23 / 10 / 2009- a talk given by first Brunei 's south pole girl

Polar girl and me

On friday, Dk Najibah Eradah or more known as era and now as known as POLAR GIRL willingly to spent time to give a motivational talk at the UBD. The exaclty location was set up at CLT room. And the talk was started at 10.00 AM and finished around 12.00 pm. It is a must to us to attend the talk because it will as one of our course work which related to our course. Then this talk might be useful and gives us inspiration for the future.

The event was start with Doa Al- Fatihah by Ustaz. Then Dr. Asmah first gave a talk to introduce who exactly polar girl and a little bit of her background. Dk. Najibah Eradah named was given or era. she is now 26 years old. This kind of adventure was started in her mind since she was kid at the aged of 7. Now she's working or collaborate with Muafat. early back, she have been studied at kingston University at Uk and took Bachelor of science. Now she is a core member of the Brunei Adventure Recreation Association or BARA.She is set to achieve this remarkable feat at the tender age of 26 during her Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition in January 2010, making her the youngest Bruneian to do so.

Then pass to the polar girl to have a talked more elaborately about herself and shared infront of the students and lecturers what she have been through during the training before the actual journey. she told that before she having the actual expedition, they must have a training to do so. The training took part by 8 commonwealth countries. which are Brunei, Cyrups, Ghana, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and United kingdom.The training took part at Norway first then to New zealand. The most challenging part to her was during she had a training in the Norway. which because of the weather itself. Cold weather and snow. some at the moment, while the set up the camp, they have to use some glove which only can move is like crabs claws. then the camp have to set up in short time. They must be hurry. The purpose they use the glove is that, it prevent them from getting frost bite. When this frost bite become worst, imputate is the way to lose the frozen bite. This is what they don't want.

Then she told us that the food they made. It taste not good as what we have like usual. The taste was not a nice taste. But like this situation, all of that we have to put aside in order to survive and to finished the mission. she said that at morning they will having cereal porridge and as for lunch, the don't lunch. instead, during they ski, they eating bar of chocolates, that is their lunch. Era and the other friend, sofia was responsible to take part in cooking area. where they have to set up the stove and make a food for everyone. They are not carry water but the snow they melted is becoming their source as drinking water. Its gives me courage that if they can survive with this type of food why not us. Then this make me think that people like from poor country. is this the same taste like era have tasted. Is this like how the poor country having difficulties to have a food or even non. Its make me open my eyes how difficult it is. Then she have told also that, not the weather make cold but the winds that blows make the condition even colder. This may lead to polar shock due to low temperature in Antartica. Its make me realised that its hard for us which usually living in moderate temperature. How we can adapt this kind of temperature.

Every people have their own motivated words in order to have better in their life. As well as era, she using word 'JANJI MELAYU' as her own motivation. we all know that janji melayu gives a bad meaning in term of punctuality. its mean that malay people usually not good in time. so that for her, with this 'JANJI MELAYU' words would change malay people habit from not good in time so that they will be punctuality, leadership and motivation.

what have encourage her to do all of this at the first time is because she want out from the comfort zone that brunei have given. Example with free institution and medical. Then she encourage bruneian people to do the same. set up their own goals in life to ensure those goals are achievable through their own efforts.

all and all, her talk have gave me motivated and inspired me to do better for the future, Not just for ourself but to the country also. Make our country what malay people capable of. Then challenge what is our capabilty and what we good at. Make urself stand out than the people. By this we can make countries from outside world knows that even brunei is small country but not the people. it is also can become one of attraction to the other countries. It is not possible one day there will be another bruneian creates a name which bring brunei name. Nothing else to say, we all PROUD of you ERA or POLAR GIRL.

