life.like.this.

hello summer!

2011-11-14T17:00:00.001+11:00

I am writing this in regards that today is so hot ! 37 degree c at 4pm. Walking out from the library and I feel the breeze is like a heater. I have to bear with this anyway for making the decision not to go back this summer break.

All the best in exam ! :D
Do pray for me :)

Wonderwall.

2011-11-13T22:03:00.001+11:00

"I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do, about you now.. "

♥

today.

2011-11-11T23:56:00.001+11:00

I am finally twenty :)

smile non stop, filled with three cakes, and special video from my family and not to forget, a bouquet of flowers ♥

# thanks for making my day ;) love you all.

Last day.

2011-11-10T08:54:00.001+11:00

Enjoying my last day being nineteen
:)

Yes. today is the day ♥

# I would like to go to a place that make me realize how tiny my problems are.

It can.

2011-11-08T18:37:00.001+11:00

# this is my 111th post :)

nobility

2011-11-07T20:28:00.001+11:00

"When someone is crying, of course, the noble thing to do is comfort them. But, if someone is trying to hide their tears, it may also be noble to pretend you do not notice them."

Thank you.

:)

2011-11-04T23:52:00.003+11:00

;)

and here it comes.

2011-11-02T20:58:00.002+11:00

I am welcoming you since I am waiting for you :)

November ♥

p/s: I am and always happy in November even though it will (without fail), be the examination month.

2011-10-27T17:33:00.002+11:00

that moment when you simply cry for no reason.

:'(

Deepavali :)

2011-10-26T12:04:00.001+11:00

simple gratitude :)

2011-10-25T16:24:00.000+11:00

thank you miss k <3
because you said this

"life is full of fun, don't be tired."

I'll remember this. Again, thanks. you made my day :)

p/s: $$$ also made my day ! :D

be strong.

2011-10-21T00:16:00.003+11:00

"Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fall apart, that’s true strength.When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."

Arms.

2011-10-12T22:25:00.000+11:00

"I hope that you see right through my walls.

I hope that you catch me,

'cause I'm already falling"

Random :)

2011-10-11T14:48:00.001+11:00

:)

2011-09-23T19:10:00.001+10:00

food that I've been longing for <3

lemang :) second day at home and I was so happy seeing lemang at the kitchen !

Bondi's ayam bakar :)

popeye. thanks Pia for introducing this to me :)

Big Apple's doughnut :) I was so excited to eat. Almost forget to take picture.

mushroom yee mee :)

gulai lemak cili api ketam :)

triffle puding umi ! yummy :)

thosai :) home made.

Till then, heee. more food to come ! yeah :D

From Sydney to Malaysia :)

2011-08-31T15:51:00.000+10:00

Selamat Hari Raya

Selamat Hari Merdeka !

the day

2011-08-26T13:45:00.000+10:00

that I am scared of has finally arrived.

and another scary day will come.

that is life.

Countdown :( :) :))

2011-08-18T23:02:00.002+10:00

Less than two weeks for Ramadan to end :( and my first test this semester :(

And for Syawal to come :)

Plus. Another one month. I'll be homeeee :))

*mixed feelings*

May God bless. May God ease :)

Sometimes.

2011-08-17T22:48:00.002+10:00

Things aren't happen as usually they do.
Example: some drivers don't stop at the crossing at night.

Pengajaran: lihat kiri, lihat kanan. Hati-hati.

a week.

2011-08-05T21:29:00.000+10:00

It's been a week of Ramadhan. as well as classes ;) like usual, time flies, waiting for no one.
The feeling of walking back home, looking at the people around me and crossing the road, it's all the same.
The only difference is that the feeling of Ramadhan :) Alhamdulillah, it was not so bad at all. It was not the first time I didn't fast at home and I am glad that I will be able to finish my tarawih by eight o'clock.

I need to focus more this semester and patiently wait for September to come :D huhu.
I think I have done the right decision to go back last holiday, cause it reduces my homesick. Some more it was just a short trip, I am grateful because if I stay a bit longer, it will be hard for me to adapt back with Sydney :P

p/s : let's join the bazaar next week !

new :)

2011-07-31T17:28:00.000+10:00

new semester,

new spirit,

new phase.

salam Ramadhan :')

excited.

2011-07-04T20:43:00.000+10:00

few days left before I leave Sydney :)

despite of what happened to Tiger, I am really excited.

and Malaysia, I miss you. like always <3

my rant.

2011-06-28T08:22:00.006+10:00

I finished my exam about ten days ago. It was not so terrible nor so good. I was amazed by the fact that I finished my semester one here in Australia at this fast. I have a deep feeling that 3 years here will be flying exactly the same rate. This mean that I have to keep everything; every single moment in my life permanently in my head. oh. how I wish i could. there were a lot of things happened and I believed they have their own reasons. Even things like

I can't find my train ticket one fine day (yeah. I lost it),
I left my question paper blank when in fact i knew how to do it,
I baked a cake (recipe from my mom) and have a recipe book and my pashmina was missing in action at home,
I have to queue to study in the library in the morning of Queen's birthday,
I got a "nice" honk one evening when I insisted to cross the road while the traffic is blinking red,
I cried like crazy because I missed my mom on mother's day,
I run as fast as I can (feel like in stadium) to catch buses and trains,
I felt sad every time I look up in the sky and there is a plane,
I had a chat with my groupmate and he was shocked knowing that Malaysia is always hot and don't sell winter clothing (except for universal traveller)
I started to love cheese (suprisingly)
I shivered non-stop during the first two rakaat of my prayer because it was too cold (taking wudu')
I brought knitting equipment when I went shopping (to knit in the train)
I sleep with five teddy bears everyday,
I was told by the doctor that I have heat allergic
I applied lotion everyday after taking bath
I said awkward things to boyfie and he said don't make him get heart attack =.=
I can just buy anything that I needed anytime (if and only if I am hardworking) because the mall is just few steps away from my house,
and a lot more.

I want to remember for the rest of my life.
All I can say is that Australia generally taught me a lot, and I become more matured in making decision. I learnt a lot too. I wish I can continue this journey of my life with being a new me everyday. Hmm. But, sometimes, it is easier said than done.

"we survive by remembering,

but sometimes we survive by forgetting"

curry mee :)

2011-06-05T21:39:00.000+10:00

As I knew that people are still reading my blog, so I post this. hehe
today I made curry mee ^_^
huhu. but I am just a new beginner, maybe couldn't beat Vj's curry *I guess* :P

I was so like 'mengidam' then call my mom then ask for recipe. hehe. actually I knew it, just want to confirm :P *eceh
then, during the conversation my father was there too and when my mum asked, "do you find mee there?" then I said " oh. we used spagheti.." then my father just said, "oh tu bukan mee kari. tu spagheti kari.." haha.

so, thats it. I cooked 'spagheti kari' :)

unfortunately, we were so excited to eat and forgot to take picture.lol
so, it is something similar to this. haha

yummy ! :P

ok. go study now..

all the best in exam !

I get lost in the beauty,

2011-05-20T00:10:00.001+10:00

of everything I see :)

Subhanallah :)

p/s : autumn in my heart ^_^

so cold.

2011-05-11T06:16:00.002+10:00

wearing winter coat in the house isn't fun at all .

seriously.

o Allah. give me strength to cope with the weather :)

ameen.

wishes.

2011-05-08T22:21:00.003+10:00

happy mother's day ummi :)

take care, have a safe journey & happy holiday sayang ♥

katy, good luck test (ye hari rabu) :P

all the best in your final, safiyyah :)

selamat bercuti syahirah dan Aupians juga :)

and lets try our best to reduce expenses (others macquarian/jpa scholar) =D

p/s: I love you. yes you.

good luck honey!

2011-05-04T07:40:00.001+10:00

all the best in your exam tomorrow okie :)

all you need is to believe in yourself and you are halfway there.

may Allah bless you with full barakah. ameen

*gambar sekadar hiasan*

motivation :')

2011-04-29T17:44:00.002+10:00

Don't always say "there's still time" because there's also a concept of "its too late".

so true :|
I shall stop procrastinating workload now. lets work hard :)

I just love her =)

2011-04-26T16:14:00.003+10:00

because she's just so adorable and cute.

haih.

2011-04-23T14:02:00.000+10:00

it was so cold and i am so lazy.

*sigh

none of the homework completed..
ya Allah, help me..

its autumn break !

2011-04-08T16:54:00.000+10:00

:)

I have nothing to say besides
i am extremely EXCITED :)

yeah. and I have lots of so called 'holiday list of things to do'.

p/s: how I wish I own an air ticket to Malaysia right now =.='

I need fresh air !

2011-03-18T17:30:00.001+11:00

ohh. let me breathe :)

its been a long week. and test week is coming. haih.

lets do the best !
:)

off one month and four days

2011-03-13T13:29:00.002+11:00

we were here in a place called MACQUARIE.
everything is going well, i guest.
except for the non-stop work load =.='

yesterday we have a really happy experience :)
eating and watching everyone face eating the killer 'sambal' made by qila :P
(if and only if you guys know how many times I sneeze when she is cooking)

walking back in the middle of night for about twenty minutes is interesting though it was tiring.

yet, when we arrive at home, something bad happened :|
well, it should be a lesson for us. be aware of surrounding.

p/s: I love those stars yesterday and congratulations to VJ :)

please.

2011-02-26T18:03:00.000+11:00

lets make it not a hopeless weekend :)

work hard ,
or else

suffer.

p/s : I need an inspiration 8)

A dinosaur question.

2011-02-25T19:48:00.001+11:00

A dinosaur lives on an island. Scientists regularly visit the island,and they are the sole source of food for the dinosaur. The dinosaurstores calories in its body, and starts with a supply of 10,000calories. Each day it catches and eats S scientists, where S is arandom number from the Poisson distribution withy mean 1. If thedinosaur's calories fall to 0, it dies. What is the probability thatthe dinosaur survives at least 2.5 days ?

the lecturer of ACST152 (intro to actuarial studies) posted this question.

and i am totally BLUR :|

oh my dear brain,

please start functioning :)

cry.

2011-02-24T12:05:00.000+11:00

but only if

it
make
you
sronger..
(http://icaicalagi.blogspot.com/)

:'(

i am back.

2011-02-23T19:25:00.001+11:00

hey blog !
do you miss me ?

:)

finally - its the time !

