St. Xavier's Institution: A Sentimental Recollection

Ah, yet again memories of my school (no, not the one in university) played in my mind as I read an article in the Sunday Star.

I don't know if I should be happy or sad and most probably, I'm experiencing the mixture of both right now. Happy that it has come a long way, sustained. Being semi-funded, the school has done a great job by keeping the building from crumbling thanks to many benevolent people, many of whom are ex-Xaverians/La Sallian/Saint - whichever you'd like to address them as. On top of that, we've had successful fund-raising for charity - not bad for a Sekolah Menengah (period) eh?

How many people you meet today who'd describe schooling days with much affection and admiration - both the sign of success of a school in touching the hearts of it's students? Not many. Some would rather not bring up that subject at all. The least I heard was, "Like that only-lor".

Letting my mind jog, it was a warm and breezy afternoon. The school's almost deserted except for a few boys playing street soccer in the quadrangle. My first stop is at the Palm Court. A big Traveller's Palm greeted me and I'd see a few a distance away. A lot of effort has been put into this place by Bro. Charles. The adjoining basketball court is also the place we have our assembly every Friday and also the place for street soccer action; well, it's street soccer when there's space to spare.

Then, I reached the staffroom. It's deserted as well but I'd see myself in that place a few years ago - from handing in exercises to shooting the breeze with these wonderful and friendly souls. Mind you, they're people you'd talk to without fear. We share a special bond with them unlike in some schools where teachers are of the other dimension with a constant barriers around them.

I took a long stroll along the classrooms. Here's where I start my Form One. This is the classroom with the most memories, albeit a painful one. This is where I started dabbling in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, a place where I meet a very special person too. Ah, this Old Science Lecture Theater is where we, the crooners, belt out some sweet oldies: Shout out to Jiwan, Hock Hin, Yan Wai et al.Above the OSLT is the Arts Lecture Theater where we learnt Pendidikan Moral through one creative way - watching movies. See? You'd only get rote learning in other places.

My penultimate destination of my tour is the school canteen. Here, former students like me come back, almost like a pilgrimage, for Curry Mee, Jawa Mee, Char Koay Teow. The place look so new now compared to when I first came here.

St. Xavier's Institution (pic from the Facebook group SXI Alumni)

The toilet is my last stop. I'd take a piss before leaving the place. Over the years, we've had many stories regarding this seemingly ordinary place. From funny to serious to gross, we've heard them all. As I walk along the corridor toward the foyer, I bump into the counselor. A white-haired lady much like Pierluigi Collina. Many requested to get caned and be spared the mental torture by her. A very nice person I'd say of her.

The office is already closed. Soon, Bro. Paul (the Principal) will retire and thus end the era of Christian brothers administering the school. Clouds are already forming and the soft breeze has begun picking up strength. Beautiful facade, both day and night. Let's hope everything I see today are maintained and nothing unnecessary is added. I still remember the time when dim-witted bigots called for the removal of the cross.

It's these Brothers that made the school what it is today. The essence. Far from evangelizing students, it instill noble values as well as discipline into each and every students. Without it, it's no better than any government schools.
With all certainty, I've gained much from the school. A place of education and character-building. A place we learn to touch hearts, a place of giving. Three things I'd always cherish and hold dear in my heart: The memories, the school rally (Alma Mater's Call), and the motto Labor Omnia Vincit.

As much as reliving my schooldays will bring a smile to me, I couldn't help the poignancy that comes with it, especially when the phrase goes like: End of the La Salle Brothers' Era.