LAST TREKKING at Big Tree on the 25 / 10 / 2009

This week will be the moment that i will never forget and learn something from it. This week was the fourth and the last we having a trekking. we all were set up to have a trekking at a place named Big tree. It was located at Kampong Mentiri. For this week my position will be not the same like the others trekking. My position will be a transport organiser. Transport organiser have to arrange with the bus driver where place to go and what time we reach the destination. As well as place and time we all meet at UBD to the trip place. I did all of this and I met the estate administration building to fill up form for the bus for this week trekking.

As usual, some of us met at UBD parking lot and from there we went by bus. Then some of my friends went there by their own car. like recently trekking, we all set up by grouping. I was set at Dillah's group. And my other member was Mohammad azmey, malik and azri. Dillah as a leader and azri as a sweeper. Before the trekking, I was told by my friends that have been there before during the recee time, the place was awesome and fun. Then we can see beautiful view from up hill, waterfall, then there a certain place we all have to go down steep hill by rope.We all have to go down one by one since the rope is old and the path is slippery. I was excited and can't wait to see with my own eyes and face the challenge. Then at the time we trekking we will doing a lolipop way. I don't know what thats mean unless I see through my own eyes and know what the lolipop way.

We were the first group to start the trekking and the other group have to stay for awhile and wait until to do so. Not less than 5minutes, we already face the hard way which is we have to pass through hilly way and have to hold to the brunch prevent from fell down. After a few minutes we walking, then there is a area that makes me mesmerised and fascinated. The place where we have to climb the rock and see like whole town of kampung mentiri if im not mistaken. The air that i breath that time so fresh and still can see the fog clearly. As well as the greeny trees from above, its so dense and tall.The height don't lie,its was very steep and high. For me, the place for sure suitable for those who want to have a rock climbing. The place might be challenging physically and mentally.

This is where the interesting part begin. The path we exactly just passed through was not the right way we supposed to go. The way we have passed actually the way we are going back. I was like not happy with it. Then at first we decided to continue but then we all changed our plan and decided to turn back. we all have to find the tree that had been marked with two ropes and from that spot, we have to choose the other way and that way was the actual way to go. Along the way, i can see with my two eyes what exactly they meant with the rope, big tree and the waterfall. And yes, I saw the nice waterfall and stream along the river. Then water was so cold when I touched it. Then the rope, don't tell. it was very steep and yes we have to go one people at the time. which we all doing that because it prevent person infront not to lose control and the rope cannot stand the weight more person at one go.

After that, what fascinated me most was that, no wonder why the place named as big tree. The tree what we have seen was very big. I never see it before in Brunei. This is will be my first time seeing tree like this. The height was so high. It is believe that, how exactly the big of the tree is, its need about twelve to thirteen people to circle around it. I don't know what exactly the age of the tree. But i can tell that, the tree was old and been there long time ago even i was still not born perhaps. Then when I feel the trunk, its dusty and yeah its old. we all have to be proud that Brunei still have this type of the tree which still preserve.

Then we knew that, the last group will took all the marked they had made before. and my group was like left behind about a few meters ahead. we actually can catch the lat group. But from some of my friend afraid to get lost and we let the leader to decide. And finally he decided to move on and follow the previous marked.Then i can see the stranded island from the view. It was ensured us that we nearly to get out the jungle. But then still we lost. we were like spent about 4hours in the jungle. Finally, the leader decided make a called Dr. Irene and told we have been lost.

By the time i was like exhausted and my water almost empty. we was like going the trekking twice. Until at the moment i nearly gave up. But I set in mind not to give up and continue. Then we met Dr. irene and two other member to save us and gave us some drink which afraid we all exhausted or even faint. Then they lead us out of the jungle. and finally we all safe out of the jungle. Then everyone welcomed back us. This experienced i will not forget and learn something from it.

The result:
what i have found during the trekking:
1.of course we all cannot imagine the big tree
2. fascinated waterfall
3. small insects examples, ants, bugs, small scorpion
4. spider web
5. plants examples sumbui- sumbui, pelambah, even tongkat ali which is believed can use as traditional medicine.


what i had learnt from the trekking
1. The leader must focus and take a note or concentrate what had been told or taught. because it is useful for the future as a leader.

