Life in Motion: Love-Hate Relationship with the Chinese

Crossed over the border early this morning. Had lunch near the ruins that I planned on exploring today and tomorrow. Spent about 30 minutes to update myself on the what's-going-on in civilization as well as a quick chat with a friend, the wonders of technology. It was sunny and the headache from yesterday came back. I closed my eyes but the conversation kept playing in my mind.

Julian said:
I find the wording and overall message in the song very meaningful. Nationalistic.
Friend said:
Yeah, I heard it before. Both the Mandarin and Cantonese version are nice.
Julian said:
Both are. I love China.
Friend said:
You hated China before?
Julian said:
No, I never hated any country but I'll elaborate when we meet next week.
Friend said:
Ok. Enjoy yourself.
Julian said:
The food here is fantastic. Corn tortilla and some forgotten beverage. Got to go off now.
Friend said:
Take care. Bye.

I never hate China but I find some policies and practice both archaic and quite barbaric. My criticism and dislike notwithstanding, the Chinese have some of the greatest and richest of literature, poems, idioms, and ancient inventions. But as Chinese as I am, I don't speak Mandarin. Not that I yearn to go back to China despite not-so-friendly situation here in Malaysia. This place is like no others. From what I read, I wouldn't want to live in Australia, NZ, Canada, Japan or even Singapore.

Back to the "Chinese" topic, consider the following:

Somebody called me a racist because I once said I hated Chinese people. Now this matter can sort of be related to coffee. You have expressos, mochas, cappucinos, kopi-0 kaos and such. Sure the cappucino has a more pungent aroma and the kopi-o kao is well, thick but that's the thing you see. You know you can't live without coffee. You just have to show your preference of which one you like better. Same goes to the Chinese. I hate Chinese people who stare at you when they find out you can't speak in Chinese. It's like as if they've seen a ghost. I hate Chinese people who speaks Chinese among themselves, knowing full well I have no clue what they're saying. And I hate Chinese who laugh at you for being a so called "banana", whatever that means. But then I love Chinese who can cook good food. I love Chinese who can speak English and who are outgoing and love to hang out. I love Chinese who do not discriminate you for who you are. Heck, I love those Chinese in the porno videos. So there you go. You can't say I'm a racist because I hate SOME of them. It's like saying I hate coffee because I don't drink white coffee. Sure I hate the Chinese but probably only about a third of the population anyway. Is that so big a deal?

-John T., a Chinese

He summed up most of what I feel, except for the porn part. It isn't exactly hate as in loathe or contempt but rather frustration for my own kind. I understand the "banana" term very well. Yellow on the outside but white on the inside. If some people that forms the majority in Malaysia are guilty of sowing racial discord, then my people isn't helping to reverse it.

Take for instance, in varsity, some consciously gather and polarize another group. Sometimes I rather work with people from another race since my own looked at me with an icy gaze for not speaking Mandarin! They're so afraid to lose and end up trying to "modify" some results. Tell me, who'd stand such behaviour? I find the Malays and Indians are easier to work with because we understand each other and we don't have the must-win-at-all-cost attitude. Then, some think that if they don't learn in their language, they'd lose their identity. Five thousand years of civilization isn't going to crumble because you don't use the language.

Bear in mind that these apply to SOME but not all. It's SOME Chinese, Indians, Malays but NOT ALL. I respect the conservative views too but it isn't going to help if people don't accept that it's no longer the 50's where everything we do will aid China. We ought to contribute to nation building even if it meant learning in English or the national language, Malay. It'll not help if we champion communal issues.

But then, I concur that racists ought to be shot *evil grin*

...If you like Pina Coladas
And getting caught in the rain
If you're not into yoga
If you have half a brain
If you'd like making love at midnight
In the dunes on the Cape...

