Pesta Ang Pao UMS 2009

Pesta Ang Pao (新春联欢晚会) is an annual event in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). This event normally will be held before Chinese New Year. This is an event which is held to celebrate the coming of Chinese New Year with all the students in UMS of all races. Pesta Ang Pao UMS 2009 was held on 17 January 2009 in UMS Chancellor Hall.

The event starts at 7:00p.m. and ended around 11.00p.m. The moment I arrive in Chancellor Hall, there’s already a lot of student waiting to enter the hall.

Before entering the hall, there is also an exhibition outside the hall. Here is the Sabah King Of Tea performing how to make a good tea. Well, I don’t really interested in tea so did not look for detail. However, making tea is one of the Chinese cultures.

There are lots of performances in Pesta Ang Pao UMS 2009. These event are such as singing the theme song of Pesta Ang Pao UMS, Moden Dance, Lion Dance, Chinese Opera, Mongolia Dance, Koir, Chinese Orchestra, Chinese KungFu(), Che Ling, Drangon Dance, Chang Shan Dance and many more.Among all the performance, there is two of them which I wanted to share with all my readers. Two of these performances are the one I enjoy the most throughout the Event.

The first performance which I enjoy is Che Ling (扯铃) or call diabolo in english. This performance is performed by the student from SJK (C) Shan Tao Kota Kinabalu. Diabolo is a traditional Chinese game which generated long time ago. It is one of the kids game. Diabolo is a juggling prop consisting of a spool which is whirled and tossed on a string tied to two sticks held one in each hand. By doing lots of training, many unbelievable trick can be done by this simple juggling game. I never play this before but it seems not hard to do the simple move.

Second performance which I enjoy it Bian Lian (变脸) or Changing Face. This is what I call one of the Chinese Magic Trick. Since the reign of the Qing Dynasty Emporor, QianLong (乾隆) about 300 years ago, this performance already exists. The face changing (变脸) is a culture of Chinese Sichuan Opera. The performer can change the Sichuan Mask in magically quick succession. They change their painted mask by flourish their arms and twist their heads. Enjoy the video below. The performer really did very well and I still wondering how he changes his mask without using hand.

Besides those two performances, Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, Chinese Orchestra from Sekolah Tinggi Kota Kinabalu and Choir team from SJK (C) Chung Hwa Likas are also very interesting. However, I don’t manage to the photo due to the lighting condition in the hall which not allows my camera to take quality pictures. It is too dark and I’m sitting quite far from the stage.

Overall the event was not as interesting as I though although the performance was interesting. I still feel that there are still lots of improvement can be done. The organizers should try to introduce the background of the performance and also our Chinese culture rather than making some cold joke before each performance was started. However their effort to entertain the audience is there although their jokes really cold till we hardly open our mouth to laugh. Hopefully Pesta Ang Pao 2010 will have more improvement.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah Press Conference

On 15 January 2009, Universiti Malaysia Sabah had organized a press conference in SKTM. This press conference is mainly for letting the outside world know the achievement of Universiti Malaysia Sabah in year 2008. On the day, media friends have been invited to SKTM. So what is the achievement s of UMS in 2008? Well, UMS had won two champions from two competitions which is Freescale Smart Car Competition and Technical Presentation in National Chemical Engineering Symposium (NACES) 2008.

Freescale Smart Car Competition is a competition held by Freescale Semiconductor Malaysia Sdn.Bhd. and The Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Malaysia. This year is the very first time the competition is being held in Malaysia which is expected to be an annual event in the forth coming years. A total of 26 teams from 11 universities from all around Malaysia had participated in this event. Apart from Malaysia, similar competitions had been organized by IEEE and Freescale since the year 2006 in China, Korea and India. For information on the day of competition, please check out this post:

1) Before the Competition

2)During the Competition

3) Winning Video

NACES is an annual gathering for all chemical engineering undergraduates from both public and private universities from all over Malaysia. This program can enhance the integration among chemical engineering undergraduates from different races. Apart from that, this program can provide exposure to the issues and challenges faced by chemical engineers in the era of globalization in their effort to develop the country. The NACES 2009 will be held for the very first time in Universiti Malaysia Sabah under the wings of the Chemical Engineering Student’s Club.

