The Beautiful Robie House

As promised earlier, here are the pictures of Robie House taken when I went for the tour. Unfortunately, no photography allowed for the interior part of the house. I forgot to ask the guide the reason for that. Probably due to the fact that they are trying to restore the house to the original state and making the interior museum quality standard. Or maybe they really don't want people to copy the building exactly as all of the houses designed by Frank LlyodWright are unique on the inside too.

Stained Glass Windows. These are considered as 'sacred' for buildings designed by Wright.

The unique shape of concrete throughout the house.
The secluded entry way. One of my favorite part of the building.

More unique stained glass windows. They increase the privacy of the house.

Stairs to the veranda.

The House

Robie House

I had the opportunity to visit Robie House in Hyde Park, Chicago, one of the most famous house designed by the great Frank Lloyd Wright. Considering the house was built in 1910, it can truly be described as "the true modern architecture". If you don't know anything about Frank Lloyd Wright or Robie House, you might mistakenly think that the house was built 2 or 3 years ago.

Frank Lloyd Wright, a true visionary...

Here's some background on the house. I do have several exterior picture of the house, however my computer is having a problem right now, thus I won't be able to upload those pictures, at least for now.

Robie Residence Commentary

"The Robie house, as Wright's best expression of the Prairie masonry structure, is a national landmark....Sheathed in Roman brick and overhung so perfectly that a midsummer noon sun barely strikes the foot of the long, glass-walled southern exposure of the raised above-ground-level living quarters, it demonstrates Wright's total control and appreciation of microclimatic effects. This is coupled with a high degree of integration of the mechanical and electrical systems designed by Wright into the visual expression of the interior. Living and dining space are in-line, with only the fireplace-chimney block providing separation...Sleeping quarters are yet a floor above, play and billiard rooms below; there is no 'basement.' Construction was begun in 1908 and completed the following year. The garage and surrounding wall were later altered from the original design."

— William Allin Storrer. The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright: A Complete Catalog. project 127.

The Creator's Words

"Architecture is the triumph of human imagination over materials, methods and men, to put man into possession of his own earth.

Machinery, materials and men—yes—these are the stuffs by means of which the so-called American architect will get his architecture....Only by the strength of his spirit's grasp upon all three—machinery, materials and men—will the architect be able so to build that his work may be worthy the great name architecture.

Bring out the nature of the materials, let their nature intimately into your scheme....Reveal the nature of the wood, plaster, brick or stone in your designs; they are all by nature friendly and beautiful."

— Frank Lloyd Wright. from Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer and Gerald Nordland, ed. Frank Lloyd Wright: In the Realm of Ideas. p48.

p/s: I fell in love with Frank Lloyd Wright's work when I first saw the Falling Water, the more famous house designed by him. However, due to the rural location of the house, I have never had a chance to visit it, even though I passed the highway leading to the house several times.

Carbon Neutral Living...With Style

I am pretty sure everybody is now aware of the issue of global warming and the main cause of global warming is due to the large amount of carbon produced as the byproduct of energy generation.

As technology progresses, people now have options on the sources of energy they are using everyday. Renewable energy is not something that is futuristic anymore. Even better, you can generate your own energy by utilizing these technology below, and I promise, your house won't look like The Jetsons'.

1. Hot-Water Panels

Huh?
Water-Heating technology that is hidden under a roof, of even better, solar panels

How?
Solar thermal system is a series of panels installed under the roof which feature hidden tubes filled with non-toxic antifreeze. Once roasted by the sun, the liquid is pumped down to help heat your water tank. It works just like the hot sensation the moment you open your water hose left outside in the middle of hot summer day.

I get?
Up to 30 percent saving of the cost of heating your water

2. Solar Roof:

Huh?
Technically called Building-Integrated Photovoltaics(BIPV), these solar panels are integrated into traditional slate of roofing tiles. In other words, a sleek looking roof that will make the guy with the metallic body painted car envy.

How?
Not like the typical bulky solar panels, your roof itself will function as solar-energy collector. These sunslates are engineered to be slate-concrete tiles or shingles that blend into roof's appearance and wrk by converting the energy collected from the sun into an electric current hooked to your house's wiring. The great thing is that, when energy produced is greater than demand, it will be channeled back to your utility company, which in the US is obligated to give you credit (not sure in Malaysia).

