Live Love Die

Every self will taste death. We test you with both good and evil as a trial. And you will be returned to Us.(Qur'an 21.35). In this life, there are countless trials, be it good or bad and they are considered as a test. A test that will eventually lead you either to heaven or its next door neighbour. When talking about life, it seems so much to tell the whole world what one feels, what are his dreams, and goals. More often than not, life is all easier said than done. In my point of view, most people admit that life has a lot of things to offer, but not all of them are easy as a piece of cake. Sometimes, we may not get what we want, what we have been dreaming of, and at the end of the day, all those hopes and desires would just fade away when one goes meet his Maker. These entire 'bucket list' is left unsaid and unaccomplished. Thus, it's best if one could spare some time to generate all the wishes he would want to have in his list before kicking the bucket. This would somehow define what life is all about besides putting a meaning to it and starting enjoys living life to the fullest 'lively'.

When listing out a bucket list, it doesn't necessarily mean someone is dying but it's more to creating a good reminder that we still have time to set out all those things into reality. To top it off, I have mine as well and this is not an ordinary list that would fall along the wayside because I keep resurrecting it for every breathe that I take. I mean, this is a serious list that I keep fond to my heart and will try my very best to materialize them by hook or by crook.

Performing what religion instructs us to do is very meaningful and wonderful things in life one could ever experience. It's somewhat I can say giving me such a peace of mind, a genuine tranquility. In addition, the fifth pillar of the edifice that is Islam obliges all Muslims to perform a Hajj in Mecca. And as the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj is a must for those faithful who are physically and financially able to make the spiritual and enlightening journey. This obligation is more to realizing the purpose and essence of Hajj whereby when a Muslim realizes the essence of Hajj as well as the rationales and secrets behind it, this qualifies him to perform a valid and accepted Hajj. This is similar to humbleness in prayer. A person who has greater humility in prayer, his prayer is more likely to be accepted. The same applies to Hajj. The more a pilgrim is aware of the essence, spirit and rationales behind the Hajj as well as the purposes for which it has been prescribed and, further, he utilizes this to reform his creed and behavior, his Hajj will be more likely to be accepted and greatly rewarded and he will benefit more. To sum up, it's more to attaining piety and humbleness inside you. Therefore, this would be my very first thing to do on my bucket list.

“When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique to themselves, which bind them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love, which takes a lifetime to fulfill.”(Edmund O’Neil). Meeting someone special who brings out the best in me is the best moment I will always cherish in my life. The one who loves me unconditionally, the one who has never been tired of my crazy witty, and the only one who would always let me win in arguments even though at times it’s always been my fault, just because he rather chooses to surrender than to lose me. Therefore, it would always be my pleasure to get married to this faithful, soft-hearted man and have a family. Nothing is wonderful than having your loved ones beside you through thick and thin and honestly, since the day we were engaged, we have been looking forward to settling down as soon as we are ready. And this would be my second wish to do before I meet my Creator.

Thirdly, I want to finish reading, understanding and memorizing deeply the Holy Quran before I die. I can’t wait to get married to the man who has been guiding me closer to my Creator ever since we met. He’s just like my guardian angel that would always appreciate me and love me the way I am though I’m not perfect if to be compared with his well being. He knows a lot about Islam yet never blows his own trumpet about it. What inspires me to get closer to my religion is simply because of him. He always tells me the beauty of it and how we can work things out by just keep praying and making our God as our very bestfriend. The best thing is that, learn something or new thing when you feel like doing so and never push yourself when you’re not ready because you won’t get anything beneficial in return. That’s what he keeps reminding me. “Time will come and it’s just a matter of time.”

Learning how to play piano has always been my interest all this while. When you’re playing piano in fact any musical instruments, you’ll definitely feel like flying in the sky with no wings, and captivating especially when you yourself create the tone and music and play it soothingly. That’s why I wanted to learn how to play piano simply because I want to indulge myself into it. Piano is very special in its own ways and no one can never live without music. Music enlivens humans! And I would love to create my own instrumental song by being a good pianist.