2010-10-31T16:54:00.000+11:00

all the best my friends ! :)

will meet you guys in Aussie next year ♥

Raya update :)

2010-09-19T18:51:00.001+10:00

The last raya in Malaysia (InsyaAllah) was filled with laugh and happiness =)
I really enjoy every moments with my family and friends because it was really enjoyable and unforgettable. I'am pretty sure that everybody is excited to upload those joyous photos of themselves for Hari Raya and I am not excluded. So, here it is :

the couples :]

the ladies in the house :D

and now, meet the boys.

this was a real candid :P

in the car. me n sis :)

lunch at kopitiam =)

mom's hometown, Beranang.

at Mak Lang's house

airport, with my twins. haha :P (many relatives were confuse which one is me)

former school, reunion :)

with the girls at mimie's house, taman ehsan

lovely moments.

one day out, mid valley

me and kak Yus, happy for her (will be married end of the year).

thats all for the update. shall get back to work (aussie news? haha). enough of dreaming. chaiyok2.

bye-bye

News

2010-08-20T19:44:00.004+10:00

Hope for the living as kidneys rise from the dead

Hundreds of Australians queueing for a life-saving kidney transplant could see the four-year average waiting time shrink. This is according to a research that promises to increase the available kidneys.

Traditionally, physician have considered that it is preferable to use organs from brain-dead donors whose hearts continue to function, because this allows them to remove the organs while the blood is still circulating. This ensure minimal damage from lack of oxygen.

However, a new study has shown a hike in number of patients who receive kidneys from donors whose hearts have stopped beating recover just as well, and in fact, they go on to have just as healthy lives for at least the following five years compared with patients given kidneys from brain-dead donors.

It was found out from the research, published yesterday in UK journal The Lancet that there was no difference in the survival rates of the transplanted kidneys between the two groups over the five-year follow-up, and kidney function was comparable between the two groups. An accompanying comment in the journal, by the Australian transplant expert Peter Morris, who now works in London, said the report was an important contribution to the problem of increasing the supply of donor kidneys for transplantation. Kidney Health Australia medical director Tim Mathew said the study would give doctors confidence to consider cardiac death patients as potential donors.

There are about 1250 Australians on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, who face an average wait of four years. The true number is higher because patients often have to wait to get onto the list. Over 10,000 Australians are on dialysis treatment, and the annual number of transplants is only enough to offset (to use one cost, payment or situation in order to cancel or reduce the effect of another) the 600 to 800 new patients who join the transplant waiting list each year.

Steve Chadban, director of kidney transplantation at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, said while there were only 19 kidneys from cardiac death donors in 2007, and 23 in 2008, this jumped to 42 last year. This year is expected to be the biggest yet with 35 already donated in the seven months to the end of July.

News

2010-08-19T11:17:00.000+10:00

Call to counter negative Saudi claims about Australian Universities

SAUDI assert that most Australian unis are not good enough to train its academics. This could threaten the sector's international standing. International Education Association of Australia executive director Dennis Murray said the "negative denotations" cast on institutions outside the eight elite sandstone universities could spread unless the federal government was more proactive. Universities Australia has officially complained to the Saudi Cultural Mission in Canberra, and they were asked to retract (to say that something you have said earlier is not true or correct or that you did not mean it) the negative connotations cast on non-group of eight universities.

As revealed by The Australian yesterday, the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education earlier this year instructed its universities to limit scholarships for trainee Saudi academics in Australia to those attending one of the group of eight: the Australian National University in Canberra, Monash and Melbourne universities, and the universities of Queensland, Western Australia, Adelaide, Sydney and NSW.

This followed advice from the Saudi Cultural Mission in Canberra, which had voiced concerns that many of their students were studying at "medium- or low-level" Australian universities.

According to Saudi students in Australia, the Saudis have since backed away from the policy, notifying them that they simply have a preference for postgraduate research students to be at a group of eight university.

Some discussion between the Saudis and Australian universities has already taken place to try to clarify the situation and to limit the fallout (the bad results of a situation or an action).

Mr Murray said that there is a danger that Australian education will increasingly be viewed by foreign governments as of middling or even lesser quality. He added that the education sector even at the highest levels of government, have been ignore the warning and the consequences are now visible.

But a spokesman for Education Minister Simon Crean said the government's measures would safeguard the quality of the Australian education brand. Australia still become a favoured destination for higher education international students.

The government has tightened regulations and immigration to crack down on dodgy (not working well; not in good condition) colleges and migration fraud. But the sector complains that the changes have been too rushed and will cause unnecessary damage.

News

2010-08-19T10:38:00.002+10:00

English should be embedded

MOVES by professions to require international student graduates to pass English language tests reflect a lack of confidence regarding whether universities are doing enough to ensure graduates have adequate English skills, says English language expert Sophie Arkoudis.

The University of Melbourne associate professor said universities needed to take an action to embed English language assessment in their courses, focusing not only international students but also domestic students who may come from non-English-speaking backgrounds or have language difficulties. She added that, their degrees students cannot develop the communication skills they need and is reflected back on the sector.

The issue was highlighted last week when about 400 recent international nursing graduates in Victoria faced deportation after an increase in the English-language requirements for registration as nurses.From July 1, the new Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia increased the test score required for registration; under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) it has risen from 6.5 to 7; alternatively, applicants must score an A or B on the Occupational English Test.

However, after a protest outside state parliament and intervention from the Australian Nurses Federation, the board granted concessions to the nurses, in which many of those student visas are to expire at the end of the month.

She said universities were not well placed to provide definitive assessments of a graduate's language achievement. And she noted some academics look for evidence that students understand the course content adequately, rather than assessing their language skills in expressing that knowledge.

She questioned the use of tests such as IELTS as exit tests in the absence of further research. Such tests were designed to assess a student's ability to start a course and were not tailored (made for a particular person or purpose) to a profession. She also believed targeting the test at international students was discriminatory.

Professor Arkoudis said embedding English should be part of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council's development of discipline standards.

News # 12

2010-08-17T16:13:00.002+10:00

Restricting migration 'could raise inflation'

A leading demographer Peter McDonaldwarn that the resources boom risks driving upinflation and interest rates if skilled migrants are not brought in to fillconstruction jobs. Professor McDonald yesterday said there would beserious consequences from any move by governments to limit migration in respondto the Treasury advice to Population Minister Tony Burke in April that theeconomy faced "acute" capacity constraints in Queensland and WesternAustralia in the next two years.

He stated that by restrictingmigration, wage pressure will drive inflation. He added that, labourparticularly in construction jobs will get sucked into the resources sector inQueensland and WA because they pay higher wages. Hence, there will be apressure on wages in the public infrastructure sphere in the other states.

He also stated that the rising ofinterest rate by the Reserve Bank reflect the inflationary pressure and thismight cause housing and public infrastructure sector to be affected.

Population expert Glenn Witherssaid that the economy will not only face inflationary danger but there wasa risk resource projects could be affected without thenecessary skilled workforce to get them up and running.

However, a demographer of MonashUniversity, Bob Birrell said it was disingenuous (not sincere, especially when you pretend to knowless about something than you really do)to conflate the mining boom with immigration.

He added that almost all migrantshave arrived and stayed in the cities and they are employed under servicesector. He argued that should develop a specific mining immigration policyas the industry wants job-ready, just in-time workers who don't need training.If the economy is in a short term boom, it makes sense not to compete forworkers with the east coast but to bring them in as short term temporaryworkers.

3.20 am

2010-08-17T05:35:00.001+10:00

I am still up, alone in the early morning.
I guessed I have a sleep disorder problem.

and,
I know I should work on with my news.
but
I need an inspiration.

p/s : I wish I am strong enough to go on with my life :'(

I just feel - empty.

2010-08-15T02:25:00.000+10:00

I didn't expect my feeling to be like this.
yet I have no other choice.
love can make our life so meaningful :)
and sometimes miserable too :P

well. my journey is still long way to go.
all the best to me!

♥
ily.
good bye.

News # 11

2010-07-27T18:14:00.001+10:00

Consumers prefer new over old

A survey on 2500 consumer reveals that Australian prefer newer brands rather than some long established companies.The research is the first national study undertaken by Canstar Blue, a new division of Canstar Cannex which has been compiling and comparing business information since 1992. The items included in survey are airline, car, mobile phone provider, bank, tv and electronic retailer which covered the price, service, product range, accessibility and clear billing.

The survey showed greatest consumer satisfaction with ANZ as an established bank, ING as a challenger bank, Virgin Blue (over Qantas) as domestic airline and Virgin Mobile ringing up votes as mobile phone carrier. Hyundai (over Ford) emerged leading the car category, Retravision topped the survey as electronics retailer, Hisense did the best of the LCD TVs while Panasonic was the leading plasma TV brand.

The result also showed that women tend to be more satisfied on their brands chosen while men were more critical of the value provided by the airline, car and phone companies. Baby boomers ( person born during a baby boom, especially after the Second World War) are seen to be happier and more optimistic with the value and service provided by companies.

The survey is done mainly on the basis of this phrase, by consumers to consumers.

News # 10

2010-07-21T00:13:00.000+10:00

Lack of room at the inns hits Christmas Island tourism

A boat operator in Christmas Island, Simon Prince said he has not seen any tourist since April and he blames the Immigration Detention Centre. Mr Prince says his business is choking because the island's 260 hotel rooms are consistently booked out -- or close to booked out -- by public servants, contractors and other service providers linked to the detention of 2510 asylum-seekers on the overcrowded island.

Mr Prince said this created obstacle for group of tourist from Singapore who were traditionally his best customer despite this big business of detention has been good news for island's restaurant, shops, four hotels and two hire-car operators. He said that the group of divers has nowhere to stay and no car to hire unless they book at least 5 month in advance.

Mr Prince has thought of closing his business due to the huge amount of debts that he incurred. A report in 2008 to the federal Attorney-General's department found economic diversification on Christmas Island was likely to be based on the tourism sector. But passenger cards filled out by people travelling from the mainland show the percentage of people coming to the island for leisure or holiday dropped from 28 per cent to 20 per cent between September 2007 and February this year, while the percentage travelling there for work increased from 31 per cent to 55 per cent in the same period.