I've heard that many times, funny ending to the whole affair. Wait, that's it! It's pina colada. Now I remember the forgotten beverage. And yes, there are more Spanish-speaking people here and everything is so Spanish. Anyway, I'd try to get my mind off things and concentrate on exploring the ruins and the valley before a 90-mile journey to the capital.

Life in Motion: Praising Myself

I can never, repeat, never get bored with this sort of geographical appearance spanning three states. Panoramic horizon spanning the field of view, dotted with rust monoliths shaped over the years by wind erosion. Hardy green trunks growing out of parched ground; fighting to live - somewhat similar to my life.

"Tell us more about yourself", I was asked.

"Impress us. You have one minute", added another.

"I'm Julian and I'm as ordinary as anyone could be", I began, rather carefully. Softly at the beginning. "I love what I do and the reason I'm in it is purely for knowledge and to a lesser extent, to make life better".

It wasn't perfectly structured then but I'm sure it got across. I remembered saying, "I'm an introvert".

"Introvert", someone repeated.

"Let's begin", said the man on the left.

How was I going to praise myself? Whilst some can do it, I just can't. I just don't have qualities that will match the adjective people use when praising themselves. All I did was summing up myself with a word and I thought I'd do better.

But how am I going to tell them, civil servants, that I'm opinionated and critical of the present government? Or to take a shot at the education system? Would they be interested in how I weave my magic through words and wordplay? Would they care if I'm crazy with people I'm familiar with? How'd would they react to my sob stories regarding the monetary difficulties I'm going through? Would they sit up straight and leaned forward with glistening eyes if I tell them I love kids and decided to practice medicine pro bono?

And there I was in the room thinking how I'd tell them about me. Surely they wouldn't give a damn about what I do and the aforementioned things may well sweep a girl off her feet but not three men firmly glued to their seats, some weighing in excess of 70kg I may add.

My supervisor got a call from the panel of firmly-seated guys and the topic was introvertness. Good thing she said something like, "If you talk Science with him then he'll be the total opposite of introvert".

Nah, I can't help it. Maybe I'd do better next time but I can't bring myself to praise myself. I can't masuk bakul angkat sendiri (a Malay saying literally means getting into a basket and personally carry it).

Guess I won't pass a job interview *smile* but that one wasn't a job interview. It's a scholarship interview from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)

For the time being, I'll carry on. Forward. The sun is setting and a shadow is cast over the horizon and the monoliths appear bigger now, eeriely resembling a rock golem. The green trunks appear like sentinels on both sides of the road.

I just love where I am right now. The air's dry and the sky's almost clear. I start the engine and the radio crackled to life. Johnny Tillotson's Poetry in Motion had just begun. Ah, it'd be a heavenly journey, even if it's only for a few miles.

...Poetry in motion

Walkin' by my side

Her lovely locomotion

Keeps my eyes open wide...

Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit

Today a body finally rested
But the scars remained - in their hearts, our minds
Angry calls, heart-wrenching clamours muted
Form the IPCMC to placate, stop our never ending whines

Don't resort to boiling water
Or physical harm for that matter
A respected entity, professionals in blue
Live up to your motto through and through

To the dim ones with the thumbs up
Your heads need examination and a drub
Whomsoever is yet to be charged is a suspect
By a certain extent of the law, they still command respect

A life is a life regardless
Rights to be respected nonetheless
Uniformed men and women of the armed forces
I admire and salute not the bad apples

Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat = The burden of proof rests on who asserts, not on who denies. Principle of presumption of innocence. [More here and here]
IPCMC = Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission

Pamplona Bull Run

The second day of Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival in China) has come and gone - about 15 minutes ago. The first two days are usually significant since both days are national holidays. I liken this year to the bull run. Yes, so much fanfare and predictions running up to the year of the ox but all seemed too short-lived - ephemeral.

The last two hours or so were spent in darkness; no thanks to the power trip in some sub-station somewhere. It was well spent in that I've almost summed up the days' happening. Bonding is already certain. Everyone did make some amount of endorphin in their endocrine system and luckily, no one broke any ribs while laughing.

