Something that parents should ponder

I found this on FB and I couldn't agree more on her insights about the reality that we are facing now. Somehow all of us need to change our mind set and not to pressure our kids just because we are so narrow minded. I always believe that when you have the passion, you'll succeed in whatever field you want to venture in. It's not just about money anymore when you want to stay in the same job for a long period of time.

Take your time to read and ponder:

Me " So how was your A levels result? you did A levels right?"
My British friend "yeah. i got 4 As. it was the hardest test in my life".
Getting 4 As in A levels is no big deal, many Malaysians scored 4As or 3As in our Cambridge A levels or STPM examinations too. What shocked me back then, wasn't her excellent results, nor was her brainy conversation and immense knowledge on almost everything (We started our conversation on Utilitarianism). It was the choice of her course.

Unlike you and me, she didn't think that being intelligent is automatically equated to doing law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, actuarial science. Despite her clinical result in her A levels at the age of 16 (yes, she skipped hew years too) in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Advance Mathematics, she went on to pursue her BA in Classic Studies in Kings College London, (my Uni mate so to say).
CLASSIC STUDIES? whats that?
Like many of you, I don't even konw what was Classic studies at all. A classical studies degree embracing the study of all aspects of the cultures of Greece and Rome and their influence on later ages : literature, historical, archaeology and philosophy.
Just like everyone else, I proceeded to ask her the golden question. What do you want to become?
no. not investment banking. not lawyers, accountants, not teachers even.
Her dream was to become the Curator of the British Museum.
She went on to explain how she would chart her career path in the next 10 years, becoming a "lobbyist" for the museum, and how she was upset at how the Museum was run, and how she wanted to change the Museum, transforming it further. I saw passion in her eyes, and eyes don't lie.
And guess what, she wasn't the anomaly. Most who did well, who scored well, would end up pursuing either courses that they are really passionate at, or courses that are "traditional" in nature (as oppose to vocational). The most brilliant would pursue courses like Mathematics, Biology, Statistic, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Economics etc. I was told, that vocational courses like law, medicine, accountancy, engineering whatnot are for the second tier brilliant students.
It made me wonder, what was the whole idea behind Malaysians who scored well in exams, or certain Asian Countries for that matter, are always pressured to pursue professional courses as if they were the "right" and "only" way to go.
My first guess was due to this “ubah nasib miskin” mentality suffered by many elderly Malaysians. Malaysians who went through poverty in the 60s or 70s due to illiteracy and lack of education were adamant in ensuring that their children are educated and subsequently uplift the financial situation of the family. They arrived at the conclusion that being a professional was the way to go, based on what they see in the society during their time : Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers are “achieveable” professions with education (Unlike business which requires alot of soft skills, connections, and high barriers of entry). Little have they realized that appreciation level towards these professions has reduced gradually overtime due to massive influx of graduate entries.
These professions were undeniably highly sought after during the 70s, when the service and tertiary industries are beginning to catch up as a reflection of our economic boom. It ensures lucrative wages and salaries as compared to other non-professional career, mainly because of the lack of professional talent back then. This was caused by the difficulties for Malaysians back then to continue their studies to tertiary level. Now that almost 1 in 3 malaysians end up in university, the supply of professional talent is no longer insufficient : it has become an oversupply!
Many also didn’t realize that the demand of these professions were a result of better economy progression : There are more business and entreprenueral projects emerging, hence requiring the services of more Lawyers, Accountants ; ther eare more and more development project as a result of economical demand, hence requiring more engineers, quantity surveyors etc ; and to facilitate these business boom, there are more and more financial institutions emerged, hence raising the demand for financiers, Actuarial scientists etc. for Healthcare, people are more willing to “spend” to treat illness that they otherwise wouldn’t have if they’re poor. The Government is also “Rich” enough, compared to before, to spend more on the healthcare industry to ensure that those who are poor are taken care off.
Professionals, are “tertiary” industry, they are highly dependant on the spending power and economy power of those from the primary or secondary industry. If the overall business climate turns really bad, chances are that the demand for lawyers, accountants, engineers, actuarial scientists, etc will fall tremendously. If the Government or the People’s spending power is reduced, chances are that the service of sophisticated medicine will be disrupted too, causing a fall in the demand for medical officers. Blessed with relatively strong and healthy economy, the demand for professional services are stable at the very least. No, that was an understatement : the education system that we have also helped to ensure an “over-supply” of these professionals!