Being a scuba diver would be my fifth thing to do before kicking the bucket. I love water and can even dip myself into it 24 hours and 7 days! My family used to call me little duckling when I was small because of it. I love diving a lot and I learnt swimming when I was 3 years old. I could remember how Daddy taught me to float and swim like a frog. To top it off, all my holidays I have spent before is in islands. My last semester break was in Perhentian Island. I had real amazing time there. I went there with my four good friends and we were all girls. It was quite scary initially but things changed totally when we got to know all those beach boys and wonderful people in the island. They were very warm and kind hosts. I love nature and would love to be a die hard supporter in Coral and Sea Park conservation and preservation cause. Also, getting married in seabed is always running on my mind and I will try to make it happen when the time comes.

Next, I want to have a super car. I love seeing people especially those corporate who drive super amazing cars they bought after bogging down with tons of workloads and sweats just to achieve their goals. I will work it out no matter what!

Life is not complete if you have a nice car without a cozy home. Bungalow is my very favorite house to have in my list so that I could invite my parents and buddies over to share laughter and tears together with me.

“Seeing a baby’s face is like seeing one of heaven’s wonderful doors.” That’s what my mum uses to say all the time when she pampering my little cute niece and nephew. To me, whether or not I will be blessed to have my own child, adopting babies especially Palestine and African blooded babies keep lingering on my mind. I love babies too much and I found that if I want to start committing to charity, I want to make the best out of it. It’s my pleasure to go toward any needy people all over the world to give the best that I could. Angelina Jolie has my respect that is my inspiration to adopting babies regardless of their skin colors. Love has no boundaries and it doesn’t count on your skin tone or good looking faces. If it’s fated for you to fall in love to anyone, it’s just a matter of your heart not anything else.

Just like the role of a dog as a man’s bestfriends, I want to have my special buddy as well.

It’s been a while I keep asking around, is there any ways I could keep a panda? Or at least a baby panda! Panda catches my attention most of the time because we’re practically sharing the same eyes; a black-swollen eye! Unfortunately, they say I cannot do that. Never mind, I will work it out no matter what it takes! Or at least, please let me give a warm, tight hug to the clan because I have really wanted to feel how it feels to hug and be near them before I pass away!

Subsequently, I want to have a great job especially a job that is related to my field, communication. It’s nice to work on something you love and be passionate about it. I have always dream of having my own assets from my tireless endeavor of creating a legacy. I want to have something that will last.

Broadcast Writing

News Cast: October 26th, 2010

Source: New Straits Times

Local ( 7 Minutes )

Teaser: Straight dissension of both Batu Sapi and Galas rivals (30s)

No.	Headline	Lead	Duration
1.	Double Showdown; Straight fight in Galas, three concerned contest in Batu Sapi	KUALA LUMPUR: Dipstick surveys and indicators on the likely outcome of the Nov 4 by elections in Galas and Batu Sapi were being examined last night following the confirmation of the list of candidates. Footage: Election Video	1m 30s
2.	113 Die in Tsunami off Western Sumatra	JAKARTA: A tsunami that pounded several islands in western Indonesia killed at least 113 people and scores more are missing. SOT IN Mujiharto who heads the Health Ministry's crisis centre, said, "113 bodies have been recovered so far. The number of missing was between 150 and 500. We have 200 body bags on the way, just in case." SOT OUT	1m 20s 10s
3.	Cashier held over RM 1.5m bank theft	GEORGE TOWN: A senior cashier at a bank here has been arrested for stealing RM 1.5 million that was supposed to be deposited in the safe deposit room of the bank in Lebuh Bishop. SOT IN State police chief Datuk Wia Ayub Yaakob said investigations showed the cashier had taken the money on Oct 15, by stashing RM 910,000 into a bowling bag. He hid the remaining RM 590,000 in a secluded corner on the first floor and ground floor of the bank."The bank only discovered the money missing last Tuesday when officers conducting a balance sheet inventory check found discrepancies in the amount recorded and actual cash in the safe deposit room." SOT OUT	40s 20s
4.	Paul the oracle octopus dies	BERLIN: Paul the octopus who shot to fame during this year's football World Cup in South Africa for his flawless recored in predicting fame outcomes, has die, in his aquarium. SOT IN "Management and staff at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre were devastated to discover that oracle octopus Paul, who achieved global renown during the recent World Cup, had passed away overnight," the aquarium said in a sombre statement. SOT OUT	1m 20s 10s
5.	Four Win Merdeka Award	KUALA LUMPUR: Their outstanding work and passion to take Malaysia to greater heights earned them the Merdeka Award 2010 last night. Footage: Winning Video	40s 20s

