Melbourne (or Melbie)

Yes I'm here. Uni life's gonna start very soon, with the first lecture to be held on March 3rd. The idea of me being a university student is so intriguing and frightening at the same time (especially when the thoughts of the multiple subjects that I'll be taking for my 1st Sem twirl in my head). After a deep contemplation, I've decided to choose Microeconomics and Macroeconomics as my breadth subject for my first and second semester, respectively. My complementary subjects will consist of Chemistry and either Environmental Studies or Physics, which will come hand in hand with my major Earth Sciences-related subjects that I'll be taking throughout my 3-year studies here. Sounds complicated aint it? yes it is. Thanks to the Melbourne Model that has succeeded in making my uni experience considerably more hectic than anything I've ever hoped it to become. But well, I've suffered IB, so another three years of sleepless nights and caffeine-generated nocturnal activities will hopefully be quite tolerable.

Speaking on Melbourne city, I'd love to say that it's just lovely. The city aint too hectic but it's not too sleepy and boring either, so the people can basically enjoy their city living without having to wade through the problems that have always been associated to big cities like traffic congestion, rampant crime, etc. The city is also very pedestrian-friendly, making our daily 5 to 10-minute-long trip to the University a safe and hassle-free one. The trams are a good mode of transportation around the city, but the tickets are pretty expensive, so walking (and burning calories in the process) is actually the best way in exploring the city. My 1-room-apartment also beats my prior expectation; it's clean, quite spacious (for a single occupancy) and well-equipped.















































*my unit is also facing the cemetery, but believe me, it's not half as scary as what you might think!

Feeling bored in our new digs, my batchmates and I went for a night stroll around Melbourne city. It was quite chilly at that time, and Zahra, who's so infamous of her inability to withstand cold of any kind whined throughout the night for the chilly air that was just unbearable for her. She even covered her head with her sweater's hood just to mitigate the effects of the chilly summer (not winter) air. I couldn't help but thinking that there's no way that she's gonna survive the chillier winter air. We had time to take some inevitable pictures that night, and looks like I've only got the arse to post one of those this time around:














*I've got tonnes of pictures to upload, but due to the bloody-expensive internet rate in Australia, austerity in bandwidth usage is just my way to go. More pictures have been uploaded to my Facebook, though. Courtesy to Syed for taking most of the pictures that night, and Yvonne, who brought Sri KDU name all the way to the streets of Melbourne by wearing her universally-dreaded blue house Sri KDU tee. Mrs. Chan must've been very proud had she looked at her SriKDU-spirited look that night.

Speaking on the Australian accent, I have to say that I don't like it, but I know with intense surety that I'll have to live with it for, like 3 years to come, so I should try getting a hang on it as soon as possible.

Basically, I have nothing to complain or whine about, which comes to a surprise since my whining addiction has really gotten some sorts of infamy from my friends all these while. Life's been good, so far, and I've got a free phone, too! (Nokia 6500 that I'm not looking forward to using soon since I'm still in love with my not-so-old SE s500i, which is still functioning perfectly). The seniors have been amazing, and they've gone great length to help us solve many settling-down-related problems. Thank you so much!

So far, the odyssey has just begun. I know that my 3-year-long journey in attaining excellence in life through the medium of university education is going to be thorny along the way, but with the fullest faith in everything in which my destiny is determined, everything is going to be fine. I'm really excited and nervous right now, and that's all I can say. Since I've started using schmaltzy and corny-inclined language, which signifies my sleepiness at the moment, so I guess it's time to stop with this post and get myself some sleep that I really need. See ya!

Faizal Hamssin

Of Randomness

Tick tock. The clock is ticking. It's nearly 3 and the dawn is gonna crack in a matter of a few hours, and I haven't even plunged into the state of peaceful slumber. I'm sleepy but the night has been so pleasant that sleeping early is just a waste of opportunity. The opportunity to blog! Yeah, it is. As the saying goes, "make hays while the Sun shines". And here I am, breaking my own promise to stop being a nocturnal animal. The phletora of memories I've had with my friends keep on streaming to me as I look into my IB graduation (or prom, or pseudo-prom as some might call it) picture. It gives me peace of mind thinking of the good time I've had with my friends that the bad memories of the sufferings we've all had while doing IB is starting to diminish. Therefore, this post will be written as randomly as possible, to give ways for the random thoughts of my mind to waltz.

