Zoopa Fresh @ Showdown Kota Kinabalu Audition 2011

Learned bout Neal's group's name - ZOOPA FRESH - on the very day he was getting ready for his trip for the Showdown Battle in KL today. These are selected story & pix from threads on the events, from Rentak Sejuta. Gud luck boys & girl ...

They may be Fresh but this crew is quite Zoopa.

Crews in the peninsular beware!!! Sabah is sending their top crews to the battle stages in KL next week. Expect KK qualifiers, Borneo Crew, Zoopa Fresh & Deja Vu Breakerz to give all others a massive fight to the finish. Showdown 2011 has only just begun, but we can already see the fierce-nest of the competition surging forth.

Scenes From The KK Day Two Auditions - Audition Day (Arrivals & Registration)

Novotel One Borneo plays host to Showdown 2011 in KK.

 
 
The registration counter is open for business.


Zoopa Fresh being guided by Khairul on the registration details.


Akai, Affie, Hanis & Maria from Zoopa Fresh.


Kumar & Mimi on a discovery of Zoopa Fresh.


Akai, Affie & Hanis seem amused by the line of questioning by the crew.


Maria Devonne - the rose among the thorns.


Zoopa Fresh's Zulhazmi Amran @ Akai is originally from Kick Aku Streets.


[now, here's the catch] This Zoppa Fresh cutie pie is 18 year old Hanis Danial Basar. (adeh Neal, kena cop cutie pie lagi tu ...)


Team mate Affie Adut is equally as cute.

Ice Breaker Speech ... done

Thought I would find something from the net that can help me with my very last minute ice breaker speech. I was totally completely wrong. For those who lack public speaking quality, there is nothing in the world that can transformed you in seconds to be at least mediocre, unless you practice, practice, practice. Plan, plan, plan .... One of my great weakness, I don't like to rehearse. I really don't like. Preparing a presentation in class, lectures, presentation, forum - no rehearsal. Come to think of it, if I improve on this, I must have met with more success in my life. Oh dear, change la my dear .... Back to the the ice breaker speech, there I was, preparing my topic and speech WHILE the first speaker was delivering hers. Verdict, not so bad, but surely nothing to be proud of ... My theme, when things planned go wrong ... Yes, it should be a catchy one but lack of everything, it went a bit wrong, but at least I was down with it.

::: awnaa in da news for KIK Team NEXUS :::

Utusan Malaysia Online - Sabah & Sarawak


ARKIB : 08/12/2010

Nexus, Dinamik ungguli Konvensyen KIK Universiti Malaysia Sabah

KOTA KINABALU 7 Dis. - Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) buat julung kalinya menganjurkan Majlis Konvensyen Kumpulan Inovatif dan Kreatif (KIK) dalam usaha menjadikan universiti tersebut sebagai sebuah universiti penyelidikan.

Selain dilihat sebagai langkah terbaik meningkatkan inovasi dan perkhidmatan profesional di kalangan kakitangan, konvensyen tersebut turut digunakan sebagai salah satu kaedah untuk UMS mengiktiraf para pekerjanya.

Menerusi konvensyen KIK tersebut, dua kategori telah dipertandingkan iaitu pengurusan dan teknikal.

Kategori pengurusan merupakan projek yang berkaitan dengan hal-hal pentadbiran atau sistem prosedur, manakala kategori teknikal melibatkan projek yang menggunakan bidang pengetahuan tertentu seperti kejuruteraan, seni perusahaan dan sains gunaan.

Kumpulan Nexus dari Jabatan Pendaftar muncul sebagai johan kategori pengurusan, manakala Kumpulan Dinamik dari Fakulti Perubatan dipilih sebagai johan kategori teknikal.

Naib johan bagi kategori pengurusan disandang oleh Kumpulan Integrity dari Fakulti Perubatan dan tempat ketiga dimenangi oleh Fast and Accurate dari Pusat Perkembangan Akademik.

Namun begitu, tiada pemenang tempat kedua dan ketiga bagi kategori teknikal.

Johan bagi setiap kategori membawa pulang wang tunai berjumlah RM3,000, piala dan sijil, sementara naib johan menerima wang tunai RM2,000, piala serta sijil.

