Asian Youth Climate Workshop, Bangkok, 2009

The first time to Bangkok.

The first time into a UN meeting.

The first time marching protest for Climate Change.

It's all happen because of 350.org.

NGO fighting for 350ppm of CO2 level in our atmosphere

The most important number in this planet and the upper safe limit for CO2 level according to Scientists.

The workshop is meaningful and we learned some important skills such as media releasing, event organizing.

The most interesting part is the marching towards UN building.

What the Thai police did is protecting the crowd, unlike my country police, they look for the crowd and stop them.

Anyway, it was a fun event, few thousand people march for

a round 1.30hours, drums, banners, world leader masks, traditional costumes, a lot there!

Just received an email from UM friend, is journals that indicate CO2 level of more than 350ppm in the atmosphere is hurting our coral reef by massive bleaching. Current CO2 level is around 387ppm.

350.org is an international grassroots campaign that aims to mobilize a global climate movement united by a common call to action. By spreading an understanding of the science and a shared vision for a fair policy, we will ensure that the world creates bold and equitable solutions to the climate crisis. 350.org is an independent and not-for-profit project.

What is 350? 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Scientists measure carbon dioxide in "parts per million" (ppm), so 350ppm is the number humanity needs to get below as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. To get there, we need a different kind of PPM-a "people powered movement" that is made of people like you in every corner of the planet.

Hooray! Congratulation dear all!

To all my dear Award of Merit students,

First, I wish to congrats all of you guys did a very good job in yesterday!

Me and Wei Inn were so impressed by you guys! Especially the towing event!

It has been a long time for the training, and almost every training i almost lost my temper.

I have to apologize if I did any 'lost control' behavior or annoying faces to any one of you.

Frankly, is really not easy to train up a bunch of students like you guys to Award level. The gap is quite big. However, the improvement is amazing, awesome and I'm very proud of you guys!

Thanks for all the good and bad memories we all have together, especially my birthday celebration! haha...

Our journey do not end here, is just a beginning, aim for distinction level, then be a good instructor for the future water sapien generations.

I'm so sorry that this time I'm too busy with 350.org and my master. Also, the stupid spotlight causing the pool to close earlier which mean less training time for us.

Although I don't when will the Distinction exam be held, let's dont stop here, fight on and keep up the spirit!

Why I don't like to swim in USM swimming pool?

I think for most of my same kinds, there are less and less fun to swim in the USM pool.

I still can remember how happy am I during first year, to swim in the pool, after stop my training for about 7 years. That's what I check for after I received offer by USM, wow, there is a pool!

During my time as Junior Exco (S n R), we need to arrange events for outings, need to duty as Lifeguards, check the lifeguard room cleanliness, and of course, help monitor the lifeguard disciplines. But second year I'm still enjoy to do all this stuffs, although my results drop under 3.0.

During that time, we all still happy family.

LAst year, during my 3rd year, is a bad year for me.

Being a vice captain, I need to deal more with the higher authority, the pak cik (guarding the entrance), and also members from lifeguards.

When there are too many things come together, I still able to handle it.

But, when too many politics come together, I feel depressed.

Sports should be just sports! but our dear head of sports unit, is doing a great job to stop the development of student sports.

Let's say about the swimming pool.

This is happen recently.

Case 1, USM lifeguard corps

Unit Sukan hired 3 permanent lifeguards to duty at the pool without inform or discuss with USM lifeguard corps. So one day, 3 lifeguards suddenly pop up! and most importantly, they do not know anything about USM pool rules! They were not informed properly by the unit sukan (I dont think they should be called management nor administration unit).

This is a sign of not respecting students body. As being the most active lifeguard corps in Malaysia, Sports unit USM is trying to stop us from growing, ya, good job, USM lifeguard corps is going down. * And the so call permanent lifeguard is just sitting up at the entrance and look from there, teaching swimming while on duty. This is called PROFESSIONAL! Unit sukan really did a good job!

Case 2, Minden fencers

My friend is the founder of minden fencer, Abe Woo.

I still remember how hard to build it up in the starting point, exam month but every sunday we will gather at unit sukan for training to fence!

