JLPT preparation

Well, a week before JLPT, I received a news that made me unable to come for the exam. But, my friend (Mr. Aslam) who just returned from Japan last year will be seating for it. YEAH, without me.. a person who is emitting +ve aura in which if everybody in the exam hall knows me, all of them probably pass.. Hahaha.. Nway, i decided to sit for it in the upcoming DecEMBER paper instead... Sorry Mr. Aslam and I wish u good luck... Ganbatte!!!

P/s: Guess whose handwriting look like girl's? The first one is mine and the second one is Aslam's.. I personally think Aslam's handwriting is so girlish... Wakakaka

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JLPT in Charts

Countries/areas where JLPT is administered (2009 second [December] test figures)

The JLPT can be taken at various locations around the world.

• Japan: 33 prefectures
• Overseas: 173 cities in 53 countries/areas

Changes in number of examinees (1984-2009)

The number of examinees has been increased dramatically along with an increase in the number of Japanese learners.

Changes in registrants and examinees (PDF/81KB)

1. "Survey of Overseas Japanese-Language Educational Organizations" conducted by the Japan Foundation shows that the number of Japanese learners overseas has increased from 580,000 in 1984 to 3,650,000 in 2009.
2. The JLPT has been offered twice a year since 2009.

Attributes of applicants

JLPT applicants cover a wide age range, from elementary school pupils to working adults.

Reasons for taking the test

The JLPT is taken for various reasons, including admission to advanced education, finding employment and testing one's own abilities.

 

 

*Extracted from http://www.jlpt.jp/e/statistics/index.html

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Should a STRINGENT IQ test be imposed in order to acquire a driving License?

With the coming of major festive seasons like Hari Raya and Chinese New Year especially in Malaysia, it is usual here that people associated it with higher rate of road accidents. Plus, with availability of affordable vehicles in the market nowadays, the roads are seriously being bombarded with cars/MPVs/SUVs and whatever you want to call them. With more affordable societies, not only working adults have possession of cars, but even a large number of university undergrad students have possession on them nowadays. This trend is somewhat true if you really observe. i.e: There were not many students driving to class when I was in my first year of study. But, suddenly when I was in my third year, parking space issues started to occur. When I was in my final year, students' vehicles dominate all the roadside of the campus as well as hotels and make them as their parking space causing the road congestion. 


With more and more road accidents happen in Malaysia coupled with more and more vehicles will be on the road, one of the solutions to prevent such problem, in my opinion is by introducing a stringent IQ test in order to acquire a driving license. The IQ points should not be very high but the government should come out with a minimum IQ requirement to reflect a mentally capable individual in formulating wise decision. Why? In my opinion most of the accidents happen is due to POOR/BAD DECISION; i.e chose to drive super-fast, chose to drive on the emergency lane, chose to speed during heavy rain, chose to takeover while it is clearly dangerous, chose not to use signal light during manoeuvre and also chose to ignore the speed limit. This is actually backed with some researches that found statistically people with higher IQ make even better decision and reacts fast enough during emergency situation. Even though some people said it is as an act of God or fate, human should take every action possible to minimize the error done on human part rather than blaming God or fate without taking any action.


There was a major accident case in Malaysia involving more than 10 people where an ambulance could not went through to reach the crash site on the highway as many drivers chose to violate the rule by using emergence lane when the congestion started due to the accident. It was rumored that the ambulance took more than 1.5 hour to reach the victims and many victims that should have not died actually died due to heavy blood lost and lack of first aid treatment. It's all due to first, the selfish drivers who chose to drive at the emergency lane and block the ambulance route and second, indirectly, too many vehicles on the road.


In the end, no matter how expensive the car you drive, you still die if you choose to drive over the cliff. Years of driving give me to come out with this hypothesis; the bigger/more expensive the car is, the smaller the driver's brain is (no offence). You can see many people with M*rc*d*s, A*di or B*W drive on the road like they are the king (not believe in me? try drive at north-south Expressway and feel it by yourself!). So, beware if you see bigger car on the road (haha… just kidding). The point is, even though this idea is debatable, arguable and reject-able, this idea actually aims to cut down the number of poor-decision-driver on the road and indirectly lessen the number of vehicles on the road and the rate of road accidents. No matter what is our opinion, our ultimate goal is to make our roads safer and comfortable.


 
*THIS WRITING CONSIST OF THE IDEAS FROM THE WRITER HIMSELF. THE EXPRESS PERMISSION BY THE WRITER IS REQUIRED FOR REDISTRIBUTION, REPRINTING AND RECREATION.