This event is held at the foyer of SKTM.

Early that morning, we when to SKTM to do our final preparation. We recheck the presentation slide, the condition of the car.

This is the game field that we going to use to show the reporters how fast our car can go. Both the cars are in good condition and waiting for show time.

The event start at 11.00p.m. Before it start, we are ask to stand up to sing the song of our University “ Bertekad Cemerlang”.

After that, Dean of SKTM, Dr.Rosalam Sarbatly is giving out his speech.

Next is the student from Chemical Engineering which took part in NECES presenting their slide. Their topic is “Algae the Biofuel” which is the new method to get energy besides using natural mineral. This is the research that brings them the champion in NECES.

Then is student from Electronic and Electrical Engineering which took part in Freescale Smart Car presenting our slide. My friend Wong Cheok Liang is explaining to our Dean,lecturer and also reporters about the competition.

After the brief presentation, we also demonstrate our smart car in the game field prepared.

Our Dean and team lecturers for both competitions are being interview.

Lecturers are proud with our achievement.

In the end of the event, we are given a goodie bag. Well lets guess what is it inside the goodie bag.

No cool T-shirt, no cool Cap and this is what I got. Disappointed!!

This is the first time a press conference is held in SKTM and everything going smoothly during the conference. Hopefully there will be more achievement from student in Year 2009. UMS Boleh!!

Winning Video of Freescale Smart Car Competition 2008

This might not a fresh piece of news but I still want to share this with all my reader here. As you all know that Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Freescale Smart Car Team is the champion in the Freescale Smart Car Competition 2008. I have post about it in my previous post and now I got the video where UMS's Team in final. UMS's Team finish the lap in 40.146 seconds which lead the 1st runner up, UTM Team about 12 seconds. Enjoy the video!!

Civic Centre Kuching

Civic Centre Kuching is one of my favorite places where I always visit when I’m in Kuching. There is a Civic Centre Tower where visitors can view Kuching city at a higher point. This is really a relaxing place for me. It is also a place where I can see quite a number of foreigner visitors.

Here are some shot of Kuching, Sarawak.

The tall building here is Wisma Saberkas which can be said as one of the oldest shopping complex in Kuching. Now, it is known as a shopping mall where you can shop for hand phones, Computers, Laptop and other’s electronic equipment. However, the opening of 1TJ might take over this place in the future.

The mountain shows in the picture below really look similar to Mount Kinabalu. I’m so surprise the moment I look at it. I got no idea whether it is Mount Santubong, Mount Serapi, or Mount Matang.

Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak where it is still under construction. Do you notice a colorful building at the bottom of the picture below, that is Star Cineplex which is one of the cinemas in Kuching.

Sarawak Club.

Random shot of Kuching.

Besides enjoying the nice view of Kuching, there is also a shop selling souvenir.

If you get to visit Kuching someday, Civic Centre Tower is the place you must not miss.

Trip To Mount Kinabalu Sabah

On past Saturday, I finally took my step to challenge the highest mountain in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu (4095.2m). Well, although it is a fun and full of enjoyment during the trip, but I’m disappointed that I didn’t fully conquer Mount Kinabalu which only conquers about 95% of it due to bad weather.

During the 1st day of this trip, we arrive at Mesilau Resort arount 7:00p.m. The moment we arrive at Mesilau, the weather was so bad and cold so we need to wear our jacket. However, this does not affect the happiness and excitement of us that wanted to conquer Mount Kinabalu so much.

Some pictures took in Mesilau Resort.

We waited at the Mesilau Café for the lunch that they prepare for us to bring along. While waiting, I order a plate of “nasi goring pattaya” as my breakfast which cost me RM15.00. Although it is expensive but a plate of rice is what I need to provide me energy for this challenge.

The Cook is preparing our lunch set

Nasi Goreng Pattaya

Then the Mountain guides gather us for a brief talk about the expedition and the route we going to take. On the 1st day, we start at the Mesilau Gate and rest at Gunting Lagadan Hut(about 3323.5m). The total length of the route is about 7.5KM.

Map of the route we going to take.