I get?
Up to 80 off on annual utility cost, plus tax credit of up to $2000(in US though)

3. Wind Turbine( My favorite, but the trickiest thing to have)

Huh?
Small wind turbine like The Skystream 3.7 starts at 34 feet tall, which complies to most residential zoning of height of at least 42 feet here in the US(Might be a problem in linked houses in Malaysia, but certainly no problem if you have your own land)

How?
The mirror reflection of fan. Fan uses electricity to produce wind, where turbine uses wind to produce electricity. The blades, connected to shaft and gearbox, which then connected to generator. When strong gust or steady wind exist, causing the blade and the shaft to spins which the generator will then produces electric current and fed to your house. Same as the solar roof, excess electricity will be channeled back to your utility grid and gives your credit. Skystream will requires wind speed of at least 10mph to produce meaningful current.

I get?
up to 100 percent saving from your energy bill (Free energy!)

4.Water Harvester

Huh?
Below ground water harvester made our of polyethylene tank with various sizes depending on your household demand.

How?
Very simple technology. Rainwater is collected via your roof gutters and channeled to the underground tank. First few minutes of the water from the rain will be discarded as they are the most polluted. The tank has enough storage capacity to last through three months drought. The water is also pressurized for power showers and car wash.

I get?
Saving of up to 60 percent for your water bill.

All of these environmental friendly technology is feasible for country like Malaysia, considering the weather is hot and humid everyday! Imagine the saving that you will get from it as the byproduct of you being a little environmental sensitive.

p/s: I am pretty sure, living a house just like the Jetsons is not a problem too, as you wished you had that kind of futuristic house when you were 4 or 5 years old watching that show ; )

August 31st- Wear Maize (Yellow)...For Michigan and for Malaysia

Why?

1. College Colors Day.

Mission

College Colors Day, which coincides with both “back to school” and the kick-off of intercollegiate athletics, including football, seeks to celebrate and promote the traditions and spirit that make the college traditions great by encouraging fans, alumni and students to wear apparel of their favorite college throughout the day of Friday, August 31, 2007.

College Colors Day strives to promote higher education in the United States through increased public awareness and celebrates the achievements of colleges and universities in the United States, acknowledging their critical and fundamental importance to the United States.

The annual College Colors Day celebration is organized by The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) and its Consortium of colleges and universities. For more information about CLC, please visit, www.clc.com.

History

The first College Colors Day was celebrated on September 2, 2005. The 2006 College Colors Day celebration included a concert with country music star Kenny Chesney at the Savis Center in St. Louis and the first annual College Colors Day Classic football game between the University of Nevada and Fresno State University. The game, which was televised by ESPN, served as the official start of the 2006 college football season.

2. People’s Power

As everybody notice, Malaysia is celebrating it's 50th anniversary (or 44th anniversary, depends on when do you consider the creation of Malaysia). Apparently, the country is being plagued by all sorts of problems( from Chief Judge issue, Port Klang Free Zone Bailout, Racial Sentiment, Obviously Corrupted Politician Running Free, Raising Crime Rate, and on and on...) created by the politicians which are hampering this year's 'supposed to be grand' national day celebration.In the same time, the Malaysian Royalties are coming out of their 'ceremonial role', asserting people to hold on to the country's constitution and opposing corrupted politician.

Thus to show our support to the royalties on their role in enlightening the country and to show our peaceful protest to the wrongdoings that are going on in our government , Malaysia Today has suggested for us to wear yellow during our National Day and Malaysia Day (Sept 16).

MAIZE OUT!!!!!!!

My neck...and the thruth....It hurts!

Wow, the last time I posted an entry on this blog was exactly two weeks ago. I was kinda busy updating myself on the current issues that are happening in Malaysia. Some of the few big things I discovered were:

Government is about to use 4.6 billion ringgit from taxpayer money to bailout The Port Klang Free Zone Project

20 people died in an accident involving an express bus. The driver supposed to be off the road long time ago. (Police are busy chasing blogger, not crooks)

Apparently, people in Malaysia are more interested with the latter news more than the first news.(Well that's from my observation, since the mainstream newspaper did not cover anything on the bailout, or if they did, only a few of the less popular newspaper did cover it)

Last Friday, I had a nap when I woke up suddenly and I had sore neck. It has been five days and I can still feel the pain. I went to see the doctor today, walking out with even painful feelings. I took a day off from work just to see the doctor and all I got was pamphlet on neck stretching which I could obtain by 'Googling' and advice to take pain reliever which I've been taking almost every night or else I won't be able to sleep.