Teaser: Iraq's former deputy prime minister Tareq Aziz sentences to death(30s)

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Commercial break 1 (5m 30s)

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Business/Foreign (6 Minutes)

6.	Iraq sentences Aziz to death	BAGHDAD: Iraq's supreme criminal court sentenced former deputy prime minister Tareq Aziz to death yesterday, the first death sentence handed down against the long-time international face of the Saddam Hussein regime. SOT IN "The Supreme criminal court issued an execution order against Tareq Aziz for his role in eliminating religious parties," state television reported. SOT OUT	1m 30s
7.	Shoes Thrown at ex-PM	SYDNEY: A man protesting the Iraq war hurled his shoes at Australia's former prime minister during a live television show, mimicking the shoe-throwing protest aimed at former president Geoge W. Bush in Baghdad two years ago. Footage: Shoe-thrown video	1m 30s
8.	Jackson Tops Forbes List	NEW YORK: Micheal Jackson's sudden death sparked an outpouring of grief around the world, but fans also opened their wallets to make him this year's top-earning dead celebrity with US$ 275 million ( RM 852 million) Forbes said on Monday. SOT IN "Jackson's spot atop our top earning dead celebrities list should come as no surprise given the renewed fan interest in music, videos and all things Micheal Jackson," said Forbes writer Lacey Rose. SOT OUT	40s 20s
9.	PM battles to keep Hobbit in New Zealand	WELLINGTON: Prime Minister John Key yesterday failed to secure a guarantee from Hollywood executives that Peter Jackson's troubled Hobbit movies would be filmed in the country. SOT IN: He said the meeting was "constructive" but the studio chiefs remained unsettled by an industrial dispute between Jackson and actors' unions over the project, a two-film prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. "It's far to say there was a lot of goodwill toward New Zealand... but there's no question the industrial action has caused real concern on their side and they'll need resolution to some of those issues." SOT OUT	1m 30s

TEASER: Injured strike Bowler Anderson is ready to perform

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COMMERCIAL BREAK 2 (5M 30S)

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Sports/Entertainment (6 Minutes)

10.	Anderson fit for Ashes opener	LONDON: Injured strike bowler James Anderson is winning his race to be fit for England's opening Ashes series test match in Brisbane next month, team director Andy Flower revealed on Monday. SOT IN Anderson may even be fit for some of the warm-up games leading into the First Test, which gets under way on Nov 25, Flower said. SOT OUT	1m 30s
11.	Robertson on fire	Defending champion Phil Robertson was almost back at his best on the second day of the Asian Match Racing Championships in Pulau Duyong yesterday. Footage: Sailing Asian Match Racing Championships video	30s 30s
12.	Zafarul to chart MWF future	Kuala Lumpur businessman Zafarul Akbar Kassim ousted long serving Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong as president of the Malaysia Weightlifting Federation (MWF) at its annual general meeting-cum-elections n Malacca on Sunday. Footage: Weightlifting Tournament video	1m 30s
13.	Rooney will be fit for explosive derby	LONDON: Wayne Rooney believes he will be fit for a powder-keg return against Manchester City at Eastlands in two weeks' time. Footage: English Premier League 2010-11 video	30s 30s

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Closing Credit (30s)

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The Turning Point in My Life

"Eda, would you consider living and studying in Malacca to accompany me?"said my aunt called Mak Long.

