Melaka, unpredictably the land of chaos…

27 Nov 2009

The only 3 alphabet that I can uttered when I reached Melaka is… OMG! (Oh My Gawd!) It’s Hari Raya Haji and Melaka is flooded with people like me, going back hometown, but mostly, tourists, regardless of race or age, Melaka seems to be “the place to be”. All the activities line-up for tourists (did I mentioned about the MITC YES! Sales? 500 over expo counters offer products at discounted price!) amd so many things to do here in Melaka, but most importantly, FOOD! Gosh… Melaka, a FOOD haven! Thank gawd for that!

Never mind my ranting about the “jam tersumbat”… (killing traffic) and the “ever lasting” wait at traffic lights (and so many of them!), I am excited that I am finally back to Melaka to visit my parents and most importantly, my Grandmama! I have not see her for a very long time, I miss her a lot… she just lay down on the bed all day long, everyday, bedridden that is… nothing much the doctor can do… (I wonder why…), so I wanted to spend time with her…

I reach Melaka around 8pm, and went back home to drop down things, go straight to MITC, and me being dumbfounded, by the expo there… so many things to buy! You name, it’s there! From furniture to automatic gates, electrical items to vitamins, and from credit cards to fragrances, from foods to textiles, everything is there! What really strike me to make a stop is the 2G Sony MP3 player, selling at RM55 per unit (10 units available only) and start to sell at 9pm sharp. When I was there, I already saw the line as long as dragon… ($&%$%^&*) and there goes my MP3 player… (never mind…)! I end up buying nothing, anyway, I was there to catch up with my mom, she is there, on duty for her company... :-)

Guess what, I went to my relative place, with my mom, apparently one of my relative passed away, and I am there to pay my respect, burial ceremony is the next 2 days. I am very surprised, as this is something I least expect to happen, I said nothing and sit down at a corner.

One of my relative (which I presume not very close with) came to our table and chit-chat with my mom and others, and suddenly asked; “whose son is this?” and I point my finger to my mom, he nodded. And the next question he asked make everyone stop for a moment and look at me, “What do you do?” and I guess my answer raise everyone’s eyebrows, “I am in PR (Gong Quan – is the han yu pin yin like this?)” and he commented: Well, there’s a lot type of PR, what kind of PR?, me being sarcastic (I can’t help it when I heard that there is many kinds of PR, what is he trying to imply?!?!?!), and I said: “There is ONLY 1 kind of PR, I don’t know what kind of PR you mean, but definitely not those kind of PR you know of or used to…”, and guess what, my face is burning and my mom asked me not to be rude as he of my senior, and I decided to shut up and since it’s someone’s passing, I decided not to make a scene (darn!).

Once I reached back at home with my mom, the only thing that really excite me is to “korek” all those old stuff and photos with my mom… at one point, I felt that she is even more excited than me! Believe it or not… She keep saying “this is you, so cute!” and after I looked at the photo, I will say “That’s not ME! That’s my brother! Mommy, I can’t believe it! You cannot differentiate US?!?!?!”… we had a good laugh though… my mom is so HOT! And my dad’s photo is there too! I had the loudest laugh! Imagine those bob hairstyle, trumpet pants and BIG glasses! Gosh, there is more and more that we can korek… but we agreed that it’s too late already, we are all tired and slept after that! I definitely STILL think I am CUTEST! I told my mom, “I am so cute! I am cute, STILL” and we all chuckled! I will need to take the pics with the camera first... much in need of sorting out the pics before I can share it here...

28 Nov 2009

Aaaaah! I SLEEP damn well~! (^^) and I woke up at 11am! Hahaha!

I had brunch with my mom and hurried over to my grandmama… As usual, she and her subtle nod of head to acknowledgement my present there with her (I think she nodded, after I kept asking her, DO YOU KNOW WHO AM I??? Hello?!?!!? This is your most adorable and most handsome GRANDSON!!! Nod your head if you agree!!!), well, at least my grandmama agree with the statement. LOL!!!