Bagi Anugerah Inovasi Harapan, Kumpulan Pascasiswazah dari Pusat Pengajian Pascasiswazah dipilih sebagai pemenang kategori pengurusan, manakala M'Tech dari Fakulti Perubatan pemenang kategori teknikal.

Sementara itu, anugerah fasilitator terbaik kategori pengurusan dimenangi oleh Awina Kamis dari Kumpulan Nexus dan Nurul Izza Md. Nordin dari Kumpulan Dinamik dipilih sebagai fasilitator terbaik kategori teknikal.

Pemenang Anugerah Inovasi Harapan membawa pulang wang tunai RM500, piala dan sijil.

Panel penilai diadili oleh pegawai dari Institut Tadbiran Awam Negara (Intan), Unit Pemodenan Tadbiran dan Perancangan Pengurusan (MAMPU) dan Sirim Bhd. (SIRIM).

Dalam pada itu, Naib Canselor UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. Kamaruzaman Ampon berkata, penganjuran Konvensyen KIK julung kali itu dilihat satu lagi usaha pihak universiti untuk terus maju mencapai kegemilangan.

Katanya, pelbagai ilmu pengetahuan serta teknik dapat diperoleh semua peserta sepanjang konvensyen tersebut, sekali gus dapat diaplikasikan dalam tugas seharian.

"Ia memberi peluang kepada peserta untuk melibatkan diri dalam proses membuat keputusan dan seterusnya melaksanakan tindakan yang diputuskan secara berpasukan," katanya ketika berucap pada majlis penutup di sini, baru-baru ini.

Selain itu, katanya, KIK juga mempunyai prinsip asas yang mengiktiraf kakitangan sebagai sumber yang paling bernilai dalam sesebuah organisasi."

School of Hard Knocks

Is there really existed such as a shoulder to cry on? can someone actually be a good listener to our cries? Does therapy or counseling works? I doubt so. So many times, it had been a dead end. There is only The Mighty One that can release us from sorrow and hardship. But that is not the issue now. This matter has gone too far to be resolved. Matter had gone out of hand. RAM is full & corrupted. Am all happy & jolly & healthy outside but it is in fact rotting & dying inside. The words of an acquaintance lingers in my mind, why bother keeping something that hurting & killing you? Yes that person is a bit crazy but it made some sense. There is only one thing that will set everything straight. I know it very well. It is just a matter of when and how now. Just need to prepare, need to be strong, need to be brave ...

Tiada yang adil di mukabumi ini ...

Bergembiralah kerana mereka berjanji bahawa akan berlaku telus dan adil dalam keputusan mereka. Percayalah bahawa nasibmu akan berubah kerana mereka telah berjanji mengenainya. Bersabarlah kerana mereka juga berjanji bahawa keputusan ini akan berubah kelak persis "air bah, pantai pun berubah". Alasan yang diberikan ketika dinafikan peluang itu, cukup meyakinkan, cukup meredakan kekecewaan yang terbuku. Namun kenyataan akhirnya terserlah juga, bagai tersepit dan pintu ditutup betul-betul di depan muka ... agenda mereka sangat jelas kini. Kata-kata busuk bak bangkai datang dari hati bak daging yang dimakan sel kanser tahap akhir, bernanah dan berdarah ....

Sedarlah dan ingatlah, tidak ada manusia lagi di mukabumi ini yang akan mengotakan telus dan adil itu ... Jangan biarkan dirimu dibuai kata-kata yang tidak akan ditunaikan itu. Telus dan adil itu hanya propoganda jahanam untuk mengaburi mata orang yang bodoh, orang yang bisa ditarik bagai kerbau dicucuk hidung, tiada network, tiada kroni mahupun takal dalam organisasi, yang mengharap keadilan untuk terus maju dalam karier.

