When you wish upon a star, keep your fingers crossed...hehehe

On the 10th and 11th january, The star had their annual education fair. This time it was held at KL convention centre. It was done on a huge scale but as we know it that there are not many places on post-graduate music and so the quest on finding the perfect match for me goes through here. There were talks conducted during the course of the fair and that I managed to catch one talk on funding for the higher institution.

The speakers are from the star education fund, PTPTN, and MACEE. The reason I actually came to listen is more on MACEE because PTPTN does not give loans for other than local universities, Star education fund only gives to the private institutions and thus leaves me out.

So these were the 3 speakers.

From left, the star education fund, PTPTN and MACEE

These were the audience that came, which was quite full towards the end.

Th first talk was from Star, which the director clearly states the applicants are mostly for undergraduates and there are only few oppurtunities for post graduates. Even the post graduates are not in Music. The appications close 2 weeks after the results for SPM or STPM are up for those interested and they even brought 2 of the scholarship winners to give a talk.

This student, was doing well in her Science subjects and in science stream. However she was determined to do buisness related major and said that was her passion. I clearly understand how she feels because growing up in my school too is an all science streem school. Anything else you need to change schools. So we were so called forced to continue in science even if you are not interested. I know some people would argue that if you feel like arts is for you, that you should change but the hastle of changing and being in a new environment might effect someone like me. The school to is a good school with almost the best teachers so what more could you ask for. You might think that its not worth it....haiz.

I believe the girl made a good choice. She also got into Universiti Malaya for statistics but she went where she believed in. If I were in her shoes, Id still go to UM and go for one semester and change to another course then apply for JPA scholarship, but you still need to be up to par always. For me, my first choice is to go to a local university. *very patriotic*

This girl I believe is in Sunway university collage. She is a high scorer in her exams. Good for you but the real task is when she goes out in the actual work force...I wish you all the best.

Next is the PTPTN. I kinda had this talk like a gazilion time. So i realy didn't pay attention. I just found out that they also arrange for payment after you finish and that the interest is applicable only when you finish. So 1% is actually very affordable. For those reading my blog and arn't paying. PAY BACK THE MONEY OR MY CHILDREN WILL NOT GET LOANS AND I SHALL NOT FORGIVE YOU. I heard people become successfull but still manage to get away and I have sooo little respect for those whose who do so.

Now is the time where the actuall substance takes place. I believe the speaker's name is Ms Doreen John if not mistaken. She managed to give us great tips on what to look out on types of funding in the US.

One of the options are you could work study where you could work and study at the same time on your student visa and after you graduate, you could work up to a year to gain some experience. If you are a scholarship holder you have other obligations I assume but if not then it should be okey.

There is 2 types of scholarships offered that is:

1. The NEED base

2. The MERIT base

The need base is very competitive, it covers on what is the situation the students have like the financial and other needs the student has to provide.

The merit base doesn't look at the needs and gives an amount according to your merits. This is not as competitive but possible. It can cover 1/3-2/3 of the tuition expenses.

The key to scholarships is the amount of research that you put in. Some companies offer scholarships so be sure to check its web sites to keep updated. There are also scholarships for specific topics like an sports scholarships, a music scholarship, a leadership scholarship, that you need to find out. *so need to search and do more searching*

There are scholarships that require you to re-apply every year. So that you keep at par with you grades and keeps them updated. Some institutions require you to do community service while on scholarship. I have never heard hows that about but I sure dont mind to do community work if I got a scholarship.

She mention a few institution like the Wesleyan-Freeman Asian Program which offers 21 scholarships to 11 countries, The Fullbright, GE, and many more.

There are more scholarships for postgraduates as masters is about 2 years and Phd is about 5 years or less. The scholarships that are in favour are in a form of Research assistants, and teaching assistance. There are also opportunity grants that the university could offer.

There is also and finace aid to cover up-front cost like paying your visa, air flights and such.

Here are possible websites that you should look up into:

• http://www.macee.org.my/
• http://www.petragroup.net/
• http://www.fundingusstudy.org/
• http://www.fastweb.com/
• http://www.finaid.org/
• http://www.iefa.org/
• http://www.internationalstudent.net/
• http://www.malaysia-scholarship.com/mara.html

And so my long whole day alone at KLCC ended here although I becky did came a little later. I hope this post brings some info to those that might wanna pursue their dreams and goals and have trouble in finance like me. So keep searching and hopefully you'll find your match.

An Alor Setar Pie

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee. Since I came back, life has never been sweeter. One thing about me is that I love baking. Not much of cooking but baking and using the oven. In penang and subang we don't have an oven but in Alor Setar we have a built in oven so I do most of my baking here. Well the only place that i can do baking pun is here. So I made an effort to do on of my signature stuff which is ...pie!!!!

From my mom's faithful red cookbook I decided since we had a tin of red cherries, I did a cherry pie. So using my baking skills, I'll demonstrate how to make a 9 inch cherry pie...yummmy.