Christmas Island Tourism Association chairwoman Lisa Preston said it has become cheaper and easier for people to come to this island with the presence of New Airline Virgin, but the accommodation was the main problem. Though there are no problem in dealing with tourist who book 12 months in advance, yet it will be nice if they could accommodate people who decide maybe two months ahead that they want to come here. Ms Preston, who runs 4WD tours on the island, said she had been operating with just two customers a day and was breaking even.

nice :)

2010-07-17T16:09:00.000+10:00

News # 9

2010-07-17T16:04:00.000+10:00

Children in the kitchen

CHEESECAKE, biscuits and scones were on the menu as kids took over the kitchen at Regency TAFE this week. The mini chefs learn some of the culinary skills such as preparing the dough with wooden spoon, crushing biscuits for cheesecake and "smashing chocolate with a blunt knife.
A mother, Philipa Jacobs send her children to this educational school holiday program. This give her children their first taste of commercial cooking. She also said that such activity is good so that children will not just buy anything when they go out.

The basic learning of food preparation, cooking, nutrition, and healthy choice have made this program become famous across a wide range of age groups. Kids love cooking and get their hands dirty in the kitchen. They also might thought of their future career instead of only having fun.

News # 8

2010-07-14T20:32:00.001+10:00

Young learning to love their iPads

APPLE chief executive Steve Jobs said that iPads, a small and portable device had a great possibility to replace the old-style computer. This issue has been debated among technology analysts may cause theold home computer to obselete. A research director at Longhaus, Sam Higgins said that young people tend to accept the devices as a replacement for their existing technology. He added that, people who are single or student which are more itinerant, will spend less time at home.

However, iPads also are being criticised by Springboard Research vice-president John Brand as an expensive and inadequate substitute for a conventional computer. In contrary, Queensland University of Technology user experience specialist Rebecca Watson, is against the critique as her institute planned to integrate iPads in their classroom based on the reason it is absolutely more convenient than its competitors.

Kayla Santoso, 25, (picture) takes her iPad with her everywhere she goes in Brisbane. She said iPads is great because she can do most thing that she could do in her laptop. Hence, she occasionally relies on her laptop. Ms Santoso said she only used it to download and store large amounts of data, such as music.

The market is rising continuously despite the debate is still rage on.

1 year :)

2010-07-01T00:39:00.002+10:00

I could not believe that time really don't wait for us.

It has been a year, we survive in Inti (karipap, kaya, kacang and what else :P)

It was fun to meet and know new friends :)

though I am not really friendly to all.

I still remember, the first time I reached Inti, I felt very happy and excited to experience such a college life.

and what I should say is, I learned a lot here :)

the girls : cute

classmate : great

floormate : helpful

sisters : awesome

many things were saved in my memory :)

(of course included the day I met you, my dear :P)

p/s : I am a big girl now, I shall be strong and continue my journey here, another half year. wish me luck and do pray for me :)

holiday

2010-06-29T20:33:00.001+10:00

I am a good housewife :)

haha. everyday same routine,
clean the kitchen
wash the dishes, day and night
sweep the house
doing laundry
and lots more.

holiday when everyone is not, is totally BORING :(
I missed chatting with my siblings during breakfast on holiday T.T

p/s : when can I get married? lol :D

News # 7

2010-06-28T23:07:00.000+10:00

Calls for greater focus on asbestos

From:AAP
June 28, 2010 6:55PM

Increase Text Size

ASBESTOS is still present in more than a million homes as well as many schools and workplaces, a union says.

Cancer Council CEO Professor Ian Olver says mesothelioma, the cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, is expected to kill up to 18,000 Australians by 2020.

"Australia has the highest per capita incidence of this disease in the world and we need to do more to reduce Australia's exposure to asbestos," he said.

A national asbestos summit will be held in Sydney tomorrow, convened by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) and the Cancer Council.

They want to form a coalition with asbestos disease experts, support groups and regulatory bodies to ensure Australia is free of asbestos within 20 years.

AMWU president Paul Bastian said the coalition would lobby the federal government to establish a dedicated and independent National Asbestos Unit.

"This would act as an information hub and coordinate national action on asbestos removal and education across all jurisdictions," he said in a statement today.

Mr Bastian said it was estimated that asbestos was still present in more than a million homes, and many schools and workplaces.

"This problem is compounded by poor community awareness and a disjointed approach from the three levels of government," he said.

Asbestos victims, their families and supporters will attend the summit.

full stop

2010-06-16T15:14:00.000+10:00

semester two ,
the end.

News # 6

2010-06-01T21:55:00.001+10:00

Counting on maths for your career

MARTINA SIMOS, CLARE PEDDIE
From:The Advertiser
May 18, 2010 10:55am

Increase Text Size

Alex, Rory, Tamara and Andrew from the Australian Science and Mathematics School holding geometry models of sacred objects.Source: The Advertiser

SECONDARY students continue to shun Year 12 mathematics, worsening a critical shortage of skilled workers in professions such as engineering.

*shun- to avoid somebody/something

Under the new SACE, Year 11 students have to pass at least one maths subject but there is no requirement to study maths in Year 12.

Last year, more than 20,000 students studied maths in Year 11, but the number plunged to a mere 7500 in Year 12. That's a 63 per cent drop.

SACE chief executive Dr Paul Kilvert said students studying various maths subjects needed only a C grade to complete the SACE numeracy requirement.

"The majority of students who meet the compulsory numeracy requirement of the SACE will do so through studying maths subjects at Stage 1," he said. "The choices students make at Stage 2 in the SACE are more closely linked to their post-school pathways. Students will therefore tend to study fewer subjects but choose ones that relate to their individual career and work options."

Report chairman Professor Gavin Brown, director of the Royal Institution of Australia in Adelaide, said the Group of Eight was now "pressing on" with a series of short-term measures designed to avert what he described as a "dangerous" situation.In March this year, eight of the nation's leading universities, including the University of Adelaide, released a review of maths and science in Australian schools that painted an alarming picture.

"There has been a great drift into easier levels of mathematics in the SACE," he said.

"So that means that there's a problem for having students go on to university.

"Advanced mathematics is not fancy stuff; it's just what you need to do a standard engineering degree, for example.

"One of the recommendations in the report was that there should be remedial programs designed in the universities, as a short-term measure at least, to make sure that students could actually go on and do quantitative disciplines at the university level."

A shortage of Year 12 maths students is one of many problems, says Mathematical Association of SA president Mark Darrell. He said students were trying to achieve a high TER by choosing easier maths subjects, only to find that further maths studies were needed for some university courses.

"If a student takes the risk of doing a higher level of maths and struggles with it and they don't pass, that means they don't get their numeracy which means they don't get their SACE," he said.

"We know that a lot of students are tending to change the way they do their subject choices."

* Friday is National Mathematics Day.

2009 NUMBERS

Stage 1 Total number of maths students: 20,154

Stage 2 : Total number of maths students: 7470

Stage 2 Subjects Mathematical Applications: 3088

MathematicalMethods: 1126

Mathematical Studies: 3268

Specialist Maths: 1340

Total number of results: 8822

* (Some students will take more than one unit of mathematics).

Comment

Math is fun! huhu. but it is undeniable that math is quite a tough subject. I realise that many of my friends in former school hate math and I keep wondering why..

well, it is true that what you like, others may not.

even I not really familiar with the math system in Australia, I am convinced that spec math is a really really killer subject ( look at the statistics :P )

However, I remembered my senior said, that at the end, although it was hard, you will be proud because you made it :)

Lets do it together friends ^_^

p/s : I wonder why they have Mathematics Day? :P

ladies coach

2010-05-23T14:49:00.004+10:00

Last Friday, I went out with my friends (Syera, Tina, Fana also) to collect our spm certificate at our former school, SESERI :)
Long time didn't met them. Concurrently, we met our friends (Nik, Farah, Ain) from Taylors at PWTC's prayer room. We were extremely happy and excited ^__^

Then, since my friends drove her cars, I came out with a 'brilliant' plan to pay a visit to Amir.
It was a successful surprise! haha
He took almost sometimes to notice me there :P

In short, I took ktm at 9.35 pm from Kepong Sentral to go back Inti. It was actually already late since I'm alone. At 10++, everyone started to text me..

"Mas, reached already?.."
"Mas, what time you are going back?.."
"Mas, where are you now?.."

haha. Thanks everyone because care about my safety!
Sorry for making everyone worry =.=
I really really appreciate your concern. Arigato :))
(and to you, I promise that I won't do this stupid thing again.. :DD)

Okay, regarding the title, surprisingly, at KL Sentral station, ladies coach was almost full.
This was really out of my thoughts, and of course by the time I reached Mid, the coach became more crowded. There was an Indian lady sat beside me. She called someone ( I guessed her husband) and suddenly started to speak so loud. Her dialogue was something like this..

"You imagine, all ladies gather at one coach, can you hear this?.. (the environment was sooo noisy as woman talk a lot..undeniable :D) haa. you heard right? I rather prefer to mix with some man, so that these people will shut their mouth!"

I started to smile when she said like that. I can felt her frustration because they were making unpleasant noise . In fact, she was pregnant and perhaps she was very tired at that time.

Everything has pros and cons. Of course in the other hand, ladies coach brings benefits too.
I felt safe a bit to take ktm since it was really late because of this coach.

However, on the other situations, (from Rudy's blog) guys are complaining that some ladies have taken their seats when they didn't use the ladies coach. They have no place to sit. huhu.
So many reactions as opinions are like noses, everyone has one :)

In my point of view, I respect the guys that felt guilty whenever they entered this coach although there was no ktm staff at that time :)

Oh. By the way, my story haven't finish yet. I reached Nilai at almost 11. Then, I prefer to take taxi instead of bus because it was already late. The pakcik was sooo friendly. He talked non-stop ( sorry my dear, that I have to reject your call :P) Guess what, he interviewed me a lot. I just answered and explained a bit about actuary since he didn't know it.

Then, out of no where, he said..
" you must be really good in numbers. 1 trillion is how many billion?"

hahaha.OMG. I took quite a long time to answer. Furthermore, I really can't think at that time because I was very tired. That pakcik just said its ok if I can't answer. (what a shame. sigh*)
He said, he loves calculating.. bla2.
Then, I added that I really respect old people (including my father) because they can count well quickly without calculator while us, young generations depend a lot on calculator.. *sigh again

Okay, I shall end this. haha.
bye-bye :)

Final Draft - Effect of television viewing

2010-05-23T00:09:00.000+10:00

Recently, at least ninety percent of families in developingcountries have one or more television sits in their home (Sharif 1999). Theinvention of this amazing black box has attracted people from various ages(Leigh 2001). According to American Time Use Survey (2003), people spent morethan two hours of their leisure by watching television. Coincidently, UK TimeUse Survey (2000) also shows that most people spent their free time ontelevision, video and radio. The worrisome of immoderate television viewing hasbecome the main concern as some people have been questioned whether television bringsmore harm than good. I strongly believe that television bring more detrimentaleffects than good especially to children as television affects cognitive andskill development, behaviour and health.