At that particular time, I was speechless. Out of blue, she just came up with such question that I had never thought before. I just replied saying," Hurmm....hurmm... I think it would be best if you could give me some time to sort it out." She looked at me, smiled in full of hope. I tried to solve this puzzle, why suddenly she asked me to stay with her when we were not that close? I mean, we don't exactly talk much and share lots of stories, do we? Hence, why me?

All this happened when Mum and Dad went to Mecca to perform their Hajj and they just couldn't leave me alone in the house when nobody was around. To top it off, I would say that I used to be a little rebellious kid toward them when I was fourteen years old. Studying in a new built-up school where education ministry in Perak simply dump all those problematic students there just to fill up the quota was the reason why I behaved in such a way. Peer influence was the crucial factor to ponder when mingled with those kind of people who would drag you down to their level and psychologicallyconvinced you to be just like them; spoil brat.

Ever since then, I kept contemplating for couple of days whether or not to accept the offer or chose to drift myself away and away from my inner light. Deep inside me said," You just can't continue to be such an ignorant person. At some point, all this has to stop and you have to change yourself to a better one. Now or never, Eda!"

Thus, with a soft prayers to God, I finally made up my mind and chose to live with her to transform myself to a better me. All this while, I used to be playful 24/7, rebelled toward my parents, flirted with whomever I liked and it affected my grades so bad.

One month living with Mak Long and schooling at Methodist Girls Secondary School, the feeling I kept inside was so overwhelming. I was seriously touched when she acted just like a pure mother to me even though she was just my aunt and even my mum had never done that before. She would wake me up softly, prepared breakfast for me every single day that my friends would get jealous, won't allow me to touch any house works instead instructed me to just study and study.

During the period, my studies were on their way to progress and this had made me so excited as I did prove to myself that I could despite living far from my parents and siblings and escaped from all the temporary excitement.

Just before I managed to grab a thankful card to express my gratefulness to her, she was diagnosed with internals body failure and in three to four days after the solemn incident took place, she finally met her Maker.

I felt like the sky fell down and everything fell apart. All hopes I kept inside was ruined. There was just nobody to turn to. She left me unsaid. Little did she demonstrated any signs of leaving this world for eternity. Its true what Optimus Prime once said, "the greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how they love them while they're alive." This phrase resembles me a lot. I was too occupied to grab a moment to tell her how thankful and blessed I am to be taken care by her and for every little thing she had done for me.

It really took me quite some time to get over this because I already loved her. I already considered her as my everything for she was the reason of what I am today. If I chose to continue indulging myself into all the damaging excitement, I could have been worst and even spoil. She gave me strength and because of her, I chose not to give in, not to return to my hometown to spend my life there for I knew things were just not right if I stayed there. Thus, I tried to wake up from all the melancholies and found myself a boarding school to proceed my battle.

Studying in another girl's school was not as wonderful as I used to think. This was the place for all the hypocrites, plastics, back-stabbers, and innocent people mixed into one. They might be nice in front of you but they were the ones who would badmouth you even though they knew nothing about you. I had never lose hope and despair. Every night, He was the one I would turn to, The One that listened to my whispers and The One that gave me my inner light unconditionally. When it seemed like nobody was there to lend me a shoulder, it's Him I would treasure. There was once, a bad memory that I could still recalled till now when all the bitches simply accused me of stealing their so-called favorite male teacher. They even isolated me and pushed me away. I swore to God I didn't even want to have this type of man especially when he was taken. What a shame to us;women!

In another hurtful days when I was unofficially adopted by a kind teacher called Puan Saripah due to living too far from my parents, most of hostel mates were so uneasy and totally jealous of me. I had nobody around me at that particular time and most of them were among the hostel board of prefects. There was this one time when I came back from an outing and saw all students sat on the floor near the assembly hall. When I was about to join the crowd, one of the prefects; my so called plastic, fair weather friend called up my name and asked me to come to the front.

"You brought a handphone, didn't you?"

I didn't respond. She went on, "go inside the room, we will check you up!"

