ToGetHer - Part One

As usual, logging to yahoo chat room is not in my list of main activity. I would rather settle by playing online chess on Yahoo!Games.

More on my unintentionally action, that night, I sign on to one of yahoo chat room and  forgot about it as I am on great concentration on chess game. Yahoo chat is not a place to get information unless you got friends there.

While in the midst of middle game, I realize a yellow bar is blinking at the bottom of my computer screen. When clicking on it, a message from a chatter using Japanese nickname.  I replied. To my surprise, this chatter did not ask for the most famous single question i.e. ASL. . What I normally did for chatter who pop-ups with that ASL question, I will put them under ignore list.

This lucky chatter is totally different. We do not know the gender, do not know the age and do not know the location. We just chat on general knowledge and issue.

Even I have the knowledge and capability to search for identity I do not have any urge to find out. My first instinct tells me that the person that I am chatting with is a good hearted and I should follow our flows of conversation. Furthermore, I am on the middle game of online chess.

..... to be cont'd

from Southern Maine Community College

Motivation in College Students

     There are very few beginning college students who have scratched the surface of their potential. The major difference between students who reach their potential by graduation - and those who don't - is motivation. Students with greater motivation will really dig in and learn as much as possible for the time and money spent on their education.

     The most important factors interfering with motivation are:
     depression from feeling overburdened with classwork,
     homesickness or difficulty adjusting to new lifestyle,
     peer pressure to resist studying,
     personal relationships and family problems, and
     unclear career goals.

     Successful students, who are motivated to achieve, either seek assistance from professionals or resolve these problems on their own.

     Are you sufficiently motivated to accept the challenge of SMTC? Why are you here? Because of friends? Parents? Sports? Do you have definite plans for after graduation? Can you discipline yourself to study long hours, putting off immediate satisfaction of your other needs? Are you mature enough to handle new freedom and responsibilities?

     Motivation is considered to be one of the most significant factors determining success or failure in college or in any other undertaking. If you think you have a motivation problem, the following suggestions may help you as they have helped other students. [Remember that procrastination in completing academic assignments often indicates low motivation.]

Develop some realistic, concrete reasons for spending one to three years of your life doing whatever is necessary to earn your degree.

Produce some realistic, concrete career goals that are appropriate to your abilities and interests. Keep in mind that your short-term personal goals may often be in conflict with your long-range educational objectives.

Relate present academic work to your future career goals. Having meaningful educational goals is the key to having positive academic attitudes.

Spend time with others already in your profession to reinforce your plans. Find part-time and summer work that relates to your chosen field.

Decide what grade you want in each course and then record your progress. This makes your studying more purposeful and identifies which courses need extra study time.

Assess Your Motivation to Achieve
Yes or No?

Are you dissatisfied until you really understand what you are studying?
If you don’t understand something, do you ask the instructor to explain it again?
Do you anticipate what questions will be asked on an exam?
Do you like working on a challenging assignment?
Do you set goals only that you can easily reach?
Do you make an honest effort to get the best grades you can?
If you are bored with an assignment, do you keep working anyway?
Do you usually complete homework assignments on time?
Do you continue to try even when others do better than you?
Is knowing that you are improving enough to give you a sense of achievement?
Do you really try to learn from errors you make on a test?
Do you believe a student must have high grades in order to have a sense of achievement?
Do you prefer to sit in the front of a classroom?
If you don’t understand something, do you just ignore it?
If you have been absent, do you make up the work quickly?

If your answers indicate a lack of scholastic motivation, you may want to meet with a career counselor or a personal counselor to discuss any concerns you have about your career choice and your success in college.

InGin Dih0rMati?!!

Susah untuk aku luahkan kepada orang sekeliling aku. Mungkin betul cakap mama, baik bercakap dengan tunggul daripada bercakap dengan orang. Kalau dengan tunggul kita memang dah tahu tunggul tu tak leh bersuara, kalau cakap ngan orang buat sakit hati aje.

Pernah rasa ke??

Atau aku je yang kena??

Dunia oh dunia....

Aku diam bukan bermakna aku senang dibuli.Aku lebih suka melihat keadaan sebelum bertindak. Takut nanti tindakan aku akan menyebabkan orang sekeliling salah faham.

Penat!!

Letih!!

Lelah!!

Tapi aku harus bertahan. Bertahan untuk belajar tentang hakikat hidup. Hakikat hidup yang memang menyakitkan.

Hahahaha......

Mukadimah panjang sangat kot..

citenye tak mula lagi....

Bukan nak mengungkit, tapi belajarla untuk hormat orang walaupun hanya sebesar zarah.Aku akui, aku tak suka berada dibumi tanjung malim tapi aku terpaksa kuatkan juga untuk menuntut ilmu, untuk memenuhi impian mama dan abah dan mungkin juga bakal impian aku. Aku lebih suka menghabiskan masa aku dibilik hostel sepanjang masa. Aku tak nak melihat senyuman hipokrit dari orang sekeliling aku. 

