Monthly Archive for July, 2008

Malaysia in space exploration?

Published on July 22, 2008 in Communication. 0 Comments

While NASA is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of scientific and technological excellence, there are still a huge community arguing on the issue “Is Space Exploration Worth the Cost?”

Unfortunately, I m one of them. I was forced to get myself involve in this discussion to answer my assignment – “Should Malaysia join in the race for Space Exploration?”

I have done a deep research on why NASA invested so much money, hired so many scientist for space exploration over the past 50 years. Instead of putting the blame on the “Cost” blindly, I believe it is more important to understand the reasons why NASA explore and the contributions from every exploration to human lives.

I also study why China, India, Japan & Soviet Union join in for the exploration. My conclusion is…

YES. Space exploration brings many technological innovations and scientific discoveries which have improved and shaped our lives on Earth in a myriad of ways.

But, looking at Malaysia current inflation crisis… most of all the natural resources will run out in 15 years from now, which mean we need to import oil & gas from other countries instead of export.

To be frank, I don’t really care either space exploration is a wastage to Malaysia anymore. I don’t understand why, if the government is not listening to the voice of the people at all, then why are we still wasting our time and efforts to discuss on this matter? Regardless we agree or disagree, they have decided to send the 2nd Angkasawan or space traveller or whatever, to space again in 2010.

Look back to the history of space exploration. US, China, India, Japan & Russia have very clear and specific missions in performing their exploration each and everytime. But what are the reason for Malaysia to go to space again if Malaysia don’t even know what is “space” yet? To demonstrate that roti canai & teh tarik can be taken in space? Is that really a necessity?

My Iban Tutorial: Sentenses

Published on July 8, 2008 in Communication. 0 Comments

Aku lelengai kat dek – I miss you.
Aku ka kedik – I like you.
Aku ka ngiga barang – I am looking for something.
Aku sayau ka dek – I love you.
Anang bejako sengapa – Don’t simply say anything.
Anang guai bejalai – Don’t go first!
Anang ngacau utaiko – Don’t touch my things.
Anang susah hati – Don’t feel sad.

Bakani aku ulih nulung dek? – How can I help you?

Dek bisi lelengai ka aku? – Do you miss me?
Dek bisi ngiga aku tadi? – Are you looking for me just now?
Dek ka? – Do you like it?
Dek ngiga sapa? – Who are you looking for?
Dua iti – 2 pieces

Enti aku bisi nemu ya – If I can find it.

Jaga diri empu manah-manah – Take good care of yourself

Kemaya nuan datai ke Sibu baru? – When are you coming to Sibu again?
Kini dek? – Where are you?
Kini dek bejalai? – Where are you going?
Kini dek tadi? – Where have you been just now?
Ku kat opis diato – I am now in office.

Madah ke aku enti nuan kitu ila – Please contact me if you drop by again.
Mayuh orang kat pasar sarito – Many people in market today.
Mayuh udah nemu – Know a lot already.
Minta ampu – I am sorry.

Nadai ngapa-ngapa – Nothing at all.
Nama berita? – How are you?
Nama utai? – What’s up? / What is that?
Nak percaya dengan aku – Don’t believe me.

Selamat datai ke Sibu – Welcome to Sibu.
Selamat lemai – Good afternoon.

Udah makai kah badau? – Have you taken your meal yet?

Wahai sulu – Hello! my friend.

My Iban Tutorial: Words

Published on July 8, 2008 in Communication. 0 Comments

Aku / ku – Me
Anang damping – Don’t come close.
Anang guai – Wait for a while.
Anang ngacau – Do not disturb.
Anang ragak – Be quiet!
Anang segaut – Do not simply.
Asuk – Dog
Au – Yes

Ba – At
Baboi – Pig
Bedau / Empai – Not yet.
Bejako / Brandau – Talk
Bejalai – Walk / Going
Benong makai – Eating
Besai – Big
Bisi – With

Capi – Cow

Datai – Come
Dek / Nuan – You
Diato – Now / Here

Empu – Yourself
Endor – Place
Enti – If

Guai – Fast / Quick

Iti – Item

Ka – Want
Kaban / Sulu – Friend
Kediri – To myself
Kemari – Yesterday
Kemaya – When?
Kin dek – Stay away

Lemai – Afternoon

Mai – Bring
Madah – Say / Tell
Makai – Eat
Manuk – Chikcen
Mayuh – Many
Mayuh amat – A lot
Mimik – A little
Mit – Small

Nadai – Without
Nak ninga – Can’t hear
Nak ulih – Cannot
Nama – What?
Nemu – Know / See
Ngai – Don’t want
Nganti – Later
Nganti ku – Wait for me.
Ngiga – Looking for
Ngingat – Remember
Ngirup – Drink
Nyamai – Tasty

Panjai – Long

Ruai – Space
Rumeh panjai – Longhouse

Tikui – Mouse
Tinduk – Sleep

Ukai – No
Ulih – Can
Utai – Things

Sapa – Who?
Sarati – Duck
Sarito – Today
Sayau / Lelengai – Miss
Si – Not
Sibau – Sibu
Sigi aje – One only

Avoid distraction in listening

Published on July 7, 2008 in Communication. 2 Comments

It is very interesting to see people who can study in very noisy environment, where brothers arguing with one another in the living room, sister screaming at the cat for stealing fish from the kitchen, baby’s crying from the bedroom and mom’s nagging from upstairs. Can you imagine that? But fortunately, we all are blessed to make option in life. It goes the same to listening. Maybe it is too vague, now let me give you another example.

Have you ever notice, the man in love are normally deaf. They listen only to what their babe told them. Even when they are dating & dinning at Mamak stall, surrounding by noisy crowds.. he can still hear what the soft little girl is telling him. How amazing right! You know why? Nothing as miracle, he just chosen to listen to what he wanted to hear. And fortunately, we are all blessed with the same capability to choose what we wanted to hear as well. And perhaps, choosing only what we wanted to hear is the best way to overcome distraction during listening. It is not the noise around us that matter, but ourself.

In short, constant concentration & be selective in listening are essential.