ELC Is Searching For New Committee Members!!!

YO EVERYONE !!!

ELC a.k.a English Language Club in Universiti Utara Malaysia is searching for new committee members for the term 2011, next term...

Interested?

Desire to learn more knowledge?

Desire to develop your English?

Desire to boost your confidence?

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU...

For ELC new registered members, you are most welcomed to join us in the interview session. We will send you an interview form, via email on the 23rd of September, please grab this opportunity to be part of us... Download and print out the interview form, fill in and follow the instruction given in the same email. We will have our interview session on the 3rd and 4th of October.

For non-ELC members, if you are interested to join us, please do not hesitate to inform us too.. Just send us an email (elc.uum@gmail.com) and inform us that you are interested, and we will send you the interview form like we did for the ELC members on 23rd of September.

ELC is opening for all UUM students. Interested to know more about the position available, job description and activities to be performed? Keep an eye on your email for we will send you various update very very soon...

See ya..

JUST WRITE RESULTS

Dear Participants,

It has been days since you all summited your contest material to us, to compete, and to win prizes in this contest. From our side (organizing committee), we work harded for that too, but we are not working hard to get prizes, we worked hard to find out and determine the winner of the contest. We have regular follow up with experience lecturers from FKBM "The MArkers" and we spent time arranging and calculating score for the material.

In this writing contest, the outcome announced tonight is final. We valued your written material based on several aspects, and they are storyline, organization, word choice, mechanics and creativity. Hence, no changes of results are to be made for any complain or appeal. However, we are certainly grateful to receive your complain so that we can make a more successful writing contest in the coming future.

And.... at last, we have the results in hand...

Champion : 206656, NEOH SOO YIN

1st Runner-up : 192121, NAZIRA BT. ROSLEE

2nd Runner-up : 207816, NAZLIZAH BINTI MOHD NAZRI

Consolation 1 : 128240, TAN WAI KIT

Consolation 2 : 193441, LEE RUI QI

Consolation 3 : 206093, CHEN SHEN CHIEH

Consolation 4 : 203950, KAM KAR WY

Consolation 5 : 203669, YOONG KAH ENG

For winners of the JUST WRITE CONTEST, a sincere congratulation from ELC and JUST WRITE committee, to you all.

For those who did not win the writing contest, we would like to congratulate you too, for your effort and courage to take up this challenge to participate in this contest. We did hope that you learn something valuable and gain confidence in writing English from this contest. The outcome is not the most important, but the valuable experience you gained is.

For your information, we have posted the written material of all the 8 winners in the blog, please feel free to have a look... We posted original written material, without any editing, hence please do not be surprised if you discover any mistakes.

Besides, there is another issue that we would like to apologize to all participants, due to misunderstanding, we deliver two different message regarding the word limit for the writing contest, however, we accept any written material which wordings are over 25o words and we made judgement and decision based on the 5 aspects stated above, without referring to the number of words. Once again, we apologized for that.

** We will be giving out prizes (cash prize and prize for winner) and certificates for all participants who have summited their work on the following place and time:

Date: 20th September 2010

Time: 2pm

Venue: Foyer Library of Perpustakaan Sultanah Bahiyah

Please make yourself there to collect your certificate and prizes (for winners) from us and please check your SIRA via uum portal to confirm that we have already key in you the SIRA.

For any inquiries, please contact:

Tan Wee Yang 0149048533

Tan Yok Boon 0127450255

Thank you...

Just Write " Consolation 5"

My First Riding Experience in Northern University of Malaysia

It was 6.30am in the morning. I woke up and I knew today is the day for me to have my first riding lesson in my life. I was so excited and I quickly changed my pajamas and rushed to the bus station with my roommates.

When I reached the stable, the horses were so quiet and calm in their stable, I touched their face softly and say ‘hello, good morning!’ to them, they were just too gentle. There are 7 horses in the stable, which is Alang, Martina, Storm, Texas, Prince, For us and Juan Pablo.

Around 7.30am, my coach, Mr. Wan reached and bring me to a room. Inside the room, there are equipments for riding. I changed my sport shoes and get in a pair of riding shoes. It was hard for me to wear it because my leg is just too short. But soon I will get use to it. After that, I put on a helmet and yes, I’m ready to ride on the horse.

