leadhumancapital.com

Event(s)/Behavior(s):

My friend, Sami hearted our his dissatisfaction over his GRE result. He said he wanted to quit studying and went back to Libya. Due to his poor performance, he has to take another GRE so that he can be admitted to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. He told me that in Libya, he did not have to sit for any admission test to get a place in universities there. They depend on his CGPA based on his previous degree. He is so stressed because he thinks that the GRE had no relevance to the major he is taking now and plus he has to pay again for the GRE which is expensive. He explained to me that he has no problem answering Mathematics and Analogical Sections in GRE but what really matter is when he has to write essays and constructing sentences. It is important to mention here that Sami just arrived here 5 months ago and still attending English classes provided by ELP( English Language Center) and one university class.

Reflecting on Sami’s experience on GRE, I did take it two years ago. I failed terribly because the questions were very difficult. Anyway, I took it for the sake of accompanying my wife to get her motivated and happy. At least, she would not be so stressed if she got low scores as I would definitely get lower than her. She even told me that GRE is well recognized and internationally standardized examination. Those who do not reach the standard required by university departments/faculties, his/her application will be rejected. That made sense of me because I used that GRE result to apply for Educational Leadership Major which was turned down due to my poor GRE result.

Feelings:

Concern
Pitiful
Empathy

Thoughts:

I feel empathy about Sami especially when he said constructing sentences and essays within limited time is really challenging for him. I realized it was very difficult because when I took the exam, my capacity as an English teacher at that moment did not help me much to score in the GRE essay questions. I feel pitiful on him as I understand his feelings to be accepted as graduate students here as I was on probation period too last semester. He does not want this test to jeopardize every efforts and time coming to United States and at the same time delaying his admittance to the faculty as well. I am concerned towards Sami as I realized it must be very hard for him to attend all the English classes and at the same time, he has to prepare for GRE and doing his assignments that related to his subjects. My concern goes towards his English writing classes as I realized writing is a challenging skill to master because it involves process and product. I couldn’t imagine the difficulties that he faced running against the time completing his essays during GRE and thinking either he would pass or not the exam.

Learnings:

Step One: I had assumption that if anyone fails in GRE, it means he/she won’t be successful in his/her graduate level. I reflected on my GRE result and the questions that were very difficult. I always assumed GRE is a valid test for university graduate student regardless of where he comes from as I notice it is a recognized and established test. When my friend asked what was my GRE’s score, I would not answer his questions as it would show that I am not capable to succeed. It gave me inferiority complex as well.

Step Two: I realized that I was wrong on my assumption. Anyone can be successful as long as he/she has right attitudes for success. I do not pass GRE to be admitted to my major now, but last semester, my result was good. In fact, my department does not even require me taking GRE to be accepted as student here. I just used my TOEFL. Secondly, GRE measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills1. However, if students do not get excellent scores in GRE, it does not mean that he/she does not have above skills. What I mean is there are many other assessments,tests and ways to measure them rather than depending solely on GRE results. Next,according to a GRE test taker, there are techniques and formats that need to be familiarized so that the candidates can score and tackle the questions. It does not need them to be knowledgeable inside out to be on the first ranking. Jacobson R.L( 1993) further commented on this by putting GRE as a game that needs to be played well2. My question is if the test does not really measure intelligence, can it stand on its face value anymore? Does it still have validity and reliability?

Step Three: I believed my assumptions are based on sheer ignorant on behalf of me. Combating ignorants needs me to read and understand more the real nature of assessment,testing and evaluation. Reading is good but being able to understand and being critical is better for my future understanding. I made false assumptions of GRE because I see it only on a positive side without realizing that they are as well criticism to it. Failure to see both side of an issue will not help to broaden my horizons.

Applications:

Step One: I am thankful because Sami’s willing to share his feelings with me regarding the test because in a way, it is helping me too because I am able to see from a broaden perspective. I would like to discuss this matter to Sami so that I can clarify my findings on this matter. Sharing and discussing is good to the development of knowledge. Based on my reading, I found out also that:

a) GRE test result can not measure critical skills that are needed for professional and academic development3.
b) As GRE is culturally oriented towards American English culture, it is basically unfair for bilingual students4.

By telling these crucial points to Sami, hopefully it will ease his stress and let him study better. I feel so happy because after knowing this fact, he won’t look down upon himself anymore. I don’t have inferiority complex upon my GRE result as well. For sure, I am willing to help him for his analytical writing for his next GRE.

Step Two: I don’t have any plan to construct or develop tests/examinations similar or have similar features like GRE for my future students. I don’t want my future students face a stressful situation like what Sami is facing now. Let their affective filters always low5. In fact, for initial step, I plan to read and understand the concept of validity and reliability and its relation to various approaches in assessment. Seriously, I can’t plan many steps yet as firstly, I just started reading about comprehensive and dynamic assessment and secondly, in my country where I come from, it is solely exam oriented. Enough to say here that comprehensive assessment captures my attention because according to John Lewis, it tends to measure student’s performance which he believes is influenced by acculturation,language skills,behavior mode,socioeconomic background and ethnocultural identity6. I really like this idea as this supports every student that comes into my classroom is unique and need to be celebrated and appreciated of what they are. I believe if every teacher has this concept in his/her mind, learning would be fun as the focus will be on everybody, not just on examination results solely.