She had bedsore and her back wasn’t really coping well to regenerate new skin growth but the least, some cream and treatment to help her restore the sore spots. I am saddened by this but it didn’t dampened my day, all that matter is my grandma know I am there and I am just simply grateful that she is alive, another simple reason for me to be alive as well. It is almost a year already, it all happen last year, 13th December. So this coming 13th December, it will be a year that my grandmama is bedridden. How I miss her, talking to me, listen to her fuming her dissatisfaction on this and that, nagging me on my future, how my hair should be, short and neat (she hated my long hair), and her constant reminder of how cute am I when I am still a baby and she took care of me, and of course, how naughty I am (I thought I was a good and innocent boy~!) and many other “reminder” from her! I miss all this now, she can’t even open her mouth to just call me “Ah boy…” – I miss that too… :-(

Spent 4 hours to look into my work things and went back to my mom place to prepare for her “belated birthday party”… promised to bring her out for a celebration… there goes my $$$! But for her, it’s ok-lah! :-)

Guess what?!?!?! If you want to get a place for makan (regardless where it is), you need to call and make reservation! NOBODY told me that and I didn’t know I need to do so! Damn it! We went Bei Zhan and got “kick off” (details next post)… and end up at a restaurant near Jonker St, not too bad lah! Phew… at least my mom is ok with it…

Met up with my cousins and had a joyous “reunion”… hehe! We drop at Geo and had a few round of drinks and head to DreamBox (to sing of course!) and had a “yelling” session! Release sial… My cousins can really SING! Woohoo!!! I writing all this in the next post… :-)

I have time to write blogs now… pretty glad… a way for me to channel my “expression”… :-)

Signing off,
The LCLY…

Going to Macau & HK....

OMG... After waiting for 1 year.... finally.... I can go Macau and HK.... woohoo!

Weird, I am supposed to sleep at 12am and I am still wide awake and sweating.... geez...

Can't do much, did most of my reading, only planned to read it on plane and now... the one thing I can do is to UPDATE my blog and watch youtube: I was hooked on this: Shounen Onmyouji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQWwIy7D39g&feature=related this is episode 19.... cool "protector" slaying some nasty demons... nyek nyek nyek...

aaargh.... maybe I should continue to watch more... muahahaha!

Next post will be on "How to Apply for PASSPORT (or renew)?"

cuz I just went through the whole process.... gah!

signing off...
zhumau

Severn Cullis-Suzuki: The Little Things We Do, to Harm Earth, Our Home....

I was reading I.M mag and come across this person, Severn Cullies-Suzuki... if you are a person who care about earth and environment, [and don't mind reading a long article... ]read on to find out more...

Severn Cullis-Suzuki.... Also known as "The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes"...

Below is what I found in Wikipedia (I love Wiki, don't you?)

Severn Cullis-Suzuki (born November 30, 1979 in Vancouver, Canada) is an environmental activist, speaker, television host and author. Born to writer Tara Elizabeth Cullis and geneticist and environmental activist David Suzuki, she has spoken around the world about environmental issues, urging listeners to define their values, act with the future, in mind, and take individual responsibility.

Cullis-Suzuki was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. While attending Lord Tennyson Elementary School in French Immersion, at the age of nine, she founded the Environmental Children's Organization (ECO), a group of children dedicated to learning and teaching other youngsters about environmental issues. In 1992, at the age of 12, Cullis-Suzuki raised money with members of ECO, to attend the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Along with group members Michelle Quigg, Vanessa Suttie, and Morgan Geisler, Cullis-Suzuki presented environmental issues from a youth perspective at the summit, where she was applauded for a speech to the delegates. The video has since become a sort of viral hit, popularly known as "The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes". In 1993, she was honored in the United Nations Environment Program's Global 500 Roll of Honor. In 1993, Doubleday published her book Tell the World (ISBN 0-385-25422-9), a 32-page book of environmental steps for families.

Cullis-Suzuki graduated from Yale University in 2002 with a B.Sc. in ecology and evolutionary biology After Yale, Cullis-Suzuki spent two years traveling. Cullis-Suzuki co-hosted Suzuki's Nature Quest, a children's television series that aired on the Discovery Channel in 2002.

In early 2002, she helped launch an Internet-based think tank called The Skyfish Project. As a member of Kofi Annan's Special Advisory Panel, she and members of the Skyfish Project brought their first project, a pledge called the "Recognition of Responsibility", to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in August 2002. The Skyfish Project disbanded in 2004 as Cullis-Suzuki turned her focus back to school and enrolled in a graduate course in the University of Victoria to study ethnobotany under Nancy Turner.

