Winters in my life

"The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy." -- Florence Shinn

In May 2006, I remembered advising a young man,Edwin about studying abroad. He is in the mist of preparing for a 3 year business degree at the Canterbury University, Christchurch.

His mom brought him to see me to give him some motivation and pep talk. He is the eldest and is well sheltered and protected throughout his 18years. Leaving home for further studies overseas is the biggest decision he had to make! His parents had high hopes for him.

I can feel his reluctance to leave the comfort of home. He is not prepared to experience the cold winter in Christchurch. I started to tell him about the 4 seasons and how in Malaysia we had only one season, tropical climate, sunny whole year round. However our daily lives is full of challenges just like the four seasons.

I told him that when he graduates, he would have learnt the "seasons of life" and if he ever encounter winters in Malaysia, he will realized that :- no problems are impossible to solve!. Most of us have a life path that is like the four seasons, sometimes is beautiful like the flowers in spring and at other times it's like winter, cold and depressing.

With overseas exposure, living and learning about the different cultures, color ,creed , climatic conditions coupled with quality tertiary education , he will be a better, stronger, sensible and a wiser person.

He left for Christchurch and within a week he came back home to the disappointment of his family especially his parents.

His a reason " I can't stand the cold winter in New Zealand."

"The seasons do not push one another; neither do clouds race the wind across the sky. All things happen in their own good time." Dan Millman
Reflecting back what I have told him, I realized that I have been in New Zealand since January 2007, the winter season had not left us.

It is summer now, yet my life and that of all the members of my immediate and extended family- it is still winter.

We are waiting for sunshine! Summer is yet to come to our family.

The winter we had is almost 8 months. It has been a long and harsh winter.

Today is the last day…….Tomorrow will be my family’s first day of spring.

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." Anne Bradstreet

King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology (KAUST) Names Professor Choon Fong Shih Founding President

My Eldest son who is currently doing a double degree at the National University of Singapore (NUS) just told me he has been nominated by the NUS for a research project at California Institute of Technology whose mission is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education.

I was so excited and ask him, when he's going. " Not yet mom, I have to wait for Caltech acceptance of me !" at same time he told me that Professor Choon Fong Shih, President of NUS has been made the fonding member of King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology(KAUST).

KAUST is a world-class graduate level science and technology research university located on the Red Sea at Thuwal. Opening in September 2009, KAUST welcomes exceptional researchers, faculty and students from around the world.




Well! I have very high regards for this man as he is widely recognized as a global leader in academic and corporate scientific research. He has made NUS one of the top universities in the WORLD. Congratulations Singapore!

Below I share more news of the appointment of this extraordinary man.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (PRWeb via PRWeb) January 14, 2008 –
After an extensive international search among top academic research leaders, His Excellency Minister Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Board of Trustees, today announced that Professor Choon Fong Shih will be the Founding President of KAUST, the new world-class, graduate-level scientific research university now under development in Saudi Arabia. He is expected to assume his duties on December 1, 2008.

Currently the president of National University of Singapore (NUS), Professor Shih, 62, has broad expertise and experience in both academia and private industry as an eminent scientific researcher and educator.

He is known internationally as a dynamic and visionary leader of a major research university. H.E. Minister Al-Naimi noted that Professor Shih has played a critical role in enhancing scientific and technological capacity at NUS, making it one of the top research universities in Asia and the world.

H.E. Minister Al-Naimi also said, "Professor Shih is a man of purpose, conviction and cultural sensitivity. He has shown himself to be a 'builder of bridges' across peoples, disciplines, institutions and cultures. With his experience in building NUS as a global research university with an entrepreneurial dimension, Professor Shih has
the vital attributes to facilitate the synergy between science and technology transfer.

Working with the private sector, KAUST can be an engine of innovation and economic growth, providing greater opportunities to diversify the Saudi economy.

We are confident that under his leadership KAUST will become a global center of scientific research that brings benefits to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond."
H.E. Minister Al-Naimi added, "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has shared his vision for KAUST to be a new House of Wisdom, which will deliver 'its humane and noble message in an ideal environment, with the help of God and the minds and the ideas of enlightened people, who will participate in this educational mission without discrimination.

' Professor Shih is the right person to fulfill this noble vision."

