Its already 5 a.m !!
*Phone rings*
I was enjoying a wonderful and sweet dream and I couldn't bring any effort in waking myself up. Snooze was my only option. A moment later, my nerve impulses send the information to my gray matter stating that today is The Olympic Run Day located at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

Upon knowing that, I stared the high and gloomy ceiling, and pondered myself, asking "why am I doing this ?" Neither the sun’s rays nor the darkness of the night could arouse me from my slumber. I could have followed the majority that are now living in their own fantasies taking a nice and long nap. But No, due to many factors, I contemplated to go for the run. With that, I brought myself together, separating from my beloved pillows and comfortable bolster. It’s a quarter past 5 and without delay, I head to the main bathroom, feeling groggy to wash myself off.

Meanwhile, my inner voice was telling me “I’m sleepy, just skip the run and go to sleep.”

Just when I was considering to head back to sleep, my alarm rang again with a note stating that I have to be at Hon Weng’s house by 5.50 a.m. I swivel my head to the right and took a quick glimpse at the clock. It’s already half past 5 !

I stared at the blue rounded clock, dumbfounded. As I know 'time and tide waits for no man', I instantaneously rush to my room and changed my attire. Not paying attention to any distraction around me, such as my computer, I put on my contact lens and ran down the stairs. My dad was already starting the engine in his metallic red, Satria Neo.

Time flew and I managed to reach his house by 5.55 a.m. Feeling relieved, I thank God and wish my dad farewell and have a safe journey back home. From then on, Hon Weng’s dad fetched 2 more passenger, Sen Chong and Lee Yen, and head straight to Dataran Merdeka as time was not on our side.

Reaching there, we registered ourselves and stumbled upon Peng Han together with Sai Cheong and Andrew. We signal our arrival to them and they gave a languid wave of their hand. How tired they were, as their face clearly shows a fatigued and weary image. 5 minutes later, we met up with Jessica Tee and jog around the field to warm up.

The race started and to simplify the story, I finished the race in less than 45 minutes, defeating Jessica Tee, Lee Yen, Sai Cheong, Andrew, Hong Weng, Shun Hong =p and lost to a one or 2 of my friends. Feeling pleased yet exhausted and worn out, I went straight to the refreshment area to quench my thirst. After a 30 minutes of cooling down, everyone went their separate ways and I followed Hong Weng back home.

It was an enjoyable and pleasant experience for me. With that said, I muttered to myself, “Thank God I woke up and went for the run.”

-BeN

We're on newspaper !

Sunday June 22, 2008

Reason to smile

By SHARON OVINIS

COMMUNITY-related initiatives have always been at the forefront of Canon Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s (Canon) objectives. In line with this, the company’s corporate social responsibility drive recently saw 25 schools in the Klang Valley getting 10,000 copies of The Star free, under its F123/F4F5 sponsorship drive.

The sponsorship pledge ceremony was recently held at Canon’s head office at Peremba Square in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Canon president and chief executive officer, Liew Sip Chon, announced that the company was excited by the opportunity to be part of a student’s learning development.

All smiles at the pledge ceremony are Wan, Liew, Balkis and Lee (second, third, fourth and fifth from left, respectively), pictured here with students from SMK Subang Jaya.

“The Star provides valuable information on a wide range of topics daily. It can be used as a tool for teaching numerous skills to various age groups and in many different disciplines.

“Providing students with this learning tool will help them connect classroom lessons to the real world,” Liew told students from one of the recipient schools, SMK Subang Jaya, Seksyen 14, Petaling Jaya, in Selangor.

The group of eight students and two teachers, Wan Loke Ann and Lee Phaik Hua, were later taken on a tour of Canon’s facilities at the office. The students learnt about the Kyosei principle it practises, which advocates that people, regardless of race, religion or culture, live and work harmoniously together to build a better future for generations to come.

Liew recounted how he had received his first issue of The Star when he was 13. He believes that newspapers sharpen students’ thinking skills, and increase their interest and motivation levels by providing study material relevant to their lives.

“We hope that this sponsorship will help students stay abreast of what is happening around them in the world, and help them develop a positive outlook to face challenges in life,” Liew said.

Also present at the ceremony was the Petaling Perdana district education office Language Unit head, Balkis Ahmad.

“The NiE programme has grown tremendously over the past 10 years. Today, there are many different sections in the newspaper, catering to diverse interests,” said Balkis.

“With the newspaper, teachers have a wealth of resources at their fingertips.”

Balkis pointed out that a teacher can actually teach History, Mathematics and Science with just a newspaper in hand.

“All the teacher needs to do is to modify activities and be creative,” she added.

Other schools that benefit from the sponsorship are SMK Seksyen 9, SMK Seksyen 11, SMK Seksyen 16, SMK Seksyen 24 (2), SMK Seksyen 27, all from Shah Alam, Selangor.

The schools in PJ that will also be receiving the F123/F4F5 pullout under Canon’s sponsorship are SMK Assunta, SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4, SMK Sri Pantai, SMK USJ 23, SMK Bukit Jelutong, SMK (L) Bukit Bintang, SMK Kelana Jaya, SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 3 and SMK Kota Damansara Sekyen 4.

Kuala Lumpur schools which benefit include SMK Dharma, SMK Bandar Kinrara, SMK Sri Indah, SM Agama Batu 10 Cheras, SMK Saujana Impian, SMK Vivekananda, SMK Bukit Bandaraya, SMK Sri Hartamas, SMK Bukit Rahman Putra and SMK Sri Kundang.

The Star’s F123 pullout offers 40 pages of syllabus-based content, learning tips and enrichment exercises, translations of common scientific terms, activities related to real-life phenomena as well as informative and interesting topics for general knowledge.

-BeN

Taken from Jackie =D





































Conclusion : I guess schools gonna open albeit with the condition they are having. Zz
Just when the labs are finished. There goes another construction to repair the broken facilities.
zz

-BeNnn

The truth is that many of these beliefs and attitudes that some
people hold have about money are nothing but inaccurate
generalizations and excuses that keep them from living a truly a
happy and wealthy life.

Myth: Having a lot of money will change you (into a bad person).

Fact: Money is a personality magnifier. It brings out the true
person within you. If you are a selfish and nasty person by nature,
having money will make you even more nasty and selfish.

However, if you are a kind, generous and loving person deep down
inside, money will magnify your goodness.

Myth: Money isn't everything.

Fact: This is the top excuse given by poor people who are in
denial. The truth is that everything is money.

Without money, you cannot maximize other important values such as
family, career, health, spirituality and relationships.

Myth: Money will make you less spiritual

Fact: If you are by nature a spiritual person, having money will
allow you to touch more lives and help you do more of god's work.

In fact, the wealthiest people in the world are extremely
spiritual. Not having to worry about money anymore allows many of
the rich to focus on the more important things in life.

Many truly wealthy people believe they don't own their money. They
are just custodians of God's wealth.

Myth: Rich people are materialistic. They worship money.

Fact: It is the people who lack money who worship it. Who works all
day, year after year in a job which they hate, just for the money?
Who are those who constantly sacrifice their health and family to
make more money?

In fact, the rich rarely work because of money. They work because
of passion and a sense of personal mission. Bill Gates, Warren
Buffett, George Lucas, Michael Jordan & Steve Jobs certainly don't
work for money...they don't need to.

Myth: To have more money, I will be depriving others of it.

Fact: When you become rich, you actually create more wealth for
other people. Wealth multiplies into more wealth.

Bill Gates is the richest man in the world because he has created
the most value in people's lives through the creation of Microsoft
and Windows.

Because of his invention, so many more millionaires have been
created as a result. Think about it, if Microsoft Windows, Word and
Excel did not exist, would you have been able to create as much
wealth as you have today?

Myth: Money is the 'root of all evil'.

Fact: The lack of money is the root of all evil. The number one
cause of murder, cheating, stealing, lying is poverty (the lack of
money).

-BeN

As we all know, Moral, one of the most "stupid", redundant, and superfluous subject whereby formulas are needed to score an A. Without formulas, don't even dream of getting one. Moral Education tends to emphasize memorising and getting an A in public exams instead of exposing our students to moral education in real life.

As newspaper said, Moral Education should not be an examination-based subject. It is true that the subject does not encourage creative thinking or reasoning nor does it guide individuals on how to be well-behaved and upright member of the society. I truly believe moral values cannot be learnt from textbook and they can only be imparted by families and the community.

As the famous saying goes, "It takes one whole village to raise a child". - Adapted from The Stars Newspaper.

Morals are definitely not to be memorised like mathematical formulae, but should be imparted as values to live by starting from a young age ibarat "melentur buluh biarlah daripada rebung", and when we need to learn the difference between right and wrong in life. With such great emphasis on scoring As in the examination, an A grade does not mean the student is an upright, well-behaved person.

Isn't it ironic that a bad hat can memorise and score an A in the exam, yet his true behaviour in real life and behind closed doors is still unacceptable ?

I love Philosophy. Philosophy does not just teach students about honest and truth in all aspects of life, but also introduces our student to ethics and epistemology which are crucial to any individual. With that, it is best for school to implement the subject Philosophy instead of Moral.

Moreover, there should be concrete examples of great individuals from past and present, famous or notorious, and how their action could make or break the world.

Lastly, it is suggested that Moral Education be replaced by two different electives that students can choose from. Those electives should focus on creative thinking and reasoning rather than rote learning. In some Western countries, for example, students can opt for Bible studies or Buddhism or Hinduism classes.

Alternatively, they can take up Social Studies, which teaches them in depth about society and sociology, current affairs, ethics, media and world history. --The End--

-BeN[Taken from old blog]
[Feel free to read since I've no time to update me blog]

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
Til it was a battle cry

I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before

All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye..

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye..



-Beng Han