First and foremost, excessive television viewing is admittedto cause adverse effects to ongoing cognitive and skill development in children.Television viewing hinders children to develop skills such as creative thinkingto imagine fancies characters, environment and make believe world, which arecrucial in solving problem (Leigh 2001). As a result, children who watchtelevision excessively would not be able to face complex real life problems andcertainly become frustrated and easily give up (Sharif 1999). Leigh alsopointed out Dr Geraldin Jones research that children who are heavy viewersoften achieve low result at school. It is due to the difficulties to focus onhomework when the television is on (Leigh 2001). Moreover, children might losscommunication skills as they rarely talk to each other due to television’sirruptive nature (Rutherford 2002).

In addition, television viewing causes negative effects inchildren’s behaviour. Children tend to be easily addicted on certain programmesand even delay the other activities so that they will not miss their ‘must’ seeprogrammes (Rutherford 2002). To make things worse, some children even emulaterisky and aggressive behaviour when they watched violent programmes in aprolonged period (Sharif 1999). Consequently, they become insensitive toviolence (Sharif 1999). Television’s programmes also reinforce genderstereotypes depicted by the television’s characters which influence childrenbehaviour towards themselves and society (Sharif 1999). Hence, television canbe one of the major reasons of worsening children’s behaviour.

Furthermore, the health of the children is also affected bytelevision. Children are not being physically active when they continuouslywatching television (Sharif 1999). Besides, television replaces other more important and appropriateactivities like sport and exercise (UK Time Use Survey 2000). As children haveturned to be a couch potato, added with snack companion, they are more likelyto be overweight and experience other related disease (Rutherford 2002). Thus,it is undeniable that television prevents people especially children to have abetter and healthy lifestyle.

In a nutshell, inappropriate television viewing leads tomore undesirable outcomes as it hampers mental and skill development, aggravatesbehavioural problems, and causes children’s health to be at risk. I would liketo reiterate my stance that television has become more a harm than good toyoung teens and children. Parents should draw a line to curb these innumerabletelevision viewings. Children need to be active and use their imagination to behealthy. Rutherford magnificently come out with his phrase in Saturday Magazine (2002) that televisionis a bad master but a good servant.

Effect of television viewing #2

2010-05-17T19:11:00.001+10:00

Nowadays, at leastninety percent of families in developing countries have one or more televisionsits in their home (Sharif 1999). The invention of this amazing black box hasattracted people from various ages (Leigh 2001). According to American Time UseSurvey (2003), people spent more than two hours of their leisure by watchingtelevision. Coincidently, UK Time Use Survey (2000) also shows that most peoplespent their free time on television, video and radio. The worrisome ofimmoderate television viewing has become the main concern as some people havebeen questioned whether television does more good or harm. I fully believe thattelevision bring more detrimental effects rather than good especially tochildren as television could affects cognitive and skill development, children’sbehaviour plus children’s health.

First and foremost,excessive television viewing is admitted to cause adverse effect to ongoingcognitive and skill development in children. Television viewing unable childrento develop skill such as creative thinking to imagine fancies characters ,environment and make believe world , which are crucial in solving problem(Leigh 2001). As a result, children who watched television excessively would notbe able to face complex real life problems and certainly become frustrated andeasily give up (Sharif 1999). Leigh also pointed out Dr Geraldin Jones researchthat children who are heavy viewers often achieve low result at school. It is dueto the difficulties to focus on homework when the television is on (Leigh2001). Moreover, children might loss communication skills as they rarely talkto each other due to television’s irruptive nature (Rutherford 2002).

In addition, televisionviewing contributes to negative effect in children behaviour. Children tend tobe easily addicted on certain programmes and even delay the other activities sothat they will not miss their ‘must’ see programmes (Rutherford 2002). To makethings worse, some children even emulate risky and aggressive behaviour whenthey watched violent programmes in a prolonged period (Sharif 1999).Consequently, they become insensitive to violence (Sharif 1999). Television’sprogrammes also reinforce gender stereotypes depicted by the television’s characterswhich influence children behaviour towards themselves and society (Sharif1999). Hence, television can be one of the major reasons of worseningchildren’s behaviour.

Furthermore, the healthof the children is also affected by television. Children are not beingphysically active when they continuously watching television (Sharif1999). Besides, television replacesother more important and appropriate activities like sport and exercise (UKTime Use Survey 2000). As children have turned to be a couch potato, added withsnack companion, they are more likely to be overweight and experience otherrelated disease (Rutherford 2002). Thus, it is undeniable that televisionprevents people especially children to have a better and healthy lifestyle.

In a nutshell,inappropriate television viewing leads to more undesirable outcomes as it hampersmental and skill development, aggravates behavioural problems, and causeschildren’s health to be at risk. I would like to reiterate my stance thattelevision has become more a harm than good to young teens and children.Parents should draw a line to curb these innumerable television viewings.Children need to be active and use their imagination to be healthy. Rutherfordmagnificently come out with his phrase in SaturdayMagazine (2002) that television is a bad master but a good servant.

Effect of television viewing #1

2010-05-16T15:27:00.000+10:00

Nowadays, at least ninety percentof family in developing country have one or more television sits in their home(Sharif 1999). The invention of this amazing black box has attracted peoplefrom various ages (Leigh 2001). According to American Time Use Survey (2003),people spent more than two hours of their leisure by watching television. Coincidently,UK Time Use Survey (2000) also showed that most people spent their free time ontelevision, video and radio. The worrisome of immoderate television viewing hasbecome the main concern as some people have been questioned whether televisiondoes more good or harm. I fully believed that television bring more detrimentaleffect rather than good especially to children as television could affectcognitive and skill development, children’s behaviour plus children’s health.

First and foremost, excessivetelevision viewing is admitted to cause adverse effect to ongoing cognitive andskill development in children. Television viewing unable children to developskills such as creative thinking to imagine fancies characters , environmentand make believe world , which are crucial in solving problem (Leigh 2001). Asa result, children who watched television excessively would not be able to facecomplex real life problems and certainly become frustrated and easily give up(Sharif 1999). Leigh also pointed out Dr Geraldin Jones research that childrenwho are heavy viewers often achieve low result at school. It might caused bythe difficulties to focus on homework when the television is on (Leigh 2001).Moreover, children might loss communication skills as they rarely talk to eachother due to television’s irruptive nature (Rutherford 2002).

In addition, television viewingcontributed to negative effect in children behaviour. Children tend to beeasily addicted on certain programmes and event delay the other activities sothat they will not miss their ‘must’ see programmes (Rutherford 2002). To makethings worse, some children even emulate risky and aggressive behaviour whenthey watched violent programmes in a prolonged period (Sharif 1999).Consequently, they become insensitive to violence (Sharif 1999). Television’sprogrammes also reinforce gender stereotypes depicted by the television’s characterswhich influence children behaviour towards themselves and society (Sharif1999). Hence, television can be one of the major reasons of worsening children’sbehaviour.

Furthermore, the health of thechildren is also affected by television. Children are not being physicallyactive when they continuously watching television (Sharif 1999). Besides, television replaces other moreimportant and appropriate activities likes sport and exercise (UK Time UseSurvey 2000). As children have turned to be a couch potato, added with snackcompanion, they are more likely to be overweight and experience other relateddisease (Rutherford 2002). Thus, it is undeniable that television preventpeople especially children to have a better and healthy lifestyle.

In a nutshell, inappropriatetelevision viewing lead to more undesirable outcomes as it hamper mental andskill development, aggravate behavioural problems, and causes children healthto be at risk. I would like to reiterate my stance that television has becomemore a harm than good to young teens and children. Parents should draw a lineto curb these innumerable television viewing. Children need to be active anduse their imagination to be healthy and television cannot do these (Leigh2001). Rutherford magnificently come out with his phrase in Saturday Magazine(2002) that television is a bad master but a good servant.

useful website :)

2010-05-14T18:20:00.001+10:00

http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwesl/egw/jones/differences.htm

It is on different spelling between US and British.

I didn't know British spell 'bank' as 'banque'.

thanks to Mr Iqbal :)

idioms :)

2010-05-13T20:03:00.000+10:00

to paddle your own canoe - to do things yourself
to be cock-sure to be very certain
to go as crow flies - to go in a straight line
to talk through your hat - to talk foolishly
to read between the lines - to find the hidden meaning
to sow the seed - to give the idea
to call a spade a spade - to be frank and outspoken
to get into hot water - to get into trouble
to pull up one's socks - to improve what one is doing
to pay lip service - to pretend to be loyal

Final Draft- junk food

2010-05-10T23:24:00.003+10:00

Recently,the issue of banning junk foods in schools leads to a debatable issue whether itbrings benefits or harms to the society especially the students. The term ‘junkfood’ is defined by Smith (2000) as any food that is understood to be unhealthyand contain minimal nutritional value. Research done by Health Ministry (2005) classifiedmost of junk foods for instance soft drinks, hamburgers, and instant noodles aslow nutrition snack. This fact create anxiety among parents as another studiesshowed that more than 50 percent of Australian schoolchildren buy all theirlunches from school canteens where junk foods are easily obtainable. Thus, I amof the view that sale of junk foods in school canteens should be banned basedon the reason of health concern, behavioural problem and environmental issue.

The majorreason that selling of junk food should be banned is that junk food leads tomany health problems. “Childhood obesity, which can lead to future cases ofheart disease, osteoarthritis, and some cancers...are blamed directly to junkfood” (Weekend News 2005, p.6). Junk foods which are high in fat and sugarcontribute to the problem of youth weight gain. Besides that, based on WeekendNews (2005) also, the consumption of soft drinks in schools causes a decline inthe dental health of Australia’s primary-school children. Selling of junk foodin school canteen also create confusion and give wrong message to most childrenthat eating a lot of junk food is normal. Therefore, banning the sales of junkfood in school can be one of the noteworthy ways to ensure the children’shealth in future.

