The smooth surface,
Almost mirror like,
Watching it unknowingly,
I entered its flow,
Unconsciously submerged by it,
Fighting to grasp the sky,
Before being pulled down again,
Following it’s flow,
Unable to turn back,
The road is set;
I shall head to sea,
Can you see the future?
It’s unpredictable
✿Oracl3✿
WARNING: RANT AHEAD! LOADS OF PROFANITY. STEER CLEAR IF YOU HAVE A PROFOUND ALLERGY OR DISLIKE FOR PROFANITIES.
I need to rant because I am no Buddha, it's normal for me to accumulate some negative karma, cause as I said, if I don't accumulate any, then I would be Buddha.
For those allergic to profanities but still curious.... As they say curiousity kills the cat, but since I feel a little nice today, I shall spare you.
This post is merely a rant on the stupid local authorities of my area, as they have asked us to take down the barricade and invite the theives back into my neighbourhood with open arms!
****
Due to those fucking selfish bastards who complained so much about the road closures at my residential area, the local authority has ordered us to remove the barricades within 14 days, or well.. I guess, we could be facing a criminal suit, since it will then be considered a public nuisance...
Feel so fucking pissed! You want to be real selfish? than un-barricade all the gated neighbourhoods now!! Why only mine?? Screw those fucking minions over, every single one of them stingy, self-centered bastards!! yeah, listen to the fucking minority for once, and screw over the majority when it suits you!
Obviously you can't keep everyone happy, but shouldn't you at least try to keep the majority happy? Logically, that's how a bloody society is supposed to work! By barricading the city, it's a mere traffic problem, without barricading it causes even more serious problems, it causes thefts, break-ins, property damage, maybe even rape, death or murder... Fucking brainless gits!
Draw a fucking list and weigh the pros and cons you idiots!
ARGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is the fucking guidelines??? I want to read it and throw something at the bloody local authorities. they are already so fucking incompetent that they can't assure us our security, and now they won't let us protect ourselves.
What is fucking wrong with their fucking brains??!! Do they even have any??!!
First you fail to protect us, and now you won't let us protect ourselves???? we are like sheep waiting out in the open for the wolves to come and grab us! Fucking local authority, can we please vote the current government out, and get a proper government in?? one that ACTUALLY bothers about the safety of the people, of the rakyat...
The end of 2009, has come and gone, the beginning of 2010, is here... and well... it's just here..... we can't do anything about it....
it's just an excuse to eat and drink bla bla, yes, I'm jaded.... this is what life has done to me....
anyway, welcome to 2010 everyone, and good bye to 2009, and good riddance with that...
my last day of 2009 was filled with nothing but mishaps.. or rather, bad luck.... oh... i hate---d........ 2009... with passion.... well, to be honest the last day.... let's see what happened....
first the train was late... hmm that's a sign.. but oh well.... nevermind....
second i was expecting an email so that i can start my work early, finish it early, and fulfil my half day leave request....
bloody internet was down in the whole office, till at least 2 hours later... which meant that it would be impossible for me to leave at 1pm, the time i can leave since i had taken my half day leave... never mind... that's still swell....
happily away doing work, when..... with all honesty? i'm an idiotic git, I've no idea what happened, but i lost a good 2 hours of my work... i was seriously going WTF!!! and fucked up did i feel. felt so stupid for trusting the idiotic, retarded laptop, and not saving my work periodically...
i spent/wasted almost an hour, a god-damned hour, trying everything i know to get it back, but couldn't... i thus decided to breath, and resign myself to re-doing the work... thanks dear, and everyone else for hearing me curse and emo at my beloved office laptop.. (i think, it's taking revenge, cause i accidentally dropped it the other day.. eventhough there's no damage.... =.=' or so, i hope haha)
was really fucked up plus frustrated, cause try as i might, i could not get back the original muse of what i had written for the opinion, in which at that particular time, my muse was floating like....... ermm... well, smoothly.. and try as i might, i felt that what was reproduced was.... only second par... yes, was very unhappy, and very fucked up.... nevermind...
discovered firm will close at 3pm....... so.. since the document died on me, and i had to waste time, i was definitely going to be there till after 3, so emailed to cancel leave.. pointless to take something you can't, idiotic even....
nevermind...... i wanted to go to the bar council... then i found out, it bloody closed at 12!!! never mind!!!
i lost a button on my mobile, a button i frequently used...... so now the convenience is gone..... (breathes) nevermind!!!!
friends decided to go to i-city, nothing there, total waste of time and petrol..... nevermind......
nevermind, nevermind.... it's 2010....
i still got to watch my fireworks, front seat, beautiful view... i was with great company the entire night...
so, it was a horrid fucked up day, but yes, my start of 2010 was much better, i had my wine (although you could say.. ermm.. i was a bit hung over the next day), had good friends/company, saw a really cute toy poodle puppy, (though precious is still the only one for me) and yes, that made my night... thank you..
ーOracl3-
oh yeah, visited a 98 (i think) year old relative of mine.. which i don't think i knew existed till today.. wow! coolness.... she's amazing, still strong enough, mind still well enough, and eyesight still good enough... :) ahh~ family
written in conjunction with the article, "Barricaded City" featured in the Star Metro on 14th December 2009. Yes, I've sent it to them, but since I don't have time, and we don't really buy the Star any more... I doubt they published it...
but yeah, this is for all those suckers out there, living on the charity of their neighbours, (cause they refuse to pay the fees for the gated and guarded community, yet can boast that they enjoy it... and that if they don't pay others will.. ooh trust me, idiots like those are my neighbours) and for those acting like nincompoops cause they are selfish and inconsiderate. thank you.. and enjoy!
******
Firstly, I am not anti establishment, I just speak the truth, as I see it.
Humans are, to a certain extent selfish and self-centred, especially when it concerns strangers. They only care about their own convenience and safety and not those of others. The complaints from general road users regarding the unreasonableness of the road closures, I feel, is unfounded, and just plain selfish. What do these people have to lose from the road closures? They are merely strangers passing through
True, the roads in residential areas are public roads, but what is the main purpose of these roads? They are for the residents themselves to use, it is their access to enter their own houses; these roads are not meant to be short cuts for drivers to “pass through” just because they don’t want to wait at the junction or a traffic light. In fact they speed (going above 30kmph) through a residential area. Is that not illegal??!!
As far as I can see, these drivers are merely losing some (minimal) time and convenience.
A very minor, if not inconsequential loss, yet they kick up a fuss, scream their lungs out at the security guards, very unsightly, and all because they have to wait longer at junctions, or for the traffic light. It is just selfishness speaking. Have they ever thought, what would the residents lose if these access roads were still widely accessible to the public? Are they themselves not residents somewhere else?
Residents, I believe, may lose their sense of security, their possessions, their safety, their dignity and sometimes, even their lives. An exaggeration? I think not.
The fact that residents have decided to take the matter of their security into their own hands proves that it is a paramount failure of the Federal Government and our Police force. Would residents do this if the Federal Government and the Police made them feel secure? The simple answer would be, no.
Take for example, in just under 2 weeks, 4 houses in my area were robbed. In broad daylight, my own father was robbed right outside our house while trying to enter the front gate. A friend of mine, had her home broken into during the wee hours of the morning, her sister was held captive while they were robbed.
In all these scenarios, some have been hurt physically, some not, but without a doubt, they have all been scarred psychologically. The security in PJ is so poor, parents fear for their children, and children fear for their parents. It may just be a few rotten apples in the basket, but it is a known fact that most Malaysians do not trust the Police. The Police have failed to show us results, and the Federal Government does nothing about it, and nothing about our declining security.
If road users would like to point fingers, point them at MBPJ who authorised the closure of the roads, point them at the 85% of residents who cared enough for their family’s and neighbours safety, point them to the Federal Government and the Police for the lack of security, or the sense of it among the residents. Point all you want, but it will get you no where. Ever wondered what is the point of pointing fingers?
