RM28 to open an account and get an ATM card! =P

I'm not posting this because I'm currently doing my practical in AgroBank, but I was kindda surprise to know about it. Even if you are not a Malaysian, you can do the same thing with an add up value of RM30.

But, before I go any further, it is also new to me that we can actually have a personal saving account in Agro Bank. hehe. I bet a lot of people also did not know about it right? I thought Agro Bank is only for farmers. haha. =P

With AgroPerdana, an individual can actually open an account with the minimum amount of RM20 and if you want an ATM card to go with it, you just need to add up another RM8. Btw, the ATM card comes with MEPS! However, if you are a non-citizen of Malaysia, the basic amount to open an account will be RM50. Yep, you heard me right, a non-citizen of Malaysia can also open up an account in AgroBank

It is a very-very low entry point for anyone to open an account and enjoy the service of ATM. For more info, you guys can check out:

http://10.1.1.47/web/index/agroperdana

Taiwan.... =)

I believe that Taiwan would not come across to the mind of many Malaysian (esp Malay) when it comes to a place to go for a vacation but think again!

I had a great experience spending 12 days in Taiwan, thanks to my university.

I was not really intrested at first as I did not know much bout the country or anything intresting that it could offer accept maybe the Taipei 101 tower. However, as its a school trip I thought, why not just give it a shot. I believe that I will never ever step on the land of Taiwan if it was not because of the trip. I did not really expect much from the visit so I decided just to go and enjoy my time there.

Landing in Taiwan, the 1st thing that I notice was the cheap price of cigarettes in the duty free shop which is even cheeper than the duty free shop in Malaysia's airport!

Later me n four other guys travelled nearly 400km to the south of Taiwan which is Kaohsiung and it took only 1 in a half hour with the high speed train that cost us about RM130. I believe it was a very reasonable price. Imagine having that kind of train in Malaysia. =P

Maybe we can start seeing Johor bussinessman or even Penang bussinessman in KL that travel daily to their hometown. hehe.

The weather was just nice as it was winter. It was ok but sometimes its kindda cold. In the 1st few days I can even wear my sleeveless shirt with a short pants going around the campus at night. And yes, by the way we stayed at National Pintung University Of Science and Technology (NPUST) where the hospitality was AWESOME!
Why awesome? if I explain everything I'll be writing a novel but of course it would not be a bestseller. hehe. The university tried their best in ensuring us to get the best out of everything and I cannot imagine something like that being done by a university in Malaysia to a group of foreign visitors (students) for FREE! but maybe... I'm not sure. =P

There is so much to share so I would only focus on a few stuff that I thought was intresting:

Safety.

Safety 1st! hehe. It is safe in Taiwan in the sense that you can just leave your helmet on your motorbike without locking or strapping it to the bike wherever you park (in the campus, town, or city, day or night) and nobody will steal it! try doing that in Malaysia. I'll pray that you only lose your helmet and not your motorbike. hehe. And before I forgot, people in Taiwan do not use motorcycle as we Malaysian do, they use a lot of scooters. It sounds sissy, but the scooters in Taiwan is cool.. maybe it is more advance and 'cooler' because the market is larger there.

People.

Basicly..... they are nice. Imagine chinese people with japanesse attitude (I mean the nice stuff, not the samurai that take of your head). They respect everyone very much. Everyone is just plain nice. My experience, me and my new friend from Thailand (se7en) who is studying in NPUST when out at night and my friend's bike ran out of fuel. Guess what? one of the stranger not only help to bring my friend to get fuel from the nearest petrol station but even ask if me and my friend have money! =)

now you know what I mean?

Cleanliness.

Its clean.. yep, clean. Thats all I can say. Everyone take care of the environment. There's not even a single rubish in the water when we went to the harbour.

Clubbing.

Have you ever heard about a club giving special rate for student? student price baby!! haha. It is approximately RM60 to get in and enjoy FREE drinks ALL NIGHT LONG! and it does not stop there, they will only charge you rm40 if you bring your student card! haha. Guys, next time do not forget to bring your student card if you want to go clubbing ya! =P

I share you more about my experience in my next post ya.. cheers!

Malaysia Vs Indonesia. 0-0. its a draw...

I'm very angry, frustrated, sad & having other feelings at the same time..
I believe that there are groups which is playing a joke on Malaysia-Indonesia relationship. From an island, Manohara, some dance that Malaysian do not even know exist (at least 100% of people I know which is not from Indonesia say so) to some demo (sweeping Malaysian). Things are just getting worst. Malaysia have been so cool in handling the matter for the past few months as the government control the media as Malaysia Government believe that it is just some minority cases and no big deal at all to the coutry. Some more, Malaysia are used to be treated like that.

