e-Learning in Education

With the emergence and advance of the IT technology in education, e-learning is still not that popular in delivering education contents, assessing students'competencies as well as enhancing the interaction among the students and the educators/instructors. This drive is aimed at facilitating an effective knowledge dissemination and acquisition.

Adopting the e-Learning in the University is a step towards manifesting the vision of technology serving lifelong learning and a knowledge based society through the enculturation of new and effective pedagogies. By incorporating the online features to the conventional university education's mode, it has seen creating a potentially powerfull learnng environment that enriches and complements the effectiveness of traditional learning methods. The learning activities and resources are no longer limited to physical resources availablein libraries, confiened to lecture halls and lecturers who present physically on the campus.

E-learning has gradually transformed the teaching-learning approach in the university. This has lead to a positive increased in the capability to offer both online and distance education programmes to students, not only nationally but also internationally. With this system, the lecturers are able to incude various instructional materials which students can access anytime and anywhere, and thus, allowing the sharing of knowledge and made communication among lecturers feasibles and simple.

Yet, the implementation of e-learning does not all intend to replace or disregard lecture rooms or lecturers, but it serves to strengthen the teaching and learning process via the utulization of the technology. Nevertheless, apart from strengthening the traditional learning mode, e-learning has added values to the learning experience, and it is also supporting a dynamic and ever-changing approaches in the teaching and learning process.

In terms of the values added to the learning experience, both the lecturers and students enjoy the beneficial elements, which including the time saving factor, especially in the regular preparation of the teaching material every beginning of the semester. Content materials are usually uploaded for the teaching-learning purpose. This system enables the process of acquiring and providing the content materials to be done at the click of the mouse button. whilst the time management is concerned, the lecturer can update any courses materials as when he/she needs to. The ever ready principle contents of the course taught enable the materials to undergo changes that are guaranteed in order to keep the materials relevant and up-to-date.

However, the challenges coming ahead and beneath this initiative when the students' practice and behavior comes into question with this borderless control of electronic exposure. Computers and internet are powerful instruments which allow students to reach around the world and it is the educators' responsibility to educate them to be a responsible user and to cultivate a culture of ethics. Schools and universities have been so absorbed in their efforts in bringing the technology into classrooms that the issue of values and ethics in e-learning usage has been neglected.

Progress in My FYP

Mentioning about my FYP, it seems to be progressing very slow. I am facing problem obtaining the information for my report. I have been passed to one officer to another yet nothing gained in return. Even though I have the letter from the Dean, don't seem to be giving me any advantages or opportunities at all. Was it because I'm a girl or is it girls are not suitable to be in network field? Hmm...

For Godness sake, I don't think I will need to use this FYP to find job anyway. I already have a job with good prospect. Some more who would ever interested to know 'bout my fyp, not unless I am proposing a new method for wireless implementation and implementing it. For me, I don't see the opportunities of better job offer with this fyp. No intentions of condemning my own final year project. Just that it make me feels so stupid running around yet gained nothing in return. Not even a little bit of related information.

In deep thought... should I opt to done a more specific title or to proceed. Hmm... At this moment, I don't think it is in time to change the title and start all over. Guess I just have to proceed my work. By hook or by crook, I am not giving up yet. Grant me more patience and faith to complete this FYP, for I can't wait to complete my study already. Am very much looking forward to resume duty.

Sun Rise at Kelly Bay

This is the first static video I've made. I could not think of anything except the sun rise at Kelly Bay. Flipping through all the albums in my collections, I manage to find a collections of photos capturing the sun rise at Kelly Bay.^^ Looks very static and funny ^^

p.s.: The pictures might not be so clear 'coz some of the pictures I took with my mobile phone and some with my digital camera.

'bout FYP

Since I am majoring in Networking, I have choosen to do research in "SKTM Wireless Network Utilization" for my Final Year Project (FYP). Another reason I am choosing to pursue further in this research is mainly because I have been doing network troubleshooting and took up courses related in network when working. In fact, I was very motivated at the very beginning of my degree study in Networking for the sake of improving the network performance in present office.

No doubt that the technology has revolutionised all aspects in life, yet there are always the limitations in the implementations. Partially, the environmental factor is affecting pretty much on the implementation of new technology or integration of the ICT equipments. Such situations can be seen especially in some rural areas in Sarawak. Take for instance, the land entry-exit point of Immigration of Sarawak (namely, Lundu, Pedawan, Lubok Antu, Tedungan, Pandaruan, Mengkalap, Sindumin) is either having insufficient facilities such as electricity, water supply, or too far from the town. There is still the use of generator for the electric supply. Recently, the solar pane have taken the VSAT as the transmission medium for the real-time transaction of the system.

My choice of choosing this major was very much affected by my working background. The competition in technical field has captivated my interest to take up the challenges to specialise my technical skills in network. All this while, network is very much of the field for guys instead of a girl, yet I choose to be the odd one so that I can foresee my capability in competiting with the guys. Haha...

