Poor Little Thing

This morning I was hyped to comment on Raja Petra being detained under ISA. I was having flashes that it was the headline in all major newspapers and I was all set to blurt out my feelings on the matter.

But the instant I stepped into the office, I was stunted.

On the front page of The Star, a cute smiling face of an 8-year old, with braided piggy tails. And the bigger picture showed her mom, face all swollen from crying. The little girl was found dead, in the toilet of her school. She fell and she was gone. While I was reading the news, I couldn't help but hold back tears. I was imagining little Yap Li Xuen moments before she blacked out, in that cubicle. Was she feeling pain? Was she feeling hurt? Was she wanting to call her friends to let them know she was not feeling well? I felt so sad for her... She must have felt helpless...

Poor little thing. What did she feel when she fell? Was she still alive then? Was it painful for her? Was she screaming but in actual noone heard her because her voice didn't come out?

I couldn't imagine what that tiny body was going through, what that small brain was emitting.

:'(

Then I thought of the parents. They must be devastated. 5 years ago, they lost their elder daughter at age 5 to brain tumor. Yesterday they lost Li Xuen. I lost a baby and I almost went crazy. Took me 8 years to recover. Them? Lost 2 babies in a short span... Only faith can hold them together, and love... I pray they have ample of both.

If I can meet Li Xuen's mother, I would cry with her...

Come On! Hop On the Facebook Bandwagon!

I was introduced to Facebook about a year ago. A friend who was on sabbatical in the States invited all his colleagues, including me to sign up. I remember him talking about this "kewl" thing - a mixture of blogging, sharing picture albums, and loads of other stuff. I was already exposed to blogs at that time, only that I blogged once and it just didn't feel right.

So when Julian was so enthusiatic about Facebook, I signed up. At first it was a pening thing for me. I wondered what to do, where to click, what happens when I click. No manuals to refer to, just hands-on experience.

One of the first long-lost friends I found was Shake. Then Bart, and then I got excited. The friends list became more and more, and I was focused on looking for college and school friends. I became addicted and invited more friends to join. When I found these old friends, I made sure I editted the friend's details and go the extra mile to get them to approve it.

Soon, I got in contact with many whom share the same alma mater and those whom I haven't met in close to 20 years. Such a great thing, this Facebook!

Facebook was mentioned in CSI, Facebook was used in Maxis' advertisement, and today - an article spoke of a Malaysian lady in Hong Kong using Facebook to seek assistance in getting powdered milk for her child. WOW! Such tool!

So if you haven't joined the bandwagon yet, hop on! I promise you that you'll not be disappointed!

:D

Bloggers Beware!

Oh yes! Be on toes, dear Malaysian bloggers, for you may never know what kind of eyes are reading your writing! MUAAHAHHAHAHHAHA

Gosh, getting your opinions heard these days do cost you your freedom sometimes.

Anyways...

Today I read in a local daily a writing by our dear Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye on the Race Relation Act. Before I comment on what he said, lemme say what I thought the moment I heard of the proposal. Oh well, with due respect to Ramadhan, I'm removing all profanities - but in general , I thought they should impose the act - but on politicians only, not the public. As for far as this issue has been, I can only recall only the politicians have racial problems. The public doesn't, at least they don't express it on the media - printed or multi or whatever media source there is in this country. But whatever it is, the public assumes their lives as it has been for generations - in unity and respect. Some are even unaware of the racial issues raised by these politicians, just because their lives have always been teh tarik between Ah Chong, Ramu and Hassan. So what's the issue? There's no issue. But the politicians are creating the issue and blaming the wrong people for it. Kinda dumb I must say. Opps, I'd probably be ISA-ed for saying that. Duhhh....

In his writing, Tan Sri Lee voiced that inter-racial harmony and unity cannot be achieved through legislation. True, I agree. Like one parenting rule I heard once before - the more the parents say no to something, the more the child wants to do/get the thing that he/she wants. Rebellion. Simple. But if you reason, you probably get the child off it for the rest of his/her life. So I agree with Tan Sri Lee that legislation will not do any good. More harm I'd foresee. He also said that these whole goal can be achieved by starting with one's self. Yes, instill in ourselves, our children but don't make it a subject in school laaa... Lost?

Lemme explain. In the same local daily yesterday, it was reported that the Education Ministry has proposed an exchange program for the SJK, SJKT and SJKC pupils for the children to understand each other's culture and to instill racial harmony. Boleh ke? Is that how we teach our children ways to accept the culture of others? To expose, probably. But to instill? I don't think so. It takes not just the kid, but also the parents to ingrain in the kid's mind that cultures exist in Malaysia and that we are all integrated one way or another. Then what? Put the parents on the exchange program too? Ahak!

The exchange program should actually be in our daily lives; ongoing, never ending and permanent. It goes beyond classrooms, lecturer halls and schools. Not to be taught to the brain, but to the heart. With love, openness and acceptance. Constant, not periodical. Agree?

