How to count SPM merit marks to IPTA lately??

 Hi again!
Back to Exam stuff.
Latest SPM merit marks to enter IPTA need to know in order to take number of subjects and whether is under science stream or arts stream.  The calculation of the marks should be known to students so that they will prepare for it since form 4 and not in form 5.
First, you will need to know the subjects categorized under the streams as below.
You will find that Pendidikan Moral is under arts!  The arts students will need to make sure they get the best A+ in BM if needed high marks. Check it out yourself.  The good news is Prinsip Perakaunan and Ekonomi asas are both under the Science!
Aliran Sains =Matematik + Matematik Tambahan + Fizik + Kimia + Biologi or ERT/Perdagangan/PPerakaunan/EkonomiA/Sains Sukan etc
Aliran Sastera = BM'sia + Matematik + Sains + Sejarah + PIslam/PMoral
Then, you need to choose 4 out of 5 main subjects stated above under the streams.
Then the marks is based on academic (90%) and co-curriculum activities (10%).
The academic (90%) again based on 90% on the first 5 main subjects mentioned above and 30% for the other best 3 subjects obtained.  You need to know the marks for all the grades as well as below:
(A+ 18, A 16, A- 14, B+ 12, B 10, C+ 8, C 6, D 4, E 2 and G 0)
A bit confusing?  Just refer to the example below. 
Let have 5 main subjects chosen for the marks:
Math A+, Math Tamb A, Fizik A-, Kimia A, Biologi A- = total 78 (18+16+14+16+14)
Then, the other 3 best marks subjects under science of BM A+, Inggeris A+ and PMoral A+ = total 54 (3x18).
The academic marks will be (78+ 30=108 which come from 78 x 90/90 = 78 and 54x 30/54= 30)
Total will be (78+30) x 90/ 120 = 81.
The 81% will add with the co-curriculum marks of 10%. 
What is the conclusion of this marks grading?  Well the arts stream will need to make sure the 5 main subjects to obtain good marks and BM'sia is one of it.  As for the Science stream, taking extra subjects such as PPerakaunan/Ekonomi A or Sains Sukan will help to gain high grades if their other subjects not good enough.
Hopefully, all the students or parents out there understand the new grading system and to make up their mind what other subjects to help in their grading.
Best wishes!

Another article on RA

Hopefully this will help too.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment, Work Disability and Employability

The pain, fatigue and limited mobility associated with RA affect all parts of a persons' life, especially the ability to work productively. Several studies in the past few years have shown that people with Rheumatoid Arthritis tend to have a much higher rate of functional limitation in work activities, use more sick days than people without rheumatoid arthritis and have a high rate of unemployment due to disability.

Two studies published this month in the journal Arthritis Care & Research discussed work disability or employability in people with RA.  In one large study, researchers tried to study work disability over time. The study included over 5,000 people, ages 19 to 64 with disease duration from one year to 20 or more years.  The study also looked at data about the type of employment and, if unemployed, whether subjects were retired, homemakers, students or were disabled.  Overall, the study found that while 85% of the subjects were employed at disease onset; as disease duration increased, so did the proportion of subjects who were not employed (in other words,  the longer people had rheumatoid arthritis, the less likely they were to continue working).  For example, 23% of subjects with 1 to 3 years disease duration were not employed (35% for those with 10+ years and 51% of those with 25+ years).  The researchers found that much of this premature work-cessation was arthritis related. 

Newer Treatments Help People with Rheumatoid Arthritis Keep Working
However, the researchers were careful to note that the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis disability has generally declined in the past 15 to 20 years.  They also found that many of the cases of work disability were temporary, with people later returning to work.  The study suggested that the earlier availability of more potent drugs or the use of combinations of drugs might be a factor.  They also cited the national unemployment rate trends over time and the decline in physically demanding jobs as possible factors. 