Moreover,junk food sales should be banned because it initiates behavioural problemsamong children. “Chemical additives used to enhance flavour and colour... causeproblems such as hyperactivity and a lapse of concentration” (Smith 2005, p.3).This has been further explained by Caputo, as he mentioned that reducing innutritiousfoods in children’s diets can ameliorate behaviour. Apart from that, lack ofhealthy development and better growth environment reduce learning potential(The Food Show 2005). A teacher commented in The Food Show (2005) website thatthe students’ behaviour improved in the class and they became calmer afterlunch upon the selling of junk foods in school canteen was forbidden. Asconsumption of junk foods causes demeanour problems, the only way to work outthese problems is by banning the sale of it in the school canteen.

Furthermore,selling of junk food should be banned due to environmental issues. Junk foodpackaging is one of the major contributors to litter problems (Smith 2005). Lotsof junk food packets ended up elsewhere instead of in the dust bin and thustaint the school image in the eye of outsider. Besides that, most of junk foodpackaging is non-biodegradable and hence causes harm to our environment.According to Green, he claimed that the reduction in litter saves money andtime on cleaning process and the groundsman can focus more on schoolmaintenance which is rather beneficial. Thus, a ban on sale of junk foods canlimit environmental cases such as littering.

In anutshell, it is undeniable that banning of junk food sales brings more benefitsas it can reduce health and behaviour problems besides lead to less litterproblems. Karimi says that, schools are responsible for the welfare and safetyof students and that includes their health. Schools should teach students toeat healthily by serving nutritious food in school canteens. As saying goes,‘prevention is better than cure’, action should be taken to reduce thepropensity of bad eating habits among school children. The banning of junk foodsale is a small price to pay, for the future health of our nation (Weekend News2005).

BTN !

2010-05-02T14:13:00.000+10:00

BTN camp was fun ! Overall, the peak is the flying fox and kembara ; or should I say the TEST.huhu

my name tag :)

a few minute before the test :P

my group mate , group 7.

Thanks a lot to our facilitator, Pak Saat :D

we are one of the lucky group.huhu

on the other hand, BTN camp trained me a bit to be strong without Amir.

seriously, I miss him badly there :'(

before departure T.T

this is the last memory with him in INTI.

new phase of our relationship has begin.

Good luck to me and you.

trust me as I did to you :)

p/s : today is the starting day :(

I will miss your perfume.

junk food #2

2010-04-24T18:52:00.002+10:00

Recently,the issue of banning junk foods in schools leads to a debatable issue whetherit brings benefits or harms to the society especially the students. The term‘junk food’ is defined by Smith (2000) as any food that is understood to beunhealthy and contain minimal nutritional value. Research done by HealthMinistry classified most of junk foods for instance soft drinks, hamburgers,and instant noodles as low nutrition snack. This fact create anxiety amongparents as another studies showed that more than 50 percent of Australianschoolchildren buy all their lunches from school canteens where junk foods areeasily obtainable. Thus, I am of the view that sale of junk foods in schoolcanteens should be banned based on the reason of health concern, behaviouralproblem and environmental issue.

The majorreason that selling of junk food should be banned is junk food leads to manyhealth problems. “Childhood obesity, which can lead to future cases of heartdisease, osteoarthritis, and some cancers...are blamed directly to junk food”(Weekend News 2005, p.6). Junk foods which are high in fat and sugar contributeto the problem of youth weight gain. Besides that, based on Weekend News also,the consumption of soft drinks in schools causes a decline in the dental healthof Australia’s primary-school children. Selling of junk food in school canteenalso create confusion and give wrong message to most children that eating a lotof junk food is normal. Therefore, banning the sales of junk food in school canbe one of the noteworthy ways to ensure the children’s health in future.

Moreover,junk food sales should be banned because it initiates behavioural problemsamong children. “Chemical additives used to enhance flavour and colour... causeproblems such as hyperactivity and a lapse of concentration” (Smith 2005, p.3).This has been further explained by Caputo, as he mentioned that reducing innutritiousfoods in children’s diets can ameliorate behaviour. Apart from that, lack ofhealthy development and better growth environment reduce learning potential(The Food Show, 2005). A teacher commented in The Food Show website that thestudents’ behaviour improved in the class and they became calmer after lunchupon the selling of junk foods in school canteen was forbidden. As consumptionof junk foods causes demeanour problems, the only way to work out theseproblems is by banning the sale of it in the school canteen.

Furthermore,selling of junk food should be banned due to environmental issues. Junk foodpackaging is one of the major contributors to litter problems (Smith 2005,p.3). Lots of junk food packets ended up elsewhere instead of in the dust binand thus taint the school image in the eye of outsider. Besides that, most ofjunk food packaging is non-biodegradable and hence causes harm to ourenvironment. According to Green, he claimed that the reduction in litter savesmoney and time on cleaning process and the groundsman can focus more on schoolmaintenance which is rather beneficial. Thus, a ban on sale of junk foods canlimit environmental cases such as littering.

random.

2010-04-19T01:11:00.001+10:00

I feel want to write yet I don't know what to write =P

I went home this weekend after 3 torturous weeks in INTI :'(

Test and quizes, and the result. lost money.bought cooker.cook for seniors.

and the best things was, I did 'kek batik' for his mother =D

Glad that your family like it, romeo. huhu

and for first time also, I met his mother. It was kinda scary.huhu.

I didn't talk much because I prefer to listen ^^

you know I am a good listener .haha

Last Friday also was my younger brother's birthday (:

he is only 12. and he can't wait to do his IC. lol =P

well, today I felt so reluctant to come here; INTI.

maybe I just miss my home so much. huhu.

sorry to you, and thanks for be patience with me.

thousands thanks also to UMI, cause packing back my stuff.

and today was the last day , with one weeks left :'(

p/s : be strong big girl. don't cry because of homesick. Allah is always there for us.

junk food #1

2010-04-18T15:38:00.000+10:00

Recently,the issue of banning junk foods in schools leads to a debatable issue whetherit brings benefits or harms to the society especially the students. The term‘junk food’ is defined by Smith (2000) as any food that is understood to beunhealthy and contain minimal nutritional value. Research done by HealthMinistry classified most of junk foods for instance soft drinks, hamburgers,and instant noodles as low nutrition snack. This fact create anxiety amongparents as another studies showed that more than 50 percent of Australianschoolchildren buy all their lunches from school canteens where junk foods areeasily obtainable. Thus, I am of the view that sale of junk foods in schoolcanteens should be banned based on the reason of health concern, behaviouralproblem and environmental issue.

The majorreason that selling of junk food should be banned is junk food lead to manyhealth problems. “Childhood obesity, which can lead to future cases of heartdisease, osteoarthritis, and some cancers...are blamed directly to junk food”(Weekend News 2005 p.6). Junk foods which are high in fat and sugar contributeto the problem of youth weight gain. Besides that, based on Weekend News also,the consumption of soft drinks in schools causes a decline in the dental healthof Australia’s primary-school children. Selling of junk food in school canteenalso create confusion and give wrong message to most children that eating a lotof junk food is normal. Therefore, banning the sales of junk food in schoolcan be one of the noteworthy ways to ensure the children’s health in future.

Moreover, junkfood sales should be banned because it initiates behavioural problems amongchildren. “Chemical additives used to enhance flavour and colour...causeproblems such as hyperactivity and a lapse of concentration” (Smith 2005 p.3).This is further explained by Caputo, as he mentioned that reducing innutritiousfoods in children’s diets can ameliorate behaviour. Apart from that, lack ofhealthy development and better growth environment reduce learning potential(The Food Show, 2005). A teacher commented in The Food Show website that thestudents’ behaviour improved in the class and they became calmer after lunch uponthe selling of junk foods in school canteen was forbidden. As consumption of junkfoods causes demeanour problems, the only way to work out these problems is bybanning the sale of it in the school canteen.

Furthermore,selling of junk food should be banned due to environmental issues. Junk foodpackaging is one of the major contributors to litter problems (Smith 2005 p.3).Lots of junk food packets ended up elsewhere instead of in the dust bin andthus taint the school image in the eye of outsider. Besides that, most of junkfood packaging is non-biodegradable and hence causes harm to our environment. Accordingto Green, he claimed that the reduction in litter saves money and time oncleaning process and the groundsman can focus more on school maintenance whichis rather beneficial. Thus, a ban on sale of junk foods can limit environmentalcases such as littering.

In anutshell, it is undeniable that banning of junk food sales brings more benefitsas it can reduce health and behaviour problems besides lead to less litterproblems. Karimi says that, schools are responsible for the welfare and safetyof students and that includes their health. Schools should teach students toeat healthily by serving nutritious food in school canteens. As saying goes, ‘preventionis better than cure’, action should be taken to reduce the propensity of badeating habits among school children. The banning of junk food sale is a smallprice to pay, for the future health of our nation (Weekend News 2005, p.6).

every cloud has a silver lining =]

2010-04-10T23:08:00.001+10:00

As luck would have it, I lost RM100 =(

It happened today, when I was really ecstatic to study at the library, as it opened until 5 pm. Well, learn from mistake :

never leave wallet inside the bag, outside the library or anywhere else.
never bring money exceeding RM50 at one time.
take care of our belongings, things are unanticipated.

Be strong girl.

Let bygones be bygones.

motivation is not always there ='(

2010-04-09T17:13:00.003+10:00

I wish :

I could consistently updating this blog with useful thought.

I could consistently finish my homework without procrastinate it.

I could consistently doing tutorial not only when there is a quiz/test.

I could consistently exercise perhaps jog everyday so that, I will feel energetic besides having a healthy lifestyle.

I could consistently read more books to improve my command of English.

and there are many other things that I wish
I could do.
After all, I am just a normal human being.

My motivation always stop sometimes, and somewhere. It was really hard for me to maintain being motivated to do good things. How I wish I could have something or someone that will assist me without fail (perhaps, be my PA. haha) to remind me whenever I lost on the right track. Maybe the role of peers is crucial and necessary here.
Please friends, do remind me to stay motivated; always because I will do the same =) Thank You.

Final Draft- text production

2010-04-09T16:46:00.000+10:00

The planet is warming from North Poleto South Pole, and everywhere. Data from NOAA's (NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration's) showed that 2008 tied with 2001 asthe eighth-warmest year on record for planet Earth. In fact, most of theclimatic changes observed in the recent years have been attributed to globalwarming. Generally, global warming is the rising of earth temperature thatmainly caused by the released of greenhouse gases. Many irresponsiblehuman activities emit the hazardous gases lead to many consequences on climatechange and therefore relevant action should be taken to overcome this problem.