Last time 'Ganyang Malaysia' and some even burn Malaysia's national flag (Jalur Gemilang). I cant imagine if Malaysian start burning Indonesia's national flag. Hows Indonesian will feel? will you be as calm, cool, and chill like your fellow neighbour, Malaysian? Indonesia even stop sending maid to Malaysia because they said Malaysian treated Indonesian maid badly. What about another 5 millions Indonesian? are all of them been treated in the same way? If so, why are there still in Malaysia? Of course they will be minority cases of such thing. We are all human and we make mistake, even the government or the police.

Malaysian so bad? really? What about Malaysian women, girl that Indonesian RAPE? Malaysian Man that Indonesian KILLED? ROBBED? STEAL from?

There are problems and it can be solved. If we work together.

Some says that Malaysia save a lot of money by using Indonesia employees (TKI).. tens of millions or maybe more each year.. have you ever think about the money that Malaysia use to transport illegal Indonesian worker back to Indonesia, process them and so on? what about the money that we spend on curbing the crimes which happen in heavily populated area of Indonesian?

Malaysia do not even mention it, thats why fellow Indonesian in Indonesia do not even know or even have time to think about it.

Malaysia welcome our 'saudara serumpun' both your goods and bads. Thats life. To earn respect is to respect. Although only some Indonesian (very small number actually compare to the whole population of 250 millions) which are radical and in bad terms with Malaysia, nowadays Malaysian feel that we should not be treated that way. It is just wrong.

Malaysia knows that we should never expect sorry from Indonesia, but its ok. We are used to it.
Again and again, please remember that there are 5 Millions (I believe there are more) Indonesian in Malaysia (that is 2% of Indonesia population) which is given the opportunity to work, studies, doing business and so on in Malaysia. I hope that this 5 Millions Indonesian can help to cool things down on the other side. Tell the truth, share your experience in Malaysia. Malaysian are not perfect, but are we that bad? steal something that we do not even know exists(tarian pendet)? we are bad beacause an individual marriage went bad (Manohara)? we take care of the sea and protect it frm pirates and accidently or inaccidently cross our neighbour border? Guess what, we actually only have each other that we share so much similarities with. Malaysia and Indonesia have been great partners in all sort of stuff. Our governement have no problems with each other, why should the public? Malaysia always respected Indonesia as a big brother (quoted frm a Malaysian Politician that if I mention, the people frm both coutries know). and thats why we never really argue with our 'Brother". =P

Talking about stealing Indonesian culture, yes! of course, we did not steal but some of us, Malaysian, brought it with us when we migrated from Indonesia to Malaysia. We are not ashame and nothing to hide bout it. Some Indonesians says that Malaysia have no original culture, again YES! go and read the history of Malaysia. We do have, but very small numbers, Orang Asli and Peribumi Sabah Sarawak maybe.. But we Malaysian are happy. After 52 years of independence, we afford to give everyone education.. we live great lifes and development is done every single day.

Both Malaysia and Indonesia is special in their own way and we are unique my dear friend. Please do not compare ourselves.

If there's anything that I mention wrongly, correct me and I'm happy to receive any comments. For a better Malaysia and Indonesia.

*I'm a Malaysian and my GF is an Indonesian for god sake. Chill out you guys! hehe

Toy Library

Regarding the CRC programme that I had attended a few days ago, I remember an article that I wrote a couple of years back. I wrote this in 2007. It was on Toy Library. Back then, it was something new in Malaysia and guess what? it still is. =P

Toy Library

The concept of pre-reading or reading readiness stresses the need for a child to master many developmental and cognitive skills before the child can begin to learn to read. One way in which children can master these skills is through play.

Play has been widely recognised as an important part of a child's growth and education. It is a happy activity for children and it is also a child's work. When children play they gather information about the world around them. Play stimulates intellectual, emotional, social and physical development. Toys are a major element in helping to play and learn.

A toy library welcomes children, their families and caregivers to come and to borrow well designed toys, games, puzzles and equipment, which are made available at minimal cost. It is established to provide educational toys that help to develop pre-reading skills such as hand-eye coordination, large and small motor skills, and manipulative and cognitive skills involving shapes, colours and size. Toy libraries are under the Children’s library, beside the Children Academics library. It varies from library to library but operates along similar lines to public libraries. The members borrow toys for a fixed time period. The time period will be up to the library. Toy libraries cater mainly for pre-school children and generally have a limit on the number of toys that can be borrowed at each visit. It may be located in the local scout hall or within the municipal library, have 20 families who are members or 250, employ a staff member or rely totally on their members doing roster duty.

Toy libraries are not necessarily for children only. Families can borrow toys or games suitable for them all to play with. People confined to bed or home, whether young or old enjoy jigsaw puzzles, and many adults find enjoyment and employment in working with a toy library. For parents, the library can be a place where they can share experiences with staff and other parents. A toy library can offer friendship as well as toys. Toys are carefully chosen to stand up to a lot of use by young children. Care is also taken into account to ensure that toys are clean, complete and in good condition. This is to ensure that broken toys will not injure the children and incomplete toys would not bother the future users.

