Malaysia's Education System: Emphasize Too Much On Being Academically Successful

My claim is the Malaysia's Education System is emphasizing too much on being academically successful. 

Firstly, those who have done great in academics are usually well rewarded; on the other hand, those who have good soft skills or morals are not well rewarded. For example, someone who got straight A's will be rewarded a certificate and even prize money; whereas someone who have spent their time volunteering themselves teaching the refugee kids might not be even mentioned in school at all. 

Secondly, during class time, teachers would only focus on the academic side of things, which includes making sure they have finished their homework and making sure they understand the things that are being taught. However, their emphasize was never to make sure the students behaving ethically in class. 

Thirdly, scholarships are often rewarded to those who are academically good, but never to those who are really active in curricular activities but have poor grades. 

However, some may say that there are non-academic related scholarships which is offered to students, like sports. I do acknowledge that the existence of these scholarships, but the amount of it is far too little to encourage people to spend time on to nurture a skill which is non-academic.

My conclusion is that Malaysian's education system is emphasizing too much on being academically successful, but have forgotten about other things which matters more than good grades, such as being compassionate and harmonious. 

There is an urgent need for us to reflect and take action on the outdated education system in Malaysia and the incorrect ideology which worships the academicians but puts down the others. We cannot keep telling the fish is stupid, when they cannot climb up a tree. In other words, we cannot keep telling someone that is meant to do great at something else, that they are stupid because they cannot do certain things that might not be meant for them. 

There needs to be a change. 

Managing Information in the 21st Century

Recently me and my brother were talking about how our attention span has gone shorter since high school! We used to be able to listen to the priest's sermon attentively and remember all the things he said in one go; now we cannot even finish listen to it!So we realized that our world has changed into a really fast-paced era, which offers too much information until we will not be able to handle them if we do not filter some of them.

Basically, every moment of our lives, we are receiving new information!!
Wake up in the morning, we check our phones for updates on Whatsapp, Emails and social medias. After showering, we read the newspapers, watch television, meet friends in our school or workplace, we talk about various topics.

We got to learn how to manage these information or else they will blind ourselves from the right direction of our lives! It's good to be exposed to more things, to gain more knowledge on various events and facts. However, we need to filter the unnecessary information from entering our minds! When we have too much information in our minds, we cannot digest them and we do not have time to quiet down and actually think as well!



Now, I do enjoy some quiet time alone anywhere and anytime of the day, just to think and pray to God. It really helps me to organize the things in my mind and calm myself down and look at things happening really fast in my life. :)

The Excitement of Waiting for the Fruits to be Ripped! :)

Today was rather organized and I am so glad that things turned out to be the way I want it to be! (not completely, but most of it! :P) I started to be more focus on my studies, at the same time I am able to delegate my job to other people in the minstry. Things will still be going on smoothly without me. I am really grateful for the very helpful family I have there in church! :D
I guess my target of getting straight A's (4.0) for this semester and helping to make the Youth Rally a success can really come true!! :D   I'm so excited!!

This 2 weeks are the defining week that will define my results!
There are only one more assignment, 2 final exam papers and 1 performance showcase!
I really think it is possible to get straight As if I am focus enough! :)

So I am going to stay strong, fight through the storm and make things happen!!

"Lord, I thank you for this wonderful day I had, I am able to feel your blessings everywhere I go and in the smallest thing you did in my life. Lord, as I am going to sleep right now, grant me a good night rest that I will wake up filled with energy and enthusiasm to live my dreams! All this I pray in your most holy and precious name, Amen!"

Goodnight everyone. Have a good day ahead too! :)

Staying Strong Throughout the Tough Times

This one week that just passed, I had mixed of emotions on it.

I'm very grateful of the infinite blessings that God has blessed me with:
1. My Wonderful, Loving, and Supportive Family Members
2. Beautiful, genuine friendship that I have in church, University, ex-high school mates. Sometimes, I can even call them family. :)
3. Freedom to do what I am passionate about (ministry work, studying Mass Comm, to be who I am)
 and a lot of little blessings that made me feel really complete everyday. :)

At the same time, I am quite stressed out about serving in the ministry, as one of the leaders. 
I realize the worklord of the ministry is not too much until a point that I cannot handle. It's the time management between my studies, minsitry, family time, friends bonding time, and my alone time. Rally, finals and assignments due dates coming up at the same time, which is making things tensing for me.

When there are too many things for me to handle, I tend to forget a lot of minor details, which will cause problems here and there, which makes if difficult for the ministry. At times like this, I will become even more clumsy, blur, slow, short-visioned and less resilient than I normally am. I got quite a lot of criticisms from the ministry people which brings me down a lot. All criticisms are constructive, and it's to mold myself into a better person, but when they are too many people telling us what to do, instead of helping me, makes me feel quite helpless. I have a really good partner, but it's just that I feel she needs a break as well, both of us cannot carry these alone. I'm learning to accept criticisms and compliments openly and move on, it takes quite some time to master it though.