On the personal side, I was browsing around facebook, just to keep myself updated on what's going on with my friends. Recently, my friend change her status from single to being married. At first I thought she was just kidding on the status, knowing her personally and I thought she's kind of girl who would work on her education first and think about getting married later. Apparently, I was wrong. She is married, in UK. Congratulation Nazzi.

Thinking my friends are getting married, just made me not want to get married anytime soon. If I wanted to get married at 28 before this, now, knowing Nazzi is married, makes me want to get married at 30 or later.

But this Sunday, I will be 23 and for the first time I will be by myself. I still have Snowball the cat. I still don't know what to do on that day. Thinking about visiting west coast Michigan if I would like to spend part of my paycheck for this week.

Is our healthcare becoming more and more stupid like America?

I just go back from watching the movie-cum-documentary Sicko made by Michael Moore. In terms of Michael Moore movie, it is not that great, comparing to all his previous production. Like typical Michael Moore production, the way he presented his issue was entertaining, in a humorous way yet keeping the issue serious. However, for me, Bowling for Columbine was the best among all of his production so far. If I were a real film critic, probably I would give 7.5 out of 10 (as contrast to 9 for Bowling for Columbine).

Now back to the real deal on this matter. Recently, the government of Malaysia released a press statement related to our government hospital. (July 27, 2007, “Hospital Putrajaya, Selayang laksana konsep bayaran penuh 1 Ogos”). Apparently, our government hospital also being turned into private hospital? This is sad, knowing rakyat will have to pay even when they are visiting the government hospital. I remember about 5 years ago one of my friend was involved in an accident, in Shah Alam. Apparently, Shah Alam, a bandaraya (big city) of the most developed and richest state in Malaysia, does not have a government owned hospital. ( I was told, before they declared Shah Alam as a city, they had to build a gigantic court house, then the Shah Alam will get the title. Isn’t it better if they build a hospital? ). Oh wait a minute, Shah Alam do have a hospital, Selangor Medical Center, a private hospital located ‘conveniently’ next to a low cost housing area. Using common sense, she was sent there. As she got admitter, I still remember what the first question the nurse or maybe the doctor asked. No, not that normal people with heart and humanity “Are you alright?” or maybe “Do you feel any pain anywhere?” kind of question. They asked, “How are you going to pay the bill? Do you have insurance?” What kind of heartless person would ask that question when someone is in pain???!!!

Another sad thing occurred to me personally, was when I was driving down the road, at Shah Alam too when there was an accident occurred just in front of me. A pizza delivery guy got involved in an accident, and it was pretty bad. Let make the story short, I had to call the ambulance. It took them 30 minutes to get there. Not to forget, the police arrived at the scene just about the same time as the ambulance did. They had to dispatch the ambulance from the nearest government hospital, in Klang. And now, rather than improving the government hospital like make it easily accessible to the rakyat, the government will start asking for people to pay for it.

One reason they said is that it will improve the service and keep the specialist from running away to the private hospital. Oh come on. Who own all these private hospitals? I guess even if you were to be sent to the government hospital, they will ask the same heartless question as what the private hospitals been asking. Not to mention, even now, rakyat yg susah has been asking for donation from the public to cure their serious illness. Even when the government had created the fund for these people, we still see people hoping the public to help ease their burden. I wonder, what had happened to the fund as nobody talks about it anymore.

I wonder what had happened to our tax money. Of course, the built the highways. But wait, we still have to pay Toll, even on the road that used to be federal highway. Now they are asking us to pay for hospital. Where have gone all the tax money? Where do they go? Not to forget, Petronas Money too! We have belanjawan every year, where PM presents the budget for next year. But do they really spend the money just like they stated? I’m pretty sure rakyat would like to know what they had spent the tax money. And please, try and fit somewhere the justification of where did the money to buy the new government aircraft came from.

My sister went to England with here husband to further her study, when she had her first child. The hospital service there was even better than in Malaysia and she had to pay nothing. See, there’s a country where you could get everything for 1 ringgit, even cheaper. And they are ranked better than Malaysia in the World Health Organization ranking. Check out Cuba, they are ranked better too, yet medical is free there. Malaysia hasn’t become a country where someone could be denied from having access to the necessary medical attention. But if we see the pattern here, the country is inclining towards it.

These people, who decides how the health system in Malaysia, don’t even go to government hospital for medical treatment. They have all the money, (god knows where they came from) to get medical attention at private hospitals, and even better, overseas private hospital. Yet rakyat is being left, begging for money to fund surgery, at government hospitals, which they paid to be built using the tax money, and get at best, par service.