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ラマダンと 断食【サウム】: 日本人のため

TN: Ramadan and Fasting: For Japanese

『英語が分からない？ さいごのノットー見せて下さい』

Kobe Mosque, Kobe

Islam is still considered as a minority religion in Japan. It was estimated in year 2000 alone the number of ethnic Japanese Muslims in Japan are 63,552, and around 70,000 - 100,000 foreign Muslims residing in the country. The true figure is still speculative as the Japan government does not keep the religious records of people residing in Japan. However, based on the population distribution, the large numbers of Muslims are concentrated around major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima. Among the biggest Mosques in Japan are Tokyo Mosque (built in 1938) and Kobe Mosque (built in 1935). Interestingly, both of my previous Japanese teachers (which are twins) are the daughters of Kobe Mosque Manager [1]. For those who are interested, here is the link for

Tokyo Camii ,Tokyo

the lists of mosques and musalla available in Japan.

Since Islam might be something new to Japanese people, and they might be wondering what and why their Muslim friends are fasting in the month of Ramadan, there are some efforts done by Muslim students in Osaka University 【大坂大学】 to provide some information and exposure to their Japanese friends [2] in which will be described as below:



 Original notes:

 

「断食（サウム）」とは、イスラム教徒の義務の一つとして、夜明けから日没までのあいだ、飲食やタバコを吸うこと等を絶つことが行われる。一ヶ月で断食が行う月はラマダンまたはラマダーンというものである。

断食は、イスラム忍耐、謙虚さと精神性を教えるためである。ラマダンは、アラー神様のために断食して、いつもより多くの祈りを捧げる時間である。

[The fasting (Shoum) is one of the duties of the Muslim, refrain from eating, drinking and smoking, from dawn until sunset. The moon which a fast performs in one month is called the Ramadan or Ramadhan. Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of Allah, and to offer more prayer than usual.]

 

Notes in Hiragana and Katakana:

 

「だんじき（サウム）」とは、イスラムきょうとのぎむのひとつとして、よあけからにちぼつまでのあいだ、いんしょくやタバコをすうことなどをたつことがおこなわれる。いちかげつでだんじきがおこなうつきはラマダンまたはラマダーンというものである。

だんじきは、イスラムにんたい、けんきょさとせいしんせいをおしえるためである。ラマダンは、アラーかみさまのためにだんじきして、いつもよりおおくのいのりをささげるじかんである。

 

[ Danjiki (saum) to ha, isuramu kyouto no gimu no hitotsu tosite, yoake kara nichibotsu no aida, inshoku ya tabako wo suu koto nado wo tatu koto ga okonawareru. Ichikagetsu danjiki ga okonau tsuki ha Ramadan mataha ramadhan to iu mono de aru.

Danjiki ha, isuramu nintai, kenkyosa to seisinsei wo osieru tame de aru. Ramadan ha, Allah kamisama no tame ni danjiki site, itumo yori ooku no inori wo sasageru jikan de aru. ]

 

In details, I would like to invite any Japanese to refer this following message:

 

ラマダーン月の紹介

 

イスラーム暦のラマダーン月の間、断食をすることは、イスラーム教徒の五つの義務の一つです。

 

ラ マダーンは一年でいちばん神聖な月で、日頃あまり熱心でないイスラーム教徒も、義務である一日五回のお祈りや断食をするのが普通です。嘘をつくこと、他の 人を傷つけたり困らせたりすること、また破壊的な行為をすることは、この時期には特に禁止されています。またこの月には、貧しい人や困っている人に手を差 し伸べることが、いつもよりいっそう求められています。

 

断 食が可能な健康なイスラーム教徒はすべて、この一カ月間断食をしなければなりません。この断食は何日も完全に絶食する断食ではありません。日常の普通の生 活をやめてするのではなく、むしろ、ほとんどいつものように仕事や勉強を続けながら、一日の一定の時間行なう断食です。

 

イ スラームにおける断食では、未明から日没までの間、食べることはもちろん水やお茶などを飲むことも全くできません。一方、日没後はできるだけすぐに何か食 べたり飲んだりするべきである、とされています。また、断食の開始前に何か食べたり飲んだりすることが、断食をする日には強く勧められています。

 

本来ラマダーン月の断食の目的は、空腹や渇きを体験することで食べ物のありがたみを理解し、自分が恵みを受けていることを実感し感謝することです。

 

このようにラマダーン中に世界中でイスラーム教徒が断食をすることには、大きな意味があるのです。

 


[1] The writer of The Compass Point was my Japanese classmate and we shared the same sensei.

[2] The full posts and narration can be referred at The Compass Point. Special thanks to the writer for the brilliant information.

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My Road to JLPT

   As a Japanese learner, JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test or 日本語能力試験) is not something new. Every year thousands of people worldwide are taking this exam to prove their ability in Japanese Statistics from Japanese Foundation (JF)*, in 2009 it was approx. around 770,000 people were taking JLPT in 54 countries around the globe. In Malaysia, based on my observation, most of the JLPT candidates consist of Chinese candidates. This, without a doubt is due to the vast similarities (but not exactly the same) as well as connection between Japanese Kanji and Chinese hanzi. Because of that fact, I really have a very high respect to the determination shown by those non-Chinese candidates that sit for this exam.


