Working in 'The Star' as a journalist...

I just finished my attachment in 'The Star' yesterday.

On the whole, I look back at the experience fondly. I learnt many new things, met many new people.
I got to go places that I've never been to before, such as the Bidayuh settlement, and places I would never dream of going, eg 5-star hotels. I met VIPs- I met the chief minister of Sarawak, Datuk Seri Haji AbdulTaib Mahmud and his deputy, Dr. George Chan.
I was served free refreshments all the time, and even a free meal in a hotel restaurant once.
Countless hours spent sitting in front of the computer, happily hitting away at the keyboard. (yes, I love typing, mind you).

And of course, a couple of the articles I wrote, which actually came out in the papers, with my name bylined!!

My 'boss' and colleagues were great. Jack Wong, the chief editor of 'The Star', who happened to be my mum's good friend is a very nice guy. He always buys me lunch :P Sharon is great too- such a nice, sweet and gentle lady. She ended up inviting me to her Cell Group last night ( which consisted of young couples with their young children) and to church tomorrow.

At the end of the day, what I would take back with me is the great experience of being a temporary 'reporter'. The memories. The places I'd been to. The people I met. The questions that people posed to me......actually it's always the same question over and over again......'What is a medical student doing here?!'

I really enjoyed this experience, and am glad that I chose this elective.

Me and Sharon


Me and Apai, the photographer

I tried to take a good picture of Sarawak's Chief Minister- Taib Mahmud, but ended up with a blurry pic instead. The reporters swarming around him like a group of bees attracted to honey didn't help.

Two articles of mine published in the newspaper.

Meeting up with Friends

It's been quite a while since I met up with my ex-schoolmates and collegemates. Somehow, I'm always lazy to keep in touch with them, always making excuses every holiday, like 'they are not back in Malaysia yet', 'I'm busy studying for resits', 'they didn't even drop me a line mah'.

The actual truth was.....I was never really close to my classmates in Lodge School. I preferred to keep to myself most of the time. As a result, I didn't have that many friends then.
Now I might've improved on my social skills, but it didn't change that fact.

Anyways, last week, the night when I was feeling bored at mum's shop.....guess who I met at the central market where we went to have an extremely late dinner? A group of my ex-classmates!! My fellow ex-Lodgians. They called my name. I couldn't recognize them at first....it has been ....what....more than 5 years since I last saw them.
But there they were, sitting right in front of me.
One is already working, he quit his job two weeks ago. Another is in his final year of medicine in UK, so are a few others who aren't back here at the moment. And another, whom I admit that I didn't really like those days, has grown up to be a fine young man.

On Monday, when I was out for lunch, I met up with an ex-collegemate. She was in a rush then, so didn't really get to chat with her. But her elder sister is married and expecting her first child. She'll be back here for two months. She has my handphone no. so hopefully we can meet up sometime soon!

Check it out!!!

Pg 26, Nation section in today's 'The Star' newspaper.

Entitled 'Concern over weak Maths skills'.

Not a big article, probably overlooked by most people.

But there is my article, with my name bylined!

I'll scan it at home tonight, if I've the time.

But meanwhile, check out today's 'The Star' newspaper!!

'Lost'

Nope, I'm not lost literally. Nor am I being overpowered by the feeling of being lost.

I am talking about the hit American TV show......'Lost'.

As you probably know by now, I am a huge fan of American TV shows. I dunno why. I just simply love everything about America. And visiting the country is on my list of things to do before I leave this world.

Anyways, back to 'Lost', I admit that I've never bothered to watch the programme before. Was too busy with work and studying during school days. Downloading 'Survivor' and 'The Apprentice' was enough for me.
But now since it's the holidays and all, I decided to give it a try.

And it turned out not bad at all. I could catch on to the plot rather quickly.....before this I knew that the show was basically about a group of strangers who survived a plane crash and subsequently were stranded on an island....but that was the limit of my knowledge of the show.

Over these past few weeks, I slowly got to know the characters- both the survivors and 'The Others' one by one. The trio who got captured by 'The Others'- Jack, Kate and Sawyer, really grew on me. Loved seeing them gracing my screen the most. Liked Sawyer and Kate's coupling. Quite a cute couple really. Evangeline Lily has really grown on me the latest episode I watched.
It happened to be a 'Kate flashback' episode, and we got to know more about her character....
how she was actually a fugitive running away from cops after killing her own dad, and ended up marrying a cop and then turning away from him.