Good food and great time although I'd do better in PR. But then, it couldn't be forced right? I'd use these phrases: silent concern, unspoken care, and cryptic appreciation. There was even a photo presentation. One I reckon to be the climax of the gathering apart from winning in the card game. Aunt and uncle's trip to China - stunning environs. Another place to my list of places to visit!

Like any other year, this one ends really soon (although traditionally its observed all the way to the 15th day). The kid in me looks forward to the next gathering but the mind, as always, is wary of each day that greets me. I don't need the feng shui master to tell me but I have a hunch that it's going to be another 11 months of bittersweet journey.

To digress a bit, I observed that there are so many feng shui "experts" this year giving their two cents on the economy, career, relationship and everything else concerning us. And they call feng shui a science too. Unbelievable. Take relationship for instance, it isn't about star signs, animal signs, nor birth dates but rather chemistry, understanding, acceptance, and patience. So, come to me all ye hopeless romantics and I shall impart my knowledge to you all.

This is another random posting just to take my mind off the shock seeing how fast time flies. I shall stare into the picture below to soothe my wounded spirit for the feng shui guy says that the mountain-- no, I don't believe in such things - science or otherwise.

Education in Swat: So What?

"Yet another captivating shot from the Swiss Alps", I thought to myself when I first saw pictures of the Swat Valley, northwest Pakistan. Like the region of Kashmir (pic below), this scenic region of Swat is racked by violence and overran by [the Taliban] insurgents - bent on creating their dream utopia; one fashioned after their chauvinistic minds and based on warped logic.

In and around this picturesque area, I realized that life isn't as beautiful as the biome pictured above. Education is prohibited for girls, after primary four. Juxtapose the pictures above with that of burned books/schools and you'd see how cruel human can be and how unfortunate life is for the (female) students.

"I thought I was destined for the stars but they are pushing me to the caves"

-Malala Yousafzai
Sunday Star, January 25, 2009

Education promotes Western values and culture of obscenity they said. This is eerily similar to the group of people protesting against the concerts of Avril Lavigne and Rihanna here in Saudi A--, I meant to say Malaysia. My simple reasoning: Tell me about Non-Western/Eastern culture then. Don't we have honour killings? Life, I perceive, isn't of much value over here. Look at the Rwandan genocide and the era of the Khmer Rouge. What's with culture when we have people eating all sorts of things - dogs, cats, bear, and virtually anything with its back facing the sky. Poor tortoise.

Glue sniffing, extortions, sex orgies; both planned and organized, aren't new in the newspapers. Do we have to learn it from concerts or the television? Even if it's a resounding yes by such people, what happened then to moral and religious teachings? If the upbringing is sound and excellent, would parents worry that their children be thrown off the right path? We speak as if the bad and the ugly comes from a certain part of the world when it's the nature in us all that gives way to these things. How then, can we blame the West for eroded moral in our society when we have rape and incest in this part of the world? And where, sometimes, the victim gets death besides the the humiliation of being raped.

I'm not an apologist for the West but am hoping people would at least view things in a neutral way - to put things in perspective. Getting back to Swat, if it's for personal gains or if it's religious in essence, then call it by its name instead of coming up with flawed logic and reasoning. I'm not a Muslim but I remembered while learning Islamic History during History lessons that the first wahyu (I think it's called revelation in English) from Allah to his prophet began with "Bacalah...", literally Read.

I'll leave this here and go no further. I could get into trouble for saying the wrong things and it's true when it comes to religion or government. Guess it's the [Non-Western] culture here that's sensitive to criticism, dissent, and discourse. Question not the status quo, eh? Whoever said we're perfect? I could only shake my head. I'd rather dwell on the good things and yes, the only thing I think of now is the sumptuous meal for reunion dinner tonight.

What's Bad and Illegal in La-la Land

Not Los Angeles but Malaysia. Make no mistake (one of my favourite phrases), loving my country doesn't compel me to love the government of the day; especially when we see unfair policies and blatant disregard for the right things - transparency, accountability, rights, and the like.

Shocked by the news of Kugan's death in police custody, we now have a priest, MPs and others charged in court for "illegal" assembly. Now, many things are illegal over here. An assembly is illegal if it doesn't share the views of the government. It's assembly to gather to show solidarity for unjust detention for fellow citizens. It's also illegal to cycle if the agenda is to call for the abolishment of the ISA, better homes, minimum wage, and control in essential items. I no longer know what "the best interest of the people" means.

Then we have another group of people spelling Malaysia as S-A-U-D-I A-R-A-B-I-A. These zealots seem to be able to tell a rogue from a saint based merely on what they call "Western culture". Did it skip their religious minds that there are good and bad people regardless of where they originated from?

This and many more mark the new year for us all and also to accompany us through to the year 2020, the time when we're no longer a developing nation.

Journey Hitherto

When the trust is betrayed
When promises are reneged
When the confidence is but nullity
When pretence takes over sincerity

Then I'd no longer come
Then I'd no longer ask
Then I'd no longer wait
Then I'd no longer believe

When concerns become my prison
When my abilities don't assure

Then I'd always break away
Then I'd no longer speak

I grew up clinging, trusting, and learning
Ironically, when I'm all grown up I just think of leaving

I Have A Dream

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real... They are serious
and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But
know this, America – they will be met."

-Barack Obama, 44th US President, in his inaugural speech

How nice. And how I wish my own leaders would say and do the same thing instead of living in denial - how the country will not be affected by the economic slowdown worldwide. I'm already feeling the pinch. How I hope for someone who genuinely care about race relations instead of just using the issue to garner votes from a certain quarter of the public.

"...and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and
slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot
be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you..."

I like the above (yes, I know the speech may not be written by Obama himself but by his team) and Malaysia may not face external threats but one should do more than locking up journalists, writer, or a Member of Parliament, or vigilers and cyclists for making their voices heard. As far as I know, a government is mandated to protect the people. Mere dreams?

To boycott US products or not; and to be optimistic or otherwise of the new President, let's not be so quick to point fingers and run down others when the plank is in our eyes. See clearly and don't oppose/support blindly.

Edit - 21:14

Full transcript of the presidential address here

The Stone that Breaks the Camel's Head

"...if I were living in a glass house, I wouldn't be throwing stones at my neighbour's house who owns a stone quarry..."

Came upon this sentence today and it made me smile. How true! It covers - in the last few weeks - all the hypocrisy, the provocation, the lack of respect, arrogance, and the thought that the lives of a group of people is more valuable than the other; when in fact, all are created beings.

Some would bring the Almighty into war, giving the world the impression that God is behind a belligerent in a war. That is shallow to say the least, how our limited mind create space around God and then imagine that He's with us in whatever we do; wishful thinking isn't it?

Then there are people who support a cause blindly and no matter how hard one tries, those on both sides of the divide can never arrive at a right answer since no one is absolved from killing another human being. And also, just because one kills less than the other doesn't justify the act of killing at all. Life, whatever the colour, whatever the tongue, and whatever its geographical location, is precious. Let's not think we're superior to some and let's not bring the Almighty into our actions just to justify it.

I'm swimming in the pool between the divide. Already, I've come across debates (here and here) on who's at fault so I'll just dip in and cool off.

Book Review

This one is an excellent book. Well-written and very informative especially to the youths of today (I'm not that old either). It clears every doubt one would have and assures it's readers. Written in English in a fairly straightforward structures, it's a must read for everyone - youths and adults alike.

Following are notable excerpts from the book:

“All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.”
Article 8, Clause (1)
“Every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression.”
Article 10, Clause (1)(a)
“All citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms.”
Article 10, Clause (1)(b)

These and many more speak of the supreme law of the land and how over the years, many have suffered due to the use of draconian laws. Things like detention (for political reasons) without trial and prohibitions on candlelight vigils/gathering/cycling are clearly unconstitutional. What can a group of people holding candles do to disrupt national security? What is a candle compared to truncheons? How can unarmed civilians stand up to chemical-laced water? And the list goes on. It's as if what was written are illegible jargons.

Channel the time and resources towards apprehending thieves, robbers, paedophiles, kidnappers, murderers, and the much-loathed mat rempits (illegal bike racers).

Courageous Canines

I cry for you courageous canines

Loving hands or merciless stares will accompany you

You may lie by the fireplace or curled up, wet from the dew

Some are well fed, some subsist on morsels from the trash can

Some run to play catch, others run from gun-toting men.

I cry for you courageous canines

For some enjoy a pat on the head

While others get a bullet to the head

Some jump, barking excitedly every other moment

Others whimper in painful torment

I cry for you courageous canines

Fortunate ones find their way into loving homes

Unlucky ones into cooking pots, separated flesh from bones

Idiotic rules imposed upon those willing to love you

To banish from the community, stupid requisites aimed at you

I cry for man's foolishness and insolence

Eradicating at will, strays and owned, with illogical justifications

Highly developed brain, yet too dim to understand your emotions

Bestowing upon you the title Man's Best Friend

But unwilling to share and part with an inch of borrowed land

How dare we likened the nadir of things to you then?

When some even bite the hands that feed them

I pray, lovely canines

Hoping that you'd find joy in this wretched world

Not to be thrown out with irresponsible caprice

To the strays, that you'd find fleeting acts of kindness

A bite of food, a pat; temporal warmth in a cold surrounding

It is nice brushing your head and rubbing your chest

To feed you and witness your gratitude - a wagging tail

 

Ah! Dang lizards, ants, and roaches. Mozzies too.

When we see them, we're quick to grab the strategically placed aerosol can and direct its nozzle at the "enemy". For ants, we'd spray a white liquid to repel them. But lizards are driving us up the wall. Yet to try out the purported non-toxic lizard spray in the store though.

Now, however much we love other living creatures we can't stand the irritation and the sight of some of them. I forgot to mention mozzies as well. Can you fault me for killing them just to protect myself and my household from harm and possible diseases?

I don't go hunting for them down the water pipes nor do I disturb the ant mound in the garden and end up destroying half the area. When they stay in their zone and I in mine, then we'd coexist together. Take home words: coexist, harm, protect, disturb.

A friend and her scorpion sting terminology gave me this idea to include mozzies, roaches, ants and lizards. Like I said, I'd stop when I'm not provoked. A ceasefire. Sometimes, insects do learn from all the conditioning. The same can't be said about humans though.

Religious or Spiritual?

I've heard this phrase: I'm not religious but I'm spiritual. It was amusing the first time I heard of it but like all things seen or heard, it may not mean anything to me then. But being religious or spiritual does have differences/do make a difference; the former being all work, drama and routine.

I've learn to always remind people around me and people who comes to me, with tears in their eyes, that a monster who professes a certain faith is in essence a human - fallen one I may add. Surely in our journey through life, we've met with hypocrites such as these and myself like many tend to see that even the atheists and agnostics are better, nicer, and warmer people. They don't blow their tops whilst preaching love every Sunday. We see perpetual kindness compared to smiles only on Sundays, and a different demeanour on Mondays through Fridays and Saturday being an alternate affair.

God asked us not to judge another but the Bible spoke about hypocrites too; about being light and being salt - in short a testimony. How often we hear terms like religious fanatic? Guess that comes from people trying to scare others with hellfire and doing what's right (charities, alms, prayers, fellowships, and the list goes on) but missing the core: Love.

With love comes corrections and to a certain extend, chastisement. But not a good round of berating and humiliation right? Wrong. This is certainly true and exist almost everywhere. To the meek and lowly, take heart and know that we're humans. As much as I don't buy this excuse, know that a religious person so eager in welcoming us to join his/her church is fallen; much like you and I.

