If you follow me on twitter, or facebook, you would've already found out that I have managed to secure a place in Globis University in Tokyo to pursue my MBA. Not only that, the university has deemed me good enough to grant a FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIP to study in their university.

However, here comes the tough part. I will need to find my own funding to live in Tokyo. Now, we all know that Tokyo is not the cheapest place to live in. In fact, in this year's Most Expensive Cities to Live In in The World, Tokyo was voted number two.

Here is where the problem starts. I haven't got that much of a savings in my name, so it makes it very hard for me to get on that plane to Japan and try to live Tokyo. This post is created to help me with that. And, as far as I have tried, it is VERY DIFFICULT to get a grant / scholarship to cover any living costs that you might incur during your efforts to pursue studies, if you already have the education part covered.

So, I NEED HELP! I seek for the grace of your hearts through the social media to please help me fund my living costs in efforts to continue my studies in Japan. Please contribute RM5 (more welcome, but I'm only asking for a fiver) and spread the word on.

This project is named 5 for a Friend because we all have friends. Sometimes, your friend might be a little short, so you help them out. I believe that everybody in this world are friends, just waiting to be discovered. Allow me to be one this time and contribute to my fund. (Also, good karma awaits).

The university has advised that I will need about 2,000,000 JPY (an equivalent of RM80,000) to just survive living one year in Japan. I hope, by the end of this fundraising, to reach somewhere near that amount. Semester starts on the 10th of September, so I do hope that with your kind contribution, I will be there for the start of the semester. That gives us, about 3 months.

I hope you will help me realise my dream!

Go on, be a friend. :)




Donations can be done via PAYPAL (press on the donate button below) or through my bank account (Email me for more details at syatsafran (at) gmail.com). In case you were curious, I am syats on twitter. Add me and I'll follow back. :)

Firstly, I would like to thank all of you who have so far. With just efforts for #5forafriend so far exclusively on the social media and internet, the banked amount so far is:

RM: 1,200
USD: 500

Hence, as a way to say thank you, and to create more awareness to the project, we have come up with this:



If you know me in real life, you will know that I am a HUGE bubble tea drinker. So, luckily enough, with a little help from my friends, I have been able get CHATIME to allow me to use their outlet to do a gig here in their premises.

The performance schedule will be as such:
Projek Disco Baldi at 3:30
Ahmad Dimi (+Friends, if any) at 4
AI:IA at 4:30
Liyana Fizi at 5:30
Narmi at 6:30

I do hope you will make time to come and say hi. :) Or talk to me about other ways (other than MARA, JPA, EPF, Yayasan #insertnamehere) to get funding. I promise, you will have a good time.

#5foraFriend was started in the basis that we are all friends, and that we would all lend a hand when there is a friend in need. I believe in this through and through and I want you to believe in it too.

In all honesty, I have always considered my friends as my family mainly. Maybe it is because I am not close to my family hence I am always looking out for my version of "family". And thankfully, I have always been lucky because my friends are AWESOME, I can always depend on them when I am in trouble. Because of this, I have always believed in paying back. Some might call it "paying it forward" but it is just me repaying my blessings by always keeping a hand open when a friend asks for help. I'm a big believer of paying kindness for kindness.

So, I admit, I am a lucky person, always been given the opportunity to do many things - see the world, go to concerts, eat nice meals. And being one of the 20 recipient of GLOBIS International Leader Scholarship I am extremely greatful. I found about about this university through Facebook, as they were doing their marketing rounds earlier this year - to promote the first year of their full-time English language MBA course. They mentioned that there are a couple more rounds of admission and 20 people will be selected from the applicants to receive the scholarship.

Due to work and other activities (including organising several events) I barely but just managed to catch the submission date with my application for the last round of admission (They have four a year for the two admission dates). The date of the interview happened first thing on one fine Saturday morning and I didn't think I did well, so totally dismissed that I would get admitted, what more get a scholarship for it.


However, the offer did come in, and I was elated! This admission and scholarship really came to me as surprise as I really thought that I have bombed the interview! But it came, and now I have to find a way to add to my almost non-existant savings in order to survive in this expensive city that is called Tokyo. (Don't the university look so inviting? :) )



Some might ask, why don't I try to get a MARA or JPA loan? I have never exercised my so called Bumi rights and I didn't really know how to. But with some guidance, I am trying to get through to them, but these institutions deem MBAs as a very general loan, so not something that would contribute much to the country. So, I can't really put my hopes up to that. I am also a little bitter that I can't access my EPF funds, that could help with a lot of the expenses... Unfortunately, most scholarships are closed, and most of them would not allow double scholarships. So that cancels out almost 90% of applicable funding.

That is why, I am looking for YOU and YOUR FRIENDS to help me. I am only requesting for 5 because it is not a burdensome amount (of course, if you like me enough, I'd appreciate if you could please contribute more to get me to the RM80,000 goal faster). However, in order for this to work, I will need 16,000 generous people to contribute to the fund within this 3 months. So please, spare me your fiver and spread the world.

I know I know, many of you would ask, why should we contribute to this stranger who we barely even know. Well, imagine that one day at the mamak, you need a fiver to cover for your teh tarik. I'm sure there would be people kind enough who would lend you that money and not expect anybody back. I want to believe that this is not an impossible scenario.

I also want to keep this funding alive. From the comments from strangers that I have received, my case is not unique, and my cause is not totally alien. Hence, once I have reached the amount I need, the rest of the contributions will go to somebody else who might need it in the future. Now this is paying it forward.

So please, open up your hearts and press the "DONATE" button below. I need all the help I can get.

To all who have donated, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

I received my admission pack today via email. I am so happy to see that this is done, as the last week has been such an emotional rollercoaster ride of the highest of highs and the lowest of low. I'm glad to see that with the help of my friends, I have managed to overcome the first hurdle of changing my conditional admission to a full fledged admission, with a scholarship. One of 20 who were awarded by the university to be a part of the first batch of their first full-time English MBA course.

Now, in the process of getting there, I have learnt, that I can still not touch my EPF, because I got a scholarship and EPF will only release funding if you have a receipt of sorts to show that you have paid for your/your children's education. I have also learnt that MARA does not look on to MBA loan/sponsorship because this degree is "too general". Whatever that means. I am submitting the application anyway.

So, I look upon your help to help me reach this dream of mine. I refuse to let this slip away. Living in Tokyo will be a dream come true and I know it will happen, I just need to get funds up. A #5foraFriend fundraising gig will be held soon, so I will post up more details on this page once more info is more firm. But it will be held at the end of the month. :)

UPDATE after DAY 1:

Paypal Donations: USD250.00
Bank Transfers : RM (not checked)

THANK YOU. Much love to all.

Hi,

Just a short note to say that although there will prolly not be anymore updates on this blog, I am still actively checking it.

To find me, please check on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/syats.

XD

I haven't posted in a while. So - HELLO!

I always thought that my iPod and I are psychicly in tuned with each other... lets see how far its true.

HOW TO PLAY:
* Put your iTunes/Winamp/WMP on shuffle.
* Use the song title as the answer to the question (Press Fast Forward to get to the next song title quicker).
* NO CHEATING


1. How does the world see me?

Happiness - Orson

...And when the world don't feel like turning,
And the sun just wants to hide,
All the stars come out to remind me
Of the universe by my side.

All that happens is Happiness.
Happiness- when I'm with you.


2. Will I have a happy life?
Teen Love - Peter Bjorn and John

I’ll clear if it’s alright with you
Maybe I should go and see about you
Collect some love, if you don’t mind
Collect some love, if you want mine, oh

My heart; it grows
My heart, it grows, oh

...

I’ve fallen
I’ve fallen in
I’ve fallen in love with you

Carry home; the night is dark and alone
I think I’m done with all the peoples taking part
So move a little closer, if you don’t mind
And I leave a mark on your face, if you don’t mind, no
Oh, oh, oh...


3. What do my friends really think of me?
Come Together/Dear Prudence/Cry Baby Cry - the Beatles (from LOVE)


4. Do people secretly lust after me?
I Want to Hold Your Hand - the Beatles

Oh please say to me
You’ll let me be your man,
And please say to me,
You’ll let me hold your hand,
Now let me hold your hand,
I wanna hold your hand.
And when I touch you
I feel happy inside,
It’s such a feeling
That my love I can’t hide,
I can’t hide, I can’t hide."


5. How can I make myself happy?
Goodbye - the Sneaky Sound System

Hot and the temperatures rising, it's summer time vibing
You and me, yes please right now it's what I need
Freak when I saw you dancing
My beat your feeling all get down with the DJ
Happy days non stopping
Close your eyes and I promise I'll be watching
Try to guess which part I'm touching
Now it's your imagination rocking
Feel the breeze of my breath your sucking
Please tell me what you need
I'll bring it up to speed, the last thing I want is to get it wrong
Cause you turn me on

I don't want to say goodbye it's better, to stay
Tip toe body up, trying to escape...away



6. What should I do with my life?
Fly With You - Pete Murray

I pray to God that I can meet
Somebody like the girl that I've just seen
Someone that can stop me dead
Someone that will spin round
In my head all day
In my head all day

Someday I will fly with you
Someday I will fly with you

That night I saw her again
Was the first time I touched her hand
She made me feel so warm
We talked all night
Till the dawn came our way



7. Will I ever have children?
What I Be - Michael Franti and Spearhead

If I could be the sun
I'd radiate like Africa and
Smile upon the world
Intergalactic love laughter and
If I were the rains, I'd wash away the whole world's pain and
Bring the gift of cool like ice cream trucks on sunny days and
If I was the earth I'd be like mountains bountiful
And if I were the sky so high, I'd be like wind invincible and
If I could be a seed, I would give birth to redwood trees and
If I were the trees, I'd generate the freshest air to breathe in




8. What is some good advice for me?
Lazy - Xpress2 featuring David Byrne

There's some folks they got money &
Some folks life is sweet
Some folks make decisions &
Some folks clean the street
Now, Imagine what it feels like
Imagine how it sounds
Imagine life is perfect and every thing works out

I'm wicked and I'm lazy (chorus)
Don't you want to save me

Lazy when I work
Lazy all the day
Screamin all you like but it only fades away
I'm lazy when I'm prayin
Lazy on the job
Gota lazy mind, a lazy eye, a lazy lazy bod

No tears are falling from my eyes (bridge)
I'm keepin all the pain inside
Now don't you want to live with me?
I'm lazy as a man can be





9. How will I be remembered?
Wires - Athlete

Running down corridors
Through automatic doors
Got to get to you
Got to see this through
I see hope is here in a plastic box
I've seen christmas lights reflect in your eyes

Down corridors
Through automatic doors
Got to get to you
Got to see this through
First night of your life
Curled up on your own
Looking at you now
You would never know





10. What is my signature dancing song?
Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes Featuring Black Eyed Peas

drop hot hot be my daily operation
got to put a right in this crazy occupation
gotta keep it movin' thats the motivation
gotta ride the waves and keep a tight relation
with my team keeping moving and doing it right
i've been in a lab every day til daylight
thats the way things move in this monkey business
we took a old samba song and remixed it





11. What do I think my current theme song is?
I Will Follow You Into the Dark -Death Cab for Cutie

You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes...
Are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
Cause we'll hold each other soon
In the blackest of rooms





12. What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Karmacoma - Massive Attack


Don't want to be on top of your list
Monopoly and properly kissed
We overcome in sixty seconds
With the strength we have to together
But for now, emotional ties they stay severed
When there’s trust there’ll be treats
And when we funk we'll hear beats





13. What song will play at my funeral?
Animal Nitrate - Suede

Like his dad you know that he's had
Animal nitrate in mind
Oh in your council home he jumped on your bones
Now you're taking it time after time

Oh it turns you on, on, now he has gone
Oh what turns you on now your animal's gone?





14. What type of women/men do I like?
Starlight - Muse

Starlight
I will be chasing your starlight
Until the end of my life
I dont know if it’s worth it anymore

Hold you in my arms
I just wanted to
Hold you in my arms

My life
You electrify my life
Let's conspire to ignite
All the cells that would die just to feel alive

I’ll never let you go
If you promise not to fade away
Never fade away...





15. What is my day going to be like?
Ecstasy - Darude

16. Will I ever have love again?
Chop Me Up - Justin Timberlake Featuring Timbaland


Y'all can be the star in my spotlight
Studio 54 if we get the props right
All we need right now is a little bit, a little bit of act right
Y'all looking shy, but ya act like y'all don't hear me





17. What type of sex life do I have?
The Queen And I - Gym Class Heroes


'Cause baby girl's a queen
And a queen's a pawn with a bunch of fancy moves
And she's made me a fiend
I won't be withdrawed 'cause I got nothing to lose





18. What song would be the title of my own porno movie?
Dear Jamie... Sincerely Me - Hellogoodbye

19. What was high school like?
LDN - Lily Allen

Sun is in the sky oh why oh why ?
Would I wanna be anywhere else
Sun is in the sky oh why oh why ?
Would I wanna be anywhere else





20. What is the best thing about me?
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now





21.What do my colleagues think of me?
The Way - Jill Scott

We gonna have to connect some other time
As much as I like to shake my thang on the dance floor
I got another nasty, freaky just right way in mind
Tonight I'm gonna beat the high score


22. How is my life going?
Nine In The Afternoon - PANIC! At the Disco


Back to the street
Down to our feet
Losing the feeling of feeling unique
Do you know what I mean?

Back to the place, hey
Where we used to say
Man it feels good to feel this way
Now I know what I mean

Back to the street, back to the place,
Back to the room where it all began
Back to the street, back to the place,
Back to the room where it all began
'Cause it's nine in the afternoon



23.Will I get married?
The Special Two - Missy Higgins

And we will only need each other, we'll breathe together,
Our hands will not be taught to need another's,
When we're the special two.





24.What should I do with my love life?
Again - John Legend

This time you told me you saw me at the same hotel,
You said you knew me well, and I had a familiar smell,
You asked me how am I ever gonna learn to put my trust in you,
Like you want me to, 'cause I know what you're prone to do,
Accusations fly like bullets do, here it goes again, oh,
But you know me because you're doing it too,
The cycle never ends, never ends,

Oh, you're doing it again,
Yes, you're doing it again,
Oh, you're doing it again,
You said it would end but here it goes again, and again, and again





25.Where will I live?
I Like the Way You Move - Bodyrockers

I like the way you, put your hands up in the air,
I like the way you, shake your hair,
I like the way you, like to touch,
I like the way you, stare so much,
but most of all....
Yeah..
most of all....

* Does this mean that I will live in a club? LoL.



26.What will my dying words be?
Angel Eyes - Ella Fitzgerald

So drink up all you people
Order anything you see
Have fun you happy people
The laughs and the jokes on me

Pardon me but I got to run
The fact's uncommonly clear
Got to find who's now number one
And why my angel eyes ain't here
Oh, where is my angel eyes




27. When I meet a boy for the first time I say:
Keep Your Hands Off My Girl - Good Charlotte

You know the boy starts to hate,
The girls that came with him,
They like that's not the boy she dates,
They get the fighting and swearing,
And now the boyfriend is staring,
The disco ball on the ceiling,
Looks like the chain that I'm wearing,
But the music keeps playing,
I got brass knuckles hanging,
from my neck and my chain,





28.Will I ever get the career I want?
Dance Hall Drug - Boys Like Girls

And it's on tonight
This is the life that you wanted, right?
So turn off all the lights
Dressed up just like a movie star
At all the parties they'll know who you are
Wouldn't it be great, to be fashionably late?
So why don't you wait, till you're sedated

Gone were the days when I couldn't wait to start work, get away from boring homework and evil lecturers (ok, I exaggerate, I only had ONE evil lecturer my whole time in school/college/uni).

Being in the workforce for a 2 yrs straight now, I can't help but wish, constantly wishing, for the years when it was easy and thoughtless, no worries and no responsibility of my younger years. Nowadays, a day not contacted by work would be a blessing.

Tagged by Rach, this meme brings back so much memories of hopes and dreams, and how different it was back then, and how I've turned out...


Ambition #1: Air Stewardess

From a really young age, I've always wanted to and loved travelling. This, plus the fact that my dad worked in the hospitality line, in a hotel that is near the ex-airport, has influenced my first ever ambition. Fortunately for me, my job now is similar to that of a stewardess, bar the waitress of the air tag.


Ambition #2: Fashion Designer

Most people in Malaysia used to or still are in touch with at least one (family) tailor. My mum used to go to this tailor for the most time that she's lived in KL. With my new exposure to brands such as CK, Gap, etc (my dad just came back from the states) and also access to the tailor and fashion magazines, fashion started to fascinate me. I still harbour this ambition to this day, really... just waiting for my inner tailor to unleash herself!

Ambition #3: Environmentalist

For most part of my schooling life, I was a pretty 'Green' girl... big on recycling, using biodegrable products and putting all my savings into WWF funds, MNS funds, etc and going to nature camps. This was also one of the causes why I have not eaten Red Meat since I was 14.

Ambition #4: Zoologist
Then, it dawned on me... people need to specialise! Specialise to be special.. LoL.. And after viewing Gorillas in the Mist with Sigorney Weaver, I thought, what better way to spend the rest of my life than to live and nurture... TIGERS!


Unfortunately, none of these went very far due to the road block given to me by the Education Department, that eventually landed me to the job and industry that I am in now. Not that I'm complaining...

=)

Tagging: Ah Jack and whoever else who reads my journal.

I was never special enough to be asked back.

Why is it, the more good intentions I have on things, the more it will go wrong and bring me down in an awkward downward spiral?

Maybe I should just not be nice anymore.

HA. Bloody. HA

Of all the places in the world, Thailand reignited me with my love for the Beatles again by allowing me to watch their first film A Hard Day's Night. Well, Thailand and also the fact that I was reading an autobiography by Alistair Taylor called With The Beatles on the train on the way up from KL to Hay Yai. A great read, methinks, with lots of anecdotes on the Beatles before and after success.

So, in memory of the film and what was the Beatles, here are some of my finds from video heaven, You Tube. ENJOY!