Other characters whose flashbacks I got to see were Eko, Jack and Sun- the Korean lady.

I wish I can get to know more about 'The Others' though. That character Juliet remains an enigma to me. Is she a villian like the others, or is she actually a good person who is being controlled by Ben? I don't know.

(spoiler alert)

Jack should just let Ben die on the operating table....hahah. It's so obvious that his enemies arent' going to keep their word and release him even if he succeeds in curing Ben. See...they are about to kill Sawyer! Gah.

(/end spoiler)

Heroes, on the other hand......I tried to watch the show as well, but somehow I just couldn't really get into the gist of that show. People having special powers don't really fascinate me.....such things like that don't occur in real life.
I'm the type that likes watching shows or movies which depict real life happenings, rather than fantasy.

Right.....enough of my pointless blabbering. Lol.

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Went to court for the first time in my life on Friday. Don't worry....I wasn't being accused of any crime......I was just following Sharon to cover a court case.

Bored.....

For the first time ths holidays, I am feeling really bored. Really really bored.

I was dismissed early from work today.
Went to mum's shop after that as usual, practiced taking BP from random customers sitting at the waiting room.

Then, I didn't know what to do. You see, I forgot to bring down my CVS notes or even my story book today, thinking that I wouldn't have time as usual to read them.

Boy, was I WRONG. Today, I have way too much time in my hands, I don't know what to do. What a wrong day I chose to not bring anything down with me. *sigh*

I even managed to catch a beauty nap, visit FGC which I seldom visit anymore, and now I am bored again....lol... I am currently still in her shop....and it's almost 10pm.

Worst thing is that mum doesn't even allow me to drive myself to Parkson. I am dying to go there, I haven't been there for quite a long time. It's quite near her shop, so I don't understand why she wouldn't let me go there myself. I have proven to her that I still can drive, by driving both of us down to work every morning. Why oh why wouldn't she let me take the car for a while?

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The recent spurt in rape cases in Johor recently is rather unnerving. Police should really do something about it.

p.s. I love ppl who give comments!! *muacks!*

On the web!!

I can't prove it right now....but do oh do visit 'The Star's' official website.

Because an article I wrote this morning is published on the website. Without my name of course. *pretends to pout* :P

Here is the link

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/19/nation/20070619121025&sec=nation

A memorable visit.....

Today I had the most memorable experience so far of being a 'reporter.'

Before this, all I did was attend functions held in the city, going to places like Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza.

But today was entirely different. This morning, I followed fellow journalist Sharon and photographer Apai (that's what we call him anyways) to a Bidayuh village, located about 46 km from Kuching. It was about an hours drive from the city.....through the hilly and winding roads.

You see, the local authorities are planning on building a new dam to meet the increasing water demands of ppl living in Kuching and Samarahan. Unfortunately, the construction of this new dam means the relocation of 4 Bidayuh settlements to make way for the reservoir and the dam itself.

Fortunately, the government were kind enough to give the affected villages RM494 000 worth of compensation in total for resettlement. Also , the villagers, who would be relocated to the Padawan area which is much nearer the city, and given land for agriculture.

This relocation actually might very well be a blessing in disguise for them. Because before this, the people in these 4 villages lived a secluded life, cut off from the outside world. Their only means of reaching the main road leading to the city is by walking 4-5 hours through the dense jungles and over the hills. Yes, they have to walk 4-5 hours everyday just to reach the main road and the city in order to sell their crops. How fit they must be!

So after their resettlement, these villagers would be much closer to the city, making life easier for them, and making it easier for their children to get good education.

Below are some pictures I took with the villagers this morning. Note that those ladies are wearing the traditional Bidayuh costume. The Bidayuh people are one of the many Dayak races found in Sarawak. The other Dayaks include the Ibans (majority), Melanaus, Kayans and Kenyahs. The photographer took them for me. Enjoy!!



Donning the traditional Bidayuh costume.


Me and several Bidayuh ladies. We are wearing the traditional Bidayuh costume. Never mind the dog who decided to enter the photo at the last minute :lol


With Kenyah ladies who are on their way to performing in Kuching.