Severn Cullis-Suzuki. (2009, April 20). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 03:10, May 16, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Severn_Cullis-Suzuki&oldid=285027844

And more, inspiring piece from her:

The Young Can't Wait...
By SEVERN CULLIS-SUZUKI
(taken from: http://www.time.com/time/2002/greencentury/engeneration.html)

Posted Sunday, August 18, 2002; 7:31 a.m. EST
When you are little, it's not hard to believe you can change the world. I remember my enthusiasm when, at the age of 12, I addressed the delegates at the Rio Earth Summit. "I am only a child," I told them. "Yet I know that if all the money spent on war was spent on ending poverty and finding environmental answers, what a wonderful place this would be. In school you teach us not to fight with others, to work things out, to respect others, to clean up our mess, not to hurt other creatures, to share, not be greedy. Then why do you go out and do the things you tell us not to do? You grownups say you love us, but I challenge you, please, to make your actions reflect your words."

I spoke for six minutes and received a standing ovation. Some of the delegates even cried. I thought that maybe I had reached some of them, that my speech might actually spur action. Now, a decade from Rio, after I've sat through many more conferences, I'm not sure what has been accomplished. My confidence in the people in power and in the power of an individual's voice to reach them has been deeply shaken.

Sure, I've seen some improvements since Rio. In my home city of Vancouver, most people put out their recycling boxes. The organic grocery and café on Fourth Avenue is flourishing. Bikes are popular, and there are a few gas-electric hybrid cars gliding around. But as this new century begins, my twentysomething generation is becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural world. We buy our drinking water in bottles. We eat genetically modified organisms. We drive the biggest cars ever. At the same time, we are a generation aware of the world—of poverty and social imbalance, the loss of biodiversity, climate change and the consequences of globalization—but many of us feel we have inherited problems too great to do anything about.

When I was little, the world was simple. But as a young adult, I'm learning that as we have to make choices—education, career, lifestyle—life gets more and more complicated. We are beginning to feel pressure to produce and be successful. We are learning a shortsighted way of looking at the future, focusing on four-year government terms and quarterly business reports. We are taught that economic growth is progress, but we aren't taught how to pursue a happy, healthy or sustainable way of living. And we are learning that what we wanted for our future when we were 12 was idealistic and naive.

We are not cleaning up our own mess or facing up to the price of our lifestyles

Today I'm no longer a child, but I'm worried about what kind of environment my children will grow up in. In Johannesburg the delegates will discuss the adoption and implementation of documents by governments. Yes, important stuff. But they did that at Rio. What this meeting must really be about is responsibility—not only government responsibility but personal responsibility. We are not cleaning up our own mess. We are not facing up to the price of our lifestyles. In Canada we know we are wiping out the salmon of the West Coast, just as we wiped out cod from the East Coast, but we continue overfishing. We keep driving our SUVs in the city, even though we are starting to feel the effects of climate change—a direct result of burning too much fossil fuel.

Real environmental change depends on us. We can't wait for our leaders. We have to focus on what our own responsibilities are and how we can make the change happen.

Before graduating from college last spring I worked with the Yale Student Environmental Coalition to draft a pledge for young people to sign. Called the Recognition of Responsibility, the pledge is a commitment from our generation to be accountable and a challenge to our elders to help us achieve this goal and to lead by example. It includes a list of ways to live more sustainably—simple but fundamental things like reducing household garbage, consuming less, not relying on cars so much, eating locally grown food, carrying a reusable cup and, most important, getting out into nature. (For the full text, go to www.skyfishproject.org.) Three friends and I will take the Recognition of Responsibility to Johannesburg, where we will meet with South African students and then present the pledge to the World Summit as a demonstration of personal commitment.

But in the 10 years since Rio, I have learned that addressing our leaders is not enough. As Gandhi said many years ago, "We must become the change we want to see." I know change is possible, because I am changing, still figuring out what I think. I am still deciding how to live my life. The challenges are great, but if we accept individual responsibility and make sustainable choices, we will rise to the challenges, and we will become part of the positive tide of change.

My View:
Most of the time, when we read, any article about environment and global warming, we just nod our head and say... "Yalor... so hot", "True, True...". There you go... full stop. [...]

People just dont take a bit of action. Nodding in agreement but no action in taking effort to make this place, where we live a better place, needless to say, battered with other issues, crime and "wars".

Making excuses and irrelevant remarks, "Other people can do it lah..." and "I dont have time lah...", show how much irresponsible we are...