Footnotes:

1.http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=b195e3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD accessed on January 29,2009

2.Jacobson, R. L. (1993). “Critics Say Graduate Record Exam does not measure qualities needed for success and is often misused.” The Chronicle of Higher Education, March, pp. 27-28.

3.Enright, M. K. & Gitorner, D. (1989). Toward a description of successful graduate students. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

4.Bornheimer, D.G. (1984). Predicting Success in Graduate School Using GRE and PAEG Aptitude Test Scores. College and University, v. 60 (no. 1) pp. 54-62.

5.Herrera S.G.,Murry K.G,(2005) Mastering ESL and Bilingual Methods: Differentiated Instruction for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Students. Pearson Education, Inc.,(pg 17-19)

6.Lewis John (1989) Innovative Approaches in Assessment: Assessment and Placement of Minority Students. ISSP.(pg 127-128)

*For footnotes number 2,3 and 4, the main article is taken from http://www.fairtest.org/facts/gre.htm accessed on January 29, 2009.

Against Atheism: Part One

Basically, information presented here are my own notes taken from a book written by Fethullah Gullen, a very prolific writer that comes from Turkey. The title is “Essentials of Islamic Faith”. I really like his books as before, I finish few of his books when I was at Malaysia. The explanations blow my breath away as they are thought conscience and sharps. Most of the examples are the one I could not even think off, and that made me realize how extensive knowledge that he has. Some of them are; “ The Infinite Light ( Part One and Two), and the other one if I am not mistaken is related to Questions and Answers, but sadly, I do not remember the exact title of the book.

OK, we come back to our main discussion which is to fight any notion that do not belief in the existence of God. The nature itself is a clear manifestation of the existence of God( Allah), but those atheists are lacking insight, that make them so blind to notice it. They have been blinded to the only door to enter castle belongs to them and at the same time thinking of there were no other door. But can’t they really see that it is very impossible that a castle has only a door? The creator of the door must be among themselves!!

Do you realize everything that exist has a purpose? So, atheist, what is your purpose of existence? Life, eat,sex and then die? Thats it? Is not same with animal? Even animals have purpose, to be a slave for human, what about you then?

Good luck in Thinking about That.

Short Notes from “The Scales Of Allah”

Under the scales of Jahiliyyah, a person such Abu Jahl is considered Aba Al Hakam and a companion such as Bilal as same level as an animal. However, Rasulullah s.a.w defending Bilal on the report made by Abu Bakar, on them ( after hearing that these three companions insult Abu Sufyan by their tongues) said relating to the insult did by Bilal, Ammar and Suhayb towards Abu Sufyan. Rasulullah s.a.w said “ It might be that you made them angry, and made your Lord angry as a result.”

This is indeed an exalt position upon Bilal.

Let us compare, Salman al Farisi and Kisra the Emperor:

It was narrated that Salman lived off of a dirham a day and would use another dirham to purchase reeds with which he would make baskets that he would sell the next day for a dirham. This is Salman, and this is Kisra. The land is the same land, and the kingdom is the same kingdom. However, the scales have changed. The scales of the Lord of the worlds are held by Salman, who loves off a single dirham each day and the other is weeping because he has nothing but a thousand chefs and a thousand hawk trainers.

We must strive to have and live with Divine Scale which is The Scales Of Allah- to prefer what Allah prefers, to set aside what Allah sets aside, to take as an ally those who Allah takes as allies, to take enemies those who Allah takes as enemies, to give for Allah, to hold back for Allah, to love for Allah, to hate for Allah, you even smile when it would Please Allah- this is an affair that cannot be fulfilled except by the mightiest of souls which the purest of hands have tired and exhausted themselves in nurturing, upon a long road and through out difficult tests that condition the souls.

These ayats are the examples of Allah’s Scale:

“…Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is he who has the most taqwa…”
( Al Hujurat:13)

and “ Listen and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave with a head like a raisin is placed in authority over you,” ( Al Bukhari 7142)

“ And it is not your wealth nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he who believes and does righteous deeds. As for such, there will be twofold reward for what they did and they will reside in the high dwellings,peace and security.”( Saba: 37)

How to Protect the Scale:

We need to use Iron. What do I mean by Iron?

“ … and We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power, as well as many benefits for mankind…”( Al Hadid:25)

So, iron is used for struggle and Allah descended it in order to protect this religion, to preserve our values from being corrupted and to prevent the foolish ones from toying with the concepts and the scales we hold dear- corrupting the societies, causing our values to be lost, drowning the people in an abyss of despair, in the depths of desires that don’t thrive except in the depths of such an abyss, just as insects and flies thrive in their own gathering places.

