ameen, ya heard

Damn, am I taking the easy way out?

It’s October 2011 now and the dream of continuing my studies in the Unites States is becoming shadier by the day. Not because I got rejected for the University of Minnesota fall intake; but because I really don’t know if I want to do this anymore.

I have been working 6 month now at Starbucks while waiting to transfer to an American University and time has hit me to think I may just be taking the easy route. Leaving home, going to college and doing a degree course which I’m not even fully passionate about. I look at myself and realize that damn “my parents are about to spend half of a million on my education”. Why would my  parents do this, why is it so easy for us to spend money on education when education in actuality is free out there if we just open our mind. Most of what we learn in college is just cited from books that we can read in libraries and bookstores for free. Some may try to justify this by saying that lecturers are industry professionals and thus we can learn a whole lot from them. But, heck, I doubt it would cost me a thousand bucks to pick the brains of a few successful professionals. The point is, in this day and age education is out there free for us to absorb, all we need is to have an open mind. I have learnt so much working in Starbucks for 6 months now, and let me say this - Starbucks is much more than delivering you a cup of perfectly brewed coffee!!. Deployment of human resources, costing, marketing strategies, advertizing, discipline, risk management are some things I picked up working as a casual barista. Did I pay to gain this education? No. Do I have a certificate?  No. But what I have now is money in my pocket, time on my hands to start charting my destiny. It’s difficult for me to understand why the majority of us would subscribe to this trend of school>college>career, and then finally start to “live” the life we “want”. Maybe, it’s because we’ve been groomed since young to behave that way or maybe the road littered with footprints is a safe road.

My parents can accept working their whole life struggling to pay for formal education at a prestigious university abroad rather than accept my decision to keep that money and put their trust in a future without a formal certificate.  Yes, I am passionate about education; just not in this manner that society has pressured me to subscribe to. Who decided we have to get a degree after school? Why are kids forced to make a decision on what to study  after school even when they’re not ready? They like to ask us what are we interested to study, instead of why we are interested in doing so. The problem is not education, the problem is we are not ready, we don’t know what we want, we should be given the chance to test the waters and find our field of interest and passion. We must have sufficient time, enough information (not internet half-truths or misinformation) and the opportunity to meet industry professional in order to make the best decisions.

 So what if our neighbors, aunties or uncles, grandfather children have a PHD by 23? Does an honors degree guarantee you’ll get a good job? Knowledge and know-how just won’t make the cut in achieving excellence. Many successful people and world leaders today didn’t even graduate… they succeed because they have the drive & passion.

Right now, I’m interested in bartending, I want to pursue my study in this area, it may not be a degree for Masters, It may not sound professional to you, but it is something I’m passionate about and that should be the only thing that matters.  Being creative, thinking outside the box and have an open mind is all we need to achieve excellence. I’m not saying it’s bad to go to college but the best advice I can offer to my fellow juniors who are about to enroll in a course is, please be extremely certain of what you want to do, take your sweet time to decide, exposure is key. Understand the value and amount of money your parents are about to invest in your future.  It may be easy for you to put your finger on it and decide but it will not be easy for our parents to bear the cost. Of course, this does not apply to filthy rich kids, with million dollar mansions (you know who you are).

I just had to get this off my mind.  I’m still heading for the States, I don’t know if I want to continue my degree in communications or switch field.  Courage and logic should take lead not FEAR and emotion.

Don’t ask me what course I’m going to study, ask me why.

That, my friend….. is another story

I rock … skating or not skating

Ameen Ruslan 

Now thats what’s up

Here I am a year later , still skating, still studying, still growing, still building bridges, still spreading the love, still rapping, still go online, still go offline, still love, still hate, still proud, still single, still nice and most off all STILL WAITING to fly off.

Things hasn’t been working out in the bests way for me. The news is University of Minnesota rejected my application for their fall intake. Which means I will not be flying off to the States in September; its really is a bummer. I have been waiting SO long to fly off and I just missed my first opportunity out. Well, I couldn’t really blame anyone though. I started applying for the fall intake pretty late and missed most of the colleges deadlines. Like what are the odds right? one application? seriously Ameen! The good news now I have time to work a little bit longer, save a little bit more money and go to the states a couple of weeks ahead of my January enrollment. I can travel for a bit and maybe take some time to settle down for a little before college.