2. When get lost don't panic or afraid. believe what leader said and follow what best for the group
3. all the memmber have to communicate with each other.
4. teamwork is most important thing in the group.
5. confidence also important thing.
6 and one thing, never left the water behind or you cannot survive without water. Water is important which prevent from dehydrated.

Jungle trekking on the week 10 at Diplomatic Resident area - 18 / 10/ 2009

Like usual, this was the third times we having a jungle trekking for this month. For this week we all were allocated to have a trekking somewhere at Jalan Yayasan named Diplomatic Resident. This week trekking, I was volunteered as a bin manager. What this position have to do is, as a bin manager, i have to provide bin plastics bag to collect the rubbish while and during the trekking. Example cans, bottles, plastics and other rubbish. This is because to prevent and also avoid littering the environment as well as make the environment turn to ugly site. Another responsibilities is to dispose or dump the rubbish in recycling or provided bins at UBD after returning from the trekking. This task quiet interesting job and easy.

Like previous trekking, we all have to assemble at the SHBIE parking to off to the destination. Unfortunately, we all off a bit late this time because of transport problem. The bus having a break problem so that it have to be changed as soon as possible. Its involved our safety and its very dangerous. By 6.35 am we all met Dr. Irene, Dr. Asmah and two our members at the place.Nothing much have changed, we all were again set up into a group. I was in malek's group. as well as my two other member which are Mohammad asri as our sweeper and Mohammad Azmey as a follower. I as a bin manager contributed a plastic bags to each group before we all make a move. It is for them to collect the rubbish while and during the trekking like what we have been brief by Dr. Irene. Be in Malek's group at first was quiet fun because I'm the only girl joined their group. we in the middle group to make a trekking.

It is no doubt that, what i have been through this time trekking was like crazy and challenge my capability. Its not like easy as what we had before. Trekking at Lucky garden and Rimba quiet challenged myself also but not for this trekking. Trekking at Diplomatic Resident was very hard and too many circumstances we have to pass. With a lot of dead trees and fell trees we have to pass through. Not forgetting also, slippery path and rocks we had crossed. What challenged me most was steep hill. I have to hike this steep hill about 3 times which were during and before the finishing point. And then I was quiet scared with the dead trees, afraid it might be fall down at any time and it is risky to our life. Now i can feel how being a follower. A follower which have to follow what ever the leader go and what he have said. I was like just depending my life to the leader and trust him. But as we go along, malek was like a bit confused and sometimes asked asri which of the way we have to follow. Until we have the time that we almost lost the way. Way which lead to somewhere else. The place called Marakucing not far away from subok area. Luckily Dr. irene called us and asked us to come back at the point we missed the marking. We continue again until we back at where we started. But we not off with all of our members, Azmey have to come along with Dr. irene to get back Group1 out from the jungle. Because they were lost too like what we did. Luckily everyone back from the jungle like before and safe. After that we all sit and had a rest for awhile while back to UBD again. But for me, i still continue my job to collect all the rubbish from other group and put separately with the rubbish which can be recycle example plastics, bottles and cans. After we came back again to UBD, the rubbish that we collected then we dipose it at the recycling bin that provided at UBD.

steep hill

biggest pandan leaves i ever seen

What i have found and learnt from the trekking:
1. i found there a lot of streams we have to cross.
2. too many dead trees and very dense tropical rainforest.
3. steep hills
4. slippery surface and rocks because of algae
5. biggest pandan leaves i ever seen
6. ant nest that grow up to the tree.
7. A lot of ants move along the dead trees and fall trees.
8. Mushroom grown at the dead trees.

slippery rocks

dead trees

Lesson for the day:
Not our instinct is true. sometimes we have to follow what we have been taught. follow the mark we made and not to follow the usual tracks blindly.

