Vote Earth!

The very much anticipated election of the year is here. This is much bigger than the recent US Presidential Election in 2008. More than Obama himself. This is Earth against Global Warming. Which do you prefer?

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Earth Hour 2009 - Sign up for Earth Hour!

Yes. Vote for Earth! I am going to switch off the main switch in my parent's house. Whether they like it or not. We are just going to sit on the porch, looking up into the starry night for one hour. Hmm, actually that sounds pretty good, isn't it? Even better if I'm with all the people I love.

Nobody Knows Me At All

The Weepies - Nobody Knows Me At All

When I was a child everybody smiled, nobody knows me at all
Very late at night and in the morning light, nobody knows me at all

Now I got lots of friends, yes, but then again, nobody knows me at all
Kids and a wife, it's a beautiful life, nobody knows me at all

And oh when the lights are low
Oh with someone I don't know

I don't give a damn, I'm happy as a clam, nobody knows me at all
Ah, what can you do? There's nobody like you. Nobody knows me at all

I know how you feel, no secrets to reveal, nobody knows me at all
Very late at night and in the morning light, nobody knows me at all
Nobody knows me, nobody knows me, nobody knows me at all

Slumdog Millionaire

Well, there's seems to be a fuss about the new movie "Slumdog Millionaire". I don't quite get the fuss. I read the synopsis online, it's just another rag to riches story. What so great about it? It's not even a box-office movie. But, when even my mum is talking about it, I know I just have to see it. Mum don't watch movies. Especially latest one. And Slumdog Millionaire doesn't even available in Malaysian cinemas. That's just it. So, I bought the pirated DVD. (Don't judge me, I know you do it too!)

It's a good movie. It is a story of Jamal Malik, an 18-years old orphan from the slum of Mumbai, who participated in India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" But, when the show break for the night just before the final question, the host (played by Anil Kapoor) suspected him of cheating and handed him to the police for interrogation. He was tortured by the police because he didn't tell them how a streetkid, who only work as the tea-maker, like him can answers the questions correctly. Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells his story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures togethers and about Latika, the love of his life. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answers to one of the game show's questions.

It's almost like Forrest Gump. Well, the flashback part, and how the stories connect to one another. I found out that the movie is an adaptation of the Boeke Prize-winning and Commonwealth Writers' Prize-nominated novel "Q & A" by Indian author and diplomat, Vikas Swarup. I believe the book is available in Popular bookstore. I just went there earlier today, and I think I saw the book, but I thought it's just another motivational book. So, I didn't bother to check it out. Gosh, should have bought that instead of Twilight saga's "New Moon" and "Eclipse".

From what I read in Wikipedia, there movie is actually different from the original book. Let me copy the paragraph.

The Bombay Hindu-Muslim riots played no role in the book, as the ethnic or religious heritage of the main character was uncertain. In the book, the character of Jamal is instead named 'Ram Mohammad Thomas'. He was given a Hindu name, Muslim Christian name by the village elders in order to maintain the balance between all the religious communities after his mother abandoned him after birth. Unlike the movie, Ram does not have a biological brother, but Salim is instead his best friend in the novel. He grows up in an orphanage and his only 'brothers' are his fellow orphans. He never knew his mother. Ram is adopted by a Christian priest as a youth, which is where he learns English, and then is nearly molested by a visiting priest. The priest scenes were not included in the script for the movie, and the movie does not explain how Jamal learned fluent English. Latika is not his childhood friend in the book but rather a prostitute named Nita that Ram falls in love with in a brothel when he's 18.

And what more interesting about the movie is; the kids that casted for the movie are actually from the slums of Mumbai in real life. It's amazing that the street kids can speak English so fluently. I doubt Sabahan street kids can do the same. Well, I can't differentiate Sabahan street kids with the illegal immigrants street kids. Let's compare with the KL's street kids then. Nope, I don't think they can speak English as fluent as them.

And the movie won and nominated for various awards. Achieved various reactions around the world. Surely a movie not to miss. I suggest you better find a way to watch the movie.

Link :
Wikipedia
Fox Searchlight

A Day With Mum

It's Sunday. Of course, I spent it with Mum. My Sunday is Mum's day. The reason I'm still stuck in Kota Kinabalu; so that I can accompany her. So, at least I have to spare a day for her. It's not like I have any other choice.

