KK Workshops

Update on **28 August 2013-31 August 2013**

Going to Kota Kinabalu (KK) for attending two consecutive days workshop regarding “ATLAS.ti” and “How to Write these in Efficient Way” has brought back flood of memories of the university days when life was simple and packed with colourful activities. Actually, I have option whether to choose having the workshop in KK or Kuching. Definitely, I pick former one. In my heart, KK consider as my second home besides Saratok-quite familiar with their environments, roads, culture and so on. 

I quote” I missing the good old days”

Miri airport

Maswings office and Airasia counter

The flight delayed for 1 hours. It suppose departed on 8.30pm but postpone until 9.30. Damn boring waiting in the airport :(

On 10.30pm, I arrived KK Terminal 1. I prayed hard so that I can get 1 standard room in Tang Dynasty Hotel, next to Wawasan Plaza, KK (most of the hotels in KK are fully booked according to one of my Indian friends that I meet him in airport). Finally, my prayers was answered when I able check in Tang Dynasty Plaze Hotel (TD Plaza hotel), located in the 3rd floor of Wawasan Plaza.  

Superior King size bed room. One night RM 119. Quite spacious!

Attached with bathroom

The next morning, I planned to have a breakfast in restaurant under Tang Dynasty but I wake up lately and also rushed go to the destination, therefore I end up having breakfast in food court Wawasan Plaza.

Sabah typical breakfast. From the breakfast, I realize that I'm in the "the land below the wind"

"Sos Lada" (blended chilli sauce) that wide could be found in every corner of KK especially Malay food stalls

Soy bean 

I’m not planned to attend the workshop of ATLAS.ti on 29 August 2013 but due to the original speaker on that day changed his talk to 30 August 2013, at the same time I had bought my return ticket, in this situation, I decided to attend ATLAS.ti workshop that shift to 29 September 2013. The other reason that drives me to have a look on ATLAS.ti is wish to learn how ATLAS.ti helps in generate Literature Review. I had spent for RM 360 for this two days workshops *heartache*. Think rationally, this is the “investment” that benefit for me in the long term.

Curious about ATLAS.ti? It’s software that assists in the process of qualitatively analyzing data collected through unstructured and semi-structured. ATLAS.ti is given by the speaker namely Ani Munirah Mohamad. She is the lecturer at COLGIS, UUM. She is currently doing her PhD in UiTM Shah Alam, Malaysia.Needless to say, she is an officially certified trainer and holds the position of Regional Manager for training and partnership development for ATLAS.ti in South East Asia. 

I'm quite satisfied with the teaching style of Madame Ani. She teaches step by step using her ATLAST.ti notes clearly. This is very easy for us like me with zero knowledge about how to handle the ATLAS.ti. 

RM 15 taxi fare from Tang Dynasty to Lembaga Tabung Haji KK

The 2 new friends that I met in the Workshop, Tetti and Dyna

More powerful of ATLAS.ti!!! Everyone there was just aww-ing and ahh-ing at everything the ATLAS.ti do codes and quotations, AWWWWW! ATLAS has the space for memos and memos can link to quotations, codes and other memos, AWW! ATLAS has the smart way to visualize the analysis using network views. WOWWWWW!

**29 August 2013**

I'm quite shock that I'm available in the photo taken by Dr OT

The guy from left was my UMS principle of marketing lecturer, Charlie Albert. Never approach him and say "hi, I'm your student"

The guy in white shirt (next to  pink colour formal shirt) was my lecturer that taught business statistics and operation management in UMS

I’m looking forward of the workshop given by Dr Othman Talib (Dr OT) on 30 September 2013. Maybe attracted by his title workshop (as an academic minded and passion to obtain Phd but no clues about the gap and research problem). I hope it will give me some hints and direction however the workshop ended up Dr OT come late, more and more participants (more than 100) packed in one ballroom, slow wifi connectivity.

The lateness of Dr OT causes he rushes to finish the slides that he prepares without consider the pace of participants. Most of the participants complain that they cannot catch up the lessons. He need to slower down his guidance especially using Mendeley and Microsoft Word to produce a theses. More participants (for those come late) bring unfairness to the early birds. A good example is mine. I come early and sit at the 2 rows but at the end at the 4 rows. I prefer in the front row because it can listen clearly. Not only that, a huge numbers of participants make the speaker cannot coach one by one when face the problems about the Mendeley and Microsoft Word. Slow wifi connectivity bring troubles to the Dr OT when he fail to show us how to use the Mendeley web. Luckily, I bought Mendeley book costs RM 55 written by him to learn my own way. Dr OT is smart in promoting his written books by not giving us the slide and notes.

Long Distance Quote

"The Pain of Parting is Nothing Compared to the Joy of Meeting Again"

Passion put on hold

Husband and wife are snugly in bed. The passion is heating up. Then the wife stops him and says:” I don’t feel like it. I just want you to hold me.” 

The next day the husband takes his wife shopping. At a big department store, he tells her to try on three very expensive outfits. She can’t decide. He tells his wife to take all three. Then they go and get matching shoes. Very expensive shoes. 

Next was the jewellery section, for a set of diamond ear rings. The wife is so excited. She says:” okay, I’m ready, let’s go to the cash register.” The husband says:” No, honey, I suddenly don’t feel like paying for it. I just want you to hold this stuff.  

Tamu Miri Visit

It’s been such a long time since my visit to the Tamu. (In the Saratok contexts). Honestly, I couldn't remember the time I visit the Tamu Saratok. This time, I consider as a 25 years old “tourist” because I never visit Tamu Miri and knew nothing about the environment there. The funny thing is I was very excited and looking forward to visit it too when Tian Ning announced that will visit there. I had passed through Tamu Miri for few times but no chances to have a walk there. Now I have the good reason to go there. It was a spontaneous decision which turned out to be really nice.

Native products can be easily purchased where the locals sell their products. The Tamu is an eye opener for me with all the cheap sales of the remaining vegetables. A very worthwhile visit as Tian Ning and her mother were funny people and their conversation almost makes me burst into laughter. I really like the time we spent together.

Wide variety of fruits

The favorite food of Tian Ning's mother (her excited face when saw the pineapples)

The pineapple sellers is persuading her to buy the pineapples. Tian Ning as the filial daughter just accompany her and remain silent by side

Don't question her judgement in choosing the pineapple! (Full time housewife consider the expert in the Tamu apart from the seller)

Bario rice

Never think take 1 home since I belief they are not fragrant anymore!!!

I'm not sure the name of this fruit

All vegetables are very cheap and big in quantity

my favorite-ladies fingers

First time heard of red banana bought my Tian Ning's mother. It feels like the ordinary yellow banana

***

We direct to the beach of Tanjung Lobang Miri to have our beach dinner. I find out the beach is a popular spot for Mirians. However, the seafood fried rice that I ordered from one of the hawker center was disappointed me!

Lastly, thanks for Tian Ning's goodness in bringing me to Tamu Miri and buy me meal!