*WARNING: This post is not to be written in accordance to the conventional laws of plot, so do bear it's complicaticity.

News have been buzzing about the latest political crisis that's currently happening in Perak. The change of government in Perak has been described as a 'coup' by some, and the events that have followed have really left a bad taste in the mouth. It's a shame that such incident can actually happen in our country, as the people are increasingly aware of their current economic problems and their looming financial gloom. While many countries in the world have started with the implementation of their respective stimulus packages to mitigate the worst that might just happen, it seems that our country is taking a sweet time with our 'tidak apa' (carefree) attitude. We're all so occupied with playing our incessant political game that does nothing but further exacerbates the public discontentment of their ailing situation. Our own apathy in this matter seems to nauseate me, actually. Do you still remember who's the one who initiated the idea of lompat-melompat (crossovers)? As far as my feelings are concerned, the use of crossovers to form a government can never morally justified. Neither PKR nor BN should resort to using political defections as a mean of clinging to power. It's just unacceptable, and the very person who first started the game of crossovers does not deserve to say that it's "a big blow to democracy and insults the wisdom of the masses". I'm aware of my shallow knowledge in politics that bar me from talking much about it, but I'm definitely in a position to voice my views as a Malaysian who's sick of the inconsistencies that have recently been a sad feature of our politicians. I'm not against the government nor the opposition party. I'm just judging them based on their actions, and I want honest people with the rare sense of accountability to lead our country out of these shameful episodes of political drama.

Okay okay enough with politics.

Pau and Siangie are gonna fly off to Canberra tomorrow! So, good luck guys! Do keep in touch okay, and remember of our upcoming Australian trip. The same goes to my other friends; Osem, Fida, Juanne, Amirul, and Khairul. Don't you dare having me perished from yr memories!

To my dearest girlfriend's' Zara, Yvonne, and our very own Miss Mongolia Universe Aggie Sia; let's stick to each other okay? Let's have fun together in Melbourne! And Syed too!















To my unforgettable IB friends A'lenns', Fa'teens', Jiha, Aiman, Amin, Apit and Kay, good luck for yr campus life! Remember me always, since this Faizal is too good to be forgotten lol. I don't wanna be like stray cats. I know you guys can make it, and let us strive to get excellent degrees so that we can reunite in klcc later on, god-willingly. All the best!















To Mary, Abg Ling, and Chan Hu, good luck for yr maths paper! I know you can kill it :)

To JonMah, good luck for yr uni life in the states. To Winson, I think you're well aware on the path that you should take. Just follow your heart, and let yr efforts be blessed accordingly.

To Liying, Kim, and other retakers, good luck! I know our IB path has been thorny, but the ending will surely be rosy for you guys. Just keep on having faith in yourself.

Let me end this post with the song that we've and will always love, Love Story by Taylor Swift. This song brings back memories. Good memories of us, people in Fida's car!


Speaking about cars, I can't help but reflecting back on those 'eating out' moments that I had with my IB mates. I can never thank Syed, Apit, Teens, Amin, Fida, and other 'minor' drivers enough for the driving me to Deli, Naina, JCM, and even Ichi Banto!














En route to makan (eating)!



I miss my IB friends dearly!













Us at the Bintulu Airport

Oopss...


















p/s thank you my dearest one and only kakak for bringing me out on my last Sunday in Bintulu that's gonna be my last for months to come, at least. Nothing can stop me (not even the minor scratch you've made on mamak's (my mom, not that mamak's stall) car) from perceiving you as an excellent driver :p I will surely miss Bintulu sorely after this.


And I need some sleep. Turn off the lights please.

Faizal Hamssin

A Glimmer of Hope in Khayelitsha

First of all, I would like to thank everybody for several congratulatory messages that I've received with regards to my recently-amended IB result. Thank you.

