A New Start

Hey there,

It's been a while since I did any updates. So here we go,

Summer break is ending. Classes are gonna start after 3 months of 'rest'. To most, today is the first day of class. To me, it's my first day of work! My classes starts tomorrow. I'm kind off excited to start class though.

I really want to improve on my GPA's as much as possible this time. Last semester I got a pretty bad one as Physics dragged my GPA a lot. We'll see how this semester goes, I'm going to try my best this time. Misi 4 Flat!

Lengthy Road

Reliving that scraped up yesterday, We'll open the way to a hopeful tomorrow. What even remains in these hands?

My voice, dispersed into the sky.

Even if the reality I've obtained is dim, and I can't see what lies in front of me. I feel like I can proceed on this journey, as long as I have you guys.

Even if the bonds that we have gathered dust, as our past and future stand back to back.

Repeating an answer that's is full of inaccuracies. We'll seek the right answer, reaching out our hands, as many times as it takes!

Mind Opening

Given the chance to be involved in a talk program intended to share ideas and thoughts, I felt really privileged to be able to hear those intelligent voices, passionately being spoke out. TedX, an independently organised event to share with the local people experiences, researches and ideas of local speakers.

Great ideas and life experiences were shared throughout the whole session. Eye opening speeches that needs hope, while also giving hope. A hope to make this world a better place where everyone can call home.

No speech was more important than the other. From innovation to salvation, everything was worth to hear out. One speaker pointed out to the benefits of a pet, how pets could help a person's life to be ever more positive overcoming stress and tension. Another spoke about justice, his first hand experience being branded a felon only because of a book he wrote. A book which was about a constantly misunderstood organization of the past who only wants justice for everyone.

While there were no short of attention to any of the talks, one that really caught me was the PHD to Ph.D segment. Given by OSU's own professor, Elaine Richardson. Her life was full of obstacles*literally*. From being addicted to drugs and abusive pimps, from streets to jails. Everything in life being thrown to her at a very young age.

Her recovery was no short of a miracle. At one time it seemed like her choice was either death or prison. But her mother and education saved her. Her mother didn't gave up on her. She went to school and never stopped. She now has a Ph.D.

Now she shares with the world her journey, to promote healing, recovery and empowerment through education.

-Adlan

TedX squad of the day!

*She wrote a book about her life. PHD to Ph.D by Elaine Richardson

A Leap of Faith

The last time around, it was 2012. My final year in Pasir Salak. How time flies, from being reluctant and full of regrets in 2010 to living a happy life full of friends. It was exciting truly, a part of my life which I'll never ever forget. The part which is preciously stored in my memories forever.

It ended well :)

Fast forward,

And here I am, 2016, in Columbus attending The Ohio State University. One might say I got lucky*kadang aku pun rasa macam tu haha*. Others might say it is destiny. But I say it is my rezeki. Who would have thought that this guy who think he had made a huge mistake by enrolling in MRSM Pasir Salak back in 2010, would end up pursuing his studies in the US? Not me certainly.

Even when I transferred to MRSM Tun Ghafar Baba, I thought it was some kind of mistake.

But no. It was not.

He is the best of planners, keep that in mind peeps. All we need to do is work and pray hard. Whatever the outcome is, someway somehow, you will get to where you are supposed to be. 

Have Faith.

MADPP OSU!!

I won't know what will happen in the future, not the slightest of idea. One thing I do know, is I need to work harder and harder. Set and reach my targets, try my best to obtain the best of results, try to live a regretless life and of course, to always have faith.

There's just so much to look forward too in our lives. So much we can do yet so less which we really did. Let's pray for a better us, and a better tomorrow.

Can't wait for the next Leap year, we'll see what's in store for us. What He has in store.

Happy Leap Day,

Adlan

Believe

A senior of mine asked

"What are you majoring here*at the Ohio State University(OSU)*?"

"I'll be going for Mechanical Engineering"
"Aku buat ME"

"Ouh really? Goodluck dude, seriously goodluck"
"Ouh, kau buat mechy? Sumpah goodluck bro"

"I'm also a ME student, and believe me, it's going to be really hard. My advice, study seriously. Divide your time properly, study time are study time, playing times are playing times"
"Aku ME gak, sumpah susah do. Aku nasihat, kau study elok2. Waktu study, study. Waktu main, main."

And almost every Malaysian senior that I met said like that. At first I felt quite 'goyang' intimidated, especially after I heard that there are several people that are known to have changed their Majors to other kinds of engineering, giving up on their ME Majors.

Now I think of it, I haven't even tried it yet. That's what made up my mind. I want to have a go at this hard Major, and who knows, I might even be one who is good at it*I wish*. All and all, I really have made up mind on doing ME. I'll try my best, and will be hoping to get a good result in the future InsyaaAllah.

~Let's push ourselves to the limit shall we?

Don't Complain

"Please tell your children that the world is changing everyday and no one is going to wait for you in the past. When lighter was invented, matches slowly disappeared. When calculator was created, the abacus was to fade away. When the digital camera was designed, the market of negative film no longer existed. When direct market selling/internet-based arises, traditional marketing declines. When smartphones with 4G(wireless internet access) was introduced to the world, you no longer need to turn on computer at home. When WeChat and WhatsApp were developed, traditional text messaging is no longer as popular as before."

He continued,

"Let's not blame 'Who took over whose business'. It's only because people are more adjustable and adaptable to new ieas and changes in the world."

Someone asked,

"What is your secret for success?"

He said,

"Really simple... I am doing(action) while you're only watching. Please remember that the world keeps changing everyday. If you don't change, you'll get left behind. You reap what you sow with your time. If you spend time to drink, you may become an alcoholic. If you spend time to complain, you may become a blamer. If you spend time to beautify yourslef, you may become a pretty girl or a handsome guy. If you spend time to stay healthy, you may enjoy a healthy good life. If you spend time to be picky, you may become a 'mean' person. If you spend time to learn you may gain wisdom. If you spend time with your family, you may foster a warm and loving relationship with your loved ones."

-Jack Ma
~Founder of Alibaba Group

Success

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you had lived;

~This is to have succeeded.


**I don't quite remember where I got this, but I really think it's worth the share :)

Malaysia, Sehati Sejiwa

I left thinking how lucky I was, to be able to meet those guys.


Truth be told, I wasn't that excited about it at first. Being 'ordered' to attend a camp at who knows where isn't that appealing to me. The only reason I brought myself to the camp was because it's one of the compulsory requirement for me to further my studies in the US.

I expected the camp to be super boring and a kind of mind-turning type of camp, but guess what? I was wrong. Shockingly too.

The first two days were alright. We listened to talks and I got to spend a lot of time with my friends of the MADPP*yea all of us were in the same dorm. But the unexpected fun started at the end of Day 2 actually xD.

 That night, all of the participants were divided accordingly into groups*after a very exciting, shoe changing ice breaking**and I thought I was the only one with a size 11 foot, guess I'm wrong again hha. In groups of 12, I was given the opportunity to befriends with the peeps from INTEC who are in the Korea-Engineering program*the majority there.

I was reluctant at first since there were so many of INTEC and so little of us MADPP. I'm even afraid of being singled out in activities and all*LOL*. Again, I was wrong. The guys were friendly as heck sometimes I even felt like I was one of them.

I was also given the chance to truly mingle with non-Malays for the first time in 6 years. Since I was MRSM-schooled, I rarely more like never talk nor socialize with other races*Since most MRSM are open only to Bumiputras . Reluctant at first, the next morning I was more excited than ever. Throughout the camp, I managed to befriend a Kadazandusun, an Iban, an Indian*the only Indian in our dorm, Yea Long Live Rooban!* and also several Chinese #AchievementUnlocked.

Woohoo Group 9

The vibes that were given off by the INTEC students really impressed me. For me, it felt like I finally found a part of life that I have been missing out on all this time. All those years I had spent in the MRSM system, the Malays*not all* I knew were afraid to speak out or to voice out their opinions. Or when someone does, he or she would be laughed at. Some Malays who pushed that aside went on to become awesome people*One I could name is Ahmad Imran Idzqandar**jangan kembang pls. Others just faltered eventhough they do have great ideas in their minds.