Disclaimer: Rather than thinking so hard to bash my post, might as well you put your half dead brain and think about how to solve this health problem, think about how you should present where the tax money had gone. Government should be scared when this question being asked, not rakyat that should be afraid to ask this kind of question. If you have answer, then that’s good.

Sights from Saturday Farmer's Market

I always like Saturday because it's two days away from Monday and there's Farmer's Market! Usually when I'm not that lazy to wake up a little early in the morning, I will ride my bicycle and grab a cup of coffee from Sweetwaters Cafe (no Starbucks please !), buy some organic vegetables and enjoy the sight of people buying local harvests.

Mode of transportation...

People and Corn

Flowers...

And more flowers...

The Big Durian...

Do you remember "Prebet Adam"?


I managed to borrow and watched this DVD from my university's library (I requested for them to buy it, long time ago). An Amir Muhammad's production (the same guy who produced Lelaki Komunis Terakhir).

A very interesting documentary. Never have I seen a Malaysian production, not to mention, this rare Malaysian documentary 'breed', that touched a very sensitive topic, which involves racial issue in Malaysia, without creating any negative impact or negative view.

Basically, the documentary touched more than just racial issue, it touched various sensitive issues, that definite will open your mind, to do some judgment on these issues.

It didn't say any which side is right, which side is wrong. It's basically telling what had happened during that period (October 1987) and what did people involved, indirectly, with that issue.

I hope all Malaysians have the opportunity to watch it, especially during this 'almost' election period.

Cycling his way back home....

From The Star

"He pedalled off from Los Angeles, reaching Washington DC in 38 days, covering a distance of 5,625km.

He cycles about 150km daily and his daily routine begins between 5.45am and 6.30am, stopping at about 7.30pm. He takes a three-hour break in the middle of the day.

Yesterday, he flew to Dublin, Ireland, to begin the European leg of the journey. He has another 15,000km to go.

He said that he would like to see emerging from this adventure was a charitable effort involving international and domestic organisations, and said that matters were being worked out to channel funds to a few such organisations in Malaysia and the Mae Tao Clinic in Myanmar.

Those who would like to follow Law’s journey or help him in charitable work can read his journal, www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/longwayhome or e-mail him at tzuohann@gmail.com."

I met this guy personally when we were studying together at INTEC before flying to the States. A brilliant guy, very energetic in everything (as both of us were ATUSA Committee member).

I always dream that I could do something great like what he is doing. Although I did traveled for about two weeks on Amtrak alone backpacking. I guess my next adventure would be traveling around Southeast Asia region by train (if possible, make my way up to Nepal).

Of Responsibility and Obligation...

"The Constitution of Malaysia requires that a general election must be held at least once every five years. However, the Prime Minister can ask the Yang di-pertuan Agong to dissolve the parliment at any time before this five year period has expired. A general election should be held no later than 3 months after the dissolution of the Parliament."

According to my calculation, the last time Malaysia had it's last election was in 2004. It has been almost four years since the last time the country had it's last election, which was won by the ruling party, which is now the government. Thus according to simple math and the current issues going on the main stream newspapers, it seems like the next general election is just around the corner.

Apparently, time has finally arrived for me to be a responsible citizen of Malaysia which is to cast my vote. That sounds great right? Finally I have my own voice, opinion and right. Well, it's not that great to have the right to vote.

Who should I vote for in the upcoming election since I now have the right to do so? I have no idea. Yeah, the government have done so many things ( good things and not to forget, bad things too) to the country. And the opposition, what have you done to the country? Good question...

Should I give my vote to the ruling party? For me, I never against the government of Malaysia. As long as good things are being done, why should I be mad of the government. But how can't I be mad when there are so many ruling party politicians seem to care about their wallet, projects and power. And in Malaysia, if you critic them out loud, although what you are saying is right, either you go to the ISA and/or you won't have any chance to 'cari makan'. And in Malaysia, the ruling party is 'the government'. Nobody else can be the government. If you support the other party, you have betrayed 'the government' and that is like equivalent of betraying the country.

As a sponsored student, we were told not to be associated to any political party while we were studying here. But let me rephrase it. It is more like not associated to the opposition party, because if I am not mistaken, UMNO is a political party and it seems that there's no action taken to any students who are involve with UMNO.