To me, not everyone can or given such opportunity to make an impact like Severn, but, as the saying goes "charity begins at home" (I remember trying to do something for the community at my hometown, I was the Interact Club President then, but, my guru besar have a different opinion, before we can do anything for the community, do and care for the school first... I was puzzled but I agree with him after all, why push and help others when my school then is like a "tong sampah" and I didnt even do anything to educate my fellows schoolmates...), meaning; we can do those little things starting at home, office and even, "your own car".... some people just have problem keeping their car clean... garbage and "kotak minuman" everywhere.... Tissue papers at every corner of the car.... yikes!

So, try something easy and start with something you are comfortable with... we just need some effort and, a little time management, and a pinch of "energy" to do it... [Leo: I am starting to clean my room and putting all those recyclable stuff in a box.... OMG... it's a lot... damn it...]

Media should continuous to highlight and push for this kind of story, dont just stop and highlight it for "5 mins...": 60 Hours can do better, and I hope it is bigger and better next year.... ya know, human just need lots of reminder... (don't we?)

Like Nike tagline: Just Do It... start something rather than wait.... Do It Babe! :-)

Note: You can search for video on youtube... her speech is.... "Inspiring...." (I can't post her pic here.... don't know why... will try to post it later though...)

Leo+

Since Baby Passed Away...

Ever since Baby passed away...

Life has never been so lonely... Couldnt help but to "imagine" Baby still there... at every corner, Baby seems to be there...

The first week is the worst... so I thought... No... It is not the first week that is the worst...

Matter of fact, every moment is so hard to "face"... It is not easy for me...

I remember, just a few days after Baby passed away... I was sitting alone in the living room and as usual, I will call out for Baby... but "reality" slap hard on my face... as this time, the different is, there is no movement, that Baby is coming towards me, no "Baby's Bell" heard, and Baby not sitting beside me, looking sweetly at me...

Baby.... as usual, sleep beside me every night before going down to her own "Baby Corner"... Suddenly, my bed felt so "huge and empty"... I had never felt my cozy bed being so... "empty..." and needless to say... I cry myself to sleep...

And at times when I drive home, near condo, I will think "Wat should I feed my Baby tonight?" or "Baby must have hate for coming home so late..." and... I realized, my brain is "imagining" things... I am so used to having these thoughts...

I also remember that I wrote to my housemate to announce Baby's RIP, as follow:

---

Dear My Beloved Housemates….

Please do not be surprised when you come home tonight and Baby is not around…

My Beloved BABY had peacefully passed away…. (maybe she did struggle a bit la… according to receptionist and etc there…)

She passed away, ten days after her 5th Birthday. I am extremely sad and indeed, I had no choice but to let her go… She had left us a lot of wonderful and sweet memories… I will always have her in my heart and I hope she left a good impression to you…

According to doctor, it could be bacterial infection and her white cells are extremely high, hence the body couldn’t really fight back. I believe she had done her best. I am relieved that I had the opportunity to see her for the last time yesterday, she struggle to turn her head and look at me, which I believe, is the answer to all this. I am deeply grateful that she is with me all this while, to go through with me, the high and low of my life.

I have cremated her and will be back her urn tomorrow noon, her urn will be with us, and I will put her urn near the altar (if this is OK with all of you). It is sad to watch her being cremated but it leave me no choice. I wanted to include all of you but I know you guys are busy and working, which is understood.

Moving on, I will be working again, starting tomorrow. And it is today, be a memorable day for us, 24th February 2009, the day we mourn to celebrate the love of mankind to “Man’s Best Friend” and to rejoice that it is because of “Man’s Best Friend”, that our life is such a wonderful one and with them, it is easier for us to go through the rocky mountains of life. With this, I thank you for all the help and love shown to my beloved BABY and of course, BABY love us, I truly believe so… May she rest in peace…

---~~~---

I even bought a self-help book, to help me get over this sad chapter of my life; "They Don't See What I See: How to Talk with Loved Ones Who Have Crossed Over" by Ruth Berger; and I remember & I quote:

---

Q: What happens after a person dies?

A by Dr. Wu: After a person dies, their soul hovers near the body for seventy-two hours. Often the soul gives the messages of love and encouragement to the survivors to help them face the future.

