Nostalgic again when watching sunset alone at Putrajaya

Came to my favourite place for jogging again, the straight-long road at Putrajaya stretching from Putra Square in front of the Prime Minister’s Department until Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), then ran back to the place I parked my car. It was a normal routine for me to stop by the lakeside near the Malaysian Treasury building, lying down restlessly on the soft whizzing grasses, enjoyed watching the sunset alone as I did few times before whenever I was having some disturbances in my hearts of hearts while nobody was there to comfort my disturbed heart.

Not thinking of anything, the gentle wind come, sweeping away my tiredness, wipe away my profuse sweat, sobering my pounding hearts after jogging for almost an hour there. The giggling of cicadas, chirping of birds and breezing of wind were like a gigantic orchestra performing life before my eyes freely. All these provide some sobering effects to my mind and soul. Thanks a lot, the creation of the Almighty of this wonderful nature.

A lovely couple came by, asking my help to take their intimate photos beside the lake where I was watching the sunset. Luckily it was not my first time to hold DSLR. If not, it will be shameful on me. I envied them so much, being so close and intimate by teasing each other ceaselessly. Since then, my mind flashed back to the time when I was still in the 2^nd year of my undergraduate studies, holding the post of students’ representative of UPM. I remembered that I missed the opportunity of establishing a relationship with my close friend as I was quite busy in my work as a student leader, looking after people’s welfare and actively involving in other clubs while focusing in my studies the same time. I felt awfully regretful on her as she was a good one. Luckily she got a good one with her now, to ease my pain of disappointing her. Nevertheless, we are still good friends now.

I remember when I was studying in form six in 2004/2005 where I was also busy involving in many extra-curricular activities even though it was a tough time to balance it with academic. Form six was really not easy. The relationship among my classmates were quite good as we had wonderful time with each other in many occasions such as sixth form night talent competition, graduation dinner, gatherings, to name a few. It was a surprise for me when they celebrated my birthday by giving me a special present with many wishes written on small pieces of paper by all my classmates, being inserted into the bottle containing a lovely bear. I didn’t make effort to read those written wishes one by one that time due to the same excuse, busy. I managed to read those wishes after some time. Then only I found that one of my close friends uttered her feeling out. It was too late for me as even though she was at the same university with me, working together in the same society. Hearsay told me that she was going to start a relationship with one of my friend. They have a good relationship until now. I am happy to see that. Yet, I regretted of sparing some important ones beside me. Tears blinded my eyes. I missed many things in my life, a sin which is not easily forgiven for me. I do think that there is still hope beyond the rich tapestry of our life. Long road ahead.

Nostalgic whenever I am back to my secondary school

Back to my Alma Mater, Sam Tet School again. Don't know why, it was a normal routine for me just to drop by and have a look and walk around there whenever I am back to hometown. If it is during weekdays, i will definitely look for my beloved teachers who are close with me for a chat, giggling on those recent updates about happenings in my school whenever I was not around. It was weekend yesterday, so it was so quiet and serene, not even a ghost could be seen there (over a bit).

Sitting at the iron bench, looking at the field. No one was there. It made me to recalled back to the time when I was still a secondary student, being actively involved in co-curricular activities. During those time, it was normal to see us sworn around the school field, marched under the hot sun in the afternoon, playing football with our friends after co-curricular activities, or listening to the songs played by our school band. Many of us will stay until evening then only we will go back on Saturday. Some of us even come on Sunday. It was the climax of the glory of student's activities in the school that time as all uniform bodies were competing each other to help in nurturing top student leaders for the country.

But those scenes couldn't be seen in my school or perhaps all other schools now. It was so silent, serene and tranquil until I thought I was at a God forsaken place perhaps. What happened to our younger generations now? So many silly excuses given by their so-called caring parents to deter their child from actively involving in co-curricular activities by staying at the school until late hours. They wanted to let their child to have more time for tuition indeed. For me, they pampered their child lavishly until they became spoilt brat, became so unsociable, not having enough soft and hard skills for future challenges. They will spend more time sitting in front of their desktop, playing computer games, watching unhealthy movies, or indulging in Facebook. It is an unhealthy phenomenon now. The parents are too protective, restrictive, and objective in pointing their fingers to others like the school when their child is having problem. Our society is sick now. The parents are destroying their own younger generations now, especially those born after 1990s. Most students like to loiter around in the shopping complexes rather than indulging in healthy activities at school. It is always better late than never, trying to save our younger generations at an early stage before it infect our society in future.

