Muhamad Asyraaf

The first time I installed Linux on my laptop was 3 years ago when the Debian-based Ubuntu 10.04, Ubuntu's third LTS codenamed Lucid Lynx, was released. My friends' responses were like: "Ubuntu? What the heck is that?", "How lame! A fake Mac!", "Does Linux supports Dota? No thanks". The idea of having a unique operating system, different from other people, encouraged me to remain faithful to Ubuntu regardless of what my friends say about it.

Then, there was 10.10 (aka Maverick Meerkat). This was what I thought the stablest and most beautiful of all Ubuntu releases. The sleek top panel, combined with the-finest-dock-no-money-can-buy Docky, made a good clone of the Mac interface. Although, it was not long until 11.04 came out that I uninstalled Ubuntu from my laptop a week after the upgrade. 

In Natty Narwhal (codename for 11.04), a new environment was introduced - Unity. It had been just a year since I got involved in this Linux business. As a Linux newbie, I was still getting used to the Gnome Classic when this sudden shift occurred. I couldn't get over Unity. It was not just weird, it was very buggy too. I screwed up my important files too when Ubuntu crashed.

Oneiric Ocelot (11.10) had an improved Unity Dash - with the so-called chameleon effect feature that changes the Dash color according to your wallpaper. Everything was nice so far, except for the persistent bugs. At this point, I had only ran Ubuntu on a virtual machine. I didn't want to risk formatting my laptop again. I was still waiting for a stabler version of Ubuntu to actually stick with it and never go back to Windows.

I thought the waiting has ended with the release of Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise Pangolin). Precise is not precisely what I was looking for. Reintroducing the Ubuntu button as one of the apps on the vertical panel was not the best upgrade Canonical has made. The polished look of the file manager roused my enthusiasm to start using Ubuntu again. This time I really did it. I installed Ubuntu once more, but I didn't run it alone. I dual-booted it with Windows 7, just in case I didn't like.

Everything was fine the way it was until I upgraded to Quantal Quetzal (12.10). This is the buggiest release I've ever used. The introduction of Windows 8 gave me an excuse to wipe out Ubuntu, eliminating the dual-boot. Then, I got very busy with college works I only got to keep in touch with Ubuntu again 3 months later, or 3 months ago, however you look at it.

Last week, I made a tough decision of installing Ubuntu 13.04, codenamed Raring Ringtail, and wiping out Windows - entirely wiping it out, no dual-boot, just Ubuntu. So far, I'm liking it. It is very stable and indeed something I can brag about at college. Linux is getting more and more recognition nowadays and I don't feel as awkward as I was 3 years ago to tell everybody about Ubuntu and Linux. Now, I'm once again an average Linuxer.

A laptop, a tablet, or an iPad, whichever works for viewing ebooks. A pen which would last for about a month before you would need a new one. A scientific calculator, just the classic Casio 570 would suffice. And probably a notebook to jot down some important stuff. 

Believe it or not, these are the three most basic things (excluding the notebook, that's just a suggestion) you need in order to survive your college years. Not sure about other colleges but that's all I bring to classes everyday here at Taylor's Canadian Pre-U (CPU). Seriously. If you could see my face right now, you know I'm not kidding.

Most of the textbooks used in CPU are available in the electronic version (ebook). The printed ones, are quite thick and heavy, which I consider a burden. As far as I'm concerned, CPU teachers won't mind you using ebook as long as it's the same book they're using in class (our teachers are awesome!). However, it's best that you ask for their permission first.

All the ebooks I'm using now, when combined, barely reach 100Mb in size. Nevertheless, it's not the size that matters, it the awesome feeling when you don't have to bring heavy books to classes all the time. Everything's in your tablet/iPad, or in my case, in my laptop.

It won't take you long until you realize you've been using only your pen (at times, your pencil) in class and that is all. The other 90% of the stuff in your super fancy pencil case is nothing but another weight you make yourself carry every time you go to class. This is no elementary school where teachers force you to cut handouts and creatively paste in your book. I'm just saying.

Scientific calculator is hands down the most important thing you need at college, especially if you're taking math or science classes. Even business classes nowadays involve lots of math. Better take good care of it.

Why am I feeling so free today when there are tons of assignments pending on my to-do-list? Okay now, have a good one everybody!

You can call me a "total idiot" if you want - I deserve that name. I've been repeating the same mistake over and over again and never seem to learn anything from it. No, I have truly learnt my lesson now. I am very disappointed in myself. This must not happen again in the future.

"Intelligence" was what I thought the capability of answering exams without really have to study. It may be true, if I'm Einstein. Well, the thing is, I'm not.

"Ego" sent me crashing down to the pit of humiliation. Ego also leads to stupidity. Stupidity leads to failure. I'm on the brink of failure and I have to tame my own ego right now.

"Learning" is not just about understanding or absorbing what is told and what is read. It's about applying those stuff in real life situation. Exams are simulation to real life situation.

"Thinking" is something I do the least. At times I'm suppose to come up with handful of ideas and quick, my brain always fails me. That's me to be blamed for.

"Stress" is nothing but a weary mind. Even the best of horses when harnessed to the limit will shake you off the saddle.

When those first letters combined, they form IELTS. What a coincident! I've just got my IELTS results yesterday. Thought I could do better if there is a next time. Unfortunately, opportunity only knocks once. This has to be the most unforgettable lesson I've had.

Hey, I'm back! Truth to be told I'm super relieved right now. Why, you ask? It's because I just finished my final IELTS paper yesterday. I hate the fact that I took the exam unprepared but that's my fault anyway. I've got the whole six months to prepare but choose to do it at the last minute. Whatever. Now, I'll have to wait for another two weeks to find out if I either nailed the test or failed the test. 

