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Paintball game...





This recent weekend, I went for a paintball game.I went with Suhaizi and Bon's family..Well, my wife did not go..because she don't like to play.This my second time paly paintball..In this game we play at 3 different setting..in the open area,in the junglle and last set in the fast shooting area.The first set of the game was not though....But the second set in the jungle very though...I could not see where I am heading..because the bushes are very tall..I have to crawl like a real soldier to go to the other side..Just like in war movie..If you get hit, you will get a paint on your body..Sometimes you can get bruise to.. In the last set, I have been hit 3 times.It is fast shooting game. I could not get cover properly behind the bunker...I have been shot twice on the face..Luckily I have a mask on my face..Well..it was a though game..We all have fun

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Insect sampling and collection




Last weekend, I went for insect capturing with my office mate, Ralph Narian..We went to the Wilderness Park with his car. We catch several insects for his collection..Well..this remind during my first year doing my undergraduate degree. I have to do about 40 insect families for my Insect Identification class..This moment make me remember to one of my friend in Malaysia, Muhammad Firdaus Asuar. We went for insect collection using our motorbikes. We tight the insect net beside my motorbike..People seem weird looking at us jumping around here and there trying to catch butterflies and dragon flies..In addition to that, I also went until to Gua Kelam, Perlis with my motorbike to catch more insects for my collection.On the way back to USM, Penang, there were a police road block.The police ask me to stop and asking what is inside my small bag..I told him there were several of insects for my collection..He did not believe me..He thought I am bringing drugs..Well, he use his torch light..to lighten up inside of my beg and he get shock..(terkejut beruk)..to see the face of an ugly beetle..Then he let me go..I keep on laughing on the way back to see how his face look like when he get shock..(tu la sapa suruh xpercaya aku bw serangga..padan muka..). During my undergraduate..my motorbike, is one of my reliable transportation (banyak jasa motor aku tu..awek pertama aku tu..hehe)..

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New secodhand furnitures..upgrading the living in our home







Last week, we bought couples of secondhand furniture at the garage sale. Now in my study room, I have my own study table and chair. Now I do not have to sit on the floor to do my work. We also bought two lazy chair. One of the lazy chair I put in the study room and another one I put in our bedroom for me to watch the television. In addition to that, we bought a secondhand dining table. No we can eat on the table. Well, now we upgrade little bit of our living here….

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Termites or white ants, in some countries, were from the Order Isoptera. Culliney & Grace (2000) reported that there are more than 2700 species of isopteran in the world. In Peninsular Malaysia alone, there are about 175 species of termite from 42 genera (Tho, 1992). Termites can be classified under three main groups; dampwood termites, drywood termites and subterranean termites. The most destructive is subterranean termites and termite control is generally focused only on to this group (Abdul Hafiz & Mohd Hadzri, 2007).
“Knowledge and understanding of subterranean termite foraging biology and ecology could help in their detection and controlIn addition, subterranean termite is a cryptic insect. Knowledge and understanding of their biology, foraging area and the ecology help a lot in their detection and control. Thus the right choice of type of termiticide and the proper way in termiticide application technique are important to ensure the job efficacy. Recently, some of the pest control company proposing to their client a minimum internal drilling liquid termiticide application method. As we all have been told that traditional application technology associated with soil barrier treatment is destructive to property owners and needs the use of a high amount of finished product because it specifies a thorough and uniform application to the interior and exterior of the building by drilling holes through the slab near to the beam foundation (Potter and Hillery, 2003; Hu and Hickman 2006; Abdul Hafiz & Abu Hassan, 2006; Abdul Hafiz et al, 2006; Abdul Hafiz et al, 2007).
According to Potter and Hillery (2003), it is believed that the application of repellent termiticide can be more destructive to property due to the traditional application method. With the new non-repellent termiticide in the market, the termiticide can be applied as minimum as possible solely around the exterior building perimeter plus limited interior, especially at the termite infestation area. The method is practice by some of the pest control due to the unique character of the termiticide. The delayed mode of action permits transfer of this toxicant from exposed termites to unexposed nest mates through social interactions including mutual grooming, thus causing secondary mortality in subterranean termite population (Potter & Hillery 2003; Hu & Hickman, 2006; Gurbel et al, (2006); Abdul Hafiz et al, 2007a,b).
Preparing the termiticide solution
“termiticide advantages of the unique character of its delayed mode of action” Recently, the termite control team from School Of Biological Sciences, USM had conducted a field trial with the new non-repellent termiticide, Premise 200SC. The study showed a very promising results, where all the structures were treated as minimum interior drilling as possible showed full control of the foraging population inside the structure within 3 months (Abdul Hafiz et al, 2007a,b). However, to apply this method, termite foraging study need to be conducted to determine the foraging territory, population size and the numbers of the termite colony infested the building. In addition, this study also showed that placement of the termiticide directly in the vicinity of an entry point of foraging termites was the most important determinant for full control of termites.
As a conclusion from this study demonstrates that the minimum internal drilling method will minimizing the termiticide usage, less number of holes on the floor, less chemical & labor cost and more time saving. More important is less chemical into the environment but still provide effective and longer protection where it is a good option to pest control. Nevertheless, in termite control, IPM program is a must such as moisture management, inspection, monitoring, education, and collaboration of all termite-affected parties.