RA Patients More Likely To Keep Working If Treated Early
The second study focused on employability outcomes for patients in two ongoing studies of patients being treated with a combination of infliximab and methotrexate (MTX).  "Employability" was reported by the patient, based on whether they felt well enough to work if a job were available.  This study found that participants with early onset disease who had not previously taken MTX were four times more likely to become employable with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis that had previously not responded as well to MTX, but had a better response to infliximab plus MTX.  This finding was consistent with the findings of other studies that emphasize the importance of early and effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

I was particularly interested in these articles because I find that most attention or discussions about arthritis in the news deals with new drugs or the effectiveness of drugs.  It seems like much less attention is paid to how arthritis affects our lives and how we can manage those effects.  When I think about my own experience with RA, I think it definitely affected my jobs and career choices in some ways.  Even though I have relatively mild/moderate disease activity, I have had RA since I was a toddler and I do have longstanding joint wear and some deformities.  I have also found that there are certain jobs that I shouldn't do.  For example, I worked at a couple retail jobs in college and graduate school.  At each one, I stood for most of my shift, 4 to 8 hours and was not allowed to sit on a stool, even while working the register.  By the end of the day, my hips, knees and feet were very stiff and painful.  Eventually, my knees would flare and get extremely swollen.  I tried to wear knee braces, which helped stabilize my knee, but didn't stop the swelling or pain.  I would occasionally have to have one knee aspirated and injected with steroids.
Now, I work a desk job that requires long hours typing on the computer.  My knees still get stiff from sitting, but I move around a lot and I prop up my feet on an empty copy paper box under my desk.  Since my arthritis is most active in my hands now, the typing and mouse clicking can be the most painful, so I switch the mouse between hands.  I also have recurring bouts of carpal tunnel syndrome, so I sometimes wear a splint at work so help ease the pain.

How has arthritis affected your ability to work?  Have you changed jobs or careers because of it?  Are there any accommodations or modifications that you've made that have you have found to be helpful on the job?  Please share your experiences.

When I last wrote about RA and work, I listed some suggestions from the Arthritis Foundation and raonthejob.com about managing RA at the workplace.
In addition, the Arthritis Foundation has an interesting page on their website devoted to arthritis in the workplace including tips for job searching, work relationships and whether and how to tell coworkers about your arthritis and several articles with personal advice.

An article regarding RA nightmare!

This is one of the article found in the internet which was not very encouraging.  Please read.

Hello to everyone! I hope New Year brings you all some relieve, happiness and health to you and your families!

I was Dx with MS and RA this summer. I went to so many RA Drs. who couldn't dx me on time causing more and more damage to my body. Finally I was lucky enough to meet this wonderful DR at HSS in NYC, who was very surprise that it took me so long to see medical attention. Not my fault. She even apologized for Drs who did not see such obvious symptoms.

Well, every joint in my body by now affected by RA. Not only joints though: I have torn tendons, teared muscles and ligaments due to RA in both elbows, shoulders, neck, knees, ankles and so on. This is extremely painful condition and surgery required to fix it, but my RA doesn't let me to go through more surgery right now since it may not heal properly due to inflammation in a body.

Dr said that my treatment has to be very agressive, and put me on Prednisone, Meth, Rx Folic Acid and now i had my blood work to check for TB to be able to start Enbrel.

I have to say that Meth makes me very tired, i am constantly exhausted, nausea, no appetite at all, I loose my hair (as you know Meth is low dose of chemo therapy). But pain is still here and the most wondering thing is: my C-Reactive Protein is still high. How this can be? Meth is working on bringing my inflammation down, is in it? I take 20mg of it (8 pills once a week) and Prednisone (5mg right now once a day, before was on 40 mg). So I have problem to understand what is going on?

Dr thinks I will have to be on Meth and on Enbrel together and no time limit to it. She says that if we stop the treatment, damage will continue. This means I have to be on it for the rest of my life? How many month/years are you on this type meds?

I have to say that I always been very optimistic person, full of life, happy person. I had 2 major spinal surgeries in '06 and '07. My "progress" report is - Failed. Despite this I still was very optimistic and happy person.
Since I went on Meth - i feel like I want NOTHING. I don't eat, nothing really makes me happy, exhausted 24/7, I don't care how I look anymore... sounds like depression, right? But I never been depressed in my life, why now I am feeling this way? Does anyone here has same side effects from Meth?