The mostnoteworthy effect of global warming is the melting of polar ice. Firstly, itwill raise the sea levels. The raising of globalsea levels, which scientists say could eventually submerge island nations,flood cities, and expose millions of coastal residents to destructive stormsurges (Roach 2006). New satellitemeasurements reveal that the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets are sheddingabout 125 billion tons of ice per year which is enough to raise sea levels by0.35 millimetres (0.01 inches) per year. Secondly, melting of polar ice also cause snowball withthe ice caps gone. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which isreflected back into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, theonly reflector is the ocean. Darker colours absorb sunlight, thus furtherwarming the Earth. Hence, it is clear that global warming causes polar icemelting in terms of climate change.

Apart from that,other possible effect of global warming is the changing of hydrological cycleor water cycle; thecontinuous movement of water around the earth. Roughly about 80% of the net additional heat energytrapped at the Earth's surface is transferred back to the atmosphere throughincreased evaporation of water from the land and ocean, while condensationreturns the additional heat to the atmosphere causing warming (Karl 1997). Thisalso enhances precipitation formed including rain, snow and fog. Theincreased availability of water vapour in the atmosphere also leads to asignificant increase in the energy available to drive storms and affectingrainfall rates, precipitation amounts, and storm intensity. In betweenthose larger storms will be longer periods of light or no rain, so thefrequency of drought will also increase (Riebeek 2007). In short, the disorderin hydrological cycle is due to worsen global warming.

Effective methods should be takenwisely to overcome the impact of worsening global warming. The evidence thathumans are causing global warming is strong, but the question of what to doabout it remains controversial as people say that even if they stopped emittinggreenhouse gases today, the Earth would still warm. However, what we do fromtoday onwards makes a big difference. There are many possible wedges, includingimprovements to energy efficiency. With the advanced technology present, peopleare more educated to invent an environmental free product and hence, overcomeglobal warming. Besides that, we also can stop dependency on fossil fuels andlook out for renewable energy such as wind and solar power, hydrogen producedfrom renewable sources, bio-fuels (produced from crops), and natural gas. There is also the potential to capture thecarbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuels and store it underground by a processcalled "carbon sequestration." As for conclusion, there are many waysto overcome this problem such as improve our energy efficiency, find anotherenergy sources so that we will not rely on fossils fuels only besides theprocess of “carbon sequestration”.

Global warminghas made us think, how we have progressed in last 50 years. Rapidindustrialization, economic growth and current lifestyle has brought us to apoint where our demand for high energy needs is growing everyday as mentionedby the main speaker Al Gore in the movie “The Inconvenient Truth, 2006” and causespolar ice to melt and changing of water cycle. Nevertheless, the degree towhich global warming changes life on Earth depends on our decision whether wefind the initiative to arrest this problem by improve our energy efficiency,find alternative energy, and practicing carbon sequestration process or not.Let save our precious earth for our next generation.

Draft # 2 - text production

2010-03-31T20:16:00.002+11:00

The planet is warmingfrom North Pole to South Pole, and everywhere. Datafrom NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's) showed that 2008tied with 2001 as the eighth-warmest year on record for planet Earth. In fact, mostof the climatic changes observed in the recent years have been attributed toglobal warming. Generally, global warming is the rising of earth temperature thatmainly caused by the released of greenhouse gases. Many irresponsiblehuman activities emit the hazardous gases lead to many consequences on climatechange and therefore relevant action should be taken to overcome this problem.

The most noteworthy effect of global warming is the melting ofpolar ice. Firstly, it will raise the sea levels. Theraising of global sea levels, which scientists say could eventually submergeisland nations, flood cities, and expose millions of coastal residents todestructive storm surges (Roach, 2006). New satellite measurements reveal that theGreenland and West Antarctic ice sheets are shedding about 125 billion tons ofice per year which is enough to raise sea levels by 0.35 millimetres (0.01inches) per year. Secondly, melting of polar ice also cause snowball withthe ice caps gone. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which isreflected back into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, theonly reflector is the ocean. Darker colours absorb sunlight, thus furtherwarming the Earth. Hence, it is clear that global warming causes polar icemelting in terms of climate change.

Apart from that, other possible effect of global warming is thechanging of hydrological cycle or water cycle; the continuous movement of water around the earth.Roughly about 80% of the net additional heatenergy trapped at the Earth's surface is transferred back to the atmospherethrough increased evaporation of water from the land and ocean, whilecondensation returns the additional heat to the atmosphere causing warming(Karl, 1997). This also enhances precipitation formed including rain, snow andfog. The increased availability of water vapour in theatmosphere also leads to a significant increase in the energy available todrive storms and affecting rainfall rates, precipitation amounts, and stormintensity. In between those larger storms will be longer periods oflight or no rain, so the frequency of drought will also increase (Riebeek, 2007).In short, the disorder in hydrological cycle is due to worsen global warming.

Effective methodsshould be taken wisely to overcome the impact of worsening global warming. Theevidence that humans are causing global warming is strong, but the question ofwhat to do about it remains controversial as people say that even if theystopped emitting greenhouse gases today, the Earth would still warm. However,what we do from today onwards makes a big difference. There are many possiblewedges, including improvements to energy efficiency. With the advancedtechnology present, people are more educated to invent an environmental freeproduct and hence, overcome global warming. Besides that, we also can stopdependency on fossil fuels and look out for renewable energy such as wind andsolar power, hydrogen produced from renewable sources, bio-fuels (produced fromcrops), and natural gas. There is alsothe potential to capture the carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuels and storeit underground by a process called "carbon sequestration." As forconclusion, there are many ways to overcome this problem such as improve ourenergy efficiency, find another energy sources so that we will not rely on fossilsfuels only besides the process of capturing carbon dioxide emitted.

Global warming has made us think, how we have progressed in last50 years. Rapid industrialization, economic growth and current lifestyle hasbrought us to a point where our demand for high energy needs is growingeveryday (Al Gore, 2006) and causes polar ice to melt and changing of watercycle. Nevertheless, the degree to which global warming changes life on Earthdepends on our decision whether we find the initiative to arrest this problemby improve our energy efficiency, find alternative energy, and practicingcarbon sequestration process or not. Let save our precious earth for our nextgeneration.

Draft # 1 - text production

2010-03-21T05:06:00.024+11:00

The planet is warmingfrom North Pole to South Pole, and everywhere. Datafrom NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's) showed that 2008tied with 2001 as the eighth-warmest year on record for planet Earth. In fact, mostof the climatic changes observed in the recent years have been attributed toglobal warming. Generally, global warming is the rising of earth temperature thatmainly caused by the released of greenhouse gases. Many irresponsiblehuman activities emit the hazardous gases lead to many consequences on climatechange and therefore relevant action should be taken to overcome this problem.

The most noteworthy effect of global warming is the melting ofpolar ice. Firstly, it will raise the sea levels. Theraising of global sea levels, which scientists say could eventually submergeisland nations, flood cities, and expose millions of coastal residents todestructive storm surges (Roach, 2006). New satellite measurementsreveal that the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets are shedding about 125billion tons of ice per year which is enough to raise sea levels by 0.35 millimetres(0.01 inches) per year. Secondly, melting of polar ice also cause snowball withthe ice caps gone. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which is reflectedback into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, the onlyreflector is the ocean. Darker colours absorb sunlight, thus further warmingthe Earth. Hence, it is clear that global warming causes polar ice melting interms of climate change.

Apart from that, other possible effect of global warming is thechanging of hydrological cycle or water cycle; the continuous movement of water around the earth.Roughly about 80% of the net additional heatenergy trapped at the Earth's surface is transferred back to the atmospherethrough increased evaporation of water from the land and ocean, whilecondensation returns the additional heat to the atmosphere causing warming(Karl, 1997). This also enhances precipitation formed including rain, snow andfog. The increased availability of water vapour in theatmosphere also leads to a significant increase in the energy available to drivestorms and affecting rainfall rates, precipitation amounts, and stormintensity. In between those larger storms will be longer periods oflight or no rain, so the frequency of drought will also increase (Riebeek, 2007).In short, the disorder in hydrological cycle is due to worsen global warming.

The evidence thathumans are causing global warming is strong, but the question of what to doabout it remains controversial as people say that even if they stopped emittinggreenhouse gases today, the Earth would still warm. However, what we do fromtoday onwards makes a big difference. There are many possible wedges, includingimprovements to energy efficiency. With the advanced technology present, peopleare more educated to invent an environmental free product and hence, overcomeglobal warming. Besides that, we also can stop dependency on fossil fuels andlook out for renewable energy such as wind and solar power, hydrogen producedfrom renewable sources, biofuels (produced from crops), and natural gas. There is also the potential to capture thecarbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuels and store it underground by a processcalled "carbon sequestration."

Global warming has made us think, how we have progressed in last 50years. Rapid industrialization, economic growth and current lifestyle hasbrought us to a point where our demand for high energy needs is growingeveryday (Al Gore, 2006) and causes polar ice to melt and changing of watercycle. Nevertheless, the degree to which global warming changes life on Earthdepends on our decision whether we find the initiative to arrest this problemby improve our energy efficiency, find alternative energy, and practicingcarbon sequestration process or not. Let save our precious Earth for our next generation.

News # 5

2010-03-19T03:21:00.000+11:00

Wives are the workers in 2010

By Carmel Melouney and Catherine Lambert

From:The Sunday Telegraph

March 07, 2010 10:10am

More women are earning higher wages than their husbands in 2010.

WOMEN who earn more than their husbands are on the rise and relationship experts warn that this can create issues for some men.

Social demographer Bernard Salt said that five years ago, it was extremely rare for women to earn more than their husbands.

"Over the past 10 years, the number of women who have a tertiary degree has surpassed the number of men with higher education, so women often earn more," Mr Salt said.

"This translates into relationships. In a million years of evolution, women have had a propensity to partner men who are richer and taller because they're convinced that's the most secure way to the future.

"Being in a situation where the woman earns more is confronting."

But for some couples where the woman is the main provider, it feels normal and equitable.

"It was primarily a financial decision, as my wife was earning three times as much as me," Mr Rees said.NSW dad Richard Rees, 45, quit his job at a landscaping firm seven years ago to be a full-time, stay-at-home father so his wife, Dawn, 44, could remain in her high-powered job as chief executive of Brandcorp, a marketing and distribution company.

"It was obviously a decision we had to reach together, and I was quite comfortable with it."