---

This ring a bell. The night (or rather early morning) Baby pass away, I felt Baby was around, which is weird...

When I wake up, my towel is on the floor, and as usual, Baby will go to the towel, arrange it a bit and sleep on it...

And, because I thought it is Baby...

I said, "Baby, dont sleep there la! Later my towel dirty le..."

And after that, I total wake up and look at the towel, to my disappointment, nothing there... BUT, believe it or not... I felt Baby was there...

And that morning... around 12pm, the vet called to inform me the bad news... I was calm as I did suspect something was wrong...

But... it was easier for me as my boss and colleagues is supportive... I took half day and cremated Baby... and the "towel" incident is Baby's special way of saying goodbye or giving me some encouragement...

The only thing I recalled in the clinic was me cleaning up Baby's body and hair... I keep telling the doctor that my dog is very clean and hate to look like this.... I think I scared the vet a bit... He was helping me cleaning my dog... He must be thinking I am crazy.... I couldnt remember whether I cried... I guess I did... for sure...

Actually, one day before all this happen, during lunch time, I went to see Baby... she was so weak and... sleeping... I went close to her and touch her, caress her slowly, give her some encouragement, and she try very hard to open her eyes and turn her head to me... I couldnt take it and cry...begging her to recover... my heart just so felt so pain... so... helpless.... that was the last time I saw her... and was... the last time she see me also... (cry...)

No wonder she try so hard... as though she know is "going" and that was the last time we will be together... I just cant stop thinking this sad part.... her eyes... conveyed her pain and love to me at the same time... :'(

At cremation, right before the person cremate my dog... He asked, "Are you OK? Are you ready to let her go?", I couldnt recall whether I nodded or shaked my head but he proceed... The FLAME was consuming Baby... I break into tears... BUT... it was for the best...

The next day... Baby's urn is back... as promised... It is now beside the altar... :-)

I know it is stupid, but, I still "feel" and miss Baby a lot...

and... I dont think I can have another dog... I have put so much of LOVE for Baby and...

and I am still not ready for another dog...

Maybe sometime in the future but not now...

I LOVE BABY...

Baby and her favourite towel...!

Baby....

Rest in Peace...

Gogo Love You... :-)

Baby is hospitalised... OMG...

Aaaargh.... Baby is hospitalised le... i am so upset.... cant help to think, why those i love and close to me seems to.... ... ... ... what the hell happen?

Hope Baby is ok...

And I cant help but to tell her, "Please survive this for me... I love you Baby..."

:-(

Look at her... she seems so.... weak... and i cant help but to cry... aaargh.... hope she is OK....

She gave me this "dont leave me" look when i was about to leave the clinic, i just cant help it...

i am so sorry for her.........

Maybe...

I am not a good owner for her... :-(

Amazing facts about me and the world, on my birthday!

On my birthday (about 25 years ago), my mother had a hard time giving birth to a son (that's me!) and guess what my birthday has to tell me! Read on...

Your date of conception was on or about 25 January 19xx which was a Tuesday.

You were born on a Tuesday under the astrological sign Libra.
Your Life path number is 4.
Your fortune cookie reads: It takes more than good memory to have good memories. (I dont really like this...)
Life Path Compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 6 & 7.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 3, 5 & 9.

Celebrities who share your birthday:
Carly Schroeder (1990)
Wynton Marsalis (1961)
Jean-Claude Van Damme (1960)
Martina Navratilova (1956)
Pam Dawber (1951)
Laura Nyro (1947)
Mike Ditka (1939)
Lee Harvey Oswald (1939)
Dawn Wells (1938)
Peter Boyle (1935)
George C. Scott (1927)
Chuck Berry (1926)
Melina Mercouri (1923)
Jesse Helms (1921)
Anita O'Day (1919)
Lotte Lenya (1900)

Top songs of 1983
Every Breath You Take by Police
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
Flashdance by Irene Cara
Say Say Say by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
All Night Long by Lionel Richie
Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
Down Under by Men at Work
Beat It by Michael Jackson
Islands In the Stream by Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
Baby, Come to Me by Patti Austin & James Ingram

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 3.61095890410959 years old. (Life's just a big chewy bone for you!) - I think my dog will be happy to know this!!!