My mum is in property development. She rarely miss any exhibition or seminar relating to it. There's IPEX, which I think stands for Internation Property Exhibition, in Sabah Trade Centre. It's boring, of course. But I'm used to it. Thanks to Mum. As usual, we took every brochure from every booth. Mum's research data of the competitors. I think it's bloody pointless anyway. Because Mum probably going to refer them for one month only, then she'll put them in the corner of her office, and let them collect dust.Well, there's one interesting thing there. The Edible Architecture Contest. It actually exist in Sabah, let alone Malaysia. I thought I'll only be able to see them online through the monitor of my laptop. Or when I visit a western country. Let me show you some of the pictures of the creation by Malaysian students. Can you believe the first prize is RM 1500.00!? Wow! And some of these "buildings" are actually pretty impressive, and similar to the real ones. And 100% edible. Well, I'm not sure about the edible part. But they're 100% made of food products.

Spagetti Eiffel Tower

We're not sure what this Eiffel Tower made of. Crackers?

Crackers, Jelly, Carrots, Dough, Candy & others Taj Mahal.

Licorice, Candies, Crackers, Jellies Beijing Bird Nest.

Cracker London Bridge. Look pretty rundown to me. Remind me of the song, "London Bridge is Falling Down".

Crackers & Grain Pyramid.

These are only some of them. You don't expect me to take pictures of all of them using my camera phone. Did you?

Spot-check

There had been a spot-check at the cluster a moment ago. Yes. A moment ago. At 2 in the morning. I was sleeping when they knocked on the door. Hard.

Is it necessary to do a spot-check in the middle of the night? Okay, maybe that's the whole idea of a spot-check. Well, actually it started around midnight. Someone passed my room fussing about there's people in uniform in the cluster. So, my roommate investigated about it further. And turns out its true.

So, immediately, we started cleaning the room. Ha-ha. The window that has never been touched ever since we moved in is now squeaky clean. There's no more shirts hanging on the closet door. We cleaned up good. And hid the things that are not supposed to be here. And the electronic devices that we haven't registered and paid the bill for.

We have waited half an hour. They were still in another block, so we couldn't wait. And now I can't sleep. What can I do at 2 in the morning? I don't even have any assignment left to do. I've submitted them all.

Darn Campus Life.

2nd Week of March

Wow, time does fly. It's seems like yesterday I was queuing the long line in campus to register myself for the new semester. And today, its already week 10 of the semester. 4 more weeks before the final! I can't wait!

Ha-ha. My friends couldn't understand why I'm excited over the final exams. Well, don't you get it? When we're done with the final, its the semester break! 3 whole months of nothing. Well, hopefully its not really nothing. I can already imagine the bore if there's nothing to do. I hope I won't be in Kota Kinabalu during the holidays.

Well, before the holidays come, I have to struggle first. Of course, nothing comes free in this world. For instance, this week. Luckily it was public holiday yesterday. A holy day for all the Muslims of the world - Maulidur Rasul. I hate Mondays, and the holiday was a blessing. However, I had to attend the Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Association (SWEPA) Luncheon Talk yesterday because Mom was giving a talk. And as usual, I 'm her PA. The talk was about women, of course, in conjuction with the International Women's Day.

Anyway, I was up all night doing my political journal assignment which is due today. Finally, I've finished them. For the last few days, I've been trying to do it, but my mind seems to be away and refuse to cooperate with me. And I think I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), because I'm too easily distracted, even when I'm alone and no one is buzzing me. I spent hours locked up in the office, with only the laptop on, no music whatsoever, no one nudging to chat with me, and yet I only came up with a sentence. The title of the journal.

Hmm. I wonder if doodling was a symptom. Darn, I hope not. I love doodling.

Oh, I'm supposed to be participating in a public speaking today. Involuntarilary. My lecturer put my name in it. And I'm so not prepared at all. Well, I was up all weekend trying to do my assignments. I haven't even decided on a topic. Oh gosh, maybe I'll talk about "Women", because Sunday was International Women's Day. I probably can use Mom's talk. Yeah, how about that? I have it easy! Mom has already done the work. I still have the slide in my laptop. I can just use her ideas. Woo-hoo. Now, I only have to work on how not to choke on stage.

