Higher Education means Higher Career Prospect or Higher Debt ? Just Want to Rant!

As I'm writing my chapter 4 and 5 of my thesis, I have a strong sense of regret that I actually decided to pursue a Bachelors Degree after I completed my Diploma back in 2008.

It has been 3 years I'm at UCSI University, when I enrolled back in September 2008, they were still known as University College Sedaya International. But not long later, the Ministry of Higher Education recognized them as University status. But truth to be told, I don't feel any difference at all weather it's UCSI or UCSI University considering that nothing changed. They were the same old academic staff (our lecturers), with half-ass-ed facilities available. Library is half ass-ed, not to forget the online database for journals itself, is not even worth wasting my time login in. Thank god for a friend who's studying at University Malaya, I get all the awesome journals from their database. Oh wait, I actually forgot there is a difference when I receive my bills, they were more expensive!

Alright, enough about UCSI University already. This whole blog post is about my personal opinion on myself getting a Bachelors Degree.

From what I've calculated, I've spent RM36,000 at UCSI University since September 2008 until today, and these are for tuition fees, facilities and extra curricular activities fees - which are unnecessary extra charges just to suck up our pockets dry and bloat up the share holder's pocket. And additional RM7,000 back in TAR College for a 2 years Diploma course. That's about RM43,000 in total, these not including my petrol money to travel, crappy BUT expensive food in the campus (yeah, if you get my sarcasm), papers and cartridges to print my assignments, caffeinated drinks that I needed to survive the sleepless nights to do our look and sound like very important but useless assignments. Let's just say I spent RM1500 per month for all those necessasity stuffs, that makes up RM18,000 a year. RM18,000 x 5 years = RM90,000.

Holy crap! I've wasted RM133,000 in total to pursue a piece of paper that says "BA (Hons) Psychology", and hopefully that piece of paper could land me an interview, secure a 9am-5pm (but usually that means 8am-8pm or even later) as a fresh graduate with a pay of RM2,500, RM2,800 if I'm lucky. ALL IN THE NAME OF JOB SECURITY !!??

 It's funny how things started in 2005, that's 6 years ago. 

And a new chapter began on the morning of 6th of May 2011.

It Has Been A Year ...

since I'm studying at UCSI University ... I've been forcing myself to sleep on the bed that i've made. I would actually prefer studying about Health & Fitness and Sports Science. But, whatever now ...



Every end of a semester, getting to strike off the subjects with red highlighter makes my heart rate goes very high, excited to get all strike off and then graduate with my BA(Hons)Psychology.

Hueahuhea ... 1 year to go baby ... 1 year !!

It's decided ...

Based on my instinct, I have to quit BJJ for the sake of not exaggerating the condition of my herniated disc.

Passion and interest aside, what is essential comes first, which is my physical health in this context :)

SHAPE Malaysia September 2009 Issue - Ask The Trainer section

Grab your September 2009 copy from the nearest news stand today!

Some celebrities related work I did

Last month I shoot with the Creatix team at Cosmopolitan's Pamper Suite during Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2008 at Genting Highlands.

You may see some of the shoots from me here. Particularly shoot of Fizo Omar, Mawi + Ekin and Liyana Jasmay + Ainul Aishah are by me. Other photos that are uploaded at Cosmopolitan's blog are taken by teammates.

I Want To Be A .....

A close friend of mine was hanging out in my room last night - and I told her that I kinda regret studying at UCSI now. It's not because of UCSI, but it's studying itself. She asked me why, I could not answer her. "It's just a shitty feeling" I said.

As I was watching videos of BJJ fights and some other training videos - She asked me " What happen to you BJJ training?"

"Where got time to train - see my schedule so tight. The worst thing is all the training centres are damn far away - Kota Damansara bla bla ... " I asnwered her.

"Perhaps that's why you feel shitty - you missing all your trainings and things you love due to your tight schedule from University."

Bingo! She got the answer right.

Going for the Pull-ups

Randomness

March just ended 2 days ago, we've enter 1/3 of the year.

March has been an extremely busy month for me due to University assignments - which are mock thesis, and also my first wedding shoot as the main photographer - it turn out great, and I can't wait to deliver the photos to the couple once I do a final round editing after 6th April, after submitting my final project for this semester, which is a headache for almost everyone in Psychology Research Methods 2 class.