all and all, collecting rubbish is fun job. at least we can reduce littering the environment. it can teach us to be responsible and be a clean person not to litter the rubbish everywhere. Then dipose it at appropriate bins. Recycling activities also can reduce from wasting paper which we have to cut alot of trees to make a trees. Deforestation may lead to greenhouse effect as well as global warming. This kind of disaster we are now experienced. The weather now changing. its stated that ice in the south and north pole are begin to melt. Then because of weather changing, there are too many countries experience to natural disaster examples typhoon, drought and storms. Not just reduce paper, economically, it save money rather than we just dump the thing that can recycled. As well as save the environment.

This kind of activity are now grow larger and been follow by many countries especially developed countries now. Not forgetting, UBD now a days make a project named UBD GREEN PROJECT and their slogan is REDUCE, REUSE,RECYLCE. The project was started on Monday, 19th October 2009 and lauched by Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda (Dr.) Haji Al- Muhtadee Billah.

9/10/09-week 9 trekking at Rimba Forest Area

Another trekking was organised for theweek 9. we were allocated at Rimba Forest, Jalan Tungku Link not far away from UBD Building. Same goes with the previously trekking, before we having actual trek, leaders/scouts and sweepers have to be performed during the recce time. It is surely believed that, this week trekking might be much harder than the week 8. Like usual, before trekking, everyone should held one responsiblity. My responsiblity for week 9 is as a leader. This is my new experience since I never held this position before. In short, it is my first time. I am sure that, this position is not easy as we thought. I have to carry for example safety of the members, performance during the trekking, confidence to bring the member signing in and out of the jungle, lead the member in the front line and also focus on what I am doing by following the marked.

During the recce, all the leaders must stay not far away from Dr. Irene. Its is because, she wants to show us the right pathways to follow and put our own marking. Obviously, as we go along, Dr. Irene will show us plants or flowers or other kind of species of animals and flowers we found in the jungle. we found species of orchid and somboi - somboi. But usually somboi- somboi that i know is large. instead of large, I saw somboi- somboi grow in small size. Its mesmerised me and given me shocked. No doubt, trekking this time is more challenging than before. The grass has grown highly and fast until one of our leader have to cut the grass and make the way to countinue our trekking. Then we finished an hour after that.

On friday, during our actual trekking,all of us met at SHBIE parking and by there we went by bus to the Rimba Forest. we started our trekking around 6.40 am. Like usual,we divided into 3 groups. for this week our groups were the last group to enter the jungle included Dr. irene stand at back line. Telling the truth, its scared me and at first i was mostly lost my confident to lead them. Along way we go, i nearly lost the way. thanks to my sweeper Mohammad azmey by helping me find the mark he made before. I have told before, task as a leader is not easy like its look. This is what teamwork is all about. But finally, i managed to bring my group safe out of the jungle.What I have done during that time, I have showed my member the flower like semboi-semboi, orchid, simpur flower, paku ular and pelambah.I also gave my member alert of danger example slippery and hole we found.

After having a rest for awhile, Dr irene showed us again the new way since its still early and everyone agree with it. This new way much interesting and more harder. And again we have to cut the grass to make a way to pass through. even I have cut my hand because of overgrown grass and dense grass. along we go, we found the beacon foot prints. It was so big prints. And also its place to drink and bath. What else I found and much more intersting was abondoned buildings. Its surprised all of us. what a waste of money to built undone building. The area aslo so messy with waste tools and rubbish from the construction. where they put their manner and responsible?they just dumped all the rubbish and tools there. they just made the environment turn to ugly. This showed that there still people acting like this.leaving the undone building behind just like that.They should destroy it and let the grass or forest grown there again. Then we finally finished at 8.40 a.m. it took all of us out from the new way about an hour and half minutes.
pictures above showed what i have found, abondoned buildings and wasted tools.