MOVING FORWARD

Moving forward, we would have to take either a step back to look at the chain of production that causes the over-supply, OR a step forward to see what should our future students diversify their career interest into.
A step back, and we realize that our graduates and students, as influenced by their parents, are more interested in indulging the “safety sense” of a professional career, with a professional paper. Once you’re Doctor, Once you’re an acocuntant, once you’re lawyer, youre ‘SAFE”. it can’t go wrong. you wont’ be broke. someone will definitely hire you. What they fail to realize is that this “HERD” mentality has deprived many young people from involving in entreprenural activities (or being groomed to excel in business) from the beginning to “CREATE WEALTH”. Professional bodies don’t normally “create wealth” through business or economical activities. They survive on the Wealth created by business man or entreprenuers who pay them for their services. People who create wealths has more economical and social stature and power, and they would help sustain and grow the demand for tertiary / professional services too!
A step forward, and you would see people joining my friend to pursue their passion. It’s time to move away from a “Career-that-promises-money-to-change-your-family-life-mentality”. Many of us are suffering from this mentality subconsciously without knowing it. Eveyrone wants to have their millions, etc. For what? for a better lifestyle they say. but is doing what they are doing now, give them a good lifestyle already? what if they are materially poorer, but spiritually or mentally richer?
It’s time for well to do middle class to encourage their kids to appreciate their talent and passion. This is how our society can grow stronger in the future.
Think, in the future when everyone is upper middle class, we would love to indulge in something mroe than just material. we want a good Art scene. We want Good museums, we want good railway system, we want good exercize coaches, we want good lecturers and professors, we want Good historians, we want good organic food etc. Why wouldn’t we prepare our future generation to undertake that sort of career which is going to be important to compliment our societal progresssion?
As responsible parent, we must STOP expecting our smart children with clinical results to confine their career choices to those that we were ‘envious of’ during our time, or during our parents time. Don’t vest your “grieve” or “hope” on your children based on your attributes. Help them to find their hope, help them to find their passion, and help them to achieve it. Don’t MOULD them into becoming doctors when they’re kid, and then tell them its “them” who wants to become doctor.
Whats wrong if a parent decided to bring their kids to DBKL and see how they do town planning? Whats wrong if a kid tells you he wants to run a museum? whats wrong if your child tells you he wants to build container?
don’t silence them off with your “doctor” choice. Malaysia is readied to move on. be prepared for that!
— P/S
this post is written in response to the situation where the application for medical placement in public universities outnumbered the seats offered by 1:3. 1000++ students with 4A in STPM or Matriculation applied for 400++ medical seats in public university : the reduction in seat offered was due to recommendation by the Malaysian Medical Association, claiming that there is an over-supply of doctors / housemen in Malaysia.

11 rules about life that you'll never learn in school.

Alone in a risky situation? What should a woman do............

1) What should a woman do if she finds herself alone in the company of a strange male as she prepares to enter a lift in a high-rise apartment late at night?
Experts Say: Enter the lift. If you need to reach the 13th floor, press all the buttons up to your destination. No one will dare attack you in a lift that stops on every floor.

2) What to do if a stranger tries to attack you when you are alone in your house, run into the kitchen.
Experts Say: You alone know where the chili powder and turmeric are kept.And where the knives and plates are. All these can be turned into deadly weapons. If nothing else, start throwing plates and utensils all over.
Let them break. Scream. Remember that noise is the greatest enemy of a molester. He does not want to be caught.

3} Taking an Auto or Taxi at Night.
Experts Say: Before getting into an auto at night, note down its registration number. Then use the mobile to call your family or friend and pass on the details to them in the language the driver understands .Even if no one answers your call, pretend you are in a conversation. The driver now knows someone has his details and he will be in serious trouble if anything goes wrong. He is now bound to take you home safe and sound. A potential attacker is now your de facto protector!

4}What if the driver turns into a street he is not supposed to – and you feel you are entering a danger zone?
Experts Say: Use the handle of your purse or your stole (dupatta) to wrap around his neck and pull him back. Within seconds, he will feel choked and helpless. In case you don’t have a purse or stole just pull him back by his collar. The top button of his shirt would then do the same trick.

5} If you are stalked at night.
Expert Say: enter a shop or a house and explain your predicament. If it is night and shops are not open, go inside an ATM box. ATM centers always have security guards. They are also monitored by close circuit television.
Fearing identification, no one will dare attack you.
After all, being mentally alert is the greatest weapon you can ever have.
Please spread it to all those women u care & spread awareness as dis is d least we can do for a social & moral cause and fr d safety of women.