Why does the public speaking has to be this week? And why did my lecturer waited until the last minute to tell me about it? Its like I have nothing to worry about this week. I have two test this week - CSC 134 & MAT 112. Both are my dreaded subjects. CSC 134 test will be held on Wednesday night, while MAT 112 on Thursday night. Yes, at night, because they couldn't use their lecture times. And you know what's bad, I haven't even study a thing!

Now I wish I do have ADHD as an excuse.

Oh, on top of that, I have Diploma in Public Administration's Part 6-Part 1 Discussion to deal with. Now, what excuse should I use to escape from it? Hmm.

Mike? Really?

I have always been a fan of Cyanide and Happiness. Althou they are just stick figures, but the sarcasms and jokes are absolute genius. And if you look closely, you can see the facial expression. Sometimes its the facial expressions that play the roles.

So, when I was looking through random C & H comic strips in Facebook, I found a very interesting one. Take a look.


OMG Mike!! That's not a way for puppies to behave. Bad M! Bad M!

So, this is who you really are? Behind the good boy mask, unveiled an evil person. I just proved you're a devil. Guess I'm the angel between us two. Yeah!

Happy Birthday Krissy!

Today, someone is a year older. Kristine Emmanoelle Kandu. Gosh, Krissy, You're 20 years OLD.

Well, since her birthday fall on the mostly hated day of the week: Monday, we didn't have much of celebration. My class schedule is pack on Mondays. And you know all about the Monday Blues, right? We all hate Monday.

Oh, right, Krissy's birthday. I actually didn't plan to plan anything. I wanted to take her out for movie or BK or something. But, it's Monday. And Effni's car is in the workshop. Who's car could I borrow, if not his? Oh, I don't bring my car to campus. It's still technically under Mom's name. I don't want to be responsible if anything happens to it.

I was online, and *ting* Meena online. I suddenly remembered about MMJ Cupcakes. Their post-SPM not-so-mini business. I was curious about it anyway, so I messaged Meena to make an order.It's sort of a surprise for Krissy. She has no idea about it. Felicea, Yan and Ari waited in my room, while I bring Krissy up. I just told her I'm done using her stuff, she can have it back now. So, she followed me to my room. I think she sort of knew I planned something, but didn't know what exactly. I don't think I sounded convincing enough, plus, usually when I'm done using her stuff, I'd bring the stuff to her, not ask her to get it herself.

Anyway, as soon as Krissy walked in, Fel, Ari & Yan yelled "Surprise!". Oh, did I mention where they placed the cupcakes? In the middle of the room. And they were hiding behind the door. Haha, it's a dorm room. What do you expect?

So, we sang "Happy Birthday". Okay, they sang. Krissy pretended to blow on the cupcakes with candle icing on it. Well, it look likes candles, is it supposed to be candles, Meena? Yes, major miscalculation there. I forgot about candles. Well, its not exactly a birthday cake anyway, guess it will do, right Krissy?

Each of us fed Krissy a cupcake in turn. In my turn, I asked Yan to count to three when she takes our picture. And as soon as she said "three", I smashed the cupcake into her face. Oh, Ari helped as well. Sorry we smashed your cupcakes MMJ, but it was delicious! Haha, icing everywhere. Even in her hair. I would have done much more if Krissy hasn't been nothing but angel to me.

Oh Gosh, I really have to post up the pictures of her with the cupcakes on her face. Yan, I need the pictures!

Krissy, Happy 20th Birthday! May all your wishes come true, and have an amazing year! Oh, may you be able to stop your addiction toward BK's Royal Chicken with Cheese and Muslim guys. Opps? Well, you know its true. You'll be married and converting in Muslim in 10 years.

Thanks for being so nice and helpful to me. Especially at times when I didn't even ask for it.

For more info about MMJ Cupcakes, please click here.

F*ck the Exam!

Haha. This is so funny. I have tests and exams coming up. And I always been the one who said it. Oh, I hate math. If I'm a guy, I'd probably do it. Well, maybe not. But if I'm so stressed out in the exam hall. I might. Adib, you'll do this. You're a jackass.