Your lucky day is Friday.
Your ruling planet(s) is Venus.
Your opposition sign is Aries.
Your birth tree is Maple,
Independence of Mind
No ordinary person, full imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-respect, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, many complexes, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

There are 339 days till Christmas 2009!
There are 352 days till Orthodox Christmas!
The moon's phase on the day you wereborn was waxing gibbous. (I am sorry but what again?!?!?!)

Thanks to http://www.paulsadowski.org/BirthDay.asp

Log on and check your birthday!!! It is really cool!!! The one you are reading is only part of the info given... try it!!!! very interesting!!!

Public Relations: Not As Simple As You Had Thought...

October 2008

Public Relations: Not As Simple As You Had Thought...

By Leo H (Me!)
Class of August 2007

Public relations (PR) which is considered a new industry by many people, has now evolved and grown in importance for many organisations. This is a fact. Sadly, PR is ignored by many organisations, even by big corporations that play a very important role in generating growth in the economy.

First of all, let us try to understand the definition of PR and its role in an organisation. Many people, even scholars, find it hard to interpret and define PR. Until today, countless definitions have been generated to help people understand this industry and the nature of a PR practitioner's job. In the end, only a few of them-particularly the ones that meet the academic requirements-are adopted.

Many are unaware that public relations was once called publicity or even simply known as "an act of hype". It is believed that PR started when human beings began to communicate and influence each other. Case in point, Ivy Ledbetter Lee who was recognised as one of the earliest-if not the first-PR counsellor who managed to improve the Rockefeller family's public image in the face of many labour issues. By using his many tactics, Lee managed to turn the negative aspects of the situation into positive ones.

From what I had learned (and am still learning), PR is not "go tell a story" and should not be handled in an ad-hoc manner. My lecturer taught me that PR is about RACE (research, analysis, communication and evaluation), but I did not actually realise the true meaning of each element then.

Allow me to elaborate. Many people think that research is a waste of time, but if you do not do the research first, you may well be wasting even more time, planning and scripting things that you may not even use. Research, in brief, is for one to understand the issues or situations that need to be addressed. So, even a little bit of research will help. It is a process of collecting information which may lead to insight into what one did not know before, such as identifying your audience, pin-pointing problems and defining messages, and to a certain extent, preventing crises from happening.

Only then can one proceed with proper planning to achieve the stated objective-in other words, getting the answer to the question: "how do we achieve it?" This involves mostly strategy, tactics and budgeting to achieve the said objective. Next is communicating the message to the appropriate audience, by drafting a suitable message and working on the best way to communicate it through, i.e., to execute what has been planned.

We do not, however, end the PR process by just executing the communication. We evaluate the whole process, assessing it in an unbiased and neutral way, in order to know where to improve. It is like working on an art piece-one needs to know where to add and when to stop. With each project, we need to know what went wrong and which area to improve. Through assessment, we gain more in-depth knowledge that we can use later.

After working in the industry, I finally grasped the meaning of the four elements of RACE when I whispered to myself, "Oh! How true..." I never fail to remind myself that I am there but not quite there yet; but this is a good thing and it means more room for improvement.
When I related my experience in the industry to one of my acquaintances, he asked me, "Isn't it boring to be in this industry and repeat what you do?" His remark did not surprise me. One may not understand what we PR practitioners do, but it never appears to be repetitive for me. Perhaps, the process might be long, but it is never repetitive as each and every project and campaign have different requirements and they always challenge your limits to ensure that the communication efforts work for the organisation or clients.

PR presents a logical and sensible solution for delivering all communication requirements by addressing issues faced by the organisations that we represent so that our clients can grow and prosper. And on top of everything else, all this has to be conveyed strategically and in a well-planned manner to achieve the stated objectives. One has to be well prepared, body and mind (and maybe even soul), in order to take up this ever challenging and stressful role of a PR practitioner. Well, for me, it is the passion that drives me to go further. It took some time for me to realise this, but I am happy that I did.

At the end of the day, I go home with a smile on my face, in cheerful spirits and feel contented with what I had achieved, and everyday is a brand new day. Things are much easier now, for sure, with so much support and encouragement from my superior and colleagues. Needless to say, teamwork makes things happen.

About the writer

Leo H, completed his degree in Public Relations in 2007. His strong interest in communications spurs him to further his studies. He also has experience in the hospitality and retailing industry.

He is actively engaged in many talk and dialogue sessions conducted by students to create awareness and a better understanding of the diversity of PR and communications in Malaysia. (P/S: If you still dunno who that is... Hint for you: That's me!)

