Goodbye 2012!

Wow, I've been away from here for quite some time, no? Yeah, been busy with life and work and stuff.

But I've told myself to make some time to write something on the last day of 2012. So, here I am, pressing my keyboard, writing another typical nonsense unworthy to be read by whoever happens to came or stumble upon my blog. 

Well, we're reached the end of the road for 2012. Looking back at it, I've been through a lot quite frankly. Some ups and downs, tears and laughter. Same old routine for the past 28 years I've been living on planet Earth. The only difference is the cause of those ups and downs and tears and laughter. But that's just how the world works actually. 

So what have I achieved for 2012? The first thing I crossed on my my to-do list for 2012, which is the only thing I've set earlier this year, and the year before that, and the year before that, is to graduate on time. Ha ha. I myself found this funny. Although I've been trying and trying and trying to earn that piece of paper that supposedly meant to justify one's ability for the past 10 freaking years! Yes, 10 freaking years! But, what makes it meaningful to me is that, the smile on my parent's face when I went on stage, shake that guy's hand, took my certs and walk back to my seat. Of course I didn't see their face, but I can tell. I'm sure most of you felt the same way too. Other things that I got are merely bonuses for me.

So what have I lost? Well, since I've graduated, I lost the time of being a student. God, student life sure is the best time in my life. That's why it took me 10 years to get my degree. Haha. Formal classes and lectures and what not, I do miss those things despite all the piling pressure of workloads and assignments and presentations, yes. But I miss the time spent with my friends even more. Going places, doing this and that, go crazy, get busted, or something. Because now most of us are miles apart. Even if we're close, we still got our own matters to attend to. Plus, the situation has changed and so are our responsibilities either towards ourselves or others. Just part of the cycle of life.

All in all, 2012 was (despite still having 20 more hours before officially entering 2013) a great year for me. Wouldn't trade it for anything else. Too priceless, too meaningful. Well, I guess that's all for now. I wanted to write more but I think this will suffice for the time being. So 2012, thank you for all the memories. With this, I bid you farewell...

Translate Translating Translator Translation.

I'll be entering the fourth month now, working as a freelance translator for a company. So far, I think the job suits me well. Not much hassle to deal with. Working at home, on my own time, as long as the assignment is submitted before the deadline. But even if I can't make it before the deadline, I only need to send an e-mail, informing and requesting for an extension from the company.

Basically my job is to prepare the Malay subtitle for a half hour or one hour English variety show, series or documentary. The company will give me the assignments and I have to download the videos and scripts to help me out in performing the translation and type the subtitles using an application specifically made by the company.

Performing translation is not as easy as it seems. Especially when your language ability, in my case, Malay and English, is not at par in terms for word choice. I admit, I have a very limited vocabulary for Malay compared to English. It's a shame, isn't it? To master foreign language more compared to your own mother tongue. But through this job, I somehow able to improve my Malay words capacity.

Where do I refer to when I'm stuck or have no clue of the meaning of the words? There are a few sites that I'm very fond of. For Malay language, of course Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. This link to be exact, http://prpm.dbp.gov.my/. I only knew about this site after I started working. Suggested by the company. A very useful site because I don't think there are any other site than can provide a more accurate translation in Malay other than this. But there are still a few English words that have no Malay translation. Therefore, I will give y own meaning in which way I see fit.

Next is http://urbandictionary.com/. I discover about this site after reading The Prodigal Tongue by Mark Abley. Very informative. Bought for only RM8 during Big Bad Wolf Book Fair last year. Here, you can find almost every slang or terms used by people on the streets. Because the definition is made by us. People can submit any word with their own definition. Pretty much like Wikipedia but better because they actually have staffs to check whether the definition is valid and can be published. I refer to this site when translating shows in British English or Australian English or street slangs for drugs or people. For example, in a show that I recently translated, the casts are British and in a scene, he said, "That is rank!" after tasting his cooking. For your information, the word "rank" actually means "disgusting." Odd, isn't it?

For a quick option of words that carries the same meaning, I'll go to http://thesaurus.com/. Sometimes it's hard to give the exact Malay translation for an English word. The use of synonyms is probably the best way, from my point of view. Plus, it'll help a lot when the word belongs to more than one word class. I'll cross check the words between these sites to gain a more accurate translation and ensure that mistranslation does not occur.

The pay check. The most important thing looked upon in accepting a job offer. Primary numero uno! What I can say is that the pay suits the job, which is as a freelancer. So, yes. I'm still looking for a job. A steady job with a steady income. As for this job I'm currently doing, it is merely a side job while I'm still in search for a real job. But if I can't find any, maybe I'll ask to be an in house staff for the company. Working as a translator and editor. Anyway, let's see how it goes. Only time will tell, right?

Rains of life.

It's raining out there. Along with thunders and lightnings. Though not too loud nor too bright. I can barely remember the last time the clouds shed its tears of blessing upon this land. Looking at the falling rains in the darkest of night, I felt calm. Yes, a feeling forgotten for quite a while now. All the things that has been coming towards me lately somehow had made me feel dejected and lost within the darkness of my own creation.

But here I am, sitting at my window. Alone. Staring at the rains with nothing running through my head. Such a soothing feeling. Such a missed feeling. As if all the unpleasant things had been swept away by the pouring rains. I know it won't last forever. But for now, I'll enjoy it. I'll enjoy it as much I can. For the rains has brought me life tonight. Even just for a moment.