It is certainly a relief if someone answers, Yes, I know, when we are trying our best to convince him or her. It gives us the impression or indication that our message has been put across. Our mission has been accomplished.
However in reality, it is not always the case. We would say, Yes, I know, when when we are getting impatient with nagging elders, persistent salesmen or just a boring talk. Our intention is to end the torture to our ears. If the persuading party takes it as if we understand, he or she might stop.
We also say, Yes, I know, when we assume we know better what other people are talking. It is good if the other party finds difficulties in relaying the message. However it could be bad if we make the wrong assumption.
Do we always say, Yes, I Know, when people approach us for help? Or do we actually listen carefully before we make our comments, suggestions or even judgments?
Looking around us, we find a lot of people, especially those in power, always say, Yes, I Know, but ended up not knowing anything. worse still when they make bad decision based on their assumption.
Should we also say, Yes, I Know, to people who think they know best?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Good Food
Whenever after a meal if I am asked how was the food, my answers are always simple, good, nice or delicious. When I have been asked too many times and repeated the answer for far too many times, some people started to doubt my honesty!
To be honest, not that I am not honest, my answer represents exactly how I feel about the food. To me, food are in 3 categories, good, very good and bad. The food that I will go back for more is very good or else it will be just good. The food which I consider bad is one that I will not try again next time.
If you were to ask my mother, she will have a lot more to say, too much flour, too little garlic, too much water and she can go on and on if you are willing to listen. I don't remember much about how my late father commented on food. What I remember is that he cooks well but he seldom cooks. My mother did the cooking most of the time.
I myself like cooking but I never like to follow recipe in total. I like to be a little adventurous and creative. I do not have a measuring can or weighing machine in my kitchen. I never learn to bake a cake because I do not like to measure and weigh everything I am cooking. I think that was how my late father cooked!
Unless I am cooking something simple or else I will not cook at all when my mother around, especially when it comes to traditional food like laksa and nasi dagang or nasi kerabu (rice with Asian salad). I have learned to cook those from my mother when I stood behind her and watched her did the cooking.
Nasi dagang, nasi kerabu and laksa are all my favourite food. I only cook laksa and nasi kerabu when my mother is not staying with me. She cooks better, of course. I used to invited my students and friends to the house when i cooked Kelantan laksa.
Nasi kerabu is one food that I will always take whenever I am back in Kelantan. My younger sister knows that very well. Every time when I am in Kota Bharu, where my sister is working, she will either packs nasi kerabu for me or takes me to where we could find a very good one.
Someone once asked me how I define good food. I said if I could not cook it better then it is a good food. How about bad food, he asked? It is something really hard to eat. That explain why most food are good to me and I have no problem taking any type of food wherever I go.
I guess that also makes me less particular. I take things easy, less worries and happier!
To be honest, not that I am not honest, my answer represents exactly how I feel about the food. To me, food are in 3 categories, good, very good and bad. The food that I will go back for more is very good or else it will be just good. The food which I consider bad is one that I will not try again next time.
If you were to ask my mother, she will have a lot more to say, too much flour, too little garlic, too much water and she can go on and on if you are willing to listen. I don't remember much about how my late father commented on food. What I remember is that he cooks well but he seldom cooks. My mother did the cooking most of the time.
I myself like cooking but I never like to follow recipe in total. I like to be a little adventurous and creative. I do not have a measuring can or weighing machine in my kitchen. I never learn to bake a cake because I do not like to measure and weigh everything I am cooking. I think that was how my late father cooked!
Unless I am cooking something simple or else I will not cook at all when my mother around, especially when it comes to traditional food like laksa and nasi dagang or nasi kerabu (rice with Asian salad). I have learned to cook those from my mother when I stood behind her and watched her did the cooking.
Nasi dagang, nasi kerabu and laksa are all my favourite food. I only cook laksa and nasi kerabu when my mother is not staying with me. She cooks better, of course. I used to invited my students and friends to the house when i cooked Kelantan laksa.
Nasi kerabu is one food that I will always take whenever I am back in Kelantan. My younger sister knows that very well. Every time when I am in Kota Bharu, where my sister is working, she will either packs nasi kerabu for me or takes me to where we could find a very good one.
