First Election

When parliament was dissolved on 13 Feb, I was excited as this will be my first election - to exercise my rights to vote. Been waiting to see if my one vote could make changes for the country.

Every fool knows that a government shouldn't be too strong and there should be Oppositions to keep things in check. You know, being in charge for 50 years could do wonders to some. Since schooldays, I thought that government is the good guy since they tell us that they are. Oppositions are the BAD people that all voters should stay away.

I have my own convictions now; and brain to reason too. No longer confused by both the niceness and some hurtful things the people in power does. The very first thing I did when I emerge from the cocoon was to read news from many sources and then weigh out the right or wrong of what I've read.

Oppositions are always demonized and it seems that the masses only read and view what was chosen for them. It's so annoying to see and hear the adverts saying the current government is the right choice and no one rules the country better than them. Please. Read the daily and you'll read, "The Opposition's claim...". How come I didn't read it in the paper before?

Then there's this guy who hides threats in the guises of facts and frankness saying "the government promises only what it can do..." Please, spare me.

Some were full of hypocrisy. Raising a weapon and threatened to bathe it in blood then comes out again in the front page officiating new schools.

'Tis the season to behave and when it's over, the real self would be back again. Something intrigued me about government stability and foreing investments. Whilst I may not be an economist nor a political scientist, I believe investors would come if the country truly has the potential and prospects. Have not the development corridors already launched? So, if there's no 2/3 majority, the country's going to be thrown into a turmoil? And is it by the same people seeking the 2/3 majority? C'mon.

I love my country. China doesn't want me. I'm a second class citizen in any other countries. And I have deep respect for the leaders. it's just that one should prove its worth than to issue threats to garner votes. Malaysia is the best place to live in but a lousy policy to live with.

Anyway, I live in one of the hotspots of the election and it'll be interesting to see how things turn out to be. In the meantime, I shall get annoyed by those adverts on radio when I drive home.

Where?

Where are your children? This is the only question I pose to all parents, or rather people who call themselves parents. Parenting: the experiences, skills, qualities, and responsibilities involved in being a parent and in teaching and caring for a child. I’m not giving tips nor guide because I’m not qualified to. I’m taking parents to task. Digest that word: Responsibility.

Kids drowned. Kidnapped. Raped. All it takes is to be more alert and ask yourself on your child/children’s whereabouts. I notice lately that many kids are outside unaccompanied by any adult. Think like a criminal, isn’t that an easy prey? No one to care for those poor kids? Then what are you doing by leaving them at home, alone? Many will jump to your defense with all sorts of excuses. I will have none of it. You have all the time you need to shape them while they were growing up.

Victims of crime aside, let’s talk about wayward kids being the potential criminal. What pisses me off now are a bunch of kids by the staircase singing to the tune of their cursed radio-phones whilst puffing away. Each day after a rendezvous, you’ll get food packaging and “I was here” carving.

For goodness’ sake, bring up your child with discipline. A spanking won’t kill him. God’s gift? Heaven-sent? Yes, but I believe God don’t give you one to spoil him. All the time in the world to work and put food on the table but that doesn’t mean giving away the latest phones and motorcycle.

Parent love their children is a universal thing to do but don’t be naïve in thinking that a good parent must be a loving one; and I mean that kind of do-what-you-want love. Aunty and uncle, cry if you must when your child drowned or killed in a road accident – with most of his brain smashed adding to the asphalt layer – but you would do anything at all to prevent it right? Begin now by knowing where your kids are. Ask. Be concerned. If not then don't bother bringing one into the world.

You’ll only have yourself to blame when the worse happens. A headache to the community who stood by you – to judge you.

I didn't choose this life, it chose me

Today’s headline on Benazir Bhutto’s assassination came as a big shock to me outside the petrol station. I stood there staring at the screaming papers; couldn't believe what I’ve just read.

Not that I’m a political science scholar but then I do keep up with the current affairs of the world at large – political issues especially. Being a lady and all, taking on political leaders for her country really gained my admiration.

Never have I come across someone like her (maybe I have: in rhetorical speeches by our local politicians) who addresses her supporters and the people with such spirit, courage, and passion. In a country consisting of people having different ideologies running the gamut from secular to moderate to religious fundamentalism – and recent unrests involving the latter – Bhutto spoke without fear against extremism and meddling of Pakistani affairs by foreign powers.

Like all who have said it, let not democracy be killed. Even now, conspiracy theories abound but digressions aside, I could only heave a sigh each time I thought of her and her not being around anymore. Shalom.

Of exams and expectations

Sipping the freshly prepared soybean milk and sitting on the couch after a scrumptious dinner felt so good. And better still, the 8pm news has just begun...