Segala ungkapan supaya muhasabah, bersyukur itu kepada mereka yang dinafikan. Kata2 manis & janji palsu itu baik dicoretkan di jamratul ula, wusba dan aqabah agar dilontar dengan batu sebagai tanda benci ini. Keputusan yang telus dan adil, konsisten & menjanjikan sesuatu yang lebih baik dari peluang itu hanya bagi orang yang tolol semata. Aku hampir menjadi tolol itu, pabila lewat memahaminya. Semoga satu hari nanti anda akan sedar akan apa yang anda lakukan kepada saya. Jika tidak sempat saya sendiri melihatnya, sesungguhnya semoga anda ingat akan orang yang anda nafikan peluangnya di akhir hari nanti. Maaf ini tidak akan pernah jatuh ....

iPhone Hilang!!!!

Adoiiiii .... apa la punya kes bangang, iPhone hilang!! Berfikir bagaimana orang yang bertamadun ni, ternampak fon dekat tandas & terus tapau. Sekejap sahaja tinggal, perasan lagi beberapa student di Fakulti Kejuruteraan  UM masuk dalam washroom tu time aku keluar. Benar-benar la ada ciri pencuri, no concern at all kesusahan orang yang empunya dan dengan segala maklumat yang ada dalam iphone tu. Tidak sepintar mana la juga iPhone ni sebab masih tiada apps yang boleh mengesan atau mem'blaklist'kan iPhone yang dilaporkan hilang. Sakitnya hati an dada ni memikirkan, serasa macam hilang dari satelit diri ini. Bila lah sakit dada ni mau hilang ...

Myanmar Again ...

It was Yangon again in my diary, 24 September 2010. Arrangement was planned carefully, weeks before Aidilfitri but as they said, be prepared for any obstacles. So it was, our visa forms were rejected and thus our passport were returned d last minute, midnight to be exact, before the travelling.  Thanks to THTS for their swift actions. You save my water face as I was able to pass all the passports before flight to KL .. *sigh*

Yangon AInternational Airport, departure hall

girl from the hotel arcade, remembers me from my last visit ..

with a myanmar amoi

the great schwedagon pagoda in yangon, made of gold leaf ..

night at the china town, yangon

: myParis .... OMG, OMG a dream comes true :

Amidst the craziness around me, decided to break away & left to Paris. Such a fortune that there is a promotion of enrich redemption & an official team is in UK & France. The following pix is only a tiny bit of the whole excitement and adventure that ensues .... I LOVE PARIS!!!!

arc de triomphe di champ de elysee

26th floor, concorde la fayette, paris

makam napoleon di palace les invalids

at the foot of eiffel

eiffel tower. its just a tower ..

chilling ...

notre dame @ the background

the great eiffel

notre dame

more than beautiful ...

eiffel tower & river sienne

::: She's Back !!! :::

Only 5 days and I'm recovering already? that fast? Maybe it's working - Learning to accept that not all that we wish for can become a reality. That things happened for a reason. That truly when one door closes, there are actually many other open. My only worry - the pain may bounce back and killing me once again. Its not the end of the world awin, just keep on moving, with dignity. I will not do things just to prove them wrong but i will do thing that will help me to achieve my self-esteemed, to fulfill my ultimate dream in my life ...

SMK Majakir 1984/1985 Gathering, Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu

13/3/2010 - Though saddened by the news on Friday, I collect myself to prepare for the reunion on Saturday. It was very hard, but I need to to some last minute shopping and have to fetch Adelia back home & then drove up to UiTM to fetch Tatum for the weekend. In midst of the mom's cab duty, i took a minute to send sms to boss to apologize of my rude behavior earlier that evening and told him how disappointed I was, and why i wanted the job so much. He took an effort to reply and tried to justify that it would be more beneficial for me if i stay. But still I know that I don't stand much chance to compete in my current line. There are many people infront of me and quota is the big problem. I'm very sad ... Till all the shops were closed, I still left with no new cloth to wear the next day. Sleepless nite, hard to close my eyes, even after counting sheep ....