As for the opposition. I don't see the country would go anywhere with them. Most of them are based with radical ideas, one issue party (which some of them does not even make any sense anymore) and racist too (just like the government)! Political party based on race? For me that is racist. So should I give up my vote to them?

If I don't vote the ruling party, don't ever say that I did not vote for the government. For me, it's really annoying to hear people say you have to vote the ruling party because they are the government. But in election, you are casting your vote for the politician that your are think is right, and the party that is relevant. There's non in the constitution saying that you have to vote for the ruling party and the ruling party will forever be the government. If I decided to vote for the ruling party and they lost the election, isn't it like I've voted for the opposition party, because the government is not the used to be ruling party?

And what is so obvious now days, Malaysia is so divided because of politic. And everything is about politic now in Malaysia. Yeah, it's awesome to see Malaysia people stand up for world issue, protesting on the street. But please, if you would like to protest, in the name of Malaysian people, leave your political flags and banners at home. Malaysian flag is good enough to say you are Malaysian and you don't like what other countries are doing. Rather than supporting you, in the name of Malaysian, I got sick looking at these people, trying to show they care but the fact that all they want to show is that I am brave, my political party is brave, and give me seat because I brought hundreds of party flags and vote for me! Rather than being proud, I got pissed.

Then who should I vote for? I will look into the matter of who are the candidates contesting for the seats in my area. Certainly I won't vote for politician who obviously from other state, or even other area then where I live (what do this person know about the problems and issues in my area, they don't even live here!!! And you want to represent my area? Go balik kampung and represent your area!). And I will look into their agenda, their background and how brilliant the candidate is.

Until then, don't ever say I am not supporting the government. Who ever the government is, I don't care because it's the people who the government should be scared to, not the government that people should be scared off. But I know, in Malaysia, it's a long way before we could ever reach that point.

I will only be loyal to the country of Malaysia and for me, that's good enough.

From the Ann Arbor Art Fair...

The Ann Arbor Art Fairs are a group of four award-winning art fairs taking place annually in Ann Arbor, Michigan that attract over 500,000 visitors each year. The fairs take place on a Wednesday through Saturday during mid-July. In addition to art exhibits, the fairs also feature music performances and children's activities, most notably the "Imagination Stations." The four fairs are the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the State Street Art Fair, the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair, and Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair.

Nuri...oh Nuri....!

Nuri in action

Nuri, should this helicopter still be flying today? It seems that it's kinda old but even US is still using the same helicopter. And guess what, they use it to carry their President !

Marine One

Chronology of Nuri crashes and near misses since 1969.

April 25, 1969 - First Nuri crash when four RMAF men were killed in Kuching, Sarawak.

March 11, 1972 - Another four men were killed in a crash in Gambang, Pahang.

April 26, 1976 - 11 crew and passengers were killed when a Nuri was brought down by communist fire in Gubir, Kedah.

July 19, 1980 - A Nuri crashed near Ipoh, Perak but 18 people survived.

April 25, 1981 - Two RMAF men were killed and 13 others escaped with injuries when a Nuri crashed near the Kuching Airport in Sarawak.

July 11, 1981 - A Nuri crashed near Batu Melintang, Perak. 11 people survived.

Nov 14, 1989 - 21 people perished in a crash between Gunung Gerah and Gunung Bilah on the Kelantan- Perak border.

Dec 18, 1989 - 16 men were killed in a crash near Sungai Lundu, Sarawak.

Aug 28, 1990 - 9 men training for Merdeka celebration survived an emergency landing near Rawang, Selangor.

Jan 16, 1991 - A Nuri from Sungai Besi to Kluang made an emergency landing in Kampung Parit Zin, Muar, Johor. 12 men cheated death.

June 10, 1991 - 6 men were killed when a Nuri crashed and exploded in Banding, Perak.

July 11, 1991 - 7 men were killed when a Nuri crashed during landing also in Banding, Perak.

Oct 16, 1996 - 2 men were killed when a Nuri crashed in Muka Head, Penang.

March 19, 1997 - 11 RMAF men were killed when two Nuris crashed near Gunung Lumaku, Sipitang in Sabah.

March 5, 2004 - 2 men were killed in a crash in Taman Udara, Butterworth.

March 30, 2004 - 3 pilots survived an emergency landing in Bukit Kalam near Labuan, Sabah.

Aug 15, 2004 - 3 men were killed in a crash at Long Seridan, Sarawak.

July 13, 2007 - 6 RMAF personnel perished when a Nuri crashed at Genting Sempah, Pahang. Their bodies were recovered four days later.