This is a picture I love so much - of Asunta, me and Poh Ling. Three happy innocent faces who only know of friendship that has extended to even now after many many years apart.

Of tyre nuts and Bangsa Malaysia

I finally got new nuts for my not-so-new rims. They look swell!! Should've taken the before picture so that you can tell the difference. What's left now is to make new plate numbers. The current ones, which are not even 2 yrs, are now yellow and makes Blue look shabby and haggard. Poor Blue! Sekali sekala I pimp my ride my style...

Da Boss, the tyre shop owner, recommended that I use blue-colored nuts. Blue-colored nuts? Oh, puh-leez! I maybe crazy about Blue but not to that extend! Then he said the Indians love blue, and he smiled a naughty one. Aiyo, please lah Apek, what statement! I thought this is the best time for me to instill my sentiment. I looked at him and said 'Saya bukan orang India, saya orang Malaysia.' Aduuh... Now that I see it in words, it does seem out of place! No wonder Da Boss gave me a puzzled look! Hahaha... Nak mengajar tak kena tempat!

Malu nyerrr... But at least my tyres look good for raya! Heh heh...

Closure, finally

The closure came. The silence was broken. And finally I can let go. And move on with my life.

Thank you, silence-breaker. It means the world to me that today I am able to speak to you with no barrier. It means the world to me that we are on talking terms again.

I hope this is a start of a new beginning for us as friends. I hope we can be just like me and the rest of my friends - lifelong of sharing and understanding and supporting. I hope I can show you what friendship means to me, and why friends are my lifeline. And I hope you can understand and cherish this gift God has bestowed upon us.

But if you choose to go away and not take the friendship after today, I understand. If this is the only time you break the silence and regret breaking it, I can take it. If you decide after today it's a friendship not worth keeping, I can accept.

Whatever it is that you choose, allow me to pen myself 'Your Friend Forever'.

May God bless you, like God has blessed my other friends.

Does It Make A Difference To You?

I know I often formulate wierd ideas. Not that I impose them on anyone, but more often than not, I share it.

My latest formulation (is there such word?) is that the recent 15 sen reduction in petrol price has encouranged the people of KL to drive more compared to when the petrol price was hiked some month ago.

You think 15 sen less makes you drive more?

What makes me say so, you ask. Well, I travel every morning from home to Jalan Aman, chauferring my eldest to school. In those days when petrol price wasn't yet RM2.70, I had to leave home at 6:40 am the latest if I didn't want to get caught in the jam. 6:40 am - smooth riding from Ulu Klang right up to the elevated highway (AKLEH) that took about 7 minutes. Anything after that, no school!

Then, the petrol price hike happened. Much to my happiness (and I found this out accidentally by waking up late), that leaving home at 7 am gets me to school in 15 minutes! Wahhh... ini sudah cukup bagus! Really! No kidding... the road was not hectic, less cars, smooth sailing all the way...

But when the price was reduced - by a mere 15 sen, I remind you, more cars came back on the road!! Tisya has to log her late attendance this morning, thanks to me taking my time in the bathroom and to the slower-than-snail traffic! We left home at 3 minutes to 7, got to the elevated highway at 7:25!!

No, not the drizzle. No drizzle! No, not the accident. No accident!

Just cars... inching away...

So, does 15 sen make a big difference? It doesn't to me, maybe it doesn't to you. But seems it does to many others. :P

Finally, Nyah Kau!

Finally I have eaten the Kinder Bueno that has been sitting on my table for the past 3 months. I'm done with being sentimental. I'm ready to move on.

That's it! Nyah kau dari memori ku!

But I'm still keeping the wrapper. :P

Have Been A While (The Inadvertant Has Come!)

I think it has been a while since my last post. Wasn't too busy, only too busy layan-ing my swollen gum the whole of last week. I think I did do a draft on my phone to post, during one of those nights I couldn't sleep but when I read it again, I felt it wasn't the in the right tone.

Oh well...

Anyway, Ramadhan has been a week now. The first week passed so quickly. Of course, I was on MC for 2 days - the longest I've ever taken in my employment history other that maternity (need I brag!), tau-tau already 1 week! Time flies nowadays, regardless if you're having fun or not! :D

It's different this time round for me. Different in a sense that, when most Ramadhan I lose weight, this time I put on! Thus the subtitle - The Inadvertant Has Come! I had a hunch that all of my power-walks effort will go down the drain when I decided that I have no will-power to power-walk during Ramadhan. And went down the drain, it did! In no less than a week, too!

Aiyo! What happened? I feel flabbier, heavier and no energy! I stared at the mirror in the room to find bulges smiling back at me, when they were whimping and whining some 1 week back! And I dare not even touch the scale! Every time I pass it, I wish it's sleeping or some sort and not noticing me pass by. :P

So what encouraged the bulges? Lemme see.... There was other half's office buka puasa at our house last Friday. That had me stuffed barbeque-d lambs and beef, and some cocktail sausages. And tasteful, huge samosa - courtesy of the only lady in his office. Then there was buka puasa with Mohan and wife at a the house again, the very next day. We had wonderful nasi bukhara - bought at Syed's, and some sweet local delicacy. That too stuffed me to the max. By this time, my swollen gum had wondered why it was swelling yet I was having fun stuffing and piling food on it!

The leftovers from these all turned sahur into a feast, adding more to the happiness of the bulges... Gosh....

Then there was LIMA 09's buka puasa do on Monday. Though I only stuffed myself with teh tariks and coffees, I have a feeling the bulges were very happy with the glucose contents, something they can turn into their playmates.

Wonder if my baju raya will fit...

Nak kena cili mulut dia nih!

"Nak kena cili mulut dia nih!" is a Malay expression. The direct translation is "to rub chillies on one's mouth". For what? For saying nasty things...

Honestly I haven't been reading the newspapers lately. I have been so much to myself, especially which the latest stint of swollen gum and 2 days of MC, the newspapers take the back seat in my life.

But it seems that someone said something racial during the recent Permatang Pauh's by-election. And even though he wasn't talking about me, I can't help but feel emotional about his statement.

He called a certain group pendatang - immigrants. If I can stand in front of him, and look him straight in the eye, I'd ask him "Awak tu orang asli Tanah Melayu ke? Atau awak asal Sabah atau Sarawak ke? Awak orang Kadazan ke, Bidayuh ke?" I have no intentions of belittling these etnic groups, only that I would want this guy to admit if he was born an indigenous. If he was, then he has all the rights to say what he said. But I can bet you my last dime (macam kat The States pulak) that he is a Malay, and he'd claim he's a pure Malay at that. Tapi Melayu yang tak sedar diri, that much I can say.... marah ni!

Who is he to say that the Chinese are immigrants? As much as he didn't say it, he's also stating that the Indians are too. The Malays? He must have thought that his grandfather and great-great grandfather were born here. Before that? Jatuh from the sky, I suppose? If he studied carefully, he'd know better that to say what he said. If he studied carefully, he would have to say that all of us are immigrants! What was he thinking???

As much as my Malays friends have rights on this land, my Chinese friends do too... and so do my Indian friends.... As much as Aina has the rights to be a Malaysian, so do Chong Phui Fong and Asunta Muniandy. As much as Halim has the rights as a Malaysian, so do Raymond Ng and Pietro Felix. Everyone has the rights on this land and noone has the rights to say otherwise. Cemana nak have a unified Malaysia kalau the politicians have racial issues? Cemana nak cakap pasal having a better Malaysia when the politicians themselves yang create racial tensions?? How can we teach our children the life that we have had once when the politicians are marring the pictures with hatred?

Bodoh tak bodoh ke politician sekarang ni? And they wonder why many vote for alternatives... No wonder I label them as stupidos, no wonder I don't vote (for them). After all these anger, I feel sad. I feel like crying. I feel sad for those who did not grow up multi-racial. I feel sad for those who only know one race and one race only. I feel sad for those who never knew how it feels to be different yet accepted and belonged. I feel sad, really sad...

I remember calling an ah-pek 'Atuk' as if he was my own grandfather. I remember feeling all sad and affected when I knew he died. I remember calling my next door neighbor Uncle and him treating me like his own girl. I know the little Indian girl who stays in front of my parents' calling my parents atuk and nenek. I remember and know that all these love still exist among ethnic groups in rural areas, but in the urban areas it is being spoiled by the very politicians who are supposed to spread the same kind of love and unity. Apa ni... why is the double standard?

Until I can find the answer to this, I just recoil into my small coccoon and try to figure out how I make a difference. And Micheal Jackson's song suddenly plays in my head:

I'm Starting With The Man InThe Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change

His Ways

And No Message Could Have

Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World

A Better Place

(If You Wanna Make The

World A Better Place)

Take A Look At Yourself, And

Then Make A Change

(Take A Look At Yourself, And

Then Make A Change)

(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,Na Nah)

I'm going to make at least my world a better place...

I Don't Get It

Finally got to see this year's Petronas' Merdeka advertisement. If all these time I've been one to be at awe with the messages, this time I was baffled. What's the message, people? I don't understand.

Pairing Afdlin Shauki and that boy from Astro Ceria's Hikayat Putera Shazlan doesn't do the trick either. Don't get me wrong. I love Afdlin Shauki. Seeing his face immediately brings smile to my face. OK, maybe he plays the role of a father who has a sense of humor. I can get that. The son? His facial gestures tak kena la... or is it because I memang tak berkenan ngan budak tu to begin with??

But then now the bigger question is what's the message? The boy grew up to become a successful son who then bought a superbike for the father who when he was growing up, saved some money instead of lavishing to the son's request. By not lavishing him, the son was challenged to make do with things around him and to be creative in using these things to get his wants. OK... But I'm still blurr. What has that got to do with Merdeka?

To remember the deeds of our parents? Err, I think that fits best for raya. To think outside the box? Eh, that's CSI!

Then, what?

So help me people... Explain it to me. I just don't get it.