I am on Pain meds since my first surgery 24/7, but it never affected me at all. Since I am on Meth, i am not myself anymore. This is not the way I ever leaved or want to leave. Please, share your experience with me. I would like to learn more about treatments for RA first hand and also how you all react to treatments. Your progress, or your disapointments..

My own Experience on RA night mare cont..... -Rheumatoid Arthritis

Story of RA continue.  It was the worst attacked after end of 2008.  The pain is so much with the swollen and fever every night causing no work can be accomplished.  Time to rest more.
Later, getting the Chinese herbs previously given but not taken due to CNY.  Also try on another new product which cost RM138 in market with the name of Intra.  The night seemed to be better, at least the sleep is not disturb and the pain is so much less.  However, not sure which one is helping but why bother as long as the pain is not there so much.  Still having stiffness in the morning.  The swollen still stay, so need to do something about it.
So far, have been trying other product other than the western medicine such as the Alpha Lipid which cost RM180 in market; the Chini product of Chinese herbs with the long wave magnetic chair and Chinese herbs which is really expensive and needed more timing;  and the recent product is Intra the fruit juice which is so much easier even though expensive.  However, none cure the swollen, just ease down the pain which is good enough for me at the moment. Well, end up dig out some of the previous western medicine kept as need to keep the swollen at bay.  Taken one tablet of diciofenac sodium for swollen purpose, later will take 5 tablets of methotrexate sodium to stop it.  All these medicine was used earlier for RA and also mentioned in a magazine(long life) which help me to take it.  The article was a good one as it detailed out the problem and what will you encounter in the coming years.  Guess will photostat and distribute to people that need to know.

Let's look at what is in the article I mentioned above.  It was in mandarin by Dr. Gun Suk Chyn regarding burden of RA & advances in treatment of RA in Malaysia.  The reason to the RA cause are first, immune system problem.  Secondly, abnormal immune system attacking own healthy tissue and parts as it treat it as the enemy.  The redness and pain was cause by the attacking of immune system to the synovium tissue.  This will cause the abnormal synovitis grow and unusual divided, thus causing abnormal shape and position moving away which in long term cause paralyse. It will also weaken and damaged the soft bone and the flesh, muscles around.  So, RA can cause paralyse in future as all the joint will be in odd shape and can't function in normal.  Even the normal routine such as holding the spoon, tooth brush or comb.  It's quite true as went through the experience when the stiffness occurred in the morning for a short time.
The age for RA is for those between 30 to 60, previously it was said 40 and above.  Looks like the younger people will be getting it too now.  Women are said to be more than men and the ratio is 3:1.  It was mentioned that the first two years, 50% will encounter tighten fingers and stuck together.  After 10 years, 50% will be paralyse.  You will also die earlier, 10years earlier for women and 4 years for men.
The symptoms are pain, swollen, felt feverish at the joint, having fever, lost of weight and tiredness.  Usually it will affect a pair of organ in the body such as the palms, the legs, the knees and the wrist, especially the hand and legs small joints.
What you will encounter in your life after RA?  Well, less work day, always on MC, earlier retirement, having economic problem, lost your job and depression.  There are people who have RA due to genetic cause call HLA-DR4 and will pass to generation.
Medicine use usually Nsaids for pains. For swollen will need paracetamol, acetaminophen, priroxicam, dicofenac, ketoprofen, celecoxib and etoricoxib.  As for slowing down the RA, use Glucocor-Ticoids and Prednisone and especially when attack is ativated.  Other choice, taking Methotrexate.  It was said taking Anti-TNF-ALFA such as Adalimumab and Etanercept Infliximab will help to stop the joint from damage.
If RA not treated properly, it will cause paralyse earlier.  Another bad news, it cannot be cured, but needed to stop the swollen, pain, slow down the proses of damaging to the joints.  Even if the sign of RA not obvious, the RA will still attacked silently, your joints!

