My diary entry, worthy enough for me to post it up here. It's an editted version to keep the heat off me.
19th May, 2002The weekend was fantastically fun although there were some mishaps that I really hate. But whatever the unintended events were, I had so much fun by meeting old friends and cheering for the Wolverine even in the cold iced rain.
My first Mid-west Game (now it�s known as the Malaysians� Students Sports Carnival) was held for first time outside the Midwest region at Buffalo, New York. I thought down in Buffalo during far into spring would�ve presented us a hot not so blazing sun. Instead, it gave us some irritating weather shows.
We left the green Ann Arbor at about 1300 but Nik and I left Markley at 1110. Travis and his girlfriend, Su Lin, once Malaysia�s representative to the world in the game of squash picked us up in front of Markley with their car and headed toward North Campus. There, I switched place with Foo Ming � I sat with Log, Nizam, Zimbo and Matt de. It was fun hearing them talking about some stuffs but I was a little bit quiet than usual. The journey took us more than seven hours but it was worth it.
That night, we were unbelievable hungry. So, Travis, Su Lin, Rock, Nik, Foo Ming, Kirah, Ivan, Ivan�s gf, Hafiz Hasan and I ate at an expensive restaurant named �something� of India. It was delicious but the prices amused me. Once full, we went back to the hostel and slept for a new day.
Saturday started early, as early as 0700 hrs! Nik and Rock registered at UB�s main arena. I saw my named listed as the participant but heck; I chickened out from the basketball team. Outside the arena, I met Adi and her girl friends. I said hi to them and they were of course surprised to see my freaky hair. Nevertheless, I was glad to see them again after so many months of being far apart.
I also met Abe and Tody plus Aleq and a long list of names. What made my brain stalled was when they didn't recognize me at first sight. Only after a few minutes standing quiet in front of them did they realized it was me. I was scared at that time, thinking they'd forgotten me after all of those years together but that was a baseless thought. Friends will always be friends.
The first game that I saw with Umich was basketball and the opponent was Nebraska. Nebraska sent a very strong team - they had a dunker! In the end, we lost terribly but that was expected. So the lost didn�t make a huge impact on the players psychologically. The next match was against SUNY A and that was a good game. The Wolverine team almost lost that but we fought hard to gain a few points above them when the time was up. That win made the team more eager to fight further. The next game was against OSU and that fact made us more interested in reaching the semi-final. However, UB (SUNY), the host decided to change our opponent. The new opponent was Purdue University � one of the strongest team in the sports carnival. Purdue was supposed to go against SUNY B but somehow, they changed the grouping after the first game had started. Rumors said that SUNY A lost to Michigan and SUNY B was scared to lose another game to Michigan. So, the only way to eliminated the bigger teams so that SUNY will get though to the final was colliding the supposedly the seeded teams against each other. But whatever the dissatification was, there was no doubt the Boilermakers was the better five.
During the semifinal where Purdue was up against SUNY B, the spectators which were comprised the whole other Universities others than UB including us supported Purdue. They cheered for Purdue and jeered (jeering is not good whatever the reason is) the stinking SUNY B. It was a close game but in the end, public enemy number one somehow won the match. Later, it was satisfying to hear that Nebraska won the game, denying SUNY any chances of winning a gold medal. They set it unfairly; they lost through their imperfect plan regardless they managed At the same time, the volleyball players got lucky to get two byes because both opponents didn't show up. Amusingly, they reached the quarterfinal stage without even sweating. Only one out of three matches did they really earn the win. In the semifinal, they met John Hopkins� team and the match was probably close but Michigan was never upfront. As I remembered, we lost three consecutive sets. The lost was controversial too as more than two JHU�s players made spikes but I have no complaint. I rather say JHU deserved the win.
For table tennis, the Wolverines made a strong statement by clutching gold for both men and women games.
Soccer was more interesting. Our team won 3-1 if my memory doesn�t failed for the first match and then lost 3-0 to Ohio State, the team that we'll eventually met in the cold windy final game. In the last grouping game, we won again, allowing us to advance to the quarterfinal. We then again won in the quarterfinal.