So, what's this IELTS thingy I'm talking about? Well, it's an English language test just like MUET and TOEFL. It stands for the International English Language Testing System and it's acceptable at nearly all the universities around the world. I believe now you know why I took this exam. Yes, it's mainly for the university admission.

Basically, the score ranges from Band 1 to Band 9. If you get Band 1 for your test, it means that you have the shittiest level of English and you're just wasting your money taking the test - sorry for the vulgarity - but that's the truth. On the other side, if you get Band 9, it simply means you master the language better than any native English speaker does because even they struggle hard to get that score. That doesn't mean it's impossible to get Band 9 though.

Anyway, the safe IELTS score for you to get into a university is Band 6.5. That is the minimum score I have to get to further my studies at any one of the Canadian universities I applied, at least. The IELTS exam wasn't that difficult (really!), although I noticed I screwed up here and there after the exam has ended.

Oh, look! My assignments are waving at me, waiting to be done. Got to go!

It's not a rumour, it's the truth! I'm back to Subang Jaya - the city of nothing but pollution and congestion that no one would want to call home except me. Well, not for long though. Just for the next 5 and a half months, at least. Coming back to Casa Subang means the second semester is starting real soon.

In just a few days, my routine will commence once again. Wake up early in the morning to catch the first bus (hopefully), go to classes, enjoy super cheap lunch with friends at Gerai Sementara near SS15 (the town council better not shut that place down), go home, sleep and the cycle repeats for the next, I hate to say this but, 5 and a half months. Just thinking about it had already made me feel unmotivated to start 'my college life: part two'.

Also, in just a few days, my holidays will automatically be over. It seems like I had too much fun during the holidays (didn't even touch a pen or a book) I'm afraid my handwriting will be a little ugly when college opens. I know my handwriting is already ugly but it's going to be, err.. uglier. You know what I mean.

Anyway, I kind of miss my friends and can't wait to see them. Supportive and sporting, they are. I think that's the only reason why I can survive studying here. You know, I've never been to a boarding school and all, but alhamdulillah I can keep up with the pace.

To end this crappy post, I'd like to state it here that I promise to do my best this semester. That's all about it I guess. Good luck everyone!

Oh my God! It has been 3 months since I last posted anything on this blog. I haven't update this blog for a very long time. I hate to repeat this phrase but time sure passed really quickly. I still remember I wrote about my experience in the first few days at Taylor's in my last entry. Now, I just have 2 more weeks of classes before the first semester ends.

You have no idea how your life would be if you're in the Canadian Pre-U. Exactly like what my seniors had described it, "You can't be relaxing in CPU." Referring to not in the sense of willingness to relax, rather, referring to the fact that you won't be able to do so.

You will get a hell lot of assignments and unless you manage your time really well, you'll struggle in getting the tasks done at the last minute. Just for your info, every subject has its own "major project" called the Independent Study Unit (ISU). Usually, you'll be assigned with two ISUs in each subject: one individual work and one group work. ISUs are our worst nightmare. Try and ask any of the CPU students about ISU and see their reaction.

After the finals, I will definitely have enough time to get this blog going with helpful and quality entries again. I did promise to not to let this personal blog die anyway. I might open a new category so please keep in touch with the blog. Until then!

I can say that this year's Ramadan was the best one yet. Before I continue crafting this "crap", I would like to wish Happy Eid ul-Fitri to all Muslims who are reading this post. It's so sad that Ramadan is leaving us, isn't it? Hope we'll meet it again next year. For non-Muslim friends, I hope you guys have lots of fun during this one-week holiday. So where were we... oh ya, my Ramadan experience.

The first day of Ramadan which was also my seventh day of college marked the point where I began to get closer to my Muslims friends. It's important to have your Muslim friends around you especially during the fasting month (in my case all of the other Malay scholars) because all of us went through Ramadan before and we pretty much understand how it is to be fasting while doing our responsibilities at the same time. Since we're staying away from home, sticking together as a small community would would definitely helps.

I usually hangout with the MARA scholars, performed Tarawih together in some friend's apartment and sometimes have our Iftar (breaking fast) together. There's a surau at Level 1 of the building but it's always crowded with people. That's why we prayed in the apartment unit instead. I was quite busy with assignments and stuff on the second week of Ramadan that I was unable to join the others for Solat Tarawih. I regretted knowing the fact that Ramadan is approaching to an end in a day or so now.

This year's Ramadan was quite challenging. As for me, I caught a fever two days before we started fasting and the worst part was that it persisted. The first few days of Ramadan was tiring due to the fact that I was slightly ill. I have extra class on Tuesday and Thursday. So, I usually walk home because I don't like to wait for the 7 pm bus. I'm not sure how far my college from where I'm living but it usually takes 20 minutes or so on foot. Walking home in the fasting month was obviously tiring but that was my fault anyway because I could have taken the bus instead but I didn't.

I received a lot of questions from my curious non-Muslim friends regarding the holy Ramadan, especially from the international students who are not aware of the Muslim's fasting month compared to the local non-Muslims. I did my best to clear things up, I hope they understand what I've explained to them. A classmate of mine asked me a question that made me laugh out loud. I'm not going to reveal that person's name here but he asked if my religion wanted to kill me by making me deprived from food all day long. I was like, are you kidding me, I started fasting when I was 6 and I'm still here in the class with you.

Two days ago, we had Iftar together again but this time it's a little bit special. Since it was the last day before everybody starts to head back to their hometown for the Eid, we decided to break fast together. We had Iftar at the The Summit Shopping Complex and some of our non-Muslim friends also joined us in the feast. It was great and I'm happy to see some other scholars who were having Iftar there as well.

Okay, that's all for now. Once again, I'd like to wish you Happy Eid or "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin".