JUST ONCE

An evening in a hotspring; a strategic outing - Mr Allagan is seen here comforting himself in one of the hotsprings somewhere in South Perak.

KEY RESULT AREAS

The entire faculty - including representatives from the branch campuses (Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka, and Kedah) - turned up at the Felda Residence, Perak for a three-day Strategic Planning workshop. It was not really a strategic plan workshop. Rather it was a follow-through action of a strategic plan already sketched by the government (National Key Result Areas) later ministry (Ministry Key Result Areas) and re-defined and modified thereafter by the Strategic Planning Centre (UiTM Key Result Areas). What the faculty was doing was simply identifying activities/strategies, determine the duration of each of the activities, sets the projection, states the activities progress status, and identify risks, where relevant.

Overall, the brainstorming sessions were good. Issues were addressed fully and all activities - according to four dedicated groups - were presented very clearly before all participants. It should set the faculty right on track for the next 5 years at least. Details of the blueprint is accessible at the faculty.

A ROAD NEVER TOO LONG

A road is never too long when the journey is ever an interesting one. I took the old trunk road from Sungkai to Kuala Lumpur early this morning and it was indeed a correct decision of driving alone along the route. The discussion I had with Datuk Ramlah, coupled with a few more hard and serious talks with a few other colleagues, were prolonged by series of monologue which I had while driving. There are times when silence supercedes anything else that comes out in the form of sounds; when hearts and minds are conflicting against each other; when reality has to negotiate with myths; and when courage is chicken out by selfishness.

More often than not, it normally happens only once. But by the time one realises it, it was already too late for a turn-back. The radio was playing James Ingram's Just Once anyway. Thats where I got the turning point, I guessed. Again, it was only a guess.

ONE AFTER ANOTHER

Image, http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:aLt4JwEutGqk2M

A week passed by. All the seven days, as I recalled, were spent mainly on administrative matters. Two out of seven concentrated on internal issues, which required us to move up and down, and on both days we had to start very early in the morning, as early as 7 am. I was ok, Im not sure about other. It did not go down quite well. Too much shadowing variables I guess. Or maybe, my presence there was not quite a good and appropriate one. Met quite a number of old good friends - Beap (was buzy instructing the crew to re-arrange the flower pots), Mail (in shaky mood), Ramona (she seemed a bit 'vacant' for a second or two!), Zaidi (same as Mail), Zai (she was buzy packing), and Roza (running here and there). Beap was saying something with her mouth shut. I got her que and a short head-shake was all the replied she got from me. Puzzled. Had a short chat with the boss before we left for another meeting down below. We managed to drop by at a mamak's outlet nearby before heading straight to the meeting venue. I did all the briefing. (Gosh,the onion-tosay was really strong!)

FAMILIAR FACES

I was in my favourite magazine/books outlet in uptown two days ago, looking for a particular mag. While flipping through the pages of a mag, two familiar faces walked calmly right before me; ah! Ayin and Ayong! 

"Wah, jauhnya cari makan?"

"Saja-saja, berjalan", Ayong smiled. We talked for a while before saying goodbye. What a nice couple. 

OUT OF BOUNDS

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/1928742567_d1575fb020.jpg

Its going to be a very tight-schedule next week, and that will start tomorrow. With the Penn-State University's 3-day short-course at the PJ Hilton in mind, series of interview (the young-lecturer-scheme) and also the Planning workshop in South Perak until the end of the week, it is definitely an out-of-bound week for me and the entire staff. In Lewin's words, "Unfreeze, freeze, refreeze"... 

A BIG THANK YOU

Image, nasrudin february 19th 2010





I love books. And Im even happier this morning when (Datuk) Ramlah Adam appeared in my office room and handed me her latest publication, "AHMAD BOESTAMAM: SATU BIOGRAFI POLITIK" published by DBP 2009.

I didn't wait too long. And Im now on page 35. Its getting more interesting to know more!

Thank you maam!

LOVE IT, HATE IT

Image, http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

"Should I or should I not?"

Andy, a long-time friend, was having difficulty in deciding whether its wise to be a partisan; a full-time political actor. Im in no standing of deciding what is good - or bad - when it comes to making political decision. I did, however, offer him some insights in the form of questions. If he feels that he can satisfy all the criteria, then I would second his proposal right away.

Politics is all about people. I would go back to the people, and seek for their acceptance (or recognition, so to speak). I would read my political master's mind; for he is going to be master-cum-mentor through-out my journey. I would definitely take note of whatever ques he might signal along the way because from time to time, he doesnt have the luxury of wasting his precious time stopping for me and listens to my untimely questions. In the mean time, I would not ever try to understand each and every word he says. Politics, in the first place, is not a place for me to understand. Its a place for me to make people understand.

All the best Andy, and good luck! 

