Gearing Up For Final

Well, sorry for the lack of updates. Been pretty busy lately organizing Facilitator Skills Training Programme, with assignments to complete and quizzes to answer. So many events took place for the past few weeks but I just don't feel like sitting down and type all of it. But I do have some lengthy email correspondings discussing about reading especially Malay reading materials. Maybe I should put forth some of the ideas and issues discussed when I have the time.

Back to the main topic, pretty much all of the syllabus for all subjects had been covered and there's only one week of class left. Looks like we'll be doing revision and discussions of questions next week. Contrary to school, the Final Exam mark only carry around 40-60% of the total mark and the rest come from assignments, quizzes, and the Mid-Semester examination. I've done well in the Mid-Semester so now I have firm footing for all subjects. To pass is easy but I can't just settle for a mere pass. With all the resources and oppurtunity I must strive for excellence. Wish me the best for the final exam.

Note: As I'll be busy preparing for final examination just keep tab on my photoblog at http://ibnuariff.textamerica.com - a picture is worth thousands of words. :)

Translation Works

I was enjoying reading magazine and listening to music this morning when Hakkam came to my compartment. He shoved to me the poem 'Negaraku Terbilang' by Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and asked me to translate the whole length of it. Man, what a jolt to the brain on such an idyllic class-less morning like this. After reading the poems a few time my fingers starts to pound the keyboard and here's the result:

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Walking through the sprawling city,
Gazing at the spiralling colums, reaching to the clouds
Nation pride blazing in my heart
So far the nation has gone

Reeling back to my youth
Era without arches, skyscrapers
Only the chirps of birds at fields abound
But rich with humanity
Rich of forgiveness and love
Rich of helping hands
Among thousands of unsung heros

There's challenges across
The world rushing with turbulence
Bounty for the fast
Leftovers for those who lag
We choose moderation over absolute
Variety over solitude
Trust over suspicion
Sharing over domination
Moving forward with our own mould
Preserving heritage
Preservng traditions

Here, at this land
We weave skyscrapers with purity of humanity
We weave the vision of Alfred Nobel with poems of Rumi
Nurturing the tree of peace
Emnating music of love across the land
In the quest for glory
Knowledge, Compassion, Virtue

Negaraku Terbilang by Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Translated and adapted by Firdaus Ibnu Ariff

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The translation took me a record 20 minutes to finish but of course there's flaws here and there as I never write poems anyway. A Kamus Dwibahasa Dewan would surely help to improve it a lot though. The translation method is line by line except the last line which I replace it altogether with my own motto. Instead of 'Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang' (actually I need the above mentioned dictionary to translate this) I replaced it with 'Knowledge, Compassion, Virtue' - a fusion of two motto of institution I've been and where I am now. SMART motto is 'Ilmu, Ihsan, Bestari' - which I translated to 'Knowledge, Compassion, Smart'. Meanwhile IIUM is touted as Garden of Knowledge and Virtue. Then I just mixed it up, tehee. :D

No offense intended with the changing of the last line, so don't shoot me - I'm just a student having fun here. Surely I'll change it to 'Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang' in English sooner or later. If I'm not mistaken there's an ad in the paper which translate the CGT tagline, anyone care to share it? Meanwhile lay down your verdict for this translation, feedback welcomed!

*Suddenly popped up in my mind to translate the eJAD to English - such an amusing thought.

Group 27

Adnan
Hails from Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The youngest in his family, Mummy and Daddy's boy. :P Mr. Nice Guy, loves debating (VP of Debate Club). The only other guy who didn't take Bio for SPM in my class besides me. Have the cleanest and most tidy room among the guys. Use Clinique for facial care. ;)


Jazlan
Come from Klang, Selangor. President of English Language Society. Major highlight? A self-confessed Coke addict. Can be seen drinking Coke at class each week especialy on Wednesdays which is the most pact day for us. If he don't get his Coke he'll simply doze off in class. :P

Heh, that's it for now. More on my classmates later.