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State Capital Building













Last weekend we went for biking using one of the bicycle track to strawberry farm..Well..my wife and I was very tired..so we stop for a rest..and never pursuit our journey to the strawberry farm..Well, during the journey we pass through Wilderness Park..it is a very though track..Our bicycle was very dirty after the biking..Well, it is a beautiful countryside scenery..Before we got home we stop at the front of the State Capital Building..This building is a trademark or an icon for Lincoln..Inside this building are where the Nebraska administration office..Where they do their work to run Nebraska (exco kerajaan negeri). It is a beautiful building, where at the top of the tower, there was a statue of a man..

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Malaysian Soil Corrective Treatment vs U.S Soil Corrective Treatment



















Last week, my lab mates, advisor and I went for one of the treatment trial out. The trial was to test one of chemical product from Dupont, it is a new non repellent termiticide formulation. Twelve houses will be carried out for this treatment. Well.. actually the treatment that will be carried out is a corrective treatment that is called in Malaysia. Only external perimeter of the house will be treated..That required trenching and slab..In my mind the U.S Pest Control Operator (PCO) will be very particular on the safety during the treatment such as wearing glove, goggle, face mask and proper clothing..but..hmm..just same as Malaysian Pest Control Operator(PCO)..The rules and regulation of safety just in the book..Well the treatment here are easy because they have a thin layer of concrete to drill..In Malaysia..the concrete floor very thick..I remember when I treated one of the ‘surau’in Penag..The drill stuck in the concrete floor..and we have to break down the floor with a hammer to pull out the drill bit..Wow..that is very tired..good experience anyway..

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Reticulitermes flavipes vs Coptotermes gestroi..







Last week I went with my lab mates, Tim and Neil to one of the houses that was infested with subterranean termites. I remember during the time in Malaysia, I went for termite infestation survey..most of the houses was infested by Coptotermes gestroi..asian subterranean termite. The damage that cause by C.gestroi was very severe..Meanwhile in Lincoln, the termite species that was infested the houses was mainly Reticulitermes flavipes..Over here they were call as Eastern Subterranean termite..From what I have seen, the infestation was also severe..the damage that cause by this species also same as in Malaysia (Coptotermes gestroi)..In addition to that, the worker body of R. favipes was much more longer than the worker of C.gestroi..Both of the soldier produce white latex..