Well, I just obeyed and had no time to argue when the real ugly truth was that, all of them did bring a cellphone as well and decided to torture me simply because of jealousy. I felt so embarrassed of being insulted in front of juniors when we actually could sit and discuss in a more proper way. What hurts me the most was when they broke my locker just to ransacked it. Fortunately I had sensed this beforehand and asked my non-hostel mate to keep it for me.

I was so sick of thinking about this. I mean, why did they need to envy me when their parents were so close to them? When their bunch of bitches were all around them and never tired of making fun of me? Why is it always me? Were not they all satisfied enough of getting what they wanted? I just kept myself silent and kept struggling to excel in my studies. I just couldn't wait to finish my studies in Malacca and run back to Ipoh. Eventually, now I realized that as people grow up, they realize its less important to have more friends, and more important to have real ones.(Lauren Conrad)

Again, my heart bleed to the max when my elder sister was diagnosed with an SLE; systemic lupus erythematosus. An inflammatory disease of connective tissue with variable features including fever and weakness and fatigability and joint pains and skin lesions on the face or neck or arms. I tried to cope with both my studies and her by taking turns took care of her with mum. Every weekends I had to go to Selayang Hospital from Malacca to hug her close to me. We were so close especially when she fell sick. Sister's love would never ends. We shared everything and she used to be my second motivator after my aunt had passed away. She was the best sister I have ever had in my entire life and there was just no one could replace her.Ever! On June 1st, 2006, she really looked like as if she's at death's door. The illness attacked both her brain and kidneys that she suffered too much and no one could ever bear with such injurious pain.

" Eda, can you bathe me ?" said my elder sister known as Kak Pah.

I replied back saying, "Yes, sure! Take your clothes off and go inside the bathroom first. I'll be there in a few moments."

Little did I thought it would be the last time I bathed her because all this while, I used to clean her all the time when she fell sick. I even fed her a fish soup I cooked that afternoon that she said it was too hard for her to chew it and I started feeling weird because the fillet was so tender. Sometimes, when I did my chores in the kitchen, I silently cried and grieved upon her condition. Before she got the disease, she was the one who cooked for the whole family members and all the dishes were so amazing and scrumptious, she even sang all the time, teased us around, taught me and little ones mathematics etc. She was the best role model for us. 3.30am sharp on June 2nd, 2006, she breathed her last word. Its indeed true that whom the gods love die young.

Despite all the devastating hard times, bad gossips, insults, I just made my eyes blind, my ears deaf and my lips muted and continued strive and struggled to meet my ends. God blessed me when I successfully got flying colors result in my PMR and SPM examinations. I did shocked all those judgmental people when they got to know my results and stopped underestimating me. I thanked myself for being strong and rigid toward all the obstacles as I really bound to this survival secret,"it gets worse before better, try not to panic." Above all, I thanked God so much for giving me courage to embark on this challenging adventure and bold enough to make a difference for myself although there were so much pain I faced but it was all fruitful in return. I am now proud to be today's Eda who is way better than the past six years' Eda who was defiant and indecent.

Leads Analysis

Anecdotal Lead

A single mother, who claimed that she had not eaten for the last 25 years after being a victim of santau(deadly potion), is now being accused of breeding a ghost. (The Star)

Focus: a single mother; a victim of santau(deadly potion).

The lead is effective because it tells readers what; about santau(deadly potion), who(a single mother) and when: 25 years ago(claimed). There is no place and time mentioned. Thus just by reading this lead for the first time has made the readers understood it well because it has a focus.

Descriptive Lead

In which enclave of Kuala Lumpur can you see signboards in Bahasa Indonesia such as Apotik Great Britain, Restoran Sido Mampir, Restoran Jawa, P.T. Widuri, Citra Widuri Enterprise and Restoran Garuda Mas? Only in Chow Kit, which roughly spans Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Raja Alang. This spot, made popular by the late Sudirman Arshad who sang Chow Kit Road, sees many Indonesian tourists, both legal and illegal, “claiming” it as their haven.(New Straits Times)

Focus: Chow Kit

This is a very effective lead as it describes what Chow Kit is and the specialties it has nearby.

It is also effective as it starts off with a question.