To the very moment now, I am proudly to say that I am a challenge, also a competitor to the guys in technical field. Haha... Na... I don't like male chauvinist. This is no more the stoney ages, but the twenty-first centuries already. Both male and female have equal rights in life. There has proved that even women can be the leader of the country. ^^

Beautiful Memories

This is the BEST memories I have ever had when first posted to Ministry of Education (MOE) at Damansara there. This was the motivational trip organised by the department to cultivate a closer relationship among the colleagues, also to increase the enthusiasm in work. Recalling back the sweet sour memories at MOE, this is the first ever trip that I really enjoy myself being together with my colleagues regardless of the races, religions and ranks. Even the top management level colleagues were more than just colleagues, us, the younger staffs, are so much welcomed in the big family^^ I miss you all very very much!!!!

Same place after a year and a half, but no longer with the same loving big family I have. This time, I am posted to another department, Department of Immigration, Kuching, Sarawak. It was not that enjoyable compare to the previous trip. Most of them were too much got carried away by their rank in the office. The Facilitator (the guy in black T with red collar) spoke to me 'bout my changes, motivates me 'bout passion in work, the feeling of self-belonging, and etc. It touched to the deepest part of my heart. And I cried... Realising my mistakes and my stubbornness.

On the other hand, the feeling of self-belonging came back to me. I was the one and only Chinese non-uniform staff among all operational colleagues throughout the whole Malaysia, apart from another two Malay non-uniform colleagues from head quarters. Everyone was lovely, caring, humourous and helpful. I was well-taken care of during the Induksi Course at AIMM (Akademi Imigresen Malaysia) at Port Dickson. I spent ten weeks there together with the same colleagues. The day of departing was very unforgettable. There were hugs, salams (words of forgiving for the Malay Colleagues) and phototakings. To the very moment of now, I missed you all very much^^ Missing the retired TPPI Rahman and TPPI Kalsom. Not forgetting TPPI Zulhairi who is currently based in Atache Perth, Autralia.

Tax Havens

We might not like the idea of paying taxes, but without it, democracies will struggle to function, and will be unable to provide public services. This affects both rich and poor nations, alike.

Individuals and companies all have to pay taxes. But some of the world’s wealthiest individuals and multinational companies, able to afford ingenious lawyers and accountants, have figured out ways to avoid paying enormous amounts of taxes. While we can get into serious trouble for avoiding taxes, even facing jail in some countries, some companies seem to be able to get away with it. In addition, if governments need to, they tax the population further to try and make up for the lost revenues from businesses that have evaded the tax man (or woman).

Why would companies do this, especially when some of them portray themselves as champions of the consumer? The reasons are many, as this article will explore. In summary, companies look for ways to maximize shareholder value. Multinational companies are in particular well-placed to exploit tax havens and hide true profits thereby avoiding tax. Poor countries barely have resources to address these — many have smaller budgets than the multinationals they are trying to deal with.

Yet, companies also pour lots of money into shaping a global system that they will hope to benefit from. If the right balance can’t be achieved, not only will attempts to evade taxation and other measures undermine capitalism (which they claim they support) they will also undermine democracy (for even responsible governments may find it hard to meet the needs of their population).

The Reaction

The development of information and communication technologies seems to be rather like the unsinkable lifeboat, i.e. that it is self-righting. Each time that a problem arises through the demands placed on the technology, an ICTs solution develops to solve the problem. All the doom predictors of the last millennium are proven wrong, e.g. the Internet will suffer terminal ‘bytelock’, virus creators will hold the world to ransom, using ICTs in schools is just a passing phase etc. etc.

The technology has not developed because of the demands of education, but of commerce, industry and the leisure area. Pedagogy is ingenious in moulding the technology to suit its purpose but rarely has the opportunity to determine the direction of fundamental change.

One example of a technological solution to a significant problem of mass communication in southern Africa was the invention and mass production of the clockwork radio – cheap to produce, it requires only human energy and is able to run for up to one hour at a time. As yet, there is not available a clockwork PC or one that will function by solar energy. Maybe, developments of this kind will need organizations like UNESCO to stimulate practical research, development and mass production.

Meanwhile, education has to remain as always – reliant on the large multi-national companies to provide the main components of an ICTs driven pedagogy. Contrary to the main trend however, small ‘cottage’ industries are developing peripherals that allow those learners with special needs to access software, communicate and present their own ideas to a wider audience. Very rarely is the market for such products large enough to sustain a strong R & D component, but these small industries survive – largely because of the strong personal commitment of the owners.