Someone once asked me how I define good food. I said if I could not cook it better then it is a good food. How about bad food, he asked? It is something really hard to eat. That explain why most food are good to me and I have no problem taking any type of food wherever I go.
I guess that also makes me less particular. I take things easy, less worries and happier!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
A Morning At The Hospital
I was at the Tawau General Hospital early this morning after making an appointment with the blood bank.
The normal nurse, Sabariah who handles the apheresis machine was there waiting for me when I walked into the blood bank. Nicholas, her assistant, was also there. Everything was set and ready for me to donate my platelet and plasma, for the 55th time
Sabariah will opt for her early retirement next year. So she is training up Nicholas. Nicholas however is a slow and reluctant learner, his own admission. I have been put on a few trials by Nicholas, of course with the supervision of Sabariah, but he could not remember the procedures well. He kept telling me it was hard to operate the machine as he is poor in using computer.
Ever since I started donating platelet and plasma, three nurses have been operating the machine since February 1999. They were Florence, Juliana and Sabariah. Florence has been transferred to other department while Juliana has retired. Most of my donations over the years were done through Sabariah.
It was supposed to be a normal donation today but it went the opposite. Half way through the first cycle, the machine indicated that the apparatus was not fixed properly. Blood was returned to me without been processed. This was the first time such thing happened. I felt cold and numb on my lips.
When it was fixed the machine refused to draw blood from me, indicating that there was no flow of blood from my vein. My blood samples taken for testing also showed that I have very low platelet count, resulting the lab assistant to come out with a warning. Out of three testings, all the results showed that my platelet count was bellow 100.
Unsatisfied with that, the apparatus was changed and they tried to draw from my left hand for the first time. It failed. Then we moved back to my right hand and tried on a different vein. It did not work either. The machine kept making noise. They reasoned out that it was possibly because of my low platelet count.
Finally after three attempts, leaving three holes on my arms, we gave up. I made a request for them to test my platelet again, this time drawing directly from my vein. And the results showed that I have more than sufficient to donate, 239.
We have to conclude that the machine needs repair and servicing. What a morning. However if I wasn't there to help detecting the apheresis machine was out of order, someone else would, but later.
Though disappointed with my failed mission to donate for the 55th time, I am happy to help detecting the problem before emergencies. The failed mission costs the hospitals more than RM800 for the two sets of apparatus.
The normal nurse, Sabariah who handles the apheresis machine was there waiting for me when I walked into the blood bank. Nicholas, her assistant, was also there. Everything was set and ready for me to donate my platelet and plasma, for the 55th time
Sabariah will opt for her early retirement next year. So she is training up Nicholas. Nicholas however is a slow and reluctant learner, his own admission. I have been put on a few trials by Nicholas, of course with the supervision of Sabariah, but he could not remember the procedures well. He kept telling me it was hard to operate the machine as he is poor in using computer.
Ever since I started donating platelet and plasma, three nurses have been operating the machine since February 1999. They were Florence, Juliana and Sabariah. Florence has been transferred to other department while Juliana has retired. Most of my donations over the years were done through Sabariah.
It was supposed to be a normal donation today but it went the opposite. Half way through the first cycle, the machine indicated that the apparatus was not fixed properly. Blood was returned to me without been processed. This was the first time such thing happened. I felt cold and numb on my lips.
When it was fixed the machine refused to draw blood from me, indicating that there was no flow of blood from my vein. My blood samples taken for testing also showed that I have very low platelet count, resulting the lab assistant to come out with a warning. Out of three testings, all the results showed that my platelet count was bellow 100.
Unsatisfied with that, the apparatus was changed and they tried to draw from my left hand for the first time. It failed. Then we moved back to my right hand and tried on a different vein. It did not work either. The machine kept making noise. They reasoned out that it was possibly because of my low platelet count.
Finally after three attempts, leaving three holes on my arms, we gave up. I made a request for them to test my platelet again, this time drawing directly from my vein. And the results showed that I have more than sufficient to donate, 239.
We have to conclude that the machine needs repair and servicing. What a morning. However if I wasn't there to help detecting the apheresis machine was out of order, someone else would, but later.