Biar...............(BM entry)

Biar orang hina agama kita,
Asal kita tahu kebenarannya,
Jangan kita hina agama kita,
Dengan tidak melakukan perintah Allah.
Nabi Muhammad S.A.W mengajarkan pada kita untuk tenang dalam menghadapi pandangan buruk orang lain pada Islam..
Mantapkan iman dan bersatu dalam mengikuti perintah dan larangan Allah adalah cara yang terbaik bagi menyangkal anasir anasir negatif. Benar, muslim yang sebenar akan merasa terluka dgn cacian pada Islam dan Nabi, tetapi cara yang bagaimana kita nak tonjolkan agar Islam tidak dipandang remeh dan lemah...ikutila cara Rasullullah S.A.W iaitu melalui akhlak yang terbaik.
Selagi tubuh seorang muslim tidak terluka dan darahnya tidak jatuh ke bumi selagi itu bersabarlah dan kuatkan hati.
Berbeza pula dengan Syria, saudara saudara di sana perlu mengangkat senjata kerana agama,nyawa, keluarga dan negara dikecam dan hak mereka dicabuli sehabisnya...wahai saudara semua,,mohon doakan mereka yang teraniaya di sana,,,moga keselamatan mereka terjaga dan Allah telah menjanjikan Syurga buat mereka kerana ujian yang besar itu tersembunyi ganjaran yang besar.
Doa adalah senjata orang orang yang beriman..,in shaa Allah

WhatsApp VS Quran

Great Lesson for Our Children.

Let's tell this story during their bed time:

Once upon a time there lived a very wealthy and wise man named Abdullah. He had two sons. His oldest son was very hard-working and used to earn his living all by himself. He never asked his father for any money. The youngest son of Abdullah was a very lazy guy and was unwilling to work at all and used to spend all his time enjoying with friends. He used to spend his father’s money and lead a very luxurious life like a prince. Abdullah got too much worried about his youngest son’s situation and thought he badly needed to do something about it. So one day Abdullah called his youngest son and told him to go to the market and earn some money and put a condition that if he was unable to bring home any money he would not be allowed to have his dinner that night. Out of fear that his father would not allow him to eat his dinner, the youngest son went to the market, but didn’t find any work. He came home and went to his mother and told her about it. His mother could not see him sad so she gave him 20 pounds.

In the evening when Abdullah asked his youngest son to show what he had earned that day, the son quickly presented the 20 pounds note and told father that was his earnings of the day. Abdullah was a very wise man and from his experience he guessed that the money was given to him by his mother. So Abdullah told the boy to tear the note and throw it in the pool. The son did as he was instructed by his father.

The next day Abdullah sent his wife to her friend’s place and told his youngest son to go to the market and earn some money with the warning of being deprived of the night’s dinner. This time the son with a very sad face went to his eldest brother and told him his situation. His eldest brother was very kind and loved his brother very much so he took a 10 pound note from his pocket and handed to his brother.

In the evening when Abdullah asked his youngest son to show his earning, he promptly showed him the 10 pound note that his brother gave him. As Abdullah was a man of wisdom he suspected this time the son might have got the money from his brother so Abdullah told his son to throw the money in the pool. The son did just as his father told him to do.

The next day Abdullah sent his eldest son on a business trip and told his youngest son to go to market and earn some money. This time as there was no one at home who could help him the son went to a shop in the market and asked for some work. The shopkeeper told him to transfer goods from the van into the shop. The son could not refuse and by the time he finished with all the work he was sweating profusely. He was soaked in sweat from head to toe and his feet were trembling and he felt excess pain in his body.

The son returned home in the evening with 5 pounds in his hand. His first earning of his life. He showed the money to his father. Abdullah told his son to throw the money in the pool. The son was shocked and aghast and cried out, “O Father! How can you ask me to throw the money into the pool ? This is my hard-earned money. My entire body is aching and you are asking me to throw this money? ”

The father replied with a big smile, “Son, on previous two occasions you didn’t once hesitate to throw the money into the pool because it was not your money and you just didn’t care, but this time you got so horrified and couldn’t even imagine throwing your hard-earned money in the pool. That’s exactly how a person feels when he sees his fruits of labour being wasted.

The son realized how wrong he was and he learnt a great lesson and got to know the importance of hard-work and the value of money. He promised to his father and himself that he would never by lazy and earn money on his own so he could enjoy the fruits of his labour in the right way.

Meaningful quote.

Kuat ketawa? byk tidur? Kurang bercakap? Senang menangis? Apa maknanya ye...