A glimpse of the village...Kampung Betong.

Being thankful.....

Right......this is the first time that I'm blogging without knowing what I actually want to write about.

This week has been a rather busy but rewarding week. Besides working in 'The Star' for my electives, I got to learn many things at my mum's shop every evening. My mum actually bought me an entire BP set so that I can practice taking blood pressure on her staff. :o And I learnt how to perform intramuscular injections as well.

I should be thankful for a lot of things. For leading such a comfortable life all this while, for having such a wonderful mother who loves me so much, for finally being able to experience a father's love, though in the most unconventional way possible.....for never having to worry about money, for always being able to have anything that I want.

Instead, I am always complaining about trivial stuff, about teeny weeny stuff. (Ehem...before you retort,....gender inequality isn't exactly what I would call trivial stuff, you know ;) I'm talking about other things. ) I think I should really change this attitude of mine.

And I'm thankful for being reminded on Monday that I should show a cheerful demeanor and personality whereever I go , instead of a putting on a sullen and stressed look all the time.

People can change, so can I.

I am thankful to God for letting me pass the exams and letting me have this golden opportunity of working in 'The Star' as a journalist, something which I have always wanted to do. Well, more like something I wanted to do since a couple of years ago. When I was younger, I was brainwashed into thinking that being a doctor is the most prestigious job ever.

And as I discovered, being a journalist certainly isn't one of the most stressful jobs. You just attend a function, go back to write a couple of news reports, and call it a day. And you get to meet VIPs and go places.

The only drawback of working as a journalist is when you make a small mistake in your report, but get bombarded by all parties due to your supposedly small mistake. You have to be extra careful about what you're writing about!

I did send in a couple of reports to the editor, but because 'The Star' is a national paper, with limited space to cover all 14 states, chances are that it wouldn't be published. Even if they do get published, it would be in the Metro South & East section, without my name on it. But I don't mind, really. All I want is just the experience of being a temporary reporter/journalist. And then I'll re-evaluate at the end of my stint whether I'll still harbor this dream of becoming a journalist.

You know, when I met all these young reporters working for rival newspapers, they were all asking me the same question.......'What on earth is a medical student doing here? Shouldn't you be working in the hospital or something?' Hahahah.

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I received the entire transcript of my exam results in the mail yesterday. Wasn't really impressed as expected, but I kept reminding myself that the most important thing is that....I passed!!

Above, I've included above a couple of photos which I took yesterday. Notice the new cross pendant necklace which I'm wearing!

p.s. Celebrating Father's Day today.

p.p.s Good luck to the Semester 4s who sat for their repro exam today. Good luck to the Semester 5s who are sitting for their EOS soon ( I don't know when). Good luck to the Semester 1s who are sitting for their very first summative assessment this month.

p.p.p.s Good luck to the Semester 3s for the EOS preparations and for the actual battle itself. And to my batchmates, happy holidays......and for those of you who are doing resits.....so far I've yet to know anybody who are resittting the exams.....all the best!!

p.p.p.p.s Anybody watching 'Lost?'

My brand new haircut....and other stuff......

Yep, I got a brand new haircut today. Rushed to the saloon downstairs my mum's shop at 7pm to get it done before the saloon closed at 8.

To be honest, I don't really like the look of it. Too tomboyish, IMO. However, on the bright side, it now feels much lighter, looks much neater, and is much easier to maintain.

I don't like how my hair tends to grow so quickly and so thick, so much so that it looks rather messy if I don't tie it up or use a hairband. Before the haircut, my hair was not long enough to be tied, and hairbands only make me look more immature than I already am.
So...my hair did look messy. But now it looks neat! =)

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It was flooding badly in Kuching this afternoon. The rain poured down very heavily, and as a result, flash floods occured at several parts of the city. My mum's shop was situated in one of the flooded areas, what a strategic location heh. I couldn't even enter her shop this afternoon after work, the entire row of shops was surrounded by flood water. ( Arrghh....regretted not bringing my camera). So had to take off my shoes, and waddle right into the murky flood water. All that while, I was trying hard not to think of any parasite eggs which I might've stepped on in the muddy water. Well, now I don't remember which parasites breed in the water and which diseases spread through floods. I only remember cholera. *choi!!*

If I'm not mistaken, KL also experienced flash floods just a couple of days ago.

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Working as a journalist/newspaper reporter is fun!! You get to go to functions and meet VIPs, get served free refreshments, get to travel throughout the country, and best of all, the workload isn't that great. Morning, you come to the office, read the day's newspapers, attend a function, come back and type one or two stories- submit them to the editor, and that's it- you're done for the day!
I'm envious, I admit it.

I've got a confession to make, I can actually afford to visit my blog multiple times while at work :P Haven't really mastered the courage to actually write a new entry at work though, lol.

But there is this special style of writing which you've to muster. You cannot be too long-winded. Also, you cannot afford to make a single mistake, or else you would get bombarded by various parties.

But I'm starting to accept that maybe medicine is really what I am meant to do, and not journalism.

Will keep you guys updated about my time working in 'The Star' aka my elective period. ;)


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Regarding my previous post....I expected more uproar than this :P Guys, where are you, you're supposed to defend yourselves, you know!! ;) Before I start saying that - yes, it is so typical of them to shy away...........I don't want an argument in my blog, I just want some intelligent debate.

The double standard against women

First off, I am a bit weary about this post....because it sort of contradicts my previous one. I was suddenly reminded that yes, men do make mistakes too, though it only involves a select few of them.

This morning, I read an article in the newspapers about a landlord who cheekily installed video cameras in the bathrooms of the house he rented out to 19 female students. The innocent students were to fulfill his evil desires without knowing it.
One of the students fortunately noticed the cameras and alerted a neighbour. The matter was reported to the police and the landlord was arrested.
Most probably, the landlord would be served a short sentence in jail, asked to pay a fine or given a harsh warning. The girls would have to live with the trauma of taking showers for the rest of their lives. And I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow, another report appears in the newspapers regarding a Minister critisizing the girls for not discovering the cameras earlier and for not dressing appropriately while showering.

A few months ago, a television camera mysteriously focused on the bottom of a female reporter while she was attending a press conference. And of course, the following day, a particular Minister blamed the reporter for not dressing appropriately. The cheeky cameraman got away unscathed.

Such is life. Women tend to get blamed for every misfortune bestowed upon them. The men who might have a part to play in it, get away easily.

When a girl gets raped, she takes the blame for not dressing appropriately and thus attracting unnecessary attention. The rapist escapes again, free to search for another victim. How about the case of Suzaily Mokhtar, who was brutally raped and murdered on a bus she boarded, although she was fully dressed from head to toe that fateful day? Is she to be blamed?

When a couple commit adultery....of course....you guessed it...the woman is to be blamed. Women who commit adultery would be under the worst sin possible, they should be very ashamed of themselves. HELLO?! Open up your narrow minds please. It takes TWO people, not ONE to commit adultery. But most people simply can't understand that. Adultery is always the woman's fault.
Very recently, the governenment is considering banning maids from China from entering the country, for fear that they would destroy more marriages.
Yes, of course, women are homewreckers. But of course, not a single word is being uttered about the husbands of the long suffering wives who just simply can't keep their eyes off this beautiful maid working in their house. *rolls eyes(

Of course women have to always take the blame for everything. This is the fact of life. Right?! RIGHT?!

Because we sinned first. Right?

Just a little rant.....

I have a little rant today.....

Well, you see....late last night, I was watching episode 5 of Survivor : Fiji for a 2nd time ( the first time, I didn't really concentrate on it).
And then it finally hit me....women have so many weaknesses about them.
What sparked that thought in me was when I witnessed how the 2 remaining women in the Ravu tribe ( the other 3 have been voted out in the first 3 episodes), Michelle and Rita were doing all this girly talk in front of the men of the tribe, and the men weren't that amused. And they weren't exactly helpful in challenges either.

But even worse were the women in the opposing tribe....Moto...(the tribe which had been winning all the challenges all the while and had almost everything in their camp). Lisi and Stacy mistreated the people who aren't in their alliance, not wanting to teach them how to make coffee. Their alliancemates, Alex and Edgardo weren't impressed with their snotty behaviour...because this might cause Dreamz and Cassandra, the mistreated people, to deflect to the other tribe once the merge occurs. But Lisi and Stacy just simply wouldn't listen. To quote Alex ' How can you be so stupid?!'