My coach brought me to Martina, a female horse, youngest among all the horses and is the most docile and obedient. I have to help her put on her head collars and bring it out from her stable by controlling n pulling the lead ropes. This was the first time I bring the horse myself. I was really nervous yet very excited. Before riding, I would have to help her to wipe her face using a wet cloth to make sure her face is clean just like helping a little kid to wash their face and have to brush their body using a brush.

After that, I have to learn how to take out the head collars n put on bridles on her head instead. It was quite hard for me because the horse is higher than me. My coach help me to put on the saddle on it, and after all things is checked, only my turn to ride on it.

Once I get on it, I feel very unstable and scared but after a few moments, I had overcome my fears trying my best to control the horse using the rein. My coach guided me and the horse started to walk. I feel so happy. When I pull the rein to right, then Martina will turn right, I pull left, then she will turn left. It’s really fun. After I‘ve learn how to walk, coach ask me to stand up on the stirrup n sit again in the rhythm up-down-up-down. This is to prepare me how to trot. Shift your weight back but not too back, keep your knees locked but not too tight because and always look confident, this was taught by the coach.

After half an hour up-down on the horse, it was almost 9am, I helped to take off all the equipments and bath her. Her body was so sweaty just like mine. There ends my first riding lesson and I’m anticipating for my next lesson to come. My dream is to become a rider someday in my university and I wouldn’t give up easily.

By 203669

Just Write " Consolation 4"

The Miracle Of Being Focus…

“Focus is what drove u miles to miles, while confusion brought you miles to nothing”. This significant phrase shows us to be success is none other than the word “focus” and the word “confusion” will always be the enemy that makes u tumble. So do you understand now how important is focus in our life? Without gaining true focus, every art piece will never gain the word “perfection” nor merely called a success, it will just forever be a flawed piece and truly a miserable regret in our life.

Therefore “Why thrive for failure when you can obtain perfection”. The key that separates this two arch enemy, success and failure is simply just focus. Simple? Yes, but how to obtain full focus? . Maybe some of you all will think that focus is already within you all, but sorry to say that truly in this world, person that always give focus in everything they do is less than 40%, these people is those who always take thing simple...To be a legend and pull out your true potential, focus become a crucial key in life. Example, one of the greatest scientist in the world, Thomas Edison that always give focus in everything he done till once he even forgot to eat while experimenting his creation. However this great scientist still do make mistake and accident but everything he done is really a master piece.

Remember photograph? Everyone know photograph but do you all know that photograph is actually invented accidently by Thomas Edison when he was trying to invent something else, kind of unbelievable right? Or how about the story of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes where Kellogg accidently left boiled wheat on a baking pan overnight and puff out the corn flakes that we are eating every day. Extraordinary people with extraordinary life. However my purpose of this story isn’t to amaze you all but to strike awareness in the heart of everyone. We may not be someone like them for we are different and special. Word isn’t something that can prescribe us but action will do. The barrier that differentiates us and them is just focus, for we always that things easy and overlook them. “A clever man solve a problem, a wise man avoid it” and “try not to become a man with success but a man with value.” Then, you will learn that you can be someone like them, where people respect and admire your whole life. “we aren’t born perfect for we are learned to be one.”

“Dedication is what make us to grow”

“while controversy is what make us fall”

(-Frosty-)

By 203950

Just Write " Consolation 3"

The beginning. Let me have a summary of who am I. I am an ordinary boy who was enrolled by Northern University of Malaysia (UUM) as a Bachelor of Business Administration student. I came from a lovely place that is full with traffic jams and a place where you will go out for entertainment mostly every night. That is Klang, Selangor. I’m an April baby, and seriously April sounds so Taurus.

Being Independent, what is this really means? It started when I’m enrolled into a place called UUM, Sintok Kedah. For your information, UUM is a place that is located deep inside Kedah and it is called as “Jungle University” meaning to say UUM is a university that is located within jungles. Despite that, I started buying stuffs for me to live here before I came in, living alone here, being independent here and the most terrifying case is living with anonymous here.