In case you’re wondering I’m working in Starbucks now and it has and still is an awesome experience. I don’t know if I’ll get bored of it after 3 or 4 months considering the fact that I’ve only been working for 2 months now, but I’m already enjoying the diversity here. The people that walk in everyday to get their cup of caffeine are good people; from professionals, nine to fivers, spoiled kids and tourist. Its nice working with a company that allows to just be friendly, genuine and engage with people; to be able to do what is deemed nice and not just right every time.

Some people might have the wrong idea of me leaving to the States. No, I don’t hate my country, I do believe this country has a future, I do believe that people are able to achieve and accumulate wealth in this country, maybe not as easy as other places but with the right attitude anyone can make it here in Malaysia. The reason I want to study abroad is simple; to expand my horizons. I have lived in Malaysia all my life; and I can say that staying put in one place no matter where you live has its limitation. You stop learning about new things, you stop trying to learn because you think you already know, you develop complacency and for the most part you just wouldn’t grow as much. You can’t value your competency when you only work with the same people at the same pace. Growing and learning maybe not be every one’s desire in life, but it is mine. I don’t hate my country, I just need to take the time to grow and develop, compare and contrast, fill up the gaps, witness, live and understand. And I am very thankful that my parents are supportive of my educational desires. Apart from learning, yes I am going to have fun; A WHOLE LOT of fun partying, skating, and making friends. I’m sorry if you hate me for this. I don’t understand the reason why…but some just people have the tendency to hate on others who are capable of working and playing hard. I don’t know if its jealousy, but I enjoy life, I treasure my 24 hours and I will have fun every single second of it, even when I’m working, studying or cooking. 

Still here,

Ameen Ruslan 

Cartoonology 101 ain’t no joke bitchaaaaaas

Sunway University: The Leadership Development Program organized Sunway University’s annual Freshie’s Night on Wednesday, the 23^rd of February 2011.  The event was held at the MPH, kicked off at 7.30pm and ended at 11pm in the evening. Approximately 700 students were present at the groundbreaking event.

It is held annually as a welcoming gesture for the University’s new students. The LDP has decided to adopt the theme “Cartoonology 101” for 2011. The objective of the event was to expose the culture of celebration and partying to all Sunway University’s freshmen, said Joyce Ng, Deputy Chairman of LDP.

The event commenced with a spectacular violin performance by professional violinist Ashley from A Levels.  Her grand performance pumped up the energetic crowd of 700 early in the event, just before The Faz, an acoustic band tone filled the atmosphere with Jazz music and romance.

Halfway through the night, the organizers strategically managed a 15-minute interval to encourage guests to socialize with students from different schools.

 Amongst the activities was the signing of the signature wall and photography session with the awe-inspiring five-meter long graffiti banner, drawn by the infamous local graffiti artist known only as Bonks2.

Cartoonology 101 continued to shake the ground with a dance performance by Sunway University resident dance crew, The Revolution. While acoustic performer Lindy showcase her talent on the mic, resembling a twist of Avril Lavigne in her music. 

The night was filled with good cheer and suspense as the crowd awaited the nomination of Freshie King and Queen. The CIMP camp won both awards as classmates Stefan Khoo and Ashley Tan were named Freshie King and Queen of the year.   

The final performance by the Amazing Chindian duo put on a stunning mixture of beatbox and Rap to close off the stage and make way for the opening of the Dance Floor.

Cartoonology 101 proved to be a success with various online testimonies of various students of different ethnicities and schools. ‘The party was Awesome!’ uttered blogger Janice Cheng.

Ameen Ruslan

Cause action speaks louder than words

“Cause action speaks louder than words, so it don’t matter how I mix the nouns with the verbs” -MC jin

“It don’t matter what I write or try to describe, This life isn’t going anywhere without a fist fight.” - ME 

I gonna work on this rap thing for a while, by adding rhymes from time to time, and hopefully I can finish my first rap song. If you’re a big rap fan and wishes to be a part of this. Send in your rhymes by email to me. Make sure its continues to the rhymes above. 

I’m doing this just for fun and the love of rap music. Hope I have your help.

You can’t BS me

.This is the face you’ll see, when you’re bullshitting me. 

.I’m gifted. I can tell if someone is BS-ing from a mile away.