Overcoming the FEAR of Public Speaking and Presentations

Overcoming the FEAR of Public Speaking and Presentations


Picture this: you walk into this room where 15 people wait in anticipation of your presentation, and they include some of the top management who are your potential clients, You are there to present a pitch.

Or imagine this, you are waiting outside a room for an interview, and if you nailed it, you are hired!

Now, the little voice in your head starts asking these questions:

"What should I say?"

"What will they ask me?"

"Am I truly prepared?"

And your body starts to shiver and your hands are sweating. Without realising it, you are breathing heavily, and guess what, you have butterflies in your stomach...

Sounds familiar?

It is safe to say that everyone has his fair share of this scary experience. This is FEAR - Fear of presenting and speaking in front of a group of people. Although some naturally do not possess this fear, most people do, including me.

Lucky you, it is good that you have this FEAR! If you can turn this into something positive, eventually you will be able to overcome it. Do you want to know more? Read on...
The solution is the word FEAR itself, discover how the word can help each of us, to conquer our very own fear.

Find

First of all, find out what causes you to be afraid. Yes, facing reality is the point. One must be able to learn to overcome fear by admitting one's weakness. By understanding your fear, you can overcome it. Start by asking yourself some questions, "What am I afraid of?", "How can I then overcome it?", "What can I do to make this presentation better?", "If this does not work, what will happen?"By doing this, you actually realise that you will be able to find answers to it and this process can help you to identify both problems and solutions. Just be positive.

Evaluate

At this phase, you weigh the pros and cons of the solutions and come out with the best answer to overcome the problems. At the same time, you will be able to realise how you can actually improve your presentation or how you can present yourself at the interview. Take for example, realising that your fear is that your presentation is too long or boring. Try making it short and brief, fill it up with some visuals that can help your audience to understand it better. Practise KISS (keep it short and simple). You may also be afraid that you may make some blunders during the presentation (who does not anyway?). Address it immediately, "I am sorry for the mistake, it was unintentional", and move on with the presentation.

Act

When you are aware of your fear and have solutions to it, ACT on it immediately, do not wait. If you have a trembling voice or merely afraid that you may forget some key points during presentation, the best solution is to practise, even with the slightest time given. If you have more time, practise in front of a mirror. As you are talking, look at yourself in the mirror, and when you are comfortable, move on by presenting it to your friends or family members. Have more interactions with them. In this way, you will be able to learn how to control your audience and, at the same time, control your trembling voice.

Response

In order to be able to help yourself to improve your presentation skills and interactions with your audience, do not be afraid of getting feedback and response from your audience. Your audience knows best, as they are the ones who are listening to you and will be able to give feedback on your presentation. Take note of all the feedback, regardless of whether they are negative or positive. Fine tune and improve on your weaknesses with a positive mindset, and keep those good points of yours.


The next tip is to understand your audience. This is crucial, so as to make sure that all the key messages are clearly understood. One must know whom they are speaking to. By knowing who they are, you will be able to be more prepared, be it contents of your presentation, or presentation style, intonation and even your length of presentation.

If you are speaking to a large crowd of children, make sure there is a lot of informal interactions and interesting visuals as they lose interest very quickly. If you are speaking to your superior, avoid using strong words, like "in order to improve our performance in the next fiscal year, let's do this...", instead, use words that are polite, formal and less dictating, such as "we may explore a few ways to improve our performance in the next fiscal year", "please feel free to suggest in this discussion" and "we may start with the first suggestion which is..."

There are many ways to improve and enhance one's presentation and public speaking skills, but there is no express way to do it. Lame as it is, practice makes perfect, and I could not agree more with Micki Holiday in his book, Secrets of Power Presentations, "know your stuff, know whom you are stuffing, and know when they are stuffed." With this in mind, the next time you are preparing for a presentation, what better way to remind yourself than to use this tip: Be prepared, know your audience and stop when necessary, without overdosing them with too much of information. As they always say, "just nice will do!"

Nothing is more important than to practise and be prepared. Nothing beats that. Everyone has his or her first time. I had mine. Enjoy and happy presenting!

