Sometimes i wish i can be like Terra Naomi...

Not all singers are musicians, and the same goes in reverse. To be able to have a good sense of music, being able to play instruments and at the same time sing with good tone and in tune, that is priceless. Terra Naomi has that exact talent, which i am laking of.

Sometimes i just wish i can be like Terra Naomi.

She can play both the piano and guitar exceptionally well. And you can tell by the way she performs, that she does it by heart. She is good in every department: her songs, her piano and guitar playing, and of course her voice. All add up to produce some very radio friendly songs.

I believe that not every body is born with such talent. But at the same time, everybody can be as good as her. All it takes is the right amount of practice and the heart of an artist.

Terra is going to take the big stage soon. What started out as a past time hobby of writing and playing songs in Youtube has now become the next big thing in her life. She just signed a contract with a major american recording label, and my bet is you'll be listening to her finest tunes in Fly.Fm anytime soon. At the mean time, you can check out her videos on YouTube and tell me what do you think of her works.

Sometimes i just know i can be like Terra Naomi, yes i need to try.

Below is one of her videos. A song called "Say It's Possible". Check out also "Smile" and "Close to your head".

Life's so simple when you're just a kid....

Indeed. Once I have moved on from living as a student to making my own ends meet, reality hit me hard on my forehead. I don't have the time to hang around frens as much, no time to record new songs, and of course no time to blog. I hate this.

Making your own living is a dead serious matter. Make sure you're ready for it.

Worked in STMicroelectronics in Muar for a few months before i resigned last week. Yes, I know, what a waste. Being a Product Engineer in that company is a good thing, but i have other plans for my future, and this time i need to be certain, and i know i am.

I just dont see myself as someone who can slave around from 8am to 7pm daily for a fixed pay that is barely enough to feed my own belly plus jimbo's (jimbo is my new pet fish btw). I need something more. No, not just more money. But i want to do something that can really reflect every bit of effort that i put in, be it little or a lot.

This is the problem with most Malay graduates here. Kerja mau senang, Kaya mau cepat. But i am not like that i promise you. I know i should hold on to the previous job and suffer for a few years before making a leap into a better position and pay. As engineers, we need the technical know-how and experience, which can only be obtained through hard work from bottom up. And for us, the first 3 years of "working" is more of a learning period than it is working. Only after that will we be more "valuable" in the industry, which grants us the right to demand high pays.

Now only i realised that i've been learning jumbled up rubbish of undistilled knowlegde during my varsity years. The things i learnt were useless. Useless in the sense that it will not do you any good unless you know how to use the knowledge and how to apply it. That is the most common problem amongst fresh graduates nowadays. Just because they have strong theoratical knowledge, they expect to do ace when started working. Bull-crap!

As for me, i am up for sumthing else. I think i want to have a different career path. Thinking of going for further studies and become a full time researcher. Hey, the pay is crap but atleast i can really see my own progress and see my own achievements and above all, it will be sumthing that i enjoy doing. Well, you'll have your own say, but this is my choice. And i am up for it. Come February, i'll be pursuing a new life-cycle. Wish me luck.

Pic: Raya Haji. Most recent family picture.

Home: Malaysia

Been a few weeks now i've been at home. Yeah, back in Malaysia at last. Pretty hot and humid as usual, but i really cannot stand the haze. Its unhealthy that's one thing for sure, but what's worse, it can be such a fatal road hazard, especially when you're driving. The other day i was driving when the haze were at its thickest, boy, my visibility was limited to 30 yards the most. Had no choice but to slow down and drive at the speed of a cow (afterall that is the actual cruising speed of my mom's car). The condition worsen during night time, and putting on your high-light would totally blind you off from what lies ahead.

Well enough about that now. Not that complaining about it will make the situation any better. (Just wanna give a friendly yet firm reminder to all Malaysian: Stop open burning!!!! Its bad enough that the Indonesians are doing it....)

I've been doing nothing since i last landed to be honest. I went here and there, and meet up with old friends and peers of course. Just the same old thing. Other than that, i've been busy sorting out my future, which, till now unsuprisingly, remains uncertain.

Went to my class reunion during merdeka day at Port Dickson. It was awesome. Most of my friends look and act differently: they've changed a lot. Makes me wonder why haven't i changed at all since the last time we all sat together for our last dinner at the dining hall back then in our boarding school. Ouh well, atleast i know i'll look young for a long time. hehe.