Find your compassion, think of others. Just a slight compromise in their safety, and it could be fatal; it could result in permanent physical damage, paranoia, or the loss of a life. I admit my friends, that yes, what the residents are doing is an act of selfishness but they have a bigger price to pay then the mere loss of time and convenience.
But I guess the best part of it all is the irony. I am sure a number of these road users, are from gated communities themselves, so what is the fuss about exactly?
Oh, and the thing about emergencies? Boomgates can always be unlocked and opened.
******
p/s: this is the original version before editing and before i cut out certain parts.... namely the pointing finger part from what I sent to the papers. reason? well it would be too long to explain why i included MPBJ, cause apparently they won't give any written documents to actually prove that they allowed the closure of the roads.. but, apparently there is a guideline from MBPJ that states you need 85% (min) of the residents to agree... (click on the word "guideline", there are two links attached to it)
=.=' so in the end, I didn't want to send stuff that i didn't have time to research on....
oh yeah, on another note, I've not been much of a diplomat as of late.. (i doubt i ever was much of one to start with) but yes, please don't mind me... and my so called evil-ness streak running rampant currently... maybe it's the Christmas season? cause it pissess me off.... muahahahhaha
(okay, okay it doesn't la, I like holidays cause it means food and wine la... =.=')
Interesting read - is this what is commonly referred to as the reality of life?
Singapore girl wins Commonwealth essay prize! MUST READ TO SAFEGUARD YOUR VERY OWN FUTURE.* A TASTE FOR THINGS TO COME??????
A 15-YEAR-OLD Singaporean, competing against 16-> 18-year-olds, has won the top prize in a writing contest that drew 5,300 entries from 52 countries...
In the annual Commonwealth Essay Competition, Amanda Chong of Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) chose to compete in the older category and won with a piece on the restlessness of modern life.
Her short story, titled What The Modern Woman Wants, focused on the conflict in values between an old lady and her independent- minded daughter.
'Through my story, I attempted to convey the unique East-vs-West struggles and generation gaps that I felt were characteristic of young people in my country,' said Amanda, who likes drama, history and literature and wants to become a lawyer and a politician...
Chief examiner Charles Kemp called her piece a 'powerfully moving and ironical critique of modern restlessness and its potentially cruel consequences' .
The writing is fluent and assured, with excellent use of dialogue. Amanda gets (S$1,590). A Singaporean last won the top prize in 2000, said Britain 's Royal Commonwealth Society, which has been organising the competition since 1883. Singaporeans also came in second in the 14 to 15-year-old category, and fourth in the under-12s. Other winners included students from Australia , Canada and South Africa
What the Modern Woman Wants... By Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen
The old woman sat in the backseat of the magenta convertible as it careened down the highway, clutching tightly to the plastic bag on her lap, afraid it may be kidnapped by the wind. She was not used to such speed, with trembling hands she pulled the seat belt tighter but was careful not to touch the patent leather seats with her callused fingers, her daughter had warned her not to dirty it, 'Fingerprints show very clearly on white, Ma.'
Her daughter, Bee Choo, was driving and talking on her sleek silver mobile phone using big words the old woman could barely understand. 'Finance', 'Liquidation' , 'Assets', 'Investments' ... Her voice was crisp and important and had an unfamiliar lilt to it.
Her Bee Choo sounded like one of those foreign girls on television. She was speaking in an American accent. The old lady clucked her tongue in disapproval. ..... 'I absolutely cannot have this. We have to sell!' Her daughter exclaimed agitatedly as she stepped on the accelerator; her perfectly manicured fingernails gripping onto the steering wheel in irritation.
'I can't DEAL with this anymore!' she yelled as she clicked the phone shut and hurled it angrily toward the backseat.. The mobile phone hit the old woman on the forehead and nestled soundlessly into her lap. She calmly picked it up and handed it to her daughter..
'Sorry, Ma,' she said, losing the American pretence and switching to Mandarin. 'I have a big client in America . There have been a lot of problems.'
The old lady nodded knowingly. Her daughter was big and important.
Bee Choo stared at her mother from the rear view window, wondering what she was thinking. Her mother's wrinkled countenance always carried the same cryptic look. The phone began to ring again, an artificially cheerful digital tune, which broke the awkward silence.
'Hello, Beatrice! Yes, this is Elaine.' Elaine. The old woman cringed. I didn't name her Elaine. She remembered her daughter telling her, how an English name was very important for 'networking' , Chinese ones being easily forgotten.
'Oh no, I can't see you for lunch today. I have to take the ancient relic to the temple for her weird daily prayer ritual.' Ancient Relic. The old woman understood perfectly it was referring to her. Her daughter always assumed that her mother's silence meant she did not comprehend.
'Yes, I know! My car seats will be reeking of joss sticks!' The old woman pursed her lips tightly, her hands gripping her plastic bag in defence.
The car curved smoothly into the temple courtyard. It looked almost garish next to the dull sheen of the ageing temple's roof. The old woman got out of the back seat, and made her unhurried way to the main hall. Her daughter stepped out of the car in her business suit and stilettos and reapplied her lipstick as she made her brisk way to her mother's side.
'Ma, I'll wait outside.. I have an important phone call to make,' she said, not bothering to hide her disgust at the pungent fumes of incense. The old lady hobbled into the temple hall and lit a joss stick, she knelt down solemnly and whispered her now familiar daily prayer to the Gods. Thank you God of the Sky, you have given my daughter luck all these years. Everything I prayed for, you have given her. She has everything a young woman in this world could possibly want. She has a big house with a swimming pool, a maid to help her, as she is too clumsy to sew or cook. Her love life has been blessed; she is engaged to a rich and handsome angmoh man. Her company is now the top financial firm and even men listen to what she says... She lives the perfect life. You have given her everything except happiness. I ask that the gods be merciful to her even if she has lost her roots while reaping the harvest of success.
What you see is not true, she is a filial daughter to me. She gives me a room in her big house and provides well for me. She is rude to me only because I affect her happiness.. A young woman does not want to be hindered by her old mother. It is my fault.
The old lady prayed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, with her head bowed in reverence she planted the half-burnt joss stick into an urn of smoldering ashes.
She bowed once more. The old woman had been praying for her daughter for thirty-two years. When her stomach was round like a melon, she came to the temple and prayed that it was a son. Then the time was ripe and the baby slipped out of her womb, bawling and adorable with fat thighs and pink cheeks, but unmistakably, a girl. Her husband had ticked and punched her for producing a useless baby who could not work or carry the family name.
Still, the woman returned to the temple with her new-born girl tied to her waist in a sarong and prayed that her daughter would grow up and have everything she ever wanted.
Her husband left her and she prayed that her daughter would never have to depend on a man. She prayed every day that her daughter would be a great woman, the woman that she, meek and uneducated, could never become. A woman with nengkan; the ability to do anything she set her mind to. A woman who commanded respect in the hearts of men. When she opened her mouth to speak, precious pearls would fall out and men would listen. She will not be like me, the woman prayed as she watched her daughter grow up and drift away from her, speaking a language she scarcely understood.
She watched her daughter transform from a quiet girl to one who openly defied her, calling her laotu, old fashioned... . She wanted her mother to be 'modern', a word so new there was no Chinese word for it. Now her daughter was too clever for her and the old woman wondered why she had prayed like that. The Gods had been faithful to her persistent prayer, but the wealth and success that poured forth so richly had buried the girl's roots and now she stood faceless with no identity, bound to the soil of her ancestors by only a string of origami banknotes.
Her daughter had forgotten her mother's value. Her wants were so ephemeral, that of a modern woman. Power, wealth, access to the best fashion boutiques and yet her daughter had not found true happiness. The old woman knew that you could find happiness with much less. When her daughter left the earth, everything she had would count for nothing. People would look to her legacy and say that she was a great woman but she would be forgotten once the wind blows over, like the ashes of burnt paper convertibles and mansions.