It is around 12am – when I picked up my cigarette pouch, pick up the 2008 Lilian Too’s Feng Shui “guidance”, went straight to my balcony, where I usually do my reading, and also the place I can glance KL city when I need to… The more I was reading this amazing book, I realized I was afflicted by emotion tsunami and confused, it’s like, this month is good, some loop holes here and there the next month and I ran to my room, pick up the 2009 “Guide Book” by the Toos… and halfway through, my brain and arse is like united into one junk – I gave up reading it…

It may make me depressed and horribly awful; well, it’s because I am too lazy to understand further, which goes what and years, directions and bla bla bla… it’s just me! No offence… haha! I decided to end my last cigarette and go straight to the room and what else can I do in my BEDROOM? SEX is the thing – no no no… it’s actually SEX and the City! Whoa hoo! I think that’s the best to do when your brain and arse is like ONE.

Life can be quite random – once I continue the drama series, the chapter is about: you and your EX… to summed it up, this phrase from Carrie fits best;

“I couldn’t help but wonder: Can you be friends with an Ex?”

OMG! I saw another wave of emotion tsunami and it striked me; unprepared. Damn it… I hate question. I hate the answer too. To me… it’s quite simple, I tried it out…

It’s simple; you can be friends, but you won’t feel the same anymore – worse still, if you have an intercourse (oops, I am being so polite, sex is the word) before, it’s worse… damn it, don’t you just hate this? I don’t really hate it, but it’s just that I sort of got over it and leave it behind me. I can’t help but to agree with SATC – sometimes, it’s not why you are not the one, it’s just they may not run as fast like you do… Well, I am sort of wild horse running wild in Kuala Lumpur… (hold on a minute – I am not that wild; I am a LAMB running wild on the streets of KL…) – gotta sleep now… I want to have a good dream!!!! Yeah!!!

(Note: I posted this blog in the morning, not at the point of me going to sleep… too tired… LOL!)

zhumau :-)

Sex and The City - OMG! It's so funny! More SEX please!!!

Yes! I watched the movie (and yes, pirated one!) - and I have to admit, I love it! Well, I cant help but to go and buy the complete series and watch it...!!! It's so freaking funny!!!

However, whether it is New York or Kuala Lumpur, some of the scenes and story in there, that applies across culture, religions and geographically, may I add, sexual preferences - gay, not gay, lesbian, not lesbian, heterosexual, bisexual, and whatever in between. It's all about (well, NOT just about SEX!!!); women in their late thirty-plus-going-40s-and-soon-50++, all about their life and all the dilemmas & craps a women had to faced... (yes, I called my mom to clarify this a bit... I couldnt really understand what I was writing... I need some validation... haha!)

I just love them - all the sex and funny plots - and not forgetting the fashion and drama!!!

So, in Episode 3, Season 2 (Yes, I was kinda fast...) something striked me when I heard this:

"Are all men freaks?"

Hello Carrie Bradshaw!!! NOT all of us are freaks... well, just some of them, but... many women out there is freako too...!!! You dont read newspapers? Get your free copy at the 75th!!! But like what you said at the end of the episode, not just the men are, it is all... like it or not, we are freak in our own sweet way... really depends on your understanding of the word "freak" - well, as for me, anything above the line of "I love your poo poo...!" is a freak to me... anything below that, you're safe and on the list...

I always think women are hard to pleased and to understand them, takes a lifetime... and there I go again, thinking for awhile, I couldnt understand a man either, to start the list, me myself... and then in 30 seconds, I got a long list of names... applies to all gender (nowadays, it's hard to define gender you know...?) and across all boundaries, if you know what I mean...

And 5 minutes later on the same episode: I was stunned at this phrase;

"That night, Charlotte saw God seven times..."

as Mitch (the new guy she is dating) was licking her up... and I was thinking to myself... when was the last time I saw God... (OK... maybe I gone too far here...) - and then... I repeat the lines again, and I said "She cum SEVEN times on ONE FRIDAY!!!" - I am so gonna break the record, ONE FINE DAY!!! Haha!!!! Funny... I dont think I can beat that... we, men, cant "see the God" too many times (and in a day)... Damn it...

I am so loving it... and I am so gonna continue watching the girls... they are so funny and crazy... LOL!!! And interestingly, I wanna see how far the writers or producers can put out the "Carrie Chasing After Mr. Big..." - I Love the Chasing games... so many rules, so many confusions, so many adventures... EXCITING!!!!

(I hope I dont write like Carries does... LOL!)

Signing with lots of LOVE,

zhumau...