Breakfast...

Planned activities for today did not materialize. Wife not feeling well, so didn't go to church and the PDK Mambong meeting cancelled due to insufficient quorum. Plus I have a headache. LOL.
But that's not the story here...
So we slept in... and went out for breakfast. Everywhere (well, our usual haunts for breakfast) was packed. We didn't feel like waiting in line for a cup of tea and something to eat, so as we drove around, saw a Malay restaurant and decided why not... It was not bad, had mee jawa and soto ayam (my wife keeps on commenting... where is the chicken?, just noodles in a soup). It was not bad, the mee jawa was a bit too sweet for us and the soto, well... where's the chicken? But then again, that's not the story.
LOL.
Its just this constant disappointment when we go to Malay restaurants in Kuching. Usually, service is slow. You wait to be served. In many cases I can see the waitresses jiggling each other as to who is to come and approach me to take my order. For me, I am used to being stared at, and people don't seem to understand even when I speak Malay to them. Many a time I have a conversation with the waitress who then tries to speak to me in English. Even when I speak to her in Malay, and they kind of switch off when I speak.
At many places, the food is also slow to be served. You can see that there is no system in place to take orders. There is no system in cooking. Everything is at a slow pace. Some places are obviously better than others, but that is a rarity. I usually note these place and these are the places I go back to, such as Taman Kereta (well, its Halal food, but you can see the Chinese bosses) and the night stalls at 7th Mile (the Jawa ladies and the satay guy... hmmmmmm satay... can you see me drooling).
Even when you want to pay. I showed my RM10 note to the boss and asked for the bill. He walks over, but doesn't take the money, instead ask another person to 'kira' (count) and walks to the front. The person assigned to the task then goes and gets the bill from 2 other tables, one of them directly in front of us .. who are still eating! The ladies at that table look bewildered when asked to pay. LOL. Later, she (the cashier) comes and takes the RM10 and gives me back a change of RM0.10.
This brings to my next point. Malay food in Kuching is expensive. Two bowls of extremely plain noodles (without chicken, mine at least had tofu and half an egg) and 2 cups of tea (kosong/plain) comes to RM9.90! Even the most expensive Kolok Mee at 10th Mile with 2 to 3 huge prawns, meat, fish ball, meat ball, vege, etc comes to RM5 a bowl (and I complain for that). Nevertheless, relatively this is cheap. Just a few days ago, I paid RM49.80 for 3 persons rice and drink at a different Malay food stall.
Which brings to the next point... am I being scammed? Or is this the usual thing.. ?

Ernest

Teaching is so ...

Just received my Semester 2 08/09 student evaluation of my teaching. Overall a B grade (out of a A, B, C, D, E grade). The sad thing is that for the fist time there are students who rated me at E. Just feel disappointed. Here one tries one's best to teach an extremely difficult subject (Research Methodology for Economics and Business), with hours of preparation and tutorials to teach students how to use SPSS.. and there are those who rate me as E!
Oh well, its a normal curve... LOL.There are also A's. Average out - B.
But it hurts. But as the saying goes, what hurts you but doesn't kill you just makes you stronger/better.
One student made a rather weird comment, "Lecturer keep on sneezing in class." I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that kind of a comment. I do admit there was a few times when I had the flu but struggled on to teach a class. Hey, I covered my nose when I sneezed. LOL.
Others were just not right, such as "Please make clear clarification of the assignment." Everything was prepared and informed in the first class (which many students did not attend) and posted on Morpheous (on-line website for class notes and teaching learning; which many students did not read). I find a common phrase among students when I ask them where did they hear / learn of my assignments - "Kawan saya bagi tahu (My friend told me)," which raises a question in my mind... why didnt you find out for yourself?
But these statements are the rarity. But I like them. Why? Even if it hurts, and I admit it does, it allows me to look into the preparation of my classes in the future and make my classes better. Sorry I couldn't make it the best for you now, but I tried.
Of course there was praises, but I learnt that just listening to praises is nice for the feeling and ego but doesn't help in the long run if I want to better myself. I must seek and obtain the criticisms in order to better myself. Hey, I know I am not a good lecturer (plus now with less and less time to prepare). I am learning to be better, with every class and every lecture.
Nevertheless I am sad for this batch of students. I find them too pampered, too lazy, too molly cuddled. There doesn't seem to be an urgency among them, to search for knowledge, to do more than expected. I fear for them when they go out to the real world and experience bosses who scold more, louder and coarser than me. Buts that's a teacher speaking. We worry for our students. They...
I wish them the best.

Ernest

Padawan Raft Safari 2009

We have been planning to go and watch the Padawan Raft Safari since we saw the buntings by the road side. Just didn't know where exactly to go. Finally after some phone calls and a short trip on the Internet, got it.
Went this morning. Was a slow drive, to enjoy the sights. My navigator and camera woman (Doren) was not so good at both... lol... and we nearly fought over this. But cool heads prevailed.
We first drove to Kg Danu for the flag off. By the time we got there, there was so many cars parked by the side of the road. We parked right at the end.. and walked to the starting point. It was hot. There was some people, not as many as I expected. We went to the hanging bridge to see the action and could see the participants in the river, on their rafts or canoes. Some seemed capable, a lot were not. Saw one raft floating away with one guy on it and the others hanging on. Thank God they had life jackets, so they were bobbing next to the raft. LOL.
YB Dato James Dawos was there, in the middle of the river, on a sandbar, flagging people off. : ) I like him as a YB. He has really shown his interest and involvement with the community.
We then drove to the end point, Kg Git. By river its a 26 mile journey. By road.. feels short, but the scenery was beautiful. We went a bit fast and missed a guy selling durian. Haiz.. otherwise could have had durian for lunch.
At Kg Git, there was some stalls set up and later there would be a show etc for the closing ceremony. We wandered through the Kg (short form for Kampung, i.e. village). It was interesting to note that the ladies of the Kg were collecting funds, i.e. through giving a corsage (made of shiny paper/plastic) and the expected donation of RM1. We noticed that a few persons didn't seem to know the custom. Saw some interesting finger food, from catfish, burgers, to tradtional Bidayuh food such as rice cooked in pitcher plant. There was also a DeeJay, perched on a tree overlooking the river.
Seems that there was a UNIMAS contingent, that I didn't know of. UNIMAS won in the canoe and the police came in first in the raft category. The ladies of Kg Git won the women raft category. We stayed for a while and then drove back... guess what was available at 10th Mile... Durian. That's another story.
I enjoyed the trip and saw many places that normally would not see. I see potential for tourism. I heard there were some kayak/canoe tours, but cant even find details of it. There is no transport for people from town to go to this place, so only those involved and people from nearby came. But I see potential.

Ernest

See photos at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=121081&id=553943916&l=407eec3c3d

See Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql2IYH8C2Kc

Race and Privileges (2)

My take on this issue; nothing much will happen. Why... Years of experience.

Lets look at the current scenario. Newspaper report. Big noise. On FB and all over town, even in coffee shops (when had lunch yesterday).
Then another new paper report. More noise. Even stronger words and bigger officials.
This morning... even the Deputy Chief Minister spoke. WOW. Maybe he must have realized that his grandkids will no longer be Bumiputera according to this law.

Soon... there will be silence. Trust me. Nothing more to report in the papers. New sensational news come about. People have short memories.

Lets compare to a recent case.

Lets look at the most recent hoo haw that I have highlighted here. The tyre fire near my place, at the illegal tyre storage by the side of the road. Let me illustrate.

Newspaper report. Big noise. On FB and all over town, even in coffee shops.
Then another new paper report. More noise. Even stronger words and bigger officials. More photos of very important persons visiting.

For your information, the tyre storage is still there. Yesterday as I was driving back, I even saw a blue truck pouring out even more tyres on to the site.

And that is what will happen to Marina's case.

Lets hope our elected official prove me wrong. But I doubt it, as SDNU already bluntly said they will not bring up the issue (yesterday's paper). And even by bringing it to Parliament, what are the chances any changes will occur (who will even want to bring it to Parliament?). Reading in FB, Sabah practices a more lenient law, either one parent is Bumiputera, the children are (Sino-Kadazan).

The joke is... why should I worry... no matter what, my daughter cant inherit her mother's land and rights. My son has Downs Syndrome and by law cant inherit anything. And the current law basically isn't in my favor. As I told my wife, we have to prepare for the future of our children, never to expect for any help.

