I need my internet!

Today, we had no wireless internet. I am absolutely frustated. I rely on internet. The real issue? DiGi haven't rolled out their 3G. Wait, you're telling me to jump the wagon and hop on Maxis or Celcom? No, no, no... I am not that desperate to enjoy HSDPA. Of course, I want a low latency, high speed, uninterrupted, unfiltered * cough*torrent*cough* connections with no filters and intrusion of privacy. I want a connection that I can be proud of whenever I speak of it, and whenever I use it.

DiGi has always somehow managed to tailor their products and services to my appeal. Back then when 384kbps / 512 kbps broadband were the hype / rage of the day (that was way back in 2003/2004) I took up DiGi EDGE because Celcom didn't have anything of that sort, and Telekom were completely hopeless with their own wireless based landline broadband (it wasn’t even available in Kota Kinabalu back then!) It was not long enough until DiGi actually had a better offering than Celcom in terms of all in one package. Better call rates, better SMS rates, better packaging, everything. It was evident that I soon dumped Celcom in favour of DiGi. Well, I have been a ‘faithful’ DiGi user up to now, and I don’t really see a reason why should I change or add another telco (even though I am tempted to buy another new phone from time to time).

Yes, like many other DiGi customers and mobility broadband enthusiast, I am quite upset at DiGi’s “failure” to obtain a 3G license. Some says it may be a rigged ‘competition’, I don’t know. I won’t go as far to support that claim, but neither will debunk it. I mean, come on… DiGi being one of the largest telco companies in Malaysia would lose its 3G bid to Time Dot Com and MiTV, just because Telenor (the Norwegian supercompany in the telecommunications industry) held a 51% controlling stake in DiGi. I blame the minister of Energy & Communication at that time. But let’s not dwell into that, shall we?

So DiGi loses out on a 3G deal. Big deal. Yeah right. But life goes on. I still need a mobile internet, and like others I was tempted to hop on the Celcom / Maxis bandwagon. However, something made me laughed real hard at Celcom and Maxis at that time. Till now they haven’t ‘fix’ the 3G coverage, let alone the bandwidth allocated. One base station, affirmatively can only manage up to 10 users at one time. So users who were expecting a full HSDPA (3.5G) would be really disappointed because in really congested “peak time”, there would only be 10 HSDPA users, and the others would be kicked to a mere EDGE connection. Now, the real reason why people can’t get UTMS connection when there are others hogging on HSDPA connection is that HSDPA and UTMS equipment share the same hardware, but the only difference is the software coding. (Source: Mobileworld Malaysia 2005). So 10 lucky users get to using HSDPA, and the others will be running with EDGE / GPRS (if they really have EDGE)

So here was what was happening back then. DiGi were rolling out EDGE on virtually every base station that they can reach (yes, even the most interior of places, the most ‘ulu’ of places were getting EDGE connection!), and they hit fast, and they hit hard. Notably, at that time, EDGE did had an edge over UTMS connection in terms of data packet handling and also stability. Hey, it runs on GSM connection, so expect the fullest out of it! Constant fine tuning were done to EDGE, while Maxis and Celcom were desperately trying to outdo each other on the ‘nifty’ 3G market. Of course, the market take-up is low. Very low. And then a snag happened. It seems that since both telcos only got the license without the equipment, and there were lots of bugs that needed fixing. Maxis went ahead and installed 3G stations in Klang Valley (with exception of ‘The Round Table’ (the area that encircles KLCC Petronas Twin Towers) and Celcom were hastily trying to conquer the less illustrious but equally rewarding Johor Bahru area. DiGi were then still very, very comfortable with their EDGE offering

To Specialization

So here am I typing this out again (for the umpteenth time) on a personal notebook. I can't seem to access the Wi-Fi hotspot access in my hostel (maybe the administration should do something to alleviate the situation) because it seems that i'm out of range, even though I am indoors. Perhaps the walls, I don't know. I'm suspecting somehow the angle and the thickness of the walls actually presents itself as a form of signal inteference. If I could, I would like to make a self made coil (to strengthen the signal), but so far so good I have not been able to identify any good electronics shop anywhere in Larkin, Johor.