The old woman wished she could go back and erase all her big hopes and prayers for her daughter now that she had looked out of the temple gates. She saw her daughter speaking on the phone, her brow furrowed with anger and worry. Being at the top is not good, the woman thought, there is only one way to go from there – down.
The old woman carefully unfolded the plastic bag and spread out a packet of beehoon in front of the altar. Her daughter often mocked her for worshipping porcelain Gods. How could she pray to them so faithfully and expect pieces of ceramic to fly to her aid? But her daughter had her own gods too, idols of wealth, success and power that she enslaved to and worshipped every day of her life.
Every day was a quest for the idols, and the idols she worshipped counted for nothing in eternity. All the wants her daughter had would slowly suck the life out of her and leave her, an empty souless shell at the altar. The old woman watched the joss stick. The dull heat had left a teetering grey stem that was on the danger of collapsing.
Modern woman nowadays, the old lady signed in resignation, as she bowed to the east bone final time to end her ritual. Modern woman nowadays want so much that they lose their souls and wonder whey they cannot find it. Her joss stick disintegrated into a soft grey powder. She met her daughter outside the temple, the same look of worry and frustration was etched on her daughter's face.
An empty expression, as if she was ploughing through the soil of her wants looking for the one thing that would sown the seeds of happiness. They climbed into the convertible in silence and her daughter drove along the highway, this time not to fast as she had done before. ‘Ma,’ Bee Choo finally said. "I don't know how to put this. Mark and I have been talking about it and we plan to move out of the big house. The property market is good now, and we managed to get a buyer willing to pay us seven million for it. We decided we'd prefer a cosier penthouse apartment instead. We found a perfect one in Orchard Road .. Once we move into our apartment, we plan to get rid of the maid, so we can have more space to ourselves... .."
The old woman nodded knowingly. Bee Choo swallowed hard. "We'd get someone to come in to do the housework and we can eat out – but once the maid is gone, there won't be anyone to look after you. You will be awfully lonely at home and, besides that the apartment is rather small. There won't be space... We thought about it for a long time, and we decided the best thing for you is if you moved to a Home. There's one near Hougang – it's a Christian home and a very nice one."
The old woman did not raise an eyebrow. I"ve been there, the matron is willing to take you in. It's beautiful with gardens and lots of old people to keep you company! Hardly have time for you, you'd be happier there." "You'd be happier there, really." her daughter repeated as if to affirm herself.
This time the old woman had no plastic bag of food offering to cling tightly to, she bit her lip and fastened her seat belt, as if it would protect her from a daughter who did not want her anymore. She sunk deep into the leather seat, letting her shoulders sag and her fingers trace the white seat.
Ma, her daughter asked, searching the rear view window for her mother. "Is everything okay?
What had to be done, had to be done. "Yes" she said firmly, louder than she intended, 'if it will make you happy,' she added more quietly.
‘It's for you, Ma! You will be happier there. You can move there tomorrow, I already got the maid to pack your things.' Elaine said triumphantly, mentally ticking yet another item off her agenda. 'I knew everything would be fine.' Elaine smiled widely; she felt liberated. Perhaps getting rid of her mother would make her happier.. She had thought about it. It seemed the only hindrance in her pursuit of happiness. She was happy now. She had everything a modern woman ever wanted; money, status, career, love, power and now freedom without her mother and her old-fashioned ways to weigh her down........
Yes she was free. Her phone butted urgently, she picked it up and read the message, still beaming from ear to ear. "Stock 10% increase." Yes, things were definitely beginning to look up for her and while searching for the meaning of life in the luminance of her hand phone screen, the old woman in the backseat became invisible and she did not see her in tears.
So fellow friends, save enough for your old age and don't try to rely on your children. Your responsibility is to give them the necessary education/training and life after that is theirs. If they chose to look after you, it is a bonus and thank the gods for it.
got this from my mom in the mail... guess that's how life is now adays, but i hope i don't end up like that..
I now know how some people feel when we keep calling them hypocrites.. (I'm not talking about politicians..) but guess what... (although in this particular case, no one has openly called me that, except me, myself & I)
I think, some people are nice, that's why they are hypocrites.. (hard to believe? it's not really intentional, they do really feel sorry and sincerely want to help the person.. perhaps... we can't really call them hypocrites then? but I digress...pity such as theirs, more often then not get abused... steel yourself!!) sometimes on this planet, I don't know why, but there appears a sort of person that can force you to be a hypocrite when you don't want to be one. but you find it so hard not to be one... without even realising it, if you don't stop to think...
seriously, if you didn't think, you wouldn't realise it... (come to think of it... actually in a lot of small little ways we are hypocrites...little Napoleons.. we can't survive in this cruel society otherwise... how many times were we forced to say or do things against our believe, because society or your peers, for that matter think it is the right thing to do?)
example... you don't really like the person, (i.e. the person isn't someone you would really bother to hang out with, or deal with, unless absolutely necessary...) but you are okay with the person, (i.e not repulsed, you don't think the person as a cockroach or something like that, civil human beings at least would think that right?)..
you are fairly neutral and civil to the person.... I mean, what's there to be not neutral and civil?? just don't expect me to act like your long lost buddy... we are all generally nice people... but...
well for me... honestly..... I don't really care.. (if you do something to piss me off, I get angry fast and cool down just as fast.. if you own up and apologise, even better..) just stay off my tail, leave me alone... respect me, and I respect you... you want to bitch behind my back, fine.. it's normal... as they say, what you don't know can't hurt you... people need to rant, I understand that..
The reason why I don't exactly conform to society, but do conform to society's pressure in certain ways (hope you understand what I'm trying to say) is because I want a peaceful life.... no, or little drama... I like my privacy and my life, thank you very much.. but what is pissing me off is that I can't say my mind... every time.... time and time again... God!! why are there people like this on earth??
I know, I know.. to test my patience... and my sincerity, they make the world a colourful place.. so that I've something to laugh about when I'm not that pissed... so with this rant.. I am going to do my best to put it behind me, and just be a robot... to all those sort of people.. (so that I can't, hopefully be a hypocrite) it's just that.. actually.. I think the idiocy irritates me more...
Can't beat them? join them... let's all be little Napoleons.. Utopia does not exist.. never did, never will... life is cruel... and what can we do but just live it... sigh, the irony of it all..
Warning: huge crap-ology ahead… do not read if what you lack is time… or interest.. it’s okay I understand.. Still love you all the same… haha
It’s been a while since I wrote anything in English, and well something this lengthy haha… nothing much to blog about (in English as of late besides random ramblings in Japanese… causing me to lose readers, since only one fella.. I think, can read Japanese, and I think he couldn’t be arsed since my grammar is horrendous hahaha)
Oh well, life goes on…. As it must and will, whether you like it or not, it will not, and cannot wait for you…. The same goes for my muse… another reason why I haven’t been blogging lately…? No muse? haha… although by default, I don’t think I really need one…. I need a better internet connection at home (pages aren’t loading..sobs), time and… Ermm.. But that’s another story…
So my first week back at work has finally ended.. With…. More to come… that being beside the point, I guess… haha, since I’ve already worked at this same firm during my chambering time, the familiarity is there, and there wasn’t much adjusting in to do. Since I’ve already known and worked with the people that I’m working with now when I was chambering there, during half of my chambering duration. (Spent first half in corporate, next in litigation)
What can I say... going back to work, after 2 months of not - so - active brain usage…. Hmmm~ well.. Going through documents now… is a bit of a pain on the eyes.. Literally… I don’t know if it’s my astigmatism or something…. (Guess I’ve to go back to printing them out to view rather than stare at the computer, or risk going blind =.=’ or make a new pair of spectacles, that hopefully doesn’t increase my headache..) But oh well….
Ermm, work wise… well corporate is corporate.. To be honest I find it a tad harder than litigation, (learning wise) in terms of understanding and documentation, because well, stuff in litigation, we basically covered in CLP, (not everything, but at least we had a basics of sorts to start with) but corporate… well, let’s just say… university didn’t really equip us for it..
But in a sense, that’s cool, it makes it a challenge, cause you have to learn everything from the ground up…. (Searches really hard for her brain haha) not to say litigation isn’t cool… haha.. I already miss going to court…. (ermm only that particular court though… haha… I miss my dockbrief days.. days where I had to run between court rooms to enter judgements... sigh, those were the days my friend…we thought they’d never end… la la la la…)
Either than that, learning is learning.. And I believe I will get a hang of it sooner or later.. I managed it before; I believe I can do it again… what’s life without a few challenges? Need to un-blur myself haha…
Oh, and also… in the office I’ve to remind myself.. I AM NOT USING A MAC!! And at home… I AM NOT USING WINDOWS!! ….. Makes me feel kinda crap sometimes… sigh..
What other difficulties I’ve been encountering?? Hmmm well, waking up in the morning, and trying to get the brain to function at that time, is another challenge… a real huge one, might I add haha..
I’m a nocturnal creature, forced to live under the glare of the shining star….
Although, after last night… I take that back.. This so-called nocturnal creature has sort of adapted to living under the shining star, that sleeping at 5am last night, was a huge torture to me..
Why?? Cause my body kept trying to wake up around 7-8 am… and I had to force it back to sleep, only to have it wake up again round 9 something and then 10 something…. Till finally my friend called me at about a quarter to 12.. I gave up… but damn… The mind and the body… cooperate!!!
You know you got home late, you know you slept late… stop trying to get up early.. It’s a freaking Saturday for crying out loud… gosh!!
Oh which reminds me speaking of Saturday.. Happy Deepavali to all my friends! Especially Shanie *hugs* you need that! ☺
Right, another thing, adjusting my sleeping hours was also quite difficult due to some miraculous jet lag I experienced…
I just don’t understand why… when we go over to Europe, we don’t experience jet lag, we can adjust to the time there so nicely, but when we come back home.. by golly, I don’t get why the jet lag is so bad…
In all my years of travel, I’ve never, and I repeat, never experienced jet lag this bad…
Err, why jet lag? Well, since no one in particular has been wondering about my disappearance…. It’s cause I was on holiday in Italy and Greece, a week before I started work…
Ooh yeah… living the high life, as some friends had teased haha.. But anyway yes, was in Europe, took almost 30 hours to get back from there to home.. Door to door, I mean.. With all the transits… =.=’ cause we had to fly from Athens to Milan, from Milan to Bangkok, and Bangkok to home…
One whole day of airplane food… managed to cause me to lose all the weight I picked back up in Italy and Greece, and my appetite as well, which hasn’t been well since I fell ill and stayed ill a few months back.. (Still not fully recovered actually… sigh..)
So yes, stuck in airplanes and airports for more than 24 hours, having nothing but airplane meals took their toll on me, and when I touched down, I had to immediately make arrangements to meet a friend who would be marrying the next day, and we had to go over the wedding plans, since he kindly requested that I co-emcee his wedding XD (Thanks Ray & Ivy, for that opportunity and Shane for the books..)
Anyway, slept a measly 2 hours or so, woke up feeling like the whole body was made of lead… forced myself to get ready, headed over to the groom’s place… discussion with the other wedding planners.. bla bla… home to bed, woke up early for cousin’s wedding… on the 3rd of October, it ended in the afternoon, rushed home, got ready in under an hour for the next wedding… (Ray’s wedding).. Rushed there, went through stuff with co-emcee, and everything went from there..
After the wedding dinner at about 11 something, headed to Mel’s house for a Mooncake festival gathering kinda thingie.. Stayed till round 2 something before heading home, and finally.. Rest…
Rest of the week was adjusting my time back to wake up in the morning… and then work started… such is life… when things get hectic, they are hectic… but it was cool… loved it all.. Tiring and torturous as it was..
Now the goal is... to gain back some weight apparently, although I don’t mind the weight I have now, but if I lose anymore.. I was told by a friend that it would be the death of me.. He’s not cussing me, don’t get me wrong, it’s true anyway… so yes, no more losing weight for me.. It’s either maintain it as it is... or gain 2-3 kgs… and maintaining it at that…
First, I need to find my appetite again.. Which seems to be cured by not so spicy food, which again, my stomach seems incapable of taking after not taking it for so long.. haha… I should really lay off my C2-O5-OH haha
Only good news for the time being is… my appetite seems to be returning a bit, but it’s not what it used to be.. Due to the stomach ailment.. so one step at a time.. That’s what I do with everything now a days…
-Oracl3-
P/s: oh, by the way, did I ever mention that my first day back to work started out bloody?? How’s that for a first day back to work… =.=’ あれはねロスコちゃんの血いです。たく始めて見てだよ、びくりした。。。ベビのうしろう「backside?」はきずがある。。。大変な，私のベビ。。。
Stupid Maxis, stupid internet connection.. sigh…this is a Mac.. not windows.. damn the short cut keys…
Am melting, and adding anther thing to my list to totally despise and hate. the hot weather.. this year's dry spell seems worse than the year before, or well, they seem like that every year?
Why I hate the hot weather, it gets so dusty and hazy, not to mention it's hot, so it makes you all sweaty and sticky, and mosquitoes breed like it's some holy ground, and go sucking at your blood like the bloody vampires they are.
Everyone cranks up their air conditioning, contributing more to the thinning of the ozone layer. People driving more instead of walking because of the stupid weather, contributing more to the pollution. Everything contributing to make it hotter than it already is.
One day, just mark my words One day the ice caps in the north and south poles will melt, and drown out everything, with the water level as high as Mount Everest, killing all of man kind, and hopefully after a few centuries, without the pollution caused by mankind the world will become cold again, the water will recede, and freeze, and life forms, mostly fishes that would be left, would evolve and go back on land and start Charles Darwin's theory of evolution all over again. (hopefully not creating humans again this time???)
But the thing is, humans are a nuisance, they are even more stubborn than cockroaches, oh, just mark my words, they will build some sturdy sort of ships or submarines to live in and propagate, and we will have underwater cities, and heck, they will even genetically engineer people to have gills to live under water, realizing the myths of mermaids. Just trust my words, humans are more tenacious than cockroaches... and that's the irritating truth... woe is the earth and the global warming that was caused by humans....
-Oracl3-
P/S: I speak as the alien amoeba from a distant galaxy, frustrated over this super hot weather which shows no signs of abating, and the rains which does not seem to want to come, and the headaches that accompany me in such hot weather and the bloody suckers that suck me dry since they can breed like hell in this kind of weather.
GAAaah!! what is wrong with the stupid connection???!!!
Equality is in my opinion a Utopian concept. It does not truly exist, nor would, I doubt, it ever exist, at least not in my lifetime.
Discrimination is everywhere, present here and now, in force whether we realise it or not. Discrimination between the races, culture and sexes are among the few examples of the types of discrimination we face everyday. Thankfully the world is opening up and in this 21st century we are blessed with people who are willing to free themselves from the four corners of their boxes and venture out, and embrace new things, new ideologies, new culture.
Discrimination, I believe can be traced back way, way back even to the Stone Age. They may not exactly have any discrimination against race or culture back then, but it was obvious that there was discrimination of the sexes. Which is actually the main topic of this write up today. My knowledge of what I am about to write here, is knowledge I have gathered from talking to people, observing society and reading random materials over the course of the 20 odd years of my life. So please feel free to correct me on points, which you feel, are discrepant.
Back to the main topic, discrimination of the sexes.
When this planet was made, Men and Women were made as well, males and females were made so, that they cannot reproduce without the other, and would have likely died out if not for each other. (Although now with technology, I would actually boldly state that Women can reproduce without men, if you know about Dolly the sheep, you will roughly know where I am coming from, but that’s besides the current point.)
Therefore, since both are needed to reproduce wouldn’t one think that they ought to be equals? Unfortunately, no, Men are Women are made differently; Women are mysteriously made weaker, physically, compared to Men. A man can easily kill a woman with his bare hands whereas the opposite is not true for the woman. (but both are quite mentally competent if I may say so myself.)
Have you ever watched documentaries on animals like National Geographic? If you did, you would have noticed that the alpha male is the strongest in the pack, physically strongest I would add. Hence it could be possible to say that the discrimination of the sexes is an animal instinct. (Essential for the survival of the fittest, if not for such a thing, I think a lot of species would have died out) Men are generally stronger; a woman could exercise the same amount as a man and not get any muscles, whereas the man could easily get bulky. In order to reproduce, we can’t have a pregnant lady fighting a dinosaur and risking a miscarriage, and effectively failing in reproduction and resulting in the death of the species.
Hence it could be likely that the reason Women were not made that strong was because they don’t need that strength unlike Men. So the Men had to do the dirty and dangerous work. But again looking at animal instinct, (as humans have been said to be animals, but the most well evolved one) the physically strongest of the pack becomes the leader. Thus, I would say that it is the most plausible reason why the Women follow the Men.
If a Women refuses to follow it would be quite easy to put her in place by just hitting her (as some beings lower than the human race, nay, they cannot even deserve to be called humans, do even to this very day). Women would most likely lose in a physical fight (forget martial arts, the idea here is if the woman knows martial arts the man knows it as well. She would most likely still lose; it’s a battle of strength here).
Hence, it started the dominance of Men over Women. Imagine in the stone age, when a man saw a woman he liked, he would hit her on the head and drag her back to his cave by her hair!! To be his so-called “wife”. (As there was no such term then) What brutality, even a woman during the Stone Age had no right of choosing her own husband and is instead brutally kidnapped. What discrimination is this?!
This passed on into the centuries, where Women were taken as wombs, and were not educated, nor was the need seen. Being uneducated, Women were brought up to have conservative minds to listen to the Men and just be obedient. (like the case in Salt Lake City if I’m not wrong, some sort of religious sect) This was enforced with the introduction of religion with the formation of governments. (Which I felt was actually meant to control the economy, i.e. the taxation, rules and the beginning of law etc notice that all the religious leaders are all Men!!) And most likely the males all got arrogant, as this kind of act gives them the feeling of power, the feeling of power they have over Women, another human being. Thus, giving birth to ego and most likely the chauvinistic Men.
Women however suffered, brilliant minds were snuffed out, the Men continued to subdue Women and built a society for Men. (Look at history at the ancient civilisations, all ruled by Men, Women had no place in politics or ruling; Women were not even allowed on the Olympic grounds, what more to join in, and could only watch it from a far.)
But, thankfully, I guess the Men started to realise, that having an uneducated Women, as they progressed wasn’t very good. Some Men preferred intellectual Women, and it was better if Women could at least read. And thankfully, there were some fathers out there who felt that his daughter deserved an education (usually happens when they are denied sons and uses the daughters as substitutes, but some really do think that their daughters should have a right to education, thank goodness for fathers like that). Thank goodness for some of the Men who had the right mind to look at the other side of the coin, and decided that Women are not stupid, and ought to be educated as well.
Hence slowly, the females were being educated. But with education, some of them started to think on their own, and started asking for equality, something non-existent, unless in my opinion, the day comes where Men can carry a baby in their body, suffer through the pains of child birth and give birth to it. What they are actually looking for, I would personally say is better rights, less oppression, better access to knowledge, and overall a better life. Not a life hidden away in the shadows.
In those days they even had clubs especially for Men, where Women were not allowed to join or even work in. (That could probably well explain the male domination of most professions as Women were just expected to sit at home and mind the children.) Since Women weren’t educated until later. Women who dabbled in things we would call scientific, such as traditional herbs and healing medicines were called witches and burnt at the stake whereas the Men were revered as Scientists, the injustice of it all.
We are in some sense lucky that some Men had loved their wives, daughters, sisters or mothers enough, and revered them a higher standing and allowing them to inherit property. (Such as the ancient Egyptian empire, if I am not wrong, the mother of the King holds and honourable position) Thus in effect, raising the status of Women in society, and allowing it to evolve into what it is today.
There are Men out there who don’t view Women as sexual objects but as human beings like them, who should be given, whenever possible the equal opportunity as Men, and thank goodness for Men like that. Though now as more Women get educated, they are also learning to fight for their rights, as human beings, Women should not be treated like a slave, or a womb, just to give birth, or cook and clean for the family.
Unfortunately I’ve noticed that although society is changing, a number of Men still cannot except that Women are being independent, especially the urban Women, and most Men feel threatened by that. Threatened by the fact that they are no longer needed to put food on the table or as the protector of the family because the Women are capable of that. Thus they think independent Women are not cute, and buy brides from other countries. The Men’s chauvinistic character it would seem unfortunately did not recede with the change of position and status of the Women folk. We could also say that society does not really allow them to as well. (But it can be seen that the younger society is attempting to change.)
It is like a stereotype that we were born with, where boys were wrapped in a blue blanket and girls in pink. However, we can note and see that girls will wear blue and play with cars and trucks, but the same is usually not true for boys, though some of them may now wear soft pastel pink, but they frown against playing with dolls and see it as wrong. The society’s perception set in their minds since centuries ago, that these are Women things, Men will not do it. And the Women’s thinking that, she no longer wants to be oppressed and will break into the Men’s world and do what the Men can.
I think it is a fact, Men can never be Women and vice versa, what is left is to just respect each other. Women should respect the fact that Men are physically stronger and are meant to do certain kinds of work, which actually by fact, if the Women really wanted it, and with the help of technology she can do as well. (It’s like girls playing with cars but boys not playing with dolls.)
And Men should respect Women, understand that they are the weaker sex, but they definitely should not be oppressed and be given better or if possible equal rights/opportunities (such as equal opportunity for education). Society should be taught that girls are okay too (China should stop killing baby girls). We are not stupid or useless; we can inherit property as well. And we can actually carry on the surname as well (as in Japan where the son-in-law may be adopted into the family and carry the wife’s surname).
What I’ve noticed in society is that there is still a general lack of respect for Women, sure the highly educated/professionals respect, or at least try their best to respect each other no matter the sex, but when you get rapists and molesters, this are typical Stone Age Men who have failed to evolve, and still wish to empower Women, and who do not respect Women and most likely think they don’t have to be respected.
Society deserves a hard smack on the head, and taught to think with an open mind, it doesn’t matter if this discrimination has been so deeply embedded in culture, if there are people, Men and Women willing to fight for it, someday, we may be looking at a future where Women will have rights almost equivalent to the Men, where Women will get the respect their deserve; respect almost, or I hope actually equal to Men. It feels like a Utopian dream, but it could be possible with the right education, and with the right minds, and will to change societies.
Men on the other hand shouldn’t be thinking that because Women want equality that they should do everything themselves, like from what I’ve noticed in my scouting, for example in chopping wood, the boys will not help the girls saying they are strong enough. I don’t really think that is the point. As stated it is a fact, Women are the weaker sex, we don’t have as much physical strength, besides it is being courteous to help a friend, is it not? If your friend, regardless of sex were having difficulty chopping the wood, which you know you’re most likely capable of, would you not offer your help? (You should, it’s manners. So learn, society lacks manners, especially, sadly, in this country as posted before based on the little survey I did sometime back around last year.)
So yes, respect each other, and help each other, you chop the wood & I can help you sew, I don’t really see the problem with that as long as Women are not treated as objects but normal human beings like the Men. (We were after all made differently) I think that is in effect what Women are actually looking for, but couldn’t word properly. (Hence the word “equality”) So to the, Men please respect the Women, and to the Women, please respect the Men, and to both sexes, please continue to strive for better rights for Women. (We should not be locked at home, not allowed to leave the home unaccompanied, we should not feel fear walking out on the street alone, we should all be given equal education, we should have the right to choose our spouse, we do not need to hide. Society can free Women, and the first step has to be taken by us all)
Also this might seem quite feminist, but I think Men should just endure it when Women say it’s the Men’s fault for a certain number of things (such as society’s mentality and way of thinking), as we can all associate it to the discrimination of their fore fathers and fathers before that, i.e. the Men of old, it’s the least they could do for the centuries of oppression of Women, though they will argue that they aren’t like that. But it’s a fact that society was made like that, and it’s good that they realise that though, and are hopefully willing to change society, cause if they don’t aren’t they then the same as their forefathers and fathers before that?
To the Men, hey what’s wrong with wearing florescent pink and playing with dolls?
-Oracl3-
P/s: this discrimination of the sexes can actually be applied to the discrimination of races etc, one race thinks it’s more superior than the other, and well they have the numbers to enforce that thought by forming society, and there you have it. Discrimination, again I would say, education and teaching people to broaden their horizons will help to alleviate this problem somewhat. And people need to stop thinking they are so damned special when we are all humans, when we get cut, no matter the skin colour, our blood is all red. (But as I said it’s a Utopian concept or we wouldn’t be having any wars now would we?)
Ahh, yes, the moment of truth... (with a capital B)
Let me get this straight.. I still love you, it, whoever, or whatever I happen to be bitching about.. (whenever I do bitch...) but well, yeah.. life just gets to you sometimes...
People who bitch in general, Are people who are pissed, People who are pissed, Are angry people, People who are angry, Are people who are unhappy, People who are unhappy, Are miserable people... And well, people who are miserable... Are just that.. miserable.. So have some pity....
So the conclusion is, in general, Miserable people are people who bitch...
And the more miserable they are, the more they bitch...
So instead of getting angry at people who bitch, listen to what they have to say, and seek the truth and logic in that, and maybe help them along, or keep it to yourself, but please don't get angry with them and start spreading gossips or whatever (as I've noticed it's always the case, going behind the person's back.... Well...... Hey........ come to think of it, doesn't that count as bitching as well??? O_O' Krud...)
Cause people who bitch are miserable people, so we should feel sorry for such miserable people, and revive that compassion we have hidden in our souls..
So yes, please pity me when I bitch (as I do as well.). And to be honest, (I've noticed, both in others and personally) when we bitch we don't really mean it, we're just ranting, people need to let the miserable things off their chest to move on and be slightly more happier... So let's all forgive people who bitch... cause bitching is just part of human nature..
(And to everyone who caught me bitching, my sincerest apologies... after all, no matter how much I deny it, I'm unfortunately still human, and am living in this society of humans....)
Thank you
The end
-Oracl3-
P/s: Ah, you could tell that things haven't been going that great? Why, thank you... Though I have a number of things to be thankful for.. Am searching for the lining in the silver clouds... and well.. no matter how worse off we think we are.. there are people worse off than us....
To everyone who celebrates it.. (Though it doesn't really matter if you do or don't, just enjoy the festivities!! XD)
""
Yes!! Rejoice for spring is here..... Well at least in China it is...... Short history to Chinese New Year?
If I'm not wrong, Chinese Astrologists used to calculate when spring would be coming every year, and we would celebrate, the coming of a new year, of a new harvest now that the harsh winter has passed....
However, Legend has it that, every certain number of days, this certain monster would come out... the monster was called 年 (nien, meaning year in Chinese) This monster would come every certain number of days and wreck havoc to the village for 15 days, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
So finally some wise old men... or so they say, they could have been young guys for all I know.. but apparently, this bunch of wise old men,or maybe an old man? Discovered that ,this Nien creature... Doesn't like the colour red, nor does it fancy loud sounds, and also it comes out every 300 or so days... (or at the beginning of spring??)
Hence before the predicted time, the old men/young guys/old man told the villagers to deck themselves and their houses in red and to release fireworks, for the period of 15 days... and lo and behold the Nien creature never returned... So every year they celebrate it as such........ THE END...
That's one of the stories.... I guess haha...
Okay, enough with that.. now it's the year of the Ox...... which.... I've no idea what the significance is.. Since it changes on a yearly basis.. but next year is the Tiger year, so hence the recession..... Why a recession every time it's the year of the Tiger.. Apparently because 虎, in Chinese is pronounced as "fu" which means bitter.. hence a bitter life.. Sigh......
Curious souls about the Chinese Astrology.... why do we have 12 animals and why is there no cat???
The story has it that.. one day Buddha invited all the animals for a celebration/banquet... or you may replace that with the Jade Emperor (A Heavenly being, Chinese has a lot of deities) invited all the animals to enter a race... (Am not very sure about the racing thing... But I do know about the Bhuddha celebration....Anyway...) For these events only 12 animals showed up... and they were (in sequence) the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Thus the years of the Chinese Zodiac, were named in accordance with which animal arrived at the banquet first/ finished the race first...
Sometimes we get people asking, why isn't there a cat? If there's the rat and dog, where's the cat?
Well story has it that.. The Rat and the Cat used to be the best of mates.. But somehow when the Banquet/Race invitations were sent out.. The rat being the smart little thing it was, realised that there was bound to be some prize involved or something.. So being the cunning little thing it was.. it told the Cat that the celebrations/race was a day after the actual date.. so the Cat naturally believing it's good friend, slept through the day in which the celebration/race was held, and therefore did not make it..
The Cat upon realising it was tricked, vowed vengeance upon the rat.. and thus till today.. Cats chase and kill mice....
Another thing about the story was.. the Rat being such a small creature, how could it reach the celerbation/finish the race first...?
Well, the Rat being the cunning little being it was... rode on the back of the Ox, and just as when the Ox was about to reach the finishing line. it jumped ahead of the Ox thus being the first creature...
So now we have it that, a person being born in the year of the rat will be cited as cunning and smart... as is the same with all the other animal years.. Apparently we take on some of the characteristics of the animal in which the year we were born in...
And there we have it.... Some...little stories on our Chinese New Year...
Life can be a real prick...but I think people are the real pricks.... The people around us, are what determines how our environment will be like. The people that we pick to surround us, or in which the situations causes us to be surrounded by such people, determine how eventful or boring our life shall be...
Sometimes we just get so fed up with some people and things, but we can't help it, it's not easy to get rid off. Getting rid of it, would mean breaking fellowships and things, which seems kind of selfish and childish on my part. And I don't want people to take sides, because of my little rift, or dissatisfaction. And well, wouldn't it be a waste of things??
But being so altruistic has no benefits at all, people don't appreciate you, take you for granted, assume you are always carefree, and basically take the fullest advantage out of you, whether they realise it or not, and that gets very tiring. You get sick of people who seem to care, but don't care at all.
Whether they are pretending to care, or really care but don't know how to show it, remains a mystery. But it still gets sickening, and tiring. Gestures are nice, sincere gestures are even nicer. Maybe it was the way I was brought up, but I guess what I'm looking for has yet to come, or I'm not doing the right things to meet what I'm looking for.
But sometimes when I stop and look to my sides, I see somethings that I've searched for. It's not exactly complete, and makes me want more, then I start to think, am I being greedy? Is that Okay? Is it okay to be selfish? To take, and not give in return? I don't want to fall to that level, so I hesitate.....
Okay.... Fake Buddhist Crapping post aside.. (currently reading the Buddha, Geoff & Me.. that would explain it all...) which I think only 3 people would somewhat understand fully what this is all about.... So if you don't understand it, it's okay... it's just me crapping.... On to some other news....
Life has been mundane lately, wake up - go to work - come home - work and sleep late; or if possible, watch some drama or anime or something and sleep early - repeat again the next day.