Ernest

Race and Priveleges

Any mixed blood person in Sarawak should read today's Borneo Post! Pg 4 - 1. there is no mention of Iban in the definition of Bumiputera in Sarawak only Land & Sea Dayak, a term not used; 2. a YB suggest we use the law of domicility i.e definition of a child's race based on father, as per state constitution; 3. SDNU suggest using meritocracy and does not wish to change constitution and 4. A YB says the Marina decision should be reversed.
Why, just because her father is Iban?
If her father was Chinese and mother was Iban, this would not be an issue. No one would be bothered (maybe SUPP...LOL). They would be left to fend for themselves.
And you tell me race is not an issue in Malaysia? Especially when race is tied in with privileges?
The body representing Ibans (SDNU) does not wish to pursue changes in the constitution. I wonder why. The reason given in the paper is rather flimsy.
The use of meritocracy had been stated and discussed for years, the actual application is still doubtful.
The state’s constitution uses the law of domicility i.e definition of a child's race based on father. Thus people like me suffer. Or should I say my children and future generations will suffer. And the government wonders why people migrate!
Being of mixed blood and of the kind that gets no privileges; these discussions are extremely salient to me. Especially when 1Malaysia is brought up. For me, people like me are the living embodiment of 1Malaysia. We are beyond race. We are Malaysia. We are the offspring’s of people that looked beyond race, creed and color and married. Love was stronger than any man-made definition of self.
One way of closing the ranks between races is marriage. This has been used by conquerors and political leaders alike. It depends on your point of view, but for me, why blame the children for the acts of the fathers and leaders of the time. I was told by my Pakistani PhD student that there are a group of people that are tall, strong, and fair in the north of Pakistan, who are said to be the offspring’s of Iskandar Zulkarnain and his army. They are seen in a negative light as the came about by rape and plunder. My question is why should we care of their forefathers act?
In Malaysia, I find it rare to see mixed marriages. The non-Muslims.. I do see some, between Indians and Chinese and other races. I find it interesting that when an Iban marries a Malay, he/she become Malay. We all know of the constitution, so I shall not belabor that point. A few years ago, it was a joke among my friends as to whether they were Melanau or Malay. Their answer, depends on who is asking, what form is being filled, and for what purpose.
When there is a price to pay for mixed marriages, and that price continues on the head of our children and future generations, many will strongly consider any love interest among other races. One of the indicators of ethnic identification is the non-willingness to marry outside the group (ethnography). What will happen… the group remains isolated and doesn’t interact. Grier and Brumbaugh wrote on cultural schema and noted that the dominant group is only aware of its own cultural schema. The non-dominant groups are aware of theirs as well as the dominant groups views. Nevertheless, the rules of engagement are set by the dominant group and in many cases their own understanding of the other groups are normally either wrong or biased. Now tie in privileges and you get a whole can of worms, a mess.
Nevertheless I do understand the need to care and provide for the weaker sections of our society. The question is .. can this be done without race being an issue? Can it be done without bias and favor? Can it be a step up instead of just a hand out?
The joke is.. this discussion / issue comes in a time when scientist tells us that we are all the same. Our DNA doesn’t preclude us to race. We are all of the human race.


Ernest

PS.
I have had friends comment that this system of race and privileges mirrors apartheid in Africa or the case against African Americans in America. You are white, you get to ride on the bus in front or get a separate toilet. I am not of that belief. Why..
1. I understand the need to help the Bumiputera. The whole policy is meant to help the poor and unfortunate and it so happens that the majority were (maybe still are) the Bumiputera. The policy must be seen as that, as helping the poor and unfortunate, not a race issue.
2. There are those that slip through the cracks. Somehow or rather I got to enter a school where 99% were Bumiputera. I dont know how. I got a job with the government and this allowed me to further my studies. For that I am thankful.
3. The situation in Sarawak, still requires help for the Bumiputera.
4. The non-Bumiputera, who may gripe and complain (which to me is acceptable), are in the majority able to sustain theirs and their childrens economy and life. Nevertheless, we must take care of their poor and needy too.

8th Wedding Anniversary

We 'celebrated' our 8th wedding anniversary recently.

It was more of a family time than a personal time. One of my students also shared the same dilemma, cant leave the children at home alone... LOL. But it is good yet different. The years have changed the way we celebrate and our own quiet time, different.. from the days of just a young couple, but at the same time enriched our love for each other via our children.

Walter has been a single factor that has pulled us together closer together than ever could. I could 'kill' anyone that harmed Walter and I know my wife would do so too. We learnt a lot of human behaviour and of ourselves during the years that Walter had come into our live. Now we are learning to let Walter go.. and let him face the world, maybe with Daddy and Mummy's shadow just behind him. We realize we cant be there for him always.

Vina is another bundle of joy and also sometimes a pain... LOL. She is more aggressive than Walter, takes his toys or food or anything of his. Hoping this is just a phase.. she doesn't understand the term 'share' yet. Everything that is Walters is hers and everything that is hers, is hers. LOL. Sounds familiar...

My wife.. is still the beautiful woman I married. Now even more, as she keeps on pointing out that she has lost weight and slimmed down... I don't really care if she was x kg or xx kg. She has been a sounding board, a place to turn to, to lean on. Now I am trying to get her to be more independent...