Although being heavily occupied, I managed to start training BJJ again, with a very bad physical conditioning now - I puked on my first training session, but I managed to gain momentum classes after classes. 3 weeks later, 4 of my teammates - Aaron Goh, Fang "Sakuraba", Eugene "Kenu" Lee & Raul Tapia were promoted to Blue Belt by Marcos Escobar & Chico Mendes. I am very happy for their promotion and that's what they deserve for their commitment and hard trainings in BJJ. Their promotion to blue belt and some other white belts who had gained stripes motivates me somehow - I don't want to be left too far behind from my teammates. Kiasu :)



Enjoy the video while I continue struggling with my Final Project write up - which is also BJJ related.

Get To Know Myself Better

Did a Personality Test that sounded like a game, something like RL Stine's Give Yourself Goosebumps, and I find it quite accurate.

Your view on yourself:

You are intelligent, honest and sweet. You are friendly to everybody and don't like conflict. Because you're so cheerful and fun people are naturally attracted to you and like to talk to you.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:

You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?

Your views on education

You may not like to study but you have many practical ideas. You listen to your own instincts and tend to follow your heart, so you will probably end up with an unusual job.

The right job for you:

You have many goals and want to achieve as much as you can. The jobs you enjoy are those that let you burn off your considerable excess energy.

How do you view success:

You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.

Who is your true self:

You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.

Pre-marital sex discussion in class

It goes like this, we were asked to discuss about so-called taboo issues, from homosexuality, pre-marital sex, abortion and yada yada the list goes on.

Our group choose pre-marital sex because we think it's fun. Why fun? try it and you'll know. HAHAHA! one girl group member actually said that to me lah ok...

One group member said, " Damn! Pre-marital sex is soooo taboo lah for me "
"Ok then, let's discuss about Post-marital sex then " I replied.
Everyone laughed, although I never thought it was funny.

After 20 minutes discussion, we were asked to present our point to the class, and the last point made the whole class went " huh ?? " for a second before breaking into laughter. The lecturer was kinda stunned too ..

" Pre-marital sex is like test driving before buying ".

Make sense? in a way also lah, girls won't want to marry some impotent guy right?
and same goes to guy, who wants to marry a girl who can't fuck or ok lah, fuck properly. lol

Yes, that is a point that I actually mentioned. But then it's all the girl's fault also lah.

Got one girl actually told me "I don't wanna marry and only know that my husband can't fuck me on the special night". Another one told me " I don't wanna be the one teaching him how to fuck"

Coming from girls, I'm loving it ! hahaha!

Short Reflection

I've arrived safely in Penang about 2 hours ago, only to be kept awake by the caffeine that I consumed to keep me alert while driving back here, my father took over later on for the remaining 70++km before arriving to Butterworth.

As I was sitting and relaxing, I did a short reflection;

I will be turning 21 this year. I used to think that "I am still young and I have plenty of time". But this few days a feeling in me that somehow made me uneasy was " I am young, but not too young in a few years time ". I used to live with the excuse that I am still young, therefore it's fine to be ignorant when I don't know about something, but soon that excuse will come into expiry as my age grows. Responsibilities are getting heavier as well.

Personally, I think there is no reason for me to be procrastinating and thinking I still have plenty of time anymore. Things that are needed to be done, should be done as soon as possible. Opportunities that arises should be appreciated and made use of.

If I were to look back what I've allowed in the past 5 years, since 2004, I am indeed glad and never look back to my journey of my growth that made me what I am today. Nothing great, nothing big, I only did small things with love, and still allowing it.

Short Reflection

A close friend of mine asked me out for lunch a while ago, I had to turn her down as I've taken mine earlier and as I am also preparing for a Management Course later at 3pm. She was taken to surprise that I am even attending course on Sunday.
She reminded me about trips that we've planned together with our close friends, but failed to materialize.

I paused for a moment after reading her reminder.

Something to reflect on .... That I have been so busy attending courses here and there, volunteering my services and life with University.

Reflections of 2008

Hmm .... some reflections of things that has taken place this year ...
I won't be reviewing too much of my thoughts here, somehow it's too messy for me that I don't know where to start.

1. Did my internship at UKM Medical Centre, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Unit as a Trainee Counsellor.
( I have to thank Dr Phang Cheng Kar who helped me with the application procedures etc. )

2. Diagnosed with a herniated disc on L5/S1.

3. Joined a blind date organized by The Star Education Section, which was something I never thought I will be doing in my life.

