Mystical Thoughts

My 22nd Party

2008-06-10T20:15:00.016+08:00

Ok ok... This is NOT party no 22 for me but rather this is my 22nd birthday. So, what can I say?? I am getting old?? No way!! I am still enjoying myself. I still jump around.... I am still who I am, as hyperactive as usual! Hahah!

I had my little party at FINNEGAN'S Irish Pubs and Restaurants in Sultan Ismail.

Food Menu of the night.... Not too heavy and not too light and the combination was just perfect!!

There was 3 items..

1. Tomato brushetta
2. Rice paper Glass noodles and chicken spring rolls
3. Cheese and Bacon bites

with a main of Sushi!! Hehehe!!

Here are some of the people who came for my party... Hahah... I got so wasted but there were a couple of guys who cheered me up when I was sooo dizzy.. I never really got your name but thanks!!! It made my day....

~ Eli, Tesh and Cibol ~

~ With Tesh and Eli ~

~ Whoops.... Candid shot!! ~

~ My beloved housemate, Paulina ~

~ Candid: Tesh and the sushi being eaten by him ~

~ With Cibol ~

~ Su En with her entourage of body guards... Hehe!! ~

~ Bane of SpringFairy: Flaming Lambourghini!!!! ~

My God!!! It was hot but the minty taste was perfect... Even though I really turned green after that! Hahah!!! Oh ya.... I got slightly burned by the flaming alcohol... Lolz... Nope... no marks...

~ My birthday cake in courtesy of FINN'S ~

My presents from my dear friends!!!

Make a guess which of the presents above are my favorite!!! No.... I am not promoting favoritism but just as a mini trivia. Hehehe... Oh ya... something to add on.. The person who gave me the red elephant, I am a bit upset with you because your work partner and yourself didn't get to come for my party... Next time I hope to see you guys, ok??

Thank you heaps and heaps over to all of you who attended my birthday party at FINNEGAN'S Irish Pubs and Restaurants!!! It was a blast although I got wasted at the end of it. Haha!!

Cheers mate!!!

Turning 22

2008-06-08T23:18:00.003+08:00

So, it is official.... I am turning 22 today!!!

Happy Birthday to me!!!!! Whee....

Been a long time since I blogged anything here!!! Man.... I do sincerely apologize.... I will try to blog more now that I am going to have a little more time to my hands soon

Achievement for the first half of year 2008

1. Been working for the past 6 months with FINNEGAN'S Irish Pubs & Restaurants
2. The launching of The George and Dragon, an English themed pub in February
3. Planning Cibol's birthday party in Jalan Sultan Ismail outlet
4. St Patrick's Day celebration in the outlet in Jalan Sultan Ismail.
5. Making a huge painting for the Going Hawaii party in May
6. Planning the Going Hawaii party in May
7. Got my application form for the university I want to attend

Things that happened to me recently

1. I gained weight, no I am not going to reveal how much!!!
2. I went to Cameron Highlands early in May for a short vacation with my friends
3. Lost my handphone twice... Anyone who wants my number and also want to be included in
my list of friends, please drop me a message.
4. Starting my new job soon... Do check for updates!!!
5. I moved out of Cyberjaya to PJ now
6. I can no longer speak much Bahasa Kedah. I speak mostly Bahasa Sabah now

Pictures will come out soon... This is what I can put up for now... I need to sleep... Gotta work in the morning... Hahah!!! Yeap... Am still working on my birthday... Hehehe!!!! Cheers, people!!!

40,000 thumbs up for BERSIH

2007-11-12T10:57:00.000+08:00

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
know of no reason
Why Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

Guy Fawke's Day rhyme

Remember, remember the Tenth of November,
The Peoples' March and the colour Yellow,
know of no reason
Why the Peoples' March Should ever be forgot.
Clean Voting, Clean Judiciary, t'was our intent
To clean Elections and Parli'ment.
Four thousand-scores of head held high
To prove old Malaysia's overthrow;
By God's providence the memorandum was sent
With an order and brave People.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

Malaysia's 10th of Nov rhyme

I think most of you are familiar with the movie, V for Vendetta, where he keeps saying this, "Remember, remember the 5th of November" Well.. the movie itself was based on a true historical incident. I wonder if anyone here in Malaysia will do something like that or better still commemorate the day when the People stood for what they believe. My visitors who believe otherwise, you are free to your own opinion but I beg you to reflect on what is going on right now not only in our lives as citizens of this "paradise" called Malaysia.

10th November, the day Malaysian stood side by side regardless of race and religion, uniting against a cause many hold close to their heart. Continue to do so regardless of the time. We need that. In fact, by being united and not segregated that we got our Independence and our "freedom"

I think a number of people will call me an online activist; talk only but no action. However, does action need to be seen in actual statistics in the current world?? The existence of so many a statistics, did it do the world any difference?? I'd say, statistics are just numbers!! What role does it play to bring peace to the nation?? I'd prefer educated people!!! I am not meaning the university educated folks but rather those who have attended the school of hard knocks. The school that educated us about the life. I think most of us have walked here with different results.
So, what result did you surface from?? Can you answer me??

Freedom Film Festival 2007 (Penang leg)

2007-09-24T00:38:00.000+08:00

Freedom Film Festival 2007’s Penang leg kicked off on Friday, 22nd of September at 7.30 pm at the Actor Studio Greenhall . The opening speech was by a “YB”. You’ll be asking me why I am using inverted commas for the YB next… Well, the reason for it is because the “YB” is NOT a real YB. For my readers who are not familiar with the Malaysian terms, YB means Yang Berhormat a.k.a the representative of the people in the Parliament. In other words, the opening is a parody of who are the people who sponsored Freedom Film Fest. The winners were next introduced. Ong Boon Keong, Fahmi Reza and Indrani.

The first video that was showed that night was “I love Malaya” This video was made by Asia Witness Production. It’s about the struggle of the former Communist leaders of Malaysia who fought for our Independence along side the other leaders. The other leaders used words and sucked up to the British leaders but not these people. They stood firm to their policies.

They are currently living in Thailand, stateless as they ran away from Malaysia but running away from the land they fight for is not because they do not love the country, rather they have no choice but to save their lives that are threaten by the Government that was bent to break them up. The video looks back into the time after the Malaysian Government decided to accept the ex members of the Communist. They said that they are welcome to return back to Malaysia. The media reported that and after that there was no more news about all of these until Chin Peng wanted to returned to visit his parent’s grave. He also expressed his wish to live out the remainder of his days in his hometown of Sitiawan.

Next, we had a documentary by Aljazeera titled, River Kwai. It’s about the infamous Siam- Burma railway was an ugly chapter of world war. This story revolves the untold story of how the majority of sweat and blood spilled on the railway belong to Asian workers, forced to work as slaves by the Imperial Japanese Army. For the first time, some of the survivors of that
horror have brought their case to court demanding compensation and an apology. 101 follows the battle for compensation by the forgotten survivors of the Siam-Burma Death Railway.

Not forgetting also a parody the height of election season and 4 candidates, including the incumbent have a chance to address the nation on television, set in a fictional country called Faltasia. It’s called “Idiot Nation” by Tan Meng Yoe.

The finale of the night is “Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka” by Fahmi Reza, one of the winners for the Freedom Film Festival 2007. Unknown to many, October 20th, 1947 was an important and historical day in the people’s constitutional struggle for independence from British colonialism. This documentary chronicles the events that culminated in the Malaya-wide
‘Hartal’ day of protest (a form of non-violent protest) against the undemocratic Federation of Malaya Constitutional Proposals devised by the British Colonial Government and the UMNO. This was the rise of the people’s democratic movement in Malaya, ten years before Merdeka.

There was a short sharing and discussion after the movie screening...

Wanna see the pictures for the event??? Just scroll down~ (coming soon!)

THIS IS MOST UNHEARD OF !!

2007-09-20T14:48:00.000+08:00

Well now... What is all this nonsense that University personnel has the power to confiscate personal belongings??? Don't laptops, MP4 player, pen drive, mobile phone and personal documents come under the category of private belongings????? If you ask me, I think it is wrong for them to withhold the belongings of Yee Yang Yang. By confiscating his belongings, it's a breech of personal space and freedom. If we can say the house we stay in and all comes under private property, don't laptops, MP4 player, pendrive, mobile phone and personal documents come under the category of private belongings come under that same category???? Speaking of which, who owns the laptop in the first place??? UPM or the STUDENT???

MalaysiaKini today reported by Syed Jaymal Zahiid on Sep 20, 07 at 12:26pm.

An Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) student activist whose laptop and other belongings were confiscated by university authorities has described the charges against him as being baseless.

In a memorandum to the Bar Council human rights committee yesterday, student Yee Yang Yang outlined several contradictions in the accusations made by UPM vice-chancellor Nik Mustapha R Abdullah.

Accompanying Yee was UPM Progressive Students’ Movement (GMM) external coordinator Lee Song Yong.

Lee said the accusation that pornographic material were found in Yee’s laptop was "baseless" since the laptop, which was confiscated by UPM security personnel, cannot be accessed without his password.

“On Sept 17, when Yee met UPM’s security director, the latter had demanded the password from Yee.

“Without the password, one cannot access the laptop and if you can't access it, how do you know there is pornographic material in there?” he asked.

Two days before the meeting with the security director, Lee alleged that a security officer had warned Yee to stop making a fuss or he will be penalised for being in possession of pornographic material.

On Tuesday, Nik Mustapha said UPM’s security personnel had also found leaflets produced by an unregistered organisation in Yee’s room.

He said the university authorities had acted according to procedure and dismissed Yee’s claim that he was being targeted because of his ‘political leaning’.

Disturbing manner

Meanwhile, Lee also disagreed with the VC’s statement that Yee had consented to having his belonging taken for investigation.

According to him, Yee had asked for his belongings to be returned immediately but this was denied.

Lee also disputed the allegation that security personnel had conducted a room-to-room search because of a complaint regarding a spate of laptop thefts.

He claimed that Yee was only grilled on the leaflets and not once was the theft of laptops mentioned.

As for being accused of ‘lying’ about his university ID matrix card, Lee said the student activist did lose the card.

Upon receiving the memorandum, Bar Council human rights committee chairperson Edmund Bon said the university had acted in a ‘disturbing manner’.

Bon said the excuse to confiscate Yee’s laptop “seemed like a pretext to something deeper.”

“We have reasons to believe that this case is collateral as it is obvious that the case is not of laptop theft but of other reasons,” he explained.

The committee’s deputy chairperson Amer Hamzah Arshad criticized the VC for making a premature and biased statement.

“As a VC, you must take a neutral stand and not take sides. This is in our view an underhand tactic to curtail freedom of expression which is becoming a dangerous trend in all public varsities” he said.

He then assured that the committee will study the memorandum and take the appropriate action.

Present at the press conference were other student groups such as the Malaysian Federation of Islamic Students (Gamis) and Student and Youth Democratic Action Group (Dema).

Caught on tape

Yee's effort on Saturday to retrieved his items from the university was recorded in a nine-minute video by one of his friends.

It included a tense stand-off between the students and Zamali Samsi, the head of the university's Special Task Unit, a student-monitoring outfit which is part of the campus security.

The students stood in front and the back of the vehicle carrying Zamali to stop him from leaving until they got their letter of acknowledgment [see video].

Yee had previously claimed that the university authorities had acted against him because of his involvement in the ‘opposition’ camp.

Rival students groups - known as anti-establishment and pro-government factions - are already in the midst of campaign preparations for the soon-to-be held campus polls.

Last year, the anti-establishment group - who are generally regarded to be pro-opposition - had boycotted the election.

For those of you who have have a MalaysiaKini account, do check it out.

Students,

Are you going to sit quiet knowing that your personal belonging does not really belong to you??? Or does it?? Especially after this. Let me ask you this. Who bought the laptop for you and who paid for it?? Did your university purchased and provided it for you or it was bought with your parent's hard-earned money??? So, if they wanna confiscate your personal belongings, NEVER EVER let it go. It's yours to begin with, not theirs; so that does not give them the right to confiscate it at all.

As for the allegations about porn in the laptop, I want to ask the guys, ok... Which guy does not have porn in their laptop or pc??? Okay.... It's generalizing but my point is, which guy does not watch porn??? If you ask me, porn's been around all through the ages but why are we the ones making a fuss about it?? In ancient times, porn was viewed as a form of Art!!! If you see paintings by great masters, aren't they painting naked people and also all sorts of sexual positions?? If they didn't how in the world did we progress to what we are now?? Can you answer me on that??? How on earth did the various names for positions is known to mankind??? Frown all you want on this post but it's the truth or would you like to go against history???

Speaking of which, how long do they want to impose AUKU on the students??? When will they ever wake up??? The advertisements on the media are going on and on about the young being the future leaders of the country but are we treated that way??? Anyone wanna answer that???

Check the video of the incident, people....

50:44 years of Merdeka

2007-09-01T01:00:00.000+08:00

Do you know me well??

2007-08-24T10:22:00.000+08:00

Here are the rules:

1. Each blogger must post these rules up first.
2. Each blogger starts with eight things about them that they think people don’t really know
3. Bloggers that are tagged need to respond to the tag through their own blog. At the end of your post, you need to choose eight people to be tagged.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged, and read your blog.

8 Things That I Think You Don’t Really Know About Me

I went for National Service and I miss it!!

Yeap.. I went for National Service and I was one of the pioneer batch. The first of the first. Yeah, most of the stuff we got was new and all but not all the infrastructure was ready yet. The obstacle course was not ready yet when my batch went there. I met so many new friends and also not to mention great people during the program. The trainers were friendly and great people. I remember that time, one of the trainer saw my name tag, which was given to us for the Kenegaraan or Patriotism session of the National Service. He commented on the brightness that was in the tag and requested that I decorated it for him. I still have those pictures and I still recall him. We all called him, Cikgu Aziz. We learnt a lot during that time and also had a lot of fun. 2 weeks before we were supposed to return home, the Army came and took over the camp. Things got stricter but we didn't mind at all. Their strictness is, "Don't ask any questions. Ask and you suffer the consequences of being yelled at." This was what has happened in my camp, Kem Damai Park and UiTM Merbok in Kedah.

It's a nice place, the Damai Park Resort Kem. You can go there for holidays too especially you wanna experience a village like environment. For more details, you can contact them at 604-4573340 or 019-4474598. The fax number of this resort is, 604-4573341. Alternatively you can email them at DPRYQT@tm.net.my.

I love researching on things like places and people

I am a bookish person who loves to read a lot. A lot can be covered by me in matter of hours. The weird thing is.... my study life sucks!!! I can remember a lot of things from research and history books but never my other subjects that required studying... Why I wonder.... Currently I'm out of books to read and not only that, Dad made me promise not to buy books for the time being because there is no place for me to store them now AND he said it's not worth it to buy books for me because I read the too fast; finishing a thick book in matter of hours. I don't look like someone who loves to read but I am. Hahaha... Looks can be deceiving, okay??

I hate to be emotional, and annoyed

Tell me anyone who likes that??? I dislike these the most. Why?? When I get emotional and annoyed, I am scary. Let's just say, my voice gets deeper and I tend to look fierce. My friends have learnt not to rub me on the wrong side or woe betide.

I'm a HUGE Chihuahua Lover

Like who wouldn't??? They are such cute little things... No, it's not Paris Hilton influence but I had a Chihuahua before when I was younger. The lil fellas' name was Skippy. Sadly in my Secondary school time, he died. I remember the times I spent with him and also celebrating his birthday every year. Wanna know when he was born?? He was born on the 31 of August and we would always buy a small piece of cake for him. Yeap.. Skippy was a very pampered lil Chihuahua but he was a loyal and protective of the family. Mom and Dad loved him to bits. How to know?? Mom usually will NOT give any of our dogs, yeah we had a few, chocolate but mom would share hers with him. I miss him and also the time we spent together.

I'm a hopeless romantic

I don't look like it but I'd love if someone would do something sweet for me. Sometimes, I do wish someone would bring me flowers and such but who am I kidding now?? I am single and I do not intend to be in a relationship for a long time. I do like someone at the moment but it's not wise for me to take any action now. I'm pining for someone who I do not know if the feeling's mutual but I'm keeping busy and am doing things that I like. Yeah, I know I am on a losing end but one can always have HOPE. It's good enough if the person will remember me and not forget me as time flies by.

I want to travel the world before I leave it

I wanna see the world. The beauty of God's people and creation. It's such a big and wonderful place. There is a lot of places I wanna go and also, I wanna try all the diverse food we have in this world. The colors of the world and even though I am not allowed to enter Israel, I hope I WILL step in there to visit the place where My Lord was born.

I hate seafood

I hate it, I hate it... Okay okay... It's not all the seafood in the world but more on mussels and shellfish or basically anything that has an outer shell. I find the taste disgusting and tummy churning. No offense to you seafood lovers but this is me. I cannot stomach all those and please, you are not allowed to make me eat them. I seriously hate it to the max!!

I'm a Gemini

Gemini is the third sign of the Zodiac and associated with youth and versatility. Individuals born under this sign are thought to have a sociable, fun-loving, versatile, lively, communicative, liberal, mentally active and friendly character. The Gemini person is logical, inquisitive, clever,
whimsical, nimble, quick-witted, articulate, lively, active, curious, capable of multi-tasking, talkative, sociable and mercurial. A less developed Gemini is prone to moodiness, inconsistency, superficiality, restlessness and gossip.
Among medieval astrologers, Gemini was thought of as a fortunate sign, and its subjects were considered to possess the qualities of intense devotion, genius, largeness of mind, goodness, and liberality.
In love the Gemini person tends to be serious, demanding and giving. When the less developed Gemini attempts a relationship they are light-hearted, oblivious, fickle, coolly affectionate, flirtatious, and may occasionally have 'a second string to their bow'. They need to be mentally stimulated in a relationship as well as emotionally and sexually.
Suitable occupations are where intellect is used to the full and where constant variety and/or travel are guaranteed; such as lawyer, commercial traveler, writer, journalist, clerk, teacher, printing and publishing.
Physically, individuals born under the sign of Gemini supposedly tend to have a straight and narrow nose, long limbs, a well-proportioned chin, large ears, high cheekbones, a wide mouth, a roundish head, coarsely-textured hair, large hands, and long fingers. They are thought to usually be curvy and wider in build and of average height.

I hope all these information about Gemini to keep you happy because most of it is me. I was astonished myself but this is only for our knowledge.

The people who I wanna tag is Hor ny Ang Moh, Lance, Calvin, Clair, Heidi, mC, Jimmy and Monty

Enjoy~

The Big L tag~

2007-08-21T01:21:00.000+08:00

What does the BIG L feel like?

Last week, a good friend of mine told me that couples are starting relationships at young tender ages as low as 13! This shocked the hell out of me. Being 23, I couldn’t help but wonder what I have been missing for the past 10 years. Then again, thanks to the media, the Big L is indeed over rated, so why the hooo haaaa? But just out of curiosity, anyone care to share with me? I guess I am its biggest skeptic.

Till this moment (true at press time), when I want to feel the BIG L, I pop a chocolate bar into my mouth. My whole body then trembles (?)…. My vision starts to blur, my mouth starts to salivate, my heart starts to pump and I fly with chocolate wings until all the cocoa melts in my mouth .Then, I suddenly get a burst of energy, my muscles start to spasm violently, my head goes into hyper mode and I start pumping iron (?)..No really!

And so, my quest continued until I discovered something far greater. In my quest for the Big L, I accidentally discovered God!

My hypothesis:
If Love = Chocolate and God = love, by logic, I have proved that God = chocolate. Chocolate= God is false since there is only one God. But whether He is Cadburys, or Kandos, only He knows. The commonly used statement, “I worship Chocolate (?)” can now is justified. No wonder eating Chocolate can be a heavenly experience or an orgasmic one too!

Dark Guy

(Secret code name of writer to avoid identification due to fear of being killed for blasphemy. He is not ready for martyrdom)

...The passion of Chocolate...

This was written by a friend of mine 3 years ago about Love or the Big L as he calls it. If he can consider chocolate to be the source of his Big L, what about yours??? Maybe it's something different....

For me, my Big L's the Honey Dew melons. I just love the sweetness and juiciness of the Honey Dew running down my throat and the sweet wonderful taste it leaves.... It refreshes me and certainly makes my day a much more happier one. Only Honey Dew melons can do that to me... If given a choice, I don't mind sitting down all day eating it and making a pig of myself with Honey Dew melons!!!!!!! What about you??? What is your Big L???

... Yummy!!!...

Hmmm.... Maybe I shall make it a tag... Yes, I shall tag Cibol, Bongkersz, Drumsticks, Mar, Lance and Bernard!!!! You shall write about what gives you the feeling of the Big L as described by my friend. After that, you have to tag another 6 more people to do it. Hehehehe.....

Enjoy~

Really??? Answers please......

2007-08-20T22:57:00.000+08:00

You Are An ENFP

The Inspirer

You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.

You are also unconventional, irreverent, and unimpressed by authority and rules.

Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.

You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're quite the storyteller!

In love, you are quite the charmer. And you are definitely willing to risk your heart.

You often don't follow through with your flirting or professed feelings. And you do break a lot of hearts.

At work, you are driven but not a workaholic. You just always seem to enjoy what you do.

You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.

How you see yourself: compassionate, unselfish, and understanding

When other people don't get you, they see you as: gushy, emotional, and unfocused

What's Your Personality Type?

IC 2007 write up

2007-08-18T03:51:00.002+08:00

This post was originally written by Elizabeth and Jeremy. This is merely a reproduction and slightly edited edition.

Empowering Student Action for Dialogue and Peace

was the theme for the recent International Committee 2007 (IC 2007) which was held from June 24 to July 7 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center (APC) in Kuala Lumpur, organized by the International Movement of Catholic Students Asia-Pacific. It was headed by two Asia Pacific IMCS Coordinators, which is Bipul (Bangladesh) and Adrian Pereira (Malaysia), who are currently based in Philippines with the help of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) who are individuals who tirelessly lend a hand to make the International Committee 2007 a successful one.

Bipul (Bangladesh) and Adrian (Malaysia)
IMCS Coordinators for Asia Pacific

Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the International Committee 2007

It was a two week long event of multicultural exchange that proved to be an eye opener and enriching experience for students from every continent in the world and also not forgetting the local students who were involved in the planning. Throughout the event, there were ice-breakers followed by study sessions that injected a great dose of information about the realities of human life in out respective countries and continents. The objective and spirit of the event was to empower students to be peace builders, and the action necessary was dialogue with neighbors, friends, family, other religions and the government. They also discussed the role of media as a tool for peace building and linked faith with peace building.

On the first day, Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap, the Director of ASAYO.

Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap (In green vestment)

In his sermon, Fr Michael shared a story of a priest who saw a girl, sitting at the airport and crying. When asked, she said she had been there at the airport for three days already and she couldn’t find her air ticket. The priest, who was listening to her, was filled with sympathy and told her he’ll try to get her a ticket home. The girl stood up and followed him, when suddenly he heard the girl shouting with happiness!!!! Why??? She has found her ticket!!! Guess where it was? She was sitting on it. Fr Michael stressed that we have to get up and start moving if we want to make a difference in this current world.

From left to right; Jules(Togo), Kevin(USA), Hermai(Peru) Adeline(Malaysia), Cynthia(CAN-Malaysia) and John(India)

After Mass, John(India), Jules(Togo), Kevin Ahern, outgoing chairman of IMCS (USA), Adeline (Malaysia), Cynthia (CAN-Malaysia) and Hermai (Peru) shared on the issues and struggles faced by the Catholic students in their own countries, ranging from women issues and AIDS to privatization of high education, problems in their universities and poverty. Bro. Varghese SJ was the moderator. It was clear that all over the world, students are in need of peace. Blaise(Senegal) shared on the issue of migration in his country. When asked about what he has to say about the issues, Blaise said that “there is no point in running away, we should stay back and be pillars of strength for the youth; to be messengers of peace.”

The following day, participants were brought to for exposure trips to places such as Jinjang, Bidor, Sg Siput, PEARCH, JERIT and Welcome Community Home. These places include the indigenous peoples’ settlements, HIV positive patients’ homes, the urban poor housing estate and the rural areas where foreign refugees seek shelter. It was indeed an earth shattering experience to witness their shabby living conditions while leading a life of poverty and stung by perpetual social stigma.

After the exposure trips, they did a social analysis to deepen their understanding about the injustice and conflicts in those areas. There were also brainstorming sessions for concrete solutions to these issues. They then presented what they learned from the trips and the methods of peace building. Do you Malaysians want to see what the local and foreign participants have come out with after the sharing; and also the questions that were posed on the participants who were on location???? Ok… We shall go area by area. Sharing courtesy of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS)

Indigenous village, Kampung Chang Lama and Kampung Chang Baru, Bidor

- population of 2000 people

- No documents concerning property rights

- Different developers began construction without asking the villagers

- there was sound pollution; dust that led to asthma

- An NGO, SPNS, started efforts to map the lands that the indigenous people own based on
GPS, so they can have some documentation

- Uses the jungle and river as resources for food

- Declined to move from their home even though a sum of money was offered

- If someone dies, they’re buried close to village

- Some parents have no interest in education

- A new kindergarten was started

- Marriages are not fixed; men have to have secure jobs before marriage

- Youngsters are ashamed of their culture; low self-esteem because of outsiders’ comments

- Religions are diversified; some are Christians, some are Ba’hai.

- Non-indigenous marriage partners have to come and live in the village

- Great respect for the jungle because it supplies their needs; animals are considered family

- Very superstitious about the jungle with a lot of taboos

- Mostly Chinese

- Prices in the region are high but they are underpaid

- 3 issues that disturbed us:

§ Parents are not aware of the importance of the education of their children.

§ The fear and intensity of outsiders (including government) invading their land and/or not respecting their rights

§ The department for the indigenous people is not fulfilling it’s duties

Q & A

- The indigenous people do not eat the animals from the jungle. Why?

- When they raise the animals, they form a special bond with them and treat them like family. They sell the animals instead of eating them.

- U said that peasants are not interested in education. Education is not confined to our own kind. We do not recognize their own system of learning about their own environment? I feel they are treating education according their culture; there is an education that transmits to their children in a very delicate way. And, what kind of culture is that?

- I think education is related to books and knowledge about the world as well as the knowledge of the forest. But I think they don’t know about the outside world. For example, they had to build their own water system when the water supply failed. They need is to learn more about the outside world to help themselves, to raise their self-esteem.

- As a way of life, they just have what they produce. Do they buy daily products from the outside world?

- Yes they do. They get this kind of communication with others in the market place.

Welcome Community Home

- A sketch was acted out to portray the situation and issues in the home

- A center for people who are thrown out from their families and society

- Our perceptions of the people have changed. AIDS is not about death. It’s about life

- Though they’re affected with AIDS, they are happy and are sharing the pain with compassion

- As a catholic group we can help out in societies like this

- The government is happy with Pearch’s work and is willing to help them

- AIDS is not the issue. The issue or basic problem is the family. It’s is more important to concentrate on a healthy family life as opposed to just combating HIV/AIDS

- three things that disturbed

o People’s perception regarding HIV/AIDS as “punishment from God” because of sins (for instance drug abuse, visits with prostitutes, homosexuality). The ones infected are 90% drug addicts

o The emotional trauma that people with HIV/AIDS suffer due to abandonment from their families is the most painful aspect of the disease that they endure. They are deprived of the basic needs of love and compassion.

o Nurses are negligent, particularly in public hospitals, of these patients. The attitude of these nurses is one of disregard, because they see those who suffer from HIV/AIDS as deserving of the disease. They are not well trained to care for those who suffer from this disease.

o They are not only victims of HIV/AIDS, but of drug abuse, as well.

§ Key problem with relation to issue.

· Those who suffer from HIV/AIDS due to drug abuse were found to seek drugs due to an unhappy childhood. Misconceptions of people regarding HIV/AIDS are due to ignorance and stereotypes.

- Three powerful learning from your experience.

· HIV/AIDS is not about death, it is about life. This message leads them to live with hope and seek joy. WCH nurtures this desire.

· The Center is open to people of all races and religions. It is a completely

peaceful coexistence with no discrimination. It’s a recognized national office of human development.

· Welcome Community Home through its openness has inspired Muslims to open up centers that accept all.

Q & A

- What is so special about this home? Do they have any special treatment for the patients?

- It’s just a name for people from all walks of life, race and religion. In public hospitals, these patients are not treated well. In this home, they respond to the stigma of Aids with love. Most of the patients were living in the streets. Welcome Community Home made an initiative to help them.

Pearch- Burmese Refugee Centre

- Myanmar consists of various states with ethno-centrism. The military government wants to abolish this system through military oppression. The people are forced to renounce their own identities, which caused these people to escape from Myanmar

- But these refugees are not recognized by the Malaysian government as Malaysia was not a signatory of United Nations Human Rights Convention, before signing the United Declaration of Human Rights.

- But Malaysia recognized the Child Refugee Convention and allows children refugees to stay. What happens when the children turns 18?

- The Burmese are undocumented; no healthcare; bad living conditions

- They have no education, no hygiene, they lack nutrition. Their makeshift toilets are just plastic shacks using rainwater.

- There are 2 Canadian volunteers to teach children; one American has been volunteering since one year ago, treating the people, who are the ethnic Chins

- Three things that disturbed:

· Their pathetic condition. Lives in hut with plastic roof. All their furniture is from dump sites. There is no hygiene. 75 people use the same toilet without washing themselves

· They only have money if a few were brave enough to venture outside the area and look for jobs

· ICR volunteers teach the children. A nurse left her family in USA to help the people since a year ago.

Q & A

- Are they happy or do they want to go back to Myanmar?

- They do not wish to return as they will be killed for not complying with the government. All they want is a better life elsewhere

- Who are helping them with food and basic necessities?

- An American, as well as Pearch, fund and help them

JERIT

- palm oil and plantation workers who work without proper protection and salaries

- “I gain a lot of money working with the palm oil plantation. I can earn up to RM90. But if it rains I have no salary. Sometimes I only have 10 days’ salary in two months. My family cannot survive. After the plantation is sold, we will have to live in the streets…”

- “I am the government. I do not care about my community as they cannot give me money…”

- “My family came to this country to work. After independence in 1957, nothing changed. We worked for the benefit of the companies. We live in houses that belong to the companies. If it rains, we have no salary. In 1990, we protested in front of the Parliament. But the government helps the owners of the land. Our children cannot continue studying…”

- Management have absolute power

- Wives lead monotonous lives surrounded by housework with no chance of entertaining friends.

- The media can’t expose this problem as they are restricted by the landowners and government

Q & A

- Palm oil is used to process food in across the world. It is planted globally, destroying natural forest. Is there a connection between capitalist regimes and Asia? Is this plantation connected?

- In Asia, the British colonist planted these plants for their own use. The workers are living under strict conditions without freedom.

Sg Siput & DBI Village

- A song was presented

- Two villages, both fighting for basic human rights

- 3 disturbing issues:

(Sg Siput)

· Exploitation of labor

· Ill treatment/ Empty promises to workers

· Using fear tactics to intimidate workers

(DBI Village)

· Political connotation – might lead to further oppression

· Lack of direct youth involvement in political struggle

· Lack of education – to help selves and others

- We saw that all these had a political frame behind the problem of land.

- Youngsters were not involved

- Women do not have a view for the future regarding education about these issues. But the women were the ones carrying out the fight

- In this area, people of the 3 main religions in Malaysia were living together.

- Key problem:

o Lack of awareness and understanding of the situation by the general population

o If there is no awareness, the problem continues

o Environmental sustainability - environment was not taking into account. they just think about housing without thinking about the resources

o Business and politics intertwined - There is a political background. It was a mixture of politics and economics. The government look for negotiations with companies instead of with the people

- 3 learnings:

o Migrant and local workers in Malaysia are often abused and exploited

o Employers manipulate the system by taking advantage of the naivety of workers

o MNCs and government are slaves to the capitalist system

o There is a political connotation. A political party behind. The people might associate a better life with fighting the government

- We also met a migrant worker who was abused in Cameron Highlands. He was made to work without salary and was beaten

Urban poor in Jinjang

- The houses they live in do not belong to them. They are old. At first the government promised that they were only supposed to live there for 10 years. But 15 years have passed.

- The area’s rubbish is not collected and the living conditions are very unhygienic, especially since they live very closely.

- The tax rate is very high as compared to their low salaries.

- They live close to electrical wires that can cause cancer

- Their education system is not complete. The teachers are poorly paid.

- The government dismantle their parks to build facilities for the rich

- A center was built for the people but is instead used to try to change their mindset

- Key problem:

o Government discriminates the poor. There are a lot of problems regarding housing ownership.

- The people needed links to the correct political parties in order to enter university

- They have no access to health facilities

- There is a plastic garbage factory located near the settlement

- Permas is an organization that works with the poor. They do social work neglected by the government

- They want to help the people help themselves out of poverty

- they offer informal help to the people, for example, offering accounting services

- The people around this area is very hospitable

Q & A

- Are these people living in these houses because they work for the state? Do they carry out agricultural works?

They do not work for the government. They are living in temporary housing supposedly only for 2 years while their welfare is still being deliberated. It has been 15 years now. And their housing is built on top of dangerous material, like asbestos

From left to right; Fr. Christopher McCoy, Dr. Farid Ishak, Fr. Jojo Fung, Brother Charlie Cheah, Tijah Yok Chopil and Veronica (Moderator)

There was an interfaith talk by speakers of the religions in Malaysia, which are Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, the Indigenous belief which later ended with an interfaith prayer session by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism (MCCBCHST). It's main objective was to to dialogue for peace ans also to learn from persons of experience rooted in different religions. It was a deeply spiritual session. The room was lit with candles by the participants to symbolize peace, unity and solidarity. A kolam of a white dove was created in the heart of the hall and surrounded by candles, small lamps and rose petals. It was a sight to behold.

The speakers are Dr.Amir Farid Ishak (Islam), Fr. Chris McCoy (Christianity), Brother Charlie Cheah (Buddhism) and Tijah Yok Chopil (Indigenous Beliefs) Here is their background story; their say about their respective religion and the questions that was posed to them. Again, the documentations are courtesy of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS)

Dr.Amir Farid Ishak

· started a few years ago ; realization that there are sincere people on the “other” side

· “gate crashed” an inter-faith dialogue which was only for non-Muslims (at that time) to

· dissented when people agreed that all religion is the same

· We all have different faiths. We cannot sweep this fact under the rug instead; we need to face the fact.

· dialogued with a young Buddhist monk ;

· am almost an associate member of SFX church

· am a “son” to 2 Indian ladies – Mother Mangalam & Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan ; close relationship built over time

· 7 years ago approached to lead the “Inter Faith Spiritual Movement” ; also the Malaysian Inter Faith Society ; past 3 year also on Global Council of URI – United Religions Initiative – established 12 years ago ; hope to work with the UN on religious issues

· URI – He is a representative of all religions, not only the Muslims.

· What are the barriers? Mindset – extremists and narrow mindedness

· the right teaching of Quran says we are many tribes and people so that we may love one another

· It is also how we interpret our beliefs. The deeper understanding you have of your religion, the broader your perspective. we are aware that God is one and that He loves one and all

· I repeat the many names of God everyday, many times over, but if I do not practice these values, it does not mean anything

Q & A

- how do you evaluate inter faith dialogue compared to 15 years ago?

“Improving by leaps and bounds. Now, we can have inter-faith dialogues even with Muslims; the opportunity to dialogue and interact is there now, but we have to move to action”

- in many places, the Christians initiate dialogue, and Muslims not involved

“it has also been my experience ; Christians been more active in this aspect ; in Malaysia, not many Muslims come forth ; they are in a comfort zone ; because they decided a lot of policies and are the majorities ; in Europe, the Muslims are a minority, but are proactive in dialoguing;

- is the youth situation within the context of inter faith dialogue encouraging?

“Before, the interaction was better; less interaction amongst children of different race and religion; trend is connected to Islamisation; which is contrary to my personal believes; if my understanding is right, the more Islamic we become, the more open we should become

- Continuation of the question on attacks on Madrid and London.

“the attacks in the name of religion ; deviant followers misinterpreting religious teaching ; Muhammad S.A.W said that no one shall take away the right of the non – Muslim ; He even said that if you are forced to go to war, you are not allowed to kill innocents , and unconnected lives ;

Secularism – many European nations have turned their churches into tourist attractions ; throughout history religions have come and gone to the fore ; many reasons for waves of change in religions ; in Malaysia, initially Hindus, then the king embraced Islam and the people also converted ; forceful changes include the conquistadors and the preachers ;

Fr. Chris McCoy

· worked with University students over 11 years

· past 4 years as National Coordinator for Chaplain

· England is a secular community ; multi cultural and multi racial

· “keep your faith private”

· we tolerate anything but do not impose

· university of Southampton “ Speak with pride ; listen with respect” – groups of Muslim, Christian, Jewish etc students together speak for 5 minutes on various topics i.e. moral values, life after death ; students urged to listen with respect and speak with pride for their believes ; no q & a, but discussions over after-session dinner

University of Manchester; “Abraham’s Table” – started by Muslim, Christian and Jewish as they recognize Abraham as a important figure in their religions; food is prepared and they sit at the table; when dessert is served they start discussing religion; started with 30 – 40 students; now more faith joining; womenfolk now complaining, Abraham never went into kitchen; now called “Abraham & Sarah’s Table”

· I believe all changes can begin if we start listening with respect

Q & A

- England is secular; but there remains a connection between the Church and the State?

-“in Rome, the Forum is a symbol of a past culture; Christianity was connected to the State ; but dead connection ; we have many religious symbols and churches but they do not present a commitment to the people”

- In South America, there is no religion problem as 75% of the population is Catholic and there is no conflict. I believe that differences are important.

“This is my experience on England. The two programs are the first steps. People need to listen first or they will not understand the differences. This is applicable to the UK society. Listening is the first step.”

- Secular State is a phenomenon in Europe. What do you think about the attacks in London and Madrid? It is their way of strengthening their faith. How do you analyze the situation and its link to the inter faith dialogue?

“Northern Europe – post-Enlightenment Secular society ; process of rapid change ; faith is being reduced to something personal and private in many systems ; different forms of fundamentalism, manifested itself in Christianity and other faiths, and the nature of civil society’s understanding of threats . Most religions - faith groups are being monitored; there are fundamentalist in practically all religions; due to the lack of full understanding of own religion; I stress that the key is listening to each other

Brother Charlie Cheah

Quantity Surveyor with UM Land
Founder of a Buddhist society called Quantum Buddhist society
the moral of the story is that one man’s favorite might be another man’s dislike ; when we have differing minds, we will have different opinions etc
Buddhist of 3 traditions ; Orthodox – Theravada, Mahayana & Hinayana
developed many other traditions i.e. Nepal
we don’t share the same doctrine and practice ; even amongst Buddhist there is differing opinions ; but never any public show of disagreement ; the peace is kept based on fundamental teaching of Buddha that says everyone has their own minds as far as you can have a level of tolerance
we come together for charitable and humanistic goals
always try and engage each other to dialogue on common values and Universal values and tolerate each others differences

Q & A

- how is Buddhism connecting with modern science and if there is any affect

“Buddhism is a metaphysical knowledge; talking about mind and body; 2 masses of energy interacting; either in congruent or in conflict; Law of attraction- good energy attracts good energy

- Buddhist in my country (Bangladesh) is all vegetarians; is there a regulation?

“There is a misconception; not all Buddhist are vegetarians; the concept of health and non-violence instigates the want to be vegetarian; once the consciousness of compassion is there, it becomes a natural thought process;

- In Tibet, Buddhism spread fast. Because of the religion, we are not allowed to form an army. Does Buddhism forgive its sinners? What is the political and religious link?

-“Tibet practices a god-king concept. There needs to be a separation of state and religion. The god-king concept is not prevalent in other countries. It has nothing to do with the teachings of Buddhism.”

- What about the situation in Burma? They are promoting war and religion.

“the need to separate religion and state ; state patronizing religion and using it for their own ; religion doesn’t teach oppression ; if government chooses to use it for their own means, then karma will soon come into play inevitably”

Tijah Yok Chopil

· as Aslis’, we believe that land is our culture and identity, belief , peace, love and philosophy

· we face the problem that nearly all of Malaysia do not understand our beliefs ; brings forth many problems and conflicts

· we are not recognized and targeted by modern religions

· now we are trying to fight for wider understanding amongst the nation’s populations

· therefore we try and have dialogues with the respective parties , document our knowledge that has always been handed orally and passing it on to respective bodies

· we also try to go out and work with different bodies i.e. religious bodies, NGOs, universities in our effort to let others see our believes

· but the challenges are many ; the issues of the indigenous are sensitive ; not many do not understand and many are afraid to try and help

· some have tried but they aren’t patient

· although we have tried to make an effort i.e. with the government, yet there aren’t bothered ; excuses like that they are always opposing the government

· it is a challenge for us to try and make the friends out there that although it is a sensitive topic, we need to discuss openly

· we feel that if we can respect others, others should also be able to respect us and we will be able to achieve peace

Q & A

- What are the Indigenous people beliefs?

“Generally, our believes are closely tied to the land, air and water; we believe that God is all around us and the world is not to be owned but to be shared; we practice respecting God daily, the way we talk to others, the respect our elders, welcoming everyone, not making fun or abusing animals; but for us, we can kill them to eat, ONLY. The retribution is now after death but during this life itself”

- In my country, the Indigenous believe that if they are good now, they go to paradise, is it the same for you. Do you believe in life after death?

“there are 2 facts of believe ; number 1, if you are good on this Earth, this is heaven, if you are bad, this is hell on Earth ; the other is that we also believe that there is life after death ; but we believe there aren’t any punishment after death, after death, everyone is an equal.

Grace from Sudan leading the participants into the hall with song for the Cultural Mass

On June 30, a myriad of colors and striking designs graced APC Hall in the cultural clothes of the participants for the Cultural Mass. “Today we celebrate our many cultures, sharing the same Lord. We are one in Christ: said Fr Masawe, the presider in his introduction. The prayer of the faithful was said in many a tongue of the world by the participants.

Group Picture after the Cultural Mass... Can you see the colorful arrays of costumes??

Cultural Night followed after Mass. Everyone was having a ball of a time as the “Saturday Night Fever’ provoked a euphoria of joy and excitement. There were performances by the participants themselves. It was a sight to behold because, as diverse as we are with the many races here in Malaysia, it is a rare sight to see cultural performances from all over the world in one place. Most of the time, you have to go to the country to see it. Not only did the participants performed, they also brought goodies, native of their country to be shared by all. The highlight of the night was the proclamation of Blaise from Senegal as the King of the Night and petite, sweet Mary Grace from Myanmar declared the Queen of the Night.

The crowning of the King (Blaise from Senegal) and Queen (Marie Grace from Myanmar) of the night.

On July 1, there was a public mass that was celebrated in St Joseph’s Church, Sentul where the participants took part in the church rites and later on, the participants were taken around KL for a day of outing. The venue of the places visited was the KLCC Sky Bridge, a Buddhist temple in the heart of KL, the National Mosque in KL, Batu Caves and they were taken to Dataran Pahlawan and Alamanda shopping complex in Putrajaya. It was a great experience for the foreign participants as they were exposed to many different cultures and religions along their exciting journey. Besides that, there were Q and A sessions with the people who are in charge of the places of worship that was visited by the participants.

During the second week, the statutory session began. It was time where IMCS members from across the globe came together for a formation session and also to evaluate, discuss and plan legal structural change for the movement in the next 4 years. The statutory session ended with a Mass and the election if the new International Team, Mehul (Chairman) from India, Christopher Malano (Secretary General) who hails from Hawaii and Fr Christopher McCoy (Chaplain) from Liverpool, UK.

Mehul from India, current Chairman of the International Movement of Catholic Students

Christopher Malano from Hawaii (USA); Secretary General for the International Movement of Catholic Students

Fr Christopher McCoy from UK, Chaplain for the International Movement of Catholic Students

July 7, there was an African-Asian Student Forum which was held at the APC. One of the main issues was the Democratic Space which includes freedom of Speech, Media and Religion, and privatization of Higher Education.

International Committee 2007 and the LOC members

Something To Be Pondered Upon

2007-08-16T01:22:00.000+08:00

This is something I wanna share with my dear readers. This is my comment to Kata Tak Nak's blog post on Apostasy in Islam. I have added some things in here that is missing from the comment. What is written in there might offend some people but some people will agree with me. That is the part and parcel of life today which I have resigned myself to live with. There is a touch about Lina Joy's case in here. I think it is wise to learn from what has already happened. Read it up and do give me some feedbacks about the topic.

Love,
Spring Fairy

Hi, Kata Tak Nak…

I’m just an observer of this post and some of your reader’s comments caught my attention. As no one actually pointed out these, please allow me to do so. I’m not here to give theological debate but I am going to point things out with common sense. My Muslim friends told me this before, “God gave us a brain to think, to be able to judge the good and the bad in this world.” So, why don’t we analyst these comments with openness and common sense, okay???

Syabas this is the best commentary that I have read so far on the Lina Joy issue. I am surprised that the non-Muslims and even some muslim commentators have said that the decision of the court is wrong and there is no justice. This is a clear constitutional issue, the JPN have no right to determine a person's faith, if someone wants to leave Islam he or she must go to the Syariah courts. So why have not Lina Joy followed procedures? Lina Joy has become too arrogant to want to challenge the constitution and wants to openly declare that she is christian. If she is sincere she should have followed procedure and approached the Syariah court to accept her Murtad. Instead she opted for seven years of court battle in the civil court. We should also not forget to thank Allahyarham Tan Sri Prof Ahmad Ibrahim who through his efforts in the 90s have made the Syariah court strong and at par with the civil courts. Al-fatehah to him and may Allah reward him for what he has done for Islamic law in this country. Anyway too much have been said, commented and reported about Lina Joy. Let's stop giving her and christianity any more publicity. That is what the enemies of Islam wants. Instead we should all try to strengthen our iman and educate the people around us - our brothers, sisters, children etc, so that there will not be another Lina Joy. Insha Allah. Ameen.

- Mr. X (01 June 2007 21:17)-

Mr. X,

I’m not here to be biased or whatever you might think (sorry if I’m defensive but I need to make myself VERY clear that I am not here for a fight) You said too much has been said, commented and reported about the Lina Joy case; and wish to stop giving her and Christianity anymore publicity because you alleged that it is what the enemies of Islam wants. However, ARE you sure whether or not that is what the enemies want??

What do you mean that she didn't follow procedures??? She did follow the procedures! If you have forgotten, she has lawyers to advise her on such matter. This is not a trifling matter that we are talking about here that her lawyers would omit to tell her about the most important of things to do. She has already been declared a murtad the first time. This time her application is only to have the word "Islam" dropped from her Identification Card. So, if she is already a murtad, then why not drop it ?? Also, as she is already considered a murtad, she is no longer obliged to obey the Syariah Court, which is the Court for anything Muslim. Isn't she already a murtad so why to the Syariah Court? It is the civil court that should make this decision instead of pushing it to the Syariah Court. Don't you think so???

I would like to point out that by having people to comment and report about the Lina Joy case, it is a good and constructive way for people to voice their opinions about the Constitutional Law that we have been using for the past 50:44 years since our Independence, as we never got a chance to actually sit down and think about the current Constitutional Law that we have been using for the past 50:44 years. I’m not spreading propaganda here but my honest opinion about it. Why 50:44?? 50 years for the Peninsular and 44 years for Sabah and Sarawak. I want to ask you also, do you think Lina Joy and the Christian community wish to be in the public spotlight in the first place??? They are peace-loving people too and will only rise to the occasion if they are challenged. By chance, you comment can spark that because you have indirectly called them enemies of Islam and ARE THEY??? Look at your comment carefully and put yourself into another person’s shoe. We want to maintain a society that is sensitive to another’s religion; therefore, that is not a correct conduct. Instead of trying to strengthen your Iman which will be for your own benefit, why don’t YOU give them a more proper understanding of Islam to the people? You can’t avoid another Lina Joy case unless you can do that.

very politic of lina joy

first she committed murtad and escaped punishments

second, she dares enough to chellange the authority that guards the souverignity of islam

third counts, she manipulated sympathy on the ground of human right and made islam looked bad and rigid

in the actual fact, we all know that lina is liable for punishments for all the wrongdoings and kurangajarness she committed.

- ahm(01 June 2007 23:07)-

Ahm,

What do YOU mean that it is very politic of Lina Joy that she committed murtad and escaped punishment?? I don’t see any political connections between wanting to convert. Also, punishment for wanting to convert?! Don’t you think that is too much?? To convert is one thing but to punish a person for converting IS against the grounds of Human Rights because it is stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in article 18; where by

Everyone has the RIGHT to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes freedom to change his/her religion of belief, and freedom, either alone or in a community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

If you want to punish someone for converting, you would have already committed a crime in the PEOPLES eyes and in God’s eyes! Why am I bringing in God? This is because you and I believe that God is a loving God who loves all His Children and I don’t think God would want us to hurt each other. Your accusation that she made Islam look bad and rigid.. Well.. I beg to differ because the talks of wanting to punish her and all IS the main contributing factor on WHY Islam is looked upon with a bad light and is considered rigid by people. So, instead of accusing her of making Islam look bad, don’t you think you should reflect on it yourself first? Therefore, in actual fact, Lina is NOT to be held liable for punishments for the “wrongdoings” and “kurangajarness” you alleged she committed instead it is the PEOPLE who judge people based on their actions whichL goes against the norm; who are supposed to be held liable. Don’t you think so??

Dear anonymous.

Having said that, the post-marital problems of marrying someone who is not of your own religion, as you have stated, might in the future cause hassles that are related to custody, burial, and even school registration for her future children.

First of all, looking at the situation in Malaysia, she must have been utterly naive by thinking that challenging a matter of her religion status would be fruitful. When you are going against the flow, do you expect the current of the flow to be reversed to make things easy for you to get through? You should know better not to. The problems that might arise are predictable, but to expect something like that to be allowed freely in this country where the majority of citizens are Muslims who, clearly, from the start, would not have allowed her to be recognized as a Christian Malay, what made she think it could happen?

She knew the outcome right from the start. People have died to fight for what they believe in. And out there, there are Muslims who have been discriminated against just to practice what they believe in. As example, in France, 'tudung' is not allowed to be worn in public school by Muslim girls. But, is it the smartest thing to do to bring the matter to court so that you can practice what you believe in easily? And would a set of rules restrict you?

A true Islam believer would still wear the Tudung, and be ready to face the consequences. If a girl decides to wear the 'tudung' despite the rules, she would be thrown out of school. But the question is, would that be a hindrance for her to be educated? The answer is no. That's what alternatives are for. Despite anything, you believe in what you believe in. Why did she limit her imagination by thinking of only the hardships and why would that hinder her?

Don’t speak of rights and justice if you don’t have the gall to face hardships. If you have the audacity to face the court, you should have the audacity to face the fact that you’ve failed. You choose to go against the flow, then don’t expect the flow to go your direction. And furthermore, the Syariah law is only liable to Muslims. After this case, all she has to do is show her IC to any Pegawai Pencegah Maksiat and would you think that knowing she is ‘Norazlina Jelani’ who has converted to Christian and make that public; she would still be prosecuted for ‘khalwat’?

Then you’re just being afraid of nonexistent things. Islam is understanding and is not as narrow as the non-muslims would make it.

Thanks for giving me the chance to make my say.

-Chocobo (03 June 2007 13:55)-

Chocobo,

When you said that she was afraid of nonexistent things; do you think she, being already made aware that her struggles will be a tough one, not be afraid? There are a lot of things to be put into thoughts. I.e. her family, her friends and all will shun her for her daring act. Did she falter?? No! So, instead of condemning her, she should be praised because she is doing something she believes is right in her context. As to the understanding of Islam by the non-Muslims, we all know that Islam is an understanding religion and we are not narrow as you make it. We all grew up in Malaysia, my friend, with friends from all the races and religions. Don’t you think we would have perfect understanding of Islam by now?? Not forgetting also that we have the Education System (History) to learn about Islam?? It may be a basic one but it is enough to know that Islam is an understanding religion. If you think that people’s understanding is wrong, then instead of sitting down and commenting about it, maybe you can reach out to people so that they will have a proper understanding. Why not, I am thinking…While you think about that, I wish to return to your example about the usage of the '"tudung" or veil in France. When the ban came about, what do you think have CAUSED it??? It came into action in 2002. What do YOU think HAPPENED the year before?? If I may remind you, September 11 happened in New York. The act of terrorism by who??? ISLAMIC EXTREMIST.. Now, I am NOT calling you or any Muslim that so, please don't pin me with it. I am stating a mere fact and it was taken from Wikipedia. The veil was banned in France was not because it was an act of racism but it was for national security. If you put your shoes into the teachers there, don't you think you would do the same thing??? The people there are not being racist but rather they are concerned for their safety and their loved ones.

You are sooo right in what you say chocobo! Saya dah rasa tak tahan bila orang bukan Islam sewenang-wenangnya mencaci-maki agama Islam. Bukan kebebasan beragama yang dicari oleh Lina Joy dan kumpulan penyokongnya-ada niat busuk disebaliknya. Orang-orang Islam mesti sedar,jangan ikut emosi nak bunuh sana-sini,Islam adalah rahmatan lil-alamin,ajaranya bukanlah untuk mementingkan(ego) diri sendiri,golongan sendiri,ajarannya adalah untuk mencurahkan kasih-sayang,keselamatan dan kedamaian kepada seisi alam semesta.Lina Joy sudah pun murtad dan ramai yang mempergunakan dia untuk kepentingan dan agenda yang lebih besar.Mereka cuba mencabar Islam sebenarnya dan sejak zaman rasulullah s.a.w. lagi perkara begini telah berlaku.

- safia tajul alam (13 June 2007 23:38)-

Safia,

This is one fact you have to accept whether you like it or not, that THERE will always be people looking at another religion in a bad light. It’s a sad fact that we cannot avoid. I have to point out that is VERY bad conduct to speculate that what Lina Joy and her supporters have bad intentions when all they say is, let her change the religion that is stated in her Identification Card. It is good that you are saying not to simply kill but speculating that her group has another agenda is not nice because you will sow seeds that might cause mistrust among the religion. They are not challenging Islam actually but simply saying, “Let her change her identity.” As simple as that because it is NOT her identity as she is no longer a Muslim. So, why let the Islam be left in her Identification Card??? Do I make sense to you?? I hope I do because the Non- Muslims are not taking sides with anyone based on religion but we see things based on logical reasoning. You said there that Islam is to bring love, security and peace to the whole world but by speculating, are you helping to bring peace to the world or sowing seeds of distend among the people of Malaysia???

Kata Tak Nak, Safia, Chocobo, Ahm and Mr. X,

I don’t mean to sound preachy or whatever but these is my 2 cents worth. If you disagree with my points, which you have every right to, please feel free to voice your opinion. However, I would hope that next time if there are comments to be made, the religious believes of the other readers should be taken care of. It’s a 2 way thing. You respect other people’s religion, we will respect yours back. I know you guys are wise enough to know that because I believe you all to be VERY, VERY, VERY much older than me and therefore should be the shining example to the youngsters today. So, why don't we work to make that happen instead of squabbling on who is right and who is wrong. Don't you think so??

Let's spread peace and harmony among one another instead of causing havoc. Love is what makes the world go round, in my opinion. If you beg to differ, then it is your opinion which I have no say unless it goes beyond logical reasoning.

Bouquet ingredients and their meanings

2007-08-05T01:14:00.000+08:00

A friend of mine mentioned to me that I haven't written something light-hearted for a long time, forever talking so here I will leave a guideline on meanings for the stuff they use in a bouquet (I can't use flowers as some of these are plants and fruits! ^^) Okay, here goes....

Acacia - Secret love
Acanthus - Art
Acorn - Nordic symbol of life and immortality
Agrimony - Thankfulness
Almond - Hope, watchfulness and promise
Aloe - Grief
Allspice - Compassion
Ambrosia/Ragweed - Love returned
Amaryllis - Pride; Timidity
Anemone - Unfading love
Angelica - Inspiration
Aniseed - Restoration of youth
Arbor vitae - Unchanging friendship
Arbutus - Only love
Apple - Preference
Aster - Love; daintiness
Azalea - Take care of yourself for me; fragile passion; Chinese symbol of womanhood

Bachelor Button - Celibacy
Baby's Breath - Everlasting Love
Balsamine - Impatience
Basil - Best Wishes, Love
Bay Leaf - Strength
Bee orchid - Industry
Begonia - Beware
Bells Of Ireland - Good luck
Bird Of Paradise - Magnificence
Bird's foot trefoil - Revenge
Bittersweet - Truth
Bluebell - Humility; constancy
Borage - Courage
Broom - Humility
Burnet - A merry heart
Buttercup - Cheerfulness

Cactus - Endurance; warmth
Cabbage - Profit
Calendula - Joy
Camellia - Admiration; perfection; good luck gift to a man
Campanula - Gratitude
Candytuft - indifference
Canterbury Bells - Gratitude

Carnation - (in general) Bonds of affection; health and energy; fascination; woman love
(pink) - I'll never forget you
(purple) - Capriciousness; whimsical; changeable
(red) - My heart aches for you; admiration
(solid color) -Yes
(striped)- No; refusal; sorry I can't be with you; wish I could be with you
(white) -Sweet and lovely; innocence; pure love; woman's good luck gift
(yellow) - Rejection; disdain

Cattail - Peace; prosperity
Chamomile - Patience ; attracts wealth
Cherry blossom - A good education, Feminine beauty, sexuality,
principle and love (In China), Transience of life (In Japan)
Chestnut - Do me justice
China aster - Love of variety

Chrysanthemum (in general) - Cheerfulness; You're a wonderful friend (red) - I love (white) - Truth (yellow) -Slighted love

Coreopsis - Always cheerful
Coriander - Lust
Cowslip - Pensiveness; winning grace
Crocus - Cheerfulness; abuse not
Cyclamen - Resignation and goodbye
Clover - Good luck

Daffodil - Respect
Daisy - Innocence
Dahlia - Elegance and dignity
Dandelion - Wishes come true

Elderflower - Compassion
Eucalyptus - Protection

Fennel - Worthy of all praise

Fern - Sincerity (Magic) - Fascination; confidence and shelter (Maidenhair) - Secret bond of love

Forget-Me-Not - True love; memories
Feverfew - Protection
Fir - Time
Flax - Domestic symbol; fate
Forsythia - Anticipation

Gardenia - You're lovely; secret love
Garlic - Courage; strength
Geranium (Scented) - Preference
Gladiolus - Love at first sight
Gorse - Love in all seasons
Grass - Submission; utility

Heather (lavender) - Admiration; solitude (white) - Protection; wishes will come true

Heliotrope - Devotion
Hibiscus - Delicate beauty
Holly - Good will, Defense;domestic Happiness; foresight
Hollyhock - Ambition
Honeysuckle - Generous and devoted affection
Houseleek - Domestic economy

Hyacinth (general) - Games and sports; rashness;flower dedicated to Apollo (blue) - Constancy (purple) - I'm sorry; please forgive me; sorrow (red or pink) - Play (white) - Loveliness; I'll pray for you (yellow) - Jealousy

Hydrangea - Thank you for understanding; frigidity; heartlessness
Hyssop - Wards away evil spirits

Iris - Faith; hope; wisdom and valor

Ivy - Fidelity and friendship (white tendrils) - Anxious to please; affection

Jasmine - Amiability; attracts wealth
Jonquil - Love me; affection returned; desire; sympathy; desire for a return of affection
Juniper - Protection

Larkspur - pink - Fickleness
Laurestine - A token
Lavender - Devotion

Lemon - Zest
(blossom) - Discretion

Lemon Balm - Brings love
Lemon verbena - Attracts opposite sex
Lettuce - Cold-hearted
Lichen - Solitude
Lilac - Fastidious

Lily (general) - Keeps unwanted visitors away (calia) - Beauty (day) - Coquetry (eucharis) - Maiden charms (orange) - Hatred (tiger) - Wealth; pride (white) - Virginity; purity; majesty; it's heavenly to be with you (yellow) - I'm walking on air; false and gay

Lily of the valley - sweetness; return to happiness; humility
Lime Blossom - Conjugal love
Lobelia - Malevolence
Love lies bleeding - Hopelessness

Magnolia - Sweetness; beauty; love of nature
Marigold - Comforts the heart
Marjoram (sweet) - Joy and happiness
Mayflower - Welcome
Mignonette - Worth
Mint - Protection from illness; warmth of feeling
Mistletoe - Kiss me; affection; to surmount difficulties; sacred plant of India
Monkshood - Beware, a deadly foe is near; chivalry
Moss - Maternal love; charity
Mock Orange - Deceit
Mullein - Good-nature
Myrtle - Love; Hebrew emblem of marriage

Narcissus - Egotism; formality; stay as sweet as you are
Nasturtium - Conquest; victory in battle; maternal love; charity; patriotism

Oats - Music
Oak - leaf Strength
Oleander - Caution; beware
Olive - Peace

Orange - Generosity (Blossom) - Brings wisdom Orchid - Love; beauty; refinement; beautiful lady; Chinese symbol for many children (cattleya) - Mature charm

Oxeye daisy - Patience

Palm leaves - Victory and success
Pansy - Thoughts; love
Peach - Longevity
Pear blossom - Lasting friendship
Peony - Aphrodisiac
Petunia - Resentment; anger; your presence soothes me
Pine - Hope; pity
Prickly Pear - Satire

Poppy (general) - Eternal sleep ; oblivion; imagination (red) -Pleasure; consolation (white) - Consolation; sleep (yellow) - Wealth; success

Primrose - I can't live without you; early youth (evening) - Inconstancy

Rose (general)(Red) - Love ; I love you
(white) - Eternal Love ; innocence; heavenly; secrecy and silence
(pink) - Perfect happiness; please believe me
(Yellow) - Friendship ; jealousy; try to care
(Black) -Death
(red and white) - Together; unity
(thornless) - Love at first sight
(single, full bloom) - I love you; I still love you
(tea) - I'll always remember
(cabbage) - Ambassador of love
(Christmas) - Tranquilize my anxiety; anxiety
(damask) - Brilliant complexion
(dark crimson) - Mourning
(hibiscus) - Delicate beauty
(bud) - Beauty and youth ; a heart innocent of love
(red) - Pure and lovely
(white) - Girlhood
(moss) - Confessions of love
(Bouquet of full bloom) - Gratitude
(Garland or crown of) - Beware of virtue; reward of merit; crown ; symbol of superior merit (musk cluster) - Charming (leaf) - You may hope

Rosemary - Remembrance
Rue - Regret

Sage - Wisdom, life
Salvia -(blue) I think of you
Sensitive Plant - Sensitivity
Smilax - Loveliness
Snapdragon - Deception; gracious lady; presumption
Snowdrop - Consolation or hope
Spiderflower - Elope with me
Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage; desire to travel
Stock - Lasting beauty
Star of Bethlehem - Reconciliation
Straw - United
Strawberry - Perfect goodness
Sunflower - Loyalty; wishes
Sweetbrier - Simplicity
Sweetpea - Goodbye; departure; blissful pleasure; Thank you for a lovely time

Thorn-apple - Disguise

Tulip(general) - Fame,charity; perfect lover (red) - Believe me; declaration of love (variegated) - Beautiful eyes (yellow) - Hopeless love

Tulip-tree - Fame
Thyme - Strength and courage; ensures restful sleep

Violet - Modesty; calms tempers; induces sleep
(blue) - Watchfulness; faithfulness; I'll always be true (white) - Let's take a chance on happiness

Viscaria - Will you dance with me?

Woodruff - sweet humility
Witch-hazel - A spell

Yarrow - Health,healing

Zinnia - Thoughts of friends
(magenta) - Lasting affection (mixed) - Thinking of an absent friend (scarlet) - Constancy (white) - Goodness (yellow) - Daily remembrance

This is meant as a guide for you people to buy the correct plants for your loved ones. So, be careful of what you buy because you will not know if the person knows the meaning and might land you into trouble. Oh ya!!! Never ever present a bouquet of withered flowers for your girlfriend because it means rejected love and you might get into trouble! So, let's avoid withered flowers, shall we?? Hahah...

No Asian Mentality?!

2007-08-01T09:26:00.000+08:00

Zam: Ignore ‘goblok’ bloggers Monday July 30, 2007

MALACCA: The public should be wise in identifying the websites of goblok (Indonesian slang for “stupid”) bloggers, who are willing to be tools of others to destroy the nation, said Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.

“These writers do not have an Asian mentality but lean towards a Western thinking because they were educated overseas.

“Thus they assume that the Western style of democratic freedom is better. The goblok writers only have their own interests at heart and should be ignored,” he said after launching the Jalur Gemilang Convoy 2007 at Bandar Hilir here yesterday.

Source
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/30/nation/18443748&sec=nation

My dear minister,

I'm sorry but I don't share your sentiments over we, bloggers being used as tools to destroy the nation. On the contrary, I think it is wise to have people criticizing the Government from time to time. I think if we deserve that right as citizens of this country. The criticism is not to bring the downfall of the nation but if considered, the Government can use it to improve things for the people.

Your allegations that we don't have the Asian mentality,I strongly disagree!! I would like to point out to this person, Wei Zheng who was a trusted counselor of the Emperor of China, Emperor Tai Zhong. Wei Zheng was the most trusted official of the emperor not because of sweet words and all but by reproaching the Emperor when the need arises and the Emperor, heeding his advise, was considered as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, emperor in all of Chinese history. Not only we have Wei Zheng but we also have Justice Pao. To those who know his story, should know that according to historical records, in the 30 odd years when he took office, more than 30 high officials, including some government ministers, were demoted or dismissed because Bao accused them of corruption, bribery, dereliction of duty, misprision, etc. He was such a firm and resolute man that he never gave up what he thought was right. He reported six times to the Emperor to impeach the high-ranked government official Zhang Yaozhuo, uncle of the high-ranked imperial concubine, 7 times to impeach Wang Kui, another official favored by the emperor, and several times to impeach Prime Minister Song Yang. These great minds are the mindset of people born in Ancient China but they were not told to shut up but rewarded to keep on giving their feedback.These people are being the reality check for the then rulers. Why shouldn't the bloggers be in that position?? We are the people that you represent and I think we have the right to voice our concerns.

As for the Western education, I have to point out not all of us bloggers are educated overseas. I know I'm not and I am a byproduct of the Malaysian education system. Why am I even blogging about this?? I haven't even stepped out of Asia yet!! Please!!! We have the 5 senses that is our humanity. Just by seeing the ongoings in Malaysia is enough to open one's eyes towards the reproaching of the current Government. We are not doing this to get more readers but to create awareness of the public to the pushing for better policies that benefits the country and its people. We love our country very much, that is why we criticize.

There is a saying, Spare the rod and spoil the child. The bloggers are liken to the ROD while the Government is the CHILD. Why do I say that??? The current Government is still young even though we have had our Independence for 50 years. We still got a long way to go before we can compete strongly with the other countries in the world. The constant "Rod moments" is essential in creating a better tomorrow. The ideas and criticism from the people are more easily available with the Internet and blogging. The thing which I think has always been a miscommunication is when people take the ideas in the wrong direction or concept. We do not want to bring the country to ruins but to help it improve.

I feel that you have over did it when you labeled us, "goblok." No one in the world deserve to be called stupid. Is this the kind of thanks we get from you, Mr Minister?? You, who serve us, the people of Malaysia. We don't want get into any trouble at all if given a choice and I think most of us who decided to write what we feel about the Government is because we feel, enough is enough. Logically speaking, no human being wants to be in the thick of trouble unless they have been driven to the corner where they cannot take things anymore.

Before you came into power, I'm sure you were just like us. Wanting a change in society. Creating a better social order for the people and to bring peace and justice to the country. Have you forgotten that vocation?? Remember your vocation and the oath you made to the people when you were elected into power. WE are the PEOPLE who put you in office and WE have the POWER to elect you out of office. This is NOT a threat of any kind but a REMINDER that the PEOPLE of today are aware of their POWER.

PEOPLES' POWER!!!

Musings of the country; The Why Why of Malaysia

2007-07-26T14:48:00.000+08:00

When some things happens to you, then you will jump. However, why should we be jumping??? Shouldn't be prepared to face anything ?? Why is our education system today not preparing the people about handling emergencies??? Why is it only the people involved in the Caring sector are trained to be ready for anything? When you come to think of it, the reality reflects itself that many of us are not prepared to face it but I believe should ways in instilling this VERY important quality in the minds of people. If everyone have that kind of critical thoughts, what a place this nation will be.

It's already 50 years since our "beloved" nation gained it's independence. However, do those people up there know what the people are truly saying now in their hearts ??? What happened to the voices of the people?? What happened to the promises made during the election? Have it all disappeared from the face of this world??? During the struggle for the Independence, the people were all hyped and were very verbal and critical on the ongoings that was happening. Now, we do not hear anything anymore. What happened to the voice that once rang out in the National Stadium when it was declared, "Merdeka!!!" 7 times in a row??? The powerful voice that moved the people in the country into the painful awareness that they have been colonized for hundred of years and it is time for us to rule our own country. What happened to that spirit??? It is sadly lacking now in every citizen that I see. If everyone has lost it, we might as well continue to let ourselves be colonized again and be ruled by others!! The people need to wake up! The alarm has been sounding for so long but how many people have heeded it??

Right now, we have prominent leaders coming up in the little people now born. These little people are not little anymore but are old enough to think for themselves. The post Merdeka babies are currently the leaders of in their own right but are they in the political world just to benefit from the people or to benefit the people?? Right now as we speak, there are prominent student leaders that are coming up but there are forced to comply to the University and University College Act 1971 (AUKU), hence in other words, telling the student leaders to shut up and know their place in society. Are they (the people up there) afraid that the student movements can jeopardize their power play in the country?? We are still living in a society that is stubbornly holding on to the old way and not spread their wings to newer ways, WHY??? We want to be a modern country, so then modernize your mind! If we keeps sticking to the old way, then how are we going to be modernized?? We are said to be a fast growing nation but if you ask me, I see development in the infrastructure that is provided, i.e buildings, roads and stuff but have they forgotten about the people?? I see people having to struggle to earn their keep but why isn't the Government aiding them?? Heck, even the REAL people of this nation have to wrestle with the Government what that is rightfully theirs. What the heck??

The Government is still keeping the Internal Securities Act 1960 (revised 1972) that was set up in 1960. If you have no idea what the Internal Securities Act 1960 (revised 1972) is; this is the relevant law legistration passed according to Article 149 in the Constitution of Malaysia.

Section 73(1) Internal Security Act 1960: "Any police officer may without warrant arrest and detain pending inquiries any person in respect of whom he has reason to believe that there are grounds which would justify his detention under section 8; and that he has acted or is about to act or is likely to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to maintenance of essential services therein or to the economic life thereof."

Sect 8. Power to order detention or restriction of persons. "(i) If the Minister is satisfied that the detention of any person is necessary with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to the maintenance of essential services therein or the economic life thereof, he may make an order (hereinafter referred to as a detention order) directing that that person be detained for any period not exceeding two years."

~Source from Wikipedia~

Why is there a need for such a law here??The rational of the Government is because they don't want troubles that can jeopardize the "unity" of the nation. However, is there really TRUE unity at all here??? If we say people to be cliquish, then what can I call the race that are cliquish towards their own race only?? If you wanna say a united nation, why are inter-racial and inter-religious marriages frowned upon by society?? Refer to the words that have been bold. Police officer, Minister and he may make an order (hereinafter referred to as a detention order) directing that that person be detained for any period not exceeding two years... When you look carefully, you will see that any Minister can call for a detention order. So, let's say if a Minister or a police officer has a vendetta against you, then it's over for you. Why so ??? Refer to Sect 72(1) Internal Security Act 1960 and Sect 8, and then you will know why.

We are always referred to as a democratic country but how democratic are we??? Or are we a capitalist country hiding behind the veil of a democratic country?? I see terror in the eyes of people nowadays instead of real happiness. There isn't a space that is really safe for the people to dialog with those people up there. If there is a day when those people up there visits the people, how often they ACTUALLY take note of the problems that the people are facing?? The people, do they really have a voice in the Parliament? Or is the voice slowly but surely being silenced by those people up there?? Why are we not allowed to listen in to the Parliament when it is in session ??? Why hide when they are just human beings, the same as you and me?? Even if we actually do get a chance to listen in, which not many people are aware of the opportunity, we are still terrorized by Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) Why are we not allowed to debate about it???

This is my musing on the 50 years since our Independence. So, you people out there, either you change your perspective or we are going to "NOT" be the rulers of our nation instead be a nation ruled by idiots who are in power and think for their own benefit. Cheers!!

Happy 50th Merdeka!!!

Working towards International Committee 2007

2007-06-20T14:50:00.000+08:00

Heyaz!!! I have been busy helping my friends with the International Committee 2007 event which will be held next week. International Committee 2007 or IC 2007 is an event that platform where IMCS members from all over the world come together for a formation session on “Empowering Student Action for Dialogue and Peace” and also to evaluate, discuss and plan IMCS direction in the next 4 years through the statutory session. This event is held once every 4 years and brings together 80 students from all over the world to sit down, think and discuss on what is going on in the world.

Things have been crazy but interesting and stressful but fun. Working in a team to actually design stuff is pretty stressful partially because you gotta try to comply to what other people want. It is no longer a "Lone Ranger" task anymore but a case of "Too Many Cook that Spoils the Broth"! So, I gotta be there on hand to stop the broth from being spoiled for the design part! In a way, it was fun because you can see the ideas streaming non stop. Some funny, some silly, some out of the world but they were good ideas but we just don't have the resources to make it happen. This blog entry is about what happened last Friday and dedicated to the people who have been busily involved in the event. Cheers!! You people rock!!

On Friday, Addy and Anne went to meet a friend of theirs who was a former IMCS-AP team member, while Mr L and I were assigned to work on some stuff in the office and also to check out La Salle Hall rooms in case we need to rent them for the volunteers or the people who are coming in early. These are the pictures of the room that I took that day.

~This is the room~

A nice and simple room. I have to admit, if given a choice, I'd rather stay there for all times! Heheh... There is an attached bathroom too but THIS is the thing that puts me off!! The bathroom is situated OUTSIDE the room in the BALCONY! I'm like... Oh my God... I wanna shower and I gotta face the people out there??? No WAY !!!!!!! Talk about the lack of privacy, man!! Hahahaha.....

~The balcony with the toilet next to it~

After going there, Mr L and I head off to office to work on the stuffs that Addy has assigned to us to do. Now, this was when things became a bit horrible. I was given a list of things to do and there were calls to make and stuff. To make things work faster, I wrote a list of things for Mr L to help me out to call as he seemed pretty free to me, as he was playing games on his laptop. To my utter shock, what he did??? He took the paper of task and just put it aside and just continued playing game. Okay.... if that is what he wanna do, so be it. I just did what I had to do. I made the calls, while what he did?? Sleep and play games.... At times, I was mad enough to kick him out of office but I don't have such right, so be it. God is fair all the time, so in His own time we will see justice done :)

That night when Addy and Anne came back, we went to Pan Cafe for a drink and also to meet up with Stefan from Penang Coordinating Council. After that, we left for Kajang Satay and also to drop Elizabeth off. Not only that, we also picked up Adrian's clean clothes. Heheheh... Here are some pictures from the Satay Kajang place....

~Leo and Addy at Hj Samuri's Satay Kajang~

~Addy and Anne at Hj Samuri's Satay Kajang~

~Leo, Addy and Anne~

~Eli and Alvin with me (the one with the cap)~

After that, we went back to Paulina's place to continue with our work and also to rest. There are other happenings also after that but I will save that for another post. Till then, cheerio and take care!!!

A lil update...

2007-06-15T18:40:00.000+08:00

Hey, people... So sorry that I have been neglecting my blog for so long... Didn't know what should I write about. Hehehe.... Been neglecting my blog for way too long now. I should be ashamed of myself. Hehehe... Nah!!! It's my blog so, I do as I wish! :P Anyway, this is a poem about my life that I wanna share with you guys, titled Is This Me Now???

Is This Me Now???

Listening to the strains of music
Wondering what my life is coming to
Why are there so many things
So many feelings
So many emotions
The ups and down of life
Is this what we are to experience

Or being happy matters most??
Happiness
It's not exactly what it seems
Some are true
Some are fake
True feelings makes you truly happy
Fake feelings makes you happy outwards not in
But you know best yourself

I wonder at times
If what I feel now
Is true or its' fake
How can I know it?
How can I be really sure
Of my feelings now??
I really wanna know...

~ My Life in a Lingo but with friends ~

KLCC Palm Sunday Mass in SFX

2007-04-02T13:36:00.000+08:00

You guys read my entry about Palm Sunday previously so, this is my experience for Palm Sunday mass.

Before mass started, there was a Praise and Worship session led by Natalie and Alvin Lee from CSS MMU Cyberjaya. We had a blast although there was a song where no one knew plus, the musicians were somewhat lauder than you two. Don't get mad! I am just stating my thoughts here :D

After that, the mass started with the blessing of the palm fronds by Fr Chris and a singing procession around St. Francis Xavier's church compound. In short we are re-enacting the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem by Jesus Christ.

~Beginning of Mass with the blessing of the Palm Fronds~

~Palm Fronds lifted up to be blessed and to welcome Jesus into "Jerusalem"~

~Re-enaction of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem~

~Jerry and his Palm Frond~

Here is a video of the entry into the "Jerusalem"

~Ongoing issue in Malaysia~

The ongoing issue as in how the syariah court is slowly and steadily making a move into the lives of non Muslim people. Not only that, it is also about the people who are converting into Islam left right and center without informing their spouse. Fine fine, religion is an individual's choice. I know that TOO well but converting your kids without the mother's knowledge?? That is plain selfish!!

This is the group picture of 5L2F. Not every member was present but enough to squeeze into the allocated cars. Oh... and 3 monkeys came with us also. Those monkeys are Eugene, Alvin and Angello. *dodges tins and cans from them...... Hahah... Not only that, a long lost friend suddenly pops up. What a day...

~5L2F group picture with 3 monkeys at the back~

~Long lost friend from ICG 2005, Andrew from UPM~

~Group picture again in Ming Tien, PJ for dinner~

Happy Palm Sunday

2007-04-01T03:43:00.000+08:00

Happy Palm Sunday to all my readers. Today is the day according to the Gospel as the day Lord Jesus Christ rode in Triumph into Jerusalem on a colt.

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel.” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15 “FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY’S COLT.” 16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. 17 So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. 18 For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.”

- Source: Biblebrowser.com -

Why does He ride on a colt and we wave palm fronds to welcome Him??

According to Wikipedia, palm fronds are considered as a symbol of triumph and of victory, in Jewish tradition, and is treated in other parts of the bible as such (e.g. Leviticus 23:40 and Revelation 7:9). Because of this, the scene of the crowd greeting Jesus by waving palms and carpeting his path with them has given the Christian festival its name. It also shows the freedom wanted by the Jews, and their desperation to have political freedom.

The Babylonian Talmud preserves a question asked by the Persian king Shevor: Why doesn't your Messiah come riding on a horse? If he lacks one, I'll be glad to provide him with one of my best! (Sanhedrin 98a). Indeed, why should the Messiah come on a donkey? It is because of the symbolism of the donkey, which in some Eastern traditions seems to be seen as an animal of peace as opposed of a horse which is seen as an animal of war. This message of peace was always fundamental with Jesus, therefore the symbolism of riding on a colt, the young of a donkey.

So, today let us wave our palm fronds and welcome Him amongst us as He brings the message of peace again. I wish to request that those of you who are reading this blog, to pray for World Peace always. Not only for the World but for your own country that things will peaceful everywhere. I don't mean only those who are Christians but I mean pray in your own way, in the way your religion teaches. Pray for everyone in the world.

~PEACE BE WITH YOU~

Evening in Cyberpark

2007-03-24T18:46:00.000+08:00

Last week, I was wondering what to do to spend my extra free time that I had that day. Next thing I know, I was asked a.k.a dragged to join Alex (papa), Jet(Lance de'Cypher) and Jerry(Chocobo) for an evening walk to Cyberpark which wasn't too far from the condo where we are currently staying. So we walked and walked and walked until we reached.....

CYBERPARK

So, here our story starts...

~Papa, Spring Fairy and Jerry~

Here we stopped to take a group pic minus Lance de'Cypher because he was the photographer with his trusty SE W810i. Psst... It's his WIFE!!! No one can really touch her :P

As we were walking around, we came by a small bush area and Chocobo decided to show that he is actually a Ninja in disguise. His real name is Jerry and he has been sent to guard us. What danger are we in, I wonder since there was a Ninja who is guarding us. Any idea, people???

~Ninja Chocobo-san~

I was sitting down and thinking of the future. What will my life be like 10 years down the road?? What will things be like as the years go on?? Musing on the current ongoings in the world as well as Malaysia. It's already 50 years since we got our Independence. We have that now, so what next?? Development of the country but are we developing in the correct way????

~Silhouette~

~Peaceful Thoughts~

This picture inspires me a lot. It teaches me to go through what ever hardship that comes my way. As the lotus rises up from the mud, it becomes a very beautiful flower. So, I should be like the lotus flower. From all the experiences that I have obtained, I should take it as a lesson learned and use it for good; in a positive manner.

~Bribing of the Raven~

Lance was so engrossed in the raven that he attempted to bribe the raven, but with what???? There wasn't any foodstuff with us, so he decided to bribe the raven with

A STICK

~Losing sights~

After realizing that it has been cheated, it decided to fly away and before it did, it poo-ed dangerously close to Lance's brand new shoes. Serves the briber right! :Remember, bribing is bad... Hahaha...

~World Friendliest Raven~

Someone was jealous because I got to stroke the raven and he didn't get. Hahaha...

~Lance de'Cypher and Spring Fairy~

That person is standing next to me.

~Silhouette~

I took this picture because I like the way the sun was nicely shining exactly over the resting pavilion with the lil red dot as the reflection. It was taken with Lance de'Cypher's Wife a.k.a his precious SE W810i. It was tough getting the phone from him. Heheh...

~Colors~

One of the water lily pond in Cyberpark. It was such a sight. Colorful lilies dotting the whole pond. You can't see much in this picture but if you see the sight with your own eyes, you'd think you are no longer in Malaysia but in another foreign country. I guess they were right... Why travel across the ocean when you can actually see the same sight here in our own country.

~Looks like Claude Monet missed this~

Why I said that?? Look at the picture. It reminds me vividly of his famous water lily painting. I think if he was still alive today, you'd find him sitting down there and painting the scenery you see above. Such a peaceful looking setting and the reflection of the trees overlooking the pond... Simply breath taking...

~Sunset~

The end of the day as well the end of this blog post....

Or not?

I haven't wrote much about the times we had there. It was a fun filled time with lot of laughs (Lance's kick and fart, raven chase) with a lot of photos taken. We also indulged in ice cream with him whining that Jerry had more chocolate ice cream than him. Goodness.... All these memories, I will treasure them. You seldom get to really enjoy all these when you enter the work force and it's usually in your time as a student that you actually get to have all these kind of fun.

The story of Lance's kick and fart is actually he was trying to show off a karate/taekwando kick that he did immediately after he got his black belt. He just wanted to see if he can still do it.

The Verdict: Yes, he can still do it but it comes together with a fart.

That got Papa, Jerry and I laughing away like nut cases. I think I laughed until my tummy was pretty sore! Hahaha.....

Jeremy, Alex, Jet.. If you guys are reading this blog post, this is for you guys. I love you guys heaps !!! I'm already missing that day a lot already... :) Oh which reminds me, don't be mad with what I said. It all happened and we cannot deny that. If it can brighten someone else's life, let it do so :)

Why do I support Komas

2007-03-21T13:00:00.000+08:00

I have meant to write about this for quite sometime already but it just keeps slipping out of my mind... You see me trying to promote Komas's Freedom Film Festival 2007; you'd be wondering why I am doing so.... I am doing this because I support their cause, as in what they are actively trying to create awareness of, which is

Empowerment with the poor and marginalized community towards the attainment of human rights in Malaysia, through popular communication approaches.

When we talk about the poor and the marginalized people, what usually comes into your mind??? These are some feedback when I asked some people.

Usually you think of the poor people in Malaysia as well as the people who are being downtrodden by society. I used to have that kind of thinking, but actually the poor and marginalized people are much more than that. There are the original people of this land but they are not fully given the rights they fully deserve. What more, in our daily life, we label people or should I say, classified them into different categories and hence creating a rift between the different races. Mind... When I was growing up, I recall very well my OWN mom telling me that I shouldn't mix much with the Malays and the Indian people. The reason, Malays are lazy people and the Indians are thieves No serious offense, my Malay and Indian friends... I never though of those AT ALL!!! I just want to show one of the many examples of how people think and WE, as the children have been brought up hearing all this and been imbued with THIS kind of thinking. Since it has been told to us since we were young, we actually tend to follow it. How many of us will actually stop and ponder whether all these are true???? I dare say that only a small handful will actually stop and smell the roses; to know what the real reality of things is. Have YOU stopped and smell the roses of reality???

We acknowledge the Malays as the "bumiputra" of Malaysia, as in the original settlers in Malaysia but what about the indigenous people??? THEY are the real original settlers of Malaysia. Yes, yes... I know you are going to tell me that they are also acknowledged as "bumiputra" but are they really getting the benefits they rightly deserve??? If there are, why are there such issues as Land Rights??? If it belongs to them, give them. It's their right as well; it IS their ancestral land after all. Why are we denying them that right??? I know... For the sake of development, we got to make sacrifices and stuff. HOWEVER! Are you sure that you want to sacrifice their WAY OF LIFE?? The forest is their source of life.

Download, watch this video and tell me, ARE WE TREATING THEM RIGHT???
Ponder on that

Food for Thought

2007-03-20T18:08:00.000+08:00

When I was younger, I used to wonder about the people around me. Why were there poverty and also the special treatment that my parents used to talk about. Why were there also people who work so hard just to get what they want. I was a child then, so forgive my wondering and questioning mind. I recall very vividly that my aunt called me a cross breed between a television and a radio! Why so, you will ask.. Well... It's because I talk too much. I had too many things to talk about; hence the many questions and things I talk about.

As I grew up, I was caught in the politics of being in a uniformed body. I was a St. John member then back in my school. I noticed that only those who are close to the out going president are the people who usually rose in ranks. I did try it and actually, it proved my theory right. It did happen and I recall vividly that my commander in the marching troop mentioned to me that I am the kind of person who can raise in ranks just because of the connection. Sorry to say I am not like that but more or less, testing my theory which proved correct. More or less, I think I enjoyed myself a lot and gained a lot in the process and also played the role of answering to the officers when things go wrong in school activities or when we fail to be active in the Area. The thing is, we are students and we gotta focus on our studies, hence we can't afford to be very active. Yeaps... Others can do, so why not you people?? Lemme tell you this. We do try our best but we just can't and our teacher advisers wanted us to focus more on our studies as well.

Now, I am a University student who has a mind of her own. Thanks to the experiences that I have gained via National Service; yup, I was one of the lucky people who were chosen for it and was the first of the first, the guinea pigs as they label us but I beg to differ. The trainers in charge knows what they are doing and I sadly miss those days. Besides that, I had my experiences as an exco in a uniformed body, learning from my peers as well as learning from my surroundings and also not to mention in my own private life.

In my heart, I wonder what is right in the world now. Everywhere I see, there are politics all around me. Sometimes in playing with those politics, we hurt our own friends around us. Are you sure that is what you want??? I have hurt my friends before and I really rue it. The thing about joining the society in the University is because you want your resume to look good. Why look for a good resume when you are hurting your friends??? I'd rather not. Call me what you want but I believe in my own words.

I might not even want to go out and work, but my mom will kill me, I guess, I wanna work for the better good of the people and also the better of the world. People say, start small, okay.. I will and I make it good. Is this maybe the kind of stuff I should be doing instead of getting an office job??

Which Malaysian Blogger am I ???

2007-03-12T20:21:00.000+08:00

Got a bit of writer's block for a while... Will update about certain events that happened recently when I get hold of the pictures, okay ?? Bear with me for this short time....

Congratulations Spring Breeze, you are...

minishorts of minishorts.net

You are outgoing, direct, smart, pretty, and a definite go-getter. You are frank, a little too frank perhaps that sometimes you get on people's nerves and make them very upset. If people attack you, you hit back with triple the force without blinking because you are the kind of person who knows exactly what you are talking about or else you wouldn't talk about it. Your quick-thinking is what makes you special. You are an elitist.

Which Malaysian Blogger Are You?

Happy International Women's Day !!!!

2007-03-07T23:24:00.000+08:00

Happy International Women's Day !!! Guys, be extra nice to the girls and Girls, be proud that you are female. =)

Trailer of what is to come

2007-03-07T22:07:00.000+08:00

Freedom Film Festival 2007, the next in thing (hopefully!) in Malaysia. This is a trailer of it. The interview of the winners of Freedom Film Festival 2006 as well as their opinion on the current issues that is rampant in our society today.

Freedom Film Fest 2007 carries the theme of “50th Merdeka: The Untold Human Rights Stories”. Komas would like to unearth stories focusing on human rights situations especially in the light of the last 50 years of Malaysia’s Independence. The FFF2007 is providing a venue and forum for you to share your stories through the film medium.

Got an interesting human rights story to tell? I dare you to document!

Fraility of Life

2007-03-07T01:47:00.000+08:00

There were 2 waves of earthquake in Sumatra. The tremors was felt even until Singapore and Malaysia. 70 lives were lost so far and still counting but not forgotten by their loved ones. Even though we know them not, let us pray for them who have departed. At times like this that we actually think about the fragility of our lives. We chase after the materialistic things in the world but have we come to realize what is more important in life???

To me, living a good life is better than any materialistic things that you can get out there. The most precious thing is the Love that we all share and give without asking anything in return. Is it possible to actually love people who you do not know, some would ask.. This is my answer to you. It is possible. actually, nothing is impossible in this world. If you have God, nothing is. You know deep in your heart there is faith. With faith, anything is possible. You don't have to know a person for you to sympathize with them. You don't need to touch a rose to know it is a rose.

All the people in this world are brothers and sisters, whether we like it or not. We all look the same. One nose, 2 eyes,one mouth and a pair of ears. Not forgetting also arms and legs. We were not given those to use them simply. We were given that to serve one another, not only God but also those who needs us. Don't tell me no one needs you or you don't need somebody in your life. You will need one also eventually because we are normal human beings with normal body functions and also feelings. We have emotions that allow us to feel pain and anguish, love and joy and the many emotions that we possess as humans. Let's serve one another as long as we can. Not by money, but by caring. The first step of loving someone, is by caring for the person.

My dear fellow readers, I hope you all would pray for those people who you do not know. The people in Indonesia, the place where so many lives were lost not only through earthquakes and Tsunami but also of the airplane crash and the capsized boat. Pray that their souls may rest in peace without having to care anymore about what is going on in this world. Free of their worldly suffering to enjoy the life together with God in His arms. They have gone to their rest, May God Grant them repose in Him. Amen

~ In Memory of the Earthquake Victims who has returned home ~

Let's Do Something...

2007-03-05T18:04:00.000+08:00

~If We Hold on Forever~
(Diana Ross)

Don't lose your way
With each passing day
You've come so far
Don't throw it away
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith, hope & glory
Hold to the truth in your heart

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

Souls in the wind
Must learn how to bend
Seek out a star
Hold on to the end
Valley, mountain
There is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying
Somebody is praying
Please let us come home to stay

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

When we are out there in the dark
We'll dream about the sun
In the dark we'll feel the light
Warm our hearts, everyone

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I

~ A beautiful song to share with all of you. ~

Never let go of your dreams, hopes, love, the small and little things that you hold dear. They are the most important things in your life. Never EVER let it go!

Dream on, my dear friends.. It' s the thing that makes the world go round. The joy of realizing the dream is so good that it actually encourages you to keep on achieving your dream.

I dream a lot and it is the thing that keeps me going in my life. When things go wrong, remembering the things that is still unfinished and unfulfilled makes me wanna keep working to making them a reality. Even the pains and the harsh words that I have receives just washes over me and calms me.

I have a lot of things that I care for, things to do, life to lead, many many of them... There are ups and downs in my life but these are also the memories and the lessons that I need to go through life. My teachers about the day... These are your real teachers. Books can only bring this much but experiencing life can be a breathe of fresh air. You will be inspired by what you have seen and learn that you want to do something back.

Some people call me a dreamer, but I think with dreams... we do our best to achieve it no matter what it cost. Mind, I'm willing to put down my life just to achieve it. Every dream is precious to person as well as the nation. Who knows, a small dream... It seeds the mind of the greatest man on earth, benefiting all the people.

The people are now worried about end time and the 2nd coming with all the natural disasters that is happening nowadays. The natural disasters are actually man made by all the pollution that is being rampant in the world. Instead of praying for world peace and also the stay of God's Hand and Judgment, why can we do something about it??? Instead of praying, lend a hand to those fighting to make world peace a reality and to maintain it. I am not meaning go to war for it.I mean it in a peaceful manner. No more fighting, no more quarrels, no more fights for land. The world was given to us by God and we have a responsibility to take care of it as God's children.

Before man came, was the earth divided ?? Except divided by earth and sea, it is a complete universe, why do we need to fight just for a piece of land??? Care for your people with what you can. The money spent on supporting the cause for land, can be used to benefit the people more than having more land. If you fight, do you think it benefits the people??? Have those people who sits in the office ever thought about the people out there?? Why fight when things can be resolved in peace.

I know people who reads this will call me all kinds of names as well as saying that I am someone who does not fear nor believe in God. Let me tell you this. I believe strongly in God and I trust Him completely. I just don't believe in praying only and no action. If no one does anything, there goes the world that we know. We have seen countries rise and crumble. The process is just the same for the world. When things goes really bad, the world that we know will just crumble and be destroyed. Judgment Day is not only a myth and something to make us fear. It's a reality that can happen unless we do something to improve the condition of the world.

Let's stand together to those people who are fighting for world peace and also, do something about the world's current condition. Don't let things get any worse. Love one another and together we will bring peace to the world

In reference to Sweet Torment

2007-03-04T22:19:00.000+08:00

Now, this is a disclaimer for the earlier post....

No, I am NOT in a relationship let alone a Long Distance one. I'm happier being single and not available.... No need to worry for so many things.Been into a few and things didn't work out a lot.. I'm not looking for anymore heartaches... I wanna spend my time doing things I like to do and not let anyone tie me down yet. I really need to explore what is it like to be in relationship all over again.. Somewhat I think I am already jaded in this game of love... Pains of heartache, the change in my personality till I didn't even know my own self anymore... I am not willing to go through that again..

I want to just remain me myself. Happy, free, crazy, hyperactive, talkative, playful and loud. If I am to fall in love again, I hope I will end up with a guy who will love me as who I am and not try to change me. Wonder if that can actually happen... It's so hard to see this kind of guys around anymore.. As if they are an extinct species now... hmmm...

Anyway, just enjoy your life and ALWAYS make the correct choice. You wouldn't wanna regret your decisions, trust me... I have gone through enough to know how it feels like. My love to you people out there where ever you are...

For a closing of some of my thoughts, I wanna share this song from King and I, "Hello, young lovers" from Rodgers and Hammerstein of The King and I fame

Hello young lovers, whoever you are,
I hope your troubles are few.
All my good wishes go with you tonight,
I've been in love like you.

Be brave, young lovers, and follow your star,
Be brave and faithful and true,
Cling very close to each other tonight.
I've been in love like you.

I know how it feels to have wings on your heels,
And to fly down the street in a trance.
You fly down a street on the chance that you meet,
And you meet -- not really by chance.

Don't cry young lovers, whatever you do,
Don't cry because I'm alone;
All of my memories are happy tonight,
I've had a love of my own.
I've had a love of my own, like yours-
I've had a love of my own.

Be brave, young lovers, and follow your star,
Be brave and faithful and true,
Cling very close to each other tonight.
I've been in love like you.

I know how it feels to have wings on your heels,
And to fly down the street in a trance.
You fly down a street on the chance that you meet,
And you meet -- not really by chance.

Don't cry young lovers, whatever you do,
Don't cry because I'm alone;
All of my memories are happy tonight,
I've had a love of my own.
I've had a love of my own, like yours-
I've had a love of my own.

~ Love don't see color either so, be with who your heart desires~

Sweet Torment

2007-03-04T20:33:00.000+08:00

Why are you always there
lying in waiting
To pounce on me
Are you a dream hound??
Tormentor of my mind
With thoughts of you
Why can't I get you out
No matter how hard
The time and effort
used to forget you
BUT!
You are always there

Smiling

A gentle hug for me
A gentle kiss on my lips
You are always there
For me

Spring Fairy

In conjunction of the last day of Chinese New Year as well as the Chinese Valentine's Day, this poem is dedicated to all you people who are love birds, especially those who are involved in a Long Distance Relationship.

A Tribute to Jennie Wee

2007-02-26T14:38:00.000+08:00

Take Me Home
(dedicated to Jennie Wee Cheng Hwee by Fr Chris)
by David Haas

Take me home to your dwelling place,
In your sweet embrace,
Ready to hold me in your arms
Take me home to your loving eyes,
With you alone I’ll rise, singing forever
In your arms, take me home

O my God, you’ve led me through it all,
through all the hurt and my shame
O my God, I have traveled far to meet you
To see your face and call upon your name!

With you all pain is left behind,
No sorrow or death on that day.
O my God, how I’ve longed to know your love.
Come wipe my tears and take my fear away!

O my God, the road is long and hard.
Open your heart, come to me.
God, with you, my sorrow turns to dancing.

Reach out your hand and set my spirit free!

~blessing by Fr Aloysius~

~ Mass Celebration by Fr Chris ~

~ Incensed by Fr O.C Lim ~

~ Final Journey Home ~

Last Saturday, family members and friends of Jennie Wee bid their final adieu to her at St Francis Xavier Church. The KLCC students came together to form a choir to honor a person who Fr Chris, our beloved campus ministry chaplain, loves very much that we gave it our all to make it successful even though we just learned the songs on the day itself. Thank God we managed .

Bidding adieu to someone who you do not know is something easy but listening to the homily given by Fr Chris, it's hard to ignore what a remarkable lady his sister was and a regret was born. A regret not having known her when she was still alive. A whole new world could have opened up to those who listens. However so, knowing that a person like her has came to this world and touched the people around her, I am glad that there is still a lot of good that is still going on in this life.

(Pics courtesy of Fr Chris)

What Tarot Card are you???

2007-02-26T13:45:00.000+08:00

You are The Lovers

Motive, power, and action, arising from Inspiration and Impulse.

The Lovers represents intuition and inspiration. Very often a choice needs to be made.

Originally, this card was called just LOVE. And that's actually more apt than "Lovers." Love follows in this sequence of growth and maturity. And, coming after the Emperor, who is about control, it is a radical change in perspective. LOVE is a force that makes you choose and decide for reasons you often can't understand; it makes you surrender control to a higher power. And that is what this card is all about. Finding something or someone who is so much a part of yourself, so perfectly attuned to you and you to them, that you cannot, dare not resist. This card indicates that the you have or will come across a person, career, challenge or thing that you will fall in love with. You will know instinctively that you must have this, even if it means diverging from your chosen path. No matter the difficulties, without it you will never be complete.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

I was just trying this out for fun. Got it from Jimmy while surfing into his blog.

CNY 2007

2007-02-25T15:30:00.000+08:00

This year's Chinese New Year seems to feel different for me this year. I was busier than a bee for the first day of CNY with relatives and friends all showing up at the same time. I think I looked silly with flyaway hair! But, can't be helped.. There were kids there to keep an eye on as well as being a host to my friends. Eventually, I got fed up and went to my room for a while. Purpose??

To tame and tie up my flyaway hair !!!!

Hehe...

Sorry I haven't been updating lately... Been on holiday break and had been too tired to update much... I'm back in action, though (I HOPE!!! )

Haha.. I solemnly swear I will try to update my blog as much as I can. Right now, I am just unsure on what to write! lolz!!!

But CNY was a blast!

Visiting friends and relatives but that was on the 1st and 2nd day only. Day 3 and 4, was struck down by fever! Day 2 night, there was a gathering for my high school friends and also some friends from our neighboring school. Those people are guys !! Hahaha.... I was formerly from an all girls school. Well.. we all sat down in a cafe called Sense, not a bad place but the stuff there are super expensive, even to KL standard. The atmosphere was adequate but I guess, SP people are a bit more noisy.... The live band there couldn't be heard at all !!!!

Coincidence of coincidences, we met some seniors there also! They were also having their get together! So, there was a lot of catching up and photo taking but sadly I didn't have a camera so, no pics here for you guys yet. When I get the pics, I'll upload here... Promise !

As promised, here are some Chinese New Year pics from me...

~ Gathering at Sense Cafe ~

~ With Pargit who came late to join us ~

Happy Chinese New Year !!!!

2007-02-17T00:06:00.000+08:00

~ Chinese New Year goodies!! ~

Chinese New Year is just round the corner... The year of the Piggy is here where as the year of the Doggie is leaving us until the next 12 years.

Freedom Film Fest 2007

2007-02-11T17:51:00.000+08:00

Enlarged version of the image on my side bar. The image there to tiny... Click on the image.

Funny Friends

2007-02-11T15:44:00.000+08:00

Funny friends are getting to be of a rare commodity now. Society now required the youngsters of today to grow up faster and become matured and loose the childish streak in them. I seriously wonder why do we need to rob them of their childhood faster??? My own niece who was playful when I saw her a few months ago turned into someone I don't really know when I last saw her a few weeks ago. She's only 9 for goodness sake! Why pressure the young ones to be matured faster ???

These are some of the friends who I cherish very much. The times we spent, the knowledge gained from one another, sharing our feelings and above all, caring for each other. Two of the people here, I don't really know them very well but I love knowing them and all. There are a lot things that books can teach us but the real teacher is life itself.

~ Doing a little Numa numa dance in the office??? ~

The picture up there shows, Addy, Theresa and Bipul, of IMCS-AP being a little crazy in their office library. Hmm.. I thought you have to keep quiet in the library but I guess these people showed me a different definition on what you can do in a library coz they seem to be going crazy over there and having a blast! Hehe..

~ Ready to be smeared with Whipped cream ??? ~

My friend mC and I gearing to smear people with Whipped Cream at a birthday party of a friend. Imagine you are all dressed up for a party and suddenly you get smeared with whipped cream. Hehe.. That's priceless coz you'll get the bug too and try to get back at the person who smeared you. I know I would do that just for fun.

Dear crazy and funny friends who makes life not so dull and brings smiles to people, these are the people who brings sunshine into life and touch the heart of those who are facing a bleak time. You guys are the people who brings joy to this serious and matured world.

Cheers to all my friends and I love you guys so much !!! Been great knowing you guys and let's never ever loose contact with each other. I mean it!!!

Valentine

2007-02-09T19:36:00.000+08:00

Valentine's Day is around the corner... Most of you girls will be looking forward to getting expensive gifts, dinners and bouquets of flowers... Personally so do I, if I have a bf that is (I'm human and also a girl, okay ?? Heheh... ) but I consider myself as a person who will receive anything that's being offered to me, as my dear friend taught me last time... She said, " If someone offers you something, you should accept it with a smile and thanks in your heart." Looking back in my life, there are times I really followed that, at times I don't. I rue the time I did not because it got me into trouble.. Heheh.. :P

This is a link that shows the various ways that Valentine's Day is celebrated in other countries. Maybe there are somethings we can pick up from there. Heheh.. On my part, it enriched me with knowledge of the diverse cultures we have in the world today. The part which amazes me is the creation of White Day in Japan and Korea. Normally, it's usually Valentine's Day and that is it until the next year but in the countries I mentioned earlier, they actually have a day for returning the favour which has been given to them on Valentine's Day, which is White Day. So, I am thinking, why don't we start it also here in Malaysia ?? I mean, it'll be fun right ???

To those love birds out there, Happy Valentine's Day and may you guys be happy with each other always !!!!

Cheers !!!

Official Opening of my blog

2007-02-09T02:10:00.000+08:00

This is the official opening of my brand new blog... Do keep checking it out for updates....

~ Be free always to voice your mind and heart~