Though disappointed with my failed mission to donate for the 55th time, I am happy to help detecting the problem before emergencies. The failed mission costs the hospitals more than RM800 for the two sets of apparatus.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Meeting Characters
It is very interesting to observe the various characters during a meeting. When we find out that the meeting is not leading us to any solutions or decisions, then we need to look at the various characters in the meeting. The answer is always there.
Some come to the meeting fully prepared, but for the wrong reasons. They will jump on every single opportunity to say something, sarcastically, forcefully and to undermine someone. It is not difficult to detect such a character as they always bring in unrelated matters or deviated from the point of discussion.
Some just sit down and watch quietly without saying a word. Even when opinion is asked they will just say, they follow the majority. These people are good if you want the number for support!
Some think they know everything and always telling others what to do. If they are requested to carry out certain tasks they themselves proposed, they will decline with all kind of excuses. They are just good at talking but never walk the talk.
Some are just too proud and egoistic. If their proposal is pointed out to be wrong they will use 1001 excuses to defend themselves. These people always drag the meeting for selfish reasons.
Some enter the meeting room without knowing anything and come out from the meeting room in the same way. They are just at the meeting because they need to be there.
A good meeting chairperson is one that is able to detect the various characters in a meeting. To be able to handle them effectively will make the meeting fruitful and efficient.
Some come to the meeting fully prepared, but for the wrong reasons. They will jump on every single opportunity to say something, sarcastically, forcefully and to undermine someone. It is not difficult to detect such a character as they always bring in unrelated matters or deviated from the point of discussion.
Some just sit down and watch quietly without saying a word. Even when opinion is asked they will just say, they follow the majority. These people are good if you want the number for support!
Some think they know everything and always telling others what to do. If they are requested to carry out certain tasks they themselves proposed, they will decline with all kind of excuses. They are just good at talking but never walk the talk.
Some are just too proud and egoistic. If their proposal is pointed out to be wrong they will use 1001 excuses to defend themselves. These people always drag the meeting for selfish reasons.
Some enter the meeting room without knowing anything and come out from the meeting room in the same way. They are just at the meeting because they need to be there.
A good meeting chairperson is one that is able to detect the various characters in a meeting. To be able to handle them effectively will make the meeting fruitful and efficient.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Malaysian First Astronaut Vs 2nd Astronaut
PENDANG, April 19 (Bernama) -- National astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Mustapha has proposed that the government postpone Malaysia's second space mission.
He said the postponement was to allow the community to be fully exposed to the programme before the second mission could take-off.
"We need to learn a lot of things about aerospace and the community must have a good understanding of the programme.
"(Moreover) the space mission uses a large amount of public funds," he told reporters after launching Mara Junior Science College's astronaut programme and the astronomy and amateur radio club here Saturday.
Muszaphar said people at the grassroots-level should have a clear understanding of education, technology and skills in aerospace before the mission could be continued.
About 2,000 students, including those from Mara junior colleges at Kubang Pasu and Beseri in Perlis, attended the launch of the programme.
-- BERNAMA
Whatever that has been said earlier about this astronaut project has gone down the drain with what has been admitted by the 'astronaut'.
Forcing people to accept a wrong things will eventually proven to be wrong.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
School Fees?
Prime Minister during his tabling of 2008 Budget announced that school fees will be abolished beginning next year. It sounds like a good news to all parents.
The reality is, school fee is only a small amount to pay as compared to many more fees that parents have to come out with every beginning of the year. Consider the following
1. Contribution for Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah
2. Contribution for Parent & Teacher Association
3. Contribution for school building and development fund
4. Computer Class
5. Reference Books
6. Work Books
7. School T-Shirts
8. School Neck Tie
9. Toilet Coupon
and many more ... Some schools just find ways to get more money from the parents. Some people are just not resourceful enough to make full use of what they have. Look at the backyards. There are just too many things paid with our money leaving idle.
Gone are they days where teachers prepared homework for students. Gone are the days where worksheet were given to students free of charge.
If we were to learn using personal blackboard and chalk like our elders have gone through, I wonder how many of us will still want to be teachers? How many of us will still learn and how many of us will still send our children to schools?
