Paid Beach. What a bitch!

First and foremost, forgive the choice of word.

I use to tell my friends that the [famed] beaches of Penang along Tanjung Bungah up to Teluk Bahang belong to the rich save for one or two littered with plastics, charcoal and other party leftovers. Why litter and then organize a beach cleanup afterwards? Well, that's another problem.

Tanjung Bungah beach

On any clear night, one would expect to find a few blokes on bikes circling the housing area looking out for party-goers / lovebirds making their way to the "Laluan Awam ke Pantai" (Public Access to the beach) - that's what the city council sign reads - and brazenly asked for money. I wonder how they knew I drove there then. Now, the thought of going to beaches seems to kill the joy when I think of them. It's easy to say ignore them but they'd just do some nasty things to your car just to send home the message that they're lord over the place. The police? Ah, they're busy serving their other duties, if you know what I mean by that. That's Malaysia maybe?

Elsewhere, the beach area is cordoned off and the residence could have a ball of a time in the perimeter. Further up, it's bustling with jet skis, horses (and their poo), para sailing and the other things people do by the beach. I'd rather swim in the pool. Come nighttime, the area is just plain unsafe.

What I'm saying is that beaches are fast becoming "proprietary" and become something having ownership of. I wonder if people in other places fork out a few Euros or Dollars just to park in areas nearby the beach. Savour the beaches we may never have, clean and free for everyone.

South Beach, Miami

Ponte Vedra, Florida. My favourite scene. Thanks to a friend who lives nearby.

Revere Beach, Massachusetts

San Vicenzo beach, Italy. Capri is too rocky for my liking.

Insouciance. Imperious. Impasse.

Two weeks into the new year and I'm feeling really unsure about all the optimism I harboured a fortnight ago. It's still the same people, bureaucracy, and problems; unnecessary impediments, that necessarily slows down work. What's more discouraging is that the amount of work put in generates little in return and that, coupled with the higher ups breathing down your neck expecting something all the time is a serious deadener.

Good thing I learned to fall and land like the cat, or so it seems. I learn to take joy in the little things like when you have an almost clear liquid getting turbid by the hour. Also, as if deceiving myself, I keep hoping and getting all excited about the prospect of getting a new machine to make life much more bearable. Mind you, borrowing things outside the lab is a real test of self control, patience, and long-suffering. Meekness too. It's easy to name who has what but to actually use it, one needs to be nice (at least try to smile) and bear the words slash expression slash imperious behaviour of the little lords.

Let's not get carried away and spoil the rest of the evening for me. I just hope and pray that things will be fine in a few months time. For now, I'm creating a list of have nots that I wish to have (or at least read them) this year. Too new for the used books dealer and too dear to own from the bookstore.

In no particular order, here goes:

King James Conspiracy - Phillip DePoy
Turning the Solomon Key - Robert Lomas
Who Dares Win - Chris Ryan
Quran and Crickets - Farish Noor
Fidel Castro: My Life - Fidel Castro and Ignacio Ramonet
The Imperial Cruise - James Bradley
Dear John - Nicholas Sparks

I'm reading (and bookmarking) some nice books now:

Uncle Jack - Tony Williams and Humphrey Price
Belonging - Sameem Ali
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of A Boy Soldier - Ishmael Beah

Not forgetting for this year and many years ahead:

A DSLR
A Sony PS3
A Logitech G25/27 Racing Wheel

The last three items are more of a dream to pander me whenever I look at them in malls. I miss the insouciant days of yore; growing up at home and in school. I miss school.

The Dutchman's Log

I wrote the following two in a birthday card to mum.

As you sail
May life be free from messy bale
Breezy in the aft and away from the gale
Stories from the vogage many you'll regale

Navigate where the Wind blows
Behold the sides of the north
Life and its throes
Ephemerally bide as you set forth

Self Evaluation

I'm sad to read in the news how there were two more bids to burn churches and in another related incident, a black paint was splashed. I'm sad to see how my country seems to breed fanatics akin to that in Pakistan and elsewhere where chaos reigns supreme.

But then, these allow Christians everywhere to ask themselves one simple question: "How I felt?"

Yes, how we felt? Was it anger? Or anger which then simmers down to forgiveness [after reading Matthew 5:39]? Or was it an urge to pray for God's protection and for forgiveness for the perpetrators? I'd never know what went through the minds of believers right up to the church leaders. What I know is that it's good exercise to put into actions what we've learn every now and then from sermons and bible studies. After all, faith [in Jesus and His nature] is dead without works.

We're called to praise God in every circumstances and surely God sees. So, [as a reminder to myself] love and bless those who curse you. Truly, God is love and we're compelled to love as He loved.

Knowing My Birthplace

I nearly echo what Khairy said in relating to the church attack but then again, I've always known that such a thing will happen in the country since such attacks occurred in neighbouring Indonesia long ago. It's sad to see how, in recent years, some resort and move towards extremism (here read as extreme measures and nothing else) in a country known to be moderate.

Moderate internationally but like all other countries, there are problems and uneasiness simmering occasionally spilling to the front page but threats and the actual act of carrying it out is quite alien to me. Of course, I went like, "Wow, there are hackers here in Malaysia too". Now, it's this, "Gosh, we're becoming more like Pakistan!"

That said, it's a comfort to know that there exist cool-headed Muslims (not the politicians, I don't trust them) like this one and my mates. Well, I will never know how much they meant what they said but at least they don't charge after me screaming.

Is There No Hope?

A gloomy day today and it's disheartening to read the following post...

A Letter to Lim Kit Siang

Dear Mr. Lim Kit Siang,

I have utmost respect and admiration for your tenacity in remaining in Malaysia to champion the cause of justice and equality and fight for a Bangsa Malaysia.

My heart broke when I read about your article regarding the honest cyber cafe operator especially when he wondered if he ‘had chosen the wrong country’ to start and operate his business.

I see my situation summed up in that phrase. You have said before that the best and brightest are leaving this country. Well, I am making every preparation to leave. I have consistently scored straight As in every public exam and placed among the top 3 of my form. In university, I studied medicine and am among the top scorers. I have just graduated and scored near perfect results in a medical licensing examination that will enable me to work abroad and further my studies.

I was born a Malaysian yet I cannot see myself as a Malaysian. As a Chinese, I feel that I am being discriminated against. I feel that the government is trying its hardest to sideline me just because of my race. I look around and see this discrimination manifested in various forms. From the issue regarding religious conversion to the allocation of places in local universities, the stench of discrimination is sickening.

It was horrifying to note in my batch of medical students, there were a substantial number of malay students who actually did not apply for medicine but were sent to study it. It is disgusting to think that many STPM straight A scorers are deprived of a chance to study medicine while the government gives the places to people who are not even sure that they want to study medicine.

I have seen how racial politics sully the environment in the university and how unqualified people are in high posts at the expense of far more intelligent and qualified individuals just because they are Malay. I have heard the terrible statements made by delegates at the recent UMNO General Assembly about revoking my citizenship rights should I question their special rights.

I have seen the videos on YouTube where UMNO MPs have the audacity to ask us to ‘keluar’ (leave) of the country if we don’t like what they are doing to it. And I see the pathetic attempt by the PM to ‘discipline’ these racists. I hate the fact that Gerakan and MCA have done NOTHING to fight for my rights instead of just kow-towing to UMNO for their own gains.

Patriotism isn’t about singing the national anthem or raising the flag. It isn’t about accepting at face value everything the government says. It isn’t about attending merdeka celebrations. It is about feeling accepted as part of your nation. It is about knowing that your nation accepts you as a son or daughter. It is about realizing that being a part of a nation entails certain responsibilities. That is my definition of patriotism.

And right now, as a Malaysian, I am feeling anything BUT patriotic. 50 years of independence? So what? What has it done for me? Whoopee. I have a chance to change my life. I will change my destiny. I could not choose the country where I was born but I can very well choose the country that I will swear my allegiance to. I want a country that will recognize me as a citizen and grant me rights equal to that of all other citizens. I want a country that has the wisdom to recognize my potential and talents and reward me accordingly. I want a country where the government fears its people and conducts itself in a manner worthy of respect and honor.

This is not my nation. I am leaving. Mr. Lim, I salute you and all those like you who can find the strength and energy to fight for an ungrateful bunch of people. How many actually held mass protests, hunger strikes or rose up to defend you and your family when you or your son was imprisoned for fighting for us? How many did more than just shake their heads and move on with their petty little lives? None that I know of. Yet you continue to defend their rights.

You are an amazing man, Mr. Lim and I truly admire you for that. Unfortunately, I have a bright future ahead and I will not waste it in this country. It is not my nation.

Thank you for fighting the good fight.

(Author’s name withheld for privacy)

Heralding Peace in 2010

Here's my take on the Herald issue regarding the use of the word Allah as a pronoun to replace God in the Malay language.

It's so restless everywhere and even on Facebook where the 'defenders' are fanning the whole affair. I think the magazine should just pause and think what is wrong with using the word Tuhan to represent God since in Malaysia (not Saudi) there's a Malay word for it besides Allah.

I don't know if it's about reputation but I think a Catholic (called Christian by others) publication shouldn't strive so much to use a word. It doesn't matter that much does it? It's just not right to fight so much over the use of words and I think they'd just use "God" and avoid so much flare.

I won't risk a backlash by commenting on the Muslim side. But I think everyone should just shut up if they cannot stop resorting to using strong insensitive provocative words.

God bless, y'all.


PS. Oh God, could you please mediate the dispute? But then again, I don't think they'd ever listen to you. After all, they think of themselves as God; playing you. Sigh...

Reads:

High Court grants Catholic publication Herald the right to use ‘Allah’ word again

Minister violated rights of Herald publisher, court told

Government calls for calm over Allah court ruling issue

Allah issue: PM urges calm while Govt appeals court’s decision

Of Herald, Allah (on Malaysiakini) and my chat with Indonesians

Chirps

Julian Chin Джулиан wonders why most people tend to seek [perceived] gold elsewhere when there's abundant at home

Some minutes ago      Comment     Like

And I forgot to note that Avatar, albeit predictable, is one of the best movies I've watched in 2009. And I'm too lazy to compose an article with orange-gold-yellow coloured fonts. It's been a long time since I let my creative part take over, à la Jake Sulley (pronounced the Na'vi way).

Happy New Year Everyone!

Dream
Send me a sign
Turn back the clock
Give me some time
I need to break out
And make a new name
Let's open our eyes
To the brand new day
It's the brand new day

I'm eagerly waiting for mum's birthday and the next episode of Lie To Me.