Professor Shih said that he was honored to meet the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz yesterday, and that he was grateful for the trust shown in selecting him to be part of the King's bold and noble vision for the Kingdom and the world at large.

Professor Frank Rhodes, president emeritus of Cornell University said: "The appointment of Professor Shih as the Founding President of KAUST represents a major step in the realization of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' vision for creating a great new university of science and technology.

A celebrated scientist, whose achievements have been widely recognized and honored, Professor Shih brings a wealth of international leadership experience in both the industrial and academic worlds.

As a senior professor at Brown University, as a research group leader at General Electric, and as an extraordinarily entrepreneurial and successful president of National University of Singapore, Professor Shih has demonstrated an outstanding commitment and dedication to building successful alliances to promote the advancement of knowledge and to extend its benefits.

He is superbly suited to lead this new institution and his appointment will be widely celebrated. The trustees and the university are to be congratulated on making an outstanding appointment."

Dr. Karen A. Holbrook, former President of The Ohio State University, added, "Professor Shih is a person of high energy, optimism and integrity, a perfect combination of personal assets for anyone with the task of building a project of such scope and complexity as KAUST.

Knowing him personally, I can see readily how Professor Shih has accomplished so much in his career and most recently at National University of Singapore. His enthusiasm for the task at hand, his ability to instill confidence in others and his collegial approach of working collaboratively with everyone around him - all this suggests to me that KAUST could not have picked a better person as its Founding President."

His Excellency Dr. Khalid Al-Sultan, rector of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), said,"I have come to know Professor Shih through his work as a member of KFUPM's International Advisory Council.

We have also worked together as members of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology's International Advisory Council. I believe that his participation on both councils reflects his distinguished academic career and his accomplishments as a scientist.

In addition, I would like to point out his role in transforming the National University of Singapore. Under his leadership, it has rapidly become one the premier institutions in Asia and indeed in the world. In my opinion, KAUST could not have selected a better person to be the University's Founding President."

During Professor Shih's tenure as president, NUS has been transformed from a respected teaching institution to a research-intensive university. It now stands in the top 50 universities worldwide, and has set a goal to build 10 great programs or departments in 10 years.

NUS has successfully attracted top talents from world-class research universities. It has built strategic alliances with leading research universities around the world, and is a member of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), and APRU World Institute (AWI). On June 13, 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between KAUST and NUS to collaborate on programs to advance scientific research, graduate education and
technological development in fundamental and applied chemical sciences.


Professor Shih said, "I am deeply grateful to His Excellency Minister Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi for this great honor and responsibility as the Founding President of KAUST. With His Excellency's support, I look forward to helping build KAUST into a global knowledge enterprise, whose discoveries in science and technology will bring
benefits in your lives, your children's and their children's also."

To the wider scientific community around the world, Professor Shih said, "I am excited about building a university of global standing, adopting best practices and appointing global talents, encompassing all faiths and cultures.

KAUST represents a paradigm shift - an intellectual and organizational innovation - to conduct high impact research unconstrained by disciplinary boundaries, to create a new ecosystem for research unfettered by organizational strictures, and to build meaningful partnerships across communities, cultures and continents.

All for the larger purpose of serving humanity by finding scientific and technological solutions to the problems facing the Kingdom, the region, and the world."

My concern is what happen to our 20plus universities. Once upon a time University Malaya was at par with NUS.
Lim Kit Siang says:- "Malaysian educators should have an edge over an Singaporean as both Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Islam Hadhari concept propagated by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but clearly these “affinities” were not enough when it is a test of excellence and meritocracy." How true.

Malaysian educators has alot of catching up to do!!!

"Happy 18th Birthday"

The Greatest 18 yr old on earth.

18years ago today at half past one I gave birth to a bouncy baby boy .Dad and two older brothers were at home sound asleep. It’s me and baby at the hospital until daylight when they got the news.

Today 18 years later, it’s me and baby, now a young man in hospital together. Dad and two older brothers at home. Same scenario, different circumstances at a different place.

We waited until twelve midnight, I gave him a big hug, kiss and wish for good health. He wanted to know how he was born and was it very painful for me.

I remember clearly, It started when I had spotting at 10pm, got a shower, pack and off to the hospital. While there, at about 12pm the nurses ask Dad and brothers to go home. They told them, “It won’t be that fast properly the next day”. About one and the half hours later baby came along. It was fast and an easy birth.