Want a Porsche 911 Targa 4..?

The man got into the high-performance car and asked a saleswoman to switch on the engine before making his dramatic exit, Malaysian news agency Bernama said.

It described him as well-dressed, and said he produced a cheque book before smashing his way out of the showroom in the 963,000-ringgit Porsche 911 Targa 4.

But the thief did not get very far. Officers found the car abandoned 1.5 kilometres away, and newspapers reported it had run out of fuel.

Then...

Malaysian police were left red-faced after a man who abandoned the theft of a $280,000 Porsche for lack of fuel attempted the crime a second time and drove the sportscar out of a police station, local media said.

The man kept the keys and returned with a canister of petrol to a local police station where the car had been towed. He drove off with the Porsche, ditching it later after he discovered roadblocks had been set up to stop him. Police recovered the car an hour later, about 15km away. But this time, unlike in the first incident, the car had fuel.

Maybe next time Porsche should use a new tag line...

"Visit your local Porsche showroom or your district police station for the latest Porsche Model!!!"
"And 'drive away' with a new one, today"

Minimum Wage...The case of social ethics and econimics

"Sandra, 50, is a single mother who works six days a week from 8am to 6pm at a small bread factory on mainland Penang, in northern Malaysia. Her salary of just over 300 ringgit ($79) id whittled down to below that amount after statutory deductions. She lives in a congested squatter settlement in a dilapidated plank house, covered with corrugated aluminium roofing, which gets unbearably hot under the mid-day sun. With her retirement savings, she somehow managed to place a deposit for a 25,000-ringgit ($6,579) low-cost house, always scarce, and took a bank loan to finance the remainder. Monthly loan repayments alone come to 58 ringgit ($5.3). That does not leave much for food, transport, medical expenses and her son's education."

In Malaysia, the official poverty line is set at 460 ringgit ($121). Some people said to deny an increase in minimum wage is like to deny low-income workers a basic living wage and a right to basic needs including housing and medical treatment.

At first I was agree with the fact of all the employer in Malaysia wants cheap labor and do not want to give up a share of their profits. Everybody is underpaid , from janitors to factory workers to construction worker up to engineer. Then I did some more reading on the issue, thanks to wikipedia and some other website.

Then I realized, it is not simple to just increase the minimum wage. The concept of wage has some correlation with supply and demand. Both labor and demand curve can be demonstrated like the supply and demand with wage on the vertical axis and labor on horizontal axis.

In other words, by introducing minimum wage, 'theoretically' it would disrupt the equilibrium of supply and demand. A minimum wage might prevent companies from hiring workers below the minimum wage. This will result in excess labor and thus increasing unemployment.


Furthermore, Tun Dr. Mahathir made a statement, "if a worker earning 400 ringgit ($105) at present had his or her salary raised to 1,200 ringgit, those earning 1,200 would ask for a raise to 2,000, and others earning more will ask for even higher salaries. In other words, a high minimum wage will lead to a compound increase in wages and salaries which neither the government nor the private sector can afford,''. (sounds familiar).

Furthermore, increasing wage will increase the operating cost of a company. In Malaysia, most companies are international companies that choose Malaysia as the location for them to built their manufacturing . This is what people call offshore outsourcing . One of the reason these companies decided to do this is because the stable wage that remains low, due to the fact of stable labor supply. By increasing the wage, this might drives these companies to move their facilities to somewhere that offers cheaper wage.

My point of view is to evaluate the cost living and evaluate each level of labor. Certainly companies need to provide appropriate wage, but somehow labors need to increase productivity to earn their high wage. I agree with Tun Mahathir that the higher tier of the labor would want to have their wage increase. Thus, companies need to appreciate their worker skill, qualification and experience and set each level of labor with appropriate wage.

But I am pretty sure, we have brilliant economist would have idea on how this issue could be settled. The cost of living in Malaysia is definitely increasing so this serious issue needs to be tackled or else a lot of Malaysian people will suffer.

Malaysia is losing value in coins and people...

An e-mail complaint to The Star that a drink stall attendant in Tanjung Bungah had refused to accept the two pieces of five sen coins that he wanted to use to pay for a drink. Well is it nowdays that 5 cents doesn't have any value in Malaysia? What happened to 1 cent then?

Well according to Bank Negara, under Section 24 of the Central Bank of Malaysia Act that you can use one sen, five sen, 10 sen and 20 sen coins to pay for a transaction of up to RM2.