I was, instead, served with a tragic event that made me lose interest in mum’s soybean. A UPSR candidate has committed suicide after failing one of her Bahasa papers. Only a day earlier, I stumbled upon a picture of a few girls so elated with their strings of alpha. Happy. Jubilant. Fists raised high. Countenance frozen in time, all screaming out: WE DID IT. So what?

It’s just another public exam where they test you on how good your memories are and how you’d be able to put those words in line correctly although they know exactly what you’re trying to convey. I got a C for writing and go on to (always, I may add) obtain above 75 during my secondary years.

The deceased’s parents looked like very nice folks; just like mine, where they tell you to study hard but hey, no problem if you didn’t do that well. After all, we’re not waiting for you to put food on the table.

During my days in the 90s, I begin to see most of my peers going for tuition classes and today, it’s an absolute necessity; or so it appears. Parents aside, students are putting tremendous amount of pressure on themselves to score high since failing isn’t an option. It’s scary to think that these fellows don’t understand their own ability and hence the impossible targets that they started to push themselves a tad too much over the edge.

It’s just Bahasa Malaysia. Never mind if you didn’t pass. All schools are regulated by the Education Ministry, boys and girls. Don’t be fooled into thinking that if you enter into a better school (so to speak) then you’ll be a great achiever in the near future. Put a lazy teacher into the best school and see what happens. Yes, students will then go to tuition centres. Bah!

Test scores (and results) are not the only yardstick to do determine such standards. A school, I believe, will be the best school if it: teach students how to value themselves, instill morality in them, is a safe place to learn and grow, and produces respectful students. Not the school with the most computers, biggest libraries, a legacy of record-breaking Alpha achievers.

I’m not a sour grape and though I’m not an Alpha Leaguer, I think I produce better quality works than my peers here in varsity. It doesn’t matter what you get. It doesn’t matter how bad you results are. It absolutely doesn’t matter what your peers think; as long as you’re able to understand that each person have his or her strength and limitations and strive to be a useful person.

Oh, it doesn’t matter if major exams are abolished or not since students now are trained to learn by rote and not trained to think. Whether there be exams or not, unless the education system changes, we’ll still get the same products. Follow this LINK if you have the time.

My heart goes out to the family of Subashini Sivakumar.

Around The Corner

Got an e-mail a few days ago (thanks Vanessa) with a poem attached to it. Ran a quick search on the net and found that it was composed by Charles Hanson Towne (1877-1949). No reviews whatsoever; read and feel how much it applies today.

Around the corner I have a friend
In this great city that has no end
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on
And before I know it, a year is gone

And I never see my old friend's face
For life is a swift and terrible race
He knows I like him just as well
As in the days when I rang his bell
And he rang mine, but we were younger then
And now we are busy, tired men
Tired of playing a foolish game
Tired of trying to make a name

"Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jim
Just to show that I'm thinking of him."
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes
And distance between us grows and grows

Around the corner, yet miles away
"Here's a telegram sir," "Jim died today."
And that's what we get and deserve in the end
Around the corner, a vanished friend

Blog Action Day

What would happen if every blog published posts discussing the same issue, on the same day? One issue. One day. Thousands of voices.

Blog Action Day on October 15th

Visit http://blogactionday.org/

Together, let's make a difference to the environment

Oasis of Reminiscence

‘Twas the night ‘neath the palms
There I sat hunched, relaxed arms
Oblivious to the souls whooshing by
Everything a daze till its time to say goodbye

A night at the boulevard
For two souls who lived apart
A checkpoint before a journey’s start
Journey set out intended to last

The prologue penned, pages to be filled
Not knowing what impends, waiting to be thrilled
Fate took them discovering far and wide
Thru every peak and trough of life

Tugging and prodding in the jungle
Bickering and squabbling in the desert
Preoccupied, on inconspicuous lianas they stumble
Blinded, mirages drove them berserk

Often an oasis provide respite
A waypoint to recollect; to remedy a must
To nurse – spirit set alight
Renewed vision, fortified trust

Sharing the zenith and nadir of each other’s life
To uphold and cherish so that love may thrive
Braving storms, fighting sirens
The hallmarks inherent in love livens

Flame shared warms the cold night
Huddled together enjoying the Northern Lights
Daybreak, the eye of heaven opens
Bringing life, a new day beckons

When the going gets tough and tiring
When the track is rough and unforgiving
Two souls seek out the Living Water
Refreshing the weary spirit; ne’er to thirst thereafter

Just as Newton deliberated beneath a tree
I did so at the oasis where the mind roamed free
Retrospective appraisal waxed poetical
Faithfully penned, epilogue left to the Editor.