How painful is it Mom? I just can’t remember the pain. I can only remember the feelings of great joy when I held him in my arms and the first time I look at the beautiful face.

Today I look down at the same beautiful face that had grown into a young sensible man. We talk for hours about everything from being born to future career planning.

The most important advice don’t choose a career your parents want. Look inside your heart and feel your passion, follow your heart and just go for it. I will guide him to achieve it.

When I was a young girl I use to read romance book and they always describe the hero as “tall, dark and handsome”.

Well this 18year old, hero of mine is “Tall, tan, brilliant, loving, strong and handsome.” The world is at your feet son! You are now a young man, follow your heart and may your dreams come true. God will guide you and bless you in your life journey.

Happy 18th Birthday! Enjoy life and live strong.
With love always from mom.

Lost

Which way.....I am lost

The Series?!

Paris' Spring 2008 fashion week.

New York's Spring 2008 fashion week.

Milan Highlights: Spring 2008

The windows to your soul

A few days ago someone came up to me and says" You are smiling, a beautiful smile...but there is so much sadness in your eyes."



I was taken aback by the comment and when I got home, I went straight to my bedroom and had a good look at myself in the mirror.Really !I can't recognised the pair of eyes that are looking back at me.




I remember my GFF used to tell me ' If a picture paints at thousand words, a face launch a thousand ships, your eyes rocked a thousand hearts!.


I recall many a times, my course participants says my eyes could laugh and talk to them even in silence.


If you had to go to bed with sadness in your heart and wake up with tears in your eyes each day for 8 months....now they are talking sadness that I just can't hide.


The pair of eyes are truly the windows to your soul. They speak the truths in silence!


I am going to change that. I am going to get the sparkle back into my eyes.The sadness of 2007 has gone. In 2008 I am going to get out of the circle of sadness. I am going to focus on activities and projects and stay happy.Everyone is well. We are all moving forward. Be courageous and "LIVESTRONG"!

Bacteria Infection

The New Year greeted our household with a Bacteria known as "PSEUDOMONAS" caused by any of several types of the gram-negative bacteria .

These bacteria often invade the blood of people with burns and those who have cancer. Without treatment, an overwhelming infection can lead to dangerously low blood pressure (shock) and death.

Serious Pseudomonas infections are difficult to treat. Malignant external otitis, internal infections, and blood infections require weeks of intravenous antibiotic therapy, usually with a combination of antibiotics.

The bacterium is naturally resistant to many antibiotics.
In hospitals the organism contaminates moist/wet reservoirs such as respiratory equipment and indwelling catheters.

The doctors made a decision to removed the "Hickman line" immediately.The Next two days is centred around managing blood pressure, wriggles and shivers.

A combination of antibiotics meropenem and ciprofloxacin were used to treat the bacteria for 7 days. A new line "PICC"was inserted for the remaining intravenous medication.

Our "Lion Heart" fought off the Bacteria, bounce back and now he is home watching the series " LOST" and at the same time brainstorming with all of us on the courses he would like to apply for his University next year.

His uncle Patrick just call to speak to him, after a good long conversation with him , he said to me :--he is a "Wonder Boy".

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb the highest mountain in the world

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88.

Well George, we finally knocked the bastard off."
– Hillary's first words, to lifelong friend George Lowe, on returning from Everest's summit

Edmund Hillary took this photograph of Tenzing Norgay as they became the first human beings to set foot on the summit of Mt. Everest, the highest point on earth.


(I had always remember Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb the world's highest mountain- Mount Everest. One of our teachers got us interested by telling us about him. As`we were not born then, this particular teacher of ours is so passionate about mountain climbing as such she discusses the mountain and the man during our geography classes. My two other friends and I got so interested . We were so inspired and started to build a scrapbook about him. We felt as if we knew him and wanted to be like him . From then on we had always harboured an inner desire to climb Mount Everest too. Two years ago when we met again, we were still laughing at our dreams about climbing the mountain.)
Sir Edmund Hillary was born in 1919 and grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. It was in New Zealand that he became interested in mountain climbing. Although he made his living as a beekeeper, he climbed mountains in New Zealand, then in the Alps, and finally in the Himalayas, where he climbed 11 different peaks of over 20,000 feet.

Two Zero Zero Eight