The Grand Master must have told them both, the only way to find a settlement, to put the current chaos to rest, is to come back to the principles of the religion. Afterall both of them are proven to be practising the religion well. We can't really point out the most scholar between the two of them.
The meetings they had almost coincided with one another.
Well, that means it is the best time to build a bridge. Both have been separated for a very long time. The current situation does not allow them to be together. The stage has been set for them to be apart. Yet, between the two of them, many would notice, there has rarely been any war of words.
It takes much to build the bridge. However, the hints are very clear to show what outcome can be expected. Unity. It means bring all together. All of them. No one would be singled out especially for those who carry with them tremendous influence around the country.
As I have told you earlier, this is the extend to which the network is capable of reaching. When I said it is every where, I mean it is all over. I knew it because I saw it. Meetings have been held every where. The point of discussion, to bring together, and unite.
It won't be very long before the bridge is completed. We knew of the time frame already and you can do the estimation. At the end of it, the years of the rich and the powerful will be over. The new brand with a different outlook takes over. We may see light. The bridge of the common brand, brings them back together.
Will it turn out as we prayed it would. It definitely will. Afterall, haven't we notice a very similar code expressed by both? Reform! The fuedalists meant to fall this day.
Afterall, it has been rather calm. Everyone ought to notice that.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Down To Earth Datuk
Quite recently I accompanied my youngest kid to his 'Hari Anugerah' held at his primary school. He received RM200 and a certificate for his 5A acheivement in the UPSR. The RM200 did not come from the school but the pocket of an old politician who was not even nominated as a candidate during the last PRU.
He did not attend the ceremony but his aide did. To him, I want to say thanks. He did not contest in the election and had never made himself a minister. He did not win up there, but in our hearts he surely did. These are some reasons.
I remember, a few years back in the same occassion I heard him giving a speech from far. He sounded just like a grandfather talking to parents. The way he expressed himself it seemed like he was very much concerned about children, education and their future. He had won my heart. Not anywhere in his speech I hear big, fancy national things. Passionately, he addressed the very core focus of parenthood and children. He gained no votes and not a YB. But he is my winner for making himself present along with the people. In the place where I live, his name is much said.
I saw him having meetings with his people. Its not a hotel but a roadside warong with teh tarik and pisang goreng. I saw his Datin one day when my friend showed me. She was just like another grandma, dressed like a normal person walking by the roadside, with her maid, and an umbrella in her hands. In case it rains, Datin. My heart just fell, she did not make a minister's wife.
I saw Datuk every friday in the mosque, not in the front row, not even in the main hall of the mosque. He prayed in the verandah together with us. Alone, he sat next to a wall, and I didn't know what he was thinking.
I saw Datuk watching a local football league. He made effort to stop by even for 10 minutes. Stood and watch with others. Shook hands with a few people whoever was close enough. He would leave alone after a while.
He is in contact with the people until today even if he is getting older. I will never get to know him because there is no reason to do so. Yet, I could not help noticing his presence. I never knew a very down to earth Datuk.
Datuk and Datin, may Allah bless you and your family.
He did not attend the ceremony but his aide did. To him, I want to say thanks. He did not contest in the election and had never made himself a minister. He did not win up there, but in our hearts he surely did. These are some reasons.
I remember, a few years back in the same occassion I heard him giving a speech from far. He sounded just like a grandfather talking to parents. The way he expressed himself it seemed like he was very much concerned about children, education and their future. He had won my heart. Not anywhere in his speech I hear big, fancy national things. Passionately, he addressed the very core focus of parenthood and children. He gained no votes and not a YB. But he is my winner for making himself present along with the people. In the place where I live, his name is much said.
I saw him having meetings with his people. Its not a hotel but a roadside warong with teh tarik and pisang goreng. I saw his Datin one day when my friend showed me. She was just like another grandma, dressed like a normal person walking by the roadside, with her maid, and an umbrella in her hands. In case it rains, Datin. My heart just fell, she did not make a minister's wife.
I saw Datuk every friday in the mosque, not in the front row, not even in the main hall of the mosque. He prayed in the verandah together with us. Alone, he sat next to a wall, and I didn't know what he was thinking.
I saw Datuk watching a local football league. He made effort to stop by even for 10 minutes. Stood and watch with others. Shook hands with a few people whoever was close enough. He would leave alone after a while.
He is in contact with the people until today even if he is getting older. I will never get to know him because there is no reason to do so. Yet, I could not help noticing his presence. I never knew a very down to earth Datuk.
Datuk and Datin, may Allah bless you and your family.
Too Much Power, Too Much Money
well, go on ahead
look at yourself in the mirror
I now bestow on you
Power
Money
but just a little too much
isn't that a Phraoh
all mighty
all powerful
he claims himself God!
his thoughts kills people
never mind all the food and glory
his eyes carries flames
all 7 colors of them
never mind love and mercy
his mouth brings victories
never mind wars we never fought
his breath brings life
never mind poisons and plagues
worship him
for you'll never find nobility
praise him
you bedroom will be made of gold
but you never can turn back
when your faces turned black
for I bestow on you
the poorest in heart
look at yourself in the mirror
I now bestow on you
Power
Money
but just a little too much
isn't that a Phraoh
all mighty
all powerful
he claims himself God!
his thoughts kills people
never mind all the food and glory
his eyes carries flames
all 7 colors of them
never mind love and mercy
his mouth brings victories
never mind wars we never fought
his breath brings life
never mind poisons and plagues
worship him
for you'll never find nobility
praise him
you bedroom will be made of gold
but you never can turn back
when your faces turned black
for I bestow on you
the poorest in heart
Ganja, If Its Not You, The Next Person Is...
The minute I learnt this it stunned me. If it is not you who is using or smoking it, very high chances that the person next to you is.
I was at a friend's house a few weeks earlier. I was invited over just to give him my thoughts on a new religious cd he had just bought. I went over and met another friend who is in his 20's, newly wed, who happened to be there. We watched the cd for an hour before I asked him to just put it to a halt. I told him what I thought of - of the cd and the discussion went on just like one and a half hour or so. We spoke of other things then and suddenly he brought over a little packet with some dried weeds inside it. It's that stuff, yes, ganja. He asked me if I smoked ganja, I said no. Of course I don't.
Well, both of them went on ahead, preparing the stuff. They took out the tobaccco from one ciggarette and starting mixing the weeds into it. After that, they put the mixture back into the empty ciggarette roll and started smoking. I just sat there and watched. There were 1001 thoughts passing through my head and it was almost 3.00 am. while his kid and wife were sleeping. It all took place at his very home, for God's sake.
I watched both of them who seemed very religious a little while ago now doing drugs. Well, I thought its human afterall. But where were our senses?
He started speaking, as he got 'stoned' I guess. He said that ganja is good. It makes him feel relaxed, and forget all his worries. He said that he would smoke even before playing football. In fact, it is a guarantee that he will be in his top form.
I noticed that before the beginning of every football match, he would wear his sun glasses. At that time I couldn't help noticing that he suddenly had a stronger personality. Talks louder, more serious and very active. But I would just ignore all that until I put it all together with what I learnt that night.
He is one of my few close friends. I was sad with what I found out.
As I shared the story with my nephew, I learnt of an even more disturbing news. There are more than the 2 of them who took drugs in our team. We counted that there are 7 of them, out of eleven. This is very disturbing.
Afterall, if one does it at the private of his home, who is going to find out? How their families are affected by it, it will become just another internal affair.
But as for many of us, the question to ask is, what in our lives that is so tough and challenging that require us to take substances sort of to cool down and relax. Human therefore cannot be said as a perfect creature just yet since what is lacking is an internal mechanism to could bring our minds to a calm, relaxed state. Never mind Yoga that so many cannot afford to join.
The guy is like the manager of our team. To me, it all seemed very obvious that he will be sort of under influence of drugs every time we met, whether for fun, meeting, barbecue or sports. He is a pretty good manager though. Team's pretty much together and we played many matches, except for 2 things. There is always a fight among our team members where he seemed to be the cause, and the fees we paid every month, he took it as his. He is not trust-worthy as far as money is concerned.
I was at a friend's house a few weeks earlier. I was invited over just to give him my thoughts on a new religious cd he had just bought. I went over and met another friend who is in his 20's, newly wed, who happened to be there. We watched the cd for an hour before I asked him to just put it to a halt. I told him what I thought of - of the cd and the discussion went on just like one and a half hour or so. We spoke of other things then and suddenly he brought over a little packet with some dried weeds inside it. It's that stuff, yes, ganja. He asked me if I smoked ganja, I said no. Of course I don't.
Well, both of them went on ahead, preparing the stuff. They took out the tobaccco from one ciggarette and starting mixing the weeds into it. After that, they put the mixture back into the empty ciggarette roll and started smoking. I just sat there and watched. There were 1001 thoughts passing through my head and it was almost 3.00 am. while his kid and wife were sleeping. It all took place at his very home, for God's sake.
I watched both of them who seemed very religious a little while ago now doing drugs. Well, I thought its human afterall. But where were our senses?
He started speaking, as he got 'stoned' I guess. He said that ganja is good. It makes him feel relaxed, and forget all his worries. He said that he would smoke even before playing football. In fact, it is a guarantee that he will be in his top form.
I noticed that before the beginning of every football match, he would wear his sun glasses. At that time I couldn't help noticing that he suddenly had a stronger personality. Talks louder, more serious and very active. But I would just ignore all that until I put it all together with what I learnt that night.
He is one of my few close friends. I was sad with what I found out.
As I shared the story with my nephew, I learnt of an even more disturbing news. There are more than the 2 of them who took drugs in our team. We counted that there are 7 of them, out of eleven. This is very disturbing.
Afterall, if one does it at the private of his home, who is going to find out? How their families are affected by it, it will become just another internal affair.
But as for many of us, the question to ask is, what in our lives that is so tough and challenging that require us to take substances sort of to cool down and relax. Human therefore cannot be said as a perfect creature just yet since what is lacking is an internal mechanism to could bring our minds to a calm, relaxed state. Never mind Yoga that so many cannot afford to join.
The guy is like the manager of our team. To me, it all seemed very obvious that he will be sort of under influence of drugs every time we met, whether for fun, meeting, barbecue or sports. He is a pretty good manager though. Team's pretty much together and we played many matches, except for 2 things. There is always a fight among our team members where he seemed to be the cause, and the fees we paid every month, he took it as his. He is not trust-worthy as far as money is concerned.
The Virtual Martial Law
It seems really obvious now. I knew CCTV are planted already all around us. Now there will be intelligence planted among those who patrol our neighbourhood. It is a great move and it can be very scarry one too.
In terms of national security it will be a plausable move. The intelligence network that reaches the grass root would enable the authority to learn threats quicker. It will bring a faster and a more accurate counter measure.
On the other hand, having these senses of potentially being watched and monitored, people will be uneasy. And it doesn't mean that the person who felt that way is necessarily a person who has ill-intentions. It is just a normal, human instinct.
It's even more worrying since the country's political situation is not stable. Many people learn so much from the history about the Nazi and the Vietnam wars where lives of many innocent people were badly affected as a result of poor, desperate intelligence.
We surely do not want to fall as victims. The move definitely sends a grave message around. A Martial Law is probably in the making.
In terms of national security it will be a plausable move. The intelligence network that reaches the grass root would enable the authority to learn threats quicker. It will bring a faster and a more accurate counter measure.
On the other hand, having these senses of potentially being watched and monitored, people will be uneasy. And it doesn't mean that the person who felt that way is necessarily a person who has ill-intentions. It is just a normal, human instinct.
It's even more worrying since the country's political situation is not stable. Many people learn so much from the history about the Nazi and the Vietnam wars where lives of many innocent people were badly affected as a result of poor, desperate intelligence.
We surely do not want to fall as victims. The move definitely sends a grave message around. A Martial Law is probably in the making.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The New Malay Order
The new order in the making. The new malay will emerge. It will try to pose itself to the rakyat hoping to be accepted. But just what can we expect?
Exremely Moderate
Strong leaning towards traditional Islam
Imposes values and virtue
Stronger Islamic imposition
Less racial sentiments
Open, Transparent although can be very weak in communication
Accepts other races/religion and treats everybody almost equally
Moderately educated
Moderate, vague policies
Less vocal pertaining to World Issues
Not a very strong regional/international economic driver
Domestic economy can be very active
A mix of Middle Eastern and younger western educated
Moderate lifestyles
Stricter rules
Education targetted to produce 'patriotic' graduates
Less arrogant
Less action
Rank and File, seniority pertinent to obtaining higher posts
More kampung oriented
Almost traditional
Lures investors
The new order will wipe out the older order almost entirely. The splinter group will naturally be silenced out. The new order seemed to be accepted and the country's politics return to being stable. The challenges remain in economy aside from the country's competitiveness in the region. It will take many more years to start bringing prosperity back into our country.
Exremely Moderate
Strong leaning towards traditional Islam
Imposes values and virtue
Stronger Islamic imposition
Less racial sentiments
Open, Transparent although can be very weak in communication
Accepts other races/religion and treats everybody almost equally
Moderately educated
Moderate, vague policies
Less vocal pertaining to World Issues
Not a very strong regional/international economic driver
Domestic economy can be very active
A mix of Middle Eastern and younger western educated
Moderate lifestyles
Stricter rules
Education targetted to produce 'patriotic' graduates
Less arrogant
Less action
Rank and File, seniority pertinent to obtaining higher posts
More kampung oriented
Almost traditional
Lures investors
The new order will wipe out the older order almost entirely. The splinter group will naturally be silenced out. The new order seemed to be accepted and the country's politics return to being stable. The challenges remain in economy aside from the country's competitiveness in the region. It will take many more years to start bringing prosperity back into our country.
Compromise
Up to this point, the people's attention are slowly driven away from the drama. People are coming back to focussing into their own livelihood and survival. Some are already making their plans for the expected rougher ride lay ahead. Afterall, it is the topmost priority of the common people to ensure their families are continuously fed and taken care of. Other 'macro', ministerial level agenda have now been chucked aside. Life must go on. Some may have by now felt ashamed of themselves for meddling with issues that only a minister would worry about. We are the rakyat, we have our obligations to fullfill. At the same time we wanted to ensure the right things were done. And as far as moving and thrusting forward, marching with slogans of some sort, I think many of us can only go a certain distance. We are not willing and certainly not dare to risk the livelihood of our families.
Thank God for such sense. It is an awareness that kept many of us at home, performing our day to day routine and tightening our belts.
Thank God, many of us stayed home more to spend time with our families. Husbands will take more responsibilities and wives are sacrificing more.
Thank God, as the more the situation gets uncertain, the more we would submit ourselves to Him. Afterall we are just human.
And it is for that I think a compromise will be reached. It is the prayers of many more Malaysian. We do not want to see riots or unrest. Too much at stake. You guys sort things out, and work together. Afterall, everyone of you seemed by now to be hanging by the threads. We heard of talks taking place, and the real message had been delivered long ago in March. It would be enough to come up with a formula, to fit all in.
Thank God for such sense. It is an awareness that kept many of us at home, performing our day to day routine and tightening our belts.
Thank God, many of us stayed home more to spend time with our families. Husbands will take more responsibilities and wives are sacrificing more.
Thank God, as the more the situation gets uncertain, the more we would submit ourselves to Him. Afterall we are just human.
And it is for that I think a compromise will be reached. It is the prayers of many more Malaysian. We do not want to see riots or unrest. Too much at stake. You guys sort things out, and work together. Afterall, everyone of you seemed by now to be hanging by the threads. We heard of talks taking place, and the real message had been delivered long ago in March. It would be enough to come up with a formula, to fit all in.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
hush...
it seems quiet
the tides settled
the breeze seemed warmer
no one's out on the beach
no kids running
no parents yelling
no boat set sails
out to the sea
no, words
hush!
keep them doors closed
turn off your cellphones
there will be no talks
out in the open
we lay down the cards now
put to rest the chess game
see what cards you got
let me trade these with those
but he has those
none of us have that
what if he wants these
we'll give him those
that way we'll all balanced
he'll have his part too
keep them doors closed
don't let us be seen in the open
I promised them some news though
how shall it be read?
hush!
not a word out
we'll just send the circus out
sing them songs too
when party is over
we are back together
the tides settled
the breeze seemed warmer
no one's out on the beach
no kids running
no parents yelling
no boat set sails
out to the sea
no, words
hush!
keep them doors closed
turn off your cellphones
there will be no talks
out in the open
we lay down the cards now
put to rest the chess game
see what cards you got
let me trade these with those
but he has those
none of us have that
what if he wants these
we'll give him those
that way we'll all balanced
he'll have his part too
keep them doors closed
don't let us be seen in the open
I promised them some news though
how shall it be read?
hush!
not a word out
we'll just send the circus out
sing them songs too
when party is over
we are back together
The Brains In Malaysia
There are some many colleges and universities in our country. To me, it shows that the number of people getting higher education is very big. I could not imagine the number of graduates these institutions are producing every year. This is not inclusive of those who went abroad and further their education.
What do we do with the accumulation of brainy, educated people? I am not sure all of them are getting jobs. Some could have joined their family businesses. That is also expected to be of insignificant number. Even lower, are those who start off business at point of graduation. Nonetheless, there could be some who went overseas and work, but these are either the chosen ones or the brave ones.
Somehow, I think that there are plenty more that could be jobless. Just what is going to happen to them and how would they impact the social chemistry of our country.
This is not including those who lost their jobs...
The best input on your regional job market can be learnt direct from those who own food outlets, like stall and small restaurants. These are the people whose business are directly affected by the working group in an area. One of them gave me a simple remark,"It's not like what it used to be. Last time there were many factory workers.."
Yes, we used to have many factories in our country. I remember a simple operator could earn almost RM2k per month plus overtime. From the street you will notice so many blue buses transporting them back and forth. But these days, there are a few running, and they looked worn out!
Many factories moved to other countries like China and Thailand. We heard of reasons like lower labour cost. But there maybe other reasons, many of us don't know of. Maybe it's also about the ready market. We know China itself is a huge market. So products are manufactured and a good percentage of them could already be sold locally there. These manufacturers moved, despite warning that there could be a 'quality of products' glitch that they may face.
In any case, these manufacturers had tested our work force once and they know how good we were. They knew we have 'brains' here. We have a huge amount of skilled and trained work force. The work force itself, is one precious resource.
Another huge population is very near to us. It is Indonesia. I do not know to what potential are the investors looking at the country but the market is big. If somehow Indonesia turned around to become one new economic house, like China and India, I think judging by our location and capability, we will surely enjoy the fruits. Our skilled and trained work force can certainly play a big role in this new development.
Otherwise, our 'brains' in the country will continue on remaining untapped. It will carry some serious consequences because unhappy, unemployed work force can pose threats to the society.
Therefore, an immediate solution to the current problems we are facing, is provide people with jobs at a sensible salary.
What do we do with the accumulation of brainy, educated people? I am not sure all of them are getting jobs. Some could have joined their family businesses. That is also expected to be of insignificant number. Even lower, are those who start off business at point of graduation. Nonetheless, there could be some who went overseas and work, but these are either the chosen ones or the brave ones.
Somehow, I think that there are plenty more that could be jobless. Just what is going to happen to them and how would they impact the social chemistry of our country.
This is not including those who lost their jobs...
The best input on your regional job market can be learnt direct from those who own food outlets, like stall and small restaurants. These are the people whose business are directly affected by the working group in an area. One of them gave me a simple remark,"It's not like what it used to be. Last time there were many factory workers.."
Yes, we used to have many factories in our country. I remember a simple operator could earn almost RM2k per month plus overtime. From the street you will notice so many blue buses transporting them back and forth. But these days, there are a few running, and they looked worn out!
Many factories moved to other countries like China and Thailand. We heard of reasons like lower labour cost. But there maybe other reasons, many of us don't know of. Maybe it's also about the ready market. We know China itself is a huge market. So products are manufactured and a good percentage of them could already be sold locally there. These manufacturers moved, despite warning that there could be a 'quality of products' glitch that they may face.
In any case, these manufacturers had tested our work force once and they know how good we were. They knew we have 'brains' here. We have a huge amount of skilled and trained work force. The work force itself, is one precious resource.
Another huge population is very near to us. It is Indonesia. I do not know to what potential are the investors looking at the country but the market is big. If somehow Indonesia turned around to become one new economic house, like China and India, I think judging by our location and capability, we will surely enjoy the fruits. Our skilled and trained work force can certainly play a big role in this new development.
Otherwise, our 'brains' in the country will continue on remaining untapped. It will carry some serious consequences because unhappy, unemployed work force can pose threats to the society.
Therefore, an immediate solution to the current problems we are facing, is provide people with jobs at a sensible salary.
I Looked at Myself as A Bed-Rock
When I was a kid, I had the opportunity to attend a number of camps, like the ones our kids are having. But the ones that I have attended were mostly non-educational. They could be sports, leadership and motivational. I must say as a result of those, I did improve a little. It was just that my confidence level will increase, slightly.
I was once asked, along with the other members of our team, to go out searching for an object, preferably organic, that would best represent ourselves, individually. Well, guess what I had chosen? A rock! The trainer went puzzled and everybody else laughed. But as for me, that's the thing that would best represent me. And the trainers just couldn't wait to listen to how I would express it.
Well, my opening statement went like this. "My dad told me that these rocks, they never stop praising God. They never stop chanting God's name deep in their silence!" And the room went quiet, and everyone sort of stunned by my statement, and they just can't wait to listen to more of it.
And I continued.
And it is as for that, that the rock carries with him some huge responsibilites. And he has power too.
He is very powerful, yet he is ever so protective...
He forms layers to support the overlying soil that is rich in resources that make life possible. People just step on them, and discard things all over them.
He keeps people warm while the surrounding gets cold. The water and the air went cold, the rock remains hot longer.
He is rugged and ugly, but some of his types are precious.
His hardness can destroy but can made out a shelter too.
He protects people from the motlen magma underneath it by forming the earth's crust
He lives on land and in the seas as well
He made the highest peak on earth
He has vibrations of many sort (the way people use crystals to make bracelets etc.)
He is the best shape, yet some people find it very artistic.
So abundant, yet so unnoticed
His layers and formations tells us history, he keeps records of the earth
He is so powerful and just how often would he....
make a hole and sinks people in?
rattle and rumble that makes soil sort of flow like water?
subside and rub along cracks to shake to world?
suddenly protrude and rise to the sky?
He doesn't often do that, just because he obeys God who wants him to be the protector of life that blossoms on his chest.
All I can remember, the entire room went quiet for a while after I was done. I got no critic and I received no comments from anyone. I would have been the weirdest kid that day!
Everbody else got flowers, leaves and twigs.
I was once asked, along with the other members of our team, to go out searching for an object, preferably organic, that would best represent ourselves, individually. Well, guess what I had chosen? A rock! The trainer went puzzled and everybody else laughed. But as for me, that's the thing that would best represent me. And the trainers just couldn't wait to listen to how I would express it.
Well, my opening statement went like this. "My dad told me that these rocks, they never stop praising God. They never stop chanting God's name deep in their silence!" And the room went quiet, and everyone sort of stunned by my statement, and they just can't wait to listen to more of it.
And I continued.
And it is as for that, that the rock carries with him some huge responsibilites. And he has power too.
He is very powerful, yet he is ever so protective...
He forms layers to support the overlying soil that is rich in resources that make life possible. People just step on them, and discard things all over them.
He keeps people warm while the surrounding gets cold. The water and the air went cold, the rock remains hot longer.
He is rugged and ugly, but some of his types are precious.
His hardness can destroy but can made out a shelter too.
He protects people from the motlen magma underneath it by forming the earth's crust
He lives on land and in the seas as well
He made the highest peak on earth
He has vibrations of many sort (the way people use crystals to make bracelets etc.)
He is the best shape, yet some people find it very artistic.
So abundant, yet so unnoticed
His layers and formations tells us history, he keeps records of the earth
He is so powerful and just how often would he....
make a hole and sinks people in?
rattle and rumble that makes soil sort of flow like water?
subside and rub along cracks to shake to world?
suddenly protrude and rise to the sky?
He doesn't often do that, just because he obeys God who wants him to be the protector of life that blossoms on his chest.
All I can remember, the entire room went quiet for a while after I was done. I got no critic and I received no comments from anyone. I would have been the weirdest kid that day!
Everbody else got flowers, leaves and twigs.
Dad, What Is the Purpose of Life?
My 17 year old eldest daughter had recently asked me a question. It sounded so simple, so basic. "Dad, what is the purpose of life?". Have ever had that kind of question from your kids? Did you ever asked the same question to your dad, not others? I did, when I was 7. I knew the answer that my dad gave me was very simple. Yet, it brought me to heights that my dad never been too. I am surely glad to have asked that question. To what ever the creature was that tickled it out of me, I want to say thanks. I haven't quite achieve all my dreams, but I am surely heading on.
The answer my dad gave had managed me to break the poverty line....
I gave my kid some answers. I sort of took it from the grounds my dad offered me and expanded per my experience and my readings. I thought the way she looked, she was kind of 'filled' with the answer, satisfied.
Above all, I was thankful for her to have asked the question. It showed that she was in the right direction. She is in the midst of discovering her true self, perhaps at this instant she may have caught a glimpse of her true self. She is not a great 'grade' achiever, due to my negligence, yet she has the right characterisitics to be a survivor like me. She has the right attitudes as far I am concerned. She had never gotten an A in any subject when she was in lower secondary, but with her mom and my attention, she got 8 A's. We just took her on a crash course over 3 months.
I had even tested her, putting her to a job and watched from far to see how she would perform. I even planted an inside person from whom I managed to get feedbacks. She worked for her uncle in a petrol station right after PMR. Well, of course wrong, child labour, but the experience was too good to let go, plus she was equally excited.
Well, have your kids asked you the question yet? If not, all you can do is just wait. If it started from you, it carries very little impact. Yet, it is very good if you can start preparing your answers. I mean we can give an answer as sophicated as we could, but the point is we want ensure the recipient understands it all.
The answer my dad gave had managed me to break the poverty line....
I gave my kid some answers. I sort of took it from the grounds my dad offered me and expanded per my experience and my readings. I thought the way she looked, she was kind of 'filled' with the answer, satisfied.
Above all, I was thankful for her to have asked the question. It showed that she was in the right direction. She is in the midst of discovering her true self, perhaps at this instant she may have caught a glimpse of her true self. She is not a great 'grade' achiever, due to my negligence, yet she has the right characterisitics to be a survivor like me. She has the right attitudes as far I am concerned. She had never gotten an A in any subject when she was in lower secondary, but with her mom and my attention, she got 8 A's. We just took her on a crash course over 3 months.
I had even tested her, putting her to a job and watched from far to see how she would perform. I even planted an inside person from whom I managed to get feedbacks. She worked for her uncle in a petrol station right after PMR. Well, of course wrong, child labour, but the experience was too good to let go, plus she was equally excited.
Well, have your kids asked you the question yet? If not, all you can do is just wait. If it started from you, it carries very little impact. Yet, it is very good if you can start preparing your answers. I mean we can give an answer as sophicated as we could, but the point is we want ensure the recipient understands it all.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
TOMBOY
I have recently read news about a 17 year old SCHOOL girl running away from home with a tomboy partner and gone missing for almost a week by now.
I express my sympathies to the parents and hopefully the girl can either be tracked down or returns home on her own. Having a 17 year old missing from home is definitely something which is very painful to the parents and family members. We can only pray and hope, aside from keeping our eyes open.
A 17 year old is fragile. A girl, not quite yet a woman. At this age, if she starts a habit, it will be with her for a very long time.
I just keep thinking as to how would this kid be involved with a tomboy. I am not about to make value judgements on the sort of relationship they are having or about to have between them. I respect the rights of people of wanting to choose the manner by which they are intimately engaged with another. Be it homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual. What I am interested in, is in fact, how would this extra activity could lure the girl away. Home is not a home if it is not the best place to be at. That is my point while I do not intend to put a blame namely on her parents.
I had an experience with a girl and a tomboy in fact. Both became my friends eventhough they were much younger than I am. The girl, was from a single-parent family came to the city from Grik. And the Tomboy was from somewhere deep in Kedah. I met them both in Penang. It started when the girl and 2 other girls came to see me looking for jobs. I offered them jobs as a helpers at a place where I was running some small trading. They worked just fine, paid them RM500 each plus commission.
One day, the girl came to work black-eyed. It was then after asking I learnt that the girl had been hit by the tomboy during a fight. I went to see the tomboy and wanted to tell her not to hit the girl again. Boy, all I can say was that she was 'manner' than the 'mannest' man. I found it even more surprising when she said to me,"Well, it's normal uncle. Afterall, it is just a rumahtangga thing..'. I sort of choked listening to that.
So the next day, I asked the girl further. She said she had always been hit when they fight. I asked her if they were intimate with one another but the girl's answer was kind of confusing. She didn't want to admit. When I asked further, she told me that she was married, but the tomboy took her away from her husband. Asked if her husband ever came looking for her, she said yes. He was actually been kicked and hit by the tomboy the day he came to her, to take her home. If asked her what about now. She said she would meet her husband at a phone booth near the house she was staying with the tomboy so that the tomboy wouldn't know. I find it very hard to believe and I felt sad for him. Yet, I do not understand why wouldn't the girl just leave, go home with her husband. Well, at the end of it, I decided not to find out more. Afterall, people have the right to choose their partner.
She got hit again, and now decided to run away. She came to see me and asked me to help. I asked her if she wanted me to contact her husband to come a get her, she said, not yet. She needed time to settle down somewhere and then she will on her own call her husband. I managed to find a girl who was staying alone and needed a house-mate to help pay the rent. She moved in and continued working for me. In fact, her brother and dad visited her there a few times. Knowing that, I was quite sure she was ok then. By the way, her mom died when she was only 9. It's a sad thing.
As time passed by, I did actually asked more about her and the tomboy. Yes, they consumed alcohol, smoke, dope and take pills too. I found it very disturbing, I mean dope and pills at that age. I asked what do they do for night-outs and stuff like that, she told me that they are frequent dangdut visitors. And she had once became a GRO there and the tomboy worked as a bartender. I asked her why she wouldn't find other jobs, she told me she liked it there. So, I just kept quiet.
Right after her father's second visit, as I thought that she went home to her husband, her roomie told me she went off again with the tomboy taking all her clothes with her. She moved out. I was so surprised and I could have ignored the whole thing. But I had a sudden urge just to find out what was going on with her. So, I called her previous roomie and asked if she knows where the girl was. She told me just the place I thought. A dangdut and room's upstairs.
I decided to pay her a visit. I never been to a dangdut and I was sure I wouldn't like it. The music's just not my taste. I got a friend who would take me there. We went there, had a table for us, and a freaking costly coke each. The place was dark, smelly, smokey and the music was bad. Not many people, just another table of 5 people, all of which I thought were drunk, until my friend told me, they were on pills. They were not dancing, but they moved. It almost looked like they were worshipping of some sort. I thought that was very frightening.
The tomboy, saw my friend and I. She came to us and offered us discounts on the drinks which I never asked. Discount?? She went away and then she brought the girl to our table. She had to hold the girl to walk upright, like helping a very weak person. I was surprised because I thought the girl got sick or something. Well, she was all dressed up like a GRO, and she was like supposed to keep us entertained. When I looked at her, I was shocked to see her eyes. Since when had she got lazy-eyes? I didn't ask my friend but instead the girl took a seat at our table looking at me like she never knew me before. I felt funny because she kept on smiling. After asking her a few questions and didn't manage to understand what she said, I left along with my friend. It was then I know that the girl was on pills when I friend told me. I promised myself not come back ever again.
Months passed by, and she called me again. The tomboy hit her again. There was a big fight in the dangdut too that night. She asked me for help and this time, I decided to not to intervene. I did call her father and told him what happened though. Her father thanked me and said that he would go and get her the next day.
The last I heard was she went back to her father. The husband divorced her and she got married to another man. She now has a child.
It's a long story but the experience was valuable to me. We do not know what the possibilities are for our kids. But we can easily help make our house a better place for them, and make ourselves better parents. It's us actually who do not understand the kids and the challenges they are facing through.
For what I know, she was involved with the tomboy for easily 7 years. That is far too much time to waste for a person.
I express my sympathies to the parents and hopefully the girl can either be tracked down or returns home on her own. Having a 17 year old missing from home is definitely something which is very painful to the parents and family members. We can only pray and hope, aside from keeping our eyes open.
A 17 year old is fragile. A girl, not quite yet a woman. At this age, if she starts a habit, it will be with her for a very long time.
I just keep thinking as to how would this kid be involved with a tomboy. I am not about to make value judgements on the sort of relationship they are having or about to have between them. I respect the rights of people of wanting to choose the manner by which they are intimately engaged with another. Be it homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual. What I am interested in, is in fact, how would this extra activity could lure the girl away. Home is not a home if it is not the best place to be at. That is my point while I do not intend to put a blame namely on her parents.
I had an experience with a girl and a tomboy in fact. Both became my friends eventhough they were much younger than I am. The girl, was from a single-parent family came to the city from Grik. And the Tomboy was from somewhere deep in Kedah. I met them both in Penang. It started when the girl and 2 other girls came to see me looking for jobs. I offered them jobs as a helpers at a place where I was running some small trading. They worked just fine, paid them RM500 each plus commission.
One day, the girl came to work black-eyed. It was then after asking I learnt that the girl had been hit by the tomboy during a fight. I went to see the tomboy and wanted to tell her not to hit the girl again. Boy, all I can say was that she was 'manner' than the 'mannest' man. I found it even more surprising when she said to me,"Well, it's normal uncle. Afterall, it is just a rumahtangga thing..'. I sort of choked listening to that.
So the next day, I asked the girl further. She said she had always been hit when they fight. I asked her if they were intimate with one another but the girl's answer was kind of confusing. She didn't want to admit. When I asked further, she told me that she was married, but the tomboy took her away from her husband. Asked if her husband ever came looking for her, she said yes. He was actually been kicked and hit by the tomboy the day he came to her, to take her home. If asked her what about now. She said she would meet her husband at a phone booth near the house she was staying with the tomboy so that the tomboy wouldn't know. I find it very hard to believe and I felt sad for him. Yet, I do not understand why wouldn't the girl just leave, go home with her husband. Well, at the end of it, I decided not to find out more. Afterall, people have the right to choose their partner.
She got hit again, and now decided to run away. She came to see me and asked me to help. I asked her if she wanted me to contact her husband to come a get her, she said, not yet. She needed time to settle down somewhere and then she will on her own call her husband. I managed to find a girl who was staying alone and needed a house-mate to help pay the rent. She moved in and continued working for me. In fact, her brother and dad visited her there a few times. Knowing that, I was quite sure she was ok then. By the way, her mom died when she was only 9. It's a sad thing.
As time passed by, I did actually asked more about her and the tomboy. Yes, they consumed alcohol, smoke, dope and take pills too. I found it very disturbing, I mean dope and pills at that age. I asked what do they do for night-outs and stuff like that, she told me that they are frequent dangdut visitors. And she had once became a GRO there and the tomboy worked as a bartender. I asked her why she wouldn't find other jobs, she told me she liked it there. So, I just kept quiet.
Right after her father's second visit, as I thought that she went home to her husband, her roomie told me she went off again with the tomboy taking all her clothes with her. She moved out. I was so surprised and I could have ignored the whole thing. But I had a sudden urge just to find out what was going on with her. So, I called her previous roomie and asked if she knows where the girl was. She told me just the place I thought. A dangdut and room's upstairs.
I decided to pay her a visit. I never been to a dangdut and I was sure I wouldn't like it. The music's just not my taste. I got a friend who would take me there. We went there, had a table for us, and a freaking costly coke each. The place was dark, smelly, smokey and the music was bad. Not many people, just another table of 5 people, all of which I thought were drunk, until my friend told me, they were on pills. They were not dancing, but they moved. It almost looked like they were worshipping of some sort. I thought that was very frightening.
The tomboy, saw my friend and I. She came to us and offered us discounts on the drinks which I never asked. Discount?? She went away and then she brought the girl to our table. She had to hold the girl to walk upright, like helping a very weak person. I was surprised because I thought the girl got sick or something. Well, she was all dressed up like a GRO, and she was like supposed to keep us entertained. When I looked at her, I was shocked to see her eyes. Since when had she got lazy-eyes? I didn't ask my friend but instead the girl took a seat at our table looking at me like she never knew me before. I felt funny because she kept on smiling. After asking her a few questions and didn't manage to understand what she said, I left along with my friend. It was then I know that the girl was on pills when I friend told me. I promised myself not come back ever again.
Months passed by, and she called me again. The tomboy hit her again. There was a big fight in the dangdut too that night. She asked me for help and this time, I decided to not to intervene. I did call her father and told him what happened though. Her father thanked me and said that he would go and get her the next day.
The last I heard was she went back to her father. The husband divorced her and she got married to another man. She now has a child.
It's a long story but the experience was valuable to me. We do not know what the possibilities are for our kids. But we can easily help make our house a better place for them, and make ourselves better parents. It's us actually who do not understand the kids and the challenges they are facing through.
For what I know, she was involved with the tomboy for easily 7 years. That is far too much time to waste for a person.
A 10 Year Old ADULT
Kids, of other ages, I just enjoy watching the 10 year old kids, boys and girls. They are cuter than angels. At this age, a boy is hardly different from a girl, almost. They sounded the same too while girls can be slighty bigger, chubbier than the boys. Here's what I observed about them:
jovial
cheerful
keen to learn
keen to help
keen to try
keen to be the winner
energetic
wakes up early
doesn't care if having to walk to school
learns fast
picks up different language easily
good memorizer
enjoy memorising
read out loud when reading
hot sun doesn't bother them
rain? It's fun to play in...
walks fast, literally running and jumping
honest
laughs at almost any joke
enjoys competetion
not a good liar, you can immediately tell
doesn't want to nap
sleep early
report if anyone cheats
knows what to do at what time, at least for the 3 basic activities
enjoys taking the garbage out
thinks that doing cleaning job is a job of honour, at least looks like
report bad things to you
when you praise them, they work even harder
angers never last long
tears quickly gone
laughs all day
quick to apologise
quick to admit their wrong-doing
holds strong to the principles you taught them
kisses our hands when we shake their hands
kisses their teachers' hands (Well...)
don't hate anyone
want to make friend to almost everyone
tolerate moody elders well, just complaint that a person is grumpy and game's over!
respects elders like crazy
never stop talking
enjoy cheering and clapping hands
never burden you, the father or the mother
thinks about their parents a lot
keen to cook dinner for you
asks for money only when needed
keen to take responsibility
as if he/she is good at any sports he/tried
never give up
a 100m race, runs as fast as he/she can, even if he/she is the behind most.
not shy
not lazy
to do bad things, doesn't quite come across their minds
hate the smell of ciggarette
keen to save the environment, better environment lover than adults
love animals a lot
anything you cook them, it's marvellous, dad!
can even take an insect as a pet
value life, hate to see animals killed or brutalized
wanted to win the Nobel Prize
wanted to get you a better car and a bigger house when grow up
hates obscenities
a great actor/singer/dancer
Imagine like you are all the above, at this age?
Well, this is a pretty long list already. You may ignore the ones that you think should not be on the list or you can choose to observe the kids again to see if they are true. I just can't help thinking, who is a better person? Us or them?
That 'perfect person' is at your house, why look far? You just don't need to outgrow the kid inside you.
jovial
cheerful
keen to learn
keen to help
keen to try
keen to be the winner
energetic
wakes up early
doesn't care if having to walk to school
learns fast
picks up different language easily
good memorizer
enjoy memorising
read out loud when reading
hot sun doesn't bother them
rain? It's fun to play in...
walks fast, literally running and jumping
honest
laughs at almost any joke
enjoys competetion
not a good liar, you can immediately tell
doesn't want to nap
sleep early
report if anyone cheats
knows what to do at what time, at least for the 3 basic activities
enjoys taking the garbage out
thinks that doing cleaning job is a job of honour, at least looks like
report bad things to you
when you praise them, they work even harder
angers never last long
tears quickly gone
laughs all day
quick to apologise
quick to admit their wrong-doing
holds strong to the principles you taught them
kisses our hands when we shake their hands
kisses their teachers' hands (Well...)
don't hate anyone
want to make friend to almost everyone
tolerate moody elders well, just complaint that a person is grumpy and game's over!
respects elders like crazy
never stop talking
enjoy cheering and clapping hands
never burden you, the father or the mother
thinks about their parents a lot
keen to cook dinner for you
asks for money only when needed
keen to take responsibility
as if he/she is good at any sports he/tried
never give up
a 100m race, runs as fast as he/she can, even if he/she is the behind most.
not shy
not lazy
to do bad things, doesn't quite come across their minds
hate the smell of ciggarette
keen to save the environment, better environment lover than adults
love animals a lot
anything you cook them, it's marvellous, dad!
can even take an insect as a pet
value life, hate to see animals killed or brutalized
wanted to win the Nobel Prize
wanted to get you a better car and a bigger house when grow up
hates obscenities
a great actor/singer/dancer
Imagine like you are all the above, at this age?
Well, this is a pretty long list already. You may ignore the ones that you think should not be on the list or you can choose to observe the kids again to see if they are true. I just can't help thinking, who is a better person? Us or them?
That 'perfect person' is at your house, why look far? You just don't need to outgrow the kid inside you.
The Network On the Move
It has to be some form of an influence of a very powerful network to allow for such a massive movement of people's ideology. But, it would be an influence of an even more powerful network to make only a handful of people with tremendous authority fending off the power of the people. As both powers are in sheer collision, the country is at a very high risk. The game will get dirtier with unimaginable plots putting many lives in jeopardy. At the end of it, as one side claims victory, the country can expect the elimination period as the reigning power tightens their roots.
Networking is a very powerful tool in business and movements. I do not know how early in history man and their ideologies moved through it but the stone carvers in Europe had sort of expand it throughout the continent. It is amazing, how the network was developed so neatly that it embraced brotherhood. The codes of identity are out in the open, yet it brought a separate, special meaning to the carvers. History discussed plenty about the stone carvers including the ambiguous association of them with the Free Mason. Actually, I think the history of networking dated back to the days of the Crusade too. Anyways, the idea here is not to get into a deep discussion over the history of it, but rather to put it in a more current perspective.
Networking brought people together. People in the same network normally have plenty in common as well as they share some very specific identities. The rules are in place, well organised and structured. They code their communication and amazingly a member would recognise another member almost at an instant. It is almost to the point as one looks around, he/she can point out which person belongs to the same network, which is not. Plus, noticing the way people shake hands, will give a very interesting clue.
Today, our world is full of networks. Many of them are structured well enough to be called a brotherhood. When it reaches this stages, another member is not only your brother, but closer. Some are with eloborate initiations and taking oaths are very common among them.
Why do people join networks? People need friends, identity, security, and protection. People just have to belong to some group, be part of a group. People like to live in a structured mode. They hate to resemble as a loose fitting member of a group. Everybody wants to be significant. It makes them feel stronger that way. Some fancied ideologies and movements, while others are into gangsterism etc, we don't want to discuss that here.
So, by having network, a foundation is established. Imagine the power embedded in this sort of an organisation and the impact they can leave in every aspect of a society. They can be powerful enough even to determine the political future of a region or its economic policies. The simple reason is being its members are spread all over, all over..
Just thinking wild, getting all Malaysians into a network will be fun, won't it??
Networking is a very powerful tool in business and movements. I do not know how early in history man and their ideologies moved through it but the stone carvers in Europe had sort of expand it throughout the continent. It is amazing, how the network was developed so neatly that it embraced brotherhood. The codes of identity are out in the open, yet it brought a separate, special meaning to the carvers. History discussed plenty about the stone carvers including the ambiguous association of them with the Free Mason. Actually, I think the history of networking dated back to the days of the Crusade too. Anyways, the idea here is not to get into a deep discussion over the history of it, but rather to put it in a more current perspective.
Networking brought people together. People in the same network normally have plenty in common as well as they share some very specific identities. The rules are in place, well organised and structured. They code their communication and amazingly a member would recognise another member almost at an instant. It is almost to the point as one looks around, he/she can point out which person belongs to the same network, which is not. Plus, noticing the way people shake hands, will give a very interesting clue.
Today, our world is full of networks. Many of them are structured well enough to be called a brotherhood. When it reaches this stages, another member is not only your brother, but closer. Some are with eloborate initiations and taking oaths are very common among them.
Why do people join networks? People need friends, identity, security, and protection. People just have to belong to some group, be part of a group. People like to live in a structured mode. They hate to resemble as a loose fitting member of a group. Everybody wants to be significant. It makes them feel stronger that way. Some fancied ideologies and movements, while others are into gangsterism etc, we don't want to discuss that here.
So, by having network, a foundation is established. Imagine the power embedded in this sort of an organisation and the impact they can leave in every aspect of a society. They can be powerful enough even to determine the political future of a region or its economic policies. The simple reason is being its members are spread all over, all over..
Just thinking wild, getting all Malaysians into a network will be fun, won't it??
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
History Repeats Itself
You certainly are aware of it. History repeats. It's part of the cycle (of we don't know what). It means the very same incidents of the past, will happen again or can happen again, at least.
I never was a major in History, while my grades in the subject were not bad either back in the school days. So, you can tell, I liked History a lot.
Well looking at the history of our region, everybody knows we were once a British colony. There was also a brief Japanese occupation. The Portuguese were here. The Dutch were here. Long before that, Siam was here either. So, it seems, occupation of foreign powers had been major as far as our country is concerned.
From my shallow education in History, I trying my best to recall the factors that leads to foreign intervention in our country. One of the most prominent reason is when leaders of states starts fighting one another. It gives them the opportunity to intervene. History says one of the leaders actually asked for foreign help to fight against his opponent. This is one opportunity for them to come in. From history also it seems that these foreign powers are just waiting for the opportunity to step in.
Some of the reasons for them to be very keen in stepping in our country and rule are:
1) strategic geographic location where Mallaca Straits is the commerce path between West and East.
2) abundance of natural resources
3) Mallaca was once seen as the Islamic center of far east. The Portuguese intends to go out and put the Crusade out, once and for all, therefore they travel to try to destroy the Islamic influences scattered in the east.
4) Gold, Gospel and Glory - Protuguese
5) The Arabs are selling them spice at a much higher price, therefore the West have to go and get the spice by themselves.
From all the reasons that I managed to pull, we would have to go through another process to validate them to the present. I would leave this process for you to sort them out. It will be very interesting to analyse from historical perspective to apply it to the current. Afterall, it is will be very good if we have some ideas about national security risks. It will help us check on our gaps internally so that no external influence could easily seep through.
I never was a major in History, while my grades in the subject were not bad either back in the school days. So, you can tell, I liked History a lot.
Well looking at the history of our region, everybody knows we were once a British colony. There was also a brief Japanese occupation. The Portuguese were here. The Dutch were here. Long before that, Siam was here either. So, it seems, occupation of foreign powers had been major as far as our country is concerned.
From my shallow education in History, I trying my best to recall the factors that leads to foreign intervention in our country. One of the most prominent reason is when leaders of states starts fighting one another. It gives them the opportunity to intervene. History says one of the leaders actually asked for foreign help to fight against his opponent. This is one opportunity for them to come in. From history also it seems that these foreign powers are just waiting for the opportunity to step in.
Some of the reasons for them to be very keen in stepping in our country and rule are:
1) strategic geographic location where Mallaca Straits is the commerce path between West and East.
2) abundance of natural resources
3) Mallaca was once seen as the Islamic center of far east. The Portuguese intends to go out and put the Crusade out, once and for all, therefore they travel to try to destroy the Islamic influences scattered in the east.
4) Gold, Gospel and Glory - Protuguese
5) The Arabs are selling them spice at a much higher price, therefore the West have to go and get the spice by themselves.
From all the reasons that I managed to pull, we would have to go through another process to validate them to the present. I would leave this process for you to sort them out. It will be very interesting to analyse from historical perspective to apply it to the current. Afterall, it is will be very good if we have some ideas about national security risks. It will help us check on our gaps internally so that no external influence could easily seep through.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Dreams
Do you have a dream? Not that you dreamt last night, but do you have a dream? Everybody has a dream of being someone or attaining something which is normally big and wild. That notion itself is in fact, common to every human in this world, I mean to put it in stronger words. Are the dreams possible? Achievable, no matter how wild it could be? I am sorry, I should have reminded you earlier, I don't have an MLM or a direct selling scheme to offer you. That is not what I am talking about.
From the above, it is simple enough, dreams are common to everyone. Just imagine if you have every means or everything is made possible for you to achieve your dreams. Now, will that not be more than fantastic? Freedom to be what you wanted to, and even the sky is no limit. But of course, in real terms, as we spoke of freedom, there are risks and challenges to sort of control it. Well, fortunately, I think many scholars would agree with me, every society has its own norm, that would in a way allow such freedom to be in the right, suitable context.
I think, driven by dreams people would perform better. People will certainly work harder. With that, we can see productivity rises and output multiplies. Plus, we would allow for a better diversity in terms of people's activity. Dreams would bring people of different ethnic/religious background together too!
Dreams could easily be translated into goals and objectives. In other words, it could structured in a manner by which a person could realise it. Therefore, a person's life path would become more visible and managable. It also allows for evaluation and change of plans for the better.
What would be unfortunate is- if people are surpressed from being able to chase their dreams. There are also some situation where people who are lost hope, ceased dreaming. It is almost like the right to being a person is being ripped away by their surrounding. It is a very sad outcome of numerous reasons like economy, politics or even geography.
To test you on these, please ask yourself if you have either a primary or secondary activity associated with the thing or job that you liked the most? If yes, you are a dream chaser and you can make your dreams come true once you structure it well. If no, well sad to say your dreams remain as a concept, not quite materialise.
Anyway, keep on dreaming. It makes you happy. It will make you happier if you have a plan placed together, as an extension to your dream.
Happy dreaming!
From the above, it is simple enough, dreams are common to everyone. Just imagine if you have every means or everything is made possible for you to achieve your dreams. Now, will that not be more than fantastic? Freedom to be what you wanted to, and even the sky is no limit. But of course, in real terms, as we spoke of freedom, there are risks and challenges to sort of control it. Well, fortunately, I think many scholars would agree with me, every society has its own norm, that would in a way allow such freedom to be in the right, suitable context.
I think, driven by dreams people would perform better. People will certainly work harder. With that, we can see productivity rises and output multiplies. Plus, we would allow for a better diversity in terms of people's activity. Dreams would bring people of different ethnic/religious background together too!
Dreams could easily be translated into goals and objectives. In other words, it could structured in a manner by which a person could realise it. Therefore, a person's life path would become more visible and managable. It also allows for evaluation and change of plans for the better.
What would be unfortunate is- if people are surpressed from being able to chase their dreams. There are also some situation where people who are lost hope, ceased dreaming. It is almost like the right to being a person is being ripped away by their surrounding. It is a very sad outcome of numerous reasons like economy, politics or even geography.
To test you on these, please ask yourself if you have either a primary or secondary activity associated with the thing or job that you liked the most? If yes, you are a dream chaser and you can make your dreams come true once you structure it well. If no, well sad to say your dreams remain as a concept, not quite materialise.
Anyway, keep on dreaming. It makes you happy. It will make you happier if you have a plan placed together, as an extension to your dream.
Happy dreaming!
..'flies like a butterfly, stings like a bee'..
When I was young, I really adored Muhammad Ali. Yea, that's him..'flies like a butterfly, stings like a bee'. He poses a real fighter to me. He has got looks and 'mouth' too. If you ask me the reason for liking him, I guess it's the way he sets the strategy in a fight. Let your opponent beat you up first, that way, you will easily tire him. Then, at the right moment, as you calculated earlier with your coach, deliver him the ultimate punch. It will sting him to the ground, defeated.
Well, from the above the climax is easily seen. The suspense and thrills keep you jittery, as Muhammad Ali just looked like he could loose the fight.
It seems like we are watching a boxing match these days. We certainly know from the 2 fighters, who is the favourite and who is the underdog. Or do we really know? It could be the other way around..just teasing!
But either way, I think the one who poses like Muhammad Ali will definitely win this fight. He has the 'mouth' remember? Or is it the other way around since he is the one who is doing more punching which could tire him early. It is difficult to say isn't it?
Each fighter however, has been delivered with at least one good blow each. Yet, there was no clear indication of any one of them buckling their feet. It's like they took the blows well. Those good punches were not the climax the way it seems now.
That worries me though. What sort of an explosive climax can we expect out of this fight? The whole country came to a stand still watching the fight. As if, it's the whole business of ours since March of this year. And let me remind you, that the whole world is watching too.
One thing for sure, the climax would bring about plenty of risks. These risks are going to affect all of us one way or another. It would be good if we visit the gainers of this entire episode. Just who is the promoter of this fight? Would you think he would a local or an outsider?In the end, the promoter would surely want to have his part of the deal. My fear is, it is going to be avery expensive one.
Well, from the above the climax is easily seen. The suspense and thrills keep you jittery, as Muhammad Ali just looked like he could loose the fight.
It seems like we are watching a boxing match these days. We certainly know from the 2 fighters, who is the favourite and who is the underdog. Or do we really know? It could be the other way around..just teasing!
But either way, I think the one who poses like Muhammad Ali will definitely win this fight. He has the 'mouth' remember? Or is it the other way around since he is the one who is doing more punching which could tire him early. It is difficult to say isn't it?
Each fighter however, has been delivered with at least one good blow each. Yet, there was no clear indication of any one of them buckling their feet. It's like they took the blows well. Those good punches were not the climax the way it seems now.
That worries me though. What sort of an explosive climax can we expect out of this fight? The whole country came to a stand still watching the fight. As if, it's the whole business of ours since March of this year. And let me remind you, that the whole world is watching too.
One thing for sure, the climax would bring about plenty of risks. These risks are going to affect all of us one way or another. It would be good if we visit the gainers of this entire episode. Just who is the promoter of this fight? Would you think he would a local or an outsider?In the end, the promoter would surely want to have his part of the deal. My fear is, it is going to be avery expensive one.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Malaysia - The Absence of A Common Ground
I would at times get in some serious thought. Lacking of a friend to bounce around ideas with, I am glad I finally have a blog to write on so to express these thoughts. I must say my analysis you would find the shallowest of all. My explanation could be very elementary as well. So bear with me. Hopefully a lost wanderer would stumble into my blog and write some comments.
Right now what I am thinking about is- Our country, comprised of mutli-racial communities and religious beliefs, has actually not quite found the common ground to bind these different communities together. Malaysian community is made up of people of different culture and religious beliefs. Our people talk and even dress up differently, almost. What is lacking after 50 years of independence is a formula which almost capable of expressing and bringing together these different groups together. Bind them, strongly.
To my humble judgement, the 'muhibbah' spirit had almost solved it all. However, what is lacking is that, the spirit of 'muhibbah' seemed very superficial. It had failed to penetrate the very core of each individual. Yet, it is worth mentioning that the spirit of muhibbah has its own success. It is this spirit, no matter how shallow and superficial it may be, loosely binding the different ethnic groups in this country along the path of tolerance.
From many leaders, we find many outlooks. Some of them closely resemble the other, but some are very different. Some of the leaders came up with ideas on 'identity'. Malaysians must have one common identity. Bangsa Malaysia is an identity that could bind all of us together. It is somewhat 'physical' as some interpret it. Many people remained unclear.
I tend to like the idea of bringing people together on a non-physical realm. Like how religion brought many people together. We do not need to emphasize the 'faith' aspect of it, but stress more on values and virtues. Being a muslim, I couldn't help myself from agreeing that every religion on the face of the earth calls for good values and virtues. Afterall, every religion is offering as set way of life for its people.
I think, right now in our country, that is what people are asking for. Everyday in the news and blogs, we find issues discussed are all related to good values and virtues. People are crying out for justice, honesty and fairness.
Plus, to bring this about is not difficult at all. These values can easily be tied to or associated with the processes and procedure. Both when made transparent could be a big help to win points in openness. Many people will get very comfortable with it. We have our own set of law and legislation, all we need to do is make things transparent. The culture then is set, we go by the book.
In many instances, there are ways by which processes and outcomes can be quantified. The usage of key indicators using pure, unmanipulative data will help us steer our way in the right direction.
It requires a little bit of science knowledge to apply all these, yet I don't think it is going to be that difficult given the amount of brain and skills we have in our country.
So, these good values and virtues would finally be translated as doing the job right. The processes must be clean. It follows as what it is said in the books. Afterall, it is what all the religions are asking for, if we choose not to defy God. The first in the RUKUNEGARA.
Right now what I am thinking about is- Our country, comprised of mutli-racial communities and religious beliefs, has actually not quite found the common ground to bind these different communities together. Malaysian community is made up of people of different culture and religious beliefs. Our people talk and even dress up differently, almost. What is lacking after 50 years of independence is a formula which almost capable of expressing and bringing together these different groups together. Bind them, strongly.
To my humble judgement, the 'muhibbah' spirit had almost solved it all. However, what is lacking is that, the spirit of 'muhibbah' seemed very superficial. It had failed to penetrate the very core of each individual. Yet, it is worth mentioning that the spirit of muhibbah has its own success. It is this spirit, no matter how shallow and superficial it may be, loosely binding the different ethnic groups in this country along the path of tolerance.
From many leaders, we find many outlooks. Some of them closely resemble the other, but some are very different. Some of the leaders came up with ideas on 'identity'. Malaysians must have one common identity. Bangsa Malaysia is an identity that could bind all of us together. It is somewhat 'physical' as some interpret it. Many people remained unclear.
I tend to like the idea of bringing people together on a non-physical realm. Like how religion brought many people together. We do not need to emphasize the 'faith' aspect of it, but stress more on values and virtues. Being a muslim, I couldn't help myself from agreeing that every religion on the face of the earth calls for good values and virtues. Afterall, every religion is offering as set way of life for its people.
I think, right now in our country, that is what people are asking for. Everyday in the news and blogs, we find issues discussed are all related to good values and virtues. People are crying out for justice, honesty and fairness.
Plus, to bring this about is not difficult at all. These values can easily be tied to or associated with the processes and procedure. Both when made transparent could be a big help to win points in openness. Many people will get very comfortable with it. We have our own set of law and legislation, all we need to do is make things transparent. The culture then is set, we go by the book.
In many instances, there are ways by which processes and outcomes can be quantified. The usage of key indicators using pure, unmanipulative data will help us steer our way in the right direction.
It requires a little bit of science knowledge to apply all these, yet I don't think it is going to be that difficult given the amount of brain and skills we have in our country.
So, these good values and virtues would finally be translated as doing the job right. The processes must be clean. It follows as what it is said in the books. Afterall, it is what all the religions are asking for, if we choose not to defy God. The first in the RUKUNEGARA.
'Drizzle' - A sign for Friday
It's been almost 1/2 a year since I somehow stopped having night outs. Reason? I dunno. I guess I do not have too many friends that share a common interest anymore since I lost my job. I stayed home most of the time and took up cooking and washing as a hobby. I am a house-dad for now, yet I must insist, it's very enjoyable. I am getting good a noticing the virtual transaction of sens and ringgits around the house. The household budget becomes clearly visible to me as I perform these jobs and we can almost say we can now easily switch the tab here and there. Trust me, we are on a tight budget mode now, fearing the impacts of the rising food price.
Well, I got out tonight. I ran out of cooking oil and decided to ride my kapchai to the nearest shop. It drizzled along the way, but I went straight on anyway.
I was thinking, the way it drizzled today, is funny. Its not a downpour. Not a thunderstorm. An dof course its not also 'hujan panas', like the malays say it.
The drizzle made me feel funny. I tried to be a little superstituous. Let my thought ran wild through what I had observed.
I think the sign was good for us. The drizzle brings benefit to many. I remembered the occasions of heavy downfall throughout these recent years. Brought nothing good to any of us. Literally nothing good.
This time around its drizzle. Lets hope for a 'good' friday for all of us. I guess afterall, its us, the real asset, that they really had in mind. Its us up for grabs. Lets hope that they finally decided to win our hearts.
We can go out fighting. But I guess, in a civilised world, its better if we can send out a clear message. People would fear most, the silence, heavily forested part of the jungle after all. And that would be us, the people.
Its not we are afraid or simply ignorant. Its being wise. We believe the supremacy of God.
Sometimes I would just read and watch the current events like a game. Many times I would get carried away myself. However, as in most cases, just in time as I was about getting drifted away, my hope fell back to God seeking for His Mercy.
Let me tell you though, the restaurants here are empty. It could perhaps be because of the current break most soccer leagues are on. But most of them are empty. And that includes the joints where people go out for entertainment. The people may be up to something. I just hope everybody is renewing their submission to God.
We are the survivors. We survived and we will survive again. Lets hope for a 'good' friday.
Well, I got out tonight. I ran out of cooking oil and decided to ride my kapchai to the nearest shop. It drizzled along the way, but I went straight on anyway.
I was thinking, the way it drizzled today, is funny. Its not a downpour. Not a thunderstorm. An dof course its not also 'hujan panas', like the malays say it.
The drizzle made me feel funny. I tried to be a little superstituous. Let my thought ran wild through what I had observed.
I think the sign was good for us. The drizzle brings benefit to many. I remembered the occasions of heavy downfall throughout these recent years. Brought nothing good to any of us. Literally nothing good.
This time around its drizzle. Lets hope for a 'good' friday for all of us. I guess afterall, its us, the real asset, that they really had in mind. Its us up for grabs. Lets hope that they finally decided to win our hearts.
We can go out fighting. But I guess, in a civilised world, its better if we can send out a clear message. People would fear most, the silence, heavily forested part of the jungle after all. And that would be us, the people.
Its not we are afraid or simply ignorant. Its being wise. We believe the supremacy of God.
Sometimes I would just read and watch the current events like a game. Many times I would get carried away myself. However, as in most cases, just in time as I was about getting drifted away, my hope fell back to God seeking for His Mercy.
Let me tell you though, the restaurants here are empty. It could perhaps be because of the current break most soccer leagues are on. But most of them are empty. And that includes the joints where people go out for entertainment. The people may be up to something. I just hope everybody is renewing their submission to God.
We are the survivors. We survived and we will survive again. Lets hope for a 'good' friday.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Leadership 101
Imagine you have to teach your kid about 'Leadership'. Just what would you tell him? Here's some pointers, I don't have all of them. You can help add if you'd like.
You are the respresentative of the people, therefore do your utmost best to attend to their needs.
You are among them, one of them in fact, so dress like them, eat like them, stay in places like they do.
Listen to what they want, voice their concerns
Be humble
Do not easily show off your authority
Be honest as your work may involve handling people's money
Communicate well with them. Let them know the real issues and every reason for you to formulate any kind of policy or decision
You are not up there as a LEADER therefore do not ever live like a KING
Again, be a down-to earth person
Be fair to all regardless of race, sex and religion
Promote good values, as being practiced in all religions
Put the interest of people in front, always
Keep your family values
Your kids show good example to other kids
Practice democracy and respect the power of the many
The power lies in your hand is the power of the people entrusted to you by the people
Do not be arrogant
Do not be sarcastic
Talk like a person with education
Keep yourself pleasant and calm all the time
Keep touch with the grass roots always
Do not drive a car that the common people cannot afford, remember you are one of them
Live a life to show people that you are a person who really trust in God
Ensure the quality of work
Reward those who have done good deeds for the society
Allow opportunities for those who are capable to contribute and serve the country
Be sensitive and aware of current problems of the people
Be smart and use as many tools as you can to help make life easy for your people
Give them job opportunities
Give them good education
Keep very strong beliefs in God
Remember if somehow you felt strong, GOD is the ALMIGHTY
Do not ever lie to the people. As long as you are being truthful, you will be save
Remember, leaders will one day not become a leader. Let people make their own choices
Follow examples of good leaders around the world, study history
Read books a lot and learn as much
Well, that's about all. Feel free to add. I guess its good to help our kids prepare themselves. They are the future leaders, remember?
You are the respresentative of the people, therefore do your utmost best to attend to their needs.
You are among them, one of them in fact, so dress like them, eat like them, stay in places like they do.
Listen to what they want, voice their concerns
Be humble
Do not easily show off your authority
Be honest as your work may involve handling people's money
Communicate well with them. Let them know the real issues and every reason for you to formulate any kind of policy or decision
You are not up there as a LEADER therefore do not ever live like a KING
Again, be a down-to earth person
Be fair to all regardless of race, sex and religion
Promote good values, as being practiced in all religions
Put the interest of people in front, always
Keep your family values
Your kids show good example to other kids
Practice democracy and respect the power of the many
The power lies in your hand is the power of the people entrusted to you by the people
Do not be arrogant
Do not be sarcastic
Talk like a person with education
Keep yourself pleasant and calm all the time
Keep touch with the grass roots always
Do not drive a car that the common people cannot afford, remember you are one of them
Live a life to show people that you are a person who really trust in God
Ensure the quality of work
Reward those who have done good deeds for the society
Allow opportunities for those who are capable to contribute and serve the country
Be sensitive and aware of current problems of the people
Be smart and use as many tools as you can to help make life easy for your people
Give them job opportunities
Give them good education
Keep very strong beliefs in God
Remember if somehow you felt strong, GOD is the ALMIGHTY
Do not ever lie to the people. As long as you are being truthful, you will be save
Remember, leaders will one day not become a leader. Let people make their own choices
Follow examples of good leaders around the world, study history
Read books a lot and learn as much
Well, that's about all. Feel free to add. I guess its good to help our kids prepare themselves. They are the future leaders, remember?
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Devil, Man and The Teacher
The essence of which God asked the angel to bow down to the then newly created Adam was that there was one specialty granted to the new being. Adam has the capability to name things, which, at his best, Adam would be a better being than an angel.
Adam, according to Islamic beliefs was made of soil, while the angels were made of light. True, the angels had contested this, yet they bow down knowing the power of knowledge and wisdom; piety and obidience could elevate a being.
Again, at his near-best, Adam would be better than an angel.
Among the creation of God, Adam can name things. In other words, Adam have the capability of sustaining knowledge and learn things. Here we are with the key word, LEARN.
There could be some of us wondering why do we spent so much time in our lives learning. We started learning as early as the age of 5 to 24. Some of us continued learning to later age. Some stopped at 24. Some discontinue even earlier.
If we observe little children, they seemed to be very keen to have pencil colors and books to play with at a very early stage in their lives like between 2 to 3 years old. I don't know if this is pure imitation or simply wanting to do things like their sisters or brothers do. The reason can be anything but my point here is, what if there is a familiar urge within themselves craving to learn and wanting to know. I have never read anything pertaining to this little phenomenon in little children which I am almost sure there could already be some write-ups to explain all these. If you have ideas, please comment.
So, to learn we have to have teachers to teach us and topics or subjects to learn about. And here we went on years after years learning and understanding various physical and historical aspects of our environment, the world and our own society and others. We spent a lot energy and effort in doing so, and we scored marks, points and grades while doing do. We graduated from various levels with certificates and scrolls of diploma and so on to mark an attainment.
Yet, somehow, out of nowhere we have been introduced to the notion of 'being successful'. It is a sense of being appreciated, and what one achieved in comparison to the others. While the term 'successful' may appreciate a person's achievement from all his hardwork, it could be very poisonuous as well. It could make someone stop at the point where he/she is at, and celebrate. It could also bring a sense of 'smarter than' or 'better than' and somehow all these get into complexities in the mind giving out something that we would term as 'ego' (in normal laymen terms, not ego as in one's selfness).
So, if we gone back to the basic from where we started this discussion, we said that learning requires a teacher and the material to learn about. So, at some point, man stopped learning, either by his own will to cease the process or at a point of when he discovers him/herself being 'all smart'. As we compare, the latter is the most fearsome and destructive.
Man was made, and he is one creation that would ever crave for knowledge. It means that a man would learn as long as he lives. If we think really carefully, we know that we are learning day by day, as intense as we consume food and drinks day by day. Life will be so boring if we do not learn a thing. A lot of time also, there will always be some kind of 'devilish' activities associated with boring and nothing to do time. They come in various forms and shapes.
So, in learning, there is a difference between learning the right thing and learning the wrong thing. Our sense of satisfaction would normally be at its peaks as we learn the right thing, that is the truth. Often enough, to obtain this, we require a teacher. Without a teacher, we would find it very hard to get through the clouds of confusion and not understanding. Often, as a result of not being able to understand and grab the knowledge, people tend to give up.
Man will find it boring if he/she does not learn a thing. Some form of devilish activities will normally couple with the boring/emptiness time. So, can I say that if you do not have a teacher, the devil will become your teacher, in this context? Wow, I find it scarry myself and start recalling times where I get more than a little naughty!
Well, anyways, do you have a teacher? Are you a learner? I think that a successful person is normally a person who is continuously learning new things and he/she is addicted to knowledge and ever, ever so curious. By the way, a teacher is a person that you look up to. A teacher is not a consultant, an advisor or an expert-cum-assitant etc. That way, he/she could help you with your discipline a little bit no matter what your age is. Remember, there is always a little kid in everyone. He could turn red anytime! Yet, that little kid in us, is ever, ever so curious to know and to learn.
Well, kiss the hands of your teacher and happy learning, adults!
Adam, according to Islamic beliefs was made of soil, while the angels were made of light. True, the angels had contested this, yet they bow down knowing the power of knowledge and wisdom; piety and obidience could elevate a being.
Again, at his near-best, Adam would be better than an angel.
Among the creation of God, Adam can name things. In other words, Adam have the capability of sustaining knowledge and learn things. Here we are with the key word, LEARN.
There could be some of us wondering why do we spent so much time in our lives learning. We started learning as early as the age of 5 to 24. Some of us continued learning to later age. Some stopped at 24. Some discontinue even earlier.
If we observe little children, they seemed to be very keen to have pencil colors and books to play with at a very early stage in their lives like between 2 to 3 years old. I don't know if this is pure imitation or simply wanting to do things like their sisters or brothers do. The reason can be anything but my point here is, what if there is a familiar urge within themselves craving to learn and wanting to know. I have never read anything pertaining to this little phenomenon in little children which I am almost sure there could already be some write-ups to explain all these. If you have ideas, please comment.
So, to learn we have to have teachers to teach us and topics or subjects to learn about. And here we went on years after years learning and understanding various physical and historical aspects of our environment, the world and our own society and others. We spent a lot energy and effort in doing so, and we scored marks, points and grades while doing do. We graduated from various levels with certificates and scrolls of diploma and so on to mark an attainment.
Yet, somehow, out of nowhere we have been introduced to the notion of 'being successful'. It is a sense of being appreciated, and what one achieved in comparison to the others. While the term 'successful' may appreciate a person's achievement from all his hardwork, it could be very poisonuous as well. It could make someone stop at the point where he/she is at, and celebrate. It could also bring a sense of 'smarter than' or 'better than' and somehow all these get into complexities in the mind giving out something that we would term as 'ego' (in normal laymen terms, not ego as in one's selfness).
So, if we gone back to the basic from where we started this discussion, we said that learning requires a teacher and the material to learn about. So, at some point, man stopped learning, either by his own will to cease the process or at a point of when he discovers him/herself being 'all smart'. As we compare, the latter is the most fearsome and destructive.
Man was made, and he is one creation that would ever crave for knowledge. It means that a man would learn as long as he lives. If we think really carefully, we know that we are learning day by day, as intense as we consume food and drinks day by day. Life will be so boring if we do not learn a thing. A lot of time also, there will always be some kind of 'devilish' activities associated with boring and nothing to do time. They come in various forms and shapes.
So, in learning, there is a difference between learning the right thing and learning the wrong thing. Our sense of satisfaction would normally be at its peaks as we learn the right thing, that is the truth. Often enough, to obtain this, we require a teacher. Without a teacher, we would find it very hard to get through the clouds of confusion and not understanding. Often, as a result of not being able to understand and grab the knowledge, people tend to give up.
Man will find it boring if he/she does not learn a thing. Some form of devilish activities will normally couple with the boring/emptiness time. So, can I say that if you do not have a teacher, the devil will become your teacher, in this context? Wow, I find it scarry myself and start recalling times where I get more than a little naughty!
Well, anyways, do you have a teacher? Are you a learner? I think that a successful person is normally a person who is continuously learning new things and he/she is addicted to knowledge and ever, ever so curious. By the way, a teacher is a person that you look up to. A teacher is not a consultant, an advisor or an expert-cum-assitant etc. That way, he/she could help you with your discipline a little bit no matter what your age is. Remember, there is always a little kid in everyone. He could turn red anytime! Yet, that little kid in us, is ever, ever so curious to know and to learn.
Well, kiss the hands of your teacher and happy learning, adults!
Malaysian Kids, Malaysian Politics
How would I describe what I am feeling as I start my blog today? Well, if a "Gulp" doesn't describe it all nothing would..from a set of eyes, watching all that is happening around us today, encapping those that had taken place over the past 2 weeks or so. Gee, I dunno!!!
I have a question to ask? Where is the economy heading for? From all the news and blogs I surfed, I can hardly find a write up to show or describe the livelihood of us, the one lying low, with the current increase of price of petrol and foodstuff knowingly will soon follow suit. Us, I mean, are the ones who have no luxury of hanging out with friends in The Starbuck, or eat dinner at Pizza Hut.
We are the bottoms of all classes of all races in the country. We are the previously known as chinese, indians or malays, yet silently, in the underworld, we had long ago blended. We are the low-lying Malaysian. I am sure, we will make it. We have survived before and we would again, unless.....
But, what about our kids? Do they have questions they want to ask? What are they thinking about? How do they look at all the things that have been flying around quiet recently?
I am watching my kids, with their books, in a dimly lit living room, reading their books, doing the works the teachers asked them to do, not knowing what is lying ahead for them. Will they make it to colleges or U's. Will they find a job after that as their father does not own a business.
These are the kids, we taught them daily, to listen to their teacher attentively, to do the things their teachers asked them to do..follow the books. You will surely be successful kids, that's my promise. Go by the book...I told them.
Yet as I opened my windows and watch it right before my eyes, it's all not books and rules. It's not at all about truth or facts. Its all bends and turns of manipulation and wrong-doing.. Shall I go back and re-train my kids to become twisters and spinners, as these are the ones who'd seem fit and successful in our country.
One of my kids told me he had just got a new friend on the web. He is from Singapore and they sort of got into one another in a net-game. After introducing each other's self, his friend asked him where he is from. He answered the guy, with some sort of embarassment painted on his character in the game, and said Malaysia. And his friend asked why he is embarassed. He answered, I thought people all over the world are laughing at us. His friend asked him why? He answered, politics..And this is how a 13year saw our world, his country, while I could say the time he had on tv in almost nil, newspaper hardly, but on the net perhaps maximum of an hour, allowed by me after he is done with homework, tuition and study programmes.
Well, I don't know about your kids, sir, but check on them. It may surprise you and you would in turn..gulp!!! While I do not intend to give you a lecture on parenting, but the things that they saw around them at this age where they manage to sort of draw their own inferences, would leave a significant mark in them and it will dwell in them for a very long time. We'd only hope, the otherwise will turn up, they would become better persons than we are so that they could bring the country to better heights.
Much has been published and spoke about in the news and blogs. Is there anyone concerned with our kids and how are they dealing with the current hussle and tussle and all sorts of obscenity that either made the news or being delivered to their innocent sacred little pair of ears as we spoke? Will some expert in child psychology please share some light here? I am sure there are many parents who would not even know how to explain if suddenly a 5 year old asked them what politics is..
I mean enough will all the sacrifices we have to make with the recent fuel price hike. Well, the hell with the shades and air-conditioning luxury of car! I am taking my old lady a ride on my kapcai. Afterall we haven't had a chance to do so when we were first courting cause we were both from a freaking poor background. Some sweet talk and joke here and there will make the old lady forget about the heat, smoke and melting make-up!She'll stop complaining, afterall, we are helping save the environment. The ozone will less be erodoed this way, honey, for god's sake! And the global warming stuff too I would have to lecture while muscling my old limbs to handle the bike with her sitting behind.
But I would never sacrifice my kids and their perception over all these. They can be reasoned out as we take our cut cost measures. But what about all the hot stuff making the news. I think many parents are equally worried as I am. But the fact is that almost everyone in our country right now is thinking big and extending their foresights deepest in the horizon ever. As long as the kids go to school, remain healthy and do things they are supposed to do, we tend to think they are ok. I don't think they are.
It seems that our country has recently been attacked by some sort of a 'psychological virus'. Much things have been painted in the freakiest forms in our perception. Some writers even go out and fantasized and what we have is all sort of theories and conspiracies that many of us spoke of irregardless of in the presence of a kid or not. It's okay if the kid thought that we are talking nonsense, but in case he/she picked up what we spoke of, and continue with his/her own reasoning and wonders. I don't know what kind of a grown up person he/she would make.
Our kids are mostly unlike the kids from western countries. There are not very open and outspoken. Yes, they are more outspoken than we were at their age, but not outspoken enough. Most of us parents, like them that way with 'hush' has always been on our mouths. The fact is that there has already been a gap between us and the kids, we simply just have to admit to it.
Now when an existing gap being infested by this psychological virus, it will further severe our relationship with them. As we know our kids are perhaps more stressfull as we compare them to us when we were at their age. The school stuff, tuition, KOKO, etc., wore them off day by day. Did you make it a habit to check on them at every 12am? Look at their faces at that moment, you would know how tiring each day had been for them, so, let's try to quickly bring around a healthier environment for them. Our kids deserve it, they are the future leaders and we want them to grow right.
I am not a great writer. I only have a message to deliver. Everyone has kids. The poor and the rich. The lawyers and the business people. The kings and the ministers. For one moment, just bring all these to a stop, look at our kids straight in their eyes and think:
How is the current state of the country, be it politics or economy is affecting the kids?
How would they in turn paint a picture of each an everyone of us when they grow up?
Are they any prouder to be a Malaysian recently?
Will they become good adults as we teach them with our current practices?
Will they become better leaders?
Will they build the country higher or continue ripping it apart like we are doing?
Remember, we have always told them to go by the book. Just do as your teacher says, you'll do just fine, buddy!...The Book, The Teacher that is....
I have a question to ask? Where is the economy heading for? From all the news and blogs I surfed, I can hardly find a write up to show or describe the livelihood of us, the one lying low, with the current increase of price of petrol and foodstuff knowingly will soon follow suit. Us, I mean, are the ones who have no luxury of hanging out with friends in The Starbuck, or eat dinner at Pizza Hut.
We are the bottoms of all classes of all races in the country. We are the previously known as chinese, indians or malays, yet silently, in the underworld, we had long ago blended. We are the low-lying Malaysian. I am sure, we will make it. We have survived before and we would again, unless.....
But, what about our kids? Do they have questions they want to ask? What are they thinking about? How do they look at all the things that have been flying around quiet recently?
I am watching my kids, with their books, in a dimly lit living room, reading their books, doing the works the teachers asked them to do, not knowing what is lying ahead for them. Will they make it to colleges or U's. Will they find a job after that as their father does not own a business.
These are the kids, we taught them daily, to listen to their teacher attentively, to do the things their teachers asked them to do..follow the books. You will surely be successful kids, that's my promise. Go by the book...I told them.
Yet as I opened my windows and watch it right before my eyes, it's all not books and rules. It's not at all about truth or facts. Its all bends and turns of manipulation and wrong-doing.. Shall I go back and re-train my kids to become twisters and spinners, as these are the ones who'd seem fit and successful in our country.
One of my kids told me he had just got a new friend on the web. He is from Singapore and they sort of got into one another in a net-game. After introducing each other's self, his friend asked him where he is from. He answered the guy, with some sort of embarassment painted on his character in the game, and said Malaysia. And his friend asked why he is embarassed. He answered, I thought people all over the world are laughing at us. His friend asked him why? He answered, politics..And this is how a 13year saw our world, his country, while I could say the time he had on tv in almost nil, newspaper hardly, but on the net perhaps maximum of an hour, allowed by me after he is done with homework, tuition and study programmes.
Well, I don't know about your kids, sir, but check on them. It may surprise you and you would in turn..gulp!!! While I do not intend to give you a lecture on parenting, but the things that they saw around them at this age where they manage to sort of draw their own inferences, would leave a significant mark in them and it will dwell in them for a very long time. We'd only hope, the otherwise will turn up, they would become better persons than we are so that they could bring the country to better heights.
Much has been published and spoke about in the news and blogs. Is there anyone concerned with our kids and how are they dealing with the current hussle and tussle and all sorts of obscenity that either made the news or being delivered to their innocent sacred little pair of ears as we spoke? Will some expert in child psychology please share some light here? I am sure there are many parents who would not even know how to explain if suddenly a 5 year old asked them what politics is..
I mean enough will all the sacrifices we have to make with the recent fuel price hike. Well, the hell with the shades and air-conditioning luxury of car! I am taking my old lady a ride on my kapcai. Afterall we haven't had a chance to do so when we were first courting cause we were both from a freaking poor background. Some sweet talk and joke here and there will make the old lady forget about the heat, smoke and melting make-up!She'll stop complaining, afterall, we are helping save the environment. The ozone will less be erodoed this way, honey, for god's sake! And the global warming stuff too I would have to lecture while muscling my old limbs to handle the bike with her sitting behind.
But I would never sacrifice my kids and their perception over all these. They can be reasoned out as we take our cut cost measures. But what about all the hot stuff making the news. I think many parents are equally worried as I am. But the fact is that almost everyone in our country right now is thinking big and extending their foresights deepest in the horizon ever. As long as the kids go to school, remain healthy and do things they are supposed to do, we tend to think they are ok. I don't think they are.
It seems that our country has recently been attacked by some sort of a 'psychological virus'. Much things have been painted in the freakiest forms in our perception. Some writers even go out and fantasized and what we have is all sort of theories and conspiracies that many of us spoke of irregardless of in the presence of a kid or not. It's okay if the kid thought that we are talking nonsense, but in case he/she picked up what we spoke of, and continue with his/her own reasoning and wonders. I don't know what kind of a grown up person he/she would make.
Our kids are mostly unlike the kids from western countries. There are not very open and outspoken. Yes, they are more outspoken than we were at their age, but not outspoken enough. Most of us parents, like them that way with 'hush' has always been on our mouths. The fact is that there has already been a gap between us and the kids, we simply just have to admit to it.
Now when an existing gap being infested by this psychological virus, it will further severe our relationship with them. As we know our kids are perhaps more stressfull as we compare them to us when we were at their age. The school stuff, tuition, KOKO, etc., wore them off day by day. Did you make it a habit to check on them at every 12am? Look at their faces at that moment, you would know how tiring each day had been for them, so, let's try to quickly bring around a healthier environment for them. Our kids deserve it, they are the future leaders and we want them to grow right.
I am not a great writer. I only have a message to deliver. Everyone has kids. The poor and the rich. The lawyers and the business people. The kings and the ministers. For one moment, just bring all these to a stop, look at our kids straight in their eyes and think:
How is the current state of the country, be it politics or economy is affecting the kids?
How would they in turn paint a picture of each an everyone of us when they grow up?
Are they any prouder to be a Malaysian recently?
Will they become good adults as we teach them with our current practices?
Will they become better leaders?
Will they build the country higher or continue ripping it apart like we are doing?
Remember, we have always told them to go by the book. Just do as your teacher says, you'll do just fine, buddy!...The Book, The Teacher that is....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)