Will be boarding a flight to Miri at the end of this week. Looking foward for that trip. Planning to go to Niah cave and visit some frens there. I'll update on that on my next post.

And regarding Nevermind The Hazatsu, and my plans to go back to the UK to further my studies and everything, well, i guess i'll have to write yet another post on that later on, when i have the time and mood. For now, it's time for me to zzzzZZ.....

A boy needs 15 hours of sleep daily,........now that's scientific fact.

Gelora Jiwa - Our Latest Song

It is time for us to share our original song yet again. It's been a long wait i know, but then again, who's been waiting? This song was written by Izzy and the lyrics was written by John. As usual. This song is special because its our tribute to M, our lead vocalist, who will be leaving the band in search for a meaning in life.

Actually, he is in a difficult time in his life where he cannot possibly commit 100% for the band. So M, this is for you.

Above is the audio only version, and below is the official video clip of the song.Please watch/listen to the above video first before viewing the one below, coz trust me, we won't be able to concentrate on the song once you've seen the visual content of the clip.

Well then, enjoy and dont for get to leave a feedback or two. Make it one if u're thinking of giving a negative one. Kidding..

Graduation 06

At last, the time finally came, for our graduation. 3 of us; housemates, bandmates and classmates, it all seemed to happen too soon. We are happy of course. But more than that, we are satisfied. For we know, the past 4 years have been worth while. No. Not just for the scroll. But for the things we've learnt in life, the friendship we built, the things we did together, and of course for Nevermind The Hazatsu.....

And nevermind the congregation itself, which is nothing more than a cliche nowadays.

Symbolic. Period.

Bearing that famous flat square hat on our heads, huddling up together for that lengthy photo session, each of us knew straight away - "this is it". The end of an era is near. At that moment, how we wished that we are back at the time when we started life as a student. When it all felt like a saga; never ending and dreadful. Owh how we detested that period of our lives, and yet it was the happiest and most memorable time of all.

Congratulations to:

Haidar Burhanuddin (john or jonno)

Masters of Engineering with Honours

in Electronics Engineering

Md. Ruzwin Rusli (Wynn)

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

in Mechanical Engineering

Iskandar Yahya (Izzy)

Errmm,... let's just say i managed to graduate

ok?

So where are we going after this? what are we gonna do? Jonno, bonded with Petronas and will be working on an oil rig somewhere in Uganda. Wynn, employed by Petronas, but not bonded. Will be heading to Kerteh, Terengganu, working on a new natural gas plant.

Me? well, to be honest, i dont even know what the future holds for me. Am i still searching? Not quite. But one thing for sure, i will always keep Nevermind The Hazatsu alive.

Millions of thanks for those who were there to support us 3 during our congregation day: Our parents, the Wilkos, and the rest who came all the way down to Octagon Centre, Sheffield for that important day. It wouldn't have been special without you guys. Below is a video clip of the day. Enjoy.

Where have you been Izzy?

Where have i been? Nobody have actually asked me that question to be honest. But i guess i owe it to myself to come up with a good explaination to my whereabout for the past...... errrmm,. let's see, i think for the past one and a half month? I am not sure, but it seems like it has been almost 2 months.

So much for my promise to keep this blog running with regular updates and all. Earlier this summer i thought i would have all the time that i need to sit and blog everyday, or atleast every week. Well, i was wrong. But not entirely. I had the time, but at the same time i never actually had the time. Errm,. doesn't make sense ay?

You see, it's summer. One have all the time in his life during summer (not those who are working though) to do all the things that one had ever dreamed of. With all the sunshine and nice weather, it's a waste to actually spend the time sitting in my room staring at the monitor typing something that nobody else but myself ever read.

Thus the answer to the very first question. I was out there. Pursuing my dream,...not. Actually I was busy golfing around in some of the most fantastic weather i ever witnessed for the past 4 years. A bit too hot for my liking though, but it was great none the less.

Went to Ireland, Scotland and the Midlands on my very first golf tour around the UK. I am so tanned due to the excessive exposure to sunlight. But i didn't care. I had the time of my life. Had never enjoyed summer this much. The golf courses here are fantastic. I've been to it all: meadowland, woodland, highland, links. All the types of courses that you can find in the EA Sports Tiger Woods video game. And of course, i went to St Andrews! Beautiful.

By last week, it started raining on and off almost everyday. The weather is unpredictable again. Looks like summer is ending. Well that explains why i am here sitting in my room, staring at the monitor and typing this post on my blog.......