Narrative Lead

I keep a few chickens and other animals. I see them falling sick but they can't express themselves. I see them develop certain symptoms and I feel sorry for them," says animal lover T. Deva Darshini. "There are stray dogs around my house and they are probably hungry but they can't tell you that."(The Star)

Focus: Animals feelings.

This is an effective lead because it starts with a dialog. It has points on what, who, and where.

Three Feature Leads (Soft Leads) that I like...

1) Elephants painting, playing musical instruments, kicking soccer balls, dancing in miniskirts and trekking with humans strapped to their backs are some of the various jumbo attractions available in northern Thailand.(The Sun)

First of all, this is a narrative lead. It is about the unique of elephants that is only available in Thailand.

What I like about this lead is that it tells readers what are the specialties of elephants...What they can do to amuse people and tourists who pay a visit to Thailand rather than just narrating the common facts about this special animal... The writer also applies who, what, and where technique. It simply starts off by describing the attractions of elephants...

2) A childhood accident cost Lim(not his real name) an eye. He was playing when a sharp stick pierced his right eye. His parents rushed him to the nearest hospital, but doctors could not save his eye. (New Straits Times)

This is an anecdotal lead. It starts off with a past story of the victim. It uses who, when, what, and how technique. What I like about this lead is, it is straight to the point. It's about 'the eye'. And how did this Lim loss his eye while playing.

3) Some people say cowards live longer. After years of winging it in the wild frontier, I can agree to that. I always believe that fear is healthy, especially when one is venturing into unfamiliar ground. Not long ago, a gung-ho friend went mountain biking on a hidden path. You know, the kind who never lets a dare go by without a match. He got lost for two days and was never the same person since. Apparently, after finding his way out of the jungle, he contracted a mysterious fever that baffled doctors.(New Straits Times)

This is a narrative mixed with a mystery lead. It uses the same technique of 5W 1H but only uses what, when, and how... What I like about this lead is the writer herself lets the readers wonder what happens in every sentence. She makes the mysterious story looks even mysterious.

Three Soft Leads that I don't like...

1) Crystals come in all shapes, colors and sizes. These are natural energy transmitters that can be used for healing, to enhance the vibrations of a space or for aesthetic purposes. (New Straits Times)

Focus: Crystals functions.

The lead is not that effective because it just described briefly on crystals specifications.

But it does have focus and functions somehow.

2) Eating red onions can help remove bad cholesterol, this reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. At the same time, red onions retain the body's good cholesterol, which help protect against heart disease.( New Straits Times)

Although it has a focus, this type of lead is very cliche... We can see a lot of this type of lead in every page of books,newspapers, magazine and etc.

3) A positive mindset is a mental attitude that enables one to face adverse circumstances in a positive manner. (The Star)

This lead is ineffective because it is too simple and plain. It could have been better with two-three sentences plus examples or a bit of demonstration...

Ruthful Tragedy of 10.10.10

REMBAU: While everyone else was eager to witness a Malay Warrior in a Mythical Palace wedding of Malaysian's first astronaut, Dato' Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and his wife Datin Harlina Mohd Yunos, however, at 6.50pm sharp, Malaysian was brought to shock when an express bus from Malacca to Kuala Lumpur recklessly hit onto the guardrail and crashed into five oncoming vehicles in the opposite lane at Km223.2 of the North South Expressway near Simpang Ampat, yesterday, resulted in twelve dead bodies and over forty people severely injured.

This melancholy October, 10th, 2010 tragedy emerged a great chaos among Malaysian and this was the worst road fatal accident ever happened this year in Malaysia.

A Plus traffic control centre spokesman said the accident occurred at about 6km from the Simpang Ampat toll near Alor Gajah, Malacca.

"The middle and left lanes for the south bound traffic were blocked by the vehicles involved in the accident while the right lane fr the north-bound traffic was closed to facilitate emergency works at the scene," he added. (The Star, Oct 11th, 2010)

One of those affected, Md Razel Sarmin, 38, the driver of the Honda City, said he was on the fast lane of the expressway heading to Pontian in Johor from Kuala Lumpur when he saw the Delima Express bus hurtling into his path from the opposite site of the expressway.