Having had enough time to spare, I decided to dig deep into the archives of BBC News, and one particular story did manage to really capture my heart. The story was about an ongoing tale of a woman's determination to make her living in the poverty-ridden Khayelitsha, which is one of the townships that can be found on the outskirts of Cape Town. The population of Khayelitsha varies from the low of 500,000 to the high of 1,000,000, making it the third largest informal township in South Africa. Vicky Mtozini, whose character is where the story revolves, is a strong and resourceful woman who works hard to build her bed & breakfast business amidst the backdrop of apparent poverty that has been the feature of any disadvantaged townships in the post-apartheid South Africa. Having lived in her tin shack for 16 years, Mtozini is determined to move into a more proper house in the future. Being a woman with a big ambition, she says, "I want to see a chain of Vicky's all over the country, wherever tourists go. Just like there are Holiday Inns all over the place." Isn't that inspiring, people!

The Vicky's Lounge














One of the B&B's guest rooms. Not too shabby right?














The View of Khayelitsha as seen from the lounge














Khayelitsha with the mighty Table Mountain as its iconic backdrop:













Oh god, bring me to Cape Town please =)


Faizal Hamssin

A Happier Ending

I was sleeping soundly when a phone call from an unrecognized number broke the silence of my room and woke me up. Knowing that the call might be of a more important matter of serious intensity, I braved my laziness to get to my phone and answer to the call. As I said hello in a very wanly manner, I got very surprised that the person who was calling me was actually Mr. Lawrence, our lab monster whose abundance of free time has caused some stir among his students lately. With a very fast tone that might rival the likes of the Shinkasen and Maglev, Mr. Lawrence told me about the mistakes that happened to my Chem IA, which have been rectified by the IBO. "Are you prepared to receive a good news from me?" He asked triumphantly. Being in a half-conscious state of mind, I said, "Yeah, of course!". Without any tinges of hesitation, Mr. Lawrence triumphantly made a statement I've been waiting all along, "Faizal, you got 7 for your chemistry! You should be very happy right now. You should jump ahh. You got 40. Congratulations!" (It was something like that, I couldn't recall everything he said, though, since the pace of his speech was extraordinarily fast and difficult to follow. He was excited at that time, that's for sure). Me, feeling ecstatic about my newly-found forty miracle, burst into joy and self-satisfaction. I had no idea what to say to him, so I just said "Thank you" for a few times, and stormed into my laptop to see the online result as soon as the call ended. I saw this:
Feeling happy, I decided to contain my extreme beatitude to myself but thanks to Mr. Lawrence and his enthusiasm,...

"To Faizal,

Can u change those words in your blog that u are disappointed with the results…….want to see better words in your BLOG

40 points and 7 for CHEM……….dont ever CURSE me for not getting 7 in chem……mission accomplished

Well done…..lawrence "

Mr. Lawrence, I hope you're satisfied with this post =)
So, with a new, fresh and juicy result like this, I couldn't have thanked God more. I am very happy that's all I can say. Thank you everyone, for aiding and supporting me along the way. I'm at loss of words now. That's what I can say.

For my juniors and anybody who's ever been struggling and working hard for their IB, do remember that IB is difficult but it's conquerable, though. Don't lose hope as you never know what your potential has to offer. Good luck.

p/s Congratulations to Kay and Chan Hu who have had their Chemistry grade upped also. You must feel better right now, I suppose. For the resitters, good luck guys! Do well, and tell the world that nothing is impossible. Same goes to the June '08 people, too. I'm waiting for your beatitude enunciation in July (with the shmaltz, i hope)

I feel so blessed, people. I do.


Faizal Hamssin

Earth Song

Being bored and having nothing to do for these few days, I've developed a very profound appreciation towards good music. Knowing that my passion in music lies in the 90s tunes, I dug deep into the repertoires of some musical names, and when I did so with Michael Jackson, the fading pop star whose past bears more glory than any other musicians that ever walked on the face of the Earth, I found this very touching and eye-opening music video, "Earth Song". At first, I had a rare sense of deja-vu when I watched the video on YouTube (The song was released in 1995 when I was six and it was a global hit at that time). Here the video is:



Okay, the video and the song itself, which revolved around the theme of the Earthly problems that humanity was (and is) currently facing, has managed to profoundly affect, at least. The song, sung in a very intense tone by Jackson, touched the issues that we always know but never bother to care about. The scene of war depicted in the video did remind me of the terror and violence that have always been part of the human's history of so-called civilization. We are all blessed with a wonderful brain to think, and an opportunity to understand what's happening in the world, but most of us choose to remain apathethic to the real conditions that our world is facing. Apathy and ignorance. We're all adopting these two values as our religion, unfortunately.