Speaking about Larkin, the theme today I would like to write more about specialization. You see, I have already been here for a week, but I have yet to find a decent laundrette here in Larkin. Erm, yes, the institution does have coin laundry machines but I don't use them because of one main reason: I find it more of a hassle to find the coins, grab a soap, determine which pair of clothes goes in first, which goes second, which goes together, which doesn't, etc and the entire process goes on, all the way to the “fold and store” stage. One can say I'm lazy, but I can live up with that tag if I have to; I just save lots of time and effort in which I can do something else.

So here's the deal about “specializing”. The government trains me, teaches me then proceeds on to offer me a 5 year contract to teach, train and tutor the future generation of the Malaysian population. By now you should have known (or guess intelligently) that I'm a teacher in training. So, it happens that I'm specilized in B.ed(TESL) or so my degree says, and I'm contracted to educate the general student populace on how to be proficient in English (in all aspects of it). Here's to note that there are other teachers as well, and they are specialized in different subjects. Thus far the question would be; can I deviate, and to what extent can I deviate?

Look no further for the answer. I can, and if I have to I will. No, I don't mean that I do have the capabilities to deviate, (just like my old man who I think he's a super teacher that can teach any subjects with the knowledge accessible right on his fingertips) but the needs of the situation may force the school administration to consider some form of deviation. For example, an English teacher to coach a futsal team (with little or very minimal knowledge about the game and the finer aspects to it).

On the other hand, let's look at this. I am hereby contracted to educate, to teach, and to enlighten the younger, innocent (yeah right) populace on English Language. And every aspect of it. That is because I am supposed to be the “expert”, or the “specialist” in that field. (English, my friend, English!) So while my colleagues who teaches science will come running after me asking “what's the matter”, I will be in turn bugging him / her (that poor soul) with the question “what's a matter”. That is specialization. We consult, we refer to those who are the specialist in the arena.

Well, lets take the idea of of “specialization” to a higher / deeper level here. Here's another situation. Now, as the government gives me the contract to educate the populace, I am compesated with imbues and allowances. They range from “life management allowances” to “home financing allowances”. Yes, the government of Malaysia is very generous. Unfortunately the cost of living is high, so don't fret. Its only an allowance. That is if you work for the government (I'm only a trainee, and therefore not eligible to apply for all these nifty things), my friend. Now, I have an issue. I need someone to take care of my food (because I can't be bothered to cook, and I can't really cook good food), and at the same time I need to look after my laundry. So, technically, here's how I do both; I sub-contract them. It is really simple. I give a lum sum to a diners to take care of my food, and I (am still trying to find one) fund a laundrette shop to take care of my laundries. So what I need to do is just go to the said premise, do what I have to do (whether I pick up, or dine in, or drop / pick up my laundry) and let the people who 'specialize' in their fields to do it for me. Solid idea, no? Even I am not an IT technical expert myself ( I am somewhat limited unlike many others on the general IT-literate populace out there), but I can take in a few sub-con jobs *cough* translation, editing *cough*. So yes, what I wrote here can be scorned at, because I may be giving the impression that I'm leading everyone “off to Holland” (its a Malaysian Chinese saying, that means to deviate way off course) in this post, but here's something that I would like to ask;

1)Who 'contracts' or 'subcontracts' you, and do you find yourself bridled in one single task?
2)The idea of giving someone to do something. Do you actually hire people to do it? Laundry, lawn cleaning, pipe repairs, etc.
3)How do you view yourself as a 'specialist' (if you see yourself that way?)

And dang, my laundry's just finished spinning. Now I have to hunt for clips and a place to dry them (not to mention to watch over them as people DO steal clothes nowadays) under the sun. Wait, the sky's dim. Ah, crap. I should have just sent it to the laundrette. Save my time and my effort.* Sigh! *

A quote owned, borrowed or adapted?

There was an interesting incident over the cyber cafe today. Yes, I am at the cyber cafes because I can't get a decent connection in the house I am in. Too many Xunlei clients hogging a 1mb connection (if I count correctly, there are supposed to be 3) without any QoS split in the broadband router makes me an unhappy human being.

