows, unprepared and not idea rich. The judges were unsatisfied so we had no winner from the shows.

Water floating

We were gathering before the jungle cooking activity

So tired as we may be, miraculously we were able to walk into our tents and slept at around 2 o'clock in the morning. I had to apply my inhaler again in order to be able to sleep as my breathing was kind of blocked in my chest.

3 March 2019:

We had the real meeting about the college's open day. It was not like a meeting but like a briefing and proposing them to all of us, including the college's felos. Never knew they went all the trouble, I meant all of us went all the trouble just get to know our work scope during the college's open day. Still tired, hungry and mainly our energy was drained so much, we went back to our college right after we had lunch, bathed a little in the river and tore down our camps.

Took a little bath in the river

All of us who joined PROPEX camp

This photo proves everyone was tired after the camp while on the bus going back to the college

Camps such as this were I hope to see better really soon, though my assignments and task could not wait to finish by itself. Stay tuned!

Another semester in UPSI

Wow! How long has it been that I last update posts on this blog? Almost 4 months if I am not mistaken. Things are getting better for everyone here in UPSI. Having some doubts about new classes, the lecturers and being a senior to the new intake. Otherwise, I am just fine. It has been about a week in UPSI and I started to think my time is getting more occupied with tasks, assignments, college activities and I just joined tennis club. If I got the actual free time, I might update more on this blog.

A little update on my first semester result. Quite not good but still satisfied about it. Praise the Lord.

3.78 GPA for my 1st semester

It is not much but I will do better for this new semester. More challenges to come and more new ideas and obstacles perhaps, my friends and I will get through this together.

First 3 Months in UPSI

It has been a while I have not update my blog. I was just enjoying my life as a university student at the moment. A lot of things has changed, especially about myself. It is like I just turned to the other page of the book, may be like I just started a new book. I am no longer being the introvert.

It started when I joined the college committees. I was never being more scared than having to try out the interview of finding the executive committee members. I was persuaded by my own senior, the same senior who also helped me during my registration. I tried out for Academic Executive Committee, but it seemed like I could not get it. So I tried out for Culture and Arts Executive Committee. I was to respond carefully about how to deal with certain situations as they told me. I even had to sing. Finally, I got in.

About a week later, I finally had my first ever meeting with other executive committee members including our bosses (which were also the ones with important duties for the college). We got to introduce ourselves, knowing our roles as executive committee members and of our responsibilities. From that moment on, I tried to blend in and I felt really comfortable which eventually made me becoming more braver to speak in front of the crowd and never to conceal my imperfections (we humans make mistakes but be sure to reduce them as much as possible).

Arts and Culture Executive Committee members

Furthermore, I became more closer to my religion. Since I went to the church here, in Tanjung Malim BEM, also known as R.G Ministry, I became in love with going to church every Sunday. The congregation 99% consists of youths, students from UPSI (also me). I even joined the missionary for students like me, which is S.M.Y which stands for Saya Murid Yesus (I am a student of Jesus). I learned a lot from that activity. I became more in love with reading the Bible and pray ever more often. I even able to make more friends and a virtual family formed among the church community, especially for my college home sale group. I became a better person than I was at the beginning of my life as a university student. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

Hosanna Home Cell Group

I also would not forget about my studies, tasks, assignments and quizzes to focus on. Busy as I may could be, I would not put aside my main responsibility as a student of UPSI. Okay. This is it for now. I will update my blog whenever I have the time.

University life begins

Who knew that this day could come? First day of stepping into a university as to become its student. A reknown university in Malaysia, University Pendidikan Sultan Idris. A few thousands of kilometres from my hometown just to be here.

The front arch gate of UPSI, new campus side.

The biggest hall in the campus is just behind me, Dewan Tuanku Canselor (DTC).

We were to be registered in the great hall, getting a dorm room and took care the registration business all about.

After that, all of the freshies had to go through orientation to get to know more and better about the university and what we should or could do during our study there. I bid farewell to my parents whom had been with me the whole registration session. I really appreciate them. Furthermore, I had a little help from one of the seniors. If not for her, I would have very limited time to get ready a lot of things for my stay at the dorm. She really does care alot about the wellfare of the students from Sarawak.