Throughout the years we have had our own more than fair share of troubles, but it has been all good.

So we splurged on some food with the kids and maid. My wife had her crab and I my mango deep fried fish. We enjoyed the ice-cream. We walked along the waterfront and enjoyed ourselves, as a family. It was good.

Here is to another 8 years, and more.

See the photos at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=119264&id=553943916&l=90eb893ee2

Ernest

Prof Nara & Team visit to PDK Mambong

Have a read, and if you can help us, please do.

http://ppdkm.blogspot.com/2009/10/visit-by-prof-nara-team-from-fit.html

PDK Mambong Charity Dinner

I write this after watching (partly, cant watch all) a video sent by Prof Syafiq on the suffering of African children. Its bad, very bad... and the situation in Malaysia is nothing as bad as there.

Yet, I must still draw attention of the general public to the plight of the disabled and needy in our community, lest in case in our complacency, in our belief that everything is wonderful, others suffer.
That's one of the reasons why I choose to be involved in PDK Mambong, a rehabilitation center for the disabled. We are a community based project, helped generously by the government through the Welfare Department. Still, its never enough.
One of the ways that we get funds and get people to notice our work and the plight of the disabled is through our Charity Dinners. This year we have done 5. All in different villages under the constituency of YB Dato James and YB Dr Jerip. All in conjunction with the village committee and with their help.
This time, I was very happy with the turnout, but there were still some weaknesses. Basic things... but then again, I think Suji was overworked and we were short staffed on the night. What I was happy for was that YB Dato James was very forgiving and took it in his stride, and made the night less informal and more fun for everyone.
The food was so so, but the atmosphere was good. My ears were ringing by the first hour... the music as usual was loud. What was good was that the people went out to the dance floor and enjoyed themselves. YB sang two songs while we were there and made RM200 and RM600 for each song respectively. Hoped he sang more as the night went on. We even arranged for a Happy Birthday song for one of Sue Walker's kids..
Overall it was good.

Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We may not have such bad cases such as in Africa, but we have cases that need to be dealt with, yet with limited funds and people. One good thing about these dinners we have had is that it opens the eyes of the general public on the needs of disabled kids. We have over 100 kids registered with us now... and they all need care, and I am sure there are more in the villages, and we hope to get to them before whatever help we can give becomes limited. Every bit of help is appreciated.
Look at Africa, but also cast your eyes on the villages in our own land and see if we can be of help..

Ernest

photos of the dinner at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=116775&id=553943916&l=d58405399a

What is it with Kuching drivers?

This morning on the way to work, at a crossroad, we were waiting our turn to turn to the main road... and a line of cars was behind us.. and a car came from way behind to the wrong side of the road.. making it impossible for cars to turn into our road.. came to my side , and inched out and then zoomed onto the main road.. causing a few motorbikes and cars to brake and a few showing their finger at him... and the driver just didn't care... and the car was full with passengers.. what was the emergency... everyone was going to work but why must you drive like that?
Yesterday, my wife parked her car properly at a parking spot near Unaco. A car parked on the road blocking her. When she came she saw there was a lady on the passenger seat texting, so she asked her if can move the car.. the lady said her friend was in the supermarket and my wife could wait! My wife started to horn her car horn.. and the lady made no attempt to move the car.. and later the driver came out of the supermarket, another young lady.. and casually walked to her car, didn't say sorry for blocking my wife's car and just drove away. Both were on the hand phone and both didn't even bother of others.
And there are many more stories.. please tell me.. by writing in the comments of your experiences...
Are we that inconsiderate?
Are we really that rude?
Or is it a demon that possesses us when we get behind a wheel?

Ernest

Family Time

Photos at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=115042&id=553943916&l=34f5596a43

Been intentionally spending time with family.

My Saturdays and Sundays in the past has been busy with activities geared to my career or welfare work, but have intentionally slowed that down. My wife still thinks I am way too busy..lol.. actually planned to read a students thesis last weekend and finish off two papers, but did not. Instead just rested, played with the children and went out for dinner on both nights.

Kuching is changing, fast. The city is developing quickly... but the support infrastructure is rather lacking, at least from my view. I foresee a continuous and rather bad traffic jam downtown because of the enormous build up in buildings but no new parking and the roads remain the same. The road I take to the University everyday remains the same, but housing projects have grown like mushrooms after the rain, causing relatively minor traffic jams (more houses therefore more people and more cars but same 2 lane road and no new parking). On the way to work there are schools and markets, and people just park their cars by the side of the road or on the road, causing more traffic jams. There is even a very popular small sundry shop that causes a jam every time I go back. I can count the times I see policemen there.