"The bus crashed into Toyota Hiace van which spinned several times. I managed to avoid the bus, but my car grazed the back of the van.

"My seven family members and I in the car then stopped at the side of the expresswat. We saw bodies all over the road.

"I saw the driver of the van hanging from the driver's side window and the Delima Express bus was blocking all three lanes of the highway heading to Alor Gajah." (New Straits Times, Oct 11th, 2010)

The accident cause a traffic jam stretching for more than 25km along the expressway. Of the 12 who died, eight were believed to be passengers from the express bus. One of them was decapitated. Two others were from a MyVi, which was crushed by the bus, and another from a Honda Accord.

PLUS officials had to divert motorists at the Pedas/Linggi toll plaza as the south bound lanes were impassable to traffic. (The Star, Oct 11th, 2010)

The accident victims were sent to the Malacca, Alor Gajah, Jasin, Tuanku Jaafar and Tampin hospitals. (New Straits Time, Oct 11th, 2010)

Date October, 10th, had carved it's own tragedy in the year 2010 despite it is the so-called prosperous date that brings much happiness and luck to most people.

"Not The Perceived Quality, but The Breadth of Sources that Counts," Simon Hemelryk

By Eda Othman

pinkypanda18@yahoo.com

To narrate any news stories is easy, but to ensure whether all the sources come from are reliable and genuine is such a pain in the neck for a journalist to bear. This is because, collecting trustworthy information is very crucial in order to gain trust from readers besides to being a good, remarkable reporter.

According to Simon Hemelryk, one of the remarkable Reader's Digest journalists, "It depends, of course, on the story. But if you need a psychologist who's an expert on the world of work, say, I would ask an industry body like the British Psychological Society who would they recommend. I also look through press cuttings on the Internet to see who has been quoted a lot on a subject before. I think, generally speaking, it's not the perceived quality, but the breadth of your sources that counts. Never just take one person's word for it on any subject. Always ask three or four and look to see the points they all agree on,"when asked 0n the reliability of stories that he has come up with so far.

This demonstrates that you just need to broaden your perspective and methods of getting news information to make it both newsworthy and trustworthy. Besides that, another point to ponder is, never judge any people beforehand as this will make your ways of finding evident on any particular subject gets shrunken. Sometimes, we might see some people looked grimy, bimbo and what not but surprisingly more often than not, these are the people who have everything in their minds. It just that, they are not among the show-offs.

Besides that, he also stressed on how he got all the information to cover his stories either manually or by going

to a particular side to get a better picture of it.

"Just speak to as many people who are somehow involved with a story as is reasonably possible. You might speak to someone for ten minutes and they'll only say one thing that's relevant, but that one thing can transform an article from average to good. I'd say that for an 1,800 word piece, I might have 20 pages of interview notes. You can rarely have too much info. You then just filter it down into what's most interesting, revealing and entertaining.

As for finding sources, once you've found one person who knows something about a story, ask them who else you should speak to. There's normally a snowball effect. For finding people, the Internet, Facebook, old articles, friends of friends, agents and, as I say, professional industry bodies are all good."

Again, he added, " I do interviews on phone mainly, though sometimes I go to where people work/live or do a behind the scenes report. There's one I did on the UK Memory Championships and also one where I lived off "superfoods" for a month. So that's a sort of living the experience-type report. Both should be online."

Well, this is also a good example to partake since we cannot deny that the primary reason of having a good and exemplary news piece is to call out people whom we would like to deal with and these days, gadgets especially cellular phone is one of a must-have-list in your daily life for instance, Blackberry serves its customer best as the features provide mostly everything that 'engaged' people like reporters need. It doesn't only store contacts but also acts as a mobile and systematic organizer for them.

On the other hand, regarding methods of writing a news piece, Simon stated that, "Flatter people, ask them simple, open-ended questions and then let them talk without interrupting. You'll be amazed on what they say without meaning to," when inquiring about the missing pieces that make up a good story other than the importance of 5Ws and 1H. According to his statement, it's clear that asking people such questions and getting a good, stunning reply from them is as equally good as weaving 5Ws and IH in our news piece. Most importantly is how good you develop your stories after putting in these two ideas.