Talking about war, destitution, and destruction of mankind, I can never resist myself from talking about the ongoing conflicts that are clutching the lives of the Palestinians who have been the victims of our apathy and utter ignorance for so long.

AirAsia's tagline "now everyone can fly" cannot be applied to the people of the Gaza strip. Why did I say so? Look at the picture below:


If you think that our LCCT baggage handling system sucks, here you go:


If you think that your local airport's interior is too dull for your eyes to see, here you go:


Okay, with their borders being sealed and their airports being terribly vandalized, how are the people of the West Bank supposed to get out of their war-torn land to search for a warmer pasture, to study and conduct research, to visit their relatives, to perform their obligatory hajj, to watch the latest Rihanna's or Mariah's concert, or to even have a romantic honeymoon in Paris. Do they have to swim their way out, or do they have to be clad as a superman and fly on their own? I don't have any idea.

The ways the West Bank is being sealed bear some resemblances with the ways Hitler committed his atrocity towards the Jews of Warsaw by containing them all into the small, cramped, and dilapidated Warsaw Ghetto. It looks like us humans really love to commit the same mistake, over and over again. Back to my earlier point, it's all due to our own apathy and ignorance.

In the 21st century remake of Warsaw Ghetto, violence is an everyday's issue. Look at the images that I've found from the net (the miracles of Google are endless).

A streetscene in the heavily-bombed West Bank


A streetscene in the heavily-bombed Warsaw Ghetto

Cute babies and kids in the West Bank:
Cute babies and kids in Warsaw Ghetto:
The babies died and smiled. I know that the fallen kids will surely go to heaven. There, in heaven, their smile should always fill the air, void of the worldly hatred that the adults possess.

If you're dying to see the fruits of humans' apathy and ignorance, here you go:

Warsaw Ghetto, 1945

West Bank, 2009

Can you spot the very similarities between the two images of man-made destruction?

This happens when we never learn from history. This happens when we don't learn from the sufferings of our fathers and the mistakes that they've committed. I believe that many of those involved in the recent violence and aggressions in the West Bank have their fathers and mothers surviving the ordeals and atrocity in the Warsaw Ghetto. If they're still alive, feel free to ask them. How does it feel, having your family murdered and dignity snatched away. I think they'll be more than willing to give you an honest and truthful answer to that.

Apathy and ignorance.



Faizal Hamssin

Mr Lawrence our Lab Monster

Mr Lawrence seems to have a lot of free time nowadays. Having stormed into his students' blogs, he left his footsteps on his students' blogs by dropping some comments whose tones were extremely varied, from the lusciousness of his best wishes that were planted into my post Beatitude Enunciation to the harsh curse directed towards one of his lab protege, Jonathan Mah. For Jon Mah, the so-called negatively-toned comment that Mr. Lawrence has poured into his newly-established website acts as a wonderful omen of what his newly-acquired internet real estate is going to offer in the future. For further details regarding Mr. Lawrence's gay and carefree night, click here.

Knowing that Mr. Lawrence actually cares about us behind the 'mercury and cyanide curtains' of his lab has enabled me to undergo through a passage back into the days when we had our Chemistry lessons for 4/5 straight hours (with some intermittent breaks of course), the months when we all laboured ourselves intensely in the labs to finish up our bitch called IAs before the deadlines finish us up, and the 2 years that we spent together, learning new things and being infatuated into the ideas of true learning and stuffs. Only Mr. Lawrence's people understood how immensely blessed we were, being in his laboratory that could've been mistakenly perceived as a murder scene. Therefore, feeling thankful, I dropped him an email just to say hello to our own Mr. Lawrence.