But I must say that the stroll through Kuching Waterfront was good. Saw the old boat that we used for our wedding dinner, still steaming away on the river. The new DUN (Dewan Undangan Negeri / State Government Representatives Building) building stands tall and is a new photo magnet. Didn't see many tourist though..

And again to All Joy, for dinner.. written about it.. but my wife loves the place...

It was a good weekend.. now back to work!

Ernest

Notes on Tan Sri Ting's talk

A good summary.. see: http://chongcb.blogspot.com/2009/10/notes-on-tan-sri-tings-talk.html

Entrepreneurship Talk by Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing

I organized a talk for my Corporate MBA students who were taking my entrepreneurship class, by Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing.
I was pleased to see that the students enjoyed the talk and were awed by Tan Sri Ting. Tan Sri Ting gave a talk on his own experience, from his first RM6 a day job at 16 years old to his current status, as well as discussing his failures and how he overcame it. A question and answer session followed and Tan Sri Ting was very open in his response to some rather sensitive questions, i.e. when will he retire and what he thinks of bribery. Gave a souvenir to Tan Sri and then we had a group photograph and a lunch at the hotel sponsored by Tan Sri Ting. More photos on FB.
I must thank Datuk Michael Ting for his help in arranging the talk. I also hope my students have benefited from this.

Ernest

Drive with the Family

Today's driving adventure... (the photos on FB are not in order).. from home.. can see the smoldering fire (tyre factory burnt down on last Sunday.. and its still smoking)... to breakfast in town for some tongue and porridge... can still fill my sugar level high...lol..
We drove to Bako, and to Kg Gerisik for a view of Kuching city. Some parts remind me of Melbourne (except Melbourne has lots more tall buildings and extremely well developed river projects and restaurants).. then to KGS to pick up mother in law and send her home.
We then went to Serian, around 45 minutes away, to see the market and on the way back explored some new roads.
Then home to enjoy the durian.. I ate only 1 seed (is that the correct term?) while Doren and Walter finished off the 3 fruits... with a few for Lilis. Vina didn't like durian.... hmmm. Upload.. and now off to town, Pasar Satok...its a busy Saturday with the family.. and its fun. The children were excited and had their fun, and it was good to be with the family.
LOL.. Walter's asleep... guess maybe not going to town again...

See: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=553943916&ref=name#/album.php?aid=113113&id=553943916&ref=mf

Ernest

Walter's soon to be school

Doren's been worried for Walter's schooling. I... less, very much less... to the point my wife was annoyed with me. But I must state my reason.. its all set up and done by the government, we just wait.. and sure enough a letter comes. Walter is to go to Semenggok, a school that has a small building set aside for slow learners and others with disabilities. We went there and had a look and talked with the teachers. It was good to learn from them and to see the kids there. I think Doren has high hopes and I, all I want for Walter is that he can learn to be independent and speak (more than what he does now). I don't expect much from the school, as they are overpopulated with students and underpopulated by teachers (same problem at the PPDK / Rehab Center). This will always be a problem among the 'lesser' of our society. So we do what we can, and we try to make it better.... maybe not for my child but hopefully for others.But I can understand what Doren is going through. She, I, we want our boy to be the best, and its sad to see him as he is. As a child it would be OK, people understand.. but as he gets older, I find Malaysians are less forgiving and much less loving. So by going to school, meeting more people, helping him to communicate... will help him. And will help Doren to see her boy grow. She is planning to buy his school clothes and shoes already.. and she cries. I do too, but I keep it to myself or when I put Walter to sleep at night.

Ernest

Tyre.. or is it Malaysiana...

Some time back I wrote about this huge stock pile of tyres by the roadside and worried of its impact, i.e. mosquito breeding ground, fire etc.

Then I wrote about a huge fire with dark clouds reaching my housing area.. yup, that tyre pile went up in smoke.

Then it came out in the papers, with various men in power visiting the site and promising that stern action will be taken and all that rubbish (oops, sorry, all that wonderful promises).

Today, as I drove by with my family.. and stopped and took this photo... I don't see any difference. The tyres are still there, I don't hear of anything happening to anyone, and we are now back to square one.. a place for potential hazards to the public from mosquito breeding ground, fire etc. Huh.. wait a moment.. I think I wrote that a few months or was it years ago... LOL.

This is Malaysia. You will see huge write ups in the newspaper when a disaster happens, with various men of power posing for photographs. Then... nothing. Its back to the same old thing. Sad.

Ernest