Being independent, I’m separated from my friends and families. I have to suit myself here because the place here was damn far from my hometown. I was so sad and seriously I hate having the separating feelings. I have to cope myself and know what is like to live by myself here, detergents, washing machine, hanging the clothes. And I have to be alert when is it going to rain some more. But I know deep inside my heart my families are supporting and encouraging me far away there. I often call them as a learning-to-be-independent child so that they know I’m safe here. I’ll surely say : “Don’t bully Jenny (My younger sister). Take care over there.” I miss them so much. I can’t wait to meet them during this mid semester break.

Being independent, I realize that networking is a very important thing when you are living alone here like me. Friends do really help a lot whenever I’m having miserable time here and they will share your happiness with you when you are happy too. I met friends here that are really good. What I’m thinking is that “True friends are like gold, found everywhere; fake friends are like stone, found everywhere”. Be true and nice to everyone, what goes around will come around. “Be yourself and you can live your very own life”, this is what I meant.

Being independent, I joined activities here too. I believe that by joining activities, I can develop myself in a way of developing my independent skill too. This will surely enhance my soft skills. I’m learning to be proactive, I’m learning the way to approach people without any hesitation, and I’m trying to do everything with my own effort now. Be independent!

I believe that I’ll be an independent person in a way that I’ll be able to settle my own problems, own things, own life nicely. I wish to be another me, I’m trying to make my future brighter. Lastly, I would end it with a word, ‘Perseverance’ meaning to say that never give up no matter how many times you’d failed. Be yourself.

By 206093

Just Write " Consolation 2"

A festival celebrated at my place

“ Dong dong dong qiang……” I was dreaming about fighting demons with my super power at that moment. Suddenly my dream vanished and what remained in my mind was, “Today is Chinese New Year Eve”. Well, honestly I was not expecting anything from Chinese New Year except a one-week holiday and the most welcomed “ang pao”. For me, celebrating Chinese New Year was just a boring thing to do. I say this based on a few pieces of evidence.

What my family did on Chinese New Year Eve was clean up the layer of dust had been around for a year, change curtains and decorate the house. After that, we changed into new outfits to go back to my father’s hometown-Lenggong, Perak. The journey took about one and a half hours. When we reached there, we greet our elders and they gave my two sisters and me “ang pao”. For the next hour, everyone watched television. Feeling like there was a crow flying in the house, the weird atmosphere continued until my aunt asked all of us to have the “reunion dinner”. After the reunion dinner, my family and I went back to Ipoh. We did not stay overnight because we thought that was unnecessary.

The Chinese New Year Eve ended meaninglessly.

According to our family tradition, children with only get their “ang pau” from their parents on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Of course, my sister and I got our “ang pau” from our parents. Then, again we sat at the living room and watched television shows. Luckily, I could go online and surf the net instead of watching those boring television shows. At around 5pm, mum drove us to Menglembu to visit my uncle. We had our dinner and we went back to our home after some time.

Another boring day had passed.

The next day was the second day of Chinese New year which we called “Chu Er”. As usual, I woke up to the annoying Chinese New Year song which had been played for about hundred times. Unfortunately, when I cleaned up myself in the bathroom, I broke the mirror. Then, for the following 30 minutes, I listened to the lecture delivered by Mrs. Lee, who is my mum. She kept babbling about how badly I broke the rules and I chased the God of Prosperity away. That is why I dislike Chinese New Year, I whispered. “Later, your aunt will stop by for a visit. You’d better behave yourself”, mum said.

At about 7pm in the evening, my aunt arrived. My aunt lives in Kuantan with her husband and two children. From what I knew, she had two children, a three years old boy named John and a six years old girl named Elizabeth. I had not see them for three years. I greeted them with the four words “Gong Xi Fa Cai”, and then I saw two little children “pop out” from behind my aunt. We laughed and my first thought of them was, “How beautiful they are!” The two children’s faces were so innocent and so beautiful. We moved inside the house, I held the three year old boy in my arm, oh my God, he was so cute! I asked him a simple question, “Do you like Chinese New Year?”, “Yes!” he answered. I asked him why and he answered slowly, “because I…… want to celebrate Chi……Chinese New Year with grand……grandmother”. “Time to go back!” My aunty said. They got into the car, and the two little children waved at us. Soon, they were gone.