Tick Tock

Mundane world, ordinary days
Extraordinarily simple, simply unfazed
Seek solace in an unreal world
Worldly cares start to dwindle

When it ends, antsy I become
Coming out, I yearn for more
More of magic, magically plotted
Fantasy, history, and slice of life all procreated

What has become of life; lively nothings?
Nothingness abound, abundance of vanities
Only a count to life, the choice of empty or fulfilling
I shall choose the latter
Living out this mundane, simple, logic-based life to the brim

Evening Excursion 2: Candlelight Vigil

It's nearly 9 pm and there were already droplets of rain. The crowd has gotten bigger by the minute. The sky opened but it seems that everyone anticipated that. Up went the umbrellas and the spirited chants of "Mansuhkan ISA" followed by singing. After short speeches by a few individuals, the ones present were given the opportunity to speak their minds. A little girl in pink walked up and her words were "...free RPK...". "She's the star tonight", I remarked to Yin Kuan. Adorable girl.

Yin Kuan's birthday gift is a "NO ISA" T-shirt. So, welcome onboard the bandwagon!

Taking our oath

At last, my first candlelight vigil, in solidarity with victims of the ISA. It may the the last of a series of weekly vigils but the fact is, the struggle will definitely continue. Another memory for the both of us but we're really thirsty. Ordinary journey home but then we know that we've had our voices heard. Though it may seem like a ripple in the ocean, the day will come when it becomes a wave. I believe they call it People Power? Makkal sakhti?

That's us there (pic from The Obnoxious 5xmom)

And it began to rain...

Evening Excursion 1: Georgetown

The journey to town began shortly after sunset. The Lor Mee and Lor bak at Fettes Park did not do much to ease the hunger pang. We decided to stop over at Padang Kota Lama, just behind Dewan Sri Penang, for another bout of gastronomic indulgence. Pasembur, rojak, and cockles should do the trick. We have another hour or so to kill so we decided to walk around the area; taking in the beautiful atmosphere at the Town Hall but I thought the facade would look better if not for the incandescent light bulbs.

We'd agree to this excursion, date if you like, as some sort of birthday gift for Yin Kuan no thanks to her work and we'd better make full use of this "time out".

Come to think of it, I'm not that bad a photographer...

Goebbels: The man and his modern-day parallels

Joseph Goebbels was the one in charge of propaganda in Nazi Germany, officially the Reich Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, from 1933 - 1945. An orator known for his incendiary speeches and many events culminating in the pogrom known as the Kristallnacht.

He was the man who, when Germany appeared to be losing to the Red Army on the Eastern Front, rallied the masses to contribute to the war in any way possible (providing warm clothing and necessary items) and that the Reich will be victorious against the Allied forces and the Soviets. The Sportpalast or total war speech was perhaps the most famous of his speeches.

Fast forward, we have propaganda tools today and it's not any less powerful in instilling fear leading to hatred among the masses. Carefully scripted, it'd throw the whole nation into chaos, pitting one against the other based on race and creed. Like the carefully selected audience of Goebbels, the seeds of hatred and disdain could be sown through maliciously crafted news, commentaries, adverts and short stories.

There's a distinction between being creative yet entertaining and being creative in a stupid manner. It's true that up until today, there exist a group of people who sees themself as communal heroes and garner support by raising issues pertaining to race and religion and nothing else.

Guido Knopp in his book, Hitler's Henchmen, used the word demagogue to describe Hitler and Goebbels. Big word, but history showed us how easily such people endear themselves to the public with their oratory skills, often with ulterior motives.

In the words of Goebbels: "If I had recommended that they go and jump from the roof of a tower-block, they would have done it" (Knopp, 1996)

Poverty - Still fighting it?

“When the world is collectively at risk, defense becomes a shared responsibility of all nations.”

-Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organization; World Health Day 2007

The 2007 October issue of Emerging Infectious Disease by the CDC along with more than 200 other science journals, dedicated that issue to the theme Global Poverty and Human Development. In one perspective, the morbidity of an infectious disease is linked to homelessness (in developed countries) as well as in urban slums (developing countries).

That's one way of seeing the manifestation of poverty besides chronic hunger, severe malnutrition, and unsanitary living conditions without access to safe and potable water. Poverty isn't just he lack of money and the way it's measured is a subject of much debate. Good governance should be in the forefront if measures are to be taken to counter poverty in a particular country. Besides boosting investors' confidence, fair policy together with its effective implementation, and good management of natural resources (revenues); a good governance also means a clean governance. In Malaysia, a position of 43 according to Transparency International (2007) isn't something to be proud of. Not that it'll increase the numbers below the poverty line but then it'll mean that measures to fight corruption will be hampered and result to nothing. Nada. Nought.

