Rapunzel

Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses,
All ye fellow peasants of this land,
Hearken to me inhabitants in the marshes,
All ye creatures that hopped, crawled and ran.

The forth month of the third year,
When the air is fresh and clear,
Came Rapunzel from the neighbouring kingdom,
To dwell in this land for a season.

With hair so long and voice so soft,
With a smile so sweet and words so kind,
Certainly, it'll always captivate one's thoughts,
And never will escape one's mind.

Came the peasant on Perodua Keldai,
So uncommon money can't buy,
Went up to her and said "Hi",
They talked and played; then said "bye".

Life is full of jokes, laughter and talk,
Often, they stained each other's face with chalk,
Each day as they got closer,
The bond of friendship grew stronger.

He told mum about their relationship,
And mum hopes it's at the level of friendship,
He told mum dear Rapunzel loves a prince; not a peasant,
Then mum said, "But still, keep your distance".

As the days flew by,
Mum's advice rings in his mind,
Rapunzel's the only girl he likes - the most,
But he knew he shan't be too close.

Mum said, "Friends: Why one when you can have many, dear?
Be yourself, mix around and you'll be happier",
He can never understand mum's motive,
Nevertheless, it's something constructive.

Friends told him to do what is right,
While mum said, "It isn't the right time",
As he lay down and contemplated at night,
He told himself, "Fat hope! She will never be mine!"

People said, "There're many more fishes in the sea",
But he replied, "Only a queen in a bee colony",
He'll always remember the one who loves, who's kind and always dear,

She is none other than the sweet Rapunzel.
 

The Place I Call My Home

Thought of my school and how I miss it so much. Ah, a place I grew up to be what I am today. A fine institution instilling in her students a sense of responsibility, humility, respect and yes, touching hearts. One of my favourite things to do. To touch hearts - literally. I could go on and on about it but I'd rather bring people on a grand tour, so give me a tinkle.
For the record, varsity is nowhere near the school. A microcosm of the real world, yes, but I stubbornly refuse to accept the pride and the selfishness thereof.
Went through some files and came upon something I penned back in 2002; the year of our sesquicentennial celebration. So here goes...

Five years nearly come to pass,
Everyone's parting at last,
Fond memories of the school will last,
Forever in our hearts.

Years of striving in the school,
Obeying and breaking the rules,
Much knowledge have we salvaged,
So much so we almost become a sage.

To all staffs, we thank,
While they teach we ne'er go blank,
Ever-Joker we are it seems,
And that always leaves them in steams.

Well done to the cooks,
The foods were so good,
And despite the mood,
Nasi Kandar is finger lickin' good.

Leaving all those things behind,
But never out of our mind,
No other schools are better,

Than our beloved Alma Mater.

St. Xavier's Institution

Publishing vanities

What do scientists get when they do research and discover new things? Publish papers. Not that I'm ridiculing them ('cos I'm lucky to be taught by a respected one) but by and large, scientists or rather researchers in a lab are mere humans. Fallible humans.

Working for two months on my final year project has definitely changed my view on this bunch of people I once held in high regards. During my two months tenure as a junior, bottom-of-the-food-chain student working my posterior off, I've been through enough things which made me come to such conclusion: researchers - be it my peers, senior MSc, or even doctorate students of the same lab - are just your ordinary students produced by the country's education system. They may be (a year or two) more experienced that's all.

Often, I see selfishness and the penchant to show one's superiority over a matter. Whilst I'm not delving deep into what many think is the future (and therefore class) of science beginning with the word "molecular", I don't see myself lacking in any area nor should anyone behave condescendingly towards anything un-molecular. Mind you, I have seen more disciplined and knowledgeable people in not-so-molecular lab.

You have proud people who thinks they're at the top and untouchable due to the fact that they're pursuing a higher degree and everything molecular. Mind you people, I believe in myself: that I'm better than most if not all. I think and I question and not accept and do without knowing what's being done.

I love Science. I strongly believe that Science could better serve the world. I don't see the "light at the end of the tunnel", much less an exit for the world today since science is money and fame. Everyone's involved in the race to win recognition and accolades. Scientific applications are pursued only if there's an economic feasibility, the possibility that it fills up one's pocket.

Race I mentioned. It's so difficult to share/borrow stuff and it's so easy to give excuses. A me-me you-you or a mine-mine your's-your's situation. Mind you, borrowed things will be returned (I will at least) and if you have a bulk of stuff kept to gather dusts, why not let it be used and stocks shall be replenished once available. Simple logic.

Perhaps, many will think I'm living my own utopia but then, scientists are not so much different from the legislators and the pen-pushers - all for personal gains. Really, what do such people who says" "I know 'cos I did it before" and "I'm doing the molecular aspect of things" get? Publish papers in journals.

Again, I'd like to reiterate that there's nothing wrong in publishing papers to make known your works but please, as human as we are, never think you're better than others. Have self esteem, yes, but a chauvinist, no. Otherwise, what you do are mere vanities, publishing vanities.