Alahai

Dear Mr Eamonn O'Neill

Thank you for the interesting closing lecture this morning. I've enjoyed every minute of it, albeit had to write notes in the dark and used my handphone light to see what I was writing because you want the lights to be off so we could see the slides more clearly (very thoughtful of you). It was enjoyable, nonetheless.

I agree with you that a good journalist have no opinion. As you said, this does not mean that the journalists are stupid or non-opinionated, but because why should we write something intelligent without getting paid? Thus, my blog (as you know I've linked mine to yours ONCE), have no (not entirely true) professional opinions about current issues. Yes, I am like thousands maybe million other bloggers in the 'blogger sphere' (Brian McNair favourite word - quoting you) use this avenue just for my personal rantings and thoughts. Blog is one way to hone creative thinking and writing. And of course not forgetting a source for ideas for the never ending essays.

Writing a blog when you're far away from home is like a therapy to help cure homesickness. As a former reporter, I was trained to always be curious. Wanting to know what's happening or people thoughts and what made them tick became an addiction maybe no obession, thus blogging helps me 'kill' some of these curiosities. (My mantra is - Curiosity kills a cat but satisfaction brings it back to life). Anyway, I would always remember your words of wisdom and thought provoking lectures about journalism. Your old-school style and practical way in approaching the subjects and hands-on advices are very much appreciated.

I will continue to be non-partisan, non opinionated and blur. Blogging would be an activity that I participate regularly. But, if anybody would like to pay me to write a comment, then I would gladly do so (hahaha!).

"Bloggers are 'yougurt journalism'. They churn ready information and give their opinion. They did not go out to get the stories and do news breaking." - Eamonn O'Neill on bloggers.

"Even if looks like a piece of a news article, smell like one or sound like one it is not a news article because it does not follow the process of producing a news article such as verifying, double checking the sources and editing." - Eamonn O'Neill on blogging.

Err.. the above quote remind me of VK Lingam's response in court
Correct Correct Correct (sir!)

To Mr O'Neill's mother-in-law who was said to have read this blog too.. err a big thank you for taking the trouble translating the 'caca marba' Bahasa Melayu to English for your son-in-law. Let's drink cendol if both of us happen to be back in the muddy confluence of 'tanah air terchenta'. ahaks!

Actually...
I know I should be studying now. Yet, here I am blogging (hahahaha! Cis!).

The reason is I was sooo chuffed. My essays were back and I've got very good marks along with interesting comments. (Cayalah! Masa untuk meninggi diri). And I've spent three hours watching the 'Battle for Haditha' and the follow-up documentary on tele just now.

Remember! Remember! 20th March.
It's been five years and the Iraqis are still suffering.