Next comes the sensible approach to solving a problem. Take the increasing fuel price and the increasing scarcity of petroleum for instance, designating a huge area of land for oil palm plantations to be used as feedstocks for biodiesel production would on one hand reduce dependency on petroleum but it does no good to the price of food for consumers. Instead of using a food crop, the fund should go into the exploration of inedible feedstocks (lately Jatropha curcas) and cheap ones (sugar canes in Brazil).

Then we hear of calls to raise the minimum wage. Whilst that may seem to benefit a certain group of low-income earners, it puts pressure on all other wage rates of other skills. In the supply and demand world, skills which are rare or difficult to master have a higher value as do high-risk professions. Bear in mind that as wages rise, the costs of food and service produced would inevitably be borne by consumers. The solution lie, not in charity, but empowerment of the poor by education, vocational training, multiple-skill acquisition as well as ending discrimination; the latter being important in creating gender equality and recognizing the potential of women.

On a personal note, as one in the field of Science, I believe Science could do more to help the needy. Funding should come because of the benefits of a research and not due to the prospect of holding a patent and earning big bucks. Sad but it has become a reality. Vaccines and hardy seed of a particular crop is of no use to the people in the third world if they can't afford these technologies. Ponder on the words of Jonas Salk who developed the first vaccine against polio, when asked who holds the patent to the antipolio vaccine:

"Humankind. Could you patent the sun?"
Poverty could be seen from one aspect as a money problem but it is also a people problem. The former could be solved by a stroke of the pen by a particular government but that would also mean the devaluation of the currency, hence inflation; whilst the latter has got to do with human nature: selfish and covetous. It's high time we stop taking things - basic, everyday things - for granted and start putting the phrase "start them young" into action to avoid a generation having nothing but apathy.

Has fighting poverty become a shared responsibility yet?

Peering into the future

Where do you see yourself in, say, 5 - 10 years' time? Do you know what you want to do in the coming 3 years? These, and many more, are questions posed by the all-knowing, infallible professors in university and also our always-concerned relatives. Whilst some may have good intentions behind that plain question, some may be motivated to humiliate us outright.

Many say we ought to plan our future and save for the rainy days. When it comes to planning one's life, God is out of the schematics. Worst, some even think God is purely psychological - meant to uplift us and give us the feel good sensation. In other words, false security for a, perceived, lazy person.

I look up to people who plan and achieve things and that's about all. I don't see the benefits for making enemies and stepping on people's head whilst climbing up the steps of vanity. No, I'm not a monk-wannabe with profound wisdom. I just don't see the need for more and more success when what's available at the moment suffice for a comfortable existence. This (success) is merely a benchmark set by imperfect people. Does having a good job means success? What is a good job then? A job with a high salary? Are mobsters considered successful then? Some say it's measured by how much you gave up to get it. Giving away health, friends, love, and life isn't worth it at all.

Many thinks that God would only help those who help themselves but there's a flaw in it. Would any parent help their child do something knowing it'd lead to anything other than good? I believe that God would help in a sincere plan, one not having a motivation to be big-headed, arrogant, or self-glory.

Where do I see myself? I see myself where I ought to be. And remembering my origins, not giving way to vainglories.

Wireless Fidelity or Fatality?

There's been much fuss lately over the plan by the Penang government to provide free wifi service in the state. For a start, I'd welcome it and may even pay for the Wimax though I don't think I'm going to fly by using that free service; too high a contention ratio. But then, it'd be useful to lookup on some stuff and check mails.

Studies into the risks posed by this technology isn't conclusive, yet. As long as there's no concrete proof, then all that remains are hypotheses and theories.

If the "health conscious" critics are so passionate about the wellbeing of themselves or their children, then speak up and take actions against smoking in public places. While they're at that, take steps to protect the environment - ozone, hill cutting, and anything that would kill the world. Proven facts I may add.

Are there harsh and effective penalties against all these? We can't just speak up against something but in reality, we're guilty of other crimes against "wellbeing and the environment". Is it because of necessity, then pollution (by means of, for example vehicular emission) is a-ok? Artic has become an island and soon, also, people will get stricken by radiation-related diseases.

What was done to lower the number of fatalities on the road? And you think those imbecilic mat rempit isn't a menace and a safety threat to the public as long as you stay away from them? There are many things which we fail to do to safeguard the environment i.e. the place we live in, the natural biosphere; which will ultimately result in our doom.

Gurney Drive

On the other hand, the state government should not be too eager to accept proposals in the name of "making Penang modern". I'd rather have a slow but a sure method to make Penang a better place to live in. Think long term. Does anyone in the present administration thinks that these developers are sincere and care a whole lot about the wellbeing of the people or the environment? Money is what they care about. Look at Gurney Drive/Tanjung Tokong. Drive up to Batu Feringghi and observe, beginning at the last traffic light. To attract investors, permissions are given to destroy? If they have their way, they'll level the hills to build more "sea view" abode for the rich and where the beaches are, they'll create a "gated beachside community"!

Amorality, Immorality, and the Follies of Man

I read a post titled Genetic issues on the topic of homosexuality - whether or not it's genetic and how human play God to correct what's wrong, twisting truths. In the Bible, the whole of chapter 18 in the book of Leviticus neatly sums up what and what not to do.

Whilst acceptance, instead of antagonizing these group of people, is the best way to go, one ought to be careful not to accept the acts associated with it. It's true that God loves everyone including homosexuals but not sin.

What perturbed me is the way things are in the world today. To be open-minded means to accept wholly the issue of homosexuality. I don't believe that legalizing it would reduce the stigma against this group of people. What appear to be sincere and lovey-dovey (in the case of Sir Elton and David Furnish) doesn't mean it's void of the immoral acts associated with it. What seemed to be of good intention would end up making sin legal.

From the way things are, it's going to be a modern Sodom and Gomorrah in the making with the theme: true love and sincere sacrifices. When it comes to pleasing ourselves, human always have a thousand and one arguments to go around a problem, don't they?

Far from genetics and from amorality, it's about doing things that run contrary to the commandments of God. Man, in his follies and love of deception, will always live in self-created ignorance and taking advantage of the perceived goodness in the character God. What kind of law is human law? How do the laws of fallen man measure up to God's? As it goes, God is not mocked and we will reap what we sow. A wrong will always be a wrong and no one can change what's true.

Kodomo

Kodomo points to the well-known children's toothpaste, Kodomo Lion available in four variants: Strawberry, Orange, Grape & Apple. Or the Kodomo no hi (Children's Day), putting up the koinobori (carp streamers), with dumpling and rice cakes to go with it. Ah, all isn't that rosy here. Whilst Children's/Boy's day is celebrated, the kodomo here in Malaysia are berated.

Yes, kids! That's how students are treated here, specifically in university. Never have I come across, save for some, anyone who speaks to a student with respect or treatment befitting that of an adult. We're kids wherever we go. Fire drills. Office admin. Lab. I wonder what's going on beneath their thick skulls.

Anecdote: I was enquiring if it'd be possible to have some documents certified at the office even if it's not from the same School. Then there's this smart fella who threw himself in between our conversation and said it's not possible because it's from the different department. *Sized me up and turned away, letting out grunt* It's just plain laziness. All I need is a stamp saying it's a true copy. Originals are with me. Next, comes security personnel who doesn't now the meaning of politeness when speaking to a local student (kids). If they need to tell someone off because of their attire, then don't do it openly. These kids don't get sexual arousal being humiliated.

[Though I'm of the opinion that if these people think they'd dress as they wish, why not wear a swimsuit? Dork! Follow rules and be sensitive!]

On another extreme, it's not a rare sight to behold how these bunch of condescending people turned kitten when conversing with foreign students (adults). Ha! It's always a smile and a yes or a smile and a polite no, smile again. Smile some more. Knock, knock! These foreigners are not your masters and don't get me started on the behaviour of the majority of Middle Eastern students. Behaving as if they're so good but ended up putting a flammable solvent in the oven in the lab. Extra vegetable and all. Did they pay extra for their food?

There you have it, you'd have to speak in different accent and have different hues to the colour of your skin in order to be respected and spoken to like an adult. Damn,if you gauge maturity, hence a grown up, by the ability to bear children, I'm sure every healthy person here can do it. I'd grow a beard if you want but that'd take a longer time than some.

In the end, it's double standards and the inability to show respect to another person. Whether you're a reknowned varsity, an Ivy Leaguer, or a top-some number varsity in some list, it's a handicap if something is lacking at the top, innit?

N.B. Children should be respected too, y'know?

Creatively absurd

Ever come across ghostly entities destroyed by a mere bullet? Or be destroyed when a cube surrounding them implodes? What about the summoning or superhuman strength and the appearance of a weapon out of thin air?

These are the kinds of story and intriguing plots that keep many glued to anime. But what else besides the near-perfect artist rendition of a character that causes us, myself included, to be stuck to them? I'd say it's a fact that there's no two anime alike, although some may bear similarity to another, and that there are myriads of settings which runs the gamut from an extraterrestrial environment, to the Renaissance period, and to the seemingly timelessness in some.

With a dash of absurdity, we'd have talking and thinking animals (in my case a raccoon), a mobile castle-like structure consolidated by pots, pans, and pipes as it's building material, air-travel, and every other things imaginable. What we thought isn't possible were brought to life by these creative Japanese. Impressive. Perhaps we're happy someone out there is finally able to project our child-like thinking of "if the world is like this... and that...". Absurd as they may be, how many weren't the least affected by some of Studio Ghibli's productions? Or didn't anyone hummed to some of the themes whilst growing up?

Result-oriented as they are, sometimes it's best to be creative, and take things less seriously. Effort yes, but then don't get stuck by only a method. Like they say, there is more than a way to skin a cat. I'm sure they have a fair share of critics as well but then, I was told that if I know what I'm doing, and like what I'm doing, then I'd be fine (emphasis mine). It's disheartening sometimes, to be discouraged from doing anything else other than the right and correct things. To do things logically and in a stoical manner. Get it done, correctly.

There you have it, my newfound love, one that's creatively absurd.

N.B. Post not inclusive of H anime *wink*

Life and it's vagaries

An eventful month of September, for the country and myself as well. It's October now and the beginning of another month. I asked myself, for the past four weeks, have I lived meaningfully? And how will I live in the days to come? It has long occurred to me that life isn't something one could predict. Life could just end the next moment. Why the intense fight to be at the top? I may not know exactly the whys and wherefores of one's self-aggrandizement but I do think it's worthless and in vain. Why the strife and antagonism just to prove who is better or who is right? For life and all its vagaries, it's not worth it.

I've decided not to be bound by the mundane and rigid rule of life; that is, to study and then work to earn. When health is spent, seek medical treatment using the accumulated funds. I'd rather do things driven by my passion and the enjoyment thereof. Not to grovel and then regret it. It's time we come to realise that life is likened unto grass and it's glory, flowers. For when the time comes, all shall wither and fade. How true. I'd strive to achieve my goals; that of learning and gaining enjoyment by means of experimentation with a bit of ingenuity.

What was I saying really? Enjoy life that God has given and the good things in nature, albeit temporal. And to stay aloof of things that'd rob the joy of life i.e. politics and competition, but not disconnected nor hermitic. Difficult as it may sound and as ideal as it may look, I believe that it can be done.

Now, how do I forget and forgo this hurt.....