UPSI panels with Sept 2018/2019 freshies

Unfortunately, we had very little sleep. But so did the commitees who handled the orientation. Well, I will upload more about the orientation in the near future when I had the time. Hashtag, UPSI BEST!

Travel and university registration

I had never left Borneo island my whole life before. Just thinking about it making me miss my homeland. However, in order to further my study, I also had to move further.

Just three days ago I was in West Malaysia. My eyes had just opened wide. It was like I was in a far devoloped country and everyone seemed to act like elitist. But that was in Kuala Lumpur. My parents and I went to several interesting places there, with the help of my cousin. We went to the National Monument, KL Tower, Sunway Velocity (we stayed at the hotel there), Midvalley, Berjaya Times Square, Genting Highlands (in Pahang). With very limited time of 2 days, it was not really enough to explore many interesting places and discover variety of food. Some things also turned out to be very surprising. Nevertheless, it was National Day's mood for the people there.

After that I went to Tanjung Malim, Perak to stay overnight to wait for my registration for my first semester degree at UPSI.

Further study in a university

On the 31st of July I was offered a degree in UPSI (Sultan Idris Education University). Although the university is mainly focused on education degree, I got the degree for non education, which is degree in Digital Game Design. It was not easy to get such a course because I had to take a written exam and had to went through an interview with the lecturers themselves, just to be able to get this. This would be an opportunity for me to ever first time leave Borneo island and pursue degree in Peninsular Malaysia. UPSI is located in Tanjung Malim, Perak. I suddenly felt excited and sad at the same time. Excited to about to further study but sad about being far away from my family. I had a lot of things to prepare. Like my medical check-up record, important documents, necessities, apply for a student loan and registration fee of roughly RM2,508 including the fees of staying at the dorm. I also started to miss my family already eventhough the registration is on the 1st of September. I will update about this thing soon enough. Last but not least, I just want to thank the Lord for have given me the chance to continue my study. Without Him, I would be nothing.

Expressing some minor issues about myself (DO NOT READ THIS BORING POST)

Most of the time I would not show my true emotions. If the pain is too unbearable, I would conceal it in any way possible. My parents are great, caring and very protective. If in any way I reveal small detail of depression, they would be very concerned. I am very sorry for my brother whom my parents seemed to be less concerned about him, especially my father. Sometimes, parents should never be bias with their children.

I wrote this thing down in my blog because I knew that they would not read this. I even showed them my blog but they did not mind about anything I wrote here. So, basically this blog is like a special thing for me. Anything I could not express towards my parents, I wrote them here. Even I could not express so much to my friends because I could not trust anyone else, and they thought that I have a very easy life. If you read my previous blogs, then you'll know how much mental pain I had suffered due to the previous ruling political party bullsh*ts.

I don't have the budget to go to private college or universities. I was being treated as someone from foreign countries, especially I am a Christian Chinese. However, my mother's race is not even close to Chinese. Am I Chinese or Iban? Just call me a Malaysian. Due to the fact they see me as Chinese, I have no offer to go to university or matriculation college after I had my SPM. Instead, they gave me an offer to go to Polytechnic school. Seriously? Does my SPM result was THAT bad? I was crying for two days about this. After that I studied there for only a week because I felt so down and I realised hope is not lost and I continued Form 6. When I was Form 5, the Chinese teachers were wondering I was too comfortable of my future. I thought I could be a doctor, going to matriculation college and take degree in a university. But then I went to Form 6 and it took me for almost 3 years to get any degree. Unfortunately, my dreams of becoming a doctor just buried. I switched to art stream in Form 6 due to Science stream in Form 6 is heavenly impossible for me to score near 4.00 CGPA.

Lately I had been attending some interviews to be qualified to enter certain universities with specific courses. I have a new ambition, to be an educator or teacher. But then I was told I failed in MEdSI. The odd thing is, my peers who achieved less than 2.90 CGPA has passed MEdSI and called in for interviews. How about the ones who achieved above 3.00 CGPA? Nothing. Another disappointment yet I must endure. Due to the fact just like Jesus had suffered so much and nailed on the cross for teaching about Christianity, I believe something good or better than this disappointment I had.

If someone asks me, "Do you have friends?" I would just tell them the answer they wanted to hear. I do have friends but they are never close to me in many such ways. As if they were like acquaintances. I am extremely introvert, though I dared to talk face to face with anyone. My friends and I never really had that 'special' bond. Like, brotherhood or accomplice or confidants. The reason that I had this type of relationship with my friends is because of my parents. Everything involving outside the house must be supervised by my parents. If they give permissions, I would be glad but if they did not know how to put their noses for their own business, my friend would be not comfortable. So we rarely hang out. Furthermore, the reason also came from myself. I had to admit that I am selfish and a perfectionist. Do you think if I corrected my friends' grammar by private messages could help them? No. Because they think I am a perfectionist and very annoying but they did not realise I was trying to help them. "Bare in mind" should be "Bear in mind", for example. That is why I have inactive social profiles because of I hate reading grammatical errors on their posts. Even I realised I had some issues with my own grammar due to reading too much of grammatical errors and you can nothing to help correcting their grammar and instead being selfish for ignoring.

Now I just follow my parents everywhere they go. I miss my childhood when I can do anything I want but with limits and no worries although I remember since small I have no friends until I went to secondary school. May be I am born to not have friends. May be I just born to survive by my own, and not too dependant to others. Everyone is different, even in the most odd ways of difference.

The New Malaysia

The change in the government of Malaysia has never happened before for the past 60 years until GE14 (14th General Election) took place on 9 May 2018. The opposition coalition party won the election over the former government party that has never been beaten until recently. It would be a new change in the administration of Malaysia. Even though I am not eligible to vote yet, but I do know this election is a major news around the globe, a mark of history in Malaysia. Perhaps this event will be mentioned in a lot of school textbooks in the future.

My mother complained about her index finger being dipped with ink. Well, the perks of being a woman who liked to look pretty I suppose. My parents went voting though. However, the parliamentary seats in my state falls to the new opposition party which was the former ruling party. You know, I am in Sarawak so obviously the new opposition got a place here since the parliamentary seats in Sarawak that they won contributed the most seats in GE14.

I even read twitters about some areas where the votes were counted, the votes were counted for the 4th round. Why would they count thousands of votes that much for 4 times? Can't accept the defeat or what? I hope no corruption is involved because of this reason and also for this reason.

Anyway, I am glad that the 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was also the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia. At the age of 93, he would be the world's oldest living Prime Minister or leader ever! I am really looking forward to this new era. May Malaysia soar upwards and its people becoming more educated and well behaved.




Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad - 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia. source: google images

Today I breathed a new air. The air of the new Malaysia. Never been this glad about the change in the government party. Democracy is definitely at work. Anyway I had been wondering, what will happen to the last Prime Minister(Najib Razak)? Is there any further news about him? Well, it does not matter. As long as Malaysia, my country has a new Prime Minister who will bring big changes in Malaysia once more! Hopefully about the education systems in Malaysia which had been terribly wrong and the issue of GST. I got this vibe that it was like another new independence happened in this country.

Top 10 Facts About Me

1. I like to collect novels
Novels had been my favourite since I was 10 years old. Usually I am into science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and romance. I am not a big fan of horror stories. Very few guys like to read novels, you know. Few examples like, Paper Towns by John Green, Mr Mystery Series by James Lee, The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare and The Eye of Minds by James Dashner.

                          

 

 

2. I hate horror things
Believe it or not, I really hate things look scary or creepy. Even I hate to watch horror movies. It was not that I am afraid, it was just because I do not believe in such things. I mean, did these things even exists? Whenever a friend pranked me with a ghost photo, instead of traumatised, I was disgusted of its ugly features. I mean, who cares? They are not human. I also not a big fan of skull symbols, anything related to metal music or blood and gore. It makes me uncomfortable just to think about it, what more to say about looking at such things. So, never try to invite me over for a horror movie night.

3. I can speak 5 languages fluently
Currently I can speak 5 languages fluently but I think I could understand Thai a bit more than anticipated. I speak Malaysian Malay, English, Mandarin, Iban and Melanau. Iban is a language I learned from my friends, also learned a little from my mother. It is a local language spoke by Iban people in Borneo. Melanau is my mother tongue. So basically, I learned to speak it almost effortless. It is a rare language among the Melanau people in Borneo because the Melanau I spoke is from Rajang. Well, there's only one village I know of spoke this kind of Melanau, it is Kampung Bedil near a small town called Kanowit.