I sat quietly in my room, thinking about what John had said to me. He said he liked to come back to Ipoh to celebrate Chinese New Year with his grandmother. Eventually I figured out what he was trying to say. He said he wanted to gather around with his family. This is what Chinese New Year means. It is not just about getting ang pau from elders. It is about a reunion of family members. This festival is meant to give us a chance to spend some time with family. That night, I heard my neighbours playing firecrackers and my mum was playing that song again. But this time, I did not feel any of the usual annoyance anymore. That was a lovely night.

That day was such a beautiful day……

By 193441

Just Write " Consolation 1"

“I failed... I couldn’t… bring them back…” These words echoed in my ear.

There she stood, in her twenties, with hands clasping close to her chest by the lake. She seemed calm as the winds play with her hair. Turning to me, she smiled. I smiled back.

We sat down together and had quite a conversation, about paintings. As night began to veil the land, I accompanied her home. That day, I met a new friend.

I saw cuts on her wrist, but I bear no ill thoughts of her. Her abode was modest near the foothill. Apparently, she stays alone. Every so often, I would ask her out. From weeks to months, I grew fond of her.

One day, I decided to pay her a surprise visit. I entered the gloomy house and into a room where a stream of rays led me. There she was, lying, breathing heavily with blood on her wrist.

I ran and hold her to my arms, asking why. She cried, saying

“I failed… I couldn’t… bring them back…”

The walls were hung, paintings of her family. She thought that blood, being the essence of life could bring them back. Her effort proves futile.

I spent the night there. Leaned on the wall, I stayed awake, watching over her. Dawn reappears, and she was beside me, with a blanket around us. When we came to our senses, she asked me to bring her to the place we first met.

It seemed like a death wish. But she insisted. As we sat by the lake, and by a twist of fate, we drew out a big heart. It was the most beautiful drawing that I have found; I found love.

Tears flood my eyes, as I soliloquized

“God, please don’t take her away from me…”

By 128240

Just Write "2nd-Runner Up"

It’s been a while. I've been busy, please forgive me. A lot of things have been running through my head lately. I feel like I'm a living monitor sometimes. Too many input less output but then anyway the reason why I neglect you these days is because I went for a trip to the zoo with my little rascal brother. It’s entertaining, pleasuring and here, I've posted a picture of him with his strong muscular buddy, Mr. Elephant or Miss. Elephant. Only God knows.

Elephant as we all can acknowledge is one of the largest mammoth apart from whale and dinosaurs. You have to admit they are pretty large and scary sometimes but then most of the time they are cunning and an interesting creature. Some people love and adore them, even worship them and some are a total scardy-pants when we mention about elephant. Imagine what will happen to this kid if he was squished by this elephant just like a little innocent bug. 'DEATH' is the only word that will appear in one’s head apart from a total bone crushed. K.O. Nonetheless I hope it will not happen because this kid in this picture is my little brother, Nazrul. He's totally afraid of the elephant. HAHA.. Scardy-pants.

Anyway, like I said just now some adore them, worship them and loved them for that matter but some cared less about them. Wealth is what they saw upon laying their sights on this magnificent figure. The tusk of an elephant cost is like a treasure pit. Very much expensive, indeed. These animals are hunted and killed just to earn their tusks. One tusk can cost hundreds of USD when sold in the black market. Imagine just for a silly old tusk, this ancient animal is killed mercilessly. They deserve to live like those greedy poachers too. They too are God's greatest creation apart from us, human beings.

Right! Enough with all these ramblings. Straight to the main story! Well as you can see this picture pretty much shows you that this kid over here is actually standing in front of the elephant, well he's shivering actually. He's pretty much afraid with everything larger than him including me. HAHA.. I actually forced him to feed the elephant. The elephant over there too keep on blabbing “FEED ME! FEED ME! FEED ME!!”. I wanted to feed him or her, too busy capturing pictures not noticing what gender that elephant was or listening to what the zookeeper was saying sorry, but I was too in love with my CANON camera, you heard me right MY CAMERA, capturing happy moments like this. Hehe.. The downfall moments where we can recall back happily and tease him mercilessly. So you now know that I am an 'innocent soul sister'. Haha.. Yes, I am. Haha..

