Baby Jia Elisha & Motherhood

I know it's been a while since I've last updated by blog (well actually, it's close to 2 years since I've last updated my blog). Sorry fellas. Too much dramas have happened in between, that I just didn't have the time to write because all is just been going too fast . Anyway, being in my confinement period has made me realized that I oughta do something besides nursing, sleeping, eating, drinking to thirst, etc. Yup, I've gotten engaged, married and delivered a baby in my "silent" period.

I've just given birth to a beautiful and chubby little Jia Elisha on Feb 25th, 2010 at 9.22 pm (which coincidently fall on the same date as my brother Larnelle). Ok la, dapat jimat belanja next time I throw out a birthday party for them. Hehe. Anyway, Baby Jia was born with a weight of 3.1 kg (think it's because of the cheese I've been eating before this), big pretty black eyes, a bit of hairs on her head but lots around her body (I'm just crossing my finger her body hairs will fall off eventually), lots of fats around her arms and legs, considerably long legs and thick, sexy lips.

Syok also la got baby. You just can't wait how she'd look like she's grows bigger. I guess what surprised me most is how maternal instinct just came out of without you realizing it, and how it can blossomed. Think that's the awesome part of being in the motherhood.

Young or Matured Students?

I'm currently surfing the net in a bakery shop at Lido township, filling the time gap between my first class (8 to 10 am: Strength of Materials) and my second (12.45 - 2.45 pm: Fluid Mechanics for Civil Engineering) in the OUM Sabah headquarters. I'm teaching nine Diploma in Civil Engineering students and one Bachelor of Education (Civil Engineering), all of them working and studying at the same time. All students but one are older than me.

I'm also teaching a few Civil Engineering subjects in a local university in Sabah, fulltime, and almost all of my students are very young. Most of them came in after completing their STPM or matriculation and all with very short period, or probably no working experience in the industries. With the opportunity to teach engineering subjects to both group of students from different age and background, I'm able to observe several difference between matured and young students.

In general, I notice that matured students tend to be very serious when it comes to studying. They may be slow in grasping some information (due to the age factor), but they are very determined in trying to understand whatever it is taught. My opinion is that they value the importance of education. They invested their hard-earned money into education, because they know they are able to go far if they are able to improve in their academic achievements. They are able to see what they want in their future and education is the one of the main channels to achieve this.

Some students I teach in the university don't really know what they want in the future. If they can't be an engineer, they can be a teacher or whatever. Thus, the level of seriousness in learning is not as high as the matured students.

Matured students also tend to be vocal in class and with that, I find it easy to get their feedbacks. They are able to think critically, questioning any issues which they disagree on. With these kind of attitude, it is convenient for me as an educator to gauge my performance in teaching. I can improve my teaching method to achieve the purpose in getting them to appreciate the subject. If they don't understand something, say, a concept, they would just raise their hands and ask - without me asking them to. It is not so with young students. Most of the time, they will fall silent, that I have ask if they have any doubts etc just to get feedbacks. They also tend to be lost if I start to ask them questions which requires them to argue or think critically.

I can list more, but due to time constraint (it's almost 12.45 already), I'll just stop at two differences. Bear in mind that these are only my observation and I would understand if anyone disagree with me. Feel free to comment/argue with me in this issue. I would really like to learn from the experiences of others.

Sabah: what is the future?

My apologies for the late update of my blog. I have been so busy getting adjusted with some changes in my life, that I couldn't spare some time to sit down, sort out the ideas in my head and start jotting down. Somehow, I need to start getting committed to express life seen from my eyes in words. Then again, that was what I was saying years ago. Anyway..

I'm currently reading a book penned down by Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan entitled "Justice for Sabah". Considering that the Malaysians are bombarded with the news of the current, tumultuous political atmosphere on the telly everyday, I find this book worth reading. It gives a detailed narration of injustice and violations of rights upon Sabahans, supported by numerous information on historical written evidence (statistics, laws, agreements etc.), added with the experience by DDJK when he was in a 4-year detainment under the Internal Security Act (ISA) since 1991.

After reading the first few pages of the book, I can't help but feeling shocked as how much Sabah has suffered since joining the Federation of Malaysia. There is so much violation made by the Federal government on the Twenty Points, which was composed in order to protect Sabahans from falling into another type of colonialism after Britain. It is also an irony where Sabah, which is supposed to be very rich in natural resources - oil, timber etc. - is listed as the poorest state in Sabah. What's wrong? Why do we end up like this?

