Update 18

Dear Members

This will be my last post in the President's corner as ISM president. Tomorrow will be held the International Surveyors' Congress until 18 June 2010. It will be followed by the divisional AGM in the evening of 18 June 2010. The next day will be ISM AGM and the nite we celebrate the 49th Annual Dinner where I will be handing the chain of office to the Deputy President Sr Elvin Fernandez.

It's been a blast and I love every minute of it. It's been a real hectic session - several friends had advised me to slow down. How can I slow down when I am enjoying what I am doing. Of course there were challenges and issues but I take it in my stride and whatever we have decided to do we "Just do it". Of course these were made easy for me cos I received such support from Katherine and the secretariat, the councilors that include the management committee. The icing to the cake is that within these hives of activities I completed my PhD and perform my Haj.

I am equally proud of all the activities that we had done. I set 3 targets when I took over the presidency namely (1)upgrade and modernization of ISM secretariat.
(2)Increase awareness and publicity of ISM and the profession (3)Increase international exposure. I am glad to report that we were able to achieve all the set goals. But the council's KPI is in the hand of the members. If members do not feel connected with ISM, or do not feel the impact of what we have done then I may have failed in my duty to represent the members. But before members judged us I hope you would attend the AGM to be held on 19 June 2010 and read the Annual Report that described all the activities, programs and events that we had organized in relation to the 3 set targets.

But if one was to ask me which particular events or programs carried out were my favourites I would say these - the Personalised diary, Climb Mt Kinabalu with the President charity event, Galaxy of Surveying stars, Jamborees for undergraduates, Young Achievers Award for secondary school students, ISM career day by Johor Branch, Sabah Surveyors congress by Sabah Branch, and the setting up of the ISM UK chapter. I held these dear to my heart. It's a powerful tool for the branding of the Surveyors and the impact of these goes a long way.

So I would like to give thanks to all these wonderful people Ms Katherine and the secretariat, Sr Elvin Fernandez, councilors, Past Presidents, Presidents of the Surveying Professional Boards, UK chapter pro-tem committee, consultant firms and ISM strategic partners CIMB, Akzonobel ICI Paint, and Bluescope.

Salam
Assoc Prof Sr Dr Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah

Update 17

Dear Members

We conquered Mount Kinabalu !!! Yeahhhhhhh. I never doubt for a second that some of us in the group would be able to do it but I did have doubts on whether I could do it. BUT I DID IT. The feeling upon reaching the summit was surreal. The climb was tougher than I thought and I've never been scared in my life than when I was on that narrow ledge and hanging on to the rope while descending the 4,095m and glancing down to see the ground down down below. At that moment I just blanked all my thoughts, fears and that feeling of hysteria.

The journey was ardous and I almost gave up several times. I was dead tired. Others have taken a shorter time but it took me 13 hours ascending and 12 hours descending. Part of it involved walking in the rain, slippery and rocky terrain, and in the dark. I just could not believe I was able to reach the peak. At 200m upon reaching the peak I had no more energy, I just could not take another step and nothing more to give. What kept me going ? - well-wishers from all over including the UK chapter, my friend Roznita's mantra of "Go for the peak", and the thought that I would not be able to face the council members who have spontaneously given financial pledge for the charity. Upon reaching the summit I heard shouts from my group who have reached much earlier "Madame President is here" - that gave me another boost of energy to take that last climb up the peak. I made it.

We love the article appeared in the classified of the NST on 24 May i.e. the day we did the climb. It reported about our special charity project and brief background on ISM. Roll call on climbers who reached the peak are Suzie, Jumin, Alice, Bernard, Anas, Victoria, Enny, Siti Khairina, Hadi and myself. Katherine, Jamilah, Wendy, and Hafizah achieved the 3,000+ m. I wished to thank all the members of the group and my big thank you and appreciation to Jumin and Abdul Hadi.

Now my body ached all over and I'm walking like a robot - but it was worth it. The feeling of euphoria of being able to accomplish the challenge is out of the world. And the icing to the cake is the financial pledges to the two organizations.

Take care

Salam
Sr Wan Maimun

Update 16

Dear Members

In 4 days time a group of lady Surveyors will attempt to climb the Mt Kinabalu. The objective is clear - we've set a challenge to ourselves and we have to do it. This may be a case of putting your foot in your mouth or as the old saying says "Terlajak perahu boleh berundur tapi terlajak kata mesti dikota". I had always believe that once you have made up your mind, crazy as it maybe, then "Just do it". To take advantage of this crazy idea we decide it to be a charity event and have identified two organizations in need of financial assistance. The charity drive was only solicited from the council members, corporate partners and friends. But if anyone would like to donate you are most welcome and please contact Katherine.

In March I attended the Sabah Surveyor's congress and I took the opportunity to visit the Kinabalu park and the Timpohan gate to familiarise myself and see what I've gotten myself into. Before this visit I don't know what to expect as such it was a fear of the unknown. Now that I have seen the trail now it is a fear of the known!!

I've just recovered from a month of open wound dressing that is healing well. However ten days ago I again had a little accident when I cut my little finger while opening a tin, that needed 6 stitches which hopefully would healed for the stitches to be taken out today. My exercise regime is not going regularly well for the past 3 months due to work, family commitment, poor weather, and of course that awful little voice that keep giving excuses "not today, definitely tomorrow" - and like the James Bond movie "Tomorrow never come". During those time that I could, I did the treadmill in the gym, went to Bukit Gasing twice, and climb the stairs instead of the lift (unless I'm wearing high-heel). And to top that up I'm not too crazy about height and I've never climb a tree, I can't stand extreme cold weather, I have corns on the sole of my feet, I don't like taking vitamin pills and my right knee make some sound when I do my daily prayer.

So there you go - and your president want to climb the mountain!!! Please pray for us. I take comfort in having two experienced climbers in the group and I especially requested past secretary general Sr Abdul Hadi to tag along. So wish us good luck and say a prayer.

Salam
Sr Wan Maimun