Does it hurt?

Good day people! How's life? I hope everything is in order. As a working part-time cashier, I stumbled upon many type of people everyday. Some are gorgeous, kind, and always have a smile on their faces, some are arrogant, they don't even look to you when they are making transaction. Their faces is plain, without a smile and always looking very frustrated. Does it hurt you to give a smile and say thank you? That is one of the bad habits of Malaysians; a TYPICAL Malaysian. They are always too lazy too even look at you, as if they have something reeeeeeeally important to do! I hope they can change, for a better future.

When you are driving for instance, does it hurt you to put on your seat-belt? Will it bite or even kill you when you put it on? Here's where the stereotype "Asians are bad drivers" come from. Truly, they are really bad driver; hideous! I am Malaysian but I obey the rules. Not all Asians are bad drivers but some are! Does it hurt to drive carefully and to respect the others?

At times we may be ignorant about these things, but we can improve, we can change! Start from home, home is where these moral values can be cultivated by the parents themselves. I hope we can be a better person for a better world.

Keep biting. Write me.

SARAWAK --- A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER

Since this post is going to be, ahhh quite informative, so I’ll try to use English as much as possible. Sarawak (pronounced /səˈrɑːwɑːk/) is the largest state in Malaysia but I guess, one of the underdeveloped states because of its mighty size. Sarawak is mostly mountainous and it consists of series of mountain range namely Banjaran Tama Abu, Banjaran Kapuas Hulu and Banjaran Iran which we shared with Indonesia. Sarawak is situated in the Island of Borneo which happens to have the world's oldest rainforests, with over 8,000 species of flowering plants, including some 2,000 species of trees, 200 odd palms and more than 800 varieties of orchids - a horticulturists’ dream come true… =) Among the other well-known flowers are the hibiscus (Malaysia's national flower), and the evil, foul-smelling Rafflesia, measuring up to a metre across, weighing up to 9 kg, and smelling like rotting meat – aahhh well; a vulture's dream come true. Thankfully, it blooms only once in a while.

I guess my plagiarised description of Sarawak’s rainforest will not disturb you dear readers. The capital city of Sarawak is Kuching, my dearly beloved hometown and believe it or not, I’m one of the 579,900 residents of Kuching!!! Feuwhhhhh again… lesser traffic jam compared to Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Actually, I’m a bit lazy to write tonight but as I’ve promised, I’ll just continue writing until my lappy runs out of battery… =) overall, Sarawak’s total population up-to-date is around 2,357,500… that’s a huge amount of carbon emission! Well, a bit on Sarawak’s history; we have the White Rajahs starting with James Brooke who invaded and colonised the state of Sarawak for more than a hundred years starting in 24 September 1841; when the short-minded long-gone Sultan of Brunei (sorry to have used that word) handed over Sarawak to His Majesty. Nevertheless, they (the Rajahs) built Fort Margherita, the Astana of Sarawak, Sarawak’s old court building and these structures (and many more) is situated not far from my home… hehehe…

Sarawak on the other hand, after a careful observation, I believed having the most diverse ethnic in Malaysia. Sarawak has more than 40 sub-ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. Cities and larger towns are populated predominantly by Malays, Melanaus, Chinese, and a smaller percentage of Ibans and Bidayuhs who have migrated from their home-villages for employment reasons and for some reason, Sarawak is distinct with other states in Malaysia in the sense of the size of its Indian community. Wowwwww… which is smaller. There were also the Kayans, Kelabits, Penans, Lun Bawang, Kenyah and Sebob/Chebob which is the least known tribe in Sarawak… m-y-s-t-e-r-y… =O ahhh yes, the Melanaus is a very “special” ethnic in Sarawak. Well, Pak Uban aka Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (Sarawak’s current Chief Minister) is a Melanau and his new wife, goshhhhh hotttttt! (Just to stay up-to-date). =) emmmmm… in the context of cultural diversities, I can prove it just by looking at myself. I’m a mix; Malay+Javanese+Melanau+a bit Chinese... well, I’m not quite sure of the Chinese part… hehehe. Never mind, let’s continue our journey into Sarawak.

Christianity is the largest professed religion in Sarawak with Islam being the second. Well, this must be the work of the Missionaries… ;) hehehe… ouh, ouh, before I forget, Sarawak is divided into eleven divisions (yupp, eleven) and they are so named Betong, Bintulu, Kapit, Kuching, Limbang, Miri, Mukah, Samarahan, Sarikei, Sibu, and the Sri Aman Division. What I love about Sarawak (particularly Kuching) is its coastal area. Even though its sea is not blue as it is in Pulau Langkawi, or green as it is in Sempoarna, well, it’s a gift from Allah! I appreciate that very much. Pantai Damai, the most famous beach in Kuching (not Sarawak; I reckoned) with its white sand, dark green bluish water, ahh… it’s just great! (Clearly, I’ve run out of ideas right now). I guess I’ll stop here and if there is any inquiry, please, don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you for reading.

Sarawak's State Museum (the building originally built during the Rajahs Dynasty; served as an administrative office)

Sarawak's flag during Rajahs' period.

Sarawak's Waterfront, where Sarawak's old court building is situated and Fort Margherita and Astana is situated not far from this place.

