Temptations & Ambitions

Because I am lazy, I am not able to put up any new post here. 


Because I am lazy, I feel like it's holiday now. It is, indeed.


Because I am lazy, I'll just put up the draft titles instead of concocting a post which was supposedly to be here.

1. Kota Kinabalu Trip + The Proposal?
2. Melaka trip
3. Bridal Studio Hunt: The experience/advice of a groom?
4. If I were to to be in the Education Ministry, the syllabus of the History subject would be...
5. My Medical Check Up in Private Clinic was RM100- RM40(discount)?
   
6. Registration of Marriage: How it works, and my actual day is....
   

Recently, a friend had caught on a FB scam which requires SMS authentication.  Being one of the ones new to the cyber world and rarely being online + perhaps gullible, this friend got her phone number tied to the subscription to premium SMS. 

What is premium SMS, you asked?


Well, you know those numbers, "52530", "62333", (not postcodes, mind you!) that you send to and being charged ranging from RM 0.50 to sometimes RM12? Whatever they are sending you back, with the charges on you, are Premium SMS. Some are one-time fee, and some sucks out your credit periodically until it runs dry (for prepaid) or until you had a heart attack from the exorbitant phone bills that arrive via snail mail or e-mail (if you'd go green).


The problem is, such unscrupulous companies usually do not provide you with the option to terminate the service. Some may opt to change the phone line for that one mistake which was considered to be grave indeed, but of course, there is a better way which I had googled out to help a friend (Since I'd seldom subscribe to Premium SMS services, such problems seldom occur, and basically non-existent at the time being).

For your information, there is a Premium SMS Regulation in Malaysia to support consumers, although it is not so well known. To stop the service, any Premium SMS providers MUST accept either 2 of these to terminate their service, being "STOP", "STOP ALL", "BATAL", or "BATAL SEMUA". However, certain companies may have multiple subscription service, hence "STOP" or "BATAL" may return with a respond instruction to stop a specific service, such as "STOP GAMING", "STOP FOOTBNEWS", etc.

And so, my favorite command is "STOP ALL", simply because there are only 8 characters (including space) instead of "BATAL SEMUA" which consists of 11 characters (including space). Plus, it's universal, and suits me well with my lazy fingers syndrome. 

Thus, whenever you're in a premium SMS pinch, you know what to send back to that number.



*For more information on the Premium SMS regulations in Malaysia, you can go to:
http://clients.txtnation.com/entries/182820-malaysia-premium-sms-regulations

Traveling out of my usual comfort zone can be rather tiring. Across the ocean, up in the air, traversing the land on foot, through scorching heat and subsequent heavy rain with strong winds, all in a day. I was wondering if it could have been more dramatic. But oh well, I guess it is worth the journey. I am all smiles, and at least, I am not in a prepaid air-cond windowless room in Tune. Phew!


Next trip: Ipoh!

We fear. We always fear of the authority. Yes, we do.

But sometimes, you can say that our fears bring us nowhere.

In a camp where monkeys shout and scream, we tolerate and agree with them, not because they are right. It is all because of their loud voice.

Look at the parliament. Shouts and scream to prove who is right. Look at the religious places. Some employ shouts and screams to pass along the so called "rightful" message. In public speech, those who carries the most emotion wins. How naive can we get? Even teachers in Malaysia prefer the "I talk, you shut up and listen" 1-way interaction.

Or perhaps we are just afraid of trouble. Don't trouble trouble, unless trouble troubles you. This can be a right attitude, but we must be aware that we must at times fend for our own rights. And be aware that some others can be rather manipulative. But that does not stop us from being vocal. Must we wait until these self-appointed "authority" overexert their powers shall we start to take our maiden steps? Must we wait like the 7-year old kid brutally murdered by the religious teacher who assumes full authority on his own? Call me radical, but most of the time, prevention is still better than cure. I'd preferred a quick scuffle to sort things out, and to remind these "little Napoleons" that they are not invincible. We can take things into our own hands when needed.

To move forward, it is not just the government that must change. Everyone should change. A change from 3rd world mentality to a developed nation's mindset. There is no point in changing political parties if both are equally as horrendous.Can corruption really change if the opposition wins? It would still be the same workforce that execute the national plans, the same people who would offer bribes, the same few people who shirks JPA scholarship bond, the same few criminal mastermind. It is an uphill task, but let's start from somewhere. Be more vocal, and start putting your thinking cap as well. Besides, freedom of speech is useless if you speak from across the ocean. No point criticizing Malaysia if you escape your JPA/MARA/whatever bond.

And let's be nice to each other, shall we? I am sometimes amused by the fact that racism does not recognize skin color, but we all do. Perhaps we have a long way to go. I, myself, have a long way as well. Let's do it together.

Let's not be a nation of cowards, and be a nation of unity. :)

"A111010, Wong Yee Ming."


That was the only thing I heard this evening that would calm my furiously beating heart. The callout of the seemingly never ending list of names began as soon as our newly appointed Dean (and Director), Prof Raymond reached the gallery. I was glad that it was all over. The medical student's life. And yet I knew I would miss them in the future, I look forward in life for what awaits me. 

I guess I can never really get used to the title that comes with the course, but it signifies the 5 years journey of enduring the roller coaster ride. I had my ups and downs, in a place which humbled me, to show me how inadequate someone like me can be, to learn, to grow up, and to be seasoned with the valuable experiences that comes with the journey. I would have given myself a pat for completion of this long marathon, but I realize that this is just the beginning of yet another journey far more challenging. It is not just about a career in this line, but to juggle it with the reality of life, and to start a family as we go. I would like to plan far ahead, but would my plans proceed smoothly as it goes?

P.S: For those who know me well, I would be more comfortable if I'm being called by my very own name, Yee Ming. For others, it is optional, call me whatever you want, as long as it is my name. I wouldn't mind "handsome" though. :P

The air out of the window seems calm. After some 5 years, and hopefully the final gasping grasping moments, now comes the calm before the storm.



The long path seems never ending, walking on the narrow path of sturdy planks. You hope that you would reach the end all these while. In line with the school of what you may call compatriots, gliding down the last journey for most of us. To embark on a new journey.



 But then, all you see is yourself doing this:



And so, the question is, are we going to take this very leap of faith? Or to hold it for maybe, another 6 months for some unfortunate some (hopefully me not included).


All the best to everyone who would be facing the same fate as me. May God(whichever yours may be) bless you. All the best of luck.