Gong Xi Fa Chai To All

I wish to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New year 2012. Everyone is excited about the year of the water dragon. It will be indeed a challenging year for most of us. That is what most of the soothsayers, astrologers and fortune tellers are telling us. My simple thoughts ~ you have the dragon which has been depicted as fire breathing doom bringers, then you have the water. Two elements of the water dragon neutralising one another. But both elements can also be destructive too. Fire has been known to be a force of destruction and civilisation as depicted in the bible stories of Sodom and Gomorrah. Raiding barbarians in ancient times used fire to stamp their mark by burning down anything that stand in their way. Water in the form of tsunamis and raging floods can also leave a ferocious wave of destruction.

So looking at the force of these two elements, we ask ourselves again, what is in store for us in this Year of the Water Drago. Both elements if used wisely can bring prosperity, peace and health to our well being. A friend tried to explain to me that the myths of Western and Eastern Dragons were different as the Chinese dragons require water for power. I agree with him totally as we can see how nuclear reactors for example need a lot of water to channel its 'good' energy. Picking from this I guess I have to say that the key to prosperity, peace and health is about balance and moderation. One must not be too greedy as a means to gain quick wealth. In earning abundance once should learn to practice charity and goodwill, giving back to society. It means a journey to long term prosperity and respect. Extremism in either direction, be it leftist or rightist brings war, terrorism and destruction. In moderation, acceptance and tolerance, peace can given a chance. Balance in mind (work and play) and body, in the food we take and drinks we consume means the road to good health. Yes, I have to say the Water Dragon has a lot to teach us as we journey together with it,

Be the idea of Western or Eastern dragon, its good to collect the good ideas be it from the East and West. That was how spaghetti was introduced in Italy and tea in Britain. In contrast, too much of the bad thing like opium introduced by the West to China led to its downfall. The best option is to embrace Balance. That I believe how Samsung and iPhone came into existence. To balance this I bought a Blackberry.....hahahahahaha!

Some nice fireworks scenes i captured from my neighbourhood in my hometown Sibu on Chinese New Year Eve

Sibu town was transformed into a 'war zone' temporary as my neighbours lit the skies with their colourful fireworks

Happy Chinese New Year 2012 to all from Nada Nama Nama. May we discover the balance we seek within the Dragon in us and use the energies wisely. Gong Xi Fa Chai 2012. 

Hello and Goodbye

There is a saying that goes 'All good things must come to an end'. So it will be for my tour of duty in Sri Aman Division. I started off quite jittery after having spent most of my time in headquarters. The ground zero experience is a very humbling one. Being the next person after the Resident is no easy task and one has to possess the knowledge that a divisional head administrator must have. Sometimes you just have to use your gut feeling when the occasion requires it.

There were many challenging moments on record each and everyday in Sri Aman but none would be as memorable as the SK Nanga Klassen bridge story. Most of it has been documented in this blog. Education and the well being of schools has always been in my heart and as I had opened the SK Klassen story, I will also close it with the SK Klassen story.Thus it is my wish that in future, many more charitable organisations would focus on chipping in to the development of schools and education not only in Sri Aman but also the other rural areas in Sarawak.

Kuching Rotary Central President Mr. Juergen Ertl symbolically handing over bicycles and letter of intent to provide free eye screening and health screening (deworming tablets) to the Headmaster Mr. Masan @ David Renang witnessed by the District Governor Tuan Haji Zaini Abdul Aucasa with the Rotarian members and also representatives from the school. The coordinator Mr. Chieng Lee Chin is second from the right. The event was held at Riverside Hotel, Kuching.

Kuching Rotary Central has kindly agreed to select SK Nanga Klassen for its rural outreach program and this includes the giving of bicycles, free eye screening and spectacles and deworming tablets. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Kuching Rotary Central for their kind contribution. Its member Mr. Chieng Lee Chin, who is instrumental in starting this effort has worked with me on the rural outreach program since last year and it will not be the last. In fact these contributions which bring meaning to the students in the rural areas is encouraged and I have discussed with corporations and banks on how they may chip in to motivate rural students. But with this effort in Sri Aman, so far only Kuching Rotary Central and NSTP responded positively in 2010, 2011 and this year. In 2010 the NSTP came in to assist four schools from their "The Mines Beneficiary Schools- Funds from Charity Golf with Gary Player" as described in Cikgu Charles' Dare To Dream blog.

Headmaster for SK Klassen in 2010 Mr. Sylvester Embuas receiving mock cheque from NSTP's The Mines Beneficiary Schools- Funds from Charity Golf with Gary Player on Feb 2010

Hostels are never five stars in rural schools

Furniture, cupboards are not always the IKEA standard

The kindergarden students do not mind a three legged chair

You can take a bath here if there is water and the toilets won't pass tourist standards

These students (the youngest i met is Primary Two) in Lubok Antu at SK Ulu Engkari and they stay in the hostel far away from their parents and home

The feedback I get from large corporations is that the Ministry of Education or Department of Education would have all the schools' needs in their list. Yes they have and its a long list and the priority is focused on basic infrastructures. That is where the gap is and at times the sponsors usually are not sure on how to go about in giving assistance. Hopefully more organisations may consider this form of rural outreach program in future and work closely with the Resident Office or the Divisional Education Department. Drop by and have a look for themselves if it needs be, talk with the Headmasters, students and teachers. Contributions can also be in the form of library books, computers, furnitures, mattresses (for residential school) or they can just go to the school of their choosing and identify what the school needs and how they can assist. Study tables or table lamps are the simple stuffs they may donate. I am sure the schools will oblige in providing the necessary cooperation.