Through the experience this time, i can feel the environment itself. The smell of the forest we have missed. The smell fresh of leaves and forest. the fresh makes me feel better and calm.we can breath clean air more this time rather than breathing air from the cities that too much polluted already by industrial, fire burning and transport fumes mostly from cars.

From my finding and research, the orchid that we found during the trekking named bee orchid or bejinorchis.picture above showed the picture i have taken. 'Bee Orchid'.

As we know, bunga simpur and somboi-somboi can found at Brunei notes which are 5 and 10 Brunei notes.its shows that Brunei still reserve these two kind of species plants by putting the pictures through the notes. And also to let people as well as people from outsider example tourist knowing that Brunei have rich of these species and protect this endangered plants. Moreover, its pictures of Brunei symbolic. As advantage, More tourist attraction and wanted to know better about it as well as boost Brunei economy through tourism attraction. Another tourism attraction, as well as local people, Brunei have made recreational park named Hutan simpan Berakas where it rich of somboi-somboi plant. We can see at the main junction the statue of Somboi- somboi plants.

[retrived from www.banknotes.com]

Again, all and all what i have learnt, 1.leadership 2. teamwork 3. confidence 4. focus 5. responsible 6. displince 7. more mature 8. good learner

Trekking activity at a Lucky Garden,Sungai Tilong - 4th october 2009

After semester break and Hari Raya holiday, for the week8 we were set by our lecturer to have a jungle trekking at Lucky Garden where it located somewhere in Sungai Tilong, Jalan Muara. For this week job, everyone should have a task or position to complete the activity.The position that have been provided such as the trek organisers, leaders or scouts, sweepers, scretary, the treasurer, refreshment Manager, Bin manager, photographer, first-Aider and transport Organiser. As for my part, I was volunteer as the sweeper for this week.

Before having the real tracking, we were told to be assemble at the place given or as known as recce time. This part only for the leaders and the sweepers to be performed. The purposed we having this recce is because as the leaders and sweepers, we must do our own marking path or track by using our own ribbon. As well as to learn and practice by following the mark we were made. Through the experienced at first, it was very hard and confused. confused with same pathways, dense forestry and long distance. we crossed hard path which is small river. its worry all of us. Afraid we all could get slippery and fall down to the stream.

This how the adventure started. The real trekking was performed on Sunday, 4th October.we arrived at the location at 6.30. As go along, we were divided into 3 groups. My group was leaded by Mohammad Azmey. and included Imelda, aziman and hafidz. As we go along, azmey lead at the front line and me as a sweeper lead at the back line. According to the resposibilty of the sweeper, the sweeper have to stay at the back of the group to make sure that the member of the group will not left behind or lost. we taught our member what we have learn before the day (recce time).we taught them how to read and put the marking.We also showed them what have we found examples ferns called 'paku ular','pelambah' and 'daun mengkudu'.According to our older ancestor that daun mengkudu is to believe can remove scars. As from my acknowledge Its hard to find something like this since we stay at the city rather than at the village area. Or even some people don't even know that kind of this species ever exist. even the name of the species the don't even know.

As a part of the community action, we are responsible to take a good care or even more appreaciating the forest as well as the environment. Along the tracking, we picked up the rubbish and the marking from the previous tracker. the purpose is that not to pollute the environment with rubbish.And at last we were finished at 8.20 a.m. Everyone managed to come out safely and still come back in one piece. Eventhough it is kind of tired task but everyone still can put smile upon their face. Shows they did a good job as a team work under one community, be a good leader and they trust each other. The most important what should they have is to be come displince and responsible person. Since this is our first tracking, not msot of it success. there is abit difficulties examples the plastic bag to throw the rubbish are not provided by the bin member as well as the trek organiser they did not performed well. But overall we all did a good job.

What i have learn from this tracking are 1. team work. 2. trust each other. 3. follow what the leader says. 4. never work alone. 5. Responsible.

pictures below what i have taken during the trip.
pictures above are the picture of mushroom grow at the trunk and members of the team.