Friday is a tad different, since I get to hang out with some friends every Friday after work, then Weekends.... I've not much of a life either.... and Monday crawls on me from behind again.. with somewhat murderous intent...
Christmas was okay, it was the usual eating spree.. Nothing superb... unless you count my aunt's new house.. she has a flair for decoration I must say... :p
Boxing day was sad! I had to work.... But it was okay... The day after was okay, since its the sales, bought 2 working blouses... so damn Expensive... and the shirts in that shopping mall... the mall I frequent is crap... not even 2 months, and there's a pleasant hole in the blouse.. it was like 45 bucks!! RIP OFF!! BOYCOTT!!!!! GAAAHHH!! Waste of money... not-so-cheapis not neccessarily good.. Sometimes we have to go for the brands, for QUALITY products...
Next...
Someone weirded me out recently, with its (Yes, you read correct, no gender to be specified... could or could not even be human....) actions?
Maybe it's me being overly sensitive.. but please.. don't do things like that in front of me??? It freaks me out, cause it NEVER does that..... Okay, maybe I'm being overly sensitive.. Ignore me...
Ants are attacking me...
My intention to build more good karma has gone down the drain, since they started biting me... Am on a murder spree now.. killing not-so-innocent victims....
On the 21st of August 2008, after refusing to plan any outings because Seoh said he would do it... Which, as expected, in the end resulted in it being arranged and planned out by me and Leong, we went out for karaoke.. [I was dubbed the Event Manager ==' pay me and I won't mind the title haha...>:)]
Unfortunately, as Seoh had work, we had to go at night... ==' which means more expensive.. sigh.... But all the same we had fun... So who went? well, there was obviously the 3 people mentioned above, plus Xin Yin and her friend.. Pei Ling? Hope I got her name right...
I honestly wasn't very happy that I had to end up doing the work, when it was only for 4 people, and Seoh was busy bragging that he had orgnized bigger things than this.. knowing him, his information isn't credible.. or maybe he is more responsible when it comes to work, but couldn't give two hoots when it comes to friends...
Since he was bragging so much, I meant to teach him a lesson, and I decided to really not lift a finger.. if he doesn't do it, I just don't karaoke, simple I won't die from that.. but guess Leong really wanted it? haha cause he got the ball rolling, and arranged for a time when we were all free... hence.. we ended up in Red Box at the Curve..... Though I had expected it to turn out that way... I still wasn't happy =.='
But I wasn't about to let that spoil my mood for the night right? and besides.. Seoh offered to drive.. so it was all well and fine... and off we went for a buffet karaoke...
The new pop star? haha
Xin Yin & I, you know, actually this picture was taken upside down? Honestly 360.. Maybe.... Hmm... oh well... *shrugs..* cross your fingers to say goodbye to days where you tilt you heads to view my pictures here...
Obviously and outing is never complete without a groupie.. Well, we should know everyone here by know.. the unknown is Pei Ling. We've got some posers here haha
Nick Leong & I
Nick Seoh & I, after many attempts of trying to take this picture by ourselves.. cause he's vain?? it's the truth... haha
Pop stars in the making? haha Those were some of the food we ate haha..
And that 's all.. nothing much.. we sang/screamed?? till we were haorse, and well, I think the fun thing bout night karaoke is, if they don't have patrons waiting to take over your room.. you can sing till kingdom come....
Not to say it's my first time karaoke-ing at night, but the last round we left to catch fireworks, and well, me being a poor student... We usually go in the day time cause it's cheaper... It was an experience.. and it was quite fun.. Did I mention.. really pricey too? O_o'
I just bought a pack of brand new guitar strings today.. finally.. and I bought the metal kind/acoustic kind instead of the softer nylon strings meant for classical guitars....
And it cut me sigh.. the 1st string doesn't like me. .maybe because I was watching TV when I was changing it, and tightened it too much... cause I was planning to tune it later.. well.. just turning, and turning the knob, must have made it snap.. too much tension and all... and my poor right hand was in the way of it's rebound.. a nice clean cut I got from it.. worse of all?
Now I have to go hunt for the 1st string again.. sigh... woe is me.... when will I get to practise the guitar... =.='
"Life is about living, unfortunately, that living encompasses exams... and other unpleasant things in life... but without those, that's not living.." -Sayaka-
I desperately needed some inspiration... shared here.. by a Dr Randy Pausch, Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, was treated, recovered, and is now suffering a relapse, and has been told by doctors that he has only months to live... Here is his final lecture... Touching...
Inspirational quote from the video?
"Don't complain, Work Harder!" -Dr Randy Pausch-
"Live your life the right way, when you live right, the dreams will come to you" -Dr Randy Pausch-
Life is about living... which unfortunately means.. I've to go through those darned exams haha...[and for the others.. well, there are plenty of other things we dread...]
but hey, how come my parents didn't let me paint my room the way I wanted to? haha... then again... they let me stick whatever I want in it now.. :p I'll take pictures and load them after exams, to show what I've stuck in my room :p
Also, today I've just received a birthday card from my brother who is in Australia... I guess he only remembered my birthday on the actual day, because the card was sent on the 19th of June itself haha... Among all the cards this year.. I'll have to say that I like his the most.. [Though the butterfly sticker he stuck on the envelope seems like only things girls would do haha..]
It looks like it was sort of handmade with those little 2D pictures you can stick on the card.. [you know like the "make your own card" set you get from craft shops..] messy, and a bit sloppy, but I liked it, simply because there's a Grand piano on the front haha.. it's so cute :p [sorry, call me prejudicial then, it's not everyday I get a card like that... haha]
and well he inserted an inspirational quote, just right when I needed inspiration...
"One thing is certain. That is that the power of belief, the power of thought, will move reality in the firection of what we believe and conceive of it. If you really believe you can do something, you can. That is a fact." -Daisaku Ikeda-
Things work out in mysterious ways right? Now all I've to do is believe in myself... sigh.. easier said than done...
Then again, today's hot weather had sapped my concentration to study.. sigh... but that's another matter.... i'm 60% done with civil procedure, and am starting on Criminal Procedure now....
For now, enjoy the video while I hit the books..
To everyone that needs it, and ESPECIALLY to myself:
頑張ってね，「がんばってね」 加由加由！[This is Chinese by the way, and the above is in Japanese, they all mean the same, Ganbatte/Fight/Don't give up] 待ったね。勉強します！！諦めないぞ！！ファイト！！
-Oracl3-
"It's amazing how exams can make anything & everything not related to studying as procrastination... no wonder we procrastinate more when exams are coming..." -Sayaka-
Title: しにたい！! しけんがだい,だい,だい,だいきらいよ！！ : I want to die!! I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY HATE EXAMS!!
Okay, you definitely know you've reached a whole new height when death seems more appealing than sitting for exams..
Can't help it.. I've been taking exams since I was 6? or was that 7? Whatever.. you would think that I'd gotten used to it, being forced to take exams for at least 15 years.... but enough is enough.. I seriously don't mind studying.. In fact.. believe it or not, I enjoy it sometimes, especially if the topic appeals to me.. but studying for exams??? I'd rather swallow rat poison!! [I guess I'm the type who can't handle stress? having lived a stress free life for most, or as some would claim, relatively for the whole of my 22 years..]
As we grow older, the standards for exams obviously gets harder...[& I still stay as lazy as ever, studying the day before the exams.. not paying attention in class, nor doing my tutorials/ homework... hence the contribution...] but you feel the stress more, because you don't want to waste your parents money if you had to resit or whatever... also... who in their right mind likes classes on their weekends???!! not to mention, the future of your working life rests in University/Qualifying Exams...[simply worded as, the stakes are higher as you grow older..]
Don't qualify = no professional job/wasting the money spent on your degree = no money = can't survive in urban area [unless you want to be a farmer or something in the outskirts.. not intended to be insulting, by the way..]