Learning Japanese is not easy. It requires determination and hard work for students who start totally from zero. Frankly to speak, I started learning Japanese since my second year in the university (2007) and only started sitting my first time JLPT exactly after my graduation at the end of 2009 for level 4 (right now N5).The motivation to sit for JLPT varies, as for me, in order to gain entrance for postgraduate student in Japanese University, I really need to have JLPT but there are also some people who take this exam for fun and satisfaction. In 2009, I saw an old women and a very young girl (more likely a kindergarten kid) were taking this test.


In 2010, JLPT syllabus has been updated. During the old days, they were only 4 levels but with the new revamp, another one level has been added to closer the gap between Level 3 and Level 2 in which called N3. So, currently JLPT consists of 5 levels range from N5 to N1. I also have experienced the first hand for the first year of JLPT 2.0 in 2010 when I just for the purpose of reckoning took N4 paper (Last known as Level 3). According to Japanese Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL), there are four points of the new JLPT:

Point	Changes
1	Increased focus on communicative competence
2	Examinees can select more suitable level with the introduction of new level
3	The scoring method was revised to ensure a more accurate measurement of Japanese-language proficiency
4	What you can do in Japanese is easily visualised

*Source: Japan Foundation

Whatever the reason is, JLPT has proven to be among the toughest exam suitable for the so-called a built-in tough language such Japanese. Most people might learn this language as maybe a university's course requirement for third language, but too small from those number consists of people who are really using and strive for the deep understanding in the language.


For more info pls visit: http://www.jlpt.jp/

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The Colours of 1 Malaysia [Warna-warna 1 Malaysia]

Hi guys, so sorry cuz its been awhile since I'm updating my posts. Well, I was really busy with my master courses even sometimes we spent 3/4 of our day inside the university!. Put the things aside, for this entry I would like to share what I have attended recently.

Variation of drums used by different Malaysian races and ethnic

The showcase of harmonious multiracial country

 The colours of 1 Malaysia is basically to showcase the uniqueness of Malaysian especially the variety of its culture, races and tradition. FYI, some race or ethnic in Malaysia represented by their own unique colors; Malays usually represented by green, Chinese usually represented by red while Indian some people said is represented by blue. Some of the dance is so exotic that u might not be able to see while visiting Malaysia.

The funny thing is after the showcase, people are invited to dance with all the dancers. Juz choose which dance you like.. ^_^

The dance from various ethnic from Sabah and Sarawak

Another purpose of such event is to promote Malaysia as a tourist destination. Well, even I’m as Malaysian, I still have many places that I still yet to explore! This showcase is fantastic since tourists will be able to see the variation of Malaysian dancing, ethnicity and cultures all in one event. For tourists out there who has missed the showcase, do not worry cuz it might be done every year. This year (2011) is a second time after the 2010 showcase. Peace! ^__^

Seriously I never saw such mask before!

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Malaysia 34th Bon Odori 2010

Bon Odori is a Japanese Buddhist custom which is held annually to honour the deceased spirits of one's ancestors. It is meant to be a joyful celebration, bringing families together, and celebrating rather than mourning the lives of the dearly departed. In Malaysia, the celebration is more geared toward celebrating the Japanese culture rather than Buddhism. These are some the pictures taken by me (アズルル写真) aka a.i Photography during that lively and cheerful event.

Japanese women wearing Yukata during the event

What I did...

Main problem

The main problem for most of the photographers during this event was to take a descent picture with a limited range since the main stage parameter was off limited by 5 meter range . With the place crowded with people the space and range became more limited. That's why I chose my 70-300mm lense to do this dirty work..

The opening started with drummers showing their skills

Secondly, as the event was going on until night, photographers had the problem of balancing their aperture and shutter speed during limited light sources (well, this is a classic night photography problem). Most of the time I maintained my camera mode to the aperture priority mode so that I can control the amount of light came in without having the headache to think about the shutter speed.

Flashgun and ISO

Women are dancing on the stage with the drummers as a background

Flash gun and ISO settings also really come in handy during night photography. As my camera ISO is taken into consideration, I maintained the ISO ranged from 500 to 1000. Depends on the camera used, my camera has a very limited noise problem when go to 1000.  Flashgun played a crucial role in balancing your shutter speed and aperture usage. More light comes in means bigger aperture (less F number) can be achieved with faster shutter speed. For those who are not using flashgun, lenses with big aperture ability really come in handy during night photography.



Feel free to browse few collection of Bon Odori 2010 pictures here.

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