4. I like to hide my talents from others
I had a few talents so I hid them from others because no one would believe me if I said so. Like I could draw well, even portraits. I also can sing very well. I can sing ballads, pop and opera. I never sang in front of others. Too scared and afraid of being negatively judged. And yet, my mother kept bringing me to have some karaoke sessions because she and I can sing duets. Another talent was playing piano. If I can sing, so playing piano is not odd. I only had until Grade 3 certified in ABRSM (Associated Board of Royal School of Music) because I wanted to focus more on the school academic syllabus.

5. I hate and never smoked or drunk
Isn't smoking cause our respiratory system to lose its optimal functions? And I know it also reduces IQ level among youths. And too much alcohol is bad because it can cause liver malfunction and changes in the mental health. Well, if I am stressed, I don't do those things because God is there for us. So just pray to God and remain calm in Him.

6. I hate coffee
If someone ever asked me, "Coffee or tea?" A definite "tea" of course. I never had coffee for breakfast. I had milk instead. I do not know why but I really hate coffee due to its caffeine content I guess? So no Starbucks for me.

7. I liked to play computer games
If I had leisure, I would play computer games. I enjoyed playing it like I read stories from books. I like challenging games like Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Crysis 3 and Half Life 2. For mind challenging games, I play Nancy Drew games and Life Is Strange. I had the liberty to play computer games as long as I could keep up with my grades and daily chores.

8. I only have two siblings. My brother and I.

9. I am 178 centimetres tall and still growing.

10. I am a cat person. I have 9 cats at home but never brought them indoors because my parents never allowed it.

A Few Things About My Current Situation

I bet no one in this world would want to read this from the beginning till the end. It is so long and boring and wasting time. But I need a place to let out my thoughts. Let me tell you, I am very tedious!

The reason that I had a very low social profile is that I am very poor of making friends. I don't know why I am very bad at making friends but since I was just a child, I had no friends to socialize with. I was just being with myself, my family, relatives and my big brother. Friends at school are not really close to me. So I think I am an introvert? But I spoke on stage, I spoke in front of the audience, I spoke to everyone. May be it is just my nature that I am not friendly.

I had always been stuck with my parents. I love my parents so much and they love me too. So, I think I never really thought about having real close friends. However, until recently. I grew up, had driving license, finished college, waiting to study for degree, I sometimes need time for myself. I wanted to go to the town and spend some time for myself, without anyone. But my parents were too concerned about me and also worried too much that I would be in trouble or anything. So I stayed at home, doing nothing necessary.

Until today, I never thought about having close friends. I like living alone. I even had no feelings for others like most of my peers had. To be honest, I don't even know what 'crush' means. It feels like I have a stone heart. Even if I like someone but I immediately shut out my interests towards that person. Hard to shut it out at first but now it is very easy. Even my mother told me that I have no lust.

Since I am very religious, never drink alcoholic drinks, never smoke, don't do or understand jokes, not friendly, a bookworm and eat more vegetables than calories in my diet, so it would be hard to find someone who share the same characteristics as I am. Well, I found them in GIRLS. None are guys, yet that I met.

I had tried, you know. It was hard. I tried making friends with bookworms too but they are humorous and I am not. Religious people but not bookworms. Making friends with girls is easier for me but with guys are really hard. But, even the girls can't be my friends because, you know, GIRLS. Talking about fashion, make-up, especially boys. I am so not friends with girls although most of them are bookworm and religious and don't smoke and don't drink alcoholic drinks. So, I felt I am the only human being of my own kind. I heard people say, be different. So I am different, but odd.

I know I am very selective in making friends, and that is why I hardly ever have friends. This is my life, I own it. No one cares, but I care. This world I'm living in, I had to pretend to be someone else in order to move forward.