After a few scolding and persuading him, he finally victoriously fed the elephant with proud. Feeling relief for a while an idea came upon my head and I asked him nicely.. Ahemm.. “Nazrul, pat the elephant!!!” Very nice indeed. He was like 'NO WAY!' He shrugged his head but then I asked him again even nicer, “Nazrul! Pat the elephants, NOW! Please.” His face changed all the sudden. The relief and relaxed face muscle tensed up again due to my 'sweet orders'. Well you know as a sister we have to talk nicely to order our little brother or sister. Hehe..

He really did do it before running away for ten miles, I say. No, just kidding but he did ran away after petting the elephant once. It took him quite a while just to hold that so called 'tiny creature'. I cannot even recall how many times I've ordered him to pet it. ‘Oopsy daisy’. Yeah, I admit, it was really hard making this 6 year old boy pet the elephant. Authority power and voice power has to be used in this critical situation. Hehe..

Seriously, come on be frank with me. What can this girl do? Err.. reffering to the elephant okay. Now assume, this elephant is a girl elephant. She's chained with all those metal chains, chained at her shelter place. Pheww. . Lots of chains, right? She can't even move more than that. Believe me it’s the gospel truth. Though we know that elephant can easily pull a tree trunk with all the roots attached to the ground easily but then cannot even free themselves from such tiny chains. Unbelievable, right?

Well, there’s always the gospel truth behind everything. The zookeeper who had been standing there for a period of time trying to persuade my little brother to hold the elephant said that the elephants have been chained since they were still young. It’s pretty much hard to escape from those gigantic sized chains when they we're young actually, so eventually when they grew older and a totally lot bigger in size they still have the same impression that they cannot break free because of those metal chains attached to their feet. Unbelievable right? Uh, by the way sorry to mister zookeeper because I snap shot your feet only. I know you're handsome but I was too preoccupied with my job thus not having the urge to capture your dashing smile and face. Sorry again sir zookeeper!

I actually felt sorry for her and them, the elephant herd being chained at such young aged. Come to think of it, I too hate it when my parents controlled me. Thanked God I'm 19 already and all the decision is on my hand. Er, not all anyway but mostly they let me make my own choice. Most importantly, my own choice of husband to be. Haha. Shuhh.. Still early to think all those things because you've just started your first semester, Alyie! Imagine your whole life being in the same place, waking at the same place, eating the same stuff and most importantly not being able to move freely as you wished is a total nut case for me. I crave for new environment, new place and new people to learn and also explore. Thus, I really pity them. If I can do anything to help you, I'll do it! Elle, be strong. Once again please refer to the elephant in the picture which is now named Elle. Gosh. Similarities in our name, one is Alyie and the other one is Elle. No wonder I loved her she's my precious pet! Haha, kidding.

Well back to the picture here. Displaying how happy my brother is after unwillingly abide my rules and regulations. He's smiling ever so happily completing the task without failure. Urgh, yeah right, as if. Look at his innocent face smiling at the ground, that mischievous look saying that 'I just did what you said, Ha!Ha!' Hmm.. Just wait and see my little brother because I shall return home this Aidilfitri and make your life miserable. Bwahaha. Opps. After torturing you later I'll forgive you. Haha.. It should be the other way around right? Okay, sorry for making fun of you and toying you now but this is the only chance I got before you start growing older and taller hence, bullying me back. Gosh. Please note that this is all a typing error that I willingly do not want to cancel. Oh my God. I totally forgot to tell you this. Ah guys’ attention please, notices that he's wearing somewhat that looks like a rope near his neck. Well he's wearing a nametag because he's one of the lucky students who got the chance to follow his school's trip. Er, rephrase back kinder garden’s trip to the zoo. Yippi yaiyee!

Anyway it's a pleasuring trip for me because I got to torture him and I guess he's pleased as well because he had the opportunity to travel at such a young age. It's not fair during kinder garden the one place I used to go is ' back to kinder garden and home trip'. Urgh. For your information he also got a cell phone on his own. It's totally unfair!! I only got one when I was like 13. Look how ICT had done to this world. Even though we're just a decade apart there are so many differences in our era. Anyhow no matter how much I envy him, I loved him more than I love myself because for me there's nothing more important than family whom is my treasure and also my life. Sorry Elle, family comes first dear! Sorry readers would really love to tell you more about the trip but I got to go. Mom's calling for me. Dinner I'm coming and shuuhhh.. Stomachs, please behave! Haha.. Until later then mates, bye! Take care of yourself okay? Eat well, sleep well!