Right for those of you who do not follow Survivor....( I think that should be the majority of you :p) I'm just ranting about how women in this latest season of my favourite programme can be so silly.

Of course, not all women are less than smart. But I think this episode reflects the truth in this world.... women have many imperfections and weaknesses about them. We get easily jealous of each other, we get too emotional at times, we get irrational and insensible, we gossip and talk bad about others behind their backs, and of course the classic....we are physical weaker than men.
Men, on the other hand, are stronger physically, they know how to keep their emotions in check, they are caring (well, most of them anyways), they support each other. Just take a look at the world today....majority of the rulers in different countries are still men, men make the best chefs in the world, they make the best surgeons, they are computer geniuses, they make the best students, they are practically good at everything. Guys do not need to study that hard to achieve good grades. While girls have to study their assess off to achieve the results that they want.

Which is why men have to rule over women. Which is why women always need men in their lives and always have to depend on men. This is also why guys are comfortable hanging out with other guys....this is also why many girls also feel much more comfortable hanging out with guys rather than other girls and have many male friends.

What has been bugging me all this while is why God made one gender weaker than the other. Of course we need 2 different genders in this world to continue the human race, but why must one gender rule over the other?

We weren't there in the Garden of Eden when Eve decided to listen to the Devil and eat the apple. We didn't prompt her. We didn't ask to be her followers. We were born to be her followers without any input or choice of our own. Let me tell you something- if humans were allowed to actually choose their own genders before birth, there would be very few women living in this world.

I guess this is just something that I need to accept as a fact of life.

Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly fine being a girl, and haven't really suffered the consequences of being one....I just need answers about certain issues in life.
And I totally admit that I myself have all these imperfections that other women have.

No offense to the female readers, this is certainly NOT intended as a personal attack on any of you, I'm just referring to women in general.


p.s. I challenge you readers, both male and female alike to list down the strengths that women have. Because right now I can't really think of any.

p.p.s Am starting elective tomorrow!

Home, sweet home....

As promised....here are some photos of my beloved home in Kuching =)


My brand new computer and printer on the computer table in my study room.


My study table and old piano.....study room


The karaoke cum DVD set in the small audio room connecting to my bedroom.


My bedroom.....with the queen-sized bed and the 2 adorable teddy bears lying on it (They are named Panda and Davin. Panda is my favourite- so adorable!! )


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My cat, Sissy.



My dog, Yuki

Tagged!!!

5 things found in your bag:
- my Nokia handphone
- wallet
- camera
- tissue (if I remember) and comb (occasionally)
- a pen

5 things found in your purse:
- money (obviously)
- passport sized photos
- MyKad ( only when I'm travelling)
- Maybank ATM card last time, but now I keep it somewhere else
- library photocopying card

Favourite things found in your room:
Ermm....my study room or my bedroom?
Study room:- my brand new computer
-my printer( which isn't working at the moment)
-my stack of Harry Potter and Danielle Steel books on the side table which I've yet to read
- my old piano ( which I haven't touched in years)
- the couch

Bedroom:- my double-sized bed, obviously
- my 2 cuddly dolls lying on my bed
- the huge mirror in front of my bed ( which I don't like actually- I hate looking into mirrors)
*cracks her brain to think of more* gosh....my bedroom is so plain...believe me!!!
- aha... the small audio room beside my bedroom!!! It has a full karaoke audio set, complete with DVD and CD player.
- the huge poster hung on my wadrobe of a couple kissing


5 things you've always wanted to do:
- graduate and get a stable job
-publish a book
- touch the lives of others wherever I go
- go to America
- fall in love?

5 things you've currently into:
- blogging and just going online
- Astro
- family time
- books
- *cracks brain* The latest season of 'Survivor' which I've downloaded? Well, not actually into it.

OMG!!!!!!

Just one sentence. One simple sentence. But it's enough to send me jumping to the moon and back. Jk. But yes, I'm in 7th Heaven right now. The joy, the elation. That's all I needed to know. Whatever grade I get....be it a B or a C, it doesn't matter anymore. The most important thing is that....I passed the End of Semester exams!!! Now, I can proceed on to my 2nd year of medicine with confidence!

FINALLY, I passed an exam on my first try. For the first time in the past few years, I do not have to go through the horrendous torture of sitting for resit exams.