Though i felt under dressed with everyone wearing coats and neckties at the Kuching Rotary Central event the t-shirt Mari Berjumpa is a new year gift from YAB Prime Minister so it was meaningful to wear it then as YAB's Department had given the SK Klassen a solid bridge to replace the fragile hanging bridge last time.

Once again i wish to express my gratitude to all those who have in one way provided their assistance. Though you may feel its a little thing but it brings significant meaning to the young students. Thank you for the lessons Sri Aman, I will miss the companionship and God Bless you all.

Changes in 2012

2012 has come. In fact its a week into 2012. Nadai Nama Nama has been in deep thought on what lies ahead. The new year will certainly be new in many aspects.

A new beginning is in store for this blog too as I will be working in a new challenging frontier. Being transferred back to Kuching after a three and half years stint in Sri Aman means some form of adaptation to city life again. Not much wildlife snapshots, maybe just photos of wild men working hard in their cubicles. The job is also new as I will be joining the Human Resource Management Unit of the Chief Minister's Department this month. What more with all those new gadgets coming into the market and apps that goes with it makes work more exciting. Actually I will try to apply them into my work so as to improve my team's productivity. There is a lot of catching up to do as the State Government's Sarawaknet Portal has been upgraded to make it more interactive among the officers in the service wherever they may be. So I am a bit behind in using this new communication platform as some of my colleagues seem to be armed with the latest smartphones and tablets. What is encouraging is that it will allow for easier networking with those in the different departments. So I will have to keep up with my fellow comrades. Let's make this investment by the State Government,  a combination of technology and humans, worthwhile to improve service delivery. It will be a waste if the standard of service we offer remains status quo even with the changes. Let's begin the transformation process.

Deja Vu

That familiar 'feeling' when the new year arrives and the previous one comes to a close is making its presence now somewhere in the corner of my heart. Its that time of the year again where we start picking up the phone or start clicking on the computer to send out greetings to relatives and friends that come to mind. Some of us who have more time or who are meticulous by nature will actually have a list of 'must contact/must send wishes' list. it is like buying Greeting Cards where one starts counting how many many to buy and also to ensure there is enough stamps to accompany those envelopes. Boy, we really kept the postmen busy those days. That is one familiar exercise that would go missing in this deja vu as we tend to get only bills and sales promotions brochures in our mailboxes now.

Similarly, it is the time also to always remember the so many annual gatherings that we hold at almost during any festivities. Its something that we as Malaysians will be famous for as there are so many 'New Year' Celebrations that come to mind. Apart from this Roman calendar New Year of 2011 to 2012, we have the Chinese New year also coming soon. Some of us Ibans consider Gawai Dayak sometimes in June also as our New Year. But the meaningful part which has deja vu sense is the gathering of friends and family during these special occasions.

The funny Mr. Beans also needs friends to make his New Year celebration meaningful

It is during these gatherings where family bonds and friendship ties are strengthened. The younger members of the families will meet their cousins and it will during this time that new members will be introduced in the joyful family/friends reunion environment. It is also during these times that we will update about fortunes and share experiences, be it bitter or sweet.

In summary I would have to say the year 2011 has been one of the most challenging year. Not only for me but also for the family. I can dabble on and on about the early moments of 2011 when I was in the thick  and thin of preparing for the State's 10th State Elections and the Pesta Benak 2011 in Sri Aman but for this post I would just like to give thanks to the Lord Almighty for having us go through one of the most difficult phase when my dad underwent a major operation in August 2011. Though he went through the operation with flying colours, it is the many months of recovery that was most trying. This year end gathering was made more significant as we celebrated dad's 72nd birthday. The sense of deja vu was strengthened as everyone was around during the family roll call giving toasts and sharing their thoughts through short speeches.

Dad blowing the '72' candles on his birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Dad....we love you. So to all the netizens of the world who come across my blog, wherever you may be, at home with your own gathering, at a concert somewhere or in restaurants.....or just alone in your room......Happy New year everyone. I don't have any greeting cards to offer, but I send to you my New Year greetings through my humble blog. May we leave the fond memories of 2011 and learn from its hard and not so sweet lessons if any. Let it enrich us with the experience to face the new year 2012. Keep the faith, let the love flow and go through this life doing the Lord's noble work of making this world of ours a better place. Peace and Prosperity to all.

Twitter Members Meet Up in Kuching

Sarawak Bloggers and Faradale Media with DIGI are organising a meet up for the Sarawakian twitter members or 'tweeps' at tHe Spring on 10th December 2011. According to The Borneo Post the event is full of fun filled activities where members can get to play various types of games while meeting up with their twitter buddies.

Below are some snapshots on what to expect at the meet up. To those going there enjoy yourselves.

Congratulations and well done to all the organisers and participants for the success of the event.