Recently as well, when I am looking for random moments just to have fun, I tend to do things without thinking of the consequences. I just fraped my friend recently and it seems to be hurting her and pissed her boyfriend as well. I intend to make a joke out of her, but I didn't realize it was overboard. I know apologized wouldn't make anything better but I still did it. I am not sure whether they will forgive me but I will change my bad habit.

"Lord, as I am journeying through the most difficult time of the year, Please be with me. Send your holy spirit down upon me, that when I am weak, you will fill me with your strength; when I am sad, fill me with your joy; when I feel worried, show me the light and hope that all things will be alright. Lord, help me to rely on your strength, so that I will be strong in the midst of the storm. Amen."

On another note, I read this article that really helped me when I needed that the most. It was eye opening to me when I was soaked within the negative emotions going on in me. Feel free to have a read about it HERE. It's an article on how to stay optimistic during tough times. :)

Goodnight and God Bless everyone. Sleep Tight :)

I will be stronger

Recently, I tend to get emotional really easy, and tears will fall just for the small small things happening right now. Most of the tears are tears of happiness, especially when people affirming and recognizing me for what I have been doing. It's truly a blessing to be with the people that are so encouraging and supportive around me. :)

I have been really tired, and I am unable to perform in any single area because I am not in my best stage, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. As much as I want a break right now, I will run this race until the end!! the path that I have chosen, I want excel in studies, as well as making Rally a success!!

Although this few weeks are going to be tiring, I will learn to enjoy the process. :)
Because it's when we enjoy the process, the results will follow! I truly believe that. :)

So right now, I will enjoy this 3 hectic weeks, I will ask help from people whenever I need them, pray to God and ask for help and strength, put love into and tons of effort into everything I do, love the people around me, and succeed in studies and organizing the rally. :)

All this I pray in your most holy and precious name. Amen.

I am Back? haha

It's been 3 months since I last blogged, and that really felt like long time ago!
Anyway, for the past 3 busy and yet fulfilling months, I experienced, witnessed and learnt a lot of things that inspired me in one way or another. However, those beautiful and eye-opening experiences are not recorded down nor shared anywhere, which I felt it's a complete waste! So here I am, back here blogging :)

Experiences Are Meant To Be Shared! :D
Few weeks ago, I saw one Instagram post by one of my favorite lecturer. She divorced with her husband a while ago and she is now back on her feet again because of the true love she found. Her boyfriend encouraged him to share all her experiences out in a website because those experiences will help people with similar situations outside there to know that they are not alone, and it's okay to feel broken when life hits you down. You just need to know how to get back up! :)
I really feel experiences are meant to be shared! It can definitely help not only myself, but others in one way or another. And I will be more than willing to do that! :)

A Way to Organize My Thoughts! :)
Recently, I realize there are a lot of thoughts in my mind that I got it from different things, people, places and events everyday! BUT I did not spend time reflecting about them. I realize it's important to just sit down in a quiet place, take a break from things, and just think.
"Have I been doing the right thing?",
"Am I going towards the right direction?"
"Am I living a Catholic Lifestyle?"
"What's my divine purpose of working my ass off in everything?"
So yea, these are a few questions that I will think about, and will re-evaluate myself from time to time. :)

To Record Down the Beautiful Moments In Life (Maybe Sad moments too?) 
I often take a lot of my infinite blessings for granted, and I tend to forget to thank God for all the wonderful little things happened in my life. Besides, I want to share my happiness to others too! I believe smile, happiness and love are contagious and I want to share them around! :)

So yea, I guess I will be updating my blog more often, especially when I have the strong urge to share my experiences. So Stay tune! :)

Before I end, just want to share the launching video for the Youth Rally 2013! :)
It's the fun and exciting camp that changed my life ever since 2008! Bring your family, bring your friends! HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE YOUTH RALLY! :D

Thoughts in my mind.. just needed a place to let it out.

I have been feeling demotivated in the things I do for quite some time, even for the recent Final Exams, Sunday School teaching, serving in the ministry, in studies, training for half marathon and for in anything I do for that matter. I seems to lost the interest of discovering every new day. I guess I stopped dreaming about achieving something high, after starting my Uni life this year. Maybe it is because how I don't find joy in succeeding anymore, sitting down and relax seems to be more comfortable. I am not so sure what is happening with me, my life seems good and complete, but I still felt empty and lonely, sometimes.

I use to look up to myself, especially when I'm in high school and I'm the happening person in school. I'm not as ambitious, confident, fast learner and discipline like how I use to be. and.. this feeling is not nice.

I feel like I have been pushed around by the responsibilities around me, I don't seem to be enjoying what I am doing anymore. I used to enjoy the things I do that I even sacrifice a precious relationship for it, but now that I look back, I'm not sure whether I have made the right decision?