Words spoken by my brother like junior during my convocation in October 2010.

We shared a lot of similarities as stated in the sentences below as We gone through the moments of joys, sorrows, tears, thrills, and excitements since we knew each other. I just managed to retrieve it from the message inbox of my hand phone, wanted to share it with all my friends. These sentences touches me the most, I never expect to receive such words from my friend. It really suprised the hell out of me. I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing you as one of the most valuable player (MVP) in various clubs and societies of UPM. You have been more than the ideal student. You have demonstrated outstanding leadership and maintained a clear sense of purpose besides fulfilling all the requirements with the added challenge of honours. And knowing you, you will not fail, and will exceed my expectations since your lecturers, peers and I will always hold you in the highest esteem. Thanks a lot, Shawn Keng Teck Ee.

Words from Teck Ee

"Thanks for being there in my 1st semester as my role model. You were there to give me STATUS and fame, as seniors and fascilitator see the similarities we share. We met the first time over blok D wing at the water dispenser.

Thanks for being there during my 2nd semester as my mentor. You have given SUPPORT in organization, communication, management and leadership skills. We worked together during lantern festival, faculty annual gala night and even MPP/MTM.(Students' Representative Council/ Supreme Council of College)

Thanks for being there during my 3rd semester as my adventurist. You SHARE your experiences, stories, cold jokes, glamour and fame, favourite food place and of course your PROTON car. Thanks for never hesitating to give and none in return.

Thanks for being there during my 4th semester as my brother like senior. You have given me a SHOULDER to cry on, when all things seem down to me. You never angered but remain hopeful on me. You respect the choices I made though not to your expectation.

Thanks for being my SENIOR since my first year. Though course and background may be different, we shared a bond and changed each others’ lives, in words beyond describe. We may live in different worlds now, but remember I will cherish you and how you made my life in UPM worthwhile for the past 2 years. Thank you, Shawn."

When you will take a rest?

" Shawn, when u will take a rest?",

a question always asked by my good friends. And i answered them, "I will when i fall sick". Sarcastic indeed. Again this question was asked by someone who is quite special for me a few days ago. He was my friend who always came to my side when i am in need. It was a long time since we kept in touch before. The very question he lauded at me was "Why your facial appearance became so exhausted?", even though i was very happy and relaxed that time.

In fact, he is a Chinese Medicinal Sinseh graduated from China. He said that if i do not take enough rest regularly, my life span would have shorten. He even said that i should even change my personality of over-responsible and helpfulness for the wellness of myself in the future. My friend, did you think that i choose to be like that? Because of my surroundings i became this. It was destined to be like that. In fact,he predicted that i will fall sick this week due to exhaustiveness. His words were true, dizziness felt from all over my body today since i wake up this morning.Perhaps i should go back early today.

In my humble opinion, i don't care what will happen in the future as we are not the wise, i will still remain to be myself in all my undertakings. Perhaps i should take good care of myself more often by working in a slower pace. But, what to do? So many expectations around. So, i will do my best no matter what happens, let our God to do the rest.

A story about 4 people, named Everybody, Anybody, Somebody and Nobody

This is a story about 4 people, named Everybody, Anybody, Somebody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do.

Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it is Everybody’s job.

Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.

Consequently, it wound up that Nobody told Anybody, so Everybody blamed Somebody.

But still Nobody did it.

My spoken words to Universal Peace Federation during Global Peace Festival 2008

In recent times we have seen some of the worst international violence in the history of mankind. While frustrated and angry young people crashed their aircrafts into buildings, killing a few thousand innocent people. It is therefore timely that we make some effort to return to sanity, to the peaceful settlement of disputes between nations and religions. United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon recently lamented that faith-based discrimination and racism show a “dismaying persistence,” and said that for peace to endure, individuals, groups, and nations must come to respect and understand each other – and that religious harmony is crucial to that process. In the Lebanon war of 2006, Jewish and Muslim adherents were violating the rights of individuals to live peaceful lives. How can people who believe in one God, but have different means of expressing their beliefs, do this?