Two other issues that the presentation touched on deserve further mention. The first concerns the ‘digital divide’. There is a tendency for the rich nations to donate ‘out-of-date’ technology to the less fortunate nations. Although this may be of benefit in the short term, maintenance and lack of spare parts and pedagogical software soon renders the equipment useless.
The second issue is one of access by pupils in school. Whether the school is elementary or secondary, when new machines are purchased for the school, it is the older students that have access to the newest equipment. The reverse should be the norm, i.e. give the latest equipment to the youngest students – even 5–6 year-olds. They can then grow with the technology and exploit it fully in their early years.

Schools need considerable guidance when purchasing new information and communications technologies. The cycle of upgrades, versioning of software, networking, etc. is about 2 years. Teachers do not necessarily have the technical knowledge to make informed decisions about purchase and yet, other than salaries, ICTs are likely to be the largest item of expenditure that a school makes. Regional and national advisory services should be providing impartial advice in this area.

The Internet

One of the most important advantages of the Internet in the area of information inquiry is the increased accessibility of reference materials and data for all categories of educators, allowing users with any hardware and software to derive the necessary information from the network, independently from the location of data and knowledge bases. From the international point of view, there is a possibility to decrease the gap in the quality and quantity of information provided for education between developed and developing countries. Some researches note that development experiences in one country can be useful in other countries; for recipient countries the trick is to discover similar projects and relevant information that could be useful to them.

We must underline that the integration of information resources from different countries and regions leads not only to increased accessibility, but also to the quantitative growth and qualitative diversity of the remotely delivered information, with no need for each educational institution and single user to acquire and maintain expensive and complicated equipment required for placement of large quantities of information.

The digital form of representation of information on the Internet and the continual growth in the efficiency of equipment has made it possible to process and distribute via the network not only texts, but also images, audio and video records. Thus, Internet virtual libraries gradually transform to multimedia, or digital, libraries.

Telephony also provides instant connection, but it is limited by the requirement for synchronous communication. Asynchrony of e-mail makes it possible to receive and send messages at any convenient time, which is especially important in the situation when correspondent and respondent are located in different time zones. This characteristic of the communication allows an increase, compared to synchronous communication, in the quality of interaction between the learner and the teacher, owing to the time lag the learner has for processing the messages.

A direct consequence of this consists in the change of the role of a teacher, which is not eliminated in highly automated Internet-applications of the considered type, but is transformed from the role of a unique source of information and pedagogical effects into the role of a guide in the sea of information given by the Internet, and of a creator (designer) of situations oriented toward the educational process.

At the same time the technological difficulties of Web-applications in the field of education frequently present an obstacle for teaching. The Internet-technologies and particular software applications (e.g. teleconferencing systems), supporting this type are not of an affordable price for educational organizations, since these products were originally developed for business. They are also relatively complex for non-specialists and, finally, are platform-dependent (this limits the sphere of their application). So, in the sphere of distance education the students and teachers frequently face the problem of adjustment of specialised software for access to the Internet. The disadvantages of a network infrastructure of educational institutions strongly influence the learning efficiency. Mistakes in the selection of equipment and types of communications made by the administration and technical experts result in the fact that the students experience difficulties in connecting with the server.

The educational community is facing acute technological problems in the field of Internet usage:
· low throughput of the existing Internet channels;
· incompatibility of protocols and programming languages;
· poor support of audio- and video-flows in a real time mode;
· low interactivity level compared to teaching multimedia on CD-ROM;
· difficulties in conducting WWW séances of “one-to-multitude” communicative type;
· poor control over information representation formats on client computers and insufficient ability to manage these processes in time.

What are the technological issues of the Internet from the perspective of ICTs? Answers could include a definition of the Internet, standard architecture and protocols, components, applications, existing technological problems and possible future improvements. Broadband Internet is entering the scenario and acclaimed with great enthusiasm. Broadband will expand the reach and improve the quality of Internet interactions. Industry, commerce, business, recreation, defense, education and many more sectors will be harnessing the Internet. There is a danger that some groups will wish to control the Internet to their advantage. We have to see that educational services are not limited. UN bodies and the respective countries have to play their roles for centre-staging the educational requirements of the Internet.

The Telephoney Network

Stand-alone computer systems can work without a telephone connection, but such systems cannot communicate with others at a distance. The real spirit of Information and Communication Technologies lies in the use of efficient telephones and their network. High quality telephone technology is an essential component for using Information and Communication Technologies in education.

At present, the rate of growth of telephones is very high. Yet, it has a long way to go. We do know that many communities in the world have not yet seen or used telephone systems at all.

These ‘quality and quantity gaps’ between ‘rich and poor’, and also between ‘old and new’ telephone-users are creating problems between nations. They have created difficulties between the providers of the Internet and potential users.

Telephone technology has gone through multiple developments. Many countries are still using old telephones coupled with their out-dated network system. On the other hand, some other countries are using roaming facilities which have the capability of transferring text, voice, and visuals. The realization of new dreams of an automatic translation telephone is getting closer and closer. The shift from analogue to digital technologies has reduced the cost. Satellite-based networks allow quality communications at affordable prices.