Living by the Scales:

Those who are able to adjust the scales are not those who memorize long texts, memorize the alfiyyah and its explanation, the books of prose, memorizing books of Aqidah, Hasyhiyat ad Dasuqi or Hashiyat Ibn Abidin, the al Mugni and etc- such people can not properly adjust the scales. Those who are able to adjust the scales are those who were nurtured and taught at the hands of the Messenger of Allah( pbuh) and lived under the fire of rests and the heat of tribulation. Those who adjusted the scales are the likes of Hudhayfah to who the Messenger of Allah said on the day of the battle of the Confederates, “ Get up Hudhayfah and find out what the enemy is doing” though at that moment the weather was harsh.

Their Characteristic:

They sacrificed. They paid the price. They were properly raised and nurtured. So when the worldly desires came for them, they refused them and hid behind the curtains. At the same time, they faces the entire world with their cautiousness, their connection with their Lord, their praying at night and their active behavior that brought millions into the Religion of Allah in waves.

Important Points :

My brothers, do not think that an abundance of weapons is what brings about swift victory, and do not think that an abundance of wealth is what brings about swift victory. Rather, what brings about victory is the supplication of the righteous.

And in the authentic divine hadith, Allah said: “ I never hesitate in anything like I hesistate in grabbing the soul of My believing servant. He hates death and I hate to make him displeased or to harm him”.

This is the cream of the people. Search for it. Live with it. Travel with it as your guide and under its leadership. Worship Allah by way of the light that you see and hear from them.

These few days, I was so lazy to commit myself to do something beneficial. These due to so many reasons. Firstly, I was tired after continuous did swimming practice to strengthen my legs. I feel so old, easily fatigue when I tried to go for few feet. 10 years ago, a day or two would recover my energy back but not now, I need 4 days or more. Anyway, I found it very effective to fill my free time and at the same time to release my stress. Plus, swimming is one of the Sunna that is highly recommended by Prophet(pbuh).

However, the main reason that lead to this sorrowful gap(doing nothing) was due to the dark effects of continuous and repeatedly involving in major and minor sins. I have been thinking, the past scholars manage to produce volumes of books due to their hearts that uncorrupted and pure. It comes easily without having much efforts as their hearts shines. For example, to retrieve references, we need to open books, looking and searching for them but not to them, as they remember the source of knowledge in their heart, so anytime they can relate and support their point of views from those sources. No books, no internet are needed except that they have to check their isnad of their sources.

Anger is indeed from fire. Fire can be interpreted here as something that is uneasy to do soul. It can be implied also, as every soul is unique, then fire from A individual to B individual can be very different. What I mean is every person has different reasons to get angry depend on what is uneasy to his/her soul.

From Islamic point of view, we can expel it by supplicate to Allah, asking from Him to stay away from Satan deceptions within our soul. The deceptions are varied, our soul interpret it accordingly. We can say it is miscommunication as well. Second, it is best to understand as anger is an element of fire, it is best to take ablution as it is water elements. When performing ablution again, we supplicate to Allah. Thirdly, in prophetic narration, we need to sit down if we are standing. In my opinion, it is to create a relax and tranquility situation within ourself as well as outside. It means we are retreating from aggressive behavior.

That’s why when you notice closely, an anger person,when he is angry his breathe is fast, his movement is fast. He must let himself to calm down by sitting down. If he can’t perform that, he must run away from that place. He needs a space. His soul needs a space. He lost his element of Allah’s slave. He needs to retrieve it back through repentance.

It is important as well to those who surrounds him, not to answer back. It means nothing if you answer back as his rationality is lost. You can advice him later when he cools down already. If he talks while he is angry, let him talk, he will surely talk fast and loud, as his energy/adrenaline increases. Listen to him, don’t talk back or answer him back because if you do, please expect to receive these maltreatment in term of:

a) verbal insult
b) physical attack

Good luck!!

Jam 2 pagi, Januari, 17 2009, kawan baik aku yang sentiasa menemani aku untuk setahun yang lepas, telah ku simpan di dalam keranda kerana nazak dan sakit tenat yang amat serius, ku harap pada zaman mendatang, dengan menggunakan teknologi yang canggih akan aku dapat hidupkannya semula. Proses menyelamatkannya bermula seawal jam 11 malam lagi,tapi apakan daya..

aku letakkannya di dalam ice box bersama sama dengan otaknya yang sempat aku selamatkan, sebagaimana yang di alami oleh Superman dalam Doomsday, begitulah juga dengan sahabat baikku itu.

Situasinya kini dalam keadaan dormant, atau hibernasi.

Terima kasih atas perkhidmatan yang diberikan. Selamat tinggal.

lalalalalalala..lalalalalaa…

I have been listening to an analysis done by few doctors on the danger of MSG. Yeah, the MSG is everywhere and we eat it everyday, it makes food taste better. It is scary because it can create excitotoxin( form of poison) in our brain. Also, it creates glutamate effects that can be very dangerous for our reproduction system. It can lead to obesity as well and produces harmful fats in abdomen. Among the MSG that need to be avoided are:
Aspartame
Broth
Casein or Caseinate
Glutamate
Hydrolyzed Soy
Autolyzed Yeast

So be very selective when choosing food. And it is important to remind, select vegetables that has no wax
to keep em fresh.

Which one will ya choose between these two?

O Allah helps the Muslim!!