Renung-renungkanlah dan cuba refleksi diri sendiri..............

Psikologist mengatakan:

1. Apabila seseorang itu terlalu ketawa terbahak-bahak biarpun hanya perkara kecil yang langsung tidak lucu dan kelihatan bodoh, dia sebenarnya seorang yang mempunyai jiwa yang sangat sunyi.

2. Sekiranya seseorang itu banyak tidur, dia orang yang kuat bersedih.

3. Apabila dia kurang bercakap tetapi pantas dalam berbicara, bermakna dia menyimpan seribu rahsia.

4. Sekiranya dia sukar untuk mengeluarkan airmata, dia seorang yang lemah.

5. Kalau senang menangis meskipun benda yang kecil sahaja, dia seorang yang berhati lembut.

6. Dan sekiranya dia cepat marah biarpun perkara sekecil kuman, itu bermakna dia perlukan kasih sayang.

Berusahalah untuk memahami orang lain, selepas kita memahami diri kita sendiri. Bukan 100% betul, tetapi ada sedikit kebenarannya disitu....

Spiritual Detox for Ramadan

 

SPIRITUAL DETOX FOR RAMADAN

1) Keep free from eating hi-calorie flesh (gossip) of others no matter how juicy.
2) Switch to fat free truths.
3) Avoid artificial tempers.
4) Do voice therapy by reciting the Qur'aan.
5) Purify ur eyes by crying in Dua.
6) Do hand reflexology by counting ur zikr on ur fingers.
7) Brighten ur smile by using a miswaak. 😬
Take the weight off ur shoulders by paying ur Zakaat.
9) Shrug of those extra kilos of sins by repenting.

Petua Awet Muda Cara Islam (BM entry)

Selalunya kita sibuk nak tahu rahsia awet muda. Mcmmana kosmetik yang kita beli sebab nak jaga aset muka. Ramai juga yang tahu sebenarnya ada cara-cara yang lagi mudah dalam Islam untuk mendapat awet muda. Yang penting kena bersihkan hati sebab kalau hati bersih, muka pun akan berseri-seri walaupun tanpa mekap.

Petua Untuk Awet Muda Cara Islam

Petua 1 : Sejurus bangun pagi,sebelum mandi dan gosok gigi, amalkan petua ini. Urutkan wajah kalian tu dgn air dari bawah dagu hingga ke atas dahi diiringi selawat nabi 3 kali. Amalkan setiap hari urutan ini.

Petua 2 : Sejurus bangun pagi,sebelum mandi dan gosok gigi, minum air dan biarkan ia di dalam mulut selama 10 saat dan sambil itu selawat 3 kali. Kemudian, baru diteguk. Air Liur ada enzim yang boleh jadi ubat.

Petua 3 : Amalkan memotong kuku atau rambut pada hari-hari yg baik iaitu Isnin, Khamis dan Jumaat. Selain itu, amalkan menanam kuku/rambut yang dipotong atau gugur.

Petua 4 : Semasa berdandan di waktu pagi baca selawat Nabi di kedua tapak tangan dan raupkan ke muka berserta niat dalam hati supaya di indahkan wajah seperti Nabi Yusuf. Amalkan setiap pagi.

Petua 5 : Untuk melihat wajah kita agak muda daripada umur kita, amalkanlah petua ini dengan jujur dan ikhlas. Senang sahaja, pertama, setiap kali selepas solat subuh bacalah surah yusuff, kemudian minum air suam sebanyak tiga teguk sahaja. Wajah kalian akan kelihatan muda daripada umur sebenar kalian.

Petua 6 : Hafalkan ayat 35 ~38 surah Al-Waqiah. Bacalah dalam hati setiap kali mandi untuk curahan pertama, mulakan dari kepala.

Petua 7 : Amalkan bangun pagi dan mandi embun. Usap embun dari hujung daun pada wajah, rambut dan kulit badan. Khasiat air embun amat banyak. Wajah kalian akan berseri dan tubuh badan menjadi sihat serta awet muda.

Petua 8 : Amalkan mandi air telaga sulung iaitu air telaga yang diambil pada waktu pagi sebelum ada orang lain mengambilnya terlebih dahulu daripada kita. Mandilah sebelum air telaga itu ditimba orang. InsyaAllah wajah akan berseri dan badan sentiasa ramping. *ni kalau kalian ada air telaga la yer.

Petua 9: Muka kita biasanya akan berminyak selepas bangun dari tidur. Inilah masanya untuk mengamalkan urutan wajah. Gunakan jari telunjuk kedua-dua belah tangan dan di letakkan di bawah mulut (dagu). Pusingkan jari kalian ke pipi, pipi ke hidung dan seterusnya ke bahagian dahi. Lakukan setiap pagi di susuli dengan meminum air suam sebelum mengambil sarapan pagi. Perlu diingat, jangan sesekali mengurut wajah kalian dari atas ke bawah kerana ia akan mempercepatkan proses kedutan.

 

Sama-sama kita cuba petua-petua di atas ye. 

 

The Most Wanted for now!

Do you have this now? If you do, you better use it whenever you are going out even for few minutes. This N95 mask has been sold out in most pharmacies and I myself are still searching to buy this to protect my family members and I from the worsen haze here in Klang Valley. If you still can't find this mask, you can always use any surgical masks or a damp cloth. 

How effective is this mask? Check out from other websites to find out more.

 

Fikir sblm kongsi: Nasihat dari Mat Luthfi yg bijaksana. (BM entry)

Biasa tak dengar nama budak Mat Luthfi ni? Tak tahu? Tak kenal?

Tak pe. Budak ni mula terkenal bila dia banyak buat video kat YOU TUBE dan video2 yg dibuat ada banyak nasihat dan apa yang dia katakan tu memang betul. Cara dia nasihat tu yang seronok bila tengok.

Ni salah satu video yang menarik dari Mat Luthfi ni:

Attention to MALAYSIAN DRIVERS!

It's a common problem in Malaysia when many of us just so lazy to turn on the signal or turn on the signal a bit too late. I agree with the advice in the photo above as I myself has encountered many incidents when I almost hit another car because the driver forgot to turn on the signal when he wanted to turn at an intersection. If it's a busy road, then the risk is higher especially when there's a blind spot. 

So, what can we do?

• Just don't forget to turn on the signal 100 feet before you turn at an intersection/junction. 
• Turn on the signal few minutes before you change the lane on the busy road or highway. 
• Turn on the signal few minutes before you want to stop at the road side.

11 commandments to parents.

This is just an article that I've got from FB. It has good points where we as parents always forget or pretend to forget. Let's read and change our approach towards our kids.

A CHILD’S 11 COMMANDMENTS TO PARENTS
1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball.
2. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.
3. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely, don’t restrict me unnecessarily.
4. Housework will always be there. I’m only little for such a short time — please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.
5. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs, don’t nag me all day long. (You wouldn’t want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you would like to be treated.
6. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by, and disciplining me in a loving manner.
7. I need your encouragement and praise, but not your criticism, to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.
8. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I’ll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.
9. Please don’t do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn’t quite measure up to your expectations. I know it’s hard, but please don’t try to compare me with my brother or my sister.
10. Please don’t be afraid to leave for a weekend. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids.
11. Please take me to house of worship regularly, setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning more about God.
Author Unknown

5 rules to live a happier life.

Salam,

A child is like a butterfly.

Salam,

Just want to share this nice quote:

Life has an expiry date.

Salam,

I read this amazing story on FB that can teach us a lot of things. Read it and I'm sure you'll reflect on how you lead your life.

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to cook food and every now & then I remember she used to cook for us. One night in particular when she had made dinner after a long hard day at work, Mom placed a plate of bread jam and extremely burned toast in front of my dad. I was waiting to see if anyone noticed the burnt toast. But Dad just ate his toast and asked me how was my day at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember I heard Mom apologizing to dad for burning the toast. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned toast." Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his toast burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she was really tired. And besides, A burnt toast never hurts anyone but harsh words do!" You know, life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years, is that learning to accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences, is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right and have compassion for the ones who don't.
ENJOY LIFE NOW.
It has an expiry date.:)

The acceptable & unacceptable time to sleep.

Salam,

I reckon most of us have heard about some acceptable and unacceptable time to sleep. But we still sleep during the unacceptable time especially after Fajr, right? I have to admit I'm also as guilty as charged. I hope to change the bad habit very soon when our kindy is officially open next week.

So, let's see this chart:

As good muslim, in shaa allah we need to follow this advice because it's good for us. There are some explanations why we can't sleep at certain time like after Asr, we'll feel disoriented, dizzy and weak when we wake up especially during Maghrib.  I think most of you know the other explanations as well, right?

Aspiring Quote.

Salam,

Simple Rules of Happiness.

Salam,

Jumaah mubarakah to all. Just want to share this today: