Time to Make a Come Back

 

The little monkey in me is jumping in joy!

Hey everyone!

I think my silence is too long from this blog. It took a while for me to make a comeback after my last post in March. Yes! I made it to grad school in the US. It was a tough road that I rode but a meaningful one. It keeps me grounded as a person and know what I am worth. 

Since arriving in the US on June 5, it has been quite a struggle for me. However, I was trying my best to keep going. I am grateful for every person who never stops encouraging me and supports me in every way they can. I owe you guys so much, but I know you will get an abundance of blessings from above.  

That is all for today. I will try to keep this blog updated frequently. 

Till then,

Rose

Fundraising for Graduate Study in the USA

I never thought that I will finally decide to set up a crowdfunding page to raise funds for my graduate study. It was mixed feelings because I never did something like this before. In the beginning, it felt wrong because I know and am aware there are a lot less fortunate people out there that need cash to survive the day. As the deadlines for enrollment get closer, I start to feel anxious that I will not make it. After a few months of searching for potential scholarships available in Malaysia and the USA, I get to a dead end. Most of these scholarships are closed for applications or I am not eligible because of certain criteria that I could not meet. This is the ultimatum that makes me decide to finally do this. Besides, I get strong backup and support from Dr Alison that I should do this. Although in the beginning, it was my best friend, Najjah that came out with this idea which I did not even think of.

Here is the link to my crowdfunding page: Fundraising for Graduate Study in the USA.   

Please help to spread the word and your generosity will make this dream possible. Thank you so much for your kindness.   

Publications on Pangolin / Malayan Pangolin

While searching for information about the Pangolin, I came across different published journals, articles on websites and many more. All information mostly talks about the critical issues which are related to the illegal trade of these animals. This is especially with the article on the websites. Here are the lists of the articles that I found on websites that might be helpful to you.  

1. Britannica - pangolin  | pangolin, or scaly anteater, Any of about eight species of armoured placental mammals (genus Manis, order Pholidota) of tropical Asia and Africa. Scales formed of cemented hairs cover the upper body, legs, and tail. Pangolins are 2–6 ft (60–180 cm) long and weigh 10–60 lb (5–27 kg). They have a conical head, no teeth, a long tongue, short legs, and a long prehensile tail. Some are arboreal; terrestrial species live in burrows. Nocturnal animals and pangolins locate prey, mainly termites, by smell and rip open nests with their front claws. When threatened, the pangolin (Malayan for “rolling over”) curls up or emits an odoriferous secretion. See also anteater; echidna.
2. Wiki.nus - Manis javanica - Malayan pangolin | The Malayan Pangolin is a unique animal that instinctively appears to be a reptile due to its conspicuous scales covering most of the animal's body surface. This mammal lives on a diet of ants and termites and rolls into a ball of hard scales when provoked. Sadly, this interesting animal is currently endangered, with hunting for its meat, skin and scales as a driver of its massive population decline. While wild populations of Malayan Pangolins still exist in Singapore's forested areas, their numbers continue to decline due to habitat loss and vehicular accidents.
3. Save Pangolins - What is a pangolin? | Pangolins are uniquely covered in tough, overlapping scales. These mammals eat ants and termites using an extraordinarily long, sticky tongue and can quickly roll themselves up into a tight ball when they feel threatened. Eight different pangolin species can be found across Asia and Africa. Poaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss have made these incredible creatures one of the most threatened groups of mammals in the world. 
4. Ecology Asia - Sunda Pangolin | The Sunda Pangolin, also known as the Malayan or Javan Pangolin, is a curious, unmistakable inhabitant of Southeast Asia's forested habitats (primary, secondary, scrub forest) and plantations (rubber, palm oil).
5. Discover Wildlife - Pangolin guide | In our expert pangolin guide, learn about the world's only scaled mammal, how many species there are, and why they are threatened with extinction.
6. DrawInScience - Pangolin | Pangolins are peculiar and beautiful animals, we could even think they come from an imaginary world, but they are real. They are the only mammals covered by overlapping scales (made from keratin — the same protein that forms human hair and fingernails). They are toothless, have poor vision, and have an acute olfactory system.