The mountain guide advice us to use portal to send our back pack up to Gunting Lagadan Hut seem most of us are first time here. The cost for the portal is RM9.00 per Kg. I did use the portal service and my back pack was about 7Kg which mean it cost me RM63.00 to send it up to Gunting Lagadan Hut and back to Timpohon Gate. Although it sound expensive but it do worth to save my energy for this expedition and I feel no regret to pay for the portal. Besides, the mountain guides also advice us to use “tongkat” which cost RM5.00 for a “tongkat”.

Before we start to hiking, my friend Allan Tam show his smile and victory act which turn to tired face when arrive at Gunting Lagadan Hut.

On the way up to Gunting Lagadan Hut, the view is really nice. There is a long waterfall which you can see clearly from the picture below. After a few hours walk, I came to a waterfall where I think should be the same one.

Here are some pictures of the path way I need to go through before I reach Gunting Lagadan. It is not as easy as I though and my tiredness making me to take less photo. I’m so tired that I got no mood or even energy to take out my camera to take photo. All I think in my mind is that I want to reach the rest house as quick as possible to take a good rest.

My friend Lennon who carrying two back packs with him still able to show his charming smile.

However, the portal guide does not seem tired at all even though they are carrying our back pack. I really feel impressive with their stamina. From the picture below, you notice that our portal guide is just teenagers but their stamina is much better than adult. In the picture, they are not resting but they are force to rest because we need to rest. So they need to wait for us to move.

Below are some of the pictures I took before I reach Gunting Lagadan Hut.

I took about 8 hours to reach Gunting Lagadan Hut. The moment I reach the rest house, I’m wet due to the bad weather. It was 9.80C at the rest house. Well, I took my buffet dinner at Laban Rata before I go to Gunting Lagadan Hut. I’m force to take the buffet dinner although I’m wet because to go to Gunting Lagadan Hut, I still need to walk for another 10 minutes. The buffet dinner is delicious.

After I took my dinner, I went to Gunting Lagadan Hut. The room in the hut is not big. Each room is provided for 4 people. Although there is not heater in the room, but I can still feel that it is warmer than outside. I slept quite early that night so that I have enough energy for the next day.This is how the inside of the hut look like.

Kitchen

I wake up at 1a.m. on the next day to prepare myself to climb to the low’s peak. After taking breakfast, we depart from our rest house around 2.30a.m. to the Low’s Peak of Mount Kinabalu. It is very dark outside so we need to use head lamp or touch light to light up the route. We need to walk a 600m stairs then climb with the rope for 2KM to reach the Low’s Peak. Before I come to the Low’s Peak, I had reach a check point where we will get our certificate once we pass the check point.

When I’m about 100m to 200m away from the Low’s Peak, it started to rain and the mist getting thicker and thicker until I hardly see. It is around 5:00a.m and I have made my decision to turn back because I worried that the rain will get heavy. Besides, the mountain guides also advise us to turn back. However, after a 20 to 30 minutes walking down the mountain, the rain stop. At that moment, I do think to continue going up to Low’s Peak but my body don’t allowed me to do so. Again, I’m wet and cold. To make myself less regret for not continue to the Low’s Peak, I took some photo of the view near the Low’s Peak.

The moment I reach the rest house, it’s already 8:30p.m. I quickly pack up my thing and take buffet breakfast at Raban Rata. Before we leave Raban Rata, we took so photo here too.

The route down to Timpohon Gate is about 6KM. I reach Timpohon Gate around 3.30p.m. then we take our buffet dinner before going back to Kota Kinabalu. This trip is really interesting and challenging. After challenge the highest mountain in Malaysia, what I want to share with my reader is that mentally fit is more important than physically fit. Never think that you are tired and believe that you can reach the Low’s Peak. Although that day the weather was not on my side, but I’m still glad to conquer 95% of Mount Kinabalu. Here are the certificates I got as prove of climbing Mount Kinabalu.

The Slogan of Mount Kinabalu, " Take Nothing But Photographs. Leave Nothing But Footprints." Yes!!, I have take lots of photos and leaves lots of footprints. Besides, I also leave plenty of sweat there. There's no doubt that I enjoy this trip so much.