The impact of telephone networking is undoubtedly highly significant in present times. The ownership of networks is shifting from governments to private hands. Multi-level collaborations within nations and between nations are improving the ‘footprint’ and quality of telephone services. Yet, in the field of education, telephony is often not a high priority.

Technology Issues

Technology is revolutionising all aspects of life in the information society. A new kind of economy is emerging. The information capabilities of the new society are pervasive, making it different from industrial and agricultural societies. The introduction of ICTs in education will create new problems and issues. These issues could lead to controversies for which ‘the involved parties’ could go to ‘points of no return’. While making policies, it will be important for us to assist resolution between the controversial stands taken by the involved groups.

Timely deliberations can help avoid losses and embarrassments emanating from ‘hurried and inapposite’ decisions. Present deliberations may help us to find our vision and build the mission on the right basis. Both the developed and developing countries have to harness the opportunities and avoid the threats of new technologies. It is a challenge. It requires a high level of ‘decision-making’ by all countries, all over the world.

Apart from the identification of the issues, it is equally important to find out the problems emanating from ICTs at the pre-planning, planning, and implementation stages. While planning and implementing policies and programmes, we need to take care of all of the details relating to economy and technology and not ignore the subtle aspects of processes involved in procedures, pedagogy and ethics. Generally, such subtle detailing is left to chance. We should not allow this to happen this time. The decision-makers must develop ‘a gestalt-view’ by conjointly taking into account the substantive and the subtle aspects of their decisions. Keeping these problems and issues in mind, ‘background material’ has been developed for the deliberations of decision-makers, so as help in the formulation of comprehensive policies for ICTs in education.

Global Financial Issue

Following a period of economic boom, a financial bubble—global in scope—has now burst. The extent of this problem has been so severe that some of the world’s largest financial institutions have collapsed. Others have been bought out by their competition at low prices and in other cases, the governments of the wealthiest nations in the world have resorted to extensive bail-out and rescue packages for the remaining large banks and financial institutions.

Some of the bail-outs have also led to charges of hypocrisy due to the apparent socializing of the costs while privatizing the profits. Furthermore, the institutions being rescued are typically the ones got the world into this trouble in the first place. For smaller businesses and poorer people, such options for bail out and rescue are rarely available when they find themselves in crisis. There is the argument that when the larger banks show signs of crisis, it is not just the wealthy that will suffer, but potentially everyone because of the ripple effect that problems at the top could have throughout the entire economy.

Plummeting stock markets have wiped out 33% of the value of companies, $14.5 trillion. Taxpayers will be bailing out their banks and financial institutions with large amounts of money. US taxpayers alone will spend some $9.7 trillion in bailout packages and plans. The UK and other European countries have also spent some $2 trillion on rescues and bailout packages. More is expected. Much more.

Such numbers, made quickly available, are enough to wipe many individual’s mortgages, or clear out third world debt many times over. Even the high military spending figures are dwarfed by the bailout plans to date.

This problem could have been averted (in theory) as people had been pointing to these issues for decades. However, during boom, very few want to hear such pessimism. Does this crisis spell an end to the careless forms of banking and finance and will it herald a better economic age, or are we just doomed to keep forgetting history and repeat these mistakes in the future? Signs are not encouraging as rich nations are resisting meaningful reform…

My Curriculum Vitae

PERSONAL DETAILS
Full name : TAY GUAN HUI
Nationality : MALAYSIAN
DOB : 11th NOVEMBER 1982
State of Birth : Sarawak
Mobile num. : 012 2569198
Email : ghui82@yahoo.com / heathcliff1475@gmail.com

PROFILE
. Well developed project management and IT skills combined with flexible attitude to work.
· Strong organizational skills in a variety of situations to achieve deadlines.
· Have initiative and can work alone or as part of a team.
· Get on well with people at all levels, easily making good working relationships.
. Adaptable and quick to learn new skills.

EDUCATION
University Level
Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah
attended July 2007 – July 2010
Bachelor of Computer Science with Honours (Network & System Management)
Final Year Project involved in the research of The Utilization of the Wireless Network in School of Engineering and Information Technology, UMS.

College Level
Kolej PTPL (Pusat Teknologi dan Pengurusan Lanjutan), Shah Alam
attended May 2000 – December 2002
Diploma in Information Technology

Secondary School Level
SMK Simanggang, Sri Aman, Sarawak
attended 1998 – 1999

SMB St. Luke, Sri Aman, Sarawak
attended 1995 – 1997

WORK EXPERIENCE
June 2005 till present
Department of Immigration Malaysia, Kuching, Sarawak
Information Technology Officer Assistant
· As the Head of I.T. Unit for a year and involved in ICT Replacement Phases in Sarawak (namely, the new office in Kuching International Airport, Miri Divisional Office, extensions of Bintulu Divisional Office, Depot of Illegal Immigrants Semuja, International Border of Tebedu, and other sites.)
· A member of the Divisional Head Departmental Meetings.
· Troubleshooting network and applications support throughout the state.
· A member in the assessment for the Obsolete ICT Equipments in the Department.
· Conducted training for operational officers when necessary.
· Had site-visits to new sites for ICT upgrading and ICT security measures.
· Monitored the system failures and network support throughout the state (namely the divisional offices, land entry-exit offices, sea entry-exit offices, air entry-exit offices, depot of illegal immigrants)
· As the state representative in liaising with the Head Quarters of the problems pertaining to insufficient equipments and users requirements from the state.
· Attended the training for system upgrades and applications support.
· Monitored the delivery and performance of the systems’ vendors’ compliance to the Central Contract by the Head Quarter.
· Planned and scheduled on-sites visit to all offices every six months.
· Tagged and documented the ICT inventory records in the department and other site offices.
· Followed-up with all open logs from the users and the Helpdesk from Head Quarter.

Feb 2004 – May 2005
Ministry of Education Malaysia, WP Putrajaya
Information Technology Officer Assistant
· As a committee member of the ICT Steering Board of School Computer Laboratories in Malaysia.
· In charge of the data and statistics for computer laboratories in all schools in Malaysia.
· Arranging the demonstrations of the latest products from the private companies to the Board of ICT.
· Involved in the technical training for the configuration and setup of the networked system in the other departments of MOE.
· Arranging and scheduling the internal training for both internal officers and outstation officers.

June 2003 – December 2003
Ngee Tai Gravel Industries, Sri Aman, Sarawak
Accountant Assistant
· In charge of the salaries and wages for the workers at the stockpile and crews on the ships.
· Billing for shipments and stockpiles.
· Month-end closing for expenses of the company.
· Prepared bookkeeping, ledger accounts and balance sheet.

January 2003 – May 2003
Hak Swee Rice Mill
Cashier
· Issues cash bills for walk-in customers.
· Received orders placed and issued bills for outstation customers.
· Prepared ledger for the sales of rice for the BERNAS.

COURSES ATTENDED (when working)
· Open Source Software Training
· Linux: Network Administration
· Open Office Training
· Network Administration for Beginner
* Courses are organized and conducted by the Open Source Competency Centre, MAMPU Malaysia.

SKILLS
Languages: can speak fluent English, Chinese, Malay, Cantonese and local dialects.
Computing skills: familiar with Microsoft Windows OS (Windows 95/98/ME/XP/2000/Vista), programming languages and software applications such as C, C++, Java, HTML, PHP, Lotus Notes.

REFERENCES
Available upon request.

1st Gathering in Final Year

Despite the forth-coming midterm exams and the piles of assignments and projects, especially the final year project, most of us were too stress to think no more ‘bout them. Gathered up those who are available during the mid semester break, there we all headed for our two days one night holidays at Kelly Bay. Nothing beats the moment we hit the road to the destinations. The worries, stress, everything are all left behind in the rooms in the campus. Not a single word of assignments or FYP is heard. Everyone was grabbing the hard-earned opportunities to loosen up the tensed muscles. We were like the loosely sheep set free onto a field feeding on our own. The first destination was the Crocodile Farm. We spent a likely of three hours there: feeding the animals (namely the beaver, the Bambi, and etc.), snapping photos, and watching the crocodile show. In fact, there was a shop selling the crocodile skin made product: ladies handbags, wallets, purses, belts as well as the miniature baby crocodiles. The cheapest price of the product on sales is of three figures. Getting myself one lady handbags of those would have costs me the allowances of two months and above. Gosh… luckily I am not a person of such animal-skins products maniac. Haha…

By noon, we were leaving for Kelly Bay from the Crocodile Farm. As for our lunch, it was like picnic at the wooden jetty of Kelly Bay. Some of us were sitting under the shades of the big trees eating the packed food while some were at the wooden jetty there. With the warmth and salty breeze from the bay, we ate while chit-chatting and snapping photos. I was too full to have my lunch so I just nibbled the vegetable on top of the rice. Since I am on vegetarian that particular day, I gazed adoringly at my coursemates’ food: one green vegetable, sweet sour chicken and no idea of the other dish. The temptation was strong!

This is my vegetarian lunch^^ Kinda tasty, just that my stomach is 95% filled up with drinking water, so I don't really enjoy my lunch that much.

Return to Campus Life

Whenever mention ‘bout semester break, the first thing that flashed through my mind is battery-recharging. This study thing really drained my energy to the last of it. Specifically, I’m mentally exhausted at the end of every semester. This is the main reason that I prefer working life than studying. No doubt that there is so much freedom in a student’s life, I don’t really find it captivating, especially the manage-your-own lectures’ schedules. For a fresh school leaver, yes, this is the moment where he/she enjoys the studying days without rules and regulations. There is no more the necessity to use uniform to classes; no more having classes at seven in the morning then curriculum activities in the afternoon. University life is where they enjoy the flexibility in studying apart from the honeymoon-liked years of studying. There are plenty of opportunities to visit other places, going for outings during weekends, and even savings for a high-tech mobile phone or laptop.