This is an interesting piece of information that I think might help your understanding of these heavily trafficked animals. 

Switch Back to Blogger

Photo Credit: Shoutmeloud.com

After a while, I think I prefer to use Blogger over WordPress, and I like how user-friendly and simple it is to post an entry on blogger. Besides, I can switch on my Grammarly when I write here too. Well, I haven't posted anything on WP yet, so I think it should be working there too. 

Maybe I am a Google user, so everything I need is on one domain. It makes my life less complicated than when I am on WP. Therefore, after almost six years of silence, I will start posting here again. 

I have many things to share about my nature's journey and will do so in these few months. While looking at this blog, you can also visit the other blog, where I journal over various topics that exclude nature. I mainly dedicated this blog to wildlife and nature. 

Till next time!

Move to New Platform

I start my blogging since 2008 with a blog title My Life Is My Choice. Then i change it to My CHOICE - Walking Through Nature and this is the blog. This blog was dedicated for my love of nature and i shared most of my experienced exploring the Borneo rainforest. However, there is times that i am very lazy to write and this blog ended been abandoned by me. So, i decided to moved to the new platform and just using my own name as the title of my blog. I will continue to share my thoughts, my adventure and journey exploring Borneo and the outside world. Sharing what i have seen and what inspired me along the way. Do come and drop by whenever you miss me and want to see what's new at Rose Ragai. 

It is just a simple blog and enjoy your time dropping by.

Journey never ends,

Little Rose

Seeking ASEAN Scientists for ASEAN-US Science & Technology Fellowship

Two days ago, i received another email from a friend working with WWF-Malaysia on this ASEAN-US Science and Technology fellowship programme. Allow me to share a little bit about this porgramme, who knows this is something that you are looking for in order to broaden your knowledge and your capacity.

Here a little bit of background, goals and priority areas for this programme:-

The ASEAN region boasts strong skills and potential in science and technology and seeks to leverage these capacities to increase regional competitiveness, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, improve resource management, and enhance the lives of its citizens. Currently, few non-governmental scientists are consulted by ASEAN Member State (AMS) governments on policy decisions, and these scientists generally have a limited understanding of the government decision-making processes and how to effectively engage. ASEAN has a role to play in fostering and institutionalizing a culture of science-based policy making throughout the region, and the Fellowship seeks to provide opportunities for policy-makers and scientists alike to learn from one another.

The goals of the ongoing ASEAN-U.S. Science and Technology Fellowship are the following:

1. Advance regional cooperation on ASEAN strategic priorities; 
2. Strengthen science-based policymaking throughout targeted national government ministries and/or bodies; and 
3. Empower and build the capacity of scientists in ASEAN to take a more prominent role in their respective country’s efforts to integrate into the ASEAN Community.

The Fellowship provides opportunities for early career scientists who are citizens and residents of ASEAN Member State to contribute their knowledge and analytical skills to their national governments. Fellows will be embedded in sectoral or line ministries or other agencies within their home countries, providing these institutions with increased technical capacity to make informed, science-based decisions. More specially, Fellows will be hosted by entities that support technical work aligned with the following three ASEAN and U.S. science and technology priority areas:

1. Sustainable Energy – Supporting development of strategies or policies to help national governments accelerate using efficient, environmentally friendly, and clean energy; addressing political and other barriers to help ASEAN achieve its goals of significantly increasing use of renewable energy.
2. Climate Change and Climate Variability – Supporting development of national climate change strategies, policies or action plans; supporting government efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on cities, communities, and ecosystems.
3. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy – Supporting the development of strategies, policies or frameworks to accelerate scientific activity or technology transfer; address intellectual property rights; foster collaboration between science and industry; catalyze STI investments, and promote entrepreneurship. (Note: Scientists with industry experience are especially encouraged to apply under this theme.)

For more information about this programme, please refer to the website ASEAN-U.S. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP and all application forms are there.

As for myself, once again i am not qualified to apply for this programme because the minimum academic qualification is Master Degree. I don't have that so i pass this again. All the BEST!

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Hoping for Other Opportunity,

Rose Ragai