Here's how the email goes:
"Hello mr lawrence!
It was a rather hectic week, indeed. I was really busy applying and choosing my accommodation in Melbourne when you suddenly dropped a comment into one of my blog post. It was a very pleasant surprise, actually. Mr. Lawrence is finally free! We all know how busy you've always been, preparing notes and useful stuffs for your student.

The main reason for me writing this email is to thank you for everything you've ever done to us. I got a six for my chemistry, for your information. The result was to my disappointment, honestly, as I know that the efforts you've poured all those while were only meant for a seven. I was also quite frustrated with my six since I knew that a seven was very possible if I were to work harder. I did my work for most of the times, but I tended to get rather complacent with Chemistry since it was considered as an 'easier' subject compared to the likes of Mathematics and even English A1. The remorse remains till today, and it serves as a great lesson for me to consider in the future - never take anything for granted, never rush when answering test questions, and overconfidence kills. You've done enough to us, so you can never blame yourself if our grades are not up to the level we've all anticipated; the blame is on us, the students. The Lordly force of the God, through the so-called fate and luck also plays its role, indeed.

I'm starting to miss IB, actually. Long holidays at home have really caused me to rot systematically! Therefore, I would really love to see you before I fly off to Melbourne. Maybe we can share a handshake or any student-teacher gesture that can be frozen into memories! If you've got time, feel free to visit my blog to drop off a comment or two! Good luck with your May '08 students, our juniors. Hope that their results are going to outshine ours! "


I wrote quite a long email for him, and here his reply is:

"

Melbor is a nice place....will read your blog...very interesting blog u have

Remember to behave and dont be naught....i am watching u guys from my lab

lawrence "


Cunningly short, wasn't it? I know I'm not his favourite student, so receiving a reply from him is enough to cast euphoria into me. I'm soo gonna behave in Melbourne since I know somebody (apart from God of course) is watching me from his laboratory!


Faizal Hamssin

A Happy Ending

I'm back, people! Obsolete. That's the best word to describe the degree of relevance of my blog after months of neglect, but here I am, coming up with a new post, a happy one.

I GOT 39 FOR MY IB!

Yeah, that's a good news that i'd like to share with everyone. The results were out this morning (i guess 1.30 am is considered morning already). The atmosphere was full of undescribable emotions, as IB students immersed themselves in the ritual of being nervous and comforting each other to prepare themselves for such an event of the universalis magnitude that was about to happen; the result announcement. I was trembling all night long, praying hard to the God that everything was gonna be alright. The moment of waiting for the result has certainly made us feel closer to the Lord, i believe, as we surrendered our souls for anything that might happen.

1.30 am = it's results' time!
when the result was published on the ibo website, boom! i got 39! i passed the Petronas' requirements! I will fly! The nervousness petered out as my soul was inundated with joy and the feelings of gratitude for being blessed to that extent; the joy of being able to continue working for my dream; the joy of being able to go to a distant land (i know Australia is not 'that' far okay), the joy of having my hardwork paid off. I was thankful. Here my results are;

Phy-7, Chem-6, Maths-6, Bus-7, EngA1-6,French-6, TOK/EE-1
TOTAL = 39

I wasn't really happy with my Chem (sorry mr. Lawrence, i didn't get that seven, i turned you down), but my six in EngA1 did gladden me actually. In general, the overall result I've obtained does give me the wings and feathers needed for me to fly, and I am deeply thankful for this fact.

To my family, thanks for praying for me. To my friends, thanks for being with me.

To my teachers, thank you so much for your teachings and guidance. Thank you, Mr.Lawrence, Mr.Saimun, Mr.Masukor, Mr.JG, Mr. Pang, Mr.Azhar, Mr. Dass, Mr. Albert, Mr. Oliver, Mr.Shaw, Mr.Ong, Dr.Reed, and the list goes on and on. Thank you for everything.

To my friends who made it, congratulations. Congratulations Khairul and Siang Hang for getting 43. We're all proud of you. Yvonne, Winson, Jonmah and Amirul. Congratulations for having breached that 40 barrier. You guys deserve it.