For the past two years of semester breaks, I’m always anticipating the commencing of the semester break besides in the custody awaiting the last paper of the final exam. Last I could recall was the second semester in my first year of studying. I have got flight ticket departing home sweet home right after my last exam paper. Counting the risk that I might not be able to reach the airport in time, I still take the risk! Nothing is more important than flying back home for holidays, after a hectic semester of study.

The best things that I enjoy the most during semester break are peaceful sleep, nice and tasty home-cooked food, and stress free. There is no more dozing off and waking up middle of the night doing assignments. No more the oily, fried food, no more same dishes, it is all fresh food every meal every day. My daily life is adjusted back to the normal life cycle: sleep at night and work only in the day time.

There is the start of the holidays; there is also the end of the holidays. Aw, I just hate to get back to campus so soon. With heavy steps, I have to leave behind my cozy bed, my pillow, my cozy and warmth blanket, the home-cooked food, everything that’s good and nice don’t last long. I just have to drag along myself to go back to campus. There goes the packing which I need to do, bringing along all light yet useful necessities. One thing I never and will not forget is the sweater from my home. That is the one and only piece of clothes that smells like home. Since I am always having restless night coming back to campus, I desperately needed my sweater for a sleep. Besides my home-smelled sweater, certain dry food and toiletries which cannot be found here are brought along for the whole semester.

Coming back to campus means I will be spending the restless night for the first few weeks. Staring emptily into the ceiling, gazing far away into the space outside the windows, counting the sheep in silence, all these just can’t make me fall asleep. Experiencing a drowsy mind with steady footsteps heading for the registration days is very common for me at the very beginning of every semester. The first semester every year, I will have to find myself adapting to the new room, new bed, new study which is arranged by the HEP of the hostel.

This has been the final year of my study yet I don’t seriously find myself adapting to the very hectic and stressful schedule of study. Again, there are endless nights staying up late for assignments, projects and last-minutes study for exams. As for my final year project, my enthusiasm has long been in deep sleep ever since with the non-stop incoming piles of assignments and projects to do. Times for sleep are reduced so much in order to be able to complete the tasks given by the lecturers on time. Weekends are no more like the weekends where I pamper myself with good sleep, good food, windows shopping and surfing the Net aimlessly. Instead, weekends means more tasks to be completed and studies for the exams. Huh… this study has made me borne a grudge against it. Arrghh..

My Unexpected Career

It all started unexpectedly after completing my diploma study. I was working as a temporarily cashier at a rice mill in my hometown. It was a multitasking job including taking orders, issuing bills, collecting outstanding payments from customers, and as an office girl. The lady boss was fussy and calculative. Every month end, she will ask for the employers’ records and check the advance taken by every employer before making the payment to all employers. Then she will call upon all employers for distribution of salaries. As for me, she always delayed my salary to the following months. Working there for a few months, I found another job as the accountant assistant at a shipping company. The pay was not to my expectation though the environment is much more comfortable compare to the previous job.

In the likely of a year, I found myself getting tired of the temporarily job. Learning nothing except managing the accounts for the company, I felt so useless. The emptiness from not being able to apply the knowledge into the appropriate field, I was very unhappy. Hence, I decided to resign from the job to pursue degree study. The college which I attended for my diploma course accepted my application for degree shortly after resignation from the shipping company. Everything was ready when my mom handed me a letter from the Civil Department calling me for an interview...

After a year of working so-not-related jobs, I resigned and decided to pursue degree study. Again there is another unexpected event where I got offered a permanent job with good pay. I was offered the assistant Information Technology officer post by the Government. Without hesitation, I accepted the offer! The pay was triple of the temporarily jobs I did before! I really can’t thank the Almighty enough for such a golden opportunity! Haha… that’s was the starting point of my career in computing field. Again, I met generous and helpful colleagues at my department who guided me through the thick and thin. It was like the second home for me back then. I have a good master who taught me the survival in society for a fresh school leaver. The director of the department too, was very thoughtful and kind. He had the staffs at the office helping me to settling down for my accommodation and transportation to work. And when I am finally settled down for my accommodation, the director and other colleagues were very helpful in guiding me in the daily routines. I was posted to a unit where there are always the paper works from and for the management, and the technical works for the department and the ministry. Feeling grateful to my parents, especially my mum, I was a quick-learner in new things. It does not take long for me to have everything familiar and understood. There were plenty of opportunities to be in-charged for ministry level departmental meetings involving the top management, the inter-departmental meetings and training, and etc.

Recalling the young days, I dreamt of chances meeting the ministers, working somewhere that serves the golden opportunities for my unexpected career. In reality, I had all the chances right in front of me, getting to work with the top management, meeting them in person when working, and even opportunities to be hijacked by the CEO or the Director General of the private companies! What a chance! Within less than five months serving our Government, I was offered by three different private companies, all the listed corporations, with very attractive remunerative positions as a programmer only. I was astonished at the offers! It was a handsomely amount of salary and luxurious, though it was just for a programmer position! Somehow I turned the offers down as I do not have the confident as a freshman in the field after so long. The experience was awesome and unforgettable! Meeting the top management, namely the Minister and his teams, the inter-departmental directors, directors from the branches throughout the whole Malaysia, everything was remarkable! From each of them, I learnt the hardships to build a career, the leadership in the organizations, and to have a successful career. Their hardships they underwent in early days until the day they stood proudly in front of every co-workers. Hardships are the keys to a successful and a promising career. Through these people as well, I looked upon them as my role-models striving for a proud moment of my career, just like them.

The first six months of freshman in the department have earned me good impression and recognition from the top management to the customers. Guess I have made my parents proud of me then. My down-to-earth profile earned me not only good relationships with my colleagues but also the “head-hunters” from the private companies. Yet the competition was tight to striving to the level equally to the male in this field. Back then, the issues of sexist exited in this field, where female is still the weaker sex in the technical field. With hardships and best effort, I made it through proving the capabilities of female in the field. Haha… I earned the respect, the reputation, the friendship, the recognition and a position for the female in the rat race. Owing a great debt of gratitude to all my ex-colleagues, and to my parents for everything I had achieved.

Nevertheless of a smooth-sailing starting journey, the thunder-storm journey began. I was posted back to my state-of-birth in another department. From a closed department to an operational department, it was like being kicked out from the heaven to the hell. I was aghast at how demanding and forceful of the colleagues there. It took me at least a year to adapt not only to their cultures but also to clear the mess left by my precessor. As the head unit of the I.T. unit, I am a lone ranger in the battle against the operational team. My precessor ruined the reputation of the unit, also served nothing to the department. My filled-up was just waiting to be blasted. The I.T. unit was doomed by my precessor with a very bad impression of the I.T. people. The reputation was very bad that whenever mentioned about the computers and the support, everyone gave no good comments, instead spitting the worst comments about it. Feeling so demotivated and lonely, I seek advice and guidance from my ex-colleagues to undergo such hard times. I had everything patched up pieces by pieces slowly for the unit; rebuild the reputation and image of the unit proving that new broom does sweep better!

The whole period was like in the darkness; seek no co-operations and showed no mercy in the delivery of my works, I kept telling myself to be tough and strong. At the department, I received no respects and not-cooperative attitudes from the colleagues or the management. Back then, I was seriously blaming my precessor for that. I did nothing to get punish for my precessor’s working attitude. It is TOTALLY two different people! At such a young age heading a unit, it was a new experience yet a horrifying one. My ex-bosses advised and guided me through rebuilding the reputation and to gaining trust-worthy and respect from the present colleagues. My down-to-earth attitude and patience plus the morale support from my ex-colleagues and family had last bear the fruit. The operational colleagues slowly showed their respect and co-operation with me in delivering my works. My down-to-earth profile again, earned me the positive reputation as an I.T. officer, in the top management and as the state representative in the head quarter office as well. I proved my capabilities in delivering my tasks! Nothing was more worthy than receiving the recognition and compliments on my performance either as a state representative or as a sectional head.

Soon, the department had a recruitment of manpower in every unit. When the storm just ended, the tornado came, unexpectedly. I had a pathetic, demanding and bossy lady-boss plus a bossy and worthless technician. The lady boss was being inconsiderate and inhuman! Being so uncivilized (cause she is so not uncivilized despite calling herself a master-holder!), she burst into my office when I am engaging online with my users from outstation, throwing the files and ordered me like I am her slave! With seven months pregnancy, she walked away with the so-called training at the head quarter leaving the site visits for the upcoming implementation of the new project sites to me with no information at all. Count her blessing; I made things through, with her taking all compliments to herself. What a jerk! As for the technician, he left behind all the mess to be cleaned. Again, it was like back to the days when I am running a one-man show. The darkness arises once again… I was a walking corpse, lifelessly dragging myself through the days. Yet, the most unforgettable moment in my career life was to choose in between my family and my career: the day my grandma passed away. The inhuman and uncivilized lady boss made me crazed to the max just to release me on emergency leaves. She made me choose between getting the disciplinary action for not turning up at work or resume duty immediate regardless of the deceased of my grandma. It was TOTALLY inconsiderate! Guess what, I ignore her and walked away.

After the dreadful and mentally-tortured by the jerk, I bear no more and chosen to further my study. I had her notified by the administrative office of the approval for my application. Nevertheless, it was a very upbringing experience, and unforgettable. The tough keeps rolling when the rough keeps coming. Later, pursuing my degree study opened another new chapter of my life.