Hopefully, the knowledge regarding RA is clear.  However, how to avoid RA was not mentioned.  But the reason to it in my experience is not to let your immune system weaken.  Some said usually RA happens after surgery, when you are very weak(such as after abortion or serious sickness) or even depression which means your immune system also weaken. 
So, we will need to make sure our immune system not weaken or we will need to face the worst of all, RA! Guess people without RA will need to be happier and make sure their immune system are strong most of the time if wish to avoid RA nightmare.  Some said go for meditation, yoga and be more positive in your life or enjoy your life to kick away all the stress nowadays. All the best to the ones without RA!

My own Experience on RA nightmare &.......... -Rhematoid Arthritis

It's been a while since the last writing.  Can't find time to write properly as down with work and personal problem of RA recently.  Guess it's time to talk about it as just getting some very bad experience again.
RA a type of incurable sickness which wouldn't kill anyone immediately but making one suffer and if taking drugs will lead to earlier death.
Some said is a curse from the mighty God until you return to him totally.  Some said it's also a curse from your past sin.  The doctor will say it is you who are attacking yourself and you need to control your emotion.  You cannot be angry, nor sad, just need to be happy all the time which is a bit ridiculous.  You seemed to lost your emotion, your freedom to move and rest a lot.
How to know if you are with this type of sickness?  First sign which is still in the early stage, is the stiffness in the fingers and later to your legs as well.  You will be walking like a robot but will eventually loosen after some time, half an hour or more!  Scary, not yet.  You can check if you are with RA by looking at the ESR through the blood checking.  It cost RM25 if you ask for it in any path lab.  If the reading is less than 20, you are safe.
Well, when you are with RA, you will ask to take other than nothing, which is the best, steroid which only cost RM0.25 per tablet and can be obtain from pharmacists.  There are some other second class equally drugs out there that you wanted to try which effective for some time.
So, back to the story recently, trying out the traditional ways and kick away the drugs.  Go for the Chinese herbs and long wave chair, not forgetting exercise for at least 30 minutes a day every day.  What happen?  All the uninvited pain and suffering visited you.  It was effective again for some time, two months plus now.
The pain just unbearable as it started from the fingers to your toes except your hair.  You will encounter fever in the night as if you were curse for it at the same time which you need to rest yourself totally, in bed.  The pain felt in all the joints as the pain will spread after a year or two, just as what the information in the internet indicated.  You can barely walk properly even if it is a smooth surface, and more pain on uneven surface.  You will able to go up stair case however without much pain but not when going down, it is the worst thing happen to you as you needed support or you will pain until you fall off the stairs.  Scary?  More to be said when you are sleeping as the pain will follow you whenever you turn, unless you sleep one way only which is impossible.  You can't sit too long or you will be having pain to walk again.  Understand why did not spent time writing this few months as was on the try to cure this RA for the time frame of 3 months.  This is the third attempt, hopefully it will work as it was said again work with others.  The truth will reveal soon.  But just can't stand any more of the pains, so end up taking one steroid at 4.30 am.  Will check how long it will give back my freedom of moving today!
Will continue the story again to see if miracle happen in the last month, really hopefully.

How teachers get involvement in teaching and activities? Care to know? After the dragon boat incident!