So what happened? A friend asked me to use Zoosk. So it happened that it was some sort of a networking tool that can be added as an application in your Facebook(tm) account. Pretty nifty fort those in need of finding a social network of the opposite sex, but not exactly my type as I'm not the very approaching type.

But here's a question that struck me. "Write a quote", or "Write a story". Where do you begin? Where do you end? What do you reply when people ask you "describe yourself?" How do you know if your answer is what they seek, yet at the same time successfully describe yourself?

It struck me that we have many ways of approaching this question from different angles and meeting a different criteria. In interviews, its different. In common 1st time encounter, its also different. So what do you do? How will you do?

I did nothing. I just hoped that I will get to know them better over time, and let them get to know me better over time too. Pretty dull for many if one may insist, but that's me.

So, do you borrow a quote, make your own, or adapt a quote to "quip" it as yours?

That question left me hanging for a moment when I wanted to try to make an approach towards a girl whom I wanted to know her more today. Oh, she's my superior from the finance department (but we didn't meet today because she fell ill. I hope she gets well soon.) during my 9 day tenure as a Mark's & Spencer staff (I work for their stock take event).

Funny, because I restrained myself. Because lack of confidence.

I wish you people out there to have more guts. Best of luck to you, and me, and everyone.

Nights!

Facebook account as a front

Hello everyone. I'm not posting this because I'm bored, neither am I posting just to spam post so that my blog looks livelier.

It doesn't matter. But here's something interesting I've noted about my Facebook account.

Right now, its a place where everyone spams "i love you', 'I miss you', etc. And I delete them, cordially without returning them.

Does that make me a jerk? Maybe.

Does that make me an ungrateful person? Maybe.

Does that make me an ugly person (characteristic wise)? Maybe.

On one side, I don't mind my friends or colleagues never leaving a real note. When I mean a real note, I mean something that has a slight personal touch in it. A picture is a picture, a pictar is a pictar. If you don't get what I mean, all I mean to say is that a picture that you send me is a picture, while a picture that you copy-paste from somewhere else will remain as a "picture that you copy-paste from somewhere else" and send me. It is that simple.

I don't mean that you shouldn't send me pictures, drawings or greeting card. However, a personal message included in it means something personal to me. I am a sentimental person, after all. I work, live and play with emotions attached.

oh well. You can reach me at hyperyouth_firepower [at]hotmail[dot]com for my facebook account. Hope to meet you there.

Stock take counts

Hello everyone. Its been a long time.

Let me update what has happened.

I've moved place. Let's see.. I'm now over at SS2, Petaling Jaya with my cousin. I'm going to move back to Johor later at July.

I'm also working for Marks & Spencer. As a stock taker. Here's some interesting insight.

I've managed to find myself a part time job as a stock taker in Mark's & Spencer. It is really a refreshing experience (even though the work can be boring). I've met many kinds of people, and I've worked hard enough to survive for the rest of the month (and god willing, for June either).

Stock taking is basically making a count check on your stocks, to see if the items that you have in inventory tallies with the one that you have physically or not. Different companies uses a different system to perform their stock takes, but as for now, I will not divulge anything. Let me put it in this way, just to give an idea (what is allowed).

I have worked in many places related to Mark's & Spencers.
I have worked in 3 retail outlets, with 1 more coming up (if the working agency gets it).
I have an idea how Mark's & Spencer will move in its merchandizing directions.
I have come to understood how Mark's & Spencers (Malaysia) works and operates at operational level.
I have also had the opportunity to work for Mark's & Spencers (Malaysia) and DHL (you know which one you are) and experience first hand how their day to day operations take place.

On the bright side, I have gained my employer's trust and eye to see that I'm a qualified and dedicated staff. Although it has only been a week, Mark's & Spencers have already placed their trust in me equivalent of a insider staff worker (as in like a permanent staff).

I thank Arubaito Mukuya for introducing this job to me.


And as you may have it, I've met many interesting people. I cross my fingers in hope that I can continue to continue a certain professional relationship with these people in future.

It was fun, even if that was just part time job.

I went MIA + AWOL, but ain't it Wongey there?