4. Got myself to become a certified Emergency First Responder to fulfill ISSA's requirement.

5. Kicked my smoking habits.

6. Started a relationship with my blind date unexpectedly, and only to end it 6 months later.

7. Getting Aunty Nancy to buy and bring me an iPhone from Hawaii.

8. Getting my batch of honor as a grappler, cauliflower ear.

9. Joined True Fitness as a Fitness Instructor and left within a month after deciding to pursue my Degree instead of switching course. But of course, partly because it was an unexpected conditional offer from UCSI for me to be enrolled into their programme.

10. Getting myself certified with ISSA after months of delaying my examination submission.

11. Graduated one semester later from TAR College with Diploma in Social Science ( Counselling )

12. Wanting to start training with Escobar BJJ team after Brutal BJJ team dissolved after Quico left for Bali. But only managed to train there twice ( once with Quico taking over Marcos's class when he was away for competition, once open mat ) due to various reasons.

13. Started to enjoy working out at the parks, terminating my 1 1/2 years old membership with Fitness First.

14. Started to shoot in weddings as an assistant photographer and enjoying it to the fullest in the process of learning and improving my skills.

15. Being suspected as a homosexual.

I'm looking forward to challenges in 2009 ^_^

Something to ponder about ... Pt 2

I never thought that I'll be getting weird reactions through my instant messenger not long after making the earlier post. And getting such attention wasn't my intention at all.

Trust me, I'm still straight despite the post I made earlier.

So, to all my male friends, no worries, none of you stand a chance anyway even if I'm not walking the straight line. Unless you look like ..... well I got no idea who?

Anyway, the bottom line is that I'm only interested to date girl(s) :)

Cheers !

Something to ponder about ...

After a wedding dinner shoot with the team, while heading to the nearest cafe for supper, I took a bunch of leftover flowers. Our only girl photographer, Lea started a conversation with me;

Lea: Taking for your gf ah??
Me: Huh? gf? I got no gf.
Lea: hmm ...
Me: But I got bf la ..

Lea Stares at me for a momment, silently.

Lea: Huh?
Me: What huh? yeah you heard it right, I got a bf.
Lea: *Tone goes up* I've suspected from the beginning !!! ( in a serious manner)

Teammates laughed ! While I stare at the mirror, pondering which part of me actually looks that I'm into boy-boy relationship ?

After sitting getting ourselves a table, Lea asked me;

Lea: Really ah?
Me: What really?
Lea: Really ah?

Another teammate, Vin joins in;

Vin: Aiya, really or not also doesn't matter la .. don't have your share.

HAHA! I'll stop about our conversation here.

That was after the dinner. On the same day, same morning, my boss actually said to me I looked gay, so it's better for me to be shooting the ji muis more than the heng tais, just in case I might scare them off. And that night, such conversation happened.

Well ... what can I say? Am I really turning into one of them after going through what i've gone through ? Especially the most and very recent one.

You'll never know, things are subject to changes after all :)

Fruitful Semester Break

I'm currently having a fruitful semester break.
Learning and experiencing new things.

p/s: Some of my photos has been used for Nalanda Buddhist Society's publication lately.
Have a look at them at www.nalanda.org.my. Check out Nalanda Bulletin, Community and Nalanda's Post Event Photos.

I'm also looking forward to my 1st wedding photo shooting soon. Hope everything goes well ^_^

Oh, Finally lahh ...

My resit paper result were released an hour ago.

Result

AHLA3154

METHODS OF RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY & COUNSELLING

B+

So I finally managed to obtain my Diploma in Social Science, 1 semester later than expected.

If only the result above were to appear on the transcript back in May 2008, I would probably be a student of this course right now.

From C- , became B+ , not bad right, a bit more become A-
Aiyah!! terlepas one A !

Continuing Education - Professional Responsibility.

As a Certified Fitness Professional, keeping up our education is probably the single most important aspect of ensuring success in the business next to providing the best care possible for our clients. Virtually every profession requires continuing education, and the Personal Training profession should be no exception. As a fitness professional, our clients and their families entrust their bodies and lives to us, and turn to us for questions and advice. We must be able to provide them with accurate, current information, and the only way to do that is to continue our education.

I am glad to have completed this continuing education course. I certainly have a better understanding now on various lower back pain(LBP) conditions in terms of it's major anatomical, physiological, skeletal and risk factors of LBP, therefore would be able to design safe and appropriate exercise programmes for people with Lower Back Pain conditions.

Clay Aiken - Invisible

The Click Five - Jenny