Sarawak's new multi-million ringgit House of Representatives.

 Kuching International Airport, main gateway to Sarawak.

We Welcome YOU to Sarawak! 

Sev

Severus Snape for me (and all his fan) has been a very great pleasure for us since the past ten years. For me, he is the reason why I kept attached to Harry Potter film franchises. As revealed in J.K. Rowling last and final book of Harry Potter, Snape is the true hero, shadowed by his "cold" and moody nature, also by his pale skin and dark eyes; who knows he's a saint?? 

Severus Snape was born to Tobias Snape, a muggle and a witch, Eileen Prince (correct me if the facts are wrong). Snape, as a follower of Lord Voldemort, of course; hated Mudblood or Half-Blood (as I am curious why all the evil sides hated Half-Blood so much, given the situation that their leader, Voldemort himself is indeed a bloody Half-Blood) but Cupid's arrow struck his heart when he saw Lily Evans (a MUGGLE) for the first time. And ever since, his love for Lily has never changed, even after her murder by Lord Voldemort.

As a double-agent, Snape who initially served the Dark Lord, bearing the Dark Mark with him; turned his loyalty to Hogwarts and to Dumbledore, eventually. This happen after Voldemort's betrayal to him, when  Snape begged the Dark Lord to spare Lily Potter's life. Being so emotionally-amused by committing murders, Voldemort murdered Harry Potter's mother Lily. But, when he changed his loyalty towards Dumbledore, he remained "loyal" to Lord Voldemort in front of him. He turns spy for Albus Dumbledore.

For me, Snape was a skilled dueller, an excellent one I presume. Judging from his skill when disarming Sirius Black in the third film, and during the 7 Potters escape from Number 4, Privet Drive, and also during his duel with Professor McGonagall (which he flees because he is outnumbered). If he ever fated to fight in the Second Battle of Hogwarts, I daresay that he'll murder Voldemort for sure if Harry never showed up, again. However, when he is confronting the bloody Dark Lord for the last time, he must keep pretending that he is on his side. Thus, he is willingly given his life to Voldemort. Although in the final book he did protest, but he, still have Dumbledore's word with him, that is to remain "loyal" whatever happens.

Snape died in the hand of Tom Marvolo Riddle, the man he worshiped for the past 20 years. Harry Potter named his son, Albus Severus, for albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape; the bravest man Potter and I and the others had ever known. Rest in peace Severus. 

Keep biting, write me.

Ended. July 15th.

I, as everyone who read my blog are aware, was born on August 9, 1992. When I was young, I was raised up with various surroundings, eras and challenges. First, Pokemon. It was very popular that I bought a Pokeball and try to "capture" my cat into it and of course, it ended with great displeasure. My first toy Pokemon is a very cute and adorable Squirtle. I love them but since we are constantly moving forward, interest shifted.

I then enjoy Power Rangers. Well, actually Power Rangers came out earlier than Pokemon, but as an avid fan of Pokemon, I don't even look at Power Rangers. But, the first time I saw Power Rangers Wild Force, it caught my eyes and I began to follow its series with much affections! Sounded silly, but I, again, "bullied" my father into buying a sword just the same as the Rangers do. But that was about 10 years ago.

Well guys, who doesn't know Harry Potter?? On year 2000 (if I got the fact correct), the first film of Harry Potter franchise; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone  was released. The movie itself was constructed based on a series of novel written by Joanne Kathleen Rowling or more famously known as J.K. Rowling. I instantly becoming a fanatic fan in a split second! Since then, I never missed the books and the film franchises itself. I am too fanatic; I even memorize all the Spells, all the Magical Items and characters, and I even remember its movies dialogue crystal clear!

During its third installment; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (which came shortly after the second film; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), I was quite devastated because I haven't got any chance to personally "encounter" the movie itself in cinema(s). But, of course I bought a DVD and enjoy watching it. I never miss, not even a single movie, by chance! Hahaha. Truth to be told, I grew up "with" Harry himself.

More on Potter guys, on my next post. Keep biting, write me. Sorry for the late update.

Education

Hi guys. How's life?? Hope that all of you are doing fine. Education is an important route to success. Sounds boring isn't it? But try to imagine without education, will there be any blog, will there be any Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or even Yahoo and Google? In almost every first world countries, education is put on the topmost priorities as the mindset of the peoples from these countries is to move forward non-stop. But take a look towards our poor third-world countries education system.

Some country are too poor to provide free education and thus causing the rate of illiteracy is alarmingly high in these countries. Asian countries such as Indonesia or even Malaysia itself, have quite pathetic education system. Without adequate teaching tools and backdated syllabus on early education, the children of the third world countries are always left behind than the kids in other country. But not all third world countries are pathetic in their administration of education. Take a good look at Singapore. Her education system is acknowledged and recognised around the globe as one of the best in the world. Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranked National University of Singapore number 30 on the list of best university in the wold for its education.

We Malaysian are a bit unlucky since University of Malaya ranked number 180 last year. We can do more to improve our education system and that way is to change how do we think. Malaysian leaders typically puts development in infrastructures as their topmost priority. We can however balance it with education and "constructions"; side by side. There are many other ways but I am going to proceed this in my next post; hopefully. Keep biting, write me.