Rebecca Ilham's Blog, page 7

"Teliti semula kerangka penilaian ASN" dalam BH 10 Julai 2014

In this write up, I attempted to draw attention to the evaluation mechanism of Anugerah Sastera Negara (ASN) itself instead of the "first female Sasterawan Negara" polemic. I believe the polemic is just a symptom while the main cause for issues surrounding the prestigious award is the robustness of the current evaluation mechanism in deciding whether recipients are Sasterawan Negara-worthy.

There are loopholes in the current evaluation mechanism. Thus, by improving and strengthening that aspect, I believe that the polemic will be healthier than the constant cry of female writers being sidelined to make way for their male counterpart. For once, we will be able to focus on what makes and breaks a writer - his or her works.

Artikel Kembara: Kembara Kafein di Syurga Kopi

Wadah Siswa, akan datang

My Half Marathon Story

Kobe Tower, back in May 2009.
Just because.
Been thinking about Japan a lot of late.

So.

Ran three HM's to date. My inaugural one was Malaysian Women Marathon 2014 on March 16. It is, thus far, my PR. My second was at the Borneo International Marathon 2014 on May 4. It wasn't a complete disaster, but the heat got to me. I was so scared of dehydration that I decided to walk. For. 2km. Straight. I was running at less than 8 min per km pace before that. Thus, when I picked up the pace again at KM19, I knew that the chance for a PB was all lost. Thus, I just wanted to finish within 3 hours, which I did.

My third and last HM so far was the Cyberjaya Firefighter Night Half Marathon on May 25th. It was my first time racing in fatigue. The thing was, I didn't realize I was exhausted. I ran a 15km race the Sunday before. It was the NM Galaxy Road Race 2nd Series, nick-named Hill Challenge, at Padang Merbok. I did well. I was happy all through the race even during the never-ending run up Changkat Tunku. But then I spent 3 days in Taman Negara for some teambuilding activities.

It wasn't THAT physical, but the combination of heat and travel got to me. Got back on Friday night, slept late because I watched something on TV (can't even remember what anymore, must be some sports stuff - was in the French Open men's single final?) and went to pick up the bib on Saturday morning. I should have return home and rest but decided to check out Festival Belia Putrajaya instead.I adopted the philosophy that worked so well the week before - to find my happy pace and run my own race. Thus, when my pace slowed to 8:30++ by KM2 (before dwindling even more later), I realized that I was indeed TIRED. But I soldiered on. At least, I can run happy. But the competitive part of my brain kept reminding myself that I need to finish below 3:00.

So that was my aim, before I succumbed to the fact that I won't be able to finish without taking a nature's call. I confidently passed the porta-loo at KM6, thinking that there will be another one at KM9 or at least KM12. KM9 and KM12 came and gone but there wasn't a porta-loo in sight. I even got irritated when volunteers ignored, answered "I don't know" and pointed out "there is one at KM6" on my query about existence of a porta-loo. Sorry.

Then after KM16, I saw a (insert drumroll)...a pump station. On the other side of the 2-lane (each side) road. But I crossed over anyway. You would think that it would be smooth from then on, but no, there had to be only one stall functioning and there were two people in front of me. Not to mention the person inside was taking her own sweet time. After more than five minutes of stretching and waiting, I raised my voice to ask the person inside to hurry up a bit. The little girl first in queue was already fidgeting. Can you believe it that the person inside immediately went out? What the -??? The second person in line had kindly given her turn to me. Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou.

Due to the time lost, I ran a bit too fast right after. My heart rate sky-rocketed; I had to force myself to go slow. At this time, I knew I couldn't finish within 3 hours of starting time. I just wanted to finish strong and lessen the damage. Thus ran I did. The timing wasn't something I am proud of, but the race indeed taught many new lessons.

The next HM is in August, an out-of-state one. We'll see how, if I start at all.

Making It Up As I Go Along

I am taking 2014 as it comes.


Alhamdulillah, have submitted my MA dissertation on June 6th. Inshaallah, the viva will be on July 10th.
I am loking forward to graduate this year. No, I didn't hate graduate school. In fact, I love it. Academic writing, even with its month-long of frustration, is euphoric when hitting the right note. But, after four semesters (five if counting the semester I deferred), I wanted to move on to other things (like more grad school and maybe, a legit career in research and teaching).

Do pray for a smooth session, will you?

Apart from that, another major news - I will be relocating to a different state. Work, you know. Someone has to pay for the shoes on my feet, the house currently in construction, the cups of coffee, etc., etc. I am not sure if I am looking forward to this. I was, but then I started to think about the family I would leave behind. My parents are not as agile as they used to be, it feels unfair to be the only fair so far away, when I also happened to be the eldest.

Do say another prayer for me, ya, for things to turn out alright; for God to put me at the best place and position for me and my loved ones?

Ramadhan kareem.

Always Earned, Never Given

Excluding the SCKLM 2013 and BSNPNM 2013 medals, the rest are some of the things that I've been up to this year.

Cerpen "Ekskavasi Tanah Pusaka", BH, 16/3/2014

Alhamdulillah, cerpen pertama disiarkan tahun ini.

Selamat membaca, semoga bermanfaat.

Race #5 2014: Malaysia Women Marathon (MWM) 2014

I ran my first half marathon. There are stories and drama to it but I've ranted on Twitter so the feelings are gone. The finisher pendant is gorgeous, though.

Semenanjung (Masih) Menangis?

Semenanjung Menangis by Ariff Mohamed

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Saya mempunyai tanggapan bahawa penulis generasi kemudian yang mula aktif menulis pada awal tahun 2000-an tidak mampu menulis novel yang berlatarkan periode dengan baik. Hal ini, saya lihat bertentangan sekali dengan penulis di Barat yang berani mengembara ke masa lalu dan mengangkatnya sebagai keseluruhan latar yang menggerakkan plot cerita.

Justeru, apabila membaca beberapa halaman pertama Semenanjung Menangis, saya berasa sangat teruja dengan latar masa kemelut pergolakan politik tahun 1998 yang menunjangi cerita.

Bertitik-tolak daripada latar masa dan peristiwa berkenaan, pengarang perlahan-lahan mengupas pemikiran Aminuddin Rizal, seorang tutor muda, tentang politik dan kemelut yang dihadapi oleh negara dan bangsanya. Menariknya, meskipun dikelilingi oleh sahabat-sahabat ektremis, Rizal (atau juga dipanggil Amin oleh orang-orang tertentu) mempunyai pandangan yang sangat sederhana dan moderat namun kental nasionalisme dan jatidiri.

Tentunya, manusia tidak berpihak (baca: non-partisan) seperti Rizal ini pada mulanya tidak difahami, malah dimusuhi, oleh kedua-dua pihak, kiri dan kanan. Justeru, walaupun julat latar masa terhad pada akhir abad ke-20 dan awal abad ke-21, garapan tema novel ini masih sangat relevan, dan tidak akan dimamah zaman. Mesej ini juga barangkali ingin disampaikan pengarang melalui kisah perjuangan politikus kecil Mansor Jumaat dan Mahmud Pendekar, iaitu dua insan yang secara tidak langung turut berperanan membentuk kepintaran siasah dalam diri Rizal.

Secara keseluruhan, penulisan novel ini lancar dengan gaya bahasa mudah tetapi kemas. Isu dan pandangan politik dikemukakan dengan jelas dan bersahaja, tetapi mesejnya mendasar untuk yang mahu memahami.



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Race/Run #4 2014: MERCY International Humanitarian Run

Hampir sahaja tidak berlari pagi ini, namun mengenangkan peluang berlari di Bukit Tunku, saya memaksa diri. Alhamdulillah, larian yang menyenangkan!

Pelepasan dilakukan tepat jam tujuh pagi oleh Yang Mulia Cik Puan Besar Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim. Ramai sukarelawan ditempatkan sepanjang laluan; mereka bukan sekadar menunjukkan arah tetapi riuh meneriakkan kata-kata semangat. Saya kagum dengan kelancaran larian ini secara keseluruhan, dan daripada beberapa papan tanda, tahulah saya bahawa ianya diuruskan oleh Pacesetters Malaysia.

Tahniah kepada pengajur dan semua sukarelawan yang terlibat. Tahun hadapan saya akan menyertainya lagi!

Race #3 2014: ICE Charity Run

Berlumba lari lagi minggu ini :)