To my friends who didn't make it, I am not in a position to tell you not to be sad or anything. Only you guys know what the feeling is not to make it, but one thing is for sure; God is fair and just. You guys have good hearts, and God has another plan, a better plan in store for all of you. Your efforts are not in vain. Trust me.

Australia, here i come!

Faizal Hamssin

Thank You!

Prom's over, so does the whole IB experience. The prom night (a.k.a. pseudo-graduation) was a decent event, indeed, regardless of the controversies that have always been associated to the ways it was held. It was a success in the way that most of us had a good time, and that's the only thing that matters for me now. The food was terrible indeed (the prawn was damn salty, the fish fillet didn't bear any taste of a 'fish' it was atrocious). The more pathetic fact about the food is that we're all charged 40 bucks for the astonishingly bad food. Another caterer for the next prom, please!

I shall stop ranting on the prom food. The main reason for me to write this post is to thank my teachers and friends for their contributions in making my whole IB journey meaningful. Yes, I understand that the air of discontentment with regards to the whole IB experience that we've had in Sri KDU has already risen among most of us, but don't you guys think that we've all been complaining too much that we've already forgotten the fact that we truly deserve a space for us to think and reminisce on the positive aspects of IB in Sri KDU. I know that most of us think that the whole experience of doing IB in Sri KDU sucks, and I totally respect your opinion and stand in this matter. Yes, IB might suck big day, and Mr. Shaw might be such an irresponsible IB coordinator and so on so forth. Yes, you are free to think so, and such freedom of thinking and voicing out our opinion is supposed to be one of the most pivotal elements of IB itself. Yes, we are in the position to lament anybody for the negativities that might have surrounded us all in the 2 years of us doing IB. However, don't you think that while we're all focussed in looking into the negative aspects of our academic life in Sri KDU, we have also overlooked some of the brighter sides of our IB life in Sri KDU. There are certain positive elements that were embedded in our IB experience without us even trying to appreciate them. And these positivities were mostly crafted by my dearest IB teachers, whose dedication will always remain in my heart and soul forever. The latter parts of this post will all be dedicated to you, my teachers...

Mr. Lawrence:
You've been teaching me chemistry since day one and I can't help but to be awe-inspired by your dedication in turning your students into the future Einstein and Markovnikov. I can't help but to feel deeply touched by your willingness to have long, sleepless nights to prepare the materials needed for us to accelerate into the future as an independent, scientific, and knowledgeable beings with good hearts and souls, too. Your ideas on the importance of integrity in doing scientific investigation and independence in wading our way through the expanse of knowledge will always be my guidance and saving grace for years to come. We'll all get SEVEN, Mr. Lawrence, god-willingly. Thank you.

Mr. Sai Mun:
You've been one of the most laid-back, yet effective teachers I've ever met. Your jokes have always uplifted our mood in the most depressing times, and your notes have always been very very useful! The simple and relaxed ways of your teaching have always set you apart from Mr. Lawrence's heavier, and intensive ways of teaching, but both of you were all focussed towards reaching the same goal of churning out excellent students who are well-prepared to face the future of uncertainties. Thank you.

Mr. Masukor:
You're our saviour, as our maths were in a mess when you first came to the school. We were left having limited to no knowledge with regards to the important and genuine elements of mathematics that we're all supposed to know (we're all maths HL students, by the way). Having taught us for a few months, you've managed to increase our level of confidence in maths, and by the time we're all going to face the examinations, my level of faith in doing maths has certainly been higher. Apart from being an excellent maths teacher, you've also been such a good story-teller who told us a lot of interesting stories that involve our country, its people and the way for us to survive in the increasingly dynamic world. Your ideas that are all unconventional have certainly prepared us all to face the real world out there. Thank you.

Mr. Azhar:
Of all the IB teachers I've had in sri KDU, you're the one who has been generally particular about the formal aspects of learning; your voice has always been heard at the corridor, asking us to put our bags into the locker, and so on so forth. You hate jeans too! I'm going to miss your particularity and fussiness with regards to those matters, Mr. Azhar. Your commitment in your job has also been awe-inspiring. I believe that the business lessons I've had with you had certainly equipped me with the nature of doing business; and nature of making MONEY to turn me into a millionaire of course =) You have been such a great teacher, Mr. Azhar, and that's how I'm going to remember you. Thank you.