A toy library is a place where parents or carers can go to borrow a large variety of educational toys, puzzles and games on a regular basis. Toy libraries aim to support families and encourage them to spend time playing with their children. Quality toys are expensive and children quickly become bored with a toy once its play value has been exhausted. By providing new play materials every week or two, parents can save money and significantly contribute towards the development and education of their children.

As a conclusion, more toy libraries should be set up in Malaysia for the benefits of Malaysians especially the young ones. Government and non-government organisation should take steps to introduce more toy library in all over Malaysia. At the moment there are only a few toy libraries in Malaysia, for an example Institute of Early Years Development (IEYD) in Damansara Perdana and YMCA Toy Library in Klang Valley. Toy libraries in Malaysia is only available in the urban area and not elsewhere. Efforts should be taken to give the chance to all Malaysian to enjoy the service of toy library. Today children are tomorrow leader.

Nice Malaysian?

Do we consider ourselves as nice people? how do we define 'nice'? is the word too subjective?
does is it mean that we need to have manners? or is it courtesy?
Can we Malaysian be considered 'NICE' people?

The real definition you can just look up in the dictionary but how does you, my friend, define it?

Sometimes we feel it is useless being nice in our everyday life as people sometimes does not do the same to us. It makes us feel very bad as we usually expect people to treat us as we treat them.

Being nice, not only to other people but to everything around us is the least we can do to make the world a better place. We do not need to become a powerful and very influential leader to make changes, we can start by being nice on the road when we are driving, we can even start by just smiling to other Malaysian. Malaysia is a great country with great people. However, nowadays a lot of Malaysians are looking at differences that we all have among ourselves rather then looking at the common things that we share and the common ground that we stand on.

Put aside politics, religion, and etc. just think as a human being.. how do we want to live in the world? how do we want to shape our 'land'? our future? Some will say that I'm just another guy that have nothing to do and dream to much, a guy who waste his time to even write this. Maybe I'am. I do feel the same. and because I' just an average joe who live a normal life, I just want to feel great, happy,living in a nice country full with nice people. Last time, I remember that people are nicer. Nowadays, maybe they still are, but some dont even think about it anymore...

We have came a long way since 52 years ago.. we did good.. I really mean it. I hope we, Malaysian will do better in the future. To many to be proud of, to many also to be taken note as bad experience, and thats why, we are Malaysia.

Malaysia, truly asia. It means a lot my friend. in a lot of aspect in life.

Have a NICE day! (Do nice thing to people, it help to create a NICER Malaysia) =P

Comics/Graphic novel

Do I really read comics? No, I dont. But I do collect them. I just love to look at it and see how it evolves from time to time. The drawing, the art itself, the advert in the comics and the words are intresting for me. The evolution of comics that I see in the comics that I have which is frm the 5o's, 70's, 8o's, 90's and up to the 22nd century are just amazing.

The 'old school' are more 'real' to me as the drawings are drew and not being edited by computer. They also have a lot less of colours and the writer also uses a 'cartoon' kind of expression. However, the comics these days have become more serious but in a fantasy way.

Above is an example of a 1952 Sensation Comics publish by National Comics Publications. You can see the colours that been used are minimal and the drawings are more human like compare to these days mangga or very 'cartoonish' look alike. On the other hand, the one the right is from the 80's.

This reflect not only the comics industry, but even the world nowadays where aesthetic values are viewed differently. It is a very subjective matter to be discuss of. However, I do believe that a lot of people out there appreciate everything which is considered 'old school' stuff from cars, watches, painting, pen, to even comics.

No matter what do you called it, comics, graphic novel, or child book, the production of these thing reflect the era, the people, the industry when it is being publish.

It is always about how u look at things.... =P

1Malaysia

In my point of view, 1Malaysia is not a target nor a dream but it is actually a reminder for every Malaysian that we live in a very unique country which is diversified yet united. Through his blog, Datuk seri najib mention that establishment of an independent organisation that would epitomise the spirit of 1Malaysia, which is Yayasan 1Malaysia, is an effort to promote national unity and advancement of civil society.

We Malaysian have been developing in harmony through our 52 years of independence. Although there were problems that arises during that process, I've take that as a 'compulsary' thing to happen not just for a nation which nowadays have around 27millions of population but even for a human being to evolve. Can u please name me a country/nation that never in their entire existence face any problem?

However, every country would face different type, shape or kind problems because they are different countries we are talking about. As a citizen of a country, I believe that we never should compare our country with an another without specific ground as all nation are uniqe.

I do not deny that there are always leak holes or even at least one leak in any idea or plan, but it is our job as a human being to bring the best out of everything we have. Hopefully, 1Malaysia will remain as a reminder for all of us to make the best out of everything through unity and tolerance.

Its all about how we look at something, form which direction and what angle. =P

to know more on 1Malaysia, u may visit:

http://www.1malaysia.com.my/