Taking note, the quarterfinal was against Northeastern University. The game was closed because until the last minute, it was zero all. Throughout the match, the sense of heightening hostility was at presence; fairplay was never the middle name for the Michigan-Northeastern game. During the last 5 minutes or so, Hafiz MJ managed to launch a shot towards the goal. The white ball mummified with mud went passby the goalkeeper only to be stopped by a player�s hand intentionally in between the two goal posts. Seeing that, flares erupted between the two giants � harsh words were exchanged without restrain; personal challengers were made. Razeen Khalid a.k.a. Log, whom I first saw at a soccer match during the
2001 Old boys� Weekend at the Malay College, was almost involved in a serious quarrel. Regardless of any considerations, University of Michigan was given a chance to prove themselves in the semifinal. After a few tense moments, the pressure went down and all tensions were relaxed a bit in the darkening evening.
On Sunday, the final day for the Midwest, games continued. The first game which was the semifinal was against the formidable Renssalear Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York. It was a very exciting game although I only managed to give the team moral support in the last minute. Both teams were tied at 0-0. As the final blow was about to be declared, RPI proved to us why they were a strong team. The game resumed but the Wolverine is called the Wolverine not for nothing. to play trick to reach the final.
The game resumed but the Wolverine is called Wolverine not for nothing. With the end loomed closer, Michigan with its fans grew louder with an equalizer scored. RPI was certainly disappointed and morally went down. Extra time was given as in line with the golden goal rule. No goal was made although both side did some daring maneuvers that almost made the other side shuddered. Lastly, the win was decided by penalty kicks. The first kick was by the New Yorkers. Abe made the first shot but it went wide. PRI managed to get only two balls into the net while the others were miraculously saved by the huge Log. In the end, Michigan�s win was not determined by a striker shot but it was determined by Log HUGE SIZE. With that, we were up against Ohio State University, the defending champion.
The game started ironically. The mighty Sun in the sky was covered by countless cloud, blocking the shine of the star effectively. The wind was blowing excessively strong and you can just imagine how fast the temperature was dropping when suddenly in the middle of May, Buffalo snowed lightly during the game. Nobody cared about the weather for the match was more important. At first, both teams were evenly matched. Both teams launched their attacks systematically without losing their grip at lower part of the field.
In the second half, even more shots were shot resulting OSU to earn their first goal rather surprisingly. A few minutes later without mercy, Naqi made a summersault kick in front of Michigan goal, producing a spectacular short range shot. At that time, I could see some of the Blue members morally down but some kept their hope high among the stars. Hope and work it paid off. Near the 60th minutes (the format used in UB was 30-30-5-5), Max made a shot and it went in. Admitting no defeat, the Wolverine got another chance for an equalizer through a penalty shot. Waste not, penalty was the equalizer and the game went on to extra time. All the same, extra time meant nothing and again, penalty kicks decided the outcome of the final game.
Sensing d�j� vu, OSU got the first shot and it was saved by Log's grace. Michigan�s first went in. Log then faced the second shot but I guess it went in. Michigan�s second went wide I think. Ohio�s third was saved while ours went in yet again. The score now was held 2-1. I can�t remember further details. Even the details mentioned above are a little shady but what's important is that when we won that match. Wolverines, the whole lots of them came up running towards the players hugging players and supporters, screaming and shouting, running and walking, hi-fiing and shaking hands and smiling and laughing and everything good. For the first time in seven years, the University of Michigan�s Malaysian Students� Association, fondly known as UMIMSA in A�, won the title of a champion in the soccer tournament. What�s more, WE ARE THE OVERALL CHAMP WITH tHrEe GoLdS aNd A bRoNzE.
Screw SUNY. You screwed.
Today is Free Comics Day.
Have you heard the latest Star Wars theme song?
It's called Across the Stars (Love Theme from Attack of the Clones) by the famous John Williams.