Mr. Oliver:
Je veux ecrire dans francais, mais un majorite des lectures n'ont comprennent pas la francais! You're another teacher whose level of commitment in your job has never ceased to amaze us. You always came super-duper early to the classroom for the french lesson (you're so punctual, monsieur!), and you made our lessons very interesting and anything but banal by making some really fun jokes and using interactive and colourful ways in teaching and learning. Your newly-born baby is so so cute, too =) May God be kind to you. Merci beaucoup, monsieur!

Mr. Shaw:
You taught us English A1 for more than 1 year, and we've certainly learnt a lot from you. Your limited experience in teaching English A1 might have barred us from doing greater things together, but your efforts in still teaching us English with commendable passion deserve you some accolades. Your jokes have also made our day, (I'm not being sarcastic here, okay) =) We're gonna miss you. Thank you.

Mr. Ong:
You came too late for us to do greater things together. Your willingness to come out with your 'rescue' package with a few weeks left before the final exams touched our hearts and helped us to alleviate our englishA1-related anxieties syndromes! I know and I do appreciate how much you love us and how bad would you feel if we're not doing well (or at least pass) in English A1, and your commitment in teaching us sincerely regardless of the time constraint that we all had at that time has acted as a candle that enlightened our spirit and determination to shine in English A1. Furthermore, you're such an eternally young figure who understands the real problems that bother us as your students, and that has certainly delighted us big time. You're a cool teacher to hang out with, too! Thank you.

Mr. JG:
You were with us for quite a short period of time, but our affection towards you has certainly grown due to your absence. You're a excellent Maths teacher, who really cared about your students, and that very quality made us love you. Your absence was, is, and will always be sorely missed. Have a great life in India, and good luck! Thank you.

Dr. Reed:
I was joining your class for a few times, and I would really like to express my admiration in your level of dedication in your job as an english teacher. Thank you for teaching me syntax, aesthetic imagery, and many other important and profound stuffs that are so beautiful that they never fail to inspire us, every day. Thank you.

Miss Kalai:
You're such an angelic monster! You are a combination between Heaven and purgatory. Love you so much. Thank you.


"Friends Forever" by Vitamin C. Enjoy!




Faizal Hamssin

The Emancipation of Faizal

I, Awg Mohd Faizal, am here to proclaim my total emancipation from the ultimate and divine imprisonment of IB. This manumission is hoped to be that very catalyst towards enabling me to get my life back from that clutching force of IB. Here I am, having never felt freer before. Here I am, getting my new self; IB (the course, not the school, indeed) has certainly done something to strengthen me, intrinsically and extrinsically. Here I am, hoping for the best for my future, and thinking of the same for my juniors whom presence is loved and will be sorely missed by us the jan intake people. I just hope that you guys will all be blessed with the glimmering success we are all deserving to get. just do not brood for the difficulties that you guys are facing right now, because I believe in the existence of that very saving grace that comes from inner you; follow your heart and do whatever you want to do. fly to the universities you want to go. us here are only meant to give some fruits of advice; if you are weak enough to need it. And I don't think that you guys think that you need it, so our advice might not be handy indeed. of all, I know that you guys are dignified students with huge dreams for your future; for it I wish you well. good luck buddies and let me begin the whole new process of savouring my life to the fullest NOW.

to all my jan'07 friends: we have all done our very best for the exams. I believe in the justice heralded by the God. Pray hard, and PLAY HARD too, hibernate to our heart's content, and everything shall be fine for everyone, god-willingly.