After reading the book, I came to a realization as how unaware I was with what is happening in my own soil. Yes, I saw numerous poor Sabahans when I travel into the interiors of Sabah (these people are living in hardcore poverty). True, I see so many illegal immigrants coming into Sabah and becoming naturalized in such a short period of time. I am aware that the Federal government has screwed up the political system of Sabah. But neither would I imagine the depth of this political exacerbation nor know how long since this started. No wonder this problem is hard to solve. It has deeply rooted as time goes by.

Frankly speaking, I fear for the future of Sabahans. Every morning when I wake up from bed, I wonder what today is going to be. The government is so shaky that anything can happen in a split second. A very fine example is the recent fuel price hike - it was announced just a few hours before it was imposed. Such a ridiculous decision!

I'm not trying to be very political here, because I know it is not my calling. Well, at least for now. I'm observing how Sabah has been progressing (or regressing) these past years. Sabah has been a laughing stock because of its history of political upheaval (where politicians became party defectors). However, if it is God's will that this political turbulence should come to pass, we Christians just have to be prepared. Who knows? This may be one of the signs that the End of Days is around the corner.

"Lord, bless Sabah & bring us out from this political unrest.. but let only Your will be done.."

Blessings or curse?

This title is taken from today's Our Daily Bread devotion material, which I have been using for quite some time already. Stating that today is the 63rd anniversary of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Japan, Dean Ohlman (the author of today's ODB article) further elaborated on the significance of the casualties, where as many as 30 million human beings perished in a single instant in tragedy. Who contributed to the creation and development of this awful weapon of destruction? They are the scientists, engineers, and technicians - brilliant minds with the intention to pursue the highest level of scientific achievements, in a wrong way.

The bible named the pioneers of specific aspects of human development - Jubal, in animal husbandry, Jabal, in musical instruments and Tubal-Cain, in metallurgy (Gen. 4). However, these names are written as an opening account of the impact of original sin on humankind, which eventually led to God's destruction of the world's first civilization. Human development is already mentioned in tandem with human good and evil right from the beginning.

I, as a member of the world scientific community, cannot help to comprehend the depth of the scientific contribution made to human development. For instance, mobile cellphones are initially created for the purpose of telecommunication convenience, but in reality, you see people abusing these convenience in meeting rooms or churches via sms, mms etc.

I have always wanted to contribute as well as to develop myself as a sound and skillful engineer, but often met situations which contradicts with my moral and spiritual stances. I have handled projects which are politically and financially sensitive, met clients who wants to ignore the safety issues of the projects for more financial profit etc. It's not easy being a member of the scientific community. Sure, it is definitely a highly viewed profession, I would agree on that, but with that comes with bigger responsibilities and commitments. I remembered reading about the regrets of Albert Einstein in his involvement with the atomic bomb invention. Who wouldn't? 30 million people died because of this! We can't just simply be like Pontius Pilates, washed his hand as a sign of his uninvolvement to the crucifixion of Christ. Whether we want to admit or not, we have to realize that no matter how willing we are to be in the state of denial, we are already involved in this from the very beginning.

That's why, as Christians, it is extremely important to stay grounded on our faith. Human development itself it's not evil. Ideally, people will use their God-given creativity to develop God-created resources for the good of mankind. If it has been God's calling to be a part of the scientific community, make fully use of the opportunity, not for selfish gain, for gaining advantage over the poor and helpless, for careless distruction or for the slaughter of others who bear the image of God, but first and foremost, to uphold and glorify to the utmost, the name of the Lord. I have always believed that church ministries are not only confined in a church building. With that, I too believe, by faith, that it has originally been in God's plan for me to become an engineer, with the purpose to become a channel of God's blessings to impact my life and also the life of others.

Mid Year 2008 - Significant Change & Adaptation

I've finally put an effort to get up from bed, walked to my laptop, connected to the internet and update my blog after, umm, 5 month? Yes, another example of my attitude of encouraging fine art of procrastination. Thank you to those of you who've started the conversation about blogs these past few weeks (setting up new one, updating etc.). Without you raising up the issue, I would have stayed back on my bed doing nothing, like usual.

So, what do I feel like writing? Oh yes.. significant changes happened since my last entry and this one I'm writing. Gee, pretty much SIGNIFICANT events have happened, that I have to pinch my cheek just to realize it's not a dream. But don't worry, I just going to concentrate on a few, coz if I tell everything, sure after 1 week cannot finish one..

I got into UMS on 5th May, 2008. I was supposed to start duty on 2nd but then.. nah. I deserve a break after been working for so long. Another extra holi-days won't hurt. It's the first day that I finally get to wear something formal to work, without having to attend any conferences, seminars, meetings etc. Oh, I forgot to mention my first day with punch cards.. and thumb printing devices. As I was looking at the punch card and thumb print devices (which are supposed to be for your working hour record), I seek to comprehend as why the time in one device is 3 minute faster than the other one. Weird..