However, he said that he find the best way to think of news stories is to go through events listings for future months and see what ideas that sparks rather than other plastic journalists who resort to just sitting down at their desk twiddling their fingers waiting for a news story to come to their desk when asked about the length he go to to get news pieces if he can't seem to find any.

According to this dedicated Simon, when asked about kind of news pieces he enjoyed writing the most, "I like pieces where I immerse myself in something so it's a first-hand, behind the scenes account of something. Like when I entered the UK Memory Championships. And came last though i was second to last going into the last round. Thrilling".

In addition, when asked about his favorite memories he has, "It was an article I did doing various secret stunts to test people's courtesy in various UK towns. The results were covered in all the big UK newspapers over here. Then we did the same thing in towns around the world (including Malaysia). The results of that were covered everywhere from CNN to David Letterman. We found that one country was particularly rude and it caused a diplomatic incident. I can't remember where. Think that might have been Malaysia! Or it could have been Thailand. Should be online somewhere."

Oh! This is so unfavorable to be heard. Dear all Malaysian, I beg all of you to differ please. Let's be good, decent citizens of Malaysia.

"As for young journalists students, he reiterated, make sure you enjoy what you're doing. You might be doing it for 50 years, so there's no point doing anything for the sake of it. But if, say, you get offered a job on a trade magazine writing about plumbing or whatever, don't be put off. I find that once you get into any subject it becomes enjoyable," when requested on his wish and hope for young journalists students in order to excel with flying colors result thus ending up the conversation

Simon Hemelryk in this story is a Reader's Digest journalist and his latest article has been released in August, 2010 titled Snow Patrol. He has been at Reader's Digest UK for 11 years. Prior to starting work he did a degree in International Relations at Sussex University and a post graduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. "The Hole in the Wall Gang" is the best story he keeps fond to his heart.

simon.hemelryk@googlemail.com

Americans are liars?

UNITED STATES: Americans lie constantly in just about anything according to a survey that was published in James Patterson's The Day America Told the Truth.

He stated that 90 percent of people in the United States lie routinely; 36 percent confess that they tell crucial lies. In addition, he also classified lies as 'dark lies', one that hurts other people, and ' trivial lies', those that include insincere compliments on dinner or clothes.

To top it off, Patterson came up with a conclusion that 86 percent lie regularly to parents, 75 percent lie to friends, 73 percent lie to siblings and 69 percent lie to spouses. And based on those supporting facts, there are areas in which Americans lie which mainly consists of the four key areas, their works, feelings ( 81%), about income (43%) and sex (40%).

Why did Americans lie anyway? Personally, in the writer point of view, the reasons could be in so many ways and sometimes it is quite subjective to judge. It might be due to stress, insecurity and vice versa, unstable well beings, indulging into a scandalous affair (perhaps), and the list goes on and on. At times, it is okay to lie(a little white lie) but when it is becoming such a norm, somehow, its really not a healthy way to deal with especially to our loved ones for it may ruin every single thing that a person has.

Nevertheless, not all Americans are liars and the survey had also shown what Americans told the truth about, and the findings are 51 percent say they see no reason to marry, 29 percent say they aren't sure they still love their spouse meanwhile another 31 percent admit they are having an extramarital affair. This is somehow demonstrates a good example to be noted as it is good to talk and to come clean about those things related in order to achieve a real positive relationship.

Followed by his interview quotes, "Americans are willing to lie at the drop of a hat. Lying is part of their lives. People say what others want to hear" is really proven with all the facts he gained altogether into a very catchy book 'The Day America Told the Truth' even most of them are such an ugly truth to be heard.

On the other hand, readers might be wondering why and depositing so many inquiries to buzz besides feeling surprise of all those lies created by so called ethnocentric Americans more often than not. Well, this great, mind blowing piece of Patterson will reveal all the truth and vanish all your curiosity which will be hitting bookstores nearby this week.