Unless you want to plant sweet potatoes for food in your garden, to survive... if you even have one... And make sure your water usage is within 20 cubic metres, if you live in Selangor [cause that's how much the state government is giving free, or so they said..].. Also, you might want to save up on your candles, and the wax, add some salt [if you can afford it] to keep your candles burning longer, because you sure as hell won't be able to afford electricity... your feet will be your best friend if you ever need to go down to KL.... [what with the increased standard of living..]
But you know what? that's just plain stupid.. to die because of exams =.=' that's the heat talking [studies in Japan have shown that the hotter the weather, the more likely people are to commit suicide..]
You will forever be remembered as the Girl/Guy who succumbed to exam pressure and killed yourself... [okay, that doesn't even sound remotely amusing... it's sad... & sounds stupid... like you're some nerd whose life revolves around exams and books... again, not intended to insult...] it's not the end of the world... really, if you fail exams, you can always resit, admist the nagging from parents on money wasted and the disappointment of relatives... [Guess, the nagging is enough to drive you to suicide/insanity?] And well.. some rare employers don't bother much about how well you did as a student, as long as you perform on the job, because they know that some people just suck in taking exams... but that's your luck...
But for me? I've better things to live for... guess it's back to the darned books.. I really, REALLY hope, that I'll manage to finish studying all 10 subjects before 14th July 2008.. or I'm as good as screwed....
Why the sudden outburst you may ask? Well with only 3 weeks more till exams.. I've spent the whole day today studying, well almost the whole day.. and I've only done 7 chapters for one freaking subject!! to add salt to the wound... my memory power doesn't seem to be as powerful as before.. not to mention that I have 10 subjects for crying out loud... somebody pass me the arsenic like NOW please....!!
-Oracl3-
Dying..... symptoms of stress already showing.... my appetite has already been affected, and so has my sleep & my skin.... and yet my concentration is still so crap.. Where the hell has my memory power gone too???? GAAH!!
Sigh, why am I an idiot who never changes? Whom can only do last minute work? Why??!! Sigh...
i know not all countries are perfect, but it irks me that although we have first class infrastructure, we are laden with a third class mentality. when we see a foreigner, especially those westerners, i notice that they tend to be treated quite nicely, hence letters from tourists saying that we are such a helpful and friendly culture.
As a Malaysian i beg to differ. the survey did by reader's digest is right. we are one of the rudest people in the world.
how many of you say thanks to the person holding the elevator door for you? how many of you would give up your seats in the train or the bus to an elderly person or a pregnant lady? how many of you actually bother to line up properly and not push when boarding public transportation? tell me how many???? would you try to vacate a table at an eating centre as soon as possible if there are a lot of people waiting? would you take your own time with getting your car out of the parking lot when you know there is someone waiting to park at that spot? how many of you would hold the door open for the person who will enter after you?? how many of you actually stop your car at zebra crossings for people to cross? how many of you stop you cars on the zebra crossing when the light changes?
not many. let me be honest.. from my observation, from having to study in the city centre of Malaysia i.e. Kuala Lumpur, i have noticed the inconsiderate natures of the Malaysians. it is a saddening state really, that Malaysians lack manners. and, oh do we really lack.
i take the LRT to college at least 4-5 times a week... when there is a pregnant lady or an elderly person... i noticed that the men.. mind you, young men, would not bother to give up their seat. 8 out of 10 times, it's the women that gives her seat up. usually those that give up their seats are those who are in about their 20s i suppose. there was many a time where i gave up my seat as well.. though sometimes, as i'm day dreaming, i was slow to realise, but when i do, i willingly give up my seat... unless i really don't feel well, as is sometimes the case for me, in crowded areas....
in college itself. when i hold the elevator door open for people out of let's say the 15 or so people in there, only one or two will say thanks. and even this is rare. it only happens 2-3 times out of 10.. the percentage is so low. it's always the same people who say thanks.. the others don't bother.. in fact, even the one nearest to the buttons,won't bother to hold the door, but just walks out ahead.... manners, manners..... they all lack it.
just yesterday at the LRT station, as i was touching my card to the sensor, this Malay lady behind me inserted her train card into my machine. obviously i can't pass through then. what did she say? "oops" and just pushed past me... totally and absurdly rude!! she could have at least said excuse me!!
don't parents teach manners to their children?? mine did... i wonder what is the percentage of parents that bother to ensure that their child has manners? it looks like it's very low.. out of the 300-400 people of my class, let me tell you how many have showed manners so far...
only about 10-20.. giving it the benefit of the doubt.. we make that 20.. 20 out of let's say 350 students [it's a discount here] that means we only have about 5.7% round it up to 6% of people who are polite in the class...
i also noticed that girls in my class tend to be ruder than the boys, they don't bother about holding the door or saying thanks if you hold the door for them. heck even an appreciative smile is welcomed. the elder men in the class, i.e mature students... only 1-2 of them are polite... the rest are plain rude, pushing past you etc.
the ones that are usually polite, are those who seem to be in their early twenties. imagine if my class was the population of Kuala Lumpur.. that would mean of the estimated 1.6 million [in 2006, we could have more now] population in the city, only 6% are polite enough, to give up their seats to people that need it. that's very saddening this means of the 1.6 million people only 96 000 Malaysians in Kuala Lumpur are polite... if it's compared to the state of Selangor, we have about 3.75 million people.. that would give us 225, 000 of polite people in Selangor....... not a very encouraging figure, although it is all speculation just based on the percentage of my class.....
still it irritates the hell out of us. just look at our drivers who think that they own the whole Malaysian road. impatient people, who can't even wait 2 minutes for the traffic light to turn green. cutting lanes without putting on their signals, accelerating when the car in front puts on the signals to change lanes. blocking pedestrians from crossing by stopping their cars and buses on the zebra crossing.
pushing people while boarding public transportation. what is even worse is: THOSE F**KING PERVERTS WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE of the congested situation to sexually harass people. among the people with no manners they are the worse, as they see females as nothing but sexual objects. the lowest of low, they don't even qualify to be categorised as living beings.
the LRT for example, even though there is a box indicating where passengers should line up. unless there is an officer around, like hell they care, these inconsiderate Malaysians. brainless as they are!! if passengers can't get off the train, what makes you think you can get on? even when i was in the London underground, people weren't that bad, they allowed you to get off first before getting on!!
mentality. a friend told me, while waiting for this person to vacate his parking lot, he was sitting in his car eating an ice cream! if you are going to eat an ice cream, then do it somewhere else, not in the parking lot, misleading people into thinking that you are going to vacate now, instead of when you are done.
eating at crowded places, we get those inconsiderate people, who take their own time to eat... fine, the benefit of the doubt is yours, maybe you just eat slow. but when there are people standing behind you, waiting for you to vacate, then please don't sit down there and chat. and the same goes to the people who are waiting, unless the person hogging the table, is doing exactly that, hogging, please don't give them death stares, just patiently and nicely wait for them to finish eating.
there are so many to mention that i would get an endless list..
but it really makes me wonder... what is wrong with the Malaysian mentality????? i noticed the ones that do seem to be somewhat polite, are especially those who have been overseas. that's not to say that everyone who has studied overseas came back polite or that you need to go overseas to learn your manners... only some of those who went overseas picked up the good habits from the westerners, mind you. there are still plenty that are rude... well maybe not as rude.. but still.....
what should we do to improve our manners?
i would say start at home... but then again, if you have rude parents.. i don't imagine the kids being polite.... schools can only teach so much.....
i really despise people like that, no respect and no manners. although we are all not perfect in learning manners and respect, at least don't press the horn on your car when i'm leading a blind man across the road. it's not my fault that the pedestrian signal only gives the blind man 20 seconds to cross the road..
it doesn't help that people are coming the other way blocking our path, plus not to mention some idiotic drivers who stop their cars on the zebra crossing!!
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