Perhaps young people can be catalysts for change and bring about peace in ways that older people cannot. It is our responsibility, especially the young people of today, to make this change. The longer we fool ourselves into believing that someone else will tackle this problem, the worse the situation will get. This is our desire: a better and more just world. The road is long, but every road begins with one first step. In my humble opinion, in order to be real peacemakers, we must see ourselves as God sees us, a people appointed by God with a mission that extends throughout the world. Peace should start from one’s self before it resonates to others. We share a noble dream of creating a world at peace where love resonates all over and where harmony prevails over discord and where everyone becomes his brother’s keeper. To build a peaceful world, we must start laying the foundation of peace in ourselves.

As a layman, I endorsed well the principle founded by the Universal Peace Federation, which is “One Family under God” that pictures the true family model for peace. Why “One Family” under God? The family is the cornerstone of peace. First, it is universal. Regardless of race, ethnicity, religion and nationality we are all members of families. Secondly, the family represents the most intimate of human relationships. We use familial terms to describe the closeness of any relationship saying “that person is like my brother.” Therefore, the family should be the school of love where we learn to love all humanity in its richness and diversity. Marriage and family are the fundamental building blocks of any society, but many developed as well as developing countries are in danger of losing this most valuable tradition. Divorce and family breakdown are at an all-time high. Every nation faces major challenges with its youth. The social and economic cost of the breakdown of the family is staggering.

Besides that, we should not forget the culture of service. There is something deeply spiritual in serving others. It is not something we should do for only a day, a month or even a year. It has to become a way of life. When “living for the sake of others” becomes a habit, we come to see the true value God places on all human beings. We should promote a spirit of volunteerism and peaceful cooperation around the world. Communities and nations are being transformed through our efforts to build a culture of service rooted in the peace philosophy of “living for the sake of others”. We will see the creation of a grassroots movement that will spread into a global culture of serving others. Imagine young people from enemy nations and from different faiths working side by side in service! Any initial misunderstandings and suspicions would fade away as they sweat, cry and laugh together with a common purpose and cause.

Peace can be had if the avaricious and the greedy are curbed. Having exploited their own countries to the maximum they are now bent on exploiting the whole world. They invent all kinds of spurious reasons to legitimize their exploitation. Their selfish exploitation of the world has impoverished countries and people so much that a backlash by the very poor is inevitable. Modern nations should tax the rich in order to provide for the poor, thereby reducing the disparities and the possibility of violent confrontations between rich and poor. Society becomes more stable and peaceful where there is more equitability all round.

The holy task of building the sacred reign of peace on earth, is being now carried out enthusiastically in all corners of the world. At this critical junction of human history, what will you do? Would you live foolishly for the rest of your life, merely seeking for your own comfort and self-interest? Or will you join with me on the victorious march toward the dawning of the substantial kingdom of peace?

大学生涯 – 学生代表历险记之三十六计

正所谓六六三十六，数中有术，术中有数。一年零三个月的学生代表生涯以及四年的大学生涯上演了古代兵家战场的六六三十六计。我能顺利坐上学生代表这张椅子，不是偶然或取巧，更不像有些人般有高呈‘护航’而扶摇而上。相反的，我是依靠各路英雄和那些认同与肯定我的朋友们支持，逆流而上。面对大学领导成如：宿舍及系院的领导成对学生们的无理取闹及诸多打压，我们不能不与他们抗衡，‘运筹帷幄与帐内，决胜于千里之外’。仲然学生代表的权力有限，时常拿鸡毛当令箭，可是我们从未表示害怕，任你攻势一波接一波，我们大可‘变招’化解，你兵来我将挡，你水来我土掩。

1） 借刀杀人 2) 借尸还魂 3）反客为主 4）混水摸鱼 5）无中生有 6）暗渡陈仓
7）声东击西 8）反间计 9）缓兵之计 10）苦肉计 11）欲擒故纵 12）美人计
13）空城计 14）笑口常开 15) 激将法 16) 草船借箭 / 四两拔千斤

你有计谋，我有计策，无论是道高一尺，还是魔高一丈，在乱下去，我们也不会用三十六计，走为上计，就如前任马华署理总会长丹斯里曾永森所说的，‘宁可站着死，不愿跪着活’。我们一向来都以‘仰不愧于天，俯不怍于人’为人生的座右铭。有时却面对‘我们在前面捉贼，别人在后涧放火’的状况，真是‘家贼难防’哦。卸下学生代表这张椅子的我，觉得学生代表未来的路很严峻难行，人民对学生代表的要求已经不一样了，学生代表不只应敢怒敢言，更要敢做敢当，而非遇到‘上头’就默不作声。加油吧，同志们。。。。