Because of my lack of experience in making friends, I sometimes unintentionally hurt others' feelings. What I said sometimes very direct and sarcastic. But, you can tell me what I said is offensive and I should have said something else so that I can learn from my mistakes. Unfortunately, I hardly ever had met someone who would point out my mistake. They just assumed that I am a bad person. So, I am bad, friendless, and finally lonely.

Good thing is I am still alive. I still have my parents who cared about me. I don't need anyone else to care about me. I still can survive this, with God, and my parents.

The point is, the main reason I am friendless is because my sense of humour. I am terrible at jokes and always serious to others that they became bored with me. When they tell a joke, I could hardly understood it. I even sometimes took it as an insult or sarcasm although I kept quiet about my thoughts. I felt this one part of my mind is blocked but I just don't know it yet.

I also thought that may be I am not happy. I smiled, I laughed, but never the same laugh I had when I was a child. Even my mother noticed but she ignored. The only thing I found to make me happy was study and read books. Or is it to distract my unhappiness by doing so?

Too many questions, yet I am very good at ignoring them. Like loud musics, loud random noises, stinky smell, odours that make you feel sick, people blocking your line of sight, I can ignore them all, well unless it was too strong.

I already talked to my parents about this but my parents are aging and they had their own problems too, especially health problems and problems at workplace. They told me that I am young, doing nothing at home and not worry about anything, and then next time only worry about my study and anything just about it. I mean, who would listen to this 19 year old boy, who lives at the suburbs, staying at home doing nothing and friendless, and always looked strong. They also told me to always pray to God and seek joy in Him. So, what am I to this world?

I was in a local newspaper! (STPM 2017 LIMBANG)

Being one of the top STPM scorer is a big deal and I did not have any idea I was in the newspaper! This is a big thing for me. Praise the Lord!

(From the left) Nisha 3.50 CGPA, Zakiah 3.58 CPGA, Emily Racha 3.59 CGPA, Siti Nurhatira 4.00 CGPA, SMK Kubong Principal Encik Julkipli, Former Senior Assistant(Form 6) Encik Michael, Tiang King Jeck 3.33 CGPA (Science stream), Aaron Wong 3.67 CGPA (that's me!), Asmawie 3.50 CGPA.

Though in the picture I looked down at somewhere else and probably not my best photo but at least my name is in the reports. My full name! Okay. By the way, thanks Borneo Post for this news report. Although Limbang is just a small town but this great news is for everyone. :D

Congrats to every STPM top scorers! Especially Siti Nurhatira, for obtaning 4As and bring SMK Kubong into the spotlight. A little girl like you did not seem to stop you from being big. Congratulations once again.

Purpose of Life

Everything happens in our life has their own purpose. Should I call it as karma or fate? Why did the birds migrate? Why do people can get jealous? Why do we get suspicious of strangers?

The answers could be the birds migrated to avoid winter or drought. People get jealous because they want the things someone has but they could not get them. Because strangers cannot be trusted easily, especially when a friend backstabbed his/her own friend.

What if we did something different? What if we think differently? The birds migrated to find a new home to reproduce due to destruction of their habitat. If we share our joy or achievements with them, they might be not jealous. Every relationship starts from strangers, right? Strangers could be a friend in waiting, an enemy or just someone who are not aware that someone notices them.

In every part of happenings in our life, we actually can choose our own path. It only means of hard or easy paths. Being good is always the hard path. Everyone wants to be good but forgot how to be one. Even the real good people are always the victims of the bad people. That is why being good is very hard.

Being good is not just about just being kind to everyone, talk nicely or comforting. Being good also means having good grades in studies and having a good job. With something they can be satisfied with, they tend to be more happier and be kinder to others. If being a kind person with bad grades in studies and no jobs, it would be almost too impossible to be kind to others for a very long time.

A lot of people said that beauty is in the genetics. To be honest, it is not 100% from genetics. It also comes from their heart. I had seen them in real life, ugly people before became beautiful at an old age because of their kind heart. Beautiful people before, aged terribly at old age due to cruely in themselves. It was true that beauty really comes from the heart. So, be kind and sincere if you want to be beautiful.

Remember, we choose our own path. It is not because of 'I had to' or 'I don't have a choice'. It will always because of ourselves. Never blame others of our own choices, unless intimidation is involved. So make your own purpose by choosing the right path.