TURN BACK THE CLOCK?

http://www.turnbacktogod.com/poe...fortune/
 
 
 

Mum is not well. She can hardly see what is around her. The ironic is that I still have this feeling that mum and dad are as healthy as they were used to be; and that was some 40 years ago.

I will be sending mum and dad to Taiping this late afternoon and got to be back to Shah Alam in no due time. I got to be in the office by tomorrow morning.

Yesterday mum was very happy because she was brought back to Negeri Sembilan, her hometown and met her siblings. At times, I can't in any way let them know the sadness I have in this heart of mine nor should I let them know the sacrifices that I need to make. I've witnessed the look I saw on some people faces - Stopa's late father who passed away last few days in KB, Allahyarham Abg Man, Al-Baishah's mum, Elly's mum motherly face Hjh Saenah and her loving and caring dad Hj Md Kodry - and suddenly all these remind me of Phil Colin's, sacrifice.

Mum and dad taught me so many things. What is most intrigue is how they instilled the belief in me - by demonstrating naturally to me - that living is not all about having worldly rewards. There are so many other things that would eventually lead you to a meaningful happy life, now and perhaps, forever. 

How I wish I could turn back the clock. 

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.

Author unknown

ROMANCING THE NATURE

"Flowing like a river"

FATE THAT IS

Image, www.graphicshunt.com/search/1/alone.htm

It is not everyday you got the feeling that you are now the biggest - and most hated - enemy to the one who used to be the closest and most intimate companion for years. If only memories can tell everything now, God knows. 

APPROACHING THE END OF THE DAY

Image, www.brookefraser.wordpress.com

Something to ponder before I go off.

SORRY

In not too-distant-a-time, I think some aspect of the society's value system - in the forms of trust, faith and belief - would somehow altered or perhaps changed. Promises were made to be broken; pledge is no longer reliable while punctuality is as good as cliche. More often than not, promises that are made to tie a bond between individuals end up with '"Im so sorry...".

Im normally ok with that actually.

I trust that when someone says "Im so sorry", it really means "Sorry, God's willing".

HONESTY

To put it simply and ideally, honesty is like, when you really mean it, and say it, and show it, then it is actually what lies in your heart. It is all about consistency; otherwise it will become double-standard. You can't possibly show or display your honesty simply by stating that you are an honest person publicly; it must be accompanied by actions. But that also doesn't warrant you a guarantee that you are indeed an honest person. Why? It is all about your heart; nobody knows what is there for you or anyone else. The element of 'fear' of something is always there. What is 'the thing' that you are afraid of? Nobody knows. Honesty, then, is the soft and soothing feel inside us that keeps reminding us not to hurt people, be they near or far. The issue remains, however, that it is not that easy to convince anyone that honesty is all we have in our hearts. There are many reasons why people are critical about honesty. I am only interested in three: selfish, impatience, and ignorance.

TOO LONG A JOURNEY

Image, freefoto.com

After a long walk, why not take a step back, and think for a while? Perhaps we can find our way home eventually.

PRATUNAM, SATISFACTION & EGOISM

image, nasrudin, bangkok February 8th 2010:
top - pratunam; bottom, FinFin & Mus

The recent trip to Bangkok was quite a fruitful one. Reports were completed as planned; manuscripts were furnished with the latest figures and what not; while shopping was done so-so.

Pratunam keeps all the records safely all this while, as well as memories - good and bad - altogether paint the picture of life in not so a straightforward manner, especially with this round of visit; where half of the supposedly 6 life-members were intially should be there, each of them pledged to paint 'the canvas' with his or her own colours however only three made it. But, 'God is the Great Planner' - as the saying goes - and all left were three of them, I, FinFin and a newly-elected member, Mus.

It worked out pretty well, especially with my mission of getting things done there. Of course, there were some black-spots somewhere within the framework. I guess the biggest setback would be the second-last day of the trip. Again, that unpleasant moment wasn't asked or wished by anybody, not me, or Purple Stockings, or WaWa, and definitely not ShiShi.

It came out as a result of uncertainty, an out-of-context of an unstable emotion. Perhaps the adrenaline was too fast to bear by Purple Stockings until she made it crystal-clear that some actions were better kept safely inside the heart and not let anyone sees or listens. Afterall, it was supposed to be a two-way agreement, kind of bond, that intertwines two individuals trust, strictly for their knowledge alone. It didn't come down quite well with WaWa and ShiShi. I really think Purple Stockings must be satisfied now, or is she?

Moral of the story: Hold firmly on your words; be trustworthy; and never ever let someone's dignity smeared. Unfortunately, Purple Stockings did otherwise. Why? She wants everything all in one time. Satisfaction is one thing; friendship is another; while love is the other disturbing thing. Eventually egoism takes control of everything, all the time. Swallow the ego! Patience is the best option.