YES, I DO NOT HAVE TO RESIT THIS HOLIDAYS!! Now, I can fully enjoy the rest of my holidays without any worries or burdens!!!

Omg, this is pure joy.

Eta: Alright, now that I'm more composed....actually now I realize that the very first emotions I felt upon learning that I passed the exam was...not exactly joy or elation. Instead, I felt a sense of relief overtake me. Relieved. Very relieved. Had I not passed, I wouldn't be able to do my elective in 'The Star' for the next 2 weeks, thus again robbing me of a golden opportunity to gain working experience. My Europe plans for the month of July....going for graduation, and the trip to Barcelona, would be in utter chaos, and I would have had to cancel or reschedule all my flight bookings.

So I really thank God that I passed!!!

I remember those times when I was studying Neuroscience in Cardiff. I had to resit a couple of modules every single year. It was really a tocher for me. And those times, when I eagerly checked my long awaited results in anticipation....only to find out that I had failed one or two modules...and had to resit them again. The tears of disappointment that I shed. And subsequently, having more than half of my summer holidays gone on studying for resits. The embarrassment I felt when I couldn't attend last year's graduation ceremony together with my coursemates, because I had not passed.

Thank God those days are over.

Thank God that I finally can get to attend this years Neuroscience graduation ceremony, even if

it isn't with my original group of coursemates.

God is still Good. He makes sure that everything will work out fine for me in the end. =)

A Brand New PC!!!

Well...haven't been updating for quite a while....which is surprising, considering that it's the holidays.

It is mainly because....my home PC was spoilt. The CPU couldn't be used anymore, the regulator was burnt. Had no idea why that happened....apparently my computer's CPU has been spoilt for so long....but my cousin who knew about it( because he used my PC when he was staying at my place for about a year or so while studying Graphic Design at LimKokWing university) didn't even utter a single word about it. Instead, he disconnected my computer's CPU...left it on the floor and connected the computer monitor to his own CPU, which he brought over all the way from Sibu instead.
So when he returned back to Sibu after one year ...only then I realised that the CPU was actually spoilt.

Well, there's always a blessing after a curse right? The good thing is that I got to purchase a brand new PC for my study room at home! Went to Wisma Saberkas aka the 'Low Yat Plaza' of Kuching to purchase a brand new 'acer' PC. It comes complete with 'Windows Vista', the latest Windows version available in the marketplace. According to the salesgirl, Windows Vista is stil not 'stable', as there are many websites and software which are not compatible with it yet. But it's ok...in time it will be fine, when people start using this latest version of Windows. I chose it over another cheaper package... because this package contains the original version of Windows and Office. It's no doubt more expensive....over 1,800 ringgit...but I think it's more worth it then having to avoid clicking on any updates for fear of jamming the computer had I purchased the illegal version.

So altogether...plus the modem and a new regulator....had to spend over 2,100 ringgit for this new purchase! But I'm loving my new PC at the moment. It has everything....the latest version of Microsoft Office...the latest Windows Media Player...and CD burner and DVD player.... The only thing that is bugging me at the moment is the slow internet connection. Oh well, I'm still using dial up at home.....so have to get used to slow dial-up!!

Thank you Tze Chien for helping me to install my new PC!! See, girls can do anything a guy can! ;)

And...lol, if you had been reading the chatterbox, you would've known that I couldn't get in a new entry yesterday, because of my blog being blocked by 'Spam Robots' on the basis that it has the characteristics of a spam blog. Wth? Lol. Anyways, glad that my blog is unlocked now. =)

I haven't been doing anything much for the past week ever since I got back to Kuching. Just waking up late, watching almost anything on Astro, having scumptuous meals, reading Sophie Kinsella, having family time, etc. I've to admit I feel kindof left out when my mum talks to my other family members about her business. You see, they are rennovating her shop right now. So she's busy now with the rennovation and all the other stuff regarding her beauty centre business. Top it off with her beauticans deciding to resign one by one. Yep, quite a stressful time for her, I must say.

Not looking forward to the 7th June!! Wish me good luck for the release of my exam results!! I really really hope that I pass, so that my entire holidays plans don't get jeopardized and go down the drain.

Right...until then, I'm signing off......