Mr Rees said it was a lot more common to see stay-at-home fathers than it was seven years ago.

"People are a lot less surprised now when I say I'm a stay-at-home dad.

"My wife is very happy. She can forge ahead with her career and not worry, because it's reassuring for her to know the children are always in capable hands."

Women's-issues expert Alex Brooks said the move for women to earn more than their husbands was based on a greater need for financial security.

Ms Brooks, executive editor of kidspot.com.au, recently researched 2000 women on what they needed to be happy.

"We found wealth is way down the list," she said.

"For women, earning money is about whether the household has enough to meet its needs. It's not about status and wealth."

..........................

Well, my comment is everyone has the right to choose or decide their future.
It is not wrong if a man become a househusband but it just the community perception that most unemployed people worry of. They afraid of what people say if they stay at home while the wife going out to work.

However, I think that, man should be the one who go out and work rather than the wife because man is stronger and able to work harder while woman is more suitable to take care of the children.

a trip to inti =)

2010-03-19T02:55:00.002+11:00

Yesterday I went to Inti, accompanied with my two younger sister.

Well, the reason :
the MAIN - take my braces thing, which was accidentally 'tercabut' and I forgot to bring it.
( I got a 'date' with the dentist today)

2nd - haha.I missed someone =P so, we planned to go out and watch Alice with my sisters. Unfortunately, the ticket was sold out and only left a few seat. Then, we watched 'Jumbo gajah biru' (hopefully the title is correct). haha. The story was just okay. I was glad that my younger sister enjoyed it and including me. Luckily, yesterday was Wednesday.huhu

Then, after enjoyed eating and watching, it was already almost 4.30 pm. As I asked my 8 year old younger sister,

"When you want to go home?"
She answered, "10pm"
haha.Okay.

Then, we played bowling and had a walk at the park nearby. After dinner, we watched a movie at Newton.
haha.Guess what, the three of us ended up slept at Inti.

We went home after breakfast. Oh. We did went to GIANT, bought a shirt and a slipper for my sister, and our toothbrush. haha

p/s : Fortunately, the guard is quite ok =)
and wear seatbelt while driving!

News # 4

2010-03-16T23:34:00.000+11:00

What's on your mind? The ugly face of social networking sites

Stephen Lunn, Social affairs writer
From:The Australian
February 27, 2010 12:00AM

Obscenities posted on Facebook tributes to two murdered children highlight the site's downside

TWO families were riven with grief over their loved ones' lives cut short. Friends of the two dead children were struggling to comprehend what had just happened. So too their local communities. Emotions were already red raw. But it wasn't over.

News of the stabbing murder of 12-year-old Brisbane schoolboy Elliott Fletcher on the morning of Monday, February 15, allegedly at the hands of a 13-year-old schoolmate, had quickly filtered through St Patrick's College and out on to the radio news.

A week later, early morning anxiety again rippled, this time through the Queensland city of Bundaberg, as police broke the news that an eight-year-old girl had been abducted from her home overnight. When Trinity Bates's body was found in a nearby stormwater drain later in the day, her family's worst fears were realised.

By the time parents turned up to St Patrick's last Monday week to collect distraught children from school, an RIP Elliott Fletcher testimonial page was already up on Facebook, offering the opportunity to pay tribute. "So young. So many opportunities you missed. But you're in a better place now. I'll see you up there mate," wrote Jacob Dare that afternoon.

A similar Facebook tribute page was set up within hours of Trinity's death. "I had tears in my eyes this morning when I heard this . . . as I have a daughter the same age . . . My heart goes out to the family," one post said.

But in cyberspace things quickly took a sinister turn. On the evening of February 15, about 12 hours after Elliott's death, his Facebook testimonial page was swamped with images of child pornography, bestiality, murder and racism.

On Trinity's tribute page, the descent into graphic pornography was even quicker. And in her case, Facebook soon became judge, jury and executioner when a site was created calling for a return to the death penalty. (By midweek it had nearly 4000 members.)

At first blush, Facebook, a social networking site that boasts more than 400 million registered users across the world, seems an ideal place to vent emotions and offer solace.

Where previous generations may have sent a card, those who've grown up online will naturally use their daily communication tools to grieve.

But the immediacy of postings on the net makes it difficult to police and, perhaps spurred on by the security of relative anonymity, the ugly side of humanity is empowered.

Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson described the desecration of Elliott and Trinity's tribute sites as disgusting and sick and he assigned his own officers to ensure the offending material was removed.

"I think there is a broader debate here about Facebook sites generally and about the control and establishment of them and the obvious ability for them to be hijacked by people who really, quite frankly, have very sick values," he says.

Politicians agree. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh wrote to Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg in the US on Wednesday, saying the posting of pornographic material and obscene messages on testimonial sites had compounded the grief over the deaths.

"To have these things happen to Facebook pages set up for the sole purpose of helping these communities pay tribute to the young lives lost in the most horrible way [for them to] be corrupted in such a manner adds to the grief already being experienced," Bligh, who is a keen user of social networking tools such as Twitter, wrote.

"And it is something no parent should have to deal with when coming to terms with the loss of their child. I seek your advice on what action Facebook intends to take to prevent a recurrence of these types of sickening incidents."

Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy also made very clear his displeasure with Facebook.

Speaking last week after the Elliott Fletcher website had been attacked, Conroy said: "People take Facebook with an enormous amount of trust and [Facebook has] to clearly explain what went wrong with their security systems; how this was able to happen [and] importantly, how they're going to ensure this doesn't happen again."

For its part, Facebook has dealt with the issue this week via a statement from its US headquarters calling on users to report objectionable content and for page administrators to use their control to remove offensive content and ban users.

Matthew Warren, head of the school of information systems at Deakin University, says in some ways Facebook has been a victim of its own success.

Its model, where users post in real time and objectionable material is reported after the fact, is unsustainable given how large it now is, he says.

"Facebook [owners] don't police content. They wait for complaints. It has over 360 million users, and employs less than 1000 people, so it can't monitor things in real time," Warren says.

"And with these real-time postings, the danger is that they are ill-considered, that they are incendiary, that they aren't at all thought out. People feel that because it's via a computer they can say it when they wouldn't dare say it face-to-face in a room with someone."

Laurel Papworth, an online communities strategist, says the internet offers a meeting place for people who would never usually cross paths, and the differences in their value systems can flare up.

"For instance, the people who've posted the offensive material on these sites might be wanting to build a bad-boy reputation within their own network. They want to try and be worse than each other and this is an example," Papworth says.

"In another group, or another age, it might be drag racing down the street, or jumping from the highest spot. It's graffiti mentality in a way, making their mark among their peers."

Blogsites have suggested Facebook may not be the place for tribute sites, where it may be harder to control content.

"Facebook is a toy for bored adults to share drunken photos, play Mafiawars and get phished by Russian hackers. Not for families to share their grief," a post on The Punch website read this week. "It's kind of like holding a wake in a strip club and being offended by the naked women and drunk businessmen. It wasn't appropriate to go there in the first place. So too with Facebook."

And another: "It takes about two seconds to set up a tribute group on Facebook and about three seconds for the first moron to show up. If you feel an online tribute is necessary then at least go to the trouble of setting up a web page."

Warren isn't convinced. He says Facebook or its equivalents are appropriate places to pay tribute and to grieve, because of the size of the community and the easy navigation to a testimonial site.

Facebook should be spending more on monitoring content, he says. "They need to employ more staff and put structures and boundaries in place about what is an acceptable Facebook group."

But governments also had to adapt more quickly. "There is currently a lack of proper training at school about ethical behaviour in the online environment," Warren says. "And we should beware, because these problems will get bigger and bigger as we become more and more integrated with the net."

....................................

My point of view is that, we cannot totally put the blame on facebook. The most important thing is how people themselves want to use it. It actually can be beneficial for all. I agreed that the awareness on online environment and the good ethical behaviour should be improved among youth nowadays.

The world change, so do the people.

new change, new hope

2010-03-16T03:01:00.000+11:00

finally,
a change to my blog.
hope that my blog will be interesting more meaningful.

I love this layout ♥♥
and this song too =)

p/s : I am supposed to do my homework.huhu

wedding ceremony =)

2010-03-15T04:27:00.000+11:00

My weekend event was went to wedding ceremony.

Las t time, I was so neglected and felt totally lazy to go to any wedding ceremony,

but after growing a bit (haha, I still young) the event was not so bad.

I enjoyed myself there, met relatives and gossiping. Oh. I will miss my times in Malaysia when I fly..

p/s : I want purple and white theme for my wedding with a lavender. haha. so ambitious :P

holiday !

2010-03-13T22:24:00.000+11:00

I want to eat a LOT.

(oh.I do eat a lot.huhu. this time, EXTRA)

I want to drive a LOT.

(I am not a good driver :P)

I want to dance a LOT.

(addicted to GEE.huhu)

I want to read a LOT.

(I miss reading..)

I want to study a LOT??

hahaha. (guessing)

p/s : to someone, please don't miss me. I am busy.haha

hiatus.

2010-02-22T23:37:00.000+11:00

I am now entering the 'busy world'.

time to sacrifice blogging time for a while.

bye-bye!

psst : I will miss you :P

News # 3

2010-02-18T18:28:00.001+11:00

WA homeless spend up to $1000 a day on drugs

Phil Hickey
From:inmycommunity.com.au
February 18, 2010 5:33AM

DRUG VICTIMS: Some homeless people living on Perth's streets are spending more than $1000 a day on drugs, say homeless service providers. Picture: AFP

SOME homeless people living on Perth's streets are spending more than $1000 a day, say homeless service providers.

They say the money is acquired through theft and sex to feed their drug habits.

Colin Medling, a network director of Genesis, a Northbridge-based drop-in centre, said he was aware of some homeless people spending up to $1100 a day on heroin and pharmaceutical drugs.

Mr Medling said homelessness was not on the decrease and people were being forced on to the streets for “myriad reasons”.

“Sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling, mental illness – these are just some of the reasons people find themselves out on the streets,” he said.

“The basis, however, for all of these problems would be dysfunctional families from the very start."

“Many homeless people are addicted to all sorts of drugs, some of them pharmaceutical, but there are reasons why they are addicted. This is what has to be looked at.”

Networking with other groups, such as employment agencies, was one of the prime services provided by Genesis, Mr Medling said.

comments :

After reading all the comments to this article, what come across my mind was,

I should be grateful for the family, home and all I have in this world.