For the jun'08 people, good luck with your new combination(s) of subjects. i know you guys are determined to reach for the stars, and my spirit, doa and prayers go to you all. i wish you well. i might, in the near future, when I've already had enough sleep and energy on my side, come out with a post to project my dearest opinions with regards to the matter of the subjects change that has been quite an issue these days, and, as i've said before, if you don't need people to bother on what you are doing, just ignore the post that I'll almost certainly write with regards to 'your' matter and blacken it out with the chalk of the strength of your inner mind. You should be intrinsically strong to believe in your own self and feel nothing bad if others (me included) are trying to 'bring' you down by giving non-constructive opinions. Truthfully, with an utmost level of beatitude, I'd love to praise you guys for the will that you guys have had to not to succumb to all the circumstances that surround you; you guys have decided to wade through it all and come out with your own unique solution, which is inspiring. let us all shine through the darkness imposed by our rather ignorant IB centre and indifferent patron Petronas. Let them know that we're too strong to be defeated by any force of any measure; be it IB at such a horrendous learning condition in our centre (we've all been suffering for too much, too long), or the odds caused by some parties' insensitivities towards OUR needs as 'their' scholars, we are just too strong to be felled. we're strong and will always be until the day when we start to crumble inside.


Faizal Hamssin

un papier d'aller. ouh la la

yeah un papier. one paper to go. one paper i would like to repeat. been playing simcity4 since the morning and i don't think i'm gonna stop anywhere soon. the joblessness has encroached into me. i haven't felt this relaxed for ages, i suppose. now since it's all over, it's time for me to pamper myself with good musics, good books, good food, and the list goes on and on. however, this emancipation from anything academic is not going to last for long, since i still my very last paper (french) on this friday.

about last week's paper;
maths paper 3 was darn tough, and i left more than a quarter of the paper unfinished but paper 2 should emerge as my very saviour indeed as it was relatively do-able. paper 1 was difficult too, but, still, it's largely do-able and bearable with a 28-mark complex number section that had truly spoiled my day. i'll be okay (i mean glad) with a SIX for my maths, truthfully.
chemistry was OKAY. aiming for a SEVEN, insy.
english was better than i expected, i was blissfully glad and exalted to get a question on honour for my paper 2. that was my jam! lol. those sleepless nights when i tried to get myself deeper and deeper into english A1 have certainly paid off, as far as my current feeling is concerned. i've done my best for english, i've done my part, and i just wanna pray hard that everything will be fine. thank you mr ong for yr last-minute 'rescue package' that has really 'rescued' and salvaged me from failing my english A1. thank you.

that's all for today. i really wanna write a longer post but my mind has ceased functioning and my inspiration has certainly faded away. simcity4 is waiting for me. impatiently. when am i going to get bored of this game? not anywhere soon for sure.

p/s currently listening to 'Butterfly', mariah's best album EVER. g'nite!

Faizal Hamssin

IB finals~

too often have i told myself not to blog until the exam ends...and here i am, succumbing to defying my own sacred promise =P

okay lemme tell the world how have the papers been so far. physics was frustratingly difficult, but it's still bearable, though. frustrating, but bearable. that's it.

business was okay, i am pleased and thankful, indeed but the questions were all very tricky and vague. the paper has reached a point where knowledge in the matters asked is not as important as the understanding of the things that the questions expected. paradoxically, it is bitchily cruel way of testing students but that's ib after all. one can never expect a smooth sail when it comes to doing ib.

maths paper 1 was predictably difficult but since i still have paper 2 and paper 3 to redeem myself, there's not a reason for me to feel bad about it. optimism is in the air =)

that's all i guess as i should stop ranting about exams now and focus on the real thing; maths P2 is on the day after tomorrow and english A1 is looming with its horrifying nature. good luck my friends!

p/s my birthday celebration was so memorable that i can't help but smile whenever i reflect back to that experience. it was mesmerizingly sweet. thank you my friends for being such good friends (and prank organizers of course).

faizal hamssin

thank you Petronas =)

Faizal is so happy because petronas gives him what he wants!



MELBOURNE HERE I COME!!!

wow the euphoria is here to stay. my current focus is set = 40 points and above in ib.

p/s i would love to congratulate my ib friends whose university placement options released by petronas fit their personal choice. we're truly on the same boat! to my friends who are not so happy with their university placement, do think positively. don't let this predicament halt yr academic march towards reaching the sweet 35 spot.

cheers to the world!

Faizal Hamssin