That time, our coach is Sir Lim Pei Jing.

he did contributed a lot to build this sports in USM.

Now, he resigned from USM. Why?

Sports unit accept another coach by just looking at the letter and never never consult the team.

This is another similar case, never respect others.

What a loss for Minden Fencer.

Don't think what University can do for you, think what you can do for the university!

bullshit!

How USM faces her students?

First, I need to clarify that I do love USM.

What I mentioned here is what my friends facing,

From undergraduate to post graduate.

Case No.1, How Sport Unit USM, handle us?

Just the key point, staff frame up student, then student been scolded by head. When defense, head will believe students or staffs? Usually staffs, I feel student is not their assets in their mind yet...

Case No.2, How Faculty staff, handle us?

When there is a whistle blower, the whole school staff will follow what our beloved P.M said, '1 Malaysia', but they are '1 school'. How to do that? but setting up the whistle blower as enemy. warn him/her, threaten him/her, give him/her problem when they need approval from school.

Another case that students are not treated as students.

Case No.3, How Supervisor for post graduate, handle post graduate?

When you finish your project, he/she will add on more work for you, and promise to publish a paper for you. Let say there is another P.H.D student under same supervisor. After you get all your works done and happily want to proceed to publication. your supervisor give all the work result to the P.H.D student to publish. AND no acknowledgement for you, althought you are the one did all the work, while the P.H.D did not.

Oh, this is very very unethical, as researchers, publication is very important. In order to become co-author, you need to involved in the projects, not just sit there and wait for the results.

There were other cases that I cannot remember, even as lifeguard duty in USM swimming pool, the 'professor' who came to swim will try to show off that he is a prof. Lifeguards want to make sure the safety and hygiene of the swimmer, so have to check and ask him politely. he ask lifeguard name, and say i'm a professor from KANITA. So what?

Even when high level people suggest an idea, the higher authority reject, but after sometime, the project idea have been used and never acknowledge the idea giver, some more took all the credit for it.

USM, you should treat students as your assests, not your burdens.

And Please don't use APEX to threaten your students anymore! You think student activists don't have any credit for getting the APEX status? Where are you when the judges ask students opinions? Where are you when the judges interviewing student activists?

I cannot see any sight that USMers want to change their ways of thinking, look at the attitude of some security guards towards students and those who drive nice cars, you can spot the differences!

Think of some scenes while I became as vice captain of USM swimming pool... I think should put up a post about why I dont like to go USM swimming pool next time... hehe...

USM wake up please!

What does Best Instructor Award means?

Best Instructor Award (BIA) by USM Lifeguard corps is a encouragement for me to take on more challeges in becoming instructor of higher level of life saving.

But, is my ability match the qualification of becoming an instructor? a best one?

Something is struggling in my head, among candidates for the real examination.

Attendance VS speed, which one should i choose? or should I let them decide themselves?

is the class that having worst attendance in my 2 years teaching. I wouldn't ask for more, is the student self initiative. As university students, you should be aware and be disciplines. As a USM lifeguard, you should be more self discipline.

As instructor, there are a lot of dissapointment on myself. I cannot fullfill my responsibility.

I cannot complete my task. I dissapoint my students who always attend the class.

2 more days to the real exam, I praying and craving for miracle.

Thanks to those who always attend the class on time and absence with a reason.( you know you are who)

All the best to all...

Greenpeace volunteers occupy Parliament to save the climate

Update, Monday 7pm: after nearly 28 hours on top of the Palace of Westminster, the remaining 31 volunteers have been been taken into police custody after ending their protest peacefully. Thanks to everyone who's been supporting them!

Update, Monday am: 31 volunteers are still ocuppying the roof this morning, 24 came down last night and were arrested and all have been bailed to return.

Fifty-five Greenpeace volunteers scaled the walls of the Houses of Parliament and are now occupying the roof to call for a new style of politics in Britain, one capable of rising to meet the challenge of climate change.

Tomorrow MPs return from their summer break and the government's own Committee on Climate Change will publish a progress report on UK carbon emissions. They make it clear that Britain is not doing enough to meet its commitments, and insist that a "step change" in emissions cuts is needed. With just 60 days go until the critical climate summit in Copenhagen - which faces a very real chance of failure as things stand - Britain has yet to show true commitment to making the process a success. We need politicians who are thinking about the next generation, not just the next election.

Taken from http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/

This is not possible in Malaysia....... yet.....

kekeke...

Expired water sapiens...

Was on the way to gym at 9am...

Saw the pool...with a bunch of swimmers doing training...

Want to go there but I didnt, i go straight to the gym...

Stop, and change my cloths, but the cleaner is washing the toilet...

My heart was not there, is in the pool...

I made an excuse that dont dirty the toilet, so...

I went to the pool and admirer those swimmers training in the pool...

Is not my time anymore...

Today only I found out... I still love swimming so much...

I thought I'm not a water sapiens anymore...I'm wrong...

Asian Youth Conference on Biodiversity arrival

The Nagoya castle which located just infront of my room, can see the tower from my window

At the lobby of KKR hotel nagoya, ditribution of room by viki

hilman(left, white cloth) from Malaysia

Viki, very cute girl

In the mini bus, transferring from airport to KKR hotel

Claiming luggage

Changi Airport, checking in...

USM blunder

Academic year 2008/2009, a special year for USM, my dear beloved university. 

We get our status as APEX U, we aiming to be best U in this region and go on top of the world...

But not yet reach one year of carrying this status, a terrible mistake had been made, an internet blunder where accidentally posted unfiltered admission lists. 

As parents, I think they will inform all their relatives and friends about their kids getting into APEX U, because they are proud of them! 

If I were the student, I will feel very very sad. 

If I were the parents, I will feel no face. 

So, who will tolerate with this blunder which made my family no face? (esp for chinese)

But is USM deserved a chance to correct her mistakes and be better?

of course! Why we need to blame for a mistake that already been made?

We should focus on how to avoid this to be happened again.

If this blunder happen again next year, woisheh! we will be famous and even myself cant accept this. 

Reading newspaper, everyday, there will be some politicians or reporters comment about USM blunder, everytime I read, everytime I hurt, is like someone you love being scolded for a mistake. 

As USM student, I also regret for the mistake USM did, but we are still USM students, Don't worry, we will support you and fly towards our goal in the future together! (not the ranking but the real effective education system) We love you, USM!  

Adrian Chek 

Graduate of pure biology (Microbiology) 08/09 

chekminfey@gmail.com

Kapas Marang Swimathon 09

My first swimathon at Terengganu, Swim from Kapas island to Marang with estimated distance 6.5KM. We went there on Friday morning by USM Van with total of 9 swimmers, 1 driver and 1 officer. The journey was uncomfortable due to the traditional Malaysian Road and the seats of the traditional van. 

However, I'm enjoyed the swimming of 2 hours 35 minutes with 25th placing in the MEN category. I trained my mental fitness with this event, physical fitness? I think I can be more fit... When I swim, I keep imaging the shark is following me, so I keep looking at both side, while I'm taking my breath with front crawl. A great experience! Awesome!

The journey, We are chinese, and I like cho dai di! haha! 

Reach the junction... Left or Right? You have a choice... we choose right...and it is right!

Reach Hotel Seri Malaysia, with serious face... Worrying about tmr event...

where to eat after swimathon?

Dinner time!Behind us is the Kapas island where we heading in the morning the next day and the starting point of our journey back to Marang.

We are not scare of YOU, OCEAN! we are USISM! HUKASHAKA!

The beatiful scene of Kapas island!

The welcome banner of Swimathon!

After dinner, we went for the jeti and have a photo session!

Lunch at Kapas island, before snorkeling...

Before the swimathon, in our room, orangers were ready for swim!

is 6am in the morning, so most are sleepy face...

We have completed the event! with medals as proof! USM Orangers Rocks!

With T-shirts, caps, medals, 100plus, mineral water, power bar towel awarded after complete event... The yellow T shirt is low quality and make my other shirts yellow too...

With Ungkur Azhar, National Triathlete, after swimathon, We met in USM-LSSM CPR Instructorship course as participants. He taught us tips on training for Open water swimming techniques. A great guy. 

The end of the Swimathon. We back to USM. and start my final exam of my final academic year.