But, seeing old friends was a very good therapy ... I feel so happy to have the chance to meet long lost friends of 25 years ago...  Where do I start: I start with those I've seen recently. 1. Dr. Rosalam - now the Dean of School of Engineering & IT. Classmate 84/85, see him regularly at work & went outstations together requently. 2. Rosmah - classmate 84/85, seen her first when I was still in Education Department, and then at work when she took her B.Ed, she is now the Senior Assistant to Headmaster in SK Tigaman, Kota Marudu. 3. ID - attached with Fishery Dept Sabah, now doing his B.Sc in UMS, the mastermind of this event. 4. Drisna - schoolmate, now teacher in SMK Inanam, saw her for the first time during our 1st meeting. (5) Jeneva - staff nurse in Hospital Pakar Likas, she attended to me when I gave birth to Adelia in 2008, she didnt change that much, still slim & slender. (6) Judith @ Rosneh - saw her 3 year ago at Ramadhan Bazaar in KK. We were in primary school for 4 years & then we met again during secondary school. 6. Ahmad - classmate 84/85, saw him 1st time during our 1st meeting, now with Meteorology Dept Sabah, Tg Aru Station Head... to be continued ...

" .. we are sorry that your recent job interview with us has not been successful ..."

When it come to job interview result, the good news (offer letter) will be signed by the superior while I am the one that deliver the bad news. Being a routine for the past 3 years, never did crossed my mind how the candidates would take it. I tried my best not to use negative words in the letter, as in the title. I remember my own experience, when i failed to get a job that I really wanted in 2003, i cried silent tears, nobody knows, even hubby, or the children. Nice words did not help to ease the sorrow ...

And now, the verdict on my recent interview is finally out. They quashed my application on the basis that it was done without going through my superior. But what I learned at first, that was not the reason. It was something else. This technical reason is just to cover whatever intention that they had. What a painful blow!!!!  These people, when they make the decision, did they ever think of other people's future??? Do they know the hardship that other people is facing and made them took that twist???? Closing people's opportunity right at their nose? I hope that God will do justice for me. Not that I am that religious but I think that I am being victimized. I have mouths to filled, this year 2 of my children is going to universities, next year 1 more (insya'allah), been driving this old pool family car for the few years ... and few others that I care not to elaborate here ....To me, their intention is questionable, was it transparency, as they claimed or merely protecting their egos or mabe to protect their @##es infront of the boss?

Consoling myself, I want to think that, when one door closes (even if it already hit on my nose!), there will be more door opens, control breathing, positive thinking .... but bullshit all of those now. I just want to let my anger,  disappointment and shame out & subside by their own. Layan .... So ashamed coz the earlier news was that I GOT the job - colleagues, friends, family, i wanna hide from rite now.... Hell this is painfully  tough to endure ... arghhhhhhh ....

Losing interest ....

realized that i do not care that much if I missed my most favorite tv series, esp. CSI. previously, i would run my schedule as not to coincide with the show, or rush home right after nite class just not to miss the show even knowing that there will be rerun. am i getting that old?

::: iPhone3GS: need it or want it :::

posted in FB some time ago about 10 reasons why i should not buy an iPhone, only to find myself buying one few days after ... does it really a want or a need but i'll settled of owning one as to prove what my friends, Abang Afian & Wan Nooraishah said, once you have used an iPhone, you will not migrate to another. So, here I am, with an iPhone3GS from maxis, rm2399, set without contract but honored a year free data for my prepaid hotlink. yay!!!!

nunut's first pay ...

received this note today from nunut's first pay from her part-time job .... as they said, its not the amount that counts but the value and the magic moment. i wish her all the best in her life. darling, should you failed to achieve what you had dreamed to become, as that opportunity closed, plenty other door awaits you if you care to fight back ....

dugaan ...

baru sebentar tadi mendengar cerita sedih tentang seorang sahabat dari zaman persekolahan menengah. memang sedih, dengan masalah rumahtangga, dan lagi ditimpa penyakit yang boleh meragut nyawa. dikatakan pernah sekali sehingga koma dan akibatnya sedikit menganggu ingatannya. menghampiri tarikh majlis perjumpaan semula yang dirancang pada 13 march 2010, kami sebenarnya teruja dan gemuruh juga untuk berjumpa semua selepas lebih 20 tahun.

apapun, kembali kepada cerita sahabat ku itu, ini dugaan berat. sesiapa yang pernah melalui pasti tahu, kaburnya pandangan, sakitnya asakan di dada dan kepala membuatkan keputusan dan perhitungan jadi kurang tepat. andainya terperangkap dalam keadan sebegini, kuatkan semangat dan fikir bahawa sebenarnya ada sinar disebalik tembok besar, hitam dan tebal di hadapan itu. setiap masalah ada penyelesaiannya, sama ada penyelesaian itu menyenangkan atau tidak.

mungkin tidak perlu diucap, tapi diri ini sudah melalui banyak perkara ... biarlah saja disimpan, tiada siapa yang tahu. biarlah jadi kekuatan ku di badai seterusnya ...

::::::: taming the unfamiliar :::::::

It's going to be my 18th year doing what i know best in government HR - been memorizing all the remuneration scheme, from JKK to SSB to SSM, the allowances and leaves regulations, pension scheme, those are nothing that people can joke me around. And now, I'm going to leave that comfortable zone. Moving to a known but unfamiliar turf. As Prof Syed said best during the interview, "welcome to the academic fraternity!" Yes, I've made up my mind, I'm changing career, for my own good. Deep down, it did made me nervous but I need to move on or rather up. I reckoned the hardship that I would have to endure, to start everything over, just like the time when I took up the first job. And the reason of why I started up the blog, to familiarize my self onto writing and composing, which is a bit of my weakness. But i thank my teachers and lecturers for what they had taught me and praised me on my works. What they don't know that it took me double the efforts of other to produce what they saw as good works. I hope they meant it really when they said, "i always like your writing'', or when they comment on my english. They really didn't know how hard i worked on that! Nobody knows actually ..

Academic fraternity. I'm going to embrace it as how i embraced the job that I've been doing, putting all my hearts & sweats on it. I'm challenging myself to finish my PhD, be someone in academia, be the one that my husband and children believed I am. Be as good as what I am good at now... with God's willing and mercy.

report ... report ... report

... while some other people are enjoying their long chinese new year holiday, here I am staying up late trying to finish all the 11 interview reports. no decent rest since coming back from outstation. God, please give me strength to persevere ...

... Karachi-Dhaka 2010 ...

It was a new experience again this year - going to Karachi, Pakistan. It was a 2 days trip, 1 - 3 February and stayed at Karachi Marriott Hotel at Karachi. People were telling me on the danger that we might encounter because of the political instability and all but I just shook it off saying that we never know our fate, we may die anytime, anywhere. True as said, we were lucky, just one day we left Karachi, there were shooting and bombing incidents in Karachi, 37 died. Things went well during the interview, we managed to interview qualified and highly potential candidates. Just hope that they will accept our offer. Our competitor is only the Emirates. With same currency exchanges, they offer triple what we can offer them and it is closer to their home. But many people may not know, from what people relate to me, money is good but minus the living, especially for family and women. That is our only hope.

Back to my story. It was a problem managing the budget and visa. Almost give up. Even in the last minute, one member nearly missed the trip because he was not properly informed, as what he claimed. Well, on my part, I've done all what was required. The flight to Karachi took 6 hours and time zone is 3 hours behind. Tiring, no private LCD as what can be found in MAS flight from my last trip to Dhaka last year. The weather was supposed to be cold at that time but didn't feel the chill, maybe only at night.

Did my homework before traveling to Karachi, what else, things to buy and places. From the net, Zainab Market was great place to shop but we just past by since the tour guide didn't recommend for us to go there. The place looks like Bangabazar in Dhaka though. The left pix was taken at the first stop we were meant to buy things but when we reached there, they were closing, or as what they said, winding up, the owner died and the children were fighting over the properties. Darn, just like in bollywood movie. Karachi is famous for its leather products. So I bought two leather jackets from a boutique, just to know later that it was much more cheaper at the airport. Ripped me about USD60 per piece, whereas at the airport it was as as cheap as RM50 per piece! How would I know that the shops were open at 3am! Well, I did check, the quality was different, but bought another one. Did not have much time to spend at Karachi. Traveling with man, they don't appreciate shopping ... It was a good experience, in Karachi.

We then took the budget GMC Airline from Karachi to Dhaka. My second time to Dhaka (when can I get the chance to see the sunrise & sunset in Chittagong?) 3 hours flight and then reached Dhaka at about 10 am and then some little horror began ... no room ready yet at Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort, and some miscommunication regarding the interview room. Arrgh .. as if my vertigo is not enough ......

We had another two deans joining us in Dhaka and managed to interview 38 candidates altogether in 1 and half days. What I like about Dhaka at this time of season is the weather. It was cold and at night, the temperature was like in Kundasang, chill ..... We checked out at 5pm coz our flight is 11.30pm, suggested by Tabung Haji Travel coz it saves a lot. And fortunately the big guns say its okay (depan aku la)...

One funny incident that I want to highlight. Our meal was not included with the mineral water or any juice or beverages, so I was asked to pay for what we had during the checkout. After lengthly discussions with he supervisor and the FB manager, he then agreed that I need not to pay the bill but with one condition, they will not serve single water during our last dinner at the hotel. Well, I said fair enough, at that time the medical and engineering deans were not with us, so I just sms them. But unfortunately they didn't recieved my sms and later told us the experience they had from the hotel of not serving them water and asked them to pay first for the drinks they ordered. I just hope that this bad experience doesn't reflect on me later .... knowing them .....


Left pix taken when we arrived at Zia Airport, Dhaka at 11pm. Everyone seems exhausted. Me, feeling homesick .... 2 more days interview in KL before I can again, home sweet home, and to continue for another 3 days of interview in KK. Going to pasar malam at TAR tomorrow after interview, and to SOGO for shopping spree ....
 

PTK in JB

All done. Hope to get band 4. After all the hard works & monies spent. Brought the three girls with me, the 2 elder sisters to babysit Adelia. I know I would be crazy missing her should I left without her for the 12 day 13-24th December 2009 course. The girls had a very fun time, going shopping almost everyday. Stayed at Pacific Puteri Johor Bahru, Plaza Kotaraya and City Mall were just minutes away. Laundry next to the hotel. UO Supermarket nearby to do my wet market shopping for Adelia's food & the sisters. Many restaurants just outside the hotel. Wow, all just for my convenience.

The PTK program went just well, with the presentation and public speaking that I did just last minute and the exam. Memorable trip to Singapore with colleagues and shopping at Tebrau City with the girls. Bought RM99 CSL dual sim card phone lagi tau. hahaha. No extra luggage coz travel in group of 15. Allah telah permudahkan semuanya untuk kami di sana ...

welcome to Dhaka ....

Dhaka is my second outing for recruitment this year. Done with the paperwork, calling & confirming the candidates, advance, visa, logistics and off we go, six of us from the uni. This time the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Dhaka sees us all in business class, to and fro. Exciting but unfortunately on the flight to Dhaka, one of the passenger was drunk and puked on the business class. Making noises and the smell unbearable ....

Stayed at the Dhaka Sheraton, 5-star hotel in dhaka. Tight precaution at the hotel, vehicle is inspected and we have to go through detector at the hotel entrance, just like in the airport. The left pix is notice to guests and visitors regariding ammunition. wow ..

We managed to select very good candidates from medics, agriculture and engineering. Hope we can get them accepting and coming to the uni. We know the trick, that some of the just need our offer letter as to counter other offer. You play us, we also have some game guys.

Right pix, DK & me with our top gun, and next to me is Dr. Sankar Podder the agency guy from Bangladesh who help us with he candidates - taken at Dhaka Medical and Dental Council office entrance.

What to buy in when you are in Dhaka? We went to three places, the Bangabazar, Basundhara Mall anad Aarong. Bangabazar is a actually a market where you can get clothing, bags and souvenir. Bought some branded shirt (rejected I thnk) about MYR5 - 7 per piece, some of them carry brand like Mark & Spencer. Just have to bargain, like our China Town. Basundhara Mall is the biggest shopping complex in South Asia. Couldn't believe that such mall existed in such poor country. Shops there were great, good material & fashion. Aarong is, don't know where it is located but what I remember most is that there was foul smell outside the premise. Many souvenirs and clothing, and carpet can be found here. As usual, I just pick and pay, some souvenir to bring back home.

Down with bad flu coming back from Dhaka, thought it was H1N1, went to the emergency as soon as i reached KK. But the doctor just laugh ... kureng tul!