Suprisingly, someone wrote this :

"You think its bad in perth?? you should see down town LA or Vancouver. They have settlements and streets dedicated to homeless people and drugs"

People from disfunctional family is likely to end up on drugs and on the street. For the first time, I have seen the term, 'disfunctional family' which at the end, this disfunctional family will lead to disfunctional community and society.

Someone wrote this :

"Are we supposed to feel sorry for these people? We all have been given the same choices in life ie, to get an education as kids, to go to work, to put a roof over our own heads and to or not to take drugs. If these people have chosen the homeless path with drug abuse alcahol abuse ect, then so be it"

In my opinion, we cannot blame them (homeless people) totally 100 percent though we know that everyone have the fair turn to change themselves.

Maybe they also don't want to end up like this, who knows?

p/s : Say no to drugs.

A reminder to myself : today is thursday !

2010-02-18T17:31:00.005+11:00

haish.
as today is already thursday, I have to struggle to finish my summary !
and ~~critique~~ too.
T.T

T.T

Ms Dil, why so many??

*sigh*

okay, think positive (=
I will try my best. Good luck to me.

p/s : katy, if you read this, I am soooo ~~damn~~ jealous with you !! waaa.

News # 2

2010-02-16T03:30:00.002+11:00

Tougher English tests on the cards

MARIA MOSCARITOLO EDUCATIONNOW EDITOR

From:The Advertiser

November 03, 200912:00am

FOREIGN students should be subjected to tougher minimum English language standards before being accepted to study in Australia.

Graduates should be tested again before being granted a skilled migrant visa, says the head of the Government's review of international education.

Former Liberal MP Bruce Baird also said the foreign student sector was growing so rapidly, and was significant enough to Australia's economy, that there was sense in a designated parliamentary secretary, as proposed by the Greens.

Mr Baird said he supported arguments for imposing a compulsory minimum level of English on incoming students.

"I certainly have sympathy with that idea of lifting it to a mandatory minimum," Mr Baird said.

Australian immigration, educational providers and some professional bodies use the IELTS English test to assess a foreigner's language competency. There are nine bands, ranging from 1, a "non-user", to 9, a fluent speaker.

"So 5.5 (modest to competent) is common but it seems to me that opening up the gates as widely as we have creates problems. I think we certainly need some confidence.""As I understand it, some universities are insisting on level 7 and others 6.5 and the closer you get down the vocational end, some people are requiring only 4.5 ("limited user" of English) and even lower I've heard," Mr Baird said.

Mr Baird said he had received a note from a student during the course of his review and it "was barely decipherable, and you think how on earth did they get in?"

"There's some suggestion that the minimum level should be 6 to come to the country," he said.

Mr Baird is reviewing the laws governing the education of international students, the Education Services for Overseas Students Act, and will hand recommendations to the Government early next year.

He suggests a clamp down on a loophole in which vocational colleges and agents "at the shonky end" can bypass language requirements by guaranteeing overseas students who enrol in ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) study an automatic place in a vocational course. "That needs to be looked at in terms of the automatic (enrolment) without any formal testing that they meet the requirement," he said.

EMPLOYERS have long been concerned about the poor English standards of many foreign graduates, with the Business Council of Australia recently saying many students emerged from tertiary education with the requisite skills for professional work but were deemed unsuitable because of inadequate English, especially written.

The easy link between education and migration has been blamed for some of the problems in the sector, with critics arguing it has allowed shonky colleges and migration agents to recruit students on the promise of residency. Mr Baird suggests one solution could be to again test graduates when they apply onshore for a skilled migration place.

"I'm very sympathetic to the view there should be testing of English competence at the end of courses if the individual is wanting permanent residency in Australia," he said.

Mr Baird hands down an interim report to the Council of Australian Governments this month ahead of his full report in February.

Chinese students Furong Jiang, 24, and Ting Li, 24, are both studying a Masters in accounting and finance and "coping well", but required a two-month course of intensive English to bring them up to speed.

Ms Jiang said she believed English standards among international students were "OK" but she would be happy with extra testing and would appreciate further English tuition.

...............................

Comments

So, this show how important English proficiency is. Maybe English is not easy as ABC but, if there is a will, there is a way. Anyway, English somehow is fun though there is some things confusing too.

In my opinion, Malaysia government also should imposed this. Not to tougher the minimum requirement, but to improve and strengthen the basic of English of our student. Many of the unemployment of graduate students problems are due to poor English performance.

p/s : oh. I must work hard in improving my English.

hard

2010-02-12T22:38:00.000+11:00

...

It was ~~not~~ hard,
~~not~~ so hard..

yet I failed.

why is this happen to me?

oh.I tried my best,

please understand and be confident with me.

Thank you.

p/s : to err, is human.

we learn from mistakes

News # 1

2010-02-12T16:52:00.002+11:00

Unlocking door of opportunity

From:The Advertiser
November 03, 2009 12:00am

Increase Text Size

THERE is a little bit of "smoke and mirrors" going on in Australian higher education.

The Commonwealth Government has set the sector a target that, by 2020, 20 per cent of undergraduate university students should come from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds.

On the face of it, that does not seem too ambitious or beyond our reach.

Currently, 15 per cent of all university students are low SES.

If we take out postgraduates and just focus on undergraduate students, as does the Government's target, the figure is more like 17 per cent.

That means we need only improve by 3 percentage points over 11 years.

In South Australia, with 40 per cent of the population falling into the low SES category, its universities would seem well placed to be able to deliver on this target and probably exceed it.

The University of Adelaide already has announced it intends to grow its student population by 4000 undergraduate students.It is not as if the Federal Government is asking universities to exclude any of the current student population. In fact, it is inviting the sector to grow the overall number of students in the system so we have more people in the population, particularly 25 to 34- year-olds, with a bachelor degree.

Given the Government's policy imperatives, it would seem logical most, if not all, of those places would accommodate students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Yet, increasing the participation of low SES people in higher education would seem to be no easy task.

For at least the past two decades, the percentage of Australian university students from low SES backgrounds has been flat-lining at around 15 per cent.

It is neither rising nor falling.

That is despite the best efforts of many universities around the country, which have implemented outreach programs specifically to encourage and enable disadvantaged people to access higher education.

Given the enduring nature of the problem we currently face and the social, cultural and economic imperatives to redress it, it is evident we need a new conception of the problem.

Such "wicked" problems as this one are so defined in the academic literature because our conceptions and our subsequent efforts to redress them are not reflected in changed outcomes.

Stomach ulcers are a classic example.

For years we used to think they were caused by stress, induced by the person him/herself.

That was until one clever scientist, thinking outside the box, dramatically demonstrated they are caused by a bacterial infection that can be treated very simply with antibiotics.

We went from blaming the victim to understanding how the condition was inflicted on them.

The problem of under-representation of low SES people in higher education is such a case.

Classic explanations of the problem are resurfacing, blaming students themselves for their lack of aspiration for higher education, and education generally, or blaming schools for not adequately preparing students academically for university.

Much of those explanations are uninformed.

We already know from the research many people from low SES backgrounds do aspire to higher education.

Indeed, a recent study conducted by Victoria University in the low SES western suburbs of Melbourne found 70 per cent of secondary students in the area aspired to go to university after completing school. We also know from the research that when low SES people gain access to university, sometimes through alternative entry schemes, they perform at or about the same as their peers who may have received high TERs, which granted them access.

AMONG the "smoke and mirrors", the TER itself has been recast as "the problem".

There is little doubt that it is an inaccurate measure of the likely future performance of students at university. So much so several strong voices are advocating it be removed and replaced with an aptitude test.

This is despite the strong research evidence from the UK and the U.S. that aptitude tests deliver the same high correlation between test scores and socioeconomic status and they simply perpetuate the problem. Aptitude tests actually increase the difficulties for low SES students, and other under-represented students, because these disadvantaged groups have less access to the knowledge being tested.

There are other ways to conceive of this problem, which include an examination of institutions and systems that contribute to it. Conceiving of the problem in this way can lead to different approaches, including genuine partnerships between institutions within and across education sectors.

These are the very issues being raised at the "Smarter Schools: CoAG National Partnerships Roundtable" next Monday, at the University of South Australia.

The Roundtable is being offered as a free public event by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education. Four leading researchers will speak on the CoAG National Partnerships, including issues concerning low SES schools and communities.

It is an event for all those interested in education, whatever their sector of interest.

For more details on the event, go to www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au

* Trevor Gale is Professor of Education and the founding director of the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education, hosted at the University of SA

...................................................

my critique :

Everyone keep saying that, the only way to change someone's life is by EDUCATION.

Thus, everyone should have the right to get the education regardless of the economic status. In the case of these low sosioeconomic students, we can't blame that for not aiming to get the place in universities. They want too, but they don't get the opportunity.

Maybe, they are not internalizing the positive externalities of consumption when they go to universities. ( economics :P)

About the TER problems, the requirement is such a bit higher, when compared to other country (based on what I read).

If they want to remove this system, there might be a chance for the low sosioeconomic student. ( But I still have to study hard, to achieve the TER's requirement..huhu )

i miss ........

2010-02-07T19:47:00.000+11:00

Last Thursday, my Umi called and asked what time will I go home on Friday. One thing that made me excited was -I will be the coach of HIGH JUMP. haha.

Honestly, I MISS HIGH JUMP ='(

So that evening, despite raining, we were having practice at the hall. I was extremely excited to jump since the last time I jump was the last two years. The most 'tak boleh bla' was they were only 10, 11, and 12 years old. haha. I started to jump at 80cm. They were like really amazed on how I jump succesfully. lols.
It was only at the height of my knee. (I dont mean to boast, but I'm sure you people reading this will succesfully pass that :P)

I just tought them how to jump in a correct way. Watched and monitored them. It was such an interesting experience =) At the end of the practice, I requested to my Umi, on 130cm. Well, I did it. ^_^
Then, I tried 135cm. haha.
not fit already + long time not jump = unsuccessful. hee~

I will never forget my record. 140cm.
(I dont care about other's record.. haha)

What I believed is just be confident. Believe in yourself. It is all in your mind, think that you can pass it. I used to say to myself (during competition) "I can do this."

I miss the environment in the STADIUM.
I miss the time I climbed up the stage, to receive my GOLD medal.

Things have changed as time goes by.

p/s: I ♥ height.
I really REALLY want to be a ~~PILOT~~.

*long time ago*