The Act also allows a buyer to pay for a product or service worth up to RM10 in 50 sen coins.

I would be very sorry to the cashier if someone does that but they get paid to do that, counting money. If the cashier decided that that job is too hard for them, then we should start using vending machine fore everything instead.

Back to the the stall refusing to accepting 5 cents from customer. This is one of the attitude problem that is happening in Malaysia. People are just want things to be convenient to them. It seems that the saying that 'customers are always right' doesn't exist anymore in the service and retail business dictionary. Imagine, one time I was in Kelantan and one of my mom's friend wanted to buy newspapers from a stall. The stall attendant was so unfriendly and so irritated, it was like we were forcing her to accept money from us. I know it doesn't make sense, 'forcing her to accept money from us'.

One thing I will miss when I go back to Malaysia.

Weekend of Wonders

I went camping at Pointe Aux Barques which is in the thumb area of Michigan (see Michigan map). Then my friends and I had a barbecue on Saturday night. On Sunday, I went for a boat ride on Huron River, on glorious day with glorious sunlight. There are just so much to see and do during summer here in Ann Arbor, and Michigan.


Camp Fire Wood


Lake Huron


Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse


Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse facing Lake Huron


Walk on the beach


Burning fire while having dinner outdoor


Clouds like in The Simpson's

Kaki Tulis...Go to kakiseni.com

Are you a creative writer? You could write a play that can move a society? Or If you already have a play that runs for 10 minutes which explores and defines issues of Malaysia’s social, political, historical, spiritual and emotional complexity (as long as it is not to controversial…well you know Malaysia).

If you meet any of the criteria, then go to www.kakiseni.com and try your luck. The writer of the winning entry will receive RM10,000 in cash. Two runners-up will go home, or anywhere with RM5,000 each. Seven consolation prize winners will receive RM2,000 each.

Energy audit on buildings

According to Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, as far as energy-conserving efforts are concerned, Malaysia was at least 15 to 20 years backwards compared to countries like Japan.

The ministry has chosen seven high-energy consumption government buildings for the audit – the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, Finance Ministry, Economic Planning Unit, Immigration Department, Hospital Selayang, University Malaya Medical Centre and KL Hospital.

The audit will be the stepping stone in making government building more energy efficient.

I wonder what will they do. Will they be an Energy Star Partner? Or launch something like ECO (Energy Conservation and Outreach) which is what I'm working on right now at U of M Utilities and Plant Engineering Energy Management .

Hopefully, it's not just audit that they are planning to do. After the audit, it would be nice if they do the necessary adjustments, to make the buildings more energy efficient. (not like "hangat-hangat tahi ayam" kinda project)

Washtenaw Dairy and such

First of all... I wasted my four years here looking for a place that sells donut. I am a huge fan of donut, basically, other people put bumper stickers saying " I break for whale" or "I break for Jake" (an Ann Arbor icon). But for me, if there were bumper sticker saying "I brake for donut", I would put it on my bumper, not that I have a car because I prefer taking the bus. I literally do that.

Washtenaw Dairy, a homegrown, 100% locally owned shop is famous for their dairy product. However, their donuts are just amazing. Usually, I prefer raised style donut, but only Washtenaw Dairy's cake style donut is acceptable for me. Not that it is acceptable, it is good!

Those fry-cake style donuts by the way are awesome. Very good and fresh, with supersweet topings. Sugar frosting, coconut sprinkles and thick maple and chocolate glaze are some of the variety they serve there.

This Ann Arbor family social spot, located on South Ashley and West Madison, is more popular for their ice cream. They serve array of classic and crazy flavors Stroh's Ice Cream. During warm evening, houses in surrounding neighborhood, empty toward twilight as the residents head, zombielike to the store.

Ann Arbor and Me

Although I miss Malaysia, Shah Alam, and Kuala Lumpur...I always feel like its hard for me to leave this place...All due to these amazing places and things in Ann Arbor

1. The big house and Saturday Afternoon Michigan Football
2. The easy laid back kinda feeling being here...
3. Downtown area and the cute shops
4. The Arb and the Huron River
5. Kerrytown and Farmer's Market.
6.Michigan Football (again)
7. Parks and Open Fields where you could play whatever you want.
8.Free bus to everywhere...
9. U of M is here

The list would go on and on but certainly, the reason I would miss Ann Arbor if I leave this town would be because of Ann Arbor itself. It has it's own characteristic, own style, own ways of doing things and uniqueness that you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. Thus, if you were in Ann Arbor, enjoy it...

