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Start Ahead, Stay Ahead!

Perhaps the nagging questions on every school leavers’ minds are, What should I do now? Should I start work? Should I continue with studies? What do I want to study? What do I want to be when I grow up?

Years ago, I’ve had to answer those difficult questions for myself. I had a very short period of time and I was under lots of circumstances- being uprooted from Kuching, not knowing anyone in KL, being late for early intake so I had to start later than everyone else- but in the end, my parents and I did make the right choice for me because we enrolled at Taylor’s College Subang Jaya (TCSJ), which ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and those years at Taylor’s were the best years of my life so far! I found the ‘loves’ of my life there - my now career path and my husband!!

The College exterior

TCSJ offers only Pre-U programs, along with the Sri Hartamas campus. Other tertiary programs are now being offered at the Taylor’s Lakeside Campus near Sunway

So I was delighted to be invited to visit TCSJ again for their Open Day recently. Much has changed since I went there, the Canteen we used to know has been renovated and half of the space is now taken up by a computer lab. The offices and the classrooms, well, they’ve been repainted and renovated here and there so it looks refreshed! All the shops across the street are now nicer - they now have a Pappa Rich and a Starbucks, we didn’t have Asia Cafe back then, we had ‘Pan Mee’ under a tree!!

The newly renovated Reception area

The Taylor’s Placement Centre helps students in everything to do with getting placed in a University

What was once our canteen is now this computer lab!

Anyways, knowing that I have to write a blog post about my old college, well, I didn’t want to sound biased, but I guess I can’t help because having been an ex-student, I already know that the college is top notch! Great facilities, inspiring teachers and a great social experience overall! (I made some of my best friends there and we still hang out till now!) But I tried to keep an open mind and went in as both a potential student and potential parent of a student ;P to see if I would buy what they’re selling now.

Showcase of student creativity…

….and lessons in civic mindedness can be found everywhere!

But of course, I was sold. Especially on their Canadian Pre-U (CPU) program. I personally did the American Degree Transfer Program (ADP) because I knew, going into college, that I wanted to do a Media/Communications Degree. But if you’re like most 16-17 year olds and you’re unsure of what you want to do, I’d encourage you to do a Pre-U course. You will spend a minimum of 1 year in the course and are given the flexibility to choose various subjects to see where your interests are, preparing you for the road ahead, which is University.

I would call a Pre-U program a transition period or “rehab” for your learning system from the national school system before you get thrown into a University.

You know, when you’re in a public school system, all you ever do is memorize things in the pretext of learning - memorize equations, memorize history, memorize moral values (which till this day I still think is ridiculous… how are you suppose to instill moral values into a student by asking them to memorize how ever many ‘Nilai-Nilai Murni’ there are?) You’re discouraged from asking questions - things are what they are, like you’re told, you can’t have your own opinions if they defer from that of the text book, I can go on and on…but I think this video (done by Taylor’s CPU Students) might illustrate better….

Although the video stopped a bit abruptly, you get the idea…. What got me into rooting for CPU is the innovative, interactive and flexible learning approach – it focuses on active student participation and student-centred learning, you’re encouraged to have your own opinions, you’re encouraged to ask questions and you’re also encouraged to answer the questions other students ask! You learn from each other and the teachers are just there to facilitate and point you in the right direction!

Teaching staff at the CPU program are mostly Canadian graduates

Talking to Melvin Teh, who is currently a 3rd semester CPU student. Very confident and outspoken, plans to pursue Bachelor of Business & Psychology at Monash Malaysia

And if you’re sick and tired of studying for one final exam which will make or break your entire year in school, well, CPU students are assessed through 70% coursework and 30% final examinations. Most of the coursework includes group projects and presentations which helps, not only in obtaining hands-on knowledge, but helps to build social skills – working in a team – and presentation skills, all of which you’d require in to start ahead and stay ahead in real life! Not so much your book smarts! ;P

With Chuah Ai Jou, Taylor’s MarComm Senior Communications Exec. and Mr Lim Tou Boon, President of Taylor’s College.

And what really sold me on CPU was the 10-hour compulsory community service every student is required to complete before graduating. Now that’s the way to instill good moral values and at the same time contribute to the community! To add to that equation, 80% of CPU’s teachers are from Canada, they’re young, vibrant (and if I may add - pretty good looking bunch too!! hahahaha….) and have a world of international experience, which students here can take from.

With Ms Nirmala Subramaniam, Asst. Principal at the School of Pre-U Studies - Canadian Pre-U Program, who came to meet me outside of college after her talk during the Open Day just to chit chat!

Don’t be fooled by its name though, besides Canada, the CPU Program opens doors to universities all over the world, including the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, Russia, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and more!

If you need more information on Taylor’s College and the CPU Program, click here. Registration is now closed for the March intake, unfortunately, but the June 2010 intake is still open. From what I hear, the CPU program has just moved into Wisma Subang Jaya (formerly the Taylor’s Business School building) so you’ll get to have plenty of facilities (like computer labs and lecture halls) all to yourselves! So, if you’re still undecided as to what you want to study or where, say Yes! to Taylor’s CPU!!

Love, Bel

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It’s a Belle World! Ep. 3 - Kuching

Yay!! It’s finally ready!! The 3rd installment of ‘It’s a Belle World!’ It took me a while this time because I’ve been procrastinating…. no other excuse….:P

We go back to my hometown of Kuching, Sarawak this time and well, this episode is slightly different, instead of showing you the sights, I bring you to some of Kuching’s famous food haunts to try out my favourite local dishes! Get ready to salivate!! Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: This video features mostly Pork dishes which might not be as appetizing to some.