Religion can never make one a good person. Today, it's filled with so many kinds of rules and conditions so much so the real teaching and its fundamentals are shrouded behind all the activities. Only when seeking God and understanding God-likeness take precedence over religious routines can one truly shine. Disagree? Understandable since this one comes from a human too huh?

And I wonder what happened to love and peace, as taught by every religion in the world...

Would You Be There - Redwan Ali

Something sweet to share with everybody. Click here to stream the song. The following lyrics are from here. It may not suit your taste but then I'm in the mood for ballads so enjoy it with me. This one goes out to my friends/companions/compatriots/loved one/Anonymous(es)/secret admirers/colleagues/superior/inferior... Lazy ones, mail me for the file.

Would You Be There
Redwan Ali

If I were blue, would you be there for me,
And whisper in my ears that's ok.
Would you stand by me, let me hold you tight,
And say you love me one more time.

If I feel good, would you slow dance with me,
And touch my lips with tender loving care,
Would you die for me, would you run with me,
And never look back..

Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,
to take my breath away?

Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,
to take my breath away?

Would you be there..

If I am away, would you still think of me,
And wished that you could hold me now.
Would you die for me, would you run with me,
All the way ...

Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,
to take my breath away?

Would you be there to save my soul tonight,
Would you swear that your love is always true,
Would you say that you always be there,
To kiss my pain away,

Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,
to take my breath away?

Would you be there to save my soul tonight,
Would you swear that your love is always true,
Would you say that you always be there,
To kiss my pain away,

Would you be there ..... for me ...

APEX University: Excellence in All Aspects? Or...

I was somewhat proud when Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was chosen to be in the Accelerated Program for Excellence (APEX). Looking back on the many months since then, I see myself as naive to think that it'd benefit everyone. Since what I heard and perceive aren't substantiated, I'd just leave it out.

Then today, it was reported in the paper that students were manhandled because they were distributing leaflets (without getting prior approval) to invite students to witness the handing over of a memorandum calling for a free and fair university student council elections. As much as I loathe the sight of these security personnels who enforce a certain rule and shutting their eys to others, they're just following orders. What piqued my interest in posting about this matter is the kind of campus election we have here in Malaysia; modeled after the real elections in the real world.

Yes, we vote in secret and ballots are crossed. What I meant by modeled after the real world is that there are two factions: The Pro-University and the Pro-Mahasiswa (loosely translated as Pro-Student) who'd fight it out. The former and latter could be seen as parallels to the government and the opposition. What happens when you have two poles such as these? The usual indoctrination in which the "opposition" is the bad guy, and a destabilizing force - an anarchist kind of group deemed dangerous and doesn't deserve the students' votes.

What a big pile of crap. I'm not taking sides here but I sincerely feel that one running for office should contest under his own banner and not as a collective - be it the "government" or the "opposition". Why model after such a thing? Something interesting I observed is that these leaders from the pro-varsity side will speak the same thing as politicians in the radio, papers, and TV: vote for us and we'll make sure everyone is treated equally and that we'll achieve better things. Craps.

We're not after monetary perks but seeking one who'd voice out our needs without having to go through a board meeting or having to go through dilutions to make it more presentable to the higher ups. We have definitely heard elsewhere in the country, during campus elections, or reports regarding threats, intimidation, and confrontations between two groups. What the hell for?

So, what has 50 years of stable and strong governing taught the young; the so-called leaders of tomorrow? Is it "hold on to your seats and grow deeply entrenched roots"? Is it "tell the less-informed that only the governing body can guarantee progress"? One thing's for sure, we've successfully teach these leaders to follow blindly without any convictions. It's always a collective and there's no such a thing as a single and sincere vision.