I started teaching undergraduate students in two courses assigned to me early last month. Have to be honest, I am struggling with it. First, the protocol. I have no idea what the syllabuses are supposed to be like, and how teaching should be like. Not that I have no experience in teaching, but the one before had proper teaching materials and syllabuses. All I have to do is abide with it. But not in UMS. It's completely haywired. I mean, seriously, they are talking about accreditation for the program courses and stuff.. but at least if only somebody tell me in detail about this BEFORE the classes start, I shouldn't have been lost now. Two months after I started my duty, I was practically doing nothing (due to long semester break). Argghhhhh...!!! Second, I have two classes with two completely different attitudes. One has interest in learning, another is just umm.. "blank" (guess they haven't gone thru industrial training yet). Or maybe I just have to adjust my teaching skills when it comes to heavy calculation courses. It's very discouraging as this course with heavy Maths is the course that I loved the most.

I know, I've been complaining so far complaining about my work in UMS. So, do I have regrets?

The answer is .. NO.

Early last year, when I submitted my job application to UMS as a tutor, I have a thought flashing in my mind. "What happened if I get lecturership instead?" After weeks of thinking, I decided that I'm going for UMS despite whatever I get, though secretly I was extremely hoping that I get tutorship and get to do my PhD pronto. Which eventually, as you all know, I didn't get it. And feel completely, I repeat, completely crushed. Despite that, I take full accountability of my decision and action, thus feeling regret should be a no-no. This is the matured part of me speaking.

But just as a principal of a private college told me this afternoon, "Good things are bound to happen".. I truly, truly hope he's right.

I finally met someone who finally ended my "single and indepedent" status for close to a decade, which used to be my pride and joy, at the least expected place and the most unexpected date. Yup, I have to cross-out one of my resolutions for this year.

Bye-bye "staying single".. I'm going to miss you very much.

Since I previously held my "single" status far too long, forgive me for not able to elaborate more on that. I'm still not comfortable exposing that part of my life just yet. Will only tell you more only when I feel ready to publicly speak out. But if you bumped into us by accident, what to do lah.. pretend you don't know loh..

More stories to come about the changes in my life. Definitely will keep you posted, but be patient. I'm very kura-kura one when it comes to updating my blog.

Photoshots from my Korean backpacking trip

I'm pleased to show you the photos I've taken during my backpacking trip in Korea for your entertainment. Photos are taken using my new bought (back then lah) Sony Cybershot DSC-T100. Hope you can see Korea the way I do through these photos.

Surprising Ways God Answers Prayer - Karen Barber

Finally! I managed to finish reading the book I bought last Tuesday, the same book I stated in me previous post. Like I mentioned before, all the way through the book, I can't stop shedding tears in every stories on how God suprising answer prayer, in means we never expected. It took me a while to finish the book, because I stopped and reflecting on my life after reading several testimonies. And without realizing it, I'm practicing what is suggested in this book.

Now, this book is not a prayer manual on how to pray, but on the means and ways God answers prayer based on the collections of real-life wonders from real-life Christian friends of the authoress. This 254-page book is valued at RM 21.90 (in Capstone, Kota Kinabalu). The content of this book is divided into several chapters, all based on the categories of prayer surprises:

1. Surprised by Prayer
2. Surprised by Unlikely Means
3. Surprised by Presence
4. Surprised by a Word
5. Surprised by a Call to Pray
6. Surprised by a Partnership
7. Surprised by Scripture
8. Surprised by Power

Interesting book I say, because this book is amazingly written with some personal reflection by the authoress and alternated with testimonies. Very humble choice of words, which gives the reader a picture of how magnificent our Creator and Saviour is.

This book is definitely recommended by me to intercessors and also fellow Christians who wants to know how God answers prayer in a personal level. Two thumbs up!

Two job openings in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Doing a favour to a brethren, I'm listing down two one job opportunities in Kota Kinabalu for you who are and know someone looking for a job. Must be Malaysians; Sabahans are preferred. The openings are:

1. Medical representative for a pharmaceutical company based in Malaysia:
1. Must have at least a bachelor degree in Science (any field in Science would do)
2. This job requires lots of travelling as this person will be in-charge of the Sabah market
3. Training will be provided upon employment.
   
2. An assistant personnel in a Sabahan pest-controller company - CLOSED:
1. Will required excellent physical strength as there will be a lot of manual labour
2. Good in public relation - this business will give the opportunity to meet with lots of customers (house and property owner etc.)
3. Education level: Form 3 and above.

If you are interested, or know anyone who is looking for a job, or wanting to know the details, please let me know at the soonest. You can leave your message in the shoutbox or leave your comments in this blog. Thanks for your time reading.