The crust

1. To make the crust, In a big bowl measure 2 cups of all purpose flour.

2. add 1 teaspoon of salt

3. add 2/3 cups plus 2 tablespoons of shortening or for those who can 2/3 cups of lard

4. with a spatula, cut through the shortening thoroughly.

5. Then add 4-5 tablespoon of cold water, gradually

6. roll dough into a ball. The split into half. Use the bigger half and roll the dough flat with a rolling pin.

7. Place the pie pan on top of the dough and then flip it over

8. Cut out the excess with a knife leaving a smooth side

9. Leave it aside and the other half too to start with the filling. I usually set it in the fridge so it remains cool and away from unwanted pests.

The Filling

1. In a large bowl, put 2lb of canned cherries (drained)

2. Add 1 1/3 cups of sugar and 1/3 cup of all purpose flour.

3. Then add 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine

4. then add 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract

4. Mix everything and it will look something like this.....

Back to the crust.

By this time you should start heating up the oven bout 425 degrees or for my oven was bout 150 ( can't remember what unit)

1. take out the pie pan and put all of the filling in

2. Take out the other half of the dough and start rolling with a rolling pin to make a long oval shape for the lattice top. If you want to cover up the whole top, make a perfect circle.

3. With a knife, cut the mid section making strips about one cm in width.

4. Start from the centre and weave through the pie. This uses technique, but I just use my creativity and so can you. To make lifting easier, make the end parts longer. Its ok if you make mistakes. The end product will still end in the tummy....XD

5. When its done it will look something like this.

6. Cut out the unwanted edges and it would look like something like this.

7. With a fork, press the edges so that it has some design.

8. When its done it'll look like this

9. Put in the oven for 35-45 minutes till its golden brown.

10. when done, turn of the heat and let it cool on a rack.

11. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream......Yummy!!!

So, did I make you drool???....hmm, it's warm, and juicy, and just melts in your mouth... the cold ice cream just gives it an extra kick....hehehe. I shall leave you with the pictures to imagine how it tastes like...hahahaha *evil grin*

Home, Home in the paddy fields...where the goats and the buffalo play

Home, home in the paddy fields,

Where the goats and the buffalo play,

where always is heard,

a discouraging word,

and the skies are sometimes cloudy all day.......*howls*

And yes,

The time has come to come home for CNY!!!!!

I cant recall the last time I updated and I have tones to write and share and bla, bla, bla....thing is when I don't have dads office to do my blogging its kinda difficult...*sighs*.

I hope I could try with the dial-up speed over here and be patient, so here it goes.

Yesterday after an unsuccessful talk to come back home sooner, we, being my mum and me went back home by flight to Alor Star. It was not as planned but we managed to pull through anyhow. So we'll be staying till the eve.

On the way home we realized that the plane was flying very low that we could even see the penang bridge, and so here to share the view of the lovely Alor Setar with you. Introducing.... Alor Setar from above!!!

This is actually Penang, see on the right the penang bridge....




The paddy fields, the view so calming from land.The huge green carpet that just remind you that this is NOT KL



Get the picture???.....its much more lovely in a car ride like the usual coming back for balik kampung and once in a while you could see the E&O express passing by. You can see all the people from the deck sipping wine and admiring the fresh air...*sighs*

Upon exit through the north-south highway, if you take the North Alor setar exit, this is a quite a big land mark. It's the Al-Buhqari institution. There is a mosque, a hospital, an orphanage, an old folks hostel, a Souq, a grave yard, a business area, and last but not least a wet market....quite interesting for an institution. I also heard there is an university, but I don't know how far thats true. There is also like a rest house where you could stay for the night.

And this is the Wisma Negeri where all the formal regarding the Sultan is held. I have performed here several times I think for the sultan's occasions like gamelan and to apply to see and do the interview on the kedah court music which is the Nobat. On the left of the building is a famous place to go jogging and evening strolls. Thing is, its near a golf course and that you should come very early in the morning to avoid the golfers unless you don't mind a golf ball being swung into your face. Surrounding the golf course and the park are the residence of the Sultanah of Kedah, The Raja Muda and other royalty. They too have reported broken windows before.

And this is the stadium, the place where we watch FIFA, Marching Band competitions, sports day and the sultans parade, sometimes the parade is also done near the balai besar, next to his state mosque and the Nobat Tower.

A close up version

This bridge connects with Alor Setar South

And this is the main town area. The highest building is the Alor Setar Tower. Its a telecommunication tower and there is an observation deck where you get a good view of the city. The tower also has a restaurant above it. The other tall building on the right that has like pyramid top is one of Alor Setar's best hotels at the moment and all ABRSM exams are held there. That's why I still get butterflies in my tummy when I take the lift there even just to go to the Chinese restaurant.....hehehe.

And so, my home land that I love is here to stay and that I hope it stays that way till its my time to raise children....*if that ever happens....I hope*