A new chapter begins…

Me, Myself and I

Like any other typical Malaysian Chinese, I am the second child of three siblings with two brothers, origin from the Borneo Island. Having studying in Chinese primary school for six years, then another five years in secondary school as a pure science students in form four and form five. Holding a so-so SPM results, I was not sure the next path to go. Therefore, I enrolled for a diploma course in Information Technology in a private college in West Malaysia. That was how I got myself involved in computing field and it lasted until now. A two-year and a half diploma studies exposed me so much on the world revolving in information technology. Any information can be obtained at just fingertips. That time, both the government sector and private sector has just started to be computerized. Similar to the fast growing moss, within a year or two, the opportunities in computing field in the market was a hike. The demands were high and the pay was good! Ha… wish I could have been born earlier. My pocket, or should I say, I would have had a well of gold coins already by now. ^^

About my family, both my parents are government retirees. My eldest brother is a secondary school teacher in chemistry and mathematics while my youngest brother is undergoing radiography training in West Malaysia. I am currently on study leaves doing my degree study in Computer Science. If times can wind back, I would have chosen to pursue degree back then. A fresh mindset plus the energetic and enthusiasm in study would have made me an excellent performer in the degree study. However, the decision to obtain a degree certificate, which is very common and to-no-surprise these days, really changes my life. From a working adult to a full-time student, I find myself lost in between disciplinary from the hectic working hours to the honeymoon like studying schedule. In fact, student life is very much flexible to the sense that I choose when to have the lectures, tutorials and the labs. More freedom is the sense of more relaxing outings with coursemates and friends. Sometimes, it too, turns into boredom when there is nothing to do to pass the time. Either laying lazily in the bed staring emptily into the ceiling or watching the same movies repeatedly, or playing the same games over and over again.

In comparison of the two life: life as a working adult and life as a full-time student, I opted for the first one without any consideration. A working adult life is more challenging yet fulfilling. No times are wasted as every tickles of the clock are fully utilized. From paper works in the office to duty travels at the branch offices, and also training or meetings at the head quarters, it is always a fulfilling day ahead every day. There were plenty of users’ complaint to attend to, the everyday-is-the-boss day (the boss’s throwing tantrums days), cases to follow up, the rich coffee sure make my days at work. That’s how I got addict to rich black coffee without sugar. The aroma of the charcoal-roasted coffee bean grilled and made as the hot drink, hmm… it surely make me forget of an exhausted and awful day when in the office.

The BEST part I love in my working life before this was that I have always had a splendid duty travels despite of the destination I am heading. Have had travels in air bus, Boeing, Fokker and even twin otter, nothing beats the rhythms of on-the-go every now and then. There were so many people I met in every travels; the so-not-CEO CEO of big corporations, the golden citizen having their vacations, the newlywed couples, the singles, and etc. One most unforgettable memory was when travelling to Kapit with twin otter in a very bad weather with a bandage ankle. The pilot was very much helpful at helping me with my hand-carry luggage and boarding on the flight. I was even offered to be seated at the co-pilot seat for compensating me having to travel with injuries and in such weather. Haha… in fact, I can still recalled that the bad weather has delayed the flight for nearly an hours, and I was taking a connecting flight ticket with me. Luckily, the connecting flight in Miri has delayed too. The journey from Kapit to Miri was at a steady pace as the pilot and co-pilot telling me of the view from the cockpit and also their stories flying in the cloud.

Let’s put aside the stories about my working life, there’s ample of times to share on it later. No doubt that I am a workaholic, I too, have times for leisure as well. During diploma days, I spend most of my leisure times hanging out with my friends and buddies enjoying the best food in the town, the sensation of the late weekends night at the music café, pampering myself like other girls, going for movies, and even going out for dates! Although my working schedules were very hectic and stressful, I enjoy myself the most in the Jacuzzi after a long day of travels. Relaxing my whole body to the most, unwind the winded nerves and tensed muscles, scrubbing the dirt and tiredness from my body for a refreshing and relaxing late evenings. First was the Jacuzzi, then here comes the good food, a walk in the city, sight-seeing, window shopping, a good rest in the cozy comfortable bed. Everything was heavenly like!

I am not a sportswoman like my mom, but I like hiking, jungle tracking, and any outdoor activities that are closed to the nature. Greenery is good to eyes, especially with me working long hours using laptops and wearing spectacles. Weekends are meant for ladies days, where I get to hang out with my girlfriends for shopping and beauty things. Sometimes, there are the unexpected dates on weekend’s night! It can be either a romantic stroll at the riverside or the park after the dinner for two, or simply just spending the night at the bench at the park for two. There goes the world-of-two with no third party.

Whatever it is, I am finally in my final year of my study. Luckily three years of study is ending pretty soon. The moment to resume duty has been long awaited. I am expecting to earn more big bucks and a step ahead from my previous position. May God bless me! ^^