Hello and Allah'u'Abha,

It has been a long time.

Some people may wonder if I had stopped writing alltogether. The answer is no. I couldn't shift the priorities and shuffle the tasks fast and efficient enough. Research papers, assignments. Every passing semesters only seeks to bring more and more workload, and I'm feeling the pressure.

http://yeetzyypirng2.blogspot.com

Go to here. This was my internet blogging assignment. You should see that the my style doesn't stray too far. Sorry for not copy-pasting here. I don't think its good.

However, it is really a bad attempt trying to look into things (especially issues pertaining selecting, choosing and teaching literature materials in classroom) with depth and maturity. The real issue with me is that I don't see what is maturity, what is depth. I need to develop these two qualities, and I will certainly be delighted in people giving advices. But I think that's about it.

Oh, speaking about advices, meet my good friend; Matthew Wong.
http://mattaiwong.blogspot.com/

I knew him since I was in Form 4 (I think that is Grade 9/10 I think for the US standards. Someone please enlighten me about it). So he's open up a blog; it talks about how he deals with Christianity. Please pay him a visit, drop a word if you wish to. He will be happy.

You can see what kind of character he is by peering into his writing. Unfortunately, the truth may be concealed as to how his mind works, because people will have some form of self-consciousness when they write in online, public blogs. Likewise, I am the same. But allow me to weave a string a words.

Matthew Wong. He is a devout Christian. And still is. His character has developed much spiritual depth. What I mean to see is that he has begin to harness his ability as a "spiritual radar" and detect people. He isn't an Inquisitor-like character, far from it. He does not bother himself with trvilialities. Every time I meet him; he changes. He evolves, he changes. He is like a book, with many sub chapters, hyperlinks, and the more you read about him (or technically, the more you know him) the more there is to him that yet remains undiscovered / unknown to you. But I know his basic self. He is, after all, a meek, kind soul.

I call him Wongey. I know he won't like it when I say it out here, but I can't help it. It isn't his pet name, you see. But I have the tendency to call him that. You, as my readers, I trust that you'll keep this to yourself, and you don't have to mention a word about it. I just want to show you, that he and I, our stories goes way back. Way back. Perhaps if he writes about me, maybe you'll know more about me.

Oops, I'm straying off again. Well, Matthew is a on-site manager. He specializes in one thing; estimating and managing resources and materials on-site (construction). This goal of his, strayed off his original intention to be an internal design specialist, but I guess he may have a change of heart. But as far as I'm concerned, he likes it. He likes what he is now. He has time to serve God, and he has the time to serve the people. God bless his soul. Halleluyah, Amen. May God bestow the bounties of this world and the world thereafter to him.

Wongey may not seem like it, but in him there's ingeniuty. A pure genius. You see, his ingeniuty does not come from pure cognitive processing capabilities. It is reinforced, enhanced with his vision and his soul's purity. What sort of purity? His intent. His intent, is always, questionably good. I use the word "questionably" because some people will misconstrue his gestures, but he has everyone in his heart.

I remember my father once said that people like Matthew can be dangerous. They can remain pure, and then suddenly, if something can go wrong, they'll snap. And be very wicked people they be. But Matthew, has always (and I pray that he will always be) the idealistic Matthew who aims for the sky while literally flying on a rocket. I am sure that you can work out the drift. I'm not trying to be cryptic nor metaphorical. I'm just being.. me.

Oh well, I guess that is about Matthew, with lack of depth, and lack of maturity. I mean, my writing piece of course. But I think it is more than sufficient for you to see Wongey in the same way I do. Perhaps. We shall see.

Well, I'm off. I want to play. =)

See you all soon.

Happy Fasting

Its the month of fasting again in the Baha'i calender.

Its the 2nd day of fasting, and everything seems going well, except for my lack of caffeine fix which I think I'll appreciate it.

But then, when the fasting month approaches, it is also the month for me to "reset" myself.
Yeah.

So what's your resolution?

Happy fasting though.

and to everyone; please pray for unc Liu Man San & aunty Doreen Lim. They're facing the roughest of times, and even I can't help them if I wanted to.

Such ungrateful brat I am.