But not with the INTEC students though. From the 5 days I had spent with them, they kinda breathe a new hope into my life. A hope where I can live and give without being laughed at or made fun of. The peeps were really supportive whenever one of their friends spoke up. Not even once did they embarrass anyone who voiced out and shared his/her perspective on an issue.

It felt great getting along with them. Although we were of different races, I felt at home. What I obtained from BTN, there's one thing all of us have to protect with our lives. They did their best and gave their all to obtain it years and years ago. I guess in several years it will be our turn, to protect and serve, to defend while also to raise.

Our beloved Malaysia,

Stand United Malaysians!! :)

**Jangan kembang okay guys. But yeah, you peeps were awesome xD

Journey

Assalamualaikum,

We started off by playing in our rooms and since the Form 1's has less things to do, there were lots of time that we spent with it. There wasn't a single day that we would miss. Little that we knew, our activity attracted interest from several seniors.

One evening, a Form 3 senior came to my room*while we were playing* and challenged us to several rounds of chess. All Form 1 who were there were defeated cleanly and skillfully. Somehow, the senior could see things and moves that we couldn't. All of us who were present*Best of my batch back then* were defeated. Awed by the incident, I decided to investigate*acah*. Didn't have to do much though because the senior kept coming again and again to challenge us xD.

Not long till I knew his name, Amar. Apparently he was a chess player of the school, one of the best too. We learnt several raw skills and moves by observing his style of play, and with that it made me and Zul stood out amongst the Form 1. There's also another senior, a batch member of Amar, Aniq who also challenged us to a game sometimes. Amar and Aniq were the school's Lower Form's chess players and are actually the best in our school.

Then came the day at the end of the year, where our first step was made....

First ever chess tourney xD (Zul, standing centre,yellow shirt)

Though I didn't win anything, it was one heck of an experience hhe. First time playing in a tournament formatted game, it really gave me the goosebumps. My partner though, won the first place and caught the eye of our organiser, The HEK*later I knew that she's also our chess coach*

Apparently the tournament was actually held to find the next generation of chess players since Amar and Aniq are at their last year for Lower Form category.

Fast Forward several months and into the new year, came the District Level chess tournament. Lucky me, most of my friends had stopped playing chess which leaves only me and Zul available and worthy of representing the school. Though our HEK have doubts on me at first*was a nobody, didn't even made top 10 in last year's tournament' but due to Amar's recommendation and shortage of time, I was welcomed aboard hhe.

At the end, I managed 3rd place beating one of the last year's winner*cool right? It's my first tourney yaww and I made it to the next level xD*Rezeki Actually, Allah nak bagi kan :), All Praises to Him. Zul wasn't quite as lucky though, he crashed out with 3 points out of 5. 

Between the District Level tourney and State Level tourney, a MRSM Group Chess Competition was held at MRSM Gerik. It was my first time ever going to another MRSM which made me really-really excited. There I met the Khor brothers, who were arguably the best Under-15 chess player in Perak at the time*The elder Khor later went on to become champion in the State Level tourney. The younger Khor did gave me a 'lesson' though. Pasir Salak were beaten by Gerik A 3.5 - 0.5 scoreline*4 Pasir Salak players against 4 Gerik players*.

Somehow, we kinda did redeemed ourselves by 'thrashing' Gerik B with the same scoreline hehe. Pasir Salak ranked 6 out of 20 after the last round, champions were MRSM Lenggong. The event helped me made new friends, including Rushaidi, a Pasir Salak senior who moved to Taiping.

I gave my all during the State Level tournament and managed to get into the Finals, but due to lack of experience, I lost. The pressure was immense compared to the District Level, Time given for each match was also doubled making each round can reach up to 2 hours. I faltered at the Finals, losing 3 out of 4. Our coach was more positive though, 

"Yang dah lepas dah, 

Improve lagi lepas nih"

"What's done is done,

Improve in the future"

Short but meaningful...

