hello friends....

well, it is one of those fridays over here in Klang. PJ seems unreachable - the jam on the Federal would be pretty bad, and the weather seems only perfect for some lazy reading on the bed.

It is one of those fridays when the next day, I have a Saturday tutorial, and the inner debate whether to clerk more patients in the wards or declare a studying weekend, or worse - a lepak-party weekend.

It is one of those fridays when the phone does not seem to get rings from the right person.

It is one of those fridays when the lightest textbook seems heavy.

It is one of those fridays that I wish I could spend it in good old 6th college, so that I can walk to church for Bible Class instead of.....getting stuck here in this messy place of Selangor.

One more paper left this Friday morning. Pretty unexpectedly fast! And I just realised one thing.. yeah.. just.. after so many months of studying in UM. The "Bangunan Peperiksaan" a.k.a examinations hall is a place where you can find beauties in UM!!! Real lot of beauties only started appearing during exams weeks.. I wonder where they are the rest of the time??? Hmmm.. from what I noticed, most of the beauties were sitting for papers with "Axxx" codes, which indicate papers from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. To realise only lately seems to be too late.. haha.. whatever, at least when I leave the university, I can still say that there are beauties in UM =)

The sky out there is gloomy.. heralding a heavy rain soon??? Don't know.. it is starting to make me feel moody anyway! Mom was asking me the other day whether I want to go to GoldCoast. I gave her a NO answer although I have not found a job, or rather I have not applied for any job. GoldCoast.. hmmm.. not bad.. perhaps and maybe I can fly to Melbourne first to catch up with my good friend, Li Yee, there.

Till I have decided, time will tell that it is too late one more time. This is why I hate to make decision! =P Somehow, it aint perfect!!!

I am feeling both apprehensive and glad that many coursemates of mine have actually started to go for interviews. Even Kar Kin himself has gone to giants like Shell and Accenture, and I am sure there are more to come for him. I am glad in a way that there are still a lot of opportunities in the market place for fresh graduates, at least not as bad as many of us have thought of before hand. At the same time, I am feeling apprehensive because I am still in no where to get a job after graduation. The single most fundamental thing of preparing a resume I have not even done.

I recalled something. A deja vu of the pre industrial training scenario which happened last year. People were all so busy sending out letters and stuffs, I was just taking my own sweet time, at least 2 weeks later than the rest only I started to send out my resume to a few companies.

I came back to faculty to submit my report and source code to my supervisor, and bumped into a few persons. And each of them was asking the same question upon seeing me "Wei, you found a job ar?". I smiled and grin. I told them that I have yet to get my resume and cover letter done!

After being a human for almost 23 years now, I strongly believe I could survive somehow by God's grace. Definitely He is not going to lead me into dark roads without hope. Time after time, He has shown me His divine working and love. And for that, I am able to say that "Why must I be kiasu and so pressurize by peers and the time?". =)

Whatever, I still need to send out my resume, but I will pray for the timing and the targets! No rush and emergency!

A Good Start..
I just finished my interview with Accenture just now. It was a great satisfaction, at least my performance can have a gradual improvement in terms of idea expression and natural improvisation. I'm feeling glad today!!!

I will back to Ipoh today at 4pm..

Creating value in an uncertain economy
I came across with this pdf file article when I seeked for further information about Accenture. Accenture, with it's patented brand and deployed font, as well as the innovative and impressive banner has arrogantly upholded their intense and professional image as leading business and IT management consulting company, not only in this region, but also in global view.

Yes, when the economy turns to its turnoil down, it might a vigorous signal for companies to strive hard or they will face bankruptcy. But likewise, it is an opportune time and opportunity too for winners to consolidate their position and pull away all their rivals at the recovery phase. The astute and discerning business partners will deploy appropriate strategies during recession to stimulate their retails value and strengthen their room in the marketplace. At the same time, they will be undergoing a swift yet rational organizational re-structuring to moderately brainwash their employees and rejuvenate or infuse their organization with an innate sense of urgency than compel accurate action in boosting the company's value and brand. Rather than that, they will also cultivate enormous financial flexibility, make smart strategic moves and finally develop an intimate understanding of the real values for anchoring the company ship.