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Termite Baiting (Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System)











Couples of day ago, I went with my advisor and one of my lab mate, Neil checking for the effectiveness of termite baiting at the 5 houses that had been treated before with termite baiting. From the five houses that was treated, only 2 houses that was still active with termite infestation in the termite baiting station. Well, it is similar to the research that I have done before in Malaysia with the same product, Sentricon. During that time, it took only 5 weeks to eliminate the whole of termite colony. But however here, the equipments that use for the termite inspection in the termite baiting station are more advance. I haven’t seen it before in Malaysia. There was one of the machine that can detect termite activity in the baiting station (in the picture). The one that I use before in Malaysia was Termatrac. This one is different..One another thing that..over here we use a aspirator to collect the termite samples from the termite station. I don’t have to used forceps like the one I always use in Malaysia to take the termite sample for identification purposes. Well, I uploaded the picture above..

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My Office and lab… in the Insectary Building..
















My office is located in the Insectary Building..Well it is in a different building from my department (Department Entomology)..In the Insectary building consist of my advisor research lab and facilities such as the control temperature growth chamber room, HPLC machine,PCR machine, green house and many more..In addition to that, the research lab includes the Urban Entomology lab for pesticide impact assessment work and Urban Entomology rearing room . I shared my office room with my office mate that doing his master research in molecular ant..In this office room I do my writing, reading, study and do my literature searching…Nice place to do my work..Actually, all my advisor students are located in this Insectary building..It is four of us including me under the supervision of Prof. Shripat Kamble.

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Outdoor activities..BIKING..






















Now, I have my new hobby..biking..In Malaysia, I don’t have the time to biking..(alasan je tu..hahaha)..But here..the state provide the bicycle routes for the bikers and we can go around the countryside and enjoy every piece of beautiful countryside environment..If in Malaysia..the administration did not provide bicycle route for the bikers. If I go for biking in Malaysia..for sure the car and motorbike will HORN me..or !!*&%$*##! ..Today for the record, I went for 40 km biking from my house with my wife, suhaizi and with Bon & Roz (the only Malaysian family other than my family in Lincoln).Pity for my wife..her leg cramp and almost black out..to tired for her..Well actually, she don’t really like biking in long distance..but when I say we will go biking for strawbery plucking..She is very ancious to go..I am not expected to be very far..Next time we need to go there by car..Well, when we arrived there, the place already close ..‘tak ada rezeki’..Well it is a good experience..and I really enjoyed the view here..very beautiful..I will post some pictures in the next posting..

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Dinner Feast at the Lincoln Mosque (Islamic Foundation Of Lincoln)







Last night, my wife and I went to the mosque for the dinner feast..Well, the mosque is not like the mosque in Malaysia with big ‘kubah’..It is actually double storey house converted to a mosque..There were not many Islamic communities here..I went there with my friends from pakistan Dr.Tahir, brother Yasin and one of my Malaysian friend Ahamd Suhaizi with Dr. Fadh’s car..Dr Mohd. Fadh is a dentist and currently doing his PhD here..Every Friday we went with his car to do Friday Prayer at the mosque.His name is Mohd Fadh..He is very kind and generous..He is one of the mosque comities (AJK)..Meanwhile my wife went with his wife in a separate car..The mosque is quite far..Need a car to go there..InsyaAlah..when I have extra money, I will buy a cheap car to go mosque with my wife and go around downtown Lincoln..

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Garage sale or Yard sale..


What is garage sale or yard sale..Well in United State, garage sale or yard sale is very common..especially during the summer..During this garage sale people are selling their belonging such as furniture, clothes, bikes, books, house whole items that they don’t want anymore..They sale the items infront of their houses in the yard or at the front of their garage..Actually, it is secondhand items, therefore the price are very cheap..Well, we bought chairs, study table and dining table from the garage sale in front of our house..Now our home have several furniture and I have my own study table to do our work. In addition, we don’t have to sit anymore on the floor to eat..

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University Of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)..continue..
















Well, my department building and office are located at the east campus which is close to our house..Meanwhile my classes will be in either in the east campus or in the city campus. All the administration buildings located at the city campus including the health centre..Beautiful campuses..no gates to separate the university from outsiders..No security guard that will detained you asking where is your matric card..open spaces and access..We also did not realize that we are already inside the campus..It is beautiful here..