Wait for January 2008 and listen to the parents. They will tell you more ...
The reality is, school fee is only a small amount to pay as compared to many more fees that parents have to come out with every beginning of the year. Consider the following
1. Contribution for Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah
2. Contribution for Parent & Teacher Association
3. Contribution for school building and development fund
4. Computer Class
5. Reference Books
6. Work Books
7. School T-Shirts
8. School Neck Tie
9. Toilet Coupon
and many more ... Some schools just find ways to get more money from the parents. Some people are just not resourceful enough to make full use of what they have. Look at the backyards. There are just too many things paid with our money leaving idle.
Gone are they days where teachers prepared homework for students. Gone are the days where worksheet were given to students free of charge.
If we were to learn using personal blackboard and chalk like our elders have gone through, I wonder how many of us will still want to be teachers? How many of us will still learn and how many of us will still send our children to schools?
Wait for January 2008 and listen to the parents. They will tell you more ...
Monday, September 03, 2007
Public Caning?
Deputy Minister of Education was reported as saying that his ministery will study whether public caning among school students could be re-introduced.
Currently, school principals are allowed to cane trouble-making students but only in a private room with another teacher present as a witness. The government banned public caning in 2004 but allowed school headmasters to cane students in their rooms with a witness.
Many people have since voiced their objections including the NUTP. Even if it is approved (which I doubt) not many headmasters or principals would like to use it. With the increasing cases of gangsterism among students, involvement of politicians and influencial people in school administration, over protective parents and increasing workload for teachers, not many would like to perform the caning to avoid trouble to themselves and their love ones.
A child's well being does not lie with schools or teachers alone. Parents and others too play a very important role. If parents, elders and leaders in our society do not behave, don't expect our young ones to hehave.
It will be an empty talk after all!
Currently, school principals are allowed to cane trouble-making students but only in a private room with another teacher present as a witness. The government banned public caning in 2004 but allowed school headmasters to cane students in their rooms with a witness.
Many people have since voiced their objections including the NUTP. Even if it is approved (which I doubt) not many headmasters or principals would like to use it. With the increasing cases of gangsterism among students, involvement of politicians and influencial people in school administration, over protective parents and increasing workload for teachers, not many would like to perform the caning to avoid trouble to themselves and their love ones.
A child's well being does not lie with schools or teachers alone. Parents and others too play a very important role. If parents, elders and leaders in our society do not behave, don't expect our young ones to hehave.
It will be an empty talk after all!
No UNDO
After a colourful celebration of the 5oth Independence Day, shall we all get down to serious business?
The little arm of baby Lai Yok Shan has been amputated due to carelessness. Instead of trying to help the little baby and her family some people find it more important to point fingers at others.
The fatal accident in Bukit Gantang which killed 20 people on an express bus is slowly forgotten. Promises of taking stern action when the news was first reported has slowly fading. Some blame it on the month of Hungry Ghost. Who is the real ghost here?
No one is talking about the leaks in various government buildings now. If there is then people are more interested in the sexist remarks by two irresponsible members of parliament. The big issue or the real issue is always diverted with petty one.
The list could go on. So many things happened and so many promises have been made, so much so that we have lost confidence in those who promised.
The fact remains, things which have been done could not be undone. There is no 'UNDO' function is real life like typing using a computer.
If we are 50 we would have acted differently.
The little arm of baby Lai Yok Shan has been amputated due to carelessness. Instead of trying to help the little baby and her family some people find it more important to point fingers at others.
The fatal accident in Bukit Gantang which killed 20 people on an express bus is slowly forgotten. Promises of taking stern action when the news was first reported has slowly fading. Some blame it on the month of Hungry Ghost. Who is the real ghost here?
No one is talking about the leaks in various government buildings now. If there is then people are more interested in the sexist remarks by two irresponsible members of parliament. The big issue or the real issue is always diverted with petty one.
The list could go on. So many things happened and so many promises have been made, so much so that we have lost confidence in those who promised.
The fact remains, things which have been done could not be undone. There is no 'UNDO' function is real life like typing using a computer.
If we are 50 we would have acted differently.
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