Aku akan jadi kawan mereka apabila aku akan mendatangkan manfaat kepada mereka sama ada dari segi kewangan ataupun dari segi tenaga. Mereka melihat aku sebagai lubuk untuk mendapatkan bahan assignment mereka malah menggunakan aku untuk mendapatkan markah tinggi. Aku cukup terkilan dengan semua itu.

Apa sebenarnya maksud kawan bagi mereka??

atau aku yang tak layak untuk digelar kawan??

(mama, adik rindu mama)

(adik rindu abah juga)

Sekarang aku hanya ingin keluar dari bumi tanjung malim, tapi aku tak mampu.Teringin sangat berada dalam pelukan mama. Rindu ciuman dari abah. Segalanya bermain di fikiran.

Yang lebih teruk lagi ada yang memburukkan aku dibelakang kalau mereka tidak mendapat apa yang mereka inginkan dari aku. Datang jumpa aku baik je, siap burukkan orang lain depan aku. Pastu bila belakang aku , akulah raja segala setan kat dunia ni. Siap kata aku plak yang suka mengata.

Mama, adik tengah merasai hakikat dunia yang pernah mama bagitahu sebelum adik berangkat ke sini. Terlalu menyakitkan . Semuanya dihadapi seorang diri.

hahahaha....

emosional plak aku malam ni...

(jangan tiru aksi ini)

Apa lagi yang bakal aku hadapi selepas ini???

atau aku mungkin akan terus di pergunakan??

Hati aku sudah mula berdarah kembali!!

Sabar hati..

tetaplah dengan pendirianmu untuk jdi suriati yang baru.

Bukan suriati yang lama.

(panas baran beb!!)

RinDu bayanGAn.

Aku masih ingat lagi waktu tu aku terlalu taksub dengan 'yahoo chatroom' sehingga aku sanggup keletihan ke sekolah. Hehehe...Terukkan??? Prinsip aku hanyalah satu...semua itu hanya mainan semata-mata. Sehinggala aku 'terlanggar a.k.a tersepak' sorang mamat ni kat 'yahoo chatroom'.

Siapakah dia??

Jeng...Jeng...Jeng....

Aku tetap jadi aku yang memang suka straight to the point. Takde la lurus sangat. Kena ada bengkang-bengkok jgak dalam hidup ni. Tak semena-mena aku jadi anak jepun plak malam tu. Huhuhu....huru-hara jgak aku malam tu. Siap letak dictionary lagi kat sebelah,takut nanti tersalah faham. Okla tu, ada jgak knowledge..Boleh jgak perbetulkan English aku yang memnag hancurrrrr.

Merindui seseorang memang cukup menyakitkan...

Jatuh cintakah aku??

Susah untuk aku tafsirkan perasaan aku pada masa itu.

Siapa dia sebenarnya???

Kenapa dengan aku??

Selama 2 hari aku menunggu kehadiran seorang 'chatfriend' yang sama dengannya. Aku hampa. Semuanya sama dengan yang lain.Akhirnya aku mengalah untuk berada dalam 'yahoo chatroom'. Semua pm yang masuk hanya dipandang sepi.Bila aku cerita hal ini pada kawan aku.......

My friend: Su, Are u falling in love??

me: why??

My friend: Ur eyes tell me everything.

Aku cukup letih bermain dengan perasaan. Pada satu sudut aku aku mula merindunya  dan satu sudut berlainan pula aku cuba menafikan perasaan aku dan juga kata-kata kawan aku itu. Hari ke 3 aku nekad untuk menghantar coretan didinding 'yahoomail' kepadanya walaupun aku tahu peluangnya agak tipis.

Berjayakah aku untuk mencarinya semula??

Dimana dia??

Siapa diri dia sebenarnya???

Siapa jgak dia pada aku???

Kenapa semua ini berlaku??

Harapan aku terlalu tinggi terhadap percubaan yang aku lakukan.Nasib sememangnya menyebelahi aku apabila aku melihat dinding 'yahoo mail' aku mula dihiasi dengan coretan dari teman yang memang aku harapkan.

Macam mana dengan perasaan aku pada masa tu??

Gembira???

Teruja??

Atau coretan itu hanyalah coretan biasa bagiku???

Rindu bayangan yang memang menyeksakan..Aku mula meningkatkan usaha aku untuk mengenali teman baru aku dengan menambahkan lagi coretan di dinding ' yahoo mail'nya.Coretan yang terlalu ringkas hanya untuk meneruskan perjalanan hubungan kami sebagai 'cyber-pal'. Itupun sudah terlalu cukup untuk menggembirakan hati aku.Setiap hari aku hanya ternanti-nantikan coretannya di dinding 'yahoo mail' aku sehingga menjadi rutin dalam hidup aku untuk membaca coretannya sebelum memulakan hari aku, lebih tepat lagi sebelum pergi ke sekolah.

Apa yang sebenarnya terjadi kepada aku???

Merungkai perasaan sendiri memang sesuatu yang amat meletihkan.

Siapa sebenarnya dia pada aku??

Exhausted!!

Meaning Of Roses

Red

Red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance, and a time-honored way to say "I love you." The red rose has long symbolized beauty and perfection. A bouquet of red roses is the perfect way to express your deep feelings for someone special.

 
 Pink
As a symbol of grace and elegance, the pink rose is often given as an expression of admiration. Pink roses can also convey appreciation as well as joyfulness. Pink rose bouquets often impart a gentler meaning than their red counterparts.


Yellow

 

The bright, sunny color of yellow roses evokes a feeling of warmth and happiness. The warm feelings associated with the yellow rose are often akin to those shared with a true friend. As such, the yellow rose is an ideal symbol for joy and friendship.


White
White roses represent innocence and purity and are traditionally associated with marriages and new beginnings. The white rose is also a symbol of honor and reverence, and white rose arrangements are often used as an expression of remembrance.

Orange

With their blazing energy, orange roses are the embodiment of desire and enthusiasm. Orange roses often symbolize passion and excitement and are an expression of fervent romance. A bouquet of orange roses will send a meaningful message.

Lavender
The unique beauty of the lavender rose has captured many hearts and imaginations. With their fantastical appearance, lavender roses are a perfect symbol of enchantment. The lavender rose is also traditionally used to express feelings of love at first sight.



Blue

The blue rose does not occur in nature, at least not the absolute blue rose. Blue roses were at first created by dyeing white roses. Some people mistake lavender roses for blue ones. So, the closest we can get to blue roses are the lilac to almost black category. Roses lack the pigment that produces blue color. The blue rose has been painstakingly created and imbued with a special meaning.
Much like its mysterious origin, the blue rose means mystery. An appreciation for the enigmatic, the inexplicable is expressed by the blue rose. A tantalizing vision that cannot be totally pinned down, a mystery that cannot be fully unraveled is the blue rose. A person who receives the blue rose is the subject of much speculation and thought. A complex personality that does not allow easy interpretation is what the blue rose indicates.


Green

The green rose, though not abundant in nature, is a beautiful sight to behold. The color green has many meanings and can be deciphered to symbolize diagonally opposite things. The most significant and popular meaning of the green rose is fertility. The green color symbolizes richness, abundance and bounty. Green roses are a sign of plenty and copiousness.

Green is life, abundant growth, constant renewal of life and energy. The green rose signifies the constant rejuvenation of spirit, and is therefore a messenger of cheerfulness. Transformation and change are a necessary prerequisite for life to go on. And green roses express this spirit of rejuvenation very beautifully.

Accepting each other’s differences

“When I was a little Boy, I remember one day in particular when she had made breakfast. She must have been very tired. My mom placed a plate of eggs, and rather burned toast in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed.

Yet all my dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my mom, and ask me how was I ready for school. I don’t remember what I replied, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jam on that toast and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the toast. And I’ll never forget what he said: ‘Baby, I love burned toast.’

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy and I asked him if he really liked his toast burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, ‘Your Momma works hard day after day and she’s real tired. And besides a little burnt toast never hurt anyone!’ You know, life is full of imperfect things…..and imperfect people. I’m not the best football player either.

What I’ve learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults – and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences – is the one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

We should learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of Allah. Because in the end, He’s the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where burnt toast isn’t a deal-breaker! We could extend this to any relationship in fact – as understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!!”

Allah said:

فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوْبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا

And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Qur'an), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allah's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided.[Al-'Imran:103]

“Kissed by an Angel” by Elizabeth Chandler

“Kissed by an Angel” by Elizabeth Chandler is a trilogy about young love that transcends death, and the mystery and suspense of a death that comes too soon.   (Does that sound dramatic enough?)

Ivy believes in angels, she has believed in them ever since she was little.  Ivy is also a newcomer at school, trying to make new friends, find a place to fit and maybe a boy to like.  Tristan doesn’t believe in angels but to him Ivy seems as good as one.  (Ready for a cheesy line I can’t resist?) But somehow they are a match made in heaven.

To be serious…I did like this book and it isn’t all sappy.  This book explores the difficulty of letting go of someone when they die, but it also takes an angle of letting go of someone when you die.  Interesting.  Ivy’s in danger and the only person who knows enough to help her is dead.   Tragedy strikes close to home and it shakes Ivy’s belief in angels, but it turns out to be the efforts of her own angel that will save her life!

I bought this book  the other day and the copy I have contains the three books bound together.  The books are “Kissed by an Angel”, “The Power of Love”, and “Soulmates”.  I guess they can be bought separately, but its really way more convenient to have all three together since a break between books would really leave you hanging.    And the trilogy all together is the one I have pictured above.  This book has some good suspense in it, at some points I don’t know how Ivy would even be able to fall asleep at night!