Later that year, our 'cavalry' was reinforced with a new coach. Ustaz Hazmi from MRSM Lenggong was transferred to Pasir Salak. Ustaz's had an incredible record that year with his student winning and becoming the Champion for Perak Under-18 Category during the State Level earlier that year. With him, me and Zul received several intense training while also being careful of our studies as to avoid our grades from dropping.

Later, He and Puan Asmah(HEK) exposed us to our first ever National Rated Chess Open Tournament at Universiti Teknologi Petronas(UTP). 

UTP

Again, rezeki. I managed 3rd place for Under-14 Category and a national rating of 1295 at the end of my first National Rated Chess Tournament ever. Also made some new friends along the way hehe. These seniors from MRSM Taiping who awkwardly but gladly skipped their batch's dinner to join us at UTP haha xD. It was exciting, the whole competition. I remembered being defeated by skillful youngsters who are way younger than me. There's also a little girl whom I beat at UTP back then, now she's one of the top players in Malaysia xD.

That year*2011* we also were exposed to many other chess tournaments around Perak. Puan Asmah said it is too overcome stiffness during games.

"Experience is always the best teacher"

Time goes by and we're in 2012, Me and Zul appearing as favourites and harapan for the Perak Tengah team. The Perak Tengah coach never forgets to remind me to train and train. Eventually, the District level that year went surprisingly well with Zul winning 1st place and Me managing 2nd Runner Up*We were up against each other in the Final Round at the 1st Table xD. 

Due to a problem though*I lost in the 're-tournament'. Therefore I can't proceed to the State Level that year thus leaving Zul to go alone. Zul then managed to get into the Finals of the State Level but also to no avail, lost and didn't make it into the National Level. Then we focused in our studies though in preparation for PMR(Lower Secondary High School Evaluation) at the end of the year.

That period also was the time I lost my ability to play football and any other outdoor activity...

Zul and I eventually moved to our preferred MRSM Taiping and TGB respectively...

Fast forward and in 2014, after years of waiting and trying. Finally Me and Zul meet again. But in different situation though. Zul made it into the Perak team, beating over a hundred other participant. While I'm representing Melaka after managing 2nd Runner-Up in the Melaka State Level.

The year 2014 was my 2nd try in the MSSM*Also managed to enter in 2013 but with a bad result 2 points out of 6 games*Giler cuak ketar lutut oi main kebangsaan first time ahahahaha*. 2014, I participated in the group event and because of the national rating I have*1295* which is the highest among the 4 of us, I was automatically placed at the First Board thus becoming the captain of Melaka hehee.

Melaka's Captain for the U18 Team xD 

The first round is where I first met Ridzwan, the captain for Pahang back then. Against Ridzwan, I give away a winning position and lost 'terribly'*Literally lol ahaha*. The 2nd Round against Sarawak*Tuan Rumah*, I lost a tactical battle against their captain. The 3rd Round against Kelantan, was outwitted terribly*sebab hilang keyakinan kut*, Melaka lost 4-0 to Kelantan. But, like it was fate, The 4th round Melaka was paired against Perak xD. I had to play against old friends. luckily Zul was at the 2nd Board hhaa so he had to play against Prem of Melaka's 2nd Board. The 4th Round is also the round where I picked my first win :D. Our coaches were kinda shocked tho cuz we picked our first win against Perak hhaa*Perak is a giant in the Chess MSSM world*.

The last 2 rounds were a breeze as we easily*and surprisingly too* swept through Kedah and WP Labuan. In the end, our team managed 6th Place in the tournament, which to me, is an achievement considering our average ratings were ranked 3rd last out of all the 15 teams hehe. 

Overall, I think chess really did played a large part in my school life. All those ups and downs, but I kept on pushing. And in the end, I got*more infact, but lets leave it at that shall we* what I actually aimed for and dreamt of when I started my journey back in 2010.... To play in the Chess MSSM Tournament :)