Attended a public lecture today, by Prof. Dr. Patrick James McKeever, an Irishman. A geologist by profession, he came to Malaysia as a visiting lecturer to UKM. It was my first time attending a talk without being required to do so, and it was a very interesting experience, stepping into the Senate Room. Reminds me of the Parliament.

He first introduced the idea of geological heritage, continued by outlining the ethos under the 'geopark' label in the second part of his lecture. It seemed to me that one of his pet peeves was the fact that people put so much attention on maintaining cultural heritage, but very little of our time is spent on learning about our geological heritage. Reason being, the earth has been spinning on and on for the past 4,600 million years and humans only existed for the past 100,000 years. In his words, we are that arrogant so as to put so much attention on merely 0.02% of the geologic time scale!

Some things stuck with me, one of them the thought that geology must be relevant - it's all about the people, so keep it simple for untrained folk. This also goes for any other field of knowledge. We have the knowledge, but it is useless if people do not know how to use it. For example, why wax lyrical about the emulsifying properties of soap, when we do not know that it can be used to wash off grease from dishes?

I was talking with a coursemate once before, and it struck me as to how much I preferred to read my geology books sometimes more than my chemistry books. Could geochemistry be the field for me? I had always wanted to do something related to the environment. Unfortunately, that dream was deflated when I asked a friend what my job options may be in this field, upon which she replied: "Indah Water". Bah! Imagine my dismay then.

So now with a new field being opened up, could it be possible that I would involve myself in this field? It would be so fun to be a part of inculcating sustainable development, to educate people about God's story of the earth (valuing our geological inheritance) as well as taking care of His creation (reconnection between earth and humanity). Certainly not soon, but maybe I might get there in 10 years' time? Very interesting, indeed!

okla... now I don't feel like crying anymore kay... haha, gotten more used to the workload, getting to know my classmates better too... whacky bunch heheh...

Exams are coming up though, end of this month... sigh...  Hope I'll get through it fine =P

One complaint I do have about my new school: the morning assemblies are SO SO SO long!! these teachers really love the microphone, and even if the teachers have a meeting (like today), the prefects won't let us go back to class... I don't know whether they're being extremely good prefects or just going overboard... (I prefer to think it's the latter, though)

Oh ya, before I sign off, just want to let y'all know there's another blog that i've come up with, that one i 'reserve'  for more 'serious' stuff hahaha  really... ok, here's the URL:

http://jyanteh.blogspot.com

Well, that's it now... ciao!

Hello again… Form Six starts tomorrow for me, and I guess I’m approaching it with an ambivalent heart.

 

What-I-dread:

1.                  Having to think of what to get for breakfast the next day. Don’t get me wrong, I do love food; it’s just thinking about getting what that’s a chore…

2.                  Waking up at 6.15 a.m. in the morning, and hearing the sound of the alarm clock (traumatic, I tell you).

3.                  Getting my mind to function the way the teachers want it to again after undoing what they previously did to my brain during my six-month holiday.

4.                  Not always being able to do what I want, and when I want it.

5.                  I might miss my devotions with God. *shudder*

 

What-I-look-forward-to:

1.                  Meeting new friends and old schoolmates.

2.                  Class camaraderie.

3.                  Work(yes, I realize that although time for myself is cut down, at least there are people who think up of activities for me to do, saves me the trouble of thinking What to do ar? So boring lar wei…And no, please don’t think of me as a workaholic haha)

4.                  The school’s Christian Fellowship. Should be fun and enriching gathering with Christians in a school setting.

 

Ah well, I'll just have to go to school to find out the real thing for myself...

 

 

~Jyan~