Don't Speak Unless You are Told to

Fellow readers,

Perhaps from this article we can deduce that if you not an architect, do not speak about architecture right? If you are not a doctor, do not cross examine yourself. If you not an engineer do not speak of structural parts.

It's wrong to think that one does not have an opinion over a subject. Maybe wrong to assume but never wrong to voice out our concerns and express our thoughts.

One does not need to read an article like this to be reminded that works of architecture can't be summarized into words:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/apr/14/roger-scruton-architecture-zaha-hadid

Field of architecture is an expressive one and the client has share the same amount of ambitiousness. We can read as many theory books about others but it is really down to experiencing the building or space before us that we truly understand.

For this I am inspired to embark onto a massive architectural journey in 2014. I will explore this more in my next entry.

Running..running...as fast as you can

My latest obsession is running. My target is to run a full marathon. One day. Maybe not this year's Melbourne Marathon. Maybe next year. It depends.

One of the first events I did was Melbourne's Mother's Day Classic. That day we witness about 20,000 Melburnians participated in the event - 8km, 4km and fun walk. A little background of the event can be found here: Mother's Day Classic.

My official personal best on that day was 28:04.7 wearing bib number 5316. I ran for 4km.
Overall placement was 3296
Age division placement was 561
Gender placement was 2316

So what did I get from this? Purely self satisfaction. Just the knowledge that I have only myself to prove to and my personal best just kept getting better. Motivation by self is far more rewarding than external forces.
I will update more with pictures too.

Excerpt from TheStarOnline

Malaysians abroad urged to be tourism ambassadors

 

DUBAI: Malaysians abroad should play the role of tourism ambassadors in a bid to woo more foreign tourists to the country.
To this end, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said they should be aware of the country's tourism policies, products as well as the future direction of the industry.
"So wherever you are, please do your bit to promote Malaysia so that more tourists will visit our country," she told a gathering with Malaysians at a hotel here Tuesday night.
Present were Malaysian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Datuk Yahaya Abdul Jabar and consul-general in Dubai, Ahmad Fadil Shamsudin.
Dr Ng is leading the Malaysian delegation at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2011 being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday to Thursday.
A total of 87 government and private organisations from Malaysia are taking part in the event.
Dr Ng said Malaysia received 24.6 million tourists in 2010 and the country aimed to get 25 million tourist arrivals this year.
She said Tourism Malaysia offices were a good source for the latest on the country's tourism industry. - Bernama

p/s: Since this piece of information was released in Dubai, does it apply to citizens also living in other countries? I'm joking! Of course it would, regardless wherever you are, if you hold the passport of a certain country, you are an Ambassador of that country. Refer previous post. 

We are all Ambassadors in our own right

Ambassador defined by The Free Online Dictionary is:
1. A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another, usually for a specific length of time.

2. A diplomatic official heading his or her country's permanent mission to certain international organizations, such as the United Nations.

3. An authorized messenger or representative.

4. An unofficial representative

So, I am an Ambassador of Malaysia! I have been living in Australia for awhile and it made me realized what I can do to promote my country in the name of tourism.

There are so many ways to promote a country too. Not only having an ambassdor is handy but also convenience of getting information via internet directly by potential visitors. For this reason, the government of a country itself has to have a proper channel to provide information.

Nevertheless I am exciting today that I am an Ambassador of Malaysia, in line with the fourth definition from The Online Dictionary.

Complimentary reading to previous post

I thought that I share Dr M's infamous speech post-9/11 at the Islamic Summit Conference in Putrajaya on 16 October 2003 (20 Shaaban 1424H).

This is the link to Asean.org archive on various leader's views:

PM of Malaysia's Speech 2003

Enjoy!

Doctor M:Operation Malaysia (A Book Summary)

Book information:

Took me aeons to finish this book since I bought it in February. I wish I am a fast reader but not everyone is a superhuman. Well, let me reveal to you why I bought this book in the first place. I think I have discover a passion to 'doctor' my home country, for it to be better and nice for all. I find it hard to learn at a mere citizen level, hence I decided to learn from the 'experts'. I have been collecting books from notable leaders, such as Dr M, Bill Clinton (also because he has the same birthdate as mine) and Barack Obama to name a few. Notice that the leaders I chose are contemporary leaders because I believe their visions are still relevant for at least another 10 years time.
Especially for Dr M's book, my interests in Malaysia with his more than other leaders I have read. What did I learn from him:

1. We have to have a sense of pride that not only make us who we are but eventually make others' respect us of what we believe in. Not to say being egoistical is good all the time but also the flexibility is much appreciated especially you have to make decision for others. I believe that not many will see his good intention straightaway but mostly will realize Dr M's contribution in 2-3 generations later.

2. Its not that he hated the Jews but he just appalled of how disunited Muslims can be. He is not talking of just Malaysian Muslims but Muslims on a global scale. To date, there are 1.3billion of Muslims to 14million of Jews1. How could a lesser community got hold of how the world works? I am not going to travel more in this subject as I think I am more adapt to talk of buildings than theology.

3. "A muslim fundamentalism must let me be moderate" - Dr M. This quote shows how he can adapt to 'international' terms without being oppressed by their demands. Extremism is prohibited in order to win votes and favour from everyone. In his case, Malaysia is a tough one to crack as he had to make deals with all races and religions hence sometimes one sector is compromised as to make way for the others. As we all know it, its hard to please everyone.

4. He does believe in a little bit of punishment just so that others could learn the lessons. This comes from managing a multi-racial country. He believes in order to keep everything in order, he had to show his authoritarian claws sometimes. I guess it works. The whole chapter of 'For Your Eyes Only' p.127-142 he explored the idea of educating people of how idealism works for multi-racial community. Although his approach could mean dictatorship to some point, he did maintain peace for 22years.

5. Not all that comes from the West is good. I felt that this is the underlying intent of the book. Dr M's policy of 'Looking to the East' not only will benefit the region but also keep the context relevant in terms of culture. What understands more about a South-East Asian country than its....neighbour? Relevance is the main point here. We can say, well, we can learn from the Westerners? Nope, perhaps its better that we explore things ourselves in order to undersand our capabilities.

Top 5 points from the book. Now, some basic info for the book:
Author - Tom Plate
Published - 2011 (its new!)
Publisher - Marshall Cavendish Singapore
Number of Pages - 24pp including Appendix (dont worry, the font is as big as the Twillight series book)

Probably we can discuss about this book too! Tell me what you think. :)

References:
1. List of Religious Populations - Wikipedia
2. Conversations with Mahathir Mohamad by Tom Plate - Amazon.com (I bought mine in Malaysia in February 2011)

New Year with New Resolution

Hello all,

It seem pretentious to have a serious topic on such jovial day. Jovial today being April 1st and a Friday. Nevertheless it is never to late to re-think about one's goal in the short term.

Maybe in architecture there is no such thing as 'New Resolution'. Resolution sounds like a destination rather than a journey, a dot rather than a line. In architecture, a Development sounds more familiar. Development gives us a picture of a continuing progress, which is encouraged to arrive at one's idea. Or in this case, one's destination.

So what is your New Development for 2011?

Mine would be:

1. Documenting my travel into this blog, as I have been home to Malaysia in February and made a short visit to Singapore as well. As well as some other places in Victoria, Australia last year.


2. More design!!! I am even willing to do it for free. Maybe make a group of engineers, surveyors and other consultants too?


3. Sketch more design ideas on my own. I have started this by having a small sketch book and a set of handy markers.

Share about your New Development for 2011. Cheers!

Picture: (WHITE??) Fire Hose Reel at State Library of Victoria. Picture taken during Melbourne Open House 2010.