Thus, we see today that we no longer have people who cared deeply about issues involving the students. If any, they'd just keep silent and follow the herd. The collective; where victory is almost always guaranteed. Anyone not with them is against them, against the establishment, the university. Crap.

I don't see the need for these government and opposition modelling and labelling. I see the need for one to speak up for truth and having no fear for it or for the repercussions thereafter. I see the need for students, myself included, to break out from these shell and have a leash around our necks all the time. When the time comes, we're free again but we've lost all we need for survival. End result? Lousy products.

A friend from South Korea spoke of secondary school students taking part in a conference called Model United Nations (MUN) organized by universities. For what MUN is all about, click here. I've never heard of it; imagine a 23 year old graduate hearing something alien from a 16 year old.

So, excellence doesn't wholly mean publishing lots and lots of papers. If not, the program would be called A3P (Accelerated Program for Paper Publications). It's about the students. It's about creating a person and not a robot. It's about producing bright/average graduates having his/her own convictions and views without having to get them from another person. Buck up and wake up if you're still resting on your laurels. From all the funding, by all means upgrade and build but don't neglect the unseen. It's high time students such as myself feel so unsure of things due to the leash and commands all these years. Stop having the notion that all elections and appointment to the student council need two groups of people fighting it out. It should be individual. Each with his or her aim. It's time one group be endorsed and painted as the "good guy". The University (notice the capitalized "U", I won't interfere in other varsities) should appoint to office victorious candidates and make clear it's neutrality towards the elections. I believe they call it non-partisan?

The university has some very bright staff and some excellent lecturers. Myself am fortunate to learn from and work with a few people whom I can speak to freely. One who gives me space to grow to whatever size I can grow. For all these plus points can be seen as a masterpiece but like all masterpieces, one flaw is magnified and frowned upon. Have we seen imperfect paintings? That of Mona Lisa or those frescoed by Rennaisance artists in the Sistine Chapel? Long as it may take to complete but the goals were set and people toiled to finish it.

Hence, model after the Rennaisance. After the UN; or if the UN is seen as powerless, after the Arab League. After all, these are bodies with a proven track record. Why model after a nation whose leaders and system has sown discord and caused conflict among its people? What more, a proven record of corruption (Transparency International, 2007).

Fishermen to be Fined - I Second That

If educating the masses on animal rights failed, then swift punishment should come. People just don't give a damn if a particular creature is endangered and they hunt them for food, for handbags and shoe, and some perhaps for a show.

Those guys, breadwinners they may be, who caught the whale shark ought to be fined just for not releasing the fish. These men are pro at deep sea fishing and I'm sure they'd know how much they've caught or in this case, how heavy.

Was it, it got stuck in the net so we have no choice but to bring it back to beach? Accidents yes but they'd do more than just hauling it to land. The kids would be like, "Wow, they caught a big fish. Wonder what's next!". There goes all the efforts to educate them on the importance of protecting and preserving wildlife. Rather than bickering on whether to use English or Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction in school, think of how you'd make learning fun. My friends in Korea are saying how tough and competitive school is as well as the university entrance exam. Here, everything is so carefree. Time to get people who knows about Science to be part of the panel responsible for the subject's syllabi. Grr...

And this comes after a rubber tapper was detained with a sun bear in his possession - dead. What now? Virility again? Contact Pfizer please; or click here.

Well, these are my thoughts. I just feel that they'd just get off easily. Who cares about an endangered animal. Profit comes first and the end justifies the means, so they say.

Fireworks and Fiery Skies

A boom from afar heralds a new year
In a peaceful place, an explosion causes no fear
Yet faraway someone looks up with a tear
Hoping the next boom doesn't come near

Lest we forget the New Year is another number
For some, the continuity of yet another sneer and jeer
Whilst we indulge in a glass of beer amidst all the cheer
Know that some cling desperately, to life so dear

Ne'er forget that in some other places
People look for signs; for friendly faces
Therefore, make attempts this year
To be sensitive; into the other world we peer.