When reach USM gate, I feel stressed... A feeling of run away surrounding me...

I hate it, and that's maight be a reason why my academic results were not that great...

The interest was not there, the education system was fixed and not fun. Most importantly, I don't think what i Learned in the lecture was applicable... So, is not 'so' meaningful and eventually that leads to low productivity study...

I think what i have learned in the swimathon was greater than what i had learned in my 3 years course for my personality building.

Is just training for fun!

The picture i like the most, see the level of our oars, the length of stretch, is nice and uniform...

The bridge, lake and USM rowers...

USM Chinese rowers

From left: YC, KY, Superman, Teo, Puki Hu and Chuah

Waiting for boat coming back...

Training session with Wudi Boat...

Blek! Pipo! Pipo!

Row Row Row... Terrorism?

Titanic v. MASUM 2009

MEN 4+ (Rower1-Romeo, R2-Puki Hu, R3-Superman, R4-Dog Man, Cox-Naja)

While waiting for parking...

UTHM MEN 8+ beside us, they reverse to let us go in, but... too late...

Our boat no.2 break into 2 and sank...

The funniest moment in the official training... Who can be more 'Yeng' ?

5 people in the water, 4 are lifeguards, only the cox-Naja, don't know water...

obviously the splash from who... hehe...

Don't worry, we are coming, UTHM are giving us moral support by smilling...

The funniest moment continue...

But Romeo dont want to step down...

OK! Start working by towing back the boat to the platform!

All of us were excited and enjoying, except Naja i think...

Swim! Swim! Swim! 

Is just a boat, relax... We are proffesional tow machine...

Chern Chung was chock by the Buoyancy Assistant jacket...

The so called technicians take over the boat...

If they are pro, this superb experience will never be happened...

Me just climb up from the water...

On the platform, Sharing experience with UTM guy...

We are number 1? hehe...

After taken a bath, walking towards USM base. I heard 2 Malay girls conversation...

Girl 1: Hey, hey, did you heard of titanic happened just now?

Girl 2: Really? I heard alot people mentioned just now when I landed from kayak training. Is it true?

Girl 1: Ya, it's true! It's true! 

I laugh inside my heart... Win or not doesnot matter, we won in the training, we want 'Yeng'! 

We popular now...wakakaka...

SEM of filter paper degradation...

Control for this experiment, culture medium without D1 bacteria, Hence, the degradation of this filter paper is mechanical.

This is the bacterial culture, filter paper already degraded into pieces, Both pictures taken at the same time, incubated at 30C, 180 rpm around 4 days or till degradation observed.

This is one of my experiment in my final year project, isolation and sceening for cellulolytic bacteria...Filter paper is made from alpha-cellulose, hence, cellulolytic can survived with cellulose/filter paper without any other carbon source in my culture broth...

Here are some results, imaging by scanning electron microscope in E.M unit USM...

Ny tissue culture staining method, HMDS...

This is the filter paper surface without bacterial enzymatic degradation, set as my control...With 50X magnification

 

This is the filter paper surface after enzymatic degradation, filter paper becoming strips, all the linkages have been broken down, is like Maggi Mee...With 50X magnification

This is degraded part in the filter paper, with 500X magnification, I will zoom in the middle right strip in the next picture

This is the 5000X magnification, bacteria can be seen on the strips, especially the left part, the right part seen smooth from the surface, but how about the inside?

The whole pic showing thousand of bacteria 'chewing' on the filter paper and make it become sponge-like materials...with 2500X magnification

5000X magnification showing a pic with clearer view of the bacteria and 

the way of attacking cellulose

In this experiment, We focus on 2 topic, that is the effect of the enzyme produced by cellulolytic bacteria, cellulase on the filter paper structure and surface areas. This can be showed by the 50X magnification picture, control is the one with whole linked cellulose surface while Filter paper infested with D1 showing a maggi mee like structure, all the linkage were broken down...

2nd key is the way of attacking cellulose by bacteria D1, from the picture, Dr. Razip and me suspect that they are attacking from the inside out, hence, the surface of the filter paper is smooth and non-degraded, however, further investigation should be done to know what and why happen...