Stage Fright... Last Friday, my classmates suggested my name to be the represntative of our class for a Public Speaking Contest on English Day that wiil be held next two weeks. I tried my hardest to secede from this but I can't. They insisted me to join it. Maybe this is the time for me to improve my social skills and overcome my stage fright. During my final year in high school, I was appointed as the President of Green Club. I had to do a speech during Environment Day at the school hall. Since I knew there will be about 1000 people will be listening to my speech, I practiced for days. Until the night before my speech, I cannot sleep since I get too nervous. When the day comes, I didn't had breakfast since my hands since I don't have any appetite. Everything I did wasn't right. I burned my shirt when I was ironing them. My shoes broke, and I almost left my student card. During my speech, my hands were trembling, so I instead of holding a note or the microphone I put my hands behind so no one could realise that my hands are actually shaking. I realised something when I'm on stage. When I look at the faces of each of the audience in the hall. My level of nervousness sky rocketed. So, instead of looking at their face, I look at a clock situated behind of the audiences. In this way, the audience thinks I'm having eye contact with them although I'm actually not. I've Google'd on how to overcome stage fright. There are a few interesting points that I think might work on me. One of them is, make a small note. Just write the main points. In this way, if we forgot about something we can just do a slight view on the small note. Moreover, do some jokes. Usually, people tend to get bored when they listen to a statistic or data for more than 10 minutes straight. So, by making a joke, the audience will be cheered and find our speech interesting and they'll focus on what we were going to say. Last but not least is, pretend as if you are chatting to your friends and family members. In this way you will talk smoothly and without any doubts, you won't even feel nervous throughout the session. I hope I could do a perfect speech next week. Wish me luck. :)

Malaysian Drivers.. I just got back from picking up my little brother at a tuition centre. While on my way there, I got mad with a Malay guy, he is around his twenties and driving his Mercedes like a maniac! Who does he think he is? The roads aren’t build for himself, but for others too. Then, I start thinking about how Malaysian drivers are. For those who have driven in other countries apart from Malaysia, you would understand that the Malaysian style of driving leaves a lot to be desired. Some of Malaysian drivers are an impatient and aggressive bunch, whom are always in a rush and disregard traffic rules and regulations regularly. Firstly, there are drivers that drives on the emergency lanes. This is something extremely common on Malaysian highways, especially when there is a jam on the highway. Many drivers choose to drive on the emergency lane to avoid getting caught in the jam. Secondly is not wearing the seat belt. Despite the government’s insistence on the importance of wearing seat belts, many tend to float this rule, a fact that is regularly highlighted by the Road Transport Department. Most drivers do not understand the importance of wearing the seat belt, and thus do not buckle up when they drive. Next is speaking on the mobile phone while driving. This is one of the main reasons of why drivers lose concentration on the road while they drive, resulting in unwanted collisions and accidents. Never speak on the mobile phone while you drive, and keep your concentration on the road! This doesn’t only happen in Malaysia, but also elsewhere. Not stopping at red light, and speeding on when the yellow light pops up. Many drivers simply ignore the red light and speed past the red light at intersections, forcing other drivers to compromise to avoid an accident. This behavior is indeed dangerous, and should be avoided at all costs! And most drivers tend to speed up when they see the yellow light pop up, in contrary to slowing down as taught in driving schools. Take heed and try to slow down the next time as it would help in securing the safety of yourself as well as other users of the road. Last but not least, not using the indicators when turning. Many drivers tend to ignore the importance of the car indicators, and choose to not use them when they turn at junctions or intersections. This is exceptionally dangerous, as the car behind you would not be aware of where you are headed to.

Love.. Nowadays, I can see a very obvious change with my friends especially my Facebook friends. Their status updates on Facebook has been mostly about love. Love quotes, love song, and anything related with love was updated every single minute. What makes me annoyed the most is they keep posting those love quotes on Facebook groups too. Why do people fall in love? People fall in love because people like to be treated nicely. When you fall in love, your lover will surely treat you like a king or queen of their heart. They would try their best to treat you well and make sure you be in the best condition all the time. There are many signs showing a person is falling in love, one of them is they keep smiling all the time. These people will tend to smile whenever they look at messages on their phones, even when they are alone they will smile unintentionally. You may look in the mirror and see a big goofy smile. You walk around whistling and singing. People comment that you are on cloud nine or that you are way too excited about something. You just can't help it. It feels too good. When love finds you, you will know it. Your mate will sweep you off your feet and keep you on your toes. You won't have to worry about falling; instead, you will continue growing into a relationship with each passing day.

Human Robot February is a totally bizarre month for JAD students. We had class on saturdays which means we only had one day of holiday!!! It was so awful that most of the students seem to be sleepy during class. This entry isn't actually about our life as JAD students but more on humanized robots. Do you know what humanized robots are? These days, we can see many big companies compete to build the best humanized robots. Humanized robots are robots that can play a role in the daily lives of ordinary people. The robots are able to take up the human task such as cleaning the house and even communicating. A few days ago, I saw an article on yahoo about a human-looking robot. The robot seems like a human but still has the robot look since it is made of plastic. The robot is called 'Rodney'. Rodney is able to play piano, display emotion like behaviour, and solve mathematical problems using it's 'brain'. However, there are a few controversial issue regarding human-like robots. The society are thinking whether he should be considered conscious. And if so, would this allow him to have rights as people do in society? Consciousness is defined as ability to be aware of the feelings you get when you experience something. Robots are not considered as having consciousness since it only works on what it is set to do not on what it felt like doing. There are even peoples saying that robots can replace the human race on earth. This is not acceptable since robots doesn't have feelings and they won't think the way human did. They only do things that they think is necessary. Unlike the way human thinks, human will consider about something according to their human sense. Thus, human will always be the lead earth not robots. :)

Hypocrite People.... Imagine a word full of honesty, a world without deceit, a world deprived off lies. It all sounds wonderful, but beware of what you wish for. How would the advertising business survive in this wonderful world? All the commercials on television and all the billboards are all telling us to buy “Head and Shoulders” because a number of studies have proven that it is the superior shampoo. Studies that were most likely conducted and funded by Head and Shoulders Inc. Everything we see, read and hear is in some form a lie that was formulated specifically for us, the consumers to buy a certain product or service. The advertisers know that they are lying. We the consumers know that they are lying and the advertisers know that we know that they are lying. This is so normal in everyday life that the consumer’s standpoint basically is, that whatever we see on television, read in the paper or hear on the radio is crap. Hypocrisy is a vice that today’s society cannot live without. Society will fall apart as a result of honesty. People will say what they’re thinking and hurt each other in the process. Hypocrisy in the form of white lies is the most common I would say. For example, your wife asks your opinion on her weight. You know that you can’t tell her that she has gained a few pounds or so in the last month, so you tell her that she looks fine and thin. That’s the perfect example of a white lie. Hypocrisy might be acceptable in most circumstances as long as no one gets hurt. Unacceptable behavior signifies the well-being of one on individual at the cost of his/her constituents. One saying goes, When you find yourself on the side of majority… pause and reflect.

Smile... :) Laughter is part of the universal human vocabulary. All members of the human species understand it. Unlike English , we don’t have to learn to speak it. We’re born with the capacity to laugh. One of the remarkable things about laughter is that it occurs unconsciously. You don’t decide to do it. While we can consciously inhibit it, we don’t consciously produce laughter. That’s why it’s very hard to laugh on command or to fake laughter. Laughter provides powerful, uncensored insights into our unconscious. It simply bubbles up from within us in certain situations. Very little is known about the specific brain mechanisms responsible for laughter. But we do know that laughter is triggered by many sensations and thoughts, and that it activates many parts of the body. When we laugh, we alter our facial expressions and make sounds. During laughter, the muscles of the arms, legs and trunk are involved. Laughter also requires modification in our pattern of breathing. We also know that laughter is a message that we send to other people. We know this because we rarely laugh when we are alone. Laughter is social and contagious. We laugh at the sound of laughter itself. No one has actually counted how much people of different ages laugh, but young children probably laugh the most. At ages 5 and 6, we tend to see the most exuberant laughs. Adults laugh less than children, probably because they play less. And laughter is associated with play. So, lets laugh and forget those unhappy memory of ours for a while.

I Want To Fly... I have just finished watching a Malay drama on TV3 entitled 'Aku Mahu Terbang' which means 'I Want To Fly'. This drama is actually about a boy named Rezki who has a dream of being a pilot. His enthusiasm towards being a pilot is also shared with his brother, Syukur and his best friend, Busran. One day, a private aviation academy held a 'Career Day' at his school. Busran promised to Rezki that he will come to see the exhibition. However, he didn't turn out on that day. Rezki and his brother went to Busran's house to look for him. Busran's neghbour told Rezki that Busran has been hospitalized. Rezki and his brother rushed to the hospital where Busran has been hospitalized. Busran died a few days after he has been hospitalized due to meningitis. Since that day, Rezki had a determination to become a great pilot in the future. Before Busran died, Busran told Rezki to study hard and wanted to see Rezki to be a great pilot. A few years later, Rezki entered an aviation academy under Felda's schoalrship. Rezki promised to show his family where his college is. However, a day before his family decided to visit him at his college, his mother and brother died in a fire that burned their house. Since that incident, Rezki felt like there is no use of living in this world. One night, he had a dream. In his dream, Busran came to him and told him to be strong and not let what happened to his family hinder his attempts on being a great pilot in the future. With all the efforts he has given throughout the period of studying in that aviation academy, he finally manage to graduate with flying colours. This story prompted me to continue to work even harder to ensure that my ambition to become a successful engineer one day. InsyaAllah.

LIMA.....:) (LAST EPISODE) Several months later, I was thinking about the pilot. How is he? My father told me, that he was assigned to Kuantan. Although I tried to resist the feeling, but I still feel sad because I have decided to not further our relationship. While I was sitting, my sister rushed towards me and gave me my phone. It surprised me to see the name of the caller, the pilot’s mother? What does she want from me by calling me in the middle of the night? The pilot's mother said that the pilot was involved in a car accident. He was hit by a truck while avoiding a car. Unfortunately he died due of blood loss on their way to the hospital. At that time, my knees felt so weak and powerless to stand. I’m not no longer strong, my phone crashed down onto the floor. My brother called my mother. My mother was surprised to see my condition. I am weak, unable to say anything. Now, it have been a few months after he died. Although he is no longer living, but I always felt his presence around me. May his soul be placed among the believers. Amin. Forgive me, I have sinned towards you.

LIMA.....:) (PART 2) Before checking out from the hotel. We exchanged phone numbers. While on our way home in the ferry to Kuala Perlis. I received an MMS of a picture of him standing in front of my favourite fighter jet, the Sukhoi-30MKM. Favorable to him because I've always wanted a picture of a real Sukhoi-30MKM. Although he actually knew that during the LIMA program, I have been taking thousands of pictures of Sukhoi-30MKM. Several months later, we still contacted with each other and up to a point, he invited me to his house because his mother is hosting a Hari Raya reception. Unfortunately, there are non of my family members who could send me to his house. I preach the news to him, a few minutes later, I saw in front of my house and imposing a red Mitsubishi Lancer. How shocked I was when the pilot came out from the drivers seat of the car. Then my phone rang. Ah! Indeed, the man standing in front of my house was him, the pilot. Once out of the compound of my house, his eyes did not blink. I was correcting my own shirt for fear something was wrong with my own shirt. Once I get into his car. He said, "It seems like we have promised to wear the same color, just like a bride ". At that time, my face turned red with embarrassment. When we arrive at his house, I was impressed because I saw a stately wooden houses. I feel like we are in a village. The house with a concept of a compelling modern village. I shook hands with members of his family. His family treated me as if I am also a member of their family. Soon after the event, he send me home. When we arrived in front of my house. He handed a letter and an exceptionally a small box to me. At first I refused to accept because I had just met with him, less than a year. However, after he pushed and in order to protect his heart, I accept the grant. When I open the letter, it surprised me when he quoted a verse that have threatened the peace of my soul, “I love you”. The verse has made me unable to sleep for a few night. Coupled with the gifts given to me. I am not willing to open it. My sister helped me to open it. He presented me with a toy plane model Sukhoi-30MKM. I was happy but at the same time I fear. I fear the matter involves a question of love. To be continued.....