I've just bought the movie's original motion picture soundtrack for $ 14 and I am more than satisfied.
Across the Stars will be one of Star Wars famous songs. The others are the Opening Theme for the whole 'hexalogy', The Throne Room for A New Hope, The Imperial March for Empire Strike Back, The Battle of Endor I, II and III in Return of the Jedi and lastly, Duel of the Fates for The Phantom Menace.
The Opening Theme and The Imperial March have already been recognized as a group that is known as the most famous theme song in the world.
At last, the craving for seeing the dawn of the Imperial Empire will be fulfilled on May 16th 2002. Down with the Old Republic. Kill all the Jedi. Hail to the Sith.
My God, I'm 12 again.
Updated on May 16, 2006. See also [790] Of the death of telephone?Spring is here. Nevertheless, the Sun does not come out too often as it should. It is cold here. From what I heard, France is having the same situation except that it is worse. They had four days of rain and no shine. However, the bright side is far brighter.
The trees are greening and the flowers are blooming excessively, thus making Ann Arbor, the Diag in particular back to what it is supposed to be - a great green open garden cum activity area where Humans lay down and play Frisbee, read book, having a chat with friends and a conversation to their significant other.
Near Mosher-Jordan Hall, there is a tree which has no leaf but red-pink-purple colored flowers. It simply has an extraordinary beauty in my opinion although a few dare to argue that with me.
I am really glad to move to the Hill Area instead of going to Baits Area and live with all of the other Malaysians. Here in Mary Butler Markley Hall, the people are nice. I meet a lot of new, American friends. They frequently say hi to me probably recognizing me by my freaking looking hair which is tied up in the back. Although I do enjoy having these new expected friends, I really thank God for there are a few Malaysians here which I can meet up if I miss some of my old friends. Having a lot of new friends doesn't mean losing tail of old friends. If this idea doesn't mean anything to you, I hope the word loyalty strike a chord in your head.

The internet is a powerful tool. It is unnecessarily mentioned but I couldn't imagine a life without an internet connection. Life without a computer is life in hell.
Here, with a very fast T1 speed, all the information is transferred without a noticeable delay.
In Malaysia, the mobile phones play the role of communicator but here, the computers, the terminal to the World Wide Web replace the obsolete phone. Although the telephone without doubt plays an important, it exists because some people still don't make full use out of the internet. I suspect, once every Human learns how to use the internet to a respectable manner, the telephone will be incorporated into the internet terminal a.k.a. the computer. Even now, talking through the internet is a possibility. It is even cheaper.
I use the internet for things that I usually need to walk to a place to get it. I just order some stuff by filling in templates made out not of paper but out of html and Java. It's more environmental-friendly. Wasting a little bit of electricity in order to reduce the usage of paper is certainly worthwhile the trouble. Plus, Michigan is one of the states the uses green energy a lot. As a result, I need not to worry about killing Gaia indirectly.
I, the CEO of __earth believe the internet will open up a new era for the Human race.
Wait. The internet has already opened up a new era for the Earth's most intelligent dwelling.
Decades ago, Isaac Asimov, if my memory doesn't fail me, suggested that a central mega-computer will administer day to day artificial intelligence activities. Star Trek's creator, Gene Roddenberry suggested the same thing but they met up and gone to a wrong route. Instead, today individual computers that direct various unique artificial intelligence activities are connected with each other by the internet. With the internet, this new generation of communicators is able to transfer any kind of data to each other without the supervision of a single central administrator. But sure, these individual computers can be control through various methods such as the planting of trojan horse. Nevertheless, that is irrelevant for a while at least.
"Where do you want to go today?" is not owned by the super-giant Microsoft. It is own by the omnipresent World Wide Web.
So, where do you want to go today?

p/s - I am having trouble with people complaining that they hate my ways for constructing websites with secret paragraphs and links. Righto, I want no more complaints of these. Therefore, JUST HIGHLIGHT each and every page that is in existence in this virtual space. Next time, read the front page notice.