Colorado 'Dark Knight Rises' Shooting

The first day of Ramadhan, and the world was shocked with this news.


Colorado, USA....reminds me of the Columbine High School Massacre in 1999, which also happened in the state of Colorado. Two senior students embarked on on a shooting spree in which a total of 12 students and 1 teacher were murdered. They also injured 21 other students. The pair then committed suicide.


About 20 minutes into the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" at Aurora's Century 16 theater, in Denver suburb, Colorado, a gunman, suspected to be James Holmes, entered through an emergency exit and opened fire on unsuspecting movie goers and left 12 dead and 58 injured. Witnesses say gunman wearing gas mask released smoke or teargas bomb before shooting people. 


A man said to be in his early 20s, carrying a knife, rifle and handgun and wearing a bulletproof vest was arrested without a struggle in a car park behind the cinema. 

The masked gunman arrested for the shooting rampage, who later told police he was The Joker, is a highly educated PhD neuroscience student. Raised in California by his parents Arlene and Robert, he moved from San Diego to Colorado after graduating from The University of California, Riverside in 2010 with a degree in neuroscience.

We always complain about our country; the system, the economics, the politics, the mindset of Malaysians and so on, I still feel it is a safe place to live in and raise our families. Don't you think so? As the saying goes, "HUJAN EMAS DI NEGERI ORANG, HUJAN BATU DI NEGERI SENDIRI....it is better to be in our own TANAH TUMPAHNYA DARAHKU!"

My condolences to the families of the deceased. And to the rest of us who are still alive, there's a lot to be learned from the tragedy. 

AFS Penang Chapter State Interview

The interview will be held for two days, today and tomorrow at Moral Uplifting Complex in Macalister Road. I had to sacrifice my weekends for these two days, but since I enjoy doing it, why not? 

It started as early as 8am, with briefing for parents and also students. The students started with group interview, handled by  AFS Returnees before they will be called for individual interview by the AFS Penang Chapter committee. 

This year I will interview the students applying for the Year Program (YP) and Semester Program with Puan Noorliza. It will be quite easy because the students are actually paying for the programs. We only have to choose the candidates for the program to Italy because every year there will be many who applied to go to this country but only a few places offered. We would suggest other countries as their second option in case they failed to go to Italy. 

Last year Puan Noorliza and I interviewed students for YES Program, or also known as Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program. Students get to spend six month with host  families in USA, attend school for one semester and get involve with community activities there.  They are offered scholarships and we really have to choose the best candidates for this program, to represent Malaysia in the United States.

The first session of the state interview ended around 6pm. It will be continued tomorrow, starting at 8am.

SHARAPOVA WINS THE FRENCH OPEN!

Maria Sharapova became only the 10th woman in tennis history to win all four Grand Slam titles, overcoming a spirited challenge from Sara Errani to win the 2012 French Open final, 6-3, 6-2.  She won Wimbledon in 2004, the United States Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008.

Coming back from shoulder injury where most people would have called it a day, she stayed with it. She has the physical and mental focus that it takes no rehab. She completely conquered it, and kudos to that. 

"This is what I've always wanted to achieve. No matter how tough it was, no matter how many people didn't believe in me, didn't think that I could get to this point, I didn't care and I didn't listen. I always listened to my own voice, and it always told me that for some reason, I'm meant to be better. I'm meant to succeed again. 

And I did.

- Maria Sharapova-

Sharapova in the Finals and the Fall of the Big Four!

You might be wondering what and who is The Big Four! I'm actually referring to Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Yes, the great tennis players who always meet each other in the Grand Slams. But in the French Open 2012, only three, managed to move to the Semi Finals which will be held tomorrow, 8th June 2012. Andy Murray lost to David Ferrer who will meet his fellow countryman, Rafael Nadal in the semis. Maria Sharapova is in the Finals for the first time against, Sara Errani from Italy. 

I'm starting my blog for today with news about the French Open 2012, one of my favourite Grand Slams, after Wimbledon. Always been passionate about tennis since school days. 


Today, had a meeting with the committee of AFS Penang Chapter regarding the 2012 state interview for students applying for AFS programs this year. They are Kizuna Japanese Program, YES Program, Year Programs and Semester Programs. This year's interview will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 9th and 10th June 2012 at the Moral Uplifting Complex, Macalister Road, Penang. 

FINALLY....my blog!

Yeah, after so much dilly-dallying, I managed to start my blog. There's so much to write and share - stories, experiences, news, quotes, books, photos, music, movies, etc. 

I admit that I'm actually inspired by my old uni friend, who in spite of being so busy as a mother and educator, she still manage to write something, even though not every day. Thanks, Siti. I always learn something from your post. Your words of wisdom, without fail, since June 2002 has always been inspirational. Thank you.

Wow, what a coincidence, it's June now and it has been 10 fascinating, enjoying, marvelous, splendid, superb and wonderful years staying in Penang Island. I have never ever dreamed of staying and working here. It's a 2-in-1 package of working cum vacationing. The last time I had this kind of experience was when I was teaching in Sekolah Rantau Petronas, Kerteh from February 1995 until December 1998. 

I guess, 6 must be my lucky number because of all the days, I picked today, the 6th in the month of June, which is also number 6, to start my blog.  I hope I will be able to write continuously and update my blog, Insyaallah. 

A few years ago, the movie "Dead Poets Society" enliven a deep Latin phrase that most of us had forgotten: Carpe Diem. It means Seize the Day. It is an encouragement to live life to the fullest, getting the most out of each individual day. That is what everybody should do, LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

Unfortunately, many times we are so caught up in the details of day to day living that we just don't have time to Seize the Day! We've got datelines and commitments, problems and priorities, distractions and obstacles, and though we really want more fulfillment from every single day, it just doesn't seem to be within our grasp. 

So, happy reading and may you gain something from my blog and everyone is allowed to leave comments. But please, positive ones so that I could improve my blog posts.