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University Of Nebraska Lincoln (Brief History)..copy & paste from www.unl.edu




The University of Nebraska was chartered in 1869, two years after Nebraska's statehood. After much political maneuvering and public controversy, the capital of Nebraska was relocated to Lincoln from the territorial capital, Omaha. A State Building Commission consisting of the Governor, David Butler, the Secretary of State, Thomas P. Kennard, and the State Auditor, David Gillespie, selected the site for the capital city, the State Capitol building, the State Penitentiary, the State Asylum, and the future University. Unlike neighboring Kansas and Iowa, Nebraska's early lawmakers elected to create one unified University, combining both the goals of traditional higher educational institutions with the goals of the newly legislated Morrill Act. This act, designed to provide industrial and agricultural education to the working and middle classes, has come to be known as the Land Grant act. Utilizing the program set forth in the Morrill Act, a state was able to anticipate a federal gift of public lands if a public university devoted to agricultural and industrial education was established. In Nebraska, 90,000 acres were expected. This land could be sold for revenue to build a new university, or could be held for future profits.
The State Building Commission identified four city blocks within the new capital city for the location of the University campus. This land was located on the north edge of the planned downtown area--a flat, treeless plain that offered little in the way of natural beauty, and eventually would stand in the way of the railroads which were building toward Lincoln. In spite of this, the Building Commission's decision held and the University of Nebraska campus was born.The first campus comprised four city blocks bounded on the west by 10th street and on the east by 12th street. The northern boundary was T Street, and on the south, soon abutting downtown, was R Street. University Hall, the first building constructed for University purposes, was sited in the center of the campus in 1870, and remained the only structure on campus for 15 years. This original four block tract remained intact until 1908, when the precursor to Memorial Stadium was constructed north of T Street in what was then a residential area.
Today the original campus remains and is home to several of the University's important historic buildings.

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Downtown Linclon







Here at the city of Lincoln, there were not much high rise building like in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. No Megamall, Queensbay, Giant and many more. All the shops here are single storey building. Well…, we go to downtown with our bikes..Suhaizi, one of UPM SLAB, study at UNL doing his master showed us around. We go to the secondhand shops and bought several secondhand clothing and house whole items. Well there were many second hand shop here such as Salvation Army and Goodwill. Eventhough it is secondhand, but it is still in good condition. To expensive to buy new clothes and things here. We have to save a lot of money because the elaun that KPT gave us is not that enough.”Syukur Apa Yang Ada”.Well we have to learn to do a lot of saving and not to waste the money to buy things that are not necessary..

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Our new secondhand bicycles…







We bought two new bicycles for our transportation around the Lincoln.Sadly, transportation system here not same as in Penang, Malaysia.The bus only come every one hour only..and there were no bus services after 6 pm..most of the shops close at 6 pm.”Kampung betul..kampung aku pun tak macam ni”...Well we do our groceries using my big hiking bag and put all the stuff that we bought in that bag..But not much can fit in in that bag..The bag can consist of 45 liters only..The shops not that far.About 10 minute cycling..Well I can cycle much faster than that..but pity to my wife..If I have extra money..maybe I can buy a junk car to do groceries and move around Lincoln..I am REALY MISS my car in Malaysia..New Proton Saga Special Edition..one year I used that car and serve me very well go back to see my parent in law in Kelantan and to my village at Selangor and Johor..Actually, I waste quite a lot of money on that car..modified the body, rims and etc so it will look kind of sporty.but it is STATISFACTION.. .Well..again I miss that car very much..now my bicycles will replace my car for time being over here..But..the important thing that I can get exercise everyday..About 5 km I cycle everyday from my house to campus, shops and my office in the insectary building and to my departmet..I think I will get SLIM in four years time..Now it is summer..it should be no problem to cycle during the summer period…I like the view here..No factories and big building.no car smoke and no POLLUTION..Beautiful scenery..I am enjoying it..

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Alhamdulillah, terima kasih kerana membaca. Syukran Jazilan