As for me, I will make use of every moment that I have to create 'moments' with this place...

This thing just struck me....

I'm sure everybody realized that when ever you meet someone new, you and the new person you just met will think about the similarities that both of you have. For example in college, if you met someone from other school, you will try and think about other person that you know who is also in that same school, so that maybe both of you are friends to the other person. Or even try to share about what both of you like to do, eat, go and so on.

It's amazing that living in this world, no matter how different each and every one of us, everybody will try and find some sort of similarity among ourself. Yet if you see things at a bigger perspective, people and countries are always fighting about the differences between them. For me, this is the reason all the crisis in this world exist. For example, in Darfur, the ruler who is Arab is trying to demolish the local african. What so sad about this crisis, both of them have a huge similarity. Both of them are Islam. This problem also exist in Iraq between Sunni and Shiah. How could someone kill their own brothers and sisters?

Also in the middle east, if the arab and the jewish could tolerate, and share what they have, like rather than one person owning all the sacred religious sites, all of them would be able to understand each other in a better way and later respect each other.

My dream is to see all Arab and Jewish, stumble to each other on a street and talk about having place that they can go together rather than fighting about who owns the place. Would this ever be happening during my lifetime?

I got lucky, again...

If you venture into my other blog, I've posted an entry, almost the same as this one.

Stucked at FXB(Aerospace Buidling). I had only 75 cents. The cheapest chocolate at the vending machine... 80 cents. I tried my luck,peeking underneath the machine. There you go, the magic nickle, waiting for me to pick her up.



Enjoying my Snickers while writing this entry....

Quote from yesterday..

A: I can't believe students are soo ignorant
B: I guess that's why they are still students
A: Good point...

Try this people...

Try and do something good to others. Anything... Like donating money to the needy, helping people by holding door for them. Or even the simplest thing, smile, as you make eye contact or interact will people. You will know how good it feels once you have done it. You will know that you have done something good, something right and something nice, it definitely will make your day.

And one more thing...get a pet. They will be your best friend ever...

Exam and Beauty Contest

World with exam sucks. My dream is to have a world where people don't judge how good you are based on grades. But I know that sounds too idealistic. And yes, until now, I still couldn't figure out any other way to determine how good someone is other than using grades.

The issue propelled me to another thing I want to talk about. This world is all about judging and being judged. In school, with your peer, at work. As Dwayne said in the movie Little Miss Sunshine:

" You know what? Fuck beauty contests. Life is one fucking beauty contest after another. School, then college, then work... Fuck that. And fuck the Air Force Academy. If I want to fly, I'll find a way to fly. You do what you love, and fuck the rest."

Sorry for the f word. I always againts cursing, unless if it is meaningful and I am trully pissed.

Again, It is really hard to run from this fact. People do this with intent or without realizing that they are judging everything. And people will naturally try to impress one another. Why can't we just do what we want, as long as it is not bothering other people, and not being judged??? Oh well. Life is life.

My 4 years in Ann Arbor

I handed my senior Aero 405 lab project final report to my group mate. I signed on the cover letter of the report, stating that I was part of the project. That was the last thing that I did for me to get a degree.

I always thought that the last thing that I will do to earn my degree will be steping out of a lecture hall, having completed a 'killer exam' that would mess me up and probably worrying about having to retake the exam. But putting down my signature on top of a paper seems to be the completing factor for me for my four years of study here. I have arrived at a very important point in my life. Now, I have so many options to think about and for every option, I will have to think wisely...

And let’s look back at the all of my semester here at Michigan, the school where I used to hate and became the school which I wouldn't want to trade with any other school...

First Semester, Fall 2003.

That naive guy, stepping onto a really huge school, where everything looks new. Hoping to see snow in September but only sweats like a pig, until the winter arrived of course. I had a bicycle, a cheap one where I crashed it and threw it away since the cost to repair the bicycle was much more than the bicycle itself. I was so ambitious, I wanted to major in Mechanical and Aerospace, than realized, I’m not nerdy enough to pull it off. I studied a lot, but I only got an average GPA, then realized it’s not worth to just to study and miss out the world. Started working at CCRB. The easiest place to get a job and since I used to live at Oxford, it wasn’t that far.

To be continued

Testing. I'm in the process of moving from my other blog to this blog. Thus, I'm extracting all the noteworthy posts. Still fresh...