How teachers get involve? How do teachers started the career as a teacher?
This will lead to how one of the young brave teacher's fate was determined when he chose to be a teacher.
First, any young teachers will be asked to teach any subjects that the stable seniors don't teach any more.  This is due to the fact that the senior are more reliable in their teaching which are quite true after years of experience. In addition they are not moving (transfer)any where else as they have families or even if not, used to the condition of the schools.  Most people don't like changes especially when the age is catching up. 
Next, the younger ones will be given activities that again the smart senior teachers take their hands off as they realized the danger and the hard work needed to pour in. It's sounds quite reasonable as their age do not permit them to run around like the youngster any more.
So, that's how the dragon boat became the younger teacher's responsibility.  And so on with the other adventurous activities.
As young teachers, you have no say in what you wish or not wish to do.  You just leave your fate to whatever that arrange nicely for you just because you are young.  Young is consider innocent, braver, will do all out and do not realize the danger in return.  Of course, there were some clever ones who rejected but will be penalized in terms of some other way, some how.
As years passed by, a young teacher will became wiser in whatever activities involved. They will then be the senior teachers and will be stable and given trust in works that are suitable and might be according to what they wish at last.
This type of tragedy will usually involved the younger ones, sorry to say that.  Some might not agree, but in most situations in schools, that is what is really happening!  Don't believe, become a teacher!
Teachers are expected to be all rounder and are expected to be able to handle any situation in both teaching and activities.  I was young once and went through the same fate.  Just lucky nothing happen to all of us and we really had a great time as the teachers are just as innocent as the students.
The procedures and precautions don't really play an important role as some students tends to keep it away from their parents by signing on behalf.  No parents would allow their loving children to involve in dangerous activities.  It might work for the girls but not the boys.  The only way is to phone to each and every parent whom their child are involved, just a suggestion.
What can we say and how do we know?  Guess is not a question for any one of us to answer.  It's God's will and we have not much choice just like the young teacher's fate in their given work and responsibilities.  But one thing we are sure to know, is that the young teacher is just like any other young teachers who dare to take up whatever given and work all out for it even if he do not know how to do it.  He is just there to take care the students and to carry out the duty being asked to do so without rejection! 
I wonder if the insurance for young teachers will increase if they realize that actually the teachers' work is just as risky when you are going out for activities with group of students!  Only when you are young!

Teachers of Heart or Heart of Education?

After X'mas and a short holiday, guess I am on the writing again.  Today's topic is on the teachers.
Teachers of heart in my view are teachers who are responsible and caring or having a heart for the students sake.
However, there were some very rude students who don't really know how to appreciate such teachers.  Usually this will happen with the smarter students who are too proud of themselves.
They tend to compare with their so call excellent tuition teachers whom they paid hansomely.  However, what they don't know is that some of these tuition experst lied to them certain facts as they are on business objective.  They even admire them.  So, do you think they will respect the teachers in schools who areactually very responsible.  For this topic we omit the irresponsible ones in the discussions.  When the results are good, they will convey their thanks to their tuition teachers, but if the result is not good they will blame the school teachers and never to themselves or the tuition teachers.
It is not easy to get good teachers no doubt.  But if you do come across, do respect them as they need motivation as they are human being too.
Being a responsible teacher actually depend on oneself as no one can force them, not even the HM as he/she can't keep an eye all the time on a teacher's work.  This will need the teacher to do whatever that he/she wanted to do for the students.  There is how the heart came in the topic we discuss today.  A teacher also need to be ready,to be hurt by immoral students who never appreciate no matter how much a teacher had sacrificed.
After some time, the teacher's heart is full of cracked lines as was hurt once in a while, but life need to move on.  They tend to be more positive and try to protect from the hurt every year.  Guess that's why teachers needed more holidays to have their heart recover a little and away from all the misery.  As for those not able to cope, they will end up quitting, became crazy or even suicide. 
Well, what I can say is that just do the best you can and forget about the rotten ones as not everybody is perfect.  As long as you have tried and there are some who know what you did is good enough.  Being irresponsible is not the way to avoid the situations.  How good you did will still be commented by someone some how.
In other cases, I had came across some temporary teachers who are only interested in the high pay they get and not doing the work sincerely with heart.  So, those of you who don't use their heart in the teaching, do not become a teacher as this will cause the students became your victims.  As for the irresponsible ones, do have a heart as you are in for it and don't make the students victims of your doing.  As for the students, what you can do are to respect all the teachers so that they will have a heart for you.  People change, so give a chance to your teachers too. Sending a small thanking card will also make the teachers' heart melt away and they need it all the time to heal their hearts.

You can always go for tuitions as extra classes, but do not blame your teachers are not good as it might be you are the ones who who are slow t in the class, or you need second lesson to understand.  Usually when you go for second lesson, you will be better and is not because the tuition teacher is better.
Wish that all the teachers out there will have a heart and the students have hearts on teachers too.  This will make this world a better place to live again!