Love, Bel

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A trip to ‘Wonderland’!

I was invited (as a blogger!) to attend the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ School Holiday Specials Launch at Mid Valley Megamall yesterday. We were treated to a nice tea party, an interpretive dance show, a fashion show and a lucky draw all in the span of one hour before the Digital 3D movie screening. So without further ado, it’s picture time!

Tea and scones, anyone?

Very impressive set up. Apparently, some of the original props from the movie are being displayed around the concourse area of Mid Valley.

I didn’t get to see any, or maybe I did but didn’t realise…hehehe…. But it will be there for the next week or so, so do go check it out whenever you’re around the area.

Scary looking gigantic flowers with faces…

More mushrooms of all colours and sizes….

The “fake” red queen and her ‘konco-konco’ on stage in what I’d like to call the ‘3 minute-Alice-in- Wonderland-Summary’ dance show

I must say that their costumes look really good and I think the “fake” Red Queen did a really good job at capturing the “real” Red Queen’s character.

Models were parading ‘Alice in Wonderland’ jewellery collection by Swarovski. This is the signature “Sparrow” pendant, which is inspired by the pendant Alice wore in the film.

Managed to sneak in a picture with the Mad Hatter and Alice before they fled the scene!

Got roped into doing an interview for Unseen TV.

Guess what this is? Is it a book? Is it a Key? Is it a key inside a book??

It’s is actually a USB Memory Stick!!! And Heidi (www.idealistic-dreamer.blogspot.com) was one of the lucky few to win this Book-in-Book ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Souvenir Kit with USB Memory Stick from the lucky draw!

Throughout the next 12 days there will be many exciting activities lined up for both the young and the young at heart, which includes a children’s tea party, colouring contests and more!! And for shoppers, if you use your Mastercard while you shop at participating stores, you stand a chance to win a trip to Oxford, London - where Lewis Caroll wrote the enchanting tale of Alice in Wonderland!!!! Click here to find out more!

And now, for my personal review of the movie ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

I was never really a big fan of Tim Burton’s fantastical films, even though most of them featured the gorgeous Johnny Depp. But I was quite excited to watch Alice in Wonderland in Digital 3D because the only 3D movies I’ve watched were those ‘rides’ in amusement parks. I even went as far as watching the 1950s cartoon version before going for the movie to get an idea of what the story is all about.

I didn’t have an expectation going into the movie, and just as well because the movie has nothing much to be expected. Visual effects were ‘blah’, the story line was not fully developed, the actor playing Alice was kinda stiff, the only 2 characters I enjoyed seeing were the Mad Hatter (played by Johnny Depp) and The Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). Even Anne Hathaway (whom I love) who played the White Queen was kinda uninspiring in this movie.

I don’t know about you guys who’ve seen the movie in 3D, but without subtitles, I find it quite hard to catch what the characters are saying, especially when the Mad Hatter goes into his crazy Scottish accent, and all the weird names for the creatures, it got me a little confused. Maybe I’m just slow.

But of course, I liked a few things about the movie. I like that it’s quite funny, Tim Burton manages to insert a little humor here and there which is always nice in a script heavy movie. Although the visual effects didn’t blow me away, I enjoyed the entire 3D movie experience. Watching a movie for me is a form of escapism from the real world and watching Alice in the ‘Underworld’ is the ultimate escape. You’re brought into a dream world, a world that you might be in if you’ve had one too many ‘mushrooms’. hehehe…

But don’t take my word for it, go watch it for yourself and write your own review! Alice in Wonderland is now open in cinemas nationwide.

Love, Bel

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Here, there and everywhere!

I just got back from Dubai on Monday, was there for the weekend emceeing a Chinese New Year dinner for my uncle’s design company (The company and my uncle were featured in The Star on Sunday). Will be going again end of March for the Dubai World Cup with my family.

Burj Khalifah, the tallest building in the world, hardly visible in a sandstorm. It was my first sandstorm experience last weekend in Dubai.

In my travel itinerary for the first half of this year - Tioman this weekend for a diving trip (leaving tomorrow!), Europe, end of April, Cherating in May and Bali in June! It’s great to be freelancing in that sense, I get the freedom to go traveling whenever I want to.

By the way, get a copy of Men’s Health March 2010, where yours truly is featured as the MH Woman of the month. Click here for a behind the scene look at the photo shoot.

Till next time, take care everyone!! It’s a Belle World Ep. 3 will hopefully be up by end of next week (fingers crossed)

Love, Bel

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Photobooth is fun!

It’s been pretty full on this Chinese New Year for me, a big chinese dinner every night, gambling sessions, drinking sessions (not like I drink or gamble much but my husband’s been having a blast!) Last night, we attended a wedding dinner with my in-laws which ended pretty early. And I thought since I have a face full of makeup on and I haven’t done any frivolous posts in a while, I decided to camwhore with my Macbook’s Photobooth!

I like how the screen flashes white everytime you take a picture to illuminate your face! Very smart!

Ahhhhh!!!!

Hehehehe….

What are you talking about?!? It’s hip to be square!!!

OhhhMmmmmGeeee!! You look like me!!! I look like you!!!

Awwww…..2 is definitely better than 1…..

My attempt at looking slightly sad and innocent…..and if you look closely, you can see my husband all konked out and fast asleep after having one too many drinks….. Things girls do to entertain ourselves!! Hehehehe….

Anyways, hope your break has been a good one! It’s back to normal on Monday for most!! 2 more weeks till my next diving trip in Tioman!! Can’t wait!!

Love, Bel