We always hear one of the Chinese idiom which sounds that hero will be emerged in the situation of uncertainty. Just like the philosophy of Darwinisme, the fittest will survive; while majority are withering and dead in the midway. So, as I think twice, it is also appropriate if apply to our undergraduates' situation currently who will graduate soon but at the same time has partially lose their direction. They might simple take any job and start working unconsciously, or some of them even don't knoe how to start. My revelation doesn't mean that I'm clear with my pace as I confess that I'm also wandering out of focus. But, I just hope that, the arrivel of the day becoming a discerning winner so that I can understand my need and move swiftly. I have neither dared nor had Ace in my hands to become a sole loser.

Amidst the age of uncertainty and turbulence, as what have been stated with one Chinese idiom - the cheerful and vigorating village can be found after sailing through a stream in a dark cave.

Just met a light accident just now near the Akademi Pengajian Melayu when I headed to my faculty. Luckily both parties weren't injured.. But I had to dig my wallet for repairing. Sigh!!

Finalizing..

After more than 1 month making soundless and acting no appearence virtually, today might be a splendid day for me to tune up my voice after sending the thesis report just now. So, at my current stage, I'm still have 1 more final paper to go on 8 of March before my unconscious graduation. Time went off swiftly and I realised that I'm not even sparing some time to digest and analysis my level of development, in terms of personality, skill, knowledge, interest, thinking maturity, and behaviour in my three-year time for my bachelor degree.

After all, it will another challenging and totally new environment for me, and it becomes my next step for a brighter future and merely as the normal life. I know that, the beginning step is quite difficult to start off, especially the step which will determine your future. Honestly said that I'm totally at my end of wits, and hardly find someone who is enduring and kind enough to share his or her acumen or discerning eyesight for a nimble step. I'm quite hesitated and scared to start, and that are the things I have revealed with fooji and teong before. Yup, in others' sight, I might in a stable and comfortable stage, enchoning that "tak payah takut lah, u got Petronas oledi". Haha.. if I really wait for the forth date called by Petronas for starting the job, I have to eat 50cent bread for my next half a year, I gauge.

I have attended 1 interview with Shell last week, and for the time being they don't have any reply to me. Worst comes to worst, I might be set off from the list due to my poor performance in expressing effectively my inner strengths, genuine characteristics, thinking maturity and my confident revelation. Personally, I have spotted my major weakness - the lacking confidence is still lingering around me and it is never-ending. I don't think it is the problem of language barrier, as I notice that I might face the same problem if speaking in other languages too. My confidence is gradually deminishing for day to day and sadly said I failed to find back myself. In fact I was not really busy as epected last few weeks since I still had my wee time over-indulging in Counter-Strike game in my computer lab with other pals. I was too lazy to upgrade myself, I was too lazy to read newspaper.. and lastly, I was too lazy to blog also here. It was a weird! And surely you can observe my tremendous drop of english fluency in writing.

So, the a good chance in getting into elite Shell was demonished by myself. I'm the person who should be blamed. Shell can guarantee a auspicious start and luxurious remuneration, but I never have this chance again. I sent to resume impulsively and did no preparation while attending the interview. In fact, for my current knowledge and wits, I don't think I'm qualified enough to be a part of Shell. What to do? karkin had made himself out of track and neither competitive ner marketibility.

Anyway, I will be attending another interview with Accenture this friday. Accenture is also a elite business consulting MNC and I believe that they will offer a deal also for their employee. Sad to reveal that I'm still not ready for that toughest questions and challenging evaluations during the interview session. Sigh!!! I guess I will miss another precious chance to get into a high-quality company again.

Fooji and teong, regarding the HSBC top 5 finalists, I can conclude that the panel of judges' appetite goes to something tangible and can specifically solve certain problem. The problem might sounds teething, but as long as the application can play a pivotal role and it sounds quite creative or innovative, they will the good, high-quality business plans. The finalists' brainchild ideas are like LINK (a small device will make sounds if the owner abandon it), QFree (a solution to solve the long queue in supermarket by putting every purchase at a certain place for scanning and after that the buyers just need to do payment at the cashier), Wireless device Charging System (the idea which is quite similiar with Saim's one) amd Remote Utilities Meter System (I'm not sure about this). If compared with our business plan, as fooji said, it gave a ideal impression to the panel of judges and secondly, we can't impress them with our intangible "click-and-mortar" business service, which sounds like solving nothing realistically. Sigh again!!!

I need to strive hard to gain a room in this marketplace... Currently market value falls to someone who is achievement-oriented, persuasive and effective communicator, analytical problem solver and decision maker with creative mind, team player, and emotional intelligent.

a few things, actually....

1. Kar Kin gave me a call yesterday, just at the time when I feel bored, with my never-ending studying list, and wondering why my phone never rang even once for the day. So, Kar Kin, your call was really really appreciated. Thank you for the money used.

2. Wow, looks like the early optimism about our HSBC success really looked funny now, after the results, and realising our weakness. A few questions here - 1. Were we too optimistic? 2. Did we turn a blind eye to our possible weaknesses that time? 3. Did we realise the weaknesses in the first place?

No, don't get me wrong, just a post-mortem, I am actually quite okay, actually glad the challenge has ended. With my heavy schedules in my posting now, a one-week leave would mean I am very far behind.

3. Looks like a new era is beginning for the likes of Teong, KArkin... while I am still figuring out the methods to train effectively here in Klang, Teong and Kar Kin would have to look for the best job offer in town. Wish you all the best, machas!!!

4. Did you all know that Sze Leng has passed her Semester 5 in IMU, and will be heading to Dundee, Scotland for her clinicals this July? A Scottish-trained doctor she'll be, oh yeah. Looking forward to compare notes with her next time, if there is a next time.

Anyone read Jeff Ooi's blog about the 40 richest Malaysians at his ScreenShots? He asked a few good questions at the end of his blog. Questions which I myself have been trying to find the answers since long. Go through the "conversation" of this blog. Perhaps it might give some insights of who are the BigFish in Malaysia and what they are actually doing. Check it out!

Fooji is still very reluctant to get over his guilt for losing my Motorola handphone. He is an apologetic guy, which is good in certain manners. I just want to let him know that I will definitely give him the chance to treat me a superb luxurious dinner, to satisfy his guilt! =) Definitely going to slaugther him!

Having presented my final year project earlier today, I know my study in UM is coming to an end. It was just a normal presentation, anyway. Nothing much to show about my thesis. Nothing to boast. Nothing to be proud of. It is just a simple thingy after all. It will definitely not help me much in providing more chances for me to land a job. Unlike many who have done huge interactive useful dynamic database-driven website, which they can actually use to show to the interviewers, I have not much, nothing in fact to show.

I have always been telling people and myself that I am graduating soon. But never realised it can be as soon as in about 2 to 3 weeks time from now! What? Have I sent my resume? Or rather have I done it? Haha.. pretty funny! My resume is half-way done only! Nervous and yet still relax! A real shit thing about me is I am too relaxed, I feel heavy and burdensome to move myself! This is real bad thing! Many tools and technologies or what we call in a layman term, stuffs, I have not picked up. ASP.Net, IIS, PHP, SQL Server, XML, SOAP, CORBA, ADO and whatever you are able to name, I am sure I am a moron to them. Even stuffs that I consider of knowing or having knowledge in, like C++ and Java, I actually know nuts. Very hard to apply for a job in computing or software industry with my low level of knowledge and lack of inspire to pursue and learn!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. My roommate has started to order a bouquet of don't know what flowers. I am sure many other guys are doing the same, either for their girlfriends or girls they want to court. Will I do the same? I am wondering. My family never taught me of the tradition to celebrate birthdays or buying gifts at special occasions. In short, when it comes to buying gifts, I will feel weird. Neither I don't love nor I hate giving. It is just that, I am brought up in such a way that to me, to show love or to be loved, not necessarily need to be in a form of gift. Typical conservative Asian or China man thinking huh?!

As many as are celebrating Valentine's, to those single guys like me, I want to share a flash movie with you all. It is in Mandarin, though. Click here to go to the website.

Karkin asked me if I am alright over the commenting yesterday...

well, of course !! I am OKAY !!!

Wow, do you know that I have been here in Klang for 2 months now. Just finished a small exam last Friday, and now I am in a new posting - Paediatrics ( medicine for the infants and children)

Challenging, my weaknesses is SO OBVIOUS to my teacher and my colleagues. I feel like becoming a REAL NERD again.

I am thinking of doing an assessment of UM's current standard compared to our medical counterparts from other local universities. I am seriously in doubt of our standard, and I want some black and white to prove or to dismiss my suspicion. I hope Ben and Kok MIng would be willing to help when I come out with the assessment.

As for Teong, I still owe you one !!!!

As for the others... so quiet?

Frens... Soli to be away for around 2 weeks.. Just finished my 1st paper yesterday.. yet still got 1 paper to go this saturday.. Nevertheless.. there is not the main point.. Currently I'm preparing for all the comprehensive resume, cover letter, related information and equipping myself with relevant skills while handling the interview. Dun woli.. after everyhing comes into track and stability, U all can observe my feisty words again here..

Computer in History
This week in 1985, Microsoft announced that it would develop a word processing program for IBM. That program—MS Word—soon beat out Word Perfect and became the most popular software in history.

UNIX/Linux vs Windows

Yesterday, I showed my Final Year Project, a Java application to my supervisor. We had some discussions upon which he asked me to execute the application in other platforms besides Windows. After all, Java is a multiplatform language. Therefore, he, being a full Prof and an Ir now, gave me the privillege to use a powerful 4 processors (MIPS) machines, under the Irix operating systems (a kind of Unix), 2Gigs of memory (imagine!) to run my application! It is a whole different thingy! Compared to Windows, truly Unix/Linux has a lot more to offer despite the lack of GUI or user friendliness. Thank you Dr. Selva for your kindness and interest on me to have a touch or two on the Tezro machine produced by Sillicon Graphics and also to have some experiences handling Unix/Linux OS. I appreciate a lot.. very grateful indeed! =) BTW, I have ported the applet version of my project to my website, if you have Java Run Time installed, you can try it here!

H5N1 - IT has started !

Last Saturday, I told Ai that there is not much to worry as long as the virus does not make a species barrier jump. The Sunday times in Singapore confirmed human cases in Vietnam, which entirely made my assurance of safety to collapse immediately.

Current updates by WHO:

1. The Ministry of Health in Viet Nam has today officially confirmed three additional cases, including one fatality, of avian influenza H5N1 infection in humans. (3/12/04)

2. Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) as on 3/2/04
Thailand 4 Cases 3 Deaths
Viet Nam 13 Cases 9 Deaths
Total 17 Cases 12 Deaths

Now, the next 'milestone' for this outbreak would be for the virus to mutate into a form that can cause airborne infection to other humans. It would be a disaster. Probably worse than SARS.

Today, most of my colleagues here would be skipping the Epidemiology class this afternoon. At a time when the importance of public health could not be overemphasised, it is pity that the learning and teaching process of the subject over here in UM is rather stale, and unexciting. There is a gap of interest and perspective between the teachers and the students. It is a pity, really. Public health is actually so darn relevant now.

Choa Chu Kang, Geylang, heartache and the pre-O&G weekend getaway!!!!

Point 1:
The long weekend, thanks to Aidiladha monday break, was spent in Singapore. I got the honour to drive from Ayer Keroh to JB, and then later, to drive around the lion city. From Geylang to Chao Chu Kang, to learn a thing or two, to realise that my heart is not actually generous, of its potential to ache in jealousy.

Point 2:
Looks like the early optimism has become the bed of aggravated pessimism. Maybe I took someone for granted, and was overconfident of that someone's undivided devotion. Maybe I am not used to secondary attention, or not being the lightbulb in that someone's joy, but the role was passed to someone else, swifter than I am mentally prepared to. Thus the heartache, thus the renewed passion to blog.

Point 3:
Looks like the box of sweetness has become a potential container of my pains. Looks like the aspirations that claimed victory in 2003 could be the menace that would break my 2004. I pray and pray earnestly to God, to guard my emotions.

Point 4:
Really, to be really wise, I should be caring about what is obstetric diameter, the different kinds of pelvis, the management of postpartum haemorrhage and the contraindications of IUCD, than some immature jealousy and devastation pains regarding the matters of the heart. End of posting exam this Friday afternoon. Pray for me !

Wardrobe malfunction

That is a rather intelligent word by Timberlake in explanation of his STUPID act on stage, that uncovered Ms. Jackson's right boobie. Are there no better song to sing, no better singer to sing, than to resort to an idiot to provide entertainment to the spectators? What is this world thinking?