By 207816

Just Write "1st-Runner Up"

I DREAMED A DREAM.

Question: do you love to sleep? My answer is yes. Well, being a student, you might think “of course she loves to sleep with all the late night study sessions and busy schedule.” But in my case is no, I love to sleep because of the dreams. I am a self proclaimed passionate dreamer. I’m the girl that each time I lay my head for a nap that I am bound to dream of something. It is that easy for me to dream and I love every single minute of it. Not to blow my own horn or anything, but if dreaming were to made an Olympic sport, I surely can win Malaysia’s first gold medal!

My dreams are always so vivid and colorful. Surprisingly, the main characters would always be my friends with a mix of cartoon characters. Once, I dreamed that my friends and I are actually Thundercats (it is a cartoon back in the 90s) and we were off to save the world from Japanese occupation. I have no idea how my brain could somehow muster that up. And just last night, I had a funny dream about aliens attacking UUM and that all the PALAPES and I had to fight off the aliens while the rest of people cower in the FSKP building. It kind of amazes me that in my dream, there is always someone or something wanting to take over the world and I would always act as the superhero.

Nightmares are something that I truly enjoy because in my standpoint, nightmares are actually me starring on my own horror movie! Since I may never be in a starring role of the next upcoming “Pontianak” movie, I might as well enjoy my nightmares. There is one particular nightmare that until now I can remember clearly. It starts off with an innocent night of me babysitting my baby cousins, the next thing I knew, the babies turned ugly and decided to eat me. The nightmare quickly turned bloody and gory! One baby was chewing on my ear and another had a surprisingly great strength and had ripped my arms off! Nowadays, every time I see an infant, I would be reminded of the cannibal babies. I also have regretfully avoided any babysitting jobs.

Dreaming without a doubt actually inspires me. This is because when you dream, you can do almost everything that in reality you only thought you are not capable enough. My dreams let me found my inner Jimi Hendrix. It was a year ago that I had dreamt that I was rocking out with a guitar on stage in front of a massive crowd together with my favorite band Paramore. The dream had made a big impact on me where I realized that I do not have to be just another avid music listener, but I can be a musician as well. I quickly got myself my own guitar and started to learn how to play it. Now, I have been rocking out with my friends and I’m content that I made the decision to literally follow my dreams.

Despite the fact that I love to dream, it never escapes my mind that reality is what I’m living for. My dreams are fun but if the dreams happened in reality, it will be far more awesome.

By 192121

Just Write "Champion"

The Night Market

You will find them in every part of the country, from big cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang to housing estates and villagers. In my town, the pasar malam or night market is held in an open area behind the town council. This usually deserted part of the town is turned into a hive of activity on Fridays.

The first people to arrive at the site are the hawkers, stall owners and wholesalers who come in lorries and vans to unload their goods. Individual stall owners then sort out and arrange their wares on the makeshift stalls. Within the short span of an hour, the whole place is transformed into a shopper’s paradise. Shoppers who flock to the pasar malam come from far and near.

The numerous stalls are strung out in a long line and assortment of wares will surprise anyone who happens to be making his first visit. At one end are the vegetable and fruit stalls where masses of fresh flowers, vegetables and fruits are arranged. Then come the textile stalls, flooded with trendy clothes in every shade and colour imaginable. Next to these, displayed in glass cases, are dazzling and colourful semi-precious stones. In the fish stalls, silvery fish shimmer on their beds of ice and are quickly snapped up by housewives after aggressive bargaining. The aroma of freshly cooked food, satay, ayam panggang, laksa and other exotic dishes, is enough to whet one’s appetite.

At night, the whole area is illuminated by bright and colourful lights giving the whole pace, a fiesta-like atmosphere. People, who move from stall to stall, seem oblivious of others and just push their way through the crowd. Some people, usually young couples and teenagers, take a leisurely stroll looking at the various items on display.

After ten o’clock, the crowd dwindles and traffic eases. The makeshift stalls are dismantled and the whole site is strewn with rubbish. The odour of rotting food pervades the air. Then the air begins to chill and the site of the pasar malam, which only hours ago was bustling with life, is once again quiet.

By "206656"